More Letterman Humor

The all new Brett farve / Madden 09 commercial........courtesy of CBS:

Hump Day Views.....and News

They're playing.....basketball! The NBA play-offs are a beautiful thing. The cream is rising to the top. The pretenders are being replaced by real contenders. The L. A. Lakers blew off the Denver Nuggets in 4 straight. Orlando dispatched of Toronto in 5......as did New Orleans with Dallas....also in 5. Phoenix is gone. Done in by San Antonio........once again. Tonights games features Atlanta at Boston in a series tied at 2 apiece. Also , Washington at Cleveland, as the Cavs (leading 3-1) try to close out the Wizards. Let's play some ball.

Smoltz....returning to the pen? In today's issue of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, John Smoltz hinted at returning to the Atlanta Braves bullpen in the role of the closer once again. After going on the disable list Tuesday with inflammation in the rotator cuff and a biceps tendon in his pitching arm, Smoltz said it's possible he would return to the closer role where he dominated during the 202-04 seasons. Makes sense to me. At 40, no need trying to pitch 6 or 7 innings as a starter when he can dominate for an inning or two as a reliever. And we all know how this years' bullpen sucks.

Early season surprises......fact.....or fiction. Major league baseball will enter the month of May with traditional cellar dwellers Florida Marlins and Baltimore Orioles leading their respective divisions. The Marlins lead the NL east with a 15-11 record.......while the Orioles lead the AL east with a record of 15-11 also. The Arizona Diamondbacks have the best record in baseball (19-7) , and have a 6 game lead in the NL west. Both Chicago teams lead in the central divisions........the White Sox (14-11) lead the AL ...while the Cubs (16-9) lead the NL. Not surprising, the woeful Texas Rangers have the worst record......9-17.

He's..............back..........Larry Brown was named Head Coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. Does this guy get around ......or what? Since 1972, Brown has coached 9 professional teams and 2 college teams. They include, Carolina (ABA), Denver, New Jersey, San Antonio, L. A. Clippers, Indiana, Philadelphia, Detroit, and New York. He also coached at Kansas and UCLA. He is the only coach to win an NBA championship (Detroit 2004), and a NCAA championship (Kansas 1987-88). Bobcat president, Michael Jordan made the announcement Tuesday.......Hey Michael, "Great coach......but ....exactly how long do you think Mr. Brown will stay"?

The Dodgers want a refund......L. A. Dodger centerfielder, Andruw Jones is not what the Dodgers thought they were getting when they signed him to a 2 year deal worth $36.2 million. Through 26 games, Jones is hitting .165 with just 1 home run and 4 RBI's. He has struck out 29 times. Can you say , "Biggest bust ....of all time"? I can. Jones got fat and lazy. He came into spring training some 30 pounds over weight. The Braves were smart in not re-signing him. The Dodgers got suckered.......Oh well..........

Finally..... Are they still playing Hockey?

The Whitening of Atlanta

61.4%..........

That is the percentage of African Americans residing in the largest city in the south, Atlanta, Georgia. The city where Martin Luther King was born.


The city whose current Mayor ( Shirley Franklin) is both black.....and a woman. Rappers Ludacris and T. I. call the ATL home.


Known as the "Hip-hop" capital of the world..........Atlanta has shown its willingness to embrace the NFL professional team .....the Atlanta Falcons.


It was not always the case. The Falcons were a joke for over 30 years with the Smith family owning the team. Apathy ........ruled.


Then along comes Home Depot wizard (and billionaire) Arthur Blank. The new owner lowers ticket prices , spruces up the Georgia Dome, and gets Atlanta excited again.


And ..........that number 7. Michael Vick. All Mr. Vick did was fill that dome.........from 2003 to 2007. All sell outs. In late 2006, the Falcons boasted of a waiting list of 90,000 for a chance to purchase season tickets.


Then came last season..........Vick going to jail........Head coach quitting in the middle of the season..........a dismal attendance record......


