ATLANTA — After a thrilling 2007 season in which the baseball team finished second in the Division III World Series, the Eagles were recognized for their accomplishments at Turner Field on Monday night.

Under the lights of one of the Major League’s most pristine stadiums, Head Coach Mike Twardoski took the field as the Braves’ honorary captain for the night’s festivities. He shook hands with the umpires and exchanged lineup cards with Braves’ third base coach Brian Snitker and the visiting Marlins.

“I’m very honored,” Twardoski said. “But I was hoping the team could come out on the field. This is their night. I know that these guys were the best team in the country last year.”

The players were equally excited, sitting in free seats in the outfield as they watched the Braves rout the Marlins 11-6.

“It was great,” senior outfielder David Hissey said. “We had a lot of fun in the World Series, and it’s great to be recognized for it.”

Emory made it to the championship game of the World Series, losing 5-4 in 10 innings to Kean University (N.J.).

Emory shared the pre-game spotlight with a pair of Little League championship teams.

The evening’s events were organized by former Eagles’ ace Jason Glushon, who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics over the summer. Glushon now plays for Oakland’s Double-A club, the Midland Rock Hounds.

“He did it all,” Twardoski said of Glushon. “That’s why he’s so special.”

The game was big for Emory all around, as former president and Emory professor Jimmy Carter made an appearance at the game, taking his usual seat behind the Braves on deck circle. Carter, an avid Braves supporter, was well dressed but did not forget his red-brimmed Braves cap. Carter was proud that two of his favorite Atlanta institutions came together on the night.

“Emory is one of the greatest assets that the entire southeast has,” Carter said.

When the former president began speaking of baseball and his beloved Braves, his clear blue eyes widened and shone a bit brighter.

“The Braves have added a new dimension of athletic pride to Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas,” Carter said.

Carter jokingly admitted that though he is a fan of both baseball and Emory that he hasn’t kept up with the Eagles recently.

“I can’t say that I follow [the Eagles], I’m kind of apologetic in not doing that,” he said smiling.

Last season Emory went 43-10 on their road to taking second place in the Division III College World Series.

Emory’s new Athletic Director, Tim Downes was overjoyed that the team was being recognized on such a big stage.

“What a great, great honor, and well deserved,” Downes said. “You look at the successes of Coach T, and that’s our benchmark. We want to across the board compete on a national level and do it the right way. We want to produce the kind of kids he has produced both as athletes and leaders.”

Downes’ time at Emory has been short, but he has already fallen in love with the school, and the night’s events were just the icing on the cake for him.

“It’s an unbelievable place,” Downes said. “Students, athletes, staff all take great pride in Emory and I don’t think any of us take that for granted because it’s not that way everywhere.”