BRISTOL, Tenn. — Following a lengthy rain delay, the Speedway Classic between the Braves and Reds, the first regular-season game in AL/NL history to be played in Tennessee, is underway.
Spencer Strider was originally scheduled to start for the Braves and warmed up, but given the delay, the club announced that left-hander Austin Cox would start instead. The Reds announced Chase Burns would still start.
It’s truly a one-of-a-kind spectacle having Major League Baseball played inside not just a NASCAR facility, but the famed Bristol Motor Speedway, for the first-ever Speedway Classic.
Players from both the Braves and Reds have enjoyed their time on Saturday, even before first pitch.
Here are some notable things seen and heard from Bristol, where more than 85,000 fans were in attendance.
Reds players embrace the theme of the day
Whether they were racing fans or not, a few Reds players and staff went all-in on the racing look. As he walked in to check out the playing field, All-Star starting pitcher Andrew Abbott was sporting an authentic firesuit that belonged to NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace. It also had the sleeves cut off.
“It’s a special game,” Abbott said. “I wanted to do something just to wear in. I grew up around NASCAR. I just went on eBay and found a couple options. Luckily that’s the one that arrived in time. I know who Rusty Wallace is, too, and actually know the backstory behind it.”
Meanwhile, catcher Tyler Stephenson ordered special gear for the game that pays homage to his favorite actor, Will Ferrell, and the movie, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.” His chest protector was in the colors of Ricky Bobby’s race car from the movie.
“I was just thinking of stuff to do and reached out to the EvoShield people. I was thinking of a NASCAR theme – and ‘Talladega Nights.’ It’s a classic movie. They did a great job and decided to wear it.”
The other Reds catcher, Jose Trevino, also went with the movie racing idea. Trevino had special spikes made that resemble the look of Lightning McQueen from the Pixar animated film “Cars.”
An MLB-themed racecar waits for first pitch. (Getty)
The Braves’ radio team of Ben Ingram and Darren O’Day got dressed for the occasion:
Before the game was delayed, there was a concert that featured musical performances from country superstar Tim McGraw along with pop artist Pitbull and country music star Jake Owen.
To celebrate its upcoming 250th birthday in October, the U.S. Navy was front and center with MU1 Kathryn Dobyns performing the national anthem with the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard providing the colors. The flyover was four Navy F/A 18 Super Hornet jets from VFA-103 of the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach.
It was a Hall of Fame themed ceremonial first pitch that represented both clubs. Former Braves third baseman Chipper Jones was scheduled to throw out the pitch to Big Red Machine catching great Johnny Bench.
Both managers — Brian Snitker of the Braves and Terry Francona of the Reds — raved about the environment leading up to the game.
Francona and Pitbull also had a hilarious pregame encounter.
