SBF offers to fix Team USA for next big Soccer Tourney

Not that the United States Soccer folks asked us here at Sports By Fletch to help out, but we thought we'd go ahead and throw our thoughts into the ring and they can do what they want with the suggestion. You honestly want to fix soccer in the States? How about you put our BEST athletes on the soccer pitch. I am thinking that you could get these guys prepped with the soccer basics in a three-week training camp, and since it is for the good of American, the other sports will just have to give them a vacation. I realize that three weeks wouldn't be enough to get the average athlete ready to compete on a global scale, but the guys I am proposing are already the best-of-the-best in terms of world-class athletes.

This was our starting lineup against the Reeans of Ghana....
United States: G Tim Howard; D Jonathan Bornstein, D Carlos Bocanegra, D Jay DeMerit, D Steve Cherundolo; M Clint Dempsey, M Michael Bradley, M Ricardo Clark, M Landon Donovan; F Jozy Altidore, F Robbie Findley.

OK, here is my lineup

G Rajon Rondo (OK, so I stole this one from ESPN's Bill Simmons) but at 6'1 and with plastic arms and huge hands, he is so quick that you would think he could smother up any shot coming at him. (Back-ups would be Dwight Howard and Tim Howard. One real goalie and one guy that swats shots like it is his JOB in the NBA. Wait, it is...)

D Darrelle Revis, Jets CB. The best lockdown corner in the NFL. You think some Ghana-rian is running past him? Like white on rice, BABY! (Back-up: Champ Bailey. I know he is getting up there in age, but he's crafty and PS he did a bit of EVERYTHING at Georgia. He could do a bit of everything here too)

D Ron Artest, LA Lakers Forward. You need a little bit of crazy, right? If someone tried to flop, wouldn't Artest murder them? And PS, just imagine telling Artest, "All I need you to do is stick to Messi. Nothing else. Just shut him down!" you don't think he'd take him out like he did Durant? (Back-up Josh Smith. He is an athlete and a bit crazy too)

D Tim Tebow, H-Back/QB Denver. No one will work harder...... He is pretty fast and if he puts his heart and mind into it, I bet he really could do this. (Back-up: Michael Vick. Just keep him away from the dogs.)

D Adrian Peterson, Minnesota RB. All Day. He could start the break and he is big enough that folks aren't going through him. He can catch up to speedy forwards and if he starts going, watch out. (Back-up: Ray Rice.)

M Derrick Rose, Bulls PG. Faster than you might think. And strong too. (Back-up: Deron Williams, PG Utah Jazz. Just as strong and you know he can move. Always looking to pass. He could work...)

M Clint Dempsey, USA MF. He is pretty magical with the ball and his moves are outstanding. We can keep this guy. (Back-up: John Wall or Chris Paul. Both athletic point guards that can score or get others involved. AKA A MIDFIELDER!)

M Landon Donovan, USA MF. OK, so we need ONE soccer guy to do the free kicks and corner kicks. (Back-up: Carl Crawford, OF Tampa Bay Rays. That guy is an athletic freak. He could play WR in the NFL, or guard in the NBA.)

M DeSean Jackson, Philly WR. The quickest guy in the NFL. He can go from one end to the other, complete with spins and he would be strong enough to overcome a silly slide tackle. (Back-up: Percy Harvin, though is he healthy?

F Chris Johnson Titans RB. Maybe the fastest guy in the NFL. No defender could keep up with him. Just kick the crud out of the ball and watch him run down. (Back-up Julio Jones, Alabama Wide receiver. Big dude that can control his body well. Calvin Johnson of the Lions could also be an option.)

F LeBron James, NBA free agent Point-Forward. You cannot stop this guy on a breakaway in the NBA. You just cannot. Factor in his height and you can just sky a corner kick and he'll outjump EVERYBODY. Also, could you imagine somebody trying to move him out of position when setting up for a corner? Didn't think so. (Back-up: AJ Green, UGA WR. Fast, tall and can jump like a mother. Did you see that field goal he blocked against Arizona State?)

You are telling me our athletes couldn't beat Ghana? I think they would. And just think, Artest would totally take out Wayne Rooney. And Slovenia would probably pee their pants going up against LeBron.

Think about it US Soccer guys.

A busy 24 hours for Braves roster moves

Note: this is kind of a follow up to yesterday's blog about Heyward. i was able to go to the Ted yesterday and get some reaction to everyone over KK to the pen and JJ to the rotation with Heyward to the DL and Diaz back from the DL.

Tuesday afternoon capped a very busy 24 hours for the Atlanta Braves in terms of personnel decisions the team and its manager faced with a potential all-star going onto the DL and another potential all-star ready to return. Braves manager Bobby Cox announced late Monday after the Braves shut out the Nationals that Jair Jurrjens would in fact pitch Wednesday in the series finale and Kenshin Kawakami would move to the bullpen while Kris Medlen would stay in the rotation. Tuesday before game two of the Braves/Nationals series, Cox addressed the media in the dugout, saying that it was a tough decision to send Kawakami to the pen. “It’s hard to take anybody out of the rotation.” Kawakami was coming off his first win of the season prior to being bumped out by the return of Jurrjens from injury. “I’m not sure Kawakami deserved to be taken out. He’s coming off a great start.” His last time out, Kawakami pitched seven innings against the Detroit Tigers, allowing just one run on two hits and lowering his ERA to 4.48. Jurrjens meanwhile was very sharp in several rehab starts in Class AAA-Gwinnett and looks to be back from a hamstring injury. Cox is excited about his young righty’s return. “Hopefully he’ll be like he was the last two seasons: sensational.”
Medlen said that he would go with what the team said would be best for the team. "I’ve gotten comfortable with the (starting) situation." Medlen has pitched well this season, starting nine games and compiling a 5-1 record with a 3.15 ERA.

The other move made Monday night and Tuesday afternoon was placing rookie rightfielder Jason Heyward on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 27. Heyward had an MRI done on his left thumb, revealing no fracture, break or torn ligaments so surgery will not be necessary. He was sporting a black cast on his left hand and forearm Tuesday. “Heyward really made us go,” offered Cox on the young outfielder that was near the top in the National League all-star voting. Heyward would be eligible for activation from the DL during the all-star break and likely wouldn’t play, even if voted in. “He’s gotta do what’s best for the team,” was Cox’s thought on whether he should risk playing in the all-star game, though he did jokingly concede, “maybe (the all-star game) would be a good tune-up.” Cox did not rule out Heyward possibly needing a few games in Rome to get back and ready to return to the lineup. Matt Diaz was activated from the disabled list to take Heyward’s spot on the active roster. The outfielder spent three games in Gwinnett (3-12, three RBI) after having surgery for his own thumb injury and has not seen action for Atlanta since early May. Cox hoped that Diaz would be healthy enough to contribute for Atlanta. In batting practice last night, Diaz seemed to be swinging without pain, even sending a few balls into the outfield seats at the tail-end of his BP session. Said Diaz of his chances of returning to the outfield, “I’ll have to work my way in any way I can.” Diaz struck out in his one at-bat last night as a pinch hitter in a Braves loss.

Heyward to the DL, Schafer to get the call?

Braves rookie sensation Jason Heyward will miss a few more games and will not return until after the all-star break after the team placed the rightfielder on the disabled list. Heyward, who has been out of the starting lineup dating back to the Tigers series, had an MRI done on his left thumb yesterday, revealing no break, fracture or ligament tear. The team is calling the injury a deep bone bruise of the left thumb and the 15-day DL move was retroactive to June 27. Today Heyward will be fitted and placed in a cast that he will wear for one week.

For those Braves fans breaking out their calendars to see when Heyward could return, he will be eligible for activation over the all-star break and could be in uniform when the Milwaukee Brewers come to the Ted to open the second half of the season on July 15.

Baseball fans were no doubt disappointed to find out that Heyward was not in the lineup last night when Washington Nationals rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg visited Turner Field. The rookie righty mowed down seven Braves batters before running out of gas in the seventh as the Braves struck for four runs off Strasburg and another off the Nationals bullpen in a 5-0 win. Heyward has been replaced, for the time being by Melky Cabrera in rightfield as Gregor Blanco has seen his playing time upped in center. The team will announce a roster move this afternoon to take Heyward’s spot on the active roster. (I say bring up Schafer and let him play a little center, but that's just me)

Braves can help out Heyward TONIGHT by hitting

In what seemed like a locked-up race, especially after the first two months of the season, now is a wide-open race. The National League Rookie of the Year race is likely down to just two competitors, but the lead the Jason Heyward built up by winning the NL Rookie of the Month in April and May is now all but gone with the emergence of Nationals righty Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg K'd 14 in his debut and then went 8 in his next outing plus ten more in another start. He finally lost a game....1-0 while still looking dominating.

Now he comes to Turner Field to face the Atlanta Braves. The Bravos, who have won 16 of their last 18 at home come into tonight's contest against Strasburg having just faced Justin Verlander of the Tigers and saw their own long ace Tommy Hanson get rocked for the second straight start. And best of all, (or worst of all, really) is that Jason Heyward likely won't be in the lineup as he is scheduled to undergo an MRI this afternoon. Awesome. This comes after a month where he has seen his average drop to .253 and he's struck out in about 1/3rd of his plate appearances. He is not having a good month.

With all of the hype that has been surrounding Strasburg and with Heyward's mini-slump it is (sad to say) a race for RotY that perhaps the Washington pitcher is now leading with a 2-1 record and a rookie record for most K's in the first four starts of a career. (We won't point out that in Tommy Hanson's first few starts, he beat the Yankees and the Red Sox in back-to-back outings, while Strasburg has beaten the Pirates and Indians, ND'ed against the ChiSox and lost to the Royals)

What can the Braves do for their teammate that likely won't face his rookie counterpart? Hit the crud out of Strasburg. Hit him and hit him hard, again and again. And don't strikeout 10+ times. Strasburg is on a pitch count, meaning that the Braves will prolly only see 6 innings of him, but please send him to the showers early. Mash him. They have the lefties to do it in Hinske, McCann, Jones, while Glaus is still hot right now, as is fellow-righty Martin Prado. If Huddy gives a good effort (he can go past 100 pitches, thankfully, Braves fans) which I have no reason to think he won't, the Braves should get the win by attacking the Nationals bullpen.

