tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80231531854035381632024-02-21T10:07:16.510-05:00ATLbrave.com - All Atlanta Sports BlogThe Die-Hard All Atlanta Sports Blog. ATLbrave.com is the source for Braves, Georgia Tech, Falcons, United & Hawks coverage from the unique perspective of one long-suffering, lifetime Atlanta sports fan.graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-754741910244070752017-01-07T21:03:00.000-05:002018-02-11T00:03:41.405-05:00Don't Be This (UGA) Parent<div style="background-color: white;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">I typically love anything I read that casts a shadow over the UGA program. Occasionally when I talk to other fans that drop that "well I root for Tech whenever they aren't playing UGA" line extending that olive branch towards perhaps an "I don't really hate UGA" response. I can honestly say that such a </span></span>asinine, ridioicuous<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> notion has ever crossed my mind. If youre one of these people, more power to you... not me, I hate UGA, their coach, their players, their barking </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">and their disturbingly obsessive blogs covering the time they cried because somebody hurt their kudzu bushes next to the field or how they salivate</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> 365 on prospective high-school boys who may come to practice one day... (Im kidding... but seriously)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">Having said that...</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.dawgnation.com/football/rodrigo-blankenships-father-son-refused-scholarship-crushing-hardship-family" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><b><i>Rodrigo Blankenship’s father: Son being refused a scholarship is ‘a crushing hardship for his family’</i></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">This is one of the most ridiculous and unbelievably sad posts I've seen in a while.... If his dad is disappointed or feels he's gotten a bad deal - understandable; but how he decided to handle this situation is a pretty good snapshot of how many parents attempt to place themselves at the center of their kids athletic experience; how they handle and control the ups and downs and their overly gross-involvement throughout the entire process. Long story short, the kid is a walk-on kicker, accepted a spot as a walk-on kicker, went into the season knowing he was a walk-on kicker.... (ended up being the #1 guy due to another player getting injured). Many walk-ons will later be granted scholarships; during a post-season meeting </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">Coach Smart met with him and his parents, they didn't like what they heard... which was similar to what was said in a previous meeting (we don't have a scholarship available) the parent hears a conclusive decision being presented (I guess Coach Smart isn't allowed to be indecisive or unsure; his intentions are <i>obviously targeted and malicious </i>in nature). </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><b>In reality there are only two possible scenarios:</b></span></div>
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<li><b>Smart is Being Honest</b> (he is)</li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">Smart is lying and conjures up sales pitch to retain a very valuable, key-contributor as a walk-on. A position where he can walk at any time for greener grass... </span><i style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">(since its easy to "hide" superstars/SEC recruiting isn't that competitive; not like coaches take helicopters to games or private fights across country for an hr in-home visit, oh wait nm.)</i></li>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><b><i>"just like a business manager refusing to give a raise to an employee during a sit-down meeting, he was extremely well-prepared with his list of grievances.</i></b>"</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">No, so you mean there are two perspectives or points of few? positives and negatives? He has a list that differs from your highlight reel version? no way. A list of grievances to you may be a list of reasons why we aren't given him a scholarship (hard to hear).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">There are 2 options here:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><b>1. walk-away (tranfer)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><b>2. stay, hope offer improves</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">X. have daddy boo-hoo all over the internet and media hoping it gets better. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The sad part... this won't effect dad too much. It may internally, at home at work, etc. But the person it effects the most is his son. I cannot even begin to imagine the type of stuff, negative attention, unfair judgement and everything else he's now got to deal with (and did not bring upon himself). The amount of negative attention that will be floating around his classmates, teammates, message boards and blogs, via the media, twitter, his relationship with his coaches, his friends, fans and his teammates... Is now a </span>unnecessary<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> distraction from what he is there to do, and agreed to do every day. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><i><b>Coach Smart said he came to Georgia as a walk-on and had to earn a scholarship, so he knows what our son is feeling.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">This is called empathy, so is this implied to be insincere? This isn't Pop-Warner, mean ole' Georgia in the SEC... daddy come rescue me, scream at coach, email all the newspapers... like your son is in college? did you ever consider the fact it could be a bit unpredictable? change a major? fail a class? make a mistake? new direction? change mind? I mean that occasionally happens at that time in your life. Is it ok to be disspaoiinted or have a chip on your shoulder? no doubt, how will you respond? say someday your son sits down with his </span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">business manager and refuses to give him raise during a sit-down meeting </i>will you be there to arbitrate that case? whos hand will be hold?<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">He's not 6? When do you become old enough to handle your own problems? Sometimes you learn from it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">I once read a story about a walk-on kid from Alabama that cleaned gutters, worked odd jobs... his mom didn't send him any money, she actually Lived WITH him in his college dorm, they had none. His sophomore year loans didn't come through and had to pay $550 the next day couldn't go to school or play football and had no idea what to do. The next day found a letter from discover in his mailbox despite not having a credit card, found two blank checks and called number on the letter wast told he has $1000 credit line. He wrote one check for $550 to pay half of his tuition and one for $450 to pay his rent. After 3 seasons as a walk-on his senior year finally got his scholarship... but above all, back against the wall the kid made things happen, and still does... his team plays in the national championship tomrrow night.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">His goes on to cluelessly give his assessment of value, accolades and contributions (means well... but through fathers eyes of 1, not a manager of 85+ player on a roster) He has no clue what he is talking about. He's a kicker, t</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">o put it in perspective, here are teams Gary Anderson and Morten Andersen (2 top PK in NFL history) played for: Bills, Steelers, Eagles, 459ers, Titans, Saints, Falcons, Giants,, Chiefs and Vikings... Their coaches must have tried the same trick!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">The entire letter can best be read towards the bottom, eliminate everything else and this is the truth, and the only time in which he puts he looks at things from his sons point of view: </span></div>
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<li><b style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><i>Rodrigo loves UGA</i></b></li>
<li><b style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><i>he loves Dawg Nation</i></b></li>
<li><b style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><i>he loves his teammates</i></b></li>
<li><b style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><i>he loves being a starting player in the SEC</i></b></li>
<li><b style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><i>he loves his major field of study</i></b></li>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">...and this father cannot break his son’s heart by asking him to transfer to a school.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">Well it's not about you pop, its not about how you <i><b>"appreciate his talents"</b></i> or</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"> his <i><b>"accrued resume"</b></i>, or "you experience" or what "you feel" hes owed, deserves and is not getting. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">If all of the above is true, on a team or in life, is it worth dealing with the tough times? or fighting for? or staying course? I believe so, and would think most people do.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">Actually in sounds to me like the type of kid that knows exactly what and where he needs to be.... so in that regard, you didn't do everything wrong. You can speak for you but not for him. He said so, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">Get a grip... and delete your twitter account... thanks!</span><br />
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graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-1606911747851605702016-02-04T06:22:00.000-05:002020-03-29T13:44:53.023-04:00Paul Johnson 7 Season @ Georgia Tech<br />
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3x ACC Coach of The Year (only person ever named ACC Coach of the Year in his first two seasons) and named National Coach of the Year in 2008 by CBS Sports.<br />
CPJ won more games in his first 6 seasons than any other coach is GT history... including more than CFB Legend John Heisman.<br />
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CPJ has finished top 6 nationally rushing in all 7 seasons, leading the nation in 2010/2014 and finishing second in 2011.7/ 10-best seasons of total offense in school history have come under Johnson.<br />
Under Johnson, Tech has finished either first or second in ACC Coastal Division 6 /7 seasons; playing in three ACC Championship Games in his seven years.<br />
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Tech has 4 10+ win seasons since 1957... 2 of those have been under Johnson (avg 8.2 wins/yr)<br />
Since coming to The Flats, Johnson has posted winning record vs. Florida St. (including first win at FSU in school history in 09) & Clemson (widely regarded as ACC's best) and has a 2-2 record vs. UGA in Athens. Prior to Johnson, GT won only 3 times in Athens in 1975.<br />
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The Jackets have scored 30+ points in 49 games since he arrived, and he's 14-7 at Tech in games decided by five points or less. Johnson is 7-2 in home games against top-25 opponents. (CMR 16-23 vs. top 25 teams since 2007.) In 2009, Tech earned its highest national ranking (7th) since 1999.<br />
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Tech did not fire Brian Gregory<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col width="52"></col><col width="121"></col><col width="95"></col><col width="82"></col><col width="89"></col><col width="83"></col><col width="83"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"YEAR"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; border-top: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">YEAR</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"COACH"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; border-top: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">COACH</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"REC"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; border-top: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">REC</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"CONF"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; border-top: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">CONF</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"ACC FINISH"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; border-top: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">ACC FINISH</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2011\u201312"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; color: #0b0080; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">2011–12</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Brian Gregory"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Brian Gregory</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"11\u201320"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">11–20</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"4-12"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">4-12</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,12]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">12</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2012\u201313"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; color: #0b0080; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">2012–13</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Brian Gregory"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Brian Gregory</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"16\u201315"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">16–15</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6-12"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">6-12</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,12]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">12</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2013\u201314"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; color: #0b0080; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">2013–14</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Brian Gregory"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Brian Gregory</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"16\u201317"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">16–17</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6-12"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">6-12</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,12]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">12</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2014\u201315"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; color: #0b0080; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">2014–15</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Brian Gregory"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Brian Gregory</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"12\u201319"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">12–19</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"3-15"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">3-15</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,15]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">15</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"-"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">-</td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2007\u201308"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">2007–08</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Paul Hewitt"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; color: #0b0080; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Paul Hewitt</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"15\u201317"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">15–17</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"15-9"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">15-9</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,9]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">9</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2008\u201309"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">2008–09</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Paul Hewitt"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; color: #0b0080; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Paul Hewitt</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"11\u201317"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">11–17</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"11-14"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">11-14</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,14]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">14</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2009\u201310"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">2009–10</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Paul Hewitt"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; color: #0b0080; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Paul Hewitt</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"23\u201313"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">23–13</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"23-9"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">23-9</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,9]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">9</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2010\u201311"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">2010–11</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Paul Hewitt"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; color: #0b0080; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Paul Hewitt</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"13\u201318"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">13–18</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"13-11"]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">13-11</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,11]" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">11</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2008]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">2008</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Paul Johnson"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Paul Johnson</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"9\u20134"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">9–4</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"5\u20133"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">5–3</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"T\u20131st (Coastal)"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">T–1st (Coastal)</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2009]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">2009</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Paul Johnson"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Paul Johnson</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"10\u20133"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">10–3</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"7\u20131"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">7–1</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"1st (Coastal)"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">1st (Coastal)</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2010]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">2010</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Paul Johnson"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Paul Johnson</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"6\u20137"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">6–7</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"4\u20134"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">4–4</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"T\u20133rd (Coastal)"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">T–3rd (Coastal)</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2011]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">2011</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Paul Johnson"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Paul Johnson</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"8\u20135"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">8–5</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"5\u20133"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">5–3</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"T\u20132nd (Coastal)"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">T–2nd (Coastal)</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2012]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">2012</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Paul Johnson"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Paul Johnson</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"7\u20137"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">7–7</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"5\u20133"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">5–3</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"T\u20131st (Coastal)"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">T–1st (Coastal)</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2013]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">2013</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Paul Johnson"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Paul Johnson</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"7\u20136"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">7–6</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"5\u20133"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">5–3</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"T\u20132nd (Coastal)"]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">T–2nd (Coastal)</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2015]" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">2015</td><td colspan="1" data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"GUARANTEED"]" rowspan="2" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="max-height: 37px;">
GUARANTEED</div>
