Open Thread and 3,000 Ks
by gondeee on Apr 22, 2008 8:21 AM EDT
in Open Threads
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PrintWashington Nationals at Atlanta Braves, Apr 22, 2008 7:10 PM EDT
Today could be the day that John Smoltz secures another feather in his Hall of Fame cap. For whatever reason people fall in love with numbers divisible by 100, but whatever, I'm jumping on the excitement bandwagon.
As for the Braves, they're going for their sixth win in a row -- it really is a good feeling to be on a winning streak and playing better than .500 baseball.
As a fourth category in the NAHWAL today, pick the Nationals batter who will be John Smoltz's 3,000th strikeout victim. Extra points awarded for player plus the inning it happens in (you gotta get the player first). I'm thinking two points for picking the correct player plus a bonus point for the inning it happens in.
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Reminder:
As a fourth category in the NAHWAL today, pick the Nationals batter who will be John Smoltz’s 3,000th strikeout victim. Extra points awarded for player plus the inning it happens in (you gotta get the player first). I’m thinking two points for picking the correct player plus a bonus point for the inning it happens in.
Pick Six!
1. 40,111
2. Smoltz (really, can there be any other?)
3. Smoltz goes Above and Beyond the milestone by striking out double digits
4. Austin Kearns in the second inning
picks
1. 30,000
2. Smoltz
3. Escobar reaches base at least 3 times
4. Estrada in the fourth
picks.
1. 35,253
2. Smoltz
3. Frenchy homers.
4. Ryan Zimmerman in the third inning.
Catcher's Blog - Braves blog by a huge Braves fan.
1. 33,658
2. John Smoltz.
3. Francoeur goes yard
4. Ryan Zimmerman on a slider in the 4th
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Back from the game...
...saw Resop give up the hit to Zimmerman, got up and left disgusted.
I totally called Ryan Zimmerman on a slider in the 4th. Too bad it was 3,001.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
picks
1. 32,495
2. Smoltz
3. Smoltz gets his 4th K facing his final batter of the night
4. Zimmerman in the 6th
NAHWAL
1. 35,872
2. Smoltz
3. 2 of the runs scored by the Braves will be “unearned”
4. Lastings Milledge – 3rd inning
picks
1. 27,549
2. Yesco
3. 4 Braves homeruns in the game
4 Willy Mo in the 2nd
Pickage
1. 36,283
2. Smoltz
3. Smoltz gets a hit, too.
4. Lannan in the 3rd
Section 435 - A Braves blog. From the upper deck at Turner Field.
by 6stringbeliever on Apr 22, 2008 10:17 AM EDT reply actions
Pickage
1. 38,383
2. Smoltz
3. Yunel drives in 3
4. Willy Mo Pena in the 2nd (3 straight filthy sliders)
picks
1. 29,786
2. Chipper
3. Braves go on another hit parade, 1-8 spots each pick up a hit
4. Milledge in the 5th
Picks
1. 38,450
2. Smoltz
3. Yunel reaches base 3 times
4. Milledge in the 4th
Picks
1. 31,123
2. Smoltz
3. McCann homers for the second straight game
4. Felipe Lopez in the 3rd inning
-sdp-
Picks
1-41,512
2- Smoltzie
3-Diaz picks up 3 hits, all singles.
4- Smoltz K’s Lannan for number 3000 in the 3rd on the heater
Know what would be sad/funny?
If the 3,000 strikeout was a passed ball, and the runner got on first.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
picks
1. 24,202
2. Smoltz
3. Francoeur and Teixeira each homer
4. Milledge in the 4th
Picks
1. 29, 598
2. Smoltz
3. Chipper triple shy of the cycle
4. Milledge in the 5th
Picks
1. 25,654
2. Escobar
3. Chipper walks 3 times
4. Wily Mo in the 2nd
by ghost of tom thobe on Apr 22, 2008 12:52 PM EDT reply actions
Picks
1) 50096 (sell out)
2) Smoltz
3) QS for Smoltz on the day of his greatest achievement! Oh, and 6+ Ks and less than 3 walks.
Picks
1. 34,102
2. Smoltz
3. Smoltz pitches into the 7th inning for the first time all year.
4. Lannan (or barring an injury, the starter) in the 3rd.
3,000 K Day Picks...
1. 34,356
2. Tex
3. Bullpen gives up 0 Runs in 2.1 IP
4. Ryan Zimmerman, 3rd Inning
Choppy's Picks
1.) 40,000… honestly, though, if this game isn’t sold-out, I’m gonna be mightily disappointed in ya, A-town.
