20/20 Sports With A.B. – Christian Darrisaw Contract Extension, Braves Doubleheader, And More

Ashley Brown: Well, the Braves and Reds were rained out last night. They'll make it up as part of a double header today. Game one is at 12:20 in Atlanta with Alan Winans on the mound for the Braves, just his second start of the year and his eighth career start in the big leagues.

Second game a little different. They'll have a standout Chris Sale on the mound at 6:05 tonight. Sale for the Braves is 13 and three, with a 2.70 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 110 innings pitched.

The GreenJackets, in the midst of a slump, they've lost four straight. They fall to Myrtle Beach last night on the road, 7 to 1. They'll play the Pelicans again tonight on the road at 7:05.

And in NFL news, Christian Darrisaw, talented defensive lineman for the Vikings, gets a contract extension four years worth 113 million, 77 million in guaranteed money. Also in the NFL, Michael Gallup retiring. He spent six years with the Dallas Cowboys before signing with the Raiders in the offseason. But again, he is calling it quits.

20/20 sports brought to you by Escape Electric Bikes of Evans. They sell fun. I'm Ashley Brown, 95.1 WGAC.

Ashley Brown, or A.B. as he's known, is a sports commentator, columnist, and broadcast veteran. He was born and raised in the Augusta area. A.B. attended Lakeside High School and graduated in 1989. After high school, he attended Columbus State University on a basketball scholarship.

A.B. moved back to Augusta after college, where he began his career in talk radio. He continues to provide sports updates for WGAC, while also working as the Director of Customer Service at recteq.

Tune in each week on WGAC as Augusta sports commentator and broadcast veteran Ashley Brown hosts Thursday Night Huddle. A.B. talks about all things sports, including local high school games, college, and more.  Plus get the latest local and national sports news and more!

Thursday Night Huddle with A.B. airs every Thursday from 6:05 pm until 7:00 pm on WGAC. 

Whether you've lived in the area for your entire life or just a few years, chances are there are at least a few things you like about Augusta. As with any city, there will always be pros and cons. But today, let's focus on the positives.

A settlement in the Augusta area was established in 1736 by British General James Oglethorpe. He is the one who gave the area its name, honoring the bride of Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales. The original settlement is in the area we now know as Summerville. The area was home to tribes of Creek and Cherokee Indians at the time. And the city would play a vital role during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

In 1847, the Augusta Canal was constructed, which led Augusta to become the world's second largest inland cotton market during the cotton boom. The area also has the only structure ever built by the Confederate States of America, along with many significant homes and buildings.

The city of Augusta also served as the state capital of Georgia from 1785 until 1795.

There have been many changes throughout the years, but one tradition that Augusta is known for got its start in 1934. The Masters Tournament is hosted the first full week of April each year at the Augusta National Golf Club. And while people who aren't from the area may only know Augusta for the Masters Tournament, those who live here know there's more to Augusta than just one special week each year.

So what is there in Augusta? Well, unfortunately, some people will try to say "There's nothing to do in Augusta." But if you look around, you'll find there is quite a bit to this city we call home. Just check out some of these experiences you can enjoy as a local!

Also, there was a recent post on Reddit where someone asked "What is one thing you like and dislike about Augusta?" And we were definitely intrigued to see what people had to say. Sure, there were plenty of "dislikes" that were included in responses, but again, let's focus on the positive!

Check out the top 5 things people said they like about Augusta.

There were quite a few Redditors who talked about the beautiful outdoor spaces we have available in the Augusta area. A few mentions included the Augusta Canal Path and River Walk. But you can't forget about the convenience of the Greeneway just across the river in North Augusta. In addition, there are many activities to enjoy on the water at the lake and river too.

One Redditor talked about there being "many Augustas." This is an interesting way to look at it. But the Redditor talked about the way to enjoy Augusta is to find where you fit. There are so many diverse interests for just about anyone, if you look for it. Of course, there are things for the golfers. But we also have a great selection of local businesses, places for trivia, and breweries to enjoy. And for those interested in an active lifestyle, there are run clubs and gyms. And let's not forget the military and medical communities.

Now for this one, it depends on who you ask and where you're trying to go and when. But overall, the Augusta area is fairly easy to get around and traffic isn't as bad as some cities. But, it's also a city that's convenient to many other things, like bigger cities such as Atlanta and Charlotte. Plus, you're just a couple of hours from the beach or mountains.

We've already mentioned a bit about Augusta's history, but there's so much more to explore and learn about it. We have great museums, art exhibits, festivals like Arts In The Heart, live entertainment including concerts, the Augusta Symphony, the Augusta Players, Broadway-type shows, ballets, and more.

This is another thing that might depend on who you ask. Many people moving from bigger cities (especially from the West or from up North) will tell you that the cost of living here is better. Obviously, inflation has impacted cities everywhere, but overall, Augusta still remains a fairly affordable place to live. And the city continues to grow and bring new business and job opportunities, which can be a pro or a con, depending on how you look at it!