Monday night I talked to Ceil about going to Houston, and she gave me the go ahead. I got in Tuesday to work to find an email from his coach…not the expected Friday game but tournament games Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. I went ahead with the trip…it wouldn’t hurt to miss one of Will’s 60 games.
Wednesday am I walked in the airport at 5:50 for my 7:15 flight, and the security lines were back to the middle of the atrium. Made it to the B20 gate at 6:40. Didn’t push back until 7:40. Had an empty seat next to me on the plane, so I got out the laptop and polished up my emotional dumping piece on travel ball that I wrote in April…last night I posted it to the blog.
Great seats at the Astros game. The guy I’m training took his wife, who is a big fan. They’re pretty quiet, but aren’t big Clemens or Pettite fans. Found the lot where I had a parking pass, on the opposite side of the stadium from a bunch of fan stuff outside…so I didn’t walk around there, instead entering the park at 5:50. Didn’t bother trying to sell the fourth ticket.
Walked around to the LF porch for Oakland’s BP…only a few balls were hit there, but I never got up from my seat. Walked around some more, and didn’t make it to my seat until the anthem was played. Robert and wife were already there. Row 9 on the outfield side of the 3B dugout. Before every inning 3B coach Rene Lachman would toss a kid a ball.
Jason Kendall got 3 hits, including his first HR of the year, barely into that LF porch. A few weeks ago in the pregame Pete ran down all the players who had yet to homer, and said Kendall was always on the list. Didn’t see the dugout scuffle between the angry Astros reliever who had blown the game and the starter, though I had a good view of the dugout.
During the stretch, after “Take Me Out..,” they play “Deep in the Heart of Texas.”
After dinner last night I called home but no one answered at 10:30. No surprise…Ceil was going out with friends, Anna and Matthew were at the Earharts, and Will had his game. Cell phone was busy, so I called Will’s coach. He gave me the news…Will homered in his first at bat, a first-pitch drive of over 300 feet. Later Will told me he got 2 other hits and was robbed of a third. As I had suspected, he pitched and allowed no runs, struck out 5 or 6. They won 8 – 1.
Thoughts from last week…first from the CPA…I think Clemens likes the attention he gets by “retiring” and then the speculation that surrounds his return… Was there any serious doubt that he would return to Houston? If Houston had him for a full season, would they have made up the game difference behind St. Louis? The media never calls out Clemens for any of this…
And I agree…I had thought the same about Clemens. In general, it seems that the press forgets that it should be ok for players to look out for themselves…like JD Drew or Peyton/Eli Manning. Clemens wanted to stay close to home and win a championship (he warmed up in the bullpen Sunday!). He surely toyed with everyone before signing…he doesn’t seem like the type to change his mind a bunch. Did he think he’d be better off not pitching the entire year…fresher at playoff time? I don’t see how he wouldn’t have factored in that the Astros weren’t a shoo-in for the playoffs. You’d think at least one of the media blowhards would’ve called him out, but perhaps no one wanted to get on his bad side.
CPA on the Cy Young…I think Brandon Webb should/will win the Cy – I agree, IF it was not for the bullpen, Smoltz would probably be the run away favorite with +/- 20 wins… over the winter, Smoltz was pushing Reitsma for the closer job – I doubt that influenced JS decision, but I wonder if Smoltz actually thought he could handle the role, or if he was just trying to boost Reitsma’s confidence…. It is interesting that if you still had Smoltz/Glavine/Maddux together, you would probably have the best rotation in the NL…
I don’t know if the Twins can beat the A’s… I don’t think anyone will beat the Yankees this year… not just because their lineup is filled with power hitters, but because it is filled with patient hitters who can grind out AB’s – similar to how they won their WS between 96-00… The truth is I have always (except when they played Atlanta) liked the Jeter-led Yankees because of how they played the game… I am also pulling for whoever is playing the Mets (though I don’t think the Mets will get past the Dodgers)… Yankees over Dodgers in 6 (is it 1977 again?)…
And my reply…I like LA because of all the ex-Braves on the team, though Drew and Lofton aren’t my favorites. I like Nomar and Jeter. Not a fan of SD…like the Cards better.
