Let’s play some ball, folks
Lakeland, Fla. – Welcome to a sun-splashed 70-degree afternoon at Tigertown, where we’re here for a big Grapefruit League lid-lifter (old baseball clichés acceptable in late February) after a bike ride across the heart of Polk County.
Jair Jurrjens have vengeance in mind as he takes on the team that traded him a way a winter ago in a package with center-field prospect Gorkys Hernandez in exchange for shortstop Edgar Renteria, which now looks to have been one of the more one-sided trades of the past decade.
OK, so we’re exaggerating a bit about vengeance. I don’t know that Jurrjens, after winning 13 games in a stellar rookie season, is going to have revenge in mind today when he pitches two innings against his old team on Feb. 25.
But we’re not exaggerating about that trade’s one-sidedness.
After his outstanding two years with the Braves, Edgar fell off badly last year, hitting .270 with 10 homers, 55 RBI and a .317 OBP and .382 slugging percentage in his one season with the Tigers, who declined his option.
(Edgar certainly landed on his feet, getting a surprisingly rich two-year, $18.5 million deal with the Giants, who apparently didn’t get the memo about the economy and reduced free-agent salaries.)
Meanwhile, Jurrjens went 13-10 with a 3.68 ERA in a staff-leading 188-1/3 innings, finishing third in Rookie of the Year balloting. And Hernandez is ranked among the top-five prospects in the Braves organization and one of the best center-field prospects in baseball.
Speaking of center-field prospects and Polk County …. Jordan Schafer is like the Pope of Polk County, famous for his prep baseball exploits — and popularity among the ladies back then, from what I hear.
Anyway, the likeable kid seems to have matured quite a bit since his first big-league camp a year ago, whether that was from dealing with the embarrassment of the 50-game suspension he got for suspected HGH use (he’s vehemently denied ever using, and there was no positive test of any kind), or just from a realization of what it’ll take to reach the goals that he and the organization have for him.
(And he does have what it takes, physically and mentally, according to anyone you ask who’s seen him work and talked to him for any length.)
He was one of the hardest workers in camp a year ago, and is again this year. But you won’t hear him speak of himself in third person, as he was heard to do a couple of times last year, and you don’t see him walking with his chest out like he did before in the clubhouse.
Schafer no longer acts like he has to prove he belongs, as if others are waiting for the hot prospect with all the headlines to do something worthy of all the hype. He’s just playing now, just working and trying to show Frank Wren and Bobby Cox that he’s ready to contribute as soon as he gets the call.
I still get the impression he’ll start the season at Triple-A Gwinnett and Josh Anderson will be in center and leading off for Atlanta, but who knows? Things happen. Anyway, it certainly won’t be a bad thing for him to spend a couple of months or more at Gwinnett, if that’s what it takes.
For one thing, Anderson is out of minor-league options. And he’s hit over .300 in parts of two seasons with the Astros and Braves, and is the only guy on the team capable of stealing a lot of bases. He’s the Braves’ best leadoff option.
Schafer told me if he plays well enough to be here, but is sent to Gwinnett, then he’ll just go to Gwinnett and play hard and try to get back sooner than later. I think he gets the business side of it, including such things as options and the fact that, if Schafer doesn’t come up until a little later in the season, he won’t be eligible for arbitration until after the 2012 season, instead of after the 2011 season (don’t know if that plays much at all in the Braves’ decision; again, Anderson is out of options and the best leadoff guy).
But that wasn’t even why I brought up Schafer and Polk County. I keep meaning to mention that him and Matt Diaz, who also lives down here, hit a couple of times a week together during the offseason.
Sometimes it was at a local high school or college, but more often it was in a dingy warehouse building where they hit balls delivered by the the sophisticated (and quite expensive) pitching machine that Schafer bought a few years ago with part of his signing bonus money after he was drafted.
Let’s just say that based on Diaz’s description, it sounds like the machine was worth more than the warehouse where Schafer rents space to keep it.
“It’s in an old fertilizer plant or something,” Diaz said, then cracked: “You feel like you need to go to the doctor every day when you get out of there. My insurance will probably be cancelled after they find out I hit there.”
Anyway, the machine replicates the pitching styles of various major leaguers, down to the arm angles, the height of delivery, everything. There’s a software disc for most major league pitchers, and Schafer has bought most of the discs.
Schafer spent most of his time hitting sliders and other pitches from left-handers on the machine, because last year he struggled against lefties, unlike previous seasons in his minor league career. He said the key for him against lefties is simplay staying within his approach, not getting out of it and getting behind in counts and flailing like he did sometimes last year.
Today’s Braves lineup vs. the Tigers
- Josh Anderson, CF
- Yunel Escobar, SS
- Brian McCann, C
- Casey Kotchman, 1B
- Jeff Francoeur, RF
- Kelly Johnson, 2b
- Matt Diaz, LF
- Martin Prado, 3B
- Jordan Schafer, RF
Speaking of Anderson, here’s what Tigers manager Jim Leyland said when I asked him about the newest Brave this morning: “I like him a lot. A professional all the way. I’ve always been a big fan of his, just from watching from the other dugout, the way he goes about his business. And he can f—ing hit.
”He’s what I call a manager’s big-league player. No flash, no bull—-. He steps in the batter’s box and he knows what the hell he’s doing. And what I like about him is, he gets big hits off good pitchers. He hits good pitchers. That was a good pickup for them.”
“I’M COMIN’ HOME” by Robert Earl Keen
Packed my suitcase and I racked my brain
Bought a ticket on a late night train
Took a taxi through the pourin’ rain
I’m comin’ home to you
Flew from Boston out to San Jose
Sae our old friends in Monterey Bay
When they asked me if I’d like to stay
I said I’m comin’ home to you
I’m comin’ home
Made up my mind that’s what I’m gonna do
Can’t love nobody on the telephone
I’m comin’ home to you
They threw a party there from dusk ’till dawn
Seems like everybody knows old sleepy John
He said next time I better bring you along
I’m comin’ home to you
They had fresh caught salmon on the bareques
There were people jammin’ all night to the blues
Life is good out in Santa Cruz but
I’m comin’ home to you
I’m comin’ home
Made up my mind that’s what I’m gonna do
Can’t love nobody on the telephone
I’m comin’ home to you
I drove forever out to God knows where
Come ten-thirty there was no one there
They couldn’t pay me but I didn’t care
I’m comin’ home to you
I’m feelin’ better since I got your card
I read it over and over when the road gets hard
Ain’t nothin’ better than your own backyard
I’m comin’ home to you
I’m comin’ home
Made up my mind that’s what I’m gonna do
Can’t love nobody on the telephone
I’m comin’ home to you
I’m comin’ home
Made up my mind that’s what I’m gonna do
Can’t love nobody on the telephone
I’m comin’ home to you
Packed my suitcase and I racked my brain
Bought a ticket on the late night train
Took a taxi in the pourin’ rain……
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
946 comments Add your comment
PTBNL
February 25th, 2009
1:07 pm
Yes, let’s!
AL
February 25th, 2009
1:07 pm
first
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:08 pm
McCann walks on 3-2 pitch
Does anyone want play by play
Oh yeah
February 25th, 2009
1:09 pm
Damn right am first
MLH
February 25th, 2009
1:09 pm
play by play would be awesome.
Thanks
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:09 pm
Kotchman infield single
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:10 pm
kotchman inf single
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
1:11 pm
PLAY BALL
braves4ever
February 25th, 2009
1:11 pm
David, is BC going to let Schafer and Heyward play a lot in the OF along with J. Anderson in spring to get an extended look at them ,with Francoeur and G.Anderson DH ing and coming in late till we get close to the real season. I would love to see those guys play and hit against some big league pitchers. Do you those two might make the 40 man roster or is MGM thinking more to 2 months in the minors as to lock in their 4 yr minimum of service. Sounds like a good business decision vs a fun coaching decision.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:11 pm
francoeur grounds out to first
3 outs
Maddux
February 25th, 2009
1:12 pm
yes on play by play
McFann :Ô:
February 25th, 2009
1:13 pm
Well, that’s fine. Petey’s got a vet appointment at 2:30, and we gotta leave at quarter till if we wanna get there on time.
Fine, guys. Thanks. I was counting on a radio broadcast. Just gonna hafta be surprised now, I guess. “Thanks!”
Would love a little play-by-play action! Mac walked already? Seriously? It’s that far along?
Well, guess it did start seven minutes ago…
ease19
February 25th, 2009
1:13 pm
Thanks Robert, play byplay would be great!
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:13 pm
Jurrjens to Granderson
Scuba Steve
February 25th, 2009
1:14 pm
I would love play by play!
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:14 pm
Granderson base hit past a diving Kelly Johnson
1 on no out
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
1:14 pm
Curtis Granderson leadoff single in the bottom of first off J.J.
(McCann walks and Kotchman had an infield single in first inning for Bravos)
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
1:15 pm
anywhere to hear the game? online or radio?
cabravesfan
February 25th, 2009
1:15 pm
Appreciate the play by play Robert- Thanks!
BamaBrave
February 25th, 2009
1:16 pm
FINALLY…some actual baseball… Huzzah!!!
Josh H
February 25th, 2009
1:16 pm
braves4ever:
I think Heyward is still 19. Braves are probably just giving him a look at his first big league camp. Don’t think he’d be able to contribute to the big league club until at least next year.
I’d have to hope Schafer is given every chance to compete with Anderson.
Maddux
February 25th, 2009
1:16 pm
Francoeur getting it started right this year. hahaha
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:16 pm
Polanco base hit to right
Runners on 1st and 2nd
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
1:16 pm
also DOB, I can’t get the lineup
Epinephrine
February 25th, 2009
1:16 pm
Oh man, we need to send JJ to Richmond. Buckle up!
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
1:16 pm
Leyland had good things to say about the Braves this time last year, so don’t listen! Nah, he’s obviously a smart manager and to hear that about G.A. is good news.
Robert, are you there watching the game or listening to it?
Epinephrine
February 25th, 2009
1:17 pm
Er, make that Gwinett.
DWW
February 25th, 2009
1:17 pm
Robert
Keep it up!
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:19 pm
Jurrjens facing regular lineup except for Sheffield
Ordonez – ball three the announcers said was a strike
Walk again close pitch
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:19 pm
tigers lineup is tough
MFin04
February 25th, 2009
1:19 pm
Is it too early to start the “uh-oh Francoeur” speeches?
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
1:19 pm
WOO HOO! Francoeur is hitting the ball the other way!!
Sorry, a little spring optomism.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
1:19 pm
Magglio SF to right, Schafer made a helluva throw on the fly to home and almost nailed Granderson.
Alas, he scored, Tigers up 1-0 with one out.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:20 pm
Cabrera SF to right, said Schafer has a really good throwing arm, almost got Granderson but throw was up the line
AdirondackDave
February 25th, 2009
1:20 pm
atta boy, Robert. Keep up the play by play while I multi-task. Watching (at 2 est) Tiger start at Accenture match play.
ShipHockey7
February 25th, 2009
1:20 pm
the Play by play is much appreciated!
Graham
February 25th, 2009
1:21 pm
If anyone has XM, the game in on channel 184.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:21 pm
Based on the announcers neither Granderson or Polanco’s balls were hit hard, that is a good sign
ShipHockey7
February 25th, 2009
1:21 pm
AdirondackDave, I’m doing the same thing! all the while at work! lol
Graham
February 25th, 2009
1:21 pm
the game IS (not “in”, sorry) on channel 184
DWW
February 25th, 2009
1:21 pm
Adiron
No play by play on Tiger please. I have it recording at home.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:22 pm
Guillen 6-4-3 end of the inning, good damage control
Run Heap Run
February 25th, 2009
1:22 pm
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_02_25_atlmlb_detmlb_1
Or, Robert could just keep going for 9 innings. = )
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:23 pm
DOB is Jurrjens getting squeezed, the announcers think so on the Ordonez at-bat
VolBrave
February 25th, 2009
1:23 pm
DOB
Wouldn’t that song be more appropriate at the end of ST, when ya’ll are headed back to ATL?
….wait, who am I kidding? REK is always appropriate!!!
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:24 pm
I took the day off of college, the first Brave game of the year is a holiday in my house. My wife is keeping me company
Steve
February 25th, 2009
1:24 pm
1-0 Tigers ALREADY!!!!!!! We are totally screwed this year…lol…Great to see baseball back!
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:25 pm
Johnson 1-3
DunderChief
February 25th, 2009
1:26 pm
Yeah, that was one heck of a one-sided trade. Another one-sided trade was Andy Marte for Edgar + money to begin with. So essentially we got Edgar, Jurrgens, and Gorkys for Marte, a guy who may never make it to big for an entire season. Not bad, not bad at all.
AdirondackDave
February 25th, 2009
1:26 pm
ShipHockey7 — Work…work… what is that? I’m down here in Delray Beach, Florida. It’s only about 71 today so I’m staying inside for a while. Oh, the life of the retiree….
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:26 pm
Diaz – walks on 3-2 pitch
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
1:27 pm
It’s over, Braves are gonna lose 90 games again….
Where can I get play by play?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:28 pm
Prado – 6-4-3 DP inning over
The_Superhoo
February 25th, 2009
1:29 pm
Hmmm the AJC’s “Live Boxscore” is somewhat less than “live”…
MFin04
February 25th, 2009
1:30 pm
PS – play-by-play is great, keep it up!
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:30 pm
Thames – Pop up to Prado
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:31 pm
Laird hits a line drive to right, Schafer dove and the ball went all the way to the wall for a triple
VolBrave
February 25th, 2009
1:32 pm
It’s a great day for baseball cliches…let’s play two!
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:32 pm
wild pitch scores laird
MFin04
February 25th, 2009
1:33 pm
Apparently we are getting all the kinks out.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:34 pm
Inge base hit to left center
ShipHockey7
February 25th, 2009
1:34 pm
Adirondak, its called being 22 and working at the PA Department of Education, its terrible lol…would sure be nice to be in Florida though, count me in as jealous!
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
1:36 pm
Well, Jurrjens was complaining about not being entirely ready….hopefully this will be a temporary setback.
Patrick
February 25th, 2009
1:37 pm
Yikes, inauspicious start the year.
Thanks for the play by play Robert!
You’re getting me through work today
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:37 pm
Everett – good at-bat here
Queball
February 25th, 2009
1:37 pm
Adirondack, I’m jealous…While the life of a 24 year old gym teaching high school baseball coach isn’t bad, Florida sounds much better. At least my planning period lets me listen to the game on mlb.tv today.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:38 pm
5-3 Ing was running only play at first
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
1:39 pm
Yeah, seriously Robert, thanks for the Play by play. I hate that MLB.com doesn’t have the Gameday option open yet.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:39 pm
announcers making fun of the small strike zone
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
1:39 pm
MLB Spring Batting Average Leaders:
1. Casey Kotchman
Eat that, Tex.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:39 pm
my pleasure guys
bravesfan
February 25th, 2009
1:39 pm
Is the game on the internet (radio link or tv link) anywhere?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:39 pm
Granderson grounds out 4-3
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:39 pm
Schafer time
The_Superhoo
February 25th, 2009
1:40 pm
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
1:39 pm
MLB Spring Batting Average Leaders:
1. Casey Kotchman
Eat that, Tex.
Haha don’t jump the gun toooo quick
AdirondackDave
February 25th, 2009
1:40 pm
ShipHockey7 — Hang in there, you’ll be 65 before you know it! Well, actually it will take a while, if I remember correctly. But when you do get there, you want to be back in college again.
JPHunt
February 25th, 2009
1:41 pm
My productivity has officially hit zero for the day.
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
1:41 pm
haha, what a quick response. totally tounge-in-cheek. i also already proclaimed how happy I am that “francoeur is finally going the other way”
I am just so geeked that baseball is starting im throwing out dumb posts. ignore them. and GO BRAVES.
Nick
February 25th, 2009
1:41 pm
bravesfan (and others), it’s on MLB.tv (radio only), it’s the Tigers announcers.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/#20090225
If you had mlb.tv last year, you can still log in…
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
1:41 pm
Jordan Schafer coming up now
VolBrave
February 25th, 2009
1:42 pm
MLB.com has the radio play-by-play if u pay for that service
The Truth Hurts
February 25th, 2009
1:42 pm
Perhaps there was no positive test for HGH, because there is NO test for HGH.
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
1:42 pm
i do, however, think that kotchman is going to be more productive this year than people are assuming. it’s just that he appears to be about as interesting as an end table so he gets forgotten.
lewie
February 25th, 2009
1:42 pm
JJ a little rusty
want to see what schafer can do
lewie
February 25th, 2009
1:43 pm
agree chop
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:43 pm
Zach Miner in to pitch (former Brave)
Schafer – K
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
1:44 pm
I’m not worried about JJ. He’ll fix whatever was rusty today.
The Truth Hurts
February 25th, 2009
1:44 pm
At least, not yet. Soon.
Patrick
February 25th, 2009
1:44 pm
I bet he’s too amp’d up.
That’s not good for a sinkerballer
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:44 pm
Schafer needs to cut down on the strikeouts
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:45 pm
K – Anderson
toga party
February 25th, 2009
1:45 pm
Thanks for the tip about MLB.tv Nick. I forgot my subscription hadn’t expired yet.
Sucks that XM radio online can’t carry the radio feed.
AdirondackDave
February 25th, 2009
1:45 pm
QueBall — Same applies to you. Even basketball coaches get their reward eventually. Do you also teach 7th grade history? Mine did 60 years ago!
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
1:45 pm
Sorry, folks, was on line with a lady helping me with our next expense-reporting format, which had me up until 2:30 a.m. trying to figure it out last night… got it down now.
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
1:46 pm
thanks for the heads up about being able to sign in with last years stuff, nick.
Maddux
February 25th, 2009
1:47 pm
yeah I have XM as well but pissed I cant listen to MLB on the online segment. Why cant we get the same channels online.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:48 pm
Escobar – Eacobar base hit, would have been a double but a great diving stop by Inge
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
1:49 pm
Tigers have scored 2 runs in two innings of former teammate jair Jurrjens. Not a good start. Who else is pitching today?
A FAN
February 25th, 2009
1:50 pm
Robert keep em comin!!! doing a great thing here for us fans!!!!
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
1:50 pm
It’s only spring training though.
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
1:50 pm
ugh, im all set hearing about Tigers backup OF’s and pitching inside. beggers can’t be choosers, but i’d much rather be hearing about Medlen and our non-Hanson prospects rather than the Tigers.
LKS
February 25th, 2009
1:50 pm
A Single for Esco!
Tim
February 25th, 2009
1:50 pm
Wow. Not a good start.
Original Jon
February 25th, 2009
1:51 pm
You people getting mad over giving up 2 runs in 2 innings, come on now, its spring training, these games dont mean anything at all. Especially the first game of the spring, you all act like doom and gloom is upon us.
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
1:51 pm
And Escobar (and the rest of the Braves) keep them doubles and other XBH’s coming.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:51 pm
McCann – 4-3
end of third
Tim
February 25th, 2009
1:52 pm
I’m not getting mad. Just stating. I know spring games don’t mean anything.
AdirondackDave
February 25th, 2009
1:53 pm
Inge is good ballplayer, no doubt about it. Kind of guy I’d like to see with the Braves.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:53 pm
I expect a big year from Escobar
lewie
February 25th, 2009
1:53 pm
you’d like to see some more solid hits for the braves, but it is only the first ST game
at least baseball is back….sweet baby jeebus i have missed it
Cleveland Braves fan
February 25th, 2009
1:53 pm
I agree 100% with you Original John
moose knuckle
February 25th, 2009
1:53 pm
anyone else’s mlb not working? perhaps my employer doesnt want me to listen
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:53 pm
Jo Jo Reyes on to pitch
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
1:54 pm
NOT A FAN OF JO-JO.
The_Superhoo
February 25th, 2009
1:54 pm
Maddux
February 25th, 2009
1:47 pm
yeah I have XM as well but pissed I cant listen to MLB on the online segment. Why cant we get the same channels online.
It’s a contractual thing. The audio can be sold to us through MLB so they don’t want XM to broadcast it online, I believe.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:55 pm
two quick strikes the bounces the next two
lewie
February 25th, 2009
1:55 pm
jojo needs to start putting it together.
he keeps dominating AAA and gets worked every other start at the show…gotta get that figured out
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
1:55 pm
Not a fan of Jo-Jo, reasons in reverse order:
1. his mohawk
2. his lack of “ability”
3. the story about how he told smoltz and glavine he didn’t need their help
Andrew
February 25th, 2009
1:56 pm
haha jo jo strike out
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:56 pm
K – Polanco, ump has a wide zone now, trying to speed up the game
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:57 pm
Ordonez – K
Mike
February 25th, 2009
1:57 pm
back to back K’s for Jo-Jo
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:57 pm
Jo Jo in the pen might not be a bad idea
DWW
February 25th, 2009
1:58 pm
chop
never heard that about jo jo. Thats hard to believe, i hope he’s not that type.
TommyP
February 25th, 2009
1:58 pm
Chopshop: Did he really refuse help from our pitching legends?
phar71
February 25th, 2009
1:58 pm
For anyone watching, how have we looked so far…not that it matters much just ready for some Braves Baseball
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
1:59 pm
oh yeah there was this article during that time when he didnt win for like 11 starts… lemme try and find it online. basically it was something to the effect where he was getting too much advice and needs to do his own thing or something.
Ed Glennon
February 25th, 2009
1:59 pm
First game. This is great. I love this blog.
Maddux
February 25th, 2009
1:59 pm
The_Superhoo, what I dont get is I have the reciever at home and have the subscrition and everything, and can listen to games at home. I want to be able to listen online at work too. Im already paying for it. Why not. Garbage.
DOB, what did Schafer do on that ball he missed?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
1:59 pm
Cabrera – hard line drive off the glove of Escobar, announcers are saying error
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
1:59 pm
itll make you not enjoy him.
Leah
February 25th, 2009
1:59 pm
You would think they would have better ways of keeping up with boxscores and play-by-play for spring training games. I know the games don’t count, but some people don’t want to pay to get the live audio. A regularly updated boxscore and play-by-play would suit me just fine. Even Yahoo! doesn’t have this feature during spring training. Plus, it would help if the boxscores were actually updated before the particular inning/entire game was over. What’s the point in the automatic refresh if it’s not updating the boxscore in the first place?
I won’t even get into the games not being televised. I could deal with that if there was a decent alternative to following them, be it radio or online.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:00 pm
Guillen – fly to rf
good inning by Reyes
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
2:01 pm
Escobar would’ve been charged with an error on that ball through infield, but the scoreboard operator put up graphic for “hit” before scorekeeper could make the call. Seriously.
