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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,469 comments Add your comment
McFann :Ô:
June 30th, 2009
3:22 pm
Roman Gal oh yeah, and that guy of ours behind the plate. What’s his name?
Bryan McCain.
Steve from OH
June 30th, 2009
3:22 pm
I don’t think there’s any doubt that he needs to address that part of his swing, Rob. But stiking out, in general, is a vastly overrated area of offensive performance. It really doesn’t mean diddly squat for hitters.
Duke
June 30th, 2009
3:23 pm
Rob,
Just butting in, but I feel like if Jordan would get his hands a little farther back in a load position but not too far away from his body and not too high above his shoulders. He needs to work on a hands to the ball drill. Maybe a broom stick to golf balls. Just hitting the balls with the end of the broom stick using only his hands and wrist while rotating his body
Roman Gal
June 30th, 2009
3:25 pm
TnBrian-
Before I say anything, are you sure it’s plugged in?
Rob from SC
June 30th, 2009
3:26 pm
Duke
I really think his hand position is a major part of the problem.
McFann :Ô:
June 30th, 2009
3:26 pm
Dangit…no Van Pope?
Roman Gal
June 30th, 2009
3:27 pm
McFann-
Wait! Are you sure? I thought his name was Four-Eyes?
PWHjort
June 30th, 2009
3:27 pm
From what I gathered Schafer had problems bringing his hands in to adjust to the high and tight fastball. But I’m no expert.
Willy Wally
June 30th, 2009
3:27 pm
I’m just shocked to learn they have electricity in Tennessee these days so that TnBrian can charge up a laptop when he learns how to
Willy Wally
June 30th, 2009
3:29 pm
Brian McCann’t Start An All Star Game
DAP
June 30th, 2009
3:29 pm
epinephrine
re: your 3:08, you are right that victor martinez trade wont happen, but 1) the braves need to upgrade anywhere they can, and if that means 1st base, then do it. not getting a better first baseman because the one we have is under control for a few years is a terrible idea. the team needs t be improved, and 1st base is an area that could be upgraded.
2) this is correct
3) you have no way of knowing this unless you work i the braves front office.
4) the tribe would be looking for prospects anyways, not someone like vazquez.
TnBrian
June 30th, 2009
3:29 pm
Roman Gal, everything is plugged in…my Tn brain knows that much.
rammerjammer
June 30th, 2009
3:30 pm
Little league trophies = big league hissy fits? If Grace was being sarcastic, that’s pretty funny. If he was serious, well, that’s funny in a different way.
bmacnation.com
June 30th, 2009
3:30 pm
Roman Gal,
I think Tex loves NY so much because he has a secret passion for Broadway musicals. Not making that up, heard him say it in an interview last season.
N8
June 30th, 2009
3:31 pm
Why stop with simple trades of “bit” parts? Just do it right.
I propose trading the Braves for the Red Sox. But Wren must insist on keeping Hanson. The Chowders can keep Smoltz. Don’t want him. Oh. They can have Varitek and Ortiz, too. We’ll keep McCann and Francoeur. For one, McFann would be pizzed if she had to become a Red Sox fan, and what? You actually thought getting rid of 99 percent of the roster means Francoeur was actually going to go away? Dream on.
Here’s my lineup after the trade:
Drew RF
Pedroia 2B
Youkilis 3B
Bay LF
McCann CA
Kotsay 1B
Ellsbury CF
N. Green SS
And the Rotation:
Beckett
Wakefield
Hanson
Lester
Penny
Oh yeah. We’d have Boston’s bullpen too.
I predict THIS version of the Atlanta Braves might win the NL East (just so long as Bobby leaves Francoeur on the bench).
Rob from SC
June 30th, 2009
3:31 pm
Last thing on Schafer
He starts with his hands up front, then brings them back then up front again. He has swung through every fastball. He needs to try starting with his hands back. Get rid of all the extra movement.
McFann :Ô:
June 30th, 2009
3:31 pm
Roman Gal–
Hmm…I think you’re closer with that one…I think I better look this up…
Willy Wally–
Not cool.
