On June 19, 2025, Major League Baseball will host the second annual East-West Classic at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, commemorating the rich history of the Negro Leagues. The exhibition game revives a tradition that began in 1970 and celebrates the contributions of Black baseball pioneers and their enduring impact on the sport.
MLB will present the East-West Classic as part of its Juneteenth celebration.
According to the Rickwood Field website, the Home Run Derby begins at 12 p.m. CT, followed by first pitch at 1:05 p.m. CT. The game will last five innings or two hours, whichever comes first.
Rickwood Field, the oldest professional baseball park in the United States, holds deep historical significance as the former home of the Birmingham Black Barons. Notable players such as Satchel Paige, Willie Mays, and Josh Gibson once played on its grounds. The 2025 East-West Classic serves as a tribute to these legends and the legacy of the Negro Leagues.
The first edition of the East-West Classic organized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame to honor the Negro Leagues was held May 24, 2024, in Cooperstown, N.Y., at Doubleday Field. That game took place prior to the St. Louis Cardinals facing the San Francisco Giants in the first MLB game at Rickwood Field on June 20, 2024, and the MiLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues game on June 18, 2024.
The East-West Classic honors the legacy of the original East-West All-Star Game, which took place in the Negro Leagues from 1933 through 1962 at Major League stadiums.
Comiskey Park in Chicago hosted the game from 1933 through 1960.
Yankee Stadium was the site in 1939, 1948, 1958, and 1961.
The Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan hosted in 1947.
Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., held the game in 1946.
Cleveland Municipal Stadium hosted once, in 1942.
Kansas City Municipal Stadium held the final East-West All-Star Game in 1962.
The modern East-West Classic also recalls the historic exhibition game played at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 1970, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. That game was sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and held at the urging of Major League players following King’s assassination in 1968. 1970 game honored legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
MLB also hosted the Civil Rights Game from 2007 to 2015.
The first two Civil Rights Games were exhibition matchups—on March 31, 2007, the Cardinals played the Cleveland Indians, followed by the Mets facing the White Sox on March 27, 2008, with both games held at AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tennessee.
From 2009 through 2015, the Civil Rights Game became a regular-season MLB event.
The East and West rosters are filled with former MLB players who collectively played more than 370 Major League seasons and 35,400 games. Together, they represent 12 World Series championships, two MVP Awards, two Cy Young Awards, 66 All-Star selections, 18 Silver Sluggers, and 31 Rawlings Gold Gloves.
The West will be managed by 2025 Hall of Fame inductee CC Sabathia, while the East will be led by former All-Star outfielder and current MLB Network analyst Chris Young.
Sabathia and Young will also serve as team captains for the East-West Classic at Rickwood Field.
In memory of Alabama native Willie Mays – born 94 years ago today – MLB is proud to unveil the rosters for the second edition of the East-West Classic to be held June 19th at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham.
Tickets are available now for $12 at https://t.co/J7qvo5RECx. pic.twitter.com/xgTfq6CTwV
— MLB (@MLB) May 6, 2025
Edwin Jackson pitched in 17 Major League seasons, earned one All-Star selection, and won a World Series.
Jeremy Jeffress logged 11 MLB seasons as a reliever and was named an All-Star during his time with Milwaukee.
Jake Peavy won the Cy Young Award, made three All-Star teams, captured two World Series titles, and earned a Gold Glove over 17 seasons.
Ryan Howard played 13 seasons, winning the 2006 MVP Award, Rookie of the Year, and a World Series title with the Phillies.
Jerry Hairston Jr. appeared in 16 Major League seasons and was part of the Yankees’ 2009 championship team.
Dee Strange-Gordon played 11 seasons, making two All-Star teams and earning both a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove.
Xavier Scruggs played three seasons in the big leagues and is now known for his work in media and player development.
Josh Barfield spent four seasons in MLB, contributing as a second baseman and utility infielder.
Chris Young, the East team’s manager and captain, played 13 seasons in the outfield and was an MLB All-Star.
Justin Upton was a four-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger during his 16-season career.
Michael Bourn played 11 seasons, earning two Gold Gloves and two All-Star selections as a speedy outfielder.
Curtis Granderson played 16 MLB seasons, was a three-time All-Star, won a Silver Slugger, and received the Roberto Clemente Award.
Dexter Fowler played 14 seasons, won a World Series with the Cubs in 2016, and was a one-time All-Star.
Andruw Jones won 10 Gold Gloves, made five All-Star teams, and earned a Silver Slugger over a 17-year career.
Gary Sheffield played 22 seasons, won a World Series, made nine All-Star appearances, and collected five Silver Slugger Awards.
CC Sabathia, the 2025 Hall of Fame inductee and West team captain, pitched 19 seasons, won a Cy Young Award, was a six-time All-Star, and helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series.
Dellin Betances made four All-Star appearances over a 10-year career as one of the game’s most dominant relievers.
José Contreras pitched for 11 seasons, won a World Series, and earned an All-Star selection with the White Sox.
Scott Kazmir was a three-time All-Star and led the American League in strikeouts in 2007 during his 13-year career.
LaTroy Hawkins pitched across 21 Major League seasons, making him one of the longest-tenured relievers in MLB history.
Jason Kendall played 15 seasons behind the plate and made three All-Star teams, known for his toughness and leadership.
Prince Fielder was a six-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, and finished his career with 319 home runs over 12 seasons.
Adam Jones was a five-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, and a Silver Slugger recipient during his 14-year career.
BJ Upton played 12 seasons and was a consistent defensive presence in center field.
Jemile Weeks added six years of infield versatility to Major League rosters.
Denard Span played 11 seasons as a reliable leadoff hitter and outfielder with excellent range and on-base skills.
Nick Swisher played 12 seasons, won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009, and was named an All-Star in 2010.
Matt Kemp had a 15-year career that included three All-Star nods, two Silver Sluggers, and two Gold Gloves.
Scott Hairston played 11 seasons as a productive outfielder and clutch hitter.
Mike Cameron rounded out the West roster with a 17-year career, one All-Star appearance, and three Gold Gloves.
(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
