Bleacher Report - Articles by Jonathan Hilbun

Ole Miss Football: The Return of Hope In 2008

Jonathan Hilbun — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:00:38 -0400

I'm a baseball junkie. In late June, my focus on sports usually centers around the baseball diamond.

Though that's more or less the case in 2008, I've recently felt the hunger pangs for football a bit earlier than usual.

As an Ole Miss fan, I haven't had much cause for enthusiasm over the last few seasons. Actually, the feeling I've experienced as autumn neared in recent years was dread.

Each approaching season as of late has been tantamount to a train wreck we all knew was coming—ugly and painful.

Oh, how quickly—and unexpectedly—things change.

In 2007, the Rebels could not muster a single SEC win—not even against Vanderbilt, who routed Ole Miss 31-17. Though his efforts throughout his three-year helm as head coach were tireless, Ed Orgeron was outmatched. He was not, and is not, an SEC head coach.

As the '07 schedule drew to a close, Rebel fans, convinced that Orgeron would return for a fourth year, settled for beating Mississippi State, its bowl-bound in-state rival, in the Egg Bowl.

Last year's Egg Bowl stoked the emotions (all of them) of all Ole Miss fans (all of them). The Rebels led the Bulldogs for most of the game, and in fact had the game all but won.

Enter fate.

A string of inexplicable coaching decisions gave momentum—and eventually the win—to the Bulldogs.

Rebel faithful watched in shock as Ed Orgeron's thinking (or lack thereof) squandered what should have been the Rebels' first and only SEC victory of the '07 campaign.

Amid the dark clouds of frustration and bewilderment, however, a ray of light—of hope—appeared. That loss to Mississippi State, a loss during which the Rebel head coach practically gave the game away, forced the hand of university officials.

Enter fate (again)—and Houston Nutt.

After wrapping an 8-4 season with a thrilling 50-48 win over LSU, Houston Nutt's Arkansas Razorbacks should have been on top of the world.

Their all-world tailback, Darren McFadden, found himself in the midst of the Heisman Trophy campaign. The Hogs were also waiting for a bowl bid. All was right with the world in Fayetteville, right?

Not so fast.

A contingent of Razorback supporters had been waging war with Nutt for a multitude of reasons. This writer is uncertain as to whether the world will ever know all the gory details that facilitated Nutt's exodus from Fayetteville.

As the saying goes, however, "one man's trash is another man's treasure."

Ole Miss, on the heels of a humiliating Egg Bowl loss, had to make a change. Ed Orgeron was ousted the next day. Rebel fans, feeling as if Christmas had arrived early, wondered how this coaching search would play out.

Would it prove to be a repeat performance of the school's 2004 embarrassment? Would it lead to another "panic hire," as the Orgeron hiring has often been construed?

Houston Nutt stepped down as the Razorbacks' coach on No. 26, 2007. Two days later, he was introduced by Chancellor Robert Khayat as the new coach of Ole Miss. Though he has not yet coached a game for the Rebels, he has brought something that has been lacking since Eli Manning's last college snap.

Hope.

Ask an Ole Miss fan about those "hopes." You probably won't hear expectations for an immediate trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Nor will you hear aspirations for a Sugar Bowl berth any time soon.

What you are likely to hear is the hope for a well-coached, well-behaved football team.

A team that understands the importance of fundamentals. A team that does the little things well. A team whose coach, through preparation and decision-making, will put it in a position to win. A team that has a chance to win every time it takes the field.

Credit where credit's due—Ed Orgeron left the cupboard far from bare for Houston Nutt. Jevan Snead, a big-armed transfer from Texas, steps into the quarterback position. He also has plenty of playmakers to stretch the field.

Returning at left tackle is phenom Michael Oher, the subject of Michael Lewis' book, The Blind Side. Oher, who initially opted for the 2008 NFL Draft, returns for another year of college seasoning.

Having recently attended a local alumni gathering addressed by Coach Nutt, I look forward to this year's football season. Though tempered by realism, I'm inspired by Coach Nutt's resume to believe that the Ole Miss Rebels will be prepared to play each time they run through the tunnel.

Win or lose, they will leave it all on the field. They will play intelligently and soundly. They will execute. They will understand the fundamental elements of the game. And their leader's decision making will serve as a strength, rather than a handicap.

