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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
913 comments Add your comment
Soph
September 21st, 2009
11:51 pm
The Morning Commute is gonna be Hell tomorrow,
Ugh, don’t remind me. I’m so thankful I didn’t have to go in today. I’m dreading tomorrow.
N8
September 21st, 2009
11:52 pm
Can’t forget about Rescue Me. I didn’t watch this year, because my DVR froze up and the cable company had to come replace the box, and we were saving the entire season to watch when we had time. So, I guess I’ll wait until it comes out on DVD. Watched Nip Tuck the first two years, and just stopped watching for whatever reason. Probably catch up on it some day via DVD.
Soph
September 21st, 2009
11:53 pm
I don’t care about the Dolphins and that game still gave me a headache. Their last drive was a mess.
jeffrey d
September 21st, 2009
11:56 pm
It’s nothing against House…it seems like a great show. I just haven’t really gotten into any new shows.
Tomahawkin
September 21st, 2009
11:57 pm
Soph
It Hasn’t rained here on the southside in a Gripp! You know I got that southside “On Deck!”
I better not wake up to rain at 5AM, Then I don’t wanna get outta bed, let alone put up with dumb (exepletive) commuters
Soph
September 22nd, 2009
12:01 am
It’s been a few hours since it rained here but I read online that more rain is on its way. We’ll see.
jeffrey d
September 22nd, 2009
12:01 am
I better not wake up to rain at 5AM
Sorry bud, but I’m pretty sure you will
Soph
September 22nd, 2009
12:03 am
Sorry bud, but I’m pretty sure you will
Bank on it!
Sorry, T’Hawkin – had to do it.
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
12:04 am
I’m watching Andy Griffith right now…I bet McFann watches that show
OMFG! I was just whistling that tune during play practice!
Weird.
nolie
September 22nd, 2009
12:08 am
I just haven’t really gotten into any new shows. (JeffreyD)
House, new? hmm. where you been dude?
nolie
September 22nd, 2009
12:09 am
Rah for 30 ROCK and it’s wins !! Tina Rules !!
nolie
September 22nd, 2009
12:09 am
Tina reminds me oh RHR.
jeffrey d
September 22nd, 2009
12:09 am
Small world
jeffrey d
September 22nd, 2009
12:10 am
lol, when I say “new” I mean I haven’t followed a show since Seinfeld or Friends
Soph
September 22nd, 2009
12:11 am
Wow, it’s been a while then, huh?
jeffrey d
September 22nd, 2009
12:13 am
Although I’ve been watching old Andy Griffith episodes every now and then for the first time, so that’s new to me
jeffrey d
September 22nd, 2009
12:14 am
But enough about my TV watching habbits
Tumbleweed
September 22nd, 2009
12:18 am
Just passin’ through again
Crickets
September 22nd, 2009
12:21 am
No problem, tumbleweed
David O'Brien
September 22nd, 2009
12:22 am
Please, no House spoilers. Love the show. Never miss it. Gonna watch the 2-hour season premiere on DVR as soon as I get home Sunday night.
HoCoJo
September 22nd, 2009
12:27 am
CSI Miami was great tonight!
2 hour severe thunderstorm tonight down here in central jawjaw. flash flooding everywhere. lightning like I’ve never seen for over two hours. think my house was struck at least once. please pray for those less fortunate and the hardships they must deal with this night! I know the folks in the ATL area need it.
David O'Brien
September 22nd, 2009
12:28 am
jeffrey d: or, since about when TV comedies really took it to another level….
But seriously, dude, you’ve missed about 10 shows that have been as good as any in my lifetime. It really is a golden age for TV in a lot of ways. Exceptional stuff, if you just weed out the garbage and reality-show filler, etc.
With comedies, there are so many good ones now that have gone way past the old, banal, laugh-track crap. And no, I’m not lumping Seinfeld with the likes of Friends, which I just never thought had much to it at all; I loved Seinfeld back in the day, never missed it. Like the Mary Tyler Moore Show and Bob Newhart, when I was a kid. They were fresh and irreverent by the standards of the era, and many Seinfeld episodes still hold up well (all of Mary Tyler Moore does).
