Visiting the OLDEST ballpark in America! MLB at Rickwood Field!
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- čas přidán 22. 06. 2024
- This place was built in 1910 (!!) and my visit was pure magic. It was also my 64th MLB stadium as the St. Louis Cardinals faced the San Francisco Giants in an official regular-season game.
There's SOOOOO much incredible baseball history here in Birmingham, Alabama -- Minor League Baseball, the Negro Leagues, and countless legends including Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, Frank Thomas, and course Willie Mays.
Mays was born in Alabama and made his professional debut at Rickwood Field in 1948 with the Birmingham Black Barons. Unfortunately he died just two days before this MLB game was played, so the entire event became a massive tribute to him and a celebration of his life -- along with celebrating the legacy of Negro League Baseball as well.
There was truly NO WAY that I was gonna miss this, and I'm thrilled to be able to share my experience here on CZcams with everyone. (Fun fact: I edited this video myself. I do that sometimes.)
As promised, here's the video from 2017 about my Topps Baseball Cards:
• Signing my own basebal...
Also, check out my merch:
www.zackhample.com/merch
And in case this interests you, here's a list of every MLB stadium that I've attended (along with the number of games I've seen there and the number of the baseballs that I've caught):
www.zackhample.com/snagged-ba...
This game at Rickwood Field was played on June 20, 2024 -- the 34th anniversary of the first ball I ever snagged at an MLB game. (Shoutout to Shea Stadium, which sucked but I still miss it.) The video was filmed by Rachel Messbauer -- more than 600 clips totaling 35 gigs of footage! Anyone wanna guess how many hours it took to edit this?
By the way, I posted this video out of order because this was too special to wait. I still have older (but not THAT old) videos coming from Tampa, Boston, and Baltimore, so get ready for all of that.
Thanks for watching.
Please subscribe.
Goodbye for now. - Sport
More behind the scenes access to this game from Zack than MLB. Thanks for this, Zack!
Ryan Klesko was a very good player in his day! Pretty cool that he’s introducing himself to you even though he needs no introduction. You’ve really come so far, Zack!
Thanks. He approached me unexpectedly and I didn't even have a chance to realize who I was talking to until he said his name, so that was a nice surprise.
I met Ryan Klesko at a Macon Bacon game. He was managing them a couple of seasons ago. He was very nice and signed some SF Giants cards for me.
Thank you for sharing this game. It gave me goosebumps thinking about all of the history of this stadium.
You're very welcome. It was a very goosebumpy experience for sure.
RIP Willie Mays
Thanks for taking a picture with me and signing my ball. I appreciate Zack.
You got it!
Hands down the best video you've made, and we all know there have been some damn good ones Zach. Thanks so much for continuing to help us to see baseball in ways most of us never will.
That klesko moment was awesome
Thanks. I loved that. Such a nice guy and his son is a beast!
Rachel deserves some sort of videography award. So many friends at this game. Thanks for the great night.
She really does. Great sharing this experience with you.
totally agree on the award going to Rachel-maybe her best work yet-her shots really enhanced the experience from so many different angles on a very special night!
Reggie Jackson’s telling of his history when he was interviewed there was poignant, heartbreaking and intense…⚾️
Sure was. I never realized how bad he had it.
That story was very moving.
Very cool seeing it from this perspective. Enjoyed it
Thank you, sir!
22:32 - The field with the moon in the sky is my favorite shot of the video. Your videographer does such an amazing job! Please relay my compliments and appreciation! It really feels like I'm right there in each stadium that you visit, due to the excellent video work.
Thanks! Really glad to hear that and I'm gonna pass along your comment to her right now.
This was SO COOL! SO HAPPY that you were able to take part in history Zack! MLB seriously did a great job putting the whole event together. Sucks that we had to loose one of baseball’s biggest ambassadors just before. RIP Willie Mays, your legacy WILL NEVER be forgotten!!!
Also, HI TONY!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Ayden! I knew you'd like this video (perhaps a bit more than others).
Hi Ayden!!!!
@@BaseballRoadTripper hi Tony me and some angel fan were grabbling for Larnach s first career hr 2 seasons ago i let her take it n she gv to a kid in front of us the head usher took the dad and kid away to make a deal
RIP Willie mays the goat. The game was electric and the Willie chants were heartwarming. GO GIANTS!
