The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball great, has passed away at the age of 93. His death comes just two days before he was to be honored at Birmingham's Rickwood Field, a place of immense significance in his storied career.
Mays' big-league baseball career began at Rickwood Field, and fittingly, the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals are set to play a game there on Thursday evening. This event is a celebration not only of Mays but also Rickwood Field and the Negro Leagues’ rich history. Up until recently, there had been hope that Mays would attend the event, but on Monday, he informed the San Francisco Chronicle that he would not be able to make it. Tragically, Willie Mays passed away the following day.
Despite his absence, the evening will still be rich with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' extraordinary brilliance. His journey to baseball greatness, which began at Rickwood Field, will be shared and celebrated.
The Early Years
Willie Mays was born in 1931 during the Great Depression and was raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham. From a young age, Mays showed immense athletic talent, excelling in multiple sports during his high school years. His early baseball experience included playing in the outfield alongside his father for a local team and later for a semi-pro team.
Mays' talents didn't go unnoticed. He also played for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons. It was there that Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager, took notice of the young prodigy.
The Unconventional Path
At the age of 16, Mays was signed by the Birmingham Black Barons. However, Mays' father insisted that he finish high school, meaning he could only participate 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 recording two hits against Chet Brewer. A broken leg suffered by the team's center fielder, Bobby Robinson, soon gave Mays the opportunity to showcase his talents in center field.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field's expansive outfield allowed Willie Mays to fully demonstrate his exceptional abilities. Scouts, who had been drawn to the Negro Leagues following Jackie Robinson's 1947 debut, took notice of his impressive skills. Mays played in 10 games for the Black Barons, achieving a batting average of .233/.313/.326. The 10 hits Mays recorded at Rickwood Field are included in his official Major League Baseball statistics.
In 1948, the Black Barons were a powerful team, finishing the season with a 63-28-2 record. They edged out the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series, with Mays contributing seven hits and six walks during the series. Although the Black Barons lost to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series, Mays' performance, playing just once a week, forecasted his future greatness.
The Legacy of Greatness
Willie Mays’ first 10 major-league hits were achieved at Rickwood Field, and it is at this same historic ballpark that baseball will bid him farewell. Mays once reflected on the significance of the ballpark, stating, "It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it."
Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the United States, was the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. An event scheduled around Juneteenth next year will honor Willie Mays, the Hall of Famer, Giants legend, and Birmingham native. Reflecting on the past, Mays shared his emotions, "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."
During the event, Mays' legacy and memories will resonate through Rickwood Field. Fans and players alike will honor the enduring spirit of one of baseball's greatest heroes, ensuring that Willie Mays' contributions to the game and his journey to greatness will never be forgotten.