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Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,035 comments Add your comment
bf bravesfan
February 26th, 2009
2:18 pm
Hansons 1st outing wasnt all bad. You could tell he was a little nervous throwing too hard. It will be interesting to see how he does as the spring goes along.
Robert
February 26th, 2009
2:18 pm
Francoeur has an open stance and leans over the plate, and he pops up
A FAN
February 26th, 2009
2:18 pm
man is Franceour gunna go 0 for the spring!!!!
Tomahawkin
February 26th, 2009
2:19 pm
Here we Go Again Frenchie! I have a feeling that he will be the Whipping boy this year, Not Good!
Mitchie-san
February 26th, 2009
2:19 pm
at least Francoeur made contact.
vesta
February 26th, 2009
2:20 pm
Hanson’s got great stuff and is gonna be great in the majors. Nevermind the walks and hit batter and hits and runs he gave up, he’s gonna be great. Hmmm, where have I heard that before? Oh yeah, I remember now – Bruce Chen and Odalis Perez and Kyle Davies and Chuck James. Hopefully he’ll be as great as them.
Robert
February 26th, 2009
2:20 pm
I just want to see Francoeur hit the ball hard
Chop Chop
February 26th, 2009
2:20 pm
It was nice of Hanson to protect his teammate, but am I the only one who gets the feeling that our pitchers would have to hit an opposing batter every other game to “protect” Yunel?
Anders
February 26th, 2009
2:20 pm
TnBrian 6-0 Mets. Our new number 3 hitter, Jose Reyes just hit one out.
BTW- Our new #1 hitter, Castillo, in 8 at bats this spring – 4 hits, 3 walks – Dude showed up to play this spring.
David O'Brien
February 26th, 2009
2:20 pm
GONZO pitching, Freeman at 1B.
HANSON: 2 inning, 2 hits, 2 runs(earned), 1 walk, 1 strikeout, 1 HBP, 38 pitches, 22 strikes
Robert
February 26th, 2009
2:20 pm
Vesta you have problems
Robert
February 26th, 2009
2:21 pm
Mike Gonzalez is not rocking
Mac
February 26th, 2009
2:21 pm
Thanks for the confirmation on the Kevin Millwood point, DOB.
Anders
February 26th, 2009
2:21 pm
How long before Chipper says “Lose a Frenchy gain a Frenchy”.
GSU-Lee
February 26th, 2009
2:21 pm
Vesta
Hanson clearly has better stuff than all of those players. And none of them were supposed to be as good as him
Robert
February 26th, 2009
2:22 pm
nobody wants to see Cecil, show the game
David O'Brien
February 26th, 2009
2:22 pm
Someone mentioned this morning that Ian Snell was pitching for P. Rico in the WBC. Said his stepfather is P. Rican. Cox smiled and said, “That’s close enough for me.”
TBrown
February 26th, 2009
2:22 pm
Francoeur seems to be in mid-season form
Chop Chop
February 26th, 2009
2:22 pm
mbatl,
Someone had to care. If no one in this world ever cared, what a miserable place it would be.
Tomahawkin
February 26th, 2009
2:22 pm
Come On Mike! That SB was Off da pitcher 100%
RC
February 26th, 2009
2:24 pm
Anders,
What’s your opinion on Reyes in the #3 spot for the Mets? Good decision, or would you rather some other lineup be used? Just curious about how Mets fans view the move….
DWW
February 26th, 2009
2:24 pm
So.. No play by play today huh?
David O'Brien
February 26th, 2009
2:24 pm
John Gall just hit an RBI single to left off Gonzo, puts Astros up 6-2.
Tomahawkin
February 26th, 2009
2:24 pm
Vesta
Good Point, but Hanson Already look more polished than the aforementioned names, Maybe other than Davis, Who rocked At Fenway in his debut I believe…
Tomahawkin
February 26th, 2009
2:25 pm
Man Our pitching corps are getting Slapped!!!
Andrew
February 26th, 2009
2:25 pm
is mike gonzalez really topping out at 88?
Dan_in_NC
February 26th, 2009
2:25 pm
I liked what I saw from Hanson…that slider he threw in the first inning he pitched definitely got the attention of all the ESPN analysts…
dogsbrekky
February 26th, 2009
2:26 pm
Frenchy – I am very surprised. I expected to see a new type of swing but he still is terribly off balance, using his upper body and releasing his hips in a horrible way, very very bad timing…
I think there must be more to what he has done in winter than just making his step smaller ???????
