Phil Niekro Night

The usual heavy traffic up 85 north to Coolray Field. Got there early enough to be waved into one of the closest parking spots. Pulled in just as a thunderstorm rolled in - cooling the afternoon air. Luckily my car was not hit by a foul ball.

Ran into the Coach up at the gate. He detailed his whirlwind trip last weekend to Myrtle Beach. Standing in line last Friday night before the gates opened with Katie, Michael, and Bobby, the four debated whether to go. Coach and Katie left SunTrust Park at 8 pm, drove up 85 north (perhaps they stopped by Katie's place in Cumming), made it to Charleston by 3:30 am, left at noon for MB, attended the Pelicans game, and made it back to Cumming by 8:30 am. Coach still had to drive to Warner Robins. Coach said Kevin was buying Heyward bobbles for $5.00 - that's cheaper than Gwinnett bobbles.

There was a super long line to get Phil Niekro's autograph,

so I snapped a photo instead.

With nothing to do while the grounds crew readied the field, I got in the back of the autograph line. Made several friends, including the guy in the old blue cap above. He had a vintage poster to be signed. Chatted with a dad and his son. Behind me was a young man from Macon, who now lived in Montgomery. Later his wife (from Portland) and two year old son joined him, and the talk turned from ballparks and autographs to child-rearing. Befriended a retired usher from Pensacola, and talked to LJ. As we all suspected, we were too far back for an autograph. 

To our dismay, Phil had been ushered down to the field to throw out the first pitch. He warmed up with a youngster (below), then retreated to the dugout to autograph balls for the Little league team in light blue.

After being introduced, Niekro climbed the mound to the pitching rubber,

then walked down to the front of the mound.

Then wound up, and... 

 ...tossed a knuckler for a strike.

 After the pitch Niekro struck a familiar pose,

drawing cheers from the crowd.

After shaking hands with the catcher,
Phil made a point to greet the umpires.

Sat in the right field corner with LJ (left) and Johnny (right).

Coach and Katie had second row seats by Gwinnett's on deck circle.

Norman snapped a picture of the lineups, studded with prospects:

Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuna, Rio Ruiz, Lane Adams, & Lucas Sims.

Former Braves Phil Gosselin and Joey Terdoslovich played for Indianapols,

whose hitting coach was Butch Wyneger.

When a line drive rocketed into our little corner

one of Johnny's grandsons picked it up.

The ball came in so fast that young Saylors (below) started crying...

...but he recovered nicely.

The red T-shirt said "Yes, it's me."

Batting left-handed, Ozzie Albies hit a home run

just over the right-centerfield fence onto the berm.

With glove on, Hugh sat at the ready.

Good talking to him. Hugh had studied the lineups of both teams,

and knew who was hot. Just like always.

Gift shop had team issued fidget spinners.

And MLB Fourth of July socks. I passed.

 Took my black adidas Campus sneakers out for a spin. It was hot. 

Super long lines before the gates opened, stretching further than I'd ever seen - around the third base side of the stadium. I had several bobbles to get, and absolutely no help. Didn't get as many as I needed to get.