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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,179 comments Add your comment
Wolfman
March 30th, 2009
1:54 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXPUkrz7Uow
JP
March 30th, 2009
1:54 pm
glove51
Have you heard the TVZ tribute album with Willie Nelson, Earle, Guy Clark, John Prine, Billy Joe Shaver, etc playing some of his classics? If not, you definitely need to check it out.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
1:54 pm
TnBrian, I’m tired of the story, too, believe me. But if I hadn’t written about him today, in the first time his team has played the Braves, with Smoltz MAKING THE TRIP despite not being active, then I’d have looked like a fool. I mean, really, I think most of you are savvy enough about how this stuff works to le understand why today, and the trip to Turner Field assuming me makes in in June, are the two times we absolutely have to write about Smoltz this year. Right? The stuff you’ve seen about him on our site previously this spring, that’s been wire-service stories and photos.
ncscoots
March 30th, 2009
1:54 pm
Well, I guess Turning Japanese WOULD have been marginally worse.
Gorky Miller
March 30th, 2009
1:55 pm
I’m for Smoltz coming back after he retires to be involved with the Braves any way he can to help the team – promotionally, etc
Andrew
March 30th, 2009
1:56 pm
DOB,when do you think the braves will announce who starts in center?
bry22
March 30th, 2009
1:56 pm
I loved Smoltz until he ran and ran and ran his mouth after the Braves didn’t offer him as many millions as he wanted. For more than a month I just wished he would shut the heck up. It works both ways with the Braves not offering enough and Smoltz wanting more money. Either one and both could have compromised!
Poopy Pants
March 30th, 2009
1:56 pm
DOB, you never gave us an explanation of Dark Star. What does it mean?
MGL
March 30th, 2009
1:57 pm
If you all are going to bloviate around here, I just might have to titivate.
Cameron
March 30th, 2009
1:57 pm
I grew up playing little league baseball with Franceour, at Mountain Park. I also played against him in high school, me at Brookwood and him at Parkview. I was good and maybe could hvae gone to a college and played if I had stuck with it and stayed out of trouble. There were plenty others who played with us that were good and got a free college education for playing baseball. But, Fanceour was head and shoulders better than all of us. At baseball at least, he was also good at football but not a world beater. While the rest of us were out there partying and chasing women, he was working and getting better. Dude has a great work ethic and wants to be great. I always beleived that he would be a star. I also knew that he would have trouble the first time he started struggling. He had never struggled really at anything related to baseball. Actually, the reason why he is such a free swinger is because he was so good that he could swing at anything growing up and still put good wood on it. I know he struggled some in the minors and got upset. But, he was able to work it out before it became something big. When he started off slow a couple of years ago, it almost became something huge. But, then he turned it around. He wasn’t able to turn it around last year and everything avalanched. It was seriously the first time this guy ever had to experience anything close to failure. I still believed and knew he would work this off-season to get back to where he needs to be. I like his new stance and like the fact that he has stayed with it. I think we can expect big numbers out of him this year. In fact, I drafted him in both of my fantasy leagues. The true test is going to come when he goes into a slump during the regular season. When he does, does he revert back to his old stance? Or, does he stick with ht enew stance and approach? If he sticks with the approach and comes out of the slump, then we will see the point where he starts becoming the player that we drafted him to be. I have not seen KC’s projections yet, but here is what I say:
.278, 26 HRs, 108 RBIs, 45 BBs, 65 Ks
Daniel
March 30th, 2009
1:57 pm
TnBrian- I agree with your sentiments entirely. I love the Braves and therefore Smoltz and Glavine will always be special to me. But, we are starting a new season with new players and a new hope. Some of our problems the last couple of seasons and especially last one was trying to live like it is still 1997. Also, I really am over Smoltz’s comments… I mean I got it “I am so special, everyone loves me, but my feelings get hurt if I don’t get enough love, especially since I ran the Braves for the last 20 years”… Dude is a great pitcher, but man that ego is an ugly thing… I am over it John… Go play for the RedSox and shut your mouth.
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
1:57 pm
18 Wheels, I thought there was a song by AC/DC called “Dirty Dees and the Thunder Jeep.”
But the worst, and most inexplicable ever: I thought the line at the end of Townes Van Zandt’s “Pancho and Lefty” chorus, which says “out of kindness I suppose” said “I’d have found the size of holes.” Also a true story.
Poopy Pants
March 30th, 2009
1:58 pm
Andrew, read the blog post. He said it could be by this Friday or Saturday.
ncscoots
March 30th, 2009
1:59 pm
Just because DOB has to write about he-who-should-not-be-named (and I get that) doesn’t mean we have to blog about the dude. Everybody’s tired of hearing about him? Fine. Me, too. Don’t bring the sucker up and we’ll all be happy.
