DO NOT LET THIS MAN PITCH PAST THE 5th INNING...EVER!!!

That's right Bobby Cox, this one-time ace and current underachieving Oakland Athletics cast off can never be allowed to approach the mound again after the 5th inning until you have the N.L. Wild Card mathematically locked up.  Even if Hudson has a no-hitter or perfect game going you should still greatly consider removing him.  Otherwise you may soon be completely out of the postseason hunt altogether.

Case in point? Today's Mets game.

After allowing three runs through five innings and with the scored tied at 3, Hudson strolled out to the mound in the top of the sixth.  I clinched my fist and held my breath for I knew disaster loomed right around the corner.  How was he going to blow it again?  Sure enough, soon thereafter Hudson came unglued in the sixth and gave up 6 more earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning.  New York has blown another must win game for Atlanta wide open.

This has become a menancing trend for Hudson.

Including today's game, over his past three starts, Hudson has managed a solid ERA of 3.00 through the first 5 innings of each game.  He has either had the lead or been tied in all three of those games, and still miraculously managed two wins in two of the games despite the disturbing fact I am about to unleash upon Braves fans.

For once Hudson takes to the mound in the 6th, that solid ERA of 3.00 through 5 jumps all the way to 49.50 after the 5th.

In each of his past three games Hudson has pitched just 2/3 of an inning after the 5th in each game.  During that span he has given up 11 runs.  The guy simply melts down after 5, no doubt about it.  You can not afford to leave him in there longer than that, unless you don't care about things like actually winning the game and going to the post-season.

While the Atlanta Braves had a remote chance of still catching the New York Mets for the division title just a few days ago, this weekend series against New York at Turner Field has sealed the deal. 

Taking every remaining Mets/Braves series was imperative and mandatory if Atlanta and Braves fans wanted to even entertain the notion of possibly catching New York in the standings.  Now Atlanta is faced with just trying to avoid the sweep tommorrow.

Then to add insult to injury...

Despite Chipper getting hurt yet again yesterday, the Braves shipped Betemit to the Dodgers for a washed up middle reliever (Danys Baez) and a talented but raw infielder (Willy Aybar).  Forget being the Braves best bench player, Betemit was the Braves only decent bench player.  He is going to be a .300, 25 HR, 90 RBI guy in the very near future and is currently the only decent backup plan for an injured Chipper. Or should I say was?

The month of June was one the Atlanta Braves would care to forget rather quickly.  July on the other hand? Well now, that is an entirely different matter. 

After compiling an abysmal 6-21 record this past June, the Braves found themselves in quite the calamitous predicament.  Immediately before the Braves began their horrid month long march to kick off the summer, the club stood just 3.5 games back in the N.L. East and only one game out of the National League Wild Card lead.  By the time July finally rolled around, Atlanta was buried 15 games back behind the New York Mets and were 10 games behind the Cincinatti Reds for the N.L. Wild Card.  It is the worst record the Braves have registered in a single month since the 1935 season, back when the club still played in Boston.  What a difference just one month can make!

However, Atlanta's prospects for success have looked much more promising in the month of July thus far.  The struggling club opened the month by winning six of their first nine games, and seven out of its last ten played.  That mark was good enough to tie San Diego for the best record compiled in the N.L. during the final ten games before the All-Star break.  It goes to reason that if one terrible month can nearly derail a season, one spectacular month can get a season right back on track. 

Which is exactly why it is so puzzling that Fox Sports contributing writer Dayn Perry has already dismissed them and ranked them as one of the worst three teams in the N.L.  By giving them an "F" grade he put them on the same level as Chicago and Pittsburgh.  He awarded higher grades to the Marlins and Nationals despite being lower than Atlanta in the standings.  He also gave a "B' to a Cincinnatti club that only had 5 more wins than the Braves at the break and had just dropped 3 of 4 while visiting the Chop Shop immediately before the All-Star festivities began this week.  I could see such a disappointing grade being accurate two or three weeks ago, but did Perry bother to pay any attention whatsoever during the team's last ten game homestand?

Atlanta has already managed to match its win total for the month of June and stands ready to embark upon a key road trip against two first place teams before returning home to face three division rivals.  If the club can continue to win two games for every one it loses over that stretch (just as Atlanta has done ever since July 1st), then the team will surely be right in the thick of the playoff picture and quite possibly within striking distance of the Mets by the trading deadline.  Those expecting Atlanta to cut loose a player like John Smoltz or Andruw Jones by the end of the month have another thing coming.  With over two months to play and only being six games back of a playoff berth, Atlanta has no intention of calling it quits just yet.

