Just a day before his passing, Willie Mays shared a message with his dear friend, Dusty Baker. The two had a longstanding friendship.
At the age of 93, Mays passed away on Tuesday afternoon. He was aware that he wouldn’t be able to attend the week-long celebration in Birmingham, Alabama, that was organized to honor the contributions made by him and other Negro Leaguers to baseball. Therefore, he asked Baker to convey a message to the city that he called home for a long time.
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Jeff Bleich, Mays’ close friend and adviser, expressed his regret at not being able to join the Birmingham community in person at a ceremony honoring Mays’ legacy and accomplishments. Bleich read a statement on Mays’ behalf, highlighting the significance of Birmingham in his life and career. Mays had hit his first professional home run as a Black Baron in Rickwood, and after 76 years, the hit was finally recognized in the record books. Mays believed that some things take time, but always preferred the adage ‘better late than never.’
Baker unfortunately couldn’t attend the ceremony due to not feeling well, as stated by Bleich. However, Mays still managed to send a thoughtful antique clock to the city of Birmingham, with his picture on it.
In his note, Mays expressed that time has the power to change things and heal wounds, which he believed is a positive thing. He fondly reminisced about the great times he had in Birmingham and wanted the recipient of the clock to cherish those memories with him. Additionally, Mays wanted the clock to serve as a reminder of the other players who were fortunate enough to have played together in Birmingham.
In downtown Birmingham, just a few miles away from Rickwood Field where Mays’ extraordinary career commenced, a ceremony was held to honor the legendary baseball player. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer delivered speeches in tribute to Mays, alongside Bleich, who also spoke at the event. The three dignitaries stood in front of a magnificent mural of the former Giants center fielder, which served as a fitting backdrop for the occasion.
The “Say Hey Kid” is depicted in a captivating manner, with Mays beaming and his hands resting on his knees. The painting showcases his numerous athletic accomplishments surrounding him, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
Chuck Styles, the artist behind the artwork, aimed to portray the humanity of Mays through his creation.
Styles expressed his desire to highlight the charming smile of the person in question, stating, “I wanted to showcase him in a way that everyone would recognize him by his infectious smile.”
On Wednesday, tributes for Mays, who was born in Westfield, Alabama, near Birmingham, came pouring in from all over the country, including a tribute from President Joe Biden.
In a statement, Biden shared his experience of playing Little League and how he, like many others, aspired to play center field because of Willie Mays. He recalled how it was a rite of passage to practice Mays’ basket catches, daring steals, and command at the plate, only to be told by coaches to cut it out because no one could match Mays’ exceptional skills.
Starting his professional career with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues in 1948, Mays was revered as baseball’s greatest living player and the oldest living Hall of Famer.
The passing of this individual occurred just two days ahead of a highly anticipated game that was set to take place between the Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals. The game, which was scheduled to be held at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, was intended as a tribute to the Negro Leagues.
Sporting a Willie Mays T-shirt, Giants manager Bob Melvin expressed his admiration for the baseball legend, stating that “It’s actually even heavier today.” He went on to explain how reading articles and hearing people talk about Mays reinforces the significant impact he has had on the country. Melvin emphasized that even those unfamiliar with baseball are aware of who Willie Mays is, highlighting the widespread recognition of his legacy.
During Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, the Giants donned special patches bearing the number 24 in honor of Mays. The patches were prominently displayed on their chests, paying tribute to the legendary player and his contribution to the team.
The Giants have announced that they will be opening up Oracle Park to fans to watch the commemorative game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham on Thursday. Fans can catch the game on the scoreboard while the team is away.
Before and after the event, the scoreboard will display images of Mays, and a sculpture of his jersey number will be erected in center field as a tribute to him.
During his time playing for the Giants between 1991 and 1994, Cardinals assistant coach Willie McGee had numerous conversations with Mays, as revealed by McGee himself.
According to McGee, Willie was not just good, but the best and the greatest he had ever seen. He possessed all six tools and his aggressiveness and baserunning set him apart from other five-tool players. McGee attributed Willie’s success to his exceptional instincts.
McGee chuckled when he was asked if Mays had ever given him any advice.
“I’ve been through it all, but I can’t recall any of it,” he stated.
Wednesday saw heartfelt words expressed by individuals who were raised in Alabama.
As he gazed out at Rickwood Field, Jameis Winston, the Cleveland Browns’ backup quarterback and a Bessemer, Alabama native, beamed with delight. He was among the many notable personalities who had gathered to pay tribute to Mays and the Negro Leagues through a celebrity softball game at the venue.
Winston expressed his admiration for the remarkable man and his outstanding career in baseball. He felt delighted to be on the diamond alongside his fellow teammates, basking in the legacy of the legendary player. “He was truly amazing,” Winston said with reverence. “Being united with all my brothers here is an absolute privilege, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Comedian and actor Roy Wood Jr. shared his heartfelt thoughts alongside Winston. Wood, who played high school baseball at Rickwood Field, was broadcasting at the ballpark when the news of Mays’ passing was delivered on Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday, Wood spoke with deliberate pauses, as if meticulously selecting each word to accurately capture the essence of the moment.
According to Wood, being on live television presents a unique challenge of balancing one’s humanity and professionalism. He recalls a particularly emotional moment during a 90-second round of applause for Willie Mays, where he observed tears, hugs, and smiles from the audience. The experience left him feeling saddened by the dichotomy of the situation.
While Kelly McFarland was on a short break from directing buses into the ballpark, she received surprising news on Tuesday evening. As she was taking pictures by one of the tributes of Mays at the ballpark, someone tapped her on the shoulder.
McFarland, who hails from Birmingham, recalls the moment when he heard the devastating news. “They told me, ‘You know he’s passed?'”, he said. As he turned to look at the field, he felt an uncomfortable and eerie sensation. The sight of grown men shedding tears was a poignant reminder of the gravity of the situation.
“It was a fulfilling experience for me to witness the impact he made on the community and observe the range of emotions from individuals as young as three years old to as old as 93. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.”
