#Atlanta Braves tickets

[foolicmazagine]

Who is the Highest-Paid Player on the Atlanta Braves?

The Atlanta Braves are one of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises, known for their rich history, loyal fan base, and consistently competitive teams. Over the years, the Braves have fielded some of the biggest stars in baseball, and with stardom often comes big paychecks. As of 2024, the highest-paid player on the Braves roster is first baseman Matt Olson, who signed a massive eight-year, $168 million contract extension in 2022.

In this blog, we will explore Matt Olson’s rise to prominence, the details of his contract, and his overall impact on the Braves, both on and off the field. We’ll also touch on how his deal compares to other contracts in MLB and what it means for the future of the Atlanta Braves.

Matt Olson’s Path to the Braves

Matt Olson was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round (47th overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft. A talented first baseman with power-hitting potential and superb defense, Olson quickly made a name for himself in the A’s organization. After spending several years developing in the minors, Olson debuted with the A’s in 2016, where his power and glove immediately impressed fans and coaches alike.

By 2017, Olson emerged as one of the premier power hitters in the game, smashing 24 home runs in just 59 games. His incredible slugging percentage (.651) and defensive prowess made him an invaluable asset to the Athletics. Over the next several seasons, Olson continued to solidify his reputation as a star in the making. He earned his first Gold Glove Award in 2018 and was selected for the MLB All-Star Game in 2021.

However, after the 2021 season, the A’s embarked on a roster overhaul, and Olson, who was approaching free agency, became a valuable trade asset. The Atlanta Braves, fresh off a World Series victory but faced with the potential departure of franchise icon Freddie Freeman, saw an opportunity to acquire Olson and traded for him in March 2022. Shortly after the trade, the Braves signed Olson to an eight-year, $168 million extension, securing him as the team’s long-term solution at first base.

The Contract: Breaking Down Olson’s $168 Million Deal

Matt Olson’s contract with the Braves is one of the largest in the franchise’s history. Here’s a breakdown of the key details:

Total Value: $168 million over eight years

Average Annual Value (AAV): $21 million

Duration: 2022-2029, with a club option for 2030

Signing Bonus: Olson received a $15 million signing bonus as part of the deal

This contract made Olson the highest-paid player on the Braves, surpassing several other stars on the roster, including Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies, both of whom are signed to team-friendly extensions. The deal was a major investment for the Braves, but one that they deemed necessary to secure a long-term replacement for Freddie Freeman, who ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Olson’s Impact on the Field

As the highest-paid player on the Braves, Matt Olson has lived up to expectations. Known for his powerful bat and elite defense at first base, Olson provides a combination of offensive and defensive production that is rare among first basemen.

Offensive Contributions

Olson is best known for his power-hitting ability. Throughout his career, he has consistently ranked among the league leaders in home runs, RBIs, and slugging percentage. His left-handed swing is tailor-made for Truist Park, the Braves’ home field, where he regularly launches towering home runs into the right-field stands.

In his first season with the Braves (2022), Olson hit 34 home runs and drove in 103 runs, solidifying his place as a key part of the team’s lineup. In 2023, he followed up with an even more impressive campaign, smashing 42 homers and driving in 120 runs, all while maintaining a solid .275 batting average. His presence in the middle of the Braves’ order provides protection for fellow stars like Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley, making the Atlanta Braves one of the most dangerous offensive teams in baseball.

Defensive Excellence

While Olson’s power-hitting gets much of the attention, his defense at first base is equally impressive. He has won multiple Gold Glove Awards, recognizing him as one of the best defensive first basemen in the game. Olson’s ability to scoop errant throws, stretch for outs, and make difficult plays look routine gives the Braves’ infield a level of confidence that is hard to quantify.

His defense not only saves runs but also keeps pitchers out of tough situations by turning potential errors into outs. For a team with championship aspirations like the Braves, having a reliable defender at first base is invaluable.

Olson’s Leadership and Influence

Beyond his on-field contributions, Matt Olson has quickly emerged as a leader in the Braves’ clubhouse. Despite being a newcomer in 2022, Olson’s work ethic and professionalism earned him the respect of his teammates. As the highest-paid player on the team, there are always expectations for leadership, and Olson has embraced that role.

His calm demeanor and steady presence provide a stabilizing force in the Braves’ locker room, especially during the high-pressure moments of a playoff race. Olson has been vocal about his excitement to play for his hometown team (he grew up in the Atlanta area) and his desire to help the Braves win more championships.

How Olson’s Contract Compares to Others in MLB

While Olson’s $168 million deal makes him the highest-paid player on the Braves, it is relatively modest compared to some of the mega-contracts handed out across MLB in recent years. Players like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Fernando Tatis Jr. have all signed deals worth well over $300 million. However, Olson’s contract is still a significant investment for the Braves and reflects their confidence in his ability to anchor the team for years to come.

What makes Olson’s deal particularly valuable for the Braves is the timing. The Braves were able to lock him in at a time when salaries were continuing to escalate across the league, securing a power-hitting first baseman who is also an elite defender without having to break the bank entirely.

Conclusion: Olson’s Future with the Braves

Matt Olson’s arrival in Atlanta marked a new chapter for the Braves, and his performance so far has validated the team’s decision to make him their highest-paid player. With his power, defense, and leadership, Olson is a cornerstone for the Braves as they continue to pursue championships in the years to come.

As of 2024, Olson remains the highest-paid player on the Braves roster, and his long-term contract ensures that he will be a key part of the team’s future. For Braves fans, having a player of Olson’s caliber locked in for the long haul is a reason for optimism, as the team looks to build on its recent success and bring more titles to Atlanta.

[deathblacksmoke]

call me when you get the chance

pairing: noah sebastian x nick ruffilo x fem reader

cw: polyamorous relationship, long distance yearning, it’s pretty fluffy my friends

taglist: @concretenoah / @ladyveronikawrites / @lma1986 / @monotoniscreaming / @xxrainstorm / @agravemisstake

let me know if you’d like to be tagged in future fics!

author’s note: thank you lady v once again for the beta; i added some pitt back in just for you. and thank you @darksigns-exe for the poly boyfriends brainworms. no smut in here - wild change of pace. and i’ll probably be writing more little bits of these sweet babes at some point 🤍 i got euclid on the brain so title from that, obvi. enjoy!

