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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,702 comments Add your comment
McFann Ô
November 9th, 2009
8:44 pm
Neight McCann’s success rate is probably due to opposing catchers choking on their own spit when out of the corner of their eye they see what looks like cold honey moving from first to second on a SB attempt.
McFanny–
I figured as much. Just thought I’d humor you.
B’s B Tell me an instance where a pitcher bad mouthed a catcher’s calls. You can’t.
Can’t I? I know pitchers weren’t a big fan of Jojima…that guy who used to catch for the Mariners? Forgive my spelling, s’il vous plaît.
Add to that his cleats are always on the correct feet.
Hey, that’s another point in his favor.
Really. Here’s where I’m getting that from–Choptalk, August, 2006, page 25:
“McCann has the poise behind the plate and knowledge of opposing hitter that usually takes years to amass.”
Back to you: Yes, his footwork is better (nowhere near good), but it was incredibly bad and now is not nearly as glaring.
Gee, how nice of you.
It was not “incredibly” bad…it just wasn’t that good. But it’s getting better. Yeah…it’s getting better.
Bad feet. Bad arm. Bad at receiving balls from the OF.
Nah, not really. But that’s not to say that I haven’t seen guys who were better at it. Answer me this now: How come whenever our outfielders throw one up the line, BMac always gets blamed for not blocking the plate when, had he blocked the plate, the ball would have gone to the backstop? I mean, first thing’s first, you gotta have the ball, right?
I like McCann. Not saying he is a defensive Piazza. He’s just not good
Sure. Whatever.
DAP
November 9th, 2009
8:45 pm
sri
aha! vindication: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/bay-vs-cameron/
(just reposting for everyone’s enjoyment)
BravoMan
November 9th, 2009
8:47 pm
Jay,
Yea I certainly don’t think I know everything, but I like to think I’m a pretty knowledgeable Braves fan. But when I saw the possibility of a Vazquez extension today it shows that the offseason is always surprising. I really didn’t see that coming.
McFann Ô
November 9th, 2009
8:48 pm
Neight Add to that, not only is NOT poor defensively, he might be the best defensive catcher as well.
Sure, but since most everybody here only looks at CS% to value a catcher’s D–check out the drop-off in CS% that Mauer had this year. Mama mia…
28 HR and he hit .365?
Ja…too bad it isn’t contagious.
But seriously–huge jump in the HR depot. He musta got healthy…didn’t he have some back problems in ‘08 or something?
N8
November 9th, 2009
8:49 pm
Before people freak on the McCann/Mauer (yeah, McFann… I’m talkin’ to you), about the Catcher/DH stuff.
Mauer started 133 games (105 at catcher & 28 at DH). Mac started 125 games all at catcher. I’m sure the 20 more games behind the plate took it’s toll on Mac, especially in the southern heat and humidity, as opposed to the dome in Minnesota. But consider that Mauer actually hit .372 in the 105 starts behind the plate. He was a more human .330 when DH’ing.
Mac hit .280 when catching. He hit .312 PH & in the 1 game he was the DH.
But considering that Mac was the 64th pick overall in the 2002 draft (not bad at all), and Mauer was the #1 overall pick in 2001, I’d say they are each doing what it was they were supposed to do. Mauer was supposed to be this good.
And just think. Twins fans were irrate that they passed on Mark Prior to take some “local kid” at catcher. Sound familiar?
Inept & Inepter is Ineptest lol
November 9th, 2009
8:49 pm
What a crybaby! lol
you are the crybaby, crybaby. Can’t stand to have someone point out you stupidity? That is the board definition of a crybaby, crybaby. If you are going to post with the name Inept, it is ironic that your post was so inept. If you are going to bust someones chops, you should at least get it right, or plenty of other posters will nail your ineptest ass, crybaby. Geez what a moron.
DAP
November 9th, 2009
8:52 pm
N8Escobar is maybe slightly above average on the basebaths,
…Chipper is slow.
i think chipper and yunel are pretty much the same, actually. chipper still rins pretty good, honestly. hes at least average, and a very smart baserunner, too.
