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
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
767 comments Add your comment
Roman Gal
March 27th, 2009
9:27 pm
Hey, maybe I’ll get to see that Kelly Johnson interview after all! SportSouth is replaying the game tonight! Heck yes!!
nolie
March 27th, 2009
9:27 pm
Jeff Baker is being shopped by the Rockies…I would love for the Braves to snag him and make him a super utility guy and also a nice everyday 3B when Chipper goes down for weeks at a time TommyP
You need to look at his splits away from Coors Tommy. He can’t hit his way out of a soppin’ wet paperbag away from Denver. I mean the guy is terrible.216/278/356 That’s abyssmal
Roman Gal
March 27th, 2009
9:29 pm
f.n.hale, I think it’s called “Braves fans of DOB’s blog” or something along those lines.
nolie
March 27th, 2009
9:35 pm
http://sullybaseball.blogspot.com/2009/03/atlanta-braves-all-time-home-grown-team.html
Link to an article on all-time Braves developed players vs all time acquired players. kinda sill but…
spotts
March 27th, 2009
9:35 pm
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53472692450
PWHjort
March 27th, 2009
9:40 pm
nolie, It’s important to consider the sample size. That being said, Baker makes no sense for the Braves. We’ve already got Infante and Prado on our bench and Baker can’t fill any role that Infante and Prado can’t. Along with Norton, Ross, and a 4th outfielder, that figures to be a very good bench.
Steve from OH
March 27th, 2009
9:50 pm
nolie, I think Baker would be a decent pick-up if we had a spot for him. He posted a .304/.373/.508 line in 1,357 minor league AB (albeit in the hitter-friendly PCL, though he did post an .841 OPS in the more hitter-friendly Sally league). Yeah, he’s struggled away from Coors but he’s got a nice little minor league track record to put on his resume, but if Norton or the like was out of the picture I think Baker would make for a nice bench bat in his place.
Steve from OH
March 27th, 2009
9:53 pm
Man, I’m strugglin’ today. Should’ve read that most of his miL AB were in the PCL, but that the Sally league is a little more pitcher friendly.
I’m loosing it.
Tomas
March 27th, 2009
9:54 pm
Jeff Bennet pitched very good today. He ended last year very good as well, I hope Bobby will keep Bennet in the 25 man roster. Manny Acosta has great stuff, but got hammered with a couple of balls that were left in the middle of the plate. Peter Moylan, Mike Gonzales and Blaine Boyer are no brainers. Jorge Campillo seems to be the best guy to have around for a spot start or long relief, he also could be used to get lefties out with that screwball of his. And Rafael Soriano would be a no brainer if healthy.
Closer:
Mike Gonzales
Setup:
Rafael Soriano
Peter Moylan
Middle relief:
Blaine Boyer
Jeff Bennet
(undecided)
Long relief:
Jorge Campillo
The Braves have one slot open in the bulpen. It’s either for one of the two lefties O’Flaherty, and Logan, or Manny Acosta, Kris Medlen, and Buddy Carlyle.
McFann :Ô:
March 27th, 2009
10:00 pm
You’re welcome, F.N. Hale! Always happy to be of service!
Roman Gal–
Watch out for the McCann interview, too! LOL…mostly Boog and Joe just picked on him about another interview he did…kinda funny…
But I gotta be honest: I wish he’d grow his hair back……
Bubdylan
March 27th, 2009
10:01 pm
f.n.hale, now you’re singin’ my tune. John Prine’s my alltime favorite songwriter. The master of translating sublime thought into down-home diction.
“My heart’s in the ice house,
come hill or come valley…”
Schafer Obliterator
March 27th, 2009
10:05 pm
I still like Buddy C in long relief and I wouldnt mind seeing JoJo as our loogy… I know that is not a popular solution but now that he has a change up he would do well as a reliever……
Basketball is fascinating.. I fluked having MIZZ and have Kansas, UNC and Pitt
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
March 27th, 2009
10:09 pm
I had NOVA to beat the dooks……. yeah, had Missouri as well
I suck slightly less now
Is Gonzo pitching tomorrow ??
