Dear Readers,
Today I have to diverge from my usual book reviews, publishing adventures, and medical commentary. I generally do not have many readers or followers of this blog in the first place; however, it is not for lack of trying. Today I need to write a blog post to the Atlanta Braves players who will be suiting up tonight for their first World Series game since 1999. God Rest His Soul, my father was the biggest, most loyal Atlanta Braves fan. In good times and bad times, dad never wavered from supporting his Braves. He used to come visit me when I lived in Duluth, GA and attend games at Turner Field. One of the last days before my dad passed away from anaplastic large cell lymphoma, my family and I sat with him in his ICU hospital room. We were all having lunch together and dad was digging into Carolina barbecue, slaw, and hushpuppies with all of us. His hospital room television was set to a game featuring the Atlanta Braves. The pitcher that day was at the time a young Alex Woods who my dad was certain had a stellar career ahead of him. I had just moved back to the Triangle region of North Carolina six months prior to Sunday, June 7th, 2015. Dad was wearing his Braves cap per usual even in the midst of dying while hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit. As a family that was the last game featuring the Atlanta Braves that we would ever watch with my father. Dad died Tuesday June 9th, 2015 at six in the morning.
I had been keeping up with this 2021 baseball season when I had the time and my mom was most definitely watching almost every Braves game. Mom is most happy when she watches the Atlanta Braves as she used to do with my dad religiously. Recently, I was not sure if the Atlanta Braves could beat the Dodgers to advance to the World Series. I could not watch the games because I was afraid if I did, I might jinx the chances of the Braves advancing to the World Series in 2021. Saturday night October 23rd, 2021, I went to bed early, but I knew the game was tied. I fell asleep only to wake at four in the morning. I checked ESPN to see what happened in the game. The Braves had won the game and were headed to the World Series. I stared at my laptop and chills came over me. I looked heavenward as I knew my dad most likely was watching over the Braves from heaven and coaching them like usual from his recliner in heaven. I turned on my cell phone and text my mom and brother that the Atlanta Braves were going to the World Series. They finally received the news early Sunday morning. Both were elated.
Braves players, this is what my dad, a former softball coach himself, would say to you if he were here today:
Brothers, we are headed to play the Houston Astros in Texas. Your playing skills have been tweaked this year and we are blessed to have landed in the World Series. It has been a hell of a year. We have walked through many valleys and climbed many mountains. Above all, we are here to play ball. We will leave everything we have on the field because that is where we do our jobs and our talking. I know what the oddsmakers say and I do not care one bit. We as a team determine our odds on the field one game at a time. So pack your game face and do not forget to bring your "A" game. Be there for one another as you have this entire season. No matter what happens, we earned the right to be here and for that we are grateful. Now, Go Out There And Work Those Bats, Play Like Your Life Depends On It, and Let The Chips Fall Where They May! OOH RAH!
God Speed Atlanta Braves. Daddy will be watching from above in heaven. Mom, my brother and me will be watching the magic from home.
All Best,
Amy
aka Grace Sutherlin (pen name)
