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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
812 comments Add your comment
Shut up DOB
February 24th, 2009
4:58 am
it’s official now. mark bowman, an actual reporter that relies on real sources, has reported that anderson reached a deal with the braves.
mitchie-san
February 24th, 2009
5:18 am
Geeeez…let it go….
David O'Brien
February 24th, 2009
7:03 am
CaliChopper: Medlen’s just been overshadowed because there are so many pitchers (31) in camp, and some have been on the backfield every day because of the surplus. He’s one of those (so is Hanson, for that matter).
Most of the questions have been about the guys who are newcomers, or coming back from injuries, or just other guys competing for spots on the team, or are believed to be. And the unsolicited comments from Bobby, when he talks about who’s caught his eye on a particular day, just haven’t included Medlen. But that’s not a big deal at all.
I mean, until yesterday, I don’t know that Jurrjens’ name had been mentioned more than a couple times, and he’s coming off a great rookie year and very important to the Braves’ season.
Medlen, by the way, shares a locker stall with Hanson (they double up a lot of the minor league guys on that side of the clubhouse, because there aren’t enough stalls for everyone at start of camp, before the first cuts). It’s interesting seeing them there together, because the two friends are so different physically — Hanson is 6-foot-6, Medlen about a full foot shorter and very young looking.
slim mackeral
February 24th, 2009
7:27 am
Shut up DOB….. Please go away…. Why read DOB’s blog if you hate the man so? I don’t think your momma told you she loved you enough when you were little. They have groups out there for that sort of thing.
18 Wheels of Love
February 24th, 2009
7:29 am
I meant Rocky King and George South, not Sam Houston.
I always dug the maksed guys….Mil Mascara and that crowd.
Jimmy Snuka wasa favorite too.
I never got into the glam of the WWF/WWE/ or much of the WCW. I was onto other things by then. I was pretty much NWA and Mid-South/AWA when I could find it on tv.
Memphis was the hub back then DOB. I bet you saw some crazy stuff.
I remember going to a match at the Greenville Memorial Auditorium with a friend and his dad. My friends dad pulled up his pant leg and had a 2×4 taped to his leg…he said Jimmy Cornett better not get close to him! I never looked at that guy the same again.
Abdullah the Butcher was wild one. He and Dusty Rhodes had some bloody matches.
I also will never forget walking into homeroom in the 6th grade and my homeroom teacher, who would write the current events on the board every morning, informed us that Magnum TZ had wrapped his Porsche around a telephone pole.
18 Wheels of Love
February 24th, 2009
7:31 am
that should say Magnum TA
Bryan
February 24th, 2009
7:31 am
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100826714&ps=bb1
Neko Case fans . . . NPR is streaming the new album all day here
David O'Brien
February 24th, 2009
7:33 am
Neko Case … oh, good thoughts in the a.m…. but not conducive to getting over to the ballpark. stop. stop it.
John Quest
February 24th, 2009
7:44 am
One last wrestling comment for me: Back in the 70’s, I use to help in the concessions at the Macon Coliseum during several pro-wrestling events. I’d be there long after the event was over, and got to meet many of the stars. They were one big fraternity, and traveled together. Although everything that happened in the ring was staged, you can’t believe the amount of training and planning went on to produce the product. They earned their money.
Bryan
February 24th, 2009
7:46 am
That opener . . . This Tornado Loves You . . . good stuff
John Quest
February 24th, 2009
7:59 am
When Charles Barkley starts serving jail time, wouldn’t it be nice if he sent Michael Vick a “How ya doin” note?
Rowdy Roddy Piper
February 24th, 2009
8:10 am
I am cordially inviting DOB to be my guest on Piper’s Pit. Its not everyday I get a regular Joe on the show, but you my friend, are worth the airtime. Besides, where else can your fans have the opportunity to see 2 great icons of their generation together?
NEW CARS (FORMERLY USED CARS)
February 24th, 2009
8:22 am
Don’t know about you guys, but I can remember the days of Gordon Solie, Jim Carlen and promoter Fred Ward on Saturday afternoons from Columbus. Ward would always say hello to all his sick and shutin friends. Guys like Thunderbolt Patterson, Kevin Sullivan and Stan the Man Stasiak wouldn’t make it in today’s wrestling world. But they were great showmen and could put on a good show without being profane or completely obnoxious. Those were the days..