But please, for J-Hey's sake, get him back in the race by crushing Strasburg. Every pitcher has a bad outing in him. Let's make certain it is tonight.

PS, just because we here at SBF love ya, here is a raw cut of an interview we did recently with Braves reliever Jonny Venters. This interview was conducted Wednesday, June 16 right before the Braves beat the Tampa Bay Rays. Enjoy

FP: You’re becoming a pretty regular contributor out of the bullpen, how does it feel coming to the park everyday knowing that you might be called upon in a big-time situation?
JV: It’s cool. I try to prepare myself to be ready for any kind of situation whether we’re up by nine of up by one, I just approach it with the same mindset everyday.
FP: It is everything though these days, eighth inning, ninth inning, save situations, how big of a difference though is it coming in up nine opposed to just up one?
JV: Looking at it from your own standpoint, if you’re up one and it’s late in the game you get pumped up if there are people on base.

FP: Interleague play going on right now, I’m sure the Rays pitchers are coming to you asking for hitting advice?
JV: -laughs- I don’t know about that.
FP: Do you like interleague play?
JV: I think it’s pretty cool. It’s a chance to see a team you don’t usually see. You go to parks you don’t usually go to. I think it’s cool.
FP: Anything you’d change about it?
JV: No, whatever.

FP: Earlier this week (Tuesday, June 15), you had a long rain delay, what do you do?
JV. I sat in the bullpen for a while, they were about to pull the tarp up but it ended up starting to rain again, so we walked in from the bullpen and kind of hung out, tried to keep ourselves sharp. KK had a hard time staying loose. Just try to kill time however you can.

FP: Looking around the locker room, there are a lot of former all-stars and guys that should be all-stars this year. How many will be on the NL roster this year?
JV: So many, it is hard to say. So many guys that have played in all-star games, and you’ve got guys like Prado, Heyward, Mac (McCann), but it’s up to the fans.
FP: Troy Glaus is having a big year, his first at first base and he probably deserves a shot too.
JV: it is crazy. He comes up to the plate and you’re just expecting something big to happen the way he’s been swinging. It’s been awesome to watch.

This week's TheFletch

Enjoy!

By far the biggest news that the Atlanta media got to play with last week was the Chipper Jones non-retirement news story. Last Tuesday, a source to the AJC let slip that Jones was meeting with team brass to potentially discuss his future with the team. After the local paper banged out about three different versions of the story on its website, a press conference was originally announced for later that night, though a few hours later it was revealed that the presser would not happen. The next day at the ballpark, all of the local television stations were in attendance, all angling for a piece of Jones. Instead the cameras had to settle for shots of Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons not taking batting practice but throwing out the first pitch. Then Thursday, Jones had had enough of all of the hubbub on local radio, television, websites and print media, so he called a quick powwow at his locker and announced that he would not be discussing the “R word” until after the season. Score Atlanta’s Stephen Black was on the scene and had a report on the “announcement” almost immediately after it happened. Black’s blog on www.scoreatl.com noted that Jones said, “I have not yet made my decision, but we all know which way I am leaning.” The non-announcement was also discussed by all of the radio stations, though not on the Braves pre-game show that Thursday.

I guess what makes me chuckle a bit is that Jones didn’t think that this news would spread like it did, when “the cork was let out of the bottle.” Said Jones in his impromptu conference, “I was becoming concerned with the firestorm.” I guess Jones didn’t realize how powerful of a figure he is here in Atlanta. When a future Hall of Famer’s retirement is hinted at, yes, people will care. It is a BIG news story.
Score Atlanta’s IJ Rosenberg wrote a nice piece on Chipper in his weekly Sitting in the Cheap Seats column and the AJC’s Mark Bradley stated the obvious (at least to him and myself and plenty of others here at Score Atlanta) that Jones is a lock for the Hall of Fame, but numerous callers to 790 The Zone’s Pollack & Bell seemed to disagree with logic. Several callers suspected, without proof, that Jones had dabbled in steroids. Instead of laughing off the insinuation, the pair instead spouted off the asinine logic of “in this day and age, you are guilty until proven innocent.” Really? You REALLY think he was juicing? So that’s why one of the best pure hitters ever in high school and one of the best pure hitters ever in the minor leagues and perhaps the third-best switch hitter ever in the major leagues lasted for so long? You think he was guilty until he proves himself innocent? Really guys?

In other coverage news, new Hawks head coach Larry Drew appeared on the Zone’s Mayhem in the AM last week. Steak, Nic, and Chris peppered the new coach with questions, including several about Joe Johnson. Drew skirted the issue of whether or not the free agent-to-be Johnson is a max-contract player, saying that in this system he is. Drew also deflected some criticism of Johnson that he doesn’t have “that killer instinct,” by saying that there are many players in the NBA that don’t possess the killer instinct that fans want to see their superstars have and wield. The AJC had a feature on Drew where he promised a new offensive scheme and the paper wondered if Johnson was the right fit for that new system. On Score Atlanta Sports Sunday (tune in this Sunday from 3-6 p.m. on 790 the Zone), I pondered if perhaps it was right to let Joe Johnson go and attempt to bring back Josh Childress from Greece and plug him into the starting lineup. I argued that the combination of Childress and Jamal Crawford would be more effective than the combination of Crawford and Johnson in that Crawford’s minutes would likely go up as well as his scoring to combat the loss of Johnson’s points. It was my argument that Horford’s rebounds and points total would also increase due to his new leadership role. Overall, with the subtraction of Johnson, it would be addition overall to this team and its locker room.

During last Sunday’s US Open coverage on NBC, analyst Johnny Miller cracked a joke that was maybe too soon. “After looking at the field right now, I don't know who's leaking more oil — the field or British Petroleum." The thing is, people will be up in arms about this comment, but who cares? I can just see it now, a bunch of activists (for what, I don’t know) demanding the Miller give an apology, but honestly, the joke was relevant and was something that you could see Leno saying. I want to get out ahead of this thing and tell people to NOT get offended. PLEASE.

Finally, 680 The Fan has announced that the official home of the Braves will also be the home for the 2011 PGA Championship, which will be held in Atlanta at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Buck Belue made the announcement earlier this week on his show after the station hyped up an announcement that will “change the future of the station.” Well not really. The station will air golf play-by-play on the air? which if you’ve ever listened to radio play-by-play of golf on XM radio can be VERY exciting. And by that I mean people might drive off the road due to falling asleep.


Can you believe he said that?
“The two chubby guys are doing it, Hinske and Glaus.” That crack analysis was delivered by David Pollack on 790 The Zone’s Pollack & Bell. A couple of things here Pollack: first, I’ve been in the locker room and Hinske isn’t chubby and Glaus is pretty muscular. I wouldn’t call them chubby, especially to their faces. Number two, I went to Georgia when you were there, Bro. You were a porkchop back in the day. Just because you don’t play anymore and you have lost a person’s worth of weight doesn’t mean you get to make fun of guys still in the game that aren’t even fat. Grady Jackson, I would give you. Not Eric Hinske. hink small, I think many of us are just grateful that someone

Eric O'Flaherty, the Braves tenured lefty reliever

Much like the Boardwalk piece of McDonald’s Monopoly promotion and truffles, solid lefthanded relief pitching is highly sought after and hard to come by. The Braves bullpen this season has three lefties that are borderline dominant but only one of those arms called Atlanta home last season. In his second year of duty with the Braves, Eric O’Flaherty has become one of the most-tenured arms in the pen and is a pitcher that Braves manager is not afraid to call on in the later innings. Last season, his first with Atlanta, O’Flaherty appeared in 78 games and finished with a 3.04 ERA and a 2-1 record. After an off-season that saw Atlanta retool its bullpen by letting Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez leave and replacing them with Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito, O’Flaherty was kept around, and he has seen his responsibilities grow. The lefty though says he is trying to keep everything the same, despite a role change. “I wouldn’t say it is too much different this year than last year,” says O’Flaherty. “I’m in a lot of the same situations, just a little bit later in the game.”

Last year O’Flaherty said he was used in more sixth inning situations whereas this year he has been mostly used as the main lefty out of the pen before getting to closer Billy Wagner, also a southpaw. “It started off with the same setup as we had last year with Billy and Saito stepping in where (Soriano) and Mike left off, and with Saito getting hurt, a lot of us know we had to step up and we’ve done a good job picking up the slack so far.” O’Flaherty has helped limit the opposition to just seven earned runs against him in his 27.2 innings of work thus far this season in 35 appearances.

The closer may get all of the attention and all-star consideration but sometimes it is the set-up men that truly get the tough outs. O’Flaherty realizes how important his one or two outs a game can be and he enjoys having some help in the pen with fellow lefty Jonny Venters. “It is nice this year having Jonny down there too so they can kind of mix and match with us like we did (recently) in Minnesota,” O’Flaherty recalled. “They went with me then (Peter) Moylan then there was another lefty coming up and Jonny was able to come in and face that guy, rather than me having to face a righty in the middle too.” Having options has allowed Cox to pick the perfect match-ups for each of his pitchers and has led to the pen’s outstanding work thus far this season. “We just have a stronger bullpen all-around so it’s taken a lot of pressure off everybody.”

