The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

But wait Jean Claude...there's more...

For it would turn out after our debacle of a draft war room.. the Braves would finish up their west coast swing in San Fran sweeping the Giants and returning back to Atlanta 10-0 to start the month of June.

That's pretty damn nice.


Remember how I spoke such great praises of Craig Kimbrell not two posts ago?



Well back at home in a winnable game vs. the Phillies. A winnable game in which Carlos Zambrano tossed another great game out pitching this time Cliff Lee. It would be set up for Kimbrell to do what he does best, and damnit if we didn't break the mysterious unwritten rule of baseball.

THOU SHALT NOT DEEM A RELIEF PITCHER *ahem* "BEASTIN"



Kimbrell blew the save giving up 3 runs in the ninth.

(typical)

...and next thing I know, Philly is hustling up dinner plans with a Dub they didn't deserve, and our great month of June is ruined as we drop this game and the next allowing the Phillies to creep closer in the NL East race.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

Snapping back to reality, we salvaged the rest of our homestand by taking 3 of 4 from the Giants. Going overall 6 of 7 in our mini middle of the year home and home series vs. them. It would be a great evening as Alex Gonzalez hit an unlikely 2 run jack vs. Lincecum in this one..



and also amazingly because I screwed up during the the pinch hitting of the bottom of the 8th. In a move that would make Tony La Russa jealous I let Jordan Schafer pitch the final inning. It was hilarious.



Old Boy Jordan only had two pitches. Fastball and changeup.. the umps didn't make him take off his wristbands because it was father's day and the blue looked cool, but man, this guy came in and was okie doking the Giants order. Fastball's not hitting 80? Changeups, with no movement? NO PROBLEM DUDE!

Once again, it was so improbable that he was getting outs (especially after Kimbrell's blown save dissapointment) that I left him in just to see if he really would shut down the Giants with trash pitches..



His final pitch, an inside changeup, sawed off the batter's bat. At this point.. I knew a video was due to be recapped. He probably won't pitch again for a VERY long time but who knows, maybe we'll expirment again in a blowout situation. No better way to demoralize your opponent, than by letting a generated face 2nd year OF close the door 1-2-3 on your lineup with a 1 and half pitch repitoire.. It was genius.

- We now head out on a flight tonight to New York. We have 3 or 4 games against the Mets in Queens, followed by 3 games vs. the Yanks up in New Yankee Stadium. I'm pretty stoked to be playing against the pinstripes in all honesty so I may just play the 1 scheduled game vs. the Mets, and then sit back and have some fun in a 3 game set at the Bronx Zoo. Last year we'd did this with the LA Angels, and it didn't throw off the routine of this dynasty too bad.... so I guess now is as good a time as any for the New York games.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

The NEW YORK SERIES

An unprecedented Subway Series vs. the Mets AND the Yankees in the same week. Very good planning by the MLB the show scheduling Power's that Be. This was a fun series of events that took place. I'll try to word the 6 games as concise as possible:


It would start in Queens, NY at Citi field. The Atlanta Braves playing against the dog of the NL East, and for what it was worth they gave us all we could handle. Had it not been for Kris Medlen, and his starting to become damn near insane season, we would have been swept. Not a doubt in my mind.




The bus ride to the Bronx was a rather quiet one. The Boys from Cobb County had started June with an awesome 10-0 record. But the middle of the month was starting to cool everybody off. Everyone had expected to roll into New Yankee Stadium with some momentum, but instead the opposite had happened, and on the mound facing them would be the dominant lefty C.C. Sabathia who only had one loss on the year. (That would ironically be at Ted Turner's Field earlier this season).

Suddenly out of the distance, at the back of the bus, came a profanity.

**** the Yankees.

Who said it? No one more than Ted Turner.

Why he said it? Well hell... he was pissed off. The team was playing scared. Scared to pitch to Tex. Scared Cano and A Rod were going to have a field day. Defeated before even facing C.C.

We've beaten the Yankees, sure they are First in the AL East. But C'mon Son... we're first in the NL East.

I'll say it again. **** the Yankees. **** Pretty boy Derek Jetah. I say screw em' all. What they got that we don't have?

They got Mo? We got Kimbrell. They got C.C. We got Tommy. They got Jeter, We got Furcal, who I must say plays a better D than him anyway... and blah blah whoever they got, we got somebody right there with him... C'mon Guys...

Julio Lugo spoke up saying that they did have the Braves beat by how their jumbotron was in HD and was quickly bombarded with travel peanuts from everybody.


...The chant started slowly at first, but within 15 seconds, the entire bus was yelling **** the Yanks, **** the Yanks.


This was going to be good.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.



