The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball great, died at the age of 93.
He passed away just two days before he was to be honored at Birmingham's Rickwood Field, where his illustrious big-league career began. The San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will play a commemorative game at Rickwood Field on Thursday evening. This event is not only a celebration of Mays but also of Rickwood Field and the Negro Leagues, which helped shape the foundation of baseball history.
Until recently, there had been hope that Willie Mays would be able to attend the event. Alas, on Monday, Mays informed the San Francisco Chronicle that he would not be present. On Tuesday, he sadly passed away. Despite his absence, the evening will still be filled with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance as a baseball icon.
The Early Years
Willie Mays was born in 1931, during the Great Depression. Raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham, Mays exhibited his athletic prowess from a young age. He was a gifted multi-sport athlete in high school, demonstrating exceptional talent in various sports. His passion for baseball led him to play outfield alongside his father for a local team before advancing to a semi-pro outfit.
He also played for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons. It was during this time that Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager, took notice of Mays' exceptional skills and potential.
The Unconventional Path
At just 16 years old, Willie Mays was signed by the Black Barons. However, a stipulation from his father required him to finish high school. This constraint meant that Mays could only participate in the Black Barons' weekend home games at Rickwood Field.
Mays made his debut in the second game of a doubleheader, playing in left field, batting seventh, and recording two hits against pitcher Chet Brewer. A broken leg suffered by center fielder Bobby Robinson soon provided Mays the opportunity to play center field, a position where he would later become legendary.
Scouting the Prodigy
The expansive outfield at Rickwood Field allowed Mays to showcase his talents, capturing the attention of scouts who were increasingly drawn to the Negro Leagues following Jackie Robinson's 1947 debut in Major League Baseball. In his short tenure with the Black Barons, Mays played 10 games, achieving a .233/.313/.326 batting average. These 10 hits at Rickwood Field were just the beginning of his journey to major-league greatness.
In 1948, the Black Barons had a stellar season, compiling a 63-28-2 record and clinching the Negro American League Series against the Kansas City Monarchs. Mays' contributions were notable, with seven hits and six walks during the series. Although the Black Barons ultimately lost to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series, Mays' once-a-week appearances provided a glimpse of the greatness that lay ahead.
The Legacy of Greatness
Willie Mays' first 10 major-league hits may have been recorded at Rickwood Field, and it is fitting that baseball will bid farewell to him at the same historic venue. This occasion promises to be a special day, filled with inspiring moments and reflections on Mays' remarkable career. "It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it," said one of the event organizers.
Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S., was once home to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. The upcoming event, scheduled around Juneteenth next year, will honor Hall of Famer and Giants legend Willie Mays, a Birmingham native whose legacy is intertwined with this hallowed ground. Reflecting on the significance, Mays once said, "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 resonate at Rickwood Field, a lasting tribute to a legend who left an indelible mark on the sport.