Newspaper Page Text
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008
THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS
PACE 3B
AMERICA’S GAME
A Christmas list for the Atlanta Braves
Lady Leopards
continued from page IB
1
I have forfeited
all of my gifts from
family and friends
this year in favor of
the following gifts I
want Santa to deliver
to the Braves. This
was tough in light of
the worsening econ
omy - I could have
used a new shirt, that
John Deere easy-
hitch implement for
my tractor, and a
couple of new locomotives for
my electric trains. I give them
all up for...
•Two additional starters in
addition to Javier Vasquez. If
Hudson gets back his old stuff,
this should round out a nice
starting rotation - Jurrjens be
ing the fifth man. (By the way
Santa, in our generous spirit,
we would like you to take Jo-
Jo Reyes with you and give
away - free - to any team. The
only condition is that he never
return.)
•The return of a healthy
Matt Diaz and Peter Moylan.
I figure that these two could
account for at least one run
more per game for the Braves.
Diaz was a throw away from
the Kansas City Royals and
was tearing up the league for
the Braves until his injury.
Please bring him back to us,
all wrapped up just like new.
Moylan is a great side-armer
who could send them down in
order consistently. We'd really
like this Aussie back.
•The return of the 2007 Jeff
Francoeur. Enough said.
•A very sentimental wish
for me is the return of John
Smoltz. He deserves it. I do
not want to see Smoltz end his
career by injury. He deserves
going out in style to exemplify
the great career he has built.
No, Santa, he doesn't need to
be a starter for us, the closer
role would suit me just fine.
This guy is such a fighter. His
presence in the clubhouse is
an inspiration to the rest of the
team. Please Santa, bring us
back John Smoltz if only for
one final season.
•A season record for ejec
tions from the game for Bob
by Cox. For the umpire who
thinks the 2009 season will be
even better than the last, I wish
for a Bobby Cox who will drive
them crazy. I am seeing worse
and worse umpiring and we
need a spokesman for us, and
who better to keep the men in
blue honest than our beloved
manager, Bobby Cox.
•Hall of Fame Status for
Lou Burdette. I have been ad
vocating this for many years.
The man who nearly single-
handedly won the 1957 World
Series, Lou Burdette, deserves
this status. This is not to take
away the contributions of the
other team members. Aaron
(my hero in life) was great
along with Eddie Mathews,
Del Crandall and Wes Coving
ton. But it was Burdette who
won the series going 3-0 with
two shutouts. I want to see
“Bird Cage” in the Hall.
•The return of high divi
dends from the farm system.
For about ten years, Atlanta
was blessed with farm teams
(A, AA, AAA ball clubs)
which were well run and nur
tured. In fact, the early and
mid 1990s Braves were made
up of a considerable number
of farm team talent. Somehow,
somewhere, that system went
to pieces and needs to be re
built post haste.
•An atmosphere at The Ted
which doesn’t make me feel
like I’m under suspicion of
creating, or about to create, a
crime. I don't go to the ball
park much anymore partly
because of this. The between-
innings security force stands
at attention facing the crowd,
scowling and just waiting for
some evil-doer to come out
onto the field. News for ma
jor league baseball: you need
the security force at the gates
before things like Ml6s and
john w.
rieken
105 s enter the park,
not afterward.
Now my list of
things I want for
major league base
ball.
•The return of the
National Anthem
played by the organ.
I have had my fill of
raw talent trying to
warble our national
tune. I wish to stand
silently, in reflec-
while the old Wurlitzer
on. Please, no record-
tion,
plays
ings. I want it live.
•The return of the double
header. Greed ended the dou
ble header as I used to know
it. Years ago - and I know
this is hard to believe - one
would pay the standard price
for a ticket and be able to
see two games. There was a
30-40 minute break between
games (the first game usually
would start at noon at Sports
man’s Park in St. Louis) and
the crowd would be enter
tained by the Anheuser Busch
Clydesdales - the brewery was
a short walk from the ballpark
- who would circle the field.
Imagine 40,000 people ris
ing to their feet, cheering as
these magnificent equines en
tered from a gate in right field.
