UPDATE: How my health situation resembles the Braves offense in early 2009
I am going to be allegorical here, because it’s basically the only way I know how to put this.
My oncologist prescribed a new treatment this year; let’s call it “Yunel Escobar” because it is annoying and showy but effective. And Yunel led off the treatment with a triple. Yay! It would be easy enough to get the run in/cure the cancer.
Unfortunately, it turned out that the treatment acted just like the Braves’ offense in the first half of last season, where they couldn’t score nearly as much as they should have. And it turned out that the men on deck were Francoeur and Norton. So, now there are two outs, and Yunel is still standing on third base, and who knows what he’s going to do next.
Unlike the 2009 Braves, my oncologist has a really effective pinch-hitter he can use. However, he’s so annoying that he makes Yunel look like Stan Musial, and has to be called in from outside. But he’s so good that he shouldn’t have any problem driving in Yunel. The treatment should be late this month, if nothing gets in the way.
Wow… good luck Mac. I truly hope things go well in a few weeks.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:11 am“Two-out hits are golden.”
Here’s hoping your pinch-hitter delivers like Francisco Cabrera.
Best of luck (and science). We’re all on your side, Mac. You’re the best.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:19 amHope everything works out for you, Mac. I’m glad it hasn’t taken away your sense of humor. We’re pulling for ya.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:19 amI pray your pinch hitter is Albert Pujols and not Greg Norton
Seriously, prayers are with you
March 1st, 2010 at 11:20 amMac–Best of luck–I hope that Yunel scores without a slide or someone blocking the plate.
I hope as well that your recovery will be speedy….
March 1st, 2010 at 11:20 amI’m glad Yunel runs a lot better than Sid Bream. In this instance, I don’t want to see a play at the plate. Best of luck, Mac.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:21 amMac, take care. As always thanks for all you do.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:32 amububba nailed it: “Best of luck (and science).” Need that science to make that luck for you, and we wish you ample servings of both.
March 1st, 2010 at 12:00 pmBest wishes and speedy recovery Mac!
March 1st, 2010 at 12:11 pmBest of luck, Mac.
To continue the allegory: hopefully, it’s Bonds lobbing the throw in from LF.
March 1st, 2010 at 12:14 pmHang in there, Mac, I’ll be pulling for you.
March 1st, 2010 at 12:21 pmWhat does Snitker represent in your allegory?
Wishing you all the best, Mac.
March 1st, 2010 at 12:24 pmBest of luck, Mac.
March 1st, 2010 at 12:26 pmIll be praying for a single to left center.
March 1st, 2010 at 12:29 pmAll the best, Mac. Hang in there!
March 1st, 2010 at 12:46 pmPWH, saw where you think the Braves are in on Wagner Mateo. Does this sound like a real possibility to you?
March 1st, 2010 at 12:47 pmHe … iiiiis … SAFE!
Mac wins! Mac wins! Mac wins!
March 1st, 2010 at 1:07 pmGood luck, Mac!!
March 1st, 2010 at 1:16 pm16,
Some Dominican dude just told me that, it’s not like my opinion or belief or anything. Anyway, I don’t know much about the source, so I can’t really speak for the validity of the report.
It’d be awesome if it’s true. Goldstein says a lot of teams are concerned about the vision issues, so he may come cheap, too.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:29 pmAs always, Mac, I wish you the best, and you’re in my thoughts. Braves Journal’s still my home on the internet.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:38 pmAt least Yunel is starting from third, to put a positive spin on it. I understand that we posters are for the most part, virtual creations as opposed to real live people in the grand scheme of things. For me, the mark of the social contract is giving a damn about people you may never meet. This virtual creation is praying, literally, (and I don’t really go for that sort of thing) for your recovery. Godspeed and good luck to you. I am not that far away, and if there is ever anything I can help with personally, please don’t hesitate. You know how to reach me.
Spike
March 1st, 2010 at 1:39 pmGood luck Mac.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:49 pmrotoauthority ranks 3b for fantasy leagues. they’re not too big on chipper, who’s actually ranked lower than martin prado (18th round selection compared to prado in the 15th).
http://www.rotoauthority.com/2010/02/third-baseman-rankings.html
March 1st, 2010 at 2:32 pmMac, Great analogy and I second all the Side Bream/Francisco Cabrera comments…that’s the perfect analogy.
