Rickwood Classic from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Birmingham Barons outfielder Marcus Hawkins tugged on his jersey during warmups for the team’s day game against the Jacksonville Suns on Wednesday.

“It’s pretty hot,” he said of the 1948-era uniforms he and his teammates wore. “We’re getting a little sticky, a little sweaty. I actually like the feel of them. It’s just they’re a little thick.”

The Barons traveled 3 miles – or 33 blocks – from their regular Regions Field home on Southside for Wednesday’s game. They traveled several generations as they made their way to Birmingham’s Westside for the 20th installment of the Rickwood Classic.

The game – an 8-2 Jacksonville victory – drew 7,046. That was the 11th highest attendance for the annual event that has become a staple on the Barons’ schedule and in the hearts of fans around Birmingham and beyond.

Barons General Manager Jonathan Nelson said turning back the clock each year is something very significant that means a lot to many. He called the trip across town a labor of love.

Baseball great Darryl Strawberry attended this year’s Rickwood Classic.

“What strikes me, too, is the number of people who come in from all across America,” he said. “When we look at our ticket system, it normally ranges from 15 to 20 different states. People fly in each year just for this event because they know how special it is to be able to enjoy America’s pastime in the purest sense.”

Players were not the only ones dressed for the day. Ushers wore white shirts, khaki pants and bowties. Umpires were similarly attired with white shirts and bowties with gray slacks. Julio Vinas led the Barons onto the hallowed grounds of Rickwood Field for the third time as the manager. He also was there in his playing days as a Baron.

“Unfortunately it’s only once a year,” he said. “We wish it was a couple more times a year. Just being around here and knowing that such famous players have been on this field that we’re on. There’s an aura around this stadium.”

Greats of the game who have played at Rickwood Field include Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Willie Mays and Satchel Paige. Former Major League star Darryl Strawberry was a special guest of the Barons. He signed autographs and threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He said he doesn’t do a lot of baseball appearances but thought the Rickwood Classic would be very exciting and different.

“A venue like this is special and dear to my heart,” he said.

Former Negro League Baseball players were at the game as part of their annual reunion. That coincided with the induction of one of their own into the Birmingham Barons Hall of Fame – the Rev. William Greason, a former Birmingham Black Baron. He never envisioned going into the Barons Hall of Fame.

“Not in this world, and no other world either,” he laughed.

Other 2015 inductees are former manager John McNamara, journalist Doug Segrest and former bat boy Bo Landreth.