P. W. Hjort
November 9th, 2009
8:52 pm
In defense of Bay’s defense, he is positioned by the Green Monster. That has to hurt one’s numbers, it would seem.
Why would it seem? I’m not saying you’re wrong, just curious what your intuition tells you?
N8
November 9th, 2009
8:55 pm
McFann, yeah Mauer has pretty much been an injury problem since he first got called up. Which is why the Twins fans were upset that he wasn’t even playing, while Mark Prior was leading the Cubs to the playoffs (before blowing out his arm).
That’s the problem with judging a catchers defense based on caught stealing stats. Maybe the Twins pitchers are the worst in the league at holding runners?
All you have to do, is watch about 3 games of Joe Mauer behind the plate. I mean really pay attention to how his footwork is, how natural it is for him to get his body in front of the ball, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
The good thing, is that Mac has a great pitching staff to throw to him, with pretty good control (and he certainly calls a good game), and he can hit. So, for the time being, imo, his defensive limitations don’t hinder his value to the team.
If we had 3 guys on the team like Smoltz that threw a ton of split-fingers and crazy sliders that were always in the dirt, his defense would worry me. But we don’t. We have 3 guys (4 actually) that pitch to contact, and then Vazquez and Hanson who don’t throw a ton of pitches in the dirt.
It would have been really ugly watching a young John Smoltz in the mid-90’s throw to Mac. Really ugly.
But make no mistake. I like Mac. Not ripping him. Just praising Mauer. If that makes you mad or uncomfortable, I’m sorry. LOL
N8
November 9th, 2009
8:59 pm
DAP, I agree on Chipper. When he’s healthy. But that guy has so many foot, groin and hammy issues that he’s tentative on the paths. When was the last time you saw Chipper “bust it” down the first base line like Diaz does? 2004?
Chipper’s an athlete. Like Mauer, as the #1 overall pick, he was destined for greatness, and was expected to be as good as he’s been in his career. But I agree, he’s a very smart baserunner. Sometimes that makes up for not being as fast anymore. Smart baserunning often goes un-appreciated.
Chipper’s just a great baseball player. He just happens to be getting old, like all the great ones do.
McFanny
November 9th, 2009
9:12 pm
Hey DOB when’s the new bloggage going to be up!
Efrim
November 9th, 2009
9:15 pm
“He’s a brutal defender, and he doesn’t hit the good fastball, especially inside,”
I agree on his not being able to hit the good fastball. But I still think he is a better than average defender. Guy is super athletic, and while he may not get great jumps on balls, he has the speed to make up for it. Not an elite defensive left fielder like the metrics might lead you to believe.
Moe Berg
November 9th, 2009
9:20 pm
“Why would it seem? I’m not saying you’re wrong, just curious what your intuition tells you?”
Lot’s of strange caroms happen out in left field in Fenway. It takes quite awhile to get used to how the ball will play off the monster. Visiting left fielders often look lost out there.
Braveheart
November 9th, 2009
9:31 pm
Jersey Girl on AMC right now. Call me crazy, but Jersey Girl ain’t exactly an American Movie Classic
TnBrian
November 9th, 2009
9:34 pm
Can’t wait until Saw 6 comes out on cable so AMC can play an instant classic for everybody for free.
Random
November 9th, 2009
9:44 pm
Lew (November 9th, 2009 4:39 pm): “Maybe we need to look at it like this-even if it upsets Random.”
“Suppose they sign both Hudson and Vazquez to $9 mil a year contracts.”
“That would save about $5.5 million off of what they’d make on their current contracts.”
“Then they trade Kawakami.”
“That saves another $6.6 mil”
Kawakami will not be traded.
Braveheart
November 9th, 2009
9:48 pm
We dropped atom bombs on the Japanese. The Japanese will somehow find a way to get over the Braves trading Kawakami.
