ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – On a warm spring day in Atlanta, you can almost smell the freshly cut grass inside Truist Park. For most baseball fans, this is perfection.
But for grounds crew chief Ed Mangan, there is always work to be done on the ‘ole ballfield.
“We have the fertilizers, the chemicals, the fungicides, the insecticides and things like that, that we have to control and monitor on the field as well as a pumping system, a drainage system, an irrigation system. All that stuff has to be maintained,” Mangan said.
The grounds crew spent the entire day Thursday cutting the grass, dragging the infield dirt and washing the pollen off of just about everything. It’s a labor of love for Mangan, who works about 15 hours a day during the season.
“I like what I do. I like the biology part of it, I like the science part of it and just working with your hands and being outside,” Mangan said.
Friday’s home opener (7:15 p.m. on Braves on Gray) marks the 35th season for Mangan. He’s been with the organization dating back to the good ole’ days at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. So, what’s his secret to success?
“Now I can’t please every person in that clubhouse. You can’t please every person in your house, let alone in that clubhouse, but what I want is consistency and safety, so they know every day when they come out here every day, they know this is how it’s going play, this is how it’s going to react,” Mangan said.
And with the playing field in mint condition, one can only imagine how good Mangan’s yard looks at home.
“I don’t have any grass in my yard at all. It’s all mulch,” Mangan said.
HOW TO WATCH BRAVES ON GRAY
Gray Media will simulcast these 15 Atlanta Braves games throughout the Southeast this season.
Fans can watch the Braves on Gray by tuning into PeachtreeTV, Atlanta’s CW Network. Fans can also watch games on YouTube TV, over the air on channel 17.1 and on channel 17 on Dish Network and DirecTV and channel 7 on Xfinity and Spectrum.
If you are in another market outside of Atlanta, you can find your channel at BravesOnGray.com.
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