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2,965 comments Add your comment
Baba O'Riley
August 25th, 2009
10:56 am
Lew- You are 100% correct on Conrad. He is a career minor leaguer, probably a minor league coach or manager one day. His presence or absence from the Atlanta bench will not make or break this team.
Lew
August 25th, 2009
10:56 am
Dadgum-The blog will go where it will in the next couple hours-without me. Later.
dogsbrekky
August 25th, 2009
10:58 am
My effing dog got my Fernando Valenzuala rookie yea signed ball off my shelf and unbeknownest to I, we have been using it as our back yard chase-ball for the last 2 days….. bugger
NO way we send LOWE(DOWN) to the BP, his sinker is creeping but I am sure he, Roger and McCann will sort out the problem (if they haven’t already done so)…
DAP
August 25th, 2009
10:58 am
lew, no. conrad first played in the minors in 2001. (i was wrong, by the way. its been 9 years) and you cited his MAJOR league BA and OBP. his minor league numbers for his career are .261/.344/.467 (.811OPS) which, granted are not eye popping, but i wouldnt call it mediocre. id say he is a good minor league player. also, he has never had a season in AAA where he hasnt hit at least 21 homers. last year he hit 28 of them. he probably ont reach 20 this season, though.
if you are looking at his baseball cube page, which is what im looking at, i think your looking at it wrong, thinking that one of his college seasons (2000) is actually a minor league season, and mixing up his major league and minor league totals.
Shaun
August 25th, 2009
10:59 am
While the Braves had their injury issues last year, there is nothing on record with any pro team that comes even close to what’s happened with the Mets. It’s absolutely incredible.
This is true. What this season does is point out the problems with Omar Minaya acquiring depth. While the Mets probably couldn’t have won anyway without Reyes, Beltran and later Wright, there is absolutely no excuse for guys like Fernando Tatis and Gary Sheffield to play key roles for this team.
I’ll continue to pound Minaya for his lack of acquiring a supporting cast. He has plenty of good excuses for not winning this season but this season points out the major flaw in the way he goes about his business. The Mets have enough resources, there is really no excuse for them to be this far from at least around .500.
Rock On......the denizen formerly known as Dadgum
August 25th, 2009
10:59 am
Lew…we are talking about improving our roster with additions Sept. 1st. We don’t care about his Minors career numbers. Agreed his MLB sample size doesn’t warrant annointing him greatness status just yet but he can certainly help us through Sept and if truth be told there is no drop off when he comes into play 2nd base if Prado is not there. Great insurance guy plus another bat off the bench. Anytime we have to resort to KJ playing 2nd base I always think Conrad should be there. Me and a whole lot of others.
DAP
August 25th, 2009
11:01 am
and ill add again that there are players on this braves team with WORSE numbers in the minors than brooks conrad. im not saying he is a great player. i think at the majors he is a utility infielder at best. maybe a good pinch hit option. but i certainly dont think he is just a mediocre minor league player.
Rock On......the denizen formerly known as Dadgum
August 25th, 2009
11:05 am
Meant to say no dropoff in 2nd base play vs. KJ if Prado is out.
jeffrey d
August 25th, 2009
11:06 am
Just saw a replay of the Spillborghs (sp?) grand slam. You know what I’m tired of? Announcers saying “Are you kidding me?!” or some variation. Come up with something new.
Shaun
August 25th, 2009
11:06 am
DAP and Lew, Conrad’s .261/.344/.467 career minor league line isn’t aweful. I think it could indicate he can be a useful major leaguer when you consider he has decent speed, his primary position is 2B (where you don’t need a whole lot of offense) and he’s versatile. What’s concerning are his 969 SO and 492 walks; not a good ratio.
I’m not sure what the original discussion was about (sorry to butt in) but I agree that Conrad’s presents on the Atlanta bench will not make or break the Braves.
njbraves
August 25th, 2009
11:06 am
The Brooks Conrad obsession continues…….
Wayne in Utah
August 25th, 2009
11:08 am
DAP
Conrad looked good with the bat in his callup for sure. But, his D is very weak. Also, his overall body of work doesn’t give me confidence he will succeed in the majors. I do hope he gets a callup next month. Norton has done well since the end of July, but it looks like he might be at the end of his string.