Jim
February 25th, 2009
2:01 pm
Jo Jo got conflicting advice from different people until he stopped taking advice from all parties.
Cleveland Braves fan
February 25th, 2009
2:02 pm
Who’s ready for Hanson’s national debut tomorrow?
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
2:02 pm
Maddux, actually it was hard-hit and out of his reach. I had glanced up just as it was going past him, but it was out of reach.
The_Superhoo
February 25th, 2009
2:02 pm
Maddux
February 25th, 2009
1:59 pm
The_Superhoo, what I dont get is I have the reciever at home and have the subscrition and everything, and can listen to games at home. I want to be able to listen online at work too. Im already paying for it. Why not. Garbage.
I hear ya man, but you know MLB and their media contracts.
McPoyle
February 25th, 2009
2:02 pm
jim leyland is such a badass
ncscoots
February 25th, 2009
2:03 pm
the story about how [Reyes] told smoltz and glavine he didn’t need their help
What he said was that all the different advice was confusing him. That’s quite a different spin from “I don’t need no old guys’ help.” There are probably any number of reasons for one to dislike Reyes; you don’t really have to make some up out of whole cloth.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:03 pm
Kotchman – fly to LF
1 – out
Jeff321
February 25th, 2009
2:03 pm
Ah, just signed up for MLB Premium again. But, this game is only available on the radio feed..
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:04 pm
Francoeur – weak groundout to SS
AdirondackDave
February 25th, 2009
2:04 pm
Is it still 2-0, guys?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:04 pm
we left our bats in Orlando
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:05 pm
thanks Jim.. i can’t find anything, ive googled and checked my fantasy baseball site. Maybe DOB remembers something regarding it. Basically his head was cluttered with a lot of advice from sources, but it was borderline disrespectful (in my opinion) to the legends that we have around. it kind of is similar to frenchy last year with his head cluttered, minus the attitude towards those trying to help.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
2:06 pm
Someone asked about the dimensions at the new Triple-A Gwinnett ballpark. I’m told the field dimensions are same as Turner Field, by design.
Also, the thing’s supposed to be completely finished and turned over to the Braves in mid-March.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:06 pm
Johnson – 2b to cf
toga party
February 25th, 2009
2:06 pm
Nice double KJ.
Maddux
February 25th, 2009
2:06 pm
His head was cluttered with the fact that he couldnt throw a fastball for a stike and kept getting lit up.
Fleming
February 25th, 2009
2:06 pm
It’s tough reading the blog today. I’m at home and have a terrible network connection. Everytime I refresh I have to disable then enable the network ard so DNS works and browser can find blog. Ughhh!
toga party
February 25th, 2009
2:07 pm
Still 2-0 AD.
Brian
February 25th, 2009
2:07 pm
DOB, any word on when Braves radio or online broadcasts are supposed to start? Last season, Pete did most of the STgames at least online, but looking at MLB’s schedule, they don’t have any Braves broadcasts listed, only a few opponents broadcasts.
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:07 pm
ncscoots.. why would I make it up? I was paraphrasing and said what it essentially boiled down to. i knew there would be some d-bag that was going to take my casual wording and run with it. whatever, thats what you enjoy doing, then do so, but he basically said leave me alone to the vets.
lewie
February 25th, 2009
2:08 pm
have we scorched one yet or is it a couple flares/infield singles?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:08 pm
Diaz – 6-3
bottom 4 2-0 Tigers
Maddux
February 25th, 2009
2:09 pm
DOB, how do you actually get to the backfields once youve entered the stadium at Dark Star?
AdirondackDave
February 25th, 2009
2:09 pm
Fleming — I know that hurts. Been there.
McPoyle
February 25th, 2009
2:10 pm
A-Rod homered for the Yankees
Fleming
February 25th, 2009
2:10 pm
Yeh, almost wish I was at work. Got a T-3 there
ShipHockey7
February 25th, 2009
2:11 pm
Thanks again Robert for the play by play..
AdirondackDave
February 25th, 2009
2:11 pm
Thanks, Toga.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:11 pm
Thames f-8
lewie
February 25th, 2009
2:12 pm
we’ll have to watch that arod dinger 50000000x tonight
MFin04
February 25th, 2009
2:12 pm
A-Roid is still on drugs
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:13 pm
Laird 2B to left
Jeff321
February 25th, 2009
2:13 pm
To the AJC web crew – The pagination seems to be working good. However, I would like at least 30-40 comments on each page.
McPoyle
February 25th, 2009
2:13 pm
that’s an understatement lewie.
Mizzou Guru
February 25th, 2009
2:14 pm
Anderson is the best leadoff option? You’ve got to be kidding. Blanco actually walks – Anderson doesn’t. Even with his sagging BA last year, Blanco still had a decent OB%. I will take a leadoff hitter that takes walks over a better base stealer any day. Blanco can learn to steal better; Anderson would have to totally change his batting approach to take walks.
Also, Blanco has one year under his belt at the MLB level. We’ve suffered his struggles. He may be further along in his development. No need to change horses in mid-stream.
Get your mind right, O’Brien. I guess I can’t expect much from you – you are from Kansas.
TN Jeff
February 25th, 2009
2:15 pm
Frenchy’s in mid-season form: 0 for 2 with 2 LOB
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:15 pm
Inge – 1B, Laird to 3B
Oh Jo-Jo
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:16 pm
Freeman at 1B
ncscoots
February 25th, 2009
2:16 pm
douchebag said what?
lewie
February 25th, 2009
2:16 pm
jojo strikes again!
one inning of great work, one a little shakey
if he can learn to get out of these innings w/o getting blistered, the kid will go a long way
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:17 pm
Everett – Sac Fly to LF Laird scores
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
2:17 pm
The big man is in right field now, by the way, Jason Heyward. Schafer went to left, Anderson still in CF.
Jo-Jo’s getting knocked around a bit in this fourth inning, gave up a sac fly to the left-field wall just now to put Tigers up 3-0.
MiamiBrave
February 25th, 2009
2:17 pm
TN Jeff that was too funny
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:18 pm
Ground out, at least Reyes did not implode
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
2:18 pm
MIZZOU – spent a long year one night in Missouri, fun place !
Leave DOB and his Kansas winners alone
Freddie Freeman playing good
Matthew
February 25th, 2009
2:19 pm
Mizzou…
Career OBP:
Anderson – .364 (.315 BA)
Blanco – .366 (.251 BA)
Stolen bases last year:
Anderson – 10 in 40 games
Blanco – 13 in 144
blueridge
February 25th, 2009
2:19 pm
Thanks Robert, Thanks DOB.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:20 pm
Brandon Lyon on to pitch
The_Superhoo
February 25th, 2009
2:21 pm
Career OBP:
Anderson – .364 (.315 BA)
Blanco – .366 (.251 BA)
Stolen bases last year:
Anderson – 10 in 40 games
Blanco – 13 in 144
I’d say the better leadoff option is evident if those numbers are all correct!
braves4ever
February 25th, 2009
2:21 pm
David ,this is working pretty good ,play by play by Robert(thanks to ya) and color analysis by DOB. (thanks also)
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:21 pm
prado flies to CF
AdirondackDave
February 25th, 2009
2:22 pm
Tiger’s back, birdie’s the first and is 1-up after 1.
Matthew
February 25th, 2009
2:22 pm
I’m getting a little annoyed at these Tiger announcers calling Martin Prado “Pray-dough”.
TheManMike
February 25th, 2009
2:23 pm
DOB – Keep it up – its appreciated….you too Robert
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
2:23 pm
Schafer just reached on an E5, good hustle to beat it out.
bravesfan
February 25th, 2009
2:23 pm
Bottom of the 4th
Thames – fly out to CF
Laird – double (2B)
Inge – base hit to LF, Laird to 3rd base
Everett – sac fly to LF, Laird scores.
Granderson – ground out to 1B
ATL 0 DET 3
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:23 pm
Schafer – ground ball to 3B, throw pulls firstbaseman off the bag, error
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
2:24 pm
Anderson batting with one out, Schafer steals second base.
CVan
February 25th, 2009
2:24 pm
Why anybody would want blanco playing regularly is beyond me. It is not even close. If you don’t want Anderson or Schaffer then I am glad your not on the Braves staff.
LKS
February 25th, 2009
2:24 pm
Mathew…lol I thought we had a new player for a minute.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:24 pm
Schafer stolen base
Matthew
February 25th, 2009
2:25 pm
There you go Schafer – stolen base.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
2:25 pm
Anderson singles to left, runners on corners for Escobar with one out
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
2:25 pm
looks like JoJo needs to learn how to adjust his pitching pattern because it seems easy to figure out.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:25 pm
Anderson is not the only stolen base weapon
Maddux
February 25th, 2009
2:25 pm
Was Laird still catching on that steal?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:26 pm
1st and 3rd after basehit by Anderson
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
2:26 pm
I want Schafer with the big club to start the year. Come on Jordan. I want to see this kid.
MFin04
February 25th, 2009
2:26 pm
Someone earlier asked for no Tiger updates due to his DVR…FYI
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:26 pm
matthew.. no kidding! theres no excuse for that. totally stupid. he’s too busy convicing people that they can afford tigers games in that ravaged city instead of reading names.
lewie
February 25th, 2009
2:26 pm
look at that….a little station to station baseball!
brent a.
February 25th, 2009
2:26 pm
Regardless of who it is, I hope that somebody, either Schafer or Hanson starts the season in Atlanta.
I think it’ll just be fun to go into the season having one of these two guys on the roster.
Sort of doesn’t really matter; but hey, prospects are fun to watch. Finally get to find out what they are made out of.
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
2:27 pm
Nice small ball play
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
2:27 pm
Now we need a double in the alley to score both of them
ease19
February 25th, 2009
2:27 pm
Wow, Marte cleared waivers.
Whose this Conrad fellow at 2b?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:28 pm
anderson SB
cameron
February 25th, 2009
2:28 pm
anderson stolen base
Matthew
February 25th, 2009
2:28 pm
We’re stealing bases on Lyon like crazy. First Schafer, now Anderson.
lewie
February 25th, 2009
2:29 pm
that’s what i like to see….the team put pressure on ‘em!
how many times have we stolen 2 bases in 1 inning the last couple of yrs? i dont remember too many of them
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:30 pm
Escobar – walks, bases loaded
pills91
February 25th, 2009
2:30 pm
So much for the ole baseball adage of not running when you’re behind, lol.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:30 pm
Brooks Conrad, minor leaue FA from Astros
Tomahawk210
February 25th, 2009
2:30 pm
This can’t be Braves baseball…2 stolen bases in one inning, what’s wrong with Booby?
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
2:30 pm
i agree Lewie!!! let’s see Chris Coste throw us out now if we put our speed in motion.
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:30 pm
lewie… i watched probably 120 or so last year. I can remember… 0 times. and that includes double steals.
ease19
February 25th, 2009
2:30 pm
Looks like competition for CF in ON fellas!
Queball
February 25th, 2009
2:30 pm
Adirondack, I actually do teach 7th and 8th grade hisory ironically enough. 3 gym classes a day, followed by 2 history classes. Not a bad way to spend a day, in all honesty.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:31 pm
McCann Sac Fly, all runners tag up
Tomahawk210
February 25th, 2009
2:31 pm
Let’s see what Freeman can do. Bases loaded.
cameron
February 25th, 2009
2:31 pm
long fly ball to th CF warnning track. Sac fly, all runnes advance.. 3-1 Det
braves4ever
February 25th, 2009
2:32 pm
Schafer a HR hiter plus a base stealer hmmmm now thats different.
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
2:32 pm
a single will tie the game
lewie
February 25th, 2009
2:32 pm
3rd and 2nd w/out?
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
2:32 pm
Freeman??
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:33 pm
Freddie Freeman – Base hit Freeman
Both Runners score
lewie
February 25th, 2009
2:33 pm
braves4ever: schafer also has options left, which the braves will prolly use….i’d like to see him make it though
cameron
February 25th, 2009
2:33 pm
bas hit freeman, were tied 3-3
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
2:33 pm
Sac fly for McCann, Braves get a run. Down 3-1 with two out and runners at second and third for Freeman, who singles to right to drive in TWO RUNS to tie the game….
Mizzou Guru: Blanco hit .251 with 99 strikeouts and 74 walks in 430 at-bats last season, with 19 extra-base hits, 13 stolen bases and a .309 slugging percentage. Is the .361 OBP enough to outweighteverything else for you, to make Blanco a better leadoff/CF option than Anderson, who’s hit .315 with 14 extra-base hits and 11 stolen bases in 203 at-bats in the majors?
Is that you
lewie
February 25th, 2009
2:33 pm
attaboy Freddie!
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:33 pm
3-3
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:33 pm
WOO HOO! FREEMAN SAVES THE SEASOn!
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
2:33 pm
Awesome! Nice work offense, keep it up!
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:34 pm
francoeur ground out
braves4ever
February 25th, 2009
2:34 pm
Lewie , I agree but ,man look whats coming the next 2 years
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:34 pm
The future of this team is really exciting
Chopdawg
February 25th, 2009
2:35 pm
Freddie!–former Rome 1B ties the ballgame in 5th
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:35 pm
DOB, how does Francoeur’s swing look
TheManMike
February 25th, 2009
2:35 pm
hahaha – ChopShop….that made me laugh…literally….like, out loud.
mbatl
February 25th, 2009
2:35 pm
Somebody asked about Brooks Conrad (2B). He’s a career minor leaguer with big power, 28 HR in 465 ABs at AAA last year – but a lot of K’s and poor OBP skills. I think the A’s cut him and the Braves picked him up.
Graham
February 25th, 2009
2:35 pm
To which side has Francouer been hitting the ball? Has he been pulling it?
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
2:35 pm
I sure hope Franceour isn’t too hard on himself too early. Things will fall into place I’m sure for him.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
2:35 pm
Schafer moves to CF, making it all three OF positions he’s played today.
AdirondackDave
February 25th, 2009
2:36 pm
Tiger 2-up after 2. Great approach shots. What else is new?
cameron
February 25th, 2009
2:36 pm
i cant wait till Heyward hits
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:36 pm
Acosta on
TBraveFan
February 25th, 2009
2:36 pm
DOB – The Tigers’ announcers said the Braves were in their blue jerseys — is this the same road blue as last season or do they mean the dark blue practice jerseys?
Graham
February 25th, 2009
2:36 pm
*Francoeur
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:36 pm
5-3
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
2:37 pm
Anders – See what we got coming up. Your pitchers are going to have to face our young talent. I’m loving it so far (even though it’s the first game of spring training)
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:37 pm
I like Acosta’s stuff, just needs to cut down on the walks
Efrim
February 25th, 2009
2:37 pm
I think it makes a lot more sense for the Braves to start both players at Triple A. If Anderson is struggling, than bring Schafer up in June. Don’t want to start his clock too early. Hanson? Well, unless there is an injury, than I don’t think it makes any sense to bring him up until after June. Even so, Charlie and Jo Jo should get the first shot.
ed
February 25th, 2009
2:37 pm
jeffy coming through in the clutch already. god i missed you jeff. you little scamp.
lewie
February 25th, 2009
2:37 pm
oh im with you braves4ever
i cant wait to see what an OF anchored by schafer/heyward can do for us
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:37 pm
base hit Ordonez
Tomahawk210
February 25th, 2009
2:38 pm
I’m really excited about these young kids especially Schafer, Heyward, and Freeman. Big hit by Freeman with 2 outs. Jeff 0-3 hopefully it’s not going to get in his head already. We could see Andersonx2 and Schafer in the OF.
6-4-3
February 25th, 2009
2:38 pm
FYI – Andy Marte just cleared waivers.
MFin04
February 25th, 2009
2:39 pm
play-by-play is getting really confusing can you give us outs and situations or something
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:39 pm
Can anybody name one positive memory your have of the Braves in these blue uniforms? Here’s what I instantly think of.. Glavine Bending over in pain, and opening night loss in DC.
lewie
February 25th, 2009
2:39 pm
acost-us the game is back to his old tricks
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:39 pm
Cabrera – fly to Hewyard 2 out
ed
February 25th, 2009
2:40 pm
nice to see the ajc gametracker is up to par. maybe it will have the score up by this weekend. thanks for the play by play there Rob
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
2:40 pm
Is it just me or is there anyone else embarrassed over getting pissed at Griffey leaving us when we actually should’ve been going after G.A. the entire time?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:40 pm
ground ball off the glove of hicks, error
TBraveFan
February 25th, 2009
2:41 pm
yeah I can think of a lot of positives for the blue unis – they look damn hot in them – from a female perspective!
Especially TOMMY!
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:42 pm
Thames – up 2 on 2 out
winterville
February 25th, 2009
2:42 pm
My memory of the blue jerseys is Bennett breaking that hot dog Soriano’s hand at Wrigley field.
lexbrave
February 25th, 2009
2:42 pm
can’t believe nobody picked up marte just based on his projection alone..even if he has yet to live up to any of it.
VolBrave
February 25th, 2009
2:42 pm
Where’s Lilbridge? Anyone know?
RC
February 25th, 2009
2:43 pm
Lilbridge is at White Sox camp….he was part of the Vazquez trade.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:43 pm
Thames – draws a walk, bases loaded two out
ed
February 25th, 2009
2:43 pm
i hope johnson has a decent year. i still have nightmares about him dropping that pop-up against the phils. that was my lowest point as a braves fan. ever.
/cries and hides under desk
2Parc
February 25th, 2009
2:43 pm
LIllibridge traded to White Sox
VolBrave
February 25th, 2009
2:44 pm
Oh yea! Thanks.
Tomahawk210
February 25th, 2009
2:44 pm
Who’s pitching Reyes still?
cameron
February 25th, 2009
2:45 pm
lillibride is in Chicago haha he went in the trade fo Vasquez, right?
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:45 pm
TBravesFan… so we have the same memory of Glaivine bending over in pain but for different reasons. That doesn’t count!
I was at the Washington game last year where they walked home the winning run in DC. That might have been in the blues too.
20 out
February 25th, 2009
2:46 pm
Question for DOB: If you had to guess, and I know it’s really, really early – but if you’re Cox, how much time does Frenchy get during the regular season to pull his weight to remain in the Majors? For example, if he’s batting .209 on May 1st how much more time do you think Cox gives him to pull it around? I ask because I know Cox has been noted to have a lot of patience with players and slumps. But how much time does Frenchy get – or does all this depend on who could get called up etc.? Because from what I can tell, Frenchy is a bit of a lynchpin that will affect all these other outfielders. Thanks.
DWW
February 25th, 2009
2:46 pm
Please no more Tiger Woods updates! DVR…
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:47 pm
Laird up, already has a double and a triple,
ground ball to third, Prado steps on the bag for the third out
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:47 pm
ed.. i just puked a little. lets forget that happened.
lewie
February 25th, 2009
2:48 pm
what’s the count again?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:49 pm
Brooks Conrad up
Bobby Seay on to pitch
1 out
Hewyard UP
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:50 pm
Hewyard – K on 3 pitches
ease19
February 25th, 2009
2:50 pm
This was posted earlier, but for those that want to see the box score
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_02_25_atlmlb_detmlb_1&refresh=30
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:50 pm
Seay can be tough on LH batters
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:50 pm
ANOTHER OF THAT STRIKES OUT ALL THE TIME! GREAT!
just kidding, im so fired up for this guy.
Kurt
February 25th, 2009
2:50 pm
I think that dropped pop up by Johnson was the turning point last season. They were just a few games out going into that series, and then they lost that opener on the pop up, then they got swept that series and the season went to hell from there. Maybe the most terrible Braves game I’ve ever had to watch…
TBraveFan
February 25th, 2009
2:51 pm
ChopShop – bend-overs are always good from the right angle
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:51 pm
Diory Hernandez K
9 pitches and he strikes out the side
N8
February 25th, 2009
2:52 pm
From the old blog:
“N8, my brother told me I gotta watch that new HBO show, Eastbound and Down. Glad to hear you concur that it’s funny as hell. He said the same… DOB
I thought you had watched it already and were commenting on it? Must have been somebody else, I guess.
It’s not terribly “intellectual”, pretty dumbed down humor kind of stuff. But funny none the less. Like I said, it’s like My Name is Earl, but about sports and with profanity (and not the trailer-trash “skanky” hottness of Jaime Pressly – but it’s only 2 episodes old, so my fingers are crossed).
I doubt it will win any awards, but I think you’ll enjoy it.
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:52 pm
kurt..i almost punched a friend of 20 years (big soccer fan who hates baseball) who didnt get it. totally agree… i was sick to my stomach afterwards. I had to explain it as, imagine in another boring 0-0 soccer match, if your goalie goes to kick it away, but messes up and it goes backwards and you lose. weak analogy, but i was ready to punch his face. that and the joey devine game are pretty much as bad as it gets.
MFin04
February 25th, 2009
2:52 pm
so out of the inning bases loaded?
ease19
February 25th, 2009
2:53 pm
N8 Um, we are in the middle of a game here…lol!
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:54 pm
my workday is over.. its been a pleasure chatting with you guys as we get our first taste of 2009. go braves, go all the youngsters, and enjoy the rest of this game.
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:54 pm
mike hessman..former brave?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:54 pm
one out, fly to CF by Mike Hessman
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:55 pm
They haven’t said who is pitching
ChopShop860
February 25th, 2009
2:55 pm
marek i think..
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:56 pm
Iorg strikes out looking
Josh Smildress
February 25th, 2009
2:56 pm
People are underplaying how great of a show this Eastbound and Down is. DOB you need to check it out as I think it is the funniest show on tv. Nothing like My Name is Earl as this guy is just a dick to everyone in a very, very funny way. Highly recommended.
Tomahawk210
February 25th, 2009
2:57 pm
Yeah you guys are right if Kelly Johnson would of caught that pop-up we would’ve gone on to win the World Series regardless of all the injuries we had and Francoeur making his best AJ impression.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
2:57 pm
Just got back from talking to Jurrjens, who actually felt quite good. Said he just needs to get the ball down and work on his slider, but the arm feels great.
Oh, and the SAUSAGE with peppers and onions at the concession stand at Joker Marchant is about as good as any food you can possibly get at a ballpark. Grilled right there beneath the stands behind home plate, with fresh grilled onions and peppers on top. It’s $6, but worth every penny.
