August 21, 2006

This is my one month blogging anniversary!!

This weekend, I chilled around the Wood. Rachel came in from the big bad city and we had lunch at Winberies and then went to see Snakes on a Plane. May I say, the best movie I’ve seen all year. (Except for Glory Road, I really liked that movie.) Oscar worthy, I think not, but it was super funny and I’m pretty sure it was meant to be that way. We had an interactive group with us in the movie theater that clapped, laughed and shouted at the screen, I think that’s the way this movie is meant to be viewed.
Before I went to see Snakes on a Plane, I watched the Mets' 20th celebration. I was originally planning on attending, because when I was three, I admit it, I was a Mets fan. But I grew up and got smart! Anyway, it was nice to see Howard Johnson, Darryl Strawberry, Mookie Wilson and co again. At one point there was a sky jumper and I thought, actually I prayed that it was Doc Gooden coming in from prison, ala Prison Break, but it was not meant to be. Apparently going to the Mets' 20 year celebration does not constitute a just reason for getting out of prison, even if only for a few hours. It was absolutely pouring so I was glad that I didn't go. But it seemed like everyone there was having a blast.
Sunday night, I watched the Colts game. Do you think NBC is hyping up Manning bowl or what? They had a clip of Cooper Manning (the mysterious third brother who obviously got he looks in the family) commenting on Peyton and Eli’s relationship. Apparently, if they were not brothers they would not be friends. Maybe we should ask Kenny Chesney, he seems to be friends with both of them!

Braves Update:
The Braves came into Sunday’s game on a three game win streak and had it snapped after a 9th inning mental era by Braves first baseman, Adam LaRoche. Lance Cormier pitched a solid 6 innings giving up three runs. Jeff Francoeur was able to tie the game at 3 a piece with a two run homer only to see Tyler Yates give up the go ahead run in the 7th. In the 9th, Jeff Francoeur extended his single into a double and Matt Diaz was hit by a pitch to have runners at 1st and 2nd for Adam LaRoche. Roche bunted for some unknown and uncalled reason into a double play which left Matt Diaz on second. The Marlins walked pinch hitter Brian McCann brining up Ryan Langerhans who popped up for the final out, brining the road trip to a screeching halt, as the Braves lost 4-3. The Braves take on the Pirates tonight at the Ted at 7:05 on TS.

Games to .500: 7
Games behind Cincinnati Reds: 5.5
Games behind New York Mets: 17

The Shane Victorino play of the game: Matt Diaz running into the wall while trying to catch a pop fly. Andruw Jones seemed to be unable to stop laughing and Jeff Francoeur could not even look at him as the walked to the dugout. Matty, it’s best to realize that when you start running on clay, you’re on the warning track, and the outfield wall is not too far behind!

As if I needed another reason to love Braves all-star catcher Brian McCann, Manager Bobby Cox said that McCann has been playing with multiple injuries including an ankle problem, a hand injury, apparently, he has a nice sized bruise on his thigh from being hit by two foul balls, and he has toe problems, but that didn’t stop him from getting 3 RBIs on Saturday and from batting over .340!

NASCAR Update:
It was a wild weekend for the Dale Earnhardt, Jr. at Michigan. The 2004 Daytona 500 winner had a few run-ins with Carl Edwards on Saturday during the Busch race. Junior, Robby Gordon and Edwards were racing for the win, when Edwards appeared to get loose and Junior tagged the back of him, causing Edwards to spin out. On the cool down laps, Junior had his hand out the window trying to get air into the car; Edwards rammed his car against the side of June’s car almost taking off his left hand. Junior, normally the sweet, aw shucks, kind of guy seemed unapologetic in victory lane, probably feeding Carl to come over and tell Junior exactly how he felt. (Edwards is expected to be fined as of post time, nothing is official.) This was only on Saturday!!