Roman Gal
June 30th, 2009
3:31 pm
I think Tex loves NY so much because he has a secret passion for Broadway musicals.
There’s nothing wrong with Broadway musicals! He’s got that going for him.
Herschel Talker
June 30th, 2009
3:32 pm
It’s blind homer time, starring DOB. DOB will excuse anything and everything and will claim that the Braves “have ‘em just where they want ‘em!” Can we please get someone who will tell it like it is? Maybe Robert can start a blog.
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
June 30th, 2009
3:32 pm
18 Wheels of Love, what Grave meant was that players today think they are entitled to being treated like stars although they haven’t earned such a status. A lot of kids in little league are coddled and not really taught the right way and wrong way to do things. They are told how great they are even when they aren’t. I know what I’m talking about because I have 3 kids in little league and have spent every day for the last 3 months at a field of some kind and saw it everyday. Kids aren’t drvien to be the best they can be and the ones who are really good are pampered from a young age. So, when they get older they feel they should continue to be pampered and spoiled. Grace is totally right!
Knowitall
June 30th, 2009
3:33 pm
TnBrianRoman Gal, everything is plugged in
Next step, is your electricity on?
Roman Gal
June 30th, 2009
3:33 pm
TnBrian-
Just to be sure…
My laptop’s power cord has 3 places where it can come unconnected and stop the power flow. Is the cord completely put together without anything coming loose?
Coldwork
June 30th, 2009
3:33 pm
Schafer’s hands are low and his swing is long making it near impossible to get to a fastball above the belt on the inner half. Their are many fixes to this problem, but the hitter has to buy into any solution.
pinkygonzales
June 30th, 2009
3:33 pm
DOB,
Was wondering how far away Infante is from coming back and if there has been any discussion about sending both Hernandez and Blanco back to the minors when he does and perhaps bringing up a third catcher so Bobby could use David Ross more often in pinch hitting situations. He’s one of our biggest threats of the bench, but Bobby doesn’t like using him as a pinch hitter. But with Infante’s flexibility, he could be the fifth outfielder as well as a back-up infielder along with Prado. Also, wondering if Ross has ever taken any balls at first base. Just a thought.
Duke
June 30th, 2009
3:34 pm
Good point, any extra movement his usually bad movement. Keeping your body quiet and still is what a good hitter is looking to do.
Wes
June 30th, 2009
3:34 pm
You guys think we can get Viktor Martinez for John Halama?
Coldwork
June 30th, 2009
3:34 pm
I agree with the extra movement on Schafer’s swing Rob. Needs a more direct and simple swing.
Wes
June 30th, 2009
3:35 pm
Whoops: Victor
McFann :Ô:
June 30th, 2009
3:35 pm
Neight–
Yeah, you bet I would!
ncscoots
June 30th, 2009
3:35 pm
I really think his hand position is a major part of the problem.
Jeez, bro, we get that, LOL. The fifteen posts on it gave it away.
AndyC
June 30th, 2009
3:36 pm
McFann
Are you talking about what I think you are talking about? No, never mind. I don’t want to know.
dogsbrekky
June 30th, 2009
3:37 pm
Did I see that we had assigned KJ and Frenchy to AAA?
wait………
nope, didnt think so, and so until then we will be mediocrites !!!
DAP
June 30th, 2009
3:39 pm
N8, there is no such position as CA.
Willy Wally
June 30th, 2009
3:40 pm
No offense, but I haven’t heard that much complaining about hand positioning since, well, I’ll wait until McFann goes to bed to tell that one
18 Wheels of Love
June 30th, 2009
3:41 pm
I understand what Grace is talking about and I don’t agree with it. Tell McCann he is not driven. Tell that to Frenchy. Grace is taking a single example and trying to make a statement about society – and it doesn’t work that way. We have it easier than our parents did because we have the internet automatic coffee makers, does that mean we work any less than they did or are less driven? Not necessarily. There are just as many good players now as there were during Grace’s playing days and just as many whiny players. Pete Rose would say the same about Grace’s generation and Ty Cobb would say the same about Rose’s generation. It’s a funny thing to say but it doesn’t carry any weight.