**************************************************************

Nick sends a postcard from every city.

Missing you from Atlanta! Love, Nicholas.

It makes you feel warm and loved, every time you open your mailbox to another card from another city, with your partner’s pretty writing on the back.

You imagine him standing in the store for ages, sifting through the cards, trying to pick the perfect one for your gallery wall. You imagine Noah picking one out as a joke, and Nick scoffing, putting it back irritated.

No, man, she’s particular about her wall. Remember?

It makes your chest swell. You long to be there, to play mediator like you do when they’re both home with you. They need it sometimes, and you’re sure Jolly could use the break every now and again.

Noah sends memes. They’re ones you would never see otherwise because you won’t step foot on Twitter, but they make you smile and remind you of him, his stupid sense of humor, and the way his face lights up when he laughs. You close your eyes and imagine it, his eyes scrunching closed with his laugh, and your chest tightens.

They always send a selfie when they get off stage, and another before bed, sometimes a FaceTime if you’re still up. They don’t show you their intertwined hands. They know it makes you jealous and weepy, but you’re so grateful that they have each other. You imagine them kissing when the call ends and you cry anyway.

***

When you couldn’t make it to the show you had all planned for, you thought that was it. Work gets in the way again, sends you out of town, but you’ll see them when they come home to you and all will be okay.

The show looks incredible. You brave social media just this once to see clips of your boys, weep in bed in your hotel room. You stay up late to see them before you sleep—they tell you they wish you were there, they miss you, they love you. You catch a glimpse of a love bite on Nick’s chest and wish it could have come from you. You fantasize about quitting your job. You get closer every day.

The postcard comes two days later, a pop-art rendition of the Pittsburgh skyline, Nick’s little note scrawled across the back. It feels silly to have but you knew he wouldn’t dare to break the tradition he’s created.

Wish you were here! Love always, your Nicholas.

You don’t know how much longer you can go without them, holding back tears as you put the card in its frame, giving it its place on the wall.

You feel helpless and hopeless until you get an email, the airline notifications you had set up on cost changes doing you a solid, for once. Flight to LAX, suspiciously affordable, landing at 2 PM on the 8th of October.

It’s not a question. You don’t think twice. You have the PTO, and your boss can’t possibly deny you again. And if they do, fuck it, you’ll really dig your heels in about them needing another girl working on the tour. You’ll get Lana on your side this time around. They can’t say no to you both.

You book the ticket, arrange a guest list spot with Matt and buzz with excitement in preparation for your surprise.

***

You never tire of watching them perform.

The way Noah owns the stage, running from stage left to stage right, commanding the crowd to chant and jump with him. Nicholas, his long hair swaying with each rock of his neck to the beat of the song. His slender fingers grip the neck of his bass as he bounces his leg, growling backing vocals going straight through you. You wish you could be at every show. You swell with pride and know you couldn’t have picked two better boys to share your life.

You head to the green room when they come back out to say their thank yous and goodbyes. You hate to miss the photo slides but you helped pick most of the photos, anyway. Lots from your private collection and you think maybe you owe some of these people a “you’re welcome.”

Sitting on the old, worn leather couch, you start to panic. You’ve never surprised them before. Noah hates surprises, but you hope at least you’re a good one.

Folio comes through the door first, followed by Jolly, and the door swings back closed. Shocked at first when they see you, Folio’s face breaks out into a huge grin before turning on his heels.

“Yo, Noah, you’re gonna wanna see this—” he yells as he swings the door back open, to reveal Nick, sweaty and looking exhausted, but when his eyes land on you—

“Holy shit,” he whispers.

You can barely make it out above the roar of noise in the hallway. You don’t know where Noah is, but Nick looks as gorgeous as you’ve ever seen him. You need to take a deep breath but find your throat stopping you as your vision starts to blur. The look on his face as he crosses the room to you melts your anxiety in an instant. You haven’t seen him in so long. And he’s here. He’s right here with you.

When he reaches you, he sinks to his knees at your feet. His fingers digging into your thigh, eyes glazed over as he looks up at you, you lean down to meet him halfway.

The feeling of his lips on yours makes you feel dizzy. The feel of the wetness on his cheeks when you cup his face makes you want to sob, but you don’t, you lick into his mouth and bask in the sound of his gasp.

“Where the fuck were you,” he speaks into your mouth when he pulls away from you.

His fingers are gripping your thigh painfully. You know you’ll bruise, you wince, but it’s Nick and you don’t care. You’ll press your fingers there when you get home and you’ll think of him and—

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I was flirting with the pretty bartender. I think you’d like her, Nicky, do you think Noah will go for a fourth?”

He’s leaning in for another kiss when you hear the green room door slam back open, thundering steps getting closer and closer until Nick is jostled forward, Noah’s head resting on his shoulder, eyes focused on you.

“You were a very naughty girl, keeping this secret from us,” Noah says, his head angling to press kisses and nip at Nick’s neck. Nick grins and you watch as the hand that was digging into your thigh takes Noah’s hand and laces their fingers.

When you’re far away, it makes you jealous. When you’re right here, when you have them both in front of you, that’s the furthest thing from your mind.

When you kiss Noah and he smiles into it, when the hand not laced with Nick’s threads through your hair, when Nick nips at your neck while Noah kisses you, you’ve never felt more at home.

Because they are your home.

“Nicky let me pick your postcard this time,” Noah tells you when he pulls away.

“You’ll hate it,” Nick says, but he’s grinning as he stands up to rummage through his backpack.

When he returns to you and holds it out, it’s a silly little card, but both their names are signed this time.

Loving you from LA. Love, your Nicholas and Noah.

Noah’s grinning as wide as you’ve ever seen. It’s your favorite of the bunch.

[robertreich]

The Dark Side of Sports Stadiums

Billionaires have found one more way to funnel our tax dollars into their bank accounts: sports stadiums. And if we don’t play ball, they’ll take our favorite teams away.

Ever notice how there never seems to be enough money to build public infrastructure like mass transit lines and better schools? And yet, when a multi-billion-dollar sports team demands a new stadium, our local governments are happy to oblige.

A good example of this billionaire boondoggle is the host of the 2023 Super Bowl: State Farm Stadium.

