BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Willie Mays won’t be in attendance when the San Francisco Giants face the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Subject on Thursday in a recreation honoring him and the Negro Leagues.
Mays, who started his profession in Alabama with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues and performed for the Giants from 1951-72, instructed the San Francisco Chronicle that he’ll benefit from the recreation at house.
“I am not capable of get to Birmingham this 12 months however will observe the sport again right here within the Bay Space,” Mays stated in a press release to the paper on Monday. “My coronary heart will probably be with all of you who’re honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who ought to at all times be remembered, together with all my teammates on the Black Barons. I wished to thank Main League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and all of the followers who’ll be at Rickwood or watching the sport. It’s going to be a special occasion, and I hope the children will get pleasure from it and be impressed by it.”
Mays, 93, is broadly thought of baseball’s best dwelling participant. He received the World Collection with the Giants in 1954 and was a 24-time All-Star throughout his profession, tied with Stan Musial for second-most behind Hank Aaron’s 25. Mays received the 1954 main league batting title and was voted NL MVP in 1954 and 1965.
MLB has been working with the town of Birmingham and Mates of Rickwood nonprofit group to renovate the ten,800-seat ballpark, which at 114 years outdated is the oldest skilled ballpark in america.
There additionally will probably be a Double-A recreation on the ballpark between the Birmingham Barons and Montgomery Biscuits of the Southern League on June 18.
Mays will nonetheless be honored through the week’s festivities.