Chipper’s signed through 2012
Kissimmee, Fla. — So now the Braves have their two best hitters under contract for four more seasons, and it should be noted that one of those hitters (Brian McCann) credits the other (Chipper Jones) with being the single biggest factor in B-Mac going from merely good minor league hitter to one of the two best-hitting catchers in the majors.
That’s a good middle-order tandem to build a lineup around, provided Chipper can stay reasonably healthy for the length of the three-year, $42 million contract he signed today, which runs through 2012, with a vesting option for 2013 (when he’ll be 41).
Chipper’s deal has a $3 mill signing bonus and salaries of $13 million for the 2010-2012 seasons, plus incentives ($750K each season for 135 games played, another $750K for 140 games), a $9 mill vesting option, and escalator clauses that could push the total to a max of $61 million over four years.
The option vests with 123 games played in 2012, or 127 games averaged in 2011-2012, and if it doesn’t vest the Braves could exercise a $7 million team option. Escalators could push the vesting option as high as $13 mill.
McCann is entering the third season of a six-year contract (worth at least $27.8 million) that also includes a $12 million option for 2013.
His hitting mentor, Jones, just signed a deal that pretty much assures Jones will be a Brave for his entire career, if he so desires (he already has 10-and-5 trade veto privileges).
It also means Jones will probably have plenty of time to influence the best up-and-coming crop of Braves hitters in a long time, a group that includes Jordan Schafer, Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman, along with other possibilities including Brandon Hicks, the shortstop some believe could be groomed to slide over and take over at 3B eventually.
Those who don’t think Jones is a vocal, rah-rah leader, you’re right. And he doesn’t need to be, because McCann has begun asserting himself in that role, looking and sounding so much more confident speaking out and being the center of things than he seemed in his first couple of seasons.
Perfect example: The other day at Viera, the team’s stretching in front of the dugout before batting practice, and McCann is talking, cracking a circle of the team’s younger “veterans” up with a story he was telling, or a few stories.
Chipper was spotted near the back of the group of 30 players, on the edge, doing some easy stretches quietly, not cutting up with the kids. Moments like that, you can almost see the baton being passed.
It wasn’t long ago when the Joneses (remember Andruw), Maddux, Smoltz could be found at the center of the group, laughing. Now, Chipper and Glavine are the last ones standing from the old gang, and Glavine conceded yesterday that he’s not got much time left.
But Hoss signed up for another three-year tour, maybe four, by which point he’ll probably have put most Atlanta Braves hitting records out of reach and perhaps even be flirting with 500 homers (he’s got 408).
Jones is more the guy that takes hitters aside and explains what this pitcher’s trying to do, or watches a hitter at his request (or otherwise, sometimes) to tell them why they need to work on going the other way, how they’ll never be a proficient hitter trying to pull everything.
It's good to be the king
Some Braves marvel at how Jones is able to go straight from the card table into the batter’s box and rake during batting practice, or come off the DL after 15 days and without a rehab assignment (he doesn’t like going down to the minors much anymore) and getting two or three hits and a homer in his first game back.
But they also know, the smart ones at least, that they’ll never succeed doing things exactly the way that Chipper does, because the man’s simply blessed, like Manny Ramirez or Albert Pujols, with the ability to roll out of bed and hit.
The example that Chipper sets that they do follow, at least the smart ones (i.e., McCann), is his attention to detail, study of opposing pitchers’ tendencies, and outstanding plate discipline. He goes into every at-bat with a plan, knowing what he wants to do and what pitch he is looking for, and he sticks to that plan.
The career-Brave thing was obviously important in the discussions, as evident by GM Fran Wren’s one quote in the release the team put out announcing the deal:
”This contract ensures that Chipper will play his whole career as a Brave, which was a key factor for us, our fans and for Chipper,” Wren said. “Chipper has been an outstanding performer with our club for a long time and he is still a key part of our team.”
We’ll talk to them both at a 2:30 p.m. press conference at Dark Star, then head down Osceola Parkway for tonight’s 7:05 p.m. game against the Astros, the first of two the Braves play there in three days before taking this thing north.
(The other game will be a silly exercise Thursday with the planning-challenged Astros using their Double-A Triple-A team team to face the Braves, afer the major-league ‘Stros break camp Wednesday and head back to Texas to play an exhibition at their Round Rock Double-A Corpus Christi affiliate.)
Other stuff:
♣ Garrett in the field: It’ll be interesting to see Garret Anderson in left field tonight, his first game in the outfield since he strained his calf a few weeks ago. But he DH’d the last two games and didn’t look like he was favoring the leg at all, yesterday hitting three balls hard and going 2-for-3 against Boston.
♣ Darrow’s backstory: We don’t have time to get into it now, since I need to head to Dark Star for the press conference. But later we’ll discuss Rudy Darrow, the 25-year-old pitching prospect the Braves got from Detroit for Josh Anderson yesterday. Darrow’s an interesting guy, a former college wrestler who dropped to sidearm after having Tommy John elbow surgery in 2004. The move might have saved his baseball career, the way Peter Moylan’s move to sidearm reignited his.
♣ Bologna — who knew? A Japanese reporter asked Bobby Cox yesterday if he had any superstititions, any rituals he followed. First, Bobby seemed reluctant to divulge. Then he smiled sheepishly. “Bologna,” he said. “When we’re winning. I’ve got to stop that. Processed foods, they say are bad.”
Wait. Bologna? “I grew up on bologna,” he said. “Everybody did.”
POUND IT ON DOWN by Greg Brown
Catfish ain’t bitin’, water ain’t flowin’,
River’s so low you can walk clean across.
I’m all through travelin’, home’s where your hat is,
I ain’t got no hat, and I ain’t got no boss.
Pound it on down, pound it on down,
Pound it on down, deep in the ground.
I loved some women more than I should have,
I loved some others less than was right.
Some loved me madly, and some done me badly,
I’m drinkin’ one drink for each one tonight.
Pound it on down, pound it on down,
Pound it on down, deep in the ground.
I got an old boat sets low in the water,
I built it myself out of riverbank junk.
When I am gone, throw my old bones in,
Cut the rope, kick the boat, buddy, I’m sunk.
Pound it on down, pound it on down,
Pound it on down, deep in the ground.
Pound it on down, pound it on down,
Pound it on down, deep in the ground
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
936 comments Add your comment
ease19
March 31st, 2009
1:32 pm
Just as I was thinkin that it was time for a new blog…
Bravo
March 31st, 2009
1:37 pm
Congrats to Chipper.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
1:38 pm
Since the beginning of the 2006 season, Jones’ .342 average is the best among major league qualifiers, ahead of Albert Pujols (.338) and Ichiro Suzuki (.328).
In the summer of 2006, Jones began a torrid hitting stretch that has continued nearly unabated, with only an occasional one- or two-week slump, usually associated with a nagging injury.
Since June 24, 2006, he has a .356 average, .448 on-base percentage and .624 slugging percentage in 313 games, for a 1.072 on base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS) with 70 homers and 228 RBIs.
In that period, Pujols hit .341 with a 1.050 OPS, albeit with 92 homers and 290 RBIs in 393 games.
Manny Ramirez hit .320 with a .985 OPS in 348 games in that same period, with 72 homers and 260 RBIs in that stretch. And Mark Teixeira hit .303 with a .964 OPS in 376 games, with 89 homers and 295 RBIs.
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 31st, 2009
1:41 pm
Thanks Frank, Go Chipper!
c jonze
March 31st, 2009
1:41 pm
Great move to get this done before the season. This will free Chipper’s mind and his body will respond favorably. Anyone questioning this team’s front office today?
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:41 pm
We love our bologna in Utah!
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
1:42 pm
Those numbers are rather impressive…I guess some things really do get better with age:)
Tapate50
March 31st, 2009
1:44 pm
DOB, good show going on Wed at the Variety Playhouse! Too bad your a couple hundred miles south…
Andy
March 31st, 2009
1:44 pm
DOB, I’m sure you meant 2004 for Darrow’s TJ surguery…
Josh from Columbus
March 31st, 2009
1:46 pm
Braves front office just broke even.
-Furcal,-Peavy,-Burnett,-Griffey,-Smoltz
+Lowe,+Vazquez,+Chipper,+Kawakami,+Anderson
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:47 pm
I can see it now, back in 1994. OK kid, you blew out your elbow throwing spitballs at the blackboard. You need some Tommy Johnson surgery.
(as the doctors drag the ten year old kid kicking and screaming to the operating room!)
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
1:47 pm
Great stuff, DOB. by the way: “Darrow’s an interesting guy, a former college wrestler who dropped to sidearm after having Tommy John elbow surgery in 1994“… maybe a typo here?
Glad to see the Chipper deal done. Seems like a good deal for both sides.
Tomahawk210
March 31st, 2009
1:48 pm
Congrats to Chipper- you deserve it Hoss. The way he plays the game should be something kids look up to. He is a great team player and has done many great things for the Braves-including taking less money to have a competitive team year after year. Now he’s teaching the young guys his great hitting ways so when he does retire us fans can hopefully still have a great Braves team to cheer for. I am proud to wear my Chipper authentic white home jersey and proud to say he is one of the greatest hitters of all time and he plays for our Braves from start to finish.
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
1:48 pm
(sorry, didn’t mean to pile on…)
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
1:48 pm
I love Chipper Jones. What’s next on Frank Wren’s agenda? Long-term deals for Kelly Johnson, Jeff Francoeur, Yunel Escobar, and Jair Jurrjens I guess.
Mike in Savannah
March 31st, 2009
1:49 pm
Wow, some amazing stats there DOB. I remember reading about him tearing it up since June of ‘06, but didn’t realize how staggering those numbers were. Another great blog as usual.
garlick
March 31st, 2009
1:49 pm
PWHjort, that list looks about right.
John
March 31st, 2009
1:50 pm
Great stuff as always DOB. Re Darrow – he’s 25 and had TJ surgery in 1994, when he would have been 11 at the oldest? If that’s not a typo, I am intrigued. I have never heard of anyone that young getting TJ surgery (though perhaps this is more common than I realize).
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:51 pm
Josh from Columbus
When are you folks ever gonna learn, it was never Smoltz, Peavy, Burnett, Vazquez, Lowe and Kawakami. It was always going to be 3 of those guys. So, how did they just break even. I think more closely, they hit for the cycle this off season.
just sayin
N Nine (eta5)
March 31st, 2009
1:51 pm
Mr. Wren has got me pumped two straight days! Chipper is the best and mets fans have to be sad today. Chipper deserved this and give credit to him and the agent in making sure this happens…
Long offseason complete
Tapate50
March 31st, 2009
1:52 pm
Darrows stats are pretty good. Groundball tendency around 73% and high K rates for a groundball pitcher. Keeps the ball in the park too… one HR in last 100+innings i think.
GTI in Chicago
March 31st, 2009
1:53 pm
You know, reading the thread near the end of the last blog, in regards to whether the Braves should pick up Hudson’s option for next year, a thought occurred to me:
The true surplus of starting pitching in the organization, what with prospects and current big money contracts, means that the Braves really have no choice but to bring Tommy Hanson up this season and give him a real, honest looksee in the majors. They have to get an honest evaluation of the talent he and the other pitching prospects have to offer the big club.
I like Tim Hudson, and I tend to be optimistic about his chances of coming back just fine from the TJ, but even if Glavine retires after this season, The Bravos are still gonna have one or two too many veteran pitchers signed to the staff. They’ll have no choice but to trade or release someone. Not just to clear room for Hanson, but also, what if Jo-Jo re-establishes his promise or Morton gets over the mental hump. Sure, Hudson would be relatively cheap at 12 Mil, but Jo-Jo would be even cheaper at $400,000.
I guess we’re all expecting to see Hanson pitch in Atlanta at some point this season, anyway, but that’s a motive that hadn’t occurred to me until today
BrandonC
March 31st, 2009
1:53 pm
Fried bologna is awesome.
Roger
March 31st, 2009
1:53 pm
Is that a typo that Darrow had TJ surgery in 1994? He would’ve been about 10 years old. I’m guessing it should’ve been 2004.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:54 pm
John
Safe to say that was a typo.
flange1
March 31st, 2009
1:54 pm
Thanks for the new blog DOB!
Good to lock up Chipper for 3/4 years.
I wonder if the Braves need to begin to search NOW for a backup that has some pop in his bat. I like Prado and Infante, but if we know we will have Chipper for 3/4 years, shouldn’t we look for someone who can back him up and hit with a bit more pop than Infante and Prado?
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
1:54 pm
A pitching surplus usually turns into a pitching deficit in a few months.
Ramblin Wrecker
March 31st, 2009
1:54 pm
This is sweet. I’m glad they were able to get this done.
One clarification on Rudy Darrow: you said he had tommy john surgery in 1994. Wouldn’t he have been 10 years old then?
chip off the ol block
March 31st, 2009
1:55 pm
Great to see Chipper signed
the Front Office of the Braves have done an amazing job of getting the best team out on the field, looking back at all of the “could have beens” I’m excited about this group of guys, we’re going places this year. This offseason yes we had our downtimes with missed chances, loss of players, but with the signing of Chip its the cherry on top of great offseason.
GO BRAVES
Mike in Savannah
March 31st, 2009
1:56 pm
This just in from the Braves front office… Frank Wren signs every side-arm pitcher because they have a similar delivery to Peter Moylan.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:56 pm
Amen on the fried bologna (I have never liked the proper spelling of balloney)
N Nine
If we coulda just picked up Ryan Freel, it woulda been a perfect off season!
spotts
March 31st, 2009
1:57 pm
Ironic that Bobby likes bolagna
len
March 31st, 2009
1:57 pm
I am glad chipper is a brave for life, He called jake peavey, a.j burnette and d lowe to get help for the team in the offseason, always willing to take deffered money to help team ect.
kdbanks
March 31st, 2009
1:57 pm
Heck of a day!
dap01
March 31st, 2009
1:58 pm
Congrats Chipper and thanks for actually committing to being a Brave for life and not just saying that as a negiotating tactic.
You are the face of the Braves!
Will Francouer be a part of the Braves long term? I believe probably not. If he has a bad year, he will be gone. If he has a good year, his past contract negiotations say that he will be gone as well. Anyway, I hope he does well. He is very important to the success of the Braves season.
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
1:59 pm
could someone please explain the allure of fried bolongna? I love the stuff as much as the next girl but I’ve never understood the point of frying it…
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
2:01 pm
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief! Good stuff!
So now the Braves have their two best hitters under contract for four more seasons
Is that all? Only four more seasons? Dang…
…Moments like that, you can almost see the baton being passed.
Kinda gets me…teary-eyed…
cphizzle
March 31st, 2009
2:01 pm
how bout slappin it on the ol grille…now thats lip smackin good
Anders
March 31st, 2009
2:01 pm
Hey DOB – What happened to that 3 year at about $9 or $10 mil per you were telling us about sometime ago? I thought your number was low.
So now the Braves have two guys on the other side of 35 making a total of about $30 mil per. Good luck with that.
DAP
March 31st, 2009
2:02 pm
i usually have to read the word “bologna” several times before my head will let me think “buh-lone-eee”. my brain cant handle the weird spelling of that word very well.
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
2:03 pm
cabravesfan I love the stuff as much as the next girl…
LOL! Ironically the next girl to post does not care for bologna…
N Nine (eta5)
March 31st, 2009
2:04 pm
Wayne in Utah, I kid you not, I was watching highlights last night and they showed Freel catching a flyball and crashing into a wall. That’s when I thought about you! They were talking about how Baltimore will love his style of playing. Kinda like Aaron Rowand.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
2:05 pm
DOB,
Is that $3 million signing bonus a lump sum payment in 2010? If it is, it looks like Chipper will be banking $16 million next season.
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
2:05 pm
McFann-
I think it is un-american to not like bologna;)
Is that all? Only four more seasons? Dang Was that sarcasm? Because the first thought I had when Iread that was “is it too early to sign Mac to an extension?”
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
2:06 pm
Chop Chop-
according to FOX Sports (I think) the signing bonus will be paid in $1 mill increments in Jan. over the next 3 years…DOB please correct me if that is wrong
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
2:07 pm
Anders, Have you ever heard of someone named Carlos Delgado? Plus, 14 million for Chipper is way, WAY below market value. Fangraphs always has him valued at over 30 million. I’m not saying that’s his actual value, but something like 18-20 seems right. Tim Dierkes said 2 years 36 million would be a fair extension for Chipper about 3 weeks ago. 3 years 42 million sounds pretty good for Atlanta.
N Nine (eta5)
March 31st, 2009
2:08 pm
DAP_ we’ll cross you off for the spelling Bee competition….
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
2:08 pm
And the only people we have that are older than 35 making any kind of money are Glavine, Chipper, and Anderson. Anderson makes 2.5 million, Glavine makes between 1 and 4.5 million.
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 31st, 2009
2:09 pm
Thats because you’re not a southern girl, cabravesfan.
Everything is better fried. I personally can’t stand cold “raw” bologna but I like it fried, burnt around the edges even, tastes a lot different.
Anders
March 31st, 2009
2:09 pm
PWjort – Delgado is making $12 mil this year, that’s it. His contract is up. Plus our oldest pitcher is 27.
Processed Meat (snuck through the SPAM filter)
March 31st, 2009
2:09 pm
i usually have to read the word “bologna” several times before my head will let me think “buh-lone-eee”. my brain cant handle the weird spelling of that word very well.
“buh-lone-eee”?!?!?
Baloney!
winterville
March 31st, 2009
2:09 pm
Hey Anders
What happened to you saying that Chipper was going to test the market and resign somewhere else. I thought that was a little crazy.
DAP
March 31st, 2009
2:09 pm
andersSo now the Braves have two guys on the other side of 35 making a total of about $30 mil per. Good luck with that.
and great deals, both of them. and as a mets fan, financial prudence might be where you have the least amount of leg to stand on.
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 31st, 2009
2:10 pm
Who woulda thought Anders would show up for this news. Haters gotta hate.
spotts
March 31st, 2009
2:10 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxTOq4×5xn0
winterville
March 31st, 2009
2:11 pm
Anders
Santana just turned 30.
winterville
March 31st, 2009
2:11 pm
And Livan is like 40 or 50.
DAP
March 31st, 2009
2:12 pm
PWHjort, dont forget about lowe.
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
2:12 pm
Hey, Anders, how much will Delgado average from 2006-2009 (36-39 years old)? Answer: 14 million. Go kill yourself.
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
2:13 pm
“And the only people we have that are older than 35 making any kind of money are Glavine, Chipper, and Anderson.”
And Lowe.
I don’t think there’ any doubt that there are risks involved with both of those guys’ contracts. But, Lowe is out running stadium steps every morning, and Chipper, despite the tendency toward minor tweaks, is in great shape. It’s a calculated risk… let’s hope it pays off.
N Nine (eta5)
March 31st, 2009
2:14 pm
“Kinda gets me…teary-eyed…”
Aww_ More reasons to wear #16 outside the TED. No worries, he’ll get a fat extension when the right time comes.
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
2:14 pm
Ya I forgot Lowe. He’s 36, right? How old is Hudson, I want to say 33.
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
2:15 pm
cabravesfan–
Un-American? Uh-oh…um…I like salami, does that count for anything?
And nope, no sarcasm in that other post. Huh…I remember when they signed him to that contract, and I was like, “Wow! Six years!” Now it’s almost halfway over? Euh…I almost had that same thought you had!
spotts
March 31st, 2009
2:16 pm
No worries, he’ll get a fat extension when the right time comes.N Nine
Not if we have another young catcher ready. Or else he’ll get the Javy/Estrada treatment.
BrandonC
March 31st, 2009
2:16 pm
I love fried bologna burgers to. With chili, cheese, ketchup and mustard. I’m getting hungery now…
BravesFAN885
March 31st, 2009
2:17 pm
I was just looking at Hank Aaron’s stats for the later part of his career. Pretty interesting- he his his most home runs (47) in the ‘71 season, when he was 37, then over the next two years hit 34 and 40 home runs, respectively. Not saying Chipper is Hank Aaron, but just pointing out that another hall of famer (assuming Chipper goes) still had that power during the last few years of his career.
Josh H
March 31st, 2009
2:17 pm
DOB:
And some Mets fan on a blog somewhere actually tried to argue that Chipper was power-challenged. Those stats you quoted still have him up there with Pujols and Manny.
Bravesgal
March 31st, 2009
2:17 pm
Anders, your oldest pitcher is 27? Really? I don’t think so.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
2:18 pm
Thanks, cabravesfan. $14 million per sounds about right. That’s more money than I’d like to pay a guy who will probably miss 30-40 games a year, but Chipper’s a great hitter and gives those “name recognition”-based fans a real reason to show up.
The main worry is 30-40 games a year becoming 50-60 games. Let’s just hope that doesn’t happen in the next couple of seasons. Let’s really hope that doesn’t happen this year.
stynes
March 31st, 2009
2:19 pm
Great news regarding Chipper. It’ll be awesome to have him around teaching his mojo to some of the other kids that are up and coming.
I was reading this article earlier today: http://soundingoff.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/03/29/1870071.aspx. I came across this quote that I found pretty entertaining and thought I’d pass long…
“[A's player] Jack Hannahan told the San Francisco Chronicle this week that he looked at [fellow A's player Jack] Cust’s glove after some dropped fly balls. Hannahan was stunned at how poorly the glove was broken in. In the big leagues, no less. Hannahan gave Cust another glove, properly cared for, and Cust’s play improved. The infamous quote from Hannahan, “Jack doesn’t know much about gloves.””
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
2:21 pm
N Nine–
Yeah…And I got my #16 jersey and my #16 hat–sort of a matched-set, ya might say.
And I don’t know–In DOB’s Perfect Example, the visual I got of McCann standing there talking to a bunch of the guys while Chipper stands off at a distance…the baton being passed…don’t know, just kinda hit me.
Spotts–
I know it’s reality, but do not say things like that!
Seymour1948
March 31st, 2009
2:21 pm
Also, Chipper admitted that he wasn’t able to extend his swing like he needed to hit more power. He expects his power numbers to go back up this year.
Chuck
March 31st, 2009
2:21 pm
Anyone else see the irony of Chipper’s long term signing so close to Smoltz being in town? Big difference in price, of course, but it appears that Chipper once again took less money to stay home and help. That says a lot about the guy. Yeah, I know he’s not perfect, but you can’t argue with his salary demands during his whole career. He’s a team guy. Stand him up against manny – ha!
Jersey Gil
March 31st, 2009
2:22 pm
Good Job front office, Chipper for Life an Atlanta Braves, Best New so far This season.
My Chipper Jones HS baseball card when up on prices…..GO BRAVOS
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
2:25 pm
McFann-
Salami is not “technically” american (at least the real version isn’t) but I suppose I can let that slide:)
So- in an attempt to gather fuel to fire off some snarky response to Anders I tried to log on to the mets site and it up and choked on me-froze my computer so badly I had to reboot…guess i shouldn’t be all that suprised…
Cyrus
March 31st, 2009
2:25 pm
Did anyone hear that small explosion coming out of New York about two hours ago after the Braves signed Chipper to an extension since they know he may hit a gw home run or two in the next four years in there sparking new digs called Citi Field. Frank Wren and Chippers agent good job to get this one done behind closed doors for the most part and solidifies that Chipper next home will be in Cooperstown after he rips the Mets fans hearts out again and again in the next few years and I hope he teaches McCann and Franceour to do it as well. Good day in Braves land today.
HeywardTheFuture
March 31st, 2009
2:27 pm
DOB, who is scheduled to pitch today? Is Soriano any closer to getting back?
Andrew
March 31st, 2009
2:27 pm
i hope chip can get to 500
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
2:28 pm
Hey Anders. What happened to you saying that Chipper was going to test the market and resign somewhere else. I thought that was a little crazy.
What?!? You mean Anders was actually wrong about something?!? In print? Holy Cornelia. David Wright won’t allow that in his inner circle, I’m guessing. Back to being among the little people for Anders.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
2:28 pm
Chop Chop, no, it’s to be made in $1 mill increments on Jan. 15 in each of those years, 2010, 2011, 2012…
Some of you should get jobs copyediting. Yes, meant 2004, not 1994. When you’re typing these blogs as fast as you can off the top of your head, mistakes can happen.
Braveshater
March 31st, 2009
2:28 pm
How can the Braves justify this. The guy will miss half the season, sure he’s a great tutor, but what are payign TP for. Frank Wren is a joke, the Braves glory days are over.
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
2:28 pm
HeywardTheFuture-
Should be D Lowe starting…
keylargo
March 31st, 2009
2:30 pm
Congratulations Chipper – You just showed not only your loyalty but your business sense. For every one of those nasty redsox dollars Sir Smoltz got, you’ll make 10 Braves dollars with endorsements, good will, and living in ATL that go along with the lifetime Braves tag.
Smoltz can only wish it were him now.
Josh H
March 31st, 2009
2:30 pm
Braveshater:
Oh I don’t know…maybe because he’s one of the top hitters in baseball?
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
2:31 pm
Anyone else see the irony of Chipper’s long term signing so close to Smoltz being in town?
Irony, my azz. That’s just a case of excellent timing by Frank Wren. Now, I’d be the last person to say Wren might have planned it that way for a little in-your-face action, but…
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
2:31 pm
Braveshater, he’s worth way more than they’re paying him. Even if he misses 40-50 games. That’s how they justify it.
Andrew
March 31st, 2009
2:32 pm
anybody know where we can watch the press conference?
garlick
March 31st, 2009
2:32 pm
DOB, your life would be hell if we were one of your copy editors, you should be careful what you say around here about those types of things.
HeywardTheFuture
March 31st, 2009
2:32 pm
wow, i meant after Lowe, as in relievers.
Supes
March 31st, 2009
2:32 pm
Anders, that groan we heard from NY was thousands of METS fans coming to the understanding that the MET-Killer Chipper Jones isn’t going anywhere, and they’ll see him 18 times per season for the next 3 seasons (as long as he’s healthy)
Spin it anyway you want, Chipper Jones being a Brave for the next 3 seasons ia BAD thing for the NY Mets.
Oh, and you are ONE questionable elbow away from becoming a 3rd place team in the NL East.
Someone better be lighting candles, or whatever and pray that Santana holds up. I don’t wish injury on anyone NOT even a stinking Mets player, but it’s very probably he tears up his elbow at some point this season.
BravesFAN885
March 31st, 2009
2:33 pm
Cyrus – so does that mean chipper will have to name his next kid “Citi”?
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
2:33 pm
Did Chipper take less money?
No. He’s going to be getting paid $3 million more per year after this season. That’s not taking less money. That’s taking more money. Assuming that a bull market in free agency would be there for an Age 38 player in 2010 is just that: an assumption.
Chipper said he wasn’t going to take a discount this time. He was true to his word.
(By the way, Chipper might want to do Smoltz a solid and send Smoltzie on a round-trip to the Old Course at St. Andrews. The Smoltz debacle, and the resulting backlash, helped Chipper get that extra money.)
Mike in Savannah
March 31st, 2009
2:34 pm
I’m also guessing you meant “off the [top] of your head,” right DOB?
