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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,313 comments Add your comment
nolie
January 23rd, 2010
3:58 am
Nite Uga. nite all. I’m getting some shuteye too.
Let`s Start the Season
January 23rd, 2010
3:58 am
“I`m telling you Captain, leave a man like Wales be.”
Jurrjens4NLCY
January 23rd, 2010
3:59 am
jed,
I do not require sleep…
ADD MOMENT: You never hear the phrase “Gosh Dammit!”
jed
January 23rd, 2010
3:59 am
john wayne was pretty hard for people of my generation to stomach.
Bay Area Steve
January 23rd, 2010
6:33 am
…
Bay Area Steve
January 23rd, 2010
6:37 am
Gary Matthews, Jr…
Seriously?
richbrave
January 23rd, 2010
8:26 am
Let`s Start the Season
January 23rd, 2010
3:58 am
“I`m telling you Captain, leave a man like Wales be.”
“Let me be,” Outlaw JOSEY.
18 Wheels of Love
January 23rd, 2010
8:33 am
Great new blog. Awesome read with the morning coffee.
richbrave
January 23rd, 2010
8:35 am
Looks like DAMON only comes to the ALT if he meets the BRAVES’ terms regarding $$$$ and time. Don’t think it will happen. I’m not sure I’d want a player on this team who wants triple the money long-term, playing out a one or two-year lesser contract at 36. Didn’t we do something similar to that last year? And I do think DAMON this year would be an upgrade over ANDERSON last year, but still…..
Anyone think....
January 23rd, 2010
8:37 am
that Wren jumped the gun and signed Takashi Saito way too early? He isn’t what he was when he had those good seasons with LAD.
richbrave
January 23rd, 2010
8:51 am
Anyone think….
January 23rd, 2010
8:37 am
that Wren jumped the gun and signed Takashi Saito way too early? He isn’t what he was when he had those good seasons with LAD.
Ah-h-h-h, we’ll recapture the magic at 40.
The Grinch
January 23rd, 2010
8:53 am
Nolie, being Katherine Hepburn’s “partner” for most of your life is about as gay as it can possibly get. If there was any way to verify, I’d bet you a crisp $100 they never “closed the deal.” Not that there’s anything WRONG with that… He was a heck of an actor though. Really liked “Jeckyl and Hyde.”
And if ANYONE other than the Duke called Coop un-American, I’d say they needed a serious beat-down. All I can think of is that he must’ve gotten too full of himself after getting the “True Grit” Oscar and started believing about himself what the American people were projecting onto him psychologically. I imagine it’s hard to be the walking embodiment of a country this large without losing your perspective eventually.
As for Peck, I had no idea he could act until I saw him do Ahab in “Moby Dick.” Great movie. The only person who was miscast was Orson Welles, who played the preacher in the ship-shaped pulpit. He should have been cast as the whale.
Chris from the Rock
January 23rd, 2010
9:01 am
DOB,
Do you think the Braves will try to work out a long-term deal with Jurrjens, or just go year-to-year with him in arbitration?
The Grinch
January 23rd, 2010
9:20 am
As for sports movies, I’d have to say “Beerfest.” The training scenes are intense.
Chris, I know you didn’t ask me, but we don’t have enough payroll to work out any sort of deal whatsoever with a Boras client. Especially one that actually does put up great numbers which would allow him to spew even more B.S. than he usually does. It’ll be arbitration ’till he’s a FA, then he’ll be a Yankee. That’s why Wren works so hard to accumulate pitching prospects.
38YearBravesFan
January 23rd, 2010
9:20 am
DOB great blog. BraveAC – God Bless the boys and bring em home safe.
Where’s Sonny????
GO BRAVES!!
dogsbrekky
January 23rd, 2010
9:36 am
re Heyward in the Aussie philosophy in sports – “If you are good enough, you are OLD enough”
If he impresses in ST, give the kid RF…. imagine the excitement for us fans…. true excitement and maybe more bums on seats in the TED
Dobi – thanks for the Schafer article… I think the guy is special and hopefully mature enough to let the coaches know next time he is badly injured
ugaaccountant
January 23rd, 2010
9:42 am
“richbrave
Looks like DAMON only comes to the ALT if he meets the BRAVES’ terms regarding $$$$ and time. Don’t think it will happen. I’m not sure I’d want a player on this team who wants triple the money long-term, playing out a one or two-year lesser contract at 36. Didn’t we do something similar to that last year?”
Difference is Damon wants to be here. Said so himself before it was remotely reasonable for us to be looking at him as a potential acquisition.
dogsbrekky
January 23rd, 2010
9:42 am
“Breaking Away”… just loved that movie so much with a very young Dennis Quaid and that sweet actress who played Katherine….
ugaaccountant
January 23rd, 2010
9:47 am
“dogsbrekky
If he impresses in ST, give the kid RF…. imagine the excitement for us fans…. true excitement and maybe more bums on seats in the TED”
Fans are going to be coming in droves in April anyway to see our new studs like Wagner, Saito, Glaus, Melky, Hinske … Wait, I forgot no casual fans are excited about any of those acquisitions.