Rev. Otis Nixon
March 30th, 2009
1:59 pm
anyone know what inning it is?
Tomahawkin' Again (Like it's 1991)
March 30th, 2009
2:00 pm
I voted standing ovation for Smoltzie’s return in late June to the Ted. Glavine leaving the Braves bothered me so much more than John leaving – I’m guessing Glavine going to the Muts or being the face of the players union back in ‘94-95 is the reason. Plus, Wren & co. jerked Smoltz around, in my humble, lack of facts opinion.
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
2:00 pm
bry22
You are right, and in the end, it was JS’s decision to leave.
DOB
We will forgive you this once for the JS BS. (but in June, just write the article, and let’s skip it on the ole blog, please??)
I played with Tiger Woods once. Was beating the living daylights out of him, then I woke up……
Daniel
March 30th, 2009
2:00 pm
Can I get a word on Ohman? Is this for real?
lewie
March 30th, 2009
2:01 pm
thought that “beast of burdern” was “big suburban” as a kid
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
2:01 pm
Glove51, hadn’t heard that Steve Earle was doing that. That’ll be a great album.
Speaking of, you heard Earle’s son, Justin Townes Earle’s latest CD? Very strong. It’s his second, and it’s significantly better than the first one, which was also quite good.
(and yes, as you probalby known, he named his kid for Townes Van Zandt)
KC
March 30th, 2009
2:01 pm
nscoots, no tizzy here… just making a point. Consider it a blanket dismissal of your blanket dismissal. =)
It really sucks that today’s game isn’t televised in any way, and isn’t even on radio!!! I mean, COME ON!! Even if it is just ST… it’s a Braves/Sox game, with the Dice Man vs. KK no less. And NOTHING? No broadcast at all???
cvbraves
March 30th, 2009
2:01 pm
Inning 4
Top Half
B:0 S:3 O:1 – Kevin Youkilis called out on strikes.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:2 – Mike Lowell pops out to shortstop Yunel Escobar.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:3 – Steve Green flies out to left fielder Matt Diaz.
TnBrian
March 30th, 2009
2:01 pm
DOB, understand why you feel it has to be done.
I just feel that deep down inside, Smoltz hurt some of the fans and maybe even Chipper and Glavine(maybe not him) by saying that he would’ve left after ‘96 had it not been for Bobby. Very bad decision to say something like that, I’d think.
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
2:01 pm
If you all are going to bloviate around here, I just might have to titivate. -MGL
Great, now I’ve got that INXS song in my head…
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 30th, 2009
2:02 pm
It’s the 4th inning. By the way, my name hasn’t been mentioned in at least 10 minutes. I’m getting a little upset here.
BooooOoooooOOoooo
mbatl
March 30th, 2009
2:02 pm
“to be a rock and not a roll….” – Led Zeppelin
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
2:02 pm
McCann sharp double to RF corner, puts runners on second and third (Chipper had walked) with one out for G. Anderson
pills91
March 30th, 2009
2:02 pm
I love Smoltz. However, I think he should be booed for being in a Red Sox jersey vs a Braves’ jersey. He let his ego get the best of him, and, then lied about the reason for leaving. If he had said that he had always wanted to play in Fenway, and, that, he thought moving there would be best for both him and the Braves, I would have no hard feelings. To make it sound like he was being stiffed financially just isn’t correct.
Josh
March 30th, 2009
2:02 pm
I will be one of the people booing Smoltz when he somes to Atlanta, he acted like a baby over the whole situation…get over it already and shut your mouth Smoltz!
Bobby's Belly
March 30th, 2009
2:02 pm
Can we get Smoltz to talk about Frenchy’s new swing, Mac/Diaz diets, Schafer’s tats, or what player’s think of playing for me?
Dadgum
March 30th, 2009
2:03 pm
Don’t count on me to cheer Smoltz on his return to Turner Field. I hold no ill-will toward him signing a free agent contract to play in Boston for more guaranteed money but I will be double-damned if I am going to then cheer for him in a Boston uni. Let the pro-Boston crowd at Turner do that. The last thing teh Braves need is for their fans to cheer for the opposing team or players. Ya’ll think about it. Boston has enough of a home-field advantage in Atlanta as it is.
