On the Road with Eli(zondo) and Adric…in Atlanta

So that you’ve determined to heed the decision to journey. Good for you. If you want to refer again to what the Information really is or who I really am, please consult with the included hyperlinks.

Introduction

The Information says the next about Truist Park:

In idea, this place ought to be superb. Nevertheless it hovers within the consciousness after the go to in precisely the best way {that a} brick doesn’t. Additionally, the much less stated concerning the native chant, the higher.

If everybody was being sincere, this crew can be referred to as the Cumberland Baseball Workforce, as a result of this crew has not been situated in downtown Atlanta since 2016. After that yr, the crew segregated themselves from town of Atlanta by transferring to the Cumberland space, which is an edge metropolis in Cobb County situated in an unincorporated space of the northwest Atlanta metropolitan space, Georgia, United States. The Dodger equal can be transferring to a web site on the furthest fringe of Los Angeles. Technically, when you go on Google Maps, the crew remains to be situated in Atlanta, simply on the furthest doable edge, which isn’t as broadly often known as you’d assume if you don’t reside within the space.

You’d assume that the crew would have basked in final yr’s title, and rightfully so, the primary title in over twenty-five years. The tempo of the celebration appeared to differ whether or not you have been ready in downtown Atlanta or by Truist Park in Cumberland.

Blink and also you’ll miss it in Atlanta correct…linger within the residence base of Cumberland, whereas bragging that each one of Braves nation (assume the South, however not Florida) helps the crew. Frankly, it’s slightly problematic and I maintain coming again to that phrase when writing up this entry of the Information.

In lots of methods, I ought to be raving about how good Truist Park is, because the stadium is fashionable, there’s a newly put in neighborhood with locations to drink and eat, and you’re more likely to watch some aggressive baseball. In some methods, my expertise at Truist Park is what gave delivery to the Information, as a result of on paper, this park ought to be superb. However primarily based on what I went by way of final time, although I had the choice to return to Atlanta throughout the NLCS, you could possibly not have paid me an sufficient amount of cash to go. However there may be sufficient off concerning the Truist Park expertise that if you’re unaware when you resolve to go to a Los Angeles/Atlanta sport, your expertise can be diminished relying in your ranges of empathy.

1. Is it price going right here?

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This subjective rating is the harshest that I’ve given to this point. Frankly, the rating acquired worse over time and I’ll go into the why in Part 4. Let me focus on the positives of Truist Park, which I totally acknowledge however must admit, are overshadowed.

The sightlines at Truist Park are nice with vigorous followers and pregame festivities to rival most ballparks I can consider. Customer support at Truist Park is top-notch. My MLB Ballpark app was on the fritz for the June 6, 2021 sport I went to. I used to be directed to customer support they usually gave me water as a result of it was fairly muggy with none request. Then when customer support couldn’t entry a replica of my e-ticket, they only printed me up a paper one and despatched me on my manner. As you’ll be able to inform from the images and movies, Truist Park is sort of a looker. Usually, I might be raving a few location with anecdotes and artwork like I’ve offered.

There are two explanation why a Dodger fan shouldn’t go to a sport at Truist Park: value and tradition. I’ve no downside calling out issues which can be problematic (see: fights at Dodger Stadium, possession that’s making the most of individuals in Cincinnati, and so on.) I’ll tackle the price in a while on this Information, however let’s rip the bandage of probably the most problematic a part of going to Truist Park: the racist chant.

As of 2020, the stadium really doesn’t play the mantra, as an alternative providing a drumbeat and graphics to complement what the group is doing, which in some methods is admittedly dangerous when you spend a minute to consider it.

The outline of the included video makes my emotions on the topic fairly clear. This sport was the primary sport I went to in 2021 that had no COVID restrictions in any respect (which was problematic in itself, contemplating the final apathy to hostility to COVID vaccination I encountered whereas in Atlanta), and being surrounded by about 37,000 to 40,000 screaming followers was a thrill. Till they broke out into the mantra…

I can already hear complaints in my head going “oh, it’s a part of our tradition / we’re honoring Native People / you’re being overly delicate / you clearly drink soy milk.”

So as:

1. Until you’re Native American, no, it’s not.
2. I actually can exhibit to you empirical proof that stated chant isn’t honoring Native People.
3. No, I’m not. Admittedly, I used to be a bit ambivalent about your complete affair (this chant might be dangerous, however it isn’t my downside is the place my headspace was) till my go to and the group repeatedly broke into the mantra and I used to be like “nope, this chant is dangerous, empirically so, it’s best to all really feel dangerous, oh my god what I’m really doing right here.”
4. That’s irrelevant and I don’t as there isn’t any such factor as soy milk. You present me a mammal that lactates soy liquid and you may name it milk. In any other case, that liquid is soy juice, which sounds empirically disgusting. (Hat tip to Lewis Black.) Typically, I drink 2% milk, water, or Eating regimen Coke, relying on the scenario.

