Bob Hope talks about the Braves ostrich race

Bob Hope, the Braves former PR and promotions director, talks with Bill Shanks about the ostrich race the team did in the mid-1970s.
Bob Hope talks about the Braves ostrich race
Bob Hope talks about the Braves ostrich race /

The Braves had to have a lot of gimmicks in the 1970s. They were not very good, so they needed special events to get people into Atlanta Fulton County Stadium.

This included Carl Wallenda, of the Flying Wallendas Trapeze Artist family, walking over a tight rope across the entire stadium. It includes wrestling matches in the old picnic area. They even had weddings at home plate.

But ostrich races?

Former Braves promotions director Bob Hope shares the story of how he convinced team owner Ted Turner to wear a jockey’s uniform and raced on top of an ostrich. Yes, it actually happened. Believe it or not, Ted Turner was on top of a racing ostrich.

The Braves got their announcers, Ernie Johnson and Pete Van Wieren, involved as well.

Turner was a charismatic character who, believe it or not, did not want to get on top of an ostrich. He thought it was actually beneath him. Well, he turned out to be right when he agreed to do the planned promotion.

Many fans may remember Turner running up and down the stands at Fulton County Stadium. The heck with having someone else bring his beverages. Ole Ted would go get them himself, glad handing and high-fiving the fans along the way.

That was Ted, and he’ll also be remembered as the team owner who raced an ostrich back in the day.

Listen to The Bill Shanks Show weekdays at 3:00 p.m. ET on Middle Georgia’s ESPN. You can listen online at TheSuperStations.com. Follow Bill on Twitter at @billshanks and you can email him at thebillshanksshow@yahoo.com.


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