But in my opinion, Arrested Development, The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm and 30 Rock are even better than Seinfield, even if that’s sacrilege to some to say that, and hard to compare from one decade and time to another. I tell you what else, I also love It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and Scrubs and would honestly rather watch either today than old episodes of Seinfield.
And while Rescue Me is probably more a drama than comedy, it’s also hilarious. And a great show.
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
12:29 am
DOB,
House reveals he is gay, and the entire hospital explodes in its own hospital show cliche.
rockinthebeergut(formerly southbeachdietfreak)
September 22nd, 2009
12:31 am
I must say that I’m really proud of this team. This late in the season, reeling off 7 in a row and now 8 of 10. It would have been so easy to quit, but these guys are playing their butts off. regardless of how you finish, Braves, I’ll always be a fan. Here’s to a sweep of the Mets!!
HoCoJo
September 22nd, 2009
12:32 am
My fav show in reruns is “Still Standing”.
Soph
September 22nd, 2009
12:32 am
Stay safe, HoCoJo! It’s been a crazy day.
glove51
September 22nd, 2009
12:33 am
I was glad to see Bryan Cranston won best drama actor for Breaking Bad.
HoCoJo
September 22nd, 2009
12:34 am
Thanks Soph. Did the groundhog see his shadow today?
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
12:34 am
My fav show in reruns is “Still Standing”.
That is a pretty good show…
Ended just when it was getting real good. Although its hard to ignore the fact that its a cookie cutter “fat guy, skinny wife” show…
RHR
September 22nd, 2009
12:35 am
Tina is 1 of my favorites, im flattered, nolie.
Um the astros fired their manager? Cecil cooper was their manager? What happened to that old pervy looking dude they had? With the bad mustache?
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
12:36 am
I wish I could watch the emmys, does anyone know of an internet link?
nolie
September 22nd, 2009
12:36 am
If House is gay, i bet Cuddy is surprised. she’s kinda hot
RHR
September 22nd, 2009
12:38 am
I bet he got bozo’ed by dateline and chris hanson didnt he?
jeffrey d
September 22nd, 2009
12:43 am
Scrubs and The Office are two shows I know I’d like. I’ve just never really tried to get into them.
nolie
September 22nd, 2009
12:44 am
http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2009/09/best_pitch_in_b.php
Here is a list of the top 20 fastballs thrown between 2007 and August 2009, inclusive
Pitches are averaged by pitch type (4-seam fastball, FB; 2-seam fastball, FT; cut fastball, FC), for each pitcher and then ranked by average value. The marginal value of the pitch dimensions are summarized in Control, Velocity and Movement, evaluated by calculating how much value would drop by removing these dimensions. These values are represented as weighted Z scores.
