Getting sentimental with Schafer

Re: Jordan Schafer Nicknames

Was watching Fred Hickman and Brian Jordan talk about Jordan Schafer and they were trying to give him a nickname. ‘Air’ jordan was mentioned and quickly shot down, saying he had to earn his nickname first. Well, OK, I’ll take a stab at it.

How about this?

Flair Jordan

flair
   
–noun

1. a natural talent, aptitude, or ability;

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Phils 93-69, Braves 90-72 (WC), Marlins 86-76, Mets 80-82, Nats 62-100

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And #5 is a waste of space as well. Whats yer point?

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Anybody want to give me pllay by pplay?

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Nice work Oliver Perez! Just got chased away after giving up the first HR(grandslam) in Citi. Went 2/3 inn , 4walks, 6 runs. Mets look ready

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Curtis Granderson with 2 on and 2 out.

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KK just seems “high and away” with that blazing (90 mph) fastball. No one has really hit him all spring, just has to keep the fastball down.

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The White Sox are not going to be very good this year.

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Kawakami walks Polanco brings home Inge..2-0 Tigers.

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Prado throws out Ordonez… heading to the home half of the 2nd.

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Kawakami isn’t keeping the ball down or really even throwing strikes. He’s walked a few batters, hit one, gave up a few hits. He overall looks very, very sloppy. Get the bad outings out of ya now!

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G. Anderson grounds out to start the inning.

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How do you saw throw a F****** strike in Japanese. That is something Roger McDowell needs to learn. Kawakami does not impress me. Everyone is waiting for Hanson to come up to replace Tom Glavine, but I have a gut feeling that Hanson will be needed to replace Kawakami

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Mekons, he’s walked 3 (1 intentional) and also hit a batter, in 2 innings. Doesn’t look that bad, just not locating well so far. I’d rather see that than to see guys driving the ball off him (which they aren’t, so far).

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Diaz grounds out to 3rd to end the 2nd inning.

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I have a feeling that Rob from NC will be here to replace you.

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Even if Chuck James kept the ball down he’d get rocked.

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are the braves playing on any of those radio stations that are in that link?

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Yes, Josh. I chose one at random, WGNS (near the end) and got a good feed.

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Wow, Chipper just compared Jordan Schafer to Grady Sizemore

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Oliver Perez = terrible

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Ahh, finally caught up. There was some interesting reading, last night, to say the least. I often wondered, what would the posts be like, if the “Bloods”, “Latin Kings” and “Skinheads”, got together on the same blog. Now, I know.

scoots, your 6:32 post made me, uh…. laugh out loud!

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96.1 is broadcasting the games this year in Atlanta. I would assume that’s the flagship, right?

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Is it too late to option Kawakami to Triple A

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I wonder if KK’s stuggles have anything to do with the band-aid on his finger?

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Kawakami has never pitched in the Major Leagues, why is he automatically given a rotation spot

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that was a gift

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Kawakami is all over the place today…glad its happening now and praying it doesnt happen next saturday in his first regular season start.

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Thanks Mekons! It’s quite hard to get anything here in the Philippines. I’ve been relying on this blog and gameday. Hopefully this station will also carry the game opening day game tomorrow.

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Now entering…Tommy Hanson.

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Wow, let’s hope Kawakami is just having a freakish game. This is pretty bad.

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Kawakami is kinda all over the place today- although it looks (according to MLB Gamegame anyway) that some of those balls caught the plate

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In comes Tommy Hanson. YAY!

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announcers said he’s getting squeezed but that he’s not helping himself, Tomahawkin.

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7th walk…yeesh. Glad they’re taking him out — come on Hanson!

For Carrol or anyone who’s been watching on TV — was Kawakami getting squeezed by the umpire or was he not even close most of the time?

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Hanson strikes out Planco to end the inning.

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This is fun listening to the game on radio. That’s how I grew up, searching the clear channel stations at night from Maine, trying to get a Milwaukee Braves broadcast. The radio announcers are pretty good, too. Not sure who it is. Hanson blows away Palanco.

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How about tommy h to put out the fire, that hook ain’t fair

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Rob, I don’t think he’s “nibbling,” and T’Hawking, I didn’t think he got squeezed (squoze?) too much… maybe a little after he showed he couldn’t locate too well.

For whatever reason, just couldn’t throw strikes at all. I’m hoping it’s not the “tired shoulder” thing again (that would be a bad sign)… more likely, just a bad day.

His spring ERA has ballooned all the way to 3.09, so let’s not get too down on him.

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I tend to agree, 18 Wheels, but we’re not going to punt KK’s contract. I don’t know how long they can resist, though.

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Nice matchup of future aces now. Porcello was a high school kid in the same draft as Heyward and might make their rotation this spring. He was possibly the # 1 high school player inthe draft, but droppped to the Tigers because of commitment to North Carolina and Boras.

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At least we know if a starter gets in trouble we have Mr Hanson waiting in the wings. That curve was as nasty as any i’ve seen.

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Anyone know what games will be in HD? it does not say on braves.com

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KK pitched like Nuke Laloosh, kinda wild and all over the place.

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Pitching depth be a nice, nice thing.

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Kawakami’s periodic control problems this spring have been troubling, as his is a control pitcher. Hopefully, he’ll settle in in that regard.

That breaking ball Hanson threw for the strikeout to end the inning… DAMN!!!!! This kid’s got WICKED stuff.

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nice KC, i was actually gonna watch for the love of the game tonight, since ive never seen it

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did anyone else see kawakami going for the band-aids earlier, then was wearing one on his finger while pitching? what was that about?

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Hey KC, thanks for the invite. I have a script deadline, but if I get enough pages done, I’m planning to drop by.

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HR Francoeur! That’s encouraging

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frenchy mashes a homer, diaz not to be outdone rockets one to the right center wall

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Gotta be encouraged by Tommy and Frenchy!

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Diaz steals 3rd bad throw Diaz scores.

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Wonder if Schafer will steal!! They got the pitcher rattled. might as well.

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It’s 5-2 Carrol. You watching the same game?

