SB Nation User Blog: Lizziebeth

Knock CF Out of the Park with Tim Hudson on Sat.

Lizziebeth — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:43:53 -0000

Knock CF Out of the Park with Tim Hudson on Sat.

Hudson Family Foundation helping raise money and awareness of Cystic Fibrosis with a Baseball Family Fun Day in Peachtree City, GA.

FREE admission Family Fun Event to kick-off at 9:30 am. Activities include Baseball Skills Challenges for all ages, games, inflatables, entertainment, and meet Atlanta Braves Pitcher Tim Hudson, 1st Basemen Adam LaRoche, and former Cy Young winner, Steve Bedrosian.
Autograph signing from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Autographs are $10 per item. Please bring your own items to be autographed, such as a bat, glove, shirt, etc. A limited number of baseballs will be available for purchase at the event

Rookie Hazing 2009

Lizziebeth — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:27:29 -0000

A little disappointing that we only had a few rookies to torture this year, but it was still funny - I hope they never stop doing this! The costumes were not as diverse as last year, but they showed a lot more skin - well, most of them...

Ok all you TCers with crushes on Brooks Conrad, have a seat if you're not already sitting. Seriously. He was the first rookie to emerge from the safety of the building and head for the bus...

He's not one of my crushes, but I gotta give props to the guy for some very lovely abs. Wow. Had to take another shot for you major Brooksy fans without the Coke cup in the way, since it looked like he was in danger of losing the Speedos:

And as Boog already let on during the game Tuesday night, Kenshin Kawakami came out in full Ninja costume, waving his sword around...probably in joy because he had the most fabric coverage. Interpreter Daichi Takasue didn't escape the treatment either...

No need to dig up those baby pictures of Reid Gorecki, got one right here:

And finally, Tommy Hanson and Kris Medlen, the Peanut power twins...united and, uh, Proud:

Meds has quickly become one of my favs, just for being such a good sport and having fun with everything he does. Tommy's playing along quite nicely here, too.

Now for some balance, here's some pics of the 'vets' in normal get-away day clothes:

Manny Acosta, Martin Prado, Yunel Escobar and Jair Jurrjens hurried straight for the first bus (2-hour rain delay, ya know), so this was the best I got of them. Odarp looked so sharp, I wish he had walked a little slower! Notice how these guys don't have suitcases, but just about everyone else does? Hmm. And it looks like Jair and Gonzo go watch shopping together. Omar kept his head down and practically ran, too, so sadly no pic of him.

Chipper Jones and Garrett Anderson:

Peter Moylan and Greg Norton, Derek Lowe and Terry Pendleton:

Kelly Johnson and Ryan Church:

Buddy Carlyle and Javier Vazquez, David Ross and Adam LaRoche:

Boone Logan and Nate McLouth (poor Nate, just trying to get on a bus and getting stalked by a ninja):

Tim Hudson and Brian McCann:

Sighhh, Manny Ribera, I mean Mike Gonzalez, rockin' the three piece suit and Rafael Soriano doin' the blue pinstripes:

But hands down, I think Matt E Diaz wins as the most GQ this time (sorry Peanut Power twins). Leslee, you're one lucky woman! (yes, actually I do think he's really the lucky one, 'cause baseball wives are such AMAZING women, but I had to say it for the picture). Gohohoho, MattE!:

Hope that helps liven up your day with no Braves baseball!

Photo Frenzy Part 2 - Family Day, vintage cars, Javy, and oh yeah, a game...

Lizziebeth — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:09:53 -0000

And on to ~~the rest~~ some more of the pictures from Family Day/Vintage Car/Javy (I promise NCC!) and the game on 8/23. Let's get back to the players now.

No real set lineup here, just like Bobby, so let's start with David and Hyla Ross and their kids:

For the next picture, at first I thought, "awww, how sweet". Can anyone guess my next thought? Yea, "ewwwwwww, get the baby off that spittled, bird pooped grass!"

Kelly, Lauren and forthcoming baby boy Johnson:

Chipper and his boys, Trey, Shea and Tristen - he looks more like "Chipper Junior" here!

