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Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,958 comments Add your comment
PWHjort
May 27th, 2009
7:04 pm
Braves Outfield VORP:
Jeff Francoeur: -4.7 (630/663). Number of PA’s: 185
Jordan Schafer: -4.1 (619/663). Number of PA’s: 176
Garret Anderson: – 3.4 (605/663). Number of PA’s: 99
Matt Diaz: 5.7 (131/663). Number of PA’s: 89
Apparently the more useless you are in the Braves Outfield, the more plate appearances you’re rewarded with. Makes a ton of sense to me.
P-Town Brave
May 27th, 2009
7:05 pm
BA Steve-
It honestly really depended on who I was facing…I was actually quite ridiculous according to my teammates for the fact that I kept my own book on AB’s I had against pitchers…
I batted leadoff for the most part because of my speed and the ability I had for being able to take a lot of pitches and draw walks….
So a lot of times and for many pitchers I would look for the fastball on the 1st pitch and if it wasn’t in my zone, which was middle in at just below the belt to the knees I would more than likely take it….
Like Caveman said, its all about who is pitching, what the situation is, and what not to determine your approach to the AB.
Now on the answer to my approach to a slider….I was really good at picking those up out of the pitchers hands as obviously they aren’t as deceptive as they are from say, a guy like K-Rod….anyways, I would actually lay off the slider outer third because it usually broke off the plate or was at the black enough that I couldn’t do much with it….
I could hit line to line, but I was more of a natural up the middle and to the left side of the diamond hitter so I could pull the outside FB if need be or go the other way depending on what the situation was, and with the slider I just tried to not get under it as best as possible, with pretty good results.
Either way it all starts with your approach before the game and then prior to the AB…you always need to have a pretty good idea of what you should do before you get in the box.
Urban Braves Fan
May 27th, 2009
7:06 pm
Why be Jeff Francoeur still on dis team? When will Wren’s “I’m tired of watching him” moment mosey on down likes wid de Nashunals GM and Daniel Cabrera?
P-Town Brave
May 27th, 2009
7:08 pm
BA Steve-
It honestly really depended on who I was facing…I was actually quite ridiculous according to my teammates for the fact that I kept my own book on AB’s I had against pitchers…
I batted leadoff for the most part because of my speed and the ability I had for being able to take a lot of pitches and draw walks….
So a lot of times and for many pitchers I would look for the fastball on the 1st pitch and if it wasn’t in my zone, which was middle in at just below the belt to the knees I would more than likely take it….
Like Caveman said, its all about who is pitching, what the situation is, and what not to determine your approach to the AB.
Now on the answer to my approach to a slider….I was really good at picking those up out of the pitchers hands as obviously they aren’t as deceptive as they are from say, a guy like K-Rod….anyways, I would actually lay off the slider outer third because it usually broke off the plate or was at the black enough that I couldn’t do much with it….
I could hit line to line, but I was more of a natural up the middle and to the left side of the diamond hitter so I could pull the outside FB if need be or go the other way depending on what the situation was, and with the slider I just tried to not get under it as best as possible, with pretty good results.
Either way it all starts with your approach before the game and then prior to the AB…you always need to have a pretty good idea of what you should do before you get in the box.
Urban Braves Fan
May 27th, 2009
7:08 pm
Why git rid uh Frenchy? Hes currently our best outfielder. -Bravesfan
Dat be simply not true. He’s de wo’st in de Braves outfield.
P-Town Brave
May 27th, 2009
7:09 pm
BA Steve-
It honestly really depended on who I was facing…I was actually quite ridiculous according to my teammates for the fact that I kept my own book on AB’s I had against pitchers…
I batted leadoff for the most part because of my speed and the ability I had for being able to take a lot of pitches and draw walks….
So a lot of times and for many pitchers I would look for the fastball on the 1st pitch and if it wasn’t in my zone, which was middle in at just below the belt to the knees I would more than likely take it….
