I know many of you, even those that consider yourselves Georgia Force fans, don't have quite the same rabid passion you do for the NFL. I understand. It's okay.
However that probably means that there are a few things you don't know. First, Columbus beat Dallas tonight! This means that the Force now have home field advantage next week also (assuming we beat the Soul tonight).
You may also not realize that Head Coach Doug Plank was just named AFL Coach of the year... for the second time!
Not only that, but Chris Greisen (the quarterback if you're just a casual fan) has set numerous records in his first season as a starter, despite being described as a "question mark" during the preseason by a certain national sports company.
If you have missed parts of the season, but want to catch up in time for the playoffs and the quest for the Arena Bowl, read my season recap/playoff preview in the July 8 issue of Sunday Paper. Go Force!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Smoltz & Glavine
By Jason Chatraw
I don't know if I'll ever get over Tom Glavine spurning the Braves for a few lousy million bucks and playing for the hated Mets, but John Smoltz has. In fact, he never had anything to really "get over." He misses his buddy, but has never had anything but nice things to say about Tommy.
Before Tuesday night's game against the Mets, the New York media cornered Smoltz for a little pow-wow, grilling him on everything from steroids to Barry Bonds to Glavine. And while I found what Smoltz had to say about steroids mildly interesting, it was his reflection on Glavine that stood out the most.
Question: I don't think anybody will ever accuse Tom Glavine of using steroids, but what do you think has kept him in the game for so long?
Smoltz:Perseverance, perseverance, perseverance. You can't say it enough about him. He has just persevered through every adversity in his career and just keeps his head about him. But he's also got great mechanics--and he never gives into a batter.
Question: What has your relationship with Glavine meant to you?
Smoltz: Obviously, it has meant a lot to me. I know Tommy better than I know anybody in the game of baseball. ... He's at the point in his career, like me, that if baseball was gone tomorrow, he would have no regrets. He's had an unbelievable career. People will never know the way he has handled controversey that came his way without him asking for it. There could be a book written on stories that will never be told about situations that have arisen for him and how he has handled them."
Come again? What situations, Smoltzy? What in the world are you talking about? Of course, the NY media just had to ask what, which of course Smoltz declined to elaborate. Now, the Curious George in me is just dying to know what the heck Smoltz meant by that. My other media mates in the press box just think Smoltz was just shootin' from the hip and there's really nothing else there (i.e., he's referring to the tension between Braves GM John Schuerholz and Glavine when Schuerholz outed Glavine in the book as leaving the Braves' offer on the table because a players' union rep couldn't turn down more money--bad for everyone in the league who wants bigger paychecks). But who knows? Maybe we'll have to get Glavine's autobiography to learn more ... if he actually does decide to write about it.
GAME NOTES
* Braves' castoff and New York Mets starting pitcher Jorge Sosa entered Tuesday night's game against the Braves with a 3-0 record and a 2.25 ERA. I thought that there had to be some other Jorge Sosa in the league and he couldn't possibly be the same guy who imploded for the Braves a season ago before the Braves traded him away. But, alas, I realized it was the same Sosa when the Braves hammered him and put an end to his winning streak to start the season.
* Reason No. 543 why the Mets won't win the World Series this season? Aaron Sele. This is the best the Mets have to throw out there in relief? Braves starting pitcher Kyle Davies who had exactly one hit last season (1-for-23) and no hits entering Tuesday night's game, belted a home run to straightaway center field off Sele, the first dinger he's surrendered to a pitcher in his career. Davies' only hit last year? A home run.
* Check out this weekend's paper for our feature on Cairo, Ga., native Willie Harris. He's got a great story!
* Also, read this week's story on Kelly Johnson and Scott Thorman by our columnist, Adam Krohn.
I don't know if I'll ever get over Tom Glavine spurning the Braves for a few lousy million bucks and playing for the hated Mets, but John Smoltz has. In fact, he never had anything to really "get over." He misses his buddy, but has never had anything but nice things to say about Tommy.
Before Tuesday night's game against the Mets, the New York media cornered Smoltz for a little pow-wow, grilling him on everything from steroids to Barry Bonds to Glavine. And while I found what Smoltz had to say about steroids mildly interesting, it was his reflection on Glavine that stood out the most.
Question: I don't think anybody will ever accuse Tom Glavine of using steroids, but what do you think has kept him in the game for so long?
Smoltz:Perseverance, perseverance, perseverance. You can't say it enough about him. He has just persevered through every adversity in his career and just keeps his head about him. But he's also got great mechanics--and he never gives into a batter.
Question: What has your relationship with Glavine meant to you?
Smoltz: Obviously, it has meant a lot to me. I know Tommy better than I know anybody in the game of baseball. ... He's at the point in his career, like me, that if baseball was gone tomorrow, he would have no regrets. He's had an unbelievable career. People will never know the way he has handled controversey that came his way without him asking for it. There could be a book written on stories that will never be told about situations that have arisen for him and how he has handled them."
Come again? What situations, Smoltzy? What in the world are you talking about? Of course, the NY media just had to ask what, which of course Smoltz declined to elaborate. Now, the Curious George in me is just dying to know what the heck Smoltz meant by that. My other media mates in the press box just think Smoltz was just shootin' from the hip and there's really nothing else there (i.e., he's referring to the tension between Braves GM John Schuerholz and Glavine when Schuerholz outed Glavine in the book as leaving the Braves' offer on the table because a players' union rep couldn't turn down more money--bad for everyone in the league who wants bigger paychecks). But who knows? Maybe we'll have to get Glavine's autobiography to learn more ... if he actually does decide to write about it.
GAME NOTES
* Braves' castoff and New York Mets starting pitcher Jorge Sosa entered Tuesday night's game against the Braves with a 3-0 record and a 2.25 ERA. I thought that there had to be some other Jorge Sosa in the league and he couldn't possibly be the same guy who imploded for the Braves a season ago before the Braves traded him away. But, alas, I realized it was the same Sosa when the Braves hammered him and put an end to his winning streak to start the season.
* Reason No. 543 why the Mets won't win the World Series this season? Aaron Sele. This is the best the Mets have to throw out there in relief? Braves starting pitcher Kyle Davies who had exactly one hit last season (1-for-23) and no hits entering Tuesday night's game, belted a home run to straightaway center field off Sele, the first dinger he's surrendered to a pitcher in his career. Davies' only hit last year? A home run.
* Check out this weekend's paper for our feature on Cairo, Ga., native Willie Harris. He's got a great story!
* Also, read this week's story on Kelly Johnson and Scott Thorman by our columnist, Adam Krohn.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Baseball Uniforms
The baseball season has been upon us for almost a month now, and that has given us all a chance to look at most, if not all the teams, play at home and on the road. In addition to the game, I am intrigued by the uniforms and the changes made from one year to the next.
