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4,563 comments Add your comment
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
1:33 am
Purdue I would have liked him better if he hadn’t declined so much. Since the gradual passing of the PEDs era, players are going to start dropping off a cliff again somewhat like they used to, or at least you have to think hard about it when a 35-37 yead old guy takes a dump.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
1:34 am
Frank from KS (now living in CO)……I’m an A$$? Why, because I want to see my teams (Braves and Cowboys) win? Because I dont want welfare jobs to be given to coaches way past their prime?
I was 17 years old when Landry was fired. I started watching the Cowboys play in 1980. That was the first of 3 straight NFC Championship games that we lost. After the last loss to the Redskins in 1982, we basically treaded water for the next couple of years before becoming a SUCK A$$ team.
Real Cowboys fans did not deserve to be subjected to another lost season without hope. If given another year, Landry would have stuck with giving playing time to way past their prime players like Ed Too Tall Jones and Randy White. And we would have had our A$$ handed to up on a platter for another season, for no reason at all. At least by going 1-15 in Jimmy’s first season, the Cowboys actually had a legit rebuilding plan.
Why dont you go and look up the Cowboys’ record in Landry’s last few years. We SUCKED A$$. How hard is that for you to understand?
The bottom line: 3 Super Bowls in 4 years is all that matters.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:35 am
Carlos Pena only hit .225 in the second half and I’m sure half the blog would jump for him.
Myers
January 5th, 2010
1:37 am
“Because looking good in the offseason is how you win a WS.”
Totally missed the point. Its not about looking good in the offseason. Its about making moves that prove to the fans that you want to compete and send Bobby out the right way. I’m sorry but as a fan, I’m not buying into the fact that unloading Vasquez and signing Glaus is our ticket to the postseason while the Phillies added Halliday and Mets got Bay.
Jeff
January 5th, 2010
1:38 am
NotAgain: Dye’s numbers there made another former Brave named Jones look good too.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
1:39 am
Jeff
Here’s some info I got off of Wikipedia on my boy George Brett’s page (yes, I grew up being a major Royals fan Brett, Willie Wilson, Frank White, etc, etc). Now while I do realize this can be edited by anyone…I can remember this as if it was yesterday. I’m just posting this in response to your dislike of Dye. Ya never know, if the Braves do get Dye, he could come in and hit 30, 35 HR’s and rebound quite nicely from 2009.Take a read.
*In 1988, Brett moved across the diamond to first base in an effort to reduce his chances of injury and had another MVP-caliber season with a .306 average, 24 homers and 104 RBI. But after batting just .290 with 16 homers the next year, it looked like his career might be slowing down. He got off to a terrible start in 1990 and at one point even considered retirement. But his manager, former teammate John Wathan, encouraged him to stick it out. Finally, in July, the slump ended and Brett batted .386 for the rest of the season.*
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
1:39 am
Carlos only hit 227 the entire year,which isn’t all that far off some of his other years and he is younger. not a good comparison at all
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
1:39 am
Frank from KS (now living in CO)……….If it was possible for the Braves to win AND see Bobby go out a winner..then of course I’d be in favor of that.
It isnt like I dont appreciate what Bobby did for the Braves. However, the operative word here is “did”. “Did” as in past tense.
We have been a mediocre team the past 4 years. We have not seriously contended in the past 4 years. Sure, we were within striking distance a couple of those seasons. However we havent had a legit shot at making the play-offs since 2005.
I lay last year’s failure to make the play-offs squarely on Bobby Cox. His refusal to bench Francoeur and Kelly until late June……along with his loyalty to Greg Norton, played HUGE parts in our failure to at least get the Wild Card.
Those 14 division titles does not entitle Bobby Cox a free pass on the Braves’ failures of the past 4 years….nor does it entitle him to a lifetime job as Braves manager.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
January 5th, 2010
1:40 am
mr. baseball wrote:
If the Braves sign Damon, they won’t have 2 cents left to do something that needs to be done before the start of the season: acquiring someone who can fill in when/if Glaus and Chipper get hurt, preferably someone with more power than Infante.
Which is essentially the same thing I said in the previous blog:
January 4th, 2010
11:04 am
The questions remain, who is gonna replace the overall production and presence of Kotchman/Laroche at 1st base? Glaus can’t play everyday and who us gonna back him and Chipper up at both 1st and 3rd? KJ is gone and hasn’t been replaced on the bench. Infante can’t back the entire infield by himself. Norton won’t be missed but who is going to replace his spot on the bench. Are Joe Thurston, Brent Clevlen and Mitch Jones big league material?
So again, why would the Braves add another outfielder when Cabrera, McLouth, Schafer, Diaz and Heyward are lined up, and then there is the remaining hodge podge of Brandon Jones, Gregor Blanco, Brent Clevlan and Mitch Jones.
It seems to me that the infield is a more pressing matter at the moment.
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
1:41 am
Dye isn’t now and never was Brett. If they sign him it will be because he is cheaper than anybody else.
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
1:44 am
Oh God, I actually kinda agree with coach. How abashing.
Matt the Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:44 am
Hey DOB, if you stick Cap’t Caveman in LF, couldn’t you just have Yunel speed a bit further out on most cutoffs to compensate for the lack Damon’s arm? I mean, Yunel has a cannon. I think that this could compensate for this shortfall in his game. (I’m sure someone else posted this already, but I’m heading to bed!