On a baseball note, I can’t see ranking KRod over Brad Lidge. Look at last year’s numbers.
David O'Brien
February 24th, 2009
8:26 am
They’re setting up for a press conference in the pressbox … I think you probably know what it’s about
flange1
February 24th, 2009
8:32 am
DOB,
Is Griffey going to finally sign! Great!
Chopdawg
February 24th, 2009
8:34 am
You guys can’t be talking about wrestling…you must be talking about rasslin’
MinnesotaJacket
February 24th, 2009
8:38 am
Morning Bravo fans, I don’t know but its only one day away till we can finally start seeing how our team is really going to look this year and Im pretty fn excited. DOB question for ya, is Anderson most likeley going to start in the first game since he pretty much just arrived here?
John Quest
February 24th, 2009
8:38 am
This blog is getting clogged.
John Quest
February 24th, 2009
8:41 am
New Cars – I do remember those days, b4 cable, and we would rotate the antenna towards Columbus to pick up the TV station over there. (it was either 3 or 9)
TnBrian
February 24th, 2009
8:50 am
KC, on your 2:03 post, Joaquin Phoenix should’ve learned his lesson on drugs from his brother. I can’t imagine him being that stupid as to do any drugs after River, so I think he’s just weird. I hope, because he’s a good actor and it would be a shame to watch him go down the same path.
It’s amazing how so many can change their minds on a guy like G.Anderson now that he’s a Brave when he was the one that folks were saying…NO, Stay away from G.A., he sucks. Personally, I don’t give a sh-. He’s better than Jr. as far the all around player this point in their careers. Welcome aboard Garret
Redirect
February 24th, 2009
8:52 am
Shut up DOB
It’s very funny when you try to be an ass. One, “shut up”, without so much as an minor argument, is equal to the “you’re ugly” comment that elementary school kids use when they have no snappy comebacks. Two, your timing is a tad bit off since Bowman’s article was written and posted on Sunday evening. Please try to keep up with what is happening outside of your mother’s basement.
BravesFanChris24
February 24th, 2009
8:53 am
Gordon Solie is the best commentator ever in my opinion. Followed by Good Ole JR, Jim Ross.
The DDP story was funny. I don’t really care for the lines between faces and heels. If I like them, I’ll cheer for them. Take Randy Orton and the Legacy for example. I like them a lot.
As far as the press box is concerned. I’m happy GA is gonna be officially announced
I just hope it happens before I go to work.
Dwayne Johnson
February 24th, 2009
8:55 am
in the famous words of Ricky Bobby…if you aint first, your last. so who cares what team has the better winning % over the last 3 years.
Anders
February 24th, 2009
8:55 am
They’re setting up for a press conference in the pressbox … I think you probably know what it’s about (DOB 8:26)
DOB vs. Huddy II from Manila?
Dadgum
February 24th, 2009
8:56 am
Coach, agreed on Garret Anderson except about the platoon thing. They aren’t expected to platoon for Anderson. Simply give him some days off at this point. That is where Diaz will come in and play. I also agree it was a poor decision on the Braves part to bring him here and basically stagnate the LF position for our talented youth. The next thing we will be hearing is that Wren has made some stupid trade involving Diaz, Blanco, or J.Anderson et. al. because we had no place to play them.
Coach, I will agree with you on Rose if you also agree that Barry Bonds and A-Rod should also be permanently banned from the HOF when their time comes. Remember Pete Rose never bet against the Reds by his own admission. Bart Giamatti agreed to suspend all formal proceedings into his gambling in return for Pete Rose accepting a voluntary ban from baseball. I will contend that A-Roid and Bondsoid have affected more outcomes of games than Pete Rose or Shoeless Joe Jackson ever did.
Rock on……
BravesFanChris24
February 24th, 2009
9:01 am
DOB
Any idea when the press conference is gonna start?
John Quest
February 24th, 2009
9:18 am
Tommy Lasorda needs to get his head out of the sand: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090223&content_id=3873362&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
ShamusThacker
February 24th, 2009
9:18 am
Anybody remember The Masked Assassins?
BravesFanChris24
February 24th, 2009
9:20 am
Shamus
I sure do. Well, not vividly, but I do remember them to a degree off hand.