PWHjort
March 27th, 2009
10:11 pm
I just broke down and bought a “PHUCK THE FILLIES” t-shirt. I’ll be sporting it at the Ted this summer. Yes, Gonzo is pitching tomorrow.
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
March 27th, 2009
10:12 pm
Wieters has been sent to AAA
Orioles suck dead dogs…… u know the rest
No wonder they never win, throw the kid in the deep end I say
TommyP
March 27th, 2009
10:14 pm
I agree with Steve from OH.
Nolie: How many Rockies over the years have had great numbers at Coors but very bad on the road? There’s something to be said for the way Rockies hitters are affected on the road.
Even Galarraga had a great dropoff on the road in a few of his great years:
‘95: .927 vs. .759 OPS (home vs. road)
‘96: 1.157 vs. .748 OPS
At 27, Baker still has time to turn into a quality ballplayer.
Plus, he plays just about every position on the diamond.
PWHjort
March 27th, 2009
10:15 pm
Did yall see this article: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/cecil-the-delusional ?
My favorite quote from the article is: “Yes, Cecil, I’m telling you that you will not be winning that many games this year. Not with the current roster, at least, and not without significant visits from the luck fairy and career year wizard.”
I found it pretty hilarious.
f.n.hale
March 27th, 2009
10:16 pm
Thanks for the link Spotts. What a motley bunch.
BudD, yeah he’s my favorite too, at least as a writer and Iris ain’t half bad either. The lines you quoted were from the Bruised Orange album which is as good as it gets for me.
f.n.hale
March 27th, 2009
10:24 pm
Bubdylan, I hit the submit button before I finished (guess I’ll need another lesson from McFann), but I thought about this one from “Souvenirs” the night your dog died. It was playing on my way back from having one of mine put down and I had to pull over. Powerful stuff:
“broken hearts and dirty windows
make life difficult to see
that’s why last night and this morning
always look the same to me”
northbeach Scott
March 27th, 2009
10:40 pm
Watching MLB channel, Brewers at Rangers. Andruw looks no different in his batting approach than he has over the last 2 1/2 seasons–lost. I tuned in to see him lunge at two outside breaking balls from Cy Young-not nominee Dave Bush.
Loved you Andruw, but you are done, buddy.
Bubdylan
March 27th, 2009
10:48 pm
f.n. hale, it took me a while to realize how loaded so many of John’s lines are, just because they come off so conversational and unassuming. You know, I’ve never owned Bruised Orange, or any of the albums-proper besides Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings. I only have the Hard Days anthology. Maybe I’ll pick up Bruised Orange first…
Bubdylan
March 27th, 2009
10:55 pm
Good Days, I think it is… not Hard Days… (I never keep CD covers… I’m the Anti-DOB on that score…
indybrave
March 27th, 2009
10:56 pm
DOB – If Kansas can pull off the win against MSU, do you think that ESPN will even mention three Big 12 teams in the final eight? I’m sure they will talk about the four from the Insanely Big East. Outside of Blake Griffin I haven’t heard much about the Big 12 this year without doing some digging. I think it would be great to have three Big 12 teams in the final four.
PWHjort
March 27th, 2009
10:57 pm
ESPN will continue to give the Big East a reach around like they’ve done all season.
BabyGoatEater
March 27th, 2009
11:03 pm
To answer Wilymo’s question earlier (because I think he is on to something); Yes, I do think a closer L/R combo is a good idea. Wilymo is obviously a little (come on man, at least slightly) bias on the idea, but I think it would be wise if both are pitching up to their talent. If not, easy decision. If they are, Bobby can pick and choose. Even if a pinch hitter is called, you still have a closer on the mound, and you’ve forced the opponent’s hand. Throw in Moylan, who’s constantly over-looked for the 9th inning, and you may not need Soriano to stay healthy all year. It still really depends on the starters. Lowe,Jurrjens,Vasquez,and Kawakami need to throw 6-7 innings a night.
nolie
March 27th, 2009
11:07 pm
olie, I think Baker would be a decent pick-up if we had a spot for him. Steve Ohio
I guess we’ll just hafta disagree about that one. I wouldn’t touch him on a bet.
