Mercy Rule

No time to blog! ... Gotta catch a baseball game...

Okay.. maybe a quickie:

Close calls at the plate rarely went against the Man of Steel.
Subtle! Yet again!

Twofer Wednesday

Going through an issue of Sports Illustrated a few weeks ago, I came across this little smile inducer in the letters section:

*Smirk*

If there's one group out there that could one-up the comic fanboys in their anal retentive attention to detail, it's the sports ones. If I didn't know any better, I'd say Mr. Hatlem was quite brilliant with his subtle dig there.

ITEM! Ambush Bug is back in the DC universe as of today! Happy Day! Tacos for everyone! Hide your socks! Tug on Superman's cape! Whoop Whoop!

In celebration of this joyous day, let's all be reminded of his tragic origin:



*sniff!*

The Elephant in the Room

As a baseball fan, I thought I had to offer something on Bonds tieing Hank's all-time HR record and passing him very soon. Possibly tonight, even.

I've been to my share of Braves games (my favorite team) and have actually met Mr. Aaron once. I was a bit star-struck (and young) to engage him in a conversation, but when I think of him, to this day, I remember one thing: Class.

Bonds? Not so much.

I was sitting right behind home plate for a Braves game against San Francisco one night when Bonds hit three home runs. I'll be the first to admit: That guy's impressive as hell. And he's massive, especially that close up. It really takes your breath away just how hard and how far that dude can hit a baseball.

That said, a little bit of my baseball-lovin' self will die inside as that asshole becomes the HR king, passing a genuinely fantastic human being in the process. If he does some kind of half-ass acknowledging shout-out to Hank afterwards, I swear you'll hear the screams as far as wherever you're reading this.

At least Bonds' record will only stand for a few years, judging from A-Rod's current pace.

Bleh.

Off Topic: Baseball

Congratulations to The Atlanta Braves' very own John Smoltz!!!

With tonight's win over their divisional rivals, the Mets, Smoltzy became the first pitcher ever to get 200 wins and 150 saves!! Ever. That's a big deal by itself, right there. Clear off his shelf at the Hall of Fame! Whenever he decides to retire, that is...

As a longtime Braves fan and an even longer baseball fan, I can testify that Mr. Smoltz is one of those guys that you want your kids to emulate. A class act, funny, a nice guy (met him once), and he just plain loves making a (long, long) living playing a kids game. Great, great guy - that kind of professional athlete you want to be in the forefront and succeed through the cameras.

Smoltz is a great representative, a great competitor, head and shoulders above being a fantastic pitcher, and one of the reasons I grew up loving the Braves. Congrats again, John!

(The fact that he went against long-time Brave (current Met) and equally great pitcher in my eyes, Tom Glavine, made this a fantastic game. I know - just know - that Tommy was the among first to shake John's hand tonight.)

(Oh, and John also handed his manager, Bobby Cox, win number 2,199. Not too shabby...)