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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,500 comments Add your comment
TennesseePaul
June 3rd, 2009
9:34 pm
“wasn’t pulling a fast one”.
My conjunctions are all screwed up today.
Eric from MO
June 3rd, 2009
9:34 pm
I remember about 10 days ago that Jerald guy was mouthing Smoltz was better his 55 save year than Gonzo this year because Smoltz’s ERA was 3.25 and Gonzo’s was 3.75. I said give him 3 appearances and they would be the same. He said that wouldnt happen, and what do you know, Gonzo’s is lower.
TBF(n)K as Billy
June 3rd, 2009
9:34 pm
lol gonzo worked last night
Chip Caray is a BUFFOON
June 3rd, 2009
9:34 pm
No surprise here that Chip thinks Will Ferrel is funny.
Richie
June 3rd, 2009
9:35 pm
Eric from MO – Because we need a lefty in the rotation, to neutralize the LH’d heavy teams in our division. If we are going to really compete with the Phils and Mets like that, we are going to need a big time lefty. Lee would make a huge addition. I have a feeling Vasquez is going to be used to get the Braves that big bat needed to assist in settling the lineup
BJones
June 3rd, 2009
9:35 pm
Nice to hear the “Lets Go Braves” cheer…
Big Chief
June 3rd, 2009
9:35 pm
DOB, NOw that we have McLouth in the fold, do you think Wren makes anymore moves or does he wait until Infante comes back to see how things play out?
Tomahawkin
June 3rd, 2009
9:35 pm
Another Come From Behind Win from the Braves!!! Bank On It…!
I feel It coming, Otherwise I would’ve left to go grab a Triple Whopper!
Mike
June 3rd, 2009
9:35 pm
Chris- Again (said this earlier), I hope I’m wrong. But I think they gave up some quality in the farm system for really one decent player (if a .250 hitter is what you’re looking for), then told a guy that they had rehab all spring, “thanks, but no thanks.” Can get away with that if your name is Mark Smith, but they really could have handled Glavine with a bit more class.
If this guy becomes the next Jason Bay, then it’s a helluva deal. I just don’t see it.
abwright
June 3rd, 2009
9:36 pm
Gonzo gives up the obligatory lead-off hit. Once again, a Cubs player pops up the bunt attempt. Gonzo gets an aggressive swing on a high fast ball for out two. This Cubs team looks a little like last year’s Braves offense. Pinella has got to be getting an ulcer.
Let’s get’em out this inning and walk this off in the bottom of the ninth. Another extra inning nail biter is too much for me to handle.
TBF(n)K as Billy
June 3rd, 2009
9:36 pm
Lee is not going to happen
Schafer's Facial Expression
June 3rd, 2009
9:37 pm
ruh roh.
Eric from MO
June 3rd, 2009
9:37 pm
N8 at 9:30.lol
TBF(n)K as Billy
June 3rd, 2009
9:37 pm
Gonzo like hitting peeps dont he?
Goldenglove002
June 3rd, 2009
9:38 pm
hmm, have we hit Soriano yet?
Chip Caray is a BUFFOON
June 3rd, 2009
9:38 pm
“Hobbles” to first???
abwright
June 3rd, 2009
9:39 pm
McFann :Ô:, 9:32 pm…”Too bad he [McCann] had to get out there.
He’ll go 5 for 5 with a double and an HR tomorrow.
Kris Medlen
June 3rd, 2009
9:39 pm
Not Kris Medlin, or Kris Medlan…
Tomahawkin
June 3rd, 2009
9:39 pm
Gonzo Come On!!!
Schafer's Facial Expression
June 3rd, 2009
9:39 pm
Oh, Gonzo. Exercise later.
Eric from MO
June 3rd, 2009
9:39 pm
Richie why would they use Vazquez to get a bat and then trade prospects for another pitcher? You make no sense. As for the left thing it dont matter in the rotation like it does in the pen. If Lowe, JJ, Vazquez, Hanson, and Hudson can handle the Mets they dont need a starting lefty.
Scorby Jones
June 3rd, 2009
9:40 pm
Frank Wren needs to get his head checked! The one missing element to our run at the World Series this year is a 43 year old pitcher, coming off surgery, who’s fastball is topping out at 86mph, that can reliably give us no more than six innings a start….
seriously, I’m glad he had the testicular fortitude to face Tom G. and put an end to that.
goodbye Tom, hello Tommy!
