Bobby Cox made sure to appreciate the fans in the stands at Turner Field during his Baseball Hall of Fame induction speech at Cooperstown, N.Y.
“To the fans back in Atlanta at Turner Field who are watching this on the big screen,” Cox said. “Thanks for sticking with us all these years.”
The feeling of gratitude was mutual for fans in the stands, especially for Jason O’Neal.
O'Neal is one of a few faces behind the "Thanks Bobby!" Facebook page, which was started in 2010 during Cox's final season as Braves manager.
It’s a page for Braves fans by Braves fans, O’Neal said. The fanpage features flashbacks of former braves but it also aggregates content and news about the current team.
As a major contributor the Facebook page, O’Neal said he attends Braves games regularly but what brought him to Turner Field on Sunday was the Jumbotron Hall of Fame screening.
“I bought my ticket as soon as I heard they were going to be screening,” O’Neal said.
O’Neal sat next to a giant Braves blue homemade sign. Big white block letters on the sign read “Thanks Bobby” and that’s exactly what O’Neal aimed to do.
“I could be at home in the (air conditioning) watching it on TV but nothing beats this,” O’Neal said. “Aside from being there, but that’s easier said than done. This is a good next best thing.”