GSU-Lee
February 26th, 2009
2:26 pm
Man, the staff does not look so good in the early goings…not worried or anything…just want them to be dominant
Epinephrine
February 26th, 2009
2:26 pm
Gonzo’s velocity is way, way down. He is throwing 85-87 on his fastballs. He is a guy who should be at 94.
Anderson looks bad in center. Bad routes, missing the cut off man on every throw.
dude
February 26th, 2009
2:27 pm
Im tired of the experiment. Fire McD and hire LEO. Dude wants it.
Mac
February 26th, 2009
2:27 pm
DOB,
Hanson had two strikeouts, not one.
dap01
February 26th, 2009
2:27 pm
DOB: Has Diaz ever played right field? We may need him there.
toga party
February 26th, 2009
2:27 pm
Looking good today boys. Looking good.
Epinephrine
February 26th, 2009
2:27 pm
Dan in NC, the commentators are idiots. The “slider’ they were raving about was a curve. That’s why they were so confused when they saw his real slider two pitches later.
RC
February 26th, 2009
2:28 pm
Vesta,
Nobody ever said Chuck James had “great stuff”. In fact, part of the reason people were so suprised by his minor league success is because his lack of stuff. What he did have (at one point) was great control, and when that appeared to leave him he became 5 inning, 4 run Chuck James.
ShipHockey7
February 26th, 2009
2:28 pm
Mac I was thinkin the same thing…
vesta
February 26th, 2009
2:28 pm
Oh, I forgot about Charlie Morton and Damian Moss, two other can’t-miss Braves pitching prospects.
Mark
February 26th, 2009
2:29 pm
Johan scratched with a stiff elbow…Uh-oh Met fans…
Wilson
February 26th, 2009
2:29 pm
DOB, have you heard of the Flower Picking Festival held in Starkville, MS every year? It was first held as a pardon for Johnny Cash getting arrested in Starkville for “picking flowers.” Now they do it every year to celebrate him and his music and his one night stay in the Starkville City Jail, which he wrote a song about as I’m sure you know. Anyway, its a lot of fun, and they usually have one of his family members or some of his old band members come back to play for it or speak at it. You should check it out.
dogsbrekky
February 26th, 2009
2:29 pm
Gonzo doesnt seem to have any rhythym………..
At least the cathcer looks bloody good today
Epinephrine
February 26th, 2009
2:29 pm
This is can’t be good.
Gator73082
February 26th, 2009
2:29 pm
I guess you guys are right about Gonzo topping out at 88 mph. That is strange… but maybe hes taking some off his pitches since its his first ST appearance, working up his arm strength over the next few weeks. Lets hope that’s the case!
Run Heap Run
February 26th, 2009
2:29 pm
Guys, calm down. When JF said he’s not going to suck this year he meant during the regular season.
Andrew
February 26th, 2009
2:30 pm
anyone else worried about gonzalez performance?
Epinephrine
February 26th, 2009
2:30 pm
And by Anderson I meant Schafer btw…
David O'Brien
February 26th, 2009
2:30 pm
Gonzo’s coming out of game with two outs and runner at third. Don’t know if he had a twinge, a pich limit, or what. We’ll let you know soon as we do.
bf bravesfan
February 26th, 2009
2:30 pm
jordan is in center Epine
Octomom's Hot!!!!
February 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
6-2? ugh
cabravesfan
February 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
Hanson giving up a couple of runs in his first outing of spring does not worry me (can’t wait to watch when I get home tonight)…Gonzo’s velocity down and being pulled early- THAT worries me
Anders
February 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
RC- I don’t think Reyes will bat #3 when they open. I think Manuel is trying to instill some confidence in Castillo by putting this out there. Reyes is playing in the WBC where he will bat leadoff when he plays (Remember H. Ramirez is on his team). So Manuel needs a leadoff guy while Reyes is gone anyway.
I think it’s basically a motivational tactic. I do think he’s serious about Murphy being their regular (for the most part) in left though.
TBrown
February 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
Anyone know who all is slated to pitch the rest of the game?
TBrown
February 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
I want a look at Boone Logan
Danga
February 26th, 2009
2:34 pm
Anders…I hope so for the Mets sake. No way F. Tatis can produce on a consistent basis.
BO JR.
February 26th, 2009
2:34 pm
Gonzo Out might get OHMAN signed
David O'Brien
February 26th, 2009
2:35 pm
Gator, I saw at least one 90-mph fastball from Gonzo. Still, not nearly what he once threw. Then again, it is Feb. 26. Still, even this early, you’d probably like to see 92-93 from a guy that used to hit 96-97.