But, you also know how Bobby goes with the vets when he has an option. Can’t ignore that. Wanting him to manage differently won’t make it happen.
Bravesfan1984
August 25th, 2009
11:10 am
the pitching matchups favor the dodgers in their series against the rockies..lets hope for a sweep and we can sweep the padres…then we will be right there
Ben
August 25th, 2009
11:10 am
Nice article Dave and it focuses in on why this season has been so d**m frustrating. The fact is, the Braves HAVE played solid ball but have reaped ZERO reward due to the hole they dug themselves in the first half. The way the Phils and Rockies are playing I just can’t see the Braves pulling it off. It’s going to take sweeping 2 or 3 series to put us in position. I just don’t know if we have it in us.
Shaun
August 25th, 2009
11:10 am
DAP and Lew, there is a big drop-off in Conrad’s numbers in Triple-A versus all other levels (though his slugging is better but that’s probably due to physical maturity more than a drastic improvement in his slugging abilities).
AAA in 5 seasons, 2644 PA: 250/.330/.476
At the other levels he’s at least in the .350 OBP range with a .260-.280 AVG.
Anders
August 25th, 2009
11:11 am
The Mets have enough resources, there is really no excuse for them to be this far from at least around .500. (Shaun)
What? They are going to lose over 600 man games to injury. 400 of them to core everyday top of the order players. I mean, come on.
I’m amazed they hung around as long as they did.
Rock On......the denizen formerly known as Dadgum
August 25th, 2009
11:11 am
True, Conrad will not make or break the team but continually pinch-hitting KJ and Norton certainly will. Improve the team Sept. 1st with callups and Brooks Conrad certainly improves the team for the stretch run.
Random
August 25th, 2009
11:12 am
Where’s “Atrocious”?
wjones
August 25th, 2009
11:14 am
There is a lot to like about Conrad, and calling him up will help us, in my opinion, for several reasons:
1. He is a switch-hitter, and has displayed power in both his minor league career and his call-up time with the Braves.
2. He runs the bases very well, and can be utilized effectively as a pinch runner. He may not be the fastest player on the team, but he runs well, he runs smart, and he is AGGRESIVE. I absolutely loved how he not only ran through Snitker’s stop sign, but never even slowed down, and the play at the plate wasn’t even close! It kills me how many times we don’t send the runner on second to home on a single! And I think that once a couple of folks see Conrad do it, they are more prone to do it as well. We have got to show some agression on the base paths, even if we get thrown out a few times!
3. He fills second base adequately, and is the type of player, such as Prado and Infante, who will play wherever and do whatever he’s needed to do.
4. Someone in their late 20’s doesn’t have a sense of entitlement; he is very glad to be here, and very glad to be in a race for the playoffs. There have been more than one case of a player getting a chance later in life and building a decent major league career (Maury Wills and Phil Niekro both come to mind), so who’s to say he can’t contribute for a while now that he has been given a chance to.
I know there is a feeling that whatever we do with our bench, or the back end of our pen, doesn’t matter as much as who starts and who closes. Maybe not. But there are a lot of games where someone can come off the bench and start/prolong/end a rally, and those moments are often crucial to winning/losing. We see them almost every week. I want to see him. I want to see Sammons come up so we can use Ross off the bench to bat. I don’t mind keeping Norton, now that he would not be our only choice. That might help him, and if he gets hot, then great. I’d love to see Heyward in the mix. Let’s see what another chance would do to Diory. And whatever role he gets put in (I’d like to see a 6 man rotation) I’m very anxious to see what Huddy can do. Maybe other teams will have exciting callups, but our potential to strengthen our team in September excites me greatly!
Original Jon
August 25th, 2009
11:14 am
Here is a list of people that I am going to say is a 100% chance of getting called up in September when rosters expand.
Brooks Conrad
Tim Hudson
Buddy Carlyle
Anyone else you can think that will definitely be brought up? and dont say Heyward.