) Also, do you know if 680 or 100.5 will be broadcasting Spring Training games? I know that 680 is planning to go to Spring Training for at least a week this coming season (like they do for training camp with the Falcons). Any info would be appreciated. Thanks for the good work keeping the hot stove fired up!
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
1:44 am
Paul
You say that…but about you trying to be a Royals fan or Pirates fan OR even a Cub fan. 4 years of mediocrity isn’t so bad, if you really think about it.
The Royals haven’t been to the playoffs since 1985, when they won the WS. I was 10 when they won it all. The Cubs haven’t won a WS in HOW MANY YEARS? The Pirates haven’t been to the playoffs since 92 when the Braves beat them out.
SO Paul, how bout you thinking about being a fan of those teams…and lets see how you feel, eh.
Jeff
January 5th, 2010
1:47 am
Frank: All joking aside, I don’t dislike Dye. If the Braves were an AL team, I’d consider him, esp. since he’s a former Brave. But we’re not, therefore I don’t see a good fit.
BTW, a few years ago I wanted Dye myself, but that was then and this is now.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
1:48 am
Frank from KS (now living in CO)………..if I was a fan of those teams, I would be criticizing management on the blogs in those cities.
I’m not going to worry about hypothetical situations like that. I only worry about being a fan of the Braves and Cowboys. The fans of those teams accepting losing is their business, not mine.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
1:48 am
NotAgain
I wasn’t say Dye was Brett. No, never was.
The point I was trying to make is…George’s career looked like it could be over (as some are saying with Dye)….and was thinkin retirement….but no, John Wathan talked him out of retiring and he had a nice rest of the season and, of course, he got inducted into the HOF in 99.
As some here think….Dye is about done…but ya never do know. That’s the point I was trying to make with my Brett story.
otis
January 5th, 2010
1:49 am
DOB,
Great stuff. Hey I was wondering.
Can the Braves make the 2011 payroll keeping the current lineup and paying the increases brought on by the players elegible for arbitration. Who is coming off? These are the 09 players and numbers.
Lets see: We’ve got
1. Tim Hudson 15,500,000
2. Derek Lowe 15,000,000
3. Billy Wagner 10,500,000
4. Chipper Jones 10,000,000
5. Kenshin Kawakami 8,333,666
6. Brian McCann 3,700,000
7. Omar Infante 1,850,000
8. Takashi Saito 1,500,000
9 a. Melky Cabrera 1,400,000
9 b. David Ross 1,400,000
11. Matt Diaz 1,237,500
12. Scott Proctor 750,000
13. Joe Thurston 475,000
14. Jair Jurrjens 450,000
15. Yunel Escobar 425,000
16. Martin Prado 415,000
17. Peter Moylan 410,000
18. Jesse Chavez 402,000
19 a. Jordan Schafer 400,000
19 b. Clint Sammons 400,000
19 c. Michael Dunn 400,000
19 d. Eric O’Flaherty 400,000
Total Team Salary: aprox $92 mil
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
1:51 am
Ya know Paul, that really doesn’t surprise me.
AND to answer your question a few comments back….your an azz by how you say things. I can tell your an arrogant #@!% by the way you post comments, etc.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
January 5th, 2010
1:56 am
Last post of the night.
Infielders Jerry Hairston jr., Adam Kennedy and Khalil Greene (minor league deal only) are still flapping in the wind.
And my personal WHAT THE F*** of the blog…..
Kiko Calero, right handed relief pitcher: Opponents hit .180 against Calero, the eighth-lowest mark among pitchers with at least 60 innings, and his one home run allowed was second in baseball while posting an ERA of 1.95, and the dude is still an unsigned free agent.
Purdue Thomas
January 5th, 2010
2:02 am
“Purdue I would have liked him better if he hadn’t declined so much.”
-NotAgain
Thanks for the response.
However I thought I did a pretty good job of explaining how he didn’t decline, he just got unlucky. His peripherals and things he could control like defense, BB%, LD%, and SB/speed rating were all above or at his career norms.
Damon is a year older than Winn anyways.
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
2:03 am
Kiko Calero, right handed relief pitcher: Opponents hit .180 against Calero, the eighth-lowest mark among pitchers with at least 60 innings, and his one home run allowed was second in baseball while posting an ERA of 1.95
course he never had another year in his career anywhere close to that before, but it is somewhat surprising. If he were a lefty he’s be making millions right now
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
2:05 am
However I thought I did a pretty good job of explaining how he didn’t decline, he just got unlucky. Perdue
you explained your position well, I just have my doubts
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
2:08 am
Frank from KS (now living in CO)………I just want to see my teams win. I believe that Frank Wren is the right man to help the Braves win. It’s a shame that he has to deal with the BS loyalty, welfare politics that takes place when over the hill players and game has passed them by managers take precedence over winning.
Hopefully after 1 last mediocre season in 2010 as the Braves give Bobby one more season to go out on his “own terms”……then Frank Wren will be able to put his complete stamp on the Braves starting in 2011 with hiring the right manager who will properly utilize the best players on the team.
I just wish that Braves fans on this blog would put winning over misplaced loyalty. There is a difference between deserved loyalty and blind loyalty. 4 mediocre seasons was enough. Why should we have to endure another?