The Braves are no strangers to July turnarounds.  Just last year the Braves trailed the Washington Nationals for first place by 4.5 games on June 31st.  The Braves would later reemerge and held a five game lead in the division a month later after going 17-8 (.680 winning percentage) last July.  It is a rite of passage that the Braves embark upon year after year. The team's late seasons efforts always yield the same result; one divisional title after another.

However, no team has ever done what the Braves did while still back in Boston in 1914. 

After trailing the New York Giants by 15 games on July 4th while sitting in dead last in their division, the Braves went on to win 41 of the club's next 53 games and would finish with a second half record of 68-19.  They ended up winning the division by 10.5 games, and are still the only team in the history of MLB to win their division after being in last place on July 4th.  The Braves would match that achievement this year if they do indeed manage to win their 15th straight title. For on this past July 4th, the Braves were in last place in the N.L. East.

Providing some much needed inspiration, Marcus Giles and Edgar Renteria have been on a tear recently.  Giles is currently on a 11 game hitting streak and is batting .333 for the month. Meanwhile, Renteria has hit safely in 13 straight games and is batting a remarkable .447 this month.  The Braves major offseason acquisition has to have Red Sox fans livid.  Renteria has already surpassed his homerun mark of 8 homers last year (9) and matched his stolen base total for all of last season (9).  More importantly, his .318 season average is up 42 points from last year, while his on-base percentage of .397 is up 62 points from a year ago. 

The real show stopper as of late however has been Chipper Jones.  Mets fans know him affectionately as "Larry." They are also well aware of just how hot the Braves third baseman can get in the second half of a season (1999).  After a brief injury scare caused him to miss a few games, Chipper is ready to stick it to teams in the second half once again.  He is 20 for his last 40 and is batting .538 in his last ten games played.  He has hit 3 homeruns and batted in 13 runs in that same span.  His current 11 game streak with an extra base hit is a franchise record, and has also hit safely in 12 straight.  He has a 1.000 SLG% (tied 1st in MLB), .625 OBP% (1st), and .550 avg. (2nd) thus far on the month. The guy has simply been next to unstoppable. 

As the fortunes of your top three hitters go, usually goes the fortune of your team.

Add to that the fact that Smoltz is pitching brillianly as of late (2-0, 2.14 ERA, 22 K's, 3 BB's over last three starts), rookie hurler Chuck James has been perfect in his three starts, and Horacio Ramirez has been solid with exception to last Friday's brief outing. The Braves rotation has suddenly begun to greatly resemble one capable of sustaining a winning streak.

Now if Tim Hudson, John Thomson, and the bullpen could just come around; another New York franchise could be in grave danger of squandering a huge mid-season lead by season's end. 

In all seriousness, I have every bit of faith the Braves will make the postseason once again. Whether its as a wild card or improbable division winner, Atlanta will play this October. It is a sight I eagerly await, if for no other reason than to make Dayn Perry look clueless yet again when it comes to covering our national past time.  Shame on him for not knowing that a six game deficit in early July means absolutely nothing.  Doesn't he know that two and a half months is an eternity in baseball?

With Saturday's 4-1 win over the Cincinnatti Reds, the Atlanta Braves already stand just one win shy of matching the club's entire win total for the month of June.  Braves young right fielder Jeff Francoeur has undeniably been one of the key contributors during the Braves recent and sorely needed run this July.

Some players simply can't handle the pressure.  Two outs, runners on, the game is tied, or even more nerve racking, your team is trailing.  Your teammates are counting on you to make the difference in the ball game.  Come through and be the team hero.  Fail, and find yourself between the cross hairs of countless fans and sportswriters around the country.

It is a scenario by which every player's value must be measured.  Can they come through when the pressure is on and it matters most.  Are you clutch?  Or are you Alex Rodriguez?

For Jeff Francoeur, it happens to be a situation he relishes.

Coming into Saturday's game, Francoeur was tied with Boston Red Sox first baseman David Ortiz for most two out RBI's this season (33) in all of MLB after hitting a two out RBI single in extra innings this past Thursday to help the Braves take the first game of the team's current four game series with the Reds.  Following the game when Francoeur was asked about his success with runners on and two out he earnestly replied, "I enjoy being in those kind of situations. I am just more dialed in." 

