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893 comments Add your comment
CB
April 20th, 2009
10:12 am
THANKS ORIGINAL JON will try to do better.
KLB
April 20th, 2009
10:13 am
DOB – Weather is pretty crappy in DC right now and it’s showing a 60% chance of T-storms during the game time tonight. When you get in and settled, can you give us an update about the chances of them playing the game tonight? Thanks.
Jersey Gil
April 20th, 2009
10:17 am
The change to play tonight is about 20%..Here in South Jersey is raining hard and that the same system coming from the Dc/Baltimore Area.
The forescast is rain hard the next two Days.
beekay
April 20th, 2009
10:18 am
DOB
I was at the MB Pelican game yesterday and was amazed at the size of Cody Johnson, Freddie Freeman, and Jason Heyward. Johnson and Heyward went deep. I have heard alot about Heyward and Freeman but this kid Johnson was a monster. He has hit 6 hr’s already. What is he ranked in regards to our top prospects?
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
April 20th, 2009
10:18 am
The sacking of Blaine Boyer may be just what the Doctor ordered. Message sent: Do your job or else.
9:31 post, turtles, snails? Just making it up as you go along. I love fantasy blogger’s. Did you want my autograph?
Manny Acta firing four bullpen pitchers, yea baby. H-E-L-L-O!
The Florida Marlins have the lowest payroll and the best record. Yes sir, really!
McFann =Ô=
April 20th, 2009
10:23 am
OK, I’m not sure why ImageShack is taking so friggin’ long to upload one photo. Sheesh! It’s never given me this much trouble before!
Dadgum
April 20th, 2009
10:23 am
PWH….I have read a few posts but not every page but your assessment of Prado defensively at 2nd is a real headbanger. Not sure if you have followed Prado as I have or perhaps you are a relative of Kelly’s but nowhere in any realm of possibility is Kelly Johnson on a defensive par with Prado at 2nd. You won’t win that argument anywhere in baseball.
Not saying Prado is anywhere near the best but if you play him as your everyday 2nd baseman he will be better than average and certainly better than KJ. I have been saying for 6 months or so that KJ should have been in left and Prado at 2nd. I would not have platooned LF either. Now denizens are clamoring for Brandon Jones to be called up to back up LF after we have already acquired Anderson who we didn’t need anyway.
The problem the Braves have is that we now have Jones, Diaz, and Anderson as LF guys and the best alternative is Prado at 2nd and KJ in left. The Braves continue to make no sense out of their movements in the left field position.
Rock on…….my two cents
flange1
April 20th, 2009
10:25 am
Morning all,
Not sure whom is the biggest idiot, WILLSTER or Lou Vales!!!
Question for nollie,
Interesting watching Javy pitch yesterday. The announcers said something that I was thinking but had never really vocalized, Javy pitches UP in the zone a lot to get strikeouts.
Announcers were talking about him hitting the 4 quadrants on the plate and that most ML pitchers tend to only pitch to the bottom 2.
It seems to me that one of the reasons that Javy has his 1 inning blow ups is that he gets a bit wild hight in the inning? He is trying to hit the upper outside part of the plate and leaves the ball up and over the middle of the plate and it gets smoked?
I know that is oversimplifying and that at this point in his career, he will not change his style, but does that make sense for why he has great stuff and does not get as much out of it as he should?
Steve from OH
April 20th, 2009
10:26 am
Beekay, JOhnson was a first rounder in 2006, I believe. I think that he is well-regarded, but he needs to show another skill besides sending balls into the stratosphere. He doesn’t hit for a high average and the OBP is not good, although he did have an excellent season at Danville in 07. Strikes out a lot, too, but I could care less if he hits 40 balls to Cuba in the meantime. I’m still fairly high on him myself, but he needs to show better plate discipline and contact to become a major league ballplayer.
If the Braves can develop that kid into a major leaguer, it will leave little doubt that the player development folks here are the best anywhere.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
April 20th, 2009
10:30 am
Josh Anderson in Detroit, .353 BA in part time duty.
Garrett Anderson batting .200 so far with 0 RBI.
Frank Wren, Y-O-U S-U-C-K!
coach joe
April 20th, 2009
10:33 am
Kelly makes that crucial error and then the three run homer beats us.. Now his hitting has gone back into the tank.. just like last year when he dropped the fly ball against the Phillies..
de ja vu ???
TheManMike
April 20th, 2009
10:35 am
WILLSTER-
Read some Henry Miller or Chuck Palahniuk…..Good stuff.