But how will the bullpen and O’Flaherty hold up once the weather heats up? Last season, as the temperatures got hotter, the pen cooled off, along with the Braves’ playoff chances. This year the Braves are in first place, but O’Flaherty doesn’t feel any extra pressure. “I don’t see any pressure on anyone this year, surprisingly,” reveals O’Flaherty. “I would expect, being a first-place team, for us to be kind of pressing more and more, but everyone seems pretty much exactly the same as they did last year.” O’Flaherty’s strikeout to walk ratio has improved from last year, as has his strikeout per nine innings numbers. “We’re all playing hard and it seems like we’re comfortable and we believe in ourselves. We expect to be here and we belong here so we’re just going to go out and do our thing and let our talent take over.”

O’Flaherty may say it feels like last year, but he is doing better and not surprisingly, so are the Braves. “We’re just going to try and keep it going.”

Awesome, my kid is fat, let's blame McDonalds!

I get SOOOOO pissed off when bad parents try and blame other people because they shouldn't have spawned. SERIOUSLY pissed. I don't have kids but when I do and if I am a bad parent, I won't blame Wendy's because the logo has red hair.

I saw this in the AJC, "GROUP WILL SUE MCDONALDS'S OVER HAPPY MEAL TOYS." In the article "The Center for Science in the Public Interest says the toys in McDonalds Happy Meals are making America's children fat." Really? I have nine nieces and nephews and they aren't fat. Maybe because they don't eat the toys from a Happy Meal.

The article continues: The Washington-based consumer advocacy group threatened to file a lawsuit against McDonald's Tuesday, charging that the fast food chain "unfairly and deceptively" markets the toys to children. Well the adults that eat at McDonalds (PS, does anyone without kids still eat at McDonalds if it isn't breakfast?) certainly aren't interested in a Dora the Explorer glass!

Listen to this a-hole: "McDonald's marketing has the effect of conscripting America's children into an unpaid drone army of word-of-mouth marketers, causing them to nag their parents to bring them to McDonald's," CSPI's Stephen Gardner wrote to the heads of the chain in a letter announcing the lawsuit. I hate this guy.

And here is the best part: The center, which has filed dozens of lawsuits against food companies in recent years, is hoping the publicity and the threat of a lawsuit will force McDonald's to negotiate with them on the issue. The group announced the lawsuit in the letter to McDonald's 30 days before filing it with the hope that the company will agree to stop selling the toys before a suit is filed. AKA, the company doesn't really care about the kids, they just want a fat (pun intended) check from McDonalds because they don't want to do real work.

Is it the fast-food joint's place to monitor what we eat? Last time I checked, they are responsible for making money. And PS, Micky D's does have some healthy options. Case in point: the company made a pledge in 2007 to advertise only two types of Happy Meals to children younger than 12: one with four Chicken McNuggets, apple dippers with caramel dip and low-fat white milk, or one with a hamburger, apple dippers and milk. They both meet the company-set requirement of less than 600 calories, and no more than 35 percent of calories from fat, 10 percent of calories from saturated fat or 35 percent total sugar by weight. CSPI argues that even if those Happy Meals appear in advertisements, kids order the unhealthier meals most of the time. What more do you want McDonalds to do?

And in case you didn't think Stevie was a big enough bouche-dag, his boss decided to weigh in. Michael Jacobson, executive director of CSPI, says it's the parents responsibility too (not just McDonalds), but he equates the toy giveaways to a door to door salesman coming to a family's house every day and asking to privately speak with the children. "At some point parents get worn down," Jacobson says. "They don't always want to be saying no to their children. We feel like an awful lot of parents would be relieved if this one pressure was removed from them."

HEY, IF YOU DON'T LIKE SAYING NO, YOU AREN'T PREPARED TO HAVE KIDS. STOP GETTING PREGGERS AT THE AGE OF 16 AND APPEARING ON MTV OR I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS PREGNANT!

I get so pissed off when parents blame other people for their mistakes. You don't want your kid to get fat? Prepare them a healthy dinner. The kid is whining about going to McDonalds? Say NO! Stop being lazy. I think if I tried to whine about be a mindless drone or whatever Stevie said earlier, my parents would have given me the stink-eye and that was enough. i would have shut it up. I wish I could give the CSPI the stink-eye and they would go away.

I honestly hope this goes to court and the judge not only rules against the CSPI, but allows McDonalds to countersue for wasting everyone's time. Maybe even throw Stevie and this Jacobson guy in jail for contempt of court. Maybe then they'd learn. They'd probably then though say that the prison food came with a shower rape and try and sue...

Big B's Top Ten Uncommitted Georgia HS prospects

Big B Brian Jones was large and in charge last night on Score Atlanta's The Official Visit on 790 The Zone last night. He gave his top ten uncommitted Georgia High School players for the Signing Class of 2011. With no further ado....(And PS, to all of those Alabama fans, discussing our show on the RollTide message boards, thanks for the free pub.)

10) Chris Milton: 6-0, 175-pound athlete. Has spent most of career at QB position, but has great size to play corner at the next level. Has impressive offer list, but is favoring UNC, Tennessee and Wake Forest. He will decide before the season and I think UNC wins out here. Very good quickness, open-field moves, but lacks elite speed;

9) Stephon Tuitt: 6-5, 260 out Monroe Area. Recently claimed Miami is his new favorite, but went back and called the Yellow Jackets his leader after a recent visit to Tech;

8) Quan Bray: 5-11, 178-pound athlete out of Callaway. Plays running back, but projects to receiver or db in my opinion. Most are recruiting him as a WR and KR. Offers from Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State, Clemson, Florida…I’d say Clemson, Georgia and Bama lead, but Bray still wants to visit LSU, Florida and Miami. Wants to decide at Under Armour game, though we say he is a Bulldog;

7) A.J. Johnson: 6-3, 226-pound linebacker out of Gainesville. Johnson can play outside or inside linebacker because of his aggressiveness and size. Too early to tell, but I like Tech, Clemson, Bama and Florida, Tennessee and Miami here;

6) Gabe Wright: 6-3, 173-pound DT out of Carver. Jarvis Jones will help Georgia a little here, but Auburn, Tennessee, FSU, Clemson and Bama will challenge;

5) Jay Rome: 6-6, 240-pound tight end out of Valdosta. We like Georgia here, but after a recent trip to Clemson Rome said he has no leader. Rumor is that Clemson, Georgia, Florida and Alabama have caught his eye the most. Georgia is recruiting Rome the hardest, but he will wait until after his season and all five visits to decide;

4) Damian Swann: 6-0, 175-pound athlete out of Grady. Offers from everyone including Bama, Florida, FSU, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Southern Cal, Oklahoma, Ohio State and more. Propably a cb on the next level, but has potential at safety and WR as well;

3) C.J. Uzomah: 6-5, 230-pound QB out of North Gwinnett. He recently visited Auburn and has plans to visit Tennessee, South Carolina and LSU in the near future. Also likes Clemson and Notre Dame. Interesting prospect due to position: USF, Maryland and LSU want him as an athlete;

2) Isaiah Crowell: 5-11, 190-pound back out of Carver. Don’t expect Jarvis Jones’s decision to impact Crowell’s. But Marlin Lane and Mike Bellamy have hurt Clemson’s chances, so it’s a Bama-Georgia battle and I like Bama to win out;

1) Ray Drew: 6-5, 243-pound defensive end out of Thomas County Central. Offers from everyone. Too early to tell. I know he likes Florida and Georgia, but FSU and Auburn are also making a push. He will camp at FSU shortly and went to Big Cat weekend.

(PS, this is my list.)
10. Quan Bray
9. CJ Uzomah
8. Damian Swann
7. XZavier Ward
6. Gabe Wright
5. Stephen Tuitt
4. AJ Johnson
3. Jay Rome
2. Isaiah Crowell
1. Ray Drew

We actually had Ray Drew on the show last night and while it certainly sounded like Georgia has a shot, I got the feeling that he might be leaning a bit more towards Florida. Pisses me off....
And here is the link to the Roll Tide message board.
http://www.tidefans.com/forums/recruiting/106002-radio-recruiting-show-discusses-georgias-top-prospects.html

How the heck is Matt Diaz's thumb?

Braves outfielder Matt Diaz has been out of action since May 14 with a thumb injury. The leftfielder needed surgery to remove a bat splinter from his right hand. The injury first surfaced late last season but really affected Diaz this year as the career .310 hitter dipped down to .178 in just 26 games. Diaz, who routinely wears out left-handed pitching, hit a career-high 13 home runs last year to go with a .313 average. Last Thursday, Diaz passed a grip test which will now let him pick up a bat to start swinging to really begin his comeback.

“It’s going good. It’s a frustrating process, you know,” said Diaz last Wednesday, the day before his doctor’s appointment. “I try to be patient, which isn’t in my nature, but it’s coming along good. In the last few weeks, I’ve made some big strides.”

Because of the positive news, Diaz was able to take batting practice Saturday before game two of the Royals series. There was no news of any hiccups following the session, which should help Diaz get back quicker. “It (the recovery) will depend on how (the thumb) responds to how much hitting I can do.”

In Diaz’s absence, several players have stepped in to pick up the slack, with some success. “We’ve got plenty of depth out there in the outfield,” said Diaz about the seemingly solidified outfield. “That was one thing we said in spring training: we like out roster 1-25 because of the depth, and we’ve got a chance to show that because of some of these early injuries.” Eric Hinske has been raking since at a .311 clip with all five of his home runs coming after Diaz was put on the DL. “Hinske is playing great out there right now against righties.” Omar Infante, Brent Clevlen and Gregor Blanco have also filled in out in left during Diaz’s absence.

Diaz was originally expected to miss at least a month and return following the All-Star break, but now the righty could return sooner. “The more (BP) hitting I can do, the quicker I can get back.”

