Spring Break
Former Bulldog now a Brave
Brave seeks opportunity to 'make it'
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
From Bulldog to Brave, one former Georgia standout is getting his first taste of the big leagues.
Catcher Clint Sammons, who helped lead the Diamond Dogs to the 2004 College World Series, was called up last week to join his hometown team, the Atlanta Braves.
"It was Monday night, (Sept.) 10," Sammons said.
"We'd just gotten beat out of the playoffs in Double A. I'd just gotten back here to Atlanta and I was unpacking my stuff and everything. Got a call about 6:30 that night from my manager in Double A, who broke the news."
Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur, who played football and baseball with Sammons at Parkview High School in Lilburn, said he heard the news even before Sammons did.
"We were up in New York, and I went back to get an extra hat for (batting practice) in the locker room, and I saw the 'Sammons' being stitched on the back of the uniform," Francoeur said.
"Me and Clint first met when he was six and I was five," he said. "We played on a tee ball all-star team together.
"It's so cool, because how many times do two guys from the same high school end up playing in the big leagues together on the same team? It was a dream come true."
Sammons, who played quarterback to Francoeur's receiver at Parkview, saw action as a defensive replacement against the New York Mets Sept. 12, but still is searching for his first major league at-bat.
"I'm just trying to soak everything in," Sammons said.
"I know that it'll come. I don't think (manager Bobby Cox) has forgotten about me … He's got to play his guys who've been here, and that's the way it should be."
All-Star catcher Brian McCann, who also knows Sammons from their youth baseball days in the Atlanta area, said he expects to see Sammons at the plate sometime before the regular season ends on Sept. 30.
"Clint's one of my really good buddies," McCann said. "He deserves it."
Whether he gets that elusive plate appearance or not, Sammons said, he plans on getting plenty of opportunities in 2008 when he auditions to be McCann's backup in spring training.
"I'm obviously not going to take Brian's spot, because he's here for the long haul," he said. "All I can ask for is a shot to make it, and I think have a good chance."
But for now, Sammons said, "to be able to put on that uniform that says 'Atlanta' across it is definitely kind of surreal at times. It took a little bit to sink in, but it's something I'd love to do the rest of my career if I can."
Catcher Clint Sammons, who helped lead the Diamond Dogs to the 2004 College World Series, was called up last week to join his hometown team, the Atlanta Braves.
"It was Monday night, (Sept.) 10," Sammons said.
"We'd just gotten beat out of the playoffs in Double A. I'd just gotten back here to Atlanta and I was unpacking my stuff and everything. Got a call about 6:30 that night from my manager in Double A, who broke the news."
Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur, who played football and baseball with Sammons at Parkview High School in Lilburn, said he heard the news even before Sammons did.
"We were up in New York, and I went back to get an extra hat for (batting practice) in the locker room, and I saw the 'Sammons' being stitched on the back of the uniform," Francoeur said.
"Me and Clint first met when he was six and I was five," he said. "We played on a tee ball all-star team together.
"It's so cool, because how many times do two guys from the same high school end up playing in the big leagues together on the same team? It was a dream come true."
Sammons, who played quarterback to Francoeur's receiver at Parkview, saw action as a defensive replacement against the New York Mets Sept. 12, but still is searching for his first major league at-bat.
"I'm just trying to soak everything in," Sammons said.
"I know that it'll come. I don't think (manager Bobby Cox) has forgotten about me … He's got to play his guys who've been here, and that's the way it should be."
All-Star catcher Brian McCann, who also knows Sammons from their youth baseball days in the Atlanta area, said he expects to see Sammons at the plate sometime before the regular season ends on Sept. 30.
"Clint's one of my really good buddies," McCann said. "He deserves it."
Whether he gets that elusive plate appearance or not, Sammons said, he plans on getting plenty of opportunities in 2008 when he auditions to be McCann's backup in spring training.
"I'm obviously not going to take Brian's spot, because he's here for the long haul," he said. "All I can ask for is a shot to make it, and I think have a good chance."
But for now, Sammons said, "to be able to put on that uniform that says 'Atlanta' across it is definitely kind of surreal at times. It took a little bit to sink in, but it's something I'd love to do the rest of my career if I can."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
CoastalDawg
posted 9/26/07 @ 8:59 AM EST
Don't unpack all your bags Clint. Georgia fans would LOVE to see another local make it with the big time Braves. But John Schuerholz is a great one for trading off the future of the Braves, especially if they are from Georgia. (Continued…)
Post a Comment