Friday, September 23, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Football Time in Tennessee
Football is back, and it is balls hot.
Isn't it only fitting that the first game is supposed to be so hot that I am debating not going. Why should I go and stand in 96 degree heat next to hundreds of drunk people all who are crowding in around me trying to get good seats, or "just talk" to their friend who has one ticketed seat while 9 guys pack in around him? Is there an answer? Is it because I love getting smuggled liquor mixed with sprite/coke dumped on me? Is it because I love almost getting fallen on by passed out drunk guys? Is it because I love smelling the throw up that gets splattered on the row below me in the second quarter and stays there the whole game?
No, the only answer is because it's football season....ok, well, can I get another explanation?
Well, you can bond with fellow fans!
The mystique of having some bond with 105,000 people is great, except that there won't be 100,000 there, and there isn't a bond when it is just a regular game against a Division 1-AA team.
Luckily, I have thought ahead and waited to buy my ticket until late so I will be far away from the "best seats in the house."
You know, front row in the students section. The area that is right behind all the behemoths that are on the football teams, so I get a great view of the back of their heads while hundreds of people try and cram into seats they don't have.
Instead I will be up in EE. Where I can see all of the field and can watch the game on both sides of the field with out flipping like an anchovy every time the ball crosses the 50, it will be glorious.
So, as I was saying, football is back!
I love watching me some football, and here is my quick SEC preview that is a bit skewed as the season began Thursday.
East:
1) South Carolina: Sure, this may be the favored pick in the league, but my reasoning is this. Steve Spurrier is a man, a myth, and a legend. He hates using one quarterback and is the only man that has ever scared Phillip Fulmer. Now, Steve has at his disposal in Columbia arguably a top-5 running back and a top-5 wide receiver. Top-5 not just in the SEC, but in the nation. Jeffries and Lattimore are studs, end of story. Steve also has two quarterbacks at his disposal, which is good for him. Call me crazy, but I see SC as an East contender as long as Steve continues his recruiting streak he is on (Clowney anybody). Steve breaks records, and is re-writing SC's football firsts, and let's not toy with the idea he will be out-coached.
2) Georgia: Is Georgia good, yes, is this new, no. Mark Richt has been on the wrong side of luck recently. That being said, you would think he averages 7 wins a season the way UGA fans rip into him. Check out this wins resume, since '01 when he took over: 8, 13, 11, 10, 10, 9, 11, 10, 8, 6 (plus 7-3 in bowl games, 3 of which were BCS bowls). That is well above what most schools have had. Yes last year was rough, but look at the positives: The pick to win the East is Carolina...hello, it's yours to take. Urban Meyer is finally gone, the man won games and unfortunately was in the same division. And finally, the East is down now, so your stable program should be good.
3) Florida: This is simply because they have recruited talent over the years, and you can't tell me Muschamp is that bad of a coach that he can squander all the recruiting talent Meyer built up. However, his new system could take a while to function smoothly, plus the SEC isn't the most welcoming place for new coaches.
4) Tennessee: Derek Dooley is the funniest coach in the SEC. And he has the worst luck (LSU, UNC games). However, karma didn't give him a lot of depth or old players to pay him back for the screw overs he got. The line should be much improved and Tyler Bray should be comfortable with his top 2 targets. It remains to be seen if he can handle a full SEC schedule though. Also, Poole needs to learn how to consistently run, instead of breaking one 60-yard run a game and averaging 2 yards per carry after that.
5) Kentucky: They are better than Vandy. The loss of Randall Cobb will hurt, as well as other key starters. Joker has got a good team, by Kentucky standards, but that still isn't good enough for the SEC.
6) Vanderbilt: Laaaary. Their quarterback is named Larry Smith. I played high school football with a guy named Larry Smith, he was hilarious, and quite strange. However, this coincidence will not be enough to get Vandy out of the basement.
West:
1) Alabama: I will stop picking them here when they prove they don't belong. Yes, last year was rough, but who saw Cam Newton doing what he did? Trent Richardson needs to prove to me he can be more than a change of pace back and that he can consistently power through run defenses, but I have the Tide winning the West.
2) Arkansas: I believe Leyland is the name of the guy that calls into the Sports Animal every now and again to talk Razorback football. He talks highly of them and makes points, here is one: Look at Petrino's progression. 5 wins in '08, 8 wins in '09, and 10 last year. They only improve. Unfortunately, the injury to Knile Davis is troublesome, and Tyler Wilson still has to prove he can be Mallet-esque, but they are very close to potentially stealing the West, especially with those receivers.