Rank Player Value Type Control Velocity Movement
1 Zack Greinke -0.0313 FT 1.13 2.68 0.90
2 Roy Halladay -0.0304 FT 0.73 2.19 0.72
3 Ronald Belisario -0.0181 FB 0.38 2.05 0.33
4 Ubaldo Jimenez -0.0166 FB 0.33 2.14 0.25
5 Jonathan Broxton -0.0164 FB 0.18 1.87 0.09
6 Felix Hernandez -0.0155 FB 0.38 1.94 0.25
7 Roy Halladay -0.0150 FC 0.50 0.96 0.55
8 Heath Bell -0.0149 FB 0.41 1.39 0.28
9 Mariano Rivera -0.0130 FC 0.19 1.32 0.32
10 Bobby Jenks -0.0123 FB 0.31 1.15 0.07
11 Daniel Bard -0.0122 FB 0.13 1.42 -0.01
12 Brandon Morrow -0.0118 FB 0.11 1.20 0.21
13 Joel Zumaya -0.0112 FB -0.08 1.95 -0.14
14 Vin Mazzaro -0.0106 FB 0.34 1.04 0.26
15 Andrew Bailey -0.0101 FC 0.38 0.51 0.37
16 J.J. Putz -0.0095 FB 0.20 0.96 0.14
17 Joe Nathan -0.0092 FB 0.19 0.63 0.26
18 Freddy Dolsi -0.0090 FB 0.12 1.47 0.12
19 Chris Carpenter -0.0090 FB 0.24 1.34 0.26
20 Kevin Jepsen -0.0090 FB 0.18 0.99 0.13
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
1:11 am
Braves certainly have the easiest schedule of all contenders for the Wild Card, so, postseason hopes still alive for me…
Bobby (I manage on instincts and my (rather rotund) gut feeling...alone) Cox
September 22nd, 2009
1:16 am
I STILL BELIEVE…
I will be back…one more year…want to see how I can screw up this pitching staff, again…
Can you tell that I also manage really well when we hit 3 home runs in a game…
(…and we still have a 4% chance…according to ESPN…)
Rockies have the easiest road regarding the schedule…9 home games and only the last 3 on the road vs. the Dodgers…(where those games may not even matter). But they have a tough Cardinals team coming in this weekend…with their 3 best starters going…so if they lose all 3…???
So, with 12 games left…and the Braves & Marlins 5 games back in the Wild Card…and the Giants now just 4 back…it is now going to take a major frickin’ miracle for the Braves to make it to the post-season in 2009…
Marlins…home: 3 with Philly and 3 with Mets…away: 3 with Braves and last 3 with Philly…
Braves…away: 2 with Mets and 3 with Nationals…home: 3 with Marlins and 4 with Nationals…
Giants…away: 2 with Arizona…home: 4 with Cubs…3 with Arizona…away: 3 with Padres…
Rockies…home…3 with Padres…3 with Cardinals…3 with Brewers…away: 3 with Dodgers…
(We can also pray that the Phillies drop 9 out of their last 12. OK…do not think that will happen, either…)
So, we have almost zero chance…and we need to really run the table…can we do it???
I STILL BELIEVE
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
1:22 am
Rockies don’t have the easiest, they have the hardest. Braves have the easiest…
Bobby (I manage on instincts and my (rather rotund) gut feeling...alone) Cox
September 22nd, 2009
1:25 am
I was wrong…imagine that.
9 games behind the Phillies now…but they have not clinched anything…yet…magic number for them is now…6.
So…the Phillies have 14 games left…not 12.
Can they go…say something like…4 – 10…down the stretch or worse???
NO…
Bobby (I manage on instincts and my (rather rotund) gut feeling...alone) Cox
September 22nd, 2009
1:29 am
By the way…the Braves magic number is now…22.
Easy to figure…add up our total wins the rest of the year and the Phillies total number of losses…and if it equal 22…then we will win the division…(hoping…the Marlins do not get there before we do…)
I needed to make myself laugh with that one…
Bobby (I manage on instincts and my (rather rotund) gut feeling...alone) Cox
September 22nd, 2009
1:34 am
Magic Number(s)…
Cardinals………3
Phillies…………6
Angels…………7
Dodgers……….8
Yankees………8
Tigers………….11
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
1:40 am
With JJ pitching tomorrow, the Braves better win, and they have a VERY good chance…
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
1:41 am
The Braves finished the season with winning records against each of the National League’s projected division winners — Phillies (10-8), Cardinals (4-2), Dodgers (4-3).
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
1:57 am
I say, trade for Michael Cuddyer, and sign Russell Branyan, let LaRoche walk unless he give a considerable hometown discount…
BAM! World Friggin’ Champions…
sum guy
September 22nd, 2009
2:08 am
I say, trade for Michael Cuddyer, and sign Russell Branyan, let LaRoche walk unless he give a considerable hometown discount…
Seattle will overpay to keep Branyan there. Their farm system might be one of the worst in baseball
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
2:24 am
I don’t know about all that much money…
I think a 3 yr. 15 million deal (10: 5M 11: 7M 12: 3M) would have him running over here so fast his torso would fall off because it can’t keep pace with his legs (Good? No? Ok.).
