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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
552 comments Add your comment
Zach
February 28th, 2009
2:27 pm
its nice, thanks. but seriously. I think that he’s very good defensively but I have serious worries with him at the plate.
BraveTiger
February 28th, 2009
2:28 pm
DOB – Got a question that is not baseball related but thought you might know. Where is Tony Barnhart? In his last blog in January he said he’d be back with blog before national signing day, but haven’t heard from him and his blog link is not on webpage anymore. Thanks in advance. Go Braves!!!
JasonInFL (Formerly ME)
February 28th, 2009
2:28 pm
Good song…Sultans of Swing
Bedell
February 28th, 2009
2:28 pm
Hey Dave, I hope to come down and catch a couple of games the middle of March. Any nearby Cuban and BBQ restaurant recommendations?
Randy S
February 28th, 2009
2:29 pm
For anyone listening to the mlb.tv radio feed, I didn’t realize Jeff Mangum was doing commercials for Toronto cell phone stores.
Jim
February 28th, 2009
2:29 pm
Frankie,
I don’t blame him. That leaves 2 teams regretting that trade!
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2009
2:30 pm
Just got back from talking to Lowe and Boyer (1 inn, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 K).
Lowe said impossible to gauge anything off two innings, and he knew AL teams are good fastball hitting teams. Didn’t throw a breaking ball until after he gave up five hits. Seven of last 10 pitches, he estimated were breaking balls. He got two strikeouts and flyout in that span.
Anyway, said he feels great, etc. Won’t know unitl about 10 days, when they’re throwing 4-5 innings, really where he stands with his pitches.
Jim
February 28th, 2009
2:30 pm
Any news from the game?
cabravesfan
February 28th, 2009
2:30 pm
Believe me, Kotchman is a very good baseball player- he may not hit 35 home runs but he is a great hitter and plays excellent defense. remember there was a lot going on with him when he came to the braves last year- changing leagues, adjusting ot new pitchers, and then his mom was in the hospital for a while- all that can really weigh on a young guy…give him a chance, you will really like him.
Robert
February 28th, 2009
2:32 pm
Schafer needs to cut down on the strikeouts
TBraveFan
February 28th, 2009
2:35 pm
Bedell – try Fat Boys in Kissimmee, I think on Vine…pretty good bbq
Zach
February 28th, 2009
2:36 pm
to me he seems to take that care free approach to the plate that roachy use to take, but he’s not as good as roachy.
Chop Chop
February 28th, 2009
2:37 pm
DOB,
Lowe doesn’t know where he stands after two innings?!?!?!?!? I need to readjust my prediction.
60-102.
Break out the razor blades, boys. We’re finished.
Wait. Boyer pitched a scoreless inning?
Okay. 95-67.
(That was close.)
Jim
February 28th, 2009
2:37 pm
Is there a problem with the system? Seems like the last 10 minutes has been dropped.
dogsbrekky
February 28th, 2009
2:37 pm
who is Bueno the pitcher – is that Mickey Mouse with a mispelt firstname for Lake Buen(o) Vista
Bubdylan
February 28th, 2009
2:38 pm
one-out double by Rios.
bf bravesfan
February 28th, 2009
2:38 pm
ken griffey jr-jerry
Bubdylan
February 28th, 2009
2:39 pm
Strike-out, throw-out double play to end the inning. (runner trying for 3rd)
propp
February 28th, 2009
2:40 pm
not only does Ross have more hits than corky already, but he has thrown out more runners…
dogsbrekky
February 28th, 2009
2:41 pm
Our catcher Rossy is in form…. gonna be good year for the Bravos… can get McCann some needed rest with a gr8 backup
BraveTiger
February 28th, 2009
2:45 pm
DOB – You may have missed the question earlier. Got a question that is not baseball related but thought you might know. Where is Tony Barnhart? In his last blog in January he said he’d be back with blog before national signing day, but haven’t heard from him and his blog link is not on webpage anymore. Thanks in advance. Go Braves!!!
Bubdylan
February 28th, 2009
2:46 pm
6th inning. Ross bats for the Bravos. Ross strikes out. One out, Braves still up 4 – 1.
Prado bats. (Announcers are drifting, drifting… that’s bad when it’s on the radio!) Prado grounds out. Two down.