Schafer's Facial Expression
June 3rd, 2009
9:40 pm
Uh… Bobby? H’llo? Hellooooooooo?
abwright
June 3rd, 2009
9:40 pm
Uh-oh! Gonzo loads the bases with back to back walks.
MFin04
June 3rd, 2009
9:40 pm
Gonzo really hasn’t been a very good closer this year like i suggest in Spring Training. He is usually horrible in non-save situations, horrible in one run save situations, and average at more than 1-run saves.
Big Chief
June 3rd, 2009
9:40 pm
Richie, Vazquez is not going anywhere until next year. You don’t have to have a lefty to be successful. Lee is a good pitcher but his pricetag would be too big. Especially with Huddy coming back.
Jeff321
June 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
Wow, Gonzo isn’t exactly impressing either.
Lets see if he turns it around…
abwright
June 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
Correction…a B$ HBP and a walk.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
June 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
Mike, it would take days to sort out how clueless you are.
JasonInFL
June 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
Wow, suprised by the Glavine move. From a baseball standpoint, it makes absolute sense. It is too bad he made the rehab starts, looked good, etc before being released. Love the McLouth trade. Now, like I have been saying, switch Gonzo and Soriano and we have something!
Vinings Jim
June 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
Way to keep it interesting, Mike. Well done, Chipper. Now, let’s give him the win!
Richie
June 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
McClouth happened guys, so anything is possible.
Baseball gods
June 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
don’t sweat it.
MFin04
June 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
Wow Chipper, nice play there, guess he was sick of costing the Braves games with his glove
Let’s win this one!!!!
abwright
June 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
And Gonzo gets a ground ball to Chipper who takes the easy out at third. That’s why Gonzo walked that guy (yeah, that’s the ticket).
Tomahawkin
June 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
Nice Stab By Hoss, That was a tougher play than it looked!
Awfense Come On! Win It 4 Us!
BJones
June 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
Gonzo likes to work hard thats all…
DirtyYuni
June 3rd, 2009
9:42 pm
Phew. That almost ruined my McLouth buzz.
Eric from MO
June 3rd, 2009
9:42 pm
Mfin he doesnt do it pretty but he is effective. He did it last night, did it tonight and does it most nights. Sure he has had a couple bad games but most relievers do.
bravos2249
June 3rd, 2009
9:42 pm
I’m not going to say what I was going to because it’ll jinx us. But I’ll comment on it after the game…lol
escobars bat
June 3rd, 2009
9:42 pm
Who cares how you spell medlen’s name it’s not like he’s gregg madox!
Mike's Clue
June 3rd, 2009
9:42 pm
Where am I?
Mike
June 3rd, 2009
9:42 pm
Since when did Glavine ever throw faster than the mid/upper-80’s?
abwright
June 3rd, 2009
9:42 pm
With Francœur coming up in the top of the ninth, who wants to bet that he swings at the first pitch? I’ll give odds.
Jeff321
June 3rd, 2009
9:43 pm
Wow, Gimper Jones actually makes a crucial play!
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
June 3rd, 2009
9:43 pm
Folks, ain’t no more deals happening — for veteran players, anyway. No more room to add payroll. It’s one reason (the only one? maybe) that Glavine was released.
Jake W.
June 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
Gonzo likes the Drama, whatever, it’s a big 0 up there and we’ve got a chance to piss Wrigley South fans off again. i’ll take it.
Chris
June 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
I can see where the Glavine sympathy is coming from, because I definitely think things could have been handled better (e.g. not blaming his release on a velocity issue). But I’m frankly tired of Glavine and Smoltz acting like the braves owe them something. Not to take anything away from their success here, but they have been paid already, in millions and millions of dollars. I know they talk about giving up money to play here in the 90s, but if that was only done with the presumed obligation of the braves to make unwise personnel decisions to appease them in the future, it isn’t that noble of a deed in the first place. These moves make all the sense in the world for the braves as an organization (if winning is a top priority), and I would hope that a 43 year old pitcher who cares about the braves’ success would happily step aside with his millions and enjoy watching Hanson and company start a new run at division tittles from a comfy seat most of us could ever hope to afford.
DirtyYuni
June 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
Anyone know how to pronounce McLouth?
