Braves: A Look at "Half-Way"

The Atlanta Braves have reached the half-way point of the 2008 MLB season. Their record stands at 40-43, 4 games behind the division leading Philadelphia Phillies. Despite being 3 games below the .500 mark, they remain in striking distance of the Phils. This seems almost remarkable to me because I have seen them actually give away 5 games they should have (not could have) won, they have set a record for 1-run road losses, and they have had more than their share of injuries. Add all of that to the fact that Jeff Francoeur has been terrible, Mark Teixeira is just now getting hot, and we have had to rely on young "arms" you hadn't even heard of before the season. Now that 4 game deficit looks really good, at least considering how bad it could be at this point. Mark Kotsay is set to return off of the DL, and even though Chipper is set to go on it, we should have our regular position players ready for the stretch run after the All-Star break. If Kelly Johnson can get consistently stable defensively at 2nd, the infield of Jones, Yunel Escober, Johnson and Teixeira is solid all around. It would be nice to think one guy would step up and claim the left field post, but we might just be stuck with Bobby's platoon system forever out there. After all, its been that way for several years now so I don't see that changing unless Matt Diaz comes back red hot. I'm all in favor of sitting Francoeur more often until he comes out of this hitting slump he's mired in. In fact, a 2 week dose of AAA Richmond might not be such a bad prescription. But since I've berated Jeff, he'll probably snap out of it and go into a hitting frenzy. The return of Kotsay in center field is going to be huge. He's a veteran who knows how to play the game. His solid and consistent play will be crucial to our success. We are as good behind the plate as anyone else in the league. Brian McCann is the real deal, and he will just continue to get better and better. Our starting pitching has been much better than we could have expected with both Smoltz and Glavine missing so many turns in the rotation. Of course Smoltzy is out for the year, and you aren't going to get much more that 5 innings per start out of Glavine if he even pitches again. Of course you know your chances are better at winning the lottery than they are of ever seeing Mike Hampton chunk the rock again. So we have Tim Hudson, Jo-Jo Reyes, Jair Jurrjens, Jorge Campillo and Charlie Morton as the rotation. Lately, this group has been better than the support they've received from the offense. We've actually wasted several quality starts because our bats went dead. The depleted bullpen will scare you to death, but they have had some good outings themselves. We will have to settle on the right hitter for the lead off spot; a riddle Cox and staff haven't been able to solve yet. Kelly Johnson isn't the guy, and Escober seems to function better in the number 2 slot. That just about only leaves that left field group to pick from. Good luck to us there. Chipper must get healthy and stay healthy. He's the straw that stirs the drink. When he is in the line-up, he picks everyone else up, not to mention the guy can flat out play. He isn't bad in the clutch either. We are finished with inter-league play, and the number of games within our division will increase. We have to win series; not necessarily sweep them but win them in order to gain ground. The law of averages says we have to win more 1-run road games in the second half, and I would hope the injury bug will ease up on the Braves to some degree. It would be interesting to see how good a healthy Atlanta club could be. I'm not sure we're the best team in the East, but none of the others have taken it by storm either. I believe the Phillies are the team to beat, and we begin a 3 game set with them July 1st at Turner Field. If we win this series, then the Phillies, Mets, and Marlins all have to take us very seriously again. Since they have let us hang around this long, we might as well make 'em pay for it! Yes I know. I'm the one who made the post back on June 11th that the Braves were dead. What can I say? "Hope springs eternal!" I'm reminded of former Braves announcer Milo Hamilton saying often: "We gotta go get 'em Braves!"

Tradition Never Rebuilds....

