BALLPARK HISTORY

Ballparks are full of history. They each have thier own distinct features, The bricks and ivy in Wrigley, monument park and the mystique of Yankee stadium, the warehouse at Camden, the green monster at Fenway, and more, but when you go to a park its more than to see the game, its to take in the environment. As much as I dislike it, part of going to Turner is listening to the fans do that tommohawk chant. I also enjoy seeing the statues or plaques of players who have contributed to all that history.

Each ballpark also gives you a different perspective of the game. What might be a HR at one park is just a fly ball in another. The site lines, angles and views of a game vary from park to park, even if your sitting in the same general area. Also the in game extras , like the mascot races, or singing the stretch at Wrigley, Sweet Caroline at Fenway, or the 7th inning God Bless America at Yankee stadium.

Another great thing about parks is visiting the local bar near the stadium. Harry Carays and Murphy's in Chicago, Pickles in Baltimore, Hockeytown Cafe in Detroit, Hooters in Anaheim, Rock Bottom Brewery in Denver (and Cinci), Harpoon Brewery in Boston, and Billys sports bar in the Bronx.

Friday, June 29, 2012

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.


Turner Field

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. 


Turner Field Darwin Barney


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!!

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