1970’s Houston Astros
I think the Astros were way ahead of their time by embracing t
he gay pride mov
ement with these colorful items. They tried to correct their colorful mistake by going the other way and taking all the color out of what they wore, but that just made it worse. Their road uni’s were a crème color with the stripes on the shoulders. These uniforms were out of this world, and that is where they should be stored before we have a nuclear biohazrd on our hands. By the way, is that oscar winning actor Phillip Seymore Hoffman at an Astros game? (right)
So far, the only significant change has been Arizona, who switched from their Wimble
don inspired purple and green to red and black. Unfortunately, I did catch the Pirates in their red vests, which may seem strange to some, but red is one of the Pirates colors, which is in sharp contrast to the traditional gold and black we all have been used to seeing over the years. No wonder they went with black and gold for all those years...
don inspired purple and green to red and black. Unfortunately, I did catch the Pirates in their red vests, which may seem strange to some, but red is one of the Pirates colors, which is in sharp contrast to the traditional gold and black we all have been used to seeing over the years. No wonder they went with black and gold for all those years...I glanced at a few of the uniforms the teams have worn over the years and m
uch like a lot of things in the world, things have come full circle. Most of the uniforms of the 30’s and 40’s can be seen in today’s teams. Of course, we all experienced that disco era v-neck double knits that I will deny I knew anything about. Take it a step further and throw in the made for TV power blue road jerseys some of the teams wore and you would think the majority of the teams shopped for their uniforms at the Chapel Hill Kresges, which later became K-Mart.
uch like a lot of things in the world, things have come full circle. Most of the uniforms of the 30’s and 40’s can be seen in today’s teams. Of course, we all experienced that disco era v-neck double knits that I will deny I knew anything about. Take it a step further and throw in the made for TV power blue road jerseys some of the teams wore and you would think the majority of the teams shopped for their uniforms at the Chapel Hill Kresges, which later became K-Mart.This uniform switch can become a little silly at times. Remember a few years ago, Craig Biggio wore the wrong uniform top during a game? The Astros have a red jersey reading Astros for home games, and Houston for road games. Biggio mistakenly wore the wrong jersey for a few innings.
"I had no idea," Biggio said. "My family didn't even notice." Remembering that he went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored during the Astros' 5-2 win, he jokingly threatened to wear the wrong jersey again.
"Nobody noticed that during the game," Biggio marveled. "As much as I'd like to get all over Dennis for this one, I can't. I'd like to blame Dennis. I really would. But I can't. That one was my fault."
The best jerseys in baseball belong to the patriarchs of the game. The Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Tigers and Giants have classic uniforms that have not changed much since their birth at the beginning of the century. In fact, if you look at a picture of one of those teams from the 30's, their uniform has not changed much, if at all.
The best jerseys in baseball belong to the patriarchs of the game. The Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Tigers and Giants have classic uniforms that have not changed much since their birth at the beginning of the century. In fact, if you look at a picture of one of those teams from the 30's, their uniform has not changed much, if at all.
Major League Baseball players began wearing numbers on the back of their uniforms permanently in 1929. Cleveland sported the look first, on April 16 (for home games only), and the Yankees following suit two days later. New York was the first club to wear numbers on both their home and road uniforms. Prior attempts to identify the players numerically were met with derision from the players, who thought that the numerals made them look like convicts. The fans, however, enjoyed this identification system, and by 1934, all major league clubs donned the digits, the New York Giants being the last holdout.
Originally, uniform numbers were determined by a player's place in the batting order. The Yankees did this to help the fans pick out their favorite players easily. Babe Ruth batted third, hence number three, and Lou Gehrig followed him at number four. Incidentally, Gehrig's number four was the first uniform number to be retired, on July 4, 1939.
Certain numbers mean certain players. If I mention 24, immediately you will think of Willie Mays. 44 means a trio of sluggers: Hank Aaron, Willie McCovey and Reggie Jackson. Over in Yankee Stadium, 7 meant Mickey Mantle, while 5 belonged to Joe DiMaggio. In Boston, 9 was worn by Ted Williams and 8 by Carl Yastrzemski. In Pittsburgh, Roberto Clemente wore 21, and to this day the stadium scoreboard puts his number underneath the AT BAT sign on the scoreboard before a game. Jackie Robinson has the distinction of being the only player to have his number, 42, retired by Major League Baseball. The range of numbers is total as well as 0 was worn by Texas slugger Al Oliver while Philadelphia’s Mitch Williams went the other way and wore 99. There was even a fraction of a number worn in 1951 as midget Eddie Gaedel, pinch hitting in one of owner Bill Veek’s crazy promotions, wore 1/8.
Through the years, there have been some uniforms that should have never left the clubhouse. Please take cover while you see these fashion assassins that someone in major league baseball thought were a good idea.
1970’s San Diego Padres
There was a rumor all San Diego area ice cream men gave away a Padres jersey with every banana fudge sickle sold during the season. My father once told me they reminded him of the inside of a cheese burrito. And you thought watching a University of Wyoming game would blow out the color tubes in your TV...
There was a rumor all San Diego area ice cream men gave away a Padres jersey with every banana fudge sickle sold during the season. My father once told me they reminded him of the inside of a cheese burrito. And you thought watching a University of Wyoming game would blow out the color tubes in your TV...
1970’s Houston Astros
I think the Astros were way ahead of their time by embracing t
he gay pride mov
ement with these colorful items. They tried to correct their colorful mistake by going the other way and taking all the color out of what they wore, but that just made it worse. Their road uni’s were a crème color with the stripes on the shoulders. These uniforms were out of this world, and that is where they should be stored before we have a nuclear biohazrd on our hands. By the way, is that oscar winning actor Phillip Seymore Hoffman at an Astros game? (right)We had two teams that went multi colored on the majors in the 70's. First, the Oakland A's played championship baseball, then went straight over to the TV studio after the game was over to film their Sprite commercial. Not to be outdone, the Pittsburgh Pirates made the red vests look like Yankee pinstripes with their four set jersey/pant combo. Rumor has it the clubhouse man who was responsible for putting the correct color combination in each players locker during their world's championship season of 1979 got a double world series share, which they delivered to him at a local Pittsburgh hospital where he was recovering from corrective eye surgery to repair a burnt out retina from all the different color combinations he had to deal with.
What are your favorite and least favorite baseball uniforms? Drop me a line and we can discuss!
(Thanks - National Baseball Hall of Fame, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates)
Friday, April 13, 2007
My Day at the Masters
Last week I got a chance to visit August National for the practice rounds at the Masters. Since this was my first appearance there, I was dubbed a “chipmunk” by my friends who had been several times before. “Chipmunk” is the official term for a rookie on their first day on the course. Rodent or not, I have to write how impressed I was with the experience. I am sure you are thinking it was because I saw Tiger Woods on the putting green, or watching Phil Michelson teeing off, but it was for reasons I never would have imagined.
For the crush of fans who invade the course that day, I have never been in a place run so efficiently in the way it handled the number of spectators who entered the grounds. If you go to a Falcons game, expect to wait in line for everything. At Augusta National, we walked to the line for the restroom, which spilled back towards the concession stand and thought, “This is going to be a long wait.” But that never materialized because the line moved and within a few minutes we were inside. As we got closer, we noticed an attendant bringing people into the restroom in groups, which sped things up, as well as the fact there were several spots open, so you didn’t feel as if you were in the middle of the dance floor in a Buckhead bar. Everyone dressed in green that day was professional and courteous, and it made you feel they were happy to have you over for the day.
At lunchtime, we made our way over to the concessions stand and as I pulled out my wallet, my buddy, Coach B, said, “Don’t worry about it Scoot, this isn’t Turner Field.” After his comment, I looked at the prices and was pleasantly surprised. Sandwiches were no more than a few bucks, drinks were about the same, and you could buy a beer without taking out a second mortgage on your home. Again, the line was long, but moved well and before long, we were on a picnic bench eating our sandwiches and talking golf with the other fans who asked to share our table with them.
After lunch, we walked over to the practice green to watch the putting. We passed by the immaculate condos constructed on the course, and envied the people on their porches, sipping drinks in their expensive clothes while watching the golfers. Maybe envied wasn’t the right word. Try, jealous. Once we got to the putting green, there was Tom Watson, looking awfully good for 58. His stroke was just as good as his looks. Later, we walked over to one of the greens and saw Ben Crenshaw practicing a few shots. After he finished, he walked right directly past us, exchanging pleasantries with some of the fans in the gallery, then disappeared into the crowd. We usually don’t get that close to Keith Brooking after he finishes practice.
