Feeling Left Behind?

About that apocalypse thang...I'm still here. Doomsday drama set aside, do any of ya'll care if the Atlanta Thrashers relocate?

Last season, some really good friends of mine scored some unbelievable tickets to see the New York Rangers take on the currently local hockey club. In one of the coolest gestures of all time, they decided to take yours truly.

It was a nasty night in Atlanta, as heavy rains began to pour. Walking from the parking lot to Philips Arena, we got SOAKED. I dried out my raggedy azz Hawks cap underneath one of those hand drying machines in the water closet. But, I still felt like a half frozen tinsel of ice inside the building.

It was cold, but I had one of the greatest times of my life at a sporting event. The folks at Philips Arena were absolutely world class and continue to create an electrifying atmosphere, even when the home team ain't lookin' so good. To say that I became a fan of the sport would be a bold faced lie. So, I ain't typin' that. But, Philips Arena is a great place to be, even if you're there to watch hockey.

With rumors of a relocation to Winnipeg starting to spill out across local sports radio stations and newspapers, I've started to wonder this...
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Hawks lead Magic 3 Games to 1

After watching this game, I've got no fingernails left. Barely had any after game three. But, that's ok. The Atlanta Hawks just took a commanding 3 games to 1 lead over the Orlando Magic in their best of seven series.

After going silent throughout the second and third quarters (2 pts during that stretch), Joe Johnson awoke with 10 desperately needed fourth quarter scores. Jamal Crawford and Kirk Hinrich seemed to carry Atlanta's offense, until Johnson made his presence known. With Orlando unwilling to accept defeat, Double J rose to the challenge and delivered it to their front door.

Dwight Howard actually looked like himself in the second half of this contest and was simply un-guardable, with Jason Collins benched because of foul trouble. But, his Magic squad lost another close one.

Could it be written, that the dynamic duo of Nelson and Superman just digested a little bit of cryptonite? I dare to say yes. This series ain't over. But, when Atlanta wins again...it will be.

Game 5 will be played at 7:30 Tuesday night in the Sunshine State.

Hawks vs Magic Game 4

Live from Philips Arena...would be an awesome way to start this post. But, truth be told, I ain't there. Oh well, who cares about that? Here's the breakdown on tonight's first half action...

Dwight Howard has been in foul trouble from the start and it reflects in his stats column. The Magic center has an uncharacteristically low 5 points, so far.
A silly foul with 1.1 seconds left in the 2nd quarter, brought his tally to 3 at halftime.

For Atlanta, Joe Johnson started well, but an early trip to the bench cooled him off, after #2 was whistled for his second foul. Jamal Crawford and Kirk Hinrich have played well for the Hawks. However, Atlanta became turnover prone and squandered several possessions, that could have been used to stake a commanding lead in tonight's game.

The third quarter is about to start, as Atlanta leads 46-37. Hawks need to play a little smarter and lock Orlando down, with some tenacity on defense.

Update: Hawks 50 Magic 37 with 10:01 in 3rd. Stan Van calls timeout.
Look for more updates in comments section of this post.

Braves vs Champs

Looking to sweep last season's World Series Champs, the Atlanta Braves are up to bat in the 8th inning. A leadoff HR by former Fish 2B, Dan Uggla, tied the score at 6. Here's the rest of the skinny...

Rookie Brave, Brandon Beachy, allowed 2 runs on 3 hits through six innings. The young fella also fanned seven Frisco batsmen. With the score 2-2, Jason Heyward connected on 3 run homer, and Atlanta took a short lived 5-2 lead in the 7th.

Then came the bottom of the inning and Jairo Asencio took the mound for Atlanta. And, that was not a good thing for the Braves. It was downright ugly, as the baseball Giants scored 4 times on 4 hits and a walk with the bases loaded.

Update: Cody Ross batting for Frisco in bottom of 9th. Score remains tied at 6.

I'll post more updates in the comments section, unless I'm too busy watching the Hawks vs Dwight Howards. Game 4 tips off without Zaza Pachulia and Jason Richardson, soon. Good guys lead the series 2 games to one.

Hawks 1, Magic None

Dwight Howard posted 46 game 1 points in a best of 7 playoff series versus the Atlanta Hawks. And, Magic guard, Jameer Nelson, unleashed 27 scores of his own. But, all other Orlando basketballers combined to put just 20 more on the board.

