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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,297 comments Add your comment
Bobby's Cox
March 16th, 2009
4:12 pm
Just saw the WBC episode from last night. Wright and Lindstrom were totally out of line, imo. It was 8-0, let the kid look at his shot. He wasn’t showing anyone up, and didn’t even look at it that long. He looked more surprised that he hit the ball that far, and as if he was wondering if it would stay fair. That was merely a fraction of the looks that manny ramirez, bonds, sosa, and countless other show boats give or gave to their long flys. Looks like Wright and Lindstrom forgot that in the offseason.
Anders
March 16th, 2009
4:15 pm
Bobby Cox – It didn’t look to me like Wright made a huge deal out of it. I would agree that what the batter did was not that bad. Especially under the circumstances. Let him enjoy possibly the one moment on a stage like that he may have.
Where was all this bravado when the USA got mercied?
MFin04
March 16th, 2009
4:16 pm
I read the same article about TIm Hudson last year…that ESPN wrote about Hamels this year. Not looking good for the Phillies.
ease19
March 16th, 2009
4:17 pm
Anders – Maybe you should leave someone at the house and go grab anyone.
someone else
March 16th, 2009
4:18 pm
Anders, yes dear. As long as its not new cars. Oh, almost forgot bring me some David Wright pictures, I love that boy. I have Metro man and Sniper 69 here waiting honey.
Anders
March 16th, 2009
4:18 pm
Anyone or anyone else?
mbatl
March 16th, 2009
4:20 pm
Bobby’s, when I saw the replay last night, I really didn’t think Wright was adding to the fray; looked to me like he was watching the ball fly out of the park, not the batter. The batter preened a little, but no worse than Griffy Jr or Manny do every time they hit a fly ball.
And, Lindstrom did it right, a soft fastball towards the buttocks. No way was that gonna hurt anybody.
As Adam Dunn (that great baseball philosopher) said, “it’s just baseball.”
Andy K.
March 16th, 2009
4:20 pm
Julio Franco is now the manager of a Mets Minor League Team….ugh.
Anders
March 16th, 2009
4:21 pm
Someone else – This has a Silence Of The Lambs feel to it. Are you making a new canvas for Lew out of Met bloggers?
Bobby's Cox
March 16th, 2009
4:22 pm
Anders, did you see the view of Wright and Englehart both in frame from the 3rd base camera? Not sure why Wright got up like that and was staring down Englehart, other than he was disgruntled. Possibly that made Lindstrom think more of the “stare” than he would’ve.
I’ll say this: It was more apparent to me that Wright was upset with Englehart than it was that Englehart was show boating. Not even close in that determination.
DAP
March 16th, 2009
4:25 pm
raindawg722 whats the 722 in your name mean? anyways, bobby has been saying the hicks is already a MLB SS (defensively) his offense just needs al little work. im sure that he could be convert to a 3B guy, and seems to have the power of a corner guy. if he can cut down on his Ks (139 Ks in just under 400 ABs last year) he might be ready in a year or so.
Anders
March 16th, 2009
4:26 pm
Bobby Cox – Yes I saw that and I did see him looking at the batter. His expression hardly changed and I didn’t see him jawing or anything. Not saying it didn’t happen, but I didn’t see it. To me, this was a case of ESPN and that moron Sutcliffe (who’s still living in the 80’s) making something out of nothing. Just my opinion and I know enough to say it’s probably slanted.
But it wasn’t like we saw Wright screaming at the guy or anything.
DWW
March 16th, 2009
4:27 pm
Bobby’s
It was kind of a weird reaction from Wright. He jumped up as soon as the ball was hit(too early to tell that Englehart was posing), but he was clearly looking at Englehart not where the ball was going.
dogsbrekky
March 16th, 2009
4:28 pm
Chop Chop – I should have said he drove the CoCola truck.
TnBrian
March 16th, 2009
4:29 pm
McFann, punked,plunked…Taveras woulda done either, so I guess it doesn’t matter, right?
DAP
March 16th, 2009
4:30 pm
i think the next batter should have been thrown at. its fine, not a big deal, cause it wasnt at his head. just like posing a little bit isnt a big deal, getting thrown at in that situation is part of the game.
add ryan howard to the list of guys that watch it way to long. he seems like a nice guy, but he really needs to get beaned.
chris from md
March 16th, 2009
4:32 pm
DOB and others,
Who do you all see as rounding out the Gwinnett rotation? I have Hanson, Reyes, Morton, Parr, and Redmond. But what about Medlen? AA again, bullpen, or does he bump Parr or Redmond? Also, who the closer– Nuzez or Marek? Just wondering… man, this team is loaded with pitching talent.