18 Wheels of Love
February 24th, 2009
9:24 am
Gordon Solie was good but I am partial to Tony Siavonne, who by the way does/did a lot of Braves coverage on the radio. I used to love Braves rain delays whe they would kick it to a NWA or WCW rerun.
“Let me tell you sumpin’ Tony Shiavonne!”
John Quest
February 24th, 2009
9:25 am
What about Dusty and his bionic elbow?
Danga
February 24th, 2009
9:26 am
Neko Case! Going to see her at the Variety Playhouse on 4/2. Can’t wait to hear that voice in person.
ChipperFan
February 24th, 2009
9:29 am
Since Garrett batted cleanup all last year for the Halo’s, isn’t it likely he’ll hit cleanup for us this year? Particularly since we don’t have any other “true” cleanup guy?
J Anderson CF
Y Escobar SS
C Jones 3B
G Anderson LF
B McCann C
J Francoeur RF
K Johnson 2B
C Kotchman 1B
This is not the lineup I would put in there if I managed the Braves. It’s the lineup I feel is likely from Bobby Cox. He won’t bat Frenchy 9th, behind the pitcher (which is what I’d do until he shows he can outhit the pitchers), and he won’t hit KJ third and Chipper fourth, which I think might be really interesting because Kelly’s patience would pay off and finally get pitches to hit for power.
In games where Diaz is in and G Anderson is on the bench (vs. some lefties), here’s where I see Bobby’s mind going:
J Anderson CF
Y Escobar SS
C Jones 3B
B McCann C
J Francoeur RF
M Diaz LF
K Johnson 2B
C Kotchman 1B
Of course it’s all just guesswork at this stage. It may still happen that Josh Anderson isn’t ready to lead off. If that looks like the case during the spring, I’m sure Bobby will hit him 8th and go back to hitting Yunel or KJ leadoff. I sure hope Josh can do it.
Important to note (whether Bobby actually notes it or not) that with the exception of Josh Anderson, every lefty on our team hits LHP for about the same average (and OBP) as RHP. That is exceptionally unusual. It allows us a lot more flexibility in the field. Diaz doesn’t have to start against lefties. Infante doesn’t have to start in place of Josh Anderson. Prado doesn’t have to start over KJ. But, we have those guys. They can start. I like the flexibility on our team, with so many bench guys able to able multiple positions. Bobby tends to utilize that and get everybody their ABs. It’s one of the things he always does very well–better than most managers. Sometimes he doesn’t, and runs the same tired, injured, struggling guy out there every single day (Frenchy last year, Andruw in 07), but mostly he’s a good shuffler.
Somebody earlier noted that we won’t be able to keep Blanco or B. Jones up with the big club now that we’ve signed Garrett. That’s certainly true, but it may not be a bad thing. They’ll see plenty of good pitching at Gwinnett and then we’ll have a better idea of where they fit into our 2010 plans. Personally, I think Jones may round into form this year at Gwinnett and be a viable replacement for G Anderson next year. We’ll see how it all shakes out.
Looking forward to seeing Tommy Hanson on Thursday! In case anybody missed it, Braves are on ESPN at 1 pm Thursday and Tommy “The Gun” Hanson is pitching.
Original Jon
February 24th, 2009
9:30 am
DOB I am sure this has been talked about at length, but, why dont the Braves bring back Wil Ohman on a 2 year 3 million dollar contract? It cant be because the Braves already have 2 lefties vying for a spot in the pen when we had at least 4 outfielders fighting for a platoon spot in LF and then they went out and signed Anderson. So obviously having an abundance of something isnt an issue for the Braves. I just hope they throw another contract out to Ohman before he signs on the cheap. We all know it would be good to have an experienced lefty in the pen.
ShamusThacker
February 24th, 2009
9:32 am
And how many Funks are in wrestling? Kinda funky that so many are in wrestling, while the rest of the sports-world is pretty much Funkless…
John Quest
February 24th, 2009
9:36 am
Shamus, Freddie Funk is on the PGA.
Phil
February 24th, 2009
9:38 am
I think the Braves will be somewhat better than last year but that’s not saying much. Not much hope of making the playoffs. And the reason I say that is the one area we didn’t improve in and that’s coaching. As long as that moron Cox is still there, we aren’t going anywhere.
