Historic Day in Major League Baseball: Cardinals Edge Giants at Rickwood Field
The St. Louis Cardinals emerged victorious over the San Francisco Giants with a 6-5 win on a momentous day for Major League Baseball. This game marked the league's first venture into historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, a venue that predates both Wrigley Field and Fenway Park and once hosted the Negro League's Black Barons.
A Touching Tribute to Willie Mays
The game came just two days after the passing of Willie Mays, who died at the age of 93. Mays began his illustrious career at Rickwood Field with the Black Barons before signing with the Giants. Major League Baseball orchestrated a heartfelt tribute to honor Mays' life and career.
Mays’ iconic No. 24 was prominently displayed behind home plate, and his son, Michael Mays, was escorted onto the field by baseball luminaries Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr. Bill Greason, a former teammate of Mays with the Black Barons and the first Black pitcher in Cardinals history, had the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch.
The Giants paid homage to Mays by donning patches on their jerseys that honored the San Francisco Sea Lions, while the Cardinals sported uniforms inspired by the St. Louis Stars.
Distinguished Guests in Attendance
The event drew notable figures from the baseball world. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred was in attendance, along with special assistant Joe Torre. The game also saw the presence of former All-Stars Reggie Jackson, Albert Pujols, and CC Sabathia. Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro League Hall of Fame, was also present to witness this historic occasion.
Donovan Shines in Home State Return
Brendan Donovan made an impressive return to his home state, going 3-for-3 at the plate. Donovan hit his seventh home run of the season and added a double, driving in three runs. Nolan Gorman contributed with two RBIs on sacrifice flies, while Alec Burleson capitalized on a wild pitch to score a run.
Ramos Keeps the Momentum
Heliot Ramos continued his strong performance, boasting a .310/.388/.545 batting line with nine home runs and 32 RBIs over 38 games. In the third inning, Ramos launched a crucial three-run home run. Wilmer Flores and Nick Ahmed each added a run to the Giants' score.
Injury Cloud Hangs over Yastrzemski
The game was not without its setbacks for the Giants. Mike Yastrzemski had to exit the game due to side tightness. Yastrzemski has been hitting .220/.300/.403 with seven home runs, ten additional extra-base hits, and a 1.5 WAR over 66 games. His potential absence could pose a significant challenge 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 etched in the annals of baseball history as a landmark event. The game paid a fitting tribute to Willie Mays, with Commissioner Rob Manfred commenting on its significance.
"The event was a testament to baseball's enduring legacy and a symbol of hope, remembrance, and progress," Manfred said.