Chris from MD
Bobby's Cox
March 16th, 2009
4:33 pm
mbatl, The view i saw showed wright glance at the ball, then Englehart, then immediate bounce of his seat and walk up to the dugout stairs moving his mouth. When he got up, he took one more glance, actually, i shouldn’t even say glance, maybe a head tilt to RF, then immediately re-fixated on Englehart. And, Lindstrom’s throw was no soft toss. It was pretty hard pitched with intention that wasn’t warranted.
Anders, I’m still rooting for the US, actually, i could give a crap if the US wins, or loses. I like the WBC, but don’t care for the outcome. But if I were rooting for a team, it would be the US, then Japan, so that’s not my beef. Just sucks that you ruin a kids glory like that. I don’t even hate david wright. I’m just stating what i saw because it was discussed earlier. If it were McCann that did what wright did, i’d have the same view – damn straight.
Anders
March 16th, 2009
4:34 pm
add ryan howard to the list of guys that watch it way to long. he seems like a nice guy, but he really needs to get beaned. (DAP)
I love how nonchalantly that line was written.- He’s a nice guy. Hit him in the head with a round hard object traveling at 90mph. – Hey, what’s for lunch?
Jersey Gil
March 16th, 2009
4:35 pm
Ok guys here is my opening Day 25 men roster:
12 Pitcher(Lowe,JJ,Javy,KK,Glavine,JOJo,Gonzo,Sori,Moylan,Boyer,Logan,Bennett)
2 Catcher: Mac,Ross
6 Infielder: Esco,Chipper,Kelly,Kotch,Infante,Prado
5 Outfielder: Anderson,Anderson,Diaz,Norton,Frenchy.
I think Campi & Carlyle will be trade before season Open.
Option to AAA: Hanson,Morton,Diory,Shaffer,Jones,Blanco,Sammon.
I hope the People in Gwinnett fill that ball park, awasome team.
TnBrian
March 16th, 2009
4:35 pm
Anders, Sutcliffe does seem like an instigator, but it still doesn’t change the fact that Wright might be a little stressed out with the questionable health of his pitchers. You should be worried because September isn’t too far away. Just sayin
McPoyle
March 16th, 2009
4:35 pm
Just read that new chipper article with his quotes about the downtime in the WBC, and it makes perfect sense. I heard Sutcliff (not always to be taken seriously) say that last night during the game and I agreed with it. These guys play 162 games in 180 days… Days off are few and far between, I think they could handle the WBC games in the matter of two weeks instead of 3.
Part of me wants to see this thing take off, but nobody really seems to care, especially here in the the states. there’s not a good time to play it. the Cuban team stops their regular season to come over here and play, so they’re literally in midseason form. Our guys are just getting their timing down and trying to hit spots. and it’s kinda sad when the games are in the US and venezuella and puerto rican fans are louder than US fans… like watching a Cubs vs Brewers game in Milwaukee… whose the home team??
Bobby's Cox
March 16th, 2009
4:35 pm
DAP, maybe why that ticks me a little, is because something that innocent by Englehart got the next batter thrown at. Yet, last year, our pitchers didn’t do ($&($ when it was waaay more warranted on a handful of occaisions. Actually, no, that’s not it. I really don’t think Englehart did anything wrong, and I’m all for throwing at a hitter to make a statement.
ncscoots
March 16th, 2009
4:36 pm
I blame union brotherhood for the lack of wiping admiring looks off hitters’ faces. Hard to throw one at the lips after you’ve sat together griping about The Man, LOL.
That, and all the armor that hitters can wear to the box these days. All that protection really leaves you not much to throw at other than the head, and no pitcher really wants to take that kind of chance. Not really.
Coach joe
March 16th, 2009
4:37 pm
If the Mets lose Santana and Redding and Hamels goes down for the Phillies, watch for the Braves to contend for the Division title. Look how many pitchers we lost last year to injuries. If Anderson and chipper can get healthy and if Francouer has a decent year, it just might be a fun year.
Go braves..
Anders
March 16th, 2009
4:38 pm
Bobby Cox – I hear ya. Could go either way I guess. We do agree that the reaction the USA had was wrong – completely. They looked like the spoiled rich kids who didn’t want the poor kids ruining their party.
(Hey wait, that’s just like what happens to me here.):}
DAP
March 16th, 2009
4:40 pm
i was just thinking, with the braves pitching depth, by the end of the season (when hudson is back) they will have enough talent to make two 5 man rotations that are both better than the 5 man rotations of some teams. thats pretty cool.
