Turner Field , 2015

Only hit Turner field a couple of times this year. 2 of the 3 Cubs games that were here, plus a misc Brewers game.  I was too busy watching the Cubs on TV to go see many games. We never made it on a trip this year either, but at least I got Arizona in early in the season. If a trip fails next year as well, I will hop on a plane and knock out Seattle. I plan on hitting Minnesota in 2017 when I make my next Wrigley trip. I want to wait until most of the remodel is done before I go back up so I can tour it all and take in all the changes. Of course 2017 will also be the new Suntrust Park in Atlanta. Hopefully I will have them all in by then. We'll see!

Turner Field, 2014

So this will be my one post on all games that I attend at Turner this year. Now that it has been announced that the Braves are building a new park, I guess I only have a few years left to enjoy this one before going to see the new one. I am hoping that the new one will bring an opportunity to go see the All-Star game.

A's 8/16

I was supposed to go to this game with my cousin, but he unfortunately couldn't make it so I asked Terry if he was free, and he was. We got there and were able to tailgate a bit, smoke a cigar and drink a couple of cold ones. I was hoping to see Samardzija or Lester pitch, but no luck there. It was a competitive game and went down to the wire with Kimbrel walking the lead off hitter in the 9th, but then he shut them down hitting 99 several times on the gun. The Braves won the game 4-3.

Cubs 5/11

This was game 3 of the 3 game set, and the Cubs went down again, 5-2. We were once again in the game, 3-2, until our bullpen came in and gave up 2 more runs. I have been hoping to be at a "milestone" game, you know, 500 HR, 2000 hits etc. Well this was kind of a milestone game. The Cubs lost their 10,000 game in the history of the franchise. Not exactly the type of milestone I was looking for, but still a milestone, I guess. They were the 3rd team in MLB history to reach this mark. The Braves and Phillies have both been there for a few years. By the way, the Cubs hit 10,000 wins back in 2008 so its not like all they do is lose! They are actually 2nd to the Giants in all time wins, although the Dodgers might catch them if they don't start playing better pretty quick.

Cubs 5/10

This was game 2 of the 3 game set. Jeff Samardzija was on the mound and didn't disappoint. Unfortunately, our offense did. Once again we couldn't push a run across and our bullpen gave up just enough to lose the game 2-0. I just got Gen Admission tix last night and moved around the park a bit. I started up top in RF, and was alone up there for the most part, until the rain hit and it became the best seats in the house. I moved away from there after play resumed, and cruised around between innings.
We will try again on Sunday, with Mickey.

Nationals 4/12

So here was the view from my seat. This was the RF corner and front row. Of course no home run's came our way tonite, although there were 3 hit in the game. The Braves won the game 6-3 and it was a pretty entertaining game. Rendon led off the game with a solo HR, and it was not what was too come. The Nats only managed to squeeze a couple more runs in in the late innings but couldn't overcome the 4 run 1st by the Bravos. BJ Upton hit a HR in the 1st, and got a mixed reaction from the crowd, he still has a lot to prove before he will get full support from the fans. Freddie however hit a shot to CF, because I was in right, and the crowd went absolutely crazy, including myself. I don't typically root for the Braves, but I really like Freddie Freeman. The fans booed Bryce Harper as usual, but the fans in my corner were really tough on Nate McClouth. They rode him for the whole game and I guess they think he was the reason they didn't win while he was in Atlanta. I never liked him as a player, but he was not the reason the Braves didn't win. 

It was a crazy busy afternoon as far as tailgating goes. The first Saturday of the season and the weather was awesome. 75, sunny, with a slight breeze. They were doing some serious partying out there today. I brought my cousin Mickey to the game, I told him ahead of time that it would be like that, but he didn't believe it until he saw it. I am curious what the tailgating will be like when the new park comes along, since there are gonna be a lot of bars and places to eat right by the park. 

Turner Field, 2013

As usual, I will be making multiple game posts on this page. I will be going to at least 3-4 more Braves games. It's only 1 week into the year and the Braves fans are already starting to tick me off. Yes, I know that you have a good team, and that my team kinda sucks, I get it, but when your awesome team actually wins something, gimme a call. Until then, STFU. Now on to the games.

Nationals 4/29

These were the free seats that I won through work. I've been lucky enough to win these four years straight now. As you can see they are awesome seats. Plus, we moved up about 8 more rows after the 2nd inning. 

