Birmingham Barons
From BR Bullpen
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- League: Southern Association 1901-1961; Southern League 1964-65, 1981-present.
- Class: AA
- Affiliation: Chicago White Sox since 1986.
- Ballpark: Rickwood Field 1910-1987; Hoover Metropolitan Stadium 1988-present
Over the years, there have been three teams called the Birmingham Barons. The first began play with the formation of the Southern Association in 1901 and remained a member of that circuit until they moved following the 1961 season.
The second Birmingham Barons began play in the newly formed Southern League in 1964. The team, a Kansas City Athletics affiliate, was renamed the Birmingham Athletics in 1966, and continued to play until 1975, moving away when the city raised the rent on Rickwood Field.
A third Birmingham Barons club was formed when the Montgomery Rebels moved to Birmingham prior to the 1981 season. This team, a Chicago White Sox affiliate, featured NBA superstar Michael Jordan as an outfielder during the 1994 season.
The Barons played their home games at Rickwood Field through 1987, and moved into Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in 1988. Since 1996, they have returned to historic Rickwood Field for one game each season.
