2013 Rickwood Classic

The 2013 Rickwood Classic was the 18th in the annual series of "throwback" games played by the Birmingham Barons in vintage-styled uniforms at Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field. The Barons defeated the Tennessee Smokies 6-3 on the afternoon of Wednesday May 29 before 7,268 spectators.

The Barons' Stephen McCray held the Smokies scoreless for five innings to earn the win. Salvador Sanchez allowed three runs in the 6th, closing the lead to 2 runs, but Daniel Webb came in during the 7th and completed the save. The Smokies' Arismendy Alcantara extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a line-drive to center in the first, but was left stranded. Shortstop Marcus Semien drove in the first Barons run in the third. The Barons scored three more times in the bottom of the fourth, forcing Tennessee starter Yeiper Castillo to the dugout. Christian Villanueva drove in two Smokies with a double in the 6th and catcher Lance Rymel added an RBI single. Birmingham's Cody Puckett extended the lead in the bottom of the 6th with a double to score Miguel Gonzalez.

The home team Barons wore throwback uniforms modeled after those of the legendary Negro American League champion 1948 Birmingham Black Barons, the team that featured a 16-year-old Willie Mays, losing 4 games to 1 in the Negro Leagues World Series to the Homestead Grays. The team's caps featured the Black Barons' triple-B logo in red. The Smokies honored the 1935-36 Knoxville Giants. The featured guest for the game was Cy Young winner and Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins who played for the Cubs and Rangers during his 19-year career.

Bert Campaneris, Jimmy Piersall, Ben Cook, Curt Bloom were inducted into the Birmingham Barons Hall of Fame during the game.

References

• Roark, Nick (May 29, 2013) "Smokies fall to Barons 6-3 in Rickwood Classic." smokiesbaseball.com

External links

• Rickwood Classic website