Got to see Conor Welton get 3 hits off Clemson pitching last night. The freshman outfielder has taken on a bigger role, since Johnathan Taylor's injury. And last night, Perno had Conor hitting in the 2-spot.
   Since Conor signed with Georgia, after an impressive high school career at Wesleyan, I had been waiting on this opportunity. Actually looking forward to it. Conor's Dad, Chris and I were teammates at Georgia, on the football team. And from my perspective, there is a strong bond that still exists because of those days together.
   Chris Welton was one of my favorite teammates. I always admired him. Got to see him play quarterback at Peachtree High in the state playoffs...must have been '76. Chris was operating the veer option attack, as I remember. And he was impressive.
   At Georgia, we started out together in the QB meetings, before he moved over to play safety for Erk Russell. I felt bad for Chris. Not many guys can make that move successfully. Some can't let go of the QB dream and develop a bad attitude. Others simply transfer. Not Chris. I never saw one indication that he was troubled over the position change. And that made a huge impression on me. That had to hurt, but he kept that part private. He stood tall. Embraced the move. Never looked back. And he became a playmaker for us at safety. Welton made big plays in every game. Don't believe we win a championship in 1980 without him.
   Chris was a teammate that you could count on. It was all about winning with him and we connected on that level. He was confident, but not cocky. Fearless. Unselfish. A winner. An awesome teammate. Chris got this tag that read something like this...Chris Welton got by on smarts. Not in my book. He was a guy that played smart (able to anticipate certain plays), but he also had the ability to make those big plays. In the right place, making big plays, especially on 3rd down. That's how I remember him.
   And now, I'm getting such a big kick out of watching his son play baseball at Georgia. Conor stands in that batters box and looks just like Chris. I look in the stands and see Dad watching...and this feel-good feeling hits me. As if, I'm part of the extended family.
   Conor doesn't play like a freshman. Looked solid out in left field. I really liked his approach at the plate too. He has the skill to go with the outside pitch. Love that. He's not trying to pull a pitch on the outer half... Conor hits it where it's pitched. And just like Dad, he's focused on one thing...winning. Totally respect that.