ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves say they were surprised by a city spokesperson's reported remarks about the iconic statue of Hank Aaron outside of Turner Field.
The Atlanta Business Chronicle reported Wednesdays that Keisha Lance Bottoms, executive director of the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, said the statue would not be making the move with the team to Cobb County.
According to the report, Bottoms said that the statue would remain outside of Turner Field.
"I am pleased to have worked with our team and the Braves to finalize this issue," Bottoms reportedly said in a statement. "While there are other matters that must be resolved before the Braves exit Turner Field, keeping the Hank Aaron statue at home is a major accomplishment. We can now move forward with the transition of the stadium knowing that a part of Mr. Aaron's incredible legacy will continue to be appropriately honored within the city."
Bottoms said an internal review and Olympics-era documents stated that the statue belonged to residents of Atlanta and Fulton County.
However, Braves spokesperson Beth Marshall told 11Alive Sports:
"We were surprised by the release from Keisha Lance Bottoms as we do not have an agreement regarding the Hank Aaron statue. We believe the statue should be located wherever Hank Aaron would like it to go and we have stated this position to Ms. Bottoms. The Braves organization is committed to respecting his wishes and we are hopeful that Ms. Bottoms has this same position. We are in discussions with Hank, and once he makes his intentions clear to us, we will make the appropriate arrangements. Regardless, we will honor Hank and his legacy with the Braves in a significant way at SunTrust Park. Hank is and will always be a treasure to us and our community."
The Braves are set to leave Turner Field at the end of the 2016 season. With or without the bronze "Hammerin'" Hank overlooking them, the team will begin play at SunTrust Park, currently being constructed in Cobb County, during the 2017 season.
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