Anders
March 16th, 2009
4:43 pm
Anders, Sutcliffe does seem like an instigator, but it still doesn’t change the fact that Wright might be a little stressed out with the questionable health of his pitchers. You should be worried because September isn’t too far away. Just sayin (TnBrian)
Seriously? You think Wright jumped up and vented on the batter because he’s stressing about the Mets pitching situation and what it means for September?
Seriously? OOOOKKKK.
David O'Brien
March 16th, 2009
4:44 pm
Check out some of Chipper’s quotes about the WBC from the story I filed while ago:
By DAVID O’BRIEN
dobrien@ajc.com
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. _ Chipper Jones said his strained oblique muscle will be fine, but the World Baseball Classic needs changes.
The third baseman left Team USA and returned to Braves camp after aggravating the strained muscle in his right side during batting practice before Sunday’s game against the Netherlands in Miami.
“There’s some serious problems with the WBC setup,” said Jones, will skip the rest of the tournament. “I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. But I wouldn’t do it again under the current format. There’s way too many days off. This tournament could be over by now.”
Jones was back at Braves camp Monday for treatment. He said his strain is relatively minor and he could be back in the Braves lineup by the end of the week. Braves manager Bobby Cox didn’t think Jones would be out much longer than that.
Team USA officials had planned to rest him five days, as they did after the initial injury March 8 in a game at Toronto.
“Well they kept me out five days in Canada, and I was probably ready to go on the third day,” Jones said. “They were going to do the same thing so I said, screw it, I’m coming home.
“I’d much rather be around this [Braves] training staff and treat it aggressively and hopefully get back into some kind of action in two or three days.”
The 2008 batting champion has been away since reporting to Team USA March 2. He went 0-for-10 with six strikeouts in three games.
He said he felt fine during Saturday’s game against Puerto Rico, but felt a twinge in his side during batting practice Sunday.
“I took about 20 swings in batting practice and hit a ball about 450 feet to right-center field, and I felt it,” he said. “I stuck my thumb in it just to try and loosen it up a little bit and [hitting coach] Reggie Smith saw me and came up to me and said, ‘Don’t mess around with that thing. If you feel it, get out of there.’”
After two more swings, Jones took his advice. After being examined in Miami, he decided to pull the plug and return to Braves camp.
He said this strain isn’t nearly as severe as others he’s had, including a left oblique strain that disabled him twice in 2006.
“They were going to be extra-cautious because it’s the second time it’s happened [in eight days],” Jones said. “And I just told [Team USA trainers] last night, if you’re not going to listen to me and you’re just going to tell me I’m going to be out for five days, I’m going home….
“What’s five days gonna get us? Off day today, game tomorrow, game on Wednesday, and one day-long trip to L.A. … I might be ready to play the [championship] game. If they’re gonna keep me out that long, I just said, I’m going home.”
Jones, who also played in the inaugural WBC in 2006, said he won’t play again if the format isn’t changed.
“Just way too many days off,” he said. “We stayed in Toronto for a week and played three games. I don’t know if you ever stayed in Toronto, but it’s not exactly Las Vegas. To say that we were plucking our eyebrows out one at a time would be an understatement.
“You’re not getting the work in that you should. You’re getting reps, but you’re not getting the at-bats that you need.
“Getting to share a clubhouse with the guys and getting to know people on a different level is the cool part about it. But when you’re talking about a three-week tournament, and you could literally play eight games in three weeks, it’s just too much down time for spring training.”
Roach
March 16th, 2009
4:44 pm
JerseyGil
Schafer has to be the startin CF not Anderson. Schafer is just better no way to sugar coat it.
Chop Chop
March 16th, 2009
4:44 pm
Here’s a better argument against throwing at a Dutch player…
You’ve got a six-run lead in the eighth. Dude hit a homer and enjoyed it. So what? He’s about to go home to Wooden Shoe Land and smoke some primo weed and eat tulips.
Okay, to be realistic, he’ll be going to some island in the Caribbean.
Anyway, his team is done. What good is it to “send a message” to a team that is gone in an inning? Why even risk getting one of your own guys hit? Just a brain-dead move by Lindstrom.
(Of course, it wasn’t as brain-dead of a move as making his appearance with a bum arm. This is why I love the WBC.)
DAP
March 16th, 2009
4:46 pm
coach joeIf the Mets lose Santana and Redding and Hamels goes down for the Phillies, watch for the Braves to contend for the Division title
if this happens, the braves better do alot more than contend. they oughta blow them out.
