Friday, May 30, 2008

They did it again!

I remember playing golf with Daddio one year at the DFBGC, and he was still in contention at the time when he pounded about 3 straight balls into the woods on number 16 to effectively END his run at the championship. After his first drive, he teed up another ball and hit is smack in the woods and exclaimed, "I did it again!" Then he reached into his pocket, and as my brother (the Lil Man, who LIVES in Cincinnati) and I watched, he plunked YET ANOTHER ball into seemingly the same spot of woods and he yelled, "I did it AGAIN." As he was about to tee up another one, the Lil Man and myself talked him into dropping one up by the trees.
I tell this story, because as the Braves walked off the Great American Ballpark field tonight, losers 3-2 in 11 innings, they had to have been thinking, "We did it AGAIN," with the same disbelieving, incredulous/semi-mad smile across their collective faces. YET ANOTHER ONE LOSS GAME.
This one was tough though. They had a 1-0 lead entering the bottom of the 6th, finally giving Tommy Glavine some run support. As Greg Norton lead off the seventh, the Braves were trailing 2-1, but Norton doubled and came around to knot the game at 2. The BRaves would score no more this evening, but the sad part was back in the 6th. I should not complain because the Braves WERE able to manufacture a run following a Kelly Johnson leadoff double, but he was on second with NO outs and Chipper (a .400 hitter) and lil tex (a guy that is leading the team in RBI, shockingly, and is the cleanup man, so you THINK he'd be good in a situation like this.) True they got the run home, but it took BOTH making OUTS to get it done. I was kinda hoping for a single by Chipper and a double by Tex to get it done. Then with 2nd and 3rd maybe McCann and Frenchy making the two outs to get two more runs in. Just saying. I was glad, but at the time I was also worried it would come back to haunt the Braves.
Call me Clare. Clare Voyent.

Well Jair gets the start tomorrow, but it is AWAY from the Ted, so we shall see how he does. Hopefully he can pick up the win so maybe Huddy can get the Sunday win and the Braves can earn a roadtrip split before the Phish hit the town.

That's it. Otherwise, I am disappointed in the Georgia athletic program today. I wore my black G polo shirt today and the golf team struggled in the third round and the baseball lost to enter the losers' bracket of the Athens regional. I will now light that shirt on fire....with me wearing it. The Dawgs need to win twice tomorrow and then twice Sunday to advance. Can they do it? Yeah, but it would have been a LOT easier to just win today, tomorrow around 2 then Sunday around 3. Just saying.
Also, Big Brown goes next week. I saw where the trainer guaranteed a win. Really? With an injured foot and no triple crown winner since Re-affirmed in 1978, you just wanna call Karma out like that? Bold move. We shall see.

End of Week Entertainment report

Wait, it's FRIDAY....Too many stories that just couldn't wait until next Wednesday.

I saw where Rachel Ray's scarf on a Dunkin Donuts billboard is causing a flap because some people think it means she supports Muslim Terrorists. OK.
I am wearing a white shirt right now. Does that mean I support the klan? NO.
She was wearing a friggin scarf. Get over it people. Seriously. SERIOUSLY. A SCARF!
Unless Rachel Ray is suddenly doing Palenstine on $40 a day. Come on guys. Give her a break. I seriously DOUBT Rachel Ray is about supporting Muslim Terrorists.

Sex & The City is debuting today and I am excited. Not because I am going to see it. In fact I am NOT planning on seeing it. But what I AM excited about is Shia LaDouche's movie LOSING its top spot. Hey there LABOOF, don't think Indy Jones was #1 because of you. Because it wasn't. In fact LaBOOF might be so depressed he allegedly gets drunk and wanders through a Walgreens. WATCH OUT WALGREENS ACROSS AMERICA! SHIA'S GOT A BOTTLE!

I saw where Bill Murray's wife has filed for divorce. She based it on addiction and abuse. That might seem strange, but not if you remember Murray's reaction to losing for his role in Lost In Translation. The look on his face right there, he looked like he was ready to beat someone RIGHT THEN.

Finally, I saw where MMMMMMMBop's Zac Hanson had a kid this week. HUH? That guy is a kid himself. Wait, he's 22? I wonder if the child was conceived in the bathroom of Kings Dominion or Six Flags Dayton. Or on a cruise ship, between sets. Apparently Hanson is still touring? REALLY? Who am I kidding. I loved that band in middle school. My bad.

That's it. Have a GREAT WEEKEND. Go BIG BROWN (my nickname in High School.)

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Campillo, the new streak-snapper!

So with Smoltz, Glavine, Hudson, Hampton and Reyes as the projected rotation entering the season, who woulda thunk that JORGE CAMPILLO (once called the Hispanic Blaine Boyer by some one???) would be the guy the BRaves needed in Milwaukee to bust the losing streak. Yep, not only did he do it with 5 strong innings (only one run on 73 pitches), but he did it with the BAT TOO! It just took a PITCHER to wake up the bats.
Oh, Lil Tex also drove in 4, 3 on a home run to put this game away in the fifth, and Kelly Johnson drove in a pair as well. Chipper was 2-4 and is now hitting .420. NICE.
Well the confidence of beating a bad team 8-1 (and getting one of the three games) should be boosted heading into the Bandbox that is Great American Ballpark of Cincinnasty. The Braves will have to watch out for Jay Bruce, but with Jair, Tommy and Huddy to projected starters, this series should be AT LEAST 2of3 from the Reds.

Let's make it happen Cap'n. Trip the Light Fantastic!

Reasserting ourselves as No. 1!

I logged on to the ajc.com this morning and saw two stories about animals attacking humans (obviously the lowest of the human species since someone from the top tier ala Chuck Norris or Tim Tebow would never get attacked by an animal. They would laugh the animal off) and at first thought, "Oh no, the dominance scale MAY have to get readjusted."
But then I kept reading and actually I was a little relieved with what I found. Here are bits and excerpts from the shark attack article.

No one could even remember a shark attack along this resort-studded stretch of Mexican coast popular with surfers and Hollywood's elite. Many of the large predators had been pulled from the ocean by fishermen.
So when sharks attacked three surfers in less than a month, two fatally, it was unthinkable. The latest attack came Saturday, when a shark chomped down on the arm of surfing enthusiast Bruce Grimes, an American expat who runs a surf shop in Zihuatanejo.
You here that? It had been years to the point no one could remember a shark attack. You know why? Because WE went into THEIR home field and BEAT them aka pulled them out. Yeah that's right. We basically went INTO enemy territory like Mark Richt, and like Richt usually does, we walked out as the victors!
The article continues: Grimes and a handful of other surfers were out on dark, choppy waters when he felt something lift his board. He managed about five strokes before teeth sank into his arm. "Shark!" he screamed, wresting his arm back. Grimes made it to shore, escaping with a few gashes. This shark gave its all, and the HUMAN was able to wrestle the shark for his arm back. All he got was a few gashes. That's right. We TOOK your best shot and we WON. Beyotch!
The article also interviewed several experts: University of Florida expert George Burgess' International Shark Attack File records an average of only four fatal shark attacks around the world each year. This year, there has been only one other recorded shark fatality outside Mexico — a 66-year-old surfer killed at Solana Beach, Calif. Marine biologist Chris Lowe says, "People have a much better chance of dying of food poisoning going to Mexico than being bitten by a shark," he said. "It's far more dangerous driving to the beach than it is getting in the water." First off, suspend your disbelief that a U of Florida person could be an expert on anything besides trailers, jeanshorts, mullets and wifebeaters. But only FOUR "wins for sharks" vs HOW many wins for Humans? Yeah. 4-7098653. There you go. As for Chirs Lowe, did you see HIS comment? Yeah, humans have a greater chance of getting killed by other humans in a CAR (a human invention BTW) than by a shark. Yeah.
Finally Mexican experts are planning a catch-and-release study to determine the species of sharks that has been attacking. And maritime officials, stung by the backlash over the shark hunt, have switched to conducting sea and aerial patrols to watch for sharks near shore. Where are the shark's experts? Hmmmm? Yeah they don't have any, JUST like they don't have any opposable thumbs. Yeah! Take that.

Then I ran across another article about a guy getting eaten by lions, but again, I took a little pride in this one.
Police say six caged lions left only fingers and intestines after eating a worker giving them water. The lions attacked the 49-year-old man Tuesday after he went inside their cage to deliver water, police said Wednesday. No one witnessed the attack. Environmental affairs was called to the game farm, which cages lions and other animals for tourists' viewing, to discus the fate of the lions First off, I have to say, the lions were in CAGES, the first sign of our dominance over them. Secondly, it took SIX lions to do this. Yeah, I bet the guy could have taken on FIVE, but the sixth probably sneaked up on him like the wrestlers used to back when people still watched the WWE and WCW/NWO. Did you see the part about the game farm have a BUNCH of animals in cages (yeah, we went INTO your domain and captured you WITH OUR OPPOSABLE THUMBS! NOW YOU ARE OUR ENTERTAINMENT!) Finally, we might kill the lions for killing one of us. That's right. You mess with us, this is what happens. You mess with the BULL, you get THE HORNS!

I am just proud that humans are still number one on the dominance scale and despite attacks to the throne, we still have a firm grip on the place and we won't be giving it up anytime soon. Why? We don't plan on cutting off our thumbs anytime soon. HA!

The offense is the reason for the teardrops on my guitar

Sorry, I heard that Taylor Swift song on the way to work and thought I'd throw it in here.
Ummmm could the equipment manager please UNPACK the bats from the travel bags? Apparently the Braves have been unable to find them the last 13 innings. PLEASE?!?!?!
Jo-Jo Reyes gives you 7 BIG innings last night, allowing only one run, and you can't scratch off a SINGLE run of JEFF SUPPAN? COME ON! No runs at all? Then Solomon Torres factors into the final standings again? First a win Tuesday, now a save Wednesday? The guy is 103 years old.
You are HELPING the Brew Crew turn its season around. GOSH!

Good job by Jo-Jo, good job by the bullpen, but the offense? JUST. NOT. THERE.
Tex? Chipper? Yunel? McCann? Anyone home? Anyone feeling like driving in a run? You touch up Brandon Webb, but you can't take down Jeff Suppan?
Bobby Cox is doing his best Tommy Bowden impression here, getting up for FSU, but falling to Duke. CRAP! Come on Bravos.
Now for you to go 4 of 6 on the roadtrip, you've got to win tonight (Jorge Campillo and his blisters take to the mound for his THIRD start. And we are counting on this guy. a little scared here) and then sweep the Reds. Not saying that can't happen, but in that bandbox of a ballpark it is ALWAYS a crapshoot, especially when the bats are missing things.

Against Webb you proved you could, so we know the Offense can. It just isn't right now.

WAKE UP BATS!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Mid-week Entertainment report 5/28

Matching yellows, A Grand Theft actor feels he got mugged and a Glitter-free Shot of Tequila
It's the Midweek entertainment report!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP

I saw where Lance Armstrong and Kate Hudson have made their relationship public. So since she left the Black Crows guy, she has been seen with Owen Wilson, (Luke too?) and now Lance Armstrong. Wow. Also her yellow dress from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days will match Lance's Livestrong bracelet. How cute. Actually, anything would go with that Yellow Dress. That might have been the apex of the color yellow. Moreso than that whiny Coldplay song. It marked a high point like the black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany's for Hepburn. Just saying.

