GaryMrMets
02-28-2002, 11:56 PM
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/atl/news/atl_news_story.jsp?article_id=atl_20020228_bravesn otes_news&team_id=atl
News
2/28/2002 6:00 pm ET
Notebook: Early Father's Day for Yost
By Mark Bowman
MLB.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Atlanta Braves third base coach Ned Yost has been involved in some big games. He has been a part of the Braves' 10 consecutive division titles, five trips to the World Series and one World Championship.
But Thursday afternoon's game against the University of Georgia will be another of the many contests that Yost won't soon forget. It was a day in which he was able to compete against his eldest son, who shares the same name.
"You don't get to do this too often," Yost said before the game. "If he goes out there and gives it all he has, that's all that I can ask."
Ned Yost IV served as the University of Georgia's starting catcher in the Braves' exhibition opener. He was hitless in two at-bats in his team's 11-3 loss, but as it was for his dad, it was an afternoon he'll never forget.
"We just wanted to go out there and keep it close," Yost IV said. "We thought we might be able to give them a game for a while. It's just a great experience."
When Chipper Jones walked by the younger Yost on Thursday morning and noticed that he was wearing uniform No. 10, the Braves left-fielder said, "Nice number, kid." Yost said that Jones was one of the many Braves players he has idolized while growing up.
"You know it really didn't hit us that we were playing the Braves until our buses started to pull up to the stadium and you could see Chipper Jones and Gary Sheffield running sprints," Yost said. "That's when we realized that we were really going to play against the Braves."
Just a few hours before Thursday's game, Yost had to put thoughts of playing the Braves aside. At 7:40 a.m., he and approximately 20 of his teammates had to take a history exam.
"We were studying most of [Wednesday] night," Yost said. "Instead of thinking about baseball, we had to think about school. It really wasn't all that much fun."
Yost, a redshirt freshman, made the most of his opportunity on the diamond, throwing out Wilson Betemit when he was attempting to steal second base in the third inning.
"I'm glad he's been able to be rewarded for all of the hard work that he has put in over the years," the elder Yost said of his son. "He had a chance to play the Atlanta Braves."
Good start: Bobby Cox says that he enjoys playing the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech before the start of every season.
"It's always a good day," Cox said. "It's good for their programs and good for us. I really enjoy seeing the kids coming in here to play with that kind of enthusiasm."
The Braves traditionally open their exhibition season against collegians, facing either Georgia or Georgia Tech on a rotating basis. After Thursday's win, the Braves are 7-0 against the Bulldogs.
Cox was pretty happy with the pitching staff on Thursday. Five pitchers scattered eight hits and allowed three earned runs. One pitcher who Cox really liked was reliever Billy Sylvester, who closed the game with two scoreless innings.
"The one kid that threw pretty good today was Billy Sylvester," Cox said. "They all threw fine. But he was better than fine. He could get a lot of big league guys out with that stuff."
Cox has been impressed with Sylvester's control this year. After a sparkling 2000 season in which he posted a 0.79 ERA for Myrtle Beach, the hard-throwing, 25-year-old hurler had a disappointing 2001 campaign.
After starting the season with Double-A Greenville, Sylvester was promoted to Triple-A Richmond and was 0-4 with a 5.11 ERA. But he went to play winter ball in Puerto Rico and believes he has fixed some mechanical flaws.
Friday's rotation: Albie Lopez will throw the first two innings of Friday's game against the Florida Marlins at Disney's Wide World of Sports. He will be followed by Damian Moss, Dan Wheeler, Jake Robbins and Kevin Gryboski.
Under the knife: Dave Martinez will undergo surgery for chronic patella tendinitis in his right knee in Tampa on Friday. Last week, Martinez learned that he will more than likely miss the entire 2002 season.
Mark Bowman covers the Braves for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
News
2/28/2002 6:00 pm ET
Notebook: Early Father's Day for Yost
By Mark Bowman
MLB.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Atlanta Braves third base coach Ned Yost has been involved in some big games. He has been a part of the Braves' 10 consecutive division titles, five trips to the World Series and one World Championship.
But Thursday afternoon's game against the University of Georgia will be another of the many contests that Yost won't soon forget. It was a day in which he was able to compete against his eldest son, who shares the same name.
"You don't get to do this too often," Yost said before the game. "If he goes out there and gives it all he has, that's all that I can ask."
Ned Yost IV served as the University of Georgia's starting catcher in the Braves' exhibition opener. He was hitless in two at-bats in his team's 11-3 loss, but as it was for his dad, it was an afternoon he'll never forget.
"We just wanted to go out there and keep it close," Yost IV said. "We thought we might be able to give them a game for a while. It's just a great experience."
When Chipper Jones walked by the younger Yost on Thursday morning and noticed that he was wearing uniform No. 10, the Braves left-fielder said, "Nice number, kid." Yost said that Jones was one of the many Braves players he has idolized while growing up.
"You know it really didn't hit us that we were playing the Braves until our buses started to pull up to the stadium and you could see Chipper Jones and Gary Sheffield running sprints," Yost said. "That's when we realized that we were really going to play against the Braves."
Just a few hours before Thursday's game, Yost had to put thoughts of playing the Braves aside. At 7:40 a.m., he and approximately 20 of his teammates had to take a history exam.
"We were studying most of [Wednesday] night," Yost said. "Instead of thinking about baseball, we had to think about school. It really wasn't all that much fun."
Yost, a redshirt freshman, made the most of his opportunity on the diamond, throwing out Wilson Betemit when he was attempting to steal second base in the third inning.
"I'm glad he's been able to be rewarded for all of the hard work that he has put in over the years," the elder Yost said of his son. "He had a chance to play the Atlanta Braves."
Good start: Bobby Cox says that he enjoys playing the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech before the start of every season.
"It's always a good day," Cox said. "It's good for their programs and good for us. I really enjoy seeing the kids coming in here to play with that kind of enthusiasm."
The Braves traditionally open their exhibition season against collegians, facing either Georgia or Georgia Tech on a rotating basis. After Thursday's win, the Braves are 7-0 against the Bulldogs.
Cox was pretty happy with the pitching staff on Thursday. Five pitchers scattered eight hits and allowed three earned runs. One pitcher who Cox really liked was reliever Billy Sylvester, who closed the game with two scoreless innings.
"The one kid that threw pretty good today was Billy Sylvester," Cox said. "They all threw fine. But he was better than fine. He could get a lot of big league guys out with that stuff."
Cox has been impressed with Sylvester's control this year. After a sparkling 2000 season in which he posted a 0.79 ERA for Myrtle Beach, the hard-throwing, 25-year-old hurler had a disappointing 2001 campaign.
After starting the season with Double-A Greenville, Sylvester was promoted to Triple-A Richmond and was 0-4 with a 5.11 ERA. But he went to play winter ball in Puerto Rico and believes he has fixed some mechanical flaws.
Friday's rotation: Albie Lopez will throw the first two innings of Friday's game against the Florida Marlins at Disney's Wide World of Sports. He will be followed by Damian Moss, Dan Wheeler, Jake Robbins and Kevin Gryboski.
Under the knife: Dave Martinez will undergo surgery for chronic patella tendinitis in his right knee in Tampa on Friday. Last week, Martinez learned that he will more than likely miss the entire 2002 season.
Mark Bowman covers the Braves for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.