That's where the Arizona Cardinals have played since 2006. It was finally built after billionaire team owner Michael Bidwill and his family spent years hinting that they would move the Cards out of Arizona if the team didn't get a new stadium. Their blitz eventually worked, with Arizona taxpayers and the city of Glendale paying over two thirds of the $455 million construction tab.

And State Farm Stadium is not unique. It’s part of a well established playbook.

Here’s how stadiums stick the public with the bill.

Step 1: Billionaire buys a sports team.

Just about every NFL franchise owner has a net worth of over a billion dollars — except for the Green Bay Packers, who are publicly owned by half a million cheeseheads.

The same goes for many franchise owners in other sports. Their fortunes don’t just help them buy teams, but also give them clout — which they cash-in when they want to get a great deal on new digs for their team.

Step 2: Billionaire pressures local government.

Since 1990, franchises in major North American sports leagues have intercepted upwards of $30 billion worth of taxpayer funds from state and local governments to build stadiums.  

And the funding itself is just the beginning of these sweetheart deals.

Sports teams often get big property tax breaks and reimbursements on operating expenses, like utilities and security on game days. Most deals also let the owners keep the revenue from naming rights, luxury box seats, and concessions — like the Atlanta Braves’ $150 hamburger.

Even worse, these deals often put taxpayers on the hook for stadium maintenance and repairs.

We taxpayers are essentially paying for the homes of our favorite sports teams, but we don’t really own those homes, we don’t get to rent them out, and we still have to buy expensive tickets to visit them.

Whenever these billionaire owners try to sell us on a shiny new stadium, they claim it will spur economic growth from which we’ll all benefit.  But numerous studies have shown that this is false.

As a University of Chicago economist aptly put it, "If you want to inject money into the local economy, it would be better to drop it from a helicopter than invest it in a new ballpark."

But what makes sports teams special is they are one of the few realms of collective identity we have left.

Billionaires prey on the love that millions of fans have for their favorite teams.

This brings us to the final step in the playbook: Threaten to move the team.

Obscenely rich owners threaten to — or actually do — rip teams out of their communities if they don’t get the subsidies they demand.

Just look at the Seattle Supersonics. Starbucks’ founder Howard Schultz owned the NBA franchise but failed to secure public funding to build a new stadium. So the coffee magnate sold the team to another wealthy businessman who moved it to Oklahoma.

The most egregious part of how the system currently works is that every dollar we spend building stadiums is a dollar we aren’t using for hospitals or housing or schools.

We are underfunding public necessities in order to funnel money to billionaires for something they could feasibly afford.

So, instead of spending billions on extravagant stadiums, we should be investing taxpayer money in things that improve the lives of everyone — not just the bottom lines of profitable sports teams and their owners.  

Because when it comes to stadium deals, the only winners are billionaires.

[universitypenguin]

Reissued Post - Backstory

Author's Note: Because Tumblr was having issues when I posted the original version of this, some of my followers are having trouble accessing it. I'm reissuing a few of my side piece stories so everyone can read them.

Masterlist

Word Count: 3,132

Masterlist

When do you think Lloyd realized he cared and had feelings for princess? I recall in the story that the guys would give Lloyd a hard time when princess finally found a boyfriend that Lloyd would be devastated (poor thing 😭) I also kinda wanna know how he felt while she was dating Aiden. Obviously we know he didn’t like Aiden at ALL lol but did Lloyd ever feel hurt in a way watching princess go on dates with him and when she talked about him?

Learning about Aiden

“Why are you being such a space case?” 

You jumped at Lloyd’s question, startled out of your own little world. Scrambling, you shut your screen and re-focused. 

“Sorry. I was distracted. What were you saying?”

Lloyd’s sharp blue eyes narrowed. 

“Who are you texting?” 

“Uh… no one?”

He leaned back in his desk chair and looked at you steadily. You curled tighter into the couch on the other side of his office, looking down at the floor. 

“I still have that report to do… maybe I should go work in my office. I don’t want to distract you.” 

“I’m already distracted, Princess. What’s the big secret?” 

“I met a guy. You know that alumni mixer I went to a few weeks ago?”

Lloyd grunted. “Yeah.” 

“His name is Aiden LeDoux. He moved in similar circles to me during college. We kind of hit it off.”

“That’s LeDoux, spelled like the country singer? What state does he live in?” Lloyd asked. 

He typed the name into a search engine with the word, ‘Virginia’ to filter the results. 

“Twenty-six, graduated three years ago, and works for AVT security?”

“That’s him. What did you find out?”

Lloyd glanced over. “You haven’t run a background check on him?”

“No. That’s for when I’m deciding whether to go on a date with him. But I’m curious.” 

“Ah. Let’s do this.” 

Lloyd cracked his knuckles and leaned over his computer. Your phone dinged with a message from Aiden, which you responded to as Lloyd typed. 

“No speeding tickets, no parking tickets. His academic record was less than stellar. Apparently he subscribes to the philosophy that C’s get degrees.” 

“Not everyone is academically inclined,” you said. 

“But you are. What will you guys talk about on a date if you have nothing in common?”

“I don’t know. Football?” 

Lloyd snorted. “Doesn’t start until September.” 

“Oh. That’s why you’re not showering me with long winded descriptions of the athletic accomplishments of people I don’t know.” 

“You could always mention how happy you were that the Atlanta Braves won the Superbowl.” 

Your eyes narrowed. “I know that’s wrong, but I’m not sure which part.” 

Lloyd snickered. “If you have to comment, just say that you’re a fan of anyone who isn’t the New England Patriots.” 

“Noted. Anything else on Aiden? Slaps on the wrist from university institutions, or other authorities?”

“Ah-ha. He has three parking tickets at the university. And a complaint for under age drinking. You should reconsider the date. He’s clearly an alcoholic who steals parking spots. One of these tickets was for him parking over the line. Disgusting.”

You laughed. “Terrible. He was probably drunk when he parked. Maybe even high.” 

Lloyd toggled over to a different page, one that Jake had set up for him. He typed in Aiden’s information and was surprised to see several security clearances. He checked out the company he worked for and found they had several Department of Defense contracts. 

Lloyd memorized the contracts and filed the information away for future use. 

Just in case. 

