MLB at Rickwood Field: Cardinals top Giants in star-studded affair that paid homage to the late Willie Mays

Major League Baseball made history on Thursday when the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the San Francisco Giants 6-5 (box score) in the league’s first game at historic Rickwood Field. For the uninitiated, Rickwood Field predates Wrigley Field and Fenway Park, and is located in Birmingham, Alabama, where it once hosted the Negro Leagues’ Black Barons.

The moment of the game was poetic and sad, as baseball returned to Rickwood Field just two days after the death of Hall of Fame outfielder Willie Mays at age 93. Mays began his professional career at Rickwood Field as a member of the Black Barons. He later signed with the Giants.

Here are five takeaways from Thursday’s game.

1. Mays honored before the game

After Mays’ death, MLB took the opportunity to pay tribute to Mays’ life and career. His signature No. 24 was painted behind the sign, and his son Michael was joined on the field by Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr. Michael Mays told the crowd that his father had found a “different way” to watch the game, resulting in the fans singing “Willie” before the national anthem.

One of Mays’ former Barons teammates, Bill Greason, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Greason was the first black pitcher in Cardinals history, appearing in three games for the 1954 team.

The Giants wore a Mays patch on their jerseys, which honored the San Francisco Sea Lions of the Negro League. (The Cardinals, on the other hand, wore uniforms inspired by the St. Louis Stars.)

2. Elite Audience

In addition to Bonds and Griffey Jr., a number of other important people were present at Rickwood Field. This included Commissioner Rob Manfred and Special Assistant Joe Torre; former All-Stars like Reggie Jackson, Albert Pujols and CC Sabathia; and Negro League Hall of Fame President Bob Kendrick, who regaled the audience with stories about Negro League legends of the past, from Satchel Paige to Oscar Charleston and Josh Gibson.

3. Donovan has a big night at home

Cardinals infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan, who attended high school in Mobile and later played at the University of South Alabama, had a big outing in his return to the state. Donovan went 3-for-3 with his seventh home run and a double, scoring three runs in the process.

Nolan Gorman drove in two runs of his own, both on sacrifice flies, and Alec Burleson scored the other run, running around the base on a wild pitch.

4. Ramos keeps crying

Meanwhile, on the Giants side, center fielder Heliot Ramos continued his tear. He entered Thursday batting .310/.388/.545 (171 OPS+) with nine home runs and 32 RBI over 38 games. Ramos launched a three-run shot in the third inning to end the game 3-3.

Wilmer Flores and Nick Ahmed would later pitch a run each in the losing effort.

5. Yastrzemski Leaves with Side Grip

The Giants were unable to escape Thursday’s game without injuries. Starting right fielder Mike Yastrzemski left after a hit because of left side tightness, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. Yastrzemski entered Thursday night batting .220/.300/.403 (105 OPS+) with seven home runs, 10 additional extra-base hits and 1.5 wins above replacement in 66 games.

The Giants and Cardinals will resume their series Saturday in St. Louis.