Garrett Anderson and his lovely wife, two daughters and son:

Javier & Kamille Vazquez, with children Javier Josue (behind Mom), Kamilla, and Kariana:

Since he's hidden in the shot above, here's one of Javier Josue giving Dad some signs:

Yunel and his lady:

The beautiful Yohanna, Omar and adorable baby Infante:

Daddy and baby Imhotep:

With Uncle Martin Prado helping keep the baby amused:

LaRoches and McCanns: Ashley's a beautiful lady, but really, what's up with all the bracelets?

Kids, by height: Anderson, LaRoche, Jones, Norton, Diaz. Adults: test yourself on your numbers...

After the group picture was taken, nearly everyone headed inside for some shade and/or to get ready for the game. Some of the "single" pitchers who had not participated in the earlier activities came out to do some warming up. Interesting how our relief pitchers are primarily bachelors. Here's EOF:

Apparently some prank was being played on Tommy Hanson - Bobby sure got a kick out of it.

I needed a little shade by now, so I headed up to Fan Plaza to see the original Javy...Javy Lopez, gorgeous and gracious as ever.

Back on the field, Jair and Gonzo were going down the wall signing for the crowd while avoiding being smashed into the wall by the vintage cars. In fact, I think they were being urged to move somewhere else, but refused. Gonzo looks like he's saying he'll just become part of the wall:

Holy chin music batman, don't run over the Surgeon!

I think Gonzo really liked this one (and I don't blame him - my great-grandmother had one like it):

After JJ left, Tommy came over and signed. Awww, roomie Meds was nice enough to take his glove back to the clubhouse.

Some random shots of the game and bullpen and I'm gonna quit holding your eyes hostage (until the next photo post anyway!)...

The Braves have been honoring a service person every Sunday. Here's this day's Hometown Hero:

Strange things happen in the bullpen, like your own hand attacks your face:

And then sometimes we do this:

Dude, wake up, we won! Let's go to Fogo and eat!

Photo Frenzy Part 1 - Publix 8/22 and Family Day/Vintage Cars/Javy Lopez...and oh yeah, there was a game 8/23

Lizziebeth — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:25:03 -0000

Ok, so I began this thinking I could get all the pictures into one post. I was wrong! There's just too many. First I made it to the latest Publix event and caught up with Imhotep and the Surgeon. Then, arriving at the Ted the following game day, instead of BP I found a field full of wiffle balls & bats, Braves, wives, girlfriends, children and other relatives running around - woohoo, it was Family Day! Add to that: Javy Lopez signing autographs in Fan Plaza, a vintage car drive-around the warning track, current players signing 'graphs, and oh yeah, a game we won.

August 22

The Publix meet-n-greet in Norcross wasn't the mob scene I always envision any Saturday at a grocery store (shudder), but was decently attended despite at least two other Braves appearances nearby (Yunel Escobar was at a car show about 5 miles away, and Derek Lowe was at the new BrandsMart up I85 near the Mall of GA). Jair Jurrjens and Omar Infante graciously bagged groceries and signed autographs for fans - unfortunately Martin Prado was still under the weather and didn't make it.

Thanks for supporting the Atlanta Community Food Bank!

August 23

Sunday at the Ted was unexpectedly full of activities. I've never seen Family Day in person, so I was pretty psyched to see it unfold in front of me. I sent a couple of pics over to LT at Braves Love last week as a preview, so I'll try not to duplicate too much here.

First, the group shot.

The above shot in two sections, for better viewing:

1st half: McCann, Ross, Perez, Diaz, Norton, LaRoche, Jones, unidentified staff:

2nd half, standing: Vazquez, Church (hidden), Escobar, Infante, Logan (mostly hidden), Johnson, Anderson, Hubbard; sitting/kneeling: Butts, McDowell, more Hubbard

Since they were obscured in the picture above, here's a couple of the (expanding) Church family:

And forgive me, but I couldn't find confirmation of the status of the Logan "duo" (and she didn't have his name or # on the back of her shirt), but they look quite happy:

That's Drake LaRoche patiently waiting in the background while Boone practices his wiffle batting...

Bobby and Fredi observing the festivities:

The LaRoche family is apparently ready to play ball anytime. Here's Montana playing catch with Heap, while Ashley "Heap" takes pictures in the background:

Here's Dad Roachy doing the honors with Montana while Anna Grace Diaz tries to get in on the action:

Daddy Diaz with Nathan:

And the whole Diaz Family:

The official Braves photographer was having the families stand together so he could take a picture of the backs of their shirts; here's a couple of shots of what it looked like from the other side:

Here's some shots of the families of the coaches - Alan Butts

the numerous Hubbard clan:

Eddie Perez hanging with Roger & Gloria McDowell and their girls:

And Eddie with his own family:

Brian Snitker and family:

I realize Norton's not a fan favorite around here right now, but he's definitely a family man with some happy & cute kids:

And I'll exit Part 1 with "Junior" Anderson and Jace Norton..."Hey man, you wanna play?"

