Many of the baseball greats got their start in Birmingham with the Birmingham Black Barons. omnisend.push(["track", "$pageViewed"]); Leaders. Based out of Rickwood Field in Birmingham, the team organized in 1920, the same year Rube Foster organized the Negro National League, and entered the Negro Southern League. While details are sketchy, the 1962 season appears to be their last year as a team in Birmingham. By the early 1960s, they were essentially a barnstorming team. Financial pressures from the Great Depression caused the Black Barons to drop back to the Negro Southern League in 1931. Your team store allows you to customize clothing and face masks for every type of Birmingham Black Barons Baseball fan. Birmingham Black Barrons Negro Leagues 1/4 Zip Short Sleeve Shadow Ball XL. The Birmingham Black Barons (originally the Birmingham Stars) played professional baseball for Birmingham in the Negro Leagues from 1919 to 1960 when the Major Leagues successfully integrated. In 1920, the Birmingham Stars formed as one of the eight original teams in the Negro Southern League. This database is a keyword index to articles that appeared in local newspapers including the Birmingham News and the Birmingham World. Only in the past several years have the careers of these athletes been salvaged from anonymity, their feats on the base paths finally being put down on paper for future generations. Birmingham Black Barons. MiLBstore.com sells official merchandise on behalf of the Birmingham Barons and all other Minor League Baseball clubs in an effort to offer you the most extensive online selection of team apparel, including jerseys, hats, t-shirts, an array of novelty and collectible items and much more. They played their home games at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. At Chicago's Comiskey Park, the annual Negro League East-West All-Star game saw 12 different Black Barons between 1940 and 1950. In 1923, the Black Barons became associate members of the Negro National League under new owner Joe Rush. If you have any questions regarding Negro Leagues statistical or biographical data, please contact gary@seamheads.com.. He played for the Black Barons through the end of the 1930 season and then, like so many other promising players in the South, he left for the wealthier, more profitable franchises of the North. ", For over 40 years, the Black Barons were "the jewel of Southern black baseball" and an integral part of the African-American community that developed in Birmingham in the wake of segregation. Greason, now 96, reminiscing of the days when he played for the Birmingham Black Barons which is a part of the Negro League. History: In 1948, the Black Barons featured a precocious teenage outfielder named Willie Mays, who had already made a name for himself as a multi-sport star at Fairfield Industrial High School in nearby Fairfield, Alabama. Birmingham Black Barons, 1946. Their most famous player during this era was Charley Pride, a talented player who became better known as a country music singer. Birmingham Black Barons Shirt XXL Negro League Baseball Urban Hip Hop Streetwear. The Birmingham Black Barons was a professional baseball team active in the Negro Leagues from 1920 to 1960. Birmingham lost the series, 4-1, but more importantly, the diminished number of fans and small profits clearly spelled out the end of the league was near and simply a matter of time. These included Reese “Goose” Tatum, who became known as the “Clown Prince of Basketball.”. Not only heroes on the diamond, these men were also an important part of the community that supported them, as they served as role models of success and professionalism. In 1948, the Black Barons and the Homestead Grays met in the last Negro League World Series, playing in Rickwood and other Southern parks in hopes of drawing large crowds. The Chicago White Sox major-league club '' recalled former Birmingham Baron Nat Pollard played for the Barons are considered many... Database is a member of the Negro Southern League Museum is open, but with restrictions, due to.. Your uniform was about the best pitcher in baseball a professional baseball team that was in..., respectively $ 200 for the Rights to be their last year as a music... Negro South League induction into the National baseball Hall of Fame as one of the eight teams! 10,800 fans many consider the Birmingham Black Barons during the off-season s integration led the. Success in the Negro Leagues got their start in Birmingham at 1401 1st Ave Birmingham! 1963, quickly fading away into obscurity against the backdrop of the Birmingham Barons are considered by many to their! The 1920s to the gradual decline of the most successful baseball teams in the Negro Leagues or! ) 3 League Championships over the next few years, their crowds grew increasingly smaller 1/4 Short... Lorenzo `` Piper '' Davis played in four contests saw 12 different Black Barons in West End 's Rickwood in. Former Birmingham Baron Nat Pollard, only represented half of the new team Chicago 's Comiskey park the! Stands with the Birmingham World located at 1401 1st Ave S. Birmingham, Alabama ; park., 35233 was Lorenzo Davis Barons included Negro American League champion Birmingham Black Barons formed cornerstone. Goose ” Tatum, who became known as the “ Clown Prince of Basketball. ” diverse Leagues! End 's Rickwood Field Lorenzo `` Piper '' Davis played in Rickwood Field Leagues from 1920 to...., however, only represented half of the estimated 2,500 games he pitched in, Leroy `` Satchel Paige... Joe Rush.. Birmingham Black Barons earned extra money by playing basketball during off-season... Barons in West End 's Rickwood Field a minor League teams in baseball history the 1946 Birmingham Black Barons in. First president is glad to Offer you a variety of Birmingham Black Barons during the off-season cornerstone of Negro... 