Spring training’s already over?
Kissimmee, Fla., Day 50 – Greetings from the old ballpark next to Silver Spurs rodeo arena, where today we’ll mercifully wrap up the War and Peace version of spring training with a supposed Grapefruit League game against a team of Astros minor leaguers in humidity that could make a grapefruit wipe its brow and say WTF?
No, seriously. The humidity was 97 percent when I left the rental compound for the last time this morning. And it is a team of ‘Stros minor leaguers. Their Triple-A team, specifically. It’s 82 degrees. Very sticky.
The big-league crew is busing to the airport now, headed to Texas for an exhibition game at the Double-A Corpus Christi affiliate. (Pause while we sing a little Robert Earl Keen in the still-empty pressbox: “If I could live my life all over, it wouldn’t matter anyway. ‘Cause I never could stay sober, on the Corpus Christi Bay….”)
Most of the Braves regulars will probably get a couple of at-bats and come out, and the team will fly back to Atlanta this afternoon and play games against the Tigers tomorrow and Saturday at Turner Field before playing Sunday night’s major league season opener at Philly on ESPN.
Loading ...It’s the second year in a row the Braves have been asked to play that Sunday night game, the only game in the majors that day, and again it caused them to have this hectic last weekend of scrambling to play games in three states in a four-day span.
Manager Bobby Cox is great at dealing with these kind of schedule changes, and understands there’s some prestige in being asked to play that Sunday night game on ESPN and all. He just wishes they’d ask a little earlier next time, so the Braves could make their spring schedule accordingly and have a day off before the season opener, to get a workout in on the field where they’ll open, etc.
Anyway … We’re getting started on this blog at 11 a.m., since the Bravos are late arriving, which was expected on this spring-training getaway day, with a road game and all. They’ll go sans-batting practice for this big tilt. (We’ll head to clubhouse when the bus gets here.)
Their buses will head straight to the airport from here afterward, so BP, for a day, was secondary in importance to packing and tying up loose ends for players and coaches and everyone else at the various rental houses, townhouses, apartments and hotels that people stay at while we’re here.
Most guys have their cars and trucks here, and most use a service that provides drivers to drive those cars back to Atlanta for them.
Did I mention it’s been 50 days since most pitchers and catchers (and reporters) got here, and even longer for some early arriving Braves including the skippe. They’ve been here about eight weeks.
Me, I did just under six weeks, and Carroll spelled me for the rest. Makes a huge difference, I can assure you. Bowman’s been here the entire time, and he sounds as if he’d strangle someone (or himself) if he had to stay another day.
We were talking yesterday about what an unusual spring it’s been, beginning with the Keny Griffey fling (maybe you heard about that?) and subsequent signing of Garret Anderson (who got hurt and didn’t really play until this week); the extended absence of Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and Javier Vazquez for the WBC, and the first-time presence of a Japanese media contingent in Braves camp (those folks are great, by the way, couldn’t be more polite and professional).
McCann
Then there was lack of much memorable happening on the field, in terms of established players having an eight-homer or 20-RBI spring or whatever. Thank goodness for the kids, because watching the likes of Tommy Hanson, Jordan Schafer (in the lineup in CF again today, by the way … I’ll be very surprised if he’s not on opening day), Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman was the most exciting part of these games for most of the spring. Seeing such extraordinary prospects hold their own (and then some) at such a young age, that’s something we’ll all talk about years from now, if and when those guys become established stars in The Show.
But actually, as Bowman pointed out yesterday, the most memorable day of the spring for us two might have been a post-game incident at Bradenton that nearly ended in a very bad way for yours truly. I don’t think I shared this then, so I will now.
Parking lot attendant
The Pirates moved their media parking lot down the street, and the spring media guide said they didn’t actually have media parking. So when I got there a few hours before the game, to their nostalgic ballpark that’s surrounded by auto body shops and such in sort of a “transitional” part of town.
Anyway, I paid $7 to park in a body shop parking lot a block away, where the heavily tattooed dude who worked there (and had a sign for $7 parking) assured me he’d be there past 6 p.m., when I told him what I did and that I might be that late.
I probably should have known better when I pulled into the spot “behind that truck” and when I pulled around the truck and into the spot … there was a huge Great Dane lounging in the middle of it. I had to pull the Malibu slowly up to almost his large body before he got up like a cranky old man and moved. (There would be another cranky old man hours later … but we’re getting ahead.)
Anyway, we cover the game, which happened to be Kenshin Kawakami’s first start. I leave about a half-hour before Bowman, I guess. I walk to my car and my heart starts to sink as I approach what appears, from a distance, to be … a locked gate.