Lou Vales
April 20th, 2009
10:37 am
Willister may be a nuclear physicist having fun. Who Knows?? No, I’m not Willister. The pseudonyms demonstrated a lack of guts on my part. If people are going to hate you for what you say, let them know who the animus is directed against.
As far as the stalking charge, who wrote on this Blog where he was sitting and what he would be wearing last Wednesday, The next Braves game you go to ask Marilyn the attendant who works Section 114 behind the Braves”dugout who was there in the 3rd row with a bright red Utah sweater making friends and involving the crowd in a lot of fun.
DOB and I probably agree on most aspects of politics. I lnow he sees Philip Seymour Hoffman as the actor of our generation. As far as my criticism of his pulling punches, I realize that happens almost everywhere besides New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. It’s nearly impossible to go into a clubhouse where the Big Dog(no pun intended)couldn’t stand you. I believe I would chose to be a feature writer and leave the daily stuff to the commandos. Should never get close to the athletes or coaches you cover. A recipe for Dick Vitale.
brent a.
April 20th, 2009
10:39 am
coach joe,
good observation. that’s the only Braves game I attended so far this year, and so that play really stands out in my mind.
I’ve read on this blog that professional athletes move on and don’t let things like that affect them. I’m not sure that is always true.
That aside, Kelly has always been streaky. Terrible for stretches and then brilliant for stretches. That error was interesting in that it seemed to be a turning point; but, that aside, this is still typical behavior from Kelly.
blausy
April 20th, 2009
10:39 am
Hey DOB, it’s freaking pouring here in DC. Any indication of how likely they are to get the game in tonight?
Lou Vales
April 20th, 2009
10:41 am
Leyland loves Josh Anderson. Of course Senor Smokes loves any guy with speed, hustle, ability to run down a fly ball and a willinness to use his speed. This may be the FIRST bad trade for Atlanta with the Bengals. Darrow is not Smoltz or Jurrjens. Dombrowski should have really been fired for that move. Rent a Wreck renteria for2 exceptional young players.
Lou Vales
April 20th, 2009
10:43 am
Sorry, meant to say Row 114 behind the Marlins’dugout.
beekay
April 20th, 2009
10:47 am
Thanks Steve from OH….I was listening in to the bullpen conversation and the Pelican pitchers were arguining as to whether or not Cody will hit 40 hrs this year….other things observed during the game was Heyward has a cannon of an arm….also Craig Kimbrell(sp) who I heard was a top 15 prospect got lit up, gave up a long grand slam in relief. The bullpen guys were very cool, gave my sons a ball and were cracking jokes the entire game.
McFann =Ô=
April 20th, 2009
10:50 am
OK, so far, I’ve gotten one photo to work, the eyeball race. I don’t know why I’m having so much trouble. Sorry, again.
Original Jon
April 20th, 2009
10:54 am
As long as you try CB.
Jeff321
April 20th, 2009
10:57 am
McFann, you could try http://photobucket.com/
I don’t remember if you have to register and click on a link in email or not.
Random
April 20th, 2009
10:58 am
McFann =Ô= (9:48 am): “BTW–That 9:31 post has Rally McTurtle a little scared…”
I dunno — looks to me like he’s laughing his tail off at the very notion of “slugmuggers”.
If he were really scared (even just a little), he’d look more like this O or this Ô , wouldn’t he?.
PS: still haven’t seen the softshell turtle yet this year.
Salamander
April 20th, 2009
11:06 am
Not sure whom is the biggest idiot, WILLSTER or Lou Vales!!!flange1
I don’t like the way Lou Vales writes (i.e. arrogant sack of sh-t), but he doesn’t strike me as an idiot. Not sure why I’m defending him… I suppose because I see a lot of morons who can’t write to save their lives posting on this blog, and while Lou Vales drives me nuts, he is at least articulate.
Random
April 20th, 2009
11:07 am
Coach (10:18 am): “9:31 post, turtles, snails? Just making it up as you go along. I love fantasy blogger’s. Did you want my autograph?”
I for one thought it was pretty funny (”it all happened so fast” — LOL!). You should feel honored to have become one of the blog’s most recognized characters.
18 Wheels of Love
April 20th, 2009
11:09 am
These pretzels are making me thirsty.
Salamander
April 20th, 2009
11:13 am
These pretzels are making me thirsty.18 Wheels of Love
They do that from time to time.