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
2:34 pm
cabravesfan Salami is not “technically” american
Yeah, I guess that’s true…but thank you for giving me a second chance.
But at least we cann agree when it comes to the America’s Pastime…and certain catchers…
Supes
March 31st, 2009
2:34 pm
Beyond happy for Chipper Jones, and the Braves. I’ll be able to wear my #10 jersey and hold my head up high, knowing it’s still good for 3 more years:)
Josh from Columbus
March 31st, 2009
2:34 pm
Is that what they call it in the ‘biz‘? Copyediting?
raymond
March 31st, 2009
2:35 pm
It’s like the Braves completly forgot about Chippers injury problems. It won’t be as bad as Hampton was, but before it’s over Chipper will be a 13 million per year player we can’t wait to be done with.
Ken Overstreet
March 31st, 2009
2:35 pm
South Boston Speedway in VA sells fried bologna “burgers” with mustard and pickles. Good Stuff!
TommyP
March 31st, 2009
2:35 pm
Hey, we were ALL wondering if this kid had Tommy John surgery at age 11. An honest curiousity, DOB.
Matt
March 31st, 2009
2:36 pm
Congrats to Chipper and all, but I don’t really like this move. If it were for less money, I’d be ok with it. But we’ll be dishing out $13 mil a year for him to play his usual 100 games? His batting average is definitely high, but his power numbers are going down as well. By the end of the contract, I think we’ll be paying for just an average 3rd baseman with a .300 average
Andrew
March 31st, 2009
2:36 pm
Supes, that Chipper jersey will be good for the rest of your life..Hall of famer and number will be retired in Atlanta!
N Nine (eta5)
March 31st, 2009
2:37 pm
Not if we have another young catcher ready. Or else he’ll get the Javy/Estrada treatment.Spotts
I hope not Spotts. I think the situation’s different, but then again who knows what will happen in four years….
No reason why we shoulda kept Estrada. He never fully recovered to his oldself and MAC was knocking.
Javy had a career contract year, but the age and money didn’t match up. I think we knew he was on the decline.. Mac should still be in the elite status and much better than the two. Both Javy/Estrada were washed up and not needed….
When the time arrives, Chipper’s contract is up, so I’d guess we’ll have cash to lock up Mac. I truly believe McCann will still improve and will be treated different. Unless we find another McCann in our system. I’m banking on McCann being an all-time Brave and shattering all the catchers stats
Notorious Number 10
March 31st, 2009
2:38 pm
Congrats to Chipper. This will only help my Chipper collection go up in value (I’ll never sell anyway). He deserves it for being the definition of a team player, not to mention one of the greatest hitters of all time. Don’t worry about Anders…if the Met’s had just signed a notorious Braves killer, I wouldn’t like it either. HA
Katy
March 31st, 2009
2:38 pm
Congratulations Chipper!
Daybed Wagmoe
March 31st, 2009
2:39 pm
Plus our oldest pitcher is 27. – Anders
Pedro Feliciano is 32. JJ Putz is 32. Tim Redding is 31. Johan Santana is 30. Brian Stokes is 29. Sean Green is 29.
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
2:40 pm
HeywardTheFuture-
Kinda figured you meant after D Lowe but you never know:)
McFann-
as long as we’ve got the important things down…
BravesAC
March 31st, 2009
2:40 pm
There’s something to be said about an organization taking care of one of it’s own – somebody who you drafted, cultivated, and who’se had great years playing for you and is wonderful in the clubhouse. If you’re going to “retain/reward” anybody wouldn’t you want to retain a guy like Chipper?
That was my whole problem with the Smoltz thing – I thought he deserved the same consideration.
As Heyward, Freeman, et al come up to the Braves don’t you think they ‘ll look at how the Braves treated Jones and think “that’s what I’d like”? If they emulate Chipper they themselves and the Braves win. The same goes for McCann and the comeback player of the year – Francouer.
John
March 31st, 2009
2:40 pm
Way to go Braves organization! Thank you for making Chipper a Brave all the way.
Harrison Dangler
March 31st, 2009
2:44 pm
That bang heard from NY was Mets #1 fan blowing the back of his skull off thinking about the damage Chipper will do to the Mets over the next 4 seasons and how much confidence and skill he will be able to pass on the Heyward, Freeman & Schafer to cut the hearts out of those scumbag Mutts.
Josh
March 31st, 2009
2:45 pm
my dream come true. Chipper a Brave forever!
keylargo
March 31st, 2009
2:48 pm
Tony D – Your 2:37 is not needed on this blog. No reason for a total lack of class on your part.
bsd
March 31st, 2009
2:49 pm
Dave,
Any news on Bobby Cox signing an extension? Now that Chipper is signed, Cox is the next person that I am worried about signing.
ease19
March 31st, 2009
2:50 pm
Who gives a shucks, its gone…(done)!
Rob from SC
March 31st, 2009
2:51 pm
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Joey Devine is scheduled to have his sore elbow examined next week by Dr. James Andrews.
The newspaper notes that Devine is expected to miss at least the first few weeks of the season, but obviously a trip to see Dr. Andrews is cause for much greater concern. Brad Ziegler is now the favorite for early season saves in Oakland, with Santiago Casilla likely backing him up as a ninth-inning alternative.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
2:52 pm
McFann
So long as you don’t go out and get one of those #16 haircuts, I think you will be dressed quite appropriately for opening day.
BTW, on my 50th birthday a few years back (when the Braves were on TBS), my son and I celebrated my big birthday watching the Braves on TV, and eating bologna, cheese and tomato sandwiches. A little mayo. And we dipped them in creamy tomato soup. It was the perfect day!
northbeach Scott
March 31st, 2009
2:54 pm
Tony D. @ 2:37 does it make you feel big making sexual inuendos to a teenager. While she left herself open to that type of joke, only you were sleazy enough to say it. Really creepy and disgusting of you. Were you not recently featured on “To Catch a Predator?”
i cant take it anymore
March 31st, 2009
2:54 pm
Tony D.
keep that kind of post on the mets blog, loser.
Josh B
March 31st, 2009
2:55 pm
Wayne, that sounds pretty gross and I love bologna
Notorious Number 10
March 31st, 2009
2:56 pm
Just out of curiousity..anyone else on here collect baseball cards?
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
2:56 pm
Skipped Chic Fil A and went to the local soul food joint. Baked chicken, lima beans, collards, fish head soup and banana pudding. Absolutely fantastic.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
2:58 pm
How does Chipper signing a three-year contract extension increase the value of Chipper Jones merchandise? Does anyone really put more worth on a bat, a ball, an autograph, or a baseball card because a guy might stay with one team for his whole career?
Customer: “Hey. How much do you want for that autographed ball?”
Dealer: “Well, I’ve got this Chipper Jones-signed ball. I’m charging $50 for it.”
Customer: “Well, he did sign a contract extension the other day. I’ll pay $5000 for it.”
Dealer: “You’re a great Braves fan and a true patriot, sir.”
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
2:58 pm
Baseball cards. They died in 1989 when they started mass producing them and printing them on photo quality paper. Now, my 1964 Topps scuffed up Pete Rose, that’s a baseball card!
kdbanks
March 31st, 2009
2:58 pm
Maybe now You Know Who can make an appearance?
Cru Jones
March 31st, 2009
2:59 pm
Even if Chipper does stay on the DL towards the end of this contract it is the right move. Chipper has taken less money on different occasions so the front office could make the team better, and this contract is his reward for that and other things like recruiting free agents. Ticket and merchandise sales could easily make up for money lost on an injured Chipper, and with the youth we have taking over we wont need a large payroll to field a good team. Chippers influence on this young group can’t be measured in dollars, but I can say with out doubt Its worth the money in this contract. Oh, and lets not forget the guy won the batting title last year. Look at Shaq this year; I thought that guy was through. He stayed injured with the Heat the past few years and now it seems like he has new life, so lets not assume Chipper will be mediocre over the next few years.
N Nine (eta5)
March 31st, 2009
3:00 pm
MMM Which one would be better?
Fish head soup or bologna with extra mayo?
spotts
March 31st, 2009
3:00 pm
aha…sorry McFann. McCann’s my favorite player too and I’d hate to see him go. But I’d also hate to see a huge salary for a catcher cripple or at least hurt the team.
But Brian seems like a noble guy. I think if he asks for a reasonable salary and he’s still able to perform, he’ll stay with the Braves and not command the huge money he’ll get on the market (if teams are overpaying for Adam Eaton, Carlos Silva, et al, you can imagine what Brian will get).
But all this won’t happen for 4 more years (if it happens at all) so what are we worrying for??
KC
March 31st, 2009
3:01 pm
18 Wheels, I posted this in the last blog, but at the very end, so you probably didn’t see it…
18 Wheels: “it all boils down to 12m for a guy coming off TJ. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s a risk. A big risk.”
Respectfully, that is completely inaccurate. It is not a big risk at all. It’s a small one. The success rate of “Tommy John” surgery is now close to 90% (”success” defined as a full comeback with return of all velocity and no long-term complications of impairments)
Also, while most pitchers are able to return after 12 months, it takes a 18 months (sometimes as long as 24 months) to FULLY and completely recover from “Tommy John” surgery. On opening day of next season, it will have been 20 months since Hudson’s surgery. So he should be 100% recovered (or damned close to it) by the start of next season.
Also, you talk like we’ll be getting Hudson back in 2010 fresh off his rehab, without knowing what we’ll get. It’s highly unlikely that will be the case. Hudson will most likely return in late August or early September. So the Braves figure to get a look at him in action before the off-season.
Anyway, bottom line is… if you keep Hudson, you have a 90% chance of adding another ace to the staff next year. Actually, if the Braves get a look at him late this year and he looks good, the odds are probably better than 90%.
So there’s a 1 in 10 or 1 in 20 chance that he won’t fully recover next year… big deal. These days, it seems you have a 1 in 10 or 1in 20 chance of a pitcher needing TJ surgery for the first time at any give point.
We’ve got a chance to add an ace to the staff for 12 million dollars, and you want to let him walk????
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
3:01 pm
Great dialogue by me. The second sentence reads like it was written by someone who didn’t realize that he had already mentioned the autographed ball in the first. I try to go all out on every post.
MattyRoss
March 31st, 2009
3:01 pm
18 Wheels, what soul food spot was that? Sounds great.
Curt
March 31st, 2009
3:01 pm
I was so happy to hear this news about Chipper! I remember watching his rookie season in 3rd grade and deciding he would be my favorite player. I bought an autograph of his at a local card show that summer and have watched and loved him as a Brave ever since. So glad that he will be a Brave forever and I get to have a story book ending to my childhood baseball hero!
northbeach Scott
March 31st, 2009
3:02 pm
NN10, I have all my baseball cards from the 1960’s and some from the 1950’s and I get a complete set from my in-laws for Christmas every year. I love them and I am 49. They are how I learned statistics and why I loved math growing up.
Notorious Number 10
March 31st, 2009
3:02 pm
Chop Chop…no of course nothing that drastic, but it definately can’t hurt its value. Think Mickey Mantle memorbilia amongst Yankee fans compared to Roger Clemens memorbilia.
spotts
March 31st, 2009
3:02 pm
Josh (2:45) – I think you need to set your goals a little higher, man
KC
March 31st, 2009
3:03 pm
Notorious Number 10, I used to, but not in about 17 years. As 18 Wheels said, the industry self-destructed due to mass over-production and mismanagement. Sad. I really enjoyed it for a time.
TommyP
March 31st, 2009
3:06 pm
The “Tony D” response is allowed and encouraged on here, folks.
About 2 weeks ago we had a blogger completely berating another, calling him disparaging names, and your blogmaster not only allowed it but praised the guy making the insults.
So….you have to put up with that sort of thing on here.
skeptical
March 31st, 2009
3:06 pm
I wonder how many of those years Chipper will be healthy and actually play. Typical Braves front office work.
spotts
March 31st, 2009
3:06 pm
Great….we have an N10 now?
TommyP
March 31st, 2009
3:08 pm
northbeachScott: I became a Math teacher because of baseball cards.
MEB
March 31st, 2009
3:09 pm
U Know Who… Congrats on the great contract and we’re all looking forward another great year. Praying that this year will be a healthy one for you.
GO BRAVES!!!
Furman Bisher
March 31st, 2009
3:09 pm
McCann’s a decent hitter, but look at them sideburns! He looks like a girl. Now, Johnny Unitas, there’s a haircut you could set your watch to. By the way, I invented kissing. It was during World War I and they were looking for a new way to spread germs.
Mark Windsor
March 31st, 2009
3:09 pm
I think its great..im sorry some fans are unhappy about this but with what other players aer being paid this was a pretty cheap price for a guy who it .366 last season.Great for Chipper, and the Braves.I hope he makes it to 500 homers and I bet each year he batts .300 or better.It would be nice to see him get in 120 games or more each season.
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 31st, 2009
3:10 pm
BravesFan… I was thinking the same thing. Maybe it will be a girl. Either way, Citi Jones has a nice ring to it, right Anders?
keylargo
March 31st, 2009
3:10 pm
KC – If the overall success rate for Tommy John surgery is 90%, I would have to think Dr. Andrews is a leader in the field, thus having a higher rate.
I’d keep Hudson anyway, but with Dr. Andrews, it’s almost automatic.
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
3:10 pm
[Baseball cards] are how I learned statistics and why I loved math growing up.
Egg-zackly. An unintended consequence deftly ignored by some who deride sports as “only a game”.
Jim
March 31st, 2009
3:11 pm
With Darrow, the Braves have 3 prominent side-arming righties in the organization: Moylan, Kimbrel, and Darrow. Presumably they will not all pitch in the same bullpen some day.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
3:11 pm
I have some baseball cards. I basically collected them for one year: 1990. After that, I didn’t really buy many. I was 10. I figure that I’ll just hold on to those cards until I’m 80. By then, maybe enough cards will have been destroyed by the nuclear winter to make mine worth something.
BossLady
March 31st, 2009
3:11 pm
While Chipper is standing on the side, he is listening to MCCann and will speak to him later if needed. That is what great mentors will do.
I like bologna and will purchase a pack, make one sandwich and throw out. Not the money that counts but the calories not good. It’s like
going out to dinner and not finishing your plate, no big deal.
Dr. Brave
March 31st, 2009
3:12 pm
Way to go Hoss! Good to see some of you guys at Dark Star last week. I did the meet and greet on Friday. Greg Norton is a hoot so is McDowell. I still think we need another stick.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
3:12 pm
Chipper just had his press conference. Said he and his wife discussed a lot of scenarios during the offseason, including possibly retiring after this coming season, though he said that discussion never got to the serious stage. But he did consider options including going elsewhere, or possibly being traded at the deadline, etc.
When the Braves made their offer, Chipper and his agent, B.B. Abbott, were very pleased. Frank Wren and John Schuerholz, he said, reallly looked at what other free agents would be asking for next winter, guys who could hit .300-.350 with 20-30 homers, etc, and considered what Chipper meant to the organization, what he’s sacrificed in the past, financially (left about $14 mill on table in that last renegotiation), and made him an offer that Abbott said was a “fair-market offer” and not a hometown discout type of deal.
#1MetFan
March 31st, 2009
3:14 pm
Am I excited about having to deal with Chumper for the next 3-4 years? Of course not, but my boys have the better all around team for the next 3-4 years so it doesn’t matter. How was Jurjins the other day against the Stankees? Like I said, he’s not good enough to wash Pelfrey or Perez’s jock straps. Get ready for the famous sophmore slump.
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 31st, 2009
3:14 pm
DOB – if you have the ability to do so please remove the comment by Tony D at 2:37 p.m.
Sick.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
3:17 pm
Once I was a millionaire, but my mother threw away all my old baseball cards.
bigcooterb
March 31st, 2009
3:17 pm
A well deserved contract for Chipper. It’s a lot of money but probably still under market value. I don’t think it is any doubt that he has played over the years for less than he could have received had he gone the free agent route. He should be rewarded for all he has meant to the Braves.
TommyP
March 31st, 2009
3:19 pm
#1MetFan: How are the Mets better for the next 3-4 years????
And you’re badmouthing a start by one of our starters in a spring training game. You have to be kidding me.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
3:20 pm
DOB,
That’s the way I see it. No hometown discount. He’s turning 38 next year. Most guys don’t get $14 million a year at that age. I hope the deal works out well for everyone involved.
#1MetFan
March 31st, 2009
3:21 pm
One more thing- Chumper is overrated by you guys! You all act like he is the best 3rd baseman in baseball when my boy Wright is head and shoulders above him as far as the better all around player. Delgado will put up astonishing numbers once again, while Beltran,Reyes, and Church will do their usual excellent work at the plate. You all should be worried when the over the hill gang shows up to Citi Field. LETS GO METS!!!!
garlick
March 31st, 2009
3:22 pm
#1MetFan, if there was such a thing as the “sophomore” slump, then Pelfrey sure didn’t get much of it last year. If he didn’t you might expect the same from him this year as you’re going to see with Jair.
KC
March 31st, 2009
3:22 pm
#1MetFan, you never responded to me the other day….
Are you willing to back up any of your gum flapping? If you really believe half the stuff you say, let’s put a little money on it! Seriously. =)
Ed Glennon
March 31st, 2009
3:22 pm
This is great news about Chipper. He is not only a great ball player but he is willing to do anything to help the team. This contract is well deserved. This is the first time I can smile a lot since Smoltz left.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
3:23 pm
HEY, Anders & #1MetFan, you’re full of balogna.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
3:24 pm
Why do people call baloney balogna anyway?
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
3:24 pm
I quit collecting actively in 1990. I am guessing my old Roger Clemens Topps Rookie card has dropped a bit in value recently. I have an Ernie Banks Topps 1960 card, but it is only in good condition. It is probably my best old card. Also a Joe Torre from 1963, and Boog Powell Rookie card from 1962.
Now you guys got me looking over all the old stuff again.
Thanks!
#1MetFan
March 31st, 2009
3:24 pm
Tommy:
Jurgins was all over the place and couldn’t get his head in the game from what I saw. Pelfrey seems to be turing his luck around as of late even though he’s had a not so stellar spring. He’s also been given bad run support throughout the spring as far as I can gather.
Anders
March 31st, 2009
3:24 pm
I didn’t say Chipper would test the market.I said I’d be stunned if he signed for three years at $30 mil like DOB was suggesting. Apparently he didn’t. I actually think he is worth every penny he’s gonna get based on what he’s done for the Braves(probably more to the Braves). That said, my point weeks ago was and still is that signing Lowe at his age for 4 years at $60 mil was a risk considering what I thought (and apparently was right) that Chipper would get. DOB said my number was high-considerably.
Hey, Braves did what they had to do in both cases but that doesn’t lessen the risk. Plus now you have to wonder if they’ll excercise the option on Hudson next year at $12 mil.
Anyway, the teams are almost complete and I look forward to getting this season started. Should be fun.
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
3:25 pm
Selected Met starters ERA this spring: Maine 8.00; Pelfrey 5.50; Ollie 4.11.
None of the Braves top 7 starters (JJ, Lowe, KK, Vazquez, Glavine, Hanson, Reyes) has an ERA of over 3.27.
Not sayin’ spring training stats mean a whole lot, #1Metsfan, but you brought it up.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
3:26 pm
“he’s not good enough to wash Pelfrey or Perez’s jock straps”
Boy, Mets fans sure don’t have a lot to look forward to, do they? Pelfrey & Perez, good grief.
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
3:26 pm
#1MetFan-
Now who’s overvaluing their team?
“Over the hill?” The average age of our starting fielders is 27.5- not exactly ready for the nursing home
Bobbymahlon
March 31st, 2009
3:27 pm
As far as Freel is concerned I do not see him being any help to us what so ever unless Schafer fails. For all you people worrying about Francour failing don’t because I think Heyward will be ready about this time next year. Also if and when Hanson and Reyes are ready there will always be a spot for them if they live up to what is expected of them. There will always be pitchers with sore arms and having opts thus making openings for them.
This year my main worry is will we hit enough to allow us post season play. I’m still not convinced if Gonzales will be the closer we want,hope so.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
3:27 pm
Anybody remember Gregg Jeffries from the late 80’s. I got 6 of his Topps Rookie cards….speculating, and he bombed.
#1MetFan
March 31st, 2009
3:27 pm
KC:
Come on guy, I’m no betting man. I just believe that my boys are head and shoulders above the over the hill gang. I might talk with a heavy New York accent, but that doesn’t mean I’m a betting man.
KC
March 31st, 2009
3:27 pm
#1MetFan, yeah Jurrjens had a bad outing his last time out. Had a hard time connect with the AAA catcher he was throwing to. He was having to shake every call off multiple times, and hitters were picking up on what he was about to throw. That all seemed to throw him off his game.
Anyway, it was his only bad one of the spring. How does that compare to Pelfrey’s spring? And I assume you saw Jurrjens duel Santana a week or two back?
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
3:28 pm
“Pelfrey seems to be turing his luck around as of late even though he’s had a not so stellar spring. He’s also been given bad run support throughout the spring as far as I can gather.”
Look closer. He sucks.
BBFCFM
March 31st, 2009
3:29 pm
FURMAN BISHER
“Let’s sacrifice him to our god! Come on, we did it all the time in the thirties.”
no offence
March 31st, 2009
3:29 pm
How come they can sign Chipper but not Smoltz, Chipper has alot of seniority but not compared to Smoltz.
I think Wren just new he had to sign Chipper after the damage he took with the Smoltz signing.
KC
March 31st, 2009
3:29 pm
#1MetFan, come one now #1… I’m no high roller. I’m not talking about betting big money. Doesn’t have to be any money at all. If you live in ATL, you could simply show up at a game in a Braves jersey when your Mets lose the bet for you.
I’m just a believer that anyone who crows that loudly should be willing to back it up!
High Heat
March 31st, 2009
3:30 pm
An Atlanta Icon … the Final Frontier. These are the chronicles of Chipper. His 20 year mission: to hit and field exclusively for the Braves, to seek out and teach the young ones, to boldly go where no Smoltz has gone before.
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
3:31 pm
As far as Freel is concerned…
Please tell me someone did not bring up Ryan Freel again!
Anders
March 31st, 2009
3:31 pm
#1 Met fan – You can’t knock Juurgens. I think we need to see how the league adjusts to his stuff for sure. But, I will say that he is really tough for batters to square up on. His stuff has sneaky late movement. Sawed of bats and weak grounders the other way area sure sign of this. He appears to get both. There’s no guarantees with any second year guy but he shows signs of being a real top flight pitcher. We’ll see.
BA
March 31st, 2009
3:31 pm
Anders is still coughing up sour grapes over the Mutts losing out on Lowe. At least they retained a consistent winner like Oliver Perez. He should get at least 8 wins for them.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
3:31 pm
Bobbymahlon
The Ryan Freel reference is a running joke with some of the old regulars here. Not meant to be a serious discussion.
WILD BILL
March 31st, 2009
3:32 pm
Big Upps Chipper! Whether you like him or not the dude is a STUD! He got beat out on the last day of the “07 season or he would have won the batting title the last 2 years! Not bad for an “old man” huh. When its all said & done he will stand next to Hank Aaron as the two greatest Braves ever no doubt. Hopefully he will tattoo Smoltzie when he shows up in June! GO BRAVOS
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
3:32 pm
Anyone else noticed the mets fans love those jock-strap analogies?
THWG
March 31st, 2009
3:32 pm
All this talk of McCann and his future with the Braves beyond his current contract… Where does Clint Sammons fit in to all of this?
#1MetFan
March 31st, 2009
3:32 pm
KC:
I like you guy! You seem like troopa, you know? Why would a smart guy like you be a Braves fan in the first place? I will never forget me and my boys at Shea a couple of years and booing the ever living crap out of Chumper. Maybe I can tell you dat story another time since you seem to be the only one with brains around here.
BA
March 31st, 2009
3:32 pm
What’s an “offence”? Is that similar to a picket fence?
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
3:33 pm
Wayne in Utah-
That is a comfort- didn’t see the original post, just Bobbymahlon’s response and started to get twitchy!
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
3:33 pm
How come they can sign Chipper but not Smoltz
Other than Chipper will actually be ready to play Opening Day? Is several years younger? Hasn’t had five surgeries?
I can’t figure it out, either.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
3:33 pm
What is my Griffey Jr Donruss 1989 worth?
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
3:33 pm
Matty, just a little place here on the SC Coast called Gullah Cuisine. Big time soul food done right.
BA
March 31st, 2009
3:34 pm
Hey #1 Mutts fan- do you remember what you were doing the exact day that your Mutts wet the bed and missed the playoffs two years ago?
What about last year, when they did the same thing again?
Just curious.
#1MetFan
March 31st, 2009
3:34 pm
Anders:
Who are you, Motha Teresa? Get outa here! Come on fella, Jurjins is overrated by these jerk offs and you know it.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
3:35 pm
scoots,
Let’s just hope Chipper’s toes don’t start acting up again. As we all know, toes are not to be trifled with.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
3:35 pm
cabravesfan
Although a manly man like Freel would always be a welcome addition on any team I would pull for! (Freel is the type of player Prado wishes he will become someday)
wiki
March 31st, 2009
3:36 pm
Pelfrey and Perez had a couple of steller outings back to back last week. What was that…. 6 ERs in less than 5 IP & 4 IP respectively? I know #1, it’s just spring training, right? At least Pelfrey’s outing was against the powerhouse Astros.
beekay
March 31st, 2009
3:36 pm
Yuni’s Looney’s
Chippers Dippers(big skoal Can heads)
Jordans Juicers-syringe
Garret’s Parrots-little Jimmy Buffet
Kotch’s Crotches–jock strap on heads
Hanson’s Mansons-everyone put a tomahawk in the shape of a swastica on
their heads
Boone’s Farms …dress as Logans favorite animals
garlick
March 31st, 2009
3:36 pm
#1MetFan, you’re last post was the perfect example of why Brave’s fans laugh when people try to insult us as “rednecks” or down home country boys.
You can’t even spell, be grammatically correct, or even put together a sentence with any sort of meaning.
Wow.
TommyP
March 31st, 2009
3:36 pm
And that’s why I’ve never understood the vitriol by many on here towards Anders.
Well said, Anders.
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
3:37 pm
Anyone else noticed the mets fans love those jock-strap analogies?
Keen eye, my friend, LOL. Just remember that investigations as to the motive thereof are best left unstarted.
pills91
March 31st, 2009
3:38 pm
I can see Chipper as the Brave’s manager in 5 years.
The GM
March 31st, 2009
3:38 pm
The Braves front office will never learn that when a player starts to decline you don’t keep throwing more money at that player. If the Braves get 110-120 games out of Chipper in each of the next 3-4 four seasons they will be very fortunate. I guess $13 million per year doesn’t buy what it use too. In the meantime, when Chipper goes on the 60 day DL hopefully the Braves will have a quality player waiting in the minors whose progress has been blocked by another over the hill veteran that has hung on to long.
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
3:38 pm
Wayne-
as much as I enjoy watching Freel run through walls, I prefer my guys in one piece…maybe it’s just me but they seem to play better with all limbs attached:)
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
3:39 pm
As we all know, toes are not to be trifled with.
