BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — As baseball fans gathered at historic Rickwood Field to pay tribute to the late Willie Mays and other Negro League legends, the atmosphere was filled with nostalgia and reverence.
Attendees shared personal anecdotes, such as one fan recalling a heartwarming moment when Mays gave his daughter a cookie back in 2004. The sentimentality of the occasion was heightened by Mays' recent passing at the age of 93.
The Major League Baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, dubbed “A Tribute to the Negro Leagues,” was a focal point of the week-long celebration. The festivities included the unveiling of a mural honoring Mays in downtown Birmingham.
Inside Rickwood Field, visitors were immersed in baseball history. The original clubhouse of the Birmingham Black Barons, where Mays began his professional career in 1948, was open to the public. Memorabilia such as bobbleheads, signed gloves, and jerseys showcased Mays' impact on the sport.
Outside the ballpark, fans lined up to hold a bat used by Mays in 1959 and posed for photos inside a vintage bus from 1947, reminiscent of the era when Negro Leagues teams traveled for barnstorming tours. Live music, period-specific concession stands, and interactive exhibits added to the festive ambiance.
Lifelong Giants supporters, like Eddie Torres and his son, made the journey from California to honor Mays' legacy. Despite never witnessing Mays play, they recognized his profound influence on baseball.
The pregame ceremony featured musical performances and a touching tribute to former Negro Leaguers. The crowd erupted in chants of “Willie! Willie!” as a moment of silence was observed in Mays' honor.
For attendees like Michael Jackson, who reminisced about his own baseball days at Rickwood Field, the event held special significance. Jackson, a former player in the Birmingham Industrial League, expressed gratitude for the preservation of the historic ballpark.
As fans and players alike gathered to celebrate the enduring impact of Willie Mays and the Negro Leagues, the spirit of baseball history was palpable at Rickwood Field.
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