BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Atlanta Braves took home the MLB Speedway Classic trophy on Sunday after defeating the Cincinnati Reds, 4-2. The game resumed Sunday afternoon following a series of delays and an overnight postponement due to rain Saturday night.

The Braves’ locker room was rumbling with excitement following the matchup, where players told News Channel 11’s Nick Dugan that they were proud to be a part of MLB history.

“No, I like playing these special games, like I said, something a little different,” Braves first baseman Matt Olson said. “It breaks up the monotony a little bit, but yeah, it was fun.”

Second baseman Ozzie Albies told Dugan that his affinity for cars made the game at the racetrack extra special.

“I’m a car guy, too, so definitely excited,” Albies said Sunday. “It means a lot for the whole team here. Everyone is excited we got to play in this stadium and also get a ‘W’ today.”

When asked if he would want to participate in an event like this again, Albies said, “1,000 percent yes.”

Outfielder Eli White took the team on his shoulders and brought in two home runs for the Braves. It was White’s second multi-home run game; his first was in 2021, when he hit his first-ever professional home run.

“You know, growing up playing in the backyard, those are the moments you always picture yourself being in and visualizing,” White said during the post-game conference.

“And so just to be in the moment, but then also to come through for the team is huge. And, you know, I was definitely trying to hit one homer today. I didn’t really know two was on the bingo card.”

Just before midnight Sunday, Braves Pitcher Hurston Waldrep was called to travel to Bristol and take the mound in the Classic.

Waldrep arrived in the Twin Cities just before 10 a.m., pitched over five innings, and is leaving with his first MLB win.

Perhaps one of the most surprising local ties to Sunday’s game, home plate umpire Will Little was born and raised in Johnson City. Little attended Science Hill High School. He said making history and calling the balls so close to his family’s home is something he’d never imagined possible.

“In our job, every game, being from here, has always been on the road – it’s somewhere,” Little said.

“For family to come travel is always a big thing, but to have something right at home – I never saw this as being a possiblity … the idea of having 90,000 surrounding, and having my family and close friends right at home – to be a part of that is very special for them and obviously means a lot to me.”