Life behind an All-star: David Ross, Braves back-up catcher

Before the 2009 season, David Ross agreed to a two-year deal with the Atlanta Braves, knowing that his odds of starting over a three-time all-star were very low. The Braves though needed some experience behind the dish to back up Brian McCann and Ross fit that bill. The Braves inked the seven-year veteran and Ross has been invaluable as McCann has missed time the last two years with eye troubles and various other injuries. Last season Ross appeared in 54 games and hit .273 with seven home runs. This season, Ross has played in 25 games as of Friday night and while he has not left the yard yet, his RBI total has nearly surpassed last year's mark and his average is around .300 (.293) with a .414 on-base percentage, more than suitable enough numbers for a back-up catcher.

" I know I have an all-star ahead of me so it makes my job a little bit easier in that I play once every couple of days and I (can) go all-out those days. I don’t have to pace myself," said Ross recently before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. McCann started that night and drove in a run while Ross watched from the bench. Ross had played the day before and rarely goes more than two games without at least a pinch hit appearance. "Bobby uses me really well in situations where he feels like I can succeed, and I appreciate that."

With McCann ahead of Ross, the 33-year-old former Red, Pirate, Red Sox, Dodger and Padre knows that he must contribute in other ways besides providing power like he did earlier in his career. Ross knows how to work a pitching staff and has done an outstanding job of catching this staff. Ross reveals that the way to build a rapport in though simply talking, a lot. "In spring training we do a lot of communication and I think that's really (it)." Ross credits the veteran pitchers as well as pitching coach Roger McDowell for helping him improve out on the field and call the great game that he does. "His (McDowell) communication skills with the player, the pitchers and catchers are some of the best I've ever been around."

But Ross also has in his corner the ability to not have to worry about tomorrow. Ross will get a spot start, usually on a day game or the last game of a series so that McCann can get some extra rest and be ready for the next big series. " I know come tomorrow he’s gonna be in there. And if he’s down for a couple of days, I can go in there and go hard, and if it is a week, two weeks, whatever it is I know I’m going to get some rest and be able to recover. It is nice and he is really good and we need him to be fresh."

Ross will be a free agent at season's end and the team has local product and former University of Georgia standout Clint Sammons at Class AAA Gwinnett who has a bit of major league experience. Will Ross move on at the end of the year and away from the shadow of Brian McCann? Possibly not says the "really comfortable" Ross. "After last year, coming in the coaching staff and players treated me with a lot of respect and I feel really comfortable, and the result of that comfort zone was a good year last year and I’m trying to help with that and to help win."

Ross seems to thrive in the Braves clubhouse and appears at ease with the fans during batting practice. Recently before a game against the Kansas City Royals, Ross signed about 25 autographs in the sweltering sun following his trip to the batting cage. And after only two career trips to the postseason, the Braves are in first place and playing well enough to earn Ross his third trip into October. "The end result, when you get to be 33 like I am and you know that you only have a couple, three or four years left is you want to win. That’s what we have here is a good group of guys and a chance to win and I'm enjoying myself." If Ross can keep excelling in his spot starts for the All-Star McCann perhaps Ross might get a few meaningful at-bats in the postseason.

This week's TheFletch

If you missed TheFletch in last week's issue of Score Atlanta, never fear, you can read it here on SBF. Just look for it on the ToC to the right. This week's TheFletch is right here and is guaranteed to be in this week's issue. And for everyone that is visiting us for the first time because of our pop in Score Atlanta, welcome.

If you have never listened to 680 The Fan’s morning show The Rude Awakening, you wouldn’t know that one of the co-host Perry Laurentino is an “any front-runner other than Atlanta” fan. Perry “roots” for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New York Mets and the USC Trojans. (He doesn’t appear to have an NBA or NHL team, probably because the show doesn’t address basketball or hockey enough for him to try to incite the fans by cheering for a major rival or front-runner.) Recently when his alma mater USC was smacked around by the NCAA, Perry went off, not on his school for doing wrong, but on everyone else. First he bashed the NCAA for coming down too hard. Then he bashed ALL of the school presidents, likening them to pimps doing anything for money. After this failed deflection, he openly wished for Reggie Bush to have been able to “do it again!” Said the Trojan fan, “Go for $400,000 instead of $300,000. Go for more next time!” I will say this that I am sure this was tongue-in-cheek as Perry wasn’t using his interview/commercial voice which is his “serious” voice. Instead he was in “quasi-scream with disbelief” mode.
He made me laugh as well (which might have been his goal the entire time?) when he said for everyone to wait three years when USC is preseason No. 3. His logic? “You think Alabama would have suffered on probation with Saban as coach? No they had Shula!”
Wait, did he just compare Lane Kiffin to Nick Saban? The latter has two national titles. The new USC coach lost by 23 points in his last game. I am not thinking that Saban would lose by 23 points these days…Nice comparison there Perry. Like comparing Spud Webb to Shaq.

Speaking of 680 The Fan, Chuck Oliver was by himself last week as Matt Chernoff was out and while Friday became Paul Finebaum-East, that was OK! On Friday, Kang took consecutive calls that would make Finebaum, a popular Alabama radio host that is known for inciting college football fans with crazy, unfounded rumors and generally talking college football all year long, proud. The first caller asked about Alabama’s offensive line before the classic “I’ll hang up and listen,” line, then the next caller asked about new South Carolina tailback Marcus Lattimore, but he hung up and listened. Kang is certainly at his best when he is dishing on college football. True he knows plenty about the other sports he talks about, but he is the King of College Football for a reason. The guy knows his stuff. He devours all of the magazines and talks to the right people through his connections with CSS and Auburn. His discussions on college football put to shame when anyone else on Atlanta radio tries to go solo on the topic, including Buck Belue at his own station as well as if anyone from 790 tried to do it, which I cannot recall anyone since Chuck even trying. Please, as a college football fan, give us more Kang talking college football. We want more!

The AJC’s Jeff Schultz came to the defense of Atlanta Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton in a recent blog, noting how it seems Braves fans don’t have much to complain about recently since the offense is leading the National League in several categories. Schultz is clearly remarking about how talk shows and postgame shows and local radio personalities have been calling for Pendleton’s head due to recent seasons’ offensive struggles and the well-documented Jeff Francoeur trip to see the Texas Rangers hitting coach opposed to his own. Here is the thing though, and Sports Illustrated pointed this out as well in an issue a few weeks back: the reason the Braves offense has come around has been due to an increase in walks and OBP. The SI piece interviewed Pendleton, asking him if he made it a point to emphasize the higher OBP approach, and he said it was not his idea. Interesting. TP, who won an MVP in his day as a player and spent time with the Braves during his career before becoming the hitting instructor, didn’t preach the take, take, take approach. So, sorry Jeff, it doesn’t appear that he deserves all of the credit in this situation. It appears that the players, possibly with the lead of rookie Jason Heyward as well as new vets Troy Glaus and Eric Hinske, have started taking pitches. Earlier this season it was Bobby Cox and Pendleton that wanted Heyward to be more aggressive, going away from the strategy that seemed to be working. No, I cannot heap praise upon him just yet. He has earned a reprieve from all of the “Let’s Fire Terry” talk, but let’s not give the man a huge raise just yet. Remember, Chipper Jones and Brian McCann are not having their typical seasons and Yunel Escobar is just now starting to come around. Hey, how is your work going with McLouth these days? There are still too many negatives, especially historically, for me to pull a Mark Bradley and be the first to flipflop and jump on the Terry is Great bandwagon. I just cannot do it.

Finally, Georgia Tech fans will be able to commiserate with University of Virginia and Oklahoma college baseball fans as Pam Ward was on the play-by-play call for the first game of the two teams’ Super Regional contest last weekend. As you may remember, ESPN’s Ward was calling the GT/Wake Forest football game that went into overtime last Fall when she was surprised that, after winning the coin toss, Tech elected to go on defense first. After her partner explained to her why Tech would do that, she seemed to be fine with the decision. 790 The Zone’s Mike Bell ripped her, with good reason, for that the next Monday. Could some one get Bell on the line again, because she managed to butcher the Super Regional between UVA and OU. It seems like perhaps she thought the baseball game would end after seven innings, maybe like softball does?, and she seemed surprised to be calling an eighth inning. Other times she just didn’t talk while her two color commentators took us through the action. ESPNU deserves some fault by loading up the booth with two analysts, but why is Pam Ward calling baseball? Honestly? Call me sexist, but come on. There isn’t someone that understands the game a little better that could do the call? Hey ESPN, if you REALLY need help, hit me up at fproctor@scoreatl.com.


Can you believe he said that?
“A couple of more years of (Troy) Glaus would sound mighty good.” The AJC’s Mark Bradley. Yep, the same Mark Bradley that wanted Glaus run out of town on a rail earlier this off-season now wants Frank Wren, a guy he slammed for signing Glaus to a one-year deal, to sign the aforementioned Glaus to a multi-year deal to take over for Chipper Jones. Tell me Mark, you haven’t twisted an ankle jumping on and off and on again the Frank Wren and Troy Glaus bandwagons, have you? Could you still type about how Mark Richt is on the hotseat with a twisted ankle? of cture where

Braves say, "BRING ON THE A.L.!"

Interleague play began in 1997, the brainchild of MLB commissioner Bud Selig and it is one of the few moves the commish has made that fans have embraced. Historically, the Atlanta Braves seem to like interleague play as the team, as of Thursday morning, was 113-103 (.520) against the American League, including 3-2 this year. The .520 winning percentage is third-best in the National League behind Florida and St. Louis.

The fans may enjoy seeing the senior circuit jump over and scramble to find a DH or watch the AL’s pitchers try awkwardly to swing a bat, but how do the players feel about the cross-over games?

“I like it. I like getting the different teams in,” said Matt Diaz before game two of the Tampa series at Turner Field. “The Rays actually traveled well up here to Atlanta, and that’s fun.” The Braves dropped game one of the series to the 2008 American League Pennant winners 10-4 before taking game two 6-2.