McFann :Ô:
June 30th, 2009
3:41 pm
AndyC–
Well, it wasn’t anything naughty, if that’s what you’re wondering…
TnBrian
June 30th, 2009
3:41 pm
Roman Gal, yeah mine is like that and everything looks fine. Oh well, appreciate the help!
BL
June 30th, 2009
3:43 pm
The only place Schafer’s hands need to be are around a dumbell trying to get stronger. His 63 K’s on the year STILL lead the team and those games still count whether he is in the minors or not! Tired of hearing about KJ and Frenchy on here. Time to start holding EVERYONE on this year’s club accountable. Those 2 haven’t held 1-6 spots all that much this year have they?
Greg in TN
June 30th, 2009
3:44 pm
Afternoon denizens…
It’s okay DOB, you can say it. It’s a pretty key series with the lads of Ben Franklin coming to town and I think it’s pretty amazing that the Braves have already matched the win total against those pfree pfalling pfills. The Braves are 4-2 against both the pfills and the Nationals and need to continue the status quo if Wren and Co are to be buyers in a month’s time and not sellers.
Wheel of Fortune may not be visiting Danville anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean one can’t find a pleathora of consonants and vowells on the back of the uniforms of the D-Braves. Got to hand it to you, Roman Gal, I’ve been chuckling at the Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg watch so far (and isn’t that a GREAT name for a guy playing first by the way? Furstenburg? Classic).
But with Furstenburg, Ryohei Shimabukuro and Daniel Elorriaga-Matra all on the Danville roster at the same time, I have to wonder if the D-Braves are going to have Optometrist night at the ‘ol ballpark in Danville anytime soon.
Logan
June 30th, 2009
3:46 pm
Gwinnett just committed a league high 79th team error. Guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Lou 5 Gwinnett 1 bottom of the sixth.
cabravesfan
June 30th, 2009
3:46 pm
RG-
You made the decision easy…flames are a must
wjones
June 30th, 2009
3:47 pm
I wasn’t aware that Cuba had Little League. Strange that Escobar, of all people, would act this way. While you might expect McCann and Frenchy to feel entitlements, from their upper-middle class upbringings, here is a guy who risked his life to come here! Hard to understand.
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
June 30th, 2009
3:48 pm
18 Wheelers, you’re missing the point. It has nothing to do with good players. It has to do with attitude. For every Brian McCann I can show you 30 Yunel Escobars, Carlos Zambranos and Milton Bradleys. And even with Francouer. I can bet he always had those bad habits but because he was always so talented nobody ever wanted to confront him. But when he got to the Majors he was no longer the most talented kid on the field. He was just average and needed to make those adjustments but balked at doing it because he figured, “I’m fine the way I am. I’ve always been fine so I don’t need to change.” Dude, this current generation feels entitled in general. That is why most of them don’t want to work or put any effort into anything. They feel everything should just be handed to them.
Larry
June 30th, 2009
3:48 pm
“While so many people have focused attention on the Phillies, Mets and even the Braves, the Marlins are again getting the most out of their talent and competing for a division title despite home crowds even punier than the team payroll.”
Hear that? Most of their talent combined with the lowest payroll in baseball!
That, my friends, is called managing, coaching and leadership, a quality sorely lacking in the home team’s dugout at Turner field!
brent a.
June 30th, 2009
3:48 pm
We do cater to our kids in this culture; that said, I think most, if not all major leaguers worked very, very hard to get where they are and understand hard work and dedication.
Do you see Brian McCann acting like a spoiled brat all the time? Ever?
I think people have thrown fits all their life. I think they show up on ESPN 24/7 and like swine flu and a southern governor’s affair, we get inundated with this stuff like its big news.
Watch Ken Burns’ baseball documentary and see how many guys threw fits and played like spoiled brats.