I have to say my first trip to Augusta was one of those wonderful days that come along every so often that you will tend to talk about on more than one occasion. Now that I have graduated from being a chipmunk, does that mean I get to go back next year as a gopher? Well, as long as Carl from Caddyshack isn’t lurking about, I would say the chances are pretty good.
For the crush of fans who invade the course that day, I have never been in a place run so efficiently in the way it handled the number of spectators who entered the grounds. If you go to a Falcons game, expect to wait in line for everything. At Augusta National, we walked to the line for the restroom, which spilled back towards the concession stand and thought, “This is going to be a long wait.” But that never materialized because the line moved and within a few minutes we were inside. As we got closer, we noticed an attendant bringing people into the restroom in groups, which sped things up, as well as the fact there were several spots open, so you didn’t feel as if you were in the middle of the dance floor in a Buckhead bar. Everyone dressed in green that day was professional and courteous, and it made you feel they were happy to have you over for the day.
At lunchtime, we made our way over to the concessions stand and as I pulled out my wallet, my buddy, Coach B, said, “Don’t worry about it Scoot, this isn’t Turner Field.” After his comment, I looked at the prices and was pleasantly surprised. Sandwiches were no more than a few bucks, drinks were about the same, and you could buy a beer without taking out a second mortgage on your home. Again, the line was long, but moved well and before long, we were on a picnic bench eating our sandwiches and talking golf with the other fans who asked to share our table with them.
After lunch, we walked over to the practice green to watch the putting. We passed by the immaculate condos constructed on the course, and envied the people on their porches, sipping drinks in their expensive clothes while watching the golfers. Maybe envied wasn’t the right word. Try, jealous. Once we got to the putting green, there was Tom Watson, looking awfully good for 58. His stroke was just as good as his looks. Later, we walked over to one of the greens and saw Ben Crenshaw practicing a few shots. After he finished, he walked right directly past us, exchanging pleasantries with some of the fans in the gallery, then disappeared into the crowd. We usually don’t get that close to Keith Brooking after he finishes practice.
I have to say my first trip to Augusta was one of those wonderful days that come along every so often that you will tend to talk about on more than one occasion. Now that I have graduated from being a chipmunk, does that mean I get to go back next year as a gopher? Well, as long as Carl from Caddyshack isn’t lurking about, I would say the chances are pretty good.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Fathers, Sons and Baseball
With the beginning of every baseball season comes memories of my late Father, who loved two things more than anything else: my Mother, and the Atlanta Braves.
After watching the Braves play last week, I was hit once again with one of those times where I wanted to talk to him about the beginning of another season. Of course, those phone conversations were challenging. He had a way of talking about a player, but getting the name slightly wrong. “You know that Andrew Young (Andrew Jones) in the minors is going to be the best centerfielder in the game one day.” “I hope they find a spot for that Ryan Kelso (Ryan Klesko) since he can really hit.” And of course, the biggie, “If we can get Terry Pennington (Terry Pendleton) to hit like he did in 1991, we might win the Series this year.”
Dad passed in 1996, just a few months after his beloved Braves won the World Series. His passing reminded me of other perfect finishes in the game he loved, like Ted Williams hitting a home run in his last at bat, or Cal Ripken going deep the night he broke Lou Gehrig’s all-time consecutive games played streak. After years of last place finishes, which never shook Dad’s love for his team, he left this world at the right time.
The first game my Dad ever took me to was in 1973 in old Tiger Stadium as Detroit played Cleveland. He had a few PBR’s on the way to the park, and sure enough, around the third or fourth inning, Tiger infielder Dick McAuliffe hit a deep drive into the left field seats. Dad saw the ball, leaned forward to catch the souvenir, but unfortunately, all he caught was the next few rows of seats below us. He spent the next few innings buying concession items for the people below us who had their food squashed or spilled by his sprawling body tumbling down the seats.
Dad passed down his love and passion for the game to me, just as his father did for him. Years later I found out Grandpa loved baseball, just as much as he liked to sip the barley at the stadium. The first game he ever took my father to went down to the ninth inning when his hero, Hank Greenberg, hit a two strike pitch into the center field bleachers for a Tiger win. As the custom of the times, fans threw their straw hats on the field, like Frisbees, and Gramps was no exception as he got caught up in the moment. When they got home, Grandma asked what had happened to his hat, and when she smelled the beer on his breath, she pieced it together since that wasn’t his first rodeo at Tiger Stadium. He spent the next few nights on the couch.
Dad taught me about the finer points of the game, as far as strategy and ability were concerned. He also taught me how important it is to show class when a player on the opposing team makes a great play. He was in the seats one afternoon at Ebbets Field when Cardinals Hall of Famer, Stan Musial, was given a standing ovation by the Brooklyn fans after he personally crushed their Dodgers with his hitting and fielding. Sometimes, especially later in his life, he would tear up when he would tell me stories of going to games with Grandpa, or when he talked about seeing Brooks Robinson make a great play at third base, or a masterful pitching performance by Tom Seaver. I would snap him out of his sentimental journey by mentioning his arch nemesis, Boog Powell, whom he hated. “If I was pitching, I would knock that Boog Powell on his fat keyster every time he stepped up to the plate,” he snarled, then opened another PBR.
Things are a little busy around the house these days because my wife and I are getting ready to start a team of our own. As you can imagine, I don’t have as much time to watch the Braves, but seeing the game the other night brought my Father closer to me, at least for a few hours. I wanted to pick up the phone and ask him what he thought of this year’s team and if they had a chance to go to the Series. He probably would have said, “You know, if that Ryan Langerhouse (Langerhans) has a good year, we might just make it.”
After watching the Braves play last week, I was hit once again with one of those times where I wanted to talk to him about the beginning of another season. Of course, those phone conversations were challenging. He had a way of talking about a player, but getting the name slightly wrong. “You know that Andrew Young (Andrew Jones) in the minors is going to be the best centerfielder in the game one day.” “I hope they find a spot for that Ryan Kelso (Ryan Klesko) since he can really hit.” And of course, the biggie, “If we can get Terry Pennington (Terry Pendleton) to hit like he did in 1991, we might win the Series this year.”
Dad passed in 1996, just a few months after his beloved Braves won the World Series. His passing reminded me of other perfect finishes in the game he loved, like Ted Williams hitting a home run in his last at bat, or Cal Ripken going deep the night he broke Lou Gehrig’s all-time consecutive games played streak. After years of last place finishes, which never shook Dad’s love for his team, he left this world at the right time.
The first game my Dad ever took me to was in 1973 in old Tiger Stadium as Detroit played Cleveland. He had a few PBR’s on the way to the park, and sure enough, around the third or fourth inning, Tiger infielder Dick McAuliffe hit a deep drive into the left field seats. Dad saw the ball, leaned forward to catch the souvenir, but unfortunately, all he caught was the next few rows of seats below us. He spent the next few innings buying concession items for the people below us who had their food squashed or spilled by his sprawling body tumbling down the seats.
Dad passed down his love and passion for the game to me, just as his father did for him. Years later I found out Grandpa loved baseball, just as much as he liked to sip the barley at the stadium. The first game he ever took my father to went down to the ninth inning when his hero, Hank Greenberg, hit a two strike pitch into the center field bleachers for a Tiger win. As the custom of the times, fans threw their straw hats on the field, like Frisbees, and Gramps was no exception as he got caught up in the moment. When they got home, Grandma asked what had happened to his hat, and when she smelled the beer on his breath, she pieced it together since that wasn’t his first rodeo at Tiger Stadium. He spent the next few nights on the couch.
