Lake Buena Dark Star, Fla. – OK, so where were we? Before the blog got hijacked by controversy and confrontations, I believe we were talking about … oh, I don’t even remember.
Did I mention that to get to the AJC rental unit here in picturesque Kissimmee, one must drive down highway 192, past Seven Dwarfs Lane, past Medievel Times and turn right at the massive Wal-Mart? OK, just making sure.
We should have a get-together by the lake behind the house, the lake with the “Do Not Feed The Alligators” sign, which beneath that top line has this “All small animals must be on leashes.” (We’re not making this up, by the way.)
Those who’ve lived in Florida know what that’s all about. When I lived down in South Florida, you’d hear about gators lunging out of the edge of a subdivision pond and eating some poor old lady’s little dog like you or I would eat a french fry.
But anyway, the outfield.
Oh, wait: Tom Glavine’s contract is supposed to be finalized Friday morning. But the lefty won’t be in camp until about March 1. Doc Andrews told him it’d be best to stay on pace with his throwing program another week in Atlanta, away from live batting practice where he’d be tempted to raise the intensity level and get hitters out a week or two before he’s at that point in his program.
So he’ll aim for getting in games late in the first week of March and being ready for the regular season, but won’t need to be activated as fifth starter until April 19, the first day the Braves need that last man in the starting rotation. Works out perfectly for Glavine coming off elbow and shoulder surgeries.
Now, the outfield: Perhaps you’ve heard the Braves tried to sign Ken Griffey Jr.? The old “Kid” returned to Seattle to be adored by fans of a lousy team three time zones from his family, a team that plays in a great ballpark in one of, to me, this country’s three most beautiful cities (others: San Francisco and San Diego.)
The Braves say they’re going to give the kids a long look this spring and a chance to fill the center- and left-field openings before deciding whether to pursue another veteran outfielder via trade or free agency.
That means at least four left-handed-hitting youngsters are going to get consideration: Jordan Schafer, Josh Anderson, Gregor Blanco and Brandon Jones. Matt Diaz is penciled in as the right-handed hitting half of a left-field platoon.
If I had to guess, knowing the Braves would prefer the highly regarded Schafer at least a little more time in the high minors at Triple-A Gwinnett, If that’s the case, Josh Anderson must be considered the favorite for center, with Brandon Jones getting a shot at earning the left-hitting part of a LF platoon.
Not to say Blanco and Schafer won’t be in the mix this spring because they could be. But the Braves would really like to see B. Jones fulfill his potential after a lackluster ‘08 season when he showed flashes of brilliance, but not much in the way of sustained production. He’ll get a chance to win a job.
Schafer might just have too good a spring to keep off the roster. But its worth reminding that Josh Anderson has blazing speed and no options The Braves need his speed. Did I mention he’s out of options?
If Anderson is in CF, the Braves could use Omar Infante in a CF platoon (Anderson hit .341 in 91 at-bats vs. righties, and .200 in 45 at-bats vs. lefties), unless Anderson shows he can hit lefties closer to the way he did in the minors than what he did in the majors last fall.
But if Anderson platoons, they’d obviously have to have someone else bat leadoff vs. lefties.
If Anderson’s in CF, Brandon Jones could get a shot at platooning with Diaz. Blanco hit nearly 100 points higher this winter in Venezuela than his .251 average as a Braves rookie in 2008. But I don’t know, barring injury, how much shot he has at making this team. I could be wrong, of course.
“I think we have a variety of guys that can add something to the equation, whether it’s speed, defense, [power], or all-around play,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said. “Each of the guys who will be out there competing adds something a little different, which is all positive for us. I think at the end of [the spring], it’ll be a decision about who adds the most in that role.”
All Braves outfielders hit just 27 homers last season, worst in the majors. Their .367 slugging percentage was also the worst among major-league outfields, and their only outfielders with at least 350 at-bats had puny slugging percentages: Jeff Francoeur (.359) and Blanco (.309).
“I truly feel that as bad as were last year, we’ll be good this year,” Francoeur said. “I’d sure like to think I’m going to hit more than 11 homers this year.”
Frightening stat: Francoeur (11 homers) and Mark Kotsay (3) were the only Braves oufielders with more than three homers in 2008.
One more almost unfathomable number: Anderson led Braves outfielders with three homers after the All-Star break, despite playing only 24 games after the break. Francoeur had two in 244 at-bats after the break.
“SWEET JANE” by Lou Reed
Standing on the corner, suitcase in my hand
Jack is in his corset, Jane is her vest
And me, I’m in a rock’n'roll band
Ridin’a Stutz Bearcat, Jim
You know, those were different times
Oh, all the poets, they studied rules of verse
And those ladies, they rolled their eyes
Sweet Jane, sweet Jane, sweet Jane
I’ll tell you something, that Jack, he is a banker
And Jane, she is a clerk
And both of them save their monies
And when they come home from work
Ooh, sittin’ down by the fire
Oh, the radio does play
The classical music, said Jim, the `March of the Wooden Soldiers`
All you protest kids, you can hear Jack say, get ready
Sweet Jane, come on, baby
Sweet Jane, sweet Jane
Some people, they like to go out dancing
Other peoples, they have to work
Just watch me now
And there’s some evil mothers
Well they’re gonna tell you that everything is just dirt
You know, that women never really faint
And that villains always blink their eyes
And that, you know, children are the only ones who blush
And that life is just to die
But anyone who ever had a heart
Oh, they wouldn’t turn around and break it
And anyone who’s ever played a part
Oh, they wouldn’t turn around and hate it
Sweet Jane, sweet Jane, sweet Jane …
>
Editor Note: Because of technical problems, we’re temporarily limiting the display of comments to the 100 most recent. But all the comments are being preserved, and when we get this fixed (SOON, we hope), they’ll all reappear.
1,260 comments Add your comment
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
12:38 am
Wow, I’m surprised DOB is still awake. He’s had such a long day.
Oromus
February 20th, 2009
12:43 am
“Oromus, Grammer is your friend. Do yourself a huge favor and avoid any room with a “SAT Testing in Progress” sign on the door. We must establish a minimum level of competence for Tim Hudson sycophants.”
You may want to learn how to spell “grammar” before correcting peoples grammar. lol…
Steve McP
February 20th, 2009
12:43 am
Hey DOB – is this a proper working blog? It has been really hard today trying to find out what has been happening with the limit of 100 posts, which takes up no more than a couple of hours.
MiamiBrave
February 20th, 2009
12:43 am
thanks DOB
take it easy brother
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
12:45 am
who else is giving us blogs at 12:45 in the am…dob’s the man…haters myswell just bounce
Iron Giant
February 20th, 2009
12:47 am
Can someone give a poster who missed most of the afternoon a quick summary of the Hudson thing? The random deletion of posts throughout the day has made it all but impossible to catch up on otherwise.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
12:47 am
DOB, I’m sorry if i was too harsh to you today. I was just upset but I’m over it now and ready to move on, as I’m sure you are as well.
Oromus
February 20th, 2009
12:48 am
Seriously DOB, did You and Hudson actually have an altercation today? You don’t have to give details, but, it would at least be nice if we knew we weren’t arguing over something that never even occurred.
A FAN
February 20th, 2009
12:48 am
DOB what clubhouse confrontations?
The_Superhoo
February 20th, 2009
12:50 am
i agree with Steve McP….hard to see what was written when you can’t see past 100 posts. if something goes down, it might get pushed off the limit by people commenting on it…
johnbama
February 20th, 2009
12:51 am
I think that Frenchy is correct. He is very talented and for all the love and hate from the Brave faithful about him he will be an above average right fielder this year. Break that down as you may. Would love to see the speed of Anderson in the outfield and as much as I would be happy if Brandon Jones stepped up I am much more intrigued by Schafer in left. The Angels do not have a prolific offense but a vastly superior offense in creating runs. Spead with a little power can kill. If you add the legs of a Schafer and Anderson to the lineup (maybe a combined 50 stolen bases and speed to score from first on a double) I really think that the offense would look completely different than it did last year.
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
12:51 am
Andrew You are welcome here. But, I didn’t want you to think that I didn’t realize that you aren’t new to the blog.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
12:52 am
Oromus, it was nothing more than raised voices. And I, for once in my life, actually was the calmer of the two. Anyone who knows me would find that hard to believe, but it’s true in this instance. Really.
But it was nothing more than raised voices, and mine really wasn’t raised much at all. Lasted a few minutes, nothing more.
This, too, shall pass.
Alright, since I got three hours sleep last night and have been working for about, oh, 33 of the past 39 hours (sleeping, driving and watching Office and 30 Rock re-runs broke up the work marathon), I think I’ll go to bed.
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
12:52 am
Hudson Ferry Spelling is your friend. Do yourself a huge favor and avoid any room with a “SAT Testing in Progress” sign on the door. You must learn to spell “grammar.”
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
12:52 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV4YD1nChNg
DOB vs. Hudson …who won?
N8
February 20th, 2009
12:53 am
DOB
It appears that if Schafer has a monster spring, and the thought that he would play CF, that the “odd” man out is B. Jones (barring him having a monster spring as well).
With Anderson out of options (and probably the better “leadoff” hitting option, he might be the better option for the LH half of the LF platoon.
Of course, if it is that combination (Schafer in CF, and Diaz/Anderson in LF), who bats leadoff when Diaz plays? Certainly not Diaz.
I would think that Bobby would like to keep KJ and Escobar in the SAME batting spot, rather than have them “sometimes” acting as the leadoff hitter, huh?
I guess in a PERFECT world for me, the following happens (assuming no outside OF’s are brought in).
Schafer plays damn well in the spring, winning the CF job and bats leadoff. Brandon Jones wins the LH half of the platoon spot in LF and Francoeur does enough to show he might be ready to be the RH hitting clean-up hitter to sandwich in between Chipper and McCann.
Leaving Anderson to be traded for whatever we can get for him.
After all, Blanco (if he’s still around), could be the emergency 5th OF waiting at AAA to come up and fill in, and bring the “speed” factor to the table.
But with 4 young guys without a ton of experience, who the hell knows how it will unfold. Could go a 100 different ways.
They could all stink and force Wren to trade a top prospect for something. Maybe Campillo and Buddy pitch well enough for somebody like the Yankees to give up Nady for one of them (if they have an injury to one of their rotation guys).
Perhaps Diaz stays healthy and wins the EVERYDAY LF job, like the plan was last year.
Like I said. Could go a number of ways. IMO, competition is good.
Should be a fun spring. Barring you don’t get beat up.
Lightweight
February 20th, 2009
12:54 am
Dave, Tell us that you did not get intimidated by a 170 lb, disabled list lingering, emaciated bully??
Tell Timmy to get his scrawny arm off of the trainer’s table and start to contribute.
johnbama
February 20th, 2009
12:54 am
DiamondbackMac….I am new here….love me too?
Lightweight
February 20th, 2009
12:56 am
Sorry!! I know how to spell “grammar” and FERRY. It’s been a long day, especially for guys who pick their spots.
gotigers72
February 20th, 2009
12:56 am
Methinks Schafer shows out in the spring and ends up in left ie center. Probably platooning with Diaz in left. A good way for him to break in.
What’s the word on Ohman. Haven’t heard much on him. Did he sign with someone else or is he still unsigned? Dude needs to be a Brave. Lights out on the field last year, would probably be better this year ’cause the innings eaters will keep him from having to pitch every other day. Besides, I would miss his craziness/sense of humor.
johnbama
February 20th, 2009
12:57 am
BOB…your opinion….do you like or think the young guy route is the best possible scenerio for the Braves right now. I know there has been talk of a Nady or a Swisher (who I think would be a better pickup than most). Either way, is a Jones or Schafer platoon with Diaz in left with Anderson in center a positive and productive way to go?
What is the vibe in the clubhouse about the young guys….I know it is early….very early….and how the could be factors this season offensively.
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
12:58 am
johnbama I don’t remember saying anything about love, just welcome. Of course, in the platonic sense, I love all Braves fans.
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
12:58 am
i want schafer to step up and win the job…more exciting to see a top prospect thriving in the bigs..
N8
February 20th, 2009
1:01 am
gotigers72
Very good point about Schafer in LF as the LH half of the platoon. Never really thought of that. I guess because DOB said he’s the better (actually he said he’s a really good CF – I’m just assuming he’s the better option defensively over Anderson), I just assumed that if he played it would be in CF.
But as I recall, it was obvious how good of a CF Andruw was gonna be, and he started in LF his first full season in 97 because Lofton was here.
I could see Schafer being the LH half of the platoon with Diaz, but playing CF and bumping Anderson to LF when he’s in the lineup. Then when Diaz playes, Anderson would be the CF, allowing Anderson to be the lead-off hitter (assuming he gets on base enough), and utilizing his speed at the top of the order.
Sounds good to me. Let’s play ball!
Bubdylan
February 20th, 2009
1:02 am
Holy Moses! I had no idea Josh Anderson’s lefty-righty split was like that. That almost seems like good news, if we can afford a double-platoon outfield.
nolie
February 20th, 2009
1:03 am
I wonder if Huddy is pissed at AAron for calling Grif and telling him to sign with Seattle, and if so if he’ll have the balls to call him out on it next time Hanks strolls through the clubhouse?
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
1:06 am
N8, you pretty much wrapped up all of the OF questions this team has right now. It can go so many ways, it’s almost impossible to predict what young players will do, until we see it live. Patience…
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
1:08 am
Nolie, I think Aaron tried to get Griffey to come to Atlanta if i’m not mistaken.
Rusty in ATL
February 20th, 2009
1:08 am
Sure is nice to have some baseball to talk about. Whether you like the moves or not, the Braves have gone out and deliberately sought to change the results on the field by bringing in new players. I imagine there are a lot of fans in places like Pittsburgh and San Diego that wish their ball clubs had done the same. The Braves are likely to be better this year than they were last. Will it be good enough to make the playoffs? Time will tell. For now, everyone is in first place!
As far as the Griffey fiasco goes…two sides to every story.
For Griffey…if he let the actions of a newspaper beat writer dictate the fact that he is 4,000 miles away from his family instead of 400, then he has to be one of the most selfish people I know. He is a husband and father before he is a baseball player, and I want to give him the benefit of the doubt that he did what was best for his family, and him.
For DOB…everyone needs to just calm down a bit and let the dust settle. It is horrible to work in an environment where people jump to conclusions and react without taking time to think through it. I have worked for and with people like that (as I am sure many of these bloggers have) and it is bad. If O’Brien indeed jumped the gun, let him and AJC work that out. Anytime you are criticized, whether deserved or not, it is a good chance to evaluate yourself and see how you can improve. Bottom line is, DOB had his reasons for reporting the story, he is a grown man, and let’s let him decide how to respond and what changes to make, if any at all. He does an exceptional job covering the Braves, and I would dare say a lot of other fans from other teams would like to have as much insight into that Braves locker room as we get through DOB.
As for Hudson…I am glad that our ‘ace’ (even though he is injured) had a little fire in his gut. Maybe he overreacted a bit…jumped the gun, whatever. Bottom line is this blog has been full of overreactions and gun-jumping the last few days. Let us lay off Huddy. He’s gonna be fine. Besides, he is a grown man as well, and I am sure if some words of reconciliation need to be offered between him and DOB – from either side, it will happen.
GO BRAVES!!!
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
1:08 am
I am not going to be Hudson’s apologist but…….from the sketchy facts I’ve been able to gather about the incident he did the same thing as about 30% of the bloggers here. He wanted to blame someone for his disappointment and frustration and DOB was handy. Of course, he blamed the wrong person and he probably realizes it by now. I would hope that he’s man enough to apologize.
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
1:10 am
anyone ever have the mlb extra innings package?
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
1:12 am
Rusty in ATL As for Hudson…I am glad that our ‘ace’ (even though he is injured) had a little fire in his gut. Maybe he overreacted a bit…jumped the gun, whatever. Bottom line is this blog has been full of overreactions and gun-jumping the last few days. Let us lay off Huddy. He’s gonna be fine. Besides, he is a grown man as well, and I am sure if some words of reconciliation need to be offered between him and DOB – from either side, it will happen.
Looks like we came up with the same thought at the same time.
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
1:14 am
Hudson is doing this because he’s letting managment know that this team is not content on throwing the same outfield out there this year..my thoughts anyway
BA
February 20th, 2009
1:18 am
NOLIE: I heard it was the other way around, that the Hammer WAS recruiting for the Braves.
Anyway, now that the Everyman has spoken, it sounds like much ado about nothing- you know, Yahoo needs pagehits too.
So back to a popular pasttime- arguing with N8!
I actually like Anderson, in center to start the year. You lead him off and live with his defense, because while his power is non-existent, he hits .300 everywhere he’s played.
If Schafer lights up the international league for a month or two, maybe you move Anderson over to left with Diaz. But I wouldn’t lead Schafer off, and I don’t think Cox would either- not a rookie that’s never led off. Maybe Anderson and Johnson/Escobar the days Diaz starts.
I think Blanco has a better shot than most people think, because Cox won’t forget that the kid played hard all year long, an awful year at that. And those winter league numbers are sexy.
I hadn’t thought of Infante platooning, DOB. But they should him in the lineup if they can.
johnbama
February 20th, 2009
1:18 am
I am glad in many ways to see passion of that kind (Hudson) coming from Braves players. DOB I am not glad that you were the brunt of it but it is a good thing to see.
Diamondback….love you too….in that Brave kind of way.
What do you guys think….Anderson platoon with Diaz in left…Schafer in center or the other way around?
Cherokee
February 20th, 2009
1:18 am
Where did all these new people come from all of a sudden, and why are almost all of them morons?
uga-brave
February 20th, 2009
1:19 am
uga got a special treat tonight,
sitting at CHOPS tonight after a long day, my two favorite bartenders, michael and chris told me that there was a dooley coming in.
met vince and sonny seiler before, no huge deal.
so sitting there when michael puts down a martini and waves and low and behold vince is sitting next to me.
after being polite for all of about one minute, i told him about the two worst beats in sanford stadium when i was there.
of course it was david shula’s last second drive on labor day in 1985.
then the bad L.S.U. beat in 1998.
the pass that went off rodney hampton’s facemask at the twenty.
told him about ex- players i know like steve harmon, knox cullpeper, larry brown, etc.
tom donaldson ex rod squad QB.
VINCE WAS A PRINCE.
Rusty in ATL
February 20th, 2009
1:20 am
DiamondbackMac, has anyone ever told you that you are a wise and perceptive individual…and that your thought processes are beyond most mere mortals?
BA
February 20th, 2009
1:22 am
Oh, and N8- I like Carlyle and Campillo. But even if one of them went 10-2 by the Break, you wouldn’t get Nady for one of them.
nolie
February 20th, 2009
1:23 am
BA–OK. The story that I read said that both Mays and Aaron called him and spoke about “legacy”. Since there would be no legacy involved with his coming to Atlanta I thought it meant he was telling Jr to go back to Seattle. I must have missed the ones that were more specific.
Rusty in ATL
February 20th, 2009
1:26 am
Holy cow UGA Brave…I will never forget that LSU game, but wasn’t it in 1987? I met Coach Dooley a couple of years later and I asked him if he would have gone for the tie if we got to fourth down, and I will never forget what he said in that southern drawl…”Absolutely NAWT, son!”
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
1:26 am
David said that Blanco ran out of options last year. That is why he “won” a position last year. How would he be “waiting” in the minors?
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
1:28 am
Rusty in ATL Not that I can remember, but the 70’s are pretty much a blur. Might have something to do with the drugs.
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
1:31 am
Rusty in ATL Of course, even through this alcoholic haze, I realize that you were complimenting yourself while complimenting me.
Rusty in ATL
February 20th, 2009
1:33 am
Well me either, DiamondbackMac! Just checking. But, I was in elementary school in the 70’s…
At any rate, I do agree, obviously, with your remarks. There have been times in the last 20 years when I really wished the Bravos would have shown some fire in their guts. I remember guys like Russ Nixon…he managed with a chip on his shoulder. And Otis Nixon…will never forget the night he beat the living daylights out of that Phillies pitcher for hitting him! We need that kind of emotion in the locker room. It is good for the soul!
BA
February 20th, 2009
1:34 am
Any chance Van Wieren gets the itch and makes a Favre-esque comeback?
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
1:36 am
long drive wayyy back..braves win!!
BA
February 20th, 2009
1:36 am
Right on, Nols. I can’t remember where I heard/read that, but my mind is automatically programmed to filter the reputable stuff from the stuff like “Talking Chop”. Personally, I wish the Hammer would just put the phone down and fix Francoeur. I can’t believe Frenchy wouldn’t listen to HIM!
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
1:42 am
Rusty in ATL My favorite example of a player with fire. (Nolan Ryan not Robin Ventura) Of course Robin was fired up too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzhFtOR4zmg
uga-brave
February 20th, 2009
1:42 am
DOB,
dont laugh, i kinda called it when he was overstrider, well whatever that is.
if FRANCOEUR actually has opened his stance and learned to push his hands back, watch out.
you heard it here first, big season.
i always questioned his so called sense of entitlem
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
1:44 am
enm
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
1:45 am
whoops
Billy (Braves fan in 585)
February 20th, 2009
1:45 am
N8 I love your break down of the outfield possibilities. Forgetting Griffey (dear lord, everyone needs to let this go) the different scenarios that could arise are making Spring out to be a lot of fun. That’s why we watch this team. Because baseball is fun. And that’s why we post on this blog too, because its fun. We like to converse about this team that gets us all fired up. Therein lies my belief why the angst against DOB was so unnecessary. He helps provide all this fun for all of us and when you get down to it, what else can we ask? Lame soap box rant… over.
Anyways, back to the OF. I would like to see Anderson in CF every day, no matter who else gets up with the big club. That’s how he’s going to become the lead-off/everyday CF I hope he is. If he flickers out, well, Schafer may be the guy. Again, we don’t know, so its going to be a great time seeing what happens.
uga-brave
February 20th, 2009
1:47 am
random, BA, nollie,
put uga on record on francoeur having a big year.
Bubdylan
February 20th, 2009
1:50 am
uga-brave, not sure if you meant to type “big ear,” “big rear,” or “big tear,” but you typed “big year.” Not trying to be a spelling nazi, just alerting you…
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
1:53 am
uga-brave put uga on record on francoeur having a big year.
I think he may have turned the corner. Good year (he may be a little cautious) not a big year.
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
1:55 am
He did back down on arbitration so I think the cautious attitude may have already begun.
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
1:57 am
I have always believed that he has the porential to become a great player. TRULY GREAT.
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
1:57 am
that should be “potential”
N8
February 20th, 2009
1:58 am
BA Agree about Campillo and Buddy.
I guess I was thinking that if the Stanks had Burnett or CC go down in spring training, they might be desperate for a guy that could eat some innings and be willing to have a deal center around one of those guys (along with other prospects), without having to give up a guy like Medlen.
For the most part, I just meantioned Nady because he’s been bantered about so much. But was more or less thinking of any other (insert name) OF with more experience than our quad of youngsters, that one of those guys (Buddy or Campillo) might fetch from a desperate team.
Try and argue with me all you want, but I agree about Infante needing to get some regular AB’s and if Anderson is the leadoff hitter, he could certainly be the LH half of a platoon with our backup CF, Omar Infante. Though it’s a small sample size, Infante hit .333 in 8 games as a leadoff hitter last year, (but he’s batted just .235 batting leadoff for his career – 81 games).
So he’s probably NOT the option there. THAT being said, in 123 AB (51 games) last year, against LH pitching, he hit .325 with a .363 OBP.
Combine that with Anderson as the other half of a platoon, along with come combination of Diaz & Schafer (you’re right – again, sorry to disappoint you and agree with you – he’d be better served to be brought along slowly NOT in the leadoff role) or B. Jones, and we COULD have a platoon in both CF and LF and make it work.
Bobby seems to be good at putting guys in position to succeed (which a platoon DEFINITELY does for young guys), and if we can’t find a viable everyday guy for either position, then this might be the best temporary option.
If (BIG if’s), Chipper stays healthy, McCann continues to be the middle of the order guy he’s been, Kotchmann looks like he did in all months except August, and MOST IMPORTANTLY Jeff Francoeur rebounds, the LF and CF spots won’t be that important, IMO.
Only if those guys fail to produce (be it from injury or just stinking it up), will the youngsters be asked to carry more of the load, thus making Wren a bit more desperate to make a move.
I said it before the Griffey nonsense (though I was VERY excited to have him as the LH half of the platoon), I’m OK with these guys to start the year, unless they all stink in spring training.
Who knows? Maybe this is the year that Francoeur or KJ has a Ryan Ludwick type of year? Could happen.
N8
February 20th, 2009
2:01 am
BA, forgot to add that I hear somewhere today (can’t remember where – been listening to too much crap on various online radio stations), that while The Hammer initially was trying to persuade KGJ to come to Atlanta, that he eventually agreed with Willie about “legacy” and what not.
The radio guys (I think it might have been Krasnick (sp) from ESPN on Buck and Kincade), didn’t neccesarily say that Hand TOLD HIM to go Seattle, but that he understood the thought process.
N8
February 20th, 2009
2:02 am
I’m out for the night (maybe back LATE tonight), I borrowed all 5 seasons of “ALIAS” from my mom’s collection and started watching them last night, so I’m off to fire through another disc.
l8r.
uga-brave
February 20th, 2009
2:02 am
rusty,
all i remember about that game was tommy hodson coming down the field and ben smith pretty much dismemebering him.
mike archer was rhe l.s.u coach then and he went after ben.
there was never a two point conversion on us. at least i dont think.
l.s.u. was up huge until we ran a double reverse to cacisuus osbourne.
#24.
remember that guy? or chuck carswell, or ben smith?
remember MO LEW, best outside blitzer i ever saw. sure there are a couple of jet’s fans that remember morris lewis.
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
2:05 am
N8 No if’s about it, McCann is and always will be a rock.
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
2:15 am
Sports Illustrated swimsuits on TNT. Thank you Ted!
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
2:16 am
Am I the only one here?
Rusty in ATL
February 20th, 2009
2:21 am
UGA Brave I remember the game quite well, and all of those names. Of course, John Thomas, I think it was, dropped a wide-open TD in the end zone at the end of the 3rd quarter that would have certainly changed things for us. The final score was 26 to 23 LSU. We were within 10 yards of Kasay field goal range, although Chris Crumley was not in Dooley’s doghouse yet. so who knows who would have tried a potential tying field goal. Of course, Coach made that a moot point, saying he wouldn’t have gone for the tie…like Pat Dye!
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
2:25 am
<——Bama fan
uga-brave
February 20th, 2009
2:25 am
rusty,
dead on about thomas and crumley.
Rusty in ATL
February 20th, 2009
2:27 am
Another devastating loss…not in Dooley era…was 1992 to Tennessee…34-31. Gosh, that game summed up the Goff era. Win that game, and Ray is still our coach probably. That was Heath (the Democrat) Shuler’s coming out party. Incidentally, it was also Phillip Fulmer’s coming out party. Johnny Majors was recovering from heart surgery and Fulmer was the interim coach. Lots of history here for the younger denizens to absorb.
Of course, all this talk of losing has me depressed. How about some great wins between the hedges….my personal top 5…in no particular order…
2004: LSU 16 UGA 45
1991: Clemson 12 UGA 27
1990: Alabama 16 UGA 17
1987: Kentucky 14 UGA 17
1982: Clemson 7 UGA 13
Chop Chop
February 20th, 2009
2:29 am
This damn “wipe out the posts” stuff makes me a little reticent to type anything lengthy…
I gave you some props earlier today, uga-brave. Looks like you are absolutely on target about the Braves not raising payroll this year. We’ve got Glavine coming in for $1 million this season (incentives deferred to some future date) and no free agent or trade-added outfielder signed to any kind of a deal. Looks like the payroll will be down from last season.
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
2:37 am
G’night and God bless.
uga-brave
February 20th, 2009
2:42 am
rusty,
you are obviously a kindred spirit..
us real dawgs, heck i went to tempe last year, and my buddy that flies for UPS has already set us up in stillwater.
so i will be there when oklhoma state is in the top ten.
we will drop them. long live the sec.
boise state wandered in to athens, blow out.
georgia went out to arizonia st. blowout.
okkie state wandered in two years ago blowout.
georgia will walk into stillwhater and will blow those guys out.
uga-brave
February 20th, 2009
2:54 am
bubdylan,
aint kidding, i really believe it.
you can get off the floor now.
i have been his biggest critic. got a hunch.
it is live or die for him.
gotta a hunch he will tear the cover off the ball this spring. you heard hit here first.
really believe if he cocks his hands back watch out.
Zach
February 20th, 2009
3:11 am
is it just me, or does it seem like B.Jones could care less what happens to him. Every time I saw him on tv last year he face just looked like he could care less less if he was playing baseball or sitting in my living room watching the game with me.
BA
February 20th, 2009
3:13 am
I marked you down, UGABRAVE.
A big year. Hands back.
Sir Stealth
February 20th, 2009
3:28 am
Thanks for the 12:30 a.,m. post, DOB – to hell with the haters – I’d hope that doesn’t include Hudson, but I’ll try to side with reasonableness every time, Braves player or not, and I just don’t see any argument for him whatsoever. Disappointed with a lot of people when it comes to the Braves matters right now. Hope you keep up the great work though and ignore all the B.S.
BA
February 20th, 2009
3:42 am
The Teflon DOB
Epinephrine
February 20th, 2009
5:04 am
Huddy’s an idiot. I honestly find it to difficult to emphasize with a player too stupid to grasp even the most simplistic of ideas.
Ritchie from Scotland
February 20th, 2009
5:17 am
looks like Hudson believes too much is what is written. Surely it’s obvious now to everyone that Griffey only used us (used again this off-season, there’s a surprise) to get a better offer from the M’s and that’s what happened. I have faith in our youngsters, they are more likely to have the drive to play better than Griffey and lets face it, our defense will be better.
Mark Windsor
February 20th, 2009
5:35 am
the outfield looks like alot of platooning…this can keep some hitters from ever hitting full stride during a season..it concerns me never liked platooning to much…noe the whole outfield out side of frenchy is a daily platoon…
Mark Windsor
February 20th, 2009
5:49 am
I think by seasons end if hudson returns he will be best pitcher we have I hope he does and we fix his contract to stay around for awhile as well hem a great guy..He is the type to come back from this type arm surgery with success..he has what it takes..we really have a good lookn pitching staff this season qwhat if we had signed Smoltz, Hampton as well there would be too many questions..I think..Right now outside of Glavine it looks pretty sure thing..now that hitting..we got great defense up the middle..Frenchy is so important…wow hope he doesnt flake out…
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
7:00 am
Now that was some welcome overnight chatter. N8, Rusty, uga-brave, et al, great to read entertaining posts again. But uga-brave, I wouldn’t be betting on a blowout of the Cowboys out in Stillwater.
Sam 95
February 20th, 2009
7:16 am
Any chance the Braves might make a trade with the O’s for Luke Scott?
Robert
February 20th, 2009
7:18 am
Oklahoma State at Stillwater is a tough game, any way you slice it
Robert
February 20th, 2009
7:19 am
“georgia will walk into stillwhater and will blow those guys out”
Not
apowell61
February 20th, 2009
7:22 am
If the 5th spot in the rotation is supposed to go on April 19, the 12th game of the season, what order will they pitch in at the beginning of the season? 1-2-3 vs. phillies, 1-2-3 vs. nationals, 4-1-2 vs. marlins, 3-4-5 vs. pirates? Just trying to figure out who will be pitching at the home opener.
JW (non-Braves fan)
February 20th, 2009
7:29 am
I’m not a Braves fan, but I’m a baseball fan, so I’ll read about (and analyze) just about any story from any team.
The Griffey story obviously got big national media attention. But the overlooked story to come out of it, to me anyway, is why Wren wouldn’t pursue Garret Anderson or Jim Edmonds after being so interested in Griffey.
Statistically, I can’t see the logic; those two are equal or better than Junior.
I did a more detailed breakdown here, if anyone’s interested: http://mlb162.com/?p=65
Strange off-season for Atlanta gets stranger. Take solace, though… at least they’re not paying $24mil for 3 closers this year (ah, NYM – can’t even avoid a financial embarrassment with something as simple as stadium naming rights).
Thanks for your time…
Chopdawg
February 20th, 2009
7:34 am
Uh-oh…we’re talking about all-time UGA tuff losses & I got a few to add: how about two Clemsons in the mid-80’s, when they beat us on last-second FG’s both years, once in Sanford & once over there? I attended both those games & that game in Clemson was really bitter, we got a terrible call from the refs that led to a safety. That LSU game in Sanford was ‘87 or ‘88, we gave up a last-minute tipped interception in their territory, and we did flat-out drop a wide open touchdown pass off that double reverse. In ‘92, both the Tennessee & Florida games could’ve been won; if we’d won either game we’d have played in the first SEC Championship game in Birmingham.
Of course the tuffest loss of all was Auburn ‘05…CHOP
tr
February 20th, 2009
7:35 am
Seems like the new format reloads better when I make a comment.
Christian
February 20th, 2009
7:36 am
Yeah, it almost seems like Griffey played the Braves in trying to drive up his offer from the Mariners. I mean he was the one who contacted the Braves, not the other way around. So he isn’t happy with the sole offer he’s getting from the Mariners, turns to the only other logical team, the Braves, puts on an act of struggling with the decision, and then goes with the improved Mariners offer. Then he has the audacity to use the AJC article as a scapegoat to hide the fact that he toyed with the Braves the whole time. Seriously, if you’re willing to make such an important decision, and move 3 time zones away from your family, just out of spite for one stupid article, then you have serious growing up to do.
Efrim
February 20th, 2009
7:43 am
I think it would be better for Schafer if he started off in Triple A(where he has never played) and then moved to Atlanta by June or July. Remeber, the kid lost 2 months of development time last year and then got hurt in winter ball. Platooning him in LF doesn’t make sense to me. Even if you gave him spot starts in CF. If he makes the opening day roster, he should be starting in CF, but I really hope the Braves don’t rush him.
braves4ever
February 20th, 2009
7:51 am
David, good morning.
its a good day to see baseball,talk baseball
How has Shafer looked in live hitting? does he have poise? And what impression does Hanson leave with you.
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
7:58 am
Christian… Right on Bro…
Steve from OH
February 20th, 2009
8:09 am
Efrim, I agree that platooning Schafer isn’t a good idea. Dude needs as many AB against lefties as he can get. I hope he’s the starter in center on opening day though.
Josh H
February 20th, 2009
8:23 am
I don’t think anyone mentioned it, but Happy Birthday to Brian McCann.
I only know this because we share the same birthday. Down to the year and everything
BB FAN
February 20th, 2009
8:24 am
DOB,
I’m really not sure what all the fuss is over. When I read the headline to the Griffey story, I’ll admit, I thought it was a done deal. However, As soon as I read the article, I realized it was just somebody close to Griffey saying he had chosen the Braves. It was the Headline that was VERY misleading. Not the story. Whoever wrote the headline is to blame. A headline saying “Could Griffey be coming to Atlanta?” would have been much less misleading.
But anyway, just thought I would give you an unbiased opinion.
TommyP
February 20th, 2009
8:25 am
Well, concerning uga-brave’s call of a blowout in Stillwater…it’s hard not to predict that when every time Georgia plays an out of conference team at the beginning of the year and it’s highly touted, it becomes a laugher.
Off the top of my head, we embarrassed Boise when they were the upset pick.
We went out to Arizona and didn’t have a tough time at all with them.
We had an easy time with Ok. State when they came to Sanford.
I remember a 31-0 victory over Clemson when it was supposed to be another Clemson upset.
Just saying, every time we have an inter-conference battle and the other team is supposed to pull the upset, it’s not even competitive for very long. (I got your back, uga-brave)
On to baseball….
In no way can I believe that the Braves are going to see if they can fill the LF void from within. It’s a great thing to say at this point but it falls in the category of comments that Bobby makes every spring concerning players in camp.
You’ll see the Braves monitoring spring training moves closely and then make a move based on that. Maybe a rookie from another team takes a starting position away from a vet and the vet becomes expendable. Something along those lines….
flange1
February 20th, 2009
8:26 am
Steve from OH and Efrim,
Y’all remember that Andruw started off for the Braves as a platoon guy in LF. I hear what you are saying about Schafer, but remember how Bobby is! He likes to platoon young guys to get then some positive experience against pitchers they don’t struggle against.
UNCBrave
February 20th, 2009
8:26 am
So FRANK WREN has NOT improved an OF that hit a MAJORS WORST 27 HR’s LAST YEAR? Also, rely on a rookie to hit for power that’s never hit MLB? Oh, I forgot, and hope Francoeur has a better year…
Not intelligent AT ALL when JIM EDMONDS is out there CHEAP!!
AustinBrave
February 20th, 2009
8:27 am
How about Heyward.No one ever mentions the possibilty of Heyward starting in left field. Andrew Jones was brought up at 19. They say this boy maybe the best atheltic of them all.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
8:29 am
Just setting up the laptop in the pressbox here, and Derek Lowe’s head goes past the window. Dude’s out running all the stadium steps, by himself. He seriously does work as hard or harder than anyone in camp, and works hardest among the pitchers, for sure. Not what I expected of him, for some reason.
cvbraves
February 20th, 2009
8:29 am
To the someone who asked about MLB Extra Innings.
I’ve had through DirecTV now for 8 years. Last year, I only missed 3 games because of “blackouts”.
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
8:32 am
Derek Lowe sounds more and more like a John Smoltz clone… Same type of work ethic.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
8:33 am
Now Lowe’s down in the right-field corner, doing this hopping drill, going up and down the foul line while hopping, first on right foot rapidly for about 20 hops, then left foot…. He did some sprints, now he’s doing some cross-over feet drills, now some stretching things where he leans forwad on one foot and raises the back leg in the air … I’m getting tired just writing about it. Hold on, I need another cup of coffee.
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
8:33 am
Power pitcher must have strong legs…
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
8:34 am
Enter your comments here
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
8:34 am
AustinBrave: Heyward’s not an option just yet. Needs more experience, hasn’t played above A-ball.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
8:34 am
Good to know we sunk that kind of money into someone that works his arse off. Now lets hope he pitches his arse off coming the regular season.
In regards to the UGA – Ok State game. I think it’ll be a tough place to break in all the new guys on offense. Hopefully, the o-line will be better this year after another year of experience, and someone will remind the defense that they play in the SEC and not the Pac 10.
rhynster
February 20th, 2009
8:35 am
Personally, I don’t think the OF is our biggest concern.
Francoeur will be better. And there’s a good likelihood that out of three youngsters at least one will have a breakout year. They won’t stay rookies forever, after all.
If there is any single truth about baseball it’s that things tend to average out in the long run. The Braves had EVERYTHING go wrong for them last year. The law of averages is practically screaming “correction year”.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
8:35 am
Oh, and the Braves made the Glavine thing official this morning, about a half-hour ago they sent out release.
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
8:36 am
AustinBrave… Even Andruw made his way through the farm system, abet even if his stays at AA and AAA were short ones.
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
8:37 am
Best outfielder I ever saw come through Richmond was Brett Butler…
Couch Tater
February 20th, 2009
8:39 am
Efrim,SteveOH
Aren’t there some advantages for Schafer to start in AAA from a 3-year service time perspective? It seems like I read somewhere that the Braves would gain some service time by bringing a player up later in the season.(?)
