AJ puts up 40, but it isn't enough to keep "Pace" with the Nets!

Despite College of Charleston alum Anthony Johnson putting 40-points on the board and Jermaine O'Neal adding 21-points for the Indiana Pacers, they still found a way to let the New Jersey Nets get the best of them in the NBA finals, losing 90 to 96. (The Nets won 4-2 and will play the winner of the Bulls-Heat series.) Vince Carter scored 24-points and his teammate Richard Jefferson led the Nets with 30-points.

It appears Peja Stonjakovic is that important for the success of the Pacers. The two games in which the leading scorer (P.S.) played the Pacers won, since he has sat out with a sore knee-boo-boo, they have lost. (Btw, why does ESPN have the pronunciation PAY-zhuh Stoy-AH-kuh-vitch) behind P.S.'s name?) Regardless, mad props to my main man, and former Cougar, AJ for keeping things as much under control as possible.

Pat Conroy's eulogy of "The Boo"

NOTE: Author and Citadel alumnus Pat Conroy delivered this eulogy for The Boo, Lt. Col. Thomas Nugent Courvoisie, at Summerall Chapel on The Citadel campus on May 3, 2006. The source for the full eulogy is the Post & Courier. (Photo compliments of The Citadel)

Today we gather together, in great joy and sorrow, to bid farewell to one of the most famous Citadel graduates who ever lived Col. Thomas Nugent Courvoisie whose last name was a French cognac, but who claimed his whole life he was pure Irish. Because Citadel cadets cannot pronounce any French products, they nicknamed him 'The Boo.' Because The Boo could not remember any cadet's name, he referred to us as bubba, lambs and bums. It was a wonderful, distinguishing moment in a cadet's life to be called a bum by The Boo. It was a moment of arrival, a rite of passage, and the stamping of a visa attesting to the fact you were an official member of that strange, bright country we call The Citadel.

Here is what The Boo loved more than The Citadel nothing nothing on this Earth. The sun rose on Lesesne Gate and it set on the marshes of the Ashley River and its main job was to keep the parade grounds green. He once told me that a cadet was nothing but a bum, like you, Conroy. But a Corps of Cadets was the most beautiful thing in the world. In World War II, he led an artillery unit during the battle of the Bulge and he once told me, 'The Germans hated to see me and my boys catch em in the open.' It is my own personal belief that The Boo's own voice was more frightening to the Germans than the artillery fire he was directing toward them.

The voice. There has never been a louder, gruffer, more stentorian or commanding voice ever to stir the airwaves of this campus. I speak now of The Boo in his prime, striding this campus like a colossus, all-powerful and omnipresent with his flashing, hawk-like glance that took in everything his purposeful and menacing stalk and that intimidating voice that seemed five times as loud as God's. I once saw him shout out the words, 'Halt, Bubba' on the steps of the Summerall Chapel. Coming out of the library, I halted on the third step and prayed he wasn't yelling at me. But the amazing thing was that the entire campus had halted, every cadet stood frozen in place like wildebeests on the Serengeti plains after a lion's roar. Cadets stood at perfect attention, in perfect stillness some walking into Mark Clark Hall, toward First Battalion, toward the field house, into Bond Hall and all the way to the toolshed. The Boo then charged across the parade ground, stopped a kid entering into Second Battalion and burnt him for his personal appearance. The Cadet's shoeshine particularly offended The Boo, although as I approached the chapel I could not even tell the kid had feet. I heard every word of the cadet's bawling out and I was a hundred yards away. You have never been blessed out or bawled out or chewed out unless you got it from The Boo in his prime. Did I say he was five times louder than God? I'm sorry if that sounds sacrilegious and it certainly is not true. The Boo was at least ten times louder than God and I was scared of him my entire cadet career.

But he prowled this campus like a dark angel of discipline, and this guy was everywhere. He would be there before reveille in any of the four barracks catching seniors late to formation. He was all over the mess hall, wandered the stands during football games, roamed the barracks during parades. During evening study period, he patrolled the barracks breaking up card games, confiscating televisions and writing up cadets out of uniform.

