ATLANTA -- When United States Army Maj. Ron Colombo was attending airborne school at Georgia's Fort Benning last summer, he called his high school buddy A.J. Pierzynski to get tickets for the Fourth of the July game against the Phillies at Turner Field.
Along with leaving tickets, Pierzynski also arranged for Colombo to throw a ceremonial first pitch. The two have remained friends since their days as teammates at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Fla.
"He's a guy I grew up with, played high school baseball with, and I've kept in touch with over the years," Pierzynski said.