SMYRNA, Ga. - The Atlanta Braves begin the 2018 season on Thursday with a season home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park.
The game also marks the debut of new Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos, who was hired away from the Toronto Blue Jays after an offseason of front office turmoil and MLB sanctions.
Opening day festivities began with a noon parade with Braves players and coaches down Battery Way and into the Chop House gate before their first batting practice for 2018.
There were also appearances from Braves alumni, pre-game tailgate at the Coca-Cola Roxy and a post-game party with a DJ.
The first 40,000 fans who enter the park will receive a 'Chop On' tomahawk presented by Coca-Cola.
PHOTOS | Braves Opening Day 2018
Also making his debut Thursday is Blooper, the Braves' new mascot. Blooper will be making his fuzzy appearance before the game, along with the Home Depot Tools and other street performers.
The first pitch will be thrown out by legendary Chipper Jones, and Grammy-Award winning Clay Cook will sing the national anthem. (Story continues below gallery.)
"Opening Day is an unofficial holiday in America, and we're thrilled to welcome fans back to SunTrust Park and The Battery Atlanta," said Derek Schiller, Braves president and CEO. "To celebrate the beginning of another exciting year of Braves baseball, we're pulling out all the stops for our fans. We want to invite everyone to come join us for what should be a memorable day filled with exciting baseball and performances."
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