One day there’s sure to be a movie on the life of Evan Gattis. And we’ll all be able to say, that we(Braves fans) were able to see much of it unfold before our eyes. If you can’t pull for this guy, there is something seriously wrong with you. In 26 years, he’s experienced more than most of us will in 100. The way Gattis can square up a fastball, and then share with reporters his quest for universal truth makes it easy to see him sharing a beer with anyone from Babe Ruth to Henry David Thoreau. Whether fighting addiction, or doing some serious soul searching, he’s far advanced for a rookie in many aspects, inside and out of the batter’s box.
The story David O’Brien brought us sharing all these events in Gattis’s life immediately endeared him to Braves Country. Not to mention, the dude absolutely mashed every level of pitching he’s faced. In 2011 and 2012, he went from A-AAA, while posting batting averages over .300 both years and slugging percentages over .600. If there’s ever been a player that fit in with a franchise grounded in it’s Southeastern, United States heritage and fan base, it would be this guy. Grizzly beard, stocky build, and no batting gloves, he epitomizes the athletic good ol’ boy.
Gattis drives one deep…
Then, in the second game of the 2013 season, Evan Gattis saw his name on the lineup card in the dugout. His long and winding journey to the big leagues was complete. But of course, a start in a Major League game wasn’t enough. It couldn’t be. Disney or whatever film company couldn’t have a movie that climaxed with just a name on a card. They would probably write something along the lines of…. Dad being interviewed in the crowd by the local Fox affiliate, while his son steps into the batter’s box against a future Hall of Famer. In the middle of a question, the 26 year old rookie would connect and drive a pitch deep into center. As he’s rounding first the outfielder would climb the wall, attempting to rob our protagonist’s home run. But his glove would be empty as his feet landed on Turner Field’s warning track. Gattis circles the bases and is mobbed in the dugout by teammates…. And scene. But come on, that stuff only happens in the movies……
