In Photos: MLB royalty Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter & David Ortiz sport team jerseys to pay homage to "Say Hey" Willie Mays at Rickwood Field
MLB legends Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz were seen rocking their team jerseys at Rickwood Field as Major League Baseball paid tribute to San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays and the Negro League in Birmingham, Alabama.
Take a look at the images from Rickwood Field here:
The baseball field is one of the oldest in the country and was also the venue of the final Negro League World Series in October 1948, as well as the site where a 17-year-old Willie Mays started his professional baseball career with the Birmingham Black Barons the same year.
While the Giants legend's death was announced on Tuesday midgame between the Black Barons and Montgomery Biscuits, a short video paying tribute to Mays was showcased on the center field screen before both teams took to the diamond in the eighth inning.
The public announcer said the following:
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have some very sad news to share. A short time ago, the San Francisco Giants, Major League Baseball and the Willie Mays family announced that the ‘Say Hey Kid,’ Willie Mays, one of the greatest players in the history of our game, has passed away.
"He was born here in Alabama, got his start in this very ballpark, thrilled generations of baseball fans with his brilliant play. We will always cherish the memory and life of the great Willie Mays.”
As a tribute to the Giants legend, Rickwood Field welcomed a game titled "Barnstorm Birmingham" between the Say Heys and Hammers, which involved some of the biggest names in the sport, including Derek Jeter, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Albert Pujols and more.
Alex Rodriguez also shared glimpses from the event as he shared pictures with his past teammate and friendly foes in the league on social media. Dontrelle Willis also joined the stars for the celebrity contest in honor of the late great Willie Mays.
Baseball fraternity pays tribute to Willie Mays
After the news of Willie Mays' death surfaced online, tributes started pouring in. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said:
"Willie Mays took his all-around brilliance from the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League to the historic Giants franchise. Willie inspired generations of players and fans as the game grew and truly earned its place as our National Pastime."
San Francisco Giants Chairman Greg Johnson said:
"In the pantheon of baseball greats, Willie Mays’ combination of tremendous talent, keen intellect, showmanship, and boundless joy set him apart. A 24-time All-Star, the .Say Hey Kid. is the ultimate Forever Giant."
Giants President and CEO Larry Baer said:
"I fell in love with baseball because of Willie, plain and simple. My childhood was defined by going to Candlestick with my dad, watching Willie patrol centerfield with grace and the ultimate athleticism."
Willie May's former teammate in San Francisco, Willie McCovey, said:
"He did so many remarkable things, it actually became routine."
The baseball world undoubtedly lost a legend of the game, and the tributes and nostalgic reactions will likely not stop pouring in for one of the greatest MLB players to ever play the game.