Braves players share memories, raise money for charity at Hilton Head golf event

Marquis Grissom never tires of sharing stories from the Atlanta Braves' 1995 World Series title. Or even the next year when the Braves wound up on the losing end.

"The biggest thing we can leave behind is to be remembered," said Grissom, the Braves' offensive sparkplug in that 1995 Series. "I'm glad people remember me for playing baseball."

Plenty of Braves fans wanted to remember those days as well, with more than 100 golfers turning out Saturday at Golden Bear Golf Club for the Braves Alumni Association's first golf fundraiser in the Lowcountry. Proceeds went to the Braves' charitable efforts, along with The First Tee of the Lowcountry.

"It's kind of nice to see the community rally around what's going on, especially with the Braves," said Chris Seelbach, a Hilton Head Island resident who counts the Braves among three stops in his major league pitching career.

"Hilton Head is such a strange place, with all the people moving in from all over the (country). So it's not your traditional Southeastern town. It's nice to see the support from the community."

It didn't hurt, either, to bring in such standouts as Grissom and Andruw Jones, a five-time NL All-Star outfielder who won a Gold Glove in each of his 10 full seasons in Atlanta. Former pitchers Greg McMichael and Charlie Leibrandt rounded out Saturday's Braves roster.

"This is my first time here. It's very, very nice," said Jones, whose playing days came to an end last year after two seasons in Japan. "I'm from an island (Curacao), and I like the views of the ocean and things like that. I got a chance to drive around the town a little bit when I got in. It's very beautiful."

Hilton Head is just the third locale selected by the Braves for an alumni road show. After successful events in Nashville and Knoxville, Tenn., the ballclub began looking for other places to go within a fan base that covers much of the South.

"This should be a natural," said Leibrandt, who won 39 games over three seasons in the 1990s. "I know the Braves organization pulls a lot of fans from the Southeast, so it's nice. ... I've vacationed in this area a little bit in the past, and it's a beautiful area. I love to come here."

McMichael, who heads the Braves' alumni relations, said Golden Bear came at the recommendation of an Atlanta course that works with the ballclub.

"We're trying to get outside the (Atlanta) outskirts," he said. "A lot of people don't get a chance to see the former Braves players. This is a chance to get them out and meet some of the fans, especially at a place that might not get a chance to be a part of what the Braves are doing."

It's also a chance for old teammates to catch up on old times. Several get together during the Braves' annual alumni weekend in August, and the smaller outings also help foster the camaraderie.

"What I remember most about '95, '96 and '97 were my teammates," Grissom said. "Some outstanding guys, great coaches -- a great front office who knew how to put it all together. We only won one (World Series), but my teammates I'll never forget."

Grissom can especially revel in his 1995 Series performance, when he hit .360 and stole three bases as the Braves beat the Cleveland Indians in six games.

"I was having fun," the Atlanta native recalled. "And it was in Atlanta. That makes it much better and sweeter, being from Atlanta. It was outstanding to be able to come home and win a world championship. Not only did we need it, but (so did) the city of Atlanta."

This story was originally published September 27, 2015 at 8:36 PM with the headline "Braves players share memories, raise money for charity at Hilton Head golf event."