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7 haters……….shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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Dice-K gave up 4 BB in 3 innings. Must be cherry blossom season.

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Frenchy! Thats 2 HRs more than David Wright

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Is it me or does Frenchy look like Buddy Carlyle?

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Again no one hates him. Last year he WAS THE WORST EVERYDAY PLAYER IN BASEBALL. Thats what we hate. I hope he turns it around but I will wait and see.

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He doesn’t work for the Braves, KC. He works for the company that produces the broadcasts (Fox Sports Network, I believe). I do think Boog could stand to be a bit more of a homer, but I like him a lot more than Joe Simpson. Simpson is pretty dumb. Boog is very smart and knows what he’s talking about.

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Whoops.

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Welcome to the majors Mr. Hanson

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mlb.com is giving a free preview of their new mlb player which may interest braves fans outside the local viewing area. Just an option for those of us deprived of television access to braves games this year. Viewer is quite clear and my dsl lite service is handling it quite well. WARNING: Of course the only games offerd today for preview are mets and yanks. Tough pill to swallow but at least you get a look at the new ballparks and an idea of what brave games would look like on the mlb.com viewer. Quick registration is required. No obligation.

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Hanson was instructed to take a dive today after Kawakami looked so bad, because the organization wanted to head off all the blog calls for Hanson to replace Kawakami.

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Some of the Hits off Hanson came on good pitches.

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Chiming in on JF – From the start last year he did not play like a major league player and his attitude sucked at times, so the “haters” were correct. Over the winter he has worked hard to correct these faults and this spring has proven he can overcome adversity. I think he will be a valuable contributor to the Braves of 2009.

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think if everything’s close to equal, you’ve got to pick your team to do something KC

maybe he doesn’t think it’s close enough to equal to give them the benefit?. Wouldn’t be the only one to think that way.

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nolie, could be. Again, though, that wasn’t really the point I was trying to make.

Once again, my point is that just always get the sense that Boog is like an ESPN guy that just so happens to be covering a lot of Braves games… rather than a BRAVES announcer.

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nolie & PWHjort, wow… I couldn’t disagree more completely about Joe Simpson. Joe knows the game, offers great insight throughout, and keeps a little bit of bluntness and sarcasm that would otherwise be absent after Skip’s passing. I think we’re damned lucky to have Joe. But… agree to disagree, I guess.

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This will be the type of game we’ll see when Chipper and Mac are out. Hitting looks average at best the last two weeks..

why is Joe Dimpson getting trashed by ya’ll?

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“mbatl, I think you missed the point of my post.” – KC

Yeah, I think I did… sorry ’bout that. I see your point. I was too young to know if Skip Carey or the Professor were “homers” (in a good way) when they started out for the Braves, or if that developed after a few years of covering, and living with, the team.

Like a lot of things, it’s probably changed a little, (or a lot) with the separation of team ownership and broadcasting rights, the team being covered by 2 or 3 different entities, each with their own b’casters, etc. I don’t know if we’ll ever see a team like Skip, Pete, Don and Joe in their day. (and Ernie Sr. before them).

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I’d attack Chip before Dimpson and I love Boog. Boogie is the mann, you guys are too tough

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For whomever asked, Detroit pretty much ran out its starting team; we were missing Chipper and Mac. Doesn’t excuse it (particularly the walks), but they do have a great offensive team. Defense and pitching, notsomuch.

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All I know is that we effing blew the damn Grapefruit League title this year. We are the Mets of the spring, folks.

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I’d rather be the mets of srping then the mets of september

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Inning? Score?

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8-2 tigers, top of the 8th inning.

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8 – 2 tigers top 8th

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I think Brew Crew won the Grapefruit League. As Chop Chop said, our season is finished

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I’m really gonna miss Pete this year. He was always my favorite. I’m glad they’ll be honoring him on opening night at the Ted. I’ll be there to cheer for him.

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I was paying no attention to the Tiger who just singled, but then I heard that he went to William and Mary, so I have a rare opportunity here to cheer for something related to my alma mater (as long as it didn’t hurt the Braves badly).

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So far I like Powell a lot. I really got a kick out of him making fun of Don Sutton being in the Bahamas.

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DAP

pretty good analysis. But, don’t sell short the Fish. They have a lot of young talent, and more on the way.

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Grady Sizemore and Justin Verlander are two of my favorite non-Braves players.

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Still 8-2, I think.

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“I don’t know, I’d just like to get a little more intellectual substance from my broadcast than what Joe Simpson is capable of bringing to the table.”

I really get a kick out of that statement, PWHjort. I often disagree with Simpson, but he’s a pretty smart baseball guy – has played the game, and has done his research. I guess you want someone from the “sabermetric community” calling baseball on tv.

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i like the looks of Medlen

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i think joe is actually very fair when he evaluates the braves, and boog seems to know alot about all the MLB teams and players, which i appreciate.

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Joe whined about the Braves playing that Sunday night game. He said it was “unfair.”

Awwwww, poor Homer Joe. His wittle team got scwewed by Major Weague Basebaw.

At least Powell’s wearing a suit. Don doesn’t seem to realize that isn’t working for TBS anymore.

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The Marlin starting pitching was young and unproven last year. They proved themselves to be quite good. Their bullpen is a big question, but their rotation matches up with the rest of the division (- Nats), and could have better depth than both Phils and Mets.

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mbatl, that’s essentially what I want. I consider Boog to be part of the “sabermetric” community. I’d like for the color analyst to be from that school of thought as well. I’m probably in the minority in that desire though, so I’ll take 1/2 in Boog and not complain.

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“so I’ll take 1/2 in Boog and not complain.”

Weren’t you already complianing?

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Nah, just discussing and stating my opinion.

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By the way, Brian Jordan has our built-in excuse for tomorrow night:

Lowe’s hands might be too dry to get a good feel for his sinker.

Jordan also thinks Kawakami might be in trouble. That ain’t being a homer. That’s being a Debbie Downer.

