tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19636504216669995002024-03-13T12:23:13.308-04:00Chicks Dig Diamonds & DugoutsA View From the Ladies Side of the Platediamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-84350358857026543052018-09-11T18:17:00.001-04:002018-09-11T18:17:18.838-04:00Are We Only United Through Tragedy?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's hard to believe that I haven't posted in over a year. I have so many thoughts, so many words, so many things that I want to write about. Work gets busy. Life happens. Time slips away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Today I need to write. The words need to come spilling out. Today has been a day of reflection, in several ways. The 17th anniversary of the attacks. Has it really been that long? It doesn't seem possible. It seems like it just happened yesterday. Everything is so vivid, so fresh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've been in Charleston South Carolina for the past few days, travelling on business. Going out to dinner last night, we drove a street lined with American flags, flapping proudly in the wind. They looked beautiful! So proud! So majestic!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My thoughts turn to those who lost their lives, especially the first responders. I think about those brave souls on Flight 93. They sacrificed their lives to save so many more. I think about the families, those who lost someone so special. Someone they loved with every bit of their heart. A hole that won't heal. A pain that will never subside. A scar left forever. I think about those who are still here, dying a slow and painful death because they were there, working at the pile, day after day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I think of how our country came together. Everyone was kind. Everyone was thoughtful. We had each other's backs. We were one huge family. We truly were united. There was no yelling. No name-calling. No arguing. We unabashedly loved our country and we supported our president, no matter our party. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's so opposite of how things are now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I had to leave Charleston a little early. This morning's presentation was cancelled. My hotel was closing at noon. Yes, a hotel was closing. The city is under order to evacuate. Hurricane Florence is on her way. She is big. Devastatingly big. And she is gaining strength by the hour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It was strange driving on I-26. The east-bound lanes, the ones heading to the coast, were closed. It was odd. There was no traffic coming towards me, save the occasional police car. I saw local police vehicles from various cities and towns, county police, state troopers and fire departments. They were positioned sporadically in the medians and at all entrance ramps on the east-bound side. No one is heading east. Police cars blocked the ramps leading to I-95. How many miles of that interstate are closed?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">At noon, all the east-bound lanes will have west-bound traffic. It's the Hurricane Evacuation Route. You've seen the blue signs with the hurricane symbol. Suddenly, they're so real. All highways, all interstates will lead traffic away from our eastern coast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It was very thought-provoking, seeing all of these first responders in a place of impending disaster. Of all days to see so many, so many of those who dedicate their lives to protect others, to see them on September 11th.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As I neared Atlanta I saw a convoy of power trucks headed east. I don't know where they were from. Probably some place far away. They are getting ready for the clean-up. Getting ready to help those in need.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Once again, Americans will come together to help each other. People won't be yelling at each other, telling one another how "wrong" they are. People won't be judging or hating each other. They will be helping each other. In the aftermath of disaster and tragedy, no one will see color, social status or religion. There will only be neighbors helping neighbors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">That's my America. I wish it could be like this all the time, but without the disaster, the tragedy or the tears.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Stay safe my friends.</span> <br />
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diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-62920771360776879462017-04-15T21:08:00.001-04:002017-04-15T21:56:16.446-04:00It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I freely admit it. I wasn't happy that the Atlanta Braves were leaving Turner Field. I loved the Ted! I spent literally hundreds of evenings there, cheering my team, always there for Opening Day and hopefully still there late into October. Turner Field was a beautiful ballpark with amazing views of downtown Atlanta. Every out-of-towner I spoke with would ask why the Braves would ever leave such a beautiful park. I spent the last two seasons mourning the slow death of one of my dearest friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Though my heart was sad, my brain understood. The city of Atlanta didn't treat the Braves as well as they should have. Years of broken promises and a history of being a bad landlord (the city owns the ballpark) the team seemingly always playing second fiddle to the Atlanta Falcons in the eyes of City Hall. John Schuerholz and company took matters into their own hands and moved eight miles north. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been to Sun Trust Park three times now. Once in October for a hard hat tour, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a few weeks ago</span> for a spring training game and last night for the Home Opener. My assessment? The Braves did it right! Is it absolutely perfect? No, there are a few glitches to work out but the ones that I experienced <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i</span>n Marc<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">h</span> were almost completely rectified by the Home Opener. The biggest negative for me? Ticket prices. My seats doubled in price. The organization definitely courted corporations. Those who benefit from getting 'free' tickets from their employer, a company vendor or whomever will have an amazing experience with great seats and exclusive restaurants/clubs. My concern is for the 'regular' people. The parents who want to take their 2, 3, 4, 5 kids. It will hit the wallet much harder this year than it did last year. But baseball is a business and the players have to get paid somehow. No matter the sport, this always comes with a new venue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, back to what really matters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In my world, Opening Day marks the beginning of spring. Spring came a little late this year as the Braves were the last team to play at home. It was worth the wait!! Fans came early, way before the gates opened . Tailgating, exploring everything the Battery had to offer and checking out the newly unveiled statue of Bobby Cox. It's an amazing likeness and it really captures the essence of the Braves former skipper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love the energy, the sights, the sounds and the ceremony of Opening Day. The smell of hot dogs wafting through the air, the crunch of peanut shells underfoot, the vendor who can be heard over everything yelling "cold beer" and the sight of that beautiful, pristine playing field! The blades of grass almost waving everyone toward their seats. I love seeing Walter Banks, a Braves usher since the team came to Atlanta, and then seeing and hugging my usher, Thelma, a beautiful lady who made the move from Turner Field. Thank goodness! I love finding my brand new tomahawk waiting for me in my cup holder, watching both teams being introduced, seeing the huge American flag being unfurled and most of all, the fly over! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Braves do ceremony like no one else. John Schuerholz addressed the sold out crowd welcoming us and making certain that we all knew that Sun Trust Park was built specifically for us, the fans. The ballpark was built to be the best venue to watch a baseball game and to have the ultimate fan experience. Everything in the park was in place, statues had been moved, memorabilia displayed, but saved for Opening Day was the unveiling of retired numbers. A brief video tribute of each player preceded his number being unveiled. The late Eddie Matthews and Warren Spahn were unveiled first. As the following Braves legends were introduced, Phil Niekro, Dale Murphy, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Chipper Jones, the crowd went crazy! Each player truly seemed to be savoring the moment. Bobby Cox followed the players and though it seemed impossible, the crowd was even louder. And then, the greatest Brave ever...Hank Aaron! The cheering was truly deafening! Hank's smile was ear-to-ear as he took the field and waved to the crowd. He moves more slowly now and that's ok. It gives the fans more time to cheer and it gives Hank more time to savor the moment. And then, just as the last first pitch was tossed at Turner Field, so it began at Sun Trust Park. Hank Aaron throwing the ball to catcher Bobby Cox. I will say, Hank's pitch was much more on the mark this time! Hank Aaron is an absolute treasure and we Braves fans are so lucky to get to see him, and honor him, so often.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As for the game, the ballpark was christened with a 5-2 win. If you're a trivia buff and you have to answer any question regarding "firsts" at Sun Trust Park, always answer Ender Inciarte<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chances are high that he's the right answer!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Front row: Chipper Jones, Hank Aaron, Bobby Cox</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Second Row: Phil Niekro, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Dale Murphy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The new Hank Aaron statue located in Monument Garden</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hopefully Murph won't mind my sharing his Braves Legends selfie!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-78208267488072646882017-02-15T21:45:00.000-05:002017-02-15T21:45:58.047-05:00DGD<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If there's one silver lining that I can find in the Falcons Super Bowl loss, it's that two Patriot players played at my alma mater, the University of Georgia. Center David Andrews and wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell are Dawgs. I said I wanted both players to have a good game, just not too good. They were both better than good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Malcolm Mitchell is one of my favorite, if not all-time favorite, Dawgs. He's what we call a DGD. A Damn Good Dawg. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Malcolm had a stellar career in Athens. His one big mistake came during the first game of the 2013 season. He celebrated a Todd Gurley 75-yard touchdown run a little too hard and tore his ACL. He missed the rest of the season. During his rehab he joined a book club. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The story garnered a good bit of attention when CBS ran a profile piece back in 2014. It was a great story. A superstar collegiate athlete who read at a junior high level joined a book club filled with suburban housewives. It was a feel good story about a gifted player who wanted to better himself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And then the feel good story got even better. Malcolm has taken his love of reading to a whole new level. He authored a children's book, <u>The Magician's Hat</u> and started a children's literacy foundation, Read With Malcolm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here's Steve Hartman's updated piece that aired Super Bowl Sunday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/the-bookish-football-star/">http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/the-bookish-football-star/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Malcolm Michell is now a Super Bowl champion. But really, he's been a winner all along. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Photo and video courtesy of CBS News </span></span><br />