An amazing series. C.C. took game 1 after Hanson basically handed the game to the Yankees by going one inning too long. Robinson Cano blasted the first pitch of the 8th inning over the wall.

Things got interesting at the end when Rivera's cutter wasn't fooling anyone and we were able to load the bases with 1 out and get Jason Heyward up to the plate for a chance at pinch hit game tying RBI.

Rivera proceeded to get him to superb perfect groundball to Teixeria for a game ending DP. That was pretty bad I must say... but it's New York so I let it slide.



Game 2: Tim Hudson on the mound. Tim Hudson out of the game by the 4th inning. WE MURDERED this guy this time around. This was the Hudson I remembered. I knew things were going our way when Uggs hit a HR off of him. Dan Uggla never hits HRs against right handed pitchers for some reason.



Game 3: The Rubber game was what made the series though. We got up big. The Yanks fought back running Jurrjens out of the game, and then our two relievers after him failed to get 1 out to end the 6th inning. However A Rod, who absolutely blows for some reason on the Show) hit an unclutch pop up to end the 6th. And then ultimately struck out looking to end the game, and the the series.



Fun Fact: Prado's Homerun came off of Jorge De La Rosa. The Same Jorge De la Rosa that beaned him in the 2011 NLDS. Payback truly is a street tramp eh?

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

It is now that magical time in which we are forced to take a break and play a game that for all intents and purposes will be the most annoying glitch filled, super human game of the year. I detest playing it now each season, and dread this day like Black Friday, however it must be done... because Bud Selig said so.



At the break we notice that John Boy Rocker has had his first "on fuego" moment. He has transitioned nicely into AAA ball going 10 for his last 10 in Save situations. Notice the fact that he only has 3 strikeouts in those 10 games. HE is not going to blow away ANYONE. But his clutch rating is getting the job done. At this rate, he might have a spot on the September roster which is exciting news.



We have gotten on a few win streaks throughout late June and early July. Those wins are helping us pull away from the pack rather early and for the first time in our 3 years here in Atlanta, the race could be over by dinner time. Big ups to the three headed monster of Tommy Hanson, Kris Medlen, and surrpisngly Carlos Zambrano who is 2nd in the league in ERA and CG's. His season is starting to turn around and justify the money.

It also doesn't hurt to have Heyward having a MVPesque year on the offensive side of the stick.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

All Star Break - 2012

The best and brightest of both leagues meet at historic Kauffman stadium in Kansas City for the 2012 edition of the MLB All Star Game. Atlanta is proud to be sending RF Jason Heyward, Pitcher Carlos Zambrano, Pitcher Craig Kimbrell, and the starter for Tuesday nights game for the National league, Tommy Hanson.

It is an honor to have the lead vote getter in the most prestigious Role of starting pitcher for your league. Hanson is 12-2 on the year, has the lowest ERA in the league at 2.38, and is top 5 in strikeouts with 113.



And of course the lineups as voted on by the fans. Jason Heyward will be the only Atlanta Brave position player going to KC. PRado should have been here, but the CPU fans decided to take 3 1B's for some reason because they couldn't pick between Howard, Fielder, and Pujols. Dan Uggla should be here too.. but he had a horrendous 0-4 day on the last game before the break and lost out on some key votes making him odd man out.




Monday: Home Run Derby presented by State Farm


The participants. J-Hey made the cut, so we actually have something to play for this time around.


At this point he was putting on a show. Once the rhythm of when and how to swing were adjusted to. Balls were flying into the waterfall left and right.



And of course we couldn't forget to include the hardware for last night's performance. The trophy case just got updated in a moment that will add to the legend that is Jason Heyward.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

Now this is how the MLB All Star game is 'sposed to be!



Not some fantasy, "He's on fire" flaming baseballs, triples and boomsticks through the first 5 innings like 2011.



Not a game of getting a fluke hit in the first inning and have 6 closers come in and shut the door one inning after another which ain't even fun ala 2010. I'm not going to lie. I was glad this game didn't go down that route either.


No... no, the 2012 All Star game is how it was meant to be played. Timely hitting. Great pitching from both sides. Neither team catching a break, and yet both teams pulling off spectacular plays on both sides. There was no way to tell who was going to win this game all the way down to the final out.

That's baseball.



And look at Robbie Cano pulling off the play of the night with the AND 1 Mixtape style pass to Alexi Ramirez. Was it neccessary? No... not really, but it was pretty cool. Not as cool as Jimmy Rollins turning two by himself in St. Louis back in 2010, but this would be a close #2.

FLASHBACK - 2010 (Jimmy Turns Two)

All the Braves did well. Heyward got a RBI. Which was critical in a game that only plated 2. Zambrano struck out 4. Kimbrell had a 1-2-3 8th inning. And as for Tommy Hanson?