PWH
yeah I’m aware of the importance of sample size, but his away size is 70% of his home size and there is a huge difference with every stat.Add that he has 150 Ks in 530 AB and I wouldn’t be interested.
I’m not as much of a believer as y’all perhaps that good minor league stats regularly become good major league stats. Mostly but a long ways from always and to me PCL hitting stats are more questionable than IL ones. We’ll just hafta hide & watch with him, but I personally would rather do it from a distance.
nolie
March 27th, 2009
11:13 pm
TOMMYP
we aren’t talkin’ a .750 OPS we’re talking a .630 OPS and 27 ain’t all that young. It’s just an opinion thingy, but I’m very skeptical about him.
indybrave
March 27th, 2009
11:15 pm
Isn’t ESPN just a nationally televised version of NESN? Baseball coverage consists of Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets. Football: Jets, Giants, and the Patriots. Basketball I am tired of them talking about Lebron going to the Knicks when he becomes a free agent.
indybrave
March 27th, 2009
11:16 pm
I guess they prove me wrong in college football sucking on the SEC teet.
PWHjort
March 27th, 2009
11:17 pm
As always, the truth is somewhere in the middle. I don’t believe he’s completely incapable of hitting outside of Coors Field, but I wouldn’t expect him to put up numbers similar to his Coors numbers anywhere else. We do agree on 1 thing, Baker doesn’t need to come to the Braves. Unless he changes his 1st name to Scott and becomes a pitcher for the Twins.
f.n.hale
March 27th, 2009
11:19 pm
Bubdylan, yeah he and Townes are truly great poets. Here’s a couple more you might like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFD2wZaBciY & http://www.jpshrine.org/2007/SoundstageDVD.htm
Harry
March 27th, 2009
11:25 pm
Just watched Crossroads with Shooter and Jamey. Jamey is the real deal. Shooter is not. Jamey is loaded with talent- outstanding voice and lyrics. Dude can write a song and you can tell that the words are real; he lived it. Shooter, on the other hand, tries too hard. His daddy was a legend, but it’s just not gonna happen for Shooter. JJ is the only perhaps the only country artist today who is truly authentic.
Chop Chop
March 27th, 2009
11:41 pm
KU is up against it.
PWHjort
March 27th, 2009
11:43 pm
IZZONE
Chop Chop
March 27th, 2009
11:45 pm
What a joke. Nice foul call by the refs. DOB must have called in the fix.
Chop Chop
March 27th, 2009
11:47 pm
Big break for the Spartans there. I guess the fix was called off.
spotts
March 27th, 2009
11:48 pm
CBS cuts away from a 3 point game with 14 seconds left to go to a 22 point game with 6 minutes left. Awesome, CBS…
dogsbrekky (UNC Rocks)
March 27th, 2009
11:48 pm
I put the jinx on KU by tipping them
I see Andruw played tonight, 0 for 5 with 3Ks, I suppose he will not be back at MLB level soon
Chop Chop
March 27th, 2009
11:48 pm
I don’t think Lupe Izzo is calm. She’s just had so much plastic surgery done that she is incapable of expressing emotion.
Chop Chop
March 27th, 2009
11:49 pm
Goodbye, Jayhawks.
PWHjort
March 27th, 2009
11:49 pm
Ya their cut-aways have been obnoxious and silly. My bracket features a national championship of Michigan State and North Carolina. Looks like they’re both going to the elite 8.
spotts
March 27th, 2009
11:50 pm
At least they went back after the first free throw. I don’t think I saw any of the last 10 minutes of the Memphis/Mizzou game last night. CBS had to suck face with Duke
spotts
March 27th, 2009
11:52 pm
I’ve only been able to watch 3 Sweet Sixteen games so far. I had Duke, Memphis, and Kansas picked to win those 3. Sweeeeet
PWHjort
March 27th, 2009
11:53 pm
If I were Roy Williams I’d rest number 50 right now. They’ve got one HECK of a game coming up against Oklahoma.
cabravesfan
March 27th, 2009
11:53 pm
PWHjort-
Michigan State? What possessed you to pick them? You a big 10 guy? Not knocking the pick (hey they beat my Trojans- they muct be pretty good!) and obviously you look pretty smart right now- but you may be the only person I have heard that has that much faith in them…
spotts
March 27th, 2009
11:54 pm
oops….no pun intended with my last post
nolie
March 27th, 2009
11:54 pm
We do agree on 1 thing, Baker doesn’t need to come to the Braves. Unless he changes his 1st name to Scott and becomes a pitcher for the Twins. PWH
thar ya go my friend. sounds good to me
mbatl
March 27th, 2009
11:56 pm
My bracket is perfect so far. I just double-check the game scores before I write in the winner, and so far haven’t made any mistakes.