Four times, he recommended my expulsion from The Citadel. Once I found my name on the DL list for 'Insulting Assistant Commandant's Wife.' My Tac officer recommended I be kicked out of school. I ran to The Boo's office and demanded an explanation. 'You stopped to talk to my wife about books on the parade ground.'
'She stopped me, Colonel,' I said.
'I noticed your brass was smudged, your shoes unshined and your shirt tuck a disgrace. I considered it an insult to my wife.'
'I am a senior private, Colonel. That's how I'm supposed to look,' I said. The Boo roared with laughter.
Earlier, The Boo had pulled me for 'Bringing Disgrace, Shame and Dishonor to The Citadel.' The same Tac wanted me expelled from The Citadel. When I confronted The Boo again, he explained that I had played such a lousy basketball game against Furman that he thought I had brought disgrace and shame to The Citadel. Then again, the laughter.

The reason The Boo became the most beloved and honored figured on The Citadel campus and why his legend has continued is because of his sense of honor, his sense of justice and his sense of humor. And here is what a Citadel Corps of Cadets can do better than any other group alive: it can tell you who loves them, it can tell you who hates them and it can spot anyone else around who simply doesn't care about them. The Boo could not hide his love of the Corps of Cadets. He could scream at us, write us up for demerits, hand out tours like business cards, call us bums far into the night, threaten to send us to Clemson a hundred times, catch us heading to Big John's for a beer, deny us leave, bemoan the fact all day that bums were ruining the Corps he could do all of this but he could never stop loving us and we could never stop loving him back and it showed, and it became his final undoing. He was fired as assistant commandant and finished out his Citadel career at the warehouse. He was told not to talk to Citadel cadets. As always, The Boo carried out his duty.

In 1968, I began writing The Boo's biography and it was here I learned all the stories. I did not know he'd written out checks to help poor cadets pay their tuition. I did not know how many corsages he'd bought for dates at the Ring Hop or the money he paid to bail cadets out of jail. He bought two seniors their Citadel rings, but he wouldn't let me put that in the book. The Boo asked Citadel grad J.C. Hare to give free legal advice to cadets in trouble and J.C. never let him down. Every time he asked a senior for his ring as he was kicking him out of school, The Boo could not sleep that whole night. He wouldn't let me put that in the book, either. There was no act of generosity too large for The Boo to proffer to a Citadel cadet. It seemed like too large a job to love an entire Corps of Cadets, but The Boo said it was the easiest job he ever had.

'There was only one cadet I ever really hated. Just one name I can think of,' The Boo said.
'That'll make an interesting story for the book, Colonel. Who is the jerk?' I asked.
'It was you, Conroy. Just you. There was something about you that I hated when you first walked into fourth battalion, you worthless bum.' By the time I finished writing 'The Boo,' I was head over heels, punch drunk in love with the man. By writing the book I got to know The Boo as well as anyone who ever lived. I came to know his demons, his insecurities, his failures. I think he was a better father to the Corps of Cadets than he was to his own children, Helen and Al, and I told him that many times and he always agreed with me. But our love for each other was irreproachable as it would be tested many times.

Before the book came out he asked me if there was anything he could do for me, and I said yes. 'Colonel, you always call me a bum. You've never called me one of your lambs. I'd like to be a lamb now that I've written this book.'
The Boo approached me and nearly put out my left eye with one of his nauseating cigars.
'Conroy, you were born a bum, lived like a bum, and proved to be a bum every day of your sorry life as a cadet. You'll always be a bum to me. Never a lamb.'

When I was writing this eulogy last night, I pulled the copy of 'The Boo' that the Colonel had presented me on publication day 36 years ago. I was looking for a story that summed up The Boo's character and personality and charm. I did not know he had signed it for me that day and I did not know what he signed until last night. He signed my copy of 'The Boo' this way: 'To the lamb who made me. The Boo'

I come now to the last words I will ever write about The Boo in my career. I was lucky to have met him as a young man when I needed a father figure as much as I needed a college education. It is to my great sorrow that The Citadel grads present at The Boo's funeral today are some of the biggest lowlifes, scoundrels, alcoholics, philanderers, nose pickers and bums that ever made it through the long gray line, but I know that The Boo would have it no other way. When I was writing 'The Lords of Discipline,' I went to The Boo for help. 'What makes The Citadel different from all other schools? What makes it different, special and unique? Why do I think it is the best college in the world when I hated it when I was here, Boo? Help me with this.' The Boo held up his hand and said, 'It's the ring, Bubba. Always remember that. The ring, the ring, the ring.' I thought about it for a moment then wrote the words, 'I wear the ring.' 'How about this for a first line?'
'Perfect, Bubba, just perfect.'

