Mays acquired’t relief Negro League tribute sport

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Willie Mays is now not going to be in attendance when the San Francisco Giants face the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field on Thursday in a sport honoring him and the Negro Leagues.

Mays, who began his profession in Alabama with the Birmingham Dark Barons of the Negro Leagues and performed for the Giants from 1951-72, told the San Francisco Narrative that he can have the good thing about the sport at dwelling.

“I’m now not ready to get to Birmingham this twelve months but will put collectively the sport support here within the Bay Space,” Mays acknowledged in a assertion to the paper on Monday. “My coronary heart will be with all of you who’re honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who ought to quiet continuously be remembered, along side all my teammates on the Dark Barons. I wished to thank Predominant League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and the total followers who’ll be at Rickwood or watching the sport. It would be a different day, and I hope the children will like it and be inspired by it.”

Mays, 93, is widely regarded as baseball’s perfect living participant. He acquired the World Collection with the Giants in 1954 and was a 24-time All-Neatly-known particular person for the length of his profession, tied with Stan Musial for 2d-most at the support of Hank Aaron’s 25. Mays acquired the 1954 foremost league batting title and was voted NL MVP in 1954 and 1965.

MLB has been working with the metropolis of Birmingham and Chums of Rickwood nonprofit team to renovate the 10,800-seat ballpark, which at 114 years weak is the oldest knowledgeable ballpark within the USA.

There also will be a Double-A sport at the ballpark between the Birmingham Barons and Sir Bernard Law Biscuits of the Southern League on June 18.

Mays will quiet be honored for the length of the week’s festivities.