John Smoltz got hammered tonight. Again. The Boston Red Sox arrived for the first game of a four-game series trailing the Yankees by 2.5 games. They will go into Friday's game 3.5 games back. Smoltz couldn't make it out of the fourth inning. His line: 3.1 innings, 9 hits, 8 earned runs. Ouch.
You see, when the Red Sox signed Smoltz, this was the kind of game they envisioned him pitching in. A big game on the road against the hated Yankees. Throughout his career, Smoltz has been money in these situations. Those days appear to be nearing an end, if they haven't already.
With the loss, Smoltz falls to 2-5 on the year. What's worse, his ERA ballooned to a whopping 8.32. Wow.
It takes me back to the off season when Smoltz bolted Atlanta for more guaranteed money in Boston. Atlanta had offered 2.5 million guaranteed while the Red Sox offer was 5.5.
Smoltz was openly critical of the Braves in their treatment of good friend and aging pitcher Tom Glavine. Frank Wren is looking smarter every day.
The Braves are currently third in MLB in team ERA at 3.76. Rookie Tommy Hanson, who took Glavine's spot in the rotation, is 6-2 and well on his way to earning the NL Rookie of the Year honors. Vazquez, Jurrjens, and Hanson have been very solid. Lowe and Kawakami have been up and down, but still are much better options than Smoltz or Glavine.
I have mixed emotions on Smoltz. I loved watching him pitch during his tenure in Atlanta and wanted him to retire as a Brave. I didn't like the way it all ended. I didn't like the comments Smoltz made on the Glavine situation either.
It's kind of tough to see Smoltz struggle the way he has for the Red Sox. But it's better that he struggle with them than with the Braves.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
My take on Michael Vick
After having heard countless opinions on whether or not Michael Vick should or should not be allowed to play in the NFL over the last week, I figured it was time for me to put my two cents in.
If you have been under a rock and haven't heard the news, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last week paved the way for former Falcon QB and convicted felon Vick to return to the league as a player. Vick now needs only a team to roll the dice and he could be on a football field near you again this fall.
When I think about Vick, I think about the day I was driving home from Atlanta and heard the news on the radio. It was April 28, 2001, and the Falcons had just traded their first round pick (#5 overall) along with a second and third round pick, and WR Tim Dwight, to the Chargers for the first overall pick and the right to draft the young electrifying, left handed quarterback from Virginia Tech. I remember how excited I was that Vick would be an Atlanta Falcon.
Now, eight years later, after following closely the roller coaster that was Vick's tenure in a Falcon uniform, I remember more ups than downs. I remember in 2002 how Vick carved up the Viking defense in Minnesota for 173 yards rushing, an NFL record for a QB. I can vividly recall that same year a fearless Vick going into Green Bay in a playoff game, where no visitor walks away with a win, and leading Atlanta to a win.
I look back at the disappointment that was a helpless Vick, being carted off the field with a broken leg in a 2003 preseason game against the Ravens.
I remember the following year, Vick led the Falcons to an NFC championship contest against the Eagles. The Falcons would lose that game, but I remember that they should have won that game.
Along the way, Vick set several NFL records, some of which still stand today.
I also remember the 75.7 career passer rating, and how Vick often couldn't make the big throw when the game was on the line. I remember when it all started to fall apart during the Jim Mora regime, and actually wishing the Falcons would go in another direction.
And most of all, I remember the shame of being brought down by the justice system, and being convicted of running a dog fighting ring. I remember Vick being sentenced to a jail term.
Let me say here that I am a big-time animal lover. I get angry at myself when I run over a defenseless squirrel. I was and still am appalled over what Mike Vick was found guilty of doing to dogs.
Having said that, I believe that Vick should be allowed to play football again in the NFL. He has served his sentence and I for one believe he has learned a valuable lesson. I believe that there will not be a day that he doesn't think about what he has done and wish that he had conducted himself differently. I believe he should be allowed to move on and make a living doing the thing he does best, running around dodging 231 pound linebackers.
If you have been under a rock and haven't heard the news, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last week paved the way for former Falcon QB and convicted felon Vick to return to the league as a player. Vick now needs only a team to roll the dice and he could be on a football field near you again this fall.
