Game 6: Phillies 3, Braves 2
WP: Randy Wolf (6-7), SV: Jose Mesa (28)
LP: Kevin Millwood (9-6)

Home Runs: Jimmy Rollins (Phi, 8)
Journal-Constitution Story

I have to start off by being frank. I really don't like the Braves. I don't like Ted Turner. I don't like the corporate image of the team; I can picture Maddux, Smoltz, and Chipper Jones sipping brandy and reading the Financial Times until they change into their uniforms 45 before gametime. I hate the Tomahawk Chop. I hate the fact that they seemingly play 85% of their games at home (and yes, I realize that the only time I think about the Braves is when they're on TBS, and TBS mostly shows home games). I'm sick of them getting into the playoffs and failing, denying other teams a shot. I'm sick of them, period.

And I'm a little suprised that the reviews of Turner Field (I'd link to the Braves site, but it threw a dozen popup ads at me while I was surfing it, so forget it) aren't that great. It seems that the Braves went for all the amenities and convenience while neglecting to check "heart and soul" on the ballpark building form. Some comments on epinions said that the Ted (as it's unfortunately called) is an amusement park, the Disney World of baseball. The ballpark part of the Braves' website focuses more on the artwork around the park than on the gamewatching experience (but the artwork is pretty interesting).

So, in short, although I generally tend to root for the home team, it doesn't make me too sad that the Braves lost this game. Even though they're clearly bound for another playoff spot and another disappointment.

It's a light driving day, and a light sightseeing daym, as I have to cross the country over the next few days. But it is worth checking out Stone Mountain, where they've carved huge Confederate generals into the mountainside. The website kind of ignores that, featuring on the area's waterslides, 3-D theaters, and car museum. Guess they realize that anyone who wants to see giant stone images of Confederate leaders knows where to find 'em.

Day 13: Chattanooga to Atlanta
Mileage Today: 115.2
Atlanta Weather: 72°, overcast
States: Tennessee, Georgia
Route Traveled: I-75 all the way.

Braves/Turner Field Facts
First Game: 4/4/97 vs. Cubs
Capacity: 49,831
Retired Numbers: 3 (Dale Murphy), 21 (Warren Spahn), 35 (Phil Niekro), 41 (Eddie Mathews), 44 (Henry Aaron)
Braves Sites: Braves Journal, Braves Report