The Richmond Flying Squirrels and fireworks may be the most tantalizing entertainment combo since popcorn and butter.

Richmonders will have the chance to enjoy plenty of both this week at The Diamond. Fire- works will follow games Thursday, July 1 (game starts at 6:35 p.m.), Saturday, July 3 (6:05 p.m.) and Sunday, July 4 (6:05 p.m.) against AA Northeast League rival Binghamton Rumble Ponies of New York, a New York Mets affiliate.

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In most cases, Squirrels players are up-and-comers with the dream of someday playing in the big leagues.

Right-handed pitcher Akeel Morris, 28, falls into a different category. Morris, who joined Richmond on the recent road trip, has already pitched in the majors with the New York Mets (2015), the Atlanta Braves (2017) and Los Angeles Angels (2018).

Hailing from St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, Morris got a June 19 start at Hartford, Conn., and got the win in a 14-5 Richmond victory. Morris is likely to start at least one game on the current home stand that concludes Sunday.

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There were plenty of fireworks on the field in 1986 when the Richmond Braves won the International League Governor’s Cup.

The 1986 champions were honored June 29 during the first game of the Binghamton series.

Manager Roy Majtyka’s Atlanta Braves farm hands went 80-60 during the regular season and defeated Rochester in the playoff finals at The Diamond.

Four African-Americans stood out for Richmond.

First baseman Gerald Perry (second in the International League in hitting), centerfielder Albert Hall (with a league-leading 72 stolen bases), catcher John Rabb (14 homers, 78 runs batted in) and fire-balling pitcher Juan Eichelberger (7-4 record, six saves) were among the hometown heroes.

All went on to MLB success.

The Braves were in Richmond from 1966 to 2008. The Flying Squirrels arrived in 2010 as the AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.