3) LSU: I don't understand how Les Miles keeps doing it. Every year you see him pull out some victory after a boneheaded decision that should cause him to lose the game. But, he doesn't. And that is key. Jordan Jefferson and his 49 pairs of shoes are in trouble, but I don't necessarily think that is bad for LSU. It will be if Jarrett Lee continues his pick six talent (7 total pick sixes in '08, including 4 games in a row). However, I think he will be a stable addition to the offense and if they can score the defense will win them games.
4) Mississippi State: This team could shock some people. However, I think they are unfortunately in the wrong conference at the wrong time. A good team in a great division. They may cause some upsets, but I don't see them being able to sustain enough to win the West.
5) Auburn: It's a hard fall from grace. But I guess they didn't have an alleged 180,000 more dollars to get a new Cam Newton. They lost too much from both sides of the ball and their competition is just better. Hope it was fun while it lasted. Your national presence is dying....like your trees...(too soon? I liked it)
6) Ole Miss: They may be better than Vandy, and possibly Kentucky, but they are in the West and will get pounded on. They are...err...rebuilding right now and unfortunately for them that will leave them in the basement.
SEC Championship:
South Carolina over Alabama
As I typed this my computer froze for a while. Don't be shocked. This is just what Steve wants. Doubting of his skills just so his achievements look even better.
Hope it was enjoyable, sorry for the brevity and lack of pictures as I am churning this out before the game tonight. Headed to Dead End for some pre-game action!
Isn't it only fitting that the first game is supposed to be so hot that I am debating not going. Why should I go and stand in 96 degree heat next to hundreds of drunk people all who are crowding in around me trying to get good seats, or "just talk" to their friend who has one ticketed seat while 9 guys pack in around him? Is there an answer? Is it because I love getting smuggled liquor mixed with sprite/coke dumped on me? Is it because I love almost getting fallen on by passed out drunk guys? Is it because I love smelling the throw up that gets splattered on the row below me in the second quarter and stays there the whole game?
No, the only answer is because it's football season....ok, well, can I get another explanation?
Well, you can bond with fellow fans!
The mystique of having some bond with 105,000 people is great, except that there won't be 100,000 there, and there isn't a bond when it is just a regular game against a Division 1-AA team.
Luckily, I have thought ahead and waited to buy my ticket until late so I will be far away from the "best seats in the house."
You know, front row in the students section. The area that is right behind all the behemoths that are on the football teams, so I get a great view of the back of their heads while hundreds of people try and cram into seats they don't have.
Instead I will be up in EE. Where I can see all of the field and can watch the game on both sides of the field with out flipping like an anchovy every time the ball crosses the 50, it will be glorious.
So, as I was saying, football is back!
I love watching me some football, and here is my quick SEC preview that is a bit skewed as the season began Thursday.
East:
1) South Carolina: Sure, this may be the favored pick in the league, but my reasoning is this. Steve Spurrier is a man, a myth, and a legend. He hates using one quarterback and is the only man that has ever scared Phillip Fulmer. Now, Steve has at his disposal in Columbia arguably a top-5 running back and a top-5 wide receiver. Top-5 not just in the SEC, but in the nation. Jeffries and Lattimore are studs, end of story. Steve also has two quarterbacks at his disposal, which is good for him. Call me crazy, but I see SC as an East contender as long as Steve continues his recruiting streak he is on (Clowney anybody). Steve breaks records, and is re-writing SC's football firsts, and let's not toy with the idea he will be out-coached.
2) Georgia: Is Georgia good, yes, is this new, no. Mark Richt has been on the wrong side of luck recently. That being said, you would think he averages 7 wins a season the way UGA fans rip into him. Check out this wins resume, since '01 when he took over: 8, 13, 11, 10, 10, 9, 11, 10, 8, 6 (plus 7-3 in bowl games, 3 of which were BCS bowls). That is well above what most schools have had. Yes last year was rough, but look at the positives: The pick to win the East is Carolina...hello, it's yours to take. Urban Meyer is finally gone, the man won games and unfortunately was in the same division. And finally, the East is down now, so your stable program should be good.
3) Florida: This is simply because they have recruited talent over the years, and you can't tell me Muschamp is that bad of a coach that he can squander all the recruiting talent Meyer built up. However, his new system could take a while to function smoothly, plus the SEC isn't the most welcoming place for new coaches.