Rock on…..but we accept them back pretty well (Glavine) don’t we. Still don’t understand that either. Let’s see we are likely to put a rookie in Shaefer at CF because he won the job but won’t go with Hanson who by all accounts won teh #5 starter spot. Interesting.
ncscoots
March 30th, 2009
2:03 pm
No titivation, please. Children present.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
2:03 pm
Both runs score on E3 when Anderson’s grounder skips off Youk’s glove
sickofugafans
March 30th, 2009
2:04 pm
DOB…can you quit ignoring the Ohman posts? Do you have any info here to help us?
cvbraves
March 30th, 2009
2:05 pm
Sounds like a hit to me..hah…anyway, 2-0 Braves, bottom of 4.
Jersey Gil
March 30th, 2009
2:05 pm
Poopy Pants …. DOB Planing to have a tourney for the first blogger to reveal the secret of “DARK STAR”. My Reveal is that has to do with Disney/Eisner battle in 2004.
TnBrian
March 30th, 2009
2:05 pm
Daniel, I wouldn’t bet against Ohman to the Braves. Who’s to say after this wacky offseason that Wren will keep things as much a secret as he can, and then boom…out of nowhere something happens. Also wouldn’t bet that he’ll be a Brave come opening day either. 50/50
glove51
March 30th, 2009
2:06 pm
Yeah, I picked up the Justin Townes Earle CD on your recommendation and agree with your assessment. He sings with his pop on one song on the forthcoming Steve Earle TVZ tribute disc.
I am also looking forward to the new Booker T disc.
Bobby's Belly
March 30th, 2009
2:06 pm
Where have you gone Wil Ohman ……….
Isenberg
March 30th, 2009
2:06 pm
I’m pretty sure Mr. O’Brien hasn’t been ignoring the Ohman posts, he’s said plenty of times that the Braves aren’t interested!
KC
March 30th, 2009
2:06 pm
Dadgum for President in 2012!!! You sir are a scholar and voice of reason. Your comment about cheering Smoltz in a Boston uni was right on target.
pills91
March 30th, 2009
2:06 pm
I think if that was official, you would’ve heard it FIRST from DOB.
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 30th, 2009
2:06 pm
lewie
March 30th, 2009
2:06 pm
yoooooook
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
2:06 pm
what’s a sicko fuga fan?
SickOfOhmanFans
March 30th, 2009
2:06 pm
sickofugafans…try reading yesterdays blog. And the one before that. And the one before that. And the one before that….DOB addresses Ohman every day. FACE IT…He ain’t coming back. The Braves have ABSOLUTELY NO interest. DOB said it every day, but you just don’t listen!
cabravesfan
March 30th, 2009
2:07 pm
SOunds like Kawakami is pitching very well…and Mac’s finger doesn’t seem to be an issue (thank god!)
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
2:07 pm
How many Youk errors do you expect in a season??? Talk about rarified air!
Ghost of Bob Wickman
March 30th, 2009
2:07 pm
Beat it, kid…
Rev. Otis Nixon
March 30th, 2009
2:08 pm
2-0 Go Braves!
Tricky Dick
March 30th, 2009
2:08 pm
TnBrian. I hope you are right, and I agree with you. Different sport, but I was at the Maplelefs game for Sundin’s first game back and he got such an ovation that the game was delayed. There was a video montage of his feats tht had the crowd into a frenzy. I hope the Braves do something like that for Smoltz. I just hope it doesn’t end like the Leafs game, where Sundin got the shoot-out winner to beat his old team.
Bobby's Belly
March 30th, 2009
2:08 pm
WO’s not coming back? Oh dear.
Vin
March 30th, 2009
2:08 pm
sickofugafans, why don’t you scour the net for ohman’s info. Or better yet, track his agent and ask him directly. People are sick and tired of the daily Ohman question. Sicko
FW
March 30th, 2009
2:09 pm
Friends, forget about Mr. Ohman. He won’t be a Brave this year.
Ghost of Dan Kolb
March 30th, 2009
2:09 pm
boo
Shane
March 30th, 2009
2:09 pm
DOB, does the crowd chant Yoouuk when he makes an error too?
sickofugafans
March 30th, 2009
2:10 pm
Sorry…I don’t troll message boards like some of you. My life does not revolve around every word said here…especially since all the ups and downs of the off season. I simply saw where someone said that 790 the Zone had reported this as happening and wanted a formal response if he had knowledge.
ghost of manny acosta
March 30th, 2009
2:10 pm
….wait a minute
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
2:10 pm
G. Anderson credited with one RBI on the Youk error….
Wayne: Yes, I could do what you suggest when Sox come to Atlanta in June. Or, I could blog about whatever I want. We’ll take it to the committee.