P. W. Hjort
January 5th, 2010
2:09 am
DOB,
Garret Anderson is gone, you say, so there’s no chance the organization re-signs him?
Shucks.
I’m really going to miss his .303 on base averaginane stellar defense in LF…
JM
January 5th, 2010
2:15 am
N8 @ 12:42, you’re remembering wrong, bud. The Vikings were up 20-7 late in the first half and Green actually DID get aggressive, and it was that strategy that came back to bite him. He tried to get greedy and the Falcons sacked Randall Cunningham and forced a fumble, leading to a touchdown right before the half that made it 20-14. The rest, as well all know, is history…
N8
January 5th, 2010
2:15 am
“Late season momentum is very important in the play-offs.” Lentz
OK. You got me. Oh wait. I guess I’ll go with Brett Favre’s 601 yards, 6 TD’s and 0 INT’s in his last 6 quarters.
Didn’t take that momentum into consideration did ya?
Listen. I’m the biggest anti-Vikings guy on this blog. Period. I hope they lose. I hope Favre has a horrible post-season. But you know what? The Vikings are NOT going to get bumped from the playoffs by the Tony Romo led Cowboys in the Metrodome.
Keep dreaming man. I appreciate the blind homerism. It’s entertaining. For the record, two of my best friends (both older than you and Cowboys fans longer than you), don’t expect them to beat the Eagles in back to back weeks. So good luck.
Brandon
January 5th, 2010
2:17 am
Otis you have your salarys all messed up. Tim Hudson is not making that much and just about half the other’s are wrong too.
Brandon
January 5th, 2010
2:19 am
Including Wagner Making 7 mil and chipper 13 mil those are off the top of my head. Man do some research.
mr baseball
January 5th, 2010
2:20 am
Paul:
Appreciate the kind words tonight. Surprised you have enough time to digest the thoughts of others considering the amount of time you spend on your own efforts.
Coach probably had a hard time accepting the fact that he and I agree on something. In the midst of all the blog love for Damon, Nady & Dye in one form or another (misplaced in my view), I have singlehandedly attempted to gin up some interest in Aubrey Huff, who would fill several roles that actually need filling.
Offensively, he’s comparable to Dye, but is younger — probably cheaper — can support Glaus & Chipper at 1B & 3B and also plays the corner OF positions. That would enable the Braves to get plenty of playing time for himself, Diaz & Cabrera on the assumption that Heyward needs some more time in the minors.
Other than one tepid agreement, no one else has jumped on board, but until the Braves spend their remaining money on an unneccessary OF addition, I’m holding out hope, however faint.
Kind of like Boise State’s hopes of getting voted No. 1 in whatever poll is not beholden to the BullCrapSystem.
N8
January 5th, 2010
2:22 am
JM, was it at the end of the game then (before Gary Anderson’s miss), that they just stalled, rather than agressively tried to gain more yardage?
All I remember up here, was for weeks, even months (hell, some STILL bitch about it!), that Green got too conservative? I don’t remember the game that well. Just remember smiling for weeks at work, while all the Vikings fans cried in their own pool of tears.
Talk about pure heaven!
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
2:22 am
chipper 13 mi Brandon
I believe Chipper is making 14 mil, he gets paid a 1 mil signing bonus every January on top of his salary
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
2:23 am
Paul
SO you say loyalty stinks?
Okay, how bout Brian Cashman and ole Steinbrenner sticking with Joe Torre for all those years, eh? Seems to me that worked out pretty well, DON’TCHA THINK?
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
2:26 am
Oh yeah Paul…here’s an another example
how bout the O-Malley’s (and whoever else was the GM during Tommy tenure in LA) sticking with Tommy Lasorda all those years, eh? He was the manager of the Dodgers when Pizza was brought up, Karros, etc.
Let`s Start the Season
January 5th, 2010
2:26 am
Here`s some good reasons NOT to get Johnny Damon. 1.Don`t EVER deal with Scott Boras for a player. 2. We don`t need another left-handed bat,we`re way too lefty as is. That`s why FW didn`t bring back Laroche, instead, he got Troy Glaus on the cheap, but that`s a story for another day. 3. Don`t give me the Johnny Damon is good enough defensively. He`s not. He really goes after every ball, the exact opposite of one Garrett Anderson, however, his arm is very weak, and takes forever to cut it loose. Who is going to be the relay man? It`s going to be SS who has to come out a lot further to get the throw. That`s going to be one Yunel Escobar. The last time we checked, we didn`t want to put this kind of burden on his plate. A good defense in left field may just go a long way with the pitching dominant roster we`re going to have this year.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
2:26 am
Correction: Tommy’s tenure in LA.
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
2:28 am
Frank, Not sure I think sticking with the manager of a team that is winning every year is necessarily loyalty.How long would they have stuck with him if they were losing? Who knows?
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
2:29 am
NotAgain
Ya might have a point….but then again, what else do you call it then?
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
2:32 am
I don’t know. Being satisfied with an employee’s accomplishments, maybe? Torre did take some heat the last few years there when the payroll was high and no WS wins, so maybe part of it was loyalty, but they kinda forced him out in the end too.