2.) Chipper
3.) Smoltz fans 8. His bust in Cooperstown will feature a fuzzy blue hat.
4.) Lannan. In the 3rd. Looking.
When was the last time...
...the Ted was actually sold out?
I was at the game against St. Louis last year where the supposed season attendance high was broken, but it was still visibly not sold-out. I know I’ll be there, but sorry Chopaholic, it’s a school night, and it’s A-town – wouldn’t ever bet on a sold-out game.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
I’ve been to sold out games.
Of course, I’ve also been to playoff games that weren’t sold out.
This is why all the new stadiums being built seat ~40K.
Section 435 - A Braves blog. From the upper deck at Turner Field.
by 6stringbeliever on Apr 22, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
picks
1. 40,000
2. Smoltz
3. Chipper homers
4. Lannan in the 3rd
Bustins
1st time picks
1. 28,000
2. Escobar
3. Smoltz K’s 10
4. Pena in the 2nd
Picks
1. 32,350
2. Smoltz
3. Nats hit Atlanta batters 2+ times
4. Lannan in the third
Picks for 29
1. 29,292
2. Chipper (I know I’ve missed a few but I’m back now)
3. Smoltz gets a hit
4. Lannan in the 3rd--I tried to pick another National but everyone else near the bottom of the order seemed like they should be benched when I looked at their numbers. I guess Estrada has to play since they don’t have anyone else, I really wanted to pick Willy Mo but, actually nevermind, I’m not taking the easy way out.—scratch that Lannan nonesense, Willy Mo in the second, if he plays.
P.S. I’m going to the game, too. WOOHOO
so wtf did you pick as #4? you need to be clear, remember gondeee is often drunk and pissed off when he tallies the scores.
Willy Mo
and he didn’t play.
Also I was really pulling for Smoltz to get that infield hit, alas
by Euruproktos on Apr 23, 2008 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm just here for the fun NAHWAL...and wry humor
1. 32929
2. Beard…Superman…any way you put it, it’s going to be Smoltz’s night
3. A Brave steals a base, Heap hits another homer, and Smoltz lets loose with a smile (in honor of grandma) after the 3000th strikeout
4. Lannan in the third
Picks
1) 39,333
2) Smoltz
3) Smoltz Ks 7 (3003 total) I like numbers that are divisible by 3!
4) Lannan in the 5th
Picks
1. 26,410
2. Smoltz
3. Both Chipper and Tex have at least 2 hits
4. Milledge in the 4th
Picks
1. 37,292
2. Smoltz
3. Frenchy homers and Smoltz gets QS
4. Lannan in the 3rd
Picks
1. 21,474
2. Gregor Blanco
3. Smoltz does not get K #3,000
4. N/A
by call_me_chipper on Apr 22, 2008 5:10 PM EDT reply actions
Update.
Ronny Cedeno just hit a Jorge Sosa pitch into the LF seats for a grand slam in the bottom of the 8th.
Cubs 8 – Mets 1
I saw it on TV...
and I often go onto the Amazing Avenue Discussion Board to see what all those guys are saying over there. They were heated!! And I laughed my ass off.
That's exactly...
...what I was doing at work. They were killing me.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Can you blame the man?
I mean, Marissa Miller, c’mon!
picks
1. 35,646
2. Smoltz
3. Escobar 3-4
4. Lannan – 3rd
What do you expect
From the losingest franchise in the history of sports? Not the National League, not the Major league, not all of baseball. Of all time, all sports.
I think my new favorite scenario is...
That Smoltz gets all four in this inning. That’d be crazy.
Wouldn't it be funny.
If Smoltz finally decides to keep the pitch count down tonight and only strikes out 3 or fewer batters.
everybody
at the game or what?
nobody’s here. I was hoping to go for 3,000 comments tonight…ya know, in honor of…
Well...
I still live in Seattle so no game for me, but I can only talk to myself for so long. 3,000 posts is far beyond my limit.
Also Smoltz needs
to get K 3000 before 8 EST cuz I have a soccer game to go to.
ah balls.
Theres a run. screw the K’s John, win the game.
Can't imagine an ump will hear
more booing on every close pitch than the guy behind the plate tonight. You know until strikeout 3K.
Who walks Frenchy on 4 straight?
I mean really!
Had to do a double take to make sure that was really Frenchy.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah maybe
just the whiff of a platoon was all he needed.
