This and That

“I never thought I’d be on the cover of the Atlanta Journal unless I killed someone.”

-Chris Robinson

Robinson, lead singer of Southern rock group The Black Crowes, made the above comment upon achieving an unexpected level of fame in Georgia. Of course, Robinson never killed anyone, it was his music that made him famous. While a certain former Falcons quarterback never killed anyone (or at least any person) either, he did do quite a few unsavory things during his time in Atlanta.

Why are we talking about Michael Vick? Because before Pittsburgh signed him to a one year contract, there were a number of people who seemed to think that the Falcons should bring him in to back up Matt Ryan. Why not? I’ll tell you why: weed concealing water bottles, obscene gestures, Ron Mexico, and a little dogfighting investigation that you may have heard something about. While it is true that Vick has paid for his transgressions, that doesn’t mean that we want him anywhere near the ATL. Just saying.

Now that we’ve gotten that bit of unpleasantness out of the way, on to a few bits and pieces from the world of pro sports in Atlanta:

-The Falcons signed quarterback Rex Grossman to a one year, $1 million contract earlier this week. Grossman, who hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2011, has worked previously with new Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in Washington and Cleveland.

While the addition of Grossman, a former Heisman Trophy runner-up at Florida, isn’t the kind of move that gets headlines, it could turn out to be important. Anyone who has watched the first two preseason games knows that the Falcons are sorely deficient in the backup QB area. Of course, should Matt Ryan go down, it really doesn’t matter who the #2 quarterback is; the season is more or less over.

-In NBA news, the Hawks recently added veteran guard Jason Richardson to the roster. Richardson, a fifteen year veteran, joins the Hawks after averaging 9.1 points per game with Philadelphia last season. He will likely assume an Elton Brand type of role with Atlanta, mentoring younger players while contributing in a minor role off the bench.

-The Shelby Miller watch continues. Miller, who was acquired by the Braves in the Jason Heyward trade, has now gone an astounding 18 consecutive starts without a win. Despite a 2.62 ERA, good for 11^th in the National League, Miller has been saddled with the loss 10 times since his last win. There always seems to be one pitcher for whom the Braves can’t score runs, but the lack of support for Miller has been nothing short of epic.

-Speaking of our beloved baseball team, the Braves recently went winless on a seven game road trip to Chicago and San Diego, and are 1-9 in their last 10 games. Despite the disaster that has been the 2015 season, there have been a few promising signs. I really like Jace Peterson at 2^nd base, Cameron Maybin in centerfield, and Arodys Vizcaino in the closer spot. Still, there is much work to do before we can contend once again.

-The Falcons’ schedule, while one of the easiest in the league judging by last season’s results, does Atlanta no favors in the first month. The first three games are against NFC East opponents. The Falcons host Philadelphia, before visiting Washington and Dallas. An 0-3 start would effectively doom the season.

That does it for now. Soon Fall will be upon us, and we’ll have regular season NFL football to talk about. Until then, keep the faith Atlanta. What other choice do we have?

 

Preseason Perils: NFL football is here! Well, almost

Hello, and welcome once again into the world of professional sports in the ATL!

It’s been a long summer in Atlanta, what with the Braves fading fast in the National League East. So it was a great relief to find that football season is once again upon us. NFL training camp is underway, and this weekend marked the beginning of the preseason schedule.

With a new coaching staff roaming the Georgia Dome sidelines, no one really knows what to expect from the birds this year. A number of questions about the upcoming season loom: Can head coach Dan Quinn find a way to improve the Falcons’ porous defense? Will one of the young running backs break out? Can first round draft pick Vic Beasly help out Atlanta’s anemic pass rush?  In an effort to get a few answers, Edge of the Abyss dispatched a crack investigative team consisting of me and Matt to the Falcons-Titans preseason opener.

We left Athens at 4:30, which gave us two hours and thirty minutes to make the 70 mile trip to the Georgia Dome. I can hear my fellow Atlanta area drivers laughing already. In theory, 180 minutes is nearly three times as long as it takes to cover such a distance. But when you take into account that (A) both the Falcons and Braves were playing at home, (B) it was a Friday evening, and (C) Atlanta has one of the worst commute times in the country, there was no guarantee that we’d make it in time.

We drove to Doraville, which is famous (well, probably not) for being home to the Northern end of the MARTA rail line. MARTA (Moving At the Rate of a Turtle with Arthritis) is Atlanta’s public transit system. What better way to save time than to park in the suburbs and let someone else’s tax dollars work for us?

In hindsight, there were two major problems with our plan. First of all, due to auto accidents, police traffic stops, and imaginary road construction (not to mention that fact that it is apparently impossible for an eighteen-wheeler to make it through the metro area without breaking down), it took ninety minutes to reach Doraville. This left us just an hour to get to the Dome. No problem, you might be thinking. An hour is more than enough time. Enough time!? There is no such thing! What are you, out of your mind? We arrived at the Georgia Dome station at 7:05, which would have been fine had the game not started at seven.

Still, we made it to our seats just as Matt Ryan finished off an eighty yard drive with a 13 yards touchdown pass to Julio Jones. After going 6-6 on the drive Ryan called it a night, as did most of the Falcons starting offense. When Atlanta got the ball back at the Tennessee 10 yard line, courtesy of a Justin Durant interception of rookie QB Marcus Mariota, TJ Yates took over and promptly led the Falcons on a 3 play, -18 yard drive. Matt Bryant salvaged three points with a 45 yard field goal, which gave the Falcons a 10-0 lead.

On Tennessee’s next possession Mariota turned the ball over again, fumbling the ball deep in Titans territory. Paul Worrilow scooped up the loose ball and returned it 14 yards for a score and suddenly, Atlanta lead 17-0. Our good fortune seemed too good to be true! It was. The Titans put up 13 unanswered points on Dexter McCluster’s six yard run and former Georgia Bulldog Zach Mettenberger’s 30 yard pass to Rico Richardson.

Late in the first half, with the Falcons facing a fourth down, Matt headed for the smoking area. I decided to beat the halftime rush and get something to eat, since I-85 had robbed us of any chance at grabbing dinner. The game was on a television screen just above the snack bar, so I was able to see the Falcons go for it and pick up the first down.

As I perused the $8 hot dogs and $17 chicken strip baskets, an older woman in an Antone Smith jersey wandered up and down the concourse loudly stating “Give it to 35. Give it to 35.” On third and goal at the one yard line, Yates did just that. Smith raced around right end and lunged for the pylon. A replay upheld the call of touchdown, and the Falcons took a 24-13 lead into halftime.

As the third quarter began, we sat in our seats, sharing a bag of roasted peanuts; the only semi-reasonably priced item on the menu. Tennessee threatened to get back in the game midway through the period, marching 88 yards in 13 plays with former Falcon Harry Douglas notching several key receptions. Antonio Andrews scored on a one yard run, then ran in a two-point conversion to cut the lead to three. An Atlanta turnover then led to a Ryan Succop field goal, and the game was tied.