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
2:33 am
I’m off to slumber city. Good night who ever is left.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
2:42 am
N8……….I am not a blind Cowboys fans. To be honest, I felt uneasy having to face the Giants for a 3rd time in 2007 in the play-offs, even though we had home field throughout the play-offs. We played terrible the last month of the season.
However, this year, I feel much more confident, even though we are a #3 seed. In the past 5 games, Romo has thrown 9 TDs with 2 tipped interceptions on balls that Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton should have caught. If Dallas hadnt been running the ball so effectively, his passing numbers would be even better. However when you get ahead, you run the ball if you are able to…..and the Cowboys are more than able to run the ball.
If Dallas lays an egg on Saturday, then feel free let me have it. However, if Dallas wins on Saturday, I’m sure that the next thing I’ll hear is that Romo cant win a play-off game on the road. Then after that, it’ll be “he’s never been to a Super Bowl”…..then “he’s never won a Super Bowl”….and finally “Romo didnt win the Super Bowl, it was the Cowboys defense and running game”.
So see, I’ve already figured it out. With some of you, you’ll hate on Romo no matter what……..just like you hate on Tim Tebow.
So why even bother trying to reason with some of you?
The A Bomb
January 5th, 2010
2:42 am
Lentz — We all want the Braves to WIN, but you were the one calling for Bobby Valentine to manage the Braves. Come on — that guy has done jack in this hemisphere and he’s plain weird. Valentine has 66-96 written all over him. Another MORON retread like Chuck Tanner.
Let us all resign ourselves to the fact that Kojak Pendleton (he’s bald and he sucks tootsie pops) will be the skipper of the Braves in 2011. Let’s just hope he has enough sense to add a guy(s) like Wellman and/or Brundage to the staff to help the young guys out.
BTW Lentz — IF Dallas gets to Minnesota, Jared Allen will cause Flozell Adams to set the all-time NFL record for penalties in one game (between false starts and holding). It will get ugly.
Let`s Start the Season
January 5th, 2010
2:52 am
Hey! Otis, my man. I hope you`re not the person passing out the paychecks on payday, cause you got several several players there with the wrong salaries by your proclamation. And you totally forgot Troy Glaus. I wouldn`t want to face a guy his size, when you tell him you forgot about his check.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
2:52 am
Frank from KS (now living in CO)……..I didnt say that loyalty stinks. I said that it stinks when it is blind and unconditional.
Joe Torre took the Yankees to the play-offs and a couple of World Series during the time that the Yankees “stuck” with him. Do you think that the old George would have kept Torre if the Yankees went 4 straight years without making the play-offs? HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
However, Torre helped the Yankees win 4 World Series, making the play-offs every year.
One bad year is one thing. Hell, Chipper Jones had a bad year in 2009, yet have I said ONE WORD about trading Chipper? Nope. Why not? I’m certainly not afraid of being critical. I tell you why……it’s because I feel that Chipper can rebound in 2010. However, if he has another bad year in 2010, then of course I’ll definitely reevaluate my assessment.
And after 4 medicore years as manager of the Braves (and a terrible year in 2009), I feel that it was a mistake to bring Bobby back for a welfare year.
Talk about affirmative action for the old AND past their time. Notice I didnt say just old. I said old AND past their prime. So in other words, dont cherry pick and say that I feel that Bobby should go because he is old. It’s because he’s old AND past his prime. Ok? (yes jeffrey d, I’m talking to you, lol).
I feel like I’m having to explain SH1T to a little kid when it comes to making sure that some of you dont misinterpret what I’m saying,lol. Because I can see how some of you will cherry pick one part of what I’m saying and turn it out to mean something totally different.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
2:55 am
Frank from KS (now living in CO)……..again, what other teams do is their business. Also, sports has changed from 20 years ago. Seeing a manager coach 20 years in one spot is getting rarer and rarer. The pressure (with free agency and a more active trading market) to win is increasing.
Years ago, it took awhile to rebuild. However with the rules in place, rebuilding doesnt have to take so long.
Bottom line, it’s been 4 years since the Braves made the play-offs. Bill Walsh once said, “It’s better to get rid of a player a year too early……..then a year too late”. The same thing can be said about a manager.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
2:59 am
Frank from KS (now living in CO)…..In week 16, Bob Costas did an interview with Jerry Jones before the Cowboys game with the Redskins. He asked Jerry if Wade Phillips was going to come back as Cowboys coach in 2011. Jerry said, “I have faith in Wade Phillips. What I would like for Wade to do is to justify the faith he has in him by winning in the play-offs”.
I like that: “justify his faith in him by winning”. That is how you earn loyalty and faith..by winning. Being mediocre does not deserve loyalty, especially when you have the talent to win.
Moby Grape
January 5th, 2010
3:01 am
Let us all resign ourselves to the fact that Kojak Pendleton (he’s bald and he sucks tootsie pops) will be the skipper of the Braves in 2011 A Bomb
I think there is little chance of that. Frank will put his stamp on the field ops just as he did the scouting dept this year. I think most of the coaches will be gone.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
3:02 am
Moby Grape………..I hope you are right. I do not feel that Terry Pendleton is the man to lead the Braves back to the play-offs.
The A Bomb
January 5th, 2010
3:04 am
I hope you all right….
But Lentz —- BOBBY VALENTINE????????