It should therefore come as no surprise that when his team was down 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning and one man was aboard, Francoeur was ready to deliver.  And boy did he ever! 

Following a two out single by Braves catcher Brian McCann, also Francoeur's roommate, the Georgia native and life long Braves fan sent a shot past Reds centerfielder Ken Griffey Jr and over the outfield wall to give the Braves their first runs and first lead of the game.  It was a lead that Atlanta would never relinquish, and a two run homer that gave Francoeur sole possession of first place in MLB for most two out RBI's.  35 of his 62 RBI's this season have come with two outs. It is hard to get more clutch than that.

However, countless writers have still found ways to give Francoeur grief this season.  Mostly commonly Francoeur is heavily criticized for being too much of a "free swinger."  Some say he lacks discipline and gets too much "exposure" for such a low average hitter.

Hard to believe that one of the game's top clutch hitters and a guy who is on pace to reach 30 homeruns and 120 RBI's is being criticized for not doing enough at the plate.  Perhaps these narrow-minded writers just have a tad bit of jealousy over the Sports Illustrated covers, Delta Airlines fan friendly commercials, and the "Francoeur's Franks" and have to invent ways to bash the second year outfielder.  Surely this must be the rationale fueling the criticism because I can find no other reason for such an unwarranted uproar of negativity.

Would it be nice if Francoeur was batting .290 and putting up those same numbers?  Sure it would.  But you can bet your rear that any team in the bigs would still be ecstatic to have a player who produces like Francoeur has this season (especially in the clutch), even if he is only batting around .260. 

What is even more remarkable about Francoeur's numbers is that he was absolutely lifeless for the first month of the season.  Now that he has gotten himself going, he does more closely resemble that .290 hitter that so many expect him to be, lest they label him a failure.  For those writers, it is time to do some homework, get your stats straight, and give Francoeur the respect he deserves.  He has definitely been one of the bright spots for a struggling Atlanta team that has underachieved much of this season. 

 However, much like Francoeur, the Atltanta Braves are turning their season around after a slow start and during a crucial time.  With a couple series against the top two teams in the central division nearly in the books, and leading wild card contenders like San Diego coming up after the All-Star break, the Braves have picked a prime time to heat up and climb the N.L. Wild Card standings. 

Who knows?  Get the divisional deficit down to single digits by month's end and perhaps 15 straight isn't totally out of the question.  But I don't want to get too far ahead of myself quite yet.  Getting win number 6 for the month is first on the list of priorities for now.  After that, it's getting back to .500.

The professional basketball world is officially on notice. The stage has been set, the contestants proven to be worthy, and the next generation of NBA Superstars stand poised to usher in the next great chapter in NBA history. Get your head right, get into the zone, and most importantly, don't ever back down. For the annual rite of passage into basketball lore, otherwise known as the NBA Finals, is upon us at last. Your standing in the ranks of basketball immortality is on the line. When it all comes down to the wire can you stick it out and be crowned with the title of World Champion?  Or will you cave and swiftly fade away into the void of basketball obscurity?

Having survived the long and grueling road through the NBA playoffs, only four more wins now separate you and your team from the privilege of hoisting Mr. O'Brien's cherished hardware high above your head in celebration. But it will be anything but easy. All eyes of the basketball world are focused squarely on you. Handling the pressure of being under such an enormous spotlight would be tough enough for just one game, but you may have to play seven. These strenuous conditions present during the yearly hunt for the game's ultimate prize have repeatedly borne witness to unheralded greatness on the hardwood, and on several occasions, exhibited the kind of stuff that legends are made of.   Will you measure up?

Who could ever possibly forget the eras of Chamberlain vs. Russell, Magic vs. Bird, and Jordan vs., ...well, nearly all the game's elite members. The Finals have taught us that remarkable things can and do follow holiday "Massacres", that "flu-like symptoms" don't always result in a bad day at the office, and that "Bad Boys" can sometimes do no wrong. We have been afforded the opportunity to admire the entertaining ingenuity of "Showtime", marvel the feats of the "Untoucha-Bulls", and enhance our vocabulary with priceless phrases such as, "Three-peat."

