Baseball fans gathered at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, to honor the legacy of Negro League players, including the legendary Willie Mays. Ajay Stone, who had a personal connection with Mays when he held a photo of his daughter receiving a cookie from the baseball great, reflected on the special moment. The event coincided with the first Major League Baseball game held at the field, where the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the San Francisco Giants in a game called “A Tribute to the Negro Leagues”.
The week leading up to the game was filled with activities honoring Mays and the Negro Leagues, with a mural dedicated to Mays unveiled in downtown Birmingham. The celebration took on a more poignant tone following Mays’ passing earlier in the week. The atmosphere at Rickwood Field was filled with excitement as fans arrived at the ballpark, with music, laughter, and celebrations of the baseball greats echoing throughout the stadium.
Inside Rickwood Field, fans were surrounded by reminders of baseball history, with photos and artifacts of Hall of Famers who played at the ballpark, including Jackie Robinson, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige. The original clubhouse of the Birmingham Black Barons, where Mays began his professional career, was open to visitors. A memorial to Mays, featuring various memorabilia, was displayed at the front of the stadium, with fans lining up to hold a baseball bat used by Mays in 1959.
Outside the ballpark, fans engaged in various activities, such as taking photos inside an original bus from 1947 used by Negro Leagues teams during barnstorming tours. Live music, food from concession stands designed to reflect the 1940s era, and dancing added to the festive atmosphere. Eddie Torres and his son Junior, lifelong Giants fans who traveled from California for the game, reflected on the impact Mays had on the sport of baseball, despite never having seen him play.
Musical artist Jon Batiste performed near home plate before the game, while former Negro Leaguers were honored during a pregame ceremony. The crowd erupted in chants of “Willie! Willie!” after a moment of silence in honor of Mays. For Michael Jackson, a former player in the Birmingham Industrial League, the event held nostalgic significance as he remembered playing baseball at Rickwood Field in the past. The preservation of the historic ballpark was a source of excitement for Jackson, who reflected on the memories made on the same field named after Willie Mays in Fairfield, Alabama.
