Greetings from the disaster area!

Howdy, folks.

So, since last we spoke, there was a sort of a tornado thingy that pretty much wrecked a large part of Tuscaloosa. Fortunately, I live across the river in Northport, and we didn’t have anything really bad on this side, just a lot of rain. It did knock the cable out until just now, so this is the first time I’ve been able to post. You guys probably know more than I do about what went down — I only got to see the footage a few hours ago.

At any event I’m fine, the school where I work is fine (but without power), but the city of Tuscaloosa itself is in pretty bad shape. I’m lucky, not everyone was.

154 thoughts on “Greetings from the disaster area!”

  1. Glad to hear you’re OK Mac. Things in Tuscaloosa look awful. Hope the city is back on its feet soon.

    Oh. And Derek Lowe got arrested for a DUI.

    This is all Fredi’s fault.

  2. Great to hear from you, Mac! My brother and his family live in Northport. They too are ok. Did you know that the Braves traded Schafer for Pujols last night?

  4. In future Braves news:

    McCann has stabbed a clown to death.

    Snitker volunteering as a crossing guard waved a dozen kids into traffic.

    Moylan and Medlen can’t remember which one killed the hooker.

    Chipper claims his “Osama’s heart is in the right place” comment was taken out of context.

    Jairo Ascencio is Keyser Soze

  7. Mac,glad to see that you are ok. My heart goes out to those affected by the storms. My family rode out Hugo in Charleston in ’89. Its damn scary and the aftermath sucks.

  9. I drove down Hargrove road yesterday to help a friend get some stuff from what’s left of his house, and it’s just unreal. This guy had lived in the house for years, but we had to get out and look for the house because the whole place is unrecognizable.

    From what I hear, 15th is even worse. They’re not even letting pedestrians down there.

    Driving down 359 is like driving down a road in WWII Berlin. Shells of vehicles are strewn around, along with huge pieces of metal from the scrap yard nearby.

  11. good to see everyone on this board is okay.

    What is wrong with these athletes? call a freaking taxi, i think you can swing it at 15 million per year.

  13. Glad you’re ok Mac.

    Snitker volunteering as a crossing guard waved a dozen kids into traffic.

    LOL.

  14. Glad to hear that you are okay, Mac. Sorry to know that the news in general from Tuscaloosa is so bad. Fortunately, there’s some wedding across an ocean that will make everything better, I guess.

  15. Still no power in Huntsville. Hopefully we won’t lose water. The biggest advantage to this is no one can watch the Royal Wedding. I can definitely count my blessings for that.

  18. Glad you are ok Mac. I just found out a friend-best man at my wedding–who teaches at the U of Alabama lost his home and cars but he and his family are ok.

  20. I hope he at least tried a bribe or a “Do you know who I am?!?! A guy who’s been pitching more effectively since the end of last season!”

  22. @21, Didn’t work that way during Hootergate. Though I’d love to see a cop give Chipper a warning about Hooter waitresses. Dumb move by DLowe.

  24. Imagine Lowe will just get suspended for two or three starts. We’ll be seeing Minor again soon.

  26. Fortunately, we have more viable major league starting pitchers than almost any other two other teams put together. By the end of the year, it’s reasonable to imagine that Medlen will be healthy, and Delgado and Teheran (and maybe even Hoover) may be ready for their cups of coffee, and of course Kawakami is still alive — that’s a total of 10 starting pitchers, literally two full rotations. (Hanson, Jurrjens, Hudson, Lowe, Beachy, Minor, Medlen, Kawakami, Delgado, and Teheran, and Hoover is number 11.)

  27. Derek Lowe has never exactly been a great role model. As I recall, when he was in L.A., there was a scandal him when he got ot L.A. I could be wrong, but as I recall the story, he basically dumped his wife after he got to L.A. Fortunately, I root for the laundry, not for the person wearing it.

  29. He didn’t take a breathalyzer test, so I guess there’s a chance that he doesn’t get prosecuted. Not to absolve or excuse the behavior.

  31. Welcome back, Mac. Based on what I read in the past two threads, prayer works.

    Best wishes to all affected by the storm.

  33. So glad you’re safe, Mac, I was worried yesterday when we hadn’t heard from you.

    Freaking Lowe… Not the best of timing.

  35. Very glad you’re safe, Mac. Was getting a little worried until Downeaster (I think) let us know you were ok.
    —————

    At the risk of being attacked by digital harpies, I gotta say that this whole DUI thing has become an industry where the entire Leviathan apparatus benefits.

    But while we’re on the subject: is it smarter to refuse the breathalyzer or take it?

  36. Way to kick off the homestand Lowe.

    Also, the thing in LA, dude was having an affair with the chick who was the clubhouse reporter at the time while his wife was back in Boston.

    Lowe eventually divorced wifey 1 and replaced her with LA reporter chick.