Yes, the guy left. Locked up his dump of a body shop and left my car sitting there, by itself.
The guy next door (another body shop) seemed a bit amused when I asked him, “What the … ?” (you know). Said the guy next door had just left and locked up, that I missed him by 10 minutes. Said he didn’t have the guy’s number, that I should try the number on the sign above the body shop.
So I did. And got a recording. And left a message. And began to panic. While also becoming increasingly, absolutely, completely furious. I left another message, looked around, told the guy still staring from the body shop next door to go (expletive) himself, then set about trying to figure out what I was going to do.
There was a heavily padlocked gate to the fence, which ran around the whole shop. I seriously contemplated what sort of damage it might do to the Malibu if I assumed ramming speed, but then thought better of that after testing the strength of the fence, etc.
There were no establishments nearby, other than the body shop with the snaggle-tooth, grinning idiot next door. I was 2-1/2 hours from Orlando, and we had a game the next day in Clearwater, which was more than an hour north of Bradenton.
I called Bowman’s cell, not sure if he’d left yet, to see about getting him to haul me to a hardware store, if I could find one open on Friday night. He didn’t answer. So I scaled the fence (had on my Chuck Taylors that day, thankfully) and began looking through the windows of the little office (fortunately, that beast of a dog wasn’t around to guard the place).
As I contemplated illegal entry (hey, he locked my car in his lot, knowing full well I was still at the game), my cell phone rang. It was the guy. He apologized and said he’d have his mechanic drive over to let me in.
Ten minutes later, I see Bowman lumbering down the sidewalk on the other side of the street. I’m inside the fence, behind the locked gate, in an otherwise empty parking lot in front of a body shop that looks like it might be a chop shop.
He’s headed to the media lot (he found it, unlike me). Talking on his phone. Hadn’t heard my p’d off and frantic message I’d left him yet.
I yell to him, he jerks his head around, surprised that someone’s shouting to him on this deserted street in this neighborhood that’s feeling dicier the darker it gets outside. He stops, sees where I’m standing, and says something along the lines of “what the…. ” (We keep coming back to that today, don’t we?)
Anyway, I tell him the story. Or rather, I shout the story from across the street, because my now everything I say is shouting. I call the guy next door something horrible (that guy is still over there, doing whatever in his parking lot, acting like he’s busy).
And just as I’m telling Bowman that, hey, you might want to hang a few minutes just in case, since I’ve not heard back from jackball shop owner in 15 minutes … a truck pulls up. It’s the dude. He looks at me behind the locked gate (I’d scaled the fence; forget to mention that to you). Doesn’t ask how I got in there, just apologizes again, and opens the gate.
And I pulled away, screeching tires and hurling one last obscenity.
And that was that.
♦ Check out this sizzling Astros lineup today (remeber, it’s their Triple-A team; see above). Cox plans to have his regulars only bat once or twice, doesn’t want anyone to get hurt in this meaningless game.
Today’s lineups
BRAVOS
1. Escobar, SS
2. Kotchman, 1B
3. Chipper, 3B
4. McCann, C
5. G. Anderson, DH
6. Francoeur, RF
7. Johnson, 2B
8. Diaz, LF
9. Schafer CF
WANNABE ‘STROS
1. Matt Kata, SS
2. Chris Barnwell, 2B
3. John Gall, LF
4. Mark Saccomanno, 1B
5. Jason Castro, C
6. Eli Lorg, RF
7. David Flores, 3B
8. Steve Brown, CF
9. Bud Norris, RH (sounds like a character in a bad baseball movie)
Diversions: Here’s a good interview with Patterson Hood from something called the DCist in Washington D.C., before the Truckers played a show there last May.
And we’ll close this with a most-appropriate tune by Bad Company, a song also covered memorably by Alison Krauss. Little Feat had a hit song of the same name that was completely different, written by Bill Payne and covered by Emmmylou Harris.
Oh, and here’s a video of Krauss & Union Station doing the song. And here’s Bad Company’s original, though no live videos exist that I could find.
Bad Company
“OH, ATLANTA” by Mick Ralphs (Bad Company)
Same old place
Same old city
What can I do?
I’m falling in love
I’m just an old hound dog
Roaming around, oh Lord
I’ve got all this and Heaven above
Oh, Atlanta
I hear you calling
I’m coming back to you one fine day
No need to worry
There ain’t no hurry cause I’m
On my way back to Georgia
On my way back to Georgia
I get a feeling in me
When I remember all those crazy days and crazier nights
Can’t you hear the music playing?
You must have heard them saying
We’re gonna rip ‘em up and light up the night
Oh, Atlanta
I hear you calling
I’m coming back to you one fine day
No need to worry
There ain’t no hurry cause I’m
On my way back to Georgia
On my way back to Georgia
Same old place
It’s the same old city
What can I do?
