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 historic Rickwood Field, where his big-league baseball career began. This week's festivities, featuring a game between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals, were to celebrate Willie Mays, Rickwood Field, and the Negro Leagues. Despite the hope that Mays would attend, he informed the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that he would not be present for the event. The loss of this legendary figure on Tuesday has cast a somber shadow over the planned festivities, which will nonetheless be rich with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance.
The Early Years
Willie Howard Mays Jr. was born in 1931, during the difficult era of the Great Depression. Raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham, Mays displayed his athletic prowess early, becoming a gifted multi-sport athlete in high school. His baseball journey began in earnest as he played the outfield alongside his father for a local team and later for a semi-pro outfit. Eventually, Mays' talent led him to the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons. It was then that Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager, took notice of the young prodigy.
The Unconventional Path
At the tender age of 16, Mays was signed by the Black Barons. However, his father insisted he complete high school. Consequently, young Willie could only participate in the Black Barons' weekend home games at Rickwood Field. He made his debut in the second game of a doubleheader, playing left field, batting seventh, and recording two hits against notable pitcher Chet Brewer. A fortuitous opportunity arose when the Black Barons' center fielder, Bobby Robinson, broke his leg, allowing Mays to fill the position.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field's expansive outfield provided the perfect venue for Mays to showcase his natural abilities. Following Jackie Robinson's historic debut in 1947, Major League scouts began to pay more attention to the Negro Leagues. In the 10 games Mays played for the Black Barons, he achieved a .233/.313/.326 batting average. Notably, his 10 hits at Rickwood Field are included in his official MLB statistics. The Black Barons had a dominant 1948 season, boasting a 63-28-2 record, and edged out the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series. Mays was pivotal, contributing seven hits and six walks during the series. Although the Black Barons fell to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series, Mays’ sporadic weekly appearances hinted at his future greatness.
The Legacy of Greatness
Mays’ journey to baseball immortality always circled back to Rickwood Field, where his first 10 major-league hits took place. It is fitting that baseball will say its formal goodbye to him at the same venue. Reflecting on the upcoming game, Mays had hoped that "it'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it."
A Final Tribute
Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the United States, holds a revered place in baseball history. Home to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues, it has seen countless legends, but perhaps none as enduring as Willie Mays. Next year’s event, scheduled around Juneteenth, will honor not only Mays but also the rich legacy of the Negro Leagues. As Mays himself expressed, "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."
The memories and legacy of Willie Mays will undoubtedly resonate at Rickwood Field during the event, as fans and players alike gather to honor the enduring spirit of one of baseball's greatest heroes. In celebrating his life and contributions, the baseball community continues to be inspired by his brilliance and the path he paved for generations to come.