On to Sunday! Jeff Burton started on the pole, but lost an engine early on, placing him in 42nd place. Jimmie Johnson hit the wall and cut down a tire by lap 3, but this time he was unable to come back for the win. Dale Jr. spent the mid-section of the race in the lead, until a pit stop on lap 132 where the Bud crew experienced trouble getting the rear tire off and Junior ended up 19th after the stop. He battled back and finished 6th, but it wasn’t the spot he was hoping for. Matt Kenseth was able to hold of Jeff Gordon in the final laps to win the Marketplace 400. My favorite quote from the post race interviews came from Jeff Gordon who said that he wanted to get up to Kenseth to prove that he could pass him cleanly for the win, referring to his Chicago win in July.

In Other News:
Scott Wimmer is expected to be named driver of the #00 Burger King/Domino’s Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing. Wimmer will be joined by teammates Michael Waltrip and Dale Jarrett for the 2007 season.

Jeremy Mayfield has officially signed with Bill Davis Racing for the 2007 season.

And the Mayfield/Evernham split got super ugly. Mayfied claims that Ray’s personal relationship with driver Erin Crocker caused some of the problems. One of the Evernham crew accused Shana Mayfield (Jeremy’s wife) of saying that she told Jeremy to make sure the #19 didn’t finish in the top 35 in points. The case was settled out of court. Can Jeremy Mayfield ever leave a team on normal terms?

Standings after Michigan
In the Chase
1. Jimmie Johnson Leader
2. Matt Kenseth -54
3. Kevin Harvick -317
4. Mark Martin -395
5. Tony Stewart -406
6. Jeff Gordon -434
7. Kyle Busch -443
8. Denny Hamlin -445
9. Jeff Burton -449
10. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. -484
Outside looking in (from 10th)
11. Kasey Kahne -49
There's always 2007
12. Greg Biffle -189
13. Carl Edwards -244
14. Kurt Busch -279
15. Brian Vickers -397
16. Jamie McMurray -426
17. Casey Mears -429
18. Ryan Newman -437
19. Clint Bowyer -467
20. Elliot Sadler -532
New Jersey's Finest
23. Martin Truex, Jr. -606

Around Sports:
Get well wishes go out to Tom Glavine. Tommy experienced coldness in his left ring finger following his start against the Phillies on Wednesday. The 40 year old pitcher could be suffering from a blood clot in his shoulder, but is scheduled for tests this week to get a more definitive answer. Glavine could miss the remainder of the season. Tom was diagnosed with Raynaud’s in 1990 which is caused by poor circulation. Evan though Tommy left the Braves a few years ago, I still hold out hope that one day Tommy will be back in a Braves uniform. Well, actually my dream is to have Glavine, Smoltzy, and Maddux back in Braves uniforms for one last, magical farewell season, in which the Braves win the World Series…Braves Manager Bobby Cox has this to say after hearing about Tom’s condition, “I know that it’s the Mets and all and we root against them…but we root for Tommy.” (ajc.com) My sentiments exactly!

Aaron Durlsey of the Dhahran, Saudi Arbia team, at 6-8, 256 pounds towers over his little league world series teammates. Anyone remember that kid who pretended he was 13 but was really 15? Danny Amanti, I think, anyway, this kid totally reminds me of him. PS, there can only be one Julio Franco, whose age is a mystery to everyone, including himself, well probably!

Random Quote: “There are no unimportant games left in the season.” –Aaron Rowand, CF Phillies (via foxsports.com)

Popo in my crib news:
Jeremy Barfield, son of all-star outfielder Jesse Barfield, was charged with class A misdemeanor charge of family assault after shoving his father down the stairs. Jesse hit his head on the floor and was hospitalized. “The arresting deputy said that Barfields were getting ready for church and went to check on what was delaying Jeremy, ‘and they got into an argument.’” Jeremy was drafted in the ninth round by the New York Mets in June. Now he’ll be playing for the sing sing Mets in the prison league next year! Jeremy, watch out because the popo are on your tail! (foxsports.com)

Celebrity Tid Bits:
You may have remembered a few weeks ago I reported that Brooke Burke was pregnant, well now she and boyfriend, David Charvet have gotten engaged. I’m still not convinced that David is an upgrade from ex-hubby Dr. Garth Fisher. Only time will tell.

It’s been fun blogging with you,

Kate