Let the Wacky Races Begin!

Every now and then, the Braves play a game that comes off looking like an episode of the Wacky Races. A Wacky Races game necessarily involves extra innings, some combination of weird errors and amazing plays, and fans acting like morons. Usually, it also involves the Cubs. Like that game last year, where we hit nine homers in twelve innings, Reitsma gave up about eighty runs at some point, a crazed Cubs fan ran onto the field and got tackled, and we ended up winning because of a Cubs error that involved a ball bouncing off an infielder’s head. This was also the game where Reitsma ate part of a towel in the dugout.

So anyway, that game, last night? I can’t believe we’re pulling out the Wacky Races shit this early in the season, I love it! Not only was game play weird, there was a ton of crazy crap going on all night.

At first, it was just a great pitching duel. I hate Cole Hamels, but I have to admit he looked good, and Huddy! Where have you been all my life? But there were little pockets of weirdness even early on. I was listening to the audio from the radio, so I didn’t hear the explanation for this if there was one, but just WHAT was Chuckie doing with those cups of coffee?? Cause he certainly wasn’t drinking them, though he looked like he might have had about eight cups before the game. He was pretty constantly jumping, when he wasn’t mysteriously pouring coffee back and forth between two cups. And Heap calling time for his eyedrops was pretty bizarre, too, though I sympathize with him. My contacts drive me crazy on a regular basis, and I don’t go to work in a huge bowl of dust and dirt every day.

Is is just me, or is Chipper stepping up to coach our relief staff while McDowell naps in the dugout? He again came over to give Gonzo advice during that crazy ass 8th inning. I was starting to think Heap and Gonzo were intentionally acting like they were out of their minds to scare the hitters (it didn’t work, but the runners may have been affected). Heap chucked the ball into center while trying to throw out a runner, and Gonzo was pacing all over the field, muttering to himself. But of course, the inning ended pretty memorably, cause he wouldn’t be Heap if he didn’t instantly redeem himself, and the Frenchy-Kelly-Heap tag at the plate was just lovely.

And speaking of Pitching Coach Chipper Jones, when Chipper snuck up behind Wicky and scared the shit out of him??! Yeah, I haven’t laughed that hard in awhile, though I was also laughing hysterically after Heap’s ninth inning home run. I don’t know, there was just no way Heap was going to hit a two-run homer off of Gordon on the first pitch, but then he did, it was funny.

Of course, the Philly fans, in their typical classy fashion, immediately began throwing “debris” onto the field after Heap’s homer. And the Sports South broadcast replayed the little dip thing that Heap does with Andruw now (you’ll know if/when you’ve seen it, it’s dorky) almost as many times as they replayed him tagging Howard out at the plate.

The Philly fans were really giving Frenchy hell over there in the corner, and I hope I’m not the only one who caught the psycho-killer grins he gave them. Only Frenchy punching a drunken Philly fan in the face could have made this game more wacky. If only they let ballplayers get away with that kind of thing, I’m pretty sure he would have been up for it.

Anyway, it was a really fun, satisfying win, with Thor as the 11th inning hero. If this is the way the games are going to go this season, bring it the hell on. I’m starting to think the whole season is going to be one long Wacky Race.

On a slightly different note, thanks to reader Daniel for directing my attention to this amusing video of Andruw drinking whynatte (coffee and Jagermeister). And speaking of coffee, seriously, someone explain what was up with Chuckie and that coffee. I wouldn’t be too surprised if Jagermeister was involved somehow.


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8 responses to “Let the Wacky Races Begin!”

  1. Leah Avatar

    Holy crap, that game last night was awesome. At first, it just seemed to breeze by and next thing I know it’s the seventh inning already. When the Phillies catcher hit that homerun, I thought it was over since we couldn’t buy a hit until Mac smacked the crap out of one. It’ll be so cool if he hits one today, too, for a hat trick. He also had his own faux hawk going on there with his hair before his “dance” with Andruw, but the funny thing is it wasn’t intentional. Mac also made up for that error that really wasn’t even his fault since Chipper decided he’d get in the way. That Frenchy to KJ to Mac play to get Howard out was so awesome as well.

    I was trying to multi-task while watching the game. I was finishing homework for my classes and after that sweet homer by Mac, I could no longer focus on my homework. That’s not something I’d recommend doing unless you want to get your work done, especially while watching a game like last night’s.

    I wondered what Chuckie was up to with that coffee. I was thinking maybe he had a hidden agenda and was going to curse the Phillies. If anyone could do it, he would be the one that could, I think.

    I laughed so hard when Chipper scared Wicky. At first, I didn’t realize what happened and after they showed the replay, I died laughing.

    That game was very strange, but like you said, if all of the games are going to be that exciting every time, bring it on. There’s nothing like watching edge-of-your-seat baseball especially when it’s the Braves playing.

    1. Jenny Avatar

      I didn’t get the Wicky thing until the replay either, I thought he had some kind of spastic cough.

      And Heap’s hair in the dugout is always entertaining . . . I wish I could do screencaps.

      1. Leah Avatar

        I didn’t really know what he was doing at first.

        I know and he never intentionally fixes it that way. When he takes his helmets off it just kind of sticks up whevever it wants to and I always can’t but laugh a little at him. You just gotta love the man. There isn’t another like him.

  2. Corsair Avatar
    Corsair

    Oh geez this is one of those times I reaaaaly wish I had cable. Chuckie was playing with Coffee?!

    Oh well, at least the radio carries all of the games. I have to settle for the schedule on TBS…

    I was about to hit the hay last night when Heap hit that homer…then I kinda was obligated to stay up another hour until we won :D

    I have a feeling heap got pretty ticked off when he threw that ball into center field, of course I couldn’t see him, but he tends to get really made at himself when he does stuff like that.

    I can’t wait for tomorrow night, I got tickets to the Home Opener, so I’ll be there hoping Heap is still awesome. I kinda wish they had let someone we at least sorta know start – but no, we get Mark Redman. Hopefully he’ll be good.

    1. Jenny Avatar

      Oh I know, how depressing that we’re hanging our hopes on Redman for the home opener, and against the Mets of all people. Hopefully he’ll be alright. I have tickets, too, we’re sitting down in the 100 level along the first base line (about twenty rows up, though, ha).

  3. dave Avatar
    dave

    Here is a video clip of chipper sneaking up on wickman Click for the video

    You can check out other Braves’ videos here Click for the video”

    BTW, I still have the screenshots of when AJC posted the wrong pic when McCann was signed. I don’t have a email address where I could send them. :(

    Here is one http://img236.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ishot5uf9.jpg

    And the other http://img236.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ishot6ss7.jpg

    1. Jenny Avatar

      Ah, cool! Thanks for the links – I did put finally an email up (if you click on my username it’s a mail-to link), sorry I wasn’t clear about it – it’s jenny [at] velcroblog.com.

  4. […] This one comes courtesy of Velcro Vernacular, who posted this originally this morning. I think the coolness meter on Andruw Jones just went up a couple points in my book. […]

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