Trying to bring the mojo home
So the Braves are home from a 6-2 road trip against the Marlins, Phillies and Mets. Now we know they can do it.
They can grind out some tough wins, they can find clutch hitting to go along with their quality starting pitching. They can play smart baseball, and they can get gutty performances from Mike Gonzalez and their bullpen. And yes, absolutely, they can benefit from having both Garret Anderson and Brian McCann back in the lineup.
But can they do it at home? Dare we welcome them back to Turner Field for this 10-game homestand, folks? Where the Braves lost four in a row before heading out on that last trip, and where they’ve lost nine of their last 11 games.
Overall, the Braves are 12-8 on the road this season and 5-9 at home. (And just an aside, the Mets are the only team in the NL East with a winning record at home – they are 12-8 at Citi Field – so the Braves are not alone.)
So is this just geography? Or is it timing – that it just so happened the Braves were playing poorly at home because it was before the lineup was put back together as guys got healthy?
There might be more to it, if you listen to what Chipper Jones suggested Wednesday to DOB (clue, hint, DOB is not writing this blog since I’m now talking about him in the third person.) Chipper suggested there’s been a change in mentality on the road.
“I want to see – I’ll make this known – I want to see the same intensity we’ve had this last eight days when we get home to Atlanta,” Jones said. “Up until now it’s been kind of a different team that’s played at home. We’ve been a little more relaxed and had a kind of sit-back-and-wait mentality. Out here [on the road], it’s been us against the world. We’re all together. We need to take that intensity back home.”
So in those last 11 home games, the Braves are hitting only .236 and they have a 4.36 ERA. In their last 12 road games, the Braves are hitting .270 and have a 3.61 ERA.
They’ve got the team coming in tonight that would be a prime target to turn things around against at Turner Field these next three days.
Arizona slinks in for the weekend series, having lost five of its last six games since manager Bob Melvin was fired and farm director A.J. Hinch took over. Hinch, 34, a former major league catcher with Oakland, Kansas City, Detroit and Philadelphia, had no experience as a manager on any level. Talk about trial by fire.
Anyway, the Diamondbacks are last in the major leagues in runs scored (129) and last in batting average (.232). They’ve got only two players hitting over .300 in their lineup – Felipe Lopez (.319) and Justin Upton (.306). They are prime for the taking for Javier Vazquez tonight, Kenshin Kawakami tomorrow and Derek Lowe on Sunday.
And not that we aren’t taking it one day at a time, here filling in on the MIB/Braves blog, but coming in after Arizona is Colorado and its 13-20 record, 9 ½ games behind the Dodgers at the moment. And then we get a splash of interleague play – first of the year, feels like it’s about time for it.
And who would have thought Toronto would be the team leading the AL East over the Red Sox, Yankees and Devil Rays?
GWINNETT BRAVES:
Long day for the Gwinnett Braves today. They got rained out yesterday, so they get to play a doubleheader today, then travel from Buffalo to LeHigh Valley. Course, they will play only two seven-inning games in the doubleheader, so that should help. (Are we making up the rules as we go along? Ha.)
Todd Redmond (2-2, 3.68) is pitching the first game, which starts at 5:35 p.m. and Tommy Hanson (1-3, 1.99) pitches the second.
And speaking of AAA, I had a few leftover quotes that I couldn’t fit in the Q and A with Kris Medlen that ran in this morning’s paper. So I’ll spill it here.
His answers provided some insight I thought bloggers might appreciate. He sounds to me like he’s got the mentality to back up why he’s throwing strikes and mowing down hitters for a 21-inning scoreless streak right now. He’s 5-0 with an 0.96 ERA, by the way, and pitches again on Saturday in LeHigh Valley.
Q. Have you surprised yourself? Leading the International League in ERA?
A. “I’m going to say no, I’m not surprised just because I’ve gone out super confident this year and just started the year out well. I go out there expecting to get outs. I just have so far. Everything can turn whenever it wants. I’m just happy everything is going well right now, I’m just trying to keep it up.”
Q. Do you feel caught between “Am I a starter” or “Am I a reliever?” (Medlen was a reliever in junior college and the first two years of his minor league career until the Braves moved him to the rotation halfway through AA Mississippi last year. He came out of the bullpen in big league camp, then went back to starting in Gwinnett.)
A. “Not really. I like starting. Results-wise I guess it’s definitely a lot better. It’s just learning to pitch. I think the only rut I get caught in with the whole reliever/starter thing is when I’m starting, I use all my pitches more. When I’m a reliever, I go into this mode of fastball/curveball to righties, and fastball/changeup to lefties. This year, I’m throwing a lot more changeups to righties, mixing the curveballs to lefties, mixing all my pitches and I think it’s helping me a lot.”
OK, that’s it. More from the ‘yard as we go.
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897 comments Add your comment
fat people sink faster
May 15th, 2009
12:26 pm
1st??
CLE
May 15th, 2009
12:27 pm
Thanks for the blog, Carroll. Let’s see how many people confuse you with DOB today!
Lash La Rue
May 15th, 2009
12:27 pm
Great day for Braves baseball. Welcome Ms. Rogers..
CB
May 15th, 2009
12:28 pm
You have to like Medlen and his confidence level. I still feel like he is the one the Braves should call up to replace JOJO and then put him in the bullpen when Glavine is ready.
rammerjammer
May 15th, 2009
12:29 pm
Good to have Carol Roberts back.
richbrave
May 15th, 2009
12:33 pm
Hi CARROLL:
I think it timing. Once ANDERSON, KAWAKAMI, McCANN get settled in and FRANCOUER goes back for the future, the BRAVES will grind through this season in solid fashion. On KELLY I’m not sure. I’m beginning to think that what you see is what you get. That patience and quick bat I saw his first season has been coached out of him, and I’m saying that’s not a good thing. Maybe this team’s hitting philosophy doesn’t match with his natural talent.
Josh
May 15th, 2009
12:34 pm
Go Braves!
I'm from North Carolina
May 15th, 2009
12:35 pm
The Braves need to attack
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
May 15th, 2009
12:35 pm
un oh!…..Carol Roberts!!! Where is DOB, why the heck is he taking a day off when the Braves are at home tonight? Ugh! Please Mr. Roberts get your own blog…Get rid of Chop Chicks and get your own.
Anyway on the Braves, hopefully we can start to win some series at the Ted, will the crowds be 13,000+?
KC
May 15th, 2009
12:35 pm
There may have been a bit of a difference in intensity at home vs. on the road… BUT, I don’t think there can be any doubt that getting GA and Mac back in the lineup makes a HUGE difference for this team, and they just so happened to get those guys back at the beginning of the road trip.
Even when McCann was in the lineup in April, aside from the opening Phili series, he clearly wasn’t himself. Since the return of Anderson, and McCann right after that… the Braves have averaged about 6 runs per game.
Certainly a different team heading home than the one was saw on the last homestand.
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
12:36 pm
Fireworks tonight people. Get out to the Ted!
I'm from North Carolina
May 15th, 2009
12:36 pm
*the rest of my comment* The D-backs are a prime target to do some real winning, I’m looking foward to a great homestand.
Tomahawkin
May 15th, 2009
12:38 pm
C-Roge In Da House! Thanks for the 411…
Is it Me or ever since Randy Johnson threw that Perfect game here in 04, The Braves have not had a Home Field Advantage like they used to…?
I the Braves hit like they did at Citi Field we will come out on top “Bank On It”
And Believe me if they come out playing flat I will be the first to bash, especially Francoeur…He needs to seriously step it up…Oh Yea I’m finally convinced that K-Fer doesn’t belong on the Big league level yet…He needs more seasoning in AAA…
Mixxo
May 15th, 2009
12:40 pm
I’m from North Carolina – Yup! Sounds like a plan. Agreed.
DAP
May 15th, 2009
12:42 pm
chipper will have a big series. he is starting to get hot…..
Jackson (The Sniper)
May 15th, 2009
12:42 pm
Hopefully attendance will start to pick up, that can only help with the “intensity” that Chipper wants to see. I doubt the D-Bags are gonna help bring a big crowd, hopefully our better play will.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
12:43 pm
Gummy Bears, did I wrong you in another life or something? Maybe I was mean to you in middle school? The reason DOB gets a day off at home is because he covered the last six games. Maybe you should take the day off too, if you don’t like it (oops, did I say that out loud?)
KC I think you make valid points.
richbrave
May 15th, 2009
12:44 pm
BRAVES PHANATICS:
Its easy to say, “O.K. let’s relax it’s ARIZONA, COLORADO, TORONTO not the METS, FISH or FILTHIES, so they’re not as important. All the teams in the NL EAST are pretty even right now with the exception of WASHINGTON, and I truely believe will split their season games roughly 9-9.
Don’t lose sight of how vital these games on this home-stand are. The team from the east that dominates the NATS AND wins best against the rest of the NL and the AL are gonna’ be crowned the division winners.
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
12:44 pm
Carroll Rogers – I enjoyed your piece on Medlen the other day. Btw, how is that Barton expose coming along?
KC
May 15th, 2009
12:44 pm
CB, it’s unlikely that either Hanson or Medlen will be called up until June. They don’t want to start the arbitration clock early on either of those guys, and from what I understand, June 1 is the magic benchmark there.
If Glavine is healthy come June, Medlen will have a good chance of being called up to the bullpen. But if Glavine isn’t healthy, here’s what I would like to see:
Call Medlen up to take that final rotation slot, and temporarily (this year only) put Hanson in the bullpen. The Rays did this with Price last year, and he helped them get to the World Series. Pitching just one inning at a time, Hanson could come out throwing 97-99mph (with movement), along with that nasty slider and filthy curve. He could be outstanding in the pen.
And then when Hudson is ready, you put him wherever he’s most needed – rotation or ‘pen. DAMN, what a pitching staff that would (will?) be!!!
CLE
May 15th, 2009
12:45 pm
Gummy Bears, quit acting like a jerk. I’m convinced you intentionally spell Carroll’s name wrong and refer to her in male pronouns. No one is amused. Stick to baseball talk, please.
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
12:45 pm
Carroll, Don’t feed the bears.
chc4
May 15th, 2009
12:48 pm
If Francoeur continues to revert back to his ‘08 performance, I hope Cox goes the Wednesday’s lineup more often. Frenchy looks completely lost and is swinging at everything. He’s an automatic out.
AGTFan
May 15th, 2009
12:53 pm
DOB – Why are you referring to yourself in the third person? Just kidding Carrol. I enjoyed the interview with Medlin. Hopefully, the road trip was a confidence builder and the team will play with more intensity at home now.
KC
May 15th, 2009
12:54 pm
chc4, yes, Frenchy’s looked pretty bad and ‘08-like… but only for the last week or so. His swing was very solid all spring and all through the month of April. So I wouldn’t worry yet. If he’s still looking like this in a few weeks, that’ll be a different story. But right now, I don’t see too much cause for concern. It’s a long season, and everyone has ups and downs.
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
May 15th, 2009
12:58 pm
Sorry CARROLL ROGERS, I will try to get your name spelled right from now on….Truthfully for the first few pages a few blogs ago I actually did think your name was Carol Roberts.
Okay baseball question Mr. Rogers, I know its early but whom do you think the bravos are going to target before the trade deadline..
Renegator
May 15th, 2009
1:00 pm
KC:
Frenchy’s new swing makes him basically just a slap singles hitter. Is that really what we want out of our RF?
chris from md
May 15th, 2009
1:01 pm
KC,
I’m with you on letting Hanson be used in the pen this year. I could also see Morton getting two starts, giving way to Glavine, and then going to the pen.
Early prediction for next year: Hudson and Hanson in the rotation. Glavine retires and someone else in the rotation is traded. Morton and Medlen work in the pen. Reyes is traded. One of Soriano and Gonzalez is resigned; the other is let go (due to financial reasons). Thoughts?
Chris from MD
Rodney Derrick
May 15th, 2009
1:01 pm
Carroll– Great article on Medlen. And you started the Braves revival in Florida. As for the Braves intensity problem at home, the lack of intensity in the stands at Turner may be one factor, but perhaps the return to their homes and their wives, girlfriends, and children, and driving to and from Turner causes them to lose some of their focus. Perhaps better to hang out in other cities together, staying in same hotel, going to game together for the most part, plus perhaps some “quickie”, on the road one or two night stands with partners of which the home folks are not aware.
Cville
May 15th, 2009
1:01 pm
First time I’ve posted. (Been a Braves fan since childhood but haven’t lived in Atlanta since gradusting from college 30 years ago)
Anyway, I’ve been seeing a lot of Elvis Audrus on the ESPN highlights playing shortstop for Texas. Hindsight being 20/20, it still bugs me that the Braves gave up so much young talent for Tex. If the trade hadn’t been made I could imagine a strong defensive lineup of Andrus at short for the Braves, Escobar at third and Chipper at 1st. And we would have more speed on the bases, which IMO the braves sorley need (I still wish they had kept Josh Anderson for that reason).
I just think the Braves are going to really regret the Tex trade.
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
1:02 pm
Thanks for the new Blog, Ms. Rogers!
KC Even when McCann was in the lineup in April, aside from the opening Philli series, he clearly wasn’t himself.
That’s for sure. After he hit 3 doubles in the home opener against the Nats, he started to go downhill. But now he’s BMac again! Here’s to a good homestand! He hasn’t played a home game since April 15th. Every time he goes down for an extended period of time, he comes back when the team’s on the road. (But this year was better than last year, when the team was in San Francisco when he returned.)
Gotta go check up on the D-Backs now…wanna see if they do a lotta running…
AndyC
May 15th, 2009
1:02 pm
Don’t worry Carroll. 99% of us like you and respect your work. There are always a few crazy wackos. By the way, I always look at the byline to see who wrote the blog before I proceed although it would be cool to have your own bada$$ picture at the top like DOB!
KC
May 15th, 2009
1:03 pm
I have noticed something where Francoeur is concerned…
If any other player hits .200 or so for a week, they’re in a little bit of a slump. But if Francoeur has a bad week, he’s “reverting to his 2008 form”. Not knocking anyone… just making an observation.
The fact is, EVERY hitter on the planet – or nearly every hitter – reverts to Francoeur’s ‘08 form once in a while.
What made 2008 so terrible for him was that it lasted all season. But for a good hitter to have a stretch of a week or two like this is no big deal. Happens to nearly every hitter in the game every year. Again, let’s worry about it in a few weeks if he’s still swinging like this.
Tricky Dick
May 15th, 2009
1:04 pm
Gummy, you are truly an idiot.
richbrave
May 15th, 2009
1:05 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM:
25 year old righty CHARLIE MORTON has FINALLY put back to back to back impressive starts together on the AAA level. Always before he’d be one good, two bad. Later it was two good, one bad, but never three in a row until now. MAY stats: 2-1 record with a 1.23 ERA, 0.96 GO/AO, and a .153 avg. 22 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 17 SO. What you saw in ATLANTA last year is not what this young man can bring to the mound. When he’s established in the majors barring injury, he’ll be a solid performer for five years or more. Thats why you see DOB saying he’ll be the probable call-up when there is one.
Original Jon
May 15th, 2009
1:08 pm
Gummi Bears, seriously, Carroll is a WOMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get it right, dang!
Josh H
May 15th, 2009
1:09 pm
richbrave:
From the # 5 slot…I’d definitely take two good starts out of 3.
richbrave
May 15th, 2009
1:09 pm
Trade deadline. I like our chances as they are. No moves unless for farm talent.
rammerjammer
May 15th, 2009
1:10 pm
CLE,
To quote from DOB: “We talk Braves, baseball in general, other sports, music, movies, BBQ and whatever else (except politics).”
So if Gummy Bears or anyone else wants to have fun with “whatever else,” well, pal, you can get over it, get with it, or get lost.
Lars Taint
May 15th, 2009
1:10 pm
I’m going with a group of 9 people to the game tomrrow and we want to watch the game from the Top of the Chop. Does anyone know how early you need to get there to get a good table on the patio?
DCBrave
May 15th, 2009
1:10 pm
Nice to see you’ve got your name (and gender) back today, Carroll.
Yeah, the Diamondbacks really got a tofu back these days, and Braves really should take advantage of it. The problem is that, based on past experience, the Braves’ backs tend to be stronger when facing good teams but become much softer facing bad teams. Hopefully this time around is different.
Melty Mets Melt Away When the September Heat Comes to Stay
May 15th, 2009
1:11 pm
GO BRAVES!!
richbrave
May 15th, 2009
1:11 pm
You and me too JOSH, me too.!!!
KC
May 15th, 2009
1:11 pm
Cville, yeah the Tex trade hurt.
But, the Braves got him to help get to the playoffs and hopefully win in October in ‘07 and ‘08. If the Braves had a crystal ball… if they had known that the back end of the rotation in ‘07 would derail any hopes… or that the Braves would suffer a historic – nearly unprecedented – rash of injuries in ‘08, they never would have made the trade.
Had the Braves been healthy last year, they might have gone to the World Series with Tex last year, in which case, the trade wouldn’t have looked so bad.
As it is, the Braves got the services of Mark Texeira for parts of two seasons, plus a quality 1st baseman (Kotchman) and a decent pitching prospect.
Was that worth what they gave up? No. But a lot of what the Braves gave up were players that were blocked. E.Andrews and Salty were blocked by McCann and Escobar… so their only value was TRADE value. I know that doesn’t make it sting any less to see them performing well while Texeira’s greedy a$$ is in pinstripes, but in reality, the only real sacrifice we made was the pitching we gave up in the deal.
And only time will tell how good those pitchers are or aren’t at the big league level.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
1:11 pm
Jeff321, Barton story is filed and stewing in a computer somewhere down at the home office. Will be in print Sunday, maybe online before.
richbrave, add to that that Morton pitched Wednesday, like Jo-Jo. So he’s right on target, timing-wise.
Goofy, I mean Gummy, can’t you start me off with something easier than that? I gotta predict where the Braves needs will be two months from now?
keylargo
May 15th, 2009
1:12 pm
Carroll
I was thinking about you while I was on my mid day bicycle ride today. I don’t know if you bike or not but I think it is all about the same when you can get away for a couple of hours mid day. Have you ever run in the Seven Mile Bridge Run down here in the Keys? It’s a good fast race and US 1 is completely shut down for two hours. Anyway, I was riding the bridge today on my bicycle and thought you would enjoy riding or running at noon.
I think the time has come to admit if we are going to contend, we are going to have to get at least one and maybe two outfielders. I think center would be the place to start and send Schafer to Gwinnett where he should have been. That spring of his really fooled a lot of people.
richbrave
May 15th, 2009
1:13 pm
DCBRAVE:
RICHMOND BRAVE here. I’ve been trying to talk up the importance of these games here on the blog, in hopes the players occasionally wander over to see what’s being said and it rubs off on them.
rammerjammer
May 15th, 2009
1:14 pm
Carroll, glad to see YOU have a sense of humor!
oldschool
May 15th, 2009
1:14 pm
the only reason morton will be called up is because he’s on the 40 man roster
KC
May 15th, 2009
1:16 pm
richbrave, don’t meant to be contrary, but I think the reason we’ll see Morton (if there is a call-up), as opposed to Hanson or Melen, has to do as much with financial considerations as anything else. Don’t want to start the arbitration clock early on Medlen or Hanson.
Not that the Braves don’t like Morton… I don’t think that’s the case at all. I think they see a great deal of potential in him. And certainly his recent performance at Gwinnet has helped his cause.
BUT… Reyes hasn’t been sent down yet. Yikes. Are they really going to run him back out there AGAIN????
DCBrave
May 15th, 2009
1:16 pm
“Okay baseball question Mr. Rogers …”
Oops, Carroll, I was wrong. No, you did not get your gender back.
Melty Mets Melt Away When the September Heat Comes to Stay
May 15th, 2009
1:16 pm
Chipper and Mac, will lead the attack, on the lowly D-backs!
TnBrian
May 15th, 2009
1:16 pm
Chipper wants to see the “us against the world” attitude at home too, then he needs to hold a team meeting and tell them that the chopping cow wants them to lose and get embarrassed at home. Play against that fu*** cow! Whatever it takes.
richbrave
May 15th, 2009
1:17 pm
Speaking of trades I saw MATT HARRISON’s majors numbers on Sports news last night. Seems to be progressing well also.
oldschool
May 15th, 2009
1:17 pm
None of the players read this blog I can promise you that or they would charge the stands about once a week like a NBA game
Why do they always send the poor?
May 15th, 2009
1:18 pm
Yay Carroll!
jimmy
May 15th, 2009
1:18 pm
don sutton praised this young man in spring training if glavine does’t make it back maybe he is the one who needs to be brought up
oldschool
May 15th, 2009
1:19 pm
Reyes has about as much of a chance to pitch his next turn as one of us
Jo-Jo Reyes
May 15th, 2009
1:19 pm
Why does nobody like me?
Heavy Medlen
May 15th, 2009
1:19 pm
Carroll, my only gripe with you is that the Braves don’t like winning whenever you cover them. Otherwise, I don’t even notice half the time who is running the blog. Keep up the good work and thanks for what you do. Don’t let detractors like Gummy Bears ruin your day. (not that I think, in any way, you give a crap what somebody with the name “gummy bears” thinks.)
Go Braves!
matt_T
May 15th, 2009
1:20 pm
Hopefully DOB is off so he can go see MASTODON tonight
sportsmandh
May 15th, 2009
1:20 pm
Carroll, we appreciate your efforts, despite the rudeness of certain denizens, or the clumsiness (is that a word?) of others who have not been able to figure out yet when it’s you on post instead of DOB. Personally, didn’t think it’s that hard, but I guess maybe it is for some.
As far as the Braves, they have to carry the momentum from the road trip and take the series from both the Dbacks and the Rockies. That is at a minimum, hopefully they can throw in a sweep in 1 of the 2.
Doc Holiday
May 15th, 2009
1:20 pm
CB,
There is no debate on who is pitching better this year…….JJJ is of course, but, in crunch time, I would like Lowe on the hill, by a close margin ahead of JJJ, but its only because of experience and his sinker (less HR allowed than JJJ).
Ace is just a word to determine the leader of the pack, like your alfa male, the guy that the team will miss and affect others pitching and stuff like that. That might be Lowe IMO, but sure, JJJ is not far behind, only aspect missing is experience, which translates into lack of leadership. Thats all.
richbrave
May 15th, 2009
1:21 pm
KC:
No problemo KC. I’m sure finances are big in most moves. I am surprised that he’s still in ATLANTA. I thought after that last 3 IP the only thing left of JoJO at TURNER FIELD would be his ghost.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
1:22 pm
never have, KeyLargo. Sounds cool. I’m training for the Seattle Marathon and just found out the route was changed to include a floating bridge on the run – i think i read that right. I’m really not sure how that will work, but it sounds cool. course, I’ve never been seasick on a run before??!!
Lars Taint
May 15th, 2009
1:23 pm
I’ll try again.
Does anyone here ever watch the game from the Chop House? If so, how early do you need to be to get a good spot on the Top of the Chop patio?
Robert Joe "Bobby" Cox
May 15th, 2009
1:24 pm
For all the naysayers talking smack about JoJo; He will continue to pitch until I get reamed by the Atlanta press; And damn the team, its all about JoJo’s wants and needs!
DCBrave
May 15th, 2009
1:25 pm
Heavy Medlen: “Carroll, my only gripe with you is that the Braves don’t like winning whenever you cover them.”
Are you sure about that, Heavy? Not sure about this season so far, but I thought Carroll’s winning record last season was much better than DOB’s, at least the first half of last season.
richbrave
May 15th, 2009
1:25 pm
old school:
Live in hope die in despair huh.
rammerjammer
May 15th, 2009
1:25 pm
Morton may not excite the masses like Hanson and Medlen, but he’s probably more ready to step into a major league rotation right now. I hope he gets the call.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
1:28 pm
Thanks DCBrave. I was a winner last year, and that was not easy to do….Heavy M is right for earlier this year, but I think I rebounded with back-to-back wins in Florida. ….But if we fall back into the losing bit at home – look out I’m covering Monday and Tuesday too – you guys should start a petition to get me some more off days!
ernisTbass
May 15th, 2009
1:28 pm
Platoon Kelly with Frenchy in right. Kelly isn’t a prototypical lead-off hitter and he is an average at best 2nd baseman but I like the guy and think he has a future with the team if they would quit trying to squeeze blood out of a perfectly good turnip. He did a respectable job in left and showed he can hit. This would serve two purposes by allowing Kelly to hit in the 6 or 7 hole he should produce more consistantly and show whether or not he may be the answer in right field, he sure isn’t at second. It may light a fire under Frenchy or prove once and for all that he needs a change of sceenery. Either way some questions would be answered, surely Kelly couldn’t be any worse than Diaz in right and he can hit better than Frenchy at the moment. The worst case is they both do well in that scenario and playing time becomes an issue. I can think of worse problems to have. Infante should have second nailed down so you need to find a spot for Kelly or trade him, I would rather keep the guy, just not on 2nd.
Renegator
May 15th, 2009
1:29 pm
Lars Taint:
These days – not very early. The Ted will be dead.
Heavy Medlen
May 15th, 2009
1:30 pm
Carroll what is the overall record this year with you covering them? How about when Carol Roberts is?
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
1:30 pm
rammerjammer, I agree. Morton will do an acceptable job and is the most likely candidate for a call-up.
Heavy Medlen
May 15th, 2009
1:32 pm
DC.. you may be right. I just know at the start it was scary. She got us two wins in Florida, so I guess this homestand will determine if she needs a paper route over the summer.
JasoninAtl
May 15th, 2009
1:32 pm
Where Frenchy is concerned I agree with KC in the fact that hitters will go through slumps, and this is one of them. However, his pitch recognition is awful. I’m all for being aggresive at the plate, but I would much prefer him to be aggresive in the strike zone. Unfortunately I think that ship has left the tracks and the train has sailed. As much as I root for the guy (he plays so hard, he seems genuinely likeable), I get the feeling that what we are seeing is what we have. A .260 – .270 hitter, low OBP, with occasional power and good defense. That probably translates to a replacement level player, but not the superstart that many of us hoped/thought he would become.
monty
May 15th, 2009
1:34 pm
I want the Jeff F. experiment with his new swing to work as much as anyone. I want him to recover that Golden Boy, that Natural,type performance of old. HIs new swing makes him a singles and doubles hitter, something I don’t believe he thinks that he is. I think it’s hard for him to see MAcann hitting balls in the upper deck and you used to hit like that, but now your a Punch and Judy hitter. I think that lately he has been pressing to do too much out of frustration with having little power.(harder swings, pulling off pitches,trying to lift the ball) It will be interesting to see how patient he can be this weekend and will he try to crush it or be satisfied with singles back up the middle.
ease19
May 15th, 2009
1:35 pm
Doc – How does”lack of experience” translate into “lack of leadership”? Not arguing with your point, which is a good one, just curious…maybe I am reading it wrong?