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diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-67411290996292642862017-02-12T12:59:00.000-05:002017-02-12T12:59:40.547-05:00The Agony of Defeat<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hate being wrong. Especially in this instance. Destiny was not on the side of the Atlanta Falcons. Destiny lay on the other side of the ball. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One might think that the city of Atlanta is used to this. Maybe even expects it. We don't. We always believe our teams will win it all. That's what fans do. Falcons, Braves, Hawks, Dawgs and Jackets. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We believe in our own laid-back southern way, n</span>ot like the frozen chosen at Lambeau or the beer-swilling spitters in Philly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Atlanta sports fans have had more than their fair share of heartbreak. Even more so, our athletes. Had the Falcons put together a second half that mirrored the first or if the Patriots hadn't been, well, the Patriots, Matt Ryan and company would have had a massive parade down Peachtree Street. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The players who made up the 1996 Braves team know all too well what is going through the minds of the 2016 Falcons. The disappointment, the regrets, the anger, the emptiness. Terence Moore spoke with John Smoltz days after the Falcon's defeat. This article is a great read with even better insight from someone who's been there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/215442296/john-smoltz-atlanta-sports-falcons-braves?partnerId=ed-11150349-966827983">http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/215442296/john-smoltz-atlanta-sports-falcons-braves?partnerId=ed-11150349-966827983</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sports mirrors life. Victories are sweet and defeats haunt us. It's what we learn from those defeats that makes us better. </span><br />
<br />diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-42061882260764489522017-02-05T11:34:00.001-05:002017-02-05T11:34:15.259-05:00At The Doorstep of Destiny<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Atlanta Falcons are a team of destiny. All the pieces are falling into place. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The team is hungry. </span>The team is confident. Most importantly, the team is ready. The city of Atlanta is ready.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Atlanta and the Falcons have waited 51 years for this moment. The Falcons came close once before. It's wasn't their time. Destiny was on the side of John Elway and the Broncos. Today, destiny is with the Falcons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The national focus is leaning Patriots. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A glamorous team with multiple Super Bowl appearances. Marquee players in a big market. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, I get it. </span>Keep underestimating the Falcons. They've flown under the radar, out of the national spotlight for most of the season. Really, for most of their existence. Tonight, all of that will change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Matt Ryan. MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. He's a smart, smart guy who's a student of the game. He keeps his head down and plays hard. He sets the example. No flashiness. Just hard work. Hard work that has paid off ten fold this season. No one in Atlanta is surprised. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Matt Ryan and Julio Jones may be the most well-know names on the team. All that will change tonight. Just wait. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the year of the underdog. Think about it. The Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Championship. The Chicago Cubs won the World Series. The Clemson Tigers beat the almighty Bama. And Donald Trump won the White House. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Get ready America. It's time for the rest of y'all to Rise Up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span>diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-54927038622535846732017-02-03T21:13:00.000-05:002017-02-03T21:13:40.222-05:00#RiseUp<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes life gets in the way. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I seriously can't believe that it's been over a year since I've written anything for what is probably my shrinking, if not now, non-existent following. It's not that I haven't had the thoughts and the words in me. Honestly, they've been screaming to burst out. There are so many things that I wanted to write about but I simply didn't have the time. Life. It's not always easy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But something has me FIRED UP! I read an article that totally pissed me off. I always try to be polite and lady-like but today that's not happening. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That stupid Boston Globe article made me so #$%&@* mad! And y'all, I've even given myself time to simmer down. As it turns out, I didn't simmer down. Time only let the wound fester.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dan Shaughnessy's article, "It's hard to get pumped up about a Super Bowl against...Atlanta" is insulting to every Atlanta resident, sports fan or not. He said there's no reason to insult the '"nice folks of Atlanta" yet that is exactly what he went on to do. In fact, he said that the fine people of Bahstan feel nothing but pity for us. Whatever Dan.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He wrote of our apathy. Our lack of championships. He pulled random stories out of the air in order to prove his weak point. What a tool.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so sick and tired of sportscasters, journalists and residents of other cities ragging on Atlanta sports fans. We LOVE our teams and WE ARE GREAT FANS!! Did any of those people see the passion of Falcons fans during both playoff games? Let's face it, for most of the country it's more than likely that the playoffs were the first time they've even had the opportunity to see the Atlanta Falcons play, save that one Monday night game. Julio who? Wha...Matt Ryan is up for MVP? Vic Beasley, Devonta Freeman, Deion Jones? Who are they? When did this Rise Up thing start? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's no secret that baseball and the Braves are my first love. The Dawgs are a close number two. The Falcons have always been a steady number three. I mean no disrespect. As much as I love the Atlanta Falcons, they have always broken my heart. I've always considered them a snake-bit franchise. Just when they've been on the cusp of having everything, something bizarre happens. Eugene Robinson's arrest on the eve of Super Bowl XXXIII. The NFL's most dynamic player goes to prison for his role in a dog-fighting ring. Head coach Jim Mora Jr. literally moves out of town in the middle of the night. It took the team over four decades to put together back-to-back winning seasons. But through thick and thin, Falcons fans have stayed loyal and passionate. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You
want to see a passionate Atlanta crowd at it's finest? Come to Atlanta
when the Saints are visiting. You'll never doubt our passion again.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arthur Blank has poured his heart and soul (as well as his wallet) into this franchise. He, Rich McKay, </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn have put together a great team, a team with amazing chemistry. A brotherhood. They've created an energy that explodes on the field. They given the Falcons faithful the team they so richly deserve. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every time an Atlanta team makes it to the post-season, Atlanta fans are judged. It's never a positive review. We are tired of it. </span>It all boils down to one thing. Passion. Mr. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shaughnessy is passionate about his team, as he should be. Falcons fans are just as passionate, if not more. We are hungry. Our team is honorable. They have never been accused of cheating or spying. Yes, the Falcons have had a player go to prison. At least it wasn't for murder. Ok, I'll stop. I seem to have headed down the low road, </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the road of Mr. Shaughnessy, and I don't care for it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My hope for Sunday night is to see Matt Ryan hoist the Lombardi trophy over his head while red and black confetti swirls around him. He'll pass the trophy to Julio Jones and soon every Falcon will have held and kissed the NFL's holy grail. We'll see Dan Quinn wipe away a tear and we'll see Arthur Blank dance one more time. What a vision that will be! I believe that will happen. It's destiny. The time has come for the Atlanta Falcons. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#RiseUp #InBrotherhood</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a great read on Eugene Robinson and where is now. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/25416/ex-falcon-eugene-robinson-wont-let-one-super-bowl-mistake-define-him </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span> </span>diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-41759512029482665912015-12-21T18:52:00.000-05:002015-12-21T18:52:45.938-05:00Diamonds & Dugouts & Dawgs<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They say you can't have a favorite Uga. It's akin to
having a favorite Beatle. It's simply not done. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But for me, Russ is, and always will be, my favorite
Uga. Russ was special.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Russ didn't fit the mold. He didn't meet the criteria.
He didn't have what was required to be Uga. He wasn't perfect. But that didn't
seem to bother him. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Russ was always ready to step in when needed. He worked
hard. He did the job right. He represented the university to perfection. He
did it with a smile on his jowly face and with a wag of his stubby tail. He roamed the
sidelines. He woofed at the opposing team. He posed for photos. He cooled off
on his bag of ice. He did it without the title, game after game, season after
season. He subbed for Uga VII. He subbed for Uga VIII. Russ was the
quintessential bridesmaid. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You keep your head down, you do the job right and
hopefully someone will take notice. Finally someone did. Whether it was the Seiler
family or the university, someone put a ring on it and Russ became Uga IX. He
was crowned. Or as they say in Athens, he was collared.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In 63 games over seven seasons, Russ went 44-19.
He officially retired at the last home game of this season. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Russ passed away last night. He was 11. A ripe old age for
an English Bulldog. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As it turns out, the imperfect bulldog was the most perfect of all.</span></div>
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diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-91564436545610588732014-09-21T19:05:00.001-04:002014-09-21T19:05:16.381-04:00Close The Book on 2014<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Braves season ended with a whimper on
Sunday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sure, there are still games to be played but
the post season that Atlanta is so accustomed to is out of reach. At the end of
play Sunday, the Braves were eight games behind the division-winning Nationals
and only a half game ahead of the Mets. Yes, only a half game ahead of the lowly
Mets. The same Mets that just swept the Braves. The same Mets that the Braves
always seemed to be able to beat. Not this year. At the beginning of September the Braves still had a shot at the wild card. Since then they've gone 4-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Simply put, the Braves spent this season playing
uninspired baseball. The biggest highlights of the year involved Braves players
who, ironically, no longer play. Hank Aaron and the 40th anniversary of his breaking
Babe Ruth's record and Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and Bobby Cox's election to
Cooperstown. I hate to be the bearer of bad news folks, but the glory days are
long behind us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The finger-pointing has begun. The axes are being
sharpened. Where does the blame for this sub-par season lie? The front office
can't distract fans with a shiny new ball park that's over two seasons away.
What should have been done differently? What changes are in store for the team? Who will be back? And more importantly, who won't?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Over the years, countless people questioned many of Bobby
Cox's decisions on the field and how he ran the team. I don't have enough
fingers and toes to count the number I people I personally know who blame Bobby
for the Braves winning only one World Series. Yet, those same people aren't saying a word
about Fredi Gonzalez. I find that interesting. Is Fredi safe? Will his coaching staff pay the price? It always seems to be that the hitting coaches go first. I don't think that this season is Greg Walker and Scott Fletcher's fault. It was a group effort. Specifically the players.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I think that more than anyone else, Frank Wren is on the
hot seat. I'll preface this with the fact that I like Frank. That said, the Braves GM
has made many moves that have cost the Braves dearly. A quick,
off-the-top-of-my-head list? Derek Lowe. Kenshin Kawakami. Dan Uggla. B.J.