Dad taught me about the finer points of the game, as far as strategy and ability were concerned. He also taught me how important it is to show class when a player on the opposing team makes a great play. He was in the seats one afternoon at Ebbets Field when Cardinals Hall of Famer, Stan Musial, was given a standing ovation by the Brooklyn fans after he personally crushed their Dodgers with his hitting and fielding. Sometimes, especially later in his life, he would tear up when he would tell me stories of going to games with Grandpa, or when he talked about seeing Brooks Robinson make a great play at third base, or a masterful pitching performance by Tom Seaver. I would snap him out of his sentimental journey by mentioning his arch nemesis, Boog Powell, whom he hated. “If I was pitching, I would knock that Boog Powell on his fat keyster every time he stepped up to the plate,” he snarled, then opened another PBR.
Things are a little busy around the house these days because my wife and I are getting ready to start a team of our own. As you can imagine, I don’t have as much time to watch the Braves, but seeing the game the other night brought my Father closer to me, at least for a few hours. I wanted to pick up the phone and ask him what he thought of this year’s team and if they had a chance to go to the Series. He probably would have said, “You know, if that Ryan Langerhouse (Langerhans) has a good year, we might just make it.”
Monday, April 9, 2007
Manic Monday
By Jason Chatraw
Sunday Paper Sports Editor
The Atlanta sports world was buzzing Monday as a flurry of activity with a number of different teams has our heads spinning. Here's all you need to know:
... Mike Hampton is done for the season, the club reported Monday afternoon. Hampton, who has a career record of 138-101 with a 3.97 ERA, tore a flexor tendon in his left elbow, requiring surgery that will shut him down for the a second straight season. ... Now he has told me before of his deep love for NASCAR, but if he wants to follow racing that bad, he can retire. At his age, I don't ever see him returning with the impact that he once had. Usually pitchers recovering from injuries like he sustained don't really return to form until their second year back, which means Braves fans won't have any production to look forward to until 2009. Sadly enough, baseball may have seen the last of him.
...Joey Harrington became the latest lousy signing by the Falcons on Monday. Once a highly-regarded quarterback, the former Oregon product has watched his stock drop faster than Ernon. He bumbled his way through Miami last season and frankly isn't going to help the Falcons' chances of winning in 2007. Look for some great spin doctoring to be put on this one by the Falcons--and don't expect this to be a memorable move during the '07 offseason.
... Josh Smith was suspended by the Hawks for two games for his alleged profanity-laced tirade against head coach Mike Woodson. Hmmm. Let's see. Joe Johnson is shut down for the season, as is Josh Childress. And now Smith's two-game suspension with two to play. The Hawks are 2.5 games ahead of Milwaukee in the race for the No. 3 draft pick--a must for the Hawks or else they forfeit the pick to Phoenix in the trade for Johnson. If the Hawks get one of the top three spots, they get to keep the draft pick. So, is this a ploy to look like you're not trying to win the last five games of the season without looking like you're not trying to win the last five games of the season? Chat with me, "Let's go, Bucks! Let's go, Bucks!"
... The Braves took a well-deserved day off after cooling down the New York Mets and seizing first with the best record in the Major Leagues. And it was the bullpen that shined the most. Braves GM John Schuerholz is looking like a genius just one week into the season. But there are 156 games left to be played, so let's reserve judgment until we've played at least two months of baseball. However, at this stage, Schuerholz at least deserves to be smiling on the inside.
This week looks to be another juicy one as well for Atlanta sports fans as NHL Playoff hockey makes its first appearance in the ATL and the Braves welcome the Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals to town. The Hawks even have a crucial showdown with the Bucks ... "Let's go, Bucks! Let's go, Bucks!" ... Wouldn't it be sweet to see Greg Oden dominating the post complemented by Johnson, Smith, and Childress. Ah, we can dream, can't we?
Sunday Paper Sports Editor
The Atlanta sports world was buzzing Monday as a flurry of activity with a number of different teams has our heads spinning. Here's all you need to know:
... Mike Hampton is done for the season, the club reported Monday afternoon. Hampton, who has a career record of 138-101 with a 3.97 ERA, tore a flexor tendon in his left elbow, requiring surgery that will shut him down for the a second straight season. ... Now he has told me before of his deep love for NASCAR, but if he wants to follow racing that bad, he can retire. At his age, I don't ever see him returning with the impact that he once had. Usually pitchers recovering from injuries like he sustained don't really return to form until their second year back, which means Braves fans won't have any production to look forward to until 2009. Sadly enough, baseball may have seen the last of him.
...Joey Harrington became the latest lousy signing by the Falcons on Monday. Once a highly-regarded quarterback, the former Oregon product has watched his stock drop faster than Ernon. He bumbled his way through Miami last season and frankly isn't going to help the Falcons' chances of winning in 2007. Look for some great spin doctoring to be put on this one by the Falcons--and don't expect this to be a memorable move during the '07 offseason.
... Josh Smith was suspended by the Hawks for two games for his alleged profanity-laced tirade against head coach Mike Woodson. Hmmm. Let's see. Joe Johnson is shut down for the season, as is Josh Childress. And now Smith's two-game suspension with two to play. The Hawks are 2.5 games ahead of Milwaukee in the race for the No. 3 draft pick--a must for the Hawks or else they forfeit the pick to Phoenix in the trade for Johnson. If the Hawks get one of the top three spots, they get to keep the draft pick. So, is this a ploy to look like you're not trying to win the last five games of the season without looking like you're not trying to win the last five games of the season? Chat with me, "Let's go, Bucks! Let's go, Bucks!"
... The Braves took a well-deserved day off after cooling down the New York Mets and seizing first with the best record in the Major Leagues. And it was the bullpen that shined the most. Braves GM John Schuerholz is looking like a genius just one week into the season. But there are 156 games left to be played, so let's reserve judgment until we've played at least two months of baseball. However, at this stage, Schuerholz at least deserves to be smiling on the inside.
This week looks to be another juicy one as well for Atlanta sports fans as NHL Playoff hockey makes its first appearance in the ATL and the Braves welcome the Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals to town. The Hawks even have a crucial showdown with the Bucks ... "Let's go, Bucks! Let's go, Bucks!" ... Wouldn't it be sweet to see Greg Oden dominating the post complemented by Johnson, Smith, and Childress. Ah, we can dream, can't we?
Saturday, April 7, 2007
October's Not Even This Cold: Braves/Mets
By Adam Krohn
Sunday Paper Sports Columnist/Feature Writer
I'm in the press box at Turner Field watching the Mets and Braves on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Normally, it's 75-80 degrees outside, but today, it's 45 degrees (windchill 36), and it feels more like October than April. And it's very obvious the weather is affecting the players, because both Chipper Jones and Carlos Delgado committed first-inning errors while trying to make routine plays. Worse for us in the media, the cold weather has forced the press box to close it's windows, detaching us from the game in sound-proof fashion, creating an atmosphere that one member of the New York media described as "a doctor's office." When he tried to call in to a live radio show to give a game update, nearly everyone in the room turned their heads to stare at him as if he was in a library. The tension caused him to screw up on live air. It was great.
(Photo: AtlantaBraves.com)
But I'm not complaining: the temperature in here is 70, and I get unlimited free ice cream (seriously).
Anyway, the atmosphere downstairs in the clubhouse, where I was before the game, is not that of an October feel. There is not an overwhelming number of reporters cramming the locker rooms, and the players see today's match-up for what it is - the second game of an early-season series. It is worth noting however, that the Mets were on fire heading into today's game, outscoring their opponents 31-3 in their first four games, all on the road, including the 11-1 thrashing of the Braves in last night's home opener. So, from the Braves point of view, they are simply trying to even the series at a game a piece before heading into tomorrow's rubber match. But to even think about winning, the Braves would first have to find an answer to this burning question:
How do you stop the Mets offense?
