This afternoon we found out the Willie Mays passed. It was quite a blow. For years Major League Baseball has been planning it’s salute to the Negro Leagues at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, AL. A highlight was a tribute to Willie who was a star for the Birmingham Black Barons. The game is slated to celebrate the national Juneteenth holiday on June 20, 2024.

We knew something was up when it was announced yesterday that Mays would not be at the game, instead taking it in from his home in the Bay area.

Born in 1952, I grew up watching the great “Say Hey Kid.” Even though I am a Dodger die-hard I always had great respect for May’s and the rest of the great Giant players. Years passed and in 2014 the Giants were honored to host Jackie Robinson Day. It was with great joy to see ATT Park (Pacbell Park) feature a statue of Willie Mays as you entered the stadium.