MLB at Rickwood Field 2024: Best Moments, Videos, Photos from Cardinals vs. Giants
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVJune 21, 2024
Russell Kilgore Jr./MLB Photos via Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants met on Thursday for a matchup at Rickwood Field, the oldest ballpark in the United States and the home of the Negro League’s Birmingham Black Barons between 1924-60.
Before Thursday’s game, Major League Baseball paid tribute to the Negro Leagues and its storied history:
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOXThe original Negro Leagues players are here at Rickwood Field 👏 pic.twitter.com/A2YiDflPK6
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOXFormer Indianapolis Clowns 2B, Reggie Howard, tells @Ken_Rosenthal about reuniting with some friends from the Negro Leagues at Rickwood Field 👏 pic.twitter.com/fyFzs7E0BB
MLB @MLBThe National Anthem at Rickwood Field.
Pure chills.#MLBatRickwood pic.twitter.com/BiAJksSxoz
MLB @MLB”Today feels like it’s a little bit bigger than baseball.” – Masyn Winn
The @Cardinals and @SFGiants are ready for #MLBatRickwood. pic.twitter.com/8Ddjh6wIeZ
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOXToday’s Rickwood Field game features the 1st all-black umpiring crew in AL/NL history 🙏 pic.twitter.com/SPrHepWfoz
One of the coolest moments was seeing former Black Barons’ pitcher, Bill Greason, throw out the first pitch:
MLB @MLB99-year-old Bill Greason, a former Birmingham Black Baron and St. Louis Cardinal, delivers the first pitch. #MLBatRickwood pic.twitter.com/aIZTGYKrJH
MLB legend Willie Mays—who died this week at the age of 93—started his professional career with the Black Barons in 1948 before going on to become arguably the greatest all-around player in MLB history.
Major League Baseball had already planned to pay tribute to Mays before the game. But in the wake of his death, it took on an even greater weight:
MLB @MLB”He was larger than life, but bigger than no one. He gave his whole heart to this game, and we gave our love right back.”
Tonight’s for you, Willie Mays. #MLBatRickwood pic.twitter.com/oNqyMF7SWm
MLB @MLBAn emotional welcome to #MLBatRickwood.
Michael Mays, Willie’s son, with Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr. at his side. pic.twitter.com/BBFyzieymn
SF Giants on NBCS @NBCSGiantsBarry Bonds stands with Willie Mays’ Hall of Fame plaque at Rickwood Field
pic.twitter.com/rrtCA8Lxfj
KNBR @KNBRCountless flowers and momentos have been added to the Willie Mays statue ahead of the Rickwood game today 💐 pic.twitter.com/Xxlwmh9dMa
During the game, the broadcast threw back the clock with a 1954-style replay:
MLB @MLBCamerawork fitting for #MLBatRickwood.
A double play for the @Cardinals straight out of 1954. pic.twitter.com/5GAL4A9lmT
A number of current and former athletes were also on hand to take in the game and ceremonies beforehand:
Derek Jeter @derekjeterSpecial to be able to bring my Dad to Rickwood to honor the history of the Negro Leagues and those that came before us! pic.twitter.com/wBtKKyGiM7
Jameis Winston @JaboowinsGrateful to be back at Rickwood Field honoring & celebrating the greats! @MLB @uninterrupted #RIPWillieMays 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/wUzEXy8Hzx
St. Louis Cardinals @CardinalsThe Machine at Rickwood! #ForTheLou pic.twitter.com/SNKpcAo4Tp
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX”I had to walk on the mound and feel like one of my heroes, Satchel Paige.” 🙏
@DTrainMLB joins the show live from Rickwood Field and shares his emotions of being at the historic ballpark. pic.twitter.com/GDfspce4fJ
But there were also the lingering memories of racism and discrimination experienced by the men who played at venues like Rickwood in the past:
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX”Coming back here is not easy.”
Reggie Jackson shares his emotions of visiting Rickwood Field. pic.twitter.com/dSK7hmCJZd
Don Van Natta Jr. @DVNJrReggie Jackson is raw and real on FOX Sports. The racism he played through at Rickwood Field and beyond.
A riveting, powerful history lesson.
Howie Rose @HowieRoseI’m trying to get a handle on which is my dominant emotion after the pre game ceremonies at Rickwood. The beauty and joy of celebrating the achievements of so many great players or the sheer anger that most of them never had the chance they deserved to play in the major leagues.
In that regard, there was a bittersweet nature to Thursday’s proceedings. Any chance to honor the players of the Negro Leagues should be taken, and it was high time to pay tribute to a historic and important venue of Rickwood Field.
But it also serves as a reminder that those men weren’t granted the same opportunities as their white counterparts, and regularly endured horrific racism and discrimination. Thursday provided an important moment to reflect on the dark history of segregation as well.
