Update: Due to the weather and the travel of the guests (some from Florida), the 'Call Ups' Luncheon is being combined with the 'Salute 1954 Atlanta Crackers' Luncheon. This will be an opportunity to honor the 1954 Atlanta Cracker team as well as meet some of the new Braves, so be sure to attend!
Fifty years ago the Atlanta Crackers completed a dream season at old Ponce de Leon Park, and on Tuesday, September 21, ten living members of that dream team will be saluted at a special luncheon at Turner Field's 755 Club at 12:00 noon.
Ten members of the '54 team including ex-Brave Frank Torre (Joe's brother) will attend the luncheon, as will sports writing legend Furman Bisher who covered the team that miracle season! Team owner Earl Mann's widow and son, Myra and Oreon Mann, will also be there. Furman and others will share their memories of 1954.
The 1954 team was one of the greatest Crackers teams ever. They won their division, the league title and the Dixie Series, the second time they hit the Southern Association's triple crown. This also set a Southern Association record as no other team did it more than once.
The late Whitlow Wyatt, a former guest at Braves 400 Club functions, managed the team. Chuck Tanner was an outfielder with the Crackers for three seasons and hit .323 with 101 RBI in 1954. Bob Montag became the all time Atlanta Cracker home run leader that year with 39 home runs; that was also the year of Montag's 518-mile homer. In addition to Torre, other stars that year included Dick Donovan who went 18-8 with a 2.69 ERA and pitched 15 seasons in the majors. Leo Cristante went 24-7 that season, and Pete Whisenant, who played 8 years in the Majors, had 20 HRs and 94 RBI in '54. Cracker pitcher Glenn Thompson set the all time Southern Association strikeout record that year when he fanned 19 New Orleans Pelicans in a game. Unfortunately Bob Montag's health and Chuck Tanner's wife's health will prevent Bob and Chuck from joining the reunion.
This luncheon will be part of a day-long celebration for the 1954 Crackers. They will also dedicate a magnolia tree in the Turner Field Plaza, and they'll be saluted on the field prior to the Braves-Phillies game that evening.
The cost of the luncheon is $30 for the general public and $25 for Braves 400 Club members and their guests. Furman Bisher and Chuck Dowdle will be promoting this luncheon to the general public, so make your reservation early - before the luncheon sells out.
To make reservations, call the Club Hot Line: 770-416-4539 and leave a message stating the names of your guests, number of seats you are reserving, and your name and contact information. Mail a check payable to Atlanta Braves 400 Club for your total amount owed to P.O. Box 7689, Atlanta, GA 30309.
Payment must be received by September 20.