It didn’t look good for the Falcons. Even though winning or losing a preseason game doesn’t mean much, it wouldn’t help morale to blow a 17 point lead. Help was on the way though. Sean Renfree relieved Yates and, facing Tennessee’s third string defense, led Atlanta on a 16 play 86 yard drive. He completed 6 of 7 passes, mostly to Marquez Clark and 3^rd round draft pick Justin Hardy, to move the Falcons into scoring position. On third and goal, Michael Ford bulled in for the touchdown..

But Tennessee wasn’t finished. For awhile it seemed that overtime might be on the horizon. The Titans moved the ball into Falcon territory before the defense finally stiffened, forcing a punt. The offense then ground out a pair of first downs, effectively ending the game. Final score: Falcons 31, Titans 24.

A win in hand, we left our seats and joined the other few thousand people who’d stayed to the end in heading for the exits. After a few bumps and hip checks, we poured out into the warm Georgia night. The Atlanta skyline, lit up and glowing, stood out against the dark sky as we headed back the way we’d come. The stairs we’d taken from the MARTA station to the gate were closed for no apparent reason, so we wandered the streets looking for an alternate route.

Eventually we saw a herd of people zig-zagging its way down a flight of stairs across the street. We joined them and soon found ourselves waiting for the train back to Doraville. Let that be a lesson to you, if you ever see a crowd of people doing anything, you should always follow them, no matter what.

After a few minutes, a train pulled up to the stop. The only problem was that it was nearly full already, and only a few people were allowed on. The rest of us had no choice but to wait for the next train. Soon one appeared, its whistle rising over the din of the potential passengers assembled in the station, many of whom jostled for position as it approached.

The train was mercifully empty! There would be room for all of us! I relaxed and took a deep breath. There was no need to fight our way to the front. Certainly with so many unoccupied seats, it would be a calm and orderly boarding process. The train pulled to a stop, as a cheer rose from the crowd. Matt and I nodded to each other. There was nothing to worry about. The doors slid open.

Later, when I had time to think it over, I decided that the only way to accurately convey the chaos that ensued would be to say that it was like a zombie apocalypse. As soon as the doors opened, the crowd surged forward as if hell itself was headed our way. I didn’t so much as step onto the train as I was carried onto it. An ocean of people, most wearing Falcons gear, moved forward, propelling me with all the force of a tsunami out of the station and onto the train. Seconds later, we were on our way back to the car.

We arrived at the Doraville station just after 11pm. Once we’d rescued my car from the parking deck and were on our way home, I reflected on the evening spent at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons had recorded a win, though only in a meaningless preseason game. As for the questions that led us to Atlanta in the first place, we weren’t much closer to answers than we’d been before. The starting offense looked like a well-oiled machine (particularly Ryan and Jones, without whom we’d be in a world of hurt). The defense obviously still has work to do, though it seems headed in the right direction.

For the first time in three years, I feel guarded optimism regarding our Falcons. After two poor seasons, it does seem that the new coaching staff is in the process of installing a new attitude. I can’t help but look forward to the coming season. We could improve, perhaps even enough to make a playoff run. Either way, it will be a fun ride.

That does it for now. As always, keep the faith Atlanta! Our time will come. It has to eventually, doesn’t it?

 

Braves Check in: 80 Game Edition

Hello, and welcome once again into the world of professional sports in the ATL. We’ve reached the halfway point in another baseball season, so the time has come to check in once again on our very own boys of summer. But before we talk about the Braves, let’s take a look at the offseason moves made (and not made) by Atlanta’s Air force.

As the NBA draft approached, the Hawks were reportedly considering several players as candidates for the fifteen overall pick. Bobby Portis of Arkansas, Kelly Oubre of Kansas, and Kentucky’s Trey Lyles were all mentioned as possibilities. Fine, I thought. Any of these guys could fit well into coach Bud’s system. I made it home from a busy day just in time to see Atlanta end up with: Tim Hardaway Jr?

That’s right. After a pair of trades, the Hawks ended up with a small forward who spent his first two pro seasons with the woeful Knicks. As you may have guessed, my initial reaction to this development was: what? But once the surprise wore off, I realized that Hardaway, who is the son of former Golden State star Tim Hardaway Sr (Utep two-step, anyone?), could be the next DeMarre Carroll and improve on the 11.5 points per game he averaged for the Knickerbockers.

Speaking of Carroll, who recently signed a four year, $60 million contract with Toronto, it was clear to most fans that the Hawks would be unable, or at least unwilling, to resign him for the money he could get elsewhere. Faced with keeping Paul Millsap, who stayed with Atlanta for three years and $59 million, it just won’t feasible to pay Carroll as well. Besides, as much as I love everything Carroll did for the Hawks, don’t forget that prior to playing in coach Bud’s system, he never averaged more than six points per game. While I’d love to see Carroll continue to excel, I have my doubts that he can put up the kind of numbers he did in 2014-15 under another coach.

On to the Braves, who through Sunday, July 5, stood at 40-42. While not a great record by any means, it is definitely better than most predictions called for midway through the season. As unlikely as it seems, the Bravos are only six games out of first place, and remain in the hunt in the mediocre National League East. Since we’re halfway home, a few thoughts on the season thus far:

-John Hart really had a good offseason. While some of the moves he made were controversial, many of them have paid off. My vote for his best? Sending Craig Kimbrel and Melvin (BJ) Upton to San Diego for Matt Wisler, Cameron Maybin, Jordan Parocheck, and Carlos Quentin. As much as I hated to see Kimbrel go, Maybin has put up career best numbers so far, hitting .294 with 7 homeruns, 39 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. Also, Wisler looks like a future star. In three starts he has gone 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA.

-Jace Peterson could be our second baseman of the future. Though he has cooled off lately, he has driven in 35 runs, stolen 8 bases, and filled a prominent hole in the lineup as the lead off hitter while doing an excellent job in the field.

-Freddie Freeman is as vital to the Atlanta lineup as any player in the National League is to his. While they were never exactly menacing to opposing pitchers this season, without Freeman, who has missed the last 16 games with an injury, they’ve been quite anemic. From June 21 to June 26, the Braves scored a grand total of five runs in five games.

-Some of the veterans the Braves brought in are performing above expectations. In addition to Maybin, a few others are really getting the job done. A.J. Pierzinski has basically taken over the starting catcher job, deftly handling the young pitching staff while hitting .267 with 5 home runs. Journeyman Kelly Johnson has filled in in leftfield and at first base, hitting .265 with 6 home runs and 25 RBI. Jason Grilli, the 38 year old closer, has converted 22 of 24 save opportunities while striking out 42 in 31.2 innings.