Greenville Drive 8/4/09 in pictures

Lizziebeth — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:57:18 -0000

Thank goodness a picture says a thousand words, because I'm a bit better with photos than I am with the written (or spoken, for that matter) language. I'm a regular over at Talking Chop, but visit here from time to time checking on my ex-boyfriend (because he got married, not because he left the Braves) John Smoltz, and my favorite AL team. I have a family tie over in Greenville, SC, but had yet to make it to a Drive game - until Tuesday night. Despite the rain throughout the evening, I managed to get a few pictures, so I thought some OMers (er, feel free to correct my nickname usage; didn't want to call you "Monsters" and really get slammed!) might like to see their minor leaguers in action.

There was an hour ten rain delay at the start, and some steady rain towards the later innings, but the Drive valiantly battled the Legends, finally edging them out by a run in the tenth. Told you I was better at photography.

First, I gotta hand it to the grounds crew:

That's one tough soggy job.

Fluor field is a beautiful park, complete with what I kept calling the little green monster:

I didn't ask what this exercise was called. Looked like "hot potato" from when I was a kid! Going by the roster on the Drive website, that's Tejeda on the left (3), and Pimentel (37) on the right. That may be Ventura second on the right, but feel free to correct me.

Without visible numbers, it's difficult for me to ID the players (oh, I can ID the playas without numbers, trust me), but I do know that's Kade Keowen below in the middle since he was in front of me at first all night.

Back to the roster on the Drive website, they have #23 assigned to Casey Kelly and Ty Weeden, but I'm pretty sure this is your million dollar man, since I remember hearing Casey Kelly's name all night...and every time I kept thinking the announcer was going to say "Casey Kotchman" since we just made that interesting trade. Kelly hit the double in the 10th that brought home Pete Hissey for the win.

Starting pitcher Mike Lee

Mitch Dening

I though I had deduced who this is, but in previewing, I decided I was wrong; anybody got an idea?

Pete Hissey

Ryan Dent

Ryan Lavarnway (?) - hit the HR bomb in the 9th to tie up the game for some free baseball...

Felix Ventura in to pitch

Jeremy Hazelbaker

And a couple I can't ID:

I always wondered what kind of mascot the "Drive" would have. Got my answer; Reedy the frog.

Well, thanks for tolerating me and my picture-heavy post. See ya around the Nation.

Braves vs. Giants 7/22/09 pictures

Lizziebeth — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:50:15 -0000

Yeah, I know it was over a week ago, but we beat the Freak, so I figured the pictures might still be enjoyable to some. On with the show...

To start the game experience off right, batting practice is always in my plans. It was for one lady, too, but didn't turn out so great. Nitram Odarp knocked her clean out with a foul ball. Ever the concerned gentleman, he ran over to check on her, and stayed until she was taken care of by the EMS.

This section was just not the place to be that day (sorry Betty), as I saw another person passed out up in the walkway later. Eh, but that was his own doing. Meanwhile in other parts of BP, Kris Medlen kept the coaching staff entertained with jokes and his best "robot" impression...

How can you not love Tommy...after all, he loves all the little children of the world...

With Braves BP over, nothing left to do but stake out a spot to see the Freak. He actually took some BP, but I'll have enough pics of him in a minute. The other Giants pitchers looked like, well I don't know. Every time I look at this pic, I get a different vibe from it:

Sergio Romo seems like a fun guy, though. He certainly didn't seem to mind having his picture taken (fine by me!), and he wore his "Little Mermaid" backpack as well as Meds wears the Pony.

So Lincy finally decided to stroll out and throw a few warm up tosses. But first he posed for me

Samson?

That's ok, because on this day, we got your Delilah.

That catapult delivery...

...absolutely smashed by Yuni!

A couple for the Larry fans:

Ya'll know how the rest of the game went, so mostly pics from here on.

