Art Clarkson, former General Manager of the Southern League's Memphis Chicks, announces he is trying to secure a Southern League team for Birmingham. Clarkson plans to be principal owner with backing from two key local businessmen. 

During the previous summer, John Forney, a local advertising executive and play-by-play radio announcer of University of Alabama football, asked Clarkson to investigate bringing baseball back to Birmingham.

  Clarkson announces that he will be bringing baseball back to Birmingham. In honor of the city's baseball history, the team will be named the Barons. Clarkson will be a part owner of the team as well as the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. Clarkson, along with Jack Levin, Dr. Robert Levin, Pete Ross, Segal Drummond, Larry Drummond, Bob Scranton and Bill Baxley, paid $150,000.00 for 60% controlling interest of the Montgomery Rebels so they could move the team to Birmingham. "We will not be begging for support from the angle Birmingham owes us something. It doesn't. The city is not up for judgment. It's reputation is not at stake as a sports city. That reputation is secure. It's up to us to prove ourselves. I have no doubt we will," Clarkson said.

Clarkson left a promising insurance-real estate career in Los Angeles in 1974 to run the season ticket drive of the Southern California Sun of the World Football League. John Bassett to notice of Clarkson and hired him to work for his Memphis Southmen of the WFL in 1975. Clarkson went on to become the General Manager for the Southern League's Memphis Chicks in 1978 and 1979. Clarkson was fired for his trying to start his own baseball franchise in Birmingham. In 1979, Clarkson became the General Manager of the American Association's Wichita team. Clarkson was also fired from Wichita for the same reason Memphis gave, however.

There will be a working arrangement with Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers. The Tigers were partners with the original Birmingham Barons in 1957-1961.

The Directors of the Southern League will meet in Tampa this weekend for the formality of giving their stamp of approval to the franchise. The Barons have a tentative agreement with the Birmingham Park & Recreation Board for use of Rickwood Field.

  Birmingham Park and Recreation Superintendent Frank Wagner tells the City Council that he believes the general consensus among city officials is against leasing Rickwood Field to the Barons if that would interfere with baseball games already scheduled there by the University of Alabama - Birmingham. If UAB is unwilling to move the games in question, the deal between the city and the Barons could fall through. "A professional baseball team can't operate around someone else. Someone has to give," Wagner said.

  Clarkson and UAB baseball coach Harry Walker come to an agreement over scheduling at Rickwood Field in a private session. The Park Board requested the two meet to work through their problems. Walker said, "We can live together and prosper." Clarkson said, "We'll do everything to cooperate with UAB that we can possibly do. Harry is a professional baseball man. I am. We'll work out problems."

  Clarkson announces that Roy Majtyka will be retained as Manager for the Barons. Majtyka was the manager for the Montgomery Rebels before they were moved to Birmingham by Clarkson. In 1968, Majtyka started his managerial career with the Lewiston ??? of the Northwest League. The next year, he moved to the Cedar Rapids ??? of the Midwest League. In 1971, he went to the Modesto ??? of the California League. The following year, he was hired by the St. Petersburg ??? of the Florida State League. He remained there until 1975, when he went to the Little Rock ??? of the Texas League. The next year, he became manager of the Three Rivers ??? of the Eastern League. In 1977, he managed the Indianapolis ??? of the American Association for three years before becoming the manager for the Rebels.

  Fifteen minutes before the start of a game against the Knoxville Blue Jays, the lights went out on about 10,000 fans. After the Alabama Power Company worked on the situation for nearly an hour, the game was postponed until the 16th.

"This has got to be one of the most disappointing nights of my life. I think we could have had as many as 11,000 fans, but aside from the game revenue lost, the concessions that had been prepared are lost. There's no way that can be recovered," Clarkson said. Team revenue lost would surpass $20,000.

An Alabama Power Company spokesman later said fuses had blown out at a substation.

In commenting on the championship, Majtyka said, "The only thing that didn't fall right into place was losing the second-half championship. We have some very talented players, but very few blue-chip major-league prospects. But what we did have was a group of players who had a winning attitude. That's what made us winners. We got clutch hits, we ran the bases, we played good defense and we believed we could win."

Mark DeJohn, a Barons assistant coach, has been named interim manager. DeJohn was scheduled to begin his managerial career in July at Bristol when the rookie league team opens its season. "It's good that Mark was with the team and will be able to step right in. He's a good baseball man, and I'm sure he will do a fine job. I know our fans will like him," Clarkson said.