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“I just got really fed up with Joe Simpson when he kept praising Francoeur for hitting balls out of the infield even though they would be lazy fly balls. He would say things like “he hit that well, but it was right at somebody”. No, Joe. He didn’t hit that well. And please stop quoting statistics that end with the words “Batted In” or “In Scoring Position”. I don’t know, I’d just like to get a little more intellectual substance from my broadcast than what Joe Simpson is capable of bringing to the table.” -PWHjort

sounds like complaining to me.

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Chop Chop, why did Jordan think Kawakami is in trouble? He’s not saying that because of one bad spring outing, is he?

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Whoo-hoo! Spring Training is

Gone like a freight-train, gone like yesterday

Gone like a soldier in the civil war, bang bang

Gone like a ‘59 Cadillac

Like all the good things that ain’t never coming back!

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N Nine–

Sure was…I’m countin’ on BMac more, now, too. Like, what about that afternoon Wednesday game? Since it’s a DGANGBBDAO, (Day Game After a Night Game But Before a Day Off), I’m just wondering…

But perhaps we should let the season start before we start that kind of wondering, eh?

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Hanson’s going to Gwinett? Then KK should be headed to Rome, or Danville…

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OHBravesGirl, I believe they flew Hanson in by space shuttle during KK’s “walk through the park” inning…

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OHBravesGirl–

Yeah, it’s a great song. I always blast it through my speakers and/or earbuds after BMac homers. The longer it’s been since his last homer, the louder it gets…and it’s pretty loud after Grand Salamis, too!

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DOB When do you arrive in Philly? Have you posted your picks for the final four and the mlb season? Hopefully you will be able to watch the games tonight.

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18 Wheels of Love-

I like that “Flair Jordan.” Beside all that you siad, it also indicates it is also “FL Aie Jordan” – he’s from Florida. But again, as they say, he really needs to earn any nick name like that. For now, he’s just Schafer.

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Repost with correction:

18 Wheels of Love-

I like that “Flair Jordan.” Beside all that you said, it also indicates it is “FL Air Jordan” – we know he’s from Florida. But again, as they say, he really needs to earn any nickname like that. For now, he’s just Schafer.

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N Nine

April 4th, 2009
1:32 pm
Nice work Oliver Perez! Just got chased away after giving up the first HR(grandslam) in Citi. Went 2/3 inn , 4walks, 6 runs. Mets look ready

Kenshin Kawakami:

The Braves’ new pitcher walked seven batters and gave up four runs in 2-2/3 innings in the team’s final exhibition game.

So I guess that means KK is ready also. As far as your (s)hit list goes, I’m not hard to find. See ya at the Turd when the Mets are in town for sure, and a few other games just for the love of basebell.

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Of course I meant “reality” check. Shoot, I don’t feel good today – maybe it’s that same cherry blossom allergy thing that KK’s got.

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If the GBrave don’t have a good year then they will have no hitting at all. Speaking of: who are the position players?

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If KK says he never had 7 walks even in a full game, I figure this was just a fluke (until/unless we see it again in the next couple weeks).

As for Hanson, he’s still the best pitching prospect I’ve ever personally seen pitch. That breaking stuff of his is unlike anything I’ve witnessed. It’s like something coming to the plate at 85-90 mph and then about 3/4s the way there careens to the left and down! Like it hit something invisible in mid-air, just amazing. I have no idea how he does it or how anybody ever hits it. Reminds me of that goofy old Fred MacMurray movie who plays a professor/pitcher who invents some stuff to put on the ball that make the bat miss the ball. Can’t wait to see what this guy does over a full season.

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DOB or Carrol

When Kenshin Kawakami complaing of shoulder soreness, did the medical staff take an MRI or X-ray. I am curious because he really hasn’t been sharp with his control since he missed that start.

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It wasn’t Fred McMurray who invented the substance that repelled baseballs. The movie was It Happens Every Spring. May have been an actor named Ray Milland? I just know it wasn’t MacMurray. You’ve confused that role with that of the man who invented Flubber. But I get your point that Hanson’s stuff is quite good.

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Simpson is pretty dumb.

Gaining more cred with me by the moment, PW, LOL. In some circles, we would call that “a pithy observation”.

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Haha ncscoots, rather. By the way it’s funny that people refer to Sciambi as an “ESPN reporter” because he actually is. He is employed by ESPN and I’ve seen him do everything from high school basketball to the World Baseball Classic.

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Either love Simpson or find a new team. That’s all I gotta say.

(is kicking the tires on the Pirates and Rangers)

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So far one heck of a game between Huskies and Spartans

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PWH, I will say this, though, that I tend to agree with mbatl on the actual content spewed by the talking heads. SABR is great stuff, and I like some of it myself; heck, I think some of the innovations actually have merit, LOL. But there isn’t nearly enough market penetration among casual fandom for that kind of commentary to play. You’d just get glazed looks and a hand searching for the remote. Me, I’d settle for an “analyst” who can speak coherently, if not insightfully, about the game, to the point that I can reasonably assume he’s watching the same one I am.

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Derick Richards — By the way, Ray Milland was one of England’s best soccer (or was it rugby) players before he became a top-flight actor.

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It is quite clear that Boog cannot be trusted

Certainly within the realm. Are they still planning to close Guantanamo?

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Carrol, I gotcha! It’s just that when a fan hears an announcer for their team constantly praise the rival, I think it’s just right for someone to make it 100% clear that “Boog” does NOT represent our team. Just his opinions, but I say he should announce for another team. Maybe we’re all just spoiled by Skip and Pete all those years.

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ESPN has the Braves on Sunday night and then a nice slew of games on Monday as well.

I’m SOOOO ready for some b-ball!!! :>)

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I must differ with KC & TNBrian about Boog Sciambi. Boog is by far the best announcer that covers the Braves in terms of knowledge of the game, professionalism, and breadth of player & team experience. He is able to provide a more accurate perspective because he can be objective.

These are some of the same skills and experiences that DOB brings to the table and one of the reasons we enjoy his work so much. DOB is not a Braves fan, he is a baseball fan and journalist. He may be a fan of individual players because he knows them or a fan of individual skills, but he does not actively root for the Braves. That is for us to do.

