MLB returns to Rickwood Field for East-West Classic [PHOTOS]

It was a rainy Juneteenth in Birmingham but after a three-hour weather delay, baseball fans got to witness some of their favorite players over the last three decades take the field.

One year after its last trip to the Magic City, Major League Baseball returned to historic Rickwood Field this year as the stadium hosted the league’s second annual East-West Classic, featuring former MLB players compete in a home run derby + a five-inning exhibition game.

“There’s a direct connection between this field and all of us because we wouldn’t be able to play the game if it wasn’t for the guys that paved the way that played on this field. This won’t be the last time we’re down here.”

CC Sabathia, former MLB pitcher

Keep reading for more on the events from Rickwood Field + see plenty of photos of the stars of the day.

Friendly competition

Several former big leaguers returned to the field for the first time in years to participate in Thursday’s event and they delivered plenty of excitement for the fans.

Some of the fan favorites of the day included:

• CC Sabathia
• Dusty Baker (manager)
• Andruw Jones
• Nick Swisher
• Birmingham native Jerry Hairston
• Ryan Howard

The day started with a home run derby featuring six hitters. The field was dwindled down to two players for the final round—Andruw Jones and Prince Fielder.

It went to a swing off with Jones failing to hit a homer in three swings. Fielder came back to the plate and launched the first pitch he saw over the right field wall before starting his celebration.

The players went back to their respective dugouts before being introduced for the exhibition game.

“These are my friends. It’s like a family reunion when we get together so it’s always a lot of fun then you throw baseball in there and it’s going to be a blast.”

CC Sabathia

Sabathia started the game on the mound for the West team, pitching a scoreless first inning. His team would respond with three runs in the bottom of the inning and that would be all the scoring for the day as the West won the game 3-0.

Willie Mays Park

“To be able to prop Willie up and serve Willie. Do the field renovations and name the pavilion after him. It’s just little things that we can do to show our appreciation for Willie + the ballplayer he was.”

CC Sabathia

MLB’s trip to Alabama also involved a massive renovation to Willie Mays Park in Fairfield.

Read more about the work done + see the new field surface and updated stands.

We hope to find the next Willie Mays.

April Brown, MLB’s Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility & Diversity

Friends of Rickwood honors CC Sabathia

CC Sabathia has played a large role in the league’s trips to Birmingham. This week, he served as the captain for the West team.

Earlier this year, Sabathia was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Friends of Rickwood took time between innings to honor Sabathia for his career + what he’s done for the Birmingham community.

Birmingham native Roy Wood Jr., who served as the host for the event, presented Sabathia with a seat from the original Polo Grounds stadium in New York. The seat was a part of 1,000 seats from that stadium sent to Rickwood when Polo Grounds was demolished.

“It’s been a lot of fun. It hasn’t really set in yet because I haven’t gone up there and said the speech and been inducted but to be able to dream about that as a kid and go into the Hall of Fame, coming from where I came from is truly a blessing.”

CC Sabathia

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