Rome Braves Program Vol. 1

Rome Braves Program Vol. 1

APR 12-17, 2022

Vaughn Grissom Headlines 3 Prospects Featured in Rome’s Opening Day Roster

Featured Story: The Randy Davis Story and How Little Ole Rome Succeeded in Bringing Baeball to Northwest Georgia

Northwest Georgia’s largest health care network

Learn more at AdventHealth.com

Remembering A Legend: The Randy Davis Story FEATURED STORY

8 Hudson Valley Roster

9 Rome Braves Roster

10 Rome Braves Photo Roster

12 Group Tickets

13 Tradin’ Post Item of the Homestand

PLAY ALONG DURING THE GAME Answers revealed in the 5th inning

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2022 SCHEDULE

HOME

AWAY

Times, dates, and opponents are subject to change.

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CHARLIE MORTON BOBBLEHEAD JUNE 24

MAX FRIED BOBBLEHEAD JULY 9

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Remembering A Legend: The Randy Davis Story by Justin Franklin

“Well, you heard it Randy. If you build it, they will come.” At the time, Jerry Bryant, the executive director of the Rome-Floyd County YMCA, had no idea the impact that the line from the famous Field of Dreams movie would have on Randy Davis. After a commu- nity showing of the 1989 classic film, Davis realized he had a field of dreams of his own. Randy Davis loved Rome and Floyd County and wanted minor league baseball in Rome, and nothing was going to get in his way. The pro- cess of getting the Braves to Rome was nowhere near an easy one, but when

the dust settled in 2003, it would be more than worth the wait. The impact of Rome Braves baseball would be one that was felt for decades to come. Often when someone buys season tickets, they buy them from a team they’re a fan of. Or at least a team they have seen play. However, in the 1990’s, the people of Floyd County were buying tickets for a team that did not exist…yet. Sparked by an idea that he saw in Washington D.C., Ran- dy Davis got a crew together and be- gan peddling tickets for the Rome mi-

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nor league baseball team well before ground broke on a stadium, and even before a team agreed to move to the city. “They were selling a dream” said Ran- dy’s son Matt Davis. “They were so passionate about the idea of bringing baseball to Rome, they were able to sell a pretty decent number of tickets.” But a pretty decent number of imag- inary tickets for an imaginary team would not be enough to convince the Floyd County voters. The initial pro- posal to bring minor league baseball to Rome was put on the ballot for the first time in 1991 and despite the draw- ing interest from a few different major league clubs, the proposal failed. Despite the rejection from the Floyd County voters, Davis and company did not give up. Ten years after the initial proposal, baseball was back on the ballot, this time with support from Atlanta. In 2001, the Atlanta Braves were looking at relocating their minor league franchise which, at the time, resided in Macon. The Macon Braves had been a fixture of the community since 1991, but after failing to upgrade their facilities to Atlanta’s standards, the Braves were ready to move on from Macon. As the support from Atlanta grew, as did the support from the community. In the fall of 2001, the proposal that would bring minor league baseball to the river city would make another appearance on the ballot. “Long sto- ry short, they rallied to get it on the ballot” recalls Randy’s daughter Eliza- beth Davis, who still works at Rome’s WLAQ station where Randy Davis once ruled the airwaves. “It was a real-

ly narrow margin, but they got it done.” Narrow it was. 7,163 Floyd County vot- ers voted yes for Braves baseball on that November day in 2001, while only 7,021 voted against it. So with a plan in place, both sides made it official. The Rome Braves would become Atlanta’s newest Single-A affiliate beginning in 2003. “I remember even some of the people who voted against it came back and said they were so glad there was Rome Braves baseball” Elizabeth re- calls. While it was the focal point, Matt Da- vis believes that baseball was not the only thing Floyd County gained from this experience. “It was just such a les- son in perseverance. Having a dream and sticking to it.” he says. In a strik- ing similarity to working your way through the minors to the big leagues, so did the ideas of a simple man who loved his community. “I remember one of the things people used to say in the early days when people did not neces- sarily believe in the idea was ‘Oh minor league baseball, no big deal. None of these guys will ever make it anyway.’ ”Davis said. However, in the first year of Rome Braves baseball, the river city saw future rookies of the year and World Series champions. Braves legends Jeff Francouer and Brian McCann took the field for that inaugural team in 2003 that would eventually go on to be the kings of the South Atlantic League. There would be no lack of star power in the years to come for the Rome Braves with players such as Charlie Morton, Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Ri- ley, Mike Soroka, Max Fried, and oth- er members of the 2021 World Series championship roster all taking the