Appreciate the professionalism of a DOB or Boog, because we may not have them around forever.

I even prefer my fellow fans to be a bit more objective, just makes the game of baseball so enjoyable.

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Oh well you just cant trust the airlines anymore. I would also like to see MSU and Villanova in the final but UConn looks awfully tough.

DOB, thanks for what you do.

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PW-And let us not forget Fluctuating BABIP’s.

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I have an idea for a Joe Morgan game. We could each pick how many minutes into the broadcast it will take for immodest and insecure Joe to make reference to his Hall of Fame credentials.

My bet would be during Chipper Jones first at bat that Joe will mention that Chipper took another HOF step with the signing of the extension this week. He will do this just so he can make reference to his own HOF (and by inference, Godlike qualities) cred. I say 13 minute mark.

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Carroll – as a Duke fan, I know it’s impossible to really root for UNC, but sometimes I feel the ACC loyalty tugging me in that direction. Then, once the game starts, the inbred hostility to the Heels comes through.

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games getting a little chippy, this ain’t hockey, boys

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gotta go with Michigan State, same reasoning as DOB – They beat my boys, it would be nice to at least lose to the eventual champ…although Nova would be acceptable too (I also agree it would be nice to see someone other then Carolina win it)

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and now cbs is showing highlights of GA Tech beating USC – that was one of my earliest, and most painful, memories of college basketball- Thanks CBS!

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Some folks just like to complain… Just show the game and I will come up with a way to make it tolerable, there is always the mute button…. .

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My gal and I were at the game today, first with a nice little season ticket holders orientation, around noon. Jair Jurjjens answered a few questions for us after the Braves people were finished. If anyone doubts that he is a class act, please … GO BACK TO PHILADELPHIA IMMEDIATEDLY !!!

Now, a question: can ANYONE provide a link to the Braves final 25-man roster — if it is set, of course? I am especially interested in the pen. Did O’Flaherty make the team?

Thanks,
B.P.

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B.P.: Yes, he did….. http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/team/roster_active.jsp?c_id=atl

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Does this ease the pain (Self winning Coach of the Year), DOB?

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I feared folks would distort the reality of pete and skip by overly romanticizing them to suit whatever the agenda of the moment is. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to do so. They were the absolute best. There’ll never be another tandem like those two. However, let’s not insult their memory, reality, and intelligence by acting like they were two retarded goober homers who drooled tomahawks out of their mouths.

When he was alive, folks loved and hated Skip because he was an unrepentant ahole who never once hesitated to tell it like he saw it. Sadly, I don’t think there’ll be another skip. Like his daddy, he was one of a kind. When you get the likes of him, you’d be wise to cherish it.

When he was still broadcasting, no one was more objective, prepared, and professional than pete. That could be frustrating as hell sometimes too. You often wished the professor was more of the crazy, buffoonish, drunken homer uncle broadcaster, but that’s not who he was, and he wasn’t gonna sell out his broadcasting principles to entertain the masses.

To me, if anyone broadcasting today is gonna turn into what the professor was, it’s boog. Both are well prepared and well read. Both know their history, both love stats, both love objectivity. For generational reasons, although he had statistical research leaking out of his every pore, pete wasn’t as into all the sabermetric stats as boog. If he had been of boog’s generation, you best believe he would’ve been. And although he likely wasn’t a SABR member, it’s wrong to think pete wasn’t a SABR kind of guy. After all, SABR stands for Society for American Baseball Research. Who researched the history and present of the game more than the professor? Who sought the truth and objectivity more than pete?

Also, did they root for the Braves? Hell yeah they did. They’d also been doing Bravos games forever. It was therefore real for them to do so. But let’s also remember that although they rooted for the Braves, neither one ever blindly pimped themselves out to be yes men who rubber stamped their approval of everything the Braves did. That’s what made them the best.

Besides, do you really want boog or powell or chip to come in here and act like they’ve been a member of your family and the Braves family for an entire generation? That wouldn’t be real, and if they tried to do so, it would seem phony …. or Rathburnish. If you want them to become homers who really root for your team, give ‘em enough time to become a friend of ours, rather than just a friend of mine. They’ve got the talent, just give ‘em time to become the soundtrack of your Southern summers.

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Great Pass!!!!

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KC I will not be able to make the opening night party, but will be there in spirit. Perhaps the Joe Morgan HOF Game concept (see my 6:40pm) might be fun as an icebreaker and/or have everyone throw in a $buc with the pot to the winner. Let us know how it goes

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Does anybody know what time the pre-game festivities will begin on Friday?

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Adirondack Dave, as per Ray Milland, I didn’t know much about him, but I will say that what you say about his athletic background would make sense; he looked like an athlete on the mound in that movie, unlike some of the sports movies of the day when some of the actors stretched the limits of imagination.

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DOB – as I alluded to in my comment to Carroll earlier, the anti-Heel outlook combines with the fact that Villanova beat Duke to give me incentive in the next game. (Also, ‘Nova was my #2 college choice way back when, and my William and Mary background has not given much to root for nationally in basketball since we beat David Robinson in ‘83, and Phil Ford/Walter Davis in ‘77).

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After Skip and Pete, no one will fill the bill for quite a while. Just be glad you don’t have to listen to whoever those Dudes are that do the Brewers’ games on Extra Innings. They are really poor.

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Perkins’ performance there is often referenced when complimenting another actor who looks like he knows what he is doing in a sports’ flick. I’ve seen bits and pieces, but it was too bad to stick with it.

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Horrible 3 point shot by MSU, but UConn can’t shoot an unblocked shot.

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Roman Gal – Morton to Gwinnett.

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Smyrna Jim, I meant what’s gonna happen with Medlen when Morton comes off the DL.

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oh my that was a monster dunk by uconn

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Sorry, Roman Gal – here’s what Carroll said earlier:
Here’s your Gwinnett Braves starting rotation: Tommy Hanson, Jo-Jo Reyes, James Parr, Todd Redmond and in the final slot Charlie Morton is eligible to come off the DL and Kris Medlen will get stretched out behind him.

