The Passing of a Legend
In a poignant moment for the world of baseball, Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball great, has passed away at the age of 93. His departure came just two days before he was to be honored at Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field, marking a full-circle moment in his illustrious career.
Mays' big-league baseball journey began at Rickwood Field, a venue etched deeply in baseball history. On Thursday evening, the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will play a game at Rickwood Field, celebrating the lives and legacies of Willie Mays, Rickwood Field, and the Negro Leagues. Up until recently, there was hope that Mays would attend the event. However, on Monday, he informed the San Francisco Chronicle of his inability to join. Sadly, just a day later, Willie Mays passed away. Despite his absence, the evening promises to be rich with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' unmatched brilliance.
The Early Years
Born in 1931 during the Great Depression, Willie Mays was raised in the mill towns of Alabama, outside Birmingham. From an early age, Mays showcased his incredible athletic prowess, excelling in multiple sports during his high school years. Baseball, however, was his true calling. Playing outfield alongside his father for a local team, and later for a semi-pro outfit, Mays soon caught the attention of talent scouts nationwide. He also played for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons, where Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager, noticed his prodigious skills.
The Unconventional Path
At just 16, the Black Barons signed Mays. Despite his budding career, his father insisted that he complete high school first. Consequently, Mays could only participate in the Black Barons' weekend home games at Rickwood Field. His debut came during the second game of a doubleheader, where he played left field, batted seventh, and notched two hits against the legendary Chet Brewer. A broken leg suffered by the center fielder, Bobby Robinson, then allowed Mays to take his favored position in center field, solidifying his role in the team.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field, with its expansive outfield, became the stage where Mays demonstrated his extraordinary abilities. As scouts began focusing on the Negro Leagues following Jackie Robinson's groundbreaking debut in 1947, Mays' talents shone brightly. In just 10 games for the Black Barons, Mays posted a .233/.313/.326 batting average. Remarkably, the 10 hits he garnered at Rickwood Field remain part of his official MLB stats. In 1948, the Black Barons, boasting an impressive 63-28-2 record, edged out the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series. During that series, Mays recorded seven hits and six walks, although the Black Barons eventually lost to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series. Playing just once a week, Mays' performances offered glimpses of the greatness that lay ahead.
The Legacy of Greatness
Mays’ first 10 major-league hits occurred at Rickwood Field, a poignant detail as the baseball world prepares to bid him farewell there. "It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it," Mays once said. Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S., was the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. Next year, the event scheduled around Juneteenth will honor Hall of Famer and Giants legend Willie Mays, a native of Birmingham. "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 expressed with heartfelt emotion.
As fans and players gather at Rickwood Field, they will honor the enduring spirit and legacy of one of baseball's greatest heroes. Willie Mays' contributions to the sport and his remarkable journey will continue to resonate, inspiring future generations.