</td><td colspan="2" data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"#,##0",1]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Last Season"]" rowspan="1" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: white; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">Last Season</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2016]" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">2016</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1075000]" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$1,075,000.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1075000]" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$1,075,000.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"BUYOUT 2015"]" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: red; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; vertical-align: top;">BUYOUT 2015</td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2017]" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">2017</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"#,##0",1]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"75% Buyout"]" style="background-color: yellow; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">75% Buyout</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1075000]" style="background-color: yellow; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$1,075,000.00</td><td data-sheets-formula="=0.75*R[0]C[-1]" data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,806250]" style="background-color: yellow; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$806,250.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2418750]" style="background-color: red; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$2,418,750.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"#,##0",1]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"LAST"]" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: white; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">LAST</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"#,##0",1]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"LAST"]" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; color: white; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">LAST</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2018]" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">2018</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"#,##0",1]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"50% Buyout"]" style="background-color: yellow; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">50% Buyout</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1075000]" style="background-color: yellow; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$1,075,000.00</td><td data-sheets-formula="=0.5*R[0]C[-1]" data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,537500]" style="background-color: yellow; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$537,500.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"BUYOUT 2015"]" style="background-color: red; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: white; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; vertical-align: top;">BUYOUT 2015</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1343000]" style="background-color: red; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: white; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$1,343,000.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"#,##0",1]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"LAST"]" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; color: white; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; vertical-align: bottom;">LAST</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]" style="background-color: white; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]" style="background-color: white; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"BUYOUT 2016"]" style="background-color: red; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">BUYOUT 2016</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,537000]" style="background-color: red; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: white; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; vertical-align: bottom;">$537,000.00</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]" style="background-color: white; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]" style="background-color: white; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"BUYOUT 2017"]" style="background-color: red; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">BUYOUT 2017</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2015]" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">2015</td><td colspan="1" data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"GUARANTEED"]" rowspan="3" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="max-height: 56px;">
GUARANTEED</div>
</td><td colspan="2" data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"#,##0",1]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Current Season"]" rowspan="1" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: white; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">Current Season</td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2016]" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">2016</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3020000]" style="background-color: lime; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$3,020,000.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3020000]" style="background-color: lime; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$3,020,000.00</td><td colspan="1" data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,9040000]" rowspan="3" style="background-color: red; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;"><div style="max-height: 56px;">
$9,040,000.00</div>
</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2017]" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">2017</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3020000]" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$3,020,000.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3020000]" style="background-color: lime; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$3,020,000.00</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2018]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: red; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">2018</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"#,##0",1]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"IF FIRED 2017"]" style="background-color: yellow; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">IF FIRED 2017</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1000000]" style="background-color: yellow; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$1,000,000.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1000000]" style="background-color: black; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: red; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$1,000,000.00</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2019]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: red; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">2019</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"#,##0",1]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"or before = 1 mil /yr"]" style="background-color: yellow; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">or before = 1 mil /yr</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1000000]" style="background-color: yellow; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$1,000,000.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1000000]" style="background-color: black; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: red; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$1,000,000.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"BUYOUT 2015"]" style="background-color: red; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">BUYOUT 2015</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 14px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2020]" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: red; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">2020</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"#,##0",1]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Buyout remainder"]" style="background-color: yellow; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Buyout remainder</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1000000]" style="background-color: yellow; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$1,000,000.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1000000]" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; color: red; font-family: Droid Sans; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">$1,000,000.00</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0.00"]" style="background-color: red; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
BCS Bowl Games<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col width="27"></col><col width="90"></col><col width="90"></col><col width="90"></col><col width="90"></col><col width="90"></col><col width="90"></col><col width="90"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 50px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td colspan="7" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"BCS BOWL APPEARANCES SINCE 2010"]" rowspan="1" style="color: blue; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 240%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: top;">BCS BOWL APPEARANCES SINCE 2010</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Oregon"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Oregon</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Alabama "]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Alabama </td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Ohio St"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Ohio St</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Stanford"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Stanford</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"FSU"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">FSU</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Wisconsin "]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Wisconsin </td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"GA Tech"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">GA Tech</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,6]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">6</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,5]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">5</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,5]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">5</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,4]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">4</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">3</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">3</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2010 Rose Bowl"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2010 Rose Bowl</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2010 BCS NCG"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2010 BCS NCG</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2010 Rose Bowl"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2010 Rose Bowl</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2011 Orange"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2011 Orange</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2013 Orange"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2013 Orange</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2011 Rose"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2011 Rose</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2010 Orange"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2010 Orange</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2011 BCS NCG"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2011 BCS NCG</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2012 BCS NCG"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2012 BCS NCG</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2011 Sugar"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2011 Sugar</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2012 Fiesta"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2012 Fiesta</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2014 BCS NCG"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2014 BCS NCG</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2012 Rose"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2012 Rose</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2015 Orange"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2015 Orange</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2012 Rose"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2012 Rose</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2013 BCS NCG"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2013 BCS NCG</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2014 Orange"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2014 Orange</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2013 Rose"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2013 Rose</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2015 Rose"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2015 Rose</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2013 Rose"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2013 Rose</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2013 Fiesta"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2013 Fiesta</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2014 Sugar"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2014 Sugar</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2015 Sugar"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2015 Sugar</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2014 Rose"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2014 Rose</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2015 BCS NCG"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2015 BCS NCG</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2015 Sugar"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2015 Sugar</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2015 BCS NCG"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2015 BCS NCG</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2015 Rose"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2015 Rose</td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 15px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Auburn"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Auburn</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Boise State"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Boise State</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Clemson"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Clemson</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Florida"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Florida</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Oklahoma"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Oklahoma</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"TCU"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">TCU</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"VA Tech"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">VA Tech</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2011 BCS NCG"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2011 BCS NCG</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2010 Fiesta"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2010 Fiesta</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2012 Orange"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2012 Orange</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2010 Sugar"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2010 Sugar</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2011 Fiesta"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2011 Fiesta</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2010 Fiesta"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2010 Fiesta</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2011 Orange"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2011 Orange</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 15px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2014 BCS NCG"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2014 BCS NCG</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2015 Fiesta"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2015 Fiesta</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2014 Orange"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2014 Orange</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2013 Sugar"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2013 Sugar</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2014 Sugar"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2014 Sugar</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2011 Rose"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2011 Rose</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2012 Sugar"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2012 Sugar</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td colspan="1" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]" rowspan="8" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #cccccc; border-left: 1px solid #cccccc; border-right: 1px solid #cccccc; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="max-height: 165px;">
1</div>
</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Arizona"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Arizona</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Arkansas"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Arkansas</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Baylor"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Baylor</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Cincinnati"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Cincinnati</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"UConn"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">UConn</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Iowa"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Iowa</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Kansas St"]" style="border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Kansas St</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 15px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2015 Fiesta"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2015 Fiesta</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2011 Sugar"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2011 Sugar</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2014 Fiesta"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2014 Fiesta</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2010 Sugar"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2010 Sugar</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2011 Fiesta"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2011 Fiesta</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2010 Orange"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2010 Orange</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2013 Fiesta"]" style="border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2013 Fiesta</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Louisville"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Louisville</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"LSU "]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">LSU </td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Michigan"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Michigan</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Michigan St"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Michigan St</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Miss St"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Miss St</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"NIU"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">NIU</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Notre Dame"]" style="border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Notre Dame</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 15px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2013 Sugar"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2013 Sugar</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2012 BCS NCG"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2012 BCS NCG</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2012 Sugar"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2012 Sugar</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2014 Rose"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2014 Rose</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2015 Orange"]" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2015 Orange</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2013 Orange"]" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2013 Orange</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2013 BCS NCG"]" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2013 BCS NCG</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td><td style="padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Okahoma St"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Okahoma St</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Texas"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Texas</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"UCF"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">UCF</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"West Virginia"]" style="border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">West Virginia</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2," Georgia"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Georgia</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2," Southern Cal"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Southern Cal</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2," Penn State"]" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">Penn State</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 15px;"><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2012 Fiesta"]" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2012 Fiesta</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2010 BCS NCG"]" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2010 BCS NCG</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2014 Fiesta"]" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2014 Fiesta</td><td data-sheets-value="[null,2,"2012 Orange"]" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 90%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: middle;">2012 Orange</td><td colspan="3" data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0]" rowspan="1" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 110%; font-style: italic; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; vertical-align: middle;">0</td></tr>
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<br />graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-8878998496847832752016-01-03T19:00:00.000-05:002017-01-06T19:03:08.424-05:00Some Things Never Change<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
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The date was 10 1010 october 10, 2010 game three I remember going down buying a ticket for $30 and thinking how ridiculous it was to get a ticket like to Atlanta, The brace it just came back to take a lead into Craig Kimbrel came on in the ninth-inning and it was within one out away from taking it to one series lead and having a chance to Clinchit home the next day and Bobby Cox's Final season Kimber want the next guy doubled and Conrad's are the Braves lost one with devastating games are for bidden to. That night was a kind of a mock microcosm of how it is to be a Braves fan I can't win no matter what.</div>
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in Atlanta you can buy $30 tickets to playoff games after you win 10 years in a row because "fans" don't go the games. In Atlanta you're expected to sign big free-agents to win now a Ugglas Upton's... When that doesn't work blame the farm system, for not doing things "the right way", <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"> in Atlanta when you copy the exact blue print of other successful trams letter midmarket and went from the worst of making the playoffs in one year, trams like Pitsburgh, NY Mets, Kansas City, San Francisco...well that's not good either. Because if you do that in Atlanta - you're obviously on part of the giant conspiracy and you were hired as the general manager because you don't want to when you want them to lose, better yet you're trying to lose.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Braves build new park to increase fan experience </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Don't need a new park, need to </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">build a team</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Braves fans expect a winner without showing up to the games, build new stadium.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Don't need new stadium, need to build new team that's a winner </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">worthy of their attendance.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Braves fans want a club that wins now not far in future, but also need to think about the future and not hastily make poor decisions in an attempt to win now. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">For Braves fans the sky was falling on 10/10/10 in the playoffs, it was falling going all in on Upton, Uggla and Ugly moves and it's falling when they fold their hand and play for next year... and chances are whether they are winning, losing or 81-81 they'll find a way to say it's falling then too. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">But you see the road through Atlanta is always 1 way. If I was a player going out to try to win every single day or in management or an not a sports fan at all... and I see my fanbase ripping me from keyboards or a Facebook wall post, I'd ask myself what the hell I owe you? When your already down, probably nobody more disappointed than yourself - why would anyone want to play hard for a fanbase ripping you 4 games in with 158 left to go? If we started 4-0 would the outlook be any different? In Atlanta... you can't win, don't deserve to win.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">In Chicago and Boston and most other places not called-Atlanta... You just show up, win, lose or draw and you support your team whether it's 1 or 100 years, that's what being a fan is about. You don't need Friday night fireworks, kids running bases, Tooner Field, Zombie Night or Any other sideshow to sell it, you go to the game to go to the game. Can you be disappointed? Pissed off? Angry? Sure, but nobody jumps ship, bandwagons during the highs and lows and is less committed 365 then Atlanta fans. I laugh every season when UGA Loses and somebody posts "always a dawg" like their special or really unique, thinking "congrats, your normal, you average sports fan, have a cookie for your deep compassion and loyalty.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The sad thing is that it's actually true, their "the unique" and the minority. Atlanta just doesn't get it... and. probably never will.</span><br />
