Vandy, Vols, a Bulldog … and a bobble head

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Everything about Thursday night at Turner Field was great: the weather, the friends, the bobble head, the run production. (I’m no mathematician, but replacing three .150 starters with more productive hitters seemed to impact the scoring line.)

Former Vanderbilt pitcher and the best of the Braves’ starters, Mike Minor, mowed down the big Toronto bats. And the improved lineup took a liking to former University of Tennessee pitcher R.A. Dickey’s knuckleballs.

I enjoyed talking baseball with current Vols player Will Maddox, whose dad Andy brought him over to 222 for a chat. The fine-hitting infielder is headed to the Cape Cod League for the summer before returning to Knoxville for his junior year.

Will had high praise for Alex Wood, whom he faced last year in the SEC. Wood went from pitching for UGA to closing out the Braves' win last night — in just a year’s time. His debut in The Show was a good and memorable one.

A lively crowd of nearly 30,000 was on hand to enjoy the game and perfect weather. And the first 20,000 took home a Freddie Freeman bobble head. The tall redheaded first baseman followed proper protocol by hitting a line-drive homer as part of the 11-run bash.

It was good to have other friends come by 222, or earlier during BP, including Scooter Brown, Alex Bonds, Bob Cash and Dave Murphy. And three generations of Kerlins were on hand to cheer and to chop.

Teacher appreciation

It's that time when students are saying thanks and goodbye to the teachers who have guided them through another school year. But the view from the season ticket holder gate at Turner Field last night had a little different twist.

Gary Price of Decatur, Ga., who so ably and nicely runs the main gate, got a visit — and some homemade goods — from former teachers coming out to the game. I'm sure teachers love year-end gifts (just not another coffee mug, please), but nothing could be more satisfying than seeing good students grow into adulthood well.

It not hard to see how Gary was the kind of student and is now the kind of young man to make a teacher proud.

And speaking of satisfying, the view a bit later from 222 of Justin Upton's grand slam was quick and very sweet. One didn't have wonder if he "got it all." He did.

Also, it was good to have J-Hey back after giving up his appendix in Denver. He coaxed a walk off a tough lefty, after falling behind, to help set up the bases-loaded opportunity.

A large, energetic crowd showed up on a beautiful night — including many of Korean descent who came to offer vocal support for Dodgers pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu. But the final cheering came from the home team fans.