From the "7-Up Stinks Studios," here we go...
Atlanta Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Braves win - again
The Atlanta Braves handed the ball to Jair Jurrjens on Wednesday and promptly scored three first-inning runs.
Hello, giving Jurrjens a 3-0 lead is like giving the '86 Bears a three-touchdown edge or fighting a school-yard bully with an AK-47. Jurrjens is the NL ERA leader and collected his NL-best 12th win when the Braves put the finishing touches on a 9-1 win. Jurrjens, who has been so good that his ERA remained unchanged despite allowing a lone run in five strong innings, was probably thinking, "Hey, guys, let's save a few of these for the next time around, huh?"
That said, the comfortable margin did allow the Braves bullpen to avoid using the lay-down-the-law firm of O'Flaherty, Venters and Kimbrel.
As if the news could possibly seem to be getting any better for these Braves, don't look now but Game 2 of Dan Uggla's 2011, Part Deux was stellar. Again.
If you recall, in an effort to be a kinder and gentler 5-at-10, we decided to restart the season for Uggla on Tuesday. So forget that sub-.200 average, that was more or less an extended spring training, Uggla's hitting .800 (4-for-5) with two homers and three RBIs and two walks so far in 2011, Part Deux. Seems like there may be another Braves all-star snub in the making.
Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl yells to his team during the first half of their NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)A Pearl of an interview
Bruce Pearl spoke with an Atlanta sports talk radio show Wednesday.
He sounded remorseful and contrite. He sound almost sympathetic.
He also sounded hopeful about the prospects of coaching again.
"I do think that I'm going to have the opportunity to coach again," Pearl told AM 790 The Zone in Atlanta. "I've got to wait and see what the Committee on Infractions, what they say, probably coming up sometime in the middle of August and how quickly will they allow me to come back into coaching. That's going to go a long way towards whether or not I do coach again."
It's hard to see the NCAA Committee of Infractions taking anything other than stern approach to Pearl, who lied to NCAA investigators and we all know how that generally turns out. A two-year Show Cause penalty (an NCAA tag that means any future potential employer has to show cause to the NCAA why Pearl deserves another shot) is likely for Pearl.
Beyond that, it will take a special place and situation for Pearl to be a good fit. Think about it, which programs would want to invite the NCAA microscope on to campus by hiring Pearl? Not many.
Tennessee free safety Janzen Jackson (15) is congratulated by teammate Jacques Smith, left, after stopping tailback David Oku during the Orange and White spring college football game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on April 17. (AP Photo/The Knoxville News Sentinel,Adam Brimer)Waves in the SEC
There was significant news in the SEC football world Wednesday.
Tennessee safety Janzen Jackson was enrolled for summer classes with hopes of gaining his eligibility for the fall. Jackson, easily the Vols top defensive talent, withdrew from school in Frebruary to attend to personal issues.
Alabama incoming freshman running back Dee Hart reportedly has been lost for the 2011 season with a torn ACL. Hart, a five-star recruit who was viewed by most as the nation's top high school running back last season, figured to be in the mix as the primary back-up to Tide star and Heisman candidate Trent Richardson.
The return of Jackson helps Tennessee more than the injury to Hart hurts Alabama - but that's as much a statement about the talent levels of the two programs as the impact of the players. Each player is a true stud, and the UT defense can use all the help it can get.
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens and his wife Debbie, right, exit the federal court in Washington, Wednesday, July 6, 2011, where he is on trial on charges of lying to Congress in 2008 when he denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs during his 23-year career. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)This and that
- Reports have placed the deadline at July 22 for an NFL labor deal without losing any preseason games other than the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 7. Tick, tick, tick. Hey, senator, love the suit.
- Dallas receiver Roy Williams is suing Brooke Daniels, the 2009 Miss Texas USA, in an effort o regain possession of a $76,000 engagement ring he sent -- by mail -- to Daniels. Apparently Williams also sent Daniels $5,000 for and a taped marriage proposal in February. A taped wedding proposal? The ring in the mail? Are we even sure Ms. Daniel received said ring? You stay classy Roy.
- Roger Clemens perjury trial started. In other news, the grass outside the 5-at-10 compoun needs cutting. Here's saying we're cutting the grass - twice - before spending any time watching the Clemens debacle.
- Don't look now, but on a radio show Willie Lyles (he's also known as Will Lyles in the Oregon football offices) said he knows LSU coach Les Miles, and that Miles knows Lyles. Here's saying that the NCAA will want to know more about how well Miles knows Lyles and how well the styles of Miles and Lyles made each smile for a while.
Today's question
The flashmob commercial - you know the one where the guy breaks into his dance step at the because he doesn't get the text message on time - that is played like 1,245 times during Braves games must be stopped. Like now. Yes, we realize that's not a question, but we had to share that with some one.
OK, the question: Did you see that former UGA football coach Jim Donnan filed for bankruptcy last week? Tragic story, no doubt. Which sports name we know do you think will be the next to file bankruptcy? Discuss, and we'll see you around 2 p.m. with our answer.