Fielder in the middle

A Prince Fielder fan enjoys a Triple-A game between the Nashville Sounds and Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park in Memphis.

Photo by Darrin M. Devault (taken on Sept. 5, 2011)

Rained out

Rained out at AutoZone Park in Memphis.

Photo by Darrin M. Devault (taken on July 21, 2011)

Genevieve meets Rockey Redbird

Two-year-old Genevieve Alexander and Darrin (Uncle Duck) Devault meet Rockey Redbird following the Memphis Redbirds game at AutoZone Park on May 10, 2011. (Photo by Cheri Devault)

A nod to the Negro League

Bill Selby takes a break before a "Negro League throwback game" between the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds and Iowa Cubs on July 17, 2004, at AutoZone Park in Memphis.

Selby and his Iowa teammates represented the Homestead Grays in the game. After 14 years in professional baseball, including several in the major leagues, Selby is now an assistant baseball coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College.

Photo by Darrin M. Devault

Bullpen bound

Relief pitchers for the Memphis Redbirds walk to the bullpen before the start of a game at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis.

Photo by Darrin M. Devault (taken on July 17, 2004)

Lights on at AutoZone

Top of massive scoreboard sign at AutoZone Park, Memphis, Tenn.

Photo by Darrin M. Devault (taken on Sept. 17, 2010)

Hunka, hunka ballplayer

Hometown hero Elvis is depicted as a Memphis Redbirds baseball player on the club level of AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis.

Photo by Darrin M. Devault (taken on Sept. 17, 2010)

Catching Dan Haren, a rising star

Dan Haren is now an established big-league pitcher, but he was a fast-rising star for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds when I photographed him on July 6, 2004, at AutoZone Park in Memphis.

Haren, a two-time All-Star, just completed a terrific first season for the Arizona Diamondbacks, compiling a 16-8 record in 2008. He previously pitched for St. Louis and Oakland.

Photo by Darrin M. Devault

When it comes to mascots, bird is the word

I have a big soft spot for baseball mascots because of the way they interact with young fans and get them interested in our national pastime.

My two favorite mascots are redbirds—Fredbird of the St. Louis Cardinals and Rockey the Rockin' Redbird of the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.

I took this photo of Fredbird on June 18, 2008, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis at a game between the Cardinals and Kansas City Royals.

Keep your beaks held high, guys, and someday you'll end up in the Mascot Hall of Fame.