Upton. I don't even want to know the amount of money that the team wasted on
these players. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And what about the players they chose not to keep. Brian
McCann. I understand that one and letting him go to free agency made sense. However, letting Tim Hudson slip away was a HUGE mistake. I'm certain that the
Braves offer (if they ever got around to it) was for one year only. The Braves
were playing it cautious as Huddy would be 38 at the start of the season and coming
off a horrific ankle injury. However and interestingly enough, there were
multiple teams that took no issue with either. Sure Huddy is 9-12 this season,
but it's what the Braves gave up off the field which is much, much worse. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Leadership.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Braves are the second youngest team in baseball. They
need a veteran leader in the clubhouse. This season there was no one to fill
that role. It showed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I don't want to seem totally negative. Frank Wren has made
some good moves. Chris Johnson and Justin Upton, even though they crashed and
burned in the final month, were still good pick-ups. Aaron Harang and Ervin Santana helped rescue the decimated pitching staff. Alex Wood proved that he's a big
league starter and that the farm teams are strong There are good players are on the
horizon but the horizon doesn't get the Braves into the 2014 post
season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Braves take on the sad role of spoiler now. And the
fans? We just sit back and wait. Thank goodness for SEC football.</span></span></div>
</span><br />diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-73886375213414612682014-08-03T17:57:00.001-04:002014-08-03T17:57:42.817-04:00The Professor<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This isn't the post I intended to write today. For the past week, I've been on an even bigger than usual baseball high. Hall of Fame weekend in Cooperstown! What a treat it was, soaking in every bit of Braves glory in a place that honors the saints (and sinners) of our game. I was in absolute heaven!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But that post can wait. In less that a week Braves Country went from the highest of highs to the deepest sense of sadness and loss. We lost a legend. We lost The Professor. Our Professor. Our Pete Van Wieren.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a day where the trend is moving toward non-partisans calling the ball game, the most beloved and revered broadcasters are still those who are 'homers'. Every true-blue fan believes their broadcasters are the best. But in Atlanta, it was true. We had the perfect trifecta that brought Braves games into homes from sea to shining sea. Ernie, Skip and Pete. They didn't need last names. There were none better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three very different men with an amazing chemistry. One a father figure, one a wise-cracking Eddie Haskel and the third, a baseball scholar. As one would say, they covered all the bases. They were perfection in the booth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Pete broadcast Braves games from the beginning of the 1976 season until his retirement in 2008. His decision to retire was prompted by the passing of Skip Caray. Pete was reminded that life is short and he had spent an unimaginable amount of time away from his family due to baseball. It was time to focus on what was most important to him. His family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It wasn't easy in the early days. From 1976 through 1990 the Braves posted the second lowest winning percentage in baseball. Yet, due to Channel 17 and then TBS, they were the most watched team in baseball. America's Team. For the Dallas Cowboys, it's a nickname. For the Atlanta Braves, it's the truth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In those days, the Braves broadcasts couldn't have been easy. The lean years were filled with hundreds of lost games and hundreds more empty seats. Sure there were splashes of excitement. Dale Murphy, the 1982 season, Gene Garber ending Pete Rose's hitting streak and Ted Turner in general. Still, it was a tough job. Pete Van Wieren did his homework and came to the ball park prepared. He filled Braves games with facts and figures that were fascinating! He did copious amounts of research before every game. Yet, during the games it never came across as if we were being 'schooled'. Pete used all that information to show us the magic of baseball! Dave Baker put it best when he said "Pete was baseball reference.com before there was an internet." So true! There was nothing that Pete didn't know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As hard as as his first 15 seasons in Atlanta were, the next 17 were spectacular! From 1991 through 2008, the Braves posted the highest winning percentage in all of baseball. As much as the organization and the fans deserved some winning, so did those gentlemen in the booth. There was nothing better than hearing the excitement and pride in the beautiful tones of Pete voice, celebrating Chipper Jones' 2000th hit and John Smoltz's 200th win. Pete voice transported us from our living rooms to Fulton County Stadium and later Turner Field. Pete Van Wieren called 15 division winning seasons, 128 playoff games, 4 MVPs, 6 Cy Youngs, 3 Rookies of the Year (should've been 4 according to Joe Simpson!) and 6 Hall of Famers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Last night's Braves broadcast was filled with beautiful tributes. From the current broadcast team to John Schuerholz, Tom Glavine, Terry Pendleton, Mark Lemke, Jeff Francoeur, John Smoltz, Chipper Jones, Ernie Johnson Jr. and Bobby Cox, the same words continued to be repeated. Gentleman. Class. Family Man. Professional. Prepared. Storyteller.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The common thread from the players is that they all felt as if they already knew Pete when they came up to the bigs. After all, they had been listening to him since they were kids. The pitchers spoke of listening to Pete in the club house as they charted pitches. Both Joe Simpson and Ernie Johnson Jr. said that no one out prepared The Professor before a game. Chipper said he loved sitting near Pete on the charter flights so that he could listen to his stores. John Schuerholz said that Pete Van Weiren was a class gentleman and represented the Braves in high fashion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For me, the most moving tribute came from Don Sutton, his voice cracking as he spoke of his long-time colleague and dear friend. He spoke of how much he owed Pete. He said that Pete Van Weiren taught him more about broadcasting than anyone else in the business. "Pete didn't care about being famous. He cared about being good." He went on to say that Pete was the "most unselfish man I've ever been around." "I wonder if I told him enough how important he was to me." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The last time I saw Pete Van Weiren was on Opening Day. He was hosting the Braves tribute to Hank Aaron. As fans, we knew Pete would be there. If there was a Braves ceremony, the Professor, our Braves historian, would be our host. Pete was wonderful and he looked so well. It's so hard to fathom that we won't see him again or hear that beautiful voice. As they played clips of some Pete's calls last night, I caught myself smiling. Pete had that effect on everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On the day before the sixth anniversary of his father's passing, Chip Caray made all of Braves Country smile when he said, " I can only imagine the production meeting up in heaven tonight."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">From everyone in Braves Country, thank you Pete Van Wieren. We were lucky to have you and we will never, ever forget you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span>diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-89240436056320163512013-12-08T14:59:00.000-05:002013-12-08T14:59:59.071-05:00A Heavy Heart<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart has been heavy. So heavy that I had to step away for awhile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">You see, I lost my Mom in July. It was all very sudden. She told us something might be wrong and then, in a flash, she was gone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My head knows that this is something that everyone must go through. But this was something that no one in my family was prepared for. Mom was one of the healthiest people that any of us knew. No one could keep up with her. I keep trying to make sense of everything that happened and I have finally come to the realization that I never, ever will. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There are many important lessons that a mother teaches a daughter and throughout my lifetime I was taught well. Mom gave me many gifts, one of which </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">was the love of sports. It's definitely not one of your typical mother-daughter bonding things but it always held a special place for the two of us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thank you Mom!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Braves 2013 Home Opener. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span>diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-50768312133151558402013-06-04T17:30:00.000-04:002013-06-04T17:30:28.418-04:001,000<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baseball is a game of numbers. Last night Brian McCann hit a big one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One thousand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For every boy that plays little league there is the dream, the dream of getting a hit in the majors. Brian McCann has done it one thousand times in his eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Truthfully, I didn't realize he was that close. Hit #999 came in the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">bottom of the fourth with Freddie Freeman on base. Brian took A.J. Burnett deep over the right field wall, putting the Braves up 2-1. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hit #1,000 came in the bottom of the seventh inning, a broken bat single that looped over the third baseman and into shallow left field.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As he stood at first, the Braves marked the milestone on the jumbo-tron. To look at Brian, it was business as usual. Just another hit. As the ovation from the crowd grew, Brian looked down and then thanked everyone with a big smile and the tip of his batting helmet. It reminded me of a scene from a western movie. The quiet cowboy tipping his hat and saying, "just doing my job ma'am". That's what Brian McCann was doing. His job. And loving every bit of it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3RYVDS2ncyOoG_8YpF0AI_3DLeL_WCYbRCyDTHChHQXY9EYIS0aQWosUS1HfZrHGvg-pTVfW7CyQTAdyrdLJ5nn4sjMa-f1MMcAnx_IwLQ4aKRi7axVbSf7pvOuB1PfaAo_RdHR_rtQG/s1600/Pirates_Braves_Baseball-mccann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3RYVDS2ncyOoG_8YpF0AI_3DLeL_WCYbRCyDTHChHQXY9EYIS0aQWosUS1HfZrHGvg-pTVfW7CyQTAdyrdLJ5nn4sjMa-f1MMcAnx_IwLQ4aKRi7axVbSf7pvOuB1PfaAo_RdHR_rtQG/s320/Pirates_Braves_Baseball-mccann.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo Courtesty of John Bazemore</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brian McCann proves, everyday, what hard work and dedication will do for a ball player. He leads by quiet example. After the game, Freddie Freeman talked about the milestone hit saying, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s awesome, especially with the homer (for 999). </span>It's more impressive to watch when he hits the lefty right down the left-field line. I love to see people go opposite field. To get it for your 1,000th hit off a tough lefty like that ... I've only been here three years to watch him, but it's been a great time." Post-game, Brian leaned a bit sentimental. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “To get 1,000 hits here, it’s something I’ll never forget. That’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So this is what I don't understand. During the off season and throughout Spring Training, media and fans alike seemed to be obsessed with one thing. With Chipper's retirement, who would be the Braves new team leader? Me? I think these things happen organically. You don't tell someone they're the team leader. Someone just slips into the role. It happens naturally. But the baseball lemmings had to be told and the Braves made it loud and clear on Opening Day. As the team took the field from the center field gate, Jason Heyward led the pack. For the past two seasons, that was Chipper's spot. In 2013 it was Jason's. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My question? Why wasn't it Brian McCann? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In my eyes, without a doubt, Brian McCann is the team's leader. And he's proved it on and off the field for eight strong seasons.