“I'm not able to get to Birmingham this year" - Giants' Willie Mays issues statement for his absence from Negro League tribute game 

San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays won't be able to make it to Birmingham, Alabama's Rickwood Field this Thursday for the team's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, which will be played in honor of Negro League players.

Mays issued a statement to explain why he would be missing the occasion, adding that he will be following the game at home from the Bay Area (via NBC Bay Area):

“I'm not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area,” Mays said on Monday.

“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.”

Arguably one of the greatest players of all time, Willie Mays, was scheduled to attend the game, but for health reasons, the 93-year-old won't be at Rickwood Field:

“I'd like to be there, but I don't move as well as I used to,” Mays continued. “So I'm going to watch from my home."

Mays, a 24-time All-Star, played for the Negro League's Birmingham Black Barons in 1948. He helped the team reach the Negro World Series, where they were eventually beaten 4-1 by the Homestead Grays.

Willie Mays appreciates MLB, Giants and Cardinals for Negro League tribute game

Despite him not making it, Willie Mays rejoiced that the MLB, Giants and Cardinals were doing good by organizing such an event at Rickwood Field. He acknowledged that will help Black kids out there to know the history behind the Negro League from where many All-Star players graced the MLB diamond (via ClutchPoints):

“I'm glad that the Giants, Cardinals and MLB are doing this, letting everyone get to see pro ball at Rickwood Field," Mays said. "Good to remind people of all the great ball that has been played there, and all the players. All these years and it is still here. So am I. How about that?”

For the June 21 event, MLB is already in talks with the city of Birmingham and the Friends of Rickwood nonprofit group to upgrade the 10,800-seat ballpark, which is now 114 years old. Notably, Rickwood Field remains one of the oldest professional ballparks in the country.