RJ
February 20th, 2009
8:39 am
Dave
Are you sure the Glavine thing is for real?
Danga
February 20th, 2009
8:40 am
I sure am excited about the AAA team being in Gwinnett this year. Should be a lot of good talent up here in my neck of the woods.
Anyone ever road tripped down for a spring training tour? Thinking about doing it this year and I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions.
moose knuckle
February 20th, 2009
8:40 am
dob – you drink stadium coffee or bring your own? i dont see a man of you ilk drink 2 pots of starbucks a day.
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
8:41 am
Dale Murphy spent his time in Richmond as a catcher… guess all those throws he made into centerfield gave the Braves the Idea he wanted to play out there.
apowell61
February 20th, 2009
8:41 am
Did Glavine get that call from Willie Mays about legacy? haha
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
8:43 am
Moose Knuckle, they’ve got a big ol’ coffee maker here in the pressbox, an industrial-sized one with two burners and all that. I think it’s Barnie’s Blend — they do us right. The Japanese media drinks as much as I do, or at least close.
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
8:43 am
Danga… You are really going to enjoy the AAA experience. Best team to watch is Durham, they are loaded with talent. .
DevilInLaw
February 20th, 2009
8:46 am
DOB, How have Morton and Reyes looked thus far? Have either of them seem resigned to starting in Richmond?
dmack2027
February 20th, 2009
8:46 am
Dave
Were you the reporter involved with Huddy?
moose knuckle
February 20th, 2009
8:47 am
thanks. never heard of barnie’s? maybe i get some when i come down. you should trade them for some sake.
braves4ever
February 20th, 2009
8:49 am
You guys are making me laugh already and I’m only on my 2nd cup.
but gtg ,that work thing,you know we have to make some jingle so we can keep these Bravo’s in business. Remember it takes a city (state,&country) to babysit a team.
DOB keep it fun we will be checking back later today.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
8:49 am
RJ, there’s a conference call with Glavine at 9:30. We’ll ask him to make sure.
NCSUbrave
February 20th, 2009
8:49 am
This 100 comment thing really sucks. DOB you are going to have to re-explain yourself even more than normal. Who are your favorites to win the top 5 awards in the Oscar’s this year?
apowell61
February 20th, 2009
8:53 am
DOB, assuming no one gets hurt, will Lowe or Jurrjens start the home opener?
ncgary
February 20th, 2009
8:53 am
dob
not being sarcastic or insidious but whose roster spot on the 40 man does he take, or because of the season ending injury last year does a move even have to be made yet?
Ramblin Wrecker
February 20th, 2009
8:53 am
DOB,
I think it’s silly to dismiss Jason Heyward as an option outright (or suggest that Jordan Schaefer will be in Gwinnett to start with for that matter). Let’s be honest. Gregor Blanco and Brandon Jones aren’t great players, and haven’t shown enough to me to say they get a longer look than Schaefer or Heyward. I think Josh Anderson has enough tools to make the roster, not necessarily as a starter, but he’s got defensive value at all three OF spots and lots of speed to spare as a pinch runner. He’s a decent enough hitter as well to have as one of your 25. But what if Heyward out hits all of these guys while he’s in camp? You can’t tell me that he “needs more experience”. Why? Hitting is hitting. Great players don’t need lots of seasoning. And if Heyward is going to be great (which I think is a consensus of a lot of experts, not just from the Braves organization), then it will be apparent very early. And as for Schaefer, he’s already proven he’s better than the other three options. So the only reason for him not to be the starter in CF is if you find a veteran option.
toga party
February 20th, 2009
8:54 am
Just setting up the laptop in the pressbox here, and Derek Lowe’s head goes past the window. Dude’s out running all the stadium steps, by himself. He seriously does work as hard or harder than anyone in camp, and works hardest among the pitchers, for sure. Not what I expected of him, for some reason. DOB
Exactly the kind of information that no one else provides. It really allows Braves fans to feel more involved with the team, even when we can’t be there. Thanks for what you do, David.
- NY looser
GeorgetownKid
February 20th, 2009
8:54 am
Mr. O’Brien,
Who in the clubhouse would you say is the “class clown” of the Braves? From everything I read, Maddux was big on practical jokes (especially the gross kind), but wasn’t really a traditional goof-off.
Are there any classic goof-offs on the Braves? Who are they?
I get the impression that most of the prominent Braves, like Chipper, McCann, Francoeur, etc., are pretty old school country boys. Do any of them cut it up from time to time?
LT-A blogger
February 20th, 2009
8:54 am
Funny stuff on Lowe’s work out this morning- thanks. He hasn’t pitched a game for the Braves yet, and I like him already.
moose knuckle
February 20th, 2009
8:54 am
what the hell is the deal w/ the blog. i do a refresh and it removes comments previously posted. then i refresh again and it comes back. its almost like a free agent saying they’re coming to the braves then recind it. the blog works fine at 200 comments.
Justin
February 20th, 2009
8:55 am
Dave, Anything at all to the new favorite rumor of the O’s Luke Scott as a potential target? Thanks.
True Braves Fan
February 20th, 2009
8:58 am
DOB: See where Ohman has offers from 750,000 to 1 mil. Any chance the Braves will make him another offer?
John Quest 2
February 20th, 2009
8:59 am
Moose Knuckle, are you related to Camel Toe?
Rodney Derrick
February 20th, 2009
9:01 am
great article by doug glanville today regarding players and the media– http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/20/opinion/20glanville.html?ref=opinion
The article really puts into perspective the issues faced by Kotchman last year and thus raises hopes for his production this year; also puts into perspective the events of the last few days though I believe the fault lies mainly with griffey and his agent for manipulatively using the Braves
moose knuckle
February 20th, 2009
9:01 am
john quest 2 – Thats my mom
Perplexed?
February 20th, 2009
9:08 am
Family Fued has been on for 30 years, and I’ve yet to be one of the 100 people surveyed! Almost as frustrating as watching Jermaine Dye being an all-star year in and year out.
It's DOB's Fault !
February 20th, 2009
9:08 am
ajc would not post my comments on DOB concerning Hudson about to whoop that ass…where was the censorship with stupid Vick? Oh, sorry…did I say that? Two sets of rules. One thing about it though, the players will get you back DOB. You are like a guy that gets beaned in the head, but has to get right back in there. Only difference is, it’s not over for you. Your scoops will now be informing us of news that has been broken by other media outlets. Bet you won’t be the first with any more inside info. By the way, Huddy said, playground, 3 o’clock, by the big oak tree.
tim- braves lifer
February 20th, 2009
9:10 am
Dob, why is Casey Kotchman not even thought of as an offensive player? After the health problems of his mother last year were resolved he seemed to hit pretty well. I know he’s not Tex but I think he’s being overlooked.
ease19
February 20th, 2009
9:13 am
Georgetown…I believe it was Charlie or Kelly said that Hudson is the biggest practical joker, but right now, you gotta believe that the Aussie’s are the biggest clowns…just from their time here on the ole blog the other day…
It's DOB's Fault !
February 20th, 2009
9:14 am
FUNNY…ajc would not post my comments on DOB concerning Hudson about to whoop that ass…where was the censorship with stupid Vick? Oh, sorry…did I say that? Two sets of rules. One thing about it though, the players will get you back DOB. You are like a guy that gets beaned in the head, but has to get right back in there. Only difference is, it’s not over for you. Your scoops will now be informing us of news that has been broken by other media outlets. Bet you won’t be the first with any more inside info. By the way, Huddy said, playground, 3 o’clock, by the big oak tree.
beekay
February 20th, 2009
9:14 am
DOB’s Griffey report on American Idol
Randy: What’s up Dogg…good looking out…ok you did your thing with the Griffey report, you know it was just aiight for me, didn’t like the result but you aiight and you still my dog
Paula:First off you look wonderful in that leather jacket, and your hair is rockin. I think the article was good, who cares if he went to the Mariners (Simon rolls his eyes)
Simon: That article was a disgrace, how can someone write such nonsense without all the facts? That was equivalent to a high school journalism student writing his first scoop for the school newspaper….you do have the one thing working for you and that is that you are a likeable guy and because of that I thnk the bloggers will give you another chance to redeem yourself, we shall see…..
ease19
February 20th, 2009
9:15 am
Hey DOB I think the headline should have been “Griffey’s Gone…So What!
dap01
February 20th, 2009
9:15 am
DOB: Thanks for the blog, thanks for the rumors. Keep both coming.
Who wants a blog that does not have rumors?
Braveheart
February 20th, 2009
9:15 am
interesting talk about coffee, which raises another interesting conversation: coffee farts. yes, coffee farts, one of the most foul and deadly of all the farts. they’re all watery and tend to linger for a good bit of time.
since dob allegedly is hellbent on ticking off the universe this week, after ingesting his 10th joe of the morn, he needs to slowly walk over to the japanese reporters, rapping the lyrics to dr. dre’s high powered song off the chronic album, “seven execution style murders, I have no remorse cuz I’m the friggin’ murderer, haven’t you ever heard of a killer?”
and just as they look at him all puzzled like as if godzilla is coming at them, dob drops a massive coffee fart on them and then says all dramatic like, “I drop bombs like Hiroshima.”
later in the day when one of the japanese reporters finds himself stranded alone in the pressbox with dob, he’ll point at dob and yell, babe ruth! babe ruth! and shoot coffee farts back at dob.
Mark C.
February 20th, 2009
9:15 am
Nice to have the blog back. It was like an Around The Horn episode here for awhile. God bless the 24 hr news cycle.
MikeR
February 20th, 2009
9:17 am
DOB, I hope you are above being concerned about comments as stupid as those made by “It’s DOB’s falult!.” Small people like him ruin things for the rest of us. Thanks for the insightful info of what is going on in camp. I enjoyed this morning’s notes about Lowe’s workout. Please keep up the great work.
Lunatic Fringe
February 20th, 2009
9:21 am
As a GT alumni it is good to see all this talk about great GA losses. I also liked the post about Vince. I live in Athens, (and am a GA alum as well) and had a chance to meet Vince and his wife at a United Way function and they are great people!
I too am looking forward to our young OFs trying to make the cut in spring, but I don’t think that anyone of them can cut it as our clean-up hitter. So I still look for a trade to make that happen, though probably not till April.
BamaBrave
February 20th, 2009
9:24 am
Excellent musical selection, DOB…
“And Jaaaaaaane, she is a clerk.”
BTW… Is Anderson, as the lone speedster, a lock as the lead-off hitter? I’m just not familiar with his ability to make contact, put the ball in play, etc.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
9:24 am
Geez Braveheart…I’m sitting in class right now and I swear one of those just drifted by. It was debilitating, and then you post almost made me bust out laughing right in the middle of class.
bravo!
February 20th, 2009
9:25 am
DOB, as someone who grew up close to Dark Star (in Lakeland, where I watched many Tigers games in the late 70’s through the early 80’s), I can vouch for the gators. You do not want to let small animals run around even close to the water. However, wrestling one of them may prove to be a little more fun than the past 48 hours have been for you here. Keep sending the opinions and rumors! This is hands down the best blog of any sport I follow, though I don’t often post comments. By the way, Central Florida back then was much nicer…
Kentavo
February 20th, 2009
9:25 am
Kotchman is offensive – I was quite offended watching him masquerade as a starting 1B.
Patrick
February 20th, 2009
9:25 am
DOB,
What’s up with Will Ohman.
First he says that the Braves offered him a decent contract extension. This he sits on it waiting for a better deal. Doesn’t get it. Still doesn’t take Braves offer and now doesn’t have a team a week into spring training. Also, all I’ve heard about the offers he’s receiving are in the one year one million dollar range.
I just astounded by why he didn’t accept the Braves offer…
moose knuckle
February 20th, 2009
9:25 am
braveheart – thats some funny s–t! you are now my pal. “do you wanna be my pal, danny?” “i’m your pal” “how ’bout a fresca?”
Thrillhouse44
February 20th, 2009
9:26 am
A classic Braveheart post! Well done.
18 Wheels of Love
February 20th, 2009
9:26 am
Last 5 on the iPod in shuffle mode…
The Black Keys – 10 AM Automatic
Q-Tip – Won’t Trade
Gnarls Barkley – Run
My Morning Jacket – Highly Suspicious
REM – Supernatural Superserious
Not a bad draw out of 3,000 songs.
D. Lowe running stairs? Wow. Just wish he had a bunch of young guns in tow with him, Jo Jo specifically.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
9:27 am
Patrick…The Braves offer was taken off the table at some point during the offseason. Earlier than DOB or us here on the blog knew. So by the time those better deals did not come along, the Braves offer was off the table.
Fred
February 20th, 2009
9:28 am
Thanks for updating us on Lowe’s workout. I assume that will keep him in good shape to pitch late into ballgames. He should also be a good influence on our young pitchers.
When Is 3 More Than 3?
February 20th, 2009
9:29 am
My favorite part of the story: “Frightening stat: Francoeur (11 homers) and Mark Kotsay (3) were the only Braves oufielders with more than three homers in 2008.”
lexbrave
February 20th, 2009
9:29 am
anybody else find it ironic that the backlash over not signing griffey was much higher than the desire to sign or the reaction to signing was and would have been combined?
TheManMike
February 20th, 2009
9:29 am
DOB -
Glad to hear about Lowe and his regimine. With the age raising, its good to know that he doesnt feel he should “take it easy”. This should show alot to the younger guys, of any position.
what can you tell us about the confident the Braves have in Brandon Jones, or the confidence the players have in Brandon Jones ability to platoon with Diaz and actually make a sufficient platoonee….?
Is that a word?
Bad Ipod
February 20th, 2009
9:30 am
“Last 5 on the iPod in shuffle mode…
The Black Keys – 10 AM Automatic
Q-Tip – Won’t Trade
Gnarls Barkley – Run
My Morning Jacket – Highly Suspicious
REM – Supernatural Superserious
Not a bad draw out of 3,000 songs.”
That’s the worst string of 5 songs I’ve ever seen.
rhynster
February 20th, 2009
9:31 am
I think most people are underestimaing Kotchman, Francoeur, and Escobar.
I’m always surprised by “analysts” who only look at the previous year’s performances to predict this year’s performances.
Francoeur’s history should give him more benefit of the doubt than he’s getting. He’s not Andruw Jones. Those are two very different personalities and determination levels
Escobar had a good year, and looking at his progression he could be develop into an elite SS. And maybe I’m missing it, but it doesn’t seem like many people outside of Atlanta consider him to have that potential.
Kotchman’s reputation is negatively affected by being the guy who replaced Texeira. But he’s 26 and coming up on his prime. Seems like he’s in position to have a breakout year, too.
Then again, maybe I have a Kool-Aid mustache.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
9:31 am
DOB-Great song choice. I know you have Mott The Hoople’s cover of it, too.
I’ve been saying all along that Frenchy will have a breakout season. Now that our Good Buddy UGABrave (yet another Excellent Dawg) is convinced, it will be a done deal. Has anyone told Frenchy that UGABrave had given his sanction? It might motivate him even more. Go Dawgs!!! I’ve heard we just had an excellent draft, too.
lexbrave
February 20th, 2009
9:31 am
patrick, i think what’s up with will ohman is that he can’t go back to the braves after they pulled the offer moved on and filled his spot in the pen and say whoops i misread the market, can we just forget it all happened and just give me my original offer.
now if he has called up the braves and said, i screwed up..gimmie a one year deal for less than a million and they don’t jump on it, thats another story.
bravos
February 20th, 2009
9:32 am
DOB, Do the braves have any interest in garret anderson. I think he is a better option than griffey any way. He is a better all around hitter than griffey at this point of there careers.
Richard Dawson
February 20th, 2009
9:33 am
Given the ignorance of the answers, apparently Family Feud only surveys people in Alabama.
Rolf
February 20th, 2009
9:33 am
I keep harping on STL for an OF answer. Interesting comment below:
“The Cardinals return three starting outfielders in All-Star Ryan Ludwick, .300-hitting leadoff batter Skip Schumaker and 20-homer center fielder Rick Ankiel. And that doesn’t even include super-prospect Colby Rasmus. But what about Chris Duncan, who — before injuries set in — hit .273 with 43 home runs and 113 RBIs in 655 at-bats in 2006-07? Appearing healthy again at spring training following two surgeries, manager Tony La Russa says Duncan holds an edge in the crowded outfield due to his big league production.”
An then they have Pujols…. dang.
TheManMike
February 20th, 2009
9:34 am
Lexbrave-
Griffey is a Mariner. Lets move on to Braves players now.
Just sayin…..If we dont move on, we will never. We dont want to happen here whats happened to the Falcons blogs……Over Doing it will certainly drive many away. But then again, DOB is the best and this blog is nowhere close to that one, as people here like to talk about stats/numbers and whatnot, while there people seem to only refer to colors and shapes….weird.
Anyway – I’m personally glad the young dudes are getting a shot – we could all be surprised.
Mark
February 20th, 2009
9:34 am
DOB,
How do they Braves plan to use Tim Hudson when he comes back? With the possibility that the Braves have a rotation that is full, do you think they could move him to the pen? I remember last year just before the All-Star break he came out of relief because he was gonna miss his next turn to start and he looked damn good. Any chance they try and build up his arm this way and just be cautious?
flange1
February 20th, 2009
9:34 am
I must say that I wasn’t thrilled with the thought of Griffey,Edmunds or G Anderson in LF platoon for the Braves.
I think they should look at the kids during spring training. If they are not performing, use some of the extra bullpen and starting depth to acquire a LF/CF at the end of camp.
ShipHockey7
February 20th, 2009
9:35 am
I’ve never known of anyone surveyed by Family Feud, I think they just sit around a table, think up the answers and assign random numbers to each answer
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
9:35 am
We’re starting this Glavine conference call. Anyone got a really good, serious question for him? Repeat: serious, really good question.
BravesFanChris24
February 20th, 2009
9:36 am
DOB My question to Glavine….
Growing up as a kid, who did you idolize in baseball that made you want to become a player?
TBraveFan
February 20th, 2009
9:38 am
Tim Hudson is still my hero for standing up for what HE believes!
BravesFanChris24
February 20th, 2009
9:38 am
Let me rephrase that….
Growing up as a kid, Who did you idolize in baseball and what made you want to become a player?
Maddux
February 20th, 2009
9:38 am
Glavine, are you aiming higher than the #5 spot in the rotation or are you being realistic with yourself and accepting it?
Danga
February 20th, 2009
9:38 am
Tom Glavine…This is your fist year entering a season coming off an injury, How is it different than how you would normally prepare?
TDub
February 20th, 2009
9:39 am
It’s official, Lowe is my new favorite Brave. Regarding the OF, with the pitching staking up the way it is, I wonder if we’ll see JoJo, Morton, or Campillo off with a few prospects to the Os for Scott. There do seem to be other options, though – What about Spilborghs from the Rockies for a platoon with Diaz? He might be cheaper, they have a glut of young OFs, he hits for average, and he’s strong against lefties and righties. Also, the Nats have more than they need, but a trade in the division seems unlikely.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
9:39 am
Rhynster-No arguments from me Dude. I’ve been saying the same thing all along. You’re also right though about the Kool Aid-someone (probably several) will claim that it’s your drink of choice. Optimism is not well tolerated here by quite a number of Denizens. There’s definitely a glass empty (not even half full) mindset here at the best of times. I haven’t seen anyone suggest hanging KC in effigy, but I wouldn’t rule it out, either.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
9:40 am
Also, how tough is it being up in Atlanta with freezing temps while your teammates are in South Florida playing golf?
Wolfman
February 20th, 2009
9:40 am
Tom, do you think you will win more games at the number 5 starter than lets say the number 3 starter? People say you as the Braves number 5 starter will give the team an edge most of the time.
18 Wheels of Love
February 20th, 2009
9:41 am
DOB, ask Tommy this:
You’ve never been a 5th starter in your career. What are your expectations? What in your mind would be considered ‘acceptable’ as far as personal stats go?
moose knuckle
February 20th, 2009
9:41 am
dob – are his incentives attainable from the 5th spot? does he think it would help him more missing a start or 2 over the season to make him more effective?
Lew
February 20th, 2009
9:41 am
ShipHockey-They probably interview the various audiences from Family Feud. We just don’t know anyone who cared enough to request tickets. Met a couple of Jeopardy contestents, though.
Mets Stink!
February 20th, 2009
9:42 am
I also think Escobar is going to have a big year. I think he’s ready to become an all star type player. Kotchman will be better too. He’s going to be a solid player. I’m not sold on Francouer yet. He doesn’t seem strong enough mentally to be the elite player everyone thought he’d be, but he has to be a little better than last year, right?
Lew
February 20th, 2009
9:43 am
Moose Knuckle-I think his incentives have to do with him remaining on the active roster for 30 and 60 days-totally contingent on his health, If I understood it all correctly.
18 Wheels of Love
February 20th, 2009
9:43 am
Bad Ipod: You won’t last long here. Not many on here would understand your appreciation of The Jonas Brothers.
rhynster
February 20th, 2009
9:43 am
Maddux> asked: “Glavine, are you aiming higher than the #5 spot in the rotation or are you being realistic with yourself and accepting it?”
Interesting. I’ve been wondering the same thing. I mean, come on, he’s a 300-game winner!?!?!?
apowell61
February 20th, 2009
9:43 am
Glavine, do you want to pitch against Smoltz when we play the Red Sox?
rhynster
February 20th, 2009
9:43 am
I format like a chimpanzee.
JayDub
February 20th, 2009
9:43 am
Any worries that Glavine would change his mind after reading the story in the paper BEFORE the Braves made it official?
Obviously, just kidding.
brent a.
February 20th, 2009
9:44 am
Tom,
Do you think you would’ve lasted this long had you played professional hockey instead?
Original Jon
February 20th, 2009
9:44 am
DOB, ask this question to Glavine: If he wins say, 13-14 games this year and has an ERA sub 4.00, does he plan on retiring or will he still think he has something left and try to get another contract?
Dylan
February 20th, 2009
9:45 am
Ask him what it’s like preparing for what could be the final season of his long and storied career?
ShipHockey7
February 20th, 2009
9:46 am
Lew, I had a teacher once who was on Jeopardy, he lost but regardless, said it was a real cool experience, I’d like to take the test for it sometime, I feel like I’d at least have a respectable score at the end of the game.
In college I played this game, “The Jeopardy Game” in which if you answered a question correctly, everyone else had to drink, if you answered incorrectly then you had to drink. Final Jeopardy you could wager a sip to a full beer on, and it ended up getting pretty interesting by the end.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
9:46 am
Mets Stink-I have no idea about Frenchy’s mental strength, but we HAVE seen that he is willing to work at changing the way he approaches his game. He did it when he learned to go to right field late in the count and according to Chipper he has been working his behind off to change his approach again this year. I sure don’t remember Andruw being anywhere near as willing to conceded something didn’t work and to then change it. No matter what anyone may say about Jeff, he sure works hard from all reports.
Mets Stink!
February 20th, 2009
9:46 am
For Glavine, if this year goes as planned and there are no injuries and you’re still effective, will you try to come back again next year or is this your final year?
Random
February 20th, 2009
9:47 am
FOR TOM GLAVINE–
I’m currently reading your book.
A question about your change-up grip — is it still pretty much unteachable to other pitchers?
That is, is it pretty much unique to your hand size, finger length, your specific physical dimensions and proportions?
Have you tried to teach your grip to other LHPs?
Thanks for your time and consideration.
matt
February 20th, 2009
9:47 am
Peter Gammons just said on Sportscenter that he heard a rumor about a big, mail-order steroids story coming out of Atlanta! Anybody else hear that? Jeez, this stuff is never gonna end!
TheManMike
February 20th, 2009
9:47 am
I would like to know Tommys take on the workout regimine of Lowe. How does it compare to his younger days? How will it affect his routine moving forward (When he starts working out with the team)?
rhynster
February 20th, 2009
9:47 am
Have the Braves discussed their plans for Glavine once Hudson returns?
Dylan
February 20th, 2009
9:48 am
I love DOB’s blog
I love watching Hudson pitch
but Hudson needs to realize DOB has to do his job. DOB never has to be physically restrained from Hudson when he doesn’t give him a good quote. Hudson amongst adults looks pretty foolish. I bet it’s pretty uncomfortable experience this spring training David. Keep doing what you do and this to shall pass.
moose knuckle
February 20th, 2009
9:48 am
thanks Lew.
I see glavine being more the Brian Leech type.
but what does a #5 starter really mean once the season starts? if its your turn to throw its your turn to throw.
DevilInLaw
February 20th, 2009
9:48 am
Tom, In your opinion, what are realistic numbers to expect from you this year?
Thrillhouse44
February 20th, 2009
9:48 am
Are coffee farts really watery like Braveheart said? Mine are usually drier and dense.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
9:50 am
ShipHockey7-I believe that there is an online test for Jeopardy now. MY wife keeps trying to get me to try out. Too much effort required, though. I’d rather paint pictures.
Daybed Wagmoe
February 20th, 2009
9:51 am
My stab at a good question for Glavine — going into what could possibly be your final season, what are your goals? There’s not much being left off your list of accomplishments — World Series MVP, 2 Cy Youngs, 5 20-win seasons, you won the deciding game of the WS; what haven’t you accomplished yet that you’d like to do this season?
TG
February 20th, 2009
9:51 am
Tom, In your opinion, what are realistic numbers to expect from you this year? – DevillnLaw
I’d say $4 to $4.5 mil. Oh, I’m sorry – you meant pitching numbers? I have no idea – haven’t even thought about that yet. Well gotta go. Kids need to catch the bus and all.
Mets Stink!
February 20th, 2009
9:51 am
Lew, I agree with you on Francouer. I think he probably has done and will continue to do everything he can to bounce back this year. He’s that type of guy. But if he starts off slow, I can see this turning into another repeat of last year. I think he really gets down on himself when he’s going through a bad spell and it only compounds the problem. That’s why I worry about him. He really wants to succeed and he seems to work hard at it, so you’ve got to love him for that. I really hope he proves me wrong.
ShipHockey7
February 20th, 2009
9:52 am
moose knuckle,
Brian Leetch is probably a pretty good comparaison, I could see Glavine as a stay at home guy lol
TheManMike
February 20th, 2009
9:52 am
My last 5 played songs on PandoraRadio:
Rancid (Tim Armstrong) – Arrested in Shanghai
HED (PE) – Carnivale
Slightly Stoopid – Wiseman
Dave Matthews Band – Long Black Veil
Sublime – Rivers of Babylon
Odd mix today – but i like it…..
ShipHockey7
February 20th, 2009
9:53 am
Lew
Thanks! I knew that they used to do it, I even had registered for the College one, then I just totally missed it…maybe I’ll check into it if I’m bored!
rhynster
February 20th, 2009
9:55 am
Matt, sounds like a friend of a friend of a friend kind of story.
Besides, I can think of a whole bunch of Braves players from the past that would not surprise me as juicers…
Galaragga, Klesko, Javy Lopez, John Rocker, Fransworth, Vinny Castilla, Sheffield, Julio Franco, Gant, Giles, Jordan…
Not saying they did, but it wouldn’t surprise me either.
TheManMike
February 20th, 2009
9:55 am
HA – next song up was Johnny Cash – When the man comes around…….kick arse.
rhynster
February 20th, 2009
9:57 am
moose knuckle…the difference with the 5th starter is that he’s the guy that gets skipped in the rotation if there is a day off.
BTW, you should maybe buy looser pants.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
9:57 am
Mets Stink-Maybe so, but I’m willing to bet someone one of my drawings that he’ll have at least his 07 numbers back and likely more this season. Last couple years everything that could go wrong went wrong. We’re due for it all to go right for a change-starting with a solid season from Jeff.
Oklahomabraves
February 20th, 2009
9:58 am
Glavine -
Who is your toughest out in the division? and why?
Matt
February 20th, 2009
9:58 am
How’s this for a question: “Tom, with the horrible outfield offensive production you can expect this year, do you think you’ll be able to win any games this year, seeing as how you’ll have to throw shutouts in every outing?”
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
9:59 am
Tom, Thanks for coming back. Honestly, do you feel your velocity has improved or is it still too early to tell?
Random
February 20th, 2009
9:59 am
FOR TOM GLAVINE–
A question about Being a Mentor–
Many here assume that it’s as easy as brerathing the same air in the same location as, say, Jo Jo Reyes or Chuck James. But of course, there’s more to it than that.
Have you ever considered yourself to be a mentor to a particular pircher?
Did you have to establish a compatible personal relationship first?
Of all the LH Mets pitchers you played with, Pedro Feliciano seemed to have benefitted the most (shown the most improvement from before he played with you) — did you have a different relationship with him than with other Mets pitchers?
Thanks for your time and consideration.
cvbraves
February 20th, 2009
10:00 am
If I were at the “conference call”, first I’d like to tell him how much I appreciate the way he handled the negotiations and resigning with the Braves, first class; second, I’d ask him to give us a little more insight to his rehab. How long’s he is throwing, is he on the mound yet, how he feels the next day after a pitching session, compared to previous years how does he feel he’s progressing, etc.
travis
February 20th, 2009
10:02 am
David, just curious but what kind of feedback are you getting from the Japanese press on Kensies (probably Bobby’s nickname come regular season) personality and makeup as a big league pitcher? To early for a story?
Hanie
February 20th, 2009
10:05 am
Whats this mess people keep saying about Hudson? What happened?
Couch Tater
February 20th, 2009
10:05 am
Tom-
When you were young(er), what was the best advice a veteran pitcher gave you to prepare for a 162 game season?
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
10:05 am
actually used couple of your questioins, asked him about goals and whether this is last seaosn. i’ll give you answers later. we’re still on line with him, then i’ve gotta write a brief quickly for online
thanks for input, folks
TheAntiMe
February 20th, 2009
10:06 am
One often overlooked ability of Jordan Schafer’s game is the same ability that gives him the best chance of being in Atlanta as the starting CF before the 2009 season is over. Schafer has already shown that he has the defensive talent to be the best Braves CF since Andruw Jones was winning the Gold Glove every year out there in CF.
Even if Schafer struggles a bit early on with his bat, the fact that he can go get ‘em so very adeptly in CF will give him time to get his sea legs on offense. That’s not to say that Josh Anderson should be any less valuable to the Bravos. IMO, an outfield of Josh Anderson (LF), Jordan Schafer (CF), and Jeff Francouer (RF), along with Brandon Jones and Matt Diaz as back-ups just might give us all something to cheer about before the 2009 season is done.
Hillbilly
February 20th, 2009
10:06 am
All of that stretching and conditioning and Lowe has never been on the DL. Are his new teammates witnessing this? Taking Notes?
TheAntiMe
February 20th, 2009
10:07 am
Sorry all, I didn’t realize we had a guest.
Anders
February 20th, 2009
10:08 am
I have a questions for Glavine.
How do you feel about playing left field on your off days?
TommyP
February 20th, 2009
10:09 am
Lowe is doing agility drills…the hopping, etc.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
10:09 am
conference call over. thanks, folks
moose knuckle
February 20th, 2009
10:10 am
rhynster – so if 1 and 2 have pitched on tues and wed. and thursday is an off day friday starts w/ # 3 etc. where exactly does he miss a start? maybe KC or Lew can give us the starts of the 5th starter the last 10 years for the braves, and maybe exclude jokers like albie lopez or unproven kids theyve brought up to fill roster spots-you know what i mean.
Mac
February 20th, 2009
10:11 am
I’d love for one of the young outfielders to play his way into the lineup and the rookie of the year award. That, and a comeback by Frenchy and it could be contender time.
TBraveFan
February 20th, 2009
10:11 am
OMG!!!!!!!!!! – Is it really official? Or am I just dreaming??
Tommy really, really, 100% positive, will be in ST next week?
Swear to God???
If so — Hallelujah!!!!! I can relax and just get ready for my trip!
Steve McP
February 20th, 2009
10:12 am
This new blog is really hard to follow with the 100 post limit. DOB, any idea when the geeks will have it sorted out, during the day 100 posts takes about an hour, no way most of us can keep returning that often to keep a thread going and we will be missing most of the information.
Got to go now, so will probably miss those good things that you will write from the chat with Glavine, maybe your posts could be retained even if others get deleted?
ncgary
February 20th, 2009
10:13 am
anyone know who was dropped from 40 man list or does one even have to yet since glavine had season ending surgery last season?
TommyP
February 20th, 2009
10:13 am
McP: Have no idea what you’re talking about. The blog runs smoother than ever.
Try Safari or FireFox instead of Internet Explorer.
The GM
February 20th, 2009
10:15 am
For Glavine: Will you be willing to pitch out of the bullpen if Hanson demonstrates he is the better option for the rotation?
AdirondackDave
February 20th, 2009
10:15 am
For Glavine — How many inning do you feel are realistic this year?
dmack2027
February 20th, 2009
10:16 am
First of all. For those who are busting DOB’s chops. If the Braves, or Griffey, for that matter wanted this kept under wraps, they should have done that. When your friend talks to the media, you lose your right to b%tch about a breach of secrecy. As far as I am concerned, Griffey can go enjoy losing 100 games in the Pacific Northwest.
DOB is just doing his job. I think that Huddy’s anger may be misplaced. From where I sit, Frank Wren has shifted philosophies this offseason. At first he was candid with the public, maybe to a fault. Then, after some public incidents involving Peavy, Burnett, and Furcal, he internalized things. Perhaps he should have stuck with this method for Griffey.
There is no way that a reporter should come between this kind of a deal getting done. The fault for this incident lies with the Braves front office, or with the Griffey camp.
dmack2027
February 20th, 2009
10:17 am
Question for Tommy.
Do you feel that your velocity might improve from these surgeries to your shoulder and elbow? Maybe you jump from 82-85 where you were at last year for fastballs, to 85-88.
Tomahawk210
February 20th, 2009
10:18 am
Hey DOB thanks first off for all your Braves coverage and we’re better off without a 40 year old with leg problems. Besides in no way shape or form was it your fault. Now I’m really excited about Jordan Schafer-I’ve read another reporter say that we will be reading and hearing his name a lot in the up coming days. How’s he doing in your opinion so far? How’s he been hitting and fielding? We need him in the line-up from opening night. Also I’m expecting a big year from KJ and Francoeur to rebound. I think those are the keys to our season. How have KJ and Francoeur been hitting?
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
10:19 am
Folks, get a grip… Hanson will make at least 5 starts at Gwinnett before the Brave even think about bringing him up unless one of the starting 5 in Atlanta suffer an injury. My advice is take advantage of seeing him pitch in AAA from the box seats because the closet you are going to be able to get to him in Atlanta is the bleachers..
Garth Brooks
February 20th, 2009
10:19 am
“Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers” Braves have outfield talent. It’s time for Schafer to step up. We scored runs last year just couldn’t get anybody out. Healthy pitchers make us 20 games better already.
Anders
February 20th, 2009
10:19 am
ncgary just entered the forbidden zone of the 40 man roster question at 10:13. Mayday! Mayday! Man you battle stations. DOB is sure to launch a counter attack.
Lunatic Fringe
February 20th, 2009
10:19 am
Noticed mlbdepthcharts.com doesn’t even have Josh in the roster. If he is out of options what do they think will happen to him? To me the odd man out should be Norton, and lets stick with the youngsters.
dap01
February 20th, 2009
10:21 am
Does anyone want to hear another steroid story? Is ESPN the driving force behind the constant barage of stories? ESPN talks about 3 things in baseball: Yankees, Red Sox and Steroids.
Cover something else.
DAP
February 20th, 2009
10:21 am
braveheart
i just about spit out my coffee while reading your 9:15am. so unexpected. havent seen enough of you on this blog lately, man.
TheAntiMe
February 20th, 2009
10:21 am
My last word, ( I promise) on Junior. In a nutshell, Ken Griffey Jr. went where he went because he wanted to and there’s nothing at all evil or sinister about that. Good for him, so now it’s time to move on.
Dubaku
February 20th, 2009
10:22 am
Dave,
Did you ask Tommy if the Braves’ supplying of his diapers were part of the contractual agreement?
ShipHockey7
February 20th, 2009
10:23 am
McP, No Problems over here, I’m using internet explorer
kindergarden math
February 20th, 2009
10:25 am
O.K. Having 3 homeruns is not the same as having more than 3 homeruns. That would be more than 2 homeruns. Still, a shocking statistic.
Tom
February 20th, 2009
10:27 am
What’s this about Hudson and DOB, and Hudson standing up for what he believes in? I must be missing that section of the blog.
Ryan
February 20th, 2009
10:30 am
Ok, so what you’re saying DOB is that we’ll potentially have about 15 players (give or take) platooning in CF?
Martin Legat
February 20th, 2009
10:30 am
Can we just go back to the old blog? This one is loading at a snails pace even with the limit of comments. Plus, having earlier comments deleted really diminishes the experience.
I read the comments from the technical folks yesterday and found their attitude awful and one of them about as egotistical as they come. Typical of some geeks.
mike mangan
February 20th, 2009
10:30 am
How Ironic is it that Liberty Media is offerig a bailout loan of 530 million yes million dollars to sirius/xm radio.Had they taken just 10% of this and added it to the 2009 braves budget we would be sitting in high cotton.This just shows were the absentee owner priorities lie.Wake up Liberty,Wallow in the past and tag a page from Ted Turner on how to run a ballclub.After all in a depressed economy it will take a good team to bring people into the TED…mike
Butch Haynes
February 20th, 2009
10:31 am
I think in a fight between Tim Hudson and Travis the Chimpanzee that Travis the Chimpanzee would win by tearing off Tim Hudson’s face.
TW
February 20th, 2009
10:32 am
Maybe now you and your rag, uh newspaper will learn to “report the news instead of trying to invent it” (and don’t tell me you were duped by a friend
Griffey). Your paper has been doing this for years. That’s why your subscriptions are way down and are dropping.
cvbraves
February 20th, 2009
10:32 am
Lew: Like to have one of your drawings, but I can’t take tnat bet. I think you’re right on about Jeff…forget 2008. He’ll be back!
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
10:33 am
It is very important that when one gets into an altercation with a chimp that you try to save face…
Ryan
February 20th, 2009
10:33 am
But seriously, DOB, how is Escobar looking? I haven’t heard anything about the guy at all and he was really improving last year. Any updates with him? How’s he looking so far in Spring Training?
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
10:34 am
Uh TW… Subscriptions are down because the AJC is not printed in Spanish…
Lunatic Fringe
February 20th, 2009
10:35 am
Ryan
February 20th, 2009
10:30 am
Ok, so what you’re saying DOB is that we’ll potentially have about 15 players (give or take) platooning in CF?
IF there are multiple platoons, it limits roster spaces, and means the players kept have to be more flexible, like Infante and Prado. Which is why I don’t think Norton makes it, and Shafer starts in AAA.
Warhead
February 20th, 2009
10:36 am
Butch Haynes … That was awesome.
Brad in MT
February 20th, 2009
10:36 am
DOB….great blog today! Its nice to have things back to normal. Have the braves given up on trading for Swisher or Nady for now?
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
10:36 am
Norton is not going anywhere…
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
10:38 am
DOB… What’s the word on the 40 man roster? When do moves have to be made/announced?
travis
February 20th, 2009
10:38 am
Any body think this Tim Hudson thing is just a big ole Tim Hudson practical joke? These guys are friends and what better way to pull the ultimate GOTCHA!
