by Julien Benjamin (Staff writer)
It was a sunny, albeit chilly, April afternoon for the the Braves home opener, a day when the Braves would honor their home run champion and one of the all-time greats, Hammerin’ Hank Aaron. The Braves failed to celebrate Aaron with their on-field play, though, and fell 4-0 to the division rival Mets.
After an impressive pre-game ceremony, during which Braves Chairman Terry McGuirk, MLB Commisioner Bud Selig, and honoree Hank Aaron himself spoke, backdropped by 755 fans holding up signs to commemorate EVERY single home run that the former star hit for the franchise, you would hope that the Braves bats would come out and hammer some dingers of their own, right?
Well, you would be wrong. Not even the visiting Mets came close. The only “hammers” that were delivered on the night were strikeouts from the two starting pitchers (the heavy and ugly Bartolo Colon and Aaron Harang), who combined for 14 in total. Hank Aaron night, and no home runs? Well, heroics, at least? Late-inning fireworks?
Nah. While Jason Heyward’s game-ending flyout was caught on the track, the Braves never really posed a meaningful threat during the 4-0 defeat. About the fireworks? The only fireworks that were noticed where these below, which burned holes in the American flag during pre-game ceremonies.
Despite the 4-0 loss, the atmosphere was great for the first several innings, as fans seemed excited to finally have a chance to watch their hometown team in person, after a six-month off-season. More than 47,000 strong chopped and chanted enthusiastically during the Hank Aaron ceremony and whenever the Braves had runners on base. When Aaron was called “the true Home Run King”, the stadium erupted in raucous applause, close to the loudest I have ever heard from the fans. As Timothy Miller (of Atlanta Opera) sang God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch, many fans joined him (while some were less graceful than the professional) in belting out the lyrics.
The homestand will continue through Sunday, and tickets still remain for many games. Take advantage of this great opportunity to watch the Braves play in Turner Field; you’ve only got two more years!