However, as unfortunate it may be, for every admired dynasty, storied rivalry, and epic comeback; there are plenty who have emerged victorious yet never had the chance to bask in the limelight for any extended period of time. How many people remember that the Seattle SuperSonics, the Washington Bullets (Wizards), the Portland Trailblazers, and the Golden State Warriors were all championship winning teams during the mid to late 70's? Who remembers a time when the Milwaukee Bucks were the greatest threat to a Lakers appearance in the Finals?

The cruel fact is that in order to capture the attention of many "basketball" fans, a team must be a large market team with a history of success. Basketball clubs without any major stand-outs and who choose to incorporate a subdued attack that champions defensive play and equal ball distribution, tend to result in more people feeling compelled to change the channel than to become glued to their TV sets. Many who ultimately decide to tune in, do so in hope of seeing what they deem "stellar basketball play".  Such individuals demand fast paced action, inflated points totals, and flashy play from the league's most noted superstars. It is a tragic reality that this basketball fan heartedly refuses to go along with, but must admit is causing people to become less energized when the NBA Finals roll around each year.

Fortunately this year, there is plenty for even the casual basketball fan to appreciate when it comes to this season's Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks finale. Neither basketball club has ever been to the Finals before, so there is plenty of energy in each of those two cities as their respective home teams take to the floor. It also helps that both cities are large market teams. Both teams are blessed with having one of the premier young talents in the league. Dallas, with two-time MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki, and Miami with a player who is arguably, "The Best Damn Guard" in all the league, Dwyane Wade. Dallas is the first Western Conference team that is not from Los Angeles or San Antonio to make it to the Finals since 1998. Meanwhile, Miami is trying to become the first Eastern Conference team not from Detroit, Boston, or Chicago to win a NBA championship since 1983.

Even for those who don't take kindly to the winds of change, there is the familiar Finals presence of legendary center Shaquille O'Neal, who presently seeks a fourth championship minus the tutelage of Phil Jackson and more notably, without the presence of Kobe Bryant. A successful hunt for O'Neal would prove to be the final accomplishment needed to further solidify his spot in history alongside the likes of Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain as the greatest big-men ever to play the game. Then there also is Miami's coach who is none other than the former championship winning coach from Lakers lore, Pat Riley.

The opportunity to see Wade continue his ascension this post-season past other notable guards, like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, should provide plenty of incentive for those who can appreciate some stellar guard play. Not to mention, those who would love for nothing more than to see what can happen when such talent is coupled with a nearly unstoppable and unrivaled presence in the post. On the other side fans can witness what happens when a seven footer with a killer outside shot, quick speed, and an immense rebounding capacity is surrounded with a team of extremely talented role players. It is the best of both worlds.

Despite the soon to be coinciding play of World Cup Soccer, plenty of additional folks in the Old Country are sure to tune in to see how the greatest European player in the history of the NBA fares against the likes of Flash and the Diesel. If those crazy soccer nuts in Europe can make the time to be sure they are tuned in to witness basketball's annual rite of passage into immortality, even casual basketball fans had better make sure to tune in.  This Finals has it all.  There are simply no more excuses. This is undeniably can't miss entertainment, even for fans who had previously grown tired of the game of basketball for the past couple of years.  Do not wait to be the one who has to read about this sure to be epic series in history books years down the road.  Witness the sheer brilliance of the NBA Finals as it transpires live before your eyes in all its splendor and glory, just as it should be.

My recent trip to Petco Park last week proved to offer just about everything a dedicated sports fan could hope to enjoy at a professional sporting event these days; pleasant weather, lively atmosphere, quality game on the field, and plenty of intoxicated hecklers in the stands. Indeed the stage was set for a classic night at the ballpark.

But the experience just wouldn't have been complete without some good old fan induced interruption of play. Thank goodness someone sympathetic to the cause elected to run out onto the field in the top of the 9th inning to break up the tension of a boring 2-1 pitchers' duel. I mean come on, a franchise record sixteen strikeout performance by San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jake Peavy just would not have been enough to make it a truly memorable evening! And what would the experience have been without the presence of some adoring fans on hand to shower the field with their affection in the form of a few beer bottle projectiles?