While you were at that game in Birmingham, Zack, I went to Oracle Park in San Francisco, across the Bay from me, to pay respects to Willie Mays 🙏. The Giants opened the ballpark up to fans, to pay our respects and also sign condolences books set up in center field. I got a Willie Mays t-shirt and decal sticker with Willie on it. He was the greatest 😢.
That sounds like a great experience. I'd glad just to know that that was happening in SF.
I was 8 when Ryan Klesko played for the Greenville Braves, and my mom (insert mom joke) waded thru a crowd and got his autograph on a ball before the game.
Then, a year later, I sandlotted it and my dad beat my ass.
The next year the sandlot movie came out and I’m pretty sure he beat my ass again for being reminded.
LOL to the way you told that story but not to the events itself. Yikes!
I am so happy you went to this game! Truly special
It's so awesome that you got to go to the game, Zack! Ryan Klesko was my favorite player when he played for the San Diego Padres!
He's a good choice for a favorite player.
i never comment on your videos even though i keep up with your content, but thank you so much for doing a video on this stadium due to that i never got to watch the game. This is probably one of your most interesting videos. Thank you zack!
Thank YOU! Really appreciate it.
Thank you for stopping and taking the time to take a photo with me at this game, I really appreciate it!
You got it!
This one is one of your best Zach. Great history lessons. Never heard of this ballpark. Thank you.
Love that you do videos basically giving tours of the stadium and seeing all the pregame activity. So much to admire besides the actual game
By far one of my favorite videos ! I saw the game on tv and getting other pov is nice thanks 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Willie May's son's speech was so touching it was amazing
The goddamn onion truck started driving by when he gave his speech 😢
So much history in that stadium! Definitely a bucket list trip.
You neeeeed to visit.
I'm from England and been to 6/7 games in the USA but man this looks awesome, Baseball is THE greatest game on earth!!!!
That means a lot coming from someone who was born an ocean away! :)
What a historical treasure Rockwood field is and I'd have no objections to the stadium being a national site and what a rich place of a living monument to the national past time! Zack you have outdone yourself, Bravo ! Batter up!! 😁💪
Thanks so much!!
Wonderful video, Zack, showing the viewer all around Rickwood Field, and also providing so much historical context. Those were great scenes with Ryan Klesko and his son, and Derek Jeter giving the kid his autograph! RIP Willie Mays
Thanks, Jeff! Glad you enjoyed this and thanks for watching.
congrats!! thank you for sharing your experience, especially since there were so many people across the country who were unable to go, this really makes me, and I bet I am not the only one who fells this, but it really makes me feel like I was there too, thank you again for sharing your experience, and I found it very cool that Jeter made sure that kid got a ball signed, if only it was that easy, every time I have gone to a game, I have tried everything, but not a single time have I even gotten close to getting a ball signed, but anyway, thank you for making such amazing content!!
You are very welcome. Thank YOU for the nice comment. I love trying to help people feel like they were there, so this means a lot to me.
Hey Zack I was at the game on Tuesday and Thursday and saw you in the late innings when you were walking to right feild and said what’s up and we exchanged fist bumps great game and a lot of history at the ballpark. Great to see you
Yo! :)
Thanks for sharing this game with us. I was at Angel stadium when they announced that Willie Mays passed away last Tuesday. It was great that they honored him at that game.
You're very welcome, Ted. Must've been strange to be at a game when that news broke.
Thank you Zack for uploading this video!!! I really appreciate it!!
Thanks for watching!
It was so cool to finally meet you, Zack! I'm happy that you were able to attend and make this great video!
MLB did a great job honoring the Negro Leagues and Willie May's during this game!
They sure did!
This is a good one.. Feels alot like an episode of this week in baseball.. Thanks for the videos..
this is such a good video! the field of dreams one was my favorite, but this is 2nd. awesome job editing zack and thanks for sharing the history behind this stadium!
Thanks!!
Really this might be your best video on the channel Zack excellent work
Thanks. I really like how this one turned out!
Great video as always Zack “The Ballhawk GOAT” Hample, keep up the amazing work. RIP Willie Mays
random Klesko appearance was cool. loved him as a brave.
Baseball Road Tripper sighting!
