AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > August > 09
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Hot day at the ballyard … where’s everybody?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Did they have the wrong starting time on tickets today? Hello, anybody here?
While it’s not anywhere near Dolphins Stadium-small, the throng on hand here at Turner Field today isn’t exactly shoe-horned in. Whatever the actual attendance is announced, there’s perhaps 15,000 in their seats at the start of the second inning.
But hey, with the heat and school starting or open-houses or whatever it is they’re doing today (I saw lots of cars in the lot at the high school by my house, so they’re doing something), it’s not too surprising.
I think if I had a choice, I’d probably be sitting at home in the air conditioning, working on a Montecristo and a pot of coffee, listening to Skip and Pete (or Don or Joe or Chip) on the radio.
But anyway…
OK, quick rundown before I get to my other newspaper duties. I swear I’ll keep it brief today, which I’m sure plenty of you will be thankful for, the ones who don’t much appreciate my epic posts.
The news: Lance Cormier won’t start Saturday, but he’ll start Tuesday. Saturday’s starter almost certainly will be Kevin Barry.
How to put this without sounding cynical or sarcastic … Umm, if the Braves could line up the ideal rotation that gives them the best chance to make a late run at this wild card, said rotation would include neither Cormier nor Barry.
There, that was tastefully done.
OK, on to Chipper. “The Kid,” as he once referred to himself (forever gaining my admiration and respect; you guys haven’t lived until you’ve heard Chipper Jones, in that country drawl, refer to himself in the third person as “The Kid.” I mean it, there’s moments in this job that are more entertaining than anything you can see on television). What was I saying? Oh, yeah, Chipper will rehab Friday and Saturday at Ol’ Double-A Miss, and be in the Braves lineup Sunday afternoon against Milwaukee and Tomo Ohka, barring any unforeseen developments.
Chipper reminded us that the last time he came off the DL this season, he also faced Tomo in his first game back _ and took him deep. Chipper smiled when he relayed that bit of info this morning.
And if you folks in the greater Jackson area want his autograph, may I suggest you get thee to the Bass Pro Shop near the ballpark Saturday, because that’s where a certain third baseman intends to spend some time prior to the game.
OK, leadoff. What’s Bobby going to do about leadoff Sunday? I asked him this morning and he said he doesn’t know yet. He seemed sincere. Maybe. Sort of.
If I had to bet, I’d say Giles will be back in the leadoff spot, because he’s so hot now the Braves probably believe it’s worth the gamble that he’ll keep going strong after moving back to leadoff, better than gambling by switching up the order and having Renteria or someone else lead off. But we’ll see.
LaRoche is out of the lineup again today with that sore left forearm. Dr. Gary Lourie, hand specialist, was going to check on Horacio just before the game (we haven’t gotten the report yet, but it shouldn’t be different that yesterday’s diagnosis _ out at least a month, possible the rest of the season) and Lourie also planned to check on LaRoche while here (forearm’s close to the hand, right?).
OK, I really need to get going on my notes for tomorrow’s paper. Chuck James has already thrown 50 pitches and recorded six outs as I write this, but at least there’s no runs on the board.
Oh, and if any of you were here at the game last night, was the country & western theme great, or what? Hank, Patsy Cline and Dwight Yoakum songs on the PA system, and the, uh, Braves’ Tomahawk Team in cowboy hats and cutoff shorts.
I honestly thought it was the greatest night ever at Turner Field … Because of the music, of course.
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