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Hey Carroll, I found a great BBQ place on Oak Island last summer, let me know if you plan to vacation on Holden Beach again this year….

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Good job, Brother Izzo!

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Question for all you pickers out there (flange1, Wayne, and even Grinch (if you’re still alive out there) that means you!):

I’m probably going to have to buy a new guitar soon (the truss in my Kramer seems to have gone kaput), and I need advice. As a lefty, I have very few choices in my price range (3-700 dollars) so my choices are basically the Epi Les Paul Standard, the Standard Strat (Mexican), a Jackson Dinky, or a narrow assortment of ESPs or one or two Ibanez’s. I’d love to get another Kramer or a Charvel, but those are almost nonexistent these days. And I play classic rock, metal, blues, and jazz (so clean tones are important to me, but I do want a good distorted tone too). If anyone has any advice for me, I’d love to hear it!

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DOB, I love how you take over the comments for carrol’s blog session. Right in the middle of her comments, I might add (see page 3). How exactly does it feel to be an ostentatious prick?

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Ladies and gentleman, the Braves don’t have what it takes to compete with the Phillies or Mutts in ‘09. Braves offense is too weak, you have NO ace, and the bullpen has too many health questions. I’m not coming on here to knock you guys, these are just facts. What happens if/when Chipper comes up limping, Lowe and Vazquez become too inconsistant, and another arm falls off in that pen? WOW, talk about anxiety…..

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I believe Kurt Russell starred with Freddie Mac in Son Of Flubber. Could be wrong, but in all sincerity, who cares… lol

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At least we ain’t in Philly, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS… Thank the Laaaawdd fer that!

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Is there any visible fret wear, and have the frets ever been replaced?

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“I don’t think a 90-92 win season for us is a crazy thought. A wild card, playoff spot is almost expected in my eyes.”

I don’t think a 90 win season is crazy, either, but I wouldn’t go nearly as far as saying that I expect a playoff slot, or even that I expect the Braves to finish 2nd in the division. That’s a bold thing to say when the Mets and Phillies are in the same division. I expect the Braves to be competitive, and I think they’ll have a shot at any of the top 3 slots if there’s a breakout year for a guy or two.

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John Sterling is still Yankee’s announcer. Pretty unbelievable; great, great, guy, but voice like fingernails on chalkboard to any Redneck/Hillbilly…

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I’m here !

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huh??

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What’s up ?!

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no. I never listened to those two, but it’s different for me because we aren’t the worst in the division, while the Mets were back then. Personally, if the Braves were as bad as Mets in the 90’s, it just doesn’t matter as much to me. Sorry Braveheart, but that’s how I feel…….. .AntorPhilyFan

Fine, just for you, the folks at Fox are gonna bring back Rathbun & Paciorek. Your broadcast would be chock full of enthusiastic blind homerism, just the way you like it.

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Shamus, I don’t know if the frets have ever been replaced. I’m not a good enough guitar tech aficionado to know if there is a significant amount of wear. The last time I took it in the tech told me the next was slightly twisted, and he took off the neck but said he was unable to tell if the truss was disconnected or broken in the middle. The redid the action and did a fret dressing, etc. and it sounded great for a day or two, and then the buzz began to build up bit by bit over the next few days, and within a week and a half it was too much again.

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I bought the guitar off ebay for 70 bucks about a year and a half ago so I don’t know anything about its history. It has been awesome until about the last month or two, and now it’s just a disaster.

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Carolina looking better than they did a year ago.

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Has anyone here ever taken a B-12 supplement? I got mine from the pharmacy, not Miguel Tejada, but man…my toilet looks like highlighter fluid now! If you put Lew’s blacklight to it, you’d go blind.

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“You can’t go wrong with an American Tele.” -PWHjort

Crap. Mine’s a Sanyo….

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Thrillhouse-It’s normal or vitamin B supplements to do that. Nothing wrong with it and it should help your nerve function..

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wow- not even midnight in the south and we are already talking about
B-12, yellow water and Flubber…thank god tomorrow’s a late game:)

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Thanks for the heads up, Lew. cabravesfan – as you mentioned, tonight’s just a warm-up.

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But the buzzing is behind the fretted (like I said, I’ll play a chord on the 7th fr. and hear the nut and neck near the first few frets rattle/buzz)…I’m not hearing too much fret buzz.

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“retinal bleeding?” really Lew? So did not need that image:)

Ah, late night on the blog…sometimes living on the west coast is not a good thing!

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Thanks Couch Tater. Is it possible to take the Kramer headstock and put it on a new neck?

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DOB:

I am a junior at the University of South Carolina. I am currently a broadcast major, but I am entertaining the switch to print. I was wondering if I could e-mail you for advice. Thanks

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Didn’t realize how many college kids posted regularly on this blog – chemistry/math conversation from a few days ago revealed many undergrads, and now Rob for SC talking about being a broadcast major – I figured most of you guys were older.

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Yeah, that sounds about right. I’m not sure I’d want to replace the entire neck…any suggestions on a new instrument man?

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Salamander-

not all of us are college kids- just reliving bad memories

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and Nova has completely fallen apart tonight…or is carolina really that good?

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Thrillhouse, YES! I know exactly what you’re talking about. It’s like neon pee that has the smell of the vitamin when it comes out, right? You’re alright man…that’s normal.

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Rob from SC….DOB’s first bit of advice would be to get out of that stinkhole Columbia.

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North Korea launches a rocket despite warnings from other nations! Holy SH-! These mother fu- better not start anything with the U.S. or Obama will lecture them to death. But seriously, why do countries do this? Has to be the devils work.

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TnBrian, all countries with developing nuclear and space programs launch rockets. It’s not that big of a deal.

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Runnin, it is when it’s N.Korea

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It all relative. Living in Japan I’m well aware of who it is, just not that concerned.

But actually TnBrian, you’re just like N.Korea, firing an unwanted and prohibited rocket of politics on the Braves blog. If you’re such a stickler for rules, why don’t you follow them yourself?

