Braves 5 Cubs 2

I had fun at the Braves game last night. I was sitting around and decided to drive over early. Walked around The Battery and was able to go into the Braves Team Store. Forgot to look for a new keychain. I did see a fun Blooper shirt.

Checked out the memorial to Bobby Cox and Ted Turner - both their jerseys on display. Flowers on the Bobby Cox statue. I saw my old friend Darrell. Hadn't seen him in over a year, I don't think, but he recognized me. Walked down to the red parking deck, but the Ford Bronco display hadn't opened yet. 

Walked back and sat in the shade near the Roxy Theater to people watch. I was wearing my 1977 Ted Turner #27 Braves road jersey, and at least four people went out of their way to compliment me on it.

I got in line way too early, but still was able to people watch, and chat with the fans around me. Super fan Norman Warrick walked by, and he stopped to chat. He was dressed out in all his Chocolate Papa gear. The fans around me were impressed. 

All sorts of fan gear, and lots of Cubs fans. Quite a few Dansby Swanson jerseys. I only saw one Speedway Classic cap all night.

Got inside and took a clockwise path around the ballpark. Stopped in the A List office for a bag for the giveaway Hawaiian shirt and game program. I'd been given two pairs of pink sunglasses, that I saved for Shivonne and Millie. Scored a white Braves t-shirt at the Chevy display, and a free designated driver Coke. Later I received a free Dr Pepper Zero as well.

The Cubs were taking batting practice, so I thought about taking a seat in the bleachers - but I was ready to sit in the shade. Kept walking clockwise and eventually up to my seat in section 412. The breeze made it kinda chilly. Lots of people were wearing their Hawaiian shirts to keep warm. 

A nice pregame tribute to Turner and Cox. Both teams lined up on the baselines to watch the tribute videos. A man with a bagpipe played Amazing Grace. Terry McGuirk announced that the Braves would wear a number 6 on the back of their caps. Fans were upset that the team hadn't mowed a huge number 6 in the outfield grass, forgetting that today's celebration was for Turner as well.  

This was also Breast Cancer Awareness Night. There was a pregame parade, and the mother in law of Braves reliever Dylan Lee, a breast cancer survivor, threw out the first pitch. Interesting that Lee was wearing a red belt, instead of navy.

A good game. The Braves only allowed one hit (a home run).

Riley and Yaz slugged homers for the Braves.

It was my first time at a game for a pitching change, when the lights are turned off, the fans do the tomahawk chop, and a spotlight is trained on the relief pitcher coming out of the bullpen. 

The Braves bullpen has a 3.20 ERA, the best in baseball. They shut down the Cubs for the final five innings.

Braves have the best record in baseball, and lead the majors in batting average and runs scored. All this despite Strider having only made two starts, Acuna and Harris missing time, and no contributions from Schwellenbach, Smith-Shauber, and Profar. Catcher Sean Murphy just returned, but now will miss another 8 weeks with a hand injury. But some fans still complain.

Fans were mad when the Cubs overpaid for Dansby. He's hitting .200 and batting eighth. Braves fans were made when the Yankees overpaid for Max Fried. He's out of the rotation with a sore elbow. He breaks down every year.