So with the 2008 NFL draft facing them.......The Falcons .......with a new General Manager and Coach, made decisions to rebuild this franchise.


Mr. Blank has decided on not going back ........to black. All about image, Blank has shipped out vocal DeAngelo Hall (to Oakland).


Saturday, in the first round, white quarterback, Matt Ryan was drafted (with the third pick) to lead the team. Their second pick was another white player, offensive lineman Sam Baker.


The new ........faces of the franchise.............


While one can not blame Mr. Blank for being cautious.......( and yes.....it is his team) We are disappointed at how quickly Mr. Blank is trying to de-black the team with a steady flow .....of white.

Hot Night.......In "Hotlanta"...

I was........very tired last night.....

I think I might have even dosed off for a moment or two. Was I dreaming? The Atlanta Hawks were playing the Boston Celtics in game four of the NBA eastern conference playoffs.

The Hawks had lost the first two in Boston by scores of 104-81 and 96-77. Par for the course in match-ups featuring the number one seed against the number eight seed.

Then....in game three........Saturday night.....in Atlanta......in the Omni..........Did I say "Omni".......I meant Philips Arena. (It's been a long time since Atlanta was in the play-offs).

Something magical happened......There was ........NOISE! There was electricity in the building. These young, athletic, and talented Hawks played the Celtics even through three quarters and ended up winning ........102-93.

Which brings us to last night......The ESPN talking heads had said all the Hawks did Saturday was awaken a sleeping giant. Rookie Al Horford talking trash to Celtics' All-star Paul Pierce.....was just plain stupid. "Pierce might score 40 points in game four".

Well..........Game four.....was last night. And.....a funny thing happened ......in "Hotlanta". The crowd at Philips was even louder than Saturday. And these young Hawks..........were not intimidated .

Josh Smith was ....the ...... "intimidater "............blocking 7 shots.....and making Celt star Kevin Garnett think twice.......before entering the lane.

But Boston .....is Boston. In the third quarter, the Celtics executed on both defense and offense and surged to a 10 point lead.

This.......I think is when I dosed off. But.....I was awake when the Hawks outscored the Celtics 32-17 in the final quarter. But .....it was all so surreal ...........It was like a dream...Like being in the afore mentioned Omni........With Dominic Wilkins and Steve Smith.....in the '90's.


Joe Johnson........showed........out! The Hawks........talented.....but young......gave Johnson the ball......and the game in that final quarter. And Joe......wasn't average. He was spectacular! Johnson scored 20 of his 35 points in that said quarter.....and willed this young team to a stunning 97-92 victory over those heavily favored Celtics to even this series at two games apiece.

No...........it was not a dream. Yes.....this is real. The City of Atlanta is alive..........

You could see it in the eyes of the Celtics........You could see it in the eyes of coach Doc Rivers. (Doc played here in the 90's). There was a look of concern........and bewilderment.......

The Celtics had the best record in the entire NBA this year......They have 3 bona fide superstars..........Yet ..........this series is now tied ........2-2. And now.....the Celts are the ones thinking....and ..........wondering.

Who knows where this series will end up. Game five is in Boston Wednesday night. Then back to Atlanta.

Even if these Hawks don't win another game...........we here in the deep south.....say "Thank you .......young 'uns .....for bringing the "hot" to "Hotlanta"........once again."

The Week in Review.......

Our Apologies..........No Hump Day posts this past Wednesday. Some times, the " real world "..........as in work, etc takes over our lives. Been a rough and tough week. But we have survived it.........Now , it's time to blog.


So........Hillary won Pennsylvania....Are you as tired as I am of this election's primaries? Guys.......gals.......it is almost May. The real election is in November. That's only 6 months away. It is time to settle on one candidate........and be done with it. The only thing this back and forth bickering is accomplishing is .......bringing the republican party together ....to defeat either Hillary or Obama......on November 4th.