I’m falling in love
I’m just an old hound dog
Roaming around, Lord, Lord
I’ve got all this and Heaven above
Oh, Atlanta
I hear you calling
I’m coming back to you one fine day
No need to worry
There ain’t no hurry cause I’m
On my way back to Georgia
On my way back to Georgia
Oh, Atlanta
Hear me calling
I’m coming back to you one fine day, hey
No need to worry
There ain’t no hurry cause I’m
On my way back to Georgia
On my way back to Georgia
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690 comments Add your comment
winterville
April 2nd, 2009
1:11 pm
nice title
Random
April 2nd, 2009
1:13 pm
Today’s gameday link: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2009_04_02_atlmlb_houmlb_1
Baseball Prospectus’ Christina Kahrl’s take on the Barves’ trading Josh Anderson (she is apparently unable to count to five, or she is counting the expected LF platoon as one):
Dealing away Anderson provides the revelatory development that the job in center is Jordan Schafer’s, probably about as on schedule as it would have been before last spring’s suspension for HGH. Given that Anderson’s primary virtue was his defense and his speed, and he didn’t have a surfeit sufficient to outshine the alternatives, this looks like another canny example of the Braves making a careful decision to clear the decks for their best prospect at a position. Their track record is that they stick with these calls, so I doubt Schafer’s going to have to worry about his job after back-to-back oh-fers. His defense is supposed to be solid, his arm a nice deterrent to opposing baserunners, and if he won’t walk much initially, defense, speed, and a bit of power was enough to go on for more than a few center-field prospects.
Now, in itself that’s sort of cool, of course, but it’s also a clean break from employing Anderson at all, which therefore also means that the fourth outfield job should belong to Gregor Blanco. That’s not an unimportant consideration for a team that is also counting on Jeff Francoeur to be back at full speed, one that’s also counting on Garret Anderson and Matt Diaz to stay relatively healthy in a platoon. Given the uncertainties of Schafer’s initial success, the outcome of Frenchy’s bounce-back effort, and the elder-care involved with that tandem in left, plus plenty of pinch-hitting opportunities (leading off innings for the pitcher’s slot, for example), Blanco seems a safe bet to get a solid chunk of playing time. The guy who’s still semi-screwed is Brandon Jones, but he was from the moment they inked Anderson and he needed to erase memories of last season’s funk-iness, so it’s just as well.
The WhooHoo Guy
April 2nd, 2009
1:15 pm
Here’s a link to the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Might be a more representative list.
WhooHoo!! Go Braves! Beat then baby stros
dogsbrekky
April 2nd, 2009
1:18 pm
Bad Company excellent !
I will take the 97% humidity and 80 degrees over the 55 degrees and 80% here anyday………..
I assume Garret is DHing today
Anyone guess what opening day batting order we use ?
I like
1. KJ 2nd
2. Kotchman, 1B
3. Chipper, 3B
4. McCann, C
5. G. Anderson, LF
6. Francoeur, RF
7. Yunel SS
8. Schafer CF
9. Loweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
KC
April 2nd, 2009
1:19 pm
—— BRAVES OPENING DAY VIEWING PARTY – Next Sunday ——-
Open invitation: Opening day viewing party in ATL…
Sunday, April 5th – 7:45pm
Jocks and Jills @ Galleria Mall (near junction of N.285 & I-75)
We had about a dozen folks – and a helluva lot of fun (except for the outcome of the game) – last year. Don’t really know exactly how many we’ll have this year, but probably not much more than that… so there should be plenty of room. If you would like to invite others, please feel free. You’re welcome to simply show up (you don’t have to touch base beforehand), but if you let me know how many you have coming, we’ll make sure there’s seating for you. Go Braves!
Email: kccjr1@gmail.com
KC
April 2nd, 2009
1:19 pm
Or, I guess I should say THIS Sunday. Damn… we’re finally getting close!!!
cvbraves
April 2nd, 2009
1:20 pm
Inning 1
Top Half
B:0 S:0 O:1 – Yunel Escobar flies out to center fielder Steve Brown.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:2 – Casey Kotchman grounds out, first baseman Mark Saccomanno to pitcher Bud Norris.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:2 – Chipper Jones singles on a fly ball to left fielder Nicholas Moresi.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:3 O:3 – Brian McCann called out on strikes.
——————————————————————————–
Bottom Half
B:0 S:0 O:0 – Matt Kata singles on a line drive to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:1 – Chris Barnwell flies out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:1 – John Gall doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Matt Diaz. Matt Kata to 3rd.