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DKVIkxLPkoocEXQVFPEPhYhY1LMNY2kuwtB0pp7IGKn73Y7ui4mUcUkkzOITv4k-7chzELcjwxHEnU53UWp86cEHMUxJUDOmJQU1Z-0R-EI2T3OgYg9789LxGIdewPYbj6WgjIYcki8W/s1600/mcCann2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DKVIkxLPkoocEXQVFPEPhYhY1LMNY2kuwtB0pp7IGKn73Y7ui4mUcUkkzOITv4k-7chzELcjwxHEnU53UWp86cEHMUxJUDOmJQU1Z-0R-EI2T3OgYg9789LxGIdewPYbj6WgjIYcki8W/s320/mcCann2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo courtesy of baseballnewssource.com</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-19191279640033654622013-05-31T19:39:00.000-04:002013-05-31T19:39:10.568-04:00Give That Dawg A Bone!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This time last year Alex Wood was in Athens, packing up his stuff and heading home to Charlotte. There he would wait. He would wait for the major league draft and he would wait to see what lie in store for </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">his baseball future. On that drive north, I'm certain that Alex Wood had no idea that just over a year later, he would take the mound at Turner Field.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">With his mom in tears and his dad hanging over the dugout and taking pictures, Alex ran out from the Braves bullpen at the top of the ninth inning. I can't even imagine what his parents thought an inning earlier when they saw the sign in left field..."Warming Up In The Braves Bullpen #58 Alex Wood". That's probably when mom started to lose it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The pressure was low as the Braves were up 11-3. Perfect situation for the rookie. Wood gave up a single to Colby Rasmus but ended the inning by getting Maicer Izturius to ground into a double play. He was so caught up in the moment that he didn't even think about the game ball. Freddie Freeman, the bobblehead celebrant of the evening, tossed the trophy to his newest teammate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Why now and why Alex Wood? The Braves bullpen became one pitcher short when the team decided to carry three catchers. Additionally, the Braves had suffered</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> two huge lefty-reliever losses to Tommy John surgery. Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty are gone until next year and the Braves were suddenly pitcher-thin. Righty Jordan Walden came off the DL but the Braves still needed another left-handed arm. Alex, with his unorthodox delivery style, had impressed the coaches and players this past spring. The Braves had drafted him in the second round of the 2012 draft and he was pitching well in Double-A Mississippi. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, 24 hours after being called up, Alex Wood made his major league debut. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">His best friend, former teammate and inspiration, Chance Versey was there early and watched batting practice from the Braves dugout. As he took the field in the ninth, Alex said he could here woofing coming from the stands, very possibly from friends and some Georgia football players who made the trip down from Athens. And then there were the parents. They were fun to watch</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Alex summed his night up best. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "There's nothing like it. I wish everybody could experience the feeling I had tonight at some point in their lives."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Photo courtesy of Hometown Headlines</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There is always a downside for one player when another makes his debut. Third baseman Juan Francisco was designated for assingment in order to make room for Wood.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT4i34jVznmssYi19GfiGF2QsUnIusFb-fzGysNHvrdvQ3Y6mcc8YGFEqXJgpfAkPsdKXEcY2pa9PbHezMEEKKm_NYixE7CDEOhUYs4bOUu9-_Ubh0ldtIOsM5vFB29PwcjujURfNMAE5/s1600/stiching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT4i34jVznmssYi19GfiGF2QsUnIusFb-fzGysNHvrdvQ3Y6mcc8YGFEqXJgpfAkPsdKXEcY2pa9PbHezMEEKKm_NYixE7CDEOhUYs4bOUu9-_Ubh0ldtIOsM5vFB29PwcjujURfNMAE5/s320/stiching.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Alex Wood in a glance:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Career record at the University of Georgia: 13-10 with 3.57 ERA in 32 games. He made 32 starts, pitched 204.1 innings, had 180 strike outs and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">walked 47 batters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">85th overall selection in the 2012 amateur draft.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Redshirted the 2010 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2009.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Spent the 2012 season pitching in Single-A Rome. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Invited to Spring Training in Orlando this season, then pitching in Double-A Mississippi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Dad is a lifelong Mets (yikes!) fan and as a child, Alex split his loyalties between the two. Hopefully that is now rectified!!</span><br />
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diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-64258135076831338532013-05-27T11:00:00.000-04:002013-05-27T11:00:16.216-04:00Saying "Thank You" Isn't Enough<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a child I never really understood the true meaning of Memorial Day. In my circle of friends, it always marked the winding down of the school year and the countdown to the freedom that lie ahead in our wondrous summer. Our freedom was just within sight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Freedom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm not sure when it changed. Was it was part of growing up and understanding the sacrifice of others? Was it seeing the first Gulf War coming to life on an office television at my first 'real' job? It doesn't really matter when it happened. All that matters is that it did.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thank you to all who have served and protected the United States of America. You have provided us with a wonderful way of life. Your sacrifices have given us so much. We can never repay you for what you have given us. We can only thank you. And thank you just doesn't seem to be enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here are some photos from Military Appreciation Night at Turner Field.</span><br />
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diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-85694059560873640202013-05-26T19:55:00.001-04:002013-05-26T19:55:09.947-04:00Bless Me Father...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...for I have sinned. It has been four months and one day since my last post.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've let quite a bit of baseball slip by. Spring Training. Opening Day. First two months of the season. I won't give you an excuse. Just my apologies. For those of you who asked where I was, thank you for missing me! That warmed my heart all the way down to the tips of my spikes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, what has been going on in baseball and, more importantly, Braves Country? So very, very much! Here's the Reader's Digest version (the kid's won't get what that means)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Braves got out the gate in fast and furious fashion. The team won three division series, versus the Phillies, Marlins and Nats (the latter two being sweeps) but were humbled at the end of the month by losing three of four to the Pirates and then getting pummeled in Detroit. That series was painful to watch. The Braves ended the month 15-8 and are 13-9 (so far) in May. We've seen a tough series in San Fran (1-3) and sweeps of the Dodgers and Twins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Braves have played on the road more than any other team in the majors. 21 games at home and 29 on the road. I really don't understand the rationale of the schedule makers. In fact, it's really kind of bizarre. In one April road trip, the team visited Pittsburgh, Detroit and Denver. Game time temps were often in the 40s or lower and one of the games in Denver was actually snowed out. Meanwhile, Atlantans were basking in an absolutely glorious spring. Sunny, breezy days with highs in the 60s! What the heck were the powers-that-be thinking!?! Ask any team, do you want to visit Atlanta in April or August? April wins hands down. As for Pittsburgh, Detroit and Denver, an August game would be spectacular. One word for the schedule makers. Der.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The big story going into spring training was the Upton brothers and since then, the excitement they've created is beyond compare! The energy on Opening Day was unbelievable! The boys lived up to their billing the first week of the season. Facing the Cubs in just the fifth game of the year, the Braves found themselves trailing in the bottom of the 9th. B.J. tied the game with a home run, his first as a Brave. Two batters later, Justin won the game with his own home run. With their parents in the stands, the Uptons became only the fourth pair of brothers to hit home runs as teammates in the same inning. It's happened once before for the Braves. Hank and Tommie Aaron did the same, 41 years earlier.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tim Hudson won the 200th game of his career game on April 30th. And the game he pitched was an absolute gem! To ensure that the third attempt was the proverbial charm, Huddy helped himself out by hitting a double and then going yard! Hudson was philosophical about waiting for the milestone and was thrilled to get the win at home. His battery-mate said catching the game was an honor and privilege. That's one step closer to Cooperstown for one of the game's most underrated players.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">See, this is what happens when I don't write for awhile. This post is getting waaay too long! I'll cut to the chase on the rest of these.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Craig Kimbrel notched the 100th save of his career. He's blown two saves so far, but true to form he's bounced back just fine from each.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It took until May 18th for the Braves to start their 'true' starting line-up. The season began with Brian McCann on the DL from off-season shoulder surgery. Just before B-Mac's return, Jason Heyward went out due to an appendectomy. Overlapping those two was Freddie Freeman's stint on the DL. It took little while but the roster looks great!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Evan Gattis is baseball's surprise star and the biggest story in the majors right now. He's batting .256 with a .576 slugging percentage, an .883 on-base percentage and he leads the Braves in RBIs. Evan bests all rookies with 10 home runs, including one grand slam. He's playing two positions, catcher primarily and then left field. He's knocked in eight runs on three pinch hit appearances. El Oso Blanco's</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> story is one of folkloric proportion and that has earned him is own post, coming very soon!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Chris Johnson has turned out to be the sneaky surprise of the Upton/Prado trade. Chris is at the top of the league in batting with his .352 average and he's playing a great third base. His bat could possible seal the deal in becoming the teams every day third baseman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Justin Upton is leading the NL in home runs with 14. In all of baseball, he's tied with Miguel Cabrera and only Chris Davis (16) has more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ramiro Pena is clutch! The former Yankee is built to play in the National League and he comes through every time he hops off the bench. He's a huge threat and the rest of the NL is taking notice.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On the injury front, the Braves have lost both Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty to Tommy John surgery. On a brighter note, Brandon Beachy should be back around the All-Star Break.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Braves are carrying three catchers on the 25-man roster.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Two Braves pitchers have hit home runs this season, the afore mentioned Hudson homer and Mike Minor, who got the first of his career, a two-run dinger last night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The biggest surprise of all to me? Jordan Schafer may have actually grown up and gotten his act together. Who da thunk it? Not me!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Gotta go! It's almost game time!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-32391596714606231082013-01-25T18:58:00.000-05:002013-01-25T18:58:00.014-05:00Atlanta, The City of Brotherly Love?