Braves catcher David Ross echoes Diaz’s enthusiasm for the interleague experience. “It’s nice to go to some (new) cities, like we’ve never gotten a chance to go to Minnesota (before last weekend), and it was unbelievable. A nice new park and some of those guys I’ve never played against. Joe Mauer is really good and the whole deal, so that was fun and a good experience.” The interleague games give Ross a chance to also face a few teams he has only seen on television, which he enjoys because of the change in strategy. “They’ve got to adjust to us and it is good for the fans. They get to see some players they may not normally get to see, especially when you play a Yankees or a Red Sox.”

Several members of the Braves bullpen also seem to enjoy the interleague games. “I think it’s cool to face some different teams, especially as a reliever,” says Eric O’Flaherty. The lefthander thinks that the pitcher holds the cards when the two leagues square off against each other. “You’re facing some guys that haven’t gotten a look at you, so you’ve got a little bit of a, well I wouldn’t say ‘element of surprise,’ but they’re unfamiliar with you and I think that gives the pitcher a little bit of an advantage, so I don’t mind it at all.”

Fellow lefty Jonny Venters agrees that keeping things fresh is good for everyone. “I think it’s pretty cool. It’s a chance to see a team you don’t usually see. You go to parks you don’t usually go to.”

Interleague play typically draws some of the biggest crowds across major league baseball, and for some cities, the games are some of the only ones that sell out during the season. Ross recognizes this point. “I think (big-market teams visiting) is good for the fans and for the front office with attendance, I think they like that stuff. (Interleague play) works for everybody.”

The system isn’t perfect though. This season the Braves don’t play the Yankees or Red Sox while Philadelphia does. As the Braves currently play the Rays, the Mets are facing the Cleveland Indians after traveling to Baltimore. The Indians and Orioles are both in last place in their respective divisions, a combined 36 games out of first place. “I think it could be done a little differently,” said Matt Diaz. “It’s frustrating watching different teams playing lesser opponents. I think there is a fairer way to do interleague play, but it is better than not having it at all.”

Perfect or not, the fans still dart through the turnstiles every year when the two leagues face each other and Turner Field is no different. The Tampa series opener drew over 30,000 fans, higher than the average attendance that The Ted has drawn this season. Braves fans will get to see the Royals and Tigers come to Atlanta as well this season, likely pushing the attendance numbers even higher. If Atlanta keeps playing well against the American League during the regular season, the fans might just get to see the Yankees come to Turner Field after all this season, in the World Series.

Georgia: The Hotbed of Baseball Talent

The Tigris and Euphrates rivers converged in ancient society to help form the Fertile Crescent in Mesopotmia, back when civilization was still in its cradle. While the Savannah River and the Chattahoochee River might not mean as much in a historical sense, the two rivers have certainly created a fertile territory in the state of Georgia for baseball players. This year five Georgia high schoolers and one Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket pitcher were selected in the first round with two more prep stars selected in the second, three more in the third and two more in the fourth rounds. The state of Georgia was considered by many baseball experts to be the hottest state this year in terms of prospects, and the state did not disappoint with seemingly pick after pick being called out in the first round having some Georgia connection.

Delino DeShields Jr., out of the Woodward Academy got the party started when the Houston Astros selected the son of the former Montreal Expo and Baltimore Oriole by the same name with the No. 8 overall pick. After Toronto grabbed Georgia Tech right-hander Deck McGuire with the No. 11 pick, the Texas Rangers tapped one of the fastest risers in all of the draft, Jake Skole with the No. 15 pick.

Out of Blessed Trinity, Skole missed most of his senior season with an injury and was ready to go to Georgia Tech on a football scholarship when a recent hot streak really got scouts excited. “Scouts were at all of the last few games, watching everything I did, from warming up to long toss to batting practice,” said Skole. The outfielder possesses great speed and is very strong defensively. Skole noted that the scouts also “loved to see the power numbers,” and his ability to play multiple sports. The multiple sports may have helped Skole get drafted as highly as he did because it gave him some publicity as the baseball player that dominated the gridiron. “It is a good problem to have,” Skole said of his ability to excel at both football and baseball. Skole described the differences between the two in that football is more aggressive while baseball “is more cool and collected. It is more of a mental game.” Skole recently agreed to a contract with the Rangers that will give him a $1.557M signing bonus and he will report to either the Rangers rookie team in Arizona or the Class Low-A in Spokane, Washington. With the deal, Skole’s college career is all but over, something that disappoints Skole. “I’m bummed that I’ll miss the atmosphere of an ACC football game.” He had planned to walk on to the Tech baseball team and join his brother, All-ACC infielder Matt Skole, but “they (Tech) want the best for me.”
In fact Skole was watching his brother play against Alabama when he heard that he had been drafted. While he was excited, Skole also noted that he was relieved to get the “fun ride” over with. “(Being drafted so early) was a little surprising, but I knew it would happen sooner or later.”

After the Blessed Trinity star’s football career ended with the No. 15 pick, Kaleb Cowart of Cook County heard his name called at No. 18 by the Los Angeles Angels. This would become a theme as the Angels dipped back into the state with the No. 29 pick and the No. 30 pick, taking East Coweta pitcher Cam Bedrosian and Marietta centerfielder Chevez Clarke, respectively.
Bedrosian’s high school coach Franklin DeLoach wasn’t surprised that Bedrosian was taken in the first round as he always knew how good he was, dating back to when he first saw him in the ninth grade. “He was always modest and just worked hard,” said DeLoach of his fifth charge drafted in the last seven years and highest ever in his thirteen years as a coach. “Cam was the same old, same old (throughout the process) and was the same great teammate the whole time.”
DeLoach said that he and his assistant coaches and their families all got together and were texting back and forth with Cam and his father, East Coweta pitching coach and former major league reliever Steve Bedrosian, and DeLoach said that when he saw Cam get picked he was proud and excited. “The buttons on our shirts almost came off we jumped up so fast.” DeLoach commented that his player is first class and the best teammate he has ever coached. “He’s the finest young man you’ll ever meet.”
How did Bedrosian celebrate? He came out to a youth clinic just days after being drafted to thank his coaches and sign autographs for all of the campers at DeLoach’s clinic.

Chris Stafford, the Marietta High School baseball coach was just as glowing with his thoughts on Chevez “Chevy” Clarke. “Clarke has the best tools of any player I have ever coached,” said the first year Marietta coach. Stafford has previously coached a first round pick and second round pick, but thinks that Clarke’s success, “is attributed to a great support system of family and coaches and a phenomenal work ethic and ability to stay focused during this crazy process and most of all a strong faith in God.”

Stafford said that he was watching the draft on television with his wife when he saw Clarke’s name called at No. 30 by the Angels. “They had told us that if Chevez was still available by the 30th they would take him,” said Stafford. After taking two other Georgia prospects with their first two picks, Stafford and the Clarkes were not sure he would go in the first round, so no joint party was planned. Then the LA Angels chose him with the team’s next pick. “As soon as pick number 30 came I got real excited and when I heard his name I grabbed my keys and headed over to their house to congratulate him and his family. We all thought he had a good chance to go in the first but had no certainty at all if it would be early first or if it could go down to the 2nd round.”

Cartier Goodrum of Fayetteville, Ralston Cash of Gainesville went in the second round while Aaron Shipman (Brooks County), Christopher Hawkins (North Gwinnett) and Jordan Akins (Union Grove) went in the third. Mill Creek’s Matthew Grimes and Alvin Toles of Sandy Creek both went in the fourth round.

Georgia once again provided major league baseball with a plethora of prospects. DeLoach said it best when he said that “predicting the draft is like predicting the weather.” No one knows for sure what will happen until it happens. But for five Georgia high school players taken in the first round, life seems pretty sunny.

Big B breaks downs Georgia's Class of 2011, thus far

Brian Jones of Score Atlanta fame broke down the 11 Georgia commitments to date. Yesterday Carver-Columbus and former USC LB/DE Jarvis Jones "committed" to Georgia and will redshirt during the upcoming season as he recovers from a neck injury that ended his Trojan career. For more of Big B, tune in to Sports Radio 790 The Zone this Sunday from 2-5. PS, this list debuted last night on The Official Visit. Catch next week's show on 790 next Tuesday from 7-9 p.m.

11. David Andrews (C, Wesleyan) – Has great technique and has the intelligence that you need in a center. Is not real big, standing at 6-2 and 276 pounds, but will have time to grow when he gets on campus next year.

10. Justin Scott-Wesley (WR, Mitchell Co.) – Wesley is a receiver that can make the tough catch in the middle of the field. Has good speed and plays with no fear. The only area where he needs to improve is route running, but he will make a standout receiver on the next level.

9. Zach Witchett (WR, Washington) – Like Justin Scott-Wesley, Zach Witchett is a downfield threat that is lightning fast. He has great body control and knows where to go to get open. Needs to improve route running, but with another year at the position, he should be able to do just that.

8. Devin Bowman (CB, Ridgeland) – Devin Bowman has played the majority of his high school career as a running back, but has the size and agility to be a cornerback at the next level. One more year at the corner position will help his fundamental skills such as jamming ability and back pedaling, but can be an elite corner when he leaves the college ranks.

7. Armarlo Herrera (LB, North Clayton) – This linebacker from North Clayton can hit and hit you hard. He also knows where to be at all times and has exceptional speed. Pass coverage is something he can improve on, but be a major player as an inside linebacker for the 3-4 defense.

6. Sterling Bailey (DE, East Hall) – Sterling Bailey is an end that just gets after the quarterback. He has quick feet and is extremely athletic. He would like to get stronger at the point of attack, but would fit well in the 3-4 scheme.

5. Chirs Conley (WR, North Paulding) – Standing at 6-2, 185, Chris Conley could be the next A.J. Green if he continues to improve. He has great hands and can snatch balls out of the air. He should continue to improve his footwork this season and if that happens he will play for UGA right away.

4. Christian Lemay (QB, Butler (NC)) – There are not many quarterbacks in the country that are better than Christian LeMay. He is a natural leader that has rocket arm. With him along with Hutston Mason and Aaron Murray, the QB position should be a non-issue for UGA for awhile.

