August 12, 2001
This is the recap I wrote on August 12, 2001 about the first Braves game I attended:
Nicki and I left Savannah about 9 am. She forgot her wallet as we were just about out of Savannah major and we had to turn around to get it. We stopped in Metter to eat and gas up, stopped in Dublin to use the rest area, and stop in Forsyth for film. Around Jonesboro, there was a traffic tie up on I-75 south that all the people on I-75 north had to watch.
We got to Turner Field about 1:20 and parked in the lot that was home of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. We stumbled across the street to the box office and were surprised how quick it was to get my tickets at will call. After getting the tickets, we go into stadium but we can't get to our seats yet.
So we stand in the area we can and I got some merchandise. Got a program, a pennant, a key chain, another Braves hat, and a magnet. Need something for work. If money were no object, would have gone to the big event sale of items they were selling but I'm just a young girl who could hardly afford this.
Still can't get to our seats but that's ok. Braves are out on the field practicing. All Nicki I can make out from where we were were #24, Marcus Giles, and #2, Rey Sanchez. We had the best view of them. I call Tamm right then and there about it. I was very excited to be there.
Finally at 2, they open the gates to the rest of the seating. Nicki and I hustle our way to our seats. We sat Section 111L, Row 27, seats 101 & 102. Not to shabby. But hardly anyone was in our area. So we go from Row 27 to Row 1 to watch the rest of the Braves practice.
Nicki took the camera and started taking photos of what she could. She said she took mostly photos of Sanchez, Mark DeRosa (#16), and whoever else was at practice. I didn't stay around the whole time because I was soaking up the view and walking around. Yeah, I was sort of dancing to Goo Goo Dolls' "Broadway" at one point.
We did have an encounter with Greg Maddux (#31) sort of. This kid came down to get him to autograph the ball and Nicki & I were sitting down by the dugout taking in the views and all and Maddux was heading out towards the dugout. The kid was next to us. Didn't get an autograph but Maddux did tap the ball. He looked at all of us as he did this. He may have been more than 5 feet away but it was a pretty close encounter with a future Hall Of Famer that holds the current most innings pitched without issuing a walk record. I don't think I'll forget that.
Bad shot but this is Mark DeRosa (#16). He played shortstop that day.
Marcus Giles (#24). He played second base.
Another bad shot but on the left is Greg Maddux (#31) and to his right is Marcus Giles.
Of all the Braves at the workout, Nicki and I got closest to Maddux.
This is Rey Sanchez (#2). He was a pinch hitter that game. He's one of Nicki's favorite players.
Sanchez, B.J. Surhoff (#15), and Giles waiting for batting practice.
Another bad photo but this is catcher Jazy Lopez (#8)
I promise, we had better views!
The big screen for when Ken Caminiti (#11) was up to bat. Ken's another one of Nicki's favorite players.
Ken Caminiti again. This was one of his last games as our first baseman.
After the Braves left the field to give it to Arizona, we just sat in our seats talking. Before the game, Maddux and B.J.Surhoff (#15) were presented with framed jerseys for milestones in their careers. Maddux for win 250. Surhoff for RBI 1000. The game started a few minutes later.
I'll just link a recap to it. Ok, now reading them, Dave Martinez's (#14) hit wasn't a triple but it was still fun to root for Giles to come in. Sadly, that was the only score for Atlanta.
I will say, being off the first base area, Jason Marquis (#38) was on the bag!
Speaking of being off first base area, the dugout area we sat was the equivalent of the field seats at *NSYNC. Had to have your ticket to prove you could sit in that area. And they had a service similar to room service there. It took me off guard but I liked it.
We stayed for the whole game. Javy Lopez (#8) was out last batter. We figured he'd get out but you could still hope for a miracle like the Indians had earlier. DeRosa was up in waiting to bat incase it was his turn. Nicki was like, oh does he just assume he's going to bat? I had explain that we would never know so it was best he did go up there.
And that was about it for my day at Turner field. I'm hooked, I'm telling you. I don't think I can go for the rest of the 2001 season, but maybe I can start planning a spring training game and a few 2002 season games.