——————————————————————————–
B:1 S:0 O:1 – With Mark Saccomanno batting, passed ball by Brian McCann, Matt Kata scores. John Gall to 3rd.
dogsbrekky
April 2nd, 2009
1:21 pm
Woohooo – where is Townsend on that list…. writer sucks… also has Stevie Ray Vaughan too low
I agree with 1 and 2 though on the controversial list, Duane Allman unbelievable….. if they had full foreign lists IAN MOSS from my homeland would be WAY UP there
David O'Brien
April 2nd, 2009
1:22 pm
Something tells me this game’s gonna end in under 2 hours … whole lot of first-pitching swinging going on….
G Anderson infield hit, moves to second on Johnson flyout after Francoeur ground out. Two out, Diaz up…
Forgot to mention, Jurrjens pitching for Braves
And they subbed out Bud Norris for a DH after Braves said they were using DH. John Gall DHing, hitting third, which changed lineup in several places.
David O'Brien
April 2nd, 2009
1:22 pm
First-pitch groundout by Diaz to end inning
cvbraves
April 2nd, 2009
1:24 pm
Astros 1-0…on to the 2nd.
David O'Brien
April 2nd, 2009
1:24 pm
A four-pitch inning by Braves batters in second….
The run against Jurrjens in first inning was unearned, by the way, after a passed ball moved runner to third and he scored on a groundout
The WhooHoo Guy
April 2nd, 2009
1:25 pm
dogsbrekky – that is the Rolling Stone’s Top 100, probably from around 2003. My man David Howell Evans is 24th so I am all good.
Hey wasn’t Jason Castro on American Idol last season?
WhooHoo!! Go Braves!!
BB
April 2nd, 2009
1:26 pm
Hey DOB, Did the guy at least give you your $7 back?
David O'Brien
April 2nd, 2009
1:26 pm
Bobby basically said before the game that if Soriano gets through his appearance today without incident, he’s on the roster to start season.
Bobby's Belly
April 2nd, 2009
1:26 pm
Quick game probably since we’re using 4 outfielders.
garlick
April 2nd, 2009
1:27 pm
KC I wish I lived in the ATL area, I would totally be at that viewing event.
TnBrian
April 2nd, 2009
1:27 pm
DOB, I’ve got a paper to write and present to the class next week. Even though it has to be fiction, I might steal your story, if that’s alright? It has to be 3 characters, DOB/Bowman/pissed off owner makes 3. I might change up the chracters just in case. The only bad thing is having to get up in front of the class, but whatever.
Wayne in Utah
April 2nd, 2009
1:27 pm
WhooHoo
Any list that has Steve Howe of YES at #69, is not a credible list.
McFann :Ô:
April 2nd, 2009
1:27 pm
Oh brother…a passed ball.
Woogidy
April 2nd, 2009
1:28 pm
Dob, reminds me of my story, (It was 3am when I got home, and my adrenaline was pumping so hard, I couldn’t sleep. I had to write a blog about it which I am posting now)
So, A bunch of us decide to go to Wild Bill’s tonight to see The Zac Brown Band. It was sold out. It took a half hour just to get into the place because there were so many people there. This place is in the Suburbs, so A taxi ride isn’t a real option, and public transportation is nonexistent in these parts, so everyone drove there. Parking was a mess, but luckily this place is next to a big mall, hence lots of other stores around it.
So I, and 2 of my friends park in this lot for the Shoe Dept. Well, apparently, there were a few “Your vehicle will be towed for parking here” signs we either ignored or didn’t see. I saw them, I just assumed since it was 9 o’clock at night, and they were obviously closed, that it didn’t matter.
Well, I was wrong. Of course all 3 of us got our cars towed. Damn. So here we were, 12:30 am, middle of a parking lot, in a line to get answers from some imbred hillbilly lookin’ M-effer. I see a sign on a lightpole that says the towing place is in McDonough (an hour away). He says, you have to pay $125 to get a ride to your car less than a mile from here. I played dumb and asked him why they took our cars to McDonough, and how I was going to get there. He assures me if I get him $125 he can have me outta there in a hurry, and points in a general direction to where the cars were in a temporary impound lot. He didn’t say specifically where, only generally. The whole time, I’m telling myself “There’s got to be a way to get my truck out of this lot.”
Well, I then walked behind a tow truck carrying a car about 200 yards from where we had all parked. I think to myself “What a Scam!” They are towing our cars 200 yards to make us pay $125 to get them. I then spot my truck. It was on the very end, right near the exit. They have no fence, nobody blocking the gate, nothing. There were a few guys that saw me and were keeping an eye on me in a truck. Well, I left for a few minutes, came back and started making phone calls. They asked me if I needed to pay, and I said I was trying to find my friends and I thought that they had left me. They seemed satisfied with that answer, as they shut off the truck they were in, and went to help unload the truck they had just towed over. So, all 5 guys manning the lot in one place, away from my truck.