That fosters excitement and hope, two feelings not commonly (or at least soberly) experienced in recent times.

The New Busch Stadium: a Baseball Gem in America's Heartland

Jonathan Hilbun — Sun, 18 May 2008 08:32:10 -0400

Though this writer is a longtime Atlanta Braves fan, there is nothing more enjoyable for him than exploring different ballparks.

There are some similarities among them. The aromas of hot dogs, grass and leather permeating each stadium —the aromas we retired little leaguers carry in our memories for a lifetime—are the same. Yet each baseball shrine maintains its share of idiosyncrasies that make it different from its brethren.

After taking in the recent Cubs-Cardinals series at Busch Stadium, I left St. Louis with a first-hand appreciation for the teams' storied rivalry; a renewed appreciation for the collective baseball IQ of St. Louis fans; and a belief that the folks who designed the new Busch Stadium got it right.

Upon arriving at the park, I noticed the familiar statues of St. Louis baseball greats, which stood outside the old stadium. Separated by only a few feet are permanent depictions of some of baseball's greatest: Musial, Dean, Brock, Schoendienst, Hornsby, Gibson, Sisler, Slaughter, and "Cool Papa" Bell.

Two nice touches are the additional statue of favorite son Stan Musial, larger than the others; and the bust of Jack Buck, legendary broadcaster, with piped-in audio of a selection of Buck's most famous calls.

The stadium facade is made of beautiful red brick, a perfect choice for the home of the Redbirds. Speaking of redbirds, variations of the Cards' mascot are emblazoned in the bricks around the park. Around the park are several lively watering holes, such as Al Hrabosky's Ballpark Saloon which make for fun stops on the way to or from the game.

The stadium has a respectable array of concessionary options. Brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, peanuts, popcorn, pizza, cotton candy, beer and soda are offered throughout the park. The prize among these offerings is a little stand beyond the outfield that cooks up Philly cheesesteaks. It may take a few passes to discover it, but it's worth the effort.

Fans in pursuit of Cardinal souvenirs will find the team store to their liking. Although prices are steep and more popular items are frequently sold out (a trend which followed the team store from its old digs), something can be found for almost any fan. To save a few bucks, I recommend a trip to the nearby satellite store located in Union Station.

There may be a bad seat somewhere in Busch Stadium, but there aren't many. Even an upper deck view seems closer than those offered in other parks. An infield field box seat is so close to the action you can see the stitches on the baseball.

Perhaps my favorite improvement to the new park is the backdrop. Seated behind home plate, one views a game with the Gateway Arch, the old St. Louis courthouse and the city skyline in the background. In the outfield are two large video scoreboards. The main scoreboard includes a large "Cardinals" neon sign with a clock.

Under it are all of the retired uniform numbers worn by Cardinal greats. Atop the second scoreboard, which flashes the scores of other MLB games, is a display of flags commemorating the Cards' 10 championship seasons.

There are myriad reasons for visiting St. Louis and taking in a Cards' game. St. Louis is a great American city with historical landmarks, a rich musical heritage, terrific food, and of course the baseball. The city practically oozes baseball tradition. The Cardinals are one of baseball's most successful and historic franchises. How appropriate that they have a worthy home in which to add to their history.

*Photograph by Jonathan Hilbun (5.3.08)

Atlanta Braves' Great Dale Murphy Keeps Giving Back

Jonathan Hilbun — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:43:59 -0400

Every boy who grew up in the South during the 1980s knows Dale Murphy. With the proliferation of TBS and cable television, we Southerners grew up on Murphy, Horner, Hubbard, Garber, and Niekro. When uniforms were distributed in little league, we all rushed to the box of jerseys in anticipation of grabbing that prized jersey with the "3" on the back. Dale Murphy was not only one of the greatest baseball players of the 1980s. He also taught us that stardom and goodness are not mutually exclusive.

Many moons ago - before he acquired the championship rings and certain hall of fame membership while holding court in the Bronx - Joe Torre managed a young Dale Murphy in Atlanta. Torre, all those years ago, said of Murphy, "If you're a coach, you want him as a player. If you're a father, you want him as a son. If you're a woman, you want him as a husband. If you're a kid, you want him as a father. What else can you say about the guy?" While setting records, garnering honors and turning heads, Murphy was also known as one of the "great guys" in professional sports.

