Willie Mays: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of a Baseball Legend
This week, the baseball world mourns the passing of one of its inner-circle greats, Willie Mays, who died at the age of 93. Mays' death comes just two days before an event at Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field that was set to honor him—a field that holds significant memories in the legend's career.
Rickwood Field, the site where Mays began his illustrious big-league career, will host a game between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday evening. This event is not just a game; it’s a celebration of Willie Mays, Rickwood Field, and the Negro Leagues. Up until recently, there was still 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, on Tuesday, Willie Mays passed away.
Despite his absence, the evening will be rich with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance. His journey from a talented youth to a baseball legend began on that very field.
The Early Years
Born in 1931 during the Great Depression, Willie Mays grew up in the mill towns outside Birmingham, Alabama. A gifted multi-sport athlete in high school, he displayed talent across various sports. Playing outfield alongside his father for a local team, Mays quickly caught the eye of the local baseball community. He also played for a semi-professional team and for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons. Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager, noticed the young prodigy early on and saw the potential for greatness.
The Unconventional Path
At the age of 16, Mays was signed by the Birmingham Black Barons. However, his father insisted that he complete his high school education. Consequently, Mays was limited to playing in the Black Barons' weekend home games at Rickwood Field. Mays made his debut in the second game of a doubleheader, playing left field, batting seventh, and achieving two hits against the seasoned pitcher Chet Brewer. A fortuitous injury to center fielder Bobby Robinson opened up an opportunity for Mays to play center field, where he truly began to shine.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field’s outfield served as the perfect stage for Mays to showcase his immense talent. Around this time, scouts were keenly exploring the Negro Leagues following Jackie Robinson’s groundbreaking debut in 1947. In ten games with the Black Barons, Mays posted a batting average of .233/.313/.326. These performances, while in the Negro Leagues, are included in his official MLB stats.
The 1948 season cemented the Black Barons as a force in the league, finishing with an impressive 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 that series. Unfortunately, the Black Barons ultimately fell to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series. The weekly appearances were just a precursor to the future greatness that Mays would achieve.
The Legacy of Greatness
Willie Mays’ first ten major-league hits were at Rickwood Field, and now, baseball will say goodbye to him 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 remarked about the event.
As the oldest professional ballpark in the United States, Rickwood Field holds a storied legacy, having been the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. The event, scheduled around Juneteenth next year, will honor both the Hall of Famer and Giants legend who is also a Birmingham native. Reflecting on the honor, Mays had expressed profound 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 to 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' legacy and memories will undoubtedly resonate at Rickwood Field during the event. Fans and players alike will come together to honor the enduring spirit of one of baseball's greatest heroes. The celebration serves as a poignant reminder of Mays' extraordinary contributions to the sport and his indomitable impact on generations of baseball fans and players.