5-at-10: Braves, NBA, contracts and Rushmore of comebacks

Gang, remember the mailbag.

From the "Talks too much" studios...

Braves

Man, this bunch is fun.

And hey, look across your workplace or wherever you may be and smile at someone. Ask how they are doing. Practice a random act of kindness, because we're the kinder-gentler 5-at-10.

photo Atlanta Braves' Dan Uggla, right celebrates with his teammates after he hit a grand slam against the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 14, 2014, in Philadelphia. Atlanta won 9-6.

Deep breaths...

Way to go Dan Uggla. A ninth-inning grand slam that provided the difference in a 9-6 win that featured more mood swings that a poorly scheduled monthly bridge club.

So, now that the Braves have our attention, here's a regular feature that we'll present on the South's baseball club.

The good, bad and Uggla.

The good - Ervin Santana has been aces. Aces. Dude is

The bad - The bullpen was shredded, turning an easy Santana win with a debacle of an eighth inning. To make matters worse, we now get news that closer Craig Kimbrel's shoulder needs rest. That's no good. That's bad.

The Uggla - Dan the Man went 2-for- 4 with two homers, five RBIs and a walk. It was likely his best game in two-plus years.

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NBA

We have survived the marathon. We have arrived at the doorstep of the end of the regular season. Hooray. Chips and cheese dip for everyone.

Here's what we know:

• The West as a whole is far, Far, FAR better. And Downtown Patrick Brown's Grizzlies clinched the final playoff spot behind 32 points from Zach Randolph. Memphis is 49-32 with a game left and will have the No. 8 seed. In the East with the same record, the Grizz would be the No. 3 seed. Crazy.

• How deep is the West? Well, since Nos. 7 and 8 seeds Dallas and Memphis play Wednesday night to close the regular season, there will be seven of the eight playoff teams with 50 wins. Wow.

photo United States basketball player Kevin Durant arrives to watch a women's beach volleyball match between USA and Austria.

• We know that Miami conceded the No. 1 seed in the East to Indiana since they sat LeBron and Bosh last in a loss to Washington.

• We know that barring a massive upset Kevin Durant will be the MVP. He will not get to the 50-40-90 plateau of efficiency excellence, but he's 31.9 points a night leads the league and he's at 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists.

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Contracts and money

On this tax day, let's tip our cap to some of the money milestones in sports.

Catfish Hunter was the first seven-figure athlete.

Bobby Hull was the first to sign a multi-million-dollar contract.

Nolan Ryan was the first to sign a multi-million contract.

Now, the average baseball contract is between $3-4 million per year. Nuts. Nits we say.

How's this: Jack Nicklaus made about $120K for winning the 1986 Masters. Bubb made $1.62 million on Sunday for winning his second green jacket.

Amen and pass the check book.

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This and that

- The Conz added a 7-foot-1 center in Kingsley Okoroh. UT needed front court help, considering Jeronne Maymon and Jarnell Stokes are gone. And considering that when Maymon was wheezing at times this year, the Vols had few options. Kids that are 7-1 are good options.

- The WNBA draft was last night. Hey, we love the draft. You know this. But we do not love the draft that much.

- In this AJC blog there is mention that Kadeem Wise former UTC cornerback is working out for the Falcons. We believe Kadeem can play in the league.

- Happy Birthday, Bessie Smith. And thanks for the Strut. Also, it's Da Vinci's birthday too. Thanks for the Code.

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photo United States' Michael Phelps competes in the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay swimming final.

Today's question

Michael Phelps is coming back.

We believe this to be a less than good idea. We also believe Mr. Phelps may need the check. We have spoken to Mr. Phelps - he needs to make as much money being Mr. Phelps as possible, and that window of it being profitable being Mr. Phelps is tight.

So it goes.

Here's our Rushmore: What's your Rushmore of worst individual comebacks?

Go.

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