Ex-Jackets draw fans

June 10, 1998 | Atlanta Journal | By Michael Lee

 

Leigh Schaffer's bright yellow dress and white hat with the letters "GT" emblazoned on the front let it be known whom she came to support. Her husband, Bill, a professor of economics at Georgia Tech, said, "Well, we're Braves fans." "Speak for yourself," said Leigh Schaffer, a longtime fan of Yellow Jacket baseball, who even followed the team to the College World Series in 1994. "I grew up in Yankee Stadium, so this is really a comedown for me --- the Red Sox --- but I am wherever my kids are."

Tuesday night, her "kids" were back. Only this time, ex-Jackets Darren Bragg, Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek were playing professional baseball in Atlanta for the Boston Red Sox.

Bragg and Garciaparra each drove in a pair of runs in Boston's 9- 3 victory over Atlanta. Bragg had three hits in the game, including a triple and a double, while Garciaparra had a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly. "It's nice to see a lot of people are still rooting for you," said Bragg, who played at Tech from 1987-91.

Although the players dwarfed the importance of the return, Bill Schaffer, who taught all three of the players at Georgia Tech, was thrilled to make this the first game he attended at Turner Field. "When I saw this on the schedule," he said, "I knew I had to be here." Another big fan isn't hard to find. "We're glad they're on our team," said Boston manager Jimy Williams. "They're throwbacks. They're always prepared to play." And playing Atlanta is no different. "It feels all right, seeing familiar faces in the crowd. But this ain't vacation," said 1997 AL Rookie of the Year Garciaparra. "This is work."

His sentiments were echoed by Bragg, who started his career with Seattle and resides in Roswell with his wife, Kathleen. "I've been looking forward to it since I saw it on the schedule. It's going to be fun to play," he said. "But it's strictly business."

Varitek is batting .250 this season, platooning at catcher against left-handers. Monday night, he went 0-for-4, but still managed to drive in two runs. "He has good instincts for baseball," Williams said about Varitek, acquired last season from the Mariners. "He's a tough kid . . . done everything I've ask of him." Varitek felt great about his return to Atlanta Monday, "until the ninth inning," he said. But it turned back around somewhat when he went home to Suwanee, where he lives with his wife, Karen. "You know there's nothing like your own bed," he said.

Garciaparra did see one advantage to being back in Atlanta. "At least I know where to find a good restaurant," said Garciaparra, who said he wants a nice steak before he leaves.