Blanco bats. Two balls, no strikes. Strike one, 2-1. Ground ball, he’s out.
One, two, three. Bottom of 6th, 4-1. And… that’s the only inning I’m doing… back to Actinopterygii and Elasmobranchii. Ick.
Go Braves.
Frankie Knuckles
February 28th, 2009
2:46 pm
Jim
Yeah, We didn’t know about Netfali. But, if I remember correctly ATL was pretty excited about Mark T. It seemed like a good move at the time. I thought we would be able to sign him to a deal if we made the playoffs. His wife is from the ATL area and he went to Tech. But, as it turned out, he plays for the money. Hard to blame the man. If i had kids i would want to set them up for life.
Jeff321
February 28th, 2009
2:47 pm
Kotchman will lead the Braves in hits this year…
Jim
February 28th, 2009
2:50 pm
L.A.A. of A. fans probably thought the same thing. He was to be their ticket to the WS.
Zach
February 28th, 2009
2:52 pm
yeah with a career .269 average. chipper almost batter 100 points higher than that last year
yeah, im here
February 28th, 2009
2:54 pm
how did the braves score their runs? im a little behind.
Dan
February 28th, 2009
2:54 pm
mlb.com is sooo slow!!!
Jeff321
February 28th, 2009
2:57 pm
Frenchy will have the fewest hits among regular players this year..
Frankie Knuckles
February 28th, 2009
2:59 pm
The Bravos had a way better shot at landing Mark than the Angels. They were prospects that could have netted Mark T – minus the slow April he was heck of a player. By the way Elvis Andrus can’t sing no “Blue Suede Shoes”
Bedell
February 28th, 2009
3:02 pm
Thanks TBraveFan!
Frankie Knuckles
February 28th, 2009
3:02 pm
We had a better shot at signing Mark T than the Angels. They were prospects that could have netted Mark T. And Elvis Andrus can’t sing no “Blue Suede Shoes”. Alright that was lame.
Jeff321
February 28th, 2009
3:02 pm
These Blue Jays’ announcers are lame. I’m going to check out the Rangers game coming up shortly.. Andruw Jones is batting 4th, Salty 6th, and Elvis Andrus 9th.
18 Wheels of Love
February 28th, 2009
3:02 pm
Schafer mo’ betta than Anderson for leadoff!
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2009
3:04 pm
Schafer was credited with a double on that play, and the LF got an error. Schafer showed his speed there.
He told me he worked with a speed coach for a few weeks this winter in Tampa, and that he noticed immediate difference. The guy taught him some stuff about initial burst and what to work on to help his legs.
PABravefan
February 28th, 2009
3:05 pm
Schaefer Doubles in top of 7th. To 3rd on error
Infante Sac Fly – Schaefer scores 5 -2 Bravos
PABravefan
February 28th, 2009
3:07 pm
B. Hicks – K looking 2 out
PABravefan
February 28th, 2009
3:07 pm
Broken Bat Grounder to second 3 out.
TnBrian
February 28th, 2009
3:09 pm
KC, from the last blog, unfortunately, I don’t live in Atl. live in Chattanooga,Tn. That sounds like fun though.
Dean
February 28th, 2009
3:17 pm
Infante – the best – most underrated utility player – .
gophernarly
February 28th, 2009
3:19 pm
What’s going on with Manny Acosta. I haven’t heard anything about him at all this spring.
Robert
February 28th, 2009
3:21 pm
Acosta pitched once already
Robert
February 28th, 2009
3:21 pm
DOB
Why hasn’t Phil Stockman pitched yet this spring
Mike
February 28th, 2009
3:22 pm
DOB…
I know this is off game topic, but I am going to the Orlando area Mar 15-22, and I want to stop by and see the Bravos. I don’t necessarily need to see a game, I just want to be able to get up close with my son and see them practice and maybe get some autographs. What do you suggest? Do I need to go to a game and get there early, or can I just buy tickets to get in the WWoS and go to the feild. Do they practice on non game days? Sorry I know thats alot of questions, and I know your not a travel agent, I am just trying to figure out the best and cheapest way to go see them. Any advise would be appreciated.
TNScott
February 28th, 2009
3:23 pm
Did I miss something or did the new format just get some bad sausage and belch out about a ten minute blog?.
