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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,107 comments Add your comment
pryguy
June 23rd, 2009
2:20 pm
first
pryguy
June 23rd, 2009
2:20 pm
Tomahawkin,
Good point at 1:55 from the previous blog. Living in Philly and attending Phillies games whenever they play the Braves or whenever I feel like putting up with their ignorant fans, I’ve realized they appeal to my age group (20-30 year olds) quite well. Tailgating is quite popular around these parts for Phillies games, and they cater to the college/young professional crowd as well as the family crowd. Never been to the Ted, but I could understand what you mean by appealing to certain crowds, and the Phillies do well with the atmosphere in and out of the stadium. Different way of following sports up here is what I presume. Intense fans who are pretty irrational and stupid for the most part, but dedicated to attending games nonetheless. That can be a whole other argument. I digress living up North my entire life, not really understanding the way of life down south with ya’ll.
McLouth of the South
June 23rd, 2009
2:22 pm
♣ Coming around: While Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson continue to struggle,
Why must you say these things DOB? WHY?
Don’t you know the frenchy flames fan themselves?
Wayne in Utah
June 23rd, 2009
2:24 pm
Great song and good report on the upcoming series. If we don’t light up Ming-Wang, then shame on the Braves.
Handsome Hanson
June 23rd, 2009
2:24 pm
There he is! nice pic!
RHR, don’t be scared
McFann :Ô:
June 23rd, 2009
2:25 pm
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief!
OK, here’s a Q for the denizens: With Tommy Hanson pitching tonight, who is gonna catch??
joe(shoyo wang)
June 23rd, 2009
2:25 pm
Play Prado Permanently!
cphizzle
June 23rd, 2009
2:25 pm
DOB you are the one who fuels the bashing francouer fire on this blog! now it makes sense as to why thats all this blog consist of, its all on you!
Wayne in Utah
June 23rd, 2009
2:26 pm
Tonight could be the beginning of Hanson taking his place at or near the top of the Braves rotation. Now, if we could just get Jeff to hit with some authority!!
joe(shoyo wang)
June 23rd, 2009
2:26 pm
frenchy’s flames— good idea for a fan section in right field
pryguy
June 23rd, 2009
2:27 pm
McFann,
McCann…Definitely! Can’t see him going tonight, after his night last night. Lefties rake against this dude.
cabravesfan
June 23rd, 2009
2:27 pm
What a great song
Man, I love Johnny Cash!
joe(shoyo wang)
June 23rd, 2009
2:27 pm
i think frenchy will flame one out to left field seats tonight. wishful thinking.
McLouth of the South
June 23rd, 2009
2:27 pm
Y’know McFann, I think I’d like to see Diaz get a shot back there…
cabravesfan
June 23rd, 2009
2:28 pm
McFann-
Unless Mac’s knee fell off at some point during the night there is no way he doesn’t catch…you did see Wang’s numbers against lefties, right
Tomahawkin
June 23rd, 2009
2:29 pm
From the Last Blog…
Pryguy…
Tomahawkin,
Good point at 1:55. Living in Philly and attending Phillies games whenever they play the Braves or whenever I feel like putting up with their ignorant fans, I’ve realized they appeal to my age group (20-30 year olds) quite well. Tailgating is quite popular around these parts for Phillies games, and they cater to the college/young professional crowd as well as the family crowd. Never been to the Ted, but I could understand what you mean by appealing to certain crowds, and the Phillies do well with the atmosphere in and out of the stadium. Different way of following sports up here is what I presume. Intense fans who are pretty irrational and stupid for the most part, but dedicated to attending games nonetheless. That can be a whole other argument. I digress living up North my entire life, not really understanding the way of life down south with ya’ll.”
Philles Fans are living the Spur of the Moment Plus there is no SEC Football Experience. You Can’t Tell Me That the PSU games Can tough The SEC…?
Paul Lentz
June 23rd, 2009
2:29 pm
Jeff Francoeur must have some serious blackmail on Bobby Cox.
joe(shoyo wang)
June 23rd, 2009
2:30 pm
maybe we can get some kids to sit in RF seats all wearing shirts that say: Frenchys Minor Leaguers.
