The Atlanta Braves are on their way to Los Angeles, and hundreds of fans were there to send them off in style.
Hours after punching their ticket to the National League Division Series, the Braves rolled out the red carpet at The Battery before boarding team buses bound for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
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For fans like Alisha Allen, it was a chance to get one last look at their favorite team before the series against the Dodgers begins.
“Let’s go Braves!” Allen shouted.
The atmosphere felt more like a pep rally than a departure.
“It is priceless to see our home team win Game 3 and come back and leave here with a pep rally,” said Ennis Antoine.
Fans lined the route, cheering as players, coaches, the Tomahawk Team and mascot Blooper made their way down a red carpet before heading west.
“We’re going to L.A. It’s Hollywood. We gotta have a red carpet, right?” said Geoffrey Schmidt, the Braves’ director of events.
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The up-close experience gave fans a rare chance to see the team outside the ballpark.
Jan Fox, who attended all three Wild Card games, said this was even better than having a great seat inside Truist Park.
“Let’s get those Dodgers! Chop on everybody! Double chops!” Fox said.
Many fans believe this team is ready for the challenge ahead.
“They got this! They got this!” Allen said.
The Braves will open the National League Division Series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, with Games 1 and 2 scheduled at Dodger Stadium before the series shifts back to Atlanta.
While the first games will be played on the West Coast, Braves fans won’t have to watch alone. Watch parties are planned around The Battery as the city rallies behind its team in pursuit of another postseason run.
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Braves officials embraced the Hollywood theme before the team headed to Los Angeles.
“Listen. We’re going to L.A.! It’s Hollywood. We gotta have a red carpet, right?” said Geoffrey Schmidt, the Braves’ director of events.
Channel 2’s Michael Seiden was there as the buses arrived in a private section of the airport before the team departed for California.
While no fans were found making the trip west Friday afternoon, one supporter had already traveled hundreds of miles to support the Braves.
Jarek Penney flew in from Kansas City and was among those celebrating after Atlanta’s Wild Card Series victory over Philadelphia.
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“It was incredible,” Penney said. “Totally packed, everybody was on their feet, so it was amazing.”
The Braves open the NLDS against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Saturday.
