The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball great, passed away at the age of 93. His death came just two days before he was to be honored at Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field, a venue of significant importance in his storied career.
Mays' illustrious major-league career began at Rickwood Field, and this week, the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals are set to play a game there in his honor. The event will celebrate not just Mays, but also Rickwood Field and the Negro Leagues, where Mays’ journey to greatness began.
Up until recently, there was hope that Mays would attend the event. However, on Monday, Mays informed the San Francisco Chronicle that he would not be present. Just a day later, on Tuesday, Willie Mays passed away.
The evening will still be rich with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance, ensuring that his legacy will continue to inspire and resonate with baseball fans around the world.
The Early Years
Willie Mays was born in 1931, during the Great Depression, and raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham. Displaying exceptional athletic talent from a young age, Mays was a gifted multi-sport athlete in high school. He played outfield alongside his father on a local team and later joined a semi-pro outfit. His prodigious talents soon led him to the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons.
It was during these formative years that Mays caught the eye of Piper Davis, the manager of the Birmingham Black Barons. Recognizing his potential, Davis signed Mays to the Black Barons at the tender age of 16.
The Unconventional Path
Mays’ father insisted that he finish high school, so he could only play in the Black Barons' weekend home games at Rickwood Field. He made his debut in the second game of a doubleheader, filling in at left field, where he batted seventh and collected two hits against the formidable Chet Brewer. A subsequent injury to center fielder Bobby Robinson allowed Mays to take over the center field position, a role he would famously excel in throughout his career.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field's expansive outfield provided Mays with the perfect stage to exhibit his extraordinary abilities. In an era following Jackie Robinson’s groundbreaking debut in 1947, major league scouts were increasingly drawn to the talent in the Negro Leagues. Mays' brief stint with the Black Barons saw him play 10 games, during which he posted a .233/.313/.326 batting average. These stats include the 10 hits he made at Rickwood—a testament to his early promise.
The 1948 season saw the Black Barons achieve a formidable 63-28-2 record, edging out the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series. Mays contributed significantly, recording seven hits and drawing six walks during the series. Despite their efforts, the Black Barons ultimately lost to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series. Nevertheless, Mays’ consistent performance, even while playing only once a week, marked him as a future star.
The Legacy of Greatness
Rickwood Field holds a special place in baseball history, not just as the backdrop for Mays' first major-league hits, but also as a venerable symbol of the sport’s rich heritage. As baseball prepares to bid farewell to one of its greatest heroes at the same iconic venue, the upcoming event promises to be a poignant occasion.
"It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it," Mays had said, reflecting on the planned celebration at Rickwood Field.
Rickwood Field is the oldest professional ballpark in the United States and was the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. The event, scheduled around Juneteenth next year, will honor Hall of Famer and San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays, a Birmingham native whose legacy transcends generations and continues to inspire baseball enthusiasts worldwide.
Mays himself once remarked, "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 honor the enduring spirit of one of baseball's greatest heroes, Willie Mays' legacy and memories will undoubtedly resonate throughout Rickwood Field during the event, cementing his place not just in baseball history, but in the hearts of those who love the game.