Tomahawkin
June 23rd, 2009
2:31 pm
Mcfann…
B-Macc Better Be catching we are gonna need his Bat all week!!!
The lineup is already bad as it is (No Knock on B-Macc). The Lineup without B-Macc Is putrid and that is an understatement
TBrown
June 23rd, 2009
2:32 pm
Frenchys Minor Leaguers..thats good stuff joe
Tomahawkin
June 23rd, 2009
2:33 pm
Aight You Guys I want Matty-D in there at Right…The Bankee Pitchers Don’t know this Dude and his tendencys…
I don’t care If Francine Has been Hot! He’s been a Singles hitter for the Month who still isn’t clutch…
Heath (Cleveland)
June 23rd, 2009
2:34 pm
Oh…and just because there is a new blog, doesn’t mean we forget the word of the day. As a reminder: succint
rob from sc
June 23rd, 2009
2:34 pm
After looking over the minor league stats, it doesn’t look like Eric Campbell is going to be the long term answer at third base.
LT200
June 23rd, 2009
2:35 pm
I think Wang is just what the doctor ordered. Here is the chance to get the O on a roll and light a fire under the whole team. Go Braves!!
pryguy
June 23rd, 2009
2:37 pm
Tomahawkin,
Never been to an SEC game….but I will say PSU is pretty pretty cool experience.
Wayne in Utah
June 23rd, 2009
2:37 pm
rob from sc
I really don’t see anybody in our minors that stands out at either third or second.
Your idea last night to get Brandon Wood was a great idea, although I would be extremely surprised if we could come up with enough to get him.
red sox
June 23rd, 2009
2:38 pm
“Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says Neal Huntington is trying to build a young, athletic, defensive-minded outfield around Andrew McCutchen in Pittsburgh.”
and then promptly trade him.
joe(shoyo wang)
June 23rd, 2009
2:39 pm
who is brandon wood?
oldmike
June 23rd, 2009
2:40 pm
DOB- I knop I asked this before but- doesn’t Francoeur’s LONG struggles at least give some credence to the poor vision argument? He is lost most times up there.
McLouth of the South
June 23rd, 2009
2:40 pm
Frenchy’s Flailers?
F’in Francoeurs?
Jeff and Cate plus 8?
Heath (Cleveland)
June 23rd, 2009
2:41 pm
*sigh*
Two tenants just called… I need to go look at a refrigerator and a hot water tank. Ahhh, the joys of being a landlord. Anyone want to come help me?
rob from sc
June 23rd, 2009
2:41 pm
pryguy
My sister graduated from Penn State. She loved it there. She was there the same time as Lavar Arrington.
Ramblin Wrecker
June 23rd, 2009
2:41 pm
DOB,
Has anyone asked Bobby Cox why he hasn’t allowed Martin Prado a chance at the everyday 2B job? Is it the groin injury?
Every time I see him play it seems he hits a HR or a 2B. And he has a nice approach at the plate.
McFann :Ô:
June 23rd, 2009
2:42 pm
pryguy, cabravesfan, Tomahawkin–
Reason I asked was ’cause Tommy did so well in his last start, which Ross caught. But I think you guys (and girl
) are right–hu, unless BMac woke up really sore…I think if he could finish the game last night, he should be OK to go today.
I haven’t seen Wang’s numbers against lefties, but I’ve heard rumors…
McLouth of the South–
Careful what you wish for!
cabravesfan
June 23rd, 2009
2:43 pm
I don’t normally do this but with so many people interested in big minor league stats I decided to give it a try…
Check out these minor league numbers: (What would you say if you saw them? Good, not anything special…)
G 308
AB 1091
R 122
H 301
2B 87
3B 5
HR 36
RBI 176
BB 93
SO 178
AVG .276
OBP .335
SLG .464
OPS .799
Heath (Cleveland)
June 23rd, 2009
2:43 pm
…the worse part…the one hot…and I mean HOT chick moved out.
AndyC
June 23rd, 2009
2:44 pm
So stop complaining about the opposing fans and silence them. – DOB
To be honest, the Braves led the Cubbies the entire game last night and they scored 0 runs but the Cub fans were still very loud so I don’t think getting ahead of them has much to do with it unless it’s a blow out.