Chop Chop
March 27th, 2009
11:57 pm
I had Kansas in my Elite Eight, but my brackets are so far gone that I don’t care.
cabravesfan
March 27th, 2009
11:57 pm
spotts-
I feel for you- my bracket died a spectacular death yesterday…I had Memphis and Duke in my national championship game
spotts
March 27th, 2009
11:57 pm
interesting strategy, mbatl. Let’s see if it pays off
PWHjort
March 28th, 2009
12:02 am
I’m not a Big 10 guy, I go to Georgia Tech. I think it’s a bad decision to bet against Tom Izzo’s teams come tournament time. I don’t know, it just made sense to me. They do all the things I like, play good defense, finish well, shoot free throws well, and just generally do the little things very well. Better than Duke, IMO, and Duke is pretty much the poster child for doing the little things right. Good coaching can take you pretty far in the tourney. And they’ve got the talent to make it happen as well. MSU seems underrated to me and I liked their match-ups. Louisville will probably beat them next round, though. I didn’t expect Louisville to play this well in the tourney.
David O'Brien
March 28th, 2009
12:19 am
Damn, what a tough way to end it. My boys got as far as I ever hoped they would during season (five new starters, etc), but once you get in the tourney and on a roll, you want your guys to keep it going. Losing a game they led by 13, and on a couple of late turnovers and missed free throws.
Oh, well. That hurts. But the whole team returns unless Collins goes in the draft. And Self’s got another strong recruiting class coming in….
f.n. hale: That’s a great Prine/Dement tune, and so is their version of “We’re Not the Jet Set.”
CharlieAlphaBravo
March 28th, 2009
12:24 am
DOB:
There has been a lot of attention paid to the improvement of Francoeur’s bat this spring, but what about his defense? He won a Gold Glove in ‘07, but he looked encumbered by the extra muscle in his chest and legs last year. Does it look to you like he has regained that critical range in the outfield?
David O'Brien
March 28th, 2009
12:30 am
How ’bout Player of the Year Blake Griffin tonight? 30 and 14, and he scrapes his face on the freakin’ backboard skying for a dunk….
Bubdylan, get Prine’s self-titled debut, and then get The Missing Years, John Prine Live, Storm Windows. He’s had a bunch of must-own albums, but those four I really love.
Great Days, the anthology, is the best place to start for those who don’t have his stuff.
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
12:32 am
DOB,
60-55 then kaput. man i would had all of the great eight.
got pitt vs. the ville in the finals.
pitt probably is struggling more then any of the #1 seeds. unc, pittino, and conn look really good.
oklahoma vs. UNC probably the game of the tourney.
Wayne in Utah
March 28th, 2009
12:35 am
I like the idea of a Jeff Baker acquisition. While I like Prado, I don’t think he will ever supplant KJ at second, and his value as a replacement for Chipper at third is woefully lacking. Prado is also only adequate on D.
As for Baker, maybe some of you folks are right, and he will suck away from Coors Field. BUT, if he doesn’t, then he would be a better uber-utility guy, with more power than Prado could dream of.
What do the Rockies need??
Wayne in Utah
March 28th, 2009
12:37 am
I sure liked the looks of Villanova last night.
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
12:39 am
watching the braves replay on sportsouth. diaz looks like he has dropped 20 pounds.
on top of that i just watched the in game interview with diaz, seems like a genuine dude.
he has no hard feelings about the garret anderson signing, he said he would of done the same thing. refreshing.
RHR
March 28th, 2009
12:39 am
Somewhere in Ft Myers John Smoltz is going to bed happy. Condolences, Dave.
eltrompoBRAVESfan
March 28th, 2009
12:46 am
Damn I am so tired of UNC…..and March Madness in general…. Just get the baseball season going please!
