Dawgs Start the Season Off Right

The Georgia Bulldogs baseball team opened the season Friday night before an opening day record crowd of 3,044. The crowd, the bats of Georgia, and their own errors on defense proved to be too much for the Penguins of Youngstown State as the Dawgs won easily, 15-2. The pitching was solid for Georgia, as starter Trevor Holder went 5 innings giving up 2 runs and picking up the victory. The combination Cecil Tanner, Justin Earls, and Dean Weaver held the Penguins scoreless over the last four innings.

Holder's Line: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, o BB, 6 K

Equally up to the challenge were the Diamond Dawgs bats as they pounded out 17 hits. Every starter in the Bulldog lineup had at least 1 hit. Senior catcher Bryce Massanari had 3 hits and scored 3 runs, but the real story was the Georgia freshmen. Georgia started 5 freshmen in their lineup and the newcomers lived up to their billing. LF Jonathan Taylor reached base 4 times including 2 hits, a run scored, and 2 RBIs; 3B Colby May had 2 hits including a 2 run homer in the third inning; 2B Levi Hyams had a hit and scored two runs; and CF Zach Cone had 2 hits, scored a run, and had 2 RBIs.

Cone also made this fantastic play in center

Overall, it was a great way for the Dawgs to kick off the 2009 season. The series continues with two more games against Youngstown State this weekend. Next week, the Dawgs will travel to Arizona to take on the highly ranked Wildcats.

GO DAWGS!!!

***Images courtesy of Georgiadogs.com

Baseball Season Opener Online for Free

Georgiadogs.com is going to be broadcasting today's season opener vs. Youngstown State for free today. Since the game is too early for most to make it to Athens, you can catch the game online.

Watch the game here!

GO DAWGS!!!

BulldawgJosh & Bubba's 80's Music Video Of The Week

BASEBALL SEASON HAS ARRIVED!!!

In honor of the amazing season our 2008 Diamond Dawgs had, in best hopes for 2009, and to give a shout out to our boy Gordon Beckham, here is The Outfield's "Your Love."

Bubba and I will listen to this song 748 times in a row if Earl and Streit let us.

The Outfield Your Love

Who is the Greatest Receiver in Georgia History?

Chip Towers of the AJC recently asked the question, "Who is the greatest QB in Georgia History?" David Greene was the winner of the online poll in a landslide. I thought it would be interesting to see who Dawg fans feel is the greatest receiver in Georgia history. Here is a brief look at some of the candidates:

Charley Whittemore (1968-1970)

Led the Bulldogs in receiving for three years in a row, Whittemore was a great receiver during a time when Georgia ran for more yards than it passed for. During his three year career, Whittemore had 114 receptions for 1,680 yards and 11 touchdowns. Those numbers are good enough for 11th all time in receptions, 10th in yards, and 11th in touchdowns.

Lindsay Scott (1978 -1981)

Scott and Amp Arnold were the main targets for Buck Belue during his career at Georgia. Lindsay Scott led the Dawgs in receiving in three of his four years on campus. For his career, he had 131 receptions (7th all-time) for 2,098 yards (5th all-time). Of course, Lindsay Scott is most fondly remembered for this play, the greatest play in Georgia football history:

Hines Ward -(1995 -1997)

By far the most successful Georgia wide receiver at the NFL level, Hines Ward played not only receiver but also running back and quarterback while in Athens. His career total of 3,870 all-purpose yards is second all-time in Bulldog history to only Herschel Walker. He was the Dawgs leading receiver 1996 and 1997 and for his career had 144 receptions for 1,965 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named to the All-SEC team his final season in 1997 with 55 receptions and 6 touchdowns.

Terrence Edwards (1999 - 2002)

Terrence Edwards completed his Georgia career with an SEC Championship season in 2002. He left the Dawgs as the SEC's all-tme leading receiver (though he was later passed by Vanderbilt's Earl Bennett). For his career, Edwards had 204 receptions for 3,093 yards and 30 touchdowns (all Georgia records). He is remembered for some amazing plays (such as the one below) but also remembered for the key drop for what would have been a game-tying touchdown against Florida in 2002. Edwards has gone on to have a successful career in the Canadian Football League.

AJ Green (2008 - ?)

After only his freshman season at Georgia, Green is well on his way to becoming a Georgia legend. In 2008, Green led the SEC in receiving yards (963) and in receiving touchdowns (8). He finished 5th in the league with 56 receptions and was named to the All-SEC team and the Freshman All-American team. With senior Mohamed Massaquoi and his 58 receptions and 8 touchdowns gone, Green will be the main target for the Bulldogs in 2009.

I know there are many others that could be included in this list, such as Andre Hastings and Brice Hunter, but I wanted to keep the list to five. Please take our poll and leave your thoughts in the comments section.

GO DAWGS!!!

Sanford Stadium Turns 80

Our home field, Sanford Stadium, turns 80 this fall. Here is a look at the history of our home field, known simply to many as "Between the Hedges".

