Scott Cunningham - Getty Images
The Legend of Jason Heyward was born in Atlanta on Opening Day.
It wasn't a good day for baseball... if you're a Cubs fan, but if you happen to be a Braves fan, then this day could not have been scripted any better. All eyes were on Atlanta's newest franchise player, outfielder Jason Heyward, and as if foreshadowing things to come, the young rookie caught the ceremonial first pitch from Braves legend, and fabled homerun hitter, Hank Aaron. Then with the scored tied at 3 in the first inning, he came to the plate for his first major league at-bat with two runners on. The Ted was already alive with excitement, and the entire crowd was already standing at the anticipation of seeing this your phenom's first big league moment.
Carlos Zambrano delivered the first pitch to the 6-foot-4 Heyward; ball one. The second pitch was another ball; the patience of Heyward was on display in his first big league at-bat. And with the third pitch the Legend of Jason Heyward was off and running. In a picture perfect swing he CRUSHED, and I mean CRUSHED the ball deep beyond the right field fence and into the back for the Braves bullpen for a three-run homerun. Welcome to the big leagues, kid (this stuff is supposed to be hard, you know).
That homerun was a no-doubter. The Cubs right fielder trotted respectfully towards the right field wall without even looking up. The crowd went absolutely nuts, and when I saw absolutely nuts, I mean people were jumping all around, high-fiving everyone within reach. It was like that homerun had won the World Series or something, people were hysterically exuberant. It was an amazing moment for Jason Heyward, and an amazing moment for anyone who was there.
There were some other players on the field today too, and many of them wearing a Braves uniform had good games. Brian McCann essentially said to Jason Heyward one inning later, "what ever you can do I can do better," and hit one of his patented moon shot homeruns 10 rows deep to right field.
Yunel Escobar had a great day, driving in five runs. In fact, the 6th and 7th spots in the lineup, Escobar and Heyward, combined to drive in nine runs! Everyone in the lineup except for Melky Cabrera had a hit, but Melk had some great at-bats, taking the count full three times and seeing 31 pitches on the day. As if rubbing salt in the Cubs pitching wound, even pinch hitter Eric Hinske joined the fray with a run-scoring triple in the seventh inning.
I can't remember the last time the Braves put together two 6-run innings in one game. Do we have any amateur Elias Sports Bureau folks out there?
Starting pitcher Derek Lowe couldn't find his way through the middle of the Cubs order, but despite giving up five runs he gets the win. I think we should officially call that a "DerekLoweWin."
What a great game. There are a thousand more positive things that could probably be said about today's game, but all we really needed was number-22. If the first game is any indication, this is going to be a fun season.
0 recs | 89 comments
unreal
I have to say the best moment I’ve ever seen live….I couldn’t breath or talk I was screaming so loud!
ottie - April 5, 2010 via mobile
100% agree
i’ve been there for many playoff moments (95 world series win, 99 walk off to go to the WS, furcal walk off vs the cubs) and this was definitely up there. UNREAL!
lingsched - April 5, 2010
BTW...
i took a live video of his first AB from the stands with a digital video camera… it is shaky and you can’t exactly see the ball going out, but you can see/hear the crowd go nuts. i’ll try to upload asap
lingsched - April 5, 2010
Yes do that!
Scott Coleman - April 5, 2010 via mobile
watched the video of the hr on the mlb article about the game. It was a monster!
Braves24 - April 5, 2010
Send me the link when you get it uploaded to YouTube.
gondeee - April 5, 2010
Good game.
Smoltz's Beard - April 5, 2010
That was a rather enjoyable baseball game.
Scott Coleman - April 5, 2010 via mobile
Everything except for Lowe.
romone_braves91 - April 5, 2010
+1 on this
I know that Lowe is really the 4th starter going on opening day — but he looked every bit like the bad-Lowe of last year. Tons of ball hit hard, all of them in the air. Two long balls, and three more that could have been damage. Two of them Nate ran down, and the third the Braves are the beneficiary of a weak ump’ing effort.
