Braves Caravan Arrives in Macon | News

Each year the Atlanta Braves Country Caravan serves as a reminder that baseball season is around the corner. On Tuesday the big leaguers made their annual visit to Macon.

"When we start doing the caravans it lets us know that we're getting close to spring and we're getting close to the season, and we all get excited about it," reigning NL Rookie of the Year Craig Kimbrel said.

SLIDESHOW: Atlanta Braves Visit Northeast High

The Braves made their first stop at Northeast High School. Kimbrel and fellow Randall Delgado, player-turned-coach Eddie Perez, and hall of famer and broadcaster Don Sutton honored Georgia's Teacher of the Year, Jadun McCarthy. The group presented the lifelong Raider with a customized 'McCarthy' Braves home jersey.

After meeting McCarthy the Braves visited classrooms in the school to meet students and sign autographs.

"I'm a huge Braves fan, probably above all other sports," McCarthy said. "To have the Braves here, Craig Kimbrel, to have Randall Delgado and Eddie Perez, I watched him catch (Greg) Maddux games back in the 90's. It's really an honor to have the Braves honor me."

In another offseason that included player movement throughout the majors, the Braves stayed put. Kimbrel says they have what they need to make up for a disappointing 2011 campaign that ended short of the playoffs.

"I feel like we're in great shape," Kimbrel said. "There was a lot of talk about moves, but I'm glad we didn't. I feel like we have a good team, good base, young team. I feel like even though we are young we're really talented, and I feel like we could do a lot of good things."

The Caravan's tour of Macon wrapped up with a visit to Academy Sports for an autograph session.