In 1971, when I was 15 years old, my uncle and cousin took me to Atlanta for my first major league baseball game. I had been a fan since I was 8 years old, but had only watched games on TV on the Saturday "Game of the Week" broadcasts, and of course the World Series games. The Braves were playing the Cardinals that night, but we went to Fulton County Stadium that afternoon, hoping to get to take a tour of the stadium.
We walked right in and viewed the field. What a beautiful sight it was! I was spellbound just standing there looking at it. I was amazed at how level the field was. At home we just played in backyards and pastures and NOTHING was level in any way!!! We went down to the dugouts and I couldn't resist going out onto the field. I made my way to the pitcher's mound. I ran around the bases and touched home plate. There were spike marks in the surface of the plate. I thought about the players that had made these marks, Aaron, Brock, Clemente, McCovey, Matthews, Torre, etc. There I was standing right in the same spot!
After spending some time on the field I went into the dugout and got the view from there. Once again thinking about the players who sat there game after game. For a boy from North Carolina who had never attended a major league game, this was like heaven on earth.
We decided to take the chance and try to make it to the clubhouse from the dugout, and make it we did! We walked right into the Atlanta Braves clubhouse. Nobody was around. We had it all to ourselves. Baseballs, bats, gloves, uniforms, catcher's equipment, just like a dream! Eureka! We had found it!!!
I made my way to the homerun king's locker - Hank Aaron. Above the locker was "Aaron - 44". There hung his uniform for the game that night. His spikes, socks, and his glove. I couldn't resist trying his glove on my hand. It was so large. I didn't understand how he could possibly catch a fly ball with this huge thing on his hand. I picked up a bat with his name emblazened in it. What a thrill it was! I spotted Orlando Cepeda's locker, complete with the stereo system in it. "Cha-Cha" Cepeda they called him! Well it was true, he DID have a stereo system in his locker.
A voice called out, "Hey! What are you doing in here!?" It was the equipment manager. He was NOT in a very nice mood that day! "You guys are not supposed to be in here! Get out of here now!", he yelled at us.
I thought we were going to be in a lot of trouble, but he just escorted us to the door. We made our way out of the stadium to the car. End of tour!!!
It was one of the most memorable days of my life. We saw the Cardinals and Braves play that night and the next night too. This was June 8, 1971. Thanks to Baseball Library, I was able to look up the date and the games.
One other memory about that trip which is mentionable, I got to meet Steve Carlton who was starting a game. I went down to the dugout prior to the game and he was talking to a man in some official capacity. When they finished talking I blurted out, "Good luck, Steve!". He walked over to me, smiled, shook my hand and said, "Thanks buddy!" After my trip was over I later found out that Steve Carlton was notorious for not talking to the press. Well, that night he talked to me, and it was just before he took the mound!
Just wanted to share these memories with someone. My wife knows the story by heart and is tired of it!!!
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Posted February 17, 2003.
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