...It Just Reloads! UGA I ended "The Drought" against Tech,won the 1959 SEC championship, and watched Fran Tarkenton and the Dawgs whip Missouri in the 1960 Orange Bowl. UGA II was the mascot for the SEC champs of 1966 and 1968.. He supported such Georgia greats as Bill Stanfill and Jake Scott. UGA III was named to "Animal Who's Who" and closed out his illustrious career with a National Championship victory over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. UGA IV sported a bow tie and formal collar to be Herschel Walker's honored guest at the 1982 Heisman Trophy banquet. He closed out a fantastic career with 77 wins. UGA V was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1998 and earned a featured role in the Savannah based movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". He earned the unending love of Georgia fans everywhere after his famous lunge at an Auburn player in the quadruple overtime Dawg win in 1996. UGA VI, the heaviest of all the UGA's, was the winningest of all-time with 87 victories. He ushered in the Mark Richt era with two SEC championships to go along with seven bowl victories. UGA VII will be named and in place "Between the Hedges" soon. As you can see, each of his predecessors accomplished great things and he will as well. It will be well worth the experience to see just what those milestones turn out to be. As for all the white English bulldogs who set the table for him, they might be gone, but they never will be forgotten. And that brings to mind another Georgia expression: "Once a Dawg...Always a Dawg"!

UGA VI: Damn Good Dawg!!

UGA VI, the revered Churchillian English bulldog has died of congestive heart failure. The ever popular mascot, registered as "UGA V's Whatchagot Loran?", had served nine seasons roaming the Georgia sidelines, becoming the winningest Dawg of all his predecessors. During his herculean reign, his University of Georgia football teams compiled a record of 87 wins and 27 losses, including two SEC championships and a 7-2 bowl record. The previous record was held by UGA IV, who posted an impressive 77-24-4 record himself. The all white bulldogs have become a famous symbol of the University of Georgia, as well as one of the most famous icons in college football. They have worn tuxedos, been on the Senate floor, accompanied Herschel to New York to receive his Heisman, appeared in the movies, named the top mascot by Sports Illustrated, and lunged at an Auburn receiver who encroached on UGA V's territory! UGA VI was the biggest to serve as mascot, tipping the scales at 65 pounds, a good 20 pounds heavier than his father. This Dawg was no welterweight, in size nor character! The announcement of his successor will be forthcoming by the Seiler Family, the owners of the UGA lineage, and the University Athletic Association. Not to worry Bulldog Nation, that lineage is secure. Thanks for all the memories UGA VI. As we say in Georgia, "Damn Good Dawg!"

Flord Patterson -vs- Ingemar Johansson: 6-26-1959

This date in time: June 26, 1959. Floyd Patterson -vs- Ingemar Johansson for the World's Heavyweight title. The Swede Johansson defeated the American Patterson with a devastating right hand in the 3rd round at Yankee Stadium in New York. An outdoor crowd of 21,961 braved threatening weather conditions to witness the event. The utter irony of the fight was that both men were participants in the 1952 Olympic games where Patterson won a middleweight Gold Medal, and where Johansson was disqualified by a referee for 'not trying'. The Swede had a bout against another American, Ed Sanders, and both fighters actually stayed away from each other, trying to 'feel each other out', when the official abruptly stopped the fight by disqualifying Johansson. And it was Ingemar who was portrayed as a coward when he seemed to be disinclined to fight the American. It was learned later that his corner had instructed him to allow Sanders to do all the leading and then counter-punch him. Patterson brought his Gold Medal home to America as a hero, whereas Johansson returned to Sweden in disgrace of himself, as well as his country, after having not been allowed to stand on the medal stand nor receive his Silver Medal. Not until this monumental victory over Patterson could "Ingy" feel vindicated for the debacle in Helsinki. He was no longer a coward. Now he was the Heavyweight Champion of the World! He had knocked Patterson down seven times in this fight. Seven. And Patterson had been a 5-1 favorite. He had been the youngest to win the Heavyweight Title, now he was the youngest to lose it also. This was a distinction no one had planned on, as this was considered as big an upset as the heavyweight division had ever known. But it also opened an entire new era for a boxing division in dire need of renewed interest to help it return to its once lofty status. This fight invigorated the glamor division, and the two participants went on to face each other two more times over a span of two years. Each of the three fights ended in knockouts, with Patterson winning the final two bouts, and each fight was better than the one that preceded it. This rivalry, of sorts, had put the heavyweight division back in the limelight, and primed it for the Liston/Clay and Ali/Frazier classics that awaited down the road. It all started this date in history ,1959.

