So here's a break down of the games I watched last week to give you an idea of what I've watched. I usually flick on the first game that starts and evenings I'm not working I'll put on the last game to finish. I started doing that so I could catch more Dodger games but with the way the schedule works out I'm not getting to see as many games as I want to. What fan can't get enough of Vin Scully. You'll also notice I'm a Yankees fan as well as a Braves fan.

date/Home team/away team/Innings

MON 7/23/2007 INDIANS RED SOX 3

TUE 7/24/2007 INDIANS RED SOX 4

TUE 7/24/2007 MARINERS RANGERS 7

WED 7/25/2007 GIANTS BRAVES 9

WED 7/25/2007 ROYALS YANKEES 4

THU 7/26/2007 GIANTS BRAVES 9

THU 7/26/2007 ROYALS YANKEES 4

THU 7/26/2007 INDIANS RED SOX 2

FRI 7/27/2007 D-BACKS BRAVES 4

SUN 7/29/2007 D-BACKS BRAVES 6

A total of 10 games and 52 innings so about 5.3 Innings per game

Chipper Jones’ run as the NL batting average leader came to an end after 9 days on Saturday night. He answered back Sunday night along with the rest of the Braves as they beat up on the D-Backs 13-0. Chipper went 1 for 1 with 5 rbi.

NL BATTING LEADERS after July 29h

1. Ramirez, H. SS FLA .342 1st DAY

2. Jones, C. 3B ATL .341

3. Cabrera, M. 3B FLA .337

4. Utley, C. 2B PHI .336

5. Renteria, E. SS ATL .333

6. Holliday, M. OF COL .332

7. Lee, D. 1B CHC. 331

8. Young, D. 1B WSH .330

9. Rowand, A. OF PHI .327

10. Ramirez, A. 3B CHC .321

Chipper puts up a fat goose egg going 0/5. His first at bat of the game was a 411 fly out.

NL BATTING LEADERS after July 27h

1. Jones, C. 3B ATL .339 -5 8th DAY

2. Ramirez, H. SS FLA .339 +3

3. Utley, C. 2B PHI .336 +2

4. Young, D. 1B WSH .3335 +2

5. Renteria, E. SS ATL .333 -1

6. Lee, D. 1B CHC. 332 -3

7. Cabrera, M. 3B FLA.332 +2

8. Holliday, M. OF COL .330

9. Pence, H. OF HOU .330

10. Rowand, A. OF PHI .328

For me and my youth I can recall only 4 pitchers who dominated the game like no other in their prime.  They racked up wins, strikeout, Cy Young and World Series rings.  One of those big 4 officially ended his season today.  Randy Johnson is schedule to under go surgery for a herniated disk.  The plan was for Johnson to try to pitch through the injury as he did when he won 17 games and compiled a 5.00 ERA for the Yankees in 2006. But after pitching against the Dodgers on June 28, it became clear that he would not be able to continue.

My lasting memories of Johnson come in many ways.  Randy the Mariner.  Randy pitching inside in a all star game.  Randy destroying a dove as it flew into the path of his 100mph fastball on March24, 2006.  Randy's first altercation with a New York camera man in January 2005.  Randy's 2001 World Series performance.  And Randy's perfect game against the Braves on May 18th, 2004.

I hope this isn't the end of Randy Johnson's career but given the age and injury I'd have to say his chances of returning are less than 50%.

10 time all star.

World Series MVP and ring

5 Cy Young

4 time Era leader

9 time Strikeouts leader.

Career stats

Regular Season 284-150 3855IP 4616K

Post Season 7-9 121IP 132K

Note: the other 3 are Clemens, Maddux and Pedro.

Both Chipper and Renteria had a PH at bat last night and both flew out.

NL BATTING LEADERS after July 25th

1. Jones, C. 3B ATL .344 -2 7th DAY

2. Ramirez, H. SS FLA .336

3. Utley, C. 2B PHI .336 +2

4. Lee, D. 1B CHC. 335

5. Renteria, E. SS ATL .334 -1

6. Young, D. 1B WSH .333 +2

7. Cabrera, M. 3B FLA.330 +4

8. Holliday, M. OF COL .330

9. Pence, H. OF HOU .330

10. Rowand, A. OF PHI .328

Chuck James pitched well but wasn't able to pick up the win. Three of his first outs were of the strikeout variety but cooled off after that. He pitched 6 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2ER, 2 walks, 5Ks. Paranto came in for the 7th and pitched two shutout innings. The first 7 Braves all had hits but they were spread out over the 9 innings. Chipper Jones and Edgar Renteria both lost 1 point off their batting average, both going 1/4.