He was asked to take the National league 3 innings strong, and went and kept the American league lineup who was full of pop, and hot streaks limited to just 1 run. He played stellar..

..due to the hardwork, we now have HFA if we somehow make it past the Cardinals into the World Series this year. HEY.. HO... HEY... HO!!!

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

So now on to the downward slope of the 2012 Season...


John Boy BEFORE some vague time in March



Ah yes, I remember that day like it was yesterday. John Boy reported to training camp with the most pedophile looking chinstrap goatee this side of LSU. Let's call it for what it was... he looked like a fool. Ted hated it, I hated it... we all hated it. He would need to grow the beard back out not just for Ted and Holman. Not just for you or me... but just for his own good.

John Boy AFTER Sometime around JULY the 15th 2012



Alongside Rocker's improved stats and abilities this year shooting him through the junior leagues and up into the final division of AAA baseball. John Boy Rocker had fufilled his promise to keep the beard as long, shaggy, and un kept as possible. Although it took not 3 but 4 "Chinstrap Beard" Options in the Create a player menu.. John Boy through hard work, persistance, and multiple bottles of Whiskey was disguised again.


Ted was pleased... it would be time to think about the final promotion soon.



He's looking good down there guys.. real good. When you can get Lyle Overbay to swing early on a 95 MPH fastball to the point that the ball is not even on screen. You're doing things the right way down in Gwinnet. I can't believe this is going to work heh... John Rocker... back on the Braves... it's only a matter of time. It's only a matter of time.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

Wow, the past couple of games have been thrilling in places. They've been annoying as hell at times. And most importantly it seems the offense is running on all cylinders. The only bad side has been defensively our team is falling apart at the seams. But bah, we won't talk about the bad... we'll stick with the good in this recap of the past few games.




It started in St. Louis, with Nate McLouth coming in, and getting a key pinch hit 2 run jimmy jack on Jason Motte. This was big because as we all know St. Louis is the class of the NL. As great as our season has been, they are the one team. The one P.O.S. left lying around that can spoil our run for a world title. Their lineup is scary good with the addition of Ian Kinsler as a deadline deal... this time around we came out on the good side.



We would then fly up to Philly. The matchup pitting Cliff Lee on the mound vs. Tommy Hanson.

One thing is certain, as bad as Dan Uggla has been this season against right handers. This dude is unbeatable when a lefty is on the mound. It's like getting Albert Pujols 1 out of every 4 starts because this guy doesn't miss at all. Now the other 4 starts is another conversation, but put a lefty on the mound, Dan Uggla is the answer.

However the guy who gets the shine for tonight was Alex Gonzales. I love this kid. HE is the most obscure player on our roster, next to Julio Lugo... and yet, he seems to always get some b.s. homerun off of someone right when you think he should be the sacrificial lamb for John Boy Rocker.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

The final game would be back home in the "Blue/White Pinstripes Tonight". The retro throwbacks were a nice look, and this game proved to be the best of them all. After falling behind 4-5 in the 8th. The Braves got a clutch hold from Eric O'Flaherty in the top of the ninth. And then on a 3-0 count with 2 outs.. the Nats looked to be unintentionally intentionally walking Jason Heyward to get their hands on mr. rally killer Dan Uggla.

This seemed to be a logical, and sound decision, seeing as how Heyward has put together a MVP type season and could easily end the game with one swing of the bat. We should have expected the 4th pitch curveball to be a ball.



Don't you love when the curve ball don't breaK? One swing. Two runs...game over. the MVP has struck again.

MLB Tonight - On the Phone: Jason Heyward


The gang gets a hold of MVP candidate Jason Heyward after a 6-5 walk off victory against Washington to get his words on the resiliancy of the Atlanta Braves this season.

As you can see the hits came in bunches. One game with 11, the next 15, then 17... normalcy is on the way I know it... MLB the show loves to even the averages such as before the All Star break when we were getting shut down by Ace after Ace... but you gotta feel good and bad that this many hits came, and so few runs were produced.

Oh wll.. a win's a win.

[bhurst99]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

Wow, fantastic dynasty. I'm blown away.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

Wow, fantastic dynasty. I'm blown away.

Ah man, the godfather of the Dynasty Forums has made a cameo today. Without Bhurst's contributions in the offseason when everyone here is playing 2k and Madden not only is this forums sitting somewhere beside the NFL 2k5 forum. A lot of things such as videos in a dynasty, and the road to the show career of John Boy Rocker just simply do not happen.


So now as for your's truly, I'm sitting in the office, hours removed from a Thanksgiving holiday that is much needed for us all. Need a couple of hours to kill? Don't want to do actual work? Hell no? Let's update the memoirs. Because friends, it's the right thing to do:

The Plot Thickens...

