Stories behind the Birmingham Barons 2024 Southern League Championship ring [PHOTOS]

One of the greatest traditions in professional baseball is the creation and unveiling of the championship ring after a team wins a league title.

According to Jonathan Nelson, General Manager of the Birmingham Barons, talk about how the Barron’s 2024 Southern League Championship ring was going to look happened the very night they clinched the title at Regions Field on a DJ Gladney game-winning single.

With Opening Day fast approaching on Friday, April 4, 7:00PM at Regions Field, we sat down with Nelson on Barons Media Day to get the scoop about the creation of the team’s second ring (they won the 2013 title) since they moved into Regions Field across from Railroad Park.

Here is what he had to say — the stories — behind the championship ring and what each element meant to the team.

Side One: Team wanted to incorporate the Magic City logo

“The main feedback we got that night (after winning the league title) in the clubhouse, amidst the champagne and beers was that the team really wanted to have the Magic City logo incorporated into the ring. We put the Magic City logo on the side of the ring above the Regions Field Birmingham sign. That’s sort of an iconic symbol of the ballpark. And now  Barron’s baseball here in downtown Birmingham.

Side Two: Honoring White Sox and Southside Chicago and Birmingham

“The other side of the ring has your name and the White Sox logo. The three previous championship rings had the White Sox diagonal socks logo on it. We wanted to do something different. So, our research found that this logo, the diagonal with the Sox in the middle of it, like an infield, was more connected to their traditional city connect uniform on the Southside of Chicago. Being on the southside of Birmingham, 1st Avenue South where Regions Field is located, the connectivity with the White Sox felt appropriate.”

What’s inside the ring? Special memories

Inside the ring, it gets detailed. Last year there was so many positive things that happened in Birmingham. 

“Among them was Major League Baseball coming to Birmingham, celebrating and honoring the Negro Leagues at Rickwood with our game and the major league game. We incorporated both the Birmingham Black Barons logo inside the ring. 

As well as the number 24 for Willie Mays, since we were playing at Rickwood honoring the Black Barons, when the announcement of his passing occurred during the game.”

Diamonds Direct “quarterbacked” the entire process

“Diamonds Direct played an integral part in this championship ring, as well as the one they did in 2013 as our official jeweler. They helped quarterback this entire process. We appreciate all their assistance.”

What do you think of the Barons 2024 Southern League Championship ring? We love how they captured a very special year, celebrating that memorable week at Rickwood, Willie Mays and a title.

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