Random
April 20th, 2009
11:15 am
WILLSTER (11:32 pm): “I just finished reading the abridged works of Mark Twain. Does anybody have an author I should move on to now?”
You should get the Dickens out. . .
(. . . of here)
Seriously.
(Please. And don’t come back.)
Loaf Garret on a blackberry from the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City
April 20th, 2009
11:19 am
The game might get rained out tonight? Sweet!
Efrim
April 20th, 2009
11:24 am
Coach: “Josh Anderson in Detroit, .353 BA in part time duty. Garrett Anderson batting .200 so far with 0 RBI. Frank Wren, Y-O-U S-U-C-K!”
Wouldn’t it of been a better decision to keep Josh Anderson and let Schafer further develop in Triple-A?
NC Braves Fan
April 20th, 2009
11:26 am
Just looked at the computer forecast models and there is a really good chance of rain in DC, especially after midnight tonight. They could actually get the game in if that forecast model is correct, as is shows a little bit of a lull this evening.
McFann =Ô=
April 20th, 2009
11:27 am
Jeff321–
Thanks! I did have to register, but it was free and I gave them a fake name, so no worries. Got some images downloading now.
Random–
Rally McTurtle is in his alert faze. He spreads out his legs and tenses up when he’s nervous, and he’s very nervous right now–mostly ’cause of BMac.
No softshell yet? That’s odd. Wonder where the little booger is hiding.
PWHjort
April 20th, 2009
11:27 am
Last year at 2B. Prado was -3 on the +/- system in 142 defensive innings. Kelly Johnson was -1 in 1198.2 defensive innings. If you want to try and extrapolate what Prado would’ve done if given a full complement of innings, you’re looking at the worst defender at 2B in the game this side of Jeff Kent.
Anthony
April 20th, 2009
11:28 am
Efrim,
Schafer is doing just fine. He’s a rookie and will have his ups and downs. I think he good perforamnce yesterday against a good left-handed pitcher shows him that when he stays within himself and doens’t try to hit homers all the time that he can be a fine hitter.
MariettaDerek
April 20th, 2009
11:28 am
It’s heavy T-Storms all night tonight in DC. No chance of the game getting played. Which is definitely NOT double pits to chesty except it gives Yunel and McCann another day to rest.
pryguy
April 20th, 2009
11:28 am
Coach,
Let’s see the body of work Garrett Anderson gives us throughout the season before you start making such outlandish remarks. Wren re-built our rotation pretty well this offseason and did everything in his power to solve our left field woes. If your going to blame the GM for our offense not scoring enough runs in 5 of the past 6 games, then your analytical skills need some fine tuning.
PWHjort
April 20th, 2009
11:29 am
Efrim, the Garret Anderson signing was pretty stupid, but Josh Anderson will regress and he won’t hit 280, won’t post a 330 OBP, and won’t hit more than 1 or 2 homers. Overall, Anderson amounts to a late-innings defensive replacement. Schafer is an every-day player. Trading Josh Anderson was the correct move.
NC Braves Fan
April 20th, 2009
11:30 am
Hope that McCann gets some good news at the eye doc today, but it sure is nice to know that David Ross is backing him up. That looks like a really good signing either way at this point.
Salamander
April 20th, 2009
11:30 am
MariettaDerek
Why is it impossible for you to give up on a gimmick? Seriously, did you huff paint thinner as a tween?
Big Easy
April 20th, 2009
11:33 am
Must have missed it, but which Gwinnett game did y’all go to, McFann? We went Saturday night, sat in the berm just to the right field side of the batter’s eye (right beside the race-car bouncy-thing). Nice stadium, but looks like lots of foul balls are gonna end up in the parking lots.
~E~
MFin04
April 20th, 2009
11:35 am
Schafer also has a much better arm than Josh Anderson…granted…he actually gets to the ball before its a triple..but I digress. I think Jordan is going to take a lot away from Sunday’s game against the Pirates…3 hits and he just putting the ball in play…not swinging for the fences every swing. He has got to learn how to use his speed and Sunday he did for the first time as a Brave.
Lew
April 20th, 2009
11:36 am
Nathan (and Whoever else pointed this out)-Didn’t realize Ry Cooder played Karate Ralph’s part in the “Crossroads duel.” Nonetheless, I’d still take Vai over Ry Cooder as a guitarist. I’d have to give Ole Ry the nod as songwriter over Vai, but better guitarist? No Freaking way. Point still holds. Vai’s was the better performance.
