Fans will have the opportunity to pay their respects to San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays at Oracle Park, where a tribute event will take place on Thursday. The stadium doors will open at noon, with a sculpture of Mays’ number 24 in center field and a book of condolence for attendees to sign on the warning track. The game at Rickwood Field in Alabama, a tribute to Mays and the Negro Leagues, will be televised on the scoreboard, with the first pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals scheduled for 4:15 pm Pacific Time. Admission to the event is free, but capacity limits will be enforced, and backpacks will not be permitted. Fans are encouraged to plan ahead and use public transportation, bike, or walk to Oracle Park.
Mays began his professional career with the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948 and passed away on Tuesday at the age of 93. In a statement released one day before his death, Mays expressed his wish to attend the event at Rickwood Field, a place that was significant throughout his life. Since Mays’ passing, baseball fans have been honoring his memory at Oracle Park by placing flowers at his statue in the square that bears his name. The Giants will announce a public celebration of Mays’ life at a later date.
The event at Oracle Park is a meaningful way for fans to remember and celebrate the life of Willie Mays, a baseball legend who made significant contributions to the sport and the community. It provides an opportunity for fans to come together and pay their respects while honoring Mays’ legacy and his impact on the game of baseball. The event highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of athletes like Mays, who have left a lasting legacy in the world of sports and beyond. By hosting this tribute event, the San Francisco Giants are honoring Mays’ memory and ensuring that his contributions to the sport will never be forgotten.
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