Like Caveman said, its all about who is pitching, what the situation is, and what not to determine your approach to the AB.
ppaddy123
May 27th, 2009
7:09 pm
Hey Art Vandelay, your real name won’t be Ben Dover, would it?
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 27th, 2009
7:09 pm
Atrocious BPen? Nah. Bad outfield, atrocious bloggers – too many quitters on the blog.
P-Town Brave
May 27th, 2009
7:11 pm
Now on the answer to my approach to a slider….I was really good at picking those up out of the pitchers hands as obviously they aren’t as deceptive as they are from say, a guy like K-Rod….anyways, I would actually lay off the slider outer third because it usually broke off the plate or was at the black enough that I couldn’t do much with it….
I could hit line to line, but I was more of a natural up the middle and to the left side of the diamond hitter so I could pull the outside FB if need be or go the other way depending on what the situation was, and with the slider I just tried to not get under it as best as possible, with pretty good results.
Either way it all starts with your approach before the game and then prior to the AB…you always need to have a pretty good idea of what you should do before you get in the box.
Bravesfan
May 27th, 2009
7:13 pm
Dat be simply not true. He’s de wo’st in de Braves outfield.
If you say so. For somebody who’s the worst, it sure is odd he’s tied for team lead in runs, leading the team in hits, 3rd in total bases, one RBI off the team lead. The team offense as a whole is failing right now.
Alex
May 27th, 2009
7:13 pm
Why is nobody talking about the massive error the Braves made by trading Josh Anderson instead of keeping him as a fifth outfielder/insurance policy for Schafer, a guy who never even played in AAA and whose greatest run of success came against spring training pitching. Last I checked, Anderson’s numbers destroy Schafer’s.
And while we’re on the subject, why must we laud Bobby Cox for his patience in young struggling players instead of doing the smart thing and calling up Gregor Blanco to actually get some production from center.
We bet that Frenchy would bounce back – he hasn’t.
We bet that a AA player could handle a full time center field slot- he hasn’t.
A lot of bad personnel decisions so far in the early season.
P-Town Brave
May 27th, 2009
7:14 pm
BA Steve-
Sorry, apparently this stupid F-N WordPress ate the 1st part of the post to you…..
Basically to make things shorter, I was a leadoff hitter, was able to work counts well, and could risk taking breaking balls for 1st pitch strikes and look in a particular zone for 1st pitch fastballs middle-in….Also, I was considered ridiculous by my teammates because I had my own scouting book based on every pitcher I ever faced.
Capt Caveman
May 27th, 2009
7:15 pm
YO P-TOWN
would you agree that there is not a better feeling at the plate than to be up with the bases juiced, knowing that the pitcher can’t afford a yakker in the dirt. So he’s gotta come into the zone and your sitting Dead Red. Cocked, locked, and ready to rock !! LOL
And then when he tries to get in the kitchen you turn on one and send a line drive foul into the other teams dugout, where they initiate a game of chinese fire drill to avoid the pain. That’s always the part where I would mutter to the catcher – “I believe the rule is if I get a piece of it I get to rename it. Right??” AWW YEAH — GOOD TIMES !!
Same Thing Said Last Year
May 27th, 2009
7:15 pm
There we go again, labeling a guy as “not an everyday player” based on the opinions of a management team that has been wrong before. I repeat, Mark DeRosa was labeled “not an everyday player” by this organization. He struggled mightily ONCE and was written off as a viable option while others have been given chance after chance to fail and most have. He’s become a super utility guy who after he left the Braves played virtually every day somewhere on the field. So in fact he has proven he is and every day player!
Diaz has always had better numbers against lefties but last year was the first time Diaz had remarkably lower numbers against righties, so now “he can’t hit right handed pitching.” Diaz has been a great contributor to the Braves since he’s been here. He had his struggle last year until he was injured and that was his ONE SHOT. I think he deserves the same consideration that a struggling Schafer and Frenchy and KJ get. How many times so far have these guys stunk it up yet they always get a chance at redemption.
