Birmingham Barons

The Birmingham Barons are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, playing in the Southern League at Regions Field in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. One of the most storied franchises in Southern League history, the Barons have been affiliated with the White Sox since 1986, making it one of the longest continuous affiliations in minor league baseball. The franchise has won eight Southern League championships, including back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025.

Regions Field, which opened in 2013, transformed the Barons' home experience. The 8,500-seat ballpark sits in the heart of downtown Birmingham with views of the city skyline and the iconic Vulcan statue atop Red Mountain. The move from suburban Hoover's Rickwood Classic Field to downtown Birmingham was part of a broader urban revitalization effort, and the ballpark has become a centerpiece of the city's entertainment district.

The Barons' most famous chapter came in 1994 when Michael Jordan—during his hiatus from basketball—played a full season in Birmingham, hitting .202 with 51 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. The spectacle drew national attention and sold out stadiums across the Southern League, but the Barons' legacy extends far beyond that singular curiosity. Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, and dozens of other White Sox stars developed in Birmingham during the franchise's four decades as a Chicago affiliate.

After years under the ownership of Don Logan and family, the Barons were sold to Diamond Baseball Holdings in 2023. The change brought new resources while the on-field product reached new heights: back-to-back Southern League championships in 2024 under Sergio Santos and 2025 under Guillermo Quiroz established the Barons as the league's dominant force.