Reliving Turner Field's most thrilling moments
While serving as the Home of the Braves for 20 seasons, Turner Field served as the stage where Chipper Jones, Bobby Cox and some of the organization's other legends have taken their final bow. The Braves captured 10 division titles, hosted the World Series in 1999 and the All-Star Game in 2000, and introduced some hometown stars during their stay within this place that will always be affectionately remembered as "The Ted."
With Turner Field set to host just nine more games before this season ends and the SunTrust Park era begins, we look at the top nine moments in this stadium's history:
9. The Ted opens
Denny Neagle threw the first pitch, Jones recorded the first hit and Michael Tucker hit the first home run as a 13-year-old Brian McCann and many other Atlanta-area natives were in attendance to see the Braves beat the Cubs in the first regular-season game played at Turner Field on April 4, 1997.
8. 2012 National League Wild Card Game
The Cardinals and Braves played the first Wild Card Game in MLB history, and this was the final game of Jones' career. Unfortunately, many will remember the questionable call that led to the contest being remembered as "The Infield Fly Game."
7. 2000 All-Star Game
Sammy Sosa put on a show during the Home Run Derby, but Jones went 3-for-3 and was the only player to homer during the Midsummer Classic, which the American League won with assistance from Derek Jeter, who was named the game's MVP.
6. Smoltz reaches milestone
John Smoltz made more appearances than any pitcher in Turner Field history. One he'll always fondly remember was completed on May 24, 2007, when he notched his 200th win after tossing seven scoreless innings in a matchup against fellow Atlanta legend Tom Glavine and the Mets.
5. Francoeur's debut
Jeff Francoeur's much-anticipated big league debut for his hometown team was highlighted by the three-run home run that he hit during the eighth inning of a win over the Cubs on July 7, 2005. Beloved former broadcaster Skip Caray provided a memorable call that can be heard in this video clip.
4. Heyward's debut
Jason Heyward earned an Opening Day roster spot in 2010 at 20 years old and then magnified the hype when he hit a three-run homer off the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano with the first swing he took for his hometown team.
3. Big Cat's return
After missing the 1999 season while undergoing treatment for lymphatic cancer, Andres Galarraga opened 2000 with a bang. His seventh-inning home run gave the Braves the only run needed to secure a 2-0 Opening Day win over the Rockies.
2. Chipper's last home run
Given his tendency to deliver in big moments, it was only fitting that the final home run of Jones' career was a three-run shot off Jonathan Papelbon that capped a five-run ninth inning and gave the Braves an 8-7 win over the Phillies on Sept. 2, 2012.
1. 1999 NL Championship Series Game 6
Mike Piazza hit a game-tying home run off Smoltz in the seventh and the Braves and Mets traded runs in both the eighth and 10th inning. Andruw Jones drew a bases-loaded walk against Kenny Rogers in the 11th inning to end this series and send Atlanta to its only World Series of the Turner Field era.