3. Corey Moore (S, Griffin) – Corey Moore made a huge impact at the safety position last year. He hit hard and is a tough as they come. He is raw at the position and will look to improve his coverage skills this upcoming season.

2. Chris Sanders (ATH, Tucker) – Chris Sanders can play a variety of positions, but he is at his best safety. He is tough and can cover the entire field because of his speed. He has all the tools to be a free safety at the college level.

1. Nick Marshall (ATH, Wilcox Co.) – If you haven’t seen Nick Marshall play, then you are missing out because he is just a football player. He has blazing speed, and has great size to play quarterback or safety. UGA is recruiting him to play safety, but don’t be surprised to see him play on the other side of the ball like Branden Smith did for the Dawgs last year.

Move over Moylan, Slide over Saito!

Peter Moylan to Takashi Saito to Billy Wagner. That was the way the Braves brass hoped the seventh, eighth and ninth innings would go for Atlanta this season. Over the off-season the bullpen was overhauled with Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez leaving and Saito and Wagner arriving. Wagner entered the season with 385 career saves and thus far has eleven, moving him to fifth all-time on the career saves list. The recipe hasn't exactly gone according to plan though, and perhaps that is a good thing, as the future of the Braves bullpen has busted out earlier than expected. Two names in particular have made huge contributions to the Braves pen, and both look like they'll be working late innings in Atlanta for a long time.

Jonny Venters came out of spring training looking quite impressive but was sent to Class AAA Gwinnett to receive regular work in the starting rotation. Injuries to the starting rotation and some reshuffling of the pitching staff led Venters to get called up to take Kris Medlen's role as long reliever. Venters said that early on, following the path of Medlen was a pretty good life to have. "He's a great guy to follow. We played together in Mississippi and he was a great starter. The rotation here is really good and he had to go to the bullpen."

The front of the pen in long relief is where Venters started, but recently Venters has recorded his first career save and served as the main set-up man against the Dodgers in the team’s recent west coast swing. Said Venters of his new role in the bullpen, "I've always been a starter, but I like the bullpen." And Venters is certainly old school for being such a young pitcher. Venters wants to do whatever will help the team. "Whatever they feel like I can do, that's what I'll do."

Venters says that the transition from starter to reliever wasn't a tough one. "I've definitely gotten more used to it than when I first got here." He is quick to credit Wagner, Moylan and the rest of the bullpen for some of his success. "This is my first time really pitching out of the bullpen and they've kind of watched me and helped me learn how to get loose, how to throw before the game, and everything. They've all really helped me a lot. Everyday I learn something new."

If Venters continues to learn and improve under the tutelage of pitching coach Roger McDowell and Wagner, then he could be scary good before long. on a recent Braves radio broadcast, Don Sutton said that if Venters was a stock on the New York exchange, "you'd want to buy now."

The other name that people were whispering all through spring training and openly comparing to Wagner was Craig Kimbrel. The righty Kimbrel seems like an exact mirror opposite of the southpaw Wagner, with only one inch and a 12-pack of pounds separating their exact appearances. Kimbrel throws seemingly the same filthy stuff that Wagner can deliver and Kimbrel also ratchets up the velocity from his smaller frame just like Wagner does. Unlike Venters though, Kimbrel knows his future is "definitely" in the bullpen, perhaps even as the next closer. "I'm a bullpen guy. I want to be a closer one day, hopefully. In college I started, but [the] bullpen is definitely the way to go."

Despite some early struggles, Kimbrel is back with the club and is getting some great advice from the current closer. "Everyday he's got something to say to me for me to work on. He's really been very helpful." Kimbrel picked up his first career win earlier this season and is with his second tour of duty with the club.
Kimbrel appears to have gotten over some of those struggles and he knows that in order to stick around, he'll have to continue to work hard. "I'm working on a lot of stuff, and I've just got to go out there and pitch to my abilities."

How does the current closer feel about these young arms? Wagner said that during spring training he looked around and realized just how much young talent the Braves organization truly boasts. "In a couple years you're looking at Kimbrel, you've got great arms with Jonny Venters. There are a lot of young kids who've got fantastic futures ahead of them. All they need is the experience of going out there."
Wagner is currently the one called on in the ninth inning when the game needs saving, but he also realizes that his role is to serve as a bridge to the future, which is these young arms. "I'm glad I'm able to be here and see these kids, see how to help them adjust to this and maybe what to think and help calm them down at times."

For now Wagner can keep adding to his saves total, but after Wagner retires following the season, the Braves can feel comfortable handing the ball to either of these two young guns.

Paul Mac weighs in on USC

I kind of thought USC got of light. 2 years no bowls and 30 scholarships for complete loss of institutional control in all major revenue sports. They weren’t even trying to be clean.

Tim Floyd DID pay OJ Mayo the best player in the country at the time.

Reggie Bush yes but what about Dwayne Jarrett’s Caddy?… what about Matt Leinert’s family and the rent free stuff?

They were as dirty as programs can possibly be in the information age. This is 2 steps above SMU and they only got 2 years with no bowls and lost essentially a scholarship class.

Too harsh? This smacks of arrogance friend. Mike Garrett knew ALL OF IT and he STILL HAS A JOB!!! Carroll ALL OF IT that’s why he left. Is it any wonder Sark got out when he did?

Lane Kiffin was so arrogant he thumbed his nose at the NCAA all last year and then KNOWING THIS WAS COMING…. Mike Garrett hired THIS guy to replace Pete Carroll.

These guys don’t get it. They feel like they are entitled to all this stuff. They are entitled to praise and championships…. Leinart’s performance as a pro is evidence. Lendale White’s performance as a pro…evidence.

USC doesn’t think they did anything wrong? They have a culture of cheating and shady dealings…. They needed more of a penalty than this not what they got and they are APPEALING getting off light? Really? About the only thing not mentioned yet is hookers and blow…. Oh wait, didn’t Mark Sanchez get in trouble too?

Really Mike Garrett an appeal? You should be happy you still have a revenue sport this year.

TheFletch, last week's edition

Sorry I didn't get this out until today. I was just giving you a chance to read it first on scoreatl.com or by picking up a copy at your local Kroger or QuikTrip. Catch this Friday's edition too as I am working on the cover story about the baseball draft!

The Atlanta Hawks coaching search continues and a different name is the hot pick (at least until it changes, probably tomorrow) is now ESPN’s Mark Jackson. The former point guard has been calling games for the last few years for ESPN and ABC, and the team interviewed Jackson last week. Several of the radio hosts have even seemingly gone to bat for him recently. On Brandon and Woolvy earlier this week, Jeff Woolverton laid out all of the positives that Jackson potentially could bring to the Hawks bench, several of which might outweigh the fact that he’s never been a head coach. Woolvy brought up the fact that he has played for some of the greatest coaches the game has ever seen as well as how he reportedly has the respect of all of the current players. The most interesting point though that Woolvy raised though was the potential increase in respect that Jackson would bring to Atlanta. He pointed out, much like we have here as well in the column over the months, that sometimes the national media (read: ESPN, Bill Simmons, ETC) lays waste to Atlanta and its team and fans, and perhaps with Jackson at the helm, ESPN would be more likely to give Atlanta the benefit of the doubt. I thought it was an interesting point. Maybe ESPN WOULD lay off one of its former workers in his new job. Adams however did remind everyone that Jackson would be a rookie coach and perhaps this would be an on-the-job-training ground for him before he moves on to a more successful position, ala Doc Rivers in Orlando to Boston.

Tim Legler appeared on Buck & Kincade earlier this week and he too addressed Jackson’s potential. Legler praised Jackson and glossed right over that he has never been a head coach, perhaps cementing Woolvy’s point that ESPN would suddenly respect the Hawks. Legler confirmed that Jackson has the players’ respect and noted how the Hawks might be the perfect fit for Jackson as it isn’t a team “that has to start from the ground up.”

Finally on the Hawks coaching search, Jeff Schultz of the AJC is still lobbying for Avery Johnson while Mark Bradley attempted to get people excited over the possibility that Doc Rivers may leave the Celtics for his former team, Atlanta. Bradley, or rather his misleading headline writer, after hoodwinking everyone into clicking onto his online blog, reveals what everyone already knew: Rivers isn’t coming to Atlanta. Rivers has said that he is walking away after this year to watch his children play sports for a year. He wouldn’t give that up, especially after playing for a championship with a team that could again next year, to come to Atlanta. It wouldn’t happen.

Adams was back last week after going on vacation and he put up a blog on the 790thezone.com website about the finale of Lost. Adams’ final point of the well-written article related the swing-and-miss ending of Lost to sports.

Said Adams, “In a universe of culture where everyone seems to content to think small, I think many of us are just grateful that someone has the guts to swing for the fences.

This is also true for sports. For example, if the Hawks were to go all-in and sign LeBron James or some big-name free agent to a mega-million dollar deal and he were to break his leg and never accomplish anything in Atlanta, most Hawks fans would be pretty forgiving of Rick Sund or any of the other corporate types who would have a hand in a decision like that because at least they had the guts to try something big. Sports fans are no different than fans of television dramas. We all like bold strokes.”
I will have to disagree with Adams on this point that fans will be forgiving of a move that doesn’t work out. While we would “respect the move” of going after someone big, ask Orlando Magic fans if they were pleased as punch over Grant Hill. Yes, we LOVE bold strokes, but those strokes have to work out. Taking Marvin Williams over a point guard was a bold stroke to say the least. He could have been Kevin Durant before Durant was Durant, but it didn’t happen. Look how divided Hawks fans were over the Atlanta Spirit Group’s bold stroke of Joe Johnson. Seemingly every show I’ve ever co-host that has talked about the Hawks has had two strong sides: those saying keep him and those saying that he’s a bum. I would say that the Joe Johnson signing was a swing-and-miss. Did he lead the Hawks to the playoffs? Not until Mike Bibby arrived. Johnson disappeared this postseason and then popped off at the fans through the media. Not exactly a home run; maybe a double that advanced a runner to third.