Chop, unfortunately, not everyone here knows that. Wish they did, but that continuing seminar has left the building. Oh, the humanity!
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
3:41 pm
I have a 1991 Topps Skydome Stadium Club set. The crappy plastic Skydome was sitting on the floor once and got a little water damage on the bottom label. The resulting mold made the label look like some kind of marble or something. Lots of errors in that set.
It’s got a Manny Ramirez draft pick card in it. Manny sort of has a jheri-curl flat top in the photo. The Jason Giambi Team USA card is also pretty good. Giambi looks like he weighs about 185.
TommyP
March 31st, 2009
3:42 pm
pills91: I can’t. Great players very rarely make good managers. They can’t relate to the common player.
The GM: Have to disagree. For the production he gives for 80% of a season, what he’s meant to the city and the fact that he appears to be IMPROVING as a hitter in these later years….it’s a good contract.
garlick
March 31st, 2009
3:43 pm
Chop Chop, if I remember correctly, Giambi weighed 190 and played 3rd base when he came up with the A’s.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
3:43 pm
scoots,
By “we,” I mean “all the people who matter.” We’ve got tenure.
#1MetFan
March 31st, 2009
3:43 pm
garlick:
I didn’t know I was in spelling class you jerk off!
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
3:45 pm
Chop, laughed out loud, man. Only, remember what Groucho said: “I wouldn’t want to belong to any club that would have members like me.”
TnBrian
March 31st, 2009
3:47 pm
I think my favorite cards, besides Chipper and Justice RC’s, would be the Evan Longoria and Clayton Kershaw autograph RC’s. I believe they’re ‘06 Bowman Chrome. That Longoria is a good one and should go up each year, or could go down. Can’t forget about the Roger Staubach RC.
Notorious Number 10
March 31st, 2009
3:47 pm
Wayne in Utah
The Ernie Banks is a good one, old cards retain their value well.
The Griffey Jr. Rc. would probably sell for $3-$6 today….might want to hang on to that one.
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
3:48 pm
Spelling is its’ own class in New York? Wow, I thought we were behind in education.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
3:48 pm
garlick,
I guarantee you that 1995 Jason Giambi didn’t look the way he looks in this photo. He’s listed at 195 on the back. There’s no way he’s 195. He needs to put on some weight and muscle. You hearing me, Giambi? You’re too skinny and don’t hit for enough power. You better hit the weights, son.
How did that end up?
Anders
March 31st, 2009
3:49 pm
#1 Met Fan -I’ve been here a bit longer than you. Word of advice. Lose the name calling and lame NY lingo and you might actually get something from this blog. I have.
garlick
March 31st, 2009
3:51 pm
Chop Chop, he can only hit the weights after he apologizes for something. Nobody knows what, but it’s something. Something he did, but he isn’t all that specific about it, so who knows what that thing is that he did, but it was something, and he needs to apologize for it.
Still, to this day, one of the best non-admittances of guilt in history.
Furman Bisher
March 31st, 2009
3:52 pm
BBFCFM
The metric system is the tool of the devil! My car gets forty rods to the hogshead and that’s the way I likes it.
JP
March 31st, 2009
3:54 pm
I had to go under my bed and pull out my old shoebox full of cards. It’s been so long since I’ve looked at them – I still have my Ryan Klesko, Javy, and Steve Avery cards in protective sleeves. Also found an autographed Francisco Cabrera card that brought back some good memories. Best cards are an old Topps Hank Aaron, various rookie cards (McGuire, Griffey, Bonds, Chipper, A Rod, etc) from the 80’s and 90’s, and an old Roberto Clemente.
dap01
March 31st, 2009
3:54 pm
People need to realize, Smoltz left. He left the Braves because HE WANTED TO play somewhere else. You can’t blame Wren. You can’t blame Smoltz. He is a Red Sox. He is not a Brave. I really don’t care if he is even discussed anymore on the Braves Blog.
Efrim
March 31st, 2009
3:54 pm
Anders- It’s risky, to have two players over the age of 35 making close to a third of the payroll. I’ll agree with you there. But Chipper has been an offensive force on the field. Is he on the field 150+ games? No. But the rate at which he produces is so incredible that this price tag is warranted. Not to mention everything that he has meant to the Braves.
As far as the “our oldest pitcher is 27″, you have to be a bit concerned about Ollie P. and Maine, right? Perez is fat and Maine has a shoulder injury that doesn’t look quite healed.
Anyway, didn’t mean to jump down your throat. Hope all is well. I haven’t been a regular on the blog in like more than a month.
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
3:54 pm
Yeah, LET’S GO METS – all the way home to the Mets blog.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
3:55 pm
John Kruk actually looks like he’s in good shape on this ‘91 NL All-Star card. He also has a hellacious mullet. He’s wearing his cap, but there’s no hair showing below the ear in the front. Oh, wait. What’s this? There’s a whole lot of action going on in the back. Awesome.
flange1
March 31st, 2009
3:55 pm
I would love to hear about Shrimp Sandwiches myself…..
cricket
March 31st, 2009
3:56 pm
This is from Bill Simon’s mailbag – Braves connections with -ve VORP -
is there such a thing as negative V.O.R.P.?
I asked our baseballprospectus.com buddy Joe Sheehan and here’s what he said: “Yup, negative VORPs are fairly common. It’s what you get when a player is so bad he actually takes runs out of the league. A replacement-level player would actually be better than what the guy produces (and remember that VORP is adjusted for position, so the standards for shortstops are lower than for first basemen). Top-five last season: Tony Pena, -25.0; Corey Patterson, -19.3; Andruw Jones, -17.3; Jeff Francoeur, -16.9; Wily Mo Pena, -16.5.”
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
3:56 pm
I like how I can look up my old baseball cards on the Internet. It’s great.
Mr J
March 31st, 2009
3:57 pm
Anders,
I wouldn’t worry much about #1. I think he’s actually another blogger having a bit of sport. A Met fan caricature intended to stir the pot. Nope. Not real.
flange1
March 31st, 2009
4:00 pm
Efrim,
Glad to see you back! Hope all is well!
Missed your input.
Did you see the earlier post that said that both Rohbaugh and Teahan velocity were down and were blaming the shoulder problems of last year.
That is not good…
Anders
March 31st, 2009
4:00 pm
Efrim – No problem. Glad to hear from you.I waswondering where you’ve been.
Maine’s been throwing pain free which is all I care about in ST. He’s a bit of a head case for sure. But he always has been to intense. He needs to climb the hill and let it go.
Perez needed to get back to camp. I said that during the WBC while you were gone. He needs the structure he gets from Warthen and Santana. He looked pretty good last night. 6 2/3, 1 run, 4 hits. Ollie will blow up every 5 starts or so, that’s why he got $12 mil not $15.
Pelfrey is showing real good potential too.
Have you seen Bobby Parnell who is gonna make the team in the bullpen? Throws real hard (up to 97 last night).
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
4:02 pm
One of the cooler pics in the set:
“Desmond” Relaford
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
4:03 pm
cabravesfan–
Oh yeah. That’s what really counts.
Wayne–
Ha…you don’t half to worry–no #16 haircut for me!
Hey, sounds like a great way to celebrate the B-Day! Did the Braves win? I wish they were still on TBS for all you out-of-town fanns!
They’re gonna be playing the Fillies on my B-Day this year…in Filly…with that awful memory from last year…Ugh. But hopefully they cann put all that behind them this season!
Spotts–
I catch your drift–know just what ya mean. But I think you’re right–he prob’ly won’t ask for the moon when/if he’s a free agent.
And yeah, no sense in fretting about it now, huh. It’s like that magnet on our refrigerator says, “Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strength.” We got four years before he’s a FA! And who knows–the Braves could extend him before he hits the market.
Efrim
March 31st, 2009
4:03 pm
Flange1 – Great to hear from you too man. So, they still have shoulder problems? Or are they just trying to build their velo back up? See, ya just gotta keep churning out those Tommy Hanson’s. The attrition rate is scary.
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
4:04 pm
Cricket is there such a thing as negative V.O.R.P.?
Oh yeah. People spew negative VORP on here all the time…
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
4:05 pm
This one had the ladies swooning.
“Ladies, ladies, I know you’re all wondering the same thing, but please, let me assure you that this ’stache ain’t just for show.”
Anders
March 31st, 2009
4:05 pm
MrJ – Thanks, didn’t realize that.
Efrim
March 31st, 2009
4:05 pm
Anders- Pelfrey looks great, for sure. That power sinker is something else. Parnell is also looking good. 7th inning role might be his, right?
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
4:05 pm
“Did you see the earlier post that said that both Rohbaugh and Teahan velocity were down and were blaming the shoulder problems of last year.”
flange1, I wouldn’t draw too much from that. Both of these guys are coming off injuries and no doubt needing to build some arm strength, and it’s not like minor leaguers have to be at top velocity on opening day. I’m not saying it’s nothing – obviously I don’t know – but wouldn’t take too much from it unless it continues a month or 2 into the season.
BA
March 31st, 2009
4:06 pm
No need to worry about Maine- he’s ‘Oswalt Lite’.
Really lite.
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
4:06 pm
Anders
March 31st, 2009
2:01 pm
Hey DOB – What happened to that 3 year at about $9 or $10 mil per you were telling us about sometime ago? I thought your number was low.
So now the Braves have two guys on the other side of 35 making a total of about $30 mil per. Good luck with that.
anders havent you heard obamas a cubs fan and hates the mets when he found out mets were getting 400 million for taxpayers ballpark, he decreed all other clubs get a 400 million bailout too
Jersey Gil
March 31st, 2009
4:07 pm
Guys i know this is not a Braves news, but i’m your scout here in Phillis Nation. The Phillis just release Geof Jenkins and start talk with Gary Sheffield and Chan Ho park will be the number 5 starer. Opening Day Pitcher will be Blanton.
snowball's chance
March 31st, 2009
4:07 pm
I like the new format. It is easier to surf through the posts to get to those I want to read, which are mostly DOB’s since I don’t want to be a GM nor do I take part in fantasy leagues. My favorite this spring was the post about DOB’s answering machine message by Skip (RIP). DOB, do you think you could post your phone # so a few thousand of your friends could hear this message? No, then maybe with this new format maybe you can link to it or have one of your multitude of interns post it on youtube. And thanks for telling us about Greg Brown. I gotta check him out.
Anders
March 31st, 2009
4:09 pm
Efrim – Not sure if Parnell will get the 7th. I think they’ll spot him for awhile until they see how he handles it. Certainly no later than the 7th to start the year.
These pitchers are really talking up Warthen over Peterson. I was a big Peterson fan but it appears he was to restrictive on his pitchers and they were stifled by it. Even Heath Bell came out last week and ripped Peterson. Have to say, I had no idea.
Anders
March 31st, 2009
4:10 pm
ncGary – That’s just might be what it takes!
Bubdylan
March 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
“And that’s why I’ve never understood the vitriol by many on here towards Anders.” -TommyP
I remember when those were my sentiments. Just keep watching, TommyP.
Frankie Knucles
March 31st, 2009
4:12 pm
KC – I bet you can’t wait to here that story. That’ll be awesome! awesome! awesome!
Mets fan – Do you think Boras picked up JJ as client b/c he lacks talent? Take a look at Boras’ client list sometime. Hey the good news is pretty soon we can quit discussing baseball hypothetically and the post season sting can keep you bitter yet another year
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
4:12 pm
“Pelfrey looks great, for sure”
You mean that 12 hits, 1 strikeout, and 7 earned runs in his last 4.2 innings?
Anders
March 31st, 2009
4:13 pm
Bubdylan – ouch that hurt. I mean that.Hopefully I’ll win you back someday.
flange1
March 31st, 2009
4:16 pm
The article was not that specific, it was just throwing up the red flag that their velocity was down, I was hoping for a HUGE year out of Cole R.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
“Come on, “Young Guns” fans! Get your piece of history with this Pete Smith card! All you gotta do is pay 25 cents in shipping for this 5-cent card! It’s an investment in your child’s future!”
OHBravesGirl
March 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
McFann @ 4:04 – Hilarious. Love it.
Big Easy
March 31st, 2009
4:18 pm
Bubdylan – ouch that hurt. I mean that.Hopefully I’ll win you back someday.Anders
That’s getting a bit Brokeback, isn’t it?
~E~
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
4:18 pm
“I was hoping for a HUGE year out of Cole R.”
yeah, me too. (I am concerned, just trying to find logical reasons not be, LOL)
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
IE Jenkins and Sheffield
Not often do successful teams drop a player when there is not a good reason. I hope the Braves stay far away from these rejects.
Seymour1948
March 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
Anders,
So who is it shaping up to be in the Mets bullpen, then?
Bubdylan
March 31st, 2009
4:20 pm
Anders, if you’re in complete earnest, then I’m really sorry. You’ll understand if I’ve felt suckered a couple times by your Dr. Jekyll/ Mr. Troll act. But hey, maybe I’ve really got it wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
4:20 pm
Big Easy
Now that, was funny!
Tomas
March 31st, 2009
4:21 pm
Congrats to Chipper but too much guaranteed money. I love Chipper, his been my favorite player since I started watching baseball 12 years ago, and he is indespensable on this team. But he was making 11 million this year. Why give him a raise when he is getting older, and seems to not be able to stay healthy for at least 140 games. 3 years 42 million GUARANTEED. I would have given him 3 years 30 million guaranteed with incentives to make it 44-45 million and the vesting option of 9 million.
Maybe this is a way from the Braves to show Chipper how much they respect him, and how they are commited to winning. Let’s also remember he altered his older contract(that gave him a few extra years but also gave him 11 million instead of 16).
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
4:21 pm
Should we be concerned when Anders becomes the voice of reason?
McFann-
Your 4:04 cracked me up:)
Seymour1948
March 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
Tomas,
I think the Smoltz fiasco is the biggest reason the Braves went directly to the higher figure in their offer to Chipper. They wanted no part of anything that looked like a repeat of not genuinely trying to keep the hometown hero.
BBFCFM
March 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
One trick is to tell ‘em stories that don’t go anywhere – like the time I caught the ferry over to Shelbyville. I needed a new heel for my shoe, so, I decided to go to Morganville, which is what they called Shelbyville in those days. So I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time. Now, to take the ferry cost a nickel, and in those days, nickels had pictures of bumblebees on ‘em. ‘Give me five bees for a quarter,’ you’d say.
Bamakirk
March 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
Now that Chipper will be here a while, who takes Bobby’s place when he hangs it up? I wouldn’t mind seeing Fredi Gonzalez come back.
BBFCFM
March 31st, 2009
4:25 pm
Give me five bees for a quarter,’ you’d say.<<<best part
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
4:26 pm
Hard not to like a player named Rohrbough! It is going to be exciting watching all our lower level arms develop this year. There were a lot to be excited about last year: Rohrbough, Teheran, Kimbrell, Hodges, Evarts, Locke, Cordier, Diamond, Francis, and Delgado. Not to mention some of the higher level guys like Redmond, Marek, Medlen and our future star, Hanson.
Who did I miss?
Jersey Gil
March 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
Wayne in Utah …You miis Gorky
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
Let’s try this one:
“In this rough economy, how can ANYONE accept such an enormous sum of money to play a game that I, Chop Chop, would play for free? What a bunch of damned spoiled brats! $14 million a year to play a game with a stick and a ball? Hell, I can play a game with a stick and two balls by myself and it don’t cost NOTHIN! DAMMIT!”
AustinBrave
March 31st, 2009
4:28 pm
I just found my newspaper from when Sid Bream slid into home plate to beat Pittsburg. I took it down to spring training the following year and had everybody on the paper sign it. PRICELESS I live in Austin Texas now but boy do I miss my Braves….
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
4:28 pm
Bub, you just got rick-rolled. Trust your intuition, good buddy.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
4:28 pm
By the way, Chipper’s salary this year is $10 mill, not $11 mill as we’ve all reported in the past. He barely missed the last incentive that would’ve bumped it to $11 mill.
gbaucum
March 31st, 2009
4:30 pm
Whatever happened to Journalist Jimmy Smith and his pie?
garlick
March 31st, 2009
4:31 pm
Jersey Gil, he said arms, not position players.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
4:34 pm
Tomas
Chipper has sacrificed real earnings for the good of the team in past contracts. Actually, before this year, Smoltz did too.
As for Chipper getting older. It would shock me if he hung on for an extra year or two, if his performance declines to unacceptable levels. I just don’t think he is that sort of guy. (correct me Dave, if I am wrong)
Teams have an incredibly hard decision when their aging stars get to a point in there careers where you are not sure whether to resign them or to let them walk. Classy players like Chipper make those choices easier for their teams.
I really truly thought Smoltz would do the same, but I also believe he wants one more shot at the big stage before hanging them up. Also, I suspects he thinks he is bullet proof in some respects. He might be one of those guys who doesn’t know when to hang em up. Maybe we see him back in a year or two for one last parade around the league.
The 49′ers went through a similar dilemma with Joe Montana a few years back. It’s tough on the player, the team, and the fans.
BBFCFM
March 31st, 2009
4:36 pm
in the theme of baseball cards…
Que? senor Maddux?
http://www.homeruncards.com/rookiecards/greg-maddux-rookie-card.shtml
DAP
March 31st, 2009
4:36 pm
tomas chipper has been getting ripped off the past few years. making $11mil for the year he had last year? does that sound like market value? in baseball more than anything else, it seems, you get paid for what you DID not what you do. $14mil is very fair, and you could argue that its still a deal that favors the braves.
Nick
March 31st, 2009
4:38 pm
Chop Chop, I wish I’d had those in my collection!
2Parc
March 31st, 2009
4:38 pm
BBFCFM – I like your name. Going to Asheville and Knoxville.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
4:38 pm
garlick
Thanks for having my back there.
Actually, I have always been intrigued by Jon Mark Owings. First, what an awesome baseball name. Second, he has a cannon for an arm, as we learned several years back. Third, his older brother Micah Owings is a heckuva hitting pitcher.
My guess is there is something basically wrong with his game, cause you never hear anything about him anymore.
cityofdecatur
March 31st, 2009
4:39 pm
is a test to see if i can lint x.
GBRAVE
March 31st, 2009
4:39 pm
how many teams do you think would trade their rotation straight up for
Gwinnett’s rotation
Nick
March 31st, 2009
4:39 pm
http://www.checkoutmycards.com/Cards,so,=chipper+jones
cityofdecatur
March 31st, 2009
4:40 pm
this is a test to see if i can spell
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
4:40 pm
BBFCFM
That’s one skinny Greg Maddux!
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
4:40 pm
The 49ers went through a similar dilemma with Joe Montana a few years back. It’s tough on the player, the team, and the fans.
I have been a die hard 49ers fan my entire life and the memory of Joe Montana in a Chiefs unifrom still makes me sick…
BBFCFM
March 31st, 2009
4:41 pm
2parc
Thanks. yep me too. and roo and gorge as well
jed
March 31st, 2009
4:41 pm
has there been any explanation on the will ohman fiasco? didnt he sign with LA for much less than he was offered by us? why didnt we go back in mid-march and try to work something out? odd situation.
ballzy move going with jordan in CF, i’ll say that much. shows a lot of confidence in blanco, if you think about it.
i like the loyalty to chipper, but doubt he’ll even be able to play 60 games by 2012.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
4:44 pm
Someone analyze this pitching motion and guess how long this guy lasted in pro ball.
2Parc
March 31st, 2009
4:44 pm
BBFCFM – wish i had more spare time like I did back in the 90’s… the heyday… nice to see them back.
BBFCFM
March 31st, 2009
4:45 pm
2Parc
..speaking of which- got an extra Asheville, by any chance?
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
4:45 pm
Uh…
Okay. Analyze this pitching motion and take a guess.
Should work better this time.
MikeR
March 31st, 2009
4:46 pm
I used to collect BB cards. I stopped in 1995 when because too many are printed now and I liked the older players much more than the steriod boys. I have complete topps sets from 1970 through 1995 and many other cards from prior years. My oldest are 1954 Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider. I’m most proud of the complete 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers team.
I’m still a huge BB and Braves fan but feel the game was much better prior to 1969. All the changes made since then have hurt the game, (ie. lowering the mound, shrinking the strike zone, division play, DH, wild card, night world series games, steriods, increased greed by both players and owners).
BBFCFM
March 31st, 2009
4:49 pm
2Parc
well, took a lot of planning. If this were the late 90’s early millenium, I’d probably do every one…and after seeing Hampton, truly they seem back. Can’t wait to see them a few months into it. I bet they’ll be crushin it. Rumor has it, ATL in the fall
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
4:49 pm
I’ll analyze that pitching motion in 3 words “drop and drive”. Pitching coaches used to teach pitchers to drop their arm-side knee almost to, or on to, the ground. Tim Hudson’s one of the closest pitchers’ in today’s game to the old drop and drive mechanics.
Schafer's Chaffers
March 31st, 2009
4:50 pm
Never mistake a New York fan as a thinker.
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
4:56 pm
Any word on where we can get a press conference video or transcript?
Tomas
March 31st, 2009
4:56 pm
Would you imagine what kind of heat will Wren had gotten if he where unable to reatin Chipper, and the Mets signed him to play 1B…………. I’m thankfull Chipper till th end of his carrer, but was it a fair deal or not, will just have to see how many games Chipper’s able to play.
Woogidy
March 31st, 2009
4:58 pm
DOB, While we’re on the subject of Old guys under contract, Is there a “gentlemen’s agreement” between the Braves and Tom Glavine that if his comeback is less that mediocre that he hang it up?
Renegator
March 31st, 2009
4:59 pm
18 Wheels:
Where are you on the SC coast? I’m headed there next month with my wife who has never been there before. We are headed to Beaufort to see the Blue Angels and then headed to Charleston.
Would love to pick your brain on where I should take her (food, history, attractions, night life, etc) Probably will have to take it offline so as not to take up too much blog space. I’m headed home from work now but I’ll chat you up next time I’m on.
Lew
March 31st, 2009
5:00 pm
Scoots-It has been a while since we heard about Musk Oxen in Cordele and Ugandan toe poultices, hasn’t it? Oh, The Humanity, indeed.
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
5:00 pm
who is pitching tonight?
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
5:01 pm
He lasted four years in the pros. Out of the game at 25.
Woogidy
March 31st, 2009
5:02 pm
anyone know that website where they have projected standings day by bay, not the PECOTA predictions
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
5:04 pm
McFann, I usually grill up a few more chicken breasts, than I’m going to immediately eat, to later make salad. I make my salad with onions. I love my onions (except before dates). I never tried it the way you suggested. I had a package of 3-cheese Italian (Rom., Parm. & Mo.), so I mixed some into the salad. I had sandwich rolls, w/o sesame seeds, but I roughed it and heated it up, anyway. Man, that was awesome! My question is, what, in the wide, wide world of sports (Slim Pickens), made you call that a ’spring dish’. I’m thinking that I could eat that during all the seasons. As a matter of fact, this fall, when I sit down to watch the Braves in the World Series, that sandwich will be on my menu.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
5:06 pm
Woogidy,
If you check out this page during the season, you should find updated stats for just about anything you can think of.
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
5:06 pm
“then” I’m going to eat. Am I the only one that proof reads, after I hit ’submit’?
Woogidy
March 31st, 2009
5:08 pm
Maybe this suggestion has come up before, but the MIB Bloggers need to get together for a tailgate this season. Who’s up for it? Turner Field of course, Saturday or Sunday night game. Maybe we could get a guest appearance from our man DOB for a hot dog.
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
5:10 pm
Ask KC about an opening day viewing party he’s holding/organizing. It’s a similar idea to what you’re saying, though for the April 5th game.
MFin04
March 31st, 2009
5:13 pm
So we trade Josh Anderson to the Tigers…the Tigers…release Sheffield….he could/might go to the Phillies…is it worrisome that Shef could be a Phillie?
nolie
March 31st, 2009
5:13 pm
N Nine
bologna with extra mayo dunked in fish head soup
Woogidy
March 31st, 2009
5:14 pm
Yeah, I know about that, and I am planning on attending, but, I was thinking tailgate. I guess I’m just looking for another excuse to drink!
KC
March 31st, 2009
5:14 pm
Woogidy, I’m hooking up with a few folks I’ve met through this blog prior to the home opener. I’m sure there’s always room for a few more folks! You’ll probably meet one or two of them on Sunday.
KC
March 31st, 2009
5:16 pm
Woodigy, the only thing about our home opener taligate get together… there will be a strict no alcohol policy.
LOL… Just kidding!!!!
beekay
March 31st, 2009
5:17 pm
Sheff’s bat has slowed down…he is sticking around for 500 and than he’s cooked. He can’t play D so if the Phils want him, they can have him….Chan Ho Park is washed up as well.
Woogidy
March 31st, 2009
5:18 pm
The worse the game gets, the more beer I drink. Last year almost turned me into an alcoholic.
Bobby's Bologna
March 31st, 2009
5:19 pm
When I was a kid, my class went on a field trip to a meat processing plant. It was bologna/hot dog day. After watching them make bologna, I decided two things. 1) I am NEVER going to eat bologna again, and I haven’t. 2) I wouldn’t go into the room where they made hot dogs. As I explained to the teacher, “Knowing and seeing are two completely different things.” To this day, I’m as likely to choose a good hot dog (the toppings decide that part) as I am a steak.
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
5:21 pm
Where are you doing the home opener tailgate? We always tailgate in that 5$ parking lot of the Baptist Church on Ralph David Abernathy Parkway.
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
5:21 pm
“is it worrisome that Shef could be a Phillie?” (MFin04)
5-6 years ago, not now.
Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty
March 31st, 2009
5:22 pm
BBFCFM -
I’ll be at the ‘roo too…did you actually head up to hampton, or just listen…it was so great being in there when they came out on stage Friday night!! FLUFFHEAD!!!!!!
KC
March 31st, 2009
5:22 pm
Woogidy, I hear ya!! I’m not normally a big drinker at all. But last year, I learned that I can hold my liquor quite well… because I was TRYING to black out, but couldn’t.
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
5:22 pm
OHBravesGirl, cabravesfan–
Thanks!
Tom O’Hawke–
(Like the screen name, BTW.) Yeah, this recipe calls for onions, too, but we leave them out (I’m sorry…I’m not a big onion eater…I like them fried, though).
I had sandwich rolls, w/o sesame seeds, but I roughed it and heated it up, anyway.
Wow…that musta been hard!
One time, we only had one sesame seed bun left, so there was a bit of battle there…can’t remember who came out on top…
I don’t know why I call it a Spring dish…I could eat it “every week, every other day!” I guess it just makes me think of Spring ’cause we mostly have it in Spring. Ya know, in winter we have stews, soups, chilly, chicken pot pie (one of the greatest foods), uh…other wintery things…And also, it reminds me of something you’d take on a picnic.
Oh, and I try to proof-read my posts. I can’t stand typos.
MFin04
March 31st, 2009
5:23 pm
Who pays Shef’s 14 million contract for this year? I’m assuming the Tigers….and whoever picks him up…pays him whatever they agree on?
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
5:23 pm
Great story Bobby!
