Undefeated Braves

Love what I saw from the Braves today. Great starting pitching (Derek Lowe), backed up by solid defense, just enough offense, and a very strong effort from the bullpen. Jason Heyward became the second player to hit home runs in the first 2 at bats of his first two seasons (the other was a New York Met).

For Washington, Livan Hernandez pitched a nice game, giving up just 2 scrawny azz runs. And, at one point he retired 15 straight Braves batters.

Chipper Jones went 2-4 with a double and silent single. Jones also scored the first run of the 2011 MLB season on a Brian McCann one sacker in the first inning. Good win for the Braves and a great way to open up the season.

Braves update

For those of you unable to view today's Braves vs Nats game, you can listen online via the good folks at 1570 WCLE am in Cleveland, Tennessee. Go to their website, http://www.1570wcle.com/ then click listen live on their home page. This prompts a page with basketball hoops and advertising to appear. Go to the bottom of this page and click listen live (again). This will allow you to hear the Braves broadcast of today's game over the internet.

After 2 innings, Atlanta leads Nats 2-0. Chipper Jones scored the first run of the season. After stretching a 2 out, 1st inning single into 2 bases, catcher Brian McCann sent him home, with an RBI single.

In the Braves' second inning, Jason Heyward hit a solo shot to Right Field. This is the second year in a row, that Heyward has homered in his first at bat.

Leadoff man, Martin Prado at the plate. Go Braves!

I'll provide some updates in the comments section.

Opening Day

At one o'clock this afternoon, the Atlanta Braves open up the 2011 season in Washington. It's hard to believe that baseball's back... and so is Chipper Jones.

On August 12 of last year, I thought his prolific career in Atlanta was over. Then 38 years young, Jones had just torn an ACL attempting to make a spectacular play at third base. Well, I've never felt better about being wrong in all my life.

Welcome back Chipper. It's good to know that I can put the "Retire the #10" talk on the shelf for at least another season.

Longtime Braves nemesis, Livan Hernandez will take the mound today as the Nats square off against the Bravos. Derek Lowe will get the start for Atlanta.

Call off the "Dawgs"

Three years ago, if you would have told me that tonight's Georgia vs Georgia tech game would be the most pivotal moment in Mark Richt's career, I would have laughed at you. Well, I ain't laughin' now. At 5-6, UGA desperately needs to win this one.

Overall, Mark Richt has done a remarkable job as leader of the Dawg Pound in Athens. However, many fans have started directing angry barks in his direction. You see, some of the fan base has become disenchanted with the Richt regime, due to a couple of sub par seasons, including this one. Most of them wish to see a new coaching staff brought into Athens. But, sometimes the best move is the one you don't make.

Legendary coaches Vince Dooley, Bobby Bowden, and Joe Paterno all struggled at some point during their tenures. But, these men were given an opportunity to turn things around and elevated their programs to national prominence. Mark Richt deserves that same chance.

Regardless of tonight's outcome, I hope to see Richt remain in Athens.

Thanks to the talented sports writers at the AJC for giving me and the rest of their readers some valuable insight into this topic.

Go Dawgs...GATA!! Wreck tech countdown: 1 Hour, 48 minutes.

Clean, old fashioned me

Bulldog fans, you've got to admit one thing...you love this site. And who can blame you? The kid (yours truly) is pretty dang good. Humility aside, nobody covers Georgia sports better than the talented writers over at the AJC. In today's Tim Tucker article, Dawg QB Aaron Murray is quoted as saying, "If I had a broken leg, I'm going to play in this game."

Now, that's not a shot at the institute of technology's Josh Nesbitt, who is currently sidelined with a broken arm. But if it was, this post would be a lot more fun to write. However, there's no mud slingin' here. Not yet, anyway. Keep reading...

At this point in their 5-6 season, you might ask, "What makes Senior Night at UGA meaningful?" Georgia Tech does. Not because Paul Johnson's jackets are some sort of powerhouse program. They ain't. Look no further than their 6-5 record, which includes 4 Atlanticly Crappy Conference losses and one to (gasp) Kansas.

Records and lame jokes temporarily put aside, tech seems to bring out the best in Mark Richt's Dawgs (8-1 vs gt). Oh, and there's some kind of an old fashioned hatred thing involved, as well.

Georgia is fighting a desperate battle towards bowl eligibility and looks to continue its dominance over the Screech-like kids from the flats. On the flip side, those pesky jackets would love to make sure that the only bowling the Bulldogs can do, is at the Brunswick lanes in Athens.

So, who's gonna win? Click on the title of this post. Okay, that video could be considered inconclusive. Georgia wins, because that's what they do best... BEAT GT!!

Soapboxin' Bulldog

You may have read the title of this post and started thinking, "Oh Lord, Rob's gonna lose his mind on this one." Not a bad guess. But, to quote Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friend."

4-5 is what it is... a record. And an ugly one at that. But, what I've recently learned, is that sometimes the intangibles in life matter more than statistics. Have I lost you yet? Well, the lunatic fringe (which I used to resemble) has already checked out, or will call me crazy later...like it matters.

Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs don't quit. So, why should we? The 2010 season has been filled with adversity and unkind endings. What matters most, is how we handle it. Week after week, the Dawgs have left their heart on the field. So, this is gut check time for us... the fans. And, regardless of what has transpired, there is no reason to fold our tents. It's time to rally around this team with unrivaled loyalty and support.

With Mark Richt at the helm, better days truly lie ahead. What happened Saturday is history. All things considered, I am still proud to wear a Georgia logo on my cap. It's time for the Bulldog Nation to hunker down and stand firmly behind the Red and Black! Let's show them the strength of our heart. Go Dawgs!!

Click on the title of this post, ya'll.

Dawgs at South Carolina

Georgia fans, forget about AJ Green for a minute. The best WR in America ain't playin' this Saturday. On the low country side, neither is All American caliber TE Weslye Saunders. As far as an advantage goes, this kinda looks like a "push" in betting terms... not that I condone that. Now, let's look deeper into the situation.

South Carolina's offense looks to be explosive, even without their star TE. The Gamecocks have inserted some tremendously talented freshmen into their arsenal. Running back Marcus Lattimore could be the most impressive tailback this school has featured, since the legendary George Rogers laced up his cleats. And then, you've got to factor Ace "no relation to James" Sanders into the equation. The 5'7 phenom from Bradenton Florida showcases Escambia County-esque speed. (He ain't from there, but that's not the point).

The point is, how can Georgia contain the Gamecocks offense? QB Stephen Garcia may have finally matured into a solid decision maker and passer. Plus, he's got the 6'5 Tori Gurley and 6'4 Alshon Jeffrey to throw to. This tandem accounted for 1,203 yards receiving and 8 tds in 2009. We've just begun to venture into the season of 2010. But, South Carolina ain't missin' Weslye Saunders yet. They've replaced him with some incredible playmakers. Todd Grantham, God bless you. I wouldn't want your job right now.

So, what does Georgia's offense bring to the table in Green's absence? They've got some big time talent of their own, in TE Orson Charles (313 yds,3 tds in 09), RB WaShaun Ealey (717 yds,3 tds last season), and potential deep threats in WRs Tavarres King and Rantavious Wooten. But, the last two must prove themselves to be consistent weapons at their position. What does that mean? They've gotta show better focus and have fewer dropped passes in 2010.

Getting defensive, South Carolina has one of the most brilliant minds in America as their DC. And, Ellis Johnson will have some blitz packages very capable of rattling a barely seasoned QB. Guess what? That's what Georgia brings to the low country. Good luck Aaron Murray.

If Georgia is gonna leave Williams-Brice Stadium with a victory, the Dawgs must be nasty.

To view one of the greatest plays in Georgia vs South Carolina history, click on the title of this post.

New Look Dawgs

I was looking at an SEC Preview Magazine published by Sports Illustrated, when I noticed something subtle. My copy is a regional cover that features WaShaun Ealey. He's wearing the number 24. He'll wear #3 next season. But, that's not the issue. The issue is less than newsworthy. But, being a Bulldogs fan, it interests me. So, here it is...

Ealey ain't wearin' silver britches with his traditional Red jersey. His pants are white with the same design. When it comes to uniforms, fans either love changes or hate 'em. So, I pose this question to the Georgia faithful. Do you care about uniform variations or just wins and losses?

Either way, you can expect to see the Dawgs shelve their silver britches for a home game or two. They'll be wearing the white britches SI features on their magazine. But, that won't matter one bit, if Georgia doesn't win.

Click on the title of this post for a reminder.

RB Busted

Georgia's leading rusher allegedly had some issues with the law this morning. I've read some opinions and heard the "news" on local sports radio. I even saw the "headline" on the ESPN ticker.

But, I still don't have all the facts regarding the situation. So, I'll refrain from making any more comments about a certain UGA tailback being arrested.

Ya'll can get more details (via Tim Tucker of the AJC) by clicking on the title of this post.

Go Dawgs!

Ay Dios Mio

Don't worry. Ya'll ain't on the wrong site. Truth be told, I couldn't find an appropriate phrase in the english language for the title of this post. So, I found some espanol on the Internet. Ay Dios dang Mio... Or something like that. I think it means, "Oh my God."

Now, let's get to the point. The Atlanta Braves just got swept in Colorado. The Braves led 10-1 today, before the Rockies got up off the deck and punched Atlanta in the face. Just like Frazier, the Braves had no defense for the blows thrown against them. This was an outcome unfitting a champion. Truly, it wasn't right. At one point, I thought my mind was playin' tricks on me. Ay Dios dang Mios. The Braves got KO'd today.

Don't get me wrong. The Braves have a chance to rebound from this defeat. Not against Foreman/Colorado. That match is done and over with. But, the former division champs must get their swagger back! Atlanta will try to catch something decent, when they host the Marlins on Friday night at Turner Field.

Until then, click on the title of this post. Foreman vs Frazier. That's all you need to know.