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!

 

Top 20: Part 3

So no Todd Gurley. I never really thought the Falcons would take him with the eighth pick in the draft. I knew that what the team needed most was defense, so I wasn’t surprised when they chose Vic Beasley in the first round. But I have to admit that a big part of me wanted Gurley to be a Falcon. But sometimes, as a certain Legendary front man once said, you can’t always get what you want, you get what you need.

While the Falcons brass was in Chicago looking to revamp their porous defense, the Hawks were in New York putting the finishing touches on a first round playoff win over the Nets. After watching the first five games go down to the wire, we finally got what we’d been waiting for on Friday when Atlanta routed Brooklyn 111-87 in game six. On to bigger and better things, namely a second round series against Washington, which begins on Sunday.

I’ll be back next week with my thoughts on all the Falcons’ draft picks, as well as a few words about game one between the Hawks and Wizards. But for now, on to the continuing saga that is my top 20 countdown, beginning with number 12….

12. Greg Maddux: Pitcher-Braves

I can already hear some of you asking how one of the greatest pitchers of his generation isn’t higher on the list. Rest assured, it has nothing to do with his performance for the Braves. I loved watching Maddux pitch. Few athletes in any sport could dominate a game the way he could.

I guess my reasoning at having him outside the top 10 has something to do with the fact that he wasn’t in Atlanta for the beginning of the run of 14 consecutive division titles. By the time he arrived in 1993, the Braves had already made a pair of World Series appearances. But with Maddux, they were able to take the final step; winning it all in ’95.

He won Cy Young Awards in his first three seasons in Atlanta, the last of which came in 1995, the year the Braves finally won it all. In those three seasons, Maddux posted ERA’s of 2.36, 1.56, and 1.63. In ’95, he went an unbelievable 19-2 to lead us to the promised land. One of the great control pitchers of all time, he also walked just 23 batters in 209.2 innings in ’95.

Overall, Maddux went 194-88 with a 2.63 ERA with the Braves. He appeared in the postseason in every season he spent in Atlanta, with the exception of 1994, when the playoffs were canceled due to a players’ strike. He made six All-Star teams, won ten gold gloves, and ended up in the MLB Hall of Fame. Not bad for someone who looked like the guy who does your taxes.

11. Deion Sanders: Defensive back-Falcons/Outfielder-Braves

Did you get it right? In a previous post, I mentioned the Brian Jordan was one of two people who played for more than one Atlanta franchise. Sanders holds the added distinction of doing so simultaneously.

“Prime Time” was one of the most electric athletes I’ve ever had the privilege of watching. The Falcons drafted him out of Florida State in the first round in 1989, and he immediately made the team worth watching. In five seasons with the Falcons, Sanders intercepted 24 passes (including three TD returns) and made 238 tackles. He was also pretty good on special teams, scoring five touchdowns on kick and punt returns.

Sanders was also a part of three Braves division championships. From 1991-94, he hit .277 and stole 75 bases as a part- time player. His speed was just as impressive on the diamond as it was on the gridiron. In 1992 he led the NL with 14 triples. He played in two World Series for the Braves, and hit .348 overall in three playoff appearances.

I must admit, I was a huge fan. I loved to watch him close on opposing receivers, break ankles on returns, and high step his way into the end zone; even when he did it for other teams. By the time his career was over, Sanders had put together a Hall of Fame resume. He’d also played for four other teams, but he’ll always be an Atlanta icon to me.

*Should have made this list but didn’t, part 2

Josh Smith: Forward-Hawks

Few basketball players have the kind of raw talent that Smith had. At his best he was a dynamic force, capable of scoring 30 points while dominating the paint. Unfortunately there were too many times when he either wasn’t at his best, or refused to play within his limits.

Smith was always good at scoring points at the rim, and finishing on the fast break. He was also one of the NBA’s best defensive players, finishing in the top ten in blocked shots six times in nine season with the Hawks. He also helped the team to six consecutive playoff appearances from 2007-08 to 2012-13.

But somewhere along the way, Smith decided that it was a good idea to develop as outside shot. After attempting just seven three pointers in 2009-10, he hoisted up 464 over his last three years in Atlanta, including 201 in 2012-13. This would have been okay had he been a good shooter. He wasn’t. Smith shot just 28% from three point range in his time with the Hawks. I’ll never forget the collective groan that would rise from the crowd in Phillips Arena whenever he’d load up for a shot.

On top of his ill fated attempt to be a 6’9” shooting guard, he was also a hot head. It seemed that Smith was never called for a foul that he agreed with. Time after time he would argue with the officials until they would issue a technical foul. It was a scene that quickly became tiresome.