BBFCFM
March 31st, 2009
5:24 pm
RPC for L
Oh my friend, I was inside the mothership and we achieved liftoff
Woogidy
March 31st, 2009
5:26 pm
PWHjort, I always park there. We’ll have to do a tailgate over there for a game. Unless you want to just meet over there and drink some beers at that one po dunk bar on the right when you’re walking to the park. Just kidding. I’m not that much of an ALkie. I do always park at that lot. They for sure don’t mind a few tail gaters I have noticed.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
5:26 pm
8-13 inches of rain is the predicted rainfall total here in Southwest Georgia through Thursday AM. We just had somewhere around 8-10 inches of rain over the weekend.
I guess that takes care of the rainfall deficit.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
5:26 pm
Grilled/cooked onions are the best. Sometimes the raw ones overpower the other food.
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
5:27 pm
Deacon Billups is my homie.
Salt Lake Brave
March 31st, 2009
5:28 pm
Someone asked earlier today who is pitching tonight. The answer is Lowe
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
5:31 pm
McFann, this fall I will remind you of that sandwich. I bet I can get you to eat one out-of-season.
You’re probably one of those smart ones, that proof-reads, BEFORE you hit submit.
Efrim
March 31st, 2009
5:32 pm
“So we trade Josh Anderson to the Tigers…the Tigers…release Sheffield….he could/might go to the Phillies…is it worrisome that Shef could be a Phillie?”
Not unless the NL adds the DH.
rammerjammer
March 31st, 2009
5:33 pm
I wish I could remember the story about the giant yellow shoes.
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
5:33 pm
thank you Salt Lake Brave
TennesseePaul
March 31st, 2009
5:34 pm
Chipper has signed an extension. What a truly wonderful thing to read. Thanks DOB, for giving us the news. Thanks Wren for being smart about this contract. Thanks Chipper for all the good times and great play. I hope you make 500 with a 310 or better average.
Man, exciting news like this almost makes me think this team has a real shot at it all this season… almost. I am looking forward to the season. I like the way this team is shaping up. Especially the strong bench. That should make the pinch hits and late innings much more pleasurable. Should be fun regardless of outcome.
TheManMike
March 31st, 2009
5:36 pm
I can see Steve Martin…Head out of the window, Hat flung in the air yelling “RAIN!…RAIN!….HAHA!…”
good stuff.
- What time is the game tonight and is it being televised?
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
5:36 pm
The game tonight is at 7pm and it is not being televised.
TheManMike
March 31st, 2009
5:38 pm
preesh
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
5:39 pm
Lowe, followed by Gonzo, Medlen and Moylan in some order, at least that’s who’s listed
Lineups
BRAVES
1. Escobar, SS
2. Kotchman, 1B
3. Chipper, 3B
4. Garret Anderson, LF
5. Francoeur, RF
6. Johnson, 2B
7. David Ross, C
8. Schafer, CF
9. Lowe, RH
ASTROS
1. Bourn, CF
2. Pudge Rodriguez, C
3. Erstad, 1B
4. C. Lee, LF
5. Tejada, SS
6. Blum, 3B
7. Pence, RF
8. Jason Smith, 2B
9. Russ Ortiz, RH
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
5:40 pm
Chop
That’s a lot of rain, my friend. Sometimes when it comes down too fast and furious, it ends up running off and not being absorbed as well as it could. If it eventually gets into the watershed, I guess that’s OK.
We have received some snow here in the past week that will help with the snow pack. Could end up being a good year, if it doesn’t melt too fast.
2Parc
March 31st, 2009
5:40 pm
BBFCFM – sorry for the late response… had bidness to take care of… on Asheville, nope, had to find an extra myself. Hoping the ATL rumor is true. After Hampton, I believe they are on a mission.
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
5:41 pm
Hey DOB any update on McCann?
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
5:41 pm
Russ Ortiz? If this were a real game, the take sign would get used quite a bit!
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
5:41 pm
I like the idea of trying Kotchman in the 2 hole.
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
5:42 pm
Second, Brandon.
smitty
March 31st, 2009
5:43 pm
I think the game is on CSS
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
5:43 pm
astros dont have a first baseman tonight ?
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
5:45 pm
ncgary, the shift is on, all night.
btw, game’s on CSS in Atlanta (or at least listed).
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
5:45 pm
That’s right, Wayne. I live in the highest part (what passes for “high ground” in Southwest Georgia) of my county. If it floods here, we’re all doomed. We had flash flooding here the other day. The drainage systems here are only built to handle 1 inch/hour. At least they had time to clean out drains between Saturday and today. That should help matters.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
5:46 pm
If anyone cares, anyone at all, the Astros traded for INF Jeff Keppinger, got him from Cincy for a player to be named later or cash considerations, which is otherwise known as being Langerhansed.
Eric B
March 31st, 2009
5:46 pm
I like Bologna too…fried bologna sandwiches with mustard, that’s good stuff. As for Chipper I’m stoked that he’s signed through 2012 and wish him good health on his way to breakin’ even more Braves records.
Eric B
March 31st, 2009
5:47 pm
I hear they expect Keppinger to compete for time at 3rd.
Slugger
March 31st, 2009
5:48 pm
KOTCHMAN IN THE 2 HOLE!!!
Thanks, Bobby! He’s a dead pull hitter, and having the 1b hold the runner on is PERFECT for Kotchman.
Tonight’s lineup = win, until Schafer can take over the lead-off spot.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
5:49 pm
I thought Keppinger was highly regarded by the Reds??
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
5:50 pm
Hey DOB any update on McCann? — Brandon
Yes, he played yesterday, walked and hit a double in two plate appearances.
nolie
March 31st, 2009
5:51 pm
like the new format. It is easier to surf through the posts to get to those I want to read, Snowflakes
sorry, but I missed your post since I only read what DOB puts out
garlick
March 31st, 2009
5:52 pm
Kotch in the 2 hole would look a lot better with Schafer at the top of the order, not at the bottom. That’s just me though. Both KJ & Escobar get tentative leading off, and I think they take too many pitches.
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
5:54 pm
Thanks DOB, missed the game yesterday, got stuck in a college perspectives class on humor, romance, and war.
Dr Phil
March 31st, 2009
5:55 pm
Anders, if you’re in complete earnest, then I’m really sorry. You’ll understand if I’ve felt suckered a couple times by your Dr. Jekyll/ Mr. Troll act. But hey, maybe I’ve really got it wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time. BUB
don’t falter young man, the guy is a sociopath..and a Mets fan. You got the right take on it. That comment of his to you oozed slime and insincerity. Dr Jeckyll & Mr Troll says it just right
Wolfman
March 31st, 2009
5:57 pm
OHMAN… http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_03_31_lanmlb_arimlb_1&refresh=30
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
5:57 pm
Remember when Wilson Betemit was traded to the Dodgers? They,immediately, started pronouncing his name differently. Pete and Skip said that they always go over the pronunciation of a name, with the player, to make sure they say it right. Skip then said, “Wilson Betemit, is truly the player to be named later”.
Interested Observer
March 31st, 2009
6:00 pm
The game is on XM Channel 176 tonight for those without TV coverage.
Woogidy
March 31st, 2009
6:02 pm
Escobar leading off, perfect. That’s one time he won’t hit into a double play. He led the team with 26 last year.
Zap Rowsdower
March 31st, 2009
6:05 pm
I wonder if there’s beer on the sun.
McCann's the Mann
March 31st, 2009
6:09 pm
*The example that Chipper sets that they do follow, at least the smart ones (i.e., McCann)*
Let the Frenchy bashing begin…………………….
Jeff Blauser
March 31st, 2009
6:09 pm
DOB,
Maybe this has been reported and I missed it, but how will the rotation stabilize after Lowe throws the home opener? Who pitches Saturday, Sun?
Eric from MO
March 31st, 2009
6:14 pm
Why is everyone overreacting about having two guys over 35 making a large portion. Think about it, our team is made up of a bunch of guys who are in their first arbitration year or havent even made it that far. In the Braves case, it really isnt that big of a deal.
MattyRoss
March 31st, 2009
6:15 pm
DOB @5:50. Hilarious. No idea why, but could not stop laughing. Thanks for breaking up the monotony. Working at a TV show is not as insanely fun as people might imagine.
Woogidy
March 31st, 2009
6:16 pm
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillies_zone/Will_Sheff_accept_a_bench_job.html for those who worry about Sheff in a phillies uniform.
Jeff Blauser
March 31st, 2009
6:16 pm
Tom O’Hawke,
I believe it was Skip, who after a (Russ Ortiz?) hanging curveball was whiffed at, said:
“And like the kleptomaniac at the dry cleaners, he got away with a hanger”
He had some good ones.
Bubdylan
March 31st, 2009
6:18 pm
Tom O’Hawke & Jeff Blauser, enjoyed both your Skip quotes.
TheManMike
March 31st, 2009
6:19 pm
Thats sounds like a Palahniuk line…hahaha…..
nice.
Woogidy
March 31st, 2009
6:24 pm
Rotation goes like this Blauser, Lowe, JJ, Vasquez, then Lowe, KK, JJ, Vasquez. I believe.
Jeff Blauser
March 31st, 2009
6:27 pm
Thanks, Woogidy. Heading into town for that Saturday night game and am looking forward to seeing KK.
N Nine (eta5)
March 31st, 2009
6:27 pm
Maybe we could get a guest appearance from our man DOB for a hot dogWoogidy
Or nolie’s fishy recipe!
Didn’t realize Chipper’s 16th upcoming season, makes him the longest tenured player with one team. One season ahead of 3 yankees and Wakefield.
Bubdylan
March 31st, 2009
6:28 pm
Dr. Phil, you’re probably right. And I do have a raging case of naivety for a man my age.
But then, most of the crowd accepts Anders. So… I’m naive AND paranoid? Man, I got dealt some dumb cards, I swear…
Bubdylan
March 31st, 2009
6:30 pm
Yikes, disregard my last post. I thought this was the Soap Opera blog…
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
6:36 pm
N Nine
I would think with so many distinguished bloggers in attendance, that Hoss himself might make an appearance.
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
6:41 pm
Tom O’Hawke I bet I can get you to eat one out-of-season.
It won’t be much of a struggle for you, either.
I try to proof read before I send it…sometimes I forget and then later I find a typo. Then I get frustrated…
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
6:43 pm
is anybody providing updates tonight? i would appreciate it.
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
6:44 pm
During the rain delay, I think Sunday, I posted 2 other Skip stories. Another blogger was talking about a ‘Skip’ tribute on the radio. Unfortunately, by the time I typed them out, they appeared on the very end of Dave’s old blog. He posted a new one in the meantime. I doubt anyone even seen them. So, before the game starts, here’s one of them. I’ll share the other one at the next rain delay.
I think they were playing a day game on the West coast. The bottom of the inning was just coming back from a commercial break. A TBS cameraman was following a well-endowed, scantily-clad young lady as she returned to her seat. As she bent over to put down her beverage, Skip said, “as we start the bottom of the 4th, I see there are almost two out”.
hoss himself
March 31st, 2009
6:45 pm
for some strange reason , just thought i needed to make an appearance
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
6:45 pm
Brandon, little did you know (I think you were asking about his finger injury), but McCann actually has a bruise above his right knee where he took another foul ball off it in yesterday’s game. He’ll probably play tomorrow
Lew
March 31st, 2009
6:47 pm
Rammer-That one was from The Grinch-something about leaving big, yellow clown shoes under some woman’s bed.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
6:48 pm
McFann and Tom O’Hawke
Perfection is so hard to maintain. If I strive for mediocrity, then I am rarely frustrated.
RHR
March 31st, 2009
6:49 pm
I laughed at the totally deadpan response at 5:50. Nice work.
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
6:49 pm
Thanks DOB, I was checking on the hand bruise actually but I appreciate the extra info.
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
6:49 pm
Seriously…Mac + Bubble Wrap= good!
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
6:50 pm
Blauser, Bobby hasn’t announced pitching plans beyond Kawakami pitching the second home game, which will be his first start. I’d assume he’ll then revert to the order they followed the first time through, with Jurrjens following Kawakami, then Vazquez, then Lowe….
Ritchie from Scotland
March 31st, 2009
6:52 pm
I know this is totally out of left field but can somebody explain to me what goes into a Sloppy Joe and the main ingredients of a Meat Loaf? It’s those things you hear in movies/tv all the time and realise you have no idea what they are.
If you want a trade i’ll tell you what goes into a haggis
Lew
March 31st, 2009
6:52 pm
TenPaul-Bout time you walked into the light, Dude.
Tom O’Hawke-yeah, it went from Bet a mit to Bate A Meat. Strange in the extreme. I still think the name change caused his regression.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
6:53 pm
For you Francophiles, Jeff Francoeur caught a 6-pound, 4-ounce bass in the little lake behind the visiting clubhouse here at fabulous Osceola County Stadium. Largest fish caught in the lake this season (the clubhouse guy has fishing rods, and players often cast for a while between BP and games, which is when Francoeur did).
They said he acted like a little kid when he got a bite, “I got something! I got something!” Turned out he did. I saw it, walked up just as he was throwing it back. ‘Twas large.
Someone
March 31st, 2009
6:54 pm
Bubdylan Personally, I think that your analysis of Anders was very perceptive. Everyone else seems to be treating him like the hooker who walked into church. They’re being overly nice to him in an effort to prove they’re not prejudiced against Mets fans.
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
March 31st, 2009
6:55 pm
Go Froggy, great fish
Brilliant day here, bought a house, Chipper signs and it was sunny and 60 bloody degrees, like a bad Perth winters day but a GREAT NY spring
frank Wren now gets a solid A- this season for the GM job……
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
6:56 pm
Dodger announcers seem to have a knack for mispronouncing names (dodger announcers not named Vin Scully anyways)- I’ve had to endure Rafael furcal (pronounced like california), Ondruw Jones, Matt DEaz instead of DIaz, Fran”coor” instead of fran”core”…need I go on?
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
6:57 pm
Last week I caught a 7 pound 2 ounce bass down in a pond near Dublin. Id like to be fishing now but its raining
Lew
March 31st, 2009
6:57 pm
No matter how nice they are, being a Mets’ fan points to a definite character flaw and a tendency towards extreme forms of brain damage.
Lew
March 31st, 2009
6:58 pm
dogsbrekky-did you have to go to Maryland to get a better deal on that house or is that just your new car?
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
6:59 pm
Hey, thanks for the update on McCann, Chief! Didn’t know about that one. That’s the catcher business for ya.
Brandon got stuck in a college perspectives class on humor, romance, and war.
Sounds like Hogan’s Heroes…
spotts
March 31st, 2009
6:59 pm
“Rotation goes like this Blauser, Lowe, JJ, Vasquez, then Lowe”Woogidy
I didn’t realize we were counting on Blauser to be our ace this year
monty
March 31st, 2009
6:59 pm
Hurray for Chipper. We should get to see him hit his 500th dinger as a Brave maybe? I feel like at some point Chipper will have a key hit to win us a WS title. Maybe like that dude in LA who for all practical reasons was unable to play, but came off the bench to pinch hit and creamed it! Kirk Gibson I think it was.
Someone Else
March 31st, 2009
7:00 pm
Lew Couldn’t have said better myself. Except, when they’re being nice, it’s a facade.
Josh B
March 31st, 2009
7:01 pm
nice spotts
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
7:01 pm
“If I strive for mediocrity, then I am rarely frustrated.” (Wayne)
That’s what I’ve been doing, buddy, but my sights are still set too high.
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
7:02 pm
actually McFann just finished up a long study on the novel M*A*S*H..watched Dr. Strangelove, The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming, and just started The Best Years of Our Lives. Interesting class actually.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:05 pm
McFann, that was quite witty at 6:59, the Hogan’s Heroes line
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:07 pm
Esco lined out to right to start the evening
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
7:07 pm
Calipari’s going to Kentucky.
I guess I have to pay myself a penny for being right.
Kenny Powers
March 31st, 2009
7:08 pm
Kenny Powers has caught something but it aint no fish.
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
March 31st, 2009
7:08 pm
Someone – I hate the Mets but kind of like Anders, but do not tell him..
Today I saw 5 different Braves caps and t shirts and only 5-6 ‘mucils caps here in NY
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
I thinks thats a good hire for Kentucky..
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
Hoss looking at 2-2 pitch to end inning, after kotchman flied out
Maddux
March 31st, 2009
7:11 pm
DOB, have you asked Chipper how the side is lately? The swing looks solid.
Jeff
March 31st, 2009
7:12 pm
Is it just me or is the camera angle on this game really aggravating? it almost feels like college baseball.
cvbraves
March 31st, 2009
7:13 pm
MLBN interview with Sheffield…seems he may be considering the Phils and the Marlins at the moment…said he has been contacted by an AL team.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:13 pm
Garret Anderson almost — ALMOST — made a great catch going back to wall. Ball kept carrying, he reached up and it went off his glove in front of wall, triple for Bourn to start inning.
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
7:13 pm
Is this thing on Direct TV anywhere?
Someone
March 31st, 2009
7:13 pm
dogsbrekky Was that supposed to be a quote from me? I don’t like the Mets or Anders. Must have been someone else.
Shamus Thacker
March 31st, 2009
7:14 pm
I don’t see why it’s necessary for us to dislike Anders. Being a disgusting Muts fan is punishment enough; give the guy a break…
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:14 pm
Pudge laces an RBI single to left, 1-0 ‘Stros
cvbraves
March 31st, 2009
7:14 pm
Actually, Sheffield said he has NOT been contacted by an AL team.
Name
March 31st, 2009
7:15 pm
I love Chipper Jones. What’s next on Frank Wren’s agenda? Long-term deals for Kelly Johnson, Jeff Francoeur, Yunel Escobar, and Jair Jurrjens I guess.
Holy smokes, you wanna lock up Francoeur now? I think the front office is probably still breathing sigh of relief that Francoeur turned that long-term deal down in spring 2007.
Someone
March 31st, 2009
7:15 pm
I would rather give him New Cars.
Maddux
March 31st, 2009
7:15 pm
Yeah this camera sucks. Escobar is in the way. hahahah
Cru Jones
March 31st, 2009
7:17 pm
What channel is the game on?
Someone Else
March 31st, 2009
7:17 pm
Someone I never said no such thing.
David-ATL14
March 31st, 2009
7:17 pm
18 Wheels
Game not on DirecTV tonight. Available on CSS-Comcast/Charter Southeast in various areas.
kdbanks
March 31st, 2009
7:17 pm
DOB,
Does Bobby still hate Daren Erstad for blowing up his catcher? I do.
KDB
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:17 pm
Now a ground-rule double by Erstad, otherwise run would’ve scored. Runners at second and third, still no outs. Yikes.
cvbraves
March 31st, 2009
7:18 pm
Where are the groundball outs!
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:18 pm
Carlos Lee sac fly to left
TommyP
March 31st, 2009
7:18 pm
Read about Keppinger getting traded earlier today. Kepp had such a legendary College World Series (well, post season counting regionals and all that). He’ll always be a special player to Dawg fans.
Speaking of the Dawgs, are we getting Mike Anderson to lead our hoops team???
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:19 pm
Tejada flied out to center, runner to third
Rob
March 31st, 2009
7:19 pm
DOB
are these wind hits
Maddux
March 31st, 2009
7:19 pm
Damn Astros swinging away to get outta here early today! Lowe is just trying to get out uninjured for the Phillies.
Doc Holiday
March 31st, 2009
7:20 pm
Is Mc OK?
When is he expected back?
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
March 31st, 2009
7:22 pm
What is wrong with Mc
What the hell is wrong with the new MLB.COM format, it sucks
Wolfman
March 31st, 2009
7:22 pm
Doc Holiday – Mc is done for the season. Broke three fingers.
Braveheart
March 31st, 2009
7:24 pm
NBC renews ‘Friday Night Lights’ through 2011!!!!!!!!! The acclaimed series has been renewed for two more 13-episode runs and will air through the 2010-11 season.
Wolfman
March 31st, 2009
7:24 pm
Expected back? Back from what? His day off? Check yesterdays boxscore.
Eric from MO
March 31st, 2009
7:24 pm
Why would Calipari go to Kentucky? He leaves Memphis when they went to the championship game last year and made it to the sweet 16 this year to go to a team who went to the NIT. Dont make sense. Hell, if Calipari just had his players practice free throws he would of won it last year and beat my Missouri Tigers this year.
As for Kentucky, why would anyone want to go there. They got rid of Tubby even though he would them a championship and took them to the tournament every year he was there. Also Kentucky isnt that big of a lure as it used to be. Pitino and Louisville is now the big college basketball team in Kentucky. That is where the top recruits who want to play in the state of Kentucky now go. The Kentucky Wildcats are old news.
WestPalmDawg
March 31st, 2009
7:27 pm
Hey Francoeur, how about hitting off a tee getting back to your old self before you go around telling people “it was this big”..
sheesh
Maddux
March 31st, 2009
7:27 pm
At least our backup catcher can get the ball out of the infield this year!!!
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:27 pm
Ross flied out to the LF wall to end inning with KJ on first (wind’s blowing hard out to left). Kelly had singled with two out
jonatuga
March 31st, 2009
7:28 pm
I’m really likin’ what I see out of Ross. No more having two pitchers batting every fifth day or so. He also will have some nice pop coming off the bench as a DH.
cvbraves
March 31st, 2009
7:28 pm
Kelly singled…Ross robbed of homer…2-0 ‘Stros mid 2nd.
jonatuga
March 31st, 2009
7:29 pm
pinch hitter… sorry
jonatuga
March 31st, 2009
7:30 pm
Nice catch!
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:31 pm
Great catch by Schafer at the track in the l-c gap, went leaping into the wall in a pirouette sort of maneuver after he caught it….
Cox said Soriano threw well in a bullpen session today and would pitch Thursday. They still don’t know if he’s going to be ready, or at least haven’t decided if they’re taking him to start the season.
Oh, and Thursday’s game is against Houston’s Triple-A guys, not Double-A. The major league Astros are going back to Texas to play the Double-A Corpus Christi affilliate
Epinephrine
March 31st, 2009
7:31 pm
Wish I could have seen that.
Maddux
March 31st, 2009
7:31 pm
Damn Schafer went and got the ball nicely. Not sure Blanco gets that.
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
March 31st, 2009
7:32 pm
Dumb college sports question
Do students get free tickets to the games ?
Woogidy
March 31st, 2009
7:32 pm
Blauser, for the record, I pulled the pitching plans for the rest of the rotation off of Bowman’s report filed yesterday at MLB.com.
Jeff Blauser
March 31st, 2009
7:36 pm
dogsbrekky, it depends. Here at Virginia Tech, students have the option of buying a season ticket package (for pretty cheap), or entering in a lottery for a free ticket.
DirtyDawg
March 31st, 2009
7:37 pm
Sorry to be a broken record, but KJ did it again…broken bat single…bobbled the only ball hit to him. Fortunately he was able to recover and throw the guy out. Just watch, he can’t seem to catch the ball cleanly. Is he losing concentration…is his glove too small…or is he just nervous?
TnBrian
March 31st, 2009
7:38 pm
Ortiz is either throwing harder than I remember or the ground level camera angle makes it look that way.
Andy K.
March 31st, 2009
7:39 pm
FYI there is a pic of Frenchy’s bass on Bowman’s blog….
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
7:39 pm
Scoots-It has been a while since we heard about Musk Oxen in Cordele and Ugandan toe poultices, hasn’t it? Oh, The Humanity, indeed.
My man, I miss all that, too. jjs’ rollicking weirdness, Bob’s treatises, head-butting with Grinch over Kyle Davies, CL’s lawn mower travails, and others gone too numerous to mention. It’s been quite a crew here over the years, hasn’t it? Still is…just different, is all. Give me an amen and a Holy Cornelia on that one, brother.
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
7:42 pm
nice fish…
DirtyDawg
March 31st, 2009
7:42 pm
Nice play Kelly…if none are hit any harder than that, you’ll do just fine.
Random
March 31st, 2009
7:43 pm
Wayne in Utah (12:08 pm): “You are being mysteriously quiet today! I keep waiting for the other shoe to fall”
Yeah, sorry — just a little end of the month busy-ness that I usually manage to avoid. (EOM? EOQ! + semi-FY!!!)
I’m ’bout to start a marathon of catchin’ up. (I know I owe you a response on “hatin’ “).
Later.
PS: “drop”, not “fall”. Leaves fall, shoes drop.
Eric from MO
March 31st, 2009
7:44 pm
Dogs I think it depends. If you go to a crappy sports school like me, Southeast Missouri State University, then yes. Our football won more games than our basketball team this year and our football team only won 4 games.lol
However, if you go to a good sports school, then no. You probably get a discount but that is all.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:45 pm
Carlos Lee bashed an opp-field double down right-field line. RBI, Astros up 3-0
ease19
March 31st, 2009
7:46 pm
Just for the record, Mazzone said that this wold be considered a “cool” down game for Lowe. He could go 2,3,4 or whatever he feels is necessary for him to feel ready for Sunday. I would not put too much stock into tonights results. Now the others are a different case. Obviously the bullpen stills has kinks to work out…
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:47 pm
Ross picked off Lee wandering off 2B too far. Ross = good defensive catcher, great arm
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
March 31st, 2009
7:47 pm
Blauser and ERIC – thanks I always wondered how those kids got the loot to pay for tickets as I am told the Irish are sold out all the time etc, yet we hear in pro sports how broke the NBA, NHL are and how the Yanks and Mets etc are struggling to flog off expensive tickets in this recessadepression
I would think that most people wpuld be more loyal to where they went to school though, yes (more passion) than for pro sports ??
TnBrian
March 31st, 2009
7:49 pm
I’d say by the way Wren was talking that Schafer pretty much has the CF job.
Mekons
March 31st, 2009
7:49 pm
Dog: Most big schools charge a big discount for students, but soak the alumni. But there are few cheap tix; kids end up camping out to get them. I went to UConn, and basketball tickets for students were $5 or so, but we had to form groups so someone could hold the place in line while others went to class.
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
7:50 pm
and a visit from ms rozalynne speeling? was always nice
Andy K.
March 31st, 2009
7:50 pm
TnBrian, what did he say?????
Mike S
March 31st, 2009
7:52 pm
Scoots, you’re right about missin jjs, I was just thinking about his posts the other day. ‘Rollicking weirdness’, ha, that’s a good description. I still can’t believe he just up and left over such a little fracas. Stinks for us, but what are you gonna do?
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
7:53 pm
“the clubhouse guy has fishing rods, and players often cast for a while between BP and games,”
Now I know I chose the wrong career – and these guys get paid! and pretty well, too. Sheesh.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
7:56 pm
G. Anderson singled before Francoeur grounded out to second to end inning.
Chipper struck out again in the inning.
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
7:57 pm
I did some mid-day fishing during my last job.
Like I said, my “last” job.
’scoots, as I’m sure you know, lots of those guys started posting on another blog, but most of them got their feelings hurt there as well, and went away. Better to burn out than fade away, I guess!
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
7:57 pm
Stinks for us, but what are you gonna do?