Date # 1

You were wearing a short black dress with tights and a blazer. He’d noticed the hemline was shorter than usual, but the jet black tights made it work appropriate. The color only served to highlight the shape of your legs. Lloyd had tried not to be distracted. He failed miserably. 

It didn’t help that the cut of the dress perfectly flattered your figure. He caught a glimpse of a spaghetti strap underneath your jacket and the image circulated in the back of his head for the rest of the day. 

Fuck. He needed to get laid. 

You were his friend and he needed to put aside this nonsense. The chemistry between you would never be realized and that was for the best. He sometimes wondered if the chemistry he felt was all one sided. Maybe you only saw him as a friend and a coworker, not a man. 

“Has Y/N mentioned that she has a date tonight?” Jake asked. 

Lloyd stiffened. “No. Why?”

“Just wondering.” 

He tried to brush off the irritation, but it bubbled up throughout the day. 

You had a date. That was fine. It was what single people did, right? They went on dates. He could arrange a date of his own, if he liked. With an age appropriate woman and not someone who was starting on soft foods when he was choosing a college. Lloyd’s eye twitched. 

He glanced at the clock. If he wanted an update on the insurance investigation reports he needed to catch you before you head out. Reluctantly, he set off down the hall for your office. 

Your door was closed, so he knocked. 

“Just a sec!” 

Did you sound breathless? When you opened the door, he saw why. The black tights were gone. In their place was a different kind of tights, made of mesh with a floral pattern that wound around your legs making them look long and sexy. The blazer was gone and your dress was held up by the thinnest of straps connected to a tight fitting bodice. 

Your height was different, which prompted him to look down. 

Fuck me heels. That’s what they’d called shoes like that when he was young. As the saying went, ‘you can’t walk in them, but you can wear them in bed.’ 

“What do you think?” you asked. 

“Is this a first date?” 

“Yes.” 

“Do you have any concerns about breaking an ankle? Or perhaps an entire leg?”

The shoes bothered him more than the dress. 

You laughed and turned to the mirror you’d hung on the far wall of your office. He watched as you applied a fresh coat of red lip lacquer. The shiny finish made him think it wasn't lipstick, but at the same time, it had more color than lipgloss. He wondered if it was one of those fancy products with the no transfer formulas. The kind women usually wore when they planned on kissing a man. 

A vibrant image of you on your knees with your lips around his dick came to mind. Lloyd shook his head to dislodge the image. 

“Okay, now what do you think?”

“You look beautiful.” 

He genuinely meant it.

“Really?” You tilted your head. “What’s missing? Please, just tell me.”

“Well… maybe it’s the context, but you don’t look like you in this outfit. It’s probably just me. I usually l see you in office wear.” 

You flashed him a smile. “That’s perfect. I’m going more for attention than authenticity, you know?”

He didn’t, and couldn’t untangle the concept behind your statement. The authentic you was a far better version than this glamorous photo shoot ready version of you. With a quick peck on his cheek, you skirted by him and down the hall to the elevator. 

Lloyd stood there, confused, disgruntled, and irritated that he hadn’t even asked about the insurance investigation he’d planned to bring up. He rubbed a hand over his face. 

Fucking hell. 

When he stepped into your office to lock the door, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. An imprint of red lipstick was on his right cheek. He stared at it for a long moment before he rubbed it away with his thumb. 

Lloyd returned to his office in a much better mood than he’d left it.

Date #3 

Jake had informed him of your last date, but this time it was Zach who let him know you were going on your third date with Aiden. 

Lloyd ground his teeth. 

“Careful there. Don’t crack a molar.” 

“Shut. Up.” 

“Would I do a thing like that?” Zach asked. 

He was grinning like a little boy with a sadistic streak and a magnifying glass on a bright summer day. 

“You’re enjoying this.”

“Heck yeah, I am. Have you met the dude?” 

Lloyd’s head swiveled. “No. Have you?”

“Yep. I waited outside, pretending to be on a call, so I could catch a glimpse.” 

“That’s creepy.” 

“No, it’s being nosy. I’m a private investigator. Being nosy is literally my job.” 

“Well?” Lloyd said. 

“He’s six foot three and probably weighs one forty. It’s like looking at a baby colt - all arms and legs, no substance.” 

This was great news. If you weren’t attracted to him this would probably be over quickly.

“Did you to talk to him?”

Zach smirked. “I texted her that you needed an update on the insurance case and cornered him in the lobby.” 

“She’s going to kill you when she finds out.” 

“I bought him a coffee and did a twenty minute interrogation. He didn’t even know what I was doing. He thought I was just being friendly.” 

Friendly wasn’t a word often applied to Zach Hightower. Lloyd got along with the Texan because they shared a devious streak and could lose themselves in the hunt; especially when the prey was other human beings. 

“Give me your impression.”  

“He’s squirrely. I don’t like him one bit.”

Lloyd focused completely on Zach. 

“In what way?”

“He used the phrase ‘I was in a mood,’ and not ‘my mood was.’ Stuff like that. Princess got pretty annoyed when she found me getting cozy with her boyfriend.” 

“She probably thought I sicced you on him.” 

“She asked me what I thought of him this morning and I had to dodge the question,” Zach said. “Landon noticed I didn’t answer and asked what was up. When I told him about interviewing Aiden, he said the mood thing is a sign of a personality problem.” 

“What kind?”

Zach shrugged. “The kind that makes you an asshole.” 

“She’s going out with him tonight?” 

“I guess so.” Zach said. 

A long moment passed as Zach stared at Lloyd, expectant. 

“Well?” 

Lloyd raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Aren’t you going to say something to her?” Zach asked. 

“You’re the one who thinks her boy toy has a personality problem. You say something.” 

“Landon said that, not me. I can tell he’s the kind of guy things just ‘happen’ to. The kind that doesn’t realize they’re responsible for how they act.” 

“I’m not going to disturb her relationship.” 

Zach sighed. “You’re such a bitchy little girl.” 

Lloyd sneered. “And you’re a nosy old woman.” 

“It’s my job, asshole.”

Date #5

Lloyd should’ve been suspicious when Zach brought him to a bar that didn’t have chandeliers made of antlers. 

Obstensivey, this outing was to distract him from your date tonight. When he found himself sitting at a table on the mezzanine of a place called “Club Violet,” questions should have come up. 

