Goodnight Ted

Oh Ted.

We knew this day was coming, but it doesn’t make it any easier.

You’re gone, and it feels like an era passed with you.

Not your influence, for it will always be a part of Atlanta.

Not your imprint on local sports and media.

That is everlasting – not just here, but worldwide.

The era that passed with you is the time before Atlanta was Atlanta.

When it was an upstart city, on the come up but still rough around the edges.

You appeared.

You were an entrepreneur, a visionary, and an innovator.

You were funny, brash, and opinionated.

You were smart, savvy, and whimsical.

And there were a few times when you needed minding.

Many of us of a certain age remember when WTCG (later TBS) first came on air.

You starred in some of your own network’s commercials.

You in your gap-toothed glory wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

We remember when TBS became the Superstation.

We thought you were crazy, but you proved us wrong.

We thought you were crazy when you said you wanted to create a 24-hour news network.

We thought you were crazy, but you provided the whole world wrong.

We remember when you managed the Braves.

We thought you were crazy, and we were right.

You turned TBS into a media monolith, and by showing our Atlanta Braves games around the world, you made them America’s and the world’s team.

From an ad agency to a television station to buying the Braves and Hawks to winning the America’s Cup to creating CNN, you proved that what was a no way to others was a Hell, Yes to you.

You will always be a part of Atlanta.

We would not be who we are without you.

Even though you had many homes, laid your hat many places, you are as much a part of Atlanta as beautiful people and bad traffic.

It’s hard to think of our fair city without your influence.

It’s hard to imagine all the playoff games, the World Series win, the many joys, the intense sense of pride you gave us.

Yes, there were times that weren’t so great.

Managing the Braves.

Unsettling words and actions.

But taken in full, you did much good for Atlanta and the world.

You are gone, but you will never be forgotten.

Ted, take your rest.

We laud and applaud you.

Goodnight, Ted.

Goodnight.