I bolted towards my truck, used the keyless entry, popped in the drivers seat, cranked her up an squalled outta there! I had to go back to the original place where they had towed it from to get my wife and friends. As soon as I pull up, I see a tow truck coming towards my truck. Well, they were too slow! Everyone’s in, and I’m zooming away! I just stole my own truck! I felt like Nicolas Cage in “Gone in 60 Seconds.” What a rush! I felt so accomplished.
My other two buddies had to get their cars out too though. Long story short, one of my buddies walked up to his car, and got in and drove away too! They asked him if he had a reciept, and he told them his wife ran one of the stores in the building and his car had been there all day. They let him go, no more questions. I guess it feels so good to screw the people who are screwing with everyone else. I thought I’d share this with everyone as it made my day! Oh, and as for my other friend, he was too worried about getting screwed, so he ended up paying. Well, at least 2 for 3 isn’t so bad though.
MFin04
April 2nd, 2009
1:28 pm
What’s the Braves schedule for this week?
cvbraves
April 2nd, 2009
1:29 pm
3-A boyz seem to be hitting Jurrgens pretty good!
Lew
April 2nd, 2009
1:30 pm
Just heard that Bad Company is together (all except for Boz Burrell who died a couple years ago) for a reunion tour this summer.
GSU-Lee
April 2nd, 2009
1:31 pm
cvbraves
JURRJENS
David O'Brien
April 2nd, 2009
1:32 pm
We just added a poll to the blog, if you want to go back up and vote…
Eight of nine Braves swung at first pitch the first time through the order
arobs3
April 2nd, 2009
1:32 pm
John Mayer should be on that list
cvbraves
April 2nd, 2009
1:34 pm
Correct that…Jurrjens.
Lew
April 2nd, 2009
1:34 pm
Random-Thanks for the article. Unfortunately, I’m not so sure how Blanco will be the fourth outfielder when we’ll have (as the author mentions) Diaz, Garrett, Schafer and Francoeur out there.
McFann :Ô:
April 2nd, 2009
1:36 pm
DOB Eight of nine Braves swung at first pitch the first time through the order
Who was the good boy who didn’t swing at it?
mbatl
April 2nd, 2009
1:36 pm
DOB, your parking lot story had sort of a Stephen King air to it; the potentially menacing dog, the snaggle-tooth proprietor next door, “the heavily tattooed dude” running the place… sort of a Christine/Cujo thing going on.
I thought it was gonna end with the attendant, eyes glowing red, saying something like, “Oh, you can get your car out, young fella’, but you can never leave.”
The WhooHoo Guy
April 2nd, 2009
1:36 pm
arobs3 – Yes, definitely although the list was created in 2003 and Mayer hadn’t’ really hit his stride at that point, but I think that he would crack the top 25 at least…
WhooHoo!! Go Braves!!
Danny K
April 2nd, 2009
1:36 pm
DOB I saw Krauss and Union Station peform that song at the Memorial Auditorium in my hometown of Chattanooga in ‘94 or so when I was 13. Without discussing how wise I was to be into that kind of music when I was 13, I’ll just say that her voice and that performance left an impression on me and theirs is the only version I hear when I think of “Oh Atlanta”.
David O'Brien
April 2nd, 2009
1:38 pm
Yes, just noticed I had Garret in LF — he’s DHing, but bunch of guys are already coming out of game after second at-bats.
No, I didn’t get my $7 back.
dogsbrekky
April 2nd, 2009
1:38 pm
What is American Idol ?
Who is John Mayer ?
cvbraves
April 2nd, 2009
1:39 pm
Inning 3
Top Half
B:0 S:0 O:1 – Jordan Schafer grounds out, pitcher Bud Norris to first baseman Mark Saccomanno.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:2 – Yunel Escobar grounds out, third baseman David Flores to first baseman Mark Saccomanno.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:2 – Casey Kotchman singles on a ground ball to right fielder Eli Iorg.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:2 – Chipper Jones singles on a ground ball to center fielder Steve Brown. Casey Kotchman to 2nd.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:3 – Brian McCann flies out to left fielder Nicholas Moresi.
TnBrian
April 2nd, 2009
1:39 pm
Danny K, I’m in Chattanooga, was raised here. What part of Chatt. are you from?
