Tuesday, August 14, 2007
News / Sports Walter Victor's 'Brave At Heart'
Posted by Scott Freeman on Tue, Aug 14, 2007 at 2:18 PM
My old boss at Atlanta magazine, Lee Walburn, also was the first PR director of the Atlanta Braves and likes to brag that he, not Tommie Aaron, hit the first home run in Atlanta Stadium. Unlike Hank's younger brother, Walburn just didn't do it during an actual game; he walked out onto the field during construction, tossed a ball up in the air and hit it into the stands.
We were talking about Walter Victor, the longtime Braves photographer, one day. Everyone who's been to a few Braves games probably recognizes Victor. He's a fixture of the pre-game, taking photos of players with fans, and photographing the person throwing out the first pitch and the person who sings the National Anthem.
"He was never really hired as the team photographer," Walburn said. "He just showed up one day. We threw him out and there he was again the next day."
Victor kept showing up, and the Braves finally gave in and hired him, and he's been there since 1966.
What most people don't know is that Victor was in the 9th Division infantry in World War II and was part of the troops who took Utah Beach, a scene famously re-created in Saving Private Ryan. He earned four Bronze stars in the war.
Victor has just published a new book, Brave At Heart, co-written with Anne B. Jones and Sidney R. Jones, that includes a lifetime of his photography, from World War II to behind-the-scenes shots he snapped for the Braves.
The best shot? The famed photo he took of Jeff Blauser and Mark Lemke standing on the field with the press box in flames behind them. That was the day that Fred McGriff arrived, which helped spark the Braves (pun intended) to come back from 10 games down to win the division in 1993.
Comments (2)
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I remember that game like it was yesterday. Can't wait to see the photo of Blauser and "Dirt." I remember telling my friend before a McGriff at-bat that night, "If Crime Dog goes yard, I'll get down on my knees and bow to him." Sure enough, he did, the Braves won, and I found a new baseball ritual. (Which led to some awkward moments in bars, lemme tell ya.)
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Walter Victor -
A great American!
He's a WWII vet - That service our country Bravely during D-day. Great father ,Grand Father and Friend ! Your book show's
your great legacy.
I am proud to now you Walter and your Awesome family.
Always
Jay Walkup
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