The media has a tendency to go mock-draft crazy these days and the AJC has jumped on the MLB draft with so much talent in the state this year. Michael Carvell documented five different state talents that have a real chance at going in the first round of this week’s draft. In fact, the AJC was all over the MLB draft as players from the Marietta/Cobb area as well as Gwinnett area were considered strong bets to be among the talent pool that the Atlanta Braves would be selecting from at pick No. 35 and pick No. 53. In Carvell’s piece, the AJC prep writer/blogger also linked to eight other feature stories that gave plenty of background on these players, as well as several other nice local stories. The state of Georgia gets so much attention for football (for clear and obvious reasons) and is quickly rising in basketball, but perhaps it is baseball that could be Georgia’s strongest and most fertile breeding ground. Several of the game’s top players have called Georgia home including Jason Heyward, Adam Wainwright and the No. 1 overall pick from two years ago by Tampa Bay Tim Beckham of Griffin. Recently Score Atlanta Sports Sunday had University of Georgia head baseball coach David Perno, and after he praised the high school coaches for their exceptional work he commented how the Georgia high school and local club teams are so good in developing talent. He noted that he has several players that he will be keeping an eye on to see if they will be drafted in the top few rounds of the draft, perhaps leading to them foregoing Athens for huge signing bonuses. Roger Clarkson of the Athens Banner-Herald followed up with Coach Perno for a story that came out on the first day of the draft that noted how Perno was eagerly awaiting to see where signees Drew Cisco and Ralston Cash were selected.


Can you believe he said that?
In today’s football world, people care more about the NFL Draft than the Super Bowl. 680 The Fan’s Chuck Oliver hitting the nail right on the head, talking about how some people care more about what could be than what is. I will say this though Kang, for a lot of fans out there, the current stinks. We (especially Redskins fans) NEED the future!

Shouldn't we be able to do what we please?

Seriously? What ever happened to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

I was listening to the radio this morning (more on that in a minute) and I heard a Sheriff's deputy from Paulding County talking about a soon-to-be-enforced law north of Kennesaw that will make it illegal for people under the age of 18 to use a cell phone a vehicle at all AND will make texting ticket-eligible for drivers 18-and-over. (That includes data messaging, emailing, etc).

Are you kidding me?

They are trying to say that texting is distracting and this will help decrease accidents.

Funny, I can text while driving WITHOUT having to look down at my phone and I seem to do alright. I have friends that can text while driving withouth having to look down and they seem to do alright as well.

I don't think that texting while driving is ANYMORE of a distraction than say....

-Riding with a baby in the car. Seriously, those things can start screaming really loudly

-Riding with a soccer-mom van full of kids coming heading to the game. I know I was always tying and retying my shoes, making sure my batting gloves were tight. My buddy was always asking who stole his glove.

-Riding with a member of the marching band that is practicing his instrument. One time, at band camp....seriously though. try and concentrate while your fat little kid is playing his tuba.

-Riding with a nagging spouse. I love my wife. I am saying this for OTHER people...

-Riding with an in-law. I love my in-laws. I am sure other people don't like theirs though...

-Listening to the radio. That can be distracting, especially if you are listening to/yelling at a "really talented" sports radio host that got his job because he broke his neck. No he totally deserved that cushy job with ZERO prior experience...

-Smoking in the car. I am sure packing the ciggies then trying to fiddle with a lighter is TOTALLY safe, compared to texting while keeping your eyes on the road

-Riding with a dog on your lap. These people don't deserve tickets, they deserve to be shot.

-Riding with mapquest directions in your hand. I will admit, sometimes I am one of these a-holes, but isn't that more distracting when you are looking for road signs and then at a piece of paper, compared to texting while watching the road? COME ON!

Bottom line, you should be able to text in the car while driving, IF YOU CAN. I think a bunch of those drivers out there shouldn't be out there anyway, even if they AREN'T texting. But if I want to text, I guess I have to pull over. This is China afterall, right?

Nick Marshall to the Dawgs and the big winner is...

MARK FOX!

Yeppers, University of Georgia head football coach Mark Richt's idea of a dream team, a recruiting class made up of the best-of-the-best in-state talent, netted Wilcox County QB Nick Marshall last night. Marshall was so dynamic last season in the playoffs, leading Wilcox to the title and looking like perhaps the best player in the state in the process. So after being a silent Tech commit, Marshall has openly declared that he will sign with Georgia as a defensive back.

And the best part, the 6'2 pure athlete has announced that he will moonlight on the hardwood for Fox's Hounds. Yep, this dude also led Wilcox's BBall team to the semis by averaging 25.7 ppg. (I know, I covered the playoffs for GPB).

So not only does Georgia keep Marshall (tailor-made for Paul Johnson's offense) away from Tech, but they get a DB with size (what Grantham wants) AS WELL AS the first true STUD for Mark Fox's recruiting class in 2011....and Fox doesn't have to use up a scholarship to get perhaps the best returning player in SoGeo. This is a great day not just for Georgia football, but for Georgia Basketball. This guy could have double-dipped at FSU or Tech, but he decided to do so at Georgia.

Yeah, I'll say that Richt owes some thanks to Fox, just as much as Fox owes Richt a thank you card. Fox is showing with Thornton, Williams, Brantley (sort of) and now Marshall that he can keep some of the top talent in Georgia. NC State, Memphis, Tennessee, Wake: your days of raiding the state for whomever you want are OVER.

Big B's top GA tandems for Class of 2011

This list debuted on Score Atlanta's Official Visit last night on Sports Radio 790 The Zone. Brian Jones aka Big B comes up with a new list every week, and personally, I thought this list was a great idea. His next list will hit the airwaves next Tuesday sometime between 7-9 pm. TUNE IN! This list meanwhile is all about the best tandem of senior teammates. ENJOY!

10) Chattahoochee: OL Matt Kiefer, DE Barron Dixon. Just 4-6 last year;

9) Hillgrove: FB Jabri Hunt-Days (Tech bound like his half brother?), 6-2, 250-pound TE Ira McCune. 7-3 last year;

8) East Hall: DE Sterling Bailey (Georgia), DE Chaz Cheeks (GTech). 1-9;

7) Clarke Central: OL Alan Posey (Tennessee), QB Martay Mattox (South Carolina). 12-3 last year;

6) Griffin: DB Corey Moore (Georgia), DE Xzavier Dickson. 13-1 last year;

5) North Gwinnett: 6-4, 278-pound OL Garrett Clark, QB C.J. Uzomah. 12-1;

4) Valdosta: TE Jay Rome, DB Malcolm Mitchell. 7-4 last year;

3) Stephenson: LB Jordan Mincy, CB Jared Boyd (there is also OL Tarik Cook, LB Regis Ball and RB Willie Davis). 11-1;

2) Tucker: LB James Vaughters, S Chris Sanders (Georgia), also Justin Garrett. 9-3 last year;

1) Carver: RB Isaiah Crowell, DT Gabe Wright. 11-2 last year.

Others receiving consideration....
Gainesville: DT Thomas Niles (N.C. State), LB A.J. Johnson.
Lowndes: QB/RB/DB Tyler Hunter, RB Troy Brasswell

Oh, I've got a friggin' great idea!

The Atlanta Braves did not have a first round pick yesterday in the MLB draft because of the Billy Wagner signing, but the team did receive some picks from MLB and the Orioles after Mike Gonzalez was signed by Baltimore. With the Braves first pick at No.35, the team selected Atlanta-native Matt Lipka, recently of McKinney, TX. The shortstop may eventually become a lead-off hitter according to the Braves director of scouting Tony DeMacio.

Wait, WHAT?

We draft a shortstop with our first pick when our CURRENT shortstop is 26 and we just signed our "shortstop of the future" to a few million signing bonus (he's 18 by the way), when we have a GLARING need for a third baseman! Chipper is 98-years-old! Who is his replacement?

oh, but that's ok because DeMacio says the team likes his speed (Baseball America claimed he was the third fastest player in the draft) and he could move to CF. (bye bye jordan schafer and Nate McLouth?)

ummmm if you wanted a CF, why didn't you DRAFT A CENTERFIELDER? No, instead you want to draft a shortstop and MOVE him (maybe) to center. a guy you are about to pay a crap-ton of money to....

That's a head-scratcher

Tommy Hanson up for one year

June 7, 2009, a date that will live in Braves lore. That was the day that Big Red Tommy Hanson made his Atlanta Braves debut after lighting up every minor league stop prior to reaching the bigs. Hanson arrived in Atlanta just months after dominating spring training. Tommy Gun was also hotly anticipated after he became the first pitcher ever to be named MVP of the Arizona Fall League. Fans were chomping at the bit to get Hanson up with the big club after hearing tales of his 90 strikeouts an 1.49 ERA in just 66.1 innings of work in Gwinnett. Said former Gwinnett teammate, roommate and current Braves starter Kris Medlen, who actually made his major league debut a few weeks before Hanson, "We knew it was just a matter of time before he was here." With all of the Braves Nation watching, Hanson merely went out and went 11-4 in 21 starts, boasting a 2.8 ERA, striking out 116 in 127.2 innings of work. By the end of the season, Hanson was the Braves best option to take the rubber and might have captured the Rookie of the Year award had he made a few more starts earlier in the year. Hanson had lived up to the hype and raised the bar to potentially unrealistic expectations. "I don't feel any extra pressure," said Hanson of the bar that he raised for himself.

