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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,426 comments Add your comment
Mitchie-san
July 30th, 2009
2:34 pm
First?
Mitchie-san
July 30th, 2009
2:36 pm
Whoa….
nfieldr
July 30th, 2009
2:37 pm
Second? Always wanted to do that
eyy
July 30th, 2009
2:42 pm
(So that is doesn’t go unnoticed from the old blog):
DOB: Any idea why Zeke Spruill was sent to the GCL today? Certainly its not a performance-based demotion, right?
Hillbilly
July 30th, 2009
2:43 pm
DOB,
I watched Shotgun Stories on Sundance last night. I’ll say is was very good, not great. Very accurate depiction of the South-Eastern part of Arkansas. The dialogue was spot-on for our state, and the scenery was well-displayed. Good performances by the actors, but I liked it for the local feel. And you can’t go wrong when Ben Nichols is involved. Thanks or the recommendation.
kdbanks
July 30th, 2009
2:45 pm
Best move Wren could make right now is dropping Norton and calling up Conrad.
HeywardTheFuture
July 30th, 2009
2:47 pm
Kotchman kills us.
mike28212
July 30th, 2009
2:47 pm
I seem to recall that the second base umpire approached Anderson after he doubled following McCain’s at bat. I wondered at the time if he was asking Garrett what happened since he was at bat during the altercation between Hohn and Cox. I have no way of knowing if that was the discussion or if an umpire would even do that. I thought maybe he was as confused as everyone else as to why Hohn took out the line up card.
Shamus Thacker
July 30th, 2009
2:49 pm
Nice Blog DOB
McFann Ô
July 30th, 2009
2:52 pm
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief! very int’resting stuff in there.
Mr. Hohn has way to short a fuse, IMHO…I’ve seen Bobby throw his hands in the air in the dugout over calls all the time, and the umps just let it go. Ho ho! But not Billy the Kid…always gotta be starting something. He seems to be a smart aleck…
And I don’t know if it was the best idea for BMac to continue the argument in between innings, but I sure cann understand why he was ticked! But in his AB, did he have to ground into a double-play? Of all the things he could have done…
It’s not been a good trip for Brian McCann.
No, it hasn’t…jeepers! It’s been pretty awful. And even when he has a good game he GDP with the bases loaded…
Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty
July 30th, 2009
2:53 pm
I’ve seen replays of the strike call on McCann and it was clearly outside. Not sure if you know this or not Dave, but, isn’t Hohn more accountable with the league now, with QuestTec or whatever system is in place? And to hear of the fist-bumb now….not happy and can only imagine how the players feel! Reminds me of Eric Gregg in the playoffs against the Marlins…made Livan Hernendez look like Greg Maddux!
Wayne in Utah
July 30th, 2009
2:54 pm
Is there really new bloggage again? I expect not.
Shamus, quit sucking up!
Nice Blog DOB!
semiballcoach
July 30th, 2009
2:54 pm
billy hohn was the model for mario bros
Where is the Blog?
July 30th, 2009
2:56 pm
am i getting blog blind or something???
McFann Ô
July 30th, 2009
2:56 pm
semiballcoach–
Mama mia!
ray k.
July 30th, 2009
2:57 pm
DOB, I agree that Hohn should have declined Baker’s extended fist, but that would have demanded he assess the situation and make a split second decision on whether it’s out of bounds or not. I am trying to think of an occupation that would demand such reflexive acuity… hmmm……
There’s a nice discussion about the fist bump and my take on why Hohn’s actions are punishable at http://tomahawktake.com/
McFann Ô
July 30th, 2009
3:02 pm
Hello? Is mine just not refreshing?
18 Wheels of Love
July 30th, 2009
3:04 pm
Who’s on first?
brian
July 30th, 2009
3:04 pm
hey DOB – can I assume that this is the new bloggage?
Wayne in Utah
July 30th, 2009
3:05 pm
McFann
Lunch Menu
Wheat Bread, Mayo, Two slices of Chicken Breast (covering ALL the bread completely), two slices of yellow cheese (not white), and 3 slices of fresh tomato from my garden, with a liberal amount of salt and pepper!