When we last left off, Ted Turner had gotten an unofficial blessing from knocked the hell out Holman Keezel to at somepoint take over as the face of ownership. Rightfully so, he footed a $500 million dollar down payment to make all the things happen so far in our dynasty.

However there still is the fact of the matter that there was an assassin running around looking to put him in a body bag as well. For that reason, security guard Josh got the promotion of a lifetime and took over the club's operation serving as a puppet, a pawn, a elaborately designed plot device to the already established puppet Holman Keezel.

With that said, the team is heading in the right direction and the time to live in fear would need to end for reasons of principle. Even though we are making a focking lot of money and winning games at a record pace... the scharades must end eventually and the king of Atlanta must take his throne.

However that time is still not here... and the most critical issue was figuring out what to do with John Rocker who was now ready and given blessings by all the managers down in Gwinnett to leave the team and help the Braves push for a championship.

As Ted gathered the final papers needed to green light promoting John Rocker to the Major league system.. it would be this very same Josh that would break the biggest plot swerve this side of season 1...

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

The Atlanta Journal-Consitution

Game Over Or On For Atlanta Braves Ownership?

David O'Brien
Ajc.com
JULY 19, 2012

ATLANTA - For 3 years here in Atlanta, the story has been change. Like Forrest Gump said about his infamous box of mixed chocolates, you didn't know what you were going to get.

The great manager swap of 2011 dealt by Bobby Cox and Fredi Gonzalez.

The shift of franchise players between Chipper Jones and Jason Heyward.

The loss of Derek Lowe leading the way for Tommy Hason to put together a CY Young season.

And finally the move that sent former ownership group, Liberty Media off to the Bahamas for $500 Million dollars.

I guess I lied, we may not have known what we were going to get, but the result of change has been analagous with success. With change, good things have come not far behind. Gaining Holman Keezel as the new owner of the Atlanta Braves has brought us here in Atlanta some great times with a championship run in 2010, and what appears to be another now in 2012...

(cont.)
...Is it any surprise now, when things are at what looks to be the peak of this team's run. During a 20 game lead in the East, two MVP candidates in Heyward and Hanson and a lineup up and down full of the talent neccessary to get things done as is... that another change is bubbling on the horizon?

Early reports are leading me to believe that due to the unfortunate accident earlier this year to Holman Keezel, the changing of the guard is in place...

Ted: how do they know about me....

Josh: .... (continues to read)

... Liberty Media looks to be putting the chips in place to regain the Atlanta Braves due to the fact of a breach of contract and a grandfathered clause that would shift the team back into their control due to the circumstances in place.

Is an ugly legal battle in the midst of a pennant race the thing the team needs to be concerned about right now? All the fans of the Braves nation would certainly say no. But if the past has taught us anything, sometimes change is good. And in this case, it could end up being the right decision after all.

Ted Turner: ....



Damn. This ain't good. This ain't good at all...

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.

So with that said, the Braves on pace for their best season in 15 years would have an off the field issue to deal with. Is it not enough to finally get to a level of being elite before news flies of the whole thing being torn down

Let's just take a moment of our day to see why this is horrible timing:




We knew about Heyward being a MVP candidate and it's nice to see him finally overtake Prince down the strech... Hell I've hyped and promoted this the past two pages it'd be NICE to win the damn thing... But look at who has silently and sneakily has slid himself into the MVP race. Hanson already has 18 wins and could hit the 20 win mark for the first time with over 2 months left to get 2 wins. He'll win the CY Young if he keeps winning, but the MVP race has now gotten a bit interesting.





We all have 10th grade or higher Educations so I won't humor you by recapping what has already been written. I must say it's nice to see McLouth step up after Schafer went out with an ankle injury. I must equally say it's horrible to see I have jinxed Kimbrell as he has lost his stuff ever since I got too giddy back in May.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs part 3: Painkillers Are A Man's Best Friend.



A 5 for 5 day for Brian McCann and a dominating performace by Good Ol' Tommy made easy work of the LA Dodgers out in So Cal. With the lead now at 21 and Kimbrell struggling, plus the added pressure of making a move or getting off the pot. It was apparent that Ted had to pull the trigger.

He had to push the button. Dot the I.. Cut the cake. Settle the score, Dock the Ipod Turn the car engine on and let it sit.

He had to promote John Rocker.



Replacing Dustin Richardson who had done no wrong, but was just an expendable piece at the wrong place at the wrong time. John Rocker would get his jersey stitched with the familiar 4-9. Jair Jurjens would take 45 for the time being. It had been a year delayed, but the experiment would be put into place. He had succeeded at every level during this comeback with hiccups along the way. Now at the show, the highest level... would Rocker make a difference or get shelled shocked by the pros.

We shall find out.