Celebrating 10 years of iconic baseball, unforgettable concerts, and coastal community events
This summer marks the 10-year anniversary of Keesler Federal Park, formerly known as MGM Park, the crown jewel of the Mississippi Gulf Coast sports scene and home of the Biloxi Shuckers. Since opening its gates in 2015, the ballpark has hosted unforgettable games, iconic concerts, college baseball showdowns, and moments that made Biloxi a true baseball town. To celebrate a decade of memories, Magnolia Coast Sports is counting down the Top 10 Greatest Moments at Keesler Federal Park — from walk-off wins to all-star showcases and everything in between. Whether you were there from day one or just joined the party, this list is a tribute to the legacy built on the Gulf Coast
Honorable Mention: Gulf Coast Marathon Finish Line at Keesler Federal Park
Each December, thousands of runners from across the region descend on Biloxi for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, and there’s no more dramatic finish than crossing the line inside Keesler Federal Park. As runners come down the home stretch and enter the outfield, they’re greeted by cheering crowds, stadium lights, and a full scoreboard display celebrating their accomplishment. With the Shuckers’ home as a backdrop, the park becomes more than a ballfield — it transforms into a victory stage, blending the spirit of endurance sports with the magic of coastal baseball. It’s a uniquely Gulf Coast tradition that adds one more reason Keesler Federal Park is at the heart of so many unforgettable moments.
Honorable Mention: The Opossum Incident & Brett Phillips’ Chase (April 29, 2016)
One of the most delightfully bizarre moments in MGM Park history came when a rogue opossum sprinted onto the field during a 2016 game, interrupting play and capturing the internet’s attention. Outfielder Brett Phillips gave chase and the footage went viral. In true minor league fashion, the moment was immortalized with a special “Opossum Chase” bobblehead giveaway, forever commemorating one of the quirkiest—and most unforgettable—fan favorites in stadium lore.
10. Shuckers Combined No-Hitter (May 15, 2021)
(The Biloxi Shuckers celebrate after four pitchers combine to no-hit the Mississippi Braves on May 15, 2021 at Keesler Federal Park)
Ethan Small, Zach Vennaro, Nathan Kirby and Matt Hardy etched their names into Shuckers lore by combining for the first no-hitter in Keesler Federal Park history. In a dominant performance against the Mississippi Braves, the four pitchers struck out 13 and allowed just two walks.
9. Concert for the Coast on the 10 Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Featuring Dr. John, Orleans Avenue and Trombone Shorty. (August 29, 2015)
On the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Keesler Federal Park became more than just a ballpark—it became a stage for healing and celebration. The legendary New Orleans funk and jazz singer Dr. John, joined by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, headlined an emotional evening filled with New Orleans funk and soul. The crowd danced and sang under the Gulf Coast sky, honoring those lost and those who endured on that fateful day 10 years earlier. It was the first major concert held at the ballpark, and it set the tone for Keesler Federal Park’s role as a cultural gathering place as much as a sporting venue.
8. 2017 C-USA Baseball Tournament (May 24-29, 2017)
When MGM Park hosted its first Conference USA Tournament, it brought college baseball to the coast and proved that the coast can be a major college baseball destination. Plenty of black and gold turned out for the 5 days in Biloxi as Southern Miss proved to be a major draw, despite losing in the Championship to the Rice Owls. The Golden Eagles played in front of raucous crowds filled with USM fans who had turned the ballpark into “Pete Taylor South” or “The Pete at the Beach”. The tournament elevated Keesler Federal Park’s reputation as a regional college baseball hub and showed it could handle high-stakes postseason action.
7. Shuckers clinch the Southern League South by beating the Blue Wahoos to advance to their first Southern League Championship (Sept 8, 2019)
The 2019 Southern League South Division playoffs brought playoff intensity to MGM Park as the Biloxi Shuckers squared off against their Gulf Coast rivals, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Fueled by clutch hitting and dominant pitching, the Shuckers claimed the South Division title in front of an electric home crowd. Though the Shuckers ultimately fell short in the league championship, their playoff run was a defining moment in the team’s growing legacy.
6. Shuckers clinch their first Playoff birth (June 15, 2015)
Just nine home games into their existence, the Shuckers did the unthinkable: they clinched the Southern League South Division first-half title. It was a testament to the resilience built during the 54-game road trip and earned Biloxi its first taste of playoff baseball and a true baseball identity began to take root on the Gulf.