No More Bobby
May 15th, 2009
1:36 pm
I like that Chipper is stepping it up as leader of this club but honestly what took him so long?
rammerjammer
May 15th, 2009
1:36 pm
Steve,
If Morton is called up and does well in two starts…and then Glavine is ready…what would be done with the rotation? Maybe KK becomes a $23 million set-up guy?
Not saying it will happen…heck, probably won’t…but it’s fun to speculate!
Maturin
May 15th, 2009
1:37 pm
I’d like to see how Medlin deals with tough situations and failure before bringing him up. We’ve all heard how Hanson can keep his composure, and that’s what sets him ahead of other pitchers with good stuff (Morton.)
RIPSkip
May 15th, 2009
1:38 pm
OK Go Braves!!! BUT…
When are we going to realize it’s time to pull the plug on the Frenchy experiment. This is not a half-season problem. We are basically two full seasons into this. Frenchy is what he is…NOT VERY GOOD.
We all loved the splash he made when he first came up (i traveled down from Ohio for that series and was actually there–fun week!), but we can’t afford him out there. Imagine replacing his bat with a .300-25-110 bat with some discipline.
I know, as soon as I write this, he’ll go 3-8 the next two days and some on here will proclaim that Texas’ hitting coach or his new approach are starting to work. I won’t be fooled again!
GO BRAVES!
DAP
May 15th, 2009
1:41 pm
keylargoI think the time has come to admit if we are going to contend, we are going to have to get at least one and maybe two outfielders.
how about mike cameron or jermaine dye, or brad hawpe, or brian giles? who is feesable for the braves to go get?
Billy Walsh
May 15th, 2009
1:44 pm
What makes the Tex trade look bad is not the fact that they gave up Andrus, Salty, or Harrison. Neftali Feliz was considered a throw in and has quickly become the Rangers best prospect and projects as a number starter. I can’t see Salty becoming more than an average player in the majors and the braves could have moved Andrus to second if they wanted to keep him. Imagine a future rotation consisting of Hanson, Medlen, and Feliz.
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
May 15th, 2009
1:47 pm
Jammer I know alot about movies.
CB
May 15th, 2009
1:47 pm
Doc I agree with what you said about Lowe -his experience is nice to have- he and JJ are a push in my book. Always appreciate your input on the blog along with other knowlegable people. Renegator still we will do well on this homestand- Braves may have turned it around. We shall see.
Tomahawk210
May 15th, 2009
1:48 pm
Tomahawkin’
I don’t think facing AAA pitching is going to help Schafer at this point. I see him starting to break out of his K’ing slump. I have a feeling this series is when he turns it around, he had an off day yesterday to think about it and hopefully work on his swing. His defense is far and away better than anything else we could put out there and I wish Bobby would bat him lead-off, I bet it would help. Sending him down would do nothing for him and his confidence. It’s not like he’s losing games for us by being up here.
MiaBchBravesFan
May 15th, 2009
1:50 pm
For those of you clammoring for either Medlen or Hanson, understand that if Bobby makes a switch away from Reyes, it’s gonna be Charlie Morton, who is on the 40 man roster. (Medlen and Hanson are not; if you have to ask why that should matter at all, this blog is not for you and you need to take the MLB 202 course.) Chances are that if Reyes has another poor outing (against the Rockies), Cox will either skip his turn, or wait it out to see if Glavine is ready to assume his fifth spot in the rotation within the next two weeks.
If Glavine is delayed, Morton is your next man in the five hole should Reyes falter again.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
1:51 pm
3-6 for me. 0-0 for Mr. Roberts….started 1-6….hey, they still have paper routes? none of you guys actually get the paper, eh? maybe you better sign up and i can have some yards to throw to.
CLE
May 15th, 2009
1:53 pm
rammer: Pardon me, PAL, for asking Gummy to just be a little more respectful to the writers. I personally enjoy all the non-baseball chat on here, too. Simply thought Carroll deserved a little more respect. If it’s cool with you, I’d like to stick around and keep reading.
Doc Holiday
May 15th, 2009
1:54 pm
ease19,
Cause I dont think JJJ can tell Vazquez or Lowe or Soriano or Gonzo or Glavine if he comes back, etc etc etc……..”hey guys look, we have to regroup, we are doing this and that bad, in my experience when you get out of control, you do this and if the bases are loaded with one out and the game is tied you do this” ………and so on. Its not impossible to bethe leader of the pack if you are a sophomore, but it is quite hard, specially if you have guys with lots of experience on the team, only jojo has less experience than him……….not even KK has less experience.
Doc Holiday
May 15th, 2009
1:55 pm
CB,
Thanks for the compliment, nice to read them after a hard day at the blog (yesterday, LOL).
Supes
May 15th, 2009
1:57 pm
Carroll, thanks for the blog and I really enjoyed the Q/A with Kris Medlen. Excellent work, hope to get more from AAA guys….what about a Q/A with Charlie Morton (if he gets the call up, it’ll be a lot easier I guess).
I have to agree with KC…Future could be very bright for all 3 starters…Hanson, Medlen and Morton. I know Charlie was hit and miss last year but I believe he can turn it around. Like all of his pitches, just needs more time to mature and have success.
As far as the bullpen prospects, using Medlen and Hanson from the pen in September (or sooner if necessary) would be a good move. Worked for Tampa and David Price.
CB
May 15th, 2009
2:00 pm
MiaBch BravesFan some of us did not “clamor” for Medlen or Hanson but merely stated our preference. I think we all understand the financial reasons to bring Morton but thank you for teaching we illiterates.
Emilio
May 15th, 2009
2:00 pm
Key Largo – Are you really from Key Largo or just wishing? I’m an old Conch, and if you’re from Largo you’ll know where I’m from and how we love our baseball. The Bravos have what could turn out to be a very fun team to watch. Next 30 days will tell the tale! Let’s hope they get it rolling on this home stand. Jo Jo does need more seasoning and I don’t mean tabasco! JS needs his eyes checked. Don’t see how you can swing that many times and not get lucky. In all fairness he seems to be making better contact. Now wouldn’t that be an impact if he starts getting some hits with his walks!
PWHjort
May 15th, 2009
2:01 pm
KC,
You’re right about not having to face Haren or Webb. Scheduling and injuries done us right.
Lew,
I don’t disagree that Kawakami walks too many people. What I’m saying is that maybe putting him in the bullpen fixes his fatigue issues which allows him to re-gain the control he had in Japan which cuts down his BB rate.
Supes
May 15th, 2009
2:01 pm
Billy Walsh ,
Right on about Neftali Feliz. He is “the one” that we will probably regret the most (in the next few years anyways)
Heavy Medlen
May 15th, 2009
2:02 pm
as soon as i typed it, i asked myself.. do those still exist? Does anyone on here under 16 have any idea what I am talking about? And since I am from CT, Carroll, you might need to borrow whatever Javy was taking during his 42 homer season to reach me.
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
May 15th, 2009
2:05 pm
whats a paper?
Josh B
May 15th, 2009
2:06 pm
Hey guys One dollar bills come in groups of 50 from the bank. What do 5 dollar bills come in? Im at work and I can’t figure it out
BossLady
May 15th, 2009
2:06 pm
You need to get there when the gates open to get a table at the Chop.
AZBravoFan
May 15th, 2009
2:09 pm
McFann: the D-backs don’t run a whole lot. Maybe more than the Braves, but that’s not saying much. They do have guys like Chris Young and Eric Byrnes who can run, but right now none of those guys can even get on base. This SHOULD be a nice series for the Bravos if the pitchers do what they’re supposed to do and the offense keeps up what they did in NY. No Webb, no Haren. Davis is the kind of pitcher who might give them fits. Scherzer and Garland have been pretty inconsistent.
salamander
May 15th, 2009
2:10 pm
Hopefully DOB is off so he can go see MASTODON tonight matt_T
Lucky bast-rd if he does go on his day off… Intronaut is opening for them. Their last album Prehistorisms is amazing.
beachcomber
May 15th, 2009
2:11 pm
Know they are all important but this home stand is critical. Two teams we should hammer and then hold our own against the hated Jays. Six of ten is minimal and eight of ten is certainly reachable.
MGL
May 15th, 2009
2:12 pm
What do 5 dollar bills come in? Birthday cards from GrandMa
CB
May 15th, 2009
2:12 pm
Josh I believe 100 dollars
Schafer's Wafers
May 15th, 2009
2:13 pm
I dont see the Braves putting Hanson in the bullpen in september a la Tampa Bay. For one he is a starter and our mentality is to keep him a starter. Medlen on the other hand could be used in that role. But remember the only reason Price was in that role is because Percival was hurt.
CB
May 15th, 2009
2:14 pm
MGL not for us old guys
rammerjammer
May 15th, 2009
2:14 pm
CLE, so which is it, bub? First you say “Stick to baseball talk, please.” Then you say “I personally enjoy all the non-baseball chat on here, too.” I mean, you got any more personalities in there? LOL
ease19
May 15th, 2009
2:17 pm
Doc – Gotcha, although I took it to mean that lack of experience was due to lack of leadership. However, I don’t think even as good as he is/going to be, that with Glavine anywhere near the clubhouse and Lowe a grizzled veteran himself, that would happen anytime soon. All Lowe has to say is, “JJ (or anyone) go out there and be sexy,” and that should fix any problems. Right now, Lowe is kinda the face of the pitching staff.
Choppinmama
May 15th, 2009
2:19 pm
Hey Carroll: Hope there’s enough mojo in the park tonight for a Braves W. You DID bring YOUR share, right?? Tucked right in there next to the notebook and press pass?? We’ve all got to do our part – other than sit back, bi#tch and moan about who we would send down, send out, trade and/or ride out of town on a rail – complete with a tar and feather overcoat.
Build on the positive, boys.
I was born in the desert
May 15th, 2009
2:20 pm
5’s come in $500. 1’s in $100
CLE
May 15th, 2009
2:20 pm
Nope, just trying to explain myself. My bad.
salamander
May 15th, 2009
2:22 pm
I dont see the Braves putting Hanson in the bullpen in september a la Tampa Bay
A lot could happen between now and then to force Wren’s hand, but I agree that the team likely wants to keep Hanson in the rotation. Besides, that 5th spot looks pretty shaky. I know Glavine might stabilize the 5th spot, but I doubt his arm will hold up over what remains of the season.
I’m expecting Hanson (or perhaps Morton) to be the 5th starter come August/September. Medlen will make a strong case for the spot if he continues to pitch lights out, but in ST it looked like he would wind up in the ‘pen at some point this year, and I could see that happening soon (June) given the bullpen leaks.
Rick
May 15th, 2009
2:25 pm
DOB said that Chipper’s batting avg. at home was .200 and on the road it was .382, so if Chipper wants to improve the home record , he could start with himself .
I don’t think home/road records mean anything – that is just one of the quirks of baseball . One year you’re better at home and the next year you are better on the road and you can’t explain either one .
rammerjammer
May 15th, 2009
2:29 pm
CLE, peace! As the keeper of the blog has been known to say, “It’s all good.” Now, GO BRAVES!
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
2:33 pm
Speaking of fifth starters, I think it’s pretty safe to assume we won’t be seeing Jo-Jo Reyes making another big league start in the near future. Instead, I think we should expect to see Charlie Morton taking Reyes’ spot in the rotation until Tom Glavine is ready to resume pitching near the end of this month.
http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/05/bats_prepared_to_come_alive_at.html
The One & Only Seattle Braves Fan... Thanks, I'll be here all week
May 15th, 2009
2:34 pm
Carroll,
You’re coming up for the Seattle marathon on June 27th?!? Are you doing the full, or half? I live in Seattle, and I’m doing the full race. In regards to the “floating bridge”… I think that’s the HWY 520 bridge from Bellevue to Seattle. It’s beautiful. It really does float… kinda’ sorta’… has to do with the fact the the water swells up pretty good, and also needed a draw-brige… it’s complicated.
CLE
May 15th, 2009
2:34 pm
Damn skippy, rammerjammer. Anyone have thoughts on what the lineup might look like tonight?
Choppinmama
May 15th, 2009
2:37 pm
Lars Taint: the park opens 2 1/2 hrs before game time. That’s the earliest you can get in to grab a table. Have fun!
Doc Holiday
May 15th, 2009
2:37 pm
ease19,
Thats what I meant, not by any mean that Lowe was a better pitcher, but he is a more complete pitcher. He knows what it takes to win in the playoffs, JJ doesnt even knows what a pennant race is like.
BW
May 15th, 2009
2:38 pm
Chipper seems to have changed his approach to motivation. I remember a few years back that he talked about the playoffs as a crapshoot. Roll the dice and see what happens; a laissez-faire method. Maybe he realized that worked with a team of proven veterans, but an unproven team on a three-year skid needs a little more fire in the belly.
Or maybe he just realizes he doesn’t have many chances left. Either way, I like the change. I’ve often felt that the Braves haven’t played with enough intensity over the last few years. Maybe this is a change for the better.
Sandlot
May 15th, 2009
2:38 pm
I used to work at a bank. Each denomination from $1-20 comes in straps of 100 bills, which most banks will break into smaller half-straps of 50 bills each. So:
Ones = $100/$50
Fives = $500/$250
Tens = $1000/$500
Twenties= $2000/$1000
Hope that helps.
ease19
May 15th, 2009
2:39 pm
Jeff321 – did you see that comment that someone made regarding JJ to the bullpen or sent down to AAA? I’ve read some ludicrous stuff on this blog but that tops the cake!
MFin04 (Bennett and Cox Have to Go!)
May 15th, 2009
2:40 pm
I don’t even know why we talk about the Braves and running/stealing. We have two guys on the team that can steal bases KJ and Schafer…and KJ should never steal in front of Chipper, maybe in front of Esco because of the ground balls, but it just doesnt make sense since KJ isn’t an automatic steal. And Schafer has the speed to steal but is always low in the order and you don’t want to make an out in front of the pitcher.
That being said the Braves need to hit and run a lot more in front of guys like Kotchman and Escobar since they have the ability to put the ball in play a lot, and Esco hits soo many ground balls. That is about all the running we can do.
Big Muddy
May 15th, 2009
2:40 pm
Carol: Be careful in Seattle running on a floating bridge. In my younger days I played in a marching band that marched across a floating bridge without breaking step and a number of band members were hurt when thrown off their feet–has to do with “frequency” in movements.
The One & Only Seattle Braves Fan... Thanks, I'll be here all week
May 15th, 2009
2:44 pm
…sorry, it’s not the HWY 520 bridge… it’s I-90 bridge. It’s just as cool.
ease19
May 15th, 2009
2:45 pm
Isn’t there a time limit or something for a table the Chop House?
Billy Walsh
May 15th, 2009
2:47 pm
If Hudson’s option is picked up next year…you have Hudson, Lowe, Jair, KK, and Vasquez as your starters. I know it has been mentioned that Vasquez might be a valuable trading piece. However, with one year left on his contract at 11 million and the way he has pitched this year..would you trade him? If you don’t trade him…Hanson, Medlen, and Morton are trapped at AAA.
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
2:48 pm
ease19 – No, don’t know what your talking about.
TnBrian
May 15th, 2009
2:54 pm
It’s a sad times at ESPN when Big Papi “might” be nearing nearing the end. Man, first the Braves take two from three from their beloved Mets, now this…we should all send them some flowers and get well cards.
ease19
May 15th, 2009
2:55 pm
Jeff321 – I was just referring to the comments in Bowman’s blog…They seem to be having an actual discussion about trading JJ, sending him to he bullpen or sending him to AAA. Pretty funny stuff. Makes Coach look like a genius…
Jim
May 15th, 2009
2:55 pm
The Rays called up Price in Sept. last year and used him as a starter in a few games. They put him on the playoff roster when Percival was hurt and used him in the pen there. The Braves could do the same with Hanson — start him some in Sept or earlier) and use him in the pen during the playoffs. How’s that for positive thinking!
Jim
May 15th, 2009
2:57 pm
ease
Please don’t confuse JJ and JoJo. One of them is talented!
Supes
May 15th, 2009
2:58 pm
Billy Walsh ,
Some sort of trade is about guaranteed with the surplus of starting pitching and the current Braves rotation. Unless, injuries strike again (let’s hope not).
Braves need a power hitting LF, or RF (I’m a firm believer that Jeff is out of here at before 2010 starts).
Not sure what teams out there need SP (a lot) and have what the Braves will be looking for in a trade.
As far as this year…the popular picks are Matt Holiday (don’t want him, Coors Field power), and Jermayne Dye (only if the WS pick up his salary in a trade for the rest of the year) who would be a good fit in LF/RF as a 3 month rental. He’s a FA at the end of the year correct? If so, Braves maybe able to sign him at a reduced rate. However, not sure if Wren wants to do that, trade Jo-Jo, Charlie, Parr or anyone else for a “rental”. It’s been done before and it burned the organization.
Billy Walsh
May 15th, 2009
2:59 pm
Sure, lets trade Jair and Heyward for an aging veteran superstar. It worked so well for the Yankees in the 80’s.
ease19
May 15th, 2009
3:02 pm
Jim, sorry, I refuse to type three J’s…besides why would talk of trading No-No be funny
The Bravery
May 15th, 2009
3:05 pm
Ease- Yeah there is a time limit and its an hour. So the earlier you get in the least likely you will still be there for the game. I just bribed the waitress and she let us sit on the front corner table for a few hours. thats your best bet
Ron Roberts
May 15th, 2009
3:10 pm
Personally, I think our over-abundance of pitching could be used to put together a package to net us a power-hitter to complete this year’s roster.
I’m not advocating that we shed Medlen (and of COURSE, not Hanson), but there has to be a way to take our surplus to make THIS year’s team more well-reounded, offensively, right?
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 15th, 2009
3:11 pm
Josh B
$500
Doc Holiday
May 15th, 2009
3:13 pm
Im not a fan of bring up all those kids in a 2 year span………I would like jojo to stablish himself 1st as JJJ before thinking about the next generation………. Cant have a rotation full of kids, specially since yo dont want them pitching more than 180 innings in their 1st full season.
Hudson I think will stay since I read braves are interested and he is interested. Lowe has 3 years left after this one ( we signed him for 4 right?). I think Glavine will be the 1st to go and JOJO will keep his spot in the rotation………I think the braves will be able to move vazquez or KK if needed……….any team will pay their sallaries if needed………pitching is not easy to find. Vazquez is not cheap, but he aint that expensive, at least not for any team with the payroll in the neighborhood of the braves PR. So I think Vazquez could be move as soon as Hanson shows he is ready (not like Schafer or James or Ramirez or Kyle, I mean really ready). And then we move KK as soon as any of the other guys is ready. I would keep Hudson and Lowe a little bit longer, They could be a force as a 2-3 punch after JJJ next year………..then Vazquez and then Hanson………. But I think we will see Vazquez departure before KK, he is more attractive…………but on second thought……..3 M are 3 M, maybe it would be easier to move KK than Vazquez.
jbutler
May 15th, 2009
3:13 pm
Gummy bears…..given your monikor, I’ll take it they let elementary schools out for the day. Or you weren’t allowed recess for tossing spitballs at your classmates. Either way..lets hope your bedtime stories will interfere with gametime and your mommy/daddy/nanny/foster parents will have put you in bed by then. Or smothered you with a pillow.
ease19
May 15th, 2009
3:13 pm
I am going to play Chop Chop for a momment…
Anybody miss GLOW? Well then check this out
may be NSFW…
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
3:13 pm
AZBravesfan They do have guys like Chris Young and Eric Byrnes who can run, but right now none of those guys can even get on base.
Oh good. We don’t want Byrnes on base! I went on their website and found that they are 26-35 in the stolen base department.
Course, as long as Greg Gibson isn’t manning any of the open bases, I think we’ll be OK…
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
3:15 pm
PS, AZBravesfan: Don’t know how I missed your post when it first came up. I mean, I’ve looked at the Blog within the past hour, but somehow or another I missed that one. Sorry ’bout that.
AZBravoFan
May 15th, 2009
3:25 pm
Doc Holliday: “Can’t have a rotation full of kids….”
Really? What exactly was Glavine, Smoltz, and Avery in ‘91? I don’t know, I think a trio of Jurrjens, Hansen, and Medlen might just stack up to those guys.
Willy Wally
May 15th, 2009
3:28 pm
What exactly was Glavine, Smoltz, and Avery in ‘91? I don’t know, I think a trio of Jurrjens, Hansen, and Medlen might just stack up to those guys. (AZBRAVOFAN)
Nocahoma, is you crazy?
KC
May 15th, 2009
3:28 pm
Billy Walsh, I SERIOUSLY doubt that BOTH Vazquez and Kawakami will be members of next year’s rotation. The Braves aren’t going to want to spend a combined 19 million dollars on their 4th and 5th starters. Especially not with guys like Hanson and Medlen waiting, who they don’t want to block.
If they had to make decisions on next year’s team today, I’m sure they would LIKE to keep Vazquez and trade KK (even though Vazquez is the higher paid of the two)… with Hanson or possibly Medlen in the 5th starter spot.
But of course, if the off-season started tomorrow, after his performance to day, there wouldn’t be any takers for Kawakami and the remaining 14-15 mill he’ll be owed after this season. So they would (and possibly will) have to trade Vazquez and keep KK. I REALLY hope he starts turning in consistent quality starts… if only to make his contract movable.
KC
May 15th, 2009
3:30 pm
ease19, nice… but there’s just no replacing GLOW. =)
KC
May 15th, 2009
3:31 pm
Meant to say… after Kawakami’s performance to DATE (not “to day”)
Kentavo
May 15th, 2009
3:31 pm
For the Braves to truly be better than last year, they’ve got to take care of business against teams that are inferior – perhaps the bully instinct ol’ Chip referenced.
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
3:33 pm
Meant AZBravoFan…dangit, I hate it when I spell Bloggers’ names wrong…
CB
May 15th, 2009
3:38 pm
Much as I am enjoying the pitching this year can’t wait until next year. It’s going to be fun! Of course with Gonzalez and Soriano free agents excess pitching may be needed.
Herschel Talker
May 15th, 2009
3:47 pm
Call me crazy, but Carroll looks like a man.
keylargo
May 15th, 2009
3:47 pm
Emilio – I am living in the Keys for about 10 years now. I’ll never get to be a Conch and they are getting fewer and fewer. (A Conch is a native Keys person and like a lot of places if your Mama went to Miami to have you, you ain’t a Conch).
DAP – I am not sure of who should be our first new outfield but I really don’t think Schafer will contribute much this year and should be sent down. I was really surprised by his defense – negatively. His side to side range is OK, but he doesn’t go back on the ball well, doesn’t know how to play the ball off the well at all. Even on the plays he makes going back, he almost always turns the wrong way first . Hopefully by the time CF is worked out, someone will step forward from who we have, but I don’t think we can stand pat. I hope Wren is actively looking even if a move isn’t made.
And Carroll
The Seven Mile Bridge Run is in April. It’s VERY difficult to get into but it is a fantastic run that goes from the west side of Marathon to Bahia Honda – all of it over water.
And you are almost sure to run a PR.
http://fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7337
flange1
May 15th, 2009
3:48 pm
I am heading out to the Ted to watch the Braves kick the crap out of the D Backs….
Have fun on the blog!
P-Town Brave
May 15th, 2009
3:54 pm
So…is the story to look for Charlie Morton to be called-up and make the start on Tuesday against Colorado?
CB
May 15th, 2009
3:54 pm
keylargo the faults you mentioned with Schafer are correctable with good coaching. You cannot teach speed and he will be avery good center fielder very soon. Now the bat I am not sure about.
DAP
May 15th, 2009
3:58 pm
keylargo schafer wont be sent down after the chance the braves have taken on him. i dont think they will risk damaging his confidence by doing that, but what the brave COULD do is get a player that can play center if needed to give schafer a rest here and there. enter mike cameron. he is a very good center fielder, has some pop and some speed and is a right handed hitter. i really like cameron and think he would fit on this team, since he is only under contract for this year, and we would only have to pay part of his $10mil salary. the only question would be who gets bumped from the 25 man for cameron…? norton? maybe diaz or frenchy if they go in the trade…?
Tomahawk210
May 15th, 2009
4:00 pm
I guess a lot of you thought Schafer would come in and hit .300 with 10 hrs by now in his first month in the Show. How quickly we lose faith in someone. I guess many of you go into your jobs and produce right away and know what to do from the get go. Wow so many perfect people out there. Not me, I learned by getting my feet wet, thinking through the problems that came about and adjusting to those problems and learning from them. And then when I did that I felt comfotable and got better as each day went along. But it wasn’t easy the first couple of months, but I made it through and now very successful. Thank God I didn’t get fired after a month on the job. Let’s have a little faith in Schafer, he showed us the first week what he can do.
keylargo
May 15th, 2009
4:00 pm
CB – I agree with you and I also think fielding skills are best refined in the minor leagues. Not a lot of time is devoted to teaching in the Majors.
But he has shown more maturity than I expected after his suspension, has a good arm and seems willing to learn. I think the lack of other outfielders on the roster led to bringing him up too soon.