In my opinion, the mantra isn’t okay. Chances are you’ll be superb with it, and I actually don’t care if you’re. The truth that the Atlanta crew nonetheless tries to lean into the mantra as a lot as they’ll get away with it just about tells you all you want to know concerning the stadium expertise of Truist Park, which drastically mars what is usually a pleasing baseball watching expertise, even in non-cooperative climate.

The truth is, I feel all of us want a palette cleanser in any case this level of dialogue. Right here is Brennan Lee Mulligan of Dropout in Dimension 20: Misfits and Magic, in a legally distinct from Harry Potter setting that adequately summarizes my emotions within the fast aftermath of listening to the mantra. (As soon as once more, this suggestion is an off the crushed path gem I’m completely satisfied to share with you all. The related bit is queued up for you and lasts a few minute, however even with out context, the remainder of the eight-minute clip is fairly good and completely improvised.) Additionally, I want I had individuals as vigorous and entertaining to play tabletop video games with, however that’s sharing exterior the purview of the Information.

The crew has additionally spent appreciable cash bolstering the realm across the ballpark within the Battery neighborhood. One of the best analogy I’ve is that think about if Disneyland have been centered purely on a baseball crew and was worse (no rides). It’s just like the neighborhood round Wrigley Area, however synthetic, I don’t know the way else to place it.

Doing stuff within the Battery isn’t horrible by any measure until you attempt to do it on Sundays. Why you ask? On the finish of the day, you’re nonetheless within the South, so stuff closes early (in some instances, actual early on Sunday). And when you occur to assume “hey, this expertise goes to Fresno, California, however with further steps…and humidity,” you wouldn’t be that far off.

So rule of thumb: benefit from the Battery, however be ready to go away early when you go on Sunday. You now have a Information and you’ve got thus been warned.

2. How ought to I get there?

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Once more, I can’t envision anybody going to Atlanta by another methodology other than an airplane, until they really reside close by. As to attending to the sport itself at Truist Park, you principally have two choices, and they’re solely depending on the place you keep.

In case you are staying at what is basically the crew lodge, the Omni Lodge on the Battery, you’ll be able to actually stroll lower than just a few hundred ft to the sport, you’d simply want a rental automobile when you have been desirous to go elsewhere within the Atlanta space.

In case you are staying wherever else, I might strongly suggest that you simply drive your self to the ballpark. You possibly can additionally rideshare there, however then you definitely would have a nightmarish time making an attempt to get a rideshare again. It took nearly two and a half hours to hail a rideshare after my sport on June 5, 2021, throughout the sizzling, sweltering Southern night time. Going to Truist and not using a automobile is simply not price it.

3. The place ought to I keep?

Simply as a degree of order, earlier than publishing these entries, I double-check the place I’ve beforehand stayed in order that if costs have noticeably modified, I can adequately warn you. In my earlier keep in Atlanta, I stayed at a close-by lodge that was not the team-owned Omni Lodge as proven right here. My mistake was not renting a automobile, as a result of I assumed I might rideshare to the sport (from the World of Coca-Cola, which is the primary purpose I might return to Atlanta) and stroll again to my lodge.

That plan fell aside in a rush as a result of the realm between the ballpark and my lodge gave me the creeps so I made a decision to air on the aspect of warning to get a rideshare, which took nearly three hours. On reflection, I ought to have rented a automobile and that applies to any of the accommodations that you simply see on this illustration.

In my double-check for penning this entry, I noticed that costs for close by accommodations, which have been NOT the team-owned Omni Lodge on the Battery, have been really decrease than what I noticed final yr for the weekday collection. The collection in 2022 between Los Angeles and Atlanta is a weekend affair.

So then I double-checked the team-owned, Omni Lodge on the Battery, for the upcoming collection in June. I initially stayed there for a single night time on my final journey as a result of this lodge needed a $1000 complete for my whole two-day keep, which I assumed was patently absurd. In perspective, right here is how shut this lodge is to the ballpark. The lodge was superb – there have been bizarre puddles of vomit in widespread areas, however the lodge didn’t scream luxurious in any manner other than its proximity to Truist Park.

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Courtesy of Google Maps / Illustration by Michael Elizondo / TrueBlueLA

Costs have gone up right here. It’s not a $1,000.00 for 2 days anymore. No, it’s a thousand {dollars} an evening. All the three-game collection, which is the minimal size of a keep which you can e-book, now prices a grand complete of about $3,800.00. I’m nonetheless indignant at this revelation and I’m not even going to Atlanta for the foreseeable future. As such, keep away from this lodge just like the plague – actually, keep wherever else inside your funds and lease a automobile when you resolve to go to Truist Park.

4. The place ought to I sit?

If it feels like I’m fairly bitter relating to Truist Park, you’d be appropriate. I actually take pleasure in writing Guides and serving to individuals. Writing adverse opinions of issues I take pleasure in actually depresses me. Usually, on this part, I focus on the place to take a seat at Truist Park in three completely different classes. For the primary time on this Information, I can’t do this.

