Since 1996 the Birmingham Barons have traveled back to historic Rickwood Field once a year to celebrate Birmingham's rich baseball past. The home of the Birmingham Barons from 1910-1987, Rickwood Field is America's oldest in-use ballpark. The Friends of Rickwood, a non-profit organization, have helped preserve the timeless relic and part of the proceeds from each year's Classic goes towards improvements and upkeep on the stadium.

Set for Wednesday, May 27th, the classic celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first throwback game, played in 1996, and turns back the clock to the 1948 season. The 12:30 p.m. contest features the Birmingham Barons squaring against the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Former Rookie of the Year, eight-time Major League Baseball All-Star, and four-time World Series champion Darryl Strawberry headlines the game as the Guest of Honor and is available for autographs during the game.

This year's game celebrates the 1948 season, the theme of the first classic, and the Barons fourth Dixie Series title. Birmingham joined the Southern Association in 1901, and the Dixie Series was played between the playoff champions of the Southern Association and the Texas League. The Barons claimed the series (4-1) over Fort Wayne that year to nail down one of six Dixie Series championships it won from 1920-1950, and 1967. The Barons were led that year by slugger Walt Dropo, who amassed 14 home runs and a .359 batting average. The Black Barons also won the Negro American League title the same season behind the talents of a 17-year-old outfielder, Willie Mays, patrolling the greens at Rickwood.