My wife, who accompanied me to the May 22 game between the Padres and the Atlanta Braves, repeatedly remarked how she simply couldn't believe what the adventurous fan did. She insisted on an explanation. One must forgive my wife because she is still pretty wet behind the ears when it comes to professional sports. She was just likely suffering from a lack of proper perspective as a result of not having adequate information regarding the precedent for fan behavior. Rest assured, I was afforded the time to quickly bring her up to speed with some recent examples of the worst in fan behavior as stadium security kindly took the time to reward our entertainers for their invaluable contributions to the game.

October 10, 1999 - City of Brotherly Love Sets New Standards

During this notorious game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas star wide receiver Michael Irvin lay motionless on the artificial turf for nearly 20 minutes after awkwardly landing on his head after catching a pass from quarterback Troy Aikman. While the medical staff attended to the fallen player, many of the 65,000 plus Philadelphia fans on hand cheered both when they first realized that Irvin was injured and again when paramedics wheeled a stretcher onto the field.

Sure he may have been severely hurt as far as they knew, but Irvin has certainly been no small opposing threat to the Eagles over the course of his career. It was simply too invigorating for numerous Eagle fans to resist. The city that once belted Santa Claus with snowballs, chucked batteries at J.D. Drew, and even booed hall of fame third basemen Mike Schmidt for a good portion of his career stepped up big and set new standards this day.

June 19, 2000 - Only In Cali, Where We Riot, Not Rally

10,000 fans massed outside Staples Center to watch the action on a big screen during the Game 6 NBA Finals match up between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers. The Lakers would win a hard fought 116-111 victory to capture their first title in 12 years. The real fan fun would shortly begin immediately thereafter.

Things started tame enough. Just a few bonfires here and there to burn a little Pacers gear. Some innocent debris throwing at the limousines parked in front of the arena soon followed. Why not? All the rich and privileged front runners got to enjoy the win inside the arena. Why can't your average fan who can't afford to fork over several hundred dollars for a seat have some fun outside? By all means, smash some television news vans, torch some police cars, terrorize any car that comes along that tries to steer away from your celebration by jumping upon them and punching their windows out.

Meanwhile inside Staples, tens of thousands paying fans remain trapped because it has been deemed too dangerous to leave. Among them is A.C. Green. All the Laker player can do is stand on the floor with reporters hours after winning the championship wondering when he can just go home, let alone celebrate. The Pacers couldn't go anywhere either, for the team bus was barred by police from leaving. No major foul guys.  After all, isn't tonight all about you?!

December 16, 2001 - Welcome to the Dawg Pound!

Keeping with the spirit of "Ten Cent Beer Night", Browns fans did the city of Cleveland proud this day. Late in the 4^th quarter of a regular season game with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Browns quarterback Tim Couch apparently connected with wide receiver Quincy Morgan on 4^th and 2 to get a fresh set of downs. The Browns QB quickly ran to the line of scrimmage on first down and spiked the ball. After stopping the clock, and by rule eliminating any possible review that would challenge the initial call on the field, officials nevertheless huddled up and called into question whether Morgan indeed had possession. After several minutes passed, referee Terry McAulay emerged and ruled the play an incomplete pass. Little did he know the full implications of his actions.

Just as the Cleveland bench arose to protest the ruling, thousands of beer bottles promptly rained down upon the field from the Cleveland stands as countless fans aimed at not only the refs, but players on both teams. This prompted the refs to call the game with 48 seconds to play as everyone quickly ran for cover. Not the first time a game had to be called prematurely in Cleveland for sure, though the game would later be completed 30 minutes later after Commissioner Paul Tagliabue demanded it.

Before I could even get to the father and son duo who so well represented the cherished stereotype of what embodies a Chicago White Sox fan as they took to the field in 2002 to attack Kansas City Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa or the infamous 'Malice At The Palace' bout between the Indiana Pacers, the Detroit Pistons, and several Pistons fans at the beginning of the 04/05 NBA regular season, my wife abruptly interrupted my documentary of recent sports history.

"I think I know what this is all about", she exclaimed. "You do?", I replied. "Sure, now I know why people love to come to the games. Where else does the average Joe get the opportunity to make an ass of himself, somehow become a bigger story than the game itself, and find himself the talk of the entire country?" "Now you're getting the point behind it all", I assured her. "Sad but true isn't it?" "Yes, sad but true. Sports would be so much better without it." Spoken like a true sports fan honey.  It is indeed a travesty when a sports fan's enthusiasm comes at the expense of the spirit of the game, and crosses over into the realm of indecent behavior.  For a sports fan; there is no greater sin.