TnBrian
March 28th, 2009
12:49 am
DOB, grab a cold one and maybe even pop a Xanex if you need one. I’m not big on college BB, but I know losing SUCKS! Sorry bud
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
12:49 am
eltrompo,
march madness is the precursor to baseball, relax.
eltrompoBRAVESfan
March 28th, 2009
12:50 am
Oh I know, but it is at this point in the tourney that my bracket has fallen to pieces and teams I’m interested in are already out, so it just makes the desire for baseball to come sooner even stronger.
TnBrian
March 28th, 2009
12:51 am
That’s the one good thing with T.S. over TBS…they show replays when I can’t ever remember TBS showing them. Could be just that they’re a national broadcast..duh It’s still cool though
nolie
March 28th, 2009
12:56 am
OK I guess I’m outvoted on Baker.
Live & learn. The fact is that it never occurred to me that anybody would ever be interested in him.
Mitchie-san
March 28th, 2009
12:57 am
The next two games will be shown on mlb.tv for those interested. The 400k feed does in fact suck, but its better than my imagination.
I cant wait for these games to actually count…..
f.n.hale
March 28th, 2009
1:03 am
DOB, I agree Prine’s anthology is a good one for starters. Missing Years is really different and it took me a few listens to get into it but the first one and Bruised Orange are my favorites. I’ve never bought them on CD but my wife got me one of those turntables to convert my vinyl. Haven’t used it yet but looking forward to it.
“I never keep CD covers… I’m the Anti-DOB on that score…” Bubdylan
Well I keep all the covers but there’s no telling what you might find when you open one.
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
1:07 am
francoeur is definitely pushing his hands back.
FINALLY, no more hitting off the front foot. no more lunging, no more dropping the hands.
at least that gives him a chance. finnally inside the ball.
dont really care to give a prognostication, other then better then last year.
KC seems to think he will hit 20 dingers by default. i dont know about that.
if that was the case, he should of already walked into one by now. i know wbc, blah.
either way he WILL BE BETTER THIS YEAR.
mbatl
March 28th, 2009
1:08 am
nolie, I wouldn’t trade Prado for Baker. Prado has less power, but is a much better overall hitter (Baker strikes out a lot, posts a poor OBP and is truly awful outside of Coors Field). Prado’s defense is adequate, and that’s okay for a utility guy. I’m sure I’d like Baker okay if he was on my team, but sure don’t see any need to try to obtain him.
and btw, I noticed that Prado played a lot of corner OF in winter leagues. Obviously, no immediate plans to use him out there, but he’s been playing some 1B, and probably could play a decent LF/RF if needed.
He doesn’t need to start, and doesn’t need to be traded. He’s fine right where he is, IMO.
f.n.hale
March 28th, 2009
1:14 am
Joe Torre and Lyle Lovett on Letterman right now. I have a cousin that’s a retired Atl. fireman that used to hang with Torre when he played with the Braves here. They frequented a little dive called the Pigalley down near five points. He said Torre was quite the rounder. The dude is a class act. Glad he left the Yanks so I could go back to hating them.
Went to see Bonnie Raitt at the Variety Playhouse, must have been around 1990 and we were blown away by the opening act who we’d never heard of but turned out to be Lyle Lovett. Wynonna Judd came out and did a song with Bonnie but really shouldn’t have bothered. Couldn’t hold the proverbial candle.
PWHjort
March 28th, 2009
1:16 am
Being better than last year won’t be hard. The question is will he be better to the extent that he isn’t a liability. I think he probably will, but I’m not sold yet.
TnBrian
March 28th, 2009
1:17 am
I saw a very good sign when Jeff was up against Verlander today. Ver. threw a nasty curve in the dirt and Jeff barely twitched at it. As long as he stays on his back foot, it’s almost impossible for him to be as bad as ‘08. He looks good to go and so does 90% of our team.
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
1:19 am
i still think the braves will struggle to score runs this year.
doubt they will have more then two hit 25 plus.
very left handed hitting team.
they really need young schaffer to turn into victorino.
kelly and francoeur are the swing players. one of them must have a monster season.