Bobby's Cox
March 16th, 2009
4:46 pm
anders, exactly.
dogsbrekky
March 16th, 2009
4:46 pm
Jersey Gil – I hope we keep Buddy and use Medlen in some kind of role, maybe use JoJo at AAA and then if Glavine is injured bring him in as nos 5 starter until Hanson is ready.. also Bennett is a bit iffy…
I suppose you are right in your thinking that Buddy and Campillo have the best trade value of our marginal starters/relievers.
Tomahawk210
March 16th, 2009
4:47 pm
Jersey Gil
If things keep going like they have last week look for Schafer to replace J Anderson on your 25 man roster. It seems like J Anderson can’t handle the pressure of a little ST competion so how will he handle the pressure of leading off every game. Schafer it seems thrives under the pressure and welcomes it and as I’ve read from a number of reports brings a fire to the clubhouse and line-up that we’ve needed on this Braves team for the last few years. The kid goes balls out every game and works very hard, and his hard work should be rewarded with a spot on the MLB roster in April.
nolie
March 16th, 2009
4:50 pm
.Your dog see you as everything wonderful in life…….a cat sees you as staff. Reagan
so? that’s the way it should be. dogs are emotionally needy and cats aren’t.
Anders
March 16th, 2009
4:50 pm
Three puffs of white smoke from Chipper condemning the WBC. Now watch the old blog go full speed ahead negative on the tournament.
Jersey Gil
March 16th, 2009
4:51 pm
Roach….what’re going to do With Josh Anderson…no Option…release him? give a present to the Mets?….he will be another candidate to trade.
AdirondackDave
March 16th, 2009
4:52 pm
DAP — You’re right about that. Braves have the talent to staff two rotations without being ashamed of either. Somebody (probably starting with Glavine) will go down though, and the extra depth will come in very handy. I see JoJo coming up first and Hanson after the all-star game.
Coach Joe — It won’t be necessary for Hamels, Santana, etc. to go down for the Braves to be right there this year. They are competitive right now and when Hanson (and probably Schafer) come up mid-season and Hudson comes back in September, I’d put my money on Atlanta. If I were a betting man, that is.
Have to watch Chipper closely and get him right for April, though.
Anders
March 16th, 2009
4:53 pm
Aaaaaalllll Aboard! Next stop. We knew we hated this WBCville.
McPoyle
March 16th, 2009
4:53 pm
if i have to hear sutcliffe tell everybody how much jake peavy loves this country one more time, i’m going to fight somebody. preferably somebody small and weak that i can handle, i don’t want to get beat up over sutcliffe’s flair for the dramatic. i swear this guy could make a routine groundout to second base sound like it was the most beautiful, unselfish, all-american play in the history of baseball.
AdirondackDave
March 16th, 2009
4:55 pm
DOB or anybody — Can a team trade for a future draft pick in MLB?
nolie
March 16th, 2009
4:56 pm
if he can cut down on his Ks (139 Ks in just under 400 ABs last year) he might be ready in a year or so. DAP
wanna bet?
Bay Area Steve
March 16th, 2009
4:56 pm
Random,
I know I’m not going win with you; I mean, you hold your own with Shawn, what chance do I have? But, this feigned ignorance thing you repeatedly do is a major part of your “assedness.”
It seems pretty telling to me that they changed the headline. I try to see your side, and can’t imagine continuing to argue the point even after they changed the headline.
ncscoots
March 16th, 2009
4:57 pm
Three puffs of white smoke from Chipper condemning the WBC. Now watch the old blog go full speed ahead negative on the tournament.
You mean, moreso than it already has been? Seems to me that sentiment has been running against the tourney by a large margin.
Just because your opinions are based on whatever David Wright utters does not mean the same concept holds true for other, more rational folk.
dogsbrekky
March 16th, 2009
5:00 pm
The only way the WBC will be taken seriously is if they do a full blown format like the World Cup Soccer or Cricket with an intensive tournament structure, say every 4 years, but that would mean MLB doing some structural changes……. hence we no chance (have to pass the owners, player union etc)
ncscoots
March 16th, 2009
5:01 pm
i swear [Sutcliffe] could make a routine groundout to second base sound like it was the most beautiful, unselfish, all-american play in the history of baseball.
If the groundout were made by David Wright, then, yes, it would be. The world knows this.
nolie
March 16th, 2009
5:02 pm
DOB or anybody — Can a team trade for a future draft pick in MLB?