The Bloviator Downstairs
March 30th, 2009
2:10 pm
Ghost of Bob Wickman, we need a pitcher, not a big bellied b!tcher
Bobby's Belly
March 30th, 2009
2:11 pm
Opening day, next Friday we start the We Want Will chant. All 14,000 of us.
FW
March 30th, 2009
2:12 pm
Bottom Half
B:0 S:0 O:1 – Yunel Escobar flies out to center fielder Chip Ambres.
——————————————————————————–
B:4 S:0 O:1 – Chipper Jones walks.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:1 – Brian McCann doubles (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Che-Hsuan Lin. Chipper Jones to 3rd.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:1 – Garret Anderson reaches on fielding error by first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Chipper Jones scores. Brian McCann scores.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:3 O:2 – Jeff Francoeur strikes out swinging.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:3 – Casey Kotchman pops out to third baseman Mike Lowell in foul territory.
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 30th, 2009
2:12 pm
Hey Dan, nice job you did clearing off my table the other night at El Pollo Loco. Look like you’ve lost some weight.
KC
March 30th, 2009
2:12 pm
If I had one wish in this life… after the obligatory stuff like long life or my own personal Fort Knox, etc… I believe I would have wish for the Braves to play in October, and for the Red Sox to miss the post-season this year. THAT would be poetic justice!!!!!
Of course, I’ll settle for the Braves getting to the post-season, and outlasting the Red Sox there. That would make me plenty happy.
i cant take it anymore
March 30th, 2009
2:13 pm
beloved Youk makes an error!! thanks for the update, David
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 30th, 2009
2:13 pm
DOB seems a little testy today. Can’t imagine why.
Roman Gal (UGA Fan)
March 30th, 2009
2:13 pm
Sorry…I don’t troll message boards like some of you.
Ouch! That hurts me right here (places hand over heart)
KC
March 30th, 2009
2:13 pm
Well, I can see that MLB “Live” scoreboard is moving at its usual pace. Still the bottom of the 4th, and still scoreless according to the MLB scoreboard.
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
2:13 pm
DOB
I wouldn’t have it any other way, man. (the part about you blogging about whatever you want, I mean)
Was the Yook error a legit boot??
Edgar Cayce
March 30th, 2009
2:13 pm
I see a Braves vs Red Sox world series. With Chipper hitting the series winning home run off of John Smoltz giving Tom Glavine the win. Glavine and Smoltz both retire and go into hall of fame together 5 years down the road.
Dadgum
March 30th, 2009
2:14 pm
KC….Me, a scholar and voice of reason? One short talk with my wife and she will debunk the hell out of that theory. But thanks anyway. While it lasts.
Rock on…..still laughing at the posts from denizens New Cars & Anders a few weeks back.. Hilarious. Still.
Vin
March 30th, 2009
2:15 pm
sicko fuga fans – I also don’t troll the blog (I’m from the other side of the world from US) but the news about Ohman has been touched upon every time i check the blog. It is THAT often, that is why people are sick (no pun intended) and tired of the daily question about Ohman
Ghost of Dan Kolb
March 30th, 2009
2:15 pm
And should I blame Frank Wren for that tip?
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
2:15 pm
Rocco Baldelli just hit a long home run, towering two-run shot to the left-field berm ties the game in the fifth.
mbatl
March 30th, 2009
2:16 pm
hmm, Frenchy K’s again. Hope he didn’t catch a does of “Furcal Syndrome” by hitting that home run…
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
2:16 pm
KC
Poetic justice indeed. To be honest, with the strength of the Rays and Yankees, and the potential holes in the Phillies and Mets, with the right bit o’ luck, your prediction could come true.
It would sure warm my heart!!
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
2:17 pm
Okay, sure, someone calling himself “sickofugafans” has a rockin’ social life, just dipping into the blogosphere for a tidbit or two…
DAP
March 30th, 2009
2:17 pm
KC no response?
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 30th, 2009
2:17 pm
Aw man. Err… I mean Oh Man.
Tomahawk210
March 30th, 2009
2:18 pm
Oh no 2 strikeouts for Francoeur-hope this isn’t going to affect his good spring so far, mentally.
mbatl
March 30th, 2009
2:18 pm
does=”dose”….
“but won’t go with Hanson who by all accounts won teh #5 starter spot. ” – Dadgum
Has he really won it? Glavine has yet to be scored upon, or even to give up a walk, in 2 starts. So far, he’s on track to do just what the Braves hoped – provide stability in the 5-spot while Hanson does what he should do…. go to AAA and work on command, and have his innings controlled while working every 5th day, for at least part of the year.
(and no, I’m not saying Glavine>Hanson, but Hanson is much better served at AAA if we can get by without him.)