Lets just do this now John
no need to go to the 4th. Get the 2 K’s and then settle into a groove for a nice 7 inning game.
Thank god for pitchers.
I wonder how many of his 3K have been pitchers? same with the others.
It's got to be weird to be
Lopez right here, I mean everyone wants you to K.
So, I hear that Smoltz
is a pretty good pitcher.
Bwah bwah.
Yeah, well right now I’d still take Smoltz. For today, not for the future.
Hmm…I was going to say that same thing
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Braves fans of the world...
unite and watch the game from afar.
I don't know...
...if I’m going to be able to afford numerous trips to Cooperstown in the near future. Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Chipper.
PS…we need some runs.
I came at them with my “stats” but they wouldn’t budge.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey!
I saw that! :-)
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
well I've got money riding on you guys tonight
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
well I need you guys to win
you’re a part of a 3 game parlay and I thought to myself, where should I go to root for the braves and I had this brilliant idea to come here.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I've got a 20 cent bet
that the DBacks, Padres and Braves will win. I lose if any of them go wrong.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
big money then
oh I lied turns out you can add the M’s to those teams to make it a 4 gamer
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions
thats what I do
I’m pushing $3
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I've never understood...
...gambling like you’re talking about.
Never really sat down to learn it, though.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
actually I can do you one better
I’ll invite you and then I get 5% of what you make
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions
or you can just click on the link
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions
That is what that link is for.
And who is he going to sign up under, an anti-smoltz d-backs fan or a bravos fan?
the former makes sense to me
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
just like
you think Smoltz is only a “good” pitcher…your logic does not work here. :)
Although, you were smart enough to bet on the braves tonight.
hey hey hey
you guys are not getting me. I’m from podunk Indiana we’re simple folk. I’m not for big adjectives like excellent and amazing but if that is what will make you happy…. he’s an excellent pitcher.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm from...
...30 mins outside of DC?
/confused
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I was just in DC last week
I love that city
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
point taken
where at?
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder how skinny we
can get this comment box
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions
i'll send the message along
if his agent ever stops by again
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
psh yeah
over my dead body. Him and his agent are close enough I’d go looking for them.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions
it's fun no risk betting
and if you’re really good you might make some money
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know....
.....what I’m more excited about, Smoltz’ 3000K or my PICKING IT!!
(I never get to gloat, so bear with me….)
Plus...
Eric Barrett’s got a 3 hit shutout through 3 with 4K’s going for Rome, and Reynoso is doing about the same for MB. Great Night!
now would you put a damn run
on the board.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions
I sure hope so
Padilla gave up 14 bases on a series of 5 hits
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Still...
...need to work on CC for a couple of my leagues
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Single never should have happened…he was K’ed.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
What the hell?
come on boys!
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions
Outta the jam
nice!
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:21 PM EDT reply actions
I was a Braves fan
when I was about 6. (I hated the Yankees and you two always seemed to be playing each other)
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
D-backs
I actually couldn’t stand them until about 2 years ago and we played a really good series out there. I actually think D-backs won the series 2 games to 1, but they were all good games. That was the days of Luis Gonzalez, Counsell, Green, those guys.
Now, I’m kind of a D-backs supporter, or at least I don’t pull against them.
or Brandon Webb
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm a bit of an antagonist
I’ll have your blood boiling by the end of the night I’m sure
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
it's good to see him hitting
always been a favorite of mine unlike that other Jones character.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Andruw
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I know you all do
I’ve been lurking about on other teams cites for awhile. I checked in here when Andruw signed somewhere else.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I love going over to the Mets page when they lose…like I did today.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions
any game that involves a NY or BOS team losing
is a good game in my eyes. Tack on CHI and LA
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
My roomate’s are O’s and Red Sox fans. When the BOS fan starts gloating, I just go make fun of the BAL fan.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
way out of line…got a good mind to go to the warden about this…
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Smoltz
Just to fuel the fire…Smoltz is tied for the most K’s in the National league. That includes the NL West.
ah B-Dub is a grounder type guy
he’ll get his share of K’s but won’t lead the league, or at least isn’t expected to. Now Haren on the other hand….
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he was being sarcastic
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions
If I were to guess I'd say
2 of every 3 voted for Webb as well. I know I did.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
truth is
For me, it is so hard to actually find people who are knowledgeable/care about baseball that I am usually able to overlook rival fans. I don’t know if it is just because I don’t live in baseball towns or what.