DAP
May 15th, 2009
4:04 pm
keylargoI think the lack of other outfielders on the roster led to bringing him up too soon.
i dont think thats what it was. i think it was that he out played by a wide margin the other CF options in spring training and forced the braves to make some tuff decisions. the braves had three option for CF in spring training. it wasnt because of a lack of outfielders that jordan got chosen to be the startingy CF.
monty
May 15th, 2009
4:07 pm
Not so fast there on KK:
Several of you fellow bloggers seem quick to rush to judgement on Mr. KK wanting him relegated to a 5th starter or worse, traded. Before you dismiss the “new guy”, and by that I mean “new” to American culture, the English language, MLB, ML hitters and the baseball itself consider these stats:
IP H K/9 whip ERA
Kawakami 32.2 37 8.5 1.68 5.79
Anibal Sanchez 32.2 43 6.89 1.78 5.79
Mike Pelfrey 35 40 2.31 1.57 4.89
Josh Beckett 40.2 52 9.07 1.77 6.42
Brad Penny 36.1 45 4.95 1.68 6.69
I don’t think any of those other teams are going to relegate those guys to a 5th starter any time soon or trade them since most are signed to huge contracts. I’d say MR. KK looks like a bargain about right now. Oh yeh, and as far as “nobody wanting him in a trade”. Don’t kid yourselves, I’m quite sure plenty of teams would line up if we wanted to get the short end of the stick. Lets just see how things look at years end.
Doc Holiday
May 15th, 2009
4:09 pm
Doc Holliday: “Can’t have a rotation full of kids….”
Really? What exactly was Glavine, Smoltz, and Avery in ‘91? I don’t know, I think a trio of Jurrjens, Hansen, and Medlen might just stack up to those guys. – AZBRAVO FAN
AZBRAVO FAN,
Really?
In 1991 Glavine was not a kid, it was his 5th season with more than 100 STARTS before 1991. He was 25 years old.
In 1991 Smoltz was not a kid. it was his 4th season, with more than 80 STARTS before 1991. He was 24 years old.
Avery…….he was a kid……….
Thats exactly what I mean. You have to let JoJo and Jair get used to the majors before you fill up your rotation with kids with less than 3 years of experience. That would only bring a collapse.
Even the all mighty maddux was not what he would became until his 6th season………he was extremely bad in his 1st 2 seasons, then in 1988 ans 1989 he was masterful. Then in 1990 and 1991 he was barely above .500. Then he became unstoppable. It took him 6 years to become Greg Maddux
P-Town Brave
May 15th, 2009
4:12 pm
DAP-
Unfortunately we removed our other option via trade…
Now at this point we’re stuck w/ either going back to Blanco or bringing another kid up before his time in Gorkys…
I being someone who sometimes thinks outside the box offer another solution: Trade for Felipe Lopez…Not only can the guy play 2b/ss/3b BUT he can also play all 3 OF positions AND he is currently doing this in AZ: .319/.380/.489/.869 to follow up a great last 2 months in STL which he did this: .385/.426/.538/.964…
He is still very talented and versatile AND he can also give us our answer to who bats leadoff…AND we wouldn’t have to give Arizona much if anything as they are packing this season in already and want to shed the 2.7M he makes for 09. We can send Schafer down for more seasoning and have a nice threat at the top of the lineup…
Be sure to watch him this weekend…I think he could be a real great pickup.
Lars Taint
May 15th, 2009
4:12 pm
Do the tables on the patio at the Top of the Chop have a time limit, or just the ones downstairs at the Chop House?
keylargo
May 15th, 2009
4:13 pm
One other thing I want to bring up while we are talking about Schafer is time to free agency issue. A lot of bloggers seemed to think that this is just a minor issue but right now, if Schafer is sent down for a portion of this year will make the difference between him being a free agent in 2014 or 2015. Basically, you can have JS in MLB for all of this year but none of 2015 or you can have him part of this year and ALL of 2015. I know which one I would want. I am not prepared to argue the exact dates or time periods for the year difference, but he can be a Brave for a year longer with a little more prepartation.
Joe
May 15th, 2009
4:13 pm
lineups anyone?
beekay
May 15th, 2009
4:14 pm
Carroll
Do you think Paulus will start at QB for his one and only year on the gridiron
JP
May 15th, 2009
4:14 pm
Always on the money DOB!! Hey check out our site focused on all thing Atlanta at InTheAtlToday.com
JP
Noah
May 15th, 2009
4:15 pm
Stop beating up on Frenchy. No he is not our best player but he is decent and happens to lead the team in RBI’s. Unless they make some moves before the deadline he will be your everyday right fielder.
csg
May 15th, 2009
4:15 pm
P town – or we could give an out-right release to our big OF problem in Francouer. The guy sucks and is about to post his 3rd sub .300OBP season in 5 years. Time to cut that cord and move on.
csg
May 15th, 2009
4:16 pm
Ill stop beating up on Frenchy when he starts to earn his $3.5 mil, it took him less than 80AB’s to convert back to the old lineup. Its not that I hate him, I just hate that he’s killing the braves lineup and Bobby keeps trotting him out there everyday.
csg
May 15th, 2009
4:17 pm
sorry, not old lineup, but old Frenchy in the last post
DAP
May 15th, 2009
4:17 pm
p-ytown brave i did not know that about felipe lopez…but does he play the outfield kinda like infante does…? just because he CAN play the out field doesnt mean he should. i just looked his baseball reference page, and it doesnt show him playing the outfield at all so far this year, and never in his career does it show him playing CF. i actually like lopez…but hes not the guy….
Ray K.
May 15th, 2009
4:19 pm
I have a feeling Garrett is going to have a torrid weekend series. I bet he goes 6-10.
Noah
May 15th, 2009
4:22 pm
by the way here’s hoping we have at least 1 player get 100+ RBI’s, be nice to have 3 or 4. Not usually a frenchy defender but the stats say he is #1 on team in RBI’s and #3 in Runs and he doesn’t usually hit in the top 5 spots. If he can add good defense to this I’ll take it. I’ve seen $10 milliion dollar players do worse. Richie Sexton in Seattle comes to mind among others.
Noah
May 15th, 2009
4:23 pm
I second that with Garrett, he finally got above .200 avg with some AB’s and I bet he keeps going up for a while. Wouldn’t surprise me to see him at the top in RBI’s soon too.
P-Town Brave
May 15th, 2009
4:26 pm
CSG-
I would platoon him and Kelly in RF, but thats just me…
DAP-
I agree, and at this point, I’m just grasping at straws because I’d rather anyone be out there than to have to see Blanco ever again…kinda the same way I feel about JoJo at this point.
I am among those that agree though that Jordan needs some time away for some better hitting practice…maybe that wouldn’t be beneficial in AAA though and maybe more a lengthy DL stint w/ a trip to Orlando and the Braves ST complex? Send Howie Mac down there…he’s such a good teacher, and anyone that can help BMac can certainly work wonders for Jordan.
I also still question Cox’s methods for getting Kelly into the lineup but at the leadoff spot…it only hurts Kelly’s career to be there…if he’s in the lineup and Infante isn’t, Esco/Kotchman at the top and Kelly in the 5/6/7 area is what it should be.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
4:26 pm
Bobby Cox just told me Kris Medlen will start on Tuesday night vs. the Rockies. Jo-Jo to the bullpen…..Impending move won’t be announced until closer to Tuesday…..Medlen will make his major league debut. bout to file a burst.
MFin04 (Bennett and Cox Have to Go!)
May 15th, 2009
4:31 pm
Is there a reason that Morton or Hanson aren’t coming up before Medlen? Just wondering?
bravesgrl4life
May 15th, 2009
4:33 pm
Awesome news on Medlen, CR
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
4:35 pm
Wow, gotta say I am a little suprised by that move- not because Medlen hasn’t earned it but it just seemed to make more sense to call up Charlie (shows what I know
)…and it will be interesting to see who gets dropped from the pen for Jo Jo…
GT08
May 15th, 2009
4:35 pm
Wow Medlen on Tuesday night, might have to go down to the Ted for that one…
CR – lineup?
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
4:35 pm
Sweet! Thanks for the news, Ms. Rogers!
RHR
May 15th, 2009
4:35 pm
Thanks for the updates, Carroll. Go Braves!
chris w
May 15th, 2009
4:36 pm
lineup for today
Noah
May 15th, 2009
4:37 pm
I am sure there will be lots of opinions on this but an interesting piece on how the Rangers did in the Teixeira trade with the Braves. Go Braves that they actually are highly rated on the farm after trading so many prospects in that deal. If we are in it this year be interesting to see what deals are out there.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thehotstoneleague/2009223287_im_a_believer_–_in_the_ranger.html
“Two years ago, the Rangers leveraged Mark Teixeira at the July 31 deadline and got a return from Atlanta that is now shaping their future — and their present, for that matter: Pitcher Matt Harrison, who has worked two consecutive complete games and looks like he will be a solid starter for them; shortstop Elvis Andrus, who at age 20 is already a spectacular defensive player who will only get better; catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who has improved greatly this season; and, oh yeah, Neftali Feliz, who throws 100 mph and is one of the top pitching prospects in all the minor leagues”
RHR
May 15th, 2009
4:39 pm
WOW I skimmed but now I see Medlen is starting. That is surprising news! I was expecting it to be Morton. Carroll, did you have an inkling and that’s why you went with his Q & A for the off day story?
I think JoJo is really a reliever anyway, he could be a solid long reliever. Here’s hoping. Will be fun to see how Medlen does. Wow. Good for him.
MFin04 (Bennett and Cox Have to Go!)
May 15th, 2009
4:40 pm
Isn’t there some arbitration clock that they didnt want to start with Hanson…but they are with Medlen? Can someone explain that? Morton has already been up…so wouldn’t it make more sense to bring him up? Just wondering, I don’t completely understand how all that stuff works? Interesting move with Jo-Jo to the pen and Jeff Bennett to AAA. Maybe Bobby wanted more lefties? That makes 3 lefties in the pen.
The Bravery
May 15th, 2009
4:40 pm
LARS
The upstairs does not have a time limit bc there is no food. Its just some tables and a bar. Its actually pretty sweet up there except you lose focus on the game being by a bar with shot girls walking around.
Hope Medlin is the Truth Go Braves!
Jersey Gil
May 15th, 2009
4:40 pm
Awesome news Ms Rogers,.. but that ruin it my weekend i have ticket to see the Gwinnett Braves & Iron Pigs this sat/sun, Medlen schedule to pitch tomorrow.
This Kid being doing awasome job in AAA.
John
May 15th, 2009
4:40 pm
WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!
Go Medlen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep that scoreless streak with the big club!!
DAP
May 15th, 2009
4:40 pm
wow, cool news about kris medlin. always neat to get some fresh meat in atlanta.
DAP
May 15th, 2009
4:42 pm
MFin04 maybe they took into consideration that medlen is pitching better than hanson.
Jersey Gil
May 15th, 2009
4:42 pm
MFin04 ..You probably have 1/2 of your wish by next week…Bennett bye,bye
beekay
May 15th, 2009
4:44 pm
Who gets sent down? and or released
cricket
May 15th, 2009
4:44 pm
Go Medlen !! I always root for players my size to succeed in baseball
Renegator
May 15th, 2009
4:44 pm
I’m sure one of either Carlyle, Bennett or Campillo gets dropped. I mean – they are all basically the same pitcher – long relief or spot starting.
GboroBravo
May 15th, 2009
4:45 pm
Got to expect Parr to get sent down for now, and then JoJo when Campillo gets back
Turtsnap
May 15th, 2009
4:45 pm
Bennett gets the axe finally… HALLELUJAH…. and once Medlen establishes himself, JoJo will get the axe and we can call up Tommy H.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
4:45 pm
Gotta be Bennett that is the odd man out isn’t it?
RHR
May 15th, 2009
4:45 pm
Jeff Bennett to AAA.
Wait. Is that confirmed? Or?
GboroBravo
May 15th, 2009
4:46 pm
Wouldn’t JoJo be the other long reliever? Wouldn’t that mean Parr getting the axe?
DAP
May 15th, 2009
4:46 pm
Who gets sent down? and or released
jojo gets sent down and no one gets released i dont think…because the 40man isnt full.
beekay
May 15th, 2009
4:47 pm
I’d love to see JoJo pitch well in relief to up his trade value so we can ship his sorry butt out of here
beekay
May 15th, 2009
4:48 pm
Bennet will stay…my choice would be Parr
Joe
May 15th, 2009
4:48 pm
todays lineups?
MiaBchBravesFan
May 15th, 2009
4:49 pm
If Medlen is in, who is off the 40 man roster?
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
4:50 pm
Medlen’s numbers are better than Hanson or Morton, and frankly that is saying something. He’s smoking hot with 21 consecutive scoreless innings. They went with the hot – or I should say, the hottest – hand.
Lineup:
1. Infante 2B
2. Escobar SS
3. Jones 3B
4. Anderson LF
5. McCann C
6. Francoeur RF
7. Kotchman 1B
8. Schafer CF
9. Vazquez P
jmart1951
May 15th, 2009
4:50 pm
Very interesting. Someone now has to come off the 40 man roster. This could mean a trade. It could mean that they are going to DFA Campillo or it could mean that Glavine is announcing his retirement.
To me a trade is most likely because the obvious pick for Tuesday night’s start was Morton. Morton is already on the 40 man roster and his major league clock has already started ticking since he was up last year. We could be trading Morton + others for some hot shot prospect or Morton and someone of the 40 man for an immediate outfield fix.
nolie
May 15th, 2009
4:51 pm
May 15, 2009
MLB Outsider Mock Draft: Atlanta Braves Select Donavan Tate
By Staff Report
Under Armour All-America Baseball Game
MLB Outsider is hosting a 2009 MLB mock draft, where bloggers from all over come together in an attempt to project the draft results that will take place June 9.
Braves Journal’s Mac Thomason picks for the Atlanta Braves at No. 7. OF Donavan Tate from Cartersville High School continues a Braves trend in the draft. Follow the mock draft here.
Donavan (or Donovan, reports differ) Tate is probably the highest rated high school outfielder available, a big (6-3, 200) athlete who is somewhat raw. He’s been compared to Jeff Francoeur, which could be the kiss of death for some organizations, but the Braves still like Francoeur He has the famous five tools, with speed and throwing arm the strongest of them, but has hit for high averages (.515 as a junior, at a high level) and for power. Like I said, he’s raw, and he needs to work on his strikeouts and walks.
Tate is the son of former Georgia Bulldog running back Lars Tate, and a two-sport star, having signed a scholarship offer with North Carolina. He apparently prefers baseball, but the football offer gives him a fallback; after previously announcing he would skip his senior season of football, he changed his mind and played. Also, his agent is Scott Boras, who will do just about anything to maximize his clients’ signing bonuses.
The Braves almost exclusively draft southern high school players, and prefer Georgians when they can get them. They also have a fondness for football players, and have been willing to pay extra to get them to skip college. It’s a high risk, high reward pick. The Braves haven’t picked this high in nearly two decades, and it’s not clear how they’ll react; they’ve been willing to take risks in the past, but will that trend continue in the top ten?
If the Braves don’t go for Tate (either out of signability concerns or because he’s already gone) they’ll go for another Georgian, Zack Wheeler.
Cooper S
May 15th, 2009
4:52 pm
The 40 Man isn’t full. I think there are 3 open spots.
Renegator
May 15th, 2009
4:52 pm
jmart1951
I think our 40 man roster only nas about 37 on it so they don’t have to remove anybody.
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
4:53 pm
Actually, the braves only have 37 guys on the 40 man roster so nobody will have to be removed (at least according to their website)
RHR
May 15th, 2009
4:54 pm
jojo gets sent down and no one gets released
Carroll said JoJo was going to the bullpen.
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
4:54 pm
apparently I need to refresh my blog more often
Renegator
May 15th, 2009
4:57 pm
I forgot all about Parr. I think he will be the one to go. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing Bennett gone.
MFin04 (Bennett and Cox Have to Go!)
May 15th, 2009
4:57 pm
People that want Parr sent down obviously haven’t seen him pitch. He is much more consistent than Bennett and teams aren’t hitting .400 against him I would bet. He also hasn’t walked in any game winnings runs. No reason to send Parr down. None at all.
AustinBrave
May 15th, 2009
4:57 pm
It will be Buddy that either goes down or is traded.
ECU Alum
May 15th, 2009
4:58 pm
David Wright is so good and so young, he might someday be considered the greatest position player in the history of the Mets. — Tim Kurkjian
Kurkjian, did you really say that?
Decent read besides that obviously biased judgement.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=kurkjian_tim&id=4168545
jmart1951
May 15th, 2009
4:58 pm
I thought that the 40 man roster was full. If so someone has to come off.
Tomahawk210
May 15th, 2009
4:58 pm
Great here we go again with another platoon at 2B. I predict Infante to be at .250 or lower by the end of the month.
MFin04 (Bennett and Cox Have to Go!)
May 15th, 2009
5:00 pm
Jeff Bennett’s opponent’s batting average….. .450 2.02 WHIP
Those cannot be good!!!
Tomahawk210
May 15th, 2009
5:01 pm
I also predict Schafer goes on a torrid streak mashing the ball starting this game and series. Shutting up all naysayers.
DAP
May 15th, 2009
5:02 pm
Carroll said JoJo was going to the bullpen.
missed that. ok then. but yeah, no one needs to get released, there is room on the 40.
Coach (2010 or bust)
May 15th, 2009
5:02 pm
I don’t get it, Morton is already on the 40 man. Why start Medlen’s clock now unless the Braves are showcasing him in case of trade considerations later on in July.
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
5:02 pm
Thanks for the lineup, Ms. Rogers!
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
5:03 pm
BTW–It’s been exactly one month since McCann’s played a game at Turner Field. Just sayin’…
DAP
May 15th, 2009
5:05 pm
coachWhy start Medlen’s clock now unless the Braves are showcasing him in case of trade considerations later on in July.
bingo.
MFin04 (Bennett and Cox Have to Go!)
May 15th, 2009
5:07 pm
Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez, Jason Bay…all available for a young pitcher I hear.
Lew
May 15th, 2009
5:07 pm
PWH-I understand about KK’s need to not overtax his shoulder, but I have a problem putting players in positions they’ve never been in before and I’ve never heard that Kawakami’s ever pitched in relief.
For this same reason I disagree with KC’s idea to bring Hanson up and to let him relieve-he’s just not done it and likely won’t once his ML career begins in earnest-not to mention he needs to work on keeping runners on, lowering pitch count (he throws way too many pitches even for a SO pitcher) and he needs to learn to go deeper into games in general.
What I would do is to bring up Morton (or Glavine when/if ready) and to bring up Medlen (who HAS pitched in relief) for the pen. Then you could let Medlen spot start whenever KK needs more time for recovery. Done this way, you get the rest KK needs, Medlen gets ML experience without being placed in an alien position, Morton gets his shot and Tommy Hanson develops into the Bona Fide Stud we all think he’ll be.
A win, win, win situation?
winterville
May 15th, 2009
5:09 pm
Does anybody know what number he is wearing at Gwinett? I am always curious about number selections.
jmart1951
May 15th, 2009
5:10 pm
Renegator: Thanks, you are right, they do have available space on the 40 man roster. If bringing up Hanson before June 1st is such an issue why is it not the same issue for Medlin?
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
5:11 pm
Very interesting! I love new studs coming up to make their debut!
That said, I wouldn’t get rid of Parr.. He’s better than Bennett.
Il Cattivo
May 15th, 2009
5:12 pm
Someone (on this blog) suggested that Medlen might be coming up instead of Morton for a trade showcase. On the contrary I am wondering if Morton is not coming up because they want to preserve his value for a trade. But with the way Morton is performing now, he might have greater value if he didnt come up and do badly.He was up last year and so people do know what he can do when healthy.The slump later in the year was attributed to shoulder woes anyway. I think Medlen was on Wren’s “untouchable” list, though that could’ve changed.
mbatl
May 15th, 2009
5:12 pm
You don’t automatically protect every young player’s “options clock”, I don’t think. You try hard to do it with guys projected for stardom. And as good as Medlen is, I don’t think anyone projects him as a HOF/Ace type of guy (I hope he is, of course).
Plus, Medlen is a year older; he’s shown the ability to be very economical with his pitches; and from what I read, Bobby was really impressed with him in ST.
Also, he has experience as a reliever and could probably play that role during periods where a #5 starter wasn’t needed for a while.
And, I don’t think the Braves are bringing anyone up to showcase them for trades; they’re trying to win games. (plus, chances are, the best way to showcase a pitcher is probably to leave him in the minors to dominate, rather than bring him to the majors where there’s a good chance he struggle.)
Whew, that’s all I’ve got on why Medlen is a good choice.
Marv Kleeman
May 15th, 2009
5:15 pm
I am the only Braves fan excited about the signing of P Tony Armas Jr. to a minor league contract.
In his first start for Double A Mississippi, Armas Jr. pitched 4 2/3 innings of shutout ball and was immediately promoted to Triple A Gwinnett.
This leads to me one and only one conclusion. Armas Jr. is headed on a “fast track” into the Braves starting rotation.
And in his first start for Triple A Gwinnett (May 12) Armas Jr. didn’t disappoint. He pitched five shutout innings giving up three harmless singles while walking none and striking out five.
And did you notice Armas Jr.’s stats in 2008 pitching for Triple A New Orleans in the PCL; a N.Y. Mets affiliate.
In 102 innings of work covering 17 starts; Armas Jr. gave up 85 hits and walked 20 batters for an outstanding W.H.I.P. of 1.00+.
His strikeout to walk ratio was equally good (88 strikeouts to 20 walks) for an approximately 4.5 to 1 differential. Oh by the way; his E.R.A. was a very tidy 2.54.
Armas Jr. is surprisingly young as he just turned 31 years of age and has great size (6′3″ 225 lbs.).
But what I like most about Armas Jr. is that early in his career as a member of the Montreal Expos he teamed up with current Brave Javier Vazquez to form an outstanding one – two combination.
In 2000 Vazquez and Armas Jr. combined to make 50 starts
In 2001 Vazquez and Armas Jr. combined to make 66 starts
And in 2002 Vazquez and Armas Jr. combined to make 63 starts
Vazquez and Armas Jr. were the Montreal Expos version of Glavine / Smoltz in the early part of the decade.
Armas Jr. could have signed with 29 other major league organizations but chose to sign with the Braves. Just a coincidence; I think not.
Don’t be surprised if we shortly see a Vazquez / Armas Jr. reunion in Atlanta.
Mitch
May 15th, 2009
5:18 pm
I absolutely agree with Chipper. We need to show more fire at home, and get us some wins. The formula for a winning team that wins, say, 90 games a season, should be high 40s to 50 wins at home, and 500 on the road. I hope that this isnt the reincarnation of the 2001 Braves, wgere we wont only 40 games at home, because we cant expect to go six and two on every tough eight game road trip.
On a side note, and I hope this isnt off topic, I was glad to see that Bobby put Jo-Jo Reyes in the pen, and called up another pitcher to start in his place. Hopefully Jo-Jo can get it ironed out, but, unless he does, we simply cant keep giving away his games every five days. Hopefully the other pitcher who Bobby called up, will perform better than Jo-Jo has.
Mitch
TennesseePaul
May 15th, 2009
5:19 pm
Medlin is in JoJo out. ‘Bout time. JoJo taxes the pen like crazy. Bennett taxes my nerves like crazy.
Hope Medlin does well and maintains that success. From reading the interviews of him, I’d like to see him remain as a starter and not go into relief, unless a 15 inning game comes along and we’re out of relievers. If Glavine ever comes back, I’d like to see Medlin returned to AAA to continue starting. Glavine won’t last all season. I just don’t see that happening. In addition, Hudson will be coming back at the end of the season. This team will need room in the rotation and I think that room will be the fifth starter spot and the retirement of Glavine.
Hopefully a trade will also occur which will bring in a thumper for the outfield. The more Francoeur continues to be a singles hitter, the more excited I am about seeing his replacement.
Andy k.
May 15th, 2009
5:19 pm
winterville, Medlen wears #20 with Gwinnett, so he’ll see a new jersey number (Norton wears 20).
Il Cattivo
May 15th, 2009
5:21 pm
I am the only Braves fan excited about the signing of P Tony Armas Jr. to a minor league contract. Marv Kleeman
A big resounding yes.
We have far more interesting pitchers to look forward to. Medlen is the first of them. Tony Armas Jr is there to fill in at the AAA or AA level, kinda the way Sal Fasano and his ‘tache were brought in last year (?). If we end up seeing him at the big club, it would mean others are injured or failed. So hope we never see him up here.
Andy k.
May 15th, 2009
5:21 pm
Marv Kleeman, interesting side-by-side in regards to Javy and Armas. Probably true that Armas signed with us to be with his ol’ pal. And I too think he can contribute at the ML level for the Bravos this year.
rammerjammer
May 15th, 2009
5:22 pm
Well…sure didn’t expect MEDLIN to be “the chosen one.” But the Braves have a history of letting the kids play.
On the other hand, maybe Medlin is the Tyler Flowers of the hour and this is his big audition. Hmm…
Lew
May 15th, 2009
5:24 pm
Marv-With all of the starting options that the Braves have, why would they bring up Amras, Jr.? I’m thinking that the Dude is like 4th or 5th on the depth chart of pitchers not already in Atlanta. he may be doing well in the minors, but since the end of the 03 season, the lowest ML ERA he’s had has been 4.88. The past three years he hasn’t had an ERA under 5.00
Kyle
May 15th, 2009
5:24 pm
Interesting post and comments about possible trades on MLBTrade rumors at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/05/discussion-possible-braves-trades.html#comments ….I tend to like Carlos Lee if the Astros are struggling, and we can get the Astros to eat some of the contract
C's
May 15th, 2009
5:26 pm
Not a smart move IMO. I’m as excited as the next guy to see Medlen out there. But it should have been Morton. He is already on the 40 man. We could have waited a couple weeks and kept him from burning his June 1 Super Two status.
CB
May 15th, 2009
5:27 pm
I for one commend the Braves for bringing Medlen up instead of others. It appears they are trying to put the best team on the field and isn’t that what we as fans want? For all the GMS out there take that.
Cooper S
May 15th, 2009
5:28 pm
OK, now that he’s being called up can we spell his name right? It’s MEDLEN.
Captain Poopy Pants
May 15th, 2009
5:29 pm
I’m with Kleeman. Tony Armas .jr is our savior. All hail the brilliance of BOOBY COX !
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
May 15th, 2009
5:29 pm
Wow,
Now that Medlin is called up all the “forget the super 2, we want the best players on the field” people are no where to be found?