Not a thing, bro, not a thing. Except respect the dignity of principle, I guess, right, wrong, or indifferent. Raise a blog glass every once in a while, too.
TnBrian
March 31st, 2009
7:59 pm
Andy, B.Jordan asked him if he was ready for MLB with the supsension etc and Wren came back and said that he played winter ball and is one of the top prospects in all of baseball. Just the feeling I got, I mean I could be wrong, but it sounded good.
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
March 31st, 2009
8:01 pm
Thanks, where I grew up college sports are irrelevant, everyone plays for a district team and then state and country……. most people go to college to perfect drinking and suntanning skills with an occassional surf bum thrown in !
fsubravesfan10
March 31st, 2009
8:02 pm
At fsu we get free tix to games as well as discounts if we buy them for friends at the gate but for the big games like against UF or UM among others, it is harder to do basically you just have to wait in line with your coupons you get each year and exchange your coupon for a game ticket…but when out of state tuition is as crazy as it is you kind of expect to be able to see the games for free, least thats the feeling my parents get…
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
8:06 pm
What’s gotten into Russ Ortiz? He’s throwing hard and looks good. Just rung up KJ looking
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
8:06 pm
The Braves in 1982 were swept 3-0 in the postseason by the Cardinals. TBS did a special called “It’s a Long Way to October”. Does anyone remember it? Is it available anywhere? That would be fun to see again.
Anders
March 31st, 2009
8:07 pm
DOB- I know you’ve had a busy day today (with the Bass Masters and all) but can you tell me what happened to the 3 year $30 mil deal you anticipated for Chipper? The deal he signed was well above that. The fellas on MLB Network are saying they think Chipper had a big hammer in these negotiations because of Smoltz etc.. Sounds to me like he used it.
Any thoughts from you regarding this? You don’t sound even remotely surprised which frankly surprised megiven your previously stated stance on the subject.
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
March 31st, 2009
8:07 pm
fsu – so college kids here basically pay $30-$50k a year to study and STILL GET rogered on anything resembling a “perk”……
Mikeyy
March 31st, 2009
8:09 pm
heres a ligitimate question i have with regards to all of our stARTERs we will have ( assuming everyone is still healthy ) when hudson comes back. with hudson, lowe, vazquez, jurjens, glavine, kawakami, reyes, campillo and hanson who the hell are they going to sit when hudson and hanson are ready to go?? not glavine i would think and not vazquez or kawakami with the money they have spent on them ?? who??
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
March 31st, 2009
8:10 pm
Anders – Chipper has been in my mind the best pro-athlete in terms of caving in for the team so anything he convinced JS, FW and Liberty to pay him is more than worth the deci-millions he sacrificed to stay years ago
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
8:10 pm
Looked like David Ross might have hurt his right quad on that flyout running out of the box. He sort of pulled up before he got to first, but walked to dugout without a limp. However, now Boscan’s in.
But that might not mean anything. Anyway… we’ll let you know.
GONZO is in.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
8:12 pm
Jason Smith doubled to start inning against Gonzo, goes to third on Ortiz sac
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
8:12 pm
No radar gun here. Looks like he’s throwing pretty hard, however.
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
8:13 pm
mbatl, I wasn’t in the loop on that, I guess. What’s funny is that I was off doing something, somewhere (I wasn’t around here much at the time is all I remember) when the whole “fracas” (thanks, Mike!) occurred. So, I never got the why or how of the whole thing, not that it was any of my business.
What the hey, life goes on. We old three-stat dinosaurs just like to reminisce on occasion, LOL; it’s always a good excuse to break out some Knob Creek, eh?
TnBrian
March 31st, 2009
8:13 pm
Brian Jordan wouldn’t win my vote as the play by play commentater.
Yeah, I thought it was just the camera angle but I guess Ortiz is throwing some heat.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
March 31st, 2009
8:13 pm
Anders,
Are you waiting for DOB to say “you were right, I was wrong… blah blah blah” on the Chipper thing? Will it really make you feel that much better about yourself?
Just checking…..
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
8:14 pm
He struck out Bourn, runner still at third, Pudge to bat
Pudge bounces a single through left side, RBI
TnBrian
March 31st, 2009
8:16 pm
Anders, I believe it to a point. I wonder how the MLB guys came up with that one? A 10 year old with any sense could have come up with that.
Woogidy
March 31st, 2009
8:16 pm
Gonzo has got to get that fastball down. He’s left it up all spring, at least what I have seen of him.
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
8:21 pm
DOB–
Thanks! Definitely my favorite show right there. We just finished Season 6 the other day. Started Season 1 on September 1st, so it took us roughly seven months to watch them all.
Brandon–
Ah…yeah, could be int’resting.
Doc H.–
Bruise on his knee, now…happened yesterday. DOB said he should play tomorrow.
Wolfman, don’t even kid about that…
Hope Ross is OK. That’s all we need–we get this really good backup and he gets hurt right before the season starts.
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
8:22 pm
“…who the hell are they going to sit when hudson and hanson are ready to go??” (Mikeyy)
Last year, we lost 4 out of 5 projected starters, very soon after the season began. Eventually, we lost the 5th (Hudson). If we get that late into the season, still having the uninjured 5, and Hudson and Hanson are ready, I don’t know who will sit. But that would be one hell of a problem, huh?
TnBrian
March 31st, 2009
8:23 pm
First time I’ve seen Kotchman this spring and he does seem to have come alive. I don’t think I saw him smile one time with us last year.
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
8:24 pm
Oh, please. Chipper got more money because of John Smoltz? What, Smoltz is writing for MLBN now?
Every right-thinking American knows that Chipper got more money because of David Wright. Somehow.
Doc Holiday
March 31st, 2009
8:24 pm
McFann,
Bruise on his knee? Wasnt he nursing his hand? Is hampton a relative?
Lou Vales
March 31st, 2009
8:26 pm
Someone PLEASE save these numbers. Larry is capable of playing in 648 regular season games over the next four years. What do you think a realistic number should be for games he misses due to injury–I’m including time missed due to tweaking an elbow while engaging in foreplay with Mrs Jones–My prediction is 58 games in 09, 65 in 10, 78 in 11 and early retirement before final year of contract kicks in. That will be 201 games missed due to injury in first 3 years and I’m NOT counting days he is given off. Larry could be Mike Hampton’s wingman.
Anders
March 31st, 2009
8:27 pm
ncscoots- So why do you think Chipper got more money? Or do you think DOB was way off on this ?
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
8:27 pm
Mikeyy
March 31st, 2009
8:09 pm
heres a ligitimate question i have with regards to all of our stARTERs we will have ( assuming everyone is still healthy ) when hudson comes back. with hudson, lowe, vazquez, jurjens, glavine, kawakami, reyes, campillo and hanson who the hell are they going to sit when hudson and hanson are ready to go?? not glavine i would think and not vazquez or kawakami with the money they have spent on them ?? who??
maybe its time to go with 8 starter types broken up into groups of 2 and 3 specialty relief types, gives alot of extra offensive weapons for late inning comebacks. could have carried an extra josh andersen type player with that scenario
Woogidy
March 31st, 2009
8:27 pm
I think we should lock up that guy long term.
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
8:28 pm
Doc-
Apparently the bruise on his knee is rather nasty…and I am willing to bet he would have played tonight if Bobby had let him- our boy is tough:)
Dr Phil
March 31st, 2009
8:28 pm
but can you tell me what happened to the 3 year $30 mil deal you anticipated for Chipper? ANDERS
you see BUB, he’s a snarky azz. Stay Away.
Eric from MO
March 31st, 2009
8:28 pm
Tom I cant wait for that problem!
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
8:29 pm
Who are we playing? The ‘27 Yankees?
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
8:30 pm
Rolling eyes@8:26
zookee
March 31st, 2009
8:30 pm
Enter your comments here
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
8:30 pm
Boys and girls, I don’t care how well the season goes; if it means putting with Lou Vales posts for 162, I’m switching to curling.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
8:31 pm
“So why do you think Chipper got more money?”
Well, Anders, it’s what have you done for me lately, and a .364 avg ain’t half-bad.
TnBrian
March 31st, 2009
8:33 pm
Ya’ll don’t care about that 3 run shot by Chipper?
Frenchy trying to yank one out, and SURPRISE…he K’S
cvbraves
March 31st, 2009
8:33 pm
Chipper 3-run homer. Bottom 6th, Astros 4-3.
zookey
March 31st, 2009
8:33 pm
Anders,See you have gone from your brown bag chicken swanwitch to quibbline over how many millions the Braves pay Chipper…
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
8:33 pm
Chipper went yard?
Lou Vales
March 31st, 2009
8:34 pm
Larry will probably be “rolling his eyes” while he gets hurt, but what do you think of the over/under number for 08-10??
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
March 31st, 2009
8:34 pm
scoots, for the life of me I never understood curling but there must be a pub audience somewhere in Belfast, yes
Garret is hitting and hitting……… so where are the doubters now
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
8:35 pm
anyone out there want to provide play by play (and what led to chippers HR) while DOB is off talking to D Lowe?
Eric from MO
March 31st, 2009
8:35 pm
“so college kids here basically pay $30-$50k a year to study”
That is dumb if you ask me…I didnt go to the best of colleges. My college tuition is currently $6K. However, I have never been turned down for a job for it. I have 12 cousins who also got their 4 year degrees for here. None of them felt like it has hurt them in getting a job. 3 went on to med school and 2 went on to law school. I have also had 3 uncles and 2 aunts go here. 2 of my uncles own multi-million dollar businesses and the other runs a global industry. Of my two aunts, one is a M.D. and the other is a superintendant. I am not bragging in any way. I just believe it is dumb that kids and their parents waste that much money on college. I have seen many kids/friends think they need to go to an expensive college that costs $40-$50 K a year and drop out after a year or two because they are broke and end up working at crappy jobs for barely over minimum wage. No wonder our economy is the way it is.
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
8:37 pm
Agree with nc@8:30, there’s my wager
zookey
March 31st, 2009
8:37 pm
Lou Vales,Sorry man I thought you were dead…
Lou Vales
March 31st, 2009
8:37 pm
NCSCOOTS, I can be someone else on about 8 other computers. Would that make you happy??Can even call in salvos to be posted by others who have similiar feelings for the former Beau Brummel of Greenville.
cvbraves
March 31st, 2009
8:38 pm
Inning 6
Top Half
B:0 S:0 O:0 – Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brandon Jones replaces Vladimir Nunez.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:0 – Brandon Jones reaches on fielding error by shortstop Miguel Tejada.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:0 – Yunel Escobar singles on a ground ball to center fielder Michael Bourn. Brandon Jones to 2nd.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:1 – Casey Kotchman flies out to right fielder Hunter Pence.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:1 – Chipper Jones homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Brandon Jones scores. Yunel Escobar scores.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:1 – Garret Anderson triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Hunter Pence.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:3 O:2 – Jeff Francoeur strikes out swinging.
——————————————————————————–
B:0 S:0 O:3 – Kelly Johnson grounds out, first baseman Darin Erstad to pitcher Russ Ortiz.
Runnin
March 31st, 2009
8:38 pm
G. Anderson with a triple, then Jeff strikes out.
Runner left on 3rd to end inning.
Moylan in to pitch, walks first batter.
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
8:38 pm
over / under 90
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
8:39 pm
Thanks guys! Appreciate it very much:)
Roman Gal
March 31st, 2009
8:39 pm
Peter Moylan. When I think about Peter I always pronounce his name “Pita” like Wendy does in Peter Pan.
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
8:39 pm
Peter Moylan needs a good outing…
Anders
March 31st, 2009
8:40 pm
Dr.Phil – Whoever you are. Call me what you will, but at least when I post I put my name to it.
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
March 31st, 2009
8:40 pm
Eric – you sound like a smart guy, give me your number so I can get my ex wife to call you and explain that the children (3) do NOT need $20k per year junior school and high school………..
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
8:40 pm
“NCSCOOTS, I can be someone else on about 8 other computers. Would that make you happy??”
Oh my… what a waste of talent spending time on a blog…
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
8:40 pm
Had to go down to talk to Lowe while Gonzo was pitching, but saw his whole (near) inning. Gave up two hits, a run, a walk with a strikeout, hit limit of 20 pitches. But said afterward he felt great in his first back-to-back games of the spring and that he’s “ready to roll.”
Lowe said his sinker was flat in the first inning and command was off, but the last three innings “weren’t tragic.” He admitted he might have been looking ahead to opening day, and is eager to sit down with McCann and gameplan for the Phillies.
As usual, when the first question asked was “How’d you feel,” he responded with, “Sexy,” which has become a tradition, one we’ll probably leave here in Florida.
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
8:41 pm
“I think we should lock up that guy long term” (Woogidy 8:27)
That’s exactly what I was thinking about, Lou Vales, after reading his 8:26 post!
JimD
March 31st, 2009
8:41 pm
OK, who left the door open and let Lou Vales back in?
Anders
March 31st, 2009
8:41 pm
Zookey -A little premature emasculation at 8:30?
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
8:42 pm
I missed Chipper’s three-run homer, but was told it was just to the left of the 410 sign in almost straightaway center. A shot.
KC
March 31st, 2009
8:42 pm
One strikeout all spring from Francoeur. Then on Sunday, he hits a monster homerun. Then… 3 strikeouts over the next two games.
Coincidence? Or did homerun to left get him thinking longball over the last couple days?
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
8:42 pm
can be someone else on about 8 other computers
I could live with that, if only you had the ability to disguise your content as easily. Unfortunately, “dolt” comes through loud and clear whatever the IP address.
BravesFAN885
March 31st, 2009
8:42 pm
so is Ross alright?
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
8:42 pm
So I guess no one remembers “It’s a Long Way to October”, huh? Of course,in 1982 there were only 367 of us Braves fans then.
OldTimer
March 31st, 2009
8:44 pm
Only Hoss I ever new was on Gunsmoke.
KC
March 31st, 2009
8:45 pm
Boy this game has sucked. The homer from Chipper was nice, and I guess Anderson’s had a decent day… but nothing else has gone well.
Not that this game has anything to do with what we’ll see on opening day, but I’m sure Lowe would have rather had a better showing in his final tuneup before he faces the Phillies. And it hasn’t been a good day for the Braves relievers so far either.
Oh well. It is just one game, and it is still only spring training.
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
8:46 pm
Thats a great quote from Lowe…
Schafer Obliterator
March 31st, 2009
8:46 pm
1 out, one on third….. need a sac fly to TIE the game
No bonehead swings for the fences……….. KKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
8:46 pm
Anders is your real name? Really?
zookey
March 31st, 2009
8:47 pm
Anders,Can’t castrate you twice…
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
8:47 pm
old timer , your getting a little senile, thats bonanza
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
8:47 pm
Nah, OT, Hoss = Bonanza – Dan Blocker
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
8:48 pm
KC, I’m worried about a lot of things, but one of them is not Derek Lowe. I’m not awarding him the Cy Young, and don’t know how he’ll do Sunday, but the guy has had a healthy, productive spring training, with (about – not doing the research) 25 K’s to 2 walks. Nothing more you can hope for from Spring Training.
Now your boy Gonzo… him I’m a little nervous about!
Brandon
March 31st, 2009
8:49 pm
I think Gonzo will be alright once the season starts…
Shamus Thacker
March 31st, 2009
8:50 pm
I have a tape somewhere of “It’s A Long Way To October.” There’ve been others; “How The West Was Won” comes to mind.
northbeach Scott
March 31st, 2009
8:51 pm
Boy, sure looked like the Frenchy of 2008 on that swinging K with a man on third and less than two outs. KC I am inclined to agree with you, I think that HR may have undone a lot of progress for Francouer. I am still cautiously optimistic and hope he has a great year.
Anders
March 31st, 2009
8:52 pm
I missed Chipper’s three-run homer, (DOB)
Nah, I better not.
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
8:52 pm
What I want to know is where is a tape for “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary”
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
8:52 pm
“So I guess no one remembers “It’s a Long Way to October”, huh? Of course,in 1982 there were only 367 of us Braves fans then.” (SoWeGa Fanatic – 8:46)
Most don’t want to admit they’re that old.
Anders
March 31st, 2009
8:53 pm
Who is that posting at 8:45 and what have you done with KC?
BravesFAN885
March 31st, 2009
8:54 pm
So I’m assuming Davis Ross is fine?
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
8:55 pm
Doc H.–
Yeah, he was…and maybe still is…but someone fouled one off his knee yesterday.
TnBrian
March 31st, 2009
8:55 pm
I’m a little worried about Gonzo just because he looked so uncomfortable this close to the season. Francoeur with that last at bat was dejevu from a year ago.
cvbraves
March 31st, 2009
8:56 pm
Top of 7:
Boscan infield out.
Schaffer infield out.
B. Jones singles to center.
Infante infield out.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
8:56 pm
“Most don’t want to admit they’re that old.”
Tom, I’m a lot older than that, so I don’t mind at all.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
8:59 pm
Here’s a 3 minute clip from “It’s a Long Way to October” with Torre pitching a fit on the umps:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=19621685
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
9:01 pm
Well, Medlen just gave up a two-run homer to Carlos Lee, his first of the spring.
cvbraves
March 31st, 2009
9:01 pm
Bot 7th: Astros 5-3.
Medlen pitching.
1st batter flies out to Hernandez in center (1 out).
Erstad bunt single.
Lee 2-run homer, his first of ST.
Il Cattivo
March 31st, 2009
9:02 pm
Boy that was an odd interview by Schafer. Guy didnt seem too interested and didnt want to look at the camera.
cvbraves
March 31st, 2009
9:03 pm
Sorry, DOB, thought you were downstairs doing interviews.
cvbraves
March 31st, 2009
9:04 pm
Our boyz seem to be pitching batting practice tonight!
KC
March 31st, 2009
9:06 pm
mbatl, I’m not worried about Gonzo. As I’ve said numerous times… it is VERY normal for closers to suck int he spring. Happens all the time. More worried about Moylan’s outing… though I’m not sweating bullets there either.
TN Jeff
March 31st, 2009
9:07 pm
The team appears to be in midseason form
Gonna be a LOOOONNNNNGGGGGGGG season too
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
9:07 pm
Here you go, Razzle:
http://www.celestill.net/its_a_long_way_to_tipperary.htm
Now where’s my copy of “It’s a Long Way to October”?
Roman Gal
March 31st, 2009
9:08 pm
I don’t think Derek Lowe was looking at the camera that much either…
Bob Wickman's navel lint
March 31st, 2009
9:08 pm
Have not heard much from Uncle Creepy BB5795 the last few days. Guess the old chicken hawk found some new meat, elsewhere. Suppose even Anders’passive/aggressive games are better than a sleaze bag.
Shamus Thacker
March 31st, 2009
9:08 pm
I have lots of games through the 90s on tape. Taped every game; kept prolly one out of ten on average, recorded over rest. Had stereo receiver wired through VCR during playoff games; Skip Caray calls Bream’s slide on Pittsburgh game-7 playoff tape. Got Otis Nixon’s great over-wall catch, and many, many, wonderful pitching performances from Avery, Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz, Liebrandt. Anybody remember Alejandro Pena’s strikeout of Van Slyke? I met Pena in a Marietta restaurant around that time; very, very, nice dude.
DiamondbackMac
March 31st, 2009
9:09 pm
1982? That seems like just yesterday. My first Braves game, I listened to on the radio and they were still in Milwaukee.
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
9:11 pm
SoWeGa Fanatic, somewhere, someplace, that video exists. Have you tried e-Bay? When DOB isn’t busy, about 3:OOam, maybe he can help you.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
9:11 pm
Ross has a strained right groin. Know more tomorrow.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
9:11 pm
Hearing Pete on that clip and talking about being old got me to reminicing(?). TBS used to show every Braves game and then shortly thereafter would show it again in its entirety. Many times I would come in late and catch the replay. I am even guilty afew times of watching the same game twice – hey, it was BB.
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
9:14 pm
SoWeGa, will get right on that…
Roman Gal
March 31st, 2009
9:15 pm
I hope Ross is alright. I was just starting to really like him…
Random
March 31st, 2009
9:15 pm
Wayne in Utah (5:34 pm): ” Now there you go again, looking into my head and determining that I have a “hate” thing going on for John Smoltz.”
Nah, man — YOU were the “self-pity” partner. KC is the Hate Monger.
”I am not sure where the self pity thing comes from. . . . I still do not understand the “self-pity” part??”
Come on, now – listen to yourself:
”He was with us, but thought he would be better off with more guaranteed money and a better chance at another ring, than to stick with the fans who adored him for so long.”
”I am very disappointed in John Smoltz.”
Aaahhhh – we all feel so vewwy, vewwy sowwy for you.
(Of course, I’m exaggerating – I admit it. IMO, it’s a valid response to your own emotional knee-jerk tantrums at the mere mention of Smoltz’ name. They have become as old and as tiresome as they are predictable. Let it go, man.)
Now, KC — HE’s the hater.
He’s exactly like a woman scorned – a fire-breathing, spitting and scratching Jezebel. (Or “Third Eye”.)
I’m actually kinda surprised he hasn’t already tried to burn down Smoltz’ house.
(Of course, I’m exaggerating – I admit it. IMO, it’s a valid response to his own emotional knee-jerk tantrums at the mere mention of Smoltz’ name. They have become as old and as tiresome as they are predictable. Let it go, people.)
PS: I do hereby publicly acknowledge for the record that Wayne in Utah does not actually hate Smoltz. Or Sheffield. Or even me.
;->
(So far.)
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
9:17 pm
I did a quick Google, Tom. Haven’t gotten serious yet, but it has gotten me to think back a lot.
DiamondbackMac, I can’t claim Milwaukee, but I do remember Tony Cloninger clubbing 2 grand slams in one game in the 60’s. Against the Giants, I think.
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
9:17 pm
Strained right groin? Greeaaattt…
KC
March 31st, 2009
9:21 pm
Random, do you know where Smoltz lives? He’s not listed. =)
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
9:22 pm
Gorkys Hernandez at the plate. (By the way, I like someone’s screen name Gorky Miller, good one).
Gorkys Miller flied out.
chuckw/deadjournalist
March 31st, 2009
9:23 pm
paging paul bako; mr. bako, please report to aaa gwinnett.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
9:24 pm
In late 1973, we drove 200 miles to Atlanta to see Hank chase the Babe. And, he hit a tater! #710 or 712, something like that. Problem is I had to go P and missed it. ARRGGHHH!
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
9:24 pm
Well, “October” – someone here has it – now if you could figure out who: http://teddyallen.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
9:25 pm
OldTimer, I guess you’re not familiar with Waylon Jennings.
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
9:26 pm
I was there when hank hit the Al Downing pitch… they passed out commerorative cards to the crowd… wished I’d managed to keep up with mine; still have hopes of finding it in my past sprawl some day.
Il Cattivo
March 31st, 2009
9:26 pm
Boy – good the game got over. Dont think I could’ve taken any more of Ron Gant. He makes Chip Caray sound interesting.
BB5795
March 31st, 2009
9:27 pm
Bob Wickman’s navel lint
March 31st, 2009
9:08 pm
Have not heard much from Uncle Creepy BB5795 the last few days. Guess the old chicken hawk found some new meat, elsewhere. Suppose even Anders’passive/aggressive games are better than a sleaze bag.
I went out of town, for a few days, early last Friday. My last (original) post was about 9:00 pm on Thursday night. When I got back, on Saturday night, I started checking some of the previous posts. Much to my surprise, there were a bunch of them from me, while I was sleeping. The next day, someone else, or the same person, put ‘Uncle’ in front of my handle and kept on going. The latter blogger is pretty easy to figure out. But I, obviously, don’t know who the former is. If someone wants to be a jerk, and doesn’t want to use their normal handle, I can understand that. But why in the hell do they have to use someone else’s. I guess when enough people come together, the odds of someone being a rectal opening, is pretty high. Thanks for asking though. I continue to read, from time to time, but I will not contribute. If there are anymore BB5795 responces, it’s the butt opening. The sad thing is, there’s nothing stopping anyone from doing the same to you. Think about it.
Il Cattivo
March 31st, 2009
9:28 pm
Given all the off days in the first week or so, hope Ross can take it a little easy for a while and get better. Hopefully not as bad as DL.
melissa
March 31st, 2009
9:29 pm
That was Brian Jordan calling the game !!
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
9:32 pm
BB5795… I’d just tell them that their voice had changed, but their breath still smelled the same…
Random
March 31st, 2009
9:35 pm
KC (9:21 pm): “do you know where Smoltz lives? He’s not listed.”
Well, yeah — I live in his basement.
He’s my Maw.
(He’d better pay the bills this month, or I’ll be cut off. Again.)
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
9:35 pm
Holy Cow, Razzle, I ain’t working that hard. (That was a mean shot of early Porter Wagoner, tho.)
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
9:36 pm
SoWeGa Fanatic, don’t worry, if it exists, we’ll find it.
Rob from SC
March 31st, 2009
9:36 pm
looks like Medlen is not making the team
Dr Phil
March 31st, 2009
9:42 pm
Dr.Phil – Whoever you are. Call me what you will, but at least when I post I put my name to it ANDERS
that’s pretty funny. you mean your troll name that you use on the Braves board, like it means anything to us at all. how would we know any different. Is this the same name we might go elsewhere on the net and find you?
One minute you’re a suck up and the next you’re snarky. You never miss a chance to come here to crow when something good happens for the Mets or bad for the Braves or to put a damper on anything good for the Braves. You brag on yourself every chance you get.
Gee why wouldn’t we all be thrilled to have you here? Some of us have your number dude and have had it for quite a while. You’re all ate up with Narcissism.
Il Cattivo
March 31st, 2009
9:42 pm
Oops — Thanks for the heads-up melissa.
Ya – so i guess I cant take Brian Jordan.
Roman Gal
March 31st, 2009
9:42 pm
f.n.hale, sorry I’m just now getting around to this…but you’re posts from the other night with the “Coxian nicknames” were great.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
9:42 pm
Schafer has consecutive hitless games for the first time all spring…
Three of Chipper’s seven hits are homers….
I’m really tired of driving by Midieval Times and turning right at the Wal-Mart….
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
9:45 pm
DOB, take a left and go to Atlanta. We are READY!
Roman Gal
March 31st, 2009
9:45 pm
Dang…I mean to bold your name f.n.hale
Alas, I am a failure.
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
9:46 pm
Not to fear, DOB – you have almost survived – and like The Birds, ready to fly north for warmer weather (anyone been to Bodega Bay?)
Giddyup
March 31st, 2009
9:47 pm
Only Hoss I ever new was on Gunsmoke. OLDTIMER
you must be so old that senility is getting to you. Hoss was on Bonanza
diamondlady01
March 31st, 2009
9:47 pm
flange1-What do you want to know about shrimp sandwiches?
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
9:50 pm
SoWeGa Fanatic: Probably not as ready as everyone here. People are dragging. Tans are good, however, for concealing sleep deprivation.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
9:51 pm
So those living in the Atlanta metro area, how bad is the pollen? Covering everything yet, or did all the rain help?
