The statuary at new Cobb Country Taxpayer Park is impressive, and got even better with the addition of the Bobby Cox bronze (think Rodin’s The Thinker, but thankfully clothed).
But, then, why not a Leo Mazzone statue, too? One on springs that actually rocks in the manner of the former fidgety pitching coach? The kids would have a blast playing on Uncle Leo like an old-fashioned rocking horse.
You know, there’s an awful lot of available space around the new park. And an awful lot of undocumented Braves history. What they need are some more statues.
Wouldn’t you love to see Deion Sanders’ days as a Braves preserved for posterity? Not at the plate or in the field. But in the clubhouse. Imagine a statue of Prime Time dumping ice water on broadcaster Tim McCarver.
Hall of Famers Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux were invaluable to the Braves pitching tradition. Everyone knows that. What future generations need to remember is that they starred in one of the great ad campaigns in sports history (do yourself a favor and watch it here again). What's required is a statue entitled, "Chicks Dig the Long Ball."
Or how about a salute to multi-culturalism. Something depicting the beautiful we-are-the-world nature of the bad contract. I’m thinking Mike Hampton, Kenshin Kawakami and B.J. Upton, their arms locked in unity, standing upon the roof of a Brinks truck.
So many other choice, statue-worthy ideas out there that might depict the spirit of those who were Braves.
John Rocker glaring at a photographer.
Otis Nixon making The Catch – we should always remember he is more than a name on a missing persons report.
Dale Murphy pulling two children and a puppy from a burning orphanage. (OK, it never happened, but it could have).
Or a more factual fire-related image: A rather famous one of infielders Mark Lemke and Jeff Blauser posing on the field while the Fulton County Stadium pressbox blazed behind them (1993).
Who else but the Braves could have an artwork entitled, “Fat Tub of Goo”? Something to commemorate former overfed Braves pitcher Terry Forster’s Late Night appearance with his tormentor David Letterman back in mid-1980s.
Then there’s Walter Banks, usher to the stars and the common man alike, the Hank Aaron of customer relations. That man has earned at least one statue.
Any other ideas – and surely there are many more – be sure to forward them to the Braves. They’d be happy to hear from you. Sculptors are on stand-by.