Disappointed that Lowe was nothing at all like opening day Lowe last year. No reason to panic yet, but after a one-game sample that “new delivery” didn’t do him any good.
fphjr01 - April 5, 2010
Let's give him...
another start or two before making that judgment. That new delivery, from all reports, looked good and had good results in spring training.
sddbaker - April 5, 2010
Am I a pussy for being on the verg or tears after seeing Chipper hug Heyward?
nick9314 - April 5, 2010
Yes and No
No for being in tears, Yes for admitting it.
gondeee - April 5, 2010
haha sweet reply gondee... wow that was an amazing game. Our lineup looks pretty tough 1-8
BravesFanScout - April 5, 2010
FTFY, Melky didn’t do squat. If Zambrano had any grasp of the strikezone at all he would not have even reached- even the starting pitcher and pinch hitter got hits, but not the Milk Man.
J-Freak - April 6, 2010
I beg to differ. Melky saw more pitches than anyone else in the lineup. Even if he got on base only once, his at-bats were productive.
BravesFan - April 6, 2010
Better
then the Frenchy 3 pitches and strikeout
Erihury - April 6, 2010
Wrong.
Smoltz's Beard - April 6, 2010
I disagree
Melky may not have hit, but he saw a tremendous amount of pitches. Out of the 116 pitches thrown by Cubs pitchers yesterday, Cabrera watched 31 of them. In fact, including Chipper, Heap, Glaus, and McLouth, there were five Braves that saw over 20 pitches. Sure, Zambrano was wild and couldn’t find the strike zone, but I can think of at least two other former Braves who would have still probably struck out in similar instances. This patience, if it is the norm for this year, I have even higher expectations.
royhobbs - April 6, 2010
I’m right there with you, screw what everyone else thinks
Smoltz's Beard - April 5, 2010
If so than I am too
The Real Me - April 5, 2010
The Heyward event, the HR in first AB and the celebration with the team and the curtain call, was one of those moments you can not forget for a long time. Welcome to the Heyward era.
romone_braves91 - April 5, 2010
I was screaming like a little school girl after the HR
And I’m pretty positive everyone in my appartment complex heard me. So don’t feel bad.
Scott Coleman - April 5, 2010 via mobile
I scared my office.
sddbaker - April 5, 2010
Yeah
I was watching the Gamecast on my computer and all of a sudden I blurted out “You’ve got to be s***ting me!” My staff looked at me with fear that I was tearing apart her work when I really was just in joy over Jay-Hey. All in all, a great day.
AuditDawg - April 5, 2010
Ditto.
Lizziebeth - April 6, 2010
I was going,
“Oh my god, oh my god” over and over… I’m still buzzing now, more than 5 hours later
Jacob Peterson - April 5, 2010
MAN
My feet are killing me! I loved the hell out of this game but I am NEVER doing standing room tickets again. I’ve just gotta realize that I’m a sitter not a stander.
gondeee - April 5, 2010
probably was not drunk enough to ignore the pain.
romone_braves91 - April 5, 2010
that generally helps
The Real Me - April 5, 2010
I’ve never been to a Braves game with standing room tickets. Where is the designated “standing room” area?
BravesFan - April 5, 2010
It’s above the 200 level on the upper concourse. It’s actually probably the best standing room area in all of baseball, but after four hours it’s kind of tough. But if you’re tougher than me (not hard) then it’s a great deal and a great view.
gondeee - April 5, 2010
Hopefully there will be more games like this one during the season with a packed and rocking Turner Field.
BravesFan - April 5, 2010
That’s about the sixth game I’ve been able to make it down for in my lifetime, and the most enjoyable by miles. The dude I went down there with and I almost couldn’t even talk on the long ride back to West Tennessee cuz we’d screamed ourselves hoarse by the end of the second inning.
J-Freak - April 6, 2010
Agreed, great view & great deal. Does hurt the feet (at the beginning of the season) if you don’t wander over to one of the picnic tables and sit for a bit. At least until your ass starts hurting from the metal grid seats. :)
Lizziebeth - April 6, 2010
I won a Peachtree tv seat cushion before the game by spinning the wheel, so i was comfortable all day. I knew then it was gonna be a good day, but i had no idea how good.