Enjoy!
PS: There is a blue jay on my deck. He doesn’t know that there is a killer in the vicinity!
nemov
July 30th, 2009
3:05 pm
I have felt all season the Braves are a year away. It’s a sad waste of a great pitching staff, but the team is too far in the hole to make the playoffs. This push should have come in June. The Phillies have run away with thing and overcoming 4 other teams in the wild card chase isn’t likely. The Bravos would have to play lights out for the rest of the season. I just think this team has it in them
Shamus Thacker
July 30th, 2009
3:06 pm
I’m so confused
brian
July 30th, 2009
3:07 pm
so LaTroy Hawkins is in trouble for saying to an ump that he wanted the Cubs to win. No or very few fans heard this but the league is looking at this as a serious matter. Billy Hohn’s actions against the Braves speak for themselves – in Boston and last night – bad calls, baiting the Braves and Bobby Cox, and the now infamous fist bump. If a Brave said that Hohn was hoping the Marlin’s won last night they should not face any disciplinary action – just show a tape of the awful calls, the baiting of Bobby Cox, and the fist bump with the Marlin’s catcher as the game ended.
Terrible.
I hope somebody in the league holds him accountable
Jay212033
July 30th, 2009
3:07 pm
Honestly I don’t think the Braves could do much to improve this team. As much as I like Javy and what he has done for the team this season I think we need to trade him now at the peak of his value. Tampa has really been looking for SP and RP and we have both we could trade them. Javy Vazquez and Mike Gonzalez for Andy Sonnenstine, Desmond Jennings and Jacob McGee would be awesome.
nemov
July 30th, 2009
3:08 pm
Meanwhile the Mets have won 5 in a row. If you told me a week ago that would would be closer to the Mets in the standings than the Marlins I wouldn’t have believed it.
Wayne in Utah
July 30th, 2009
3:09 pm
A couple of brave magpie’s also treading on Paco’s domain. I miss the Cardinal’s from central Illinois.
BravoMan
July 30th, 2009
3:11 pm
Snidley Whiplash!!!! Hahahahahahahahahah looks just like him.
Now that’s awesome DOB.
Shamus Thacker
July 30th, 2009
3:12 pm
DOB: NEW BLOGGAGE
Look what we’ve done folks…
We’ve driven him batty, he’s become and idiot….
Welcome Aboard DOB!
SmittyNJ
July 30th, 2009
3:14 pm
Great blog today.. Good theory on Hohn getting caught off guard by Baker on the fist bump. We’re all overlooking what a diss move that was BY Baker though. Hmmm Chipper tells Javy to buzz him today?
C
July 30th, 2009
3:16 pm
It was very obvious that this guy had it out for the Braves. I have never seen an umpire act the way this fool does. He is trying to make the show all about him. If he is down the third base line tonight it might be a short night for Chipper. Can you get thrown out of a game before a game even starts?
Russell
July 30th, 2009
3:16 pm
Has anyone noticed that our leadoff hitter (McCloth) has the lowest batting average (.261) of any Braves regular? The 2nd lowest OBP (.348) of any regular? Only ahead .001 of Kotchman in OBP (.347).
I like McCloth, but I don’t see how those numbers can justify using him in the leadoff postion.
Knowitall
July 30th, 2009
3:17 pm
Ha! Posting the message “New Bloggage” on the new blog while people continue to read the old blog……..priceless!
Art Vandelay
July 30th, 2009
3:17 pm
Someone fill me in on the lineup card story — I didn’t get to see the game last night, but I’m not at all surprised that Super Mario (hat tip to blogger on Schultz’s column for that one) would toss out Cox & McCann.
chilidog75
July 30th, 2009
3:17 pm
I am shocked —- SHOCKED I tell ya —- that David Ortiz used roids.
Simply stunning.
I mean, he goes from a light-hitting platoon player with Minnesota to a first-ballot Hall of Famer (well, not anymore) in the span of a year. Crazy that he didn’t just make that happen with “hard work.”
I wonder if Red Sox fans feel any different about those two World Series titles now. I’m thinking probably not.
chilidog75
July 30th, 2009
3:19 pm
Russell, who would you use then?
