AJC > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat a girl wants
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m easy to please. Never been high-maintenance. Dinner and a movie? Skip the movie. Let’s buy those $1 Braves skyline tickets and spend the two hours in the nosebleed section, trying to borrow a set of binoculars so we can see if Ol’ Blue behind the plate really IS calling a fair strike zone.
But this season, I admit that there are some specific things I want from this Tomahawks team. And I will accept no substitutes.
• I want Frenchy to stick with the new “I’m not going to jump on the first pitch I see” mentality. And I want him to hang tight when the inevitable 0-for-May slump kicks in. These things take time.
• I want us, as fans, to stick with Frenchy when the inevitable 0-for-May slump kicks in.
• I want Tim Hudson to spend less time working on that soul patch of his and spend more time taking a page from the “Napoleon Dynamite” book of Winning Big by following his heart. Huddy admitted that he wasn’t as prepared as usual last season and that’s just not the little guy with the huge heart that we all remember from his old A’s days. I want No. 15 to OWN the mound again.
• I want Kelly Johnson to be the leadoff hitter we’ve never had. You know, one who actually takes pitches, gets on base, maybe steals second and doesn’t swing for the fences every at-bat.
• I want Terry Pendleton to manage this team when Bobby Cox retires. Something about it just seems right to me.
• I want Braves fans to outnumber Red Sox fans during the June series at The Ted this season.
• I want Scott Thorman to prove that we don’t need a platoon at first base, just one guy to handle the job.
• I want John Smoltz to have the best season of his storied Braves career. Because one day, we’re going to miss seeing No. 29 on the mound much, much more than we ever imagined.
• I want a Tigers-Braves World Series. Jim Leyland vs. Bobby Cox? Oh, the joy.
• I want Francisco Cabrera to bat in the bottom of the ninth with Sid Bream running from second in the deciding Series game if we have a Tigers-Braves matchup.
• I want Mike Hampton to return triumphant to the Tomahawks’ starting rotation. I’d hate to see Hamp end up with another team someday, becoming one of those MLB Comeback Players of the Year after he led one of our NL rivals to World Series glory following an ignominious trade/release by Atlanta. I want the fortunes of fate to shine on fiery little Hamp - WITH us, not against us.
• I want Skip and Pete back on TV. I want more games shown on TBS.
• I want the Braves to have a real, human owner again. Someone with a face we can peg to a name. I’m tired of the team being a corporate tax write-off. Love him or hate him, even The Boss doesn’t view his Yankees that way.
• I want the games to start at 7:05. Maybe more folks will show up at the ballpark. The 7:35 starts are just too late, even for summertime.
• I want the NL East pennant back where it belongs - in Atlanta.
Permalink | Comments (41) | Post your comment | Categories: Chop Chick
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By GTYjackets
April 1, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
Great write up Chop Chick! I am so excited for tomorrow’s game. Sadly I will be in class, but thank God for Tivo. I just hope no one ruins it for me before I get home to watch it. The only thing that I worry about is 1B. We’re really gonna miss LaRoche (on both sides of the ball). Yay! Baseball is here…
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 1, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Nice blog, Chop Chick. I agreed with pretty much everything, especially the one about Skip and Pete back on TV. Jon Sciambi’s better than Chip Caray, but he still sounds like the annoying kid who sat in the front row of math class in high school.
Can’t wait for tomorrow.
By JohnGTFan
April 1, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this
This was a good blog Chick. I’m in agreement with Skip and Pete. Watching the televised games just aren’t like they were when I was growing up. My biggest concern is can ATL finish April above 500. Even one game above, I believe they’ll be fine. Can’t wait for my Braves to come to DC to play the Nats so I can watch them live. I hate not being able to see them at the Ted, but seeing them live anywhere is better than on tv or not at all. One other thing, I hope Braves fans read this blog. Tickets are not that expensive. For a team loaded with young talent and good veterans, more people should come to the park more often. What do you honestly have better to do? Sit at home on the coach, gaining an extra 2 - 3 pounds a week, doing nothing? Support the team!!! I miss the sellouts! I miss an actual home field advantage!
By Kelley
April 2, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
Great blog. Have to disagree with one point though.
TP will be a great replacement for Bobby when he retires, but what this girl would want would be for Bobby never to retire. Can’t begin to imagine watching a game and not hearing him cheer for each player from the dugout.
What a sad, sad, day it will be when he hangs up his cleats.
By Mad Mike
April 2, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
Amen!! Bring Skip and Pete back!! I like everything except TP managing…I’m not sold on him as Head Honcho. Yet. Give me Eddie Perez and Defense! Let’s Go Braves!!!
By Joshhh
April 2, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
I agree completely!!!
