Hump Day..........News & Views

Been a while.......since we had some fun with "Hump Day" topics.....but here goes:


We agree with Fran.......

From UPI......

Tarkenton critical of Favre signing

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Former NFL great Fran Tarkenton says the Brett Favre signing with the Minnesota Vikings was "an absolute circus."
"I really have no interest in what Brett Favre does," Tarkenton, a Hall of Famer, said Wednesday on "The Opening Drive" on Sirius NFL Radio. "(But) It's an absolute circus, and it takes away from all the other things that are going on with the Vikings, with the NFL."

We feel the same way Fran does........enough is enough...........



Stupid is..........as......Stupid does....

Police: Beer thief didn't get far

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Police in Florida said they arrested a homeless man accused of stealing several bottles of beer and a cooler from a yacht club bar.

Daytona Beach police spokesman Jimmie Flynt said Scott Riley, 28, allegedly broke into the Halifax River Yacht Club's Tiki Bar Sunday night and took the beer and cooler to a shrub across the street from the club, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported Wednesday.

Flynt said police found Riley passed out in the shrub next to the bottles and cooler, which was labeled "Halifax River Yacht Club."

Riley was arrested charged with burglary. He was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail in lieu of $2,500 bail. Flynt said investigators believe Riley may be linked to another nearby burglary.

And we thought our "Scrabble" games were brutal....

Police: Man attacked family over UNO game

OREM, Utah, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Police in Utah said a man arrested for attacking his nephew and his wife was upset by a game of UNO.

Orem police said the 58-year-old man was in his home drinking and playing the card game with his 47-year-old nephew and the nephew's 64-year-old wife at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday when he allegedly became agitated and smacked the woman on the back of her head, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Tuesday.

Lt. Gary Downey said the nephew and his wife gathered their belongings to leave, but the man grabbed his nephew's arm and punched him. He said the pair fought until the man threatened the couple with a knife and ordered them to leave.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault and three outstanding warrants for aggravated assault, simple assault and driving under the influence.

Finally......another John Smoltz....update: from Google News:

Chicago T...

Smoltz joins Cards; could start or relieve - MLB.com

By Matthew Leach / MLB.com LOS ANGELES -- Having already made several upgrades, the Cardinals are down to two areas of need: right-handed setup relief and the back of their starting rotation. On Wednesday they made a move that could address either, ...

... View related stories


Finally........finally........

What is it? A ..... "he"? A....."she"?

Have a great "Hump Day".......

Female .... or male?

Y'all look closely, now. So masculine looking.......so muscular.....no boobs.

Could it be .....a man? Then again.......with the "crotch"
area........without any bulges..... Could it be a woman?

Read the full story from the AJC by clicking Female .... or male?

Or simply look at these photos.....and judge for yourself.............

Things We Learned......this Week-end...

In this small southern college town.....it is brutally hot and very humid..... amid these dog days of August.

Stories.......from the past two days:


Tiger is human......after all!

Yang overtakes Woods, wins PGA title

CHASKA, Minn., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- South Korean Y. E. Yang surged past a faltering Tiger Woods Sunday and won the 91st PGA Championship at Minnesota's Hazeltine National by three strokes.




The fastest human.......alive....

Bolt shatters his own world 100-meter mark

BERLIN, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Jamaica's Usain Bolt ran 100 meters in 9.58 seconds at the World Track Championships in Berlin Sunday, breaking his own world record.

John Smoltz update.........

TSN.ca

Smoltz free to sign elsewhere - Boston Herald By Michael Silverman The Red Sox [team stats] are on the hook for the remainder of John Smoltz' $5.5 million contract after they failed to trade the veteran pitcher and were forced to release him. Smoltz, now a free agent, has received interest from

Have a great Monday........

Your're .......Fired!!!!!.......Part II

Future Hall of Famer.....John Smoltz........was fired today by the Boston Redsox .......

In baseball terms.....he was "designated for assignment ".......meaning Boston has ten days to either trade him........or outright release him.

In real life "regular guy" terms........he .....was given his walking papers....Your services are no longer needed. The company is moving in a different direction.

This comes on the heels of Smoltz getting rocked by the N Y Yankees last night.

Red Sox designate John Smoltz for assignment

Smoltz went 3 1/3 innings.......allowing 8 runs on 9 hits.....At 42 years of age.......his career could be over.

But..........remember the movie with Richard Pryor? Brewster's Millions? Pryor's character was a pitcher.....who could only pitch.....an inning.....one inning.

This is where John Smoltz finds himself today. A 42 year old arm.......that can only give you one.......maybe two innings.

Hello? Atlanta Braves?.......Bring Smoltz back.....for bullpen help. He will cost you ...nothing. Boston is paying his $5 million this year.

Today, Smoltz flew back to his Atlanta home to weigh his options.......

Getting fired........is ........a helluva thing.

Thoughts.....on a Friday....

Yes.....we took a vacation......As if anyone noticed.......we have been away for a few weeks. This blog, 5 on Five, took some much needed time off. We met our goal of last year by posting an article a day. That is hard work. But in the real world of working for a living.....January is the toughest month of all in my line of work. But.....we're back....and more focused than ever.


President Barack Obama.....Yes , it is a reality......So much history.......so much uncertainty. But oh .......so fulfilling.

This is the coldest January I can remember for some time. And I used to live in upstate New York.

I have received my w-2 form........on line of course.......completed my federal and state tax forms........on line of course.....and.....am awaiting my refund........what about you guys?

Tiger Woods came out of hiding.......and spoke at an inaugural function in behalf of President Obama. It's about time, Tiger.

TNT and our friend Charles Barkley have a temporary separation going. Let's hope Sir Charles is back on the airwaves...........soon.

