MLB returning to Rickwood Field for annual exhibition game featuring former big leaguers

On what would’ve been Willie Mays’ 94th birthday, Major League Baseball has announced another event at the ballpark that helped shape the Alabama native’s career.

MLB will host the second annual East-West game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, bringing several past stars to the historic ballpark for a five-inning exhibition game on June 19.

Here’s what you need to know:

• What: East vs. West Classic
• When: 12PM | Thursday, June 19
• Where: Rickwood Field | 1137 2nd Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204
• More info | Tickets

Last year, MLB hosted a celebrity softball game to celebrate Juneteenth at Rickwood Field.

East vs. West Classic

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MLB released the full rosters for both teams, which includes several players who were involved with the league’s game at Rickwood last season.

The roster includes Alabama native Jake Peavy, who graduated from St. Paul’s in Mobile before being drafted in 1999.

““I don’t know if I’ve been part of anything in baseball that was as special as what happened at Rickwood Field last year. It warmed my heart. It warmed everybody’s heart. So much progress was made last year, including incorporating Negro League stats and making sure they were part of our told history.

“It’s critical we keep the momentum going with the East-West Classic. It’s very cool that MLB is continuing to make sure that the legacy of what happened last year is going to be something that’s sustainable, that we can rally round and talk about for years to come.”

Jake Peavy, via San Fransisco Standard

Former players C.C. Sabathia and Chris Young were named the team captains before the rosters were selected. Other notable names set to make an appearance include:

• Mike Cameron
• Prince Fielder
• Dexter Fowler
• Curtis Granderson
• Ryan Howard
• Adam Jones
• Andruw Jones
• Gary Sheffield
• BJ Upton
• Justin Upton

Make sure to keep up with any last-minute roster changes by keeping an eye on the MLB website.

MiLB at Rickwood

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For fans of past renditions of the Rickwood Classic, the bigger draw may be minor league baseball’s trip to the oldest ballpark in America.

This year, two in-state teams will feature in the Birmingham Barons’ annual return to Rickwood Field. Here’s what you need to know:

• Who: Rocket City Trash Pandas at Birmingham Barons
• When: 12:30PM | Wednesday, June 4
• Where: Rickwood Field | 1137 2nd Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204
• Tickets

Will you be going to check out Rickwood this summer? Let us know about your experience by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.