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graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-88376342121697215522015-11-29T20:01:00.002-05:002015-11-29T21:32:05.591-05:00Dawg-Gone: CMR Era Over In AthensCan You Handle The Truth? The Good, Bad & The Ugly... Why UGA Made The Right Move<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGjEWnOsz1LcsWG5venSlHNLZmKDEiqFGtpjFl9lMfFUi7b26KABe_vtS93CKyCg-Oc4aKYBpuT554mloT__9uIJDSYG42wLLXjZX4RWsuox45ELmmJv57P6wWVQen8GBIFr4CeBFksF7/s1600/Mark+Richt+Alabama+1+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGjEWnOsz1LcsWG5venSlHNLZmKDEiqFGtpjFl9lMfFUi7b26KABe_vtS93CKyCg-Oc4aKYBpuT554mloT__9uIJDSYG42wLLXjZX4RWsuox45ELmmJv57P6wWVQen8GBIFr4CeBFksF7/s320/Mark+Richt+Alabama+1+-+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
<b>The SEC Mourns Tonight...</b></h3>
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First I believe that probably around 98% of CFB coaches are<i> "leaders, build character and make a positive impact on young peoples lives"</i> all <i>well before</i> they ever become legitimate candidates to reach the pinnacle of their profession and become D1 NCAA FCB coaches. When schools like any in the SEC have almost limitless ways to find/attract the best guy for the job, interview dozens of quality candidates, <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_27052284/florida-athletic-director-en-route-meet-mcelwain-according" target="_blank">fly private planes across country</a> to visit you and invest millions of dollars in their belief (often times at expense of their own job being on line) that you will succeed. This does not come without hundreds of endorsements, good impressions and people committed to what you have done and will do.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Headed To House/Didnt Cry: Ford Tough</i></td></tr>
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CMR undoubtedly was a good guy... he drinks Coca-Cola, Drives a Ford, "loves his guys," the team and Georgia Saturday. He's a man's man, a straight shooter, loves his wife, says his prayers, probably has been on some sort of fishing trip with his pop and undoubtedly watches fireworks on the Fourth of July... If I am not mistaken I believe he even taught some <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/football-star-shows-you-cant-judge-a-book-by-its-cover/" target="_blank">player to read? joined his book club?</a>... or at least they talked about it 100 times last year in the pre-game tid-bits... heart warming stuff.<br />
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All jokes aside, I'll take it one step further and say that he built UGA into a well-established, top 15 national program year in and year out. He has recruiting on auto-pilot and winning 9-10 games these days is a given. He's a cool guy, always looks very sharp on the sidelines, comes out oozing swagger & confidence. On Twitter he a <a href="http://twitter.com/markricht" target="_blank">massive following</a>, uses hashtags correctly, is engaging to the student-athlete,says somethings that even fire me up where I have to consider myself for a moment if I want to #CommitToTheG? I hope I am half that cool at 50...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only 1 Way To Cheer Up Mon: #HairDid</td></tr>
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He's also a family first type of guy, pulls a lot of kids out places they don't need to be in, believes in them and guides them on right path to making good choices. Mark is an outspoken Christian, a father figure, role model and just a damn good man... there's no arguing this, it's undeniable.<br />
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Despite all of the above being true- the flip-side of that coin is that he is also had scholarship athletes choose to use and get arrested for doing illegal drugs, DUI, assault & battery, forge school checks, sexually assault women in bars, carry unregistered illegal firearms while driving, commit multiple NCAA violations and heck... One kid even <a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2010-09-03/uga-safety-suspended-after-theft-charge" target="_blank">stole a motor scooter helmet.</a><br />
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The natural "fire-back" reaction to that is...</div>
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<i>"He can't control everything, kids make mistakes and bad decisions, everyone make choices, you cant make those for them, some you can't change, and some chose that path regardless of the direction that CMR is steering the ship."</i></div>
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That's all true too, but just as Richt gets the <i>"good guy"</i> label, other head coaches are doing the same type of thing. They may not be as Tim Tebow-esque like Mark or drop the buzz words southern Baptists love to hear- but that does not make them weaker men, further from God or lesser men of integrity... it just makes them different, some different in terms of doing all of the above AND<i> meet / exceed expectations when it comes to wins and losses</i>, which by the way matter quite a bit... not just in "the game", but to the University and ripple effect of all decisions the football program plays to UGA in the bigger picture. <i>Huh? What?</i><br />
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During a 2007 <a href="http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/11/alabama-chancellor-says-nick-saban-is-best-investment-in-university-history" target="_blank">60 Minutes interview</a>... Alabama chancellor Dr. Robert Witt, who was the president of the university when Nick Saban was hired, was asked the question if Saban, (who makes over $5.5 million a year) <b><i>is worth his paycheck</i></b>... and his response was a bit of a jaw-dropper...<br />
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<b><i>“Nick Saban’s the best financial investment this university has ever made"</i></b> he said. <b><i>“We have made an investment that’s been returned many fold.”</i></b> Alabama’s athletic department’s revenue has increased by 112% since Saban was hired, and last year returned $4 million to the school in the form of academic scholarships, according to 60 Minutes. That's not just the best football hire... but the best investment in <b>Alabama history</b>.</div>
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Richt on the other hand, has guided the program to a plateau that is perceived as successful in the wins and losses dept... but much like you could critique Bobby Cox for only winning 1 WS Title in Atlanta with arguably best SP rotation in MLB history - are you consistently viewed as someone that produces a high winning percentage or someone that constantly does less with more? That topic was one thats recently become debate split down the middle.<br />
<br />
<b>Here's a few statistical facts for UGA under CMR:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><i>36-1 after 2007 vs teams not playing in a bowl game that season.</i></li>
<li><i>36-31 after 2007 vs teams who do make 1 of the 42 bowl games that season.</i></li>
<li><i>1-10 vs Top 10 ranked (for year) away from Sanford after 2007.</i></li>
<li><i>6-15 vs Top 25 ranked (for year) away from Sanford after 2007.</i></li>
<li><i>18-22 vs teams who played in a bowl game not at Sanford after 2007.</i></li>
<li><i>12-1 vs non-bowl teams not at Sanford after 2007.</i></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u></u></b>
<b><u>Scout.com Recruiting</u></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2015 # 4</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2014 # 12</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2013 # 8</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2012 # 14</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2011 # 4</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2010 # 21</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2009 # 4</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2008 # 5</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2007 # 17</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2006 # 4</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2005 # 4</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2004 # 6</span></b></div>
<b></b><br />
<ul><b>
<li><b>8/12 yrs finished #8 or higher in Final Recruiting Class Rank.</b></li>
<li><b>7 Losses by 3+ TD after 2007, 0 prior.</b></li>
<li><b>#5 in NFL Draft Picks with 86.</b></li>
</b></ul>
<b>
</b>
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The Richt thing has always intrigued me from being a GT fan... but more as me being a coach. It would be ridiculous to compare coaching youth soccer to D1 college football, that is not relevant or in this galaxy to make a comparison, but I still enjoy observing how different coaches handle adversity, accountability situations, scrutiny and criticism... How you bounce back from a loss, your message to your team and your players and how they react to how your preparation for competition.</div>
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2 things always bothered me about him... a lot... <b>#1</b> he's not a Muschamp or fly off the seat of your pants kind of coach that overreacts about losses, and I'm not saying that's a bad thing... but one thing he repeatedly did, especially lately, was CONSTANTLY not address the facts or the truth. He would get his a** kicked... in some embarrassing fashion like Alabama game,.. and then come to the presser giving no real explanation or place blame on himself, the team or anybody. You would get a question like "what's wrong why did so and so work so poorly" or "why cant you win vs. the top teams"... something inside me was screaming for him to come out and answer the question like this...</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b>"We did a bad job today, I'm embarrassed ...I apparently didn't have our team prepared, our fan base and Dawg Nation deserves more... We need to compete in the way we are capable, and it hurts to have lost the last couple "big games" for our progam, games that would propel us into drivers seat and pursuit of winning a national title. That's where we want to be...We have the talent to be there, UGA deserves that, and we will work our a** off as coaches and do whatever it takes to change that and be 100% committed to getting better result next chance we have."</b></i></div>
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if that's his response, I side with him, I root for him! its open and honest and people can relate to that... I think if he did handle certain things with some vulnerability he may still have the job today.</div>
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but instead got... <i><b>"we didn't execute, need to execute better, we will get to work on it next week, give (so and so credit)"</b></i></div>
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a very generic, uninspiring and complacent answer year after year in games that the fan base was hurt... it seemed almost like Richt didn't hurt as much with them... or at least didn't show it. Maybe that's just his style, maybe he's lost his edge, has hardened a bit or every loss doesn't effect a coach in the same way it used to... but it not only looked like he was only bummed in these situations but truly in denial they even existed at all.</div>
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<b>Case and Point:</b></div>
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<br />
that leads me into bothersome item <b>#2</b> - every season the team found a way to lose a game in an absolutely crazy or inexcusable fashion. I'm not confusing losing with this - there is nothing wrong or embarrassing about losing to Alabama, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, Carolina, etc. etc. - but in the manner, way or under what circumstances. If you can see your team playing hard to the end... there is no shame in losing when clearly visible is where the players heads and hearts are at... because there is pride in the performance, that's a reflection of you as a coach more than anything... all you want to see is that mindset of "The Georgia Way - Finish The Drill"... and almost every year where the dogs took 1 game and didn't get off the bus or got on it at halftime. That falls on Coach Richt.<span id="goog_1760727511"></span><span id="goog_1760727512"></span><br />
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In conclusion I'll end with super deep philosophical quote that may not be relevant to college football at all, may be stretching here a bit... but a very long time ago, some guy named Michelangelo who was smart, painted good, sculpted like a boss and in the chance he was a Dawg fan would eventually whisper into Greg McGaritys ear this advice that tipped the scale towards making the decision that was made today...</div>
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<h3>
<b><i>'The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.'</i></b></h3>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
saying this hurts, because at the end of the day... I have 2 favorite teams - Georgia Tech & whoever is playing UGA that week. But <i>good is the enemy of great,</i> and UGA has been good... they've been good for a while, but not great since 1980. UGA and their crummy little school in Athens is more than capable of being much more than good...CMR was not the guy to push them off the cliff... and turn that corner.,, and so many teams come close and never do.<br />
<br />
Compare this UGA team to UF's team (disaster) in 2014 and what they achieved with a much less talented on roster, more question marks and how they have bounced back with a good new and inspiring head man... If UGA can find someone to do the same, they will come in with a lot of the 'great' pieces in place...<br />
<br />
maybe it will be a poor decision, maybe it will be <i><b>the greatest.</b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
UGA will have to find a combo to sustain the positives CMR did well + a bit more<br />
<h3>
Help Wanted: Gardener - must have experience with growing love songs rebuilt from the heads of broken war drums that never sound louder than when pounded by mallets of our passion...to grow sons and brothers, husbands and fathers...between some sacred hedges, In our secret garden....ready willing and determined, <a href="https://vimeo.com/141098982" target="_blank">despite the storm...</a></h3>
<h3>
<a href="https://vimeo.com/141098982" target="_blank">to grow <i>Champions</i> here.</a></h3>
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graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-29928576842350994742014-11-17T21:52:00.000-05:002020-03-29T19:06:53.663-04:00Hart Attack: Braves Fire Sale Blazes New Direction<b>August 25, 2012</b>. A huge and shocking trade is announced, the largest salary swap connected in trade in MLB history is completed, and the entire baseball world reacts one way or another as the Dodgers & Bo Sox complete 9-player deal ultimately shipping <i>stars</i> <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fespn.go.com%2Fmlb%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F8302304%2Fboston-red-sox-send-adrian-gonzalez-carl-crawford-los-angeles-dodgers-blockbuster-trade&ei=xqhqVJL_L5SKsQTBloHIAg&usg=AFQjCNGK1yVT855Y-6d5UcezGFwm3wIr_A&sig2=wZQ7ZHukyiB1aeXh0fRLRQ&bvm=bv.79908130,d.cWc" target="_blank">Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez & Josh Beckett to LA</a>. The rebuilding process was happening, but in New England where winning is expected, not everyone was exactly thrilled about trading 3 'once thought to be' <i>foundation of the franchise</i> type players, start to mortgage the now for the later; and wait to rebuild.... nobody wants to wait to win.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
In a blockbuster trade with the Dodgers, the Red Sox have given up Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and in general.<br />
— KorkedBats.com (@korkedbats) <a href="https://twitter.com/korkedbats/status/239518128441286656">August 26, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter">@SportsCenter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RedSox">@redsox</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers">@dodgers</a> terrible decision!!! Back to the 1990s red sox.... Damnit.... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fail?src=hash">#fail</a><br />
— Joshua Stout (@joshuastout13) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshuastout13/status/239503807661355008">August 25, 2012</a></blockquote>
We all know the rest of the story... Boston didn't have to wait long. Fast-forward only 431 days later from the day and the RedSox were once again World Series Champions, going from AL next to last <a href="http://cl.ly/YlaSk" target="_blank">69-93</a> to the best record in MLB <a href="http://cl.ly/YZo5" target="_blank">97-65</a> in only 1 season. Nobody possibly predicted it would happen so soon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Braves In Town: Miller & Jenkins</td></tr>
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<br />
The Braves recent transactions have undoubtedly been abrupt, some may ever say hastily made; including parting with several players we as fans have grown to love, dealt swiftly and emotionless. It's bold, it's certainly risky, but for a club like Atlanta is the right move to make. Nothing, especially in baseball is guaranteed and nobody is arguing Atlanta/Boston's trades are close to the same magnitude, <span id="goog_1267975828"></span><a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/53538/braves-could-be-one-of-worst-teams-in-2015" target="_blank">at least not yet</a><span id="goog_1267975829"></span>; but it's ideally the exact same blueprint to take.
The Braves way <i>has to change</i>, and has to change fast. It's failed. Ned Yost had more playoff wins this past postpeason than they entire Braves organization has the past 13 years (2002) <u><i>combined.</i></u><br />
<br />
I was a supporter of Frank Wren (and still am) because I admired how he made moves in order to put in the Braves in the best position he possibly could, almost every time, to win. In <a href="http://jsh.so/1B3a4rG" target="_blank">my last post</a> I explained how different job was in comparison to JS and how unfair it was of him to throw him under the bus. The game has changed dramatically from the Braves dynasty days and the leverage FW was given on a year to year basis wasn't a fraction of what JS had. A few of the major obstacles included:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Payroll in mid-lower level of MLB vs. top 3 in 90s</b></li>
<li><b>No longer intriguing FA destination</b> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(No Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz to entice discou </span></i></li>
<li><b>Farm system destroyed through: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2954457" target="_blank">Tex trade</a></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> (JS depleting farm system/then retiring)</i></span></li>
<li><b>poor international signings </b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(kawakami)</span></li>
<li><b>Poor internal prospect development</b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(top prospects like Hanson, Francoeur, Thorman, Schafer, etc. never reached anticipated levels)</i></span></li>
</ul>
Therefore, many times FW had limited options on how to approach holes in the team, as an example in 2009 Hudson was recovering from surgery and the Braves had Vazquez, Jurrjens and Kawakami as the only mainstays in the rotation with nothing coming through the minors. It was also a very thin FA market with many teams overpaying for SP (ie. ridiculous Yankees <a href="http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/3715527/" target="_blank">Burnett 82/5 yr deal</a>) that as a result shot market value way over the top. The <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fm.mlb.com%2Fnews%2Farticle%2F3675469%2F&ei=_axqVIHXBrOTsQS6-YGwBQ&usg=AFQjCNGMemwfijDDRsUUv5ZTwp0zaFCMoA&sig2=Ta2FS9GztoG5GbU0BZ8cSw&bvm=bv.79908130,d.cWc" target="_blank">Braves were extremely confident</a> they would complete trade for Jake Peavy but never did, Wren initially stated in winter meetings <a href="http://m.mlb.com/news/article/3732421/" target="_blank">club had 0 interest</a> in signing DL. Wren was stuck with the choice to sign either Ben Sheets (coming off injury) or Derek Lowe (journeyman/fringey ace/more IP eater) or do nothing... walk and have no ace and step away from contention. Did most of Wrens deals work out well? <b>No</b>, so he is accountable (and it's part of the business) but he attacked every opportunity to make the team better every chance he could, everybody was excited that day, everybody! the city was pumped... who knew?<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
It is official! BJ Upton signs his new Braves contract. <a href="http://t.co/PSPHTvCN">pic.twitter.com/PSPHTvCN</a><br />
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/274251721046360064">November 29, 2012</a></blockquote>
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Hart is a good choice for Atlanta for no other reason than this: he has no attachment, investment or self inflicted relationships with the current players on the roster. I would imagine Frank Wren, just like we all do watching games- want Upton, Heyward and the like to be successful and are hoping they turn it around, live up to hype or become 'smart decisions' for the Braves primarily because all their acquisitions and development have been <i>on his watch</i>- their success is his success and the opposite is also true. We all wanted Jeff Francoeur to live up to the SI cover and Heyward to be the city's next guy you could mention in the same breath as Hank Aaron, but the problem is sometimes taking all the intangibles, story-lines and warm-fuzzy's out of the picture is the hardest part. Hart's job is to build a club, not write a movie script.<br />
<br />
Speaking of movie script... I love Jason Heyward, I mean he's probably the coolest looking dude in the game, just has true vibe of a straight up bad-ass (but in a non-douchey way like Bryce Harper
<br />
. He is a <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/jason-heyward-s-farewell-message-to-atlanta-was-all-class-063734132.html" target="_blank">total class act</a>, I mean this is the guy that grows up down like 30 miles from the stadium and drives by every day on the way to practice dreaming over playing there someday. He's the guy that steps up to his first AB in the bigs and mashes a bomb on opening day, rounds the bases, hugs Chipper goes back to the dugout, repeat for the rest of his career.<br />
<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I can't watch this without getting chills, even makes Chip Caray sound good, with is unreal in it's own right.</span></i></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NvosXD0plRg" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
But the truth is, J-Hey has been a bit of an anomaly, you don't really know what you're going to get.
