Tonight, the Atlanta Braves return home to Truist Park for a special series opener against the Chicago Cubs—and it's a game that carries a heavy heart. For the first time since the passing of two of the franchise's most iconic figures, the Braves will take the field to honor Ted Turner and Bobby Cox.

Turner, the visionary owner who bought the Braves in 1976 and turned them into a national phenomenon, passed away on May 6 at age 87. Just days later, on May 9, Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox—affectionately known as "Skipper"—died at 84, just shy of his 85th birthday. Before first pitch at 7:15 p.m., the Braves will hold a moment of silence and a video tribute to celebrate their legacies. More special tributes are expected throughout the night.

Turner's impact on the Braves—and on baseball itself—cannot be overstated. After purchasing the team, he launched the TBS Superstation, broadcasting Braves games into 24 states. As legendary Braves player Dale Murphy recalled, "Growing up, the game of the week was about it. To have a game on every night, wherever you lived... it was such a unique thing." That national reach is why you'll still find Braves fans packing stadiums across the country today.

And then there's Bobby Cox, the ultimate players' manager. He holds the MLB record for most ejections (162), but that wasn't about anger—it was loyalty. Cox famously said, "If they're giving 100 percent, they were always going to be backed by me. If they weren't, it was a different story." His players knew he had their backs, and that trust built a dynasty.

If you don't have tickets yet, they're still available for tonight's game. It's more than just baseball—it's a chance to say thank you to two men who changed the game and the city of Atlanta forever.