The offense has fared pretty well with him batting leadoff. The rest of the guys seem quite comfortable with where they’re hitting in the lineup.
raleighbravesfan
July 30th, 2009
3:20 pm
C – You CAN get thrown out before the game starts.
What was with Hohn and the score cards last night? That is one dude on the edge.
braves4ever
July 30th, 2009
3:20 pm
Shamus, looks true.
enter the looney bin here———>
Wayne in Utah
July 30th, 2009
3:21 pm
Chilidog
So your saying before he was “Big Papi”, he was “Not So Big Papi”?
Bravedawg
July 30th, 2009
3:22 pm
I’m with chilidog75 – I really hope no one is shocked by Ortiz. In reality, we shouldn’t be shocked by anyone. And as DOB alluded to above, Red Sox fans would probably say “the Yankees were juicing too!” That’s the point – many players were (and probably are) juicing. I guarantee there were/are some Braves juicing. Some former guys seem like prime candidates–Sheffield, Javy, etc. Javy, especially, for the way he came back from nowhere to post monster power numbers.
DOB's Mom
July 30th, 2009
3:22 pm
Remember that Mets team that was just so horrible and fading fast? Yeah, well they are only 1.5 game behind the Braves and possibly only a game back after tonight. I have given up hope this season, you all should too. Thank you Frank Wren for wasting another season and fielding an incompetent team.
Russell
July 30th, 2009
3:22 pm
If the Braves had been using steriods, we would’ve won a few more World Series, had several MVPs, a few more All-Stars, and probably a couple guys capable of hitting more than 20 home runs! Sheffield was the only Brave that I think we can reasonable assume used steriods. Maybe Andruw due to his steep decline.
Steve from OH
July 30th, 2009
3:23 pm
Good song, DOB.
Bravedawg
July 30th, 2009
3:23 pm
DOB’s Mom – what would you have done differently than Frank to field a “competent” team?
Chop Chop
July 30th, 2009
3:24 pm
B**ches and Moans
(sung to the tune of Sam the Snowman’s “Silver and Gold” from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”)
B**ches and moans, b**ches and moans
Rational people loathe b**ches and moans
Denizens treasure their words
But, damn, this ump-blaming has no f**king worth.
B**ches and moans, b**ches and moans
Don’t mean no less when I see
B**ches and moans fulminating
On every blog I read.
nemov
July 30th, 2009
3:24 pm
Russell: I’ve noticed… McLouth is more suited to bat second. We don’t have real option at leadoff until infante comes back. Infante was having sucess leading off, but I’m not sure who we bench to put him in the lineup.
Russell
July 30th, 2009
3:24 pm
Chilidog – I was using that as an example of how pityful an offensive lineup we have. In this lineup thats about the only place for him. They have been hot in July, but I would bet they won’t continue to hit .290+ the rest of the year.
Hillbilly
July 30th, 2009
3:24 pm
Is Bill Hohn on that infamous 2003 list? Dude’s got some serious rage issues.
semiballcoach
July 30th, 2009
3:26 pm
hohn used to viagara on his mustache in 2003
Russell
July 30th, 2009
3:26 pm
I keep going back to the idea that Frank Wren actually thought that the lineup he had assembled coming out of spring training was enough to make the playoffs! It was obvious that we had a team with zero speed, little power, and only Chipper & McCann who have consistantly hit over .300 for their careers. He was banking on EVERY player in the lineup having a career year!
Brooks Conrad: 14 games, 32 AB, 11 hits, 1 double, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 22 total bases, 8 RBI, .344 Avg, .688 Slug, and 1.070 OPS – sent to the minors in favor of: Greg Norton: .160 average, zero home runs.
What genius made that decision? Wren?
Jaglawyer
July 30th, 2009
3:27 pm
All of this Bill Hohn nonsense could have been avoided if the Braves hadn’t been attacked ala Pearl Harbor.
Some have suggested KK would not thrive in the bullpen. Hell, he only goes 4+ anyway . . . if that.
Just scratch out a win so the suicide watch around here can return to Defcon 3 . . .