Despite all of these drawbacks, there were some good times: winning the slam dunk championship in 2005; pushing the eventual champion Celtics to a seventh game in a 2008 playoff series; winning 53 games in 2009-10. But the bad always seemed to outweigh the good with Smith, and he’ll always be one of the biggest “what could have beens” of Atlanta sports.

10. Mike Kenn: Offensive Tackle-Falcons

17 years is a long time. It is the approximate length of a childhood, as 18 is the age at which young men and women can make their own choices. It’s also more than twice the length of the average American marriage (8 years). For 17 years the Falcons didn’t have to worry about their situation at left tackle, because Mike Kenn was there every Sunday.

As I mentioned earlier, I became a Falcons fan in the mid 1980’s. It never occurred to me to wonder who would protect the quarterback’s blindside because, as far as I knew, Kenn was, had always been, and always would be, the man who did the job. From 1978-1994, he played in 251 games. He also started 251 games.

Despite playing on some terrible teams (the Falcons made the playoffs just four times in his career), Kenn was selected for five Pro Bowls. In 1980 he allowed just 3.5 sacks and, even more impressively, wasn’t flagged for a single penalty all season. In 1981, he played every down of the season!

It is a crime that Kenn isn’t in the Hall of Fame. He was everything a left tackle is supposed to be and more. In 2014 Claude Humphery became the first player who spent the majority of his career with the Falcons to make it to the Hall. If there is any justice in the world, Kenn will eventually join him.

9. Mookie Blaylock: Guard-Hawks

Before we get into Blaylock’s career with the Hawks, let’s get this out of the way. I’m well aware of the the 2013 car accident that resulted in a prison sentence, as well as his substance abuse problems. It is the type of tragic story that happens all too often in the world of sports, and life in general.

But we aren’t here to talk about that. Blaylock was the catalyst that made the Hawks go. The team made the playoffs in each of his seven seasons, during which he averaged 15 points, 7 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. He was also the best outside shooter on the team, hitting on 35% of his three point attempts.

As has been the case for the Hawks’ entire run in Atlanta, Blaylock’s teams were good but never great. They won 50+ games three times, including a then team record 57 in ’93-94, an All-Star year for Mookie. But they were never able to make it beyond the second round of the playoffs, a fact that continues to haunt the franchise to this day.

When Blaylock was traded to Golden State in 1999, he left as the Hawks all-time leader in three-pointers made and three-pointers attempted, and steals, and second only to Doc Rivers in assists. He did a lot for the team, and despite his personal demons, he remains one of my favorites.

That does it for now. We’ve moved into the top ten of my list, with more titans of Atlanta sports to follow. Thanks for reading, I always appreciate it. See you soon!

 

Top 20: Part 2

It’s been a crazy week in the ATL, with former members of our teams returning to cause us grief. First came Joe Johnson, raining three pointers with the rest of the Brooklyn Nets and pushing the Hawks more than any of us ever thought they would. With the series tied 2-2, Al Horford (20 points, 15 rebounds), Jeff Teague (20 points, 8 assists), and DeMarre Carroll (a team high 24 points) came up huge in Atlanta’s 107-97 win on Tuesday night. In a game where the Nets rallied from 15 points down to pull within a single point late, the Hawks needed every bit of it.

Then there was the matter of a certain former second baseman. Dan Uggla, yes Dan Uggla, came to Atlanta and beat the Braves with a massive three-run home run that likely still hasn’t landed. After a strong start, the Braves have slipped and become about what we all thought: a .500 team. Still a long way to go though…

But as crazy as the week has been, there is plenty of room for it to move into insane territory. It all depends on how Roger Goodell ends the following statement: “With the eighth pick in the 2015 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons select…….” For the record, if the top pass rushers are off the board, I’m 100% okay with hearing Todd Gurley’s name here.

On to the continuing saga of my top 20 Atlanta sports stars. If the response I got following the unveiling of the first four names on my list is any indication, I’ve certainly gotten the attention of some of my fellow fans. In the end I know that no matter who I put on the list, or what order I put them in, I’ll likely have some explaining to do. Oh well. But enough beating around the bush. Time to get on with my top 20, beginning with…..

16. Jamal Anderson-Running back-Falcons

Who could ever forget the “Dirty Birds?” The 1998 Atlanta Falcons, who came out of nowhere to win the NFC and give the city its first Super Bowl appearance, remain as unforgettable today as they were 17 years ago. If there was a face for that remarkable team, there is no question that it was Anderson.

