Jackson Free Press

Remember, you heard it here first earlier this week: The Atlanta Braves Class AA team will move to Pearl for the 2005 season. They will play in a new state-of-the-art stadium (they'd better start building now if they're going to be finished in a year). The official announcement will be made Friday at 11:30 a.m. at the Capitol.

Previous Commentsshow

Doc, you were quick on the draw on this one. The Clarion-Ledger just announced the move a few minutes ago: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040401/NEWS01/40401006

DonnaLadd

Apr 1 2004

The Mississippi Braves... JSU fans may not like it, but I would think that "Who Dat" cheers would be quite apropos in 2005.

Ex

Apr 2 2004

Doc, you beat the guv by days. Barbour had a press conference today to announce the Braves move ... and he certainly didn't call for them to change their nickname. ;-) Read Barbour's press statement: GOVERNOR BARBOUR MAKES ìMAJOR LEAGUEî ANNOUNCEMENT (Jackson, Miss.) ñ The Atlanta Braves announced today its Double-A franchise will be moving to Pearl, Mississippi, beginning with the start of the 2005 season and will be known as the ìMississippi Braves.î A press conference was held in Jackson today formally announcing these plans. ìThis new stadium agreement allows our organization tremendous long-term opportunities to continue our leading position in developing future major league players,î said Braves Executive Vice President of Business Operations Mike Plant, ìThis deal will continue to expand our fan base to the great state of Mississippi.î The Braves Double-A affiliate has been located in Greenville, South Carolina, since January of 1984. Prior to moving there, the team was located in Austin, Texas (1966-1967), Shreveport, Louisiana (1968-1970), and Savannah, Georgia (1971-1983). ìOn behalf of all Mississippians we are very excited to be affiliated with such a world class organization. Having the Braves Double-A affiliate locate in Pearl is a homerun for Mississippi,î said Governor Haley Barbour. ìI am very excited for the state of Mississippi to have the opportunity to host Braves baseball,î said Mayor Jimmy Foster of Pearl. ìI also look forward to a long-term relationship with the Braves organization.î The Atlanta Braves, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is Major League Baseballís winningest franchise since 1991. Since then, Braves teams have earned a record 12 consecutive division championships, five National League pennants and a World Series title. Based in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves franchise is the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Atlanta Braves games are carried nationally on TBS Superstation and regionally on Turner South. ###

DonnaLadd

Apr 2 2004

BTW, just to brag on the Doc some more (he's a bit of an unsung workhorse), here's the original link to his local scoop that the Braves might be moving to Pearl, and a discussion of whether their nickname is offensive, or simply a tried-and-true tradition of naming sports team after groups of people: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=2645_0_2_0_C

DonnaLadd

Apr 2 2004