HOOVER, AL (WBRC) -
A piece of history is coming to an end at Regions Park. The Birmingham Barons played, and won, their final game in Hoover this afternoon.
The Barons finished their season with a 5-1 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts, bringing their record to 63-76. Including today's attendance, the Barons have played for more than seven million fans in the past 25 years.
For Barons fan Garland Reeves, the move back to Birmingham is just a part of the journey.
"Well, we follow this, the Barons from stadium to stadium, like I said, we were at the last game at Rickwood Field, and the first game here, so we wanted to the be at the last one here, and we'll be the first in the new stadium. So we're excited about the new stadium, I think it's going to be great," Garland Reeves said.
Garland's son Rhett is also moving through a journey that began when he was very young, and he's a bit sad to see the Barons move.
"I have a lot of memories here. I was 13 when it opened here, so I've spent most of my young life and adult life here. I remember Rickwood, but not as well as I do here," Rhett Reeves said.
Both the Reeves say they're looking forward to the new stadium in downtown Birmingham.
One of the greatest names to play here was one of the, if not the, greatest basketball players who lived his dream to play pro baseball: Michael Jordan. He was a Baron in 1994 and then gave up his baseball career.
For Garland Reeves, Jordan was part of a team that turned out some great pros that went on to the Big League.
"One of the great things about this team, is we've gotten to see some really great players come through here, and we've gotten to see them, back when," Garland Reeves said.
Another Barons fan, Jason Redd and his son, drove all the way from near Nashville to see the Barons' last game at Regions Park. Redd, who used to live in Birmingham, says he's sad to see them leave Hoover.
"I am, my kids have been coming to see them since they were two years old, they're now 17 and 11, and we've had a lot of good memories here, and we're looking forward to the new stadium, but the Hoover Met, Regions Park will always be home to us," Redd said.
As a way of saying "thank you," the Birmingham Barons offered free admission to Sunday and Monday's games.
For ticket information, game schedule, or promotions calendar, call (205) 988-3200 or visit www.barons.com, www.facebook.com/birminghambarons or on Twitter: @bhambarons.
Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.
The Birmingham Barons played their last game at Regions Park in Hoover today. (Source: Mike Dubberly)
The Barons have played in Hoover for 25 years. Source: Karen Church
Admission to see the Barons play at Regions Park for the last time was free on Sunday and Monday. Source: Karen Church
The Barons will play their next game at Regions Field in downtown Birmingham. Source: Karen Church