Is it McLooth? Or McLowth?
Elements
June 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
TennesseePaul:
Yes, that helps.
pryguy
June 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
Hit one to win it tonight Jeff!! USA v Costa Rica soccer match coming on soon. Let’s end this one now!
McFann :Ô:
June 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
V. Jim this is a little late, but I’m glad you caught my comment on the non-double – it was intended for you.
I thought so!
abwright–
He better, or you’re gonna be in big trouble!
Mixxo
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Dirty Yuni –
Yup……Roger that!
Mike
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Pied- You’re a regular Nostradamus. I guess if they win tonight, Wren’s a genius. You really should be in the front office. Put in a call tomorrow. The Braves are looking for someone with your talent.
Original Jon
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Glavine threw low 90’s when he first came up, and I seriously doubt the reason Glavine was released is because of his 1 million dollars.
Vinings Jim
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Good hustle, Jeff!
BJones
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Nice hustle from Frenchy…
Tomahawkin
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Nice Hustle FRENCHY!
Jeff321
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Nice hustle by Frenchy — Now pinch run for him.
Baseball gods
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
See, we can do anything.
MFin04
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Jeff Francouer will drive any sane person crazy!
Nice hit!
Jake W.
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Good hustle by the French one.
TBF(n)K as Billy
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
wow PR for francour….lol
bravos2249
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Tomahawkin and Piedmont
Yeah I love MLB Network it’s better. Have either of you noticed how BBTN has tried to do the “Inside the Park ” thing. Well it’s better on MLB network cause they actually break in and let the original announcers talk.
Tomahawkin
I know you wouldn’t intentionally hit someone. but Lilly has a record of hitting players.
f.n.hale
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
“It’s amazing how many people can’t do a simple thing like look up defensive stats on the internet…” Steve from OH
Can’t speak for anybody else here, but I can and sometimes do look at defensive stats, but my brain tends to overheat at the sheer volume and depth of info. Seems like determining how quick a guy can get to a ball and how hard and accurate he can get rid of it wouldn’t be so complicated.
Goldenglove002
June 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
good hustle, he should have been able to make it to first, so I’m glad he did.
Mixxo
June 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
DirtyYuni
Yes!
abwright
June 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
I’m wondering if it is a requirement for new players coming to the Braves to have a last name that can be easily mis-spelled…
McLouth, Schafer, Medlen, Hanson, Vazquez
Meanwhile, the pre-2008 Francœur shows up, takes some pitches, and busts it down the line to beat out an in-field hit.
And, Barton gets his cup-o-coffee to pinch run for F.
Zephyr 8
June 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
Nice hustle by Francouer
RC
June 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
BB in the game!
Woah
June 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
Barton’s hair is amazing. I hope he stays instead of Gregor “.000/.000/.000″ Blanco.
Capt Caveman
June 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
ataway, Frenchy goes old school with a Baltimore Chopper and some hustle.
Chip Caray is a BUFFOON
June 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
“One of those a week and you add 50 points to your average”
abwright
June 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
BTW, Barton is who we got for Boyer.
David O'Brien
June 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
Barton pinch-running. He was brought up today to replace Campillo, back on DL, a move that went unnoticed by many of us.
Jake W.
June 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
Thinking the same thing pryguy and just really don’t want extras again tonight.
Uno-Ocho
June 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
Is that Barton or Curtis Pride with long hair?
Cyndi Lauper's Aura
June 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
lol, Bobby calls Garret “Andy”.
Mark
June 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
When did the Braves acquire the Crabman?
N8
June 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
What I like, is the blog “mood”. I was just leaving the house and saw the headline that Glavine had been released, but had to run. Then I popped the game on my ipod while at my son’s baseball practice, only to hear of the McClouth deal (I believe that DOB scolded MANY for suggesting we go after him last winter – apparently he wasn’t as “untouchable” as once thought – though we gave up a bunch for him – almost more “sure thing” prospects than we gave up for Tex – difference is that McClouth is EXACTLY what this team needed).
I just knew that when I got home I would be able to see the blog go from ripping Wren a new one, only to see the “turnaround” when the McClouth deal was announced. Too funny.
Wren made ALL the right moves today. He added a guy that is only 27 (only two years older than Jeff), has also won a GG, has more HR than our OF combined, and instantly leads the team in HR, RBI, SB. And he’s cheap.