One other point-if Willster is really a 50 year old, he needs to grow up -or get a hobby other than Braves’ bashing.
Original Jon
April 20th, 2009
11:39 am
Why on earth are the Red Sox and Orioles playing a baseball game at this very moment? Has anyone ever seen a game start this early in the day?
McFann =Ô=
April 20th, 2009
11:40 am
NC Braves Fan–
I totally agree.
Big Easy–
We were at Friday night’s game, Opening Night! I even got a photo of the very first pitch. (Not a ceremonial first pitch, the real first pitch!) We sat in the right field berm, too.
I definitely see what you mean about the foul balls in he parking lots. Heh, if a player really gets a hold of one, he might even send a homer to the parking lot!
Not too much longer on the photos, I hope.
MFin04
April 20th, 2009
11:41 am
Red Sox are playing some sort of “Patriot Day” game. I think
Efrim
April 20th, 2009
11:42 am
Not really my point. Schafer could of used the extra development time in Triple-A. But I understand the Braves wanted to go with the best option in CF, which he is. Just saying that I think he could of used more time.
Lew
April 20th, 2009
11:46 am
It’s somewhat interesting that a few of us wanted to go with Brandon Jones/Matt Diaz platoon in left field and to send Schafer down to the minors for some seasoning while retaining Josh Anderson. We were soundly beaten down with posts calling us And Idiots and worse. Sure is interesting how the tune changes two weeks into the season, isn’t it?
Fred
April 20th, 2009
11:49 am
MFin04, I think you are correct about it being Patriot Day in Boston. I hadn’t ever known about that holiday until I was in Boston on Patriot day years ago, and my uncle told me it’s a holiday up there and they always play an early Red Sox game that day.
MFin04
April 20th, 2009
11:50 am
Yeh he could have used more time…but by bringing him up this early..I think the goal was to learn on the fly…while still being productive for the braves…which he has been.
CB
April 20th, 2009
11:50 am
I also felt we should have kept Josh Anderson but traded or released Norton. Our bench would still have been strong enough with more flexibility. I do think we are limited in some of the moves we can make. I hope we can stay in the race and be able to make some moves at the deadline.
Run Heap Run
April 20th, 2009
11:50 am
Patriots day in Boston is kind of a big deal. It’s the Boston equivalent of Mardis Gras in New Orleans or Mobile.
Rodney Derrick
April 20th, 2009
11:52 am
The timing of the beginning of the game and the end of the Patriots Day game is set so that the fans can cheer the runners in the Boston Marathon. It is tradition!!
McFann =Ô=
April 20th, 2009
11:53 am
OK, now, they’re not in the right order, and I’m not sure how to organize them, but here they are! I also spent some time typing a description of each photo, but those descriptions are not posted below the photo, so I’m not sure what the point was.
Anyway, to view these 7 photos (yes, only 7. I lost track of the ones I was going to use, so here are the best ones, like I said, in some random order), click here.
[sigh of slight exhaustion/satisfaction]
Dadgum
April 20th, 2009
11:53 am
PWH…..can’t extrapolate Prado like that although I can understand you using that to make your point. He has to man the position for a full year or at least be the regular there. You can pull stats out of anywhere but it all comes down to doing it on the field on a regular basis. I didn’t even mention I thought that Prado would hit for a higher average yet either.
Anyway it is a moot point but suffice it to say that the Braves are damn lucky that Prado can perform as a super-sub. That in and of itself isn’t easy.
As for the Shaefer/Anderson thing, agree 100%. Simply must have a home run hitter in that spot. A power guy. May be streaky but many homerun hitters have ups and downs. Josh Anderson may be a very good player no doubt over the long run buut he just wasn’t the right fit at the right time.
Rock on….
McFann =Ô=
April 20th, 2009
11:55 am
OK OK! Forget that first link! I got them in order now!
OK, click here!
MFin04
April 20th, 2009
11:55 am
For the record he is batting .267 with 2 hrs and 3rbis…in the 8th spot with 18k’s. I think we all pretty much expected for him to bat between .260 and .280….he is still learning how to hit and field obviously…but I really think Sunday was a big game for him.
Saff
April 20th, 2009
12:00 pm
I was reading some post from last night and reading Willister’s post made me wonder about people like that. Willister this is for you, as you say all Georgia teams suck well thats nowhere close. Falcons playoff team, Hawks playoff team, Georgia top 15 team. You said the Braves are years away from competing not so fast we will compete this year if the bullpenn get right, but if not the naer future is very bright. The Braves are loaded with good prospects and next year the rotation could be Hudson, Jurjens, Lowe, Hanson, and one of Vazquez, Kawakami, or another young stud. One more thing Willister please don’t post anymore of your asinine comments your making everyone dumber. For the record we know everything you claim about yourself is BS your a punk kid that needs to learn his english call sylvan learning center and set your appointment.