N8
January 5th, 2010
3:08 am
“So see, I’ve already figured it out. With some of you, you’ll hate on Romo no matter what……..just like you hate on Tim Tebow.” Lentz
For starters, WTF does Tony Romo have to do with Tebow? Seriously?
Second of all, I’m not a Romo hater. I’m just a prove it to me kind of guy. I never stated that Peyton Manning “can’t win the big game”. But I wasn’t going to hand the SB title over to him until he PROVED he could beat Brady and the Patriots.
Until Romo wins a playoff game, and since they WILL go on the road, he’ll have to prove he can win on the road, and then he might have to prove he can win ANOTHER game on the road to get to the SB, and then prove he can win the SB as the starting QB for the Cowboys, he’ll be just what he is.
A guy that hasn’t done any of that.
No hating involved man. Jast stating facts. Just like the “Baby Braves” led team had never gotten to the playoffs with those guys on the 25 man roster for 162 games. Not hatin’. Just statin’.
Prove it. Then I’ll believe.
In a friendly wager/back and forth with DOB, I didn’t buy that Favre would hold up. I said he needs to prove it. He has. I believe.
Last winter, last spring and even into the summer, I questioned whether Javier Vazquez had what it takes to dominate for a full season. He proved it. I turned into a believer.
It’s not that difficult. I just don’t like dumbasses spouting off about how great somebody is until that player (or team with a certain core of players – we all know the Cowboys are a legendary stellar team – but what have they done since Romo and Phillips have been in charge?), actually SHOWS how great they are.
Call me a hater all you want. But only a homer would call somebody stating facts a hater.
You notice how I haven’t stated that the Vikings are better than the Cowboys? You notice how I haven’t stated that Romo sucks? Why is that do you think? It’s because that’s not what I think.
Quite simply (and quickly to the point – despite the long post), is that I don’t think the Cowboys WILL go INTO Minnesota (if it comes to that), and beat the Brett Favre led Vikings in that dome.
Period. That’s all I’m saying. That team not only doesn’t lose there, they flat out dominate in that building, and Favre is a different QB in that building.
The Cowboys just might have the best team in the NFC right now. Clicking on all cylinders. But assuming the Cowboys win (gotta beat the Eagles for a 3rd time in the season), they will then have to go through Minnesota and then New Orleans (assuming they would be the winner of the Arizona/Packers game).
Are you really telling me that you think the Cowboys are good enough to beat the Eagles for the 3rd time, go into Minnesota and knock off the Vikings and then go back down to New Orleans and beat them in their house again?
Come on man. If you don’t think that’s a tad bit of homerism in over-drive, I’m speechless. LOL
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
3:17 am
N8………actually, I feel that the Cowboys will host the NFC Championship game because Green Bay will go into New Orleans and beat the Saints. The Saints are primed to be a one and done team…………just like my Cowboys were back in 2007. Those Cowboys played badly at the end of 2007, just like the Saints have played badly the last 3 games this year.
Lentz is a Cleveland Steamer
January 5th, 2010
3:22 am
I don’t think it’s an issue of blind loyalty when the best manager in the history of the Atlanta Braves still has real Braves fans support- especially considering he’s been working with dogshish rosters during the last four years- first no pitching then a punch-and-judy lineup.
It’s sophmoric to blame the manager for the fact that Jorge Sosa, Blaine Boyer and Ryan Church somehow didn’t make it to the postseason.
Yeah, Frank Wren is a winner- the ghost of Billy Wagner, Vazquez for peanuts, the compelling signing of Troy Glaus!!! What’s next- Lenny Dykstra in left? Can’t wait to see what this shrewd executive has in store next…some of these guys are so old they’re going to need some snuff in the clubhouse.
The A Bomb
January 5th, 2010
3:22 am
BOBBY VALENTINE??????
You can run Lentz, but you can’t hide. You called for that idiot.
He’d be an absolute disaster. Eddie Haas, Chuck Tanner, Russ Nixon, Bob Valentine. Would be like the Mount Rushmore of how do you say it? Suck A$$ managers in Braves history.
Now you can go back to your dreaming of winning a Super Bowl before winning ONE playoff game. I am out!
Lentz, be my Valentine
January 5th, 2010
3:25 am
Bobby Valentine? With the first baseman doing that bird-dog number?
Lentz, you’re a real dummy.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
3:28 am
Paul AND (N8 if you want to comment on this, be my guest)
Okay, look at Marino, and Jim Kelly. They were two of the greatest QB’s to ever play the game….BUT did they win a Super Bowl? No
Romo could end up being another Marino or Kelly in that…he could end up being one of the greatest QB’s (chances are slim tho..LOL). but he could be one of the greatest QB’s to ever play the game but not ever win the Super Bowl.
N8
January 5th, 2010
3:33 am
So, now you’re saying the Packers are going to win to road playoff games, along their way to facing the Cowboys in the NFC Title game? If the Packers can go into Arizona and beat the defending NFC champs, and then go down to N.O. and beat the Saints, what makes you so sure their confidence won’t be riding so high, that they trounce the Cowboys in Big D?
Can’t have it both ways my friend.
N8
January 5th, 2010
3:37 am
Frank, I think the mere mention of Romo with Kelly and Marino is enough to have Kelly put some Iso-toner gloves on and find Scott Norwood and choke him with the gloves on!