When I think about Vick, I think about the day I was driving home from Atlanta and heard the news on the radio. It was April 28, 2001, and the Falcons had just traded their first round pick (#5 overall) along with a second and third round pick, and WR Tim Dwight, to the Chargers for the first overall pick and the right to draft the young electrifying, left handed quarterback from Virginia Tech. I remember how excited I was that Vick would be an Atlanta Falcon.
Now, eight years later, after following closely the roller coaster that was Vick's tenure in a Falcon uniform, I remember more ups than downs. I remember in 2002 how Vick carved up the Viking defense in Minnesota for 173 yards rushing, an NFL record for a QB. I can vividly recall that same year a fearless Vick going into Green Bay in a playoff game, where no visitor walks away with a win, and leading Atlanta to a win.
I look back at the disappointment that was a helpless Vick, being carted off the field with a broken leg in a 2003 preseason game against the Ravens.
I remember the following year, Vick led the Falcons to an NFC championship contest against the Eagles. The Falcons would lose that game, but I remember that they should have won that game.
Along the way, Vick set several NFL records, some of which still stand today.
I also remember the 75.7 career passer rating, and how Vick often couldn't make the big throw when the game was on the line. I remember when it all started to fall apart during the Jim Mora regime, and actually wishing the Falcons would go in another direction.
And most of all, I remember the shame of being brought down by the justice system, and being convicted of running a dog fighting ring. I remember Vick being sentenced to a jail term.
Let me say here that I am a big-time animal lover. I get angry at myself when I run over a defenseless squirrel. I was and still am appalled over what Mike Vick was found guilty of doing to dogs.
Having said that, I believe that Vick should be allowed to play football again in the NFL. He has served his sentence and I for one believe he has learned a valuable lesson. I believe that there will not be a day that he doesn't think about what he has done and wish that he had conducted himself differently. I believe he should be allowed to move on and make a living doing the thing he does best, running around dodging 231 pound linebackers.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Football anyone?
Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy baseball season. I have been following Major League Baseball, and namely the Braves for about 35 years now. Having said that, in two weeks MLB and the Braves will take a back seat to a much anticipated football season.
It all starts on Friday, August 14 when our own ECI Bulldogs will travel to Evans to play the Knights in their 2009 scrimmage game. Yeah, I know it's only a scrimmage. But to me, it gets the football juices flowing and paves the way for what's to come. This will be an especially interesting year in Twin City. Gone are the seniors who compiled a 39-2 record and a state championship over the last three years. This 2009 team will be forced to mold their very own identity, and I for one believe they are ready to do just that.
On Saturday the 15th, the Falcons will play the Detroit Lions in both teams' preseason opener. This one will be interesting to look in on for a couple of reasons. It's going to be fun to see the Falcons offense with newly signed weapon Tony Gonzalez in the mix. Matt Ryan's sophomore season should be even better than his great rookie campaign in which he led the Falcons to an improbable playoff appearance. We will also get our first look at Matthew Stafford in an NFL uniform. He is currently battling Duante Culpepper for the starting QB job. Many reports indicate that the young QB out of Athens has been pretty impressive thus far.
In a little over a month, the University of Georgia Bulldogs will open the 2009 season with a huge road game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Gone are the aforementioned Stafford and the talented Knowshon Moreno who was drafted, but not yet signed, by the Denver Broncos. Joe Cox will be the Bulldogs' new quarterback and Georgia's success will greatly depend on his ability to step in and effectively run the offense. Caleb King is the early favorite to get the bulk of the carries in Moreno's stead. If King stumbles, there are a stable of highly touted backs who could step in and contribute.
These are just a few of the story lines I am looking forward to following with a close eye in the coming weeks. In a way I can't believe it's only two weeks away. On the other hand, two more weeks without football will seem like an eternity.
It all starts on Friday, August 14 when our own ECI Bulldogs will travel to Evans to play the Knights in their 2009 scrimmage game. Yeah, I know it's only a scrimmage. But to me, it gets the football juices flowing and paves the way for what's to come. This will be an especially interesting year in Twin City. Gone are the seniors who compiled a 39-2 record and a state championship over the last three years. This 2009 team will be forced to mold their very own identity, and I for one believe they are ready to do just that.