Mark McGwire's brother is sure showing some "brotherly love".....by promoting his new book trashing his bro' and his use of steroids......and you thought your family was dysfunctional.

John Smoltz is no longer an Atlanta Brave...opting to take he and his 41 year old arm to the Boston Red Sox........Let him go! The Braves paid this guy $4 million last year and got 28 innings!

Well ........it's Friday........the weekend is here........and .......there is no football.....

Bummer........

MLB Regular Season Roundup

It's over.......after 162 games.....6 months.....the Major League Baseball regular season is finally, mercifully over.


And, after 162 games........there was only one team to win 100.....(California Angels, 100-62). Two teams managed to lose over 100 games....(Washington Nationals, 59-102 and Seattle Mariners, 61-101). Only one team lost as many as they won, the Cleveland Indians, 81-81.


The six division winners were, in the NL, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles.....in the AL, Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Los Angeles.......with the wild cards going to Boston and Milwaukee.


The New York Mets did their annual choke job.......Minnesota was oh so close.......


The New York Yankees missed the post-season.......for the first time....in a long time.


Chipper Jones of the Braves won the batting title...........John Smoltz is a hit on TBS ........Barry Bonds still is without a team...........Manny is still Manny....and MLB lives on .....


Bring on the play-offs.

A "Grave" New World

From 1991 to 2005.......

The Atlanta Braves were the most successful team in all of Major League Baseball, winning an unprecedented 14 consecutive Division titles. Throw in 4 World Series appearances, 1 World Championship, and one could argue......this was the team of the '90s.....and part of the 2000's.

From 1991's "worst to first" season.....to the championship in 1995......to extending their Eastern Division dominance through 2005.....The road to the NL pennant....always went through Atlanta.

Professionalism..........It was taught and practiced in the farm system. From the Braves rookie leagues, to A , AA , and AAA clubs. How to throw.....how to catch....fundamentals....

Player development was a high priority and a major key to success.

But time changes.....people change.......the world around us changes.

The 2008 Atlanta Braves.....well, they are just an average franchise. For the 3rd year in a row........the road to the NL pennant.......will not be going through the ATL.

And .....as is always the case.....it starts at the top.

First, there is the ownership. No longer are the Braves owned by one individual.....Ted Turner sold his majority stake to AOL-Time Warner..........who sold it to a conglomerate , Liberty Media in 2007......

General Manager , John Schuerholz has stepped down.......long time pitching coach Leo Mazzone left.....and Manager, Bobby Cox is only signing one year contracts these days.

The "darlings of the nineties"........that pitching staff of John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Greg Maddox.......well ........2 of the 3 still are trying to pitch for the Braves (Maddox is with the San Diego Padres).....but both are on the disable list.......and both are now over 40 years old.

Prospects from the minors?

Who knows........with all the injuries this year......and all the call ups from the AA and AAA teams........No one has stepped up.....to become the next Chipper Jones or Brian McCann.

Trades?

Without 5 ........or even 4 star prospects........they can't get a front line player in return.

Solution?

Blow this team up and start over. This is not New York.....Atlanta will be patient....but it has to be done right. Development of the farm system has to be tops .......again. The focus must continue to be on the development of young arms......

Hire a successor to Cox........Nobody lives forever.......get a young, hungry manager, who knows the game of baseball.

Get back to basics........bunting.....stealing a base every now and then?

But the reality of it all is simple......

Instead of a "Brave New World"..........

2008 has given us ....a "Grave New World"

Mark Teixeira.......No Return on Investment

The Atlanta Braves......need a crash course in Economy 101......

$12.5 million........1 future star catcher (Jarrad Saltalamacchia), and 3 minor league prospects.

This what the Braves gave up in the trade for Mark Teixeira almost one year to the day, in hopes of making a play-off run.

Well.......the Braves didn't make the play-offs last year.......

And yesterday.......they traded Teixeira.....to the Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem ..........for an average 1st baseman and a minor league pitcher.

And.......no.......they won't make the play-offs .....this year either.

It was an expensive lesson for the normally shrewed Atlanta front office.

Major League Baseball........has come down to the following:

If....you're the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Redsox........you buy the best team money can buy......

If.....you're the Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Marlins, Minnesota Twins........you build your team with the draft, good scouting, and a great minor league system.

There is no in between.

It is quite apparent, the Braves should go back to what made them a near dynasty in the 90's.......a great minor league system (from A ball , to AAA).....focusing on good young pitching.....

This year.......Atlanta.......instead of developing young arms.......tried to go back in time...putting their investments in the likes of Tom Glavine.... John Smoltz.....and Mike Hampton.......

It did not work!

Atlanta will again.......for the 3rd straight year........miss the post season.

Time to start getting returns on the investments......

It's Time....to get Serious

Our Beloved Atlanta Braves...........


After 95 games, you are in 4th place in the NL east (45-50). 6 1/2 games back of the Phillies. We play 162 games at this level, so there is still time.....

But...........you have to get serious........now.

You have lost more 1 run games on the road this year than any team in the history of baseball.

John Smoltz......gone. Tom Glavine.......gone. Both due to injuries. Can't use this as an excuse any longer. Every team has injuries. Play through them.

It has been said .....of this 162 game marathon.....a team will automatically win 60......and lose 60. It is what happens in the 42 remaining games which will determine any post-season aspirations.

The one glaring statistic of this year's team is the home record (30-18).......versus the road record (15-32).

This ...........has to change...........Now.

Useless information: In the latest Harris poll, guess who is the second most popular MLB team in America? Yes........your Atlanta Braves. The New York Yankees are number 1.........the Boston Red Sox, number 3. Go figure.

And go Braves........

Let's get serious.........now.

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?