No
Tomahawk210
March 16th, 2009
5:03 pm
Jersey Gil
Just because a player has no options is no reason for better player to be sent to AAA. The Braves team is what brings the fans and we want the best product on the field regardless of options, arbitration and BS like that. If things keep progressing the way it has as far as Schafer outplaying Anderson and they keep Anderson simply because of options, then I will not watch the Braves until they put the best line-up on the field. Because in my mind, they are not concerned about winning and playing their best players who work hard and should be rewarded for their hard work. I’m getting tired of mediocre Braves teams year after year, and from what i’ve seen of Anderson he is a good 4th OF, nothing more. He folds under pressure just like he did to Blanco last year in ST.
Anders
March 16th, 2009
5:04 pm
ncscoots – ouch. There’s a nuance I was alluding to that you didn’t pick up on. Not to worry – it’ll be clear.
At least that what David Wright told me.
AdirondackDave
March 16th, 2009
5:06 pm
Nolie — Do you know the rationale behind not allowing the trading of draft picks?
ShamusThacker
March 16th, 2009
5:11 pm
I’d like to say hi to Everyone, Anyone, Nobody, and Somebody Else…
Anybody here? Somebody? Everyone Else?
David O'Brien
March 16th, 2009
5:12 pm
Fox Sports South will have Fred Hickman host its Braves Live thing this year. Here’s part of the release they sent me:
FOX Sports South and SportSouth today announced the return of Braves LIVE, the only expanded pre- and post-game show for the Atlanta Braves. The networks have named broadcast veteran Fred Hickman as the host of Braves LIVE. Jerome Jurenovich returns to Braves LIVE, moving from behind the desk to the field and clubhouse to provide exclusive insight and interviews. Hickman and Jurenovich join analysts and former Braves’ standouts Ron Gant and Brian Jordan for the 30-minute pre-game show and expanded post-game coverage for telecasts on both networks. Braves LIVE coverage begins on Saturday, April 4 at 12:30 p.m. ET on SportSouth before the Braves face the Detroit Tigers at 1 p.m. ET in their final Spring Training game played at Turner Field.
Anders
March 16th, 2009
5:14 pm
ncscoots is on full David Wright attack.
Sir, are you not aware that the USA is at baseball war and Mr. Wright is the only born American we have to fulfill the duties required at third base? The other soldier we assigned fell by the way side during a battle with the Netherlands. Well, actually he fell off the truck on the way to the battle – but I digress. We asked this felled soldier to send the backup from his battalion once he reaches his base camp. Incredibly enough they have none and we will have to rely on another battalion to supply a backup for Mr. Wright should we survive to the next campaign on the west coast of the United States. In these dire times we need to all put our selfish thoughts aside and pull for our boys to come home victorious.
You’re negative singling out of this American hero is neither condoned nor appreciated by the rest of the citizens of this great country of ours and it would be appreciated if you would cease and desist such actions.
That is all.
raindawg722
March 16th, 2009
5:18 pm
DAP, 722 are just some lucky numbers that I tacked onto my screen name. I really didn’t give it too much thought.
Thanks for passing along Cox’s comments. Hicks had 19 errors in 107 games at short last year, which seems a little high. Not saying he couldn’t work on that, and maybe he has great range and is otherwise pretty smooth. A switch to third might even help him.
Unless the Braves unload Yunel (which isn’t completely unlikely) I just cannot see him playing short in Atlanta and there’s no one else in the minors that looks remotely ready to step in at third in the next year or two.
That might be one of those positions that the Braves stock up on by trading some of their surplus pitching.
Interested Observer
March 16th, 2009
5:18 pm
I love Chipper, but being that he reaggravated his oblique after playing just one game tells me he wasn’t ready after 5 days, much less three. This is spring training, not the regular season. You have to be extra cautious with such things.
Hammy the Brave
March 16th, 2009
5:25 pm
To all who love Jordan Schaffer,
Don’t you think he has some holes in his game, that you aren’t seeing at present? Specifically, from what I’ve read in Baseball America, he has trouble hitting lefties, has to get his walks up and K’s down(OBP), has to improve his stolen base %, and has been streaky offensively.
Just because you want a player to do well, and know he is the future of the team, doesn’t mean he is actually ready to take that spot on the team, with no AAA experience. It also doesn’t mean the younger player has no flaws- they either haven’t been discovered by too little time in the minors, or you haven’t done real research on “your boy”.
I like Schaffer as much as anyone, and want him and the Braves to do well, but I don’t want him rushed to the majors because of his ST performance.