Comparing his stats the past 3 years with 2 other NL Outfielders of roughly the same age (less touted), I was surprised by how close the numbers were.<br />
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Heyward's power numbers were a bit better, but more strikeouts/lower BA and very similar speed. Another example I came across and thought was the absolute perfect example of what I am trying to say/<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsnHqCMzR0gNkxBTO2nAe7xdO5x2WDRDCiLK9ZxvDXWSSTS_8_nPN__Nrh2RxEQadFnyBtogwrI07CfNFDX-OaSfZP4fA7h4c4J39hrXrW60RmGT15MUhj3y2_iLK2IYmq_23ZJz84ypw/s1600/j.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsnHqCMzR0gNkxBTO2nAe7xdO5x2WDRDCiLK9ZxvDXWSSTS_8_nPN__Nrh2RxEQadFnyBtogwrI07CfNFDX-OaSfZP4fA7h4c4J39hrXrW60RmGT15MUhj3y2_iLK2IYmq_23ZJz84ypw/s1600/j.png" /></a></div>
get across. He should be somewhere in between Bonds & Frenchy... ;)<br />
<br />
Heyward can without a shadow of a doubt go on and be an MVP caliber type of player for the Cardinals or another club, but he could also be a Jon Jay or Parra... a good player, but not guy you tie up 6+ years in and bank huge payroll investments on "potential", that's what got the club here in the first place, the lower the Braves chips get, the less they can gamble, and J-Hey is no gamble here. The ability to acquire outfielders/depth of OF around league at his production level is nowhere near as difficult to what it would usually be to acquire a top young SP like Shelby Miller, the Cardinals have the most SP talent in the game, so he was expendable- but make no mistake this kids a great acquisition.<br />
<br />
Drafted in 2009 as STL's 1st round pick, Miller was STLs minor league POY in 2010, Baseball America's #1 Cardinals prospect from 09–11 and selected to the All-Star Futures Game in 2010/2011. He entered the 2012 season ranked #5 overall prospect in baseball by MLB.com and finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting 2013. Still only 24 years old his young career numbers are 26–18, 3.33 ERA, 312 K.<br />
<br />
The future is undetermined, but one thing is for sure... it certainly will be changing in Atlanta in 2015.<br />
<br />graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-35583654581855091792014-09-22T23:00:00.000-04:002020-03-29T18:56:17.212-04:00Bobby Shut Up & Go Home (Like Playoffs)I get so freaking sick and tired of the Atlanta love affair with Bobby Cox. I thought he retired? He's involved with literally every Braves function and event He seems to always been sitting around giving his two cents and worshipped like a god...<br />
<br />
Here's the facts- Cox had the best pitching staff arguably in the history of baseball, three first-ballot hall of famers in their prime together for a decade +, guys that never missed any significant time with injuries and passed CY Young Awards around to each other for an entire decade + and 4th/5th rotation guys that would be most clubs 2nd-3rd option. He also benefitted from having the greatest defensive center-fielder in MLB history who never missed a game and one of the top 3 switch-hitters of all-time, some dude named Chipper Jones. Cox was given a team with a payroll that averaged top 4 in the MLB... EVERY season, for the duration of his ENTIRE career... Check the stats, If you eliminate 1995 you could easily compile a strong argument Bobby ultimately did less with more than anyone else as a manager all-time.<br />
<br />
Frank Wren & Co. had been given a payroll that ranked in the mid-bottom half of the MLB (15th/16th past 2 years), 3/5 of the rotation was injured in spring training. You cannot operate a successful franchise and convince players to play just "because it's the Braves" and lower than the market value, you no longer have the luxury of declining any and all no-trade clauses, you cannot alienate agents like Scott Boras (who control a large portion % wise of the talent market) to not even respond or speak to them because your team is bigger than that, it's a much different game economically than it was 10-15 years ago. So when you compare staff A who consistently achieved slightly above average with the best assets vs. staff B who achieved nothing with mediocre assets who wins? spoiler alert... both suck!!<br />
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Here's the kicker- In reality comparing the two is idiotic, but JS and the "Braves Way" and assuming they still hold the cards, why Bobby has so much influence despite him being 'retired' is absolutely asinine to think about. Frank Wren was mentored in 'The Braves Way' and then the landscape of the game changed, his moves were bolder, louder and cut and dry and they failed... but the Braves way left him with almost no choice in this. If you walk from players like the Uptons, Uggla, etc. and don't complete these deals (with very little leverage and current club foundation similarly experienced by JS-who indirectly caused great deal of the erosion of that by trading 5 prospects for Teixeira since it was no longer on his watch) Less money, harder to sell frachise, less clout, more higher market clubs all those things lead to you making knee-jerk FA signings, otherwise you can turn into the Astros pretty quick,<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Freddie Freeman says he agrees with Bobby Cox's vote of confidence for Fredi. "Always positive, always has our backs" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Braves?src=hash">#Braves</a><br />
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinMcAlpin/status/514150518760144896">September 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
Anyone have a job where they fail to meet their expectations consistently over course of entire year and your manager is sincerely positive about that and had your back? probably not. If they did then their a pretty terrible manager. Why? because their job is to see that you improve, you grow and not that you benefit the entire unit. Otherwise you are saying "I'm really satisfied with being mediocre." or "they played their hearts out", lets pretend its ok when the situation wont ever change, and their approach wont either.<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
I'm hearing what some other folks have speculated with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/braves?src=hash">#braves</a>: Wren wanted Fredi Gonzalez out, and Bobby Cox pushed to keep him.<br />
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/514130112347131904">September 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<li><b><u>Fredi G as Braves Manager</u></b></li>
<li><b>2011: 5-13 down stretch; arguably worst collapse in franchise history, wrote books about it.</b></li>
<li><b>2012: loses WC game at home in 'playoffs'</b></li>
<li><b>2013: dominated 3-1 in divisional round vs. Dodgers allowing 27 runs (6.75/gm).</b></li>
<li><b>2014: 4-14 so far in Sep; 554 runs scored ranks 29/30 in MLB, last Braves team to score less than 600 runs? a quarter century ago (1989)</b></li>
<li><br /></li>
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<li style="font-weight: bold;"><b>JS getting back to the 'Braves Way' is an arrogant narcissistic pat on the back to yourself... to what little you did at a time while your longtime co-worker (and would think friend in the game) is packing up & moving on, and that is a classless pitiful move by JS.<br />
Let's be real clear...the '<i>Braves Way</i>' has really never changed, its 3-run homer baseball for the reg season win vs. terrible inter-divison pitching 70 games a year... it's half-full ballparks and shutout losses in October once playoffs starts, it's once you face pressure or teams that manufacture runs in high-leverage situations you choke, it's when we strike out a dozen times or more each game and then go home and talk about how good we are "the Braves way" because we go to that first round. Justifying that as your goal is and it's always being upbeat... when you should be angry because your not satisfied with that.</b></li>
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Wecome to Atlanta... we're always satisfied with that, it's what we can tell each other we're the best and still enjoy the game ...that's the 'Braves Way.'</b>,<br />
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graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-61342974203125642322014-07-18T23:59:00.003-04:002014-07-19T00:06:45.344-04:00Braves All-Garbage Team<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-34862999223882210022013-09-29T14:54:00.000-04:002013-09-29T15:01:39.266-04:00Precarious Champs of The NL EastAfter 8 years of yellow banner futility the Atlanta Braves are your NL East Champions. The team stumbled to the finish line, going 7-10 in their past 17 games, but won nevertheless. Football has started, The Dodgers are the media darling and for a team that has faced so many obstacles the mood around the fanbase seems ominous. In Atlanta it can be hard to fully trust any team in the playoffs; heartbreak is common, disappointment is run-of-the-mill and excitement makes you vulnerable.<br />
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Atlanta's 2013 season will be remembered as a series of very hot-streaks and overcoming obstacles, The Nationals never seemed to get it rolling and the Braves took off early and never looked back...<br />
<br />
They lost their #1 starter in July<br />
Their biggest offseason free agent signing hit .186<br />
Their slugger second baseman was even worse, hitting .181<br />
Their all-star setup men, O'Flaherty and Venters missed entire season.<br />
The player that spent the majority of games hitting leadoff had a .256 OBP<br />
Jason Heyward missed over a month with a broken jaw.<br />
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It was a successful season on a number of levels, regardless of what happens in the playoffs. 70% of the experts predictions of ESPN were incorrect, that's why baseball is the best professional sport in America, their are no Miami Heat teams, their is no such thing as 'inevitable', except perhaps to expect the unexpected.<br />
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<br />graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-11747650221512929932013-08-05T14:46:00.005-04:002013-08-05T16:48:33.164-04:00Wes Durham: GT Legend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCidk4MivgudjZxCndKHurYSYHb17qz_JMSMJwujHeEmquRfsIboenLq8FE5mmR_yJ0-T-ew2Bc2LfhWqVFsuAydC4n8kwcUZEH5z-aynLwDprFKVPmPB1OP7zyFsJaDAEkOqGiQaZtdh/s1600/8071045.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCidk4MivgudjZxCndKHurYSYHb17qz_JMSMJwujHeEmquRfsIboenLq8FE5mmR_yJ0-T-ew2Bc2LfhWqVFsuAydC4n8kwcUZEH5z-aynLwDprFKVPmPB1OP7zyFsJaDAEkOqGiQaZtdh/s1600/8071045.jpeg" /></a></div>
The <i>Voice of The Yellow Jackets</i>, Wes Durham has moved to a <a href="http://www.foxsportssouth.com/collegefootball/acc-conference/story/FOX-Sports-South-unveils-ACC-football-br?blockID=919113" target="_blank"><i>new position at Fox Sports 1</i></a> and sadly is moving on from Georgia Tech after calling a total of 760 GT basketball and football games over the past 18 years. I cannot imagine listening to a Tech football game on the radio without him and he will truly be missed by the Tech faithful. Yellow Jacket fans were lucky to have such a class-act and truly one of the great radio broadcasters of his time for so long.<br />
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It has been reported that Wes will continue calling all Atlanta Falcons games even with his new gig. Durham was the 2006 recipient of the Furman Bisher Award for Sports Media Excellence and an eight-time winner of Georgia Sportscaster of the Year Award. We will miss you Wes! Here are a few of my favorite Wes Durham Georgia Tech calls from over the years:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F104136991" width="100%"></iframe>
<a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=244000031" target="_blank">April 3, 2004</a><br />
<b>(#3) Georgia Tech 67, (#2) Oklahoma St 65</b><br />
(Final Four) Alamodome, San Antonio, TX<br />
<i>Will Bynum's layup with 1.5 remaining; sends Georgia Tech to the National Championship Game.</i><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F104137124" width="100%"></iframe>
<a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=242550228" target="_blank">September 11, 2004</a><br />
<b>Georgia Tech 28, Clemson 24</b><br />
Death Valley, Clemson, SC<br />
<i>"The Legend is Born" as Calvin Johnson scores on amazing catch in corner end zone with 11 seconds remaining; GT scores three TDs in the last 4.5 min to take the win 28-24.</i><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F104137134" width="100%"></iframe>
<a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=283060059" target="_blank">November 1, 2008</a><br />
<b>Georgia Tech 31, (#15) Florida St 28</b><br />
Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA<br />
<i>FSU has ball 1st and goal from GT 3 with Tech clinging to a 31-28 lead; Rashaad Reid recovers the fumble in the endzone after Cooper Taylor's helmet-to-football hit with 45 seconds remaining, giving the Yellow Jackets a stunning victory. </i><br />
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<a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=283340061" target="_blank">November 29, 2008</a><br />
<b>(#22) Georgia Tech 45, (#11) Georgia 42</b><br />
Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA<br />
<i>Georgia Tech's Roddy Jones rushes for 214 yards and Georgia Tech finally wins one over the Bulldogs with a victory in Athens 45-42.</i><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F104137118" width="100%"></iframe>
<a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=292900059" target="_blank">October 17, 2009</a><br />
<b>(#19) Georgia Tech 28, (#4) Virginia Tech 23</b><br />
Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA<br />
<i>Josh Nesbitt leads a deadly triple option attack and the Jackets upset the #4 Hokies on Thursday night at Bobby Dodd.</i><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F104137015" width="100%"></iframe>
<a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=293390228" target="_blank">December 5, 2009</a><br />
<b>(#10) Georgia Tech 39, Clemson 34</b><br />
<i>(ACC Championship)</i> Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL<br />
The Yellow Jackets get a key stop to win rematch with the Tigers and the 2009 ACC Championship; book a ticket to Miami with a BCS Bowl Game Berth in the FedEx Orange Bowl.<br />
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<br />graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-78841920665181833642013-07-07T13:35:00.000-04:002013-07-30T02:40:51.014-04:00Retire #25The Braves did Andruw Jones dirty on his #25, it should be retired (and at the very least put away for a few years) they've let the likes of Ryan Church, Troy Glaus and Juan Francisco wear it already. Andruw spent 11 full seasons with the Braves (97-07) during that time he won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves and was a 5x All-Star; in 2005 he was The Sporting News ML Players of the Year, won both a Silver Slugger/Gold Glove, finished runner-up in NL MVP voting and lead NL in homeruns and RBI. In a 4 year span from 1997-2001, Andruw Jones missed 5 of those 648 games; during that 11 year span he averaged 157 games per season.