David O'Brien
February 24th, 2009
9:38 am
Garrett Anderson press conference today, but no time yet. He’s getting his physical right now, not sure if the’ll do the press conference before or after workout. Should know soon.
BravesFanChris24
February 24th, 2009
9:38 am
Well, Terry and Dory Jr. are the only ones that comes to my mind off hand.
BravesFanChris24
February 24th, 2009
9:39 am
DOB
Thanks DOB. I’ll have to wait till after work now
Hopefully it plays for me today.
Bobby's Belly
February 24th, 2009
9:46 am
Poll question on CF is terrible. How ’bout the option “whoever wins the job in ST.” 70 wins last season and there are no open jobs – sad.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
February 24th, 2009
9:49 am
“Why is one of the greatest ball players ever; still not in the HOF he played the game the way its supposed to be played he was an ;all out, hair on fire,steroid free,head sliding, tail bustin pro.Although he may have gambled on BB, it was after his playinng days.Ill tell you people what. PETE ROSE belongs in the HOF just on stats alone.He may have a character flaw or two, but God look at the players people are using for role madels now days,lying ,roid head, cheaters.”
————–
I read your nasty little outburst so UP yours.
As for Rose, he gambled on his team when he managed. It is FORBIDDEN. He knew that and now he thinks he should be in the HOF. His records are known, that is enough. I live in S. Florida near Rose’s Florida home. Down here he is thought of as another worn out ex-ballplayer. I don’t know anyone who respects him.
And you want your kid to be like Rose. God help your kid.
John Quest
February 24th, 2009
9:51 am
Remember when the Rose hitting streak stopped?
RC
February 24th, 2009
9:54 am
Does anyone know if the intrasquad game on Monday will be open to the public? I’ve got some friends who will be down there this weekend and would rather watch the Braves play each other than drive to another park and watch two teams they aren’t fans of.
GSU-Lee
February 24th, 2009
9:54 am
The BEAR
All you need to know: Pete Rose has more hits than anyone to ever step foot on the field. ANYONE. Dude belongs in the HOF. And he will get in one day, just don’t know if he will be around to see it.
DWW
February 24th, 2009
9:54 am
DOB
We know who is pitching tomorrow, but are the starters in the field going to be what we expect or will it be guys trying to make the team?
Dadgum
February 24th, 2009
9:55 am
The Bear….yeah I initially thought Pete only bet on games while managing. Not true. He bet on the Reds as a player as well. By his own admission I might add. You can look it up. It’s a fact but he never bet against them.
Rock on…..man is this wrestling month or what….WOOOOOOOOOO!!
TheManMike
February 24th, 2009
9:57 am
HA – Rowdy Roddy Piper was the MAN!
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
February 24th, 2009
9:57 am
AS for Shoeless Joe Jackson it was never proved he had anything to do with the scandal. As a matter of fact he hit over .400 in that series. How could he have had anything to do with throwing a game if he hit over .400?
Pete Rose admitted he gambled although he said it was always ON the Reds. No matter, he gambled on the game and that was forbidden, still is.
No HOF FOR ROSE.
TheManMike
February 24th, 2009
9:58 am
Him and Hacksaw Jim Duggan…….and Sting when he wore the yellow pants and hair! haha, classic.
John Quest
February 24th, 2009
9:59 am
I’m not a gambler, but wouldn’t it be a moot point if Pete Rose bet on his teams to win?
DWW
February 24th, 2009
10:00 am
Guys, who really cares who is in the hall of fame besides the players and the voters? I don’t give a dam who is in or not and because someone is in doesnt make me remember them anymore than if they were not in. And by the way its the hall of FAME not the hall of “good guys” who played the game the right way.
GSU-Lee
February 24th, 2009
10:01 am
John Quest
Exactly.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
February 24th, 2009
10:02 am
Dadgum, all these years I had heard he only bet on them while managing. I’ll have to check that out.
Thanks,
mbatl
February 24th, 2009
10:04 am
“I’m not a gambler, but wouldn’t it be a moot point if Pete Rose bet on his teams to win?”
No. Oddsmakers and other gamblers would supposedly take their lead from Rose’s bets. If Rose bet a game, that was like inside info that a win was more likely; if he didn’t that might mean the starting pitcher had a sore arm (or something like that).