Hillbilly
July 30th, 2009
3:27 pm
Wayne you may be on to something. Medium Papi?
woogidy
July 30th, 2009
3:27 pm
I’d say then to you russel that it’s not the amount of times he gets on, but what he does when he gets on. He’s a definite threat to steal his way into scoring position. The possibility of him getting HOME hitting lead off are higher than Kotchman’s and probably most everyone else.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
July 30th, 2009
3:28 pm
Thanks for the blog, DOB.
I think Robert will have a problem with your analogy, because if Hohn is Snidely Whiplash, then is Bobby Cox Dudley Do-Right?
(Nah, he must think Bobby is Horse.)
blueridge
July 30th, 2009
3:28 pm
I’m of the belief, unfortunately, that while the bravos are finally exciting to watch, they are just too little too late to find themselves playing in Oct. I love the rotation of JJ, JV, Hanson, Lowe and Hudson with KK in long relief. But, when Hudson is ready to perform I believe the post season will be out of reach.
I think Wren would be smart to move some of our more desirable arms like MG while they have value to the team and other teams. I am undecided about JV. He has really thrown the ball well this year. I do think there is an opportunity right now for FW to make a couple of moves to sure up the club for the next 3-5 years. It is certainly not an easy decision, and unfortunately the path of least resistance is to not make a move at all.
lee
July 30th, 2009
3:28 pm
8 games back? come on, let’s ‘91 this b!tch.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 30th, 2009
3:28 pm
Its so true we have a Frank Drebin following us in at least the last three series.
And it seems to be the Drebin who calls strikes before the ball gets to the catcher…
Braves326
July 30th, 2009
3:29 pm
Huddy can’t return soon enough. KK needs to go to the pen.
Russell
July 30th, 2009
3:29 pm
woogidy – like I said I like McCloth, I just think us having to use him in the leadoff spot shows how little depth our lineup has.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 30th, 2009
3:30 pm
I hope to God…Chipper’s name never appears on ANY roid related list…EVER
Fish Bisch
July 30th, 2009
3:30 pm
Sweep tonight!
kelevra
July 30th, 2009
3:31 pm
cubs getting close on grabow, dodgers close on sherrill
Mike S
July 30th, 2009
3:32 pm
Hey, it’s Enrique Palazzo!!
bravossssss
July 30th, 2009
3:32 pm
Russell – is a McCloth like a McDonald’s hankerchief?
Lars Taint
July 30th, 2009
3:32 pm
Russel, you really have some red and blue blinders on if you think Sheffield and possibly Andruw were the only Braves on the juice. How about Javy Lopez, Ryan Klesko, Ken Caminitti, Andres Gallaraga, Vinny Castilla, and Julio Franco to name a few. We also know Dave Justice did when he was with the Yankees, so he may have in Atlanta too. Ron Gant bulked up pretty good from his early days too.
Thrillhouse44
July 30th, 2009
3:32 pm
When did is stop being “knucks” or “daps” and turn into a “fist-bump”? A fist-bump just doesn’t sound like something two men should be doing together. On or off the field.
semiballcoach
July 30th, 2009
3:33 pm
kk is too shaky to put in the pen…try to trade him to AL team since his best 2 starts were against blue jays and i forget the other
Nova Scotia Steve
July 30th, 2009
3:33 pm
This is the least active trade deadline for Atlanta it seems in a long long time…kinda disappointing…but I’m not really that worried about it
Knowitall
July 30th, 2009
3:34 pm
Everybody keeps forgetting about Brett Boone. He’s on that list just below Julio Franco.
Chuck
July 30th, 2009
3:35 pm
It will take a small miracle to get the wild card. I don’t think you get rid of anyone, though. Javy will be great again next year. Braves don’t ever get rid of their best players (and that’s what Javy has been), that’s for the Pirates and Marlins.
I don’t care that Hohn didn’t have the presence of mind to leave the catcher hangin’ on the fist bump, but being a bad umpire should be dealt with. The Braves are known whiners on balls and strikes, and I guess some umps take it personally when bad calls are not ignored. It’s part of the game, but so is working the ump. I can take it more at the professional level than in little leagues! Obviously the tantrum method isn’t working for the Braves, so maybe they should try something else. They sure do seem to be consistently on the wrong side of calls these days.