It is time to end this, Boo.
Farewell to the artillery man.
You'll always be our commandant.
Always our leader.
Always our role model.
Always the father our fathers could not be.
When you reach the pearly gates, Citadel man, remember your voice, Boo, and try not to scare the angels.
When they asked you what you loved most in life, tell them what you told me. Tell them about The Citadel. Tell them, Colonel, tell them about the bums who loved you but last of all tell them about the ring, the ring, the ring.

Brad Hiers gets physical

Bobo gets physical. This photo is from the future Mrs. Dallas Campbell and has not been altered in any way. Bobo, nice man-boobs Bubba! By the way, I think the matching belt and wrist bands went out in the 80's. The matching headband and one-piece is still cool though. Oh yeah, Bobo. Even though you are getting physical, I don't think anyone in the audience wants to see your body talk.

Look at me being serious

Santos sent me this video-a wonderful example of why I never participated in student government. Then again, "elected officials" always take themselves too seriously. To set the stage Ryan Holt was returning from a DC trip back to Cola when a small prank set this kid aflame. Holt, kid you need to get laid. For more info here is Brazier's article in the Daily Gamecock. Click here for a permalink to the video.

The Citadel Losses a Legend

Lt. Col. Thomas Nugent Courvoisie, lovingly nicknamed "the Boo" by his long gray line of lambs, passed last night at the age of 89. A remarkable man with a presence and moral barometer matched by none, Courvoisie molded the integrity and will for generations of young men @ The Citadel producing a litany of tales, comical lampoons, creative "extenuating circumstances" on ERW's, inspirational wisdom and forward thinking-without gender or race biases-developments of the future for the Military College of South Carolina. (Photo compliments of The Citadel Collection)

Like all legends, the Boo's tale of tough love, chomping cigars and looking after his "lambs" will live as long as their is a quadrangle, "Ol' Corps" Citadel grad or copies of Conroy's The Boo or The Lords of Discipline. Courvoisie's influence will continue as long as their is a man of honor, character and integrity to pass it to the next member of the long gray line. That's right Bubba, even if you didn't know him, you do know him-Something to think about when you look down at that shiny piece of gold on your ring finger.

Arrangements:The Visitation and Funeral will be held in Summerall Chapel on the Citadel campus.Visitation: May 2, 18:00-21:00 hours, (6 pm to 9 pm) Funeral: May 3, 10:30 am

Severe Weather Warning!

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 255 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING
Warning Issue Date: 349 PM EDT WED APR 26 2006Warning Expiration: 415 PM EDT WED APR 26 2006The national weather service in charleston has issued a
* tornado warning for... Charleston county in southeast south carolina
* until 415 pm edt
* at 344 pm edt...National weather service doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near johns island...Or about 10 miles west of charleston...Moving east at 25 mph.
* some locations in or near the path of the storm include... Johns island... West ashley... James island... Downtown charleston... Mount pleasant and sullivans island...
A tornado May form at Any time. Take cover now. Abandon mobile homes and vehicles. Move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. Stay away from windows.
To report severe weather only...Please contact the national weather service in charleston toll free at 1-888-383-2024.

College of Charleston defeats Wofford 6 to 1

Special Bushido Posting from Teske's Queen's Court abode: After my earlier post, I decided to thrown on my Maroons (Cougar polo, gray Coug t-shirt and khaki shorts, w/BoSox hat) to catch the ball game, just after the rain delay. The Cougars turned up the heat despite rain drizzle every 5 minutes. The 17th ranked Cougars won today 6-1. The Cougars are 32-9, 14-3 in the SoCon. Austin Redwine was handed the loss for the Terriers. Humorous remarks by the announcers on ETV, "Redwine just a bit outside missing the corner". Sorry, everytime I hear those famous words from Major League, I have to include them.