My old boss Steve and I were driving to Einstein’s for lunch, and a guy was walking far ahead of us…looked like a clown from a distance…red cap that looked like a wig, plaid baggy shirt, droopy red shorts/pants. We drove 2 more miles to Einstein’s…later, as we were eating, the same guy walked past.
Last week Will’s team lost a close game to a good team in Smyrna. He didn’t pitch well the one inning he pitched, but scored twice in 3 plate appearances and made several good plays at short. Coach Henry’s strategy is to develop other pitchers and catchers so the two best players, Will and David, aren’t pitching and catching all the time. Will has got to play a lot of SS, which is good. Will made a diving catch on a looper over third base, and also caught a line drive and doubled the runner off first.
Greg Maddux won 15 games again...one off the NL lead. Stole a base, his second of the year, and 8th of his career. Got a great jump when the pitcher wasn't paying attention. Do you think Roger Clemens decision to come back has a little to do with Maddux behind him on the all time list? Smoltz won 15, plus how many times did he leave the game with the lead, only to have the bullpen lose it for him...eight or nine. Third in the NL in strikeouts. Last year Clemens won the Cy Young with a comparable year, right? Or is the sentiment to give the award to Trevor Hoffman?
Can the Twins knock off the Yanks? LA could topple the Mets and continue on to the Series. That after the Cards top the Padres. See Adam Wainwright closing out today's game?
Clemson lost to Boston College but beat FSU, Florida Atlantic, UNC, and La Tech. They have yet to play Wake, Temple, Tech, Va Tech on the road, Maryland, NC State, and South Carolina. GT still has Maryland, Clemson, Miami, NC State, UNC, Duke, and UGA. Shall be an interesting season.
Interesting Sagarin ratings this week... 1. USC 2. Ohio State 3. Michigan 4. Florida 5. Texas 6. Oregon 7. Louisville 11. Notre Dame 12. Clemson 14. Boise State 15. West Virginia 16. Tennessee 18. UGA 19. FSU 23. Virginia Tech 28. Boston College 30. Miami 31. Georgia Tech
With the Braves - Astros Friday game potentially the last game ever for future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens, I took the boys to Turner Field for one last 2006 game. We got a late start, as Will was studying with classmates in Dunwoody. I finished up my month-end work and left early, and picked up Will's friend Joel Norman on the way home. Then I tried a new route that didn't work, that delayed us more. Still, we made it inside Turner shortly after 6:30...in time for Matthew for hit a couple of home runs at Tooner Field before the 7 pm start.
Joel had borrowed Will's navy Chipper jersey, so we were decked out...Will had his usual red Francoeur jersey, Matthew his white Chipper jersey, and I sported my grey Milwaukee era jersey. The boys danced and cheered, but were unsuccessful in their attempts to land on the big screen. We made it to our seats near the foul pole in time for a police ceremony, where Bobby Cox was named an honorary police chief. He replaced his Braves cap with the police cap, a humorous moment. Police motorcycles lined the warning track. The crowd of 31,034 was late arriving, as cars continued to file into the parking lot in the 5th inning. When Clemens made his first few pitches, there were hundreds of flashes from the cameras in the stands.
Clemens pitched well, scattering six hits in as many innings, only allowing two runs in the sixth. Pete Orr chopped high to the third base side of the mound. Clemens barehanded it, but Orr was safe on a close play. Renteria lined one off shortstop Adam Everett's glove into center, and Orr scampering around to third on the play. Chipper grounded down the line to first-baseman Lance Berkman, who charged the ball. His attempted backhand stab missed, and Orr scored. Renteria scored on Andruw's single to center. Clemens finished with no walks and seven strikeouts. His strikeout of Chipper in the fourth was the 4600th of his career. Clemens threw 94 pitches...61 strikes.