Anders
August 25th, 2009
11:17 am
I’ll continue to pound Minaya for his lack of acquiring a supporting cast. He has plenty of good excuses for not winning this season but this season points out the major flaw in the way he goes about his business (Shaun)
You realize before all the injuries this year the Mets were in first place for about 95% of the previous three seasons? They also had the best record in the NL over that time I believe. They won the division in 2006 and lost out on the last day the next two. Your rap on Minaya doesn’t hold water – sorry. The guy has put a more than competitive team on the field for almost his whole tenure. Nobocy can guarantee ultimate victory. Even the $200 mil Yanks fell short last year.
Nobody has a system in place that can support what happened to the Mets this year. Whats Wren’s plan if McCann and/or Chipper goes down? Thought so.
richbrave
August 25th, 2009
11:19 am
So today’s ML news includes headline SANTANA misses next start with elbow woes. I told you so. Evidently my scouting source was correctly told by a MINNESOTA scout that SANTANA’s arm was damaged goods and it would begin to show up in about a season a half. Voila! Right on schedule. Now it remains to be seen how soon surgery follows.
Snyder the Architect
August 25th, 2009
11:20 am
Anders…also to continue along where Shaun already started, you’re acting like before all of these injuries the Mets were playing stellar ball and these injuries killed so much winning momentum…Didn’t you go 9-12 in April? Which is really the only entire month where you had your total full complement together…And April for you even included home series vs. San Diego, Washington, and Milwaukee…and you lost both series you played vs. Florida…So basically you played our division’s 3rd place club in 2 series and lost both of them with your full club in tact…
I’m not denying that you have had a lot of injuries…but also do you honestly think you had enough starting pitching coming into this season to sustain a winning clip over 162 games?
JayDubu
August 25th, 2009
11:21 am
Simply put, the Braves haves to sweep some series, and go on a 10 – 12 game winng streak.
Lew
August 25th, 2009
11:22 am
DAP-OK, Baseball Cube had his ASU stats first and I mistook them for minor league numbers. Still and all, nine years in the minors with a .261 BA and .344 OBP IS mediocre at best. Dudes’ a scrub. I fail to see why so many are so convinced he’s the ansqer to our prayers and would be anything more than a marginal addition to the team.
However, like the point Dadgum makes-why are we even discussing this more than a month after he was sent down-where he’s only hitting .269 for the season?
Anders
August 25th, 2009
11:23 am
Evidently my scouting source was correctly told by a MINNESOTA scout that SANTANA’s arm was damaged goods and it would begin to show up in about a season a half. Voila! (richbrave)
How does one actually go about predicting an injury a season and a half ahead of time? This info isn’t for me, I’m asking for Dr. Andrews – he’s fascinated by your scouts abilities.
wjones
August 25th, 2009
11:25 am
Actually, Anders, Wren’s plan is decent for Chipper/McCann contingencies, at least compared to the past. Providing, of course, that the contingencies are healthy, and who can predict?
We have David Ross, who has had to fill in for McCann during his great eye adventures earlier in the year, and has been our best backup catcher since, well, since young McCann himself came up in 2005. Clint Sammons would be Ross’ backup, and while he hasn’t hit for much of a AAA average this year, he has provided some pop, and plays consistent defense.
As for Chipper, his backups have both been banged up and have spent more time nursing wounds than Chipper. Prado had to fight the groin injury and the headaches, while Infante had his annual broken hand to deal with. Both are more than functional at third, and arguably both represent a defensive upgrade. Infante has been around .350 all year, while Prado, with the exception of May, has been a hitting machine with some pop as well.
bravofan
August 25th, 2009
11:26 am
Braves lets sweep the padres!!!
Snyder the Architect
August 25th, 2009
11:27 am
DOB…great article with the Q&A on Laroche…I almost fell over laughing when he said, “Honestly, I don’t even know who Freddie Freeman is?” I can totally see him saying that…
Were you face to face with him doing the interview? How did you keep a straight face?
Along the lines of Freeman, now that he’s shut down for the rest of the AA season with the hand injury, do you know if he will definitely be 100% for the start of the AFL season in October?
Shamus Thacker
August 25th, 2009
11:27 am
“”Anyone else you can think that will definitely be brought up? and dont say Heyward.”"
Can I say Diory? We need his big bat in Norton’s spot!
Anders
August 25th, 2009
11:28 am
Snyder – I never said the Mets were playing stellar ball. But what this team has shown over the last number of years is that they are very, very competitive. And they brought the same group back with a beefed up bullpen. Just because they got off to a slow start in April I don’t think I would change my expectations on the group.