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But the biggest selling point of all for me is the time in which he played so well. Those 11 years were the 'dynasty' Atlanta Braves, they won 9 NL East pennants during that period. From 1997-2007 Andruw Jones hit 30 more homeruns than Chipper Jones... in that 11 year span he drove in more runs that Chipper Jones... and he played in 140 more games than Chipper Jones. Does the teams biggest run producer, defensive asset and power threat during the 'Dynasty' years warrant some consideration for a retired number at least? absolutely, but the truth is Andruw wasn't the medias Jeff Francoeur and he wasn't in NYC playing alongside Derek Jeter. Andruw deserves better than that from the franchise, at least better than Ryan Church. Come on man!<br />
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<br />graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-87847856412638649632013-06-24T18:57:00.002-04:002014-03-23T08:32:03.124-04:002014 Braves: Take Good With Bad<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lot of media has focused on the Braves 'Jekyll and Hyde' team makeup this season, when it's going well they are called the <a href="http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/wells-baseball/2013/apr/14/dont-post-until-after-5am-mlb-recap-braves-are-bes/" target="_blank"><i>best team in baseball</i></a>; when it's going bad they are the best team in a bad division and <i><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/atlanta-braves-series-loss-milwaukee-highlights-growing-concerns-221100951.html" target="_blank">not a World Series contender</a></i>. If you broke down the Braves season up until June 22, it is a series of 6 streaks:</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/KilfduC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/KilfduC.png" height="320" width="206" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Young Braves Arms Minor & Teheran<br />have been stellar so far in 2014.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4/1-4/18 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>13-2</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4/19-5/3 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>4-10</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5/5-5/9 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 4-1</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5/10-5/15 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1-5</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5/17-6/5 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>15-4</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/6-6/22 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>6-11</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Total <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>43-33</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...let's just hope it's tilting toward the good side come October (ha!)</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> but I there are fewer reasons to believe the lack of success recently is less about pitchers and teams '</span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/atlanta-braves-series-loss-milwaukee-highlights-growing-concerns-221100951.html" target="_blank">figuring the braves out</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">' and more about random hot and cold streaks this team is prone to have (and will continue to have). Atlanta has been one of the more active teams at the trade deadline in recent history; in 2010 the Braves went out and made a move for Derrek Lee, 2011 was Michael Bourn and 2012 was Paul Maholm (after failing to acquire Ryan Dempster). Don't expect anything like that this year. This in my opinion, based on all factors considered is the ideal lineup:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RF</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Schafer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3B<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Johnson</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LF<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>J Upton</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1B<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Freeman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">C<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>McCann</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CF<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>B Upton</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2B<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Uggla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SS<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Simmons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heyward is the obvious omission but I believe he contributes in a major way rotating the 4 outfielders to give them days off and coming in as a pinch-hitter often. Schafer shouldn't be out of the lineup right now, he brings so much to the team in multiple areas and he's getting on base at an over .400 clip. Johnson gets on base and puts the ball in play, Justin Upton hitting third separates the series of high strikeout guys in himself, Uggla and his brother. Teams are pitching around Freeman to face those guys. I believe problem #1 is Simmons in the leadoff spot, he is a great player and big contributor, especially defensively, but has 16 walks in almost 300 AB. You can't have that from a leadoff guy hitting 250, he's just not a good enough hitter yet to be a table setter / leadoff guy and it's much easier to pitch to Braves lineup (power threat) and risk going after hitters / conceding solo homers with bases empty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bottom line is this team is still a very good one, especially economically comparing it to others around the league, here are a few of the big spenders (payroll ranking):</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#1 Yankees <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>233.5 MIL (41-34, 3rd AL East)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#2 Dodgers <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>220.4 MIL (32-42, 5th NL West)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#3 Phillies <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>170.8 MIL (36-40, 3rd NL East)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#6 Angels<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>127.9 MIL (33-43, 4th AL West)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#9 Chi Sox<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>119.6 MIL (31-42, 5th AL Cent)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some people have even thrown around the idea of dealing Heyward. The Braves <u>should not</u> trade him; (#1) you won't get a significant return because his value is at a career low, with his age and control by the Braves his upside is far more valuable and appealing that the pieces he would bring back in a trade. I still believe he could be one of the premier players in the game. Say there is even a 50% chance of this- do you move that for bullpen pieces or a mid-level borderline everyday player with another club? absolutely not. He's way too young and talented to be moved, and I think he still starts a ton the rest of the way. It could be worse, but it is what it is... and 2014 has given Braves Country many reasons to believe that 2014 will be special, after all... It's all about who's hot in October, and this team, win or lose, will be there.</span></div>
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graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-30940330070896445352013-04-19T16:06:00.002-04:002013-04-19T16:49:23.886-04:00I know, It's Early: Hot-lanta StartA few stats to check-out so far, <i>(way too)</i> early in the 2013 season:<br />
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The Braves have allowed 31 runs in 2013, that's 11 fewer than any other team in MLB (Boston-41); the next closest in the NL in the Dodgers with 55 and the next in division (Washington) is more than double that amount (71).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replacing A Legend: Brave's Third-Basemen through 15 games vs. CJ's first 15 games of 2012.</td></tr>
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Oakland and Atlanta are only MLB teams with a perfect record on the road, all other teams have 2 losses or more.<br />
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Atlanta's run differential (74 RS, 31 RA) of +43 is 10 runs better than any other team in MLB.<br />
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As a team, Atlanta is 1st in MLB in ERA (1.92), WHIP (.101), BAA (.208), Homers (29) and shutouts (3).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upton has raked early on, well protected in Atlanta's lineup.</td></tr>
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As a team, Atlanta is 2nd in NL in OPS (.805), Slugging (.473) and Total Bases (239).<br />
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The Braves so far are 13-0 in games when they score a (1) run.<br />
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Chris Johnson was the 'throw-in' player in the Upton/Prado deal, his third new team since the start of 2012. Johnson has played in 13 games, has 21 hits and leads the league in BA. Albert Pujols didn't collect his 21st hit with his new team, the LA Angels in 2012, until game 25.<br />
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Justin Upton has 9 homers after 15 games; last season for Arizona, Upton didn't hit his 9th homer until game 98. In 2001, during Barry Bonds single-season record breaking season (73), Bonds didn't hit his 9th HR until game 18.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Braves Top 4 Stack-up vs. ESPN's Pre-Season Top 4.</td></tr>
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Paul Maholm has not allowed a run in 23 consecutive innings dating back from last season. In 14 starts since being traded to Atlanta, Maholm has allowed 2 runs or fewer in 10 starts, 6 of those allowing 0. In Maholm's last 8 starts with the Braves he owns a 1.01 ERA with 47 strikeouts and only 14 walks. Prior to 2012, Maholm's career ERA was 4.36.<br />
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Craig Kimbrel is back at it again this season; 7 saves in 7.2 IP, 2 hits, 2 walks and 10 Ks. Dating back from July 24th of last season- in Kimbrel's last 39 appearances, he's pitched 33 innings: 62 strikeouts (1.9/IP), 6 walks (0.2/IP), 13 hits (0.4/IP) and has allowed only one earned run (solo homer).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braves new <i>cleanup</i>-hitter</td></tr>
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Atlanta leads all of MLB in former janitors on the active roster; Evan Gattis is 4th in NL in HR (5), 10th in NL in RBI (12) and 5th in NL in SLG (.674) despite never having a major league AB until this season.<br />
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/VjA8lYz.jpg" target="_blank">NL Braves Leaders</a><br />
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graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-10258232910720118392013-03-04T13:33:00.001-05:002014-03-23T08:32:24.704-04:00Frenchy: Worst Everyday Player?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have harped on this in the past, but Jeff Francoeur has to arguably be the worst everyday player in Major League Baseball. The Kansas City Royals front office makes some absolutely baffling decisions, particularly dealing with former Braves. Making risky moves is one thing, they traded <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minors/awards/player-of-the-year/2012/2614000.html" target="_blank">super-prospect OF Wil Myers</a>, rated #4 MLB prospect by <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/88510" target="_blank">Baseball America</a> (who's drawn comparisons to Matt Holliday/Pat Burrell) during the offseason for 31 year old pitcher James Shields, who went 87-73, averaged ERA around 4 for the Rays over the past 3 seasons. Their is no argument Shields is a quality pitcher and borderline 1-2 rotation guy, but his numbers in 2012 declined in almost every category than 2011 despite starting the same amount of games; ERA was 3/4 of a run higher, 8 fewer CG, less IP, allowed more hits/ER, and opponents batted 22 points higher. Maybe not much of a concern, but the<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/top-8-reasons-wil-myers-james-shields-trade-083859853--mlb.html" target="_blank"> reaction around the league was mostly negative</a> from Royals POV.<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The best way to get to Kansas City as a Brave is to come here riding the hype train, fail, then get traded.<br />
— Scott(@BravesGasm) <a href="https://twitter.com/BravesGasm/status/219925853100978177">July 2, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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Signing players and constructing the foundation of your organization, a lower-market club with a very limited payroll with no rationale or reason is another. Jeff Francoeur is penciled in AGAIN as the Royals everyday right fielder for the team despite having numbers that would make most GMs question his upside to wasting a AAA roster spot. Once Frenchy bolted Atlanta his attitude was <i>"I just want to play everyday"</i>, defensive and arrogant like he was owed something or cheated; he tried that with the Mets and <a href="http://metsmerizedonline.com/2010/08/jeff-francoeur-worst-everyday-player.html" target="_blank">they saw the same thing the Braves did</a>, so naturally his next move was to sign with the only (the worst) team in the league that would make him an everyday player. Kansas City <i>paid him royally</i>; Francoeur will make 6.75 mil in 2013 (5th highest paid player <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tUTE2VVPkfB9ARpW5-5U-TQ&output=html" target="_blank">on the club</a>/3rd highest paid position player) and that idea itself is <i>almost</i> as bad as the pun at the beginning of this sentence (not quite)<br />
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The guy had <i>mind-numbing</i> stats this past season; a .287 OBP, 34 BB in 603 PA, 16 HR, 1 sac fly during <i>ALL</i> of the 2012 season and the Royals will continue to employ him anyway. Of the 21 qualified RF in the league last season, he ranks close to the bottom in nearly every statistical category and has a <i>NEGATIVE</i> WAR, which theoretically means having him <i>hurts</i> the team. Jeff has always been a class act, one of the most fan-friendly players in baseball (heck he<i> <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/jeff-francoeur-gets-pizza-delivered-fans-bleachers-233500021.html" target="_blank">buys fans pizza</a></i> for crying out loud), you can't help but want to root for him, he has a lot of fun... and maybe, <i>just maybe</i> the Royals really just want to have fun too; maybe like Francoeur, they know they aren't legitimate, so it's a good match and situation they both can relate to.<br />
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<br />graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-1080539780014258372013-01-25T00:46:00.002-05:002014-03-23T08:31:19.404-04:002013 Brings Hope to ATL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So how does this look Atlanta?
Apparently the Braves aren't ready to bow-out to the Washington Nationals as the best team in the division, today's move <a href="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8876216">according to some MLB exec's</a> make them the best team in baseball. One thing is for sure, the Braves organization and its fans surely have something to be excited about for the upcoming season, a sense of hope...again, for a city that certainly needs it. Three 5-tool outfielders, a dynamic, young & extremely athletic lineup, great starting pitching and arguably the best bullpen in the majors. Will this translate to wins and not another first-round playoff knockout? time will tell, but 2013 looks bright for the Braves heading into spring training.<br />
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One Thing We Learned... Frank Wren is a go-getter, he has continued to be aggressive on the FA market and has pulled the trigger on several big deals in key situations. I can appreciate the moves he makes in an attempt to win NOW, not make deals that fill seats or are made in attempt to build a pretender-contender (see the Atlanta Hawks).<br />
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<b>What The Best in The Business are Saying:</b><br />
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/faDyTUn.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/faDyTUn.png" height="225" width="320" /></a><i>"The team that got (Upton) might be the best fit after all; the Braves suddenly have one of the most dynamic outfields in the NL all under control for the next 3 years."</i> - Ken Rosenthal<br />
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<i>"By adding Justin Upton, the Braves got younger, added much-needed power, upgraded their outfield defense and set themselves up to have one of the most talented young outfields in baseball in place for at least the next three years. (The Braves) won this trade, We surveyed seven big-league executives and scouts Thursday; all but one of them would have made this deal without blinking. The pairing of Justin and B.J. Upton in the same Braves outfield will be a fascinating thing to watch in 2013."</i> - Jayson Stark<br />
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<i>"The Braves didn't specifically need Justin Upton to be contenders again in 2013, but having him certainly helps. Because they got him for about 50 cents on the dollar, they should be over the moon about the deal they wrapped up Thursday. Arizona's return boils down to this: one year of Martin Prado, six years of a fifth starter in Randall Delgado, two fringy prospects and one non-prospect. If that sounds like a good deal to you, I have some beachfront property in Phoenix to sell you."</i> - Keith Law<br />
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<i>"Every day must be marvelous when brothers are teammates. The Upton brothers will get to experience that in Atlanta."</i> - Tim Kurkjian<br />
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<i>"As of today, The Nats & Braves may be the two best teams in baseball."</i> - Jon Heyman<br />
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<i>"Love, love, love this for Atlanta, Any time you can trade for a player like that, an All-Star-caliber player who's that young [25], it has to improve your team."</i> - NL Exec<br />
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<i>"It's a scout's dream, It's three five-tool players; that's what you've got in one outfield."</i> - NL Exec<br />
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<i>"If somebody had said three years ago that you could have those three guys in the same outfield, people would have been going nuts. Right?"</i> - NL Scout<br />
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<u>Projecting the 25 Man Roster</u><br />
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graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-36527703289377642292012-12-02T12:37:00.000-05:002020-03-29T19:00:15.997-04:00GT Recruiting: By The NumbersIt's no secret Georgia Tech hasn't exactly been dominating the recruiting rankings the past several years. Most of the fan base, including myself, have been screaming for CPJ to improve this area for the program to get out of it's recent decline in on-field performance. Overall, recruiting is an essential component of building a yearly contender, but the truth is... It can go both ways, even for the big boys. A few recruiting notes by the numbers:<br />
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Another tidbit-- Interestingly enough Georgia has more committed 4-star prospects this season than GA Tech has signed in the past 6 years COMBINED... and one final thought, has Tevin Washington etched himself beside<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Ball" target="_blank"> he who must not be named</a></i> for GT legendary (failure) icon status? That is for you to decide:graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-41652696759615312462012-11-06T03:42:00.002-05:002012-11-06T11:38:52.280-05:0015 MLB Free-Agent Predictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The MLB free-agency signing period is long and unpredictable. Some guys ink deals week 1, some hold out through spring training and some come back halfway through the season. The most predictable thing about MLB free-agency is... that's it's completely unpredictable. Rumors fly from both reliable and unreliable sources and sure bets aren't always what they seem to be. Some deals even become official through the media before they are in reality, the Braves being one of the teams on the wrong side of the story for multiple occurrences. The news broke in 2008 that <a href="http://www.scoresreport.com/2008/12/16/rafael-furcal-heading-back-to-braves/" target="_blank">Furcal had agreed to resign with the club</a>, but it eventually fell through and he returned to LA. Then again the following year when ESPN leaked <a href="http://www.scoresreport.com/tag/braves-sign-ken-griffey-jr/" target="_blank">Griffey Jr. had chosen Atlanta</a>, agreeing to 1-year deal over Seattle in order to be closer to his Orlando home and family. The papers were never signed and Junior had a change of heart. In 2010, Cliff Lee was the crown jewel of a solid free-agent class; all signs pointed to it being a two horse race between the Yankees & Rangers for the ace pitchers services, both clubs going back and forth one-upping one another with massive contract offers. The Phillies <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-philliessignlee121310" target="_blank">literally came out of no where to sign Lee</a> to a deal worth less money than both New York or Texas had put on the table. No one expected Philadelphia to even be in the mix- with a rotation that already included big-money elite pitchers like Halladay, Hamels & Oswalt. The move shocked the MLB world and left his potential clubs with no time for plan B. The deal was so late in the signing period and clubs had already placed their chips all-in to acquire the one player they were seeking. So the point of the story? <u><i>Nobody</i></u> knows where these guys will land, including themselves. There may be favorites or a clear front-runner... but nothing is guaranteed or easily predictable until the player puts ink to paper. Here are 15 of this off-seasons top free agents and my shot in the dark, off-the-wall predictions for where they will call home in 2013:<br />