4) Tennessee: Derek Dooley is the funniest coach in the SEC. And he has the worst luck (LSU, UNC games). However, karma didn't give him a lot of depth or old players to pay him back for the screw overs he got. The line should be much improved and Tyler Bray should be comfortable with his top 2 targets. It remains to be seen if he can handle a full SEC schedule though. Also, Poole needs to learn how to consistently run, instead of breaking one 60-yard run a game and averaging 2 yards per carry after that.
5) Kentucky: They are better than Vandy. The loss of Randall Cobb will hurt, as well as other key starters. Joker has got a good team, by Kentucky standards, but that still isn't good enough for the SEC.
6) Vanderbilt: Laaaary. Their quarterback is named Larry Smith. I played high school football with a guy named Larry Smith, he was hilarious, and quite strange. However, this coincidence will not be enough to get Vandy out of the basement.
West:
1) Alabama: I will stop picking them here when they prove they don't belong. Yes, last year was rough, but who saw Cam Newton doing what he did? Trent Richardson needs to prove to me he can be more than a change of pace back and that he can consistently power through run defenses, but I have the Tide winning the West.
2) Arkansas: I believe Leyland is the name of the guy that calls into the Sports Animal every now and again to talk Razorback football. He talks highly of them and makes points, here is one: Look at Petrino's progression. 5 wins in '08, 8 wins in '09, and 10 last year. They only improve. Unfortunately, the injury to Knile Davis is troublesome, and Tyler Wilson still has to prove he can be Mallet-esque, but they are very close to potentially stealing the West, especially with those receivers.
3) LSU: I don't understand how Les Miles keeps doing it. Every year you see him pull out some victory after a boneheaded decision that should cause him to lose the game. But, he doesn't. And that is key. Jordan Jefferson and his 49 pairs of shoes are in trouble, but I don't necessarily think that is bad for LSU. It will be if Jarrett Lee continues his pick six talent (7 total pick sixes in '08, including 4 games in a row). However, I think he will be a stable addition to the offense and if they can score the defense will win them games.
4) Mississippi State: This team could shock some people. However, I think they are unfortunately in the wrong conference at the wrong time. A good team in a great division. They may cause some upsets, but I don't see them being able to sustain enough to win the West.
5) Auburn: It's a hard fall from grace. But I guess they didn't have an alleged 180,000 more dollars to get a new Cam Newton. They lost too much from both sides of the ball and their competition is just better. Hope it was fun while it lasted. Your national presence is dying....like your trees...(too soon? I liked it)
6) Ole Miss: They may be better than Vandy, and possibly Kentucky, but they are in the West and will get pounded on. They are...err...rebuilding right now and unfortunately for them that will leave them in the basement.
SEC Championship:
South Carolina over Alabama
As I typed this my computer froze for a while. Don't be shocked. This is just what Steve wants. Doubting of his skills just so his achievements look even better.
Offensive Player of the Year: Marcus Lattimore
Defensive Player of the Year: Don’t’a Hightower
Breakout Offensive Player: Tyler Wilson
Breakout Defensive Player: Jadevon Clowney
Team on the Rise: Tennessee
Team on the Decline: Auburn
Coach of the Year: Derek Dooley (although it very well might be Steve)
Most Overrated: Trent Richardson
Bold Predictions:
Trent Richardson is just an average back, nothing special.
Tennessee wins 9 games
Arkansas wins the West
Alabama chokes away another SEC West title, drop key games to Miss. St and Arkansas
Bold Predictions:
Trent Richardson is just an average back, nothing special.
Tennessee wins 9 games
Arkansas wins the West
Alabama chokes away another SEC West title, drop key games to Miss. St and Arkansas
Hope it was enjoyable, sorry for the brevity and lack of pictures as I am churning this out before the game tonight. Headed to Dead End for some pre-game action!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
All-Star Update
It is now that time of the baseball year when the best of the best meet up and play in a game, or as it has been more recently, where half of all players in the pros meet and play. The All-Star system is getting to be as meaningful as getting a bowl invite in college football. Let's vote this guy in, oh he's hurt? Well how about we replace him with this guy, oh he pitched on Sunday, well how about this guy?