"We (Franchi and Detroit's General Manager, Bill Lajoie) had not even planned to make a change at this time, but it was something we were considering. And we had every intention of sending him on to Bristol. But after talking with Mark Saturday, we felt there were some frustrations and anxieties expressed concerning the (Detroit) organization that made it apparent to us it would be better for him to start in another organization," Franchi said.

"There isn't much to say. I am extremely disappointed at not being able to continue in Birmingham. I enjoyed Birmingham very much, the city, the fans and the organization. Art Clarkson treated me well," DeJohn said.

  It is announced that Jerry Grote would move up from the Class A Lakeland franchise and become the Barons next manager. Grote is in his first year as a manager.

"When Art first made the request (for Grote), I said, 'No way, I'm not going to disrupt another team.' But Art has been so patient through all of this. I talked to Bill Lajoie and we decided to make the move," Franchi said.

"There have been a lot of rumors, a lot of guessing, going on. For the good of the franchise, we felt it was better to go ahead and make our intentions known at this time. Now, we won't have to deal with speculations and rumors that have a negative effect on the club and its' fans, but concentrate on the positive aspects of wrapping up things this season and getting ready for next year. This has been a very trying time for me and for all of us in this office. The decision was difficult. It's tough to  say goodbye and realize we will no longer be a part of that family. But the bottom line is to be competitive and to win. For the last two years we have not been competitive and we have not won," Clarkson said.

"We have sent a letter to the Mayor's office requesting an audience to talk about a new park. The alternative is to repair and patch up Rickwood Field to the standards it should be brought to. We are not threatening to leave the city. It's my home, and I plan to stay here," Clarkson said.

Sources say that Clarkson has already met with officials from Hoover, Pelham and Trussville, but has not yet met with Birmingham's Mayor Richard Arrington.

"I've got to believe there is somebody in the Birmingham area who would like to make $50 million over a five year period. We've had great cooperation from the Park and Recreation Board. They've done everything in their power, and everything their budget would allow. And we're not asking the city of Birmingham to finance the Birmingham Barons (as they recently did for the USFL's Birmingham Stallions). We've made money for the city of Birmingham, and for the state of Alabama," Clarkson said.

Nina Miglionico, President of the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, thinks some of the other cities surrounding Birmingham should start pulling their share of the load. "I think they should go to Hoover. I'm not being cute. I'm serious. The city of Birmingham represents a third of the people in Jefferson County, yet we already fund the zoo, the botanical garden and Legion Field, and people all over the county and state benefit. I think it's high time the other two-thirds share in the funding. I think one of the cities should fund the (proposed theme park) water world, and one of them the baseball park. It would be a good thing for Bessemer or Hoover. I'm all for it," Miglionico said.

"We'll still have the same name. We'll still use the red, black and white for our uniforms and we're still the Barons. But we think there'll be some differences on the field. We're excited about the White Sox. They have had a top minor league organization for the past several years. We think we made quite a move up," Clarkson said.

"Our parking problems won't exist at either Fair Park or Legion Field, but we have two other areas of concern. That's accessibility and fans' perception of the area where the stadium is located," Clarkson said.

Bob Bailey, currently managing the Peninsula team in the Class A Carolina League, will become the Barons manager. After his retirement as a player in 1978, Bailey coached in the minor league system for the Montreal Expos, Houston Astros and the White Sox. 

"Bob's a great guy. It's a good thing for Tom and we all know Bob will do a great job here," Clarkson said.

"Our objective is always to win, no matter where we are. But we're in Birmingham to develop players also, and a very real part of that development is teaching players to win," Petrocelli said.

Clarkson disagrees with Bell's version of the events, saying that he was asked to work through the Mayor's office, which he did. He also said that no one from the City Council has contacted him about negotiations. "It was very poorly handled. I felt I was a pawn in the situation. I think we're committed to the city of Hoover if they can work out a plan. We're in serious negotiations. Has anything been finalized? No, it has not," Clarkson said.

However, soon after the proposal was made public, City Council President Bell said the council would kill plans for a new stadium. He also said that Clarkson had been threatening to move to Hoover and that the suburb might be the best place for Clarkson.