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<a href="http://gralton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Icon6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://gralton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Icon6.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Melky Cabrera, OF</span><br />
<b><span style="color: white;">Prediction: New York Mets <i>(1 year/$6 million)</i></span></b><br />
The Melk-Man's incredible run finally soured (had to get the bad pun out of the way early in this one, sorry) in August of last season. Cabrera's unreal steak turned out to be well, unreal... and teams won't be busting down the door to sign him for anything more than about a 4-6 million/1 year deal. A return to New York (on the other team, doesn't another team play there?) seems like a good fit for both clubs. The Mets look to be backing up the truck to resign David Wright long term, and this could assist them in several areas. It wouldn't cause problems financially with DW's new deal and would provide some decent protection for him in the lineup. With no long-term commitment to signing him, the only risk the Met's would be taking is <a href="http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/melky_cabrera_accepts_the_all_star_mvp_award_and_talks_to_matt_vasgersian/11195614" target="_blank">listening to him blabber aimlessly at the signing press conference</a>.<i> </i><i>"THANK YOU DA FAN, MY FAMILY, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HERE, IS LIKE IT HERE AN THENK YOU EVERYBODY DA FAN."</i><br />
<i><br /></i><span style="font-size: large;">Stephen Drew, SS</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: Oakland Athletics</b><b> <i>(2 years/$15 million)</i></b></span><br />
Drew is a cookie cut money-ball type player and a good fit for Oakland. He had some success there at the end of last year and seems like a quality affordable piece for the A's. The shortstops personality and Oakland's young, energetic clubhouse is a solid match; and a good spot for Drew to revive his once promising career under little media pressure.<br />
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<a href="http://gralton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Icon5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://gralton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Icon5.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Adam LaRoche, 1B</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: Washington Nationals</b><b> <i>(3 years/$56 million)</i></b></span><br />
Boston is another likely destination for LaRoche; after the 9 year vet opted-out of Washington's qualifying offer last week. The quiet first baseman seems like a guy that should have cashed in by now with a large, long-term deal. He flies under the radar, brings no attention to himself and consistently produces good powers numbers. Coming off a 33 HR/100 RBI season several teams will likely come calling, but the Nat's and him will finally work it out in the end.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kyle Lohse, SP</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: Kansas City Royals</b><b> <i>(4 years/$48 million)</i></b></span><br />
Royals owner David Glass recently said that "he’ll spend for pitching" but, let's face it... Kansas City isn't the sexiest destination for elite pitchers. After a career year, I still believe few teams will throw Lohse a huge deal; worried it may have been a fluke season instead of what's in the future for the 34-year old starter. Kansas City won't have many chances to reel in a type-A free agent, so they will take a shot here and sign their targeted guy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mike Napoli, C</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: Boston Red Sox</b><b> <i>(3 years/$28 million)</i></b></span><br />
Boston is looking to reload, and Napoli brings an elite backstop/veteran leader into a rebuilding Sox lineup. The inside of the organization has stated that they would like to build from within (minors) instead of relying heavily on free-agency spending sprees every year; but these days the catcher position may be the hardest of all to develop in the MLB. The blue collar attitude and winning experience of Napoli should make it easy for Boston to get out their checkbook for this one.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Angel Pagan, OF</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: San Francisco Giants</b><b> <i>(3 years/$30 million)</i></b></span><br />
Some believe the Giants are looking to make a splash by signing a big-name, power-hitting outfield this off-season, but it ain't broke so why fix it? San Fran won't have any urgency to upgrade what they have in Pagan, and the two seem to have a mutual interest in one another. Pagan clearly enjoys playing by the Bay, and the Giants certainly seemed to enjoy having him around. The two sides will agree to terms by striking a fair, painless deal that's one of the first announced in the signing period, and Pagan will again be on board to help the club defend their World Series Title. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kevin Youkilis, 3B</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"><i>Youkilis & Francona: Reunited?</i></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: Cleveland Indians</b><b> <i>(1 years/$8 million)</i></b></span>
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Youkilis would be an affordable option & addition for Cleveland, providing some much needed depth to the rebuilding ball club. His ability to be a quality option at either infield corner position has to be appealing to The Tribe. Ultimately his relationship with new manager Terry Francona will be a factor in bringing the veteran into a clubhouse searching for leadership & guidance, a new identity and the understanding of what it takes to be a winner.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Edwin Jackson, SP</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: New York Yankees</b><b> <i>(2 years/$19 million)</i></b></span><br />
The Nats will spend a lot of money this offseason; but it won't be on Jackson with the teams priorities going elsewhere, and who can always smell blood and is ready to pick up the pieces by throwing money at a above-average player just because they can? Well that of course is none other than the <i>New York Yankees</i>, commonly referred to by most as <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/sports/2011/08/be-proud-of-the-evil-empire-yankees-fans.html" target="_blank">The Evil Empire</a>. Regardless of need, the team from the Bronx just can't help feeling left out of the <i>'cool kids party'</i> and will agree to terms with Jackson just because no one else will be able to rearrange the numbers in order to create payroll space as easily as they can. The team in pinstripes will lose Soriano, and will likely miss out on signing a few other players they kick the tires on- so count on them to sign a guy or two just because they have the money to throw-around. Jackson has the potential to be a quality 5th starter/plus bullpen addition to any team, but will be tested quickly with the pressure and atmosphere on the biggest stage in pro sports. Yankees win by default.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nick Swisher, OF</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies</b><b> <i>(3 years/$38 million)</i></b></span><br />
<a href="http://gralton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Icon3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gralton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Icon3.png" /></a><i>The Fightins'</i> are in need of outfielders, and Swisher may be worth a look for a team hoping to stabilize more consistency at multiple positions this offseason. The problem is that they don't really have any money to spend... ok, just kidding...bad joke, the Phillies ALWAYS have money to spend- so this time they'll spend it on the popular, power-hitting outfielder; landing him on a 3 year deal. A switch to the NL and the short fences at Citizens Bank Park will make 30 HR/100 RBI numbers very attainable for Swisher, protected in a seemingly healthier lineup that consistently includes both Ryan Howard & Chase Utley. A career year is not out of the question for Swish if he does indeed happen to land in the City of Brotherly Love.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rafael Soriano, RP</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: Detroit Tigers</b><b> <i>(4 years/$58 million)</i></b></span><br />
Detroit made a swift <i>"don't let the door hit you on the way out"</i> parting with Jose Valverde; so the AL Champs will be looking for a quality closer or back end of the bullpen player and Soriano lands here. Let's just hope his ego and Super-Agent Scott Boras don't overshoot the market, or else the reliever coming off a career year may find himself sitting at home at the start of spring training.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">BJ Upton, OF</span><br />
<a href="http://gralton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Icon4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gralton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Icon4.png" /></a>
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: Atlanta Braves</b><b> <i>(4 years/$56 million)</i></b></span><br />
With the loss of Chipper Jones and the likely possibility of Michael Bourn signing elsewhere this offseason- BJ Upton would be a quality signing for the Braves. It wouldn't be a fix-all addition to all the clubs areas of need, but would be a nice piece to add to the puzzle; providing Atlanta's lineup with both speed and much needed power. The Braves have been rumored to have interest in the outfielder before, and they will make this deal for a couple of reasons: Bourn will leave/sign with a division rival (WAS/PHI) and Atlanta will attempt to keep pace by inking him to a contract, all from a knee-jerk reaction. An added bonus is that he'll hit right handed in a Braves lineup stacked with hitters from the left. If the 2012 center fielder moves on, Upton will be the next best thing to move in and swipe off the market. Write it down, you heard it here first.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shane Victorino, OF</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays</b><b> <i>(2 years/$17 million)</i></b></span><br />
It seems like the same old story for the Rays again here: a big/pricey free agent leaves = they sign a quality, lesser expensive free agent that produces nearly the same numbers. With BJ Upton hitting the market and likely finding a new home for 2013, the club will be in the mix for several next-tier players, this time an outfielder, that they feel brings nearly as much to the table. Victorino seems like the type of fun, high energy player that would be a perfect fit in Tampa, giving the Rays a leadoff presence they've been lacking for the past several years. Victorino's heart, hustle and scrappy style of play mirrors what Rays baseball is all about for sure. I believe the yearly AL East contender puts the '<i>Flyin Hawaiian</i>' on their radar early and inks him to a modest 2-year contract soon. The 31 year-old veteran outfielder could certainly benefit from a change in scenery, and all these factors may add up to a possible breakout year for Victorino in 2013.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Michael Bourn, OF</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: Washington Nationals</b><b> <i>(5 years/$84 million)</i></b></span><br />
<a href="http://gralton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Icon1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gralton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Icon1.png" /></a>Three NL East teams are considered to be serious contenders to land Bourn; Atlanta, Philadelphia & Washington. Scott Boras's relationship with the Nat's brass will make them the front-runner to win the speedy leadoff hitter's services in 2013. Washington will likely commit more years and dollars than the Braves are willing and able to, and the appeal of joining an already stacked lineup that includes names like Morse, Harper, Werth, Desmond and Zimmerman may be too good to pass up. Washington would benefit from cementing a leadoff hitter with speed, while the Braves are in need of both power & speed. If the dollars are near equal, which they will be, then Washington will win the bidding war and lock up Bourn to a 4-6 year contract. The rich will get richer, as the new NL power looks to be setup to contend for a very, very long time.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Zack Greinke, SP</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: Los Angeles Angels</b><b> <i>(7 years/$170 million)</i></b></span><br />
LA traded away the heavens and the earth to acquire Greinke, trading off three top-25 organizational prospects to land the ace pitcher for effectively only a couple guaranteed months in late July. GM Jerry DiPoto will be in full-focus stealth mode to sign the former Cy Young Winner long-term, making sure that his bold move turned out to be a smart one. The Angels have already dumped the contracts of Ervin Santana and Dan Haren to facilitate this signing, and the pitcher has made known that winning is his highest priority in where he ends up. The 29 year-old will be selective in his potential destinations, partly due to his history of anxiety/depression in the past; he seems to be very comfortable with the atmosphere & his teammates in LA and they'll close the deal by blowing him away with a huge contract offer early, the largest for any pitcher in MLB History.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Josh Hamilton, OF</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><b>Prediction: Milwaukee Brewers</b><b> <i>(5 years/$128 million)</i></b></span><br />
<a href="http://gralton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Icon2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gralton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Icon2.png" /></a>So, maybe this is a long-shot and dark horse team for most, but in my opinion a very interesting and viable landing spot for Hamilton. The Rangers don't appear willing to pony up for a long-term deal with some hesitation concerning the sluggers troubled past. The Brewers have several expiring, big money contracts coming off the books and have also recently lost out on both Grienke and Prince Fielder. Now the club may be itching to re-energize the fan base; going all-in to acquire the best available bopper on the open market. Milwaukee is probably sick and tired of being turned down. Signing an impact player of Hamilton's ability and pairing him in the middle of their lineup with MVP Ryan Braun would be a bold & intriguing move that sends a clear message about the teams commitment to win. The duo would immediately become the most feared 3-4 punch in the National League and possibly the entire MLB; rivaling even the Tigers combo of former Brewer Prince Fielder & recent Triple Crown Winner Miguel Cabrera. Call me crazy, but I think the Brewers sneak into the picture and shock the league by landing the star outfielder & top available off-season free agent hitter of 2012.graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-81512868343860694182012-10-24T11:11:00.000-04:002012-11-03T01:36:17.469-04:00Q & A: Roddy Jones<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Several questions answered by former GT A-Back Roddy Jones</span></b></i><br />
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<i>Roddy do you like the new jersey style or the style you wore better?</i><br />
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<b>RJ: I am a fan of both. I like that were willing to change</b>.<br />
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<i>Is it scary watching the ball when your getting the pitch outside? I bet it's hard no to hesitate thinking you may get lit up?</i><br />
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<b>RJ: </b><b>I would be lying if i said if you see color out of the corner of youre eye youre not aware of it. But you have to trust it for it to work.</b><br />
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<i>CPJ appears like he's not "a players coach" like Richt... is he more-so than it looks on the sidelines? as far as relationship off field?</i><br />
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<b>RJ: Hes not a "players coach" per se. Hes philosophy is hes not there to be our friend, hes there to be our coach. Either way guys respect him</b><br />
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<i>whats the pass called the split receiver just turns and they throw it directly to the sideline, ran it to Bebe alot... dont run it anymore?</i><br />
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<b>RJ: Baybay was big and physical. Havent seen it as much because he was so good after the catch.</b><br />
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<i>Since you were recruited by CCG (Coach Chan Gailey) did you like the offense at first? do you think it benefited you more, after you played it out?</i><br />
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<b>RJ: I was cautiously optimistic about the offense. Its not what I ran in HS, I had been an I back my whole life so it was different. I dont think it suited my strengths best, but it sure is fun when you get the pitch and can take it to the house.</b><br />
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<i>I mean obviously people will always talk about the 08 UGA game, I am 24, it was first GT-UGA I ever went to because I got a free ticket last minute, that sure was special, 214/2 TDs... I bet it was crazy</i><br />
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<b>RJ: it was certainly something ill never forget!</b><br />
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<i>Justin (Thomas) needs to hit the weight room and get bigger, i hear he's about 170? too small to stay in the lineup, I know CPJ doesn't like changing QBs, the tempo dies completely and an error can make/break a game.</i><br />
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<b>RJ: Agreed. But he could be a great return guy at any weight. So we will see.</b><br />
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<i>do you think Vad (Lee) was close to transferring? I know a lot of rumors were going around during the off-season.</i><br />
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<b>RJ: There are always rumors, but no I dont think he was close. He was just a little home sick.</b><br />
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<i>I love BJ Bostic, he doesn't seem to get many targets, but I guess there are on so many plays to go around in the offense.</i><br />
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<b>RJ: The way to get more targets is to make plays like he is doing today. And believe me the coaches are excited about Justin. They will find a way to have him on the field next year.</b><br />
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<i>Has has Justin Thomas officially been red-shirted?</i><br />
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<b>RJ: Its never official until the end of the year, but that's the plan.</b><br />
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<i>Oh I never understood how that worked, so as long as they don't play in a game they can get marked as a RS? Is there a limit? like what if someone was in 1 play?</i><br />
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<b>RJ: Yes, No limit, and 1 play and the shirt is burned.</b><br />
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<i>Are you still involved on the baseball field? What was the big factor is choosing football over it?</i><br />
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<b>RJ: I did the color commentary on the radio for baseball games this past spring. And ultimately football was paying for my scholarship and it was my primary concern. Its a lot to play both in college.</b><br />
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<i>Vad (Lee) just looks smoother to me, (is he a) more polished athlete(?)</i><br />
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<b>RJ: He seems confident on the field. Have to like that from your QB</b><br />
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<i>(Vad Lee Scores in-game)...and with that, the Vad Lee era has begun on the flats.</i><br />
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<b>RJ: Lol. That was one heck of a throw by the young Mr. Lee</b><br />
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graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-8880423716489083572012-10-23T12:25:00.000-04:002012-10-23T12:39:58.175-04:00Chipper Farewell Tour<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Final Season: Chipper Gifts Along The Way...