Romo might someday be there. But not yet. As you know, Trent Green put up some pretty impressive numbers over a 4 year span (not counting 2001 – his first year in KC), but I don’t ever hear anybody mentioning him with Marino or Kelly. Why?
Two playoff games. Two losses. Only a few years after his backup took the Rams to the SB and won it.
Talk about loyalty. Dick Vermeil was damn loyal to Trent Green if you ask me.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
3:42 am
N8
but ya know what I mean tho?
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
3:44 am
and speaking of the Chiefs
how bout Carl Peterson sticking with Marty for so long?
I mean…don’t get me wrong, when Peterson sent Marty packing, is when the downfall of the Chiefs started…BUT Peterson did stick with Marty for a long time without too many playoff appearances and no Super Bowl rings.
.P.a.u.l.L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
3:49 am
Allright, I’ve been on here for 7 hours straight..enough about the Cowboys…
I LOVE men!
JKOO
January 5th, 2010
4:02 am
DOB: Your point about the Yankees having older players on their team really was quite….how do I put it…stupid. Yea the Yankees can afford to have older guys like jeter, damon, rivera when they have young stud players like CC Sabathia, AJ burnett, Mark Teixera, A-ROD, Cano, Swisher. Comparing the yankees having a few older players with the braves trying to sign older players is really quite dumb and quite frankly is an unfair comparison!!
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
4:04 am
LMAO @ P.L.@ 3:49 a.m.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
4:06 am
JKOO
DOB’s comparison MIGHT be stupid BUT…..the Braves also have young studs too…in McCann, Yunel, (now Hanson)….and the Braves have had countless other young studs around with the older veteran players.
JKOO
January 5th, 2010
4:16 am
Frank: how do the yankees guys like Teixera, A-Rod, Cano, Swisher, CC Sabathia compare to McCann, Yunel and Hanson?! Dude im a huge braves fan but those guys dont compare! Maybe one day hanson or McCann or heyward will but they are not those guys right now….really not even close!! My point really is that the braves dont need a 36 year old damon. He will put up 17-19 HR and 15-16 SB. Thats matt diaz or melky cabrera numbers. If the braves are looking to future thats fine but they need a 25-30 HR 90 RBI right handed bat to compete THIS YEAR. Damon really fills no need for them. He complements guys like TEX AND AROD but we dont have guys like that.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
4:20 am
JKOO
Yeah, I’m not one of the bloggers clamoring for Damon….but Jeramine Dye…yes
And yes, I know all the negatives including his age…, etc, etc, etc….but I bet if Dye is got in a trade or whatever, he brings the needed power the Braves need.
JKOO
January 5th, 2010
4:31 am
I agree about Dye. Dye is a free agent. He probably would be cheaper than Damon as well. I know his defensive range is bad but he still has a cannon for an arm which is way more than damon’s noodle arm. His range wouldnt be that bad either considering at some point we would have mclouth heyward or Melky in the outfield with him who could make up for some of his lack of range. Even if he just puts up 25-28 HR and 80-85 RBI thats fine with me he would be batting 6th. He would probably take a 1 yr deal also.
JKOO
January 5th, 2010
4:34 am
I would like a lineup of: 1. Mclouth 2. prado 3.chipper 4.Glaus 5.McCann 6.Dye 7.Yunel 8. Diaz/Heyward/Melky
Bobby's Cox
January 5th, 2010
4:46 am
I think Scott Boras stole DOB’s computer. Maybe Delta delivered it to the Boras compound in Newport. Lots of Damon love showing up in that blueish gray tint.
And then there’s the pictures of Damon’s sexy hairstyles. DOB usually posts Penelope pictures, or Neko. Hmmm….Talk about an offseason turning sour, Penelope to Damon. What a drop off. And don’t get me started on the tweets. I open up my Twitter app and see 10+ tweets from braves@ajc. The girls don’t even tweet that much. The devil got a rich deal in that sale.
Though, Damon would be a nice fit for this team. He’s a good “professional hitter” & his stats run so deep that I wouldn’t expect a drop off from a NY lineup to ATL. He’d be good for the clubhouse too. Throw me on board the bandwagon.
Good work on the sales pitch by the Boras team. Hopefully Boras gives DOB a nice cut of the commission.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
5:04 am
JKOO
That looks like a definate good line-up to me.
And I think Dye could hit very well in Turner Field…and hit 25, 30, 35 HR’s.
Mitchie-san
January 5th, 2010
6:25 am
jeffery d and Wayne,
Thanks for sticking up for me earlier on the blog. Much appreciated.
As far as Paul goes, I’m over it. Day in and day out he proves to me that I am the better person. There is no need for an appology from him. He means that little in my world. He is an arrogant, hooker-loving, pompus azz who has such a sad life, he acts like a tough guy on a basebal blog. Why should he matter to any of us?
With that being said, I have noticed he has changed a little around here. He has laid off of a lot of his name calling and overall rudeness. He has become much more tolerable, and for that I give him credit.
raymond
January 5th, 2010
6:52 am
Don’t need another old man in the lineup. Yeah he still has speed on the base paths but Cox does not run so it won’t make adifference.
Daybed Wagmoe
January 5th, 2010
8:32 am
Have there really been no posts in the last hour and a half?
toga party
January 5th, 2010
8:43 am
Nice blog DOB. Thanks for giving us a more than complete picture of Damon as an option.