    “Medlen and Moylan can’t remember who killed the hooker” – priceless.

  37. Glad to hear you are okay Mac. I kind of know the feeling. I live in Fort Oglethorpe, GA, just north of Ringgold and east of Trenton, GA. I was extremely blessed not to get anything but rain.

    Those in Ringgold and Trenton were not as fortunate. Man, I feel terrible for them and those in T-Town.

  38. @35, if you are drunk, yes. The time to get you to the hospital for a blood test may allow your BAC to get down under the level. The downside is you will be arrested on the spot and booked, so you is goin’ to jail, boy.

  40. Dumb ass. What is he, 19?

    Maybe Lowe just really likes McDowell, and was thinking he could create a media diversion.

  42. Wow, not just racing but racing on Peachtree. In a Porsche. He got pulled over right past my old church – I’d be shocked if he didn’t run a few red lights too given how rare it is to make it through there without stopping.

  43. If he is convicted I wonder if the Braves will be able to get out from at least some of his remaining contract.

  44. If you are drunk, yes. The time to get you to the hospital for a blood test may allow your BAC to get down under the level.

    Depends. BAC might actually go UP a good bit for some time after your last drink.

    The downside is you will be arrested on the spot and booked, so you is goin’ to jail, boy.

    That sounds like a pretty big downside to me, dependig on your inmates.

  45. Furcal got a 12-month probation sentence, a $500 fine and 40 hours of community service for his first DUI. He was also charged with reckless driving in addition to DUI.

  47. @44, it’s jail, not prison. The only other people in there will be other drunks for the most part. BAC can go up, but again, IF you are already drunk, it doesn’t matter. Taking a breathalayzer that puts you over is going to get you a DUI citation, regardless of how much.

  48. What’s the typical punishment for racing another car down a crowded downtown street while drunk? I mean by the law, not the team.

  50. Well, at least there won’t be any distractions for tonight’s first game of the homestand.

    Glad you’re OK, Mac.

  52. Don’t know how current this is, but –
    1. You may be arrested if you are charged.

    2. The fine is up to $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail.

    3. You may end up with probation and/or community service.

    4. Your car may be impounded.

    5. It’s 6 points on your license, if you are convicted.

    6. Your license will be suspended if you are convicted.

    40-6-186.
    (a) As used in this Code section, the term:
    (1) ‘Drag race’ means the operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerated speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other or the operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course from the same point to the same point for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of such vehicle or vehicles within a certain distance or time limit.
    (2) ‘Racing’ means the use of one or more vehicles in an attempt to outgain, outdistance, or prevent another vehicle from passing, to arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle or vehicles, or to test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long-distance driving routes.
    (b) No person shall drive any vehicle on a highway in this state in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, exhibition of speed or acceleration, or for the purpose of making a speed record, and no person shall in any manner participate in any such race, competition of speed, contest of speed, or test or exhibition of speed.
    (c) Any person convicted of violating subsection (b) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition to the punishment prescribed by law, the Department of Public Safety shall suspend for 12 months the license of any person convicted of such violation.

  53. Two predictions that will probably fail:

    1)Lowe didn’t take the test and will plea out of the racing charge and will plea to wreckless driving, pay a fine and do some community service. Braves may make him miss a start or two.

    2) McDowell gets a 10 game suspension and a fine.

  55. This All-Star ballot is stupid. All it shows is AVG and the counting stats. No OBP, no OPS. And it’s not even sortable.

  57. Mac,

    Excellent paraphrase of Mr. Churchill.

    Glad you came through the recent unpleasantness unscathed.

  58. Glad to see you haven’t lost your sense of humor among all of the weather and Braves related calamity. My wife and I lived in Tuscaloosa for a year, BTW, and I’m wondering if the townhouse community we lived in was spared.

  60. Some believe that bad things happen in threes: maybe Pasqual Perez comes back as our new pitching coach and gets lost again on the way…..

  63. I was teasing of course. But you know, the street racing charge does carry 30 days. So there’s some salary relief anyway.

  64. All Star voting in April?

    Who will McCann lose out to this year? Yadier Molina again? Or “Rookie of the Year” Buster Posey?

  66. Didn’t the 5th Fast And Furious movie, Fast Five, premier last night?

    If so, maybe we should cut the guy a little slack here..

  67. @36 LA reporter chick also dumped her husband for Lowe.
    Sounds like they were a match made in heaven.

    Mac, glad to hear you’re ok.

  71. I didn’t leave the kitchen for 11 months after Julie and Julia came out. Still haven’t finished that damned beef bourguignon.

  72. Wow. One after another. Very disappointing, Bravos.

    I didn’t think they could charge you with DUI if you didn’t take the test. Or at least that was the law in Florida. If you don’t take the test, your license is auto-suspended, but I don’t think they can charge you without the test.