-Julio Teheran has struggled, while Shelby Miller has excelled. Teheran, who was supposed to be the Braves ace, has been wildly inconsistent. He’s been great at home, posting a 5-0 record and a 2.04 ERA, and downright awful on the road, where he has gone 1-4 with a 7.40 ERA and allowed 11 home runs in 48.2 innings. Miller, by contest, has been nothing short of dominating. While his record stands at just 5-4, his 2.04 ERA and 88 strikeouts have put him in consideration for a spot on the NL All Star roster. Only a lack of run support has prevented him from being mentioned in the CY Young conversation.

As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, no one expected much from the Braves this season. In fact, the only thing I asked of them was that they stay relevant until football season approached. I predicted that they would be a .500 team, and so far, that is about what they have been. But due to the weakness of the NL East, they are in the conversation when it comes to playoff contention. I love the scrappy play, especially after watching last year’s team, which couldn’t have hit a beach ball had the opposing pitcher floated one up there. Here’s hoping that they can keep it up.

That does it for now. I’ll be back soon with more thoughts on the NBA free agent period, and more analysis of the Braves as they grind through the long season. I’m also working on something special for you veteran fans, and I hope to have it ready in a week or two. In the meantime, keep the faith Atlanta. See you soon!

 

This and That

In the wake of the conclusion of the NBA season and the NFL draft coming and going, we’ve reached that time of year when it can seem that there isn’t much to talk about when it comes to Atlanta professional sports. The Braves are the only one of our big three that is currently playing games, and so far they’ve been about what we expected: competitive but not exactly a world beater.

Not to worry! While each sport has an “offseason,” there really isn’t much downtime in the world of pro sports; at least not for the people who keep the teams running. Managing a sports franchise is a full time job, and for the hard core fan, so is pulling for one.

With that being said, I’ve spent the last few days coming up with some tidbits from our home teams. While talking about day to day operations may not be as exciting as recounting game action, at least it gives us something to get us through the long hot summer. So let’s get started.

Falcons

The big news this week was the release of former first round draft pick Sam Baker. After taking Matt Ryan with the third overall pick 2008, Atlanta traded back into the first round to get Baker. Thinking they were getting a left tackle to protect Ryan, what they actually got was an injury prone player who competed in all sixteen games just twice in his seven seasons with the Falcons. After Baker missed nearly all of 2013 and 2014, the writing was on the wall.

In other OL news, the Falcons lost tackle Lamar Holmes to a broken foot this week, further depleting a line that struggled mightily in 2014. While Holmes may be back in time for the preseason, an injury this early in the year gives me a disquieting feeling. After all, the Falcons have been decimated by injuries of late.

On a more positive subject, new head man Dan Quinn held his first mini camp this week. There seems to be a new attitude in Flowery Branch, as the players work to learn the schemes of Quinn and new OC Kyle Shanahan. Even with a coach as successful as Mike Smith, at some point it takes new ideas to shake things up. Quinn seems to have the attention of his players.

During the mini camp, fans were treated to the first images of first round pick Vic Beasley in an Atlanta uniform. Here’s hoping Beasley can improve a pass rush that ranked somewhere below anemic last year. And let’s not forget Julio Jones, who eased all of our minds when he stated on Wednesday that he has no plans to hold out as he enters the final year of his contract. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Hawks

There was quite a bit of news involving the Hawks this week, beginning with the latest development in the Danny Ferry saga. The rocky reign of the erstwhile General Manager appears to be at an end, as the Atlanta Hawks board voted in favor of a buyout on Friday. Ferry, who has been on leave since a recording of his racial insensitive comments about potential free agent signee Luol Deng surfaced last off season, will be paid more than the remaining balance on his contract.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer will promoted to Team President, while continuing to coach the team. Assistant General Manager Wes Wilcox will assume the GM role. The dismissal of Ferry had been rumored for weeks, with the thinking being that new owner Antony Ressler, whose purchase of the team is expected to be finalized next week, wouldn’t want to deal with the distraction.

In other news, the 2015 NBA draft is just four days away, and the name I most often see attached to Atlanta’s 15^th overall pick is former Arkansas Razorback Bobby Portis. I would be perfectly okay with this pick, as Portis would fit very well into coach Bud’s system. He is a 6-10 power forward with a great motor who can also his the jump shot.

One of the reasons I like Portis is the uncertainty surrounded Paul Millsap, who will likely command a max contract. Will the Hawks be willing to give him one? What about fellow free agent Demarre Carroll? While no one will offer Carroll the kind of money Millsap will get, someone could very well make him a very rich man. Will Atlanta resign one or both of these key pieces? Time will tell.

Braves

As the only one of the big three to be currently in season, the Braves have surprised quite a few people by hanging around in the National League East. Through June 20, they are only two games out of first place, though as was the case with the Falcons and the NFC East, this fact says a lot about the underachievement of the division as a whole.

Still, there have been promising signs. Jace Peterson continues to impress as second base. He has been a steady presence in the field, and has developed into one the best clutch hitters on the roster. Another who has outperformed expectations is centerfielder Cameron Maybin. Essentially a throw-in in the deal that moved Craig Kimbrel and Melvin (B.J.) Upton to San Diego, Maybin has been so good that the team released projected starter Eric Young Jr.

Equally impressive has been the performance of young pitchers Williams Perez and Matt Wisler, the latter of whom allowed just one run over eight innings in his major league debut on Friday night. As Julio Teheran and Alex Wood have struggled with consistency, Perez, Wisler and Shelby Miller have helped keep the Braves’ heads above water.

That about wraps things up for now. I’ll be back in the near future with my thoughts on the NBA draft, as well as a Braves mid-season check in. Until next time, keep the faith Atlanta!

 

Top 20: The Final Four

Famed Science Fiction writer Frank Herbert once wrote the line “There is no real ending, It’s just the place where you stop the story.” While this may very well apply to fiction, undertakings like my top 20 list of Atlanta sports stars eventually do come to an end, and we have almost reached it. Before we delve into the last four names on the list, a quick look back at how we got here:

20. Kevin Willis
19. Craig Kimbrel
18. Ron Gant
17. Brian Jordan
16. Jamal Anderson
15. Brian McCann
14. Andre Rison
13. Dikembe Mutombo
12. Greg Maddux
11. Deion Sanders
10. Mike Kenn
9.  Mookie Blaylock
8.  Tom Glavine
7.  Gerald Riggs
6.  Chipper Jones
5.  Matt Ryan

For more on these Atlanta luminaries, check out my previous posts. And now, without further delay, here are my top four professional sports stars of the ATL:

4.John Smoltz: Pitcher-Braves

In 1989 and 1990, John Smoltz won 26 games for one of the worst teams in all of baseball. It appeared that the Braves had come out okay in the trade that brought him to Atlanta, when they sent veteran Doyle Alexander to Detroit. But his success for a last place team gave little hint of what was to come next.

From 1991-2005, the Braves won 14 consecutive division titles. During this great run there was a lot of turnover on the team. Over the years the roster often looked quite different from the season before. But there was one constant; one man who was a part of the run from beginning to end: John Smoltz.