Our man of the day, the Surgeon, putting down a decent bunt, and his K rate:

I was all the way across the Ted at this point, but I swear (the game was going so well) that Meds was giving free "robot" lessons in the bullpen:

Sorry, Lincy, a stare-down with little Mac isn't going to work:

Poor drill, can't catch a break:

Too easy:

Gonzo says "what?"

And Sori comes in to close it out:

Fun stuff.

Braves Rookie Hazing 2008

Lizziebeth — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:34:35 -0000

So taking a walk out back of the Ted after the final home game on Sunday is not stalkerish at all. It's just saying "bye", "have a great road trip" and "we love ya....ah, er, boys?!" Wearing dresses did seem to give them an advantage in speeding up the security "strip" search all the players, broadcasters and staff were subjected to in front of the crowd. They all seemed quite good natured about it, blowing kisses and curtsying. We even got a slight mooning from Jair.

Charlie Mortgensven

James "Starrrrr" Parr

Brent Goldillilocks

Gregor Polka-dotta-blanco

Snow White Joshie?

Jair of the Jungle?

Gonzo Scarface

?????

The Haven at Turner Field

Lizziebeth — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:20:24 -0000

We all know how terrible Sunday's game was, and thank Pujols it's behind us now. But despite the game, I left the Ted on Sunday feeling pretty good and I wanted to tell you all why. Going to games alone, I meet a lot of people, mostly ushers and security folks. Some actually remember me, like Mr. "Big Man" at the gate near where Marta lets off, and dear Ici, the usher for section 138. But Sunday I met somebody really special...Hazel.

If you're ever going to a game and have to sit in the upper deck, I strongly suggest you sit in 418. That is Hazel's Haven. Sure it's not first base or home plate, but the view is fairly good, there's a breeze, and Hazel will try to make it fun (or at least tolerable if you're just a miserable s.o.b.)! I didn't have seats in her section, but I was at the park early and thought I could get a clear shot of the SportsSouth broadcast booth from there, in case they used it for the Braves Live segment. Not only did she not mind, she let me stay there and she treated me like a loved granddaughter; asking me if I had enough water, urging me to get out of the sun but handing me towels to wipe off the sweat when I wouldn't, giving me a new hair tie, candy, a Braves bumper sticker...I saw her playing games with and giving sweets & stickers to the kids, as well as fans, handkerchiefs & pins to the older folks...all this in only 4 innings. I went by her section before I left and took a picture of her with the sign Turner Field put up for her this year:

Hazel has been doing her thing at the Ted for a while, so the kicker that makes her even more special is that this year she is doing it while suffering from leukemia. I tried to think of a better word than suffering, because to be around her, you wouldn't think of it that way. The woman's resolve to have fun and spread her joy never flagged. Even on that oppresively hot and bad-game day, she was still smiling and pumping people's spirits up as they left. So even if you don't sit in her section, maybe go by and say "hi" to the bronzed lady (she puts bronze glitter on her arms) in 418. A true fan, and a true good spirit!

You guys, and gal, are better than boyfriends!

Lizziebeth — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:12:50 -0000

Feelin’ the LOVE, wow. Not only did you ask me to come back; you also said “don’t go” (“Mac, don’t go”) – instead of saying “don’t go away mad, just go away” (like guys usually do to me). I’m stunned, and rather grateful, to know that I wasn’t just being tolerated around here. I feel like ‘we are family’...wonder if I can get them to play that on TC day at the Ted…

There seems to be some speculation that I left simply because there was boobage present (admittedly it was a little alarming because I was at work, but if it’s our IT guys monitoring it and not corporate, I think they’d like it too much to get me in trouble). I assure you all that I’m not so much of a prude or a delicate flower that just that pic alone would not cause me to spit fire and take off. Granted it’s not what I came here for, but not only have I waited tables at a strip club in the past, I have two such appendages extruding off my own body that I see everyday. If I hated them that much, I would’ve been lying in a pool of blood with two gaping chest wounds long ago. I also spent 5 years as a line cook & chef in otherwise all-male kitchens - which is basically a locker room with food, so I’ve been privy to a lot of guy talk.