Brandon O
February 20th, 2009
10:39 am
DOB
Saw Jamey Johnson last nite in Stuart, FL. He was amazing, He sang On the Road Again Great tune. I highly recommend you go see him.
Mets Stink!
February 20th, 2009
10:39 am
Mike Mangan,
Liberty Media doesn’t care about the Braves, they’re just an asset. They aren’t going to raise payroll by over 50 million. They just hope the Braves break even, and they’ll sell the team as soon as they can. Remember, they are required to hold onto the Braves for a certain period of time.
TDub
February 20th, 2009
10:40 am
You know, if Prado tears it up this spring, maybe they’ll move Kelly to the OF like they were going to do with Furcal anyway. That wouldn’t be bad either.
DAP
February 20th, 2009
10:41 am
i think lunatic fringe meant morton…? just guessing.
Jim
February 20th, 2009
10:41 am
Hey Dave – you forgot that our possible new CF, Josh Anderson, also had 3 HRs last year, all from left side, in 91 ABs, or about 1/30 ABs. Frenchy was 1/60 last year; KJ 1/45; Esco 1/51; Mac 1/22; CJ 1/20. Diaz is about a 1/30 guy, too. All of Josh’s HRs were in Away games according to hitting chart on http://www.braves.com.
Not a big thing, and maybe one of these was an inside the park job, but he at least is not completely a punch and judy hitter.
As mentioned before, Jim Edmonds has 11 HRs last year, but a look at his Wrigley Field hitting chart indicates that 7 were likely fly balls hit up into summer jet stream which blows hard to left-center in that park. Doubt he would do as well in Atlanta.
Paul "Punchin' Pole"
February 20th, 2009
10:43 am
DOB
Can you tell us at all what happened with Hudson? I just want to know what lead him to get so angry.
Jonathon
February 20th, 2009
10:44 am
The Indians designated Andy Marte for assignment yesterday. Doesn’t seem like that long ago he was the #1 prospect for the Braves.
rhynster
February 20th, 2009
10:45 am
moose knuckle:
#1 pitches on Monday.
#2 pitches on Tuesday.
#3 pitches on Wednesday.
Day off on Thursday.
#4 pitches on Friday.
#1 pitches on Saturday.
On days off, #5 gets skipped so that the rest of the rotation stays on a regular schedule of four days rest.
That’s the difference with the #5 starter.
TommyP
February 20th, 2009
10:48 am
With those lamenting the Griffey vs. Garret Anderson argument for the Braves, I ask, “How is it even close in production?”
The Braves clearly want someone to platoon with Diaz. Matty D mashes lefthanders and they want someone that does the same vs. the righties.
Garret Anderson’s splits aren’t that great. Griffey’s splits are outstanding. A Griffey/Diaz platoon would’ve equaled excellent production at a low cost.
So, just moving on to Garret Anderson probably isn’t exactly what we’ll do. I agree to take my chances on Brandon Jones if the alternative is Garret Anderson.
DAP
February 20th, 2009
10:49 am
jim im pretty sure edmonds had more than 11 homers last year. i think he has aided a bit by wrigley, but i think he was aided more by a manager that used him correctly: just against righties. edmonds still has some pop, he hits the ball really hard off of righties.
BlawgDawg
February 20th, 2009
10:51 am
What is the deal with only being able to see some of the posts on here? It was keeping all posts on the page, but now it resets every so often.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
10:54 am
TDub-It won’t happen. Kelly hasn’t played OF for three seasons with an intervening surgery and has only played out there 79 games during his entire career.
WE have Blanco, Anderson, Schafer, Brandon Jones, Diaz and Infante/Norton who can play outfield. Most of them are exceptionally good defensive outfielders-Kelly is NOT.
I’m not certain what part of Wren’s comments that they only would have made that particular move had we signed Furcal that people continually refuse to accept. Wren may not have been able to close a few deals, but what he has said he would do, he has done or at least attempted to do (with a LF). He means what he says-that includes no KJ in LF.
Phar71
February 20th, 2009
10:55 am
Let Manny Be Manny IN ATLANTA!!!
G thebrave3
February 20th, 2009
10:56 am
OMG manny is not going to be in Atlanta that’s the last thing we need is a baby like Many go cheer the yankees
GSU-Lee
February 20th, 2009
10:58 am
Manny would undoubtedly be a great addition to the lineup…but there ain’t no way it’s gonna happen…instead of questioning and debating Manny, just look at the numbers- The Braves don’t have enough money to get Manny
Lunatic Fringe
February 20th, 2009
10:58 am
From mlbdepthcharts.com—no Shafer or Anderson in Lineup–so if one of them makes it, someone has to go.
ATLANTA BRAVES
Starting Lineup
CF Gregor Blanco: speedy 25 year-old will have to hold off competition in spring but his .371 OBP out of the leadoff spot in ‘08 gives him the early edge
SS Yunel Escobar: still a Brave after nearly becoming a Padre early in the offseason
3B Chipper Jones: set career bests in BA the last two seasons (.337 in ‘07, .364 in ‘08); he’ll be 37 in 2009 and hasn’t played more than 137 games in a season since 2003
C Brian McCann: the 24 year-old is already a 3-time NL all-star and one of the best offensive catchers in baseball
2B Kelly Johnson: unless the Braves bring in a better option in LF, the Braves could move Johnson back to the outfield; if not, Brandon Jones and Diaz will platoon
RF Jeff Francoeur: batted just .239/294/.359 in ‘08 after starting his career with 2.5 seasons of excellence; Braves will need him to bounce back
1B Casey Kotchman: the Braves likely expected more than 2 HR’s and a .237 BA in 43 games from the 25 year-old after being acquired in the Teixeira deal
LF Brandon Jones: the Braves could trade for a LF, sign Ken Griffey, Jr., or move Johnson back to the OF but as of now, the 25 year-old is set to platoon with Diaz after hitting .267 with 10 2B’s in 116 AB’s for Atlanta in ‘08
Bench
C David Ross: fell back down to earth (3 HR in 142 AB’s) after hitting 38 HR’s in 2006-07 but should be a solid backup to McCann
2B Martin Prado: utilityman batted .320 in his first extended major league action in ‘08
1B/OF Greg Norton: batted .316 with 3 HR’s and 18 RBI’s as a PH
UTL Omar Infante: valuable utilityman hit .293 and played five different positions in 2008
OF Matt Diaz: disappointing ‘08 season (.244 BA, 2 HR) after batting .327 in ‘06 and .338 ‘07.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
10:59 am
Moose Knuckle-I don’t really have the time to check it out in detail, but I would imagine that top of the rotation pitchers would average around 33-35 starts a season. The number five guys would likely go 23-25 starts. With the Braves in recent years with their huge number of pitching injuries, I would doubt anyone in the five slot has had anywhere near 25 starts. Hell-last year a number five pitcher was in the two slot by the end of the year (Campillo) just due to attrition.
mike mangan
February 20th, 2009
10:59 am
well its obvious liberty media cares nothing about the braves just another holding company looking for tax write offs.How long do they have to hold on to the team before they can spin it?Who would be a possible suitor/Heres a thought Mark Kuban and Ted Turner going into a joint venture.Remember Kuban tried to buy the cubs and that deal fell through.We know with NFL stipulations being what they are Arthur Blank is out of the loop.Mark Kuban is a proven winner with The mavericks and he would like a major league team.Any Thoughts on this?…mike
Chuck
February 20th, 2009
11:00 am
To Mr. Glavine:
After surgery it has to take a while for you to get comfortable enough to let loose, and even then there can be a lot of stiffness. What do you think you’ll have to hit on the radar gun to be able to compete? Hearing that you are pain-free has to allow more pinpoint accuracy, and you were always good at that anyway. Do you feel like your velocity will increase as the season progresses? Is velocity your main concern post-surgery, given that you’re now pain free?
Cameron
February 20th, 2009
11:00 am
“I think we have a variety of guys that can add something to the equation, whether it’s speed, defense, [power], or all-around play,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said.
I don’t know who adds the power option in that equation. Blanco – no, Anderson – no, Diaz – no, Schafer – maybe 10 – 13, Jones – same as Schafer. Who else is Wren talking about? Swisher and Nady could add power. Neither is a 3 or 4 hitter though. More like 5th or 6th. I like Swishers’ versatility and potential though. Maybe Bobby could get him to reach that potential. We all know whoever hits behind, or in front, of Chipper is going to see plenty of pitches. Here is a name I would lokk at acquiring-Delmon Young. I know he hase character issues, but I think Booby and the rest could tame him and his upside his unbelievable. He could also come pretty cheap. If we are willing to try young unproven guys, then we should think about him.
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
11:01 am
DOB, If Glav won’t be used until the 19th, are the Braves going to have him pitch in the minors (Can you imagine how many seats he would fill, starting pitcher, opening day in Gwinnett?), or will he stay south when the rest of the guys go north, and pitch in extended spring training?
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
11:01 am
The context is that he meant Norton. He wants to get rid of one of the best pinch hitters in the majors.
I agree with some others, I don’t like the 100 posts set up.
frank
February 20th, 2009
11:01 am
Has DOB made comments re: the Hudson thing? My guess is that he has and they have already been deleted as a result of this new blog’s limitations. Anyone care to fill me in? I’m all for moving on re: the Hudson subject and talking about baseball again. But I don’t think you can be a fan of this blog and not at least want to get a comment on what happened.
Travis
February 20th, 2009
11:01 am
I dont like even considering jim edmonds, he would be a terrible pick up for the braves. Id rather see the younger guys then edmonds and anderson. You cant put griffey in the same league as edmonds and anderson period. They are all old and wouldnt be productive at all! The griffey thing i would have liked to see but the two other old men would be awful.
Bunt 'Em Over
February 20th, 2009
11:01 am
DOB–
Any hope of extended bunting practice this week? I don’t know of a source for a stat on percentage of sucessful sacrifice bunts, but the Braves must have been at the bottom. Admittedly, bunting seems kinda scary, but then I ain’t a big show ball player.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
11:01 am
Phar71-Dude, what part of us not having an extra $5 mil, much less $20 mil is unclear to you? Why do people still intently clamor for a player who will never be signed by the Braves? What part of “He will never play for the Braves” do people fail to understand? It’s the personification of mystification.
Fred
February 20th, 2009
11:01 am
rhynster, Our first game is on Sunday night against the Phillies with an off-day Monday.
rhynster
February 20th, 2009
11:02 am
Fred, it was a hypothetical situation illustrating how a 5th starter gets skipped.
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
11:03 am
Lunatic FringeI wouldn’t put too much stock into MLB depth charts, I mean, they tabbed Diaz’s season as disappointing statistically…what was the guy supposed to do? He was hurt basically all year…
Brandon O
February 20th, 2009
11:03 am
Great Article on why Braves should sign Garret Anderson:
http://mlbnotebook.com/2009/02/mr-anderson.html
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
11:05 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, McCANN!!
TJ
February 20th, 2009
11:07 am
And just to be correct to mike at 10:59, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks is Mark Cuban. With a “C”, not Kuban….
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
11:08 am
Happy 25th Birthday Brian McCann !!!
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
11:09 am
Mate – I will see your piddly Florida ‘gators and raise you an Aussie salty croc..
I have an empty place in Winter Springs down there if you get scared of the reptiles… but that would add at least an hour to your daily commute each way…
Did the bloggers solve our LF crisis or the economic mess yet !
“Shake and Bake”
PIZZARO
February 20th, 2009
11:09 am
Now that the streak has been over for several years and high profile player have shunned Atlanta there’s more humility on the blog. It’s nice to see that the current poster’s on the blog don’t act as if baseball was invented by the Braves.
Lunatic Fringe
February 20th, 2009
11:09 am
Andy K.
Agree that I don’t put much stock in their stats, but the problem remains. in that we want to play a bunch of young guys or add another bat (Nady Swisher etc) or platoon in possibly 2 spots in the OF, but we don’t have much room to maneuver in the lineup.
We have to keep Ross, and probably Infante to back up Chipper. So that leaves Diaz, Prado, Norton, B. Jones, and Blanco as guys who may have to go if we had someone, or Shafer of Anderson make the lineup.
TDub
February 20th, 2009
11:09 am
Don’t think you guys are being creative enough – Anderson is likely too expensive and Manny WILL NEVER HAPPEN (let us know when the acid wears off, Phar71). With Anderson, you’d likely get similar production by moving Kelly to LF and playing Prado at 2B for far less money.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
11:10 am
You people that keep asking about past events need to check out previous blogs. Do you really think you are the only one to ask about those things? Do you really expect David to answer the same question to everyone who comes to the blog an hour after the last one asked? Please be considerate. Read elsewhere. David has had a rough time the last few days, he does not need to be (unintentionally) harassed for the next few days by people’s curiosity. So again, I ask you to be considerate.
Crash
February 20th, 2009
11:10 am
I’m a huge fan of Blanco in the leadoff spot. I’m fully aware Anderson is out of options and played well down the stretch last year, but I thought Blanco had the best plate appearances of anyone on the team last year. In addition to posting a good on-base percentage, his at-bats were fantastic, seeing and fouling off a ton of pitches. There isn’t a lot that separates him from Anderson- they are almost identical players- but his ability to see more pitches might be the one difference.
moose knuckle
February 20th, 2009
11:11 am
rhynster – Lew – thanks. maybe he gets more starts b/c he’s the only lefty? maybe has more innings vs. a younger guy (JJJ<KK)? 1 game at a time. maybe we should play good defense 1st before givin a hoot who starts when during the 162
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
11:12 am
dogsbrekky “Shake and Bake”
We went to Steak and Shake for dinner last night.
Tom
February 20th, 2009
11:13 am
What is this whole Hudson thing everyone is talking about???
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
11:13 am
TDUB – I agree, Garrett does not excite me in the least… rather let Diaz even just have a go against righties as Anderson splits about the same versus LHP and RHP
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
11:13 am
Frank, just words exchanged in the clubhouse. Nothing more. Hudson believed the person who insinuated that the AJC story provided the impetus for Griffey to change his mind.
Oh, and he was upset about me speculating on who’d be removed form 40-man if they got Glavine and Griffey, though Bowman did the same thing.
Actually, what Hudson was upset about in that regard was a report that said Blanco and Lerew WOULD BE taken off the 40-man, based on my innocuous blog comment. It’s a typical occurence these days, when someone writing or commenting on some half-ass blog out there (and I’m not talking about the reputable, solid blogs, of which there are plenty) will take what I made clear was entirely speculation on my part, just answering a reader’s question of who MIGHT be taken off the roster, and someone will run with that and post it as “Blanco and Lerew WILL BE removed from the 40-man, according to …”
You’d drive yourself nuts trying to exlain to some people who just don’t seem to grasp that we can’t be responsible for someone in this internet era taking what we’ve written, something that I or we have labeled as clear speculation, and attributing it to us as something definitive. You’d spend 24 hours a day policing the internet trying to stay on top of all the cut-and-pasters doing that stuff.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
11:14 am
Tom, have you been living under a rock the last day ?
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
11:15 am
Part of the reason Glavin would be a #5 starter is not based on his ability, but also based on his age and the fact that he just came off of surgery. No one can actually predict who will be pitching where at any point in the season right now. If anyone should know this, it should be Braves fans.
fifthbusiness
February 20th, 2009
11:15 am
DOB I just had a crazy thought. If Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, or any of those other sixty something coliseum rockers had to pea in a cup and have it reported how many roids and uppers would show up? Or would the the other stuff mask it?
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
11:15 am
Lunatic FringeGood point, right now, Wren may have to hope a guy like Jones, etc, can cl rear waivers and start in Gwinnett.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
11:15 am
Dogsbrekky…We haven’t gotten to the LF spot or the economic crisis, yet. I believe we are still trying to figure out the consistency of coffee farts.
detroitchris
February 20th, 2009
11:15 am
DOB,
whats your feeling on the cowboy junkies take of “sweet jane”?
Brad in MT
February 20th, 2009
11:16 am
DOB…whats the deal with this new blog? It sucks compared to the old one…after I refresh it doesn’t jump to where I was before and all the comments aren’t here. I was hoping for an improvement, but this is worse than the old one.
ssiscribe
February 20th, 2009
11:16 am
The more I think about it, the more Garret Anderson makes sense to me. Same number of homers last season against RHP as Griffey, average vs. RHP 21 points higher than Junior, drove in 21 more runs. Only two errors in his last 261 games in left field. Only struck out 77 times in 557 at-bats.
Dude hits for good average, decent power, plays good defense, stole seven bases last season … I think it’s worth at least a call from Wren to see if the Braves could make it happen. You could do a lot worse.
–30–
A Real Fan
February 20th, 2009
11:17 am
Why does O’Brien still have a job?
Barry
February 20th, 2009
11:17 am
With all this talk about the Braves needing help in the outfield and having a power hitter out there, remember that I’m available and will work for a lot less than I know I’m worth. Call me.
DAP
February 20th, 2009
11:19 am
cameron id bet that diaz could hit as many homers as shafer or jones. dude hit 12 in 2007 with just 350 ABs, so its not like hes a black hole in the power department.
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
11:19 am
DOB, or anyone else that can answer this, when a player has Minor League options left, I know that they lose one if they get sent back down. But, do they lose yet another one in being called back up, or no? thanks in advance.
Thrillhouse44
February 20th, 2009
11:20 am
Mail, Lew.
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
11:20 am
Danga – I hear you mate. I went to a new Brazilian restaurant here in NYC last night and finished with an Irish coffee, and then this am had another coffee in the park… letting fly with sme beauties now but cannot work out which farts are worse, Irish coffee ones or regular coffee rippers…. will analyse and advise later
Sharon
February 20th, 2009
11:22 am
Great, Glavines back for another round of nothing. Didnt someone tell him he should retire and here we have Hanson just waiting to ACE our rotation and nope. Glavine wants to play for one more year. Whoppeeee.
C's
February 20th, 2009
11:24 am
PEOPLE READ!!!!!!
THERE IS A DISCLAIMER AT THE TOP OF THE SCREEN THAT READS:
Editor Note: Because of technical problems, we’re temporarily limiting the display of comments to the 100 most recent. But all the comments are being preserved, and when we get this fixed (SOON, we hope), they’ll all reappear.
semiballcoach
February 20th, 2009
11:24 am
i think the options are for the entire season, so they can go up and down as often as needed
ease19
February 20th, 2009
11:24 am
detriotchris That is my favorite version…
I believe DOB said on the radio (680 The Fan) that Hudson believes everything that he hears, so if that is the case then his reaction is understandable…but thanks to DOB for clearing it up!
TBraveFan
February 20th, 2009
11:24 am
Sharon — didn’t anyone tell YOU about what happens to young pitchers who are rushed up to an “ACE” role too soon?? Don’t YOU remember poor Joey Devine?
Danga
February 20th, 2009
11:24 am
Mmm…Irish coffee. That is all I would ever want for dessert.
Blake Penno
February 20th, 2009
11:25 am
DOB
Are you sure you didn’t make a comment about the Big 12 being better than the SEC to Huddy? Those of us from Alabama take that serious.
Enjoyed the blog, as always.
ccrider
February 20th, 2009
11:25 am
ccrider
February 20th, 2009
11:25 pm
Anders: It is sad that instead of being a fan of your own team, on a blog with other Mets bloggers discussing your team’s possibilities and hopes, you spend your time pontificating about a team and it’s fans that you care nothing about. You would rather be a constant annoyance to everyone on this blog, most that do not enjoy your contributions(including DOB himself, whose is fairly tolerant), than go somewhere that you might be appreciated and conversed with in a more friendly way. I truly feel sad for you. You must live a life where the only attention you can garner is by being an contarian, thus drawing attention to yourself not for you wit or knowledge, but for your spite and ill intentions. You are like so many of the ill-informed bloggers that have posted on the Griffey signing. They don’t bother to see the facts of how and why it concluded the way it did, they just want to rail at someone for the inadequacies of their lives. You seem to be smart enough to see your not wanted here. Ask yourself a question? Why?
moose knuckle
February 20th, 2009
11:25 am
has there been any word on KK’s adjustment to a bigger ball?
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
11:25 am
Does Hudson have some man-love for Blanco/Lerew or what
“Not that there is anything wrong with that”
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
11:27 am
A Real Fan
Ya know what? No. I don’t think you are.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
11:28 am
Moose Knuckle…Not specifically. But this was written yesterday.
http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/02/19/braves_notes.html
PIZZARO
February 20th, 2009
11:31 am
ccrider–don’t be a pecker head. live and let live.
moose knuckle
February 20th, 2009
11:31 am
thanks. i was looking for some specifics. maybe i check the japenese reporters info as he would be more apt to talk to them due to language.
tvsportscaster
February 20th, 2009
11:33 am
Andy K, to answer your question about minor league options. A player can be optioned up and down as many times as the club wants during the season and it only counts as one option. Options, simply mean years. A player has three options from the time he’s put on the 40-man roster, meaning he has three years left of minor league options.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
11:33 am
Huddy needs to get a grip and worry about getting himself back in shape. WTF does he think will happen to the 40 man roster if we get another outfielder or bring up players who don’t currently reside on the 40 man? It won’t be his call, anyway and since he’s not going to be the one dropped, he needs to just get over it.
Thrillhouse-Got it. Thanks, Dude.
Tom
February 20th, 2009
11:34 am
CoxLover, I either live under a rock, or I have a life that doesn’t include reading blogs 24/7 (especially ones that only show 100 comments).
yuupp
February 20th, 2009
11:34 am
Frank Wren was being smart when he was deciding to keep quiet about who the braves were trying to aquire and as soon as he got sloppy and opened his mouth again it backfired on him. their were crappy leaks saying Griffey was coming to the braves which ruined all of Wrens plans – id expect Wren too keep his mouth shut if he has any interest in signing Anderson – in my opinion Anderson should have been their target in the first place and it would be a bad move by Wren not to go after him.
Thrillhouse44
February 20th, 2009
11:36 am
DOB, who gets dropped from the 40 man roster when Hudson comes back?
ease19
February 20th, 2009
11:36 am
ccrider Anders has explained why he is on this blog and I don’t really mind his perspective. He is a Mets fan, but also a DOB fan, which cannot be said of a bunch on here.
McFann You go girl!
AGTFan
February 20th, 2009
11:37 am
I love the question for Glavine about Radar Gun. LOL. His most effective pitch has always been in the mid to low 70s. Some total moron (or someone pretending to be a total moron) asked why DOB is still employed. Duh, maybe because he is one of if not the best at what he does.
My predictions for next season is that signing Glavine will turn out to be one of the best bargains of the year for any team. He pitched with pain for so many years that he didn’t recognize when he was really injured until he had a few terrible outings. He bounces back this year. Also Frenchy and Diaz bounce back this year.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
11:37 am
Tom, baseball is my life.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
11:37 am
Pizarro_You mean as opposed to the Mets, who though they may not have invented choking, have still done their part in continuing the tradition?
AGTFan
February 20th, 2009
11:38 am
Oh and happy birthday McFann. I predict another All-Star season and appearance this year.
DAP
February 20th, 2009
11:39 am
hey guys, several spot available for free fantasy baseball. its all blog regulars. email me if you want to get s team: daalper@yahoo.com mcfann, you oughta try it. youd have fun.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
11:40 am
Yupp-Thanks for the informative post with all the brand new conjecture. You’ve added SO much to the debate. What would we do without the added insight?
Random
February 20th, 2009
11:40 am
Brad in MT, Martin Legat, Steve McP, PTBNL, ALL DENIZENS –
I strongly urge everybody to go to From the geeks: What’s happening with your comments and let them know what YOU want the blog to be able to do.
They’re currently fixin’ to “fix” it, which unless we let them know our wants and needs, could just as easily mean castrate as repair (just like in real life).
I am sure that they’d appreciate all of us sharing how we use the blog — eg, searching the blog for particular commenters or topics — that will help them as they move forward with the fixes. They’re currently logging our “use cases” in their system.
So let them know how you use the blog and how you want to be able to use it. (It’s also preferable if you would not be pricks about it.)
PS: PTBNL (11:10 am)– see above (“Editor Note: Because of technical problems, we’re temporarily limiting the display of comments to the 100 most recent.”)
Nick in PA
February 20th, 2009
11:41 am
DOB,
Wouldnt Garret Anderson be just as good if not a better option than Griffey was?
Lew
February 20th, 2009
11:42 am
ease19-Anders a DOB fan? Dude, have you really been reading Anders’ posts? I don’t think that’s how I would describe him.
Butch Haynes
February 20th, 2009
11:46 am
I think in a fight, Travis the Chimpanzee would kick both Griffey and Garrett Anderson’s butts, after which he would remove their faces.
cvbraves
February 20th, 2009
11:46 am
Have to go with Chipper on the LF option. He said in article on AJC page or Braves.com page today that he thought the team needed a power RH bat between him and McCann. He was specific.
IMO, this is not to say that the platoon in LF with current Braves won’t suffice or even that Garrett Anderson is not on the radar. Just Chipper’s perspective (and mine).
John
February 20th, 2009
11:49 am
The Braves have failed completely with their off season plan. They have no leadoff hitter, no cleanup hitter, no outfield power and got only one decent starter when they needed two or three. The loss of prospects like Furcal, Peavy and even Griffey were public and toxic and demoralizing. John Smoltz will be sorely missed. Liberty Media and Frank Wren should be fired.
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
11:50 am
DOB-
For next Wed’s first ST game, when do you think Bobby may decide who’ll pitch? The day before?
Friday The 13th Remake Was Okay
February 20th, 2009
11:52 am
I’ve been a braves fan since Murphy…However I just cant see our team being able to compete this year…I mean I believe are team is as young if not younger than 2005 when we won the division…Are lineup besides maybe 3 to 4 players will be “nonames”
ease19
February 20th, 2009
11:52 am
Lew – I just meant in light of what has been going here the last couple of days…He is afterall a Mets fan (nugh said) and he reminds me of Newman from Seinfeld…Hated but necessary for the comic relief…
Tony
February 20th, 2009
11:53 am
That’s to show to don’t ever make a new blog or come out in public just because a “friend” tells you guys something. Don’t EVER do that again. I wish Hudson would of beat your ass! Next time keep your little “sources” to yourself and wait for an official word because posting anything.
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
11:54 am
While I think Garrett Anderson would be a plus for the Braves if they were to cut Norton (which is not going to happen) , the biggest difference between Junior and Garrett is the star factor. It’s likely the number of fans KGj would draw would just about make up the salary for him. If you check out the incentive package given to Junior by the M’s you will find that attendance figures are tied to part of his bonus.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
11:55 am
Tony…About 2 or 3 days late on that one. I believe those exact comments have already been posted 347 times.
GTSteve
February 20th, 2009
11:55 am
Hey Dave, I will be down in a couple of weeks at the game in Tampa, can I by you a beer?
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
11:55 am
Hey Tony… You’re “and” idiot….
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
11:55 am
I really think we need to get Garret Anderson to play LF. Considering how bad our outfield was last year, I think he would help us a lot. He hit close to .300 with 15 HR’s, 84 RBI’s last year.
Tony
February 20th, 2009
11:55 am
“I believe DOB said on the radio (680 The Fan) that Hudson believes everything that he hears, so if that is the case then his reaction is understandable…but thanks to DOB for clearing it up!”
There is nothing to clear up. Point blank is people shouldn’t be posting anything just because a FRIEND said something. You wait until its official and someone inside the Braves said’s something. There is no excuse for this. I wish DOB would just point the finger to himself and say that he is wrong for this. He should know that all the media outlets in the MLB look at this site and take DOB serious (Well use to).
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
11:56 am
John – take one of my positive pills….
We needed pitching and we now have a very good starting rotation which if they play things properly can handle Glavine if his arm needs more time, Jurrjens if we do not want to extend his innings, Kawakami if he tires, Hanson if he is ready…. add Lowe who finished the season better than any other pitcher not named CC, Vazquez who strikes out a bazillion hitters and will not have head case Ozzie pissant bugging him PLUS an AWESOME BULLPEN…..
plus we have some kids coming up who deserve a chance to prove themselves
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
11:56 am
Tony
Get over it! It’s history.
BravesFanInRockies
February 20th, 2009
11:56 am
Mornin’ folks. A little calmer here today? (Can’t tell because of the limited comments displayed, but I see we’re all a bit bent out of shape about that .)
cvbraves, I’m with Chipper, but unless they’re planning to pursue Nady, given budget constraints, I don’t know who that RH power hitter could be. You could plug Diaz in that spot vs LHP, I suppose. He won’t give you HR power, but his career OPS vs. lefties is .869. Extend his career numbers to a 600 AB season, he’d hit 20+ HR, 30+ 2B. It’s acceptable but not eye-popping.
As DOB suggested last night, if there’s no real difference maker out there for the money they can spend, it might do as well to wait until mid-season and see whose salaries are being dumped.
Catfish
February 20th, 2009
11:56 am
DOB: Great job w/ the blog. I’m not much of a blogger but I thoroughly enjoy coming on here and finding out what’s goin on w/ the Braves.
Quick question: What do you think about the possibility of the Braves trading one of their starting pitchers like Lowe, Jurrjens, Hudson, Vasquez, or Kawakami before the All-Star break for a big bat in the OF or a big bat at 1B? That’s assuming Hudson comes back fully healthy and can pitch in August and assuming Hanson is progressing nicely and we can’t keep him out of the majors any longer. That sounds like way too many good pitchers for a 5 man rotation. It would be hard to move Lowe at his salary but if Vasquez or Kawakami come on strong that just seems like a logical thing to do. Hudson’s still got an option for next year and I don’t see the Braves keeping him and Lowe since they’re similar type of pitchers and both will be making big money. Obviously, Hudson might not have much trade value until he proves he’s healthy. I would hope if Hudson comes back healthy, the Braves wouldn’t just let him walk away for nothing after 2010.
I love the pitching depth and think Wren should be commended for solidifying the staff. JS is very proud I’m sure. B/c when you have a bunch of good pitchers it enables you to win close ball games, not tire out your bullpen, and use them in a trade if you’ve got enough depth.
The main problem I have w/ our lineup is the following: We need a true leadoff hitter that gets on base and has the capacity to steal a base w/ consistency. Johnson, Escobar and Prado are all great players that I like but none of them are lead off guys. Hopefully, Josh Anderson fills that role this year. We need more power production at 1B and the corner outfield spots.
Tony
February 20th, 2009
11:57 am
“Tony…About 2 or 3 days late on that one. I believe those exact comments have already been posted 347 times.”
348 times now.
Tomahawk210
February 20th, 2009
11:58 am
DOB How’s Jordan Schafer looking?
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
11:58 am
Enter your comments here
Martin Legat
February 20th, 2009
11:59 am
Random, I appreciate your comments at 11:40. However, the egotistical Bronosky needs to be the one asking. His comments yesterday lead me to believe it would be a waste of time. To wit:
“Taking that long is unacceptable to me (and it is my call to make). Others (like Colbrave) have disagreed.” and “But, I am a usability expert. I will personally get involved and make sure that the updated pagination experience makes you say “wow, this is how it should be done!””
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
11:59 am
Catfish</strong, the Bravos signed Lowe to a 4 year, 60 million deal. I think they plan on having him around. I mean, when Huddy comes back, looks at this rotation: Huddy, D-Lowe, Jurrjens, Vazquez, Kawakami, Glavine (2009), Hanson. And not to mention Morton, Parr, etc waiting in the wings.
rammerjammer
February 20th, 2009
12:01 pm
Francoeur can be that RH bat behind Chipper. He has six weeks to prove capable. Personally, I like Mac behind Chipper, THEN Francoeur, Kotchman, Diaz/Jones and Anderson.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
12:01 pm
ease19-Comic relief is definitely much closer to how I would describe him.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
February 20th, 2009
12:02 pm
On another blog (and I don’t know how to keep up with them these days) WAYNE from Utah talked about what Griffey was doing in playing Atlanta against Seattle. I think he was dead on.
This note is addressed to him. It was posted on another blog and disappeared.
Wayne,
It appears you are hitting on the real deal about Griffey’s intent and that was to play one team against the other. Let’s face it, that happens all the time. As a matter of fact all of us do it anytime we put something on EBay or any other bidding site. What we are hoping for are two or more bidders for if we only get one we are in trouble.
If I have a car to sell and run an ad for XXXX price (or best offer) I am sure hoping I am going to get more than one offer.
The problem here is that baseball contract negotiations are (in many cases) out in the open and there are hundreds of fans watching every move. And when the final decision comes down the losing fans get upset. What separates the good fans from the bad ones are at times rather dramatic. I will say I never dreamed we would see so many nutcases come out of the woodwork and vent their spleens over a has been star who is fading fast. One thing I noticed is that the most vicious were those whose monickers were some we had never seen on this blog before. Maybe they are regulars who are ashamed to show their real faces. If that is the case they should have known that what they were writing, yelling for DOB’s head (literally), was beyond the pale of decency. Idiots like that leave me perplexed.
The other factor is the availability of a blog such as this. Nowhere else in the country (to my knowledge) is there a blog that is as popular as this one. And, that is solely because of the effort David puts into this thing. He is on this site around the clock or so it seems from the timing of many of his posts. It is time we appreciate him for his efforts and get over Griffey. Griffey played this for all it is worth and he made it work. Until he contacted Atlanta he was stuck with one bid for $1 million dollar. He exploited that into the possibility of making $4.5 mil and a job with the team after his playing days are over. I’d say Griffey played this violin perfectly. And there is no way in hell Frank Wren could determine that he was simply being used as a ploy. No way.
Finally it is obvious Tim Hudson was out of line and I hope he is man enough to apologize to David O’Brien for what he said or did, whatever it was.
Freshmaker
February 20th, 2009
12:02 pm
John, how do you fire the owner? Other than not getting a power bat in the OF, the Braves have done a good job in the offseason. Stop being so negative.
yankeedawg
February 20th, 2009
12:04 pm
Anders = Village Idiot
ET
February 20th, 2009
12:04 pm
Yuupp,
Wren didn’t leak anything. The leaks came from friends of Griffey, our players, (Jones etc), & Griffey’s agent. It was the perfect set up to get Seattle to up the ante…which they did. Their offer went from 1 mil guarantee to a 2 mil guarantee plus a promise that he would have a job after he retires.
I think Griffey wanted to be shown love from Seattle and had to use us to get it. Smoltz pulled the same thing, except Wren wouldn’t play the game by upping the ante. Wren knew what figure he could pay Smoltz to sit on the disabled list. Wren was willing to pay Smoltz just as much as Boston for a healthy Smoltz. Smoltz wanted the money regardless of his health.
Furcal played the same game with LA. He used us to get LA to pay him more money. The more I see of the greed of the players today the more I despise the player’s union. (don’t get me started on the Auto union killing the big three).
rammerjammer
February 20th, 2009
12:05 pm
If Hanson is all everyone says, look for Vazquez to be dealt for an outfielder. Lowe stays, as does JJ, and Kawakami hasn’t established his trade value.
ease19
February 20th, 2009
12:06 pm
rammerjammer – I agree with Jeff as the RH behind Chipper. I think that he will see more pitches to hit as I doubt that teams would want to walk him to get to McCann
Gibby
February 20th, 2009
12:10 pm
I Can’t wait to start talking about the players on the field.
Matt
February 20th, 2009
12:11 pm
Lets sign Garrett Anderson by the end of the weekend.
rammerjammer
February 20th, 2009
12:11 pm
ease19,
That makes sense. So much depends on Francoeur getting it back. If he’s the 2008 Frenchy after a couple of months, I wouldn’t be shocked if he was sent down…and for more than a weekend.
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
12:11 pm
DOB – Can we get a run down in the next few days how the kids look so far in spring training.
I know myself and others are very interested in seeing how Schafer, Jones (B) and Josh A look
“Ta ta for now”
Anders
February 20th, 2009
12:12 pm
Ease19 – I appreciated your kind words, well at least until you let Lew pull you into his negative karma. Be yourself. Don’t let his self appointed omniscient blog demeanor sway you. I haven’t.
Will someone please look up omniscient for Yankeedawg. Thanks.
Catfish
February 20th, 2009
12:13 pm
Andy: I agree that the rotation looks really strong for this year, next year and the immediate future. I’m sure Lowe will be around for awhile and I hope so b/c those sinker ballers can pitch effectively forever. My point is that going into 2010 the Braves could have the following guys all looking for spots in the rotation: Lowe, Hudson, Kawakami, Vazquez, Jurrjens, and Hanson. I think Hanson will end up being our #1 pitcher before all is said and done. Followed by D. Lowe and the rest. If everyone stays healthy (big if, knock on wood), then we’ve got too many good pitchers and not enough spots to put them in. That’s why I think a trade during the season or after the season makes sense if we can get the right big bat in here and not have to give up any major prospects. Teams always need good reliable SPs. Just look at the Braves last year.
If we could get one more big bat (I’m not talking about someone like Griffey. I’m talking someone in their prime. A quality player you could get for a quality SP.) and plug it into a lineup with Chipper, Frenchy, McCann, Schaffer, Escober, etc. on top of a great rotation, we’d be set.
Braves are in good shape. The farm system is absolutely stacked (which is sort of a surprise considering we gave up a lot of prospects for Tex and Vasquez). Just another reason to commend our scouting system.
Ian Curtis
February 20th, 2009
12:15 pm
“Tim Hudson was out of line…”
Well, the fact is that AJC and David O’ Brien have been doing some shady reporting. I mean seriously, let’s write an article about how Griffey agreed to play for the Braves because of what some “friend” had said. A friend is not a reliable source, my friend. Journalism will teach you to prevent these kinds of gaffes, such as mentioning in your article that it is just mere speculation rather than acting like it’s a valid fact. The fact is, David O’ Brien posted that article in hopes of being the first to break the news, trying to get ahead of everyone else before ever checking or validating his sources. This undeniably put him in the dog house
Yet, I can’t help but notice how his cult following is backing him up 100%, and that is just mind boggling. It seems the readers of AJC are David O’ Brien fans first, and Braves fans second. Well then, “hear, hear” my fellow constituents, let’s all hear what the mighty David O’ Brien has to say next, shall we?
elliwg6
February 20th, 2009
12:15 pm
John,
“firing the owner”…..whatever that means, brings the payroll to ZERO. No owner means no money. Learn how baseball works before you shoot your mouth off and criticize the offseason acquisitions.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
February 20th, 2009
12:16 pm
Tony, you are an idiot.
John, you also are an idiot.
Neither of you know what you are talking about. Get another life, you are in over your heads in this one.
DAP
February 20th, 2009
12:18 pm
my guesses for the braves rotation for the next couple of years(not including spot starts of half seasons by hanson, morton, jojo, ect) are
2009: lowe, vazquez, jurjens, kawakami, glavine
2010: hudson, lowe, jurjens, kawakami, hanson
2011: lowe, jurjens, hanson, kawakami, morton
just guessing, but all of those rotations look pretty good, assuming morton and hanson turn out like we think they will. morton could be trade bait, since there isnt a slot for him and he is pretty much ready now. the braves have enough pitching lower in the system to make him available, but i like morton. i hope he get a chance soon.