I don’t think Medlin missing out on the super 2 status by 2 weeks is going to make a big difference. I hope the kid is lights out and proves me wrong, but I don’t remember seeing him projected as a top of the rotation starter anywhere. If I’m wrong on that, feel free to correct me (I don’t go as in depth with scouting as some here do)
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
May 15th, 2009
5:30 pm
Sorry for spelling the kids name wrong…. MEDLEN it is from now on.
Schafer's Wafers
May 15th, 2009
5:30 pm
Medlen has to take the place of someone does he not. We have 25 players up now.
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
5:32 pm
Schafer’s Wafers-
yes he does…the discussion about replacing someone was in regards to the 40 man roster, which Medlen is NOT on- but we only have 37 on it (not including him) so nobody has to be dumped…
J williams
May 15th, 2009
5:33 pm
The Braves have made some very good moves to accumulate the amount of pitching talent that they have between the Big club & the G-Braves.
Hopefully there’ll be somemore good moves made to get more power and/or speed on both of these clubs.
rammerjammer
May 15th, 2009
5:34 pm
…And Nick Swisher has 8 HR, 22 RBI, .381 OBP and .569 SLG….and the Yankees are second from the bottom in ERA…and we have no outfield prospects above A-ball, a leftfielder on a one-year contract and a rightfielder who, well…
Schafer's Wafers
May 15th, 2009
5:34 pm
And we officially have 38 on the 40 man. Barton is on there.
Schafer's Wafers
May 15th, 2009
5:35 pm
Thanks cabravesfan for the clear up looks like Medlen will be number 39 on the 40 man.
Rob from SC
May 15th, 2009
5:36 pm
My guess is this. Medlen starts until Glavine is ready. Then Medlen moves to the bullpen. Once Glavine hurts himself again Hanson is here to stay.
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
5:37 pm
Schafer’s Wafers-
thanks, he’s not listed on the braves site but I believe you are correct regarding Barton (so that’s 39 with Medlen and when Huddy is healthy…)
Captain Poopy Pants
May 15th, 2009
5:38 pm
Barbaro Canizares is next. He will part the Red Sea and propel the Bravos into the playoffs.
bravos2249
May 15th, 2009
5:38 pm
No one will have to be DFA, but a roster move will have to be made. Someone will have to go down or go on the DL.
Andy K.
May 15th, 2009
5:40 pm
I actually hope Canizares gets the call this year. He could provide some pop.
AdirondackDave
May 15th, 2009
5:43 pm
MFin04 — The reason they didn’t bring up Morton MAY be that his numbers are getting better and better at Gwinnett and they are rebuilding his trade value. It’s obvious that the Braves have a real surplus of quality starting pitching, both verterans and youngsters, so something has to give. They need to beef up the offense, either during the season or next winter. Hanson and problably Medlen are untouchable, so that leaves Morton, Jo-Jo, and perhaps Javy as possible trade bait. That trio plus maybe Brandon Jones should get them two major power up-grades in the outfield/first base. Anyway, that may be why Morton is staying at AAA.
Speaking of pitching prospects, Carroll or anybody know anything about Zeke Spruill who is burning up A ball? He’s only 13-0 over his first two pro seasons! I’d like to know what he throws and what the Braves project for him.
bravos2249
May 15th, 2009
5:43 pm
Mike Gonzalez Autograph Signing – Atlanta Braves Closer Mike Gonzalez will greet fans and sign autographs at the Braves Clubhouse Store at the CNN Center from 2 – 3 p.m.
Fred
May 15th, 2009
5:44 pm
Denizens, I really am excited about the promotion of Medlen. The Braves obviously aren’t concerned about the arbitration clock and chose the man who they think gives them the best chance of winning. I bet that Jo Jo is in the bullpen this weekend only (since he only pitched a few innings yesterday) and will be optioned to AAA on Tuesday. I just can’t see demoting Parr since he has pitched fairly well (although I wouldn’t be upset to see Bennett headed up I-85).
rammerjammer
May 15th, 2009
5:46 pm
Versus LH batters, Jo-Jo in 8 2/3 IP has only given up two runs, four hits, two walks and 11 Ks.
Schafer's Wafers
May 15th, 2009
5:47 pm
Adirondack,
Why do you want to replace Kotchman. The kid is good.
Salamander
May 15th, 2009
5:47 pm
So about 4 hours ago, I posted that Medlen would get a June call up…
Yep, missed that one.
I was expecting Morton or Hanson to get called up to replace Reyes, but hey, Medlen has been hot so I can see why they went with him.
Blake Penno
May 15th, 2009
5:49 pm
I don’t get the worry about Medlen and his arbitration clock. If Medlen becomes and super two player and costs them a ton of money in arbitration, I’m sure the Braves would be more than happy with that scenario. That would mean he’d be a lights out starter, something I hope management or fans don’t expect.
I also think he gets the call before Charlie and Hanson because he could transition to the bullpen when when/if Glavine is ready.
Cooper S
May 15th, 2009
5:49 pm
Ahhhhhh Barton. Forgot he had to be on the 40 man
Marv Kleeman
May 15th, 2009
5:53 pm
Don’t be so quick to dismiss Tony Armas Jr.
Most of his problems since 2003 have been injury related.
He is 31 years of age and should be just reaching his prime. A return to good health may be all that is needed for Tony Armas Jr. to have a renaissance.
Armas Jr. fits the profile of pitchers who have been successful as past members of the Braves (John Burkett, Mike Remlinger).
And what is it about the culture of the Braves that causes all of our young pitchers to fail? JoJo Reyes is simply the latest in a long line of young pitchers to bite the dust. Or have we forgotten Bruce Chen, Odalis Perez, Jason Marquis, Horacio Ramirez, Kyle Davies, Chuck James and now JoJo Reyes.
Does the shadow of Maddox, Glavine, Smoltz really loom that large?
AdirondackDave
May 15th, 2009
5:58 pm
Marv Kleeman — You’re not the only one getting excited about Tony Armas, Jr. And you’re right on the button about teaming up with Javy can only be positive for the two of them and the Braves. If he has a few more strong starts (which I expect) the Braves will have to find a spot for him. Man, our starting pitching, actual and potential, is just amazing these days, isn’t it? Some of it, probably Medlen, others, will wind up in the pen for a while. I’ve been watching baseball since the late ’40s and I can’t remember a club so well stocked with starters.
Rev. Otis Nixon
May 15th, 2009
5:58 pm
who will be the player they send down to make room for medlen, Carroll?
CB
May 15th, 2009
5:59 pm
I think the Braves mgmt. is trying to put the best players on the team. We need to fire the whole d….m bunch of them !
AdirondackDave
May 15th, 2009
6:07 pm
Schafer’s Wafers — It’s not that I really want to trade Casey but the club definitely has to upgrade to get more power at one or perhaps two positions. I’d prefer it happen in the outfield but, of course, it depends in part on what players are available for what we have to offer. I like Kotchman’s defense A LOT and he’s starting to hit. If he can produce 18-20 homers and hit .290 then he’s a keeper, no doubt about that. Just not sure yet he can do that.
bgvt
May 15th, 2009
6:11 pm
Does anyone know which pitchers have options left and which ones would need to go through waivers? Parr obviously has options left. What about Bennett and Carlyle? Both of them pitched fairly well last year but not as well this year. It would be nice to see if they could sort things out at Gwinnett but, if not, the Braves might just cut ties with one of them. There are other options for the bullpen (e.g., Campillo, Acosta, Logan, etc.) — though it would be nice not to have to throw away any possibilities.
Josh B
May 15th, 2009
6:16 pm
anybody have the gameday link for the minor league game?
Rob from SC
May 15th, 2009
6:17 pm
I like James Parr, he looked good pitching against the Mets. Fastball was 93 out of the pen. He throws strikes. I would keep him over Bennett.
Rob from SC
May 15th, 2009
6:17 pm
Josh. Go to MILB.com and you can find gameday from main page
groundfog
May 15th, 2009
6:21 pm
Medlin’s the future no way we considering trading him. JoJo was being showcased and maybe Morton will get dealt, but not Medlin or Hanson.
Logan
May 15th, 2009
6:22 pm
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp
JD
May 15th, 2009
6:23 pm
Garret at cleanup again…if it hasn’t worked before, just keep tryin it. That’s Bobby’s philosophy.
Josh B
May 15th, 2009
6:23 pm
Thanks!
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
6:24 pm
Dangit, I forgot the game doesn’t start till 7:30…
RHR has melted
May 15th, 2009
6:24 pm
As per usual we’ve gone from spring to summer overnight. Yesterday it was pleasant and breezy with low humidity and today it’s a million degrees and humid as .. whatever the most humid thing on earth is. Just ran and thought I’d never get thru it
Hottest day we’ve had so far by a long shot, good baseball weather. Look for the long ball tonight! Hopefully off Braves bats only. 
Braves Paisan
May 15th, 2009
6:24 pm
Judy and I are going tonight and tomorrow night, which means there will be at least TWO loud, spirited Braves fans there.
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
6:26 pm
RHR has melted today it’s a million degrees and humid as .. whatever the most humid thing on earth is.
Look for the long ball tonight! Hopefully off Braves bats only.
Yeah! Time for BMac’s first home homer!
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
6:27 pm
I hope fransour get the entire homestand off. Let the road team fans have to deal with his ineffectiveness. This way the braves can get some production from right field.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
6:27 pm
Had a chance to talk to Frank and yes the idea is that Medlen would be a link to get to Glavine. Had it been a situation where they were calling up a guy to start the rest of the way, it might have been Hanson. But right now they want the hottest guy, they had space on the 40-man roster and it would have been the same Super 2 deal with Hanson. Morton would have made sense as far as the clock goes, but maybe the Braves were ready to try a fresh face, and a guy who can do no wrong right now in AAA.
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 15th, 2009
6:28 pm
JD—Don’t guess you’ve noticed that Anderson has had 8 RBI the last week in the cleanup spot, but I guess that isn’t “working” for you? (Including 3 for 5 with a 2B and 3 RBI in the win over the Mutts Thursday)
Josh B
May 15th, 2009
6:28 pm
Looks like Canzares just blasted a two run home run to make the score 2-5 Buffalo
TnBrian
May 15th, 2009
6:32 pm
Anybody have anything on Medlin, like what are his best and not so good pitches?
CB
May 15th, 2009
6:37 pm
RHR not a plesant thought of you melting – I like you too much. Maybe a couple others heh heh.
groundfog
May 15th, 2009
6:38 pm
How hard does Medlin throw?pitches? etc
Today
May 15th, 2009
6:38 pm
Enter your comments here
Ben
May 15th, 2009
6:39 pm
I am really glad it’s Medlan and not frickin’ Charlie Morton.
Morton = Jo-Jo Reyes II
Ben
May 15th, 2009
6:41 pm
I think it’ll be either Parr optioned or (hopefully) Bennett fired.
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
6:42 pm
I mean is anybody watching Jamie Moyer lately, he’s gettin tattooed. So whats the fascination with ever aging Tommy Glavine. I just dont get it. Trying to hold on to long.
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
6:43 pm
They want to try Medlen in the Bigs. He’s been Dirt Nasty in AAA this year – better than Hanson. I’m looking forward to our new Maddux ( ok maybe I get a little ahead of myself ). It shall be interesting.
Mixxo
May 15th, 2009
6:45 pm
*Still waiting on the Medlen scouting report.*
Google
May 15th, 2009
6:47 pm
http://www.baseball-intellect.com/scouting-kris-medlen/
a643dp
May 15th, 2009
6:48 pm
Did anybody see that the Mets had 7 SBs against the Giants last night.
Or...
May 15th, 2009
6:49 pm
One prospect previously lost in the shuffle of top Atlanta Braves pitching prospects is Kris Medlen. Not anymore.
Medlen first caught my eye in 2007, when he was used out of the bullpen. Clean mechanics, solid fastball, plus curve, good control…an intelligent pitcher. However, reliever prospects don’t get much attention because of the sheer number of them, plus the fact that a team can always shift a starter prospect into the bullpen, which makes it even harder for a reliever prospect to standout.
So I was intrigued when the Braves went ahead with plans to make Medlen a starter, a move with a much worse rate of success compared to moving starters to the bullpen. Medlen ended up thriving…his numbers as a starter resembled what he put up in the bullpen. In fact, they were probably better.
Medlen has continued his success as a starter early on this season. His numbers have been spectacular thus far:
34.5 K%, 6.4 BB%, .266 BABIP, 0 HRs, 1.17 ERA
Stuff
Medlen has a quality three-pitch mix — a better than average fastball, a plus curveball, and a solid-average change-up. The development of his change-up has been key to his success as a starter.
Medlen does a good job of mixing his pitches and keeping hitters guessing. He generates plenty of swings and misses with his curveball, which looks like a high fastball coming out of his hands. He manipulates the pitch, able to throw it for strikes or put in the dirt. He’s also able to add or subtract velocity to the pitch.
Medlen controls all his pitches well, but he often gets too much of the plate, making him somewhat hittable. While all his pitches will play at the big league level, he doesn’t have a dominance factor like many of the elite pitchers do. He’s not going to blow hitters away with his fastball. He has to use his intelligence to his advantage.
Mechanics
Medlen’s mechanics are a nice balance between power and safety. He keeps a short arm action, giving his pitches some deception. His tempo is fairly average, but he generates good separation between his torso and hips, which helps him produce solid velocity. He’s generally able to get over his front leg, but there are times when he ends up pitching uphill.
Medlen projects to be a potential No. 3 starter, but will more likely settle in as a strong No. 4. If starting doesn’t work out, there will always be a role out of the bullpen to fall back on.
bravos2249
May 15th, 2009
6:49 pm
Man not only is Conor Jackson on the DL he is struggling…I’ll admit I wanted him for Tex but Casey has been doing better. They moved him to LF though.
ZC Rider
May 15th, 2009
6:50 pm
Darren Sutton is an announcer for the DBacks. Is he Don’s son? If so, the father-to-son broadcasting ability drop-off is Chip Carayesque
Scott
May 15th, 2009
6:50 pm
We better sweep the DBacks. I live in Arizona and see most of their games. They’re pathetic. They’ve gotten booed for the past 10 home games. The only good thing about them is Mark Grace.
Scott
May 15th, 2009
6:51 pm
ZC Rider:
No he’s not.
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
6:51 pm
I saw Medlen pitch against Pittsburgh in spring training. Very excited to see him with the big club next week.
I enjoyed reading the Q&A with (Carroll, I’m guessing) in the paper today. Rarely do I see an actual paper, but was in a waiting area. Curiously enough, I did not see a writer’s name anywhere on the article. Is this part of the new AJC?
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
6:53 pm
I know KJ doesnt have the arm strength of fransour but cant they at least experiement with him right field. It would fill a HUGE void in the 6th spot of the lineup.
Lew
May 15th, 2009
6:55 pm
I can’t wait for Tony Armas Jr. to pitch in Atlanta, too. I mean, with ERA’s since 03 of 4.88, 4.97, 5.03, 6.03 and 7.56, he would have been a fitting addition to last year’s rotation. By all means, let’s give him another chance. AFter all the Blog always runs out of players to b!tch about. We can always use more.
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
6:57 pm
Wow, perfect timing for the Medlen interview Carrol!
I’m glad to see JoJo finally getting the boot from the rotation, so this great. This could be interesting to watch as it goes along because I don’t think too many of us were expecting Medlen to become a big option for the starting rotation. But he’s obviously been great in Gwinnett, enough to get the call before Hanson.
The big question is, where does the pitching staff go from here? When (and if) Glavine comes back I do not expect Bobby to keep him out of the rotation, which means Medlen will likely move to something else. If he’s not doing great, they would probably just move him to the pen (where I think his future probably is if he’s with the Braves) but if he keeps up the numbers or even anywhere close to what he’s been getting in AAA then the Braves might have to consider making another big move to keep him in. Kawakami would probably be first to go at this point if Medlen is good, but I don’t think that would be a great idea considering he’s not that bad and it might have negative future implications with signing japanese players in the future. I also expect that JoJo is going to be called down when Glavine comes back unless he gets very good in the pen.
At the start of the offseason, our rotation currently looks like Lowe, JJ, Vazquez, Hudson, Kawakami, Hanson, Medlen. Frank Wren better be having some fun when he thinks about that.
Lew
May 15th, 2009
6:57 pm
As for Armas Jr. being brought up to make Javy Vazquez happy. I heard they’re bringing back Brayan Pena cause Yunel’s lonely, too.
Cooper S
May 15th, 2009
6:57 pm
ZC Rider, Scott: Daron Sutton is Don’s son.
Rex
May 15th, 2009
7:00 pm
mbatl- You are correct. You cannot protect yourself from all “Super2″ potential scenarios without sacrificing potential wins. 2-3 wins could seperate you from the playoffs or not and I am happy that the Braves are being smart about this. And if they feel Medlin is more likely to win games than Morton, you have to go with him.
Ben
May 15th, 2009
7:03 pm
When are the Braves gonna pull the plug on the “new Frenchy” experiment? His OBP, his BIGGEST weakness, is currently EVEN LOWER than it was in 2006 and 2008!
This is about the time I believe Mondesi got it in 2005.
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
7:04 pm
Rex, I agree, Morton has the confidence of a sodomized puppy.
Sgt. Pepper
May 15th, 2009
7:05 pm
Excited to see Medlen on Tuesday. I am dying to get back to Turner Field for a game. Haven’t gotten over there since Kawakami’s Turner Field debut.
On an unrelated note, anyone from Atlanta know anything about Mid-Town Tavern? Playing a show there next Saturday and just trying to get a feel for the place in advance.
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
7:06 pm
Lew I heard they’re bringing back Brayan Pena cause Yunel’s lonely, too.
Il Cattivo
May 15th, 2009
7:07 pm
sodomized puppy – Frankie Knuckles
I take it you are a cat person.
Mixxo
May 15th, 2009
7:08 pm
Thanks “Or” and “Google” for that report.
I was kinda tied up at the moment.
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
7:08 pm
Gotta say, I’m pleasantly surprised to see Medlen come up. Looking forward to his debut on Tuesday. Still kinda wonder why it wasn’t Morton, but I do think Medlen is a better option, so why not go with him?
Interested Observer
May 15th, 2009
7:09 pm
Wow. What power Carroll has..one little Q&A and Medlin gets the call. I’m sure Brian Barton can’t wait until his story comes out. Next time Carroll heads to Gwinnett for a Q&A I’m sure she’ll have a long line of players willing to participate!
bravos2249
May 15th, 2009
7:10 pm
ESPN article about PLAYING THIRD BASE
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=kurkjian_tim&id=4168545
Dogs Rule
May 15th, 2009
7:12 pm
Cats suck and are dumb and useless.
Il Cattivo
May 15th, 2009
7:16 pm
Wow – tomorrow is a Derek Lowe start and there is rain forecast. Except for the start against the Mets and opening day, the rain has really been following him.
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
7:19 pm
Il Cattivo–
Yeah…I think it mainly haunts him against sub-.500 teams.
Wayne in Utah
May 15th, 2009
7:20 pm
Derek Lowe should be used to help the weatherman predict rain. Expanding that idea a bit forward, he could be traded to other teams in parts of the country that are in drought conditions.
Capt Caveman
May 15th, 2009
7:21 pm
Just read that article on 3rd base and can’t agree more. When I was in the minors I played catcher and also third and first base, and I have to say that having a catchers mentality when it comes to knocking down a ball comes in handy but does not always come in “healthy”,
There were at least 2 occasions where I knocked down a ball to the detriment of my body. LOL
“Hey Caveman — Great Play !!! …………. Yeah I think the trainer is down in the tunnel.”
You try to get the pain and swelling to subside before you have to bat so you wont have to come out of the game. But you never admit that it hurts … EVER. Even on the way to the hospital. LOLOL
Yeah Good Times,
nolie
May 15th, 2009
7:27 pm
And Believe me if they come out playing flat I will be the first to bash, especially Francoeur… (Tomahahlin)
Oh My, what a surprise.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
7:27 pm
ESPN had a top 10 game 7 winners and only had the Braves over the Pirates (Bream at home) at #9. Several hocky winners above that one…really? Lame.
Tomas
May 15th, 2009
7:28 pm
Kris Medlen good choice……I don’t like that Jo-jo will stay on the big club because that means another player more deserving of the spot gets send down. My guess is James Parr gets send down.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
7:31 pm
Tarp on the field….oy.
jennifer in GA
May 15th, 2009
7:35 pm
so I know alot of people on this blog was wanting schafer in the lead off spot…. so i dare to ask who wants him in the leadoff spot now?!?!??!
bravos2249
May 15th, 2009
7:35 pm
ANyone have a radio link…I can’t remember the website….
Scott
May 15th, 2009
7:35 pm
my mistake. Darren is don’s son. And why is there a tarp? it looks sunny.
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
7:35 pm
Heath, number 2 was game 7 of the 1991 series. Braves obviously did not win, but that was in there also.
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
7:36 pm
I hope this game isnt delayed….
bravos2249
May 15th, 2009
7:36 pm
NM about that last post…I had it saved on another browser…lol
bravos2249
May 15th, 2009
7:37 pm
The rain is coming from like SE…odd
Rob from SC
May 15th, 2009
7:37 pm
I though Kawakami is going tomorrow
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
7:37 pm
I try hard not to correct spelling on the blog, but the graphic at the bottom of Peachtree TV pointed out how long Hinch had been manger.
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
7:38 pm
Not the slightest hint here (12 miles northwest) of rain anywhere within sight of my windows.
unhappy camper
May 15th, 2009
7:38 pm
it rains EVERY fuc**** day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if the Braves don’t sweep the pitiful Diamondbacks, i think i’ll go CRAZZZZZZZZZZZZYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
7:39 pm
Is it really raining at the park? Its beautiful up here in Kennesaw (about 30 minutes away)
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
7:41 pm
Chipper being vocal in the dugout and leading the team out onto the field…. NICE…
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
7:42 pm
brent a. my name was in the lead-in section of the Q and A, said Medlen spoke to me. (Actually wrote my own name in the third person. Lame!!)
medlen throws 91-93, occasionally touches 94. has what they say is a plus changeup and a plus curveball.
little late starting because they were poised to put the tarp on the field but the umps waved it off. should have ball here in a minute
bravos2249
May 15th, 2009
7:43 pm
Brandon
I thought the same thing.
unhappy camper
May 15th, 2009
7:43 pm
Chipper’s pre-game pep talk in dugout went… “alright guys, who stole my dip and if any of you screw up, i’ll bash you to O’Brien, and don’t think i won’t!”
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
7:44 pm
Frank’s quote on Medlen over Hanson….after first saying that Medlen was the guy who was pitching best in AAA and that’s what they were going for.
“It’s also we’re looking at a time window,” Wren said referring to Glavine’s possible return in a couple of weeks. “That’s the other consideration. I think if we were looking at the long haul, and there was a situation for a starter to come up and be a starter for the rest of the season, it would probably be Tommy (Hanson).”
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
7:45 pm
Get some bullpen action going – it’s clearly not Javy’s night.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
7:45 pm
…saw them putting the tarp on while watching on MLB TV on DirecTv. Glad to hear tarp is off and the game is under way.
StingerSplash
May 15th, 2009
7:46 pm
Is anybody else listening on Gameday Audio and getting the Peachtree TV audio feed instead of WGST? Does anybody know why this is happening? It’s just very odd.
jennifer in GA
May 15th, 2009
7:46 pm
this isnt going so good
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
7:46 pm
Not a good start…
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
7:47 pm
….great start…ugh.
nolie
May 15th, 2009
7:47 pm
No moves unless for farm talent. (RichBrave)
teams seldom make moves for farm talent at that time unless they are giving up and dumping high-priced veterans. Hopefully er won’t be in that spot. If they do make a move at that time it will be for a veteran to fill some need on the big club.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
7:47 pm
that’s two runs in four pitches from Vazquez.
Rob from SC
May 15th, 2009
7:48 pm
Javy does not look good
Not Again
May 15th, 2009
7:49 pm
For those of you clammoring for either Medlen or Hanson, understand that if Bobby makes a switch away from Reyes, it’s gonna be Charlie Morton, who is on the 40 man roster. (Medlen and Hanson are not; if you have to ask why that should matter at all, this blog is not for you and you need to take the MLB 202 course.)
maybe you should take MLB101 huh? Your logic wasn’t so right after all. Guess Bobby and Frank over-ruled you .
Rob from SC
May 15th, 2009
7:49 pm
Vazquez really has some rough innings
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
7:49 pm
Anyone know of a free audio feed.
nolie
May 15th, 2009
7:51 pm
well since every blogger and his brother bragged all day on how easy a sweep is gonna be, Karma took offense I see. Y’all never learn. Smack AFTER the game folks.
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 15th, 2009
7:52 pm
2-0 Arizona…..that was quick
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
7:52 pm
Time for the bats to come alive here at home…
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
7:53 pm
Hearing some thunder here now.
PI Braves
May 15th, 2009
7:54 pm
bravos2249 – here’s the link for WFIS – http://www.broadcastradiostream.com/WFIS.asx
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 15th, 2009
7:54 pm
Nolie…..If you read the blog and never saw the braves play you’ve think they invented the game. Folks….There’s a reason Vasquez has bounced around from team to team. If he was a keeper someone would have kept him.
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
7:55 pm
caught a break there…Omar’s liner off of the 1st basemens glove…
TnBrian
May 15th, 2009
7:56 pm
I don’t have much of a thyroid. Doug Davis had his removed and believe me, your thyroid and hormones ain’t nothin to mess with.
Garret Cleanup
May 15th, 2009
8:02 pm
I promise at least one single every other game from me: slugging cleanup man Garret Anderson.
The Lammer
May 15th, 2009
8:04 pm
*sigh* another one of those nights, huh?
alsim
May 15th, 2009
8:07 pm
The Braves had a great road trip against some tough teams. Logically that mean they will come home and lose to last place teams.
.
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 15th, 2009
8:07 pm
I’ve told you all before. The braves get a hard on to play the Mets. After that series there’s an emotional let down……You’ll see
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
8:08 pm
Wait a minute…that thing Infante got on base from was ruled a hit? Holy cow…
keylargo
May 15th, 2009
8:12 pm
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
One of the nicest 15 year old girls someone like you hopefully never meets, posted just after you did. Have some dignity.
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
8:13 pm
PI Braves – Thanks for that link bro
Dumbfound
May 15th, 2009
8:13 pm
Mets Troll, I guess we all Know what you are thinking abou !! Any bath house in NJ ?!! I think plenty !!!