Ty Cobb once pulled a Ron Artest and beat up a crippled man, and he was one of the all-time greats. In 1986 when Pete Rose was chasing Cobb, how much did you hear about that incident?
Roman Gal
June 30th, 2009
3:48 pm
I have to wonder if the D-Braves are going to have Optometrist night at the ‘ol ballpark in Danville anytime soon.
Haha. That’s a great idea! The Braves have some pretty freaky-named players…
Furstenburg? Classic.
Holy Cornelia! You’re right! Didn’t even think of that…Of course, now McFann and cabravesfan are really gonna be getting on my case.
Space Monkey
June 30th, 2009
3:50 pm
BL: Not sure I understand your 1-6 comment on KJ and Frenchy. KJ was leadoff “hitter” most of the year. Cox stubbornly stuck with him, even after the rest of the league knew he was a sure out. As for Frenchy, he played quite a few games in the 4-5-6 holes.
DOB: Thanks for turning me on to Gaslight Anthem. Very solid band.
Roman Gal
June 30th, 2009
3:50 pm
I do not fear you, cabravesfan. I am from the South. I know how to evade a flaming pitchfork!
N8
June 30th, 2009
3:50 pm
Sorry DAP. On that piece of information, Wren should back out of the proposed deal.
David O'Brien
June 30th, 2009
3:51 pm
Escobar’s in the lineup. Not sure about McLouth, but assuming he is. Haven’t been downstairs yet. Going now, had hoped they’d post lineup up here before I went down.
DAP
June 30th, 2009
3:52 pm
18 Wheels, i feel the same way, but i couldnt say it like that.
i was just going to say something like: its retarded to think that some people get bad attitudes when criticized because they all got trophies in little league.
not that i dont think we have alot of people who feel entitled to things that they arent, i just dont think its just because they all got trophies in little league. we do live in a society right now where it seems like the absolute worst thing you can do to someone is hurt their feelings. i hate that.
ncscoots
June 30th, 2009
3:52 pm
Don’t they also have a Kayaunnis (or something like that) on the Danville roster?
N8
June 30th, 2009
3:52 pm
Again, we’ve got the imposter back to play with the big kids.
The first 3:50 post to getsomewins was NOT me.
Looks like somebody could use some new Legos to play with. Wuz da madder, did mommy not hug you enough? Or did Uncle Chester hug you too much?
Time to go incognito again. Sooner or later, the smart ones will figure out my other moniker when there is imposters running wild on the blog.
Chop Chop
June 30th, 2009
3:52 pm
I’d tell you ’bout the crack I sold,
But I lost it in my left fat fold.
McFann :Ô:
June 30th, 2009
3:53 pm
Greg in TN Furstenburg? Classic.
Haha! So he has to stay at first now!
WW No offense, but I haven’t heard that much complaining about hand positioning since, well, I’ll wait until McFann goes to bed to tell that one
OK, I don’t know what that means, but keep in mind that I read a lot of the late-night blogging the next morning.
rammerjammer
June 30th, 2009
3:53 pm
TnBrian, is it plugged into a GFI outlet? You know, one with red and black buttons? Sometimes those circuits will lose power if there’s an electrical malfunction and you have to push the red button in to make the outlet “hot” again.
PWHjort
June 30th, 2009
3:53 pm
No, Larry, that’s called constantly selling off your players once they hit arbitration so that you keep payroll down and the farm stocked. And since nobody on the team has ever recieved a huge contract they all have that to play for. It’s simple, really. A great formula for extended periods of mediocrity followed by brief periods of success and excitement.
Roman Gal
June 30th, 2009
3:53 pm
Escobar’s in the lineup.
Yesssss. Quite frankly, I don’t care if he acts like a baby as long as we have the best lineup on the field.
DOB
Tell Bobby I’ll let him use my paddle next time Escobar acts up, ok?
brent a.