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
9:51 pm
shrimp sandwitches are good in the morning with peanut butter and puddin
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
9:53 pm
My daily breakfast….peanut butter and turkey bacon on an english muffin. Best ever.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
9:53 pm
Cox said he really thinks Soriano still has a chance to make the roster, to show he’s ready. Thursday will go a long way in determining that, I guess….
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
9:54 pm
will the real slim shady puhlease stand up
Andy K.
March 31st, 2009
9:55 pm
DOB, how has Gregor Blanco’s attitude been? He has to know by now that he hasn’t won the CF job(rarely plays, and when he does, it’s like an at-bat or two).
RC
March 31st, 2009
9:56 pm
DOB,
The pollen is beyond covering everything. The only thing the rain has done is make sure there are yellow marks on the edge of the road. My dog’s black fur looked green when I got home yesterday.
diamondlady01
March 31st, 2009
9:56 pm
We eat shrimp sandwiches for lunch or dinner in the lowcountry, not breakfast. But we do eat shrimp & grits for breakfast or dinner.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
9:56 pm
DOB, I think even the blogsters are tiring of ST. Notice how many have drifted away tonight. Or, maybe they have tired fingers and are saving them for the Phillie series?
Ima Cann
March 31st, 2009
9:57 pm
DOB, the pollen invasion has started. The rain briefly delayed the attack, but did not stop it.
Matt
March 31st, 2009
9:58 pm
Yo DOB,
I think I have read on here that you like Johnny Flynn, pardon if i don’t remember correctly. Anyways, I don’t know if you ever check out Blogotheque, but they have a takeaway show of his http://www.blogotheque.net/Johnny-Flynn,4703
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
9:58 pm
DOB–
I think the rain made it worse…when I went out to feed Beggar Ben after a light drizzle, the deck was really green.
OK, so we’re not really in metro Atlanta, I don’t think…but still…
Night, all!
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 31st, 2009
9:59 pm
The 7 inches we got here this weekend washed pollen dirt, trees, etc. away…with another 10 inches forcast! Oh, my! I hope the opener isn’t rained out!
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
9:59 pm
in fact i had that this morning, the fudge didnt gel right and kinda looked like puddin. lol and left over shrimp from a benefit for a 2 month old baby with a bad aortic valve in boston hospital. little luke sigmon could use a prayer or too. less than 3 months old and already 2 open heart surgerys, his gdad went to unc as the center back in 81-85. was a pretty good pitcher in high school as well teammate of bryan harveys
Couch Tater
March 31st, 2009
9:59 pm
Da powwen willy int dat bad.
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
10:01 pm
Lowcountry food is the best. Peninsula Grill Sat. night! Banana pudding time!
diamondlady01
March 31st, 2009
10:05 pm
18 Wheels of Love-Are you in Charleston,SC?
f.n.hale
March 31st, 2009
10:06 pm
“you’re posts from the other night with the “Coxian nicknames” were great.” – RomanGal
Thanks. I’d bold your name too but I haven’t learned that one yet.
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
10:06 pm
there ’bouts
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
10:08 pm
sumtimes bad grammar makes you look twix or is that twice
Murrell's Inlet Sat Night
March 31st, 2009
10:11 pm
Good for the taste buds… not sure about the rest
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
10:13 pm
“Da powwen willy int dat bad.” – (Couch Tater)
You made me laugh, so hard, I needed some tissues.
nolie
March 31st, 2009
10:13 pm
words to be bolded
nolie
March 31st, 2009
10:15 pm
(strong)words to be bolded(/strong)
replace the parentheses with greater-than and less-than signs
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
10:18 pm
football center you bet
Lou Vales
March 31st, 2009
10:18 pm
I was popular as Hell when I posted as two raving sycophants who couldn’t get their noses out of Bobby’s butt. Not really much fun to do that. By the way, how many games DOES Glass Bubble Boy miss over the next 3 years??–He ain’t even seeing year 4. He will have a collision with the machine that lays the foul lines or will actually get “pepper” blown in his eyes where it says “No Pepper.”
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
10:18 pm
nolie, you mean like… WHAM! ?
f.n.hale
March 31st, 2009
10:20 pm
Thanks Nolie
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
10:21 pm
You’ll have to excuse the man… he was born ignorant, and hasn’t learned since. Take pity, all of us – but for the grace of the higher-ups, so go all of us.
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
10:25 pm
i think it said he vested if he averaged 127 games a year. pretty fair, gives him 105 games he can miss
jcfromut
March 31st, 2009
10:26 pm
Great, Great news about Chipper!! Now he can roll right into being Bobby’s replacement.
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
10:29 pm
I hate to admit this, but the last part of Lou Vales’, 10:18 post, actually made me chuckle. I still think he should be locked up, though.
I really wish all you computer nerds, would stop showing off!!!
Doc Holiday
March 31st, 2009
10:29 pm
Ross down?
Can we call corky?
MFin04
March 31st, 2009
10:33 pm
Can Mike Gonzalez catch?….cuz he sure as hell cant pitch…no less close.
nolie
March 31st, 2009
10:36 pm
de nada guys. 17 extra strokes just to bold a 4-8 stroke name is too much effort for me, no disrespect intended but like several others I capitalize ‘em.
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
10:38 pm
MFin04, man, you may be right, and I know we both hope you’re wrong, but would you relax! Wait until the regular season starts. It’s only a few days away. This means nothing, especially for a guy like Gonzo.
f.n.hale
March 31st, 2009
10:38 pm
Tom, not showing off, just trying to get a little blog bling.
O.K. that was showing off.
f.n.hale
March 31st, 2009
10:40 pm
o.k. I don’t know how I emboldened (sic) that last sentence
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
f.n.hale, it’s just that I keep eating my heart out, with jealousy.
Couch Tater
March 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
Things to do today:
Check on Chippers contract.Have some of that soul food like 18wheels had.Ignore Mets and Marlins fans on the blog.MFin04
March 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
Everyone needs to stop on the whole Gonzo being ready….crap. He has sucked almost every single outing that he has pitched against MLB hitters. Time to find a new closer. Hanson might need to be promoted to closer. Cuz if we cant close games we are in trouble. We have very little power in our lineup and need our bullpen to come in strong after the starters leave.
Lou Vales
March 31st, 2009
10:42 pm
Just out of curiosity, who would you lock me up with?? You allow to run free a group of journalists who believe ONE!!!!!!!! World Series Championship parlayed out of 14 opportunities is some Badge of Honor on a par with John Wooden’s UCLA teams or the Boston Celtics or the Montreal Canadiens or The Bud Wilkinson Oklahama Sooners.
Imagine having the greatest trio of pitchers at one time on a big league roster, imagine having the 2nd greatest switch hitter of all time AND MOST importantly imagine playing in a Division where in 10 of those 14 years you almost had a gimme to the playoffs. A division with the Marlins, Expos/Nationals. a woefully run Mets–So CONGRATULATIONS You Owned the PHiladelphia Phillies for a long time.
f.n.hale
March 31st, 2009
10:44 pm
Tom, I’m with Nolie. It’s a lot of dang trouble but every once in a blue moon you want to use it, course by the time I want to use it I will have forgotten how.
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
@10:41 – glass 100% empty, microbes looking about in the bottom of it for signs of sustenance
Roman Gal
March 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
It’s not supposed to rain next Friday is it?? I’ve already got my tickets!!
It shall not rain. I will it to be so!
zookey
March 31st, 2009
10:46 pm
Lou Vals
Damn thought you were never comming back….
Whats the problem,great success in business lost his bouty,no air time,tired of kicking the dog ???
f.n.hale
March 31st, 2009
10:46 pm
Tater, there are no Marlin fans. Only Mets fans in drag.
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
10:49 pm
Someone here’s wasting pixels as if there was no end. I wonder if they realize the the scale of the pixel famine N Korea. Sobering thought?
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
10:50 pm
Couch Tater, re: 10:41 post, BITE ME! (for the construction, not the content) … I really don’t have to add one of those lol, do I?
spotts
March 31st, 2009
10:56 pm
wow….way to be a baby, Jay Cutler
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
10:57 pm
“Just out of curiosity, who would you lock me up with??” (Lou Vales -10:42)
I’m not sure how the rest of this site feels, but it would bring a smile to my face if you were sharing a cell, with a life insurance salesman.
KC
March 31st, 2009
10:57 pm
MFin04, of for the love of all that is holy… dude, you are assigning WAAAAAY too much weight to spring training for a closer. The guy has converted something like 45 or his last 47 save opps. Give it a rest. If you’re convinced that you’re right about him, I’ll take that bet.
Couch Tater
March 31st, 2009
10:59 pm
Tom O’Hawke,
As the name implies, I’m no computer guy. Heck that’s too much work. Study this: a quiz will be during our games in October.
http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_formatting.asp
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
11:00 pm
f.n.hale (10:44) So would I, man, so would I.
MFin04
March 31st, 2009
11:01 pm
His stats this spring…combined with the train wreck he had in Sept. are a cause for concern. 2 bs and 3 losses in Sept….with a +5 era is not what u want from a closer. There has been little good so far this spring. Its not like he is just going to turn it on when the regular season comes around. It just doesnt work that way.
Lou Vales
March 31st, 2009
11:01 pm
Hartford, Prudential, Met and all the others are in trouble due to variable annuity exposure. Don’t worry. No factor on the baseball season. Just ask Scott Boras and Will Ohman.
Eric from MO
March 31st, 2009
11:03 pm
Mfin you need to get it through your thick head that ST dont mean anything to a guy on the roster, especially a closer. Think about when a closer comes in the game is on line and adrenaline is pumping. In ST there is no adrenaline. He may not be fine but I say there is a better chance he converts his first 10 save opportunities than blow 3 of his first 10.
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
11:13 pm
Couch Tater (10:59), thanks a lot, fellow Braves fan. I saved the site. I’ll definitely check it out (when I’m more lucid). I always want to learn more about this contraption. I think they may be around for a while.
KC, Eric, forget it with MFinn04. I tried to calm him down, but to no avail. I just hope he doesn’t have a breakdown before the season starts.
mets fan in atlanta
March 31st, 2009
11:14 pm
See Braves fans, you can’t have it both ways. One minute you’re raving about how great Schafer has played, the BUC, Kawakami, etc., but as soon as someone brings up valid points about some of your other players, its “well these games don’t count.” Either you evaluate or you don’t. The way i see it, now the lineups are for real, now the bullpens are for real (almost), so if you can’t go on what happens this week, why in the world would you go with what was happening when guys wearing number 80-something were pitching????
Here’s the mets pitching line from tonight–looks pretty serious to me.
J Maine (W,1-1) 5 2-3 6 2 2 1 3 1
P Feliciano 1-3 0 0 0 0 1 0
S Green 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
J Putz 2-3 0 0 0 0 2 0
D O’Day 1-3 1 0 0 0 1 0
F Rodriguez 1 0 0 0 0 2 0
Against a full Marlins lineup, i’ll take that every day.
zookey
March 31st, 2009
11:16 pm
Lou
Do you really think we are in a financial crisis ?????
Don’t about you guys but I would like to here moore…
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
11:21 pm
MFin04, yeah, see what you did? You start getting negative and then some Muttfan creeps onto the site. He pounces all over your/our fears. Either take some valium and go to bed, or start blogging more positively.
Bubdylan
March 31st, 2009
11:26 pm
Lou Vales & Anders should combine to make one blog supervillain: Lou Vanders…. armed with a chalk board and steel fingernails… maybe some throwing stars made of gold coins…
“He’s going for his credentials! Shield your eyes!”
“UUUUGGHHH! Too late! I’m staggered! And apparently I’ve no money for sports, either!!”
Eric from MO
March 31st, 2009
11:27 pm
Mets fan in atlanta tell me on which blog i have raved about ST stats. I havent once. Go find one time.
richbrave
March 31st, 2009
11:29 pm
McFANN:
Is that bad boy TONY D. bothering you anymore?
spotts
March 31st, 2009
11:29 pm
I’ve raved about ST stats
mets fan in atlanta
March 31st, 2009
11:29 pm
Records since March 20:
Braves: 3-8
Mets: 7-4
Records since March 26:
Braves: 2-4 (actually 2-7 in last 9)
Mets: 5-1
zookey
March 31st, 2009
11:29 pm
mets fan in atlanta
You are right that mets line up dose look pretty serious….
Bubdylan
March 31st, 2009
11:31 pm
“Against a full Marlins lineup, i’ll take that every day.” -MetsFanWhoCan’tFindMetsBlog
Spring Training games don’t count, yo.
Steve McP
March 31st, 2009
11:31 pm
BTW Maines ERA for ST is 6.85, but because that is not supportive of the Mutts fan’s point he conveniently forgot to mention it. But of course ST games don’t count much, bit that would refute his whole argument so that is conveniently forgotten as well.
Looking forward to competing in real competition in the NL East from April 5th.
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
11:31 pm
ROTF@11:26… I can see that
Salamander
March 31st, 2009
11:32 pm
Mets fan in Atlanta:
Some of us have been concerned about the bullpen for most of the Spring, so don’t assume that a few people who are “all sunshine all the time” represent all the Braves fans who read this blog.
Like how I capitalized the proper nouns in your name? Sorry, couldn’t help myself.
richbrave
March 31st, 2009
11:34 pm
ATLANTA BRAVES fans quake in their sneakers as the mighty METS reel off win after ST win as pointed out by MET IN ATLANTA. Oh my!!!! Let’s mail in the season now.
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
11:36 pm
There are plenty of ‘Braves fans’ here with half-empty beer glasses… or glasses of something at least similar to their eyes.
Mitchell
March 31st, 2009
11:36 pm
If DOB is still interested in a pollen story, I would report that I was shooting hoops earlier this eve and whenever there’s rain I always do my best to avoid the mud that forms (due to the dirt becoming wet and thus forming mud which is like moist dirt for anybody who didn’t know, anybody?) off to the right of the basket. Not surprisingly I missed a shot and the ball rolled off to the right and bounced into a nice big yellow puddle.
I can’t wait for the Braves to beat the $%@* out of the Phillies on Sunday.
I can wait for this virus, which is sure to destroy my computer any second now, to destroy my computer. Let’s hope it only infects computers owned by Mets fans.
Oh, how clever.
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
11:36 pm
“McFANN:
Is that bad boy TONY D. bothering you anymore?” (richbrave)
That butthead only (fortunately) had one post, that I know of. I think McFANN is intelligent enough, to not pay any attention to a moron. And, she said goodnight around 10:00.
BravesFanChris24
March 31st, 2009
11:37 pm
MLB Trade Rumors is saying Phillies are looking at Andruw Jones.
MFin04
March 31st, 2009
11:37 pm
Who said this was an ALL POSITIVE BRAVES BLOG? Just be realistic…that all I asked. Gonzalez has been sub-par all Spring…hope he snaps out of it…but there are no signs so far that he will. Also as soon as Schafer wins the job…he goes into the tank…interesting. As soon as Chipper gets his extension…what does he do…crap 3-run homer…well good for Chipper he deserves it. Now he can relax and play ball.
Tom O'Hawke
March 31st, 2009
11:38 pm
spotts, ST stats and Whooo! Go Braves!
richbrave
March 31st, 2009
11:38 pm
E-e-eh-h-h!!! Wrong. Thank you for playing.
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
11:40 pm
For those with no memory whatsoever:
2006 – Time-Warner, trying to sell and fading
2007 – Time-Warner, in contract to sell, and virtually frozen (see Atlanta Spirit budgeting)
2008 – Liberty, trying to get a handle on a huge new asset
2009 – Liberty – and they hopefully know enough now how to see we can compete in the league for their future sale of the franchise & potential profit
MFin04
March 31st, 2009
11:40 pm
P.S. – I’m more worried about the Marlins, Nationals, and Phillies then the Mets.
spotts
March 31st, 2009
11:40 pm
Whooo! Go Braves indeed!
ncgary
March 31st, 2009
11:41 pm
The Madeleine Haze a band you can check out at
http://www.myspace.com/themadhaze
nolie
March 31st, 2009
11:41 pm
TOM O’HAWK
did you not see the explanation on bolding at the top of this page-7-? Delete and italic work the same way. Or are you referring to something else?
Mitchell
March 31st, 2009
11:42 pm
Oohhh, Mets fans!!!! I didn’t even see you up there and yet I took a shot at you anyway. What are the odds?
Doesn’t the fact that we took 11 of 18 from you last year in a season where we only won 72 games give you any pause?
Bring it on!
winterville
March 31st, 2009
11:44 pm
Don’t sell us short Mitchell, it was 12 out of 18.
uga-brave
March 31st, 2009
11:44 pm
anyone know where the braves rank in spring training homeruns?
spotts
March 31st, 2009
11:46 pm
Mitchell – When talking smack, it’s probably not best to bring up that we won 72 games last year
KC
March 31st, 2009
11:47 pm
MFin04: “Its not like he is just going to turn it on when the regular season comes around. It just doesnt work that way.”
Respectfully, that is what you call a counter-factual argument. It DOES frequently work that way with veteran players. Most especially, closers.
mets fan in atlanta
March 31st, 2009
11:48 pm
Eric from MO: I just looked back at a couple blogs and you’re right, you have been a pretty staunch defender that spring training doesn’t mean anything. Then I found this on May 22:
“I dont know why you dont understand my statement about Anderson. He isnt going to make the team. Schafer’s BA is a 100 points higher, and OBP is 120 points higher. Expect to see Anderson to be traded in the next week or two.”
I don’t know whether to give you props or call you out for using spring training stats to (correctly) predict the future. Whether it was a good future for the Braves remains to be seen.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
11:48 pm
I’m pretending to be a Nats fan:
“Oooooooooooh, Braves fans! Doesn’t the fact that we took 12 of 18 from you last year in a season where we only won 59 games give you any pause?
Bring it on!”
Mitchell
March 31st, 2009
11:53 pm
I don’t even care. We still beat Santana three times. We own them no matter what.
But I suppose you’re right, let’s leave last to the past. The time is now. Oh yes.
And by the way Winterville, I’m pretty sure it was 11. 10 wins would still be good enough for me.
Jeff R
March 31st, 2009
11:54 pm
I think I’m going to be one of the few to say this: a multiyear contract at – what? – $13 million a year for Chipper is over the top.
Chipper’s averaging 130 games a year, he’s in late 30s and who knows if his body will hold up at all. Yes, Chipper’s an extraordinary talent; yes, he’s gotten better with experience, at the plate and in the field; yes, he’s got leadership ability, but for the Braves, it’s a lot of money to throw at a 3B who’s moving into the twilight of his career.
Don’t know enough about Brandon Hicks to say if he could transition to 3B. Had hoped that management would be agressive in finding a successor to Chipper sooner.
Having said that, I do hope that Chipper proves me wrong.
Bubdylan
March 31st, 2009
11:54 pm
Okay, you game me pause. Now, what do I do with it? I try to throw it away, but I always hesitate….
Bubdylan
March 31st, 2009
11:55 pm
You GAVE me pause… not “game”.
I suck.
Mitchell
March 31st, 2009
11:56 pm
Who’s side are you on Chop Chop?
Ir-regahd-less, I’m outta here.
KC
March 31st, 2009
11:56 pm
MFin04: “Also as soon as Schafer wins the job…he goes into the tank…interesting.
Wow dude… he goes 2 games without a hit, and you’re jumping around like Jim Kramer yelling “SELL!!!! your Jordan Schafer stock”.
Don’t ever invest in the stock market man… you could invest in nothing but Wal-Mart, Coke, and Google, and you’d still burst a blood vessel in your brain within minutes.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
11:56 pm
Our modus operandi in a nutshell:
When the team is winning in spring training:
“We’re going to be awesome this year. Everything is going well.”
When the team is losing in spring training:
“Oh, it’s no big deal. It’s just spring training.”
When this team wins a regular season game:
“The Mets lost tonight? Where’s Anders? That’s what I thought! HAHAHAHA!”
When this team loses a regular season game in a predictable way:
“What the hell was Bobby thinking? Francoeur’s killing us. Flat-out KILLING us! Send him down to the minors and leave him there this time! Dammit!”
The hilarious thing is that there will be a fresh crop of knee-jerk optimists and pessimists this year. After all, isn’t that really what the spring is all about? It is a time for renewal.
mets fan in atlanta
March 31st, 2009
11:56 pm
And yes, i know you took the season series from us. I was there for every game when we were swept in 4 games in Atlanta. However, thankfully that was the end of Willie Randolph shortly thereafter. I was at almost every Met game played at Turner Field. My friend (who is a Braves fan) that was with me that day still laughs at me for getting so pissed off when Kelly Johnson hit that grand slam.
I made the point last year that the Braves only got excited when the Mets were in town last year. I went to games all season (how many of you remember that i’ve been a Braves season ticket holder for about 5 years running??) and the only ones that have any kind of atmosphere were the Met games. Part of that had to do with the Red Sox not coming to Turner at all last season, or the Yankees. Regardless, the Braves really got it up for the Mets and you could feel it in the stands. Conversely, when the Phillies were in town, it felt like a Pirates game. I brought my dad to two of the Phillies games during that crucial sweep they put on the Braves, and even he said it seemed weak (and he is a Braves fan through and through).
I think this season Manuel may put a little emphasis on these division games, unlike Randolph ever seemed to do. I hope so anyway, i hate leaving Turner Field after a mets loss.
Eric from MO
March 31st, 2009
11:57 pm
Mfin is officially a moron. He is more worried of the Nationals than the Mets. No need to ever comment on his comments anymore.
Razzle
March 31st, 2009
11:58 pm
Bottom line of what I said before… as in the case of the Marlins and Rays, look for more of an emphasis on the farm and trades that get you young talent than free agents over the next 3-4 yrs. Unlike the Marlins, don’t look for any sell-outs. The Braves’ owners are quite serious about their investment, but not emotionally silly. The payroll rises as business requires, but only as such and so much.
While thinking on all that, look toward the new owner and pray you get someone with pockets like Ted… and as much sense, too.
MFin04
March 31st, 2009
11:59 pm
Who cares if we over pay for Chipper we could have overpaid on a lot worse (AJ Burnett, Andruw Jones, etc). I’m ok with paying a guy who has paid his dews. He may not be worth all of it…but the guy is the face of the Braves…holds a crap load of Braves records or will when it is all said and done.
Eric from MO
April 1st, 2009
12:00 am
Mets fan in Atlanta Schafer minor league stats are alot higher than Andersons too. I didnt mean just ST. Also it is different when two young players are fighting for a spot on the roster. They have adrenaline pumping. They are playing their hardest.
Tom O'Hawke
April 1st, 2009
12:00 am
nolie (11:41) I received a site, which I saved, that explains all this stuff that I was kidding around about (sounds like a song from the group, “Yes”). When I get a chance, I’ll see if I can learn something. Thanks for asking.
Chop Chop
April 1st, 2009
12:02 am
Oh, and I’m on the side of watching the damn games and seeing how things play out, Mitchell. I honestly couldn’t give two ***** about grinding a miserable Met fan’s nose into the ground. I don’t like fans who beat their chest all the time about their teams, so why should I engage in it?
Eric from MO
April 1st, 2009
12:02 am
but yes…I was right…while I dont put much on ST stats I know people do…
Salamander
April 1st, 2009
12:09 am
Meh, its different with the Shafer-Anderson scenario because you HAVE to look at their ST numbers given that they are fighting for the same job (what else do you have to go on?). But other than dudes competing for jobs, ST stats are worth less than the zimbabwean dollar.
While I am concerned about how the bullpen as a whole will hold up over the long haul of the season – I don’t give a damn about Gonzo’s ST numbers or any other RP for that matter.
DiamondbackMac
April 1st, 2009
12:11 am
SoWeGa Fanatic
I remembered that Cloninger had hit two grand slams, but couldn’t remember who we were playing. Here’s a good link for that game.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=196607030SFN
Lou Vales
April 1st, 2009
12:11 am
They won’t have time but just realize all these names are in the same system and none more than 2 years away: Stanton, Dominguez, Morrison, Raynor, Coughlin, Sanchez—and I won’t even get into the arms that are coming out of their proverbial ears. I left out Maybin obviously and I really have a good feeling about Bonafacaio.
Always realize that in the last 12 years the Florida Marlins have won as many World Series(2) as the Indians, Cubs, Astros, Senators/Rangers, Expos/Nationals, Mariners, Rays and Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves have won COMBINED in the LAST 60 YEARS!!
Josh
April 1st, 2009
12:13 am
Mets fan in Atl, if you don’t enjoy seeing your Muts lose to the Braves at the Ted than you probably better stay away this year! Braves own you!!!
mets fan in atlanta
April 1st, 2009
12:15 am
Salamander, Gary Sheffield probably figured he was safe too. Could just “turn it on”. Or maybe Geoff Jenkins, he probably assumed he was assured a job considering he helped win a World Series last year.
Lou Vales
April 1st, 2009
12:18 am
Forgot to add the Hapless Brewers> The PURPOSE of the game is to win the LAST GAME in October and be handed a large artifact that identifies you as something special–NO Big Old Crystal for 14 pennants strung in a row—with the memories associated with being the best.
That is s why baseball is so silly with the realization that there are at least 8 teams that don’t have a chance in Hell of winning anything!! MLB is the Premiereship Soccer League. 4 teams with a REAL chance!!
Salamander
April 1st, 2009
12:19 am
You gotta admit that its kinda cool that Mets fan in Atlanta is a season ticket holder in these troubled economic times (assuming he’s telling the truth, but I don’t see why he’d lie).
Even if his heart is in the wrong place, his dollars are well spent.
Razzle
April 1st, 2009
12:20 am
Lou Vales is irrelevant (if not before).
Eric from MO
April 1st, 2009
12:21 am
Lou Vales your posts are so worthless. It easy to combine a bunch of teams who never win and say that the Marlins have won as many games as them.
Eric from MO
April 1st, 2009
12:23 am
Salamander have you ever heard Brad Paiseys song you’re so much cooler online. My guess he could be a loser and just wants to sound cool. He knows in real life he will never be cool.
Salamander
April 1st, 2009
12:23 am
I wish you could compile “block this user” lists for the blog.
People would be complaining about so-and-so’s posts and I would remain blissfully naive to the blocked person’s mindless garbage.
Tom O'Hawke
April 1st, 2009
12:24 am
Braves buddies, check this out. I was always good at deciphering codes and stuff. Check this out and let me know what you think. MFin04 has been pretty negative, right? Does this fit? spotts, I want your opinion.
mets fan in atlanta
M F in 04(Braves finished 4th last year)
One, in the same?
uga-brave
April 1st, 2009
12:27 am
scott miller of cbs sportsline.com has a nice article about tommy hanson.
Eric from MO
April 1st, 2009
12:27 am
I mean think about it Salamander, he went back and scanned all the blogs since March 22 to find a post that would support him.
Eric from MO
April 1st, 2009
12:32 am
mets fan in atlanta considering Detriot had too many outfielders and Sheff was playing for a roster spot that is not correct at all.
uga-brave
April 1st, 2009
12:35 am
i guess lou vales saw tampa coming last spring and saw detriot going.
i think we all penciled in the tigers with 100 wins last year.
mets fan in atlanta
April 1st, 2009
12:35 am
Actually i just picked a blog up in the top right hand corner that i knew would probably still have people on a spring training high. I picked “Musings from Mets Camp” cause i thought (correctly) that most of the bloggers were on that day. Then i just used my space bar to scan through about 3 or 4 pages just looking for “Eric from MO”. The whole thing took about 3 or 4 minutes. It actually took me longer to type it out than it did to search.
