Atlanta Hawks Take Game 7

Atlanta Hawks rise to the occasion winning game seven 95-74 against the Milwaukee Bucks and advance to the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals. Was there any doubt? Of course, the Hawks had the worst game seven NBA playoff record at 3 – 8 heading into this decisive game.

Fear the Deer no more! This game was a blow out as the Atlanta Hawks defense kept the Milwaukee Bucks offense in check for the entire game. Al Horford got the Hawks off to an early lead and finished in double digits ad did Bibby, Crawford, and Smith. The Hawks 20 point lead in the fourth quarter allowed them to empty their bench with 2:48 remaining in the game.

Just a couple of games ago it appeared the Hawks season would soon be over blowing a 14 point advantage and losing not only their composure but a critical game 5 at the highlight factory. Momentum had clearly shifted to the Bucks as they headed home ahead 3-2 in the playoff series.

When the Hawks appeared to be folding like a lawn chair again their defense came to the rescue and turned the series around. Now the Hawks will have little time to celebrate as they must face off against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic for their next round of NBA playoffs.

Lets Go Hawks!

Gwinnett Stadium Now Coolray Field

The Gwinnett Braves and Coolray have agreed to terms on a deal that will change the name of Gwinnett Stadium to Coolray Field.

The agreement  between the Gwinnett Braves, the Triple A minor league team of the Atlanta Braves, and Coolray Heating and Cooling gives Coolray naming rights for sixteen years. In addition, Coolray has the rights to display a prominent  LED signboard along Highway 20, ans signage at both the main entrance to the ballpark and above the right field scoreboard.

Atlanta Braves Executive Vice President of Business Operations Mike Plant stated “after our first full season of operation, the Gwinnett Braves continue to showcase our strong ties to the community and we are proud to partner with a great community-oriented company,”

The Gwinnett Braves currently play at Gwinnett Stadium and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The first game at the newly named Coolray Field will be on April 8th against the Charlotte Knights at 7:05 p.m. All Gwinnett Braves 2010 tickets packages, starting as low as $6 per game, are available now at gwinnettbraves.com, the Coolray Field Box Office and by calling (678) 277-0340.

Braves Fan Club Announces Banquet

The Braves 400 Fan Club will host its annual winter banquet and fundraiser on Saturday, February 13, at the Marriott Perimeter Center. A gala reception, silent auction and raffle of Braves memorabilia begins at 5:30 p.m. with the awards dinner and program following at 7:00 p.m.

This year’s theme, “Great Atlanta Braves Pitching Rotations”, will feature some current and former Braves pitchers and guests recalling stories of the great pitching rotations. Braves announcer Jim Powell will emcee the evening’s festivities. Early RSVPs include Phil Niekro, Tommy Hanson, Kris Medlen, Charlie Leibrandt, and Braves minor league stars Jason Heyward, Craig Kimbrel, Greg Creek, Ryne Reynoso, Danville Braves manager Paul Runge, former Georgia Tech star Luke Murton (Yankees), and Metro-Atlanta High School Player of the Year Zack Wheeler (Giants) from East Paulding High School. Additional celebrity guests are anticipated.

Former New York Yankee great Bobby Richardson will accept the Luke Appling Nostalgia Award. Other awards include the Ivan Allen Jr. “Mr. Baseball” Award, outstanding performances by Braves minor leaguers, and the 2010 Phil Niekro College Scholarships being awarded to the Morehouse College and Georgia State baseball programs.

Admission is by advance reservation only, and the deadline is Tuesday, February 9; no tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are only $65 and include dinner and a well-stocked goody bag. Make reservations on the Club’s website www.braves400.org or by mailing a check to the Braves 400 Club, P.O. Box 7689, Atlanta, GA 30309. Information is available on the Web site or by calling the Braves 400 Fan Club’s hotline, 770-416-4539, to hear a recorded message.

The Braves 400 Fan Club, the official fan club of the Atlanta Braves, was formed in 1965, a full year before the Braves made their move from Milwaukee to Atlanta, and has been an integral part of the fan base for the Atlanta Braves ever since. The club is a non-profit organization supporting baseball at all levels – awarding baseball scholarships to metro-Atlanta colleges and recognizing metro-Atlanta high school all-stars as well as minor and major league players in the Braves organization.

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