I meet a lot of casual fans, though. The kind that just know some of the guys on the team, watches maybe 20-30 games a year, and doesn’t really follow too closely.
well Alabama isn't really known
as a baseball hotspot. But I live just outside of NYC and struggle to find anyone who isn’t a complete idiot when it comes to the sport. That’s why I need you guys.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Neither is KY.
So do you mean idiot because they didn’t know what they were talking about, or because they only know about the Yanks/Mets?
isn't that the same thing?
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Almost got into a fist fight the other day with another “friend” of mine who is a Red Sox fan. He’s exactly the kind of guy you’re talking about.
He said JD Drew had an OBP above .400 last year…I told him he did not, and bet him a beer. Turns out I was right, but instead of being a man and admitting he was wrong he started yelling at me b/c I’m not a “true fan” since I wasn’t born in GA like he was in MA.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
unfair
Atlanta was “America’s Team” thanks to TBS. Braves are exempt from state-born/resident being a fan-requirement.
Why
are the Dallas Cowboys America’s team? Because they are the Cowboys and Americans are supposed to be cowboys? I mean I know the “reason” but it doesn’t make sense.
From wikipedia:
Bob Ryan, the Vice President and editor-in-chief of NFL Films, coined this for the Cowboys in 1979. After preparing and editing the team’s 1978 season highlight film he had to come up with a title for the film as a life long fan Bob decided this would be a great fit..[4] He was quoted as saying:
"I wanted to come up with a different twist on their team highlight film. I noticed then, and had noticed earlier, that wherever the Cowboys played, you saw people in the stands with Cowboys jerseys and hats and pennants. Plus, they were always the national game on television."I call BS. Braves are America’s team.
oh god
yeah Boston fans in particular tend to be very self-righteous. Which doesn’t make a lot of sense with the whole tons of losing in the last century thing
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
when are the Braves gonna win?
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions
I’m beating on a late-inning 1-run victory. It’d only be fair.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Good news
this is Smoltz’s longest outing of the year. (I do my homework occasionally)
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:52 PM EDT reply actions
Grats...
...my 5+ walks by the Bravos is not happening. Lannan is too good…almost Webb-like.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions
but not quite
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Damnit...
...the Nats announcers are doing some sob-story about Cordero.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
McCann’s beard is more impressive than Blaine’s.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice pitch.
If the ump from 1B last night is behind the dish tonight…he really does suck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions
oh good Ray King
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions
He’s fucking awful…we need to cross the plate this inning.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Been antsy...
....since the 6th inning. Don’t want to lose this one.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
well I'm out the DBacks are starting soon
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 9:32 PM EDT reply actions
Later man...
...I’ll be flipping over to you guys.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Old Netflix...
...is calling my name. Never got around to getting My Left Foot…it just finished having a “short wait” status.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions
well it is a good film.
I watched American Psycho for the first time the other day. I liked it. It was pretty funny, but also kept me on the edge of my seat. Very different than My Left Foot.
Also watched All that Jazz. Good film too.
American Psycho is on the edge of my “Top Ten” list. Amazing movie.
Bale is one of the best actors around. Dark Knight looks fantastic. Ledger looks psychotic.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
FUKME
This is absurd. What the fuk!!!!!! Damn you fucking bullpen. Fucking worthless pieces of shit.
Like I've said...
...many times. As great as our offense looks on paper, it seems to disappear completely at times.
well
on the bright side, its not another one run loss! unless we score 5, in which case, something is getting launched across the room.
resop needs to disappear, quickly. WE WANT JOJO!
In all fairness...
...I blame Campillo completely. Resop just added his own debacle.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions
He's the first...
...of the 2008 Braves that I want gone.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 22, 2008 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions
campillo
only one of the runs in the 9th was earned, because of THAT FUCKING ERROR. resop allowed what, 3 inherited runners to score? thats a disgrace.
thank GOD gonzalez threw a simulated game today. once he comes back, and tommy comes off the DL, we can say goodbye to resop and buddy carlyle, who’s apparently not effective at all pitching outta the pen. i GUESS james would be the guy to go when/if hampton comes back, but i don’t think that would be a good idea…he pitched real well his last start. NO CLUE what the move is gonna be when soriano comes off. i’m still convinced once of the catchers needs to go.
