The Atlanta Braves

Am I the only person who wonders WTH has happened to the Braves?! I'm clueless! This year is HUGE. We've got our pitching problem worked out. In fact, we've got starters galore! Our bullpen is deep. If Mike Gonzalez come back healthy, we're going to kill everyone else out there! Our starting lineup should look something like this... Hudson, Smoltz, Jair Jurrjens Hampton, and Glavine.


Our 'pen looks really good as well. We've got Acosta, Bennet, Boyer, Moylan, Ohman, Resop, Ring, and an awesome closer in Rafael Soriano.


Our infield looks very solid this year also. We've got 2-time Gold-glover Mark Texiera at 1st base. He's hitting after Chipper this year, and if he can work on batting right-handed, he's going to rack up more all-star numbers. Hopefully we can wrap up this lifetime contract deal really soon, because Braves County


At 2nd base, we have Kelly Johnson. He was 2006's outfielder, transformed into a 2nd baseman in a relatively short amount of time. The transition was smooth. Except for that backhand play (going to his right on a ground ball), he was great last year. Infield trainers confirm that he's been working hard in the off-season, and Johnson has looked very comfortable there at 2nd. That's a good sign.


Our shortstop is Yunel Escobar. He's gone through alot in a year's time. A harrowing escape from Cuba brought him to the US, and now he's playing as our every day shortstop! He can also play two other positions, and can play them well. Having him has been wonderful for the team, and Braves fans appreciate everything that he's gone through to play baseball. I hope he stays for a while...


And as always, at 3rd base, is Chipper Jones. He's been with the Braves for about 12 years, and hasn't stopped performing all throughout his career. He's hitting in the third batting order spot, and we like him there. He's normally on base, which gives Tex someone to drive home. Having two switch-hitters back to back is going to work out excellently...


Our outfield looks great. We've got Francouer in right field, and he's great for throwing out runners going from 3rd to home. Our new centerfielder, Matt Kotsay, looks very good. He's been hitting decently as well. We just have to make sure that his back gets a rest from time to time. Hopefully he'll play 160 games this year, not the full season. Then next year, depending on this season's results, he can play the full season with no injuries. Left field is well covered with Matt Diaz, who is one of the best middle-lineup hitters we have.


Behind the plate is the ever-present Brian McCann. He was the only reason we got to go into extra innings last night. That bloop single to left-center was hilarious, because the left fielder lost the ball in the lights. He's great in the fifth or sixth BO spot.

Last night's game was ok. We can't depend on a ninth inning comeback. Braves started that last year, trying to rebound from 5-run defecits. It's hard on players, and pitching as well. We have to get the lead early, then play fundamental baseball for the rest of the game. Make plays, move runners around bases, and score runs like we're supposed to.

Dying Of Boredom

Has anyone ever spent a Spring Break at home, while all of your friends went somewhere else? That's what I'm doing this week... bleah.

However, this is the first time since last August that I have slept in until 10:00 TWO DAYS IN A ROW! Yay for me.

On a happier note, today is Opening Day for the MLB Season! I was too lazy to get up at 6:00 this am and watch the first pitch be thrown, but I'll watch replays of it later on. It's the Red Sox and the A's, and I bet I know who wins. Hahahahaha, Go BoSox!

Well, that's another interesting post about nothing from your truly. Talk to ya'll later!

Oh, one more thing... if you get a chance, go over to http://www.youtube.com/ and check out "Life In A Northern Town," performed on the Sugarland, Little Big Town, & Jake Owen tour. This version of the song is GREAT! Enjoy!

Happy Easter

I just wanted to wish ya'll a Happy Easter (or Resurrection Day). Hope ya'll have a good Spring Break... I won't. Grandpa decided he didn't want to go anywhere this week, so I'm the only person I know who is spending their Spring Break AT HOME, WITH THEIR FAMILY, and with no plans AT ALL! *God* sounds like fun.

I'm An Idiotic Genious

I feel like an idiotic genious. Yes, it's possible.

My Mom asked me to chop up about 7 cups of onions for this Easter thing tomorrow. It wasn't until about the 3rd onion (out of 6) that I figured something out. It's easier if you cut the onions in HALF before you chop them up, so that they're flat on the bottom. Idiotic, but genious.

Sigh, it's not easy being blonde...

About Me 2

This is just a list of random things about me, the author of Shut Up And Drive.