Pulling the famous Budweiser
beer wagon, complete with a
Dalmatian or two alongside
the teamster, the Clydesdales
made their journey around the
park for all to see. Finally, and
after a thunderous standing
A
ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP/CORPORATION“
Commercial/Industrial Division
(706)367-5281 • jacksonemc.com
According to a study by J.D. Power and Associates, Jackson EMC ranks "Highest
in Customer Satisfaction among Midsize Utilities in the South,” as well as utilities
in the nation, regardless of size. We pride ourselves on the ability to achieve the
perfect balance between technology and human touch in order to provide the
most efficient and reliable product with unparalleled customer service.
Give us a call and you’ll understand why so many say we have the best
customer service in the country.
Jackson EMC received the highest numerical score among midsize utilities in the South region in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Electric Utility Residential
Customer Satisfaction Study “ Study based on 35.588 responses ranking the 27 largest providers in the South (AL, AK, FL. GA, LA. MS, OK. NC. SC, TX). Proprietary study
results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in March-May 2008 Vour experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com
ovation, fans would either sit and talk about the action we just
saw (game one), or, head to the concession stand for a shot of
hot dogs and soda. Then, boom! Out would come the home team
again and game two was under way.
Santa, keep the turtle doves, the partridge the polka-dotted
neck ties. Please leave me some help for the Braves and major
league baseball in 2009.
Banks County resident John Rieken is an avid baseball fan. E-
mail comments about this column to jrieken@windstream.net.
Football
continued from page IB
yards on 271 carries and
scored 24 touchdowns during
the season.
Dale received the Top OL
Grade for the year.
Hulsey had 71 tackles,
five tackles for loss and five
sacks.
Representing the Leopards
on the second team are Billy
Pinson and Justin Bowen.
Honorable mentions from
Banks County include Kane
Duncan, Clay Frink, Demetric
Dempson, Matthew Patton,
Nick Sosebee, Thomas Baker,
Bill Redmon, Nathan Mathis
and Lyn Hester.
The All Region coach of the
year is Jefferson head coach
Bill Navas. Jefferson sent four
players to the first team and
three to the second team with
eight honorable mentions.
‘ROOF DOCTOR
Roofing & Repair
- Metal
- Shingles
- Flat Roofs
- Flashing
- Maintenance
- Inspections
HOMER CARVER
Log on for local news and local sports updates all season long.
www.banksnewstoday.com
Prince Avenue had a 13-6 lead in the first quarter, which
Banks had chipped away to a 19-14 lead by the half.
King said the third period is where the girls really woke
up and the Banks County press started working as the Lady
Leopards went on an 11-point run.
Banks passed Prince Avenue 25-23 in the third period.
Outscoring the Lady Wolverines 14-6 in the final eight minutes.
Banks carried a 39-29 win for the tournament championship.
Once again, L. Kennedy led the them offensively with 14
points and nine rebounds. Saxon picked up 11 points followed
by Erika Evans with eight points. Samm Kennedy scored four
and Franklin shot for two.
Rabun Co.
Tuesday night the ladies rematched against Rabun County.
King said before the game the girls had to play harder than the
Dec. 5 game where Rabun won 75-30.
The Lady Leopards fought hard on Tuesday, but had trouble
finishing as Rabun took the 63-44 win.
Banks had a number of steals during the game and was able
to cover the Lady Wildcats fairly well, but the ladies had a little
trouble getting the ball in the basket.
Rabun jumped out early 18-11 in the first period. The Lady
Wildcats outscored Banks again in the second period to hold
onto their 10-point lead 35-25 at the half.
The home team was not in a giving mood as the Lady
Leopards fought back to only trail by 15 points going into the
final quarter. A strong Rabun offense continued pounding the
ball as Rabun picked up 13. Banks County could not overcome
the deficit and ended behind 44-63.
L. Kennedy put up 17 points for Banks to lead the offense.
Saxon followed with nine points and Parks rounded out the
top three with eight points.
Dr. Neelagaru, M.D. (Dr. Neel)
M
N. Neelagaru, M.D. (Dr. Neel) is
now associated with Northeast
/
Georgia Medical Center,
Gainesville, Georgia and will do all
Invasive Cardiology Procedures at
V -J
this facility.
Commerce Cardiology Clinic
Call 335-2000 for appointment
Highest in
Customer Satisfaction
according to J.D. Power and Associates