The Dugout
Graham Godfrey pitched a strong 7 1/3 innings, allowed 5 hits, 1-run and earned 8 strike-outs. Josh McLaughlin got the save. Larry Cobb had 3 hits, including singles in the 5th & 7th innings, and a game clinching triple off of the left field wall in the 8th inning, scoring Graham Maiden, Clay McCord and Joey Friddle. The final out game, CofC catcher, Alex Garibedian, picked off Wood at first after the pitch. After the game, I caught the Cougars softball team bring home a win, more on that later.

Queen's Court posting on Rodeo Drive
After the game, I stopped Teske's on Queen's Court for some guitar, Deadliest Catch and Cougar Sports talk. His lap top is rolling, hence the opportunity to post from the Mt. Pleasant 'bureau'. We did get to catch the Vladimir "Steel Fist" Klitschko rematch with Chris Byrd. Byrd went down twice during the 7 round fight called after Byrd's eye would not quit bleeding. Screamed Byrd's wife Tracy from ringside, "Chris move your head!"-No sch-crap lady, now shut the blankety, blank up. I am trying to not get hit here. Whoops, too late.

Baseball Tonight: The Riverdogs are playing Kannapolis tonight, 7:05 @ the Joe. The Cougars will face Wofford tomorrow, 1:00 pm at Patriot's Point.

College of Charleston Softball

Since I was at Patriot's Point, I decided to poke my head next door, err next diamond, into the College of Charleston v Furman softball game. I know what you all are thinking? Yes, Indeed, we have a very attractive team, especially compared to Furman. God bless the College of Charleston. I digress; despite being easy on the eyes and their .500 record of 25-25, the Cougars can play. They lost the first game of the double-header 1 to 0. Amber Havnar who allowed 1-run, and fanned two batters, is credited with the loss.

Cougs prevail in the second leg of the double-header
But the Cougs won the second game 3-0. Shannon Howard threw a 2-hit shutout boosting her average to .500, 13-13. Btw, I am not sure if Ms. Howard decided to bottle-out to the blonde side recently, but she looks nothing like her roster picture in person. 3rd baseman, Izmena (Ice) Cabrera went 3 for 4, (.278) showing a perfect line of defense at the hot corner. Short-stop, Jessica Lyness went 1 for 3, with a RBI. Jessica caught an ear full from the Coach for not taking 2nd on an overthrow in the dust of her RBI, but I disagree with the coach. 2nd base is where all the action was and I think she saved an out. Although my girl Shlick didn't get a hit in the second game, she did go 1 for 2 in the first game. She had good cuts on the ball, and a few fouls over the fence, but came up short, striking out both times she was at the plate. That's right folks, Shondra Schlichenmayer beats out CofC catcher Alex Garabedian as the Bushido's player of the week. (See photo) I am not biased here because Shlick is better looking; I am judging on defensive and offensive merits only.
Golden moments
I did have a chance to meet with Jennifer Golden's Dad, Chris, who gave me the run down about Jennifer. An Atlanta native (Conyers), She is a transfer student from Texas A&M, having left after Coach Missy Phillips left the Aggies. CofC heard she was considering transferring and entertained her enough to ink a scholarship to play for the College. While I was talking to her Dad, she smacked a double, so I guess we need to give a ceremonial bow to the CofC recruiting department. Chris did put the Bushido on the spot when he asked me if I was dating one of the girls on the team-I wish. No, I am just the supportive alum, or dirty old man, take your pick.

Next up
The Cougars will play the 3rd game in the SoCon series with Furman tomorrow at 1 pm.

The Strokes Tickets for the Plex go on sale this morning @ 10:00 am

Tickets for the Strokes show May 25th, at the Plex in North Charleston go on sale today @ 10:00 am. Go to Etix.com or call (843) 225-PLEX to get yours before they are gone. Tickets are selling for $27.50 per. For those of you in North Carolina. The Strokes will play at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium @ 8:00 pm the next day, Friday, May 26, 2006. If you haven't heard any radio play of the songs from The Strokes new album, First Impressions of Earth, you need to check it out. Click here for the index to "Juicebox" and "Heart in a Cage".