Catfish
February 20th, 2009
12:18 pm
DOB would’ve been neglecting his duties as a journalist if he didn’t report the story that he had. He never said Griffey was certainly coming here. He only went forward on the info. provided to him by his source. We just got spoiled w/ JS b/c this type of stuff never seemed to become as public. Or in the alternative b/c we always landed the first guy we wanted and then quit playin in the free agent pool.
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
12:19 pm
Ian Curtis – trust me Griffey had agreed and was the one pursuing the Braves not the other way around..
DOB’s source was Terence Moore, my contact was as close to the deal as you can get without being either Frank Wren or Junior/JR Agent…
it was a done and dusted thing until the agent started playing on getting his extra commission
Poorbrave
February 20th, 2009
12:19 pm
All you fans worrying about DOB and Hudson ….DOB is man enough to admit when he’s wrong. Can’t say that about Hudson, but I hope everyone will forget and forgive and get on with life. Can’t believe Braves were ever intersted in Jr to start with. Thanks DOB for keeping the fans informed. You have 40 different players to keep happy and millions of fans, you have one hell of a job to do and for me you do it well. God Bless!
mbatl
February 20th, 2009
12:20 pm
Hudson got mad over (a) the idea that media reports resulted in losing out on a player to help his team win; and (b) feeling that some of his teammates were being disrespected by reports that their careers with the Braves were in jeopardy.
To me, while it’s clear that he was misguided in both of those opinions, I give him credit for being passionate about his team and his teammates. Hopefully this blows over, because he’s one guy who I could see giving the Braves the benefit of the doubt when it comes time to negotiate a new contract.
Anders
February 20th, 2009
12:20 pm
Lew- Just because I don’t agree with everything DOB says doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate what he does here. I’ve repeatedly said one of the reasons I come here is because I’ve not found any other blog where a guy within the game is as attentive as DOB. Most seem to just go through the motions.
Just because you have this overwhelming hatred of all things Mets please don’t assume I feel the same way about the Braves. I come from a two team town so I’m used to the push and pull of these types of discussions. It may be foreign to you guys but it’s a way of life in NY. I just prefer to do this with Braves fans rather than Yankke fans – nothing more. To do so I have to come to this blog.
TommyP
February 20th, 2009
12:20 pm
100 most recent comments…interesting. Now I know what people are fussin’ about.
To those moving onto Garret Anderson: I just don’t see the Braves signing him, at least not for awhile.
Griffey and Anderson weren’t interchangeable signings.
The Braves have a guy that simply MASHES lefties in Matt Diaz. What they were/are looking for is someone that can do the same against righties. Griffey still does that while Anderson doesn’t.
Let’s look at the OPS of Griffey and G.Anderson the last 5 years VS. RIGHTHANDERS:
Griff: .841, .943, .869, .975 and .968.
Anderson: .774, .834, .796, .719 and .877.
(most recent are first)
Anderson has been solid while Griffey has put up MONSTER splits the way we need to use them. (vs.righties only)
So…losing Griffey is a bit bigger than many on here want to admit.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
12:21 pm
ET and the Bear…
I think you guys hit the situation right on the head. I’ll go so far as to say that Griffey’s “friend” was told to talk to DOB in order improve his offer. The fact that Griffey is more interested in a nostalgia tour and a front-office job tells me that we are better off without him.
Still holding out hope for a trade for Nady…
DOB- keep your head up, you are doing a great job. Listen to the new M.Ward album it is relaxing and cool. And don’t forget a little Violent Femmes- Kiss of into the air..for all those message board bashers.
Peace
ease19
February 20th, 2009
12:22 pm
rammerjammer – I think that with his new stance and by dropping his hands he will be able to avoid over swinging (which is what I think was his biggest fault last season) and be able to drive the ball. He proved a couple of years ago that he can hit for power and might end up being your typical clean-up.
Anders – I appreciate you but I do not like you. You are a Mets fan and as a Braves fan that makes me throw up a little (like smelling a coffee fart)…That’s me being me…Newwwman!
DAP
February 20th, 2009
12:26 pm
ian curtisa “friend” is not a source
its actually all you need if you are going to write that a friend said griffey wants play for the braves. if thats what the friend said, your good. the AJC made a poor choice with the headline that insinuated griffey had chosen, but the story was accurate. people in atlanta were so excited about it (understandably) that when they got let down, they started looking for someone to blame. theres no one to blame, really. but, if people have to blame someone, they should blame themselves for getting worked up tot he point they thought a deal had been stuck. a signing was never reported, not one time.
The Real Fan
February 20th, 2009
12:26 pm
DOB will never admit he was wrong. He does not have the “it”. Hudson is a member of the team and has every reason to wonder who will be on the team. It’s called chemistry!
Don’t speculate, report what you know! It’s called journalism…
rammerjammer
February 20th, 2009
12:27 pm
And you all can bet that this isn’t the first time a player or coach has busted DOB’s chops. That just goes with the job…unless you’re a blatant cheerleader. Thankfully, that ain’t O’Brien.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
February 20th, 2009
12:27 pm
Ian Curtis
February 20th, 2009
12:15 pm
———–
Ian, you obviously don’t know your arse from third base when it comes to journalism. David posted a rumor, he said it was a rumor and he posted it for this blog. Griffey screwed the Braves and everybody else. And you want to crucify our blogmaster. Hell, if you want to attack the culprit, then attack Griffey.
Question:
Do you want an exciting blog where we can discuss the possibilities of what is going on with out team or do you want to just wait for the morning paper to come out and read the “transactions” section of the sports page?
Ian, you also have joined the team of idiots on this blog. I’ve had it with you freaks. Find another life, you are in bad need of one.
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
12:27 pm
ease19–
Thanks!
AGTFan–
Me, too…and actually it’s McCann’s birthday…mine’s not for another month and a half…ish…
DAP–
Free, eh? That sounds appealing. Do you halfa give out any kind of info other than e-mail address?
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
12:29 pm
I’m not too keen on the 100 post format, either. My Happy Birthday message is gone now.
DAP
February 20th, 2009
12:30 pm
i think its a mistake not to get someone to boost the outfield offense. the braves could be fine, but i think they should over prepare, here. get a bat. a platoon guy, a full time guy, whatever, doesnt matter. one small improvement in the outfield is all we need, in my opinion.
DAP
February 20th, 2009
12:33 pm
mcfann no, you dont. the email addy is really so the commish (me) can send you the info you need in order to get into the league, and then yahoo sends you updates about your team. you can actually hide your email addy from the rest of the league.
use your mom or dads email if you want to. like i said, i just have to send you the league ID#
singndablues
February 20th, 2009
12:33 pm
I think the real indicator of whether there is any lasting damage from the “exchange of words” will be if DOB can still coax players into participating on this blog again. Hope so. But I won’t hold my breath waiting for an appearance by Hudson.
THEscribe
February 20th, 2009
12:35 pm
Good ol’ SSISCRIBE always manages to PIMP one of his “half-as$” blogs here at AJC!
TommyP
February 20th, 2009
12:36 pm
Looking for more participants in an NL only fantasy baseball league with traditional roto scoring.
Have 4 so far and looking for 6 more to fill out the league. (DOB bloggers only is what we’re trying for)
Email me at bcnsgood@yahoo.com if interested.
Poorbrave
February 20th, 2009
12:37 pm
Real Fan? DOB has nothing to admit, he did nothing wrong.
ease19
February 20th, 2009
12:38 pm
for McFann
HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY McCANN!
robdawg08
February 20th, 2009
12:38 pm
DOB, so YOU were the AJC reporter Tim Hudson had to be held back from physically going after ? Wow ! Our local newspaper reported that “Tim Hudson was angry because he felt like an AJC reporter that falsely reported that Griffey had already signed was THE REASON that Griffey rejected the Braves so he went after that reporter and had to be held back.”
I don’t like trying the “ROOKIES” option to solving LF and RF.
Why don’t the Braves (Wren) just admit that after they sign Glavine there won’t be any money left to sign a FA OF ?
Afraud : Well,well,well,… Mr. Arod could not have purchased his steroid over the counter in the Dominican Republic as he claimed
in his news conference. So that’s a blatant lie. Now it’s being reported that he is linked to some DR trainer in 2007 that was banned from MLB players in 2001. A reporter on ESPN said that this Angel guy was with Arod for ALL of the 2007 season. Angel was linked to giving Juan Gonzalez (remember I told you how HUGE he was in person ?) steroids among others. Now MLB is saying that if its proven that Arod was linked to Angel after 2001 (and it has been proven) that he might be suspended in the 2009 season (duration unknown). I wonder if “The Amoeba” Bud Selig can summons the testosterone and guts to actually stand up to the MLB Player’s Union (Don “No Fair Hair” Fehr) and suspend PAYROD ? I’m thinking noithing will be done though. MLB only wants to get players for purgery NOT using STEROIDS. At least 100 players were PROVEN to use steroids from 2001 to 2007 and NONE have been arrested,fined,or suspended by MLB. It seems like if you a millionaire pro athlete that the laws of this America (U.S.) don’t apply to you…
Livinin Al
February 20th, 2009
12:39 pm
Hate the confrontation with Tim H, but nice to see he is sensitive to teammates. Keep doing what you do, 99% pf us appreciate you and your efforts
Mitchie-san
February 20th, 2009
12:40 pm
Hey, the turtle is back!
cricket
February 20th, 2009
12:40 pm
Look at this latest refuge of DOB haters -
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/2/19/764908/tim-hudson-has-words-with
Here’s a guy, proeye, who compares his job as a doctor to that of a sports reporter that writes a freaking sports blog (!!!), expects him to have no opinion on the cases of Smoltz, Furcal, Peavy and Griffey and praises that crappy blog of 3 paras that basically only resolves in name calling. I am so glad I don’t live in ATL, this idiot could have been my doctor.
robdawg08
February 20th, 2009
12:40 pm
I meant LF and CF.
Rafael
February 20th, 2009
12:40 pm
Well, i guess it is cool to be the first one to publish a rumor, a signing but man you should be more careful.. They used you to lure Seattle or see their reaction.. and that will continue to happen if you still do that.. And hey, it’s not the first time that happens because i remember several times that you say that something is 100% certain even if you got it from a really bad source. I know it is a blog, and you have opinions, but at least say that “i got from a source that Griffey chose Braves, we’ll hear oficially about this soon” but you said “Griffey chose Braves. It will be announced on wednesday morning and the deal is blah blah” .. But hey, you actually do a great job and i always read your blogs and this is the first time that i comment just to say this because i don’t care if you do mistakes, because it’s normal to do a mistake once on a while, but this has happened before and we all get really excited because if you say it, then we believe it is truth but then we get that really huge dissapointment because you blew it. Sorry, i just had to say it and whine a little
Now, let’s continue here.. Garret Anderson it’s not a bad idea.. He is a good OF and can produce, and bats for contact.. I prefer him than a internal option. Anyway, Wren said that he is not excited at all about Anderson but i wish he changed his mind..
Josh
February 20th, 2009
12:41 pm
Tommy p, I just sent you an email.
TBAATIL
February 20th, 2009
12:41 pm
I messed up so let’s move on and talk about running up stairs.
ease19
February 20th, 2009
12:41 pm
DAP
I shot you an email…I would like to join.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
February 20th, 2009
12:41 pm
The Real Fan, You’re ”and” idiot.
———
Anders, I think you are a terrific blogger. I detest your team but I like you. You are a straight up guy and I can enjoy reading your posts and even disagreeing with you.
I traveled into N.Y. every six weeks for many years, made my first meaningful speech in the Empire Room at the Waldorf and loved to eat at Ruben’s and The Palm as well as other joints in Manhattan. Met Mickey Mantle one nite at the same hotel where we were both staying, the St. Moritz and we tied one on. Had a ball. He was on the DL and on crutches. We got acquainted when I helped him through the hotel’s revolving door.
Enjoy your time on this board. BTW, I live 8 miles south of the Mets’s Pt. St. Lucie training camp.
Steve McP
February 20th, 2009
12:42 pm
DOB – You were going to post Tom Glavine’s responses this morning following your conference call. If you did they have slipped off of the blog because of the 100 posts rule at the moment, so could you repost them for us? I was following the build up but have been out all morning so not able to catch them when they went up.
TheAntiMe
February 20th, 2009
12:43 pm
The Braves starting rotation will be distinctive, this year. There can’t can’t be too many rotations out there with a J.J. (Jair Jurrjens) and a K. K. (Kenshin Kawakami) who just might be able to combine for 25-30 wins from just the two of them.
MVH
February 20th, 2009
12:43 pm
Hey DOB when the “geeks” delete the comments can you have them keep your comments on here for longer? So at the top of the page would be all of your comments and then at the bottom would be the most recent 100 comments or so.
Ian Curtis
February 20th, 2009
12:45 pm
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum:
You rest my case. You’d blow DOB no matter what was growing down there, eh? It was not just a blog where he posted his opinion, which it wasn’t even an opinion since he’s been stating it as a fact because of this “friend”. So get your facts straight, as there was an actual article that was posted on AJC. Articles are meant for fact reporting and opinions have no place there.
Again, keep up the good work with your ass kissing…maybe David O’ Brien can mention you in his next blog about what a great pup you are.
ease19
February 20th, 2009
12:47 pm
DAP, sorry got it and am signed up! Thanks.
Will
February 20th, 2009
12:49 pm
This hype over Griffey is all sour grapes on the part of the Braves. The silly thing is to think KGj was actually going to be a meaningful contributor. Chipper would have played twice the number of games – and how many do we honestly expect of him?
That aside, don’t report the news until it becomes the news.
Someone please let Glavine know that I noticed the paltry contract he signed to play for Braves this year. He is now back in my Top 50 favorite Braves pitchers of all-time, just ahead of Bruce Sutter.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
February 20th, 2009
12:51 pm
Ian, you are not only stupid, you are a vulgar idiot and you post lies. Screw you.
Anders
February 20th, 2009
12:51 pm
Bear- What types of speeches do you give?
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
12:52 pm
DAP, I see a lot of promise in Morton also.
I really don’t think your projection will be true, though. Not because it is in bad logic nor taste, but because we as recent Braves fans should know that we can’t even predict what the starting rotation will be for this year. How many times did the starting rotation change last year? Yes, we seem to have more durable pitchers than last year, but who would have thought that 4 of 5 starters would have gone down? Besides that, the fact that we have Morton and other promising young pitchers, most likely some of the one’s you have listed will be traded somewhere along the way. Why would we wait 2 more years for Morton to break the rotation if he is ready before then? He may even be ready this year. It is a good problem, but it seems that we have an over abundance of starting pitchers that could be very effective. I don’t put a lot of stock yet in Jo Jo, but otherwise, there are some very promising pitchers in the wings right now. Hard to say what the team will look like after a year of trial and error this year.
Having said that, I think the point of your post is that we presently project well into the next few years with regard to starting pitching. And I certainly agree with that.
robdawg08
February 20th, 2009
12:52 pm
Lowe and Jair are solid. Vasquez and KK are wild cards. If Vasquez pitches like he did in Chicago he will be a bust. Some of the Japanese pitchers dominate (Nomo,Matsuazaka,Kuroda) and some get bombed (Ishii,Ohka,etc.). KK was a barely above average pitcher in Japan not a Daisuke Matsuzaka. I like Campillo and Morton. They kept the Braves “in games”.
JOE
February 20th, 2009
12:53 pm
lets sign orlando hudson and move KJ to the OF! Hudson’s value is way down now with the market, i wish i heard more people saying his name!!
DAP
February 20th, 2009
12:53 pm
ian curtis you seem pretty dense. the article reported a fact. thats right, a 100% fact. it said that a friend had told AJC that griffey had decided on the braves. the headline was misleading, and people like you took it to mean something else, but thats what it said.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
12:55 pm
Wow The Bear and Ian….
C’mon guys this a Braves Blog… Not a trash talking blog. It is this lack of decorum that garnered too much attention from the Braves players and the National Media..
Bear, I agree with your assessment but c’mon man watch the language
JOE
February 20th, 2009
12:56 pm
Second to Daniels
DAP
February 20th, 2009
12:57 pm
PTBNL youre right. i know what a fruitless exercise it is to project several years from now, but it was fun, so what the heck. either way, it SEEMS like we are in a good position as far as starters for the next several years. you never know, though…
robdawg08
February 20th, 2009
12:57 pm
Based on his name and the state of our economy, maybe speeches to the stock market ?
We Are Insane
February 20th, 2009
12:57 pm
How about some reality. Citi down to $2.oo. Bank of America to $3.43, Dow Chemical under.7.50, Major life insurance companies tumbling, unemployment to soon be 15%, the Underemployed(You know those people who were making 80,000 last year and now make 40,000 and can’t pay their bills), millions in annuities threatened, “formerly” safe bond holdings under duress, and on and on and on. And yet you blanking idiots here worrying about some punk A$$ MLB team. Little more reality, by June you won’t be worrying about the Braves’leftfielder. Trust me! And by May, there will be $1.00 Family Nights in Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Arlington, Houston, Cincinnati. Family Night in Atlanta will probably be around 4.00. And you punks are wondering why the Braves don’t open that wallet more. Hopefully the people who own the Braves have a little more responsibility than some ham and eggers(Of course we may all be ham and eggers)who live vicariously through some multi millionaires who would blow them and their little kids off in a parking lot. No, I’ve never asked a Major League ball player for an autograph so I’m not angry at them. But I am disgusted with the “Let’s go get Nady” lightweights of the World.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
12:58 pm
Just wanted to get people’s opinions on what they would give up to get Nady?
flange1
February 20th, 2009
12:59 pm
Ian Curtis,
What are you complaining about, aren’t you dead????
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
12:59 pm
JOE Kelly Johnson is far too good a player to platoon with Matt Diaz, and is an adequate second baseman. On the other side, Matt Diaz is far too good of a player to ride the bench all year.
C's
February 20th, 2009
1:00 pm
If anyone believes the Griffey’s decision had anything to do with the AJC headline, I have some ocean front property in Montana that I’ll sell you for real cheap.
BTW, a Seattle newspaper (ya know, the city in which Junior will now be playing in) reported the exact same thing as this newspaper. Yet that didn’t turn him off from signing there.
Again, the AJC and DOB had N-O-T-H-I-N-G to do with Griffey’s decision.
Rodrigo from BRAZIL
February 20th, 2009
1:00 pm
David,
Everyone is saying the first glavine´s start would be on april 19th. Looking braves schedule we can see easily that Braves are playing five days in a row starting april 14th, so the glavine firts start would be april 18th. Please correct your information. Sorry about my poor english.
brian
February 20th, 2009
1:00 pm
Hey insane – why are you even reading this blog when there are obviously much bigger issues for you to deal with and solve?
robdawg08
February 20th, 2009
1:00 pm
I think the Braves did Francoeur a favor giving him 3.35 million this year avoiding arbitration. Based on his .247 11 70 numbers he woulda shore lost.
rammerjammer
February 20th, 2009
1:01 pm
Ian Curtis,
Try running a newspaper where “sources” aren’t used as a primary information point for a story. Are you old enough to remember Watergate? That downfall began with a single, unnamed source.
Has anyone disputed the accuracy of the source(s) in the Griffey coverage? If so, share that. What O’Brien reported was an ongoing situation, and accurate AT THAT TIME. It continued to evolve and change as Seattle upped the ante.
You’re upset about it only because O’Brien shared more about the process than you would’ve known otherwise. That Griffey used the Braves to get a lifetime deal from Seattle is just the way it goes.
And by the way, clean up your language. You’re an embarrassment.
Mr. B
February 20th, 2009
1:01 pm
I agree with DAP, never reported a signing of Griffey, not one tim the whole day, DOB gave his opinion, never said it was a fact. Get over it and stop hating DOB
Jim In Jax
February 20th, 2009
1:02 pm
That guy was right.
I feel like an idiot reading this Blog. Gonna go see if I have anything in that now 200.5(k) plan.
Veer Brave
February 20th, 2009
1:02 pm
DAVID O’BRIEN please read what i have to say
This isnt the first time you messed up. Remember Jake Peavy?
Remember how you said it was a sure shot that Braves will get Peavy?
You claimed ” Peavys” friend told you that Peavy is being dealt to Atlanta. Now you say ” Griffeys” friend said that he has chosen the Braves.
I have lost all respect and crediablity for you.
You didnt learn your lesson from the Peavy incident?
Tim Hudson is totally correct in blaming you. I also blame you.
You are the sole reason why Griffey isnt in Atlanta. Griffey is a legend. Many of us Braves fans wanted to see him in our uniform but its because of you and your irreponsible journalism that he isnt with the Braves.
Griffey to the Braves would have meant more fans in the stadium and thus higher revenue. Not only that Griffey was a huge upgrade in LF.
If we dont end up getting a decent LF and Matt Diaz stinks and Braves lose the playoff spot by 3-4 games then you ARE TO BE BLAMED.
because Griffey would have made up for that 3-4 games.
David O Brien you are lucky to have a job. Consider it a pity by AJC
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:02 pm
We are Insane…
Baseball and Sports in general allow us to NOT dwell on all the negatives in the economy. It is called distraction and entertainment. Being a fan is about having a community and conversation.
BTW …let’s go get Nady
robdawg08
February 20th, 2009
1:02 pm
Hey C’s, so you are saying that Tim Hudson did not try to attack an AJC reporter because of Griffey’s reported signing. Sure, I’ll believe what you say over Tim Hudson. Not.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
1:02 pm
C’s, I’m guessing you know Griffey personally since you seem to know everything.
JOE
February 20th, 2009
1:03 pm
ANDY, i totally agree with you, having said that, i’d give KJ a chance at playing everyday center while having either shafer or anderson platooning with diaz
Oasisbraves
February 20th, 2009
1:04 pm
DOB — Did you see the Peter Gammons thing on ESPN where he said a story is coming out this weekend from Atlanta and Tampa about steriods…do you know anything about this?
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
1:05 pm
Veer BravesYour mommy is calling! She says to get out of that dark cold basement, take off your Braves jammies, and come get some nice, warm cookies and milk. Seriously dude, give it a rest. DOB has already addressed the situation, and he prolly could care less about that mini rant you just went on.
DAP
February 20th, 2009
1:05 pm
we are insane not arguing with the premise of your post, but we are a LONG way from 15% unemployment. the last time unemployment was higher was in 1983, by the way, not during the great depression like some people are being led to believe. we arent even in the same universe as the great depression.
We Are Insane
February 20th, 2009
1:05 pm
Brian,Unless you are living in your stepdad’s basement, you have the same issues i do. However, you are not smart enough to realize it. “Let’s go get Swisher”, Right?
Thrillhouse44
February 20th, 2009
1:06 pm
Veer Brave,
Please read this.
Your and idiot.
You believe Griff went to Seattle because of a stinkin’ news story? That’s the “sole” reason? It has nothing to do with breaking through with the M’s and playing his best ball there for 11 years? It has nothing to do with the DH in the American League? How about Seattle’s promise of a role in the front office once he retires? No? Okay, you’re right – it was the article that stated a source close to Griffey said he would sign with the Braves. That makes a lot of sense.
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
1:07 pm
We are Insane – If you think that following baseball and idolizing the players in this recession/depression is “INSANE”… go back to 1930 when the hero to all in my homeland was a single racehorse called “Phar Lap”…
“When I find myself in times of trouble….”
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:08 pm
WAI…
Man I am glad I don’t have the same issues as you do. First off I am sane.
Secondly, no way should we go get Swisher
Lunatic Fringe
February 20th, 2009
1:08 pm
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
12:58 pm
Just wanted to get people’s opinions on what they would give up to get Nady?
They would have to give up one of there current young OF, maybe Anderson/Hernandez and some young SP, perhaps Morton. Yanks may want Prado as well. May be too much for the Braves, but I do like the idea of having Nady this year.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
1:08 pm
Daniel….. at this moment…. Nothing (or No One).
DAP — I thought so, but wanted to make sure. We have seen the last couple of days what unfulfilled expectations can bring out in a person! Whew!
robdawg08
February 20th, 2009
1:08 pm
Insane, not everybody is broke and unemployed. The Yankees have ALL their home game tickets sold out before the 1st game is played.
This is a correction in the economy because banks gave home loans to those that couldn’t pay them. Plus all the waste in giving CEO’s of failed companies like GM,Chrysler,Ford,Fannie Mae,etc. million dollar bonuses. I could go on and on but it would be better for everyone to take an economics course at their local college that doesn’t “get it”.
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
1:09 pm
I can honestly see Nady a Brave come opening day. The Yankees will more than likely trade one of Nady/Swisher by the time ST is about up, and I can see Chipper campaign for the front office to get a right handed bat. Swisher will cost more prospects, while Nady would cost something like Prado/Blanco/Reyes, or even better to keep Prado and if Schafer really impresses, a Hernandez/Reyes type deal. The dollar situation might be a problem, but just maybe the Yanks want bad enough to trade one of their OF’s to buy out some of Nady’s contract. A prospect like Hernandez and Reyes who is still young enough to have upside should be enough.
Anyone who thinks G.Anderson is just another Diaz, except older and declining, is probably right. A waste of space and opportunity to get a Nady if you ask me. Best bet is for Atl. to be patient and wait for him to become available.
Mr. B
February 20th, 2009
1:09 pm
Can someone fill me in on this Tim Hudson blaming the AJC for the Griffey incident? I didn’t hear this.
C's
February 20th, 2009
1:10 pm
So why wasn’t he turned off by the Seattle newspaper reporting the exact same thing?
You really believe a professional ball player will hinge his career decision on something so fickle? You don’t think it has anything to do with Mays talking with him? Or the fact that the M’s are giving him employment beyond his playing days? Or that he can DH part time to keep the strain off of his newly repaired knee?
BTW, you can sent your bids for the Montana property to: youarelaughablygullible@yahoo.com
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:10 pm
I would not be upset by giving up Anderson and Morton. Wouldn’t want to give up Hernandez. You could exchange either Morton or Anderson with Prado and that would be fine with me. Plus, a draft pick
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
1:10 pm
DAP – The real unemployment rate here is MUCH higher than stated…. the ol’ USA government successfully does not count on those millions who have given up looking for employment and/or who have run out of benefits… whether it is a R word or D word, it is all bad and getting worse… but if we stick together and fight it out, who knows, USA may go back to equal pay for decent work and stop letting spivs like FULD, Ken Lewis and John Thain steal your tax dollars to pay another bunch of losers spivs………….
Will
February 20th, 2009
1:11 pm
Took the day off and I read this. I’m with a major insurer. That fellow made me go check out what is happening. Now I hope I’ll have $4.00 for that family night.
By the way, the “real” unemployment is way higher than given number. Over 200 thousand retail stores will be shuttered in the coming year. Just said that GM is almost gone. that may add a few figures to unemployment.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:13 pm
TnBrian
I like your opinion…
Definitely do not want Anderson, but I would be hesitant to trade Hernandez
Anders
February 20th, 2009
1:13 pm
Insane- I expressed a very similar sentiment yesterday to what you wrote. Discretionary income has become a much larger component of our economy than it was only 30 years ago. The first thing people pull back on (even those with jobs and still paying their non-discretionary bills) is discretionary spending. Sports falls squarely in this area. These owners are very smart people. They see what’s coming and are preparing for it.
I know some are saying people look to sports to take their minds off their troubles. How does spending $200 at a game take your mind off of not being able to pay your bills? The big teams will certainly survive. Many of the teams you mentioned will have a real struggle on their hands. Crowds could get Marlinesque at more than a few parks.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:14 pm
why is that PTNBL?
car3boogie
February 20th, 2009
1:15 pm
Ok enough BLAME GAME, Who will thank AJC/DOB when Griffey hits .222 and 1 HR for 20 games before he is hurt for rest of the season.
DAP
February 20th, 2009
1:15 pm
daniel i would love to have nady, but wouldnt give up all that much for him. id give two players. 1st, id give one of prado, blanco, anderson, bjones. and then id give up a pitcher, maybe a bullpen arm, maybe a low level starter, maybe jojo.
the yankees probably wont take something like that, since they arent really worried about shedding parole.
but nady would certainly make this team ALOT better.
Hanie
February 20th, 2009
1:15 pm
Veer Brave you should really think before you type out idiotic comments.
robdawg08
February 20th, 2009
1:16 pm
I don’t anything abot Griffey’s personality C’s but I guess you do ? No, I don’t think it was the sole reason he chose Seattle. I’m sure going back to his original team,more playing time, and getting a higher $$$ offer were the main reasons. I never blamed AJC until I read that TIM HUDSON blamed AJC. That’s real.
Davidson Grad
February 20th, 2009
1:16 pm
robdawg08, Go turn on MSNBC, CNBC, CNN Fox, heck even the Disney Channel. This ain’t no normal correction. I’m 63 with a finance degree and I’ll tell you this ain’t no normal correction. Look at the faces of the people in the know, they are way beyond being worried. i recognize this Blog as a distraction, but I do realize in the scheme of things, it is ultimately a silly distraction.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:17 pm
Anders…
WAI was not talking about spending $200 at the park. He was commenting that being concerned about who plays in the outfield for the Braves is a waste of time during this economic downturn. Two totally different statements
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
1:17 pm
Let the Griffey thing go people! I haven’t read every post the last day or two, but I’m sure some of you have read that his daughter was the main reason he decided to go back to Sea. It’s just drama that the AJC/DOB had anything to do with his decision.
Lets stop harping over a 39 yr old platoon OF, and focus on other OF options and Hanson. The Braves are too good for Jr. anyways. Let him warm the bench on a ghost team, and watch our Braves kick some a– this year!
Livinin Al
February 20th, 2009
1:18 pm
Could you guys imagine this blog with no one asking for DOB what he thinks..They ask he answers.and then people consier it reported…
time to play ball!
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
1:18 pm
Mr. B- Timmy Hudson bitch smacked DOB in the locker room. …j/k
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:19 pm
DAP if your assumption is true…
We should definitely make that trade
Bravo
February 20th, 2009
1:19 pm
News update I just received some privy news about Nick Markakis.
There has been some internal discussions of the front offices of the O’s and Braves about the possibility of moving Nick for a package of young prospects. The O’s aren’t sure about pursuing the possibilities of moving Nick but are more inclined to do so while his stock is high. There are some in the front office that feel it’s best to do it now then wait and have his value drop. Braves are prepare to head back to the table. I’d keep an eye on this one.
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
1:19 pm
Anders – good points. I know of many of your brethren Mets fans here in NYC that had season tickets for >> 10 years. One guy in my g/f’s business used to pay $28k for I think 2 tickets in a very nice part of Shea (including parking)… now that the Wilpons have SheetyField his same seats are quoted at $56k (without parking)…. he has said no thanks…
so the math on that would be what $700+ per game, for a bloody baseball game…
The Yankee II stadium is even worse and relies on many corporates who are pulling out left, right and center..
so head to the real world (ie outside of NY).. some lifelong fan with 2 boys and a lower income cannot afford to be paying $100-$150 per game… he just wont go…
Mr. B
February 20th, 2009
1:19 pm
I think they definitely need to sign a vetran outfielder just so they have someone who can mentor the young guys until they are ready to play full time in Atlanta. Either Edmonds or G. Anderson. They will come cheap and not require a long term deal.
History Buff
February 20th, 2009
1:20 pm
Someone mentioned earlier baseball during the Depression. I would suggest you look very closely at the attendance data and pictures of stadiums from that period. Those weren’t crowds, those were gatherings.
robdawg08
February 20th, 2009
1:20 pm
Hey car3boogie, Griffey will most likely hit .280 25 80 in Seattle this year if he stays healthy and plays in 150+ games. I don’t think a lot of know how good Griffey can be when healthy.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
1:21 pm
Because you are talking about giving away a possible #2 or #3 starter for a one year rental. In terms of games won, I don’t think Nady is going to give that much value. In other words, I would wait and see what we actually have before I assign value to any of the guys that people so quickly want to give away. There is no rush. Besides, if we wait, more money may be freed up so that we could get someone that meets what we know our needs to be rather than projecting the needs without knowing what Schafer or Anderson or Morton or Jones or whomever can do. Have you not noticed that every year there are surprise players? We really don’t know what we have now. It is not worth it to get a one year rental of Nady’s stature based on unknown values that we have in hand.
C's
February 20th, 2009
1:21 pm
lol Well if Huddy says it’s true, it must be. C’mon now. He’s no more informed than you or I. Chipper was on record as saying the same thing as DOB. Why isn’t Huddy mad at him?
Huddy was frustrated just like the rest of us. But he took it out on the wrong guy. If he wanted to blame someone, blame the person who actually wrote the false headline. Because DOB had nothing to do with it. He only wrote what was inside the article, which did not contain any false information.
Scott
February 20th, 2009
1:22 pm
The Braves had that RH bat they needed between Chipper and McCann, actually he was a RH and LH bat. They had what they needed in Tex and should have paid to keep him, but they didn’t. To me as of now, I think it is best to start the year with a Jones/Diaz platoon in LF and Anderson in CF. As far as cleanup goes, I guess it has to go to McCann and Francouer on days Mc isn’t in there.
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
1:22 pm
Bravo – din’t they just sign Nick Markakis to a LARGE DEAL, long term, plus Angelos loves them GREEK boys !
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:23 pm
PTNBL…
very good points…
but I would consider it worth it in terms of what has been discussed.
Bravo…
where you getting that info?
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
1:24 pm
Daniel, Hernandez can go for two reasons: for one, Schafer is the better of the two, and two, the kid will more than likely be traded before long anyways. So why not trade him now to help fill a hole that would definitely be a final piece to an already good looking team? If Schafer does what 90% of people think he will do in majors, I don’t think we or the Braves will look back and regret trading him for a one year rental. That’s just my “profesional” opinion.
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
1:24 pm
Bravo, and just how did you acquire such info?
We Are Insane
February 20th, 2009
1:25 pm
By June, any major corporation in this country better not be seen laughing it up in corporate suites. They may have already sunk the money this year, but I’m betting, employees will be encouraged not to attend. The backlash from the public would be way too harsh.And if Citi gets bought up that park better be called U.S. Taxpayers Field.
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
1:25 pm
dogsbrekky Markakis is Italian…
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:26 pm
TnBrian…
I hear you bro, but Schafer may be a little overrated… considering the juice.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
1:26 pm
C’s, do you know who it was who wrote that false headline ? Whoever wrote it should be fired.
Bravo
February 20th, 2009
1:27 pm
Nick Markakis would be a great addition. He’s a young guy with a lot of talent. he hit’s for average, decent power and a big RBI guy. Probably wouldn’t come with a small price but I think we could come up with a package that would fit their needs. The O’s have multible issues to address and we have the bodies that would match up well.
AGTFan
February 20th, 2009
1:27 pm
robdawg08,
I’ve read through all your posts today. I think that you are the one who doesn’t “get it”! It seems apparent that you don’t “get it” about anything you’ve spoken about so far. right now, I’d say your batting average on “Getting It” is below the Mendoza line.
robdawg08
February 20th, 2009
1:28 pm
The government just wrote a check for $789 BILLION dollars to help correct this. None of that money has been delivered yet. Once it does, things will start to rebound. The correction will continue with companies shredding unecessary jobs to become competitive again. It will get somewhat worse but likely not a lot worse than right now (the stock market & economy). But I agree, how can Manny Ramirez turn down $25 mill. per year from the Dodgers to hit a baseball for 4 months in this economy ? Incredible. It’s a given that all pro athletes and entertainment (tv,atcors,musicians) people are way overpaid.
Glen W
February 20th, 2009
1:28 pm
It seems to me that if Griffey wants to be upset at someone he should be upset at his friend. I don’t see how anyone else in this scenario could be justifiably upset at anyone else.
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
1:29 pm
Bravo, yes we know, but where are you hearing this info that the Braves and O’s are in discussions from? It’s more likely they’re talking about Luke Scott.
Braveheart
February 20th, 2009
1:29 pm
—– Markakis is Italian —-
Is he? Looks and sounds more like a Greek name,
TommyP
February 20th, 2009
1:29 pm
Andy K: Uh….no, he’s Greek and it’s pretty widely known that’s why Angelos doesn’t want to deal him.
Ian Curtis
February 20th, 2009
1:29 pm
Folks, love will tear us apart…again.
Scott Boras
February 20th, 2009
1:30 pm
Economics, Bunk. All I know is my client needs 25 million a year to provide for his family. I could care less for 300 million Americans and the rest of the World who are facing a global calamity. Major League baseball players, and especially my clients, are protected and insured from any effect on their pay scale. Let’s just move on. There is nothing to see here.
robdawg08
February 20th, 2009
1:30 pm
AGTfan, so I don’t get it that :
1) The braves need an OF
2) An AJC reporter was chased by Tim Hudson for pre-reporting Griffey’s signing.
3) Arod has now been linked to more steroids connection
Why isn’t your sorry aze posting anything ? You are just a troll that drops in and talks smack.
C's
February 20th, 2009
1:31 pm
I don’t know who wrote it. You’d have to ask DOB. But I doubt he’d throw whomever it was under the bus.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:31 pm
Nick Markakis signed a 6 year/66 mil. contract.
Nice player, but a lot of 6’s
where are you getting this Bravo?
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
1:31 pm
My bad…Markakis is Greek…I was thinking about that other Orioles OF….Fiorintino i think…
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:33 pm
I don’t see the Braves taking that salary and creating a long term block at a position reserved for Heyward
BossLady
February 20th, 2009
1:34 pm
Okay. I read the start up and decided to move on like the advice recommended. Then I see so many remarks that I would like to add
my 57 cents.
First, I would not have taken any word of T. Moore even if he lived in Griffey’s home. His column and blog is not that well respected in this arena. Maybe, this blog was just too successful for his poor little rotten heart. An honest person cannot fathom that someone would do dirt.
Second, Hudson never put up the numbers in Atlanta that he did in Oakland and no awards have been given to him since he has been here.
So you know where I’m going with that. Not Chipper, Not BMac but Huddy
Third, who says that Griffey wanted to play close to his home. Maybe, he did not want that. Again, an honest and moral person would think that is first priority, but we know some people want the distance.
Finally, for someone to think that Griffey and his agent logged into the AJC blog while they were in town is sorta full of it, ya know.
In Seattle he is a superstar, helped build the stadium and they traded him away. He deserves to go back to a place that treated him like that. Our southern hospitality is too good for him.
On FOX 5 Atlanta, seeing DOB speak and hearing his voice was strange. To have to explain something so foolish is just plain absurd. Now
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:35 pm
I don’t remember any Joy Division songs with the kind of profanity that you have displayed Ian
Robert
February 20th, 2009
1:35 pm
“Just wanted to get people’s opinions on what they would give up to get Nady?”
Offer ‘em Cox and O’Brien for Nady
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
1:36 pm
Andy K – I will bet my life he is Greek…… Markakis ie
Wide Right
February 20th, 2009
1:36 pm
I remember reading an online headline about the Braves picking up David Ross a while back and thinking it was a good move…but it didnt even elicit a click from me. Today, I checked his numbers. The guy hit 21 HR’s in 247 AB’s in ‘06..and hes only 31. This is a good pickup. Right there is a source of right handed power off the bench that I don’t feel gets much attention from us bloggers.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:36 pm
I don’t remember any Joy Division songs with the kind of profanity that you have displayed here.. Ian
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
1:37 pm
Just got back from watching Heyward, Schafer and Freeman hit on the back field. All very impressive, but Heyward just positively crushes baseballs. He’s come a long way since I saw him hit before a game a year ago in spring training….