For Atlanta, guards Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford accounted for 48 points. Meanwhile, the trio of Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Kirk Hinrich added 44 more Hawks scores. Leading by as much as 17 points in the third quarter, Atlanta was able to fend off all Magic rallies, and claimed a 103-93 victory.

In the end, a valiant effort by central Florida's dynamic duo just wasn't enough. Atlanta leads the series 1 game to none. Game 2 ain't until Tuesday.

Fish Take Series

Tonight's Turner Field crowd witnessed another game and another poor performance by a Braves starter. Rookie, Brandon Beachy, gave up 3 first inning runs to the Florida Marlins. But, the Atlanta bats provided 4 on the flip side. However, that scrawny azz lead didn't last long. With 2 out in the second inning, an RBI single by Hanley Ramirez tied the score at 4.

In the 3rd inning, Florida's Gaby Sanchez gave the Fish a one run lead, by drilling a solo HR, much to the dismay of every Tomahawk fan in attendance. Reformed Marlin, Dan Uggla, retied the contest at 5, with a round tripper of his own in the bottom of the fourth. And little changed, until the sorry azz seventh inning.

Florida's John Buck RBI singled in Gaby Sanchez and the Fish took the lead 6-5. Unfortunately, this capped tonight's scoring in Atlanta.

After a 5-0 victory in game 1, the Braves just lost an early series against their foes from Gator Country. Although this currently sucks, it's a long season with many games left on the calendar.

Fiesty Fish

After just one half an inning in Atlanta, Florida has already plated 3 runs. Not a good start for Braves rookie pitcher, Brandon Beachy. Leading 1-0, Marlin Mike Stanton drove in 2 additional fish with an RBI double down the left field line.

This one started to feel like the Braves were in trouble, before the popcorn man could advertise his presence at the Ted. (Cold beer, anybody?)

But, Martin Prado and Nate McLouth decided to bring their bats, tonight. The first and second batters in the Braves first inning produced back to back singles. With runners on first and third, Chipper Jones didn't wait long, to drive in his 1,501 RBI. Facing a 3-2 count, Larry sent an RBI single through the right side of the infield.

Brian McCann followed with a 3 run blast over the right field fence. After a discouraging start, Atlanta leads 4-3 after one inning of play.

Go Braves!

Look for updates in the comments section.

Chipper Jones 1,500 RBI

Trailing 5-0, Atlanta was staring at a pretty dismal night on the Turner Field turf. Aided by the poor performance of Braves starter, Tim Hudson, the Marlins took early command of tonight's game.

But, Chipper Jones provided the home town crowd with a history making moment. With 1 out in the bottom of the ninth, Jones drove a solo HR over the centerfield fence and became the 51st MLB player to record 1,500 RBIs. He is just the 3rd switch hitter in baseball history to accomplish such a feat.

Although Atlanta lost 5-1, this is a great day in Braves history.

Fish battering Braves

On this night in Turner Field, Atlanta's Tim Hudson pitched a Terrible game. The former Auburn Tiger surrendered 7 hits and 5 earned runs. Quite frankly, Hudson was at his worst during the first through third innings. After that, he began to settle down. But, the Sunshine staters had already taken command of the contest.

Making matters worse, the Braves seem to be swinging aluminum foiled bats.

Braves manager, Fredi Gonzalez, is currently wearing that crazy eyed, "What just happened?" expression on his face. But I can't blame him. I am too.

After 7 frustrating innings in Atlanta, Florida's Josh Johnson has yet to yield a hit. This one looks gloomy, but there are still 2 innings left.
Go Braves!

UPDATE: ATLANTA HAS A HIT!! Rookie Freeman with a 1 out double in bottom of 8th and Josh Johnson is done for the evening.

Braves and Fish - Game 2

Florida's Josh Johnson has been spotted an early 1 run lead in tonight's game between the dudes from Gator Country and the Red, White, and Blue clad Braves.

Starting pitcher, Tim Hudson, avoided a potential big fish inning in the first, when Marlin Mike Stanton grounded into a double play to retire the side.

As I type, Prado and McLouth have grounded out. With 1,499 RBIs in his MLB career, Chipper Jones stands inside the batter's box... and takes a base on balls. McCann now batting... Mac goes down on strikes.

Look for some updates in the comments section and feel free to provide your thoughts on tonight's action. Go Braves!