Watching from home that night, this game was powerful.
Great stuff, Zack!
Derek Jeter. Absolute class.
I hope the Road Tripper also posts a video from Rickwood.
Hi Sorgis!
Ryan Klesko seems like such a cool guy. I've gained alot of respect for him after your video.
Glad to hear that!
Zack it was great to see you again! Thanks for taking the time to chat; always a pleasure!
Zack your the goat for destroying me being bored, thank you🫡🙏
I'm here for you!
Hey Zack, thanks for coming to Birmingham! It was cool to see you at the game. Hope you enjoyed it and our city!
Thank YOU for the warm welcome. It was great to be there and wish I could've stayed longer.
What a great video Zack/Rachel!! Editing was spot on man!! Really enjoyed what they did to and around the park, but not improving/changing the seats for that authentic experience. I've never seen a game in Birmingham, but I am pretty familiar with the city. Nice tribute by Willie May's son!! Loved the Ryan Klesko story!!
Oh yeah, Michael Jordan never played at Rickwood Field for the Barons. They left for Hoover Metropolitan Stadium after the 1988 season. Moved to Regions Field in 2013.
Oh crap, really? Well F-meeee for getting that wrong. 🤦♂But I'm glad you liked it overall.
I like the video very much Zack RIP Willie Mays
That’s pretty cool,Have an all black umpire crew for that game.
Nicely done, Mr. Jeter…⚾️👏🏻
Very nice. Baseball will only grow in popularity the more they do things like this. I could almost smell the history from the computer screen.
👃
Thank you for sharing this game. My husband and I were working at the game as Ushers. It was an amazing experience but there were some areas we didn’t get to see. What a great game that was. 😊🧡🖤
#2 comin threw, what a memory he made for that kid ⚾️
Fantastic video, I really enjoyed watching that.
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing this. Rip to the legend Willie mays
Awesome Video Zac!! That's awesome you got to to this stadium, really good game as well!! R.I.P Willie Mays, one of the best to ever play the game
Great video Zack thanks for sharing this experience!!!
Thanks for watching.
A million goosebumps over here in Oslo, Norway Zack! 🇳🇴 Thank you! More historical venues when and if you have the time 😊 You da man!
Wow! Norway . . . hi! I will always try to attend these types of one-off venues.
@@zackhample Loved it Zach. Thank you 😊
As I watched this game, I enjoyed myself, soaking in the history & the stories, all the while wondering "I wonder if Zack made it."
Happy for you Zack !
Of course I was there! :p
This seems like such a great stadium to visit! ❤ Hope I get to visit one day!
I hope so too.
@@zackhample hope MLB plays more games here in the future
Awesome video, Zack!
Thanks!
Mlb needs a nostalgia jersey for every team. This needs to happen more every year
Pricey for the atmosphere. The pickles are home-grown.
Thanks for growing the game of baseball and bringing thousands of fans in (including myself). Love you man
Much love back atcha. I really appreciate that.
Whenever I see that dancing brass band I can't help but think of "We're all just blockin the street! We're all just blockin the street!"
My man! Love the Pujols shirt! Can't wait to see Cards vs. Rays in August! :D
Such a cool video!! I have always wanted to visit this ballpark. Also Zack thank you for seeking out each comment and taking the time to answer everyone you possibly can. I'm the guy who keeps saying how cool it is to see you and the Philly Captain together in vids lol. Much love my friend!! Go Ray's!!!
You're welcome! I can't do that with every video, but I have more free time this week and it's nice to interact with people.
Love how you were quoted on the book.
:)
Wowzers
Very cool experience Zach. Thanks for sharing with us. 👏👊
great vid & game as always- so cool checking all these old stadiums
Wow zack this is so cool really it is thanks for all the stats about the ball park and just showing everything how cool that was rip Willie mays
22:33 That's a very cool shot.
It was cool to meet you at the game. Saw myself at 26:55 lol
:D
Awesome video Mr Hample! I'm finally coming back to the USA next month. going to 2 MLB games. Marlins vs Mets and Dodgers vs Giants among many other adventures.
Thanks and I hope you have a great and safe trip here.
We should put all the support on zack hample he is working so hard to make content for all of us, great work zack
Rickwood field is the best one you've done Zack !
Fantastic video. Well done!