McFann Ô
November 9th, 2009
10:07 pm
Neight yeah, McFann… I’m talkin’ to you
Who else would it be?
I’m sure the 20 more games behind the plate took it’s toll on Mac, especially in the southern heat and humidity, as opposed to the dome in Minnesota.
Totally. Would be int’resting to see how Mauer hit if he played almost everyday in southern heat, but haha…I’m not aiming to find out the hard way.
But consider that Mauer actually hit .372 in the 105 starts behind the plate.
Why don’t you make me?
I’d say they are each doing what it was they were supposed to do.
Yeah…that’s a point. Hey, I don’t have too many beefs about BMac…really just needs to improve that D, but otherwise he’s totally the best.
Maybe the Twins pitchers are the worst in the league at holding runners?
IDK…you could totally make that argument for the Braves’ pitchers (especially this year and last). But Mauer was catching them at rates in the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s before this year (26%…about).
All you have to do, is watch about 3 games of Joe Mauer behind the plate. I mean really pay attention to how his footwork is, how natural it is for him to get his body in front of the ball, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Well, yeah, see, it comes more natural to him. BMac’s just one of those guys who has to work harder. Haha…funny thing, though–I watched Mauer some in the playoffs, and he was doing the same things BMac does. I mean, I saw a guy steal off him and the throw was HIGH and saved by the 2B man…and a guy was comin’ home for a play at the plate, and Mauer had to go up the line to get the throw. Huh…think I picked the wrong games to watch.
It would have been really ugly watching a young John Smoltz in the mid-90’s throw to Mac. Really ugly.
Hmm…well, I didn’t see much baseball in the 90’s. But I’m sure if BMac had been catching Smoltz in those days, he would have worked his blocking technique to fit Smoltz’s pitching.
I always think about how it would have been had BMac ever caught Maddux.
Those speedy guys would LOVE it…
But make no mistake. I like Mac. Not ripping him.
There’s another one.
Just praising Mauer. If that makes you mad or uncomfortable, I’m sorry. LOL
Haha, no sweat. There’s no denying that Mauer is an incredible talent. As a fan of catchers in general, I have to like him to a degree (though that does not apply to the likes of John Grove and a couple others whose names escape me). I just want my main mann to be better.
OK…that was rather long. Gotta run now. Will be happy to pick up the conversation tomorrow morning. (Sorry if there are any typos…don’t feel like proofing at this time.)
Night, all!
BravoMan
November 9th, 2009
10:14 pm
Braveheart 9:48,
that made me laugh out loud
David O'Brien
November 9th, 2009
10:15 pm
I talked to Kenny Williams for a while about Javy Vazquez and the trade, etc. I’ll put it in a new blog. Gimme a minute or 20. I just got checked into hotel, long day. Gonna write new blog now. I’ll keep it short.
BravesFanChris25
November 9th, 2009
10:33 pm
DOB’s post about the Javy extension thing was posted on MLBTR ~_~
nolie
November 9th, 2009
10:38 pm
That’s the problem with judging a catchers defense based on caught stealing stats. Maybe the Twins pitchers are the worst in the league at holding runners? (N8)
there are 5 tools. one is arm, one is defense. they are not the same and a catcher’s defense should not be judged mostly by his SB%
Bobby's Belly
November 9th, 2009
10:56 pm
Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available!
Wayne in Utah
November 9th, 2009
10:57 pm
Random
Just thinking, if the unthinkable happens, Kawakami getting dealt away, you are going to have enough crow to eat, that you will not go hungry for the entire winter and WAY into the spring…..
Wayne in Utah
November 9th, 2009
10:57 pm
What the heck, let’s sign up Wil!
Bobby's Belly
November 9th, 2009
10:59 pm
He is available.
