The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball great, passed away at the age of 93. He died just two days before he was to be honored at Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field, a site that marked the beginning of his illustrious big-league baseball career. This Thursday evening, the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will play a game at Rickwood Field in celebration of Mays, the ballpark, and the Negro Leagues. Despite the hope that Mays would attend, he informed the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that he would not be able to make it. Tragically, he passed away the following day. The evening will still be filled with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance.
The Early Years
Born in 1931 during the Great Depression, Willie Mays was raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham. A naturally gifted multi-sport athlete, he excelled in high school and played outfield alongside his father for a local team before joining a semi-pro outfit. His prodigious talent caught the attention of Piper Davis, the manager of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues.
The Unconventional Path
Signed by the Black Barons at the tender age of 16, Mays faced pressure from his father to finish high school. Consequently, he could only play in the Black Barons' weekend home games at Rickwood Field. His debut came during the second game of a doubleheader where young Mays played left field, batted seventh, and collected two hits against Chet Brewer. A subsequent injury to center fielder Bobby Robinson opened up a spot for Mays in center field, allowing him to further showcase his talents.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field's expansive outfield gave Mays ample opportunity to display his remarkable abilities, attracting scouts to the Negro Leagues after Jackie Robinson's pioneering debut in 1947. During his brief stint of 10 games for the Black Barons, Mays achieved a .233/.313/.326 batting average. Among his 10 hits at Rickwood, all are included in his official MLB statistics.
The Black Barons were a formidable team in 1948, boasting a 63-28-2 record. They narrowly defeated the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series, with Mays contributing seven hits and six walks. Although the Black Barons eventually lost to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series, Mays' performance was a clear indicator of his future greatness, even with the constraint of playing just once a week.
The Legacy of Greatness
Mays’ first 10 major-league hits came at Rickwood Field, and it is fitting that baseball will bid him farewell at the same historic venue. "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 upcoming event. Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the United States, was once the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. Next year, in conjunction with Juneteenth, it will host an event to honor Hall of Famer, Giants Legend, and Birmingham native Willie Mays.
"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 had shared emotionally before his passing.
The legacy of Willie Mays, one of baseball's most iconic heroes, will undoubtedly resonate at Rickwood Field during the commemorative event. Fans and players alike will gather to honor the enduring spirit and extraordinary career of a legend whose contributions to the sport will never be forgotten.