McLouth of the South
June 23rd, 2009
2:45 pm
We also welcome other RF fan sections:
Peter Paul’s Peters
Lentz’s Blintzes
Paulbob’s Handsinthepants
and, last but not least…
The “I kicked Paul Lentz’s ass” Facebook group! 25,000 members strong!
cabravesfan
June 23rd, 2009
2:46 pm
McFann-
DOB posted Wang’s numbers against lefties:
.457 mark (32-for-70) by lefty hitters, who have a .519 OBP and .771 slugging percentage against him, including 13 extra-base hits.
No way Mac’s missing this one
Jonathon
June 23rd, 2009
2:46 pm
Man, I am sick of hearing how “tradition rich” the Cubs, Red Sox and Yankees are. Newsflash – THE BRAVES ARE A TRADITION RICH FRANCHISE.
McFann :Ô:
June 23rd, 2009
2:47 pm
cabravesfan–
Huh…don’t know how I missed that! (Sorry, Chief!)
Oh yeah…BMac’s gotta be in there!
ryan c
June 23rd, 2009
2:50 pm
i dont post much, so i am going to re-post my response to our fan base from the end of the last thread:
atlanta is a melting pot of many cities all over the country, so the fan base is not as strong as many other cities. plus, turner field has absolutely no “walk up attendance” so there arent many “spur of the moment” fans. atlanta’s fan enthusiasm and attendance have been just average for quite some time. i blame it on 2 things:
1. the inability to win the big show. 1 world series in 14 straight division winning years is not going to sit well with the fan base. in lesser words, braves fans got bored with being good but not great.
2. no high profile players. even though i hate john rocker, he was a reason to go to a game because he caused a spark. the braves relaxed fanbase is a reflection of the relaxed clubhouse. the braves need a little chili powder in their melting pot. solution: instead of signing a guy that “fits” in the clubhouse, sign a big name that doesnt fit into the clubhouse. heck, it might put a few extra butts in the stands and give the fans something to get pumped up about. the last risky signing we had as far as “attitude” is concerned was gary sheffield. sheffield put up great numbers here and probably helped sell some tickets along the way. the term “clubhouse cancer” is overworked and good teams deal with controversy well, and i’m sure the braves could look over a little attitude, in turn for production.
a little media hype in atlanta would be a good thing.
Goldenglove002
June 23rd, 2009
2:51 pm
Braves better dominate Wang tonight. He’s horrible. horrible. If the braves can’t score atleast 5 off of him than I denounce this offense.
sportsmandh
June 23rd, 2009
2:52 pm
Hope Hanson kicks butt tonight. Hope he keeps the walks down too.
I got one thing I’ve noticed about Hanson the 1st few times I’ve seen him. And don’t think I’m making it a big deal, just an observation. He doesn’t have a very fluid throwing motion, if you’ll notice he kind of clutches or double clutches right before he throws the ball. It’s very unique. Only reason I bring it up is I hope that type of motion isn’t one that is hard on the shoulder or elbow over time. I always here people say Jake Peavy has a rough throwing motion and people predict him throwing his arm out. I have no reason to think this could happen to Hanson, I just noticed he throws a unique way. The results of course are great.
rammerjammer
June 23rd, 2009
2:53 pm
Frank is working the phones right now for an outfielder with pop. You know he is.
Vazquez is the bait if the bat is huge. Medlen (who hasn’t pitched since June 14) is the bait if the bat is promising. Francoeur is the bait if the bat needs a “fresh start.”
Lunatic Fringe
June 23rd, 2009
2:55 pm
Andy C
To be honest, the Braves led the Cubbies the entire game last night and they scored 0 runs but the Cub fans were still very loud so I don’t think getting ahead of them has much to do with it unless it’s a blow out
I am all for a blow out or three!
jeffrey d
June 23rd, 2009
2:56 pm
Man this new AJC layout is awful….they put the HBCU blog on the sports page, not O’Brien’s?
McLouth of the South
June 23rd, 2009
2:57 pm
Vazquez is the bait if the bat is huge. Medlen (who hasn’t pitched since June 14) is the bait if the bat is promising. Francoeur is the bait if the bat needs a “fresh start.”