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field at AdventHealth Stadium. Their dreams came true just like Randy Da- vis’s did. So to him, them, and to us, minor league baseball is a big deal. Randy Davis also found himself in the radio booth for the first three seasons of Rome Braves baseball. It was only fitting that the Rome Braves’ biggest fan, who was no stranger to play-by- play himself, got to call all of the ac- tion from that magical 2003 season. Randy had several people join him in the booth during his run as the voice of the Braves, but none were as spe- cial to him as his son Matt. Matt joined Randy in the booth for a few years to- wards the end of Randy’s Braves ten- ure and traveled with the team as well. “We shared a lot of great memories do- ing that.” Davis said. “We met a lot of interesting people and got to see a lot

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of legendary baseball players play and interact and build relationships with them.” But much more than that, Ran- dy Davis inspired the next generation of broadcasters. “I can only speak for myself, but I never really considered doing any sports broadcasting, and he encouraged me to do it because he needed some help for a couple of years. I never would’ve had the confi- dence to do it on my own.” Matt Da- vis has had his own sports show at Rome’s WLAQ and does play by play for several high schools in Floyd Coun- ty for several years now. “Dad really believed in me, and he encouraged me all the way through.” There is no short selling it, Randy Da- vis is a local legend. Randy was a man who cared about not just the local sports community, but the Rome com- munity as a whole. Randy genuinely believed that minor league baseball would improve the quality of life in the city of seven hills, and at the end of the day that is all he really wanted. Randy loved the loved Floyd County, Georgia, and did every thing he knew how to make it more enjoyable for ev- eryone who crossed the county lines. However, as much of a legend as he was in the eyes of the community, to Matt and Elizabeth he was just Dad. When she reflects on it, Elizabeth says that “He was our dad. What a blessing, what a legacy. What great opportu- nities we have had. I am so grateful.”

From a professional standpoint, Matt Davis says “I think when I was young- er, I took for granted just how talented he was. When I go back and listen to old tapes of Rome Braves games now, I hear it in a different way than I would have when I was younger. Because we grew up with it. It was just always him and what he did.” Despite his passing in October of 2021, the impact of Randy Davis’s passion for the community and the game of baseball is still, and will be felt for gen- erations. “In a lot of ways, my dad was an extraordinary man, but I think a lot of people would say he was just an normal guy too. But he did extraordi- nary things with his talent.” Matt Davis says. “I would say that was one of his best qualities, giving other people op- portunities, the platforms, and a stage to help them realize their dreams.” When asked what she hopes people remember of her dad, Elizabeth Da- vis says “That passion, that love, that willingness to dream, that willingness to make dreams come reality.” Pas- sion for radio, baseball, and communi- ty service were always Randy Davis’s thing. To put it simply, there is no mi- nor league baseball in Rome without Randy Davis. The Rome Braves are thankful for the passion and dreams of Randy Davis and will continue to honor his legacy and carry out his vi- sion of encouragement and communi- ty service.

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HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES Manager: Tyson Blaser Coaches: Spencer Medick, Rob Benjamin, José Javier, Jonathan Becker, Danny Smith

PITCHERS

NO.

B/T

HT

WT 185 220 200 190 162 190 170 190 175 225 180 200 220

DOB

Abeyta, Blane

18 16

R/R 6' 3" R/R 6' 4" L/L 5' 10" R/R 6' 0" R/R 5' 10" R/R 6' 2" R/R 6' 1" R/R 6' 4"

9/4/98 6/11/98 5/25/98 12/19/95 9/8/98 4/7/98 1/25/97 4/25/97 10/23/96

Alvarez, Nelson L. Barclay, Edgar Blanton, Bryan Castano, Blas Coleman, Carson Correa, Nelvin Diaz, Wellington Giacone, Michael Hutchison, Rodney

26

10

20 34 32 35 27 44

L/L

6' 0"

R/R 6' 5" R/R 6' 0" R/R 5' 10" R/R 6' 7" R/R 6' 4" R/R 6' 2" R/R 6' 4"

8/9/96

Mauricio, Alex

8

9/24/96 8/10/99 5/21/98 1/21/99 6/16/99 8/6/99

Munoz, Jhonatan

37 23

Myatt, Tanner Sauer, Matt Warren, Will

21

195 175

28

Way, Beck

12

200

CATCHERS

NO.