Though often overshadowed by fellow Hall of Famers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, Smoltz was always my favorite. He was the gunslinger, the flame thrower of the staff; the one who would throw the ball right on by you, or make you look like a fool with one of the best sliders the game has ever seen.

From 1991-1999 Smoltz won 129 games, including his 24 win Cy Young award season in 1996. Then, after missing all of 2000 due to an injury, the Braves asked him to try his hand at closing games. All he did was save 154 games in the next 3 and a half seasons, including a National League record 55 in 2002.

In 2005 Smoltz returned to the starting rotation and promptly won 44 games over the next three seasons. No one else in the history of baseball has made such a transition not once but twice. Overall, in 21 seasons in Atlanta, he won 210 games, saved 154, posted 3011 strikeouts, went 15-4 in the postseason, was an eight time All-Star, and posted a 3.26 ERA.

I have two favorite Smoltz moments. In 1991 he was on the mound when the Braves clinched the first of the 14 division titles. Watching video of catcher Greg Olsen jumping into Smoltz’s arms still give me chills. The other was attending a Braves game in 2002 and watching him come out of the bullpen to nail down a win over the Cubs. I’ll never forget that moment, and I’ll never forget John. He remains one of my all time sports heroes.

3.Jessie Tuggle: Linebacker-Falcons

There have been a number of bad defenses in Falcons history. Over the years the franchise has struggled to put together a consistent unit of that side of the ball. The time period from 1987-2000 was no exception. During this stretch Atlanta finished better than 20^th in defensive ranking only three times. There was only one constant on the Falcons defense for all those years: the presence of “The Hammer.”

Jessie Tuggle was a tackling machine. For so many years he was the man the team could count on to make a stop. In 14 seasons with the Falcons, Tuggle racked up 1640 tackles. From 1989-93, he averaged 193 tackles per season, which is nothing short of incredible.

Tuggle also had a nose for the end zone, despite not being a player who got his hands on the ball very much. Though he finished his career with just six career interceptions and ten fumble recoveries, he managed to score six touchdowns on returns.

Since he wasn’t a big time pass rusher (21 career sacks), Tuggle often doesn’t get the credit he deserves for being one of the NFL’s best linebackers during his prime. Despite playing on some bad teams, he made five Pro Bowls and was selected as an All-Pro on three occasions. Not bad for an undrafted free agent from Valdosta State!

The best thing about Tuggle was the hits he put on opponents. He was neither a dirty player, nor one who tried to hurt anyone. He was simply a hard nosed player who worked hard and made quite an impact. When he hit someone, they thought twice about going his way again.

My favorite Tuggle memory was watching him enjoy the 1998 season, which culminated in the Falcons facing Denver in Super Bowl XXXIII. In his first 11 seasons, the Falcons had made the playoffs just twice. Now he was finally getting to enjoy playing on a good team, with a defense that ranked 4^th in the NFL. He deserved every second of that great season, and if you ask me, he deserves something else: enshrinement in the Hall of Fame; much like the next person on my list.

2. Dale Murphy: Outfield/First Base/Catcher-Braves

How can I convey how much Murphy meant to Braves fans? He was our All-Star, our candidate for best player in the game. During an era when we often found our team eliminated from playoff contention before the weather even got hot, he was the reason to watch a game.

Due to the fact that his numbers began to decline sharply after he turned 30, people sometimes forget just how good Murphy was in the 1980’s. He won back-to-back MVP awards in 1982-83. He was a seven time All-Star, won five Gold Gloves and four Silver Slugger Awards, and twice led the league in home runs and RBI.

In fifteen seasons in Atlanta, Murphy hit 371 home runs and drove in 1143 runs. But his impact was far greater than the numbers. Widely regarded as the nicest man in baseball, he never turned down an interview, and never shot down a request to make an appearance. In 1987 he shared Sportmen and Sportwomen of the Year Award with seven others due mostly to his work with charities like the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the March of Dimes, and the American Heart Association.

As a young boy, Murphy was my favorite. I made it a point to always watch his at bats, even if I didn’t watch the whole game. I tried to emulate him when playing pick-up baseball or softball, and even wrote reports about him in school when prompted to write about heroes or favorite people.

I’ve always felt bad for Murphy, as he was traded the year before the Braves run of division titles began. After carrying the torch for so many years, he was the one left out; the one who didn’t get to live the dream. The day he was traded to the Phillies remains a lowlight of my life as a fan.

A few years ago I bumped into a man wearing a Boston Red Sox jersey at the supermarket. The Sox had just signed John Smoltz, and upon seeing my Braves shirt, the man stopped and asked me how I felt about it. After mentioning my disappointment over the loss of Smoltz, the man asked me about my favorite Brave. He seemed surprised when I said that it was Murphy, and not Maddux, Glavine, or Chipper Jones. But that’s the thing about the Murph, you had to be here to fully appreciate everything he did for our team and our city. There will never be another like him.

1.Dominique Wilkins: Forward-Hawks

Who else could it be? If you’ve followed my list from the beginning, you know that I’ve mentioned nearly every star player to ever take the field or court in Atlanta. But I’ve saved my favorite for last. Nothing could ever compare to watching, night after night, the exploits of the man they called “The Human Highlight Film.”

Much is made of Nique’s dunking ability, and rightfully so. He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest twice (and should have won another over Michael Jordan in 1988 in my humble opinion), and his in-game dunks were often even better than the contest ones. I’ll never forget being at the Omni for a game and watching him throw down a windmill dunk as time expired.

But there was so much more to his game. In 12 seasons with the Hawks, Wilkins scored 23,292 points, averaging 26.4 points per game. You don’t score that many points just dunking. He also averaged 6.9 rebounds per game, was a nine time All-Star, and led the Hawks to eight playoff appearances.

But it was more than the stats. During a time when both the Falcons and Braves were down, the Hawks were often the only successful team in town. Many a night I watched their games knowing that my entire sports year was based on how they fared. If the Hawks were the Solar System of Atlanta’s sports scene, then Dominique was the Sun. Plus, he played for Georgia in college! What more could you ask for?

In 1994 Wilkins was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Danny Manning. To this day I don’t understand why a team with the best record in the Eastern Conference would trade its best player. It was, and still is, the saddest day of my sports life.

My favorite memory of Nique came during a game I attended. With the Hawks down by three points and time running out, he nailed a three point shot to send the game to overtime, leading to an eventual win. He was never a great outside shooter, but that’s the kind of player he was; able to elevate his game at the most important moments.

Even though he has been retired for a number of years, these days Dominique is everywhere. He makes appearances, holds a job in the Hawks front office, and serves as a color commentator on T.V. broadcasts. I love the fact that he is still around, and I hope he stays on for years to come.

Well, that wraps up my list. You don’t agree with all my choices; I know this without even asking. But let’s face it, that’s part of the fun of lists! Feel free to submit your own list in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts on my list, your own selections, and Atlanta sports in general. Thanks for reading, and remember that one day we will have another championship to celebrate. Of this I am certain. As always, thanks for reading. Keep the faith Atlanta!

