Spring Training Is Not Just For Players

I listened to the Braves and Pirates game on the radio today. I had to listen to the Braves spring training announcers butcher Kenshin Kawakami's name for the first 3 innings. They also screwed up Jair Jurrjens name on the broadcast. I know these aren't the regular season radio announcers, but is it a little too much to ask that the Spring Training announcers know the names of pitchers in our starting rotation. Apparently these guys were working off the rust too before the season starts.

It's Almost Here

The baseball season is only 2 weeks away. It's the best time of year. Spring is here, baseball is here, warm weather is here. This is going to be a magical year to be a Braves fan. I can feel it.

The Cubs Continue to Look Bad

The recent back and forth of Jim Hendry and Milton Bradley is nothing short of hilarious. I just watched Bradley's interview where he states that he received hate mail in Chicago and that he didn't enjoy his time in the Windy City. He also stated in a different interview that he thought there was unrealistic expectations on him to hit for more power and do more for the team than should be expected of him.

And then Jim Hendry comes in and says that Milton should "look in the mirror" and basically blame himself for his poor season.

Here's my analogy of this whole situation:

Your buddy (Jim Hendry) decides to date this girl who is really not attractive and not that great of a girlfriend (Milton Bradley). All of your buddies know this guy is an idiot for dating this girl. It's obvious. And to make it worse, right off the bat, he gives the girl an expensive promise ring (3 years $30 million).

When your buddy is not around, you and your friends talk about how you can't believe the dumb decisions he's making. Then, after dating this girl for a year, your friend comes to his senses and breaks up with her, but she keeps the ring. Then, on poker night, your buddy talks like a big shot and tells all of you, "Yeah that girl was garbage! I'm glad I was smart enough to get rid of her!"

While he's telling you all of this, you are all thinking, "But dude, she took you to the cleaners and it took you a year to figure all of it out! Just shut up and quit talking like a big shot. You were dumb enough to date her." You are also wondering why you even hang out with this guy in the first place.

And the worst part is, your buddy is dumb enough to date other bad decisions named Soriano, Fukudome, and Zambrano.

Spring Training Is Here!!!

It couldn't be more glorious that Spring Training is here. Listening to baseball on the radio again is great. It's fun watching the young guys in spring training try to earn their spot or their hype. As a Braves fan, I'm closely watching Jason Heyward to see how he develops. I have to say, I want to see every one of his at bats and just watch him hit. I haven't felt that way about a player since Chipper Jones. I'm hoping he turns out every bit as good as they say he will. He could be the next franchise player of the Atlanta Braves. I don't care if it starts his arbitration clock sooner, I say put him in right field from day 1 this season. The Braves need the excitement he brings as well as the offensive punch and his cannon arm in the outfield.

Baseball is in the air again and we should all be thankful for that!