The Braves had an answer today, and his name was John Smoltz. He and his pitching dual with the Mets' Tom Glavine was as good as advertised, with the two future Hall-of-Famers going toe to toe with another, and Smoltz getting the better of this contest.
So the Mets finally lose and the Braves move in to a tie for first. But I have to remember, it just happens to be cold - it's not October yet. There is still a lot of baseball to be played. And a lot of ice cream to be eaten.
Sunday Paper Sports Columnist/Feature Writer
I'm in the press box at Turner Field watching the Mets and Braves on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Normally, it's 75-80 degrees outside, but today, it's 45 degrees (windchill 36), and it feels more like October than April. And it's very obvious the weather is affecting the players, because both Chipper Jones and Carlos Delgado committed first-inning errors while trying to make routine plays. Worse for us in the media, the cold weather has forced the press box to close it's windows, detaching us from the game in sound-proof fashion, creating an atmosphere that one member of the New York media described as "a doctor's office." When he tried to call in to a live radio show to give a game update, nearly everyone in the room turned their heads to stare at him as if he was in a library. The tension caused him to screw up on live air. It was great.
(Photo: AtlantaBraves.com)But I'm not complaining: the temperature in here is 70, and I get unlimited free ice cream (seriously).
Anyway, the atmosphere downstairs in the clubhouse, where I was before the game, is not that of an October feel. There is not an overwhelming number of reporters cramming the locker rooms, and the players see today's match-up for what it is - the second game of an early-season series. It is worth noting however, that the Mets were on fire heading into today's game, outscoring their opponents 31-3 in their first four games, all on the road, including the 11-1 thrashing of the Braves in last night's home opener. So, from the Braves point of view, they are simply trying to even the series at a game a piece before heading into tomorrow's rubber match. But to even think about winning, the Braves would first have to find an answer to this burning question:
How do you stop the Mets offense?
The Braves had an answer today, and his name was John Smoltz. He and his pitching dual with the Mets' Tom Glavine was as good as advertised, with the two future Hall-of-Famers going toe to toe with another, and Smoltz getting the better of this contest.
So the Mets finally lose and the Braves move in to a tie for first. But I have to remember, it just happens to be cold - it's not October yet. There is still a lot of baseball to be played. And a lot of ice cream to be eaten.
Early October in Atlanta?
By Jason Chatraw
Sunday Paper Sports Editor
Turner Field hasn't been packed with fans this bundled up like this since Game 6 of the 1999 NLCS against these same New York Mets--and the atmosphere felt like October, too. Fans were chopping and screaming, giving the Mets the business. It's almost as if skipping an early exit last autumn did something to rejuvenate Braves fans. However, all it took was a six-run seventh inning by the Mets to take the wind out of the sails--and the fans out of a chilly blustery Turner Field well before the final out in an 11-1 thrashing at the hands of the Mets.
However, the atmosphere in the clubhouse was fun and loose, like it has been in years past when the Braves are cruising along and enjoying the spoils of winning. Noticeably absent was Marcus Giles, whose fun-loving spirit went with him to San Diego during the offseason. However, newly-acquired Craig Wilson may be a suitable replacement for Giles on the jokester side of things.
Wilson has a fun sense of humor and was deadpanning again before Friday night's home opener against the Mets. Asked if he was excited about returning to Atlanta for the opening homestand, Wilson said, "I'm really excited about finally getting to wear white pants more than anything." (And he actually continued his stream of consciousness as my pen struggled to find its ink by adding, "And this quote would be a lot better if my pen wrote.")
But Wilson's long locks--at least long by Bobby Cox's standards--and free spirit doesn't mean he isn't serious about winning. And he's expecting the Braves to contend this season, especially with the stocked bullpen and solid pitching staff. "I think what's so impressive to me about this team is the depth we have at pitching," Wilson said. "We've got five quality starters--and we've got guys who can take a one-run lead and run with it."
Speaking of pitchers who can take a one-run lead and run with it, Saturday afternoon's tilt pits John Smoltz against former Brave Tom Glavine in a highly anticipated pitching duel. In the only other matchup, Smoltz edged Glavine, 2-1. "I was fortunate to get the win," Smoltz said of their previous matchup. "But we don't play to ties in baseball, so somebody had to walk away the winner."
John Smoltz signs autographs before batting practice on Friday at Turner Field (photo by Mike Mahan)
Smoltz is looking forward to the challenge of facing the Mets' high-octane lineup more than pitching against Glavine. "Up until game time I'm pitching against Glavine, but once the game starts, I'm facing the Mets," Smoltz said. "It's going to be a great challenge for both of us. ... If I had my druthers, I'd take three guys out of their lineup."
Smoltz and Glavine remain friends to this day--and Smoltz wishes the fans in Atlanta would cut Glavine some slack, even though the vitrol has cooled since his initial departure to the Mets. "I don't think everybody realizes when (Glavine) becomes a Hall of Famer, it'll be a special day for this city," Smoltz said. "But I think he's handled it well and he's taken the high road."
BULLPEN IRONY
Braves GM John Schuerholz decided not to rest on his laurels and went out and dealt and signed for some pitchers to shore up Atlanta's beleaguered bullpen. However, after all that money spent to bring in new pitchers, it was Chad Paronto who bagged the first save of the season for the Braves. Who would've guessed it? One sportswriter asked me, "Don't you wish you would've placed $100 on Paronto to become the first pitcher to get a save on the new season?" You bet!
I would insert a video of Paronto right here, but there was none to be found on youtube. This is the best I could do in finding something on him on the web. However, I do know the lumbering 6-foot-5, 250-pound (that's a bit on the light side) right-hander told me last season that he didn't play high school football. To which I looked at him, mouth agape. He quickly added that it was only because his high school, Woodsville High School (N.H.), didn't have a team. If it did, I would guess that he wouldn't be playing baseball today. Although in his favorite sport growing up--oddly enough, basketball--he did excel and was offered a scholarship to play at Vermont, which he passed up for his possible success in pro baseball. Looks like he made a good choice.
Sunday Paper Sports Editor
Turner Field hasn't been packed with fans this bundled up like this since Game 6 of the 1999 NLCS against these same New York Mets--and the atmosphere felt like October, too. Fans were chopping and screaming, giving the Mets the business. It's almost as if skipping an early exit last autumn did something to rejuvenate Braves fans. However, all it took was a six-run seventh inning by the Mets to take the wind out of the sails--and the fans out of a chilly blustery Turner Field well before the final out in an 11-1 thrashing at the hands of the Mets.
However, the atmosphere in the clubhouse was fun and loose, like it has been in years past when the Braves are cruising along and enjoying the spoils of winning. Noticeably absent was Marcus Giles, whose fun-loving spirit went with him to San Diego during the offseason. However, newly-acquired Craig Wilson may be a suitable replacement for Giles on the jokester side of things.
Wilson has a fun sense of humor and was deadpanning again before Friday night's home opener against the Mets. Asked if he was excited about returning to Atlanta for the opening homestand, Wilson said, "I'm really excited about finally getting to wear white pants more than anything." (And he actually continued his stream of consciousness as my pen struggled to find its ink by adding, "And this quote would be a lot better if my pen wrote.")
But Wilson's long locks--at least long by Bobby Cox's standards--and free spirit doesn't mean he isn't serious about winning. And he's expecting the Braves to contend this season, especially with the stocked bullpen and solid pitching staff. "I think what's so impressive to me about this team is the depth we have at pitching," Wilson said. "We've got five quality starters--and we've got guys who can take a one-run lead and run with it."
