Daniel Doyle's Atlanta Braves fan blog

LeBron James' buzzer beating three pointer in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals will not make Cleveland fans forget about "The Shot."

Now that Cleveland has been eliminated, we can take a definitive look back at  the magnitude of LeBron James' game winner back in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The result is a rather indifferent, not much.

Sure, I'm an M.J. homer. I'll admit it. But I can back this statement up. First of all, Jordan's shot won something more than a game. It won a series. In a single play, he carried the Chicago Bulls to the next round of the playoffs, which at the time, was something Chicago was not very familiar with. As a six seed in the playoffs that year, Jordan took his Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals. The last time the Bulls had reached the Eastern Finals. 1975.

Continue reading ""Le Shot" Will Never Replace "The Shot""

Tommy Hanson earns his first MLB win in his second start for the Atlanta Braves.

Perhaps it is a little early to determine whether it was the right decision to cut Tom Glavine, or if it was the right time to call Tommy Hanson up to the Majors, but one thing is undeniable. Hanson has the stuff to be one of the best pitchers in the game. How fast he achieves that status, if he does at all, is to be determined.

After giving up three homeruns to the Milwaukee Brewers in his Major League debut, I was admittedly a little concerned. I did not expect sheer dominance in his first start, but I did not expect he would give up three long balls and seven runs in six innings. He left his fastball fat way too many times and one of the best hitting teams in the National League made him pay. It wasn't all bad, however, as he struck out the side in the second inning, giving the Braves faithful a glimpse at what he could possibly be.

Continue reading "Early Return on Tommy Hanson"

In the sports world, nothing compares to Game 7. At times, it defines careers, and it always defines the teams involved.

Although I am not a hockey fan, tonight's Stanley Cup Finals matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings sparked a fire within me. There's something about Game 7 that does it. No other situation in sports can put both team's in such a do or die moment. Every play is put under a microscope. Player's entire careers can be made in a single Game 7. A Game 7 is for sports fans, what Christmas Day is for children. For that reason alone, I may become a hockey fan tonight.

What comes to mind when you first hear, Game 7?

Perhaps Aaron Boone's moon shot off of Tim Wakefield in the 11th inning of the 2003 ALCS. The last American League pennant for the New York Yankees in old Yankee Stadium came off that dramatic homerun. The lasting shot of the old knuckleballer, Tim Wakefield, walking slowly back to the dugout, while the blur of Yankees fans are going berserk in the seats down the right field line. Who doesn't remember Boone leaping from outside the right handed batter's box, to land with both feet on home plate. Then watching the guest commentator, Bret Boone, Aaron's brother, as tears welled up in his eyes. That's so Game 7.

Continue reading "That's So Game 7..."

University of Texas pitcher Austin Wood throws 12 and 1/3 innings of no-hit baseball in a College World Series Regional Game.




I know most people are thinking, "Who in the heck is Austin Wood?" That in itself is a tragedy. The left-handed Senior threw 13 innings of scoreless relief against the Boston College Eagles, and did not even recieve the decision. The Longhorns did finally get the win, scoring a run in the 25th inning, five frames after Wood was removed from the game.



In a day in age that features so many specialists such as closers and set-up men, as well as pitch counts, this is a feat that we may never see duplicated again. Wood was removed from the game after his 169th pitch, one that made contact with the batter he was facing. His final line looked like this: 13 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 14 K, 4 BB. Wonder who Texas head coach Augie Garrido gave the game ball to? When asked about Wood's outing, Garrido, the winningest manager in college baseball history, said, "It was the best pitching performance I've ever seen."

Continue reading "True Texas LONGhorn"

The time has now come for the Atlanta Braves to send the hometown hero out of town.

This is tough to write because I have wanted him to succeed as much as anyone in the Atlanta organization. After one of the most prolonged slumps in the history of baseball, I must finally admit that the Braves need to trade Jeff Francoeur. No more waiting for him to turn it around. No more hoping a team is going to actually give up a top prospect for him. The right fielder has run his course in Atlanta.

The Braves are at a pivotal point in the season. They just dealt three prospects for Nate McLouth, and appear to be in it to win it this year. However, that is not going to happen when they pencil Francoeur in the lineup every night. Maybe they could hold out a little longer if he was a Gold Glover at a position in which defense is incredibly important, like second base or shortstop. That is not the case. He is a corner outfielder, with an incredible arm, mind you. But his arm doesn't even come close in making up for his abysmal production at the plate.