Chop Chop
July 30th, 2009
3:35 pm
Bill Hohn is a good man off the field.
Check out the photo gallery on that page to see Snidely Whiplash (or Dick Dastardly) being nice.
dmack2027
July 30th, 2009
3:35 pm
KK is too expensive to be a reliever. Only relievers that make that kind of money are closers, and he is not that type of reliever.
I have doubts as to whether the Braves can afford Javy and Huddy. If they can, I think the Braves try to trade KK.
nemov
July 30th, 2009
3:35 pm
What about Rocker? He’s basically the poster child of roid rage.
Marcus Giles
July 30th, 2009
3:36 pm
umm….about the list…errr, never mind.
Hillbilly
July 30th, 2009
3:36 pm
What base will Virgil Earp be umpiring at tonight? 3rd?
Russell
July 30th, 2009
3:37 pm
Lars Taint: You’re exactly right. I agrre with every name you mentioned. I was just thinking within the past few years. But you are right, those guys probably did use the ‘roids.
braves4ever
July 30th, 2009
3:37 pm
Fish Bisch
Sweep tonight! , NO WAY , not after the fishey smell was left on the field last night. Chipper will have and everyone will feed off a get-evenism performance tonight. you can take it to the bank.
Chris
July 30th, 2009
3:38 pm
So the Marlins bean our guy in game one, and last night a fist bump, a fight tonight? Seems just right.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 30th, 2009
3:38 pm
Where are all the Kawakrappy lovers today???
The best quote from yesterday “He’s like a monkey playing with a hand gernade”..It so true…always deep in counts…always runners on…and always missing up with his pitches…except for his miracle in Altanta against the Blue Jays.
I don’t think anyone wants this man coming into ballgames late in the game with the score remotely close serving up looping beach balls….like really is the bullpen the spot for this man
So what…he has a nice car….
Tito Fuentes
July 30th, 2009
3:39 pm
Looks like umpire Hohn is a graduate of the Eric Gregg school of umpiring … remember he bragged about his playoff strike zone … Mr Hohn seems eligble for the old NBA Richie Phillips sit down a few yrs back … but would the dear Commissioner do such a thing — David Stern did during playoffs to Phillips … what do you think DOB?
Just a little late....
July 30th, 2009
3:39 pm
THIS JUST IN: Braves trade C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, ss Elvis Andrus, lhp Matt Harrison, lhp Beau Jones and rhp Nefatli Feliz to the Texas Rangers for 1B Mark Teixeira and LHP Ron Mahay
Russell
July 30th, 2009
3:40 pm
Yeah where are all the people who yesterday were saying Kawakami would have his ERA below 4.00 after last nights game? HA! Yeah he’s worth $24 million over 3 years! It was like watching BP last night against him!
Chop Chop
July 30th, 2009
3:40 pm
Bill Hohn has this to say:
The Dude abides. I don’t know about you but I take comfort in that. It’s good knowin’ he’s out there. The Dude. Takin’ ‘er easy for all us sinners.
Marc from FL
July 30th, 2009
3:40 pm
McLouth is turning into a let-down. I wasn’t sure if I was crazy about the trade to begin with, but was as least optimistic about it. Now I’m not so sure we weren’t taken for suckers.
Jaglawyer
July 30th, 2009
3:40 pm
Hillbilly: The “Virgil Earp” reference is outstanding
Robert
July 30th, 2009
3:41 pm
“Nothing scandalous, just letting Blue know you appreciated his work, etc., and staying on his good side for the future. Happens all the time”
Pray it would ever occur to the donkey managing the Braves to try that approach instead of continually using the time-proven futile tactic or cussing atk, and feuding with, the umps
SmittyNJ
July 30th, 2009
3:41 pm
If you all remember and/or bought into that ‘rumored steroid list’ from last month it had on it: Javy Lopez, Rafael Soriano, Boone, Sheffield, Hampton, Galarraga, and Klesko….
