The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball great, passed away at the age of 93, just two days before he was to be honored at Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field. This ballpark was the site where Mays' storied big-league baseball career began, adding a poignant layer to the planned celebration. Even though Willie Mays won't be physically present, the evening promises to be rich with appreciations, memories, and tales of his brilliance.
San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals are scheduled to play a game at Rickwood Field on Thursday evening. This event will serve as a celebration of Willie Mays, Rickwood Field, and the Negro Leagues. Until recently, there was hope that Mays would attend the event, but on Monday, he informed the San Francisco Chronicle that he would not. Sadly, he passed away the following day, on Tuesday.
The Early Years
Willie Mays was born in 1931, during the Great Depression, and was raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham. A gifted multi-sport athlete, Mays excelled in various roles during his high school years. He played outfield alongside his father for a local team, and later for a semi-pro outfit, eventually making his way to the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons.
It was Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager, who noticed Mays' prodigious talent and signed him at the tender age of 16. However, Mays' father insisted that he finish high school, which limited him to playing only in the Black Barons' weekend home games at Rickwood Field. Mays debuted in the second game of a doubleheader, playing left field, batting seventh, and impressively getting two hits against Chet Brewer. A broken leg suffered by center fielder Bobby Robinson quickly allowed Mays to transition to his eventual hallmark position in center field.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field's expansive outfield provided the perfect stage for Willie Mays to exhibit his extraordinary abilities. At the time, scouts were increasingly drawn to the Negro Leagues following Jackie Robinson's dramatic debut in 1947. Mays played 10 games for the Black Barons in his inaugural phase, achieving a respectable .233/.313/.326 batting average.
Those 10 hits gathered by Mays at Rickwood are now part of his official MLB statistics. The Black Barons' sterling performance in 1948, with a 63-28-2 record, added to Mays' growing legend. The team narrowly edged out the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series, with Mays contributing seven hits and six walks. Although the Black Barons would eventually lose to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series, Mays' consistent excellence hinted at his future greatness.
The Legacy of Greatness
It's a poetic touch that Mays' first 10 major-league hits were recorded at Rickwood Field, and it is at this same venue where baseball will formally bid farewell to one of its brightest stars. "It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it," said a voice encapsulating the sentiments of Mays and his countless admirers.
Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the United States, holds a venerable place in baseball history. Once home to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues, the ballpark is set to host an event around Juneteenth next year to honor Hall of Famer and Giants Legend, Birmingham native Willie Mays. Mays himself remarked on the significance of this recognition, saying, "It has been 75 years since I played for the Birmingham Black Barons at Rickwood Field, and to learn that my Giants and the Cardinals will play a game there and honor the legacy of the Negro Leagues and all those who came before them is really emotional for me. We can't forget what got us here and that was the Negro Leagues for so many of us."
As fans and players gather to celebrate Mays' legacy at Rickwood Field, they will not only honor one of baseball's greatest heroes but also the enduring spirit of the Negro Leagues and the contributions of its trailblazing athletes. The memories and achievements of Willie Mays will continue to inspire future generations, resonating through the history-rich atmosphere of Rickwood Field during this special event.