Old Timers Day

Saturday Ceil went to the Braves game with me. M and A didn’t want to go, so C felt sorry for me. I was ready to go by myself. I’m pretty sure it was her first game since Ozzie Guillen played for the Braves.  

The alumni softball game included Niekro, Dale Murphy, Smoltz, Denny Neagle, Sid Bream, Francisco Cabrera, Marty Perez, Otis Nixon, Terry Pendleton, and many more (a few I’d never heard of…Sullivan?).

I think that at the last minute a few non-92 Braves were moved over to even out the teams. Marty seemed to have a rough day, at the plate and in the field. They finally moved him over to first base. I kept hoping Hank Aaron would appear out of the dugout and bat just one time, like a Kirk Gibson moment.

The “managers” played it like their personalities. Nice guy Dale batted himself last, just after Knucksie. Smoltz batted himself first, just before Otis. Then shortstop Smoltz sprinted into foul territory and made a lunging catch, robbing the elderly Niekro of an at bat. At the plate it seemed like Smoltz was trying to pop up, swinging for the fences instead of trying to hit a line drive over the fence. Smoltz was all over the place, making diving catches. Niekro pitched the first inning, then sat out the rest of the game. He was one of few players wearing a full uniform…most were in shorts.

Marvin Freeman hammed it up. Pete Van Weiren would interview several principals during the game, but unless they announced who was batting, it was hard to tell Brizzoleira from Nitkowski from Alvarez.   

We arrived at the park shortly after 12:30, then there was no BP. We walked around a little, then sat in RF and watched the alumni warm up. After Hanson gave up his first hit to Johnson, we left our seats at the end of the inning and walked the around behind the plate and out the left field exit, a half inning after Simmons flew out to center (5 pm).

When we left Turner Field we went drove down Memorial Drive to Decatur . I’ve lived in Atlanta 35 years and had always heard of Tech High, but never knew where it was until we drove past it. Went to the Dekalb Farmers Market. I had woken up sneezing Saturday, and it just got worse and worse as the day went on. Went to bed around 9:30.

I did watch the Smoltz ceremony on TV….I thought it was nice as well. I guess Maddux spoke at lunch. Looking forward to the show with highlights from the luncheon. Some of those Foxworthy quotes were hilarious.

At the game used store they had several McLouth jerseys, and one Luis Salazar jersey. Several jerseys with the Ernie Johnson patch.

I’m looking forward to that Lincoln/vampire movie, and perhaps that Alex Baldwin rock movie. Watched several movies last weekend.     

Will spent the weekend in Jackson Mississippi, helping move MC’s sister into an apartment. Matthew has a basketball camp all this week, in the mornings.

Joel Norman and Haley Hurt are sitting behind the plate at tonight’s Braves game.

Friday night Ceil cooked homemade pizza. Then I drove Matthew to the bank, BP for gas, Home Depot, TJMaxx, WalMart, and two Krogers looking for a RedBox movie. That took up most of the evening.

I was still weak Sunday. Watched the Braves, and the Tony Awards. Joel came over and played cards, the piano while Matthew played guitar.

Will spent the weekend in Jackson Mississippi, helping move MC’s sister into an apartment. Matthew has a basketball camp all week, in the mornings. Also games Tuesday and Thursday.