The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball great, died at the age of 93. His passing came just two days before he was to be honored at Birmingham's Rickwood Field, a site steeped in the history of both Mays' career and the Negro Leagues. Mays' illustrious big-league baseball journey began at Rickwood Field, a historic ballpark that will now also be the site of a game celebrating his legacy.
On Thursday evening, the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will play a game at Rickwood Field. This event, while mourned in Mays' absence, remains a heartfelt celebration of Mays, Rickwood, and the Negro Leagues. While there was hope that Mays would attend the event up until recently, he informed the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that he would not be able to make it. Tragically, he passed away the very next day. Despite his absence, the evening will be rich with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance, as fans and players come together to honor his immense contributions to the sport.
The Early Years
Willie Mays was born in 1931, during the Great Depression, and raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham. A gifted multi-sport athlete in high school, Mays showcased his prodigious talent across various sports. Playing outfield alongside his father for a local team and later for a semi-pro outfit, Mays began to attract attention. His stint with the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons, further highlighted his burgeoning talent.
It was Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager, who first noticed Mays' exceptional abilities. Convinced of his potential, Davis played a pivotal role in Mays' early career development.
The Unconventional Path
At age 16, Mays signed with the Black Barons, but his father insisted that he finish high school. Consequently, young Mays could only play in the Black Barons' weekend home games at Rickwood Field. He debuted in the second game of a doubleheader, playing left field, batting seventh, and securing two hits against the legendary pitcher Chet Brewer. A twist of fate saw center fielder Bobby Robinson suffer a broken leg, which allowed Mays to step into center field and showcase his defensive prowess.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field's outfield became the canvas for Mays' prodigious talents. The major leagues were keenly scouting the Negro Leagues following Jackie Robinson's groundbreaking debut in 1947. Mays played 10 games for the Black Barons, amassing a .233/.313/.326 batting average. These statistics, modest at first glance, only hint at the potential that had scouts intrigued. Importantly, Mays' 10 hits during this period were incorporated into his official MLB statistics, further solidifying his early career achievements.
The Black Barons boasted an impressive 1948 season with a 63-28-2 record, eventually edging out the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series. Mays' contribution, with seven hits and six walks during the series, played a crucial role. Although the Black Barons fell to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series, Mays had already begun to cement his legacy as a future great.
The Legacy of Greatness
Mays’ journey, which saw his first 10 major-league hits at Rickwood Field, is coming full circle as baseball bids him farewell at the very same venue. The celebration honoring his legacy promises to be a special day, laden with emotion and inspiration for baseball's younger generation. As Mays once remarked, "It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it."
Rickwood Field is not just the backdrop for this poignant event; it is also the oldest professional ballpark in the United States. It was home to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues, making it a fitting venue to honor Hall of Famer, Giants Legend, and Birmingham native Willie Mays.
The event is scheduled around Juneteenth next year, further adding to its significance. It aims to honor the legacy of the Negro Leagues and all those who paved the way for future generations. As Mays eloquently put it, "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."
Mays' legacy and memories will undoubtedly resonate at Rickwood Field during the event. Fans and players alike will gather to honor the enduring spirit of one of baseball's greatest heroes, paying tribute to a legend whose contributions to the sport will never be forgotten.