TBraveFan
February 25th, 2009
2:57 pm
Yes, Same Mike Hessman
Robert
February 25th, 2009
2:57 pm
nice play by the LF, they say Schafer, but DOB said he moved to CF
3 outs
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
2:57 pm
nice catch Shaefer
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
2:58 pm
*Schafer
lewie
February 25th, 2009
2:58 pm
i’m so confused and hungry right now
lol
cameron
February 25th, 2009
2:59 pm
Mets are beating the O’s 7-3, Bottm 5
Phillies are losing to Pit 1-8, Top 6
Marlins are losing to STL 0-3,Top 6
ed
February 25th, 2009
2:59 pm
thanks for teasing me with delicious sausage nom noms while i am stuck in the office, dave.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:00 pm
DEEP Homerun Jordan Schafer
MFin04
February 25th, 2009
3:00 pm
Wow the way this blog loads…you jump around inning to inning. Apparently the Braves and Tigers switch every other batter.
tim- braves lifer
February 25th, 2009
3:00 pm
schafer homers!!
cameron
February 25th, 2009
3:00 pm
Schafer HOMERUN!!!
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:00 pm
I don’t care how fast Anderson is, Schafer is better
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
3:01 pm
HR JORDAN SCHAFER
Tomas
February 25th, 2009
3:01 pm
Did Schafer hit one out?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:01 pm
1 out
hicks grounds to 3B
two outs
Richie
February 25th, 2009
3:02 pm
A Great start for Jordan….
Bobby's Belly
February 25th, 2009
3:02 pm
Schafer’s got options. Good to know.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:02 pm
base hit by Clint Sammons
1 on 2 out
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
3:02 pm
Chelsea 1 – Juventus 0
Thought you would like a Champions League update, go Chelsea !!!
Schafer playing well I hear
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
3:02 pm
Base hit Sammons
DWW
February 25th, 2009
3:02 pm
This is great. I might get fired this spring.
TBraveFan
February 25th, 2009
3:02 pm
DOB — you mean you passed on the absolutely sinful strawberry shortcake???
Tomas
February 25th, 2009
3:03 pm
DOB, what has Jeff Franceour done?
GTSteve
February 25th, 2009
3:04 pm
MLB is blocked on my work computer…..I guess I will have to watch mlb network when i get home to see what happened
braves4ever
February 25th, 2009
3:04 pm
DWW ,yes it is, just how r we going to work?
DWW
February 25th, 2009
3:04 pm
I think frenchy is 0 for 3 .. 3 ground outs.
Tomahawk210
February 25th, 2009
3:05 pm
Oh no I think Jordan Schafer is here to stay,like I’ve been saying(I know it’s only 1 game). Cmon kid don’t give a chance to even think about sending you to AAA. He’s the spark we need on this team from the start of the season. Watch out Josh here comes Jordan.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:06 pm
Freeman up
Good at bat, fouling off a lot of pitches
grounds out to 1B
Schafer homerun gives braves 4-3 heading to the bottom of the 7th
GTSteve
February 25th, 2009
3:06 pm
the score tracker is still 3-3 in the 6th, how old is that?
Christy
February 25th, 2009
3:06 pm
Okay – not to start an argument of best fan or longeset fan or anything, but if the worst Braves game you’ve ever had to watch was last year with KJ dropping the gimme out, then I’m going to assume you haven’t watched THAT many years of Braves baseball.
Every time I hear the name Lonnie Smith I get an upset stomach…. and about 10 others I can probably list ahead of that game….
As for that game being a turning point – sure…. right along with Tommy going down, Smoltz getting hurt, Tex sleeping through april and May, French sleeping through the entire season…
GTSteve
February 25th, 2009
3:06 pm
thanks Robert
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:07 pm
Sounds like Freeman has a solid approach, works the count very well, able to foul off a lot of pitches
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
3:08 pm
I wish I had a job to lose while watching MLB.com!!! Ha! It’s all good! I’m just glad everyone’s excited.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:08 pm
No problem
Eric O’Flaherty on the mound
People say he has good stuff
AdirondackDave
February 25th, 2009
3:08 pm
What’s the score, anybody?
blueridge
February 25th, 2009
3:09 pm
The KJ game isn’t even in the same hemisphere as the Leyritz game or even the Burke game for that matter. Just a small blip on the screen of a below average season.
circus freak
February 25th, 2009
3:09 pm
Eastbound and down is indeed funny and allegedly based on Rocker and Southside Steve.
braves4ever
February 25th, 2009
3:09 pm
David, Did Schafer hit that one hard?
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
3:09 pm
First-pitch homer for Schafer in the seventh off of Eddie Bonine. Big day for the Pope of Polk County.
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
3:09 pm
Braves 4, Tigers 3, Bottom 7th
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
3:09 pm
DOB – How did Jo Jo look DOBi One Knobi ?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:10 pm
the announcers are not mentioning names of the replacement hitters
Ramon Santiago a little looping base hit to RF
Johnny Reb
February 25th, 2009
3:10 pm
Just got back from Disney this morning. Delayed flight in Atlanta kept us on the runway for over an hour. I enjoyed watching the Braves practice Monday and Tuesday. They look great! I was also able to get around 30 autographs. Had a wonderful time.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:10 pm
DOB how did Marek look
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
3:10 pm
base hit Tigers
Tomas
February 25th, 2009
3:11 pm
Well, first game of spring, and Schafer has impressed.
GTSteve
February 25th, 2009
3:11 pm
Dave , are you going to be in Tampa next Sat.
MFin04
February 25th, 2009
3:11 pm
That homerun in Houston in the 250th inning of that game…what garbage that was.
Original Jon
February 25th, 2009
3:11 pm
People come on!!!! its the first game of spring training. You seriously going to compose your opening day roster off of 1 day in spring training? If thats the case then Freddie Freeman makes the team and Jurrjens does not. Give it a rest, we wont have a good grasp on who will be on the team until spring training is almost over.
AdirondackDave
February 25th, 2009
3:12 pm
Thanks, Coxlover
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:12 pm
Brent Clevlen up
walk, runners on first and second with no outs
Can we re-sign Ohman now please
The Truth Hurts
February 25th, 2009
3:12 pm
Justice and Glavine broke the Lonnie Smith curse.
The Leyritz homer was the beginning of the new curse.
The Braves haven’t been the same since.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:14 pm
besides Gonzalez, our LH relief options scare me. Reyes, Logan, O’Flaherty, Ridgway in a game against Howard, Delgado, Ibanez, Utley.
Time for the tums
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
3:14 pm
Two Tigers on base with none out in the seventh against O’Flaherty. Jeff Larish at bat….
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:15 pm
Jeff Larish up
Brandon Jones is in Left Field
O’Flaherty all over the place
braves4ever
February 25th, 2009
3:16 pm
When this blog gets to the bottom of the page its like being stuck in one of those revolving glass doors , you can see but you just can’t get out.
it reloads missing part ,then reloads missing, then reloads ok.then reloads to the top. whew
Original Jon
February 25th, 2009
3:16 pm
Robert, thanks for the Play by Plays!
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:16 pm
I hate Lonnie SMith, he will never be forgiven
Larish flies to Schafer
Patrick
February 25th, 2009
3:17 pm
Someone want to tell Wren the Ohman will only cost about 1 mil
dj
February 25th, 2009
3:17 pm
thanks for the reminder about lonny smith. i had effectively repressed that memory until two mintues ago.
2Parc
February 25th, 2009
3:18 pm
But don’t forget Dwight Smith… he had a good voice.
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
3:18 pm
Tigers 4, Braves 4
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:18 pm
Casper Wells up
base hit to RF Hewyard makes a good throw, bang bang but ruled safe
4-4, ball got there before the runner
Embizzle
February 25th, 2009
3:18 pm
I’m a lil’ confused… why is eveybody hating on Lonnie Smith? I was too young to remember his time with the Braves very well.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:19 pm
Didn’t Sammons have issues blocking the plate last year
Josh H
February 25th, 2009
3:19 pm
O’Flaherty is the guy we picked up off waivers. If Logan has issues…then we can worry.
Doc Holiday
February 25th, 2009
3:19 pm
Good to know from early on how much we can count on JF……..0-3……….I know lots of people will say, its noly the 1st game in spring, but there is no signs of change. Everything as advertised.
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
3:19 pm
Truth Hurts – when that scumbag Leyritz gets thrown away for the multiple DUIs and felony murder, curse will be OVER BABY
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
3:20 pm
Heyward just made a terrific throw from RF to home plate, but runner slid under the tag. I don’t know how well Sammons was blocking the plate, if he was at all. Replay ain’t available. So we’ll reserve judgment. But the throw was just a perfect BB thrown from mid-range RF by the left-handed Heyward.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:20 pm
Embizzle wathc game 7 of the 91 world series and you will hate Lonnie Smith too
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:20 pm
Strike out of Ramirez
2 outs two on
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
3:21 pm
2 outs, runners on 1st and 3rd
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
3:21 pm
Braves have an all left-handed outfield right now, by the way — B Jones in LF, Schafer in CF, Heyward in RF.
2Parc
February 25th, 2009
3:21 pm
Then Charlie Liebrandt should be blamed or 91 too with that logic.
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
3:22 pm
How about using Jo Jo as our lefty in the bullpen cause HE AINT starting anytime soon……..
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:22 pm
Dusty Ryan up
strikeout. inning over
not very impressive by O’Flaherty
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
3:22 pm
Good news about Jones and throwing from the outfield! Seriously DOB, can you give us any observations about Frenchy?
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
3:22 pm
Top 8th : Braves 4, Tigers 4
2Parc
February 25th, 2009
3:22 pm
LOVE seeing the 95 World Series replayed on MLB Network.
Christy
February 25th, 2009
3:23 pm
Embizzle – some of us hold Lonnie responsible for not winning the World Series in 1991…
Kurt
February 25th, 2009
3:24 pm
Pardon my hyperbole. I’ve been watching the Braves my whole life. I remember a lot of stomach-punch losses, but that one sticks in my mind cause I was waiting for the Braves to blow it more and more as the game went on, then had emotions swing from one extreme to the other and back again in a few seconds.
The Burke HR was almost like a mercy-kill. I was already depressed after the grand slam in the 8th and part of me just wanted it to be over. It felt inevitable that we would lose after giving up a tying grand slam. Thank you Kyle Farnsworth…
Okay, now we can stop with the merry walk through the history of terrible Braves games.
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
3:24 pm
catching up late guys…
I know the score, who got the RBI? Any HRs?
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
3:24 pm
amen to that 2Parc, I got goosebumps after watching them replay that series.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:24 pm
2Parc pitchers give up HR’s. Professional baseball players should never run the bases that poorly
Kurt
February 25th, 2009
3:24 pm
Its a new season.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
3:25 pm
It’s probably been pointed here, but if not: Baseball America released its Top 100 prospects list yesterday, and Hanson and Heyward are FOURTH and FIFTH., respectively.
Pretty impressive for Braves to have two of the top five.
And Neftali Feliz, the former Braves pitching prospect who was in the trade for Teixeira from Texas in 2007, is No. 10 on the list.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:25 pm
Francoeur flies out
0-4 no hard hit balls
1 out
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:25 pm
Brooks Conrad 5-3
two outs
Hewyard up
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
3:26 pm
How does Frenchy’s swing look? Is he calm? or confused?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:26 pm
pop out to SS
3 outs
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:27 pm
Freeman had a 2 rbi single, McCann sac fly and Schafer solo HR
David-ATL14
February 25th, 2009
3:27 pm
While Lonnie Smith committed a terrible baserunning gaffe in the 91 World Series, Braves would have never been in the World Series without his contributions.
MinnesotaJacket
February 25th, 2009
3:28 pm
I am going to obtimistic and say that Frenchy is just testing out his new swing….PLEASE GOD LET THAT BE TRUE
Jerald
February 25th, 2009
3:28 pm
The Detroit announcers are pathetic. They just said that Francoeur flied out, but according to DOB, the outfield is Jones, Heyward, and Schafer. Although, I guess Francoeur couyld be DHing. Still, their announcers talk too much without covering what’s going on in the game.
2Parc
February 25th, 2009
3:28 pm
I just remember Liebrandt more than Lonnie… image in my mind of his head hung walking off the carpet in MN.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:28 pm
Juan Perez on to Pitch
Christy
February 25th, 2009
3:28 pm
yes, but were talking about single game horrors… that’s my #1 or 2….
ah well…
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
3:29 pm
thanks Robert, Minnesota are you watching the game?
Doc Holiday
February 25th, 2009
3:29 pm
0-4 Frenchy………you are DA MAN!!!!!!!!!!
Pickens
February 25th, 2009
3:29 pm
He is DHing Jerald
AL
February 25th, 2009
3:30 pm
Daniel
McCann Sac Fly RBI
Freeman 2 RBI single
Schafer HR
Jurrjens gave up 2 runs
Jo Jo gave up a run
O’Flaherty gave up a run
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:30 pm
Hessman up
Deep fly to CF, nice running catch by Schafer
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:30 pm
Schafer needs to be on this team from day one
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
3:30 pm
Schafer makes gr8 play againnnnnnnnnnn
JayDM
February 25th, 2009
3:31 pm
Jerald,
Frenchy is the DH today
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:31 pm
Cole Iorg is up, future SS for the Tigers
Walk on 3-1 pitch
Chixlovethebraves2
February 25th, 2009
3:32 pm
Thanks everyone for the updates. Not being very productive today…but oh well. Its baseball season. Just a little tidbit, one of my clients was a NL major league umpire through the 80’s to mid-90’s and apparently is the only umpire to have never thrown out Bobby!! I didnt know one existed…….
And DOB, it is so early and obviously today doesnt mean a whole lot, but based on what you saw was JJ just a little rusty and do you anticipate a “sophomore slump?”
Tomas
February 25th, 2009
3:32 pm
Man no encouraging signs for Frenchy, has he at least look to have better balance at the plate? Has he chased a lot of bad pitches?
BrandonC
February 25th, 2009
3:33 pm
Sounds like Schafer is the man today. I think the HGH thing will all be forgotten by the time the season starts. I’v been wanting this kid to make the 2009 roster for two years now.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:33 pm
Ryan Raburn up
Perez can’t find the plate
Walk
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
3:33 pm
I want to know too Tomas, Did Josh Anderson play at all today?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:33 pm
2 on 1 out
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
3:35 pm
I’m not worried about anybody, Frenchy, O’Flaherty, Jurrjens, or anyone else for that matter. Talk to me in three months if they still aren’t producing, it’s the first ST game for crying out loud.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:35 pm
Ramon Santiago base hit, Iorg scores to make it 5-4
1st and 3rd 1 out
SIGN OHMAN
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
3:35 pm
Tigers 5, Braves 4
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:35 pm
Clevlen pops to LF, no tag, two outs
Andrew
February 25th, 2009
3:36 pm
i really hope schafer has a good spring and makes the team…he’ll be more exciting to watch this year and hes a wild card on the team…love watching rookies produce in the big league.
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
3:36 pm
I think Francouer’s plate approach is a fair topic eltrompo. Where did they play Freeman today?
AL
February 25th, 2009
3:36 pm
Anderson played. Scored the second run of the game after a base hit and a stolen base.
Ended up going 1 – 3 with a hit, strikeout, and a run scored.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:37 pm
I am not concerned with results, but I am concerned that our LH relievers have not thrown strikes
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
3:37 pm
thanks AL… who do you like Josh or Jordan?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:37 pm
Freeman came on to replace Kotchman at 1B
Mitchie-san
February 25th, 2009
3:37 pm
I am sooo happy…..
Tomahawk210
February 25th, 2009
3:38 pm
Another vote for Schafer on opening day roster for CF, I think the vtes will be piling up by the end of ST. Offense and Defense and Speed. Schafer needs to stay regardless of options or arbitration, do whats best for the Braves to win.
Andrew
February 25th, 2009
3:38 pm
who’s up in the 9th?
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:38 pm
Perez ends the inning by K’ing Jeff Larish.
Kyle Bloom to pitch the 9th
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
3:38 pm
Freeman is still only 19 right? I guess he is at AA this year?
Bobby's Belly
February 25th, 2009
3:38 pm
Schafer has options. Why have open competition. Only 20 games out last year.
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
3:38 pm
Lonnie Smith scores, we win WS, then everyone would be saying how Braves only have 2 championships.
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
3:38 pm
Oh I don’t disagree Daniel. I known it’s fair game, I am more saying that it isn’t important to make me feel better about such poor performances!!
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
3:39 pm
yes, Freeman is 19
Tomas
February 25th, 2009
3:40 pm
Well Jordan Schafer has shown a good arm, good range, a stolen base, a homerun. This guy seems ready(I know it’s ST and it doesn’t mean anything, but still he has played very good), Josh Anderson can be a 4th outfielder with good speed coming of the bench, and being able to pinch run late in the game.
Does Gregor Blanco have options?
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
3:40 pm
I hear you eltrompo, I still haven’t heard anything about how he looked at the plate. I know he went 0-4
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:41 pm
great running catch by Clevlen robbed Diory Hernandez of a double
Andrew
February 25th, 2009
3:41 pm
man robbed dory..i think schafer is up
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
3:41 pm
No options for Blanco, as far as I am aware
N8
February 25th, 2009
3:42 pm
DOB
Interesting that the Braves would have had 3 of the Top 10 on that list. Future looks bright, and could have been brigher.
BTW, since Kotchman is all we’ve got to show for that Tex deal, where is Casey ranked on that list? Of course I’m kidding. Kotchman is ALREADY an MLB player, not a prospect, and he WILL help this team with his his glove this year. I actually expect him to be VERY servicable until Freeman is ready.
Everybody talks about Elvis Andrus in that trade, and it’s justified. But let’s not forget about Matt Harrison, who went 9-3 for Texas as a 22 year old rookie last year.
You need to dig deeper than his 5.49 ERA to appreciate him. I think he’s gonna be a good one, if he gets the hell out of that park.
He made 15 starts last year, totalling 83.2 IP, and allowing 49 runs.
In 7 of those starts, he totalled 43 of the innings and allowed ONLY 7 rungs (1,1,2,0,1,0,2), totalling an ERA of 1.48. However, in the other 8 starts, he gave up 44 ER in 40.2 IP, for an ugly ERA of 9.73.
Half the time, he was absolutely dominant. The other half…. not so much. Kind remind you guys of anybody? Recently, Jo-Jo and Morton have had the same fate. In yesteryear, Smoltz and Glavine were anywhere from dominating to ugly on a nightly basis back in the late 80’s.
Wouldn’t mind having that kid in our “prospective” starters as well, right about now.
How about a future rotation of Hanson, JJJ, Harrison, Medlen and Feliz?
WOW!
AL
February 25th, 2009
3:42 pm
So far, I’m liking Jordan. He’s got a stolen base, home run, and has made several great plays in the outfield today. He’s played all 3 spots out there.
They both have speed, but Jordan sounds like he’s got it all. A true 5 tool player.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:42 pm
Schafer up
Strike out swinging
YoungBuck
February 25th, 2009
3:42 pm
**DOB** – Were Francoeur’s ABs ugly or did he make good solid contact and just have nothing to show for it? Was his’ swing at least compact?
bravo!
February 25th, 2009
3:42 pm
DOB, the sausage is killer at Joker Marchant, but agree with earlier post, you’ve got to try something strawberry related (hey used to have several items)..you’re close to the Strawberry Capital. By the way, I have some GREAT memories associated just down the street north from Joker Marchant, at the old drive in theatre…!
Embizzle
February 25th, 2009
3:42 pm
Just saw the Lonnie Smith debacle… blazing speed and no baserunning ability… nice job Mr. Smith.
Mitchie-san
February 25th, 2009
3:43 pm
These annoucers are dreadful….Who is up????
VolBrave
February 25th, 2009
3:43 pm
Blanco DOES have an option left
Robert
February 25th, 2009
3:43 pm
Brandon Jones K’s
game over
Andy K.
February 25th, 2009
3:43 pm
It doesn’t matter how many options Blanco has, because if Schafer makes the team, Anderson and Blanco are out, because we’d already have 4 OF’s:Frenchy,G. Anderson, Diaz, Schafer, not to mention Norton.
Andrew
February 25th, 2009
3:44 pm
tiger win
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
3:44 pm
Final : Tigers 5, Braves 4
Andrew
February 25th, 2009
3:45 pm
what do you know another one run loss
MFin04
February 25th, 2009
3:45 pm
lol it wasnt another 1 run road loss though….have to be optimistic
Mitchie-san
February 25th, 2009
3:46 pm
Dang. Well, one thing did come out of today…I just became a fan of Jordan. (I know it was ONE spring training game…he is gonna be an exciting player if he keeps this up)
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
3:46 pm
Haha, that is an unpleasant sign; another one run loss. I’ll keep telling myself it’s the first game of ST until I fall alseep tonight.
AL
February 25th, 2009
3:46 pm
I think Blanco does have options. Josh would be a much better 4th outfielder then Blanco I believe.
The talk has be who is gonna get sent down Jordan or Josh, but if Blanco has options it’s a no brainer.
Tomas
February 25th, 2009
3:47 pm
Blanco is obviously the odd man out. I mean apart from his good bunting skills, he doesn’t have any other upsides against Josh Anderson.
I think the problem would be that, Jordan Schafer isn’t on the 40- man roster, and the Braves want to delay his arbitration period.
Original Jon
February 25th, 2009
3:48 pm
MFin04 Didnt we travel down to the Tigers spring training site? Wouldnt that be on the road? Wouldnt that be a 1 run road loss?
AL
February 25th, 2009
3:48 pm
Oh yeah, I forgot about Diaz, but you could probably justify keeping Josh still. Diaz is also the 3rd catcher and can play 1st.
Coxlover
February 25th, 2009
3:48 pm
MF, I thought the Braves were on the road today ?
David-ATL14
February 25th, 2009
3:48 pm
My guess would be that if Schafer does make the team out of ST then Josh anderson will be the 4th OF abd matt Diaz will be moved.
Prado gets the righthanded LF AB’s.
Diaz is not a good fit as a 4th OF because of his inability to play CF
6-4-3
February 25th, 2009
3:48 pm
Why doesn’t Blanco have any options left? Has he been brought up before? I thought last year was his first year.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
3:49 pm
Lets temper our enthusiasm here. Shafer hits a bomb off of a single-A pitcher that no ones heard of and you’re all jumping up and down?
I hope the kid will be good, and I’m excited to see him play. But lets wait and see how he hits the major league pitchers first before we crown him the next coming of whoever.
BravesFanInRockies
February 25th, 2009
3:49 pm
Andy K
You are correct, sir. Infante and Prado can also play OF in a pinch. Only J. Anderson, Schafer, B. Jones or Blanco will make this club.
I’m with DOB that the roster spot is J. Anderson’s to lose. That said, if Schafer plays lights out and Anderson stumbles badly, the kid could make it impossible to leave him in the minors.