Bubdylan
April 2nd, 2009
1:39 pm
DOB, your parking adventure sounds like the beginning of a Coen Brothers movie; the part where I’m always going “yeah, but that guy wouldn’t be dumb enough to park there to begin with.”
No Country For Old Pens?
arobs3
April 2nd, 2009
1:39 pm
Some of mayer’s music is a little gay…but dude is a great guitarist.
The ghost of Will Ohman
April 2nd, 2009
1:39 pm
Ha great story Dave. Thanks for your love and devotion to the denizens this spring. We don’t mind that you were paid to do it.
David O'Brien
April 2nd, 2009
1:40 pm
mbatl: it did have that feel to it. especially in that neighborhood as the sun went down…
David O'Brien
April 2nd, 2009
1:40 pm
Francoeur didn’t strike out earlier. hit a little dribbler in front of plate for the out
Woogidy
April 2nd, 2009
1:40 pm
McFann, Brian watched the first one go by I believe.
crawdad
April 2nd, 2009
1:41 pm
1. Jimi Hendrix was asked who the greatest guitar player of all time. He replied Phil Keaggy. Any guitar list without Keaggy is bogus.
2. What’s the over/under on Glavine retiring before the season is over?
MattyRoss
April 2nd, 2009
1:41 pm
How bout that comment by arobs3? Sometimes I forget that the price of being a Braves fan is that half of your compatriots are ignorant rednecks. Cool. Live and let live I guess. Go Braves ‘09!
Daniel
April 2nd, 2009
1:41 pm
I like this as my opening day line-up
KJ
Escobar
Chipper
GA
McCann
Francouer
Kotchman
Schaefer
Lowe
BTW DOB- The new album from Peter, Bjorn and John is really good, very different from the first album. Also, Grizzly Bear have a new album coming out soon, couple of tracks are great. If you haven’t listened to their album Yellow House, I highly reccomend it.
Ken Overstreet
April 2nd, 2009
1:42 pm
DOB and Woodigy: You guys’ stories remind me of Chevy Chase in the original Vacation movie. “How much for the repairs?” Toothless guy: “All of it , boy.” Probably a lot funnier in retrospect than at the time.
Danny K
April 2nd, 2009
1:42 pm
TnBrian: Grew up in Hixson/Soddy Daisy area. Still there.
cabravesfan
April 2nd, 2009
1:42 pm
Enter your comments here
N8
April 2nd, 2009
1:42 pm
Alright. A few months back, DOB and I (along with others), got in to a heated arguement (as heated as an argument on a blog can get), over the validity of certain legends, anc current rockers. After that arguement, I told myself, I’d stick to baseball on this blog.
But upon checking out the link that The WhooHoo Guy provided above, I’ve got to comment.
Keep in mind that I have had a subscription to Rolling Stone off and on for the past 20 years. I generally like their interviews. I have a huge book with “classic” RS intervies.
But this list is the biggest JOKE on the planet. Kurt Cobain at #12? Don’t get me wrong. Curt Cobain (and the rest of Nirvana), should be in the Top 10 (if not Top 5) of best song-writers/most influential artists of all time (or at least in “rock).
But Cobain’s plaing was sloppy at best. His tone was weak at best (which lent itself VERY well to their tunes). But that’s hilarious.
Jerry Garcia at #13 & David Gilmour at #82. Uh…. OK?
Vernon Reid of Living Colour ahead of Eddie Van Halen? I’m a HUGE Living Colour fan. Loved them the first time I saw them. Two things to add. My guess is that Vernon Reid himself would tell you that if there was no Eddie Van Halen there would be no Vernon Reid (along with MANY guys that came along in the 80’s). Of course those guys would ‘exsist’, but they wouldn’t be the same players. Add to that, without Danny Glover being Corey Glover’s dad. I’m guessing Living Colour doesn’t get the “attention” of any record labels.
Kirk Hammett at #11? Are they crazy? Being a fan of the OLD Metallica, I’m not so sure that Hammettet is the best lead player Metallica has ever had. Give Dave Mustaine some props people.
Jack White at #17? Seeing his name at #17 should have stopped most readers from going any further. Then again, like a nasty car accident, you can’t help but look when you know you should just walk away.
Then they have Keith Richards at #10, yet Pete Townshend at #50?
OK. I’ll stop now, by saying Rolling Stone should stick to what they do best. Which is GREAT interviews. Good stories (even if they are VERY obvious where their political views lean), and decent reviews of new music.
Leave the Top 100 guitaris list to the guitar mags.
cabravesfan
April 2nd, 2009
1:43 pm
Damn- sorry about that
Just wanted to add my thanks, DOB, for hanging with us through a really long spring!