NL BATTING LEADERS after July 25th

1. Jones, C. 3B ATL .346 -1 6th DAY

2. Ramirez, H. SS FLA .336

3. Renteria, E. SS ATL .336 -1

5. Lee, D. 1B CHC. 335 -4

6. Utley, C. 2B PHI .334

7. Cabrera, M. 3B FLA.334

8. Young, D. 1B WSH .331 -4

9. Pence, H. OF HOU .330

So I’ve read two articles on the trade talks for the Texas first baseman. Mark Teixeira, the guy who might be the most coveted bat in the trade market as the deadline winds down. It looks like he’s going some place but his future locker room is still up in the air as Kat O'Brien has stated the Yankees, Dodgers, Orioles, Angels, and Braves are said to be interested in the first baseman.

The latest and hottest name on the list of suitors seems to also be the front runner as their farm is deep. So deep that the Braves are playing Jarrod Saltamacchia, Yunel Escobar and Jo-Jo Reyes in the major leagues.

At first thought I think “**** no” I’m wouldn’t part with what it would cost to get a player for a year and 2 months. As a fan I’m over Andruw Jones. He’s gone to me in my heart and I don’t think it’s that hard to replace a .250 35hr 100rbi guy. Not when you have Kelly Johnson who’s on pace for a 17HR/77rbi/100r season and batting .293 who we dug out for free.

But I took the time to think it over. I thought about what we’d be getting. I’ll admit we haven’t had a great first baseman in years. During our only World Series win we had one of the best at the time in Fred McGriff. Reflecting on McGriff you’ll remember that he was acquired in a midseason trade with the Padres in July 18, 1993. At the time McGriff had the same length left on his contract and was almost an identical hitter to Teixeira. At the time of the trade McGriff was hitting .275 18HR/46rbi in 83 games while Teixeira is hitting .300 13HR/48rbi in 74 games.

So I’m half in favor of the trade now. I just don’t think Escobar, Reyes and another arm will get this deal done. The Yankees won’t give up either of the two pitchers the Rangers want and the Angels are aiming at the White Sox and trying to get Konerko instead. On the other hand, if you keep McCann and you add a legit power bat at 1st than why keep Saltamacchia? If there was any chance to retain Teixeira who is owed $6.4 million next season than this would be a great trade for the Braves. My real fear in landing him is the fact that John Schuerholz has made a few rental type trades in the last few years. The JD Drew trade comes to mind. Saltamacchia is a lot better than Dan Meyer, Juan Cruz and Charles Thomas who we dealt for Tim Hudson in December of ’04. And better than Jason Marquis, Ray King and Adam Wainwright who were all traded for one year of JD Drew.

Think about those two trades plus the McGriff trade and I’m a believer that we might get Teixeira before the July 31s trade deadline.

Another win against the Giants Tuesday evening. This road trip got off to a great start winning their second road game 7-5. Tim Hudson came within one out of a shutout, but a Giants rally in the ninth made the effort go to waste. Edgar Renteria, Chipper Jones and Kelly Johnson each drove in a pair, with Renteria's coming in the 13th to put the Braves on top for good. Peter Moylan picked up the win in relief. Chipper's 5th inning home run (17th of the year) pushes his season rbi total over the 50 mark. Renteria also stole his 10th bag of the season. Chipper went 3/5 and Renteria went 3/7. Both raised their averages and Renteria finds himself third in the league in batting.

NL BATTING LEADERS

1. Jones, C. 3B ATL .347 5th DAY

2. Lee, D. 1B CHC. 339

3. Renteria, E. SS ATL .336

4. Ramirez, H. SS FLA .336

5. Young, D. 1B WSH .335

6. Utley, C. 2B PHI .334

7. Cabrera, M. 3B FLA .334

8. Pence, H. OF HOU .330

Bad night for the guys but the team grabbed a win in San Fran. Chipper went 1/5, Renteria ¼. McCann was the star. He hit a bases clearing double.