Easy Does it
February 25th, 2009
3:49 pm
Why does he call LBV Dark Star?
Original Jon
February 25th, 2009
3:51 pm
Diaz is not a good fit as a 4th OF because of his inability to play CF David-ATL14
Really?? His inability to play CF makes him movable? Lets not consider the fact that he has a much higher batting average against lefties than any of the other guys. Yeah, lets not even think about that fact, only dwell on the fact that he cant play center. Sheesh.
VolBrave
February 25th, 2009
3:52 pm
Holy cow, people…Blanco DOES have options left
JayDM
February 25th, 2009
3:52 pm
Whoever our starting CF turns out to be I’m very much looking foward to this season. Pitching wins championships and we are very deep in that area.
Anders
February 25th, 2009
3:53 pm
Castillo 3 for 4 with 4 RBI’s in the lead off spot! Daniel Murphy 2 for 3 and a walk in the 3 hole. Ryan Church 2 for 3 and 3 RBI’s. Mets win 9-3. Jerry Manuel for manager of the year!
How’d you guys do?
Clint
February 25th, 2009
3:53 pm
Let’s see, play by play, Francoeur scratches his nuts and steps up to the plate
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
3:54 pm
lol-Clint
car3boogie
February 25th, 2009
3:55 pm
Clint is his butt jealous it didn’t get scratched
PTBNL
February 25th, 2009
3:55 pm
I am with you, Buffalo. It is like they have never gone through a ST before making all these comments about who should play where, who should make the team and who the Braves had “better get”. A guy has a good game and he is the savior. Funny, I am sure Lonnie Smith had good games, too! lol
N8, yes. I have been saying for a while now that if we had not made that Tex trade we could have had a very good possibility of having a starting pitching staff in about 3 years that would rival the ones of the 90’s. We have some others in the organization who are sleepers right now, just as Hanson was until last year. It still could get interesting in a few years, but I hate to think about that trade for Tex.
Fleming
February 25th, 2009
3:56 pm
Castillo and Murphy 4 ABs each Church 3 ABs. Looks like mutts played regulars going for the win.
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
3:56 pm
where do you see that VolBrave?
Original Jon
February 25th, 2009
3:57 pm
Anders Seriously man, lol, its game one of spring training, lol.
AL
February 25th, 2009
3:57 pm
Buffalo, the home run was 1 of about 4 or 5 good things he did today. I, myself, am not high on him just because of the homer.
ppaddy
February 25th, 2009
3:58 pm
$$$ will ohman………..Will ohman…………Will Ohman……….WILL OHMAN! $$$
The Braves need “The Dude”
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
3:58 pm
And who did the Mutts play today? Probably a team of AAA hopefuls. They played their regulars a lot if Murphy had 4 ABs and Church had 3
Anders
February 25th, 2009
3:59 pm
Fleming – Frenchy, Escobar, McCann – these are not Brave regulars?
brAves Sucios
February 25th, 2009
3:59 pm
Some exciting stuff, excited the season’s almost here. . . got to agree with the notion of starting Anderson in center and keeping Jordan and probably Hanson in AAA to start the year. We need to give Frenchy and the rotation we have going in a chance to lose their spots in the lineup, I would say after last season that there’s a very realistic chance we will see both Jordan and Josh playing in the outfield every day by season’s end. Not that I want Francouer to play poorly, but he seriously SUCKED last year, and his reaction to the whole thing didn’t display much maturity. Seemed a lot more like Andruw’s attitude the last few years than say, Jordan’s after last year’s suspension.
A lot of baseball left to play, I guess we’ll see how ti all plays out eventually.
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
3:59 pm
oops I swore, my apologies kids and nuns
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
4:00 pm
PTNBL
the very nature of talking spring training is to form opinions about who should make the team. Is this your first ST?
Fleming
February 25th, 2009
4:00 pm
Check the number of ABs for all but Frenchy
VolBrave
February 25th, 2009
4:02 pm
DOB put the list on here last week. Apparently he has a list of players with options left and Blanco is on the list.
ease19
February 25th, 2009
4:02 pm
Anders – Did KRod and Putz close it out for you guys?
SC Ace
February 25th, 2009
4:02 pm
Don’t forget Diaz also has valuable as the emergency catcher and would be a decent bat off the bench. I wonder if they’d consider keeping him along with BOTH Anderson and Schaeffer.
Then again… you got Norton and even Infante who can play in the OF. I’m guessing Jordan’s heading up I-85 barring injury.
mbatl
February 25th, 2009
4:02 pm
Don’t let Anders get your goat. He likes your goat, he wants your goat. Don’t let him have it.
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
4:03 pm
thanks VolBrave..
I stand corrected
PTBNL
February 25th, 2009
4:04 pm
David, have you had opportunity to talk much with Josh Anderson to get at the root of why he did not play winter ball this year? I would be interested to know what his reasons are. I don’t know if he would really express them. But if it was something like his mom was very sick and he needed to be with her … or something along the line of personal crisis, then it would not be something he would necessarily want to hide. I just would like to know why, from his perspective, he did not play.
2Parc
February 25th, 2009
4:04 pm
Anders does seem like he would like goats.
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
4:05 pm
Boy, once they signed Garret Anderson, and if Jordan and Josh continue to play well. Diaz is looking on the outs.
2Parc
February 25th, 2009
4:05 pm
Diaz is not going anywhere.
Fischerking04
February 25th, 2009
4:06 pm
It’s funny to see how excited everyone gets about this first game. I have been waiting for this since just after the All-Star break last year. New start and some new faces in camp.
I just think it’s funny that we have only just completed ONE SPRING TRAINING GAME and some people are ready to give J. Schafer the CF spot and send Frenchy packing.
I know that it’s exciting to see the players back on the field competing but try to temper the judgments for a few weeks seriously. hehe
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
4:07 pm
so you would think 2Parc, but….
bigchiefrg
February 25th, 2009
4:07 pm
Hey N8, I am totally with you on the Texeira deal but with Kotchman we also got Steve Marek. He was a RHed AA reliever that we moved to a started in Mississippi and apparently started playing well.
JPHunt
February 25th, 2009
4:07 pm
Nice mbatl, it seems like good logic…Mets fan = goat lover
bigchiefrg
February 25th, 2009
4:07 pm
sorry moved to a starter
AL
February 25th, 2009
4:08 pm
Also, I would thing talking about a position battle for a couple Braves players would be relevent on a Braves blog. Especially during a game where they are both playing.
I mean, you do realize this is a blog for the Atlanta Braves baseball team, right?
Just so you know, for future reference, on a blog for the Atlanta Braves, someone might talk about who they prefer play what position for the Atlanta Braves. I know, I know it’s crazy!
I tell you what though. One thing you can do if you don’t like a particular post…….hold on……wait for it……just scroll to the next post.
Did I mention this is a blog for the Atlanta Braves baseball team.
JayDM
February 25th, 2009
4:08 pm
Fischerking04,
I agree
Original Jon
February 25th, 2009
4:09 pm
Daniel, they are not going to lose Diaz just to start the clock on Schafer. If anything Schafer wont be brought up until July
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
4:09 pm
AL,
I understand that he hustled down the line and caused an error, he also made a strong throw to the plate, but didn’t get the runner…. a ball got by him for a triple…. he stole a base…. he made a good running catch in CF.
All of these things, some good… some bad….. are still just 1 game. I like the kid, I hope he does well, I was on the bandwagon last year in ST and wanted him to get the job last year out of ST.
However, I’m not jumping up and down because he hit a homer off of some dude that’s going to be bagging my groceries next week. Just like I’m not worrying that Jeff Francoeur will be outside pumping my gas anytime soon. It’s 1 game…..
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
4:10 pm
Thanks for your wisdom FischerKing. I guess no one here realized that it was the first ST game. And forming opinions and asking questions about a guys performance and potential for this team is such a ridiculous thing to do for a fan during spring training. man I am glad you and PTBL are here to keep us looneys straight
PTBNL
February 25th, 2009
4:10 pm
bigCheifrg, you are correct. We did get Merek out of the deal. And I agree with N8 that Kotchman will contribute to the team this year. But, as I infer from your post, even getting the two of them does not compare to what we gave up in the Tex trade.
Gibby
February 25th, 2009
4:10 pm
Anders even our lefties will get your boy Murphy out
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
4:11 pm
Anders, Frenchy, McCann had 2 ABs each. Not 4. Mets went for the win too. I bet Santana pitched 7 innings, too right. Putz in the 8th and KRod in the 9th all against AAA and AA competition. Let’s Go METS!!!!
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
4:11 pm
FischerKing – we were ready for the Frenchy out Schafer in long long ago, but we will give Jeff the benefit of the doubt until say Apr 30, cause there are several front office types with the same opinion (FWIW)
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
4:12 pm
AL I am with you 100%.
you are prob right OJ, but just the fact that the idea is somewhat credible is a big shift from two weeks ago
Mike in H-Town
February 25th, 2009
4:12 pm
Glad to hear Jordan Schafer did well. Hope that we dont do like The Astros did with Hunter Pence and keep him in the minors until he was a late 24 years old because he was blocked by someone else.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
4:13 pm
Well, first impressions weren’t scintillating for Lefty O’Flaherty (I just realized how natural that would sound) and non-roster lefty Juan Perez.
Francoeur made solid contact at least once, but I didn’t see every at-bat. Saw him ground out and line out.
Freeman impressive two-run knock, dude actually chokes up on the bat handle a bit, which you don’t see many at all do these days. Quite a good-looking hitter, that kid.
Big all-around day for Schafer, who showed his speed, pop and defensive skills, including a cannon of an arm.
Fleming
February 25th, 2009
4:13 pm
GetNathan: Frenchy had 4 ABs. No other regular got over2.
2Parc
February 25th, 2009
4:14 pm
Diaz will be on the opening day roster, and just might start against Cole Hamels in game 1 vs. Philly.
spotts
February 25th, 2009
4:14 pm
I’m pretty sure the pope isn’t supposed to be popular with the ladies
ease19
February 25th, 2009
4:14 pm
AL RE: 4:08pm post…What’s your point?
cabravesfan
February 25th, 2009
4:14 pm
Thanks again, Robert, for the play-by-play (and DOB also)- made the day pass a little faster:)
Anders
February 25th, 2009
4:16 pm
Ease 19 – Nah, we’re saving them for you guys.They need to work on getting those tough lefties out late in games.
Fischerking04
February 25th, 2009
4:17 pm
Daniel and dogsbrekky:
I understand and I don’t want to get into the whole will JF bounce back or is he going to continue to struggle discussion. And I never said that we shouldn’t talk about the game. I was simply stating that it’s funny to see how many people have a cut and dried opinion already. What if Frenchy goes 4 for 4 in the next game with 2 homers and stolen base and Schafer goes 0 for 4 with 3 K’s. I’m sure it would sound a lot different.
My point is that a lot of people are putting too much on this game. I didn’t say it was wrong or that I disagree with their assessment…just that it was funny.
Fleming
February 25th, 2009
4:17 pm
11 blog pages in 4 hours. Is that a new record.
PTBNL
February 25th, 2009
4:18 pm
2Parc, it will be interesting to see Kotch in the first game. He seems to really like Hamel’s pitching.
2Parc
February 25th, 2009
4:18 pm
Guess the Mets Blog is not good enough. Typical.
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
4:19 pm
I don’t get why ST games are already starting. The season is too long for this to start in Feb. There’s barely anything exciting about it, because you know that no matter how good Schafer or any of the other prospects do, Bobby has pretty much made his mind up who’ll be in the opening day lineup. Ya’ll need to chill with the excitment, big time! I mean it’s cool to see what the Braves future might look like, but I’m just thinking about ‘09 right now.
Fleming
February 25th, 2009
4:20 pm
Mets blog probably choked.
2Parc
February 25th, 2009
4:20 pm
I can’t wait to see all our guys vs. Hamels… should be a good first test.
2Parc
February 25th, 2009
4:21 pm
Fleming – nice.
AL
February 25th, 2009
4:22 pm
Buffalo, I’m not on any bandwagon and again I’m not jumping up and down because of one home run. I really like Josh as well and hope he makes the team. If it comes down between those 2 at the end of ST and Josh has clearly played better then Josh should make the team.
Someone asked me who I liked and I answered that right now I like Jordan because he had played a good game he has more power, etc.
You know who I want to play center? The best player we have for that position. Whether that’s Schafer, Anderson, Blanco, doesn’t matter to me.
Just talking baseball, which I think is allowed on a baseball blog.
VolBrave
February 25th, 2009
4:22 pm
OT
Is anyone watching the Accenture Match play? (I won’t play spoiler, DWW) but Roger Maltbie just interviewed Ogilvy after his round and dude is a CLOSE talker a la Elaine’s boyfriend. I bet the bill of his hat wasn’t 5 inches from Ogilvy’s…it made me feel awkward, I’m sure GO was prob thinking the same thing.
Anders
February 25th, 2009
4:22 pm
Gibby – buy a scorecard. Murphy is lefty.
Getnathan – maybe if your boys hit a little they would have gotten 3 AB’s each.
just listen
February 25th, 2009
4:23 pm
yep Mets blog choked and shut down after 140 games…i mean comments…
AL
February 25th, 2009
4:24 pm
TnBrian, I heard the games are starting a little early this year because of the WBC.
2Parc
February 25th, 2009
4:25 pm
Definitely not watching Accenture Match play.
ease19
February 25th, 2009
4:26 pm
Anders – I agree, our lefties (hitters) had a good day, 3 singles, a double and a homer…It was our other lefties (pitchers) that let us down. But now I am scared, you guys really performed in your first ST game. Now thats a joke…hahaha. We did leave Chipper at home however…
Pat
February 25th, 2009
4:29 pm
not sure if anyone mentioned it because there are a lot of comments but the Braves home opener for ST is thursday at Champion Stadium not Friday
Fleming
February 25th, 2009
4:29 pm
Now I know why the Mets choke. They play for real starting at the first spring game and when they reach 140 in the regular season they think the 162 game season is over and can’t play anymore.
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
4:29 pm
I didn’t see anything, but if Schafer continues this type of performance this spring, he’ll be the opening day CF against Cole Hamels.
I’m with u 2parc, Diaz will be hitting 6th against Cole Hamels on April 5th.
AL
February 25th, 2009
4:29 pm
eas19, good one!
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
4:30 pm
and G.A. ease19
McFann :Ô:
February 25th, 2009
4:30 pm
Well, the Bird’s nice and quiet now. Hey, lost 5 grams, too! Down to 96g…
Stinky we lost. Sounds like JS did good, though. And am I right in thinking my mann got the first RBI of the Spring?
BrandonC
February 25th, 2009
4:32 pm
I hope tomorrow’s televised game has Schafer, Heyward and Freeman in the lineup to go with Hanson. These are the 4 guys I want to see play more than anyone. I can’t wait for tomorrow…
Dr Henry
February 25th, 2009
4:32 pm
I remember another trade with the Tigers in 88….Doyle Alexander for a young John Smoltz…Actually Alexander pitched very well for the Tigers that year keeping them in contention until Oct….I expect Edgar to have a good yr. in 09 though….For whatever reason he can’t hit American League pitching
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
4:32 pm
Anders, man, you are such a loser! Nobody cares about Murphy, NOBODY! Honestly, outside of Queens,NY, hardly anybody cares about the Mutts. But you’re trying, I’ll give you that.
Mizzou Guru
February 25th, 2009
4:33 pm
O’Brien, Blanco had over 400 ABs last year and the opposition had the opportunity to develop a book on his hitting and weaknesses as a hitter. Anderson has played in small pieces of seasons the last two years at the MLB level. I would suggest that he hasn’t been up for a long enough period for the opposition to do this. Look how long it took for pitchers to stop throwing strikes to Frenchy when he was a rookie.
I think OB% is 4 times more important than stealing proficiency for these two.
I am not predicting that Blanco will win the job – Anderson is out of options and that plays into it – and for this reason he may very well win the job. But I think Blanco may be further along in his development and may be a better solution over the course of the season.
The guy that invented the game of basketball had a losing record at KU. That is a sad commentary on that weak institution.
Daniel
February 25th, 2009
4:33 pm
well guys good chatting. Can’t wait for tomorrows game
MiamiBrave
February 25th, 2009
4:35 pm
ST evaluate talent guys
not W’s-L’s
pretty fair to jump allover O’Flaherty with Ohman unsigned, that’s gonna keep happenin until he puts on a good showing
eltrompo
February 25th, 2009
4:35 pm
I almost forgot about the game being televised on ESPN tomorrow! My day is saved!
Fleming
February 25th, 2009
4:36 pm
I’m kind of worried here. Just got out of the hospital for heart problems and wifey feeding me icecream floats and ham. Should I check for recent insurance policies
Fleming
February 25th, 2009
4:37 pm
gotta go.
ppaddy
February 25th, 2009
4:38 pm
WILL OHMAN!…….WILL OHMAN!…….WILL OHMAN!
c’mon everybody! Chant along with me. WILL OHMAN!……WILL OHMAN!…..WILL OHMAN!
Goldenglove002
February 25th, 2009
4:38 pm
My knowledge on Schafer isn’t great, but if continues to play well like he did today would he be a possible leadoff option? My guess that is he probably isn’t, so who would the braves put there if Schafer way outplays Anderson.
Or is an option to send Diaz down and have Schafer play in a LF platoon?
steve_97060
February 25th, 2009
4:39 pm
Anders,
why do you spend so much time here, why don’t you go over to your Mets blog… or go talk smack to the fans on the Phillies blog, I’m sure they’d love to talk to a Mets fan..
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
4:40 pm
Al,
Apparently you didn’t understand my original post….. I said that EVERYONE not AL needs to temper their enthusiasm a bit. My original post wasn’t directed at you, although it seems like it struck quite a nerve with you.
Goldenglove002
February 25th, 2009
4:41 pm
Hell, the money is probably still there for Ohman. I’d hate to see him playing well for the Marlins and we get nothing out of the current lefty relievers (whom neither have put together impressive seasons in the past)
Anders
February 25th, 2009
4:42 pm
Guys, lighten up. It’s one game in ST. I was having some fun. Relax.
Take a lesson from Ease 19. He just goes with it and tries to have some fun.
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
4:43 pm
ppaddy – Easy on the Ohman chants. We haven’t seen Logan yet.
Anders – I guess Mets are going to win the World Series now based on what they did today. Typical Mets fan jumping the gun. COngratulations!!!!
Braves young players show a lot of promise from what I am reading on this blog. Heyward’s arm, Freeman 2 run single, schafer’s SBs, and play in CF. Hanson tomorrow people!!!! I wish I could see it.
MinnesotaJacket
February 25th, 2009
4:43 pm
I agree with tempering the highs and lows but only iwth one exception though Jordan hit a homer of an A league player…Frenchy couldn’t even get a hit of him….you can look at that either way though
Anders
February 25th, 2009
4:45 pm
Steve -97060 How long are you in for?
AL
February 25th, 2009
4:45 pm
Buffalo, it’s all good.
AL
February 25th, 2009
4:47 pm
Cleveland and San Fran playing on MLB Network.
winterville
February 25th, 2009
4:47 pm
The guy who Schafer hit the HR off of was in the bigs last year. He threw 26.2 innings. Not an A ball pitcher.
mbatl
February 25th, 2009
4:48 pm
Not that it matters, but the guy Schafer hit his HR off of, Bonine, is not a class A pitcher; he’s worked his way through the minor-league system, and pitched about 25 innings for the Tigers last year. (and again, it really doesn’t matter… just hate to see mis-info repeated over and over)
mbatl
February 25th, 2009
4:48 pm
winterville, beat me to it…
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
4:49 pm
Winterville and MBATL,
Sorry for the exaggeration. I don’t exactly have a grand database to use for player infor here at work.
MinnesotaJacket
February 25th, 2009
4:51 pm
So who sais Hanson goes 2 innings with 2 K’s no hits tomorrow?
winterville
February 25th, 2009
4:51 pm
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
No big deal, I just remember his name from last year with all the struggles the Tigers bully had.
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
4:53 pm
MInnesota Jacket – are we going to be down on Hanson if he gives 5 runs and 6 hits?
ppaddy
February 25th, 2009
4:53 pm
“The Dude” wanted to sign with the Braves from the start. He’s still out there and he won’t cost the Braves very much. All things considered, if he signs for $1-2 MM, (with the Marlins, for crying out loud) it would be a crime! OHMAN!……OHMAN!……OHMAN!
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
4:54 pm
getnathan – ESPN is showing HANSON (SMOLTZ 2) tomorrow at 1pm
MinnesotaJacket
February 25th, 2009
4:59 pm
I don’t think that will happen with him at the moment…but if he gives up a few hits… I mean look at Jurjens today so not uncommon in ST
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
4:59 pm
Anders – how did my boy Murphy do 2day for the “mucils”, kid has an Irish kind of pizazz to him
getnathan
February 25th, 2009
5:00 pm
I’m stuck at work dogsbrekky
I’ll depend on you guys to tell me how he’s doing.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
5:01 pm
By the way, also in that BA Top 100 prospects list, Schafer is No. 42, Gorkys Hernandez is No. 62, and Freddie Freeman is No. 87.
And Elvis Andrus, another prospect they dealt in the Teixeira trade, is No. 37, and former Braves catching prospect Max Ramirez, also now with Texas after being with Cleveland, is No. 84.
So that’s five current Braves prospects, and three former Braves prospects, in the top 100.
Anders
February 25th, 2009
5:01 pm
dogsbrekky – I have no idea. Let me know if you see anything.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
5:02 pm
I’m just waiting till the first week of June when Gwinnett is up here in NY for a series. Hoping to get Schafer, Hanson, and maybe Heyward and Freeman (if they are up) to sign some things.
I only go to 1 minor league series every year and it’s when Gwinnett is in Rochester up here.
I was happy I got to see the big team in Toronto last year as well, I hope they play around here more often.
mikey
February 25th, 2009
5:02 pm
bigchiefrg – I think you confused marek with medlen. Marek was a starter before we got him in the Tex trade, then last was his first year relieving, though that was LA’s decision, not Atlantas, they just left him in the pen. Medlen spent his Braves career in the bullpen until last year when they made him a starter
mbatl
February 25th, 2009
5:03 pm
“So who sais Hanson goes 2 innings with 2 K’s no hits tomorrow?”
I’d bet on 4 K’s in 2 innings. ‘Course he might get no one out, and it really makes little difference anyway at this point, but I bet he dominates.