10-4 - April 6, 2010
Congrats!
Lizziebeth - April 6, 2010
You’re an embarrassment. At least you didn’t have Shipwreck standing next to you the whole game.
Smoltz's Beard - April 5, 2010
I saw the title and thought you were going to be talking about Heyward
The Real Me - April 5, 2010
D-lowe
not to rain on the parade…. but…. isnt’ anyone worried about the D-train? He kind of sucked today.
Braves Biceps - April 5, 2010
Beckett and Sabathia sucked too, they all should be cut.
Smoltz's Beard - April 5, 2010
And Verlander and Josh Johnson and you get the picture…
BravesFan - April 5, 2010
good point.
aigt, I feel better already.
Braves Biceps - April 5, 2010
Becks sucks cause he’s tipping his pitches. Just like Smoltz did last year for the Red Sox. That pitching staff is not doing their job to save their players.
romone_braves91 - April 5, 2010
Yeah
but I can remember all too often a pitcher giving up a lot of runs on opening day and then have a great season… plus we got the W and he settled down long enough to go 6… if that’s one of his worst performances I’ll take it, especially for a #4 starter
The Real Me - April 5, 2010
All he has to do is outpitch the other teams pitcher and he did that easily.
homerlanding - April 5, 2010
No.
sddbaker - April 5, 2010
I didn’t think DLowe was all that terrible there was absolutely no corners getting called today, thats what happens when you gotta throw it down the middle to get a strike when facing big leaguers.
scottsharp76 - April 5, 2010
Well, I wasn't worried...
Until you gave him the “D-Train” moniker. That’s the kiss of death- that other pitcher from our division that used to go by that, you know, that 20-game winner someoneorother, still hasn’t recovered.
J-Freak - April 6, 2010
Question for anyone at the game...
Did the guy who sang God Bless America in te 7th inning sound as good live as he did on TV? It was one of the better performances I’ve seen from a non-superstar musician.
Scott Coleman - April 5, 2010 via mobile
Yeah, it was pretty darn awesome. Makes Ronan Tinan look like a pussy.
gondeee - April 5, 2010
No negative nancies can bring a Braves fan down after this game.
BravesFan - April 5, 2010
Just thought I'd share this...
I had the game on and my wife was in the room. Jason Heyward came to the plate. The conversation proceeded as follows:
Her: My god, that is a BIG baseball player…
Me: Yeah. He’s around 6"5’, 245lbs.
Her: What the hell is he doing playing baseball? He could be a linebacker for any team in the NFL.
Me: Probably.
Her: No, seriously. Why do they need a guy his size in baseball? He’s a Mack Truck!
Me: They don’t, but are YOU going to tell the Mack Truck that he can’t play baseball?
Her: I see your point…
EricGreggWasPaidOff - April 5, 2010
When my fiancee saw him today on TV,
she said he “Looked like a truck.” So apparently that is a common thing to think
Jacob Peterson - April 5, 2010
he is quite a beast
The guy is just looks like a monster when he gets to the plate. Just that alone has to be intimidating to pitchers.
sag969 - April 5, 2010
When I pointed him out to my wife
She had to ask me what his name was and I had to politely ask her to leave the room for forgetting.
BravesCPO - April 6, 2010
THIS IS BRAVES COUNTRY
Still on post-game after glow. If I smoked, I’d be taking a nice long suggestive drag right now. Lots of details, words, pictures, and stories to come.
royhobbs - April 5, 2010
My glow got brighter when we stopped at a gas station in Chattanooga on our way home, and lo and behold there was a couple decked out in Cubs gear at the same station. We tipped our caps, thanked them for Carlos Zambrano, and continued home with their dejected Cubbie faces tipping toward the pavement… Good times.
J-Freak - April 6, 2010
Just one game so far but it would be really nice if our offense consistently put up a good amount of runs so our pitching staff did not have to always shut down the other team! I could not be happier about our teams performance today!!
LAKERJK - April 5, 2010
Awesome lineup!
