Special Juneteenth: Rickwood Field Resonates with Baseball & Rich Black Heritage

BIRMINGHAM, AL – As former Atlanta Braves star Andruw Jones approached the plate, he was met with a thunderous cheer from the audience at Rickwood Field. A crowd of several hundred gathered to witness other Major League Baseball legends, including Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, the Upton brothers, Mike Cameron, Curtis Granderson, Gary Sheffield, esteemed manager Dusty Baker, and C.C. Sabathia, soon to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Fans donned Negro League jerseys, replica Willie Mays Giants gear, and even a Jones jersey. Emphasizing the significance of baseball, Rickwood Field—the nation’s oldest active baseball venue—was vibrant this Juneteenth, thanks to MLB's contributions and the East-West Classic exhibition. Billboards from major and local companies adorn the field. The event attracted media attention, underscoring the park's historical roots, once home to the Birmingham Barons. Meanwhile, the Hall of Fame showcased Negro League artifacts, drawing fans who recognized the vital contributions of Black players to the sport's legacy.