The 5’11”, 237 lb fireplug of a running back took Atlanta by storm in ’98, rushing for 1846 yards and 14 touchdowns. Along the way he started a dance craze, became an All-Pro, and generated quite a bit of talk about the size of his thighs, which were as massive as any I’ve ever seen on a football player.

In 8 seasons with the Falcons, Anderson rushed for 5336 yards, posted four 1,000 yard seasons, and scored 41 touchdowns. Not bad for a seventh round pick out of Utah. While he has run into some personal trouble since injury forced him into retirement following the 2001 season, Anderson remains one of the most popular Falcons in recent memory.

The ’98 season will always be special to me, as it stands as the greatest to date for the Falcons. Longtime fans like me could finally puff out our chests and proclaim that we were among the NFL’s elite. Until that day when the team makes another run at glory, ’98 will maintain its place in our hearts. Much of the credit falls to Anderson.

*Should have made this list but didn’t, part 1

Jeff Francoeur: Outfielder-Braves

You couldn’t have scripted a better beginning. After being drafted in the first round of the 2002 draft, “Frenchy” quickly made his way through the Braves organization, reaching the majors in 2005. In his first game in Atlanta, he hit a three-run homer to help the Braves to a win. But it didn’t end there. After compiling a .360 batting average in his first 37 games, Francoeur was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated under the headline “The Natural.”

Then there was that arm! In ’05 Francoeur threw out 13 base runners in just 70 games, good for second in the NL. Though his hitting cooled a bit toward the end of the year, Francoeur still finished his rookie season at .300, with 14 home runs and 45 RBI’s.

Over the next two seasons, though he put up pretty good overall numbers, a disturbing trend emerged. In 2006, despite racking up 29 home runs and 103 RBI, he posted an on base percentage of just .293, and finished 3^rd in the NL in outs made. In ’07 he hit .293 and drove in 105 runs, but again finished in the top 10 in outs made, though he did win a gold glove after racking up 19 assists.

In 2008, a season in which his batting average sank to .239, Francoeur was briefly optioned to the minors, though he was called back up just three games into his assignment. Midway through the 2009 season, with his on base percentage a dismal .250, he was traded to the Mets for the forgettable Ryan Church.

It was a disappointing ending for an Atlanta career that began with such promise. In five seasons with the Braves, Francoeur drove in 359 runs, but posted an OBP of just .308. He finished in the top ten in outs made three times due to his refusal to alter his plate approach. The most telling stat of all? In 2453 at bats with the Braves, he walked just 127 times. Ouch.

I must say that despite all that happened, I do have a soft spot in my heart for Francoeur. My most vivid memory of him is the walk-off grand slam he hit in 2006 to beat the Washington Nationals, and the youthful exuberance of his celebratory home run trot. Plus he was a member of the last of the Braves 14 consecutive division winners, a fact that segways nicely into the next selection on my list.

15. Brian McCann: Catcher-Braves

One of the “Baby Braves” who helped win the franchise’s 14^th consecutive division title in 2005, McCann ended up being so much more. While serving as Atlanta’s primary catcher from 2006-2013, he made seven All-Star teams, won five Silver Slugger awards, and made four postseason appearances.

Though he hit 176 home runs and drove in 661 runs during his time with the Braves, for me McCann’s offense was never his greatest attribute. He was a leader, plain and simple. In addition to handling a perennially strong pitching staff, McCann was the man opposing teams had to answer to for violating baseball’s “unwritten rules” against showboating, most memorably against Milwaukee’s Carlos Gomez in 2013.

It was a sad day for Braves country when, following the 2013 season, it was annouched that McCann had signed with the New York Yankees. While I have no love for the Yanks, I must admit that I still want Mac to do well, even if he does lace up the cleats for the Bums from the Bronx.

14. Andre Rison: Wide Receiver-Falcons

While he is perhaps best known for having his house set on fire by then girlfried Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez of TLC fame, I remember Rison as a gifted receiver, who made the Falcons run and shoot offense of the early to mid 90’s fun to watch, and dangerous.

Over five seasons in Atlanta, “Bad Moon” caught 423 passes, gained 5633 yards,  scored 56 touchdowns, and made the Pro Bowl four times. In 1991 he helped a Falcons team that hadn’t made the postseason since 1982 not only earn a Wild card berth, but beat New Orleans in the first round before bowing out to eventual champion Washington.

Rison was one of those players who was either loved or hated; there wasn’t much room for middle ground. I loved him, and the attitude he brought to a team that had struggled for so long.