IPayForAOL
November 9th, 2009
11:04 pm
Did everyone hear that Will Ohman is available?
jeffrey d
November 9th, 2009
11:07 pm
But what about Wil Ohman?
nolie
November 9th, 2009
11:10 pm
Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available! Wil Ohman is available!
and he had such a great year, just like all our experts said he would. will 3/22 do it?
jeffrey d
November 9th, 2009
11:14 pm
Ohman for 3 years at $22M a year? I’d do it.
nolie
November 9th, 2009
11:15 pm
Me too Jeffrey
jdawg14
November 9th, 2009
11:18 pm
trade Vazquez and Diaz for Adam Dunn
ncgary
November 9th, 2009
11:18 pm
better go a couple extra years om ohman at that price , wouldnt wont to have to risk the chance at someone outbidding us
nolie
November 9th, 2009
11:22 pm
I was hoping he would sign so cheaply as a kinda ex-hometown discount, y’know?
nolie
November 9th, 2009
11:23 pm
where’s that dam blog we were promised?
Crazy Trades McKnee
November 9th, 2009
11:24 pm
trade Vazquez and Diaz for Adam Dunn
I’m saving this one. Stashing it away for a rainy day.
ncgary
November 9th, 2009
11:24 pm
in chicago on rush street?
lol
jeffrey d
November 9th, 2009
11:25 pm
He’d be making more than Chipper, Hanson, and Jurrjens combined, but he’s also worth more than all of them combined.
where’s that dam blog we were promised?
For real!
Jimbo
November 9th, 2009
11:26 pm
Would Smoltz come back as a closer?
jeffrey d
November 9th, 2009
11:26 pm
I’m saving this one. Stashing it away for a rainy day.
Sposed to rain tomorrow/tonight
nolie
November 9th, 2009
11:26 pm
Dave either fell asleep or scored big time. I’m betting on the fell asleep.
ncgary
November 9th, 2009
11:29 pm
yeah it is about that time
sleep time that is
jeffrey d
November 9th, 2009
11:31 pm
Dave either fell asleep or scored big time. I’m betting on the fell asleep.
jeffrey d
November 9th, 2009
11:33 pm
But your face will be red when the mug shot up top has Megan Fox next to DOB tomorrow.
J-MAN
November 9th, 2009
11:34 pm
I’ve heard that Hudson has passed his physical and his MRI looks good and they have finalized the 3 year deal. Is this true?
MIBravesFan
November 9th, 2009
11:35 pm
I’m so happy you are posting a new blog DOB – you really need to! The natives are going nutzrieg!
tdmorgan
November 9th, 2009
11:36 pm
no, DOB said the MRI isn’t happening until tomorrow
nolie
November 9th, 2009
11:37 pm
But your face will be red when the mug shot up top has Megan Fox next to DOB tomorrow. Jeffrey
suckup
jeffrey d
November 9th, 2009
11:39 pm
Megan O’Brien
jeffrey d
November 9th, 2009
11:40 pm
David Fox
keylargo
November 9th, 2009
11:43 pm
I don’t know if we have enough money to sign Will Ohman & Ryan Freel. This one will hurt Wayne no matter which way they go.
nolie
November 9th, 2009
11:44 pm
You’re right KL. We need to have a moment of silence for Wayne’s feelings.
nolie
November 9th, 2009
11:45 pm
OK, that was enough
jeffrey d
November 9th, 2009
11:45 pm
Does Wayne like David Eckstein? Maybe we can get him to compliment Diaz’s hustle.
Andy K.
November 9th, 2009
11:45 pm
Haha wow…got some new-bloggage deprived guys in here…
MIBravesFan
November 9th, 2009
11:48 pm
How old are you all?
MIBravesFan
November 9th, 2009
11:49 pm
Come on – own up!
Andy K.
