1922 Rickwood was Birmingham’s premier sporting venue, and Woodward expanded the business by playing host to college and high school football. Auburn, Alabama, Birmingham Southern and Howard (now Samford) played before enthusiastic crowds (and tore up the field) until the City built Legion Field (in 1927). 1923 Thanks to the reputation of Birmingham’s sparkling diamond […]
1931 In 1931, young and very brash pitching phenom Dizzy Dean led his Houston Buffs into battle against the Barons and their ancient pitcher Ray Caldwell. In what many consider the greatest game ever played at Rickwood, Caldwell’s Barons outbattled Dean and won the Series. 1933 There were no bigger stars in baseball than Babe
1940 The Birmingham Black Barons joined the Negro American League. The next decade would see many Negro League Hall of Famers grace the field in Birmingham. 1940 Former Birmingham Black Baron Satchel Paige always drew a crowd. 1941 Future Hall of Famer Jimmy Foxx homers at Rickwood. After a 15 year hiatus, football returned to
1950 Ted Wiliams and Ralph Kiner at Rickwood Field. 1950 Ted Williams homered twice in this Rickwood debut. 1952 The dream of a restaurant at Rickwood becomes a reality as the Dugout Restaurant opens. 1953 Aerial view of Rickwoood 1954 Tony Stone becomes first woman to play professional baseball at Rickwood 1954 Future Hall of
New York’s Polo Grounds are torn down, and the Barons purchase the seats. Multiple generations of Rickwood fans never paid attention to the famed NY logo on the seats. 1964 After refusing to field a team for two years, the Barons returned to Rickwood in 1964 with its first integrated ball club. The press box
1975 Even though sidelined for the game, Mickey Mantle was a main attraction in the stands when the Yankees came to town. (Not details on this game?) Photo courtesy of Chuck Payne
1981 Enterprising baseball promoter Art Clarkson, backed by local Birmingham businessmen _____ and Jack Levin, bring the Barons back to Birmingham and Rickwood Field. Though Clarkson’s eight years at Rickwood were marked by waning attendance and the aging Rickwood Field facility, fans still saw great baseball … and none more impressive than local hero Vincent
1990 Chicago announces demolition of Comiskey Park, leaving Birmingham’s Rickwood Field as the oldest baseball park in America. 1992 The Friends of Rickwood Field organization is formed and designs a masterplan to save the ball park and bring new life (and revenue) through new uses – especially as a film locale given the popularity of
2006 ESPN broadcasts a ballgame live from Rickwood, featuring teams in vintage Negro League team uniforms Willie Mays returned to his old home field, along with Reverend Bill Greason and many others. Stories were told. Willie Mays returned, along with BBB alum Charley Pride and Reverend Bill Greason 2007 Classic features memorable Birmingham A’s uniforms