Jake sat to his left and Zach across from him. When Zach’s eyes began to stray around the room, Lloyd mimicked the behavior, almost out of habit. The lower area held the majority of the crowd. Its large dance floor pulsed with activity and the bar was packed. 

Then, he saw what Zach was looking for. You were perched on a barstool, your arms twined around Aiden’s neck. He was standing in front of you, his hands caressing your hips, straying lower than they ought to. 

Lloyd’s breath hissed. “Jake, if I throw Zach head first over this railing, do you think he’ll die?” 

“Huh?” Jake’s head snapped up from his phone. He stared. “What?”

“I could just snap his neck with my bare hands.” Lloyd’s tone was conversational. 

Jake looked between them and then back to his phone. “Landon will be here any minute.”

“Off topic, boy wonder,” Lloyd grumbled. 

“It’s relevant. We need two of us to break you up.”

“He’s been waylaid,” Zach said.

Lloyd glanced down and saw that your position had changed. You’d let go of your boyfriend to speak with a newcomer. Even from a distance in dim lighting, he could identify Landon’s fade haircut and the military straight posture. 

“Damn it.”

He snarled at Zach, who returned a Cheshire cat grin. 

“Well, well, well… look who's coming up the steps.”

Lloyd didn’t need to look. He knew you’d be on your way over. He covered his eyes and groaned. 

“I’m blaming you for everything. Everything.”

“Why are you guys playing the role of protective older brothers?” Jake asked.

“Because Aiden’s a squirrely little punk,” Zach said. “See? He isn’t even coming with her.”

Lloyd uncovered his eyes and frowned when he saw Zach was right. Aiden was still at the bar. He’d turned to a girl with raven’s wing hair and was chattering away, looking suspiciously like he was trying to pick her up. His eyes narrowed as something cold moved in his chest. 

You arrived on the second level with Landon and were rapidly approaching.

“What’s our cover story?” Jake asked.

“No cover story,” Zach said.

At least Zach was being straightforward, even if he was obnoxious. Lloyd tossed back half of his bourbon and hoped some liquid courage would take the edge off. 

Your eyes cut to Zach when you stopped at the head of the table.

“What are you? The Gladys Kravits of Bishop & Howard?” 

The big, blond Texan flashed a smile. 

“Why thank you, sweetheart. In my profession, that’s the highest compliment one could hope to achieve.” 

With an exasperated groan, you dropped into the chair beside Zach, and turned to Lloyd with an expectant expression.

“Can’t you collar him?”

“I’ve tried. Shock collars, choke chains… Nothing has worked.” 

Zach slung an arm around the back of Princess’ chair. 

“Your boyfriend is an asshole. Landon? You talked to him.”

“Just for ten seconds.”

You shared a look with the dark haired man and slanted Zach a sidelong glance. 

“You’re paranoid. I think you should see someone about that.”

He laughed. “I have. They can’t fix me.”

It was annoying that Zach’s arm had moved forward on your chair and was now pressed against your back. Did he think he was your best friend, rather than Lloyd? He had the urge to kick the other man under the table. 

You turned to Jake.

“What do you think?”

“I think you’re right. These two,” he gestured to the older men, “are crazy. I think it’s age.”

“Shut up, punk. I can kick your ass any day of the week,” Zach said.

It was pretty much true. Zach only had two inches in height on the young man, but it was the solid 60 pounds of muscle that made him an immovable force. You couldn’t see the weight until he took off his jacket and even then, there was only a hint of the musculature. Zach never wore clothing that drew attention to his physique. He let it come as a nasty surprise to anyone stupid enough to mess with him. 

You were bantering with the Texan about him being your nanny. Lloyd watched closely and all he could see in Zach’s behavior was a paternal kind of affection. He knew a thing or two about Zach and because of that, he doubted there were any hidden motivations behind his actions.

What about Aiden had triggered Zach’s instincts? The way he talked. The lack of ownership of behavior. Lloyd tried to evaluate that on its own, treating it as fact. He could see the issue Zach was insisting was such a problem. Sitting there with the others bantering around the table, Lloyd turned his thoughts inward, pretending to present as he ran through the logic in his mind. 

He was paying enough attention to the conversation to notice you were gently trying to soothe Zach’s nerves. It seemed to be working, too. Landon was watching you closely and asking questions from interrogation school 101. By the time you left the table, pausing to hug Zach and reassure him that you were totally fine and had listened to all of his red flags, Lloyd had come to a decision. 

“What do you think?” Zach asked Landon when you were gone.

“I’m not sure. He seems insecure but hey, some guys of his age just are.” 

Zach groaned and shook his head. He picked up his beer and tilted it at Lloyd in a salute. 

“Look at the benefits of being nosy. I talked some sense into her.” 

Lloyd grunted. He waited for the right moment to corner Landon alone. He caught his shoulder and turned him away from the bar, where he’d been heading. 

“Come on. You don’t need another beer.” 

“Excuse me?” Landon demanded. 

“I want to talk to this Aiden kid. If Zach’s this worried about him, we need to check him out.”

“When did this become ‘we,’ rather than just you,” Landon asked. 

“Hurry up, we’re losing him.” 

Aiden was heading toward the door and the crowd prevented them from following as closely as they would have preferred. By the time they hit the sidewalk, Aiden was out of sight. Lloyd spun around, scanning the area. 

“Shit. We lost him.” 

“Is that him?” Landon asked. 

Lloyd whirled. 

He searched the crowd for a tall, thin man but didn’t find him. 

“Where?”

“With the blonde.”

Lloyd’s eyes narrowed on the silhouette of a couple standing in the shadow of a street lamp. 

“Are you sure?” he asked. 

“No,” Landon said. 

Lloyd was almost ready to approach when the couple turned and began walking away. 

Landon grabbed his elbow. 

“Come on. Let’s not be weird. If you have something to say about Princess’ relationship, say it to her.” 

“What, exactly, am I supposed to tell her that Zach hasn’t already?” 

Landon snorted. 

“You know he’s only saying it because he knows you won’t.” 

Lloyd paused. “He is?”

“Yeah. We were expecting you to meet him at least before date number three. But she said you didn’t seem interested, so she wasn’t going to bother.” 

“Why didn’t you tell me this?”

“Because we talked about it-”

“We? We, as in who?”