No way around it… it’s highly unethical.
GSU-Lee
February 24th, 2009
10:04 am
THE BEAR
Pete Rose
Category/All-time rank
Hits/1
plate appearances/1
games played/1
At Bats/1
singles/1
doubles/2
runs scored/6
In addition, he was a rookie of the year, 17-time All star, NL MVP winner, WS MVP Winner, 2 Gold Gloves, 1 silver slugger, 3 batting titles (2nd twice)
HOF
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
February 24th, 2009
10:05 am
I looked it up and according to NPR he DID INDEED bet on games as a player and as a manager. Here is an excerpt.
“But four years later, Rose was banned from the sport after an investigation found he had gambled thousands of dollars on baseball games as a player and a manager for the Cincinnati Reds. Rose said he “made some mistakes” but denied betting on baseball.”
Source: National Public Radio site
Dadgum
February 24th, 2009
10:05 am
Unfortunately Pete Rose can not be elected by the writers or the veterans committee as all options left after 2007 anyway. He would have to reinstated by Selig as an outgoing gesture or hope the new commissioner next year is pro-Rose. Not sure the formality process of that.
Rock on…..sure glad I don’t live in S. Florida
macdwolfpack
February 24th, 2009
10:06 am
Pete Rose is an arrogant, ego-centric nut case who destroyed any opportunity to be in the Hall of Fame himself. He will never make the HOF, much like Shoeless Joe Jackson won’t. You can’t have one with out the other, both were banned for the same thing. Shoeless Joe may have a better case for the HOF than Pete does.
Pete not only commmitted the cardinal sin, he in his pompous self managed to agitate and alienate anyone who possibly could have voted for him.
To this day Pete still thinks that it was alright for him to bet on his games because he was “Pete Rose”, what a pompous self-serving idiot.
NEW CARS (FORMERLY USED CARS)
February 24th, 2009
10:12 am
John Quest,
I lived in a little town outside of Macon and on a clear Saturday evening I could pick up channel 36 out of Atlanta and watch wrestling for a couple of hours. I would get to see Lawler and guys that wrestled in that federation
PTBNL
February 24th, 2009
10:13 am
It looks like I am in the minority on this blog, but to me Rose should never be in the Hall of Fame for the same reason I am not a wrestling fan (except the true wrestling). It amazes me that people do not see things beyond the act of gambling itself in this matter (as well as in matters such as steroids). If there is to be any semblance of “sport” to baseball, these things can not be a part of it. What Rose did was contrary to sport. He was a manager of a team and was gambling. Gambling for him was not just a past time, it was an addiction. He was getting deeper and deeper into trouble. Because of this, it really doesn’t matter that he gambled on baseball (and even on his own team) but that he had a gambling problem as a manger of a MLB team. Because, once he got deep into dept to the gambling powers that be, he easily could have become a pawn to them regarding actual baseball games. There are reasons that some people already think the playoffs have some predetermined outcomes even now. Certainly, there are reasons not to believe that as well.
However, for me, if the games’ outcomes are predetermined because a manager manages in a way that will give an advantage to the other team, I am not interested in that “sport”. If the game is predetermined by any man (manager, player or otherwise) it is not the sport of baseball. I prefer to have the true “reality show”, sports. I don’t want what is staged as wrestling is.
For those of you who like wrestling, this is in no way meant to be a slap in your face. Certainly you can enjoy both. But in wrestling you know what you are watching. If that is entertaining to you, then fine. But the great thing about true sports is that no one knows what the outcome will be and everyone on the field is (ideally) playing with their honed talents with no one getting an advantage over the other. So… gambling, PEDs, etc. are not just “mistakes”. They destroy the very core of what is “sports”. If you don’t stand up to these things, there will be no sports.
Doc Holiday
February 24th, 2009
10:14 am
“He might be the hardest worker I’ve ever seen.”
– Bobby Cox, on Derek Lowe
Is this the 1st time Cox says something like this about an atlanta braves pitcher?
John Quest
February 24th, 2009
10:15 am
It’s obvious the only gambling I do is by posting on this blog! I wonder if Rose was in kahoots with opposing managers when placing these bets? Good way to pick up some extra cash if your team was a doormat.