And Bobby cox is the bait if the bat died six months ago
Travis
June 23rd, 2009
2:57 pm
One of the big reasons the Braves don’t draw as well as the some of the small market teams like Milwaukee Kansas, city etc is because of the outstanding weather and outdoor activities that don’t cost money to enjoy. Take a family of four to the ballpark and you are brwonbagging your lunch for the rest of the week. Excellent tv coverage will eventually take it’s toll on the Yankee attenndance just like it did in Atlanta. There is life after the Braves trust me.
toga party
June 23rd, 2009
2:58 pm
Please score some runs tonight! There’s no way I’ll be able to tolerate my Yankee fan co-workers if we can’t even beat Chin-Ming Wang.
Light ‘em up Tommy. Big stage tonight.
Great song DOB! I realize I’m emasculating myself a bit here, but you should check out Brandi Carlile’s live version. Absolutely brings the house down. I’ll link it up if I can find a good version on youtube.
beekay
June 23rd, 2009
2:58 pm
Would love to see the ol’ blog a few months back when Wren pulled the trigger on the Javy trade. So many people complaining and bashing him. J.V. is one of the most consistent pitchers in the MLB. We got him for a 4A shortstop and a low ball catcher that would have never seen the field…….I’m starting to warm up to Loaf, he is starting to rake. Him and Matty hopefully can make the platoon work…..Diory needs to go back down. There has to be a ss in our organization that can get a hit every 10 times up. I thought his range and arm were suspect yesterday as well
Adam Dunn
June 23rd, 2009
3:02 pm
good post ryan c. exactly what is going on right on point. on the other hand, mcclouth of the south= same garbage. trade vazquez (arguably our most consistent, best pitcher right now who is a k machine) and trade escobar (most consistent rbi producer with risp and outs…. without these guys dumbas* our team would go south ……
McLouth of the South
June 23rd, 2009
3:04 pm
Hmmmm….
A new poster with a new name speaking of something spoken about yesterday. Why, whoever could it be?
jeffrey d
June 23rd, 2009
3:05 pm
It’s Adam Dunn
Wayne in Utah
June 23rd, 2009
3:05 pm
Soriano vs Gonzalez
Which one is more valuable? more signable? higher trade value? more likely to fall off the table?
The Braves have TWO top notch closers in these guys. A luxury for sure. Can we afford this luxury when we need another bat in the lineup? Who would be a good trading partner?
Do we keep them both, and try to win more 3-2 games, or trade one of them for some help? Do we trade one for some future help?
Which contending teams need a closer or a strong set-up guy, and still have a bat they can deal?
Lunatic Fringe
June 23rd, 2009
3:06 pm
Here I am slaving away at work, trying my best to keep up with the blog and I read a comment like, “There is life after the Braves trust me.”
Makes me want to quit reading and do something useful.
ease19
June 23rd, 2009
3:08 pm
Speaking of Medlen, does anybody know WHY he has not pitched…I mean only twice since Hanson came up…and Bennett pitches every other hour…very bizarre
Chop It Up All-star
June 23rd, 2009
3:08 pm
DOB,
You’re right about Amanda Peet. Something about her is just damn sexy!!
Renegator
June 23rd, 2009
3:08 pm
Tonight is the perfect set up for a HUGE let down. The fan base is starting to feel a little optomistic as the Braves won last night and looked pretty good against the Bo Sox. On top of that, the Braves are facing a pitcher who they should light up.
Just saying – sounds like a perfect Braves let down tonight…
Wayne in Utah
June 23rd, 2009
3:09 pm
Tampa Bay???
McLouth of the South
June 23rd, 2009
3:10 pm
Wayne, I think that’s the problem. Nobody who’s contending wants to deal a bat, and nobody wants to admit they aren’t contending. It will require two deals to get a bat IMO. One to get some prospects and dump some salary, then one to get a bat. That’s the whole point about Vazquez. If we sell high on him now we could get good prospects plus dump his 11.5 annual. You then can turn around and buy a $10 mil type bat such as Adam Dunn, or two smaller but potent bats like LaRoche and Cody Ross as I’ve mentioned before.
jeffrey d
June 23rd, 2009
3:10 pm
So your glass, Renegator, half full, is it?
