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As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, living near Smokies Park has been a tremendous resource. For the second time in as many years, the Tennessee Smokies held Dale Murphy appreciation night. I’m not really sure why they’ve had these for the last two seasons (no product to promote, no real tie to the team, etc), but I’m not complaining. As a rabid Atlanta Braves fan I wasn’t going to miss another opportunity to get a couple autographs from one of our team legends.

Just like the last year, the plan was to have Dale at the game that night to sign for a couple of hours, but you could also go to a luncheon preceeding the game for only $25. Instead of waiting in line forever at the game in 95 degree heat, I decided it would be a no-brainer to shell out the $25 and go to the luncheon. It was a fun event. Dale told a few funny stories, and we got to go through the line a couple of times to get some autographs. I ended up with a couple of signed magazines, a jersey number and an 8×10.  As always, Dale was cordial and the autographs turned out great.

Each Sunday Braves home game, the Braves welcome back former players for autograph sessions inside Turner Field.  This particular Sunday the Braves had invited back Brad Clontz and Greg McMichael – two members of the 1995 World Series Championship Team.  One of my collections that I have started in recent years was of autographed items from the 1995 team and I thought this was a great opportunity to add to that collection with a few autographed baseballs.  Both guys were very nice and the autographs turned out great… I even talked Clontz into inscribing his autograph with “’95 World Series Champs!”

Whenever I make a trip to Turner Field, I make it a point to get there as early as I can to try and pick up a Bobby Cox autograph as he arrives at the players’ parking lot.  He is always very gracious with his time before the game and I hate to miss out on such an opportunity now that he is planning on retiring at the end of the year.  As always, on this day Bobby took the time to sign for a few of us and I was able to get a recent Chop Talk autographed.