San Francisco is honoring one of Alabama’s most famous native sons on Sunday with Willie Mays Day.

The idea to celebrate Mays on Sunday originated with San Francisco Giants fan Adam Swig, who realized the link between Sunday’s once-in-a-lifetime date and Mays. Sunday is Feb. 4, 2024 – or 2/4/24. Mays wore No. 24 on his jersey with the Giants.

Swig brought his idea to Giants CEO Larry Baer, who got the ball rolling.

“I feel like I’m one of millions of kids that played baseball in the backyard pretending I was Willie Mays in San Francisco,” Baer told Maria Guardado for the “Giants Beat” newsletter. “Being able to continue to honor him and continue to be part of the Giants family, especially this year when we’re going to Rickwood, it’s really spectacular.

“To me, he will always be the greatest player ever. I think the majority of baseball fans that go back to watching him play probably feel that.”

The Giants will play the St. Louis Cardinals in a National League game on June 20 at Rickwood Field in Birmingham in an event called MLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues.

Mays got his professional start with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League.

Born in the U.S. Steel company town of Westfield in 1931, Mays starred in football and basketball at Fairfield Industrial High School and in baseball in the Fairfield Industrial League.

After reaching the National League with the New York Giants in 1951, Mays presented a package of power and speed that turned him into a highlight reel at the plate, on the bases and in the field. Mays went to 24 All-Star games, won the NL Most Valuable Player Award twice, earned 12 Gold Gloves for excellence in center field, hit 660 home runs, stole 338 bases and made countless catches in the outfield with his cap flying off.

When Mays became eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, he received votes from 94.7 percent of the participating members of the Baseball Writers Association of America, the fourth-highest at that point for any inductee.

Mays played 15 seasons with the San Francisco Giants.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed issued a proclamation declaring Sunday as Willie Mays Day.

“I am honored by Mayor Breed’s proclamation and would like to thank the City of San Francisco and the Giants for this day,” the 92-year-old Mays said in a release from the team. “The game of baseball has been great to me, and not only was I given the opportunity to play, but I was also given the opportunity to help kids all around the world. To me, this day means I am loved. This is as much my day as it is for everyone who loves the game.”

San Francisco landmarks such as City Hall, Ferry Building, Salesforce Tower, Coit Tower and Oracle Park will be lit orange and black on Sunday.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will put Cable Car No. 24, dedicated as the Willie Mays Car in 2016, back into service for the day with a bell-ringing ceremony at 2:24 PST Sunday.

“Our National Pastime always welcomes the opportunity to celebrate the game’s greatest living player, Willie Mays,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Major League Baseball applauds the San Francisco Giants and the City of San Francisco for honoring the best number 24 of all in grand fashion. To this day, Willie remains an inspiration to sports fans and baseball players everywhere.

“We look forward to highlighting Willie’s legacy at the MLB at Rickwood Field Game in his hometown of Birmingham this June 20.”

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.