Clarkson disagreed with Arrington and Bell, saying that his first choice was always Birmingham, and that he started soliciting proposals from other suburbs six months after he had approached Birmingham officials. "I never threatened anybody publicly or privately. Why should I deal with these people when every time they bad-mouth me in public. I have tied to stay out of controversy with the City of Birmingham. I have paid all my bills to them. No matter how important or unimportant you think a business is in the city, if they are contributing to the city taxes, you never tell them to leave town," Clarkson said.

First, the council agreed to purchase seventy acres of land from USR (the real estate division of USX) and Harbert Properties. The land is in Jefferson county and Shelby county, which means that USR and Harbert will petition the city to annex the land before the purchase can be made. If the annexation is successful, USR and Harbert will also donate an additional forty acres to the city of Hoover for municipal development.

Second, the Hoover Park and Recreation Board will lease the stadium to the Barons for ten years, with a five year option.

Third, Harbert International, Inc. will oversee the stadium's construction.

The stadium will be known as Hoover Stadium, and could be built in three phases. Phase one will cost around $10 million with a seating capacity of 10,000, including the twelve skyboxes. A second phase would add an additional 5,000 seats while phase three would increase seating to 23,000.

If the stadium isn't completed by March 15, 1988, the Barons have the option to void the lease.

"This is just a tremendous thrill. It was just hard to think we had a chance when we were dong so poorly in the second half, but we started hitting the ball in the last regular season game against Columbus, and it just carried right on through," Petrocelli said.

Clarkson was equally surprised in the team's level of play in the post-season. "It's hard to compare teams. I'm a fan of individuals, and there were some great guys on our 1983 team and some great ones here. I will say that this one will always be special because there were those who had written us off when things weren't going so good in the second half. But the players and the coaches never believed it for a minute. We did what we had to do to win it, and it's going to be a thrill to run that Southern League pennant up the flag pole next year in Hoover. One thing for sure. This is the perfect way to end the final season for old Rickwood Field. It's just one more great memory to file away," Clarkson said.

"I enjoyed Rico, but it's obvious the White Sox weren't pleased with the results they got in Birmingham," Clarkson said.

"Some people think winning is everything. But I think developing talent and winning go hand in hand. Winning will come if you develop your people properly," Berry said.

"Ken is an outstanding baseball man, and he and I saw eye-to-eye on a lot of things around here last season that we didn't like. I think he will be very good at motivating players, and it was quite evident that was a problem here last season. The bottom line is that he knows how to win," Clarkson said.

"I have no comment on that at this time. Right now, we just have nothing definite to report. There's smoke, but there's nothing there yet. We could have something in two days, or two weeks, or never. It just may never happen. But whatever happens, you can be sure of two things. One, I'll still be the General Manager. And two, the team will still be in Birmingham," Clarkson said.

Beyond the surprising fact the Barons are for sale is that the suitors are Japanese. The actual negotiations are being held with an American representative for the Japanese group. Clarkson and other stockholders have met with the group many times.

Before the sale could be finalized, the Southern League would have to give them permission to purchase the club.

  Clarkson announces that the Barons have been sold to BB Acquisition Corporation, which is owned by Marty Kuehnert and Suntory International. Suntory International is owned by the largest privately owned company in Japan, Suntory, LTD. Suntory is involved in food, beverage and restaurant companies, pharmaceuticals, publishing, sports and entertainment businesses.

Kuehnert, the major stockholder, will serve as the team's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We expect no major changes. Art Clarkson will remain as General Manager, and we have the greatest confidence in the current management. We spent a lot of time looking at franchises across the country and when we came here we fell in love with Hoover and the Birmingham area. We like the city, we like the stadium, we like the relationship with the White Sox. We felt this was the place for us," Kuehnert said.

"I think this is in the best interest of baseball in Birmingham and the Barons. It's going to be great for the fans. Suntory represents a financial interest with the resources to do so much more than we ever could. So, it's a happy time for me. But it's also sad. The Barons have been my life in the past ten years. Kathy (Clarkson's wife) and I have agonized over this. We've cried over it. Now it's a decision that has been made, and one thing we won't do is second-guess it," Clarkson said.

The purchase price was not announced, but it is believed to have been around $3.6 million.

Clarkson also made a point to say that he would not be involved with the local World League of American Football franchise nor is he a candidate to replace Jimmy Bragan as President of the Southern League, as has been rumored of late. 

"If they would let UAB have a (football) team and allow me to market it, we'd put people in Legion Field. About five years down the road we'd have some kind of anniversary celebration for Legion Field, then tear it down and build a domed stadium," Clarkson said.