Salamander
April 1st, 2009
12:37 am
Eric – hmmm that’s true. Some people like to win arguments at any costs? The internet makes everyone a potential liar I suppose. Its just so easy to say “I’m the king of Poland blogging from my Polish throne room” without any real way to know if someone is lying.
Personally, I like to submit blog entries from my Yacht in the Mediterranean that I retired to last year at the age of 27 after cashing out on the bond market.
Chop Chop
April 1st, 2009
12:39 am
So long as Mcccan hits 40 bombs, I’ll be cool.
mets fan in atlanta
April 1st, 2009
12:43 am
And no, i have no affiliation with MFin04. I’ve had this screen name for a year or two, no real reason to change it up. Besides, the only good thing about being a Mets fan in 04 would have been that was when David Wright and Jose Reyes started playing together, i believe. As for that season, terrible. Team leader in RBIs had 76, and only one starting pitcher all season had a winning record, and he was 10-8 (Al Leiter).
Tom O'Hawke
April 1st, 2009
12:47 am
Salamander, when you get a chance, give me a lat. & long. of where you are anchored. As soon as my jet is repaired, I’ll fly to Sicilly (Sicily?, you know, that island off of Italy), and then helli to your yacht. We’ll have a drink, a toast to the 2009 season. It’ll be fun!
mets fan in atlanta
April 1st, 2009
12:48 am
Eric from MO: Sheffield was their starting DH, look at any publication/preview/news outlet anywhere. They didn’t have too many outfielders until they traded for Josh Anderson. According to MLB Tonight, Marcus Thames will be the new DH, apparently he’s projected to hit close to 35-40 homeruns if given 500-600 AB. Tigers just wanted to go in a new direction. I would bet a dollar that Gary Sheffield had no idea he was “playing for a roster spot”.
mets fan in atlanta
April 1st, 2009
1:01 am
Wow, i guess i have to send you a picture of my season ticket book. Should i send you a picture of the 2007 cover with Chipper Jones crossing home plate with elbows flexed at right angles pumping his fists as he crosses home plate with a rather stoic umpire giving what appears to be a fair signal at home plate?
Or should i send you a picture of the 2008 cover with a panoramic view of Turner Field from the right field corner (slightly to the left of the Braves bullpen)? Looks like it just about dusk in the sky, and a runner has taken off from first base. Your favorite Braves pitcher, Mark Redman, is on the mound–based on the pitcher indicator on the left-field wall.
Unfortunately, i haven’t received my 2009 ticket book yet, but when i do, i’ll describe that one to you too.
In case you were wondering, they are Lexus level tickets (or Golden Moon, or whatever they call it this year).
spotts
April 1st, 2009
1:04 am
Why would a Mets fan have season tickets to the Braves?
DiamondbackMac
April 1st, 2009
1:07 am
spotts – I wondered the same thing.
DiamondbackMac
April 1st, 2009
1:09 am
I certainly wouldn’t buy season tickets for the Mets.
Tom O'Hawke
April 1st, 2009
1:11 am
mets fan in atlanta , for now, it seems as though it’s just you and I. I never said that you changed your screen name, I’m just thinking that you have an alternate one. If MFin04 can prove that his handle has been on the blog before August of 2008, then I would be wrong. If! I also think, and am pretty sure, that another of our “favorite” Mets bloggers, has an alternate handle. I only need a little more, but as far as I’m concerned, I have enough already.
Chop Chop
April 1st, 2009
1:13 am
Probably to have particular seats. Braves season tickets aren’t that expensive. I don’t have the cash for them (or live close enough for it to be worthwhile), but if you have the cash to spend, why not?
Hell, Bill Simmons has Clippers season tickets so he can have great seats to see the Celtics and Lakers games.
Tom O'Hawke
April 1st, 2009
1:14 am
I’m starting to learn that putting exclamation points, after an ‘f’, is stupid!!!!!!
Chop Chop
April 1st, 2009
1:17 am
Tom O’Hawke,
Do like I do: Assume that everyone is a two-faced cartoon character.
This ensures optimal entertainment value.
spotts
April 1st, 2009
1:17 am
Oh I get it. So you rich moguls can attend 5 games a year. The other 76 home games you’re sitting in your bathtub full of 20’s, polishing your monocles.
MFin04
April 1st, 2009
1:18 am
What’s the Braves lineup gonna look like opening day?
mets fan in atlanta
April 1st, 2009
1:20 am
Because 1) i love baseball
2) if i’m going to watch the Mets in person-it will have to be at Turner Field
3) i like to be able to go when i want and not have to worry about finding tickets–i did that the first year i moved to Atlanta
4) if you’re a season ticket holder, you get to do a lot of things with your tickets, such as trade them for other games, trade for better seats, so if i need more than two tickets, i just trade tickets from a game i don’t plan on attending.
5) last year they started the all-you-can-drink and eat seats. I indulged in that on (i think) three occasions last year. All i had to do was pay $12 per ticket and I had tickets that would normally be $75, just because i’m a season ticket holder.
6) i like to be able to see all the different major league players as they come to Turner Field. I can appreciate seeing Ryan Howard, Ichiro, Pujols and a host of others in person. I never got to go to MLB games until i moved here, so this was a new thing to me.
7) And of course i have a new favorite team every night–whoever is playing the Braves.
spotts
April 1st, 2009
1:23 am
polishing your monocles…
Wayne in Utah
April 1st, 2009
1:33 am
Random
I really don’t get it! Why is it that for some reason, you feel a need to judge other folks? You like to assign an emotion or a feeling that is not there in my posts. Do I get to you so badly, that you must find something to come back with?
Yes, I believe strongly in my opinion of what happened to John Smoltz. When I read a post about how “we wish they had treated him as good as they treated Chipper” then I respond. I don’t think I had said 2-3 things about the Smoltz situation for the past 2+ months, after my initial reaction to his choice. To be perfectly honest, I had some emergency surgery the day before the Smoltz announcement. I am not sure exactly what I said, but you can bet it was drug enhanced.
Self-pity. It is more of a disappointment in the man himself. To be honest, I don’t believe he was going to do much for us this year. I could be wrong, but if I were the GM, I would have made a similar offer.
And then at 9:15pm you mention my “tantrums” whenever John Smoltz name is mentioned. The closest I come to a tantrum is when I try to figure out why you feel the need to judge my thoughts and emotions.
So, we do ok, you and me, when we are talking baseball. I am just getting tired of the same old Barbra Streisand every time you feel the need to rip me. If you don’t like me or my post, just say so. I can deal with that. I just don’t like it when azzholes try to tell me what I am thinking.
I would prefer that you just say you disagree with the azz in Utah.
Like I said earlier, I enjoy some of your wit and insight, but you just don’t seem to know when to stop. It’s kinda like you love the heck out of correcting someone, and then trying to make sure they know you are smarter than them. You know what, you probably are a lot smarter than me. And you know what else, I am OK with that too.
So, can we just cut the crap. If I don’t say “Random” at the beginning of my posts, just disregard.
Andrew
April 1st, 2009
1:36 am
MFin04,
Schafer
Escobar
Jones
McCann
Francoeur
Anderson
Kotchman
Johnson
Lowe
Tom O'Hawke
April 1st, 2009
1:39 am
Chop Chop, you have a wonderful attitude.
mfinAtl. & all, thank you for the confirmation. I really do appreciate it. Who are you going to appear as in the future? I know, I’ll have to wait.
Andrew
April 1st, 2009
1:40 am
thats against Brett Myers im guessing
Wayne in Utah
April 1st, 2009
1:40 am
uga
you out there?
Razzle
April 1st, 2009
1:40 am
Really… what a great way to spend
mets fan in atlanta
April 1st, 2009
1:43 am
tomahawk, believe what you will.
Razzle
April 1st, 2009
1:44 am
Maybe find a way to surcharge mutts fans buying Braves tix lol
Tom O'Hawke
April 1st, 2009
1:50 am
mets fan in atlanta, thank you. I certainly will. BTW, that’s O’Hawke. Tom O’Hawke. Is there no stat you guys can’t get straight? GEEEEZ!
jonatuga
April 1st, 2009
1:51 am
Only the mets would hire an azz like bobby valentine… what a classy organization
MFin04
April 1st, 2009
2:06 am
So what is your view on Smoltz?
Ed
April 1st, 2009
2:15 am
Neftali Feliz, RHP, Texas: Help is on the way for the pitching-starved Rangers. Feliz, 20, is one of their cornerstones of the future, but he nearly pitched his way into plans this spring. He’s a power pitcher with a smoking fastball and hard-breaking ball, and he jumped from low A ball to Double-A last summer. In 127 1/3 minor league innings last season, he surrendered only three home runs. The Rangers’ blueprint has Feliz ready to help in 2010, but the way he’s pushing, 2009 isn’t completely unrealistic.
Throw in Elvis Andrus starting at SS to begin the year and Salty…do you think the Rangers like dealing with the Braves?
N Nine (eta4)
April 1st, 2009
2:16 am
“shrimp sandwitches are good in the morning with peanut butter and puddin”
Some odd food combinations yesterday!
Trying to figure out what’s more painful….Mutsfans, Lou Vales, or a bad mixture of food. YUCK
Orville Wright
April 1st, 2009
2:17 am
“2) if i’m going to watch the Mets in person-it will have to be at Turner Field” -metsfaninatlanta
Allow me to introduce myself.
spotts
April 1st, 2009
2:24 am
Ed- It’s okay….we ended up with Casey Kotchman, so overall it was a good investment
N8
April 1st, 2009
2:25 am
“I’m really tired of driving by Midieval Times and turning right at the Wal-Mart…” DOB
Isn’t that where Jim Carrey took Matthew Broderick (sp?) in The Cable Guy??
Sorry. Couldn’t resist.
N8
April 1st, 2009
2:32 am
spotts, you just keep telling yourself what you typed with your 2:24. Just remember, repeating it, or typing it doesn’t make it true.
It was a neccesary evil (to trade for Tex), but down the road, that could wind up being one of the worst moves of JS’s time as GM. If it’s not already.
That being said, Kotchman will certainly keep 1B “warm” until Freeman is ready.
Plus, if you figure in the rape of a trade that Wren pulled over on the Tigers for JJJ, then it’s a wash I guess. Especially since all we gave up for Renteria in the first place was Andy Marte.
But one can only imagine how the future rotation being anchored by Feliz and Hanson would have been. Throw in JJJ and that’s a young trio that (on paper) could challenge a young trio of Glavine, Smoltz and Avery.
Then again, the Mets had a young trio at one time with Pulsipher, Wilson and Isringhausen that were supposed to be the next “Big 3″ in the NL. So in the end, nothing is guaranteed, I guess.
Andrew
April 1st, 2009
2:43 am
The Mets starting pitching beyond Johan is not anything to be excited about…very average for a team that talks as much as they do.
Runnin
April 1st, 2009
3:01 am
Well I’m excited about our starting pitching and can’t wait to see how they do. I think Kawakami is gonna be a fan favorite real soon. How about Kawakami’s Kamakazes?
scottbravesfan
April 1st, 2009
3:41 am
This is great news. I’m glad one of the best players in Braves history will retire as a Brave.
jj
April 1st, 2009
3:44 am
Good for Chipper,but what about Escobar and JJ?Mac and Frenchie got theirs,it would be nice if these guys get theirs…….don’t ya think?
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2009
5:15 am
BubDylan, your 11:26 p.m. comment cracked me the f up. Seriously, that was funny.
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2009
5:19 am
jj, how did Francoeur “get his”? This was his first year of arbitration, and he got what the system automatically rewards a player, basically. I mean, as long as the Braves didn’t release him, he was going to get about what he got.
The Braves haven’t locked him up to a multi-year deal or offered one since he turned them down a couple springs ago, when McCann accepted their offer and signed a long-term deal.
jc
April 1st, 2009
5:34 am
Enter your comments here
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2009
5:42 am
There’s an Orlando appliance-store commercial I just saw for the 50th time this spring. One of those ads where the proprietor stands in front of his cars/appliances/carpet/lumber/whatever and shouts about his great bargains and what a crazy person he must be for selling so low.
Anyway, in this commercial the guy is wearing … blue jean shorts.
Random
April 1st, 2009
5:51 am
“Kentucky is the Notre Dame of basketball”?
That really begs the question:
Just exactly OF WHAT nowadays is Notre Dame the Notre Dame???
. . . . .
PS: C’mon, Wayne in Utah — deep breath, relax.
“(Of course, I’m exaggerating –- I admit it.”
Sheesh.
N Nine (eta4)
April 1st, 2009
6:05 am
DOB, speaking of blue, are we sporting the blue road uni for the opener?
Mark Windsor
April 1st, 2009
6:28 am
I just want to say Im excited about the upcoming season looking forward to sunday and I am hopeing to be in good enough health to go to Braves opening night here in Atlanta on the 10th.I am predicting a tough battle for the division however to many questions on all three teams to make a prediction.As far as Braves starters Im going with Jair Jurrgins as being out top man this season followed by Lowe.Looks as we will have as many as 5 guys on the starting line up that could bat over 300 .I don’t like the G. Anderson signing I just feel braves dont need him and well its for sure he has had his better days however I could be very wrong he has been a player who has always quietly gone about his business. It will be exciting to to watch Shafer this season surely he will be the starting centerfielder. and when you look at the outfield there is potential once again for some high batting averages close to the .300 We are really strong at catcher Ross was a really good pick up I forgot who was out back up last season but it was really a joke for sure.. Bloggers GET READY!!Lets Go Braves in 09!!! Mark/Atlanta
Andrew87
April 1st, 2009
6:36 am
Great writer you are DOB. Right on the issues right on the Chipper. I was emotional when was reading the whole thing. Go Braves
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2009
6:44 am
By the way, I think they’re having a Kenny Powers autograph signing and pitching demonstration at that appliance store next week….
phillyfandoc
April 1st, 2009
7:10 am
That’s what you do with your players that have done great things for your team. Only thing that is bad about it is your minor league players get pushed back for years at that position. See you all Sunday. Play ball!!!
18 Wheels of Love
April 1st, 2009
7:17 am
Ahhh jean shorts aka jorts. Are you sure it wasn’t Tim Tebow?
CharlieAlphaBravo
April 1st, 2009
7:18 am
My favorite stat of Spring ‘09: The Braves are 5-3 in one-run games. After last season that seems like a godsend…
LT200
April 1st, 2009
7:27 am
Well, it has been a great spring and some questions have been answered. I look forward to the season. I really feel that the Braves will be in “it” come September. Unfortunately, the only game I will probably see in person this year is in May at the Muts. I have to go on a business trip there and plan on going. Thanks for all the hard work DOB and come back to Kissimmee anytime you want!
Chopdawg
April 1st, 2009
7:42 am
Anybody got any updates on Lance Niekro? Wonder how his knuckleball’s coming along…
ATL
April 1st, 2009
7:43 am
DOB- “Anyway, in this commercial the guy is wearing … blue jean shorts”
thats florida for ya
GermanBravesFan
April 1st, 2009
7:56 am
DOB: do the Braves have any interest at all in Gary Sheffield? You may have answered that question yesterday, but I have not been able to go through all the posts yet.
Jeff321
April 1st, 2009
8:06 am
FYI – Looks like MLB yanked the game off streaming today. Because it was listed earlier in the week.
JOHNNY HARRIS
April 1st, 2009
8:20 am
GREAT CONTRACT FOR A PART TIME PLAYER
Coldwork
April 1st, 2009
8:27 am
If you paid retail you paid too much!!!!
Richard Dawson
April 1st, 2009
8:34 am
Another nice scoop, DOB. You’re terrific at reporting the inside news once it has actually occurred.
And that torrid hitting by Chipper? Done in about 2/3 of a season on average. Pujols is racking up 150+ games per season. Torrid hitting doesn’t help you much when the guy is in the dugout.
I’m glad we resigned him, just want to bring some balance to the homerized blog.
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2009
8:41 am
Chopdawg: Lance Niekro has a lot of work to do on the knuckler before it would be a factor at the upper levels, from all I’m told. A few people I’ve talked to who’ve seen him throw it this spring say it’s still very much a work in progress.
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2009
8:51 am
Dawson, I realize you might not take the time to read actual news stories and rely only on the blog for your updates, so here’s a few paragraphs from my Chipper Jones signing story online:
Last year was the fifth consecutive season Jones was limited to fewer than 140 games because of injuries, but he’s continued to be one of baseball’s top hitters, when healthy….
The third baseman hit a career-best, major league-leading .364 last season, with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs in 128 games, his fifth consecutive season with fewer than 140 games played due to injuries.
The Braves considered the health issues and age before making such a big commitment. They built into the contract incentives and escalators that could push his total pay to $61 million over four years.
General manager Frank Wren said the Braves discussed with Jones the need to incorporate more stretching and other preventive measures into his daily routine going forward….
But then, I know you probably don’t care about that, because it’s pretty obvious your agenda is fueled by dislike for someone other than Chipper. Perhaps the person writing the story? Maybe?
Anyway, thanks for reading, and for your constructive criticism.
Josh H
April 1st, 2009
8:51 am
mets fan in atlanta:
That Kelly Grand Slam might have been my favorite play of the year. Its up there, at least
Back story on this one. Don’t you hate ignorant Braves “fans” at games? A friend of mine from out of town had an extra ticket to that game and invited me along. The bases are loaded, and Bobby decides to pinch hit Kelly. The Braves “fan” behind me starts talking smack on Kelly. Saying stuff like “Yeah, he’ll look real good when he strikes out and heads back to the dug out.” My friend and I give him hell about that, he keeps it up. 3-2 count, Kelly hits a grand slam, and that guy high-tailed it out of there before we could find him
ease19
April 1st, 2009
8:57 am
(Chop Chop) March 31st, 2009 11:48 pm
I’m pretending to be a Nats fan:
Hmmmm, I was going to try to do that today, but a) Chop Chop beat me to it and b) wasn’t sure how one pulls that off.
Well I guess, “Whoo!!! Go Braves!!
BT
April 1st, 2009
8:58 am
Frank Wren just said on 680 that recently it looked liked it was coming down to a two horse race between Anderson and Schafer.
Looks like Blanco etc are heading up I85
BT
April 1st, 2009
8:58 am
Now he said that it was not a done deal with Schafer for CF.
Couch Tater
April 1st, 2009
8:59 am
I think Richard is homerphobic.
McFann :Ô:
April 1st, 2009
9:01 am
Richbrave, Tom O’Hawke–
No, I cann happily say I do not know who Tony D. is.
Josh H–
Great story at 8:51…always love a happy ending.
That guy was prob’ly a Prado boot-licker…
McFann :Ô:
April 1st, 2009
9:03 am
Oh and hey, I just hope Ross doesn’t have to start the season on the DL…Dude, what’s with our catchers, anyway? Less than a week before the season starts, and they’re gettin’ all banged up. Sheesh!
It’s the WBC’s fault.
sidslidkid
April 1st, 2009
9:05 am
Is it sad that it’s 9:00 in the morning and I’m really craving some pork nachos from Jim and Nicks?
Thrillhouse44
April 1st, 2009
9:05 am
“Kentucky is the Notre Dame of basketball”?
That really begs the question:
Just exactly OF WHAT nowadays is Notre Dame the Notre Dame???
Random
Notre Dame isn’t the Notre Dame of basketball? How does that work?
Cru Jones
April 1st, 2009
9:10 am
Does that mean Kentucky will start having losing seasons and lose 8 straight post season games?
pryguy
April 1st, 2009
9:15 am
DOB,
Great comment at 8:51. Reason behind what you say makes all the sense in the world. One thing I like about this blog is that you support almost everything you claim. Here is no different. The Braves are a business when it comes down to it. They are not going to throw X amount of dollars at someone without fully considering both the positivse and the negatives. Unfortunately, some people view sports as a way to express their inner anger toward something else in life because they are disgruntled in another part of their life. I know this all to well living in Philadelphia. Keep up the good work brotha
Willy Wally
April 1st, 2009
9:17 am
And that torrid hitting by Chipper? Done in about 2/3 of a season on average. (Richard Dawson)
Well, more like 4/5ths of a season on average, but whatever. $13 to $15 million a season is about half of what Arod makes, and about 2/3rds of what Tex makes. Thus, anyone who thinks he’s getting overpaid doesn’t understand the market. Looks like the Braves and Chipper fairly took his market value from a performance standpoint and discounted the salary, factoring in his age and injury history. Very fair for both sides.
Even if he continues to only play 80% of the games and declines a bit due to age, he’ll likely give a performance worth more than $40 to $60 million over the next four years. After all, his performance the last two years has been worth about $63 million combined. Over the last 4 seasons, even with his limited time, his performance has been worth $96 million combined.
And that’s just on the field. Chipper’s star off the field has risen astronomically over the last two or so years since he has opened up more to the fans after understandably shielding himself and his family for most of the decade while he healed from the Hooters scars. Plus, he’s never been named in a roid scandal and, at a time when the game sorely needs the likes of him and Jeter, Chipper has become seen as one of the respected royalty of the game like we used to have with Brett, Yount, Ripken, Gwynn, Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Nolan Ryan back in the day. You can’t put a price on what Chipper’s image means to the Braves and to baseball NOW & into the FUTURE.
A very fair contract. He’ll be worth every darn dime and maybe more as he chases 3000 and 500 and another World Series ring or two!
pryguy
April 1st, 2009
9:24 am
couldn’t agree more willy
DAP
April 1st, 2009
9:29 am
spottsEd- It’s okay….we ended up with Casey Kotchman, so overall it was a good investment
hahahaha! good one man. its best to be lighthearted about it. cant go back, right?
runningI think Kawakami is gonna be a fan favorite real soon. How about Kawakami’s Kamakazes?
no. that is extremely offensive.
Gibby
April 1st, 2009
9:43 am
DAP- I can’t wait to get the MIB fantasy league going
who
April 1st, 2009
9:43 am
Enter your comments here
who
April 1st, 2009
9:44 am
start a new page
Braves Paisan
April 1st, 2009
9:49 am
Apropos of nothing, I just picked up (and finished) Matt McCarthy’s Odd Man Out, the tale of a former Yale pitcher’s one season in rookie ball in Provo, Utah, before he entered Harvard Medical School. Fun read, and, despite some controversy about minor facts, it has an air of truth around it.
One caveat: if you are a Casey Kotchmann fan, you might want to skip it. His father was the manager of Provo Angels, and he comes across as a decent man but a bit … uh… INSANE, at least at certain times.
Willy Wally
April 1st, 2009
9:50 am
Kentucky, in college basketball, like UNC, Duke, Kansas and UCLA, is like what the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox are to baseball or what Alabama, Notre Dame, USC, Oklahoma, Nebraska are to college football or what the Cowboys and Steelers are in the NFL. Take all the shots you want now while they’ve bottomed out. That’s fine ’cause when they get down, there’s nothing uglier, but when they’re soaring, no one flies higher.
Think about it this way: there is hardly anyone in sports history whose shadow looms larger than Bear Bryant …… Bear Bryant however had to leave Kentucky because he couldn’t stand being overshadowed by Kentucky basketball. That’s how big Kentucky basketball is. Kentucky basketball is bigger than even Bear Bryant. Now, that’s amazing!
Son of Smoltz
April 1st, 2009
9:52 am
DOB are you talking about Family Automart and Appliance Direct? Those commercials are the two best parts of central Florida…
ease19
April 1st, 2009
9:53 am
(Gibby) April 1st, 2009 9:43 am
DAP- I can’t wait to get the MIB fantasy league going
Why? Are you already in the mood for a whoopin’?
Dadgum
April 1st, 2009
9:56 am
Just wondering, I pulled up the old blog and it is in all bold type. Easy to read. Is it just me or has the blog gone all bold type?
Rock on….
Dadgum
April 1st, 2009
10:02 am
DOB…congrats on going all bold on the blog. Good move. Just went to my friend Ron Green Jr.’s blog at Charlotte.com and it is still as regular type so I guess it isn’t me. It was actually a suggestion I sent to AJC sometime back. Guess they are implementing upgrades. Good move.
Rock on…..
McFann :Ô:
April 1st, 2009
10:07 am
running I think Kawakami is gonna be a fan favorite real soon. How about Kawakami’s Kamakazes?
DAP no. that is extremely offensive.
I agree with DAP.
Andy K.
April 1st, 2009
10:09 am
the blog aint all bold boys…..must be the computer/net
Andy K.
April 1st, 2009
10:10 am
McFann, i agree, idk why so many people don’t get the meaning of that word. I’m a white American, and I’d be offended for Kenshin if someone did that.
CB
April 1st, 2009
10:11 am
I was a Josh Anderson supporter during spring training because I felt we knew pretty much what to expect from him.As a Braves fan I will support Schafer and will be rooting for much success.He is the key to the Braves seaon.Great to see Braves rewarded Chipper.
cvbraves
April 1st, 2009
10:13 am
DOB: Don’t know how you put up with folks like Dawson…maybe, just better to ignore.
Noticed that Josh was 0 for 2 yesterday, but had two walks and stole a base for the Tigers.
On another front saw where the real “Corky”, always great at defense for the Braves, is hitting .355 for the White Sox.
Wish the former Braves all the success in the world, but believe the Braves generally make all the right moves.
Know how busy you are during the game, but greatly appreciate your efforts to keep the bloggers posted on activity when you can. So, wanted to say “thanks” in advance.
Great story on Chipper, BTW, terrific move by the Braves. Just wish they would go ahead and name the CF starter so “whoever” could get past the “wondering” and get on with getting ready for the opener.
METS RULE LOL
April 1st, 2009
10:15 am
YEAH U BRAVES FANS GOT UR REDNECK THIRD BASEMEN BACK FOR THREE MORE YEARS GOOD FOR U CHIPPER IS OVERRATED AND WOULD RATHER BE THE STAR OF A HUNTING SHOW ON ESPN
BT
April 1st, 2009
10:18 am
Very intelligent “mets rule” what grade are you in?
Andy K.
April 1st, 2009
10:19 am
like DOB said…the all caps posts are great, cuz you know you can just ignore them and not miss anything intelligent. i hope that dude knows chipper reads the blog…because he’s bound to get a kick outta it…btw, he already is on a hunting show, and has even released a DVD or two…but thats in the offseason
Andy K.
April 1st, 2009
10:19 am
BT, his paretns are proud to announce he’s almost halfway through kindergarten
Gibby
April 1st, 2009
10:21 am
Ease19- While I have had my share of whoopin’s, I have nothing to worry about from your team.