I was looking forward to seeing Strasburg, but he didn't impress tonight. He was wild and seemed like he was having a hard time locating his pitches. After seeing the replays he was very wild. Even with that he was still pretty good.He gave up 6 hits and 2 runs in 6 innings, He did walk 4 though, and that hurt him. Also the fact that the Nats were hitting Teheran around for 10 hits in 5 innings but only put 2 on the board due to getting picked off twice. Span on 1st in the 1st with Harper up. Harper doubled, run lost. Then Strasburg came up in the 2nd with 2 on and 0 out. He failed to get the bunt down and to make things worse, Tracy got picked off at 2nd after the 3rd strike bunt attempt. The braves scratched across a couple more runs and won 3-2. 

It was a good game and competitive. I found it interesting that the crowd was booing Bryce Harper so hard. I know he is a little arrogant, but I guess they are just admitting that the kid is good. Maybe they will understand why so many people boo'ed Chipper all these years. 

Cubs 4/7

Here is the current saying on the chik-fila cow. I think that is a repeat one, but I will have to look back on that. It was a beautiful day, especially for 1st week of April. After the Cubs blowing a 5-1 lead in the 8th last night to lose 6-5 on a walk-off in the 9th, I didn't have high hopes for today. I was right. The Cubs took an early lead with a RBI by Rizzo in the 1st.   Samardzjia was sharp today, but started to lose it in the 5th, and made it 1-1. He ended up giving up 3 more in the 6th and was clearly worn, because he threw 2 wild pitches and walked Gattis, who is a power hitter, but is not known for his walks. Dan Uggla added a solo shot in the 8th to make it a 5-1 final. 

We had seats right up the 1st base line 2 rows from the field. That's where the Tool race characters come out for the race. They look even stranger up close. 

I got a new zoom lens and am very happy with the results. Check out the ball that Soriano is about to hit for a single. It would have been cooler if he hit it for a HR, but no luck today.
By the way, the Final Four was in town this weekend, and there was a rock n roll "festival" right around the corner, so the traffic was an absolute nightmare. I knew it was gonna be bad, but what I didn't count on was the out of town guests that had no clue where they were going which caused gridlock around Turner Field. All the reason more to go tailgate early. 

Turner Field, 2012

I typically hit a few Braves games each year so I will just update this post with all games from 2012 as they happen.

Marlins 9/25
This is the last home stand of Chipper Jones career as a Brave. At least regular season. It was Kris Medlen pitching so I didn't expect a lot of offense from the Marlins. They did manage to take a lead into the 9th after some kid on the Marlins hit his second home run off Medlen for a 3-2 lead. Chipper lead off the bottom of the 9th with a double. Freeman came up and the first pitch was wild and Chipper moved up to 3rd. It was set up for the tying run to score. Freeman decided to put an end to it. 2 run shot to dead center and the Braves won 4-3, and clinched a playoff spot as well. The game was kind of slow, but the end more than made up for it.
I will try to make at least one Braves playoff game, depending how far they go.

Dodgers 8/18
Ben Sheets return from oblivion has hit a bump in the road. He was pretty impressive his first few games, but tonight he gave up back to back to back dingers in the 2nd inning and a 3 run shot in the 6th. I don't believe I have ever been to a game in which there was 3 back to back homers. I will have to look that one up. It was Hanley Ramirez that hit the first of the 3 HR and the 3 run shot also. He is pretty familiar with this team and park from his days with the Marlins.  It rained before the game. but it started on time and no rain during the game. We got lucky and there was a big group that had a bunch of extra seats in the RF bleachers, and got them for $5 each. They were going for around $45 at the gate.

Cubs 7/3
After the Cubs took game 1 in this series and they already took 2 of 3 from the Braves at home earlier in the season, I felt pretty good about our chances. Even though Chris Volstad was pitching,who had been horrible so far this year, there was some hope. And through 5 innings he looked pretty good. And the Cubs were up 3-1. Then it all broke loose. The Braves rallied for 5 in the 5th and 4 in the 6th and next thing I knew it was 10-3 Braves. Well, that's the life of a Cubs fan. I still had a great time. I got lower level seats 20 rows from the field right behind the on deck circle on the first base side. The best thing was they were FREE, I won them from work.

Here's a pic of Darwin Barney, Cubs 2nd baseman, hitting a shot up the 3rd base line. Chipper Jones made an amazing play and throw to get him. Today Chipper was added to the All-star team in his final season, and he went 5 for 5 with 3 singles, 2 doubles, 4 RBI, a SB and that great play. I know you Mets fans can't wait for him to retire, but he has killed the Cubs over the years too. The guy is a sure fire HOF'er, and I have learned over the last couple years to enjoy, and respect, him a bit more, even though I have a dislike for the Braves. 