I remember being pleased when I learned that the Falcons had traded the first overall pick in the 1989 draft to Indianapolis in exchange for Rison, Chris Hinton, and a pair of later picks. I’d been a Rison fan since watching him torch the secondary of my beloved Georgia Bulldogs in the 1988 Gator Bowl. While the Dawgs, led by Rodney Hampton, held on to win, Rison was clearly one of the best players on the field that night. He would go on to be the same in a number of games for Atlanta.

13. Dikembe Mutombo: Center-Hawks

One of the great defensive players in NBA history, Mutombo patrolled the paint for five season in Atlanta. In his time with the hawks, he averaged 12 points, 12 rebounds, and more than 3 blocked shots per game in leading the team to three postseason appearances.

Known for wagging his finger at opponents following a block, Mutombo won three Defensive Player of the Year awards (though one came following a 2001 trade to Philadelphia) and was a four time All-Star with the Hawks. Though his offensive game was somewhat limited, he was such a force under the boards that he more than made up for any shortcomings.

In addition to his on court exploits, Mutombo has always been one of professional sports’ good guys. Very few athletes have done as much as him on the humanitarian level. Perhaps his greatest achievement came in 2007 with the opening of a modern 300 bed hospital in his native Congo, a project to which Mutombo had donated a reported $15 million since the project’s conception.

What do you think so far? Agree? Disagree? Think I’m out of my mind? Either way, feel free to tell me in the comments. I’ll be back soon with my next few choices. In the meantime, let’s all hope that Quinn, Dimitroff and company get it right in Chicago tonight! That’s all for now. Until next time…

 

Top 20: Part 1

As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve compiled a list of my top 20 favorite Atlanta sports stars. Following the Hawks 107-97 win in game five to take a 3-2 lead over Brooklyn in the NBA playoffs, I feel prepared to begin sharing my choices. Without further ado, here are the first few:

20. Kevin Willis: Forward-Hawks

I’ve always enjoyed watching the big guys play, and Willis certainly fits the bill. While the seven-footer played mostly power forward during his Hawks career, he always played more like a center. From 1984-94 (with a brief return during the 2004-05 season) Willis averaged 14 points and just shy of 10 rebounds per game and helped Atlanta to 6 playoff appearances. In 1991-92, Willis was an All-Star, averaging 18 points and 15 rebounds per game, the first of five consecutive seasons in which he averaged a double-double.

That 1992 All-Star game featured a moment I’ll never forget. Just before tip-off, Isiah Thomas led his Eastern conference teammates, including Willis, to meet Magic Johnson, who’d retired prior to the season after testing positive for HIV. Each member of the East team hugged Johnson, who’d made the team without playing a single game. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

19. Craig Kimbrel: Closer-Braves

Like Centers in the NBA, MLB closers are another favorite of mine. I especially love the dominant ones; the ones who, when they walk onto the field, the game is effectively over. The Braves haven’t had too many of those over the years, but the man who most recently held the position was as good as anyone I’ve ever seen.

Kimbrel was with the Braves from 2010-2014, and in those five years, he racked up an incredible 186 saves and 476 strikeouts, and posted an even more impressive 1.43 ERA. Over the last four years, he saved 46, 42, 50, and 47 games while earning four consecutive All-Star appearances. Plus, he had one of the coolest entrance routines ever! While the Braves weren’t a perennial playoff team during his tenure, that doesn’t make his achievements any less impressive.

My favorite Kimbrel moment came in 2012. While living in San Diego, California, my wife and I attended a Braves-Padres game at Petco Park. With the Braves leading 2-0 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, the bullpen door opened and out came Kimbrel. I turned to Dena and said “Game over.” Nothing like being able to express that type of confidence.

18. Ron Gant: Outfielder-Braves

During a four season run from 1990-93, Gant was as good as nearly anyone in the National League. During that time, he hit 117 homers, drove in 388 runs, and stole 125 bases. In 1990 and 1991, he posted back to back 30 home run, 30 stolen base seasons; a milestone only 12 others have reached more than once. In addition, Gant was a key contributor to the 1991-93 teams, which won the first three of 14 consecutive division titles. Despite all this good work, most casual fans know him mostly for being pulled off of first base by Kent Hrbek in the 1991 World Series.

Though a motorcycle accident cut Gant’s Braves career short, I’ll always remember the way he would pull monster drives down the left field line. Sometimes they would be home runs, but more often they would hook foul. Still, he had so much power. The potential for a game changing shot was always present. He was one of the Braves who helped change the culture of a last place team, and he will always have a place on any list of my favorite players.

