Jonathan Nelson Named SL Executive of the Year
In his fifth year as Barons General Manager, Nelson earns his first league executive of the year honor. It is the fifth time a member of the Birmingham's front office has won the award, and the first since Bill Hardekopf in 1994.
"I am humbled and honored to be recognized with this award by my Southern League colleagues," Nelson said. "I had the fortune of working in this league while Jimmy Bragan presided over it, and to receive this award is a tremendous honor.
"I want to thank both our Barons and Grand Slam Catering front office, as well as our game day staff, for their work this season. This award is truly reflective of their quality of work and their commitment toward making Barons baseball the best entertainment experience in Birmingham. I would also like to thank former Barons General Managers Bill Hardekopf and Tony Ensor for giving me the opportunity to work with the Barons and for their guidance. In addition, working for the Logan family has been an incredible experience and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as Barons General Manager.
"Lastly, I must thank and dedicate this award to three influential people in my life: My mother, Father and late Grandfather, James Nelson."
In his 17th year in professional baseball, Nelson spearheaded the production of an outstanding All-Star Game celebration in mid-July. It was the first time since 1985 that the Barons hosted the mid-summer classic, and each of the festivities had a distinct Birmingham flair.
All-Star Weekend kicked off with an exhibition softball game that included former Auburn and Alabama athletes and many local celebrities, which was followed by the Southern League Home Run Derby. Both events were held at Rickwood Field, the oldest surviving ballpark in the United States. More than a dozen former Negro League players, many whom played at Rickwood Field, were honored the following evening prior to the start of the All-Star Game.
This was a special season for Birmingham in other ways as well. The Barons finished the season with the best record in team history (92-47, .662), besting the old mark held by the 1906 Barons (86-46, .651). Birmingham also reached the playoffs for the second consecutive year and for the eighth time in the last 10 seasons.
Under Nelson's supervision, the Barons averaged 4,418 fans during the regular season, ranking second in the league. The total attendance of 287,185, although slightly down from last season, is the second-highest total for Birmingham since 2001. Since becoming general manager prior to the 2005 season, the Barons have totaled (1,473,070 fans, an average of 284,614 per season.
Prior to joining the club in 1993, Nelson worked for former Barons owner Art Clarkson with the Birmingham Bulls Hockey Club. In 1997, Nelson worked with the Detroit Tigers in ticket sales before returning to the Barons as assistant general manager in 1998. He served in that role for seven seasons before becoming general manager in 2005.
Nelson and his wife Christy reside in Vestavia Hills with their son Jonathan Jr. and daughter Sophia.