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Turner Field
Experience
Atlanta, GA -
4/10/2005
by: Anthony Lorenzo
I am not sure if
it was the decade of Atlanta Braves dominance over my New York Mets
or the idea of spending time in a Red State, but I wasn’t very
excited to visit Atlanta during the Sun Belt Ballpark Tour. All of
these notions were unjustifiable. After spending time in Atlanta
and Turner Field it is safe to say that I was dead wrong.
Mike and I began
our odyssey to Atlanta after spending time in St. Petersburg
Florida. We expected to be on the road for 6 to 7 hours and were on
schedule until I jinxed our ride when I noticed a sign that said:
Atlanta 240 miles. After seeing this sign I said “Only 3 more
hours”. What followed was 6 more hours of driving that resulted in
the creation of Rock Opera. Rock Opera is when I sing rock and some
rap songs as if I was part of the Three Tenors. Hey you spend 10
hours in a car and stay sane. Our drive was made even worse by the
fact we spent time listening to the Atlanta Braves beat up on the
Mets. Once Mike and I arrived at our Sheraton Hotel, located in
Buckhead, we changed and went out to see what Buckhead’s bar scene
was all about. Mike and I checked out a few bars, but settled on
Makos. Makos was a wild place with a great crowd. It provided
instant relief for the two weary road trippers. Makos was the best
bar Mike and I have been to during the Ballpark Tour. By FAR!!
As soon as I woke
up the next morning, slightly hung over, I was hit with the
excitement of visiting Turner Field. Even though the Mets were 0-5
and the Braves have dominated the series I felt it was necessary to
wear my New York Mets jersey and take any abuse that came my way.
Mike and I spent our pregame driving around downtown Atlanta.
Atlanta is the New York of the South. It is a cosmopolitan city
that is home of one of the busiest airports in the world. Atlanta
was also home to Maynard Jackson, who is 1974 was sworn in as
Atlanta’s first African-America mayor. During Jackson’s three terms
Atlanta grew into the city that it is today. He oversaw the
creation of Atlanta’s rapid transit system, MARTA. More importantly
Jackson improved the life for Atlanta’s African American community
by instituting affirmative action programs wherever possible. These
programs empowered African Americans in Atlanta like never before.
Another key figure
in the history of Atlanta is former Braves outfielder Hank Aaron who
on April 8, 1974 broke Babe Ruth’s all-time Home Run record when he
sent an Al Downing pitch over the left center field wall. This home
run was Aaron’s 715th and cemented his place as an
immortal in Baseball history. His home run was hit at the Braves
former home, Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium, whose left center field
wall has been left in place after the stadium was demolished.
The current home
of the Braves, Turner Field was built for the 1996 Summer Olympics.
After the Olympics left town Turner Field, named after then owner
Ted Turner, underwent a face life. The Ted was redesigned to fit a
baseball diamond; this resulted is one of the nicest ballparks in
the Majors. The Ted’s main entrance is very welcoming and is full
of activities for fans of all ages. Mike and I were impressed with
Turner Fields design and site lines. During our Ballpark tour it
has become customary that we view the game from different angles,
but with the pitching matchup of two future Hall of Famers, Met
Pedro Martinez and Brave John Smoltz I did not leave my seat the
entire game.
The 36,601 in
attendance were treated to the best pitching matchup of the early
season. Martinez and Smoltz matched each other inning for inning.
Going into the 8th Smoltz had struck out 15 Mets and was
cruising, but after a single by Jose Reyes and a sacrifice bunt by
Miguel Cairo; Smoltz allowed a 2 run home run to Carlos Beltran:
Mets 2 Braves 1. This signaled Smoltz’s exit and was the beginning
of a memorable Mets rally. Cliff Floyd welcomed in Braves reliever
Tom Martin with a solo shot to pad the Mets lead 3 to 1. After
another pitching change Mets third baseman David Wright hit the
third home run of the inning: Mets 5 Braves 1. A four run lead was
more than enough for Pedro as he pitched a complete game 2 hitter;
the Mets even added another insurance run in the 9th:
Mets 6 Braves 1. It was an amazing feeling walking around Turner
Field after the Mets shocked the Braves. Seeing the team fight back
after being shutdown by John Smoltz was something I will never
forget. It was a perfect ending to the Sun Belt Ballpark Tour.
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