William Howard Mays, Jr., honored

2025 Regular Session

Designates May 6 as Willie Mays' birthday and honors his life and baseball legacy; a ceremonial resolution recognizing Alabama's link to a sports legend with no policy effect.

Enacted

#resolutions

Overview

Bill: SJR 91 (Senate Joint Resolution)

Title: William Howard Mays, Jr., honored

Purpose: A ceremonial resolution recognizing and honoring Willie (William Howard Mays, Jr.) on what would have been his 94th birthday, in recognition of his extraordinary impact on baseball and his enduring legacy as a symbol of perseverance and achievement.

Status: Enacted

Classification: Resolution (no change to law or state policy; ceremonial acknowledgment)

Introduced: May 6, 2025

Enacted/Effective: Enacted May 14, 2025 (delivered to the Governor May 7; enrolled May 7)

What the bill does

The resolution designates May 6th as the birthday of Alabama’s baseball legend Willie Mays and honors his life, work, and achievements.

It commemorates Mays’ early life in Jefferson County, Alabama, his rise from the Negro leagues to Major League Baseball, and his enduring contributions to the sport and American history.

The bill highlights key biographical milestones and accolades, including:

Birth: May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Jefferson County, Alabama
Early career with the Birmingham Black Barons (Negro American League)
Signing with the New York Giants (1950) and MLB debut (1951)
1951 National League Rookie of the Year
Army service during the Korean War (1952–1954)
The 1954 World Series “The Catch”
Career achievements: 24 All-Star selections, 2 NL MVP Awards, 12 Gold Glove Awards, 4 NL home run leader titles, 3,293 hits, 660 home runs, .302 lifetime batting average, and a record 7,112 outfield putouts
Hall of Fame induction (1979), jersey retirement honors by teams, Presidential Medal of Freedom (2015), and recognition of his legacy in 2024 MLB record-keeping integration of Negro League statistics
Death: June 18, 2024

Concludes with a formal “Be It Resolved” clause recognizing his hard work, sacrifice, inspiration to future generations, and historic feats while playing the game.

Provisions and impact

Nature: Ceremonial resolution; no policy changes or fiscal appropriations.

Purpose-oriented language: The Legislature recognizes Mays’ contributions and celebrates his legacy, presenting him as a national and Alabama figure of inspiration.

Affected parties: Willie Mays’ memory and legacy, Alabama through a commemorative recognition, and the general public that benefits from awareness of his life story.

Procedural history and timeline

Introduced in the Senate: May 6, 2025

House action: Introduced in the House and referred to Rules on May 6, 2025; motion to adopt in the Senate (Coleman) and adoption by voice vote; House subsequently passed designated resolution May 7, 2025

Enrolled: May 7, 2025

Delivered to Governor: May 7, 2025

Enacted: May 14, 2025 (Governor’s signature/approval)

Key context

The bill documents Mays’ significant role in baseball history, his Alabama roots, and his broader national impact, including posthumous recognition of Negro League statistics integrated into MLB records (as acknowledged in 2024).

Fiscal impact: None cited; typical for a resolution.

Legal effect: ceremonial acknowledgment only; does not create or modify statutory requirements.

This summary presents the essential facts: purpose, content, who/what is affected, and the timeline of enactment for SJR 91 recognizing Willie Mays on his birthday.

Bill