Andrew College honors Bobby Dews

CUTHBERT — Former Atlanta Braves icon Bobby Dews was formally honored during a ceremony at the Andrew College Family Day Baseball Game on Friday at Hord Field. A bronze plaque was mounted in the home dugout in Dews’ honor.

Dews earned his associate’s degree from Andrew in 1963, and he later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from West Georgia College. He taught high school English and history while spending the off-season and summer playing baseball for various Minor League teams.

Andrew College President Linda Buchanan spoke of Dews as a man “who loved the power and the beauty and the nuance of language” and as a man “who loved the power and the beauty and the nuance of baseball.”

“Those two attributes combined made for a very remarkable and gifted human being,” Buchanan said.

Dews passed away in Albany in December of 2015. At the time of his death, former Atlanta Braves president John Schuerholz called Dews “a true Brave who gave his heart and soul to our organization to help create, develop and lead one of the most productive Minor League systems ever.

“He was a good man and dear friend to his Braves family. He will be very truly missed,” Schuerholz said.

Born in Clinton, Iowa, Dews grew up in Edison, where he played high school baseball and basketball. He went on to star in both sports at Georgia Tech. Dews spent 53 years in professional baseball, including more than three decades with the Braves organization before retiring in 2012.

He joined the Braves in 1975, managing farm clubs in the Carolina, Appalachian and Southern leagues, earning Manager of the Year honors in 1978. The following year, Dews joined the Atlanta Braves as the bullpen coach. He later coached third base for the organization.

Dews was awarded the 2013 Andrew College Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award. Following retirement from professional baseball, he served as the writer-in-residence and a creative writing mentor for the college. Dews was a published author and poet, and at one time was seen every Tuesday heading to the Pitts Library to share his time and expertise with the creative writing class on Andrew’s campus.

Dews noted that the Distinguished Alumnus Award had a special meaning to him. He said that while he struggled elsewhere, he “flourished” on the Andrew College campus.

Dews’ wife, Glenda, and several family members and friends were present at the dedication ceremony.