“Everyone. Except for you and Princess.”

Lloyd grunted. “Which is why Zach decided to get nosy.”

Landon shrugged. “He’s your best friend and you’re her best friend. It balances out. We get why you don’t want to step in, and that’s why Zach did.” 

They were nearly at the entrance of the club again, when Lloyd stopped short. 

“Should I be worried about this guy?”

Landon grunted, rocking back on his heels. The look on his face was all the answer Lloyd needed. 

“Right. I’ll look into it.” 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Masterlist

[catdays]

if i could afford chromakopia tickets i would literally brave going to atlanta alone if i had to

[automicbaseball]

A wonderful evening of baseball here at the Mariners' ballpark! Today we have the second game of the Mariners vs. Atlanta Braves 3-game series, with the Ms up 1-0. Considering the tough gantlet of WS Champions (Texas Rangers, Ms won 2-1), WS Runners Up (Arizona D-Backs, Ms won 2-1), and Atlanta (19-7 coming into this series), spirits are high! We've won 4 series' in a row at this point, how can baseball not feel romantic? I consider the great American pastime to be an art (I'll be writing about this later).

I got dressed up in my softball uniform as I refuse to not be colorful and exceptionally queer when I go to the ballpark now! We're the Puget Sound Pronouns, and we are a gender-welcoming club playing here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. We are also a non-profit organization that seeks to bring softball to more people of all kinds of backgrounds, as well as helping kids to feel safe in the pursuit of athletics.

While we're rapidly approaching summer, spring in the PNW can still come with a bite of chill, even if it's sunny as all get out. Today was no exception, reasonably warm if you sit in the sun, however, if you still up in the upper deck, you'll get some of the wind rolling off of Puget Sound, so dress warm (at one point I had an undershirt, my Pronouns jersey, my hoodie, then my Hello Kitty appreciation night jersey on, still chilly uffda!)

The sky was clear except for a few fluffy clouds, and we were treated to brilliant neon colors as the sun set.

As an aside, I am exceptionally grateful for @warriorbeeofthesea for their love and excitement of baseball. I never thought I'd have a partner who enjoys the things I do (and in fact, they have loved the Ms for a lot longer than I have!)

We went today specifically for Hello Kitty Jersey night (you can buy promotional tickets that often come with neat stuff, I cannot wait for pride night coming up!) and while we had to wait in line for a long while, we eventually got our two jerseys.

They are still made of the flimsy material that promos are made of, but the Hello Kitty styling was actually sewn on, which is pretty cool, what with the jersey problems in ball right now, ugh.

As for the actual game itself, one of our whoops all aces, Luis Castillo went 6 or so innings I believe, keeping the Atlanta offense to tidy 0 runs with 7 strikeouts, continuing a streak of excellence among the Mariners Starters.

A 2-run Jorge Polanco home run opened up the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd, and a Dylan Moore double out to Jarred Kelenic in the bottom of the 4th brought Mitch Haniger home for our 3rd run of the day.

Atlanta fought back with a pair of runs in the top of the 8th, on a single with an RBI and a run scored on an error from Andres Munoz.

Considering Munoz came in with the objective of getting a 5-out save, we can easily overlook his errant throw to 1st, as he ended up with the win for the evening (I am unsure how we attribute wins and saves to pitchers, but he ended the game with a win for us!)

One train ride home later (I continue to love our light rail, so easy to get to the game from a free park and ride), two tired hotties rest from a lovely day of ball, on the back of yet another Mariners series win!

Until next time!

[nancypullen]

Hit 'Em Where They Ain't, Boys

Over the years I've expressed my love for the sport of baseball. Love it. I've always had a favorite team to watch...the Fairbanks Goldpanners, the Nashville Sounds, and always, always the Atlanta Braves. The Braves are on my television right now battling with Chicago. They're up by one run in the second inning and I'm cheering them on. Apologies to my favorite diehard Cubs fan, Dina. All of that explains why I couldn't be more excited to share that we have tickets to see the Braves play the Nationals in D.C. on June 9th! An afternoon game in June, what's better than that? Nuttin'! We'll cross the bridge and catch the Metro which will drop us right at the stadium. No fighting traffic or looking for parking, hooray! I can't wait! As I've also mentioned a few hundred times I love the 1988 movie, Bull Durham. Baseball, steamy romance, big laughs, great music - what else do you need?

Kevin Costner. Need I say more?

I could relate to Annie Savoy. I mean, not because she's leggy and gorgeous, I'm neither, but her love of the game and commitment to the season. I used to have her opening (PG) monologue memorized.

I believe in the Church of Baseball. I've tried all the major religions and most of the minor ones. I've worshipped Buddha, Allah, Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, trees, mushrooms, and Isadora Duncan. I know things. For instance, there are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. When I learned that, I gave Jesus a chance. (sigh) But it just didn't work out between us. The Lord laid too much guilt on me. I prefer metaphysics to theology.

You see, there's no guilt in baseball, and it's never borin' - which makes it like sex. There's never been a ballplayer slept with me who didn't have the best year of his career. Makin' love is like hittin' a baseball. You just gotta relax and concentrate. Besides, I'd never sleep with a player hittin' under .250, unless he had a lot of RBIs or was a great glove man up the middle.

You see, there's a certain amount of life wisdom I give these boys. I can expand their minds. Sometimes when I've got a ballplayer alone, I'll just read Emily Dickinson or Walt Whitman to him. And the guys are so sweet, they always stay and listen. Of course, a guy'll listen to anything if he thinks it's foreplay. I make them feel confident, and they make me feel safe - and pretty. Of course, what I give them lasts a lifetime. What they give me lasts 142 games. Sometimes it seems like a bad trade, but bad trades are part of baseball. I mean, who can forget Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas, for God's sake? It's a long season and you gotta trust it. I've tried 'em all, I really have. And the only church that truly feeds the soul - day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.

I agree, Annie. Which is why I made this shirt to wear to the game.

I need to look good while I yell at the ump and call balls and strikes. I know they appreciate my help. Trying to decide which earrings to wear, of course the big earrings appeal to me.

I'll probably just wear the beaded hoops on the far left. Ponytail, hoops in Braves colors, and a Church of Baseball tee. If that doesn't spell crazy fan I don't know what does. Whoohoo, let's go, Braves! I don't want to hear a word about my craziness. It's fun to have something to look forward to - and if there's a rainout I may cry.

