There were about 1,300 to 1,350 there over about 140 tables with former and current Braves spread out, one to a table for those lucky enough. The podium was in the middle of course. So where was my table? Well, there was Chippers table up front with his kids, parents, grandmother, aunt, and (very hot) girlfriend. The second table back was Hank Aaron and Ted Turner. Then my table....third back...with Jason Heyward as our Braves representative.
Great event...Hank Aaron had some nice words as did Bobby Cox and Dale Murphy. Was loving it and Jason seems to be a real nice kid. I asked him who had a better arm, him or Justin Upton. Didn't crack a smile or hesitate...said "Me!" I asked him who had the better arm, him or Simmons. Didn't crack a smile or hesitate..."Andrelton!"
Mostly we left him alone, but he was very nice and engaged as much as really possible. Shook all our hands when he left. Like I said. Just seems like a nice kid. Seemed to like that I remember he played his high school ball a little south of Atlanta in Henry County.
Anyway, it is not every day you get to attend an induction into the home-town team HOF. And being it was Chipper (did I mention his girlfriend was hot?), well, he did end up with more RBI's than any other 3rd baseman in history and the only switch hitter to end up with 400 HR and an over .300 BA (both sides). And we go a numbered autographed lithograph...only about 1,400 in existence.
Every once in a while you get lucky. It was good to be there.