Danga
February 24th, 2009
10:16 am
Well said PTBNL.
cvbraves
February 24th, 2009
10:18 am
From what I’m reading, the Pirates, Marlins and Padres are/were interested in Will Ohman…but none are willing to offer him even $1 mil for 1 year. Could be teams want him to sign a minor league deal for about $750,000? Talk about a player overrating his value in today’s market…who would have guessed?
If the Braves really wanted him, I feel sure NOW that he’d come back at a very reasonable price. But it appears the Braves are liking what they see from Logan, O’Flaherty and Ridgeway.
Andrew
February 24th, 2009
10:18 am
John Quest I don’t think it’s a moot point at all. It could still change the way you manage the game by leaving your SP out there longer, using your bullpen like it’s game 7 ect.
TnBrian
February 24th, 2009
10:18 am
Doc Holliday, yeah, Cox said that about Heracio Ramirez a couple of years ago.
GSU-Lee
February 24th, 2009
10:20 am
To All
When Rose bet he was a player/manager for the reds. As in, he was in both roles at the same time. It wasn’t like he bet while was 25 and then again as a manager. It was when he was a player/manager…i think he was the last guy in that role…
Doc Holiday
February 24th, 2009
10:21 am
TnBrian,
You are wrong, he have said that about almost every single player that has played for the braves, but woodward, hehehe.
John Quest
February 24th, 2009
10:22 am
Good point, Andrew. I rescind my post.
GSU-Lee
February 24th, 2009
10:22 am
Look, Pete Rose is a douchebag. But so was Ty Cobb, and countless others who graced the diamond. He was one of the greatest hitters of all time and played the game witht the level of intensity it deserved. Rose should be in the HOF, and I maintain that one day he will be.
Dadgum
February 24th, 2009
10:23 am
Pete Rose had a HOF career before he ever started betting on games. Bonds had arguably a HOF career prior to roids…ditto ARod. Same thing. Gambling in ball or roids affects outcomes. Ban somebody for gambling you ban them for roids.
The Dowd report indicates there was some suspicion that Rose bet against the Reds but formal proceedings to that effect were squashed when Rose took the voluntary ban from baseball. So it suspiciously remains he never bet against his team.
Pete Rose by the way commands the #25 spot out of the TOP 100 players of all time. I don’t need the HOF spot to substantiate Pete Rose. The man was simply a tremendous player and will never be viewed by me as just another worn down player. You damn right I want my son to play the game the way Rose played. Playing the game and betting on the game are two different issues. Yeah, he may never get in the HOF but he will always be remembered as someone who played the game the right way and at 100%. He would be a blueprint for any kid to follow in that regard.
Rock on……don’t even get me started on Shoeless Joe. He should have been in many many years ago.
Lew
February 24th, 2009
10:23 am
Ohman had his opportunity to take a Braves offer. It was on the table for quite some time and he never accepted it thinking they’d boost the terms. He’s a Funny Guy and from the several times I spoke to him last Spring, a nice person, but looks like he missed the boat on this one. Like I said-he had his chance.
mbatl
February 24th, 2009
10:24 am
cvbraves, yeah, when you consider that Logan, O’Flaherty or Ridgway will get at least $400K, the added cost of Ohman seems like a pretty negligible number – another half-million might do it. And all 3 of those guys have options so it wouldn’t be too big a deal (guess we’d have to move somone off the 40-man).
I guess it’s not on the horizon, but I keep hoping Wren will surprise us by announcing we’ve worked something out with Ohman.
John Quest
February 24th, 2009
10:26 am
Vegas controls most pro-sports. I’m always fascinated between point spreads and actual scores, especially if an NFL game has a 3 1/2 pt spread and the team wins by 3.
braves fan 16
February 24th, 2009
10:28 am
Guy’s I don’t believe we are going to get Ohman back so why does everyone keep talking about him. He was good last year but it’s not like we are going to be awful just beacuse he’s not here
GT
February 24th, 2009
10:28 am
Any more word yet on Morton’s muscle strain?
If the Braves are to contend for the postseason this year, it will be because Morton 1) had the opportunity to step up (likely due to an injury from Glavine or another starter), and 2) DID step up, especially in big games.
