BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Willie Mays will not be present when the San Francisco Giants take on the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field on Thursday in a game honoring him and the Negro Leagues.
Mays, who began his career at Alabama with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues and played for the Giants from 1951 to 1972, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he will enjoy the game at home.
“I won't be able to go to Birmingham this year, but I will be following the game here in the Bay Area,” Mays said in a statement to the newspaper on Monday. “My heart will go out to all of you who are honoring the Negro League players who should always be remembered, including all of my Black Barons teammates. I wanted to thank Major League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and “All the fans who will be in Rickwood or watching the game will be a special day and I hope the kids enjoy it and feel inspired.”
Mays, 93, is widely considered baseball's greatest living player. He won the World Series with the Giants in 1954 and was a 24-time All-Star during his career, tied with Stan Musial for second behind Hank Aaron's 25. Mays won the Major League batting title in 1954 and was voted National League Most Valuable Player in 1954, 1954 and 1965.
MLB has been working with the city of Birmingham and the nonprofit group Friends of Rickwood to renovate the 10,800-seat stadium, which at 114 years old is the oldest professional stadium in the United States.
There will also be a Double A game at the stadium between the Birmingham Barons and Montgomery Biscuits of the Southern League on June 18.
The Mays will continue to be honored during the week's festivities.
