In addition to the Braves’ consistent efforts to give back to the less fortunate, the organization has also always put a large priority on working with Atlanta’s youth, educating kids on baseball and much, much more. Last week provided a perfect example of these community efforts, as the team’s players participated in the Junior Braves Baseball League for the fourth year in a row. Teaming up with the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club of America, the Braves put together a league that accommodated more than 2,000 inner-city kids and helped raise nearly $100,000 in grants. Over a two-day period, kids of all ages participated in numerous games while receiving instruction on life and baseball from numerous Braves players. The weekend’s biggest highlight, however, came when Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin arrived and spoke with the young Atlanta females in attendance.
The PGA’s 26th annual Skins Game concluded last Sunday and K.J Choi sank an 11-foot birdie putt worth $270,000 on the 18th hole to win the event. Over the course of the weekend, Choi earned $415,000 and, with the win, became only the fifth international player to win the title. Choi was a part of a foursome that included Rocco Mediate, Stephen Ames and Phil Mickelson. Failing to capture his third consecutive title in the event, Ames still managed to earn $250,000 over the weekend while Mickelson and Mediate took home $195,000 and $140,000, respectively. It was just the seventh time that all four players in the event won money.
In celebration of Atlanta’s 10 years of Sister City Relations with Nuremberg, Germany, the Atlanta Thrashers hosted Dr. Ulrich Maly, Lord Mayor of the City of Nuremberg, on Sunday. Prior to the team’s 3 p.m. game versus the St. Louis Blues, Thrashers Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell took part in a jersey exchange with the Lord Mayor, receiving a Nuremberg Ice Tigers jersey from Dr. Maly. Atlanta and Nuremberg’s sister city relations began in December of 1998 with the purpose of increasing the knowledge, goodwill, and understanding of the world through people-to-people diplomacy, education, cultural and economic exchanges, and humanitarian assistance.
KOVY KINDNESS
Keeping with the philanthropic theme, Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk hosted a group of children from the Show Me the Way Foundation and the Gwinnett Children’s Shelter last week. As part of his Kovy’s Krew program, Kovalchuk and teammate Slava Kozlov welcomed a large group of kids to Jillian’s – Discover Mills for a party and numerous games. Traditionally, Kovy’s Krew offers children living with cancer and others of disadvantaged circumstances the opportunity to visit Jillian’s for an afternoon of arcade games, food, fun and bowling with the Thrashers forward. This season marks the seventh year Kovalchuk has provided the community-oriented service.
The Atlanta Falcons announced last week that it would offer current season ticket holders the opportunity to renew their seats early for the 2009 season. The early renewal option provides for discounts of up to 29 percent off the planned 2009 season-ticket prices and even more off 2009 single-game ticket prices. The deadline for early renewal is Dec. 30, while the idea signals the franchise’s attempt to accommodate fans in increasingly difficult economic times.
GETTING BURNED
When the San Diego Chargers decided to let Michael Turner walk a year ago, most fans and critics thought nothing of it, as current Charger running back LaDainian Tomlinson was clearly the NFL’s top running threat at the time. Fast-forward to last weekend when Turner and the Falcons visited Tomlinson’s Chargers and it is clear, and somewhat shocking, how much things have changed. As of now, Turner is outplaying Tomlinson by a large margin on the season, rushing for 1,208 yards and 13 touchdowns through 12 games while Tomlinson has rushed for only 764 yards and six touchdowns in the same time span. Last Sunday, Tomlinson was outplayed by Turner yet again, running for only 24 yards while his former teammate bowled his way to 120 yards on 31 carries en route to a 22-16 victory.
Janovitz can be reached at sjanovitz@scoreatl.com.
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