Right here is the only real suggestion when you’ve got traveled to Truist Park to see a Los Angeles/Atlanta sport: watch the sport on TV, it may be within the Battery, it may be elsewhere. However don’t pay into the sucker’s guess that’s present ticket costs at Truist Park for these video games in June.

As I discussed within the San Francisco entry of the Information, I’m resigned to paying a premium for Dodgers/Giants tickets. I get it; it’s the rivalry collection. The truth is, I’m actually resigned to paying a premium for tickets at three ballparks, two of which I can reside with:

1. Dodger Stadium – is sensible, the crew has me over a barrel if I wish to see the Dodgers at residence, however the ticket costs are attending to be a joke.
2. Oracle Park – once more – it’s for the rivalry, the groups have me over a barrel if I wish to see the Dodgers close to my residence, which negates the financial savings from residing shut by.
3. Angels Stadium – is usually unacceptable. Not a real rivalry both in my opinion. If the Angels really begin doing one thing, I’ll begin caring. However the crosstown “rivalry” isn’t a purpose to go to extremes for ticket costs.

Now you can add Truist Park to this listing.

I went to 2 video games final yr, the primary one sitting within the Infiniti Membership for about $150 (earlier than charges) and on the sphere degree on the primary base aspect for about $60 (earlier than charges) below the outsized roof to maintain me out of the Georgia solar. I ended up utilizing Stubhub for each video games. Admittedly, these costs are slightly steep, however doable when you plan forward.

And when you go to a San Francisco/Atlanta in 2022, which is actually the previous collection, you’d pay about the identical (earlier than charges), at worst possibly $20 bucks extra. However you’d even have the choice to purchase tickets immediately from the crew for about $11, that are up within the rafters, however it isn’t a horrible possibility.

As for the Dodgers collection, you would possibly ask? Properly, apparently, somebody advised the Atlanta entrance workplace that the playoffs weren’t over so solely Standing Room solely tickets can be found at $40 apiece. However when you needed to take a seat the place I sat, and also you went to the secondary market, you wouldn’t be paying what I paid. For the very same seats now, it’s about $500 and $180, respectively. And apparently, these are face worth costs, or thereabouts. As such, the prices are solely unacceptable.

If it have been the Playoffs, I might get it, and if I actually needed to go, I might funds and take into account it. However these costs for regular-season video games? – completely not. What’s past irritating is that the Atlanta franchise isn’t hurting for cash. I mentioned this challenge in-depth in my different collection, It’s not my Cash(ball)! As such, indulging these costs is paying right into a sucker’s guess. I’m all for paying premium costs throughout premium intervals, however I refuse to pay playoff costs for video games in June.

Usually, I divide up the ballpark and provides suggestions about the place to take a seat if you’re on a funds, or if you wish to have enjoyable, or if you wish to sit someplace fascinating. I actually can’t and won’t do this for this entry in good conscience.

In the event you insist on going, then I might plead with you to see if yow will discover a dealer or a last-minute deal the place you will get a cut price for overpriced tickets. Or go to a non-Dodgers sport, which frankly defeats the aim of this Information. Don’t allow the fleecing of our fanbase as a result of some of us wish to deal with a collection in the summertime as a playoff collection.

5. After your journey, is it price going again?

Within the disclaimer to the Information, I described the casual vary of subjective outcomes after visiting a location. Up to now, I’ve been to 2 video games at Truist Park, of which the Dodgers misplaced each.

• Hey, that was by some means NOT enjoyable. Why did I put myself by way of all of this work?

Once you add it up, in idea going to Truist Park ought to be a fantastic expertise. The ballpark has nice sightlines and a festive ambiance. Even when the neighborhood is synthetic, in some unspecified time in the future, the Battery will become its personal character and be a novel addition to anybody who’s a fan of baseball. However Truist Park’s positives are completely dwarfed by each cultural and monetary points that I can’t suggest that the typical Dodger fan topic themselves to presently.

Due to this fact, I can’t and won’t suggest going to a Dodgers sport at Truist Park. The next assertion is how strongly I really feel concerning the problematic nature of going to Truist Park: I might suggest going to a sport in Oakland on the dilapidated Coliseum earlier than I like to recommend that any Dodger fan go to Truist Park in Atlanta, whatever the common or postseason. In the event you don’t care concerning the chant and you’ve got that a lot disposable revenue, then please take pleasure in Truist and be properly.

If the Atlanta baseball membership fixes its tradition and ditches the mantra – I’ll take into account coming again. If the Atlanta baseball membership restores a measure of sanity to its ticket costs for Dodger video games – I’ll take into account coming again. And I’ll replace this Information to replicate these modifications. As of this text, I don’t anticipate ever returning to Truist Park in Atlanta.