1979 05 09 Pirates at Braves

One of the wildest games I've seen - scoring, fighting, etc. Pardon quality - only known version of this game. If anyone has better quality - please let me know!

[@markjohnson9455]

I remember watching the Braves on the Super Station TBS Channel 17 Atlanta when I was growing up. Yes, the Braves were terrible, but it was still fun to watch. It is good to hear Skip and Ernie again.

[@mikelucas3119]

Same here - I used to watch the rebroadcast they did around 2:00 a.m. - great memories!

[@josephscott6388]

Phil Niekro pitched 342 innings that year, struck out 208 and recorded 41 decisions (21-20), getting the W in 21 of the Braves 66 wins, nearly 1/3 of their total victories. He was the only Braves starter to record double digits in wins.

[@strangerintown3676]

I saw Phil Niekro hit a home run off Tommy John in Atlanta 1976.

[@KingJeremy1974]

1:46:26 Fun Fact: Phil Niekro would hit his 7th (and final) HR for the Atlanta Braves on October 1, 1982. He hit a 2-run HR in the 8th off of San Diego Padres pitcher Eric Show in a 4-0 win.

[@luthierwtb]

I would love to hear a clean copy of the Braves' theme song from this time. It's at 3:50:13. They also played it at the beginning of games, but that's missing from this tape. If anyone knows where to find it, I would really appreciate it. And thanks for uploading this!

[@justin.robben]

Donnybrook. Definitely the one word that sums this masterpiece up. Thank you for posting!

[@ddanelle4729]

Thank you for posting this. I realize some older recordings may lack in quality but I appreciate your taking the time to post this.

[@jamesrfb]

This is the first time I’ve seen footage of Murph catching - and, people say baseball is “hurting” today? Bad teams today draw many more fans this game did. Thanks for the video.

[@JP-wx6uh]

Players salaries got out of control

[@KratostheThird]

@@JP-wx6uhThey sure did. A-Rod’s 250 million dollar contract starting in 2004 with the Yankees made me realize how bad they got.

[@charlessmith263]

In the 1970s, the Atlanta Braves organization tried so hard to get fans to the stadium after Hank Aaron's 715th homer in 1974. They had an Indian mascot, they had promotions similar to Bill Veeck's Comiskey Park, through stuff like post-game firework displays, bobbleheads, promotional bats and caps on certain days, stuff like that. I think Fulton County stadium even had rock concerts too like Comiskey Park did. But the scoreboard displays on the LF and RF sides are amazing - all LED and electronic, including its own Jumbotron on the LF side, and I think a box score electronic display on the RF side. When Cincinnati's Pete Rose had its long-time hitting streak broken somewhere in the late 1970s at Atlanta stadium by the Braves through a walk-off strikeout to end the game, the Braves fans were treated to a 3-second flurry of stadium fireworks in return.

[@84sp84]

Murphy was brutal behind the plate. Good thing he found a home in the outfield.

[@furnitureconsortium]

to be fair....anybody would be brutal trying to catch a knuckleball pitcher like Niekro!

[@cityhawk]

Where would the Braves have been without him in the 80s? They were brutal except for 1982, but who knows how much worse they would have been. Maybe not even crack 50 wins a season without him. Yikes!

[@CodyFCooper]

I miss Chief Knockahoma and the more innocent carefree times of 1979 when we could have such a mascot without a segment of people getting all butthurt about it!

[@atlantaguitar9689]

These were lean years for Braves attendance. They tried everything to get people to come, Brought in James Brown and the Beach Boys to give shows. I could be wrong but I think they had James play BEFORE a game which was a mistake because people left after James' set, before the game started! I also remember that you could buy a cheap ticket and easily move behind home plate (if you wanted to) within a few innings. The ushers just didn't care. There were also the double-headers. Back then, you could go hang out at the stadium for next to nothing. You could also smuggle in your own booze and buy a coke or two and be set. Basically, you could do anything you wanted.

[@marioadkins430]

I remember fans could even smoke in the stands.

[@DJTexan]

Yeah they allowed smoking until the 90s. When I went to turner right before it closed I was able to move from cheap seat to behind the plate. At the new stadium though there is too much security and ushers are always power tripping.

[@KratostheThird]

@@DJTexan You guys were so lucky. Everything now is controlled and the personality of the game itself is just gone. Even the beginning bit here with Ted Turner and Phil Neikro was golden. Kids today aren’t interested in baseball. Too slow and methodical for their short attention spans to comprehend.

[@douglaslowe5]

Attendance 6885. Lean years in Atlanta. Old joke ...Guy calls the box office to ask what Time game starts. Man answers "What time can you be Here?"

[@SamtheBravesFan]

And that wasn't even the lowest attendance. There were games in the 70s when they reached Marlins level, listing in below 1,000 people.

[@douglaslowe5]

@@SamtheBravesFan late 70s braves were horrible, it didn't help that Ted Turner was trying to launch his "superstation" and tvd all home games via ch. 17.

[@BookClubDisaster]

@@douglaslowe5 The theory that showing games on TV hurts attendance has been debunked.