B/T

HT

WT 190 190 220

DOB

Narvaez, Carlos

5

R/R 6' 0" R/R 6' 2" L/R 6' 2"

11/26/98 2/19/99 7/12/99

Torres, Saul Wells, Austin

26

16

INFIELDERS

NO.

B/T

HT

WT

DOB

Bowman, Cooper Hardman, Tyler Henson, Spencer Rumfield, T.J. Sweeney, Trey Torrealba, Eduardo OUTFIELDERS DeMarco, Pat Palensky, Aaron Pereira, Everson Sanchez, Aldenis

4

R/R 6' 0" R/R 6' 3" R/R 6' 2" L/R 6' 5" L/R 6' 4" R/R 5' 8"

205 204 235 225 200 140

1/25/00 1/27/99 11/3/97 5/17/00 4/24/00 3/26/99

36

14

2 3 11

NO.

B/T

HT

WT 192 190

DOB

9

R/R 5' 9" R/R 5' 11" R/R 6' 0" R/R 6' 1"

3/10/98 9/22/98 4/10/01 9/26/98

1

25

191

19

165

8

ROME BRAVES Manager: Kanekoa Texeira Coaches: Wes McGuire, Danny Santiesteban, Bobby Moore, Jesus Aviles, Joe Powell

PITCHERS Barger, Alec

NO.

B/T

HT

WT 201 200 160 210 215 215 210 195 190 183 170 230 198 205 185 215 WT 215 180 195 WT 182 180 220 212 185 190 204

DOB

30 27 34 38 59 20 32 26 45 46 54 37

R/R 6' 2" R/R 6' 3"

3/24/98 5/2/97 5/29/01 6/6/98 9/30/96 10/26/97 2/2/00 3/12/96 4/14/00 4/14/00 7/24/98 1/27/97 6/22/99 6/21/98

Crouse, Marrick De Avila, Luis

L/L L/L

5' 11" 6' 3"

Dodd, Dylan

Dum, Benjamin Gordon, Tanner

L/R 6' 0" L/R 6' 5" R/R 6' 5"

Hoffmann, Andrew McSteen, Jake Munoz, Roddery Munoz, Rolddy Santos, Lisandro Schwab, Davis Smith, Austin

R/L

6' 0"

R/R 6' 3" R/R 6' 2"

L/L L/L

6' 1" 6' 4"

12

R/R 6' 3" R/R 6' 6" R/R 6' 4" L/R 6' 5"

Spain, Dylan

7

Van Buren, Malcolm

23 22

7/5/98

Yeager, Justin

1/20/98

CATCHERS

NO.

B/T

HT

DOB

Estrada, Rusber

36 55

R/R 6' 0" L/R 6' 2" R/R 5' 10"

6/5/95 7/16/00 11/19/98

Tolve, Tyler

Valdes, Javier

16

INFIELDERS Bunnell, Cade

NO.

B/T

HT

DOB

4

L/R 6' 0" R/R 6' 3" L/R 6' 3" R/R 6' 2" L/R 5' 10" R/R 6' 0" R/R 6' 2"

5/14/97 1/5/01 3/6/99 2/19/00 12/23/98 10/23/98 3/15/98

Grissom, Vaughn

15

Horne, Bryson

9

Malloy, Justyn-Henry

24

Milligan, Cody

2 8

Philip, Beau

Stephens, Landon

18

OUTFIELDERS Campbell, Drew

NO.