Naw
We just got too many seats to fill. Fenway Park, and it’s 36K? Peanuts. We get that and more if whenever the Mets are in town.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
"America's pastime"
Sure, there are too many seats to fill. Granted Boston is bigger city. Granted Boston has more insane fans. However, Atlanta arguably has had some of the best baseball from the last 30 years. We had Hank Aaron and the Launching Pad, then we had some good things in the late 70s/early 80s until we took some time off in the late 80s (eek, losing over 100 games in one season), then obviously the 90s and all the playoff appearances and WS in ‘95 and great baseball with so many great players. So, you would think that we would be filling in 36K+ a game instead of Boston, who couldn’t buy a title for 100 years. So that is what I mean, no reason not the have more people. Don’t you think the owners will factor this sort of thing into their decisions about the club?
It is easy for me to get on a soapbox, since I don’t live in Atlanta and cannot get to games very easily, but this is the first year I’ve lived within 400 miles and I’ve already got plans to see a couple games over the summer. I am also preaching to the choir of many non-Atlanta residents who’d love to be at the games but can’t.
I guess my only point is this: Where I come from, people camp out for a whole month to get FREE tickets to Kentucky basketball’s midnight madness (a freaking practice), 75,000+ were there for the Ohio State spring scrimmage in the rain this year, 91,000 people came out to watch the University of Alabama scrimmage last year. Where is that kind of passion for baseball in Atlanta? If Fenway held 50,000, I guarantee it would be close to sold out to see one of their golden boys going for his 3000th K.
I will say this though, I don’t think it is only Atlanta that has a problem filling seats, it is just we are probably the best team that has trouble. Partially its because there are so many games. But baseball has really just fallen from grace lately, and I don’t know that it is doing much to improve its image, widen its fan base, and get kids to want to play the game. It especially does a poor job with reaching out to the African American community, and getting more AA players, as has been noted many times.
Sorry for the rant. Just thought I’d say it.
comparing pro sports to college sports with regards to attendance is tough though… many college sporting events are not held in huge cities with the requisite parking, traffic, price disadvantages that professional sports events carry
for example, here in athens, uga has the most profitable athletic dept. in the nation and has absolutely berserk fans willing to pay thousands in donations to get their hands on uga football seasons ticket (not to mention the tens of thousands that show up for sec spring football games).... by contrast, ga tech (obviously located in downtown atl) has struggled to fill its stadium and has had to resort to cheap gimmicks to try and sell out its stadium
granted, there is a much larger alumni base at uga than ga tech, and the uga program is tremendously more successful currently than tech, but the logistics of a venue play a huge role in what the attendance figures will be
the ted, with its terrible location, the factors of school nights, 7:10 start times, and some of the worst traffic in the entire country (along with no option for marta to the ted), it isn’t easy for lot of people to make it out there on weekdays… and If i’m not mistaken we’ve been pulling in around 40,000 thus far for weekend games
so, basically, yeah atlanta fans are pretty shitty, but there are more reasons for it then just being terribly fairweather, cheap, unloyal, etc….
by get swoll yunel on Apr 23, 2008 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions
My response...
Shut down all of SB last night, apparently. And it didn’t make it up.
So I am re-posting it.
I was still pretty pissed from the game, so I ranted a bit more than I should have.
I still think baseball as a whole needs a shot in the arm. I also think City of Atlanta and the Braves organization need to do more to fix the logistics to get more people to the games (like getting and train stop at the Ted). I’ve driven through, and been to Atlanta several times and know traffic is a bitch, but isn’t it especially bad right now because of some construction stuff going on?
Speaking of going to games, I’m probably going to head over for one of the games in the Padres series, hopefully Maddux will be pitching. If anybody is up for getting a beer before or after the game, holla!
This should really be moved to a different topic
Atlanta suffers from: Fair-weather fans, horrific traffic, no public transportation (MARTA train-to-bus-for-additional-fare doesn’t count), and more seats they know what to do with. I’ve always said that Atlanta is the small city that tries to act like a big city, and let’s face it, it’s not far from the truth.
Compound all these problems with the arrival of the Gwinnett Braves next season, and the Ted’s attendance I theorize will take a noticeable hit; why should North Atlantans slug through downtown traffic to get to the Ted when they can settle for the cheaper alternative close to where they are? Even more so, if they’ve got kids and families and just want a relaxing evening watching baseball, regardless of the level.
