From The Southside of Chicago

A lot of people like to keep track of their TTM auto requests. Nothing against those people, but I just never got into it before this blog. While its not the reason I do it, there is one positive outcome of not doing it: I love getting TTM's back that I forgot about. Case in point, these beauties I sent before Mark Kotsay was traded to the Red Sox in 2008:






2008 was probably the one of the worst season's I've endured as a Braves fan, but there were small highlights, like Mark Kotsay hitting for the cycle in an Atlanta jersey against the Cubbies. He also landed us Braves fans Lois Sumoza, although he cost the Braves one of my personal favorites, Joey Devine.

When In Rome...

Over the past few years, I've been able to see a few Major League players work their way back from injury via the Rome Braves. They are usually the only way I'll make an unplanned trip to a MiLB game due to the relatively short announcement of the rehab assignment and it actually happening. With the typically small crowds, it's easy score a MLB players autograph.

Why am I telling you this? Well, because Monday night was the first night of Jordan Schafer's rehab stint with the Rome Braves. Jordan is coming back from a wrist injury that cost him the majority of his rookie season. Some might not know this, but he wasn't completely overwhelmed last season. I'm sure he wasn't exactly comfortable either, but most of his struggles can be pin pointed back to him fracturing his wrist at the Braves home opener last year. Hopefully he can regain his wrist strength and be the players us Braves fans know he is!

Joining us autograph hounds and baseball fans this evening was Braves GM Frank Wren, who I'm assuming was anxious as the rest of us to see how Jordan would fare in his first real game back.



As always, the required view from my seat:


Since I was so close to the field, it was easy to get a few picture of Mr. Schafer. Unfortunately the net didn't want to cooperate.




Final Score:


W: Jack McGeary (2-0)
L: Ryan Weber (0-2)

Notes from the Game
David Hale had a good start for the Braves. Outside of this game this year, he's struggled pretty bad. Hopefully this will get him going in the right direction.

Jordan looked pretty good at the plate, beyond his first at bat where his bat didn't leave his shoulders. After that, he put the ball in play each time and finally found a hole in the 9th with a nice, solid, line drive.

Of course, being an autograph collector, I stayed afterward and got a few signatures. Jordan was friendly with everyone after the game and didn't mind signing at all. Can't get much better than that

Julio Teheran


Jordan Schafer


Jordan Schafer

Brief Blog 'Bout Biscuits

Minor League Baseball stadiums in Alabama aren't the greatest. The Hoover Met, home of the Barons, is nice, but likely the blandest stadiums I've been to. Hank Aaron stadium in Mobile, home of the Bay Bears, isn't much better and the seating is horrible. The suites are located on field level while the regular admission is in the 2nd level. I've also heard, but have not confirmed myself, that Huntsville anything worth seeing either.

However, one city was able to get it right. The city of Montgomery had no problem surpassing the rest of the state's MiLB stadiums with River Walk Stadium. The stadium is actually an old train station, which automatically makes it the most unique ballpark I've ever seen.

Of course, I didn't go just for the stadium, as the AA Mississippi Braves were in town. I didn't get any autographs, as I was with a friend. Nothing wrong with just taking in a game every now and then. A few pictures

Cody Johnson before the game:


The View From My Seat:


Final Score:

W: David Newmann (1-0)
L: Scott Diamond (0-2)

Only a few notes from the game, as the Braves offense kept quite all day. David Newman didn't get a pitch over 86 all day, but kept everyone off balance with a nice change of speeds with his curve.

Cody Johnson didn't strike out, but was WAY to aggressive. He tried to pull everything and I don't believe he made solid contact all day. Poor approach from start to finish for him.