Drunk

Best Jersey Ever. That's for you, AWM.

via Deadspin

Don't think Braves fans are taking this hard?

Guess again...

We'll miss ya, big guy

A Trip Down Statistical Lane - By Stat Nerd

1) I like Mike Fontenot as much as the next guy, but he won't keep this up. And here is your statistical evidence. Fontenot has a batting average of balls-in-play (BABiP) of .374 (which is absolutely ridiculous). The league average is around .260-.275, so expect some serious regression in the second half, as a lot of his balls will cease finding holes. Thats what she said.

2) Want to know who is actually leading the league in BABiP? That'd be none other than Derrek Lee, who is at .405. Expect some regression there too (as much as I hate to say it, Stat Nerd has always been a DLee fan...who's been underrated for so many years before he finally got to play in a hitters park)

3) Who's been the best pitcher in the NL this year? Chris Young...and it isn't even close. Not even remotely close. But what I found surprising is that Ted Lilly has been the Cubs best pitcher. And dammit I wish I could go back and find that old goals email where I definitely predicted that in the winter (right after they signed him). Who did the Yankees get for trading Lilly back in the day? Jeff Weaver?? Ouch.

4) Anyone looking for an NL MVP prediction? How about Florida's Hanley Ramirez? I've felt all year that this guy is not only better than Jose Reyes (who gets more pub), but he's probably the best shortstop in the game. He's currently top 5 in the league in runs created per game, while playing a premium defensive position (and playing it quite well, I might add).

All Star Game thoughts...

All Star Game notes:

-Jose Reyes is freakin' fast. And his arm is ridiculous. But if Rafael Furcal played in a huge market...wait, he plays for the Dodgers? Nevermind.

-after watching Ichiro (and Hideki Matsui, amongst others) hit, I wonder why the "japanese style" of hitting isn't taught in the states more often. Seems to work pretty well for undersized guys with quick wrists. Hmm...sounds awfully familiar...had I been taught that style, I'd probably be starting for the NL behind the plate right now. Fuck Russell Martin

-Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are going on about the center field depth in the free agent market this year. Apparently someone forgot to inform Joe that Ichiro resigned for 5 years today. Oops.

-Speaking of centerfielders on the market, anyone notice those All Star game commercials that featured Andruw Jones...then, not so suspiciously...had him edited out two days before the game? Was a guy who can barely hit MY weight that embarrassing??

-Wait, an MLB Playoffs on Fox ad featuring none other than Dane Cook? Whose idea was this? The NFL gets Don Cheadle, MLB...Dane Cook? Someone in their marketing department needs to be....WAIT! Dane just mentioned the '95 Braves!!! Nevermind. All is forgiven

-A-Rod just booted a Jose Reyes grounder. Its never been more evident that The All Star Game Matters This Time. If this were still an exhibition, Reyes would've been gunned down by three steps.

-Having never been to PNC Park in Pittsburgh, I can say AT&T Park in SF is the nicest I've ever been to. The worst? Cinergy Field in Cincy....though those were some fond memories in college...buying the $5 cheap seats, then working your way down to the field level. A move known as the "Cinergy Shuffle"

-Brian McCann, or The Franchise as some Braves fans are calling him now, is making his second All Star game appearance tonight. Whether you think his inclusion is warranted or not, one thing is evident- his beard is all-world.

-Every year, I have to put up with the awful fans at All Star games, consisting of CEO's, contest winners, and millionaires who could generally give half a crap. I noticed the crowd in SF is nothing like that...then it dawned upon me that the usual SF baseball crowd is filled with CEO's and millionaires, and it all made sense. What great fans. (and that is about the nicest thing you'll ever hear me say about anyone from California)

-Ichiro just hit an inside the parker. Ok, if the talk show blowhards start spouting off about the AL supremacy after a one run victory after THAT bounce off the wall, then something is seriously wrong. F'ng lame. Ichiro sure is fast, though...

-7th inning, B-Mac is behind the plate! He looks confused. Maybe because LaRussa assured him of getting at least zero at bats. On behalf of Braves fans everywhere, thanks asshole!

-Paula Cole is singing God Bless America. Yeah, I though she was dead, too. Is it just me, or is "God Bless America" an incredibly lame song? Joe Buck just said it was "definitely worth the wait," so maybe I'm wrong...

-Either I'm getting drunker, or Jeanne Zelasko is getting better looking...

-Victor Martinez makes it a moot point. Before we go crazy, I'd like to point out that Billy Wagner threw nothing but fastballs. Seriously...either he's hurt, or he doesn't give a shit.

-Soriano makes it interesting...

-LARUSSA IS LEAVING ORLANDO HUDSON IN THE GAME WITH PUJOLS SITTING ON THE FUCKING BENCH WITH THE TYING RUN ON. Worst fucking manager ever. I quit.

-Rowand flies out, with the best hitter on the planet sitting on the bench. God dammit LaRussa fucking sucks.