• I love God. He has become the center of my life, even though I don't understand all he does.
• I watch Food Network ALL THE TIME! My favorite shows are Paula's Party (Love her!), Jamie At Home (He's sooo cute), and Iron Chef America.
• I played soccer for 10 years. I was a goalie for about 5, but because I'm so short, it didn't work out very well. However, I'm also really fast, so I became an awesome center-midfielder.
• I am the biggest sports fan you will ever meet. I'm a HUGE Atlanta Braves fan, and my favorite player is the shortstop, Yunel Escobar.
• I love the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts in football. Peyton Manning is the 2008 Superbowl MVP, I'm sure of it!
• NASCAR is really cool. My favorite drivers (all of which have double number) are: Danny Hamlin (#11), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (#88), and Carl Edwards (#99).
• I like pizza, but not any normal pizza. Its gotta be Barbecue Chicken Pizza with mounds of Cilantro on top.
• I am a really good cook. At least, I've never had anyone keel over and puke on my floor after eating one of my dishes... that's good, isn't it? Isn't it??
• My favorite songs right now are "Awakening" by Switchfoot and "Whatever It Takes" by Lifehouse.
• My favorite show is ESPN Sportscenter. (No, I'm serious.)
• I am playing softball now. My favorite position in first base, which I'm really good at. I'm also a decent hitter, but I'm in a slump right now.
• I've just discovered this, so I might as well list it. My spiritual gifts are Service, Exhorting, and Giving.
• I want so frickin' bad to become a Sports Journalist, but I'm not sure that I'm cut out to be one. You have to be outgoing and thick-skinned. I'm really shy, but I can take anything life throws at me in the way of criticism.
• When I'm upset, I draw away from people. I shut out the world, and become very moody. I listen to my music and read, and don't deal with anyone. People think I'm weird for doing it...
• My favorite quote is, "Jesus Christ is all around us, not in buildings of wood and stone." A friend of mine showed me that, and I think it's awesome. He put in a picture that he drew, which is also amazing. Dude, you know who you are!
• If you were to smell me, you would inhale... Orbit Sweet Mint Gum, Japanese Cherry Blossom, or Warm Vanilla Sugar. Oh, and hairspray.
• I'm soooo sarcastic.

Well, I guess that's about all. Hope you enjoyed it!

Lake Greenwood Retreat

Ya'll, I've just gotten back from a youth retreat this weekend, and I've come away with a new perspective on life. I can't believe how much I learned about myself, my spiritual gifts, and how obnoxious guys can be during tornado warnings. (More on that later...)

We went up to Lake Greenwood, SC this weekend, and the theme was "Spiritual Gifts." These things, if you're a Christian, can totally change the direction of your life! They affect everything from how you treat your friends, to how you serve in church, to what type of job you have.

When we learned about how these gifts can affect your job, it frightened me. My spiritual gifts don't match up with the skills required to be a journalist! You have to be outgoing, a people person, everything that I'm not! Kevin also taught us that if you get a job that you're not cut out for, you will be unhappy until you quit.

I'm struggling with that right now. I want so bad to be a journalist, to go cover all of the sports that I know and love. I want to write about things that I have a passion for, and because I play sports and watch them constantly, that is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. Something where I'll meet my heroes... and be far, far, FAR away from anything mathematical.

I was totally unprepared to find out that I don't have the gifts to be a journalist, I have to develop them. So... ugh.

But, my weekend was fun, and I'll periodically post things from our study booklet on here.

Oh, and the best part of the weekend (I promised I'd tell ya'll this), was when we were under a tornado warning. 18 people crowded into a space 2/3 the size of my bedroom (my room is 13 x 13), waiting to be able to go back upstairs. After a while, people start getting restless, and the guys start being obnoxious. Meaning, they start burping, joking, and secreting deadly atomic bombs from their rear ends.

Holy crap...

Things To Think About

These are some thoughts from my co-op newsletter. They're pretty intriguing, so I thought I'd post them.

• Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?
• What was the best thing before sliced bread?
• If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?
• Have you ever had a day where you feel like your ship may have come in, but you were at the airport?
• Why is it always the one who snores that falls asleep first?
• Do they keep teaching arithmetic in case the world runs out of calculators?
• Why are the good answers always the ones you think of later?
• We learn how to learn and we are taught how to teach, but who taught us how to think?

Just something to think about. Oh, and remember, MLB Opening Day is only 11 days, 20 hours, 37 minutes, and 37 seconds away!

50th Post

Well ya'll, borrowing words from Franklin D. Roosevelt (modified), "Today, March 13, 2008- a date which will live in infamy..." OK, not really. But, it's my 50th post ya'll! (Which, because I'm ME, counts for something, right? Of course it does... who am I kidding.) What a topic I have for you today! The Atlanta Braves (#1 Baseball team of past, present, and future, no matter what Joe Morgan says) WON last night. OK, let me re-phrase that. KILLED the Cleveland Indians. (It was 11-4, come on, they really did kill them.)

So here's my rundown of the game. I didn't get to watch all of it, or any of it actually, because I was at church for the first half of the game. So... here goes!

The Braves scored two runs in the first inning, thanks to catcher Brian McCann. With his RBI double, he brought in the first run of the game, then scored the Braves second. In the 2nd inning, Cleveland's Ascrubal Cabrara nailed a solo shot. Cleveland did it again in the 3rd inning, with solo homers by both Grady Sizemore and Beau Mills. 1st baseman Mark Texiera contributed to the 9-run 4th inning with a double, and McCann sent a 2-run shot out of the park. After that monstrous inning, Cleveland only brought in one more run, making the final score 11-4.

Braves pitchers are very happy right now, and manager Bobby Cox has a good kind of problem for a change: too many pitching prospects. Here's the scoop of the game last night, pitching-wise. (Please keep in mind that these games are spring training games, and pitchers do not have to go 6-plus innings for fear of running down the bullpen.)