Klesko being all kinds of cool! 😎 ⚾️
I love Zack hample
More games deserved to be played their more often i wanna visit that ball park one day
I hope it happens.
Great information about the stadium Mr. Zack thank you like always great video 👍
Glad you liked it!
At the start I saw zack and I said i subscribed *i had the light blue Sox shirt on* and at the end it shows I caught a ball with my orange hat
Thank you for stopping and taking the time to take a photo with me and my son at the game. Thanks for always exploring the ballpark, I wish I would have went to the different sections!!! Maybe next time!!!
You're welcome, and I think that wandering is the most fun thing to do!
Nice video Z...and Important message about history. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.
Unfortunately, it only takes a few generations for people to forget the past. People die off and the past if forgotten.
@@chrisstiff2914 Very true.
i saw this on tv- made the first inning look like 50's black & white
Great video, Zack! Really glad you were able to go to Birmingham and check this out- I know how much you love adding to your list of stadiums and checking out these neutral sites that MLB goes to. Never would have thought there would be any venue used for MLB older than Fenway. Thanks for educating me a bit on baseball history this evening, haha. I’ll educate you on Zack Hample history this evening as well- this was the first you posted a video out of order since 2017. That was when you posted the videos from the Home Run Derby and All Star Game in Miami. You also did that in 2017 when you saw Albert Pujols hit his 600th career in Anaheim and also when you went to the first game ever at SunTrust Park (now Truist Park). I even remember that somebody asked in Q&A Part 7 why you post videos out of order and you mentioned those last two that you did it during those instances in 2017 but didn’t mention the All Star vids. Oh, why the hell do I remember all of this? Also, glad I was able to post SOMETHING for your 34th anniversary of snagging your first baseball even though there is no actual photo with you and your first ball. And glad you got the celebrate the anniversary by going to your 64th stadium!
That's some great history! I never like posting things out of order because I have a very linear-thinking brain, but this one seemed like it needed to be bumped up. Now hopefully it'll get lots of views.
잭햄플씨?안녕하세요.반갑습니다.오늘도,변함없이.야구장에,가셨군요.야구공.득템축하드립니다.항상.늘~대리만족하고갑니다.오늘도,활기찬.6월마지막주,주중밤잘보내세요.영상편집하시니라,수고하셨습니다.~^^"😅😊😂❤🎉
Great vlog as always Zack. 31 years old and never go to visit many games much as a child due to growing up homeless!! love ya videos
Oh damn, well I hope you're doing better now, and thanks -- glad you enjoyed this.
Awesome glad you did this!
Thanks!
You're welcome, man! Really wanted to be there but already had my vacation to Oakland planned for the next two weeks to watch the A's play the Angels and the Orioles! Looks like you had a great time, and it was an awesome experience, Cheers!
Thanks for making this video, Zack!
Thanks for watching!
That's so cool you met Ryan Klesko. I really enjoyed him as a player
That was one of my favorite moments, not just from this game but the entire season.
Absolutely love that the MLB did this, especially right along with including all of the Negro League stats into the official MLB stats. The exhibits look phenomenal! I don't think I would have made it to my seat for the game! I would have just been reading and enjoying all of the exhibits. Only wish Willy Mays would have lived long enough to see this happen.
I hear ya, but one nice thing, at least, is that Willie knew it was GOING to happen.
I'm watching Your CZcams in JAPAN 🇯🇵.
I have been to Rickwood Field once. It's a beautiful Baseball field.
I love baseball !⚾
Hello, Japan! Thanks for watching.
@@zackhample Thank you for replying to my comment ⚾️ I love baseball✌️
Been waiting for this video ❤
13:05 Dude, Ryan Klesko outta nowhere. Great player during those great Braves teams in the 90s, loved watching him when he was with the Padres.
Truly outta nowhere!
Interesting facility, good stuff Zack⚾️😎😱
Thanks!
This awesome to watch
Glad you enjoyed it!
Ryan Klesko making a cameo in this video!
That was awesome
Such a cool looking stadium, like stepping back in time! Great video and I agree I hate the NETS at MLB games.
Great video 🎉
Thanks!
Great tour and info on this stadium. Great video Zack.
Thanks!
Got to play a game there last year and it has changed so much throughout the renovation
Very cool!