ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — When it comes to artifacts from the Atlanta Braves’ inaugural 1966 season, the Atlanta History Center is not usually the first place that comes to mind.
But the center has a trove of artifacts from that first season that are open to the public.
Paul Crater, vice president of collections and research services, showed off a near-mint ticket.
“This is an actual ticket for the 1966 Opening Day Game against the Pittsburgh Pirates,” Crater said.
Along with the ticket, there is a game program from Opening Day with lineups that included names like Aaron, Matthews, Alou, Clemente and Stargell.
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Maybe the best factoid from the program’s scorecard: the first ever batter in a Braves game in Fulton County Stadium was Matty Alou for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The first ever batter for the Braves was Felipe Alou, Matty’s brother. In 1996, the last regular-season batter in Fulton County Stadium was Moises Alou, Felipe’s son.
The program gives a small glimpse into life in 1966. Concession prices from 1966: 15 cents for a Coke, 50 cents for a beer, 30 cents for a hot dog and $1 for a Chick-fil-A meal.
Fulton County Stadium, originally named Atlanta Stadium, opened in 1966 as part of a multi-year effort to bring professional sports teams to Atlanta. The NFL’s Falcons started that fall.
The center also has a study conducted by Georgia Tech after that first season, showing the economic impact. According to the study, 1.5 million people attended games that season, a record that was not matched until the 1980s.
How to watch Braves on Gray
The Braves and Gray Media will simulcast 25 games for free, over-the-air to fans across Braves Country through Braves on Gray local television stations, reaching 26 markets throughout the Southeast.
For broadcast times, channel information and additional details, fans are encouraged to click here and check local Gray Media station listings in their markets.
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