Moore Honored by Braveshttp://atlanta.braves.mlb.coml September 10, 2008 ATLANTA -- Although he was considered one of the best defensive first basemen in Negro League history, James "Red" Moore is long past those days when he might have been considered a candidate to serve as Mark Teixeira's replacement. But the Braves provided Moore with an honor earlier this year, when he was the former Negro Leaguer that they selected took with an honorary selection before June's First-Year Player Draft. Before Tuesday night's series opener at Turner Field, the 92-year-old Moore stood on the field during batting practice, exchanging and receiving autographs with players and fans. Then during a pregame ceremony, Braves general manager Frank Wren provide Moore with a personalized jersey. "This is the biggest thing that's ever happened to me," Moore said. "Usually for the Negro Leaguers, they are honored with something like this after they've died. Thank God, I'm here smelling the roses for this." Moore, who played in the Negro Leagues from 1935-48, helped the hometown Atlanta Black Crackers to the Negro American League second-half pennant. He finished his career with the Baltimore Elite Giants and had the opportunity to room with a 16-year-old kid named Roy Campanella. Living most of his life in Atlanta, Moore has followed the Braves for many years, and was quick to point out that he didn't recognize too many faces on Tuesday. He asked, "Who are you," when Jair Jurrjens approached him. When the rookie hurler responded, "Jair Jurrjens," Moore said, "That's right, you're a pitcher." But while saying Chipper Jones, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz were the only faces he really recognized, Moore proved he's been keeping up with the Braves recently. "I like what [Mike] Hampton is doing," Moore said. "It looks like he still has some years left in that arm." http://atlanta.braves.mlb.coml
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