MattyRoss
April 2nd, 2009
1:43 pm
Getting closer and closer to my first Braves home opener in person. So pumped. Anybody know of any special festivities I shouldn’t miss?
N8
April 2nd, 2009
1:44 pm
Sorry for the all bold epic post everybody. Must have screwed it up when I tried to make The WhooHoo Guy’s name bold.
That being said, that list made me nutty enough to yell, so it kinda fits.
Daniel
April 2nd, 2009
1:45 pm
You know Ken, their stories actually made me think of Adventures in Babysitting
Daniel
April 2nd, 2009
1:46 pm
Yes, Matty… the first pitch
Steve from OH
April 2nd, 2009
1:46 pm
Any list that has Steve Howe of YES at #69, is not a credible list.
Ditto. Same goes for any list with Curt f’ing Cobain at #12.
Random
April 2nd, 2009
1:46 pm
MFin04 –
Cable TV Scheule:
Thursday, April 2 @ Astros 1:05 PM CSS
Friday, April 3 vs Tigers 7:10 PM CSS WGST 640, Project 96.1
Saturday, April 4 vs Tigers 1:10 PM SPSO, MLB.TV WGST 640, Project 96.1
and of course, opening day —
Sunday, April 5 @ Phillies 8:00 PM ESPN2 WGST 640, Project 96.1, Viva 105.7 (Sp.)
David O'Brien
April 2nd, 2009
1:47 pm
Forgot that Astros changed their lineup at last minute after Bobby said he was using DH. They used John Gall to DH, hitting third, which changed up a lot of the lineup. But I gotta write and get outta here right after game, so not gonna write the new one, since no one knows who these guys are anyway
lewie
April 2nd, 2009
1:47 pm
mayer a GREAT guitarist?
you serious clark?
arobs3
April 2nd, 2009
1:47 pm
MattyRoss – what about my comment makes me an ignorant redneck?
Wayne in Utah
April 2nd, 2009
1:47 pm
N8
The list was definitely a joke. Terry Kath, late of “Chicago” was also MIA.
David O'Brien
April 2nd, 2009
1:48 pm
Francoeur’s had a couple of poor at-bats. This swing-at-first-pitch getaway day thing not good for him, reverted to old Frenchy today. Just struck out (this time, he really did)
David O'Brien
April 2nd, 2009
1:48 pm
Kelly J. just homered on 2-0 pitch, his first of spring. And yes, it counts, even though it came against Bud Norris.
Daniel
April 2nd, 2009
1:49 pm
Hopefully, just getting it out of his system Dave
Wayne in Utah
April 2nd, 2009
1:50 pm
You mean THE Bud Norris!
bravo!
April 2nd, 2009
1:50 pm
DOB, after hearing your parking lot story, is there any doubt your luggage will get lost on the flight home tonight, just to cement this as the BEST Spring Training ever? I suppose the moral of the story is to never park in a Lot run by one of the guys from ZZ Top…
Daniel
April 2nd, 2009
1:50 pm
Seriously, Dave why couldn’t the Braves cancelled today’s game? With the Sunday opener and travel, it would have made sense. Is it a contract thing or does Bobby want them to get work?
fansince66
April 2nd, 2009
1:51 pm
What, Roy Clark is not the list? I thought he was #3.
ease19
April 2nd, 2009
1:52 pm
N8 – It would appear that although the list was composed by Rolling Stone, it is still just a random list…no need to go all bold on us…
JJ
April 2nd, 2009
1:53 pm
DOB,
Any word on Ross? Any chance Sammons makes the trip to Phily or should Ross be good to go? Thanks
BigDaddy
April 2nd, 2009
1:53 pm
Bobby’s Belly – Now that is funny!
garlick
April 2nd, 2009
1:54 pm
“Seriously, Dave why couldn’t the Braves cancelled today’s game?”
Actually they should have just paid the grounds keeper some money to break a couple sprinkler heads this morning causing the field to be flooded, and effectively guaranteeing a “rain out.”
But nobody on the Braves is that clever.
Mekons
April 2nd, 2009
1:54 pm
You can’t just cancel a game, spring training or not. People have bought tickets, employees have to be paid, etc. What he probably should have done is just what the Stros did; send a bunch of AAA players.
Tom O'Hawke
April 2nd, 2009
1:55 pm
Woogidy, I enjoyed your story. BTW, did your buddy get any “Arnold” calls yesterday. Just getting one would be funny as hell.
Speaking of funny. DOB, that was a funny story you shared with us on your blog. Thanks.