Nationals 6/29
This is the first game I have been to at Turner this year. I am going again in a few days when the Cubs are here too. I was not planning to go to this game so I didn't have my camera. I did take 1 pic with the iphone.

The Nationals won 5-4. Atlanta was being shut down until they put up 2 in the 6th and the rookie, Simmons hit a 2 run shot in the 7th to tie it. Mike Morse hit a solo shot for the Nats in the top of the 8th, on the first pitch, for what ended up being the winning run.

So when the TBB were in Atlanta this year, they talked about the Hoochie Coochie song at Turner. Well I had to get a small clip to put on here so those of you that haven't been there can get a feel. The song is actually "Chattahoochie" by Alan Jackson.

They also sing "Thank god I'm a country boy" by John Denver after the 7th inning stretch. 

Yes folks, Atlanta is in the deep south!!

Turner Field, 2011

Mets-9/16
My last regular season game of 2011. Going to try to hit a playoff game if the Braves make it in, which they should. It was "Star Wars night" at Turner tonite. This was my last game with Chris also, and it was a bit chilly, 60 by game end. The Mets won 12-2, and it could have been worse. There were 20 hits by the Mets. Below, on the scoreboard, is David Wright as Darth Vader and he was very evil tonite going 3-5 with 2 HR and 6 RBI.


Dodgers-9/2
We went to the Braves museum for the 1st time. It was pretty cool. Dont know why I never went in all the trips to Turner, but it was fun to do before the game. I took a few pics, and below is one of the old uniforms from when they were the Boston Braves. The Braves blew a 5-0 lead to lose 8-6 to the Dodgers.


Giants-8/16
The Bravos won this one on a 11th inning walk-off, 2-1, after winning the previous night with a 9th inning comeback. Martin Prado hit a single and pushed Brooks Conrad across for the winning run. If only the Giants could score a couple of runs.

Cubs-8/12
The Cubs game was also Bobby Cox's Jersey retirement night. This was pretty cool to be at. I only wanted to see the Cubs, but this added to the experience.


This is Bobby Cox's # after the ceremony.


They had the field painted for the Ceremony and game.
The Chik-fila cow with another new saying.



Oh, thats right, the Cubs were here too. Well, at least in uniform, they got blown out 10-4, out hit the Braves and got killed. Typical Cubs.

Phillies-5/13
I went to this game with my future brother in-law Justin. I won these tickets through work, and they are great seats, about 20 rows right behind the Braves dugout. This is the first MLB game I've been to in 2011. I will be going to many more this summer with the trip and the Cubs here in August. Phils beat the Braves 5-4.


This is also the first game I have gone to with my DSLR camera. Fun stuff. Cant wait to take it on the road trip!


The Braves statue of liberty that was from the 2008 all-star game at Yankee Stadium. Each team had one and I believe they took them back to thier own parks. I saw the one in KC last year, I will have to start looking for these. There is also a Mickey Mouse from the all-star game in 2010 in Anaheim. Kinda cool.





The Bud pavillion. I have hung in there a couple of times, although it is tough to watch the game from in there. Below is the Chik-Fila cow and Coke bottle. They change the cow's sign alot. There are some older pics of it in my older Braves posts.

Turner Field, 2010

Was here for opening day when the Cubs took a 4-0 lead in the top of the 1st, only to get blown out and lose 16-5. I did see Jason Heyward hit his 1st HR on his first at bat, but unfortunately it was against my Cubbies. Went to the next game as well when Chipper hit a 2 run shot in the 8th to beat us 3-2.




The Chik-Fila cow and his ever changing sign.




This is obviously from the playoffs in 2010. This was the game that Brooks Conrad had 3 errors, and basically cost the Braves the win. Giants won 3-2. Being a Cub fan, I can empathize. This was my first playoff game. The only other time I lived in a city that had a playoff team was in NY, but trying to get Yankees tix for post season. Yeah Right.


The Chik-fila cow for playoff time. There is one more older post from Turner Field.

Turner Field, 2004-2009

#6

Living in Atlanta, I have been to a lot of games here. Most of the games here have been Cub games, but have been to others as well. I've actually gone to more games at this park than any other.


Above is the Chick-fil-a cow that moves its arm (or is it a leg) up and down during the chant. This picture was from 2009.

Below are the statues at Turner. Warren Spahn,Phil Niekro and Hank Aaron. The last is of Ty Cobb, which is a tribute because Cobb was from Georgia and was known as "the Georgia peach".