Hey, injuries happen and we have to take our medicine. But Shaun saying that Minaya dropped the ball on preparing for this is ludicrous. I have not heard that from any single media outlet.
Shamus Thacker
August 25th, 2009
11:29 am
JayDubu: Simply put, the Braves haves to sweep some series, and go on a 10 – 12 game winng streak.
You hit the nail squarely on the head~!
Steve from OH
August 25th, 2009
11:30 am
It’s hard to know who they’ll call up because of Gwinnett’s playoff chances. They’ll probably be more conservative because of that.
Braves fan since '66
August 25th, 2009
11:32 am
I must say that the magnificant half team has become a full team with the addition of La Roche, Church, McLouth et al. I’m encouraged that they are on the right track regardless of whether they make the post season this year. Imagine our line up (especially including the pitching) if we had a legit 3rd, 4th or 5th place hitter in left field and one who could actually field the position.
DAP
August 25th, 2009
11:32 am
anders400 of them to core everyday top of the order players. I mean, come on.
thats kind of the point everyone is making. the mets have the resources to have a better supporting cast than they do, but they havent really surrounded beltran, delgado, reyes and wright with much. they also dont have the minor league system to help out when something like this happens.
and if mccann or chipper goes down? its a huge blow the the braves, but we have players like prado, infante, david ross, who fill in admirably at those positions. did you know that the braves have won the last ten games in a row where chipper hasnt played? and they are 7-2 over the last 9 games mccann hasnt played in?
dogsbrekky
August 25th, 2009
11:34 am
Interesting comparison to mutts in ‘09 and Bravos in ‘08. In 08 we lost 3 number 1 type pitchers and a nos 3 to injury plus our 3 top notch relievers… the $ cost estimate on baseball prospectus was around $40M. The poor old mutts have lost all of their MAJOR position players at a similar $$ cost but as we have seen there are no valid back ups outside of Tatis, Murphy, Pagan and co, none of which are superstar calibre.
This reflects so BADLY on the mutts minor league system which is a joke… their A to AAA ballclubs are all losing (record-wise) in ‘09. Omar can be given some sympathy as far as losing 3 MVP calibre players (Reyes, Delgado and Beltran) but he should be hanged for his piss-poor management of junior talent
Anders
August 25th, 2009
11:34 am
wjones – Come on. If Chipper or MCann went down today for the year I’d say the Braves are done. Never mind if they went down back in June or so like the Mets core. If both went down I think even the most optimistic Braves fan on here would surrender. Prado and Ross everyday? I think not.
DAP
August 25th, 2009
11:36 am
lew, i dont think he is the answer to our prayers and agree with you that conrad playing on the braves team probably has no effect one way or the other. i disagree that he is a mediocre minor league player, but thats subjective anyways….
Original Jon
August 25th, 2009
11:36 am
Steve from OH, I dont know if they will let the fact that Gwinnett has playoff chances disrupt the fact that the Braves have playoff chances on deciding who to bring up.
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
11:37 am
trey, I don’t drink…
jeffrey d
August 25th, 2009
11:37 am
Well it’s not like Diory Hernandez will make or break the Braves’ playoff run.
StingerSplash
August 25th, 2009
11:38 am
Caught the end of the Giants-Rockies game. Un. Buh. Lievable. As much as the Braves are making believers of folks, it’s hard to not feel the same about the Rockies right now. Where do you go to get an out in that lineup?
But at least next month at The Masquerade, the greatest band of all time is coming. Haynes. Leary. Pincus. Coffee. Thank God the B-hole Surfers are touring again!
dogsbrekky
August 25th, 2009
11:39 am
Anders – you should listen to any of the NY sports radio stations then… every singe one has called out Omar on his pathetic management… try Brandon Tierney, Mike Kay, Steve Phillips, the guys on 660AM, the dudes on 880 AM etc, Loud Mouths, Cowherd etc, shall I go on….
so get your facts correct before you assume your asinine argument holds water when posting on a blog where Atlanta folks DO NOT get to hear most of the NYC media…. if it were not for MADOFF, Omar would already be gone… understand that mate yes ??