NotForMe
February 25th, 2009
5:04 pm
kurt..i almost punched a friend of 20 years (big soccer fan who hates baseball) who didnt get it. totally agree CHOPSHOP
oooh little fellers got a temper don’t he? So far two posts make you sound like a real azz. Gonna be a long posting season for you when others pick up on how easily riled you are. I can hardly wait.
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
5:04 pm
Buffalo Braves – god It is almost worth me driving to that hellhole from NY to see our boys…… Rochester though , do we drive to hell and take a leftie ??
Anders
February 25th, 2009
5:05 pm
Buffalo NY Braves fan – Just occurred to me. You can be my Mets AAA eyes now that they’re coming to your town.
Roswell Ed
February 25th, 2009
5:05 pm
t
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
5:06 pm
DOB,
Here’s a question that you probably haven’t heard in a while. What is the Braves opinion of Cody Johnson? He seemed to put up good power numbers with Freeman and Heyward last season. Why has he not moved up the ladder at all? Injuries? Poor attitude?
NotForMe
February 25th, 2009
5:06 pm
v
VP
February 25th, 2009
5:07 pm
DOB,
I am not trying to be a pain in your ass but is there no way for all the comments to appear in one page? That way it’s easy to see who replied to whom and all that sort.
I think it’s about time the tech gurus at AJC gave you your own website. Too bad the limits of AJC are limiting your blog.
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
5:08 pm
I am forming the “I CANNOT STAND TEX fan club here in NY”
We have tickets for 16 Yankees games and we will commence with a VOODOO pinning of his left and right appendages..
we gave up Andrus and Neftali for that punce and 2-3 others, really, was Hoemboy doing smack at the time
MY betting line for Yankees DL
AJ Burned Out June 15
CC pitched too many inns Aug 1
Tex – selfish bad karma, Jul 1
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
5:08 pm
dogsbrekky,
Rochester is about an hour east of Buffalo. So, yes….. Or avoid it altogether and come through Pittsburgh (much better scenery)
Anders,
New Orleans doesn’t play in the IL, unless the Mets changed their AAA team lately?
Nick from PA
February 25th, 2009
5:09 pm
DOB,
A couple things: If Schafer has an unbelievable spring, could Frenchie be in trouble?
Also, any chance Will Ohman comes back into the mix?
tr
February 25th, 2009
5:10 pm
TnBrian
They started earlier because of the WBC games.
Bryan
February 25th, 2009
5:11 pm
If you want the blog back the way it was – email the newspaper OR/AND email the sponsors at the top of the page – i am sure AT&T would love to hear how unsatisfied the bloggers are with the layout – NOT THe CONTeNT!
Anders
February 25th, 2009
5:14 pm
Buffalo – The Mets AAA is in Buffalo now.
cvbraves
February 25th, 2009
5:14 pm
DOB: Noticed in blog above, you sat Cox said Chipper will play “Friday” in home opener. Do you mean “Thursday” at home or Friday in Bradenton?
Ian Curtis
February 25th, 2009
5:14 pm
Don’t forget about Tyler Flowers, DOB. He’s #99.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
5:17 pm
Anders, nice to know. I’m actually in Rochester. I use the Buffalo because no one knows where Rochester NY is haha.
Chop Chop
February 25th, 2009
5:19 pm
My money’s on this headline:
“Hanson Leaves Game With Minor Injury; Fate of Bloggers Unknown”
Lew
February 25th, 2009
5:20 pm
It’s definitely early and the games was basically meaningless. However, it seems like Schafer is proving me correct in what I’ve been saying since I saw him last Spring-The Kid can run and play some Defense. If he can hit ML pitching, he’ll be one hell of a good player.
Josh B
February 25th, 2009
5:21 pm
Nick from PA,
I really hope so because we can’t wait all season for Frenchy to improve, but I atleast expect to see him by July.
Robert
February 25th, 2009
5:23 pm
I am so sick of Frank Wren and company saying we don’t need Ohman, they are just being cheap
Original Jon
February 25th, 2009
5:23 pm
Chop Chop That is a stupid thing to put your money on, dont you think?
DCBrave
February 25th, 2009
5:26 pm
Robert-
Thanks for the play by play. Do you have to go back to college/classes tomorrow?
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
5:26 pm
WBC games are silly and rediculous! It won’t last, I don’t think. Just wait until a Chipper or Wright gets hurt in one of those things and are out for half the year. It’ll stop then. By the way, McCann needs his butt in camp working with Vazquez,Kawakami,Logan, etc. I figure he’s caught enough of Hudson to have an idea with Lowe.
Oh, and stop with the Ohman chants because he had his chance months ago to resign. I’m sure that was more than what he’ll get now. Besides, I read where the Marlins have a good chance at signing him.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
5:27 pm
I know I’m taking lunch tomorrow when Hanson takes the mound.
SP
February 25th, 2009
5:27 pm
Couple other interesting notes on the BA Top 100:
The 5 Braves in the top 100 was tied with the Rays for 4th most of any organization behind A’s/Rangers (7) and Marlins (6). But by original organization, Braves were tops with 8 in the top 100. I also noticed Tyler Flowers came in at #99 so in addition to the 8 DOB mentioned above that would seem to make 9. Not sure how they figure it but it says an awful lot about our drafting.
There were also some interesting questions posed in the Top 100 chat with John Manuel and Jim Callis. Highlights among the answers: Hanson has a true ace ceiling, Rohrbough projects as a solid #2 or #3, Heyward can be a franchise player, and Schafer’s suspension did not directly affect his rating (though the missed time and slow start may have). No real surprises there but there was a very interesting question asking if the Tex trade never happened would the Braves have the deepest farm system in recent memory and Manuel’s answer confirms it would have to be one of the best ever.
Chop Chop
February 25th, 2009
5:27 pm
I don’t, Original Jon.
It’s all in the eye of the beerholder.
Original Jon
February 25th, 2009
5:32 pm
Beerholder, i like that one.
Tripleplay
February 25th, 2009
5:33 pm
Buffalo,
Cool to see another upstate NY Braves fan on here, don’t see many fans near me. I am about an hour south of you.
mbatl
February 25th, 2009
5:36 pm
“I also noticed Tyler Flowers came in at #99 so in addition to the 8 DOB mentioned above that would seem to make 9″
SP, Braves didn’t draft Gorkys, so if you’re counting top 100 drafted by the Braves, he wouldn’t be in the mix. That’s why it’s 8, not 9.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
5:37 pm
SP,
Not sure if he was included in the group that DOB listed or not. Gorky Hernandez was acquired via trade, so if you go by original organization he would have to go back to the Tigers, same with Maybin from the Marlins who you mentioned had 6.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
5:38 pm
Tripleplay,
Where abouts? Elmira? Geneseo?
richbrave
February 25th, 2009
5:39 pm
lET THE LOSING BEGIN. omg, THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING. oUR HEROES TAKE IT ON THE CHIN FROM THE PUNCHLESS tigers. tHIS SETS THE TONE FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON. wE MAY AS WELL MAIL IT IN. wE’RE DOOMED TO FIGHT WITH THE nATIONALS AGAIN FOR LAST PLACE.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
5:41 pm
Richbrave,
did you save that just for unlucky “page” 13? It fits so well……
Anyone care that A-Roid homered today in ST? Think he’s still on the Juice because of it? haha…..
richbrave
February 25th, 2009
5:42 pm
Nope. Beautiful downtown CLARANCE. Oops. Careful there.
YoungBuck
February 25th, 2009
5:44 pm
DOB, do you think that the Braves are mor likely to start the season will a 12 man pitching staff or an 11?
richbrave
February 25th, 2009
5:51 pm
12 -12. They’ve got mound unknowns coming out of their ears.
President of Matt Diaz Fan Club
February 25th, 2009
5:53 pm
This is probably way off subject – but has anyone else been less then impressed regarding the photography coming out of spring training from the AJC and to be fair: MLB.com? And I’m simply referring to the lack of quantity, and in some cases quality. You’d think Braves camp (dark-star or whatever you guys are calling it) would be over-saturated with pictures, especially online. Instead, its just the opposite: why?
Chop Chop
February 25th, 2009
5:53 pm
I think A-Rod’s on the juice because he’s a lying SOB.
richbrave
February 25th, 2009
5:54 pm
Everytime I see GENESEO I think of CREAM ALE. KILLA’
Tripleplay
February 25th, 2009
5:54 pm
Corning/Bath area
Tripleplay
February 25th, 2009
5:55 pm
Richbrave..Cream Ale almost killed me in the 80’s. Can’t believe I survived drinking that stuff!
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 25th, 2009
5:56 pm
Tripleplay,
I have a friend from college who lives out that way…. yankee fan though *pukes*.
richbrave,
You need to try some canadian beer if you think cream ale is good haha.
richbrave
February 25th, 2009
5:57 pm
Does anyone else dispise this format? Trying to read and follow a thread-line is a killer. Where’s that GENESEE CREAM ALE. I got a head-ache.
richbrave
February 25th, 2009
6:02 pm
BUFFALO by any other name thy name is ROCHESTER(no JACK BENNY jokes please):
I’ve had plenty of LaBATTS BLUE. Not exactly sure the spelling is correct. Does that count? Loved a lass from ROCHESTER in my heyday. SWEET.!!!! Used to be some beauties in that town both inside and out.
Anders
February 25th, 2009
6:02 pm
Richbrave- Like I said this morning it’s liking blogging in a phone book.
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
6:10 pm
I wish baseball was starting tonight because I’m getting a little sick and tired of the media claiming a certain someone is the new masia…please!
President of Matt Diaz Fan Club
February 25th, 2009
6:18 pm
According to the Orlando Business Journal:
“Central Florida’s unemployment rate rose to 7.7 percent in December, the highest level since August 1992 when the state and nation where going through another recession, according to statistics released Jan. 23 by Workforce Central Florida.” [I believe] Central Florida includes Orlando. So, why the heck isn’t there a decent photographer taking pictures of our beloved Braves? You’d think this would be one place someone with an inkling of talent could GET A JOB! The AJC and MLB either need to publish more photographs (that for whatever reason) aren’t being developed or they need to fire the guy/gal who’s been slated to take these pictures. If it’s the latter, whoever is employed to take pictures of the Braves is a sleep at the wheel! Or, sadly, the lack of pictures being published may just be some quasi effect of the recession economy. I’m just frustrated to be getting these crumbs they call spring-training pictures.
Original Jon
February 25th, 2009
6:18 pm
TnBrian What is a masia?
Lew
February 25th, 2009
6:19 pm
TnBrian-Masia? Take phonics, did we?
ease19
February 25th, 2009
6:20 pm
Original Jon – I think he meant messiah…
ease19
February 25th, 2009
6:21 pm
Oh god, my first smiley
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
6:22 pm
Original Jon, a savior from the heavens would be how I would define it. Might not be 100% correct on the definition, but it’s close enough.
Example: Some think Cal Ripken, Jr. is the masia of MLB.
Tomas
February 25th, 2009
6:22 pm
DOB, how good an arm would you say Schafer, and Heyward have comparing it to Frenchy’s? Or is it not comparable yet?
One thing Josh Anderson lacks off defensively, is a good arm. He has a lot of range, but a Juan Pierre type arm judging by the few throws he made last year.
Original Jon
February 25th, 2009
6:22 pm
Ahhhhh, ok, lol, that makes more sense. I was thinking, Man, is there some new lingo i dont know about yet? I was worried for a second there. lol
President of Matt Diaz Fan Club
February 25th, 2009
6:24 pm
TnBrian – You know that the little red/scraggly line, located underneath your typed word(s) denotes that your syntax is incorrect, at least according to this software’s spellchecker program?!?!
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
6:25 pm
Lew, sorry we all can’t be a spelling genius like you. Aren’t you the one from Vermont? Wow, must have a lot of time to kill doing you’re blog overview in such a BORING state.
MattyRoss
February 25th, 2009
6:30 pm
TNBrian – You’re comback realy got him there. Your the smartest guy on the blog.
GT
February 25th, 2009
6:31 pm
Lets temper the notion that 5 players on the BA Prospectus means we’re stacked for the future. I’m as excited as anyone about some of the players in our pipeline. But please don’t confuse this prospect list with being assured our future lineup will be the 2012 All Star team.
Its irrelevant how many former Braves are on this list. If they’re not in the organization now, they’re not going to help us in the future.
The Braves have 5 current players on tihs list. The average per major league club should be 3. I think its great that the Braves have two player more than the average, but that doesn’t really mean we have 2/3 more talent waiting in the wings than your average club; it means this publication decided to list 2 more players from the Braves farm on this peice of paper than their next best alternatives. Its not like the Braves organization composes 20% of this list.
I haven’t seen the list, but I wonder how other organizations stack up.
Just injecting a little more realism here, from down here on Earth.
And please don’t turn on Hanson the first time he gets knocked around – be it in tomorrow’s exhibition, or in a game that matters. It will happen at some point. The way some people speak of him on this forum, anything less than a 300-0 career for him will be a disappointment.
I’m as hopeful about his future as anybody. But he has yet to throw a pitch in major leagues. So lets cool the smack and hype about his position on some list, and enjoy watching him progress his way into the rotation (and hopefully to the top of it) over the next couple years.
ease19
February 25th, 2009
6:32 pm
Masia is a spanish farmhouse and actually, “Yes, ” I did look it up. I was curious.
Chop Chop
February 25th, 2009
6:33 pm
Hansen is are masia.
Print it.
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
6:33 pm
MattyRoss, I’ll admit that I’m not the best at this internet fighting crap. I’m more of a face to face fighter. I think I can get my point across a little better that way.
BravesFanChris24
February 25th, 2009
6:34 pm
Saw the results, didn’t look that bad at all. It’s only spring training, no need to throw in the towel yet -_-
Glad to see Schafer apparently has a nice arm. I hope he’s playing tomorrow’s game. I’m gonna be DVR’ing it.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
6:36 pm
Ian Curtis, I overlooked Tyler on the list, and they only traded him this winter. So that’d be nine current or former Braves prospects in the top 100. Wow. That’s pretty impressive.
CVBRAVES: just a typo on Chipper. He’ll play tomorrow in the home opener, barring something unforseen.
OK, time to take a sunset ride back to Orlando. Actually, sun’s about gone completely. But it’ll be nice anyway.
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
6:36 pm
I have a feeling that the misspelling of the word “masia” wasn’t the only thing that got some of you mad. My 6:10 post might aggravate some as I can tell.
keylargo
February 25th, 2009
6:40 pm
A. Jones – 0 for 2 with two strikeouts and 3 men LOB.
pryguy
February 25th, 2009
6:41 pm
Feels good to have the young guys battling and seeing Jordan play real well. Not a bad thing to have competition within our outfield, that’s for sure. Also not a bad thing there is so much depth within the pitching staff and outfield. Things have seemed to work itself out at the end of this offseason. I’m really liking what the Braves have assembled….not much different from any year of getting ready for Braves baseball. Well done Frank, Bobby etc….
Anders
February 25th, 2009
6:44 pm
TnBrian – masia, messiah – Doesn’t matter. David Wright answers to either one.
President of Matt Diaz Fan Club
February 25th, 2009
6:44 pm
Hey guys – the only person with the “messiah” complex is DOB. Have you read his Blog protocol: “We talk Braves, baseball in general, other sports, music, movies, BBQ and whatever else (except politics). “ First off, how does he define politics? I know its cliché and boring, but the word “political” is ALSO defined, along with its common meaning: the science or art of political government, AS: the science or art of political government.
Moreover, if your usage of the word “political” is in the vernacular common to people who work in a professional environment for a living, you know that it is all to common to refer to a [power-play] or a boss/ a coworkers [actions] as quote on quote “political”. My point, we have been discussing politics on this blog since its very inception because DOB threads dictate that we do. Think about it – what is going on in the front office i.e. Wren’s drama, Liberty Media, etc is very much political. I feel better now!
President of Matt Diaz Fan Club
February 25th, 2009
6:47 pm
I know this is becoming confusing, but this is the definition I was getting at: use of intrigue or strategy in obtaining any position of power or control, as in business, university, etc.
Bay Area Steve
February 25th, 2009
6:48 pm
Hansen is are masia. Print It.
Chop Chop, well done, sir. Bubdylanesque.
Anders
February 25th, 2009
6:48 pm
Where’s Lee Harvey Oswald when we need him?
President of Matt Diaz Fan Club
February 25th, 2009
6:53 pm
“I don’t know why you are treating me like this. The only thing I have done is carry a pistol into a movie.”
~ Lee Harvey Oswald
ugacpa02
February 25th, 2009
6:54 pm
GT – First off, not surprising a tech guy doesn’t understand rankings. First you want to have alot of guys on it and even more important you want to be near the top. So the braves have 2 of the top 5 players, meaning baseball america does think they are going to become stars. Also the Braves have 3 more on the list, as you said, enough to be an average collection of talent by themselves.
I guess I understand why a GT guy might not get it. This list is like recruiting rankings. Yes it may not mean the team with the most listed players or those with the highest rankings will ultimately dominate the game. However, it’s obvious to anyone with a brain that having 2 of the top 5 is better than not having them. Having 5 of the top 100 is better than not having them.
As to why it matters that many others on the list are ex Braves, it’s because it shows we have a good organization at drafting and developing minor league players. We had stagnated for awhile in the late 90s but we’re back with a vengance.
cityofdecatur
February 25th, 2009
6:55 pm
Buffalobrave when you come to Atlanta from Rochester. The only way to describe the location is 58 miles se of Toronto across lake Ontario Never mention NY or Buffalo to southerners they scrunch up there nose and forehead. Can’t help them selves I hear the Red wings are affiliated with Twins now. Still have my knot hole card stashed somewhere. Haven’t seen the new park. I went to the old one on Norton Street many a time. Fact when i was in grade school (Eisenhower was the pres) Openning day tickets were an excuse to miss school. Ah the days of Leave it to Beaver. Enjoy the f….in. snow No shovelling for 35 years thanks for the flashback.
BravesFanChris24
February 25th, 2009
6:57 pm
DOB
Do you know the bullpen lineup for tomorrow’s game?
President of Matt Diaz Fan Club
February 25th, 2009
6:58 pm
I’m going to be taboo here: I wonder if the recession economy + increased spending by the Braves will work? I hope this isn’t too “political”?
tr
February 25th, 2009
7:00 pm
TnBrian
It’s all cool. I understood and was not offended. And I completely agree about the WBC. Except maybe for the occasional Moylan, what’s the point?
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
7:03 pm
Anders, well, he is good, but not the MESSIAH. I’m not sure who gets on my nerves more, you or Lew. Man, that guy is either very arogant or just doesn’t like the name Brian, because this isn’t the first time he’s chimed in and bashed my posts. Oh well, he’s a Bravos fan, so he does have more baseball sense than you Mutt fans. You’re alright though Anders…sometimes.
cityofdecatur
February 25th, 2009
7:03 pm
Did you just mention Genesse Cream Ale. Flashback complete . Senior day at Kroger gonna go save some money! enjoyed the first day of the new year.
Chop Chop
February 25th, 2009
7:06 pm
Oh, that wacky A-Rod…
But Rodriguez’s home run was overshadowed by his departure. The New York Post spotted him being picked up in a burgundy SUV by Yuri Sucart, the cousin who has been identified as the person Rodriguez claimed had injected him with “boli,” the street name for the steroid Primobolan, over a three-year period from 2001-03. Sucart has not spoken with reporters since he was named in connection with Rodriguez’s steroid use.
It was a brazen act, under the circumstances, for Rodriguez, who is still waiting to be questioned by Major League Baseball investigators in connection with his steroid use. That interview could take place any day.
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
7:07 pm
If O’Brien reads my post from earlier, he’ll more than likely sit me in the corner, so I’ll shutup in the name of Braves talk.
18 Wheels of Love
February 25th, 2009
7:08 pm
I think that tattoo DOB mentioned on Schafer about scars, might say “Chicks dig scars”.
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
7:26 pm
18 Wheels Of Love, yeah, but they don’t dig arrogance. Schafer apparantly has cooled off on the “I’M SO AWESOME” attitude he had this time a year ago, so I’ll assume he got that tattoo awhile ago….if that’s what it says.
ease19
February 25th, 2009
7:27 pm
President – I think that politics is left off the menu because whether you lean right or lean left has no relevance on whether you are a Braves fan or a Mets fan (which I think is a mental disorder). This is generally, yes, generally a baseball blog and I just don’t think that someone’s political view should be aired out on this particular blog.
TnBrian – I was not offended either, I just wanted to know what the word meant…Obviously everyone knew you were talking about David Wright…Ha another joke on Anders!
And for those who like to bash Anders…just picture him like the poor kid down the street who likes to come over to your house and play because you have all the nice toys.
Bubdylan
February 25th, 2009
7:33 pm
“Hansen is are masia.
Print it.” -Chop Chop
Laughed out loud. Really nice.
pepe le pu
February 25th, 2009
7:46 pm
OHMANNNNNNNNNNN OHMANNNNNNNNNNNN OHMANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN GOD pleaseee enlighten FRANK “signing joke” WRENNNNN to pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee get WILLYYYYYYYYY back on the freeekinggg rosterrrrrrrrrrrr I BEGGGGGGGGGGGGG youuuuuuuuuuuuu please DOBB Call Ohman and tell him we are begging him to come back home! And call Wren as well and tell him what u are hearing here in the BLOG!!! }}
World Peace is only possible if WILLLLLLLLLLL OHMANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNn OHMAN THE MAN! signs with DA BRAVOS!
18 Wheels of Love
February 25th, 2009
7:47 pm
I was kidding about the chicks dig scars…it doesnt say that.
But you know what, if I had abs like Schafer, I’d be telling you all about them every day and posting links to my website showing them off.
Bryan
February 25th, 2009
7:52 pm
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1881350-1,00.html
Damn good article
ease19
February 25th, 2009
7:54 pm
pepe – was that really necessary? seriously?
spotts
February 25th, 2009
8:00 pm
yea pepe….you really kinda screwed page 14 of the blog
Couch Tater
February 25th, 2009
8:00 pm
Chop Chop
Boggling the boy in the burgandy barge would brazenly “boli” the buttocks of that blowhard.
Ba da bing, ba da boom.
Lew
February 25th, 2009
8:22 pm
TnBrian-Mad because you mispelled something? Dude, you are entirely too thin skinned. We were joking with you. Don’t get your jockies in a bunch. As for Vermont-yes, the peace and solitude leaves me plenty of time to do my job-painting pictures, or look out the back door at the deer and wild turkeys. Everyone should be lucky enough to live here like I do.
