Braves vs Phillies: 9/18/09 Minor League Players of the Year
by 10-4 on Sep 19, 2009 7:47 PM EDT
13 comments
I went on down to Turner Field on the 18th to see what I had thought would be a big game back when i picked out my tickets in the spring. Thanks to Vladimir Nunez, I was wuh-rong. But this night was also to celebrate the Braves Organizational Players of the Year. Depending on your Fan Confidence Vote, you may or may not enjoy these pictures. They had an autograph session beforehand, and I got there around 5:30 to make sure that I got some good autographs. I took some pictures of the guys, and to avoid banning from Talking Chop, I will post them along with a few anecdotes from the game.
We'll start by going through the line. I didn't get pictures of Andy Otero or Edinson Sanchez, who were both from the Dominican Summer League. It was funny to watch them, they've obviously got a long ways to go in signing for people. It took them a while to sign, and they seemed to speak little to no english. They responded to "thank you" by nodding and smiling.
Cory Gearrin and Matt Crim:
I had one ball for everyone to sign except Heyward. So i decided that i wanted RSF's on the sweet spot, just to see how he would sign. I handed him the ball, and said "sweet spot", and he just looked at me like "Really?" Also note the guy with the Chino jersey. I really really hope this was a Jersey Off Our Backs winner.
Yoel Campusano, JJ Hoover and Cory Gearrin
Matt Young, Kyle Cofield, and Campusano trying to figure out why this man has a Chino Cadahia jersey.
Heyward, Kimbrel, and Barbaro. Kimbrel's ladyfriend was at the end of the line observing everything, and my wife saw her look at him and say: "I'm so proud of you!"
The fruits of my labor:
So that was it for that session. Before the game, all the guys were to be honored on the field. They waited in the dugout, and were talking with some of the players. One guy who really seemed to be enjoying himself was Tommy Hanson, who was chatting it up with all the guys, and kept straightening their ties for them. Unfortunately, my seats in 401 did not permit me to catch it on film. Nor did it catch Kris Medlen catching the first pitch with his backpack on. The pics below are just shots of the guys as seen on Bravesvision:
And Dan Aykroyd sang "Take Me Out to The Ballgame"! I was a little disapointed they left out "Ghostbuster" in his accolades.
So in closing, i hope you enjoyed these pictures. Here's one more of our congenial Number One Prosepct:
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Very, very nice!
I didn’t realize this event was happening yet. I’ve made it the last two……I hate it that I missed this year, so I especially appreciate the pictures! Rec’d!
by secondbass on Sep 19, 2009 8:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You totally rock 10-4. Excellent pictures and thanks for sharing.
Sounds like you had a great time!!
by Sparhawk on Sep 19, 2009 9:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I was hoping RSF would have some sweet signature, guess not. Thanks anyway.
by blitzerlover on Sep 19, 2009 10:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lyke OMG
Its Jason Heyward @ Turner Field! OMGZ! OMGZ!
Nice post. I cant wait for the AFL to start so I can head up there and see Sir Heyward play.
Frank Wren for GM of the Year.
"Wait, bait and bash." - Jason Heyward's personal philosophy.
by mvhsbball on Sep 19, 2009 10:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great stuff man. Love Barbaro’s autograph; minimalist. That last shot of Heyward is sweet. Nice to see he hit the sweet spot for you, since I’d heard he stopped doing that.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Sep 20, 2009 1:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good stuff...
love that RSF really signs RSF.
And what is it with the disrespect the Dominican League gets around here. Left out of the pictures, left out of all the daily minor league updates, they just get no love down there. (said with half-sarcasm)
by Mr. Sanchez on Sep 20, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i took one of Andy Otero on the big screen, but it was blurry and he was walking, so i left it out. I’l tell you what, especially those Dominican league guys, they really make you feel old.
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
by 10-4 on Sep 20, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nice shots! Heyward looks so accommodating in that last pic, like a salesman. “Hello Braves fans, would you like to try some of my OPS in right field?”
by brndn on Sep 21, 2009 2:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Excellent post!
Especially that last shot of Heyward. Man, that’s a great one! I had a conversation with RSF (or as I’m going to have to call him, Are-seff) about the initials/name thing. I’m betting he gets that a lot. I missed the on-field ceremony, so I’m glad you included that – I was down by the bullpen. Sorry I missed Meds pitching with the backpack on – he’s gotten pretty attached to it, or either didn’t want anyone stealing his Oreo sticks.
Here’s a pic of Andy Otero and one of Edison Sanchez, a shot of the other guest at the park that you didn’t mention (the Geico caveman- wtf?), and a shot I took of Akroyd (hope that weight gain is just for a role).
by Lizziebeth on Sep 21, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Glad you got my back! Yeah, what the hell was up with the Caveman? He even won the Dance for Your Dinner contest! The shot with Heyward was a surprise-its actually a crop, because he’s actually posing with a friend of mine who went through the line later than we did, we were just waiting on her to go through. But he did let a guy come around to his side of the table and pose for a picture right after me too. I was surprised they let people do that since they had Gameday photos at the end of the line taking pictures also.
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
by 10-4 on Sep 21, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That contest was so rigged it was ugly! Hey, get photos any way you can, and crop, crop, crop. I’m kinda surprised they allowed that, too. Doesn’t usually happen at the Ted, so it’s too cool that you got it!
by Lizziebeth on Sep 21, 2009 8:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
excellent!
Thanks for the post and the pics! Sorry we missed it. Didya get one of JJ Hoover on the Bravesvision? We already can’t wait for next season.
by rbravesfan on Sep 24, 2009 9:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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