June 30th, 2009
3:53 pm
rose: 9/11/1985 (not 1986)
Larry
June 30th, 2009
3:53 pm
Further, if somehow we could witch uniforms with the Marlins and get their speed, contact and situational hitting, attitude, future outlook, and certainly their manager, I’d once again be excited about attending games at Turner Field.
But, with the Braves current group of hackers, pouters, and hopelessness in RF, LF, 2nd Base, 1st Base and the worst in-game, strategic, decision making manager in baseball, well, rather that going to Turner Field I’d rather have a root canal. Less painful experience!
kirkinga
June 30th, 2009
3:53 pm
I don’t think Escobar feels entitled. I do think there are some things that are attributed about him as bad, that are really might just a function of cultural differences.
So when he flares up at an ump or glares up at the scorer, these are things that he might have gotten away with in Cuba, but here seem…to some fans…in bad form.
I find it hard to believe that Escobar is all of a sudden acting in this manner and it is a complete surprise to the organization. Wasn’t he scouted before he was signed? Didn’t he play in the minors for a brief period after signing?
Escobar doesn’t beat his wife, doesn’t cheat and impregnate Hooters waitresses, doesn’t drive drunk, doesn’t abuse animals, doesn’t sell/use drugs(as far as we know), has not gotten into it with any fans, there have been no reported off-field incidents, no inflammatory comments made in the papers..including the Spanish-speaking press, he hasn’t killed his best friend in an accident, etc…
I find it really hard to paint Escobar as a problem child. To say that a kid who grew up dirt poor, in a totalitarian country, and had to face death to escape has a sense of entitlement akin to some suburban kid from the US. is beyond laughable.
From his perspective, he’s probably disgusted by the wimpy play of some of his teammates.
brent a.
June 30th, 2009
3:54 pm
have fun in the club house DOB.
bring back some good tidbits and a winning line-up.
McFann :Ô:
June 30th, 2009
3:54 pm
Neight–
Of course we know that those posts weren’t from you! They were much too short…
drinks on me today
June 30th, 2009
3:55 pm
The angels at Heaven’s Door are discussing recent events on earth
Angel 1 “Farrah Fawcett, what a beauty but who would want to be her kid, young O’neal they used to beat him to a pulp”
Angel 2, “Ah, the O’neals, that is nuttin’, poor ol’ Michael jackson used to get the bejesus beaten out of him by his dad, like all the time.
The 2 angels enter into a discussion with another baseball fan angel about whose child they would like to be…
Angel 3 pipes up, “I would want to be the child of an Atlanta Braves player”.
Angels 1 and 2 almost simulataneously reply, “Why in god’s name would you want to be a Brave’s kid”..
Angel 3, “Because Atlanta couldn’t beat anyone”
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
June 30th, 2009
3:56 pm
Here’s what I mean. Take McCann and Frenchy. McCann struggles he listens to his dad and Chipper and makes adjustments. Frenchy struggles and listens to Chipper but chooses to ignore Chipper’s advice and continues to suck. Now, as good as McCann plays does anybody thinks he has anywhere near the tools of Francouer? But, why is he successful and Francouer isn’t? McCann listens to instruction and doesn’t think the world revolves around him.
Roman Gal
June 30th, 2009
3:57 pm
Angel 3, “Because Atlanta couldn’t beat anyone”
Hey!!
That’s not true!You shouldn’t say that!dogsbrekky (confused and demoralized by '09 baseball)
June 30th, 2009
3:58 pm
Is Prado starting today, anyone, anyone
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2009
4:00 pm
Well if McLouth can’t make it, at least we have comfort in knowing that Bobby will still use the Blanco and KJ 1-2 knockout.
Mark
June 30th, 2009
4:00 pm
Kirkinga–Your comments are proof that as long as someone is playing well, they can get away with just about anything…Just look at Man-Ram and the antics he pulls but he gets away with them because he produces…Escobar is producing right now so fans like you are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt because you like the way he is playing…If he went on a Francoeur-esque streak at the plate and kept playing defense like he has been, people on this blog would be ripping him apart…Look at Francoeur, seems like a really good guy, but can’t hit a lick so he gets treated like garbage…
DAP
June 30th, 2009
4:00 pm
kirknga, your post has alot of truth to it…if the braves were winning, id bet you no one would even notice the way escobar acts.