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
8:16 pm
Looks like we better hope CK saves the day again. None of these clowns ever look at the coach rounding second. whatever happened to that.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
8:16 pm
Watching all these highlights for the Blue Jays….that is gonna be a really touch series for the Braves. Those guys can flat out rake.
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
8:17 pm
Good hit, Casey!
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
8:17 pm
Did Doug Davis just “channel” Jeff Bennett on that shoddy play?
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
8:17 pm
a botched throw from Davis to the 1st basemen results in the BRaves 1st run….what a messed up play…
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
8:18 pm
Mets Troll, If no one has reminded you today – You’re a Tool.
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
8:18 pm
braveshater
since you clearly don’t watch the braves on a regular basis I will fill you in. That was Brian McCann on 2nd. Brian is a catcher. Brian is not fast. The ball was not hit that deep…no reason to run into an out.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
8:18 pm
Have to take advantage of the opponent’s miscue here.
King521
May 15th, 2009
8:18 pm
Yeah we really gotta beat these D-Backs and Rockies before the Jays get here…their offense is unreal with Scutaro and Aaron Hill setting the tables!
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
8:18 pm
That was an 85 mph fast ball right down the middle. If u cant hit that, u dont need to be in the Show.
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
8:20 pm
I see u still cant fucin read yet always have something to say. If I dont address u, there is no need to speak to me.
Thanks.
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
8:20 pm
It doesnt matter who it is ahole, u should still check the coach, since your back is turned to the play.
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
8:21 pm
RBI!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
8:21 pm
Ya gotta love Schafer’s speed!
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
8:21 pm
Schafer brings home Francouer on a fielders choice…2-2
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
8:21 pm
Wow. The kid made contact. Great Job son.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
8:22 pm
that’s some real wobbly defense by the DBacks. wobby at first on Omar Infante’s liner in the first, Justin Upton bobbled Francouer’s single then Davis’ wild throw on Kotchman’s dribbler…..They look like they’re playing nervous to me.
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
8:22 pm
Sacrifice bunt from Javy…Schafer on 2nd for Omar Infante…
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
8:23 pm
braveshater – please try to refrain from addressing people who disagree with you in such a profane way (especially the lovely ladies).
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
8:23 pm
I dont respect anyone from anywhere that has an actor as a governor anyway.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
8:23 pm
Nice when the bottom of the order puts up runs. Javy given a fresh start basically.
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
8:23 pm
How am I suppose to know what gender they are. Its not listed i dont think.
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
8:25 pm
braveshater-
I am simply crushed that you don’t respect me. You have ruined my entire weekend.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
8:26 pm
first RBI since April 8 in Philly for Schafer
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
8:27 pm
braveshater – you just spelled out your major problem in life (in brilliant grammatical fashion) – “i dont think.”
Wayne in Utah
May 15th, 2009
8:27 pm
I was at the Giants-Mets game last night. Mets were stealing at will off Molina. He had gotten hit by a foul tip in the knee earlier, and couldn’t throw out anybody. So, while I give the Mets some credit for the steals, they were predominantly stealing off a wounded catcher.
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
8:27 pm
Mcann couldnt frame roger rabbit.
Fire Chip Caray
May 15th, 2009
8:27 pm
Chip Caray is the most loud, obnoxious, annoying, unbearable, intolerable, stentorian and all-around bad baseball announcer I have ever heard in my life.
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
8:29 pm
Hey braveshater,
Reagan is considered, in many circles, one of the best presidents in our history.
just a little food for thought
zephyr 8
May 15th, 2009
8:30 pm
“Chip Caray is the most loud, obnoxious, annoying, unbearable, intolerable, stentorian and all-around bad baseball announcer I have ever heard in my life.” -Fire Chip Caray
Can I nominate Rob Dibble?
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
8:32 pm
you tell ‘em, Interested Observer!
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
8:32 pm
Did you know that a 30-game hitting streak is a “hit every day for a month, in the Major Leagues”.
Gee, thanks Chip. What would we do without you?
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
8:34 pm
there’s some good D from Mac!
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
8:34 pm
McCann guns down a runner trying to steal…. end of inning
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
8:35 pm
I like the slide with one leg way up in the air.
Braves media man
May 15th, 2009
8:38 pm
HEY CHIP CARAY,
How is strapping a boom mike to the dugout camera to pick up the mindless babbling of Bobby Cox “great audio work.”?
If you and your George Constanza look-a-like of a producer knew how irritating that background chatter was to anyone above the age of 13, you’d finally give it a rest. Maybe next year, when even you tire of the non-stop “C’mon kid….take ball four…back” and other absolutely essential pearls of wisdom from the Braves skipper.
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
8:39 pm
Smyrna Jim–brilliant spelling and “grammer” are the calling cards of this blog, no?
Oh, and “u” is not a word. YOU would look less juvenile if you actually, you know, spelled it out…
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
8:39 pm
Crushed by Chipper!!
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
8:39 pm
The guy who hit that looked familiar.
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
8:39 pm
Chipper….HOME RUN….
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
8:40 pm
Thats my boy
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
8:40 pm
The thunder booms and Chipper knocks one out. The baseball gods must be on our side still
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
8:40 pm
That was a GREAT THROW to nab the runner! WHOO! That’s what I’m talkin’ about! 30%!!!
WAYTAGO, Chipper!!
JD
May 15th, 2009
8:40 pm
Only Chip Caray can put a damper on a Braves homerun. Slam-Wow?
Mixxo
May 15th, 2009
8:41 pm
attaboy Chipper!
RHR
May 15th, 2009
8:41 pm
Who called that hot weather HR hours ago? Thats right. Me. lol
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
8:41 pm
2,202 RBI’s is more than 100 a season for 20 seasons. Thats an incredible number. I wish I wouldve gotten a chance to watch Hammerin Hank play. Wow.
abwright
May 15th, 2009
8:42 pm
McFann :Ô: 8:08 pm “Wait a minute…that thing Infante got on base from was ruled a hit? Holy cow…”
You’re not still upset about that Chase Utley error in Philthy, are you?
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
8:42 pm
Chipper
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
8:43 pm
the home run just tied Chipper Jones with Eddie Mathews for second on the Braves all-time RBI list with 1,388
it was his fourth home run of the year, second from the right side
keylargo
May 15th, 2009
8:43 pm
FrankieKnuckles – you so mean. That boy done gone off to see if he can drag the dog out from under the bed to play with. And on Friday night too………….
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
8:44 pm
abwright–
Heh heh…uuummm…what error?
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
8:45 pm
Has Chipper passed Eddie on the XBH list yet?
13 year old Braves fan
May 15th, 2009
8:45 pm
Hey media man, you got somethin against 13 year olds? Well I need to let you know that I stuck 10 pixie sticks up my nose today in class!!!
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
8:45 pm
Hank Aaron provided the best times the Braves will ever experience, and he’s a proud African American. I know that makes all of your skin boil. Lol.
RHR
May 15th, 2009
8:46 pm
Anyone have Javy’s pitch count handy? It seems like hes thrown a ton.
JD
May 15th, 2009
8:46 pm
2,202 RBI’s is more than 100 a season for 20 seasons
Thanks, chief
abwright
May 15th, 2009
8:47 pm
I thought, on that slow curve, that there was no way that McCann was going to get Parra. On the triple, Parra looked pretty fast. Chip and Joe talked about the change in McCann’s footwork and how that helped him.
McCann is one of the most dangerous hitters I have seen, at such a young age, doesn’t give up at bats (except that pinch hit appearance in NY), and makes good contact all the time. He calls a good game.
His only real deficiency is his inability to throw out runners consistently. If he puts that together, wow. I hope he is around Atlanta for a good, long time.
JD
May 15th, 2009
8:47 pm
I’ve heard some crap come out of Chip Caray’s mouth before, but what on EARTH was that??
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
8:50 pm
JD-
which part?
abwright
May 15th, 2009
8:50 pm
Carroll Rogers, 8:43 pm “It was his ["Chipper's] fourth home run of the year, second from the right side”
He should have had two in Citi Field. Chipper’s hitting the ball much better since his day off. I’m glad he backed up his “shout out” to his team-mates about increasing their intensity at home.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
8:51 pm
3-1 to snyder….62 pitches.
RHR
May 15th, 2009
8:51 pm
lmao@ Joe calling Stanford “the Oklahoma of the west”.
Also, i need chip to stop talking about how bad the d’backs are. Thats bad mojo.
sri
May 15th, 2009
8:51 pm
RHR – 62 pitches 35s/27b
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
8:51 pm
Wow does Jordan cover some serious ground out there
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
8:51 pm
Schafer can cover some ground….
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
8:52 pm
Your welcome,
Pale.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
8:52 pm
i think it’s 62 pitches for vazquez after four.
abwright
May 15th, 2009
8:53 pm
Since Jo Jo is staying with the team in the bullpen (who knows? he might thrive there.) I’m going to officially call him “MoJo JoJo” from now on.
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
8:53 pm
keylargo, do you live there? If so, color me jealous. I was down that way 10 years ago. Beautiful!
its like high school in a way. You have to let a loser know he’s a loser and usually they’ll bolt.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
8:53 pm
nope, 63 pitches, with 36 for strikes
JD
May 15th, 2009
8:54 pm
ca – I dunno what it was. It sounded like he threw up a little bit.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
8:55 pm
AJ is putting up some numbers this year. How much could we have spent on him? Go figure.
bravesfan54
May 15th, 2009
8:57 pm
Marv Kleeman – you sound like T Armas,Jr’s agent, but thanks. I am a member of the profession that Shakespeare would “first kill all”, but at the risk of exposure, my man, you made your case. There must be a downside somewhere.
Did I miss something on bloggers’ comments of whether we have 40 or 37 on the roster – I always thought that until Sept 1st, your active roster was limited to 25. So, if Medlen comes, doesn’t someone go?
Just askin’ folks!
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
8:58 pm
Carroll Rogers – Can you ask Bobby Cox why he was against JoJo for the bullpen and now he’s for it?
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
9:01 pm
How ironic! I’m calling someone a loser and I’m on a blog while watching a baseball game with my dog on a Friday night! Ahhh, I ain’t nothin but a woosie.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
9:01 pm
Guys on MLB TV just showed the Chipper Jones HR replay…and they even started chuckling about the Slam-Wow comment. What and idiot. : )
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
9:04 pm
Frankie Knuckles-
throw in a beer and it sounds like a pretty good evening to me (of course, the game will end early enough so I can still go out if I want to…)
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
9:04 pm
abwright–
Yeah, if he gets his throwing together…he’s gonna be some kind of a baseball player! I think David Ross is helping him with his footwork like Chip and Joe said.
That throw kinda fooled me, too, though–looked like it was gonna be way high. But thankfully Escobar caught it and applied the tag. Ya know, if you count the pickoff one of our pitchers made the other day, McCann’s caught 40% of would-be base stealers! Without that pickoff, it’s still 30%! (Would be higher if it wasn’t for Greg Gibson’s bad call.)
I hope he is around Atlanta for a good, long time.
ME, TOO!!</i Hope he spends his entire career here!
keylargo
May 15th, 2009
9:05 pm
FrankieKnuckles – I moved to Key Largo about 11 years ago and eventually settled close to Big Pine Key about 5 years ago.
I told Carroll today about running the Seven Mile Bridge Run which is from western Marathon to Bahia Honda Key. Seven miles across that beautiful blue water sounds like a lot of fun – especially about 5 minutes after I finished.
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
9:06 pm
You know, I’m really quite happy that we got Vazquez. Out of all the pitcher that could have been gotten, he has the ability to be quite exciting between striking out 10 per game and the flirts with danger. Sort of like watching a closer for 6 innings a game.
Efrim
May 15th, 2009
9:11 pm
Anyone know why Tommy Hanson isn’t starting for Gwinett tonight? Bueno got the nod.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
9:11 pm
jeff321 probably because he was going to give Jo-Jo every opportunity to succeed as a starter first because a) that’s what he’s always done and b) that’s what they needed out of him. but that didn’t work, so they go to plan B.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
9:12 pm
Just saw a replay of Smith from Colorado tagging up on 3rd base (he made it home safe without a throw). The Pirates appealed at 3rd and the umpire called him out. Video replay showed that he did NOT leave early and should have remained safe. I know these teams have no bearing on the Braves…but I wanted to voice something here that I have felt baseball should do just like hockey. Why not have a “war room” like hocky where the head umpire gets on the phone in the ball park to MLB home office and let the team at the home office confirm the play? It only takes about 60 seconds in hockey…won’t make the baseball game too much longer. In this case, could cose Colorado the game since the score remains 1-0 Pittsburgh instead of a 1-1 tie…in the 8th inning too!!!
Dumbfound
May 15th, 2009
9:12 pm
Watching the Farrah Fawcett documentery . So Sad ! Pray for Farrah !!
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
9:13 pm
cabravesfan – How about a few glasses of Jim Beam and ginger? Hey, I could have gone to the club ( where my friends who still want to be 21 are currently in route ) but I said why spend 80 bucks when I can follow the game and stay out of trouble.
keylargo – I bet, I would probably yack at this stage of my life. There used to be a day when I played sports year round and could run like the wind – and then I met college. Ohhh Glory Days.
keylargo
May 15th, 2009
9:14 pm
I’m calling someone a loser and I’m on a blog while watching a baseball game with my dog on a Friday night! Ahhh, I ain’t nothin but a woosie. FrankieKnuckles
But your dog is wagging his tail faithfully waiting for a command to bring you another beer while someone else’s dog is hiding under the bed, hoping to avoid contact.
There is a BIG difference in the two. And not knowing Cabravesfan,(and hoping she will take a joke) I will jestfully say you might be as lucky as a man can get!
Loaf Garret on his blackberry tossing with Schafer in the outfield
May 15th, 2009
9:14 pm
MAN….I’m already back out here? Just startin to get comfortable on the bench.
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
9:17 pm
Frankie Knuckles-
although I personally would rather drink lighter fluid near an open flame, whatever works for you
keylargo-
My dog is snoring in her bed about 6 inches from where I am sitting. She is just bitter i will not give her any of the beer I stole from my father’s fridge…but I’ve only got 2 (well, 1 now) and the night is young
JayDubu
May 15th, 2009
9:17 pm
Andruw Jones with 5 run bomb!!
Fred
May 15th, 2009
9:17 pm
Efrim, Hanson has been bumped ahead a day in the GBraves rotation to replace Medlen. I believe he is scheduled to start tomorrow.
yo! yunel
May 15th, 2009
9:17 pm
I don’t care what none of y’all say, Yunel’s frosted look is H.O.T.! With that chiseled jaw and bubble behind it makes him the hottest Brave.
(no offense to Mcann, McFan, he’s cute to but another year or two and gravity is going to be unkind to him i think)
Yum Yunel!
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
9:18 pm
“I believe there is a role for everybody in this world,” Reyes said. “Who knows? This might be a blessing in disguise, and this might have been my calling from Day 1. I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out.”
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090515&content_id=4752182&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl&partnerId=rss_atl
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
9:19 pm
is it possible to mute only Chip?
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
9:20 pm
After that K…Javy is now leading the NL in strikeouts at 65…Peavy is 2nd with 61. Interesting.
Efrim
May 15th, 2009
9:20 pm
Fred, thanks.
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
9:21 pm
For all you Chip haters.. Follow my lead and watch the ALT feed when he’s on!
knowitall
May 15th, 2009
9:22 pm
bravesfan54
I’ll try to explain this quickly. Each team has a 40 man roster of which only 25 can actually be on the major league roster at one time. Players have to be on the 40 man in order to be sent back and forth between the majors and the minors. Since the Braves only have 38 players on their 40 man, no one has to be taken off in order to make room for Melden. The Braves will however have to make room on the major league 25 man roster though. Since Melden isn’t scheduled to pitch until Tuesday, they don’t have to decide who goes to Gwinnett until then.
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
9:23 pm
Jeff321-
I don’t actually hate Chip at all, for whatever reason I am just finding him very annoying tonight…and I only have one option for the game so I’m kinda stuck
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
9:23 pm
That was a quasi-respectable inning for Javy.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
9:25 pm
I really hope Bobby is smart enough not to trot Javy back out for the 7th inning. He has pitched really well and he has 93 pitches…no need in letting him ruin his own performance.
TnBrian
May 15th, 2009
9:25 pm
Was in the bathroom and heard someone SCREAM on the tv, ran to the tv and realized it was just Chip Carey yelling at the popout from the DBacks hitter.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
9:27 pm
Nolan Ryan had a 15-game stretch….12 CGs… TWO no-hitters. Dominant.
keylargo
May 15th, 2009
9:27 pm
CaBravesFan
Didn’t you post about your dog drinking a lot? I remember something about you having to share with her. But a woman who has a dog and they both drink beer is a great start for something. Maybe a beer shortage.
Here is the bridge that the Seven Mile race is run on. All water the entire race.
http://www.google.com/search?q=seven+mile+bridge&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
Fred
May 15th, 2009
9:29 pm
Efrim, I may be wrong about Hanson. The gbraves are playing a doubleheader in Buffalo tonight and I believe Hanson is starting the second game. I plan on checking their web site throughout the evening for updates.
Couch Tater
May 15th, 2009
9:29 pm
After listening to Chris Berman & Rick Sutcliffe for about 1/3 inning the other day, I’ll take Chip Carey as one of our announcers.
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
9:29 pm
Keylargo-
sent her to detox when I went to Vegas…she has yet to forgive me
knowitall
May 15th, 2009
9:30 pm
I was just thinking how weird it was for old man Loaf Anderson to have Swagga Like Us as his walk up music. Then I realized that after my birthday next week, I’ll only be 1 year younger than him.(If I knew how to do those emoticons, I’d insert a sad face here.)
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
9:30 pm
Fred, Efrim, I read somewhere that they moved his start to tomorrow vs. Lehigh Valley. I’ll try to find it…
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
9:31 pm
Dangit! No double there.
his AVG is .277. Was up to .286 after that hit in his first AB. Well, there’s still time.
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
9:31 pm
Ah, I don’t hate Chip either.. Just find him about 1000X more annoying that anyone on this blog!
abwright
May 15th, 2009
9:32 pm
Top of the seventh and Vazquez slices up Whitesell, who robbed McCann of a hit in the bottom of the sixth. Payback.
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
9:33 pm
Its time to yank Javy. I don’t care if he gets out of this inning unscathed or not.. He just looks out of gas.
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
9:33 pm
cabravesfan,
How about Southern Comfort? I discovered at a young age most girls like/tolerate it! Just throwin that out there in case you feel like catching a flight to the east coast and making some mistakes. kidding,
-
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
9:34 pm
Ah, here it is, directly from Ms. Rogers’ excellent piece regarding his call-up:
“Medlen was originally scheduled to start tonight against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Allentown, Pa. Now he’ll pitch an inning or two to tune up, following Hanson, whose start was pushed back from the second game of a doubleheader Friday to Saturday. Medlen will head to Atlanta from Pennsylvania.”
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
9:34 pm
3-1 count to Snyder… 100 pitches. Get the bullpen ready Bobby.
abwright
May 15th, 2009
9:34 pm
Chipper has a senior moment. Heads for the dug-out on two outs.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
9:36 pm
Inside the park HR for Yankees. Gardner.
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
9:36 pm
Frankie Knuckles-
SoCo is…passable but I am more of a vodka/teliqua girl
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
9:37 pm
obviously I can’t spell
I meant tequila
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
9:37 pm
Good inning, Javy!
keylargo
May 15th, 2009
9:38 pm
Take away the first 4 pitches and Vazquez has been tough! Quality start seems to be mentioned every time out with him.
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
9:39 pm
this has been a very good baseball game. Especially from the Braves’ perspective.
Have seen a lot of good things tonight, from a lot of people.
2 more innings. + the Mets are facing Lincecum.
abwright
May 15th, 2009
9:39 pm
Vazquez just showed why he gets the big bucks. He had nothing to start the game. Gave up two runs on four pitches. Then, he cowboys up and shuts down a bad Arizona team for seven innings. Good job, Javy.
alsim
May 15th, 2009
9:40 pm
Maybe it is good that John Smoltz is gone. Now Chipper Jones is the clear-cut chief of this tribe. Smoltz was a good leader but maybe he was too much of a “good cop”. It is time for some tough love.
.
Mike
May 15th, 2009
9:40 pm
Jeff321…that was a joke about Javy, right?
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
9:40 pm
Vazquez is just fun to watch pitch. He’s been much better than advertised. So far, so good Mr. Wren.
knowitall
May 15th, 2009
9:41 pm
Ha! My pickup of Juan Pierre might be the steal of the year in my fantasy league. He has another 2 hits tonight.
keylargo
May 15th, 2009
9:41 pm
The DBacks broadcast just brought up a painful name – Len Barker. If you don’t know he is, just let sleeping dogs lie, right CaBravesFan?
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
9:41 pm
That’s a very attractive tattoo on Mr. Rauch’s neck, btw. Just sharin’.
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
9:42 pm
(I’m being sarcastic)
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
9:43 pm
keylargo-
I have learned that is a very good idea
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
9:43 pm
Ahh, tequila makes me do unspeakable things, so i try to steer clear. Not a big fan of the potato juice either. Whatever works. Let it be.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
9:43 pm
announced attendance was 32,593….that’s more like it
RHR
May 15th, 2009
9:44 pm
Nice patience there by frenchy and 32,000+ official attendance. Way to show up, Braves fans.
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
9:45 pm
Mike – No, I was being serious. I don’t like watching a game thinking were going to win only to have Cox leave the starter in too long.
abwright
May 15th, 2009
9:46 pm
Norton pinch hits for Vazquez with a man at second and two outs.
braveshater
May 15th, 2009
9:46 pm
Schaffer is a product of Greg Anderson’s workout plan. Sure hope he revisits the good doctor.
Rob from SC
May 15th, 2009
9:48 pm
Carroll
MILB says Hanson was supposed to pitch tonight. He did not pitch in either game. Bueno pitched instead. Any reason why
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
9:48 pm
That’s 10 strikeouts for Vazquez which gives him 67 on the season. That leads all NL pitchers, pending Tim Lincecum’s start tonight for the Giants. He’s got 57 Ks.
abwright
May 15th, 2009
9:48 pm
Norton walks. Game slows to a crawl.
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
9:48 pm
32,000
I’m telling you, it’s the fireworks.
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
9:48 pm
Vazquez was nasty tonight
RHR
May 15th, 2009
9:49 pm
I was just thinking how weird it was for old man Loaf Anderson to have Swagga Like Us as his walk up music. Then I realized that after my birthday next week, I’ll only be 1 year younger than him.(If I knew how to do those emoticons, I’d insert a sad face here.
Couch Tater
May 15th, 2009
9:50 pm
Steve from OH,
Speaking of tattoo..
http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2009/05/red-wings-and-ducks-know-how-to-set.html
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
9:50 pm
I will be in Atlanta for the Toronto series…look forward to seeing the Braves win. Last 4 times I went to watch the Braves play at the Ted they lost…
abwright
May 15th, 2009
9:50 pm
Carroll Rogers, 9:48 pm “That’s 10 strikeouts for Vazquez which gives him 67 on the season. That leads all NL pitchers, pending Tim Lincecum’s start tonight for the Giants. He’s got 57 Ks.”
I hope Lincecum passes Vazquez with about 20 strike outs tonight.
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
9:51 pm
Question for any knowledgeable baseball folk,
Have you ever seen a rookie, as hyped as Schafer, struggle as badly as Schafer and bounce back to be real talent?
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
9:52 pm
Colorado comes back in the next inning (top of the 9th) and scores 3 runs to beat the Pirates 3-1. Glad for them that they were not victimized by that bad appeal call.
abwright
May 15th, 2009
9:52 pm
There’s a “World of Coke?” Is that in Tijuana?
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
9:52 pm
Vazquez and Schafer each lead the NL in stike-outs, right?
Mike
May 15th, 2009
9:53 pm
Would like to see another run or 2 tacked on to make it a bit more comfortable. Only 4 hits on the night is not that great against the Dbacks. Even though its hard to complain because we are winning. But only by 1.
RHR
May 15th, 2009
9:53 pm
Then maybe you should stay home, Brandon.
propp
May 15th, 2009
9:54 pm
always seems like the Braves struggle against Doug Davis
knowitall
May 15th, 2009
9:54 pm
RHR,
I’m going to completely ruin the joke but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what FML means. I guess I’m having a lot of senior moments tonight.
Rob from SC
May 15th, 2009
9:54 pm
Schafer will be fine, he has a bad wrist, remember when McCann hurt his hand and he struggled for three months. Give him time
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
9:55 pm
RHR…maybe i should…:)
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
9:55 pm
Sure am glad tomorrows game isn’t on Fox’s game of the week. Because it seems I rarely actually get the Braves feed.
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
9:56 pm
Ahh..awful announcing. I forgot that site. Thanks for refreshing my memory, Couch Tater. Great video too.
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
9:56 pm
O’Flaherty
Rob from SC
May 15th, 2009
9:56 pm
Good work by O’Flaherty
Rob from SC
May 15th, 2009
9:57 pm
I don’t trust Moylan
knowitall
May 15th, 2009
9:59 pm
Heath,
Say it ain’t so. Maholm is on my fantasy team. I’m doing great in ERA & WHIP but I can’t ever seem to get any wins.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
10:01 pm
Frankie Knuckles…not sure if this is what you are looking for…but Adrian Gonzalez of the Padres struggled quite a but his first two years (not full years) in the bigs and has become a superb first baseman…very good defensively and hitter.
RHR
May 15th, 2009
10:01 pm
knowitall –
Its a nerdy website where people send in unfortunate things that happen in their lives. Some of them are really funny others sound totally made up and lame.
Interested Observer
May 15th, 2009
10:03 pm
Reyes and Parr warming up??
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
10:03 pm
Why was Parr/Jo Jo in BP? ~_~
abwright
May 15th, 2009
10:03 pm
Moylan gets a nubber to end the eighth after O’Floogy chews up his two batters.
“Let’s get a little insurance.”
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
10:05 pm
I bought Curious Case Of Benjamin Button & Taken on DVD today. I know Curious Case is expected to be good, but what about Taken? Any movie buffs here care to help on it?
