I was watching that final WS game. If you’ll recall, star hitter David Justice had bad-mouthed the fans who were unenthusiastic, which was (at least at the time) absolutely true. So I went to a Halloween party with my fiancée (first wife, not Sally). It was at my friend Chuck’s house right off Little Five Points. Chuck didn’t give two shits about any sportsball, and he only had an old black and white TV. Me and another guy insisted on putting it on anyway. Only a few of us watching. And who hits the game winning HR? Why, David Justice. He challenged the fans, they responded to the challenge, so only fitting that Justice nailed a homer to win the game 1-0. I mean, if you were writing that, it would be too unbelievable . We spilled into the streets for an impromptu celebration. Apparently I wasn’t the only hipster to love baseball.
David Justice was the ultimate "mixed feelings" Brave ... some days I didn't like him much, for just the reasons you mentioned. But he sure came through when it mattered!
Thanks Tommy for giving me another Braves moment. My favorite one is Sid Bream running from first to home to beat the Pirates and win the NLCS. I screamed so loud I woke up my husband. He thought I was being murdered!! RIP Ted. Thank you for helping me love the Braves!
Tommy, a wonderful column -- and just that nightmare we all have. To write something and have another development rear up, to see the death of Bobby Cox. I'm going to be so presumptuous as to put the link to my Substack column on Bobby here for you. To Ann Hannah's post below, I was sitting in the press box as that was happening, next to a Pittsburgh writer who was working on deadline and all but had his gamer written before that fateful inning. He screamed loud -- but inside. And my write something and have it blow up, I did a flowery column on the old Braves' reliever Terry Forster my last day covering spring training, raving about the great impact he'd have. The desk even stripped it across the top of the sports front, for a PM paper. Driving home from Florida the next day, news came on the radio that the Braves released Forster. Now, for my Bobby Cox piece: https://markmccarter.substack.com/p/the-night-bobby-cox-became-a-grandfather
Such a great posting today...and then to learn about Bobby Cox...Your writing just hits so perfectly for me most weeks...these last two especially...thanks again for your words...loved the intersection of songwriters, good music and old Braves baseball folks!
When they played on the West coast, my grandfather, a retired dairy farmer in Anderson, SC, would go to bed at his regular time and set his alarm so he could get up and listen to them (lose most likely) to the Dodgers (or the Padres, etc.)
I was at that game in 1985, and it was insane! I was 14 years old, and we lived only about 10 minutes from the stadium. We had season tickets, and my Dad drove us home after that second rain delay. And then we drove back when the game started up again because we wanted to see the fireworks. We stayed until they fired them off at 3:55. The crowd went insane when Camp hit that home run, and then again when the game finally ended. It was definitely a night I'll never forget. Like you, I can name all the Braves players from that era of never-ending loses. Despite being an awful team, we always had one hell of a time at those games.
And now word comes that Bobby Cox has passed. A really tough week for Braves and baseball fans!!!
It sure was...
I was watching that final WS game. If you’ll recall, star hitter David Justice had bad-mouthed the fans who were unenthusiastic, which was (at least at the time) absolutely true. So I went to a Halloween party with my fiancée (first wife, not Sally). It was at my friend Chuck’s house right off Little Five Points. Chuck didn’t give two shits about any sportsball, and he only had an old black and white TV. Me and another guy insisted on putting it on anyway. Only a few of us watching. And who hits the game winning HR? Why, David Justice. He challenged the fans, they responded to the challenge, so only fitting that Justice nailed a homer to win the game 1-0. I mean, if you were writing that, it would be too unbelievable . We spilled into the streets for an impromptu celebration. Apparently I wasn’t the only hipster to love baseball.
David Justice was the ultimate "mixed feelings" Brave ... some days I didn't like him much, for just the reasons you mentioned. But he sure came through when it mattered!
I rabbit-holed into Colbert’s “Colbert Questionnaire,” which prompted some surprisingly good responses. Would enjoy hearing your answers!
I'll have to go look at the questions ... I've seen little clips but I don't think I've ever seen the full list. This is a good idea!
Thanks Tommy for giving me another Braves moment. My favorite one is Sid Bream running from first to home to beat the Pirates and win the NLCS. I screamed so loud I woke up my husband. He thought I was being murdered!! RIP Ted. Thank you for helping me love the Braves!
Oh, my, Ann, that was THE BEST. The great Barry Bonds could not throw out the slowest player in the history of the major leagues. Great. Moment.
Sid Bream ruined my childhood.
Sorry to bring up painful memories, Bill :)
Tommy, a wonderful column -- and just that nightmare we all have. To write something and have another development rear up, to see the death of Bobby Cox. I'm going to be so presumptuous as to put the link to my Substack column on Bobby here for you. To Ann Hannah's post below, I was sitting in the press box as that was happening, next to a Pittsburgh writer who was working on deadline and all but had his gamer written before that fateful inning. He screamed loud -- but inside. And my write something and have it blow up, I did a flowery column on the old Braves' reliever Terry Forster my last day covering spring training, raving about the great impact he'd have. The desk even stripped it across the top of the sports front, for a PM paper. Driving home from Florida the next day, news came on the radio that the Braves released Forster. Now, for my Bobby Cox piece: https://markmccarter.substack.com/p/the-night-bobby-cox-became-a-grandfather
That's a really fine column, Mark. And a perfect description of Ryan Klesko :)
Such a great posting today...and then to learn about Bobby Cox...Your writing just hits so perfectly for me most weeks...these last two especially...thanks again for your words...loved the intersection of songwriters, good music and old Braves baseball folks!
Thank you, Beth ... ESPN posted their Bobby Cox story exactly one minute after I posted this newsletter. What a strange moment.
I've been a Braves fan since birth more or less. That's a LOT of bad baseball. I love the way you've captured so much of that here. Thanks, as always!
I remember listening to them lose game after game on the radio ... but it was still a pleasant experience somehow.
When they played on the West coast, my grandfather, a retired dairy farmer in Anderson, SC, would go to bed at his regular time and set his alarm so he could get up and listen to them (lose most likely) to the Dodgers (or the Padres, etc.)
Yes, yes, yes, Lyle Lovett should be on all the songwriters lists!
I’m reading this Saturday evening, and Bobby Cox passed earlier today. My heart is crying for our Braves.
What timing ... they posted the announcement right after I sent this out.
And now, Bobby Cox has passed away.
You got me again. Watching YOUTUBE baseball = no never. Only for you Tommy. If YOU say its fantastic it is beyond that!
Ha! I'll only send you to the best places.
I was at that game in 1985, and it was insane! I was 14 years old, and we lived only about 10 minutes from the stadium. We had season tickets, and my Dad drove us home after that second rain delay. And then we drove back when the game started up again because we wanted to see the fireworks. We stayed until they fired them off at 3:55. The crowd went insane when Camp hit that home run, and then again when the game finally ended. It was definitely a night I'll never forget. Like you, I can name all the Braves players from that era of never-ending loses. Despite being an awful team, we always had one hell of a time at those games.
An unforgettable night. I watched part of it on TV but went to bed long before Rick Camp came up...