Jeff R
January 23rd, 2010
9:57 am
DOB, thanks for the Schafer article. Good to read that he’s unbowed by the last couple of years. And you’re dead right: how many 21 year olds could keep their perspectives given Schafer’s high and lows? I most certainly couldn’t have done so at that age.
Having said that, Schafer needs and will get nearly a full season at Gwinnett, unless he absolutely tears the IL apart. That Schafer’s confidence is up is great, but he needs extended playing time to work things out and demonstrate his talents and skills again.
AdirondackDave
January 23rd, 2010
9:58 am
Nolie — I particularly enjoyed your chat on Williams/Musial and analysis of High Noon (my all-time favorite western flic). I saw Williams and Musial only a couple times but, man, they were unbelievable. Would agree, Ted was the best pure hitter though Stan’s all-around play was better. Saw them both in the ‘51 All-Star game in Detroit.
Do you remember Stan and his harmonica.. I always wondered if he learned to play it from Dizzy Dean. Diz cracked me up playing Wabash Cannanball while doing color on the 50’s-60s Saturday games on NBC?
Keep the good ‘ole movie and early baseball stuff coming, it’s greatly appreciated.
Cecil34
January 23rd, 2010
9:59 am
Since Wren is so confident that he has assembled a strong unit that will challenge for the division, I respectfully suggest that if he fails and this team is not competitive because his additions fail, then he should resign the first week in October.
It will be the only credible thing he could do at that point.
I will give him this season to prove that he is astute at judging baseball talent, since so much of it this upcoming year will rely on planets aligning and the force being with us….
Lew
January 23rd, 2010
10:08 am
Anyone Think-Not so sure you do. Do you really think that we should have let Saito ride because he’s 40 years old?
Did you perhaps see that at age 39, pitching in the AL East and out of Fenway, the Dude-san had a terrible ERA of 2.43 in 56 games. He gave up almost a whole hit per inning and only had a 2-1 K to BB rate and gave upo less than a HR per nine-again pitching in the AL East and Fenway.
Of course, he DID raise his WHIP a bit to 1.34, but of course, that is God Awful for pitching where he did.
Yep-definitely over the hill and unworthy of his HUGE contract because he definitely must be too old.
1eyedJack
January 23rd, 2010
10:09 am
It seems that every year everybody overlooks Matt Diaz. Maybe it’s because he really doesn’t “look” like a baseball player. But Matty’s a gamer and he’s a hittin’ fool. I predict Matt Diaz will somehow get into 130-140 games and hit .300. OK Matty….go re-read Ted’s book.
jeffrey d
January 23rd, 2010
10:11 am
He isn’t what he was when he had those good seasons with LAD.
2.43 ERA and 52 K in 55 IP in a season that ended just 3.5 months ago isn’t good enough? I’m not crazy about signing 40 year old guy either, but he’s given no indication that he can’t still pitch.
Lew
January 23rd, 2010
10:12 am
Cecil34-So benificent of you to give Wren all that time. Your Humanity is stunning. Must now go out and give all my worldly possessions to the poor in Haiti to keep pace.
The Grinch
January 23rd, 2010
10:15 am
Cecil, Wren HAS assembled a strong unit. And even if not, what’s he supposed to say? “Well, this cheap-@$$ ownership group has only given me enough money to take a wild shot at has-beens and rehab projects; I chose from amongst the best of those I could find, stockpiled as much talent as I could for the future since this same ownership group won’t pony up for us to keep what we’ve got, and I hope it’ll be enough.”
Last I checked, every time Wren is honest with Braves fans he gets ripped for “not handling things the right way.” Now you rip him for being politically correct. What, exactly, is he supposed to do? That’s very magnanimous of you to give him ’till October before calling for his head.
jeffrey d
January 23rd, 2010
10:15 am
ahh, Lew beat me to it.
On another note, I just noticed that this was the highest rated vent for the past 365 days with a whopping 301. The next closest was at 196 (but that’s because the vent guy is taking a 5 day weekend).
Which Braves front-office genius sent a .344 hitter (Conrad) back to the minors and kept the .111 hitter (Norton)?
I like the anti-Norton sentiment but I never liked the Conrad lovers who thought he was the greatest ballplayer since Mantle.
nolie
January 23rd, 2010
10:16 am
All I can think of is that he must’ve gotten too full of himself after getting the “True Grit” Oscar and started believing about himself what the American people were projecting onto him psychologically. I imagine it’s hard to be the walking embodiment of a country this large without losing your perspective eventually. Grinch
that was right after High Noon in the early 50s,way b4 True Grit.and it was about the movie more than about Coop.Soon as he saw High Plains drifter, that became the new standard of evil.
