Author Brad Hayes called me Saturday afternoon. He had an extra ticket to the Braves 400 Club banquet and silent auction, at the Marriott across from the ballpark. When I walked up he was sitting alone, talking to Leo Mazzone. We chatted for a long while. Then Brad walked off, and it was just me talking to Leo for another ten minutes.
Head baseball coach at Oglethorpe Kenn Grier walked up and joined our conversation. I talked to him for a while. Later when he accepted a $1500.00 check from the 400 Club, the coach quoted Andy Stanley. When Albany State head coach Scot Hemmings accepted his donation, he told of how he’d told his athletic director that he would somehow find the scholarship money to sign a key player in the next few days. Not 24 hours later the 400 Club called to say they’d be donating $1500.00. The Albany coach talked about what a blessing that was. Both coaches (and MLB umpire Dan Iassogna, who was the main speaker) shared how important their families were in their baseball journeys.
Hot Stove host Johnny Tallant was also at the banquet. He once received the coveted Mr. Baseball award, joining the ranks of luminaries such as Hank Aaron, Chipper Jones, Jimmy Carter, Dale Murphy, and Phil Niekro. Johnny is collegial and engaging (I was sporting a turkey neck, thanks to a dress shirt that was too small).
I also knew Howard Evans, but hadn’t realized he was the 400 Club president. Evans sits in front of my company's seats, and has attended Hot Stove on occasion.
Tenor Timothy Miller delivered the invocation, singing The Lord’s Prayer. Later Miller returned to lead the crowd in Take Me Out to The Ball Game.
Instead of giving a speech, Mazzone served as emcee, telling humorous stories throughout the evening. After the umpire spoke, Mazzone shared a couple of funny umpire stories, but made a point of saying what a great job they do. Various awards were given out.
Mentor / agent CJ Stewart, a former ballplayer and mentor to Marquis Grissom, Jason Heyward, Andrew McCutcheon, etc. gave a sport but inspiring speech. Three young members of the baseball team he mentors were at my table. Dottie, a distinguished older lady, was also at my table. She’s been to over 25 of these 400 Club banquets. The club dates back almost 60 years.
Braves director of minor league operations Ron Knight took time to honor the late scout Paul Snyder, who ate two slices of pizza at the same time, one flipped over on top of the other. When Snyder passed away, the director ate pizza that way in tribute. The Braves minor league pitcher of the year was Owen Murphy, who was already in Florida getting ready for spring training, still three plus weeks away.
Hayes won the bidding for a Ted Williams signed baseball (below). He also won the action for a Brooks Robinson ball. I lost out on the auctions for a Smoltz bat, Sid Slides bobblehead, and a Gwinnett Xolos Sugar Skull bobble. Another cool item was a baseball signed by hall of famer Buck Leonard.
Sports Illustrated article about Greg Maddux, named him the best right-handed pitcher in the last hundred years.
MIKE TROUT [B-R Bio] finished as runner-up in league MVP voting four times in a seven-year stretch. From years 2012 through 2018, Trout placed second in AL MVP voting in 2012, 2013, 2015 & 2018. He won the AL MVP in 2013, 2016 & 2019. He was the 25th player drafted his year, but no player drafted ahead of him has since played as many major league games. Trout’s 1,489 since the 2019 Draft easily tops second-highest Randall Grichuk’s 1,141.
Earlier I met the guys for lunch at the new East Cobb Longhorn. Great service. Good burger, though the bun was smaller than the meat. Also had a side salad.
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