The first round of the NBA playoffs are in full swing. No major surprises. The Celtics and Lakers..........the Spurs and the Hornets.....look like final four material. Houston went into Utah ....and won last night. The Denver Nuggets still can't play defense....The Atlanta Hawks are over matched. The Washington Wizards destroyed the Cleveland Cav's ....to make this a respectable series. In the playoffs........NBA should stand for "No Blowouts Allowed".......but there have been .....way too many.

Pac Man Jones...........is a Dallas Cowboy. Wow........Risky move for the Cowboys. Metropolitan Dallas has more "Strip Clubs" per capita ......than any city this side of Vegas. And ...... Mr. Jones.......has .......a jones..........for strip clubs. It will be interesting to watch this unfold. I'm sure the NFL will be watching Mr. Jones.

The University of Georgia "gym dogs" (the gymnastics team) are again competing in the "Super Six"........trying to win an unprecedented 4th straight national championship. Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan has already won 8. Impressive..........Go dawgs........

$3.59..............as in $3.59 a gallon......for gasoline. Every time you see one of those gas guzzling super sized SUV's ..........give 'em the finger...........they are contributing to this mess. Diesel is over $4 a gallon....But .......what are we to do? You've got to get to work.......

Finally...........Those $600 rebate checks........are on the way.....Because of a new computer system.......your government is ready to start sending cash to the masses.....earlier than scheduled. Those of us with direct deposit.........will be first in line.

Finally........finally.......from the master gardener himself..........the corn, collards, green beans, tomatoes, and peppers.....have all sprouted and broken ground........still awaiting the okra, squash, and peas. Need a little rain.

White Men Can't Jump......But they can sure issue a Sentence

Actor Wesley Snipes found out the hard way...........Don't mess with the Feds...........

Yesterday, a federal judge sentenced Snipes to 3 years in prison for willfully failing to file tax returns. The sentence was handed down by Judge William Terrell Hodges of Federal District Court.

Mr. Snipes was convicted in February on 3 counts of tax evasion .....thus the 3 years....(plus a year of probation) and will still have to pay the government some $17 million in back taxes......

Wesley, Wesley, Wesley..........Don't you know the government has shown no mercy in regards to young, black, and successful mega stars? ( See Michael Vick.....or Barry Bonds.......or Marion Jones).

These were not even felony charges...........misdemeanors........



And Mr. Snipes got three years...........and a $17 million fine. For a misdemeanor!!!! Vick committed a felony.....and got ....what? 18 months?



I think ........over the years......this judge had seen too many films featuring Mr. Snipes beating up on white guys........ and took a personal responsibility to right a wrong shared by white Americans all across the country. "Somebody put that uppity Negro in his place."

Mr. Snipes' lawyers will appeal the case.......hoping for an acquittal ..............Or .....at the least.....a sensible sentencing.

Monday..........Musings........

Five Things...........We learned from this weekend.....


(1). The Atlanta Hawks do not belong in the NBA play-offs ...........What did you expect? The Hawks were up against the number 1 seed.....the Boston Celtics........and .....got whacked 104-81. Atlanta may get swept.....but ....hey, they made the play-offs.

(2). Dallas Mavericks' forward, Dirk Nowitzki.............is a woos...........







(3). Danaca Patrick finally won a race .....The sexy and talented Patrick became the first women ...ever to win an Indy race....

(4). The Atlanta Braves..........may not be as bad ......as .......I once wrote........They swept the LA Dodgers over the weekend.....and had many a Dodger fan asking .........."Why, oh why.......did we ever sign.....one Andruw Jones........He of the .169 batting average with 1..........yes 1 home run?

(5). The PGA........sucks without Tiger Woods....... Woods underwent arthroscopic knee surgery..........and will be a non performer for about 4 weeks...........Did you even know there was a PGA event this week? Did you even care? Case .....and .......point.

If it's April........It Must be Playoffs....NBA Style

The NBA playoffs began yesterday........

No surprises.....all the higher seeds won.