Alright, that's enough silliness from me for one night. I don't expect you to share my passion for baseball or my love of Bull Durham. I do hope that you can share a bit of my excitement for something fun on the horizon. When we don't have things to look forward to, life becomes drudgery. It doesn't have to be anything big - for me it can be a trip to a garden center or a shopping trip with my sister. Life needs to be sprinkled with occasional treats. So send good juju out to the universe for fair weather on June 9th, then tune in to the Braves game. I'll be the wackadoodle in the red shirt (that should narrow it down). Sending out heaps of love tonight, take what you need and pass it on. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy P.S. Go watch Bull Durham. You're welcome.

[notesonartistry]

I was able to get Gillette tickets on the second chance, but if not I was seriously considering just showing up and listening outside the stadium!

I'm glad you got a ticket buddy! Being on the other side of the door (😉) isn't as fun, but maybe better than being stuck at home. My only query would be on paying the astronomical parking fees and braving the traffic to sit outside. I'd be totally on board with it for places like Atlanta where you can get there by public transport!

[dxrkenedheights]

ABOUT:

Name: Mackenzie 'Kenzie' Vaisman

Age & Birthday: 30 years old, August 10th 1992

Gender/Pronouns: cis woman she/her

Birthplace: Atlanta, GA

Time in Atlanta: 30 years

Neighborhood: Center Hill

Association: None

Occupation: Tattoo Apprentice at Al's Originals. Dancer at Club Diamond.

Positives: insightful. brave. adaptable.

Negatives: resentful. perfectionist. vindictive.

STORY:

The Vaisman household has always been a warm and welcoming home in Center Hill despite it's tiny size. It's open door policy for friends and neighbors alike saw it be a bustling place where people came for a hot meal or to talk about their day. Mackenzie and her sister May grew up with the majority of the Center Hill "bad guys" as friends but extended family seemed more accurate.

Kenzie was always a loud personality especially when it came to any social or political issues. In high school she was the bully's bully and was mostly known for running shirtless onto the football field in protest of the lack of action against racism among the players.

Despite being troublesome in her own way, Kenzie was still a good student but her mind was brimming with escapism. Leaving Center Hill was always the goal but the only way she found her escape was through art, specifically detailed pointillism. Center Hill barely had the social resources for people wanting a realistic career and as always, art and creatives took the back seat. Right at the back. After graduating, Kenzie had to keep art as a hobby as she juggled minimum wage jobs to stay afloat.

She became closer to some of The Reapers after high school, beginning an on and off relationship with Danny Anderson that spanned two years. They were engaged for a short while until Danny called it off and the two never made amends. During the longest off period of their relationship, Kenzie discovered she was pregnant and welcomed to the world her son, Koda Vaisman. The reason for him having her surname was simple, Danny's lack of involvement forced Kenzie's hand. For the first three years of Koda's life, Danny was more like a ghost than a father. He'd make promises he couldn't keep and only began taking it seriously a year ago.

Kenzie wishes for a lot of things to be different. She wishes she just bought a one way ticket out of Atlanta a long time ago and she wishes she was able to turn art into a career. Being an apprentice at the tattoo studio her sister acquired is better than nothing, but it doesn't pay the big bucks. Kenzie had to fall back into her old 'career' of dancing at Club Diamond all while still living in the tiny home she grew up in.

Kenzie is a fun loving person but she's opinionated and outspoken with it. She's resentful and vengeful, preferring to watch bridges burn than ever build them. However, becoming a mother to Koda has helped Kenzie see life with a brighter view. She just hopes she can leave Center Hill before Koda gets too much older.

[news-buzz]

MLB Playoffs: Bracket, begin dates, TV occasions, matchups

Main League Baseball’s postseason will get underway on Tuesday, October 1 with the beginning of the Wild Card Sequence. The sphere for the American League is about, however the Nationwide League will want one extra day to spherical issues out with three groups vying for 2 remaining spots. The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves cut up a doubleheader at Truist Park Monday, punching their tickets for…

[lighthousenewsnetwork]

Atlanta -In a move that's sure to revolutionize the fan experience and potentially cure athlete's foot, the Atlanta Braves have unveiled their most innovative promotion yet: free tickets for any fan who can correctly name all 30 Major League Baseball teams. "We wanted to find a way to engage with our fans on a deeper level," explained Braves Executive Vice President of Fan Engagement and Recreational Origami Barry "Origami Barry" Foldenstein. "Let's face it, the days of free bobbleheads and T-shirt nights are over. Millennials crave authenticity, and what's more authentic than proving your undying baseball loyalty by regurgitating a list you memorized in third grade?" News of the "Name That Team, Win Those Seats" promotion sent shockwaves through the baseball world. Fans were ecstatic. "This is incredible!" exclaimed lifelong Braves supporter and avid collector of vintage Pez dispensers, Hank "Hankenstein" Johnson. "I've been practicing all week! I can name all the teams in alphabetical order, by mascot, even by the color of their away jerseys. This is practically a layup!" Others expressed a healthy dose of skepticism. "Are the Braves serious?" questioned first-time baseball attendee and artisanal cheese connoisseur, Brenda "Brie" Chèvre. "Isn't this a bit…basic? Can't they offer something more intellectually stimulating, like a trivia night about the history of fungo bats?" Fear not, Brie. The Braves have you covered. Nestled within the promotion's fine print (written in a font so miniscule it requires a microscope and a degree in entomology to decipher) lies a series of bonus rounds. After successfully naming all 30 teams, participants will be asked to identify the mascots of each team performing an interpretive dance routine set to the dulcet tones of the "Macarena." But wait, there's more! The lucky winner will then have the privilege of participating in a post-game interview with the legendary "Baseball Historian" Phil "Dusty" Motes. Dusty, a man whose knowledge of the game is as vast as his collection of vintage baseball cards encased in protective plastic sleeves, will test the champion's knowledge with obscure trivia like "Which team had the most unfortunate misspelling on their scoreboard in 1978?" Let's be honest, folks. This promotion isn't about rewarding hardcore baseball fans. It's about weeding out the pretenders – the bandwagon jumpers who only show up in October (and even then, only if the game doesn't conflict with their artisanal cheese tasting). The real prize isn't the free tickets, it's the coveted bragging rights of being named the "Ultimate Braves Fan." However, one can't help but suspect there's a hidden agenda at play. Sources close to the team have hinted that the true purpose of this promotion is to distract fans from the Braves' blatant attempt to break the world record for the most consecutive chop motions performed in a single game. Apparently, the current record is held by a group of particularly enthusiastic squirrels in a minor league park in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Braves are determined to reclaim their title. So, grab your encyclopedias, dust off your old baseball cards, and get ready to name-drop mascots like they're going out of style. With the "Name That Team, Win Those Seats" promotion, the Atlanta Braves are proving once again that they're not just a baseball team, they're innovators, trendsetters, and the undisputed kings of...wait for it...trivia night at the ballpark. Now, get out there and name those teams! The fate of the Atlanta Braves' chopping glory rests on your shoulders (and possibly your elbows). #AtlantaBraves #Baseball #FanEngagement #mlb #Trivia