Damn that’s a good song from McMurtry. Such a gifted songwriter. I love this part:
Take a short-handled shovel
Take a long handled hoe
Cover my bones when the west wind blows
Such a great metaphor for “Don’t make too much of a fuss over me dyin’.” I’m going to have to remember to borrow that one.
Purdue Thomas
January 5th, 2010
8:46 am
I really think Dye would be a bad idea because of his defense. His awful -24.5 UZR/150 in the OF last year was so bad that it negated all of his offensive value giving him a negatave WAR value of -0.3. While I think his second half was a BABIP induced fluke even if his numbers return to 2008 form he still is only a 1.8 WAR player like he was in 2008.
Compare that with Randy Winn. He, just like Dye, had a down year that can be attributed to bad BABIP luck but unlike Dye his 40.6/17.4 UZR/150 in LF/RF respectively still allowed him to post a 1.7 WAR. If he, like Dye, gets some average BABIP luck next year and bounces back to 2008 number he all of a sudden becomes a 4.6 WAR player.
I’d take…
.290/.355/.400 2HR 20SB and a +20 UZR/150 in LF
over
.290/.340/.540 34HR 3SB and a -25 UZR/150 in LF
…any day.
stew
January 5th, 2010
8:49 am
I say give away the farm for Ryan Braun (except Jason and Freddie). Do like a four or five for one. We’ve got plenty of prospects. How about Vizcaino/Melky/Dunn/Diaz/Bethancourt? We need a righty bat and it has to be primo. Ryan Braun is primo. All the other crap is just crap. Let’s try to overwhelm the Brewskis.
sidslidkid
January 5th, 2010
8:59 am
stew, I’m glad you don’t have Frank Wren’s job.
Don
January 5th, 2010
9:01 am
We can’t sign Damon or Dye. They each hit higher than .250
MLB Hot Stove - Page 2 - iamletired
January 5th, 2010
9:06 am
[...] check up was positive. He could throw off a mound in six to eight weeks. • Here’s an Atlanta report wondering if Johnny Damon might end up with the Braves. David O’Brien writes that Damon is [...]
Wayne in Utah
January 5th, 2010
9:08 am
stew
Start out with a name like Heyward or Hanson or Jurrjens and then add 1 or two more prospects, and maybe the Brewers wouldn’t laugh at you. Cabrera, Diaz, Dunn are not going to get the Brewski’s excited at all.
Purdue
I don’t care for Damon too much either. Just don’t think he would be all that at the Ted. Winn, I think would be money better spent, but I would prefer someone else…..not exactly sure just who though.
Certainly not Dye or Vladimir or Damon.
VaBraveFan
January 5th, 2010
9:08 am
Should have Signed DeRosa matched or outbid the Giants a little. If Damon is gonna get 8 mil a year and can only play LF and will get 2 years? we dont need him for 2 years. Someone like DeRo would be worth 2 years and 6.5 a year ( Giants got him 2/12 contract) DeRo can hit for more power than Damon (Damon HR mostly came in Short NY) DeRo could fill in for Chipper or Glaus, also play the Corner outfield positions and 2B. For them not to want him but want to give Damon 8 a year is rediculous.
Daybed Wagmoe
January 5th, 2010
9:11 am
Since this blog’s lyrics are by a blues musician, here’s some news about another blues musician:
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/30345 — “Blues Musician to U.N.: Yemen Done Me Wrong”
ChopShop
January 5th, 2010
9:13 am
How does a player make it all the way to the major leagues not being able to throw a baseball?!! If not for that, Johnny Damon would be the perfect fit. He may be the best available option. He would definitely fill out the Braves lineup nicely. Their lineup wouldn’t rival the Philadelphia Phillies but it would close the gap. Philly is due some bad luck and injuries. Atlanta has had their share. Either the Braves sign a free agent outfielder or they just got to make a deal for someone who adds something in the outfield.
Don
January 5th, 2010
9:13 am
Are we ready to compete with the Phils? Let’s see, so far we: (1) Have added a slow, coming of injury, overweight, .250 hitting, high strike out THIRD baseman to play FRIRST base; (2) Have added a .250 hitter in Center (McLouth); (3) Have a poor fielding, part time player at 3rd under a huge long term contract taking up significant part of budget; (4) Have been considering another .250 hitter for the outfield; (5) Have given away one the best Pitchers in the league; (6) have added two aging relief pitchers coming off injury for the Closer and Set Up spots; (7) Still have Pendleton as the Hitting Coach; (8) Have acquired Melky for who knows what; (9) Really have only two (SS and Catcher) and perhaps three (2nd Base) well rounded major league position players; and (10) worse of all still have Bobby Cox as manager which makes everything else we could possibly do meaningless.
ChopShop
January 5th, 2010
9:15 am
Stew, we’re going to “overwhelm the Brewskies” without offering a single premium prospect?
Wayne in Utah
January 5th, 2010
9:16 am
Though his agent says he wants a f/t outfield position, I would still take a flier on Nady before biting on Damon. Problem is both are Scott Boras properties. Boras is renowned for trying to piece all his players where HE wants them to maximize his players AND primarily HIS take.
I just can’t see how a 2 year for Johnny Caveman would be beneficial in the long run of 2010 for the Braves, when we already have McLouth, Cabrera, and Diaz with Heyward on the doorstep and Schafer in the wings.