Peck could act just fine, he just didn’t make many movies that stand out to me.Much of that was because he made so many straight dramas, and they are one of my least favorite types of movies. Mocking Bird,the original Cape Fear,Moby Dick, The Boys From Brazil,Guns of Navarone, Pork Chop Hill and a few westerns are all that I really like as movies.
jeffrey d
January 23rd, 2010
10:18 am
What, exactly, is he supposed to do? That’s very magnanimous of you to give him ’till October before calling for his head.
I think a perfect would suffice.
jeffrey d
January 23rd, 2010
10:18 am
SEASON…a perfect SEASON
Eric from MO
January 23rd, 2010
10:20 am
DOB on 10:05 sorry about the confusion. I didnt realize you were only talking outfielders and also didnt realize you werent including guys who played college ball.
nolie
January 23rd, 2010
10:22 am
I hope you are right about Saito Lew. Boston used him sparingly and in low leverage situations. That won’t likely be the case under Bobby. I have to admit that I am a bit worried about how well he will hold up with a heavier load all year.
The Grinch
January 23rd, 2010
10:24 am
Well, I’m not selling my collector’s edition “High Noon” DVD with remastered soundtrack over McCarthy era paranoia. I wouldn’t have been sheriff of that town full of cowards either; they weren’t worth it. Doesn’t mean I had borscht for breakfast this morning. Coop kicks @$$, and that’s all there is to it. “Cape Fear?” Bob Mitchum’s the man.
So, THIS is what being up early in the morning is like…lots of old people.
jeffrey, if Wren can squeeze a perfect season out of what he has to work with, he should get a bigger statue than Knucksie outside the Ted.
Venice Jim
January 23rd, 2010
10:24 am
nolie – saw that you played Teddy in Arsenic and Old Lace – I had a much more complex role – Mr. Hoskins, one of the bodies in the window seat Teddy carried to the basement…
Eric from MO
January 23rd, 2010
10:24 am
Anyone I dont think Wren jumped the gun. Saito still had a good season last year and we are not paying him that much money. Plus it is only for one season, no long term committment which is the biggest thing when signing an older player. Saito could get hurt, but then he is gone after this year. Honestly I have more faith in Saito staying healthy and pitching well than Soriano and Gonzo. I was always neverse when those two guys were pitching and they are getting paid alot more than Saito and they have had their own history of getting hurt.
nolie
January 23rd, 2010
10:27 am
Well, I’m not selling my collector’s edition “High Noon” DVD with remastered soundtrack over McCarthy era paranoia. Grinch
me neither.great movie IMO
Lew
January 23rd, 2010
10:27 am
nolie-I might be less sanguine about Saito’s chances (I’m not so certain like others that he’ll pitch 80 games) if our pen was not as deep as it is. I think that even if Wagner and Saito were to go down that we could still function well with a RH/LH combo closing of Moylan and O’Flaherty (said in a good Joe Simpson manner).
We signed tons of relief help this winter and are likely deeper in the pen than we have been for quite some time-not to mention we do have some kids who might well be ready for relief duty this year.
Hey, we can always pitch JoJo Reyes in relief, right?
The Grinch
January 23rd, 2010
10:27 am
Nolie, what makes you think Bobby would over-use a relief pitcher? Is there a precedent available, or are you just going on gut feeling?
nolie
January 23rd, 2010
10:29 am
strictly gut feeling Grinch
The Grinch
January 23rd, 2010
10:29 am
Well, I bet Wren’s going on the precedent (every year Bobby’s ever managed), and will keep Melky around to trade for a bullpen arm whenever Saito/Wagner’s arm(s) fall off.
Lew
January 23rd, 2010
10:31 am
nolie-No big deal. The Braves have always had a Fritos approach to the building of a bullpen-”Relief pitchers are like potato chips-use them up-we’ll just get more”
Eric from MO
January 23rd, 2010
10:34 am
Lew I dont think Saito will have to pitch 80 games. Which will allow him to get rest when he needs it, which will allow him to stay healthy.
ugaaccountant
January 23rd, 2010
10:36 am
nolie
January 23rd, 2010
10:22 am
I hope you are right about Saito Lew. Boston used him sparingly and in low leverage situations. That won’t likely be the case under Bobby. I have to admit that I am a bit worried about how well he will hold up with a heavier load all year.
Wait, you mean hall-of-fame manager Bobby Cox still hasn’t learned not to overwork relievers? Well let’s just give him some more time, he’s still kind of new at this.
It really is hard to comprehend his bullpen usage. I can understand moves like leaving Chipper in the 3rd spot in the lineup, hitters love when a manager shows confidence in them. But no reliever deep down wants to be overworked to the point injuries or fatigue set in. They may want to help the team out, but they know intellectually that it’s bad for them long term.
jeffrey d
January 23rd, 2010
10:37 am
jeffrey, if Wren can squeeze a perfect season out of what he has to work with, he should get a bigger statue than Knucksie outside the Ted.