I read all the other posts this kid made and tried to just be patient and wait for him to go away. Unfortunately, patience is not one of my greatest virtues (however, cynicism, sarcasm and distrust are, just in case you haven’t noticed). I even tried to see some of the humor in his posts, after seeing and admiring some of the incredible patience several of you were exhibiting. But the continual passive-aggressive behavior was very annoying, and that post was just the straw that broke the camel’s back, as Jug said. Already being down because of our losing streak, down because of Smoltzie having surgery, being treated crappy at work…then this guy trying the bait & switch on my TC Braves brothers?? – I just couldn’t sit and watch that. The weasel-like tactic of worming his way into the guys’ good graces with a pic of a hottie, yet simultaneously stabbing them in the back by having her in the rival team’s jersey (c’mon, would you really try to tell me this guy doesn’t troll the net enough to find a similar pic of a girl in a Braves jersey if he was a true supporter??) And he knew it’d get to sddbaker, ‘cause he had already pushed her buttons. Personally, I just don’t need more deliberate provocation toward violence in my life…my job alone is plenty and this losing streak isn't helping! Plus I felt like it was a double - nay, a triple stab: (1) wrong jersey; (2) cursing the game early on with a girlie pic post, and (3) it wasn’t Jamie K. I know people have acknowledged the admiration of other women (OKT, Erin A.) during threads, but game thread has consistently been the pic domain of Mrs. Kotsay. Am I wrong? Now, I know I groused about her pic a little at first, but it was because there was no equivalent for us non-lesbian gals in the peanut gallery - that was quickly remedied (thank you), and I’ve been fine with her as a good luck winning post as long as our guy is up there too.

I’m saying all this ‘cause I don’t want anyone in the TC Braves family to second-guess their posts in fear of offending me. Like I said, no delicate flower here; I’m quite the cusser (think female Gordon Ramsey) – but I still consider myself a bit of a lady. Of course we all don’t know each other that well, but enough to where you can correct my spelling, tease me, tell me when I’m about to cross the line, etc.; and I’m very ok with that. Dammit, let’s just be ourselves, minus one jackleg, and get back to Braves baseball!

Man, I hated being away…it’s going to kill me in a week and a half when I go to the beach and have no internet access during games…sigh.

Here’s the Oscar speech: I’d like to thank everyone who made this possible (just say ‘awwww” after each one): Jug and bigjoe for jumping on it right away and calling for me to come back; gondee for wiping this sucker out and emailing me about returning; sddbaker for finding me over at another blog and asking me to come back; royhobbs for offering to post JS pics (hell yeah! I mean, sure if you get time); VegasAces, clemsonfan, Perrinbar, mvandonsel, JDMaker1 for being supportive; Smoltz’s Beard for being confused…it’s ok, after a while you’ll get used to it; traphicg – we miss you even if it’s not put in print; …and anyone else I didn’t name, including the silent TCers, who were sitting there screaming “off with his head” at their monitors. Oh, yeah, some lame tnks (you don’t deserve the whole word) to chopchop for making us stronger as a group and reinforcing my thoughts as to what a killer bunch of people we’ve got here at Talking Chop.

Uh-oh...Smoltz...Press conference 11:30 a.m. EST

Lizziebeth — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:01:51 -0000

I'm just going to copy and paste the official release because it's hard to type through tears...I mean something caught in both my eyes...

06/04/2008 9:34 AM ET Smoltz may be facing shoulder surgery Braves expected to discuss veteran's future at news conference By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

ATLANTA -- John Smoltz has said that he'll be content if he never throws another pitch. Now, just two days after he attempted to alleviate stress on his shoulder with a move to the bullpen, the Braves veteran pitcher finds this to be a more defined possibility.

The Braves have scheduled an 11:30 a.m. ET press conference at Turner Field and at that time, they are expected to discuss Smoltz's future. There has been talk that he will need to undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder.

Smoltz was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Monday and then a few hours later, he blew his first save opportunity since 2004. Although he allowed the Marlins two earned runs in that one-inning relief appearance, the 41-year-old hurler still seemed at least somewhat optimistic about his future.

But when he awoke on Tuesday with increased pain in his shoulder, Smoltz and the Braves immediately understood that he simply might not be able to pitch any more, whether as a starter or a reliever, this year.

In the past, Smoltz has said that he'd retire if he ever needed to undergo another major surgery. He softened that stance on Monday afternoon, indicating that there would at least be a possibility that he'd attempt to prolong his career after enduring a long rehab process.

Smoltz pitched through pain in his shoulder during last season's final four months and encountered further discomfort during the last two weeks of Spring Training this year. After making five regular season starts, he decided that he couldn't continue as a starting pitcher.