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Happy Birthday, Launching Pad.
Exactly 55 years today MLB came to ATL. Yes, she’s been long demolished and twice replaced, but Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium opened this day in 1966. In her 30 years, she made an indelible imprint on the pro sports scene in my hometown.
Exactly 55 years today MLB came to ATL. Yes, she’s been long demolished and twice replaced, but Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium opened this day in 1966. In her 30 years, she made an indelible imprint on the pro sports scene in my hometown.
The night (then-named) Atlanta Stadium opened just south of downtown, the Braves fell in 13 inn to Pittsburgh, 3-2. Willie Stargell hit a two-run HR that ended up winning it for the Pirates. Roberto Clemente and Atlanta’s Joe Torre were among those with two hits in the game.
The first batter in ballpark history was Pirates CF Matty Alou. The Braves’ first batter? His brother Felipe.
The most memorable night at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium was April 8, 1974, when Henry Louis Aaron passed Babe Ruth on MLB’s all-time home run list with career blast No. 715.
While the Pirates won the first game ever played at the ballpark, the Braves beat them 3-2 in one of the wildest playoff finishes in MLB history. This is from when Sid slid (and touched home plate) to win the 1992 NLCS.
In 1993, there was a midseason fire in the press box. It happened on the very day Fred McGriff joined the Braves after being traded from San Diego. He ended up homering in the 8-5 win over STL.
Because of the HR on that day, McGriff was sometimes nicknamed “Fire Dog” in ATL.
Because of the HR on that day, McGriff was sometimes nicknamed “Fire Dog” in ATL.
October 28, 1995, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium witnessed Tom Glavine toss a 1-0 gem as David Justice’s solo sixth-inning HR won the city its first pro sports championship.
October 23, 1996, in its penultimate game of existence, the stadium went silent in the 8th inning when Jim Leyritz’s 3-run, Game 4 HR firmly tilted the World Series into the New York Yankees’ favor. ATL also lost Games 3 and 5, closing the ballpark’s doors with 3 straight losses.
Although it was primarily the home of the Braves, Fulton County Stadium also housed the NFL’s Falcons for a large chunk of their existence (1966-91).
During the 1990s, the stadium’s gravel-colored warning track gave it a little identity in the era of cookie cutter, multipurpose facilities.
Before the stadium was demolished to make way for the opening of Turner Field in 1997 (which also was the primary host venue for the 1996 Summer Olympics), the Braves played the Expos in their final home regular season series of 1996.
My dad and I were there that night, September 23, 1996 (this isn’t my pic), sitting upstairs near the RF corner. Braves/Expos. I remember there being a postgame ceremony featuring a little mid-1990s laser show, and a great recognition of baseball’s HR hero.
Poignantly, just after his death in late January, Henry Aaron’s hearse made one last lap around the site of the old ballpark, and the spot where his historic homer landed. (via @11AliveSports)
There’s many other moments to share about this ballpark (July 4/5, 1985, for example), but these are just a few of mine.
It wasn’t the most memorable yard by overall pro sports standards, but it was a place where I grew up. Even to this day, I can still smell it.
HBD, AFCS.
It wasn’t the most memorable yard by overall pro sports standards, but it was a place where I grew up. Even to this day, I can still smell it.
HBD, AFCS.
