Ajay Stone strolled around historic Rickwood Field, immersing himself in the tributes displayed in honor of Willie Mays and other legendary Negro Leaguers.
Clutching a cherished memory under his arm, Stone held onto a photograph from 2004. In the picture, Mays is seen cradling Stone's then-10-month-old daughter Haley, who was adorned in San Francisco Giants apparel. Mays, with a chunk of a chocolate chip cookie in hand, was offering it to Haley. This snapshot from the past echoed sentimentality and profound admiration.
Stone and his wife, Christina, had journeyed from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Birmingham, Alabama, on Thursday—a journey inspired by the significance of the forthcoming event. Hours before Rickwood Field was set to host its first Major League Baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals, MLB labeled the event "A Tribute to the Negro Leagues."
Tributes and Tears: Honoring Willie Mays
Major League Baseball organized an entire week of activities dedicated to Willie Mays and the Negro Leagues. Events included an unveiling ceremony of a Willie Mays mural in downtown Birmingham on Wednesday. These planned tributes took on a somber yet more meaningful tone when Mays passed away on Tuesday at the age of 93.
The city of Birmingham quickly pivoted from anticipation to a celebration of life, paying homage to Mays’s enduring legacy. The environment at Rickwood Field on Thursday was electric, laden with the energy of reflection and celebration. The captivating drumbeats resonated from the ballpark, blending with the excited murmurs and joyous laughter of the fans as they made their way toward the venue.
Inside, Rickwood Field was a living testament to baseball history. Photographs and artifacts of Hall of Famers like Jackie Robinson, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige adorned the walls, telling stories of the past 114 years. The original clubhouse of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues, where Mays began his professional career in 1948, was open to the public. A memorial dedicated to Mays featured bobbleheads, a signed glove, and his jerseys from the Black Barons and the Giants.
Fans Relive History
Outside the field, fans queued up to hold a baseball bat used by Mays in 1959. They also had the opportunity to take photos in an original bus from 1947—reminiscent of the barnstorming tours often undertaken by Negro Leagues teams. Live music filled the air, adding a festive atmosphere, while concession stands served food with menu boards designed to evoke the 1940s.
Eddie Torres and his son Junior, both sporting matching Giants jerseys, captured memories by snapping pictures within the ballpark. Lifelong Giants fans, they had traveled all the way from California for the game. The excitement continued to build as musical artist Jon Batiste performed near home plate, his guitar melodies setting the stage for the night. Fans watched eagerly as former Negro Leaguers were escorted to the field for a moving pregame ceremony. A brief moment of silence was quickly followed by fervent chants of "Willie! Willie!"
Echoes of the Past
Michael Jackson, seated in the stands at Rickwood Field, was transported back in time. An alumnus of the East Thomas Eagles of the Birmingham Industrial League, Jackson's baseball journey brought him often to Rickwood Field during the 1970s and 80s. He expressed his joy at seeing the ballpark preserved rather than demolished.
"It's nice seeing them re-do all of this instead of tearing it down," Jackson said. "We played in the same ballpark they named after Willie Mays out in Fairfield, Alabama. I had my times out here playing at this ballpark. It's all very exciting."
Memories and Reflections
Ajay Stone took a moment to reflect on his personal memories with Mays. "Willie gave her that cookie. She had no teeth. But we took the cookie and we kept it in her stroller for a year and a half. The great Willie Mays gave it to her, so it was special to us," he recounted.
Another fan, embodying the collective sentiment, shared, "I never even got to see Willie Mays play, but as a Giants fan, you knew what he meant to the game of baseball."
Echoing the sentiment, Eddie Torres remarked, "The legacy of Willie Mays transcends generations."
"My son, he's only 11. Willie Mays had such an effect on the game that even he knew who Willie Mays was," Torres added.
As the game commenced and the crowd erupted in cheers, it was evident that Rickwood Field was more than just a ballpark for the evening. It transformed into a living museum, a time capsule capturing the essence of a bygone era, while honoring the life and legacy of one of baseball's greatest icons, Willie Mays.