And maybe put that in front of the cow
ugaaccountant
January 23rd, 2010
10:38 am
The Grinch – If we trade Melky for a bullpen injury replacement i’ll be disgusted. We’ve got at least a dozen relievers that are capable of contributing out of the bullpen for Atlanta at some point this season. If Bobby breaks all of them he simply should not get any more toys to play with.
jeffrey d
January 23rd, 2010
10:39 am
Lew I dont think Saito will have to pitch 80 games
I’m sorry, have you seen Bobby Cox before?
The Grinch
January 23rd, 2010
10:42 am
Eric, does that mean you think we won’t be in many games in the 8th inning? Bobby loves his “roles” almost as much as his lefty/righty platoons. And he sure didn’t hesitate to give Moylan 87 appearances 11 months off TJ surgery. Moylan’s only not a paraplegic now because he’s a freak. Better hope Saito is, too. Though count me in among those who still think he’s got gas in the tank.
Hell, Nolie, I liked “High Plains Drifter,” for that matter. What was communist about that? That he tried to teach the useless townsfolk all how to shoot? That he painted the town red and named it “Hell?” If anything, I would think the latter would be anti-communist.
The Grinch
January 23rd, 2010
10:45 am
Ugaaccountant, I hear you. I’m sure there would be a prospect or two included in the deal. But this is Bobby’s last year; if you think he won’t be putting firecrackers in every one of his Hot Wheels this season for the grand finale, you’re sadly mistaken.
Lew
January 23rd, 2010
10:46 am
I’m not so sure that there is such a thing as a low leverage situation in the AL East and there certainly is no such creature pitching at Fenway where a six run lead could evaporate in two minutes or less (I’ve been there and seen it personally).
Time to face reality y’all-Saito has pitched like a Champ the entire time he’s been playing MLB and there’s no way to spin it.
Lew
January 23rd, 2010
10:47 am
Well-Let’s maybe wait until he’s pitched those 56 games he did last year before we start throwing the Dude-san on the scrap heap. He should be cool at least through the All Star break.
Eric from MO
January 23rd, 2010
10:49 am
Hey Grinch which one of Gonzo, Moylan, and Soriano didnt finish the season? I love how know-it-alls claimed that from week one that he was overusing the pen and yet not one of them got hurt. There was plenty of relievers who got used far less that got hurt last year. Can you please explain that too me? I mean they werent overused and yet they still got hurt. I just dont understand. If you arent overusing them, how can they possible get hurt? Odd…
The Grinch
January 23rd, 2010
10:55 am
Hey, Eric, which one of those three hadn’t had their elbow replaced recently from pitching under Cox and none of the other managers they played for? None? Hmm…funny how that works. And having three guys lead the league in appearances year in and year out with four other guys going three to four weeks without pitching at a time is the definition of overusing certain members of your bullpen. Did you happen to watch any Braves games in the last couple of seasons, or do you just fall into your own “know-it-all” category from reading Buster Olney? Scratch that; even Buster would have admitted the overuse.
Eric from MO
January 23rd, 2010
10:57 am
The Grinch which reliever was on the roster for a month without pitching? Seriously which one?
Eric from MO
January 23rd, 2010
10:59 am
By the way I admit he overuses them. I just get tired of the same people complaining he uses the same pitchers then when he uses Bennett or Boyer or somebody like that, the same people b!tch because we are officially going to lose the game. You cant have it both way people.
The Grinch
January 23rd, 2010
11:01 am
As for players who get hurt without pitching much, the explanation is simple. They either don’t train well, or are physically weak. Just because those three were relatively strong doesn’t mean they should be used like $10 mules.
Dr. James Andrews owes Cox his own retirement plan.
The Grinch
January 23rd, 2010
11:08 am
He overused Bennett too; that was one of the grossest examples. That’s why he lost 6 mph of his fastball and became ineffective. Bobby kept trotting him out night after night for long relief anyway until the fans turned against Jeff and he had to break his hand to get the hell out of here.
Acosta rarely pitched. Logan didn’t either until late in the season. Boyer. And when others were exhausted or ineffective, none of the many stocked in the minors were called up to give someone a rest.
Look, I don’t hate Bobby for the way he does his thing; that’s his business. I just don’t see how you can look someone in the eye and tell them the big three weren’t pitched too damn often.
The Grinch
January 23rd, 2010
11:13 am
Agreed that the others were ineffective for the most part; but now that we’re all pretty much in agreement that we have plenty of decent arms this year let’s see if the style changes.
Delbert D.
January 23rd, 2010
11:28 am
“Braves’ Schafer says he’s healthy, confident”
Great! Now, if Frankfurter Wren can pull the wool over some desperate team, *trade him*, while his potential vs. excuses value is at its peak.
brent a.