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April 11, 2012 at Astros (Cowboy Hat)</center>
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April 22, 2012 at D-backs - Tribute Video</center>
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May 9, 2012 at Cubs - Wrigley Field Braves Banner</center>
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May 13, 2012 at Cardinals - Auto Photo/Stan Musial jersey</center>
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May 20, 2012 at Rays - Tribute Video</center>
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May 24, 2012 at Reds - Great American Ballpark's (Custom #10) Third Base</center>
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June 20, 2012 at Yankees - Yankee Stadium's Third Base</center>
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June 24, 2012 at Red Sox - #10 Scoreboard Number from Fenway Park’s Green Monster</center>
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August 22, 2012 at Nationals - Third Base/Bat He Used-First HR in Nat's Park</center>
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August 26, 2012 at Giants - Tribute Video</center>
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August 29, 2012 at Padres - "Thank You" Custom Surfboard</center>
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September 9, 2012 at Mets - Pop Artwork Portraying Him in Shea Stadium</center>
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September 12, 2012 at Brewers - Year’s Supply of Sausages (& A New Grill</center>
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September 19, 2012 at Marlins - Fly-Fishing Gear, Rod and Reel</center>
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September 23, 2012 at Phillies - Painting of Himself at Citizens Bank Park</center>
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October 3, 2012 at Pirates - Pre-Game Ceremony</center>
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graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-10112304155429068402012-09-16T10:05:00.001-04:002012-09-16T10:05:26.886-04:00Paul Johnson Under Fire<br />
Let's face it, Coach Paul Johnson is the perfect fit for GT. Like it or not, his old school style is a great match for a team that struggles to recruit with any coach due to the schools academic requirements and in-state competition. He keeps Tech in <i>every game</i> and no other coach has won more in his first 4 years at the Institute on North Ave. He's been the ACC Coach of The Year twice in his four seasons with the Jackets and only Frank Beamer has a better win percentage among coaches with 4+ years of HC experience in the ACC. Graduation rates are up, (<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/georgia-tech-uniforms-mesmerizing-honeycomb-awesomeness-005127680--ncaaf.html" target="_blank">uniforms are looking better</a>) testing rates are up, National TV coverage is up and while it may not be "the sexy program" it's certainly come along way since the Chan Gailey days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhAuDVO89_eYhBoe-vpMs0NB1nmW7ZdQyOJB1oCYSTPHeZ57SqRVwBbkwgqeQ-9FqVmaPAA3NJ1zRidx07BTryUxEOLx3NJS4g2ORZb8m-juTmVdOfdmEczb-aB8vdivQy2Gpg0jGBTna/s1600/6.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhAuDVO89_eYhBoe-vpMs0NB1nmW7ZdQyOJB1oCYSTPHeZ57SqRVwBbkwgqeQ-9FqVmaPAA3NJ1zRidx07BTryUxEOLx3NJS4g2ORZb8m-juTmVdOfdmEczb-aB8vdivQy2Gpg0jGBTna/s1600/6.PNG" /></a>Why do some Tech fans insist on running him out already? Ask yourself... Can Georgia Tech find a better Coach? Who REALLY wants to come to Tech anyways? lets be honest... will we find a better X's and O's coach? that doesn't exist. Is Saban leaving Bama for us? what about realistic candidates? What makes the Tech job appealing? It drives me crazy seeing some fans call for a change with no realistic views on a replacement. How did that whole Paul Hewitt thing work out? Too early to tell, but I don't think the rush to hire another <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2011/03/28/techs-brian-gregory-not-a-hot-guy-but-hell-bring-the-heat/" target="_blank">Brian Gregory</a> is imminent or really ideal at this point. Let us think logically as Techies before we light the pitchforks.<br />
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This was the guy we were signing to extensions and begging to stay two years ago, why has it changed so abruptly? This biggest knocks? Can't recruit. You get what you get with our system, the blue chip pieces won't land here... and we deal with it. Its something they aren't looking for, one man won't get 25 touches at running back, a QB won't throw the ball 10x a game? so why are expecting something we aren't actively trying to find? that we CAN'T expect, its not our plan and it's not our system, so why are should we expect a cookie cutter recruiting class if we don't run a cookie cutter offense? We can't. The other complaint? Can't beat Georgia, can't beat Va Tech, can't win a bowl game. OK, what's your point? When should we beat Georgia? Maybe once out of five?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJJkUzAMtOXf6imcfpgWIcLHnV8QSgx9HTOC5d3atAP8d5RxaZeuS4NyXT-bLkg20fhPGIK-WfdUbnphzLPzJxyFGBWp93mGYSsMDgPwSf_j-SVtEGDlVbGSV_Z__c9XCbY5epLFSiqNm/s1600/x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJJkUzAMtOXf6imcfpgWIcLHnV8QSgx9HTOC5d3atAP8d5RxaZeuS4NyXT-bLkg20fhPGIK-WfdUbnphzLPzJxyFGBWp93mGYSsMDgPwSf_j-SVtEGDlVbGSV_Z__c9XCbY5epLFSiqNm/s320/x350.jpg" width="307" /></a>In 2009, Tech was a winning drive away from taking two straight vs. the Dawgs, Bebe dropped a pass in his hands for the go-ahead score with seconds to play. In 2010, CPJ <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/11/28/a-canny-loss-to-uga-leaves-tech-fans-giddy-about-their-coach/" target="_blank">clearly, undisputed out-coached Mark Richt</a>- he took a QB into Athens with 3 games of total experience, he was down 14 in the forth quarter, he rallied the team back, but the kicker MISSED AN EXTRA-POINT to tie the game at the end of regulation. Then he LET Georgia SCORE when they could have taken a knee for the easy win to get the ball back, making Richt look foolish despite losing to him again. In 2011 they just flat out lost, but my point is- CPJ can't catch passes and can't kick extra points, he did his job and did it well... it's not fair as a fan base to hold him liable for the unpredictable.<br />
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When have we been favored against Va Tech or UGA? who is going to change that? It's crazy to me that some fans think Tech is LSU, USC, Texas or Alabama. WE ARE NOT A ELITE TOP-TIER PROGRAM, reality check folks... I hate to say that. We are, at best, a top 20 team that competes at a high level every week. Once every 20 years will we make a NC run, I don't think any head coach can jump in and change that immediately, the scary truth is that with a poor coaching change away from being a Maryland, Wake Forest or Mississippi State. It's time we start appreciating what we have. No, we may not win every game, but when have we ever been a pushover under CPJ? NEVER... he gives his team a chance to win week in and week out, and in my humble opinion, that's all we can really ask for. For fun, lets take a look at (in my opinion) Coach Johnson's 10 best wins and losses:<br />
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<u><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">CPJ's WORST 10 LOSSES</span></b></u><br />
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<b>#10</b><br />
<b>2010 @ Clemson, LOST BY 14</b><br />
We don't often lose to Clemson, but when we do... we do. Nesbitt's last healthy game should have been better from such a promising, returning group.<br />
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<b>#9</b><br />
<b>2011 @ Miami, LOST BY 17</b><br />
Miami has our number.<br />
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<b>#8</b><br />
<b>2008 Virginia, LOST BY 7</b><br />
The Cavs? Really? The Cavs? Foreshadowing...<br />
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<b>#7</b><br />
<b>2010 Miami, LOST BY 25</b><br />
I know this was Tev's first game as a true starter, but 25 at home? ...and these ain't your daddy's 'Canes.<br />
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<b>#6</b><br />
<b>2011 Utah, LOST BY 3</b><br />
Bowl woes continue, Tech up 14 to start forth quarter, fall asleep in the Sun (Bowl)...<br />
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<b>#5</b><br />
<b>2009 Georgia, LOST BY 6</b><br />
The tide starts to shift for only a split second, but Bebe's dropped pass in his hands folds a go ahead TD drive with under a minute to play, UGA equalizes series vs. CPJ, continues to own the series.<br />
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<b>#4</b><br />
<b>2008 LSU, LOST BY 35</b><br />
35 in the Dome? after a UGA win? seemed like that team had already played there last game in Athens.<br />
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<b>#3</b><br />
<b>2011 @ UVA, LOST BY 3</b><br />
Not again...Sneaky Cavs steal a big win over Jackets; shot at first 7-0 start since 1990's National Title team.<br />
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<b>#2</b><br />
<b>2010 @ Kansas, LOST BY 3</b><br />
Kansas has a <i>football</i> team? never heard of them.<br />
<br />
<b>#1</b><br />
<b>2010 Air Force, LOST BY 7</b><br />
A Service Academy, losing at your own game... <a href="http://rivals.com/">Rivals.com</a> would be ashamed.<br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">CPJ's BEST 10 WINS</span></b></u><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>#10</b><br />
<b>2009 Clemson, WIN BY 3</b><br />
Hello Dabo, great to see you again.<br />
<br />
<b>#9</b><br />
<b>2009 #22 North Carolina, WIN BY 17</b><br />
We ain't dead yet...<br />
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<b>#8</b><br />
<b>2008 @ Clemson WIN BY 4</b><br />
Death Valley, no problem.<br />
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<b>#7</b><br />
<b>2008 #23 Miami, WIN BY 18</b><br />
White Out Thursday Night ESPN... Electric atmosphere to kick-off CPJ era.<br />
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<b>#6</b><br />
<b>2009 @ Florida State, WIN BY 5</b><br />
Tech wins back to back seasons vs. Bowden is the shootout at Doak Campell.<br />
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<b>#5</b><br />
<b>2008 #15 FSU, WIN BY 3</b><br />
Fate would be on our side...fumble in the end zone, rush the field, the drought is over and the rest is history.
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<b><br /></b>
<b>#4</b><br />
<b>2011 #5 Clemson, WIN BY 14</b><br />
Tech ends Clemson's National Title hopes on ESPN Thursday Night Football in Atlanta.<br />
<br />
<b>#3</b><br />
<b>2009 #4 Virginia Tech, WIN BY 5</b><br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/dHeeiYHS7Xc" target="_blank">All The Way Turnt Up</a>... GT Style<br />
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<b>#2</b><br />
<b>2008 @ #11 Georgia, WIN BY 3</b><br />
Johnson's first trip to Athens is successful, knocks off Moreno & Stafford in final home game at Sanford.<br />
<br />
<b>#1</b><br />
<b>2009 Clemson, WIN BY 5 (ACCCG)</b><br />
The Jackets are Orange Bowl Bound and 2009 ACC Champions.graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-54701751109936078632012-09-04T14:14:00.000-04:002012-09-04T14:25:29.780-04:00Sports: For Better or Worse<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfG6KdLF61-mPGhFWPaFVcP5HLpOYc_QY4gR6i37zwJXtPUkBonI8FrSe8DSMJm-4mfYx9VVw3aMAO4bKXZwewGAJCn1k9PWsGFP1IK6ySZ-c5q9c0luxKDTRq9nGXB7n7sXEQsyrxzzAl/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfG6KdLF61-mPGhFWPaFVcP5HLpOYc_QY4gR6i37zwJXtPUkBonI8FrSe8DSMJm-4mfYx9VVw3aMAO4bKXZwewGAJCn1k9PWsGFP1IK6ySZ-c5q9c0luxKDTRq9nGXB7n7sXEQsyrxzzAl/s200/Capture.PNG" width="149" /></a><b>College Football</b> is a beautiful game, a game of passion, emotion, allegiance and identity. There are 2 types of fans: the casual fan and the totally engrossed, overly-committed, <i>let-the-outcome-affect-your-life</i> type of fan. The first asks the second, <i>"How can you be so upset about a silly game in which you cannot control?"</i> Is there a good answer for it? not really, it just does... This irrational behavior is a bit over-the-top, but nevertheless for those that can't explain explain it, it does exist.<br />
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The reason I love baseball so much more, or at least claim to, is because the results of each individual game don't hold as much value as those in college football. The season is so long, the numbers are true and don't lie over time and at the end of the year- you pretty much get what you earn. <i>College Football is different.</i> One loss can effect your season, and the next season, and recruiting in state, and your week by thinking about it all, etc. etc. Many losses can be overly dissected with<i> "Oh if this play were different we would have won"</i> or <i>"If we didn't get/got that call we had it."</i> In baseball its a little easier to shake it off, most teams will play the next day- in football, you may not play for 2 weeks or be able to redeem yourself for sometimes a year. The highs certainly go into affect too- you can have a program changing win that sets your team up for a great season, but the lows can be agonizing, <i>gut-checking</i> and all the <i>what if</i> scenarios can play with your emotions. Week in and week out, the beautiful game is played- the stakes are high; identification and allegiance to a team are important. Most of us can say we feel a part of it, it's stupid and irrational, but isn't it true? For whatever reason, it becomes a small piece of who we are, many people will say, <i>"I can't relate at all to what you're talking about,"</i> but just as many will think, <i>"I know exactly what you mean."</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNWu0aez7CSFm5CQVTUw4rt_MSftMGhgzu2Ei4hPy_VxaROqCtlwaU_wI7zPyvkuWKs3_pR_vfdEFsOfSRNePLP_p6VWAyAHA9gIxcmW0xl-lP9v-ZR5pxVacelEczkqoAS2uTEgS1j_y/s1600/1346775401737_6321220.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNWu0aez7CSFm5CQVTUw4rt_MSftMGhgzu2Ei4hPy_VxaROqCtlwaU_wI7zPyvkuWKs3_pR_vfdEFsOfSRNePLP_p6VWAyAHA9gIxcmW0xl-lP9v-ZR5pxVacelEczkqoAS2uTEgS1j_y/s320/1346775401737_6321220.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Sports can have zero bearings on your life at all, they can be directly a part of your life- say in your career or as a coach. They can also be an outlet away from reality, to take a minute, or get away from "real life". It can be a chance to step away from reality and invest in something in which we have completely no control over. We deal with loss in many ways: anger, rage, jealously, sadness, blame, call for coaching changes, seeing a silver lining, with negativity and expectations for the worst. We deal with wins in many ways: pride, boastfulness, excitement, indifference, anticipation and the list goes on. For better or for worse, sports affect peoples lives; they affect society, careers, money & marketing, moods and morale. After New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Katrina- The Saints single-handedly rebuild the cities disposition, outlook and spirit in a positive way. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Bartman_incident" target="_blank">Steve Bartman</a>, one name- and most people won't need to know any more details, you already know because it's ingrained in your mind, you already know because it happened, and whether you want to know it or not- it's a small part of your life. Do you think about it at all? probably not. Does it trigger a memory, an emotion or recall of what happened? probability increases. What do you think that name means to the City of Chicago, baseball & American history and the Cubs? one of the oldest franchises in Major League Baseball? Most have moved on, some haven't... but few have forgotten.<br />