Dadgum
April 20th, 2009
12:01 pm
They will probably get the game in tonight but with rain delays. Richmond weather kind of intermittent right now but heavier rain due later tonight.
DOB could have one of those 1:00AM beauties similar to the home opener where he mumbled “great f… game” all the way home. With it being held in lovely downtown DC the mumbling will only get worse.
Rock on…..
chris from md
April 20th, 2009
12:04 pm
I refrained from offering any analysis of the Braves after one mere week of play and am still reluctant to do so after just two weeks but here goes. At the risk of sounding too much like Bobby Cox (an eternal optimist), I am fine with the Braves thus far for the follwing reasons:
1. The starting pitching looks solid
2. Frenchy is once again hitting in the clutch.
3. Ross is a solid backup C.
4. Our bench is very serviceable.
5. Though Moylan and Gonzo have struggled, Soriano looks great. I really think our short relief will be fine.
6. Our middle relief is a concern. But I think Bobby will figure it out. He has other options (like Morton or Medlin) in AAA if need be.
My only concern is Chipper’s health. I used to side on the fact that his injuries have been flukish. That he was a model of consistency through 2003. But I have to believe that, like Griffey, he simply will break down throughout the year for one reason or another.
I am slightly concerned about Kotchman’s power production. I think we’ll be fine in LF. Remember, Anderson is a slow starter and hasn’t been able to play consistently enough to see what he can do. Schaefer is the real deal in CF, no worries there.
Chris from MD
cabravesfan
April 20th, 2009
12:08 pm
9:00 in the morning
87 degrees
Happy Monday all!
Random
April 20th, 2009
12:09 pm
MariettaDerek (11:28 am): “It’s heavy T-Storms all night tonight in DC. No chance of the game getting played. Which . . . gives Yunel and McCann another day to rest.”
And Chipper.
And GAnderson.
And the bullpen.
Woo-hoo!
The Patron Saint of the Lost Art
April 20th, 2009
12:10 pm
chris in md…
good points all around.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
April 20th, 2009
12:12 pm
MariettaDerek,
We get it, you can watch the stupid AXE commercial. It’s annoying there, and it’s more annoying when you take it out of context and try to make it a “cool catch phrase.”
Slingblade
April 20th, 2009
12:13 pm
I likes me some mustard on my french fried taters, uuuuummmmmmhhhhhhmmmmm. From time to time I eats me some potted meat. That boy, WILLSTER is funny, but not Ha, Ha funny. Them boys in the white coats put him in restraints last evenin’ cause he was bein’ funny, uuuuuuuummmmmmmhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmm.
McFann =Ô=
April 20th, 2009
12:14 pm
cabravesfan–
We’re at 63 degrees here! Sweet weather! Had a lotta rain last night.
keylargo
April 20th, 2009
12:14 pm
The bandwagon is getting full down here in south Florida for the Marlins. Like them or not, you have to admire what they are doing.
I heard this morning that when the Fish came from behind in all three games against the gNats, to win after entering the 9th trailing, that it was the first time ever that had happened.
Lou Vales
April 20th, 2009
12:14 pm
Patriot’s Day and the running of the Marathon are to insure everyone in the Hub realizes that baseball is a marathon and not a sprint. I’m declaring Washington already out of the Marathon. I will name 7 more by the end of May. Therefore you will have 8 teams playing 4 months of baseball for absolutely nothing.
(1)Rockies
(2)Rangers
(3)Brewers
(4)Expos/Nats
(5)Rays
(6)Padres
(7)Mariners These 7 teams have spent entire history playing for nothing.
(1)Indians
(2)Giants Have spent last 50 years playing for NOTHING.
(Cubs) Last 100 years playing for Nothing
(1)Phillies
(2)RedSox Last 90 uears for 2 World Championships each
(1)Milwaukee/Atlanta Last 52 years for 2 Trophies
The poor, ptiful Florida Marlins have won 2 fewer World Championhips in 12 years than these 13 teams have won combined over the past 50 years.
Hope may soar in the Spring, but in reality it should be directed towards areas where gratification may be possible.