Continue reading "Time for Francoeur and Braves to Part Ways"

These 5 deals need to be done by July 31st.

With the Nate McLouth trade still fresh on our minds, what other deals appear to be necessary, if not imminent? Atlanta was able to fill perhaps the single biggest hole of any team, in its lack of outfield production. Here are the five trades that need to be made sooner than later.

5.) Nick Johnson traded to the Boston Red Sox.

This doesn't seem like a blockbuster of a deal, but the Red Sox do not need any kind of overhaul, just a slight tinkering to really rev their engine. Ortiz appears to be in a funk that he may not get out of. At least not this year. In the American League you must get production out of your DH spot. Johnson would be a nice upgrade and could spell Kevin Youkilis occasionally at first base.

4.) Jose Valverde traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Continue reading "5 Trades that Need to Happen in Major League Baseball"

Has any coach's stock risen more in this year's NBA playoff's than Stan Van Gundy?

Who would have believed before the season that a Ron Jeremy look alike would be one of the biggest headliners of the basketball postseason? While he looks more like a used car salesmen rather than an NBA coach, his solid regular season resume, along with a run to the Finals this year, has elevated his status as one of the best in the game. Looking back at the choice of Mike Brown as coach of the year for 2009 almost looks silly. That debate is for another time though and I want to remain focused on what exactly Jeff's brother has done to spark his Orlando Magic.

Who was Hedo Turkoglu before Stan Van Gundy? He won the Sixth Man of the Year award in his second year in the league, but was little more than a nice role player. When Billy Donovan backed out of his contract with the Orlando Magic in June of 2007, they quickly offered Van Gundy the job which he took. The following season Turkoglu won the NBA Most Improved Award and is now mentioned among other elite players in the league. It is hard to ignore the coincidence of Van Gundy's arrival with the emergence of Turkoglu.

Continue reading "The Sorcerer- Stan Van Gundy"

I am not sure it is possible, but Brett Favre needs to find the most desolate place in Mississippi and hide. Although I believe he is already past this stage, he needs to read Damage Control for Dummies. It will be an awful long time before I can say the name Brett Favre without a sour taste being left behind.

 

Favre played the game with such a youthful exuberance, that many people were completely sold on this fun-loving quarterback. His toothy smile appeared pasted on his face, in the middle of his 5 o’clock shadow. When things were going good for Favre, he was a happy go lucky guy. However, when you see a guy go through a little adversity, his true colors are exposed. Let’s face it, Favre has many more dull colors in what we all thought was a bright personality.

Continue reading "Brett, Go Far, Favre Away...."

Some claim that Roger Federer's clay conquest was a hollow victory since he did not beat Rafael Nadal.

As soon as Roger Federer dried his last tear of joy, the backlash began. Reporters and columnists quickly started dismissing his championship in the French Open because of something Roger could not control. Federer had no part in determining who he played in the final at Roland Garros. He simply did what he had done 13 times before- win a Grand Slam.

It isn't as if Rafael Nadal wasn't in the field. He was there. The number one seed in fact. It was his tournament to lose and he did. Federer made it through the draw he was given as the two seed. In the final Federer beat Robin Soderling in straight sets. Soderling defeated Nadal in four sets earlier in the tournament.

Continue reading "Hollow Victory for Roger Federer?"

What Cubs fans have lovingly grown accustomed to.

The Chicago Cubs have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory for over 100 years now. If you never have experienced it before, go to a Cubs game. Not at Wrigley, mind you. Your favorite team's home park. I dare you.

First of all, let me recommend you not pay very much for the ticket. The possibility that the Cubs actually win the game does exist, and if that possibility is realized, you may end up needing money to bail yourself out of jail. The arrogance and gloating that ensues is often enough to make the most level-headed individuals blow their tops.

I was at Turner Field for the National League Division Series against the Cubs in 2003. I wish I had read an article such as this before I went, for I knew not what I was about to walk into. Lo and behold Kerry Wood threw a dominating Game one and the Cubs were victorious. The streets of Atlanta were flooded with blue and white pinstripes, marching around, chanting as if they had just won their first World Series since 1908. It was simply game one of the first round of the playoffs. Those Cubs' fans created a couple of firsts for me. One particularly over the top female pushed my buttons so that I took a swing at her boyfriend, or brother, whatever male companion happened to be beside her. I also got into a verbal altercation with a foreign man that could not have been over four feet tall. It was definitely a man though, as a cigarette was hanging from his bearded mouth.

Continue reading "The Art of Chicago Cubs Losing"