DAP
August 25th, 2009
11:39 am
andersIf Chipper or MCann went down today for the year I’d say the Braves are done.
yeah, theyd probably be done. but would they be as bad as the mets? no.
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
11:40 am
When rosters expand, here is the list of all the players coming up.
DaleMurphy4HOF
August 25th, 2009
11:40 am
DOB, Would you please find out where Kawakami took his parents to dinner when they were in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago? Be interested to find out if there is a good Japanese/Sushi place I’m missing. Thanks
CB
August 25th, 2009
11:40 am
Anders, if I were you I would have more problem with Manuel continuing to starting Santana injured than Omar. He seems to me to be and idiot.
jeffrey d
August 25th, 2009
11:41 am
Everybody turn to ESPN….they’re talking about Tebow. Bret Favre and David Wright are probably next.
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
11:42 am
MILB playoffs end in mid September…
Daslied
August 25th, 2009
11:43 am
KJ as a pinch-hitter this year:
5 for 9 (1 2B, 1 3B)
3 BB, 1 sac bunt
1 RBI, 2 runs scored
.556/.615/.889/1.504
I’ll take that.
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
11:44 am
So hey, I’m wondering if theres any good colleges in Georgia, around Atlanta-ish. I’m looking for Journalism/Broadcasting with a good Theater department. I’d check websites, but I know I can trust DOB bloggers. Any suggestions?
abwright
August 25th, 2009
11:44 am
Anders, 11:17 am … “Nobody has a system in place that can support what happened to the Mets this year. Whats Wren’s plan if McCann and/or Chipper goes down?”
Brooks Conrad. He’s the answer to all of Braves’ fans prayers.
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
11:46 am
The one time I want the Mets to win and they lose their best player… Can K-Rod start tonight? Please please please, it won’t be the stupid thing they’ve done…
jeffrey d
August 25th, 2009
11:47 am
Jurrjens – I know UGA has a great journalism program. Don’t let Chip Caray make you think otherwise. He’s the exception.
I think Georgia State does too, but I’m not too sure.
Bring up Conrad
August 25th, 2009
11:47 am
Lew: Nobody said Conrad is the “answer to our prayers.” I feel that he did give a lift to the club when here & I liked his attitude and the way the bench seemed to support him when at bat, etc. A lot of subtle things is what I noticed. And don’t comment on my mathematical ability unless you know what you’re talking about! I don’t comment on your ability or inability to recognize the psychological subtleties apparent to me when a player shows up & plays reasonably well. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. September will tell.
Good post at 11:14, wjones. Go Braves.
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
11:48 am
Whats Wren’s plan if McCann and/or Chipper goes down?”
David Ross starts and hits 5 more homers than Mac would’ve, throw out 20% more runners and Infante or Prado takes third and drastically improves the defense…
Next!
Efrim
August 25th, 2009
11:50 am
The guy has put a more than competitive team on the field for almost his whole tenure.
145 million a season to play with and the best core in the NL. He better put a competitive team out there.
dogsbrekky
August 25th, 2009
11:50 am
“If you think it’s easy doing one night stands, try playing in a rock n roll band”
wjones
August 25th, 2009
11:50 am
“wjones – Come on. If Chipper or MCann went down today for the year I’d say the Braves are done. Never mind if they went down back in June or so like the Mets core. If both went down I think even the most optimistic Braves fan on here would surrender. Prado and Ross everyday? I think not”
Well, gee, Anders, if they were AS GOOD as Chipper and McCann, they wouldn’t be subs, would they? My point is that we DO have contingencies. Prado/Infante can fill in MORE than capably for Chipper, and can probably improve on his defense. Ross hits for power, draws walks, and throws out baserunners better than McCann. Corky Miller/Todd Pratt/Paul Bako he ain’t. Of course there is a dropoff, but wouldn’t there always be? We got to the World Series in 1991, despite the fact that Justice missed two months, and our closer Berenguer (who no one remembers) had a season ending injury in August. We got in the WS in 1996 despite Justice ending his season in May. We got to the WS in 1999 with Javy Lopez missing the last half of the season. We won our division in 2000 without John Smoltz. None of those replacements were AS GOOD as who they replaced, but they were good enough to keep us going, weren’t they? That was my point. With our pitching, we could go for awhile without either Chipper or McCann. Now both, as you mention, would be tough, but not as devestating as losing 4 fifths of our rotation and our top three relievers was last year.
