This past month has been a wash. I need to get a job, but the job is the last thing on my mind between my family and friends. I just feel like God needs me by them right now. Tonight is probably going to be another late night, but it's worth it.

Today, I finally, after God knows how long it's been, got my car to the shop and got an oil change. After 3 trips to Fayetteville, GA and 1 trip to Jacksonville, FL in the past 2½ months, I figured it was due a change. I'm going to Statesboro, GA on Friday. And no telling when I go out of town next. I found out my car needs another $220.00 worth of work done in the next 2 weeks. My left front CV joint is has a tear in it. Had I had the money today, I would have gotten it fixed ASAP. But, I was told since the tear looks recent, I can drive it for a while. That will have to do me.

I'm bummed to hear about Mark DeRosa's heart troubles. He may no longer be a Brave, but I still pay attention to news about him and still root for him. To be honest, he's one of the reasons I got into baseball. He's very attractive. Now, I did start watching the game in 2001 because I found out I enjoyed the sport, but DeRosa on my TV screen was an added bonus. How girly of me! I remember when he hit his first home run in the bottom of the 10th in one July 2001 game against the Montréal Expos and he got pied in the face. He was mainly used as a utility infield player in Atlanta. There were times when the Braves outfield was so depleted, Bobby Cox had to start DeRosa as left fielder. DeRosa played where Bobby put him. I don't recall him ever complaining about playing time and always seemed like a team player. I only ever saw him scream an obscenity once, at Montréal, during a game when he felt the umpire made the wrong call on a ball he fielded. Nicki and I spent the whole night looking at each other and just mimic how that word was said. I even got to see DeRosa play as a Brave in person. And this picture is from Spring Training 2002 at a game at the Astros' camp. Nicki, her friend Jenni, and I were at our thrid straight Braves Spring Training game of the Braves that weekend (God, has it been 6 years?). The day before, Nicki and I were 4^th row behind home plate at the Braves' camp. Nicki kept holling him at that game at Disney. So the next day, when we were 2^nd row behind home plate at Kissimmee, she screamed even more, and had Jenni join us, too. He probably thought Nicki was taunting him because he did a small little taunt at them at one point. They deserved it, Never spoke to us, but he recognized us. I was sad to see him leave Atlanta, but I understood that it was business. Wished him luck as a Ranger and still wish him luck as a Cub. And I just hope they get his health taken care of. He's a great guy for the sport. Most people like the superstars. I like players like Mark DeRosa.

[♪ Listening to: "Baby Come Back" - Player]

Posted by Shawn at February 27, 2008 2:00 PM in Baseball, General, Memories.