So what's changed since Murph hung up his cleats in 1993? Other than a few pounds and gray hairs, not much. Murphy recently founded the "I Won't Cheat" Foundation, an organization designed to steer young athletes away from performance-enhancing drugs. The foundation recently announced a monthly essay contest in which the winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship check.

In describing the goal of his group, Murphy said, "Our mission statement is ‘injecting ethics into America’s future.’ We are having a lot of success helping kids make the commitment to do things the right way.”

In 1987 Dale Murphy, a sinewy, thirty-one year old gold-glove all-star in his prime, slugged a career-high 44 home runs, a total insufficient to earn him the National League Most Valuable Player Award. That trophy went to Andre Dawson of the Cubs, who belted an awe-inspiring 49 dingers. Just fourteen years later Barry Bonds would round the bases 73 times in one summer. Bonds is currently the centerpiece of a federal investigation into the alleged use by athletes of performance-enhancing drugs (steroids and human growth hormone). While Bonds' feats and freakish physical changes are well-chronicled, Dale Murphy is but an afterthought come election time for baseball's hall of fame.

Murphy, whose only negative career headlines involved an isolated 1984 drop-kick of a water cooler and the "controversial" removal of a female reporter from a locker room of mostly naked men, continues to inspire. “I understand that the choice to cheat is always available whether you’re playing sports or working in business or taking a test in school,” said Murphy, who was the National League MVP in 1982 and 1983. “Our message takes an ethics-based approach to help kids make good decisions. We are getting kids to pledge that they won’t cheat in sports, school and life."

Assemblies for "I Won't Cheat" are being organized in elementary, junior high, and high schools nationwide. Murphy is also working with youth organizations wanting to wear a patch on their uniforms to symbolize a commitment to do things the right way.

Applicants for the essay contest can go to www.iwontcheat.com to enter. Each month will begin a new contest with an ever-growing scholarship prize.

Joe Torre, now wearing Dodger blue, still sings the praises of his one-time protege: “Dale has always cared a great deal about other people. Dale’s is a voice you can trust.”

This writer must confess a personal bias in favor of Dale Murphy. Charles Barkley once confessed to not being a role model. Well, Dale Murphy was. And, fifteen years after his retirement, he still is.

CBS Sports’Jim Nantz summed it up perfectly: “When Dale Murphy speaks, everyone in sports should listen.”

This writer, who recently oiled his first baseball glove - a Rawlings RBG 36 with one Dale Murphy's signature emblazoned inside - is still listening. So should you.

*Photo by Jonathan Hilbun, 7/30/89

Around the Horn: A Preview of the Braves' '08 Infield

Jonathan Hilbun — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:35:58 -0400

Where have you gone, Edgar Renteria? Oh, right. Detroit.

They needed another hitter like I need more taxes. Leave it to the Atlanta Braves to voluntarily part ways with a hard-hitting, proved commodity at shortstop. Why, you ask? The answer: Yunel Escobar. Who? The 6' 2", 200-pound Cuban who hit an impressive .326 in 319 at-bats last season.

Equally impressive is the fact that Escobar played three positions (2B, 3B and SS) in '07. The Braves are pinning their hopes at shortstop squarely on Escobar's shoulders. Will the decision to sever ties with Renteria prove to be a sound one? We'll soon find out.

At second base is Kelly Johnson, a steady if unspectacular player thus far in his relatively short career. In 2007 the Texas native amassed a .276 batting average along with 16 home runs and 68 RBIs in 521 at-bats.

One number Johnson will look to reduce in '08 is his strikeout total: 117. Ouch! This number is far too high for a middle infielder who needs to focus more on getting on base and less on leaving the yard. While Johnson can at times be an offensive liability with his Ks, he is anything but a liability defensively. In 133 games last season Johnson committed only 14 errors at second base. Translation: the guy can field.

Just what will Mark Teixeira do during his first full season in a Braves' uniform? Just a guess: about 30 HRs, 100 RBIs, a .285 batting average, a gold glove, and 150+ games. Consistency is something the Braves have sorely missed at first base for several seasons. "Tex," in a contract year, will be looking to post attractive numbers for all potential suitors in '09. If he stays healthy, look for him to have a career year at the Ted. And he'll be a richer man in 2009 regardless of where he lands.