Marc from FL
July 30th, 2009
3:42 pm
And does anyone find it amusing that we’re hitting home runs finally and it’s costing us games? Now we’re going back to the “sit and wait for a homer” approach. It’s going to kill us.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 30th, 2009
3:43 pm
So Russell..
What do you think we can do with him?
I don’t know if anyone would take KK’s salary/contract…I think we’re stuck with him..
Wayne in Utah
July 30th, 2009
3:43 pm
Russell
OK, here is your answer. You seem to think that Frank Wren really screwed up this winter.
First, he did an awesome job on our rotation. (or maybe better stated, the moves he made worked out well, because our starters haven’t been injured and have, for the most part, pitched well)
Second, he did a pretty good job on the bullpen. We have had a couple of meltdowns, and a few pitchers didn’t live up to their potential, but for the most part, they have pitched as we expected them to.
Third, the offense. Of our 8 starters we have changed 3 since the beginning of the year (let’s not go into GA/Diaz platoons and Infante’s time at second). Of the remaining 5, Chipper and Mac have both been a bit disappointing. Not doing badly, but also not doing as well as expected. Escobar, Kotchman and GA/Diaz have done about what was expected.
Now, the other three: KJ, after his hot September, was expected to have a decent year. Started off well, did OK until June then stunk it up. Frenchy was probably a big gamble. Without spending money he didn’t have, Frenchy was counted on and disappointed mightily. To the point of being untradeable, at least until NY got desperate. So Church is better in that he is not as bad as Frenchy was. The Diaz, Church, Anderson triumverate is doing OK.
Schafer was also a wild card. We had him and two journey man replacements in Blanco or JAnderson. Schafer, to everyone’s pleasant suprise, made us all think he was going to put up McLouth like numbers this year.
So, essentially, we missed 2 months of production from CF, 1 month of production from second base, and 3 months of production from RF.
I can see what Frank was thinking and hoping for all facets of the team. Worked OK on 2/3 of the facets, but not with our offense.
So, if everybody had of clicked from the start, we would be getting roughly all year what we are getting right now from our bats. Not too bad, in my opinion.
Let’s just hope it continues. And did you really expect us to hit like the Phillies or Red Sox this year??? I didn’t.
Chop Chop
July 30th, 2009
3:44 pm
Of course, Bill Hohn looks a lot more like Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp.
Braves326
July 30th, 2009
3:44 pm
Oh yeah, we’re stuck with KK for sure.
Marc from FL
July 30th, 2009
3:44 pm
Bah Smitty, Rafeal Soriano never needed any steroids! He was born with a 97MPH fastball and the Devil’s goatee.
Fish Bisch
July 30th, 2009
3:44 pm
Braves4eva: I doubt it. Not with my main main umping tonight. I would love to give him a fist bump.
kelevra
July 30th, 2009
3:45 pm
confirmed, dodgers got sherrill
Nova Scotia Steve
July 30th, 2009
3:46 pm
Tombstone was such a great movie…man…one of my favorite’s
Vinings Jim
July 30th, 2009
3:47 pm
cabravesfan – since you’re a Chuck fan, I thought I’d point out that blog favorite Yvonne Strahovski turns 27 today – do you remember what it was like when you were that young? (Why do I feel a shot at my age coming?) My daughter sent me some great up close pictures of her from Comic Con last week.
kelevra
July 30th, 2009
3:47 pm
orioles got good team coming very soon (like 2008 rays good)
Rafeal Soriano
July 30th, 2009
3:47 pm
SmittyNJ: If you all remember and/or bought into that ‘rumored steroid list’ from last month it had on it: Javy Lopez, Rafael Soriano, Boone, Sheffield, Hampton, Galarraga, and Klesko….
MFIKY!!
Chuck
July 30th, 2009
3:48 pm
Marcus Giles sure faded when testing started. Javy’s head got stovepipish. Let’s face it, the player’s union and league management created a situation where if you weren’t ‘roiding, you were at a disadvantage. That’s tough for a player that has dedicated his whole life to the sport to back down from.
Robert
July 30th, 2009
3:48 pm
Braves to look for on the ‘roids list – Sheffield and Bret Boone for sure. Then Rocker, Javy Lopez (tho maybe not while in Atlanta), Caminiti, and Andruw