MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Barry University baseball team has a very special day planned for Thursday, Jan. 9 when they host Old-Time Baseball & Vintage Cars at Feinbloom Field as part of the athletic department’s fundraising efforts on behalf of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In addition to the Old-Time baseball game, in which the Buccaneers will sport uniforms from the 1920’s-70’s representing original teams from Major League Baseball as well as the Negro Leagues in a friendly inter-squad exhibition game, Ted Vernon is helping sponsor the event and will provide several vintage cars to embrace the spirit of the 1920’s at the event. Vernon will also throw out the first pitch.
Ted Vernon, one of South Florida's most colorful personalities, is a man of many hats, among them: successful auto-dealer, movie actor, film producer, and professional prizefighter. Vernon achieved local fame when he decided to embark on an amateur boxing career in his late 20s, racking up a 21-1 record; strange indeed because a Miami Herald Newspaper article on his fistic career stated that, as a millionaire, he didn't need to box. But box he did, and later turned professional. He made a habit of delivering first-round knockouts, including one in 0:17 seconds against Armando Royo in 1980, after which Vernon retired from the ring with a pro record of 3-1, with 3 knockouts. He went on to act and produce a number of south Florida films, and remains one of the more colorful personalities in the history of Miami-Dade County sports, entertainment, and business worlds.
Gates open at 5:30 pm with a meet-and-greet in which the fans are allowed to join the players on the field to sign autographs, take pictures and meet the 2014 Buccaneer squad.
Entertainment at the game will be provided by THE MIAMIANS! Barbershop Quartet. THE MIAMIANS! will be singing the national anthem and other assorted melodies at the game.
First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. and fans are encouraged to participate by dressing up in the spirit of the 1920-40’s.