It seems that despite the Braves’ best efforts to fold this season away due to injuries, the Phillies are NOT letting them go quietly into the night. Atlanta is still in this thing! True the team is under .500, but the division crown is still within reach as the team has nearly reached the all-star break. With a HUGE series against the Phillies starting tomorrow, this team could find itself only one game back come July 4. So it might not yet be time to unload everyone like Tex or Gonzo for prospects for the future. Let’s officially make one last charge at this thing and begin the rebuilding this offseason after Tex departs, but not before giving the Bravos two first round draft picks.
First things first, an outfield bat is needed. Mark Kotsay is slated to come back, but with Chipper Jones likely headed to the DL, it looks like LF Brandon Jones will stick around. Unfortunately Jeff Francoeur is struggling to hit his weight, and I think he could be the one to go. In Cincinnati, it appears that Junior Griffey may be headed out, and super-youngster Jay Bruce could shift to CF when Griffey does go. I say send Frenchy to Cincy (a change of scenery might do him a world of good) and in return, demand Homer Bailey. The Reds appear to be willing to depart with Bailey over Volquez and Cueto, and if they can get a guy with the talent that Francoeur has displayed in the past, that is a deal they should jump all over. On the Braves end of it, Bailey is the young power pitcher that will sit at number five in the rotation this season, then steadily move up over the next few years. Imagine a rotation of Huddy, Jurrjens, Reyes, Bailey and Morton for the next three years. Sounds good to me. Bailey has the stuff to be a No.1 or 2 if he reaches his potential. Outfield candidates that could replace Frenchy include a stopgap in Xavier Nady from Pittsburgh or Raul Ibanez from Seattle. I don’t think it would take TOO much to pry those guys from their situations, especially Ibanez from Seattle, where that organization seems to be purging everything that Ichiro doesn’t like.
Another move I might make if I was in charge of things, with Chipper Jones likely to go on the DL and perhaps miss quite a bit of time down the stretch is calling Ken Williams of the Chicago White Sox and ask if Joe Crede is still available. The Chi-Sox have been waiting for Josh Fields to come to the bigs for a while, and Crede was actively shopped this past off-season, but his low average was scaring some teams off. He is hitting .271 right now with 15 homers and would look good in the 5 hole for the Braves. When/if Chipper does come back, you can rest Jones or pinch hit Crede, whatever. Then after the season, if Crede leaves via free agency, you are looking at a comp pick from MLB. If you choose to resign him, move Chipper to first and tell him it will help save his body for the future.
In essence, I am trying to pull a Billy Beane here, rebuild while reloading. I am rebuilding with Homer Bailey and reloading in the sense that, Jordan Schaffer will be ready to do next season and an outfield with Schaffer, Diaz, Blanco, Kotsay (you’d resign him. His options are limited right now, and I think he’d be happy to return), and Brandon Jones would suffice. Even add Nady to the mix (he could play some first as well should Chipper get hurt next season) and you have a lineup that could do some things. If you get Crede for the stretch run this season, and you DO make it to the World Series, you have your DH right there.
These are moves that make sense to me and I don’t think acquiring Ibanez and Crede would break the bank and as far as giving up Frenchy, you are getting a great young arm with huge potential. You’ve usually got to give something to get something and Homer Bailey benefits me more right now that a slumping Frenchy does. All I’m saying.
Monday, June 30, 2008
North of the Border, EH!
I was out of town over the weekend, so sorry for no Braves blogs. Here is the section on the games I submitted for Score. Enjoy.
With a bit of momentum, the Braves headed north to Toronto for a three game set with the Blue Jays, a team that recently welcomed back a two-time World Series champion manager in Cito Gaston. In the first game, Mark Teixeira got the Braves off to a great start with an early home run and drove in three of the Braves four runs as Atlanta took game one 4-0. Jair Jurrjens pitched eight strong to collect his eighth win of the season and Blanco scored a run and drove another home in the win. In game two, ace Tim Hudson was rocked hard, allowing six runs in five innings as the Braves missed on a chance to get back to .500 on the season with a 9-5 loss. The Braves trailed 6-1 heading into the eighth, but managed to rally thanks again to a Teixeira home run, but the bullpen allowed the Blue Jays three runs in the bottom of the frame to end any hopes of a rally. In the rubber match, Braves starter Jo-Jo Reyes pitched gallantly, going seven innings and striking out five, but an Alex Rios RBI knock plated Marco Scutaro for the game’s only run, and Reyes dropped to 3-6 on the season.
IN OTHER NEWS …
Injured centerfielder Mark Kotsay went 2-3 in a recent rehab assignment in AA Mississippi, but folks left the ballpark talking about one of his temporary teammates, Tommy Hanson. The Braves pitching prospect struck out 14 en route to tossing a no-hitter vs. Birmingham and improving his record to 4-3 on the season. Kotsay is hoping to rejoin the team this week… Pitcher Mike Hampton recorded two strikeouts in 2.2 IP of a rehab start for the Braves Gulf Coast League affiliate. Hampton is slated for three more starts (two in Class-A, one in AA) before Braves officials will make a decision about his future with the big club.
Finally Yunel Escobar returned to the lineup in Toronto after missing last Wednesday’s game with the Brewers. Some thought that Escobar was sat out due to his ejection from last Tuesday’s contest, but he suffered from a sore shoulder following a head-first dive into first base to avoid a tag. Escobar had just reentered the lineup that day after missing time due to a strained hip flexor.
With a bit of momentum, the Braves headed north to Toronto for a three game set with the Blue Jays, a team that recently welcomed back a two-time World Series champion manager in Cito Gaston. In the first game, Mark Teixeira got the Braves off to a great start with an early home run and drove in three of the Braves four runs as Atlanta took game one 4-0. Jair Jurrjens pitched eight strong to collect his eighth win of the season and Blanco scored a run and drove another home in the win. In game two, ace Tim Hudson was rocked hard, allowing six runs in five innings as the Braves missed on a chance to get back to .500 on the season with a 9-5 loss. The Braves trailed 6-1 heading into the eighth, but managed to rally thanks again to a Teixeira home run, but the bullpen allowed the Blue Jays three runs in the bottom of the frame to end any hopes of a rally. In the rubber match, Braves starter Jo-Jo Reyes pitched gallantly, going seven innings and striking out five, but an Alex Rios RBI knock plated Marco Scutaro for the game’s only run, and Reyes dropped to 3-6 on the season.
IN OTHER NEWS …
Injured centerfielder Mark Kotsay went 2-3 in a recent rehab assignment in AA Mississippi, but folks left the ballpark talking about one of his temporary teammates, Tommy Hanson. The Braves pitching prospect struck out 14 en route to tossing a no-hitter vs. Birmingham and improving his record to 4-3 on the season. Kotsay is hoping to rejoin the team this week… Pitcher Mike Hampton recorded two strikeouts in 2.2 IP of a rehab start for the Braves Gulf Coast League affiliate. Hampton is slated for three more starts (two in Class-A, one in AA) before Braves officials will make a decision about his future with the big club.
Finally Yunel Escobar returned to the lineup in Toronto after missing last Wednesday’s game with the Brewers. Some thought that Escobar was sat out due to his ejection from last Tuesday’s contest, but he suffered from a sore shoulder following a head-first dive into first base to avoid a tag. Escobar had just reentered the lineup that day after missing time due to a strained hip flexor.
Cool off from the July 4 heat!
It is hot outside. Extremely hot. As the calendar flips to July, it is only going to get hotter. This Friday is the Fourth of July, aka’s America’s birthday (but that is up for debate. I would argue that the official Independence Day for America is when Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown and America OFFICIALLY became a country and no longer a colony, but that’s another debate) should be incredibly hot. And if you don’t want to brave the heat just to watch the same fireworks display you saw last year, let me give you a cool alternative: stay in and watch one of the most underrated sports movies of all time. You will still feel VERY patriotic!
Cue up your DVD player and throw in Miracle. The movie, in case you didn’t know, is the story based on the 1980 US men’s hockey team that went on to claim gold at the Lake Placid games. This movie has EVERYTHING you want from a sports movie: an underdog story, the token funny character, the “we’ve reached bottom, now let’s build up TOGETHER” angle and several goosebump scenes. And the best part: WE WIN! That’s right, America wins. You can’t ask for anything more on July 4.
This movie gives you a look at several of the key players as well as a look at the coach, and the best part is, the actors were hockey players that were turned into actors. Some they really are in a way underdogs. They clearly are not true Hollywood standouts like Clooney playing Jim Craig with Matt Damon as Mike Eruzione or some crazy concoction like that. That made everything seem a little more real. They overacted at times, but that is perhaps how the REAL players would have acted.
Kurt Russell gave a fantastic performance as coach Herb Brooks and his speeches going into the semi-final round vs. USSR got ME fired up. I WANTED to play the Soviets in that game.
And even though you KNEW what was going to happen at the end, you still will find yourself cheering wildly when Al Michaels drops his “Do you believe in Miracles? YES!” line. I could not stop smiling and I always seem to raise my arms in triumph when the team wins the gold. It makes me proud to be an American.
So if you are looking for a fresh alternative, check this movie out and beat the heat. If you want a double feature, grab Rocky IV, but Miracle is my pick. And if you don’t get goosebumps when, after a grueling extended workout session designed to break the boys down, Rizzo screams out, “Mike Eruzione, Winthrop, Massachusetts. I play for, the United States of America!” then I don’t believe you have a soul.
Cue up your DVD player and throw in Miracle. The movie, in case you didn’t know, is the story based on the 1980 US men’s hockey team that went on to claim gold at the Lake Placid games. This movie has EVERYTHING you want from a sports movie: an underdog story, the token funny character, the “we’ve reached bottom, now let’s build up TOGETHER” angle and several goosebump scenes. And the best part: WE WIN! That’s right, America wins. You can’t ask for anything more on July 4.
This movie gives you a look at several of the key players as well as a look at the coach, and the best part is, the actors were hockey players that were turned into actors. Some they really are in a way underdogs. They clearly are not true Hollywood standouts like Clooney playing Jim Craig with Matt Damon as Mike Eruzione or some crazy concoction like that. That made everything seem a little more real. They overacted at times, but that is perhaps how the REAL players would have acted.
Kurt Russell gave a fantastic performance as coach Herb Brooks and his speeches going into the semi-final round vs. USSR got ME fired up. I WANTED to play the Soviets in that game.
And even though you KNEW what was going to happen at the end, you still will find yourself cheering wildly when Al Michaels drops his “Do you believe in Miracles? YES!” line. I could not stop smiling and I always seem to raise my arms in triumph when the team wins the gold. It makes me proud to be an American.
So if you are looking for a fresh alternative, check this movie out and beat the heat. If you want a double feature, grab Rocky IV, but Miracle is my pick. And if you don’t get goosebumps when, after a grueling extended workout session designed to break the boys down, Rizzo screams out, “Mike Eruzione, Winthrop, Massachusetts. I play for, the United States of America!” then I don’t believe you have a soul.
Best theme park EVER!
I traveled to St. Louis this past weekend on an in-n-out trip (Arrived Friday night, left early Sunday morning), but Saturday I went to the BEST THEME PARK EVER! Grant Farms.
OK, so maybe it wasn't a real theme park, but you could see the Budweiser Clydesdales and take a tram all around the farm to the petting zoo. There, they had elephants and turtles and camels and llamas and goats, etc. The elephants even did a show. Pretty cool. And if you were wondering the price of admission to get in.....NONE. Free that's right.
But as cool as that is, let me get to why it was the best park ever. Since Budweiser owned it....They gave away free beer.
Yeah, you read that correctly. FREE BEER. And not just a little shot glass of free beer. They opened a bottle and poured you a full beer. (Or Bacardi product). You could walk around with free beer. They said, "only two samples per person" but they didn't keep track of that. It was like the Cheers party. Simply fantastic.
Boil it down, I took a picture with the Clydesdales, I fed a camel, and I drank free beer.....and it didn't cost a penny! NICE!
Best theme park EVER!
Now if only I could find a Zaxby's theme park!
OK, so maybe it wasn't a real theme park, but you could see the Budweiser Clydesdales and take a tram all around the farm to the petting zoo. There, they had elephants and turtles and camels and llamas and goats, etc. The elephants even did a show. Pretty cool. And if you were wondering the price of admission to get in.....NONE. Free that's right.
But as cool as that is, let me get to why it was the best park ever. Since Budweiser owned it....They gave away free beer.
Yeah, you read that correctly. FREE BEER. And not just a little shot glass of free beer. They opened a bottle and poured you a full beer. (Or Bacardi product). You could walk around with free beer. They said, "only two samples per person" but they didn't keep track of that. It was like the Cheers party. Simply fantastic.
Boil it down, I took a picture with the Clydesdales, I fed a camel, and I drank free beer.....and it didn't cost a penny! NICE!
Best theme park EVER!
Now if only I could find a Zaxby's theme park!
Friday, June 27, 2008
How come the NBA draft isn't as celebrated as the NFL?
I don't understand it. I just don't. I thought last night was great. There was drama as far as WILL THE HEAT TAKE Michael Beasley? If they do, will Shawn Marion pitch a fit because he is relegated back to third banana status that made him force out of Phoenix? Where will Kevin Love go? Will a WNBA team try and draft Brook Lopez? Who are these Euros? Will Dickie V's head explode?
ALso, WAY more trades involving PEOPLE take place in the NBA draft, opposed to the NFL draft, where it is just pick for picks. We get to see folks trade hats.
But for some reason we celebrate the NFL draft, but not the NBA draft. Why is that?
I guess it is because we all love college football WAY more than college basketball and we care more about the NFL than the NBA. We won't see these "lottery picks" do anything for a while because their teams are terrible, whereas in the NFL, the picks could lead you to the playoffs within a year or two. Plus no one watches the NBA until playoff time opposed to EVERYONE watching the NFL EVERY WEEK!
It takes the players a few years to really grow up too because of the ages of the draft picks (Euros as young as 18 or frosh as young as 19 opposed to juniors, three years out of high school, minimum of 20 years old entering the NFL) The NFL players are more likely to make an impact RIGHT AWAY before they are more mature than the NBA players.
I don't know. I just think the drama is better in the NBA, at least the lottery, as long as they are taking players that are ready to play next season! Quit picking the Euros that stay in Spain for 4 years then magically appear on rosters of the Spurs out of nowhere and dominate. There should be a limit on how long you can hold the rights. maybe 9 months. They have to be on your roster by the trading deadline, otherwise you lose the rights. While I do like the idea of better players entering the NBA, make them stay in Spain those five years, but NO ONE drafts him, THEN he comes over. It was boring listening to Fran last night talk about how, in 4 years this guy will make an impact because he is staying in Greece. I wish the NBA would do a minimum three years or two years or something with a minimum of 24 years old from Europe before they could be draft. If the Euros want to be drafted before 24, come to the states and go to college for two seasons and THEN you CAN get drafted.
I guess it is more exciting watching Matt Leinart get drafted because you watched him for three seasons at USC and now he is starting on your team (and you know he WILL be) instead of drafting Matheiu Leinhardt from Sweden and waiting for him to finish his 4 year contract with the Amersterdam Beavers before he comes to the Cardinals.
I just think the NBA draft is fun because I follow all of college basketball too, not just March Madness like most people and I am assuming THAT is why the ratings are down.
Sorry for the randomness of this, but I think the NBA draft should be MORE celebrated. Too bad Billy Knight wasn't here to MESS it up for the Hawks! PS, if the Hawks still had that #15 pick Roy Hibbert would have been nice down low with Horford and Smith around him. Or even a guy like Robin Lopez for energy off the bench, I would have been fine with. PLUS he could have done appearances for the Atlanta Dream too! ANd a second round pick with Bill Walker available, would have been nice. Then you could have let JChill go and sign and traded JSmoove and not felt bad. I might be tempted to call up the Charlotte Bobcats and see what Raymond Felton is available for. Just saying......
ALso, WAY more trades involving PEOPLE take place in the NBA draft, opposed to the NFL draft, where it is just pick for picks. We get to see folks trade hats.
But for some reason we celebrate the NFL draft, but not the NBA draft. Why is that?
I guess it is because we all love college football WAY more than college basketball and we care more about the NFL than the NBA. We won't see these "lottery picks" do anything for a while because their teams are terrible, whereas in the NFL, the picks could lead you to the playoffs within a year or two. Plus no one watches the NBA until playoff time opposed to EVERYONE watching the NFL EVERY WEEK!
It takes the players a few years to really grow up too because of the ages of the draft picks (Euros as young as 18 or frosh as young as 19 opposed to juniors, three years out of high school, minimum of 20 years old entering the NFL) The NFL players are more likely to make an impact RIGHT AWAY before they are more mature than the NBA players.
I don't know. I just think the drama is better in the NBA, at least the lottery, as long as they are taking players that are ready to play next season! Quit picking the Euros that stay in Spain for 4 years then magically appear on rosters of the Spurs out of nowhere and dominate. There should be a limit on how long you can hold the rights. maybe 9 months. They have to be on your roster by the trading deadline, otherwise you lose the rights. While I do like the idea of better players entering the NBA, make them stay in Spain those five years, but NO ONE drafts him, THEN he comes over. It was boring listening to Fran last night talk about how, in 4 years this guy will make an impact because he is staying in Greece. I wish the NBA would do a minimum three years or two years or something with a minimum of 24 years old from Europe before they could be draft. If the Euros want to be drafted before 24, come to the states and go to college for two seasons and THEN you CAN get drafted.
I guess it is more exciting watching Matt Leinart get drafted because you watched him for three seasons at USC and now he is starting on your team (and you know he WILL be) instead of drafting Matheiu Leinhardt from Sweden and waiting for him to finish his 4 year contract with the Amersterdam Beavers before he comes to the Cardinals.
I just think the NBA draft is fun because I follow all of college basketball too, not just March Madness like most people and I am assuming THAT is why the ratings are down.
Sorry for the randomness of this, but I think the NBA draft should be MORE celebrated. Too bad Billy Knight wasn't here to MESS it up for the Hawks! PS, if the Hawks still had that #15 pick Roy Hibbert would have been nice down low with Horford and Smith around him. Or even a guy like Robin Lopez for energy off the bench, I would have been fine with. PLUS he could have done appearances for the Atlanta Dream too! ANd a second round pick with Bill Walker available, would have been nice. Then you could have let JChill go and sign and traded JSmoove and not felt bad. I might be tempted to call up the Charlotte Bobcats and see what Raymond Felton is available for. Just saying......
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Was SexyBack JT's Thriller?
I heard SexyBack on my way to work this morning, and I couldn't help but think that was Justin Timberlake's attempt at an MJ Thriller phenomenon. It was catchy, it was dancy. When it came out, it was EVERYWHERE. He was all over the Victoria's Secret Fashion show with it.
In fact it is STILL making the rounds on Radio-regular and satellite.
The only thing is, it didn't have a dance like the Thriller video had.
One strike against it.
But I also think JT is angling to be this generation's Michael Jackson (just without the kiddie porn stuff). Both were the stars in their early careers in a Group (Jackson 5 v N*Sync) Both transcended the group and once on his own, rocketed up the charts.
Now everything that JT releases, young girls eat UP.
And while Michael Jackson had a rival with Prince, Timberlake has a musical rival in Kayne West, as far as TRULY TALENTED competition.
I guess we will have to see if Timberlake has the chops to last in the spotlight as long as Jackson did. Timberlake is incredibly talented as he can do guitar AND piano AND dance and write some music. Jackson was probably the better dancer, but Timberlake may be the better all-around.
ALso, we saw MJ Ease on down the road in The Wiz....Timberlake is trying to go into movies as well. The Guru, Black Snake Moan, and the one with all of the tattoos about a kidnapping gone bad. He is trying to branch out. You've got to respect that.
I think it is safe to call him the next MJ. I will go ahead and say it. Let's again just hope he stays away from the stuff that made Michael Jackson into Jacko. Basically, STAY AWAY MACAULAY CULKIN!
In fact it is STILL making the rounds on Radio-regular and satellite.
The only thing is, it didn't have a dance like the Thriller video had.
One strike against it.
But I also think JT is angling to be this generation's Michael Jackson (just without the kiddie porn stuff). Both were the stars in their early careers in a Group (Jackson 5 v N*Sync) Both transcended the group and once on his own, rocketed up the charts.
Now everything that JT releases, young girls eat UP.
