Farewell, Dad

One of the main things my dad and I bonded over was baseball.

My dad was my favorite guy to go to baseball games with. We both loved going to Braves games- not to mention watching many games from our living room (almost every single night during the summer of 2020). We also watched some Auburn baseball games, and I kept him updated on Auburn’s run to the College World Series this season. 

We also bonded over coaching my little brother, Omarion, just as he coached me back in the day. I remember the many ground balls he hit me and the hours of batting practice he threw to me. Whenever we moved from our old house, the thing he told me he would miss the most is the many days and nights we spent playing catch in the yard together.

I am so glad we got to spend the last week of his life doing what we love. We got to enjoy a Braves game with family the day after Father’s Day, and the day he passed, we had been up at the ball field in Huntsville watching Omarion in his all-star tournament. 

We got to witness some memorable Braves games over the years, and it ended with another great pitching duel and walk-off win over the Giants in June. After the game, we realized we had seen walk-off wins the past three years. We only go to a few Braves games each year, so that is amazing that we got to see such great games. 

In fact, back in 2019, we went to a Friday night game versus the Phillies that is by far my favorite baseball memory to date. The Braves were in their Friday night red, and they were facing their division rivals while riding a 7-game win streak. The Phillies got up big, 7-2, and it wasn’t looking good. But, the Braves chipped away and made it- I believe- a 3-run game going to the ninth. Truist Park was packed out that night, and I don’t remember many people leaving even when we were down big. After the Braves strung together some 2-out hits, Brian McCann (in the last season of his career) came up with two on and down by one and golfed a game winning single into left field on a pitch that looked unhittable. We went crazy, jumping up and down with huge smiles on our faces. After our high five parade ended, we watched a thrilled McCann do his post-game interview. It was clear how much he loved Atlanta, and I don’t think that’s a night he’ll forget either. And how else should it have ended than with fireworks?

There are more stories I could tell, but one other one that I will never forget is our recent trip to Plainsman Park for Auburn versus Alabama with both of my grandfathers joining us. As I’m sure many of you know, I grew up a Bama fan, and although I got my Dad to cheer for Auburn some, those 3 are still die-hard Bammers, and they showed up to Plainsman Park decked out in Crimson. I tolerated it, but I was secretly hoping my Auburn friends wouldn’t notice. Sure enough, I got a text in a group chat for the Plainsman sports writers during the game. I had been spotted- on National TV. “Are you okay surrounded by all those Bammers, Noah?” is the text I got. Face palm. 

Jokes aside, it was a fun day and a joy getting to bring my family to the great Plainsman Park for a pre-Father’s Day outing. Sadly, the game was interrupted due to rain and ruled a no contest, but memories were made nonetheless. I took Dad to Moe’s Barbecue for his first time after the game (another thing we bonded over is food).

My dad loved going to games with me. We both played baseball growing up and had a love for the game. We also had a love for ballpark food and drinks and both loved the scenery of a ballpark. One of my biggest bucket list items is going to all 30 MLB parks, and he wanted to help me do that. In fact, we had plans to go to Philadelphia in September and see the Braves play in the Phillies’ Citizen’s Bank Park. The plan for my college graduation trip was to do a giant road trip and hit as many MLB stadiums as we could. I am so glad for the games we went to, but I so wish we could’ve done those things. Even if I go, it won’t be the same without him.

More than anything, he wanted me to have a good experience at all the games we went to. As FA has progressed for me, he was dedicated to finding the best accessible seats and parking at Truist Park for us. I’ll miss going to games with him. So much.

As I mentioned, we also bonded over food. We always enjoyed eating in the Battery outside of Truist Park before games. One of our favorite places to go there was Wahlburger’s. That is why I believe that it was no accident that we ate at Wahlburger’s in Huntsville for dinner just hours before he passed. His last week was filled with baseball, good food, and most importantly, family — three of his favorite things.

He was here to witness the Braves win the World Series in 2021; it is a shame that he won’t see them repeat as Champions this fall. He sent them off hot though. The Braves are 26-7 since the start of June, and now sit atop the wild card race, 2.5 games back from the Mets for the division lead.

When we lift the trophy again in November, we do it for you, Dad. Chop On.