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The prospect thrilled me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two
Uptons in a Braves outfield!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rumor
of serious trade talk between the two teams started earlier this week and since
then I’ve been holding my proverbial breath, waiting for the announcement. Adding Justin, the 25 year-old Diamondback
outfielder to a roster that just signed his 28 year-old free-agent brother B.J.
a mere eight weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it too much
to hope for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Justin’s name had surfaced
in serious trade talks twice within the past six months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immensely talented, he had reportedly fallen
out of favor with the team’s GM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B.J.
was honest, once the ink was dry on his contract, he and Justin had talked
about the possibility of playing together in Atlanta someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if either of the two ever dreamt
that the wait would be this short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Upton brothers, if they live up to their potential, will greatly strengthen the
Braves defense and offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Uptons bring both speed and power to the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their talents, combined with those of Jason
Heyward, gives the Braves what looks to be the strongest outfield in the majors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Offensively, they have a lot of bang in their
bats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The downside?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strikeouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And lots of ‘em.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to admit, as excited as I was by the mornings events,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when I heard the details, my heart sank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martin Prado was part of the deal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Martin Prado was, without a doubt, the hardest working, most versatile
player on the Braves roster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the
2012 season, Martin played <u>five</u> different positions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Left field, third base, shortstop, second
base and first base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like I said,
versatile. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He played wherever the team
need him to, without hesitation or reservation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He kept his head down and played
hard every game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was one of the most
popular players in the clubhouse and one of the most respected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Ego? </span>He didn’t have one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
three of the last four seasons, Martin Prado ranked either first or second in team
hitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His numbers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2009 .307, in 2010 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.307 and in 2012 .301.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re wondering about 2011?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Missing
more than a month of the season battling a staph infection, Martin hit .260.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his first game back from the DL <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he went yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Martin has a career .295 average, with 52 home runs, 308 strike outs and
286 RBIs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was an All-Star in 2010. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All along, I believed that Martin Prado would
inherit third base from Chipper Jones. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He earned with his play on the field and his
loyalty to the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt great about the Braves infield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only the outfield that needed to be
shored up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Arbitration never crossed my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Braves had six players who were arbitration eligible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five agreed to one-year deals which included
pay raises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Martin and the Braves
couldn’t come to terms on a long-term deal, even though their numbers weren’t
too far apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His arbitration hearing
was set for next month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d be a free
agent at the end of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frank Wren knew the Braves wouldn’t be able to
keep Martin once he was on the open market and getting a player of Justin’s caliber would be
costly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The D-backs GM Kevin Towers had stopped
talking to the Braves once he was told that Andrelton Simmons was untouchable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As time went on, and other teams fell away,
Towers was open to talking to the Braves again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Frank, the timing was right but the price
was heavy. </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">“I think that was
the most difficult part of this deal,” he said of parting ways with Martin.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s such a professional. He’s such a
quality person. We’re sad to see him go. It was the toughest decision we had to
make.”</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hate to see the Braves lose a player like Martin Prado but as we are
regularly reminded, baseball is a business. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martin Prado was consistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word most often used to describe Justin
Upton?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inconsistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But a change of scenery, wearing the uniform
of a team that truly wants him<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and playing
alongside his brother,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> t</span>hat could help
create the consistency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><br />
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I’ve found most interesting over the past 24 hours, is the reaction of
media outlets versus fan reaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
watched, listened to and read everything possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The national media loves this deal, the local
media loves it more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Words like "blockbuster" and "coup" are being used. </span>The pundits are saying the
Braves will have the best outfield in all of baseball and they’re not going to
let the Nationals win the division and get stuck playing in another Wild Card
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fans?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s another story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although there’s a great deal of excitement,
there is a huge sense of dismay in letting Martin Prado go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many,
many people think that this trade could come back to haunt the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why doesn’t the national media see it that
way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Martin Prado is one of the most
underrated players in the game. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hasn’t
been playing in the biggest market and most of the headlines have gone to
Chipper, Craig Kimbrel, Kris Medlen and Jason Heyward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that they don’t deserve the headlines,
but Martin has always done the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kept his head down and played hard, every single day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Braves fans</span> know what we’re losing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The new wrinkle? Instead<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of worrying about left
field, the Braves can now focus their concerns on third base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it stand now, Chris Johnson and Juan
Francisco will platoon at third base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
feel good about it, but then I have little confidence in Francisco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for payroll, the Braves are in good
shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They still have $10 million of
a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$98 million payroll left.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All emotion aside, the Atlanta Braves outfield became much stronger
today. The offense?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
Again, if</span> everyone lives up to their potential.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are the players involved in the trade:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Braves get Justin Upton (LF) and Chris Johnson (3B).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Diamondbacks get </span><span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Martin Prado (OF/IF), Randall Delgado (P), and
minor leaguers Nick Ahmed (SS), Zeke Spruill (P) and Brandon Drury (IF).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Comparing the 2012/career numbers of the principles, this is how it stacks up:</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Batting Avg</u> <u>HR</u> <u>RBIs </u> <u> Strike Outs</u></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">B.J. Upton .246/.255 28/118 78/447 169/1,020</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Justin Upton .280/.278 17/108 67/363 121/694</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Jason Heyward .269/.261 27/59 82/196 152/373</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Martin Prado .301/.295 10/52 70/286 69/308</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></span><span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></span> </div>
diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-69933167373458657792013-01-20T21:37:00.000-05:002013-01-20T21:37:23.002-05:00The Man<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many an athlete has been called 'The Man'. But really, there is only man. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Baseball lost one of it's finest yesterday, one of the game's greatest ambassadors, a living legend and the truest of gentlemen. Stan Musial.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And America lost another cherished member of our Greatest Generation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Stan Musial had a wonderfully full life. He lived to be 92 years old. He played his entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals and he was an integral part of the organization until he drew his last breath. He was married to his beloved Lil for 71 years. They had 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm not old enough to remember Stan as a player. When I began to really follow baseball, he was already a long-time Hall of Famer. But even as a player of yesteryear, I knew how special Stan Musial was. He was always mentioned in the same breath as the other greats of his era. Aaron, Mantle, DiMaggio, Banks, Mays and Williams.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've oft said that no one should ever be placed on a pedestal. Whether it's an athlete, entertainer or world leader, everyone is human and everyone makes mistakes. It's all part of being, well, human. It's fine to admire someone for an aspect of their life, but never should they be considered perfect or infallible. By doing that, we set ourselves up for disappointment. All that said, Stan Musial, by all accounts, seems pedestal worthy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Stan Musial was a humble and unassuming man. He was a consummate professional who played the game right. He took "a break" from baseball at the top of his game to serve his country in World War II. He supported the integration of baseball and Bob Gibson spoke many times of how Stan helped establish a warm chemistry between black and white players in the Cardinals clubhouse. And he loved to play the harmonica.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Stan retired from baseball in 1963. At the time, he held</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> or shared 17 major league records, 29 National League records, and nine All-Star Game records. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1969 (his first year of eligibility) on 93.2 percent of the ballots. He never left St. Louis, becoming a business leader in the community. From 1964 to 1967 he was the Johnson administration's physical fitness advisor. He served as a Vice President in the Cardinals front office from 1963 to 1966 and then as the team's General Manager in 1967. That year the Cardinals won the World Series. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">How beloved is Stan Musial in St. Louis? There is not just one, but two statues of him at Busch Stadium. In his retirement, he rarely missed an Opening Day or any Cardinals celebration. He was cherished and revered by all the Cardinals players who followed him. In response to a massive campaign by Cardinals Nation in 2011, Stan Musial was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor an American civilian can receive. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Stan Musial is the most beloved St. Louis Cardinal in the team's illustrious history. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">One of his statues at Busch Stadium holds the following inscription:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Here stands baseball's perfect warrior. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here stands baseball's perfect knight."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today</span>, we like to think that we are watching the greatest players that baseball has ever produced. They don't hold a candle to Stan The Man. Their accomplishments pale in comparison.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- Stan Musial played 22 seasons with a lifetime .331 batting average, a .417 on-base percentage and a .559 slugging percentage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- Stan Musial was the National League MVP in 1943, 1946 and 1948. He came in second on the ballot four times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- Stan Musial won the National League batting title in 1943, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1957.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- Stan Musial played in four World Series, 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1946. His team won three of the four.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- Stan Musial played in 24 All-Star Games.