And while Michael Jackson had a rival with Prince, Timberlake has a musical rival in Kayne West, as far as TRULY TALENTED competition.
I guess we will have to see if Timberlake has the chops to last in the spotlight as long as Jackson did. Timberlake is incredibly talented as he can do guitar AND piano AND dance and write some music. Jackson was probably the better dancer, but Timberlake may be the better all-around.
ALso, we saw MJ Ease on down the road in The Wiz....Timberlake is trying to go into movies as well. The Guru, Black Snake Moan, and the one with all of the tattoos about a kidnapping gone bad. He is trying to branch out. You've got to respect that.
I think it is safe to call him the next MJ. I will go ahead and say it. Let's again just hope he stays away from the stuff that made Michael Jackson into Jacko. Basically, STAY AWAY MACAULAY CULKIN!
All that goodwill....POOF!
The man went 4-12 during the regular season SEC slate. He won 4 straight games in 3 days (acutally in four days, they had a day off!) And he nearly upset Xavier in the first round of the NCAA tourney....
And now he has lost his grip on his team, YET AGAIN!
Yes, the man I speak of is Dennis Felton.
Billy Humphrey got arrested last night for DUI, his second alcohol arrest this calendar year and his third overall arrest in the last 9 months. Due to UGA policy, he will miss 15 games, that's if Felton even lets the senior return. Which he probably won't. High character guy there, right DF?
I unfortunately predicted that before the season Felton would kick Dolla Bill and TWood off the team and set his team back a season. His lack of control over his players is staggering and it seems as though UGA is constantly in rebuilding mode, especially when they should be competiting for a REGULAR season title next season.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh.
And PS, about three weeks ago I had a dream and Dennis was in it. We were in an airport and I went up to him to say "sorry about the constant bashing. You deserve to stick around another year." But he blew me off. He said I didn't matter.
Oh, I woke up VEXED! I am GLAD Georgia didn't give him a huge extension. He got hot, but I want to see continued success, not just 4 wins in 4 days. Take this team to the 2nd round of the NCAAs Dennis, THIS SEASON, or get out.
All I am saying.
And you job just got harder because Billy Humphrey is a moron. Yeah, the guy YOU RECRUITED!
And now he has lost his grip on his team, YET AGAIN!
Yes, the man I speak of is Dennis Felton.
Billy Humphrey got arrested last night for DUI, his second alcohol arrest this calendar year and his third overall arrest in the last 9 months. Due to UGA policy, he will miss 15 games, that's if Felton even lets the senior return. Which he probably won't. High character guy there, right DF?
I unfortunately predicted that before the season Felton would kick Dolla Bill and TWood off the team and set his team back a season. His lack of control over his players is staggering and it seems as though UGA is constantly in rebuilding mode, especially when they should be competiting for a REGULAR season title next season.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh.
And PS, about three weeks ago I had a dream and Dennis was in it. We were in an airport and I went up to him to say "sorry about the constant bashing. You deserve to stick around another year." But he blew me off. He said I didn't matter.
Oh, I woke up VEXED! I am GLAD Georgia didn't give him a huge extension. He got hot, but I want to see continued success, not just 4 wins in 4 days. Take this team to the 2nd round of the NCAAs Dennis, THIS SEASON, or get out.
All I am saying.
And you job just got harder because Billy Humphrey is a moron. Yeah, the guy YOU RECRUITED!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Well that was disappointing
So Georgia lost the College World Series Championship to Fresno State 2 games to 1. In Game 3 the Dawgs barely put up a fight. Gordon Beckham and a solo home run, but the Dawgs, much like the Braves couldn't get the ducks on the pond into the water.
Can I now stop pretending that I care about College Baseball? When does football start?
Also, could ESPN PLEASE give the announcers more material next season for its coverage of the CWS? Orel and Mike Patrick were repeating the same 4 storylines THE ENTIRE TIME! Yes, Fresno is the lowest seeded team ever to reach (and now win) a championship round. YES, the kid has a torn ligament in his thumb, YES David Perno told Gordon Beckham in 2006 that he would lead them back to Omaha. And YES UGA would have won the title and been the first team EVER to win a title one year after posting a losing record. GET SOME MORE STATS!
And could some one PLEASE get in Patrick's ear and tell him which team is in the field at a certain time? Come on. Rookie broadcasting mistakes there. And YES I CAN say that because I don't mess that stuff up. Pretty easy to tell the players apart, you know with their different colored uniforms and all.
Go get them in 2010 Dawgs. Great season, what a shame to come up one game short. Congrats though guys! And hats off to Frez-NO! Just don't think I am picking you in ANY game this football season. I HOLD GRUDGES!
Can I now stop pretending that I care about College Baseball? When does football start?
Also, could ESPN PLEASE give the announcers more material next season for its coverage of the CWS? Orel and Mike Patrick were repeating the same 4 storylines THE ENTIRE TIME! Yes, Fresno is the lowest seeded team ever to reach (and now win) a championship round. YES, the kid has a torn ligament in his thumb, YES David Perno told Gordon Beckham in 2006 that he would lead them back to Omaha. And YES UGA would have won the title and been the first team EVER to win a title one year after posting a losing record. GET SOME MORE STATS!
And could some one PLEASE get in Patrick's ear and tell him which team is in the field at a certain time? Come on. Rookie broadcasting mistakes there. And YES I CAN say that because I don't mess that stuff up. Pretty easy to tell the players apart, you know with their different colored uniforms and all.
Go get them in 2010 Dawgs. Great season, what a shame to come up one game short. Congrats though guys! And hats off to Frez-NO! Just don't think I am picking you in ANY game this football season. I HOLD GRUDGES!
Where was the security?
No Mid-week entertainment report today. I'll have one tomorrow.
No, today I just have ONE BIG question that has been bothering me recently....
In the movie What a Girl Wants, starring Amanda Bynes, there is a scene where she gets locked out of a fashion show by her wicked step-sister-to-be and she sneaks around and gets in through a back door/window and winds up on the runway, then falls RIGHT INTO "Prince Charles's" lap as "William" and "Harry" look on.
My problem is two-fold. First off, are you telling me that with the FUTURE KING OF ENGLAND THERE, some one-potentially an assassin-could simply walk around the building after being rejected by the gentleman at the front door and sneak in through a back door/window? REALLY? I would have thought a Bobby or one of those beefeaters would be stationed there, protecting the entry points.
My other problem is, (ok , i guess i have two more problems) she is just allowed on stage? I have watched quite a few episodes of The Hills, as well as several Victoria's Secret Fashion shows (where they show backstage). I don't buy that she could just be allowed to walk on stage. Didn't she have to get cleared by someone like LC with a Garth Brooks/Madonna-style mic and clipboard? And just walking out there in jeans and a white shirt? IN A FASHION SHOW? Unless it was a Se7en jeans show (WHICH IT WASN'T) then shouldn't a red light have gone off, "she's not dressed correctly, we have an interloper here?"
My final problem is when she falls into the lap of Charles and Wills and Harry. I go back to the security issue here. Where is the secret service? Or at least a beefeater? I realize he would have to take his hat off, but still he'd be there, right? I was just appalled by the lack of security at this function.
I guess if some one REALLY wanted to get to the future kings of England, just sneak through the back window at a fashion show, wearing jeans and just "trip and fall on him" like Ms. Bynes did. They wouldn't stop you.
This is why America is higher on the dominance scale than England. Some one could NEVER pull that off in America! We have security BABY! YEAH!
No, today I just have ONE BIG question that has been bothering me recently....
In the movie What a Girl Wants, starring Amanda Bynes, there is a scene where she gets locked out of a fashion show by her wicked step-sister-to-be and she sneaks around and gets in through a back door/window and winds up on the runway, then falls RIGHT INTO "Prince Charles's" lap as "William" and "Harry" look on.
My problem is two-fold. First off, are you telling me that with the FUTURE KING OF ENGLAND THERE, some one-potentially an assassin-could simply walk around the building after being rejected by the gentleman at the front door and sneak in through a back door/window? REALLY? I would have thought a Bobby or one of those beefeaters would be stationed there, protecting the entry points.
My other problem is, (ok , i guess i have two more problems) she is just allowed on stage? I have watched quite a few episodes of The Hills, as well as several Victoria's Secret Fashion shows (where they show backstage). I don't buy that she could just be allowed to walk on stage. Didn't she have to get cleared by someone like LC with a Garth Brooks/Madonna-style mic and clipboard? And just walking out there in jeans and a white shirt? IN A FASHION SHOW? Unless it was a Se7en jeans show (WHICH IT WASN'T) then shouldn't a red light have gone off, "she's not dressed correctly, we have an interloper here?"
My final problem is when she falls into the lap of Charles and Wills and Harry. I go back to the security issue here. Where is the secret service? Or at least a beefeater? I realize he would have to take his hat off, but still he'd be there, right? I was just appalled by the lack of security at this function.
I guess if some one REALLY wanted to get to the future kings of England, just sneak through the back window at a fashion show, wearing jeans and just "trip and fall on him" like Ms. Bynes did. They wouldn't stop you.
This is why America is higher on the dominance scale than England. Some one could NEVER pull that off in America! We have security BABY! YEAH!
The Cobra STRIKES AGAIN!
Credit Kelly Johnson (and his SWEET SWING) with this win today. KJ's double drove two in today to knot the game at two, then he added a little insurance later in the game to raise his total to 3 RBI on the day as the Bravos win 4-2.
Jorge Campillo went 7 strong in an effort that the team needed, only allowing 2 runs and holding up over the long haul. This team was a little stripped because of injuries so they needed a good effort and to get out quickly, which Campillo allowed them to do.
Finally, the Cobra aka Mike Gonzalez impressed as he notched his second save and 32 straight in 32 chances. He has pitched in three games today and the Braves won all three. When he comes in, it is LIGHTS out time. I love it.
That said, I think they should trade while the value is high (if they have decided to throw in the towel on the season, and with Philly looking to add CCS from the Indians in Pat Gillick's last year, maybe they should) and build for 2010.
But I hope the Braves CAN do something this year. If Philly doesn't run away with the division, it will push Atlanta's dealings back and they might decide to make a run. If it is possible to rebuild while reloading, that would be ideal (and it IS possible, see Beane, Billy for examples).
Well the Braves take ONE of three from the Brew Crew and maybe this will load gramma MO on the plane for the trip North o' the Border, eh!
And GO DAWGS. BACKS AGAINST THE WALL 5-0! Make it 6-0!
and bring home that trophy!
Finally, I want it here first, Novak CHOKE-o-vic! at Wimbledon!
Jorge Campillo went 7 strong in an effort that the team needed, only allowing 2 runs and holding up over the long haul. This team was a little stripped because of injuries so they needed a good effort and to get out quickly, which Campillo allowed them to do.
Finally, the Cobra aka Mike Gonzalez impressed as he notched his second save and 32 straight in 32 chances. He has pitched in three games today and the Braves won all three. When he comes in, it is LIGHTS out time. I love it.
That said, I think they should trade while the value is high (if they have decided to throw in the towel on the season, and with Philly looking to add CCS from the Indians in Pat Gillick's last year, maybe they should) and build for 2010.
But I hope the Braves CAN do something this year. If Philly doesn't run away with the division, it will push Atlanta's dealings back and they might decide to make a run. If it is possible to rebuild while reloading, that would be ideal (and it IS possible, see Beane, Billy for examples).
Well the Braves take ONE of three from the Brew Crew and maybe this will load gramma MO on the plane for the trip North o' the Border, eh!
And GO DAWGS. BACKS AGAINST THE WALL 5-0! Make it 6-0!
and bring home that trophy!
Finally, I want it here first, Novak CHOKE-o-vic! at Wimbledon!
Where is the passion?
I won't even get into the comedy of errors that took place in the first inning, (3 errors leading to 3 runs. way to help out a rookie making his first home start!) or the SHOULD HAVE BEEN ERROR that was committed a few innings later that drove a 4th run home.
No, I want to talk about the Braves dugout in the ninth inning. After the Braves FINALLY got a baserunner on after Brewers pitchers had set down 25 in a row, the team FINALLY broke through for a run to make it 4-1 and that was the score entering the bottom frame. Kelly Johnson leads off the last inning with a walk (way to go KJ. Good eye) then lil tex comes through with a blast (to the fourth row!?!) and suddenly the score is 4-3. Then BMac comes up and he singles to center. The fans were up! Then Omar Infante drops a perfect sac bunt down and suddenly the Braves have the tying runner in scoring position with one out.
Shot to the Braves dugout.
It looked like a funeral. Maybe it was because they knew Frenchy was coming to bat (ground out) and then a free pass to Brandon Jones brought pinch hitter Corky Miller to the plate. Maybe they knew the game was over. COrky lined out to end the game, but I want to talk about a lack of passion. REALLY? come on guys! You just sat there with a chance to TIE the game as a real possibility. Let your teammates know you are with them! No one was up against the dugout rail.
This is your SEASON! You've gotta show some emotion! Please!
Frenchy, NOT a good game for you. The error in the first inning...you could have NAILED Weeks at the plate. Same with Jason Kendell later. The guy is old and slow. Don't AIRMAIL the plate.
Frustrating is all I can say about the Braves. Oh well.
And to top it all off, the Dawgs blew a 5-0 lead and lost last night 19-10. Now Georgia has a game to decide it all. Winner-take-all tonight at 7pm v Frez-NO State. We will hear how Fresno is now 5-0 in elimination games...guess what? SO IS UGA! 5-0 v 5-0. It should be exciting. The Dawgs good bullpen arms appear to be rested, so maybe Georgia can get some work from Nathan Morneau and then get Dean Weaver! into the game and then AMR and Josh Fields to close it down. I sort of had a feeling that would happen. And I don't think David Perno would have had it any other way, besides his diamond dawgs with their backs against the wall!
No, I want to talk about the Braves dugout in the ninth inning. After the Braves FINALLY got a baserunner on after Brewers pitchers had set down 25 in a row, the team FINALLY broke through for a run to make it 4-1 and that was the score entering the bottom frame. Kelly Johnson leads off the last inning with a walk (way to go KJ. Good eye) then lil tex comes through with a blast (to the fourth row!?!) and suddenly the score is 4-3. Then BMac comes up and he singles to center. The fans were up! Then Omar Infante drops a perfect sac bunt down and suddenly the Braves have the tying runner in scoring position with one out.
Shot to the Braves dugout.
It looked like a funeral. Maybe it was because they knew Frenchy was coming to bat (ground out) and then a free pass to Brandon Jones brought pinch hitter Corky Miller to the plate. Maybe they knew the game was over. COrky lined out to end the game, but I want to talk about a lack of passion. REALLY? come on guys! You just sat there with a chance to TIE the game as a real possibility. Let your teammates know you are with them! No one was up against the dugout rail.
This is your SEASON! You've gotta show some emotion! Please!
Frenchy, NOT a good game for you. The error in the first inning...you could have NAILED Weeks at the plate. Same with Jason Kendell later. The guy is old and slow. Don't AIRMAIL the plate.
Frustrating is all I can say about the Braves. Oh well.
And to top it all off, the Dawgs blew a 5-0 lead and lost last night 19-10. Now Georgia has a game to decide it all. Winner-take-all tonight at 7pm v Frez-NO State. We will hear how Fresno is now 5-0 in elimination games...guess what? SO IS UGA! 5-0 v 5-0. It should be exciting. The Dawgs good bullpen arms appear to be rested, so maybe Georgia can get some work from Nathan Morneau and then get Dean Weaver! into the game and then AMR and Josh Fields to close it down. I sort of had a feeling that would happen. And I don't think David Perno would have had it any other way, besides his diamond dawgs with their backs against the wall!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Really? You were REALLY offended?
Don Imus did it again! That much was said by my station 790 The Zone's Afternoon Saloon. He did it again! Da Kang actually was saying that Imus had the right to spew his "bigot ideas" on the air, but we have a right to turn the station.
And I agree...with the last part. If this Imus guy wants to insult the Rutgers' women's bball team and then ask what "color" Pacman Jones is, let him. He will suffer with the loss of his job or money and/or sponsorships. Honestly, I was surprised he returned to the regular radio airwaves and didn't take his schtick to XM or Sirius, but whatever.
If people want to get all huffy over this, I ask why? You know he probably underneath is a bit racist. You KNOW what you are getting when you turn him on. If you don't like it, turn it off. No one is FORCING you to listen to this guy.
As for this being a story, it ISN'T! Stop talking about it. He explained himself. If you choose to buy it, whatever. That's your call. Frankly, I don't care one way or the other. There are things that I am ALLOWED to not have an opinion on, and THIS IS IT. I don't care.
As for The Afternoon Saloon's response to him, let's not say that Chevy's sponsoring Imus is akin to them sponsoring a Klan rally. I just don't buy that Chuck. Sorry. Hometeam, he probably is a closet bigot, but he has a listener base. He does. They tune in to him, so he is appealing to his listeners. I am not condoning this, I am just saying that he is being paid as a known commodity, and he is just delivering what he does.
Now, does he need to be fired, I don't think so. I am not saying I buy his explanation, but it was adequate. I think he should FOR HIMSELF, go to XM radio and save himself all the hassle he goes through. If it is a pay-per-listen thing, you can't really rip the guy. You can, OR you could just choose NOT TO BUY (LITERALLY) what he is selling.
Imus, do yourself a favor (and me one too, since I have to sometimes address this issue, even on EVHEI, where a caller wanted to ask about that last night, even though we were talking Braves. WHAT?) and just do to subscription radio. Then no one will care how much you pop off. Well, they still will, but that is because people take things WAY too seriously these days.
But that is the topic for a MUCH different blog.
And I agree...with the last part. If this Imus guy wants to insult the Rutgers' women's bball team and then ask what "color" Pacman Jones is, let him. He will suffer with the loss of his job or money and/or sponsorships. Honestly, I was surprised he returned to the regular radio airwaves and didn't take his schtick to XM or Sirius, but whatever.
If people want to get all huffy over this, I ask why? You know he probably underneath is a bit racist. You KNOW what you are getting when you turn him on. If you don't like it, turn it off. No one is FORCING you to listen to this guy.
As for this being a story, it ISN'T! Stop talking about it. He explained himself. If you choose to buy it, whatever. That's your call. Frankly, I don't care one way or the other. There are things that I am ALLOWED to not have an opinion on, and THIS IS IT. I don't care.
As for The Afternoon Saloon's response to him, let's not say that Chevy's sponsoring Imus is akin to them sponsoring a Klan rally. I just don't buy that Chuck. Sorry. Hometeam, he probably is a closet bigot, but he has a listener base. He does. They tune in to him, so he is appealing to his listeners. I am not condoning this, I am just saying that he is being paid as a known commodity, and he is just delivering what he does.
Now, does he need to be fired, I don't think so. I am not saying I buy his explanation, but it was adequate. I think he should FOR HIMSELF, go to XM radio and save himself all the hassle he goes through. If it is a pay-per-listen thing, you can't really rip the guy. You can, OR you could just choose NOT TO BUY (LITERALLY) what he is selling.
Imus, do yourself a favor (and me one too, since I have to sometimes address this issue, even on EVHEI, where a caller wanted to ask about that last night, even though we were talking Braves. WHAT?) and just do to subscription radio. Then no one will care how much you pop off. Well, they still will, but that is because people take things WAY too seriously these days.
But that is the topic for a MUCH different blog.
A good night for ONE team from Georgia
Ben Sheets continued his domination against the Atlanta Braves last night, going the complete nine innings, only allowing one run and striking out 7 as the Brew Crew took the first of a three game set from the Braves 4-1. Mike "The Cheater" Cameron hit a home run in the second inning and the Brewers tacked on two more in the third to stretch its lead to 4-0. (By the way, can someone check Cameron's urine for more steriods?) After Brian McCann plated a run via a GIDP, Ben Sheets then sat down the last 16 Braves to come to the plate. WOW. Ben Sheets OWNS the Braves and every time he takes the hill, the Braves should just wave the white flag and move along.
One effort that won't get mentioned much, (but will here) is what the Braves Bullpen, Jeff Bennett in particular did. Coming in for Jo-Jo they silenced the Brewers' bats and gave the Braves a chance, but the offense did nothing with the chance.
Rookie Charlie Morton gets his first home start tonight. Nice. Hopefully he can give another quality start and get the Braves a W. As poorly as they have played, they ARE only 4.5 GB. They have to have a run left in them, don't they?
