Billy Williams spoke at Tuesday’s ceremony. (City of Mobile)

Just two months after the statues arrived in downtown Mobile, the city held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the Hall of Fame Walk.

The project, which sits in front of the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center, was created to honor six athletes from the Mobile area who made it to the professional hall of fame in their respective sports.

“The Hall of Fame Walk is more than a monument or a tourist attraction. It’s a message to every child growing up in Mobile that greatness can come from right here; that legends walked the same streets they walk today; and that the pursuit of excellence—whether in sports, in life, or in service to others—is not only possible; it’s part of our DNA as Mobilians.”
Sandy Stimpson, Mobile mayor

There are five former baseball players and one former football player represented at the park including:

Hank Aaron, baseball | Born in Mobile, played for Mobile Black Bears
Robert Brazile, football | Born in Mobile, Vigor HS graduate
Willie McCovey, baseball | Born in Mobile
Satchel Paige, baseball | Born in Mobile
Ozzie Smith, baseball | Born in Mobile
Billy Williams, baseball | Born in Mobile County, attended Whistler HS

“We’re fortunate here in Mobile that we can brag about a few things. We have the greatest pitcher that ever lived in Satchel Paige. We have one of the greatest hitters to ever live in Hank Aaron and Billy Williams. We have the greatest defensive shortstop in the history of baseball with Ozzie Smith.”
Cleon Jones, former MLB player + Mobile native

Each statue is 9-feet tall and weighs around 2,000 pounds.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony

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There has been plenty of athletic talent come from the Mobile area over the last century but it’s hard not to focus on the baseball history first.

While there is no longer a minor league baseball in town, the city’s connection to the Negro Leagues, Major League Baseball + Minor League Baseball will last forever.

Billy Williams, a six-time all-star who played for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics, was in attendance representing the handful of baseball hall of famers from Mobile.

“At night, I’d go to sleep dreaming what it would be like to put on a Major League uniform… this is for the young kids out here still playing baseball: listen, don’t give up on your dreams. You can do it. These guys, these statues, were setting an example for you guys and we were glad to do it.”
Billy Williams

Tom Withers spoke about the late Hank Aaron while Cleon Jones spoke on behalf of Ozzie Smith, saying how much Ozzie wishes he could have been a part of the celebration.

Willie McCovey’s daughter Allison was at the ceremony to speak about her father, thanking the city for preserving McCovey’s place in Mobile history.

Everybody asks me why are there good hitters in Mobile and I say, ‘it’s in the water.’
Billy Williams

Football player Robert Brazile may have gotten the biggest cheer of the day though with plenty of hometown football fans on hand. Brazile played 10 seasons with the Houston Oilers, being named to the All-Pro team seven times.