Braves 400 Fan Club to host banquet-fundraiser

By Nancy Badertscher

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Braves 400 Fan Club will host its annual winter banquet and fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 21, in the Grand Ballroom of the Atlanta Marriott Century Center Hotel.

A gala reception, silent auction and raffle of Braves memorabilia begins at 5 p.m., with the awards dinner and program following at 6:30 p.m.

This year’s Gameboree honors both the 1991 and 1992 National League Champions, the first two teams during the Braves' 14-year run of NL divisional championships.

Braves announcer Jim Powell will be emcee.

Many former players and coaches have been invited from the two teams, including Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Charlie Liebrandt, Sid Bream, Mark Lemke, Ron Gant, Terry Pendleton, Leo Mazzone and Pat Corrales. Early confirmations include l Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro.

The first annual Braves 400 Fan Club charitable award to support baseball in the Atlanta area will be made this year to the Brian Jordan Foundation.

Other awards include the Braves 400 Fan Club Rookie of the Year awards presented to Freddie Freeman and Craig Kimbrell; the Luke Appling Nostalgia Award; the Ivan Allen Jr. “Mr. Baseball” Award; and awards for outstanding performances by Braves minor league players in 2011. In addition, the 2012 Phil Niekro College Scholarships will be awarded to the baseball programs at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega and Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville.

Admission is by reservation only, and the deadline is Monday, Jan. 16. Tickets are $65 ($60 if reservation is made before Jan. 7) and include dinner and a goody bag.

Make reservations on the Club’s website,  www.braves400.org, or by mailing a check to the Braves 400 Club, P.O. Box 7689, Atlanta 30309. Information is available at the website or by calling the Braves 400 Fan Club’s hotline, 770-416-4539.