Historic Day in Major League Baseball: Cardinals Edge Giants at Rickwood Field
The St. Louis Cardinals narrowly defeated the San Francisco Giants 6-5 in a historic showdown at Rickwood Field, marking the first-ever Major League Baseball game played at this venerable venue. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, Rickwood Field predates both Wrigley Field and Fenway Park and holds a storied past as a former home of the Negro League's Black Barons.
A Touching Tribute to Willie Mays
This landmark game followed closely on the heels of the death of baseball legend Willie Mays, who passed away at the age of 93. This location held particular significance, as Mays commenced his professional career at Rickwood Field with the Black Barons before signing with the Giants. Major League Baseball commemorated Mays' life and illustrious career with a series of heartfelt tributes.
Mays’ iconic No. 24 was prominently displayed behind home plate, a touching homage to the Hall of Famer. His son, Michael Mays, was present on the field, accompanied by baseball luminaries Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr. Adding to the solemn yet celebratory atmosphere, Bill Greason, a former teammate of Mays on the Black Barons and the first Black pitcher in Cardinals history, threw the ceremonial first pitch.
The Giants honored Mays by donning patches on their jerseys that paid tribute to the San Francisco Sea Lions, while the Cardinals sported uniforms modeled after those of the St. Louis Stars.
Distinguished Guests in Attendance
The game drew an array of noteworthy figures from the baseball world. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and special assistant Joe Torre were in attendance. The stands also featured former All-Stars Reggie Jackson, Albert Pujols, and CC Sabathia, alongside Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro League Hall of Fame.
Donovan Shines in Home State Return
Returning to his home state, Brendan Donovan delivered an outstanding performance, going 3-for-3 at the plate. Donovan hit his seventh home run of the season, added a double, and drove in three crucial runs to help steer the Cardinals to victory. Nolan Gorman also contributed with two RBIs on sacrifice flies, and Alec Burleson capitalized on a wild pitch to add another run.
Ramos Keeps the Momentum
Heliot Ramos entered the game boasting an impressive .310/.388/.545 hitting line, with nine home runs and 32 RBIs over 38 games. Ramos continued his strong performance, launching a three-run home run in the third inning. Additionally, Wilmer Flores and Nick Ahmed each contributed a run for the Giants.
Injury Cloud Hangs over Yastrzemski
The game was not without its setbacks for the Giants. Mike Yastrzemski exited due to side tightness, raising concerns about his health. Yastrzemski, who has been hitting .220/.300/.403 with seven home runs and ten additional extra-base hits, has accrued a 1.5 WAR over 66 games. His potential absence could pose a significant setback for the Giants moving forward.
What's Next
The series between the Giants and the Cardinals will resume on Saturday, but Thursday's game at Rickwood Field will be remembered as a landmark event in baseball history. Not only did it mark the first Major League game at this historic ballpark, but it also served as a poignant tribute to Willie Mays, a symbol of baseball's rich legacy.
Commissioner Rob Manfred encapsulated the spirit of the event, stating, "The event was a testament to baseball's enduring legacy and a symbol of hope, remembrance, and progress."