Hot Stove Minutes

Wednesday I attended the North Georgia Hot Stove League November meeting at the Tallant Baseball Museum in Forsyth County, north of Cumming – a fancy name for Johnny’s basement. I knew to enter the side door and parked on that side of Johnny’s house. Johnny immediately broke away from his conversation and gave me a tour. Banner, bobbleheads, figurines, boxes and notebooks of baseball cards, dozens of caps, bats of all sizes, jerseys and jackets, framed photos and puzzles, banners, and more. He had me sign a calendar recording my attendance and handed me the small wood bat inscribed “Tallant Baseball Museum” that all first-time visitors receive.

 

Johnny called the meeting to order, noting the group had been meeting since 1992, and for the past ten years in his basement. The purpose of the group is merely to get together in the offseason to talk baseball. Since most were retirees, dress was extremely casual. I had worn decent work clothes (slacks and dress shirt) to impress any actual luminary who showed (none did), so I was overdressed. Attendees included:

 

Johnny is the ringleader, past president of the Braves 400 Club. Wore his usual T-shirt, shorts, and ball cap.

Hugh is Johnny’s older sidekick at all the Rome and Gwinnett games. Wore his trademark cap.

Arizona kept the meeting going with his stories. He had recently flown out to see four AFL games with Johnny, and was happy to report there were plenty on the tour “nerdier than us.” Wore a 70’s-era royal blue Braves warm-up jacket. Had a son who sang the national anthem at the season opener in Scranton, and a son who played minor league ball with several notable players he referred to by first name. His sons seemed to be in the know about Tommy Hanson’s situation and secret contract details he couldn’t share. Arizona knows AM680’s Braves beatwriter Kevin McAlpin, who couldn’t make it because he was just assigned to cover Virginia Tech’s arrival.

Son-in-law of Arizona has taught chorus at the same elementary school for 15 years. His kids sand the national anthem at a late season Gwinnett Braves game, and will be participating at the Gladiators Sing for Santa “with 900 other kids” he said, rolling his eyes. It was his first time to the museum as well, and Johnny happily gave him the tour. Son-in-law fiddled with his new bat the entire meeting. He was the only guy younger than me.   

Old SABR talked a lot / knew a lot. Used to live in Milwaukee. In September he went back for the annual Milwaukee Braves meeting.

Young SABR didn’t say much. About my age. Seemed nice. Might’ve rode with Old SABR.  

Big LA – I’ve seen at ballgames. An older, happy guy who didn’t say much.

Quiet Man sat next to Johnny. Seemed to know who everyone was talking about but hardly said anything.

Michigan – old guy in a grey T-shirt. Told a few stories.

Old Guy also in a grey T-shirt. Left early to get his grandkids.

Glasses came in late. He said he was Johnny’s age (65?). Didn’t say much. Wore adidas warm-up pants, boat shoes, long wavy salt and pepper hair, and stylish black eyeglasses. Could be me in ten years.

 

Johnny had Arizona introduce his son-in-law, then had me tell a little about myself. He referred to me as “Bobblehead” since that’s how we met. Besides the AFL trip, topics discussed included:

 

AJ’s signing. Most considered it a good move. I did not ask whether he could have two great years in a row.

 

Jason Heyward. No one had heard any rumors. I mentioned Sports Illustrated’s list of predictions but couldn’t remember where they had Heyward landing (Philly). I did remember Justin (Seattle), Cespedes (Angels), and Matt Wieters (Braves). Several noted Wieter’s experience as a closer at Tech, and joked he could improve Atlanta’s bullpen. He even had Tommy John surgery. This made me wonder out loud about the plans for Bethancourt. Everyone there was down on the young catcher. Several quoted professional scouts (this became a recurring theme). I could tell I was around people who had done their homework.

 

Johnny told the story of writer Gary Caruso commemorating the ten year anniversary of Sid Slide by going out to the Atlanta Stadium home plate and playing a recording of Skip’s call. The next year Johnny and others joined him, and it became an annual tradition. The crowd was down this year. Johnny took a grandson who ran the bases. Some wondered if construction might keep next year’s celebration from happening. I mentioned that next year the Braves might still be in the playoffs, and everyone laughed.

 

SunTrust Park: most had traffic concerns. Johnny had checked it out recently. I talked about my knowledge of the surface streets.  

 

Some asked why Fredi wasn’t there, since he was on the email list. Supposedly Fredi had attended SABR meetings in Atlanta and Philly. Jim Powell had also attended in Philly, where “they loved Fredi and Jim.” Johnny knows Fredi – gets his tickets from Fredi, so he will hate to see him go. Most figured next year would be his last, and discussed the Nationals one-year offer to Bud Black. Will Hart add Black to the Braves payroll like Fredi was added after his Florida firing?

 

Turner Field concessions: some saw a drop-off in quality. Someone mentioned that this year a new vendor was taking over for longtime vendor (50 years) Amarak, who would handle SunTrust concessions. Today I noticed an article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle detailing the transition. Later we discussed what statues would move, and I recited details from the recent AJC article.

 

These guys seem to get together for other events, including SABR meetings and trivia at Manuel’s Tavern. Supposedly Manual Maloof’s ashes are interred in one of the many bottles  The Braves January open house was discussed – both Smoltz and Glavine will attend, and possibly Bobby Cox. Was McCann’s annual Children’s Healthcare charity game moved from Gwinnett because he’s no longer a Brave?

 

Future meetings include Sunday December 6 (meeting up with the Ringgold group) and Wednesday December 9. Possible speakers include area college and high school coaches, as well as McAlpin.