Fans have mixed emotions as Braves falter on last Opening Day at Turner Field

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves looked like they were about ready to walk away with a win on their final Opening Day at Turner Field, but they fumbled away a lead in a 4-3, 10-inning loss to Washington before an announced sellout of 48,282 Monday afternoon at The Ted.

Despite the loss, the day brought with it a lot of mixed emotions, as the final season of Braves baseball kicked off at the stadium they have called home since 1997.

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"It's really exciting, and it's a very special time. I love baseball, and I always have, and it's fun for me to bring her up as the next generation of a Braves fan," said Brave fan Tawana Johnson.

"It's not sad. It's just another new beginning," Carmie Bush told Channel 2’s Rikki Klaus.

Turner Field was originally built as Centennial Olympic Stadium for the 1996 Olympic Games. It was only used for three weeks during that time, but after the Olympics were over, the stadium was converted into Turner Field.

It took over as the home for the Braves, just one block away from the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the team’s old home.

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Jennifer Harvey remembers that time.

"I'm still very sentimental about the old Atlanta stadium, so to me, that was the one that really broke my heart when we left it, but this one is wonderful," Harvey told Klaus.

After this season, the Braves will move to their newest home, SunTrust Park in Cobb County.

The 41,500-seat stadium is currently just over halfway done, and is expected to be finished in time for the Braves’ 2017 season.

"It's the Braves! People are going to support regardless. Come on!" said fan Dawn Halfkenny.

The 80-acre park will also include an entertainment district that will feature hotels, shops and restaurants.

BRAVES 25-MAN ROSTER
 
Starting pitchers: Julio Teheran, Bud Norris, Matt Wisler, Williams Perez.
 
Bullpen: Jason Grilli, Arodys Vizcaino, Jim Johnson, Alexi Ogando, Dan Winkler, Jose Ramirez, John Gant, left-hander Eric O'Flaherty.
 
Infielders: Freddie Freeman, Jace Peterson, Erick Aybar, Adonis Garcia, Gordon Beckham, Kelly Johnson.
 
Outfielders: Nick Markakis, Ender Inciarte, Hector Olivera, Jeff Francoeur, Drew Stubbs.
 
Catchers: A.J. Pierzynski, Tyler Flowers.

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