Jim Brown: #44 Syracuse University

Jim Brown has been named by Sports Illustrated as the greatest player to ever wear the number 44. He of course wore the number at Syracuse University from 1954 to 1956 as an All-American running back. In his final regular season game against Colgate, Brown rushed for 197 yards, scored six touchdowns, and kicked seven extra points for 43 points. At Syracuse he played not only football but also earned letters in basketball, lacrosse, and track. It is interesting to note that he is argued to be the best lacrosse player of all time. There have been two other famous All-American 44's at Syracuse, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little. Since 1954, eleven players have worn the number 44 at the school. I applaud SU for not having retired the number. Everyone knows what that number stands for at Syracuse, and I think its legacy is enhanced by the fact that it is still open to wear. When schools retire numbers, they are robbing other athletes of the opportunity to wear a number that is special to them as well. Just recognize great players AND the number in some special way, like a ring of honor or banner, etc. The player is enshrined so to speak, but the number lives on to play another day. That seems like a win-win situation to me. Even go back an 'unretire' numbers (wow, talk about controversy!). I would like to see guys at Georgia have the chance to wear the number 34 again, and you know who wore that one (Herschel was also named by SI as the greatest to wear 34). At UGA, 47 (David Pollack) hasn't been retired, so EVERY other number should be available to gridiron Dawgs. And any number at any school for that matter. After all, you never know who the next great tailback might be at Syracuse University. And he just might be wearing the famous 44!

Collegiate Licensing = Big Buck$

The Collegiate Licensing Company is a full service licensing and marketing company. It is the nation's leader in collegiate trademark licensing and marketing. CLC represents nearly 200 colleges, universities, conferences, bowl games, and the NCAA and all of its championships. Collegiate Licensed Products is more than a $2.5 billion-a-year industry. Schools ranked in the Top 10 can expect to receive upwards of $5 million annually from the sale of merchandise bearing their logos. The CLC recently released the rankings of schools for the third quarter of 2007-2008, which covered the period of 1-1-08 to 3-31-08. The following is a list of the top 10 schools:

1. Texas

2. Michigan

3. Florida

4. Notre Dame

5. LSU

6. Georgia

7. North Carolina

8. Penn State

9. Alabama

10. Tennessee


It is not unusual for the Top 10 to jostle around from quarter to quarter, but the same 10 to 15 schools are always around that top echelon. Winning, of course, is a major factor in sales along with the size of alumni/fan base, student body enrollment, high visibility alumni who continue to drive the schools notoriety, and overall fan followings. It all has to do with brand recognition. Most universities use the revenue funds for financial aid and to fund athletic scholarships.

Erin Andrews: Back By Popular Demand!

We received so many referrals because of our first posted photo of Miss Andrews that we thought it wise to bring her back. For the past week or so she has been seen around the dugouts at the College World Series (Erin, what was that blue dress 'thingy' Saturday?). She was asked once what she thought about all the "Marry Me Erin" signs that are regularly visible at games she works and her reply was: "No one has shown up with a ring yet". Since most of her assignments are at the college level, a 'rock' is a tall order for a college kid. Can't blame a guy for trying though, can ya?!

Teixeira Must Mean Three!

Mark Teixeira blasted 3 home runs Sunday afternoon as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Seattle Mariners 8-3. He belted two solo shots and one 2-runner for a total of 4 RBI's on the day. It was his second career 3-homer day and the first for an Atlanta player at Turner Field. The 3 round-trippers give Mark T a total of 13 for the season. 6 of those 13 have come in the month of June. After a slow and inconsistent start so far this season, maybe this game is the start of more good things to follow. With all the injures the Braves continue to experience, they need Teixeira to begin putting it all together offensively. Also in Sunday's contest, Tim Hudson allowed only 4 hits in 7 scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 2.96 for the season.

