Talking Points

Entered a contest to go to a Braves game with AM 680's Chris Dimino. Didn't win but I wanted to be ready with talking points in case I had. Here are my very rough notes.

Cubs fantasy camp: Jimmy Piersal, Pepitone, Drabowsky (had read about him in a book), Huntley, Cardinal, Beckert, Santo. Catcher Gene Oliver was like Uncle Charlie Weaver from Hollywood Squares. Campaneris. Manager Jim Marshall. Playing baseball was fun, but sitting around listening to those guys talk was the real treat. Chicago's Mike North.

I asked Denny Neagle about the alumni game with the imposter Chris Woodward and Neagle's face lit up. Bobby remembers everyone and he couldn't place that guy. I kept score of that alumni game!

Met Dale Murphy. He called me "cousin!"

Hot Stove in Cumming: umpire Marvin Hudson, guy was at Maz HR game, scout, Ga State coach Greg Frady, who coached thr German team. Those old guys go to day games, SABR conventions, minor league road trips, etc.

Will: 680 athlete of the week…two triple plays…caught HR ball at Turner…ECB…Cooperstown…Weiss saw him hit in the cage…pitched 1-hitter at old Engle Stadium as a 9th grader for varsity…attended the 2000 ASG clinic at GT with Killebrew, Skok, and Steak.

Steelers coach Danny Smith hangs out with us at the beach. Just missed out seeing Randy Johnson's perfect game. Was there for the Cole Hamels, Pappelbon no hitter on Labor Day. Had a long MLB streak broken. Was supposed to go on 9/11/2001. Back then had the young kids and traveled for work.

Bobby Dews should be in the Braves HOF. Glavine has more sac bunts than any other pitcher. Maddux has the most for a righty pitcher. Phil, Joe Niekro, Smoltz also near the top of the list. Guys today don't square around like Maddux used to.

As a kid had a Braves bday party. It was the Saturday game of the week. Set record for most HR in an inning. Clemente Stargell Aaron etc. Every year my family would attend the Falcons training camp at Furman. Coach Norm  Van Brocklin took my brother out on field, called him his little buddy.

Attended 1st WS game vs Twins. Last WS game at AFC vs NYY - Leiritz HR. Playoff vs Astros - Clemens lost. I'm friends with the Chocolate Papa & Lemke's friend Darrell. The Chief works at my Kroger, we talk baseball.

In AFC LF bleachers...
...Rico Carty backed up rundowns & made 3rd putout of triple play.
…Sonny Jackson replaced Aaron, hit backstop in the air, tipped his cap to heckler.
…Komminsk grand slam during Goody's home run inning.
…opening day loss to Big Red Machine. Fans drinking beer out of a women's shoe, fights. Gonna be a long year.
...out on field before game for photos in 67.
...Banner night, bat day, etc.

Was at Falcons game when…
…Dave Hampton gains 1000 yards, gets ball, then thrown for loss.
…beat 12-1 Vikings in last game of season. Joe Kapp.

Attended games in Tampa, STL, Arlington, Houston, RFK, Wrigley, old Comminsky, Fenway, Shea, SF, Baltimore, Augusta, Macon, Greenville, Chattanooga, Rome, Gwinnett, Myrtle Beach, Athens.My dad played football at Grady High for Erk Russell
 
Books: Torre, Pete Van Weiren, Mariano, Glavine/Mussina, Catcher in the Wry, Brees, Tom Cochlin, Belichik The Punch, Arnie, Feinstein on the Minor Leagues, Mike Shannon, Tony Dungy, Gehrig, Jim Abbott, Zim, Summer of 75, Mantle, Wakefield, Hammer, Smoltz, Chipper, Bunts, Moneyball, Summer of 49, Clemente, Garagiola, Faithful by Stephen King.