The best way to describe the news that came out of Boston last week for non-baseball fans here in Alabama is to imagine that you didn’t have to wait until late November for that game between Alabama and Auburn… yeah, it was that big. The only thing that would make it bigger in my opinion would be to let the games be played at baseball’s oldest ballpark – here in Birmingham.

If you didn’t click through up above, MLB has hinted – heavily – that the New York Yankees will open the 2010 season against the Boston Red Sox. It would be the third time in the last 18 years that the hardball rivals would be facing each other to open the season. The only decision that appears to be left to make according to the Boston Herald story is where the games will be played.

The pomp and circumstance of the new Yankee Stadium‘s inaugural season will be over and Boston’s Fenway Park would still be recovering from January’s NHL Winter Classic. I have not been to either ballpark (though I have many fond memories of the old Yankee Stadium from growing up in The Bronx). It’s not that I don’t want to have to figure out some way to afford tickets to what would most likely be my first game in attendance at the new cathedral to the game at the corner of 161st Street and River Avenue; I just think that baseball’s oldest surviving stage should be given a chance to shine for its 100^th anniversary and this would definitely allow for that to be the case.

Both franchises have previously been affiliated with the Birmingham minor league organization. The Red Sox’ manager, Terry Francona, is still much beloved  by The Magic City from his days as the field manager of the Barons and the feelings still appear to be mutual. Rickwood is in need of a significant renovation and while Mayor Langford’s plans for the facility and a soon to be constructed museum will draw people to the ballpark, a game like this would raise its awareness – and fund-raising potential – with a larger potential audience of die-hard fans. While it is much smaller than either of the participating teams’ home ballparks and while I am not sure if MLB is willing to do so, but the gate being donated towards Rickwood’s restoration.

Because of the ballpark’s size, maybe an exhibition game may be a better way to go. It doesn’t even have to be these two teams playing, though they have the best arguments for being involved – except for maybe the White Sox. I would simply consider it a shame if MLB didn’t figure out some way to take advantage of Rickwood’s anniversary.

It may be a pipe dream to convince MLB to stage a regular season game at Rickwood Field, but it is something that should be considered as it prepares to celebrate a century occupying its space on the city’s Westside. Maybe dreaming that big dream for Birmingham may just bring us out of a rut of pessimism. Besides, it’ll be a good excuse to not be in the office on a Spring day in April and who wouldn’t want that.

What do you think?

André Natta is the stationmaster for bhamterminal.com.