While I was there the Pittsburgh Pirates held a tryout camp and I had to fight off the temptations to visit with my fellow scouts to attend. My wife put her foot down and said this is what we come here to escape, no way are you going to “just watch” the Pirates. So I got to watch like everyone else, on the evening news.
The Braves released some of f and on the field events that have happened recently, well it finally happened, Tom Glavine. Not much ore to report about this at this time. Schafer was sent back to the minors for “A while.”
Don’t forget, fans can vote for their favorite Braves for the starting lineups for this year’s all-star game, scheduled for July 14 in St. Louis. The deadline for submitting ballots is July 2. Braves on the ballot are Brian MCcann, Casey Kotchman, Kelly Johnson, Yunel Escobar, Chipper Jones, Garret Anderson, Jordan Schafer, and Jeff Francoeur.
Braves hall of fame broadcasters Pete Van Wieren and the late Skip Caray was inducted into the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame on June 6th.
Looking non unlike a mini-turner field, Gwinnett Stadium hosted it’s first game April 17th before a capacity crowd of 10, 427 fans. Opening night was highlighted with fireworks, a flyover, parachutist and player introductions as the Atlanta Braves and minor league baseball welcomed the former Richmond Braves to their new home about 37 miles northeast of Turner Field at 2500 Buford Drive In Lawrenceville. I bet you didn’t know that when Dale Murphy played for the Braves he lived in Lawrenceville at Townly Place.
Dale was quiet the humble superstar when playing with the Braves and he was in demand as a speaker and for various other request so his time was important to him so he kept his address private just for those reasons. I spoke with a great friend of mine Wednesday night and she told me she was Dale’s neighbor and when her attorney husband was dating her he was a huge Dale Murphy fan not knowing Dale lived next door. She finally told him.
Former Braves player David Justice who once appeared in an episode of the soap “All my Children” may make a return to acting in a movie adapted from the book Moneyball. Shooting is supposed to begin this month.
This weeks question comes from Amanda in New Tazewell and from Kellie in Harrogate Have you realized all of your dreams in and out of baseball?
Amanda and Kellie every dream I have ever had has come true a 100 times (except one). I have been blessed beyond belief. The Lord has been good to me. There have been tremendous struggles and it has not been easy by no means, it became easy when I decided,” If it was meant to be it was up to me.” I will decide what kind of day I will have not anyone or anything else. Once my thinking changed things just fell into place. I know you want to know the one dream that I’m still seeking, right? Well, that is a private matter, maybe I will reveal it in an upcoming column, as for now only one other person knows and that person is…
Johnny Smith is a native of Claiborne County and under contract with the Atlanta Braves.
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