With two out in the top of the seventh and a runner on first, the crowd had started to buzz when pinch-hitter Chris Burke moved into the on deck circle. When he was announced, the crowd had already begun the applaud Clemens. When Roger bounced up to the top of the steps and doffed his cap, the crowd stood and continued to applaud. Clemens pointed in appreciation to the crowd, then across to the Braves dugout, and then to the players on the field.
But it was Braves pitcher Chuck James that stole the show, earning his 11th win. He had a no-hitter going into the fifth inning, and only allowed four hits in seven innings, including a solo home run by Craig Biggio in the seventh. Everitt had an infield roller that died in the grass, and Endsberg had a pop to center that Andruw didn't get a good jump on. James walked two and struck out eight, including the last two he faced...throwing 109 pitches...71 strikes.
Is this the new Jeff Francoeur? He saw 19 pitches in his four plate appearances, going 1 - 3 with a walk. His single was to right field. The Astros just about played a shift on Brian McCann. Poor Adam LaRoche...he struck out all four times, though he worked the count...seeing 26 pitches in four at bats. Renteria and Chipper hit back to back homers in the 8th. When Andruw stepped in, the pitching coach trotted out to the mound for a visit. Feet wide, Andruw stayed in the box for a long time, before backing out. He then lined an 0 - 2 pitch that the shortstop speared.
The Braves had a strike'em out / throw'em out double play in the 5th, when McCann threw out Everitt at third.
Wickman came in to pitch the 9th, getting two quick fly outs before allowing two hits, before striking out pinch hitter Aubrey Huff to end the game. We moved down to the lower deck for an above average fireworks show...with many effects I'd never witnessed before. Traffic jammed downtown after the game, with Braves fans mixing with Thrashers fans, as well as football fans in town for the Saturday Florida A&M / Tennessee State game.
What a good idea to comment on the MLB choices for each team’s most outstanding player.I have been casting my votes…here they are, along with some comments.I’ll rank all five for each team.First my favorite, the senior circuit…
Arizona:Randy Johnson’s perfect game and Series championship beats out Gonzalez’s steady career.Williams also starred for the Giants, Bell for the Pirates.Why not Greg Counsell or Curt Schilling?
Braves:(1) Aaron, no question. (2) Spahn is the all-time winningest lefty. (3) Niekro won 300 pitching for horrible teams. (4) Tie!Chipper’s run of 100+ RBI seasons and Smoltz’s 150 wins and saves put them at Cooperstown’s doorstep…but how do you pick them over Maddux or Glavine?Dale Murphy’s back to back MVP seasons also take a back seat, because the selectors must’ve wanted young voters to bleed votes away from Aaron.
Cubs:Five fine choices…Ernie, Billy, the underrated Jenkins, Ryno, and Santo.And I wore Sandberg’s 23 at the fantasy camp.Yes, Sammie got the shaft.
Reds:I’ve been voting for Bench instead of the tainted hit king.Robinson had a great career, but it was so split between the Reds and Orioles.Bench, Rose, Robinson, Morgan, Perez.
Rockies: Not much to pick from here, though Larry Walker was a five tool players before being slowed by injuries.Career Rockie Helton tops, Walker, Coor’s Field stud Vinny, El Cate Grande (loved by all Braves fans), and Bichette.
Marlins:With the revolving door swinging after each title, nobody has taken a foothold.Dontrell becomes the Marlins all-time wins leader this year.Then Series hero Beckett, followed by Castillo, Conine, and Nen.
Astros:Tough call…I’ll pick Nolan over Biggio and Bagwell, then the Toy Cannon, and Dierker, who has done everything in the organization.How about Ceasar Cedeno?
Dodgers:Even tougher.Jackie is tops, for all he went through.Koufax’s short, excellent career is second, then Campy, Pee Wee, and Duke. Tough to leave off Drysdale, Orel, and Fernando. A step below are Garvey, Dusty, and Kirk.
Brewers:Yount was great at the plate, at short, and center…beating out Molitor and Fingers, both of whom also starred elsewhere.Then the under-rated Cooper and Gantner.