17. Brian Jordan: Safety- Falcon/Outfielder-Braves

Jordan is one of two double threat guys on this list (can you guess the other one?) who played for more than one Atlanta franchise. From 1989-91, he was a hard-hitting safety for the Falcons, posting five career interceptions helping the team to a Wildcard playoff berth in ’91.

After retiring from the NFL to focus on baseball, Jordan returned to Atlanta in 1999 as a member of the Braves. In three full seasons for the Braves, plus parts of two others, he hit .275 with 71 home runs and 323 RBI. In his best season, 1999, Jordan hit 23 home runs, drove in 115 runs, went to the All-Star game, and helped lead the Braves to the World Series.

For me, Jordan is most memorable for his heroics late in the ’99 season, as well as the playoffs. In the divisional series vs. Houston, he hit .471 and drove in the winning run in game three. In the NLCS he hit a pair of home runs to help the Braves defeat the Mets in six games.

That does it for now, as the hour has grown late and the sandman has come calling. I’ll be back soon to reveal my next few picks. Until then, take care of yourself. And go Hawks!!!

 

Top 20 Stars of Gridiron, Diamond, and Hardwood

I’ve been an Atlanta sports fan for 30 years, give or take. In that time I’ve seen much; the good, the bad, and the ridiculous. I’ve witnessed championships (well, a championship), more than my share of last place finishes, and times when life was stranger than fiction. Some would call Atlanta Losersville, but I prefer to think of our capital city as Titletown in waiting. Surely our time will come. In the meantime, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite members of Atlanta’s professional sports teams.

As is the case in any society, rules are necessary in order to maintain order. For the purposes of this list, I’ve instituted the following guidelines:

1. I’ve chosen to include only those who played for the Falcons, Braves, or Hawks. This is not intended to discount the contributions of those who were members of other teams, I’ve simply chosen to write about what I know.
2. To qualify for my list, athletes must have spent at least parts of five seasons as members of Atlanta’s pro teams. No matter how great an athlete may have been, a season or two is not enough to make the grade.
3. I will only consider those who represented Atlanta during my time as a fan; roughly from 1985 to the present. I realize that this requirement excludes such luminaries at Henry Aaron, Steve Bartkowski, and William Andrews, but I can only vouch for those whose exploits I witnessed personally.

Other than the rules listed above, there are no prerequisites. Postseason glory is welcomed, but not required. As is usually the case, most of you won’t agree with all of my choices. But then again, what fun would it be if you did? Before we begin with my top 20, a few honorable mentions:

Falcons: Scott Case-DB, Michael Haynes-WR, Terence Mathis-WR, Chuck Smith-DE, Morten Andersen-K, Patrick Kerney-DE, Keith Brooking-LB, Alge Crumpler-TE, Todd McClure-C, Warrick Dunn-RB, Roddy White-WR, John Abraham-DE, Michael Turner-RB, Tony Gonzalez-TE, Matt Bryant-K, Julio Jones-WR.

Braves: Glen Hubbard-2B, Gene Garber-RP, Lonnie Smith-OF, David Justice-OF, Steve Avery-SP, Terry Pendleton-3B, Mark Lemke-2B, Fred McGriff-1B, Marquis Grissom-OF, Andruw Jones-OF, Andres Galarraga-1B, Rafael Furcal-SS, Tim Hudson-SP, Martin Prado-2B, Jason Heyward-OF, Billy Wagner-RP, Freddie Freeman-1B, Andrelton Simmons-SS, Julio Tehran-SP.

Hawks: Doc Rivers-G, Spud Webb-G, Randy Wittman-G, Jason Terry, Joe Johnson-G, Jamal Crawford-G, Stacey Augmon-F, Steve Smith-G, Al Horford-C, Jeff Teague-G.

Some of these guys didn’t spend the required five years in Atlanta (Galarraga, Crawford) or, if current members of our teams, haven’t been here long enough yet (Freeman, Simmons, Julio Jones). Others, for one reason or another, simply didn’t make the cut. Not to say that they didn’t give us some very memorable moments: Andersen’s game winning field goal to send the Falcons to the Super Bowl; Pendleton leading the Braves out of the wilderness with an MVP season in 1991.

But there is room for only twenty, which is already ten more than I originally intended. I just couldn’t seem to get it down to ten. There have been too many Tuesday nights and Sunday afternoons filled by my heroes on the court and the field. Beginning with my next post, we will delve into my list. See you then!