One of this teams big problems is hitting righties and he has over a .900 OPS against them, Let me put it this way; He is as good against rightys as Matty D is as good against Leftys…
Thats what they need!
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
2:26 am
Also he is from Warner Robins …
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
2:31 am
Also, Aaron Hill seems to be a good fit, if it could work out…
sum guy
September 22nd, 2009
2:36 am
I watch Branyan play almost every day (when he’s healthy and the Braves aren’t on the west coast) I could see the M’s giving him a similar contract to what you suggested, though it would be an incentive laden contract. i’m thinking 2 years 15 million with a mutual option for a third year.
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
2:47 am
If I’m Wren, I’m giving him that contract…
…and preparing for a bidding war
Jurrjens4NLCY {Knoble.MLBlogs.com}
September 22nd, 2009
2:54 am
You know what? I take it back, But I would sign both LaRoche and Branyan. Russel can play the first half and LaRoche could play the second half.
That made me laugh.
sum guy
September 22nd, 2009
3:01 am
IF the braves offered a similar contract, i don’t know if it would be a bidding war. RB seems to be happy in seattle and from what i’ve read, he’s willing to stay in the Emerald City
Rob from SC
September 22nd, 2009
6:51 am
I don’t understand this Prado bashing. Yes he slumped after having those headaches, but he had a lot of family issues. BAseball players are only human.
To me Prado gets himself in trouble when he tries to pull the ball. He has that great opposite field swing like Escobar. Prado is tied for the team lead in doubles,has a better slugging than Escobar, Jones, McLouth, Anderson; and second in average
He has had a really good season.
Steve from OH
September 22nd, 2009
7:07 am
More buffoonery from Eeyore. He’s now trying to tell us that Lowe has been a model ace? How many of those 15 wins were because the Braves outslugged the opposition?
No, fool, he’s saying it because it sounds a whole lot better than “yeah, he’s got 15 wins, but look at his peripherals, for chrissakes. He’s sh!tty! He’d better shape up or ship out, by golly!”
Steve from OH
September 22nd, 2009
7:08 am
Aaron Hill=career year in a big way. No a thousand times.
richbrave
September 22nd, 2009
7:28 am
And speaking of power, here’s hoping against hope that CHIP hits three more HR’s this year to keep the string alive.
richbrave
September 22nd, 2009
7:33 am
Yes, MARTIN has proved out. He’s done as well in a positive way as KELLY has in the opposite direction. The club’s better off. I would say from the outside looking in, that we rid ourselves of the cancer in the clubhouse – FRANCOUER. I don’t know if our improvement began with the arrival of CHURCH or not, but it didn’t hurt. Certainly, after first McLOUTH and then LaROCHE, we began to find ourselves as a team.
O.J.
September 22nd, 2009
7:47 am
Hey DOB, if the Braves can end the season at 90-72 and dont get into the playoffs, I would be OK with that. Its better than being 72-90 like last year, shows what a huge turn around we had, almost makes Bobby Cox look like he should be manager of the year, taking a team that was 72-90 last year to a team that would be 90-72 this year. Not great by any means, but its still a huge accomplishment. Dont you think? And it also opens Frank Wrens eyes to prove that we needed a big bat all along. If we can keep this same lineup next year, guarantee we win more than 90, probably a 100.
David
September 22nd, 2009
8:45 am
DOB, House was fantastic last night. I haven’t enjoyed the show that much in a long time. I think that you will like it very much.
Firearm
September 22nd, 2009
8:50 am
DOB, Kenshin and his interpreter dressed as ninjas to the airport?
…PLEASE tell me they had a little confrontation with pirates.
