Braves Phillies Game Two

 Had to meet up to sell a bobble

so I bought a cheap $9 ticket to Wednesday's Braves Phillies game.

 Happened to run into Will at the game.

He was there with his friends.

Busy day at work. No rush to get to the game (no bobblehead giveaway). Left work at 4:30, grabbed a free burger at Cheeseburger Bobbys (with purchase of fries and drink). Traffic not bad on 285. Despite the blister on my foot I hobbled the mile and a half to the park. Spent some time with Miss Marion. Grabbed the free season ticketholder Hank Aaron bobble. Met up with the bobblehead gang, who were there to pick up $65 special ticket set of the four Home Depot Tool Race bobbles (I'd passed). Dusty, Kristin, Bobby, Coach, Katie, Darrell, Norman, the old couple from McDonough. Got my free designated driver Coke Zero. Went upstairs to my seat. Sold the Hank bobble for $34 and met up with the buyer.

Charlie Culbertson and family made an appearance, much to the delight of the crowd - many of whom were wearing Charlie jerseys and t-shirts. Culbertson accepted the Roberto Clemente Award for his charitable work.

Will, basketball marvel DJ, Joel, Josiah, David and Charles Norman. I hadn't checked on Will's whereabouts, but saw Joel's post. Didn't know where they were sitting. Went downstairs to see a friend in section 218. On the way I ran into Joel and Josiah. That's when I learned Will was there. Spent the rest of the game with the buds. They'd brought umbrellas to open when Josh Donaldson came to bat. They were shown on the ESPN game broadcast: Charles, Joel, David, Will, Josiah, and DJ.

The six had all played basketball in high school together. Interestingly, one of their old teammates was sitting in the same section: Gerald Perry Jr, the son of the former Brave. Gerald Senior was there as well, and he looked great. The Perrys stopped to say goodbye as they left.

Besides Perry, former closer Mark Wohlers sat in the section. Will's former coach George White was there with Leo Mazzone's son. Also Ronald Acuna's translator (below right). In the 9th inning Joel and Josiah moved down behind the translator, and had a little chat as the rest of us looked on in amusement.

Will, DJ, Joel, Josiah, David. All but Joel are married and live near each other in West Atlanta. Josiah is the only one with kids so far. After the game I took the guys down to meet Miss Marion at the First Base Gate.

With the blister - and since I try to wear a different pair of shoes to each game - I wore my Hoka running shoes, heavily cushioned. I call them my Herman Munster shoes. When David Norman first saw me he looked down to see what shoes I was wearing.

Legendary usher Walter Banks had been on the field before Tuesday night's game, presenting the Walter Banks Hospitality Award. After the award, manager Brian Snitker walked over and stood next to banks during the national anthem, then gave Walter a hug. Banks was using a cane. Not sure if he will return next year. Last Saturday the Chocolate Poppa saw him out and about at a charity game. Wednesday I told Miss Marion she should've won the award. Every time I stop to see her there's several other fans there to see her.  

Long shadows over Mark Lemke's brick. Unlike Garber, Lemke's brick is surrounded by commemorative bricks bought by fans.