Wow, that’s some contract for Markakis in this economy. I think I said here this winter, there was no way Braves could trade for him, because no way Angelos was going to let his fellow Greek get dealt.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:37 pm
Robert look up a few posts we were just discussing that very topic
Original Jon
February 20th, 2009
1:37 pm
The Markakis trade, while it would be awesome if it happened, will never happen. He is owed 59 something million over the next 5 years, that averages out to 11.8 million a year. Braves wont take on Nick Swishers contract, what in the world makes you think they would take on Markakis’?
Bravo
February 20th, 2009
1:37 pm
Markakis has a lot of ties to the Atlanta area. I can not release my source but it’s been stated that they could move Johnson, Morton and possibly another prospect or two to make this trade work. Allowing room within the budget constraints.
Random
February 20th, 2009
1:37 pm
Catfish (12:13 pm): “Braves are in good shape. The farm system is absolutely stacked”
Oh, yeah?
Then who is Chipper’s “heir apparent”? Other than Heyward, what if any “stacked” infielders do the Braves’ farms boast?
Ian Curtis (12:15 pm): “I mean seriously, let’s write an article about how Griffey agreed to play for the Braves because of what some “friend” had said.”
That’s not what the article said.
IC: “Journalism will teach you to prevent these kinds of gaffes, such as mentioning in your article that it is just mere speculation rather than acting like it’s a valid fact.”
That’s exactly what the article did — it did not present either Griffey’s signing or his decision as “valid facts”.
You either did not read it, or did not understand it.
IC: “The fact is, “
Just stop — you’ve already proven beyond a reasonable doubt that you have no idea what facts are in this case.
Idiot.
“Seriously”.
Tony (11:53 & 11:55 am) — You didn’t actually read the article either, did you? or the blog comments.
THE BEAR’s right — yer all idiots.
TommyP (12:20 pm): “The Braves have a guy that simply MASHES lefties in Matt Diaz. What they were/are looking for is someone that can do the same against righties.”
Talk about “mission creep”!
The Braves entered the offseason looking for a bat (likely, LF) who could absolutely kill Left-Hand Pitchers — not RHPs.
As a team last year, the Braves were absolutely dominated by LHPs. Sure, some (Johnson, slappy McFann, slappy Chipper) fared well enough (but not slugging-wise), but as a team the Braves were LHPs’ puppets.
Now the sitch has evolved whereby a presumably recovered Diaz and a hopefully rehabilitated Francoeur have become the Braves’ lefty-killers and they’re looking now for someone to kill RHPs?
Could be, but that’s not where we started in October.
robdawg08
February 20th, 2009
1:38 pm
I’m gone. Tim Hudson, an actual current player, knew it was an AJC reporter’s fault and went after him and people in here argue that it didn’t happen. I’ll leave this blog to you EXPERTS. Adios !
Too many trolls popping in here attacking other bloggers then leaving. AJC should ban these non-regulars. They won’t, so I’ll leave.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
1:38 pm
Welcome back DOB..
if you need a break Booker T. and the Drive By Truckers are playing the Variety
Danga
February 20th, 2009
1:39 pm
My brother played JuCo ball against Markakis. He was pitching then, and my bro knocked a triple off of him. No relevance, but just kind of cool.
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
1:39 pm
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/pgStory?contentId=9204848#sport=MLB&photo=9202674
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
1:40 pm
Dogsbrekky, read my above posts, I got Markakis mixed up with another O’s player also, I think it’s more likely that we’d get Scott in an o’s trade, unless Markakis really wants to come here and convinces angelos.
brian
February 20th, 2009
1:40 pm
Veer Brave – you are an idiot if you think David O’Brien is the sole reason that Griffey is not in Atlanta. Griffey is supposed to be a big boy with some mental toughness. If this is his reason for not signing with Atlanta he did not want to come here very much. The story said a source was reporting. The source is someone close to Griffey. Griffey may have come here if the Mariners did not step up to the plate, but Griffey was using the Braves to get the contract he wanted from Mariners. If you do not like David O’Brien’s reporting go somewhere else.
Thank you for this blog and your good reporting DOB
L-Town Scrub
February 20th, 2009
1:40 pm
Wide Right..being the FSU fan that Iam is that blog name in jest of my beloved Seminoles? If so its a little messed up….but that’s how it goes. anyway great name…
C's
February 20th, 2009
1:41 pm
Aww, robdawg. People disagree with him so he takes his ball and goes home.
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
1:41 pm
DOB-if heyward has a monster spring..why not throw him out there..some players do crack the mlb at that age why not him..
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
1:42 pm
AROD – has been juicing since he was teen, anyone who thinks otherwise is naive. Rememebr ‘roids were dominant in Eastern European swimming, running, weight lifting etc from the very early 1970s… guys like Dykstra were suspected from the mid 1980s and surveys in the early 1990s indicated that 3-10% of HIGH SCHOOL sportsmen were testing woth steroids..
AROD has surrounded himself for some time with shady/dodgy people up to their eyeballs in illegal activity (roids, PEDS, etc) and he thinks one stupid lie filled press conference was going to do anything other than incite reporters and more serious types to dig deeper….
he is totally f..ed in the head..
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
1:43 pm
Bravo, I mean, how can we be assured that your sources are legit, nonetheless that you actually have them?
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
February 20th, 2009
1:43 pm
–CONTINUED–
Ethyl Merman’s last performance in the closing performance of GYPSY.
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
1:44 pm
Editor Note:……and when we get this fixed (SOON, we hope), they’ll all reappear.
Good. ‘Cause my post to DAP is gone and I don’t quite remember what I asked.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
1:46 pm
Bravo…Makes no sense that Johnson would be involved. O’s just inked Roberts to a big time extension.
Nativebird
February 20th, 2009
1:46 pm
This fascination with re-living the glory days has got to stop if this team is ever going to compete again. Not that Glavine can’t still pitch, rather it’s taking up the spot that the “next Glavine” needs to inhabit to fully grow to get to the next level. And it’s not $1 Million, it’s $3 Million if he stays on the roster for 90 days. Geesh, talking about a cork-screw brother-in-law contract!
In 1988, Glavine in his first Full season went 7 and 17, after going 2 and 4 in ’87 his call-up year. The rest is history.
Our next Glavine is in this segment of his career right now, somewhere in the Minors or in college. Tom Glavine didn’t have a Phil Niekro taking up a sentimental spot in the rotation.
It is time.
TommyP
February 20th, 2009
1:49 pm
If someone posts a rumor without a link, it’s pretty safe to disregard.
Chop Chop
February 20th, 2009
1:49 pm
I think we’re done taking on payroll. In fact, we might have replaced too much of the payroll that came off the books. I would normally blame the owners for just being cheap, but the economy is really in bad shape. The way of economic life that people in this country have been living over the last thirty years or so is unsustainable in its current form. Otherwise, why are so many “reputable companies” so susceptible to this economic downturn? This hit we’re taking is the real deal, folks.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
February 20th, 2009
1:49 pm
Someone said Griffey chose Seattle because his daughter earlier…Griffey’s daughter and him apparently don’t like each other I take it? “Daddy, choose the otherside of the country, as far away from us as you could posibly be so we only see you 10 days in the next 7 months!” That makes sense. Just like Hampton and the “good schools” in Colorado…Good times…
Ian Curtis
February 20th, 2009
1:50 pm
Not that I used profanity per se, but yes, being dead for so long has made my vocabulary a bit bitter.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
February 20th, 2009
1:50 pm
ANDERS,
I posted an earlier post and it was eaten. I spoke to 350 wholesalers of a manufacturing company in Wisconsin. I was VP for National Accounts at the time.
And I saw Ethel Merman in the closing performance of Gypsy. That was a night to remember.
Will this one go up or not?
Braveheart
February 20th, 2009
1:50 pm
Nativebird, sorry, but the Braves are just about the least sentimental organization in the majors when it comes to retaining stars.
Andy K.
February 20th, 2009
1:51 pm
Awww, now Terry Moore is sulking about the Braves over on his column.
TheManMike
February 20th, 2009
1:51 pm
Hey Robdawg – PEACE OUT!
Bravo
February 20th, 2009
1:51 pm
Johnson would be reverted back to an OF, or at least that’s been discussed.
bravos4875
February 20th, 2009
1:52 pm
hey David, was that you who hudson yelled out and seemingly almost fought???
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/19/sports/BBN-Braves-Griffey-Fallout.php
Efrim
February 20th, 2009
1:52 pm
I am pretty sure the O’s would ask for Heyward back for Markakis. Markakis is really, really good. Plate discipline like that at a young age is outstanding. Guy is a great young hitter. He is going no where. Luke Scott? Yes, that makes a lot more sense. He mashes RHP. Just not sure what he would cost in terms of prospects.
TheManMike
February 20th, 2009
1:52 pm
T.Moores brain works a day slow i think. His columns are never very insightful…..Kind of sad, actually. Just one mans opinion of course.
A FAN
February 20th, 2009
1:52 pm
just got done reading a good article on SI.com. it was talking about a schilling theory which is The Schilling Theory: The team that gets the most starts out of its projected rotation has the best shot at winning. now look
Here are the only teams in 2008 to get 30 starts from four starters:
1. Phillies (Won World Series)
2. Rays (Won AL pennant)
3. Angels (Won AL West)
4. White Sox (Won AL Central)
if we can get that out of our 4 which isnt impossible we could have a shot.
Wide Right
February 20th, 2009
1:54 pm
L-town Scrub…no, unfortunately, I have the same first and last name as a certain kicker for the Buffalo Bills who missed a last second field goal in Super Bowl XXV…a missed kick that went “wide right”. On January 27, 1991 my nickname forever became Wide Right.
I guess its better then having the same name as Michael Bolton. (what movie?)
Lew
February 20th, 2009
1:54 pm
WE Are Insane-Were you around in 1979-82 when we had double digit inflation and interest rates floating around 20%? You think getting a mortgage is hard now or overly expensive? Believe me-there’s no comparison. Things were a hell of a lot worse then than they are now. It isn’t even close. Gas has dropped over $2 a gallon over the past six months and there are measures being taken to deal with all economic issues (whether or not you agree is immaterial). There is not and will not be anywhere near 15% unemployment (it’s not even quite half of that now. Cool your jets. Patience is what you need right now. The economy ALWAYS has it’s ups and downs. There have been recessions approximately every ten years during my lifetime (almost six decades). There’s always bad times and they are always followed by improvement. This recession, while maybe somewhat worse than usual, will end and things will get better. It’s probably not necessary for you to either play Chicken Little or commit suicide.
DAP
February 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
danielSchafer may be a little overrated… considering the juice.
dan, shafer did not take HGH. his suspension was not for TAKING it.
random its well documented how strong the braves system is. mostly in pitching out outfield prospects, though. no heir apparent to chipper, youre right. we have a few guys who once were thought of as that, but eric campbell spent two years in a row at A+ ball (playing pretty well) and van pope doesnt look like hes it.
ease19
February 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
Scott Norwood is in the house! I was a huge Bills fan back then…
L-Town Scrub
February 20th, 2009
1:59 pm
My blog name comes from growing up in Lilburn, Ga. just outside of atlanta….not really sure where the scrub part came from. I currently reside in Southern Oregon.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
February 20th, 2009
1:59 pm
Ian, is there an acceptable difference in profanity and vulgarity? You seem to think they are not related. Interesting.
PIZZARO
February 20th, 2009
2:00 pm
Prediction: The Mets will feed off the energy of their new arrivals (Putz & K-Rod) to win the division avoiding a 3rd consecutive Sept meltdown. The braves will battle Florida for 3rd place.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
2:00 pm
Wide Right…Office Space
A Fan…Read that article, too. Also found it interesting. Our rotation is built this year to eat innings. Hopefully the injury bug will go find another team to bother this year.
Big Easy
February 20th, 2009
2:00 pm
Wide Right. that would be Office Space, one of the best movies ever (at least if you work in a fabric covered box, like I do!).
~E~
Original Jon
February 20th, 2009
2:01 pm
Bravo, why would they revert Johnson back to OF when they have too many outfielders as it is? You have no source man, just stop it, no one is buying it.
Billy Walsh
February 20th, 2009
2:01 pm
Markakis just signed a 6 year deal worth 66 million dollars. Roberts just signed a 4 year extension worth 40 million dollars. Where are the braves going to find money to trade for either of those guys?
Tim Hudson
February 20th, 2009
2:02 pm
Hey DOB. So what happened between you and I again in the dugout? I don’t remember after I was dragged off. Please tell me.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
2:02 pm
DAP- I respect your opinions, but c’mon man… I got some beachfront property in Kansas for you
Original Jon
February 20th, 2009
2:03 pm
bravos4875 they did not almost fight. It was raised voices, that was it.
Nativebird
February 20th, 2009
2:04 pm
* re-signing a 43 year old with arm trouble for $3mil.
* the desire itself to pursue Andrew Jones.
* the sheer thought of entertaing Rafeal Furcal.
* the guilt of losing Hampton, when being thankful is more appropriate.
* the abject death-cry of losing the “messiah”, a 40 plus Smoltz with a fresh zipper on his shoulder.
This organization to simply too focused on the past, versus the future. the “future”, means new, fresh, eager, motivated ball players.
Bobby cox has THE best minor league system in the Majors….it’s HOW the Braves one a World Series, and it will be how they win the next.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
February 20th, 2009
2:06 pm
Also, I STILL don’t see why we don’t sign Lebowski Ohman back for 1YR/$1 MIllion. Even if Wren “loves the lefties” etc.. Ohman can be a steady force in the first half and if the younger lefties prove as solid, trade Ohman and get a desperate team in the hunt who is killing for a left like Ohman…And all you spend is $1 million either way…Definition of Win/Win..
I am worried to death about Left Field and what the lineup will look like when Chipper misses 30+ games due to” Getting hit in the eye in batting practice, jumping over the genius 3rd baseman of the Pirates who under-cutted Chipper when he was running a clear path tho 3rd and coming down horribly, slipping in SanFran on the wet grass first month of year or my favorite from Skip, “Chipper will miss tonights game due to bunions, again.”
ATLEAST get Garrett Anderson so we can be serious about LF, he is BETTER then Griffey at this stage, will cost the same and is better all around except in the lovable sense. Whatever, it’s baseball he produces, you need to win NOW, not wait and see and let another team snatch him. Then we watch Wren go sign Raul Mondesi or Luis Gonzalez because he realizes the “kids” aren’t ready to be an everyday player for a legitamite contender the last week of Spring Training. Garrett Anderson is the consumate consistent pro with alot of pennant chaces and playoff experience. You know what you’ll get every year and is only 36 and ATL can easily get him for 1YR/$3 Million. HE can platoon with Diaz because GA does have his 1 or 2 DL stints…
Ohman and G Anderson complete this team and make them true contenders. If the young lefties prove to be as reliable as Ohman, trade Ohman at the deadline and get more then the $500K you paid him for half a year. With Anderson you have reliable consistency, not can he stay consistent, can he do this once pitchers “find him out”. If the young guys like B Jones, Blanco, Anderson etc. pan out then trade G Anderson at the AS Break and get a desperate team to give you prospects or something that can help a need for you then. It’s no risk ALL-REWARD with both!
DAP
February 20th, 2009
2:06 pm
daniel thanks for respecting my opinion! ive read several articles about the situation, and about HGH suspension rules, and i believe shafer. did you know that you can get suspended if you know someone else is using and dont report it?
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
2:06 pm
I totally agree with you Native..
Although Glavine for 1 mil. and as a 5th starter..
I’ll take i.
ShamusThacker
February 20th, 2009
2:07 pm
I saw this a minute ago. I think everybody might feel a little better about the Griffey thing after seeing this. Chipper kinda gives Jr. a bit of Hell, if the quote is to be believed…
Griffey Jr. is a total jerk.
ShamusThacker
February 20th, 2009
2:07 pm
I’m fried and forgot to include the link lol
http://deadspin.com:80/5157278/seattle-radio-station-wondering-if-griffeys-fellatio-offer-still-stands
brave fan
February 20th, 2009
2:08 pm
dis is the way I lik it baseball conbersacon no silie talk about fineaunts jus a good ole blog about us braves fans discusting who we knead. herd some moreon saying that sum prince ton study shown onley lower middle classes obcest on sports. said people with real lives and curears dont car as much. cant see that can you.lets hope we can aquyere a good bat we can be rite in the hunt.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
2:09 pm
I read the reports too. DAP, we have just drawn different conclusions. Didn’t his Dad tell everyone that Jordan would be vindicated and cleared? I haven’t heard anymore comments from him. Nor, a full explanation of the violation. Wouldn’t you want to clear your good name?
Billy Walsh
February 20th, 2009
2:09 pm
Orlando Hudson is still not signed. Why not move Kelly back to LF and bring in Orlando Hudson to play 2nd. It sounds much better than a Matt Diaz/Brandon Jones platoon. Does anyone have any confidence that Brandon Jones can be a solid major league hitter? He shot up the organizational rankings but quickly faded since then. Why not give Orlando Hudson a 1 year deal? Or is the budget that tight? Makes you wonder why the braves inked a 43 year old veteran coming off major arm surgery. Keith Law had a good point….Why do the braves show so much loyalty to aging players?
Ed Glennon
February 20th, 2009
2:11 pm
Ok who had the fight with Hudson?
DAP
February 20th, 2009
2:12 pm
daniel knowing the way those PED rules work, the explanation that he hung around the wrong people, and him saying he didnt take anything is enough for me.
its a moot point anyways, really. he had a pretty good year last year after getting back, and we’ll get to see him in spring training.
SoWeGa Fanatic
February 20th, 2009
2:14 pm
I missed this. Didn’t know it you all did
http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090218&content_id=3847852&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea
Mariners president Chuck Armstrong told MLB.com on Wednesday night he received a phone call from former Mariners infielder and MLB Network broadcaster Harold Reynolds on Tuesday, asking the club executive if he would mind calling Mays, who wanted to talk to Griffey but not if it would be an imposition.
Armstrong jumped at the opportunity to talk to arguably the greatest player in baseball history, placed a call to Mays, and the wheels to Griffey’s return to the Northwest hit the ground running.
“Willie said he didn’t want to impose, but he explained why he thought Ken needed to come back to Seattle,” Armstrong told MLB.com from his Seattle-area home. “He asked if it was OK for him to call Junior. Willie talked about the legacy aspect of it and how it was for him when he went from the Giants to the Mets at the end of his career.
“He couldn’t have been nicer about it. I told him, ‘Willie, you are the reason Junior wore No. 24 in Seattle.’”
Mays called Griffey on Wednesday morning and apparently hit a home run.
“We can’t thank Harold and Willie enough for what they did,” Armstrong said.
ncscoots
February 20th, 2009
2:17 pm
A exhortation to “take an economics course” from a guy who obviously missed class the day they brought up “business cycles”. At least, entertainment from the old MIB blog is still free.
And although I don’t go back QUITE that far, the Panic of 1873 is the all-time champeen of bad times. Makes the Great Depression quake in its boots, and this little itty-bitty recession cry like a teenage girl. That sucker rolled BAD, my friends.
Our current downturn is likely over in another 10-12 months, and, by the All-Star break in 2010, few here will even pause to remember it.
Veer Brave
February 20th, 2009
2:17 pm
Come on guys dont you rememer O’Brien saying that Peavys friend told him that he is coming to Atlanta? You guys seem to have short memory.
Now he does same with Griffey.
Hey Dave, who are these friends? are these fictional friends? that you mention just to get ratings and hits on this site?
You have struck out twice first with Peavy and now with Griffey.
Lets hear the friends names. You keep blogging that you know Peavys friend, Griffeys friend. Who are these fictional friends of yours?
The way you reported the whole Peavy thing was unprofessional and now you have reached a new low with Griffey.
I cant blame Huddy coming after you.
Remember many Americans are looking for work right now.
Do you want to become the latest victim.
Your Journalism and you have become more dispensable then tissue found in restroom.
Pete
February 20th, 2009
2:17 pm
From DOB: Frightening stat: Francoeur (11 homers) and Mark Kotsay (3) were the only Braves oufielders with more than three homers in 2008.
Correction: the only Braves outfielders with more than TWO homers in 2008, which is even more frightening.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
2:19 pm
Veer Brave…Because revealing sources is a good way to keep your job as a journalist, right?
Thrillhouse44
February 20th, 2009
2:21 pm
2 for 2 on the lame posts, Veer.
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
2:23 pm
For God’s sake, can this Moore dude shut his a– up! Smoltz is 42 years old, I think the little whiney brat aching for attention can shut his pie hole too! Enough with the old farts. I don’t care if the guy’s got a little left in the tank. He sure as hell didn’t take the Braves anywhere for the last couple of years no did he? Cry me a f— river Smotlzy…get over yourself. That Moore guy is mad because of Griffey, can’t imagine why.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
February 20th, 2009
2:23 pm
There are some other good interview clips in the same post at Sports Radio Interviews.com, including Chipper Jones’ take on the Griffey-to-Braves situation on WXQI:
“I would rather he waste somebody else’s time instead of ours. We could have been working on a deal for something else and been using our time more constructively.”
Yeh, Shamus, GREAT qoute from Chipper. Griffey walks around like he’s God. Chipper is on his level with all credentials included….
Bravo
February 20th, 2009
2:24 pm
I can assure you, I can not disclose my sources for the same reasons. Markakis may just be the big fish to hide the true intentions of each teams little fishs they are prepared to trade and looking to trade. Markakis has shown a desire to come to Atlanta and play. The O’s are not going to compete for quite some time.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
February 20th, 2009
2:26 pm
1 post since 12:32 am February 20, 2009, by David O’Brien on this blog!
Rick Mac
February 20th, 2009
2:26 pm
Veer please get over it and move on. Its history now, so quit harping about it. Do a little research and read all the other reports as to why Griffey did not come to Atlanta. There are plenty out there that give the real answer.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
2:29 pm
Fair enough DAP.. I just like Hernandez better
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
2:30 pm
ncscoots – re economy
I pray you are right… then again I lived in Tokyo at the height of their bubble and thereafter and still do business there…
The apartment First Bosoton ridiculously was paying $15k a month to rent for me in 1994 is now at $8k per month in 2009 and apartments taht were $1M are now $400-$500k…. the Nikkei is 20% (yes 1/5th) of what it was at the peak….
And their problems started with property and over-levered banks
sound familiar………….. the $200 Billion the FED/Treasury pumped into the spivvy banks has not come out the other side but hopefully a big mouthful of near $800 Billion will help us….
I suspect you are correct overall but I think the standard of living for a lot will be much lower for a long long time……..
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
February 20th, 2009
2:30 pm
7 Posts since 10:47PM EST on February 18, 2009, by Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
2:31 pm
OK, in today’s ST photos, there’s a picture of Clint Sammons lying on the ground with his feet in the air, and the caption reads:
Braves catcher Clint Sammons, along with other catchers, participates in a fly ball drill. The drill required the catchers to do a somersault first before jumping to their feet and then tracking down and catching a high fly ball rocketed out of a ball machine in center field.
LOL! That must have been a sight…
KC
February 20th, 2009
2:32 pm
THANK YOU TERRANCE #$%^&&* MOORE FOR STIRRING UP THE SMOLTZ ISSUE YET AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To quote my grandmother… Jesus, Joseph, and Mary… IT’S DONE! HE’S GONE!!! ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thrillhouse44
February 20th, 2009
2:32 pm
Eric in Albany, there’s been more – but the 100 post rollover have eliminated most of them.
Chop Chop
February 20th, 2009
2:33 pm
Peter Angelos: Get me Frank Wren on the phone.
Secretary (calling Wren): Mr. Angelos, I have Mr. Wren on the phone.
Angelos: Hello, Frank. How are you?
Wren: I’m fine, Peter. What would you like to talk about?
Angelos: I’m looking to trade our best player to you. He’s got a big contract. I hear you’re not able to add much, if any, payroll to your club. I figured I’d call you because we really need to get rid of our best player. We can’t pay any of his salary, of course. You’ll have to pay the whole thing.
Wren: Uh.
Angelos: Also, you remember when I fired you after one year on the job? Remember when you punked Cal Ripken, Jr. I don’t. That’s why I’m talking to you now. So, wanna make a deal?
Wren: Hold on. Let me get Chipper to talk to you. He’s our closer.
Chipper: Hey, Mr. Angelos! We could really use Nick. He’s a great young talent. The fans of Atlanta would love him. The ladies will really like him. Chipper hears a clicking noise. Mr. Angelos? Mr. Angelos?
Angelos hangs up.
Tim Hudson: Where’s O’Brien? I’m gonna beat his ***.
Efrim
February 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
Bravo, but didn’t he just sign an extension? Why would he do that if he was unhappy? Plus, who gives if he is unhappy?
Original Jon
February 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
Bravo dude, we dont believe you, just give it up already. If someone does believe you, then they are brainless.
getnathan
February 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
Come on people! Get over it!! Braves will be going into the season with what they have…a deep pitching staff (starting and relief), young players who are ready to play.
We didn’t get the power hitting left fielder (yet), so we’ll need to find other ways to score i.e. small ball. Singles, bunts, stolen bases, doubles. We’ll probably score MORE runs that way. We’ve got more than enough pitching to hold up.
KC
February 20th, 2009
2:36 pm
I’ve got an idea Terrance… how about an article that LOOKS FORWARD. The Braves have added some nice pieces. They are going to be competitive, and they’ve been rated as having the best farm system in the NL.
It’s seems to me that there are things to look forward to. I fail to see why we need to dwell on the past to this degree. I literally felt my blood pressure shoot up when I visited the AJC Braves page a few minutes ago and say bit pic of Smoltz in a Sox jersey, and yet ANOTHER story about Smoltz.
Mother #$%@%$&#$^&!!! Why bring this up again? This is moronic to the extreme.
Steve McP
February 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
Eric in Albany – DOB does have a proper job. Keeping the blog fed is not his main concern.
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
billy walsh- i would bring in orlando for a year..i just dont think they could afford him..we’ll make an offer then the dodgers would top it then we sit here all pissed cause we just lost another player…
ease19
February 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
Nick Markakis is coming to Atlanta!
oops I guess he got scared off…Bravo – Whatever, go away.
moose knuckle
February 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
does talking about the economy fall under the politics category?
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
2:40 pm
Bravo that has like negative 8 percent of happening ..
matt
February 20th, 2009
2:40 pm
THere’s alot of potential there but that’s a lot of “ifs”!! We are relying on a bunch of “ifs” this year. Let’s get some guys some experience and go for the high draft pick, stock the farm system. There’s a lot of young talent in that farm system!!
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
2:41 pm
Alright Chop Chop…
Now that is funny!
getnathan
February 20th, 2009
2:41 pm
When is Smoltz pitching? June. Ok. I thought the season started in April.
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
2:41 pm
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/dodgers-sign-or.html
dodgers sign orlando hudson
M'sRuleSquawsDrool
February 20th, 2009
2:42 pm
Just so everyone knows, M’s rule, Squaws drool, as you can gather from the name they gave me. #24 is drop so many bombs this year, you will all be weeping when you have to watch Franceououeour step to the plate every three innings.
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
2:42 pm
peter gammons on mike and mike…said something about atlanta and big names ..talkin about steriods?????
dap01
February 20th, 2009
2:43 pm
Has anyone ever noticed that Terrance Moore writes about stuff that really does not matter?
cricket
February 20th, 2009
2:44 pm
KC at 2:36 pm
My feelings exactly, bro..
cvbraves
February 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
DOB: Nice little snippet of ST news about Heyward hitting on the backlot. Waiting for more!
getnathan
February 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
And FRank Wren has made some good moves since he’s been here…
He traded Edgar Renteria for Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez, who’s getting the better of that deal
He traded Tyler Flowers, Brent Lillibridge (and a couple others) to Chicago for Boone Logan and Javier Vazquez, thus phasing out Ohman and strengthening the starting staff
BTW – I watched a classic Mets game on SNY (I live near NY) and Ohman (who was playing for the Cubs at the time) made Delgado look stupid.
The Artist Formerly Known as Too Hot For Teacher
February 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
Hey Chuck James – the bit about Griffey picking Seattle because of his daughter was in the Seattle Times yesterday. She was quoted as having told him to not let her impact his decision and that he should do what his heart wanted, and don’t do something he would regret later. Basically the same thing that Mays told him.
And to the yahoos who think Hudson’s mad about Griffey you haven’t read. Hudson was mad at DOB because DOB was speculating about current players (Lerew and Blanco) being moved off the 40 man and it got blown out of proportion.
Thanks for the updates today DOB – good to hear Heyward is mashing.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
2:46 pm
M’sRule what?
The bottom of the division?
braves4ever
February 20th, 2009
2:46 pm
I saw this yesterday about Griffey and another post where his daughter told him to follow his heart. after this news post it was very clear that DOB and his story was right but Seattle had a lot on their side plus a heavy sales job from the big cheeze. Guys he and his wife was in Arizona Sunday to meet with them!!! After the heavy calls and his family’s ok to be a Seattle hero again how could he have been a Brave? Read this article with a open mind and see how little DOB had to do with Griffey changing his mind. We (Braves) don’t have the salesmanship like Authur Blank to land a big name leaning both ways. It takes a Club owner who has a heart and skill to pull off a deal like this. We didn’t have a chance. Bobby, Chipper, the whole crew couldn’t put humpty dumpty back together again.
This was in yesterdays Seattle Post.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/400612_griffey20.html
M'sRuleSquawsDrool
February 20th, 2009
2:47 pm
And who’s going to hit all the home runs, Little Dipper Jones? He’ll probably go down on the first road trip of the season. Go down on his teammates, that is
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
February 20th, 2009
2:47 pm
Amen, KC!
Billy Walsh
February 20th, 2009
2:48 pm
Wow..that was good timing Andrew. I wonder what the dodgers signed him for.
Tommy
February 20th, 2009
2:49 pm
Someone give A-Rod a call.Maybe we can get him to send some of that stuff he was taking that he wasn’t sure what it was over to the Braves. A couple of cases for the team and 1 case for Jeff Francouer.Then since nobody wants to sign with Braves maybe we can JUICE up the players we have.
Wide Right
February 20th, 2009
2:49 pm
I don’t know if this Gammons stuff I am reading here is true but if a big Braves steroids scandal breaks on top of everything else that has happened lately…well i couldnt take it.
Friday The 13th Remake Was Okay
February 20th, 2009
2:50 pm
Yep a guy named Gorkys is going to sell out turner field
flange1
February 20th, 2009
2:50 pm
The Terrance Moore article is funny.
You guys realize that it was Terry’s source that said Griffey to the Braves not DOB’s right?
This article is a great way of trying to change the focus of the Griffey thing from Terry to FW and the front office.
Nice move Terry! Lets get the rest of the front office PO’ed at you too!!
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
2:51 pm
Gammons said that there was a mail-order steroid supplier in Atlanta which would effect some very big names.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
2:52 pm
They were shipping the stuff out as nail polish, and there was different code names for the nail polish.
Mark
February 20th, 2009
2:53 pm
Wide Right can you send me a link of the article? Got some time to kill at work.
LT-A blogger
February 20th, 2009
2:55 pm
In regards to TMs article, I am getting really, really tired of hearing Smoltz blab about how the Braves more or less forced him to go to the Sox. I understand that folks have been continuously asking him about the move, but at what point does he finally respond by stating that’s he’s said enough on the matter. I think FW has done a very good job at giving this club a chance at contending this year.
getnathan
February 20th, 2009
2:55 pm
M’sRuleSquawsDrool
February 20th, 2009
2:47 pm
And who’s going to hit all the home runs, Little Dipper Jones? He’ll probably go down on the first road trip of the season. Go down on his teammates, that is
lmao
Chipper Jonestown Massacre
February 20th, 2009
2:56 pm
Breaking News: Just before signing his 1-year contract with the Braves, Tom Glavine announced that he will instead sign a more lucrative deal, with more incentives, with the Washington Nationals.
Glavine also cited his lifelong desire to play in the nation’s captital as a motivationg factor in the deal.
Guess that’s another one that got away…
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
2:57 pm
Does anyone think Andruw Jones did roids ?
AGTFan
February 20th, 2009
2:57 pm
Lew,
I usually agree with you, but I was around in the 70s and 80’s and things are worse now. The govenment changed the way they calculated unemployment numbers during the 80’s. If they used the same calculations now that they used when Carter was president, unemployment would be in the 15% to 17% range. The only thing that’s any better this time is that finance percentages are better. That’s negated somewhat by lending institutions general reluctance to write loans. Enough of things where we disagree, let’s get back to baseball.
I don’t think things are as gloom and doom as some are predicting for the Braves this year.
Much as I hate to agree with him, Terence Moore got it right about Braves management / owners. They consistently lowball their own players and then act hurt when they sign elsewhere.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
2:57 pm
Chipper, are you kidding about Tom Glavine ? Is he really going to the Nationals ?
M'sRuleSquawsDrool
February 20th, 2009
2:58 pm
It looks like Chipper has made an appearance on the messageboard. He goes by the most accurate description of himself: Coxlover- plural because he needs more than one to satisfy his “SSA” urges. No matter how much tobacco he chews, he will never be as cool as Bret Boone
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
3:01 pm
COXLOVER- yes i do think druw roided it,then he stopped and just got fat
Redirect
February 20th, 2009
3:02 pm
“Go down on his teammates, that is” M’sRuleSquawsDrool
Jealousy is very unbecoming.
bravesfan
February 20th, 2009
3:02 pm
“I was told, a big story, there’s a mail-order steroid supplier, a family in Tampa, that’s going to come out very soon. And I’ve been hearing about a similar situation in Atlanta, which would effect some very big names.” – Peter Gammons
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
3:03 pm
Link to Peter Gammons news pleeaaaaasssssssseeeee
Coxlover – Andruw and ‘roids may explain a lot, but then again he just looked fat since what late 2005…. his hyperextended elbow around mid 2006 is when he started to collapse ..
Eric In Albany N.Y.
February 20th, 2009
3:03 pm
Enter your comments here
Eric In Albany N.Y.
February 20th, 2009
3:04 pm
glad i got that out of the way
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
3:06 pm
here is a link to Peter Gammons talking this morning
http://sports.espn.go.com/stations/player?id=3921054
CaliChopper
February 20th, 2009
3:09 pm
For those of you screaming get G.Anderson… Get off it. I’ve watched him play out here for years and he’s not the type of player you want here. Give the kids a chance or wait till someone better is out there. Think of this, he was an Angel, a playoff team that also has a DH spot in the line up. They don’t want him and won’t resign him, gotta be a reason.
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
3:09 pm
Peter Gammons is pathetic thought, that interview with AROD was like BORAS had written the questions, no follow through etc etc, guy is a girl..
“Dude looks like a lady”……..
Chipper Jonestown Massacre
February 20th, 2009
3:10 pm
Andruw wasn’t on ‘roids, he was on jelly doughnuts.
But there ain’t no test for jelly doughnuts (except for expanding waistlines…)
Danga
February 20th, 2009
3:14 pm
And unfortunately jelly doughnuts are performance depressing rather than enhancing.
Random
February 20th, 2009
3:14 pm
Hey, KC — check this out!!! Have you seen it??? You might like it.
Something’s wrong with Braves’ business approach!
By Terence Moore | Friday, February 20, 2009, 01:16 PM
Just ask John Smoltz, among those significant likes who will play somewhere other than Atlanta next season.
“Well, I think it’s a philosophy,” said Smoltz, speaking over the phone from Ft. Myers, Fla., the spring home of the Boston Red Sox, his new team.
Added Smoltz, “I didn’t leave the Braves, by the way. You leave when you’re given a choice.”
Although the Braves say otherwise, Smoltz contends that his old team just didn’t want his Hall of Fame arm after more than two decades of excellence. As a result, Smoltz used his free-agent right to ignore what he said was a lesser deal with the Braves to join the Red Sox.
Whatever the case, Smoltz isn’t here anymore.
So we’re back to Smoltz, a master at putting things into perspective.
“All I can say is that I made a conscious decision to stay with the Braves through the years, despite becoming a free agent four times, and that’s when nobody else who had become a free agent (with the Braves) had gotten re-signed,” said Smoltz, referring to Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Javy Lopez, Gary Sheffield, J.D. Drew, Jones and Furcal, among others.
Added Smoltz, “The same kind of statements were being made by those players as to why they left.
The problem isn’t Bobby Cox, especially since Smoltz joins a slew of others in praising the Braves manager. The problem also isn’t the city of Atlanta or its fans, which Smoltz hugged, too.
“If I was a different person, and we had a different manager, I would have left the first time I became a free agent,” said Smoltz, referring to the winter of 1996, when the Yankees offered Smoltz “23 million” more than the Braves.
Always liked Smoltzie…..his words speak volumes.
This has got to stop. When you chase away someone like John Smoltz you’ve lost your soul
when you think of Heart, Determination, and Skills, you think of Smoltz!!
Cant wait to see you pitch in the playoffs again Smoltzie!! Go Braves, go Red Sox!!
Smoltz’s opinions will ALWAYS matter! Hes the Brave of all Braves, a Hall of Famer of Hall of Famers!
We lost Smoltz AND Ohman because of this dumb policy!
Smoltz is right, and i give the man nothing but credit for spurning higher offers all these years and sticking with the Braves!
John Smoltz should have retired a Brave. It is inexcusable what the Braves Management Team has decided to do. This is the 2nd worst decision (letting Aaron go to the Brewers over a couple hundred thousand in the 80’S was the worst) that this club has made since being in Atlanta.
Folks, just remembered this. In EVERY case, John Smoltz could have left the Braves for MORE money.
A LOT more money. He stayed out of loyalty to the team and he did not want to be away from his family.
Yer welcome, bud.
tvsportscaster
February 20th, 2009
3:14 pm
Guys the Atlanta situation Gammons is referring doesn’t necessarily mean the Braves, he’s more than likely referring to the steroids operation being based out of the city of Atlanta, two entirely different things. Doesn’t necessarily mean Braves won’t be involved but it also doesn’t necessarily mean they will either.
csg
February 20th, 2009
3:15 pm
DOB…..any idea of how close the Braves and Chipper are in his contract extension? What kind of contract is he in line for?
KC
February 20th, 2009
3:16 pm
Random I would b!tchslap you if you were sitting next to me! LOL
Bret Boone
February 20th, 2009
3:16 pm
Man, that M’s Rule guy is so cool. He is right about Little Dipper too. He will never be as bad ass as me, no matter how much he chaws Or flips his bat. I am the coolest bad ass to ever grace the face of the Earth or Mars
flange1
February 20th, 2009
3:19 pm
The Gammons radio interview is interesting..
The steroids issue is not going away any time soon.
Maybe the players, the players association and MLB can get a real drug testing program in place and get rid of this continuing problem.
Or not and Congress can get involved.
Or not and fans might lose interest in the game.
Or not and we will hear the same stories over and over again linking everyone from Tom House and Hank Aaron to Andruw Jones and AROD.
I sure as heck am ready to move on……
KC
February 20th, 2009
3:21 pm
dap 01: “Has anyone ever noticed that Terrance Moore writes about stuff that really does not matter?”