Coldwork
April 20th, 2009
12:15 pm
I don’t really have too many expectations from the Braves this year. Too many things have to fall in place for this team to contend…Schafer has to mature quickly, Frenchy has to reach the 30 HR, 100 RBI level, Chipper needs to stay healthy for the majority of the year, Escobar needs to take a step forward in his progression and the middle relief has to be healthy and solid. That’s a lot of things that need to go right for this team to contend with the Phillies, Mets, and Marlins. I do believe it’s possible but I also believe that the Braves are in the middle of reloading for another run of success in the up and coming years.
McPoyle
April 20th, 2009
12:15 pm
sorry if already posted, didn’t feel like reading through the entire blog… but what did Tommy Hanson do yesterday in his start? Anybody got a stat line? Thanks
Dadgum
April 20th, 2009
12:16 pm
This is turning into The Weather Channel.
Rock on…..
cabravesfan
April 20th, 2009
12:19 pm
McFann-
We had lots of rain last weekend…it came down for a whole 3 minutes at 2:00 in the morning. The entire city was on “Storm Watch” ( I really wish I was kidding!)
PWHjort
April 20th, 2009
12:20 pm
I agree you can’t extrapolate and say he’d be around -33 or whatever it would be. I have a feeling it’d be about -20, though. Just looking at Prado in the field, there’s nothing redeeming about him. He has well below-average range, a below-average arm (not that you need an above-average arm to play 2B), terrible reflexes, terrible instincts, a well below-average glove, and he just generally doesn’t handle chances very well. Kelly Johnson has below-average range and is prone to making an error or 2, usually pretty dramatic and gross, but with Prado at 2nd you could probably count on an error/terrible misplay every other game. Yes, Prado will hit for a higher average than Kelly Johnson. Prado is a 300 hitter. However, Prado pretty much has no secondary skills beyond hitting for average. Since batting average is the most variable offensive metric, it’s good to rely on guys that have better secondary skills. Kelly Johnson draws more walks and hits for more power.
Lou Vales
April 20th, 2009
12:23 pm
I just realized I don’t bash the Braves as a team. I’ve said McCann is developing into best hitting cather in baseball, Escobar is a budding superstar, Kelly is a highly acceptable second basemen, fine young outfielders with much better ones in the pipe line, great arms very close to being up, a closer who needs about 2 mental adjustments to be lights out and a manager guys play for. Have also said I see them as highly improved and they scare the Hell out of me every time Florida plays them.
Therefore we have me being critical of a fragile injury prone 3rd basemen who causes his team to play too many games a man short and an organization that somehow saw fit to grant a lifetime achievement award contract for a guy who would have been hard pressed to get that money anywhere else with his recent history.
This is Braves bashing??
McFann =Ô=
April 20th, 2009
12:23 pm
cabravesfan I really wish I was kidding!
Haha! We were under a tornado watch from like…8:30 PM to 3:00 AM last night. I’m telling you right now, I’m scared to death of tornadoes. I woke up once this morning and it was almost 4 o’clock, and I was like, “Ah! That’s over-with…”
Heavy rain at night cann really drive mr insane…keeps me awake.
Rock On.......
April 20th, 2009
12:24 pm
Dadgum has left the building! But he still thinks Prado should be playing 2nd and Glavine should have retired months ago.
Run Heap Run
April 20th, 2009
12:28 pm
In addition to being Hannibal Lecter-esque with the creepy personal attacks on DOB is Lou Vales a Marlins fan? I hope so because that means when the Marlins come crashing down to earth he’ll make like Anders and leave. Now thats something to look forward to.
TnBrian
April 20th, 2009
12:31 pm
Lou, get off your facination with the Marlins! They bought that championship in ‘97 and have a losing record throughout their exsistance. I’ll give them ‘03 and the fact that they always seem to come up with soild young pitching, but please spare everyone the migrain of hearing constant rants about a team that has an average 5,000 “fans” per game.
cabravesfan
April 20th, 2009
12:31 pm
McFann-
just be glad you get advanced warnings! Ever been in an earthquake? NOT FUN.
ease19
April 20th, 2009
12:34 pm
brent a.
I mean to ask the other day, why does Centre College’s location in Danville, KY bring a smile to your face?
Random
April 20th, 2009
12:37 pm
McFann –
“Eyeball Race”, eh?
Are they trying to make the Heap feel even worse? They’re really rubbing it in, aren’t they?
McCann needs to see a tearjerker double feature — maybe The Green Mile (or Field of Dreams) and Bambi (or Old Yeller).