Now then, ON TO THE DAWGS! The Georgia baseball team is only ONE WIN AWAY from a National Championship after they rallied twice last night to win against Fres-NO state 7-6. The Dawgs got one in the first then added another tie-breaking run to take a 2-1 lead a few innings later. Trevor Holder, the Dawgs' ace had trouble with the bottom three of the order, giving up a solo shot to #9 in the order and walked the #7 then served up a gopher ball to the #8 hitter to put the Dawgs in a hole 3-2. Georgia would tie it up as some of their big boys (BMass and Rich Poythress) thundered around to score on several plays late.
Then All-American Gordon Beckham broke the UGA home run career record with his 52nd of his career in the bottom of the 8th, after the UGA bullpen had given up three runs.
Funny thing is, even though the Dawgs fell behind, I don't think they panicked and I didn't either, because they had done this all CWS. Poythress tied the game at 6 on a Matt Cerione basehit (nice to see him recover after going 0-5 with 5Ks vs. Stanford) and then Cerione scored on a chopper that hit secondbase and rolled into the outfield.
And Josh Fields set them down 1-2-3 in the ninth for his 18th save. When it IS a save situation, he is amazing.
And the biggest stat that everyone should pay attention to tonight is NOT Frez-NO's 4-0 record in elimination games, but UGA's 5-1 record in "Foot-on-the-throat" games, as in games where they can eliminate the OTHER team. They knocked out Louisville, Lipscomb, GT, lost once to NCState in a f-o-t-t game, then beat them, then knocked out Stanford. And in elimination games during the run, FSU's 4-0 is nice, but UGA is 5-0, for the record. but ESPN hasn't pointed that out, but I am sure they will IF Frez-NO somehow wins tonight.) The killer attitude that UGA is playing with right now HAS to be in the heads of the "Underdog to Wonderdog" Fresno State Bulldogs. The clock is at midnight for the bulldogs of the west and the Dawgs are about to pee on the Fresno Pumpkin!
A writer for the ABH says that it is UGA's destiny to win this CWS. After last night, despite trailing in the bottom of the 8th, I knew they would come back. AND THEY DID. It may JUST be in the cards. With Nick Montgomery on the Hill for the Dawgs, we might just see a Dawg pile tonight in Omaha and the YEAR OF THE DAWG will continue!
GO DAWGS!
One effort that won't get mentioned much, (but will here) is what the Braves Bullpen, Jeff Bennett in particular did. Coming in for Jo-Jo they silenced the Brewers' bats and gave the Braves a chance, but the offense did nothing with the chance.
Rookie Charlie Morton gets his first home start tonight. Nice. Hopefully he can give another quality start and get the Braves a W. As poorly as they have played, they ARE only 4.5 GB. They have to have a run left in them, don't they?
Now then, ON TO THE DAWGS! The Georgia baseball team is only ONE WIN AWAY from a National Championship after they rallied twice last night to win against Fres-NO state 7-6. The Dawgs got one in the first then added another tie-breaking run to take a 2-1 lead a few innings later. Trevor Holder, the Dawgs' ace had trouble with the bottom three of the order, giving up a solo shot to #9 in the order and walked the #7 then served up a gopher ball to the #8 hitter to put the Dawgs in a hole 3-2. Georgia would tie it up as some of their big boys (BMass and Rich Poythress) thundered around to score on several plays late.
Then All-American Gordon Beckham broke the UGA home run career record with his 52nd of his career in the bottom of the 8th, after the UGA bullpen had given up three runs.
Funny thing is, even though the Dawgs fell behind, I don't think they panicked and I didn't either, because they had done this all CWS. Poythress tied the game at 6 on a Matt Cerione basehit (nice to see him recover after going 0-5 with 5Ks vs. Stanford) and then Cerione scored on a chopper that hit secondbase and rolled into the outfield.
And Josh Fields set them down 1-2-3 in the ninth for his 18th save. When it IS a save situation, he is amazing.
And the biggest stat that everyone should pay attention to tonight is NOT Frez-NO's 4-0 record in elimination games, but UGA's 5-1 record in "Foot-on-the-throat" games, as in games where they can eliminate the OTHER team. They knocked out Louisville, Lipscomb, GT, lost once to NCState in a f-o-t-t game, then beat them, then knocked out Stanford. And in elimination games during the run, FSU's 4-0 is nice, but UGA is 5-0, for the record. but ESPN hasn't pointed that out, but I am sure they will IF Frez-NO somehow wins tonight.) The killer attitude that UGA is playing with right now HAS to be in the heads of the "Underdog to Wonderdog" Fresno State Bulldogs. The clock is at midnight for the bulldogs of the west and the Dawgs are about to pee on the Fresno Pumpkin!
A writer for the ABH says that it is UGA's destiny to win this CWS. After last night, despite trailing in the bottom of the 8th, I knew they would come back. AND THEY DID. It may JUST be in the cards. With Nick Montgomery on the Hill for the Dawgs, we might just see a Dawg pile tonight in Omaha and the YEAR OF THE DAWG will continue!
GO DAWGS!
Monday, June 23, 2008
thoughts on the series win over the mariners!
The brand new Chick-fil-A tomahawk-chopping mechanical cow perched high in left field tried to bring the home team some luck on Saturday as Jair Jurrjens took to the mound. The Mariners took an early 3-1 lead and the Braves were forced to play catchup with just six outs remaining. However, Brian McCann came to the plate with the bases loaded and a chance to win it in the ninth and he blooped a broken-bat single over the second baseman’s head for the walk-off hit. Greg Norton scored the winning run against his former team. In Sunday’s rubber match, the Braves scored early and often, staking Tim Hudson to an 8-0 lead. Teixeira did his part with three home runs, and despite Jones missing the game with an injury, the Braves took the game 8-3.
that was from my Score Atlanta beat. sorry, i went tubing yesterday (and got sunburned) so I was a little behind. My bad.
as for tonight, so far the Dawgs and Dogs are tied at 1 in the bottom of the third and the Brew Crew is ahead thanks in large part to the Cheater Mike Cameron and a performance-enhanced dong
that was from my Score Atlanta beat. sorry, i went tubing yesterday (and got sunburned) so I was a little behind. My bad.
as for tonight, so far the Dawgs and Dogs are tied at 1 in the bottom of the third and the Brew Crew is ahead thanks in large part to the Cheater Mike Cameron and a performance-enhanced dong
The PGA should take a page from the WWE
I've already touched on this before, but this is my weekly entry for 790 The Zone. I wanted to share it here as well.
So Tiger Woods is out for the year with his knee injury and won’t return to Majors action until the Masters in 2009. Television executives all across the country are crying in their beers, but I say, “STOP!” This may be just what the PGA needs. The tour is now pretty much required to push its other stars and MAYBE Tiger can finally get some competition now.
Now that Tiger is out, perhaps Phil Mickelson will assert himself and win both the British and the PGA Championship. He seems to shrink whenever head to head with Tiger, but if he can win these two sans Tiger, maybe come Augusta, he can stand up to Woods. Or, maybe Sergio will step up and realize his potential. I wrote last year that he needed to step up (and grow a mustache) to give the tour a legitimate bad guy. If he captures his first major, there is a chance America can have a foreigner to boo, and thus pull harder for Tiger come Ryder Cup time. One of the Down Under Fraternity could step forward as Stuart Appleby, Adam Scott or Geoff Ogilvy seem ready to break out, and Ogilvy already has one major on his resume.
But the PGA desperately needs some one to take the mantle of best player now that Tiger is out for a while. The WWF/WWE has had this happen in recent years and the wrestling business seemingly goes on without a beat, in some cases gets better. When Stone Cold Steve Austin was injured with a “broken neck” and had to miss an extended period of time, Vince McMahon just plugged in The Rock and HHH into the title picture and the Monday Night RAW ratings went through the roof. When Stone Cold came back, he was met with two young established guns and the ratings exploded. Those two might have eventually made it, but because they were thrust into a role at that time when the company needed them, they became huge stars. That could be Phil and Sergio right there.
Then The Rock decided to leave the squared circle for life in Hollywood and once again the WWF was forced to go to the well for more talent. Again the bucket came up full. This time Randy Orton and Batista stepped up (Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy perhaps?) and the business didn’t miss a beat. Also, to whomever wins the majors, maybe DURING the winner’s acceptance speech, the video board behind him can cut to a shot of Woods saying something like, “Hey Adam Scott! Congrats on the win, but you’ve never beaten ME in a major! So enjoy this ‘Major’ win, (he can even do the quotation marks with his hands while coating the statement with biting sarcasm) and we’ll see how you do when I come back.” That is classic WWE stuff and could be classic PGA stuff. Tell me THAT wouldn’t lead SportsCenter!
Bottom line, the WWF/WWE was able to plug in new stars and that is what the PGA should try and do. The tour has plenty of stars outside of Tiger in Phil and Ernie Els and Vijay Singh, so why not market them? The smaller tournaments will be hurting, but they always were because Tiger never went to them anyways. The Majors will still have viewers because they always do, but the ratings won’t be as high because Tiger isn’t around, UNLESS the tour goes out and promotes the heck out of its “other stars.”
And for all of the down numbers the tour and TV has this year, if some one DOES step up and win, imagine the ratings when Tiger returns and takes on the person that possibly stole all of his thunder while Woods was out. CBS is licking its chops at the thought of those numbers for the 2009 Masters. For what golf gives up now, they will certainly make up next year, assuming some one can step up!
So Tiger Woods is out for the year with his knee injury and won’t return to Majors action until the Masters in 2009. Television executives all across the country are crying in their beers, but I say, “STOP!” This may be just what the PGA needs. The tour is now pretty much required to push its other stars and MAYBE Tiger can finally get some competition now.
Now that Tiger is out, perhaps Phil Mickelson will assert himself and win both the British and the PGA Championship. He seems to shrink whenever head to head with Tiger, but if he can win these two sans Tiger, maybe come Augusta, he can stand up to Woods. Or, maybe Sergio will step up and realize his potential. I wrote last year that he needed to step up (and grow a mustache) to give the tour a legitimate bad guy. If he captures his first major, there is a chance America can have a foreigner to boo, and thus pull harder for Tiger come Ryder Cup time. One of the Down Under Fraternity could step forward as Stuart Appleby, Adam Scott or Geoff Ogilvy seem ready to break out, and Ogilvy already has one major on his resume.
But the PGA desperately needs some one to take the mantle of best player now that Tiger is out for a while. The WWF/WWE has had this happen in recent years and the wrestling business seemingly goes on without a beat, in some cases gets better. When Stone Cold Steve Austin was injured with a “broken neck” and had to miss an extended period of time, Vince McMahon just plugged in The Rock and HHH into the title picture and the Monday Night RAW ratings went through the roof. When Stone Cold came back, he was met with two young established guns and the ratings exploded. Those two might have eventually made it, but because they were thrust into a role at that time when the company needed them, they became huge stars. That could be Phil and Sergio right there.
Then The Rock decided to leave the squared circle for life in Hollywood and once again the WWF was forced to go to the well for more talent. Again the bucket came up full. This time Randy Orton and Batista stepped up (Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy perhaps?) and the business didn’t miss a beat. Also, to whomever wins the majors, maybe DURING the winner’s acceptance speech, the video board behind him can cut to a shot of Woods saying something like, “Hey Adam Scott! Congrats on the win, but you’ve never beaten ME in a major! So enjoy this ‘Major’ win, (he can even do the quotation marks with his hands while coating the statement with biting sarcasm) and we’ll see how you do when I come back.” That is classic WWE stuff and could be classic PGA stuff. Tell me THAT wouldn’t lead SportsCenter!
Bottom line, the WWF/WWE was able to plug in new stars and that is what the PGA should try and do. The tour has plenty of stars outside of Tiger in Phil and Ernie Els and Vijay Singh, so why not market them? The smaller tournaments will be hurting, but they always were because Tiger never went to them anyways. The Majors will still have viewers because they always do, but the ratings won’t be as high because Tiger isn’t around, UNLESS the tour goes out and promotes the heck out of its “other stars.”
And for all of the down numbers the tour and TV has this year, if some one DOES step up and win, imagine the ratings when Tiger returns and takes on the person that possibly stole all of his thunder while Woods was out. CBS is licking its chops at the thought of those numbers for the 2009 Masters. For what golf gives up now, they will certainly make up next year, assuming some one can step up!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Fields makes it exciting in 9th, Atlanta blows another one
Starting off with the Braves on Friday. With a 1-0 lead the bases loaded and a chance to end the series RIGHT there in the 4th inning of game one, Jeff Francoeur grounds into the 4-6-3 DP to end the inning and rally and from there Seattle decided to play.
With a new life, the Mariners scored and scored and scored some more in route to a 10-2 win over the Braves in game one of the three game set. I have said it before and will say it again, Frenchy has been a disappointment all season and he had a shot to end the series against the worst team in baseball and the ONLY team with a worse road record than Atlanta wins one on the road IN TURNER FIELD!
Ahhhhhhhh
About the Diamond Dogs, the Dawgs ran out to an early 4-1 lead, then got it up to 6-1 then 9-3 before giving Josh Fields, aka the best closer in college baseball a 10-4 lead in the ninth, and Joshua does his best Blaine Boyer impression in giving up 4 runs, including a 3-run home run to make things exciting. Most of the damage came after Fields thought he had struck a batter out to end the game, but the pitch was called a ball. The batter then ripped a single and two batters later the three run homer! Boom goes the dynamite. But Fields got the pop fly and UGA held off Stanford 10-8 to advance to the CWS final against either Frez-NO state or UNC, to be determined tonight or tomorrow. WOW.
Fields will get some rest and if anything, Perno can spin this thing positively in the Fields needs to redeem himself. But Fields might try too hard is the other side of that coin. I am glad for the rest and hopefully UNC can win tonight to force a game tomorrow so that winner will not get the extra day of rest.
But I like UGA' rotation set up with Holder Monday and Montgomery Tuesday. Fields hopefully can close out both Mon and Tues and UGA can jump into the Dawg pile which the CWS winner ALWAYS does at Rosenblatt Stadium.
Go Dawgs and can the Braves PLEASE beat Seattle tonight? you know, the "WORSTEST team in da Ah-murican League," according to Mel from Southwest Atlanta on EVHEI last night!
With a new life, the Mariners scored and scored and scored some more in route to a 10-2 win over the Braves in game one of the three game set. I have said it before and will say it again, Frenchy has been a disappointment all season and he had a shot to end the series against the worst team in baseball and the ONLY team with a worse road record than Atlanta wins one on the road IN TURNER FIELD!
Ahhhhhhhh
About the Diamond Dogs, the Dawgs ran out to an early 4-1 lead, then got it up to 6-1 then 9-3 before giving Josh Fields, aka the best closer in college baseball a 10-4 lead in the ninth, and Joshua does his best Blaine Boyer impression in giving up 4 runs, including a 3-run home run to make things exciting. Most of the damage came after Fields thought he had struck a batter out to end the game, but the pitch was called a ball. The batter then ripped a single and two batters later the three run homer! Boom goes the dynamite. But Fields got the pop fly and UGA held off Stanford 10-8 to advance to the CWS final against either Frez-NO state or UNC, to be determined tonight or tomorrow. WOW.
Fields will get some rest and if anything, Perno can spin this thing positively in the Fields needs to redeem himself. But Fields might try too hard is the other side of that coin. I am glad for the rest and hopefully UNC can win tonight to force a game tomorrow so that winner will not get the extra day of rest.
But I like UGA' rotation set up with Holder Monday and Montgomery Tuesday. Fields hopefully can close out both Mon and Tues and UGA can jump into the Dawg pile which the CWS winner ALWAYS does at Rosenblatt Stadium.
Go Dawgs and can the Braves PLEASE beat Seattle tonight? you know, the "WORSTEST team in da Ah-murican League," according to Mel from Southwest Atlanta on EVHEI last night!
Friday, June 20, 2008
A Friday baseball blog
The Dawgs game v Stanford has been moved to 2pm tomorrow (that's Saturday, if you forgot the days.) Should the Dawgs win, they will have Sunday off before beginning the best-of-three championship series. I had to explain to wifey last night how the College World Series works. She thought that maybe UGA was already playing for the title because they are in the "series" but no. I think it is a little funky, but that's how they roll. Two sides of the bracket, double-elimination with a best-o-3 series finale. So if UGA loses Saturday, they play Sunday for a shot at the finals. UGA is in the catbird seat. Surely they can win one of the next two games, right? With that pitching staff, I say YES! (this is NOT an Obama endorsement.)
meanwhile, we will be BACK on the air tonight for EVHEI on Sports Radio 790 The Zone, after a ten game roadtrip. Tune in tonight, after the game. Some things we'll be discussing....
The Tomahawk Chopping Mechanical cow will debut tonight at the Ted. Yeah. You read that right.
Curt Schilling is done for the year and maybe his career. Why did he demand all that money and contract before the year if he knew this was a possibility. I know he wanted to get paid, but he should not make the Sox pay him for the time he will miss since he went against DR's orders, but then you could blame the Sox for signing him anyways. Also, does this mean Theo HAS to go get CC from Cleveland right now?
Seattle fired manager John McLaren one week after firing GM Bill Bevasi. And now Mariner Execs are agreeing with Ichiro that some players should also be discarded via trades or releases. The source says that the FO is considering eating Richie Sexson's 7.8M that he is owed for the rest of the year as well as a release of Jose Vidro. Wow. How about Ichiro take some blame for batting 11 points lower than his career worst average? MAYBE?
Finally, the Cubs' training room will be busy today. Big Z Carlos Zambrano and his 8-3 record will miss the next start as he is undergoing an MRI today on his shoulder. he has a 3.13 ERA this season. Meanwhile Alfonso Soriano is getting re-examined for his broken left hand to see if he will be cleared to increase his rehab program. I DO like that AS wants to return before the all-star break from a broken hand, but Mike Hampton is willing to sit on the DL and steal money for a strained PEC. GET OUT THERE YOU THIEF!
Also, I am tired of interleague play. I'd rather play the Cubs or Dodgers again. you know, TEAMS from the National league. With all due respect to Chris Dimino from Mayhem in the AM on 790, I DON'T want to play all the teams. And PS, Chris, you can't have 15 and 15 in each league. Then a team would ALWAYS be left out in each league. Just so you know.
meanwhile, we will be BACK on the air tonight for EVHEI on Sports Radio 790 The Zone, after a ten game roadtrip. Tune in tonight, after the game. Some things we'll be discussing....
The Tomahawk Chopping Mechanical cow will debut tonight at the Ted. Yeah. You read that right.
Curt Schilling is done for the year and maybe his career. Why did he demand all that money and contract before the year if he knew this was a possibility. I know he wanted to get paid, but he should not make the Sox pay him for the time he will miss since he went against DR's orders, but then you could blame the Sox for signing him anyways. Also, does this mean Theo HAS to go get CC from Cleveland right now?
Seattle fired manager John McLaren one week after firing GM Bill Bevasi. And now Mariner Execs are agreeing with Ichiro that some players should also be discarded via trades or releases. The source says that the FO is considering eating Richie Sexson's 7.8M that he is owed for the rest of the year as well as a release of Jose Vidro. Wow. How about Ichiro take some blame for batting 11 points lower than his career worst average? MAYBE?
Finally, the Cubs' training room will be busy today. Big Z Carlos Zambrano and his 8-3 record will miss the next start as he is undergoing an MRI today on his shoulder. he has a 3.13 ERA this season. Meanwhile Alfonso Soriano is getting re-examined for his broken left hand to see if he will be cleared to increase his rehab program. I DO like that AS wants to return before the all-star break from a broken hand, but Mike Hampton is willing to sit on the DL and steal money for a strained PEC. GET OUT THERE YOU THIEF!
Also, I am tired of interleague play. I'd rather play the Cubs or Dodgers again. you know, TEAMS from the National league. With all due respect to Chris Dimino from Mayhem in the AM on 790, I DON'T want to play all the teams. And PS, Chris, you can't have 15 and 15 in each league. Then a team would ALWAYS be left out in each league. Just so you know.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Mishandling the bullpen
Well a nice two run rally in the ninth inning went by the wayside this afternoon in Arlington as Blaine Boyer took the loss in the Braves 5-4 defeat, the team's 22 straight loss in a one-run road decision. WOW. After the team again touched the Rangers' closer for a few runs, the Pride of Walton took the hill, after retiring 4 straight hitters and gave up a double to start the bottom of the ninth.
Then Bobby Cox went to the pen for Will OHMAN, and he threw one pitch and got one out.