Playboy's Top Ten Party Schools for 2006

Playboy's 2006 Top Ten Party Schools

1. University of Wisconsin, Madison-best party-Halloween bash on State St. attended by 100,000; alum of note-John Simensen
   
2. UC Santa Barbara-campus sits on 989 acres of Pacific coastline-need I say more? alum of note-Michael Douglas-his new movie comes out today!
   
3. Arizona State-voted the hottest female student body in America (College of Charleston ranked 2nd)
   
4. Indiana-Playboy calls this school a "drinking school with a basketball problem".
   
5. San Diego State-best party-Sigma Chi's annual Reggae sunsplash
   
6. Florida State-best party-Florida v Florida State football game
   
7. Ohio University-best party-Halloween block party in Athens, aka Mardi Gras of the Mid-West
   
8. Georgia-largest outdoor cocktail party in the world, need I say more? Fine; Flanigans and the Firehouse to take the sting of climbing the hills around town
   
9. Tennessee-pre-football game boating w/the "Volunteer" Navy
   
10. McGill-what the hell Hef? This school is located in Quebec? I don't care if William Shatner went there, or that chicks speak the lingo of love there. I want the American list? Not the Canadian list!
    

General John Rosa installed as the Citadel's 19th President

Today Lt. General John Rosen (Citadel Class of 1973) will be installed today as the Citadel's 19th President 11:00 am @ the McAlister Field House. Rosa actually began his new position in January after retiring from his last post-leading the Air Force Academy through a very delicate and challenging time period.
Party like its' 1842!
The Citadel Library (Daniel Library for you "knob-knowledge" purists) will have a photo collection of General Rossa's cadet career on the third floor. You will have the chance to see the General leading the Bulldogs on the gridiron wearing the #14. The Bushido gives a sacred bow to the General for aspiring to the position of 1 and a gun his senior year! The Inaugural celebration will conclude with a Dress Parade at 14:30 hours, on the Parade Deck in his honor.

The pleasure was all mine
I had the pleasure of meeting General Rossa at the Citadel Stray Dog Society dinner in his honor; I have to admit I was quite impressed. The General, also, was impressed with the Bushido's entrance to the Charleston Yacht Club, 007 style-arriving via boat, riding on the "Knot Tied Yet" with fellow "penguins" Dr. Vallini, Lt. Kirby Baker, and Mr. B. I digress; I was quite taken back with one figure the General gave during his speech which outlined his plan for the Citadel's future development and how to keep the school relevant. What figure am I referring to? Last year, 20,000 classes were cut. I know Craig Blackmon was there last year, but still, that figure seems high. Regardless, General Rossa is polished, intelligent, experienced and loves the Citadel. In fact, he just spent $80,000 to send his son there.

My weekly what the F???
Tell me which one of these names recently elected to the Citadel Alumni Assoc Membership Committee doesn't look like the other: Kevin M. Elmore, ’74; Nancy R. Mace-Jackson, ’00; Dr. William S. Stafford, ’78; William L. Yaeger, ’83. Now, I hate to bring this up, but is someone still riding on Daddy's coat-tails? QQQQQqqqq!!!

What is the opposite of a masogynist?
Normally I wouldn't even bring this up, because 1) women are part of the Corps, 2) I am neither a Citadel graduate, nor part of the Corps. But I found this information from the CAA meeting in January. That's right Cadets, the Bushido still never sleeps!
"Nancy R. Mace-Jackson, ’00, president of the Atlanta Citadel Club and district director representing Citadel clubs outside of South Carolina, requested a CAA policy statement regarding the Stray Dogs Society. The all-male organization is seeking to increase membership and has contacted area clubs to enlist their support. The perception is that the CAA is endorsing this group. The overwhelming Board consensus was that the CAA should not be affiliated with this group either directly or indirectly. To clarify the CAA’s stance on the issue, the Executive Committee will draft a policy statement to present at the April meeting, and Mr. Rogers was asked to remove his name as the group’s advisor."
I am not sure if Mr. Rogers exercised the CAA's request, mums the word; but he may or may not have been sitting at the table with me at the aforementioned black-tie event. Rogers is a hero, a veteran and served the country as an FBI agent for twenty years. (He may have not extended the Bushido a proper bon voyage as I left the long gray line, but no hard feelings. Any friend of Olie, is a friend of mine.) Nancy, as far as I am concerned, he outranks both you and your twinkle, twinkle little star Daddy. And I am not sure how you landed the president position in Atlanta, especially considering that there are more qualified and successful Citadel Alums in Atlanta (i.e. Ted Turner's boys-Beau and Teddy, as well as Georgia's gas King Tom Stikeleather). Seriously, I am scratching my head here. All I can think of is Cadet-Recruit Mace with her Daddy in Jenkins' Hall, her half-a@@ knob haircut, no bracing or a 4th class system, just carrying her skin-flute in the march of the Q's and now here she is all grown up with her CAA position. Are you thinking what I am thinking? That's right, what the F?

