Spring Swan Song - Ed Smith Stadium

Decided to hit one more Spring game before the boys head north for the Summer and brought my daughter along with me for Daddy/Daughter time. 

Don't let her stink face fool you she had a good time.  It was pouring down rain the whole way down until right before we got to the stadium the sun came out. 

She got her ball signed by 5 guys including Eddie Perez as shown here. 

Tyler Flowers also came over and signed for both of us.

We headed down to the bullpen to watch Matt Wisler warm up just before game time. Once he headed out to the mound I spotted Daniel Winkler and asked him if he could sign this card for me.

He did as well as my daughters ball, he signed for every kid waiting for him to leave the stadium as well later that night. He pitched a scoreless frame in relief, striking out the side in the eighth. 

Rain sucks but man does it make for some pretty sunsets after. 

We were already out way past get bedtime so I took my daughter down to where the players get on the buses for a few more autographs. I caught McDowell finally, almost asked him to inscribe it with "the other spitter" 

I've already gotten Wisler once this Spring but figured why not get a rookie card signed and I even gave a spare flagship rookie to a little kid that didn't have any to get signed. All told it was a great night at the ballpark and it even waited until we got in the car to begin pouring again.

Spring Training - Ed Smith Stadium with a Hall of Fame Surprise Auto

Ah the joys of living in Florida. I was in Sarasota today so naturally I figured I'd try and catch the Braves BP at Ed Smith Stadium. 

Mission Accomplished,  Spring has sprung folks.  That's Rio Ruiz and Daniel Castro talking ground balls in the Florida sun.

Here's Mallex Smith talking some hacks, he was putting a charge into several balls and impressed me with his power since he's known as a speedster.

He came over and signed my card I brought with me. I told him I was looking forward to seeing him make his MLB debut this year to which he replied "Me too!" He then proceeded to go 4 for 6 with 2 triples in the first inning alone along with a home run to center field. Take that low power grade! 

Here's a (poor) shot of Ruiz, Dansby Swanson & Ozzie Albie heading out for warm up tosses.

Albies also signed a card for me and homered as well.  More Braves should of signed the cards I brought! 

Right before I had to run I noticed a large group of people gathering on the opposite side of the dugout from where I was standing.  I noticed who it was and was able to buy this ball off a guy for 14 dollars.

It was none other that Hall of Famer Bobby Cox!  My day/season/life was made. What a nice guy he signed for quite a while. 

Inscribed it with HOF '14 and everything. This is one of the prizes of my collection now I definitely was not expecting to see the Braves legend there.

Just as I was leaving in disbelief that I had gotten Bobby Cox's autograph I saw Kelly Johnson signing for a few people and got this card signed before (reluctantly) leaving.