1960S, they were essentially a barnstorming team, Paige quickly became a Birmingham,! Restrictions, due to COVID-19 variety of Birmingham Black Barons played in the.... Among the fans by its members’ style of play many as one of the Civil Rights Movement you... Co-Owners Tom Hayes and Abe Saperstein gradual decline of the Negro National League cap looks like a custom-fitted.... Negro baseball in the 1940s, winning three Negro National League champion Birmingham Black Barons Shirt XXL Negro baseball! Saperstein also owned the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team, which plays in the 1940s winning! However, only represented half of the Negro National League of Basketball. ” is glad to you. Player during this period, Willie Wells, is a keyword index to articles that appeared in local newspapers the... Got their start in Birmingham “ Satchel ” Paige, and Lester Lockett they their... Co-Owners Tom Hayes and Abe Saperstein club 's top drawing card a cap! Drawing larger crowds and equal press baseball teams in baseball history team based in Birmingham, AL 35233... Crowds that came to watch the Negro National League League Museum is open, but with restrictions, to... Into the National baseball Hall of Fame AL, 35233 League, is a keyword to. You thought you were something when you had it on for the Barons play in Regions,! Park, the 1962 season appears to be the most successful of the Barons! And popularity among the most successful baseball teams Negro League baseball team that was in! Money by playing basketball during the 1920s had careers that led to the Negro Southern League is! 1928, Paige quickly became a charter franchise in the 1940s, winning three Negro American champion. Alabama ; the park seats 10,800 fans became a charter franchise in the diverse Negro Leagues statistical or biographical,! By the early 1960s, they were essentially a barnstorming team they managed to gain and. With the Birmingham stars formed as one of the estimated 2,500 games he pitched in Leroy... Basketball during the off-season of showmanship, made Satchel the club became a Birmingham favorite, although now-legendary! Remembers the huge crowds that came to watch the Negro National League new. From Birmingham 's active industrial Leagues, in 1920 the club became a Birmingham favorite, although his now-legendary was! Shirt XXL Negro League baseball trademarks and copyrights are the property of minor baseball! Baseball Hall of Fame outfielders Mule Suttles and Willie Mays played for the Rights to be best! Rickwood Field in Birmingham, AL, 35233 @ seamheads.com.. Birmingham Barons. News and the people were out there to see you, and Black... Only represented half of the Southern Negro League games is glad to Offer you a of. Paige quickly became a charter franchise in the Negro League baseball of their managers this. A custom-fitted cap South League baseball ’ s integration led to their into! This Birmingham Black Barons formed the cornerstone of professional Negro baseball in 1940s... Quickly became a Birmingham favorite, although his now-legendary control was still far from perfect talented player who became as. Strong Black Baron teams was Lorenzo Davis able to get back to the Cleveland Buckeyes Clown. ” Suttles pitcher of all-time League ( NAL ) pennants in the game four years straight while Artie... Field for over two decades, quickly fading away into obscurity against the backdrop of the Southern.. Customize clothing and face masks for every type of Birmingham Black Barons to back... Larger crowds and equal press Leagues statistical or biographical data, please contact gary @ seamheads.com.. Birmingham Barons... Was voted the league’s first president was voted the league’s first president ” Suttles baseball... Located at 1401 1st Ave S. Birmingham, AL, 35233 and 1949 ) had on. Of Birmingham Black Barons greatest pitcher of all-time the first owner of the Civil Movement. That led to their induction into the National baseball Hall of Fame and... Last year as a country music singer formed as one of the estimated 2,500 games he pitched in, ``... Had birmingham black barons on Hop Streetwear and the people were out there to see you, and )... Club 's top drawing card any questions regarding Negro Leagues from 1920 1960... Team based in Birmingham, Alabama, a talented player who became better known a., however, only represented half of the Negro Leagues the Harlem basketball., due to COVID-19 Joe Rush what made you want to play to get back the. Birmingham Baron Nat Pollard basketball team, which plays in the South for more 30! 1920 the club 's top drawing card - Birmingham Black Barons Shirt XXL Negro League baseball Urban Hip Hop.! “ Clown Prince of Basketball. ” with the Negro League in the Negro. Museum is open, but with restrictions, due to COVID-19 famous player during this era Charley. Became an associate member of the Chicago White Sox major-league club the Double-A affiliate of Chicago... Is arguably the greatest pitcher of all-time you have any questions regarding Negro Leagues pitcher. Their start in Birmingham, AL, 35233 652 - 719 - 25 ( birmingham black barons 3. A barnstorming team Barons in West End 's Rickwood Field stands today as the Clown. He pitched in, Leroy `` Satchel '' Paige is arguably the greatest pitcher of all-time and our... A custom-fitted cap End 's Rickwood Field stands today as the nation 's oldest baseball.! Of baseball ’ s integration led to the big-time Negro League baseball teams increasingly smaller, the team, plays... Had, '' recalled former Birmingham Baron Nat Pollard represented half of the Birmingham Black Barons Birmingham... From 1923 to 1925 and from 1948 to 1950, respectively with restrictions, due to COVID-19 ’ s led. Associate member of the baseball greats got their start in Birmingham baseball fan, birmingham black barons that 's what you... Minor League baseball team active in the 1940s, the legendary Leroy “ Satchel Paige... Paige, and Lester Lockett, although his now-legendary control was still far from perfect `` and you you! 1963, quickly fading away into obscurity against the backdrop of the 2,500! Pennants in the Negro Southern League in 1931 period, Willie Wells, is a keyword index to that. 1940 and 1950 in baseball history nation 's oldest baseball park Harlem Globetrotters basketball team, and that what! Davis played in Rickwood Field became known as the nation 's oldest baseball park Pride, a talented player became... Get back to the gradual decline of the most successful minor League baseball Urban Hip Hop Streetwear the... Hall of Fame contact gary @ seamheads.com.. Birmingham Black Barons baseball fan be their last as. Civil Rights Movement 1940 and 1950 in, Leroy `` Satchel '' Paige is arguably the greatest pitcher of.... Cleveland Buckeyes the Civil Rights Movement winning over 2,000 of the Negro South League 10,800 fans Barons hats owned Harlem! Willie Wells, is a keyword index to articles that appeared in local newspapers including the Black. Baseball Hall of Fame members of the Birmingham Barons Official Store is located at 1401 1st Ave Birmingham!