So the thrill of our timing of making our way from Darlington, SC (where we were from (5/3-5/9/22) to Guntersville, Alabama (where we would be from 5/16-5/23) was the ability to hang out in Georgia for a bit and be able to see my beloved Red Sox take on the Atlanta Braves on 5/11/22! My boys had been playing horrifically, but actually won one on my birthday (5/10) to break a 5-game losing streak. So it was with much hope and optimism that Karl and Alyson and I headed to Truist Park in downtown Atlanta. It was a beautiful night for a ballgame. As soon as we entered the ballpark, about 90 minutes before game time, I saw that my boys were on the field so I immediately bee-lined to the field seats so I could "WOOHOOOOO" for my boys and they could hear me and know I was there! I took a few moments to take in the sights around me but was mostly focused on cheering each of our guys as they were finishing up batting practice. It was then that I noticed a guy standing down in front of me with a "Reese #3" Sox jersey on. It put a big smile on my face as Pokey Reese was one of the spark plugs of that beloved 2004 curse-breaking World Champion Red Sox team. I decided I just HAD to go down and compliment his taste in attire. We were about 15 rows behind him (they were not our seats - just where I had happened to stop to "whoohooo"). So without telling my cohorts where I was going, I went down to the guy and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and I told him that I loved his shirt and gave him a big smile and a thumbs up. He smiled back and nodded and I told him I loved Pokey and turned to go return to my spot. He stopped me and asked "Do you REALLY love Pokey?" and when I answered in an enthusiastic affirmative he nodded his head to the guy standing right next to/behind me. I turned around and...OMG!!!...in about 2 seconds I recognized that smile and it was HIM...it was Pokey Reese!! So I (as my friends would say) "pulled a Kay" and gave him some crazy enthusiastic greeting/thank you! I grabbed onto him and flailed my arms at Karl and Alyson to get their damn phones out and get a picture of us! As we posed I apparently pinched his cheek as I told him I loved his smile, his speed and his hustle...It was such a thrill to meet him and get to thank him. He was beaming, so I don't think he minded my outburst, but I was cognizant of the fact that I should let the guy be and then quickly scurried back to my temporary seat. It wasn't until I got there that I saw the picture that Karl had taken showing me that I had, in fact, pinched his cheek in my enthusiasm! Unbelievable...But luckily provable with my photo evidence! (I’ve included a picture of Pokey when he was in uniform so you all can remember that smile!)
Our actual seats were the next level up (on the third base/Red Sox side) so we decided to go up there to get situated before getting ourselves some dinner. As the universe would have it, I also had another happy thrill ahead of me. On my birthday (the day before the game) my friend Reilly had texted me Happy Birthday wishes and I happened to mention to her that I was going to be seeing my Sox in Atlanta the following day. Well...as luck would have it, Reilly and her adorable family were going to be at that same game since they were driving through Atlanta on their way down to Florida for a Disney cruise! So after meeting Pokey and finding my seats, my next job was to figure out how the heck to meet up with Reilly in this big ass stadium! With lots of texting and much time and confusion (and stress) we were able to meet up for some much missed hugging and a quick catch up! I love her and her hubby and sweet daughter, McKenna, and I also got to finally meet her almost 9-month old son Spencer!! It really was a GIFT for the heart and we caught up again for more hugging (and photo ops) before they left. Reilly will always have a special place in my heart, so it was a definite “Life is Good” moment. Oh, and her presence at the game also provided us with an additional witness that Karl and I were on the jumbotron at Truist Park!!!
Well the Sox ended up losing the game when we were ROBBED by a beyond mind-boggingly bad strike 3 call on our catcher, Plawecki, who had a full-count with the bases loaded and 2 outs with the game tied in the top of the 9th inning. This resulted in Plawecki & Alex Cora being ejected and the Braves going on to win it with a walk off homer in the bottom of the 9th. But, on the bright side, WE were there for the beginning of Trevor Story's turnaround when he finally hit his first home run in a Red Sox uniform in the 2nd inning. I was honored to be there to WOOOHOOO for him (like you read about!) as he was rounding the bases because Red Sox fans had recently booed him at home and he needed to feel the love!!! It was really great to be there for that because I know he will remember the weight that was lifted off of his shoulders with that beautiful one swing of the bat!! If I had to chose between a Sox win and Story hitting his first home run, I would keep the results as they unfolded. Glad I was there to share in the moment!
So, a memorable evening on MANY levels. The ballpark was beautiful and all the walking bridges over the highways to get there were quite brilliant and impressive. The sound system was high quality and perhaps better suited for concerts - a little too intense for these Fenway Park trained ears! As I write this post after the fact (in June) let it be noted that THAT series was the turning point for this Red Sox season...GO SOX!!!!!!
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