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:05 pm
that attendance is probably a good sign for the summer. Schools are starting to get out now, so more families will be able to attend more games.
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
10:06 pm
Texas Rangers in 1st place. Andruw Jones hits 4th homer. Amazing.
Andy K.
May 15th, 2009
10:06 pm
Barton has a homer in Game 2 for Gwinnett.
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
10:06 pm
“A little insurance would be nice…”
Andy K.
May 15th, 2009
10:07 pm
Canizares hit his seventh homer of the season today also for AAA. He keeps crushing the ball, they have to think about giving him a chance.
bgvt
May 15th, 2009
10:07 pm
Jo Jo and Parr were warming up just in case Moylan had a melt down (not unheard of this year). Bobby has to give Gonzo and Soriano a bit of a break. Gonzo will probably be in for the 9th.
RHR
May 15th, 2009
10:07 pm
BravesFanChris – Taken is better than Button, IMO. Watch it first.
brvs1fan
May 15th, 2009
10:07 pm
Frankie Knuckles, sticking with Braves CF’s, how bout Dale Murphy?
Andy K.
May 15th, 2009
10:07 pm
But why isn’t Hanson pitching?
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
10:07 pm
Heath (Cleveland) – Thanks man, sometimes I feel like I need a Schafer support group.
My name is Frank K…… and I was hoping Schafer wouldn’t struggle because of his amazing start. I’m ready to buy the book and take my chip.
texan
May 15th, 2009
10:09 pm
do you miss me?? Mr andrew just hit a HOME RUN and his is batting .306
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
10:09 pm
Thanks RHR.
Since I’m off this weekend, I’ll watch both after the game.
RHR
May 15th, 2009
10:09 pm
Go Loaf!
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
10:10 pm
“Professional hitter there, Chip.”
Couch Tater
May 15th, 2009
10:11 pm
Steve from OH,
Here’s another you may want to read.
http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=1308
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
10:11 pm
brvs1fan,
Did Murph struggle? I was so young. All I knew, as a young buck, is that Dale could drink from the same glass as God. How bad did he struggle?
bgvt
May 15th, 2009
10:11 pm
Andy K. –
They decided to move Hanson back to tomorrow night to take Medlen’s spot in the rotation. I’m not sure why. They were going to have to piece together one game from the bullpen due to Medlen getting called up. Maybe they thought it was better to use the bullpen in the doubleheader since the game only has 7 innings. (Though Hanson rarely goes more than 7 so this doesn’t seem like an incredibly strong argument.)
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
10:12 pm
Pena got some heat!
RHR
May 15th, 2009
10:13 pm
Yikes. If he made Mac look silly just imagine what he’ll do to Frenchy.
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
10:13 pm
RHR
May 15th, 2009
10:13 pm
Oh wait. Frenchy only takes one pitch. How silly of me.
ncbravesgirl
May 15th, 2009
10:13 pm
1st pitch swinging…again.
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
10:14 pm
Bring on The Cobra…
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
10:14 pm
Franki Knuckles,
Try baseballreference.com
it’s quite fun.
brvs1fan
May 15th, 2009
10:15 pm
First full year .226 BA, 679 OPS struck out 120 times. Did hit 23 homers
knowitall
May 15th, 2009
10:15 pm
BravesFanChris24,
I saw Taken this past weekend and loved it. It’s your classic shoot first & ask questions later movie. In other words, it’s not one of those that you watch for “quality acting”.
RHR
Now I feel enlightened.
RHR
May 15th, 2009
10:17 pm
According to the roster, Gonzo weighs 15 lbs more than Moylan.
Ahem.
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:17 pm
Gonzo blows it again. hello extra innings
steve_97060
May 15th, 2009
10:17 pm
sigh…..
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
10:17 pm
Why didn’t Bobby bring in Jo Jo?
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
10:17 pm
Gonzo gives it up..
RHR
May 15th, 2009
10:17 pm
Are you kidding me?
knowitall
May 15th, 2009
10:17 pm
Sad face again!
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
10:17 pm
i planned to stay up late tonight, anyway
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
10:18 pm
Geez..another blown save.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
10:18 pm
Yikes
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
10:18 pm
but I think i’d hate to be a beat writer, right about now
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
10:18 pm
Gonzalez should not be pitching today. Period.
Josh
May 15th, 2009
10:18 pm
sh#t!
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
10:18 pm
Dangit…that makes that strikeout look that much worse…
PI Braves
May 15th, 2009
10:18 pm
what the..
bgvt
May 15th, 2009
10:18 pm
Javy has no friends in the bullpen.
zephyr 8
May 15th, 2009
10:18 pm
Man, I feel bad for vazquez
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:19 pm
He’s just trying to help make sure they don’t get in Friday night fireworks again, hehe
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
10:19 pm
HR by a .231 hitter…lefty against lefty too.
Mike
May 15th, 2009
10:19 pm
The offense has to get that one back. They should have done better offensively. Just 5 hits against this team is not that good. Only 1 hit from the 4th on.
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
10:19 pm
Walk off win please
knowitall
May 15th, 2009
10:19 pm
On the upside, the DBacks have reached their scoring limit for the night.
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
10:19 pm
Good read, Tater. Thanks.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
10:19 pm
I am surprised it wasn’t Soriano in the 9th today…Gonzo has seen a lot of action recently.
Mixxo
May 15th, 2009
10:20 pm
RATS!!!!!
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
10:20 pm
I was planning on switching over to check out Lincecum spank the Mets. But, now I have to postpone that thanks entirely to Gonzo! BOOOOOOOOO
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:20 pm
Heath, I’ll give Drew some credit. He’s a good hitter who is going to pop off a few homers every onece in a while and his numbers this year are a little misleading.
But a bad pitch by Mike helped him out a bit
kirkinga
May 15th, 2009
10:20 pm
No reason not to let Moylan close the game and give Gonzo and Soriano another night off. Bobby is going to have to let Gonzo get some time off.
atlanta bullpen
May 15th, 2009
10:20 pm
we’ll find the way to give it up.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
10:21 pm
A little Karma I guess after mentioning how good Adrian Gonzalez has become…another HR tonight.
breaves 2009
May 15th, 2009
10:21 pm
are you guys ready for a 14 innings game??
Mike
May 15th, 2009
10:22 pm
I think Gonzo is still working to regain his former form. He has also pitched alot lately. Plus, with a 1 run lead, all it takes is 1 mistake, just 1 pitch. Thats alot to ask of anyone…to be absolutely perfect on every pitch.
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
10:22 pm
Poor Javy
zephyr 8
May 15th, 2009
10:22 pm
Story of my fantasy league. Gonzo does not get save which I am currently tied in, and the guy who destroys that save is Stephen Drew who rides the bench being absolutly worthless util he faces the braves and my closer.
mike gonzalez
May 15th, 2009
10:22 pm
one more HR game over!!!!
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
10:23 pm
Why not bring in James Parr? Gonzo has pitched in 7 of the last 9 games i believe…
looser
May 15th, 2009
10:23 pm
great inning Gonzo, what a joke!!!!
Richard
May 15th, 2009
10:23 pm
Interesting point by the announcers: Since Gonzalez has been with the braves, he is 6 for 11 when given a one run lead. Definitely food for thought.
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
10:24 pm
“the diamondbacks have struck out 12 times. that’s equal to four innings offensively.”
Gee, thanks Chip. His math is sterling, at the very least.
Rob from SC
May 15th, 2009
10:24 pm
Schafer is walking off
zephyr 8
May 15th, 2009
10:24 pm
Vazquez is also on my fantasy league, so no win from him i guess, but i still got a real good day out of him.
Jake W.
May 15th, 2009
10:25 pm
It goes down in the books as a blown save for Gonzo, but the offense is the one that missed the chance to get add on runs. When is the last time we had a blowout win? Even that first game in New York he was forced to get up because Buddy was Shaky. Were winning but a lot of these are close games. These guys can’t pitch everday no matter what they say. I knew when we came into this ending with just a one run lead with either Gonzo or Soriano that the game had a chance to be tied. Diamondbacks only swing for homeruns and being down by one is the perfect chance to do that.
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
10:25 pm
Can this team survive extra innings
Mike
May 15th, 2009
10:25 pm
I dont understand why Kotchman is hitting behind Frenchy. He has had a hot bat lately and I feel better that he gets Chipper in, and ball game…
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
10:25 pm
This is might turn into the Trail of Tears
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:25 pm
speaking of fantasy teams, the Braves really need to win in this inning. I lost the win from Javy and gained a blown save. But if Gonzo gets the win I’ll be alright.
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
10:26 pm
I dont care how you do it…JUST WIN THE GAME….
Rob from SC
May 15th, 2009
10:27 pm
he got a hit at least
Efrim
May 15th, 2009
10:27 pm
“Poor Javy”
At some point later in the year, someone on this blog will refer to Javy’s win/loss record as a measure of his performance.
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
10:27 pm
come on Schafer, snap out of it
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:27 pm
wow, nice swing by Jordan!
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
10:27 pm
Well…Jordan Schafer with a single…slowly he’s making progress…
zephyr 8
May 15th, 2009
10:27 pm
“Interesting point by the announcers: Since Gonzalez has been with the braves, he is 6 for 11 when given a one run lead. Definitely food for thought.” Richard
Probably a little unfair. Gonzo has had a surgery that I still dont think hes fully recovered from. He was at his best when he first came to Atlanta, but wasnt in the closer role.
RHR
May 15th, 2009
10:27 pm
Get it, K’fer!
JEFF
May 15th, 2009
10:27 pm
again gonzales in to save a game and has the batter drew 1-2 and throws a changeup. and speeds his bat up and walaaa tie game.. what is wrong with those 2 . use ur stinkin fastball.. make um hit it. watch the braves lose this game. and a great pitching performance by vasquez wasted…… AGAIN. by the same guy..
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
10:28 pm
Looks like I spoke to soon
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
10:28 pm
steal? hit-n-run?
jtb
May 15th, 2009
10:29 pm
Lidge just blew another save. Nats and Phils are tied thanks to Willie Harris.
Doc Holiday
May 15th, 2009
10:29 pm
Brad Lidge just blew the save………..tie game on a double by willies harris, 2 RBI he is at 3b.
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:30 pm
haha, lidge blew a save also!
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
10:30 pm
anybody else like Toronto’s all powder blue throwbacks?
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
10:30 pm
Bobby pickin his nose lol.
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:31 pm
hit n run right here
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:32 pm
Speed in scoring position hit to the OF could when the game easily now
RHR
May 15th, 2009
10:32 pm
Come on Omar, save the day again.
propp
May 15th, 2009
10:32 pm
now we have to hope F-Rod blows a save tonight too
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
10:32 pm
Very nice AB Kelly! Great AB by Jordan as well.
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
10:33 pm
damn- though Jordan was going to score there
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
10:33 pm
Infante
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
10:33 pm
it’s time for a little Jackie Robinson action from Jordan Schafer
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
10:33 pm
Bobby pickin his nose lol.
Hey, when its gotta come out, its gotta come out, my man.
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
10:33 pm
Yunel…BE A HERO!!!!
RHR
May 15th, 2009
10:33 pm
Omar is clutch.
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:33 pm
ESCOBAR! Mr. Clutch! He always gets the game winning hit if bases are loaded when I’m watching! More crap for my fantasy team though, I also have pena
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
10:34 pm
you gotta love those numbers from Yunel there
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
10:34 pm
“At some point later in the year, someone on this blog will refer to Javy’s win/loss record as a measure of his performance.”
[Sob]
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
10:34 pm
OK…have to win it here…outfielders at little-league depth…in field in…right?
Mixxo
May 15th, 2009
10:34 pm
C’mon Esco!!
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:34 pm
braves Win!
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
10:34 pm
ball game!
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
10:34 pm
ball game, baby!
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
Yunel comes through! WOOOOO HOOOOOO !!!!
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
ESCOBAR
Smyrna Jim
May 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
Gonzo wanted the win, not the save.
Mixxo
May 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
Yeah baby!
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
BRAVES WIN BRAVES WIN BRAVES WIN…..
abwright
May 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
Yuuuuuuuunel! Speed at third. Sac Fly! Braves win! Braves Win!
PI Braves
May 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
Yey!!!!
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
Great win tonight. Good ABs by all involved in the ninth!
RHR
May 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
Yunel is even more clutch.
Thank the baseball gods, no extra innings.
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
Love love love that Yunel has become that guy
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
Saaaaaweeeeet!….AND….SF is on top of NY 2-1.
LKS
May 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
Way to go MY ESCO!!!!
JEFF
May 15th, 2009
10:36 pm
way to go boys. schafer started it.. way to pick him up..
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
10:36 pm
Nice win via ABC baseball, well sort of
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
10:36 pm
center fielder has a hell of an arm by the way
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
10:36 pm
The best part of a Braves win and the Mets trailing…no insulting comments from you know who.
Jake W.
May 15th, 2009
10:37 pm
I guess Jordan is going to score all our game winning hits. I’ll take it.
JEFF
May 15th, 2009
10:37 pm
i can care less for what Javy’s record is . HE HAS been awesome… much better than what we had last year……
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:37 pm
Hey Carroll does this mean they get Friday night fireworks in tonight?
Capt Caveman
May 15th, 2009
10:37 pm
There you go, gotta stick with your team all the way.
Some of you guys on the blog just plain give up too easy.
Go Bravos
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
10:38 pm
Giants are already up 4-1.
PI Braves
May 15th, 2009
10:39 pm
Should BC think about changing the closer to Soriano?
kirkinga
May 15th, 2009
10:39 pm
Yunel got it done and that’s all that’s count.
Funny we’re not reading how “average” or “easily replaceable” he is anymore. I’m so glad that the Braves did not trade him this offseason. He’s got his flaws, but he brings a little umph to things even when he makes mistakes.
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
10:39 pm
Andruw went yard tonight…Glad to see that.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
10:39 pm
Just a side note…the Braves have been winning these close games this year as opposed to losing almost every single one of them last year. Good omen?
BravesFanChris24
May 15th, 2009
10:40 pm
LOL @ D-Backs commentators.
One of em tried to say it was a force out lol.
Jake W.
May 15th, 2009
10:40 pm
Meant game winning runs, but anyway. Yunel has his best at bats when it counts the most. The guy is clutch.
LKS
May 15th, 2009
10:41 pm
If Esco doesn’t make the All Star team it will be BS
JJ
May 15th, 2009
10:44 pm
Don’t look now but ole Livan is givin it up in the 1st. Mutts down 4-1 after 1.
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
10:44 pm
WHOO-HOO!!! That erases that K…kind of…
GREAT WIN!!!
nolie
May 15th, 2009
10:44 pm
Denizens, I really am excited about the promotion of Medlen. The Braves obviously aren’t concerned about the arbitration clock and chose the man who they think gives them the best chance of winning. (Fred)
as to the arb clock, if they send him back down when Glav is ready after 20 days the MLB service time will end I believe. That would not surprise me if Glav actually comes back
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
10:44 pm
speaking of Escobar and Fantasy baseball (the themes of the night), can anyone explain to me why his % ownership is so low. At least it is on ESPN.
I only participate in that stuff to fill out a league (and it does increase my knowledge of the rest of the league), but Esco is on my team, and I noticed his low ownership % and it surprised me a tad.
Jake W.
May 15th, 2009
10:44 pm
Should BC think about changing the closer to Soriano?
No, i think he should do what he’s been doing and that is whatever the situation calls for. We forget Soriano blew the save Wednesday. How about these guys may be just a little tired. All of our big three are coming off surgery and he has to be careful with them but they have been working a lot lately because of all these close games. He should stick to his situational closing. Good to have two guys who can do it.
McFann :Ô:
May 15th, 2009
10:45 pm
GO GIANTS!!
Night, all!
Mark in PA
May 15th, 2009
10:46 pm
Washington is ties with Philly in extras too…
knowitall
May 15th, 2009
10:47 pm
Yunel is on both of my fantasy teams:-)(I’m old fashioned)
knowitall
May 15th, 2009
10:47 pm
a space would have made that look better.
Steve from OH
May 15th, 2009
10:48 pm
nolie, that’s correct (I think). He’d only be a “Super 2″ eligible player if he stayed in the bigs for the entire rest of the season, I’m pretty sure.
Brandon
May 15th, 2009
10:49 pm
Josh Hamilton is a beast…
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
10:49 pm
i can hear the fireworks out my back window
sound so much better when the Braves win!
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:50 pm
there have been alot of articles recently on the braves pitching surplus and potential trades they might make. Anyone think Carl Crawford might be an option? The Rays pitching staff has sure looked quite bad and those SB’s could be excellent His contract is 2 years of club options (with buyouts) for 8.5 and 10 million dollars. Not to expensive, and the braves don’t have to use his options once they feel Heyward is ready for the bigs
Carl Crawford
May 15th, 2009
10:52 pm
Been tryin’ to get on this team for a couple of seasons, man. Quit teasin’ me.
Goldenglove002
May 15th, 2009
10:52 pm
Brent A., its because he doesn’t post excellent fantasy numbers. He’s much more valueable in real life then fantasy. but, if I remeber correctly, it has been going up recently.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
10:52 pm
5-1 Giants…nice.
richbrave
May 15th, 2009
10:53 pm
I think a six-man rotation for KAWAKAMI is perfect. REYES to the pen and MEDLEN up. We’ll they really don’t want to give up on JoJO do they?
Mark in PA
May 15th, 2009
10:55 pm
Rollins K’s for the third out with runners on the corners.
Going to the Washington half of the tenth.
Man, would it be good to be in sole second and one game out!
brent a.
May 15th, 2009
10:55 pm
goldenglove,
that’s probably why I stink at Fantasy baseball. I’d rather have Escobar than Laroche, etc.
LKS
May 15th, 2009
10:58 pm
Esco has always been my fav..thats why it was sooo frustrating this offseason when a lot of people wanted to trade him. I understand Peavy is a “top-notch” pitcher but I think Esco is a top-notch SS…and he is proving it now!!
oldschool
May 15th, 2009
10:58 pm
Carroll,another W for the win column
Gil In Mechanicsville
May 15th, 2009
11:01 pm
Just my opinion… but, the Diamondbacks have the look of a team that would be assembled by a bunch of bloggers and the manager was picked because someone thought they needed to change things up….
Too many ex Washington players on that team if you ask me.
And speaking of the Nats… It would be good for them to get hot right now….
Mark in PA
May 15th, 2009
11:01 pm
And I’m with Jake W- having Soriano to close tomorrow is pretty sweet. THe rotating closer is a luxury that can work well, esp. as hard as the Cobra has been worked lately.
Jeff321
May 15th, 2009
11:02 pm
Gotta love Fred Lewis’ hustle. He just hit a jack to death valley and sprinted out of the box like he bunted the ball.
Slingblade
May 15th, 2009
11:04 pm
That boy Jo-Jo got him a 5 cent head, just like me.
Mark in PA
May 15th, 2009
11:04 pm
Nats strand a runner in the bottom of the tenth, on to the 11th.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
May 15th, 2009
11:07 pm
Carroll,
Any reason Hanson didn’t pitch the 2nd game tonight in Buffalo?
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
11:08 pm
Hey, I just saw that Kris Medlen is a So Cal kid…does that mean braveshater won’t respect him either?
Andy
May 15th, 2009
11:10 pm
Good win tonight! Vazquez has great so far. Congrats to Medlin on the call-up!
I have created a facebook group: Greg Maddux for Manager of the Braves 2010. Join my group if you want to see the maddog as the next Braves manager.
bravos2249
May 15th, 2009
11:13 pm
Did anybody see what Tex did tonight? What an a-hole. If you haven’t it’ll be on ESPN.
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
11:14 pm
No cabravesfan, people from California and actors are inferior. Duh, its common sense.
RIPSkip
May 15th, 2009
11:16 pm
Great win! The kind of game we lost last season.
And there isn’t much we can complain about with Gonzo. He has pitched WAY TOO MUCH!!!
There is no reason for him to have pitched 7 of the last 9. NO REASON! Hopefully we can get some balance in the bullpen’s usage.
GO BRAVES!
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
11:17 pm
Good Nats Phillies game in progress
bravos2249
May 15th, 2009
11:20 pm
Fredi doing his Bobby impression
http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090515&content_id=4756648&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla
cabravesfan
May 15th, 2009
11:21 pm
Frankie Knuckles-
damn- our secret is out! I was hoping it would not have hit your part of the country yet
Capt Caveman
May 15th, 2009
11:22 pm
So where is COACH with his usual self-important comments???
Can’t wait to hear how something that someone did somewhere will serve to vindicate his somehow totally idiotic crap !!!!
In the meantime — GO BRAVOS !!!
Heath (Cleveland)
May 15th, 2009
11:23 pm
Doesn’t look like the Braves will be in 2nd place all by themselves, but will be closer to 1st.
Mixxo
May 15th, 2009
11:24 pm
Phils are pouring it on the Nats……..10-6
Tom O'Hawke
May 15th, 2009
11:29 pm
Smyrna Jim
I’ve been busy, but I still try to make time to check out the Braves’s blog (O’Brien’s). I love your posts. I wish you had time to post more often. However, I know how that is. Anyway, if I can get everything completed in time, before I head to the Catskill Mountains for the summer, I want to head to Atlanta for some games. I used to take in games, for many years, for a long weekend, and sometimes for a week. If I can get down there again, I want to get together with you (and your significant other). You teach math, and I am the world’s leading mathematician. Who know’s, with a pizza and a pitcher of beer, we may come up with a travel time, for a spacecraft, faster than the speed of light!
If I do have the time, I’ll pay for you and yours, to accompany me at a game or two.
If I can get down there (I’m gonna try), and we can get together, let me know.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
11:31 pm
Buffalo, nothing big that i know of. Since it was to be a seven-inning game on the back end of a DH that started at 5:30, maybe they just wanted him to get a regular start, not worrying about when it might start and how long he could go. …I’m not sure the particulars, but I don’t think it’s anything to fret over.
Not only did Chipper take his comments public about bringing the intensity home, he told his teammates that in person during the pre-game scouting meeting. Then he backed it up with his homer. But here’s what he said when asked about it after the game.
“It always helps me when a guy who’s calling the huddle or meeting goes out and leads by example,” Jones said. “The guys know that we’re on a roll right now and we’ve played differently on the road. We’ve played better with more intensity on the road than we have here. It’s been more of a relaxed atmosphere, guys just sitting back and thinking we’ll throw out the bats and the gloves and win ball games. And that’s not the case. You’ve got to go out and prepare yourself and bring it to the table every day.”
And he liked what he saw in the ninth inning, Braves keeping their focus and putting up one good at-bat after another
“As we’ve done all week, for the past week to 10 days, we’ve been resilient and came right back and got a W,” jones said. “hopefully it’s something to build on. We started it on the road we want to keep it going. If you can’t keep the homefield advantage and have it be an advantage for you, then it’s going to be a long year. We’ve got to win ball games here. We’ve had opportunities to. We had every opportunity to tuck our tails after the top of the ninth and lose this one again, but we didn’t. we bounced back.”
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2009
11:33 pm
Heavy Medlen, that’s three in a row and your boy Medlen called up on my watch. Better not hear anymore peeps outta ya!
Schafer was funny about his first RBI since April 8. Said his teammates were about to start a pool…..hey, if you can’t laugh at yourself when you’re struggling like he has been, you’re going to go crazy. I’ve said all along I think he has the right attitude about this and he’s trying like crazy to shorten his swing. He knows the same swing he puts on an 88 mph fball won’t do on 95. Well he got 95 in the ninth and hit it.
OK kids, I’m off. DOB is back manana.
Mark in PA
May 15th, 2009
11:42 pm
Dang. THe Phillistines won in DC.
RHR
May 15th, 2009
11:42 pm
Thanks Carroll, good stuff.
I freakin love Chipper.
Frankie Knuckles
May 15th, 2009
11:42 pm
Carroll,
need the tilde on that tomorrow
Mark in PA
May 15th, 2009
11:43 pm
And on the current homestand, Braves 1, demon cow idol 0.
Braves Paisan
May 15th, 2009
11:45 pm
Just got in from the game. Bigger crowd than expected; lots of kids, adolescents, and college-aged young people. (Maybe Atlanta gains more college students returning than they lose departing?) Anyway … they saw a fine game and seemed to be having a great time.
I score the games, kind of a lost art. Very few do these days … but tonight there was a guy in the row ahead of us who was scoring with multi-colored pencils!
Always something cosmically intriguing afoot in the big ballpark …
Mixxo
May 15th, 2009
11:52 pm
Giants ace is runnin’ into some trouble on the bay. 5-3
RHR
May 15th, 2009
11:53 pm
I know this will be lost on most of you but wow…the last 10 minutes of the Grey’s Anatomy finale was phenomenal. I just watched it again.
Tom O'Hawke
May 16th, 2009
12:00 am
Carroll
Thank you
LKS
May 16th, 2009
12:01 am
RHR
Don’t tell yet!! I have the last hour of the finale to watch. Was catching up on last weeks episode and the first hour of the finale. Tears rolling down my face. I think I will go finish it now
Mixxo
May 16th, 2009
12:15 am
David Wright hits a bases loaded double to tie it up in SF. 6-6
FrenchyFries
May 16th, 2009
12:24 am
mets get on base and steal their way around in order to score, the braves get on and have to get 3 more hits in order to score a run.
Bubdylan
May 16th, 2009
12:37 am
Mets are scrappy lately. I kind of like them this year. Mr. Reyes always excepted.
ssiscribe
May 16th, 2009
12:48 am
Top of the evening (actually, morning), good people. A fun night at the ballpark with the family, capped by a win that reinforces why I remain bullish on this team.
Walking along the upper-level concourse after the game, I bumped into two guys with whom I play fantasy baseball (two more of our owners were in the press box covering the game … 5 out of 12 in the house tonight, but I digress) … Our conversation was short, but the point all of us made was this is the type of game the Braves haven’t been able to win for the past three seasons. These are the ones that got away in 2006, 2007, 2008 …
As we strolled to the parking lot, I told my 6-year-old (who was SO excited to see a win in the bottom of the ninth and the ensuring celebration by the guys wearing white jerseys) that the Braves almost always won these types of games during the early years of their playoff run. If a game that was all but won started to slip away, the Braves found a way to reclaim it.