Speaking of pitchers who can take a one-run lead and run with it, Saturday afternoon's tilt pits John Smoltz against former Brave Tom Glavine in a highly anticipated pitching duel. In the only other matchup, Smoltz edged Glavine, 2-1. "I was fortunate to get the win," Smoltz said of their previous matchup. "But we don't play to ties in baseball, so somebody had to walk away the winner."
John Smoltz signs autographs before batting practice on Friday at Turner Field (photo by Mike Mahan)Smoltz is looking forward to the challenge of facing the Mets' high-octane lineup more than pitching against Glavine. "Up until game time I'm pitching against Glavine, but once the game starts, I'm facing the Mets," Smoltz said. "It's going to be a great challenge for both of us. ... If I had my druthers, I'd take three guys out of their lineup."
Smoltz and Glavine remain friends to this day--and Smoltz wishes the fans in Atlanta would cut Glavine some slack, even though the vitrol has cooled since his initial departure to the Mets. "I don't think everybody realizes when (Glavine) becomes a Hall of Famer, it'll be a special day for this city," Smoltz said. "But I think he's handled it well and he's taken the high road."
BULLPEN IRONY
Braves GM John Schuerholz decided not to rest on his laurels and went out and dealt and signed for some pitchers to shore up Atlanta's beleaguered bullpen. However, after all that money spent to bring in new pitchers, it was Chad Paronto who bagged the first save of the season for the Braves. Who would've guessed it? One sportswriter asked me, "Don't you wish you would've placed $100 on Paronto to become the first pitcher to get a save on the new season?" You bet!
I would insert a video of Paronto right here, but there was none to be found on youtube. This is the best I could do in finding something on him on the web. However, I do know the lumbering 6-foot-5, 250-pound (that's a bit on the light side) right-hander told me last season that he didn't play high school football. To which I looked at him, mouth agape. He quickly added that it was only because his high school, Woodsville High School (N.H.), didn't have a team. If it did, I would guess that he wouldn't be playing baseball today. Although in his favorite sport growing up--oddly enough, basketball--he did excel and was offered a scholarship to play at Vermont, which he passed up for his possible success in pro baseball. Looks like he made a good choice.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Donovan Right to Stay at UF
Sunday Paper Sports Writer
Wherever there are coaching vacancies there are coaching rumors. Many UK websites had fans announcing that a new coach from the Sunshine State was headed their way this week. To me, it was a no-brainer for Billy Donovan to stay put at Florida. I don’t buy into the notion that Florida is now and will always be a football school. You don’t make history with your 2-time fully loaded (for now) championship basketball team and say you are still standing in Urban Meyer’s shadow.
It is true Kentucky has a long history of success but I’d say players are interested in what a program has done lately. Florida is prime recruiting ground and layer on top of that back to back national titles and Donovan would have been a fool to leave.
Want more proof it was a good decision?
1) At Kentucky he wouldn’t even be the best coach in the state. At Florida, his reputation is solid and his ability to recruit in a super fertile state is proven.
2) You lose at Kentucky and the "firethecoachnow.com" sites pop up instantly (see T. Smith). Keep in mind that Kentucky’s last coach bolted for the not so impressive Minnesota job just to avoid the “win now or leave” mentality…or the inevitable firing.
3) All that good will, fan backing, and excellent name he has established in Gainesville goes out the door when he jumps to a conference foe.
I say the only plus to the UK job may be the posh new $30 million practice facility. Oh, and maybe a few would say having Ashley Judd as your number #1 fan!
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Thursday, April 5, 2007
NOW is the time to watch the Thrashers!
By Earle McDonald
Sunday Paper Sports Writer
This is addressed to all the sports fans in Atlanta who have ever said "I'd like to get to a hockey game sometime", or "I've tried to watch the Thrashers on TV, but it seems boring".
NOW is the time to check it out. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any ill will for Atlanta sports fans that aren't behind the team yet. I understand all the arguments: so many foreign players, I don't understand it, it's boring on TV, there's no tradition with the Thrashers/we're in the south, or even - they're not winning. I truly understand and empathize with all those things.
When I was a kid growing up in Connecticut I would hear people talking up the Whalers (first the New England Whalers, later the Hartford Whalers, now the Carolina Hurricanes). But I was a football/baseball guy.
Then my Dad went in with three guys from work to split season tickets. We went to about 10 games one year. I was absolutely hooked. Many sports are better live than on television (although many argue that football is actually better on TV - a discussion for another time). Hockey is like a different sport live. You can see the plays develop, you can see the action that happens away from the puck, you feel the cold, you hear the banging of the boards better. It truly is the largest disconnect live vs. TV of all the sports.
Plus, this team has several players that have been here for years. Add to that the four, that's right, four, trade deadline acquisitions the team made, and we've got a great team. The Thrashers are in the playoffs for the first time ever.
Go to Philips and see a game, maybe two. Plus, after you've seen a few live, watching on TV will be a lot easier. Call one of your friends that's a Bruin, Ranger, or Blackhawks fan and go with them. They can talk you through the parts you don't understand.
Plus, as an added benefit, these guys are easy to root for. I've had the opportunity to get to know several of them over the last few years, and these guys are good guys. They're nice. I want to root for them. I don't always have as easy a time rooting for pro athletes in other sports.
Several of these guys are big time hockey veterans like Scott Mellanby, Keith Tkachuk, and Marian Hossa. Our team also has budding superstars like Ilya Kovalchuk and Kari Lehtonen. And from a 25-year fan of hockey, let me assure you there are few things in sports like the NHL postseason.
Go see a game or two live, watch the others on TV (if you can stay away from Philips after the first game). If you're a sports fan in Atlanta and you're not part of Blueland, you're missing out.
Sunday Paper Sports Writer
This is addressed to all the sports fans in Atlanta who have ever said "I'd like to get to a hockey game sometime", or "I've tried to watch the Thrashers on TV, but it seems boring".
NOW is the time to check it out. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any ill will for Atlanta sports fans that aren't behind the team yet. I understand all the arguments: so many foreign players, I don't understand it, it's boring on TV, there's no tradition with the Thrashers/we're in the south, or even - they're not winning. I truly understand and empathize with all those things.
When I was a kid growing up in Connecticut I would hear people talking up the Whalers (first the New England Whalers, later the Hartford Whalers, now the Carolina Hurricanes). But I was a football/baseball guy.
Then my Dad went in with three guys from work to split season tickets. We went to about 10 games one year. I was absolutely hooked. Many sports are better live than on television (although many argue that football is actually better on TV - a discussion for another time). Hockey is like a different sport live. You can see the plays develop, you can see the action that happens away from the puck, you feel the cold, you hear the banging of the boards better. It truly is the largest disconnect live vs. TV of all the sports.
Plus, this team has several players that have been here for years. Add to that the four, that's right, four, trade deadline acquisitions the team made, and we've got a great team. The Thrashers are in the playoffs for the first time ever.
Go to Philips and see a game, maybe two. Plus, after you've seen a few live, watching on TV will be a lot easier. Call one of your friends that's a Bruin, Ranger, or Blackhawks fan and go with them. They can talk you through the parts you don't understand.
Plus, as an added benefit, these guys are easy to root for. I've had the opportunity to get to know several of them over the last few years, and these guys are good guys. They're nice. I want to root for them. I don't always have as easy a time rooting for pro athletes in other sports.
Several of these guys are big time hockey veterans like Scott Mellanby, Keith Tkachuk, and Marian Hossa. Our team also has budding superstars like Ilya Kovalchuk and Kari Lehtonen. And from a 25-year fan of hockey, let me assure you there are few things in sports like the NHL postseason.
Go see a game or two live, watch the others on TV (if you can stay away from Philips after the first game). If you're a sports fan in Atlanta and you're not part of Blueland, you're missing out.