Moby Grape
February 25th, 2009
8:24 pm
didn’t see anything, but if Schafer continues this type of performance this spring, he’ll be the opening day CF against Cole Hamel —GETNATHAN
I doubt that very seriously, even if he makes the squad which I also doubt..but somewhat less seriously. Gee am I serious or what?
But I’m willing to bet that he won’t start the first game against Cole.
tr
February 25th, 2009
8:24 pm
Bryan
Wow. I get the feeling that it won’t be long before we find out who the juicers were – when they start dropping like flies, dying from all sorts of hideous cancers!
Cherokee
February 25th, 2009
8:33 pm
NOLIE-from last night. Good question. Chipper might be lucky to hit .280 this season after being 25 and 50 points over his career average the last two seasons. What goes up must come down. Probably everybody else is thinking ..340 this season.
bravesfan54
February 25th, 2009
8:36 pm
Steve 97060 – We like Anders. Leave it be.
18 Wheels of Love
February 25th, 2009
8:40 pm
How about my Gamecocks beating UK 28???
Major block party!
18 Wheels of Love
February 25th, 2009
8:42 pm
16 blocks. Patrick Patterson looks like a AAU player tonight. Unreal.
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
8:53 pm
Had a great Italiano dinner tonight in NYC, I’m looking good though
(or so all the old ducks in NY tell me)
Tommy Hanson t’row………. Schafer will rock again
“PARTY on WAYNE”
President of Matt Diaz Fan Club
February 25th, 2009
8:58 pm
dogsbrekky – where did u eat?
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
8:59 pm
BASSO 56′
Italiano between 8th and Broadway
I like everything though
President of Matt Diaz Fan Club
February 25th, 2009
9:01 pm
Never been, but it sounds great. I love NYC.
President of Matt Diaz Fan Club
February 25th, 2009
9:07 pm
Random question – but does anyone know what ever happened to Mark Wohlers? Also, have you all seen East Bound and Down? hilarious! More importantly – has Rocker seen it?
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
9:11 pm
Wohlers had or has an anxiety disorder and sort of disappeared a long time ago, nice man, and I hope he is doing well… just no sliders.. EVER
spotts
February 25th, 2009
9:11 pm
ouch….I’m sure it’s been mentioned but I just saw that GA made $12.6 million last year. Quite a paycut
Couch Tater
February 25th, 2009
9:20 pm
Bryan @ 7:52
Thanks for the link. You may want to read this one if you haven’t.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/magazine/03/11/steroids1/
Jarryd
February 25th, 2009
9:32 pm
Awesome article Bryan. Thanks for the link.
Bubdylan
February 25th, 2009
9:49 pm
Hello?
Couch Tater
February 25th, 2009
9:54 pm
Bub,
It’s the dude at the top of the page that keeps staring and smiling. Scaring people off.
Jarryd
February 25th, 2009
9:59 pm
is this thing on?
Bryan
February 25th, 2009
9:59 pm
Thanks, that’s a good article – though i think it drifts into hyperbole just a bit. It describes as some kind of freekish circus show . . . but thats not how i remember it . . . i think the Sosa/McGuire/Bonds home run chase was a gross spectacle – but how many championships did those dudes win. Ok, this article is a joke – but this guy, this scrawny, scrappy dude has something those roidin bombers don’t . . . a championship.
http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/turns_out_craig_counsell
Bryan
February 25th, 2009
10:01 pm
. . . i meant to say . . . describes baseball as . . .
Bryan
February 25th, 2009
10:02 pm
i meant to say . . . it describes baseball as . . . sorry
Bubdylan
February 25th, 2009
10:10 pm
Couch Tater, I never thought it was a scary picture till the blog got all quiet and strange-feeling… then I scrolled up and really looked and, yeah… that bartender from The Shining is definitely serving DOB some swanky drinks…
Bubdylan
February 25th, 2009
10:22 pm
Bryan, good stuff. That Bob Uecker “quote” was hilarious.
Jarryd
February 25th, 2009
10:23 pm
DOB, ever listen to any Tab Benoit? Great blues from ’round LA way.
Bubdylan
February 25th, 2009
10:25 pm
Okay, apparently we’ve had an alien attack and Jarryd, Bryan and I are the only dudes left to populate the Earth. I’m headin’ over the Jane Austen blog to see what gals are left….
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
10:28 pm
We’ve got nothing to fear
In the end the rain comes down
In the end the rain comes down
Washes clean the streets of the
“BLUE SKY MINE”…………
Danga
February 25th, 2009
10:31 pm
Oh man I am cracking up over here…First that onion article and then that Jane Austen post. Funny stuff.
18 Wheels of Love
February 25th, 2009
10:36 pm
Washes clean the streets of the blue sky town.
Love the harmonica on that one.
Here are two of my fav’s:
Dreamworld
Sign says honeymoon to rent
Cloudland into dreamland turns
The sun comes up and we all learn
Those wheels must turn
TIn Legs and Tin Mines
Cry in the hope that there’ll be tomorrow
Waiting around there must be a time
Time to start thinking and working it out
Come with me now, with me now, we’ll be laughing
Who’s running the world today
I’m gonna wait till they knock on my door
I’m gonna wait till they dig up the floor boards
Poland in Disneyland, wet dream control
Super computer, the new contraband
I’m gonna wait, we must make a stand
come with me now, stand with me now one more time
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
10:39 pm
18 Wheels – yeah that prick company killed my old (Mesothelioma)
………… Great Aussie song but !
dogsbrekky
February 25th, 2009
10:40 pm
sorry meant they killed my old man (dad)
tumbleweed
February 25th, 2009
10:42 pm
Enter your comments here
Wayne in Utah
February 25th, 2009
10:46 pm
Are they ever going to fix this “page” thing??
Bubdylan
February 25th, 2009
10:47 pm
Wayne in Utah, I fear the page thing IS the fix.
dogsbrekky, sorry to hear that sad fact.
18 Wheels of Love
February 25th, 2009
10:49 pm
I’m sorry about that. For years I had no idea that was what the song was about (Dreamland) until I read up on it. That’s why I like the Oils, they have educated me over the years to things like that, especially about the environment.
Looks like they have a benefit show coming up. Wish I was over there.
Was in line getting a sandwich the other day and the guy behind me was an Aussie and the guy making the sandwiches was an Aussie and they were talking like they were old friends. I gotout of line just so I could listen to them. Lots of ‘I rekon’ and talk of nowhere to get ‘Tooeys’ unless you spend $6 at Outback. One of the guys was from a town where the other guys grandmother lives….it was weird.
I told my wife that we have to go there.
Chop Chop
February 25th, 2009
11:00 pm
I wouldn’t mind the pagination stuff if they’d just put the damn page numbers at the top of the page and reverse the order so that the most recent comments appear first. I liked being able to scroll through the hundreds of comments, but those days are over now.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
11:02 pm
Came home, cooked a pizza, sat on the couch eating it and then … bam … out for two
outshoursehours solid. woke up and had no idea what time it was or how long i’d been asleep.interestedinteresting discourse here tonight….as you can tell, still quite out of it
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
11:04 pm
I’ve made the suggestion that someone had earlier about 100 comments per “page” instead of 50 or whatever it is now. The proper authorities have received the suggestion and are checking into it.
I’d tell anyone who has other complaints/suggestion about the new format, just write ‘em into the little box just below this that says “send us your suggestions about this page.” They will listen.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
11:06 pm
BravesFanChris24: The pitchers for tomorrow are listed as Campillo, Hanson, Boone Logan, Bennett, James Parr, and Gonzo.
Bubdylan
February 25th, 2009
11:08 pm
“out for two outs solid.
interested discourse here tonight….” -DOB
Is this the part of my dream where things start seem extra weird and then I wake up?
Chop Chop
February 25th, 2009
11:08 pm
I thought about putting a bunch of expletives into the suggestions I sent, but I didn’t.
raindawg722
February 25th, 2009
11:11 pm
I agree Chop Chop. I much preferred the long scroll. It worked much better when I would just want to catch up with a certain blogger by using CTRL+F to find their name on the page. Now, even though I can still use CTRL+F, it won’t work unless that blogger posted on the current page.
DiamondbackMac
February 25th, 2009
11:12 pm
DOB What’s your opinion of Heyward and Freeman? Are they really as good as advertised? From what I’m hearing, they sound good enough to start now.
Chop Chop
February 25th, 2009
11:16 pm
I tried CTRL-F for “ric flair” just now. Nothing is showing up on this page. I need to rectify that.
Ric Flair telling the truth.
You gotta love the response of the audience in that clip.
brian
February 25th, 2009
11:18 pm
well deserved nap DOB
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
11:22 pm
DiamondbackMac: From everything I’ve seen and heard, there’s no doubt about either. These are two really smart kids who also happen to be 6-foot-5 athletes who love to compete to see who can have the higher OBP, not just swing for the fences. Heyward is a physically gifted specimen, in addition to being very smart (Ivy League parents, if you didn’t know — both attended Dartmouth). Freeman is hitter, man. That’s obvious, just watching him drive the ball to all fields during BP, then watching that little piece of hitting today with two outs (two-run single), and looking at his numbers last year, which were cross-the-board terrific at Rome.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
11:23 pm
But they’re 19, DiamondbackMac. Give ‘em a year, then start thinking about how soon they can start. Freeman hasn’t played above low-A, and Heyward’s only spent a few weeks in high-A.
richbrave
February 25th, 2009
11:23 pm
DAVE:
I entered a comment, but it won’t submit – keeps asking for my e-mail which I put on the heading. “Course as a cyber unsophisticate, I’m probably doing it wrong.
Bravo Nam
February 25th, 2009
11:26 pm
Don’t forget bloggers when making your predictions on who will make the bullpen that Phil Stockman is out of options. If the Bravos put him on waivers they’ll lose him. The man has a very good chance of making the bullpen with a sold spring.
DOB et al
I don’t get it on three counts. Overall, Anderson has better numbers and is much less prone to injury than Griffey. Why wasn’t he targeted before Griffey?
The other thing I don’t get about Anderson…every single person asked about him raves about the dude. For good reason, by the looks of it. So given the bargain basement price the Braves got for him, why weren’t teams lining up months earlier and signing the dude?
The last thing I don’t get is why the Angels didn’t resign him? The dude obviously has a proven track record, been with the organization his entire career, has good character and was relatively cheap…doesn’t make any sense to me.
The other thing that occurred to me about Anderson is that he was with the Angels organization for 15 years, is a high character guy and is durable. Yet, the Angels didn’t bother to resign him. The Braves were lambasted for not signing Smoltz even though they made him a good incentives based offer dependent on his health. Anderson was with the Angels his entire career, younger than Smoltz, minimal injury history, and they didn’t even attempt to bring him back…so how come the uproar with Smoltz and not a murmur re the Anderson/Angels situation. I think it says something about how much Smoltz stirred and has continued to stir the pot since his exit.
Chop Chop
February 25th, 2009
11:32 pm
Just like that…
“Magnum TA, ridin’ around on that funky motorcycle. Why don’t you get a Mercedes-Benz and be a real man?”
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
11:34 pm
Bravo Nam, Garret’s option was a bit pricey ($14 mill) in the economy and at his age. And as much as his teammates and manager loved him out there, I hear he wasn’t one of the absolute fan-favorite players, not like Smoltz here. Anderson was liked out there by the fan base, just not adored to the degree of a Smoltz. Something to do with his demeanor, just not real outgoing with media and fans. But like I say, teammates all loved him, and you saw what Leyland said today — that seems to be the impression he makes on all players and managers, including opposing teams.
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
11:34 pm
Lew, no hard feelings man. Weird saying that to a guy I’ll probably never meet.
Since the topic seems to be naps tonight, maybe I’ll share my nap nightmares. I wake up feeling worse than before the nap. I’m hypothyroid, so I get very tired through the day. I just grind it out with a ton of mountain dew.
DiamondbackMac
February 25th, 2009
11:36 pm
DOB
Thanks. Just let them mature a while, then watch out. Of course, there’s also Shafer, Anderson, and Hanson who are ready now. The future’s so bright I gotta wear shades.
David O'Brien
February 25th, 2009
11:39 pm
Mizzou Guru: If you were, say, a Texas or Colorado grad, it might be worth exchanging volleys with you regarding institutions of higher learning in Big 12 country.
TnBrian
February 25th, 2009
11:43 pm
I bet this Freeman guy turns out as good as Heyward. Sometimes it works that way. Imagine what the lineup might look like in 2011: 1)Shafer 2)Escobar 3)Chipper 4)Mac 5)Frenchy 6)Heyward 7)KJ 8)Freeman…looks as good as the Phillies lineup right now, maybe better.
You know, looking at David Ross’s stats through the last couple of years, dude’s got some power. He hit .202 last year, but still belted 17 hr’s. This team has got one da– good bench, I’ll tell you that.
Greg
February 25th, 2009
11:44 pm
Dave, why aren’t the Braves willing to give Ohman a 1yr deal for 1 mill. Their original offer had to be at least that. It makes no sense. They’ve improved all over the board. why let such an integral piece of a mlb team (a loogy that can work a whole inning) get snatched up by some one else. COME ON! he’s there for the taking! This is really frustrating to me. I love our team. I would love it even more going into the season with a proven lefty in the middle innings THAT IS CHEAP!
Andrew
February 25th, 2009
11:44 pm
if schafer has a much better spring then anderson,and anderson makes the team just because he’s out of options,then i’ll be pissed…the best players should be on the field..DOB is there a chance that happens?
Nick from PA
February 25th, 2009
11:47 pm
DOB,
Odds the braves outfield could be anderson, anderson and schafer?
DiamondbackMac
February 25th, 2009
11:47 pm
Greg I’m wondering (considering how good Ohman is) if there might be something wrong with him that they’re not publicizing.
Kentavo
February 25th, 2009
11:51 pm
This team, barring catastrophic injury is better than last year:
G Anderson is an obvoius upgrade on the various platoons that were employed
David Ross is a ton better option at backup C than blog favorite Corky
We’re starting the year with an injury free (hopefully) closer
The rotation is deep and more experienced
The bench is much improved.
And think about this, when we play interleague games, G Anderson can DH
Greg
February 25th, 2009
11:52 pm
Dmac, I don’t know. I haven’t heard of any issues with Ohman physically. The Braves have 4 right handed starters…5 really since T Hanson will not be in AAA all year. We need Ohman. God, his price is miniscule at this point. Make the move!
Bubdylan
February 25th, 2009
11:55 pm
I don’t fuss about moves & non-moves much, but the Ohman one really is a head-scratcher.
BravesFan79
February 26th, 2009
12:00 am
Something tells me 2 lefties in the bullpen will never = 1 Will Ohman.
David O'Brien
February 26th, 2009
12:00 am
By the way, Cox said he thinks it’ll be close on whether Moylan’s ready to begin season. “It’s gonna be close,” Cox said. He said Moylan might be ready to pitch in Grapefruit League games by mid-March, and that Soriano could be ready soon.
DiamondbackMac
February 26th, 2009
12:00 am
Greg I agree with you about his value and his price. I really wasn’t thinking about physical problems. I was thinking more along the lines of personality or possibly steroids.
dude
February 26th, 2009
12:08 am
Dob -what kinda pizza did u cook?
Bubdylan
February 26th, 2009
12:08 am
DbackMac, I’ve wondered to myself if Bobby could be much of a Will Ohman fan in private. Talk about a couple of very different sets of vibes.
Of course, for all I know they’re great pals.
Chop Chop
February 26th, 2009
12:08 am
It is odd, Bubdylan. The Braves have $9.55 million committed to Gonzo and Soriano this year. The next highest-paid player in the Braves’ bullpen is Moylan at $440,000.
In all, the bullpen will likely take up about $12 or $13 million of the payroll. My guess is that Wren just feels that the extra innings we are guaranteed (I don’t believe in guarantees because my glass is half-empty) to get from Lowe and Vazquez will make the difference in the quality of the lefties used. We’ll see, but Ohman held lefties to a .571 OPS last year. That’s got to be worth $1-2 million for a team trying to make a postseason run, right?
dude
February 26th, 2009
12:09 am
need to know for my own dietary menu plan. thx
DiamondbackMac
February 26th, 2009
12:11 am
Bubdylan
That’s all I can do is wonder. But, I can’t see any other reason for not going after him.
How’s the beer holding out?
DiamondbackMac
February 26th, 2009
12:16 am
BLOGERS
As always, I’ve enjoyed the experience. Now it’s time for bed. Good night and God bless you all.
Bubdylan
February 26th, 2009
12:17 am
Chop Chop, sure seems that simple to me. I’d have thought the need for Ohman was greater than the need for Glavine. But, hey, maybe as the season progresses, we’ll see something that sheds some light.
Weird offseason. Glad we scraped through with a decent team.
Bubdylan
February 26th, 2009
12:18 am
Night, Mac. Beer is fine. Salted Corona/lime.
MiamiBrave
February 26th, 2009
12:27 am
DOB
do we take the fact that you haven’t mentioned Ohman that the Bravos will not even reconsider him at this discounted price?
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
12:43 am
It is a good question, but it seems to me the Braves do pretty well in finding inexpensive rp and getting the most out of them. There are exceptions, certainly, and the last couple of years the pen has been over-worked so it would really be hard to judge them. But I have wondered the same thing several years in the past. Now, I just accept it and watch what happens. Ohman was really a question mark last year. After we made that trade some of the Cubs fans came here and said we would be sorry that we got Ohman. They were not taunting us, like some do, but their experience with him was not so good. And it has amazed me to see how rp of that level often don’t have consistent success year after year. I guess having seen this happen so often, I can see some method to their madness with rp like Ohman.
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
12:47 am
But I still sometimes (during spring training) I wonder. lol
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
12:53 am
I don’t know how they would look at things with the economy the way it is, but it seems to me that if they have any budget money left they may be holding on to it in order to make any necessary moves at the trade deadline. I don’t know how those things work, but if the budget they were given is all they can spend (no more given for the trade deadline) then it seems like a good idea considering that we have a fairly balanced team — no glaring holes now… but some may appear later.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 26th, 2009
12:55 am
Jeff Francoeur, 0 for 4 with three runners left on base…..welcome back Frenchy.
Sorry, I just couldn’t resist.
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
12:57 am
Only one game, Coach. The best hitters in MLB have all gone 0-4 many times.
MiamiBrave
February 26th, 2009
1:00 am
PTBNL DOB stated that around the deadline a guy that was making 4Mil would only cost 2Mil the rest of the way
Like you said, they’re holding that money for a midseason trade DOB kinda hit on that and I agree with you, that is probably why they are standing pat, especially with 3 lefty relievers (Ridgeway included, even tho he’s hurt right now I believe)
But still, I’m not going off the fact that O’Flaherty had 1 bad game, the guy was released by the Mariners…dunno
still excited for the season, I’m very optimistic about this team, and I think Chipper put it best, a lot rides on Frenchy, if he can be productive out there, it makes the lineup that much better
Jurrjens struggles as Braves drop grapefruit league opener… « Ace of Braves
February 26th, 2009
1:01 am
[...] a staff high 188-1/3 innings pitched. Jurrjens finished an impressive 3rd in the National League Rookie of the Year [...]
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
1:07 am
Yes, Frenchy does seem to be a key to the Braves this season. To me, both offensively and defensively, but most especially offensively.
I agree about O’Flaherty…. or any of the players. The first ST game is not one that you base your season decisions on. It can give information, but that information must be in a greater context… what is seen in practices as well as in the other ST games.
This team does have possibilities. It will be interesting to see how it plays out and how well they play as a team.
David O'Brien
February 26th, 2009
1:08 am
Dude: Thai chicken, Calif. Pizza Kitchen frozen. Pretty damn good for frozen pizza, when cooked directly on the oven rack.
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
1:09 am
MiamiBrave, do you go to ST games?
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 26th, 2009
1:21 am
Introducing our new clean up hitter and starting left fielder. This young phenom (Jordan Schafer) will be part of the Braves winning formula in 2009……
for the Gwinnett Braves.
gotigers72
February 26th, 2009
1:31 am
Enter your comments here Schafer was popular with the ladies back home? How? On that picture of him on the Braves’ front page, he looks like Pee Wee Herman. Hat down on his ears, goofy looking grin. Watch what you do in dark movie theaters Jordan. Don’t want to be mistaken for Pee Wee there.
Harrison Dangler
February 26th, 2009
1:39 am
gotigers72, I would not try Pee Wee’s popcorn
Mike S
February 26th, 2009
1:53 am
Those CPK pizzas are the best frozen pizzas around, even in the microwave (for the single serving ones). Although if you’re in the restaurant, you gotta try their Miso Salad with Blue Crab and Shrimp. Delicious. I’m not a big chain restaurant fan, but that’s one I frequent.
KC
February 26th, 2009
1:56 am
FROM FANTASYPROS911.COM – 1/18/09:
The Atlanta Braves took another step in rebuilding their starting rotation with the recent acquisition of Japanese right-hander Kenshin Kawakami. The Braves signed the 33 year-old to a three year deal and have their fingers crossed that he doesn’t turn into another Kei Igawa.
It’s always a risky proposition signing Japanese players. It’s hard to project how they will perform when faced up against the best hitters in the world. Very few Japanese pitchers have had much success in the MLB. My personal favorite example is former White Sox closer Shingo Takatsu. He worked as a set-up man for the Sox before taking over the closer’s role. That little experiment lasted about two months and Shingo has vanished from the face of the earth.
From what I’ve seen and read about Kawakami I don’t think we’ve got another Kei Igawa or Shingo Takatsu on our hands. We could have another Dice-K. Seriously.
Stats and Background
Kawakami had an illustrious 11-year career pitching for the Chunichi Dragons. In 1998, he won the Rookie of the Year with a 14-6 record, a 2.57 ERA, and 124 K in 161 IP. He was the league MVP in 2004 when he had a 17-7 record with a 3.32 ERA and 176 K in 192 IP. He also won the Sawamura Award that year which is the equivalent to our Cy Young Award. His best statistical season came in 2006. Kawakami finished with a 17-7 record, a 2.51 ERA, and 194 K in 215 IP. He racked up his second Sawamura Award as well that year. Kawakami also has a no-hitter on his resume.
Scouting
If you haven’t already gathered that I’m somewhat pessimistic when it comes to Japanese pitchers then let me say…I’m somewhat pessimistic when it comes to Japanese pitchers. However, having watched a decent amount of video on Kawakami, I am VERY impressed with what I’ve seen.
This guy just looks like a pro. From what I’ve seen he possesses the most important quality of a successful Major League pitcher…confidence. Kawakami is in complete control on the mound. His presence exudes a calm confidence that is somewhat rare these days and quite enjoyable to watch.
