Rickwood Field MLB game honors Mays Negro League players ExBulletin

Willie Mays' legacy honored at Rickwood Field as MLB pays tribute. Fans celebrate with music, history, and memories of the great player.

As Ajay Stone strolled through the historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, he reminisced about a precious memory he held close to his heart. It was a photograph from 2004 capturing baseball legend Willie Mays holding Stone's 10-month-old daughter, Haley, decked out in San Francisco Giants attire. In Mays' hand was a chocolate chip cookie, offered to little Haley, who had no teeth at the time. The cookie was kept in her stroller for a year and a half as a memento of the special moment shared with the great Willie Mays.

Stone and his wife, Christina, made the journey from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Birmingham for a significant event at Rickwood Field. The stadium was hosting its first Major League Baseball game, a Tribute to the Negro Leagues, honoring Mays and other black baseball icons who made a lasting impact on the sport. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and celebration as fans gathered to pay homage to the legacy of these legendary players.

Throughout the stadium, there were reminders of the rich history of baseball, with photos and artifacts of Hall of Famers like Jackie Robinson, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige. The original clubhouse of the Black Barons, where Mays began his professional career in 1948, was open for visitors. A memorial dedicated to Mays displayed his jerseys, signed glove, and figurines, highlighting his contributions to both the Black Barons and the San Francisco Giants.

Fans lined up to hold a baseball bat used by Mays in 1959, capturing a piece of baseball history in their hands. They enjoyed live music, danced to the tunes of the past, and savored food from concession stands designed to reflect the atmosphere of the 1940s. The spirit of the game was alive and vibrant as fans from all walks of life came together to celebrate the legacy of Willie Mays and the Negro Leagues.

As former Negro League players were honored on the field before the game, the crowd erupted in cheers of "Willie! Willie!" in tribute to the baseball icon. The energy and passion for the game were palpable, with fans of all ages coming together to honor a legend who left an indelible mark on the sport.

For Michael Jackson, a former baseball player who frequented Rickwood Field in the past, the experience was a nostalgic journey back in time. Reflecting on his own baseball days with the East Thomas Eagles, Jackson expressed his joy at seeing the stadium still standing and being revitalized for future generations to enjoy. The legacy of Willie Mays and the Negro Leagues lives on in the hearts of fans, players, and baseball enthusiasts who gathered at Rickwood Field to celebrate a timeless tradition of America's favorite pastime.