Posted on Tue, Feb. 22, 2005
McConaughey livens up Braves spring workout

PAUL NEWBERRY
Associated Press

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Adam LaRoche was star-struck Tuesday when actor Matthew McConaughey dropped in on the Atlanta Braves.

"Hey, what do I have to do to get a picture with him?" LaRoche asked.

McConaughey visited the Braves as part of a promotional tour for his new adventure movie, "Sahara," which opens in April. He donned a jersey and cap, posed for pictures in the clubhouse, threw with pitcher Tim Hudson, and stepped into the batting cage to take a few swings against coach Fredi Gonzalez.

Borrowing a bat and some advice from Chipper Jones, McConaughey managed to hit a couple of balls near the warning track.

"The good part about being a professional athlete is you get to meet a lot of cool people," Jones said.

And how would he rate McConaughey as a hitter?

"He tired a little bit at the end, but he did OK," Jones said. "I've certainly seen a lot of worse."

Angling his way through all the publicity people and hangers-on, LaRoche managed to get that picture with McConaughey.

"He's my idol," said the first baseman, preparing for his second year with the Braves. "My favorite movie is 'Dazed and Confused.'"

Jones, who's been with the Braves since 1995, smiled at LaRoche's adulation of the actor.

"These guys are star-struck," Jones said. "It's just his second year here. I'm not as easily excited about things as I was a few years ago."

McConaughey, who lives in Texas, conceded that he's a Houston Astros fan. But he was impressed with what he saw during his brief time in the Braves camp.

"I respect everything these guys do," McConaughey said. "Professional athletes amaze me."