As the baseball season enters its final weeks, we (the officers and directors of the Braves 400 Fan Club) are busy planning the "event of the year", the Annual Gameboree!   Much has to be considered.   The venue, the date, the theme, the award winners, and on and on and on.   This year one of the items was decided for us.   When Bobby Cox announced his intention to retire at the conclusion of the 2010 season, the theme was mandated.   We just had to thank Bobby for his dedicated service as manager of our Atlanta Braves.   We had to let him know just how much we appreciated all he had done for all of the fans.   On February 5th, 2011, we did just that.

The Gameboree was a huge success! Even the weather cooperated.   After several weeks of severe weather we were fortunate to experience seasonal, but pleasant weather for the weekend of the event.   This year's Gameboree was held in the Georgia Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center.   The dinner was delicious and it was followed by a great program.

The silent auction held prior to dinner drew many interested bidders, raised a substantial amount of money for the Phil Niekro Scholarship Fund and rewarded those submitting the winning bids with prized memorabilia.

	The evening's program was, once again, emceed by Jim Powell.   He introduced the many guest speakers, award winners and lastly, Bobby Cox himself.   What a program!
	Rick Wheeler presents the Braves 400 Fan Club "Red Wooten" 2010 High School Player of the Year Award to Chevez "Chevy" Clarke - Marietta High School
	The Jason Varitek Award is presented to Zach Cone by Rick Wheeler.   The award recognizes the "Most Outstanding College Scholar Athlete in Georgia".   Zach earned his team's triple crown last year.
	Kurt Kemp, Director of Braves Player Development, presents the Braves Manager of the Year Award to Jose Tartabull.   Tartabull, a nine year veteran of MLB, has managed the San Padro de Macoris Braves for the past four years.
	Accepting the Bill Lucas Award from Kemp is J.C.Boscan.
	The Braves Hank Aaron Award Winner is Freddie Freeman.   This is the second Hank Aaron Award presented to Freeman.   He also earned the award for his performance as a Rome Brave.
	Rick Wheeler presents the Braves 400 Fan Club Rookie of the Year to Jonny Venters. A second Braves 400 Fan Club Rookie of the Year Award will be presented to Jason Heyward at a later date. Jason was unable to attend the Gameboree due to a prior commitment.
	The Columbus State University baseball program received a Phil Niekro Scholarship award.   The Cougar's head baseball coach, Greg Appleton, was busy with the team on Gameboree day leading them to victory in their season opener.   The check is accepted from Phil Niekro and Rick Wheeler by Assistant Athletic Director Mike Peacock.
	The University of West Georgia's head baseball coach, Skip Fite, accepts the Phil Niekro Sholarship Award check from Phil and Rick.   Coach Fite was able to attend the Gameboree as a result of the cancellation of their season opener.
	Robert "Bullet Bob" Turley accepts the Luke Appling Nostalgia Award from Rick Wheeler.
	Turley spoke to the crowd and described his 1958 season and his experiences during the 1958 World Series against the Milwaukee Braves.   That year he was the AL Cy Young Award winner as well as the winner of the 1958 World Series MVP Award.
	Darrel Chaney told everyone of his contribution to the first victory of Bobby Cox's managerial career.   Chaney was one of several former Braves that credited Cox with being a significant part of baseball and their own individual life.

2011 Gameboree photos courtesy of Linda Lovejoy