Bravesfan
May 27th, 2009
7:15 pm
I think I’d definitely rather be watching Schafer and Anderson trade time in CF than to watch Schafer all the time and Norton waste a spot on the bench. Also, that guy we got for Anderson is doing lousy in the minors right now.
groundfog
May 27th, 2009
7:17 pm
Fredo does not deserve to play for the Red Sox. He’ll end up winning a world series. He should not be rewarded for incompetence lol.
ben
May 27th, 2009
7:18 pm
I dont understand why everyone wants to trade guys on the low. Who would give someone ok for francoeur now, we dont want him why would anyone else? I would rather keep him if we have for this year hope he get his ave to .265 w/ 10 HR and trade him in the offseason. Or Heck send him to the minors for all you that want to cut him, wouldn’t be any worst off. But I mean really we want to see Diaz’s glove in RF, remember the single that went for a triple, against the Mets, with him out there.
Eric from MO
May 27th, 2009
7:18 pm
Alex do you read this blog. Its mentioned every other day.
Urban Braves Fan
May 27th, 2009
7:20 pm
Who cares about RBIs? Francoeur de out machine be again spo’tin’ an OBP unda’ .300. Enough uh dis crap, dig dis: dump his so’ry rear already. If he wuz not some local kid, let’s say Francoeur wuz bo’n in New Yo’k, he and his outs-made-72-of-the-time carcass would already been rightfully booted.
P-Town Brave
May 27th, 2009
7:21 pm
YES! Another day, another 15+ posts of mine that have been eaten by WordPress!
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 27th, 2009
7:21 pm
P-Town Brave, can u play right field?
Jerry Holcombe
May 27th, 2009
7:22 pm
Eric, I’ve already stated previously that Soriano has looked good. As for EOF, I don’t trust him and I feel that he will eventually let up, especially if Bobby does what Bobby does best and overuse him. Gonzo can’t be trusted to lock down a win, especially a one-run affair. Hs era is 3.79. Does that sound like an effective closer to you. And you only mentioned Gonzo, Soriano, and EOF to defend your statement that our bullpen isn’t atrocious. Three pitchers does not a bullpen make. Currently, we have only 3 relievers with ERAs under Gonzo’s 3.79, and one of those (Bennett) doesn’t give up his own runs, but allows inherited runners to score. We’ll have to disagree on the bullpen Eric, they make me very uneasy.
As for the starters that you say I fail to see, I don’t fail there. I know we have some good starters, but it doesn’t, and has not mattered thus far this season. We are still exactly where we were one year ago today, 2 1/2 games back and in 3rd place. Lastly Eric, a mop up man’s job is not to come in and give up runs. His job is hold the opponent so that we might be able to come back. Doesn’t always happen that way, but you don’t give a roster spot to someone that can’t do the job either.
Eric from MO
May 27th, 2009
7:23 pm
ben thing is Francouer stock may never be good. So how long do you keep him. Either trade him or cut him. He isnt performing and hasnt in a long time.
SHEfer
May 27th, 2009
7:25 pm
Guys don’t look at Josh Anderson numbers, I’m for real in a few years. I have what it takes, even had a hit off that Lincecum pitcher.
Webster'sDictionary
May 27th, 2009
7:25 pm
How very odd. Didn’t know the Braves had cajun fans. Kinda odd though. One would expect an accent when speaking but certainly not when typing.
In other words: Dude, why do you type like that? It’s flat out annoying.
Capt Caveman
May 27th, 2009
7:27 pm
Yo P-Town
Is the feeling of anticipation when you know you’re about to get your pitch not one of the best adrenaline feelings in baseball??