[@douglaslowe5]

@@BookClubDisaster True in the era of RSNs. But in the 70s Only a few teams showed home games, and other than Yanks had low attendance. Dodger owner O'malley refused to televise home games, and coincidence or not, they drew 3 million a year when no other team came close to that.

[@BookClubDisaster]

@@douglaslowe5 I'd argue the Dodgers drew because 1. They were in a huge market, 2. They had winning teams, and 3. They played in perfect baseball weather all season long. I doubt TV would have hurt that. TV becomes an advertisement for the team that draws fans to games. The experience at the ballpark vs. on TV isn't the same.

[@shrubbunny3299]

Wow, loved that game

[@brianfoster4664]

Looks like the Braves have one fan in the seats for every win in the 1979 season (66).

[@rj1982ii]

Didn't you hear it was blue seat night. If you come to the stadium dressed as a blue seat you get in free. In case you wondering where I got that Skip Carey said it once.

[@fuzzfrancis435]

Miss ya Knuxie...

[@wadevandort1598]

Bill Lucas is often portrayed as the first black GM in the major leagues but he was actually the vice president of player personnel from mid-Sep/1976 until his death on May 5, 1979. Braves owner Ted Turner maintained the official title of GM for himself.

[@marioadkins430]

The Braves were really bad that year. Still I had a lot of fun then, and now, as a fan of the World Champion Braves! I still miss Skip, Pete, and Ernie as well as Bob Hope's crazy promotions.

[@KratostheThird]

Bob Hope was around this?

[@marioadkins430]

@@KratostheThird Not the famous comedian, but he had the same name. He was influenced by Bill Veek. He wrote a great book titled "We could have finished last without you."

[@rickmarone2382]

This was better than the Rick Camp game

[@atlfan48]

The SuperStation before it was the SuperStation...

[@martyyoung3611]

WTCG 17

[@allanmacmillan7823]

@@martyyoung3611 Now Explosion!

[@flagmobile4472]

Niekro was loyal and a good sport.

[@randyjohnson6845]

The Pittsburgh pitcher in 15 years had 13 homers and 69 RBIs..several years best batting average for a pitcher and his homerun once won a playoff game

[@darwinblinks]

Everything about this is classic, even the beginning where Turner is just kinda riffing and has to call Niekro out of the dugout to get his present. Nowadays everything is controlled and planned and the player would just be standing there already with a goofy smile.

[@tigercap100]

Turner is a creep

[@CodyFCooper]

Wow, so many more African-American players in 1979 than there are now. I wonder why that is? Why have so many AAs quit playing baseball.

[@M98-j9k]

Replaced by Latinos

[@rj1982ii]

(jokingly about umpires talk about the hit by pitch) Why don't they just do what they did in the early days of baseball: ask a someone in the stand. No way would someone lie just to help their team. Everyone in Atlanta are honest people.

[@williamdunphy352]

Ernie Johnson, Sr. (PBP) & Skip Caray (C) 1-3

[@rj1982ii]

Have to go a long ways to find a game crazier than this. Well the next game crazier than this will be six years later (July 4, 1985).

[@DannyPacheco-j6f]

lol the news at the end, hahahahaha

[@CodyFCooper]

It’s amazing to think that I now make more money in a year than some of these players did, and no one on that field was making 1 million a year. Baseball tickets were so affordable then and there were fewer things to do…no internet, no iPhones, no cable TV for most people, no video games or most people, yet no one still came to the games in Atlanta… the Braves just sucked that much.

[@williambarretttravis4980]

Yes we have truly regressed as a society and left wing fanatics are now calling the shots which is why life is so much worse. At least the Braves won the world series after they had the all star game stolen

[@KratostheThird]

@@williambarretttravis4980 There was no reason for them to move the All Star Game away from Atlanta. I mean we all get why people harken back to the old days. But these past few years politically have really done a number on our sports. I'm really sick and tired of hearing clowns like Lebron James of the NBA and Aaron Rodgers of the NFL spew crap out of their mouths on social media. It just takes a few sour apples to turn people away from sports. The left wing fanatics, which are all sour apples to me did just that by moving the All Star Game. I am however, very grateful that the Braves won the World Series this year. This old sports recording is a reminder of the old days. Players had more class and so did the announcers. Even the old commercials were more light hearted and didn't shove down their ideals on peoples throats, like today's TV commercials do on a everyday basis.

[@mikeivey8169]

Yes the Braves were horrid around this time. However they had a pretty good run in 82 as those TBS tv games were fun to watch. Also remember Uncle Ted firing his mgr in 77 I believe and managing himself for a few games. Bowie Kuhn put a quick end to that.

[@rj1982ii]

All that was missing was Bobby Cox getting thrown out.

[@aboxofbroken8tracks983]

1:46:52: The announcers do a bad job of interpreting the controversy around the Neikro HBP; he clearly swung at the pitch, so it's either a swinging strike or a foul ball, it cannot be an HBP. It doesn't matter that the ball hit Neikro, because he swung at it.