I’m skipping class to watch this game!!! haha
I Love you Chop Chick!
By Chop Chick
April 2, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I think we’d be in good hands with Steady Eddie, too, Mad Mike. TP or Eddie — we’re set for the future. I believe in both of them if/when Cox hangs ‘em up. And it will be a sad day when No. 6 retires, Kelley. We may not always agree with Bobby’s decisions or understand them but his tenure here in an era when MLB managers come and go (see: Chicago Cubs) is something that’s really special.
And now… game ON! GO BRAVES!
By Jill
April 2, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
I would like a Tigers/Braves world series as well. :)
By Mike
April 2, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
BRAVES WIN, BRAVES WIN, BRAVES WIN…!!!
By Turnin2
April 2, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
From one chick to another -Right on Sister! I’m right there with you on your ‘wishlist’ - ‘cept I wanna be in my seat closer to the field so I can have a more up close view of those nice, sculpted as…. well you get the picture!
By Mike
April 2, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
I’d have to agree with everything except I would want probably want Dale Murphy as the Manager over TP (but he’s still better than any ‘outside the organization’ choice) and Smoltz as the pitching coach (after he retires, of course). Since Murphy is probably not up for consideration, I’ll take TP.
By Mike
April 2, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
I think Lemke would be a good manager, too!
By kevin
April 2, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Chop Chick,
I’m totally with you on bringing back Skip and Pete back to TBS…and bringing back more games to TBS…especially because I don’t get SS or FSN! BOO FACELESS CORPORATIONS!
By mLn
April 2, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
You are so right chopchick! BTW, chicks love this team!
By Boxerchick
April 2, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this
You’re right, Kelley, about the skipper. I remember years ago when I realized that the voice I always heard cheering for the players was Bobby’s. I stopped that very day being angry at him for never, ever going to the bullpen soon enough, and started wishing I, too, could have the privilege of playing for him.
By Nicholas Irwin
April 3, 2007 3:47 AM | Link to this
I have to disagree with the 7:00 thing. The Thrashers start their games at 7:00 and the place is empty until at least 7:45 no matter how many people eventually show up. People just can’t get from work to home to the game by 7:00, especially with Atlanta traffic. And all of the arguments in favor of moving it have always seemed incredibly inane to me, i.e. the beloved children (who are clearly more important than the rest of us when it comes time to decide when to start a baseball game) and personal bed time habits.
By Phillip
April 3, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
I want Don Sutton back. The most imformative broadcaster in baseball and we let him slip away!
By Lee
April 3, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
I miss Don Sutton also. Good ole-country boy from Alabama. I do not understand letting him go at all. I would almost be willing to give up any of the remaining announcers just to get him back.
I also have a suggestion on a future manger when Bobby Cox retires. How about Ned Yost of Milwaukee. He was groomed by Cox and has done a lot with the Brewers club since becoming manager.
By Chop Chick
April 3, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
The “hanging with Frenchy” thing is going to be tougher than I thought. Mainly because he was swinging away again yesterday. What happened to “wait and see”?
I know: It’s game one. There are 161 left. But he told DOB that this is the main part of his game that he’d like to improve on. When does he put it into practice? KJ gets the leadoff spot and HE’s taking pitches, setting the table, doing what leadoff hitters do. HE’s sticking with the plan.
I admit that I’ve never been a major Chipper fan but the guy knows a thing about consistent hitting. He’s taken plenty of looks along with plenty of swings. So come on, Frenchy. Learn from Chipper. Stay with it.
By Tara
April 3, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
AMEN! I could not have said it better myself!
By Richard
April 3, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
I agree with Phillip and Lee about Don Sutton. The best Braves announcing combo was Don Sutton and Pete Van Wieren. Those two always knew what they were talking about, and were right on with stats.
By Alyjack
April 3, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
Awesome post, Chop Chick! I’m glad to see a fellow baseball-obsessed female who can talk the game properly. Nice job!
By david
April 3, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Chop chick, Great blog!! I am excited about the Braves this year. I believe Smoltz is the cy young winner and Andruw is the NL mvp. Frenchy has breakout year and we win wild card!
By Ripme
April 3, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Sutton The Best forget the rest Joe and Blow is a Joke! Yesterdays game I turned the sound off after two innings and listen to radio. Fran went after the first 5 pitches he saw. He Needs to grow up. Kelly cost Smoltz 3 ER.
By Bethany
April 3, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
I couldn’t have said it better myself!! Wonderful article!
By Beth in P'Cola
April 3, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this
Good first blog of the season, CC. I’m SO ready for some baseball!! This team has me excited. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!
By Chop Chick
April 3, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this
Hey there Beth! It’s always great to see a post from you on the old CC blog.