Then with a righty Michael Young coming up, but two lefties after him, he went to RHP Jeff Bennett? Curious move. Well Young singled home the winning run and the Braves lost.
That's a shame. Charlie Morton gave another strong performance so he might be in the ATL for the long haul. This game was just one of those that the Braves should have lost, but because they cobbled together a ninth inning rally, it gave me hope. Good thing they crushed it in the bottom frame.
My biggest question....WHY IS BOYER STILL AROUND TO PITCH? Oh well.
Also, I feel bad for Jamie Lynn Spears' new baby girl. I did think it was funny that the father's occupation was reported in the AP article as a "pipe-layer" HA!
Then Bobby Cox went to the pen for Will OHMAN, and he threw one pitch and got one out.
Then with a righty Michael Young coming up, but two lefties after him, he went to RHP Jeff Bennett? Curious move. Well Young singled home the winning run and the Braves lost.
That's a shame. Charlie Morton gave another strong performance so he might be in the ATL for the long haul. This game was just one of those that the Braves should have lost, but because they cobbled together a ninth inning rally, it gave me hope. Good thing they crushed it in the bottom frame.
My biggest question....WHY IS BOYER STILL AROUND TO PITCH? Oh well.
Also, I feel bad for Jamie Lynn Spears' new baby girl. I did think it was funny that the father's occupation was reported in the AP article as a "pipe-layer" HA!
SYTYCD and just a question I am wondering about
Last night's So You Think you Can Dance was a little bit of a let down, considering week one was fantastic. my thoughts.....
I didn't like Thayne and Chelsea's "Jazz dance number" The king and his mistress thing? just didn't like it. maybe it's because I don't like Thayne, but I don't know. Bottom 3 couples fo-sho!
I loved Chelsie and Mark's tango, though maybe Nigel was generalizing when he thought all Argentine's smoked and drank jack daniels while dancing....
Jessica and Will went next and while Jessica sucked (not really, but compared to Will she did) Will did well. He is the closest thing this season has to Danny and he is probably the best dancer of the season. It would be a shame if he won though and Danny didn't because Danny could dance this guy under a table, but he won because the producers rigged it so a girl would finally win. Just saying. Jessica had better be glad that Will will carry her to single dancer eliminations. THough if they ARE in the bottom three again, then the judges might vote her out to give Will a better partner.
Kourtni and Matt. I liked this number, maybe just because I liked the outfits and Michael Buble, but I think they should be safe. Nothing spectacular, but a solid effort. Survive and advance! And learn to spell your name!
Courtney and Gev. Hey maybe THIS Courtney can teach the other one how to spell her name? I thought the Dance belt aka Man Thong was funny. I made the joke that since this Gev is clearly in LOVE with Courtney maybe the Man Thong was to hide his boner, especially since she was wearing something out of the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual sale. They should be fine though.
Katee and Joshua, I didn't think it was as fantastic as the judges thought, but it was upbeat, so you should be safe. And How do you say that? Is it Katee as in Katie? Oh, it IS? Then spell it Katie! Just because your parents couldn't spell, doesn't mean you have to be an idiot too. Have it legally changed then show your parents how to properly spell it
Susie and Marquis. You both are GONE, I am afraid. You are Cuban and Puerto Rican, and you couldn't pull of the Cuban/PR Salsa and the choreographer called you a "Street salsa dancer" Ouch. I guess that is an insult.
Twitchington. THE BEST OF THE NIGHT. Wow. Good work Twitch, and Kherrington, if the worst thing Mia Michaels could say about you was that you smiled too much....good work
Chris and Comfort. I will ignore the fact that her name is Comfort and say, "NO!" Not good. Bottom three worthy there.
Bottom three C&C, the Street Salsa team and the King with his mistress with Team Salsa going home.
And on a side note
why haven't they invented a camera that doesn't click when it takes a picture? If they did, then maybe Tiger Woods wouldn't get so angry and send Stevie to break people's cameras!
I didn't like Thayne and Chelsea's "Jazz dance number" The king and his mistress thing? just didn't like it. maybe it's because I don't like Thayne, but I don't know. Bottom 3 couples fo-sho!
I loved Chelsie and Mark's tango, though maybe Nigel was generalizing when he thought all Argentine's smoked and drank jack daniels while dancing....
Jessica and Will went next and while Jessica sucked (not really, but compared to Will she did) Will did well. He is the closest thing this season has to Danny and he is probably the best dancer of the season. It would be a shame if he won though and Danny didn't because Danny could dance this guy under a table, but he won because the producers rigged it so a girl would finally win. Just saying. Jessica had better be glad that Will will carry her to single dancer eliminations. THough if they ARE in the bottom three again, then the judges might vote her out to give Will a better partner.
Kourtni and Matt. I liked this number, maybe just because I liked the outfits and Michael Buble, but I think they should be safe. Nothing spectacular, but a solid effort. Survive and advance! And learn to spell your name!
Courtney and Gev. Hey maybe THIS Courtney can teach the other one how to spell her name? I thought the Dance belt aka Man Thong was funny. I made the joke that since this Gev is clearly in LOVE with Courtney maybe the Man Thong was to hide his boner, especially since she was wearing something out of the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual sale. They should be fine though.
Katee and Joshua, I didn't think it was as fantastic as the judges thought, but it was upbeat, so you should be safe. And How do you say that? Is it Katee as in Katie? Oh, it IS? Then spell it Katie! Just because your parents couldn't spell, doesn't mean you have to be an idiot too. Have it legally changed then show your parents how to properly spell it
Susie and Marquis. You both are GONE, I am afraid. You are Cuban and Puerto Rican, and you couldn't pull of the Cuban/PR Salsa and the choreographer called you a "Street salsa dancer" Ouch. I guess that is an insult.
Twitchington. THE BEST OF THE NIGHT. Wow. Good work Twitch, and Kherrington, if the worst thing Mia Michaels could say about you was that you smiled too much....good work
Chris and Comfort. I will ignore the fact that her name is Comfort and say, "NO!" Not good. Bottom three worthy there.
Bottom three C&C, the Street Salsa team and the King with his mistress with Team Salsa going home.
And on a side note
why haven't they invented a camera that doesn't click when it takes a picture? If they did, then maybe Tiger Woods wouldn't get so angry and send Stevie to break people's cameras!
AFI's top ten of each genre vs JFP's top ten!
AFI has released its top ten movies of all time in each genre. Interesting. I love lists like this, and I get to go through them and compare my list with it. This is why the AFI does this, is to get people talking about WTF the AFI is. So it worked.
But now, I'll run their list, then mine underneath the same category. And away we go...
ANIMATION
1. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," 1937. 2. "Pinocchio," 1940. 3. "Bambi," 1942. 4. "The Lion King," 1994. 5. "Fantasia," 1940. 6. "Toy Story," 1995. 7. "Beauty and the Beast," 1991. 8. "Shrek," 2001. 9. "Cinderella," 1950. 10. "Finding Nemo," 2003.
OK, not a bad list. I can dig Dopey, Doc and Co. coming in number 1 I guess. But my list.....
1The Lion King. 2Aladdin. 3Little Mermaid. 4Snow White. 5Beauty & the Beast. 6American Tale.
So my list only had 6. whatever. I didn't think those others deserved to be on my list. (Want to fight about it?) OK, so Lion King #1. CLEARLY. that movie had everything! JTT! James Earl Jones. Great songs and singing from Sir Elton John and Nathan Lane. Almost a perfect cartoon movie, if you ask me. As for Aladdin, I like Robin Williams. When he is ON, he is amazing. As for the Little Mermaid, well the chick was FLAT OUT HOT! You've got to Kiss da girl! Beauty and the beast with the clock and candlestick just ripped off The Little Mermaid (and also Bambi if you think about it). As for Feibel, well that movie made me cry, but it was still fantastic.
FANTASY
1. "The Wizard of Oz," 1939. 2. "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," 2001. 3. "It's a Wonderful Life," 1946. 4. "King Kong," 1933. 5. "Miracle on 34th Street, 1947. 6. "Field of Dreams," 1989. 7. "Harvey," 1950. 8. "Groundhog Day," 1993. 9. "The Thief of Bagdad," 1924. 10. "Big," 1988.
1Wizard of OZ. 2Batman Begins 3Field of Dreams 4Jurassic Park. 5Chances Are 6BacktotheFuture
I was never big into the whole Fantasy movie thing. Really EVERY movie is fantasy, but I see where they were going. Some of these AFI picks...interesting. Groundhog Day? Huh? Just don't get the whole LOTR thing. Sorry Seano!
GANGSTER
1. "The Godfather," 1972. 2. "Goodfellas," 1990. 3. "The Godfather Part II," 1974. 4. "White Heat," 1949. 5. "Bonnie and Clyde," 1967. 6. "Scarface: The Shame of a Nation," 1932. 7. "Pulp Fiction," 1994. 8. "The Public Enemy," 1931. 9. "Little Caesar," 1930. 10. "Scarface," 1983.
1GodfatherII. 2The Godfather. 3Pulp Fiction. 4Goodfellas. 5Made. 6Lock,Stock, and two Smoking Barrels. 7Reservoir Dogs
I never liked Scarface. YEP I said it. Didn't like it. I thought it insisted upon itself. (Thanks Family Guy!) As for The Godfather, as good as it was, Part II was even better. Bobby Deniro AND Al Pacino. Wow. Pulp Fiction was great. Made was funny. Reservoir Dogs, I can respect. It gets better every viewing. Lock,Stock was more of a "gangster" than Snatch, which was a better movie.
SCIENCE FICTION
1. "2001: A Space Odyssey," 1968. 2. "Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope," 1977. 3. "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," 1982. 4. "A Clockwork Orange," 1971. 5. "The Day The Earth Stood Still," 1951. 6. "Blade Runner," 1982. 7. "Alien," 1979. 8. "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," 1991. 9. "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," 1956. 10. "Back to the Future," 1985.
1Star Wars. 2SWE3:Revenge of the Sith 3ET! 4Return of the Jedi. 5Empire Strikes back. 6Back to the Future
Star Wars was great and I loved Episode Three when Anakin turns to Vader. NICE. And who DOESN'T love ET?
WESTERN
1. "The Searchers," 1956. 2. "High Noon," 1952. 3. "Shane," 1953. 4. "Unforgiven," 1992. 5. "Red River," 1948. 6. "The Wild Bunch," 1969. 7. "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," 1969. 8. "McCabe & Mrs. Miller," 1971. 9. "Stagecoach," 1939. 10. "Cat Ballou," 1965.
1TOMBSTONE!
NO OTHER MOVIE MAKES THE LIST! Tombstone was the best, now stop talking.
SPORTS
1. "Raging Bull," 1980. 2. "Rocky," 1976.3. "The Pride of the Yankees," 1942. 4. "Hoosiers," 1986. 5. "Bull Durham," 1988. 6. "The Hustler," 1961. 7. "Caddyshack," 1980. 8. "Breaking Away," 1979.9. "National Velvet," 1944.10. "Jerry Maguire," 1996.
1Rudy. 2Miracle. 3RockyIV. 4Hoosiers. 5Field of Dreams. 6Remember the Titans. 7The Replacements 8Blue Chips. 9Mighty Ducks3. 10Friday Night Lights
You can't beat Rudy(I ALWAYS cry and it might be the last time Notre Dame actually WON a game!) so lets move on to No.2. I love this one because it makes me feel proud to be an American. "I play for...The United States of America!" (I got goosebumps just typing that. Rocky 4 was the best of all the Rockys, again, PRO-America!. Hoosiers was fantastic, and I used to like it more than Rudy, but then I came to my senses. Field of Dreams is a guy movie that reminds me of my dad (obvie!). Remember the Titans has some classic scenes PLUS The Heroes Cheerleader, so rock on. And Friday Night Lights, loved the ending where they DON'T win. Always good to throw a curveball. PS, I always KNEW Jerry McGuire was a sports movie!
MYSTERY
1. "Vertigo," 1958. 2. "Chinatown," 1974.3. "Rear Window," 1954.4. "Laura," 1944. 5. "The Third Man," 1949. 6. "The Maltese Falcon," 1941.7. "North By Northwest," 1959. 8. "Blue Velvet," 1986. 9. "Dial M for Murder," 1954. 10. "The Usual Suspects," 1995.
1Usual Suspects 2Memento 3LA Confidential 4Se7en 5Sixth Sense 6The Prestige
Usual Suspects was NO.1 of all time. Come on AFI!Who is Keyser Soze? It had everyone (except me. I figured it out. that is a pretty high accomplishment for me! Right after getting married and graduating college.) guessing until the end. As for Memento, I loved how they made you feel like you have the disease as you try to remember what happened right before. Speaking of Guy Pearce, LA Confidential was pretty fantastic (also starring Kevin Spacey AND Russell Crowe). Se7en (also with Spacey) was pretty sweet and then Sixth Sense, I respect. That's pretty much it. I LOVE movies with a twist ending. Kinda NOT what you were expecting. That curveball that FNL the movie gave us.
ROMANTIC COMEDY
1. "City Lights," 1931. 2. "Annie Hall," 1977. 3. "It Happened One Night," 1934. 4. "Roman Holiday," 1953. 5. "The Philadelphia Story," 1940. 6. "When Harry Met Sally ...," 1989. 7. "Adam's Rib," 1949. 8. "Moonstruck," 1987. 9. "Harold and Maude," 1971.10. "Sleepless in Seattle," 1993.
1 Jerry McGuire 2How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days. 3....
I don't want to make a list for this one because people will think I put way too much time into this....moving on...
COURTROOM DRAMA
1. "To Kill a Mockingbird," 1962. 2. "12 Angry Men," 1957. 3. "Kramer Vs. Kramer," 1979. 4. "The Verdict," 1982. 5. "A Few Good Men," 1992. 6. "Witness for the Prosecution," 1957. 7. "Anatomy of a Murder," 1959. 8. "In Cold Blood," 1967. 9. "A Cry in the Dark," 1988. 10. "Judgment at Nuremberg," 1961.
1TKAM 2A Few Good Men 3Rainmaker 4Devil's Advocate 5A Time To Kill 6Erin Brockovich
Even though A Few Good Men might be in my top 3 of all time, I have to put To Kill A Mockingbird (maybe the best movie of all time. Not my favorite, but I can acknowledge its greatness) in the top spot.
EPIC
1. "Lawrence of Arabia," 1962. 2. "Ben-Hur," 1959. 3. "Schindler's List," 1993. 4. "Gone With the Wind," 1939. 5. "Spartacus," 1960. 6. "Titanic," 1997. 7. "All Quiet on the Western Front," 1930. 8. "Saving Private Ryan," 1998. 9. "Reds," 1981.
10. "The Ten Commandments," 1956
1Gladiator 2The Patriot. 3Braveheart. 4Forrest Gump 5Glory 6Saving Private Ryan 7Schindler's List 8Troy 9Gone with the Wind 10StarWars
I love the time piece stories and pretty much ANYTHING with Mel Gibson speaking in an English accent is going to be fantastic. Throw in a sword or two and you have yourself a movie!
Now, I noticed the AFI forgot to include a few genres!
Guy Movies
1Swingers 2Godfather 3Goodfellas 4The Departed 5Field of Dreams 6Scarface 7Caddyshack 8Dirty Harry 9Die Hard 10Full Metal Jacket
Teenage girl movies
1What a girl wants 2Sweet Home Alabama 3Mean Girls 4She's All That 5A Cinderella Story 6The Prince and Me 7Ice Princess 810things I Hate About you 9Chasing Liberty 1013 Going on 30!
There you have it. In case you are wondering my top 10 movies of all time...
1A few Good Men
2Swingers
3Miracle
4Rudy
5The Godfather II
6The Patriot
7Varsity Blues
8Jerry McGuire
9Remember the Titans
10 The Godfather
But now, I'll run their list, then mine underneath the same category. And away we go...
ANIMATION
1. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," 1937. 2. "Pinocchio," 1940. 3. "Bambi," 1942. 4. "The Lion King," 1994. 5. "Fantasia," 1940. 6. "Toy Story," 1995. 7. "Beauty and the Beast," 1991. 8. "Shrek," 2001. 9. "Cinderella," 1950. 10. "Finding Nemo," 2003.
OK, not a bad list. I can dig Dopey, Doc and Co. coming in number 1 I guess. But my list.....
1The Lion King. 2Aladdin. 3Little Mermaid. 4Snow White. 5Beauty & the Beast. 6American Tale.
So my list only had 6. whatever. I didn't think those others deserved to be on my list. (Want to fight about it?) OK, so Lion King #1. CLEARLY. that movie had everything! JTT! James Earl Jones. Great songs and singing from Sir Elton John and Nathan Lane. Almost a perfect cartoon movie, if you ask me. As for Aladdin, I like Robin Williams. When he is ON, he is amazing. As for the Little Mermaid, well the chick was FLAT OUT HOT! You've got to Kiss da girl! Beauty and the beast with the clock and candlestick just ripped off The Little Mermaid (and also Bambi if you think about it). As for Feibel, well that movie made me cry, but it was still fantastic.
FANTASY
1. "The Wizard of Oz," 1939. 2. "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," 2001. 3. "It's a Wonderful Life," 1946. 4. "King Kong," 1933. 5. "Miracle on 34th Street, 1947. 6. "Field of Dreams," 1989. 7. "Harvey," 1950. 8. "Groundhog Day," 1993. 9. "The Thief of Bagdad," 1924. 10. "Big," 1988.
1Wizard of OZ. 2Batman Begins 3Field of Dreams 4Jurassic Park. 5Chances Are 6BacktotheFuture
I was never big into the whole Fantasy movie thing. Really EVERY movie is fantasy, but I see where they were going. Some of these AFI picks...interesting. Groundhog Day? Huh? Just don't get the whole LOTR thing. Sorry Seano!
GANGSTER
1. "The Godfather," 1972. 2. "Goodfellas," 1990. 3. "The Godfather Part II," 1974. 4. "White Heat," 1949. 5. "Bonnie and Clyde," 1967. 6. "Scarface: The Shame of a Nation," 1932. 7. "Pulp Fiction," 1994. 8. "The Public Enemy," 1931. 9. "Little Caesar," 1930. 10. "Scarface," 1983.
1GodfatherII. 2The Godfather. 3Pulp Fiction. 4Goodfellas. 5Made. 6Lock,Stock, and two Smoking Barrels. 7Reservoir Dogs
I never liked Scarface. YEP I said it. Didn't like it. I thought it insisted upon itself. (Thanks Family Guy!) As for The Godfather, as good as it was, Part II was even better. Bobby Deniro AND Al Pacino. Wow. Pulp Fiction was great. Made was funny. Reservoir Dogs, I can respect. It gets better every viewing. Lock,Stock was more of a "gangster" than Snatch, which was a better movie.
SCIENCE FICTION
1. "2001: A Space Odyssey," 1968. 2. "Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope," 1977. 3. "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," 1982. 4. "A Clockwork Orange," 1971. 5. "The Day The Earth Stood Still," 1951. 6. "Blade Runner," 1982. 7. "Alien," 1979. 8. "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," 1991. 9. "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," 1956. 10. "Back to the Future," 1985.
1Star Wars. 2SWE3:Revenge of the Sith 3ET! 4Return of the Jedi. 5Empire Strikes back. 6Back to the Future
Star Wars was great and I loved Episode Three when Anakin turns to Vader. NICE. And who DOESN'T love ET?
WESTERN
1. "The Searchers," 1956. 2. "High Noon," 1952. 3. "Shane," 1953. 4. "Unforgiven," 1992. 5. "Red River," 1948. 6. "The Wild Bunch," 1969. 7. "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," 1969. 8. "McCabe & Mrs. Miller," 1971. 9. "Stagecoach," 1939. 10. "Cat Ballou," 1965.
1TOMBSTONE!
NO OTHER MOVIE MAKES THE LIST! Tombstone was the best, now stop talking.
SPORTS
1. "Raging Bull," 1980. 2. "Rocky," 1976.3. "The Pride of the Yankees," 1942. 4. "Hoosiers," 1986. 5. "Bull Durham," 1988. 6. "The Hustler," 1961. 7. "Caddyshack," 1980. 8. "Breaking Away," 1979.9. "National Velvet," 1944.10. "Jerry Maguire," 1996.