"Building a stadium bigger than Tech"

In 1927, Georgia's football team was enjoying an undefeated season heading into its final game of the season again Georgia Tech. At the time Georgia did not have a football field that was able to accommodate a large number of spectators. For this reason, the annual match up between the two teams was almost always played at Georgia Tech's Grant Field in Atlanta. Georgia would lose to Tech, 12-0, and lost its perfect season. Allegations were brought that Georgia Tech had watered the field the entire night before the game, rendering Georgia's faster running game inept. This proved to be the final straw for Steadman Sanford. Sanford began a campaign asking Georgia alumni and friends to support the "building a stadium bigger than Tech" and he successfully raised $150,000. Construction soon began on the new stadium on area of campus above Tanyard Creek with a target opening for the 1929 season.

"All the while the sun was bearing down, and the Yale players, in their dark blue woolen jerseys and long blue socks, began looking for the water boy." - John Stegeman and Robert Willingham, Touchdown

On October 12, 1929, The University of Georgia officially dedicated Sanford Field as it welcomed Yale to Athens. The new stadium, with a final cost of $360,000, was completely sold out for the game that day. Nearly 30,000 fans had bought tickets in advance and another 3,000 standing room tickets were sold that morning to see the heavily favored team from Yale take on Georgia. Yale came in on the heels of an 89-0 beating of Vermont but would not be greeted kindly by the Dawgs that day. "Catfish" Smith would provide all the scoring Georgia would need as it blanked Yale, 15-0.

Between the Hedges

The man responsible for planting infant hedges around the field prior to the first game against Yale was Athletic Department Business Manager Charlie Martin. Martin had visited the Rose Bowl and had liked the rose bushes that circled the field. Because of the weather in Athens, privet hedges were used instead and remain a fixture in Sanford Stadium to this day.

Lights, an Upper Deck, and a National Championship

In 1940, lights were added to Sanford Stadium to allow games to go into the night and provide better visibility and 6,000 additional seats were added to South stands. In 1967, the field level lights were removed and architecture firm Heery and Heery was hired to add a second deck. The expansion cost nearly $3 million and expanded the seating capacity to nearly 59,000.

1980 would see the first undefeated National Championship season as Georgia won it all. The next year, the east end zone was enclosed, ending the days when students would watch games from the railroad tracks. Ten years later, the west end zone would also be closed, increasing capacity to 85,434.

Moving the Hedges for Soccer

In the summer of 1996, Atlanta played host to the world as the Olympics came to Georgia. Sanford Stadium was used as the venue for Olympic soccer. Due to the size of the field, the hedges were removed during the games and replanted before the start of the 1996 football season.

2000's Expansions and the Future

In 2003, the stadium once again underwent expansion as a second upper deck (the 600 level) was added. The following year, 27 additional sky suites were added, bringing the capacity of Sandford Stadium to its current level of 92,746.

A view of the new upper deck during the "Blackout" in 2007.

There is talk of potentially expanding the second upper deck around the East end zone. Below is an artist's rendering. If this expansion is completed it will bring the capacity of Sanford Stadium to more than 100,000.

For all its expansions and updates, Sanford Stadium remains a classic stadium filled with history. Here's to many more years of memories between the hedges!

If You're Gonna Win 1 game...

..let that 1 be against Florida. Terrance Woodbury had a career high 32 points as the Georgia Bulldogs basketball team defeated the hated Florida Gators 88-86 on Saturday in Athens. The win was apparently inspired by a pregame speech from football Coach Mark Richt. There was lots of talk this week that Georgia may go winless in the SEC, but after playing their best game of the season, the title of last team in the SEC to go winless remains with the 1952 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

GO DAWGS!!!

BulldawgJosh & Bubba's 80's Music Video Of The Week

This week's videos are from the 2 Tone, second wave Ska band Madness. The first is their more well known hit, "Our House."

The second is a lesser known song in the U.S., but one that I personally am a big fan of. Check out "Baggy Trousers."






Madness is also well known for their cover of, "One Step Beyond." Alas, that came out in 1979.

Georgia Bulldogs in the 1st Round of the NFL Draft

Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay of ESPN predict that Matthew Stafford will be the first overall selection in April's 2009 NFL Draft. If Stafford ends up going first overall to the Detroit Lions, he will become the first Georgia player to be selected first overall since 1953. Here is a look at the three Georgia Bulldogs who have been taken #1 overall in the past:

1943 - Frank Sinkwich - Detroit Lions

After winning the Heisman as the nation's best collegiate player in 1942, the Detroit Lions took Sinkwich with the first pick of the 1943 NFL draft. He would have a short, but productive career winning the NFL MVP award in 1944. He would injure his knee serving in the Air Force in 1945 and that ended his playing career.