Money
June 30th, 2009
4:01 pm
I think the Braves should trade Kelly Johnson to the local department store for a set of Turkey Underwear for all the players…
And if Frenchy claims that the team is 7-0 when he wears his Turks, then why doesn’t he wear them all the time?
Greg in TN
June 30th, 2009
4:01 pm
ncscoots Don’t they also have a Kayaunnis (or something like that) on the Danville roster?
Indeed they do Scoots, still have their roster up. Kuyaunnis Miles is an outfielder. Missed them in Greenville this past weekend, but may have to drive up to Kingsport in August just to see these guys and see how badly Kingsport’s PA guy mangles some of these guy’s names.
Klaus
June 30th, 2009
4:01 pm
Vmart is someone they can trade for and is not too expensive given what is coming off the books this winter.
Kotch is completely wrong for this ball club (what he brings) and Freeman is a 2012 ETA.
If Kotch is here until 2012 the Braves are screwed.
KJ, GA, JF, Diaz at a min will be gone this winter (if not sooner) so you can afford VMart and btw unless you are the Braves CFO you don’t know what they can afford. No one here does.
Vmart is a slugging and switch hitting 1B who can bat cleanup for the next 18mos at a min. If you can extend him (will be cheaper than trying to extend Holliday for example) you build a powerful bridge to Freeman if he makes it.
Kotch is a human book mark and an inferior one as well for this club. Put him on a power team and his weaknesses will mean little. On this team he is just more of the same – single/doubles hitting guy (who is as slow as dirt) with no power and no shot at driving in lots of runs.
Bench KJ for Prado and trade for VMart and the team improves 30% at minimum.
retired scout
June 30th, 2009
4:03 pm
Hey Rob from SC, why didn’t you let Bobby Cox or Pendleton know about how to help Schafer hit 93 m.p.h. fastballs on the inside half and a little up in the zone…in fact, almost every major league hitter could use this knowledge. Guess it’s only a matter of time until you are “discovered” and take over as hitting instructor for some MLB organization.
drinks on me today
June 30th, 2009
4:03 pm
Robert – McCann started the year half blind and batting less than $2, yet got some eyewear and is now batting, err, err near $3.30 yes! The man is the best offensive catcher in MLB since Pizza boy.
THE GUY HAS more talent than many think and a pile more in his big toe than that idiot who plays RF.
Frenchy on the other hand, goes to the supposed “god” of batting coaches, gets some instruction that upon implementation works well after the ST adjustments. He starts the year hitting over $3 with very few Ks and occassional power but decides that Rudy J, TP, Chipper and all else and sundry should NOT be listened to…
that is not a guy with “talent and tools” but an arrogant, ignorant imbecile..
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2009
4:03 pm
Sweet Lord, are we still talking about Victor Martinez?
Larry
June 30th, 2009
4:04 pm
PWHjort,
I understand your reasoning, though I believe overstated and over simplified. Regardless, they’ve won two World Series since the last time the Braves won their only title. Second, who do you think is best equipped to win the next one at this very moment?
I’ll pick the Marlins!
jeffrey d
June 30th, 2009
4:05 pm
Man…Schafer gets a hit and you guys still rag on him….for getting a hit!
ncscoots
June 30th, 2009
4:06 pm
Certainly, Cuban players are more demonstrative in their leagues than their American counterparts. However, Escobar isn’t in Cuba, anymore. Even though he has less than two years experience in MLB (and that could be part of it, i guess), it’s time he learns to channel that ferocity rather than feature it as a petulant display. And, no, I don’t want him play buttoned-down…just put that anger to constructive use.
