I admit, most of my blogging centers around one particular college football team, with a little southern humor and perhaps a life lesson threaded through the less than Queen’s English vocabulary. But today will be different.
Not that I won’t be thinking about the Tiger Prowl, or summer workouts. In fact, I could write about spending some time with a friend who used to play against Auburn, or an acquaintance I made with a person who’s father coached against them. But I’m not doing any of that.
Rather, I am going to be nostalgic. Baseball nostalgic.
I watched the Braves last night….trying so desperately hard to keep from getting swept by the Mets. Making a run in the bottom of the ninth after a typical Mets error….bringing Chipper Jones up to bat with the winning run on base. Oh, for the good old days…..but alas….Chipper isn’t quite the Chipper of his youth, and a long fly ball out ended the game. They looked like the Braves of old…..if you’re as old as me. The Braves BEFORE the streak…the wins…the World Series.
I remember when we used to go to old Fulton County Stadium and buy cheap tickets, then walk down close to the field because you and 1847 other people were the only ones there.
The year was 1979. A bumper sticker was floating around that said, “Go Braves…and take the Falcons with you!”
Ah, the good old days. Thirty years ago.
Do you remember the Braves roster in 1979? Let me jog your memory. The Braves opened the season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Starting pitcher for the Dodgers…none other than Terry Forster. When asked what he thought about the opening game against the Braves, he said, “Just look at him (Dale Murphy) over there. Doesn’t drink. Doesn’t smoke. Doesn’t take greenies. Nicest guy you’d ever want to meet. Hits the hell out of the ball, hustles like crazy, plays a great centerfield and isn’t trying to get anything from anybody. Doesn’t he just make you sick?!?”
Of course, in 1979 the Braves were still trying to determine if Murphy should be a catcher, first baseman, outfielder, or bench warmer.
And Murph’s teammates? Behind the plate were Bruce Benedict and Biff Pocaroba. In the outfield was Barry Bonnell, Jeff Burroughs, Gary Matthews, and subbing were Rowland Office and Brian Asselstine.
Infield was Jerry Royster, Glen Hubbard, Bob Horner and Darryl Chaney.
The pitchers that year included Phil Niekro, Larry McWilliams, Rick Mahler, Rick Matula, Eddie Solomon, Preston Hanna, Gene Garber, Tony Brizzolara, and Tommy Boggs.
The Braves were playing in the NL West back then, and the Big Red Machine won that division. The Braves? Dead last. 66 wins and 94 losses.
This was the year that Buzz Capra was released by the Braves.
This was the year that Dave Campbell was traded to Montreal for Pepe Friaz.
Fortunately, a little help was coming. Brett Butler was drafted in June, 1979, along with Brooke Jacoby and Paul Runge.
Last night I thought about how bad those Braves were in 1979. It felt a little bit like Déjà vu, as I watched the Braves of 2009.
Oh, yeah….one other thing. The Manager of the Braves in 1979? Bobby Cox.
WJLaneSR
1 comment:
I remember well the days of the old stadium too. I was there when Hank Aaron hit the home run to break the record.
I also remember the last time I went to a Braves game a few years ago in the new stadium, we had free tickets and parking and ended up spending $100 on supper. YUCK!
What has happened to America's pastime? We sure can't afford it any more.
Also, I think 30 years is enough. I think it's time for Bobby to go home and bake cookies.
Have a great day.
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