mimblr.com

ATLANTA — Bobby Cox has seen the President throw out the first pitch on Opening Day before. Nearly 40 years later, the Atlanta Braves manager is looking forward to being part of the spectacle again.
President George W. Bush is scheduled make the ceremonial toss on Sunday night as the Braves help Washington debut its new Nationals Park. In 1969, Cox was a member of the New York Yankees when President Richard M. Nixon did the first-pitch honors for the old Washington Senators.
“It’ll be exciting,” Cox said on Saturday, looking back as well as ahead. “I can still remember Nixon. This time, we’ll have the President, plus a new stadium. I’m really looking forward to seeing that ballpark.”
Cox, like everyone else, is ready to move on from RFK Stadium, although one of his nine career Major League homers came in the old place.
“It wasn’t very good even way back when I played in it,” said Cox, a member of the Yankees in 1968 and ‘69.
Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson is scheduled to be the first batter at Nationals Park, leading off on Sunday night against Washington left-hander Odalis Perez.
“It should be cool,” Johnson said. “It’s an honor to be the first batter in a new ballpark, and I’m really excited about seeing it. It’s no secret that I wasn’t all the fond of the old place.”
Most hitters weren’t. In addition to being outdated, RFK Stadium was where home runs went to die.
“It just wasn’t a good place to hit,” Johnson said. “They say the new ballpark will be much better. Plus, it looks like it is going to be really nice. It will be a great change, and having the President there for the opening will be exciting.”
Tim Hudson, the Opening Day starter for the Braves, will miss RFK’s spacious outfield, though.

mlb.mlb.com