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- Stan Musial missed the entire 1945 season as he served in our nation's Navy during World War II. When he returned in 1946, he won the National League's MVP award. He also won the National League's batting title and the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series. Think about it, he achieved three of baseball's biggest accomplishments while not playing the entire previous season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Stan Musial never struck out 50 times in a season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Stan Musial led the National League in almost every hitting category for at least one year, except home runs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- In 1948, Stan Musial had <u>four</u> five-hit games. He batted .376 for the season and</span> led the league in hits, total bases, doubles and triples. He hit a career-high 39 home runs, falling one short of winning the Triple Crown.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- In his final at-bat, Stan Musial hit an RBI single past Cincinnati's rookie second baseman, Pete Rose. 18 years later, Rose would break Musial's 3,630 hit record.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Stan Musial played in 3,026 games. He made 12,717 plate appearances, hit 475 home runs, had 1,951 RBIs and 78 stolen bases.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- Stan Musial had exactly </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1,815 hits at home and exactly 1,815 hits on the road.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">- Stan Musial was a first ballot Hall of Famer, ranking 19th all-time in most votes received. At the time of his induction, only five players had received more votes. Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Bob Feller and Ted Williams.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I found some beautiful tributes to Stan today. Some I'd like to share. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I never heard anybody say a bad word about him — ever." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - Willie Mays</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It is such a sad day, but I am so blessed to have spent time with him the last 12 years. He blessed my life, and many, many lives in baseball during his career, and after his career. He touched so many lives. He means as much as Roberto Clemente does to Latin people. Thank God I had the opportunity to know him. I wish my kids had the opportunity to be around him, because that's how I want my kids to live their lives. I want them to be like Stan Musial. Not the baseball player. The person. That's the respect I have for that man. I will cherish my friendship</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> with Stan for as long as I live." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - Albert Pujols</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I knew Stan very well. He used to take care of me at All-Star Games, 24 of them. He was a true gentleman who understood the race thing and did all he could." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - Willie Mays</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We have lost the most beloved member of the Cardinals family." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - William</span> DeWitt Jr. Cardinals owner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Major League Baseball has lost one of its true legends in Stan Musial, a Hall of Famer in every sense and a man who led a great American life. He was the heart and soul of the historic St. Louis Cardinals franchise for generations. As remarkable as 'Stan the Man' was on the field, he was a true gentleman in life. All of Major League Baseball mourns his passing." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - Commissioner Bud Selig</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"St. Louis has been lucky to have a player like Stan Musial. He will always be Mr. Baseball. It's a very big loss. You can go around the world and you'll never find a better human being than Stan Musial." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - Whitey Herzog, Cardinals Hall of Fame Manager </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Stan was a favorite in Cooperstown, from his harmonica rendition of `Take Me Out to the Ball Game' during Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies, to the reverence he commanded among other Hall of Fame members and all fans of the game. More than just a baseball hero, Stan was an American icon and we will very much miss him in Cooperstown." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - Jane Forbes Clark, Hall of Fame Chairman</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Stan will be remembered in baseball annals as one of the pillars of our game. The mold broke with Stan. There will never be another like him." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - Jeff Idelson, Hall of Fame President</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRr_0sPZSoTSzbn7RTFZPqwGMc4Y7gpK388Y_wojFIJZLrkdWNQ-SU87LUcBA-gCZU2qAAXvl5_9dEd9qNReWFTuovfjBGsCLgkQPDQWk169GgdwXmmTDY2tHbNi7Wd3M4HepuuBmh7f2/s1600/stiching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRr_0sPZSoTSzbn7RTFZPqwGMc4Y7gpK388Y_wojFIJZLrkdWNQ-SU87LUcBA-gCZU2qAAXvl5_9dEd9qNReWFTuovfjBGsCLgkQPDQWk169GgdwXmmTDY2tHbNi7Wd3M4HepuuBmh7f2/s320/stiching.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana;">I had every intention of writing about Earl Weaver today. With all due respect to the Oriole's skipper, when I read of Stan Musial's passing, I was compelled to write about him first. Two legends, two Hall of Famers, two baseball icons lost on the same day. I will pay tribute to Mr. Weaver soon. He deserves nothing less.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">(for some odd reason, I'm unable to upload my photos of Stan Musial. I'll post an update later)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span>diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-33100680561548004302013-01-06T13:44:00.000-05:002013-01-06T13:44:38.687-05:00Murph<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the unveiling of the 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, there was nary a doubt in my mind that this class of candidates would be the most controversial in the game's history. Some of the players eligible for baseball's greatest honor are mired in sports biggest and darkest controversy. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This ballot will be notorious for being the one that opened the floodgate of players mired in the steroid controversy. Mark McGwire is making his seventh appearance on the ballot <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rafael Palmeiro</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> his third. B</span>ut this year they are joined by Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemmens and Barry Bonds. All players who greatly tarnished the image of the game.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">With these firsts, there is a last. Dale Murphy is making his 15th and final appearance on the ballot. That's as many times as a player is allowed to appear. I could write a tome about Dale Murphy. I could give you his stats. I could describe the player who for years was the lone bright spot on a terrible Atlanta Braves team. I could talk about the kind of player he was, the leader he was in the clubhouse and how he lived his life off the field. But I cannot do that better than Dale's son Chad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In mid-December, Chad wrote an open letter to the Baseball Writers Association of America, the voting body for the HOF. It speaks for itself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An open letter to the BBWAA: Making the HOF case for Dale Murphy, or, The Guy Who Changed My Diapers</span></i><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></em><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear ___________,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My name is Chad Murphy. I'm Dale's oldest son. 'Tis the season for HOF voting, and this being the last year of my dad's eligibility, I'd like to begin by reiterating the voting criteria, as per the Hall of Fame's website:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Voting: Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played. Next, let me just list a few of my dad's accomplishments in his former role as an active MLB player. Here goes:</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Back-to-back NL MVP 1982, 1983 (1 of only 12 players-and the youngest in history at that time-to accomplish this).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 7-time NL All-Star (top NL vote-getter in 1985 and a starter in 5 of those games).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 4-time Silver Slugger Award winner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 5-time Gold Glove Award winner. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 6th player in MLB history to reach 30 home runs/30 stolen bases in a single season.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Only player in history to compile a .300+ batting average, 30+ home runs, 120+ runs batted in, 130+ runs scored, 90+ bases on balls, and 30+ stolen bases in a single season, 1983.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Led MLB in total bases during the span of 1980-1989 (2,796).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 2nd (only to HOFer Mike Schmidt) in total home runs from 1980-1989 (308).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 2nd (only to HOFer Eddie Murray) in total runs from 1980-1989.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 1st in total home runs from 1980-1989 among all Major League outfielders (308).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 1st in total RBIs from 1980-1989 among all Major League outfielders (929).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 2nd in total hits from 1980-1989 among Major League outfielders (1,553).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 2nd in total extra-base hits from 1980-1989 among Major League outfielders (596).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Played in 740 consecutive games from 1980-1986 (11th longest streak in history at the time, and 13th today. Only missed 20 games total between 1980-1989).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Reached base in 74 consecutive games, 1987 (3rd longest streak in Major League history).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 398 career home runs (19th in Major League history when he retired, 4th among active players).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 2,111 career hits.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• 1,266 career RBIs.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• .265 career batting average.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Sports Illustrated's "Sportsmen of the Year" Award, 1987 (represented baseball as the "Athlete Who Cares the Most," along with U.S. gold-medalist Judi Brown King, Kenyan gold-medalist Kip Keino, and others).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Lou Gehrig Award, 1985 (given to the player who most exemplifies the character of Lou Gehrig, both on and off the field).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award, 1988 (given to the player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team").</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Bart Giamatti Community Service Award, 1991.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Jersey number "3" retired by the Braves, 1994.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, 1995 (induction class with Roberto Clemente and Julius Erving. One of only 8 baseball players inducted in the Hall's history).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Inducted into the Little League Hall of Excellence, 1995 (joining Mike Schmidt, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Nolan Ryan, and others).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, 1997.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, 1997.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame, 2000 (joining Phil Niekro and Hank Aaron, among others).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Founder of the I Won't Cheat Foundation in 2005, whose mission is to encourage character development among youth.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next, I really want to dive into his sabermetrics, starting with his JAWS, WAR, and WAR7, and then moving on to his JPOS, WPA, OPS, and-last but certainly not least-the all-important holy quadrinity of VORP, GORP, SCHLORP, and THUNDERCORK.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh wait, no I don't. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stand down, statistics nerds. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look, I have no desire to get into some sort of cryptic mathematical argument for my dad's induction into the Hall of Fame. The numbers are what they are-maybe they're strong enough for the Hall on their own, maybe not. Whatever. The bigger issue, to me, is this: what happened to three of the criteria listed under the rules for election, namely, integrity, character, and sportsmanship? Gone but also forgotten? No doubt a player's stats (i.e., "record" and "playing ability") are a crucial part of the equation, but that's just the point: we're talking about an equation here, folks. And we've got a serious case of missing variables. Where'd they go, friends?</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be fair, I'll grant the nerds this: In most cases things like "integrity" and "character" and "sportsmanship" are mighty difficult to quantify. I get that. Other than, say, creating a variable along the lines of "number of arrests for drug possession" or "number of ejections from a game," it's not exactly clear yet how to go about measuring those attributes. As a consequence, this so-called "character clause" does a real number on our quest for objectivity, which makes us uneasy. And so it makes sense that collectively we've emphasized the part of the voting criteria that is easier to measure and largely beyond subjective interpretation, namely, on-field statistics. Fine. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But hold on, maybe not fine. The character clause isn't just totally MIA. In fact, it seems to come roaring back into the conversation every so often when certain players are mentioned, as if judging character weren't so difficult after all. And, mysteriously, this only seems to happen in cases where the point is to keep someone out (see: Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, the 'Roid Boys). Indeed, then it gets easy: Gamblers? Out! Cheaters? Be gone! Vehement racists? Well, okay, you can stay (lookin' at you, Cap Anson). Of course, the obvious question here is from whence this biased, one-way application of the character clause? