BIRMINGHAM, AL—On June 19, Major League Baseball (MLB) honored Birmingham Black Baron and San Francisco Giant Willie Mays and his rich legacy with a massive mural in downtown Birmingham. The Center Fielder’s recent death weighs on the hearts of several communities and baseball lovers, but his passing motivated them to be present for the ribbon cutting of this artistic masterpiece to recognize his achievements.
“In high school English class, I was assigned an essay on who our hero was and I chose Willie Mays,” Sacramento resident Mark Carlson said. “I originally was not going to come here because I was in Mississippi for another event, but then I found out about this when he passed and it’s such a blessing.”
The work of art showcases Mays in his Birmingham Barons uniform slightly bending over with his hands on his knees as though he is tired, but his wide smile lights up the entire mural.
“Working on this project with MLB and Rickwood, I knew I wanted to showcase something that everybody knew him for and that is his smile,” mural artist Chuck Styles said.
With the San Francisco Giants colors remaining prominent throughout the piece, Styles wrote Mays’ name behind his picture using sizable orange letters. He also incorporated orange and black pennant flags with years on them, signifying milestones in Mays’ career such as his major league debut and his acquisition of several awards. Dubbed as the “Say Hey Kid” due to his inclination to frequently tell others “Say Hey”, Mays’ nickname is written in orange cursive, followed by all of the teams he has represented.
With roughly 250 individuals in attendance, the commencement of the ceremony began at 3 p.m. Former Seattle Mariners player Harold Reynolds introduced the intention of the event, along with four speakers who acknowledged Mays’ impact and long-lasting legacy.
“My mission as an artist is to highlight Black culture and showcase our excellence. I’m completely honored to be here on Juneteenth so I can use my art to exhibit those things, for and highlight one of our greatest baseball players to ever play the game,” Styles said.
Following the speakers’ delivery of their emotional two-minute tributes to Mays in front of the audience, Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin cut the orange ribbon with the large scissors. Mays loved the game of baseball, and Styles’ aim for the community to see the love on the mural as well. He wishes for the mural to serve as an outlet for people to learn about their own history, Negro League history, and the city of Birmingham as a whole.
“Negro League history is American history. Rickwood is the oldest baseball park in our country, and real history was made here,” Woodfin said.