Good Story

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/or...x.ssf?/base/sports/121082190374480.xml&coll=7

 

When I read of NBA player like Baron Davis signing a 5 year contract for $65mil, it makes me hate the game. That is just vulgar...pure & simple.

When I read of a kid like Carlin making $2500 a month (before taxes) w/ a wife & a kid...$65,000 a month makes me smile.

 

That really is a great story. The guy is living his dream

 

Being a life-long hardcore Reds fan, I hated w/ a passion the "Braves Braves Braves" affection during their glory stretch. People who don't know which end of the bat to hold suddenly were wearing "A" on their hat & rubbing success in my face.

But I have to admit that I'm a closet admirer of Maddux, Smoltz & Glavine. They have to be the 3 classiest teammates ever. Their character outshines their baseball acumen.

 

Ukey- you have to understand that prior to the Braves run, with the pitchers that you mentioned, Atlanta was considered "Loserville USA" according to Sports Illustrated. Every sports team in Atlanta was terrible. To even imagine the Braves winning the WS and having a parade down Peachtree Street was something so far fetch that a Braves' fan couldn't even dream it.

Those three players were the cement behind the success and they just happened to be "great character" guys, as well....not to difficult to cheer for them. So, one last time to make you feel at home:

Braves! Braves! Braves!

 

Braves, I know all about the historic woes of the Braves. Growing up I lived within an hour of Cincy...& my Pop was/is a Redleg to the bone. So (not exagerating) I saw the Reds play about 10 games a season from the mid-50's through the 80's. I've been to 4 different World Series.

So I missed the 'Spahn & Sain & pray for rain' tandem...but I've witnessed just about every Braves player since....including Mr Spahn & Henry & Adcock & Matthews & the Alou brothers & Niekro & Garr & Murphy & Horner. (I saw Henry tie the Babe's record in Riverfront in 1974...Electric!!).

My distaste today is only directed at the Band Wagon bunch. Seems they've all evaporated the past couple of years since the Braves have become mortal.

Warning: The Reds shall rise again! NL title in next 2 years. Book it.

 

1991 - A Very Good Year

We were living in Atlanta in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Prior to 1991 we would go to Braves games and buy the cheapest ticket available and they would ask you to sit near the field to make it look better on TBS. The vendors only came to those sections in Fulton County Stadium - if you went up to your seats you had the place to yourself.

In 1991 my son was born.
In 1991 the Braves started their run of consecutive divison championships.
(Not that there is any link between these two events !!! )
For many years, he thought they just win their division every year and the playoffs were a part of the season. As steady as peanut butter and jelly for lunch...

Played golf one day with Glavine and Smoltz after a charity golf tourney in Atlanta - a group of us went out to play an extra nine holes after the tourney. Great guys, great golfers and will cut their leg off to beat you in a one dollar bet !! I thought I was competitive..not in the same league.

What a world !! Go Braves !! Francouer can't hit .240 forever...

 

Operative phrase: Prior to 1991. You sir (and your son) are true fans whom I greatly respect. Through thick & thin...True to the end.

I've infected my son w/ the Reds too...and his memory dates back to the early 90's. Ugly Ugly Ugly. And yet we watch every game all summer. Suffering & hoping.

Next year...what a great game baseball is.

 

Well, Ukey, I can share a couple of Red's experience with you:

- There was a time when Pete Rose was not liked as a rookie. His "hustle" after walks was met with disdain by teammates and opponents.

- Vada Pinson...one of the coolest names in baseball.
- The real "Nuxie...nor "Knucksie"
- When I was a youngster, I actually attended a game at Crosley Field. I always loved, instead of a warning track, they had a hill to climb.
- I attended an opening game in Cincy. For those that don't know, kids get out of school for that day. It was sunny and beautiful, then snow, then sunny, then Cincy won.

 

I must admit, I loved going to the Braves games in late 80's. They were terrible...just traded Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz and brought up some rookies: Dave Justice, Ron Gant and this hockey player, Tom Glavine. I had my very own section (LF), not seat. I had my very own concession guys/gals and about 15 mascots (why they had so many, I don't know) to entertain Braves Jr.

The best part is I could actually have "talks" with Pete Rose in LF, but my favorite was Gary Mathews. I actually knew him from earlier days and I would sneak him a couple of hot dogs....and he would always give my son a ball.

I went to one game sitting out in our own section in left field and I could hear the 3rd base coach yelling. They said the attendance was 637, but they had to be including the season ticket holders who weren't there.

....ahhh, those were the days. Oh and get this. Tickets were $1.00 for general admission (you could sit anywhere you want), you could bring in your own box filled with Varsity hot dogs and a cooler full of drinks...God Bless Ted Turner