Has anyone noticed that the sky is blue? =)
flange1
February 20th, 2009
3:22 pm
Random,
FYI I read your story from the San Fran blog guy about Selig, Aaron and Tom House.
I pray that that story is not real. Or at least doesn’t involve the King…..
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
3:22 pm
So Smoltz is saying he wasnt given a choice and that he didn’t leave the Braves ? I find that hard to believe. I’m sure he could have found a way to stay with Atlanta.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
February 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
Does Anyone Remember How Fast Ryan Klesco Ran Into The Hills? Do You Remember He Had Chipper Leak The News Of His Retirement?
He Was Still Playing At The Time Of The “Test” But Ran Away At About The Time Of The “Report”
Im Not Sayin’ … Im Just Sayin’!
Loyal Reader
February 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
Dear Editor/Techie guys – Could you at least leave DOB’s comments up longer. I’d guess for every regular contributor to the blog there are 3-5 of us who mainly just read to see his take.
M'sRuleSquawsDrool
February 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
It looks like Chipper has made an appearance on the messageboard. He goes by the most accurate description of himself: Coxlover- plural because he needs more than one to satisfy his “SSA” urges. No matter how much tobacco he chews, he will never be as cool as Bret Boone
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
KC Has anyone noticed that the sky is blue?
…and that Joseph A. Bank is having a sale?
KC
February 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
flange1: “This article is a great way of trying to change the focus of the Griffey thing from Terry to FW and the front office.
Yup.
DAP
February 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
i hate it that smoltz is saying that he didnt leave, because you only leave when youre givine a choice. i love smoltz, but thats bullcrap. theres always a choice, and the braves didnt say “please leave, john.” they offered and contract and he didnt want it so HE LEFT! im a big smoltz supporter, but id tell him to his face thats just stupid.
KC
February 20th, 2009
3:25 pm
McFann :Ô:, working in marketing and advertising… I can especially appreciate the humor of your last post. Nice!
Bret Boone
February 20th, 2009
3:26 pm
Man, that M’s Rule guy is so cool. He is right about Little Dipper too. He will never be as bad ass as me, no matter how much he chaws Or flips his bat. I am the coolest bad ass to ever grace the face of the Earth or Mars
Daybed Wagmoe
February 20th, 2009
3:28 pm
I went into a bar last night and as I was sitting down, I looked at the TV and they had ESPN on, either ESPN News or Sportscenter. They were in the middle of showing a graphic with Chipper Jones stats and where he ranks on the Braves all-time lists, and at the top it said something like, “Going, Going, Gone.” Right after this they showed the Glavine story.
Anybody know what this was about?
BamaBrave
February 20th, 2009
3:28 pm
All I can say is…keep talking Smoltz. When a reporter calls, give ‘em an earful. Get it off your chest, oh Holy One. If you see a microphone, make a bee line to it like you usually do. Vent. Moan. Whine.
Eventually, you’ll give your old team and your old fans some really good bulletin board material. You’re well on your way, so keep it up. We’ll be here in June, waitin’ for ya.
KC
February 20th, 2009
3:29 pm
Coxlover: “So Smoltz is saying he wasnt given a choice and that he didn’t leave the Braves ? I find that hard to believe. I’m sure he could have found a way to stay with Atlanta.”
Yeah… I guess Glavine had to pay the Braves to stay here then?? Apparently, that’s the only way to get a deal done with the Braves. Oh, wait, on second thought… the Braves signed 3 starters over the winter. Not impossible after all. How about that. No one tell Smoltz.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
3:30 pm
Daybed, when it comes to Atlanta Braves all time offensive rankings, I think Chipper is probably 1st in every category.
C's
February 20th, 2009
3:31 pm
McFann……well played! LMAO @ JosABank sale comment!!
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
3:31 pm
To me, that article by Moore is in very poor taste. It appears to me it is his response to the Braves not getting Griffey. And the sad part is that Smoltz allowed him to use him for his agenda. That whole thing is sad.
Chris
February 20th, 2009
3:32 pm
What a pompus douchebag you are. Uggh, how does your balding head fit through a door?
Chop Chop
February 20th, 2009
3:33 pm
A columnist using something for an agenda?
I am shocked and appalled, PTBNL.
(yawning)
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
3:34 pm
Ah, you guys don’t know how nice it is to have my e-mails get back to familiar subject lines such as “Do you feel inadequate in bed?” and “Stimulate necessary growth,” instead of the “You should be fired scumbag” and “Your [sic] pathetic loser” e-mails I was getting the past 36 hours.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
3:36 pm
Whew…I’m glad I’m not the only one getting those “Stimulate Necessary Growth” e-mails.
ncscoots
February 20th, 2009
3:37 pm
Ah, you guys don’t know how nice it is to have my e-mails get back to familiar subject lines such as “Do you feel inadequate in bed?” and “Stimulate necessary growth,” instead of the “You should be fired scumbag” and “Your [sic] pathetic loser” e-mails I was getting the past 36 hours.
One of us can always send you a recycled flame email, if you get to missing them too much, LOL.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
3:38 pm
Chop Chop … you might realize that I was talking about it being sad that Smoltz allowed it to happen…. that he was a part of it. Moore’s part in it does not surprise me.
John Quest #2, not to be confused w/ Mr. Wrestling #1
February 20th, 2009
3:39 pm
Anything worth repeating happen prior to 1:52 PM?
BA
February 20th, 2009
3:39 pm
The comment section is spiraling into dumbassity
M's
February 20th, 2009
3:40 pm
Man O’Brien really made an ass of himself in this whole thing. But the Mariners beat reporter for the Seattle Times said that he had a source confirming Griffey was going to Atlanta. I wonder if his source was O’Brien who has quite an imagination if I do say so. Maybe you should do some objective reporting next time….? Just a thought if you wanted to be in the job of being a REPORTER
John Quest #2, not to be confused w/ Mr. Wrestling #1
February 20th, 2009
3:40 pm
A-Roid is A-Done. Stick a fork in him. No wonder Torre had no comments about the SOB.
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
3:41 pm
Coxlover – we love Chipper too, even my kids 14000 miles away have Chipper shirts
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
3:41 pm
I said the day before yesterday here that Smoltz is gone and done with the Braves, as far as I’m concerned, and so I was tired of seeing all those RE-Smoltz stuff on the blog here.
However, we need to keep in mind that the AJC is an independent newspaper and TMoore is an columnist hired thereby to give his opinion. So he does. The paper needs to have as big a readership as possible in order to attract more ads, and so writing controversial/debatable stuff is one way of doing that. I really don’t have problem with that. Those of us tired of the Smoltz top don’t have to read what TMoore has to say, especially no need to bring it up here.
Apparently he has his own readership.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
3:42 pm
To create a spot on the 40-man roster, the Braves will place on the 60-day DL … yes, Tim Hudson.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
February 20th, 2009
3:42 pm
That’s BS DOB.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
3:44 pm
That is too funny.
Tomas
February 20th, 2009
3:44 pm
DOB, who did Tim Hudson get in an argument with????
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
3:45 pm
In that 3:40 p.m. post by “M’s,” was that some sort of twisted logic that I’m not able to solve?
flange1
February 20th, 2009
3:46 pm
Damn, DOB you did it know!
Prepare for a Battle Royal in clubhouse tomorrow!!!
lexbrave
February 20th, 2009
3:46 pm
hey dave, what’s all this loser talk? I thought you were a looser.
Chop Chop
February 20th, 2009
3:46 pm
PTBNL,
There’s no doubt that Smoltz has an agenda, at least for now. It just so happens that Moore’s agenda (write a story that gets people to respond and provide page hits…also, whine about Griffey being sooooooooo close this time) met Smoltz’s agenda (attempting to dry up the reservoir of angst and disrespect he feels) in a most sympathetic way.
Strangely enough, it seems that everyone has an agenda.
Even bloggers.
Crazy.
Time for some High Water (for Charley Patton).
With all these agendas, man, it’s rough out there.
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
3:46 pm
David O’Brien says: To create a spot on the 40-man roster, the Braves will place on the 60-day DL … yes, Tim Hudson.
Shoot, DOB. Didn’t Hudson believe this decision was the effect of your Griefy article? Beware, he may have.
DiamondbackMac
February 20th, 2009
3:47 pm
DOB To create a spot on the 40-man roster, the Braves will place on the 60-day DL … yes, Tim Hudson.
ROFL
John Quest #2, not to be confused w/ Mr. Wrestling #1
February 20th, 2009
3:47 pm
DOB, maybe M’s is confusing you for 2-Face from the Batman movie?
flange1
February 20th, 2009
3:47 pm
Sorry, meant to say You did it NOW…
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
3:48 pm
It’s just SO laughable that Smoltz says he wasn’t given a choice whether he could stay in Atlanta or not. Does anyone else find that ridiculous ?
BA
February 20th, 2009
3:48 pm
Tomas, Hudson was yelling at DOB. He was just so frustrated with the new format here and the whole “last 100 comments” issue.
rammerjammer
February 20th, 2009
3:48 pm
David, welcome back. Other than Heyward ripping the ball, was there anything else of note in the ol’ ballyard?
C's
February 20th, 2009
3:48 pm
DOB, not to worry. He just forgot to take his pills.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
3:48 pm
David, what about Glavin? Won’t the Braves keep him on the DL until it is time for him to pitch? I guess that does not affect the 40-man roster though. But it does mean that someone can begin the season with the Braves and be sent down if only for a few days.
flange1
February 20th, 2009
3:49 pm
#2,
I sure miss Mr Tim Woods (Mr Wrestling #1)
Danga
February 20th, 2009
3:49 pm
Might want to leave that motorcycle helmet on when you go into the clubhouse tomorrow.
Jeff
February 20th, 2009
3:49 pm
DOB,
Did Huddy by any chance apologize to you today?….or even speak to you for that matter?
Friday The 13th Remake Was Okay
February 20th, 2009
3:52 pm
Question John Quest and to others….Would you rather.
a. watch Batman and Robin for 24 straight hours OR…
b. go watch the braves play
John Quest #2, not to be confused w/ Mr. Wrestling #1
February 20th, 2009
3:53 pm
I don’t knock John Smoltz to hard. He was one of the major donors to a new private school in Henry County a few years ago, and I’m sure he’s still sending them checks.
lexbrave
February 20th, 2009
3:54 pm
i love john to death, but his “I didn’t leave the Braves, by the way. You leave when you’re given a choice.” comment was not only flat out misrepresentation of the truth, but a comment made in very poor taste. not to mention very childish for a guy who says he has no ill feelings towards his former employer.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
3:54 pm
PTBNL: Yes, Braves could put Glavine on the 15-day DL at the end of spring training, and bring him off for his first start.
John Quest #2, not to be confused w/ Mr. Wrestling #1
February 20th, 2009
3:56 pm
Well, I finally watched the Dark Knight for the first time. Awesome movie.
I was at the 4th of July game back in the 70’s which went 17 innings. I live about 1 1/2 hours from the stadium, and we watched the last 2 innings on TBS when we got home. (the Rick Camp homerun called by John Sterling.)
ncscoots
February 20th, 2009
3:57 pm
Glavine has to be ON the roster before he can be DL’ed, LOL. He’s a free agent, remember?
As for Hudson and the 60-day, that’s a joke, I’m thinking. Isn’t it too early for DL assignments?
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
3:57 pm
DOB-
Would love to know your answer to Jeff at 3:49pm.
lexbrave
February 20th, 2009
3:58 pm
also john maybe be 100% accurate in what he is saying about the braves management, but if you want anyone to believe a word you are saying, it helps to not start with i blatent lie coming out of your mouth that makes you sound like a petulant child.
KC
February 20th, 2009
3:58 pm
DOB, after all of the unfair abuse you’ve taken over the past day or two… you’ll have something to talk to Frank Wren about over coffee.
McPoyle
February 20th, 2009
3:58 pm
DOB… do you feel inadequate in bed? hey, you did say you welcomed these questions.
John Quest #2, not to be confused w/ Mr. Wrestling #1
February 20th, 2009
3:59 pm
Sounds like Mr. Hudson might be moving on. (a pre-rumor)
macdwolfpack
February 20th, 2009
3:59 pm
Hey Dave, can you give us some more eyes on the ground report about how spring training is going, how everyone is looking, etc. Let’s move on from Glavine signing and Griffey not and talk about the real important stuff like how Schaeffer is looking in camp, how Heyward is doing. What are you seeing from Kawakami, etc.
Really appreciate your spring training reports.
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
3:59 pm
ncscoots-
Now I’m thinking of it, you’re right. You don’t DL somebody before the season’s started.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
3:59 pm
ncscoots, it wasn’t a joke. honest. i, too, thought that 60-day DL designations couldn’t be made until close to opening day. I don’t know if the rule changed or what, but they can be made as soon as a guy reports to camp. he’s going on the 60-day DL.
Josh
February 20th, 2009
4:00 pm
Dob, how was the day at the yard…did any of the young guys stand out to you?
C's
February 20th, 2009
4:01 pm
ncscoots – Why is it too early? He’s going on one way or the other. So it’s either put him on there now or lose a player by putting him on waivers.
McPoyle
February 20th, 2009
4:01 pm
dude, i like in chicago, i’ve been online all day stuck in an online “waiting room” for braves vs cubs tickets at wrigley in july. it’s sick how much business they do. i’ve seriouly had the page open since 10 this morning, it automatically refreshes and i’ve not been able to buy a ticket yet. unreal.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
4:01 pm
Jeff, to answer to your 3:49 p.m. question: No.
McPoyle
February 20th, 2009
4:01 pm
live*
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
4:02 pm
DOB, is Hanson going to get starts or working out of the pen? How many different guys will start spring training games this spring?
BravesFanInRockies
February 20th, 2009
4:02 pm
In other news, O-Dog signed with the Dodgers.
Fine with me. Maybe we can finally put all the “move KJ to left” lunacy to bed.
(while remaining concerned about LF offensive production)
winterville
February 20th, 2009
4:02 pm
DOB
If they put Glavine on the 15 DL would he have to stay on there for 15 days since it is the beginning of season or could he come off at any time? The reason I ask is that he wouldn’t be eligible to come off until April 20 if that’s the case and Bobby says we’ll need him on the 19th for his first start. Just wondering if you could clarify.
ncscoots
February 20th, 2009
4:03 pm
DOB, thanks, bro. How ’bout that? About the time I think I have a handle on transactions, options, waivers, and the like, up pops a rule with which I’m unfamiliar. MLB rules and regs are as bad as the tax code, LOL.
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
4:03 pm
DOB: Jeff, to answer to your 3:49 p.m. question: No.
I assume that’s no apology and no talk.
BB FAN
February 20th, 2009
4:04 pm
DOB,
Last week, I saw reports (I believe Verducci) that had Garret Anderson and Griffey going to the Braves and Mariners, just not sure which. I believe it was on the Hot Stove on the MLB network. Anyway, now that Griffey has signed with the Mariners, do you know how interested, if at all are the Braves in Anderson?
Or do you see them trading for a Delmon Young or maybe Wily Mo Pena (if they are available)… or maybe other guys that make 2-3 million or less? I know Pena hasn’t done much in the big leagues due to injuries, but his power and production has usually been there. I doubt the Nationals would ask for much seeing how they have so many outfielders. Pena picked up his $2 million option after the Nationals declined their option on him.
Or do you really see them letting J. Anderson, Schafer, Blanco and/or B. Jones win the jobs?
ncscoots
February 20th, 2009
4:04 pm
C’s, I meant too early by rule, not too early by decision.
dfgtrehrys
February 20th, 2009
4:05 pm
how’s Gonzo doing?
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
4:05 pm
McPoyle: No such problems buying a Braves-Cubs ticket at Turner Field, I’m gonna guess.
Andyman
February 20th, 2009
4:05 pm
This is the 2nd worst decision (letting Aaron go to the Brewers over a couple hundred thousand in the 80’S was the worst) that this club has made since being in Atlanta.
The 80s huh.
Big deal on Smoltz pointing out time and time and time again that he could’ve left for more money. Hey I could’ve left my job for more money too, but I enjoy what I do, where I work, and who I work for. I guess I should be commended just like Smoltz huh. Let me pat myself on the back and let you all know how loyal I am.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
4:06 pm
DCBrave: Correct and correct.
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
4:06 pm
Sometimes when I have a sick leave, I find my mind’s messed up a bit afterwards. Maybe this long DL thing did get to Huddy.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
4:06 pm
Why is it so much harder to buy a ticket at Wrigley Field than it is at Turner Field ? I guess because Wrigley Field seats a lot less people ?
Efrim
February 20th, 2009
4:06 pm
Joe Sheehan has a very good article on Baseball Prospectus about the Braves 2009 chances. He wishes they went after Abreu or Dunn, but overall he thinks they still have a very good chance of making the playoffs. He suggests playing Blanco in LF and Anderson in CF, therefore having the best defensive outfield in the NL. That, coupled with the much improved pitching staff and championship caliber infield makes for them to be a real contender:
“What makes these discussions relevant is the Braves’ infield, which is clearly championship-caliber thanks to Chipper Jones’ late-career surge, an underrated Kelly Johnson, and the best player no one knows about, Brian McCann. With Vazquez and Lowe added, the Braves have a core of players you can build a successful team around, with the main problem being that they go up against two of the best five-man cores in the game in the Mets and Phillies. That’s why they can’t afford to make mistakes in assembling their outfield.”
“In the absence of a power-hitting left fielder, the Braves would probably be well-served to try and make run prevention their main goal. Their top five—Johnson, Yunel Escobar, Chipper Jones, McCann, and Casey Kotchman—should be good enough to give them a league-average offense. Rather than put Brandon Jones in over his head as the big half of a platoon, what the Braves could do is play Josh Anderson in center field and Gregor Blanco in left, giving them the best defensive outfield in the NL. Anderson can’t hit, and Blanco can’t hit well enough to carry left field, but combined with Jeff Francoeur, the trio would cover broad swaths of ground, enough to make Javier Vazquez a very happy man.”
“There’s another reason that I think this might work. If you consider the teams that have surprised us recently, it’s all teams that did so by preventing runs with great defense. The 2005 White Sox, the 2006 Tigers, the 2008 Rays… these were all teams that had good pitching staffs backed by excellent glove work, and which rode a terrific performance on balls in play to the World Series. It seems like defense is more affordable than offense, and more likely to be the backbone of a surprise team. When was the last time a team surprised us by bashing its way to the postseason? The 1993 Phillies, perhaps? Maxing out the defense is the best use of the Braves’ current resources; their left fielder and center fielder aren’t going to hit no matter who plays, but they could combine to be outstanding defensively.”
“Whatever they do, this is going to be a good team and a real contender. The 2008 season was a blip caused by a terrible run of injuries and some awful fortune in close games. Unless both make a reappearance, the Braves will be playing meaningful games deep into September—and possibly October.”
John Quest #2, not to be confused w/ Mr. Wrestling #1
February 20th, 2009
4:08 pm
DOB, You need to try the Brazilian Steak House while you’re down there.
http://www.4412montrose.com/orlando/index.php
Just a suggestion. Leave your wallet and let someone else get the tab.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
4:09 pm
Winterville, a certain number of days of a DL designation can be backdated into spring training. Somewhere between 5-10 days, but I’d have to look it up later. Point is, they can DL him and bring him off for his April 19 start.
dfg(etc): Gonzo’s healthy, that’s the important thing. He’s looked OK, what I’ve seen and heard. Nothing special. But again, he’s healthy. That’s all that matters this early for a guy like him.
McPoyle
February 20th, 2009
4:10 pm
DOB – hah probably not
Moby Grape
February 20th, 2009
4:10 pm
nd who’s going to hit all the home runs, Little Dipper Jones? He’ll probably go down on the first road trip of the season. Go down on his teammates, that is GetNathan
you post a total crap POS like that and expect anybody on this board to give you any respect or credence? What are you, 12?
BA
February 20th, 2009
4:10 pm
Efrim, Sheehan makes sense- but by his logic I’d rather have Anderson in left and Schafer in center.
Tomas
February 20th, 2009
4:12 pm
What exactly did Hudson told you? How did you get in an argument with him(I mean how did it start)?
TheManMike
February 20th, 2009
4:12 pm
Did i miss something about DOB and a Brave player “getting into it”? – What happened? -
DOB – Its been rather chilly up here lately, so riding the motorcycle has not really been so fun. When you refer to having ridden your bike; do you mean bicycle or motorcycle? I hear the weather is rather perfect for riding down there……….i guess either way you look at it. Ah, Spring is near, and single layers are back.
McPoyle
February 20th, 2009
4:12 pm
Coxlover – it’s more than just a baseball game up at wrigley though, the waitlist for season tickets is over 100,000 and they had a 98% renewal rate. how they do it i have no idea… most of the games are in the day, so i don’t know how all these people miss work and go up there to get all boozed up haha, but i like their style.
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
4:13 pm
DOB-
But I would think even if they can put Huddy on the 60 day DL today, the 60 day countdown doesn’t start today but the opending day.
Efrim
February 20th, 2009
4:13 pm
BA, yea, I’d be fine with that too. But I want Shafer in Triple A to start the season. Some more development time couldn’t hurt him. It’d be an offensive boost when Shafer does get promoted though. And I am pretty sure we won’t be losing anything on the defensive side.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
4:13 pm
DOB, You need to try the Brazilian Steak House while you’re down there. Just a suggestion. Leave your wallet and let someone else get the tab. – John Quest #2
Perhaps Bowman, since he threw me under the bus….
winterville
February 20th, 2009
4:14 pm
Thanks for the response DOB, that is definitely a plus and it is one less roster decision that doesn’t have to be made right out of spring training.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
4:14 pm
Hey Dave,
Sorry for all the heat you have taken. Still love ya here man.
Also, I need to reccomend the new M.Ward record to you. It is excellent. Also, Booker T. and DBTs at the Variety. You could use some downtime.
MFin04
February 20th, 2009
4:14 pm
Efrim: lots of good points there. I never thought of trying the defensive approach. Anderson and Blanco are very quick in the outfield and can track a lot of balls. If one of them would get on base enough or steal some bases they could help the team score some runs. One would obviously hit 1st and the other 8th…but if they saved us some runs that could theoretically count towards them producing runs for us. Francoeur seemed like he saved us a run a game…and definitely saved us a lot of extra bases by guys pulling up at 1st or 2nd or 3rd and not trying to take an extra base/score.
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
4:14 pm
Tomas! Man!
Aaron in Chicago
February 20th, 2009
4:14 pm
McPoyle, in the waiting room click “File”, then “New”, then “Window” and you can have multiple waiting rooms open at once (assuming you are using Internet Explorer). I managed to get tickets to all three Braves games in this manner.
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
4:15 pm
oh, do you have any sense what Cashman may want for Nady?
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
4:15 pm
DCBrave: Correct, the 60 days doesn’t start now for Hudson. But they can put him on it, since they know he’s going to miss far more than the first two months of the season anyway.
John Quest #2, not to be confused w/ Mr. Wrestling #1
February 20th, 2009
4:15 pm
Favorite Wrigley moment: Ferris Bueller and Cameron sitting at the Cubs game, “Swing-batta-batter, Swing!!”
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
4:16 pm
Seriously DOB, did Bowman apologize to you, formally or sort of?
lexbrave
February 20th, 2009
4:17 pm
the obvious answer to why wrigley is so hard to get tickets to is that it only seats 41k in a city population of 2.8 million as opposed to say the ted which seats 50k with a city population 520k
the other reason is that the cubs own their own ticket brokering offices in which they hold back a majority of the good seats and sell them above face value for profit. that cuts into the supply of face value tickets and if you’ve taken any marketing classes that means the demand soars.
KC
February 20th, 2009
4:17 pm
DOB’s last post jogged my memory…
Folks, as soon as single game tickets go on sale, be sure to BUY TICKETS TO GAMES VS. CUBS, RED SOX & THE LIKE!!!
We really need to pack the Ted more with Braves fans during those games. It’s always somewhat embarrassing to me when the Cubs fans are louder than Braves fans IN ATLANTA!!!
McPoyle
February 20th, 2009
4:18 pm
Aaron – thanks for the suggestion, somebody had told me about that and i tried it earlier. it won’t let me for whatever reason, probably something to do with blockage since i’m at work. very annoying. i’ll just have to end up on stubhub paying 80/per for an upper deck seat. lol
Moby Grape
February 20th, 2009
4:18 pm
omas, Hudson was yelling at DOB. He was just so frustrated with the new format here and the whole “last 100 comments” issue—BA
I can’t blame him for that. Between the format screwups and the million new morons, this is not nearly as pleasant a place to visit as it usually is.
John Quest #2, not to be confused w/ Mr. Wrestling #1
February 20th, 2009
4:19 pm
Quit taking marketing classes and the ticket prices should come down.
Random
February 20th, 2009
4:19 pm
flange1 (3:22 pm): “FYI I read your story from the San Fran blog guy about Selig, Aaron and Tom House.
“I pray that that story is not real. Or at least doesn’t involve the King…..”
Come, sir, surely we all know that Jerry Lawler would never stoop so low!!!
But seriously . . .
Those are some serious allegations for us neither to have ever heard anything like that before, so I have some serious doubts about their validity.
A couple of things that might not be so hard to check would be the existence of a Vincent draft steroid policy, and crunching some other offensive Aaron numbers to see what if any spikes they show 70-73.
Needless to say, I’ve done neither yet.
Btw, someone commented that House had a personal axe to grind with Aaron anyway, so take his comments fwiw . . .
(’Course, I wouldn’t put nothin’ past Selig.)
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
4:20 pm
KC, it is sickening how many fans from the opposing team I see at Turner Field. Especially Red Sox, Cubs and Yankees fans. Sometimes I feel like I’m outnumbered.
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
4:20 pm
That Moore guy and Smoltz can moan about Wren and the front office until they’re blue in the face, but I’m pretty sure that after ‘08 and all of the one run losses, bad fundementals, and guys just sucking to no end, most thought that the ‘09 Braves would be a team in rebuilding with no hope for at least a couple of years. Damn, that was a long sentence. Wren has turned a team that had the fans in panick mode, to a team that we can get a little excited about. All I have to say is, FU– Furcal,Griffey,Peavy, and at this point, FU– Smoltz too! I’m sick of his crap. Is his point in bashing Wren and Shuerholtz to get the fans of the Braves to quit liking them? Burnett is a sissy, and Lowe seems to want to be the leader…who’d you rather have?
SeaAtl
February 20th, 2009
4:21 pm
lexbrave at 4:17 “the ted which seats 50k with a city population 520k” – this is why I get so frustrated with people saying the Atlanta doesn’t ever sell out games, etc…….
rammerjammer
February 20th, 2009
4:22 pm
“Bowman” sounds a lot like…”Newman.”
Efrim
February 20th, 2009
4:22 pm
MFin04, yea, I like a good offense, but he is right about the suprise teams being better at run prevention and the Braves will definetly be better at that in 2009. They should have enough offense too, as long as Francoeur, Kelly Johnson, and Casey Kotchman can produce like they did in 2007. Considering they are all young, it isn’t crazy to think that they haven’t even broken through yet(although I am less confident about Frenchy), why not this year? At the very least, repeat 07 performances….I hope.
C's
February 20th, 2009
4:22 pm
Am I really hearing grown men cry over new people posting? What kind of elementary school crap is that? “Hey, we were on this playground first!”
Perhaps I’m using the term “grown men” too loosely?
The GM
February 20th, 2009
4:23 pm
DOB a few futuristic headlines for you: Jason Heyward the Braves left fielder by August. No trades necessary here, just keep the spot warm. Hanson in the rotation no later than July as Glavine retires to join a senior baseball league. Chipper signs a 3 year contract extension, vowing to play in at least 50 games each season if his hamstrings and feet allow. Cox signs on for one more year vowing not to retire until Chipper does. Braves finish 4th and wait until next year.
Aaron in Chicago
February 20th, 2009
4:24 pm
McPoyle – That stinks, I am at work also but was able to bring up about 20 waiting rooms. I got in 7 times but only bought tickets for the Braves series. Passed off the others to my boss (Cubs fan) who has over 30 waiting rooms open but wasn’t having nearly as much luck getting in.
The Good Book
February 20th, 2009
4:24 pm
Wouldn’t John’s evangelical feelings have been accepted much more in the South?? John does not understand that it is easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into the Gates of Heaven.
John, You must read the whole Book and not be selective–what a man does for the least of my brethren he does unto me. There are some eeally good sentiments expressed in There. The prevailing sentiment seems to be against greed.
John, do you have enough? Will you ever have enough?
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
4:24 pm
ammerjammer: “Bowman” sounds a lot like…”Newman.”
You mean looks a lot like?
ncscoots
February 20th, 2009
4:25 pm
[Sheehan] suggests playing Blanco in LF and Anderson in CF, therefore having the best defensive outfield in the NL. That, coupled with the much improved pitching staff and championship caliber infield makes for them to be a real contender
And I respect Sheehan, but here I think he’s a little off the mark. Schafer is a superior defensive OF to either Anderson or Blanco, and Brandon Jones is an excellent corner, defensively. As to Jones being over his head, it’s at least as likely that Anderson and Blanco will continue to struggle offensively, Blanco’s winter campaign notwithstanding.
Therefore, I don’t see a significant plus-minus in an Anderson/Blanco pairing. To me, it’s more likely that Jones would provide enough offense to more than offset any defensive gap. I understand Sheehan’s premise, but disagree with his personnel.
Kent
February 20th, 2009
4:25 pm
Dave…. you suck. I can’t believe you cost us Griffey. Time for you to stop covering my favorite team.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
4:25 pm
scoots, it was my understanding that Glavin had signed already. Did I jump the gun?
lexbrave
February 20th, 2009
4:26 pm
seaatl, and anyone who has ever tried to make it on a weeknight in rush hour to the ted to make a 7:00 pm game knows exactly why people would rather sit at home and watch it on tv.
John Quest #2, not to be confused w/ Mr. Wrestling #1
February 20th, 2009
4:26 pm
You’re right C’s, the registration fee to post on here was quite a bit more than I’m use to paying. At least i can write it off on my taxes because I once took a psyc class in one of the Journalism rooms in college.
Luther
February 20th, 2009
4:27 pm
Wow, finally some semblance of normalcy. Had to somewhat tune out the last few days as the bloggers were resembling the football blogs that I try to avoid for such reasons.
Does anyone have any thoughts on Carlyle or Campillo? Is is logical to assume there is only room for one of them on the staff?
ernesto
February 20th, 2009
4:27 pm
whoa, turn your head from the blog for a few hours and you have no idea what’s going on…how did Bowman throw DOB under the bus???
flange1
February 20th, 2009
4:28 pm
Random,
I guess I should have said the OTHER King!!!
I did enjoy Lawler in Memphis!
I have heard the same about Tom House and Aaron. I have seen some of the numbers on Aaron, I think most of those have to do with expansion, a different ball and a lineup that had lots of hitters in it…
At least I hope so…
BA
February 20th, 2009
4:28 pm
Yeah C’s, it’s like the playground in Elementary- when they brought out your special ed class to play.
Tomas
February 20th, 2009
4:29 pm
DOB, Although this haven’t been you’re best week, I just want to tell you this is the greatest blog in all of baseball. I really appreciate you’re work, and how you keep us up to date with everything going on.
My suggestion to you is to not hold anger with anybody, and just be calm. This is like at storm, you just need to be patient and it will pass.
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
4:30 pm
Smoltz is doing more harm than good with Braves fans with him constantly running his fat trap. I think he oughta just shutup with coments like he “would have definitely left after ‘96 had it not been for Cox”. Well, aren’t you special. I wanted him to have an awesome season with Boston a couple of weeks ago, but now, I’d be even happier if he throws his last pitch his first game back. To me, the comments he just made are a huge insult to Chipper, Glavine, Maddux, and all of the Braves fans.
McPoyle
February 20th, 2009
4:30 pm
haha, Aaron it’s been awful. i got in one time and thought i was squared away, then it kept giving me a message that said “we’re unable to process your request due to high purchase volumes, please try again” i kept trying, that kept coming up so i tried to pick a different day and it put me back in that waiting room!
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
4:30 pm
Kent-
Kent’you suck somewhere else?
Nate
February 20th, 2009
4:32 pm
Seriously though, the Braves aren’t going to spend all that money on pitching acqusitions and then torpedo the season by not acquiring an outfield bat are they?
Efrim
February 20th, 2009
4:34 pm
ncscoots, I think he is going off the assumption that Schafer may be starting the year in the minors(?). Honestly not sure though as he did not refer to him in his piece. I agree with you that Schafer in CF and Brandon Jones in LF is the best solution, but as I said to BA, I’d like Schafer in Triple A for the first couple months of the season, if not more. I’m sure he could be at least average at the position offensively, and above average defensively, but I’d rather be safer with the kid. His time will come.
C's
February 20th, 2009
4:34 pm
BA – making fun of the mentally challenged? Really? I won’t even bother.
Anyway, back to baseball…..
Luther – Just me guessing here, but I’d say you are right. I doubt there is room for both.
ncscoots
February 20th, 2009
4:35 pm
PTBNL, as I’ve been wrong about the ST DL rules already, I think I’ll forgo any more opinions in that area, LOL. Glavine has signed, I’m sure, but I don’t think he’s actually on the 40-man yet, is he? I think that might have been my reference. Naturally, I could have just misread whatever inspired that post, to start with!
BamaBrave
February 20th, 2009
4:35 pm
Amen to that, KC. It’s an embarrassment. Even some Met games SOUND like we’re outnumbered. And even when we have a clear numerical advantage, the fans rarely get loud and they’re not organized at all. Even the Wave flops after 4 or 5 weak laps (thank God). Maybe we need cheap megaphones…something…
John Quest #2, not to be confused w/ Mr. Wrestling #1
February 20th, 2009
4:35 pm
DOB, it looks like this blog heading “so now what” has gotten us through the Jr magic show. I say we do like John Candy in “Uncle Buck” and let’s “Bury the Hatchet, (bug)”.
Moby Grape
February 20th, 2009
4:36 pm
Perhaps it has to do with the stupidity evidenced by so many of the new posters. Most have done nothing but rip DOB and Wren and ask childish questions of the players who have been on the board. There is a constant influx of posters and anybody and everybody has always been welcome, but most of the posts from the new group have been childish trash that do nothing but clog the board.. Haven’t noticed yet which way the wind blows with you. If you post interesting, relevant comments I’ll be thrilled to have someone new to communicate with. Hope so cause I really don’t need to put any more stress on my scroll-wheel.
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
4:36 pm
Hey, this Far Side comic kinda goes along with DOB’s alligator story:
/Users/us/sc0017967c.jpg
(If clicking on it doesn’t work, try copying the name and pasting it in your address bar–that should do the trick.)
Moby Grape
February 20th, 2009
4:38 pm
Dave…. you suck. I can’t believe you cost us Griffey. Time for you to stop covering my favorite team.—Kent
a perfect example
Aaron in Chicago
February 20th, 2009
4:39 pm
McPoyle – Yeah, I got that same message on several of mine but eventually got past it by continually clicking “continue” each time it brought the error up. I have a feeling that at least half of Chicago was trying to buy tickets. I bet we contributed to the economic problems because of the hundreds of thousands of “work” hours lost as people tried to buy tickets here in Chicago. lol
Jake W.
February 20th, 2009
4:39 pm
Hey KC I understand what you’re saying but Atlanta is a transplant city. I see it happen in Arizona, Tampa Bay and a lot of other cities that are largely transplant. These people get the schedule and if their a cubs, yankees, red sox or whatever fan they buy the tickets up quickly. When you look at it its smarter if you are a red sox fan to buy a ticket here and catch a cheap flight or train or something. It’s probably cheaper.
C's
February 20th, 2009
4:40 pm
Moby – I see your point.
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
4:40 pm
KC It’s always somewhat embarrassing to me when the Cubs fans are louder than Braves fans IN ATLANTA!!!
Ugh…tell me about it.
We went to a Cubs game last year, and let me tell you–those were the most annoying fans I’ve ever been around!
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 20th, 2009
4:40 pm
Lets see if I have this right.
David O’Brien just mentioned the importance of speed on the team. Holy moly, I’m gonna faint!
Hudson vs. O’Brien, mountain out of a mole hill if you ask me.
Griffy first contacted the Braves. The platoon was mentioned in DOB’s Blog. Griffy wants to play everyday, why can’t people put two and two together?
Email? LOL. Just blog people , just blog.
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
4:42 pm
BA @ 3:48: “Tomas, Hudson was yelling at DOB. He was just so frustrated with the new format here and the whole ‘last 100 comments’ issue.”
LOL!
SeaAtl
February 20th, 2009
4:42 pm
I caught the “Bowman controversy”, but missed this deal with Hudson – the blog glitch is preventing me from going back & reading to get caught up on this, can anyone fill me in on this?
Daniel
February 20th, 2009
4:42 pm
TnBrian
you are right on the money
ncscoots
February 20th, 2009
4:43 pm
Efrim, a hundred ABs for Schafer at AAA, and see how he takes to the advanced pitching. After that, assuming good results, I’d be ready to see him up at any time. If he takes a while to start raking, that’s OK with me, too.
I only worry about how his head will go, if he has a monster spring and still gets sent down. Bloggers always tell a kid in that situation to keep his head up, etc., but, man, it just ain’t that easy.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
4:43 pm
ok scoots, but it does raise a question. I am not aware of a lot of the MLB rules. How long do they have before they have to put him on the 40 man roster? I would think it would have to be pretty soon. He can’t be on the DL while participating in ST. Or really I guess what I mean is, he can’t be on the 60 day DL dating back to last year so that he could came off of the 60 day just before he is to pitch in the regular season. So I would think he would have to be on the 40 man soon. Which I guess will not be a problem since they can put Huddy on the 60 day DL now.
John Quest #2, not to be confused w/ Mr. Wrestling #1
February 20th, 2009
4:44 pm
Speaking of cheaper, I was in Hawaii a few years ago, and the golf courses were full of Japanese players. I asked why, and found out it was cheaper for them to fly to Hawaii and play, plus it was quicker. They have a waiting list on most cousrses of up to 5 months(in Japan). The funniest thing to see is how they ran to each shot, even if they were in a cart. They are use to running to each shot because of the speed of play necessary in Japan. True story.
Random
February 20th, 2009
4:45 pm
I’m pretty much totally on board with Jeff Schultz’s current assessment of Wren’s offseason:
I know. Blame Frank Wren. It’s easy, right? We all want scapegoats, and the relatively new general manager is an easy one.
But don’t go there – at least not yet. Other than low-balling John Smoltz – the one player in the organization who never should have been low-balled – most of this offseason has not been Wren’s fault. Yes, he has been used and certainly hasn’t achieved all of his objectives this offseason.
Btw, denizens earlier were speculating what former braves players might be candidates for having used PEDs — add one:
(In his last three seasons in St. Louis, Pendleton hit .254, .264 and .230. Somehow, he morphed into a .319 hitter and an MVP in 1991).
brent a.
February 20th, 2009
4:45 pm
So . . . Terrence Moore awakes from his winter slumber, finds a source who says that KGJr. is coming to Atlanta, writes an article that leads to a mini-controversy when Griffey chooses not to come, and now decides that he must attack the Braves by going to John, “media whore” Smoltz.