  73. THE IMPLIED CONSENT NOTICE
    AND TESTING METHODS

    If you are arrested for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol (DUI), the arresting officer should read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice at the time of the arrest and request that you take one or more State administered chemical test.

    Breath tests are performed on the Intoxilyzer 5000 ® (some people mistakenly call this a Breathalyzer ®).

    In a blood test, a sample of your blood is drawn by a qualified person and sent to the state crime lab to test the alcohol level in your blood.

    If a urine sample is taken, it is also sent to the crime lab. Usually urine samples are used only for drug testing, not alcohol testing.

    THE 10 DAY RULE
    FOR REFUSING OR HAVING AN UNLAWFUL BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL

    If you refuse to take the requested State administered chemical test, or if you take the test and your blood alcohol level amounts to a “per se” violation,* the officer is required by law to submit a sworn report to initiate an administrative license suspension hearing. This hearing is separate and apart from any criminal hearing (plea or trial) and is conducted by the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH).

    * 0.08 grams for cases made on or after July 1, 2001 if you are age 21 or over, 0.02 if you are under 21, and 0.04 if you were operating a commercial vehicle

    If you either refuse to take the test or test for a “per se” alcohol level, you have ten business days to request an administrative hearing. Do not count weekends, state holidays, or the day you were arrested. If you do not request the hearing within the ten business days, then the following penalties apply:

    PENALTIES FOR REFUSING

    If the arresting officer initiates a refusal suspension, and if you do not request a hearing in a timely manner, then on the 31st day after your arrest, your driver’s license will be suspended for one to five years, depending upon your record.

    No limited permit is allowed, even if this is your first ever DUI charge. The same penalty applies if you request a hearing in a timely manner but lose at the administrative hearing. The only way the suspension can be undone is if you have a trial and win or if you plead to a charge that is not a DUI.

  79. Ben, I’m stealing that quote. My apologies in advance.

    Mac, glad you’re ok. Good to have you back.

  80. Just in case anyone was interested in spending their Friday night with an Atlanta Braves legend:

    http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186776114702595

    this popped up on my sidebar under that exact terminology. I couldn’t stop laughing for a good 15 minutes. In related news, Brad Clontz has 27 fans on facebook. Corky Miller has 194. 65 like Chris Woodward. I’m now going on a mission to find the least popular Brave of alltime per facebook

  91. Lowe can afford a personal chauffeur for the next 1 to 5 yrs, thanks to his hefty contract.
    I yearn for the good old days where Braves players just got caught up in sex club scandals and management restricted their abuse to spouses.
    Both of them–Count it!!

  93. Wasn’t like the Cardinals hit rockets that inning though. Hopefully hibernation mode hasn’t totally set in yet.

  97. No Sherbrink in the seventh of a close game and McLouth hits it out. The baseball gods’ way of saying: “That’s better, Fredi.”

  109. Gonzalez has brought it with the glove so far this season. He has made a number of run saving plays already this year

  111. Bringing in Mather may not be the right move here, but serious style points if he homers.

    Never mind, he’s a plant!

  115. Can the Braves hire a bunting coach?
    If they’re going to bunt as often as they do, might as well get efficient with your give away outs.

  116. Seriously, I’m at this game and the if the Piss-poor management loses this ballgame, there might be a crazed bald-headed guy running at fredi with a grounds crew rake.

  122. Crazy movement from Gearrin. I would have left Kimbrel in but that guy has some promising stuff.

  125. Wouldn’t mind Gearrin becoming the new Moylan. (Really wouldn’t mind Moylan turning back the clock either.)

  139. The thing is, he hasn’t been calling anything on the outside corner. But he’s been calling low strikes. So… that was a low strike, but it was on the outside corner. By the book it was a strike, but he hadn’t been calling that consistently. And he delayed calling it, and nearly got Uggla picked off.

  140. McClelland is a douche and always has been. He likes to be the show which contributes to his late strike calls.

  141. I want the game to be over too, but unlike McClelland I would’ve been perfectly content with a correct “ball four” call and the inevitable walk-off heroics of…anyone, at this point.

  142. I have to think that strike three to Freeman was ONLY because Freeman started walking to the bag before McLelland made the call and McLelland felt disrespected.

  148. I don’t even know what to say. the umpire was clueless. Fredi Gonzalez is ball-less and clueless. Baseball is heartless.

  150. Joe Mather sucks, so does Fredi Gonzalez, and so does McClelland. He’s the worst ball/strike guy in the majors.

  152. I’m about ready for robot umpires at this point. Stupid jerks that want to be the center of attention have no place calling balls and strikes.

    /windmill tilting

  154. I watched the last 2 innings behind the cards dugout. As freddie was walking back toward the ump, he was yelling, “you called that a ball!” worst live baseball experience I’ve ever been to…

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