Johnny Miller: No Words Minced Here

Johnny Miller has always been one to say what others only dare to think. He brings no bashfulness to the booth. What comes up, comes out. Just as at the U.S. Open this past week when he said Rocco Mediate looked like the guy who cleans Tiger Woods pool. This week he apologized for those remarks, saying he did not mean to offend anyone. The message I thought he was trying to convey with the flippant remark was that Mediate looked as though he should be working for Woods instead of playing a round of golf with him. It seemed like a shot at the pool boy and the golfer. But I'll admit, it seemed more aggressive than it did stereotypical. Just Miller being Miller I suppose. Once he thought the quality of golf was so poor a particular tournament that he quipped: "If I had been in the gallery, I'd have gone home". Maybe Miller's creed is that if you think it, you might as well say it. He seems to be pretty good at that, and he probably doesn't care what you or I think. He will issue an apology, but he does it knowing he would say the same thing again. And I know he would too.

Terrell Davis: "Bargain Basement"

After missing most of his senior year at Georgia with a hamstring injury, Terrell Davis fell to the sixth round of the NFL Draft where he was secured by the Denver Broncos. And "the rest is history" as they say. He went on to help lead the Broncos to two Super Bowl wins in 1997 & 1998. He also became just the fourth running back to rush for 2,000 yards in a season in 1998. Not too shabby for a sixth rounder! As K-Mart would say: " A Blue Light Special"!

Notre Dame & NBC: WHY?

NBC renewed its television contract with Notre Dame today through the 2015 season. The contract calls for 7 home games and 1 off-campus 'home' game. All home games at Notre Dame must be played in the afternoon. Night games are said to be too disruptive for Irish students. So with all the potentially great college football match-ups around the country practically every fall Saturday afternoon, one powerful network sticks us with Notre Dame. NBC says it is not about ratings, which are understandably down. They feel the Irish still have that 'lure'; that we want to watch them just because they're the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. I've got news for you guys: we want to watch good football teams and exciting football games. Notre Dame has finished in the Top 10 only three times during their 17 year run with the network. They were 3-9 last year. When most teams finish below .500 they have to "play their way" back on TV. In other words, they have to get better to be seen on Saturday's airways. Evidently NBC is saying they would rather have a mediocre Notre Dame as opposed to a legitimate Top 10 contest. I don't think that's quite the same as saying you'd take Tiger on 1 1/2 legs as opposed to anyone else on the PGA Tour. If you think about it this fall when ND is occupying that mid-afternoon time slot playing another "wanna be", check and see the other games not being televised that you would much rather be able to view. Now that will be a good way to get you all riled-up on Game Day.

Advantage to Both "Bulldogs" at CWS

Both the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Georgia Bulldogs sit atop their respective CWS brackets with unblemished 2-0 records. Considering that Florida State and Rice have already departed the tournament, the other four teams have essentially spotted both Bulldogs a game up advantage. The next best news in all of this for the two leaders is that by the time they play again, two of the higher seeded teams will also have exited the field. On Fresno's side, either LSU or North Carolina will be sent packing after they play in an elimination game, and on UGA's side the same holds true for Stanford or Miami. These are four of the highest seeded teams on the brink of elimination. That certainly does make the two 'Dogs combined four wins seem huge, as well they are. The two winners from the loser's bracket will have to defeat Georgia and Fresno State twice to advance to the championship game. It can happen, but you gotta know any of those teams would love to be undefeated at this point themselves. It is definitely 'Advantage Bulldogs'! I realize that all these teams have outstanding pitching, but one thing I keep thinking about on UGA's behalf is that they haven't had one of their double digit run explosion games. They are capable of that, just ask N.C. State. I believe we just might see one of those games from them in Omaha. They've come up with the clutch hits when they've had to have them, but they haven't gone on one of those 'rampages' yet. The bullpen has been sound, as has the defense. I know this is really going to sound like a 'homer' remark, but Georgia has overcome a couple of bad calls too. O.K, O.K., I know, everyone playing in the College World Series has suffered through bad calls. I just had to get that in there in defense of my Dawgs! Nevertheless, "Perno's Pups" are in a great position to reach the championship game. Being the veteran club they are I don't see them departing easily. It just might be the year of the "Oval G 'Dawgs"!