Last but far from least: Larry Wayne Jones. Ever heard of him? C'mon! Oh, yeah—he's commonly known as "Chipper." Make a difference? Thought so.

Though it seems like Chipper Jones arrived in Atlanta just a few years ago, he'll be 36 by the end of April. During a stellar 13-year career in Atlanta, Jones has put up some pretty strong numbers: a .307 batting average; 2,117 hits, 386 home runs and 1,299 RBI. In fact, if he can put together two or three more solid seasons, Chipper could be Cooperstown-bound after hanging up his spikes.

Aging like a fine wine, the 35-year-old version enjoyed one of his finest professional seasons at the plate in '07. Attaining 500+ at-bats for the first time since 2003, Jones carried a .337 average with 29 dingers and 102 RBI. I wouldn't count on a repeat performance in '09, but if he avoids injury Jones shouldn't fall off too much this year.

Caveat: if any of these four infield starters goes down with an injury, all bets are off. Why? Scott Thorman. Omar Infante. Martin Prado. Brent Lillibridge. Never heard of 'em? If you're a Braves' fan in '08, you want to keep it that way.

Barring injury, the corner positions are givens. Teixeira and Jones are among the game's elite at their respective positions. They will be relied upon heavily to anchor this club at the plate and on the field. If Johnson can get on base while reducing his strikeout total, his offensive numbers should improve.

Fortunately, in a lineup featuring the likes of Jones, Teixeira, Francoeur and McCann, Johnson will not be counted on for offensive contributions. A steady glove and a timely hit in the clutch will suffice. The biggest question mark in this infield is at shortstop. Will Yunel Escobar justify the decision by Braves' brass to part with Edgar Renteria? Will he settle into the shortstop position and play solidly at the major league level for an entire season?

It's a long way to October...

Brave Old World: Sizing Up Atlanta's Starting Rotation

Jonathan Hilbun — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:25:35 -0500

This season looks to bring a return to form of the Atlanta Braves' once fearsome pitching rotation.

The cornerstone of Atlanta's monumental success of the '90s was starting pitching. Anchored by three hall-of-famers (Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz), the Braves rode roughshod over the Senior Circuit for over a decade.

Maddux is gone, Smoltz never left, and Glavine is returning to Turner Field after a five-year exile in Queens. Neither is the staff's ace. That honor has been bestowed upon Tim Hudson, who last year bounced back from a sub-par 2006 campaign. Buttressing the staff will be Chuck James, who has shown flashes of brilliance, and hopefully Mike Hampton, who hasn't pitched since the first Clinton administration.

Slots one through three, barring injury, are solid. Hudson, Smoltz and Glavine combined in '07 for 629.4 innings pitched and amassed an average ERA of 3.63. The injury bug has plagued Hudson and Smoltz and the level of their impact will be proportional to their ability to stay healthy.

Hudson has Cy Young Award stuff. When he's on he's on, and when he's healthy he doesn't wear down in September. In his last 10 starts of '07 he averaged 6.52 innings per outing. He gave the Braves 34 starts last year and will likely equal (if not better) that total in '08.

Smoltz soaks in the fountain of youth, or maybe it's one of the hot tubs at Turner Field. Whatever his secret is, it works. Despite a multitude of injuries to his throwing arm and a four-year stint in the bullpen, Smoltz hasn't looked back since rejoining the rotation in '05.

Over the last three seasons he has compiled a 44-24 record and an impressive 3.22 ERA, all while logging a yearly average of 222.1 innings.

Glavine, who in '07 showed signs of being long in the tooth, has managed to stay relatively healthy throughout his stellar career. Relying on control over velocity, his left arm should be reliable for at least one more 200-inning effort.

A 300-game winner, who should reclaim his role as a team leader in the Braves' clubhouse, Glavine returns to the pitcher-friendly confines of many of his successes. Though several years removed from his prime, Glavine can still win with craftiness and help from the pen.

A last hurrah from No. 47 is what Bobby Cox and Braves' fans are counting on.