You got the bases juiced, pitch can’t afford to put a yakker in the dirt, so your sitting Dead Red (cocked, locked, and ready to rock) when he tries to get in your kitchen?? You swing through so fast that you send his heater into the visitors dugout on a line, where his guys start a chinese fire drill to avoid the pain. That was always the time when I would mutter to the catcher – ” I believe the rule is I get a piece of it and I can rename it. Right??” And then remember on you next at bat to watch for in-ur-ear !! AWW YEAH GOOD TIMES !!! LOL
Art Vandelay
May 27th, 2009
7:27 pm
ppaddy123, Buck Naked
Capt Caveman
May 27th, 2009
7:28 pm
P-Town I just tried to send you the same post twice and it keeps disappearing without posting.
What’s going on with that, do you know??
Eric from MO
May 27th, 2009
7:29 pm
Jerry if you have 3 good relievers then your pen isnt atrocious. Just because you dont trust EOF because you think he will eventually blow it isnt a good arguement. It doesnt take a whole lot of runs to bring your ERA up to 3.79 when your a reliever because one or two outings will do it. Also most mop up guys give up runs otherwise they would be closers or setup men.
Ambrosine
May 27th, 2009
7:29 pm
Step off me Webster’s.
ppaddy123
May 27th, 2009
7:29 pm
Art, I thought it was “Buck Knaked”
concerned braves fan
May 27th, 2009
7:30 pm
Why git rid uh Frenchy? Hes currently our best outfielder. -Bravesfan
Dat be simply not true. He’s de wo’st in de Braves outfield.
Well the sheet wearers are out loose again. Yeah that’s real funny, let’s talk in stilted English and pretend on “urban” people have trouble with the language. Careful not to put your eye with that pointy hat.
bravos2249
May 27th, 2009
7:31 pm
So…Anybody got comments on Manny being 4th. I think it’s wrong, but we also have to realize that this voting started before he was suspended.
PWHjort
May 27th, 2009
7:31 pm
I’ve got a brilliant idea that will save the Braves, and give Frank Wren 3.5 million more dollars to spend on the outfield. A cookie goes to the first person to correctly guess.
Eric from MO
May 27th, 2009
7:31 pm
The year Smoltz closed he had an ERA well over 3 the year he saved 55 games. ERA means very little to relievers Jerry.
bravos2249
May 27th, 2009
7:32 pm
Oh umm MLB tonight had projected lineup and Kelly is leading off and Prado at 1st (2nd)…No Escobar, Chipper is hitting 3rd
Bleu_Bayou42
May 27th, 2009
7:32 pm
The Braves are a 500 team bottom line. We are going to go 12-4 and get all excited and then turn around and go 4-12. That’s what 500 teams do. Frenchy flat out sucks in an Atlanta uniform and Schafer is shell shocked.
ppaddy123
May 27th, 2009
7:32 pm
Art, by the way, Ben Dover was in a “Fletch” movie….not sure which one…..
Wayne
May 27th, 2009
7:32 pm
JS left the braves’ cupboard bare just like he did the royals. There will not be any major improvement until Cox is gone. He is only playing Shaffer because he has no other option. And he won’t pinch-hit for Jeff F. no matter how bad we need a hit etc.., because-no one knows why he lets Jeff F. continue to play. And McCann is not an all-star catcher if he won’t stay at the plate in order to make a tag play or too block the plate.
Bleu_Bayou42
May 27th, 2009
7:33 pm
Garrett Anderson is washed up.. Road Kill
P-Town Brave
May 27th, 2009
7:33 pm
SoWeGa-
Actually I can play all 3 OF positions (most comfortable in CF), as well as 2b, but my main position was SS.
Capt Caveman-
Haven’t a clue…it ate the 1st portion of my post to BA Steve and it was a bit long for me to retype…I’ve actually gotten to the point where I’m hitting the copy button so that if it does wipe me out I may be able to get it in a bit later on.
Boo
May 27th, 2009
7:34 pm
Well the sheet wearers are out loose again.
What is with you and the race obsession?
Driver8
May 27th, 2009
7:34 pm
Just saw that the first week of the MLB All Star votes are now in.
Two Braves that have a shot of participating in the game in St. Louis – Chipper Jones and Brian McCann are not doing so good.