This season Hanson's strikeout totals haven't been as high and he was 4-3 as of last Sunday, but the big right-hander is averaging more than a strikeout per inning and should surpass last season's innings total by September. Now that Hanson has been up for a season and tasted some success early in his career, he has gotten a little perspective. "It (Strikeouts) is just of those things that happens. I try to win the game, that's my only goal when I go out to pitch." Recently the strikeouts have been coming a little more often for Hanson as he has K'd ten and seven in recent consecutive starts, but Hanson seems to get what pitching is all about. "It's good to get the strikeouts, but that's not my main goal when I go out there trying to pitch."

Getting the W is something that Hanson has found a little harder to do this season. Last year the Braves won 10 of his first 14 starts and while Atlanta has won seven of his ten starts this season, Hanson has just four wins to show for it. ""Everytime I go out, I just want to win and do well. I'll o as hard as I can to try and get better and learn as much as possible." Still Hanson feels that he is becoming a better pitcher every time out, even if the stats are not as blazing as they were last season. "I know I'm going to go every fifth day and I'm going to go out (and) try and win."

This season the combination of Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson was supposed to light the world on fire with the best under-25 one-two punch in the majors. Jurrjens has suffered through various injuries while Hanson's numbers have dipped a bit, though it is still very early in the season. Tim Hudson has also come back very well from injury and Derek Lowe is seemingly winning every time out on the mound. The fans still though come out to see Hanson. The big righty from Tulsa, OK by way of Redlands, California has become the new "IT" pitcher for Atlanta, the one that everyone pays to go see when they hear he is on the rubber. Hanson though is quick to deflect that status however. "We've got a tone of good pitchers here. (However) If people want to come out and watch me, it's always more fun when you have people in the stands."

It is still early in the year and so early in the career of Tommy Hanson, but one can only think that this kid has it and understands his role to the team. "It's not how many strikeouts you can get but it's going out there and getting a W." Hanson also has passed the torch of can't-miss-prospect on to Jason Hewyard this season. As much hullabuloo as Hanson received last year, Heyward received even more this spring training. Hanson complimented the young rightfielder, saying that he didn't really need to pass along any new information. "He handles everything well, going out there and playing well; going out there and playing hard like he should." In just one brief calendar year Hanson has gone from can't-miss-the-next-big-thing to simply a dominating starter that gives his team a chance to win every time out to the bump. That is all you can ask from a pitcher, who truly seems to get it.

Big B's top ten Class of 2011, most ready to make an impact

Last night on Score Atlanta's The Official Visit on 790 the Zone, we debuted Big B’s Top Ten 2011 Prospects most-ready to contribute their freshmen year. Here it is. PS, no blogs the next few days as I am taking a much needed vacation. Enjoy! Look for a piece on Tommy Hanson as Monday is his one-year anniversary in the Bigs (as well as Wifey's 29th birthday!)

10) Brian Randolph: 6-0, 180-pound safety out of Kell. Says it is between Tech and Tennessee. Tech may have a need at safety, depending on the play of Fred Holton and Isaiah Johnson.

9) Gabe Wright: 6-3, 273-pound DT out of Carver. His top 6: Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Florida State, Clemson, and Tennessee. His mom is obsessed with Auburn, so that’s where he’s going. Great player with impressive strength and stunning athleticism and agility. Also, Clemson’s connection to Carver with Corey Crawford and David Beasley and to Georgia defensive line talent in Brandon Thompson, will be tough to beat. He needs to gain some weight before contributing, though.

8) Quan Bray: 5-11, 178-pound athlete out of Callaway. Top four of Georgia, Alabama, Clemson and Tennessee. Wants to stay in state. Georgia’s to lose and versatility may help him get on the field early, but lack of a position may hurt.

7) A.J. Johnson: 6-3, 226-pound ILB out of Gainesville. Florida, Clemson, Auburn, an Bama will be tough to beat, but Tech is the hometown team. Clemson and Florida are the teams to beat, both have great LB coaches: Durkin and Steele. Great athlete with size and speed to contribute in some way.

6) C.J. Uzomah: 6-5, 230 pounds out of North Gwinnett. He will go to Tennessee, Auburn or Notre Dame. I think it will be Notre Dame. May graduate early, which would help, but hard to contribute at QB early.

5) Watts Dantzler: 6-7, 315-pound OT out of Dalton. Top five: Bama, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. All Georgia and should commit on his Birthday, November 16. OL is tough, but will be enrolled early.

4) Jay Rome: 6-6, 240-pound TE out of Valdosta. Has a top five of Georgia, Clemson, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee. Georgia is recruiting him the hardest and LeMay helps. Size and position help his chances.

3) James Vaughters: 6-2, 233-pound ILB out of Tucker. All-around player. Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Ohio State and Stanford his top five. Family in Ohio. Smart, physical and ready to contribute.

2) Isaiah Crowell: 5-11, 190-pound back out Carver. No early leader, but I like Clemson and Bama here. No doubt he will play as a freshman.

1) Ray Drew: 6-5, 243-pound DE out of Thomas County Central. UGA will be tough to beat, but Florida and USC will be players for sure. So developed physicall.y

TheFletch for Memorial day weekend!

It isn’t often that the Atlanta Braves get the lead on the 6 p.m. SportsCenter on ESPN, but last week, for one day, the Braves were the story. The Atlanta Braves were all the rage after Brooks Conrad planted a walk-off grand slam to complete a six-run comeback victory for Atlanta over the Cincinnati Reds in a Thursday daygame. The grand slam, just the nineteenth ever to win a game when the victors were three down at the time, and the comeback even earned a phone interview on SportsCenter with Conrad and Brian Kenny, as well as a “Remember When” timeline of the last few largest deficits overcome. Thanks to the walk-off magic, it was the Braves and not the Red Sox and/or the Yankees leading ESPN’s baseball coverage.

Speaking of that grand slam, I must compliment Jim Powell once again for his call. Powell has been a great voice in the Braves broadcast booth in his short time with the club and I am not certain why others haven’t really embraced him. Is he Skip or Pete? No. But Powell has a bit of that home-town-kid feel to him that gives me the impression that he cares whether or not the Braves win, but he doesn’t go overboard like the guy from the Yankees. In the season opener when Heyward knocked his first home run, I can just hear Michael Kay or the other guys up in the Yankees booth ruining the call. Powell did not. And with the grand slam, it was disbelief that quickly turned into joy with a dash of understanding the importance of what was just seen thrown in. He didn’t go crazy but I got the opinion that after he saw it was a home run, perhaps he stood up in the booth and raised his arms. He was able to keep everything under control but a smile could be heard through his voice. That is the kind of announcer I want.


Perry Laurentino of 680 the Fan’s The Rude Awakening missed the point recently in one of his rants after learning of Cleveland relieving Mike Brown of coaching duties. Laurentino was adamant that Brown was made the scapegoat after his team once again was sent packing in the second round of the playoffs after owning the regular season’s best record. Brown was named Coach of the Year last season and coached the MVP of both seasons in LeBron James but both seasons ended prematurely with James and company watching the Eastern Conference finals from home. Brown was given several new players this season with the hope of making one final run to an NBA title to keep LeBron James, the potential free agent. Laurentino was blasting the GM when in reality it was Brown that was simply outcoached last year by Stan Van Gundy and this year by Doc Rivers. Brown also had his pants pulled down in the NBA Finals several years ago by the Spurs. Laurentino admitted that Brown is not the strategist that other coaches are but then lost the argument when he said, “Was it his fault that Mo Williams couldn’t guard Rajon Rondo? Was it his fault that Kevin Garnett exposed Antawn Jamison?” You had me until there Perry. Yes, that is Brown’s fault. If Brown saw any tape of Rondo from the first round, he should have known that perhaps Williams would need some help defending him. If Brown saw Jamison getting toasted by Garnett, switch up the coverage. Play Anderson Varejao more since he seemed to be effective against Boston. Brown clearly never made any adjustments and because of it his team is at home. And PS, can we pass a memo along that Mike Woodson wasn’t fired? His contract was up and the team told him that the Hawks organization would be going a different direction, SINCE THE CONTRACT WAS UP. These situations are NOT the same. One guy was fired, one guy’s contract was up and not renewed. Both the AJC and 680 The Fan have gotten that one wrong

Speaking of the Hawks going vacancy, I hope everyone is careful calling for Avery Johnson to be the next head coach. Writers in the AJC and as well as hosts on 790 have called for him to be hired as the next coach, but I ask, “Is he that good?” The lasting images of Avery Johnson that I have include his team choking away the 2006 NBA Finals after being up 2-0 with a big lead in game three, as well as securing the best record in the league the following season, only to lose as the No. 1 seed to No. 8 Golden State where he was outcoached by Don Nelson. And to follow that up, he lost early the next season in the playoffs when his players seemingly quit on him. And we really want this guy, especially at potentially $4M per season? Be careful what you wish for guys.

It appears that Georgia Public Broadcasting will be back out at high schools around the state this fall with more Friday Night Football on the gpb webcasts. Last season a record number of viewers watched the state semi-final football contest between Northside and Newnan, and the season featured several big-time matchups such as Lowndes/Northside and Tucker/Southwest DeKalb. This season promises to be even better. For more, check out www.scoreatl.com as well as gpb.org.

Finally, one quick word that we here at The Fletch are keeping good thoughts for you, Mr. Soon to be Famous John Michaels. If you miss hearing John on the air, read his blog on www.790thezone.com to get an idea of what is going on. I had a chance to reach out to John and he said he hopes to be back on the air sooner rather than later. I consider the Soon to Be Famous a friend, and I had the pleasure of co-hosting a few shows with him. He showed me the ropes at 790 The Zone and is truly one of the good guys. Good luck to you John.

Can you BELIEVE he said that?
“To Quote the great Al Michaels, ‘Do you believe in miracles?’” Steve West dropped this line on the Atlanta Braves wrap-up show after Brooks Conrad knocked the walk-off grand slam to beat the Reds. Was it a big comeback? Yes. Was it a bunch of college kids knocking off the biggest, baddest hockey team in the world at the Olympics? No. Exaggeration, my name is Steve.