MVP Rob Sealer

A couple months ago, I posted a poll on the blog, which asked the question, "Who should be named NBA MVP?" Well, in jest, I threw my name into the mix for fun. Of the 2 votes tallied, I was named by a unanimous RS Sports vote the 2009 NBA MVP. So, I decided to write a mock article in response. It was brought to my attention, that you could type in the words MVP Rob Sealer, scroll down a little, and the article would appear on google.com. Well, I seem to have lost my "google power." This gimmick doesn't work any more, but it was fun while it lasted.
Thanks for supporting www.robsealersports.blogspot.com.

NL East Tonight

Last night, the Chicago Cubs defeated Atlanta, 4-2. But, today's another day. Javier Vazquez (5-7 3.05 ERA) will take the mound for the visiting Braves. Cubs ace, Carlos Zambrano (4-3 3.50 ERA) will be pitching for the bad guys. Atlanta will need to provide the hard luck Vazquez with some offense, if the Braves are going to avoid a 4 game losing streak. With the All Star Break just 6 days away, any moment the Braves can capture will be huge going into the second half of the season. But, Atlanta MUST find a spark for their struggling offense. If the bats don't heat up soon, this could be a very long season for the Bravos. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 eastern. If your cable provider carries WGN, you can watch their broadcast of the game. Go Braves!

As for the rest of the NL East:
Cincinnati is in Philadelphia. Starting for the Reds will be right hander, Aaron Harang. He brings a 5-8 record with a 3.86 ERA into tonight's game. Opposing him, will be 26 year old J.A. Happ. The former Northwestern Wildcat is 5-0 with an impressive 2.96 ERA for Cincinnati. The first pitch will be thrown at 7:05 eastern.

Meanwhile, the struggling Mets look to rebound from an awful ten game stretch, that has seen NY lose 8 of these games. With Manny Ramirez back from suspension, the Dodgers bring a confident squad to Metropolis. 21 year old Clayton Kershaw (5-5 3.49 ERA) takes the mound for L.A. The young south paw has allowed 5 Homeruns in 87 and 2/3 innings pitched. Opposing batters are hitting a dismal .207 against him. Mike Pelfrey (6-3 4.26 ERA) will be pitching for New York. First pitch is slated for 7:10 eastern.

Washington is at Colorado. Pitching for those annoying Nats, will be 23 year old Jordan Zimmerman. He is 3-3 with a 4.52 ERA on the season. The Rockies will rely upon South Carolina native, Jason Hammel. Hammel is 5-4 with a 3.90 ERA. First pitch is set for 8:40 eastern.

And for the nightcap, the Florida Marlins will face off against the San Francisco Giants at 10:15 eastern. Josh Johnson (7-1 2.76 ERA) will pitch for the visiting fish. San Francisco goes with left hander, Barry Zito, who is coming off a terrible outing. In his last start, Zito surrendered 5 earned runs in just 4 and 1/3 innings. Through 16 starts, opponents are batting .255 against him. Zito looks to improve upon a disappointing 4.82 ERA. The former All Star is just 4-8 with 4 no decisions at this point of the season.

Braves at Cubs

After a stunning sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies, the Atlanta Braves jumped to within 2 games back of the NL East leader. But, the Braves squandered that success, by losing 2 of 3 to the lowly Washington Nationals (24-55) in D.C. The 39-42 Braves must now travel to Wrigley Field. Jair Jurrjens (6-6 2.73 ERA) takes the mound for an Atlanta squad that now finds themselves 4 games back of Philadelphia. In game 1, they will face Belleville, Illinois native Randy Wells. The 27 year old Chicago SP is 3-3 with a 2.43 ERA. First pitch is set for 7:05 eastern on the 4 letter network.

Steve McNair

I am very saddened to write about the passing of former Tennessee Titans QB Steve McNair. Honestly, there's little I can add that would respectfully reflect upon this recent tragedy. McNair was without a doubt the greatest athlete to ever play for Tennessee. According to ESPN.com, Steve was one of just 3 NFL quarterbacks to pass for 30,000 yards and rush for 3,500. The former Alcorn State and Titans star was a man that teammates loved and respected for who he was, both on and off the field. If you wish to read more, click on the title of this post. It will direct you to coverage provided by ESPN.com.

My thoughts and prayers are with the McNair family.

Bullpen costs Hanson and Braves

Atlanta's bullpen squandered a great performance by rookie, Tommy Hanson. Hanson pitched a solid seven innings, allowing just one run on a homer by Adam Dunn. Going into the bottom of the 8th, Bobby Cox handed the ball to the Braves bullpen. Washington erupted for 4 runs, and took a stunning 5-3 lead into the 9th. Atlanta failed to rally, and lost a game they should have won. Tommy Hanson was very impressive on the mound, although his shut out streak of 27 consecutive innings was lost on Dunn's long ball.