Mets:As a Braves fan, perhaps I should be voting for Strawberry.Surely Tom Terrific is tops.The other guys pale in comparison.(2) Strawberry tore it up while he was a Met.(3) Franco’s long career tops (4) Series hero Tug and (5) Piazza, whose best days were in Dodger blue.What about Dwight Gooden?
Phillies:I’m taking Lefty over Schmidt, then Roberts, Klein (who I don’t recall), and Ashburn. They outrank Luzinski, Bowa, and that great centerfielder (Elliot Maddox?).
Pirates:Being old school, Honus barely tops the excellent Clemente.Feared power hitter Stargell then beats Series hero Maz and Kiner.Didn’t Pittsburgh have a skinny outfielder win a few MVP’s in the 90’s?
Cardinals:Again the old school Stan the Man beats out the tough as nails Gibson, whom I still dislike for his stint as the Bravos pitching coach…trying to make Rick Mahler a power pitcher!The Wizard’s illustrious career tops Pujols, whom I love…he could be the player of this decade.Brock is no slouch, but brings up the rear of these five.
Padres:Gwynn spent his entire career in San Diego, and boy could he hit for average…most of the time in pain.That beats the amazing Winfield, whom I’m telling my boys about.Winfield spent many years with other teams.Hoffman has been quietly piling up saves for a mostly average team.Jones pitched a no-hitter, and maybe Giles is the current favorite…what about the shortstop Greene?Or Garry Templeton…or Ozzie?
Giants:Say Hey Willie tops this tough five.Perhaps if Bonds wasn’t so tainted and self-absorbed I would pick him.Third is Mel Ott, who hit his 500 homers in a tougher time than Stretch…who stuck around past his prime to pile up homers.Marichal was quite the competitor.
Expos/Nationals:Whether Tim Raines?Wasn’t his number retired?And Ellis Valentine, or even Warren Cromarte?Carter was not my favorite, but he beats le Grande Orange.Write in time!Soriano’s performance for the Nats this year puts him third, then Raines and Valentine.Don’t the Nats have an above average closer?
From the CPA...Ripping on JF (or the Atlanta Braves in general) continues to be the easy story for lazy sportswriters. I love to try to quantify as much of the game as possible through stats, but JF is a special case. If you look at his ’06 stats vs his ’05 stats, it appears as if he is regressing, but if you consider most of his good ’05 numbers came from his hot start (before the league knew how to pitch him), then you see a different story.
I agree – if things would have gone better for the organization, he would have spent the year in Richmond. As it is, he probably needs to be hitting lower in the order. And, it did not help any that Buck Martinez sabotaged his early season by having him sit on the bench during the WBC (why was Martinez managing the team anyway?). Though, as you mention, I think his intangibles bring a lot to the team.
From me...My friend Lang Whitaker had an excellent column on the Braves last week on www.SI.com - with an interesting linked article detailing Francoeur's season putting him on track to rank close to worst all-time in outs produced at the plate. But for that to happen, JF's BA will have to decrease...down below .240. Instead, in the last few weeks his average has risen from around .240 to over .260. Leading baseball in clutch hits, and still on track for 35/100...not bad for a young guy who should be in AAA this year.
His ROY rival Ryan Howard is impressive...but Howard played college ball, as well as working his way up through the minors...including AAA, the level JF skipped.
Wednesday matchup...Clemens vs. Maddux...most victories ever by two starting pitchers.
ARod's throwing problems...has no one mentioned how he's throwing sidearm? I remember watching him warm up at short, playing for the Rangers...with perfect form...pointing with his left arm, stepping, and making a strong OVERHAND throw.
No relation to Dale! Lifetime Georgia boy...enjoys visiting the rest of the USA. The CPA is my buddy with a finger on the pulse of MLB. I'm a GT grad who also appreciates UGA. Love the Braves & MLB, tolerate the Falcons, Hawks, & Thrashers. A worker bee enjoying Little League & ballet - my excuse for not having hours to write & research. More ramblings can be found at www.sacrifice fly.blogspot. com