This is going to be a ranting blog, because I don't want to spend time talking about how to fix the system or even anything close to offering an idea. Here's another gem, how about we give the American League the DH even though we are playing in an NL ballpark, because that's a fair way to determine the home-field advantage of the World Series by automatically giving the AL teams an advantage. Oh, they're good at hitting, well how about we give them a spot. Because that's how interleague games work...oh wait.
Alrighty, the real reason I am updating my blog. I am going to update my season preview with how the first half of the season finished.
AL East: (I will put the actual placement and then discuss what I had)
1. Red Sox (55-35)
2. Yankees (53-35)
3. Rays (49-41)
4. Blue Jays (45-47)
5. Orioles (36-52)
The Red Sox have obliterated any memory of that horrific start to the season and are currently clicking on what seems to be all cylinders. The scary part is that they have 3 of their starters on the DL. Helped along by Adrian Gonzalez, who I will talk about later, the Red Sox offense is the best in the league. And all of that is without Carl Crawford reaching his preseason hype.
The Yankees are no slouch either, only a game behind their rivals they have dominated just as much. With Derek Jeter finally getting to 3,000 hits, perhaps his season should get better now that all the pressure has evaporated. That being said, he needs to with A-Rod going on the DL after surgery. He'll be back in a month or so, but they can afford little room for error with the Red Sox only winning. Also, look for the Yankees to possibly make a deal before the break.
The Rays will need an amazing run and help from the top two teams to make the playoffs. The Jays and the O's are done-zo. While I liked the Orioles spunk, they didn't hold out as long up top and have settled back near their usual AL East cellar seat.
My guess: Red Sox, correct so far, only had the O's and Jays flipped.
AL Central:
1. Detroit Tigers (49-43)
2. Cleveland Indians (47-42)
3. Chicago White Sox (44-48)
4. Minnesota Twins (41-48)
5. Kansas City Royals (37-54)
I was wrong about the Indians. They had probably the most magical run of the first half, however, the Tigers caught them. Detroit looks good, but only Cleveland boasts a positive run differential in the division. And it is down almost 100 runs from where it was earlier in their season. This looks to be a run between Detroit and Cleveland, but if the White Sox can figure out how to hit (what happened to Adam Dunn?), they could sneak up and win a division that has not impressed.
My guess: Tigers, correct again, but I had the Indians 4th. I still think the Tigers pitching will prevail.
AL West:
1. Texas Rangers (51-41)
2. Los Angeles Angels (50-42)
3. Seattle Mariners (43-48)
4. Oakland A's (39-53)
The Rangers didn't need Cliff Lee, ha, please. Their offense isn't lacking and their pitching has been enough to win games, that is even when they had Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz on the DL at the same time. Solid team. The Angels have been unimpressive, but remain only a game behind the Rangers. They seem to not want to hit, but Jered Weaver and Dan Haren have been phenomenal this year. The A's are terrible, and the Mariners are going to be here for a while, assuming they keep their players in Seattle. They can hit and pitch, and have shown signs of brilliance.
My guess: Angels, close but not quite. I didn't think the Rangers' staff would be as good as it was. But their offense has been impressive. I also had the A's and Mariners flipped.
AL Wild Card: Yankees
my guess: Yankees
NL East:
1. Philidelphia Phillies (57-34)
2. Atlanta Braves (54-38)
3. NY Mets (46-45)
4. Washington Nationals (46-46)
5. Florida Marlins (43-48)
Ok, I guess I can finally say the Phillies are good. I tried as hard as I could to convince myself that they weren't good, but they are. Even as a Braves fan, I must admit that their staff is amazing. And the scary part is their offense isn't that good right now. However, the Braves staff is right behind them. I see them as 1-2 the rest of the way, hopefully with the Braves taking over the top. Props to the Mets for overcoming adversity and scandal to be over .500. And look at the Nats for being decent. The Marlins...oh wow, implosion.
My guess: Braves, they are second but still wrong. Flip the Mets and Marlins and I was right on otherwise.
NL Central:
1. Milwaukee Brewers (49-43)
1. St. Louis Cardinals (49-43)
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (47-43)
4. Cincinnati Reds (45-47)
5. Chicago Cubs (37-55)
6. Houston Astros (30-62)
How about the Pirates! They could finally have a winning season. I'm all about that. Eighteen years is a loooong time. Consider me on the bandwagon. The Brewers and Cards are at a tie up top. But if the Reds can get their rotation healthy and pitching (and stop blowing games, cough, Mr. Cordero) in order look for a close run into September. I can see it being a 4 team race going into the last weeks. Whereas the Cubs and Astros are bad, haha.