Anders
August 25th, 2009
11:50 am
dogsbrekky- I listen to almost everyone of those guys you listed. Who in that group called Minaya out for not having the parts in place to make up for all these injuries? You are full of it. Nobody in their right mind would expect any team to overcome this level of injury. You really think the Mets should still be in this race? Please. I think you’re confusing the hub bub regarding Adam Rubin with the topic I was discussing here.
Perhaps the same lack of attention you appear to have regarding watching your animals is impacting your listening habits?
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
11:51 am
jeffery d, Thanks, I just checked that out looks nice, I’ve stopped by Atlanta once and saw the campus, very nice. Tysm.
Does anyone know of “Shorter College?” Its in Rome, GA. That looks nice, and pretty cheap.
richbrave
August 25th, 2009
11:52 am
ANDERS:
That you would question the divining abilities of a scout within the MINNESOTA organization is quite understandable. I certainly would if I were you. Yet the fact remains during October and into November 2007, I was screaming for the BRAVES to acquire JOHAN on this blog. At the end of the month I suddenly changed, and reported what MY scout friend had heard from his contact with the TWINS. Latter part of this season is when he said problems would begin to appear. That’s all I know. And for the sake of the young man – not the MELTS or you ANDERS – I hope my source is wrong. I don’t wish hardship visited upon anyone…….well, ALMOST no one ANDERS.
David O'Brien
August 25th, 2009
11:52 am
Jurrjens4NLCY: You linked to Braves 40-man roster and said that’s the list of September callups, that the Braves would call all those guys up who aren’t on 25-man already. Wrong.
If you’ve followed the Braves, you know they rarely bring up more than a handful of players, because Bobby doesn’t like to have a dugout/clubhouse full of guys he’s not going to use, particularly if they’re in a playoff race. They stick with calling up players that might actually help them win games, and an extra catcher.
Bring up Conrad
August 25th, 2009
11:52 am
Yes Jurrjens, How many times I’ve seen the top two stars on a sports team (pro) go down and the team rises to the occasion and finishes out the season better that they were projected before the injuries.
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
11:53 am
wjones, I think I beat you to the punch, sorry about that. But you said it better.
Anders
August 25th, 2009
11:53 am
145 million a season to play with and the best core in the NL. He better put a competitive team out there. (Efrim)
Perhaps if the Braves could get more than 22K to a Friday night game in late August against the team they’re fighting for a WC berth the Braves could spend more.
I can’t help you there.
Daslied
August 25th, 2009
11:54 am
2009 w/o Chipper (for entire game)
10-5
w/o McCann (for entire game)
12-10
I’m not smart enough to look up games w/o both dudes, but we’d be okay without one or the other (maybe). But let’s not have that happen.
dogsbrekky
August 25th, 2009
11:55 am
Anders – every one of those I quoted have called for Omar’s head singularly and regularly… EOFS
but if we want to compare how ATL did when we outspent our NL EAST opposition under Ted Turner, well the record speaks for itself we went 14-0
The mutts outspent for what 4 years and have had 1 division title… and I don’t seem to remember the mutts winning over 100 games in any of those seasons… Omar has mismanaged many things and you know it and the NY media calls him out for it all the time
Were you even listening when the Bernazard (spelling) stuff was going down. Omar behaved like a little bitch and EVERYONE said he should be sacked on the spot
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
11:55 am
Damn! DOB took me to school! Haha, I posted that to piss people off.
dogsbrekky
August 25th, 2009
11:55 am
EMORY has journalism I think. My future brother in law went there
Anders
August 25th, 2009
11:55 am
richbrave – Why the haphazard words in caps? Are you hypnotizing me?
bravofan
August 25th, 2009
11:55 am
what catcher will they add? clint
Brightside
August 25th, 2009
11:56 am
At least give Conrad a chance to prove he can’t do the job, because so far he has failed miserably at doing that. Of course I guess a lot of people agree with Bobby’s philosophy not to play someone just because they have been producing.
jeffrey d
August 25th, 2009
11:56 am
hmm. I never knew that Chip’s first name was Harry.