On Saturday the 15th, the Falcons will play the Detroit Lions in both teams' preseason opener. This one will be interesting to look in on for a couple of reasons. It's going to be fun to see the Falcons offense with newly signed weapon Tony Gonzalez in the mix. Matt Ryan's sophomore season should be even better than his great rookie campaign in which he led the Falcons to an improbable playoff appearance. We will also get our first look at Matthew Stafford in an NFL uniform. He is currently battling Duante Culpepper for the starting QB job. Many reports indicate that the young QB out of Athens has been pretty impressive thus far.
In a little over a month, the University of Georgia Bulldogs will open the 2009 season with a huge road game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Gone are the aforementioned Stafford and the talented Knowshon Moreno who was drafted, but not yet signed, by the Denver Broncos. Joe Cox will be the Bulldogs' new quarterback and Georgia's success will greatly depend on his ability to step in and effectively run the offense. Caleb King is the early favorite to get the bulk of the carries in Moreno's stead. If King stumbles, there are a stable of highly touted backs who could step in and contribute.
These are just a few of the story lines I am looking forward to following with a close eye in the coming weeks. In a way I can't believe it's only two weeks away. On the other hand, two more weeks without football will seem like an eternity.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Braves in playoffs? Don't count on it
The Braves did finally take one from the Fish tonight, but they trail the recently reloaded Phillies by a whopping 7.5 games now. Wild card you ask? Although they only trail San Francisco by 3.5 games, there are 5 teams they must find a way to pass. Can it be done? Yes. Is it likely? No.
As good as the Bravos have played since the all-star break, they are still barely a .500 team. It doesn't look like they will add anyone before the trade deadline. All four teams in front of them in the wild card race have either already made moves or are poised to make them before Friday's 4:00 deadline. The Giants picked up Freddy Sanchez and Ryan Garko. St. Louis picked up former Brave and super utility man Mark DeRosa. Colorado obtained bullpen help. The Marlins are rumored to be talking with the Padres about two really good players in 1B Adrian Gonzalez and closer Heath Bell.
Atlanta's starting pitching is really good, but there are too many flaws in other areas. The bullpen has been good at times but remains inconsistent. Gonzalez and Moylan scare me every time they enter a game. Soriano has been really good, but he blew a game Tuesday in Miami that Atlanta really needed.
Gone are the days of winning with the 3-run homer. I know McCann's 3-run homer won the game tonight, but the Braves lack the ability to win games with power. I miss the teams of the 90's that sent player after player to the plate that had the pop to go deep. You remember, Galarraga, McGriff, Justice, and Gant to name a few.
I will close by saying that I hope these Braves prove me wrong. I remember 19 years ago when they trailed the Dodgers by 9.5 at the all-star break and claimed the title by going 55-28 in the second half. Those were the good ole' days. Maybe they can find a Fred McGriff before 4:00 Friday, but I don't see it happening.
As good as the Bravos have played since the all-star break, they are still barely a .500 team. It doesn't look like they will add anyone before the trade deadline. All four teams in front of them in the wild card race have either already made moves or are poised to make them before Friday's 4:00 deadline. The Giants picked up Freddy Sanchez and Ryan Garko. St. Louis picked up former Brave and super utility man Mark DeRosa. Colorado obtained bullpen help. The Marlins are rumored to be talking with the Padres about two really good players in 1B Adrian Gonzalez and closer Heath Bell.
Atlanta's starting pitching is really good, but there are too many flaws in other areas. The bullpen has been good at times but remains inconsistent. Gonzalez and Moylan scare me every time they enter a game. Soriano has been really good, but he blew a game Tuesday in Miami that Atlanta really needed.
Gone are the days of winning with the 3-run homer. I know McCann's 3-run homer won the game tonight, but the Braves lack the ability to win games with power. I miss the teams of the 90's that sent player after player to the plate that had the pop to go deep. You remember, Galarraga, McGriff, Justice, and Gant to name a few.
I will close by saying that I hope these Braves prove me wrong. I remember 19 years ago when they trailed the Dodgers by 9.5 at the all-star break and claimed the title by going 55-28 in the second half. Those were the good ole' days. Maybe they can find a Fred McGriff before 4:00 Friday, but I don't see it happening.
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