May not be a popular notion at this point, but I see Morton as a lot more critical to the Braves being successful this year than Vasquez or Kawakami.
cvbraves
February 24th, 2009
10:29 am
Reading MLB pages/stats for Garret Anderson, notice that it is spelled with one “t” and not two. Just a tidbit.
Smokey Joe Wood
February 24th, 2009
10:32 am
Here’s my lineup, FWIW:
Yunel
KJ
Chipper
McCann
G.Anderson/Diaz
Kochman
Francouer
J. Anderson
Yunel has a pretty good OBP. KJ is good in the 2-hole; it’s good to have a lefty there when trying to move a guy from 1st to 2nd. I don’t think Josh Anderson has the contact rate to make a good leadoff hitter; not yet, anyway. Put him at 8, let him steal with the pitcher up.
Mitchie-san
February 24th, 2009
10:32 am
DOB, strictly out of curiosity, what number is G. Anderson going to wear?
ernesto
February 24th, 2009
10:34 am
Any chance we can go back to the old blog format???? This is rather sucky.
TnBrian
February 24th, 2009
10:35 am
I’m interested in reading Chipper’s comments on the signing of Anderson. Better yet, I’d like to see a video of his reaction. I wonder if Chipper will think of G.A. the same way he thought of Burnett in that they need a true HR hitter like they need a true K pitcher in his eyes. I could be way wrong on that, but Kotchman,Escobar,Johnson,Mac,even Chipper himself all kind of fit the mold of what Garret will bring which is more of a gap hitter. Mac and Chipper hit their HR’s but I think some of you will get what I’m saying, maybe. Frenchy is a mystery to baseball right now, so I’m not predicting what I think he’ll bring us this year.
reagan
February 24th, 2009
10:36 am
based on past performance, I don’t undestand what the braves see in Logan or O’Flaherty. What am I missing here? SEEMS like trying to get Ohman (especially at the now going price) would be a no-brainer.
DWW
February 24th, 2009
10:41 am
Smokey
You never want to steal with the pitcher up b/c you dont want him leading the next inning off. We need the speed at the top of the line up.
Gene Garber
February 24th, 2009
10:42 am
DOB,
If you get a chance, check out the new Bloodkin album “Baby, They Told Us We Would Rise Again”. Excellent stuff. David Fricke has a write-up about it in the latest Rolling Stone. The last song, “Summer in Georgia”, includes the lines
“Let’s roll down the windows/Get the Braves on the radio/Let our minds flutter off in that butterfly sky/I know out there somewhere/There’s a world full of sorrow/But today I’m smiling/And I bet you know why/Sweetheart it’s summertime in Georgia.”
DWW
February 24th, 2009
10:43 am
w/ 2 outs of course
Rowdy Roddy Piper
February 24th, 2009
10:43 am
Gene Okerland: Toaday on Piper’s Pit, Steroids in sports.
Piper: We have Pete Rose here. Pete, did you take steroids to improve your career?
Pete Rose: I wouldn’t bet on it.
Piper: I take that as a no. Mr. Bonds and Mr. Rodriques, did you steroids to improve your career?
Bonds: At least I didn’t bet on baseball.
Arod: I agree Barry.
Piper: You didn’t answer the question. Maybe Cowboy Bob Orton & Mr. Wonderful can help you remember.
Gene Okerland: OMG Cowboy Bob Orton & Mr. Wonderful came out of nowhere and are taking it to these ball players. Oh no! Not a chair! (Pow, bam, biff). How could Pete Rose be counting money at a time like this?
Piper: Just when you think you got the answers, I change the questions.
lexbrave
February 24th, 2009
10:43 am
my thoughts on ohman, can you have too many lefties in the pen? will said that he liked atlanta enough that he would come back if he got an offer comparable from them.. sounds like might mean something in the 750k range right now could possibly get it done. as successful and reliable as ohman was before he was overused last year and struggled (shouldn’t happen this year with the rotation depth) you would think that the limited dollars spent on ohman would be a nice insurance policy should logan or o’flaherty not look any better than they did last year. seems like the middle guys in the pen could be the only real question mark i see going into the spring.
maybe the braves are content to see how the lefties handle themselves in live action before they make a determination on will..maybe they truly aren’t interested in the least, but it seems like to me if they thought he was worth what they had initially offered him, then he’s a bargain for what he appears to be had for right now.