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's one possibility. In psychology there's a well-known and well-established finding known as the "bad is stronger than good" principle. In 2001, Roy Baumeister and colleagues reviewed a large number of studies and found overwhelming evidence that negative events figure more prominently in our minds-and are hence easier to recall-than positive ones. For example, the authors cite a 1978 study by Brickman and colleagues where they interviewed people who one year previous had either won the lottery (a supposed "good" event) or had been paralyzed in an accident (a bad event). What they found was that the intense negative feelings associated with being paralyzed had not abated a year later, while the positive feelings from winning the lottery had almost totally disappeared and the details of the experience entirely forgotten. The upshot here is that we, as human beings, adapt very quickly to good events, so quickly, in fact, that it doesn't take long for us to forget those good things completely. And isn't the uneven application of the character clause perhaps an illustrative example of this quirk in human memory and reasoning? Bad behavior (some of which-e.g., Joe Jackson-happened, er, nearly 100 years ago) appears to occupy a more central place in the minds of voters than the exemplary behavior of players like Dale Murphy. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These two facts-1) the difficulty of objectively quantifying qualitative characteristics about a player; and 2) our deeply-ingrained negativity bias as human beings-have led to a troubling scenario where we either ignore the character clause altogether, or we use it to keep people out, citing their public sins. But let's be honest: you can't have it both ways. Either we apply the character clause for all eligible players, equally, allowing for both negative and positive evaluations to count toward a player's HOF case, or we toss it out completely. If the latter, then say goodbye (probably) to my dad's HOF chances at the same time you say hello to Mr. Rose and Mr. he-of-no-shoes Jackson. Oh, and might as well roll out the red carpet for Mr. Bonds, too.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the voting criteria currently stand, however, there's no doubt that a fair, holistic assessment of my dad's playing years would reveal that he is exactly the type of player we should want to represent the game of baseball for future generations. As the criteria suggest, HOF membership is not the equivalent of a career-long MVP award; rather, it's an honor bestowed upon players for the legacies they've left behind. In my dad's case, that's a dang near unimpeachable legacy indeed.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chad Murphy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know I'll be disappointed when the class of 2013 is announced. Murph won't be a part it. Too much time has passed since his playing days and the voters have too short of memories. I can only hope that he enters the hall via the Veterans Committee. Their unwritten responsibility is to fix things when the other voters screw up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for the players of the steroid era? The debate, discussion and controversy is already at an all-time high and it will continue for years. This is only</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> the beginning of the onslaught. I'd love to know what you think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a link to an interview with Chad from </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“The Bill Shanks Show” on WPLA Fox Sports 1670 AM in Macon. It's a great listen.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2012/12/19/2291238/chad-murphy-talks-about-his-effort.html#storylink=cpy</strong></span></div>
<a href="http://www.macon.com/2012/12/19/2291238/chad-murphy-talks-about-his-effort.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.macon.com/2012/12/19/2291238/chad-murphy-talks-about-his-effort.html</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-8961027872999002382012-12-01T21:30:00.000-05:002012-12-01T21:30:05.512-05:00A Busy Week For Frank!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baseball's Winter Meetings don't begin until Monday but when Frank Wren arrives he will have already made more moves than most of his counterparts. Yes, Frank has had a very busy couple of days and if this week is any indication, the Braves will look very, very different next year. Even more different than I first envisioned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I think B.J. Upton is a great addition at centerfield. Don't get me wrong, I really, really wanted the Braves to re-sign Michael Bourn. I'm a <u>huge</u> fan of his and I was thrilled when the Braves made the trade for him. I loved the speed that he gave the Braves at the top of the order and the excitement he added on the base paths. It was something that the Braves had been lacking for quite some time. Keeping Michael in Atlanta wasn't going to be easy. He's the top centerfielder on the market and Scott Boras is his agent. Need I say more? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">B.J. Upton had previously been on the Braves radar and they made inquiries about him at the 2011 trade deadline. The Rays weren't willing to part with him and the Braves picked up Michael Bourn instead. B.J. was the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> second overall pick in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft by the Devil Rays and he made his big league debut in 2004</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">. He spent 2005 in the minors and came up to the majors for good in 2006. He's a .255 lifetime hitter, batting .246 last year with 31 stolen bases, 28 home runs and a .298 on-base percentage. Bourn's stats from last year? He hit .274, with 57 stolen bases, 9 home runs and a .348 on-base percentage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">With a </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">five-year, $75.25 million deal, B.J. becomes the highest paid free agent acquisition in Braves history. He's the quintessential five-tool player. He possesses speed, perhaps not a much as Bourn but that evens out with the extra power he brings to the plate. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">B.J. is also a little younger than Michael and, as always, the Braves were hesitant to sign an aging player who's key asset is speed (like Bourn) to long term deal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">B.J. Upton has his critics. Some say he's an underachiever but I disagree. In the past he's been criticized for making bad decisions during games but Rays manager Joe Maddon commented that B.J. has made better decisions on the bases this year and his game has matured. The numbers at the plate are impressive. B.J. hit</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> his 100th career home run this season. With this accomplishment he joined an elite group of players who accrued 100 home runs and 200 stolen bases before turning 28. The others on the list include Barry Bonds, Rickey Henderson, Eric Davis, Hanley Ramirez, Bobby Bonds, Cesar Cedeno and Lloyd Moseby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One thing is for certain, the Braves didn't hold that line-drive that put Chipper on the D.L. for a month against B.J.!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm not a bit surprised that the Braves traded Tommy Hanson. I saw that one coming and believe it or not, I actually called it. I liked Tommy a lot but he was always suffering from injury at the end of the season. He has an awkward delivery that neither he nor the Braves could ever correct. I think that took a toll on him phycially. He's in Anaheim now and the Braves received relief pitcher Jordan Walden in return. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Today, the Braves non-tendered Peter Moylan and Jair Jurrjens, again, not a surprise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Who's gone from the 2012 team?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Chipper Jones</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">David Ross</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Michael Bourn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tommy Hanson</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ben Sheets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Jair Jurrjens</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Peter Moylan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Who's new to the 2013 team?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">B.J. Upton</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Gerald Laird</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Jordan Walden</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Jordan Schafer (don't get me started on this one...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-67119482157562109312012-11-11T11:09:00.002-05:002012-11-11T11:09:35.833-05:00Say It Isn't So Rossy!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you think I had fallen off the face of the earth? Or perhaps I had sunk into a deep despair with the end of the 2012 season? Or perhaps I couldn't bear to think about a Braves team without Chipper Jones? Truthfully, it's none of the above. Life got busy and I had to take another personal "rain delay". But now I'm back and in a state of shock. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Braves back up catcher David Ross signed a two-year, $6.2 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. What!?! I'm shattered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For the past four seasons, David Ross and Brian McCann have made up the best catching tandem in all of baseball. The best by far. It didn't matter who was behind the plate, offensively or defensively, the team was just as strong with either player behind the dish. This was a fact that was commented upon regularly during national broadcasts. And with the injuries that plagued Brian McCann this season, David Ross was more valuable than ever. As great as his offensive numbers were this year, his game calling and defense were even better. It spoke volumes that Fredi Gonzalez chose to start David over Brian in this season's wild card game.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">David Ross wasn't just valuable on the field. He was equally as valuable, if not more so, in the clubhouse. He is a born leader. He was one of the most respected voices in the Braves clubhouse. He knew when to keep it serious and when to use his sense of humor. He was best at keeping it light and loose and keeping the team on an even keel. Bobby Cox loved him. That says it all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Braves couldn't come close to offering the deal that the Red Sox did. The Braves, with their mid-market payroll, were looking to offer a one-year deal to a catcher who will turn 36 in March. The Red Sox, with a much larger payroll, are doubling David's salary. In fact, over the next two seasons, David will make just slightly less than he did in his four years with the Braves. As much I hate to see him go, I can't for one second blame David for making this move. He'd be crazy not to take it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">David's departure leaves the Braves in a tough spot. Brian McCann will miss at least the first 2-4 weeks of the 2013 season due to shoulder surgery.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Christian Bethancourt is playing great at Double A, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">but at only 21 is he ready for the majors? The Braves want to take it slowly with him. There's also Evan Gattis, although he hasn't played beyond the Double A level either. The most likely scenario? The Braves will go out and pick up a veteran catcher who is already playing at the major league level. One other thing to remember, the Braves just picked up the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">$12 million option on Brian McCann for 2013 but he will be up for free agency at season's end. Braves fans may see a lot of changes at the catcher's position over the next few seasons. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">All in all, I'm so sad to see the Braves lose a player, teammate and man like David Ross. He was great for the Braves and he's great for baseball. He represents the game well. I can only hope that when David Ross' playing days come to an end, he chooses the Braves organization to being his career as a manager.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">David Ross by the numbers:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In four seasons with the Braves, David Ross played in 227 games. He batted .269 with 24 home runs and 94 RBIs. He had an on-base percentage of .353 and an .816 OPS in 663 plate appearances . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the 62 games he played in 2012, David Ross batted .256 with 9 home runs and 23 RBIs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo couresty of Daniel Shirley-US PRESSWIRE</span></div>
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diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-24108506193881874972012-10-25T00:37:00.001-04:002012-10-25T00:48:57.596-04:00Where Was The Real Justin?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, I'll admit it. Even before the first pitch was thrown, I had given the Detroit Tigers the win. How could they not? Justin Verlander was on the mound. Arguably the best pitcher in baseball, with three dominating wins and sporting a minuscule 0.74 ERA in the playoffs, the Tigers were going to be tough, if not impossible to beat in game one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I couldn't have been any more wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The standout pitching performance came from the opposite dugout. Barry Zito, the pitcher who didn't even make the Giants post season roster in 2010, pitched the game of his life. In his first World Series start, Barry pitched brilliantly for 5 2/3 innings, setting the tone for his team. He was followed by Tim Lincecum, who sat down seven straight batters, five on strike outs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It was a welcome sound to hear the Giants fans cheering so loudly and passionately for Barry Zito. He's had a tough time in San Francisco and the fans haven't always been kind to him. All the bad outings were forgotten tonight. He even joined in the scoring, driving in the Giants fourth run after getting a hit off of Justin Verlander in the fourth inning. This marks the fourth straight game where a Giants pitcher has driven in a run.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Offensively, the game belonged to the Giant's Pablo Sandoval. He drove in half of his team's eight runs. With three home runs in his first three at bats, Pablo became only the fourth player in baseball history to hit three home runs in one World Series game. He joins Albert Pujols (2011), Reggie Jackson (1977) and Babe Ruth (1926 and 1928) Oddly, Pablo hit only 12 home runs during the regular season. Guess he was playing catch up tonight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now the nagging question. Did the five day layoff after their sweep of the Yankees hurt the Detroit team? In 2006 the Tigers had almost a week off after winning the ALCS. The Cardinals went on to beat the Tigers four games to one in the World Series and many felt that the rest did the team more harm than good. The Giants came into the World Series with only one day off and whole lot of momentum, including the high of suviving six elimination games. Perhaps the Tigers rest only led to rust. Let's see if they can shake it off tomorrow night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This World Series marks the first since 1954 where the AL and NL batting champs are facing each other. Miguel Cabrera and Buster Posey won the titles this season. In 1954 it was the New York Giants Willie Mays and the Cleveland Indians Bobby Avila who wore the crowns.</span><br />