 

 

Braves Progress Summary: 40 Game Edition

As we prepare for a long holiday weekend that could turn out to be very profitable or devastatingly terrible for Atlanta’s sports scene, let us all hope that the Hawks shoot better than 4 of 23 from three-point range. Let us pray that DeMarre Carroll is able to return from injury sooner rather than later. Let us hold out hope that come tomorrow morning, Kyle Korver will be featured on ESPN rather than the back of a milk carton. Most of all, let us wish with all our heart that the referees would call the game consistently and fairly. I know, who am I kidding, right?

But enough about that. I’m here today to remind everyone that in addition to the Hawks, we have another team playing tonight. A team that may not feature too many names and faces you know, but has quietly hung in there so far. That’s right, the Braves, left for dead by most everyone in the wake of trademaggeddon 2015, have been better than expected.

Not that they are in first place or anything. After winning on Thursday night, partly due to Milwaukee pitcher Will Smith doing his best Eddie Harris impression, the Braves currently sport a record of 20-20, and are just 3.5 games out of first place. Nearly a quarter of the way through the season, time for a quick check in on what has gone right and wrong so far.

Heading into the season, we all assumed that starting pitching would be the strength of this team. That’s all we talked about during spring training! Returning starters Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, and Mike Minor were supposed to keep the games close enough to give an offense full of unknowns a chance. It hasn’t quite worked out that way. Teheran (4-1, 3.91 ERA) and Wood (2-2, 3.83 ERA) have been good at times, but have struggled with consistency. As far as Minor goes, his season ended before he ever threw his first regular season pitch.

The leader of the staff has easily been Shelby Miller. Acquired in the Jason Heyward trade, over which there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth among the faithful, he has been absolutely outstanding. Through eight starts he is 5-1 with a miniscule 1.33 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Oh yeah, he almost pitched a no hitter too.

The rest of the rotation has been a complete disaster. Trevor Cahill, Mike Foltynewicz, and Eric Stults are a combined 3-8, and are the less than proud owners of ERAs of 6.97, 5.32, and 5.36, respectively. It’s gotten so bad that the last time through the rotation the Braves turned to the man with two last names, Williams Perez. The righthander did well in his first start, pitching 5 innings and allowing just one run vs Tampa Bay.

The bullpen has been surprisingly strong so far. Veteran closer Jason Grilli has converted 12 of 13 save opportunities, though he won’t make anyone forget the great Craig Kimbrel. How I’d love to hear “Welcome to the Jungle” right about now! New members Brandon Cunniff and Jim Johnson have been good in set up roles, and holdover Luis Avilan remains the team’s best lefty option out of the bullpen.

The defense has been very good as well. Everyone knows how good Andrelton Simmons is, so I won’t spend much time on him except to say that he is one of the few players who can make a game thrilling to watch all by himself. Christian Bethancourt has thrown out 3 of 6 attempted baserunners. Overall the Braves have committed just 21 errors as a team.

Now, about that previously mentioned offense; the one that was going to struggle mightily to score runs this season. The Braves lineup, which you often need a program to sort out, put up seven runs in one inning last night. They’ve put up five or more in an inning several times this season, and have been way better than anyone thought they would be.

And it isn’t just that they’re scoring runs, it’s how they’re doing it. Through 40 games, no one has hit more than six homeruns. The most recent batting order has combined to hit just 17. That’s right folks, the Braves are playing small ball! Instead of waiting around for someone to hit a three run homer (which is kind of hard to do when no one is on base, as we found out last year) they are getting base hits, moving runners over, and coming through in the clutch.

Freddie Freeman has been his usual self, batting .306 with 5 homeruns and 21 RBI. Markakis has been nearly as good, hitting .302, often from the leadoff spot. While no one else’s numbers jump off the page at you, it has been fun watching some of the other guys too. Jace Peterson looks like a player with a solid career in front of him. Kelly Johnson has been a nice surprise, hittting 6 homeruns and driving in 18 runs, though he is currently out with an injury. Cameron Maybin, though never an all star caliber hitter, is still way better than what we had in centerfield last year, or what we began with this year.

So where are the Braves at the one quarter mark? Exactly where I thought they would be. I’ve thought all along that they would be around a .500 team, though the ups and downs have come from different sources than I’d planned on. Hopefully, if nothing else, they can hang around long enough to get us through the summer. If they could do that, you certainly wouldn’t hear me complaining. Well, not too much anyway.

As always, keep the faith Atlanta.

Go Hawks! And Braves too!

 

My Dad, and Pulling for the Home Team

I wasn’t always the sports fanatic you know me as today. In fact, as a child I was more interested in other things: eating candy, playing with friends, eating more candy, etc. Not that this is especially unusual. Most kids don’t have the patience for a three hour game, unless of course said game involves turning on an Xbox.

But I eventually found my true calling when I was drawn in by the drama and passion of sports. I can still remember the moments when I first got into football, then basketball, and finally baseball. It wasn’t long until I was living and dying with my favorite teams, and the biggest reason for my transformation into a diehard was my father, Johnny Maxwell.

My dad was never the traditional sports fan. Then again, he was never the traditional anything. He never belonged to any clubs or groups who followed this team or that one. He didn’t always sport gear in support of his favorites everywhere he went. He didn’t even get to watch as many games as some of us do, what with the long hours he always worked. But that doesn’t mean that he cared any less.

We always pulled for the home team, dad and I. I can remember watching the 1987 Liberty Bowl between our beloved Georgia Bulldogs and the Arkansas Razorbacks with him. The score was tied late in the game, and he kept saying that he didn’t want the game to end in a tie. When I asked him if he’d rather see Arkansas win than a tie, he looked at me and said “I’d rather see Georgia win.”

My dad’s love of sports extended beyond college football though. Many were the Sunday afternoons, Saturday evenings, and weeknights that we cheered on our favorite pro sports teams, even during the too frequent seasons when the Braves, Falcons, and Hawks gave us little to cheer about. The great thing about being  diehard fans is that we were there on those wonderful occasions when great things did happen. If Ozzie Virgil hit a walk-off home run, or Sylvester Stamps tied the game with a fourth quarter touchdown, we were there to enjoy it.

Over the years, we went to so many games together;  just the two of us at first, then later on with my younger brother. I’ll never forget the night at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in 1991 when David Justice hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to send a game against San Diego to extra innings. Most of the crowd had gone home following the disastrous top of the inning, in which Doug Sisk (remember him? No, I didn’t think you would) was lit up like a Christmas tree by Padres hitters. But dad and I saw it. Why? Because he always made sure we stayed to the very end, no matter what the score.

There were other games. So many games. I watched the Hawks any number of times at the Omni during the Dominique Wilkins era. I Witnessed Falcons games at both Fulton-County Stadium and the Georgia Dome. I was there for good seasons and bad. On  top of the games we saw live, I couldn’t begin to count the ones we watched on television (God bless TBS!), from the time I was a kid until well into adulthood.