The "actor" that voiced over a character from Grand Theft Auto 4 feels cheated because he ONLY got paid $100,000 for voicing the game's main character. Apparently this poor schmo "worked" for 15 months reading a script and only walked way with 6 digits. He feels he should get a piece of the near $400M the game has raked in thus far. I say get a better agent/lawyer to put that in your contract. Or turn down the job. I'd love to "go to work," and read a script in my PJs. AND GET PAID 6 DIGITS! Sorry dude. Don't feel anything for you. Put the gig on your resume and move on. Though I think you would CLEARLY do GTA5 if they called you and you know you would so SHADDUP!

Finally in last night's A Shot At Love with Tila Tequila, Glitter finally got the boot after she refused to judge anybody but then DID get nekked in the pool. WOW. And why Jersey continues to be on the show, I am not sure, but he got a key over Scotty, and that was wrong. But Scotty didn't add the drama that Jersey Jay did and to be honest, she isn't choosing either, so why NOT keep the drama king around for fun. And sorry Glitter, maybe your strip club will let you back to dance, but odds are you will now try and become a traveling stripper for a year or so and hope that weirdos (like me) will go to the local Pink Pony (which I won't. NOT a fan of da strip clubs) and watch you "dance." But I never thought you were a lezbinen anyways, so I am glad you are gone. And PS, Tila is TOTALLY picking a girl this time. George/Bobby/Jersey left to represent the male species? Guys are screwed. But we kind of new that was coming. Bo is the best bet left, and he is too much like Bobby from last season for Tila to choose. Odds...Britney or Lisa. Just saying. Though Kristy is coming on late.

You saw this one coming didn't you?

The Braves spot their Ace Tim Hudson a 2-0 lead and Huddy pitches strong into the 6th. Come the 7th, he lets one in and in the eighth with two outs, a grounder off his foot ties the game. Huddy guts it out, stays in and retires the next batter with the bases loaded.
ALRIGHT BRAVES! Huddy gave you a chance to win, with Chipper, Tex, McCann and Frenchy due up let's get him a run and get pull out the first game with Milwaukee with a win....Chipper knocks a single (2-4 on the night. NICE). Now lil tex is up...
GIDP. I turn it back to A Shot at Love 2 with Tila Tequila.
I do manage to flip back for the bottom of the ninth and see Bennett fielding a sac bunt. Then Bill Hall steals third as Bennett is just THINKING about going home. Not good. Brew Crew gets Hall home, Braves lose YET ANOTHER one-run game.

Huddy gave the team 8 innings and only allowed 2 runs. And the offense AGAIN couldn't take advantage of ducks on the pond! Gotta get them in the water.
Now Jo-Jo pitches tonight and the Braves have to hope he can get over his last bad outing with 2 good ones, as he has done throughout his career.

Finally, I would like to address ESPN's Joe Morgan and the AJC's DOB (who now appears on 680 The Fan's Buck N Kincade) if you want to steal my theory about the Marlins being the best run franchise in MLB, fine, just give me my credit. That's all I ask. DOB, if you want to take MY THOUGHTS to 680, that's fine. 790 reported it first. You know we did. But 680 is a minor league station. "live programming?" do they even do that? Just wondering. DOB, if you ever want to call in to 790's EVH Extra Innings right after all Braves weeknight homegames (plus a few on the weekend too!) you go right ahead 404) 233-7979 *790 is a free call on your AT&T phone.
Same goes to you Joe Morgan. We can discuss MY theory which I brought up LAST TUESDAY. Not yesterday like DOB. Not Sunday like Joe Morgan, but LAST TUESDAY!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Ba da BA BOP! SYTYCD!

Hey Hey, American Idol is over, so that means Summer is upon us. And that means....
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE IS BACK!
Hecks yeah! Cat Deeley and crew are back for Season 4 and I am excited.
Let's get to my thoughts on the season premiere!

The Italian Guy that was a professional in Italy, but somehow lived in LA? Hmmm. And PS, where is the broken English? Maybe your MOM was Italian, but you Sir seem to be PRETTY MUCH an Apple Pie American. Well, maybe an Apple Pie with Alfredo Sauce on top. But you seem pretty darn American.

The Blind chick that danced. Hey, I guess it is inspirational to all the blind people watching (wait for it...) but I don't get it. And as for the judges, quit walking on eggshells in your assessment. You are saying you aren't taking her because of her technique. JUST SAY YOU AREN'T TAKING HER BECAUSE SHE IS BLIND! How can she learn the choreography? By braille? She wouldn't be able to do it. Yeah she can dance (badly) in her bedroom, but she isn't right for the show. YOU ARE ALLOWED to say that. And Mia, stop crying.

This guy David aka SEX, if you want him to STOP showing up just to be on TV, stop putting his sorry butt on TV. The minute he sees he wasn't on camera, he will stop coming out. But No Nigel, you want him for a ratings bump. And therefore he will get the airtime he seeks and he'll keep coming out. It was funny the first time, maybe even chuckle-inducing the second time. But I am bored with him.

Cat Deeley was looking hotter than ever. She is like Erin Andrews crossed with Mary Poppins. I don't care if Roomie thinks her face is crooked. I don't see it Cat. I think you are FINE! But your outfits sometimes need an adjustment, but you are British, so you get a pass.

Victor Kim was funny and impressive, but he COMPLETELY fell apart in the choreography workshop. THat's a shame. He would have had ALL of Georgia Tech voting for him.

The Black dude that "danced" to the Poetry reading??? Not impressed. I just didn't get it, in fact he probably turned off quite a few people with that. But oh well. I just don't want him to get pigeonholed as "That guy." I am afraid he did that to himself.

Moving on to the second hour. The Gold Inferno is back? And when asked why, IT IS B/C YOU PUT HIM ON TV. I do like that the judges openly mock him. Call the losers losers. I like that. Don't give them ANY false hope like Paula Abdul does. Tell it like it is!

And PS, why do they let the previous year's losers back to watch? The Dominic guy was sitting up there gawking at the chicks. Does American Idol do this? Does Constantine come back to watch? Well yes, but that's just because his janitor shift at the theater hasn't started yet.

Then the Gold Inferno says, "They go and shut me down. I am disappointed. I am angry. Why would they do that?" Maybe because you are an a-hole in a mask. Yeah. Problem solved. Professor Plum with the candlestick in the kitchen. DONE!

I HATE it when people blame a lack of talent on "being sick". TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! DON'T GET SICK. I don't get sick. Neither does Chuck Norris. This is kind of a job interview for some of these people. DOn't go out the night before. Sleep in a climate controlled room. USE YOUR HEAD!
The reason I say this is the "sick" Asian ballroom dancer SUDDENLY looks well as she celebrates three YESes, but then they find out they must be split up for the choreogrpahy and she is sick again. INTERESTING. And even if they turn out to do well, then they've OVERCOME the sickness. But they have a built-in excuse if they fail. Don't like it. Just don't.

I can't tell what contemporary dancing is good. It all looks like a fish flopping about to me. Sorry. I am not classy, like San Diego.

The Woman's soccer player (Carrington) with the male voice! I am now rooting for JANET RENO! SWEET! ANd after she spoke she INSTANTLY got uglier. She just did. SO WEIRD.

I saw a Moment of Truth Promo for tonight's episode. The question was, "While you were dating your ex-girlfriend, were you cheating on her?" And the guy looks flustered and the ex-girlfriend says, "I can sit here for this." Ummm she is your EX! Who cares? Just say "HECK YEAH, But you are MARRIED NOW so what does it matter?" That show has jumped the shark!

Did that one chick just say the judges were "racist against tall people? Damn tall people! I hate 'em!

The final popper guy, pretty wild. Can't wait to see more.

And the sick Asian made it to Vegas, and when they announced, she AGAIN didn't look sick. But I bet she comes down with a cold if she starts to struggle in Vegas. Which would be weird with the dry climate and all.....Should be interesting.

Can't wait for the next episode!

Ba da BAH BOP! SO you think you can DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE!

Vince Young nearly QUIT after Rookie Year?

I saw this on ESPN.com...

Vince Young, the Tennessee Titans 2006 Rookie of the Year told NFL.com in an interview posted on Monday that he considered retirement after his first season.

"I really thought long and hard about it," Young told the Web site. "There was so much going on with my family. It was crazy being an NFL quarterback. It wasn't fun anymore. All of the fun was out of it. All of the excitement was gone. All I was doing was worrying about things. My teammates helped lift me out of it. I prayed really hard. And I began to focus on God's calling for me. Play football. Be a role model."

Young was installed as the Titans starter in Week 4 of his rookie season and led Tennessee to an 8-8 record. The Titans barely missed making the playoffs, but Young was named to the Pro Bowl.

Last season, the Titans did make it to the playoffs, but Young threw all nine of the team's touchdown passes for the fewest of any team in the league. Nonetheless, he learned to live with the pressure of being an NFL quarterback.

He proved that to himself when he handled scrutiny that came his way when pictures of him drinking shirtless at a party showed up on the Internet.

"I have a stronger circle," Young told the Web site. "Now I can handle this kind of stuff without it making me want to give up football. I learned that 24/7 I'm representing the Titans and, especially, the kids all over I am trying to influence. I look at my man Michael Vick. I learned from that. I look at Pacman [Jones]. I learned from that. I look at some troubles recently for rappers T.I. and Lil Wayne, guys I listen to. I learned from them. I've learned from my life."


Ummm Vince, if you didn't want to be a PRO QB, then WHY did you leave Texas one year early when you could have come back and maybe won the Heisman (which you said you really wanted to win) and maybe won back-to-back titles? No one would have slowed you down that year and you could have run ALL OVER that Florida defense in the BCS Championship game.

Vince you left Texas so you could go to the PROs and get PAID. And you then wanted to give that up? Why? Too much pressure? OK, quit then and go work at Applebee's as a dishwasher. That's a little less pressure. But the money isn't quit the same.

If I am a Titans Fan, I am disturbed by this news BIG TIME. Then I am also freaking out that he considers Michael Vick his "man." And I am glad that he is learning lessons from TI and Lil Wayne, but maybe he should listen to his coaches a little more? MAYBE!?!?! Oh that's right. He's too busy getting them fired, then NOT showing up to help the new guy install his new offense.
MY BAD!

Why so much love for the Pistons?

Just a few things I need cleared up by a Pistons fan out there. I was watching the Pistons beat the Celtics last night, even though I guess I should have stopped watching since Stu Scott said that the Celtics were playing horribly at the half (they were only down 4, does that mean the Pistons were half a step above Horrible? Did that make them just terrible?).

I just don't get all the love that the Pistons get from EVERYONE. Umm they don't have a superstar, but we are told THEY PLAY TEAM BALL. I think I'd rather have a superstar, thank you. THEY PLAY GREAT DEFENSE! Nothing gets the newcomer to the NBA juices flowing QUITE like an 81-74 game! Even for a guy that watches the playoffs EVERY YEAR, I appreciated it the first year, but then they cost the Lakers the title back in 2004. Not that I am a Lakers fan, but I would rather they have won than a boring team that threatened to bring the NBA back to the days of clutch-n-grab

Let me get THIS straight...Richard Hamilton broke a bone in his face HOW many years ago and he STILL wears that mask EVEN though he has healed? How is that legal? Isn't that thing a bit of an advantage for him? Like Barry Bonds wearing all that gear at the plate. Could you imagine if Kobe Bryant wore that? We'd rip him a new one for continuing to look dumb.

