Earn Your Tomahawk

Claudell Washington 1954-2020

My favorite memory of Claudell Washington was from April 21, 1982. I’m sure it is the same for a lot of you. We were about two weeks into the season and the Braves inexplicably hadn’t lost yet. Twelve games, twelve wins. Usually we are expecting to be mathematically eliminated by this time. Instead, we are in first place and haven’t lost. Crazy. The twelve wins to start a season established a new MLB record. So on this Wednesday night the Braves are going for win number 13. It was madness. 

Cut to the bottom of the 9th and things aren’t looking so good. The Reds are up 3-2, but wait. Matt Sinatro walks to lead off the inning and then Rafael Ramirez bunts for a single. So two on and the tying run in scoring position. Rufino Linares pinch-hitting for pitcher Bob Walk flies out. This brings up Brett Butler who singles but the ball strikes Sinatro on his way to third and he is called out. So now there are two out with Ramirez on second, Butler at first. After a wild pitch to move both runners up, Biff Pocoroba is intentionally walked to load the bases.

Claudell Washington is the batter. the crowd is going nuts. Now, Claudell had a habit of chasing pitches and getting himself out when he had two strikes on him so his strategy was to never get to two strikes. Reds reliever Joe Price issued a ball on his first pitch. The 1-0 offering was smashed, a liner up the middle. If Price doesn’t duck he would have been buried decapitated right there on pitcher’s mound at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.  But duck he did and the ball goes whistling into center fielder. Reds centerfielder Eddie Milner charges. Ramirez scores easily and Butler who was fast rounds third. Milner throws but it is high and even better, late to get Butler who slides head-first with the winning run.

It may have been the first walk-off win I had ever seen. Claudell Washington came through in the clutch and gave me and the rest of Braves-nation something to really cheer about which was something we weren’t accustomed to doing. That is how I remember Claudell Washington. He came through in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and won the ballgame. It was our 13th in a row. We didn’t think we’d ever lose. Claudell Washington earned his tomahawk.

You can watch it here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQG1fxxlxQI

Willie Mays - 89 Years Old Today

What is a Giant doing on a Braves blog? Although not a Brave, respect is paid when respect is owed. Some consider him to be the greatest living ballplayer (he’s not. It’s Hank). He is, however, a legitimate member of the 600 homer club and immortalized in song (link below). So have a day Say Hey and many more...many more!

Ted Turner Press Conference After He Fired Bobby Cox at which, inexplicably Bobby Cox was present

In 1981 it was time for the organization to make a change. The Braves finished in 5th place so Bobby Cox was out and the search for a new manager was on. At the press conference announcing Cox’s dismissal, team owner Ted Turner was asked who the new manager would be. With Cox present, for some reason, Ted said, “It would be Bobby if I hadn’t just fired him. We need someone like him around here.” 

Bill Bartholomay (1928-2020) Former Braves owner and the man who brought the Braves and professional sports to Atlanta in 1966. Died of a non-coronavirus respiratory disease at the age of 91.

Jimmy Wynn (1942-2020) ‘The Toy Cannon’ played for the Braves in 1976. Hit 17 HRs with 66 RBI. He only batted .207 but had a .377 OBP due largely to his NL leading 127 BB. Though just 5′9″ the 3-time All-Star hit 291 career HR.