Despite his hands shaking because of Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali dramatically raised the Olympic torch above his head, then lowered it to light the cauldron and open the 1996 Olympics to thunderous cheers from the sellout crowd. Twenty years later, that moment stands out as probably the most memorable one in the stadium to which the Atlanta Braves will soon say goodbye.After those 1996 Olympics, Olympic Centennial Stadium was quickly converted to baseball and renamed Turner Field, with Hank Aaron and Tom Glavine putting the home plate from Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium into place. Over 20 seasons, the ballpark has hosted 11 division series, four NLCS, the 1999 World Series and the 2000 All-Star Game. Unfortunately, Atlanta fans have never seen their team win the World Series there ... and they never will. The Braves will play their final game at Turner Field this weekend and move to a new ballpark -- SunTrust Park -- in the citys suburbs next year.The new ballpark will be the Braves third stadium in just 22 seasons.There was a time when baseball stadiums lasted for decades: Tiger Stadium (88 seasons), the original Yankee Stadium (86 seasons), the Polo Grounds (70-plus seasons), Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium (62 years), Forbes Field (61 years), etc. Then came the multipurpose stadiums that were built in the mid-1960s through the early 80s and lasted far shorter. Philadelphias Veterans Stadium was done after 33 seasons and Pittsburghs Three Rivers Stadium after a mere 31. Seattles Kingdome was home to the Mariners for less than 23 years (though some fans might wish that concrete dome had been the Ms home for an even shorter time).Beginning with the gorgeous Camden Yards in 1992, multipurpose stadiums were replaced by classic retro-ballparks that captured the feel of old-time parks but also had modern conveniences such as spacious concession areas, more comfortable seating, large video screens and (whew!) larger, improved restrooms.Unfortunately, we are already beginning to see teams demand new and even more expensive venues.In addition to the Braves, the Texas Rangers are pushing to have taxpayers in November vote to fund half of a proposed $1 billion stadium to replace their current ballpark, which is just 22 years old. The Arizona Diamondbacks want a nearly $200 million renovation at their 18-year-old stadium and have said they might move elsewhere if it isnt approved.Meanwhile, there is a nearly 2,000-year-old coliseum in Arles, France, that still holds events such as bullfights. If an arena built during the Roman empire still can be used for events, why not baseball parks that were built after David Ortiz began his pro career?Ballparks and stadiums gain love and prestige with age. The most revered stadiums in baseball are the two that are more than a century old -- Fenway Park (104 seasons) and Wrigley Field (102). Dodger Stadium is also cherished in its 55th season.History is deeply meaningful. Sure, the legroom in many of Fenways seats isnt great, but that doesnt matter as much as sitting there -- even if your legs are cramped -- and looking out to a field where Babe Ruth pitched, Ted Williams batted and Carlton Fisk waved a ball fair. Recalling Ernie Banks playing two or Sandy Koufax throwing a no-hitter on the diamond in front of you is far more important than being able to sit in a $5,000 luxury suite while nursing a $10 beer.There are baseball memories from Turner Field, of course. Andruw Jones bases-loaded walk in the 11th inning that won Game 6 of the 1999 NLDS and brought the first (and only) World Series to Turner Field. Chipper Jones homering in the 2000 All-Star Game. Randy Johnson pitching a perfect game (albeit against Atlanta). And the questionable infield fly call that went against Atlanta in the 2012 NL wild-card game that also was Chippers last game.Unfortunately, there simply have not been enough years at Turner Field to build better, more lasting memories ... the kind of memories that fill our older ballparks. Historic moments -- and the memories of them -- are what make ballparks special, not walled-off sections of box seats for privileged fans.Teams should not be constantly leaving stadiums and opening new ones that cost more, drive ticket prices higher and take away history. This is not 1930. Or 1970. Our stadiums are beautiful, in great condition (well, maybe not the 50-year-old Oakland Coliseum) and do not need constant replacement. Let fans sit and take in the history. Let them be able to one day say, Hey, this is where we won the World Series!It takes time for a stadium to gain character, heritage, feeling and a deeper place in fans hearts. Ballparks may not need to last 2,000 years, but they certainly should last more than 20 or 25.Scarpe Basket Paul George . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. Air Max 720 Edizione Limitata . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night. http://www.airmaxshoponlineitalia.it/scontate-lebron-james-outlet.html . William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period. Paul George Scarpe Nasa . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. Scarpe Air Max 97 Scontate . Oaklands loss to Seattle clinched the ALs best record for the Red Sox with one day to spare in the regular season. "I think everybody was kind of watching," catcher David Ross said. "Demp (Ryan Dempster) came out before he went to the bullpen and was just yelling that they lost.SEATTLE -- After the Seattle Mariners posted the biggest comeback in franchise history to win in San Diego 16-13 on June 2, they headed off to a series in Texas tied for the lead in the AL West.There was a buzz and optimism about the club. They were playing better than expected, were more entertaining than expected and were giving credence to the idea that maybe the longest playoff drought in baseball could come to an end after 15 years.Then the rest of June happened. And by the time the All-Star break arrived, the Mariners were 45-44, facing a nearly double-digit deficit in the division race as part of a season defined thus far by inconsistency.When Seattles pitching was strong, the offense lagged. When the offense picked up, the pitching often faltered. The Mariners were powerful away from home early in the season, but lost 16 of 20 road games heading into the break. They swept the first place Orioles at home, but were also swept at home by the last place Angels and last place Twins.Thats not to say there werent bright spots. Robinson Cano returned to All-Star form. Nelson Cruz has 23 home runs at the break. Korean slugger Dae-Ho Lee has been a pleasant surprise.There are a number of reasons why Seattle has gone from legitimate contender in the AL West to now trying to get back into the playoff discussion. At the root of Seattles struggles in June was the fragility of the roster created in the offseason.While the makeover that general manager Jerry Dipoto undertook with the Mariners after taking over at the end of the 2015 season created a more competitive, more versatile roster, there is still a lack of depth that was highlighted by key injuries to center fielder Leonys Martin, shortstop Ketel Marte and ace Felix Hernandez.Between May 22 and June 9, the Mariners defense was ailing with Marte and Martin sidelined. Seattle went 8-10 during that stretch and it was the beginning of the downward ttrend that saw the Mariners finish June at 10-18.ddddddddddddHernandez, meanwhile, has been out since June 1 with a calf injury. Combined with other injuries, that left Seattle putting together a makeshift rotation for most of the last six weeks.Not all lost is for Seattle. They are only five games back in the AL wild card race and after an eight-game road trip in late July the schedule becomes far more favorable.Here are a few other things to watch for as Seattle enters the second half trying to climb back into contention:FIND AN OUTFIELDER: The Mariners expected Nori Aoki to be their leadoff hitter and left fielder the majority of the season. But Aokis struggles at the plate could not justify keeping him in the lineup. Thats left Seattles outfield rotation thin and in need of an experienced option in left field. That is likely the top priority for Dipoto prior to the trade deadline.LAY OFF THE BULLPEN: Seattles bullpen was taxed in the first half of the season, especially in June when the starting rotation struggled to pitch beyond five innings. The Mariners relievers made a combined 248 appearances prior to the All-Star break and threw more innings than manager Scott Servais wanted. The overuse began to show in June during Seattles swoon after the bullpen had been an area of strength the first two months.GET THE ROTATION HEALTHY: Hernandez wasnt the only starter to find his way to the disabled list in the first half. Left-hander Wade Miley and young righty Taijuan Walker also landed there for short stints. Nathan Karns started in the rotation before getting demoted to the bullpen because of his struggles. Hernandez and Walker are expected to return shortly after the All-Star break and both need to rediscover the top form they showed in spurts earlier in the season. ' ' '