Chipper is in third place at 3B, 172,909 votes behind leader David Wright. I would like to get him at least in second place as we know the NY Met fans will flood the votes for Wright.
Brian McCann is a very DISAPOINTING 5th in the Catchers vote! He is 223,804 votes behind leader Yadier Molina. That is a freaking joke! Must be the home town Card fans making that happen.
Albert Pujols leads all NL in votes with 842,058.
Come on Braves fans let’s get McCann in that starting spot this year as he deserves it. Hope this gets things going for our guys.
Johnny On The Spot
May 27th, 2009
7:35 pm
If you say so. For somebody who’s the worst, it sure is odd he’s tied for team lead in runs, leading the team in hits, 3rd in total bases, one RBI off the team lead. The team offense as a whole is failing right now.
Oh dear! Now you’ve gone and dunnit! You have used the wrong numbazz and now we’ll have to endure yet another pretentious rant from you know who’s!
Wait for it….in…3…2…1…
bravos2249
May 27th, 2009
7:35 pm
Sheffield’d doing fine right now but a 162 game season in the OF won’t keep a 40 yr old hot. In other words he’s an injury away from being..” Why didn’t the Mets get a younger player.”
Bleu_Bayou42
May 27th, 2009
7:35 pm
Throw Brandon Jones in LF, Greggor Blanco in CF, and Diaz in RF and let’s roll. They aren’t going to do any worst offensively than what we got.
bravos2249
May 27th, 2009
7:36 pm
Driver8
I voted today. The biggest disappointment for me though is Adrian Gonzalez.
Bravesfan
May 27th, 2009
7:36 pm
Enter your comments here
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 27th, 2009
7:36 pm
Diaz is a career .288 vs rh and .328 vs. lefties. He hits rh better than anyone else in the outfield by far.
Wayne
May 27th, 2009
7:36 pm
The Gwinnett Braves are in place to shore-up the area when the Atlanta Braves are moved out of state. I bet the GB’s attendance on average is way better that the AB’s. Ever wonder why the AAA team was moved so close.
ppaddy123
May 27th, 2009
7:37 pm
Gosh Jerry, been a couple of years since we had any “booger” references on here
Bravesfan
May 27th, 2009
7:37 pm
Oops.. Ok let me guess that speech. blah blah.. inconsistent.. blah blah not clutch.. blah blah obp.. blah slg blah blah.. ops!
Yep, Frenchy’s obp, slg and ops all stink.
Ambrosine (formerly Urban Braves Fan)
May 27th, 2009
7:37 pm
Francoeur still makin’ outs likes 72% uh de time. Outs, out, outs…really de only thing he duz well.
concerned braves fan
May 27th, 2009
7:39 pm
Boo can you not read? Who do you think they were imitating? Ain’t no Cajun I ever heard talk like that. Funny how when people don’t say racial stuff the subject never comes up. Talking in coded language like that is what it is.
Driver8
May 27th, 2009
7:39 pm
I agree with you as well regarding Gonzalez but not too shocked that Pujols will get the popular vote. Adrian will be the backup no doubt about that. I sure hope so as we could use his bat in that game. Kinda tired of losing to the AL for so long.
Ambrosine (formerly Urban Braves Fan)
May 27th, 2009
7:39 pm
Yep, Frenchy’s obp, slg and ops all stink.
And dus, he ain’t good!
Ambrosine (formerly Urban Braves Fan)
May 27th, 2009
7:41 pm
Ain’t no Cajun I ever heard talk like that.
And when de hell dun did I say ah’ am cajun exactly?
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 27th, 2009
7:41 pm
Yea, we are 23-22 and only 2.5 games back. This time last season our Braves were 24-21 and 1.5 games back before the wheels came off.
Yes, we have the pitching. It’s playoff caliber. Unfortunately the defense and offense ain’t available to back up the pitching. The freight train is coming and it’s called June. We are about to get flattened.
I said all that to say this. If the Braves don’t get some help right now, July will be too late.