I remember watching games one and two of the 1995 World Series with my dad and brother at my grandparents’ house as Atlanta took a 2-0 lead. I can still recall the anticipation of winning it all that we all felt at the conclusion of game two. I’ll never forget sitting in the same spot and witnessing the Falcons come through in the final game of the 1995 season, when a loss meant the end of the season.Most of all I remember two specific games; the last one I attended with my dad, and the last one I was supposed to attend with him.

The first one wasn’t an important game at the time, though it has certainly become one since. We were at Turner field when Troy Glaus (forgot him too, didn’t you?) hit a walk-off home run. The second was a Falcons game vs Carolina in 2010, where a win meant a rare division title. My dad was unable to make it to the game that day to witness the Falcons win. No big deal, I thought. There will be a next time. But as it turned out, there wasn’t.

On May 20, 2011, my father passed away due to complications from a stroke. The days before and after his death remain the longest of my life, and this time of year always inspires mixed emotions for me. But even though he is gone, I still feel his presence. After every big win by one of our teams, I can even picture him, sitting in his recliner and smoking a cigarette with a big smile on his face.

Tomorrow will be the fourth anniversary of his death. It will also mark the beginning of the biggest postseason series in Atlanta Hawks history. After all the years, they’ve made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. My dad was the first person I thought of when Paul Pierce’s miracle shot was waved off, and the last person I thought of before going to sleep that night.

When we take the floor vs Cleveland, I’ll think of my father again. I know he would be proud of this team. Hopefully the Hawks can keep it going; they’ve already done so much more than anyone expected when the season began. Wherever he is these days, I know he’ll be watching. It’ll be almost like he’s right there beside me, rooting them on. In fact, I can almost smell the smoke from his ever present Winston Lights.

Whatever happens in the series, to me we’ve already won. Don’t get me wrong, I want very badly to win it all. But sometimes baby steps are the order of the day. I’ll be pulling my heart out when game one tips off, and I know that the rest of you will be doing the same. Thinking about it all, I just can’t help but smile. Go Hawks!

 

Narrowly Averting Disaster: How the Hawks Advanced into the Great Unknown.

The Atlanta Hawks have advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. How I’ve waited to write this statement! The Hawks moved to Atlanta in 1968. Entering Friday’s game six vs Washington, they had never gotten past the second round of the playoffs. Note my use of the phrase had never. At roughly 10:00pm on May 15, 2015, the Hawks laid to rest nearly 50 years worth of demons. Of course, the exorcism didn’t come easily.

After looking forward to game six all day on Thursday, I ended up arriving late to the party on Friday. Circumstances dictated that I remain at work until nearly 7pm, which resulted in my listening to most of the first quarter of the game on the radio in my car. Of course sometimes a curse can become a blessing, and I spent a little quality time with the long time voice of the Hawks, Steve Holman, who nevers fails to entertain.

I made it home just in time to witness an early lead evaporate. The Wizards, who trailed by seven points midway through the period, ended up leading by one at the end of the first quarter. I immediately began to slip into “here we go again” mode, but forced myself to remain upbeat as the second quarter got underway.

Toward the end of the first half, Paul Millsap took over. Using a variety of post moves and jump shots, he led the Hawks back into the lead. At the half Atlanta led by six points, largely due to Millsap’s fifteen points.

During halftime, my wife Dena returned from a trip to Taco Bell with Mexican pizzas, tacos, a burrito, and some nachos. I know, it souds like a lot. But due to my deeply held belief that is it very wrong to throw food away (thanks Sesame Street!), I polished off every last scrap just in time to settle in for the second half.

After an up and down third quarter, the Hawks led by eight points. In the fourth quarter, I began texting with my brother Matt after every significant play. Here are a few of the texts I sent during this most stressful of periods, which I feel will do a better job of expressing my feelings than anything else:

-Regarding Pero Antic, to me the Hawks most polarizing player:

“Keep it going, and keep Pero on the bench where he belongs”

“Antic is the kiss of death. Get him out of there!”

-During Washington’s comeback from a ten point defecit:

“Blowing it.”

“Blown.”

“No lead is un-blowable.”

-After a pair of horrible foul calls against Jeff Teague:

“They’re cheating for Washington.”

“The refs are ridiculous!”

-During the last few minutes, as the lead changed hands a number of times:

“For the love of God, please!”

“Gotta be kidding me!”

“I can’t take this.”

-After Al Horford missed a free throw in a 94-91 game to give the Wizards one last chance:

“No chance he was going to make both.”

“It always comes down to this. Keep Paul Pierce out of there.”

That’s right. Paul Pierce. Paul F*****g Pierce. Nearly every game in the Hawks-Wizards series had come down to Pierce with the ball and a  chance to either win the game or tie it. With six seconds to play, Washington prepared to inbound the ball. Surely, I thought, the Hawks would do whatever it took to deny him the ball.

The inbound pass went to John Wall (whose broken hand I’d become supremely tired of hearing about by then). Wall was double-teamed, and it looked like the clock might run out. But with a couple of seconds left, he was able to lob a pass to Pierce. Then this happened.

It seemed that Pierce had done it to us yet again. But if you watched the entire video clip, you’ll know what happened next. If you didn’t, here are a few more texts which will tell the story:

“That was still in his hand!”

“This should not count!!!”

“Yes!!!!!!”

Yep, for once the refs made a call in our favor. The fact that it was the correct call in no way guaranteed that they would make it. But in this case they did. Pierce’s miracle shot was waved off and the Atlanta Hawks advanced to the conference finals. As happy as I was, I felt even better for Holman, who’s been through so many tough seasons. Listen to his call of the final moments of the game here.

In the aftermath of the Hawks win, I’d like to call attention to a man who has become my favorite member of the team over the last few weeks: Demarre Carroll. In a game where Kyle Korver was held to just two points, and the Hawks got just 14 combined points from the bench, Carroll led the way with 25 points and 10 rebounds. It was a performance that will go down as one of the best in Atlanta postseason history.

That wraps it up for now. I’ll be back in the coming days with more on the Hawks, as well as a Braves check in and the finale of my top 20 Atlanta sports stars list. As always, keep the faith Atlanta! Conference finals here we come!

 

Punched in the Gut, or how I spent my Saturday

After all these years, you’d think I’d be prepared. You’d think I wouldn’t allow myself to be set up for such a soul crushing evening. After all, It isn’t as if I haven’t been through this before. Any longtime Atlanta sports fan will cringe at the mention of Cliff Levingston, or Jim Leyritz, or Eugene Robinson. But yesterday was unique in that there wasn’t just one heartbreaking moment but two, and they transpired just minutes, and a few miles, apart.