“Not a dry eye in the house.”
The Patron Saint of the Lost Art
April 20th, 2009
12:39 pm
http://www.topix.com/member/profile/louvales
Run Heap Run
April 20th, 2009
12:52 pm
Well that certainly explains a lot.
Heavy Medlen
April 20th, 2009
12:52 pm
Lou Vales.. you need to spend your time more constructively. Get a dog.
David O'Brien
April 20th, 2009
1:01 pm
Beekay, Cody Johnson isn’t regarded in the same realm as Heyward, Freeman, or Gorkys (and Schafer, though he’s up now so I don’t include him in the prospects anymore).
Johnson has huge natural power. But that’s his one real solid skill. He’s gotta close some of the holes in his swing and work a lot on his overall hitting approach before he’ll be regarded as a top-tier prospect.
Epinephrine
April 20th, 2009
1:02 pm
PWH, weren’t you the one on Bowman’s blog the other day claiming Schafer had a OBP last year of .327 (when in fact it was .378, and has been over .370 almost every year)? If so, you sure do have an interesting grasp on statistics. Your extrapolation of Prado’s performance in the field continues in that vein. We have seen nothing from Prado-either from his limited play in the majors, or in his body of work in the minors, that would suggest he is in any way an inferior defender to Kelly Johnson. The two are probably a push. The reason Kelly gets the nod is because his bat is better, especially with regard to his power potential. That’s it.
Using the +/- system to judge a player with an extremely limited number of GS is just foolish.
flange1
April 20th, 2009
1:03 pm
Sorry, I can’t resist!
Lou Vales, your passive aggressive posts on this blog are quite amusing. You talk about how great the Marlins are because they have won 2 world championships in the past 15 years.
That is a great accomplishment!
You don’t talk about how the Marlins then sell off any player when his salary becomes to high and get prospects.
Folks seemed amazed the Marlins have good prospects!!
But my main point is that with their 2 championships, how many fans do the Marlins have? Their attendance figures are great right?
No? Why is that? Well the stadium is bad, but that isn’t the reason, put out a good product and people will come right?
You talks about the “bad deal” in extending Chipper. You do understand that the Braves “fans” (note more than 1) might want Chipper to be extended?
That Braves fans like to keep their players around?
Even if you can convince me that the signing was a bad contract (I think Braveheart already showed you that it was actually a bargain for the Braves) sometimes the team might have to make a deal to make the fans happy.
Since I am not sure that their are Marlins “fans” at this point, that might not be a part of their thought process.
Further, you have brought up on multiple occasions that you have been asked to NOT come back to Gainesville to “root” for your Florida Gators.
To me that is the most telling piece of information that you have ever spoken on this blog.
If the Gators won’t take your $#%^ anymore, (they are the lowest of the low) why should we have too?
Frank from KS
April 20th, 2009
1:03 pm
Bravews 5 games out as of today. If they get their stuff together, they can stay close to the Marlins to where they might make a run late.
Sandlot
April 20th, 2009
1:04 pm
Nice pics, McFann. The eyeballs made me laugh out loud. My dad was at the Saturday game, too, but he left that part out of his recap.
Speaking of eyeballs, I really hope Heap’s eye appointment goes well.
P-Town Brave
April 20th, 2009
1:08 pm
Wow…you guys trying to compare Kelly and Martin obviously don’t know too much about baseball…
Martin = consistency
Kelly = streaky
Yes Kelly may make a good play in the field every once in a great while and yeah he may go on a week tear and hit .400 and a few bombs, BUT then the next week he’ll go 0 for 20 and make 3-4 crucial errors.
Martin is a solid and should be everyday player. He may not hit you 25 HR’s, BUT he will hit .300+, come through in the clutch, NOT strikeout 100 times, and play consistent defense.
No his range may not be outstanding by any means, but he will make the makeable play, which these days (v Philly in 08, v Florida in 09) Kelly can’t seem to make that cost us games.
Even Infante would be a steadier everyday player than Kelly…
No offense to Kelly, but for everything he gave in the first week of the season to get up to .360, he’s now hitting .220…and there haven’t been any documentations to believe he has eye troubles like Mac.
ncscoots
April 20th, 2009
1:09 pm
Just so you know, a new book is out, coinciding with the anniversary of Field of Dreams, called Chasing Moonlight. A life story about Archie Graham, naturally. My disclaimer here is that one of the authors is an acquaintance of mine, but I found it excellent. It’s not a baseball book, though, if you incline that way.