1Rudy. 2Miracle. 3RockyIV. 4Hoosiers. 5Field of Dreams. 6Remember the Titans. 7The Replacements 8Blue Chips. 9Mighty Ducks3. 10Friday Night Lights
You can't beat Rudy(I ALWAYS cry and it might be the last time Notre Dame actually WON a game!) so lets move on to No.2. I love this one because it makes me feel proud to be an American. "I play for...The United States of America!" (I got goosebumps just typing that. Rocky 4 was the best of all the Rockys, again, PRO-America!. Hoosiers was fantastic, and I used to like it more than Rudy, but then I came to my senses. Field of Dreams is a guy movie that reminds me of my dad (obvie!). Remember the Titans has some classic scenes PLUS The Heroes Cheerleader, so rock on. And Friday Night Lights, loved the ending where they DON'T win. Always good to throw a curveball. PS, I always KNEW Jerry McGuire was a sports movie!
MYSTERY
1. "Vertigo," 1958. 2. "Chinatown," 1974.3. "Rear Window," 1954.4. "Laura," 1944. 5. "The Third Man," 1949. 6. "The Maltese Falcon," 1941.7. "North By Northwest," 1959. 8. "Blue Velvet," 1986. 9. "Dial M for Murder," 1954. 10. "The Usual Suspects," 1995.
1Usual Suspects 2Memento 3LA Confidential 4Se7en 5Sixth Sense 6The Prestige
Usual Suspects was NO.1 of all time. Come on AFI!Who is Keyser Soze? It had everyone (except me. I figured it out. that is a pretty high accomplishment for me! Right after getting married and graduating college.) guessing until the end. As for Memento, I loved how they made you feel like you have the disease as you try to remember what happened right before. Speaking of Guy Pearce, LA Confidential was pretty fantastic (also starring Kevin Spacey AND Russell Crowe). Se7en (also with Spacey) was pretty sweet and then Sixth Sense, I respect. That's pretty much it. I LOVE movies with a twist ending. Kinda NOT what you were expecting. That curveball that FNL the movie gave us.
ROMANTIC COMEDY
1. "City Lights," 1931. 2. "Annie Hall," 1977. 3. "It Happened One Night," 1934. 4. "Roman Holiday," 1953. 5. "The Philadelphia Story," 1940. 6. "When Harry Met Sally ...," 1989. 7. "Adam's Rib," 1949. 8. "Moonstruck," 1987. 9. "Harold and Maude," 1971.10. "Sleepless in Seattle," 1993.
1 Jerry McGuire 2How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days. 3....
I don't want to make a list for this one because people will think I put way too much time into this....moving on...
COURTROOM DRAMA
1. "To Kill a Mockingbird," 1962. 2. "12 Angry Men," 1957. 3. "Kramer Vs. Kramer," 1979. 4. "The Verdict," 1982. 5. "A Few Good Men," 1992. 6. "Witness for the Prosecution," 1957. 7. "Anatomy of a Murder," 1959. 8. "In Cold Blood," 1967. 9. "A Cry in the Dark," 1988. 10. "Judgment at Nuremberg," 1961.
1TKAM 2A Few Good Men 3Rainmaker 4Devil's Advocate 5A Time To Kill 6Erin Brockovich
Even though A Few Good Men might be in my top 3 of all time, I have to put To Kill A Mockingbird (maybe the best movie of all time. Not my favorite, but I can acknowledge its greatness) in the top spot.
EPIC
1. "Lawrence of Arabia," 1962. 2. "Ben-Hur," 1959. 3. "Schindler's List," 1993. 4. "Gone With the Wind," 1939. 5. "Spartacus," 1960. 6. "Titanic," 1997. 7. "All Quiet on the Western Front," 1930. 8. "Saving Private Ryan," 1998. 9. "Reds," 1981.
10. "The Ten Commandments," 1956
1Gladiator 2The Patriot. 3Braveheart. 4Forrest Gump 5Glory 6Saving Private Ryan 7Schindler's List 8Troy 9Gone with the Wind 10StarWars
I love the time piece stories and pretty much ANYTHING with Mel Gibson speaking in an English accent is going to be fantastic. Throw in a sword or two and you have yourself a movie!
Now, I noticed the AFI forgot to include a few genres!
Guy Movies
1Swingers 2Godfather 3Goodfellas 4The Departed 5Field of Dreams 6Scarface 7Caddyshack 8Dirty Harry 9Die Hard 10Full Metal Jacket
Teenage girl movies
1What a girl wants 2Sweet Home Alabama 3Mean Girls 4She's All That 5A Cinderella Story 6The Prince and Me 7Ice Princess 810things I Hate About you 9Chasing Liberty 1013 Going on 30!
There you have it. In case you are wondering my top 10 movies of all time...
1A few Good Men
2Swingers
3Miracle
4Rudy
5The Godfather II
6The Patriot
7Varsity Blues
8Jerry McGuire
9Remember the Titans
10 The Godfather
New Roommates, same story
So with Nick and Brittini [sic] joining the RW:Hollywood cast, it has just made the roommates EVEN WHINEYER! (I know that isn't how you spell that, but you get my point)
Will, either have sex with Brittini or don't. But I DO think it is funny how Janelle has become the 8th roommate. I didn't realize you were allowed to be on TWO seasons of the real world. They are in love after one weekend? WOW
But if Will is ANY more of a whiner, I will scream. Get over it dude. Joey is gone, so I guess Will feels he needs to pick up the slack? WORST. CAST. EVER!
I did think it was funny though how all of the Challenge folks came back. Was this MTV pulling a FOX at the World Series, but plugging stars of other shows in to the current broadcast to plug for an upcoming series?
Finally, will Sara leave too? Every season there is one debbie downer that just stays home and doesn't seem to enjoy living in a posh house with a sweet job and it seems like he/she regrets coming on to the show. They add nothing, and you as a viewer wish you could trade them in for someone else that MIGHT DO SOMETHING! This season: Sara. Last season it was Parisa. Key West: Jose (or whatever that dude's name was. I would have said Janelle, but she is making a name for herself on her SECOND trip into the Real World). Denver it was Stephen. Austin is was Pasty.
Every year has one.
Can Sara leave yet?
That's it. This was just a quick hit. A longer blog on something to be posted later.
Will, either have sex with Brittini or don't. But I DO think it is funny how Janelle has become the 8th roommate. I didn't realize you were allowed to be on TWO seasons of the real world. They are in love after one weekend? WOW
But if Will is ANY more of a whiner, I will scream. Get over it dude. Joey is gone, so I guess Will feels he needs to pick up the slack? WORST. CAST. EVER!
I did think it was funny though how all of the Challenge folks came back. Was this MTV pulling a FOX at the World Series, but plugging stars of other shows in to the current broadcast to plug for an upcoming series?
Finally, will Sara leave too? Every season there is one debbie downer that just stays home and doesn't seem to enjoy living in a posh house with a sweet job and it seems like he/she regrets coming on to the show. They add nothing, and you as a viewer wish you could trade them in for someone else that MIGHT DO SOMETHING! This season: Sara. Last season it was Parisa. Key West: Jose (or whatever that dude's name was. I would have said Janelle, but she is making a name for herself on her SECOND trip into the Real World). Denver it was Stephen. Austin is was Pasty.
Every year has one.
Can Sara leave yet?
That's it. This was just a quick hit. A longer blog on something to be posted later.
Just call him THE COBRA!
Mike Gonzalez made his return last night, in his first action in 1 year, 2 weeks, three days...(that was a funny interview there. Too bad that girl couldn't have stopped by Tex's locker and ask him about spring training!)
And he was out there swaying back and forth, hypnotizing Rangers hitters in the bottom of the ninth, earning the save. Ladies and gentlemen, the Braves have a closer! Forget Soriano, Acosta, and THANKFULLY Blaine Boyer. Gonzo aka The Cobra is BACK! He was firing in the mid-90s and dropping that breaking ball in effectively as well.
As for De Bravos....Chipper got a homer and went 2-5, good for him. Frenchy is helping his trade value with that run in the ninth. Greg White had a huge RBI triple in the ninth. I like that.
Jo-Jo Reyes aka Wake me Up before you Jo-Jo, gave another strong outing. 7 innings 1ER, but a no decision as Jeff Bennett pitched the 8th and qualified for the win.
Good for the Braves and get that win today to get the mo for the Marines series this weekend.
But the Cobra is BACK and that is fantastic. Either he helps gets the Braves back in this THANG....or the Braves need to move him come July 31 for some future bullpen help. But I think this guy could be resigned at a relatively low price. he's an asset. Let's hold on to him. Don't let him escape to Anaheim or Chicago (Cubs) or either of the NYs or Boston.
And he was out there swaying back and forth, hypnotizing Rangers hitters in the bottom of the ninth, earning the save. Ladies and gentlemen, the Braves have a closer! Forget Soriano, Acosta, and THANKFULLY Blaine Boyer. Gonzo aka The Cobra is BACK! He was firing in the mid-90s and dropping that breaking ball in effectively as well.
As for De Bravos....Chipper got a homer and went 2-5, good for him. Frenchy is helping his trade value with that run in the ninth. Greg White had a huge RBI triple in the ninth. I like that.
Jo-Jo Reyes aka Wake me Up before you Jo-Jo, gave another strong outing. 7 innings 1ER, but a no decision as Jeff Bennett pitched the 8th and qualified for the win.
Good for the Braves and get that win today to get the mo for the Marines series this weekend.
But the Cobra is BACK and that is fantastic. Either he helps gets the Braves back in this THANG....or the Braves need to move him come July 31 for some future bullpen help. But I think this guy could be resigned at a relatively low price. he's an asset. Let's hold on to him. Don't let him escape to Anaheim or Chicago (Cubs) or either of the NYs or Boston.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tiger out for the season, PGA should look at the WWF
People will ask, "Tiger, was that worth it? You won a major, but you are now out for the rest of the year, missing the last two majors and the FedEx Cup? Would you do it again?"
Those people should be shot.
OF COURSE IT WAS WORTH IT.
Umm, he won his 14th Major title. Ask Colin Montgomery if he would take that deal. Shoot, ask Phil if he'd take missing the rest of the year, but have a US Open title on his shelf, would he do it? OF COURSE THEY WOULD.
Yes he will miss the British Open and the PGA, but there were no guarantees he would have won those (except it seems like he ALWAYS wins the PGA...). He has now won all of the majors at least three times. He is only 4 behind Jack. Was it worth it. YES
Now if he had LOST...then it would not have been. And as much as the PGA will moan and complain about Tiger not being there, they will love it. Yes, it will hurt the smaller tourneys, but Tiger wasn't playing in those anyways. As for the Majors, this might give Phil the room to take the next two, or maybe Sergio steps up (grows a mustache) and wins his first. This will Only SET THE STAGE for next year's Masters, which will probably have ratings THRU THE ROOF as people want to see Tiger's return to the Majors. Maybe he will be looking to stop Phil's streak. Maybe people will wonder if he still has it after surgery.
This is ONLY a good thing for golf in the long haul. I liken this to when Stone Cold got hurt. The WWF was forced to push HHH and The Rock and the ratings went BOOM. Add Stone Cold back to the mix and you had a great product. Then when The Rock went off to make movies and left the WWF/E high and dry. Actually it gave Triple H (in this case, Lefty) a chance to shine and allowed Batista (Adam Scott) and Randy Orton (Justin Rose) a shot at stardom. Then when The Rock came back, he was met head on by Triple H (Lefty) in a war for the ages.
Just saying. This stuff will be good for golf...if only they look to wrasslin' for inspiration
Those people should be shot.
OF COURSE IT WAS WORTH IT.
Umm, he won his 14th Major title. Ask Colin Montgomery if he would take that deal. Shoot, ask Phil if he'd take missing the rest of the year, but have a US Open title on his shelf, would he do it? OF COURSE THEY WOULD.
Yes he will miss the British Open and the PGA, but there were no guarantees he would have won those (except it seems like he ALWAYS wins the PGA...). He has now won all of the majors at least three times. He is only 4 behind Jack. Was it worth it. YES
Now if he had LOST...then it would not have been. And as much as the PGA will moan and complain about Tiger not being there, they will love it. Yes, it will hurt the smaller tourneys, but Tiger wasn't playing in those anyways. As for the Majors, this might give Phil the room to take the next two, or maybe Sergio steps up (grows a mustache) and wins his first. This will Only SET THE STAGE for next year's Masters, which will probably have ratings THRU THE ROOF as people want to see Tiger's return to the Majors. Maybe he will be looking to stop Phil's streak. Maybe people will wonder if he still has it after surgery.
This is ONLY a good thing for golf in the long haul. I liken this to when Stone Cold got hurt. The WWF was forced to push HHH and The Rock and the ratings went BOOM. Add Stone Cold back to the mix and you had a great product. Then when The Rock went off to make movies and left the WWF/E high and dry. Actually it gave Triple H (in this case, Lefty) a chance to shine and allowed Batista (Adam Scott) and Randy Orton (Justin Rose) a shot at stardom. Then when The Rock came back, he was met head on by Triple H (Lefty) in a war for the ages.
Just saying. This stuff will be good for golf...if only they look to wrasslin' for inspiration
Huddy gets rocked and Tex gets booed
Pretty typical road adventure Tuesday in Arlington Texas (btw, I've been to that stadium. it is pretty, but now actually is in the older bracket of stadiums since it seems EVERYONE ELSE built one right after the Rangers did, and they modeled it after
"The Ballpark in Arlington" and Camden Yards in Baltimore.)
Regardless. Hudson got rocked for 6 runs in 4.2 innings. He is now 0-10 in Interleague since he joined the Braves, which is weird since he was so good against the AL when he pitched for Oakland. That is strange.
I also saw where Tex got booed by the Rangers fans. Why? Rangers fans should LOVE that they got something for tex while his value was still high. And he WOULD have walked away after this season and stealing 12.5M while leading Texas to exactly where they are now, NOWHERE! I don't get that, but folks in the Metroplex area never struck me as smart. They root for the Cowboys for pete's sake. (Though I do love Wifey!)
Tex, you should be used to the booing. I boo you in Atlanta. And when you DO go and steal 20M a year from the Yankees or Mets next season, and if you continue to plod thru games like you are doing this season, you will hear PLENTY MORE BOOING! Maybe even a few middle fingers!
But again, BMac had a nice game, as did Brandon Jones, just too little too late
Hopefully the team can win a game today and steal tomorrow's getaway game to bring some MO back to the ATL
Asking for too much? I don't think so
"The Ballpark in Arlington" and Camden Yards in Baltimore.)
Regardless. Hudson got rocked for 6 runs in 4.2 innings. He is now 0-10 in Interleague since he joined the Braves, which is weird since he was so good against the AL when he pitched for Oakland. That is strange.
I also saw where Tex got booed by the Rangers fans. Why? Rangers fans should LOVE that they got something for tex while his value was still high. And he WOULD have walked away after this season and stealing 12.5M while leading Texas to exactly where they are now, NOWHERE! I don't get that, but folks in the Metroplex area never struck me as smart. They root for the Cowboys for pete's sake. (Though I do love Wifey!)
Tex, you should be used to the booing. I boo you in Atlanta. And when you DO go and steal 20M a year from the Yankees or Mets next season, and if you continue to plod thru games like you are doing this season, you will hear PLENTY MORE BOOING! Maybe even a few middle fingers!
But again, BMac had a nice game, as did Brandon Jones, just too little too late
Hopefully the team can win a game today and steal tomorrow's getaway game to bring some MO back to the ATL
Asking for too much? I don't think so
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Small confession to make
I didn't watch much of the Braves game last night. I was watching the Dawgs rally for a 4-3 win over Stanford and come within one win of the CWS final! 2-0! 16 of the last 18 champs have started 2-0. odds are good for the Dawgs. Especially with Josh Fields in the bullpen, though he did look a little TOO pumped up last night.
But way to go Gordon Beckham, Matt Cerione, Bryce (especially for your hot wife. Miss Nevada? Nice!) Way to go Dawgs! Get this thing DONE! YEAR OF THE DAWG!
But back to the BRaves. Jair Jurrjens goes 8 shutout innings IN COLORADO as the Braves TOM to a win (Tom Cruise). Chipper had a two-run single. Brandon Jones is trying his hardest to lock up LF for the next 15 years (Score Atlanta PotW).
This team, when on, looks pretty good. Now just get SOMETHING for Tex and we are talking!!!! Hey, maybe Tex returning to the Rangers for the next few days will kickstart him this year. Maybe?
Gotta like though the last four games, (three road wins and the fourth gave you a complete game from a young pitcher.) Let's go Huddy. Get this win. Get it DONE!
PS Huddy and Jair are now tied for the team lead in wins. Maybe Huddy is like Seabuscuit in that he needs to see his competition and then he'll take off! And an advantage Huddy has over the horse (besides the fact that he is a human and No.1 on the dominance scale) is that Tobey McGuire isn't RIDING him. Nice. (PS that is another point for humans on the dominance scale. Horses don't ride US! well, except in Tiajuana, Mexico. But then you'd have to look at the Nations Dominance scale to find Mexico WAY down on the list. US #1!)
But way to go Gordon Beckham, Matt Cerione, Bryce (especially for your hot wife. Miss Nevada? Nice!) Way to go Dawgs! Get this thing DONE! YEAR OF THE DAWG!
But back to the BRaves. Jair Jurrjens goes 8 shutout innings IN COLORADO as the Braves TOM to a win (Tom Cruise). Chipper had a two-run single. Brandon Jones is trying his hardest to lock up LF for the next 15 years (Score Atlanta PotW).
This team, when on, looks pretty good. Now just get SOMETHING for Tex and we are talking!!!! Hey, maybe Tex returning to the Rangers for the next few days will kickstart him this year. Maybe?
Gotta like though the last four games, (three road wins and the fourth gave you a complete game from a young pitcher.) Let's go Huddy. Get this win. Get it DONE!
PS Huddy and Jair are now tied for the team lead in wins. Maybe Huddy is like Seabuscuit in that he needs to see his competition and then he'll take off! And an advantage Huddy has over the horse (besides the fact that he is a human and No.1 on the dominance scale) is that Tobey McGuire isn't RIDING him. Nice. (PS that is another point for humans on the dominance scale. Horses don't ride US! well, except in Tiajuana, Mexico. But then you'd have to look at the Nations Dominance scale to find Mexico WAY down on the list. US #1!)
The search for the next Elle Woods
Yeah, I'm watching it. You know you are too.
I am COMPLETELY rooting for Bailey from Anderson, SC, and NOT just because my car once exploded there and you could hear me there when I worked for Sky 104. I think she is the best of all of the ones up there.
I was SHOCKED after last night's cut of Lindsey, especially when Celina was allowed to stay and Cassie S wasn't in the bottom 4! I know Lindsey wasn't giving it 100%, but her 25% was better than Cassie's (since Cassie O left the week before, why are we still calling her Cassie S?) AND Celina was just turrbul! Why Lauren was in the bottom 4, I don't get either, but she is still better than the others
Bottom line, the producers of Legally Blonde the Musical have to do their jobs (and I think they prolly already know whom they are selecting) but MTV has its job to do too. Even if they KNOW Cassie won't win, but they know Lindsey won't either, why not throw out a "shocker" and keep the drama queen around to stir up more trouble. I can see that.
Lindsey's leaving was certainly shocking though. I would have thought they'd give her two more chances to stick around (ie Cassie's departure and Celine's departure.)
Oh well.
I think Autumn is super-talented, just not for Elle Woods. I think Lauren and Emma both COULD be Elle, but Bailey is the best option. I wanted to crash thru the TV when Heather Hack (or whatever the one judge's name is) said she was too Disney, in a bad way. Ummmm did you see Legally Blonde the movie? That IS ELLE Woods. Thanks for playing. And way to "write" the musical, when the movie provided all of the dialogue. Yeah you probably wrote a few songs. Big whoop. Don't think you're bigger than you are. You madam are NO Andrew Lloyd Webber. Or even Rogers and Hammerstein!
Suck on THAT!
Bottom line, I think/hope Celine goes home next week...
then Cassie S
then Rhiannon (i don't like her name)
then Natalie (you aren't a blonde!)
then Emma (so we don't have to hear about your Broadway family)
then Lauren
with Bailey beating out Autumn in the finals
And Kudos to Haylee Duff for not laughing or even cracking a smile when she says that she earned her spot in Hairspray through hard work and not being the Ashlee Simpson to her sister's(Hilary) stardom from Lizzie McGuire. But wait, she WAS on 7th Heaven!