CallUpHeyward
September 22nd, 2009
8:53 am
Not only do the Braves need more power, they need more speed. When the long balls aren’t coming- and they haven’t- they play station to station baseball. There have been any number of times this season the Braves have failed to score with more than two hits in an inning. That’s pitiful.
Kevin
September 22nd, 2009
9:28 am
Naw braves need new manager n hittin coach instead O’Liein…cxse closed…
Lew
September 22nd, 2009
9:29 am
I don’t know if there was an altercation with Pirates, but let’s just hope the NInjas didn’t have a TSA confrontation.
Rock On......
September 22nd, 2009
9:31 am
Just a quick glance at the old blog and here is the “Prado needs consistency thing” on just about every page. Some question whether we are set at 2nd base and should we keep KJ.
WOW, I mean do people actually watch the Braves at all or just come on here to stir things up? Last I checked a .300 hitter at 2nd base with about 10-15 homers projected is pretty darn sweet. Throw in the range and defense and versatility and well, I think he is named Prado. Pencil him in the #2 hole to start 2010.
What about KJ you ask? Well, in short, he is gone. Infante can provide cheap insurance at 2nd if Prado fills in at 3rd or 1st. Infante is also versatile. KJ is not versatile and at 2.5 million he ain’t sitting the bench. Kelly has some upside and a change of scenery will do him some good. Look for KJ to go with a pitcher (no, it won’t be Vazquez) for a LF bat.
Not sure about needing a lot of bats. The players need to fulfill potential. Chipper and McCann need to both hit 20+ homers. LaRoche is a given there probably around 30 (yep, I voted we should pay him well for 2 years). I will assume for this post that Heyward will be in RF and swatting 20+ so the only “upgrade” we need is the oft-mentioned big bat for LF. Absolutely I would not trade Vazquez for said bat. Wren listened to me on Prado so I feel confident Vazquez will remain a Brave.
Rock On......
September 22nd, 2009
9:43 am
DOB….agree with you whole-heartedly on the comedy shows. Never saw much in Seinfeld or Friends that had me rolling on the floor to be honest. But you had to like Sanford and Son or Benny Hill I am guessing?
Figures, I lease my building in Buckhead to the new tenants and they are thinking of holding a bass tournament in the basement.
DAP
September 22nd, 2009
9:46 am
martin prado between last year and this year has basically done what escobar did in ‘07, that led us to believe he could take over full time. i definitely think martin needs a shot to play everyday, and infante is a nice backup to have in case he needs some days off. kelly johnson is just making to much money to keep around at this point.
dcp
September 22nd, 2009
9:47 am
Wow Jurrjens – let’s celebrate the Braves winning record against the division leaders. What will that get the Braves? That means they choked it against bad teams – Reds, Pads. Those 3 teams are all going to the playoffs and the Braves are still out. The Braves had 3 must win series against the Phillies in the last month (2 at home) and lost 2 of 3 each time, so that 10-8 is garbage – nobody will look back and say “well, the Phils, Dodgers, Cards won the World Series but hey, we beat them head to head”.
DAP
September 22nd, 2009
9:47 am
i think friends is halarious.
Lew
September 22nd, 2009
9:51 am
Dadgum (who apparently still Rocks On)-I was one of that multitude who felt that Prado was best suited to a utility role and that Kelly would turn it around. I was flat out wrong. In 117 games (I was surprised at this when Joe mentioned it last night), the Dude has 32 doubles and 10 HR (in a little less than 3/4 of a season). Projected over a full year, Prado would be hitting about .300 with 43 doubles and 14 HR. Not too bad for a utility guy who makes diddly in salary.
I always liked Kelly Johnson, but he blew his shot, pure and simple. I think that when one considers how little he has played since being removed from the everyday lineup, the writing is on the wall and your thoughts that Kelly is gone after the year ends is spot on.