The altercation had been building for weeks. "I had taken enough of the verbal things (from Ventura). Finally, we squared off on the bus, but I thought we had that taken care of by the time we got home. When I got off the bus I heard some screaming and they came at me with baseball bats. I started running. Somebody got the bats away from them, but Magallanes sneaked around behind the bus, got another bat and hit me in the back of the head," Trafton said.

The Barons have placed Trafton on the disabled list and he will not play in the playoffs. "I told them I could play in a couple of days, but they basically told me my season is over and to go on home. I'm not too happy right now. When I needed support from them, I didn't get it," Trafton said.

  The Barons announce that they are officially submitting an application to move up to Triple-A classification. 

Kuehnert thinks the Barons chances are excellent. "We feel we have to be one of the top choices in the country. We have the facility, we have the financing, and we have the track record in Double-A. But we're taking nothing for granted. We're going to be working very hard for this, from now until the time the two new Triple-A franchises are awarded," Kuehnert said.

The requirements are high, including a park of 10,000 or more seats, quality ownership, location, market size, a season ticket base of at least 2,500, a franchise fee that could run as high as $5 million and additional territorial compensation for the Southern League. "We feel we are in good shape in all areas. The only negative could be geographic, that is, if they wanted two teams on the East Coast or two on the West, or just wanted to stay out of the South all together," Kuehnert said. Last year, however, the Barons only sold 1,100 season tickets.

The new Triple-A teams could begin play as early as 1992. A formal presentation will be give by the Barons in November with a decision by the committee by next September.

  Kuehnert counter-offers with a $700,000 indemnity payment to the league which is quickly refused. The league offers to drop its payment request to $1.1 million. 

After some discussion between the Barons and Knights, Charlotte Knights President Spencer Stolpen then approaches the league with a new joint offer. "If the directors don't accept this offer, they are going to have some big-time trouble on their hands. Spencer Stolpen is a lawyer. You can take that where you want to take it. But I'll tell you, he (Stolpen) was hot. I think we're both angrier today after thinking about it overnight. We spent all day (discussing the payment), and the Texas League spend a half an hour (with Tulsa's request to move up). And they asked no indemnity at all. I can't see why our league couldn't have been as fair," Kuehnert said.

Bragan discounted Kuehnert's suggestions of possible legal action. "I certainly didn't read that into my talk with Spencer Stolpen. Our discussions have been amiable, and I'm disappointed that Marty Kuehnert has chosen to inject the possibility of any kind of legal action. I just can't see it happening," Bragan said.

  The Southern League announces they have reached an agreement on the indemnity settlement for the Barons and the Knights. While no one would commit to the amount, it is believed to be $900,000. "I don't want to have any more problems with the Southern League and Mr. Bragan, so let's just say we're certainly prepared to live with it," Kuehnert said.

Bragan will write a letter to the Triple-A Expansion Committee informing them that the indemnity issue has been resolved and at what coast to each team.

Franklin said the White Sox won't allow the Barons to send Jackson to play in the outfield. "He'll be our designated hitter, that's all," Franklin said.

  Jackson arrives in Birmingham.

  Jackson completes his four game stretch in Birmingham and returns to the Chicago White Sox for evaluation. While in Birmingham, Jackson was four-for-thirteen with two runs scored and no runs batted in.

"I have enjoyed my four days here. The main thing is that being here with these guys and being in my home town has been great. I wish there was a way to thank everybody," Jackson said.

Although the presence of Jackson caused high demand for tickets, the Barons failed to win a single game during those four days.

Rumors are that Suntory International is preparing to remove Kuehnert as Barons CEO.

In a related story, Art Clarkson's investment team was turned down by the Jefferson Parish Metropolitan Baseball Commission, who chose the Denver franchise over Clarkson's group, who had agreed to purchase the Double-A Charlotte Knights franchise and move it to New Orleans. Clarkson's group was passed over because of a stipulation in their bid demanding a new stadium be built in New Orleans before 1993.

The brawl started when a Barons pitcher hit a Carolina batter in retaliation to the previous inning when a Carolina pitcher hit a Baron batter. 

The Barons had the last laugh, however, as they won 10-4.

In college, Francona led the University of Arizona to the 1980 national championship. He then went on to play eight years in the major leagues, with Montreal, the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland.