Willie Mays Unable to Attend Juneteenth Tribute Game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham

Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, will host a Major League Baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants to honor Willie Mays and the Negro Leagues. The historic game, scheduled during the week of Juneteenth, highlights the field's rich history and its role in integrating baseball. Willie Mays, who began his career with the Birmingham Black Barons, will not attend due to health reasons but will follow the game from home. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and others emphasized the lasting impact of Mays and the significance of the Negro Leagues. The event aims to create a lasting legacy in Birmingham, with hopes of recurring MLB games at Rickwood Field. Mays' son, Michael, stressed the importance of this tribute being more than a one-time event.