1948 Birmingham Barons

The 1948 Birmingham Barons was the first year of a five-year farm agreement between the Birmingham Barons and the Boston Red Sox. The general manager of the team was Eddie Glennon. The team was managed on the field by Fred Walters.

George Wilson's home run helped the farm team defeat the Sox in an exhibition game at Rickwood Field prior to the season opener. The Barons also defeated the Detroit Tigers that year in Birmingham with local hero Virgil Trucks on the mound.

Over the course of the season the Barons slugging filled the seats. Over 500,000 fans passed through Rickwood's gates. The Barons ended the regular season with a record of 84-69, in 3rd place in the Southern Association behind the Nashville Volunteers (95-58) and the Memphis Chicks (92-61). In the Southern Association playoffs the Barons beat the Vols 4-2 in a seven-game series, then swept Memphis at home to take the championship 4-2. After winning the Association pennant, Birmingham faced Bobby Bragan's Fort Worth Panthers of the Texas League in the 1948 Dixie Series. First baseman Walt Dropo had two home runs in the final game at Fort Worth on October 7. Glennon gave each player a $3,000 bonus after the season.

Roster

• Pitchers: Al LaMacchia, Mike Palm, Harry Dorish, Pete Modica
• Infield: Eddie Lyons, Walt Dropo, Tommy O'Brien
• Outfield: George Wilson, Jim Suchecki, Jimmy Wasdell, Lou Morton

See also

• 1948 Birmingham Black Barons

References

• White, Jimmy (May 5, 2008) "In History: Looking back at the B'ham Barons of '48." Prattville Progress