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19 hours 46 minutes..

any early predictions on tomorrows game?

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Well, time for bed. Good night and may God bless you all.

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we paid 24 dollars and sat in aisle 150. the sun was right.
saw the the golden boy jack one

frenchy is a stud.

kc, francoeur is gonna hit.

the dude is gonna hit.

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Runnin, what the hell is political about some nuts firing rockets? Man that’s damn near a threat to innocent people when you’re talking N.Korea’s leader…he most definitely is the devil!

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Saturday, have you ever read Mr. O’Brien? I used to think he was an excellent blogger, a guy who, “Did it right.” Then I realized his blog entries/comments were only a means to spread his own agenda. It is as obvious as CNN is liberal and maybe you’ll realize that, too. Look at the whole Griffey incident that he blew up. Now sure, one beat writer probably isn’t the reason the whole thing went up in the Braves’ faces but it surely was a part of it and he wouldn’t even take any blame. Go back and look through the comments. Tell me it doesn’t remind you of you in your teenage years trying to talk yourself out of trouble when you knew you screwed up. The guy is an egomaniac and everyone here just feeds into his vanity.

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anyone else got a huge german shepperd?

i got one, his name is FRITZ.

FRITZ the dog.

fritz the dog?

Fritz, is a monster. great shepherd.

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fritz is now old. getta kind of worried about him. he might have the hip proplem.

fritz, is a great dog.

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I’ve got a german shepard/ Pit Bull mix…does that count?

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What exactly did Boog say?

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bub, fritz the dog. i have had him for close to 12 years.

it is gonna hurt.

great mut.

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fritz, sits here with my cat billy white shoes. this dog used to run miles with me.

now i gotta make a tough decision. bad hip. 12 year old friend.

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Braves to retire Mad Dog’s Number 31 per AJC homepage

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N Nine, yes sir! The day is indeed upon us!!!!

Is it just me, or was this the longest off-season since the inception of professional baseball??

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KC The longest ever. EVER. This was an epic offseason. So many emotional roller coaster rides and somehow we turned out Okay! Have fun tomorrow in Cumberland area. Glad Cole decided he’s not ready.

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Smell the Glove

When you hit like Manny, you don’t have to worry about defense. But some other free agent sluggers didn’t even sniff the cash they wanted — because a new wave of fielding analysis is changing the way players are valued.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview09/news/story?id=4021631

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BRAVEHEART

Interesting stuff. For a long time I placed very little faith in defensive stats. Recently Bill James said in an interview that they were way behind the others as recently as a few years ago, but he also praised the development in the last few years. Says they are still not as reliable but have made huge strides catching up. Thanx for the links.I’m gonna start studying them a bit more.

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Bobby Cox said Lowe was “lights out(heard that before)during spring training and his work ethic is incredible”. This will be Lowe’s third consecutive start against the champs. He says key to game is keeping Rollins off the bases. Lowe, who has gone 4-0 with a 2.58 ERA during his past six regular-season starts against the Phillies, needs to really worry about Howard, dude had double digits HR this spring. BEAST.
Excited to see Schafer’s defense for years to come, and it all starts now.

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PWHjort (11:33 am): “Anthony, who cares about what anyone says on the blog? It was a conversation. Grow up.”

A conversation? With whom — yo’ mammy?

Name ‘em.

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Braveheart, there is one nit to pick on the methodolgy in the data-gathering for the defensive stats. By necessity, there must be a large number of eyes grading each play, since every play of every game is being tracked. Are all those eyes qualified to make the determinations needed for the observation? Are they trained, and is the training rigorous and objective? Will two different observers grading the same player and play always supply the same result? That kind of thing…

It’s just my background and nature to sweat the details of the data, LOL. I’m coming around (a little) to the value of defensive metrics, but, on occasion, I’ll see a value on a player which seems totally opposed to observation; not in a matter of degree (good, but not quite as good), but total (seems good, really bad). That kind of polarity always make me step back a little from a total embracing.

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PWHjort (4:22 pm): “Quit trying to pick a fight, man. I wasn’t complaining, just discussing. It’s a mood point anyway, let it go.”

PWHjort (5:00 pm): “That’s your opinion. I have mine too. Are you done?”

Who you talkin’ to, jackaxe?

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It is hard to compare announcers when you reflect back on Skip and Pete.They both were really entertaining.Skip very much also was a fan of the Braves and showed his love in his disgust sometimes,in his humor and his excitement.Pete was quieter,more professional with a more analytical style.When I listen to Braves games now I really miss Pete and Skip.

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Shayphorr is going to be solid.

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Great to see the plans for retiring Maddux’s number and his induction in the Braves’ HOF. Does this mean he gets his own statue, too?

cabravesfan-Sorry you’re so squeamish about visual impairment. You should be. It’s no fun. However, my buddy Thrillhouse has been undergoing some issues in that regard and after sixteen operations on my right eye (ask DOB what I looked like after one last summer), I felt I should let Thrillhouse know what to avoid. Like I said, he doesn’t even need any more problems.

Toinight is zero hour for the 09 season. I’m ready. Go Braves.

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Good to hear DOB…and I agree, Sheyfer is definitely going to be a good one!

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I would like to see Shea-4 hit leadoff.

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Wow, a very quiet morning on the blog. I guess everyone is resting up for tonight. I was hoping we could have a big debate on what pitch Lowe should throw first, or which middle relievers should be on the roster for the 2010 playoffs.

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DOB:
I asked this yesterday but I don’t know if you saw this

I am a junior at the University of South Carolina. I am currently a broadcast major, but I am entertaining the switch to print. I was wondering if I could e-mail you for advice. Thanks

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Ah! Here at last!! Was a long off season sometimes…

N Nine–

I agree. He’ll be in there (he better be…)

Hey, maybe we should go over those abbreviations again before the season begins completely, eh? Ha…but the most important to remember is easy: DGANG, Day Game After a Night Game.

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Uga-Brave, Bubdylan–

Fritz is a good German Shepherd name. If I ever got one, I’d name it Schultz, Klink, or Major Hochstetter.