Super impressed with the way the guys performed at the plate in the ninth. I told my kids when Kelly was batting that his AB was the key to the inning. Awesome job of working that BB. Schafer’s swing looked better tonight and, man, that kid can flat out cover some ground in center. Great to see Chipper get vocal, both in the locker room at Citi Field after Wednesday’s game, and then in the locker room and the dugout tonight. The Braves need that vocal veteran presence, and Hoss is the guy to do it. Hitting that homer to back up his words was huge, too.
I wanted Moylan to start the ninth. I didn’t want to see either Soriano or Gonzalez tonight; both threw a ton of pitches on the road trip. But Bobby made the call to go with Gonzo, and while it didn’t work out, his team went right back out there and got things done.
Great win, and a great atmosphere at the yard tonight. Lotta enthusiasm and buzz in the stands. I love it; we NEED this, each and every time out at Turner Field. The Braves, for their struggles following the 5-1 start, the malaise that pretty much torched the last three weeks of April, are one game over .500 and will be no worse than two games out of first place when dawn arrives in a few hours.
It’s gonna be fun, good people. Get on board and hang on tight.
I like the Medlen move a lot. He’s been awesome in 2009 … starting in spring training. You could make a case he deserved to break camp with the big-league team. What he’s done for Gwinnett is ultra-impressive. I’m excited to see him throw it for the big-league squad Tuesday.
And, while many will poo-poo this thought, I think Jo-Jo could REALLY be a big boost to the pen. O’Flaherty has been awesome as the lefty guy, but Jo-Jo has really been tough on leftys as well. Maybe, as he said, his place should be in the pen. I’m anxious to see him come in and face a hitter or two in a clutch situation.
Duty calls (as it always does). Selah, good people.
The Scribe abides.
–30–
RHR
May 16th, 2009
12:56 am
LKS
Dont worry, i would never spoil a show on the blog. I just said it was good.
LKS
May 16th, 2009
1:06 am
RHR
You were right…pretty darn good!! Tears once again!
Roman Gal
May 16th, 2009
1:25 am
Wow! It seems a lot of bloggers were at the game tonight. I hate to say it, but I’m sort of glad that Gonzo blew the save in the ninth. The game was a little slow and the crowd didn’t seem to get into it a lot, but they certainly came to life in the ninth.
Oh, and in case anyone forgot…I love Schafer!!
Bigger crowd than expected; lots of kids, adolescents, and college-aged young people. Braves Paison
Hey, we college kids gots to study…but certainly now that a lot of schools are getting out the crowds will get bigger. That’s how it’s always been.
keylargo
May 16th, 2009
1:25 am
Just saw the highlights from the Texas/LAA game. While A. Jones did hit a HR, he looked horrible as far as his conditioning goes. He is back in the 250 pound range again and will be a liability in the outfield. Josh Hamilton was the complete opposite looking like a superstar with a HR, an assist at home and looking like a fine tuned All Star.
It’s hard to predict what will happen with AJ but I would bet against anything that involved him playing any defense. If the $20 million a year contract with LA could not motivate him, what can?
Epinephrine
May 16th, 2009
1:31 am
Great win. Hopefully Cox is learning his lesson on overworking relievers with Gonzo’s recent trouble, but somehow I doubt it. Got to give these guys more rest.
Robert
May 16th, 2009
1:44 am
“Should BC think about changing the closer to Soriano?”
Bobby Cox shouldn think. Bad things happen to the Braves when Donk thinks
kenhotlanta
May 16th, 2009
1:51 am
Buffalo NY Braves Fan: According the to AJC story, the call-up of Medlen caused Hanson to be pushed back to a regular 9 inning start. Nothing wrong with him.
kenhotlanta
May 16th, 2009
1:54 am
Mixxo: I’ve posted this a couple of times, but I guess you didn’t see it. I have an original Nantucket poster, please let me know if you are interested.
Roman Gal
May 16th, 2009
1:57 am
I’m ashamed to say that I’ve officially become one of those fans who fills out a gazillion all-star ballots at the games. I think I filled out about 60 or so…
Ok, so I’m not really that ashamed…
uga-brave
May 16th, 2009
2:20 am
I GOT serious money on that fillie.
no fillie has won the preakness since whenever.
money on that fillie.
uga-brave
May 16th, 2009
2:24 am
i have 500 on that fillie at 8-5 . i think she will run and look around.
no one will want to run with her.
uga-brave
May 16th, 2009
2:27 am
i love the pony’s she will run away.
MariettaDerek
May 16th, 2009
2:38 am
That win tonight was definitely double pits to chesty! Sorry, JV.
uga-brave
May 16th, 2009
2:49 am
BAS,
lay the money on that girl tmmrw. she will run away. the field is weak.
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 16th, 2009
6:46 am
No Delgado, no problem. No Reyes, no problem. No Putz, no problem. First two games on a difficult road trip, no Problem. This team is deep and built to win…..LETS GO METS!!!!!!
bgvt
May 16th, 2009
7:26 am
If you know the Yiddish meaning of “putz”, then I would say “no putz” is a big problem if you are a guy.
CharlieAlphaBravo
May 16th, 2009
7:36 am
I figure we can cruise right along a few games back from the Mets and wait for them to choke… I believe it’s called a “Philidelphia Cheesecake”….
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 16th, 2009
8:01 am
I don’t think so Charlie. The Mets are built to win. Their bullpen problem of the past two seasons has been solved. I predicted the Mets to win the N.L. east before the season even started and I stand by that prediction.
That said, I expect that our Braves will be four or five games over .500 by the end of this month. Frank Wren is already getting his trading cards out and he’s gonna need them.
Supes
May 16th, 2009
8:30 am
Coach…Yeah the Mets are “built to win”…biggest payroll chockers of all time. Unless they pull off a trade for a number 1 or 2 staters to help solidify their rotation (may need 2 starters depending on how things go), they are extremely vulnerable.
Santana gets matched against the other team’s best pitcher more often than not…rendering the Mets offense inept and making it harder to capitalize on the fact they do have one of the best pitchers in baseball going for them that day.
Hernandez is inconsistant at best (he’s hit and miss a lot of the time. One good game followed by another where he gets hammered around).
Perez is in the minors.
Neise was sent down after the Braves smacked him around (not impressed, if that’s the best the Mets have to offer right now from their minor leaguers they are in big trouble…compared to the Braves with Medlen, Morton and Hanson). When Neise was called up he had an ERA over 5.00 How did that work? He had 1 good start, and one bad one and now he’s back to the minors.
Maine and Pelfrey are decent 3-4 type starters who could win you 10 games but need to step up if they are to win anything this year. What if they don’t?
Mets pen…K-Rod is good, but not untouchable. Braves already touched him up for some runs and got some hits out of him (sure to get to him a little as the two teams keep facing each other through the season). Putz doesn’t have it (like he used to with Seattle before the injury). Nobody else scares me out of their pen.
So before Coach CROWNS their a&&es, the Mets are who we thought they were. A slightly better than .500 team. Nothing more (in their current state)
Meanwhile, Braves upside is bigger if things break right for them. Maybe they do that and shock everyone, including me on this blog (I picked the Phillies to win the NL East again before the season started).
richbrave
May 16th, 2009
8:35 am
Solid hitters so far:
ESCOBAR, JONES, McCANN, KOTCHMON, DIAZ, but only in situational batting. 4 1/3 cylinders firing out of eight. JOHNSON, ANDERSON, FRANCOUER, SCHAFER dead weight so far. What’s our record? I say this team needs them all firing to be a division champion. Let’s go guys. We need you.
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:00 am
Discussion: Possible Braves Trades
By Tim Dierkes [May 15, 2009 at 3:14pm CST]
MLB.com’s Mark Bowman does a little trade speculatin’ in his latest blog post:
The Braves are going to be looking to find some power before the trade deadline and with a surplus of arms, there may be a number of teams interested in Charlie Morton, who has allowed just four earned runs in his past 27 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett.
And don’t forget what Ken Rosenthal wrote on Tuesday:
If the Braves need more offense, they will have the pitching depth to get it. Right-hander Tommy Hanson is untouchable, but he’s not the team’s only hot pitcher at Class AAA. Two other right-handers — Kris Medlen and Morton — figure to be coveted by other clubs, and the Braves have additional prospects at Class AA.
About that Braves’ offense…my 4.93 runs per game projection hasn’t been matched so far. Kelly Johnson, Garret Anderson, and Jeff Francoeur are off to slow starts, leaving the team 11th in the NL with 4.47 runs scored per game. The Braves might be OK at second with Omar Infante and Martin Prado as options, but an outfield addition would make sense. Who could add the power the Braves crave? Just to throw out a few names: Carlos Lee, Josh Willingham, Rick Ankiel, Brad Hawpe, Jermaine Dye, Austin Kearns, Aubrey Huff, and Magglio Ordonez. The majority of these would not justify giving up top young arms, though. Who would you like to see the Braves pursue?
McFann :Ô:
May 16th, 2009
9:14 am
Waytago, Nats and Giants. Thanks a lump. Good thing the Braves won…
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:15 am
It would be amazing to get carlos lee
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:17 am
Already mid may and we still have TORONTO, KC AND TEXAS on top of the AL………..amazing
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:22 am
richbrave,
GA has hit safely in 7 out of the last 10 games. He has a 4 game hitting streak. His AVG. was .163 5 days ago, its up to .233. Id say he is heating up. I mean……….40 points in 5 days?
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:23 am
richbrave,
I meant 70 points…..
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:24 am
His OBP has climbed 60 points in the last 10 days also.
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:24 am
His OBP has climbed 69 points……not 60
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
9:31 am
Braves 2nd in pitching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
maybe by the end of the month we are 1st in the division and in ERA………..that would be great.
We are 7-2 in our last 9 games…….. thats hot baseball
McFann :Ô:
May 16th, 2009
9:40 am
Doc H. We are 7-2 in our last 9 games…….. thats hot baseball
Sure is…
Observer
May 16th, 2009
9:41 am
From where I’m sitting Chipper Jones is looking more like a future manager everyday.
richbrave
May 16th, 2009
9:41 am
DOWN ON THE FARM:
GWINNETT loses to BUFFALO last night 6-5 and “ELMER who” DESSENS secures his third save. With an .098 ERA, he’s lights out so far in AAA. Hooted out of A-town by us bloggers here, he lives to fight another day.
Anyway, I thought its time to see what a few of our heroes besides, MEDLEN, HANSON and MORTON are currently up to.
GREGOR BLANCO must not have taken his demotion to AAA well. I haven’t see him in person so I have to go by what I read. It really is only half the story on a player. Anyway, batting .226 in 84 April AB’s, he’s tailed off so far this month, hitting .208 in 58 appearances. No ray of sunshine here. He hits .319 ahead in the count, but .071 when behind. Why would any opposing pitcher throw him anything but strikes? Depressing. Next.
25 year old right-hand hitter DIORY HERNANDEZ continues to light up opposing pitchers to the tune of .367. The man is possessed by the hitting angels especially against lefties with an all-firmament .522 average in 23 AB’s. He’s blocked in ATLANTA however, by MATT DIAZ who’s doing pretty much the same thing with much more ML experience. Batting a solid .320 against righties in 75 plate appearances. He has the right balance for the BRAVES at home and away however. Hitting .286 in 35 home AB’s, he’s all-world at .413 on the road in 63 AB’s. Steady averages in day/night and on grass. All mid-.350 and above. .372 in April, .364 in May. A respectible .283 with the bases empty, he sheds his angelic guise, and becomes a hitting demon and an RBI machine, torturing opposing pitchers with a .467 average with runners on, and .591 with men in scoring position. Any way you look at his numbers, the young man can hit. Now if he would just bring his glove to the ball-park instead of leaving it at home, DIORY would probably be welcomed in ATLANTA soon.
Mystery-aged BARBARO CANIZARES continues to roll in the hitting department at .331 currently. Closer analysis reveals some interesting hitting patterns. DAVE BRUNDIGE is using him well by getting him up frequently against righties where he bats .369 in 103 AB’s. Against lefties however, only .222 in 36 AB. Home .250, away .408, a normal BRAVE malaise. .270 in day games, .353 at night. He continues his normal trend of batting well to start the season then tailing off only to sprint to the finish later in the season. The splits are: April .353/May .296. Still .296 is very good through mid-month. Ahead in the count/Behind in the count both good. Very consistant with the bases empty, runners on, or in scoring position. He’s a dangerous hitter in every circumstance. And this year he must be serious, as he’s brought his glove to the ball-park. Only two errors in 35 G, I believe a personal record for him. All round better play from the big CUBANO.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 16th, 2009
9:42 am
Our Braves are 8-6 this month and scoring five runs per game since May 1st. The pitching has been adequate but believe it or not, it’s been the improved offense, bullpen and defense which has contributed to the win total.
The Braves still need to keep playing ABC baseball as the running game has us at a disadvantage. Chipper and Garret Anderson have to stay healthy because the Braves lack HR power and need every bat to contribute.
The remaining easy schedule (Toronto notwithstanding) should help through the end of the month.
Efrim
May 16th, 2009
9:49 am
Doc: “It would be amazing to get carlos lee”
Not amazing if we are paying that contract. And he is an awful defender. If the Braves valued defense in the offseason, I have to assume they value it now. Not that I agree with that. Because it is pretty clear that this team is a power hitting corner outfielder away from being a legit contender.
Gil In Mechanicsville
May 16th, 2009
9:53 am
Rich, and as you type it, Barbaro had two errors last night at Buffalo. Hey, he is a fine looking player except he can’t field a lick…. Started out as a catcher I believe.
Yeah, I can’t figure out Diory… You are right about the stone hands however. If you could just splice him with Tony Pena Jr. You would have a guy who could be all world. Of course the flip side you have been a light hitting shortstop who could not field…. A lot like Scott Thorman.. but different.
VaBravesfan
May 16th, 2009
9:56 am
Only saw the last two innings last night and didn’t read entire blog. Is something up with Soriano or just an extra days rest?
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
10:00 am
All I know is that if Braves are thinking big, they cant continue with their plans without getting a bat……. we have to have a bigger threat. Or some players to play much better………KJ and JF specially.
Somehow I think Schafer will get something going, he is slick, he will find the way. About GA, Im starting to feel more comfortable when he is coming to the plate. JF has improved from last year but thats not a hard task and it aint enough……. KJ looks like AJ, he has become really bad at the plate.
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
10:03 am
Santana pitches tonight against a weak SF offense and he is coming from a loss, so he is due, mets will win tonight, so we better keep pace.
Phillies have a DH………hope they split so we leave them behind.
Braveheart
May 16th, 2009
10:04 am
I really can’t stand Gonzalez. The genuflection thing before he takes the hill, the Cobra silliness. It’s got to go. It just looks like the kind of things a mentally weak guy does to psych himself up and/or to fake intensity. Just take the ball and shove it down their throats. I don’t mind screams or fist pumps after Ks. Hell, I kinda encourage that. Good closers should be stoic or raw angry emotion. They shouldn’t think. The genuflection and Cobra crap looks like way too much thinking before one pitches. Seriously, the next time you see him doing the Cobra crap, sing to yourself “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” I prefer a closer who knows he will. But I’ll settle for the Gonzalez/Soriano situation for now. They’re good enough. I prefer Soriano though. The two headed righty/lefty closer thing reminds me of Jesse Orosco/Roger McDowell in ‘86 or Sparky Lyle/Goose Gossage in the Bronx Zoo in the late 70s.
Efrim
May 16th, 2009
10:07 am
“KJ looks like AJ, he has become really bad at the plate.”
Omar Infante in 46 plate appearances in May: .324/.350/.432/.782
Kelly Johnson in 38 plate appearances in May: .324/.395/.412/.807
I’m not lying to you. You an find these stats online at baseballreference.com.
Mixxo
May 16th, 2009
10:11 am
kenhotlanta
Sure man, I’m interested I ’spose. Hit me up. Thanks!
Rob from SC
May 16th, 2009
10:15 am
Efrim
Our D in Left Field has been horrible. Carlos Lee, although not great wouldn’t be much worse.
CLE
May 16th, 2009
10:19 am
Can any of you folks down in ATL do an anti-rain dance for me? The hubby and me up here in Ohio are supposed to have a friend over to watch the game but I was checking the forecast and … looks like it’s supposed to be lousy weather down there today. I want to see another Bravos win tonight!
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
10:21 am
Efrim,
Wow, is that a fact???
I noticed he was getting a little better, but not that much. That would make my day anytime.
That sure is good news……..thanks for the info.
CB
May 16th, 2009
10:31 am
Nice to see a win to start a homestand, might be a good time to start a good winning streak. I like Gonzalez personally but I don’t think he is able to pitch as much as he has lately and be effective. Bobby is going to have to put more trust in Moylan or the lefty.
Braveheart
May 16th, 2009
10:32 am
Speaking of the Bronx Zoo from the late 70s, I downloaded Bob Dylan’s Catfish Hunter song a few weeks ago. Damn cool song. Why can’t Dylan be a sellout goober like Terry Cashman and sing songs like that for every team? It would be really cool if he did a bluesy like song like that for Chipper. But the man’s got his principles and everything, and has too much money to sell himself out for a quick buck like that. Damn shame.
Jeff R
May 16th, 2009
10:34 am
Braveheart, I don’t care how much Gonzo showboats as long as he shuts down opposing batters.
Am really looking forward to Medlen pitching. He’s a scrappy little guy. We’ll see how long-lived Glavine’s “comeback” is. I have my doubts about his ever being consistently effective again.
David O'Brien
May 16th, 2009
10:42 am
I really can’t stand Gonzalez. — Braveheart
I’m betting if you met him and talked to him for about 45 seconds, you’d change that opinion. He’s one of the good guys, Braveheart. And mental toughness isn’t an issue with him. Not whatsoever.
Shamus Thacker
May 16th, 2009
10:49 am
A little over a week ago, even some of our pastors of patience were get’n quick-tempered and raggin on poor ol’ Bobby.
Ol’ Bobby done fed y’all some crow…
Praise the Lawd and Bobby!
David O'Brien
May 16th, 2009
10:53 am
Greinke’s having a season for the ages. Really hoping he stays healthy, because he’s got a chance to do some really special things.
He’s 7-1 with a 0.60 ERA. Gave up his fourth run of the entire season last night.
Besides his slider, what amazed me from the highlights was that the K.C. ballpark looked packed despite a 2-1/2-hour rain delay at the start of the game. Everyone stuck around to see Greinke pitch, and it wasn’t against the Yankees or Red Sox or a Royals division rival. It was the Orioles.
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
10:55 am
Tidbit from the ESPN draft blog:
“Consensus has Atlanta taking local prep star Zack Wheeler, but they had a huge contingent in to see him during arguably his only bad start of the spring. They’d love to find a bat at #7, but that player isn’t there this year – they’re not on Tate – so they’re considering Wheeler, Tyler Matzek, and Shelby Miller, at the least.”
Glad they’re not in on Tate.
Gil In Mechanicsville
May 16th, 2009
10:56 am
I don’t think we will ever see the same type of closers we became accustom too during the “Roid Rage” era….
A lot fewer short rest outings. Perhaps MLB needs to allow for expanding the rosters to 27 players to allow for additional arms to be available.
TexasBrave
May 16th, 2009
10:58 am
After seeing Gonzo’s “Know your Braves” segment I am sure he is probably a cool guy to talk to. But I have to agree with Braveheart, that while the rocking thing was cool at first it is getting to be a little bit annoying now. I could understand if it was being used as a way to throw off a hitters timing, but blowing two saves in your last three chances would be telling me that it is not throwing many hitters off lately, especially the lowly Diamondbacks.
Shamus Thacker
May 16th, 2009
10:59 am
Next we’ll see “Greinke’s Kinkies,” a cheering section in bondage outfits…
Goldenglove002
May 16th, 2009
11:01 am
Yeah, DOB, Grienke is a beast so far this year. Thats good for a franchise like KC, they need people there watching games
monty
May 16th, 2009
11:06 am
Announcers said last night that Gonzalez had converted only 6 of 11 save opportunities this year. Thats 55%,(DAn Kolbish) that’s something to be concerned about. Let’s say that he was overworked this past week and that has skewed the numbers. To me, his fastball is his best pitch and twice this week he has gotten beat by his “other pitch”, a flat curve/slider. If I were Cox I would rest him at least 2 days and then see how he looks,(no excuses then).
CB
May 16th, 2009
11:23 am
Sometimes a manager has to figure how to lighten the load on his 7-8-9 inning guys. Out of 35 games Gonzalez-19 , O’flaherty-18,Moylan-19,Soriano-17. We may have to think outside the box for a few games and use Parr, JoJo and others instead of abusing these guys. What would be best is somebody to throw a complete game.
Jeff R
May 16th, 2009
11:23 am
DOB, Greinke is nothing short of amazing. Reminds of Steve Carlon in, what, ‘72 (check his stats)? I believe he finished something like 27-10 on a a very bad Phillies team. Think his ERA was under 2.00, and he had a slew of shutouts.
wilymo
May 16th, 2009
11:28 am
Monty,
I think they were referring to his save % in one run games as a Brave
Brandon
May 16th, 2009
11:29 am
anybody catch Mastodon on Letterman last night? pretty good.
wilymo
May 16th, 2009
11:33 am
Monty,
Sorry last post got cut off. I think this year, he’s 6 for 9 in save ops, but if you look a little closer its not as bad as it seems. His first blown save probably ends differently if Matt Diaz doesn’t lose that ball in the lights. His second blown save most likely doesn’t happen if the ump calls Beltran out at third. Last night’s was on him obviously. Point is, a little better luck and your outlook probably changes a bit. Of course, it is up to him to rise to the occasion and make up for bad luck, but you get the point.
Jake W.
May 16th, 2009
11:38 am
First off Gonzo has three blown saves this year so I don’t know where you get the 6 of 11 thing from. The first one was heavily aided by a ball Diaz lost in the lights. The last two have come with him working a lot lately. Closers are a wierd breed and they all do something to syke themselves up. Have any of you ever seen Papelbon close? If thats what the guy needs to do let him if its working. I don’t see where rocking offends but I guess some guys are just sensitive. The guy has been largely sucessful in that role. If you want that whole I think I can scenerio, simply go back and look at our 2006 season. Those were a bunch of wishers.
Doc Holiday
May 16th, 2009
11:42 am
I just think Soriano has been more effective than Gonzo this year……….by far…….and there is a different feeling in the air when soriano is in than when gonzo is……….that say more than just the numbers.
If I was Cox I would use Soriano as a closer most of the time with the exception of those time when 2 or 3 of the 1st 4 hitters in the inning to be pitched are lefties. Other than that I would go with Soriano.
PWHjort
May 16th, 2009
11:47 am
I agree, Doc.
buzzmeat
May 16th, 2009
11:48 am
Gonzo is used too often, BUT last night was the correct call by bobby cox, since there was no game polayed on thursday. I say IF Kawakami goes 7 innings, use Soriano in the 9th and someone other than gonzo in the 8th, the man needs rest every now and then.
I doubt that will happen because of 80% chance of rain.
buzzmeat
May 16th, 2009
11:49 am
JAKE W.
6 for 11 was said last night during the game on peachtree
buzzmeat
May 16th, 2009
11:50 am
I like Gonzo and all, but everyone needs a day off in the bullpen.
Efrim
May 16th, 2009
11:51 am
Steve from OH, I bet they would like to find a bat as well. There is little to nothing in terms of positional prospects in Low-A and I am not sure there is anything that will be appearing in the Rookie leagues.
PWHjort
May 16th, 2009
11:53 am
DOB,
Did you ever see Greinke pitch pre-2007? He used to throw that slow, loopy curveball as his primary pitch really and could never really put anything together. And at one point he tried to give up pitching and come back as an outfielder ala Rick Ankiel. Fortunately, he decided that was a bad idea, and fixed his mechanics. Now, he throws 95 MPH and it doesn’t even look like he’s trying. The ball just flies out of his hands. One of the best in the game. The best 3 I saw last year were Greinke, Jon Lester, and Ubaldo Jimenez.
jtb
May 16th, 2009
11:56 am
buzzmeat
No, they said that while he has been with the Braves, he has converted 6 of 11 saves saves in which the Braves have a 1 run lead. He has converted 6 of 9 saves this year. All 3 blown saves being 1 run leads.
flange1
May 16th, 2009
11:57 am
Morning all,
Lots of fun at the Ted last night. Pretty decent crowd that was into the game!
DOB,
There was a cool family sitting in front of me with 2 boys about 6 and 12. We were talking and having fun when music came up. I said something about if they had ever heard of LEd Zepplin.
The 12 year old told me that he liked Dylan, the Stones, Pink Floyd and tool.
The 6 year old said his favorite singer was Bob Dylan.
I was impressed……..
Jake W.
May 16th, 2009
11:59 am
buzzmeat
Yeah but he’s not 6 for 11 he’s 6 for 9. Someone addressed the mix up earlier stating what the announcers meant. If he was I would agree that Soriano needs to be our primary closer. I think Bobby should stick to what he’s doing with the closing situation. Soriano has done great this year but I remember about 2 years ago this same time when he started giving up gopher balls seemingly every other game. In fact both Gonzo and Soriano have gone back-to-back in blowing saves on the longball. I don’t think they’re bad I think they are tired and when you are tired location usually is the first thing to go. I agree with someone earlier who said Bobby has to find a way to rest these guys.
Daybed Wagmoe
May 16th, 2009
12:02 pm
bravos2249 — I was watching the Twins-Yanks game last night and saw what Tex did. On the one hand, I can see the problem he had with Gomez – he was on the grass as he was running up the line, but even the announcers said that players do that all the time. Plus, on that play, you could see Gomez cutting across the bag to get around him. It’s not like he was trying to cut into Teixeira or anything.
As for who I’d like to see the Braves pursue for a bat, I would hope for a right-handed bat, but I’m not sure that it matters all that much if he’s a lefty. Even though Garrett Anderson is coming around and looking like the professional hitter that he is, I think Wren has gotta be kicking himself for not signing or trading for a true home run hitter, a guy that’s going to put up 30+ dingers a year. I’d like to see Ordonez in this lineup.
I agree about Greinke — what the guy’s doing is amazing. I wish that Wren had pulled the trigger on the Francoeur-for-Greinke trade.