January 23rd, 2010
11:35 am
Best Sports Movie:
Hoop Dreams
brent a.
January 23rd, 2010
11:36 am
Best Sports Movie:
Hoop Dreams
Glavine95
January 23rd, 2010
11:44 am
The opening day outfield:
N. McLouth – LF
J. Schafer – CF
J. Heyward – RF
That’s a good looking outfield if you ask me…thoughts??
bravos 1995
January 23rd, 2010
11:44 am
http://www.anothercubsblog.net/2010-articles/january/tu-quo-que.html
Mark McGwire has taken a lot of broadsides since his partial admission on steroid use, with some of the most severe attacks coming from former players. Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk, for example, excoriated McGwire in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, saying, among other things, that Big Mac’s mea culpa was “a crock.” But another ex-player with a Cooperstown bust isn’t willing to come inside with the Fisk heat. “A number of guys have that attitude,” Robin Yount said by phone from his Arizona home. “I would like to know what they would’ve done if they were in that same boat.” Like Fisk, Yount played almost his entire career outside the Steroid Era, which began, depending on the historian, somewhere between the late 1980s and early ‘90s. Had steroids been readily available when he played, Yount could not say what he would’ve done. “I’ll be very honest,” Yount said. “In the fact that there was no testing and if there were benefits from it, it would have been very difficult. “Without testing in place, you would’ve almost been forced to do it to keep up.” So there would’ve been some tough decisions inside the Brewers clubhouse had Bambi’s Bombers and Harvey’s Wallbangers been born a decade or so later? “There is no doubt,” the 54-year-old Yount said. “It wouldn’t have been an easy decision. Or maybe it would’ve been an easy decision, for that matter. You just would’ve had to do it to keep up. “I’m glad that I didn’t have to make that call because it would have been a very difficult decision to decide whether to do it or not.”
Former pitcher, Bill Lee, does not care about McGwire’s steroid use. It’s nice to see a former player admit that. It’s true for almost all of them, but they’re afraid to admit it, but their actions when they played speak louder than their words today. Anyway, from Bill Lee: “Wasn’t there an asterisk for 154 games vs. 162?” Lee asked rhetorically, regarding Roger Maris’ breaking of Babe Ruth’s home run mark in ‘61. “There’s a whole lot of factors. The balls were taken out of Haiti and boom they’re wound tighter. The pitching. The designated hitter. There’s so many changes in the game of baseball that influence the outcome. You just can’t take one over the other. “Just like McGwire said: Steroids didn’t give him the hand-eye (coordination), the quickness, nothing like that. It may have given him a little more strength. As a pitcher, I don’t care what a guy takes. He can be lit like a Christmas tree, I’m going to find a way to get him out. It didn’t bother me when I pitched. I just hated facing guys like Richie Allen when he was hung over.” …”Everybody juiced in some way,” Lee said. “You had a rough night so you take a few greenies. That was tough playing in those days. These (players have access to) designer drugs like the East Germans were using a long time before. “The object of life is to try and live longer, be healthier. Ponce de Leon was looking for the Fountain of Youth. If you told me there was a magic bullet, I’d be knocking over old folks homes so I can pitch for one more year. Every kid’s a little bit bigger. It is out there in our society. “To single out ballplayers and BALCO for putting a little Clear on the back of your tongue to make you heal faster from injuries … hell, how many times did I get injected? At the end of the ‘74 season I couldn’t get out of bed because my kidneys shut down. That’s what the team put me on.”
bravos 1995
January 23rd, 2010
11:53 am
Bennett lost 6 mph because he put on 35 pounds from the end of 2008 until the beginning of 2009
P. W. Hjort
January 23rd, 2010
12:10 pm
Schaferific!
SBW
January 23rd, 2010
12:11 pm
Glad to finally hear some news on Schafer. I’d be a lot more excited about this Braves team if Schafer plays well enough in spring training to earn a roster spot, even if it just a platoon role. I am still puzzled on how a kid with so much hype last year has been so ignored this year.
Eric from MO
January 23rd, 2010
12:17 pm
bravos good post at 11:44. I said the same thing last summer that we shouldnt put players in past decades on a pedistol because they didnt take steroids because steriods wasnt available. I was ridiculed obviously by other bloggers. Some even told me they knew without a doubt Hank Aaron or Babe Ruth, or Joe Dimmagio wouldnt of taken them because they were better than that. That is BS. That is the one thing I have with past players coming out and ridiculing the players of the 90’s. I understand them being upset but they would of done the same thing. IMO you just call this another era and you have the greats of each era. You already have the deadball era, some pitchers used to be allowed to throw spitballs, pitching mounds used to be higher, used to be a shorter season, and in the 90’s/early 2000’s you had steroids. My point is each era had advantages/disadvantages. This was this decades advantage.