Where's the Superstar?
by Jason Chatraw
Sunday Paper Sports Editor
ATLANTA -- Did he have a date? Were his parents in town? Did he suffer an injury? Where was superstar Ilya Kovalchuk in the third period of the Thrashers' 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals at Philips Arena Wednesday night before a jacked-up, sell-out crowd?
There were more people looking for Kovalchuk on the ice than combed the state for Jennifer Wilbanks.
But after the game, Thrashers coach Bob Hartley clearly expressed his displeasure with Kovalchuk's play in the second period with an unmistakably indirect insinuation that Kovalchuk was loafing on the ice. When asked about Kovalchuk's near absence in the third period, Hartley said, "When you're a superstar, you need to play like a superstar--not act like one. ... There was one superstar on the ice tonight and he played on the other team."
And his name was Alexander Ovechkin, who owns the Thrashers. Ovechkin put in two goals in a second period that consisted of the Thrashers getting lulled to sleep like Rip Van Winkle. The Southeast Division could've been all but won Wednesday night by the Thrashers in a home game against the last-place Capitals--and they couldn't get it done.
Granted, the Thrashers woke up and made a game of it, but it was too little too late. In a cruel twist of fate, the Thrashers appeared to pull within one with about seven minutes remaining, but Eric Boulton was called for a high stick on the goal-bound shot, nullifying the goal and sending Boulton to the box for four minutes. Nevertheless, with less than five minutes remaining the Thrashers' Andy Sutton scored a short-handed goal, just his second of the season, which have both come in the last week. And in the final two minutes, not one but two Capital players were sent to the box. After Kari Lehtonen was pulled from goal, the Thrashers had a 6-on-3 for the final 44 seconds of the game and couldn't jam the puck in the net.
Lehtonen dismissed the fact that it's harder to play a team with nothing to play for, especially when his team had everything ot play for. But he did admit that the Capitals were risky Wednesday night: "It's different--they don't have any kind of system except just play hard. And sometimes that works. But we just didn't play our best hockey."
After the game, Kovalchuk dressed quickly and left the locker room in a hurry. It's clear he's in Hartley's dog house, but it's only because Hartley knows what's at stake. "Each individual has to look in the miror and address their situation," Hartley said. "Right now, we're not playing playoff hockey." And win or lose the final two games of the regular season, the Thrashers will be playing playoff hockey soon--and Hartley doesn't want it to be a short-lived experience.
CHECK OUT OVECHKIN'S SKILLS
Sunday Paper Sports Editor
ATLANTA -- Did he have a date? Were his parents in town? Did he suffer an injury? Where was superstar Ilya Kovalchuk in the third period of the Thrashers' 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals at Philips Arena Wednesday night before a jacked-up, sell-out crowd?
There were more people looking for Kovalchuk on the ice than combed the state for Jennifer Wilbanks.
But after the game, Thrashers coach Bob Hartley clearly expressed his displeasure with Kovalchuk's play in the second period with an unmistakably indirect insinuation that Kovalchuk was loafing on the ice. When asked about Kovalchuk's near absence in the third period, Hartley said, "When you're a superstar, you need to play like a superstar--not act like one. ... There was one superstar on the ice tonight and he played on the other team."
And his name was Alexander Ovechkin, who owns the Thrashers. Ovechkin put in two goals in a second period that consisted of the Thrashers getting lulled to sleep like Rip Van Winkle. The Southeast Division could've been all but won Wednesday night by the Thrashers in a home game against the last-place Capitals--and they couldn't get it done.
Granted, the Thrashers woke up and made a game of it, but it was too little too late. In a cruel twist of fate, the Thrashers appeared to pull within one with about seven minutes remaining, but Eric Boulton was called for a high stick on the goal-bound shot, nullifying the goal and sending Boulton to the box for four minutes. Nevertheless, with less than five minutes remaining the Thrashers' Andy Sutton scored a short-handed goal, just his second of the season, which have both come in the last week. And in the final two minutes, not one but two Capital players were sent to the box. After Kari Lehtonen was pulled from goal, the Thrashers had a 6-on-3 for the final 44 seconds of the game and couldn't jam the puck in the net.
Lehtonen dismissed the fact that it's harder to play a team with nothing to play for, especially when his team had everything ot play for. But he did admit that the Capitals were risky Wednesday night: "It's different--they don't have any kind of system except just play hard. And sometimes that works. But we just didn't play our best hockey."
After the game, Kovalchuk dressed quickly and left the locker room in a hurry. It's clear he's in Hartley's dog house, but it's only because Hartley knows what's at stake. "Each individual has to look in the miror and address their situation," Hartley said. "Right now, we're not playing playoff hockey." And win or lose the final two games of the regular season, the Thrashers will be playing playoff hockey soon--and Hartley doesn't want it to be a short-lived experience.
CHECK OUT OVECHKIN'S SKILLS
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Are these Gators the best ever?
by Michael Mahan
Sunday Paper Sports Writer
After the Florida Gators became only the seventh team ever to repeat as National Champions, the debate has started. Are these Gators one of the best teams ever? Close, but no cigar. Since forever is such a long time, here is a breakdown of the best five college basketball teams of the last quarter-century, in ascending order.
Honorable Mention - 1985 Georgetown, 1983 Houston, 1994 Arkansas, 1999 Connecticut, 2001 Duke
5) 1982 North Carolina - This squad has become overrated and overmentioned in the discussion of the best teams ever. Jordan was a freshman who was still called "Mike Jordan" most of the time. Yes, Worthy, Perkins and Jordan were superb players, but after these three the talent level and depth of this team drops signifcantly.
4) 2007 Florida - Has there ever been a team with better chemistry? The "go-to guy" at any particular time was the player with the best look at the basket. They play basketball the way it was meant to be played. Naismith and Wooden would be proud.
3) 1992 Duke - Is there another player in the history of college basketball that you would want to take a do-or-die shot at the end of a game more than Christian Laettner?
2) 1991 UNLV - No, they didn't even win the championship. As defending champions, all this team did was go undefeated until meeting Duke in the Final Four. Larry Johnson may have been the most dominant single player in NCAA hoops in the last 25 years, bar none. LJ had a fine pro career, but on the collegiate level he was simply a man among boys. Stacey Augmon, Greg Anthony, Anderson Hunt, and a deep, talented bench ran all opponents but one of the court. Sure, they lost the big one, but in a game with any other team since 1980 I would take these Runnin' Rebels. Except.....
1) 1996 Kentucky - Rick Pitino taught Billy Donovan how to do it. Eleven years ago, this team revolutionized college basketball with unprecedented tempo, trapping defense, and downpours of three pointers. This team may not have invented this style of play, but they perfected it. Want star power? Antoine Walker, Ron Mercer, Derek Anderson, Tony Delk, Walter McCarty, Nazr Mohammed all had solid careers at the next level. The bench was 5 deep, and this team never, EVER let up. Possibly the best team ever.
Sunday Paper Sports Writer
After the Florida Gators became only the seventh team ever to repeat as National Champions, the debate has started. Are these Gators one of the best teams ever? Close, but no cigar. Since forever is such a long time, here is a breakdown of the best five college basketball teams of the last quarter-century, in ascending order.
Honorable Mention - 1985 Georgetown, 1983 Houston, 1994 Arkansas, 1999 Connecticut, 2001 Duke
5) 1982 North Carolina - This squad has become overrated and overmentioned in the discussion of the best teams ever. Jordan was a freshman who was still called "Mike Jordan" most of the time. Yes, Worthy, Perkins and Jordan were superb players, but after these three the talent level and depth of this team drops signifcantly.
4) 2007 Florida - Has there ever been a team with better chemistry? The "go-to guy" at any particular time was the player with the best look at the basket. They play basketball the way it was meant to be played. Naismith and Wooden would be proud.