Happy 4th of July, ya'll.

Marietta's Oudin

Don't look now, but Marietta's Melanie Oudin (pronounced oo-dan?) is starting to make some noise on tennis' grandest stage. The 17 year old phenom has won her first two matches at Wimbledon and will face Poland's Agniezka Radwanska in the round of 16. "She can play with these girls," said coach Brian deVilliers. Dude must have some psychic connections. Just kidding. But this is a compelling story to follow, in a sport that's mostly boring. Good luck Melanie. Hope you shock the world. I won't be watching, but I'd love to read about it on the ESPN ticker.

Boston vs Braves

My Braves just lost again. This one was a brutal 1-0 defeat to the Red Sox. The season is getting long and the losses are piling up. Although the other NL East contenders ain't running away with the pennant, the distance between Atlanta and first place seems like a hundred miles. Every loss is a lost opportunity to gain some ground. The Braves' post season chances are starting to wave goodbye to Atlanta in the rear view mirror. If GM Frank Wren wants to see this team succeed, he must act NOW. The Braves desperately need another bat in the lineup and at least one more dependable arm in the bullpen. If Atlanta stays with the status quo, it will be 4 straight years without a post season appearance for the Braves. That ain't acceptable around here! But, there is some good news. College football is one day closer.

Sean Costello Band

I know this is supposed to be a sports blog, but if anyone is interested in hearing some authentic blues, you need to get down to Centennial Park on Thursday afternoon or to Ray's on the River this Saturday night. Sean Costello's band will be performing some of their trademark hits in honor of his memory. Costello was an incredibly talented guitarist, song writer, and musician. Unfortunately, he left this world behind on April 15, 2008. Sean was just 1 day shy of 29 years old at the time of his passing. One of the highlights of his career, was the opportunity to play alongside the legendary B.B. King in 1997. Costello's band drew high praise from the blues community for their 2002 album titled "Moanin' for Molasses." If you have the opportunity to see these guys perform, make the most of it.

You can also check them out on youtube. Type in Sean Costello or Melvin Zachary. (Or, you can just click on the title of this post).

Bad Calls Crush Braves

The Atlanta Braves just fell victim to some of the WORST officiating in the history of baseball. With 2 outs and men on 1st and 3rd in the 9th inning, Pittsburgh Pirate Andy LaRoche took strike three. This pitch should have ended the inning, but the bum behind home plate erroneously called it ball 3. LaRoche was granted new life vs Braves reliever Rafael Soriano. Andy drilled a 3-2 pitch up the middle for a 2 run single, that turned out to be the difference in today's game.

The Braves had a potential 9th inning rally cut short, as the umpires blew another call. A single by Kelly Johnson would have brought the tying run to the plate with one out in the Atlanta 9th. But, Johnson was called out at first base. The throw from Adam LaRoche to Matt Capps clearly did not beat Kelly to the bag. Replays showed Johnson touching first base in a perfectly synchronized stride with the Pittsburgh pitcher. A tie is supposed to go to the runner. Unfortunately, the 1B umpire made a horrible call, and ruled the runner out. With 2 gone and all momentum lost, catcher Brian McCann struck out to end the game.

Tough loss for the Braves, who just fell to 29-30 and are now 6 games behind the NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies. After a disappointing home stand (4-5), the Braves travel to Baltimore. Friday night's game is scheduled for 7:05 ET, as highly touted rookie, Tommy Hanson (9.00 ERA) will square off against the Orioles' Jason Berken (7.04 ERA). The Braves must put together some wins, or their season could be over before the 4th of July.

Moylan's meltdown

The Atlanta Braves, sparked offensively by former Pirate Nate McLouth (3-5 with a HR), took a 6-3 lead into the 7th inning against Pittsburgh. Then came Peter Moylan and his 5.40 ERA. The Braves reliever gave up 4 hits and allowed 3 earned runs in a very poor performance out of the bullpen. Atlanta had a firm grasp on this game, until Moylan was allowed to put his Australian fingerprints on the baseball. The Braves led 5-1 after 5 innings. Kenshin Kawakami gave up 2 runs in the 6th, but Moylan's 7th inning meltdown cost him a chance to win his 4th game of the season. This one is headed for extra innings, as Chipper Jones just missed a walk off homerun. Rafael Soriano is on the mound for Atlanta.