David O'Brien
January 23rd, 2010
12:18 pm
I’m basically in agreement with Grinch on Bobby overusing his main three guys in recent seasons. Granted, I understand how he felt every game that was at all winnable had to be won because the Braves just have no wiggle room anymore and have been chasing rather than being chased. That said, there were times when more than one of those guys worked in games with four-run and even greater leads on a couple of occasions. And not just in cases where they needed because they had been idle a few days.
And last year, you were talking about three guys who’d all had recent elbow surgeries, two of them Tommy John (reconstructive) surgeries.
If Saito is used three days in a row, or back-to-back days on numerous occasions, I think the Braves could quickly run into trouble. And I think they’re going to have to be a little careful with Wagner, at least initially.
Cyrus
January 23rd, 2010
12:20 pm
Folks when do the pitchers and catchers report to DOB’s favorite place the DEATH STAR ! I am getting the itch again for baseball to start and for the Braves to have a great year. I think the addition of Billy Wagner adds some grit and intensity to this team that they haven’t had in a few years. Of course our starters might be the best in either league and a couple of predictions and you heard them here first: Derek Lowe — Cy Young in NL and Jason Heyward after getting called up in mid May wins the NL ROY. Lets get to Florida and get this party started.
monty
January 23rd, 2010
12:27 pm
Schafer proved he was ready last year winning a starting position, 1st major league AB he hits a 427 ft. HR to the opposite field,and homers again in the opening series, then he gets hurt. If he has a strong spring training this year then why would you just automatically send him to AAA? If Hanson last year won his 1st 2 starts and pitched great but got hurt, then healed and came back and had a dominating spring training, why would you say, “well he needs to go to AAA for 1/2 a season?” I don’t get the logic. I think if Schafer plays significantly better than Melky in ST but Melky gets the job then you could send Schafer to AAA but you would really be sending him a message that he isn’t in the mix unless somone goes down with an injury. If he shines in ST let him play. I say, he outplays every OF we currently have on the team in ST.
Eric from MO
January 23rd, 2010
12:34 pm
Monty I sorta agree, however I think the Braves are thinking to sending him to AAA because he hasnt played much the last two years and may be rusty. Help him get his timing back.
bruce
January 23rd, 2010
12:35 pm
David –
Do you think Omar is sufficiently strong as SS backup for Yunel so that Diory does not need to take up a spot on the 25 man roster?
I remember thinking Omar was better than Martin before Omar’s hand was broken again on HBP. I am thinking that Hinske’s & Omar’s versatility give us unique bench strength/depth for days off and if we do not need to keep Diory to backup SS.
Thanks, Bruce
Lew
January 23rd, 2010
12:36 pm
But the one time Bobby left Lowe in there, he ended up giving up like eight consecutive hits. It’s a no-win situation.
Steve from OH
January 23rd, 2010
12:46 pm
Glad to see Schafer is doing well, DOB. Thanks for the new blog!
David O'Brien
January 23rd, 2010
12:46 pm
OK, I’ve solved the riddle of that stat I used in the blog, about players with less than 200 at-bats above A-ball.
It’s all players drafted out of high school, any position, who start a season with a major league team after having less than 200 at-bats above Class A. And the person who I’d been working with to come up with the stat actually didn’t realize that Nick Markakis attended junior college. So it’s only one, Rocco Baldelli.
Guys like McCann, who was called up at midseason — and didn’t play every day as a rookie — weren’t considered. Just guys who made the team out of spring training.
That leaves one player, Baldelli, as the only player at any position during the past decade to make a major league team out of spring training and play at least 30 games, after having fewer than 200 at-bats above A-ball.
Whew. Glad we got that straightened out. I’ll go back into the blog to correct.
Sorry for confusing, or not being clear, about the matter last night.
ugaaccountant
January 23rd, 2010
12:57 pm
Just because a pitcher doesn’t get an injury doesn’t mean they aren’t less effective after being used too much. Also remember that even if a guy warms up and sits back down a time or two it’s still wear and tear on the arm.
On the flip side, guys like Acosta who sit an do nothing for a week then come in for an inning or two are often going to be bad, because they aren’t getting enough work. This really does work both ways.
Proper managing of a bullpen should be having 6 or 7 arms in the pen, depending on how deep your starters typically go. All 7 should expect on average 1 night on, 1 night off. If you go more than 2 nights in a row either way you’re asking for trouble. If you followed a rotation like that instead of rigid roles, you’d find that the same people would produce better results because of simple physical needs being met.
YAACA
January 23rd, 2010
12:58 pm
The Braves better hope they win the Wildcard because there’s no chance of them winning the NL East. Bobby Cox has stayed too long, attendance is continuously declining every season, and Chipper seems disinterested on the field at times. I will be suprised if the Braves make the playoffs with their current roster. We’re just depending on too many guys to have career or breakout seasons. I wish them the best, but I’m a realist, not an apologist.