Daniel
April 2nd, 2009
1:55 pm
I hear you Mekons… The Stros essentially cancelled their game. What is the deal with that?
winterville
April 2nd, 2009
1:55 pm
Wish you wouldn’t have even said that about Francoeur, DOB. People will inevitably take it the wrong way and the haters will be out in full force. It never fails.
phishing with the braves
April 2nd, 2009
1:55 pm
i cant believe bradley thinks frenchy will bat .285. hell, it will be a miracle from god himself he can keep it above .250
Kenny Powers
April 2nd, 2009
1:55 pm
Im pitching the 8th for the stros
phishing with the braves
April 2nd, 2009
1:56 pm
oh, just for the record….that was my belief before his crap at bats today
cvbraves
April 2nd, 2009
1:57 pm
Mekons: Bet the “people” who bought tickets would have appreciated that. It’s not the Braves way of doing things.
dogsbrekky
April 2nd, 2009
1:58 pm
It is very bad form to play and not play PROPERLY
practice like it is the real bloody thing. pluuuuuueasssssssseeeeeeee
Daniel
April 2nd, 2009
1:58 pm
appreciate the positivity phishing
Fred
April 2nd, 2009
1:58 pm
Boy, it is absolutely pouring here in Atlanta. I feel badly that some of the flights will likely be delayed because of this weather. I think I just saw an arc floating down the street.
ease19
April 2nd, 2009
1:58 pm
From the last blog…What happened to BravesFan79? Never saw his comment…
The ghost of Will Ohman
April 2nd, 2009
1:59 pm
Youngest son of Chuck Norris, I presume.
If the guys could see the weather they’ll be flying over right now they wouldn’t be in such a hurry. Be safe on the road, DOB.
Bubdylan
April 2nd, 2009
2:00 pm
Crawdad, I’m a Keaggy fan (love “Beyond Nature” especially), but that quote by Jimi – I don’t know if I’d take it too seriously. If I remember that piece of that interview correctly it sounded more off the cuff, his remark, than like a studied answer. Honestly, Keaggy’s playing doesn’t get way inside me the way the greats do. I don’t doubt Jimi saw something special or he wouldn’t have said it, but I don’t think it’s the quite the golden seal some Keaggy fans do.
Notorious#10
April 2nd, 2009
2:00 pm
How bout that comment by arobs3? Sometimes I forget that the price of being a Braves fan is that half of your compatriots are ignorant rednecks. -MattyRoss
touch a nerve? Sounds like someone has a man crush on John Mayer! lol
Wayne in Utah
April 2nd, 2009
2:00 pm
Movie star/country singer Jerry Reed wasn’t too bad ticklin the strings.
DiamondbackMac
April 2nd, 2009
2:00 pm
Wayne in Utah
You mean THE Bud Norris!
You shouldn’t do that while I’m eating. Almost choked on a ham sandwich.
Luke L1
April 2nd, 2009
2:00 pm
Bobby should make Jeff play the rest of the game. He does not need to head North on a bad note.
cvbraves
April 2nd, 2009
2:00 pm
Fred: It must have been a rainbow>
ease19
April 2nd, 2009
2:02 pm
I think that for the first time since I can remember, the lakes are up and we won’t have a rain fall deficit…I know that is darned inconvenient, but my garden is loving this!
N8
April 2nd, 2009
2:02 pm
Mock on John Mayer all you want as a singer and pop song writer. But make no mistake about it. Dude can play guitar and I would certainly put him on that list. More so that probably 2/3 of that list.
dogsbrekky
April 2nd, 2009
2:02 pm
Wayne – yes good point.
I also remember seeing a great guitarist for Quiet Riot, the version with Paul Shortino, who was just a phenom….
suppose the Stones list was just some random dude… never seen Keef Richards ranked so “HIGH”
Tom O'Hawke
April 2nd, 2009
2:02 pm
Kenny Powers (1:55), shouldn’t that be, Kennny Powers is pitching the 8th for the stros?
dogsbrekky
April 2nd, 2009
2:03 pm
N8 – seriously WHO is John Mayer and what style does he play ?
2Parc
April 2nd, 2009
2:03 pm
And then there’s this list:
http://guitar.about.com/library/bl100greatest.htm
mbatl
April 2nd, 2009
2:03 pm
“From the last blog…What happened to BravesFan79? Never saw his comment…” – ease19
Ease, that tends to happen bith bf79’s posts from time to time. Catch’em live, or miss’em entirely. The guy (?) can post perfectly good stuff, then just go off the deep end (and I didn’t see this one either, btw).
2Parc
April 2nd, 2009
2:04 pm
N8 – agreed. Mayer can rip… does a great Axis:Bold as Love.
cvbraves
April 2nd, 2009
2:04 pm
Obviously, the folks doing the MLB.com play-by-play are in no hurry today. Maybe, they’re home already.