Turner Field Inaugural Game (1997)
A new stadium, a legendary team, and the dawn of another Atlanta era.
The Turner Field Inaugural Game kicked off the 1997 season, moving the Braves from the long-serving Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium into their new home built for the 1996 Summer Olympics. This opening match marked a fresh start and a major shift in Atlanta Braves history.
- Year
- 1997
- Venue
- Turner Field
- Opponent
- Philadelphia Phillies
- League
- Major League Baseball
- Context
- First Home Game at New Park
Lore & Background
For the fans, this era defined the late nineties dynasty. The move to Turner Field coincided with the peak years of the pitching trio of Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz. The stadium became a fortress where the Braves would host playoff games and celebrate division titles for nearly two decades. It remains a beloved chapter in the franchise's timeline before the eventual relocation to SunTrust Park.
In Their Own Story
The night air hummed with electricity as fans filed through the gates of Turner Field, their eyes fixed on the pristine diamond under the floodlights. The crack of the bat echoed differently here, sharper against the concrete shell inherited from the Olympics. A veteran player stepped up to the plate, feeling the weight of history in this new space, knowing that every home run would be etched into the memory of a stadium just beginning its life story.
Reader's Guide
The inaugural game at Turner Field marked a pivotal transition for the Atlanta Braves, moving them from the aging Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium into a modern facility built on the site of the Olympic Stadium. This match against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1997 was not just an opening night; it signaled the dawn of a new chapter for one of baseball's most storied franchises during their dominant run of the late nineties. The stadium itself had been constructed rapidly following the Summer Olympics, and this game represented its first true identity as a baseball home. Fans arrived with high anticipation, eager to see how the Braves would perform on the fresh turf under the lights of their new home. The atmosphere buzzed with energy as the team took the field, led by their legendary rotation that included Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. While specific plays varied, the overarching narrative was one of stability and power, consistent with the dynasty they were building at the time. The crowd celebrated every out, knowing this venue would host future championship runs. This match remains etched in fan memory because it represented a physical manifestation of the team's resilience and ambition. It was the first step into Turner Field, where they would go on to win multiple division titles and host World Series games before moving again. The game stands as a nostalgic touchstone for the era when Atlanta baseball felt invincible, capturing the excitement of a new stadium and the continuity of a franchise that refused to fade away in their city.
Did You Know?
- Turner Field was originally built as Olympic Stadium for the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta.
- The Braves played at Turner Field from 1997 until the end of the 2016 season.
- This stadium replaced the Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, which served the team since 1966.
- The venue was named after media mogul and team owner Ted Turner.