All about Huddy

The view from 222 was lovely in every way tonight, from the beautiful Atlanta setting to B.J. Upton crashing the center field wall with the ball entering his glove to timely hitting by several of his teammates. But while a team effort, the night belonged to Tim Hudson.

Not only did he pitch brilliantly, Huddy hit a double and a home run (with Bryce Harper getting the assist) to help his own cause. And that cause was creating a little more space between the division rival and notching his career 200th victory.

Already the answer to a good trivia question, Hudson has the most wins of any MLB pitcher who played collegiately in the SEC. And the former hard-hitting Auburn Tiger now has an even 200 wins.

As his former teammate Tom Glavine said in response to tonight's performance: Huddy might as well have sold popcorn; he did everything else.

One of the good guys did well tonight. And it was a great thing to view from 222.

On the road, in the snow

Despite the fact that Atlanta is one of the warmer weather cities for April baseball, the Braves are spending much of the month on the road. The game in Denver was snowed out tonight.

It seems odd that schedulers would start the Marlins on the road in the Northeast and keep the Braves away from Turner Field for much of April. Guess MLB officials want a return to doubleheaders. Or they don't get the Weather Channel. Or they failed geography class.

Despite what the sportscaster on Atlanta's All-News 106.7 said today, the Braves do not return to Turner Field this Friday to take on the Tigers. That series is in Detroit. In Michigan. Up North.

The view from 222 will be of wide open spaces until April 29.

A different view

While the Braves were in the nation's capital introducing Mr. Strasburg to Mr. Gattis, a beautiful Saturday in Atlanta did not go to waste. Turner Field welcomed high school teams from around Georgia today.

What a thrill for these kids to play on the big league diamond. And the National Anthem by the First Presbyterian Day School chorus was done fabulously. They should be invited back when the stands are filled.

The Braves are on a long road trip: 16 of their next 18 games are away from Turner Field. But today (April 8) we can remember that historic event on this day in 1974. In the old round stadium that is now a parking lot, Hammerin' Hank Aaron become the all-time home run king. So memorable!

AA

Abigail and Aurora (guess that makes it AA baseball) joined me for the view from 222 on a great night to be a Braves fan — thanks to a couple of brothers.

Thanks, Frank

"According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Uptons are the first brothers in major-league history to hit game-tying and walk-off home runs in the same inning."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

In all of the celebration, let us not forget to praise the excellent work of GM Frank Wren. Cheers!

Poncho, poncho man

The cold, wet weather and a pressing publication deadline (OK, mostly the weather) are keeping me away from Turner Field tonight. But I'm sure Herman the dancin' usher will keep everyone down the left field line in a good mood tonight — as he did last night (when this photo was taken) and at all other games. My view of tonight's game will be from the couch rather than section 222. But can't wait to get back to the Ted. And as Herman, a retired Baptist pastor, always says, "The Braves are gonna win!"

Mis-chief

Monday night's season opener represented the 1,287th consecutive Braves home game attended by Robert Walls, a.k.a, "Chief." That's a streak that goes back 15 years.

"I'm a little emotional tonight," he told me when we met Monday for the first time since the memorable one-game playoff last fall. When I asked why, he explained that his streak would come to an end today (Wednesday).

Robert, who lives in a group home in Roswell, used to clean an Old Navy store before coming to the ballpark. However, a new job at a nearby Kroger offered more hours but would require him to miss the second game of the season and some others.

Perhaps that will not happen, I thought. But tonight there was no Robert — transforming into Chief — at the season ticket holder gate. And no headdress on the first row just over Jason Heyward's shoulder in right field. And no traditional walk around the stadium in the second inning. No Chief tonight.

But it was an amazing record — and one that was continued despite the challenges of public transportation and all kinds of weather. On Monday I urged him to focus on his accomplishment rather than the end.

No other fan has never missed a game at Turner Field, to my knowledge. And Robert's streak would go back much further had he not missed just one game 15 years ago when his grandmother and her twin sister celebrated their 90th birthday and he was present.

So hail to the Chief! See you back at the Ted soon.

King of Chop

Marshall's neon tomahawk draws a lot of attention to section 222 — including TV cameras and kids wanting photos while holding it.

Perfect Night

A perfect opening day/night at Turner Field — and a nice view from 222.

Opening Day

When the Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966, my aunt and uncle from Chickamauga, Ga., would attend the season opener each year. To my young mind at the time, that seemed like a most exciting thing to do.

My buddy Marshall and I have not missed an opening day in something like 25 years now. And what I believed as a child remains true: it is one of the most exciting days of the year.

Let the chopping begin.