Think about it,
Hammy the Brave
A FAN
March 16th, 2009
5:32 pm
damn no katie T this year. thats sux!!!!
ShamusThacker
March 16th, 2009
5:33 pm
Hammy, I strained my lighter-thumb while igniting a blunt. How many days off should I request, and how might I parlay that into a leisurely six-month vacation?
You the man in the know, just askin….
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
March 16th, 2009
5:36 pm
Anders,
If Chipper hates the WBC, then so do I….. I’m a mindless sheep…..
But seriously, I’d like the WBC if it was shortened and they played more games more often, as someone here already said. Also, it’s never going to gain popularity when you don’t put the US team on ESPN or ESPN2, instead of pushing it aside to the new MLB network that not everyone has.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 16th, 2009
5:36 pm
Hammy, both McCann and Francoeur made the jump from AA. Think about it.
Andre "Pulpwood" Smith
March 16th, 2009
5:40 pm
DOB, great job on the Ian Dury reference. Some may prefer the great “Sex, Drugs and Rock’n’ Roll” but I prefer “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick.” Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq4NZEtNTAo
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 16th, 2009
5:40 pm
In fact, Andruw Jones had just 50 games of experience in AA and AAA ball before making the jump to the big leagues.
Rafael Furcal played all of three games in AA.
Trust the scouts. They know more than anybody.
McFann :Ô:
March 16th, 2009
5:41 pm
TnBrian punked,plunked…Taveras woulda done either, so I guess it doesn’t matter, right?
Haha…yeah, that’s true.
Bubdylan
March 16th, 2009
5:41 pm
Hey, everybody, thanks again. You folks are awesome. It’s been a genuine comfort reading your responses. I read them slowly, and many of them twice.
I’m doing much better. Sleep is a real miracle, isn’t it? Got a bunch to do the next few days (thank God), so with a little patience, I’ll be fine.
Speaking of patience, it’s great to see Jordan Schafer work all the way back to bringing the kind of excitement he brought before his troubles.
McFann :Ô:
March 16th, 2009
5:43 pm
Chipper “There’s way too many days off. This tournament could be over by now.”
Gotta agree with him on that.
ShamusThacker
March 16th, 2009
5:45 pm
Coach, I’m thinkin anybody might be a scout; gonna be really offended dude…
dogsbrekky
March 16th, 2009
5:46 pm
HAMMY = meet the Jordan Schafer of 2009 ST, he has shown improvement in ALL areas you raise
BUBDYLAN – sorry about your dog, I am convinced I would have died if it were not for my beloved border collie……
Bobby's Cox
March 16th, 2009
5:48 pm
Hammy, it’s not a question if he has holes in his game. Every major leaguer has a flaw. It’s a question of, is he the best option available? He’s been hitting lefties quite well this spring, has been running, bunting, fielding. He looks ready. It may be a streak, as you say, but if he continues this for the next 2.5 weeks, then it’s gonna be hard to determine he’s not ready.
dogsbrekky
March 16th, 2009
5:48 pm
Anders – your last post made me chortle but I kind of like using air power to win wars
BA
March 16th, 2009
5:49 pm
If John Maine is “Oswalt light” then Martin Prado is “Chase Utley light”. Congratulations to Andouche for posting the absolutely dumbest commentary I’ve seen in months.
Blatant biased Mutts homerism. Andouche, your credentials as any sort of legitimate baseball fan have been removed. Oswalt light.
David O'Brien
March 16th, 2009
5:56 pm
Raindawg: Hicks is OUTSTANDING defensively. There are no questions about his defense. None.
ShamusThacker
March 16th, 2009
5:58 pm
Never heard of a credentialectomy. Painful?
Anders
March 16th, 2009
5:58 pm
BA – Yeah, you’re the guy I would go to for my baseball credentials. BTW- The name calling is childish, although I’m not surprised.
David O'Brien
March 16th, 2009
6:00 pm
Hammy: Schafer focused this winter on hitting lefties and improving his speed, specifically his first step. That’s what his work with a sprint coach was all about, and it’s shown. As for hitting lefties, he’s shown no sign of struggling against them this spring, and if I’m not mistaken, he didn’t struggle much against them in the minors in 2007, only last season.
Bubdylan
March 16th, 2009
6:01 pm
Hey, what stinks both as a baseball stat and a piece of plumbing?
A John Main(e) Line.
AAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Okay that pun is half-stolen from TheGhostofGaryMatthews on the MLB board. But this one’s mine: What do you call an earthquake that knocks you off the toilet? A John Rocker. Pfffft.