ALSO, "Mr. Big Shot," Chauncey Billups? Where did that nickname come from? I am trying to recall any big shot to clinch a series or win a game or just a memorable one.....CAN'T. RECALL. A. SINGLE. ONE. I don't even recall one back in his Colorado days...his Boston days...his Toronto days..his Denver days... Can someone help me out here? I hit a few shots in the rec league I used to play in. Call ME Mr. Big Shot!

And I know this was the first appearance in the playoffs for Hawks fans in a while, but I recall the Atlanta fans getting ripped by national experts and media folk for using the Thunderstix to make noise in their THREE WINS over BOSTON AT HOME. However, the last two games against Boston, I noticed that the Pistons faithful were banging away on those same thunderstix as they LOST AT HOME to Boston in Game 3 and the Thunderstix were out again in the THRILLING game 4 snorefest of a first half. Interesting. I WILL be watching ATH, PTI and reading ESPN to see if the Pistons fans are ripped just like Atlanta fans were.

Finally, back to the PA announcer. I STILL hate that guy. He went OFF for about four paragraphs while introing MR. BIG SHOT last night. Maybe he was telling the story of how Chauncey got the nickname? I don't know. I just hate the guy. DUDE, QUIT trying to swipe the spotlight from the game...AND TNT/ESPN, quit showing this guy and MAYBE he'll stop or at least TONE IT DOWN. You will NEVER be the guy from Chicago circa 1996-7-8. Stop trying please.
Thanks

So if Nathan or some other Pistons fan could PLEASE explain these things to me, that would be FANTASTIC!

Monday, May 26, 2008

Does this mean Cox reads my blogs?

Just one day after not lifting Tom Glavine with the Braves leading with two outs in the fourth and the game in the balance, Cox was faced with the same situation today, and Bobby went to the pen. Exit Jurrjens and enter Jeff Bennett and the side was retired and the Braves would go on to win 7-3, finishing the homestand 8-3 and beating Brandon Webb in the process. Webb is arguably the NL's best pitcher (though I would argue for MY BOY Tim Hudson) and the Braves got to him in the first and in the third and knocked him out in the fifth.
Nice work guys.
Tex had a pair of two-run hits (a double in the first and a single in the third) and I was worried about the Braves possibly stranding two runners on at first and third when Webb misplayed a Jurrjens' bunt in either the second or the third (sorry, can't recall) but a walk to Chipper gave lil tex the bases juiced and he delivered.

Good work there lil tex. way to finish the homestand right, and hopefully you can carry the MO into Milwaukee and help the team improve on its 3.78 runs per game average on the road.

Finally, I just like that the Braves were playing to WIN this game, not worrying about if the starter got his stats. I wish Bobby would have done this yesterday too, but he DID do it today, and I say WORRY about the TEAM getting the W, not whether or not the starter gets it. Would it be nice if the starting pitcher could get you 5IPs? yes it would, but I would like to think that all the starters would rather the team get the win, make the postseason and make a run at that ring.

Good work today guys and I said yesterday the team NEEDED to win today to call this a successful homestand. Call it a success. Especially the way they went AT Webb. Good job guys. Lets take 4 of 6 on this road trip. Huddy should get you one tomorrow and if either Jo-Jo or Jorge can pick one up, I like either Jurrjens/Glavine/Huddy should get you another!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

What were you going to do, Danica?

Were you going to throw down? Were you going to try and kick his butt?
Danica Patrick was forced out of the Indianapolis 500 earlier today via a crash on pit row and after the race, she apparently had to have security restrain her from confronting the guy that knocked her out of the race. She was furious according to reports and in the post-race interview she certainly was curt to the on-site reporter just trying to do his job. Witnesses say that in the pit area, she had removed her gloves and seemed ready to fight.

Here is my question, WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO DO? Were you going to try and fight him? And if you were, was he going to be allowed to punch back? I get so confused Danica, because you say you want to be treated the same, but then you go out and do photo shoots for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue because you are a woman and you say you like being a woman in a man's world and all that crap. So I have to ask....would he have been allowed to hit you back after you slapped at him some?

You seem to fly off the handle too a bunch. The youtube video of you stomping around. Classic stuff. Here is the deal though. Even though you want to be treated like all of the other drivers, how about you ACT like all the other drivers. I didn't see Tony Kanaan trying to fight Marco Andretti after Andretti made a move to cost him first place. I also didn't see Kanaan go after Sarah Fisher as she crashed into him and cost him any sort of finish at all.

Danica, I see you making a lot of noise, ala Michelle Wie, but not doing much else. Oh, you won a race in Japan, or where ever it was held. Great job. You FINALLY won something. But until you start winning the ONLY race that matters on that circuit (the race that was held today at Indy) or you winning a points/season championship, I won't take you seriously because it seems you are pulling an Anna Kournikova,ie al lot of fluff with very little substance.

If you want me to take you seriously, win some big races, IN AMERICA and maybe I will give you your props, which I still haven't seen that you have earned. To be honest, I have seen better women drivers in downtown Atlanta on a Thursday afternoon. Sorry if that makes me sexist or whatever (it doesn't, because if she was a dude, she would have lost her ride a LONG time ago, if she/he had ever gotten that ride to begin with), but it is true. You want to play with the boys? Prove that you should be on their level and not just an attention grab.

Just please, no more photo shoots or appearances on Letterman until you win something in AMERICA. How bout it? Deal?

Oh I would have LOVED it if the security had not stepped in. That dude would have laid you OUT after he stopped laughing at you. Can someone youtube THAT?

Let's cut the cute crap, BOBBY!

Yeah, a pitcher has to pitch 5 innings in order to register for the win. Tommy Glavine was one out away from reaching the magical 5IP mark.
Then he gave up a double. Then a walk, his fifth of the day. Then another walk, his sixth of the day. He was over 100 pitches at this point and since he is the twin of the ancient mariner, MAYBE you should have yanked him from the contest. As much as he would have loved to have gotten the win, I am sure he would have rather the BRAVES have gotten the win instead of both losing! Glavine gave up the Grand Slam and the Braves went on to lose today 9-3, even though they led at the time of the at-bat 3-2.
Bobby didn't have a problem pulling Tommy from a start earlier in the year where he was up by several and had gone 4.2, needing only one pitch. Shoot, he pulled Campillo yesterday after four (but he did have a blister, I guess that's why). But just because you like Glavine and want him to get his third win of the year, you also have to look out for what is best for this team.
Glavine is NOT Smoltz. He just isn't. He cannot summon up a 95 mph slider or cut-fastball when he needs it. Just can't. He was having control issues all day and he gave up the Grand Dong because he didn't want to surrender an RBI walk.
As for lil tex, after finishing the Mets' series 9-14, he is thus far 0-11 against the D-Backs. Good thing he faces BWebb tomorrow. And let's hope Chipper's back issues go away soon. The team needs his bat in the lineup, if for nothing else so Omar Infante DOESN'T have to start.
The Braves needed this one and they let it slip away. Now I say they HAVE to win tomorrow to call this homestand a success. They are 7-3 right now, but if they lose 3 of 4 to Arizona to wrap it up, that kills any MO they might have gained from the Mets' sweep. Just one man's opinion, but then again, I have a show on 790The Zone about the Braves and I cover the Braves' Beat for Score Atlanta. So I know a bit about the team. I think they NEED a series tie to get some positive juice for the 6 game road trip to Milwaukee and Cincy, then the home series against the Marlins. If anything so the team will remember they CAN win against ANYONE at home when the Fish do come to town on June 2.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Frenchy delivers the Braves from evil

If Evil is translated as The Big Unit in English....

The Braves put up the good fight against Arizona today, getting a run off a hustle triple with Gregor Blanco and Yunel Escobar getting the first run off Big unit Randy Johnson and getting the winning runs off a Diamondbacks reliever in the 9th.

Jorge Campello continues to look good as a starter and is making me eat crow, grilled, broiled, boiled, grilled, baked, fried, scampi, filleted, soup.... as he made his second straight start a fantastic one, going 5+, and not allowing a run as a starter. He dropped his ERA even further than his .99 entering the contest. Jeff Bennett allowed the tying run, but nothing else and Chipper, in the bottom on the 9th got on via the single to the opposite field and he advanced on lil tex's ground-out. The announcers from Fox RAVED about Tex's "productive out", but I say, 12.8M and you are happy with a productive out? Gimme a break.

Thank goodness for Frenchy's walk-off HR. 3-1 your final. Braves win braves win!

If Glavine can give a winning performance Sunday against Micah Ownings, then maybe the Braves CAN get at least a split, which is what I wanted from this series going onto the road. Hopefully Tommy can school the youngster that has a little Babe Ruth in him with the hitting. Come on Bravos. Get this win and forge a tie in the series.

Chipper continues to impress, and though Dave Wright had a HR in the win against Colorado today for the Mets, Chipper had the more important hit and he SHOULD start the All-star game at third, but THIS is what happens when you give fans the vote.

Just saying.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Mama said there'd be days like this

There'd be days like this my mama said.....
11-1. Yeouch. The Braves were never really in this game after the first inning. Maybe Jo-Jo could have gotten out of it, but the walks killed him and the wet grass hurt him because with the double that died in the outfield. Oh well. Braves committing those errors in the field certainly didn't help things out either.

But they were bound to lose a home game eventually. 20-6 is nothing to scoff at.

Tonight on EVH Extra Innings, MEL finally called the show (that means we've arrived. He even called us baseball experts. Wow. In case you don't know who Mel is, obvie you don't listen to ATL sports talk radio, but you haven't "made" it until Mel calls your show. So cool. We've made it) but we discussed if we would trade the entire Braves team for another entire team. I would ONLY trade the Braves for the Angels, Red Sox and the D-Backs. I would consider the Phils and maybe NEXT year the Marlins, but I'd take the Braves over everyone else. I think a lot of this team and the potential it has.

Does the team have negatives, of course, but it also has positives. Huddy, McCann, Chipper, lil tex, Smoltzie. There is a lot of good on this team. If the BRaves can win the next two, that might give them a shot against Webb, but I am not holding my breath. I want the Bravos to split this series with the D-Backs to springboard the roadtrip. Make some hay before facing the Marlins on June 2.

Memorial Day makes the end of the first third of the season. Usually you know what kind of team you have at that time. I think the pen is better than many thought and will only GET BETTER. I think Kotsay is fantastic. Chipper is great. They are just biding their time until they turn it on come July and August. Once the all-star break ends, this team I believe is poised to breakout.

Smoltz will be back, same with Soriano and Gonzo. They will be playing 6 inning games. Advantage Braves....
Just not on a night like tonight.
Forget it and move on.
Guy Pierce from Memento. PS, what happened to that guy's career? He loses out to Heath Ledger for The Joker in The Dark Knight and you just don't hear anything from him anymore. Did he retire?? Is he hanging with Rey Ordonez?

Top 10 coaches according to Rivals.com....REALLY?

I just caught the Rivals.com top 10 college coaches power poll.
While I DO like that Mark Richt is sitting pretty at No. 6, I don't know how much validity this list has. Let's review it, shall we????

10 Mack Brown Texas
9 Tommy Tuberville
8 Jim Grobe
7 Frank Beamer
6 Mark Richt
5 Bob Stoops
4 Les Miles
3 Urban Meyer
2 Jim Tressel
1 Pete Carroll

I can't disagree with No.1 in Pete Carroll. Might go down as best college coach EVER if the cheating allegations don't catch him, or if he doesn't bolt to the pros. But I don't see USC losing ground ANYtime soon.

