AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > May > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThe Tuesday Countdown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
10: OK. I’ll say it: It’s a horse.
9: Hey, I love animals. Really. I have a dog, a fish tank and two Australian finiches. Some of my best friends are animals. Relatives, too. It was awful what happened to Barbaro. But can we all please stop acting like a Supreme Court justice is on life support.
8: And, by the way: Notwithstanding the closeness Barbaro’s owners may feel toward their “pet,” their biggest concern is lost “stud” fees.
7: Speaking of which: Do all of those single eligible mares get their money back?
6: So what are the odds the Hawks actually win the draft lottery tonight, given that there’s no franchise player available?
5: Seriously, one website lists the top 5 players as LaMarcus Aldridge (Texas), Tyrus Thomas (LSU), Adam Morrison (Gonzaga), Andrea Bargnani (Italy), Brandon Roy (Washington). Does anybody scream, “Gotta have him?”
4: OK. Who in the “24” pool had Jack Bauer ending another really bad day on a slow boat to China?
3: For what it’s worst: No, I don’t think the Hawks will trade for Allen Iverson. As much as I think it would jumpstart the team, my guess is that the three years and $60 million remaining on his contract will be too much for all the owners to swallow - and there would have to be a consensus among the owners for such a deal to go through.
2: Dan Kolb last season with the Braves: 3-8, 5.93 ERA, seven blown saves in 18 opportunities.
1: Chris Reitsma’s projected full season, based on statistics: 3-7, 6.75 ERA, 11 blown saves in 36 opportunities.
Permalink | Comments (17) | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Quick Hit
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By braves fan
May 23, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this
Reitsma stinks. He doesn’t have a strikeout pitch and doesn’t have the mindset to be a closer. They say he’s got a great changeup. I don’t see it. You want to see a killer changeup, watch the tape of Ken Ray striking out Barry Bonds. Now that’s a changeup.
The Hawks need to do something different. Building thru the draft is impossible in the NBA. First of all, sucking doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the pick of the litter, like it does in other sports. Second of all, if you don’t get a keeper in Round 1, then your draft is a bust, cause there aint squat after 20-25 players. They need to make a big splash. Iverson is a big splash. If they traded for him and he never makes it onto the court, it would be a good move, because at least they tried to change things. They’ve squandered all the goodwill with their fans. This would result in sellouts in Atlanta. I mean, what’s wrong with Iverson? I think we’ve seen from Detroit to NY, that most of that bunk was all Larry Brown. Otherwise, Iverson has shown up to play, even when hurt. He’s no saint, but he’s not unmanageable.
And “24” ended last night the way last season should have ended.
By JCubby
May 23, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this
Let’s be honest who really cares if a Supreme Court Justice is on life support.
By uga4ever
May 23, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this
To Braves Fan- “building thru the draft is impossible in the NBA” take a look at the CHICAGO BULLS, San Antonio, etc.
By Drew Peacock
May 23, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this
Hawks don’t need AI, Jeff, but I have to say I’m not excited about what they seem to be hinting for their draft pick. Typical … .
By Connie Lingous
May 23, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this
What difference does Rietsma make, really? If the Braves make the postseason, which I doubt, they’ll simply do their meek round one swan dive (probably at home).
By Rutuger
May 23, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this
If a human gets killed nobody cares. But the second a dog gets shot in a movie scene people are in tears. Sure, it was sad that this horse broke his leg, and yes it’s sad that he may die as a reult, but this isn’t a national freakin’ crisis. GET A GRIP PEOPLE!
Besides, as devastating as Barbaro’s injury may be to some freaks—er, I mean, folks, the fact that Grim Reitsma is still the Braves “closer” is much, much, much more heartbreaking.
Much more.
By bushwacker
May 23, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this
To JCUBBY, YOU should care about a Suprmeme Court Justice being on life support because his replacement could be the difference between life without parole or going for a ride on old sparky!
By Fred
May 23, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this
Poor Jeff. Jealous of a horse. A new low in sports reporting at the AJC.
By Bo
May 23, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this
You have a horse in and a race and a pile of horsechit, Barry Bonds. I’ll take the horse. Also, Schultz, you’re a joke as a sports writer. Not just this blog, but all your writings in general, they suck.
By Rutuger
May 23, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this
Why so angry at this enjoyable lighthearted piece? The amount of misdirected hostility on these blogs always fascinates me. Unsurprisingly, the misspellings and obscenely incorrect grammar seem to hover suspiciously near these particular posts.
You have a horse in and a race and a pile of horsechit, Barry Bonds. I’ll take the horse
What does that even mean? I think you “mad at the world” people need to harness your collective chi.
By Hugh G. Rection
May 23, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
Good call Rutuger. Would that more reason would prevail rather than the anger/vituperation that so often populates these blogs.
By Reilly
May 23, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this
Yeah, the coverage and frenzy about Barbaro is a bit too much, but to witness suffering like that by a living thing and then to downplay it as “it’s a horse” is cold. Having concern and feeling sympathy is one of the things that seperates us from animals. So Schultz, I guess now I’ll say it “He’s just a talentless, cruel reporter”.
By T Robb
May 23, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this
Right on, Rutubaga. It’s Deficiency Theatre.
By Scooter11
May 23, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this
Clearly, the Barbaro thing is sad. Schultz only picks on it to get a reaction. Who cares what he thinks either way. Should’ve been left alone. (but I’ll bet he cried for Old Yeller).
By Christina
May 23, 2006 09:49 PM | Link to this
People react strongly to animal injuries for the same reason we reaction strongly to children getting hurt. No matter how big or small the animal is, like children, we see most animals as beings we need to protect. Just as a child can’t get itself the right medical care on their own, neither can a race horse who breakdown on the track or a dog that gets hit by a car.
Also, like children, most animals make us just plain feel good. In many ways they can make us feel better about the world, even if just for a little while. The same cannot be said for most people in power. That’s why Barbaro is receiving the kind of support he is receiving and I personally think it is touching.
By Sam Houston
May 23, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this
Make no mistake about this irrefutable fact—there is more intrinsic virtue in animals than all humans put together. Thus, it is important that Barbaro survive—-what we don’t need are more humans—yes, I’m saying—-animals are more important than humans—every time.
By Mark
May 23, 2006 10:27 PM | Link to this
Barbaro is my hero, and Schultz is a donkey’s a**