Kannapolis Intimidates the Riverdogs!!!

The Charleston Riverdogs had their doors blown clean off (9 to 3) by the Kannapolis Intimidators on their return home for Thirsty Thursday. Dale looked down from Heaven smiling on his catcher Francisco Hernandez who went long for a two-run home run and drove home four runs. Three different Kannapolis pitchers (wonder kids) combined their powers to strike-out 16 batters as the Kannapolis Intimidators took home the checkered flag at the Joe.

Game 2 of this 4 game series commences today at 10:35 am to celebrate Charleston County Education Day. The Riverdogs web-site expects 5,000 students from 45 different schools will attend the game. Hey kids, I am available to fill a chaperone position-sick-day, to catch a ball game in the morning.

The Raconteurs

The new Indie-Super group consisting of Greenhornes bassist Jack Lawrence and drummer Patrick Keeler, Brendan Benson on guitar with Jack White on guitar and vocals called The Raconteurs is pretty "steady as she goes". The Raconteurs first album "Broken Boy Soldiers" on the Third Man Records label is remniscent of previous hits by White with the Stripes and his contemplation w/ Keeler and Lawrence on Loretta Lynn's "Van Lear Rose".

What is a Raconteur? Old Man Webster calls it "a person who excels in telling anecdotes." The Bushido defines it as the birth of a sh-crap hot, new Indie band. If you want to check out their AOL podcasts featuring acoustic tracks of "Blue Veins", "Yellow Sun" and "Steady as She Goes", click here.

Link Notes: The first link is for the band's MySpace, the second is for their video. The third link takes you directly to their old school Commodore (computer) styled web-site. The final link is for the AOL podcasts studio.

Drew Meyer called to the big leagues

Former Bishop England and USC standout Drew Meyer got the call from AAA ball to the big leagues. Meyer will play for the Rangers and should start today against the Mariners. Update: Meyer didn't play today, but he may start against Tampa Bay tomorrow.

Andre Bauer's lead foot

There is much talk around Columbia regarding our Lt. Governor Andre Bauer and his heavy right foot. Many of the Republican standard bearers think Bauer's decisions on the road are an embarrassment to the Party. Despite the critics, Bauer plans to run for reelection and will file for the June 13th Primary.

Drop the Hammer
'SC2' (Bauer's handle) radioed the state trooper on March 29th to tell the officer that he was not a threat, but he was simply running late. Bauer was racing his SC#2 black Ford Victoria against the blue-light Chester County Ford Victoria both sponsored by the State of South Carolina. The #2 car was stopped on I-77 clocked at 101 mph in a 70 mph zone. (Normal punishment for this offense is $75 to $200 and/or 30 days in jail.) Bauer has two previous offenses: May 2003 Bauer was busted running red octagons and speeding through Cola; December 26, 2005 Bauer broke the 80 mark on I-385 in Laurens County.
In closing
I am going to throw my cards against Andre Bauer here. I realize this is NASCAR country and we all (including the white-knuckle drivers here at the Bushido) push the limits of the white and black signs. But hey, Bauer should pay the fines just like the rest of us. If I can give one piece of advice to SC#2, don't speed through Mt. Pleasant; they don't care who the heck you are in that town. (Photo compliments of The State newspaper)

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! Photo compliments of the AP/Jason Reed