I really like our hitting lineup. Esco 6 spot and Nate in the 8th were great. Melk man working the count at lead off. This should be a pretty interesting year to say the least.
romone_braves91 - April 5, 2010
Bullpen
Also, didn’t the bullpen not give up even one hit? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m impressed!!
Lowe could have given up 15 runs today and still would have gotten then win haha
McGriff the Crime Dog - April 5, 2010
9 up 9 down
with 5 K’s but don’t quote me on the K’s
gritzblitz - April 5, 2010
+1
I know it’s easy to voerlook this on a day we scored 16 runs, but Moylan, Saito and Wagner were filthy…
ejruiz - April 5, 2010
Yeah,
They looked downright dominant. If they can be even close to that this year, we are going to be VERY good
Jacob Peterson - April 5, 2010
+1
Smoltz's Beard - April 6, 2010
Ummmm………I can’t seem to find any information about today’s game online. Did the Braves win? Did Heyward have a good debut?
Heh.
UMDBHIK - April 5, 2010
We lost 10-4
Lowe sucked and Zambrano was ON- we scratched out 4 in the ninth against
SamardjaaZamardzizzaJeff, but it just wasn’t enough…J-Freak - April 6, 2010
you better find me quick.
10-4 - April 6, 2010
Yeah, well, where the hell did you go? :)
J-Freak - April 7, 2010
Jason Heyward
started his career with a bang, I mean, bomb. Compare the articles.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090405&content_id=4133640&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100405&content_id=9088530&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
hawves - April 5, 2010
Just saw highlights of the game.
Even though I knew it was coming, I still got a HUGE smile on my face when I saw it go out.
MBraves! - April 5, 2010
NYY fan here...
just wanted a say what an awesome moment that was. He’s an impressive talent and I look forward to watching him play this season and beyond.
Hood - April 5, 2010
Translated:
We’re gonna go grab this dude if y’all don’t lock him up. Papa Steinbrenner likey.
J-Freak - April 6, 2010
lol
Smoltz's Beard - April 6, 2010
I worry that translation is accurate and hope the Braves act accordingly.
NCChopper - April 6, 2010
The best part
The best part of the whole moment was watching his Dad go nuts in the stands. Had to be one of the top top moments of that man’s life. That’s what brought chills to me.
JFP - April 5, 2010
Same.
Smoltz's Beard - April 6, 2010
Adding on that it was awesome he had both parents there together celebrating. Watching them was also the moment that gave me the goosebumps!
Lizziebeth - April 6, 2010
Does anyone have a torrent of this game?
I can make an amazing montage…..
fizzbot - April 5, 2010
Tied for 1st place!
FrankyWren - April 5, 2010
Chipper wants YOU at Turner Field.
Scott Coleman - April 5, 2010
Great day indeed.
Let’s hope the rookie can stay hot, and the rest of the lineup can follow suit. If our newcomers to the lineup can contribute like they should, we could end up with one of the most potent offenses in the league.
WarEagle86 - April 6, 2010
This.
ChrisK562 - April 6, 2010
I became a huge Billy Wagner fan when the big screen at Turner Field played the clip from Tombstone (one of my favorite movies) where Kurt Russell says “You tell em’ i’m coming, and hell’s coming with me!”, then “Enter Sandman”. That was so badass.
10-4 - April 6, 2010
Haha, that sounds great.
Smoltz's Beard - April 6, 2010
I just got goosebumps!!!!
I Saw Buzz Beaned - April 6, 2010
Man I wish there was a game today.
Yesterday’s awesome start made my appetite for baseball even worse than it already was.
Excuse me Mr. Heyward: “Thank you sir, may I have another?”
Counting the hours until Wednesday’s game……
NCChopper - April 6, 2010
"Thank you sir, may I have another?"
that’s what she said
Mr. Sanchez - April 6, 2010
awesome
I’ve been a Braves fan since i was about 5 (’90) and have never gone down to Atlanta for a game.
This year it is almost guaranteed I am going to see a game at Turner Field..
Chipper, Bobby, Heyward.
dank7 - April 6, 2010
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