I’m delirious. See y’all later.
raindawg722
March 16th, 2009
6:16 pm
DOB, thanks. I guess that’s what I get for quoting stats out of context. I did see that Hicks only had 1 error in 16 games at AA, which ain’t too shabby (although it’s not a great sample size either).
DAP, I changed my mind about the 722. I added those numbers to my handle because that was Hick’s OPS at AA Mississippi last year.
BA
March 16th, 2009
6:19 pm
Maine: 33-27, 4.18 career era
Oswalt: 129-64, 3.13 career era
What insufferable dolt, other than Andouche, would even attempt to make this absurd comparison? When the Mutts expose (ala David Cone) themselves to be the third or fourth place team that they are, the forty Andouche posts per day will dissapear and we can resume a more reasonable, intelligent discourse around here.
Ok, it won’t be intelligent, but at least we won’t have to sift through this “Oswalt light” nonsense. What’s next- Reyes as a stand-up clubhouse guy? Castillo as the pillar of health?
When the Mutts fired their 17th manager in the last 6 years, Andouche was nowhere to be found.
When the Mutts suffered their second straight unfathomable collapse in September, Andouche was a ghost.
I have a feeling his dissapearing act will get a much earlier start this year, considering the AAA team the Mutts are apparently willing to go to war with this season.
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 16th, 2009
6:26 pm
Before all you guys get your panties in a wad in Anderson vs Shaffer, just remember Bobby will let things go for the first two months of the season in order to get a feel for the team. I doubt he will feel compelled to lose a good outfield in Anderson to give Schaffer an early boost to the majors. Schaffer will be up soon enough if he lights it up in triple A the early part of the season.
JG… I think you are about 98% right on your projected line-up but Bennett looks to be the guy on the bubble to me. Still lots of time before the season gets serious.
chappelli
March 16th, 2009
6:30 pm
dogsbrekky;
Nice to hear from you even if West Torrens were our [Glenelg's] greatest rivals. I actually caught 3 Claxton Shields [1964,65,66] and my fellow catcher was Gary Thompson from West Torrens. Actually played in Phoenix in the Masters World Series in 1999 and one of our coaches was Gary Thompson – it was great to catch up with him after many years. You are absolutely right about Greg working for Coca Cola [ not the type to deliver coke] and just to remind the person who referred to the under arm delivery – I was the brother not involved.
David O'Brien
March 16th, 2009
6:31 pm
I just added a Chipper Jones games-played poll to the original blog, if you want to go there and vote.
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 16th, 2009
6:31 pm
And while the early ST wins can deliver a sense of euphoria to the novice, remember teams like the Mets have a lot of their regulars playing in the WBC. Spring training games don’t count for a reason, it’s to allow time to get players ready for the main event. Even then, don’t forget what the Astros have done over the last 3 seasons. Coming from way back at the mid point to being there at the end….
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 16th, 2009
6:34 pm
And I don’t think Chipper’s presence or absence is going to be as telling as it was last year.
onionhead
March 16th, 2009
6:35 pm
Gil in Mechanicsville- I agree with everything you and others say about losing Anderson and sending shaffer down. The one rotten apple in the barrell seems to be that Bobby and Frank announced publicly that it was “a wide open race”. At this point how do you look Shaffer in the face and say that we tell the truth here but go to Gwinnett anyway?
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 16th, 2009
6:37 pm
Answer… Baseball is still a business….
onionhead
March 16th, 2009
6:39 pm
As foe the WBC, we have more guys like Santana and Zambrano saying no to this thing and stuff like Mac playing left field. Is this really going to survive that much longer?
nolie
March 16th, 2009
6:39 pm
Trust the scouts. They know more than anybody. Coach
well of course you should trust the scouts. they are the cool in-the-know guys. unfortunately no official ones have piped in on the board to let us know what they think. I am sure that they will have their input so whatever happens at cut off date will in fact be influenced by their opinions and thus we will know. This has happened every spring since I have been on various Braves boards-which is about as long as any have been available. There is always a huge argument about bringing up youngsters, pro & con. Some can be viewed as valid like the Schafer/Anderson debate, many much less so like Heyward/Francoeur, and most are absolutely stupid off-the charts guys who have a hot spring and fans go nuts about bringing the up. Que sera, sera. World ain’t gonna end one way or t’other
onionhead
March 16th, 2009
6:41 pm
Business? Isnt the Braves the ones that yelled about not being able to trust the people your working with in the Furcall case this off season? Would they do the same to its players?