But........one of the more intriguing match-ups featured the "running of at the mouth" Washington Wizards against the defending NBA Champion runner up, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

LeBron James answered the Wizards' challenge by totally taking over the game in the fourth quarter.

It was plays like this.....that ..."elevated" the Cavs....

Let the games begin............

Thoughts.......on a Saturday

In this southern college town...........

It is a beautiful, drop dead, gorgeous spring day.......This is why ..........I moved back south!

The sun is shining............the trees are blooming...........and....all is well..........


Sometimes..............saying nothing...........means ...........something........

A Hard...Day's .....Night!

Last night/this morning the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres played a 22 inning game which lasted over 6 hours.......

Our thoughts are with the attending fans.......Major League Baseball cuts off alcohol sales after the 7th inning.......so these fans sat there.......with no beer .....from the 8th inning on.....until it finally ended in the 22nd.

By the time the game ended on the west coast, some of us , here in the east..........were already driving to work.

Look at the line score:

Final
Press Pass l Audio l l Gameday l Box l Wrap
						1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9				R		H		E
				COL (7-8)		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0				2		14		1
				SD (8-8)		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0				1		11		2
			10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
	W: K. Wells (1-0, 1.84); L: G. Rusch (0-1, 8.10) HR: None.

Now.......that's a looooong..........game!!!!!!


Here's the recap.......courtesy of MLB.com:




SAN DIEGO -- It was indeed a long night's journey into morning.

Bud Black may have said it best.

"That was an incredible baseball game," said the Padres manager. "It will go down for everybody who was here -- fans, players, staff -- as one that they will never forget."

Troy Tulowitzki's two-out RBI double scored Willy Taveras from third base with the go-ahead run in the top of the 22nd inning as the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres, 2-1, at PETCO Park.

The game began at 7:05 p.m. PT Thursday ended at 1:21 a.m. Friday.

It was the longest game in the Majors since Aug. 31, 1993, when the Twins beat the Indians, 5-4, in 23 innings at Minnesota.

The last game to exceed 22 innings was a 25-inning game May 8, 1984, when the White Sox beat Milwaukee, 7-6, in Chicago.

It was the longest game in terms of innings in Padres history and the second longest in terms of time, trailing only the 6 hour and 17 minute game played on Aug. 15, 1980, against Houston -- a 3-1 loss in 20 innings.

It was the longest game in terms of innings and time at PETCO Park, breaking the 17-inning, 4 hour, 55 minute game against the Dodgers on April 29, 2007. L.A. won 5-4.

Neither team had a position player left at games end. There were 15 pitchers used, eight for the Rockies and seven for the Padres, who combined to throw 659 pitches.

Kip Wells (1-0), the eighth Rockies pitcher, picked up the win, going four innings and finishing the game striking out losing pitcher Glendon Rusch (0-1).

That strikeout was the 37th of the game. The Rockies struck out 20 times while the Padres fanned 17 times.

Both starter Jake Peavy and Jeff Francis had hooked up in a masterful pitchers. duel that was all but lost.

Peavy gave up four singles and struck out 11 in eight innings while the left-handed Francis allowed three singles and struck out seven in seven inning.

"You never know how these type of games are going to end," said Black.

It was an unearned run in the 22nd that turned the tide for the Rockies.

Taveras, who set a Rockies club record with 10 at-bats, reached first on a two-out throwing error by shortstop Khalil Greene. This came after Rusch had retired the first two batters. Taveras stole second and moved to third when catcher Josh Bard threw the ball into center field.

Tulowitzki then lines a shot into the left-center-field gap scoring Taveras.

Both teams scored their first run in the 14th inning.

The Padres tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the 14th on Bard's bases-loaded single off Rockies closer Manuel Corpas that scored Kevin Kouzmanoff.

The Rockies had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the 14th when Brad Hawpe drew a bases-loaded walk on a three-and-two pitch from Kevin Cameron forcing in Taveras, who would score both of his team's runs

Whew........ I'm tired just writing this....22 innings........in one night......I think....I'll ..........pass.