AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 22
Friday, September 22, 2006
Andruw is maddening, streaky, sensational
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A few things I can say with relative certainty as we enter the next-to-last weekend of the season:
Andruw Jones is the streakiest “good” hitter in the majors, and by good I mean a guy who consistently drives in 100 or more runs (lately, a lot more) and hits 30 or more homers. His flailing, off-balance approach leaves fans (and coaches) shaking their heads in frustration at times, but then he delivers a three-run homer and all’s forgiven again, for a while….
Running three miles at an 8-minute pace in Denver is harder _ much harder _ than running four at a 7:30 pace in Atlanta or any other place near sea level. After doing that today, I can’t imagine what NBA teams must go through running up and down the court all night when they come here to play the Nuggets. And can’t imagine why the Nuggets have stunk for so many of their years of existence….
Jones is also the most consistently spectacular outfielder in baseball, even more than Ichiro or Jim Edmonds in his prime. As great as Edmonds was, everyone _ players especially _ knows he had a way of laying out for some balls that others, including Jones, would merely catch in stride at the warning track….
John Smoltz may have one of the biggest egos and overly sensitive demeanors of any highly paid professional athlete I’ve ever encountered, but he’s also absolutely, without question, the most competitive, focused, individual I’ve ever known. I only saw Michael Jordan play a few times, never covered him as a reporter, so I can’t compare Smoltz to him. But judging from all that I’ve heard about M.J., he might be the only team-sport athlete of the past, say, 15 years whose competitiveness rivals Smoltz’s. If anyone’s worthy of a lifetime contract, it’s Smoltz with the Braves….
(I must confess, I originally wrote 25 years instead of 15 years, and an astute blogger correctly pointed out that Larry Bird and Kirk Gibson fell into that time frame, and I agree that Larry Legend belongs at the top of any list of driven, competitive athletes. So I’ve cheated and switched it to 15 years after the fact, which eliminates Kirk Gibson’s World Series homer on a completely torn hamstring, and all but the last year of Larry’s incredible career. I also added “team sport” in front of “athlete,” because how could any athlete be more driven than Lance Armstrong? So there. OK, now back to the original blog.)
The Braves will compete for the NL East title next year, but the Mets will be tough again and Omar Minaya will get at least one and probably two starting pitchers this winter. Minaya has a bigger payroll and that’s not going to change with a Mets-based TV network and a stadium on the way, and the Mets aren’t going to give up that division crown without a fight, now that they’ve got it….
Chipper Jones really, really needs to seek out not just a personal trainer this winter, but an Olympic track coach or some such individual who can give him a rigorous stretching program. Then he needs to follow it, without fail.
It’s just a shame to watch such a gifted player not get the last 4-5 years out of his abilities and be a mortal lock for the Hall of Fame, which Jones would be with just another couple of high-caliber seasons. Right now, it’s still questionable if he’ll get in, though I think his numbers as a switch-hitter and all the winning teams he’s been a part of, not to mention his high profile in New York, where so many Hall voters live and work, will probably get him in even if he doesn’t have more great seasons….
I still want to see Sean Penn’s new movie, even though it’s gotten mixed reviews. He’s my favorite actor in a generation, he and Edward Norton….
The group Band of Horses, which has an unfortunately precious and silly sounding name, is one of the best new rock bands in five years or so. And I wish I was staying an extra couple of days in Denver so I could see them Tuesday….
Black Keys is THE best new rock and or blues/rock bands of the past five years, and White Stripes pale in comparison. Absolutely pale….
Penelope Cruz could act in a one-hour instructional show on housepainting, and I would line up to watch it. She’s beyond gorgeous….
Kyle Davies’ start tomorrow at Coors Field is a bit scary to think about….
There’s nothing quite like the sun rising on a brisk morning in the mountains to get you going. That and a pot of great coffee.