November 9th, 2009
11:50 pm
*cricket*cricket*
pryguy
November 9th, 2009
11:50 pm
Awesome to hear Javy is being considered for an extension. Definitely would be in the Braves best interest in my opinion.
keylargo
November 9th, 2009
11:51 pm
I’m older than any 4 that blog during a game.
jeffrey d
November 9th, 2009
11:51 pm
I’m 25. Are we A/S/L-ing?
pryguy
November 9th, 2009
11:52 pm
Is Fielder’s name being mentioned in trades? I think he’s an intriguing piece, whoever may try to acquire him.
pryguy
November 9th, 2009
11:53 pm
Or should I just listen to XM radio to find out on Fielder?
Andy K.
November 9th, 2009
11:53 pm
go with XM…useless, stupid information faster, and for a price
MIBravesFan
November 9th, 2009
11:54 pm
pryguy: Yes it is – extend him or trade him. Hope to extend him
Wayne in Utah
November 9th, 2009
11:54 pm
Guys, in my way of thinking, if we let KJ go, we can sign Freel AND Ohman, for about 3 years EACH, for what KJ was going to cost.
Kinda like having our cake and eating it too, huh!
(and then when KJ comes crawling back, we can sign him up for league minimum.)
Andy K.
November 9th, 2009
11:55 pm
I think DOB either found a Havana Sandwich Shop or a Ella Guru copy-cat store in O’Hare.
Wayne in Utah
November 9th, 2009
11:56 pm
They say keylargo and nolie are BOTH older than dirt. (and I am a young whipper snapper, compared to those old salts!)
Andy K.
November 9th, 2009
11:56 pm
Lol Wayne, or we could do what certain denizens seem to be the logical thing, and start him at every position possible to see if he’ll start hitting.
jeffrey d
November 9th, 2009
11:57 pm
(and then when KJ comes crawling back, we can sign him up for league minimum.)
Andy K.
November 9th, 2009
11:57 pm
*seem to think is the logical thing*
P. W. Hjort
November 10th, 2009
12:00 am
Top-15 HS 2010 draft prospects.
Nobody from Georgia. 5 from Florida. 3 from California. 2 from Texas. 1 from Louisiana, Colorado, Ohio, Indiana, and Washington.
Random
November 10th, 2009
12:10 am
Braveheart (November 9th, 2009 9:48 pm): “We dropped atom bombs on the Japanese. The Japanese will somehow find a way to get over the Braves trading Kawakami.”
You mean in 50 or 60 years, if they have even gotten over the nukes yet?
PS: without a smiley face of some kind, that post is simply stupid.
Moe Berg
November 10th, 2009
12:14 am
I was just reading the newspapers here in Chicago and came across the following local news headlines in the Tribune and Sun-Times. Perhaps one of these is can account for DOB’s disappearance.
Man found shot to death in car in Bronzeville
A night out turned fatal
woman accused of stabbing boyfriend over bounced check
Firefighters save dog
Homeless man gets a final warning
Chimpanzee attack victim to appear on ‘Oprah’
Witnesses held in contempt still won’t testify at murder trial
Prosecutors say Chicago man had al-Qaida video
nolie
November 10th, 2009
12:15 am
OK, now I know he fell asleep. Getting some wouldn’t take him nearly this long.
Random
November 10th, 2009
12:16 am
Wayne in Utah (November 9th, 2009 10:57 pm): “Just thinking, if the unthinkable happens, Kawakami getting dealt away, you are going to have enough crow to eat, that you will not go hungry for the entire winter and WAY into the spring…..”
Maybe so, but not only is it highly unlikely, I won’t even need it.
This weekend, I rolled out my new buffet strategy for Shoney’s, Ryan’s, etc — just peel the skins off all the fried and broiled chicken on the serving tables, and pile ‘em up on your plate.
What more could any man want? Certainly not the white meat of a crow!
MIBravesFan
November 10th, 2009
12:16 am
DOB – we really need a new blog!
P. W. Hjort
November 10th, 2009
12:16 am
PS: without a smiley face of some kind, that post is simply stupid.
Can’t say I’d ever thought of a post that a smiley face is necessary to negate stupidity. You learn something new every day.
nolie
November 10th, 2009
12:17 am
I mean, a coupla minutes tops, right?
