The Macon Braves were a class-A minor league baseball team associated with the Atlanta Braves. The team was known as the Macon Braves from 1991 to 2002.[1] With a lot of upset fans, in 2003, the Macon Braves were moved to Rome, Georgia. The team is now known as the Rome Braves, and is currently managed by former minor league player, Randy Ingle. Randy Ingle started managing the team in 2006, after he left the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League.[2] Luther Williams Field was the former home stadium for the Macon Braves. After losing the Macon Braves, Macon now has a new minor league team known as the Macon Pinetoppers that calls Luther Williams Field "home". Even though the Macon Braves are no longer in Macon, they still have supporting fans and hold a great record of history in Macon. Many well known major league players came from the Macon Braves, such as Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, Rafael Furcal, Tony Graffanino, John Rocker, John Smoltz, and Marcus Giles.
History
editLuther Williams Field
Home of the Macon Braves from 1991-2002, Luther Williams Field was originally built in 1929. Professional baseball had been played for parts of 25 seasons before Luther Williams Field was even built.[4] The field was built for $60,000, and was named after Macon's Mayor.[5] So far, the field has been home to six professional baseball teams in Macon. They are as follows: Macon Peaches, Macon Dodgers, Macon Redbirds, Macon Pirates, Macon Braves, and Macon Music.[6] "Paul Richards, a future big league player and Atlanta Braves executive, hit the first home run at Luther Williams on May 6, 1929."[7] In 1991, the city spent over $500,000 on renovations and repairs when the Atlanta Braves sent the affiliated Macon Braves to Macon.[8] In 1994, the flood of 94' ruined Luther Williams Field, sending it into major repairs.[9] In 2004, "Luther Williams Field was added to the National Register of Historical Places, joining such local landmarks as the Hay House, Cannonball House, Fort Hawkins, Sidney Lanier Cottage, Rose Hill Cemetery, Ocmulgee National Monument, Grand Opera House and dozens of other locations in Macon."[10] Today, a tin roof has replaced the original wooden roof, and the capacity is 3,750 with majority of seating located behind homeplate.[11] There are five box seats and two main concession stands.[12]
Seasons
editMacon Braves
Year | Manager | Record |
---|---|---|
1991 | Roy Majtyka | 85-56 |
1992 | Brian Snitker | 60-79 |
1993 | Randy Ingle | 80-61 |
1994 | Leon Roberts | 76-61 |
1995 | Nelson Norman | 74-67 |
1996 | Paul Runge | 55-85 |
1997 | Brian Snitker | 82-58 |
1998 | Brian Snitker | 67-74 |
1999 | Jeff Treadway | 77-61 |
2000 | Jeff Treadway | 71-68 |
2001 | Randy Ingle | 71-62 |
2002 | Lynn Jones | 67-73 |
References
edit- ^ "Macon Team History." The Baseball Cube. N.p., 15 Aug 2010. Web. 2 Sep 2010. <http://www.thebaseballcube.com/teams/team_10284.shtml>.
- ^ Sports Reference LLC. "(Randy Ingle)." Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. (12 Sep 2010)
- ^ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 14, 2002 Sunday,, Home Edition, Sports;, Pg. 6D, 751 words, CARLOS FRIAS
- ^ Sandifer, Ben. "Historic Luther Williams Field." Pinetoppers. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sep 2010. <http://www.pinetoppers.com/media/pdf/historic_luther_williams_field.pdf
- ^ Sandifer, Ben. "Historic Luther Williams Field." Pinetoppers. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sep 2010. <http://www.pinetoppers.com/media/pdf/historic_luther_williams_field.pdf
- ^ Sandifer, Ben. "Historic Luther Williams Field." Pinetoppers. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sep 2010. <http://www.pinetoppers.com/media/pdf/historic_luther_williams_field.pdf
- ^ Sandifer, Ben. "Historic Luther Williams Field." Pinetoppers. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sep 2010. <http://www.pinetoppers.com/media/pdf/historic_luther_williams_field.pdf
- ^ Sandifer, Ben. "Historic Luther Williams Field." Pinetoppers. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sep 2010. <http://www.pinetoppers.com/media/pdf/historic_luther_williams_field.pdf
- ^ Sandifer, Ben. "Historic Luther Williams Field." Pinetoppers. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sep 2010. <http://www.pinetoppers.com/media/pdf/historic_luther_williams_field.pdf
- ^ Sandifer, Ben. "Historic Luther Williams Field." Pinetoppers. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sep 2010. <http://www.pinetoppers.com/media/pdf/historic_luther_williams_field.pdf
- ^ Merzbach, Brian. "Luther Williams Field." Ballpark Reviews. N.p., 31 Aug 2010. Web. 12 Sep 2010. <http://www.ballparkreviews.com/macon/macon.htm>.
- ^ Merzbach, Brian. "Luther Williams Field." Ballpark Reviews. N.p., 31 Aug 2010. Web. 12 Sep 2010. <http://www.ballparkreviews.com/macon/macon.htm>.
- ^ Sports Reference LLC. "(1992 Macon Braves)." Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/