Making Birmingham Move: Barons President/GM Jonathan Nelson

BIRMINGHAM, AL — With spring approaching, baseball season is just around the corner, and the Birmingham Barons will begin their 2021 season May 4 at Regions Field.

The Barons, the Chicago White Sox Double-A affiliate, have a rich history in Birmingham dating back to 1885, and its players have included the likes of Satchel Paige, Willie Mays, Burleigh Grimes, Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Frank Thomas and even NBA legend Michael Jordan among many others.

The team consistently ranks among the top minor league organizations in the country, and behind much of that success is the team's president and general manager Jonathan Nelson.

Nelson, a native of Fairhope, has worked in baseball for more than two decades, and the 2021 season marks his 14th as the Barons general manager. Nelson was named the Jimmy Bragan Southern League Executive of the Year Award recipient in 2009, 2013 and 2016, and has been at the helm of the team during its most successful years.

Patch caught up with Nelson to discuss how the Barons have been able to maintain their success as an organization, how he got to this position, and why he chooses to stay here in the Magic City:

The Barons are consistently listed among the country's most successful minor league operations. To what do you attribute the Barons' success?

Despite this area having a huge appetite for college football historically baseball has always held a significant place in the Birmingham social scene. From Rickwood Field to the Hoover Met to Regions Field the Barons/Black Barons/A’s have always been a big part of the Magic City’s culture which is reflected in it’s support since 1885

Given the success you have had in your career as a baseball executive, have you ever considered leaving Birmingham for the big leagues?

Admittedly my original goal was to work in Major League Baseball and I actually did it back in 1997. After my first four years with the Barons I took a ticket sales job for the Detroit Tigers and worked at Tiger Stadium. I loved Detroit, it was so much fun, especially working at an old, historic ballpark like Tiger Stadium. It was not uncommon to see Al Kaline or Alan Trammell in the offices. In January of 1998 former Barons GM Bill Hardekopf offered me the opportunity come back in a management position. While I wanted to remain in Detroit the opportunity to return to a great city like Birmingham and continue my growth as a baseball executive was obviously the best path for me. At this point in my life I am truly blessed to live and work in a great town like Birmingham and be a part of the fun at Regions Field

There have been a lot of changes in Minor League Baseball over the last year. How do you feel they are going to affect baseball as a whole?

This is a new agreement between Minor League ballclubs and their affiliates. We have enjoyed a great relationship with the White Sox for over 32 years and look forward to many more. The White Sox have always viewed Birmingham as a very important affiliation for several reasons and have provided numerous great prospects over the years along with championship teams. Most importantly since moving to Regions Field Barons fans have enjoyed watching a high-level of baseball including the 2013 Southern League Championship along with so many Major League players like Tim Anderson, Eloy Jimenez, Marcus Semien, Luis Robert and others.

If you had to make a Birmingham Barons Mount Rushmore, who would be on it?

I love these type questions and this is hard knowing the lengthy Barons/Black Barons/A’s history! But here’s my swing at it:

Willie Mays – Arguably the greatest MLB player of all-time but currently the greatest MLB player living

Rick Woodward – The former owner who helped build Rickwood Field along with overseeing 5 Championships during his era. In hosting the Rickwood Classic, it’s really cool that the Rickwood Family continues to be involved and a big part of that special Barons game!

Reggie Jackson – Mr. October, a HOFer who was part of that great 1967 Birmingham A’s Championship team but so many World Championship teams in Oakland and New York.

Frank Thomas- Was Minor League Player of the Year as a Baron in 1990 and went onto a historic Hall of Fame Career primarily with the White Sox. Essentially re-wrote most White Sox offensive records during his time in Chicago

Who is your all time favorite baseball player, and why?

Most people believe I am a White Sox fan because it is required of my job…not so. I actually grew up a White Sox fan because I was an all-Chicago fan (White Sox, Bears and Bulls). My favorite players were Carlton Fisk and Ozzie Guillen. When Fisk signed with the Sox it started a new era on the southside and Guillen was part of the long lineage of great White Sox shortstops like Luke Appling, Luis Aparicio and Chico Carrasquel. That was a fun time to be a Sox fan. The 1983 "Winning Ugly" AL West Champs team was great and they still played at Comiskey Park, a truly beautiful ballpark cathedral!

Patch is always looking to feature people in your community that help make the community move. If you have someone you would like to see featured in this series, email michael.seale@patch.com.