[collectingall]

∀ 1999 World Series Game 4 Ticket Stub New York Yankees Atlanta Braves (M8, G, 12) http://blog.collectingall.com/TCFQbg 👉 shrsl.com/4fuj5 👈

[phlistopher]

Change of Blood

I wrote a humor column in college for the Hofstra Chronicle under the pseudonym Silence Doless, a nod to Benjamin Franklin I didn't come up with.

I was very proud of this work at the time. It's all very Hofstra specific, and the mid 2000s. Against my better judgement, I've decided to republish the series here.

This is the seventh cringe article, originally printed December 7th, 2007. Commentary at the end.

Last week I challenged University President Stuart Rabinowitz to a duel. The rules were simple: no lasers, no cheating and no wimping out. I waited patiently at the designated place and time, yet Rabinowitz failed to show, thus breaking two of the agreed-upon rules. I’m sure he would have broken all three if it were possible to fight with lasers while cheating and chickening out. This could have been because I said the meeting place was at the quad, and apparently there’s more than one on campus (why didn’t anyone inform me of this?! I’m looking at you, editors). That, or maybe our president is a lily-livered, yellow-bellied, pants-wetting wiener. Whatever the case may be, I hereby decide that his conduct was dishonorable. As punishment, I shall ignore him for the rest of the column.

Have you ever wanted to be something, or someone, you’re not? Have you ever thought, “Oh, if I was only this other person or had these certain attributes, everything would work out for me”? Perhaps you imagine yourself as a famous actor, thinking, “Wow, if only I was Danny DeVito my life would be great!”

Personally, I’ve always wanted to be Native American. Why, you may ask? Because it’s badass. Think of the perks. You could walk to the front of any line in the country and if anyone gives you guff just say, “I was here first!” Guaranteed to work every time. Also, you can have a lot of fun with scalping puns outside concert venues. And by “a lot of fun” I mean “have a lot of people pissed at you.” If this happens, just scalp them (by which I mean sell them a ticket…to an Atlanta Braves game! The fans will do the rest).

Native American culture is also very rich, heavily emphasizing a symbiosis with nature which has been all but lost in today’s hyper-developed society. With all these benefits, there must be a catch, right? I mean, why wouldn’t you want to become Native American?

The truth is, there is no catch. The hard part is actually changing your ethnicity. Hard, yes, but impossible? Quite possibly. But I for one am not ready to give up. What is the most essential element of ethnic identity? That’s right, blood. If blood denotes brotherhood, motherhood, sisterhood and Hepatitis C, it can damn well denote ethnicity-hood. All the clichés about blood being thicker than water affirm that this is true.

So in light of this, I propose a startling new medical operation to swap the ethnicities of two people through blood transfusions. With said blood transfusions you could exchange blood with a person of the desired ethnicity; in this case a Native American. If your doctor had a high powered compressor you could transfer large quantities of blood at a time, making it possible to become as much as half Cherokee in a single visit! Of course, you’d have to find a full-blooded Cherokee willing to become half “Crazy blood-lusting whacko wannabe.” But this is in the future, my friends. This is a future where everyone can be whatever, and whomever they want (especially Danny DeVito), whenever they want (especially 10 years ago).

Critics may argue that this is nonsense. “Why can’t people just be satisfied with who they are?” they may ask, “Besides, the technology for blood transfusions is still decades away.”

Sometimes I think they’re right. Sometimes I think, “We’re all 99.9 percent the same genetic material, what’s the difference anyway?” Then I realize that that is just the Apes talking, who would have us believe that we share 98 percent of our genetics with them. Convincing us of this would enable them to infiltrate our society, posing as Rogaine test patients (or Robin Williams) and from there, take over the world giving them free reign to finally achieve their ultimate goal: sinking the Statue of Liberty into the beach.

I would be extremely mad at those damn dirty Apes if I didn’t want to be one so bad. Man, if I was a gorilla I’d kick Rabinowitz’s ass! Those dishonorable walls won’t hide you from my 12 pound fists, shorty!

And now I’ve broken my own ignoring rules. That’s okay, at least I didn’t wimp out.

As the person who wrote this, even I have to say this is really hard to follow. Plus, even more importantly, it’s not clear enough that I’m the butt of the joke with becoming Native American, and the whole thing is again just sweaty and gross. Why am I republishing these?

[sportslivescores]

Dive into the thrill of Atlanta Braves games with ItsGameTime! Witness the excitement as the Braves battle it out against their opponents in electrifying matchups. Whether you're a devoted fan or seeking an unforgettable sports experience, ItsGameTime has you covered. Secure your tickets now and be part of the action-packed moments at the ballpark!

[orncom]

Get a Braves Star Wars Clone Trooper Bobblehead During Star Wars Night at Truist Park!

Cheer on the Atlanta Braves as they take on the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park on Tuesday, May 14! With the purchase of the Star Wars ticket package, you will receive a game ticket, a Braves Clone Trooper bobblehead and $4 of each ticket package sold will go back to Make-A-Wish Georgia. Dress like your favorite Star Wars character and head to the ballpark where all rebels, wookies and light sabers…

[rjhamster]

Official Atlanta Braves Website | MLB.com

The official website of the Atlanta Braves with the most up-to-date information on scores, schedule, stats, tickets, and team news. — Read on www.mlb.com/braves