Andy K.
November 10th, 2009
12:19 am
You know it’s sort of sad that it’s the off-season, and a group of braves fans have gathered on-line at 12:18 am, or your standard local time in your area, and are all collectively a-pining for a blog. I admit I sorta want one too, but would be just as satisfied if DOB is enjoying tonight’s episode of House, which was quite good.
nolie
November 10th, 2009
12:22 am
and are all collectively a-pining for a blog. I admit I sorta want one too’
I’m pretty sure we are just kidding around
jeffrey d
November 10th, 2009
12:23 am
OK, now I know he fell asleep. Getting some wouldn’t take him nearly this long.
Alright, I can’t wait for the new blog any longer. Bedtime.
Doc Holiday
November 10th, 2009
12:23 am
Wayne……….
I like freel and ohman a lot………….but I dont think braves will go for will and I dont think freel is what we need.
Necromancer
November 10th, 2009
12:25 am
I wonder if Mike Smith can manage the Braves…
The Braves need that kind of fire..
Andy K.
November 10th, 2009
12:25 am
damn, sarcasm still doesnt come across well on the net
Necromancer
November 10th, 2009
12:25 am
and owners!
Random
November 10th, 2009
12:27 am
P. W. Hjort (November 10th, 2009 12:16 am): “Can’t say I’d ever thought of a post that a smiley face is necessary to negate stupidity. You learn something new every day.”
I mean to say, if he meant that comment to be taken seriously, it was a really stupid comment.
A smiley face would serve to disambiguate his intent, not necessarily negate any stupidity.
nolie
November 10th, 2009
12:28 am
damn, sarcasm still doesnt come across well on the net Andy
sometimes we just don’t wanyt to recognize it even when we know it’s there.Somebodt has to be the straight man right?
Wayne in Utah
November 10th, 2009
12:28 am
Doc
I would have thought you would have figured me out by now…..
nolie
5 minutes tops in my book…
Andy K.
November 10th, 2009
12:29 am
Freel…Will Ohman..better be careful folks or people will be back to the old ways of sayings like “Free Willy” or “Freel Willy”…I sytill haven’t forgiven the culprit of “Free Heyward”.
TnBrian
November 10th, 2009
12:29 am
I just want to see if DOB got some more info on Javy. Like a little freakin kid at Christmas just waiting around.
nolie
November 10th, 2009
12:30 am
anybody know how to make altkey codes bigger? alt8800 is too small to recognize on this board.
Wayne in Utah
November 10th, 2009
12:30 am
If Freel could hit the way he did about 3-4 years ago, before all the nagging injuries, he would be a perfect MarteenII.
And, if Ohman loved it here so much, would a minor league contract get him back for a tryout?
Andy K.
November 10th, 2009
12:30 am
i’m not going to respond to that nolie, because quite frankly i’m confused by your tactics.
David O'Brien
November 10th, 2009
12:31 am
NEW BLOGGAGE for the night owls!
nolie
November 10th, 2009
12:32 am
I figger less for an old man like Dave, Wayne. He ain’t as spry as he once was I betcha.
Doc Holiday
November 10th, 2009
12:33 am
Wayne…………..we need power…………..not a 15 HR guy
Wayne in Utah
November 10th, 2009
12:33 am
I really don’t expect anything beyond the Huddy announcement in a day or two. These meeting usually turn up one or two minor deals, but very little big moves. The Teahen and Hardy deals were kinda like the Renteria move of a few years back.
Most of the real juicy stuff comes from the winter meetings, which I think are in early December.
Doc Holiday
November 10th, 2009
12:35 am
Wayne,
what do yo think about picking yorvit torrealba and moving mc to 1b?
Wayne in Utah
November 10th, 2009
12:36 am
Doc
What the heck are you talking about??? What 15 homer guy? Are you all hopped up on drugs tonight?
Haven’t you figured out that Freel is a running joke for the past 25 years or so (well, maybe not quite that long)?