Rodney Derrick
June 30th, 2009
4:06 pm
DOB– What Mark Grace is really saying speaks to the issue of ACCOUNTABILITY. And no one on the Braves seems to call anyone to account except Yunel, who is not deserving of such treatment as he is the most clutch player on the team. It is strange though to read that Little League players all get rewards. Hey when my batting average fell from .530 when I was eleven to .130 when I was twelve and when I also beaned several guys when they tried me at pitcher and I had numerous passed balls when they tried me at catcher, no one gave me an award. Too bad that it turned out several years later that my left eye had become very near-sighted in between years eleven and twelve. No laser surgery or fabulous glasses to fix the problem. Of course, those were the days of Eisenhower and Nixon in Washington and Marvin Griffin in the Georgia statehouse. A very different time, so while accountability has changed, there have been a few positive changes. Hey, we can even blog on the internet.
dogsbrekky (confused and demoralized by '09 baseball)
June 30th, 2009
4:06 pm
Klaus – Casey is a 5 star 1st baseman and at a minimum has probably improved our chances of winning games…..
ie when the other sides of the IF have not coughed up retarded errors
AndyC
June 30th, 2009
4:06 pm
McFann
Ok. Good. You had me wondering there for a minute.
N8
June 30th, 2009
4:06 pm
No. I may be long-winded, but I’m more clever than that. But thanks for asking.
DAP
June 30th, 2009
4:07 pm
mark
people would probably just mostly feel sorry for jeff if it werent for his comments last year about being “betrayed” by the braves for sending him down, or patting himself on the back this year for drawing a walk.
i agree jeff seems like a good guy, but like kirknga was saying…escobar stays out of trouble. plays well, but actually gets treated worse than jeff does.
sure, bench the guy for not doing what he is supposed to do on the field, which is play hard and play the right way, but jeff gets in the lineup almost every night despite his extremely poor performance.
for everyone else, by the way, DOB specifically said at the beginning of the mark grace story that they werent talking about escobar.
Klaus
June 30th, 2009
4:07 pm
I will agree the Indians don’t appear to be shopping him but the Giants are scouting him this week.
The Giants must think there is a chance so they sent their top scout out to see him.
Sometimes the obvious trades or guys who are being shopped are not the ones you get. Look no further than Nate McLouth.
How many sites had him out for sale? None!
ncscoots
June 30th, 2009
4:07 pm
just to see these guys and see how badly Kingsport’s PA guy mangles some of these guy’s names.
Greg, you gotta get tape of that, my friend, LOL; it will probably be worth the price of admission!
AZBravoFan
June 30th, 2009
4:07 pm
I have to agree with 18 Wheels. Players’ attitudes today have nothing to do with kids all getting trophies for playing. That only happens in the recreational leagues and mostly at the younger ages. The kids that really have talent leave those leagues pretty early and join all-star teams, travel teams, and club teams where the competition is cut-throat and there is only one trophy.
18 Wheels of Love
June 30th, 2009
4:08 pm
Robert, I would argue that McCann has more tools than Jeff because he has the mental capacity to make changes that make him a better player. Frenchy lacks that ability and therefore doesn’t have the tools that McCann has. It’s the elite players that can take knowledge and transform it into production. Frenchy may have the knowledge and ‘tools’ as you say, but he lacks that ‘it’ quality to turn it into production.
BL
June 30th, 2009
4:08 pm
Robert, I am sure after the last year and a half, Frenchy does not think the world revolves around him. Worst post of the day so far in my book.
richbrave
June 30th, 2009
4:09 pm
What pray tell is LOL!
18 Wheels of Love
June 30th, 2009
4:11 pm
Rodney Derrick,
I think a question that needs to be asked is if Bobby is talking to Yunel about his problems on the field or if he is just benching him to make a statement? If he is just benching him and leaving the talking to Chino then I think Bobby is doing Yunel a disservice. I know there is the language barrier but Bobby needs to address this mano y mano with Yunel. I just wonder if benching someone without directly addressing the issue gets the point across?
dogsbrekky (confused and demoralized by '09 baseball)
June 30th, 2009
4:11 pm
Trophies for everyone, is that true
god… and I thought only the socialist nits in my birth country did “sheet” like that, what is the world coming too, wanting to encourage kids to have fun and enjoy their exercise and feel special and part of a team ……
I am sure Pujols must think he is only so great because he didnt have to share trophies with the suckee kids when he was 9 !