Now to the bottom of the rotation, which presents a bit of uncertainty.

Will Chuck James find consistency? James, an Atlanta native, struggled against lefties. His ERA against left-handed hitters in '07 was a whopping 5.40, considerably higher than his respectable 3.92 mark against righties.

James' stats in '07 also showed signs of fatigue as the season went on. In August he put together a 3-3 record with a horrendous ERA of 8.59. Over three August starts he pitched a mere 14.2 innings.

September saw improvement though James' numbers for that month were hardly earth-shattering. He won two and lost one with a 4.32 ERA. Perhaps with a 30-start season under his belt, James will evade the possibility of arm fatigue come autumn.

At 26, the southpaw should be reaching his prime.

In the last week numerous Mike Hampton sightings have been reported in Orlando, and he's not vacationing at the Magic Kingdom or rehabbing from another major operation to his pitching arm. He's been in uniform, throwing at full strength, with no reported pain or discomfort to date.

True, this is deja vu all over again as Yogi Berra would say. How many years have passed since Hampton made headlines other than on the disabled list?

Three years have come and gone and the Red Sox have won two world championships since Hampton last approached a full season's work. If by some miracle the duct tape and glue which hold his left arm together can remain intact, Hampton may be able to contribute.

Anything Hampton can give the Braves should be considered, as we say down in South Louisiana, "lagniappe."

All in all the 2008 version of the Atlanta Braves' starting rotation is probably the strongest it's been in several years. With two-thirds of what could be the greatest trifecta a starting rotation has ever seen now reunited, the Braves should be able to count on more innings and more 4-2 wins this year.

Though not as menacing as it was a decade ago, this year's version of Atlanta's starting five should play a larger role in the team's fortunes. With its corpulent consumption of innings alone, the rotation should shelter the bullpen from the threat of being overworked early in the season.

With the additions of Glavine and Hampton to an already good rotation, along with the bats of Franceour, Teixeira, and Chipper Jones, the Braves won't surprise anyone if they're suiting up in October.

Hypocrisy on the Hill: Roger Clemens Comes to Congress

Jonathan Hilbun — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:06:22 -0500

Having followed the play-by-play account of the "Clemens v. McNamee" Congressional hearing, I'm struck by the pathological hypocrisy of today's proceedings.

For starters, this is yet another sad day for baseball, a sport marred by an era of rampant PED use by its athletes.

The list of alleged "juicers" in baseball reads like a 1990s "who's who" list: Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Palmeiro, Canseco, Pettitte, Sheffield, et al.

The hallowed all-time home run record was attained by the much maligned Bonds, whose use of steroids is now perhaps the worst-kept secret of all-time.

The picture being painted by writers and investigative reporters of baseball in the '90s is one of a sport in which many of its participants (including the elites of the era) consumed all sorts of toxic, illegal substances to hit and throw the ball harder while its commissioner turned a blind eye.

Ever heard of Nero, the emperor who fiddled away on a hill while Rome burned? Now Emperor Selig marches back into Rome to put the fire out—the very fire he helped start—pleading ignorance to the whole episode.

Despite my disdain for any and all users of PEDS in baseball, I can't help but be astonished by the fact that baseball as an institution is being called to the carpet by that bastion of hypocrisy known as Congress. What dog does the federal government have in this hunt, pray tell? A body of 500-odd men and women well-known for its ineptitude, personal scandals, and squandering of taxpayers' money is taking Major League Baseball behind the woodshed.

Congressman Waxman and the gang are staging this grand melodrama for all the world to see. They appear impassioned, hanging on every word of this "he said/he said" scenario. Major League Baseball needs some type of regulation, for it's apparent that the game went at least a decade with nobody minding the ship. Clearly nobody in baseball could reurge its age-old right to self-police in the face of PED-gate.

I find it inappropriate and hypocritical, however, for the United States Government to appoint itself as the moral compass of America's pastime.

I'm left with no less confusion than I had before today's proceedings. Is Clemens an innocent victim of a witchhunt? Is McNamee singing simply to save his hide from federal prosecutors? Did Andy Pettitte "mishear" his friend? Why does it seem that Democrats are eager to roast Clemens while Republicans run to his defense?

I dunno. All I know is that, after today, I feel like I need a long shower.