Roman Gal (S-C-H-A-F-E-R)
May 27th, 2009
7:42 pm
Shafer
Shaffer
Shaefer
Schaffer
Schaeffer
I guess I really should stop expecting people spell correctly. I mean, this is the south.
(Dang, I did it again. I really gotta stop making fun of the south. It’s not becoming, especially since I live in the south.)
Johnny On The Spot
May 27th, 2009
7:44 pm
Yep, Frenchy’s obp, slg and ops all stink
Ahh, there you go. Thank You, now maybe we’ll have a bit of peace. Now don’t forget rbi’s, and hit’s, means that you are misinformed ok. It’s all about avoiding outs and stuff.
Bleu_Bayou42
May 27th, 2009
7:44 pm
choo chooo
Wheelz007
May 27th, 2009
7:45 pm
Guys and gals, let’s be patient. I want Wren to make a good deal. If we move Frenchy and get something good in return, then I’m all for it. But let’s not forget that Frenchy is still quite young and his best years should still be ahead of him.
A change of scenary may be just what Frency needs. Maybe. maybe not.
We definately need a bat. Big time. Hopefully we can land one that will produce, stay relatively healthy and hang around for a few years. But let’s not trade the farm to get one.
Go Braves!!!
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 27th, 2009
7:45 pm
P-Town, I meant canu play RF now, tonight, in SF…or center…or left.
Capt Caveman
May 27th, 2009
7:45 pm
OK P-TOWN
One more try, do you agree that sitting at the plate knowing you’re about to get your pitch is the most adrenaline filled feeling you can get in baseball??
Quick player description = bases juiced, pitch can’t waste yakker in the dirt. So your sitting Dead Red when he comes into your kitchen..
A few times I got around so fast that I hit a liner into the visitors dugout and sent’em diving for cover. LOL
That’s when i would mutter to the catcher ” I believe the rule is I get a piece of it and I can rename it. Right?? ” LOL
And then try to remember on my next at bat to watch for IN-UR-EAR !! AWW YEAH GOOD TIMES !!!!
TBF(n)K as Billy
May 27th, 2009
7:45 pm
I hope francour starts lighting it up just make you “fans” complain about something else for a little bit.
Eric from MO
May 27th, 2009
7:45 pm
Driver8,”Brian McCann is a very DISAPOINTING 5th in the Catchers vote! He is 223,804 votes behind leader Yadier Molina. That is a freaking joke! Must be the home town Card fans making that happen.
Albert Pujols leads all NL in votes with 842,058. ”
Are you serious? After April he was batting .200 and spent a few weeks on the DL. Now if he continues to tear it up then he should be voted in and he probably will be. Also Molina is the best defensive catcher. Its no joke.
Bleu_Bayou42
May 27th, 2009
7:46 pm
Jordan Schafer sucks no matter how you spell it.
Jerry Holcombe
May 27th, 2009
7:46 pm
Actually Eric, the year Smoltz had 55 saves, he didn’t have an era well over 3.00 as you allude to. His era was 3.25 and that’s not bad. It’s not great, but it’s not 3.79 either. You’ll also remember that there were a few games there when Smoltz simply imploded and allowed alot of runs. Take those away and he probably has a sub-3.00 era. Gonzo rarely retires the side and hasn’t show the ability to blow the ball past hitters.Smoltz’s WHIP was 1.033 and Gonzalez’s is 1.316.
Bleu_Bayou42
May 27th, 2009
7:47 pm
TBF(n)K as Billy, are you serious?
concerned braves fan
May 27th, 2009
7:47 pm
Come on Braves fans let’s get McCann in that starting spot this year as he deserves it. Hope this gets things going for our guys.
You barking on the wrong blog dude…lol! Where do you think you are, Milwaukee?
PWHjort
May 27th, 2009
7:47 pm
TBF(n)K as Billy,
I’d love for that to happen. And I’d eat my words with a side of crow. But it just ain’t gonna.