METS RULE LOL
April 1st, 2009
10:21 am
I GO TO QUEENS COLLEGE YOU GEORGIA REDNECKS LOL
DAP
April 1st, 2009
10:24 am
richard dawsonAnd that torrid hitting by Chipper? Done in about 2/3 of a season on average. Pujols is racking up 150+ games per season.
thats not really fair. chipper has played OVER 2/3 of the season every single year since he came up. (2/3 of the season is 108 games, by the way).
i dont know what you think youre adding. everyone is the world knows that chipper’s biggest problem is staying the field. when he is on the field, he is arguably the best hitter in the game. so, he got about $14mil per on his extension. dont you think if he was a guy who still played 150+ games he would have gotten manny ramirez money? i do. your “balance” is unneeded on this blog.
by the way, im hoping for a 2007 type season from chipper, .340 avg, 29 HR, 109 RBI in 135 games.
Thrillhouse44
April 1st, 2009
10:26 am
DRAG QUEENS COLLEGE? (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)
chip off the ol block
April 1st, 2009
10:26 am
… wow….
this is why I’m a Braves fan
JayDub
April 1st, 2009
10:27 am
Gosh, Mets Rule LOL, I didn’t know they had a college for that. I assumed you were just born that way.
flange1
April 1st, 2009
10:35 am
Isn’t Queens College like military intelligence? Slightly contradictory?
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2009
10:35 am
Dadgum, sorry but I have no idea what you’re talking about. Blog’s not all bold. But that would be a bold move, you’re right.
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2009
10:37 am
Son of Smoltz, I don’t think that’s the store. the lady’s wearing all green pantsuit thing, to match the cheesey graphics. And the guy’s wearing jean shorts with a t-shirt tucked in. It’s a beaut.
ssiscribe
April 1st, 2009
10:38 am
Is it Sunday night yet?
DirtyDawg
April 1st, 2009
10:38 am
Well I might as well get the fight started…as much as I would like to be optimistic about the upcoming season, I’m afraid that I’ve become jaundiced. What I see is an infield with a 1B that can’t hit a lick…a 2B that can’t field a lick…a SS that’s still got a lot of demons in his head…and a 3B that has more bad obliques than the rest of the team ‘has’ obliques…and a catcher that has to hit balls to the wall in order to make it to second base, can’t get his un-protected body parts behind his pads and doesn’t block in-the-dirt pitches any better than I did when I was in LL. An outfield that hit all of 20 HRs last year and doubt if they’ll top 30 this year…a RF who has somehow lost a half-dozen steps of speed…a CF that I think is gonna have the kind of ‘attitude’ that the Braves won’t put up with very long…a RF that probably wishes he was still in California and another that runs so hot and cold it’s hard to know if he’s on the left or the right…a bullpen that looks about as fra-gee-lay as they did going into last year…and a starting staff that, at least, should earn their money (unlike last year’s when the Braves paid some $30 million to pitchers while not pitching), whether or not they win games will depend on the offense and defense.
Sorry, but given my performance in the NCAA pools, I thought these predictions just might mean we’ve got good chance to win it all this year.
Cameron
April 1st, 2009
10:39 am
The more I think about it, the more I think the Braves are going to win the division. Two reasons why: Johan Santana and Cole Hamels.
Elbow sitffness is not something to joke about. If you remember, before Mike Hampton had to get TJ, Tim Hudson, and Soriano, and Moylan, they all complained about elbow stiffness, or soreness. Elbow soreness is rarely something that comes from a sorearm, tired arm, or dead arm. It is usually a precursor to something more serious.
I could be wrong, but I bet Hamels and Santana are on and off the DL all year. Maybe even having to get Tommy John. If you hadn’t noticed, they are about the only quality pitchers on those two staffs. Without them, those teams are about 6-10 games worse. That would definitely open the doors for the Braves.
Andrew
April 1st, 2009
10:39 am
You’re probably right about him just finishing Kindergarten…that’s why he doesn’t remember all those homers Chipper jacked at Shea in the playoffs. Are there lots of “Queens” at Queens College?
McFann :Ô:
April 1st, 2009
10:39 am
Andy K.–
Yeah…I learned what it meant from Hogan’s Heroes…in a way.
DAP
April 1st, 2009
10:40 am
i know we just signed chipper to an extension. but did anyone notice that the marlins released dallas mcphearson? hes got some pretty impressive stats at AAA. the kid strikes out a ton but has some very impressive power, and still gets on base alot.
DirtyDawg
April 1st, 2009
10:40 am
…make that LF that wishes he were still back there…
DAP
April 1st, 2009
10:44 am
dirtydawg very funny. i was just about to write and tell you how full of inaccuracies our post was until i read the last line.
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2009
10:45 am
Watching Josh Anderson, who’s in the hitting group right now taking BP, and chatting with Adam Everett.
Leyland just walked over and said a few words to Josh. I’m imagining, in that Marlboro rumble of a voice, “Hey, Numblenuts. I hear you’re fast?”
(Actually, Leyland probably doesn’t greet newly arrived players the way he greeted me the first time he met me — the Numblenuts part, that is.)
DirtyDawg
April 1st, 2009
10:46 am
By the way, has anybody noticed that there’s a guy in Tampa that would have been that ‘heir-apparent’ we keep talking about for Chipper, but we decided to give up on him, and his ‘drug thing’ before we even saw him play. Seems to me Mr. Aybar would have been an excellent option and we already had him on the payroll.
Tide
April 1st, 2009
10:46 am
Let’s get one thing straight–it’s “baloney,” not “bologna.” “Bologna” is elitist and un-American!
randy marsh
April 1st, 2009
10:46 am
DOB, is the appliance guy Asian? We got a jean shorts wearing, appliance store owner over here in Melbourne who seemingly has bought half the local advertising.
Bob Wickman's navel lint
April 1st, 2009
10:48 am
Get in my belly.
DAP
April 1st, 2009
10:50 am
<dirtydawg willy aybar is not an heir apparent to anybody. he is a good backup/bench player, not an everyday guy. by the way, we have two guys on the braves (prado and infante) who are both arguably better than him.
kelseymoody
April 1st, 2009
10:50 am
Way to go, chippper
Jeff321
April 1st, 2009
10:52 am
>the lady’s wearing all green pantsuit thing
Appliance Direct
Mike
April 1st, 2009
10:55 am
Wow – the Braves finally got it right. Chipper is the face of the franchise, and sets the example for all others to follow. To allow him to finish his career as a Brave is fantastic. He is still going to have some great years. I’m glad he is available as the unofficial hitting coach as well. Hopefully he is working with Frenchy & will lead him out of his slump.
pryguy
April 1st, 2009
10:55 am
dirty dawg,
If you could back up any of your claims with any type of evidence I’d be impressed. You basically ranted a few paragraphs of your own thoughts rather than realistic arguments. Don’t represent Braves fans in such an idiotic way, leave that up to Mets and Phillies fans. In regards to KJ unable to field his position, and Kotchman not able to hit a lick. On the contrary, KJ has developed into an average fielding 2b, after changing his whole career around by switching positions. Kotchman has shown the ability to hit for a very good average by hitting .297 in 2007. Last year was marred by the trade accompanied with his mother’s illness. If you had any indication of such, you would understand why he struggled mightily in the last few months of the season. To top it off, you say “whether or not they win games will depend on the offense and defense” I’ll assume you mean “to win games in baseball, you need to score more runs than the other team offensively, and not let up more runs than you score defensively” Real intelligent comment dude. If your negativity exists within you, just keep it to yourself. This year’s squad is very promising, maybe not realistic to think of having such high expectations, BUT promising and talented nonetheless.
randy marsh
April 1st, 2009
10:58 am
The green pants suit confirms it. DOB has just witnessed a central Florida staple, Appliance Direct aka Scratch and Dent World. I hope Mr. O’Brien has had a chance to improve his already positive opinion of central Florida by viewing the legendary Family Auto Mart commercials. It is high class indeed. The cultural immersian will then be complete with a trip to the Caylee Anthony house.
ND Braves
April 1st, 2009
11:02 am
DOB, what’s the latest on David Ross?
Lew
April 1st, 2009
11:05 am
How about Kawakami’s Kows. We already have his icon sitting on the roof.
18 Wheels of Love
April 1st, 2009
11:08 am
I don’t seem to recall Aybar being the heir apparrant to much of anything, let alone 3B for the Braves.
ncscoots
April 1st, 2009
11:12 am
How about Kawakami’s Kows. We already have his icon sitting on the roof.
No. No cows. Must not. One too many already.
Woogidy
April 1st, 2009
11:19 am
Kawakami’s Kings, We’ll go to Burger King and get those crowns.
clay
April 1st, 2009
11:20 am
Willy Wally-
You can’t talk about the greatest college hoops teams and leave out the Hoosiers…..Indiana is basketball
Tomahawk210
April 1st, 2009
11:22 am
DOB
BT said earlier that Frank Wren was on 680 earlier saying the CF race is still not over. How can the Braves even justify putting Blanco in CF when Schafer is hitting .360 and Blanco .111, and Schafer is superior defensively. Also Blanco has options. It would be a slap in the face to Schafer to give Blanco the job after Schafer worked so hard. I know he probably can’t say it’s Schafer’s, but why not just announce it already. What’s the big deal to give the kid what he deserves and worked hard for already?
Dadgum
April 1st, 2009
11:22 am
DOB….I’m kinda stumped here. The other AJC blogs are not in bold either. Just yours. I haven’t touched anything on the computer just appeared bold today and frankly it makes all the difference in the world. Really really like it. Not gonna change anything so hope it stays that way.
Thought it was an April Fools kinda thing you were playing on us but apparently not. My computer is probably going to blow up now. Anyway, other things to worry about. Like selling real estate nothing bold about that.
Rock on…..
Coldwork
April 1st, 2009
11:22 am
The name of the store you are looking for DOB is Appliance Direct. All there stores in Orlando are green and yellow. The guy in the jean shorts use to use his daughter in the ads and their tagline is “If you paid retail, you paid too much!”
Be happy you only have to deal with that commercial during ST. I deal with it all year.
ncgary
April 1st, 2009
11:22 am
why not kawakamis ko’s;
you could have all of them black each others eyes before the game to lok like they were knocked out
Salamander
April 1st, 2009
11:22 am
I like to wear blue jean shorts with a dinner jacket and a tie when i travel around NY state.
Sometimes I drop by METS RULE LOL’s house (he lives with his mother and her 23 cats) and I try to convince him to stop huffing paint thinner, but he never listens. Oh well, he seems to have made it into fashion school so I guess he’s on the right track in life.
garlick
April 1st, 2009
11:23 am
DOB, Leyland greeted you as numblenuts?? Do tell, please.
rob from SC
April 1st, 2009
11:27 am
DOB
There is no way Blanco is our CF is there
Bill M.
April 1st, 2009
11:28 am
METS RULE LOL— I’m proud to be a Georgia Redneck. I bet I have more fun than you. I’m glad to be just an ordinary guy. How do stand to live in that horrible City of New York? You must love Queens!!!! Go Braves, the Mets suck.
Anthony
April 1st, 2009
11:31 am
DOB,
Love reading your post. I started reading your blogs in the past month. Do you keep this going during the season? New blog every day, away or home games, etc??
Dadgum
April 1st, 2009
11:36 am
Mets Rule…..two words for ya – New Cars….be careful.
Rock on…..
Runnin
April 1st, 2009
11:37 am
Hey Dawson, if you can find a better, more objective and informative Braves blog please let us know. Most are run by rabid fans who let their passion for the Braves get in the way of their judgement.
Dave is about as impartial and as professional as it gets, imho. I’ve never gotten the sense that he’s even a Braves fan, but runs a damn good blog, evidenced by all the Mets fans who can’t stay away. The blog would probably be better without them, but their needs on display are cute.
Daybed Wagmoe
April 1st, 2009
11:38 am
What about Kawakami’s Kawasaki’s? We could come into Turner Field riding wave runners and wearing life jackets.
Willy Wally
April 1st, 2009
11:39 am
You can’t talk about the greatest college hoops teams and leave out the Hoosiers…..Indiana is basketball —- clay
No doubt about that. My bad. That’s why I hate listing anything. You overlook things.
I should have also added the Braves and the Cardinals to the Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox and Dodgers although I’m not quite sure the Braves are historically as relevant yet as those other teams, but they’re getting there, if for no other reason than their control over the entire Southeast while those other teams control strategic regions like the West Coast, Northeast, Midwest, and New England that are very important to baseball’s well-being.
Dadgum
April 1st, 2009
11:42 am
Willy Wally…..Cubs? Relevant? When?
Rock on….
Cru Jones
April 1st, 2009
11:42 am
Willy Wally
April 1st, 2009
9:50 am
Bear Bryant’s shadow didn’t “loom large” until after he left Kentucky and became a legend at Alabama, so don’t suggest that a legend had to leave because Kentucky b-ball was so big. I’m not saying Kentucky basketball isn’t big, because it is; I’m saying Bear left for a better program. (Kentucky football- historically bad)
I would argue that Notre Dame football might not return to what it once was, despite ESPN’s best efforts. They continue to have top recruiting classes and they are still losing. You cant compare ND football and Kentucky bball right now. Maybe after one or two bad years from ND, but not this long stretch.
DirtyYuni
April 1st, 2009
11:47 am
Figured it was time to retire the old blog moniker, saltywoody, as it frequently offended. Call it a maturation of sorts. Not that anyone cares.
“As usual, when the first question asked was “How’d you feel,” he responded with, “Sexy,” which has become a tradition, one we’ll probably leave here in Florida.”
I’m just catching up on this blog now and that is just about the best thing I’ve heard all spring. We need that on youtube.
blausy
April 1st, 2009
11:49 am
For the record, Bryant left Kentucky for Texas A&M, not Alabama — he went there after A&M (first season in Tuscaloosa as head coach was 1958).
And there were other issues at work in his departure beyond Kentucky basketball being in the spotlight.
Woogidy
April 1st, 2009
11:53 am
On that Braves poll on the Ajc/braves page, I’d pick Tommy Hanson if he was a choice.
Dadgum
April 1st, 2009
12:01 pm
DOB….the “page” button pull down on the top right hand side of the toolbar, it somehow showed large font which makes the page all bold. I changed it back to regular and the bold type went away. FYI….the page reads so much better with the large type. It really isn’t that much larger but the bold type is great. Just passing it on for your viewing pleasure.
Rock on…..
Smyrna Jim
April 1st, 2009
12:02 pm
Enter your comments here
Smyrna Jim
April 1st, 2009
12:03 pm
That’s what I get for vacuuming the keyboard!
Smyrna Jim
April 1st, 2009
12:06 pm
Tomahawk210 – relax! It was obvious in listening to Wren that he was just saying that because there’s been no official announcement yet. The guys tried to prod him (and Schafer a bit later) to give something away, but they both danced around the issue as best they could.
Woogidy
April 1st, 2009
12:06 pm
Anyone want the U2 presale password? They’ve been selling out in record time acroos the country, and righ now it’s relatively easy to get tickets for the Atlanta show on Oct 6
Runnin
April 1st, 2009
12:08 pm
Enter your comments here
DiamondbackMac
April 1st, 2009
12:09 pm
How about KK’s K’s?
snowball's chance
April 1st, 2009
12:09 pm
Enter your comments here
DiamondbackMac
April 1st, 2009
12:10 pm
Sorry, just realized that three K’s aren’t nice.
Flamenco the Foot
April 1st, 2009
12:11 pm
How about Kawakami’s Sake Bombs (doesn’t rhyme, but at least you get to get drunk before the game and dress like a bottle of sake or something). I’ve just recently discovered hot sake and it’s pretty good in my opinion.
snowball's chance
April 1st, 2009
12:11 pm
numblenuts? I’ve been called numbnuts before, but that’s a new one.
MattyRoss
April 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
DOB Re: your 10:45, thanks for the clarification. If Leyland had said that he heard you were fast, that would just be…weird on a lot of levels.
j jonesing
April 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
Enter your comments here
Daniel
April 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
Woogidy, I would!!!
BT
April 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
Didn’t mean to give the wrong impression it seems like Wren said the CF job was just between Anderson and Schaefer so decided trade Anderson which could leave the impression race for CF was over. Then he back tracked slightly probably just to keep from announcing to the public before telling the players. If Bobby says Friday I believe they will wait to Friday before the anointment.
BT
April 1st, 2009
12:16 pm
Can we address you as Numblenuts now or should we stick with DOB? Since I don’t know how to make the smiley face I will just say I was kidding.
Daniel
April 1st, 2009
12:16 pm
If a group of midgets ne’ little people wanted to support Kwakami, they could be Kenshen’s pensions
DP Gumby
April 1st, 2009
12:17 pm
My brain hurts, brain hurts.
Daniel
April 1st, 2009
12:17 pm
The above may be my worst post of all time
Woogidy
April 1st, 2009
12:18 pm
U2 presale password is FALCONS and you must use this link. http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0E004279F3408DB2?camefrom=CFC_BUYAT_nyrmanny&did=falcons&brand=tm
garlick
April 1st, 2009
12:20 pm
Flamenco the Foot, welcome to the Sake world. FYI, hot sake is usually of lower quality. The reason they heat it up is that it helps with the aftertaste. The higher quality is usually the cold sake, which can be very good and have little to no aftertaste.
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2009
12:22 pm
No, Braves aren’t interesting in Sheff….
Ross a little better today, Bobby Cox said, but probably won’t make that decision until opening day on whether he’ll be ready. Sammons brought back over to catch today….
McCann doing better, DHing today, will be ready to catch by opening day or sooner.
OK, gonna write new blog now
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2009
12:23 pm
Snowball’s chance: Yes, numblenuts, not numbnuts. Leyland has his own way with things.
Bay Area Steve
April 1st, 2009
12:23 pm
Scribe,
no transitions? Give us more than that.
BlawgDawg
April 1st, 2009
12:25 pm
You know if we stopped responding to these Idiot Trolls that show up on here, they would eventually stop sitting at home getting off (yes, I mean that to sound as dirty as it can) being the center of attention here and stirring people up. Nothing anyone says back to them is ever going to stop them from being the Idiot, Juvenile Screw Ups that they are. Let them go and get off the old fashioned way, at sites meant for that.
Flamenco the Foot
April 1st, 2009
12:30 pm
Yea I saw some nicer sake (Nigori Genshu?) that is supposed to be served cold, but I have not tried it yet. That will be next on my list.
Anders
April 1st, 2009
12:33 pm
Blawgdawg – you talking about me?
McFann :Ô:
April 1st, 2009
12:36 pm
McCann doing better, DHing today, will be ready to catch by opening day or sooner.
Oh, that’s nice. Thanks for the info, Chief.
garlick
April 1st, 2009
12:36 pm
Anders, you’ve always been cordial, I think he’s talking about your boy #1MetFan and others.
Anders
April 1st, 2009
12:39 pm
Garlick – Not always to be fair, but I try. Thanks.
Braves Paisan
April 1st, 2009
12:41 pm
Kawakami’s Tsunamis? They can start the wave.
(Sorry, getting a little punch drunk waiting for opening day.)
Tomahawk210
April 1st, 2009
12:43 pm
Smyrna Jim
NO I WILL NOT RELAX! I WANT TO KNOW NOW! Just kidding I live in Chicago so i’m not as fortunate as many of you to be able to hear all the Braves news I would like. This great blog and great Braves fans are my way of getting my Braves news. So thanks to all for making it easy on me to get my Braves fix.
cvbraves
April 1st, 2009
12:50 pm
Tomahawk210: Agree with you re: cf announcement. Looks like early announcement would let whoever gets the job turn his attention to just playing baseball.
eatPhillie
April 1st, 2009
12:55 pm
you guys crack me up. you are no match for the champs. Our lineup beats you. Our big name pitching beats you. your pen sucks. We destoyed the braves last season. Give it up itz our time to shine-for a long long time. great food. great baseball. repeat. you really think Kawykutawa will pitch good? haha-woops as i say that chipper pulls a hammy hahahah-cya losers
garlick
April 1st, 2009
12:56 pm
eatPhillie, you said, cya, have fun moving on to another board, and please don’t come back.
Roman Gal
April 1st, 2009
12:58 pm
DOB
Anyway, in this commercial the guy is wearing … blue jean shorts
Wait…what’s wrong with jean shorts?
cphizzle
April 1st, 2009
12:58 pm
seriously get your philly rearend outta here you are noy welcome
cphizzle
April 1st, 2009
12:59 pm
man that y ant t are to close together on this here keyboard
cvbraves
April 1st, 2009
1:01 pm
Blanco starting today.
Schafer Obliterator
April 1st, 2009
1:01 pm
what time we playing today
is it on radio ?
Matt
April 1st, 2009
1:02 pm
AWESOME catch by Schafer!!!!!
JP
April 1st, 2009
1:02 pm
Has anyone suggested Kawakami’s Sake-Bombers? Not only does it roll off the tongue, but would also give everyone something new to drink at the Ted.
chipperchop
April 1st, 2009
1:02 pm
Eatphillie,
You are an idiot. The Braves had the entire team on the DL last year. This is not the case this year, so don’t compare the two. As far as your big name pitching, the only big name on your staff is Hamel who is already experiencing elbow trouble. No one else on your entire rotation, scares anybody, especially that old ass Moyer. You are an insult to Phillies fans who are normally classy. The only thing better about the Phillies vs Braves is your team has alot more speed. That’s it. The only BP worth mentioning that you have is Lidge, and I doubt he is going to repeat from last year. If Moylan, Soriano, and Gonzales are healthy, and it appears that they are, then I wouldn’t be so quick to write them off, they can be FILTHY. Lastly, you need to worry about your own team, with Hamel’s elbow problem, Utley’s hip problem, and your moron BP guy who got a 50 game suspension, you should just shut it. Youre no better than a Mets troll.
cvbraves
April 1st, 2009
1:03 pm
No Jeff, Jordan in the outfield. Brandon in right, Garret in left, Gregor in center. Infante at 2b.
Maturin
April 1st, 2009
1:04 pm
Perhaps Kawakami’s Shikigamis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikigami
Smyrna Jim
April 1st, 2009
1:04 pm
Washington Post today picks NL East: 1 – Mets 2 – Braves 3 – Phillies
“There are far fewer question marks about the Atlanta Braves’ rotation,which is the division’s deepest, thanks to the additions of consistent 15-win sinkerballer Derek Lowe, consistent 200-inning man Javier Vazquez and Japanese import Kenshin Kawakami.
Talk about deep – the No. 4 starter (Jair Jurrjens) won 13 games as a rookie in 2008, their No. 5 starter (Tom Glavine) has won a mere 305 games in his career and their top reinforcement (Tommy Hanson, set to arrive around May or June) is the division’s best prospect. This type of depth can obscure some flaws, of which the Braves have several.”
Matt
April 1st, 2009
1:05 pm
wait that’s last night’s game
MattyRoss
April 1st, 2009
1:05 pm
Until we get Chipper’s Strippers at the yard, I don’t think any of the rest of these suggestions hold water. Gotta start at the top, people.
cvbraves
April 1st, 2009
1:05 pm
ATL Batting
Escobar, SS
0-0, 0R, 0RBI
Kotchman, 1B
0-0, 0R, 0RBI
Jones, C, 3B
0-0, 0R, 0RBI
McCann, DH
0-0, 0R, 0RBI
Anderson, G, LF
0-0, 0R, 0RBI
Infante, 2B
0-0, 0R, 0RBI
Jones, B, RF
0-0, 0R, 0RBI
Blanco, G, CF
0-0, 0R, 0RBI
Sammons, C
0-0, 0R, 0RBI
Totals
0AB, 0R,0H, 0RBI, 0HR
ATL Pitching
Glavine
cadpro
April 1st, 2009
1:10 pm
GO BRAVES!
Yes, we need Chipper’s Strippers………
B-Mac attack? (people in hamburger costumes)
The classic Frenchy’s Franks
The Escobars? (giant candy people)
eatPhillie
April 1st, 2009
1:11 pm
Oh chipperchop- did i hurt you little feelings? I place your team just above nats. You will recieve a painful reality. Hamels and utley fine thanks for your sorry worries. come eat good food and become a fan of a real team. braves are washed up. you were desperate to fall for boras tricks on your ‘ace’ hahaha
Random
April 1st, 2009
1:12 pm
I’m with Lew (11:05 am), but with a twist —
“Kawakami’s Kamikaze Kows”
Or to pull something out of my own head,
“The Kawa Kammies”, all dressed in camouflage, with camo make-up optional.
(The Yuppy contingent could call themselves “The Kawa Khakis”>)
N8
April 1st, 2009
1:13 pm
“…great food. great baseball.” eatPhilliie
Hmm. Can’t argue there. Too bad the same can’t be said for their fans. What’s wrong? Did Philly get tired of booing Santa Claus, so you feel the need to pick on a 4th place team?
As a team, city and of course the fans, Philly has a long ways to go in learning to act “like you’ve done it before”. 14 years of winning the division, and not one member of the Braves trash-talked the other teams in the division, the way Rollins did last year.
Class at it’s finest.
Doesn’t Bret Myers have a wife or a reporter to go beat or argue with?
BOOM! Oughta here!
Poorjeff
April 1st, 2009
1:14 pm
Time for Blanco to go…just another Willie Harris.
dogsbrekky - UNC rocks !
April 1st, 2009
1:15 pm
eatPhillie – How about we bet you your yearly salary (if you have one) that Phils do NOT win the NL East……. what do you say
I will await your response
oh……….
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2009
1:16 pm
NEW BLOG
22oz
April 1st, 2009
1:17 pm
anyone have a link for Gameday? Its slow as hell but its something.
Johnnyd53221
April 1st, 2009
1:19 pm
I got this from my brother…..how about Hanson’s hansons? Three people dressing up as the hanson brothers from slap shot
Zachary
April 1st, 2009
1:25 pm
search for yesterday’s gameday in your history. Then click on next to pick from today’s games.
tlj
April 1st, 2009
2:05 pm
Enter your comments here
phishing with the braves
April 1st, 2009
2:13 pm
i cant find the new blog
tlj
April 1st, 2009
2:15 pm
eatphillie -
I think the phillies may be a little better than the braves but I think they will have a difficult time within the division this year. First your starting 8 really isn’t that much better.
Catcher – Braves
1B – Phillies
2b – Phillies but KJ is getting better
SS – Phillies only because of experience, Escobar is a very good SS
3b – Braves
LF – Even
CF – Phillies for now
RF – Even
SP – Braves (after Hammel there is nobody)
RF – Phillies (but Braves could surprise you)
Bench – Braves
Manager – Braves
The phillies are just an injury away from finishing third or fourth in the division.
I have an idea let’s the teams play the season and see who has the better team.
Cameron
April 1st, 2009
2:47 pm
I don’t see the new blog either.
Howard's Slow Ass
April 1st, 2009
3:10 pm
Ryan Howard gives back as many runs on defense as he produces on offense.
BamaBrave83
April 1st, 2009
3:29 pm
What’s going on with the blog?
Webhead
April 1st, 2009
3:38 pm
Chop Chop is a idiot. Congrats to Chipper
Suefchuhcruff
April 17th, 2009
4:02 am
nice, really nice!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 28th, 2012
5:10 pm
Raymont James
icons archive
October 8th, 2012
6:10 am
It is a pity, that now I can not express – I am late for a meeting. But I will be released – I will necessarily write that I think.