The Braves are building quite a roster of former players. It would be interesting to watch a game of the Former Braves vs. the Current Braves in an exhibition but I'm afraid the Current Braves are having enough problems selling tickets and that game wouldn't help marketing's cause.
But many of the Former Braves still exist on their website -- in the form of a clearance sale. Click this link and it will take you to the clearance section of the Braves' shop on the official MLB fan gear outlet. You'll notice things like an authentic Jason Heyward jersey marked down from $246.99 to $157.97, a Craig Kimbrel jersey from $109.99 to $76.97 and -- an unfortunate new arrival -- an Andrelton Simmons jersey slashed from $109.99 to $81.97.
(For some reason, an authentic B.J./Melvin Jr Upton jersey has been cut by only $66.02 to $180.97, although the fact it's still way overpriced kind of makes sense.).
The most worrisome news on the site might be this: While most of the clearance jersey, T-shirts and memorabilia commemorate former Braves -- Heyward, Kimbrel, Simmons, B.J. and Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, Brian McCann and Dan Uggla -- there's one exception. There's only one exception: Freddie Freeman.
Yes, amid rumors that the Braves are shopping Freeman -- rumors that have been denied by general manager John Coppolella -- there are two Freeman shirts on sale: a 2015 "Stars and Stripes" T-shirt and a Memorial Day "Camo Name and Number" T-shirt, each reduced $6 to $21.97. (His jerseys remain full price .)
I don't offer this as empirical evidence that the Braves will deal Freeman. I just find it an amazing coincidence.
For what it's worth, I snooped around the official online shops of the NFL, NBA and MLB and discovered a few more bargains:
• The NFL is selling a Falcons' Ray Edwards' youth jersey for $39.99 (reduced $30). So, you know, if you really hate your kid...
• Type " Tim Tebow" in the NFL shop window and you'll find a flood of items from his time with Denver, the New York Jets and Philadelphia (even though he never played a game there). The Jets' green "Tebow In The City" T-shirt can be yours for $19.99.
• The NBA store is selling a Detroit Pistons/Josh Smith bobblehead doll for $17.99. He's holding the ball and looks like he's getting ready to pass. Not very realistic.
• There were no Hawks/Smith or Joe Johnson items in the NBA store. But Johnson's Nets' "swingman home" jersey has been reduced from $109.99 to $59.99. Like Upton, it's a relative bargain compared to the contract.
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