Nov 22 2008
Let Braves’ spring schedule warm your heart on this cold winter night
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
ATLANTA — We’re getting into the depths of winter earlier than scheduled here in the South, with temperatures into the mid-20s at night … and we’re still a few days shy of Thanksgiving.
Gonna be a long, cold winter, but Braves Nation knew that already, and we’ve known that since, oh, June.
But there is a glimmer of warmth and hope floating around out there concerning this ballclub: the spring training schedule is out, and it features some pretty enticing matchups.
The big date to circle, though, is Feb. 25 – the spring opener against Detroit at Lakeland. On that date, we get to put the wretched horror of 2008 behind us and watch the Atlanta Braves play a baseball game.
The first week of March features two games against national teams performing in the World Baseball Classic: March 3 against Panama, and March 5 against Venezuela. In between, the Yankees visit Lake Buena Vista … yeah, that might be a good week to take a few days off and head to Disney.
Atlanta plays the Yankees at Tampa March 7 (a Saturday), then comes home and plays host to the world-champion Phillies March 8. On March 11, Atlanta plays the Phillies in Clearwater.
Two home-and-homes with the Mets are scheduled: March 17-18 (the first game at Disney; the second at Port St. Lucie), and March 21-22 (again, first game at home, second on the road).
The Yankees return to Disney March 28 (a Saturday), and the Red Sox arrive at Disney two days later. In between: a trip to Lakeland for a game with the Tigers. Again, a great time to attend camp.
After finishing the Florida portion of the exhibition schedule April 2 against Houston at Kissimmee, the Braves play the Tigers twice in Atlanta, on April 3-4. Then, it’s on to Philly to see the Phils get their rings and play on Sunday Night Baseball to kick off the season on April 5.
So, as the cold winds blow and we get ready for turkey and dressing in a few days, let the thoughts of warm sunshine and Florida breezes warm you up as we wait to see what the makeup of this team will be in 2009.
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