McFann :Ô:
June 23rd, 2009
3:11 pm
Goldenglove002–
What if they score 4?
rammerjammer
June 23rd, 2009
3:13 pm
And let me say, I am not advocating a trade of Vazquez. He is a horse. But to GET you have to GIVE. And he is our most attractive GIVE.
And, theoretically, we could slide Medlen into the rotation for the balance of the season or until Hudson is ready.
Is there a risk? Good grief, of course there is! But this team will not make the postseason with the RF production it currently gets. Just won’t.
Coastal
June 23rd, 2009
3:15 pm
Heard it here first, Braves will sweep the Empire. I HAVE SPOKEN!
McLouth of the South
June 23rd, 2009
3:15 pm
It ain’t like LF has set the world on fire either…
Renegator
June 23rd, 2009
3:16 pm
jeffrey d
My glass is realistic.
Wayne in Utah
June 23rd, 2009
3:17 pm
McLouth
Good point. As much as I would love to have Dunn in our lineup, could we survive with two extremely weak defenders on the corners?
I would prefer Cody Ross.
Would the Pirates take Kotchman for LaRoche??? I don’t think so, with one of their top prospects being a first baseman….Pierce (sp).
RHR
June 23rd, 2009
3:19 pm
*breaks* Renegator’s glass.
What now?
beachcomber
June 23rd, 2009
3:19 pm
Wayne in Utah – great 3:05 post. Wish I had the answers to some very tough questions. Well – do have one answer, we need to do our damnest to make sure we have one of them in the fold for next year. As you allude to – having both again next year is probably a luxury we cannot afford.
MiltonDawg
June 23rd, 2009
3:21 pm
DOB: nice call the other day on White Rabbits..good stuff. Going to the game tonite. Pumped to see Hanson pitch. We need to make a statement tonite (and not the losing kind). I’ll be in left field giving Damon crap. Anyone want me to say anything to GA?
McLouth of the South
June 23rd, 2009
3:21 pm
Pessimists always call themselves realists. Of course, that’s because pessimism is their reality…
In honor of Frenchy I think the lyrics for the next blog should be Bloodhound Gang’s “Why’s Everybody Always Pickin’ On Me?”
Oh Boy! Oh Boy! Oh Boy!
June 23rd, 2009
3:21 pm
I don’t know how anyone could say the Braves don’t play entertaining baseball! Consider this;
Hanson may throw a 3 hitter tonight and the Braves squeak out a 3-1 win against the Yanks. Hanson may throw a 3 hitter tonight and the Braves tee off on Wang and win going away.
Hanson may throw well and the Yanks nip the Braves 2-1.
Hanson may be beaten like the red-headed stepchild he is by the Yanks, with the Bombers scoring at will against Hanson and the Braves!
Anything can happen with this Braves team! Tonight, they may look like World Series contenders or they may look like they have never seen a baseball before.
Ain’t they fun?
semiballcoach
June 23rd, 2009
3:21 pm
leftfield, rightfield, firstbase, and rightfield are the only things keeping the braves from winning consistently
semiballcoach
June 23rd, 2009
3:22 pm
mclouth—that’d be the then=me song for bobby’s nose
jeffrey d
June 23rd, 2009
3:22 pm
*breaks* Renegator’s glass.
oooooooooooooooooooooh snap
MiltonDawg
June 23rd, 2009
3:23 pm
Renegator @ 3:08: i have an uneasy feeling too. this should be a game to light it up..but with these bats lately..let’s just say i never bet on the braves.
bravito199
June 23rd, 2009
3:23 pm
The Yankees need setup help how about Mike G for Xavier Nady( if he comes back healthy) or Nick Swisher
cabravesfan
June 23rd, 2009
3:23 pm
RHR-
That’s why I use plastic glasses
rob from sc
June 23rd, 2009
3:24 pm
cabravesfan
What minor leaguer has put up those numbers
McLouth of the South
June 23rd, 2009
3:25 pm
Careful Wayne, I suggested Kotchman for LaRoche and got called everything but a m-fer. Course, I said they should offer to take Jack Wilson back to sweeten the deal, send Frenchy down, and ship Yunel to the Marlins for Cody Ross and prospects. Maybe that’s why.
Seriously, I don’t think Pierce will be ready for awhile yet. Kotchman is a FA after 2011, which is probably about right.