PWHjort
March 28th, 2009
1:19 am
Prado is a 300 hitter. The problem is he lacks a bunch of the secondary skills necessary to make any sort of impact. Take away a few singles and doubles and he looks downright crappy. I think he can sustain a 300 average over the course of a season, even with a full compliment of at-bats (~550). But he’s never going to be a guy who gets on at a 400+ clip, slugs 500+, hits 15+ homers, steals a large amount of bases, or plays excellent defense. But hey, a 300 hitter is a 300 hitter, and we should keep him around.
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
1:24 am
DOB,
dude, what do you do when that chicken dance thing comes on the sound system between innings?
probably makes for some pretty good people watching though.
nothing better then watching a fat chick in double knit polyester from wisconsin having the time of her life, right? bourbon?
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
1:30 am
pwhjort,
please project prado’s number’s if he gets 550 at bats.
TnBrian
March 28th, 2009
1:31 am
uga-brave, got one for ya…why did the potato cross the road…he didn’t, he got mashed!
My girlfriend is the only person who would laugh at that, she’s kinda nerdy!
mbatl
March 28th, 2009
1:36 am
“Take away a few singles and doubles and he looks downright crappy.” – PWHjort
Okay. Let’s take away his excellent walk/strikeout ratio while we’re at it, and make him the worst hitter in baseball.
Of course he’s not likely to post a 900 OPS. Only about 20 players in baseball did that last year. And haven’t researched it, but I’ll bet there weren’t 5 non-starters with 250 plate appearances and an .830+ OPS. He’s a utility infielder who plays 3 positions while making the major league minimum (or just above it). A very valuable guy.
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
1:41 am
tn brian,
please explain, i dont get it.
Roman Gal
March 28th, 2009
1:45 am
But I gotta be honest: I wish he’d grow his hair back…… McFann
I don’t know…I kinda like it short. He could stand to grow it out a little bit.
But speaking of vanity, what the heck was Kelly Johnson thinking (or taking) when he took that picture they showed during the game?! I think I speak for everyone when I say Kelly should take the mulligan on that one.
Here’s a link to it:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=430637
PWHjort
March 28th, 2009
1:45 am
What number? I believe he wears number 14. Seriously though, PECOTA has him at 280/338/384 in 110 PA’s and CHONE has him at 297/355/409 in 445 PA’s. Quite the differing views. A 355 OBP is something you can live with but a 338 is bad. CHONE also has him getting 335 more PA’s, that’s over half a season of work. I don’t know though I’m not a forecaster. I think 300/350/400 over 550 PA’s would probably be right.
N Nine (eta8)
March 28th, 2009
1:53 am
Yep, Prado has become a solid contact hitter. .300 would be easily achieved
Gotta be pumped about the French dude. In 52 at bats he’s got only 2 k’s! Not just that, the SIX walks is impressive. Lets get a better understanding how remarkable this is.. In his first season he had 257 AB and only got 11 walks. The last couple years he stands close to a walk per 15AB. The maturing process is in works and that awful year has gotten his head straighten out. Change has come.
almost every team needs pitching. One GM told Gammons, “Other than the Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, Reds, Marlins and Twins, everyone is looking for pitching, at least affordable pitching.” Most of the clubs with possible surpluses are thought to be hoarding arms.
Do we have any arm that are getting tangled around? I think only Buddy has some value that might get traded. I’d rather keep him. I don’t know, but we might see a trade. We shall find out soon..
Damn, this very long and dramatic offseason is coming to a close!
One of the better parts of year. Start of a long season, warm temps with longer nights. Cheers.
PWHjort
March 28th, 2009
1:55 am
mb, since batting average is the most variable offensive metric, it isn’t unreasonable that if someone was playing him differently or if the other team hadn’t rested their regular SS or if the wind is blowing differently etc.. not as many of the balls he hit would fall in for hits. I did say he is a 300 hitter and we shouldn’t trade him. He’s a very useful player. 300 hitters don’t grow on trees.
KC
March 28th, 2009
1:56 am
uga-brave, actually, to be accurate… I said I thought Francoeur could hit 15 homers by accident if he keeps hitting like he is now. And overall, I said I expect that he’ll hit 20+ this year (again, if he keeps swinging as he is now).
