My family and I moved to Atlanta in 1964. My dad was a traveling salesman and was usually transferred to a new city every few years but when he moved to Atlanta, he told his boss, “I’ll even take a pay cut, but don’t move me anymore.” Soon after that, the Braves and Falcons came to Atlanta. My dad thought it was his duty to buy season tickets, so he had season tickets to the Braves and the Falcons until 1985. In my youth, I was very often his partner to games. Both teams were so bad in the beginning that he couldn’t get any of his buddies to go with him. I didn’t mind, I got to spend time with my dad, who I adored, and I learned about sports which has served me well throughout my life.
If you follow sports, you always have something to say after you say hello. I love baseball, football (especially college football), rugby, and golf. I love all things Olympic sports and can carry on a conversation about most any sport. I never really got basketball, but I think I was influenced by being a tall girl that everyone said, “You should play basketball.” Only problem was I was a bit clumsy and every time I went up for a jump shot, I would buckle when I came down and sprain my ankle. It hurts even now when I think about it.
I can keep a box score, but I was far more interested in reading the bios of the players and coaches. So, as we enter this World Series run with the Braves, my mind is filled with memories of my youth, going to baseball games with my dad and cheering the Braves! The Braves are America’s team because of being on TBS all those years and the entire Braves season being broadcasted to every small town in America. The Braves still have the biggest turnout of a visiting team in every city they play in. You saw it in Game 1 of the World Series. I am hoping for a sweep, so stay tunes.