All it takes is a dollar and a scream: Guesses are already afoot online as to when Sweet Lou goes bonkers in Wrigleyville. Even my friend Cubs Chick weighed in with a flat “May 2” when I asked her opinion. Don’t ask me what SHE knows that the rest of us aren’t in on but she seemed pretty certain that May 2 is the big Piniella blowup fiesta. Further details right here as events - and bases thrown halfway across the City of Big Shoulders - warrant, y’all.
By Lonnie Hughes
April 4, 2007 3:36 AM | Link to this
I think the Braves will be great this season. It is going to be a dog fight from the start to the finish. I still think that after all the great additions made by our General Manager, that we still need a lead-off hitter. I just don’t think Kelly Johnson can live up to being a great lead off hitter. We need to got out and try to make a deal someone to aquire one.
By yellowblood
April 4, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this
Chop Chick, you’ve got it going on girl ! You said it for all of us. Are you sure you’re not a guy ?
By Chop Chick
April 4, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this
Trust me. I’m not a guy. :-)
By Mark
April 4, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
I completely agree I would love for the Braves to have an owner again, love or hate his little french mustache it’s nice having Arthur Blank on the sidelines at the Falcons games, hey Teddy won’t you please take the Braves back and get Skip and Pete back on the air too. Most of us still remember 1991 and Skip shouting Braves win about 50 times, it was great! Personally I don’t care about the Tigers but to each their own. I wouldn’t mind seeing Red Sox and Tomahawks in October. Hey Leo, come home, we miss ya buddy. Ok enough of the past, on with the future, let’s show everyone, that last year trully was a rebuilding year and sure I’d like another world series win, but I’d also like a sports car, a hot wife and a bank account to cover both, but I’ll happily take a pennant, bring it back home boys, we believe in you.
By Casey
April 4, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
Agreed!! I LOVE the Braves!!!
By frenchy fan
April 4, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
I love this article! I was just thinking how I wanted my braves to be owned by a person not a company. This article hit on every point that my friends and I talked about the other day. Awesome!
By Ray
April 4, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
Chop Chick, If I wasn’t already married (48 years)I would ask you to marry me. I agree with you a lot more than my current wife.
Give me all the games on TBS with Skip and Pete!!!!!! I became a Braves fan while travelling all over the US (from California) with those guys and knew where to find them and knew they would be on TBS. No wonder we aren’t America’s team anymore!!
Ray
By #1BravesChickinTexasss
April 4, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
GO BRAVES…..You always rock!!! even in the ONE off year you had. Fans enjoy the pleasure your town offers, go to games, I know that I do (even if only the $1 seats, I am STILL at the game watching the Team that I grew up with and STILL love)EVERYTIME I get back to Atl. I really miss MY boys in blue!!!!
By Diazgirl
April 4, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
couldn’t have said it any better myself
By Centerfield
April 4, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
Nice post, and I agree with whoever said it above that it’s great to have a chic out there representing for the rest of us die hards..kudos.
I do disagree with one thing, the 7:05 start times. Not everyone lives/works inside the perimeter and on top of that not all of us wants to. 7:00 Thrashers games completely stink.
GO BRAVES! WE WIN!!
By Greg from Marietta
April 5, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
My only remark is, Why can’t I ever meet a woman like YOU? Oh, the joy of sharing a life with a passionate female Braves fan! (Now, if you feel the same way about the Falcons it would truly be heaven on earth.) Great Article!
By GaCracker
April 5, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
Good thoughts. chick. I am worried that to bolster the pen we have sacrificed too much offense. I would love to have LaRoche back at first for both his hitting and fielding and have Betemit at second and leading off. Diaz should be the regular in left field. Both Thormond and Langerhans had enough playing time last year and were very unproductive offensively, but Diaz really got the job done. Don’t platoon him Bobby. Make him the leadoff and bat Johnson 8th. Get some productivity out of the leadoff spot. Brian needs to hit ahead of Andrew now. Bat Chipper and Brian back to back in 3rd and 4th.
Finally will somebody tell me why we still have Tyler Yates? This guy cost us at least 10 games (a wildcard spot) last year. I don’t care how well he throws in practice or the bullpen. He is a loser! Ditch him!
By tyler
April 10, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this
hi this is tyler im 12 years old looking for a girl that is 13 years old just email me at tylerc011__48@neopets.com
By Kathy
April 14, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
ChopChick, I stumbled onto your blog by accident one day, now I read it all the time. I’m responding to your comment: I want Braves fans to outnumber Red Sox fans during the June series at The Ted this season. I am a diehard Braves fans who lives in South Florida and I am traveling to Atlanta for a game during that series! I go the games down here when they play the Marlins, but I can’t wait to get to The Ted!