I am COMPLETELY rooting for Bailey from Anderson, SC, and NOT just because my car once exploded there and you could hear me there when I worked for Sky 104. I think she is the best of all of the ones up there.
I was SHOCKED after last night's cut of Lindsey, especially when Celina was allowed to stay and Cassie S wasn't in the bottom 4! I know Lindsey wasn't giving it 100%, but her 25% was better than Cassie's (since Cassie O left the week before, why are we still calling her Cassie S?) AND Celina was just turrbul! Why Lauren was in the bottom 4, I don't get either, but she is still better than the others
Bottom line, the producers of Legally Blonde the Musical have to do their jobs (and I think they prolly already know whom they are selecting) but MTV has its job to do too. Even if they KNOW Cassie won't win, but they know Lindsey won't either, why not throw out a "shocker" and keep the drama queen around to stir up more trouble. I can see that.
Lindsey's leaving was certainly shocking though. I would have thought they'd give her two more chances to stick around (ie Cassie's departure and Celine's departure.)
Oh well.
I think Autumn is super-talented, just not for Elle Woods. I think Lauren and Emma both COULD be Elle, but Bailey is the best option. I wanted to crash thru the TV when Heather Hack (or whatever the one judge's name is) said she was too Disney, in a bad way. Ummmm did you see Legally Blonde the movie? That IS ELLE Woods. Thanks for playing. And way to "write" the musical, when the movie provided all of the dialogue. Yeah you probably wrote a few songs. Big whoop. Don't think you're bigger than you are. You madam are NO Andrew Lloyd Webber. Or even Rogers and Hammerstein!
Suck on THAT!
Bottom line, I think/hope Celine goes home next week...
then Cassie S
then Rhiannon (i don't like her name)
then Natalie (you aren't a blonde!)
then Emma (so we don't have to hear about your Broadway family)
then Lauren
with Bailey beating out Autumn in the finals
And Kudos to Haylee Duff for not laughing or even cracking a smile when she says that she earned her spot in Hairspray through hard work and not being the Ashlee Simpson to her sister's(Hilary) stardom from Lizzie McGuire. But wait, she WAS on 7th Heaven!
The Catholics are angry!
I saw where the Italian Catholic Church is refusing to let Angels and Demons (the Dan Brown book-based movie) be filmed in churches in Rome. Apparently both "The Da Vinci Code" book AND movie outraged the Vatican. (to be honest, the movie outraged me as well, but only because it was so disappointing.)
The new movie will star Tom Hanks and Ob-Wan aka Ewan McGregor. If you haven't read A&D, it is the prequel the Di Vinci code, and in my opinion is better than DVC.
Yahoo movies reported that filming began this month at some of the capital's most famous sights including Piazza Navona and Piazza del Popolo, but entry was denied to the churches of Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria."The Da Vinci Code" outraged the Vatican and some Catholics because of its storyline that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had children, creating a royal blood line that Church officials kept secret for centuries.
Boo hooo. Get over it Pope!
I was awaiting this movie ever since I read the book and hopefully Ron Howard (or whomever is writing/directing) doesn't mess this one up like he did DVC.
It also got me thinking, what are the other books I've read recently that would make fantastic movies.....
Fab Five (about the Fab Five of Michigan. Why has no one done a movie about this yet? Blue Chips is still the ONLY college basketball movie I can recall, and that was terrible.)
Marley and Me (come on, like that wouldn't break records!)
Dean Koontz's Velocity
David Baldacci's Camel Club or The Collectors (The Camel CLub is the first of the two, but the Collectors is the better of the two IMO. You could have a crew of Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight, Michael Clark Duncan and David Morse as "Oliver Stone")
Or Baldacci's Split Second with a Claire Danes/Alison Lohman along side a Matthew Fox/Billy Crudup
Just a few I'd like to see.
They already made The Iliad into Troy, which was OK. That used to top my list
I'd also like to see a movie on The Legend of Zelda done
Just saying
The new movie will star Tom Hanks and Ob-Wan aka Ewan McGregor. If you haven't read A&D, it is the prequel the Di Vinci code, and in my opinion is better than DVC.
Yahoo movies reported that filming began this month at some of the capital's most famous sights including Piazza Navona and Piazza del Popolo, but entry was denied to the churches of Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria."The Da Vinci Code" outraged the Vatican and some Catholics because of its storyline that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had children, creating a royal blood line that Church officials kept secret for centuries.
Boo hooo. Get over it Pope!
I was awaiting this movie ever since I read the book and hopefully Ron Howard (or whomever is writing/directing) doesn't mess this one up like he did DVC.
It also got me thinking, what are the other books I've read recently that would make fantastic movies.....
Fab Five (about the Fab Five of Michigan. Why has no one done a movie about this yet? Blue Chips is still the ONLY college basketball movie I can recall, and that was terrible.)
Marley and Me (come on, like that wouldn't break records!)
Dean Koontz's Velocity
David Baldacci's Camel Club or The Collectors (The Camel CLub is the first of the two, but the Collectors is the better of the two IMO. You could have a crew of Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight, Michael Clark Duncan and David Morse as "Oliver Stone")
Or Baldacci's Split Second with a Claire Danes/Alison Lohman along side a Matthew Fox/Billy Crudup
Just a few I'd like to see.
They already made The Iliad into Troy, which was OK. That used to top my list
I'd also like to see a movie on The Legend of Zelda done
Just saying
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Campillo's complete game a loss due to LOB
Jorge Campillo went the distance in the Braves' 2-0 loss tonight. His only mistake was a home run to Casey Kotchman (is that his real name or his porn name?)
And the story AGAIN is the Braves lack of getting those ducks on the pond into the water. I loved how ESPN put up the stat that Frenchy leads the majors since 2006 in driving home runs with two outs....well apparently all 114 of those happened in 2006 and 2007, because in 2008 he and Tex are trying to see who can strand more!
Unreal
Speaking of unreal, Tiger's putt on the 18th. I have to say good for him, although it seemed funny that it only looked like his leg hurt when he WASN'T leading or he had just hit a bad shot. Funny how that works. You see that in basketball too. But Tiger really is the best closer in ALL of sports. Wow, what he did on one leg, it was impressive, and that is coming from a non-fan here.
Actually I was rooting for either Tiger or Rocco, as long as it was an American and not Lee Westwood or Jeff Ogilvy (I know it is Geoff, but I thought I would spell his name correctly for him)
That should be fun tomorrow, but if Tiger tries to use his leg as an excuse, forgive me if I vomit. Tiger, if it hurts so much, MAYBE you should have skipped the event. Just saying. If you win, great, but if you lose, I am waiting for all of the ESPN talking heads (Stuart SCOTT!) to say, "Oh but his leg hurt." THEN SKIP THE EVENT. I respect you Tiger, but please don't let any of your suckups use this as an excuse.
All I am saying.
Finally, could someone PLEASE tell Kobe that if he REALLY wants all those comparisons to MJ to be justified, HE has to lead his team back from 3-1 down (because no one else EVER HAS) and he has to average 40+ in those games. All I am saying.
And the story AGAIN is the Braves lack of getting those ducks on the pond into the water. I loved how ESPN put up the stat that Frenchy leads the majors since 2006 in driving home runs with two outs....well apparently all 114 of those happened in 2006 and 2007, because in 2008 he and Tex are trying to see who can strand more!
Unreal
Speaking of unreal, Tiger's putt on the 18th. I have to say good for him, although it seemed funny that it only looked like his leg hurt when he WASN'T leading or he had just hit a bad shot. Funny how that works. You see that in basketball too. But Tiger really is the best closer in ALL of sports. Wow, what he did on one leg, it was impressive, and that is coming from a non-fan here.
Actually I was rooting for either Tiger or Rocco, as long as it was an American and not Lee Westwood or Jeff Ogilvy (I know it is Geoff, but I thought I would spell his name correctly for him)
That should be fun tomorrow, but if Tiger tries to use his leg as an excuse, forgive me if I vomit. Tiger, if it hurts so much, MAYBE you should have skipped the event. Just saying. If you win, great, but if you lose, I am waiting for all of the ESPN talking heads (Stuart SCOTT!) to say, "Oh but his leg hurt." THEN SKIP THE EVENT. I respect you Tiger, but please don't let any of your suckups use this as an excuse.
All I am saying.
Finally, could someone PLEASE tell Kobe that if he REALLY wants all those comparisons to MJ to be justified, HE has to lead his team back from 3-1 down (because no one else EVER HAS) and he has to average 40+ in those games. All I am saying.
And Babes shall lead them
Sorry for the lack of Blog from Friday's game....was a little busy yesterday Cheers-ing in an attempt to end children's blindness!
on to the blog!
Friday game was great in the sense that SOMEONE was finally able to drive home runners with two out. Kudos Brandon Jones and Gregor Blanco. In fact Greg White had three RBI, so good for him! Way to go Gregor! And Brandon Jones went 2-3 with two runs and an RBI on Friday to help Jo-Jo (8IP, 2ER, 5K) earn the win. He was a hard luck loser last Saturday, so he deserved this one.
On Saturday, with Rafael Soriano on the DL, Charlie Morton was called up for his MLB debut and what a start it was. 6IP, 4K 3 runs on 5 hits and the Braves giving him a 9-4 win. Brandon Jones went 3-5 with a HR, 2 runs, this kid could stick around. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing to send Josh Anderson down and bring this guy up. Next season BJ could very well be the starting LF with Schaffer in CF and Greg White as the fourth OF. (unless you trade Frenchy and resign Kotsay, which is what I say please do!)
Today the Braves go for-gulp-a road sweep. Wait, did I really type that? Jorge Campillo is on the hill and if he can regain some of that swagger he had a few weeks ago, this rotation may just fill out.
on a side note, HOW ABOUT THEM DAWGS?! Rallying down from 3-1 in the sixth then 4-3 in the ninth against a closer that was drafted in the first round? Freshman Lyle Allen gets a key RBI then Ryan and Bryce do some special things. This team just didn't give up, that's why they just might end this season in a dawg pile after the final out is recorded. 1990 and possibly 2008? This team is certainly deserving!
on to the blog!
Friday game was great in the sense that SOMEONE was finally able to drive home runners with two out. Kudos Brandon Jones and Gregor Blanco. In fact Greg White had three RBI, so good for him! Way to go Gregor! And Brandon Jones went 2-3 with two runs and an RBI on Friday to help Jo-Jo (8IP, 2ER, 5K) earn the win. He was a hard luck loser last Saturday, so he deserved this one.
On Saturday, with Rafael Soriano on the DL, Charlie Morton was called up for his MLB debut and what a start it was. 6IP, 4K 3 runs on 5 hits and the Braves giving him a 9-4 win. Brandon Jones went 3-5 with a HR, 2 runs, this kid could stick around. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing to send Josh Anderson down and bring this guy up. Next season BJ could very well be the starting LF with Schaffer in CF and Greg White as the fourth OF. (unless you trade Frenchy and resign Kotsay, which is what I say please do!)
Today the Braves go for-gulp-a road sweep. Wait, did I really type that? Jorge Campillo is on the hill and if he can regain some of that swagger he had a few weeks ago, this rotation may just fill out.
on a side note, HOW ABOUT THEM DAWGS?! Rallying down from 3-1 in the sixth then 4-3 in the ninth against a closer that was drafted in the first round? Freshman Lyle Allen gets a key RBI then Ryan and Bryce do some special things. This team just didn't give up, that's why they just might end this season in a dawg pile after the final out is recorded. 1990 and possibly 2008? This team is certainly deserving!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Glavine out until All-star Break
Just got off a conference call with Braves GM Frank Wren and injured Braves starter John Smoltz and Wren revealed that Glavine's MRI results showed a small tear at the origin of the flexor tendon, and while it is not a surgical repair, Glavine will resume pitching around the all-star break. Doctors said that the tear of his pitching elbow must "scar over." Glavine hurt the arm during his outing earlier this week against the Cubs. This is Glavine's second trip to the DL in his career, both have come this season.
Charlie Morton will be called up from Richmond to start this weekend against the Angels.
Injuries to the Braves starting pitching though haven't been the problem according to Wren, hitting has. "We're gonna have to play our way out of this," said Wren.
John Smoltz was also on the call. He noted that Dr. James Andrews was pleased and, "if he's pleased, I'm pleased." Now John says he has a "chance to recover to whatever level [he] desires. [He] will pursue an aggressive rehab."
The doctors seem to be very confident that the problem was fixed. There was "significant damage" to the shoulder, but it is fixed.
John said one thing about his rehab was flexibility. "My flexibility will enhance my ability to return, if I do come back. I've got targets (3-4-5 months) in mind, and I think I can still pitch."
John noted that doctors said he could golf in three months, throw a ball in four. He will rejoin the team when they get back from the road trip.
Charlie Morton will be called up from Richmond to start this weekend against the Angels.
Injuries to the Braves starting pitching though haven't been the problem according to Wren, hitting has. "We're gonna have to play our way out of this," said Wren.
John Smoltz was also on the call. He noted that Dr. James Andrews was pleased and, "if he's pleased, I'm pleased." Now John says he has a "chance to recover to whatever level [he] desires. [He] will pursue an aggressive rehab."
The doctors seem to be very confident that the problem was fixed. There was "significant damage" to the shoulder, but it is fixed.
John said one thing about his rehab was flexibility. "My flexibility will enhance my ability to return, if I do come back. I've got targets (3-4-5 months) in mind, and I think I can still pitch."
John noted that doctors said he could golf in three months, throw a ball in four. He will rejoin the team when they get back from the road trip.
The Marlins are the model franchise!
I made this argument on EVHEI, and have been ripped off by the AJC AND ESPN's Joe Morgan. That's OK. Just as long as everyone knows that I started it on Ed Voyles Honda Extra Innings on Sports Radio 790 The ZONE!
The Florida Marlins organization, for as much grief as everyone gives them, is WITHOUT question the model franchise in baseball. The don't have the money the Yankees and RedSox have, but, if you look since 1919, the Marlins have JUST AS MANY World Series Championships as Boston and their championship percentage of times in the postseason that resulted in championships is WAY higher than the Yankees. Try 100%.
The Marlins when they started this THANG in the early 1990s decided to make a run at a title in 1997. They made the moves, used their depth to make trades and signed the right people and they claimed the title. Realizing that several players would bolt after the season, the team decided to fire sale most of the team's assets, but did so in such a way that they KNEW they would get the players back to make another run in a few years time.
They scouted and made the moves and eventually got back to the WS in 2003 where they beat the Yankees for the team's second title, more than the Braves have, more than the Phillies have, more than the Mets do in recent years. More than the Cubs. I could go on and on. Then they tried to keep the nucleus together for another run, even adding Carlos Delgado for the 2005 campaign, but soon realized a postseason berth was too far a reach. Once again a sale was had, but not as firesale as in 1997-98. This was on a smaller scale and the returns that they brought back moved their window up from 2009 to 2008 as a possible year to win it all. They are REALLY competing hard this season and if they continue to play well, could make the playoffs. Although 2009 is probably STILL the year they are targeting as Cameron Maybin will be ready to go next season.
If you were to say to me, a Braves fan, you will have a WS title every six years, and in between your team will be terrible, you you will CERTAINLY see signs of improving in year 4 and 5 before that title in the 6th year, would you take it, I WOULD SAY, "HECK YES!" The Marlins' scouting department takes players, uses them while they are GREAT and young, then flips them while their value is still through the roof for not just one or two parts that will be good and you have to trade them in 2 years, but for 4 or 5 parts that will be fantastic in 4 years. The law of averages tells you that of the 4 or 5 players you get, you may only get 2 or 3 GREAT ones, but I like those numbers better than only getting 1 or 2 players more "ready to play" and possibly both fizzling out. The Marlins are able to look into organizations real depths and see the true talent. That is why some teams are afraid to deal with them.
I realize that some people will say, "but the Braves won 14 straight division crowns," (heck I used to be one of them) but since 1997 when the Marlins won their first title, the Braves have been to one world series and were swept, while the Marlins have WON their second title, one more than the Braves. The post-season berths were nice, but never amounted to anything and the Braves currently seem to be idling in third place this season, and maybe next season too. The Marlins on the other hand, didn't make the playoffs the last two seasons like the Braves did not, but they appear poised to return to the WS next season while the Braves will be again in third or even fourth place in the division. The Marlins can go UP and DOWN, while the Braves appear to have plateaued with the team as it CURRENTLY stands.
Therefore I will take the Marlins and their system of keeping payroll down, keeping the kids out there and trading them off when they would make too much money. I like that way better than just outspending everyone because I like to root for the underdog or in this case, the Underfish.
Let's look at what the Marlins have done since December of 1996 to get where they are today....
They drafted Johan Santana Rule5 from Houston, but the general manager at the time traded him for NOTHING.
They traded a young Trevor Hoffman for Gary Sheffield because they had a guy named Robb Nen in the pen
already.
Had Kevin Brown and after he won them a title, flipped him for Derek Lee and AJ Burnette. Yeah. BOTH of those
guys.
Then after Lee won then a world championship, sent him to Cubs for a few players that would bring in a few
more....
Took a crap flash in the pan Matt Mantei and got Brad Penny and Abraham Nunez.
Got Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez +2 more for Beckett and Lowell (they wanted to give ANYONE Lowell
and couldn't have resigned Beckett.)
Replaced two-time WS winning 2B Luis Castillo with Dan Uggla via Rule5
Traded Matt Clement and Antonio Alfonseca fo Dontrelle Willis, Julian Tavarez +2
Cliff Floyd for Carl Pavano +5 others Preston Wilson (who they were going to lose) to Colorado for Juan Pierre and Hampton (for Spooneybarger) and Pierre was later flipped post-WS win for Sergio Mitre, Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto
Then Carlos Delgado for Mike Jacobs +2, but they could have had Lastings Milledge.
FInally D-Will (couldn't resign after this season) and Cabrera (couldn't resign after this season) for OF
Stud Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Mike Rabelo +3
These are just some of the moves. They also nabbed Paul Lo Duco from LA in essence for Brad Penny as he would command too much money
They shed Sheffield and a few others for Mike Piazza, then flipped Piazza when they couldn't resign him
The only thing the Marlins have done wrong IMO, is sometimes strengthen their division opponents, the Mets with Piazza, the Braves with Mike Hampton, etc.
But right now this team looks poised to make another two year run at a title. After that, Andrew Miller probably goes, some with Olson the closer, Dan Uggla, Jacobs, Willingham, and then down the line Maybin because after 2009, they have a title in 2015 to start thinking about....
The Florida Marlins organization, for as much grief as everyone gives them, is WITHOUT question the model franchise in baseball. The don't have the money the Yankees and RedSox have, but, if you look since 1919, the Marlins have JUST AS MANY World Series Championships as Boston and their championship percentage of times in the postseason that resulted in championships is WAY higher than the Yankees. Try 100%.
The Marlins when they started this THANG in the early 1990s decided to make a run at a title in 1997. They made the moves, used their depth to make trades and signed the right people and they claimed the title. Realizing that several players would bolt after the season, the team decided to fire sale most of the team's assets, but did so in such a way that they KNEW they would get the players back to make another run in a few years time.
They scouted and made the moves and eventually got back to the WS in 2003 where they beat the Yankees for the team's second title, more than the Braves have, more than the Phillies have, more than the Mets do in recent years. More than the Cubs. I could go on and on. Then they tried to keep the nucleus together for another run, even adding Carlos Delgado for the 2005 campaign, but soon realized a postseason berth was too far a reach. Once again a sale was had, but not as firesale as in 1997-98. This was on a smaller scale and the returns that they brought back moved their window up from 2009 to 2008 as a possible year to win it all. They are REALLY competing hard this season and if they continue to play well, could make the playoffs. Although 2009 is probably STILL the year they are targeting as Cameron Maybin will be ready to go next season.
If you were to say to me, a Braves fan, you will have a WS title every six years, and in between your team will be terrible, you you will CERTAINLY see signs of improving in year 4 and 5 before that title in the 6th year, would you take it, I WOULD SAY, "HECK YES!" The Marlins' scouting department takes players, uses them while they are GREAT and young, then flips them while their value is still through the roof for not just one or two parts that will be good and you have to trade them in 2 years, but for 4 or 5 parts that will be fantastic in 4 years. The law of averages tells you that of the 4 or 5 players you get, you may only get 2 or 3 GREAT ones, but I like those numbers better than only getting 1 or 2 players more "ready to play" and possibly both fizzling out. The Marlins are able to look into organizations real depths and see the true talent. That is why some teams are afraid to deal with them.
