5-at-10: Friday Mailbag

Friday, July 6, 2012

Hope everyone has had a great week.

From the "Talk too much studios" here we go...

From CelticVol

Hey 5@10,

photo Atlanta Braves' Chipper Jones sits in the dugout in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Atlanta. Chicago won 5-1. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

I think I jinxed the Braves with my question last week. Since my question, the Nationals have doubled their lead over the Braves to 6. Trade rumors are swirling in Atlanta. Johnny Venters has an elbow impingement, an injury that I've never heard of. Would you mind getting in touch with the Dr. and find out exactly what that is? Do you see the Braves making any moves before the trade deadline?

C-Vol,

Doctors are smart folks and they like to use big words for stuff. "Impingement" is a Latin word - all doctors and lawyers deal in Latin because they pay six figures for their schooling and they need to feel smart about spending that kind of coin.

"Impingement" is from the Latin root word Impig, which we all know is part of the pig family. This means Jonny Venters' impingement means his elbow stinks. It's just that simple when you break down the root word.

As bad as Braves' bats have been - and they have been bad - the bullpen meltdowns have been just as hair-pullingly frustrating.

As for a deal, unles they can get someone to buy into the poo-poo platter that is Mike Minor and Tyler Pastronicky, a deal seems unlikely. Plus, what are the Braves going to go get?

The biggest problem is a lack of runs, and the biggest holes in the lineup are stalwarts Brian McCann and Dan Uggla.


From wc777

photo Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke kisses the Claret Jug trophy as he celebrates winning the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Hey 5, thanks for the golf contests. They are much appreciated.

We are going to have one for the British Open, right? Because the way Tiger is playing everyone is playing for second place.

And it would be nice to win something along the way as well.

Thanks.

WC -

You bets we're in for an Open contest. We truly enjoy the British Open.

We're open for all Open contest ideas, but we're thinking of the following format:

Pick five golfers, and the best four count. Add those four finishers together and the lowest score wins.

We know what you're thinking: "Dude, the 5-at-10 is SOOOO boss." Wait, the other thought: "Dude, that sounds just like the other golf contests you have."

That's two fair and honest thoughts. But here's the twist: If you pick Tiger Woods you only get to pick four golfers and all four count.

Questions, comments, complaints? Discuss.


From Stewwie

I do like the Hawks' moves to get rid of Williams and Johnson. Williams was a questionable pick from the start and I still can't justify paying Johnson the maximum for his services.

One rumor I saw out there was Josh Smith for Pau Gasol, but the Hawks turned it down because the Lakers apparently wanted more than just Smith for Gasol. However, I think a Smith/Gasol one-for-one trade would be fair and beneficial for both teams. (Who knows...the Lakers could still pick up the phone to counter with this at some point during the summer.) What do you think, Jay?

Stew,

We like the deals new Hawks GM Danny Ferry has made.

Joe Johnson is a fine player, but he deserves the league max like the 5-at-10 deserves a shot at hosting the Tonight Show. Sure we're funny and glib and what have you, but it's still a tough kettle of fish.

We agree that dealing Josh Smith would behoove the Hawks, especially for a skilled player like Gasol. (Ironically, the Hawks drafted Gasol and swapped him for Sharif Abdur Rahim. (How'd that work for you Hawks?)

We think the Hawks are going to stink on toast in the near future, but we have trust in Ferry and his plan.

Plus, at least he didn't extend a $28 million offer sheet to an Asian-American point guard who had three great weeks in the nation's biggest spotlight like the Rockets did with Jeremy Lin.


From Jefe

I saw on your website that some goof named David Cook was talking about the soundtrack of his life. Bleeecch. Where's Dr. Phil?

OK, Mr. Touchy-Feely 5-at-10, what's on the soundtrack of your life? And I know your history, so you better be honest and not put on fronts.

Jefe,

That's such a great, Great, GREAT question. Where do we start?

Ok first some parameters. We believe the soundtrack of our life would obviously have to have meaning in every song. The most import parts of life are the people and place and times you experienced and shared.

With that in mind, and with the knowledge that we never start these mailbags before Friday morning, here is our quick answer (and yes, we spent way too much time on this question):

Track 1) "When a Man Loves a Woman" by Percy Sledge - for the Mrs. 5-at-10 for obvious reasons, although we could make an argument for "These arms of mine" by Otis Redding because she loves Otis. (Wait til Otis sees us; he loves us.)

Track 2) "That's My Job" by Conway Twitty - for my father and my son.

Track 3) "War Eagle" - the Auburn fight song represents the six great years we spent in Auburn - and no they don't call us doctor.

Track 4) "Country Boy Can Survive" by Hank Jr. - We're from Smyrna, G-A by golly and DANG proud of it.

Track 5) "Sunday Morning Coming Down" by Johnny Cash - Classic Kris Kristofferson song that is perfect in almost every way.

Track 6) "Home Sweet Home" by Motley Crue - Our favorite power ballad of the mid-to-late 1980s.

Track 7) The instrumental song playing when the Hickory Huskers make their run after Jimmy Chitwood joins the team and they look more like superstars. (Side question: Anyone ever notice that before Jimmy joined the Huskers it was four passes before you shoot and if you didn't it was straight to the bench? Yet, after Jimmy was on board, the Huskers were running and gunning like the 1991 UNLV Rebels.)

Track 8) "Lunatic Fringe" by Red Rider - This was the song our basketball team came out to our senior year in high school, and every time we hear it, we are obligated to crank it up.

Track 9) "Amarillo by Morning" by King George Strait - It's probably our favorite song of all time.

Track 10) "Much too Young to feel this dang old" by Garth Brooks - Duh.

Such a great question and such tough question considering there are no rap songs or Willie songs or even "Put a Drink in My Hand" or Zac Brown songs in our top 10.

Jefe, we hope we were true to your expectations, and everyone can feel free to chime in.


From Jordan Rules

I saw your 4th of July rankings and thought you were nuts talking about LeBron being the best ever.

But then looking at the list you have Chipper over Schmidt, Federer over Sampras and Tiger over Jack and it left me with a few questions. Do you drink before doing your column? Are you trying to give me a heart attack and or make me mad? Are you just simply dumb? As you like to say, discuss.

Jordan Rules,

Shut up. As for yolur questions specifically: Not normally; yes to both; no.

Chipper hit 40-plus points better in his career, and while he is 60 homers short, Chipper also missed at least two years for injuries.

Here's our Rushmore of third basemen ever in order: Chipper, Schmidt, George Brett, Brooks Robinson.

As for the rest, it's not that close between Federer and Sampras.

We can see taking Jack over Tiger but we'll still take Eldrick and like our chances. He may not get to the majors, but he'll be close and have the career wins record to boot.

As for LeBron, we think he's better than Jordan as a basketball player right now. He does not have MJ's resume, and no one had MJ's competitive drive and killer instinct, but LeBron is a better athlete and the best is yet to come.