It all began just after 4pm, when the Braves took the field to play the Nationals. It didn’t take long for Julio Tehran, who currently possesses an ERA of 4.74, to pitch himself into a hole. I watched as the Nats put up three runs in the second inning, just before switching over for the tip off of the Hawks-Wizards playoff game. Not that it was much better on the hard wood.

Actually it was worse. The Braves poor start paled in comparison to the miserable first half performance by the Hawks. They shot about 30% from the field and trailed by thirteen at halftime. It didn’t get better in the third quarter either, as Washington stretched the lead to nineteen entering the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, the Nationals increased their lead over the Braves to 6-1 with a three-run fifth inning. I briefly considered just turning the television off and going on with my evening. But being the glutton for punishment that I am, I flipped back to the basketball game.

It was early in the fourth quarter, and the Wizards’ lead had ballooned to 21. Conceding defeat, coach Budenholzer pulled his starters and emptied the bench. The Hawks would play the final ten minutes of the game with a lineup consisting of Shelvin Mack, Dennis Schroder, Mike Scott, Mike Muscala, and Kent Bazemore.

I turned back to baseball to find the game in the top of the eighth inning. The Braves had narrowed the Nationals’ lead to 6-3, and had the bases loaded! A groundout by Jace Peterson scored a run, and put the potential tying runs on second and third.

I checked in on the basketball game and realized that the Hawks were on a bit of a run. The lead was down to 13. The all-sub lineup was giving the Wizards fits! Apparently Washington had begun celebrating a bit too early. With only a few minutes to play, I didn’t hold out much hope of a true comeback, but I was damned if I would miss out if it did happen.

At this point, I began flipping rapidly back and forth between the two games. On the diamond Christian Bethancourt came to the plate with a chance to tie the game, while on the court Dennis Schroder was killing the Wizards with his drives to the basket. He dished to Bazemore for a lay up, and suddenly, the lead was in single digits!

I turned back to the baseball game just in time to see Bethancourt, who is hitting just .188 on the season, lauch a line drive into the gap. The game was tied! I switched back to the basketball game as Mike Scott drilled a long three pointer to cut the lead to five.

From here on out, my recollection of the timeline of events gets a little hazy. I was watching both games a little behind live television through the miracle of DVR, and I can’t be certain which order the next few things happened between the two games. All I know is that I was fully invested in both.

The Nats went quietly in the eighth, as did the Braves in the ninth. Washington came to bat in a 6-6 game. At around the same time, the Hawks finished off a 17-0 run to cut the Wizards’ lead to 94-91. Could it really be happening? Could one, or even both, of my teams pull off an epic comeback?

It certainly looked like it might happen. The Hawks got the ball with 22 seconds left, down by three. Schroder drove toward the paint, lost his footing, and slid to the floor, but still managed to kick the ball out to the waiting…Mike Muscala. Of all the shooters you’d want with a good look from behind the arc, Muscala ranks somewhere between Pero Antic and “Oh God no” on the list. He set his feet and let it rip.

The ball hung in the air, spinning lazily toward the rim. I had time to think that it was just my luck that the potential game tying shot ended up falling to someone who wouldn’t ordinarily even see time on the court. But then something unusual happened: it went in! The game was tied with 14 seconds left!

I couldn’t believe it! They’d done it! The Hawks had rallied from a 21 point fourth quarter deficit! In my elation, I nearly forgot to switch back to the Braves game. But then I remembered to flip over to it. Maybe this would be my night! But just as the thought began to crawl into my mind, this happened.

Bryce F*****g Harper. His two-run walk off home run won the game for the Nationals. What a crushing way to lose. My heart sank. Still though, there was the basketball game. I switched back just as the Wizards inbounded the ball.

With just a few seconds left, the ball found its way to Paul Pierce at the top of the key. Bazemore and Schroder were all over him, and it seemed like he wouldn’t even get a shot off. This game was headed for overtime, I thought. Then this happened.

Paul F*****g Pierce. Were the Wizards playing any other team, there is no way Pierce would have banked in an eighteen foot, fade away jumper at the buzzer. A fan of any other team would have watched the ball clank harmlessly off of the rim and headed to the kitchen for a snack before OT began. But not the Hawks. Not in my world.

I felt like I’d been kicked in the crotch. In rapid succession I deleted both games from the DVR, turned off the television, hurled my notebook and pen against the wall, punched the door, and stormed out of the room. I then proceeded to launch into a full blown tirade about the Braves, the Hawks, sports in general, and my own bad luck. It was a performance that would have made Steve Martin proud.

As I mentioned earlier, I guess I should have seen it coming. But when you think about it, what fun would it be if you didn’t let yourself believe? If I didn’t pour my heart and soul into every game, then those wonderful times when things do go our way wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable.

Now that I’ve had a few hours to collect my thoughts, I’ve already begun looking forward to the next game. And the next one. And the next one. Because sports are what I do. Deep in my heart, I am a fan. And no matter how bad things get for my teams, that’s what I’ll always be.

That just about does it for now. I’ll be back soon to talk about the next huge embarrassing failure game in the Hawks-Wizards series. Perhaps Atlanta can even things up and come home in a 2-2 tie. And maybe the Braves can salvage a game vs the Nationals before heading for Cincinnati. Who knows? At this point, anything can happen. Until next time, keep the faith Atlanta. Even after yesterday, keep the faith.

 

Top 20: Part 4h

Game three of the Hawks-Wizards playoff series is nearly upon us, and there is no way to know whether or not John Wall’s injured hand will keep him out of the lineup. It seems likely that Wall would be severely limited, even if he does play. This would be good news for the Hawks, not that they’ve always taken advantage of such breaks. Hopefully the three days of rest they’ve gotten since game two will help them play the way they did earlier this season. We’ll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, let us continue with my top 20 Atlanta sports stars list. Last time we entered the top ten, and there are now only eight names left to reveal. An we’re off…

8. Tom Glavine: Pitcher-Braves

In 1991, when the Braves suddenly went from a punchline to a contender, Glavine was the team’s ace. He was the stud pitcher; the stopper; the one who remained stoic even in the toughest of times. Nearly twenty-five years after that magical year, the whole thing seems almost like a dream. Thank God it wasn’t.

Glavine broke in with the big league team in 1987, a dark time in Atlanta sports. His first few seasons were inconsistent, but in ’91 he put it all together, winning 20 games, a Cy Young award, and leading the Braves to the World Series. It was the first of two Cy Youngs for Glavine, and five 20 win seasons. In 17 seasons in Atlanta, he won 244 games and racked up more than 2000 strikeouts.

To be sure, Glavine ruffled more than a few feathers when, as the team’s player representative during the 1994 strike, he was such an outspoken supporter of the union. He also didn’t make many friends when he signed with the rival Mets in 2003 to continue his pursuit of 300 wins. That he reached this milestone, and locked down a spot in the Hall of Fame, in New York rather than Atlanta is still a sore sport for many Atlanta fans.

