Sports

Gonzalez and Cox After the Game in Gwinnett

In a video you'll only see on Patch, current Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez and former manager Bobby Cox said they both enjoyed playing in this matchup between the Braves All-Stars and Future All-Stars at Coolray Field.

 

Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez got a look at the future. And Gwinnett baseball fans got a chance to watch their major league favorites play in their own backyard. 

A record setting crowd of 10,568 came to Coolray Field on Tuesday night to watch the Atlanta Braves  -- a team made up of the best talent from the major league team's farm clubs. And the future looks bright for many of the up and coming players.

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"They've got some good young position players there and some of those arms that came out of the bullpen, it was pretty impressive to see," said Gonzalez. "If I ever get fired, I'm gonna go out there and manage the Lynchburg Hillcats this year," he joked. "It's a pretty good club they've got out there!"

The Future All-Stars team brought players from the Gwinnett Braves, Mississippi Braves, Rome Braves and the Lynchburg Hillcats together under the guidance of retired Atlanta Braves manager . The team fared well, but in a rain-shortened game.

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The Future All-Stars had a 3-1 lead over the guys in the big leagues until the bottom of the fifth. "I was proud of our guys, they played very well, they held their own," said Cox. "We've got a lot to look forward to, with the pitching especially. The pitching for me tonight, I didn't know it was going to be that good."

Both Gonzalez and Cox also enjoyed the fun of this first-ever matchup. "I think North (Johnson, G-Braves General Manager) and his staff here in Gwinnett did a terrific job making us feel comfortable, it was really impressive," said Gonzalez. "If they ask us to do this again next year, I would love to do it." Cox agreed adding he hopes it's "something that may become a tradition."

Watch this exclusive video to see what else Gonzalez and Cox had to say about Tuesday's game and the Atlanta Braves' season opener against the New York Mets.


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