Also, Mac is going to seek this more advanced treatment right during March Madness, so I am sensing Valpairaiso like buzzer beater coming…
March 1st, 2010 at 2:46 pmYou have created such a great home for all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. (and Yunel can fly when he wants to)
Scott
March 1st, 2010 at 3:16 pmDefinitely keep at it, Mac. Let’s hope that pinch hitter is more Julio Franco than Greg Norton.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:36 pmHere’s hoping cancer hangs a slider for your pinch hitter to whack.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:38 pmJust kick ass Mac and don’t take names
March 1st, 2010 at 4:45 pmGL, Mac. Rooting for the Braves wouldn’t be the same without you and this site.
March 1st, 2010 at 6:09 pmWhen that pinch hitter comes up to the plate, I think I speak for everyone when I say we’ll all be up in those stands, pumped up on Metallica, chicken wings, and several Keystone Lights, ready to scream our lungs out! Isn’t that what it’s all about!?!
(Hang in there, Mac. I’ve been following the ups and downs of your condition over the past year even though I haven’t been posting as much. You’re definitely in my thoughts.)
March 1st, 2010 at 6:16 pmBest wishes, Mac. If there’s anything you need, just say so.
March 1st, 2010 at 6:24 pmI hope everything works out for you Mac.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:27 pmAll the best Mac.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:47 pmHang in Mac- thank you for this place
March 1st, 2010 at 7:50 pmMac, keep fighting. Here’s hoping for a full recovery.
All the best,
March 1st, 2010 at 8:02 pmTom O.
SF, CA
Best wishes, Mac; my prayers are with you.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:21 pmbest of luck Mac
March 1st, 2010 at 8:36 pmI normally don’t post but have been lurking obsessively the past couple years. And as someone who’s enjoys the blog so much, I feel obliged to log in and wish you the best, Mac.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:47 pmMac, best wishes. I don’t post much but I’ve been reading your site for at least 8-10 years I think. I very much appreciate your considered perspective on life and the Braves, as I appreciate the good discussion that so often occurs on this board.
I’m a resident at Emory. If for any reason you visit the Big E and you feel comfortable letting strangers know, I’d love to be one of the folks who stops by your room to say hi.
As it is, I add my support to that of the forum throng.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:05 pmOne more well wisher piling on.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:48 pmAll the best, Mac. Good luck.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:49 pmRooting for you, Mac.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:55 pmGlad to hear that Rico Carty came out of retirement. Couldn’t think of a better reason why. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Mac.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:56 pmPraying for you every day, Mac.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:08 pmI’ll always associate the Atlanta Braves with Braves Journal and Mac Thomason, and it takes a great guy to create that kind of connection. Thanks for continuing to do all of this through everything you’ve been through. Continuing to pray for you.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:46 pmI hope everything turns out for the best, Mac.
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:53 amI’d also like to add that as an ex-MLB scout, I think my heartfelt words of encouragement carry just a little more weight and validity than do anyone else’s here.
Just kidding.
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:00 amMac, it’s time you take that pussy Tony La Russa of a disease and kick its ass.
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:04 amgames start today! meaningless baseball is better than no baseball!
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:08 amI can’t think of a clever way to work my support into your allegory – just get better, man.
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:09 amI hope Reitmsa’s on the mound when your PH steps up. Best wishes Mac.
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:22 amI wish you all the best. Get well soon.
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:46 pmPrayers sent.
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:53 pmGet better, Mac. You’re indispensable.
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:49 pmMac, praying that a homer is on deck.
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:51 pmHang in there Mac, you’re gonna kick this thing’s ass. We’re all pulling for you.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:48 ambd
Mac, just ask yourself “What Would Melvil Dewey Do?” and then do that.
Seriously, I hope to hell the new treatment works beyond expectations.
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:05 pmMac,
March 4th, 2010 at 8:29 amI’m late to chime in on this, but want to add my best wishes to you as well. You’re in my family’s prayers…
I’m rooting for you all the way, Mac. Very best wishes for a full recovery.
March 6th, 2010 at 9:32 am