But in my eyes those things don’t do anything to diminish what he accomplished with the Braves. He was a member of teams that won 11 consecutive division titles, and appeared in the World Series five times. Who could ever forget his performance in game six of the ’95 Series, as he held a Cleveland lineup loaded with All-Stars to one hit over eight innings to bring a championship to Atlanta for the first time? I know I never will.

7. Gerald Riggs: Running Back-Falcons

I came along a little too late to remember much from the William Andrews days. Of course I’ve seen all the old films, and heard the stories about him from members of my family. He was one of the best in the NFL during his Atlanta tenure, but the running back I remember the most is Gerald Riggs.

During the 1980’s, the Falcons were not a good team. They made the playoffs just one time in Riggs’ seven seasons, and that appearance came in his rookie season of 1982. For several years the only reason I enjoyed watching their games was to see Riggs.

He was a bulldozing runner, powering his way to three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons from 1984-86. In 1985 he finished second in the NFL with 1719 yards rushing. He is still the Falcons’ all-time leading rusher with 6631 yards, and was the team’s primary scoring threat with 48 touchdowns. A solid receiver out of the backfield, he also caught 186 passes for 1384 yards. In addition, Riggs was selected for three Pro Bowls during his time in Atlanta.

But it was more than just the numbers. I respected the way he ran, plowing over anyone in his path. Like centers in basketball and closers in baseball, I love nothing more than watching a big power running back. For me this is what football is all about, and for a four or five year stretch, no one did it better than Riggs.

6. Chipper Jones: Third Base/Outfield-Braves

When people talk about the Braves teams of the 1990’s and 2000’s, most of the attention goes to the pitching. With a trio of Cy Young award winners on the staff, this is hardly surprising. For a long time, ace pitchers were the face of the franchise. But there was one future Hall of Famer among the everyday players; one man who was the cornerstone of the offense for so long it felt like forever. That man was Chipper Jones.

I’ve been a fan of Chipper’s ever since he burst onto the scene in 1995, finishing second to Hideo Nomo (he should have won) in the National Rookie of the Year voting and helping the Braves to their first, and so far only, World Series championship in Atlanta. He was one of the best hitters I ever had the pleasure of watching, and a leader in the clubhouse as well.

Over the years players came and went; from Fred McGriff and David Justice to Jason Heyward and Brian McCann. Only Chipper remained, anchoring the team and leading Atlanta to the postseason year after year. Sometimes it was almost as if he put the team on his back and carried it, most notably during his MVP season of 1999, when he almost single-handedly led the Braves to the division title over the New York Mets.

Jones played for the Braves for his entire career, a rarity in this era of professional sports. He also put up some incredible numbers. In 18 seasons in Atlanta, he compiled a .303 batting average, 2726 hits, 468 home runs, and 1623 RBI. He also made 8 All-Star teams and won 2 Silver Slugger awards, a batting title (2008), and the previously mentioned MVP award.

I’ll always remember the way he seemed in control in the batters box. He looked calm and confident, as if nothing the pitcher did could faze him. He was also an underrated defensive third baseman, someone I always felt deserved Gold Glove consideration. Overall he was likely the greatest position player in Atlanta Braves history, and we’ll never see another like him; at least not anytime soon.

*Should have made this list but didn’t, part 3

Michael Vick: Quarterback-Falcons

What’s left to say about Vick? It’s all been said before, though in different ways and for different reasons. Yes, what Vick did in participating in and bankrolling a dog fighting ring was reprehensible. He deserved every bad thing that happened to him as a result. On top of his legal problems, he also destroyed any momentum that the Falcons had in the mid 2000’s. Still, I can’t help but look back on his time in Atlanta with a certain degree of nostalgia.

I still remember how excited I was when I found out that the Falcons had traded with San Diego to acquire the top overall pick in the 2001 draft. I’d been a huge fan of Vick’s during his time at Virginia Tech, and was overjoyed when my team took him. Surely he would be the one to elevate the franchise to the top of the NFL!

Vick was among the most popular athletes to ever play in Atlanta. The excitement when he was on the field was unlike anything I’ve witnessed before or since. When he tucked the ball under and headed down field, we all knew that something spectacular could happen at any moment.

During his six years with the Falcons, Vick led the team to the playoffs twice, including an NFC championship game appearance in 2004. He passed for 11,505 yards and 71 touchdowns for Atlanta, but it was his running that really made him a star. He racked up 3859 yards and 21 touchdowns with the Falcons. In 2006 he became the first quarterback to go over 1000 yards on the ground, finishing with 1039.

My favorite Vick memory came in 2004 when the Falcons played the Panthers in the Georgia Dome. Trailing by seven points with 1:44 to play, the Falcons faced a fourth down at the Carolina 12 yard line. Vick dropped to pass and, finding no open receivers, took off for the goal line. He left his feet at about the five, seeming to will his body to avoid contact with the ground. He scored the tying touchdown, which led to a game winning field goal in overtime.

When the whole dog fighting deal went down, I was absolutely crestfallen. My favorite player had done the unthinkable, killing any chance my team had at a Super Bowl in the process. The time following his arrest and suspension remains the lowest I’ve ever been as a professional sports fan. Fortunately, there was relief on the way, in the form of the next name to make my list.

5.Matt Ryan: Quarterback-Falcons

As the 2008 NFL draft approached, the Falcons were in complete disarray. In addition to the Michael Vick fiasco, there was also the matter of head coach Bobby Petrino, who resigned just 13 games into his tenure with the team. The Falcons had finished 2007 with a record of 4-12, and it seemed as if it might take years to repair the damage.

Just when all seemed lost, the Falcons spent the third overall pick on a quarterback from Boston College, and everything changed. Matt Ryan came to Atlanta for the 2008 season and, along with new coach Mike Smith, immediately set about changing the culture of the team. Behind the leadership of Ryan and newly acquired running back Michael Turner, the Falcons went 11-5 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

But they were just getting started. In his first five seasons in Atlanta, he led the Falcons to five consecutive winning seasons. To put that accomplishment into perspective, consider that prior to drafting Ryan, the team had never posted back-to-back winning seasons. Ever. During this five season run, the Falcons also made four playoff appearances, including a pair of NFC South division titles.

Ryan was a huge part of this success, and continues to be the most important player on the team to this day. In his seven seasons in Atlanta, he has passed for 28,166 yards and 181 touchdowns. He has also been selected for three Pro Bowls, and become the Falcons all time leading passer.

I have so many favorite Ryan moments: hooking up with Michael Jenkins for a touchdown on his first NFL pass attempt; his last second, game winning drive to beat Chicago that same year; leading the Falcons to the playoffs in his rookie year; winning the NFC South and going to the NFC championship game in 2012. He is the best quarterback in Falcons history, and I look forward to many more moments in the coming years.

There you have it. We are now down to the final four names on my list. Any guesses as to who will be included? I will reveal my top 4 in the very near future. Until next time, keep the faith Atlanta.

Go Hawks!