Braves win second game against the Padres 2-0

It took John Smoltz just 2hours and 9 minutes to complete his 16th career shutout, allowing only 4 hits, giving away 2 walks and notching 4 strikeouts. This was the 1st complete game since June 25, 2005 for Smoltz. Although the win will go under Smoltzie's stats, we can't help to give a tip of the hat to the Braves defense led by 8-time Golden Glover recipient Andruw Jones. The only Padre to make it to third base was the man dueling with Smoltz on the mound, Jeff Peavy. Adam LaRoche went long ball in the second inning, giving the Braves a 1-0 lead. In the 7th inning, Andruw Jones was hit by Peavy; after two steps down the line-up, Jeff Francour hit a single RBI to give the Braves a 2-0 lead. (Photo compliments of AP/John Bazemore)

Former Red Sox, Edgar Renteria was injured in the 6th inning with a left rib-cage sprain. Renteria's bat will be missed (Renteria had a 12-game hit streak.) Tony Pena took Renteria's spot at short, but he grounded out in his first Major League at bat. This adds to our Braves' injured list as Chipper is still out. (Wilson Betemit is filling in for Chipper at the hot corner.)

Gamecocks beat Ol'Miss 6 to 3

The University of South Carolina won the 2nd game in the 3 game match against Ol' Miss today. Trailing 3 to 1 in the 8th inning, Justin Smoak went long on the first pitch he saw marking his 7th homerun for the season. The next batter, Andrew Crisp went yard as well, hitting his second homerun in two games. (Crisp hit the game winning homer Friday night.) A series of errors by Ol Miss allowed the Cocks to score 5 runs in the bottom of the 8th and notch another win on their belt. The win today is the 11th for South Carolina in the SEC.

Golfing with the Bradford Report

Bobo finally put something of interest (for us non-Cowboy/Clemson fans) about golf on the Bradford Report. Hiers penned an interesting and deep description of the game of golf, defining golf as an endless series of tragedies, obscured by the occassional miracle, followed by a good (substitute cold) bottle of beer." His best remark, "The best wood for most golfers is the pencil used for scoring." Keep on late-night poker playing and watching "Walk the Line" and surfing the net Bobo. By the way, for all of you with money on the line for the next to fall, here is some inside information; Brad is moving in with his Yahoo sweetheart Ashley. And another one bites the dust.

Braves win against the Padres

Jeff Francoeur hit the game winning homerun in the bottom of the 8th tonight to break the 4-4 tie and add another win for the Braves ball club. The Braves, to much heart-ache, lost two games to Philly, but finally broke their losing streak tonight at Turner Field. Oscar Villarreal notched his 4th win and Chris Reitsma earned his 4th save.

Next Game
The Braves will play their second game of the three game series Saturday against the Padres @ 7:05 pm. On the mound for the Braves will be John Smoltz (0-1, 6.75 ERA). Jake Peavy (1/1, 7.36 ERA) will start for the Padres.

Railroad Earth (Bluegrass Jam-Band)

We're big fans of bluegrass music here at the Bushido, so when opportunity knocked (Dr. Farley called) I decided to answer the door. Before I get the daily diatribe rolling, let me just say that I have never really been a fan of watching bluegrass bands indoors. Although being an old Dead-Head, I have to say that twist-girls with hairy arm-pits and no deoderant should have died with Jerry. Note to all of you dirtsurfers out there, I am cool that you are living the Trustafarian lifestyle, but please at least be European and throw some cologne on for the rest of us with noses. That being said, Railroad Earth did put on a good show. They obviously have talent, but you can only jam-band for so long before you have to rock back to your recorded music to keep the Bushido's interest. Regardless, those old timers can really jam, check them out if you get the chance.

Railroad Earth band members:
The band consists of Todd Sheaffer (acoustic guitar), Tim Carbone (violin), John Skehan (mandolin), Carey Harmon (drums) Johnny Grub (upright bass) and Andy Goessling (acoustic guitar, banjo, dobro, mandolin, flute, pennywhistle and sax).

Local music update:
The Strokes will be playing at The Plex on May 25th, tickets will go on sale next Friday. 96-Wave will announce this later today and they will sponsor tickets via their "Win it before you can buy it" competition next week.