Fun time tonight at the Ted, watching the Giants beat the Padres on the big screen with a thousand other fans.
Ceil didn't decide to go to Passion Church until late, and we didn't leave for the 6 pm service until 5:40. Made good time, and dropped her off downtown at the Tabernacle around 6:15. I hate paying for parking downtown, so even though the Braves postgame radio show said the REO Speedwagon concert had ended, I cruised down to Hank Aaron Avenue. The stadium gates were still open, so I slipped in.
The outfield seats were cordoned off, but I saw the crowd of die-hards gathered around the dugout. Made my way around, and joined the fun. The Giants were ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the 8th. Posey homered, drawing cheers from the Braves fans. The other scoreboard showed the SF/SD line score, pitcher, and batter.
Between innings the big screen showed Braves commercials, and showed live shots of the team watching in the clubhouse. I got "McCann's Cans" to pose for a picture. I chatted to one of them, a Tech student who admired my Boston Braves cap and GT jacket. On the field a small crowd was also gathered: security guards, the ground crew, and others.
The crowd became more animated in the top of the ninth, doing the chop and cheering every strike. The Giants retired the side, and the crowd erupted. The Braves won the wild card!
Immediately the big screen cut to the Braves clubhouse, where the team was celebrating. Champagne and beer flowed, and hugs were in abundance. David Ross was interviewed, and he graciously thanked the fans. Tim Hudson spoke next, saying all he knew going into the game was that he would be giving his all. Billy Wagner called it "a blessing" and credited the team behind him. While Ross and Hudson spoke, their teammates delighted in dousing them with champagne.
As Wagner spoke, the other Braves were making their way off to the left. I looked on the field, where photographers were training their cameras on the dugout. Much to the delight of the crowd, the Braves came out, turned, and waved. They took off down the first base side, high-fiving the crowd. Then they looped around and gathered together on the first base line, still hugging and pouring champagne. Tommy Hanson rocked his playoff cap backwards, snapping photos with a camera. Jason Heyward wore sunglasses, to protect his eyes from the bubbly. Alex Gonzalez watched his young son dart around the field, in a tiny number 2 jersey.
Brian McCann celebrated with his mom. Then he broke from the pack and jogged behind the plate, waving up to the stands for someone to join him. his dad appeared, and they shared a big bear hug. Brian looked goofy in his baggy shorts and white, knee-length baseball socks. He and Chipper were interviewed, drawing more cheers.
The Tomahawk Team had been standing by with Tshirt cannons to shoot into the crowd. The Braves players commandeered them and began firing, some with more success than others. Frustrated, Freddie Freeman finally flung a frock fanward. A player held high a new big "2010" wood pennant, soon to take it's place in the outfield with the other pennants signifying Atlanta playoff appearances.
Finally the man of the hour appeared. The biggest cheers and chants had been saved for Bobby Cox. He came out and doffed his cap. Players hoisted him on thier shoulders. The people on the field jockied to have their picture taken with him. At one point Bobby held a baby girl for a photo. Bobby's wife was at his side.
It was 7:45 pm. Some of these fans, and all the players, had been there since well before noon. I was supposed to go to the game, but an emergency kept my friend out of town. I thought about going anyway, but instead used the afternoon for errands and rest, hanging on every pitch from the couch.
Made it back to the Tabernacle to pick up Ceil just as the service was letting out.
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