One of the reasons that Major League Baseball chose Rickwood Field for its celebration of the Negro Leagues was its association with Willie Mays. But the 93-year-old member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame won’t be at the Birmingham ballpark on Thursday night when the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals square off in “MLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues.”

In a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle released on Monday, Mays shared fond memories of Rickwood and said he planned to watch the game at home.

“Rickwood Field? I knew about it as a kid,” Mays said. “It was always there. As common as a church or a school or a movie theater. I grew up with Rickwood around the corner there, meaning nearby and within reach. The majors? I didn’t dream about the impossible. I was taught to see your goal in your mind and work toward it. I could work toward getting to Rickwood Field and the Birmingham Black Barons. I didn’t need to dream for that. For that, I needed to work hard, so I did. Rickwood became my training ground, my start, my first job. When things changed in ‘47 with Jackie (Robinson) coming in? Well, then I started to dream big. You never forget your firsts. Rickwood Field is where I played my first home game. Rickwood Field is still here. So am I. How about that?

“I’m not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area. My heart will be with all of you who are honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who should always be remembered, including all my teammates on the Black Barons. I wanted to thank Major League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and all the fans who’ll be at Rickwood or watching the game. It’ll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it.

“I understand seven Willie Mays Scholars will be going to Birmingham and that a lot of kids from the Birmingham area were invited to the game, including from the local Boys & Girls Clubs. I’m glad they can participate in this piece of American history and learn about our game and all that surrounds it. I learned about baseball and life from my father and my Birmingham teammates, including my manager, Piper Davis, along with Bill Greason, Artie Wilson, Jimmy Zapp and so many others who looked out for me. I couldn’t have accomplished what I did without those guys. They were good ballplayers and good people.

“Thanks again to everyone who’ll experience and embrace Rickwood Field. Enjoy the game.”

Mays attended Fairfield Industrial High School, about 4 or 5 miles from Rickwood Field. Mays broke into professional baseball with the Birmingham Barons, who played their home games at Rickwood Field. He was with the Barons in 1948, 1949 and 1950, when he signed with the Giants.

“To this day, Willie remains an inspiration to sports fans and baseball players everywhere,” said Rob Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, earlier this year. “We look forward to highlighting Willie’s legacy at the MLB at Rickwood Field Game in his hometown of Birmingham this June 20.”

Mays played 2,857 games for the Giants, who will square off against the Cardinals in a National League contest at 6:15 p.m. CDT Thursday at Rickwood Field. FOX will televise the game.

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