DWW
February 26th, 2009
2:35 pm
The last time Gonzo lost velocity he needed tommy john. Fingers crossed.
Jeff321
February 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
Frenchy wishes he could hit the ball like our new stud catcher! WOOOOO! And he even caught a runner stealing.
Tomahawkin
February 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
To The ESPNY Commentators! Do The WBC The Weekend of the Pro-Bowl! No One’s watches that NFL crap exhibition anyway…
Anders
February 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
Did they pull the Pope of Polk County in mid inning on defense? Sounded that way on ESPN but these guys could be lost.
If they did we need a full report from DOB. Did Cox lose it on that misplayed ball by the Pope?
Magnus Pym
February 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
Gonzalez did not look good and pulling him after 2/3 innings wtf ?
I pray he isn’t hurt, why else would Roger McDowell go to the mound ?
Frenchy’s swing LOOKS EXACTLY the same to me, terrible hacker type of thing…
The CF is doing okay, he is being run left right and back with all the bombs heading out there
Jersey Gil
February 26th, 2009
2:37 pm
DOB….Ian Snell Father is the one with Puerto Rican heritage , not his Step Father. also Ian from 2001-2003 go by Ian Oquendo, because his Wife also has Puerto Rican heritage.
The Olimpic Organization permit any Player with third generation of Puerto Rican heritahe to be play with the Olimpic Team of Puerto Rico.
I guess the WBC has the same rule apllied.
Magnus Pym
February 26th, 2009
2:37 pm
PS I cannot stand Steve Philiips and ESPN commentary, awful
getnathan
February 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
Gonzo’s hurt?????? Say it ain’t so!!!
Anders
February 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
Jersey Gil – The WBC is very loose on their interpretation on who you can play for. If you had pizza for lunch your now eligable to play for Italy and so on.
Kentavo
February 26th, 2009
2:40 pm
I can’t in general how ESPN baseball broadcasts talk about everything EXCEPT the game that’s actually playing out before them.
They took it to a new low when they started outlining what they were going to talk about before the Sunday night games.
How about talk about the freaking game and do play-by-play??????????????
Robert
February 26th, 2009
2:40 pm
I think Gonzo reached his pitch count
Tomahawkin
February 26th, 2009
2:40 pm
Magnus Pym
Steve Phillips Has been a Good Boy 2day, Usually if there is a Braves game on ESPNY I’m cussing the TV out during the second inning…I guess my nerves are calm because its the first TV game of S.T. as opposed to the Wednesday nite game on ESPNY…
mbatl
February 26th, 2009
2:41 pm
I would guess (only that) that pitch count might’ve been the reason Gonzo was pulled. But pitch count was high because he got pounded, and he did do some walking around on the mound after a couple of pitches, which is always a bad sign. And his velocity was certainly not impressive.
Hopefully, it’s just too early for him to cut loose (though in interviews I’ve heard with him, he sounded like he was ready to go). Maybe DOB can spend some quality time with him postgame and get the story.
vesta
February 26th, 2009
2:41 pm
I guess these first two games confirm that Bobby Cox is a terrible manager. What a loser.
Tomahawkin
February 26th, 2009
2:43 pm
Matt Berry in the Booth, WTF? At least Bring in Bagwell, who cares about fantasy baseball, I can go to yahoosports.com
Now ESPNY is Being ESPNY, I shouldn’t have praised them earlier…
richbrave
February 26th, 2009
2:44 pm
Lots of throwers – few pitchers in baseball. HANSON’s a thrower, but I think he’s gonna’ be a real pitcher within three years.
Jersey Gil
February 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
Anders, that was good…..I guess if i eat “Paella” i can play for Spain.
Tomahawkin
February 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
Get This Fantasy Clown out of the Booth Now, Why is he solicting ESPNY Fantasy leagues! He did say that the Braves have an Underrated Pitching Staff, which is contrary to ESPNY…
Tennbravefan
February 26th, 2009
2:47 pm
Today I have only seen 2 things I like. Dave Ross (HR and even more a nice throw to 2nd) and DOB’s choice of Please Come to Boston……by the way Dave Loggins is from my hometown.
macdwolfpack
February 26th, 2009
2:47 pm
richbrave,you obviously haven’t seen Hanson pitch very much. Because if you had you wouldn’t be making that statement.
