Things were starting to pick up for the Braves for awhile as they swept the Reds and the Padres for a 6 game winning streak. Unfortunately that streak ended with a loss to the Pirates on Friday, as well as yesterday. Today's game was postponed due to rain, so maybe the day off will allow the Braves to come out fresh for the double header tomorrow and get some wins. We need to tie up this series with the Pirates. Then if we can get some wins against the Phillies in our next series it would be crucial in gaining lead on the mets and phillies.

I've been a little slack on updating my Braves thoughts on this blog, but this is because school and exams have been keeping me from viewing many Braves games. I did make sure to stay out of the library long enough to watch John Smoltz get his 3000th strikeout on April 22nd. I almost had my roommates interested in the game after telling them the game was going to "make history" for the Braves and for Smoltz. They watched the first few innings and then when food was mentioned I was left to watch Smoltz strike out Felipe Lopez by myself.

Mets fans today don't have a chance to express their hate for Chipper Jones as he is out of play today with back problems. After turning the game on in the 3rd inning and noticing Chipper was out I quickly got online to find out why... hoping that our strongest offensive player (and in fact the player with the best batting average in the majors before saturday) will not be off of our field for long. I also didn't get to see last night's game so I had to read about Yunel Escobar's injury to his index finger that occurred in an at bat last night. To replace Escobar, the Braves brought up Brett Lillibridge from Richmond to play shortstop. After watching him play I had to go online to find out his info. He looks pretty young, but not the youngest the Braves have aquired, at 25. Good luck to him in his first major league debut.  

Living in Charleston during baseball season is always fun because it is popular to go out to "the Joe" and watch the Charleston RiverDogs. Unfortunately for Braves fans, attending these games puts money into the Yankee's firm as they are a Single -A Yankees affiliate. That is why when the RiverDogs were playing the Rome Braves the other night I had to forfeit my hometown love and root for my ultimate love, the Braves. (Unfortunately for the Braves, the RiverDogs took the win.)

It's not a good week to be a Brave.

From an article on atlantabraves.com:

Since arriving in Denver to start this four-game series, the Braves have dropped three straight against the Rockies, seen their closer Rafael Soriano go on the 15-day disabled list with a sore elbow and dealt with the disgust of knowing their top prospect Jordan Schafer has been given a 50-game suspension for using human growth hormone.

Today in Charleston, SC I wore shorts and a t-shirt, walked to class in the high 60's degree weather, and played an intramural softball game in the evening sun.
Today in Denver, Colorado the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies had to postpone their game due to a signifcant amount of snowfall on the field and tempatures in the low 30's.

The game must be made up on June 16, orginally an off-day for both teams. Bobby Cox wishes otherwise.  "I'd rather play it, and so would the players. It's going to be hectic on an off-day. You'd always rather play. But it's impossible, you can't." 

Let's hope the Braves can have a strong weekend against the Nationals in DC.  

I was glad to see the Braves take the Mets in both games (one rained out and postponed) this past week. Though I am happy when the Braves beat any team, I am particularly satisfied with a win over the Mets.

I was flipping back and forth between the end of last night's game and last night's episode of the Bachelor (because I am still a girl) and thought we were going to take it home with only one run over the Rockies. I didn't see most of Glavine's successful innings but right when I switched back to the game in the 8th I had to see Matt Holiday hit his 2 run homer to take the lead. It was a crapping ending at Coors Field for Braves fans but hopefully we can pull out a win tonight. Lets hope Jurrjens can bring what he brought the first time he started for us.

Enjoyed the online article about how Kotsay has proved himself to the Braves and Bobby Cox. I have been glad to see him take Andruw Jones' place in center field. Though I wasn't particulary fond of Jones' offsensive playing last season, he has always been a strong defensive player and it was hard to see him go. Thankfully it looks as though Kotsay is holding strong to what Teixeira promised when he suggested that Kotsay take Andruw's place.

Adding to my last entry, I read online that the Braves have created a website for spanish speaking Braves fans, Bravesbeisbol.com. Baseball is just as important to some hispanics as it is to Americans so it is cool to see that they will be able to keep up with news. Maybe I will check out bravesbeisbol.com and put my spanish202 class to practice. Or I'll just stick to English and let Yunel enjoy the site.

We started off with a rocky 0-2 start but with Jurrjens' first Atlanta start on the mound we pulled victory over the Pirates last night 10-6.

I enjoyed seeing President Bush throw out the first pitch at our game v. the Nationals on March 31st. I was watching the game as I ate at a restaurant with friends so I didn't get to hear the commentary before President Bush approached the field. I did see on the TV that Presidents have thrown out the first pitch many times in the past and I did a little wikipedia research on the topic. It is kind of interesting to read about.

President Taft was the first Prez to throw out a first pitch in 1910. I didn't realize that Presidents who threw the first pitch threw from their seat in the stands to somene on the field for so many years up until 1993. President Clinton was the first Prez to throw from the pitchers mound to the catcher at the plate. Vice Prez Cheney threw out the first pitch last year but for about four years before that George W was the first pitcher. It is crazy to think who may be that President to throw out the first pitch next year...

To the left you see President Nixon throwing out the first pitch in 1969 from his seat in the stands.

I loved reading the article about Braves players Brayan Pena and Yunel Escobar and the thrill they recieved from meeting President Bush at atlantabraves.com. It is cool to hear about players from hispanic countries who came to play in the United States. I mean Escobar can't even speak English, and Pena was translating for him in the article. Its awesome that there is so much diversity in the Major Leagues.

I can't wait to make it to Atlanta (or possible other city) to see the Braves this season. I'll be following along and adding my two cents about the team, players, and the game.