NL BATTING LEADERS

1. Jones, C. 3B ATL .342 4th DAY

2. Young, D. 1B WSH .340

3. Lee, D. 1B CHC. 337

4. Utley, C. 2B PHI .337

5. Ramirez, H. SS FLA .336

6. Cabrera, M. 3B FLA .335

7. Renteria, E. SS ATL .334

8. Pence, H. OF HOU .330

9. Holliday, M. OF COL .329

Scott Olsen grow up, please.  That's all.  I'm out.

Last night in the Atlanta's lose to St. Louis, Chipper went 1 for 4 and Renteria went 2 for 5.  Chipper dropped a point off his average while Renteria gained one point.  The Braves cross the country to face the Giants in San Francisco.  This will be a much watched series as Bonds is only 3 home runs away from Hank Aarons home run record.

NL BATTING LEADERS

1. Jones, C. 3B ATL .345     3ND DAY

2. Yound, D. 1B WSH .340

3. Lee, D. 1B CHC . 337

4. Utley, C. 2B PHI .337

5. Ramirez, H. SS FLA .336

6. Renteria, E. SS ATL .335

7. Cabrera, M. 3B FLA .333

8. Holliday, M. OF COL .330

Here's a few stills of Willie Harris diving in last night's game.  He was thrown out twice stealing in the game but you have to like this guy as the Braves lead off hitter.

It' only the 6th inning in New York this sunny Sunday afternoon and the Yankees have scored 18 runs.  Yesterday the Yankees out scored the Devil Rays 24-8 in a day- night double header.  In the three games Matsui and A-Rod went deep twice.  For rookie Shelley Duncan this weekend has been a dream.  In only 4 games  this season Shelley has 3 home runs.  One yesterday and two today.  Shelley is the son of current Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan and brother of Cards OF Chris Duncan.

For A-Rod it was career home run 497 and 498.  It's amazing how many he's hit at such a young age.  He should be able to hit his 500th before Barry Bonds breaks the all time record.

Man, this Devil Rays pitching staff is horrible.

Wilie Harris busted out of a mini slump in front of a record crowd at Turner Field last night.  Harris had gone 8 for 52 in his previous 20 games with no RBIs or extra base hit.  That was until he faced the Cardinals.

"Everybody is going to have a bad game," Harris said. "But you go home and you think, 'Why did you have a bad game, why did you have bad at-bats?' That's what I do, personally."

"You come back the next day and try to fix it, but I had no idea I could fix it like that today."

His career night at the plate saw Harris go 6 for 6 with 6 rbi, 2 triples and a stolen base.

"I was just having fun," Harris said. "It's been a long time since I had fun before I got here to Atlanta. I'm just having fun, trying to play the game the right way and playing hard all the time. Good things happen when you do that."

Despite his recent difficulties at the plate, Harris never felt as if his spot as part of the left-field platoon with Matt Diaz was in danger.

Atlanta manager Bobby Cox rarely gives up on players during slumps, giving them plenty of opportunities to work through it. There was no reason to give up on Harris, who proved his ability by batting .370 through July 3.

Saturday, Harris raised his average from .317 to .339.

"Playing for Bobby is the best experience I've ever had," Harris said. "Everything is positive, never negative, regardless of what you do. You make a mental error, miss signs, he's just so positive. If you go out there, you've got to go out and play 120 percent for that."

"He had a great performance," Cox said. "[It was] one of those special nights -- two triples and a total of six hits ... and he makes a diving, great catch in the ninth inning. It wasn't important, but he thought it was -- [enough that] he made the catch."

Also in last night's game NL batting leader Chipper Jones raised his average with a 3 for 4 night.  Chipper homered and drove in 4 runs in the contest.

NL BATTING LEADERS

1. Jones, C. 3B ATL .346     2ND DAY

2. Yound, D. 1B WSH .340

3. Utley, C. 2B PHI .339

4. Lee, D. 1B CHC . 337

5. Ramirez, H. SS FLA .336

6. Renteria, E. SS ATL .334

7. Cabrera, M. 3B FLA .331

8. Holliday, M. OF COL .330

................Atlanta's Chipper Jones.  He went 2 for 3 in last night's game against the Cardinals.  This pushed Chipper's Avg. to .341(95/279) on the season.  Going into last night's action Washington National's Dimitri Young was leading the league.  He was given the day off but came into the game as a pinch hitter and  grounded out with two on base.

With 65 games left in the season Chipper looks to finish higher than 5th in the league in batting for the first time in his career which has included a league MVP in 1999.