Jim
February 24th, 2009
10:48 am
GT
I too was sorry to see Morton and/or Hanson blocked by the addition of 1 too many veteran starters. I expect that there is no possibility that Morton will be on the opening day roster barring an injury to at least 1 of the veterans, but I hope if either or both dominate at Richmond that an opening in the rotation will occur (or be made) to bring them up to Atlanta later in the summer. This year’s team MIGHT surprise and make the playoffs like the overly optimistic on this blog expect, but they would be an extreme longshot to reach the WS and win the title. The 2011 Braves will have a more interesting blend of youth and young veterans (McCann, KJ, Yunel, Jair, Frenchy?) and a rotation featuring Hanson, Jair, Morton, Rohrbaugh, and Lowe could make the team very competetive for a number of years to come. (Can we take a Mulligan on the Tex trade and add Feliz to that group?)
Jim Stewart
February 24th, 2009
10:50 am
Lineup:
1. Josh Anderson
2. Casey Kotchman
3. Chipper Jones
4. Garret Anderson
5. Brian McCann
6. Jeff Francouer
7. Kelly Johnson
8. Yunel Escobar (Hit into 24 double plays last year, Anderson’s speed is no good if he can’t use it)
18 Wheels of Love
February 24th, 2009
10:50 am
Ohman to me seems like the last guy that would be holding out after having multiple offers. Sounds to me like he took some bad agent advice. But what do I know???
PTBNL
February 24th, 2009
10:52 am
“based on past performance”
Who was Ohman before last season? After we got him last year we even had Cubs fans coming to the blog saying that we would regret it. Not that I put a lot of stock in it, but it goes to show what his “past performance” was before last year.
It seems evident that through the years the Braves have not solely looked at line stats to see “past performance”. They evidently see something that they think they can make full use of and get it for a low price. At the time, we were not sure what we were getting, but it sure looks like the Braves made yet another good trade when they got Ohman. Btw, it is a trade I don’t hear about much from the people who want to fire Wren.
reagan
February 24th, 2009
10:56 am
Lex…..I agree 100%. Also not THAT sure about Ridgeway. He “looks” like a major leaguer but really hasnt done that much. Expect we will see Stockman pretty quickly if any of those falter early.
Lew
February 24th, 2009
10:56 am
GT-Seriously? Dude, considering that Hanson, at the very least, would be called before Morton and either would only be the fifth starter anyway, I have to wonder why you seem to think that Morton is such an integral piece of the puzzle. You’re likely the only one holding that opinion. I’d be interested in hearing why you hold this point of view.
Danga
February 24th, 2009
10:56 am
Ohman may be a ‘bargain’ at this point in time, but he’ll still cost close to a million bucks. And once that money is spent it is gone. This time last year it is very likely that the folks on this blog were talking about Ohman the same way we are talking about Boone and O’Flaherty. Relief pitchers are notoriously inconsistent from season to season. If I were a GM, I’d be very hesitant to sink any kind of money or commitment into a RP with only 1 decent season under his belt when I had other viable options on hand.
Danga
February 24th, 2009
11:00 am
For the life of me I really don’t understand the too many SP discussion after the season we had last year. The kids will get their chance.
DWW
February 24th, 2009
11:04 am
Danga
Thats exactly what braves management is thinking as well. As they should.
mbatl
February 24th, 2009
11:07 am
Ohman had a pretty good track record as a LOOGY. His ‘07 season was a bit off, but he was good in ‘05 and ‘06. His big problem was that he was awful in Wrigley Field. Anyway, agree with PTBNL that the Braves may see something they really like in one of the young guys. It’s not a make-or-break situation to me, but I’m still gonna hope a little that Ohman comes back.
And yes, that was a great trade: Ascanio for Infante and Ohman.
brAves Sucios
February 24th, 2009
11:08 am
Just checked out the new Falcons blog. . . looking more like this one every day, complete with song lyrics and snarky criticism from the peanut gallery. Thanks, AJC.com, for keeping me entertained.
Metropolitan Man1
February 24th, 2009
11:08 am
Just play well against the ENTIRE N.L. East (not just the Mets) and watch how tight the race will be. Every team in the NL has improved so the braves are not alone in the upgrade category. G. Anderson looks good on paper but Met rookie Daniel Murphy will put up similar numbers at seasons end.