The Kid from Crocodile Tears
June 23rd, 2009
3:27 pm
Dude, we gotta get outta here… I just sharted.
cabravesfan
June 23rd, 2009
3:28 pm
rob from sc-
Brian McCann
RHR
June 23rd, 2009
3:29 pm
Anyone want me to say anything to GA?
Yell LOAF! real loud. I just want to know if he turns his head in acknowledgment.
Red cups are the way to go, right cab?
Renegator
June 23rd, 2009
3:31 pm
Call it pessimism, call it realism – whatever. All I know is that based off what the Braves have done the last 4 years. I wouldn’t get too excited about the Braves “turning it around” any time soon…
McLouth of the South
June 23rd, 2009
3:31 pm
Y’all leave Garret alone.
He just like to practice his home run trot on account he plans to hit one some day.
rob from sc
June 23rd, 2009
3:31 pm
He turned out pretty good, and didn’t sniff triple A.
cabravesfan
June 23rd, 2009
3:33 pm
RHR-
Only while tailgating at football games (they are perfect for…lots of things actually
) At home I use the fancy hard plastic…
Shamus Thacker
June 23rd, 2009
3:33 pm
“”Wang is 0-5 with a 12.30 ERA in nine games (six starts) this season, with a .410 average and six homers allowed in 26-1/3 innings. Seriously, that’s bad, and get this: As a starter, he’s 0-5 with a 16.69 ERA.”"
With our history against scrub pitchers, we could easily be looking at a “Cy-Ming Wang” story in The Post tonight.
Don’t believe that’ll happen though…
cabravesfan
June 23rd, 2009
3:33 pm
rob from sc-
yup. Perfect example of why you can’t just rely on the numbers
dmack2027
June 23rd, 2009
3:34 pm
Any chance the Braves engage Texas in talks for Andruw?
Personally I thought the Braves should have signed him in the winter. He is having a repectable season there and would fill the void for a right handed presence in the lineup.
Wayne in Utah
June 23rd, 2009
3:34 pm
McLouth
I would be OK with both of those deals, although I think the Pirates would require more than just Kotchman for LaRoche and Wilson.
As bad as I would hate to give up on Escobar, I think he might eventually end up elsewhere. Problem is we really don’t have anybody in the system that has shown that they might be an heir apparent to ANY of the infield positions, except for first base. Dealing Escobar would just make us more vulnerable.
While I like Prado and Infante, they are no better than utility infielders.
jeffrey d
June 23rd, 2009
3:35 pm
Cy Ming Wang sounds like a schezuan dish
jeffrey d
June 23rd, 2009
3:36 pm
While I like Prado and Infante, they are no better than utility infielders.
Exactly! Infante got off to a hot start so people here are talking like he’s an all star. But reality is he’s a career .260’s hitter.
Wayne in Utah
June 23rd, 2009
3:36 pm
dmack
Please, no thanks. Go back and look at his numbers for the month of June. I bet you might change your mind. AJ is a has-been.
dmack2027
June 23rd, 2009
3:37 pm
By the way, the Braves reportedly almost acquired Jason Bay for Locke, Lillibridge, Brandon Jones, and Conception Rodriguez.
That would have been a great trade. However, I can see why the Pirates nixed it.
Self Reference
June 23rd, 2009
3:38 pm
Since the Dodgers are hitting well enough without him, and they could use another good starter, … how about give them back D. Lowe for Manny?
D.O.B. are Collins and Aldrich going in the draft?
monty
June 23rd, 2009
3:38 pm
Obvious after watching last night’s game that there were a couple of balls hit to short that Diory couldn’t get to that Esco could have and the one ball Diory did stop in the hole he couldn’t get enough on the throw to get the runner. That to me doesn’t bode well if you are going to be a light hitter. It was OK for Belliard not to hit because he was the original Pac-Man. Diory isn’t.
PWHjort
June 23rd, 2009
3:38 pm
Soriano has 45 K’s in 32 and 2/3 innings. Disgusting.
Wayne in Utah
June 23rd, 2009
3:38 pm
jeffrey
If you checked in here on the blog, you’d think sometimes both of those guys are perennial all-stars.
They are a lot like Matt Diaz, good players who will be exposed if over utilized.