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Did anyone hear the results of Joey Devine’s visit to Dr. James Andrews. I ask because Oakland placed him on the 60 DL. That can’t be a good sign. Sounds like Tommy John Surgery.

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Anders

My dream job is to broadcast baseball games. After that I would like to be a beat writer. The thing I don’t like about broadcast journalism is I have no interest in learning to produce a newscast. Cutting and editing video ect.

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Rob in SC – Is SC big on broadcasting? I know most who want to get into that field up this way go to Syracuse. Lots of broadcasters have come from there.
Good luck to you.

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Rob- So how did you become a Braves fan?

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The NL east will be a battle of nutrition throughout the season. The Braves have the best and deepest rotation in the division. The Mets and Phillies have the better offensive attack, but the Braves have a good lineup as well. The Phillies and Mets must be concerned with the health of their aces. I have concerns over our bullpen, but I believe Boyer, Moylan, Soriano, and Gonzalez; if healthy should be above average. I am optimistic that this season will be the start of another historic division title run.

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Anders

I study the history of baseball, especially pre 1930. I honestly believe that was the best time period in baseball history. I study every team. I keep an extensive book and can tell you every player on every team. I love to keep up with the minor league players and can’t recommend enough the BAseball America Prospect Handbook. I am lucky I have such a great wife how encourages my love of baseball.

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Rob- better your a Braves fan than a yankee fan. You’re another testimonial to how the Braves had the sports network empire (TBS) in the palm of their hands and let it slip away.
Oh, how things might be different for the Braves (financially) had they had the vision of growing a sports network back then.

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I didn’t follow the Braves games back at the Ted the last two days but I did see a blurb about Kawakami not piching well and walking guys. The reason I bring this up was the alarming amount of guys walked in the two games the Mets played at their new park the last two days. It was by both teams. The Red Sox walked 10 guys Friday night -some pitches were questionable imo.It looked to me like the pitchers were really being squeezed, much more so than was being done in Florida just days earlier. Both teams pitchers were looking in quizzingly on some of the calls and the catchers were double pumping throws back like, “wait, you called that a ball?” Same thing yesterday.

Did you guys see any of this in the Braves games, Friday or Saturday? I’m just hoping that we’re not getting an early season crackdown by the umpires on the strike zone.

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Per San Francisco Chronicle, Susan Slusser today:
Reliever Joey Devine was put on the 60-day disabled list to open up one spot, another indication that the team believes Devine’s elbow injury might require season-ending ligament surgery.

Too bad for Joey as he was set for his big break this season. Wish him well, as it was never going to happen for him in Atlanta. A Cox dog house boy.

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—— BRAVES OPENING DAY VIEWING PARTY – TONIGHT ——

Open invitation: Opening day viewing party in ATL…
Tonight – 7:45pm

Jocks and Jills @ Galleria Mall (near junction of N.285 & I-75)

Feel free to invite others. You’re welcome to simply show up (you don’t have to touch base beforehand), but if you let me know how many you have coming, we’ll make sure there’s seating for you. Go Braves!

Email: kccjr1@gmail.com

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Anders, I wasn’t paying close attention to how the strikezone was being called, but didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. Kawakami was just all over the place. I think announcers were right… just nervous energy. First time pitching in a new home park would give anyone butterflies, but if you’re coming all the way from Japan…

I certainly hope that’s all it was – pretty much a one-time thing. And I think that’s all there is to it.

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KCcheck out my 7:40 post to you last night and reference to the 6:20 post about a Joe Morgan HOF Game for the party tonight.

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Anders, no one let anything slip away where TBS was concerned. The reality was that the rates were steadily slipping, year after year. Didn’t have anything to do with the team, because the ratings decline started long before these last few seasons.

The TV baseball landscape changed. The TBS Braves games were originally so highly rated because it was the only national baseball on TV at the time. But then came the network TV game of the week, the weekly ESPN games… and ultimately, the satellite packages.

At a certain point, TBS execs had to look at and realize that Braves baseball was no longer the ratings beast it once was – or anything close to it. And once TBS and the Braves fell under different ownership, it was an easy call.

Sucks for Braves fans. It was great to have that national coverage, and the revenue and payroll flexibility that came along with it… but that’s life.

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northbeach Scott, good suggestion!! lol Hey… next time though, link to the post!, will ya?!! That was a bit of an Easter egg hunt. =)

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Funny thing about Schafer’s name is people can magically spell “Yvonne Strahovski” without any problems but stumble over Jordan’s name all the time. Perhaps if Schafer were blond…ya thats it.

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Two of the most beautiful words in the english language:

OPENING DAY!!!!

(finally!)

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Braveheart: Thanks for the links. I’ve been looking for info about this and the second article pointed me to http://www.fangraphs.com, which is offering a lot of free content. I was just reading an article about catchers’ defensive abilities, which rated two Braves, Benedict and Crandall, as among the best of all time. Another ex-Brave, Bob Uecker, had the worst year of all time, but that might have been due to Phil Niekro.

They are offering tracking of games and an incredible archive of articles. For instance, there’s a feature about Schafer which projects him to have a so-so year, .270 with 15 HR and 20 SB, but called his defense excellent and said he’s a solid pick now, but a better one for the long run.

http://www.fangraphs.com/

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I do agree with Rob’s 11:16: “The NL east will be a battle of nutrition throughout the season.” Whichever team’s players can keep from a full plate at the pregame spread should prevail this year. Remember small portions. j/k

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Josh B, congratulations on getting the first post. You are amazing. (And by that I mean a complete idiot).

Can’t wait for the Bravos tonight. We are going to rock Meyers.

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“Could also name it Helga or Hilda (Klink’s secretaries) if it’s a girl.” (McFann)

That’s the name I wanted. I haven’t seen the show in years. Heidi is what came to me. At least I had the “H” right.

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The Braves season preview video (from MLB) on Braves.com says “the [pitching] staff is not as deep as it has been in past years”…

Huh?

This staff is probably the deepest it’s been since the 90’s.

