The Atlanta Braves are in the midst of another sub-.500 season that’s seen them fall well out of the National League East picture. It’s been a disappointing development for a team that moved into a sprawling new stadium. The Braves, however, do have The Freeze.
A phenomenon spawned earlier this season when former college sprinter and current grounds-crew member Nigel Talton began to wear a bodysuit, skiing goggles or a visor, and cleats, and invited challengers to out-race him in the outfield at SunTrust Park. The Freeze provides all opponents with a head start.
His celebrity skyrocketed when video of a fan who celebrated prematurely, face-planted down the stretch and lost to The Freeze, went viral.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were recently on a nine-game road trip that included a stop in Atlanta, which led to Josh Fields hoping his wife, Brittney, could take her chances at the foot race.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, Fields said the Dodgers’ were turned away after sending word to the Braves of the request:
But according to Josh Fields, they were told The Freeze does not race women – only randomly chosen male fans.
“It would have been great,” Josh Fields said. “Everybody would have been on the top step of the dugout cheering her on.”
Fiels, like Kyle Farmer and Alex Wood, attended the University of Georgia. The right-hander is also a native of the Peach State.
Brittney Fields may have posed a legitimate threat to The Freeze, who has only been defeated a handful of times, as she ran cross country at Samford University. Entering Tuesday, the Braves have 24 more opportunities this season to attempt distracting fans with their gimmick.