Yesterday’s attendance for a milestone event was kind of pathetic, tell you the truth. But contrary to what I’ve seen some others write here, I’ve never seen the Ted sold out. Granted, there is always a debate on what defines “sold out,” but on the night where I witnessed a so-called “new attendance record,” there were still plenty of open seats scattered throughout the park. People wander, people go to the Chophouse, sure, but not that many, I’d imagine…
I digress a little bit – I live in Atlanta, and I attend on average 35+ home games a year, plus wherever new parks I travel to see, and occasionally to D.C. to antagonize Nationals fans when the Braves go up there. If the Ted were a quarter of rabid as places like Fenway Park or Wrigley Field, ticket prices would skyrocket, venue parking would be out of the question ($115 for valet parking next to the Green Monster), and I wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the simplicity of being able to get to the great game on a regular basis.
I pointed out what Atlanta suffers from, but on the flipside, Atlanta most definitely has the luxury of: Low ticket costs/Big bang for buck value, plenty of reasonable affordable parking options, and truly not a bad seat in the house.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
well that was weak
yes, our bullpen sucks, and this team cannot manufacture a run FOR SHIT. are you kidding me we couldn’t put up a single run with the game 1-0? not good folks.
and yes, our fans fucking suck too. wouldn’t be surprised if the hawks playoff games don’t sell out. i really don’t understand the sports fans in this city.
by get swoll yunel on Apr 22, 2008 10:08 PM EDT reply actions
did you know we’ve allowed the second fewest runs in the NL? seriously. its not THE WHOLE BULLPEN thats the problem, its one bad outing apiece for each guy, and then the human horrorshow that is chris resop.
the bullpen is pretty rough though
there isn’t a single guy out there right now that i have total faith in… moylan used to be that guy
acosta and bloyer can be effective but are undeniably shaky and prone to command issues… poser has his 97 pmh fastball but can’t locate it for shit, and his curveball is a joke, thus making him worthless in my opinion…. campillo had been great until today and would’ve gotten out of the inning had he been able to field that comebacker… i still have faith in him as a long man middle relief guy though cause i like his repertoire and the way he changes speeds…. ohman and ring seem to be decent LOOGYs (and nothing more) but are also undeniably shaky with command…. and buddy carlyle is a bum
IF (and this is a huge if) both soriano and gonzo make it back 100%, we should be fine. i personally would like to see gonzo move into the closer’s role when he feels like he is completely back, but we all know bobby’s tendencies to stick with one guy in a role until he completely fucks it over so we’ll see how that works out (with soriano coming back off the DL)
that leaves us with a bullpen of bennett, campillo, ring, ohman, acosta, boyer, soriano, and gonzo if everybody (including hampton) comes back healthy and we DFA poser…. i have to imagine we option acosta back because he still has options, leaving us with a pretty solid pen eventually if we can FOR THE LOVE OF GOD stay healthy
by get swoll yunel on Apr 22, 2008 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
WTF
We get blanked by Lannen, on Smoltz’ 3000K night? God Damn.
to his credit
Lannen pitched a solid game and was absolutely DOMINATING the lefties he was facing…. kots, kj, and heap looked helpless against the guy
that said, this team still needs to figure out how to manufacture runs in close games… steal bases, hit and run, bunt, whatever the fuck kind of “small ball, national league style” of play they need to figure out quick, because these kind of games against a shitty team like the nats we need to pull out
by get swoll yunel on Apr 22, 2008 11:34 PM EDT reply actions
Smoltz should be pissed
I know I am. With a line like that, and a “historic” night, the offense simply stays home. Sucks. How many look-what-I-founds did Nick Johnson end up with? Sheesh…
Johnson didn't catch most of his lineouts
...They caught him. Escobar hit one that Johnson put his arm in his face to avoid the collision, and it just happened to snare right in the webbing.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Results... finally
Attendance for the game was 23,482. With a guess of 24,202, KC
Braves gets the point
The only one who did anything resembling good baseball in this game
was the Bearded on. One point each to:
VegasAces
brndn
mccannfan
Smoltz’s Beard
royhobbs
traphicg
morri029
pett-man
RonGantFan
6stringbeliever
OntheGo
10-4
rearnold
sdp
jug
chance13ga
gopherbroke
KC Braves
jack_d
torchy
Perrinbar
hippybustins
mycr0ft
Lizziebeth
Murphy03
bigjoe
WienerDog
Stook
755aaron
jess7
hbkbraves
AAB points to:
VegasAces
torchy
Perrinbar
clemsonfan
It was Felipe Lopez in the 3rd, so three points to:
sdp
secondbass
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