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How do sports affect your life? how do you deal with the results? do they affect you at all? Sometimes it would be easier for me to stop the emotional investment all-together. If we lose it can feel terrible, if we win... people will forget, down-grade the meaning and the cycle will repeat again next year. What is the point anyway? Why do we care? Does it really <i>"mean anything?"</i> How do we benefit at all from a team that doesn't know or care about us individually anyway?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yo39NPWgR1OPRNRM4Da0phPqS4k1OOjMdVKtbW8ZTYM1FRWwLE0bBC-aLvjqWvpjDkEqb-SQV2AlBPZcQLw4WQVJdDWMQ0xKjVZS8_sIQAr5Rto30Oiqw_cwYF3_7e4zRGG3jL8DYmsR/s1600/Fever_Pitch_US.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yo39NPWgR1OPRNRM4Da0phPqS4k1OOjMdVKtbW8ZTYM1FRWwLE0bBC-aLvjqWvpjDkEqb-SQV2AlBPZcQLw4WQVJdDWMQ0xKjVZS8_sIQAr5Rto30Oiqw_cwYF3_7e4zRGG3jL8DYmsR/s200/Fever_Pitch_US.jpg" width="136" /></a>One of my all-time favorite movies is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fever_Pitch_(2005_film)" target="_blank">Fever Pitch</a>, the 2005 story of The Boston Red Sox starring Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore. The original plot had assumed they would lose in the playoffs, however they won 8 straight games. No team in the history of baseball had come back to win from a 3–0 series deficit in the playoffs, but the Red Sox finally did to win the 2004 American League Championship and subsequent World Series, their first since 1918. The ending of the movie had to be rewritten and additional scenes were shot in St. Louis, Missouri to rewrite the original script.<br />
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<b>The lines from the film below summarize a great explanation and outlook of what being a fan is like:</b><br />
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<i><span style="color: orange;">Troy: You love the Red Sox, but have they ever loved you back? </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: orange;">Ben: Who do you think you are, Dr. Phil? Go on, get outta here! </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: orange;">Troy: Why do we inflict this on ourselves? </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: orange;">Ben: Why? I'll tell you why, 'cause the Red Sox never let you down. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: orange;">Troy: Huh? </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: orange;">Ben: That's right. I mean - why? Because they haven't won a World Series in a century or so? So what? They're here. Every April, they're here. At 1:05 or at 7:05, there is a game. And if it gets rained out, guess what? They make it up to you. Does anyone else in your life do that? The Red Sox don't get divorced. This is a real family. This is the family that's here for you. I like being part of something that's bigger than me, than I. It's good for your soul to invest in something you can't control. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: orange;">Lindsey: You're a romantic. You have a lyrical soul. You can love under the best and worst conditions. </span></i><br />
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Alcoholics deny reality or wish they could stop drinking; drug addicts often times will be the first ones to tell you <i>"don't ever do drugs."</i> How do you explain it? What has your team <i>really</i> ever done for you? Either way, one thing is for sure- Another Saturday will come, and whether I want to or not...<b>I'll keep watching</b>.graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-20921929183036653032012-07-31T11:49:00.001-04:002012-07-31T11:50:45.640-04:00Chipper Tribute Video<center><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/46689944?byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" width="680" height="382" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></center>graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-21702737765467136092012-07-28T10:29:00.001-04:002012-07-28T10:41:16.970-04:00Chipper: Priceless Memorabilia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ny2Fmw6aEBth8TJDTFAdwsKePnaQQnr71YEBUKG9cmzeusdbM_n7FGusom_pW1Wrtcn72rPS4c2bbTUg7enYMu_jFr2YA4j2LpwdMahYuMYVSSRc3SDh-2A1ATgj-wVMC9WVPmdx4izT/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ny2Fmw6aEBth8TJDTFAdwsKePnaQQnr71YEBUKG9cmzeusdbM_n7FGusom_pW1Wrtcn72rPS4c2bbTUg7enYMu_jFr2YA4j2LpwdMahYuMYVSSRc3SDh-2A1ATgj-wVMC9WVPmdx4izT/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Over the many years of obtaining and collecting memorabilia, I've probably sold about 90% of all the autographs I've obtained, but my favorite piece- an item I would never part with... would be my pair of Chipper Jones Game-Used, Autographed & Framed Batting Gloves. I obtained both of the gloves myself at separate games, hanging out above the dugout after the Braves wrapped up a victory (they only come out to shake hands after a win). I probably tried to yell at Chipper to throw them 40x at least. I remember getting the first glove like it was yesterday...<br />
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<a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280911115" target="_blank">September 11, 2008</a>- The Braves were 65-82 and about to wrap up another rough season; however on this day, the Braves had just wrapped up a sweep vs. the Colorado Rockies 8-4. I hadn't taken my dad to a game in 2-3 years and we were sitting down the first base line about 2 sections over from the dugout; me and him were about to head toward the exit but during the last out I told him I was going to run over by the dugout to see if I could catch a ball or something, might as well try. As the players were shaking hands and headed back toward to clubhouse-- I saw Chipper reach in his back pocket.... I leaned over the dugout (trying to fight off everyone else) as much as I possibly could... one glove flew and 4 rows deep and the other was floating right towards my hand... I reached out and caught it... ripping away a couple other folks hands in the process. Most people wouldn't think it was too big of a deal- but after trying a million times I had finally caught one... I felt like I was in a dream or something... the one game used item I had always wanted, almost paid for many times... I had obtained myself. My feet didn't hit the ground for at least a week, the next season I got really lucky again and caught another one, same glove style-opposite hand. I was thinking how great is it that I caught the opposite hand and not the same one again? fate I suppose. This was the type of thing I wanted to display, not just keep out sitting on a dresser somewhere. As most of you know, Chipper is very difficult to obtain a signature from these days considering he's an old timer that's signed probably a million items. This was the type of thing I didn't really want him to sign at all unless it was neat and clean- not something he scribbled in a rush trying to sign as many items as he could during the rare chance he did sign...<br />
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I needed to get him to sign these sitting down, so I could make sure his signature displayed well on the gloves (there wasn't really an ideal place for him to sign them). The perfect opportunity fell in my lap about a year later- Chipper was signing at "<a href="http://www.gwf.org/Events/AtlantaBuckarama.aspx" target="_blank">Buckarama</a>" a hunting show in Atlanta, the perfect situation. Better yet- I didn't have to fight the mob, a friend had connections inside the event... I was able to get a show 'dealers' badge so I got in the door and was first in line before they let the rest of the autograph hounds in... I got a great signature from him before he got tired of signing a million random things and he told me he hadn't ever signed a batting glove of his like this before... I added a couple signed photos for the final product, PhotoFile shots of him wearing the exact same gloves. I took it to <a href="http://www.fieldofdreams.com/" target="_blank">Field of Dreams</a> and had it professionally framed, set me back a pretty good chunk of change, but definitely worth it considering this is something I could frame, pass down, repeatedly tell the story and display in my game room/office forever! Chipper without a doubt is my hero and a a baseball legend of my generation- and for that I'm lucky to have a small, personal piece of his legacy forever...graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-32897183313671698242012-06-22T23:56:00.000-04:002012-06-28T15:17:10.874-04:00MLB Predictions: Take 2Here are a few of my MLB predictions for the remainder of the season, as a Braves fan I hope I am wrong!<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span style="color: #ffd966;">Awards</span></u></b><br />
AL MVP: <b>Josh Hamilton, Rangers</b><br />
AL CY YOUNG:<b> Justin Verlander, Tigers</b><br />
AL Comeback POY: <b>Adam Dunn, White Sox</b><br />
AL ROY: <b>Yu Darvish, Rangers</b><br />
AL MOY: <b>Buck Showalter, Orioles</b><br />
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NL MVP: <b>Joey Votto, Reds</b><br />
NL CY YOUNG: <b>Matt Cain, Giants</b><br />
NL Comeback POY: <b>Buster Posey, Giants</b><br />
NL ROY: <b>Bryce Harper, Nationals</b><br />
NL MOY: <b>Davey Johnson, Nationals</b><br />
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Here's a look at the Braves current roster vs. all-current former drafted Braves; I got the virtual team ratings from <a href="http://fantasysp.com/">fantasysp.com</a> according to fantasy numbers this season. It's pretty interesting where the positional players rank. Right now the current Braves still have the edge.<br />
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And finally... a little off topic, how about the up and down past month for Jason Heyward? Here's hoping he finishes the year strong.<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
J-Hey Sweet 16? a tale of two crazy streaks lol - <a href="http://t.co/VjCInfNZ" title="http://twitter.com/gralton/status/216363299674136577/photo/1">twitter.com/gralton/status…</a><br />
— Josh Gralton (@gralton) <a data-datetime="2012-06-23T02:53:25+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/gralton/status/216363299674136577">June 23, 2012</a></blockquote>
<br />graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-35426494423024631462012-06-05T12:29:00.000-04:002012-06-05T12:32:01.128-04:00Tweetin' Times of Pro SportsTwitter has undoubtedly blown up over the past year, especially in professional sports as a marketing tool and outlet for fans to connect with athletes off the field. Social media has become the marker of our generation; how far will will it go in sports? tattoos? team jersey-backs? legal names like @MettaWorldPeace or @OchoCinco? at this point nothing seems impossible- time will tell, but certainly it has become a way for the world to connect on a whole new level.<br />
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<br />graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153185403538163.post-61233662401568185342012-05-09T00:49:00.001-04:002012-05-09T01:16:45.765-04:00Atlanta Hawks: Yearly Pretender<div style="text-align: right;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The camera is on us, quick- look upset on the bench!"</td></tr>
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First off, let me start by saying this is a very negative post, so save yourself the sorrow of my thoughts, the comments about how I'm a bad fan and just stop reading right now if you consider yourself a "believer" - this is your fair warning! I hate to say it, I wish it wasn't true, but the Hawks are the biggest joke in the NBA. They are the definition of a team that does just enough to build a little local buzz, but don't really attempt to do much to change the perception of the franchise. The Hawks annually are near the top the NBA in terms of wins and losses since 2008; the recipe? beat up on the little guys, lose the games against any real contender (especially on the road), do just enough to make the playoffs and then bail out and head to the house after that- no fire whatsoever. The Hawks don't deserve respect in the media, they don't average high attendance for a reason, and the front office marketing is focused around who the Hawks are playing to get folks in the seats. It's a very sad state of affairs when you aren't able to sell the home team despite being in the playoffs each year since 2008.<br />
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Around the league no one takes the Hawks seriously, why should they? look at their resume. Not only is their their playoff record ugly- but the effort is embarrassing. In 2008 after batting to force a game 7 with Boston- they scored 65 points in the final game, losing by 34. In 2010 after being swept in the 2nd round the previous year by the Cavs- the Hawks had a chance to redeem themselves, but instead opened round two in Orlando with a 43 point loss. Seriously? 43 points? In game 3 of the same series, they lost by 30 and went on to get swept again in the second round in consecutive seasons. How does this happen? Does Atlanta deserve this lack of desire? Losing is one thing, losing by 30+ in crucial games is another- changes should have been made and weren't. The entire organization from the ground up is built on financial principles, not putting a quality team on the court; they are built to make the playoffs, SportsCenter highlights and not much more.<br />
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When changes were made with the coaching staff, they patched a problem from within- with a cheap guy that was a part of the system that was the problem to begin with. When that had a chance to acquire a few smaller, quality team guys- they instead opted to resign Joe Johnson to a contract worth more than Lebron James & Dewayne Wade; crippling the franchise with an above-average fake star that they could put on billboards. Why? because he's the best they could get, no one else wanted to be here, and if they lost him- they lost the buzz, all that the front office cares about. Buzz > Production to the Atlanta Hawks. The roster is full of guys that just want to be paid; guys that are not overly concerned about winning. Championships have NEVER been a priority here. Save Al Horford (who came from a championship-minded program in Florida, and you can see that) Hinrich, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Marvin Willams all fall under this category. The failure has been strikingly repetitive, but no moves have or will be made in the near future; they have no plans on cleaning house. Charles Barkley said it best <a href="http://bit.ly/barkhawksv" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">in the video here</span></a>; the Hawks response- NADA. Call them out, they don't mind, this is sadly their identity... and that won't change anytime soon.<br />
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u><span style="color: white;">Playoff Woes By The Numbers</span></u></b><br />
<i><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Since 2008 - 46 Games Total</span></i><br />
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<li><b><span style="color: #ffd966;">Road Record:</span></b> 4-18</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #ffd966;">Round 2 Record:</span></b> 2-12</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #ffd966;">AWAY vs. Boston:</span></b> 0-6 (Home vs. BOS 5-1)</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #ffd966;">Average Playoff PPG: </span></b>86</li>
<li><span style="color: #ffd966;"><b>Hawks Road PPG: </b></span>83 (98 Opponent Avg.)</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #ffd966;">Losses of 15+ Points:</span></b> 17</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #ffd966;">Losses of 20+ Points:</span></b> 12</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #ffd966;">Losses of 25+ Points: </span></b>8</li>
<li><span style="color: #ffd966;"><b>Games Scoring 90 Points or Less:</b></span> 32</li>
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<li><b><span style="color: cyan;">Series Played (Excluding 2012):</span></b> 7</li>
<li><b><span style="color: cyan;">Series Lost-Swept in 4 Games:</span></b> 2</li>
<li><b><span style="color: cyan;">Series Lost in 6/7 Games:</span></b> 2</li>
<li><b><span style="color: cyan;">Series Won in 6/7 Games:</span></b> 3</li>
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<br />graltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09365506910272694166noreply@blogger.com