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
11:58 am
Bring up Conrad,
I see you have never heard of the 1897 Cleveland Spiders.
In all seriousness, If Mac and/or Chipper goes down, so does the Braves. But they have played through Macs and Chips offensive struggles…
dogsbrekky
August 25th, 2009
11:58 am
have a great day all, off to the beach while this warm weather is here in NY for a few more days before the rain starts again, god bless all and go Braves !
Efrim
August 25th, 2009
11:59 am
Perhaps if the Braves could get more than 22K to a Friday night game in late August against the team they’re fighting for a WC berth the Braves could spend more.
Not really the point, but okay. I think Minaya has done enough to keep his job. And I’m sure he’ll get another pass next year if Johan goes down with Tommy John. Heck, I’d love it if Omar kept his job. Makes things easier on the Braves.
chip off the ol block
August 25th, 2009
11:59 am
There’s been alot of discussion about Conrad, I had the chance to see him make some awesome plays in the infield during spring training, and as we’ve seen his bat has a little pop also
yes he is a career minor leaguer, but he adds some depth. In the games that I’ve seen him play in he puts everything into the game, he doesnt hold back.
We’ll see him in the bigs again Sept. 1 for sure
lets just hope the Rockies cool off soon
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
11:59 am
dogsbrekky, Thanks I’m looking that up right now…
mr baseball
August 25th, 2009
12:00 pm
Braves currently have 42 players on their 40-man roster, including Hudson & Campillo, who are on the 60-day DL. When Hudson is activated, either someone else has to go on the 60-day DL, or be DFA’d.
Since there is no room on the roster to add call-ups not on the 40-man, that eliminates Burke & Nunez. Braves don’t have any serious needs other than another few arms and an extra bat or 2.
I’m guessing most of the guys who have been up earlier this year will be brought back.
Conrad, as a reward for a job well done in his short stay here.
Canizares, to spell LaRoche and provide another RH bat.
Blanco, to pinch-run, not much else.
Sammons, everybody needs a 3rd catcher. Can more easily run for McCann late.
B. Jones & Barton, depth for injury-prone OF.
D. Hernandez, emergency fill-in for Yunel.
Carlyle & Valdez for bullpen depth. Maybe Reyes or Redmond as long men/mop-ups.
Not sure about status of Schafer & Parr.
Don’t see any obvious choices for DFA, so barring a another guy or 2 going on the 60-day, Braves will have to get by without Greg Colbrunn & Daryl Ward the last month.
Soph
August 25th, 2009
12:00 pm
JJ4NLCY -
Georgia State offers Journalism and it’s in the heart of downtown. http://www.gsu.edu
Anders
August 25th, 2009
12:01 pm
Well, gotta jump. Remember, be careful what you wish for.
David O'Brien
August 25th, 2009
12:02 pm
dogsbrekky: Emory having a j-school is a funny thought. Seeing that Emory’s tuition for one year is about equal to a first-year journalist’s freakin’ salary. (Actually, it’s about three times what I made in my first newspaper job, a tiny daily in Kansas, but that was a few years ago….)
jeffrey d
August 25th, 2009
12:02 pm
I’ve gotten off on a Wikipedia tangent on the Carays. Tell me this isn’t hilarious
In one celebrated instance, in order to get back at Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Ron Hudspeth for a critical column, Skip Caray paid to have an airplane tow a banner above Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium during a Braves game which read, “For a good time, call Rona Hudspeth,” and included Ron’s actual phone number.
Daslied
August 25th, 2009
12:04 pm
I think Chris Burke is the key to making the playoffs. Full circle and all, what with his GS ending our playoff run in 2005. Yes, sir. CB is the final piece for our bench.
If not him, then maybe J.C. Holt. Nothing screams “gritty spark plug” better than a 5′9″ middle infielder!
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
12:06 pm
HAHA! Chips something else
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
12:07 pm
So whats better Georgia State or University of Georgia? Or it that the age old question?
MLH
August 25th, 2009
12:07 pm
Anders –
You said the Braves would be bad off with Prado playing everyday? You do know he was our everyday second baseman until his recent battle with headaches don’t you?