Starter Buddy Carlyle watched three solo home runs go over the fence in his three innings pitched, which didn't matter, due to outstanding bullpen work. Then, Blaine Boyer came into the game at the start of the 4th, and put together two scoreless innings, with no hits or walks. Francisley Bueno (1 error) put together two solid innings, allowing just 2 hits, which resulted in 1 run for Cleveland. Tyler Yates then came to the mound, and made short work of the Indians with just two walks. And, in the ninth, Jorge Campillo finished out the game for the Braves with a no-hit-ninth inning.

Overall, I'm pleased with the Braves this season, and feel that we have a better chance of getting into the playoffs this year. I wonder if they remember what the playoffs are...

Our pitching staff has made great strides, as far as depth is concerned. Last year, if we lost Hudson or Smoltz, our rotation would pitch on short rest, or we would bring kids up from the minors who would pitch 3 innings or less. This put a strain on our bullpen, especially after Mike Gonzalez had Tommy John surgery. This year, we have starters to fall back on if someone is injured. Our bullpen looks strong as well, and Cox has relievers galore. If Mike Hampton is healthy, we can count on him pitching 8 innings a week, with closer Rafael Soriano almost always shutting down the opposing team.

That's all for now, and be sure to check out the MLB website (http://www.mlb.com/) for the latest in baseball news, scores, and upcoming games.

Brett Favre Retires

I just found this out... it was listed under "Breaking News" on the MSN Homepage. I've copied and pasted the article attached. Enjoy. (Written in Packer's Green)

We'll miss you, Brett...

Favre Decides to Call It A Career

The most storied quarterback career in NFL history is coming to a close.
FOXSports.com has learned that legendary quarterback Brett Favre has decided to retire. In fact, it's believed he informed the Packers of his decision within the last few days, although it's unclear when Favre and the team will make his decision known.

So barring an unforeseen last-minute change of heart, Favre will leave the game after 17 years, during which he built himself into a household name and a figure synonymous with grit, toughness and perseverance.
Neither GM Ted Thompson nor head coach Mike McCarthy returned several calls left by FOXSports.com for confirmation.
After flirting with retirement for the last few years, Favre will finally go out on the heels of one of the best seasons of his career.

He led the Packers to the NFC Championship Game after passing for a stunning 4,155 yards, looking very much at times like a younger version of himself. In addition he threw 28 TDs — including an overtime Hail Mary pass to beat Denver in front of a national audience — and had a 95.7 quarterback rating. He was also voted into the Pro Bowl following the 2007 season but declined to go.

Favre leaves the game as the all-time record holder in several categories including wins, passing yards, touchdowns and consecutive games started. A three-time MVP, The southern swashbuckler won fans over with his carefree style that epitomized the "gunslinger" moniker and made fans out of everyone from the guy next door to those already enshrined in Canton.
If in fact, Favre does not have a change of heart, his final pass of a Hall of Fame Career was an interception by the Giants' Corey Webster, setting up New York's overtime win in the NFC title game.

For the last few years, the question of whether or not Favre was going to retire has been the most debated topic during the off-season. Two years ago he let his decision linger as reports both that he was returning and that he was retiring emerged. In fact, at one point he was supposedly going to announce his retirement at his charity golf tournament. Of course, those reports ultimately proved to be false.

Then after his final game of the 2006 season, a tearing and emotional Favre appeared on national TV and seemed to be bidding the game adieu. But once again, he had a change of heart and came back for what proved to be one heck of a final hurrah.
This time, Favre has made his decision and will likely make it publicly known soon. However, like in the past, Favre could wake up any day now and decide to change his mind, although that doesn't seem likely at this point.

The team will now shift to Aaron Rodgers, a former first-round pick, who has had few opportunities to play since being selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2005 draft. But when Favre was injured in a Thursday night game against Dallas this past season, Rodgers looked pretty good in relief. The former Cal star completed 18 of 26 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown — the first of his career — and nearly rallied the Packers to the win.

Congrats To The Braves

Just a quick post...

I didn't have the pleasure of watching the game but if you're a Phillie's fan...

We whooped ya'll!

(Aren't bragging rights great?)

We, being the Atlanta Braves. Hahahahaha. I'm so good at rubbing it in, too. lol

News Headline

This is one of the weirdest headlines that I've ever seen...

Victoria's Secret Boss says: We're Just A Little Too Sexy

Haha.

~FoodNetworkJunkie99

Friends

This is great... Click on the picture below, and it will bring up the whole image.

11 Great Reasons To Be A Woman

11 Great Reasons To Be A Woman

1. We got off the Titanic first.
2. We can scare male bosses with the mysterious gynaecological disorder excuses.
3. Taxis stop for us.
4. We don't look like a frog in a blender when dancing.
5. No fashion faux pas we make, could ever rival the Speedo.
6. We don't have to pass gas to amuse ourselves.
7. If we forget to shave, no one has to know.
8. We have the ability to dress ourselves.
9. We will never regret piercing our ears
10. There are times when chocolate really can solve all your problems.
11. We can make comments about how silly men are in their presence because they aren't listening anyway.