Sunday, April 02, 2006
Braves to honor 40th year in Atlanta
03/23/2006
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Since moving from Milwaukee in 1966, the Braves have allowed the city of Atlanta to savor the lasting memories provided by Hank Aaron, Phil Niekro, Dale Murphy, Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones.
During the first 40 seasons in their current hometown, the Braves have established a current streak of 14 consecutive division titles, seen Hank Aaron become baseball's home run king and cherished the night when all of Atlanta celebrated the 1995 World Series title.
To celebrate 40 memorable years, the Braves have scheduled a number of events for fans to enjoy throughout this season. The first will come on April 12, when they commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first game played in Atlanta.
"It's going to be really exciting to commemorate 40 years of Braves baseball memories," Braves senior vice president of sales and marketing Derek Schiller said.
During the first game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the Braves dropped a 3-2 decision to the Pirates and saw their starting pitcher Tony Cloninger throw all 13 innings. Five Hall of Famers (Aaron, Eddie Mathews, Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell and Bill Mazeroski) played, and current Yankees manager Joe Torre, who may one day be enshrined in Cooperstown, accounted for the Braves' runs with two solo homers.
Obviously Torre's duties will prevent him from being at Turner Field on April 12. But approximately 15 members of the 1966 team will be present throughout the day to participate in a number of events that will begin with the Braves Leadoff Luncheon.
Each member of the 2006 Braves will also attend the luncheon, which will be held in the 755 Club. Later that night, during their game against the Phillies, they will don replica 1966 uniforms. Adding to the theme, fans can purchase $2 tickets in the Upper Pavilion and Upper Reserved sections for the game.
Before the game, members of the 1966 team will be in the Fan Plaza signing autographs and participating in question-and-answer sessions. Their attendance will also be recognized during a pregame ceremony.
During the game, the Braves will hold a "Jerseys Off Their Backs Raffle" in which the winners will be presented a jersey worn by one of the players during the game.
"We have a great opportunity to have two great events back-to-back," said Schiller in reference to the Braves' first home game, also against the Phillies, on April 10.
Players from the 1966 team expected to attend include: Lee Bales, Frank Bolling, Rico Carty, Ty Cline, Cloninger, Mike de la Hoz, Pat Jarvis, Ken Johnson, Denny Lemaster, Denis Menke, Felix Millan, Niekro, Gene Oliver, Jay Ritchie, Don Schwall and Woody Woodward.
Aaron will not be able to attend because of a previous engagement. But many of his historic homers, including his record-breaking 715th, will be remembered during the month of May.
Every month, the Braves plan to celebrate a different decade. During April, many of their in-game promotions and giveaway items will recognize the team's achievements and historical moments of the 1960s.
The first 20,000 fans attending Opening Day will receive the first of six commemorative pins presented by Home Depot. During May, Turner Field will have a 1970s feel and fans will have plenty of opportunities to celebrate the evening of April 8, 1974, when Aaron passed Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list.
Before every Sunday home game throughout the season, the Braves will have former players from specific decades available in the Fan Plaza to sign autographs.
Before every Friday home game, fans will be treated to a concert representative of the specific decade theme of the month. At the end of each of those Friday night games, fans will be treated to a fireworks display that is supposedly just slightly less impressive than the one the Braves present after July 4th home games.
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Since moving from Milwaukee in 1966, the Braves have allowed the city of Atlanta to savor the lasting memories provided by Hank Aaron, Phil Niekro, Dale Murphy, Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones.
During the first 40 seasons in their current hometown, the Braves have established a current streak of 14 consecutive division titles, seen Hank Aaron become baseball's home run king and cherished the night when all of Atlanta celebrated the 1995 World Series title.
To celebrate 40 memorable years, the Braves have scheduled a number of events for fans to enjoy throughout this season. The first will come on April 12, when they commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first game played in Atlanta.
"It's going to be really exciting to commemorate 40 years of Braves baseball memories," Braves senior vice president of sales and marketing Derek Schiller said.
During the first game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the Braves dropped a 3-2 decision to the Pirates and saw their starting pitcher Tony Cloninger throw all 13 innings. Five Hall of Famers (Aaron, Eddie Mathews, Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell and Bill Mazeroski) played, and current Yankees manager Joe Torre, who may one day be enshrined in Cooperstown, accounted for the Braves' runs with two solo homers.
Obviously Torre's duties will prevent him from being at Turner Field on April 12. But approximately 15 members of the 1966 team will be present throughout the day to participate in a number of events that will begin with the Braves Leadoff Luncheon.
Each member of the 2006 Braves will also attend the luncheon, which will be held in the 755 Club. Later that night, during their game against the Phillies, they will don replica 1966 uniforms. Adding to the theme, fans can purchase $2 tickets in the Upper Pavilion and Upper Reserved sections for the game.
Before the game, members of the 1966 team will be in the Fan Plaza signing autographs and participating in question-and-answer sessions. Their attendance will also be recognized during a pregame ceremony.
During the game, the Braves will hold a "Jerseys Off Their Backs Raffle" in which the winners will be presented a jersey worn by one of the players during the game.
"We have a great opportunity to have two great events back-to-back," said Schiller in reference to the Braves' first home game, also against the Phillies, on April 10.
Players from the 1966 team expected to attend include: Lee Bales, Frank Bolling, Rico Carty, Ty Cline, Cloninger, Mike de la Hoz, Pat Jarvis, Ken Johnson, Denny Lemaster, Denis Menke, Felix Millan, Niekro, Gene Oliver, Jay Ritchie, Don Schwall and Woody Woodward.
Aaron will not be able to attend because of a previous engagement. But many of his historic homers, including his record-breaking 715th, will be remembered during the month of May.
Every month, the Braves plan to celebrate a different decade. During April, many of their in-game promotions and giveaway items will recognize the team's achievements and historical moments of the 1960s.
The first 20,000 fans attending Opening Day will receive the first of six commemorative pins presented by Home Depot. During May, Turner Field will have a 1970s feel and fans will have plenty of opportunities to celebrate the evening of April 8, 1974, when Aaron passed Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list.
Before every Sunday home game throughout the season, the Braves will have former players from specific decades available in the Fan Plaza to sign autographs.
Before every Friday home game, fans will be treated to a concert representative of the specific decade theme of the month. At the end of each of those Friday night games, fans will be treated to a fireworks display that is supposedly just slightly less impressive than the one the Braves present after July 4th home games.
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
