New direction

I'd left my blog for dead.

I suppose the weeks since my last post would've given it away though; I didn't really need to tell you that, now did I?

It all boils down to frustration. I realized that what I wanted to do with my blog is something I simply cannot do. I'm no writer by any stretch of the imagination. I'm not a huge numbers guy (with the exception of those numbers found on bubblegum cards and fantasy league games). I don't follow the minors very closely, although I do enjoy the Lookouts (my "local" team). Although I want to post everyday- sometimes I just don't have the time or ideas to do so. So I just stopped altogether.

A good friend- and a pretty smart feller- emailed me last week and gave me some advice. He said the beauty of blogging is that you don't have to do anything- that there is no right or wrong involved with it. Ya know what? He's right.

I'm gonna start posting again. I'll post as often as possible, but probably not everyday. I'll pass on info, news, and my own opinions about the Braves (and baseball in general). It won't be the right way. It'll be my way: just like Sinatra, although I'm not Italian. Or dead.

Braves win; Ramirez pitches pain-free

The Braves beat the Astros 4-3 in ten innings yesterday. Andy Marte scored the winning run on a Bill McCarthy single. The box score is here.

Of much more interest is the fact that Horacio Ramirez threw a 13-pitch inning without any signs of discomfort in his left shoulder. Continued pain-fee pitching should allow him to return to the five spot in the rotation, where he posted a 2.28 ERA in nine starts during the 2004 season.

Starters look good (so far)...

Mike Hampton and John Thomson have both looked sharp in their Grapefruit League starts; Hampton threw two perfect innings yesterday and Thomson threw a couple of scoreless ones in a 3-2 Atlanta win over the Dodgers this afternoon.

Spring play continues tomorrow as the Braves play Houston at one o'clock.

Braves combine for no-hitter

Okay, so the no-hitter came from five minor leaguers in a Spring Training game against Georgia Tech's baseball team. It's still a no-hitter, dammit- and more importantly, it's baseball.

The 12-0 win over the Yellow Jackets this afternoon makes the Braves 19-0 in the exhibition openers played annually against either Georgia or Georgia Tech. To see today's box score, click here.

Atlanta will begin its Grapefruit League season against the Dodgers tomorrow.

Hudson signs extension

I woke this afternoon to find that the Braves and Tim Hudson have agreed on a four-year, $47 million contract extension that'll keep the two parties together at least through 2009- and possibly beyond.

Here's how the deal breaks down:

- $10 million bonus after the deal is approved by "The Bud"
- $4 million salary in 2006
- $6 million salary in 2007
- $13 million salary in 2008 and '09
- $12 million mutual option for the 2010 season

I'm pleased with the way things turned out. It's a great deal for Hudson: he's "home", he's pitching for the best pitching coach and manager in the Bigs (in my humble opinion), and he's making good money doing it. The Braves are getting a great lefty, long term- without having to offer one of those "crazy money" contracts.

Can somebody please hurry this Spring Training thing along and make the season start? Now!