BravesAC
January 23rd, 2010
12:59 pm
Cool Actors?
It goes back a ways, but William Powell (in the Thin Man series with Myrna Loy) was the epitomy of cool.
Today, Matt Damon? Don’t care for his music, but Justin Timberlake’s skits on SNL always seem cool as well.
Eric from MO
January 23rd, 2010
12:59 pm
uga what your basically saying is bullpen by committee which does not work.
Tomas
January 23rd, 2010
1:01 pm
The thing with Bobby, is he didn’t have confidence in anybody except Moylan, O’flaherty, Soriano, and Gonzalez. I understand the hesitation with Acosta, and Carlyle, but I hope Medlen gets more chances. Medlen was very effective out of the bullpen with the exception of the Florida series in which he was used 4 days in a row.
It amazes me how he overused the bullpen last year considering the Braves had one of the best rotations in the league. This season I hope he stretches starters a little bit more, and uses the whole bullpen not just 3 guys. Saito, Wagner, Moylan, O’Flaherty, Proctor, Medlen, and Chavez all seem capable of getting the job done.
Eric from MO
January 23rd, 2010
1:03 pm
YAACA they have the best rotation in baseball, argueably best bullpen in baseball and yet absolutely no chance on winning NL East. Im really tired of this statement. The Phillies are obviously the favorites but to say there is no chance is just plain dumb. Especially considering the Braves had the highest scoring offense in the 2nd half last year(a third of that without LaRoche) in the National League.
BravesAC
January 23rd, 2010
1:04 pm
DOB – If Saito is used three days in a row, or back-to-back days on numerous occasions, I think the Braves could quickly run into trouble. And I think they’re going to have to be a little careful with Wagner, at least initially
I think that’s why Medlin is a key this year, along with Bobby getting some confidence with other relievers like Chavez.
Breaking Away had to be a top 3 sports movie becuase it covered lots of ground in a realistic sports framework.
xharmonx
January 23rd, 2010
1:12 pm
best sports movie hands down is “caddyshack”cmon ppl
YAACA
January 23rd, 2010
1:12 pm
Frank Wren is either a liar or delusional when he say’s he’s happy with the Braves roster. There is not one threat in our lineup to hit over 35 HR. Please don’t say Chipper because he’ll miss at least 25-50 games. McCann has never done it, and Glaus is coming off shoulder surgery. We have pieced together a team with bubble gum, tape, and rubber cement. We’re banking on everything to go right, but answer this, when do things ever go right with this team? Cox should’ve left after the 2007 season.
Brandon
January 23rd, 2010
1:13 pm
Eric from MO
The braves do not have anywhere close to the best bullpenn in baseball way to many quwstions.
Tomas
January 23rd, 2010
1:14 pm
DOB, Xavier Nady came directly to the majors after being drafted, but he did attend UC Berkeley. Only played one game and was sent back to the minors. A-rod was drafted at age 17, didn’t attend college and only played 35 games in AAA before being called up.
ugaaccountant
January 23rd, 2010
1:15 pm
“SBW
Glad to finally hear some news on Schafer. I’d be a lot more excited about this Braves team if Schafer plays well enough in spring training to earn a roster spot, even if it just a platoon role. I am still puzzled on how a kid with so much hype last year has been so ignored this year.”
All hype is not created equal. Last year his competition for a starting job was Josh Anderson and Gregor Blanco. Easy to see why he was the favorite.
This year we’ve got Nate McLouth, a recent all-star, in centerfield. Or what about Melky Cabrera, 3 year starter previously of the New York Yankees. Matt Diaz, a consistent .300 hitter. Or he could beat out Jason Heyward who actually is the best minor league hitter in all of baseball. We obviously could trade one of the current 3 starters if Jordan earns a spot, but it’s a far cry from last years situation.
No reason to keep him in Atlanta as a 5th outfielder. He needs at-bats and a 5th guy won’t get enough. For him to be at his best when we do need him, we should let him get some playing time in Gwinnett.
Another over-hype situation you may be remembering for him was when he was our #1 minor league prospect. However, that ranking was achieved prior to his suspension for HGH. They never “proved” he took them, but I can’t just assume that a Braves player would be the one guy they were wrong about. HGH isn’t a miracle worker, but it is enough to make an otherwise good minor league player truly stand out amongst his peers.
All said, I like Jordan alot for our 2011 team. I also liked him alot for our 2009 team. But with the guys currently on our 2010 roster, we need to trade one before I’d call him up.
dogsbrekky
January 23rd, 2010
1:17 pm
Saito – I watched a lot of this guy when I lioved on the west coast when he was at the Dodgies… the guy is absolutely nasty…. good control and nerves of steel…. I think he and WAGS are awesome gets for us,,
who could forget how many games our BP blew last year and how shaky MFIKY and GONZO were at times
Steve from OH
January 23rd, 2010
1:17 pm
Dave–hope I wasn’t out of line last night. No hard feelings…
Bayou Brave
January 23rd, 2010
1:19 pm
DOB,
I don’t know who will win tomorrow evening, but I’ll sure as hell be wearing my Deuce McAllister jersey and cheering everytime Sharper intercepts Favre and Vilma jacks up Peterson. (Which will be frequent.)