He also possesses the second most important factor for success which is control. Kawakami doesn’t just have control of his pitches. The guy can flat out paint. He can work inside and outside as well as up and down.
Kawakami has a two-seam and a four-seam fastball as well as a very good cutter and a knee-buckling slow curve. He throws all four pitches for strikes and can use any one of them as a strikeout pitch. His fastball is not over-powering at 90-91 MPH but it is what we like to call a “heavy” fastball. His curve is not the big 12 to 6 curve like a Barry Zito but has been compared to Roy Oswalt’s curve. His mechanics are solid. He has the same delivery/arm speed/release point for every pitch. For a Japanese pitcher his mechanics are very American.
Analysis
From what I’ve seen from Kawakami I already like him more than I liked Daisuke Matsuzaka when he came to the States. Kawakami has much better control over his pitches than Dice-K and seems to pitch with much more confidence than him. Kawakami may not have the stuff that Dice-K has but he uses his ability much more proficiently than Dice-K does.
He’s going to be a ground ball pitcher but will get a good amount of strikeouts as well. Pitching in Atlanta can only help his ERA and WHIP numbers. It will also help having a couple of quality veteran pitchers in Javier Vazquez and Derek Lowe there to help him adjust to pitching in the States.
Kawakami is a must have in the late rounds of this year’s drafts. For a 33-year old pitcher he doesn’t have as many miles on his arm as most MLB pitchers his age. I think he’s landed in a great spot in Atlanta and can definitely contend for Rookie of the Year.
He’s not going to fool hitters with trickery like other Japanese pitchers. He going to attack the plate and come right after hitters. He had a great quote at his press conference. Kawakami said, “My pitching style is all about putting my soul into my pitches”. I love that. That’s class. That’s a winner. I can’t wait to see him pitch and what his impact will be on the National League.
Chop Chop
February 26th, 2009
1:56 am
Let’s hope Jordan Schafer stays out of padded rooms…
KC
February 26th, 2009
2:03 am
I’ve been told that Leo mazzone said on 680 the Fan this morning that after seeing Kawakami, he expects him to win at least 12-14 games this year. Encouraging to hear.
Mitchell
February 26th, 2009
2:05 am
what again is dark star, anyone?
what the heck’s that all about?
nolie
February 26th, 2009
2:38 am
Dude: Thai chicken, Calif. Pizza Kitchen frozen. Pretty damn good for frozen pizza, when cooked directly on the oven rack DOB
I like it and their Sicilian too.Little extra cheese helps them both IMO
Bravo Nam
February 26th, 2009
3:20 am
DOB
Thanks for your feedback on Anderson…makes sense. Surprised a little that after the Angels didn’t pick up his option, that they didn’t try resigning him at a lesser figure.
Bravo Nam
February 26th, 2009
3:23 am
Trying to send again…first time didn’t go…
thanks DOB for your comments…make sense. I’m just a litte surprised that after not picking up Anderson’s option, that they didn’t try resigning him at a lesser amount.
Bravo Nam
February 26th, 2009
3:24 am
Thanks DOB for your feedback.
Bravo Nam
February 26th, 2009
3:25 am
Sorry for all the posts…blog initially wasn’t posting the comments.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 26th, 2009
3:44 am
If you were not aware of this already, there are two major fundamental differences between baseball in Japan and here in the U.S.A.
The baseball’s used in Japan are smaller and lighter. Also, the strike zone is not the same. It is narrower “inside” than away from the batter.
It will be interesting to see how Kenshin Kawakami adjusts.
BA
February 26th, 2009
4:01 am
DOB, in a pinch those Thai Pizzas will make you shine.
I kind of get the vibe that the cf job is Anderson’s to lose. Was Blanco even there today?
Nice work tonight, Bravo Nam. I guess times are really getting hard when a guy like Anderson takes that big of a pay cut. But I’m glad to have him.
KC
February 26th, 2009
4:09 am
Coach, if you’re asking me… yes, I’m aware of that. The more I see and hear though… the more confident I am that he’ll adjust nicely. We’ll see, but I feel good about that signing.
KC
February 26th, 2009
4:11 am
T-minus 9 hours and counting until first televised Braves game, and first look at Tommy Hanson!!
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 26th, 2009
5:53 am
Mitchell That is simply DOB’s pet term for all things Disney. Deduce what you may from that.
Runnin
February 26th, 2009
6:36 am
When would Leo have seen Kawakami pitch? Has he made an appearance at the Braves camp?
I live in Japan and my Japanese friends in the know tell me that Kawakami’s best quality is his ‘fighting spirit’, that he’s tough and doesn’t get rattled in a pinch. They say he will pitch his best after giving up an early run or two.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 26th, 2009
6:38 am
Yes KC, it will be nice to see Tommy Hanson pitch again.
David O'Brien
February 26th, 2009
6:59 am
Runnin, Leo’s been here this week with 680 The Fan, doing their morning show (he joined the Rude Awakening as a regular host recently and is on Mon-Fri). He was on the field during BP Monday after the show.
Thrillhouse44
February 26th, 2009
7:37 am
Does Leo rock while doing the radio show?
18 Wheels of Love
February 26th, 2009
7:52 am
Where else would you cook a pizza besides on the oven rack?
But yeah, that tai pizza is good.
Speaking of Pizza. Last night was the wife’s birthday and we ordered a pizza, which I highly recommend….Mellow Mushroom’s Magical Mystery Tour. Comes with pesto, mushrooms, jalapenos, mozzarella, on a nice garlicy bread crust. It’s an all-timer!
toga party
February 26th, 2009
7:52 am
Phew, almost forgot to set the DVR this morning. I was halfway out the door and remembered the game was on ESPN. Can’t wait to get a first look at some of these guys today. I hope the weather’s nice at Dark Star today, I need to live vicariously. Friggin snow. It just won’t end.
18 Wheels of Love
February 26th, 2009
7:52 am
OH did you get the microwavable small one and cook it in the oven?
Thrillhouse44
February 26th, 2009
8:00 am
It’s not the best pizza, but if you’re like me and you’d rather spend your money on beer than food, Totino’s pizza is the best bang for the buck.
toga party
February 26th, 2009
8:08 am
Man I miss Mellow Mushroom. Nobody makes a pizza like that up here in NY.
Very jealous 18 Wheels, and not just of the pizza source. You must have one cool wife if all she wants to do is order pizza on her birthday. Hope it didn’t come with a side of guilt trip.
jay blaisdell
February 26th, 2009
8:10 am
By the way, what’s the over-under on the first time the phrase “50-game suspension” does NOT appear in the same sentence as Jordan Schafer ?
(1) mid-summer ‘09
( 2 ) Sept., ‘09
(3) Spring training 2010
( 4 ) after three full years in The Show
(5) Never
Robert Orth
February 26th, 2009
8:18 am
Is there any way to get David O’Brien’s comments added to the main blog content? Honestly, all I do is scroll through looking for his comments. If that’s not possible, please put at least 100 comments per page.
Thanks!
David O'Brien
February 26th, 2009
8:29 am
18 Wheels: You ever hear of a pizza stone? Or a round, metal pizza pan? No? OK, nevermind.
Oh, and no, it wasn’t the microwaveable small pizza, that single-serving thing. That’s like an appetizer, it’s so little. It was pretty good sized, could be cooked in either (but much better in regular oven)
18 Wheels of Love
February 26th, 2009
8:33 am
OK, you did say DIRECTLY on the oven rack.
Pizza stone? Tell me more!
Maturin
February 26th, 2009
8:33 am
Anyone here have success with MLB.TV or Gameday Audio? I don’t have cable or satellite. What would you all recommend? Would many Braves games be blacked out for me?
Does it play in a web-based window or do you have to use a special player from mlb.com?
toga party
February 26th, 2009
8:48 am
Maturin, I used MLB.tv last year, and this year I think I’m switching to Extra Innings. The audio feeds always worked fine, but the video was always having problems for me. They use that stupid Microsoft Silverlight plug-in, which was buggy as hell last year, and pretty much forced you to use Internet Explorer to watch the games. I only got the medium-definition player to work occasionally, and could almost never get the high-definition feed to work.
Maybe they’ve worked out all the kinks for this year, but I’m not going to spend $90 to find out.
And the blackouts completely depend on your zip code. Go to the following site, and you’ll see a little box in the terms and conditions that lets you enter your zip code to tell you what’s blacked out:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/index.jsp
Tomahawk210
February 26th, 2009
8:52 am
DOB Do you think we’ll see a lot of the kids playing in today’s game? I really would like to see Schafer(played whole game yesterday), Heyward, and Freeman. I can’t remember if Bobby sits guys that played the day before in ST. Hopefully we get to see these guys get some at-bats and see for ourselver their approach at the plate.
Gibby
February 26th, 2009
8:55 am
Toga, bringing up the Mellow Mushroom brings back memories. I ate their constantly when I spent 2 months in Athens Ga. You are right. There is nothing up north that compares especially in central Pa.
David O'Brien
February 26th, 2009
8:56 am
Watching Francoeur and Blanco doing an extra baserunning drill on the field, an hour before regular workout is to commence.
Maddux
February 26th, 2009
8:58 am
DOB, any recommended actual pizza joints down there?
Dadgum
February 26th, 2009
9:07 am
DOB….just for the record I sent a suggestion to the techies to include 100+ posts per page and have the blog populate with the most current posts i.e. page 16 or whatever. Thought it might help if more bloggers did that.
Coach….don’t be so certain that Shaefer will be in Gwinnett. My thinking is that Frenchy will be on a short leash and Shaefer may well be called upon to play RF if Jeff doesn’t hit the ground running. Just a thought not that I want JF to tank or anything like that. Also if Shaefer continues to hit well all spring the Braves will certainly keep his bat around. A lot left to be seen. No I don’t think that the Braves care about when they start his arb-eligible clock.
Rock on…..
Bryan
February 26th, 2009
9:15 am
Anyone who takes O’Briens “opinions” and “feelings” and runs them as a news source from this blog – should ready the last three posts about the virtues of baking a California Pizza Kitchen pizza on a stone in an oven. . . .i can read it now on MLBTraderumors.com “David O’Brien from the Atlanta Journal Constitution prefers large pizzas over small, oven baked over microwaved. Mark Bowman of the Braves mlb.com website has yet to confirm.Says Mark: the pizza made Griffey turn down the braves.”
GSU-Lee
February 26th, 2009
9:15 am
DOB
You may have already answered this, but what has Diory Hernandez been doing? The team used to be pretty high on him.
arghhhhh
February 26th, 2009
9:16 am
So, when I do my elementary math there are 170 total comments on the latest blogs that the AJC list under the sports tab.(Bisher, Bradly, Moore, Schultz) 789 for DoB.
Shouldn’t 82% of available blogging resources be applied to this blog? I.E., GET RID OF THESE _ _ _ _ PAGES OF COMMENTS.
GSU-Lee
February 26th, 2009
9:17 am
By the way, best pizza in Atlanta- Rosa’s on Broad Street. Phenomenal. Run by two brothers from the big apple who look like they used to work for Tony Soprano. They opened one up in Marietta not long ago too.
ShipHockey7
February 26th, 2009
9:21 am
can anyone else not see posts after 8:58 AM, and then I try to refresh and it takes me back to DOB’s post at 8:29 AM…what the heck!?
DWW
February 26th, 2009
9:22 am
Ship
That happens alot when they are about to start a new page.
BravesFanChris24
February 26th, 2009
9:22 am
Thanks DOB. I wanted to see if Boone Logan was gonna pitch. I want to see Hanson mainly, but also want to see what Boone has to offer.
As for frozen pizza, the California Kitchen’s Hawaii Pizza is my favorite. Thai Chicken is good too though.
Salamander
February 26th, 2009
9:25 am
Some solid albums I’ve been listening to recently that were released this year:
The Mountain – The Heartless Bastards
The Ichthyologist – Giant Squid
200millionthousand – Black Lips
All three are decent listens. I had high hopes for the Giant Squid album. It didn’t necessarily deliver, but its still a nice little album. The Black Lips’ album is a bit of a side-step from their previously release, and less of a pop album, but still enjoyable.
Original Jon
February 26th, 2009
9:25 am
Bryan That was just not funny.
ShipHockey7
February 26th, 2009
9:28 am
Thanks DWW, seems to be working now!
DAP
February 26th, 2009
9:31 am
you guys are hilarious talking about frozen pizza. i especially like 18 wheels, saying that he got a pizza delivered for his wife’s birthday!!
in college, i used to get those totinos pizzas. they were like $1. the wife and i enjoy digorno when we eat frozen pizza, now.
ease19
February 26th, 2009
9:31 am
DWW – not necessarily, its been happening to me all morning and really ever since they started this pagination nonsense. Others have commented (complained) about this same phenomenon!
ease19
February 26th, 2009
9:32 am
And then there was a new page…
ShipHockey7
February 26th, 2009
9:37 am
Celeste frozen pizzas are where its at, they’re more of a personal size but they are bangin
Maddux
February 26th, 2009
9:38 am
Gallas pizza and wings.
ncscoots
February 26th, 2009
9:39 am
Dadgum, why would you want to see the most recent comments first, and then have to scroll backwards to find out what people are talking about? I’m not being snarky here, I truly am interested in knowing, just from a code-slinger’s perspective.
Lew
February 26th, 2009
9:42 am
Toga Party-You’ll be happy with the Extra Innings package (if not the price). If you sign up for it the first week of the season (or you could try to get on the list now), they give you a $20 discount and then break the price up into four payments from May-August (about $35-40 a month). There is NO comparison in quality with what you get on MLB TV.
There are many games in HD and even those which aren’t are good picture quality and sound. There will be many times when you get the opposing team’s feed, though and some of the other team’s announcers leave much to be desired (the Brewer’s TV guys). However, getting to listen to Vin Scully makes up for it. As for the And Idiots, you can always just yell at the TV to relieve frustration.
Maturin
February 26th, 2009
9:45 am
Thanks for the info btw, Toga Party.
Looks like i’ll be sticking to the radio and Peachtree TV again this year
Danga
February 26th, 2009
9:51 am
18 Wheels…Don’t know if you were serious or not, but here…
http://www.recipepizza.com/pizza_stone.htm
My mom used to make homemade pizzas and cook them on a stone. Oh man are they delicious.
sri
February 26th, 2009
9:52 am
ncscoots, I like the recent posts first too.. in the old blog format i used to scroll all the way to bottom of the page first, i guess i want to read any new updates from DOB first, and then i used to scroll upwards following the conversations backwards. most people when they address someone else’s comments paste the lines from the post they want to comment on.. so it wasnt that bad following the conversations backwards.. but my main reason is i want to read the latest updates from DOB
Danga
February 26th, 2009
9:53 am
Gibby…Ever try pizza from Transmetropolitan while you were in Athens? Those sicilian slices were my favorites in Athens. Used to order the veggie pizza and get them to add italian sausage. Gets my stomach to rumbling just thinking about it.
ease19
February 26th, 2009
9:54 am
Zucca Bar and Pizzeria – the best!
I am right there with ya Maturin
pryguy
February 26th, 2009
9:54 am
BRAVES on ESPN!! what a great day to be alive!!!
McFann :Ô: (What do you want on your Tombstone?)
February 26th, 2009
9:56 am
A little pizza discussion mixed in with Braves talk. What more could one ask for?
Totinos are really good. Me, I’ll eat anything as long as it’s pizza. Now, don’t know how you spell it, but Freschetta’s PizzAmoré has the best crust!
Papa John’s might be my favorite delivery pizza, but I don’t think I could even attempt to name my favorite frozen kind. Dang, now I want some pizza……
DOB–
Any idea who’s gonna play today? Thanks!
flange1
February 26th, 2009
10:00 am
Morning All,
Been traveling and am finally back in the ATL for a couple of days. I am so pumped that Braves baseball is BACK!!!
Nice day yesterday for Mr. Jordan Schafer! Love to see this young man tear it up in the Grapefruit League and force FW to make a tough decision.
Look forward to seeing Hanson and Logan today. Hopefully both can show us a little magic…..
Leyland praises GA, the newest Brave - Angels blog - OCRegister.com
February 26th, 2009
10:00 am
[...] Detroit manager Jim Leyland unleashed quite an endorsement of the former Angels outfielder on David O’Brien’s blog in the Atlanta [...]
CameronInNC
February 26th, 2009
10:01 am
Hey DOB(or anyone that might know), is Chipper Jones in the lineup today for the ESPN game?
DiamondbackMac
February 26th, 2009
10:01 am
DOB
http://www.sox35th.com/index.php/475/how-to-write-a-white-sox-spring-training-report
Hey, thought this might come in handy.
Danga
February 26th, 2009
10:02 am
Wilco announced their spring tour.
http://wilcoworld.net/tours/index.php
Anyone ever seen a show at Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham? Trying to decide on whether or not to buy tickets for Birmingham or Athens.
Maturin
February 26th, 2009
10:03 am
I’m gonna take a late lunch, head over to Johnny’s Pizza and catch part of the game on ESPN. Hanson is pitching the first two innings?
Pizza and Baseball
Screw Groundhog Day, winter is over when Spring Training starts!
Original Jon
February 26th, 2009
10:04 am
Maturin Hanson is not starting the game today, he will be pitching innings 3 and 4
President of Matt Diaz Fan Club
February 26th, 2009
10:10 am
Retreaded: February 25th, 2009 @ 5:53 pm – This is probably way off subject – but has anyone else been less then impressed regarding the photography coming out of spring training from the AJC and to be fair: MLB.com? And I’m simply referring to the lack of quantity, and in some cases quality. You’d think Braves camp (dark-star or whatever you guys are calling it) would be over-saturated with pictures, especially online. Instead, its just the opposite: why?
McFann :Ô: (What do you want on your Tombstone?)
February 26th, 2009
10:10 am
Maturin Pizza and Baseball
Best combination known to man…with butter and sugar a very close second.
President of Matt Diaz Fan Club
February 26th, 2009
10:11 am
[anyone else] sorry for the double negative
Random
February 26th, 2009
10:12 am
WTF?!?!?
DOB: Etc.
First baseman , another top prospect, had a two-run, two-out single in the fifth inning. … Left-hander gave up two hits, one run and one walk in the seventh for a blown save in his Braves debut. Lefty , a non-roster invitee, got the loss after allowing a run, two walks and a hit in the eighth. … and newly signed were the only projected lineup regulars who didn’t make Wednesday’s trip. They worked out at Lake Buena Vista with utilitymen and . Cox said Anderson could be ready to play next week.
I didn’t realize the Braves had so many “no-name” NRIs.
toga party
February 26th, 2009
10:13 am
Lew, thanks for the tips on Extra Innings. I think I’ll wait until the free preview to sign up, and see if I can get a discount that way. I think the extra money (over MLB.tv) will definitely be worth it for the reliability and consistent quality. I just hope they have a lot of Braves games in HD this season.
I really don’t mind listening to the alternate feed when I have to. Sometimes it’s interesting to get other announcers’ perspectives on our team. And Scully is always a treat. I just hate having to watch Braves-Mets on SNY because of the blackouts. Sometimes they just drive me crazy. If I ever get too frustrated, I just repeat my mantra, “Anything’s better than Tim McCarver.”
Bryan
February 26th, 2009
10:13 am
Can anyone recommend a place to watch the game, OUTSIDE, at a restaurant?
I would love to watch a bit of the game but i have to get the dog out of the house too.
Ohh and i don’t have a TV – that’s why i can’t do it at home.
I live / work in midtown near 5th st.
Original Jon
February 26th, 2009
10:14 am
Best combination known to man…with butter and sugar a very close second. McFann :Ô: (What do you want on your Tombstone?)
Umm, I would have to say that Beer and Pizza would have to be a close second, lol. Sugar and butter?
GSU-Lee
February 26th, 2009
10:18 am
Anybody else get sort of a Steve Finley vibe from Schafer?
Gibby
February 26th, 2009
10:20 am
Danga, I never did get to try Transmetropoitian. After what you said I wish I did. It was a long time ago that I was in Athens and I spent most of my time there working. I did get to spend an afternoon with Miss Georgia University passing out pamphlets though. I remember that more than anything else I did in the time I was there.
DWW
February 26th, 2009
10:22 am
HEY!
What about beer and baseball??? I would rather drink than eat any day. Especially while watching sports.
ease19
February 26th, 2009
10:24 am
OriginalJon
Beer, Pizza, Wings, Baseball – All mean the same thing right?
18 Wheels of Love
February 26th, 2009
10:24 am
Whoa now…Mellow Mushroom aint no delivery pizza! And Ms. 18 Wheels requested it along with a cupcake cake. Gotta get on the eliptical today for sure!
Thanks for the pizza stone info. Gonna look into it.
ease19
February 26th, 2009
10:26 am
Beer – Good while watching baseball
Pizza – Good while drinking beer
Wings – Good while eating pizza
Baseball – Good while drinking beer!
Anders
February 26th, 2009
10:26 am
Watching Francoeur and Blanco doing an extra baserunning drill on the field, an hour before regular workout is to commence. (DOB 8:56)
Isn’t Frenchy getting a little ahead of himself? You know, working on baserunning and the like.
Random
February 26th, 2009
10:27 am
Danga (9:51 am): “My mom used to make homemade pizzas and cook them on a stone. Oh man are they delicious.”
Did she use a baby mastodon to vacuum up the crumbs?
car3boogie
February 26th, 2009
10:28 am
Anders…Now that was funny
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
10:28 am
Anders, he sometimes gets hit by a pitch.
richbrave
February 26th, 2009
10:28 am
Yesterday, someone mentioned that the BRAVES were on XM 184. TODAY? I want to hear HANSON’s progress.
Hillbilly
February 26th, 2009
10:30 am
18 Wheels of Love,
Have you tried the new Isbell C.D.? I haven’t picked up a copy, yet. Just wondering if it was as good as his first one. Haven’t seen any reviews yet.
DAP
February 26th, 2009
10:30 am
anders, good one. you too, PTBNL.
flange1
February 26th, 2009
10:30 am
Anders,
Pretty funny at 10:26….
ease19
February 26th, 2009
10:30 am
Good Morning Anders! Sleep well after that Mets dominating win yesterday?
richbrave
February 26th, 2009
10:33 am
OMG would have missed the game on ESPN except for bloggers. Thanks fans.
Maturin
February 26th, 2009
10:34 am
Well if anyone wants to have lunch, I’ll be at the Johnny’s Pizza on P’tree pkwy near Ptree corners circle around 1.
ease19
February 26th, 2009
10:36 am
Maturin
You live/work in Norcross?
Anders
February 26th, 2009
10:36 am
Well, there’s a string of posts I’m not used to. Appreciate that my post was taken in the humor it was intended.