1945 - Charlie Trippi - Chicago Cardinals
#62 was two-time All American, leading the Bulldogs to a Rose Bowl victory in 1943 and winning the Maxwell Award in 1946. Trippi was drafted first overall in 1945, when he had left the University of Georgia to serve in World War II. Trippi returned to Georgia before joining the Cardinals in the 1947 season. He helped lead them to the NFL Championship, as they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles. Trippi's career would last until 1955, during which time he played running back and quarterback and also acted as the team's punter and kick returner.


1953 - Harry Babcock - New York Giants
Harry Babcock was an offensive end for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1951-1953. He was selected by the New York Giants as wide receiver, where he would play for the next three seasons. His career stats include 16 receptions for 181 yards.

Through out the years, Georgia has had 22 players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. With Stafford and Knowshon Moreno both expected to go in the first round this year, the list of Georgia players in the NFL continues to grow. Here is the complete list off all Georgia players taken in the first round.


1943 – 1st – Frank Sinkwich – Detroit Lions - TB
1945 – 1st – Charlie Trippi – Chicago Cardinals -HB
1953 – 1st – Harry Babcock – San Francisco 49ers – OE
1969 – 11th – Bill Stanfill – Miami Dolphins – DE
1972 – 8th – Royce Smith – New Orleans Saints – G
1982 – 13th – Lindsay Scott – New Orleans Saints – WR
1989 – 7th – Tim Worley – Pittsburgh Steelers – RB
1990 – 22nd – Ben Smith – Philadelphia Eagles – DB
1990 – 24th – Rodney Hampton – New York Giants – RB
1993 – 3rd – Garrison Hearst – Phoenix Cardinals – RB
1994 – 14th – Bernard Williams – Philadelphia Eagles – OT
1998 – 18th – Robert Edwards – New England Patriots – RB
1999 – 7th – Champ Bailey – Washington Redskins – DB
1999 – 18th – Matt Stinchcomb – Oakland Raiders – OT
2001 – 6th – Richard Seymour – New England Patriots – DT
2001 – 13th – Marcus Stroud – Jacksonville Jaguars – DT
2002 – 25th – Charles Grant – New Orleans Saints – DE
2003 – 6th – Jonathan Sullivan – New Orleans Saints – DT
2003 – 20th – George Foster – Denver Broncos – OT
2004 – 32nd – Ben Watson – New England Patriots – TE
2005 – 14th – Thomas Davis – Carolina Panthers – DB
2005 – 17th – David Pollack – Cincinnati Bengals - LB


GO DAWGS!!!

Streit's 5 Favorite Sports Commercials of All-Time

The other day ESPN Classic reran a show from late in 2008 about the best commercials they made for the "This is SportsCenter" advertising campaign. It got me thinking about some of my favorite sports related commercials. Here are five of my favorites:

#5 - This is SportsCenter: Betrayal

This is my personal favorite of the "This is SportsCenter" ads. I love how the Green Monster drops everything and just walks away.

#4 - Griffey for President: Vote for Griffey, Vote for Pepper

Nike's 1996 Griffey for President was awesome. I remember getting a free poster when I bought a pair of cleats. If you grew up playing baseball, you know how much fun playing pepper can be.

#3 - Terry Tate: Office Linebacker

This was hilarious when it debuted during the 2003 Super Bowl. It is even more funny to me know that I have worked in an office for the last few years. "BREAK WAS OVER 15 MINUTES AGO, BITCH!!!"

#2 - Nike: Leave Nothing

Some awesome football footage combined with some kick ass music from "The Last of the Mohicans." This commercial is amazing and Nike followed it up in 2008 with "Fate" video, featuring Ladanian Tomlinson and Troy Polamalu.

#1 - Nike: Chicks Dig the Long Ball

I remembered this commercial from when I was a kid because I was a huge Braves fan but never realized how funny it was until one day in college. Bubba was in my room and downloaded the video on my computer and we probably watched it five times in a row. Maddux is one of the most awkward guys on camera I have ever seen. My favorite lines are Maddux calling Glavine "Alice" and the reaction after Heather Locklear asks them if they have seen Mark (McGwire).

These are a just a few of the great ads that are out there. Leave some of your favorites in the comments.

Georgia Baseball 2009

Your College World Series runners-up and defending SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs baseball team will hit the field to open the 2009 season in just 10 days. Georgiadogs.com has the full preview for the 2009 squad here. The offense will be lead by pre-season All-Americans Bryce Massanari and Rich Poythress. The real strength of this team will be the pitching, with returning starter Trevor Holder and Alex McCree expected to provide a strong 1-2 punch in the pitching rotation.

Of course this is an odd numbered year, and if you have followed Georgia baseball in the David Perno era, you know that in even numbered years we go to the CWS while in odd numbered years we suck. Replacing All-American shortstop Gordon Beckham will be one of the toughest challenges for this '09 club.

For good memories, here are two videos that will remind us how great the 2008 season was for Georgia baseball.

The first is Gordon Beckham's homerun in his final at-bat at Foley Field


The second is The Outfield's hit song "Your Love", which was the music Gordon Beckham came to bat to and provided the background for Georgia's run in the College World Series:

GO DAWGS!!!