Introduction to the Braves Move to Atlanta
The Atlanta Braves are a Major League Baseball team that began play in 1871 in Boston, Massachusetts. After moving to Milwaukee in 1953, the team moved to Atlanta in 1966, making them the first professional sports team in the Deep South. The move to Atlanta was a risky one, as the city had no existing major league sports franchises. But the move paid off and the Braves have become one of the most successful and beloved baseball teams in the country. In this article, we’ll look at why the Braves moved to Atlanta and how the move has impacted the city and the team.
The Need for a New Home
The Braves had been in Milwaukee since 1953, but by the mid-1960s the team was looking for a new home. The Milwaukee County Stadium was not able to generate enough revenue to keep the team afloat and the Braves were struggling financially. With attendance falling and the team not doing well on the field, the Braves needed a new home.
Atlanta’s Push to Get the Braves
When the Braves began looking for a new home in 1965, Atlanta was at the top of the list. The city had just been awarded an NFL franchise, the Atlanta Falcons, in 1966 and wanted to add a Major League Baseball team to its roster. Atlanta officials put together a plan to lure the Braves to the city, including offering to build a new stadium and offering financial incentives.
The Impact of the Move to Atlanta
The move to Atlanta was a major one for the Braves, but it also had a major impact on the city. Atlanta had become a major city by 1966, but it was still largely seen as a rural, Southern city. The move of the Braves to Atlanta signaled that the city was now a major player in the sports world. It also gave the city a sense of pride and identity that it had not had before.
The New Stadium
As part of the deal to bring the Braves to Atlanta, the city agreed to build a new stadium, which would become known as Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The stadium opened in 1966 and was the first Major League Baseball stadium to be built in the South. The stadium was able to hold 50,000 fans and was a major upgrade from the old Milwaukee County Stadium.
The Impact on the Braves
The move to Atlanta was a major turning point for the Braves. The team had been struggling in Milwaukee, but the move to Atlanta brought with it increased attendance, increased revenue, and a renewed sense of excitement. The Braves began to draw more fans to the stadium and the team began to win more games.
The Impact on the City
The move of the Braves to Atlanta had a major impact on the city. It was a sign that the city was now a major sports town, and it gave the city a sense of identity. The move also had a major economic impact on the city, as it brought in more revenue, increased tourism, and increased development.
The Impact on the South
The move of the Braves to Atlanta was a major milestone for the South. It was the first time that a professional sports team had moved to the Deep South, and it was a sign that the South was now a major player in the sports world. The move also gave the South a major league team to rally behind and it gave the region a sense of pride.
The Impact on Baseball
The move of the Braves to Atlanta also had an impact on the game of baseball. The Braves were a successful team in Milwaukee, but the move to Atlanta helped to expand the game’s reach. The move made baseball more accessible to fans in the South and helped to create a larger fan base for the game.
The Legacy of the Move
The move of the Braves to Atlanta has had a lasting impact on the city, the team, and the game of baseball. The Braves have been a successful team since the move, and the city has continued to benefit from the increased interest in the game. The move to Atlanta has helped to make baseball a major part of the culture of the South and has helped to bring fans to the game from all over the world.
Conclusion
The move of the Braves to Atlanta in 1966 was a major one for the team, the city, and the South. The move was a risky one, but it has paid off in a big way. The Braves have become one of the most successful teams in baseball, and the city has seen increased tourism, development, and pride. The move has also had an impact on the game of baseball, as it has helped to expand its reach and create larger fanbases. The legacy of the move is one that will be felt for generations to come.