I realize that some people will say, "but the Braves won 14 straight division crowns," (heck I used to be one of them) but since 1997 when the Marlins won their first title, the Braves have been to one world series and were swept, while the Marlins have WON their second title, one more than the Braves. The post-season berths were nice, but never amounted to anything and the Braves currently seem to be idling in third place this season, and maybe next season too. The Marlins on the other hand, didn't make the playoffs the last two seasons like the Braves did not, but they appear poised to return to the WS next season while the Braves will be again in third or even fourth place in the division. The Marlins can go UP and DOWN, while the Braves appear to have plateaued with the team as it CURRENTLY stands.
Therefore I will take the Marlins and their system of keeping payroll down, keeping the kids out there and trading them off when they would make too much money. I like that way better than just outspending everyone because I like to root for the underdog or in this case, the Underfish.
Let's look at what the Marlins have done since December of 1996 to get where they are today....
They drafted Johan Santana Rule5 from Houston, but the general manager at the time traded him for NOTHING.
They traded a young Trevor Hoffman for Gary Sheffield because they had a guy named Robb Nen in the pen
already.
Had Kevin Brown and after he won them a title, flipped him for Derek Lee and AJ Burnette. Yeah. BOTH of those
guys.
Then after Lee won then a world championship, sent him to Cubs for a few players that would bring in a few
more....
Took a crap flash in the pan Matt Mantei and got Brad Penny and Abraham Nunez.
Got Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez +2 more for Beckett and Lowell (they wanted to give ANYONE Lowell
and couldn't have resigned Beckett.)
Replaced two-time WS winning 2B Luis Castillo with Dan Uggla via Rule5
Traded Matt Clement and Antonio Alfonseca fo Dontrelle Willis, Julian Tavarez +2
Cliff Floyd for Carl Pavano +5 others Preston Wilson (who they were going to lose) to Colorado for Juan Pierre and Hampton (for Spooneybarger) and Pierre was later flipped post-WS win for Sergio Mitre, Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto
Then Carlos Delgado for Mike Jacobs +2, but they could have had Lastings Milledge.
FInally D-Will (couldn't resign after this season) and Cabrera (couldn't resign after this season) for OF
Stud Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Mike Rabelo +3
These are just some of the moves. They also nabbed Paul Lo Duco from LA in essence for Brad Penny as he would command too much money
They shed Sheffield and a few others for Mike Piazza, then flipped Piazza when they couldn't resign him
The only thing the Marlins have done wrong IMO, is sometimes strengthen their division opponents, the Mets with Piazza, the Braves with Mike Hampton, etc.
But right now this team looks poised to make another two year run at a title. After that, Andrew Miller probably goes, some with Olson the closer, Dan Uggla, Jacobs, Willingham, and then down the line Maybin because after 2009, they have a title in 2015 to start thinking about....
Thursday, June 12, 2008
That sick feeling in your stomach
Even though Jeff Francoeur hit a two run home run, it was there.
In the bottom of the seventh, when the Braves couldn't pull off the double play that led to a Cubs run, but the bullpen DID manage to preserve a 1 run lead for Tim Hudson after that inning, it was there.
In the top of the eighth, when the Braves had the bases loaded, but failed to score, it was there.
In the ninth when runners were on first and third, yet again zero runs for the Braves, it was there.
In the ninth when Blaine Boyer got the first man to fly to deep left-center, it was there.
Then it struck. Even with Will Ohman AND Manny Acosta warmed and ready in the bullpen, Blaine Boyer was STILL allowed to pitch, and SURE ENOUGH, BOOM! Home run to Jim Edmonds to tie the game. Blaine F'n Boyer! The Pride of Walton!
Then in the 11th when Kelly Johnson doubled with two outs and Chipper was given the free pass, you had that feeling again because it wasn't Brian McCann coming to the plate in the cleanup spot. Nope. Not a guy that has PROVEN he can get the clutch hit. NOPE. It was Teixeira. and he struck out LOOKING. And the pitch was right down broadway. WHY? Because Kerry Wood didn't want to face a guy that COULD beat him in McCann, he'd rather K a dude that took three walks on the day and wasn't looking to swing the bat at all.
Then in the bottom of the inning, Once the Cubs loaded the bases with NO OUTS, I turned the TV off, because the game was over. Yep, yet ANOTHER one run loss.
If Tex and Boyer had actually come to play this 2008, MAYBE the team would be in better shape. But neither did.
Tex reminds me of the big kid from Little League that was intimidating by just looking at him. He got all the walks, but once someone actually stood up to him, he shrank down to show he isn't as dominating a player as you thought. Maybe occasionally he would run into a pitch and crush it over the 200 ft fence, but more often than not, he was looking to walk and let one of the other players do the glory work, but with him on base, so it LOOKED like he helped. We had a first baseman like that my 11-year old team. Justin I believe was his name. He LOOKED intimidating, but he wasn't. I was so excited that first day of practice when I thought we had our anchor in the middle of the lineup, but it turns out, he DIDN'T want to play hard, just look scary and towards the end of the year, you could TELL he was mailing it in, and the coach put a guy that WASN'T as strong out there, but that actually tried.
Sound like anyone you know? Maybe the first baseman THIS YEAR for the Braves? Let Norton play first. He seems like he wants to go out there and at least swing at a ball. Trade Tex NOW before his value drops and people realize he is Justin from my little league team.
In the bottom of the seventh, when the Braves couldn't pull off the double play that led to a Cubs run, but the bullpen DID manage to preserve a 1 run lead for Tim Hudson after that inning, it was there.
In the top of the eighth, when the Braves had the bases loaded, but failed to score, it was there.
In the ninth when runners were on first and third, yet again zero runs for the Braves, it was there.
In the ninth when Blaine Boyer got the first man to fly to deep left-center, it was there.
Then it struck. Even with Will Ohman AND Manny Acosta warmed and ready in the bullpen, Blaine Boyer was STILL allowed to pitch, and SURE ENOUGH, BOOM! Home run to Jim Edmonds to tie the game. Blaine F'n Boyer! The Pride of Walton!
Then in the 11th when Kelly Johnson doubled with two outs and Chipper was given the free pass, you had that feeling again because it wasn't Brian McCann coming to the plate in the cleanup spot. Nope. Not a guy that has PROVEN he can get the clutch hit. NOPE. It was Teixeira. and he struck out LOOKING. And the pitch was right down broadway. WHY? Because Kerry Wood didn't want to face a guy that COULD beat him in McCann, he'd rather K a dude that took three walks on the day and wasn't looking to swing the bat at all.
Then in the bottom of the inning, Once the Cubs loaded the bases with NO OUTS, I turned the TV off, because the game was over. Yep, yet ANOTHER one run loss.
If Tex and Boyer had actually come to play this 2008, MAYBE the team would be in better shape. But neither did.
Tex reminds me of the big kid from Little League that was intimidating by just looking at him. He got all the walks, but once someone actually stood up to him, he shrank down to show he isn't as dominating a player as you thought. Maybe occasionally he would run into a pitch and crush it over the 200 ft fence, but more often than not, he was looking to walk and let one of the other players do the glory work, but with him on base, so it LOOKED like he helped. We had a first baseman like that my 11-year old team. Justin I believe was his name. He LOOKED intimidating, but he wasn't. I was so excited that first day of practice when I thought we had our anchor in the middle of the lineup, but it turns out, he DIDN'T want to play hard, just look scary and towards the end of the year, you could TELL he was mailing it in, and the coach put a guy that WASN'T as strong out there, but that actually tried.
Sound like anyone you know? Maybe the first baseman THIS YEAR for the Braves? Let Norton play first. He seems like he wants to go out there and at least swing at a ball. Trade Tex NOW before his value drops and people realize he is Justin from my little league team.
music will get your toe a tappin'
I haven't done a music blog in a while, so I thought I'd just throw a bunch of thoughts against the Blogwall and see if any of it sticks. (on a side note, I have NEVER done this with pasta. I don't know why you'd waste pasta like that?)
That song, "I Kissed a girl..And I liked it." catchy, good beat, and a chick is singing it. That is hot. I have never seen this singer, but I am SURE she is attractive (she sounds hot) and I am sure the music video on FNMTV would be fantastic. Especially if Alicia Silverstone is involved. Her career isn't doing much. And neither is Aerosmith's for that matter. They need to have each other's people get in contact. Remember Cryin' Amazin' and Crazy? She was at her peak. Then Clueless put her at a new level. Too bad she decided to take a vacation to Antarctica right after that.
The American Boy song by Estelle and Kayne West. Did Estelle have some discriminating photos of KW to FORCE him to do that song? It sounds like a 6 year old wrote it. I hope KW used a Forever stamp to mail that one in. Although he might have just used an old 41-cent stamp and gone to the Sandy Springs Post Office and used his credit card to buy 5 one-cent stamps. Yeah, that's right. The SSPO ONLY takes credit cards in their stamp machines. So my debit card has a 5-cent charge on it when I bought five one-centers. Nice.
Hey Jonas Brothers...did you get a good look at Hanson? THAT'S YOUR FUTURE. You think people are making a fuss over you now? Hit puberty. The support will dry up. You will be playing malls and cruiseships in NO TIME!
Finally, why did The Verve NEVER have a followup hit to Bittersweet Symphony? What a great song that was. Classic. And they could NEVER follow it up? Maybe people got them confused with Vervepipe. But even THEY only had that one song Freshman. I guess the word Verve was a bit of a curse to your band. Like the Tiki statue from The Brady Bunch Hawaii arc.
That song, "I Kissed a girl..And I liked it." catchy, good beat, and a chick is singing it. That is hot. I have never seen this singer, but I am SURE she is attractive (she sounds hot) and I am sure the music video on FNMTV would be fantastic. Especially if Alicia Silverstone is involved. Her career isn't doing much. And neither is Aerosmith's for that matter. They need to have each other's people get in contact. Remember Cryin' Amazin' and Crazy? She was at her peak. Then Clueless put her at a new level. Too bad she decided to take a vacation to Antarctica right after that.
The American Boy song by Estelle and Kayne West. Did Estelle have some discriminating photos of KW to FORCE him to do that song? It sounds like a 6 year old wrote it. I hope KW used a Forever stamp to mail that one in. Although he might have just used an old 41-cent stamp and gone to the Sandy Springs Post Office and used his credit card to buy 5 one-cent stamps. Yeah, that's right. The SSPO ONLY takes credit cards in their stamp machines. So my debit card has a 5-cent charge on it when I bought five one-centers. Nice.
Hey Jonas Brothers...did you get a good look at Hanson? THAT'S YOUR FUTURE. You think people are making a fuss over you now? Hit puberty. The support will dry up. You will be playing malls and cruiseships in NO TIME!
Finally, why did The Verve NEVER have a followup hit to Bittersweet Symphony? What a great song that was. Classic. And they could NEVER follow it up? Maybe people got them confused with Vervepipe. But even THEY only had that one song Freshman. I guess the word Verve was a bit of a curse to your band. Like the Tiki statue from The Brady Bunch Hawaii arc.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Is it bad that Fletcher was rooting for Joey to drink?
He KEPT talking about it. "Oh, I want to drink!" "I just want to go to a bar and DRINK." "I could walk in there RIGHT NOW and have a drink." "I just want to get drunk."
THEN DO IT! I was OPENLY ROOTING for the guy to do it. He was being WAYYYYYYY Too whiney. Come on man. If you are going to leave, DO IT THEN. Don't wait for the rest of the week to make up your mind. You ALREADY HAD. Just leave. Quit being a drama queen and just go. And Stop making your roommates feel bad for drinking in front of you. It's their lives. They want to drink. THEY don't have the problem. They are able to STOP themselves.
Did I feel bad when Joey was reading his letter? No. No, I did not. Does that make me heartless? I actually wanted to crack open a beer WHILE he was reading it. Sorry Bro!
I also LOVED how he said, "I am LEAVING on Friday!"
But Joey will you at least think about staying?
"I can't promise you anything. I'll think about it."
Ummm first off, you promised you were leaving, then you promised you'd think about it. You say, "I'll think about it." That's a promise to do something. I know that's technical, but the guy was driving me crazy.
JUST GO ALREADY OR SHUT UP! Or just grab a drink. In fact when Dave and Will took him to a strip club, I thought they were TRYING to get him to drink, so he'd shut up and/or go back to rehab, and thus shut up and be out of their lives.
Finally, MTV....if you want to run an hour-long episode, run an hour long episode. Tonight seemed like you were stretching a 30-minute deal into an hour. That was uncool. We came back from break for less than 2 minutes, ONLY TO GO TO BREAK AGAIN. If Joey were watching, it probably would have driven him to drink!
THEN DO IT! I was OPENLY ROOTING for the guy to do it. He was being WAYYYYYYY Too whiney. Come on man. If you are going to leave, DO IT THEN. Don't wait for the rest of the week to make up your mind. You ALREADY HAD. Just leave. Quit being a drama queen and just go. And Stop making your roommates feel bad for drinking in front of you. It's their lives. They want to drink. THEY don't have the problem. They are able to STOP themselves.
Did I feel bad when Joey was reading his letter? No. No, I did not. Does that make me heartless? I actually wanted to crack open a beer WHILE he was reading it. Sorry Bro!
I also LOVED how he said, "I am LEAVING on Friday!"
But Joey will you at least think about staying?
"I can't promise you anything. I'll think about it."
Ummm first off, you promised you were leaving, then you promised you'd think about it. You say, "I'll think about it." That's a promise to do something. I know that's technical, but the guy was driving me crazy.
JUST GO ALREADY OR SHUT UP! Or just grab a drink. In fact when Dave and Will took him to a strip club, I thought they were TRYING to get him to drink, so he'd shut up and/or go back to rehab, and thus shut up and be out of their lives.
Finally, MTV....if you want to run an hour-long episode, run an hour long episode. Tonight seemed like you were stretching a 30-minute deal into an hour. That was uncool. We came back from break for less than 2 minutes, ONLY TO GO TO BREAK AGAIN. If Joey were watching, it probably would have driven him to drink!
It's all over but the crying
7-2 Cubs over Braves. I won't even get into the game. The Braves lost this one with two outs in the FIRST.
Actually they lost it yesterday when, after Tom Glavine left the game with a strained pitching elbow (and was placed on the 15-day DL) Jair Jurrjens slipped on the dugout steps and twisted an ankle and missed tonight's game. WOW
So if you are keeping count....Glavine-DL. Smoltz-DL. Hampton-DL. Jurrjens-missed tonight's game. Chuck James-AAA.
Tim Hudson and Jo-Jo are the only starters still able to pitch. Wow.
So I must NOW say, "LET THE REBUILDING BEGIN!"
Trade Tex for whatever prospects you can get from the Mets or the Angels or the Yankees, though the Yankees prolly won't pony up now and the Mets sent all of their studs to the Twins for Johan. I don't want an AJ Burnett or a Rich Harden or Joe Blanton anymore. Nope, those guys command too much money. Let the rebuilding begin.
When Smoltzie's, Glavine's, Hampton's, Tex's, and Kotsay's contracts all come off the books after this season, you are looking at having 50M to play with.
50M (in addition to the 30M already tied up in the other part of the team) to get a firstbaseman.
50M to finish out your rotation, unless you are planning on going with 1Huddy 2Jurrjens 3JoJo 4Morton 5James Grab a Number4 and let Morton and James fight over that 5th spot with Campillo
50M to sign a leftfielder, unless Jordan Schaffer is the new CF and a combo of Brandon Jones/Gregor Blanco/Josh Anderson is your LF of the future?
50M to solidify Gonzo and Soriano in the pen.
and PS, this won't be popular, but trade Frenchy while you can. He doesn't want to sign an affordable deal, ala BMac, so send him to Seattle or Baltimore or Washington. Right now-Austin Kearns for Frenchy! Do IT!
The rebuilding will be rough, but hey...maybe after a few years in 2011, this team will be back. It will waste Huddy's and Chipper's last good years, but if that's what it takes, then do it. The Florida Marlins will have ANOTHER World Championship by then and will be in fire sale mode. The Mets will be the biggest obstacles with the Phillies right behind them. But if you build this team the way Philly brought up their crew, then Maybe the Braves can be like Philly in a few years.
OUCH! I just longed for the Braves to be like Philadelphia. What has the season come to?
Actually they lost it yesterday when, after Tom Glavine left the game with a strained pitching elbow (and was placed on the 15-day DL) Jair Jurrjens slipped on the dugout steps and twisted an ankle and missed tonight's game. WOW
So if you are keeping count....Glavine-DL. Smoltz-DL. Hampton-DL. Jurrjens-missed tonight's game. Chuck James-AAA.
Tim Hudson and Jo-Jo are the only starters still able to pitch. Wow.
So I must NOW say, "LET THE REBUILDING BEGIN!"
Trade Tex for whatever prospects you can get from the Mets or the Angels or the Yankees, though the Yankees prolly won't pony up now and the Mets sent all of their studs to the Twins for Johan. I don't want an AJ Burnett or a Rich Harden or Joe Blanton anymore. Nope, those guys command too much money. Let the rebuilding begin.
When Smoltzie's, Glavine's, Hampton's, Tex's, and Kotsay's contracts all come off the books after this season, you are looking at having 50M to play with.
50M (in addition to the 30M already tied up in the other part of the team) to get a firstbaseman.
50M to finish out your rotation, unless you are planning on going with 1Huddy 2Jurrjens 3JoJo 4Morton 5James Grab a Number4 and let Morton and James fight over that 5th spot with Campillo
50M to sign a leftfielder, unless Jordan Schaffer is the new CF and a combo of Brandon Jones/Gregor Blanco/Josh Anderson is your LF of the future?
50M to solidify Gonzo and Soriano in the pen.
and PS, this won't be popular, but trade Frenchy while you can. He doesn't want to sign an affordable deal, ala BMac, so send him to Seattle or Baltimore or Washington. Right now-Austin Kearns for Frenchy! Do IT!
The rebuilding will be rough, but hey...maybe after a few years in 2011, this team will be back. It will waste Huddy's and Chipper's last good years, but if that's what it takes, then do it. The Florida Marlins will have ANOTHER World Championship by then and will be in fire sale mode. The Mets will be the biggest obstacles with the Phillies right behind them. But if you build this team the way Philly brought up their crew, then Maybe the Braves can be like Philly in a few years.
OUCH! I just longed for the Braves to be like Philadelphia. What has the season come to?
Mid-week Entertainment report quickie!
It's a commercial for So You Think you Can Dance, so I have to make this quick
I've got a question for M. Night, if no one shows up, is the movie still Happening? HA! Actually after your last two movies bombed (The Village and The lady in the water or whatever) why do you think THIS one will work? And why are you marketing it as, "The Director's first R rated movie!"? I realize it is, but is that you last ditch effort to remain relevant? I thought Sixth Sense was overrated, Unbreakable was terrible (if that was even you). I thought Signs was your best work, but you have hit a bit of a wall. I hope for your sake your movies get better
I see where it looks like Joey might leave the Real World house, making it two straight weeks with someone leaving. Ummm, MAYBE that's a good idea. And for the record, if you are this alcoholic/druggy that the show is making you out to be, WHY ARE YOU GOING TO BARS? I stopped drinking for 14 months. I was still able to go to bars. It's called willpower.
So Spike Lee was criticizing Clint Eastwood's movies for not having enough black people? Clint said that Spike needed to shut up. Clint should have criticized Spike for Clockers not having more white people. Is Spike Lee REALLY human anymore? He thinks Bush caused Katrina. He think Eastwood's films need more black folks. This dude is crazy, right? It isn't just me? Can we PLEASE make the Knicks relevant again so he will just stick to basketball instead of spinning racial conspiracy theories?
Back to SYTYCD now. WOW, Cat's legs really DO go ALL the way to the floor. WOW. This dress MORE than makes up for her season 4 finale disaster. And PS, I think I have been ruined by Danny on Season 3. All guy dancers should be tremendous athletes that can jump out of the building while still looking graceful. No more Benjis. Danny has set the bar and forced all guy dancers from now on to be powerful. Kind of like Cal Ripken set the new mold for Shortstops and LT changed the game for LBs. Danny is the LT of dancing, if you ask me. He set the new standard. Singlehandedly raised the bar.