3) 1992 Duke - Is there another player in the history of college basketball that you would want to take a do-or-die shot at the end of a game more than Christian Laettner?
2) 1991 UNLV - No, they didn't even win the championship. As defending champions, all this team did was go undefeated until meeting Duke in the Final Four. Larry Johnson may have been the most dominant single player in NCAA hoops in the last 25 years, bar none. LJ had a fine pro career, but on the collegiate level he was simply a man among boys. Stacey Augmon, Greg Anthony, Anderson Hunt, and a deep, talented bench ran all opponents but one of the court. Sure, they lost the big one, but in a game with any other team since 1980 I would take these Runnin' Rebels. Except.....
1) 1996 Kentucky - Rick Pitino taught Billy Donovan how to do it. Eleven years ago, this team revolutionized college basketball with unprecedented tempo, trapping defense, and downpours of three pointers. This team may not have invented this style of play, but they perfected it. Want star power? Antoine Walker, Ron Mercer, Derek Anderson, Tony Delk, Walter McCarty, Nazr Mohammed all had solid careers at the next level. The bench was 5 deep, and this team never, EVER let up. Possibly the best team ever.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Final Four Wrap
By Jason Chatraw
Sunday Paper Sports Editor
ATLANTA -- It was promised to be one of the greatest Final Four fields ever assemebled--four teams with 30 or more wins, four storied programs, four vocal fan bases. But it turned out to be one big joke ... for Florida, that is.
What's hard to figure out is why Florida wasn't an overly impressive team. Their body of work for the past two seasons in repeating as champions was certainly impressive, but the way they did it wasn't. They just simply outshot, outhustled, outharrassed, outplayed and outwitted their opponents.
All throughout the tournament, I kept thinking that Florida was going to come out flat against a good team and lose. And it never happened. After they came out flat against UCLA (the Gators didn't hit a shot from the field until the 12:25 mark of the first half)--and still smoked the Bruins--I concluded that Ohio State didn't have a prayer.
Joakim Noah, who looks like Steve Urkel on speed going to the hoop, was all smiles after the game and began his poetic waxing. "It's all about livin' in the moment, just like coach taught us to do," he said after flatly refusing to divulge his plans for next season. The junior forward/center has the personality for the NBA, but does he have the game? Only time will tell just how effective he'll be at the next level, but he's definitely got some crazy hair.
MORE GAME NOTES
To read more game notes, check out the piece I wrote for SLAMonline.
NCAA SEEDING CONSPIRACY
When the seeds were first announced this year, the NCAA selection committee looked like they were sky high on Rock Star energy drink. How they justified putting some of the teams in the tournament escapes all logic. Take Stanford, for example. The Cardinal looked like they didn't even belong in the NIT after their poor performance, pushing out some more deserving teams.
However, the biggest mystery to me is how the ACC managed to get seven teams into the field. Just because Duke has a down year doesn't mean the ACC is down--but this year it was true. Only UNC had a good team, while the rest of the conference was just "eh." Meanwhile, the SEC, obviously the best conference in the nation per their NCAA performance and the total domination by Florida, only managed to get five teams in. How could this be?
While most people comment about how the NCAA gets a huge payday with March Madness (I was thinking that knowing that people paid $160 dollars to sit in the upper deck 100 yards away from the court in the Georgia Dome this weekend), they are gravely mistaken. All the money is distributed to the conferences that participate. However, the way the monies are distributed opens the door for conspiracy theories.
Each team earns one unit for appearing in the tournament, with teams capable of earning up to four additional units for each victory (It ends after the teams reach the Final Four). However, the units are calculated for the previous six seasons. So when the Colonial Athletic Association was receiving just over the NCAA's $1 million and some change minimum paycheck for its one-team appearances, the run by George Mason nearly doubled it in 2006. And it will remain doubled (over $2 million) until 2006 is no longer factored into the equation.
But this is where my semi-, half-hearted conspiracy theory comes in. With Florida and the SEC owning the tournament over the past couple of years, the NCAA is in danger of watching one conference collect potentially millions more than its sisters of the poor brethren. So, the SEC's chances of earning more cash was reduced by reducing the teams that received bids. But it didn't matter too much, as the SEC earned 13 units for this year's tournament with its paltry five teams, upping its share after an 11-unit year (2001) is dropped for the next distribution.
With the SEC already running away from the pack in every sport that fans care about, I'm assuming the NCAA wants to make sure they don't take all the money with them.
Sunday Paper Sports Editor
ATLANTA -- It was promised to be one of the greatest Final Four fields ever assemebled--four teams with 30 or more wins, four storied programs, four vocal fan bases. But it turned out to be one big joke ... for Florida, that is.
What's hard to figure out is why Florida wasn't an overly impressive team. Their body of work for the past two seasons in repeating as champions was certainly impressive, but the way they did it wasn't. They just simply outshot, outhustled, outharrassed, outplayed and outwitted their opponents.
All throughout the tournament, I kept thinking that Florida was going to come out flat against a good team and lose. And it never happened. After they came out flat against UCLA (the Gators didn't hit a shot from the field until the 12:25 mark of the first half)--and still smoked the Bruins--I concluded that Ohio State didn't have a prayer.
Joakim Noah, who looks like Steve Urkel on speed going to the hoop, was all smiles after the game and began his poetic waxing. "It's all about livin' in the moment, just like coach taught us to do," he said after flatly refusing to divulge his plans for next season. The junior forward/center has the personality for the NBA, but does he have the game? Only time will tell just how effective he'll be at the next level, but he's definitely got some crazy hair.
MORE GAME NOTES
To read more game notes, check out the piece I wrote for SLAMonline.
NCAA SEEDING CONSPIRACY
When the seeds were first announced this year, the NCAA selection committee looked like they were sky high on Rock Star energy drink. How they justified putting some of the teams in the tournament escapes all logic. Take Stanford, for example. The Cardinal looked like they didn't even belong in the NIT after their poor performance, pushing out some more deserving teams.
However, the biggest mystery to me is how the ACC managed to get seven teams into the field. Just because Duke has a down year doesn't mean the ACC is down--but this year it was true. Only UNC had a good team, while the rest of the conference was just "eh." Meanwhile, the SEC, obviously the best conference in the nation per their NCAA performance and the total domination by Florida, only managed to get five teams in. How could this be?
While most people comment about how the NCAA gets a huge payday with March Madness (I was thinking that knowing that people paid $160 dollars to sit in the upper deck 100 yards away from the court in the Georgia Dome this weekend), they are gravely mistaken. All the money is distributed to the conferences that participate. However, the way the monies are distributed opens the door for conspiracy theories.
Each team earns one unit for appearing in the tournament, with teams capable of earning up to four additional units for each victory (It ends after the teams reach the Final Four). However, the units are calculated for the previous six seasons. So when the Colonial Athletic Association was receiving just over the NCAA's $1 million and some change minimum paycheck for its one-team appearances, the run by George Mason nearly doubled it in 2006. And it will remain doubled (over $2 million) until 2006 is no longer factored into the equation.
But this is where my semi-, half-hearted conspiracy theory comes in. With Florida and the SEC owning the tournament over the past couple of years, the NCAA is in danger of watching one conference collect potentially millions more than its sisters of the poor brethren. So, the SEC's chances of earning more cash was reduced by reducing the teams that received bids. But it didn't matter too much, as the SEC earned 13 units for this year's tournament with its paltry five teams, upping its share after an 11-unit year (2001) is dropped for the next distribution.
With the SEC already running away from the pack in every sport that fans care about, I'm assuming the NCAA wants to make sure they don't take all the money with them.
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