At No.2 Jim Tressel...I think he deserves to be on this list, but at No2? He rules a WEAK Big 10 and keeps making the BCS championship game (and losing big in it) because of the ESPN Gameday crew's love of the school (Kirk, Chris, Robert, etc)

Urban Meyer. All bias aside, he does seem to have started a trend of this spread and he does have the most dominant player in the game, but how was his first record at Fla? His third season? I know he went undefeated at Utah and I guess did a good job at Bowling Green, but 10 years from now, will he still be on this list at No.3? I wonder. I just think, unless he adapts his system, once Tebow leaves, they will be screwed. And he does have a little Mack Brown syndrome. Hike it to Tebow and tell him to make a play. Maybe that changes this season with Rainey and Moody back there (you can't count on Harvin, THANK GOODNESS). But while Tebow DOES believe it's not butter, he doesn't have 20 years of eligibility.

Les Miles at No4. Did he go much without Saban's players? I know at Okie State he did enough to get hired at LSU, but I just wonder, since it only took him until his THIRD year to finally win it all, they didn't call him two-loss-Les for just any reason. But he has a Title, something Richt doesn't, but I think UGA beats LSU last year in that SEC Championship game. Just saying. Then it's UGA raising the crystal ball.

Bob Stoops. He has maybe lost some of his magic, but boy he is still a good coach. Two straight Fiesta Bowl loses, but two straight Fiesta Bowls. Should be noted.

Richt. What can I say. I think he deserves to be on the list, and YES I think he is the best coach out there to have never won one (Butch Davis might argue with me on that one), and I think he brings one home this year or next. If both, then put HIM in the top three.

Frank Beamer? Huh? Took advantage of a Probation-rackled Miami and then a weak ACC to get on this list. Oh, and Michael Vick too got him on this list. Wow, though, boy has he turned out some Criminals.

Jim Grobe of Wake Forest? WHAT? Is this a current power poll? How is Bobby Bowden not on it over this guy? How is Nick Saban not on it over this guy? Spurrier over this guy? Shoot, I'd put Fulmer, Butch Davis, Houston Nutt, RichRod and even the Wisco guy on it over Jim Grobe. Is he talented? Yes, but top ten AHEAD of ....

Tommy Tuberville? All TT does is win. Solid but never flashy. That might be why he got screwed back in 2004. Though, I sort of wish they had played USC and gotten crushed, (BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN MAULED) just so I don't have to listen to all those AwBarn fans saying "we wuz robt!"

Finally Mack Brown makes the list for losing the only game he played all season for 10 straight years before OU had a rebuilding year and Mack decided his best playcall in 2005-06 was "Hike it to Vince Young and get out of the way" That's not coaching. That's out-athleting everyone else. It might work at Marshall (Jim Donnan) but not always at Texas, unless you have a once-in-a-lifetime player like VY or TTebow. Just saying. Florida, enjoy the next two seasons (or this season, if Tebow leaves early, which he shouldn't. He'll be a TE at the next level) because Texas is your future!

But I disagree with most of this list. Sorry. Saban should have made it. And even Butch Davis for his work with Miami and now UNC. All I am saying. And I will call CMR the best coach never to have won the big one....yet!

Step right up and SWEEP the Mets!

Johan Santana is good, but Huddy is better. The two went toe-to-toe last night with Santana getting the better of Huddy thru the first 6 innings as the Mets ran out to a 2-1 lead thanks to two lousy pitches back to back to Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado in the second, though the Braves did get one back in the bottom half of that frame thanks to lil tex's headsup baserunning.

Fastforward to the seventh. Kelly Johnson's hustle double/Beltran fumbling the ball to allow KJ to slide into second safely set the stage for the Braves getting fired up! Santana may or may not have thrown at Huddy as he tried to bunt, but Huddy took offense and it seemed to fire up the bats. (And to those Mets apologists that say he wasn't, it is JOHAN FREAKING SANTANA. He has maybe the best control in the game. But why would he be throwing at Huddy? This is the national league Johan, you have to hit in this league. There ARE paybacks in this league.) KJ moved to third on a sacrifice then Omar Infante, previously 0-19 in his career off Johan slapped a clean hit to tie the game. Then Chipper came up with runners on first and third and he plated the go-ahead run and then lil tex gave the Bravos some Geico with another hit (good for him. he is finally turning it on. Wish he had been this way ALL SEASON!)
The Bullpen does its job and the Braves sweep the Mets.
I have said on EVH Extra Innings that Randolph may not make it off the plane back to New York and floated Buck Showalter (spelling?) but others have said Jerry Manuel. Whatever. a change is needed in New York if they want to contend this year.
But I also think some of the blame falls at the feet of "The Mixmaster" Omar Minaya. He will be allowed to make one change, but then HE is the one possibly getting canned. And Sports Illustrated called him a genius? Yeah an OPEN checkbook makes a LOT of people genii!

But the Braves, now 20-5 at home welcome in Arizona, best record in the national league and fresh off a sweep at the hands of the Marlins into the Ted. I say the Braves need to AT LEAST take two to call this series a success. And Brandon Webb sits right there MOnday, waiting for Atlanta. He is 9-1 on the year and the Braves will have their work cut out for them. But enjoy the sweep of the Mets, then get ready for the D-Backs. Division Crowns aren't won in May FLORIDA, but they ARE lost METS!

GO BRAVES!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Real World HOLLYWOOD!

OK, so I broke down and finally started watching RW:Hollywood on on-demand. After just 1.5 episodes, I think I might give it a few more viewings. I am still not that familiar with the names, but the Sarah? girl from Arizona who had a birthday and a boyfriend in NYC...yeah she is TOTALLY going to cheat on him. First she gives her gum to a roommate (umm, GROSS? If she had leaned over to ME and said "I don't want my gum anymore." I would have responded, "Trash can is over there!") Then the Will guy tells her he has a kindergarten crush on her because "Girls like for you to tell them they have a kindergarten crush on them." Ummm since when? In WHAT universe?
THEN the chick invites a random back to the house while drunk. Ummmm yeah. That relationship is on SOLID ground there.

The black/white stripper from Philly that has a warrant out for her arrest...did MTV NOT know about this possibility? IS that why she was cast for the show?

The Blonde SoCar chick. WOW. Making southern blondes look dumber by the show. But if the stereotype fits.......

Not sure about Pretyboy. I do LIKE how he calls people peasants. that is funny. I like how he is cocky and all that. Maybe because I'm a jerk too. And Joey (the roid-rocking Personal Trainer from Chi-town) getting upset because he called him a weirdo? WHAT? Where you just drunk like that kid at Turner Field Joey? Is THAT why you flew off the handle? Or was it roid rage?
PS, if you didn't hear the Turner Field drunken accident story...A Braves fan has died after falling four floors from the stands at Turner Field during Wednesday night's Braves-Mets game, authorities said. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office identified the man as Justin Hayes, 25, of Cumming. Hayes fell an estimated four levels inside the stadium to field level, striking concrete and metal railing, according to Atlanta Police spokesman Ron Campbell.

Alcohol may have been involved, Campbell said.


Hayes was reported to have been sliding on a handrail in the bottom of the 8th inning when he slipped off. He was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police continue to investigate the incident


But I just thought that was a bit much. The guy is OBVIE a jokester. A little full of himself, but OH WELL. He is a model. Sometimes they are. Finally, back to Will and Sarah. That is just strange. Sarah is NOT interested and Will has this crush. I hope that angle ends soon. It is just kind of sad.
But then, I've only seen 1.5 shows, so maybe it gets better.

Mid-Week Entertainment report 5/21

We're a day late, kind of like Jamie Lynn Spears!
Another Spears girl, David wins on Idol and Indiana Jones is BACK!
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Thursday Entertainment report...
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP

SO it was leaked that Jamie Lynn Spears is having a girl. This is NOT a good thing for the child. Great for US Weekly, but not for the child. That kid even while still INSIDE a Spears is probably ALREADY making a list of things to do to gain attention...1) Steal Mink Coat 2)Get preggers and ruin my shot at a Disney Channel Show 3)Show my crotch to photographers 4)get really fat before getting knocked up by relative unknown 5)get 6DUIs by the time you're 21.
Alright, even if she hits just 3 of those 5, the world will have YET ANOTHER "successful" Spears. Poor kid, never had a shot.

And the Winner of American Idol 2008.....David.....Cook! Alright. He beat out the smug little David A with the psycho dad. (Wow, I knew eventually I would turn on Archuletta. Yep it happened. All the "wow. thank you" started to wear on me.) But David Cook was REALLY outstanding. The way he was able to arrange some of those songs, that is REAL talent. Always be my Baby. Hello. Billie Jean. Those were great arrangements. This guy is the rocker that Daughtry is, but he is a MUCH better singer and he is going to be uber-successful. you just get a feeling.

Finally, Indiana Jones is back. Will the movie be great? The old ones weren't THAT well written, but it should be entertaining. Although I will REFUSE to see it because I hate that Shia La-Boof kid. I don't like it when Hollywood shoves someone down my throat, telling me "He's the future." I just don't like it. They tried it with Dane Cook, but I resisted and I think it has worked. Hopefully my one man boycott of this joker will work as well. Back to the movie, I hear Harrison Ford looks great for an 80 year old IJ, so that is cool. But the movie I am waiting for is The Dark Knight. BATMAN! NICE! Batman would TOTALLY kick Indiana Jones' butt. AND YOU KNOW IT!

Braves strike for double digits, Mets get rocked!

If Willie Randolph thought the seat was hot after Tuesday's sweep, he must REALLY be uncomfortable RIGHT NOW as the Braves just battered his pitching staff for 11 runs in an 11-4 win over the Mets.
Chipper and Frency both went yard, lil tex seems to be heating up and Jair Jurrjens was ON his game last night.
Frenchy, after getting his day-off went ballistic with a 2-run HR, 1B, 3B, 1 run and 4 RBI. That's nice. BMac his buddy had another big double. And tex seems to finally be heating it up. (Hmmmmmm wonder what he would have done if he had taken spring training seriously????)

Jurrjens is now 4-0 at home. Can't say THAT enough.

Final point that needs to be addressed though: Men left on base. Against a pitcher like Johan Santana like they will face today, they will NEED EVERY RUN THEY CAN MUSTER. He is too good to leave that many runners on base. The Braves really need to take advantage of their OPPs because who know when those will dry up.

PS, if someone could tell me what a duck on the pond in the water is....I'd appreciate that.
Thanks

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Braves win a LATE game

Yawn, I am tired. YES I had to stay up until after the game was over, even after it was delayed an hour and one half because of rain.
The Braves though didn't miss a beat as they swept the "doubleheader" with the Mets last night with a 6-2 win.
Jorge Cam-Pee-OH, I was wrong, at least about this start. You went 6 strong with 7Ks, three hits and ZERO runs. Good work.
Boyer, way to end that scoreless streak by the bullpen.

But the troubling thing was the men left on base. It could have come back to hurt them, had Mark Kotsay not hit a BOMB in the bottom of the 8th inning (His favorite Christmas tune is Carol of the Dong!) to stretch the lead back to four runs at 6-2, after the Mets had gotten to within 4-2 just one inning after the Braves left the sacks full. The Braves MUST start picking those guys up. They are taking advantage of weak Mets' hitting right now, but you can't count on that forever.

That said, with a win tonight the BRaves take the 4 game series, and if they sweep, well Willie Randolph may not make it back to NYC. I would laugh.
I think the Mets DO need a voice to fire them up as they are too chillax right now.
Oh well, keep WR in there though if you are a Braves fan and watch them implode YET AGAIN.

