Braves Caravan Comes to Gwinnett

The Atlanta Braves Caravan has been traveling all over the Southeast and made a stop in Lawrenceville, at the  at Highway 20 and Old Peachtree Road on Friday. Five players and coaches were on hand to sign autographs for the estimated 200 fans that stood in line for over an hour in a pouring rain.

Braves infielder Martin Prado, newly acquired lefthander George Sherrill, projected closer Craig Kimbrel, left-handed reliever Eric O'Flaherty and new bench coach Carlos Tosca were signing autographs as part of the Braves' tour. Even the mascots of both the  and Atlanta Braves were on hand to promote the upcoming season. Chopper, the mascot of the Gwinnett Braves, was right at home as the Publix is located right  next to Coolray Field. Homer the Brave was also on hand. making children laugh as they waited in the cold weather.

Prado will most likely be moved to the outfield, he said. now that the Braves acquired Dan Uggla to play second base and Chipper Jones is expected to be healthy and play third base.

Sherrill, acquired from the Dodgers, was also the closer for the Orioles and brings experience and will be a setup man for Kimbrel and possibly get some save opportunities. Kimbrel was brought up last season and was instrumental in helping the Braves make the playoffs. He did give up a big hit in the playoffs to Giants catcher Buster Posey, but says he feels he can handle the closers role now that Billy Wagner is retired. Tosca will handle the duties that are left by Chino Cadihia. "I think I can handle it," Tosca said. Tosca came from the Toronto Blue Jays to join the staff of new manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Eric Watkins from Lawrenceville was on hand and waited almost an hour to see his favorite players. "It was worth the wait," he said. Many of the fans echoed the sentiment.

The Braves start spring practice Feb. 14 with pitchers and catchers reporting to Orlando, Fla. Regular season play starts April 3, with the division-winning Philadelphia Phillies.

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