My guess: Cardinals, half right. The only thing I had right was the Cardinals, this division has been topsy turvy compared to my picks.
NL West:
1. San Francisco Giants (52-40)
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (49-43)
3. Colorado Rockies (43-48)
4. LA Dodgers (41-51)
5. San Diego Padres (40-52)
How about those Diamondbacks? Looking to strike the heel of the Giants. Unfortunately the Giants still have their solid starting rotation, with the inclusion of newcomer and first time All-Star Vogelsong (crap pick. Bruce Bochy, manager of the Giants, took him over Tommy Hanson who had better stats in every catergory.) the Diamondbacks need a San Fran offensive collapse to come back.
My guess: Giants, but props to Arizona for not being 4th like my guess.
NL Wild Card: Braves
my guess: Rockies, again, I was in denial of the Phillies, but the Rockies are a historic second half team, so who knows. But I hope not, unless the Braves get into first place
I will update the player awards and predictions soon, but for now I want to watch the All-Star game in which the NL leads 3-1 now. Go National League!
This is going to be a ranting blog, because I don't want to spend time talking about how to fix the system or even anything close to offering an idea. Here's another gem, how about we give the American League the DH even though we are playing in an NL ballpark, because that's a fair way to determine the home-field advantage of the World Series by automatically giving the AL teams an advantage. Oh, they're good at hitting, well how about we give them a spot. Because that's how interleague games work...oh wait.
Alrighty, the real reason I am updating my blog. I am going to update my season preview with how the first half of the season finished.
AL East: (I will put the actual placement and then discuss what I had)
1. Red Sox (55-35)
2. Yankees (53-35)
3. Rays (49-41)
4. Blue Jays (45-47)
5. Orioles (36-52)
The Red Sox have obliterated any memory of that horrific start to the season and are currently clicking on what seems to be all cylinders. The scary part is that they have 3 of their starters on the DL. Helped along by Adrian Gonzalez, who I will talk about later, the Red Sox offense is the best in the league. And all of that is without Carl Crawford reaching his preseason hype.
The Yankees are no slouch either, only a game behind their rivals they have dominated just as much. With Derek Jeter finally getting to 3,000 hits, perhaps his season should get better now that all the pressure has evaporated. That being said, he needs to with A-Rod going on the DL after surgery. He'll be back in a month or so, but they can afford little room for error with the Red Sox only winning. Also, look for the Yankees to possibly make a deal before the break.
The Rays will need an amazing run and help from the top two teams to make the playoffs. The Jays and the O's are done-zo. While I liked the Orioles spunk, they didn't hold out as long up top and have settled back near their usual AL East cellar seat.
My guess: Red Sox, correct so far, only had the O's and Jays flipped.
AL Central:
1. Detroit Tigers (49-43)
2. Cleveland Indians (47-42)
3. Chicago White Sox (44-48)
4. Minnesota Twins (41-48)
5. Kansas City Royals (37-54)
I was wrong about the Indians. They had probably the most magical run of the first half, however, the Tigers caught them. Detroit looks good, but only Cleveland boasts a positive run differential in the division. And it is down almost 100 runs from where it was earlier in their season. This looks to be a run between Detroit and Cleveland, but if the White Sox can figure out how to hit (what happened to Adam Dunn?), they could sneak up and win a division that has not impressed.
My guess: Tigers, correct again, but I had the Indians 4th. I still think the Tigers pitching will prevail.
AL West:
1. Texas Rangers (51-41)
2. Los Angeles Angels (50-42)
3. Seattle Mariners (43-48)
4. Oakland A's (39-53)
The Rangers didn't need Cliff Lee, ha, please. Their offense isn't lacking and their pitching has been enough to win games, that is even when they had Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz on the DL at the same time. Solid team. The Angels have been unimpressive, but remain only a game behind the Rangers. They seem to not want to hit, but Jered Weaver and Dan Haren have been phenomenal this year. The A's are terrible, and the Mariners are going to be here for a while, assuming they keep their players in Seattle. They can hit and pitch, and have shown signs of brilliance.
My guess: Angels, close but not quite. I didn't think the Rangers' staff would be as good as it was. But their offense has been impressive. I also had the A's and Mariners flipped.
