Earlier this year Major League Baseball integrated the stats of players from the Negro Leagues into the Major League stats.  The move has changed the complexity of professional baseball statistics.

Tonight, the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will play a game at the oldest baseball stadium in America – Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama.  The field opened in 1910.

In the days of the Negro Leagues, the Birmingham Black Barons played ball for nearly 40 years and nearly 200 players showcased their skills before becoming members of the Baseball Hall of Fame including Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Satchel Paige, and Reggie Jackson.

One of those players was Willie Mays who began his career while still in his teens at Rickwood.  Mays died June 18 at the age of 93.  MLB Commission Rob Manfred said “Thursday’s game at historic Rickwood Field was designed to be a celebration of Willie Mays and his peers.  With sadness in our hearts, it will now also serve as a  national remembrance of an American who will forever remain on the short list of the most impactful individuals our great game has even known.”

Home of the Double A Birmingham Barons from 1981 to 1987; Rickwood Field was the site of the first integrated baseball team in Alabama in 1964.

While around $5 million was spent to upgrade the playing surface and facilities; the capacity of the stadium is still under 10,000.

Donned in a Birmingham Black Barons jersey Jon Batiste gets the night of celebration and baseball started off with a performance.

The Negro League players who are still alive take to the field to line the first and third base paths.  Members of the St Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants stood behind them.  Batiste played “When the Saints Go Marching In” as people danced and he greeted each and every player.

After a tribute to Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr join Willie’s son Michael Mays on the field at home plate.  The stadium chants “Willie, Willie”.

Batiste and band perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and the “National Anthem”.

World War II veteran and Negro League player, 99 year old, Bill Greason threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The Giants and Cardinals kick off a three game series at Rickwood and will travel to St. Louis for the remainder of the series.

The teams are wearing uniforms from old Negro League teams.

Andre Pallante gets the game started with a ball to Brett Wisely.  At the end of the first inning, the Cardinals lead 3-0.

In an MLB first, all of the umpires in tonight’s game are men of colour.

Audra McDonald performs “Rise Up” in the fifth inning break.

The game ends with lots of nostalgia, memories to last a lifetime, and a Cardinals win 6-5 over the San Francisco Giants.