David O'Brien
August 25th, 2009
12:08 pm
OK, time to make some of you (and me) feel old: Sean Connery turns 79 today, Gene Simmons is 60, Rob Halford (Judas Priest) is 58, and Elvis Costello is 55.
I can clearly remember seeing a young Costello, sneering from behind those big glasses. Imperial Bedroom was in heavy rotation on my turntable in college at the time. Remember young-punk Elvis on the cover of The My Aim Is True? Now he’s 55. Man….
Not to mention, Kiss was the first concert I attended, in seventh grade. I think it was right around the time of the Destroyer album….
Bring up Conrad
August 25th, 2009
12:08 pm
Hey Jujjjens, How about the 1950s Bruins when they lost Orr & Esposito:)
Efrim
August 25th, 2009
12:09 pm
according to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Mets and Reds are tied for having put the most players on the disabled list this season, 19, with Reds losing Joey Votto, Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, Jay Bruce, and Aaron Harang.
Hey, it doesn’t just happen to the Mets.
Roman Gal
August 25th, 2009
12:10 pm
In fairness, it’s hard not to be impressed with someone hitting .360… Steve from OH
I was impressed by him in more ways than one.
Rodney Derrick
August 25th, 2009
12:13 pm
When I edited the Emory Wheel student paper in 1968-69, we did not have a journalism school, and we won a lots of awards. Numerous folks who worked on the paper before and after that time went on to distinguished careers in journalism. A few names of past Wheel Editors include the great Ernie Harwell, one of the greatest baseball announcers ever, and Claude Sitton, Reese Cleghorn, Pat Watters, and Bob Rohrer, all of whom worked for Atlanta newspapers at times during their journalism careers. Really, a journalism school does not a journalist make.
bravesfanforever
August 25th, 2009
12:14 pm
Who cares about two out hitting or hitting with runners in scoring position? It’s not like this is something you can teach. The only thing that matters is SCORING and GIVING UP RUNS and it doesn’t matter how you do it. The bigger difference between the two the more wins you will likely have.
It simply comes down to talent. If you have the talent then you are going to be better than the other guy. Frankly, you can just about predict how many wins a team will have by simply looking at the number of runs scored and ERA.
So can we stop trying to get the readers excited about how great the team is with situational hitting? This ability simply does not exist. I can assure you that next year this supposed great talent will completely disappear.
I’m glad that Frank Wren doesn’t believe in it or he would say, “Well, then let’s not go for power in the off season because we hit so well with runners on base.” We need a power hitting left fielder and a possibly some speed at SS or 2B, or maybe in CF with Schafer and we can move McLouth to RF or LF. This team is REALLY lacking in speed. You have to have a combination of OBP, speed, and power to be an effective team in the post season.
braves4ever
August 25th, 2009
12:14 pm
DOB, Yes time does slip by too fast, hey but you mentioned it this time not me, lol.
Vinings Jim
August 25th, 2009
12:17 pm
Thanks, DOB – it’s always fun to be reminded how old I am (not that a certain blogger doesn’t do an excellent job of that). Cousin Declan turning 55 is an interesting coincidence that I had forgotten (for those wondering – not really cousins, but Elvis and I share the same real surname). I am looking forward to his Sundance show returning (last I heard in December).
RHR
August 25th, 2009
12:19 pm
I don’t know who any of those people are. I don’t feel old at all.
SO DOB…we’ll get Sammons in about a week and … who else? Care to speculate?
NLCY – well, you said “atlanta-ish” … UGA would, of course, be my recommendation, but it ain’t exactly in Atlanta. But I mean, with broadcasting alum greats such as Ryan Seacrest and Chip Caray who cares about location, right!?
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
12:20 pm
Hey Jujjjens, How about the 1950s Bruins when they lost Orr & Esposito:)
Yeah…. I don’t really follow 60 year old Hockey teams…
Does Peter Forseberg still play? I liked him…
CLE
August 25th, 2009
12:22 pm
Jurrjens4NLCY — UGA’s J-School has been one of the best in the country for years. If you can swing the grades and the tuition, I would aim for The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism.
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 25th, 2009
12:22 pm
RHR,
Yeah, I don’t really care all that much about location. I just want to get out of this piss ass state of Illinois.