When it comes to standing in lines, I’d rather not. But each year around this time my daughter and I head downtown to celebrate that rite of unbridled hope that is Braves FanFest.
This year, instead of standing in a long, freezing line outside Turner Field waiting to get inside to stand in more long lines to get autographs from my daughter’s favorite players, the Braves made some changes. We stood in a long line INSIDE the World Congress Center, before standing in more long lines to get autographs from my daughter’s favorite players. Lines notwithstanding, I thought the Braves came up with some good ideas this year. But I watched some fans leaving who were clearly upset.
The confusion involved… the lines. More specifically, who the line was for. In the old, cold days, the Braves spread their players all around Turner Field. John Smoltz in Fan Alley; Chipper Jones in the 755 Club, etc. Lines formed quickly for the marquee players. If you didn’t get in line quick enough, you didn’t get a number, and thus missed out on any opportunity to see your favorite player.
This year, something much different: only two lines, but the Braves kept it a secret who you’d be waiting for. Every hour or so they’d rotate in a new player or two. This “Treasure Hunt” style of autograph signing was supposed to give everyone an even chance. It also gave some fans fits.
We stood in line for four hours. (That’s how much I love my daughter.) When we first joined the line, Jeff Francoeur and Brian McCann were at the other end. OK. They were eventually replaced by new relief pitcher Will Ohman and retired Brave Brian Jordan. A groan from the crowd. They’re replacements? Pitchers Buddy Carlyle and Mike Gonzalez. Word quickly spread through our line that the other line had Tom Glavine… then Matt Diaz AND Chuck James. “Unfair!” our line muttered. “My feet hurt,” I muttered. But we shuffled forward.
As we shuffled, the new system turned some of us into traitors, pulling against some of the Braves. Maybe, some hoped, different players would replace our pitchers by the time we got the front. Careful what you wish for. Carlyle and Gonzalez made way for… retired Brave Brian Hunter. I last interviewed Hunter when he was a first baseman on the 1991 team. Few other people in our line knew who he was. Open rebellion simmered to the top. One man with a visor loudly complained to a Braves official that he and his son had been standing in line for 3 ½ hours… only to get a single autograph from a player who hadn’t worn a Braves uniform since 2000.
We shuffled forward. Some fans in front of us urged us to go ahead and pass them, hoping they wouldn’t have to waste their line time for players they didn’t want to see. I figured Brian Hunter and I might have a lot of time to catch up. So we shuffled forward again.
But just as we shuffled to within viewing distance of the stage, Brian got up and left us. The curtain opened. The seas parted. Chipper Jones walked in. He just happens to be my daughter’s favorite player.
Our Treasure Hunt was a success. I still feel bad for the guy in the visor.
I spent all day Saturday working out in the yard by myself.
Not exactly by myself. Larry kept me company. Maybe for the last fall.
I can't tell you how many Saturdays I've spent in my life listening to Georgia football and Larry Munson.
As a kid mowing lawns in Athens or selling cokes at the games in Sanford Stadium.
As a UGA student and sportswriter at the Athens Banner-Herald. Larry seemed old to me back then, 25 years ago. Old, but uniquely great.
Now, at 85, he's cutting back to the home games. Retirement seems close, perhaps after this season.
I'm glad the UGA-Ole Miss game wasn't on TV. I'm glad it was just Larry and us. Kickoff at 1 PM like God originally planned it.
This may be the last game of the season like that. Larry and the Dawgs on a perfect fall Saturday afternoon.
Helping with the yard work.
One last time.
Got the picture?