Jeff R
June 30th, 2009
4:12 pm
“Grace had a general answer that I had’t really thought about, for the attitude or entitlement or thin skin that it seems like a lot of younger players have these days.”
”This is the first generation of players to come along since Little League starting giving out trophies to everyone who played,” he said.”
Amen to that. A lot of prima donnas around these days.
This “there are no losers” approach today is inane. Can’t win all the time…
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
June 30th, 2009
4:12 pm
Or Frenchy is just stubborn and refuses to change because its the way “he’s always done it” and it works just fine.
My point is this. As obnoxious as my generation was when I was a kid (I’m 34) I worked everyday to earn money. These kids today expect their parents to give them money and they don’t think they have to work at all. It is an attitude that pervades all of society.
jmart1951
June 30th, 2009
4:13 pm
18 Wheels of Love:
I agree with you. If the new crop of players feel entitlement it is not because every kid gets a trophy in Little League. The major league players would still be the ones that were receiving most valuable player awards. And how would all of the other kids receiving a participation trophy give the now major leaguer a feeling of entitlement.?
In most cases, throughout sports, the superstars are identified early and are given advantages and pampered throughout their school days. When practically everyone you are in contact with fawns over you and tells you how great you are its hard not to start believeing the hype. Here is where parents make the difference. Some parents are worse than their “entitled sons” as they live in the glow of his success. Other parents still demand discipline, courtesy, kindness and standards.
We are all wired differently and it makes managing 25 players that much more of a challenge. It is the managers responsibility to figure out how best to interact with a player. The same type of discplinary action does not work for every player. This is one way that the good manager earns his keep.
McFann :Ô:
June 30th, 2009
4:15 pm
AndyC–
Haha…if it had been anything naughty, I don’t think I’d be on this Blog…not as “McFann”, anyway…
18 Wheels I would argue that McCann has more tools than Jeff because he has the mental capacity to make changes that make him a better player.
Right!
Bravesfaninmetsland
June 30th, 2009
4:15 pm
DOB:
That mark Grace quote was on ESPN the other day, but i don’t think it was Mark who was saying it. And secondly come on man. No U2 song to celebrate the kick off of the new 360 tour tonight? Where’s the love for Bono and the boys?
cabravesfan
June 30th, 2009
4:16 pm
RG-
Do I want to know why you have a paddle? And does Nolie know about your…fondness for RSF? (no way in hell I am learning to spell that one) As for the flaming pitchfork…I’m sure I could come up with something esle. This is LA after all
kirkinga
June 30th, 2009
4:17 pm
Mark, your comments are proof that you can’t read. What is “it” that Escobar has gotten away with?
“It” certainly isn’t anything like other Braves players, managers, and Atlanta pro athletes have done. So the idea that he’s producing and has gotten an excuse is laughable too.
Perhaps you want him to be a good ol’ boy and he is never ever going to be that. That was part of what I was saying. Where he is from, certain shows of emotion are not seen as bad, but here they are. Just because someone is different does not make them bad…or a problem.
None of the “incidents” in which he has been involved has risen to the level of beating your wife, or driving drunk, or any of the other examples of truly bad behavior we’ve seen from athletes.
There shouldn’t be a double standard and it’s really not hard to notice that some fans, like yourself, judge Escobar differently than you do other players and their managers, owners (Rankin Smith Jr. anyone?)
dogsbrekky (confused and demoralized by '09 baseball)
June 30th, 2009
4:17 pm
Robert – I think the attitude of any generation is person specific… my parents did not give me a thing because they had little loot. My kids get quite a bit but are expected to know the value of work and making their own way in the world… now if other kids do not learn those lessons then it is the PARENTS fault not the spoiled brat, yes ?