Growing up in Georgia, Dansby Swanson dreamed of meeting his Major League heroes, shortstops Nomar Garciaparra and Derek Jeter.
And he finally did after making the big leagues and playing the same position for his hometown Atlanta Braves. These days Swanson, the former Vanderbilt star, enjoys the other side of baseball idol worship.
He recently got to surprise kids from Georgia with an unannounced appearance and gift during a Zoom call, just a few days before Thursday's season opener for the Braves.
“It’s cool getting to this point now (to be the Major Leaguer rather than the kid),” Swanson said.