I've got a question for M. Night, if no one shows up, is the movie still Happening? HA! Actually after your last two movies bombed (The Village and The lady in the water or whatever) why do you think THIS one will work? And why are you marketing it as, "The Director's first R rated movie!"? I realize it is, but is that you last ditch effort to remain relevant? I thought Sixth Sense was overrated, Unbreakable was terrible (if that was even you). I thought Signs was your best work, but you have hit a bit of a wall. I hope for your sake your movies get better
I see where it looks like Joey might leave the Real World house, making it two straight weeks with someone leaving. Ummm, MAYBE that's a good idea. And for the record, if you are this alcoholic/druggy that the show is making you out to be, WHY ARE YOU GOING TO BARS? I stopped drinking for 14 months. I was still able to go to bars. It's called willpower.
So Spike Lee was criticizing Clint Eastwood's movies for not having enough black people? Clint said that Spike needed to shut up. Clint should have criticized Spike for Clockers not having more white people. Is Spike Lee REALLY human anymore? He thinks Bush caused Katrina. He think Eastwood's films need more black folks. This dude is crazy, right? It isn't just me? Can we PLEASE make the Knicks relevant again so he will just stick to basketball instead of spinning racial conspiracy theories?
Back to SYTYCD now. WOW, Cat's legs really DO go ALL the way to the floor. WOW. This dress MORE than makes up for her season 4 finale disaster. And PS, I think I have been ruined by Danny on Season 3. All guy dancers should be tremendous athletes that can jump out of the building while still looking graceful. No more Benjis. Danny has set the bar and forced all guy dancers from now on to be powerful. Kind of like Cal Ripken set the new mold for Shortstops and LT changed the game for LBs. Danny is the LT of dancing, if you ask me. He set the new standard. Singlehandedly raised the bar.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The tell-tale LOB
Edgar Allen Poe wrote the tell-tale heart of the man that killed an old house guest and bury him under the floorboards of his house. Then when the cops came to question him, his heart/conscience drove him made and gave him up.
Well tonight, after notching a first inning three-run home run, the Tell-tale LOB came in the second, when Omar Infante tripled to start the second inning. Next man up, Greg White lines out. The heart beats a little louder. Then Tommy Glavine Ks. The beat grows louder. Then Yunel can't bring Omar in. The beat is deafening.
Even though the Braves still had the lead, the LOB sent the Braves into a "We've been HERE before" like tailspin and the Cubs soon had the lead. Tommy had to leave the game with an elbow injury and apparently he will miss at least his next start. This on the same day that Smoltzie was scheduled to undergo the knife. Wow.
The Braves got the score to within one at 6-5 in the eighth but a Greg White strikeout with two men on doomed the rally and the Cubs put up 4 insurance runs in the bottom half of the frame to ice the Braves, improve the Cubs' record home run and extend the suffering of the BRaves on the road.
They just stink. Braves manager MAY want to call Mark Richt to try and inspire his guys. Maybe after a homerun, ALL the Braves players should run out like the teams do in college for a big crowded headslapping at the plate. Couldn't hurt. might even light a match under them.
But if something doesn't change soon, EVHEI might get the boot before too long. EHHHHHHHHHHHHH! :(
Well tonight, after notching a first inning three-run home run, the Tell-tale LOB came in the second, when Omar Infante tripled to start the second inning. Next man up, Greg White lines out. The heart beats a little louder. Then Tommy Glavine Ks. The beat grows louder. Then Yunel can't bring Omar in. The beat is deafening.
Even though the Braves still had the lead, the LOB sent the Braves into a "We've been HERE before" like tailspin and the Cubs soon had the lead. Tommy had to leave the game with an elbow injury and apparently he will miss at least his next start. This on the same day that Smoltzie was scheduled to undergo the knife. Wow.
The Braves got the score to within one at 6-5 in the eighth but a Greg White strikeout with two men on doomed the rally and the Cubs put up 4 insurance runs in the bottom half of the frame to ice the Braves, improve the Cubs' record home run and extend the suffering of the BRaves on the road.
They just stink. Braves manager MAY want to call Mark Richt to try and inspire his guys. Maybe after a homerun, ALL the Braves players should run out like the teams do in college for a big crowded headslapping at the plate. Couldn't hurt. might even light a match under them.
But if something doesn't change soon, EVHEI might get the boot before too long. EHHHHHHHHHHHHH! :(
Virginia to throw its former First Son under the bus
I want it on the record that I was no longer a full-time resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia when Michael Vick rose to prominance in Blacksburg, that black eye of Virginia. I was NOT there to vote to make Michael Vick the "golden child" of Virginia because if I HAD been, I certainly would NOT have cast a ballot in favor of that dude.
Then he followed me to Georgia somehow, and I got to witness how he was a criminal and lousy human being from right here in my own city. Could he play football? He played a certain-type of football, but after he refused to adapt and evolve once the rest of the league caught up to him and a blueprint was passed around of his game, he turned into a mess. Don't get me wrong, he COULD have changed the game, but after he stormed out in the playoffs and the Bucs came up with the blueprint in the 2001 playoffs, he DID change. Then in the 2004 playoffs, the Eagles came up with the new blueprint on how to stop him, but instead of adapting again, he stayed complacent and let the rest of the league turn him into a VERY mediocre QB. Even if he hadn't been in jail last year, the Falcons would have only gone 6-11. Let's not kid ourselves here. He was REFUSING to work and change and was getting worse by the game.
He was. You CANNOT argue that. The team's record got worse as did his stats.
Anyways, then it comes out that, even after all the chances he received with the maryjane, underage girls on myspace, and missing a Congressional breakfast, he gets popped for DOGFIGHTING. First he says it isn't true, then he cops a plea bargin. Yep, he ADMITS guilt to as little as he can. He was guilty. If he was innocent he wouldn't have had his boys turn on him and he would have wanted to clear his name. But he was trapped, so the gov't got as much as it could in a plea deal, KNOWING he would be going to jail for 23 months.
And now, the reason for this post....Virginia has announced that the state will wait until Vick's sentence is OVER before they will put him on trial for the state dogfighting charges. So once Vick ends his 23-month sentence, he could be going back to jail for another 12-18 months. Yeah. Wow. So that means he misses 2007,2008, MAYBE 2009 and possibly 2010, depending on the length of the prison term and With Roger Goodell in the NFL Commish's seat, Vick could be out ANOTHER year on a suspension. That would mean he isn't back on a playing field until 2011 or 2012? Wow. Hopefully that will teach some of these players a lesson. You think you are bigger than the law? The rules don't apply? The applied to Vick, who was deemed the face of the NFL by some people when he came into the league.
I do like that VA will make Vick face separate charges on his own and not concurrent with Federal Charges. Good. I love it.
Anyone that fights dogs, SHOULD be in jail for at least that long. Vick, Dude you deserve what is coming to ya, Bro! I really don't feel sorry for you. Just don't.
Then he followed me to Georgia somehow, and I got to witness how he was a criminal and lousy human being from right here in my own city. Could he play football? He played a certain-type of football, but after he refused to adapt and evolve once the rest of the league caught up to him and a blueprint was passed around of his game, he turned into a mess. Don't get me wrong, he COULD have changed the game, but after he stormed out in the playoffs and the Bucs came up with the blueprint in the 2001 playoffs, he DID change. Then in the 2004 playoffs, the Eagles came up with the new blueprint on how to stop him, but instead of adapting again, he stayed complacent and let the rest of the league turn him into a VERY mediocre QB. Even if he hadn't been in jail last year, the Falcons would have only gone 6-11. Let's not kid ourselves here. He was REFUSING to work and change and was getting worse by the game.
He was. You CANNOT argue that. The team's record got worse as did his stats.
Anyways, then it comes out that, even after all the chances he received with the maryjane, underage girls on myspace, and missing a Congressional breakfast, he gets popped for DOGFIGHTING. First he says it isn't true, then he cops a plea bargin. Yep, he ADMITS guilt to as little as he can. He was guilty. If he was innocent he wouldn't have had his boys turn on him and he would have wanted to clear his name. But he was trapped, so the gov't got as much as it could in a plea deal, KNOWING he would be going to jail for 23 months.
And now, the reason for this post....Virginia has announced that the state will wait until Vick's sentence is OVER before they will put him on trial for the state dogfighting charges. So once Vick ends his 23-month sentence, he could be going back to jail for another 12-18 months. Yeah. Wow. So that means he misses 2007,2008, MAYBE 2009 and possibly 2010, depending on the length of the prison term and With Roger Goodell in the NFL Commish's seat, Vick could be out ANOTHER year on a suspension. That would mean he isn't back on a playing field until 2011 or 2012? Wow. Hopefully that will teach some of these players a lesson. You think you are bigger than the law? The rules don't apply? The applied to Vick, who was deemed the face of the NFL by some people when he came into the league.
I do like that VA will make Vick face separate charges on his own and not concurrent with Federal Charges. Good. I love it.
Anyone that fights dogs, SHOULD be in jail for at least that long. Vick, Dude you deserve what is coming to ya, Bro! I really don't feel sorry for you. Just don't.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Braves get swept but DAWGS on to Omaha!
Yep, the Dawgs for the third time in 5 years are headed to Omaha for the College World Series, one of 8 teams remaining in the double elimination tourney. NICE. Go Dawgs. Gordon Beckham had two homers yesterday, tying him for the career record as a Dawg with 51. I can only imagine that he'll hit AT LEAST one to break that tie with Josh Morris. Come on Gordon! And they just SMACKED NC State yesterday, notching 9 in the first inning, then after NC State thought they'd be cute and cut the lead to 9-3, the Dawgs went at it again, piling on in the bottom half of that 7th inning. Then the NCSU pitcher threw at Lyle Allen after a home run, all you did was anger the beast! You don't spit at a Raptor as he is eating you. It is over, just left it go...
A little revenge for 1983...not really, but I can pretend right?
Now, as for the Braves, with Chipper out of the lineup the team was toothless, but they managed to stick around 3-3 for a while....until Blaine Boyer decided to pull a Boyer and ONCE AGAIN cost his team a game. WHY Bobby keeps bringing The Pride of Walton in, I have NO IDEA! It is a good thing he didn't come out to pitch on Saturday, because I would have rushed down from section 420 and pulled a John Wilkes Booth on him as he was on the mound. Yeah, Sic Semper Tyrranus! All over him!
But Tex yanked a Home Run to get the Braves close in the first, but Campillo has now struggled two straight starts. Let's hope he can pull it together, otherwise this team is in TROUBLE. If he struggles TOO much more, go ahead and bring Charlie Morton up from Richmond. We can see how that goes. Morton is lighting it up in AAA, maybe that can translate into some Zack Duke early success. It MIGHT even energize the team. Shoot, something needs to if Chipper is out for anything length of time with this torn quad.
Down 6.5 after being swept AT HOME by the division leader and now you go ON THE ROAD to the field of the team with the best home record in the National League....major crossroads here. Either we come together RIGHT NOW as a team, or we will DIE...as individuals.
You've gotta scratch and claw with your fingernails. Because the inches we need, are all around us.
Now, gentlemen...what are you gonna do?????
A little revenge for 1983...not really, but I can pretend right?
Now, as for the Braves, with Chipper out of the lineup the team was toothless, but they managed to stick around 3-3 for a while....until Blaine Boyer decided to pull a Boyer and ONCE AGAIN cost his team a game. WHY Bobby keeps bringing The Pride of Walton in, I have NO IDEA! It is a good thing he didn't come out to pitch on Saturday, because I would have rushed down from section 420 and pulled a John Wilkes Booth on him as he was on the mound. Yeah, Sic Semper Tyrranus! All over him!
But Tex yanked a Home Run to get the Braves close in the first, but Campillo has now struggled two straight starts. Let's hope he can pull it together, otherwise this team is in TROUBLE. If he struggles TOO much more, go ahead and bring Charlie Morton up from Richmond. We can see how that goes. Morton is lighting it up in AAA, maybe that can translate into some Zack Duke early success. It MIGHT even energize the team. Shoot, something needs to if Chipper is out for anything length of time with this torn quad.
Down 6.5 after being swept AT HOME by the division leader and now you go ON THE ROAD to the field of the team with the best home record in the National League....major crossroads here. Either we come together RIGHT NOW as a team, or we will DIE...as individuals.
You've gotta scratch and claw with your fingernails. Because the inches we need, are all around us.
Now, gentlemen...what are you gonna do?????
Not Sure What's Left to Prove
On and on and on we go
Where we hit the ground well no one knows
The game, the rules have changed and everyone is on their own
I've seen the real and it is good
It's made of mountains, gold, and burning wood
The time is right for you to open up and go right through the door
Everything-“The Real”
Unfortunately Braves pitcher/icon/“The Real” John Smoltz had to shut it down for 2008 to have his fifth surgery in his career and he turns 41 later this year. For any normal man, this may mean the end of a career. But John Smoltz is no normal man. He has already put out on the record that he would love to resume his historical career next season so that he might go out on his own terms. And I don’t just throw the phrase “historical career,” out because he is the face of my favorite team. He is the only pitcher in history to have racked up more than 200 wins with more than 150 saves and more than 3000 strikeouts. Yep the guy is simply amazing. Throw in his Cy Young award and his postseason victory totals and you have a bonafide Hall of Famer here in Atlanta. He even has a World Series ring that he could wear around town if he really wanted to.
Which is why he should walk away! I could understand if Smoltzie didn’t have a ring and he wanted to earn that piece of championship hardware to his impressive resume. He does though and if he is worried about leaving a gapping hole in Atlanta rotation, well any Hall of Famer’s retirement would, but the team seems to have found a new Ace in Tim Hudson and though Smoltz is without a doubt the team’s greatest closer of all-time, Mike Gonzalez and/or Raphael Soriano seem to have that job taken care of. Not that he is not needed, he certainly is, but the rotation seems to be getting younger with Jo-Jo Reyes coming into his own and Jair Jurrjens pitching well and Charlie Morton on the horizon, and the bullpen seems to replenish itself every so often with youngsters, trades and retreads.
If Smoltz wanted to walk away to a life of golf, he could. The Braves would miss him and they might want to consider naming the bullpen after him, but they could manage. And if Smoltz thinks that he is the missing piece for this team winning a championship next season, he is mistaken. This team isn’t going to win a title next season, maybe a division, but the Phillies are pretty good, as this past weekend proved. This team is more than a few pieces away, and to be honest, the 10-14M his salary would eat up MIGHT be better spent on an outfielder that can produce with the bases loaded (Frenchy!) or a first baseman that won’t refuse to go the other way like he is capable of when the infield has given him the Ryan Howard shift (Teixeira!).
This team will certainly miss John Smoltz if he decides not to come back, but the Braves will go on. And I am certain that Braves fans would rather see a John Smoltz able to still golf and greet fans with both arms rather than the guy go through a fifth surgery only to need another and possibly not be able to hug his kids or lift his grandkids down the line. There’s nothing left to prove Smoltzie. Hang it up, get your speech ready for Cooperstown and enjoy a round of golf for me. You deserve it!
The time is right for you to open up and go right through the door.
PS this is my weekly article for 790TheZone
PS#2, I also tweaked the lyrics just a tad, but two words for the purposes of this article. I would have asked the guys from Everything if that was OK, but they weren't allowed to take a break from their shifts at Home Depot to take my calls.
Where we hit the ground well no one knows
The game, the rules have changed and everyone is on their own
I've seen the real and it is good
It's made of mountains, gold, and burning wood
The time is right for you to open up and go right through the door
Everything-“The Real”
Unfortunately Braves pitcher/icon/“The Real” John Smoltz had to shut it down for 2008 to have his fifth surgery in his career and he turns 41 later this year. For any normal man, this may mean the end of a career. But John Smoltz is no normal man. He has already put out on the record that he would love to resume his historical career next season so that he might go out on his own terms. And I don’t just throw the phrase “historical career,” out because he is the face of my favorite team. He is the only pitcher in history to have racked up more than 200 wins with more than 150 saves and more than 3000 strikeouts. Yep the guy is simply amazing. Throw in his Cy Young award and his postseason victory totals and you have a bonafide Hall of Famer here in Atlanta. He even has a World Series ring that he could wear around town if he really wanted to.
Which is why he should walk away! I could understand if Smoltzie didn’t have a ring and he wanted to earn that piece of championship hardware to his impressive resume. He does though and if he is worried about leaving a gapping hole in Atlanta rotation, well any Hall of Famer’s retirement would, but the team seems to have found a new Ace in Tim Hudson and though Smoltz is without a doubt the team’s greatest closer of all-time, Mike Gonzalez and/or Raphael Soriano seem to have that job taken care of. Not that he is not needed, he certainly is, but the rotation seems to be getting younger with Jo-Jo Reyes coming into his own and Jair Jurrjens pitching well and Charlie Morton on the horizon, and the bullpen seems to replenish itself every so often with youngsters, trades and retreads.
If Smoltz wanted to walk away to a life of golf, he could. The Braves would miss him and they might want to consider naming the bullpen after him, but they could manage. And if Smoltz thinks that he is the missing piece for this team winning a championship next season, he is mistaken. This team isn’t going to win a title next season, maybe a division, but the Phillies are pretty good, as this past weekend proved. This team is more than a few pieces away, and to be honest, the 10-14M his salary would eat up MIGHT be better spent on an outfielder that can produce with the bases loaded (Frenchy!) or a first baseman that won’t refuse to go the other way like he is capable of when the infield has given him the Ryan Howard shift (Teixeira!).
This team will certainly miss John Smoltz if he decides not to come back, but the Braves will go on. And I am certain that Braves fans would rather see a John Smoltz able to still golf and greet fans with both arms rather than the guy go through a fifth surgery only to need another and possibly not be able to hug his kids or lift his grandkids down the line. There’s nothing left to prove Smoltzie. Hang it up, get your speech ready for Cooperstown and enjoy a round of golf for me. You deserve it!
The time is right for you to open up and go right through the door.
PS this is my weekly article for 790TheZone
PS#2, I also tweaked the lyrics just a tad, but two words for the purposes of this article. I would have asked the guys from Everything if that was OK, but they weren't allowed to take a break from their shifts at Home Depot to take my calls.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
You could even SEE it happen
For Wifey's birthday, our whole gang went to Turner Field and sweated through yet another crushing loss to the Phillies and unfortunately, things were even worse after the game. Chipper Jones tied the game in the 6th inning with a 2 run bomb to center that got the Braves fans thinking, "Hey, maybe the Bravos CAN take two of three from Philly!" Afterall, Jo-Jo had gone 7 innings, striking out 8 and the Braves had rallied from allowing two solo shots to tie it at 2 and Chipper was batting in the bottom of the 7th. But on a grounder to end the inning Chipper was hustling down the line and I yelled out, "Don't run too hard."
Well, something snapped, or tore. Chipper is out of Sunday's game with a torn quad and he could miss a few days. And sure enough, in the top of the 8th, two runs came home to score for Philly and in the 9th, Jimmy Rollins ended the game with a two run dong. Final score 6-2.
Jo-Jo pitched great, until the 8th...the guy was just out of gas. Frenchy CONTINUES to disappoint, same with Tex. And I also am impressed by Josh Anderson. That kid can FLY. I hope he gets used a little more out in the field and on the bases.
But finally, I just hope Chipper gets better soon, because he is the only thing keeping this team relevant right now. And if he misses too much time, when he returns, the chase for .400 on a 3rd/4th place team in the division WON'T matter as much.
And the Dawgs also lost yesterday, but UGA is 15-0 at Foley Field in elimination games, so history is on David Perno and the Diamond Dawgs' side. Let's hope Beckham and Fields get it done today!
Well, something snapped, or tore. Chipper is out of Sunday's game with a torn quad and he could miss a few days. And sure enough, in the top of the 8th, two runs came home to score for Philly and in the 9th, Jimmy Rollins ended the game with a two run dong. Final score 6-2.
Jo-Jo pitched great, until the 8th...the guy was just out of gas. Frenchy CONTINUES to disappoint, same with Tex. And I also am impressed by Josh Anderson. That kid can FLY. I hope he gets used a little more out in the field and on the bases.
But finally, I just hope Chipper gets better soon, because he is the only thing keeping this team relevant right now. And if he misses too much time, when he returns, the chase for .400 on a 3rd/4th place team in the division WON'T matter as much.
And the Dawgs also lost yesterday, but UGA is 15-0 at Foley Field in elimination games, so history is on David Perno and the Diamond Dawgs' side. Let's hope Beckham and Fields get it done today!
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