Choosing Hanson over Glavine is the right move. (If you want to argue on the timing and how it was handled, fine – but it was the right move). Moving Medlen to the bullpen is the right move (and was as predictable as the sun rising).
Calling up Barton is the right move. Obviously Wren knew this was coming (the McClouth deal) when sending Schafer down to AAA, and the timing of how they handled Schafer is now very clear why it was done that way. As to not have to make the trade and THEN send him down. Brilliant. Not that Schafer won’t figure it out. But still smart.
Worst case scenario, if KK fails. Medlen steps in and takes his spot over, moving KK to the pen. KK is going to REALLY have to suck to make that happen.
What I suspect will happen, is that Hanson will eventually “bump” up to the 4th spot in the rotation, leaving KK to man the 5th spot, being the guy that gets skipped over (wanting to get steady, regular innings for Tommy).
Gotta hand it to Wren. He’s got balls. If these moves all fail, nobody can say any longer that he got caught “sitting on his hands”. I’m now thoroughly convinced that this team is serious about attempting to do some damage this year.
If you think about it. I think this is what they had in mind for Glavine all along. The way that contract was structured, left them “outs” to release him as soon as Hanson was ready, had Glavine been up to pitch sooner. With the flipside being that if Glavine was pitching well, he would have been a steal even with all the “on the roster” bonus money.
Wren’s not so dumb. Still should have addressed the OF in the off-season. But I heard him say on the radio that when they almost acquired Jason Bay at the deadline last year, they basically set the parameters for this trade, by knowing EXACTLY who the Pirates “liked” in the organization. So once it was made known to them that McClouth could be had, it happened quickly.
That is an “underappreciated” thing about being a negotiating GM. Just making a phone call about a guy you may never get, sets the guidlines for future trades.
Did we give up too much for McCouth? Maybe. But considering that Morton isn’t a sure thing, and Locke is a bit away from getting called up. We basically gave up Gorkys for McClouth who is ALREADY an all-star/GG CF who hits leadoff.
Which means that Wren basically traded Renteria for JJJ and McClouth.
Not bad.
Whether McClouth or Hanson dominate for this team, you watch the “result” that making the trade and calling Hanson up does for the rest of the team. It’s gonna fire them up. The Honeymoon period following these “moves” could be similar to McCann and Francoeur getting called up and injecting life into this team.
Still not sold it’s enough to win the division. But Wren did what I asked of him a few weeks ago.
1. He improved the team for THIS YEAR.
2. He improved the team for next year, as well by not making a trade for a “rental” player.
3. He didn’t give up Hanson, Medlen, Heyward or Freeman to do it.
Well done Frank.
MFin04
June 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
He’s getting sent down tomorrow, so mine as well get his uniform dirty.
cabravesfan
June 3rd, 2009
9:48 pm
DirtyYuni-
The 2nd way…Like Loud without the “d”
Salamander
June 3rd, 2009
9:48 pm
Barton’s haircut is awesome.
pryguy
June 3rd, 2009
9:49 pm
just move the runner over for chipper!
Mark
June 3rd, 2009
9:49 pm
I hate stolen base attempts.
Tomahawkin
June 3rd, 2009
9:49 pm
Another BS Call By The Umps!!!! Fck!!!!
Cyndi Lauper's Aura
June 3rd, 2009
9:49 pm
Well, gotta admire the guts to try.
Vinings Jim
June 3rd, 2009
9:49 pm
Bad call!
Jake W.
June 3rd, 2009
9:49 pm
He looked safe
RC
June 3rd, 2009
9:49 pm
That was a c******king call ump!
abwright
June 3rd, 2009
9:49 pm
Argh! Barton “caught” stealing.
Jeff321
June 3rd, 2009
9:49 pm
Barton was safe. I saw the damn replay twice.
David O'Brien
June 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Sure looked like Barton was safe on that slide
Mixxo
June 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Robbed!!!!!
Goldenglove002
June 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
I think the ump got that call wrong
Vol_In_Ohio
June 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Last night great work with the sacrifice bunting – went away from it tonight in the bottom of the ninth?
BJones
June 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Horrible call…..
brent a.
June 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Terrible call.
MFin04
June 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Yep Braves get screwed again!!! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG With umps against the braves?
JJ
June 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Aw..freak. His BACK leg was on the bag!!!