The Atlanta Braves and the Mouse Club of America
Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 12:15 pm
On June 11, 1967, the Atlanta Braves hosted the San Francisco Giants in a tilt that might otherwise have been famous for the fact that “Alou” lead off and played left field for both teams. Alas, that was not the best thing about this game. This is because (for me, anyway, so obviously for everyone else, too) the best thing about this game was that it was attended by the Mouse Club of America. And that during the game, the attendance of this esteemed group was acknowledged by both the stadium announce and the Braves broadcast team.
Sure, the game was a close affair, won by the Braves in the bottom of the tenth when Hank Aaron singled, stoles second, and scored on an infield error. But no one cared. All everyone could talk about was the fact that the Mouse Club of America was in attendance.
I know this because this announcement is part of my family lore, and was passed down to me by none other than the Vice President of the group—my very own grandfather. I’ve heard the story many times. Still, you wonder, right? Did that really happen? Could it be overblown?
Then last night, as I was going through some pictures and whatnot from my dad’s place, I came across this wonderful, amazing letter, written by the very President of the Mouse Club of America, my uncle. Or cousin X-removed. Whatever. I’m not good with genealogy. It is addressed to the one and only Milo Hamilton, and lays out the parameters of their club and their upcoming visit.
Even better, I uncovered a formal application for said club, which I will add as an attachment for your enjoyment.
So, yes, Ron, there was a Mouse Club of America.
And it was so glorious that the Atlanta Braves almost certainly did take a moment of their time to acknowledge its impact.
Sure, the game was a close affair, won by the Braves in the bottom of the tenth when Hank Aaron singled, stoles second, and scored on an infield error. But no one cared. All everyone could talk about was the fact that the Mouse Club of America was in attendance.
I know this because this announcement is part of my family lore, and was passed down to me by none other than the Vice President of the group—my very own grandfather. I’ve heard the story many times. Still, you wonder, right? Did that really happen? Could it be overblown?
Then last night, as I was going through some pictures and whatnot from my dad’s place, I came across this wonderful, amazing letter, written by the very President of the Mouse Club of America, my uncle. Or cousin X-removed. Whatever. I’m not good with genealogy. It is addressed to the one and only Milo Hamilton, and lays out the parameters of their club and their upcoming visit.
Even better, I uncovered a formal application for said club, which I will add as an attachment for your enjoyment.
So, yes, Ron, there was a Mouse Club of America.
And it was so glorious that the Atlanta Braves almost certainly did take a moment of their time to acknowledge its impact.