“A unique experience”: SF Giants look back on the emotional week after Willie Mays’ death and the game at Rickwood Field
BIRMINGHAM, AL – JUNE 20: Former Birmingham Black Baron and St. Louis Cardinal Bill Greason throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the 2024 Rickwood Game between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field on Thursday, June 20, 2024 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS (KRON) — The San Francisco Giants finished last week with a 2-4 record, but if you ignore the 54 innings played on the ballpark, it was a historic final few days for the franchise.
Of particular note is the death of the best player in franchise history, Willie Mays, who died on Tuesday at the age of 93.
Two days later, the Giants played the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, in a nationally televised game that the Giants lost 6-5. Rickwood Field was the home of the Black Barons of the Negro Leagues – a team Willie Mays played for before joining the Giants. MLB history could not be told without mentioning the venue.
Aside from the on-field results, manager Bob Melvin and the Giants have taken a moment to reflect on the week they’ve had for the franchise. Before Saturday’s game in St. Louis, KRON4 asked Melvin how much he’s been thinking about how historic the past week was.
“Pretty much,” Melvin told reporters in the dugout before the game. “Willie Mays is with the Giants. We all understand that. Most of our guys have experience with him, know who he is as a person and what he brings. The rest of the baseball world knows the legend – what he meant to the game.”
“It was a tough week, both because of his death and the timing with Rickwood (Field game on Thursday). He was there in spirit.”
Melvin said playing in front of 8,332 fans at the historic venue was “impressive for everyone.”
“It was a lot, but it was a lot of fun,” he said. “I desperately wish we could have won the game, but the experience itself was incredible, something we’ll never forget… With all the senior Negro League players there, the celebrations, I think the MLB did a fantastic job. It really put the spotlight on it.”
Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski said his experience playing at Rickwood Field was “special.”
“It was obviously an emotionally difficult time for the entire organization,” said Yastrzemski. “To be able to go down there is incredibly special. Something like this should happen more often… perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m glad I experienced it.”
Starting pitcher Jordan Hicks suffered a loss in Saturday’s loss to the Cardinals. After the game, Hicks stood next to his locker and took a moment to reflect on the week it was for the organization, calling it “eye-opening.”
“It was mixed emotions,” Hicks said. “It was hard when I first heard the news (about Mays) in Chicago. I have to honor him at Rickwood, celebrate everything, the story behind it, just what a good person he was.”
Rickwood Field represents both the good and bad parts of baseball history. For one, it was Mays’ first baseball team when he turned pro at age 17. The unfortunate part that came with that was the racism that black players faced when they took over the Rickwood Field playing field.
During Thursday’s televised broadcast, Oakland A’s legend and Hall of Fame member Reggie Jackson shared his thoughts on returning to the field where he played during his time in the Negro Leagues.
Jackson said the return was “not easy.” In a now-viral clip, he further recounted the racism he faced in Birmingham. “I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” said the 14-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion.
The Giants have not won a game since Mays’ death last Tuesday. San Francisco returns home to Oracle Park for a Monday night matchup against the Chicago Cubs.
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