P-Town Brave
April 20th, 2009
1:09 pm
Cody Johnson = poor man’s Adam Dunn
MFin04
April 20th, 2009
1:13 pm
No one actually thinks the Marlins are going to run away with the Division do they? If the Nationals didn’t have such a horrible bullpen…the Marlins could easily have been swept in their last series…no joke. Nationals had leads in every 8th or 9th inning of each game…I believe. The Marlins are not unbeatable by any means…but they sure do look good right now. It’s a long season.
GSU-Lee
April 20th, 2009
1:13 pm
P-Town Brave, that’s a great comparison on Johnson and Dunn. I will say though, Johnson will be in the bigs one day. the guy just has such huge raw power. Heyward is where it’s at though. Over the last week he has been tearing it up. He is hitting .325 with a couple of dingers and RBIs. Freeman is having a good start as well, he is leading the team in RBIs up there in Myrtle Beach
ncscoots
April 20th, 2009
1:13 pm
Wow…you guys trying to compare Kelly and Martin obviously don’t know too much about baseball…
That kind of comment always and immediately tells me I’m about to fall into a pit of woefully clueless analysis.
“Danger, scoots, Danger! Scroll quickly!”
Efrim
April 20th, 2009
1:14 pm
Actually, Dunn gets on base. So Cody Johnson is really just a one-dimensional player. Power. He doesn’t really provide any other skill.
P-Town Brave
April 20th, 2009
1:16 pm
Oh and just to mention as me being a SS and 2b in my life, Kelly turns by far the worst DP I have EVER seen! And this is from experience in watching high schoolers as well as college players.
If you notice, he is generally in a position of weakness from his lower half because he plants both feet and throws off his back foot when turning a DP. This causes very weak and inaccurate throws. The normal and more effective method is to pivot and get momentum toward 1b for when you make that throw. This also helps get out of the way of the incoming sliding runner for when he tries to break up the DP. Kelly just seems to recoil behind the 2b bag either because he wasn’t taught the proper way to turn the DP, because he’s trying to relive his days as a SS, OR because he’s afraid to come across the bag and get hit.
Either way, he’s doing it wrong and has been since he became the 2b.
Next time Prado or Infante are at 2b and get a chance to turn a DP, watch them as they come across the 2b bag…or really, any other 2b for that matter….because there is always a right way to do things, and a wrong way…
Also, DOB, I wanted to give you a shout out for your blog song yesterday. For the most part, I don’t enjoy the music you listen to (opinion is opinion right), however, I’m a big Soul Asylum fan, especially Misery and Runaway Train…so great pick!
Lew
April 20th, 2009
1:16 pm
PTownBrave-And what track record of Prado’s, exactly, do you point to that shows consistency? His minor league record? It sure as hell can’t be his ML record, because he’s been a role player the entire time and hasn’t played anywhere near enough to give the indications you claim.
Frank from KS
April 20th, 2009
1:18 pm
DOB
Can’t remember the time of this particular post of yours…..but I whole-heartly agree about Ashton Kutcher, the fact that he’s married to Demi Moore….who at almost 50+, is still very gorgeous. I tell ya one thing….I’m still quite jealous of him…(Lol) ;>)
They must be doing something right as far as marriage, etc…..compared to some out there in Hollywood. I still don’t know what got into Brad Pitt.
P-Town Brave
April 20th, 2009
1:19 pm
GSU-
I enjoyed watching Heyward up close and am actually even more excited about Freeman because I’d like to pay his way to Atlanta now as I’ve already grown tired of watching Kotchman out there…I guess I just expect a little more from that position considering we watch Ryan Howard, Carlos Delgado, Jorge Cantu, and even Nick Johnson on a daily basis.
GSU-Lee
April 20th, 2009
1:19 pm
Efrim
Cody is doing alright. He still strike out too much but he is hitting .250. And FWIW he is leading the Carolina league with 6 homers and he is second on the team in RBIs with 9 (Freeman has 10). And the guy is only 20 years old. So let’s try and hold off final judgment. He is just a kid.
Efrim
April 20th, 2009
1:20 pm
People still aren’t seriously calling for Martin to start everyday, are they? Certainly not over Kelly Johnson. Maybe starting on another team then, right? Maybe the Pads? Some other team other than the Braves? Because I have seen nothing to suggest that Martin Prado would be better than Kelly Johnson over the course of a full season. NOTHING.