I also heard a national sports media person (don’t remember the name) saying the Braves outfield didn’t figure to be much better than it was last year. What??? If Francoeur doesn’t bounce back AND Shafer falls on his face this year… if BOTH of those things happen, there’s a chance he could be right. But that seems highly unlikely.

If you look at Anderson’s numbers last year vs. righties, coupled with Diaz’s numbers over the past couple years vs. lefties… and average that out over 570 at-bats, you’ll have .305, 20 HR, 90 RBI. Even if the Braves don’t get quite that much production out of Left, they’re going to get close. Anderson is a nice addition, and the return of a healthy and sharp Matt Diaz is just as big. Left Field is GOING to be a very productive position… night and day from last year.

Also, if you trade the ‘08 version of Francoeur for the ‘07 version (or something even better), that’s like signing a big free agent bat over the winter. And we’ll have to wait and see, but I’m better Shafer will be an offensive upgrade over what they had in Center last year.

This is one of the reason’s why I don’t put any stock in the opinions of national sports media types. They just don’t pay much attention.

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WHAT A GREAT DAY, GO BRAVES!!

I’m at Elon this weekend, and I ran into the father of my former teammate that played with Tommy and Medlen. My teammate’s wedding was in Jan, and his dad told me all the guys came down for his son’s wedding (Tommy, Kris, etc..) Anyways, he told me Paul (my old teammate) was playing SS when Tommy threw his no-no in Mississippi, pretty cool.

Thanks to everyone that voted for Miss Slugger and I at the below link. As a reminder, we’re #4!

http://photographix.bigfolioblog.com/

Go Braves!

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Alright, who:

1. Hits the first bomb this year.
2. Steals the first base
3. First Multi-HR game
4. Makes the first error
5. Throws the first CG
6. Has the first save

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Meant to say I’m BETTING that Schafer will be an offensive upgrade…

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Slugger,
My picks:
1. Kotch
2. Schafer
3. Mac
4. Rollins
5. Javy
6. Gonzo

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1. Mac
2. Schafer
3. Chipper
4. Yunel
5. Vazquez
6. Gonzlaez

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FYI, I know you all like College Basketball, word on the street is Sean Miller met with Arizona’s AD this morning, and the meeting is still going, and that people in the Miller camp said if he meets with Arizona, he’s going to leave and go coach there. Terms are $2.2 MM per year for 5-6 years.

Also, Xavier has said if Miller leaves, they would promote from within.

Could be interesting if Calhoun retires, which I’ve heard is a definite possibility, as Miller was considered by many to be Calhoun’s heir apparent.

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BravesFAN885:

Blisters?

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In the words of the most famous ringside announcer…..

“Ahhhhh…let’s get ready to rumbbbbbbblllllllllleeeeeee”

Lol

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Been reading up on prognosticator sheets about the METS. Apparantly most commentators think BELTRAN is the loneliest # out in CF with ghosts playing left and right fields respectively. BU catcher leaves them as cold as ROSS gives them the warm fuzzies.

I see ERIC O’FLAHERTY won out in the three man derby to replace WIL OHMAN. I said he LOOKED good with his form. Now if the pitches are as good we’ll all be sayin’ WIL WHO in no time. GOOD luck E O’F. Go make O’B. proud. And GO BRAVES. 6:30 hours and counting.

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Slugger

First Homer – Chipper
Steals the first base – Jordan Schafer
First Multi-HR game – Brian McCann
Makes the first error – Yunel
Throws the first CG – Jair
Has the first save – Mike Gonzalez

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Beautiful day here in Blacksburg, Virginia, where campus is abound with frizbees, footballs, and dogs. My buddies want me to join them on the basketball court. My girlfriend wants to take our mountain bikes out and enjoy a few hours trail riding on Brush Mountain. Me, well, all I want is to fast forward the clock to 8:00 ET and park myself in front of the biggest TV I can find. Shame on me.

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Jeff Blauser-

You should not be ashamed- sounds like your priorities are in the right order

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Official AAA Gwinnett Roster is up on their site…Gorecki made it as the fourth OF….Van Pope moves up to Gwinnett, J.C. Boscan too, with Alvin Colina assigned.

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Blouser, if Hamels was pitching today, your guess of Kotchman would have great merit. Something about Hamels pitches that Kotch seems so like.

Well… I guess I will see if I can now get a post on the ole’ blog. I have tried to reply to several posts a few days back, but the blog ate up my post. Then a my modem died so it took me quite a while to get back up again. Anyway, I may be just babbling away for nothing….

Maybe it will post this time.

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NL Cy: Johan Santana
NL MVP: Carlos Beltran
NL ROY: Tommy Hanson

AL Cy: Justin Verlander
AL MVP: Joe Mauer
AL ROY: Travis Snider

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Peavy, Chipper, Schafer

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DOB, I once again recommend to you the cheesesteaks at D’Allessandro’s in Manayunk (not sure you had a chance to try them out last year). IMHO, the best in the city, but slightly off the beaten path, so no one outside Philly knows about them. It’s about a fifteen minute drive from downtown when there’s no traffic.

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Here are my preseason picks (feel free to write them down and rub it in my face when they’re completely wrong come October!):

AL East: Rays
Central: Indians
West: Umm…Rangers?
Wild Card: Red Sox

MVP: Grady Sizemore
Cy Young: Justin Verlander
ROY: Weiters if he qualifies, Travis Snider otherwise
Breakout Player: Alex Gordon
#5 Team: Yankees
Darkhorse: Royals

National League:
East:Phillies
Central: Cubs
West: Dodgers
Wild Card: Braves

MVP: Hanley Ramirez
Cy Young: Johan Santana
ROY: Jordan Schafer (homer pick!)
#5 Team: Cardinals
Breakout player(s): Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw
Darkhorse team: Marlins

Don’t hold me to it!

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This observation from Mark Bowman was very reminiscent of something Pete van Wieren might have come up with:

… This will be the fourth consecutive season the Braves have opened on the road, and their only wins during this span came in games started by Lowe and Myers. They defeated Lowe’s Dodgers to open the 2006 season and Myers’ Phillies in 2007.

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