ATLANTA (AP), Greg Maddux, a Hall of Famer, threw out Sunday's ceremonial first pitch in Game 5 of the World Series.
Maddux, in his Braves jersey tipped his cap to acknowledge the ovation of fans as he walked onto field. He threw the pitch, fittingly to Eddie Perez who was his designated catcher.
Perez is also a former Braves player coach and now serves as a special advisor to the team on player development.
Maddux was awarded four consecutive Cy Young Awards by the Chicago Cubs as well as the Braves. He also won the 1995 World Series Champion team's award with Atlanta, when he had a remarkable 19-2 record and a 1.63 ERA.
Mad Dog Maddux made a rare Atlanta appearance. Maddux, 55 years old, is UNLV's pitching coach.
SLUMPING BREGMAN MOVES DOWN
Houston manager Dusty Baker has moved Alex Bregman, a struggling third baseman, down in his batting order.
Bregman was batting.071 in Game 5 with one RBI and no homers. He was batting seventh. He was 0 for 5 with two strikeouts on Saturday's 3-2 loss. He was third in Game 4.
Baker met Bregman for a discussion about the move.
Baker explained that he understood. Baker said that he went out to take extra BP, just to try and find his stroke. He is a team man. He can move around with no problem.
Baker stated that he would like to see Bregman moved back up with the designated hitter, if the Series comes to Houston for Game 6.
PERFECT HOME
Houston was Houston's opponent in Game 5 of the World Series. The Braves were trying to continue one of their best home postseason performances.
The Braves had a record of 7-0 at home in postseason play, which included wins in Game 3 and 4 of World Series. This is the second longest home win streak of the postseason and the longest in a single postseason. From Oct. 7, 1995 to Oct. 9, 1996, they won eight consecutive home playoff games.
The Braves had won 12 out of 13 home games they played before Game 5.
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The Braves home advantage was not as prominent in the regular season, despite the Braves strong finish. They finished at 42-38 at home, and 46-35 away.
Astros manager Dusty Baker is aware that his team can also play well at home. Astros are currently 5-2 at home in this postseason, but they needed to avoid elimination to bring the Series back to Houston.
Baker stated that he is just trying to find a way out of this mess, and more importantly, to return to Houston with some life, because Houston has given him what Atlanta has given him.
SUPER ROSARIO
The discussion on Eddie Rosario's backhanded catch in the eighth inning against Jose Altuve was still ongoing a day later. Rosario ran at maximum speed and seemed to have luck as he reached for his glove at the end of the game to catch the ball.
I tip my cap, right-hander Luke Jackson said. Rosario is a great play. That's probably why he has the nickname Super Rosario.
According to Braves manager Brian Snitker, it was a highlight of Atlanta’s 3-2 win. However, it is not something that young outfielders should use as a guide.
Snitker stated after the game that he was not going to look at it again. I'm glad that he saw it. This is probably not an instructional video that we show to our minor leaguers.
ALVAREZ SORE, BUT STARTING
Yordan Alvarez (left fielder), who was trying to catch Jorge Soler’s game-winning homer in Game 7, crashed into the wall. He was sore, but was able to return to the field Sunday night.
Baker stated that he originally feared Alvarez would injure his shoulder when he reached for the ball at the fence.
Baker stated that he had paint on his knees and landed on the fence.
ASTROS' NLOUTFIELD
Baker was required to reconfigure his field for the World Series games in Atlanta. There was no designated hitter in National League rules.
Alvarez was normally a designated hitter, but Alvarez's move to the outfield meant that Kyle Tucker had to be moved to center field. Tucker played just four games during the regular season. Michael Brantley will be starting in right field.
Tucker said that while playing center is a different experience, he believes he did a good job. I try my best to get out there as quickly as possible and catch as many balls as possible. Overall, I feel we did pretty well.
RESPECT '95 SORT OF
Braves close Will Smith, a Newnan, Georgia native, said that he still cherishes the memories of his father watching Atlanta games. The memories of the Braves 1995 World Series title are fading. Smith was just 6 years old, and was on vacation in Panama City with his family, when the Braves defeated the Indians in World Series.
Smith stated that my father was excited to see Marquis Grissom catch the last out. Although I was too young to recall much, I knew they won.
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