Sorry Terry. No one wants to hear you gripe just because your boy Kenny ain’t come to Atlanta like you promised us.
Sure, the Braves have problems. But, Terrence Moore has bigger problems.
John Smoltz is a blowhard! He and Terrence Moore deserve to fade into eternity together.
DCBrave
February 20th, 2009
4:46 pm
SeaAtl-
DOB says (seriously) that the Braves have decided to put Hudson on the 60-day DL.
getnathan
February 20th, 2009
4:47 pm
MobyGrape,
I didn’t post that message. R.I.F. (Reading Is Fundamental)
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
4:47 pm
Moby Grape, How about this: What are Martin Prado compared to Kelly Johnson’s home/road, day/night stats in 2008? What are their VORPS? How about the quality of the pine or maple bats they might use on a given day/night? Are those good enough?
Efrim
February 20th, 2009
4:47 pm
ncscoots, I agree. I’m still going to root for him to tear the cover off the ball, but deep down, I want him starting the season in the minors. I think it will all work out for the best. He’ll get those two months back that he lost last year.
Ryan
February 20th, 2009
4:48 pm
i think in Spring Training if none of the 4 young players stand out we’ll defintly bring someone in. Swisher, Nady, Anderson all these names have surfaced to the braves having some interest. during spring maybe more options will open up.
Earl Williams
February 20th, 2009
4:48 pm
First of all, you would think Smoltz would avail himself of modern technology to something about that head of his. UnGodly.
Next, following up on that previous blogger, it will be interesting to see on John’s tent revivalism will work in the Northeast.
i always get a kick out of the little fund raisers sponsored by the wifes that net maybe 100,000 when all they would have to do is get Smoltzie to donate a game check. What a bunch of hypocrites. Pitiful.
KC
February 20th, 2009
4:48 pm
SeaAtl, here is the original blurb from NBC Sports:
“But there was clearly some bitterness over the turn of events, some of it directed at media outlets that reported Griffey had decided to play for Atlanta. Pitcher Tim Hudson got into a heated argument in the clubhouse with a newspaper reporter, claiming his story angered Griffey and led him to back out of dealings with the Braves. A team official had to step in and lead Hudson to a back room.”
DOB has said here since that it wasn’t really yelling… just raised voices, and DOB was actually the much calmer of the two in this instance. He said that Hudson wasn’t upset only about the Griffey story, but also about his speculation as to who would be left off the 40-man roster.
Moby Grape
February 20th, 2009
4:48 pm
Hey KC I understand what you’re saying but Atlanta is a transplant city. I see it happen in Arizona, Tampa Bay and a lot of other cities that are largely transplant. These people get the schedule and if their a cubs, yankees, red sox or whatever fan they buy the tickets up quickly. When you look at it its smarter if you are a red sox fan to buy a ticket here and catch a cheap flight or train or something. It’s probably cheaper.—JakeW
very good points Jake. Atlanta is the southern hub of very many firms based elsewhere. Thousands and thousands of people are transferred there for a few years. Usually not staying long enough to become Braves fans. They stay fans of their home teams and when they go to a braves game it is almost always when their team is in town. Since they are often somewhat homesick they look ahead for when that will happen and scoop up tickets early. That isn’t gonna change for the most part.
OHBravesGirl
February 20th, 2009
4:49 pm
I bought Cubs/Reds tickets in Cincy for an ex-boyfriend (Reds fan – no wonder it didn’t work!), and we ended up sitting in a section full of Cubs fans. I’m all for cheering for your own team, but when you boo the home team and scream rude things at their outfielders, that’s just poor sportsmanship. At one point, they looked at us and said, “Yeah! Way to cheer for the worst team in baseball!” I’m clearly not a Reds fan, but even I took offense to that. Cheer for your team or shut up. I can imagine Sox/Yanks fans are equally as bad.
KC
February 20th, 2009
4:49 pm
Earl, who is Smoltz? Is he a baseball player?
brent a.
February 20th, 2009
4:50 pm
JQ #2,
the 4th of July game of which you speak was in 1985, not the 1970’s.
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
4:50 pm
By the way Moby Grape, I do agree with you on the DOB/Wren bashers. It’s getting old and 95% of it’s not even close to the truth. Well, I’d say for Wren, 75% isn’t true.
KC
February 20th, 2009
4:51 pm
Jake & Moby, yeah, I know it’s an uphill battle. I’m just saying, all other things being equal, as a Braves fan… try to make it out to those games. It really would be nice if we could fill out the Ted and AT LEAST make it 75% Braves fans here on our home field!!!
Wayne in Utah
February 20th, 2009
4:52 pm
Is anybody else getting tired of seeing John Smoltz’ mug with a Red Sox cap on the AJC??
McFann
I strive to be that obnoxious Braves fan at the other guys home field (Denver, Phoenix, SF, etc.)!
John Quest #2
February 20th, 2009
4:53 pm
brent a. – i had a 15 year buzz going then, thanks for the correction:roll:
KC
February 20th, 2009
4:53 pm
TnBrian, I hereby coin the phrase “Wren derangement syndrome”. There are quite a few sufferers that frequent this blog. They are devoid of facts or basic reasoning skills. Just looking for something to b!tch about, and someone to blame everything on.
DMBJAMS
February 20th, 2009
4:53 pm
I can’t stand reading the crap T. Moore puts out there. I really can’t believe he still has a job here in Atlanta.
flange1
February 20th, 2009
4:53 pm
Question for the group, if the Braves bring someone in on a minor league contract, they DO NOT have to be on the 40 man. Isn’t that correct?
I hear there is no interest in Edmunds…Why not offer a minor league deal and let him give the kids some competition?
Ryan
February 20th, 2009
4:54 pm
Enter your comments here
Wayne in Utah
February 20th, 2009
4:56 pm
So Huddy is reading the blog, eh?? Whasshappninn Huddy??
The Artist Formerly Known as Too Hot For Teacher
February 20th, 2009
4:57 pm
hi everybody – I listened to the Gammons where he talks about major steroid shipments in Atlanta. It doesn’t sound to me like Gammons was talking about the team in Atlanta (the Braves) I think he was saying that there was a big distributor in the Atlanta area, as well as Tampa, that were shipping out roids labeled as nail polish. That’s not saying that there won’t be some Braves on some of these alleged lists (I hope there’s not) But what Gammons mentioned isn’t talking about the Braves.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
4:57 pm
So glad other people have picked up the “Enter your comments here.” mantle.
flange1
February 20th, 2009
4:57 pm
As usual, I messed it up again:
Redo
I hear that there is little interest in Jim Edmunds by most ML teams. He has no offers on the table currently. If he would accept a minor league deal, maybe the Braves should bring him in to compete with the kids?
That is if they don’t have to put him on the 40 man roster….
So the question is if you bring in a player on a minor league deal does he go on the 40 man roster?
I think the answer is NO.
Thoughts?
Derma Check
February 20th, 2009
4:59 pm
Smoltz, Check that noggin for melanoma. Lot of exposure on that dome.
We still going to call him Smoltzie and worship his tired A$$ when he comes to town?? Everybody stand and give him a standing O.
Wayne in Utah
February 20th, 2009
4:59 pm
I heard someone say on XM earlier today that they thought the Braves might have some interesst in Luis Gonzo. Hope that ain’t true.
I like Edmonds much better…
Danga
February 20th, 2009
4:59 pm
He could come into camp as a non-roster invitee, no?
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
February 20th, 2009
4:59 pm
Is Soriano throwing yet (smoothly) or is he still in the “who in the heck knows” topic for opening day? Did I hear the other day Moylan may be ready by mid-April??
Bobby's Belly
February 20th, 2009
5:00 pm
If Schafer has a better spring than Anderson/Blanco bring him up Day 1. He went to Mexico to make up for the missed AB’s.
SeaAtl
February 20th, 2009
5:01 pm
KC – thanks. But, WOW – I’ve been a Huddy fan, partly because he’s a fellow Auburn alum. But also ’cause he’s a great pitcher and he seemed cool.
Moby Grape
February 20th, 2009
5:01 pm
Moby Grape, How about this: What are Martin Prado compared to Kelly Johnson’s home/road, day/night stats in 2008? What are their VORPS? How about the quality of the pine or maple bats they might use on a given day/night? Are those good enough? TnBrian
more foolishness. just make a little sense dude thats all I(and others) ask. Nobody wants to have to read through hundreds of stupid emotional rants about DoB causing a major league star to go elsewhere for instance. Is that all that difficult for you to understand? seems like it might be from your post that I’m responding too. “”I hate you Dob” Chipper goes down on his tean” “Wren is the scourge of the universe” etc gets old after a hundred iterations. So do smarmy childish retorts like yours that show no logic, If you really are too stupid to understand what I was saying, then I feel sorry for you.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
February 20th, 2009
5:02 pm
john schuerholz was on mlb home plate today, i noticed that he sounds just like hue hefner… did anyone else notice it? try to youtube it if you can its funny
Jake W.
February 20th, 2009
5:02 pm
I hear you KC. I try to make it to at least 4 games a year. With working and everything else I usually don’t buy my tickets till about one or two weeks before the game. Because of that its hard to get the games that feature the yanks and sox, especially if its a weekend series. To be quite honest I can’t stand the games with yankee, mets, cubs, or sox fans because they are usually obnoxious and kind of ruin the game.
UGA 75
February 20th, 2009
5:03 pm
DOB
This column reads like you are still a little upset about all the crap thrown your way about the Griffey lie and con job. I repeat what I said the other day, let everyone who is perfect take a free shot at you, and being perfect in their own eyes doesn’t qualify as perfect either).
I don’t bother writing to your blog often, but since you’ve been writing it, I read it every day it is on the site. You do the best job of covering day to day events that I’ve ever read on any sports team. I don’t always agree with you, but I always respect what you write. You express informed opinions unlike some of your readers who occassionally let their fingers write before their brains are fully engaged. It is a tough time for the Braves and by extension the writers and reporters who cover them. Just take all negative stuff and flush it from your mind. Always remember you get paid to deal with we FANATICS, so you have the last word and the last laugh.
Danga
February 20th, 2009
5:04 pm
Good riddance Shea.
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=207187&cl=12105272&ch=207401&src=sports
Wayne in Utah
February 20th, 2009
5:05 pm
flange1
A minor league contract doesn’t take the spot on the 40 man roster.
Nate
February 20th, 2009
5:06 pm
I made this comment yesterday, but probably nobody saw it with the goofy stuff going on teh past few days. The Braves have had a truly horrible offseason. With Peavy, Hampton, AJ, Fucal, Smoltz, and Griffey its really been one embarrassing fiasco after another. Individually you can make a case that Frank Wren was not at fault, but if you look at the whole offseason the one common denominator is Frank Wren. Frankly, its been pretty embarrassing to be a Braves fan this offseason. Does anyone on here really think that John Schurholz would have gotten played, embarrassed, and out-foxed the way Wren has.
flange1
February 20th, 2009
5:07 pm
Thanks Wayne!
brent a.
February 20th, 2009
5:07 pm
Nate,
I made a similar post 2 nights ago. It’s true. FW is the one common denominator in all of these failed equations.
Just doesn’t mean that I want to hear more about it from John Smoltz and Terrence Moore.
SCRusty
February 20th, 2009
5:08 pm
Another thought as to why lots of Cubs, Red Sox and Yankees fans show up at Braves games– Granted, they have their feverent fans but there seems to be a lot of transplanted northerners moving south for the warmer climate, lower cost of living and so on. At least I’m seeing that here in coastal SC. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard things like “Heeeeyahs how we did it in Baaaston.”
DMBJAMS
February 20th, 2009
5:08 pm
UGA 75,
Agree 100%. DOB is the best reporter in Atlanta.
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
5:09 pm
Moby, my 4:50 comment should clear up the confusion you have with me.
Nate
February 20th, 2009
5:09 pm
I gotta think that Schafer will start the season in AAA, that way he has less than a full season of major league experiance when the season ends. The Rays did the same thing with Evan Longoria last year.
Tony C.
February 20th, 2009
5:10 pm
Whatever Smoltz leaves a $5 tip on a $365.00 tab at Taco Mac-and you’re going expect the guy to be CLASSY? After the divorce I think you’re going to continue to see “new” stuff from ol’ Smoltzie. Realize that the traits that make the guy the ultra-competitive pitcher we all love are sometimes traits that are far from “nice”.
Great pitcher, but not above being a real jerk. Just like most people you & I know (although most guys that have a second comma in their checking account at least tip 10%).
MGL
February 20th, 2009
5:10 pm
Looking at the internal OF options, assuming Jeffy in RF, the best plan may be to platoon Diaz/Anderson in LF and bring in Schafer for CF if he is ready. Anderson had a .527 SLG against RHP – that’s not too shabby.
Tony C.
February 20th, 2009
5:11 pm
and BTW, a 10% tip is STILL cheap (your bartender and waitstaff are looking for 20% for good service).
John Quest #2
February 20th, 2009
5:12 pm
Moby and company, you are so right. In an effort to clear this blog, all non-adults need to go here ASAP:http://mycyc.com/
Great board-room today!
Wayne in Utah
February 20th, 2009
5:12 pm
Peter Gammons: “Alex, what can you tell us about this steroid report?”
A-Rod: “Hey Petie, did you check out my new gurl-friend!”
A-Rod: “Does my hair look OK?”
Chop Chop
February 20th, 2009
5:16 pm
The Atlanta steroid dealer stuff that Gammo mentioned could get interesting. If guys like Javy, Andruw, Klesko, Wohlers, etc. get wrapped up in it, maybe some of us will have to take a step back and say, “Well, none of those players are on the team anymore. We always did it clean, baby.”
(Ha.)
Mark
February 20th, 2009
5:20 pm
Anybody else ready to boo Smoltz when he comes back??? I live 200 miles away but I am going to make it a point to be there to do so..I mean, guy is an icon, but the way he has treated the Braves since he left is despicable…Greedy, Greedy, Greedy…I hope he gets absolutely shelled if he pitches against Atlanta and the ultimate justice would be the Braves making the playoffs while the Sox finish 3rd(which I think is a good possibility)…
Bobby's Belly
February 20th, 2009
5:20 pm
MGL – You got it. Anderson/Diaz LF platoon. Schafer in CF. Speed kills. Wish DOB or any AJC writers would break down the day to day CF competition for us. It’s the only intriguing story in camp.
Moby Grape
February 20th, 2009
5:21 pm
–GetNathan_-
If I mis-ascribed that post to you than I sincerely apologize. I was just another moronic spewing of trash and I would not want to connect you to it wrongfully. I can’t get back to it to see where I made my mistake.
–TnBrian–
My last post to you was probably too harsh. Most of what I have read from you so far has not been objectionable in any way.
Steve McP
February 20th, 2009
5:22 pm
With this 100 comment limit we have no idea what went on earlier. Any chance DOB could post his blog messages again so those of us not here all afternoon can catch up?
richbrave
February 20th, 2009
5:23 pm
TONY C:
At $2.13 per hour (minimum wage for wait staff) I can see why. TIP the person working for you.
Robert
February 20th, 2009
5:23 pm
Man, I’d love to see Jermaine Dye in left field for the Braves…talk about a potent right handed bat hitting between Chipper and McCann. If the Braves could get that deal done, they’d be real contenders. As is, there is just too much uncertainty in the outfield to put them on par with the Mets or Phillies (despite all the solid improvement to the pitching staff).
Couch Tater
February 20th, 2009
5:28 pm
Chop Chop
Which Gammons interview are you referring? (I can’t go back and search d@mmit.)
Wayne in Utah
February 20th, 2009
5:30 pm
Robert
While Dye would be a great fit between Hoss and Baby Huey, I think the Braves would have a real challenge fitting in his salary.
He is a butcher in the field though…
ArkyTech
February 20th, 2009
5:32 pm
Yeah, terrible offseason for Wren. Picked up 4 proven starting pitchers while basically hanging on to all of the organization’s prospects. Most GMs get that done in a week. Sheesh.
Anders
February 20th, 2009
5:33 pm
Hey if you guys want Nady the Braves will have to include a place for him to stay. Him and Damon are caught in yet another investment scandal and all their money is frozen. Nady can’t put the money down on the apartment in NYC he wants to rent for the season. Damon said right now he can’t pay his bills.
To be fair it seems to just be technicality for them and they should get all their money. But they were very close to getting hammered had they invested in some of the other stuff the investment house they employed was involved with.
Hillbilly
February 20th, 2009
5:33 pm
Put me on the list of voters that think the 100 post cut-off sucks big-time. But you better count my fast, because this post will be gone in an hour.
Wayne in Utah
February 20th, 2009
5:35 pm
I’d love to see the Dodgers tell Scott Boras that the offer is going to be reduced by 5 million for every week he delays.
Daybed Wagmoe
February 20th, 2009
5:41 pm
DOB – how’d the conference call with Glavine go this morning? What question, if any, did you ask him? Any from bloggers?
Luther
February 20th, 2009
5:42 pm
Smoltz at Taco Mac: I’m very sorry the government taxes their tips, thats f’d up. That ain’t my fualt. It would seem to me that waitresses are one of the many groups the governmnet f’s in the a$$ on a regular basis. Look ask me to sign something that says the government shouldn’t do that, I’ll sign it, put it to a vote, I’ll vote for it, but what I won’t do is play ball. As for this non college BS I got two words for that: learn to f’n type. Cause if you’re expecting me to help out with the rent you’re in for a big f’n surprise.
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
5:42 pm
Anders, that wouldn’t be problem. Nady can sleep on my living room couch if you can promise to snag him for us.
john doe
February 20th, 2009
5:42 pm
so now what? you play to win the games. you bum.
Wayne in Utah
February 20th, 2009
5:44 pm
I wonder if Blake DeWitt of the Dodgers could be had? He might be a decent replacement eventually for Chipper.
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
5:46 pm
Wayne–
Yeah! Me, too…one-a these days…
Hey, my brother just informed me that you guys liked my Joseph A. Bank joke. Thanks, glad y’all liked it.
Woulda said something sooner, but I didn’t get to see the responses on accounta because they got deleted…
Chop Chop
February 20th, 2009
5:47 pm
Couch Tater
http://espnradio.espn.go.com/espnradio/index
Go to “Mike and Mike” on the page and click “Play.” Gammons appears on there at about the 8:30 mark. He talks about the latest A-Rod stuff first, but he also mentions two different steroid dealer cases: one in Tampa and one in Atlanta (that’s around the 12-minute mark).
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
5:47 pm
Tony C – Smoltz must be learning tipping techniques from Tiger (who shafted VIP host/waitress friend of mine in Vegas)
Anyone heard a rumor about another major name +ve PED test coming out, a certain 1st baseman ??
BravesFanInRockies
February 20th, 2009
5:55 pm
TAFKATHFT,
Yeah, the way I heard the Gammons interview (which is on the Mike and Mike link at ESPN Radio), I think he meant a steroid dealer in Atlanta, not necessarily one who had any contact with the Braves.
Makes sense if you think about it, since Atlanta is such a commercial/corporate/cargo airline hub. You’d think Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, heck, even Denver would be logical distribution sites.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
5:56 pm
Gammons said nothing about any Braves players being involved.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
5:58 pm
Chipper was a bit sick today, missed the workout. No big deal, should be back tomorrow.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
5:59 pm
Hopefully Hudson didn’t poison Chipper.
Bobby's Belly
February 20th, 2009
6:02 pm
Get back on the horse Dave. Give us a little Cosell of you vs. Huddy.
Wayne in Utah
February 20th, 2009
6:03 pm
Hey, McFann, let’s get a redo on that joke. I could use a laugh this afternoon…..
Webhead
February 20th, 2009
6:03 pm
It’s one thing to ask someone to take less money when you are winning and another thing when your losing. That tactic will not work right now.The front office needs to change how they go about their business now.
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
6:04 pm
Anders – the Stanford story does not make sense, re Nady + Johnny D becuase if their brokers CLEAR through Stanford Bank and the governemnt freezes those assets pending a full audit or worse it is another MADOFF and the PONZI has lost or stolen funds then they would be at risk… that is the way the story is written anyway….
M'sRuleSquawsDrool
February 20th, 2009
6:06 pm
Hey everyone- guess what? The Squaws drool, that’s what. And to this DOB character who supposedly lost Griffey for the Squaws, thanks for your efforts, but we didn’t need you. Nobody wants to play for the Squaws bc you guys are a crappy fan base. We show up in droves for a 100 loss team, while you bunch o’ jerks can;t even fill a stadium in the playoffs. SQUAWS!!
Bobby's Belly
February 20th, 2009
6:07 pm
Webhead – Spent to much on guys who can play already. Don’t need them spending $$ on has been’s when that $$$ may be needed in June/July. Let the kids play.
Bret Boone
February 20th, 2009
6:08 pm
this M’s guy has hit the nail on the head. i’ve never seen a more poignant observationist. the squaws do suck, and I am more bad ass than chipper will ever be
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
6:09 pm
Daybed, from bloggers (several had same question) I asked him about his goals this season and about being a No. 5 starter after all those years at/near top of the rotation:
“I’m fortunate that I have played this game long enough that I’m kind of going back to that role at this state of my career. I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to stay around long enough that my career has kind of come full-circle. I’m looking forward to it.”
“As far as my goals this year, honestly, my only goal is to be healthy. That was my goal in any of my most successful years. If I can stay healthy, they I’ll go out there and do what I’m capable of doing. Whether that ‘s win 10 or 15 games, I don’t know what that is. But if I stay healthy, I’ll have a sucessful season.”
Oh, and someone asked me to ask if this would be his final year.
He said too early to know, he’d have to see how this season goes. Said there were a lot of times last year he didn’t even think he’d be pitching this season.
Bobby's Belly
February 20th, 2009
6:10 pm
M’Rule – Are you bragging about supporting a 100 loss team? I suppose you also kept eating peanut butter from our GA manufacturer. Undying support …. you can have it.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
6:14 pm
Wish DOB or any AJC writers would break down the day to day CF competition for us. It’s the only intriguing story in camp. Bobby’s Belly
Break down the “day-to-day competition”? Dude, they haven’t even played a game yet. Schafer’s hitting on a backfield. What, do you want me to say, something like: “Josh Anderson moved ahead in the competition based on the fact he hit three balls to the opposite field during b.p. against Charlie Morton, and one to the warning track in extra-BP on a 65-mph “fastball” from Chino? Meanwhile, Schafer hit on a backfield and Bobby didn’t see him, so he fell back two spots.”
Bobby's Belly
February 20th, 2009
6:15 pm
Great – Stay healthy and win 10 games – SUCCESS! 4 mil for that? Those of you who wanted him so badly deserve him. How ’bout playoffs, WS, helping young guys, etc. Nope – Need to make one last cash.
mbatl
February 20th, 2009
6:16 pm
Just listened to the Gammons interview (thanks, Chop Chop & BFIR). Agree that it just sounds like there may be a mail-order operation in Atlanta, not so much that ATL players are involved.
What got me was how in denial Gammons is, about how in denial A-Rod is. Asked directly if he thought A-Rod was truthful in that original interview, Gammons danced around it but just could not bring himself to say anything approaching “no”.
That’s a problem with a lot of this type of coverage; you’ve got baseball reporters trying to be investigative reporters, but the guys they’re investigating are their bread and butter.
M'sRuleSquawsDrool
February 20th, 2009
6:16 pm
Fat Guy- I went to a Squaws World Series game, and got tix at the box office…1 hour before the first pitch. All you Squaws fans were too busy stuffing your faces with rotten peaches to even know you were in the Series. But, granted, the Squaws are just lame, even when they do win the pennant
This Blog Is Seriously Sick
February 20th, 2009
6:17 pm
No offense to the folks who post here, but there are times when I pop in just to see what kind of info DOB has posted and nothing more. This pagena…….whatever they call it really sucks! If DOB posts some info at 10 am this morning and I don’t get home and check the blog until 5 pm….guess what? His info is LONG GONE, replaced by comments from jack legs like myself.
This is an important time of year to pick up tidbits of info about the team. Those tidbits are long gone by the time I get here.
J.D.
February 20th, 2009
6:17 pm
Haha DOB, the 6:14 was hilarious
Couch Tater
February 20th, 2009
6:17 pm
Chop Chop,
Thanks.
Bobby's Belly
February 20th, 2009
6:18 pm
OK – That’s something Dave. It’s the only thing that’s not a given. Now if you can post the same type of thing daily at 6:14pm I’ll be happy. Thank you
Anders
February 20th, 2009
6:19 pm
DOB- Apparently now Schafer is pissed at you. Something about how you posted he fell back two spots in the CF competition?
Just want to let you know he’s gonna hunt you down tomorrow.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
6:19 pm
Glav on this year’s revamped starting rotation:
“Last year there was a lot of excitement about [the rotation], but there was a lot of uncertainty. I think there’s a lot less uncertainty about this [rotation] this year and their ability to pitch innings. Injuries are always a part of the game. But I think looking at the rotation now, compared to where it was a year ago, I think there’s a lot more reason to believe the top four guys are going to log a lot more innings than the top four last year.
“That will have a residual effect on everybody. It’s going to make our bullpen stronger because they’re not going to have to work so many innings. From my standpoint, looking at that and looking at me being in the No. 5 hole, I’m excited about being a part of it.”
Anders
February 20th, 2009
6:21 pm
Oh yeah, and according to Bowman he still see’s it as all guys still on equal footing but go see O’Brien about whatever he wrote.
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
6:23 pm
anyone who’s procured the new Isbell CD, or heard it, give us a review.
DMBJAMS
February 20th, 2009
6:23 pm
Can someone please tell me what happened between DOB & Hudson?
Thanks.
Anders
February 20th, 2009
6:25 pm
Can someone please tell me what happened between DOB & Hudson?
Thanks.(DMBJAMS)
Hmmm.. Now I wonder who on here might have the 411 on that?
Daybed Wagmoe
February 20th, 2009
6:26 pm
DOB — Thanks for the update re: Glavine’s conference call.
And is it just me, or do the pictures of those two police officers on the ajc.com front page — Burrell Ellis and Terrell Bolton — not take you back to “The Wire”? Maybe it’s because one of them is named Burrell, not to mention that, well, they’re cops. The girlfriend and I are watching the discs from Netflix, and we’re a few episodes into the Season 3. Man, what an amazing show. At least as good as, if not better than, “The Sopranos” in my opinion.
Anders
February 20th, 2009
6:26 pm
DMBJAMS
Quick! Look up.
C's
February 20th, 2009
6:28 pm
They had a dance off. West Side Story style.
tr
February 20th, 2009
6:29 pm
DOB
Is the cut-off of posts going to continue long term, or is there a possible reprieve in the works? Those of us who can’t always log-on during the day can’t get many of your insightful notes! I know economic times are what they are, but a bigger, better, badder server seems logical (if that’s the problem), and more hits and posts might attract an extra advertiser or two! Dave’s Blog Sponsor has a nice ring to it!
C's
February 20th, 2009
6:30 pm
tr – this disclaimer is at the top of the page:
Because of technical problems, we’re temporarily limiting the display of comments to the 100 most recent. But all the comments are being preserved, and when we get this fixed (SOON, we hope), they’ll all reappear.
Scorby Jones
February 20th, 2009
6:31 pm
I just read somewhere that a big part of why Mr. Griffey chose Seattle over us had to do with some kind of assurance that he would hold a future in their organization beyond his playing career, like coaching or whatnot. Well, whatever… Mr. Wren should definitely wait till May or June and make either a killer move for a free agent or (even better) introduce Mr. Schafer to the world.
I am so psyched about the Braves this year. They’re gonna be SWEET (even Frenchy.)
DMBJAMS
February 20th, 2009
6:31 pm
Seriously, guys.
If DOB doesn’t want to give details I can understand, but can someone give me the gist of what happened?
Anders
February 20th, 2009
6:33 pm
Well after take off the plane hit a flock of Canadien Geese. Both engines went out.. oh wait, thats the wrong Hudson story. Never mind.
DMBJAMS
February 20th, 2009
6:33 pm
Seriously, guys.
If DOB doesn’t feel comfortable giving details I can understand, but can someone give me the gist of what happened? I gather it was a confrontation, but what about?
DMBJAMS
February 20th, 2009
6:34 pm
Sorry for the double post. Damn internet.
Anders
February 20th, 2009
6:35 pm
Well apparently her mother and nephew were both shot and killed in their home.. oh wait, that’s the wrong Hudson story too. Never mind.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
6:36 pm
I’m not as confident about our offense as I was this time last year, considering we had Teixeira last year and I thought that Frenchy would have a good year. Now, I’m not sure what to expect out of Frenchy, and we’ve lost a lot of offense in Teixeira.
Bobby's Belly
February 20th, 2009
6:36 pm
DOB’s firing at posters and talking music. He’s back! I accept the thanks from all of you. You’re welcome.
C's
February 20th, 2009
6:37 pm
DMBJAMS – Huddy was apparent under the impression that Griffey chose to sign with Seattle because the AJC jumped the gun and said he had chose to sign here when that wasn’t the case. So he took it out on DOB who had nothing to do with the headline. But according to DOB, it wasn’t a big deal and not at all what people are making it out to be.
That is the story as I understand it.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
6:37 pm
BB I think you did not grasp what Glavin was trying to say. IF he is healthy, then he is successful (effective as a pitcher).
tr
February 20th, 2009
6:38 pm
DMBJAMS
Just a difference of opinion on trivial matters such as bbq, favorite cd’s, 40-man roster spots, and inane rumors of the power of the press! (to influence free agents)
Eric In Albany N.Y.
February 20th, 2009
6:38 pm
Hey DOB, I know the plan as of this date is to just wait an see who wins the spots in the outfield.
my question is though, Because the Braves have not spent all the money in the ‘09 budget, does that mean that money is off the table. or will Wren be able to spend it later this yr in some sort of trade or deal of some sort?
And if so… About how much money do you think they would have to spend? im guessing around 4-5 mill tops
JJ
February 20th, 2009
6:39 pm
Seriously, this 100 post limit thing sucks. So basically those of us that have jobs have to sit on the blog all freakin day if we want to read what DOB has to say?? Maybe the geeks could at least not delete his posts that pertain to the team??
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
6:39 pm
Folks, they assure me they’re working on this mess. I agree with you — it’s debilitating to the blog, having only 100 comments. Hell, we get that many in a couple hours lately.
I might ask them if I can file on the old system until this is working. At least that one could handle 1,000 or so comments before it crashed.
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
6:39 pm
Wayne–
OK…I think I remember…
Somebody said something to the effect of, “Has anyone noticed that Terrence Moore writes about things that…are irrelevant” or something.
Then KC said, “Has anyone noticed that the sky is blue?”
Me: …and that Joseph A. Bank is having a sale?
DOBOMETER
February 20th, 2009
6:39 pm
Huddy tried to grab some hair off of DOB’s head.
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
6:40 pm
We all, and yes me to, are so spoiled with DOB and just the internet itself. Even 7 or 8 years ago we’d have to sit through an hour of espn analyzing the NY teams, Boston, LA, before they’d even have anything on the other teams like Atl. Newspapers wouldn’t give you anything close to what we get here…24-7. I think we’ve(Braves fans) had this roller coaster ride of highs and lows because we know too much. And I realize Dave hasn’t been doing this blog for 7-8 years, just sayin.
McFann :Ô:
February 20th, 2009
6:41 pm
DOB @ 6:39–
Yay!!
Smokey Joe Wood
February 20th, 2009
6:41 pm
Here’s what I hope the Braves do in the outfield.
CF: Play Josh Anderson mostly, mixing in a little Infante against lefties. Give Schafer at least a half season in AAA, both for his development and for starting the clock on ML service. It’s the smart move, no matter what he does in spring training.
LF: Platoon Brandon Jones and Mattie D. If Jones falls flat, you make a move. But he was a good prospect last year at this time. I think they should have gone with him last year; we heard all spring that that was the plan. (Of course, if Bobby doesn’t believe in someone, that’s good enough for me.)
C's
February 20th, 2009
6:42 pm
DMBJAMS – Actually, I misspoke. Huddy was upset over DOB speculating who would be bumped from the 40 man when/if Griffey and Glavine were signed. Although, that is Dave’s job so I don’t know what he expects.
USEDCARS
February 20th, 2009
6:42 pm
I know they are talking about using the young guys…but any chance DOB that Jim Edmonds gets talked about…..A veteran guy like Edmonds could be a benefit just like Junior would have been….
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
6:42 pm
I like this format because at least it doesnt crash after 1,000 comments
Poorbrave
February 20th, 2009
6:42 pm
Hudson just signed a 3.3 million contract with Dodgers. Fact= ESPN
David O'Brien
February 20th, 2009
6:42 pm
JJ, the only other temporary solution is for me to post multiple short blogs, keep posting them when we get to 100 or so comments. It’s just that in the past several, there was entirely too much happening to do that, to scramble and do that between writing all the news and answering all the hate missives and such, and today I’m on fumes trying to get through one more day and have a good night’s sleep to catch up.
We’ll try to start posting some short blogs tomorrow so the comments can at least be preserved. But they do assure me that once this is fixed, all the old comments will be back up. (I know, lot of good that does a few days after the fact, when nobody’s gonna care enough to go back and read them all.)
C's
February 20th, 2009
6:43 pm
Smokey Joe – I agree
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
6:43 pm
C’s you were right the first time. Huddy was mad because he thought O’Brien’s article was one of the reason’s why Griffey chose to go to Seattle.
VolBrave
February 20th, 2009
6:43 pm
*DOB*
Got any details or updates with Ohman?
Hate that he’s not at Dark Star with ya’ll, we could essentially be one of the best, most formidable bullpens in the NL if he chooses Bravos.
Thanks!
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
6:44 pm
Coxlover, for the time that we had Tex, he did not produce. Check it out! On the other hand, during that same period Kotchman was producing. Check it out.
You have looked at the difference in the record with and without Tex and come to the wrong conclusion. You can not overlook that Chipper was very hot during that period, that we had our true starting pitchers for a while during that period. We were right in the hunt for quite a while, but Tex had little to do with it. My observation was that he often was a rally killer, hit into a lot of double plays, etc. He did not produce as much for us as Kotchman did for the Angels. At least that is my assessment of it.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
6:44 pm
Geez folks, how can you not know what happened between Huddy and O’Brien by now. That’s old news. It’s been repeated about a trillion times.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
6:45 pm
PTB, I know one thing. When Tex left, our production at 1st base went way down and our winning % also went way down.
mbatl
February 20th, 2009
6:45 pm
“Hell, we get that many in a couple hours lately”
Mazel Tov, DOB. Wasn’t long ago that 1000 posts was a lot over 2-3 days between new blogs. Now it’s an average day (I’m guessing).
Any Soriano sightings today?
reagan
February 20th, 2009
6:45 pm
WHY no interest in Edmonds?
Eric In Albany N.Y.
February 20th, 2009
6:46 pm
Reagan… Edmonds sucks
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
6:47 pm
PTB, you say Tex didn’t produce as much for us as Kotchman did for the Angels ? Kotchman hit .287, 12 HR, 54 RBI with the Angels last year. Tex hit .283, 20 HR, 78 RBI with the Braves last year.
C's
February 20th, 2009
6:48 pm
Okay, then I misspoke about misspeaking.
Robert
February 20th, 2009
6:48 pm
Edmonds looked pretty toasty last season – as in done. Sign someone like hiom and all you are doing is denying some kid a passel of big league at bats
tr
February 20th, 2009
6:50 pm
Coxlover
Did you notice that the Braves’ runs per game actually INCREASED after Tex left? But so did the ERA of a depleted/overworked pitching staff.
JJ
February 20th, 2009
6:51 pm
DOB, it’s just frustrating because I have come on here at three different times today (morning, noon, and evening) and only caught a handful of your bball comments. And I know from previous experience you post more than that.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
6:52 pm
tr, it may have increased but it wasn’t because tex left.
18 Wheels of Love
February 20th, 2009
6:52 pm
I’d like a way to be able to block certain users posts. Is that possible DOB? No offense certain users but you take up too much room.
USEDCARS
February 20th, 2009
6:53 pm
Edmonds numbers were very similar to Junior’s…At this point we’re looking for a lf platoon with Diaz not the second coming of Barry Bonds
Eric In Albany N.Y.
February 20th, 2009
6:53 pm
Hey DOB, I know the plan as of this date is to just wait an see who wins the spots in the outfield.
my question is though, Because the Braves have not spent all the money in the ‘09 budget, does that mean that money is off the table. or will Wren be able to spend it later this yr in some sort of trade or deal of some sort?
And if so… About how much money do you think they would have to spend? im guessing around 4-5 mill tops
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
6:56 pm
The differences in runs per game before and after Tex left was very small. While we had Tex our runs per game were 4.56 and after he left it was 4.81.
tr
February 20th, 2009
6:58 pm
coxlover – just pointing out that the team’s winning % didn’t go down BECAUSE tex left, either. Scoring wasn’t the big problem, pitchers on the dl was.
macdwolfpack
February 20th, 2009
6:58 pm
DOB, nice writeup on the young kids today, much appreciated. Thanks
You are the only eyes on the ground I can find on the internet, so I much appreciate your spring training reports.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
6:58 pm
Coxlover, watch the games. You can not compare them by those stats. Tex could hit 4 for 5 for 3 games and knock in 10 rbi’s but only affect those 3 games. I do not look at production as a line item. Also, in terms of RBI’s when you bat behind someone who is batting .400 you are going to have many more opportunities to knock in runs. But if you want to compare them that way, go ahead. I also noticed that you did not list how many dps Tex hit into. And struck out with men in scoring position. Yes, he started to hit toward the end, but for a long time, he did not.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
7:01 pm
TB, but you have to agree that the lineup doesnt look as good this year as it did this time last year.
Robert
February 20th, 2009
7:01 pm
“coxlover – just pointing out that the team’s winning % didn’t go down BECAUSE tex left, either. Scoring wasn’t the big problem, pitchers on the dl was.”
The biggest problem was the same as it’s been since 1991 – The Donkey in the Dugout
Google Sales
February 20th, 2009
7:03 pm
Hey Dave, next time your ready to stir up a hornet’s nest over 3 or 4 days, here’s a suggestion: get some of us techies to setup Google ads in your newfangled Wordpress blog, so you can make some green off all these page views — I mean, come on.
Just imagine the ads: there’s an aspirin link for all the headaches out here from the new blog; Kleenex for cry-baby Hudson; ear plugs for all the yelling you’ve had to endure, and a lie detector for the Braves front office during negotiations.
Seriously, you’ve could have earned enough already to make a real dent in a year’s salary for a new LF, or at least enough to keep you living large in CDs, cigars, and cuban sandwiches for a while.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
7:06 pm
Actually, Tex is a good example of why a person’s line stats can be deceiving. Even that half year we had him and he was so “hot”, I kept looking for him to really make a difference in a game. He often got 2 homeruns in games, but even if you subtracted his RBI’s in that game, the Braves would have won. It seldom that he was a difference maker. Also, he routinely does not do well the first couple of months and comes on strong at the end. That is fine if the rest of the team can carry him for the first part of the season, but as a general rule, I had rather have someone who is consistent in helping his team the whole year. That is my preference.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
7:07 pm
PTB, you haven’t mentioned Tex’s great defensive skills.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
February 20th, 2009
7:09 pm
Why do we care about players who no longer play here? TEX WHO?
bravos4875
February 20th, 2009
7:10 pm
the answer to my comment could be gone by now but did david answer the question about him being the one that huddy nearly fought because of the leaking of the griffey signing??
tr
February 20th, 2009
7:11 pm
c’lover – how right you are – but looks are often deceiving. Personally, I like the looks of the line-up with money in proven, reliable, inning-eating starters to go along with hitters who didn’t seem to lose much without tex. Or, to quote a favorite poster, “The differences in runs per game before and after Tex left was very small. While we had Tex our runs per game were 4.56 and after he left it was 4.81.”