The Braves just keep hanging around and it sounds like Mike Gonzo may be back soon, so that is positive. He threw three innings yesterday (41 pitches) 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 BB, 3 K. He is scheduled to throw back to back Friday and Saturday in extended spring training and then we could get a rehab start in Richmond and then The Bigs by maybe June 7...wifey's birthday. Happy Birthday Wife, you, as a Braves fan get Mike Gonzalez! YEA!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Game one goes to THE BRAVOS!

The Braves are taking on the Mets in a day/night doubleheader as they take the first game 6-1. Tom Glavine was a MAN, he was 42! after giving up a homerun to the light hitting Luis Castillo in the first he set down 16 straight and the Bullpen worked its magic, holding the Mets to just a handful of hits the rest of the way to get the win.
For the bullpen it has now been 19 straight innings without allowing a run. NICE!
Will OH-MAN was a perfect 4-4 today with 3Ks after relieving Glavine and the staff put 21 straight away before Blaine Boyer came in and allowed a Jose Reyes hit in the 8th. Yep Blaine Boyer. Couldn't have seen that one coming! I am pretty sure Boyer is french for "someone terrible at his job!" If your pizza man brings your food cold, you say "Dude, you took too long to get here! You are totally a boyer!"

And I saw a "tribute" to BB on SportSouth the other day calling him the "pride of Walton High School." REALLY? Not the 5-in-a-row Lady Walton tennis team? They've won 99 straight matches. Not the football team that made it to the Final Four for state playoffs?
REALLY?

As for Lumpy/Heaps, aka Brian McCann, he is making me wish I had NEVER thought bad things about him for going after pitches too early in counts. He had a Heapin' Helpin' of Dong with a blast to ice the game away.
Good work guys.....PLUS if Blaine Boyer pitched today, maybe that means he won't pitch tonight? One can hope.
Doesn't matter, the Spanish Blaine Boyer is the STARTING PITCHER tonight as Jorge Campillo takes the ball for the Braves.
Be sure to tune in after the game for Ed Voyles Honda's Extra Innings ONLY on Sports Radio 790 the ZOne and www.790thezone.com!

Shameless SELF-PROMOTION!

Bones and House....alright

I was REALLY looking forward to last night's finales or House and Bones.
First up Bones, they teased you with thinking Booth was really dead, BUT HE WASN'T. And the entire episode referred back to the season premiere with the Gormagon and his apprentice. The writers were trying to get you to think the apprentice was either Sweets or Hodgens.
Then suddenly we find out that it was Zack Addey, Bones' former intern turned co-PhD. I guess, while it was somewhat surprising, you can sort of see where they were going. Zack was nearly written off the show last season with his trip to Iraq, but the writers brought him back. Now he is headed off to a mental hospital, so seemingly he will be GONE, but I am sure he MAY make a cameo every now and then for a big case. I have to wonder what Eric Mulligan (spelling) did to piss off the producers and/or writers to get him written off the show twice.
I also hope that at SOME point in season 4 Bones and Booth will get it ON! (One thing about Bones is they go in so many directions then wrap it up so quick, sometimes with a guy that they haven't explored. Oh well. Just give me a Bones/Booth hook-up!)

As for House, I liked the flashbacks and the mystery elements were pretty cool. I also thought the Fred Durst appearance was HAL-LAR-E-US! Man has he gotten FATTTTTTTT! And is that why he always wore the Red Cap? Because he was going so bald?
ANYWHOOO I thought it was a pretty decent episode, but I was expecting more for some reason. Still good though, and here's hoping that next season Cameron and Chase get a little more screen time. The new staff is alright, but I want my Cameron and Chase back. And here's hoping Cuddy and House GET. IT. ON. Wooooooo-weeeee!

So far I give, for finales....
The Office......B+
Bones..........B
House..........B+

I am STILL looking for a A+ finale.
Maybe American Idol tonight?

Paul Mac HATES the Spurs!

Our NBA Playoff correspondent Paul Mac weighs in with his thoughts on the defending champs.....

I’m certain several analysts will tell me how stupid I am tomorrow for not appreciating the Spurs. I don't care.

There is not one single player on the entire spurs team that makes me interested in watching basketball, if they are in the finals... I won't watch again this year. I'm no NBA fan generally but their style of basketball while effective is boring as hell, and I've got better things to do with my time... you know like writing about how boring they are.

Watch though. Listen to the commentators tell the public how stupid they are for not tuning into see the spurs win. They are the sports equivalent of vanilla pabulum. Good yes. Effective yes.. Absolutely totally nothing interesting, no personality... I think they actually are robots. Not only that they are programmed to cry senselessly with EVERY SINGLE CALL that goes against them. Can Tim Duncan whine more or Tony Parker dive into more calls as if he were Christiano Ronaldo? The only other sports equivalent I can think of this is say... Nascar.. where a guy like Matt Kenseth can be average as grits all year but be so good at being average and rounding the track the proper number of rotations, they give him a big trophy at the end... and I guess he's wealthy and bangs hot chicks, but mostly... everyone else is pretty bored with it. I guess on a positive note Spurs basketball is the cure for insomnia… need to fall asleep? Tune in for the next timely legal Robert Horry Hip Check that takes all the interest out of the series. He could be sonic the hedgehog with his ring collecting for all I care… I know interesting and the spurs are not it.

They are good, but bad for the NBA. It's like people who never take the bat off their shoulder walking their way through company slow pitch softball. Does it work? yep. Is it lame and no reason to play... yep. Please Lakers save us from another ridiculously boring NBA finals.

so sorry in advance for my shallow view of the spurs "greatness" I'd just rather watch paint dry.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Bunch of Scrooges!

I saw this in the AJC. Wow, Joshuawood is NOT a fan of Christmas!

Dalton officials are tired of residents showing their Christmas spirit.

The northwest Georgia city has begun cracking down on houses violating a city code requiring all Christmas lights be removed by the end of March. Nearly 100 residents have been warned about their seasonal displays, and so far all but seven homes have complied.

The city is giving those homes until the middle of this week to comply or face further citations


Apparently though, if you have lights shining on a statue of #80 Purple Thunder himself though, they are allowed to continue to shine!
JOSH COLE RULES! GO CATAMOUNTS!

What a LETDOWN thus far!

I feel like how Teddy KGB described Mike McD after Matt Damon’s character took him down near the climax of Rounders: So unsatisfied! According to pundits and basketball guys EVERYWHERE this NBA playoff season was supposed to be a Renaissance for the league. I thought the crème de la crème would rise to the top and we would see basketball that had not been seen since the mid 1980s.
Still waiting.
LeBron James was pretty amazing yesterday as the Cavs were closed out in Boston as Paul Pierce went for 41, but that series left me wanting more. The Celtics were so strong at home and they looked terrible in Cleveland, nevermind what they looked like in the opening round against Atlanta. And it took “King” James long enough to bust out like he did on this grand stage. The Pistons took out Orlando with Detroit’s best player on the bench with an injury. Orlando looked lost out there with “superstar” Dwight Howard sidestepping the spotlight so Hedo Turkalo could step to the forefront? Huh?
Meanwhile out in the West, LA has looked dominant against the dysfunctional Nuggets and has taken care of business against Utah. They await the winner of the Hornets/Spurs series, which will be the Hornets, since they have home court advantage tonight and the home team has won each game thus far in that series. Is that exciting though? New Orleans has BLOWN out San Antonio at home while the Spurs have dominated all three games played in Texas. Excuse me while I yawn. As good as CP3 is, he didn’t win in the Champs’ backyard.
Maybe the Conference Finals and the NBA finals is where all the magic will happen. It certainly hasn’t happened yet. That first round series Spurs/Suns was a bust. The Celtics big guns of KG, The Truth and Ray Allen certainly hasn’t been lighting the world on fire yet, and now we have to listen to that jerk PA announcer from Detroit try and steal the show with the introductions. But if we get a hard fought series there, maybe that will be worth it. If Chris Paul tries to show up Kobe and prove maybe HE should have been the MVP, that might be fun, until Kobe’s uber-competitive side comes out and he goes for 50 IN NEW ORLEANS while glaring at CP3 the whole time. That might make up for the first two snore-fest rounds. I would LOVE to see Kobe switch on defense to stop CP3 if there is a game deciding play down the stretch, then, after D’ing up Paul, just pull out a Kobe glare for the crowd. Maybe even smile as he leaves to floor to Boos from the Hornets fans.
Then in the Finals, seeing Kobe try and win his fourth ring (first alone) going against Paul Pierce trying to snag his first with Pau Gasol banging down low with Kevin Garnett. Now THAT would be the complete opposite of a letdown. THAT would be something to see. That would leave me satisfied.

Braves earn series win

Sorry, but the internet was down at home. Here are my thoughts about the Braves from the last two against Oakland, care of Score Atlanta's Braves Beat section...

Things turned ugly though in the next game as team ace Tim Hudson was denied his seventh win of the year. He allowed five runs in five innings and got zero support from his offense. The Braves trailed 5-1 entering the ninth inning, and that’s when the action heated up. Mark Teixeira doubled to start the inning of A’s closer Hudson Street and he advanced to third on Francoeur’s single. A fielder’s choice scored one run, then Kelly Johnson tripled in another to make it 5-3. With the tying run at the plate, a sac-fly made it 5-4, but the Braves could get no closer. In Sunday’s finale, Jo-Jo Reyes gave the Braves a fine outing and Omar Infante tripled home two runs in the bottom of the eighth to give the Braves the 5-2 win.
IN OTHER NEWS …
For catching as much heat for the early part of the season as any bullpen in baseball, the Braves’ relievers had a pretty impressive scoreless streak for weekend. Beginning with Thursday’s tilt with the Phillies, the Braves bullpen had gone sixteen innings without allowing a runner to cross home. Chris Resop inherited two runners Saturday and neither scored. Stockman also recorded a strikeout in his first action since 2006.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Kotsay comes thru in the clutch, but BMac is insane!

If Chipper Jones wasn't batting .424, everyone and their mother would be talking about Brian McCann. The Braves catcher not only puts on the gear nearly everyday, not only does he call a great game behind the plate (Smoltz called him one of the best he has ever thrown to, and that was McCann's rookie year), but he can flat out HIT. The catcher is hitting at a .319 clip and last night against the Oakland A's, McCann was at it again, going 3-4 with two doubles and an RBI, and if he had any speed at all he would have scored two runs and the Braves would have won 5-2 instead of 3-2.
But it took a gritty performance by Jair Jurrjens going 101 in 5 innings, leaving it all out there after allowing only one earned run (two total) and pitching on 3.5 days rest. (Now I won't get in to the fact that I think that should be the norm, but in "Today's baseball" that is pretty good.) Jurrjens is 3-0 at home (a no decision Friday) and his 2.06 ERA is lowest among rookie starting pitchers. NICE.
The Braves also returned home last night for the longest home stretch of the season, 11 games in 11 days. One day off Monday, but Tuesday is a day/night doubleheader. Interleague play was not kind to the Braves last season 4-11, but the team is 1-0 in 2008, and maybe this is the kickstart the team needs. Huddy goes to the hill today against his former club and will face the oft-injured Rich Harden, if Harden can make it from the team hotel sans injury.
Harden was supposed to lead the NEXT Big 3 of the Oakland pitching staff, but his injury status has that up in the air. Joe Blanton is healthy, but luckily the Braves will miss him in this three game set, but it would be nice if he could STAY in Atlanta via a trade after the A's leave town. (We got into this a little last night on EVHEI, if you listened in. Our next show has been pushed to Tuesday, thanks to GA Force and golf coverage.)
But Mark Kotsay, after striking out in his first at-bat against his former club (interestingly enough against the guy he was traded for Joey Devine), but he came back in the bottom of the 8th with a big RBI double to give the Braves the 3-2 lead and complete the turnaround. (The Braves in the 6th got an RBI single from Frenchy and an RBI-game-tying double from BMac)
Manny Acosta got the win as he pitched the 8th and the 9th.