Dooley
May 27th, 2009
7:48 pm
Rome Braves’ 1st Baseman Gerry Rodriguez just hit for the CYCLE with a walk-off homerun. Rodriguez tripled in the first inning, doubled in the third, singled in the fifth and homered in the 10th to cap the feat.
Bravesfan
May 27th, 2009
7:48 pm
I think the only change of scenery Frenchy needs is about 3 days on the bench. Maybe he’ll realize he’s not Chipper Jones, not a team institution and is starting every day in right field is not his god given right.
Roman Gal
May 27th, 2009
7:48 pm
Jordan Schafer sucks no matter how you spell it.
Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, whether it’s good or not.
groundfog
May 27th, 2009
7:49 pm
Unreal our only option is Schafer. Josh should have been here-he could have had Notton’s spot.
Ambrosine
May 27th, 2009
7:49 pm
hope francour starts lighting it up just make you “fans” complain about something else for a little bit. -TBF(n)K as Billy
“Lightin’ it up” fo’ Francoeur means anoda’ sin’les splurge.
Makes too many outs, hits fo’ no power, slow and below average defender. Sorry, but he ain’t special Fran-apologists.
Eric from MO
May 27th, 2009
7:51 pm
Always cracks me up with these wanna-bes talking about how great they were when they played “college” and “minor league” ball. Like we actually believe them. People really are much cooler online.
Bleu_Bayou42
May 27th, 2009
7:51 pm
Roman Gal, we don’t care how good his azz looks in his uniform, we just want him to be able to hit an inside fastball for once.
JeanE
May 27th, 2009
7:51 pm
I totally agree 100% about the poster’s comments on Mark DeRosa & his time with the Braves. I am a HUGE DeRo fan & have avidly followed his post Braves career – he has done awesome, at Texas, Cubs & now the poor guy is in purgatory with Cleveland!! But he can play & almost any position, plus he’s a team guy & hustles all the time. I love that! I also am in the minority rooting for Diaz to get more playing time, what do we have to lose at this point? He can hit & his outfield skills have improved tremendously, plus he is kind of Shafer’s mentor, loved that article about them in the AJC, it changed my mind about Shafer & I’ve stopped referring to him as Mr. HGH. Give Matty D another chance!!!!
Bravesfan
May 27th, 2009
7:52 pm
Stick Schafer in at lead off and leave him there. The guy only got like one game as lead off and did well at it. He seems to have the fundamentals of working the count down and will only get better at getting on base. At the very least, he’ll learn what it takes to be our lead off guy. Besides, it seems like every other day our current lead off does no better than Jordan Schafer down in the 8th slot.
groundfog
May 27th, 2009
7:52 pm
Josh Anderson went 4-for-5 and stole his 10th base as the Tigers’ leadoff man on Wednesday
P-Town Brave
May 27th, 2009
7:52 pm
SoWeGa-
Unfortunately I’m stuck here in IL…actually about to go play some slo-pitch in 45 min….one of my buddies knows I’m a ringer and his team needs some more talent apparently, so I said I would sub for the night…actually, I think he really wants me for my D more than my offense because I can still turn a DP like nobody’s business!
El Capitan-
Well, I can maybe do you one or two better in my case….the only two things that felt better to me were knowing that I had the pitcher read perfectly and was given a steal sign and ready to go….AND turning that 4-6-3 DP when I knew I had to get it quickly from the 2b and get rid of it quicker with a runner bearing down…..a head first triple and going from 1st to home are close behind….