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
7:14 pm
Let me also say that I am aware that a person can have effect that extends beyond his actual numbers. I am very aware of that. In fact, that is really what I look for. It is true that Tex’ presence in the lineup had effect that allowed Chipper to get more hits, etc. However, that is really part of what I am saying about Tex. I look for a player who makes his team a winner. They may not hit well but somehow they make plays when they matter, they get hits when it matters, their presence somehow inspires the other players to be even batter than they would be otherwise. This is not something I saw in Tex. He seemed to be a nice guy and people seemed to like him, but that is not the same as what I am talking about.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
7:18 pm
Not sure what your point is about defense. Kotchman is considered to be gold glove potential at first. I really can’t speak to that, but it is suppose to be his strength. But the reason I had not mentioned defense is because it was not involved in your statement about the Brave’s present state “offensively”. Make up your mind what you want to talk about.
bravesfan54
February 20th, 2009
7:19 pm
Robert – agree with you on the contribution of Jermaine Dye, but I believe he’s owed 11M this year, and has one or more high salary years beyond this. Are you suggesting that his employer’s will pick up a significant part of his salary. Don’t think so. What a banger he’d be if he weren’t so high priced!
Fred
February 20th, 2009
7:24 pm
Anders, I have to say your “Hudson” postings were in extremely poor taste. I’m sure the people involved in those situations don’t find your posts particularly humorous. Neither do I.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
February 20th, 2009
7:26 pm
Does anyone know what is going on with liberty midia and Sirius-XM?
Does anyone have any idea how they are doing as a company? what is the stock @
tr
February 20th, 2009
7:27 pm
Enter your comments here
dwaynerice
February 20th, 2009
7:27 pm
coxlover – just pointing out that the team’s winning % didn’t go down BECAUSE tex left, either. Scoring wasn’t the big problem, pitchers on the dl was.
That, and an uncanny inability going back now most of last 2 seasons to hit in the clutch (all those 1 run losses, it gets so this phenomenon takes on a life of its own), to hit and run, to steal a base, to lay down a bunt, to leave runners in scoring position way too often, you know, fundamental baseball?…got so quite often getting a couple or runners on base or bases loaded no outs, you knew it was going to be a disappointing inning. One run, tops. Can we PLEASE give Garrett Anderson a look? Yes, he’s a Boras client, but I had hoped we had gotten over that with the Lowe signing. Nothing wrong with giving the kids a look, just don’t bank on that being a solution for left field or platoon situation…to me, that is much like last year when we banked on 40% of our rotation (Smoltz, Glavine, love ‘em but still..) staying healthy all year and ended up with 60% done by July or so. When that experiment went south, so did we.
Rick Owen
February 20th, 2009
7:32 pm
What about either Anderson or Schafer in center and the other one in left?
C's
February 20th, 2009
7:34 pm
I like our starting rotation. I like our bullpen. I like our defense. I like our bench. But….
Our offense has a obvious glaring hole in the middle of it. So if we’re going to win ball games, IMO the guys are gonna have to play small ball. They have to execute. Lay down bunts when called upon, hit behind runners, move guys over, make key hits when needed, etc. They can’t wait for/count on the 3 run HR to put them over the top.
And Chipper and/or Mac cannot go down for any significant amount of time.
bravesfan54
February 20th, 2009
7:34 pm
Anders (6:19) – that’s so cool, so cruel, but DOB’s a sport, a great guy, with a good sense of humor (as do you, obviously) My appreciation will be paid off after 4 (count ‘em!) posts defending you from the idiots who think you have no business on this blog, being a Mets fan.
From this Braves’ fan to you: salute and kudos (and keep posting, brother).
(FWIW – it would be nice for you to contribute just why you post here, I understand that you are a very knowledgeable fan, and contribute as such here),but I simply ask “why here?”, why not in the Apple Blogs? Is it that you can communicate so much better with us provincials? (I am not being at pejorative here, promise. Just curious.)
I will still be respectful if your Mutts have a better season – trust me, bro, you will never get under my skin. This is baseball, and why I love it.
Thanks, dude.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
7:35 pm
If Chipper is injured for a significant amount of time this year like he was last year and Frenchy plays like he did last year, we have no shot to win the World Series.
Mitchie-san
February 20th, 2009
7:36 pm
DOB, Does Kotchman look any different? Do you know if he is on a plan to put on some muscle to add a little more power?
Canadianbrave
February 20th, 2009
7:38 pm
In 1993 when the Braves won 104 games, they scored 767 runs. last year they scored 753. The difference was that in 1993 they allowed only 559, last year they allowed 778. If we ignore the intangibles, then Atlanta should be vastly improved this year if they allow fewer runs.
What I have noticed the last few years is that the Braves seem to be able to hit mediocre or average pitching, but struggle against the league’s best. Maybe its my imagination, but might be worth investigating. The Braves have never recently possessed a lineup that could put fear into another pitcher. They have had some good hitters, but not anyone that needed to be pitched around, except maybe Chipper and Andruw for 1 year! This could be the reason they have folded in the playoffs when they have only faced the league’s best pitchers.
If the Braves do get into contention, they need to acquire a bat during the season that can make their playoff opponents nervous. Some serious threats on the base paths wouldn’t hurt either
cvbraves
February 20th, 2009
7:38 pm
DOB: Enjoyed the article about the youths impressing.
AdirondackDave
February 20th, 2009
7:43 pm
Here’s something to keep an eye on. According to an AP story just out, Yankee players Damon and Nady both have had their assets frozen in connection with the Stanford scandal. As I understood the article, both invested with intermediaries who in turn used Stanford. Both players use Scott Boras as their agent. Boras claims they independently chose to use the brokers who in turn used Stanford. Unfortunate for the 2 players, that’s for sure. I guess we’ll see if Boras’s skirts are as clean as he says.
Steve McP
February 20th, 2009
7:44 pm
DOBOMETER – Huddy tried to grab some hair off of DOB’s head
Only if he had a step ladder handy!
mbatl
February 20th, 2009
7:45 pm
“What I have noticed the last few years is that the Braves seem to be able to hit mediocre or average pitching, but struggle against the league’s best”
CB, I mean really, wouldn’t you guess that’s the case for most teams?
Braves scored over 5.3 runs/game in September… and about half those games were against teams trying to make the playoffs, so it shouldn’t be dismissed as late-season garbage time. I’m not suggesting we’ll be an offensive juggernaut, but I think reports of the Braves’ offensive demise are premature.
Paula
February 20th, 2009
7:49 pm
Hey, David, have you received an apology from Terrence Moore yet?
Eric from MO
February 20th, 2009
7:51 pm
Why are the Yankees not being questioned by congress? Major League Baseball was and lets count how many Yankees have been linked to steroids.
1.A-Rod
2.Giambi
3.Clemons
4.Petite
5.Damon
6.Nady
Seems like Im forgetting somebody. Seems like the Yankees should have some explaining to do, if people are going to get in trouble. I for one would like to move on, but if everybody else is going to get investigated why not the Magnificent Yankees?
C's
February 20th, 2009
7:56 pm
When did Damon and Nady become connected with steroids?
Eric from MO
February 20th, 2009
7:56 pm
Mbatl,” I think reports of the Braves’ offensive demise are premature.”
Really??? Did I miss a move that the Braves made to make them better on offense? They may be a little better but not enough that we will be able to notice a difference. Lets not forget we have no clean-up hitter and no one to add protection for Chipper. We saw a huge difference in Chipper when Tex was no longer there. We cant ignore that. Chipper had his best year last year, but after Tex left that no longer remained the case.
Dadgum
February 20th, 2009
7:57 pm
Yeah, OK, Dob I read up the blog and my main comment was going to be the abbreviated posts. Glad you have that addressed. I don’t live on this blog, like others, but respect it for it’s contents and a few bloggers that actually know what they are talking about i.e. N8 and Lew and many others.
I just don’t want to chase the comments over 3 blogs after everyone says that was covered a couple hundred posts back. Can’t blame me or anyone for that. I actually like the new format, Wordpress, or whatever it is called.
Still don’t see Glavine in teh starting 5. Don’t care if he did sign the contract. So Glavine is going to get the #5 slot over say a Hanson who impresses at Dark Star. Frankly, I don’t believe it. I also don’t believe the Braves will or should sign/trade for another bat and LF. We have that already and they are cheap. Many options. Take your pick.
Jason Isbell is in Richmond. Not compelled to see him. Maybe he is decent and under the radar but until somebody starts singing his praises I can’t afford to waste the money. Just saw DBT’s and apparently he was the weak link in the group and rebelled enough against what they were doing that he was ousted from the band. Just what I have heard. Never heard of him prior to the DBT’s. DBT’s by the way are in DC at the 9:30 club. Sold out tonight and tomorrow.
Rock on…..long time gone
braves4ever
February 20th, 2009
7:58 pm
David, my wife says I spend to much time on this blog,”its a waste of time” is her quote. Now either she wants more of my attention, like any female wants to spend more time with their spouse,lol,cough,lol, or I really do. Now its been more entertaining the last week or so I will say. I just wish we had a few u-tube videos from the death star complex of all the fun.
Eric from MO
February 20th, 2009
7:59 pm
Thats my bad I saw Stanford scandal and misread it, thought it said Steriod Scandal.
Eric from MO
February 20th, 2009
7:59 pm
But any who,I remembered who I was forgetting, David Justice.
Canadianbrave
February 20th, 2009
8:10 pm
mbatl
I’m not saying that isn’t the case for most teams, I’m just not sure it is the case for most world series champions!
tr
February 20th, 2009
8:13 pm
Canadianbrave
Even tougher to take for me is how bad the Braves seem to falter against young, inexperienced pitchers (even ones that turn out to be really bad) the first time or two they face them. And why don’t our youngsters do that to other teams?
braves4ever
February 20th, 2009
8:14 pm
David, can you have the tech guys put YOUR comments in a holding pattern at the top and delete the bloggers . it would be nice to have your notes ,so many people have ask questions that were addressed in earlier posts by you today and even late yesterday
Couch Tater
February 20th, 2009
8:15 pm
DOB
Here one review of Isbell.http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/149097-jason-isbell-and-the-400-unit-jason-isbell-and-the-400-unit
The Goche
February 20th, 2009
8:20 pm
DOB, one possible temporary solution might be to have the people going through and moving the posts into moderation leave yours.
So that way we can see your news and mini-news even if we miss out on the amount of conversation.
Eric from MO
February 20th, 2009
8:21 pm
tr that is normal for young pitchers the first time around to have an advantage and we do have young guys who do that. I know Reyes and Morton havent but Reyes has no control what so ever and Morton was hurt, but do you remember Davies, or Chuck James? Go back a few years and we had Horacio Rameriez or Damion Moss. So we have had that.
C's
February 20th, 2009
8:22 pm
tr – I agree. I can take it when we get shut down by the best. But it drives me nuts when we get 2 hit by a teams #4 and 5 in consecutive days. Or we score 1 run against a debuting rookie who then turns around and gets shelled in his next 4 starts.
flange1
February 20th, 2009
8:25 pm
Anders,
I LIKED your Hudson posts…..
Maybe I am a bit warped….
mbatl
February 20th, 2009
8:26 pm
CanadianBrave, understand. But like tr pointed out, to me the big thing is that you’ve got to beat up on the bad teams, and the Braves haven’t been very good at that in recent years.
The WS Champ Phillies lost their season series to the Mets, Red Sox, Angels, and tied with the Dodgers. Had a losing record against teams over .500. But they beat the crap out of sub-500 teams (49-24).
Canadianbrave
February 20th, 2009
8:27 pm
tr
I think with all the emphasis the Braves have put on pitching over the years as well as the greatness of the pitchers that have been here, young pitchers are under tremendous pressure. The pitching has been so good that hitting has taken a back seat. Even when I read about the Braves minor league systems, it has always been about the depth of their pitching. It has always been “pitching and defence, hitting will come with maturity”. Over the years the Braves have just not developed power hitters at the minor league level.
Now with some of these guys like Freeman and Heywerd and Schafer, that thinking might be changing. I think over the next couple of years as pitching spots open up, there will be more confident pitchers and more refined hitters coming up through the system.
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
8:28 pm
CanadianBrave, on your post where you compared the ‘93 team to last years with runs scored/allowed, I just have think that a lot of that has to with players being so much stronger, and this division being better. Yeah, we had awesome pitching, but you can’t ignore that this division has gotten tougher over the last couple of years. It’s just going to get better now that Phi. has that WS experience and the Muts spending big on their biggest weakness in ‘08-the pen.
Wren had the right idea with Furcal knowing that your top two division rivals have Rollins and Reyes. No way will Anderson fill that roll the way those two do for their team, but he might not have to if Frenchy comes back from the dead, because we all know what Chipper and Mac are going to do. The season needs to get started because we’re starting to run out of things to predict.
flange1
February 20th, 2009
8:29 pm
Dadgum,
The first Isbell album is great. You listen one time and thing, yeah it’s ok, but you listen to it 10 times and it really grows.
It is one of the few albums that I will listen to all the way through at least once a week.
I actually like it better than the DBT’s…..
I hope to buy the new one tomorrow…
J.D.
February 20th, 2009
8:31 pm
coxlover: If Chipper is injured for a significant amount of time this year like he was last year and Frenchy plays like he did last year, we have no shot to win the World Series.
Great insights man. Has ESPN called about a position on Baseball Tonight yet?
Canadianbrave
February 20th, 2009
8:34 pm
mbatl
Yes your right, they haven’t beaten the bad teams! Maybe they were just cruising on their history and maybe bad teams got up for games against the previously mighty Braves. I don’t know the answer! But i do know that if I was a young pitcher, I would want to do my best against a legend like Smoltz or Glavine or even Hudson. Maybe the Brave’s young guys just don’t feel that same intensity against the other teams.
Anders
February 20th, 2009
8:36 pm
Flange 1 – Appreciate it. They were meant to be humorous. I used the two stories as a reference point. I didn’t say anything specifically about those involved.
Fred’s entitled to his view. I respect that.
Canadianbrave
February 20th, 2009
8:40 pm
TnBrian
For the last couple of years I thought maybe Schafer would fill that leadoff role. Maybe he will before the years out, but I still think that if the Braves are going to make a serious run they need to get a heavy bat in that lineup before August.
bravos4875
February 20th, 2009
8:55 pm
i know this is a sore subject, but i would like to know if hudson really went after DOB. he went after someone related to the leaking of the griffey story. i just want to know if that was DOB. and if so, what exactly happened….for the record im not a DOB hater. i just want to know what went down.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
8:56 pm
bravos, for the 10 trillionth time, DOB was the reporter that Hudson went after.
CVan
February 20th, 2009
8:58 pm
DOB-
Say Heyward absoutely tears it up the spring, any chance he makes them have to keep him or is there no chance in the world?
C's
February 20th, 2009
9:03 pm
CVan – Just me speculating here (and I know the question was directed at DOB), but I’d say there is no chance. He has never been above A-ball. And just like Salty a few years ago when he had a good spring, I believe he has no shot at starting the season in Atlanta.
TnBrian
February 20th, 2009
9:05 pm
CanadianBrave, yeah they do need some power, no doubt. I still have a feeling that the yankees will unload one their OF’s during or right after ST, so maybe Nady will be a Brave because Atl. definitely has the prospects to get that done. It’s impossible to know what Atl. will do now though.
Braves Fan in PA
February 20th, 2009
9:06 pm
Blog fix suggestion
Why can’t they just show say 100 (or less) messages per page and have next and prior buttons? If this is in a DB should be able to seek to the 100th, 200th, etc. record and start fetching from there?
The other day DOB had a post about Andy Marte. To me he shouldn’t have been label a can’t miss prospect for the same reason that Brad Komminsk shouldn’t have… their swings have huge holes! At least nowadays with all the video and u-tube we can see some of the kids swings in the minors (even if we don’t live near the cities) and know who has a good stroke and who doesn’t. I saw some video of I think it was Heyward (maybe it was Freeman) and his swing reminded me a bit of Claudell Washington. It was pretty smooth.
18 Wheels of Love
February 20th, 2009
9:08 pm
Anyone seen Bottle Shock? I’m about to watch it.
CVan
February 20th, 2009
9:17 pm
C’s-
I didn’t think so either but we can always hope
Hoping he would pull a Pujols and make it so they can’t send him down. Pretty sure they will worry that it would effect his development though.
Lew
February 20th, 2009
9:19 pm
Anders-I KNOW I’m warped, but I thought your 6:53 was one of the funniest you ever made.
Tim Hudson's elbow
February 20th, 2009
9:21 pm
Looks like the good old ajc has managed to fk-up the “blog” in record time.
Two points:
(1) Glavine will be a big zero this season.
(2) I hope I’m ok after back-handing DOB’s eyes even wider apart!
spotts
February 20th, 2009
9:22 pm
Anybody else get a little nervous when they first read the headline “Dodgers ink Hudson”?
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
9:22 pm
CVan, i feel you on the Heyward thing..i mean if he shows he might be ready why not…Andruw did it..if hes truely that good being rated the number 3 overall prospect in baseball then if he looks like he would be the best solution then give it to him
CVan
February 20th, 2009
9:24 pm
Andrew-
Download the Show yet?
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
9:27 pm
CVan, yeah i did..it does look amazing..i just wish i could test the braves team out you know
CVan
February 20th, 2009
9:28 pm
Definately they got some pics of the Braves players….Did you seem them?
Couch Tater
February 20th, 2009
9:28 pm
Lew,
I was hoping you would give the geeks an Anders rant.
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
9:29 pm
no where are they at?
CVan
February 20th, 2009
9:29 pm
Andrew that was meant for you
Definately they got some pics of the Braves players….Did you seem them?
BossLady
February 20th, 2009
9:31 pm
I just went over and let Terence have it good. If all he has to do is report on John Smoltz then that shows he only looks for trouble.
I think Smoltz should do like so many of us have done, move on when it is time for a part of our lives to change. Terence knows that there is a sore spot regarding Smoltz and he is exploiting it. I wish the AJC would just let him go. If I have to continue seeing him on the lead page with his mess I will have an ulcer or something.
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
9:32 pm
Bosslady, i agree…there is only room for Glavine or Smoltz on this team..and i’d much rather have the guy that really wants to be here..
OldTimer
February 20th, 2009
9:36 pm
65-97
CVan
February 20th, 2009
9:39 pm
Andrew-
http://www.operationsports.com/mediaview.php?id=560&page=5
Look how good Turner Field looks on the game. Last year it looked terrible. Also look at the Chipper and Escobar pics. They are amazing…..so pumped
winterville
February 20th, 2009
9:43 pm
OldTimer
If that is the record you are predicting for the Braves I would be glad to make a wager.
Eric from MO
February 20th, 2009
9:46 pm
spotts considering we have Tim Hudson sign through this year and if we want next year…NO
BossLady
February 20th, 2009
9:47 pm
I would put Glavine, Chipper, Smoltz and Griffey in the same league of success. Glavine and Chipper on second wives with Smoltz no wife and Griffey long, long, long distance wife. But, they say a rumor made the decision. I think not……
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
9:49 pm
Cvan, thanks for the link…they look awesome..its cool they even have the years up on the pennants
AdirondackDave
February 20th, 2009
9:50 pm
Ok, the baseball news today just gets more and more curious. The AP is now reporting that Felix Lopez 3rd, who is an in-law of George Steinbrenner, has a steroid arrest in his past (2002.)
This guy is the son of Yankees VP Lopez Sr. who is married to George’s daughter (if I got all the details right.) The young Lopez 3rd, has been routinely seen doing chores for the club in close proximity to the players, even though he is apparently not a Yankees employee himself. We’ll see how this plays out but it would be very satisfying to see Steinbrenner become the poster boy for MLB management knowledge and disregard of the of the steroid scandal.
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 20th, 2009
9:51 pm
Yo DOB… Nice piece on the youngsters, There is usually a big adjustment for the hitters between single A and double A, not so much between AA and AAA but then another big adjustment when they hit the majors. I’m sure it is a bit more tranquil out on the back 40 too….
CVan
February 20th, 2009
9:52 pm
Are we ever going to have avatar’s on here?
CVan
February 20th, 2009
9:54 pm
Andrew-
Check this out too. Top 5 3rd basemen rankings on The Show!!
http://www.operationsports.com/forums/scea-sports-mlb/296624-top-5-third-baseman-mlb09-show.html
Eric from MO
February 20th, 2009
9:54 pm
AdirondackDave your post just adds to what I said earlier. I will be mad if the feds go after everybody but the Yankees.
Steve from OH
February 20th, 2009
9:55 pm
CVan: Hopefully never.
OldTimer
February 20th, 2009
9:58 pm
winterville,
It’s 65-97, here’s why. The pitching is average at best. The outfield is complete crap. You do the math.
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
9:58 pm
CVan, contact and plate discipline amazing…think you can find Jurrjens ratings
CVan
February 20th, 2009
10:00 pm
Steve from OH-
HaHa, why is that? If they are small it kind of give’s the page more life. Especially if we have some hot lady bloggers.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
10:01 pm
I think Braves fans are kidding themselves if they think our pitching is great . I would say our pitching is “ok”. Our hitting is “ok”. I think we’re basically just an average team, maybe an 80 win team, which would be a big improvement over last year.
BossLady
February 20th, 2009
10:01 pm
Oh yeah, someone offered me a bar b que invitation with spaghetti. My husband hit the roof, (Italian) when he heard that someone would do that. They also had chicken, shrimp and grouper. We later found out the noodles were wheat and also the garlic bread. We just sent the donation. But I love to eat grilled seafood but try to convince a male Italian that no sausage or steaks are there to eat with meal.
winterville
February 20th, 2009
10:02 pm
OldTimer
So you think we are 7 games worse than we were last year after all the additions? Gimme a break. I’m dead serious, I will bet you whatever you want that we are better than that this year. And don’t try and come back with any other projected record because you are the one that came up with that ridiculous guess. That is one of the dumbest things I have read on here in quite some time and blog has been especially challenged of late so that is saying something.
CVan
February 20th, 2009
10:04 pm
Andrew-
No Jurrjens, they are only showing the top 5 at each position. Actually they have not shown the top 5 pitchers yet but I doubt he will be in that. Maybe in a year or two though. They showed the SS, 2B and short 1B I believe. No Brave on that list. Thought maybe Escobar might make it but he didn’t. Kelly didn’t make it either for 2b.
OldTimer
February 20th, 2009
10:07 pm
winterville,
I called the Falcons at 11 and 5 in the preseason, ask Bradley. I’m calling the Braves at 65-97. Take it the bank. Their outfield couldn’t hit a two dollar whore with a twenty dollar bill.
TexasBrave
February 20th, 2009
10:13 pm
Old Timer,
Barring injuries our starting pitching will be better than last year’s overall crew. The increased innings we get from them will also keep our pen strong (again barring any major injuries). I agree that our outfield hasn’t improved but even if we still get the same amount of offense we received last year we should do a little better than the 72 wins of last year. I say 82 – 79.
Hope I am wrong and everything comes together and we end up doing much better, but we most definitely need a little more pop behind Chipper to contend.
AdirondackDave
February 20th, 2009
10:17 pm
Eric from MO — Couldn’t agree more. The Yankees have been getting away with murder, figuratively speaking. The outrageous amounts of money they spend to buy winning teams has ruinous for many franchises that can’t compete. And the profit sharing money doesn’t provide on-field balance, it just put a few more millions in many other owner’s pockets.
And I also don’t buy the argument that says because the Yankees haven’t won a series 2000 (I think) the spending imbalance means nothing. There is an obvious and consistent correlation with team salaries and regular season win-loss numbers over the long haul. I agree anything can happen in a short post-season series. Won’t bother me at all if it turns out that Steinbrenner gets some of the blame for ignoring cheating by his “stars.”
George and his buddy Selig may have have been a boon to business of baseball but they have been ruinous to the sport of baseball.
winterville
February 20th, 2009
10:17 pm
OldTimer
It’s the same outfield from last year that won 72 games with some of the worst luck imaginable with pitching etc. It’s fine if you don’t think they are going to contend this year but 65 games is ridiculous. They would have to try to lose that many games. I can’t possibly believe that you really think that is going to happen. So you really think we are going to be one of the worst teams in baseball this year?
C's
February 20th, 2009
10:18 pm
If there was a way to actually bet, I’d bet a great sum of money we win more than 65 games.
OldTimer
February 20th, 2009
10:19 pm
TexasBrave,
I don’t see it happening. Too much of this game is based on emotion. They’ve got no fire at all.
CVan
February 20th, 2009
10:21 pm
C’s-
Can i take the bet too? If we win 65 then the Braves will be playing more drunk than I am right now. No way we win less then 81. We will challenge Philly and NY. No doubt in my mind
CVan
February 20th, 2009
10:23 pm
By the way incase anyone wants to see a shot of mine back in the day haha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZbLw6XMEAg
Now that’s Indiana basketball
mbatl
February 20th, 2009
10:28 pm
You guys crying about the OF: in the 54 games after Tex was traded (1/3 of a season), the Braves averaged 4.81 runs/game. That was with basically the offense we’ll enter 2009 with, except Diaz will be back and healthy (and hopefully B. Jones and J. Anderson will progress a little with experience).
4.81 runs/game would’ve tied us for 4th in the NL.
If we play a couple of months and need a bat, we’ve got a ton of prospects to trade and hopefully a little money too … thankfully, we didn’t do that prior to finding out just what the needs are.
The big problem in ‘08 was that our ERA in July/August/September was 5.26 (after we’d lost most of our starters and key relievers). Hard to win with that.
Nothing’s guaranteed, but that’s not likely to happen again this year.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
10:30 pm
Do you guys think our relief pitching is good enough ? I’m pretty confident our starting pitching will be good but not sure about the relief pitching.
Eric from MO
February 20th, 2009
10:31 pm
People who say Braves pitching is ok at best only remember having 3 HOF in the rotation. Guess what, that will never happen again. Just because you dont have 3 HOF doesnt mean your pitching isnt really good. Look in the national League and name me the better rotations. Heck, I will name them for you, Chicago and Arizona and the Braves bullpen is far better than either of those.
Eric from MO
February 20th, 2009
10:34 pm
OldTimer what fire did they lose from last year?
Wes Covington
February 20th, 2009
10:35 pm
I have a poll. You have your choice of(1) a COMPLETE economic recovery. Jobless rate slashed, foreclosure problem solved, transperency of toxic assets, revival of domestic car industry and on and on.
OR
(2)The putrid franchise that is the Atlanta/Milwaukee Braves win their 2nd World Series since 1957, vaulting them into a tie with the penurious Florida Marlins for the last 51 years.
Choose.
Andrew
February 20th, 2009
10:36 pm
OldTimer, crack is a hell of a drug my friend
AdirondackDave
February 20th, 2009
10:36 pm
Coxlover — Yup, I think our bullpen is plenty good enough although I would like to have seen Ohman signed again. Like every other team though, the pen has to stay healthy. If we lose a couple key guys, we’re in trouble.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
10:39 pm
Wes, obviously I would choose the complete economic recovery. Of course I say that because I’m out of a job and looking for one.
Eric from MO
February 20th, 2009
10:39 pm
OldTimer I think many would agree with you that the Braves wont make the playoffs but why will they be worse. Give us something that is going to make us worse. I personally think the Braves will win 80-85 games. We have improved from last year. We still have too many wholes in our offense which is why I believe we wont make the playoffs. I have said all offseason it will take 2 years to rebuild. Which I didnt care if Glavine or Griffey played next season because I dont think it really matters.
Coxtakehimorleavehim
February 20th, 2009
10:41 pm
I’ll take a revival of the economy, I’m probably in the minority based on comments to DOB>
Wes Covington
February 20th, 2009
10:42 pm
Coxlover, Good Answer. Best of luck to you.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
10:42 pm
Thank you Wes.
Tough Choice
February 20th, 2009
10:44 pm
You can add 2 healthy years to your life or Braves win 2nd World Series in last 51 years??
AdirondackDave
February 20th, 2009
10:46 pm
Wes — I’ll vote for tens of millions back to work over the ring. Maybe we’ll win next year.
QUCOM
February 20th, 2009
10:47 pm
Who are these people trying to inject reality into this Blog? Is that allowed? I’ll take the good ecomomy and the 2 years. I have probably offended a whole bunch of Chipper Jones Bobble Head Huggers.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
10:50 pm
But the reality is, the Braves have a better chance of winning the WS than the economy recovering in the in the next 2 years.
Jake Up North
February 20th, 2009
10:51 pm
Here is another one. Do you think Scott Boras and Ramirez even have a clue as to how insulting their charade is to a father and mother trying to pay a mirtgage, car payment, gas, food, health insurance,electricity, water, clothes, minimal entertainment, car insurance, etc? These punks really are pigs. And I’m 68 and comfortably retired but still give a damn about my fellow man.
Jake Up North
February 20th, 2009
10:52 pm
Sorry. Meant to say on 60,000 a year.
AdirondackDave
February 20th, 2009
10:53 pm
Coxlover — I’m afraid you’re right. I’m thinking 2-3 years from now, these are going to be the good old days.
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
10:55 pm
Dave, I try to stay optimistic but it’s hard to. Maybe a miracle will happen and the economy will get better this year.
joe fan
February 20th, 2009
10:59 pm
this blog isn’t even worth reading anymore if DOB’s posts keep getting deleted!
AdirondackDave
February 20th, 2009
11:00 pm
Jake — Right on… Boras, Manny and most of the rest of them, like Selig and the owners don’t give a hoot about the people struggling to pay their bills today.
Hot
February 20th, 2009
11:04 pm
There is a special place in a special place reserved for Scott Boras. Trust me. Greed and pride in a time of national emergency warrant extra scorn.
Poorbrave
February 20th, 2009
11:12 pm
This blog sinks without DOB . Agree JOE FAN. Also agree with Old Timer.
John Quest #2
February 20th, 2009
11:33 pm
Here’s what will be soon to play out, and baseball as we know it will go away for awhile: baseball ownership will be under the media microscope for their involvement with performance enhancing drugs. When any one of these owners gets accused of knowing their players were on the juice, the fans will run away. It’s coming!
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
11:43 pm
Old timer – I will have a bet with you, if you like
Brvaes will win more than 84 games but I want 6-4 odds
I’ll either take 1.5 $2 whores or pay you $20 or I will take $30 to paying you $20…..
Think about it while you do whatever it is you are doing… mate !
dogsbrekky
February 20th, 2009
11:44 pm
PS watching 1995 World Series Game 3, exciting
Coxlover
February 20th, 2009
11:45 pm
dogs, is it on tv ?
nolie
February 20th, 2009
11:49 pm
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/02/20/griffey.seattle/
SI.com has a story on why Griffey chose Seattle, and damned if it doesn’t leave Dave completely out. Sorry if it’s been posted B4 but who can tell with the format like it is?
Eric from MO
February 20th, 2009
11:59 pm
“When any one of these owners gets accused of knowing their players were on the juice, the fans will run away. It’s coming!”
No, they wont. Fans already know players were on them, what does it matter if the owners knew. The owners are there for the money. It may matter to the feds but not to fans.
nolie
February 21st, 2009
12:01 am
It’s 65-97, here’s why. The pitching is average at best. The outfield is complete crap. You do the math. OldTimer
We’ll have a little talk after the season if you’re still around with that screen-name, cause that is a ridiculous prediction unless we have massive injuries again.
Andrew
February 21st, 2009
12:03 am
yeah this is cool on mlb network
Fans
February 21st, 2009
12:06 am
Eric From Mo, You’re right> We are pretty blanking stupid!
Andrew
February 21st, 2009
12:07 am
man lofton was fast back then
Fans
February 21st, 2009
12:07 am
I just realized we name ourselves after irrational people.
nolie
February 21st, 2009
12:08 am
called the Falcons at 11 and 5 in the preseason, ask Bradley. I’m calling the Braves at 65-97. Take it the bank. Their outfield couldn’t hit a two dollar whore with a twenty dollar bill. OldTimer
then perhaps you actually know something about football, but you are obviously lost in the ozone about baseball. As I said, we’ll talk at the end of the season, but I’m pretty sure you aren’t gonna be here under that name.
Eric from MO
February 21st, 2009
12:10 am
No Fans, I dont think we are…we just like baseball and we all know deep down that baseball isnt ruined. Its not cheating when everybody was doing it. Does a hitter really have an advantage when he is on steroids when he is facing a pitcher on steriods?
Madonna
February 21st, 2009
12:10 am
I’m here to defend A-Rod(LOL). I can’t believe he was using performance enhancement drugs. If that boy was using drugs for performance, we both got short changed. As Jed used to say “Pitiful. Just plain pitiful.”
Mrs Rod
February 21st, 2009
12:11 am
You too??
Kenshin Kawakami
February 21st, 2009
12:18 am
睡眠yallに行く必要がある
Ozzie Guillen
February 21st, 2009
12:22 am
valientes que los fans son tontos
Coxlover
February 21st, 2009
12:23 am
Wow, I just read about the Braves former PA announcer Bill Bowers dying. He was only 59. Very sad. He was the PA announcer from 1997 to 2006.
Bubdylan
February 21st, 2009
12:23 am
Anybody,
If an unopened bottle of beer in a six pack is missing a little beer, do you risk it? It’s the last one in the house. I’m considering drinking it. Does it just happen sometimes at the bottler that they don’t fill it up? I never heard of it.
Bobby's Belly
February 21st, 2009
12:26 am
Bubdylan – Stupid question. I assume to ask that question you just had the other 5. Of course you drink it. Enjoy.
steve
February 21st, 2009
12:32 am
Hey guys! I’ve been out of town all week. What did I miss??
Coxlover
February 21st, 2009
12:32 am
lol steve, you don’t wanna know
PTBNL
February 21st, 2009
12:33 am
Yes, it is still cheating. Cheating is based on the rules of the game and the nature of sport. For one, not everyone on the field has taken PEDs ….. and second, some get more of an advantage than others by using PEDs. Also, it is not just a matter of cheating. As a society we are headed into a deep degradation if we condone people doing things that have a very good chance of harming them just so we can watch them do things other people can not do. Not that I take A-rods admission as his true thoughts on the subject, but he is not the only one who has come to say, “I was young and made a mistake.” Not just because they get caught, but because they realize that it was not a wise thing to do. How could a people consider themselves a civilized society that encourages their young to do things that they may well regret later in life? We should care about one another more than caring about being entertained.
Bubdylan
February 21st, 2009
12:34 am
First time anyone’s belly but my own has ever insulted me…
Bobby's Belly
February 21st, 2009
12:38 am
No insult meant. Consider you belly a shelf for your beer.
PTBNL
February 21st, 2009
12:41 am
David’s experience this week is an example of what I am talking about. He is a person. Yet people have treated him like trash because he supposedly got their hopes up regarding their entertainment.
I have done it as well and later regretted it. In the midst of competition I have said things to opposing players or to an official that was degrading to them. Yet they as persons are more important than a game.
When a society of people look more at their responsibility to one another than they look at “I have the right to…” then it is a society that does not have to lock their doors when they leave the house as we use to do when I was a boy. And children can walk to school and walk to their friends house are go to a park to play without their parents going or worrying about them.
DiamondbackMac
February 21st, 2009
12:42 am
Bubdylan If the fiz ain’t gone the brew is good. Pop the top and listen.
DiamondbackMac
February 21st, 2009
12:44 am
Just popped the top on a Bud myself.
Bubdylan
February 21st, 2009
12:46 am
DBMac, got it. I should’a thought of that.
Danga
February 21st, 2009
12:48 am
Bubdylan…Seems to me you have no choice. It is the last one in the house. You have no other option.
Bobby's Belly
February 21st, 2009
12:50 am
Grandfather takes his young grandson out hunting deer for the first time. Tells his grandson what a privilege it is to go hunting and not to take it lightly. Tells him he is to only shoot at deer. No exceptions. Sets him up in a prime spot and goes over a hill to scout out a location for himself. A few minutes pass and the grandfather hears two shots. Excited, he runs toward his grandson to celebrate his first deer kill. When he gets to the boy he sees 2 dead squirrels at his feet. Grandpa scolds the boy and rants about the privilege of hunting and his displeasure the boy failed to follow his rule to only shoot at deer. The boy, upset and excited, tells his grandpa a pack of skunks walked right by him and he didn’t shoot. A coyote family hissed and growled steps in front of him and he didn’t shoot. Two squirrels ran down a tree and up his legs and said “let’s eat one and bury one.” He shot twice.
Bobby's Belly
February 21st, 2009
12:51 am
Drink it, it’s getting warm.
Bobby's Belly
February 21st, 2009
12:53 am
Then wake up your wife and tell her to go get more. Explain to her you can’t drive (you need to blog).
DiamondbackMac
February 21st, 2009
12:57 am
Bubdylan How in the world did you let yourself get down to just one beer?
DiamondbackMac
February 21st, 2009
1:00 am
Bobby’s Belly By a strange coincidence I’m going squirrel hunting tomorrow. guess I better keep a close watch on my nuts.
Bubdylan
February 21st, 2009
1:00 am
Bobby’s Belly, she’ll remind me that drinkin’ and bloggin’ leads to viruses. (Oh, that’s… so weak…)
Night, folks, better hit the pillow before my mutant beer wears off. (It did fizz, so…)
DiamondbackMac
February 21st, 2009
1:02 am
Bubdylan Good night and God bless.
Bobby's Belly
February 21st, 2009
1:05 am
Forgot to mention. Drinking a less than full beer requires you to stay up 3 hours. Same as the concussion theory.
Bobby's Belly
February 21st, 2009
1:06 am
When watching basketball and the announcer says “he’s got hops”, does anybody else get thirsty?
Chino Cadahia
February 21st, 2009
1:08 am
Anyone got a few hamburgers laying around? I’m damn hungry tonight, guys.
DiamondbackMac
February 21st, 2009
1:08 am
Bobby’s Belly I get thirsty just seeing a rabbit hop.
DiamondbackMac
February 21st, 2009
1:10 am
Chino I do, but I don’t think you want to travel to Florida to get one.
Bobby's Belly
February 21st, 2009
1:16 am
Hope you a see a few tomorrow DBack. Been fun tonight guys. DBack if in FL we expect to see you blogging from Dark Star soon.
uga-brave
February 21st, 2009
1:24 am
bubdylan,
remenber the movie MEMENTO?
DiamondbackMac
February 21st, 2009
1:26 am
I’m in extreme NW FL.
uga-brave
February 21st, 2009
1:26 am
this so called 100 does not let me show my ignorance.
DiamondbackMac
February 21st, 2009
1:29 am
uga-brave this so called 100 does not let me show my ignorance.
Don’t be so modest. 100 posts is more than enough.