Fox Broadcast Wowed MLB Fans With Throwback Effect During Rickwood Field Game

Karl Rasmussen | Jun 20, 2024

Fox Sports's broadcast of MLB's Rickwood Field Game on June 20, 2024. / Screenshot via MLB on Fox

Major League Baseball paid tribute to the Negro Leagues on Thursday night by playing a specialty game between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals at the historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala.

Rickwood Field is the oldest professional ballpark in the United States and the old home of the Birmingham Black Barons, the former team of Willie Mays, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 93.

The game was broadcast nationally on FOX, and the network handled its coverage of the game with class. In addition to various tributes to the Negro Leagues, the broadcast used a throwback black-and-white effect in for a half of an inning during the game in order to give the viewing audience the feel of a game in the 1950s.

This. Is. Awesome! We turn the clock back to 1954

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/xn021nmOG0

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 21, 2024

It was executed to perfection, and it truly made for a unique viewing experience. As much was echoed by MLB fans, who were absolutely thrilled with the attention to detail on the broadcast.

That black-and-white half-inning was beyond cool. What a treat.

— Emma Baccellieri (@emmabaccellieri) June 21, 2024

This broadcast deserves *all* the Emmys. https://t.co/lHH2ITqSdt

— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) June 21, 2024

This is so cool! This has been an amazing broadcast and great tribute to Willie Mays and the Negro Leagues! https://t.co/zxQp44z23W

— Tobi Altizer (@Tobi_Altizer) June 21, 2024

Fox did this for “Turn Back The Clock” a few decades back and it was the coolest thing ever.

It’s still cool. https://t.co/9Q2V2VmTci

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) June 21, 2024

Man FOX and MLB really knock these signature games out of the park. Such smart planning, creativity and attention to detail with the execution to match. https://t.co/M0UPhXbuUH

— Nolan Hughes (@nolan_hughes24) June 21, 2024

Loved this. Really outstanding presentation. https://t.co/DhimnYXMcK

— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) June 21, 2024