It's easy to gauge our feelings about the Atlanta Braves and their players based on what they do on the field, and within the organizational boundaries.  And occasionally we tend to forget that, hey, they're people too.  Sure, what they do on the field, can bring us great joy, massive anxiety, or a whole lot of anger, but when the day is over, those things are inconsequential when it comes to the things they do off the field.

On May 22nd 2009, the Atlanta Braves teamed up with Publix Supermarkets and brought us the first of five "Shop with the Braves" promotions that benefited the Atlanta Community Food Bank, where people made donations in monetary contributions or canned goods, while they got to meet Atlanta Braves players for autographs, and/or just to watch them go around the grocery store doing blue collar tasks such as working the deli, assisting in handing out samples, or bagging groceries.

Up first for the Braves this time around, was closer Mike Gonzalez, centerfielder Jordan Schafer, and pinch-hitter extraordinaire Greg Norton.

The event was quite simple.  You, the customer bring 15 canned goods, and/or make a minimum $15 contribution to ACFB, and you stick around and meet the players, get autographs, take photos, and watch the players help out around the store.

Between 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm, the three players would take 30-minute meet and greet shifts, and two 30-minute shifts working around the store.  The initial line-up was Greg Norton, Jordan Schafer, and then Mike Gonzalez.

Jordan Schafer

Well apparently, Mr. Norton had some issues with Buckhead traffic, and was a tad late to the event.  No problem.  Being the good teammate he is, Schafer put himself into the lead-off spot (not hinting at anything here), and met with the fans first.

Schafer was quiet and polite, and I'm glad I got there early enough to where I didn't have to wait a great deal.  If I had any regrets, its not getting a number from the girl with the pink bat in front of me, despite how much we were chatting, because ladies, I got no game but anyway.

I asked Schafer a question:
How did you feel when Jon Miller and Joe Morgan were calling you "Logan Shaver" on ESPN during your Major League debut?

His response: (and he sounds kind of like Keanu Reeves, when being candid)
Well, I didn't know about it until after the game when my family was calling me to tell me. Said with a smirk on his face.

Very cool and collected.  And also clearly a candidate for a team heartthrob, because there were more squealy little girls in his line than anyone else's.

While trying to flirt with the girl with the pink bat, I caught Schafer working the sandwich booth inside.  As you can see, squealy little girls are not the only ones that he attracts.  But he was cool about the event, and when someone asked him why he wasn't working the slicer, he joking responded that aside from baseball his hands were useless, so both the store and the Braves didn't want him doing anything other than standing and serving.

Greg Norton

Norton wasn't that late to the event, but when he arrived, he wasted absolutely no time in getting straight to work.  From the moment I saw him walk through the automatic doors, he was in the back of the store near the samples section ready for action and taking instruction for serving customers:

LOL'd at the hair net.  No knock on Norton, but I don't think he's got enough hair to worry about getting in the food.  Joking aside, I love the fact that he's clearly not taking himself seriously that he has no problem looking a little silly in front of cameramen and cameras alike.

LOL'd at the expression on the woman's face top right.  She looks like a mother of a kid who couldn't be at the event thinking she's in the presence of Chipper Jones or something, not realizing it's Greg Norton.  Or maybe she's yawning.  Who knows.

Anyway, Norton was cool as hell, and like Schafer, I thought of a question to ask him:
How did you feel when you hit that big pinch-hit homer against the Mets late last season to send off Shea Stadium?

His response, after realizing it wasn't a generic question, and had to stop and think about it for a moment:
Good.  ...Real good.  Manual was my manager back in Chicago (White Sox, 98-00), and he used to rip me, so it felt really good to hit that one.

Totally awesome answer.  Couldn't have asked for a better one.

Mike Gonzalez

Unfortunately for me, I came to the event with only two baseballs, and I had nothing else in my possession to get signed, so I had to forgo getting anything signed by our closer.  Put it this way, the event was winning by a margin of more than three runs, so despite the fact that he wasn't needed to make it any better, he came out to close anyway.

As I'm sure many people can attest, Mike Gonzalez IS Mr. Intesity.  He's always looking so serious and, well intense.  He really should come out to the Ultimate Warrior's music or something, out of the bullpen.

But unlike the Warrior, Gonzalez isn't nuts, and in fact, despite the serious demeanor, probably had the biggest heart there.  He's gone on the record, and talked about how if he could meet any player dead or alive, it would be Roberto Clemente, he of the most charitable player ever, to where they have an award named after him to signify great charity.

Gonzo bagging groceries.  No knock on Schafer or Norton, but no player showed more enthusiasm for their duties for the afternoon like Gonzalez did.  You all know how impatiently rockingly Gonzo is on the mound during a save situation?  That's kind of how he was like inside of Publix.  He bagged food quickly and efficiently, and before you know it, his line was empty, because he had already gotten through the customers that quickly.

Mike Gonzalez is the kind of guy, pleibian men like me should hate - he's amazingly good looking, rich, and plays baseball for a living being blessed with that left-arm.  But I don't hate Mike Gonzalez.  I love Mike Gonzalez.  And seeing him in action in the afteroon made the REAL save he earned later that evening against the Blue Jays that much more awesome.

Okay, so I actually have two regrets.  But not getting the number of the girl with the pink bat is still the top one, but I really wish I had a baseball to have gotten signed by Mike Gonzalez as well.

The event as a whole, if you couldn't tell was enjoyable, and I certainly hope that the Braves and Publix were able to earn a substantial contribution for the ACFB to where they would easily consider events like these as no-brainers for future seasons.  Because despite the privilege it is to see our players earn their keep on the field, it's even better to witness their character outside of baseball.

There will be four more of these, throughout the season, and if I can make them, I'll make them all, and do similarly.  I'd advise anyone within the Metro Atlanta area to come out and do the same, you won't regret it.