Brian McCann MVP for All-Stars

Brian McCann the catcher from the Atlanta Braves won the Ted Williams All-Star MVP honors last night in Anaheim.  His bases loaded two out hit drove in the runs to give the national league their only runs of the night, enough to beat the American League.  Since McCann is a local favorite of the Braves, he is from Athens Georgia, this meant a lot to the organization.  I am hoping that he will be the next Chipper Jones of the Braves and stay for the long haul.

With that said, McCann's hit meant alot more than getting MVP honors though to the Braves.  This year's winner of the mid summer classic gained home field advantage in the World Series.  That means if the Braves continue on as the best and hottest team in the National League they would have home field advantage in the World Series.  This would be extremely special considering it is Bobby Cox's and most likely Chipper Jones' last season with the Braves.

For a full recap of the All-Star game click here.

Braves Surprise for Tom

A few weeks ago my brother Tom was making all the comparision to the 1991 Atlanta Braves and that of todays Braves, read it here.  In that story he said one major difference was he wouldn't be able to make the trip down to see Bobby Cox in his last season as skipper of the braves.  Today I am proud to say he is wrong!

A group of four, a father, 2 sons, and grandson will be making the trip down to see them play.  And I'm sure it will be much to Tom's excitement that not only will it be a Braves game but the night chosen is Bobby Cox Tribute night and fan appreciation day.  It is the second to last game of the regular season so the pennant race will be at a blistering level, especially since it is against the Phillies.

Now that we have the tickets for the game the next step will be to converting Tom from thinking that Fulton County stadium was the best place to play and watch baseball to thinking that Turner field is the best. 

For all of you that have not been to Turner Field it's something that you are missing out on.  Tom has to learn about the Coke bottle that shoots out fire works.  But its not a normal coke bottle is made from 6,680 baseballs, 290 bats and 86 gloves, all Braves gear.  Also on the top of the stadium there is a baseline to run incase you think you can beat out a pitch.  Then there are the misters to walk through that cool off fans on a hot sunny day.  Sounds good right?  Well then underneath the stands there is the normal consession stands....oh and a ton of baseball games like how fast can you pitch and batting cages.  On top of all that there is the history of the braves laid out nicely.  Tom thinks he won't like the new stadium as much but I am confident to say that in 30 years when its time for a new one he will say the same thing about Turner Field as he did about Fulton County, "man that is the best place on earth for baseball, I hate change!"

UPDATE:  The Braves decided for a more modern coke bottle so the old one made of braves equipment will be taken down for a new taller computerized bottle.  It will shoot out fireworks like the other one and claims to bring more excitement for fans.  The new bottle goes live on July 16th so it will be a new feature to look forward too.

And The TOMMY Goes to...

It is TOMMY time again

Since I derived my TOMMY awards several years ago in reference to ESPN’s ESPY awards, it seems time has accelerated. It is hard to believe it is that time again but here goes this year’s observations and awards for the people, places and things of recent days that have gotten my attention.

The TOMMY for dumbest injury I have ever seen goes to Steve Smith. Don’t ask me how a guy who makes a living getting smashed between angry cornerbacks gets a broken arm playing flag football but it happened. Guess there is something to add to the list of things he is prohibited from doing in the off season. No more motorcycle riding without a helmet, skydiving and, oh yea, playing flag football with the other neighborhood kids.

The TOMMY for the story I am the most tired of, Tiger Woods. Why is anyone surprised the man is competitive every time he plays a major? He lives for winning those four tournaments.  Tiger may well have lost his wife and two small children because of his antics of the last nine months but he has not lost the best swing in the game. He obviously has not lost the mental power that makes him one of the greatest athletes, in any sport, in history. His actions off the course are despicable but lets all move on with our lives.

The TOMMY for best coaching story goes to Bobby Cox. I never thought he could pull it off but the old pro has the Braves in first place once again. He is headed for the hall of fame and wants one more World Series title to take with him. It looks like the young Braves, and Chipper Jones, are in the fight for first place for the long haul. I hope they heat up even more and bring a title back to Turner Field this year.

The TOMMY for feel good story that ended in disappointment is the U.S. soccer team. The World Cup proved that though we are much more competitive than ever before, Americans aren’t ready to compete at the highest levels on the international stage.  Fans in most countries are crazy for what they call futbol. Here chasing a white ball and trying to put it in a net is growing in popularity and our teams are better but it does not have the fan base needed. Americans as a whole just don’t get into the game as much as their own brand of football, basketball or baseball.

Its 91 all over again!

HOLY COW BRAVES FANS!!





It looks like we might have a winner as the hottest team in the league (who may play in the hottest place!) strives towards the National League championship. It brings back memories of 1991, the year the magical run of championships began after the miseries of the 1980s.

There are some similarities between the two. The first, and obvious is the skipper, Bobby is still over there watching over things. The hair is a little grayer and the classic walk a little slower when he makes his way to the mound but he is still the best manager in the game.  Put Chipper Jones in the place of Terry Pendleton. That year Pendleton was the old guy playing third base leading a bunch of youngsters. I am not sure but I feel like Chipper was somewhere in the Braves minor league system dreaming of "The Show."
Now he is the savy veteran trying to point guys half his age towards a pennant.  There were a lot of young guys on that team, as there are on this one.  The major difference is where they play. My favorite stadium in the world, Fulton County stadium, is nothing but a baseball stadium shaped parking lot now. It is a parking lot for Turner field. I know all about modern change, etc., etc. That doesn't mean it is always better.

Another difference is I likely won't be there this year. Traveling down to Georgia with my dad, staying in a Motel 6, eating hot fudge Sundays at Shoney's and enjoying two games in two days was one of my best memories as a teenager. Both dad and I have different lives now, maybe someday.

Also on the sentimental side, there will be no Skip Caray calling the games. He has gone on to the big announcers chair in the sky along side his dad. He has to be enjoying this year's edition of the Braves.
Lets go Brave's nation. Lets get the Tomahawk Chop going. Lets win one for Bobby in his last year. Lets win one for the "Chipper" regardless of his plans for next season.