The Braves have recently been doing a promotional/community event called “Shopping With the Braves” with one of their corporate sponsors – Publix. About once a month, they send a couple of players out to one of the Atlanta area Publix and have them bag groceries and sign autographs. Being that the opportunity to get Braves autographs out in the community has decreased over the years, this was a welcomed event. The lineup for this event included Jair Jurrjens, Martin Prado, and Omar Infante. Unfortunately Prado was not able to make it over because he was suffering from some health problems incurred earlier in the week. Truth be told it was probably a blessing because had he not cancelled I wouldn’t have been able to make it through Jurrjens’ line and get my items signed. Jurrjens is, in my opinion, one of the most unheralded pitchers in baseball. He eats innings, has a miniscule ERA, and most importantly is 23 years old. I’ve become a big fan of his not only because of his success on the field, but also because he has come over to the fence several times at the Braves parking lot and signed for everybody. Good guy, great player.