Tomahawkin
February 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
Good Call Blue! Well, At least the game is going by at a fast rate. They should all be that fast…
hydee
February 26th, 2009
2:49 pm
“Lots of throwers – few pitchers in baseball”
Richbrave-I couldn’t agree more. Yes it is great to be able to throw 96+ but there is an art to pitching, being able to make the right pitch at the right time and not just blow it by someone. That is the difference between having a 5 year career or a 15 year career.
dogsbrekky
February 26th, 2009
2:50 pm
Gonzo’s low velocity after I think only 1 91mph f/ball may just be his way of rolling the ‘ol arm over but he did not look comfortable today…
I fixed everyone’s Steve Phillips problem by turning off the sound
Hillbilly
February 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
I see they’re pumping “Jock Jams” over the loud speakers as the Braves players come to bat at the Star.
macdwolfpack
February 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
hate to argue with you guys, but again, you obviously haven’t seen Hanson pitch many games. He is a complete pitcher which is why CHipper and COx are so impressed, but hey you guys know more about baseball than they do.
Steve from OH
February 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
richbrave, I believe a lot of scouting reports on Hanson praise his command, fwiw.
JEEEEEZ
February 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
NO hitting and NO pitching = 2008 AND…………2009?
hydee
February 26th, 2009
2:52 pm
Oh chill out I wasn’t talking about Hanson since I’ve never seen him pitch, I was agreeing with the general statement that there are alot of throwers and not alot of pitchers.
Anders
February 26th, 2009
2:53 pm
The Mets new #3 hitter , Jose Reyes just went yard again. 6 RBI’s today.
RichBrave- I agree with your assessment of Hanson. That’s what I was trying to say earlier. He seemed like a lot of arm and shoulder with great action. When he corrales that whole body behind the ball I think you have a Beckett type on your hands.
Chop Chop
February 26th, 2009
2:53 pm
Hell of a play by the Astros pitcher there.
Tomahawkin
February 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
Gawd, with one exception Our Hitting Looks Pathetic…Its seems like we needed one of those games against Tech, or UGA to kind of get the bats going…
dogsbrekky
February 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
Prado up – a real hitter
Braves Fan 88
February 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
I’m sorry, but Tommy Hanson did not impress me at all today. He could have been Charlie Morton or Kyle Davies. I don’t see why all the hype. Throws hard, can’t control it, not rare at all, but isn’t he supposed to be poised and mentally tough?Thankfully Frank Wren didn’t listen to the blogizens here and signed Glavine to the rotation. No more Campillo either please. I know it’s Spring Training, but I was told to watch and see something special, well I didn’t.Let’s drop the hype and if Hanson is special, then he’ll prove it at AAA, but for now he’s no different than any other well liked pitching prospect that has come up lately.
vesta
February 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
Atlanta Fan: “He sure can throw it hard, so he’s a great pitcher.” That’s the kind of thought process you get from baseball fans in the Deep South. You know, the same people who brought us the Civil War and hot boiled p’nuts (what a disgusting mess).
dogsbrekky
February 26th, 2009
2:55 pm
scratch my last statement (lol)
Chop Chop
February 26th, 2009
2:55 pm
Fantasy sports rock. I’ve been playing for years. It’s geeky, but there ain’t nothing wrong with being geeky about sports.
Anders
February 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
This whole fantasy talk is sickenly self serving for ESPN. They have no shame shilling anything.
This is exactly why I will be tuning into the MLB Network for my updates when the season starts.
Tomahawkin
February 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
Alright The ESPNY commentators are starting to P’s Me off…No talking about the game what-so-ever…Now they are up to their B.S. ways…What THE HELL IS SO FUNNY?
TDub
February 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
Good Jeebus people, it’s the second game of spring training – calm down! How can you tell how the season is going to go based on two spring games?
I’m starting to understand why our divorce rate is so high -
dogsbrekky
February 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
Bravesfan – Hanson’s weakness from all reports is control, but his stuff is nasty, did you see the expression on the faces of the 3 best Astros hitters, kind of wtf was that, his fastball is outright nasty as are his curve and slider, if you do not think so…. so bet it
bf bravesfan
February 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
Freeman grounds out to short to end the inning
Andrew
February 26th, 2009
2:57 pm
i didnt even know who was up last AB until Freeman grounded out because matt berry kruk and phillips wouldnt shut up
cabravesfan
February 26th, 2009
2:57 pm
anyone want to update the game?
brian
February 26th, 2009
2:58 pm
Jack O Pierce also covered the Please Come to Boston which was very popular on the college tour back in the 90s.
Hanson looked great for a rookie’s first appearance. that curve ball was knee buckling and not fair (if you are an opposing hitter). Good velocity and movement. Kept the ball down. Displayed the curve and nasty slider. Wow