I’m also not really sold on keeping Ryan Church. If we were to add the $2.5 mil we save by letting Anderson walk (and he has provided about what we expected, IMO), the over $3 mil that KJ would make in arb and the same for Church, we would have over $8 mil to use towards the aqcuisition of a power bat for the outfield. It would more than pay for Roachy’s extension if we could sign him to a 3 year, $24 mil contract.
As for outfielders if we let Church walk, we still have Diaz and could bring up Brandon Jones to play against RHP, would still retain McLouth and would put the power hitter (whoever that may be) in LF.. When Heyward is ready, Diaz could Pinch Hit and Brandon sent back to Gwinnett (I believe he still has a year’s options left).
Just something to think about, but if we spend Gonzo’s/Soriano’s salaries for a new closer and can sign Hudson to a club friendly longer term deal for a smaller 2010 salary, we might actually be able to retain our ENTIRE starting staff. I think Kawakami proved pretty definitively last night he can adapt pretty easily to long relief. Maybe it’s stretching the salary potential a bit, maybe not and maybe the ownership could add a few mil since it would make us pretty close to a powerhouse. Thoughts?
McFann :Ô:
September 22nd, 2009
9:58 am
jeffrey d I’m watching Andy Griffith right now…I bet McFann watches that show
Oh yeah, totally! My Lovey cann whistle the theme song (well, kind of…
)! The color ones are kind of annoying (Andy’s too freakin’ crabby and there’s no Barney), but the black-and-white ones are great!
varoadrunner
September 22nd, 2009
10:01 am
DOB – I hope I didn’t miss this but How did kawakami qualify for a save in last night’s game?
DAP
September 22nd, 2009
10:04 am
lew you and i are completely on the same page as far as next years team goes. dropping church and kelly is the way to go.
without losing one starting pitcher, we would have $2.8mil from kotchman coming off, $2.8 from ryan church, $2.8 from kelly, $2.5 from anderson, $.8 from norton, $3.4mil from gonzalez, $6.3 from soriano.
that right there equals $21.4mil coming off the books, before we move a starter! i still think it would be a good idea to try and trade kawakami, but it wouldnt be necessary. and like you said, if we could raise payroll a little for a team on the cusp of being the best in the NL, we’d be golden.
DAP
September 22nd, 2009
10:06 am
varoadrunner, if you pitch the last three innings of the game you get the save no matter how far ahead your team is.
Lew
September 22nd, 2009
10:07 am
varodrunner-Any reliever who comes into a game where his team is winning and pitches three or more innings holding the lead, automatically qualifies for a save, regardless of the score when he entered the game.
DAP-And if I’m not mistaken, the Braves have not received insurance $$$$ for Hudson. If this is so, we’ve been paying everyone’s salaries anyway and Kawakami’s is somewhat reduced for 2010-still more savings.
GboroBravo
September 22nd, 2009
10:08 am
Malcolm in the Middle is great to watch
DAP
September 22nd, 2009
10:10 am
lew, i still think that kawakami is to expensive for a long man…with raises guys are due to get, i think that $21.4mil i cited earlier would get stretched pretty quick. the braves could easily pay $16mil next season between laroche and a closer, which, after raises, doesnt leave much for an outfielder. being able to trade kawakami’s $7mil or so makes a big difference. i really like pwhjort’s idea from yesterday about working out a trade for michael cuddyer, who is signed one more year plus an option.
McFann :Ô:
September 22nd, 2009
10:13 am
OK, even with the walk, BMac OBP went down a point (AVG went down 2 points). And not only did he break a 9-game hitting streak, he also snapped a 5-game RBI streak–had at least one RBI in his last five games; 9 RBI all together.
It’s funny…yesterday afternoon I was thinking how when it’s really sunny and dry for a long time, it feels like it’s never going to rain again. When it’s rainy for a long time, it feels like it’s never going to be sunny again. When a player’s going 0-20, it feels like he’s never going to get a hit again. And when he’s in a long hitting streak, it feels like he’s never going to go 0-fer again, especially when he even gets a pinch-hit, RBI single…
Well…just gonna hafta start a new hitting streak tonight. But I’m still miffed at Bobby for randomly taking him out in the 6th.