I would rather have Ryan Church for some insurance than pay 7-8 million got Damon for 2 years. Or go the trade route and get someone with some defensive skills (void for the most part in Vlad, Dye and Caveman).
Heck, Winn would be preferrable.
Look at what Cabrera and Diaz can do, and tell me why we still need Johnny Damon.
Just sayin’.
ChopShop
January 5th, 2010
9:18 am
All the talk about Bobby Cox is kind of funny to me. He was the greatest manager in baseball when Atlanta was going to the playoffs 15 straight years. Was there another Bobby Cox or is this the same man who managed those teams? I thought it was pretty amazing that he had a team with so many question marks last season on the brink of returning to the postseason. One thing the Braves’ denizons must remember is that Cox isn’t the one who is pushing the buttons to make the moves that put the players on the roster. That’s Frank Wren. Cox is left to try and salvage a season out of what Wren and Atlanta ownership allow him to have.
beekay
January 5th, 2010
9:18 am
10 million for Beltre???? Really??? It’s freezing cold again and those knuckleheads that met up in copenhagen are worried that the Penguins and Polar Bears are warm so we should fork over 10 Billion….are you kidding me???
kdbanks
January 5th, 2010
9:19 am
DOB (or anyone else): Ever seen Them Darlins in concert? They’re playing the Earl on Friday the 15th and I’m excited. Never seen them live, but I bet they put on a fun, rockin’ show.
O.J.
January 5th, 2010
9:20 am
I am with other people around here, if Damon could be had for 7-8 million then surely the Yanks would come calling and he would re-sign with them.
Wayne in Utah
January 5th, 2010
9:20 am
Don
Same old song, different morning……….I bet when the alarm clock goes off, you bounce off the pillows and yell out “Bobby sucks!” dontcha?
ChopShop
January 5th, 2010
9:21 am
A Bomb, you had me on the brink of depression with that littany of infamous Braves managers. I had totally forgotten- on purpose perhaps- many of those names.
ChopShop
January 5th, 2010
9:24 am
Atlanta’s search for a left fielder has me hearkening back to the eighties when they had a revolving door in left field. Remember Terry Harper, Brad Komminsk, Rufino Linares…..
Wayne in Utah
January 5th, 2010
9:26 am
beekay
Did you see that due to the flack they were getting (and not Roberta Flack), they are no longer calling it G….. W…..ing! It’s now Climate Change. See, I can’t even write the name down, as it is forbidden.
Heck, when I was in High School many eon’s ago, all the hand wringers were worried about the next ice age. How’d that one work out for them?
It would be funny, but they have half the world thinking that we are destroying the frickin planet. Heck, Mt Saint Helens did more to hurt the earth than man has in the last 100 years many times over.
OK, off my soap box and back to baseball……
ncscoots
January 5th, 2010
9:28 am
I doubt the Brewers would be interested in moving Braun at any price (I assume they would like to make the playoffs, too), but, I’d be tempted to offer Jurrjens as a centerpiece, if that’s what it took to have the conversation. Hudson, Lowe, Hanson at the top is still pretty good, and a back end of Kawakami and whoever is probably average, plus Braves’ strength on the farm is pitching.
What they hey, Braun is at least entertaining to think about, LOL, as opposed to the names currently being proffered here.
DAP
January 5th, 2010
9:30 am
wow, 7 pages already…i dont hate the idea of getting damon, but at $7mil, i think its a bad deal. i dont think he is worth that to the braves.
Poorbrave
January 5th, 2010
9:36 am
Just say no to Damon……………………
Burdell
January 5th, 2010
9:39 am
wow, 7 pages already…i dont hate the idea of getting damon, but at $7mil, i think its a bad deal. i dont think he is worth that to the braves.
You don’t think the upgrade from Cabrera to Damon is worth $7 million? At that price, several teams would disagree (and bid him back up to over $10 million).
Purdue Thomas
January 5th, 2010
9:41 am
Randy Winn @ 2.5M to complete a top tier defensive outfield with McLouth and Heyward.
Pitching and defense. Pitching and defense. Pitc…..
Wayne in Utah
January 5th, 2010
9:41 am
ncscoots
In this day and age, you just don’t see that sort of trade…… at teams top player for another teams top pitcher, when both are young and in a good salary situation.
I too would do a Jurrjens for Braun. Pitchers generally speaking are more fragile than hitters. Braun seems to be the real deal.
But alas, we are destined to sign a Johnny Damon to bridge the gap……as much as I don’t think it would be the best. But, I have been wrong before, and already 2-3 times in this young year!
beekay
January 5th, 2010
9:42 am
Wayne …Al says to make sure you hang up your underwear on clothes lines and ride your bike to work or the world will come to a fiery end! Can’t argue with the founder of the internet…if it wasn’t for him there would be no blogs and we wouldn’t be able to debate a Johnny Damon signing!
csg
January 5th, 2010
9:43 am
DOB, whats the org’s view on Matt Young. I know he’s 27, but dude is tearing up the winter leagues.
.315/.435/.523 with 21SB’s, last season he was respectable also .289/.421/.407 with 42SB’s. Seems like a good 4th OF’r/bench guy and I believe Ive heard he can handle all the OF spots.