[@steveschmidt4063]

It hit him before he swung....

[@steveschmidt4063]

The play is dead The second it hits the batter.

[@aboxofbroken8tracks983]

@@steveschmidt4063 Well in that case Neikro is a moron!

[@moelarrythecheese4507]

“ THE LUMBER COMPANY “

[@tvtitlechampion3238]

Dale Murphy was a catcher first? No wonder they moved him to the outfield; they had to protect him from Niekro!

[@RaidingJaguarX]

Murph said in his autobiography that he was glad to be moved to the outfield.

[@allanmacmillan7823]

It was said, in regards to Murph's accuracy, if anybody tried to steal center field...Dale could throw him out.

[@nathanielporter575]

Dont want to mess with Ed Ott

[@happygolucky1933]

Just ask Felix Millan

[@Felitaur]

Is that Larry Wilcox in the 76 commercial?

[@baylee03]

RIP Phil Niekro...8 days after this game the umpire strike was settled.

[@crgray1979]

I am surprised that Bobby cox didn't get elected this game

[@crgray1979]

Ejected

[@smartluck100]

Skip Caray drunk as hell: We head to the bottom of another 5th

[@derricklayman227]

wish we had a hank aaron game with the braves

[@sidDkid87]

3:23:05 … let the fun begin …

[@yourluxxuryautoconcierge1303]

#GaryMatthews with the #GrandSlam @ 1:57:07.

[@randyjohnson6845]

Rare to see a video of Dale catching..if they hadn't moved him to the outfield it probably would have ruined his career

[@derricklayman227]

wow bobby cox managed this game in 1979

[@crgray1979]

How many times did Bobby cox get elected this year

[@RayManzarekRocks]

The best part isn't the game. It's what happened AFTER the game. #TooFunny

[@alabamacrimsontide473]

I have a baseball card of phil niekro

[@AnonYmous-jp8uu]

$20k to Ted was like $5er to most of us

[@KratostheThird]

Widescreen TVs actually existed in 1979?!?

[@randyjohnson6845]

Phil had 7 homers and 109 RBIs

[@M98-j9k]

Joe Neikro hit his only career hr off Phil

[@derricklayman227]

wow 2 grand slams fights ejections

[@scottthomas3672]

"wait till next year"

[@jasonrfoss248]

That newscast at the end of has got to be a joke right? There's no way they were doing construction in the middle of a newscast and there's no way they would keep the camera rolling when the anchor goes back and starts fighting with the workers.

[@douglaslowe5]

Before Reagan deregulated everything FCC mandated TV stations at least 30 minutes of news per day. Turner made a joke out of it by having Bill Tush host a ridiculously low budget",newscast" at 3am to fulfill requirement. How ironic he founded CNN a year later.

[@jimfrisk688]

not only cameras kept rolling but focused on the anchor who was fighting with the workers. It has to be all a joke.

[@allanmacmillan7823]

There was a segment that was a spoof of TV religion at the end of each newscast called "Reflections: with Brother Gold". A gentleman wearing a preacher's robe would stand at a podium while soft organ music played. As the music faded, Brother Gold would open his hymnal and recite the daily reflection....."I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand!" or "Big wheel keep on turnin', carry me home to see my kin." He would recite the lyrics to popular rock tunes and he was always reverent and respectful. Sometimes, he would point for emphasis "Slow ride...take it easy." Classic stuff. I loved Brother Gold.

[@fredericbarclay7468]

3:57: 25. Channel 17's newscast was somewhere between serious and SNL with Chevy and Jane.❤❤ Tina Seldin was,to this school kid, worth sitting through the end of Braves' games to look forward to seeing. She does, I believe, NC Lottery updates for Channel 13 in Asheville. And looks almost the same, still beautiful ❤❤❤❤.

[@JP-wx6uh]

You know Dave Parker's uniform smelled like b.o. and crotch rot

[@SamtheBravesFan]

Geez, everything just fell apart in the ninth there, didn't it?

[@christopheroliver2465]

Looks like Ted Turner is wearing a racoon toupee

[@allanmacmillan7823]

He wasn't Christopher, but Phil Niekro was...he called that one his "gamer". He wore a different toupee between starts.

[@christopheroliver2465]

@@allanmacmillan7823 Gotcha Allan, I knew about Niekro's various hairpieces. Joe Pepitone also had a game piece. That lil' swoop of Ted Turner's may be real, but it still looks like a racoon toupee. Why am I even talking, considering that I need one, lol.

[@crgray1979]

@3:23:55 the fight

[@JohnSmith-op1tc]

As the now-deceased announcer team of Pete Van Wieren and Skip Caray noted at 3:28:03, it was a non-fight. Both died in the Dog Days of August, 2014 and 2008, respectively.

[@fenderjazzbrian]

OMG I can't stop laughing at the twiddling thumbs...pricesless kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6OyYqFppqd2atE

[@crgray1979]

@3:38:18 the second fight

[@edwardklintworth2004]

Another partial sellout.

[@BookClubDisaster]

Two lamest "fights" ever.