AL Wild Card: Yankees
my guess: Yankees
NL East:
1. Philidelphia Phillies (57-34)
2. Atlanta Braves (54-38)
3. NY Mets (46-45)
4. Washington Nationals (46-46)
5. Florida Marlins (43-48)
Ok, I guess I can finally say the Phillies are good. I tried as hard as I could to convince myself that they weren't good, but they are. Even as a Braves fan, I must admit that their staff is amazing. And the scary part is their offense isn't that good right now. However, the Braves staff is right behind them. I see them as 1-2 the rest of the way, hopefully with the Braves taking over the top. Props to the Mets for overcoming adversity and scandal to be over .500. And look at the Nats for being decent. The Marlins...oh wow, implosion.
My guess: Braves, they are second but still wrong. Flip the Mets and Marlins and I was right on otherwise.
NL Central:
1. Milwaukee Brewers (49-43)
1. St. Louis Cardinals (49-43)
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (47-43)
4. Cincinnati Reds (45-47)
5. Chicago Cubs (37-55)
6. Houston Astros (30-62)
How about the Pirates! They could finally have a winning season. I'm all about that. Eighteen years is a loooong time. Consider me on the bandwagon. The Brewers and Cards are at a tie up top. But if the Reds can get their rotation healthy and pitching (and stop blowing games, cough, Mr. Cordero) in order look for a close run into September. I can see it being a 4 team race going into the last weeks. Whereas the Cubs and Astros are bad, haha.
My guess: Cardinals, half right. The only thing I had right was the Cardinals, this division has been topsy turvy compared to my picks.
NL West:
1. San Francisco Giants (52-40)
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (49-43)
3. Colorado Rockies (43-48)
4. LA Dodgers (41-51)
5. San Diego Padres (40-52)
How about those Diamondbacks? Looking to strike the heel of the Giants. Unfortunately the Giants still have their solid starting rotation, with the inclusion of newcomer and first time All-Star Vogelsong (crap pick. Bruce Bochy, manager of the Giants, took him over Tommy Hanson who had better stats in every catergory.) the Diamondbacks need a San Fran offensive collapse to come back.
My guess: Giants, but props to Arizona for not being 4th like my guess.
NL Wild Card: Braves
my guess: Rockies, again, I was in denial of the Phillies, but the Rockies are a historic second half team, so who knows. But I hope not, unless the Braves get into first place
I will update the player awards and predictions soon, but for now I want to watch the All-Star game in which the NL leads 3-1 now. Go National League!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Glory Days
I found my Game Boy the other day and started to play some games that I had. One of which was Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball.I started to play and saw the date was 1997, so I went to check the Braves roster and was amazed. On there was every one of my childhood baseball idols.
Now, for a disclaimer, my childhood was recent, as the only manager of the Braves I ever knew was Bobby Cox. So my sample size is smaller, though I'm sure the Hank Aaron and Dale Murphy days were wonderful, as were the Phil Niekro years.
That being said, here's the roster:
Kenny Lofton at CF
Michael Tucker at RF
Chipper Jones at 3B
Fred McGriff at 1B
Ryan Klesko at LF
Javy Lopez at C
Mark Lemke at 2BJeff Blauser at SS
that was the starting lineup
with the pitcher hitting 9th.
And here was the rotation:
Greg Maddux
Tom Glavine
Denny Neagle
Terrell Wade
and closing was Mark Wohlers.
I immediately put it in and started to play. (I lost the directions and don't remember the buttons, so I gave up 11 runs in the first inning, but that's beside the point, haha.) Playing with these greats flashed me back to a wonderful childhood.
One where I had a Ryan Klesko poster. One where we bought a Greg Maddux baseball that showed where to put your fingers to throw different pitches. One where my grandpa taught me how to throw Greg Maddux's "mystery ball," the one he threw and never knew which way it was going, yet still had impeccable command. One where I idolized Chipper Jones so much that even as a senior in college I was so jealous I was speechless when my roommate's girlfriend went to a Mets-Braves game in NY and came back saying Chipper talked with her and her family while he was in the on-deck circle. One where I learned what contacts were because we watched so many games and I wondered why Kenny Lofton was always blinking so much. One where I felt okay to wear glasses becasue I saw Greg Maddux wearing them in the dugout,
I can only encourage you all to reminisce your baseball youth in some way, because I haven't been that happy since the Braves made it back to the playoffs and I went to a Divisional game at Turner.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Party at the Ted!
Cole Hamels decided to crash the party planned at the Ted.