18 Wheels of Love
February 28th, 2009
3:24 pm
The one thing you cant say about Schafer is that he doesnt work hard. Always seems like the kid is training.
Robert
February 28th, 2009
3:25 pm
Schafer has work ethic, now he needs to cut down on the strikeouts.
Chop Chop
February 28th, 2009
3:26 pm
I noticed that someone on the last blog took me to task for wishing injury on the hated Yankee Mark Teixeira. It was a joke. I hope Tex does well enough in New York to make the fans wonder why he can’t lead his team to the promised land.
You see, it’s not all “I hope that guy tears his knee up” with me. I can be vindictive in a positive way.
keylargo
February 28th, 2009
3:28 pm
Guess who struck out today on the Ranges?
keylargo
February 28th, 2009
3:29 pm
Rangers?
Jim
February 28th, 2009
3:30 pm
Chop Chop,
He would have to stand in line behind ARod before the fans blame him for that?
Jeff321
February 28th, 2009
3:31 pm
Andruw Jones batting cleanup is the big strikeout king!
TBraveFan
February 28th, 2009
3:31 pm
Mike – let me check on something – I have 2 comp passes to get into the complex at any time, I don’t need them to come and go….so maybe that would get you close enough to the back fields during practices before bp, etc. I’m not at home right now to look at the passes, but once I am, I’ll look back on the blog and let you know.
Bobby's Cox
February 28th, 2009
3:36 pm
Zach,
Not sure why you dislike Kotchman so much. I can’t believe you said that Adam LaRoche is a better hitter than Kotchman. That infuriates me.
Everyone here in SoCal loves Kotchman and hates that he’s on the Braves now. They all say he was their MVP before getting traded last year.
Magnus Pym
February 28th, 2009
3:37 pm
Does Schafer also play RF,
G Anderson LF
Anderson CF
Schafer RF
Frenchy making frenchies
Mike
February 28th, 2009
3:39 pm
Thanks TBraveFan
Chop Chop
February 28th, 2009
3:41 pm
Jim,
Haven’t you heard that the healing power of forgiveness will allow A-Rod to produce a monster year? When the Yankees blow it this year, it’ll all be on the other soulless ex-Ranger.
Well, I hope it will be.
Magnus Pym
February 28th, 2009
3:43 pm
Adam Laroche absolutely rakes now in a CRAP team, 90 rbi in 2008
That would be more than any Bravos…. sadly
Kotchman, Francouer and Diaz just need to perform, no talk, no bs, just perform, then we can get back to being a meritocracy rather than a happy family of mediocrity
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2009
3:44 pm
Well, Luis Valdez’s debut was pretty much a debacle. (six batters, 1 run, 4 walks, 2 Ks)
Vlad Nunez (yes, they still have him on the minor league side) came in and got a flyout to CF to mercifully end that eighth inning and limit the damage to one run.
Jack Fate
February 28th, 2009
3:48 pm
DOB,
What were your thoughts on Rafael Cruz?
KC
February 28th, 2009
3:49 pm
TnBrian, bummer. Wish you could make it. Well, enjoy the game up there in TN. Hopefully we’ll be able to talk about an opening day V on April 8th. Especially given that it’ll be against the Phillettes.
Bubdylan
February 28th, 2009
3:51 pm
Vlad Nunez in for Luis Valdez? I just caught Dyslexia.
Goldenglove002
February 28th, 2009
3:51 pm
whats the score?
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2009
3:55 pm
Braves up 6-3 after Freeman’s chop groundout drove in a run here in the ninth. Infante had another hit in the inning.
Robot
February 28th, 2009
3:57 pm
5-3 Braves
Robot
February 28th, 2009
3:58 pm
oops Schafer scored
PTBNL
February 28th, 2009
4:00 pm
Goldenglove, latest I have is 6-3 Braves.
Chop Chop
February 28th, 2009
4:00 pm
The Good Fruit combo was a mixed bag today. Bueno lived up to his name. Fruto was slightly spoiled.
Bedell
February 28th, 2009
4:05 pm
Good thing the Braves don’t have Looper on their roster. “Bueno Fruto Looper” might be just too much.