McFann :Ô:
September 22nd, 2009
10:14 am
*BMac’s OBP
David O'Brien
September 22nd, 2009
10:14 am
varoadrunner: because he pitched four innings of relief to finish the game. another of those sort of quirky rules in scoring, like how Hanson got a loss in that 4-2 game when he pitched the first two innings and gave up one run.
Lew
September 22nd, 2009
10:16 am
DAP-I’ve got my doubts about Cuddyer. Dude has some power, but 28 dingers in MInnesotra won’t translate to an equal number in ASTlanta. Add to this the fact he will be making in the $6 mil range (based on 09’s salary) and the fact that in a five full year ML career, he has only played 150 games ONCE and the year before last he only played in 71 games. I’m not certain he’s the one we need to hope will answer our prayers-even with Roachy signed.
David O'Brien
September 22nd, 2009
10:17 am
varoadrunner, to clarify, here’s the saves rule from the MLB rulebook:
Rule 10.20 in the Official Rule Book states:
Credit a pitcher with a save when he meets all three of the following conditions:
(1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and
(2) He is not the winning pitcher; and
(3) He qualifies under one of the following conditions:
- (a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; or
- (b) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, or at bat, or on deck (that is, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batsmen he faces; or
- (c) He pitches effectively for at least three innings. No more than one save may be credited in each game.
DAP
September 22nd, 2009
10:20 am
lew, your probably right, looking at cuddyer more closely, this year could be a fluke.
bravesgrl4life
September 22nd, 2009
10:20 am
rockinthebeergut(formerly southbeachdietfreak)
September 22nd, 2009
12:31 am
First, I love the rockingthebeergut song
Second, I am in total agreement with you. Regardless of whether we make the playoffs or not, at least this offseason, we can look forward to 2010. There is defintely more potential than we’ve had for the last few years.
Mitch C
September 22nd, 2009
10:27 am
Dave, the good thing is that the Braves are going to finish over 500, and at least ten to fifteen games better than last year. That’s progress. Hopefully, with the same people, and a better bullpen, they can win at least the wild card in 2010.
It;s crucial that we sign Laroche. He has been a Godsend since coming to Atlanta. I shudder to think where we would be without him. I’d offer him at least a two year deal, for as much money as we can afford, even if it means keeping Freeman in the minors until 2011. Laroche can hit us at least 20 plus homers, and drive in 80 plus, which would be important, especially with Chipper injured, in decline, and maybe even retiring after next year.
It will be a big loss if we lose Laroche. Besides that, if we can sign one of the two free agent relievers, preferably Soriano, we should be fine with them, and our returning pitching.
Lew
September 22nd, 2009
10:27 am
DAP-I think he’s a solid player, but the missed time really concerns me-missing time is something we really don’t need from our only real power bat. There’s got to be a young guy with a bit of a track record that some team will be willing to part with-for pitching, if necessary, who makes somewhat less $$$$ and has been relatively healthy throughout his tenure. Pitching IS the best trade commodity to have and it’s the one thing we DO have
Danga
September 22nd, 2009
10:30 am
I wasn’t aware of that version of the Save interesting.
Anyone going to see the Walkmen on Friday at Variety Playhouse?
Couch Tater
September 22nd, 2009
10:38 am
Jon Heyman article on the 2010 free-agent market:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/09/16/free.agents/index.html
Oh, and good moanin’.
Charlie Mingus – Moanin’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__OSyznVDOY&feature=related
Lew
September 22nd, 2009
10:39 am
Danga-Not surprising that you or anyone else is unfamiliar with that rule. You just don’t see relievers going three or more innings very often, anymore.
Interesting news-Just saw on CNN that Michael Moore’s new film about the banking industry focuses on Liberty Media (among others). This should be interesting to we Braves’ fans.