There was a birthday party for my friend and roommate Nat planned for Sunday April 10 at Turner Field. As Braves fans, we reluctantly invited the Phillies team, knowing that they have recently decided to be good, in part, I think, to hide the fact that they were the first professional team to reach 10,000 losses. Regardless, we wanted to see some baseball, and there has to be two teams playing each other for that to happen.
Little did we know that Cole Hamels had another plan. Hamels showed up dealing that fine April day, where temperatures almost reached 90 degrees. He pitched seven shutout innings only allowing four hits. He struck out eight and only walked one batter. It was hard to watch. But you have to give credit to a pitcher who is dealing like that. The Braves lost 3-0, but I got a free Tumbler cup thanks to a giveaway during the game. Holla section 402!
(On a side note, there are no bad seats at Turner Field, even being at the top all the levels we saw an amazing game.)
Anyway, I got to thinking about how when the Braves meet good pitchers (and it hurts me to call Hamels that, he's only had one good year, plus one solid playoff run) they do it in style.
On April 13, yes, just three days later, they faced the Marlins' Josh Johnson. Johnson took a no-hitter into the 8th inning, before Freddie Freeman doubled off of him. The Marlins took him out (Freeman wouldn't score) and his line looked like this: 7.1 innings, 1 hit, 3 walks, 9 K's. Chipper homered in the ninth to avoid another shutout, but it was still a 5-1 loss, and the Braves only had 2 hits.
Surprisingly, that wasn't the first time this year that the Braves have been two-hit. They faced the winless Brewers on April 5 and met an in the zone Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo threw a 2-hit shutout against the Braves, walking two and striking out two. He also scored a run, the only run in the 1-0 game.
A lot of times in baseball you will hear of a team's offense not "clicking" or going through a "drought."
I sometimes think that the Braves have an on-off switch somewhere that they occasionally forget to switch on.
Here are a few historic feats, of which the Braves contributed to the wrong side:
Randy Johnson's perfect game. The 6'10" lefty was by no means a bad pitcher, winning 5 Cy Young Awards and winning over 300 games (303). And on May 18, 2004, he dominated the Atlanta hitters en route to baseball's 17th perfect game. The 2-0 game saw competing complete games, with Mike Hampton going 9 innings and giving up only two runs on eight hits while striking out five. However, Johnson fanned 13 to leave with a line of 9.0 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, and 13 Ks.
Ubaldo Jimenez threw the first no-hitter in Rockies' history...against the Braves. On April 17, 2010, Jimenez pitched a gem and left with a 4-0 win and a no-no. He walked six, but seemed to always be in control. He ended the night with a line of 9.0 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 6 walks, and 7 K's.
As I review these dates, it seems to me that the Braves just take a while to warm their bats up. And by June all the cobwebs are out, but even so, that is two month's worth of potential games where there is little to no hitting going on. Hopefully, the Braves can get comfortable at the plate and give some more run support for their pitchers and get back to winning.
And for those of you who worried about the ruined party, we fixed that with a trip to The Vortex Bar & Grill in Atlanta, Georgia. I ate away my sorrow by attacking their Double Bypass Burger.
DOUBLE BYPASS BURGER
Twice as big as the Coronary Bypass! Topped with
two fried eggs, six slices of American cheese, and
eight slices of bacon, all served between the two
grilled cheese sandwiches that we use in place of
the regular hamburger buns. 14.95
Mark
all images are mine, except the Randy Johnson one, which I google searched
There was a birthday party for my friend and roommate Nat planned for Sunday April 10 at Turner Field. As Braves fans, we reluctantly invited the Phillies team, knowing that they have recently decided to be good, in part, I think, to hide the fact that they were the first professional team to reach 10,000 losses. Regardless, we wanted to see some baseball, and there has to be two teams playing each other for that to happen.
 |
| Here's me and my girlfriend, Amy, at the pre-party. |
(On a side note, there are no bad seats at Turner Field, even being at the top all the levels we saw an amazing game.)
Anyway, I got to thinking about how when the Braves meet good pitchers (and it hurts me to call Hamels that, he's only had one good year, plus one solid playoff run) they do it in style.
On April 13, yes, just three days later, they faced the Marlins' Josh Johnson. Johnson took a no-hitter into the 8th inning, before Freddie Freeman doubled off of him. The Marlins took him out (Freeman wouldn't score) and his line looked like this: 7.1 innings, 1 hit, 3 walks, 9 K's. Chipper homered in the ninth to avoid another shutout, but it was still a 5-1 loss, and the Braves only had 2 hits.