Chop Chop
February 28th, 2009
4:09 pm
I agree, Bedell. I can’t deny that Fruit Loops are good, though.
Jeff321
February 28th, 2009
4:09 pm
Watch for Bobby Cox to be “really impressed” with Luis Valdez’ pitching.. And offer him Phil Stockman’s spot in the bullpen!
leland
February 28th, 2009
4:10 pm
Dear Mr. DOB–I have a suggestion. That’s all it is. If you don’t want to do it you don’t have to. Here it is: when you quote Kawoosee Kawasaki don’t say he said something through a interpreter. Just quote him and say he said it in Japanese. People will think you can speak it if they want to. But you didn’t say you did. See what I’m saying? And you can go right on with your work, and if something comes up you can always say you never said you could speak Japanese. If you see Mark Bradley down there tell him I said,”Hey.” Your pal, Leland
Rodney Derrick
February 28th, 2009
4:11 pm
DOB– Less than 3000 attendance at Pittsburgh and Toronto exhibitions. Any feelings as to concerns over levels of attendance in spring training so far?
Chop Chop– Good to see you were not serious in your negative wishes for Tex
McFann :Ô:
February 28th, 2009
4:16 pm
Sweet! Another win!
I like Ross, BTW.
bf bravesfan
February 28th, 2009
4:16 pm
game over?
Tomas
February 28th, 2009
4:19 pm
Schafer, worked with a speed coach. He is a guy who could steal 25-30 bases or more, man I wish they could give him the job from day 1, and have Anderson as the 4th or 5th outfielder.
Chop Chop
February 28th, 2009
4:21 pm
leland,
Claiming to be deaf also works. DOB could claim this and inform the players that he can read lips. When the quotes end up being a lot more interesting than usual, he can tell the guys in the clubhouse that he needs a new contact prescription. If worst comes to worst, DOB can sue someone for some sort of discrimination.
dogsbrekky
February 28th, 2009
4:26 pm
Schafer – Kid has the right talent with a CAPITAL TTT
Right attitude (buys speed lessons, the best batting machine) etc etc
He can run, steal a base or 30, hit for avg and power and can field…
I hope thet just throw him right in that billabong to start the season and see if he can swim with the crocs…
FWIW – My mate works for a certain NE team and there is a MAJOR MAJOR problem with the (arguably) BEST picther in baseball (maybe them roids have worn off). I do not think he will be seen early in 2009 !!!
dogsbrekky
February 28th, 2009
4:28 pm
PS Poor old lard butt has had 7 ks in his last 8 at bats and 1 infield single, a very sad end to a great career…. we are witnessing
spotts
February 28th, 2009
4:34 pm
Andruw got an infield single? Did the firstbaseman slip on a banana peel?
BO JR.
February 28th, 2009
4:38 pm
IS ANDRUWS AGE CORRECT? maybe hes 42
KC
February 28th, 2009
4:38 pm
Given that Andruw is almost certainly bound for the minors, he might want to seek a release from the Rangers and try his hand in Gwinnett. At least he’d be playing home games 15 minutes from his Duluth home.
Not that it will matter. As bad as he looks right now, I can’t see him hitting AAA pitching either.
Steve McP
February 28th, 2009
4:38 pm
I don’t know why people are being so hard on Andruw.
He was a great player for the Braves, (even in the last season he was still a marvellous fielder, albeit that he had batting woes), after he left he did not bad mouth the Braves and would have been very happy to return to the organisation if they had wanted him.
I cannot see what he has done to justify the venom and glee that has accompanied his loss of ability to hit.
dogsbrekky
February 28th, 2009
4:39 pm
spotts – it was yesterday and I am told the infield had a rostered day off…….
Andrew
February 28th, 2009
4:40 pm
I know why doesnt everyone let Andruw be..what is the deal?
KC
February 28th, 2009
4:43 pm
BO JR., that’s actually a good question. I’m positive he’s not 42… but would any of us be SHOCKED to learn that he’s actually about to turn 35 or 36, rather than 32?
His age is probably accurate. And if it is, it sure is hard to figure what’s happened to this guy. Even if he was juicing, and a decline after coming off the stuff, he should fall THIS far in his early 30’s.
Goldenglove002
February 28th, 2009
4:43 pm
Dogsbrekky, how valid is that info on Johan?