<br />diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-83770361377865770022012-10-21T23:23:00.000-04:002012-10-21T23:23:18.248-04:00A 10 On The Richter Scale!<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, that wasn't an earthquake. </span></span><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the Giants fans jumping up and down at AT&T Park. They are loud, proud and over the top! </span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing in baseball is more exciting than a Game 7, especially in the LCS! It's the ultimate win or go home!!</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So which team do you think is going to keep playing? Will it be an orange-on-orange World Series or will it be a </span></span><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">repeat of the 2006 World Series?</span></span><br />
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diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-74814351682868417132012-10-21T21:59:00.000-04:002012-10-21T21:59:12.875-04:00A Tiger's Tale<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Congrats to the Detroit Tigers, champs of the American League and the first team to make it to the 2012 World Series!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's kind of funny, at the start of the season the Tigers had been picked to win their division. After getting off to a slower than expected start, in many All-Star break polls they were oft-mentioned as one of the mid-season's biggest disappointments. At the end of the season, not so much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Without a doubt, the Tigers played head and shoulders above all the other American League playoff teams. 2011's American League Cy Young winner and MVP, Justin Verlander was absolutely brilliant. Miguel Cabrera showed a national tv audience how and why he won the triple crown and Phil Coke stepped in when his team needed him like never before. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The A's took the Tigers to five games in the division series but they were unstoppable in the ALCS. The Tigers sent the Yankees back home without a win. In fact, throughout the series the Yankees never had the lead in any of the four games played. Not even once. In 27 1/3 innings the team with baseball's highest payroll score only two earned runs. They were humiliated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Yet, in all of this, there is something disappoints me terribly. The local and national coverage that the Tigers got, or should I say, didn't get. It seems that everything that I saw and heard the day after the Tigers sweep of the Yankees was not about the Tigers victory. It was all about the Yankees loss. From Derek Jeter's fractured ankle, to A-Rod's lack of hitting and subsequent benching, to the sub-par pitching performances to everything else under the sun, once again, the Yankees grabbed the headlines. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">C'mon guys, give the Tigers their due. They've earned your respect and more importantly, they deserve it.</span><br />
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diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-19485008562009967902012-10-12T05:53:00.002-04:002012-10-12T05:53:41.646-04:00Werth It?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two years ago, the Washington Nationals went on a spending spree. They signed Phillies free-agent outfielder Jayson Werth to a $126 million, seven year deal. The pundits criticized the team, saying they way over-paid for a good bat and a strong veteran presence on the team.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Werth had a disappointing season in 2011 and the criticism continued. In April of this season, while attempting to make a diving catch, Werth broke his right wrist. He missed three months of the season. More criticism.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Last night, the Cardinals were up 2-1 in the National League Division Series and needed only one more win to advance to the League Championship Series. The game versus the Nationals was deadlocked at 1-1 for the majority of the game. In the bottom of the ninth, Jayson Werth hit a walk-off home run, forcing a game five.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In that moment, Werth became worth every penny. </span><br />
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diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-31079950577435862962012-10-07T21:48:00.001-04:002012-10-07T21:48:23.195-04:00Speechless<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm still at a loss. I can't get my head around what happened at Turner Field Friday night. I was confident that the Braves would win. The way the game unfolded? No words. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, maybe a few.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I will say this first. The Braves were not at their best. Three errors and ten left on base leaves a team at a huge disadvantage. But what about momentum? The Braves had it on their side in the eighth inning. And then it was lost on a call. A call that will live in infamy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Down 6-3 with runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the eighth, Andrelton Simmons hit a fly ball into the outfield. The outfield. The ball dropped between outfielder Matt Holliday and shortstop Pete Kozma. Braves fans went nuts! The bases were now loaded with Brian McCann stepping in to pinch hit. Momentum was on our side!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />Then the unthinkable. The bizarre. The unexplainable.<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Left-field umpire Sam Holbrook called it an infield fly. WTF!?! The ball was a good 60 feet into the outfield. Now instead of having the bases loaded with one out, the Braves had runners on second and third with two out. The shift of momentum had begun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Braves fans were incensed and it was made known! It was like nothing I've ever experienced. A barrage of cups, beer cans, coke bottles and trash were all thrown onto the field to a soundtrack of shouts, curses and screams. The game was halted. The players cleared the field and the grounds crew cleaned the debris. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Eighteen minutes later play resumed. The momentum had shifted 180 degrees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Yesterday and today I read and watched everything that I could about the incident. I knew what I thought and felt about everything, both the call and the reaction. But what about those who are more knowledgeable than I? Was it the right call? Were the Atlanta Braves fans a disgrace and an embarrassment? I needed to know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">From my "research", baseball insiders and analysts were divided 50-50 on the veracity of the call. The infield fly rule is, in itself, vague. To have it have such massive implications on a game of such importance is unacceptable. Something has to change.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As for the reaction of Braves fans, I'm proud of my peeps. Atlanta fans have been criticized for decades for not being "good fans". Friday night our passion shone through. What I find funny, is that if this had happened in either New York or Philadelphia, it would have been acceptable. It's ok when Yankee or Phillies fans react strongly. But Atlanta fans? Apparently not. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And now on to my other point of contention. The one game playoff between two wild card teams. It's wrong. Two teams that play 162 games in a season SHOULD NOT have their seasons hinge on one game. Football, sixteen games, one game playoff, yes. Baseball, 162 games, one game playoff. NO. My feelings regarding this don't stem from this game. Revisit my post from March 11, 2012. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm realistic. Before the incident, the Braves had already dug themselves a pretty deep hole and the Cardinals were playing well. But in the eight inning the Braves were digging themselves out of that hole. Just like they had done so many times throughout the season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Would the Braves have won without the infield fly call? No one knows. That said, as the Cardinals celebrated their win in the locker room they weren't chanting "happy flight." They were chanting "infield fly." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">That speaks volumes.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963650421666999500.post-42344474885610293112012-09-30T23:47:00.000-04:002012-09-30T23:55:39.610-04:00The Face Of The Franchise<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a weekend at Turner Field!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It totally felt like the playoffs with a packed house every night. The ball park was electric!! Great vibe, great baseball and great, great fun! Over 150,000 fans were in the house, most of whom were there to say thank you to Chipper Jones. They travelled from far and wide, they brought signs and they were LOUD! Next to me Friday night, a couple from Illinois. Saturday, Louisiana. Sunday, New Jersey. They all travelled for one reason and one reason only. To see Chipper Jones at Turner Field. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Honestly, I don't even know where to start with this post. There are so many thoughts rushing through my head and so many emotions running every which way. I'm always sad when the final home stand comes around but at the same time I'm excited as the playoffs are just around the corner. As much as this weekend was about playing into late October it was even more about saying thank you to Chipper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Braves do a lot of things very right. Ceremony is at the top of the list. I've been to five number retirement ceremonies, a ceremony honoring Skip Caray, another honoring Bobby Cox and now, one honoring Chipper. Friday night's ceremony was perfect! From having Pete Van Wieren as the master of ceremonies, to the video tributes and the eloquent speeches, to the wonderful gifts, all leading up to the incredibly heartfelt words of Chipper himself, it was a truly memorable ceremony. If you were there, you'll never forget it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm not one who's all about the gifts but I was blown away by the thought that went into each and every gift that the Braves gave Chipper. From his teammates, a custom billiard table. The perfect guy gift. In addition, they all wore mock turtlenecks under their jerseys just as Chipper always does. We later learned that the team refers to them as nerdlenecks. I guess Chipper doesn't command respect for everything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">From the organization itself, the gifts reflected Chipper's impact on baseball, the Braves and the city of Atlanta. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Representing his play at third base, Chipper was first given one of the special bases that were created specifically for the game. Representing his impact on the community, John Schuerholz then announced the "10 for 10" project in which the Braves will refurbish ten little league baseball parks in Chipper's name, in and around Atlanta. Representing the foundation he created as a cornerstone of the team, Chipper was then given a beautiful plaque featuring a home plate created from bricks taken from the facade of Turner Field. A matching plaque will hang from where the bricks were taken. Mr. Schuerholz continued on to say that Turner Field was certainly Chipper's home away from home, and to honor that the team is giving him his clubhouse locker. What an incredibly cool gift! That one put an even bigger smile on Chipper's face! And finally, because he has had to spend so much time away from his family, the Braves are giving Chipper and his family a trip to Hawaii. An amazing array of gifts that really represent every aspect of Chipper's role with the Braves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Chipper was the final speaker and he truly spoke from his heart. He was so appreciate of those who made this journey with him and helped him to achieve his boyhood dream. Here's a link to the entire ceremony, courtesy of the Braves. It's well worth the watch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=25155013&topic_id=&c_id=atl&tcid=vpp_copy_25155013&v=3"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=25155013&topic_id=&c_id=atl&tcid=vpp_copy_25155013&v=3</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I really didn't intend for this post to be this long and I will never, ever be able to find the right words to convey how special today's game was. It began with a message from Chipper played on Braves Vision. I'll admit it, I shed some tears. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As impossible as it seems, the cheers for Chipper were even louder today. At the start of the game, he took the field alone. The cheers were deafening and the outpouring of appreciation was overwhelming. I saw the Braves stoic leader wipe his eyes more than once. Chipper had said after Friday's game that he had been feeling a myriad of emotions and he was glad that the ceremony was over so that he could fully focus on the task at hand. He had gone hitless on both Friday and Saturday but that ended with a hit on Sunday. We were also soundly reminded that Chipper's not just a hitter. He made three absolutely stellar plays in the field, the third being the best. It's my favorite Chipper move, the bare-handed grab and side-arm throw to first to get the batter out. No one does it better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The game ended with a 6-2 Braves win and the team took the series two games to one. Freddi Gonzalez had asked Chipper three different times if he wanted to be replaced by a pinch hitter or a pinch runner so that he could walk off the field for one more thunderous ovation. Each time Chipper said no. He wanted to finish the game on the field with his teammates. And after the on-field post game interview, Chipper didn't take the steps down to the clubhouse. Instead he walked to the stands, to the seats behind home plate and gave his mom and his dad huge, huge hugs. It was so perfect. Thanking the two people who were there from the beginning. And in that moment, it was all too much for him. As he walked back to the dugout we all saw the emotions come tumbling out. We saw what this moment, this weekend, this team and these fans have meant to Chipper Jones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There are still three regular season games left to be played and the division has yet to be won. The regular season ends on Wednesday and the playoffs begin on Friday. And that, Chipper says, is when the fun begins!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo courtesy of the AJC</span></div>
<br />diamondsanddugoutshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955836488927681764noreply@blogger.com2