B/T L/L

HT

WT 170

DOB

11

5' 11"

11/10/97 4/8/97 12/22/96 11/23/99

Carter, Willie

14 51

R/R 6' 0" L/R 5' 11"

205 180

Moritz, Andrew

Robinson, Christian

25

L/L

6' 2"

211

9

ROME BRAVES COACHES

13

28

1

Wes McGuire Pitching Coach

Danny Santiesteban Hitting Coach

Bobby Moore Assistant Coach

50

Kanekoa Texeira Manager

Jesus Aviles Athletic Trainer

Joe Powell Strength + Conditioning

Angel Piva Clubhouse Manager

ROME BRAVES ROSTER as of 4/12/22

2

4

7

8

9

Cody Milligan Infielder

Cade Bunnell Infielder

Dylan Spain Pitcher

Beau Philip Infielder

Bryson Horne Infielder

10

ROME BRAVES ROSTER as of 4/12/22

11

12

14

15

16

Drew Campbell Outfielder

Austin Smith Pitcher

Willie Carter Outfielder

Vaughn Grissom Infielder

Javier Valdes Pitcher

18

20

22

23

24

Landon Stephens Pitcher

Tanner Gordon Pitcher

Justin Yeager Pitcher

Malcolm Van Buren Pitcher

Justyn-Henry Malloy Outfielder

25

26

27

30

32

Christian Robinson Outfielder

Jake McSteen Pitcher

Marrick Crouse Pitcher

Alec Barger Pitcher

Andrew Hoffmann Pitcher

34

36

37

38

45

Luis De Avila Pitcher

Rusber Estrada Catcher

Davis Schwab Pitcher

Dylan Dodd Pitcher

Roddery Muñoz Pitcher

46

51

54

55

59

Rolddy Muñoz Pitcher

Andrew Moritz Outfielder

Lisandro Santos Pitcher

Tyler Tolve Catcher

Ben Dum Pitcher

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GROUP TICKETS

307 306 305

Pressbox

309 308

304 Jumbo Suite

311 310

Boardroom Suite

Terrace

314

301

201

200 202

203

204

206

205

208

207

100 102

210

101

209

103

104

106

105

Gate 6

108

ut

107

ugo

y D

110

Awa

109

112

Bubba’s BBQ Barn

111

113

Marina

115

117

Picnic Pavilion

Kids Zone

Suzuki Showcase

The Terrace

Suites

The newly renovated Terrace is set to debut for the 2022 season. The Terrace is the most exclusive area at the stadium. Terrace parties include a 90-minute pre-game buffet inside a climate-controlled area with full bar service available. The Terrace also offers your guests one of the best views in the stadium.

An evening in a Rome Braves luxury suite is the perfect way to watch the Rome Braves at AdventHealth Stadium. In fact, a luxury suite is much more than a night of exciting ac- tion-packed entertainment. It’s Rome’s most exclusive opportunity to entertain your clients, employees, family and friends.

Picnics

Parade of Champions

Perfect for large company outings, Picnics in- clude a 90-minute pre-game buffet and a re- served Box Level ticket for each guest. Unique compared to other group areas, there’s no limit on how big your party may be.

Any group reaching one of three reward tiers will be invited to parade around the warning track during pre-game festivities and the Rome Braves will make a donation per the reward program back to your organization.

Suzuki Showcase

Birthday Parties

A covered private party area in Right Field is the perfect place to celebrate little league team parties or birthday parties! With picnic table seating and a grassy-berm area, it’s the perfect area for all to play. Reserve your date today and let the children celebrate.

Celebrate your birthday with the Rome Braves! Enjoy the game with three reserved picnic ta- bles, cake, and the opportunity to eat it too! We’ll even get the entire crowd to sing happy birthday on your special day. National Anthem Packages Does your choir, class, or church group want to perform the national anthem? Groups of 50 or more will receive a discount when booking through our group line!

Picnics

Perfect for large groups who don’t need the amenities of a group area. Discounts are based on how many tickets are purchased.

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Antigua 1/4 Zip Pullover

The newly renovated Terrace is set to debut for the 2022 season. The Terrace is the most exclusive area at the stadium. Terrace parties include a 90-minute pre-game buffet inside a climate-controlled area with full bar service available. The Terrace also offers your guests one of the best views in the stadium.