Monarchs Sweep Double Header In Birmingham

Rickwood Field, date unknown (source)

Rickwood Field, 2004 (source)

After a 660 mile trip from Chicago, the Monarchs climbed off the bus in Birmingham to meet the Black Barons for a double header on June 3 at Rickwood Field. (Rickwood is the oldest surviving park in the country, built in 1910.) The Monarchs took both ends. From the June 8 Kansas City Call:

Coming from behind with a five-run rally in their half of the sixth inning, the Kansas City Monarchs overcame the Birmingham Black Barons early lead of four runs and went on to win the opening game of a doubleheader here Sunday, June 3 by a 9-7 score. The Kansas Citians made a clean sweep of the twin bill by taking the second game, a seven inning affair, by a 4-3 score. First baseman (Lee) Moody of the Monarchs, with two triples and a single drove in all of the Monarchs second game runs.

First baseman Lee Moody's bat was hot as could be early in '45 (source)

Lefty LaMarque started the first and was relieved by Booker McDaniels. Steve Wylie and Jack Matchett hurled in the second game. Jackie went 2-for-5 with two runs in the first game.

From here the Monarchs were to tour with the Barons through Montgomery, New Orleans, back to Birmingham, and Nashville during the work week. I unfortunately have no report for those games.