Anyone else heard the new Wilco album? It’s streaming on their website. Meh. Not bad, but nor is it something that I’m gonna make sure to buy on June 30th or whenever it’s released. I miss the days of Summerteeth. Other music news — REM is starting the process on their new record!
CB
May 16th, 2009
12:12 pm
I really liked the idea of rotating Gonzalez and Soriano as the closers depending on the other team’s lieup, we just need a couple blowout wins so we can use the other guys. Also thought they could have sent JAVY back out for the eighth hoping for a quick inning. Worst thing happen you go get him.
buzzmeat
May 16th, 2009
12:15 pm
only reason JAVY did not go out in the 8th is because he had a high pitch count.
Smyrna Jim
May 16th, 2009
12:15 pm
If this was a 1:00 game, we’d definitely be looking at a rain delay. I just watched a forecast that indicated that there’s a better chance of rain this afternoon (it’s pouring here right now, moving towards the Ted), then it decreases in the early evening, with more expected about 11:00 pm.
buzzmeat
May 16th, 2009
12:16 pm
but the rain is still around 65% tonight too
buzzmeat
May 16th, 2009
12:19 pm
On the gonzo/Soriano rest thing. the best way is too not use them unless you have too. For example, Gonzo warmed up a few days ago when Carlyle came in the 9th, the braves had a 4 run lead still, no need for Gonzo due to his previous days work. Put in Eric O since it was only 1 out needed
Roman Gal
May 16th, 2009
12:20 pm
KJ looks like AJ, he has become really bad at the plate.
Well, I guess since AJ has been tearing it up at the plate this year that’s not really a bad thing.
CB
May 16th, 2009
12:22 pm
buzzmeat I knew about his pitch count-109 I believe- but sometimes can have a quick inning. He was pitching really well. Also am very happy to see Braves went with the hot hand when bringing up Medlen. It may help with showing other minor leaguers that if you perform, you have a chance for callup.
McFann :Ô:
May 16th, 2009
12:23 pm
wilymo His second blown save most likely doesn’t happen if the ump calls Beltran out at third.
Ha, that’s for sure…Dang, was he ever out!
bravos2249
May 16th, 2009
12:24 pm
there’s a big system of rain going through Atlanta right now…but the stuff right behind it is little cells of rain. I don’t believe the weather in Texas will be in Georgia before toady…but hey I ain’t a meteorologist.
wilymo
May 16th, 2009
12:26 pm
One guy that might be available sooner than later is Matt Holliday. He’s an impending free agent whom the A’s got to try and make a run at the West. They’re 13-19 though and 6.5 games back. There are a few drawbacks though, 1) Holliday hasn’t been overly impressive outside of Coors, and 2) Being a type A free agent, and given what the A’s gave up for him, he probably won’t come cheap.
Knowing Beane though he’ll probably gladly take some young pitching in return. He is a right handed bat that they could throw out in LF. He is a Boras guy though so it’d be a 6 month rental. What would you guys give up for him?
bravos2249
May 16th, 2009
12:27 pm
Freaky Friday in Baseball
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090516&content_id=4764256&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Four managers were ejected, and none of them were named Bobby Cox:
bravos2249
May 16th, 2009
12:33 pm
I live closer to Tex but apparently FOX wants me to watch the Mets today. It should be a good game though, Randy vs Santana.
Frank from KS
May 16th, 2009
12:39 pm
David O’Brien re: your 10:53 am post
Yeah, Greinke is the first Royals pitcher to win his first 5 decisions since Saberhagen went 5-0 to start the 1987 season. Yeah, he’s good.
Goldenglove002 re your 11:01 am post
Yeah, I’ve been hoping they’d get back to being a better ballclub. Other than the winning season of 2003, the Royals haven’t won in a long time. They just did some major renovations to Kauffman Stadium (formerly Royals Stadium) to spruce things up a bit. So….right now, everythings a win-win this season….with the team playing pretty good ball and the new work that was done on the ole stadium.
monty
May 16th, 2009
12:55 pm
OK, so Gonzalez is 6 for 11 in closing out (1 run games) since he has been a Brave, or whatever the announcers said. Or 6 for 9 in closing out games this year. Yeh, he had some breaks go against him. Perhaps he has been overused, but my point was he has blown 2 saves this week with his 2nd best pitch,(His fastball seems fine) or his only other pitch he throws. I, for one, hope he returns to his old dominant form, but are all you defenders gonna be so defensive if he continues to close at a 2 out of 3 ratio? If he closes say 20 out of 30 with 10 blown saves? Brad Lidge didn’t blow 1 save opportunity last year.
Billy Walsh
May 16th, 2009
1:06 pm
Did anyone listen to the new green day album? I thought American Idiot was good and never thought they could put out something as good or better. Their new album is better. Who would have thought after they put out mindless crap in the 90’s that green day would make two great albums back to back.
Josh B
May 16th, 2009
1:09 pm
New blog yet?
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
1:10 pm
Efrim, I too wish they could take a big bat. But Ackley’s not going to fall to us and Tate is way, way too much of a project to risk taking, especially with a lot of good prep arms available.
I really don’t know what order I would take Wheeler/Miller/Matzek in, but that’s what the pay FW the big bucks for, I guess.
PWHjort
May 16th, 2009
1:12 pm
I’m guessing this game won’t happen tonight.
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
1:15 pm
As for our 2nd round pick, there is a good OF bat in Marc Krauss out of Ohio U. who may be available…I really hope the Braves take him. And not just ’cause he’s a local boy, the kid can really hit. I’ve seen him play when he was in HS and he was a stud.
TnBrian
May 16th, 2009
1:18 pm
wilymo, for Holliday for all the reasons you say, I’d trade Morton/B.Jones/Redmond(pitcher in AAA). I seriously wouldn’t give up any more than that.
Jake W.
May 16th, 2009
1:23 pm
Brad Lidge didn’t blow 1 save opportunity last year.
But he’s blown two this year. Not to mention there was a reason Philly was basically able to steal him away from Houston. Brad Lidge was just one of many things that went right for the Phillies last year. If Mike Gonzalez is catching some bad breaks Lidge definately caught some good ones last year. No Big Deal if Gonzo doesn’t get it done because we have options with Soriano being the main one. He’s not blowing up out there. These guys are not machines, especially when they are coming off of major surgeries which our top three guys are. Fatigue and overuse is a factor. Just look at two years ago when Soriano went from straight dominant to hold your breath and hope he doesn’t give up the long one. I don’t know if its mainly people just defending Gonzo or being realistic. The guy has pitched a lot lately so take it into consideration. His problem has been location and when you’re not sharp your location will be off. Having said that,If we play tonight I hope he’s unavailable and its Soriano. The guy needs a break.
Josh B
May 16th, 2009
1:28 pm
Anybody watching this Nationals/ Phillies game? It looks like it might be a good game
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
1:30 pm
TnBrian, I wouldn’t offer anything near that for Holliday. I’d give the Orioles a call and see what it would take to pry Nolan Reimold away first. I’m sure they’d be interested in Charlie Morton, though a straight-up Reimold-for-Morton swap probably wouldn’t happen.
I know, local boy bias again.
McFann :Ô:
May 16th, 2009
1:30 pm
Josh B It looks like it might be a good game
But the Fillies are winning…
wilymo
May 16th, 2009
1:31 pm
TnBrian,
Yea I hear ya. You’d still have to think with his defense and bat that he’d still be a colossal upgrade over Diaz/Garret Anderson. Just throwing it out there.
My gut tells me that if Gonzo pitches well, Soriano could be a trade chip to a contender needing bullpen help. A team like the Yankees for instance, who could maybe afford to give up a bat. The Braves could then use Hanson in a setup role like the Rays did with Price last year (as many people on the blog have already pointed out.) I think for equal money the Braves prefer Gonzo to Sori, and they know they’ll probably lose one of the two to free agency.
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
1:32 pm
Not that I’d rather have Reimold than Holliday, it’s just that I’m not ready to give up that kind of talent for a half-season of Holliday. Plus we don’t have a shot of re-signing him after the season.
Still too early to think about trades, though. I’m sure the Braves are keeping their eyes and ears open behind the scenes, but they’re not going to make a trade (if they do at all) until very close to the deadline.
bravos2249
May 16th, 2009
1:33 pm
monty
The only thing I can say is Soriano was the reason we played 12 the other day. SO it’s not as if he hasn’t blown a save either. The pitch he threw, although it was hung, I think it’s the first time a player against him actually swung and hit that high pitch.
Bobby's Cox
May 16th, 2009
1:33 pm
TnBrian,
How bout trading all those guys you mentioned to texas for Nelson Cruz. We still need that RH power bat, and Texas has been sitting cruz lately since they have an abundance of OF and since AJ’s been reversed. I hear they’ll likely trade AJ near the trade deadline, but maybe they trade Cruz if they get some pitching. We could give them frenchy too
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
1:35 pm
Bobby’s, do you really see the Braves trading Francoeur? Not offering an opinion, just a legit question.
Still a long ways off until the Braves can decide if they want to get rid of one of the current OFers.
Mike in LA
May 16th, 2009
1:42 pm
As far as possible trade scenarios go how bout Gorkys Hernandez, Locke, Morton, Francoeur, and Kelly Johnson for Brad Hawpe? Too much, too little? I like Kelly Johnson and Francouer but they’re too inconsistent. I think the Bravos would be better with Prado at 2b everyday and upgrading in RF. Hawpe fits into the Braves price range especially since they’re getting insurance money for Hudson plus they could have him the next three years.
wilymo
May 16th, 2009
1:43 pm
Prob with the Braves OF’s is that I don’t know how much trade value Francouer, Diaz and GA have…I think the Braves value them all a lot more than anyone else does. Schafer has value obviously but he’s the one guy I think everyone prefer they keep because of his upside and defensive value. So any trade for an OF would require some roster juggling.
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
1:45 pm
wilymo, GA and Diaz have zero trade value. If GA goes, it’ll be via release, not trade. Frenchy’s value is a good question, though. I really don’t know…
Bobby's Cox
May 16th, 2009
1:47 pm
Steve,
Good question. I do not see us trading the local boy, even though I wish they would.
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
1:48 pm
Mike–waaaay too much. I like Hawpe, but certainly not to that extent.
McFann :Ô:
May 16th, 2009
1:51 pm
Like I said before–this game STINKS!
monty
May 16th, 2009
1:53 pm
Bravos2249
I agree with you. Sheffield got on top of that pitch from Soriano. Most players wouldn’t. The Drew kid last night maybe because he’s from Hahira, plays well against the Braves(seems to hit alot of homeruns off of mainly us). I didn’t mean to seem like I’m against Gonzalez because I’m not, I like the kid. Joe Simpson brought up the 6 for 11 thing and although he left it at that, the implication was that’s not very good. My point about Brad Lidge was that he didn’t blow a game last year and Gonzo has blown 3 out of 9. factor that out for the rest of the season and thats not going to be good enough to make the playoffs. Of course that’s all hypothetical, he could not blow another save the rest of the season. In any year where you make the playoffs alot of things have to go right.Blowing a save doesn’t mean your team loses. I just believe whoever we use as a closer will probably need to be a little more reliable than what we presently have. Hopefully all thats wrong with Gonzo is his being overused, time will tell.
wilymo
May 16th, 2009
1:55 pm
Steve from OH,
That’s kind of my point. GA and Frenchy aren’t quite bad enough to just give away (GA b/c I don’t think the Braves wanna just admit they threw away $2.5 mil this early, and Frenchy b/c he’s shown he has talent in the past). But if they try to acquire a power hitting OF then they’re gonna have to cut bait with someone. That’s kind of the problem with the Braves roster, they have a lot of position players who are just good enough to give multiple chances to, but not quite good enough that they’re going to get you the pieces you need in a trade (unless you package a glut of them together).
Bobby's Cox
May 16th, 2009
1:56 pm
Phillies pouring it on.
6 of 7 batters just reached base. Already scored 3 in the inning on an Ibanez HR. Now have them loaded with 2 out
JTLUK
May 16th, 2009
1:57 pm
If the Braves aren’t going to play tonights game, what time would they call the game?
Braveheart
May 16th, 2009
1:58 pm
I think a good thing about this offense is that Diaz, GA, Frenchy, Schafer and KJ haven’t hit their strides yet. Ya gotta figure that eventually Schafer will get his SLG in the low .400 neighborhood, that KJ will eventually OPS over .800, and that eventually GA, Diaz, and Frenchy will OPS between .750 and .800, which means that a hot streak is coming where they give a you an OPS of .800+ for a few weeks in order to get to that .750 to .800 OPS.
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
1:59 pm
Bobby’s, it’s tough. Because IF they do acquire an OFer, either on a longer-term deal or under club control for a few seasons, they’re going to have to make a decision regarding Francoeur. I don’t see them trading him during this season, though. He’s been pretty much right at replacement level, according to fangraphs, and a lot of that is due to his defense, which is a healthy 3.2 runs above replacement, according to UZR. Of course, he was one of the worst fielders last season according to +/-, and UZR didn’t like him either. Generally, I do think he is an above-average fielder, with a lot of his value in his right arm. He was at the top of the list in the 2007 Fielding Bible as well.
Generally, I think FW values defense a lot, so that’s a major plus in Frenchy’s column. However, I think that if a better option presents itself after about 2010 or so (aka Heyward’s call-up), then I think the Braves would be willing to part ways with Francoeur barring a 180 in his offensive ability.
Braveheart
May 16th, 2009
2:00 pm
I like Prado, but for all those who think Prado should be the starting second baseman, do you find it telling at all that he’s still only the third string second baseman?
TnBrian
May 16th, 2009
2:03 pm
wilymo, I’d hate to see Soriano traded even though I don’t think he’ll be a Brave next year. We need him as much as anybody to go with Moylan and Gonzo. I just don’t trust Moylan…heard the announcers saying his fastball is only getting to 88-89MPH when 92-94 was normal in the past. Just don’t trust him right now.
Bobby’s Cox, I like that. Don’t know about trading Francoeur just yet though. I’m probably with the Braves in that he is home grown and does still have that potential, but he looks lost at the plate most of the time lately. Cruz should’ve been gotten in the offseason, not GA.
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
2:04 pm
wilymo, the odd man out would be Anderson, in my opinion. He hasn’t been good this season at all, and I’ve seen a lot of people saying “well, he’s been hitting better lately.” I don’t see it. In his last nine games, he’s hit .257/.293/.314. That ain’t good. The Braves aren’t going to cut bait anytime soon, though. And I don’t blame them (yet)…they’ve invested 2.5 million in the guy, and he has had a very nice career. That said, I wasn’t a fan of his signing and I’m still not, but I’m a realist (and an optimist), and I know the Braves aren’t giving up on him yet. And I really, really hope he proves me wrong.
RHR
May 16th, 2009
2:05 pm
I’m shocked there’s a Braves fan who can’t stand Gonzo. He’s confident, intense, he has a little dog, and he calls his mom “my queen”. What’s not to love?
Stinks about the rain, we were forecast 100% rain starting this morning and so far it hasn’t rained a drop. Looks like it all went south of here. But it’s a night game, DLowe is starting, and DOB is working. All the ingredients needed for a rain delay.
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
2:06 pm
I don’t see Soriano going anywhere. Why would he, especially if we’re in the thick of a pennant race?
cabravesfan
May 16th, 2009
2:08 pm
RHR-
not to mention there are several other reasons to love Gonzo
RHR
May 16th, 2009
2:09 pm
Well yes, cabraves, but I’ll keep those … thoughts…on the other blog.
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
2:10 pm
According to the NY Post, Delgado to DL with no timetable for a return. They say his career is possibly in jeopardy. Terrible news for the Mets. I feel bad for Delgado, as he seems like a nice guy and you never want to see a great player like that go out on those terms:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05152009/sports/mets/1bs_season_in_jeopardy__putz_ailing__too_169407.htm
Rob from SC
May 16th, 2009
2:14 pm
Kawakami is pitching tonight
McFann :Ô:
May 16th, 2009
2:15 pm
RHR–
It’s raining lightly here.
Um…the “Official Site” says that KK pitching tonight.
Bobby's Cox
May 16th, 2009
2:15 pm
Steve,
I hear you. In my opinion, Francouer is way below replacement level, or way above it if replacement means he should be replaced. I know it’s a PR thing with “frenchy” but if the Braves can get a better player for him now while giving away some pitching, then they should take it.
Cruz is young and when Heyward is ready, then you really have some pop in the OF. I think there’s a moment of opportunity because of Texas’ depth in the OF, and with their lack of pitching.
Frenchy’s problem is beyond his offense. He is slow and doesn’t get to many balls in the OF. Sure he has a strong arm, but his range runs, according to fangraphs is -0.7, and was -7.7 last year, meaning he’s slow. Cruz is better in the outfield, steals bases, has a good arm, and will hit 30 HR a year. He’ll strike out a lot, but he’ll also give you good at-bats when doing so. He brings 2 things to the table you currently lack, speed and power.
Seriously, you and I both know it’s a PR thing, but if that’s the thing holding back Wren, then that sucks from a fans perspective. In sports marketing, you learn about promotions and other things that bring fans to games. The number one thing that boosts attendance, based on studies, is winning. If Wren holds on to Frenchy because of all the marketing dollars they already put into him, then he’s making a big mistake. That’s a “sunk cost”, according to economics.
cabravesfan
May 16th, 2009
2:20 pm
RHR-
I was refering, of course, to his pitching abilities
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
2:23 pm
Bobby’s, the Fielding Bible has his overall +/- at plus 6 for ‘07, and his arm a huge +13. I think we can all agree that his range is at least average with a cannon arm accounting for a lot of his positive value. I think we could do a lot worse defensively in right. And I do agree that marketing has a lot to do with Frenchy’s place on the team. I haven’t seen that much of a turnaround in his bat this season either (regrettably). He’s had a .545 OPS in his last 24 games (although with a .235 BABIP, so expect things to head north. How much? Dunno).
I certainly expect them to hang on to him all season, barring a total collapse like last season. I think that if they acquire a slugging OF’er, he’ll be put in left field.
Bobby's Cox
May 16th, 2009
2:27 pm
Steve, I know you’re right. It’s my frustration talking…But hey, the team is playing great, so there’s not much to be frustrated about right now. Maybe it’s my new man crush on Cruz that’s talking then…
Bobby's Cox
May 16th, 2009
2:33 pm
Phillies 1-5 hitters are 8-13 today. Rest of the hitters are 1-11. Werth is 3-3 with a HR and 2 rbi’s. 6-2 now, bottom of the 5th. Washington sucks.
Steve from OH
May 16th, 2009
2:34 pm
Hey, we’ve all been frustrated by something this year, right Bobby’s? And yes, I definitely think your man-crush on Cruz is particularly obvious today.
Brandon
May 16th, 2009
2:37 pm
Weather doesnt look too good…hopefully they can get the game in tonight.
McFann :Ô:
May 16th, 2009
2:39 pm
Brandon Weather doesnt look too good…hopefully they can get the game in tonight.
Yeah…not a big doubleheader person, myself.
David O'Brien
May 16th, 2009
2:41 pm
I’ll get a new blog up after I get to the ballpark. Let’s try to boost our usual Saturday participation numbers, people. You’d be amazed at how much the page views and comments dip on Saturday compared to all other days this season. Let’s change that today with a new blog, whaddya say? Can I get a witness? A second? Alright, I’ll stop.
Talk to you in a bit.
JTLUK
May 16th, 2009
2:45 pm
Hopefully they get the game in tonight. Forecast isnt too promising for a double header tomorrow either.
abwright
May 16th, 2009
2:45 pm
David O’Brien, 2:41 pm, “Let’s try to boost our usual Saturday participation numbers, people. You’d be amazed at how much the page views and comments dip on Saturday compared to all other days this season.”
I suspect that that has to do with the “Big Fox” blackout of games. Much fewer Braves fans have access to watching the games on Saturday.
Roman Gal
May 16th, 2009
2:59 pm
Last night after the game, I was standing on the ramps overlooking the players lot and saw Yunel Escobar out by the fence signing autographs for a bunch of kids. It was really nice to see.
Capt Caveman
May 16th, 2009
3:01 pm
YO DOB — I can give you a WHAT– WHAT !!!!
Braveheart — You know Gonzo started the rockin thing last year when he was rehab starting b/c the stands were empty and their was no energy in the park. So basically he generated his own and with the success he had he just continued. I talked to him about that a few weeks ago and he said he didn’t know if it would continue for the rest of his career but for now it was his routine. And he is a really great guy, if you ever meet him.
And finally COACH — OH PLEASE !!!! Did you cut and paste that last remark from “Baseball for Dummies”?? You such a terd.
P-Town Brave
May 16th, 2009
3:07 pm
Best case scenario is for the Braves to pickup an OF (preferably RF) through trade that can get them through 2010…
The best option there is more than likely Jermaine Dye…
And yes, I did say RF because Francoeur is getting closer to toast at this point, having all but proven that he’s a platoon corner OF….
Give him the change of scenery and add a pitcher to the Chi Sox depth chart and JD should be able to be had…
I do like the Holliday idea, BUT putting Holliday and Garret Anderson at the corner OF positions leaves Schafer with much work to do…although Holliday would probably create twice as many runs as Francoeur…
I just don’t like going that route bc of the Tex incident being eerily coincidental.
Dye does in fact fit the perfect profile though because his contract is up at the end of 2010, thus allowing the Braves to not rush the kids, but have an OF of Gorkys, Jordan, Jason by 2011 if they choose to do so.
bravos2249
May 16th, 2009
3:15 pm
monty
Not trying to sound like I’m against Soriano either. Bobby has used Gonzo in the 8th before. But with O’Flathery doing such a good job he could use him in the 8th and Soriano in the 9th to give Gonzo days off. IMO, even though Gonzo appeared over worked he always seems to be not as good after an off day..as in no game at all, not just not being used.
RHR
May 16th, 2009
3:15 pm
LOL sure you were, cabraves.
Kawakami is throwin huh? Why on earth did I think it was Lowe? Oh well. Maybe a rainout won’t be such a bad thing.
bravos2249
May 16th, 2009
3:15 pm
abwright
The game isn’t on til like 7
RHR
May 16th, 2009
3:20 pm
You’d be amazed at how much the page views and comments dip on Saturday compared to all other days this season.
Not surprising considering I look at the blog on M-F on company time and on Saturdays on my time. But I’ll do my part just the same.
Hey, I learned a new phrase in the new Harlan Corben book last night that reminded me of this blog sometimes – Spectator Tourette’s. Good stuff, right?
cabravesfan
May 16th, 2009
3:20 pm
RHR-
D Lowe is going tomorrow so you were only a day off
and a definite NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!! on the rain out!!
abwright
May 16th, 2009
3:23 pm
bravos2249, 3:15 pm abwright, The game isn’t on til like 7″
My point exactly. Later game, no black-out = more watchers = more posts on the blog = more page views.
Sat. afternoon, no TV game for most of us (curses on Fox) = no watchers. We go do other stuff. Hence, no bloggers and lower page views.
bravos2249
May 16th, 2009
3:28 pm
abwright
lol…I thought YOU thought the game was on earlier. I think majority of the rain is going through ATL right now so it’s probably good the game is at night. And IDK about KK but he’d be one pitcher I think could go after a delay.
CB
May 16th, 2009
3:30 pm
DOB if it will make you feel better I will keep hitting the submit comment button. Seriously most people out doing other things on a lazy Saturday afternoon. So, who is ready for a sweep?
nolie
May 16th, 2009
3:31 pm
Glad they’re not in on Tate.(STEVE OH)
yeah, me too. looks like Frenchy jr plus he has football option I think and would likely demand top slot money to sign. I’d take Green over him but pitching is better
RHR
May 16th, 2009
3:31 pm
Oh eww I just went to the homepage and now I see why you have less page views today, Heidi Montag? Really, AJC? Yuck.
cabravesfan
May 16th, 2009
3:35 pm
RHR-
Please! I just finished lunch!!
jbutler
May 16th, 2009
3:40 pm
Here’s my comment to show an interest in the ‘ol blog on Sat. Its a win/win. I win because it helps me procrastinate from doing anything I really need to be doing; and you win cause it looks like every day is a must in the AJC blogosphere.
Jeff R
May 16th, 2009
3:40 pm
DOB, you’ve got my second…
David O'Brien
May 16th, 2009
3:48 pm
NEW BLOG IS UP
Cameron
May 16th, 2009
3:49 pm
A bunch of my friends and I were sitting in the third or fourth row in right field last night. We looked up Upton’s middle name and heckled him all night. I think he went 0-4. Maybe it worked.
P-Town Brave
May 16th, 2009
3:50 pm
New blog? Where?
JReeves
May 16th, 2009
3:51 pm
DOB, Can you give us an update on Tim Hudson??? I know he’s stretching his arm out, and throwing from longer distances….but an earlier comment was that the braves had “every intention” to pick up his 2010 option. Do you get the feeling that is still true??? That would leave someone out in the cold…either Kawakami or Hanson (and I’m not guessing it’ll be Hanson). Or I guess they could wait one more year for Hanson to come up, but that seems pushing it. Thoughts???
BTW – 2010 Rotation would be:
Lowe
JJ
Hudson
Javy
Hanson
Kawakami (long man/spot starter)
Captain Bravebutt
May 16th, 2009
3:52 pm
I’m confused, what’s my name??
God I hate amnesia. Keep using to many aliases. I hate Chipper Jones.
This blog sucks.
Pete
May 16th, 2009
3:53 pm
Frank from KS: “Yeah, Greinke is the first Royals pitcher to win his first 5 decisions since Saberhagen went 5-0 to start the 1987 season. Yeah, he’s good.”
Still doesnt match Fernando Valenzuela in 1981 for the Dodgers. All he did was go 8-0, with 5 (yes 5) shutouts, and a 0.50 ERA in his first 8 starts. He is still the only player in MLB history to win Cy Young and Rookie of the Year in the same season.
TennesseePaul
May 16th, 2009
3:54 pm
Braveheart: You can’t stand Gonzo? For real, or was that just a means of using the term “genuflection” repeatedly in one post?
Jurrjens4NLCY
May 16th, 2009
5:59 pm
Should be a good game, low scoring
Sylvie Tesoro
June 10th, 2010
10:16 pm
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