Surprisingly, that wasn't the first time this year that the Braves have been two-hit. They faced the winless Brewers on April 5 and met an in the zone Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo threw a 2-hit shutout against the Braves, walking two and striking out two. He also scored a run, the only run in the 1-0 game.
A lot of times in baseball you will hear of a team's offense not "clicking" or going through a "drought."
I sometimes think that the Braves have an on-off switch somewhere that they occasionally forget to switch on.
Here are a few historic feats, of which the Braves contributed to the wrong side:
Randy Johnson's perfect game. The 6'10" lefty was by no means a bad pitcher, winning 5 Cy Young Awards and winning over 300 games (303). And on May 18, 2004, he dominated the Atlanta hitters en route to baseball's 17th perfect game. The 2-0 game saw competing complete games, with Mike Hampton going 9 innings and giving up only two runs on eight hits while striking out five. However, Johnson fanned 13 to leave with a line of 9.0 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, and 13 Ks.
Ubaldo Jimenez threw the first no-hitter in Rockies' history...against the Braves. On April 17, 2010, Jimenez pitched a gem and left with a 4-0 win and a no-no. He walked six, but seemed to always be in control. He ended the night with a line of 9.0 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 6 walks, and 7 K's.
As I review these dates, it seems to me that the Braves just take a while to warm their bats up. And by June all the cobwebs are out, but even so, that is two month's worth of potential games where there is little to no hitting going on. Hopefully, the Braves can get comfortable at the plate and give some more run support for their pitchers and get back to winning.
And for those of you who worried about the ruined party, we fixed that with a trip to The Vortex Bar & Grill in Atlanta, Georgia. I ate away my sorrow by attacking their Double Bypass Burger.
DOUBLE BYPASS BURGER
Twice as big as the Coronary Bypass! Topped with
two fried eggs, six slices of American cheese, and
eight slices of bacon, all served between the two
grilled cheese sandwiches that we use in place of
the regular hamburger buns. 14.95
 |
| I like fries on my burger |
 |
| Here's the final product and it was delicious |
Mark
all images are mine, except the Randy Johnson one, which I google searched
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Braves through the first week
You have to put the bat on the ball.That in itself explains the Braves first week and change. The pitching looks good and there have been flashes of brilliance on the offensive side of the ball, but overall they just haven't hit the ball well.
Here's a quick look at the Braves after their first 11 games:
They are 5-6 in 4th place, 2.5 games out of first place. However, it isn't because of lackluster pitching.
Derek Lowe: Lowe has a 1-2 record, but an ERA of 1.45. He has a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio but has lacked run support.
Tim Hudson: Timmy has a 2-0 record and an ERA of 1.84. He has a 7:1 strikeout to walk ratio.
Tommy Hanson: Hanson has struggled to start the season, but he threw a shutout tonight and has look progressively better after each start.
Bullpen: The bullpen, with the exception of a collapse against Philadelphia, has been phenomenal. Johnny Venters has been nearly untouchable and Craig Kimbrel in his debut as closer is 3-3 in save opportunities. He also struck out 5 of the first 6 batters he faced.
The hitting has been the problem for Atlanta. Other than an 11-2 victory over Washington, a 6-3 win over the Phillies, and tonight's 5-0 win over the Marlins, the Braves have averaged 1.86 runs per game.
Brian McCann is hitting an impressive .350 and Chipper has a .308 average, but no one else on the team is hitting over .300. Martin Prado is hitting .298 after a slow start (0-9), but not much else was clicking.
Jason Heyward has a team leading 3 HR and has an OPS of 1.065.
Martin is also doing a great job of adjusting to left field and occasionally playing third when Chipper needs a rest. He is not a fielding liability out there and has actually made some great plays.
Dan Uggla and Freddie Freeman are hitting .167 and .194 respectively, but Freeman is getting good contact on the ball and Uggla when he has hit it, has hit it far (2 HR).
I expect the Braves to finish strong on their stay at home with two more against the Marlins and a three-game series against the Mets. They then head out West to play the Giants, Padres and Dodgers, where things could get a bit tough.
The season is early and there is nothing to worry about. Look for Jair Jurrjens to come back from his injury here in the next week or so and for the bats to wake up.
Mark
Friday, April 8, 2011
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