PTBNL – That was actually a funnier comeback by you. Didn’t see that coming.
Ease 19 – No I didn’t get much sleep – Been on line at Citipark for playoff tickets since 3:00 am.
CameronInNC
February 26th, 2009
10:38 am
Is Chipper Jones in the lineup today for the ESPN game?
toga party
February 26th, 2009
10:38 am
richbrave, it will be on XM channel 180 today, but yeah, watching on ESPN will probably be better.
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
10:39 am
Thanks DAP. But I am still hoping that Frenchy gets the last laugh in regard to getting on base.
I also hope that Schafer does not make the Atlanta club. Don’t get me wrong. I am hoping he does very well and is ready. But it would be great for the team if Frenchy and Anderson are also very good. That would make the team very strong. I am confident that we will Schafer this year one way or another if he is ready. But I don’t mind waiting on him if it means that Anderson does well also. It sure would be nice to have such strength at the trade deadline… or any time for a trade.
Lew
February 26th, 2009
10:39 am
My favorite pizza places were Everybody’s across from Emory and Sons of Italy in Athens. I know Sons is gone (according to UGABrave) and it’s been 35 years since I ate at Everybody’s and it may be gone too. Still-I ate many good pizzas at both locations. Had an Everybody’s the night my wife and I became a couple and a Sons of Italy House Special the night before my son was born. Lots of good food and good memories attached to both places. If they’re gone, may they rest in peace.
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
10:41 am
Anders, you going to see the Yankees in the playoffs? J/K
ease19
February 26th, 2009
10:42 am
Hah Anders! Now who is getting ahead of themselves…But that was funny.
Lew – Everybody’s is still there as far as I know…
Original Jon
February 26th, 2009
10:42 am
Been on line at Citipark for playoff tickets since 3:00 am. Anders
LOL. you just get funnier and funnier as the morning goes on, dont you, lol.
AdirondackDave
February 26th, 2009
10:42 am
I mentioned the other day that several Scott Boras players had their assets frozen in the Sanford Investment scandal. Apparently that number is growing and now includes in addition to Nady and Damon, Bernie Williams, Mike Pelfrey, Jacoby Ellsbury, Adrian Beltre, Carlos Pena, and Scott Eyre. The situation is bad enough that, in the case of Eyre the Phillies had to advance him part of his salary. All these guys are Boras clients and Pelfrey said he got involved with Sanford through the use of an accountant recommended by Boras.
I hate to see anybody, including these players, suffer losses because they innocently invested with a con man. However, I’m feeling no sympathy for Boras who contributed mightily in jacking up salaries and ticket costs, furthering the imbalance between “have” and “have not” clubs. And like many people after years and years of taxpayer subsidies to the owners on new ballpark deals, not inclined to favor any financial bailout for millionaire players and billionaire owners who bought into offers that “were too good to be true.”
The information above on the players involved and the Boras/accountant connection to Sanford was in the a wire service report in the Florida Sun-Sentinel today.
I’m guessing Boras and that accountant (whoever his is) are sweating bullets big-time these days, as they ought to be. At some point we will be finding out more about this story, including whether or not Boras and/or the accountant benefitted from these referrals and what their
Lew
February 26th, 2009
10:43 am
Anders-Francoeur has to be prepared for any eventuality, no matter how small the chance of seeing it in games situations. He’ll probably have a hit (though we’ll have to play the games to find out) sometime this year and must be ready when he does.
Thrillhouse44
February 26th, 2009
10:44 am
Ya’ll ease up on 18 Wheels – I take my wife to a small pizza joint every year for Valentine’s Day. I, of course, remind her of the fact it is the site of our first date while I’m scarfing down greasy slices and frothy beverages.
Lew
February 26th, 2009
10:44 am
ease19-That’s good to know. I must say that though I’ve never had one of their pizzas, that the Mellow Mushroom was considered the best of the best even 35 years ago.
Bryan
February 26th, 2009
10:46 am
Rocky’s Pizza, before it’s demise, was the best pizza hands down.
Ohh, i also like Schroeder’s New Deli in Rome, GA – great place to eat in downtown before Rome Braves Game.
Daybed – don’t say anything.
18 Wheels of Love
February 26th, 2009
10:46 am
I haven’t gotten the Isbell record yet. Gonna buy it instead of download from itunes so I have to find a record store. All of them have gone out of bidness and best buy is way across town. Will get it soon.
Maturin
February 26th, 2009
10:48 am
ease19 –
Yeah, Norcross here. You too?
ease19
February 26th, 2009
10:48 am
Lew – Been meaning to eat at Everybody’s for the last 20 years but just have not made it. Emory was a baseball rival so we hated to go down that way and now its just not convenient. I have to agree, as a chain Mellow Mushroom is the best…Plus the one near my house has Newcastle on tap!
Fred
February 26th, 2009
10:48 am
Does anybody remember Jagger’s in Emory Village? In my opinion, that was the best pizza around. Everybody’s obviously is very good, too. All of this pizza talk is making me very hungry.
TheManMike
February 26th, 2009
10:49 am
PizzaHuts new “Natural” pizza can come with Roasted Red Peppers and Whole tomatoes……YUM. It really does taste like a restaurant pizza and has MUCH less of the famous Pizza Hut Grease…….its good stuff..
But i wonder if this is called “The Natural” – What the hell else have we been eating all these years??? Same deal for McDonalds comeing out with “NEW REAL WHITE CHICKEN NUGGETS”….hmm….what was it before?
Just Scary….
MinnesotaJacket
February 26th, 2009
10:49 am
Hey people from Atlanta has anyone have heard of a small place called Shorty’s Pizza off of North Druid Hills? Delicious pizza, great beer, cooked out of brick ovens…and is delicious.
TheManMike
February 26th, 2009
10:50 am
Good Marketing meets Bad Marketing….
TheManMike
February 26th, 2009
10:51 am
Its kina like Mayfeild comeing out with “Real Cow Milk!”
ease19
February 26th, 2009
10:51 am
Maturin
Grew up in Norcross, in Spaulding Corners and also lived off of Jones Mill…But it was my haunting ground for many a year, back when Peachtree Pkwy was just SR141 and 4 lanes! I live in Woodstock now, straight up Hwy 92.
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
10:51 am
TheMan, if you eat fast food, you don’t want to know what you have been eating!
Maturin
February 26th, 2009
10:52 am
MinJacket –
Yeah, DOB was talking about that one a few blogs ago. I’ve been meaning to go check it out. Any one know if it shares any relation to the Shorty’s Pizza on Lawrenceville Hwy in Tucker?
Danga
February 26th, 2009
10:52 am
Random…My mom is a brunette, but here is a similar model.
http://i-flintstones.tripod.com/images/vac.GIF
flange1
February 26th, 2009
10:53 am
Lew,
I agree! The Everybody’s across from Emory has been there for a long while. My little high school debate team used to research at the Emory library and we ate at Everybody’s every night back in the late 70’s.
I live close now and go back every couple of weeks. The pizza is even better now because I can get a beer with it!!!
And I loved the hot sandwiches at Sons of Italy while at UGA. We would order them at least once a week.
But Mellow Mushroom is was and is the best pizza for me in Atlanta. I grew up in Sandy Springs and the Roswell Road location was open from high school on. Even my parents liked MM pizza and would go there after us kids moved out…..
I start thinking about this stuff and I graduated high school in 1977, that is over 30 years ago….OUCH…..
Seymour1948
February 26th, 2009
10:54 am
Bryan,
Schroeder’s! I practically lived there with my friends when I went to Berry in Rome. You just made me a little homesick for my old stomping grounds.
Lew
February 26th, 2009
10:56 am
TnBrian mentioned earlier that it was likely most of us would never meet. He’s probably right, but it would likely be found somewhat surprising if it was known how many Denizens already email, phone or have already met.
When I come down to Hotlanta for the Hank Aaron portrait presentation, plans have already been made for quite a few of The Denizens to meet for dinner. First thoughts were to go to Ted Turner’s Dead Buffalo Restaurant, but maybe we should get together for Pizza or BBQ instead.
McFann :Ô: (What do you want on your Tombstone?)
February 26th, 2009
10:57 am
Original Jon–
Ha…well, I’m too young for that combo…
Sugar and butter? Come on! You wanna talk about amazingly delicious…Every time we make cookies, cake, whatever, I gotta get me a little lick of that…mix some vanilla extract in there, too. Hmmmmm……
David O'Brien
February 26th, 2009
10:57 am
Just watched all of batting practice, talked to Francoeur about his first game with the revamped swing yesterday, etc. He called an opposite-field homer today in a one-swing last round of BP and crushed it into the RF bullpen. That’s the good news. But it’s a work in progress, as he readily concedes, after going 0-for-4 yesterday and hitting only one ball hard (to first base).
Still, he and Braves are optimistic.
OK, gotta get going on a blog. I’ll put some of that in it.
McFann :Ô: (What do you want on your Tombstone?)
February 26th, 2009
10:59 am
TheManMike Same deal for McDonalds comeing out with “NEW REAL WHITE CHICKEN NUGGETS”….hmm….what was it before?
I don’t even wanna know! But whatever it was, it was gray, hard, and I gagged on it a few times…
DWW
February 26th, 2009
10:59 am
flange
The “jimbo” at sons of italy is the best sandwich ever. Man i miss that place.
MinnesotaJacket
February 26th, 2009
11:00 am
I don’t think it does…this place is TINY you go past the longhorns and its literally and its just a small little place, but when you get inside it has a great atmosphere, me and my brother go there at least once a month if not more.
Danga
February 26th, 2009
11:01 am
I was thinking it would be nice if we decided on Braves Blog at the Ted night. Be fun to take in the game with people who enjoy the Braves as much as I do.
CameronInNC
February 26th, 2009
11:02 am
Is chipper playing today?
flange1
February 26th, 2009
11:04 am
DWW,
You are so right! That was an awesome place. I can still taste those things…..
Maturin
February 26th, 2009
11:13 am
I agree, Danga. Many here would probably like to attend. I suppose the first step is to set a date. We should definitely go to a Braves/Mets game IMO
Big Red
February 26th, 2009
11:20 am
Can we go back to the old blog? This one no longer has any teeth whatsoever…
Random
February 26th, 2009
11:23 am
Boston man spends two-thirds of date talking about John Smoltz
BOSTON, MA — After a blind date turned into an educational seminar on baseball, Jamie Jones told SSNN there is a “better chance of Tommy [O'Brien, her date] sleeping with Denis Leary,” than ever taking her out again.
“At least Denis Leary is a Red Sox fan,” Jones pointed out. “And for the record, I know that from his stand-up routine, not because I have ever watched or read or listened to anything about the team, or any baseball team for that matter. The closest I’ve ever come to watching the Red Sox is the movie Fever Pitch.”
But Jones says that despite being told this repeatedly, O’Brien spent “at least two-thirds of the entire date talking about some John Shmoles [sic].”
“I’m a lady, for [gosh] sake, I don’t care about baseball,” said Jones, clearly still upset over her wasted evening. “I just moved here from Georgia, and I was thinking I’d learn about the city of Boston, not some new pitcher. But Tommy just kept saying it was a human interest story, not just a baseball story.
“Well I sure as [heck] wasn’t interested. Let me give all the boys out there a little hint – when it comes to baseball, no does NOT mean yes!”
For his part, O’Brien says he simply thought a newcomer to the big city would be interested in such an important part of Boston’s culture.
“I think after she has lived here for a while, she’ll come to realize that she should have listened to me about John Smoltz,” O’Brien insisted. “If she’s gonna hold her own in a Boston bar, she’s gonna have to learn a thing or two about the Sox. Plus, that guy’s career is far from over. Seriously, you’re gonna see some impressive stuff out of Smoltz this year, you mark my words. And next year, too. Probably even the year after that.”
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
11:25 am
Some of you may want to see the Chipper video at the Braves’ website. Interestingly he mentions Logan as being an impressive lefty in the bullpen. (Of course, yet to be seen.) But if you haven’t seen it, you might want to.
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
11:31 am
I wonder if they just got him out of bed. He isn’t very excited, it seems.
ease19
February 26th, 2009
11:31 am
Does he ever looked excited?
LKS
February 26th, 2009
11:34 am
Adirondack Dave
I lost my job a couple weeks ago because of the wonderful dealings of Stanford. Stanford Invested in our small company and then they just pulled the funding for no reason. Until of course a few days later when I found out about the fraud. Its just hard for me to feel sorry for the players or agents dealing with them. They are gonna be alright. Me on the otherhand….anyone hiring accounting positions?
Daybed Wagmoe
February 26th, 2009
11:36 am
Bryan — alright, I won’t say anything. I especially won’t hit about it having some of the tastiest pizza I’ve had, especially with that potato-sauce thing they’ve got going. Dang, that’s some good stuff. Not to mention the wings, mushroom caps, potato skins…
They need to import some of that up here to NYC instead of some of this over-cheesed, greasy pizza they’ve got up here. Yeah, New Yorkers, I said it.
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
11:37 am
Good point, ease19. At least he is not as bad as the Andruw interview. Whew!
Daybed Wagmoe
February 26th, 2009
11:37 am
Bryan — meant to say “hint” in that first line, not “hit.”
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
11:39 am
Got baseball on the brain, Daybed? lol
MinnesotaJacket
February 26th, 2009
11:43 am
Can everyone on here agree with me that the BEST pizza joints are the like hole in the wall places where your kind of skeptical at first but then are just blown away by them??
Also I know Hanson is the main theme today but I am excited about Campillo as well I think he would be a great long relief man for this year where he can go those solid 3-4 innings when needed.
dogsbrekky
February 26th, 2009
11:43 am
Random – that date is too great to be true, awesome tale..
brAves Sucios
February 26th, 2009
11:46 am
LEW: Sons is still open, they just moved down Milledge near the 10 Loop. I have to say that for whole pies, Little Italy downtown or Peppino’s on the Eastside is the best pizza in Athens, and near the tops in Atlanta, too. There’s a new place in town (in the Alps shopping center near the theatre) called Your Pie that takes the Subway assembly line model but applies it to brick oven pizza cooking. Pretty dang good for pretty dang cheap.
BravesFanInRockies
February 26th, 2009
11:47 am
TheManMike</strong.
Parts is parts.
Bryan
February 26th, 2009
11:55 am
Cameli’s Pizza near the ghetto Kroger and City-hall East is AWESOME!
That area of ponce is a the hot spot for some of the best food in town – from Eats to LaFonda and in between.
There is a great new bar called the Book House that is styled much like the Brick Store in Decatur back behind MJQ and accross from Kroger on Ponce. You spend an hour in there and you feel like your in Belgium then you walk out the door and your staring at Green’s.
Bizarre.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 26th, 2009
11:58 am
richbrave,
Labatt counts as canadian beer….. but you have to get it from Canada, before the US import laws water it down.
cityofdecatur,
Oh yes, life up here is wonderful. You are lucky that you got out while the getting was good. Today it’s a solid 50 degrees, tomorrow 4″ of snow and low 20’s.
DWW
February 26th, 2009
11:59 am
I think Bob Seger “Turn The Page” would be an appropriate song for this blog.
ease19
February 26th, 2009
12:00 pm
Bryan – Is that next to Chipolte?
ease19
February 26th, 2009
12:02 pm
Damn, new page again
McG
February 26th, 2009
12:02 pm
DOB, after the Braves announce their opening day roster is there any way you could do an article on top prospects at each minor league level (AAA, AA, A) for the fans that don’t get to ATL as much as we’d like but live in the areas where the minor league teams? Maybe a top 5 list at each level?
It’s more fun when I know who to watch out for!
THANKS!
BA
February 26th, 2009
12:02 pm
Butter and sugar IS pretty strong…
David-ATL14
February 26th, 2009
12:03 pm
original jon,
Yes indeed the fact that Diaz is a one position OF will factor in far more than his ability to hit lefties. Though that ability wasn’t anywhere in evidence in 2008.
When any team carries only 4 OF and the CF is a possible candidate to be pinch hit for late in a game as will be the case for Anderson at the start of the season against certain lefties then you better have a 4th of capable of playing CF on occassion.
Infante can play a serviceable CF but he’s an infielder by trade and will be used in a myriad of other situations.
My guess is that a 4th outfielder will be acqired in the final week of ST that can play all 3 spots in the OF.
Or Schafer sticks and either Anderson or Blanco become the 4th OF.
Diaz’s days are numbered.
Scuba Steve
February 26th, 2009
12:08 pm
Rosa’s Pizza Downtown! Best in Atlanta…Marietta location is pretty good as well.
Maddux
February 26th, 2009
12:09 pm
How many regulars on here are season ticket holders?
Daniel
February 26th, 2009
12:10 pm
hey does anybody know where to pick up today’s game; either radio or internet?
Daniel
February 26th, 2009
12:10 pm
I am maddux. Me and group of 6 buddies share two seats
Original Jon
February 26th, 2009
12:12 pm
Daniel Todays game is on ESPN
ShipHockey7
February 26th, 2009
12:12 pm
Daniel I’m going to be looking for an internet feed…will see what I can do…
Danga
February 26th, 2009
12:14 pm
“All I said was Canadian beer sucks.”
Daniel
February 26th, 2009
12:14 pm
Yeah John ,but at work can’t get ESPN, Thanks ShipHockey
Dusty
February 26th, 2009
12:18 pm
DOB,
Any word on the Braves signing our pre-arb guys?
McPoyle
February 26th, 2009
12:19 pm
damn stuck at work today when the braves are on ESPN, i’m recording the game, i gotta get my first look at tommy hanson.
toga party
February 26th, 2009
12:19 pm
The only way to get the radio feed on the internet is through MLB.tv Game Day Audio.
MLB has made damn sure of that. You can’t even use XM online to listen, even if you subscribe to XM.
PTBNL
February 26th, 2009
12:20 pm
Dusty, he may be working on the new blog. You might want to ask your question there if he does not answer it in this blog.
McFann :Ô: (What do you want on your Tombstone?)
February 26th, 2009
12:20 pm
BA–
Ha, yeah. Cann really make you hyper…
Gosh darn it!! I knew Ross was gonna be catching today! How is that fair??
MinnesotaJacket
February 26th, 2009
12:20 pm
I can’t wait to actually graduate college and hopefully work in atlanta someday and be a season ticket holder behind the braves dugout…dream come true if I could
Hey McG:
February 26th, 2009
12:21 pm
BaseballAmerica.com is a great site for minor league info, but they make you pay. This is a decent Braves minor league blog, for general info:
http://minorsandmajors.com
MinnesotaJacket
February 26th, 2009
12:22 pm
at least you have the chance to record the game…being at my job at for the day gives me no chance to see the Bravos play today
BA
February 26th, 2009
12:24 pm
Didn’t they already sign them, Dusty?
ShipHockey7
February 26th, 2009
12:24 pm
I’m in the same situation daniel lol…I’ll see what I can find, earlier there was nothing
Daniel
February 26th, 2009
12:26 pm
so you have subscribe to mlb tv to hear the game?
ShipHockey7
February 26th, 2009
12:28 pm
Daniel, go to http://www.channelsurfing.net/
then scroll down until you see Astros at Braves (about halfway down the page…click that link and it should just pop up a Windows Media Player)
Daniel
February 26th, 2009
12:28 pm
14.95 for the year isn’t bad, but I would so rarely use it..
MLB really should loosen up.
Daniel
February 26th, 2009
12:33 pm
man, thanks alot shiphockey. I can check out some UEFA games here too. wow cool site
Dusty
February 26th, 2009
12:33 pm
BA, I’m talking about the pre-arb guys. Campillo, Escobar, etc. I’m just curious about the financial terms for those guys. Typically teams will sign all their pre-arb guys at once around the beginning of spring training.
DWW
February 26th, 2009
12:34 pm
Is that channel surfing link working for anybody?
Lew
February 26th, 2009
12:34 pm
Braves Sucios-Dude, I haven’t been to Athens since 1985. None of those other places were there (to my knowledge) back then. I’m living in the past a bit here. Thanks for the info, though-never can tell when I might end up back there again for one reason or another.
Abbots Pizza was pretty big back then, too-maybe because REM used to play there on Friday nights. They were not that big at the time-when Pete was still working at Wuxtry.
Danga
February 26th, 2009
12:35 pm
“MLB really should loosen up.” -Daniel
No kidding. Is this any way to actually grow or maintainyour audience? Lets make it harder for people to keep track of their favorite teams. I couldn’t even find video highlights of that ozzie smith bare handed grab online. All the links I clicked were taken offline at request of MLB.
DWW
February 26th, 2009
12:35 pm
Or will it work once the game starts?
CameronInNC
February 26th, 2009
12:35 pm
Is chipper starting today?
ShipHockey7
February 26th, 2009
12:36 pm
In my experience using it before, it wont start working until when the game starts or at least when the broadcast starts..thats about the only link I can find though, so I hope it works
DWW
February 26th, 2009
12:37 pm
Ship
That will be sweet if it does.
McFann :Ô: (What do you want on your Tombstone?)
February 26th, 2009
12:43 pm
Yes, Chipper is starting. Here’s the lineup:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_02_26_houmlb_atlmlb_1
matt022
February 26th, 2009
12:45 pm
Espn 360 will have it. Here is a link to get you started, and it is free.http://espn.go.com/broadband/espn360/schedule
BA
February 26th, 2009
12:46 pm
Nice. The Big Ugly Stick in the #9 hole.
Bryan
February 26th, 2009
12:47 pm
Yeah, next to Chipotle
David O'Brien
February 26th, 2009
12:49 pm
NEW BLOG IS UP
arobs3
February 26th, 2009
12:52 pm
matt022 – you sir, just saved my afternoon with your last post.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
February 26th, 2009
12:53 pm
If anyone is around a TV and computer today, and wants to give play by play…. I would appreciate it. No TV here in the office, and they block the game channel stuff on MLB and ESPN…. apparently it makes people unproductive.
keylargo
February 26th, 2009
1:25 pm
Is it too late to make that Campillo and Jo Jo Reyes for Roy Oswalt trade somebody suggested last December?
Doc Holiday
February 26th, 2009
3:03 pm
Nice to continue watching how much JF has improved……..Hope he gets a hit before the break.
Doc Holiday
February 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
How about letting Blanco play and sending JF to AAA for 2009
Coaluedleve
April 2nd, 2009
2:24 pm
Everyone at Delicious Monster has been hard at work for the past several months on Delicious Library 1.5, a free upgrade that will be made available on April 29th
delicious
http://www.delicious-monster.com/blog/2005/04/announcing-delicious-library-15.html