CHICAGO -- Josh Barfield’s two young daughters fully understand Jesse Barfield, their grandfather, played Major League Baseball.
And why shouldn’t they know about a man who hit 241 home runs over 12 seasons with the Blue Jays and Yankees, won two Gold Glove Awards and is on the short list for best outfield arms in the game’s history?
As for the on-field career for dad, who now serves as an assistant general manager for the White Sox? Well, that belief isn’t backed up with as much certainty.
“My kids don’t believe me that I played,” Josh told MLB.com with a laugh during a recent conversation including his dad at Rate Field. “They see the baseball cards of me, and they go, ‘Oh, that’s Papi.’”
“It’s true,” Jesse said. “That is too funny.”
The Barfield girls will get to see their dad and grandpa in action on June 19 during the third edition of the East-West Classic, a tribute to the Negro Leagues' All-Star Games held from 1933-1962. It takes place at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., which is the home city of the White Sox Double-A affiliate.
General admission tickets are available for $12 at mlb.com/eastwestclassic. Jesse will manage Team West, while Josh will play for Team East, managed by Jerry Hairston Sr., who played 14 seasons and was a coach for seven years within the White Sox system.
Pitting father vs. son adds an interesting and entertaining twist to a group of players whose overall accomplishments span 276 Major League seasons, eight World Series titles, a Cy Young Award, 49 All-Star appearances, 24 Silver Sluggers and 10 Gold Glove Awards.
“You know what? I’m going to tell them to throw curveballs, and then I’m going to tell [Josh], ‘They are throwing you curveballs,’” a smiling Jesse said. “No, I’m joking. It just happened to be that way. It didn’t matter to me. As long as I’m around that atmosphere with these guys, that’s all that matters to me.”
“You get to see all the guys you grew up with, played with and against. It’s almost like a reunion,” Josh said. “It’s awesome, especially any time you get to play there. It’s really cool just because of all the guys who have played there.”
Prior to the event, all Classic participants will volunteer at a PLAY BALL event hosted at Rickwood Field from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. CT. Over 150 kids from the AEB Legacy Nike RBI program and Ron ‘Papa Jack’ Jackson Nike RBI program will participate in the free event and will be given tickets to the Classic.
This event has an extra-special meaning for the Barfield family. Albert Overton, who was the great uncle of Jesse’s wife and Josh’s mom, Marla, pitched in the Negro Leagues for the Little Rock Grays, the Philadelphia Stars and the Indianapolis/Cincinnati Clowns.
“Once I got to the White Sox, I started to learn about Rickwood,” Josh said. “I had heard about it. Knowing the history, its impact on the game. ... The Barons play a game there every year, and it’s gotten even more special since I’ve come over here.”
“So this is great,” Jesse said. “Just to be around these guys and to be a part of this is a thrill for me.”
Jesse’s thrill will increase if his West team is able to defeat his son’s East squad.
“One hundred percent. I try to win at Scrabble,” Jesse said. “I try to win in everything. You play the game to win. But if you don’t win, you are there for the camaraderie and that’s what it’s about.”
“First, it was just, 'Don’t get hurt,'” said Josh, who has played in all three of these games.
“Then you get out there, and competitive juices get flowing and trash talking and stuff. It’s fun. It’s something you miss the most when you are not playing, being able to scratch that itch.”