For all of my ragging, the bullpen hasn't been as bad as advertised. only really two guys have been terrible and Royce Ring and Will Ohman give up the hits, but not many runs (knock on wood) When Smotlzie and Soriano and Gonzo return and IF the Braves make a move for starting pitching, the Braves, who are now just 2 back of Fla and Philly and tied with NYM, should be sitting pretty as these one-run games will soon start favoring the Braves.

Come on Huddy, let's get number 7 tonight, and while the Cy Young may be going to Brandon Webb in the desert, you wanted an NL East Championship anyways. Settle for a run in the playoffs. Just keep pitching your butt off and, like Napoleon, once we show up, we'll see what happens!

Friday, May 16, 2008

seven's heaven for summer football

Seven’s Heaven for Summer Football-note this is the original draft of next week's Score Atlanta's Prep Section. The new version will be posted Monday. Enjoy

Just as the NFL has been for years and college football has evolved into, high school football is being a year round sport. For years, students participated in maybe one or two summer practices about a month before the football season began. But then schools started weight training in the winter, and then programs began spring practices. And now, summer vacation is no longer playtime for those looking to don the pads come autumn. A recent trend that started in Texas and California has now made its way to Georgia. Seven on Seven football is quickly becoming a staple for programs looking to bring home the state title, and, according to a recent USA Today poll, schools from 42 states and the District of Columbia are taking part in this phenomenon
The basic strategy is the same as eleven on eleven, but with several interesting twists. First off, players do not wear pads, thus no tackling. The field is also shorter, cut down to 55 total yards with ten as the endzone. The offense gets the ball on the 45-yard line and has three downs to go 15 yards for a fresh set of downs. Once in the “scoring zone,” a fourth down is available, but with no punting or field goals in seven on seven, it is touchdown or bust. After a touchdown, instead of the traditional extra point, the offense gets the ball on the three and must reach the endzone to get the PAT, or the team can elect to go for two, with the ball resting on the ten yard line. The most exciting change may be from the time the ball is hiked from the only lineman, the QB has just four seconds to get rid of it, otherwise the play is over and the down lost. This encourages quick thinking from the quarterback and lends itself to benefiting spread teams, though some coaches believe it can help a defense work its coverages.
One man who has been integral with bringing this camp to Georgia has been new Lassiter head coach Chip Lindsey. Lindsey came to Cobb County from Hoover High School (Alabama) where he served as offensive coordinator on a team that averaged over 30 points per game. His offense has been called “basketball on turf,” and resembles that of the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Lassiter is offering a seven on seven camp July 17 and 18 and already eight teams have signed up with Lindsey hoping for four more. “This tournament is for teams interested in throwing the football and it gives guys a chance to compete.” One day Lindsey hopes this camp/tournament can tie into the national tournament held each summer at Hoover. In fact Hoover’s athletic trainer Brandon Sheppard will come to Lassiter and run the two-day affair, which will bring “credibility to the event,” Lindsey says. (Sheppard could not be reached for comment.)
Lassiter’s new head coach hopes that this experience can help turn his team, coming off a 3-7 2007 season and has not won more than six games since 2000, into an offensive juggernaut like his last Hoover offense. That offense rolled up over 4,400 yards last season with a split of 2,800 passing and 1,600 rushing, but Lindsey admits it might be a little more even early on. “Hoover was one of those unique places to be. We passed there, but we will run [here] too. We’ll take a look at our personnel, something we haven’t had a real chance to do yet, and tailor our plan to our team.”
Lindsey has never been a part of a team with a losing record and he thinks that the culture of Lassiter might soon change, especially with weapon such as his tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen. “The tight end is heavily involved in this spread offense,” says Lindsey. “We’ll flex him out and he’ll be a big part of our team. As long as we come in and prepare to be as good as we can be, whatever that is, we’ll go to bed happy.”
Defense wins championships, but offense is always fun to watch, especially when the scoreboard rings up numbers like a gas station. Will this camp signal the beginning of a shift away from “three yards and a cloud of dust” that is Georgia High School football towards the spread-happy ways of Alabama, Florida, and California? One school is hoping this camp does not just make for a fun summer, but for a fun autumn.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

I have to admit, i didn't watch that much of the game

But when I turned the TV on and heard that Chipper was scratched due to an injured groin (insert Philly Hooters joke....NOW!) and the Phillies, with Cole Hamels on the mound had a 1-0 lead after one, I knew the game was over. Sure enough, the Phillies added two more in the third and the bullpen didn't help matters any. Chuck James pitched four innings and took the loss as the Braves, for the third time this series allow 5 runs and this time they are held scoreless.
Oh well, the team returns home Friday for a three game set with the Oakland A's and maybe Frank Wren and Billy Beane will discuss that Joe Blanton trade (lil tex?). He wouldn't be bad right up there in the 2 spot of the rotation, but that leaves a hole at first and in the cleanup spot. but wait, there has been a hole there all year. More like a-hole there all year.
Hey, you want me to let lil tex off the hook for his spring training comment? Start HITTING!

If Chipper has to miss any real time, lil tex had BETTER start hitting and earning that 12.8M the Bravos are paying him, otherwise, even IF Saltalamacchia doesn't pan out with the Rangers, it still would have been a crappy trade. At least two of the 6 Atlanta sent will probably blossom and if lil tex gets out of here 0-2 in the playoff hunt, that will be a bad closing mark on JS's career. PICK UP THE SLACK MARK!

OK, so whatever, Maybe I like girl music

not girlie music mind you, but music put out there by girls.
I heard that Colbie Calliet (spelling) some Realize. It has kind of grown on me. Whatever. I've heard it a few times on XM radio and I am sort of digging it. I like that coffeehouse singer/songwriter vibe she is giving out. What can I say besides, "Will you count me in?"
I also like the Taylor Swift song Teardrops on my guitar. I am not a huge country music fan, but I don't mind that song. Plus I think she is sort of hot. However that statement makes me feel nasty since I think she is only 15 or something. What are you going to do (wait, I think a Dateline truck just pulled up)

You know what other song isn't so bad either? Sheryl Crow's Love is Free. Her songs always remind me of summer and that song makes me think of driving to the beach. I like thinking about that.

So girl power I guess. Keep putting out catchy songs, and I'll keep biting.

That's what she said. Yeouch!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Blaine makes things exciting, but not as exciting as powder blue!

If you had a powder blue uni, why would you not ALWAYS where it? In tonight's tv broadcast, FSN showed an old highlight of Mike Schmidt and he was rocking the powder blue Phillies Uni. How great were those? I had a Schmidy Starting lineup IN the Powder Blue. Those things rocked.
The Braves had one back in the day and a few years back the Braves seemingly wore them all the time on the road.

And the Royals can rock that out. Why don't they more? Allow their fans to recall the glory days of George Brett and Bob Hamlin and Bret Saberhagen,(spelling) well maybe not Bob Hamlin, but he DID win a rookie of the year once.

Look at the San Diego Chargers. There powder blue unis rock out! The Super Chargers! The are better than their current ones. San Diego should REALLY put the switch on permanently.

But all this is really a tangent of what I meant to talk about. In the bottom of the ninth, Blaine "out of options, so we might as well keep him here and keep pitching him despite is 9.38 ERA" Boyer nearly cost Tommy Glavine his first win of the year.

The Braves hit two first inning homers then got a little Geico from Brian McCann with a two out, two run double in the third, I believe, after lil tex stuck out. (lil tex turned Catholic by taking the collar with three Ks tonight. Spring Training is SOOOO not important!) The Geico came in handy tonight once Glavine gave up 4 in the 6th and Boyer decided to make the game interesting in the 9th.
WHEN IS GONZO coming back? Soriano? Smoltz? I know we shouldn't rush them, but how sad is it that an 8 run lead doesn't feel safe? Bobby left Boyer in the game for the 9th because WHO WAS HE GOING TO CALL UPON? Acosta? Can't be sure of him. Ring had already pitched. Bennett had already pitched. Carlyle maybe suffered a concussion last week. My question...is Chris Resop still alive? The guy throws a 98 mph CHANGEUP! He could close. But apparently Bobby would rather leave the game in the hands of Blaine "I have 96 mph stuff, but I'd rather try and throw a third curveball to Jimmy Rollins and press my luck that I can throw THREE of them without hanging one" Boyer. And McCann is calling these pitches?
BMac, you can't call for that pitch RIGHT after you just showed it to him. But you are the catcher with the multi-million dollar contract and I'm just a dude that is about to blog about American Idol when I am done ranting on the Braves. Plus you had a big hit earlier in the game. I'll let it slide because the Braves won.

Good work Braves. Now pray you can scratch one out tomorrow against Cole Hammels and get home for the A's. I wanna talk about Moneyball, and I will THIS FRIDAY on Sports Radio 790 The Zone. Tune in, and ignore the fact that our "webmaster" STILL hasn't changed the hosts to at least NO PICTURE and just a caption saying Fletcher, Paul and Bobby.
No bitter though. I know I'm on the air.

PS, American Idol should be fantastic next week. But you should tune in to 790 The Zone next Tuesday and Wednesday instead of watching that on Fox. You just should! I'll be on, and I am SOOOOOO much cooler. Well at least cooler than David A. And I promise I won't fake cry like David Cook did when he returned home to throw out the first pitch at the Royals game....in a powder blue uni!. See how I can go full circle?

Midweek entertainment report 5/14

Ironman wins again?, Fallon to replace Conan and Scrubs is back-WHY?
Ladies and gentlemen, the Midweek entertainment report!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP

I saw where Ironman beat out Speed Racer at the box office this past weekend. I guess movie goers when having to decide between bobbing for apples in a port-a-potty or spreading honey on your rectum and crawling backwards into a bear cave, they said, "I'd LOVE an apple." REALLY? Is the netflix CEO just scratching his head and saying WTF? like I am? I am so confused why someone would go and see Robert Downey Jr as a hero. I think he was the inspiration for Cosmo girl in The OC.

Jimmy Fallon is moving to Late Nite to replace Conan when Conan goes to the Tonight Show. Really? Jimmy Fallon? I just was watching him on some of the SNL reruns on E! and he BLOWS EVERY SINGLE SKETCH AND the Weekend Update desk. How is this going to work? But if this means no more movies like Fever Pitch and Taxi (or whatever that thing with Latifah was called. I refuse to call her Queen. Where is her kingdom?), then I will take it.

