May 19 Braves/Nats

Came back Friday afternoon for my second straight game.

Mat LJ at Yearwood's office, and made the long walk past the Marriott (below right) across 75. Here's the view looking north from the bridge. Note new SunTrust Park sign on the left.

Stopped to check out the Braves hall of fame section of the commemorative bricks just outside the ballpark.

Just to the left of the diamond above was Bobby Dews' brick,

laid in a section of other late Braves alumni.

Close up of the Braves dead hall of famers.

We were early, so we walked around The Battery. Here's a view of the Chop House Gate looking from just outside Antico Pizza.

Checked out the Baseballism store in The Battery. Expensive non-MLB licensed designer baseball themed T-shirts and caps. And $15.00 socks, which seems to be the going rate these days. Not impressed. Nice Babe Ruth statue, though.

Cute little rich kid made a point of being first in line. Note stacks of bobbleheads beyond the gate. Talked to Larry, the usher who a view years ago took me from the upper deck down to a seat behind home plate.

The Inciarte bobblehead depicted Ender's 2017 game-saving catch in centerfield against the mets at Citi Field. I had a ticket, plus Kevin traded me one for last week's Gwinnett Star Wars bobblehead. Sold both before the evening was over. Helped Kevin gather bobbles during pregame.

Saw several other friends before the game in addition to LJ and Kevin: Darrell, Johnny, Sandy, Katie, Coach, Michael, Danny Downing, and even Thomas and Holly. Hugged my usher friend. Was parched from the heat, and downed two Coke Zeros. Was in position to snap a picture of the relievers on their way to the bullpen, just after greeting starting pitcher AJ Dickey and his batterymate Kurt Suzuki.

Couldn't find Kevin and Katie, so LJ and I found a cool spot on the top row of the third level. Nice breeze in our face.

Wore my Braves Vision polo and new tomahawk cap. My feet were sore so I wore my most comfortable shoes: the old school New Balance 993's.

Sat right behind a Mexican concession stand. Noticed sour cream dripping out, and to her credit the employee cleaned it all up.

Noticed a long line and wondered what it was for.

People were waiting to get outside to smoke.

The ballpark looks great all lit up at night.

Crossed the pedestrian bridge over Windy Ridge Parkway (below right) and looked back one last time. Got home and drove Anna to Roswell to pick up her Jeep. As I crested the hill above the stinky Kroger for the first time I noticed the glow of the SunTrust Park lights on the horizon.