TnBrian
March 16th, 2009
6:46 pm
Anders, I was kinda being sarcastic, but since you’re taking seriously, than yeah, Wright is stressed and worried. He needs some xanax with his anxiety.
Lew
March 16th, 2009
6:49 pm
Shamus-Light it with your other hand and then go listen to the new Thin Lizzy CD.
Lew
March 16th, 2009
6:52 pm
Onionhead-I look him in the eye if I’m Bobby and Frank and tell him he’s done a good job this Spring and is going to start the year in Gwinnett and tell him they’re sure they’ll see him up sooner rather than later. They’re his Bosses. Case closed.
The Boss
March 16th, 2009
6:56 pm
I’d tell Schafer to do whatever the hell I say. I’m the bleepdamn boss. If he don’t like it, I’ll plant some HGH in his locker and let him sit and spin for 100 games.
Shawn G
March 16th, 2009
7:01 pm
I think I figured out the Super Two thing. Service time and Super Two are two separate things.
Normally, a player has three years where the team basically pays the player what they want to and the player receives three years of arbitration. Being a Super 2 player gives you 4 years of arbitration instead of three. Either way you still get 6 years of service time out of a player.
So you have a few scenarios:
1. You break ST with them on the 25 and you get 6 full years.
2. You wait a few weeks to bring them up and at the end of the 6th season they only have ~5.9 years of time so you get an extra year. (I believe the first arb year would be after the 4th year)
3. You bide your time to July/August and hope your guy don’t fall in the Super Two category.
So maybe try #2 on Schaefer and #3 on Hanson?
Does this seem correct? Thoughts?
onionhead
March 16th, 2009
7:01 pm
Wow Lew & The Boss, just WOW! I have no problem with this guy going down and I do like Anderson. You guys have real issues with this kid however. The only argument i present is that you said in the media that it is a open race and it is not then under your terms. Time will tell and I wish you good mental health!
Andy K.
March 16th, 2009
7:02 pm
It’s Bobby Cox’s and Frank Wren’s jobs to do what is right for the team, simple as that. And as of right now, it looks like Schafer is right for the team, not Anderson, nothing against the dude, he’s pretty cool (met him once), but Schafer in these past weeks has sort of given me the impression that he’s really fighting for it, and wants to skip Gwinnett all together.
Shawn G
March 16th, 2009
7:02 pm
*Schafer
David-ATL14
March 16th, 2009
7:05 pm
BubDylan
Sorry to hear about your loss. That is as tough as a day can get. Been through it twice myself.
Had to put down a dog after 12 years. Replaced it with a cat, just couldn’t take on another dog at that time. Had to then put the cat down after 8 years due to illness. Replaced her with a dog.
Don’t know how you will proceed in the coming months but as trite as it sounds
TIME HEALS.
mbatl
March 16th, 2009
7:08 pm
I’m in the “Schafer now” camp. But if it doesn’t work out that way, Braves sure don’t owe him any apologies or explanations. He probably would’ve been up last year but for the HGH foolishness.
Lew
March 16th, 2009
7:18 pm
Onionhead-Dude, I’m not anti Schafer and certainly don’t have issues with him. However, Bobby and Frank are his bosses and he does what they tell him to do. It’s not a contentious thing, it’s reality.
Anderson deserves his chance-if not in Atlanta, than with another team via trade. He has hit .315 in his ML time and though most claim he has a bad OBP, in his 203 ML at bats, his OBP is .363. He plays excellent defense and is just as fast (if not faster) than Schafer and has stolen 11 of 13 bases while in the bigs. Schafer will be all of a half hour away if needed. I fail to see what the big deal is here. Sending him down for a couple months is not punishment, it’s smart baseball and the Kid is doing nothing more than paying some dues-just like Josh has. Comes with the territory.
Not to mention everyone here is basing this all on a Spring Training performance (with many of the better pitchers not even facing him). He has zero ML at bats (he actually has barely more AA AB’s than Josh has ML AB’s) for y’all to base any conclusions on and while Anderson may be having a slower spring, he DOES have some pretty successful Major League experience.
onionhead
March 16th, 2009
7:21 pm
Lew- after reading your post a second time I think that is probably what will be said and I can agree with that. I guess I am old school and want there to be trust with my employer. We as fans can never be upset when players leave when they get the chance if they feel decieved from management during theyre stay here. Boby and Frank are the bosses and no matter what they say in the paper it is soley their decision. I am rooting for whomever they send out there. GO BRAVES!