Finally, I see where Scrubs is moving to ABC from NBC. Because apparently all those years of zero viewers meant it REALLY has an audience, right? And on that note, Zach Braff, does he have photos of EVERY single Network Exec? Just wondering. Because I watched part of an episode once and thought it was terrible. I think people have said that show jumped the shark on the second episode. And it is STILL going. Sort of. NBC cancelled it EVERY year seemingly and tried to again, before ABC brought it back. WHY WHY WHY? If you want to bring back a show no one really watched, but was actually REALLY GOOD ABC, bring back Sports Night. That cast was stacked. And Aaron Sorkin was behind it. But you nixed it so he took West Wing to NBC and just kicked your ass for 7 years. Are you thinking Braff is the next Sorkin? Because if you think so, I have some breaking news for you....HE ISN'T!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

A Shot At Love 2 thoughts

I was able to catch both last week's and tonight's episodes of A Shot At Love 2 just a second ago and BOY I LOVE THAT SHOW. Just can't get enough of it. Which is surprising why I didn't love That's Amore? Oh well. Back to the show that started because Bobby dumped the "bi-sexual."
This WILL be done in bullet-point form, sorry if you don't like that, but that's how I take notes during the show, and that's what you will get here.
Last week's episode...
"V" the stylist? Do you do your OWN hair? If so, I am skipping THAT Great Clips and going to the Fantastic Sam's down the street. Seriously, if you are going to be a stylist, you should at least have good hair yourself. Otherwise you are a walking billboard FOR THE OTHER GUY!

Lauryn is clearly NOT a lezbinen. She just isn't. The sideways hug? She just didn't want to kiss a girl, because she isn't attracted to them, she is just on the show to try and get famous. In the first episode, she didn't fight back when Tila and Sibrina [sic] started kissing. Stereotypically lezbinens are OVERLY affectionate. She just wasn't digging that chili.

I loved the mocking of Bo by Jay and Chad at the fake prom. I thought it was funny. EVEN TILA laughed at the mangina line!

And when Dominic asked Tila when she first starting liking girls and Tila answered when she saw the cheerleaders in middle school and said she "had to get some-a that!" Really? I hate to say it, but I sort-a agree with Dom. Either you're in or your out. No middle ground. No bi-action. Either a lezbinen or you like, as Chad put it, "Wang-bone." Bi IS a phase. MAKE A CHOICE already. I support gay AND straight, but a combination platter? Come ON! I don't support waffling!

The panty raid was funny. The lezbinens need to QUIT being so uptight. YOU ARE LEZBINENS for Pete's sake!
And could Glitter please stop crying? You are crying....why? Because everyone was yelling? They weren't yelling at you! Oh, wait. You were drunk. You are a drunken crier! Great.

Episode 2
During 20 questions, Chad lost the respect of Sibrina[sic] the "Theme Bar Hostess." Yeah, I bet THAT'LL keep him up at night. The loss of respect from a theme bar hostess who can't even spell her name correctly.

George thought the rodeo town was "awesome." Really? A lot of palm trees in the Old West? And by "Old West" I mean a bed sheet with a "saloon" painted on it.

After her team won, Glitter was bouncing Tila like only a stripper doing on old man for extra money could. But hey, I'm sure she's putting herself through medical school too.

Bo could have done the cooking thing better. He was bossing folks around and generally being an ass, but I will have to stick up for him by saying that he took advantage of a situation that the others let slip. Everyone was mad at Bo for being SMART enough to plot some alone time with her when the opportunity came along. You DIDN'T Capture that moment. And for that you can be mad, but be mad at yourself. Not at a guy that worked the system. But this is 2008 America where NO ONE wants to take responsibility and wants everything handed to them and when they don't get something THEY could have gotten on their own, they lash out at others, instead of pointing the finger at themselves. (I realize I should have written himself/herself for all of that, but it would have taken too long. Sorry Mrs. Miles, my 10th grade grammar teacher.)

I love that Michelle is a massage therapist from Boston. She wouldn't relax me AT ALL! that voice and that ugly mug! Even if my head was through that hole, when she would ask me a question like which oil, it would Ruin the experience.

And Bo is a high school football coach? He looks like he just failed his senior year 3 times and the school just said, FINE GO WASH THE TOWELS AND YOU CAN STAND ON THE SIDELINES. You helped win a game back when you were eligible. And how is he going to have the respect of his players after they watch this? When a player gets in trouble with his cheerleader girlfriend, he can't punish them. They'll just come back with, "Oh yeah, well you were on A Shot At Love 2! YOU RUN LAPS!"

If Jay is "representing" Jersey, I NEVER want to go there.

In the pool there were Boobs EVERYWHERE. Why were to lezbinens showing their boobs to the guys? Is it because they AREN'T really lezbinens? Show me a proper lezbinen that would do that. you can't.

Kyle turns out AGAIN to be a glaring weirdo in his 2-on-1 date with Tila. Not good with eliminations coming up dude!

Jay, lose the stud earrings in both ears. But wait, you are from Jersey, like my boy Marc. I guess when you are born, the doctor does that right after cutting the cord.

In the elimination, Tila has two keys and two guys and two girls. She seemingly picks Glitter the Stripper over Lisa the woMAN, but then she picks Lisa over BOTH the guys. HA! Kyle and George are going home! George will likely forget he was cut, just like how he forgot about his dead mother's birthday.

Tila says "Don't make me regret getting rid of George." and then the next shot we see is Glitter LOSING it, crying and everything. Oops Tila f'ed up that choice. And PS, if she REALLY wanted to keep George, she could have sent someone else home. Don't play like you wanted to keep him. You could have sent home Glitter, there Tila!

George admits that he has been f'ed over his whole like, and amazingly it took a reality TV love show to prove that fact!

Bo wants to have a conversation with Sibrina [sic] without Jay interrupting him? GO INTO ANOTHER ROOM BO! just a suggestion.

Then Bo says that Jay's head is up Chad's ass and this seems to infuriate the drunken roid roller that is Chad. Chad RIPS off his shirt and is actually READY to throw down. Bo was pretending to want to fight by SSSSLLLLOOOWWWLLYYY taking his shirt off and FOLDING? IT, all the while hoping a producer would step in the middle of things. After the two are separated, only THEN does Bo(zo) yell, "What? I'm ready!" Ummmm memo to Bo: No You Weren't.

Then Chad headbutts Bo. NICE. You just don't see the headbutt much anymore.
I am guessing Chad, after he clearly punches Bo in "scenes from next week," gets the boot and perhaps George is let back in. Only to likely survive another cut, before going home AGAIN. And his life will suck AGAIN.

But next week should be a GREAT week for TV. I like it, I love it, I want some mo' of it!

A bad night for Atlanta-based baseball teams

a little good news/bad news for Fletcher. The good news is the SEC regular season champion Georgia Diamond Dawgs beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets for the first time this season after losing 11-1 at home last week to these gnats. A solo shot in the first inning by Peisel helped the team rebound from potentially a dangerous early hole and the team held on to win 3-2. Closer Joshua Fields is a beast. He was the 69th overall pick last season (by the Braves in the second round) and I thought maybe he was crazy for coming back to UGA, but I was glad he did, and he MAY have made himself some serious coin by returning. The Braves may have to take him in the first round to get him back this year. I know Gordon Beckham will be the POY for the Dawgs, but with Joshua Fields in the bullpen, that HAS to help the rotation, if not the entire team knowing that a game is only 7 or 8 innings long.

As for the Braves, the score 3 in the first, then get the bases loaded in the second.....and they don't score again until 2 outs in the 9th. WASTED OPPORTUNITIES! You had Kyle Kendrick on the ropes and you LET HIM OFF THE HOOK! Thank you Denny Green. Brian McCann popped out to end the bases loaded threat in the second and he DID get an RBI "double" in the 9th (as the CF completely misplayed the ball) the rally was killed by Frenchy who LET Brad Lidge off the hook. this is a guy with a fragile mindset and he just walked a dude so what do you do? IMMEDIATELY get in an 0-2 hole. Good Work Frenchy! Way to pull an Andruw as you are seeking a HUGE payday.
Otherwise, KJ was moved down in the order and went 2-4 with some nice swings. Kotsay looked sharp in the 2 hole. I like Kotsay. I hope he is in the Braves' future plans somehow, someway.
Jo-Jo the Monkey boy looked strong, giving up 4 runs (he may have been charged a 5th since Jorge Campiallos or whatever has developed Blane Boyer syndrome. SOMEONE GET HOUSE ON THIS!) And has Chris Resop retired and just not told me?

Let's hope Tommy Glavine can get his first win of the season tomorrow. The Braves are just 1-4 on the current road trip and they have 2 more in Philly before Oaktown comes to the Ted.

American Idol coulda been better

Yep. I wish it was Michael Johns v David Cook v David A.
Then you'd have some REAL drama. But with Syesha, you pretty much KNOW she is leaving tomorrow. But because the vote was put up to America, you have this final three.
All I am saying is, FINE let America decide the winner, but give them the best 4 (Carly was the best female, NOT Syesha or even Brooke, who beat her out.) And Jason Castro was pretty fratastic and he had several good songs, but he wasn't better than MJ.

This could have been the best final four ever, but alas, it is now just setting up to be the best final two ever. Oh well.

And PS, Bones was pretty strong last night. I think the turncoat is going to be the Black Cajun lawyer, if there is one. And Booth can't die off. But the fact that it wasn't Bones that was shot makes me feel better. You can't have Bones without Bones, but I guess you COULD have Bones without Booth. And this will ONLY mean the producers may have to finally play the "ace in the hole" of having them date.

Finally, House was AWESOME last night. Really well done there. Can't wait for next week's finale with the team trying to save Cutthroat b!tch/Amber and did she have an affair with Wilson. The only problem I have is that I wish, during the strike, that FOX (and ABC and the rest) had replayed the earlier shows so you didn't forget where you were in the story-lines during the strike. Was that the writers getting back at us? (if so...lame!) I just can't remember that far back, and I would have preferred to watch a House Re-run over Moment of Truth or Are you Smarter Than a 5th grader.
JUST SAYING!
And we've already discussed the Hills finale, but WHAT WAS MTV thinking putting the Hills on at 10, with The Paper at 10:30, before The Hills:Aftershow with a look at Season4 on at 11? I don't want to watch The Paper. If I HAD wanted to watch THE PAPER, maybe I would have ALREADY and you wouldn't have had to resort to forcing me to trying to watch it before I can get a look at next season of the Hills. I clearly went and did laundry during that 30 minutes JUST TO STICK IT TO YOU MTV! Yeah, I DID! TAKE THAT!

Monday, May 12, 2008

What does a Tim Hudson 3 run lead and the Hills have in common

In both cases, you KNOW what is going to happen. This afternoon the Atlanta Braves rallied after falling behind 1-0 in the first to win 8-1 with a few big innings, improving Hudson's record when his team scores 3+ runs to 1,353,981-19. Give my man Huddy 3 runs and you might as well call the game. Kotsay had a big day (AGAIN) and McCann hit a ball that STILL hasn't landed. Throw in Chipper Jones notching an RBI and a run and his .400+ average and the Braves FINALLY won a road game. It had been 7 straight. So the team is 7-3 in the last ten games, and now it is on to Philly. (See how I turned that negative three game stretch into a positive? I am an optimist!)

As for the Hills season finale, Heidi leaving Bolthouse for Spencer, NOT REALLY A SHOCKER! EVERYONE saw that one coming, but clearly she has to lose her job, right? I guess she didn't call Brent back because she was FAXING him her resignation? Wondering aloud here. And since SHE BAILED, and she should be fired, she won't get a severance package will she? Because if so (even though she never really worked there, only did appearances for them and they gave her an "office" for the show) and that's how she and Spencer will live for the next few weeks, that's crap. I also thought it was funny how Heidi was writing stuff down in the walk-thru of the casino during the meeting. If that was a real meeting, then the Bolthouse guys should have previously read the script to know Heidi would bail, and even if they did read the script, why not have a real worker write that stuff down. I am guessing she was just doodling.

