Opening Week 2008 - The Year of the Brave

If any of you citizens out there hadn't noticed... Its baseball season! Not just any baseball season, but the Atlanta Braves Season! 2008, The Year of the BRAVE! OOOOOOHHHH OOOOOH OOOOOOOOOHHHHHH, OOOOHHHHHHH, OOOOH, OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!

Oh your just now finding out? Well here is what you missed:

Last Sunday - Last Sunday marked the "American" Opening Day. (Don't get me started about "Non-American" opening day, hopefully the obvious "quotation marks " will channel my frustration accordingly.) Opening Night to be specific, against the Washington Nationals in their new home. Don't get me wrong, this Opening Night did not mark the beginning of a three or four game series between the Braves and the Nats, more of a showcase... a 1 gamer, between America's Team, and America's new team. Not to be outmatched by the extremely expensive and totally functional new stadium in our nations capital, the Braves took the field donning their NEW road uniforms. All Navy uniforms with Atlanta written across the chest and a Navy Cap with the script A on it, similar to the old Baby Blue uniforms of the past.
In my own opinion the uni's look great, unfortunately looking great, and playing great baseball do not go hand in hand. Huddy struggled with a throw back to first, and Escobar and McCann struggled with throws from Frenchy. Braves lost 2 to 3. On a side note, the Beach on the Left Sleeve of the uniforms is for Jim Beauchamp, long time Braves Bench Coach who passed away in the off season.

Monday - The braves were home to open the Ted against ye ol' Pirates of Pittsburgh. To mark the return of Braves Legendary Lefthander Tom Glavine the braves found themselves down 9 to 4 in the bottom of the 9th. A dropped fielders choice in shallow center field allowed the Braves to tie the score. But luck wasn't enough, the Braves ended up on the wrong end of an 12 to 11 loss. Going to O-2 and finding themselves in last place in the ever challenging NL East with the Mets coming to town this weekend.

Tuesday - Off day, which seemed like a much needed break from the 12 inning marathon they played the night before.

Wednesday - There still be Pirates in town, and we would crush them 10 - 2. With a decent start from Braves newcomer Jair Jurrjens and a powerful offensive display from Prado, Teixeira, Jones and Diaz.

Thursday - Mike Hampton's pectoral muscle made
yet another appearance just before the game on Thursday. As he was warming up, for this to be his greatest of years, after having the greatest of spring trainings. Glad you could join us Mike Hampton's Pectoral, we lost, 4 to 3. Additionally, this was also the night Bobby Cox chose to amaze us with his Bullpen Mastery... or wait, was that a trick up Roger McDowell's silly sleeve? Lets just hope Bobby was just trying to break in his bullpen/fans real good the first week. Give em the ol' Hampton, that's what I call it.

Friday - PPD due to the massive rain storm that engulfed the states of Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.

Saturday - Three cheers for Kelly Johnson, hip hip hooray, I sure hope that knee is OK. Your pitch hit Grand SLAM in 7th proved to be too much for the Girls Softball Team (NY Mets) . Braves win 5 to 11. Thanks again Kelly! You definitely get the game ball today.


Sunday - Hey, Girls Softball Team... our Cy Young Winning Pitcher is better than yours!!! In a pitchers dual where both teams scored a total of 4 runs, defense was key, as demonstrated by Mark Teixeira whose diving play on the 1st base line stopped a ball from rolling into the outfield. Braves won 1 to 3, to move to 3 and 3 and tie for 1st in the NL East.

Braveball Season is upon us!