White Blood Cells
September 22nd, 2009
10:42 am
Lew,
Agree with your 9:51 post. But, Heyward is the platoon outfielder. I know some people think he needs more minor league seasoning. I don’t because his strikeout total was impressive. He knows the zone and even though major league pitches are of a higher quality, they throw more strikes. This kid is intelligent and will make adjustments.
Daslied
September 22nd, 2009
10:44 am
Why are people still complaining about not signing Dunn? Maybe he didn’t want to come to Atlanta. Maybe his demands were ridiculous until he finally signed. You can’t assume that because Wren didn’t sign someone it’s because he didn’t try. (See Furcal, Rafael.)
Lowe, KK and Vazquez were all acquired in the offseason. If Dunn was on the payroll we possibly wouldn’t have gotten LaRoche or McLouth. So who do you choose?
According to WAR, LaRoche has been more valuable than Dunn (2.4 WAR vs. 1.8 for Dunn). And yes, I know we haven’t had LaRoche all season. McLouth and Lowe have been nearly twice as valuable (both 3.2 WAR). KK has been equal (1.8). Javy? Almost four times as valuable – 6.5 WAR.
Not saying Dunn wouldn’t fit nicely, save for the defense. But Atlanta can’t just spend and spend, so you have to factor in ALL reasons for not signing him, and what you might miss out on if you did.
White Blood Cells
September 22nd, 2009
10:47 am
Lew,
You know how this organization has kind of toyed with B. Jones’ career. He never developed the power they thought he had. I don’t see the organization keeping him, especially if Shafer needs a spot at Gwinnett.
Lew
September 22nd, 2009
10:48 am
WBC-I could certainly see Heyward winning the starting job out of Spring Training if he has a good spring, but don’t see them platooning him. I kind of hope that he IS ready, because it would solve some serious power problems on the cheap (we can hope, anyway).
I’m thinking that with a full year of LaRoche (his first half is still an average of .253, 13 and 43 RBI-not terrible, by any means) and Heyward ready, as well as a full season of McLouth and Prado, we may not need another boomer (would mind having one, though). I only wish we really knew about Heyward and waiting until the end of ST may be too long to wait to find another good bat.
Lew
September 22nd, 2009
10:50 am
WBC-I’m not crying if Brandon heads down the road, but has he ever REALLY gotten a chance to prove himself? Not saying he would hit for loads of power, but I believe he’s much better than we’ve seen to this point.
ncscoots
September 22nd, 2009
10:53 am
I’m thinking that with a full year of LaRoche (his first half is still an average of .253, 13 and 43 RBI-not terrible, by any means) and Heyward ready, as well as a full season of McLouth and Prado, we may not need another boomer (would mind having one, though).
Dangerous thinking that, unfortunately, might be shared by the Braves’ FO. The impossible dream, from where I sit.
White Blood Cells
September 22nd, 2009
10:54 am
Lew,
Like last year with Hanson and Shafer, the organization is sending Kimbrell, Heyward and Minor(LH out of Vandy) to Arizona. Depending on how well these 3 guys perform will determine a lot. We need a lefty in the rotation and some have said Minor has 4 pitches and was as good as Price. We will see, and I think the AFL is a good benchmark.
White Blood Cells
September 22nd, 2009
10:56 am
Lew,
Your 10:50 post is right on the money. I think he was dimissed because he never developed that power. I think he’s a good player who would thrive in the majors with the right situation.
White Blood Cells
September 22nd, 2009
10:57 am
ncscoots,
I tend to agree with your 10:53 post. But what are the alternatives?
ncscoots
September 22nd, 2009
10:57 am
some have said Minor has 4 pitches and was as good as Price.
Must be some other Price not named David, LOL.
unbelievable
September 22nd, 2009
10:58 am
who said Minor was as good as Price
Lew
September 22nd, 2009
10:59 am
Damn-If Minor is ready (and I realize many were NOT happy with his signing over others in the draft), wouldn’t THAT make the rotational situation interesting?