The Saints offensive line has 4 Pro Bowl level starters and a rookie left tackle that has played well enough for the whole year. Plus the Saints run a lot of quick slants and screen passes, so I don’t think the Vikings pass rush will have the same success that they did against Romo.
The Saints number 1 concern has to be containing Adrian Peterson. The only hole in their game is their run defense. The Vikings have been a pass first offense all year, but you have to think they will adapt their gameplan to test the Saints front 7 and avoid the Saints very good secondary.
Bravesfan36
January 23rd, 2010
1:22 pm
I think the reason Bobby used the bullpen the way he did was due to the inefficiency of the Braves offense last year. Our starting pitching was so effective at keeping the scores low, that most games tended to be close. As others have said, Bobby tended to only have confidence in Moylan, Gonzales and Soriano in those tight game situations. What DOB said earlier about Bobby using them with 4 run leads was also true. I could never understand why he did not give them a break on those nights. Although I am a big fan of Bobby Cox’s, he has really left me guessing his strategies the last couple of years. I just hope the offense give the pitching something to work with this year and the pitching is close to being as good this year as last.
David O'Brien
January 23rd, 2010
1:29 pm
Tomas, in your response you have the reasons why A-Rod and Nady weren’t included — A-Rod came up in six years before the decade in question began (I said 2000-2009) and Nady didn’t sign out of high school. Also, I’m talking about guys making an opening day roster (we already noted that McCann came up with fewer than 200 at-bats above A-ball, but he was a midseason callup and didn’t play every day initially).
Redstick19
January 23rd, 2010
1:31 pm
The Saints number 1 concern has to be containing Adrian Peterson.
and I would dare say that the No. 1 concern for the Vikings is getting Peterson going early. While still a great back, he was not nearly as dominant this year as he was 2 years ago… Vikes are pass first now. Funny how both teams’ game strategies most likely revolve around one guy… that’s what I would call a game changer. I think Saints got this… I just don’t think Vikings are built to win shootouts.
David O'Brien
January 23rd, 2010
1:33 pm
Steve from OH: Not at all. No problem.
Redstick19
January 23rd, 2010
1:40 pm
Reports indicate that Miguel Tejada signed with Orioles… that Baltimore offense not looking half bad at all. Now, if they could get some pitching they might be able to apply some pressure to the Yankers and BoSox. Maybe.
Eric from MO
January 23rd, 2010
1:53 pm
Brandon I strongly disagree, which bullpen doesnt have questions. All bullpens have questions.
Eric from MO
January 23rd, 2010
2:00 pm
Bravesfan36 good point at 1:22 most of the games were close. However, like everybody else it did drive me nuts when Bobby would use those 3 guys in a game where we were up by 4. Maybe this year he will use Medlin in those games. Most of our starter can go 7 easily, so maybe he can let Medlin pitch the 8th and 9th and basically rest the rest of the bullpen. Thats how I would do it anyways. Seemed like Bobby did that with Kawakami in a few games last year after he got moved to the bullpen.
bruce
January 23rd, 2010
2:11 pm
David –
I should have added this background thinking to my 12:35 question about Omar… and how my question fits into current discussion about Schafer spot on roster….
If the Diory is not needed to backup Yunel, (Omar would be backup SS,2B) then Hinske takes an infield backup (1B,3B) spot freeing up an outfield spot for one of the many outfielders including Schafer at some point…. thanks bruce
brian
January 23rd, 2010
2:15 pm
DOB – do you think Vazquez is just posturing as far as trying to get leverage for his next contract or do you think he is serious about possibly retiring after this year? If true, looks like the Braves made the right decision with Hudson versus Vazquez especially adding Melky and a phenom A pitcher.
From ESPN.com
Javier Vazquez | Yankees Top Email New York Yankees P Javier Vazquez may not play for much longer. The 33-year old, who was traded to the Yankees from the Braves last month, said he might retire after next season.
He told a Puerto Rican newspaper, via MLB.com, “I don’t have much playing time left. It is up to God. I go year by year, and I don’t know if it will be one, two or three years, but I’m definitely not going to play until 40.”
Vazquez is in the last year of a three-year deal he signed with the White Sox. He’ll make $11.5 million this season. But the idea of retirement is surprising; there have been no signs of diminished performance for Vazquez and, in fact, he was stellar last season (15-10, 2.87 ERA.)
David O'Brien
January 23rd, 2010
2:20 pm
KU’s playing in a snakepit today at Iowa State. Always a tough road gym.