KC
February 28th, 2009
4:44 pm
Personally, I hope he does seek a release and sign minor league deal with Braves to play in Gwinnett. I still wouldn’t be optimistic that anything would come of it, but I’d like to see him get that shot here (in the minors, of course).
dogsbrekky
February 28th, 2009
4:46 pm
Steve McP – yes valid points sir, let me say publicly, ANDRUW is/was the best outfielder I have ever seen (I am not old enough to have seen Mays live) but I would take Andruw over Junior at his best, Bonds at his best ad infinitum…. but his attitude is/has been apalling in more ways than one….. sorry to say
KC
February 28th, 2009
4:46 pm
OOPS… Meant to say he shouldN’T fall this far in his early 30’s.
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2009
4:46 pm
Chop Chop, hilarious at 4 p.m.
Lew
February 28th, 2009
4:47 pm
KC-What about Andruw’s winter performance or his time in Texas is confusing to you? Dude’s washed up and won’t be getting it back. It’s been more than 2 1/2 seasons now and no improvement has been sighted. I think the writing has been on the wall for quite some time.
PTBNL
February 28th, 2009
4:47 pm
McP, it is my understanding that the Braves would have been interested in signing him to a minor league contract, but that Andruw would only sign such a contract with Texas.
Lew
February 28th, 2009
4:51 pm
SteveMcP-It’s not that no one likes Andruw or is not appreciative of his time in Atlanta. I mean, I’m not going to go play catch with the dog using his autographed ball or anything. It’s just that people keep acting like he’ll return to productivity and it’s just not happening. We wish him well, but see little reason to make him a Brave again.
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2009
4:52 pm
Jack Fate, you asked my thoughts on Rafael Cruz. Well, the mystery man from Japan (actually from the Dominican, but he somehow ended up pitching for Chunichi, Kawakami’s team) was dealing today. Cox said he thought he was throwing at least 95-96, maybe higher (no gun on the stadium board). Cruz also threw a couple of nasty sliders.
He’s the guy that no one knew when Braves scouts saw him throw 98 mph in a Dominican game this winter and signed him. A couple of nights later, he hit 99 mph and a few scouts supposedly followed him to the clubhouse to talk to him, and he waved them off and said he’d already signed with the Braves.
His bio sheet has no accouting for about five years earlier this decade. Braves couldn’t find any numbers for him. I’m telling you, this is an enigma wrapped not in a riddle, but a tortilla of anonymity.
dogsbrekky
February 28th, 2009
4:52 pm
Goldenglove – from a physio unfortunately, but they usually see the damage only under treatment so am not sure what the real John Dory is but there is much moaning allegedly from Manuel and Omar (major pain I am told)……
KC
February 28th, 2009
4:54 pm
ESPN.com: “PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets ace Johan Santana says that his Opening Day start could be in jeopardy as he continues to battle tightness in his elbow.”
HA!! That’s great!
I’m sure someone will chastise me for finding glee in a sports injury to a player of a rival team. And they my be right. It’s probably a character flaw on my part. But…
I CAN’T HELP BUT LAUGH!!!
After what happened to the Braves last year, and all the sh!t Mets fans talked throughout the season… given the complete lack of empathy from most Mets fans last year, I’m afraid I can’t muster any for the poor NY fans if Santana’s elbow issue turns out to be more than a short-term thing.
Of course, this may turn out to be nothing… but if it IS significant, Mets fans can expect the same measure of kindness from me that we were shown last year.
Jim
February 28th, 2009
4:54 pm
It is a shame to see Andruw Jones decline as fast as he has. I hope that when he returns as a retiree to be inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame, that he is appreciated for his first ten years and not denigrated for his last three.
Silas
February 28th, 2009
4:55 pm
DOB, any idea what happened to the updates of the photos on the AJC Braves site? Just seems like there haven’t been any new photos in a while and it would be great to see some photos of these games. Thanks.
Jeff321
February 28th, 2009
4:55 pm
I was an Andruw Jones fan for quite a few years.. Until the last couple with Atlanta.
There is something about smiling after striking out that just makes me angry, eh?
Anyway, as you all probably know — Cox was lobbying hard for “Andy” to return. Which is yet another reason why I dislike Bobby Cox.