The 2000 decade is over and there have been many media outlets coming out with their top teams, players and games of the decade. This made me think about what are some of the best of the decade when it comes to Atlanta sports. So here’s my list of the Atlanta Sports Guy best of the 2000 decade.
Top Local Athlete: John Smoltz – Atlanta Braves. He is no longer with the Braves and the way that he left wasn’t as graceful as he and the Braves fans had hoped, but John Smoltz was the Braves best pitcher throughout the decade. He missed the all of 2000 and most of the 2001 season due to Tommy John surgery and in 2002 he was sent to the bullpen to be the Braves closer. In his first year as a closer, Smoltz only recorded 55 saves which is a National League record and ended the year third in the Cy Young Award voting. In 2003 he would go on to save 45 games and in 2004 he finished with 44 saves. In 2005 he returned to the starting rotation and finished the year with a 14-7 record with 3.06 ERA and 169 strikeouts. In 2006 he finished with a stronger year with a 16-9 record, 3.49 ERA and 211 K’s. He was tied for the NL in wins and third in strikeouts. It was the same story in 2007 where he posted a 14-8 record with a 3.11 ERA and 197 strikeouts. 2008 was a the last year for Smoltz in a Braves uniform and injuries shortened the year for him, but he was able to record his 3,000 strikeout in April and he became the fourth pitcher in major league history to record 3,000 K’s with one team. Other nominees: Chipper Jones, Michael Vick, David Pollack
Top local team: Georgia Bulldogs football. When the Bulldogs defeated the Texas A&M Aggies in the Independence Bowl, it was the eight win for the Dawgs and it was the 13th consecutive season that Georgia has won eight or more games in a season which is a NCAA record. During the decade, Georgia has won three SEC East titles, two SEC titles, been to three Sugar Bowls and finished in the top 10 six times which is the most out of any SEC program. It would have been nice to see this team compete for a national championship, but Mark Richt has done a remarkable job at UGA. Other nominees: Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, Georgia Tech Basketball.
Top Local Game: Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics Game 6 2008 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. I was at this game and this was an electric as any game that I went to in the history of Atlanta sports. What made it so great was that the Hawks were back in the playoffs for the first time since the 1998-99 season and they faced a Celtics team that was expected to sweep the young Hawks. The Hawks were down 2-0 and it looked like the sweep was going to happen. But when the series came to Philips the Hawks played inspired basketball and won Games 3 and 4 to even the series. Boston was able to win Game 5 with ease and this led to Game 6 battle that has to go down as one of the great games in Atlanta history. The Celtics came out swinging as the scored 32 first quarter points, but the Hawks hung with them in the second quarter as they outscored the Celtics 29-18 in the second quarter. The third quarter was even for both teams as Boston scored 32 points while the Hawks recorded 30, but it was the fourth quarter where the Hawks took over. The Hawks were up by just 2 with a litter more than a minute and that is where Joe Johnson hit the Hawks only three pointer to give them the 100-95 lead. The Hawks would go on to win 103-100 and the 20,000 plus fans in attendance (including myself) were chanting SEVEN! SEVE! SEVEN! The Hawks would get blown out in the final game which ended their season but that night belonged to the Hawks and made them the team that there are now. Other nominees: Falcons vs. St. Louis Rams 2004 NFC Divisional Playoff game, Georgia vs. Auburn 2002, Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia Eagles 2005 Monday Night Football.
Still Searching
11 years ago