I do enjoy the “watch for in your ear” comment…I got that a bunch actually…still holding the conference record in H.S. for most HBP in a single season
Jerry Holcombe
May 27th, 2009
7:53 pm
Look in that mirror mbatl and you’ll see the idiot you are looking for. Then turn on the game and you’ll see another one in the dugout with his finger knuckle deep. Anyone who thinks that Bobby Cox is doing a good job is a complete imbecile. Wear your crown with impunity.
groundfog
May 27th, 2009
7:53 pm
One more time,Josh Anderson went 4-for-5 and stole his 10th base as the Tigers’ leadoff man on Wednesday
Braveheart
May 27th, 2009
7:53 pm
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/brandon_inge/#comments
Another interesting finding is that the players who were considered catchers but were moved to another position later on were really good hitters. Those 91% who remained at catcher were -9 runs per 650 PA through age 28, and -10 from age 29 onwards. The other 9% were zero runs through age 28 (i.e. average) and +10 runs from age 29 onwards. It is possible that these players, freed from their catcher shackles, went on to be the good hitters they always were. This is why we need to consider Catcher as a separate pool when applying the positional adjustments.
Roman Gal
May 27th, 2009
7:53 pm
we don’t care how good his azz looks in his uniform, we just want him to be able to hit an inside fastball for once.
I’m glad to know you think his bum looks nice in his uniform.
Eric from MO
May 27th, 2009
7:53 pm
Jerry if Gonzo pitches 3 scoreless innings his ERA will be there. There isnt much difference in that with relievers but I wouldnt expect you to understand that.
groundfog
May 27th, 2009
7:54 pm
Wren you are such a genius us dumb bloggers just don’t see it , right? lol
Mitchie-san
May 27th, 2009
7:54 pm
I say keep Jeff and trade for Rudy Jaramillo. Pay him whatever he wants.
Ambrosine
May 27th, 2009
7:56 pm
Michael Lewis talked about players likes Jeff Francoeur in his scribblin’ “Moneyball.” They’re there t’sell jeans, not be good.
Capt Caveman
May 27th, 2009
7:56 pm
P-TOWN
I hold my HS record for most HBP in batting practice. Something about going yard and rubbing it in on your buddy seemed to make that little white ball want to get close to me.
LOL All in fun but a bruise is still a bruise.
Bleu_Bayou42
May 27th, 2009
7:58 pm
JeanE, I don’t see much Diaz hatten going on in here. The guy can hit.
Derosa has done well since leaving the Braves. BUT when he got the opportunity to play everyday for the Braves, the numbers don’t lie, he sucked! (His numbers with the Bravos beforer getting traded were worst than Frenchy’s are right now.)
Capt Caveman
May 27th, 2009
7:59 pm
Enough with the nose picking bullsh–t. Every player in the league is blowing snot rockets all over the field when they are not adjusting themselves.
Bleu_Bayou42
May 27th, 2009
8:00 pm
I have to agree with Bravesfan, Schafer should bat lead off, for the Gwinnett Braves.
abwright
May 27th, 2009
8:04 pm
Now that the Braves are employing a good, durable pitching staff, I haven’t heard folks calling for Roger McDowell’s head lately. What’s up with that?
BaseballNut
May 27th, 2009
8:05 pm
yo davie, where’s that lineup for tonite. Is Chipper gonna actually play tonite??
PWHjort
May 27th, 2009
8:06 pm
Michael Lewis is an excellent author. But he did a pretty crappy job of portraying Billy Beane and his scientific draft strategy and roster construction process. On Base Percentage has never been, and will never be, Billy Beane’s dogma. Billy Beane simply found a metric that people didn’t realize was as valuable as it is, and used that to his advantage. In that case it happened to be on-base percentage. But OBP isn’t what he’s all about. He’s all about market inefficiencies. Finding something that other people are paying too much for and sell it to them or finding something people are selling for cheaper than they should be and buying it from them. In today’s market, people don’t under-pay for OBP, so the whole “Moneyball” argument isn’t relevant to OBP anymore.
Mixxo
May 27th, 2009
8:06 pm
Funny stuff on the blog tonight……funny stuff.
oh SNAP!
May 27th, 2009
8:06 pm
groundfog
One more time it doesn’t matter W>T>F Josh Anderson does, he ain’t playing for us.
Mixxo
May 27th, 2009
8:07 pm
Roman Gal
Pics?