Atlanta blogs today December 08 2008

— The greatest pitcher of our generation — who happened to wear the uniform of the Atlanta Braves during the prime of his career — is scheduled to announced his retirement today. Former pitching coach Leo Mazzone told me one of his favorite Greg Maddux stories ... there were guys aboard with first base open, and Bobby Cox went to the mound to tell Maddux to intentionally walk the batter. Maddux asked to have two pitches before they walked him. “On the second one, I think I can get him to pop to third,” he said. How could Cox possibly argue with a plan that specific? And, of course, on the second pitch, the batter pops up to third. Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci has an insightful farewell to Mad Dog on his “Inside Baseball” blog. Also, from ESPN’s Rob Neyer here.

DriftGrift may have been taking it easy on the AJC’s Jim Wooten of late, but the sleeping dog is awakened for a new bite of “My Morning Wooten.” But DG, when a person doesn’t even get Clark Howard, it’s pretty hopeless. And I want to offer a “Morning Wooten” of my own: Jim, please stop with this “George W. Bush is another Harry Truman” bullshit. That’s like comparing Tom Thumb to Bill Russell because they both happen to wear shoes.

— Over at the Daily Kos, CLLGADEM dissects the Shameless One’s victory waltz back to the U.S. Senate. One conclusion is that paid advertising still trumps a ground game in Georgia. Another is that Jim Martin is just too nice. Good points, to be sure. But, hey, Martin was pulled into the race at the last minute and never showed any enthusiasm for the campaign. He just seemed dutiful. He also never articulated a vision for Georgia, and failed to give people a reason to jump on his bandwagon.

— Uh-oh. A Mercer University student has published an op-ed piece in the Macon Telegraph that declares it makes economic sense for women to stay home and do the housework. Amy at Georgia Women Vote thinks she’s having a Leave It To Beaver flashback. He’s young, Amy; someday he’ll realize that it’s really a woman’s world and they just allow us to play in it.

— And, finally, the fine ladies at Pecanne Log are back with their almost frightening crush on the young Mr. Wheatley. First, this. And then this. Ladies, please! Take hold of yourselves!