Epinephrine
March 30th, 2009
2:18 pm
2 Ks for Jeff, ouch.
Ghost of Dan Kolb
March 30th, 2009
2:19 pm
Jeff Frankkoeur
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 30th, 2009
2:20 pm
Oh you’re familiar with strikes all of a sudden, Dan?
McFann :Ô:
March 30th, 2009
2:20 pm
Aw, is it tied now? Dang…I got here too late to relish the McDouble…
Jersey Gil
March 30th, 2009
2:21 pm
DOB… How many MLB Player play in a Band?…I never see you mention any of this Player Music. I know Bernie William second Album coming out on April. His first Album “The Journey Within” is real cool, kind of Latin Jazz Music, one of his song is play on The Weather Channel every time the local weather show. Also Bronson Arroyo play guitar but i don’t know is he got a CD out.
The Ghost of Jeff Reardon
March 30th, 2009
2:21 pm
I was going to say some negative things about myself, then remembered the whole armed robbery incident and felt sorry for myself.
WestPalmDawg
March 30th, 2009
2:21 pm
Which player will be more productive offensively?
Y. Escobar or Jed Lowrie?
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
2:22 pm
A McDouble with relish… heh…
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
2:22 pm
McFann
Does that McDouble come with double meat, double cheese or both?
cvbraves
March 30th, 2009
2:23 pm
Inning 5
Top Half
B:4 S:0 O:0 – Chip Ambres walks.
——————————————————————————–
B:1 S:0 O:0 – With Dusty Brown batting, wild pitch by Kenshin Kawakami, Chip Ambres to 2nd.
——————————————————————————–
B:1 S:0 O:1 – Dusty Brown flies out to right fielder Jeff Francoeur.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:2 – Che-Hsuan Lin grounds out, shortstop Yunel Escobar to first baseman Casey Kotchman. Chip Ambres to 3rd.
——————————————————————————–
B:2 S:0 O:2 – Rocco Baldelli homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Chip Ambres scores.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:3 – Dustin Pedroia flies out to center fielder Jordan Schafer.
Ghost of Dan Kolb
March 30th, 2009
2:24 pm
Well, I did strike a deal with six flags, who wants to design a roller coaster themed around my career.
Scooter
March 30th, 2009
2:24 pm
They make a good doublemeat burger.
cabravesfan
March 30th, 2009
2:25 pm
Does that McDouble come with double meat, double cheese or both?
This is the new and improved healthy McDouble- comes with 2 turkey patties, soy cheese and lots of veggies on a whole whest bun
cabravesfan
March 30th, 2009
2:26 pm
Does that McDouble come with double meat, double cheese or both?
This is the new and improved healthy McDouble- comes with 2 turkey patties, soy cheese and lots of veggies on a whole wheat bun
Dadgum
March 30th, 2009
2:26 pm
mbatl….Sure Hanson won the spot. His command wasn’t bad either. He averaged over a strike out an inning. Low ERA. Glavine certainly put up some good numbers out of the gate to his credit but the question remains will Glavine get us to the 7th inning with the fluff ball. From the start of camp Hanson was very impressive but regardless I think we will see Hanson sooner than later. Things happen.
Rock on…….
cabravesfan
March 30th, 2009
2:28 pm
sorry for the double post- my computer sucks this morning
cvbraves
March 30th, 2009
2:28 pm
Bottom Half 5th
B:0 S:0 O:1 – Matt Diaz flies out to right fielder Che-Hsuan Lin.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:2 – Jordan Schafer grounds out, second baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
——————————————————————————–
B:4 S:0 O:2 – Kelly Johnson walks.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:3 – Yunel Escobar flies out to center fielder Chip Ambres.
Braves 2, Bosox 2
KC
March 30th, 2009
2:29 pm
pills91, you couldn’t be more right. I think Smoltz left largely because he wanted a good shot at playing in another WS, and especially at that time, the Red Sox could offer a much better chance of that.
But your right, his whining about how the Braves did him wrong is a total BS. I think he had some guilt over leaving. While he was leaving for another shot at a WS, there was probably some part of him that felt like he was giving up on his team. I think he chose to blame the Braves as a way of convincing himself and everyone else that he had no choice in that matter, though he clearly did. There was a fair offer on the table to stay here.
While T.Hoffman takes out a full page ad in the SD newspaper thanking the fans, the coaches, and even the front office for all the great years… Smoltz grabs every microphone in sight and blasts his former team. I really thought he had more class than that. As a former HUGE smoltz fan, it’s been sad to watch.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
2:29 pm
Wayne, yes, it was a legit error. Just misplayed it. It was hit hard, but rather routine play.