I also enjoyed how LC banged the pot for Audrina to come to dinner. She's in ANOTHER BUILDING IDIOT! SHE PROBABLY CAN'T HEAR THAT RACKET FROM HER SEPARATE HOUSE! Unless you told her about the dinner, in which case she would have told you of her plans, SHE CAN'T READ YOUR MIND! Did you just think your powers of telepathy were broken that night? You have to tell someone something with words for them to understand. JUST SAYING.
Then in the final confrontation, she says that she doesn't let others' opinions change her thoughts of her friends. REALLY? SPENCER AND HEIDI!??!?!?! Oh yeah. Forgot about that one.

I also wonder if the writers preparing these scripts just have a big board full of cliched phrases and Adam Divello gives them a dollar everytime they use one like: You have some decisions to make. or I really just need to think about things. CUE SONG. My only question is: does the music play in REAL LIFE? Does LC really think to music? Does it follow her around? Has she ever tried to think WITHOUT music? THINGS I NEED TO KNOW.

As for next season, OF COURSE I will watch, but at some point will the writers PLEASE acknowledge what is going on in the girls' lives? LC has a fashion line. She would be on the COVER of Teen Vogue in real life, but the show has her making copies as an intern. Give me a break. A little believability please. SHOW HER WITH HER SWEATSHOPS MAKING THE CLOTHES. Do something because I know these chicks are being "celebrities" not just working as interns at Bolthouse and Teen Vogue.
Oops, maybe the 26 year old should stop watching the teen show and asking the questions the 14 year old girl this show is intended for hasn't thought of because she is too naive. My bad.
Can't wait for August 18.

This is horrible

Go to the ajc RIGHT NOW and click on the prom photo galleries. I know that when I was in high school going to the proms, we weren't necessarily thinking, "Yeah we're TOTALLY having sex tonight." My crew never did, we always went to the post-prom parties and then to someone's house to LITERALLY crash from exhaustion. Obvie we knew that some kids did, and heck, they even made American Pie my senior year, so some seniors/Jrs, did, but I guess just not at my school.

But in EVERYONE of these photos, ALL the guys are seemingly looking at the girl's parents taking the picture and LAUGHING, perhaps even thinking, "I'm going to be tapping this in about 5 hours. HA!"

Look at the one series of pictures from NHS, where the chick in the yellow dress has the slit up to nearly her who-ha, and she is pictured with about three or four different guys. Yeah, she is prolly "giving her flower" to some lucky dude, if she hasn't already.

Just saying. Wow. I feel old just typing this.
BACK IN MY DAY..................

Not judging, just saying that the photos are funny.

3 in a row and 7 in a row on the Road? Come on Huddy

How many times have I written that? Come On Huddy! Tim Hudson will have to be the stopper YET AGAIN as the Braves have now lost 3 straight games after winning 6 in a row at home. With the 5-0 loss (Including the ADD Dong from Adam LaRoche) the Braves drop to 18-18 on the season. Thus far away from The Ted, the Bravos are 4-14 and have now lost 7 straight.
But it ISN'T like they didn't have chances. The Pirates walked at least 6 and the defense committed quite a few errors to give the braves chances, but the "offense" left 15 men aboard. They seemingly had runners on base in every inning, but just couldn't get the 2-out hit they needed.
Jair Jurrjens once again gets NO support and this team was IN IT until the end when LaRoche hit a two run blast, his first against his former team, late in the game.
Oh well.
Huddy goes to the hill now and hopefully he can right this ship. He has done VERY WELL thus far this season, he just needs to keep doing it to keep the Braves in this race.

I miss the Cubs

I was in Chicago this past weekend for my sister-in-law's wedding and while there I was able to catch the Cubs' game on WGN (the local station not the Superstation, like the local TBS was here in Atlanta before it became Peachtree TV). It got me thinking back to my childhood, college life and time in Clayton.
The Cubs were ALWAYS on TV in the afternoon and it made the time right after classes or work so enjoyable. I loved watching Ryne Sandberg hit and Mark Grace rake and the Dunst-o-meter. I loved seeing Andre Dawson and while I never got into Sammy Sosa, I did like seeing Kerry Wood before his arm troubles. It was also interesting listening to Harry Carey and Steve Stone talk with Stone trying not to crack up.
I remember doing MANY a powerhour in Clayton while watching the Cubs, then figuring out MUCH later who won the game.
But now, I rarely get to watch them, because I am usually working when the game starts at 2:05 Eastern. Oh well. I am the post-game Braves guy so I need to focus on them anyways, but back in the day it was ALWAYS fun watching the Cubs, then flipping between the Braves and Orioles.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh the great times that was youth. Maybe one day I can get another job that will allow me to go back to watching those afternoon Cubs' games. Until then I will just think back fondly on those blue pinstrips and remember how the team could never find a thirdbaseman to complete the infield.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Pyrrhic Victory to say the least

So the Braves won in dramatic fashion, rallying from down 2-0 and 4-1 to win 5-4 today with a Matty Diaz GW single and Greg Norton is making Frank Wren look more and more like the Anti-Billy Knight (we had a caller last night call Frank Wren "the next Billy Knight." Moron!) as GN hit a two run single in the 6th or 7th I believe, but what sticks out is the injury situation.
BOTH Jo-Jo the monkey boy AND Buddy Carlyle left the game with injuries (a blister and a collision, respectively) and the Braves went THROUGH some pitchers before Acosta got the win.
The worst part, Jo-Jo and Carlyle were both rotation candidates.

If you are counting, Smotlz, Hamption, Jo-Jo and now Carlyle are out with Moylan and Soriano on the shelf right now. That is a pretty good "on paper" pitching staff that you are missing from injuries sustained DURING THIS SEASON.
Not good.
If Jo-Jo and Carlyle have to miss any time, you have to call up James and bring Bennett back to the rotation and your staff is Huddy, Glavine, Jurrjens, James and Bennett with a weakened bullpen without Bennett and Carlyle.

Let's hope the training staff can do wonders and get these guys healthy. They've won 6 straight, are now 18-15 and are headed to Pitt and Philly with a chance to leave the state in first place in the NL East. They NEED to take at least 2 of 3 from the Pirates and force a split with the Phils.

Good luck guys and GET WELL SOON!
I'm off to Chi-town so no blogs until monday. Have a great weekend!

PENGUINS AREN'T GAY!

Apparently some crazy people are upset that in the animal kingdom, wild beasts don't necessarily adhere to the "father-mother-children" dynamic and because of this, a kids' story book about a family of penguins with two fathers is at the top of a STUPID list of library books that "the public" objects to the most. The details according to yahoo.com state that "And Tango Makes Three," was released in 2005 and co-written by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell.
Pretty much since the day it appreared on Barnes & Noble shelves is has been the most "challenged" book in public schools and libraries for the second straight year, according to the American Library Association. Here is the head idiot trying to defend why a children's book is at the top of that list: "The complaints are that young children will believe that homosexuality is a lifestyle that is acceptable. The people complaining, of course, don't agree with that," Judith Krug, director of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

So a bunch of homophobes doesn't like that in Antarctica, SOMETIMES PENGUINS HAVE TWO FATHERS! It isn't like the penguins go off and do it. No they just raise the baby penguins.

The ALA defines a "challenge" as a "formal, written complaint filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness."

Other books on the ALA's top 10 list include Maya Angelou's memoir "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," long and Philip Pullman's "The Golden Compass."


No word on if the ALA Challengers are going back and attacking the script of the popular show My Two Dads, or the movie Three Men and a Baby or even Three Men and a Little Lady. Or the movie Father's Day featuring Billy Crystal and Robin Williams and NEITHER of those two turned out to be the father, instead it was another guy. The question if I was the kid in that movie, "Mom, were you such a slut that you didn't know if you slept with the guy from Flubber or the guy from City Slickers, or the cop from Usual Suspects that TURNED out to be Dad?"
Are the ALA challengers going after those scripts? Because those are WORSE that penguins that raise Baby Happy Feet together.
All I am saying.
Get a grip you jerks. Quit trying to be everyone's parents and let the parents do their own jobs. Thanks.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Huddy's a rock star, but give Smoltzie the ball

The Braves won their 5th straight tonight with a 5-2 win over the Pod-squad and tomorrow the team looks to sweep its second straight series. Jo-Jo the monkey boy will take the hill against an 0-3 Justin Germano. The Braves will prolly win 5-1 if this trend holds up. Also, Greg Norton got his first hit and RBI as a Brave. Way to come through and Chipper continues to dazzle. Why are teams still pitching to him? If I am the Pirates Friday, I walk him 5 straight times and hope he gets out of his rhythm for the rest of the series. Do SOMETHING. And hey Tex, you left a few on base tonight. You maybe should have worked on that in spring training. Finally, Matt Diaz, I know you play hard, but I hope Kotsay is manning left next season. Sorry Matty.

In tonight's show we raised an interesting thought though and I wanted to share here. When Smoltz comes back, he has said he is headed to the bullpen and at 40, soon to be 41 he doesn't have much time left and he thinks the pen can save his arm for now.
And with Smoltzie in the pen, in about a month, or at least by the all-star break, the Braves bullpen should be backended by Smoltz, Soriano and Gonzalez. NICE. With a rotation of
1Huddy
2Glavine
3Jurrjens
4Reyes
5James/Bennett/Carlyle

come the postseason, the rotation, assuming no trades for a guy like Joe Blanton go down, will be
1Huddy
2Glavine
3Jurrjens
You don't really need a 4th starter in the LDS, MAYBE in the LCS, but come World Series time, you get by with the three pitchers. STEP UP IT'S WORLD SERIES TIME
I see in the postseason Huddy giving you 7-8 innings (look at his numbers. He just picked up his 5th win of the year and he has GREAT stuff that can last into late innings. Glavine gives you 5-6 and Jurrjens gives you 6-7 innings. With Gonzo and Soriano and Smoltz in the pen, rotating who saves the game, you have several wins BUILT IN.
But here is my point....In a game seven, does John Smoltz look at his 41yo body and say, "I only have MAYBE 2 more years if COMPLETELY healthy. How many more titles will I have a shot at?" I am banking he walks into Bobby's office and DEMANDS the ball.
They would even keep it all quiet. You would watch Huddy warming up in the pen, then all of a sudden, after the outfield is announced position by position, same with the infield, you hear AC/DC and JOHN SMOLTZ walks out of the dugout and Turner Field GOES NUTS. He pitches until the 6th or 7th when, after 120 pitches, his arm literally gives out, but ONLY after hurling one final 96MPH fastball to strike out the final hitter. Maybe you can even hear the arm go. But as he walks off, arm dangling at his side, he tips his cap, stands at the top of the dugout steps, gets a standing O, not just from the crowd, but also the team....NO WAY the team loses. Maybe he ends his career, but I am guessing the Bulldog Smoltz would TOTALLY go out like that. So what if his arm is messed up? He gets another ring! Kevin McHale walks with a limp because he played with a broken foot. Curt Schilling stapled his tendon to his anklebone. The bloody sock is in Cooperstown. (Though I will argue that the sock is now overblown. True it inspired the team, BUT it didn't end Schill's career. He just got a new contract before the year started. Though he is now hurt, but not his leg. Kind of takes a little away. If he had never pitched again, WOW.)
I am guessing Smoltz WOULD take the trade and he would go down in history as a HUGE gamer, not that he won't but that clip would be shown forever.

Smoltz doesn't have that much left, why not go out like that. Hollywood right there, but if the situation came up, I wouldn't be shocked if it didn't just play out.