5. Mississippi State took on #4 ranked Texas Tech in one of the last sporting events to be played due to the Covid pandemic (March 11, 2020)
Thousands of maroon and white-clad fans poured into Keesler Federal Park on that Wednesday afternoon—just as the NCAA dropped a bombshell press release that set off a chain reaction felt across the entire sports world. But before the sports world would shut down Keesler Federal Park hosted a heavyweight non-conference showdown between Mississippi State and Texas Tech. With two top-10 programs clashing on the coast, the ballpark was electric as fans packed the stands to watch future MLB talent square off under the lights. The Bulldogs edged out the Red Raiders in a thrilling 3-2 win, giving coast baseball fans a memory to cherish. Less than 24 hours later, the sports world would come to a halt and little did anyone know that would be the last college baseball played of the season—making that night in Biloxi feel frozen in time.
4. 2019 Southern League All-Star Game (June 18, 2019)
(Future Chicago White Sox star and 2023 MLB All-Star Luis Robert took home the 2019 Southern League All-Star Game MVP after going 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and two RBI.)
Keesler Federal Park hosted the Southern League’s brightest stars for a two-day celebration of minor league excellence. The Home Run Derby electrified the coastal skyline. The next night a record nine Shuckers represented Biloxi in front of a hometown crowd, and fans from across the South enjoyed a first-class event, cementing Keesler Federal Park as one of the premier ballparks in Minor League Baseball. The game featured future MLB stars like Jazz Chisholm and Trent Grisham shined on the Gulf Coast in what would unknowingly be the last Southern League All-Star Game ever.
3. 2019 C-USA Tournament — Southern Miss no hits Rice and defeats Florida Atlantic to win the C-USA Championship (May 21-26, 2019)
On May 25, 2019, Keesler Federal Park witnessed history as Southern Miss threw a combined no-hitter to defeat Rice 6-0 and the next day defeating Florida Atlantic 4-0 to capture the C-USA Championship. Gabe Shepard, Hunter Stanley Cody Carroll, the Golden Eagles delivered a dominant performance on the mound in front of a roaring crowd filled with black and gold. It was the first no-hitter in C-USA Tournament championship history and a signature moment for Southern Miss baseball.
The day after their historic no-hitter against Rice, Southern Miss delivered another masterclass, defeating top-seeded Florida Atlantic 4–0 to clinch the 2019 Conference USA Championship. Five Golden Eagle pitchers combined to extend the team’s scoreless streak to 19 innings, stifling an FAU offense. With the victory, Southern Miss secured back-to-back C-USA tournament titles for the first time in program history, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals and giving Biloxi fans a weekend of unforgettable baseball.
2. Milwaukee Brewers vs. Biloxi Shuckers (April 2, 2016)
In a rare and unforgettable occasion, MGM Park welcomed its Major League affiliate as the Milwaukee Brewers came to town to face the Biloxi Shuckers in an exhibition matchup. The star-studded Brewers roster included Ryan Braun and Jonathan Lucroy giving local fans a chance to see big-league talent up close. The atmosphere was electric as the Shuckers held their own against the pros, creating a memorable day of baseball on the coast. It marked a rare occasion, a Major League Baseball team actually playing on the coast. And for many fans a chance to see big leaguers in their own back yard.
1 Shuckers Inaugural Game (June 6, 2015)
After 54 days on the road and a city on edge with anticipation, the Biloxi Shuckers finally played their first home game. A pre-game parade down Howard Avenue welcomed the team to a crowd of thousands, many of whom had waited since the stadium was announced in 2012. At a sold-out MGM Park, the Shuckers shut out the Mobile BayBears 4–0 behind Jorge López’s masterful pitching and Orlando Arcia’s two-hit performance. That night, baseball was officially reborn on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
As we look back on the first ten years of Keesler Federal Park, it’s clear the stadium has become more than just a ballpark — it’s a heartbeat for the Biloxi community. From concerts to playoff baseball, from college rivalries to MLB teams, these moments have shaped a decade of unforgettable memories on the Coast. The past ten years have laid a strong foundation, and with each new season, the legacy only grows. Here’s to the fans, the players, and the magic of summer nights in Biloxi — and to many more years of moments still to come.
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