TnBrian
March 28th, 2009
1:58 am
uga-brave, mashed potato
Runnin
March 28th, 2009
1:58 am
I met John Prine back in the 70s at one of his gigs. I was standing out in front of the theater, ticket-less and looped out of my gourd, and this bus pulls up in front of me and out steps John Prine. Always clever and quick witted I says “Hey man, you got a ticket?” He says “Naw man, but talk to this guy behind me and he’ll help you out.” I guess it was his manager. He found me a ticket that I paid for. A few minutes later I’m in the lobby, standing next to this door and waiting waiting for my friends. It opens and out walks Prine again. He says “Take a hit of this,” and hands me a stadium cup filled with vodka and OJ. At least I think that’s what happened. I might’ve imagined it. My buddies btw didn’t believe a word of it. Always loved Prine. A true American treasure.
PWHjort
March 28th, 2009
1:59 am
By the way, “take away a few singles and a few doubles” is a phrase thrown around pretty loosely and very commonly in the sabermetric community to indicate either a) someone relies heavily on batting average, b) they lack secondary skills, c) they are posting seemingly unsustainable numbers (BABIP gets cited a lot), not something I came up with or meant to be taken literally.
N Nine (eta8)
March 28th, 2009
2:10 am
Oh a few drink this late night. But you know what I meant. Free shots on me.
mbatl
March 28th, 2009
2:16 am
PW, are you part of the sabermetric community? Didn’t realize that.
I’m not really concerned about whether Prado will hit .300 or not. Lots of luck involved in batting average, like you said.
But, unlike Pecota and Chone, I’ve watched him play. And he has good pitch recognition and hits the ball hard – gap power, not home run power. (and the very differences you mentioned in those services indicate how unreliable they are… they “generally” get things right, but I’d bet you or I could generally predict who’s going to hit well in 2009 – I’ll start with Pujols – whata’ you think?).
Anyway, the guy is 25 years old and has proven to be an above-average hitter in spring training ‘08, regular season ‘08, and spring training ‘09. For a utility infielder, he’s a very good hitter. But of course that’s what I think he is, a (good hitting) utility infielder.
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
2:22 am
kc, thanks and i somewhat agree. my point is pwh if francoeur and prado or b.jones got the same number of at bats who would emerge?
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
2:24 am
mos def on maher now. mensa member. super genius.
PWHjort
March 28th, 2009
2:31 am
Oh yeah, he definitely is. He’s one of the best back-ups in the league. I think he could be a starting 2B on a 3rd division team. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really, really glad my club has him. And there’s no way I trade him unless I’m netting a young premium pitcher or young premium infielder who plays good defense at 2B, SS, or 3B to eventually serve as Chipper’s replacement in the deal. I just said he lacks the secondary skills to be an impact player. But we don’t need him to be that good, he’s a utility player. The fact that he hits 300 is a great bonus, making him one of the best back-ups in the league. Wouldn’t it suck if we didn’t have Prado and used Ruben Gotay as a utility infielder?
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
2:41 am
pwh, once again. 550 at bats, brandon jones, prado, francoeur.
among those three who would be the most productive?
spotts
March 28th, 2009
2:56 am
I really wish I was tired…
spotts
March 28th, 2009
2:57 am
oh….an argument. I think I’ll leave.
PWHjort
March 28th, 2009
3:00 am
I’ll take Francoeur. Then Prado, then B. Jones. But they’re all pretty close, in my opinion.
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
3:12 am
pwh, we will never know, the latter two willl never get the chance.
certain players get EVERY OPPORTUNITY. certain players dont.
what if brandon jones was the parkview guy? or prado went to marist?
what if we gave GEORGE LOMBARD AS MANY AT BATS AS FRNACOEUR?
well what if diaz had those at bats?
mark bradley once asked why the hatred for francoeur,
sub .750 ops. will do that.
winterville
March 28th, 2009
3:14 am
Anybody else got a set of friends you can’t go downtown with without getting into a fight?
uga-brave
March 28th, 2009
3:16 am
winter,
were you in athens tonight?