Waiting for Johnny, focused on Jason
Sitting in my home office on a chilly Friday, cell phone next to my computer and Weather Channel on TV, waiting to see which will arrive first – snow here in Atlanta or a Johnny Damon signing with Detroit (or Atlanta, or the ChiSox….)
Clean-cut or hirsute, Damon seems headed to Detroit
Noticed today that the Royals are reportedly going to try Kyle Farnsworth in the starting rotation. My prediction: There will be blood. (As in, bench-clearing brawls. At the very least, crucial homers and on-mound meltdowns.)
But where were we? Oh, yes. Damon. Our topic du jour. More like, du month.
If Thursday reports of the Tigers offer (two years, $14 million) are even remotely accurate, I can’t imagine Damon turning that down, not if that’s a regular contract – in other words, if that’s guaranteed money.
As unequaled as Scott Boras (that’s his agent, whom you may have heard of) is at drumming up offers that defy all conventional wisdom at any particular time, I don’t see another team making an offer anywhere close to that.
And unless Boras advises Damon to take a one-year offer from the Braves, Tigers or another team so he can put Damon back on the market again next winter – a risky proposition given factors including his age (36) and the likelihood of his power numbers declining away from Yankee Stadium – then a two-year, $14 mill deal from Detroit seems as good (actually, better) than it can possibly get.
So we wait. Could be today. But as I’ve mentioned, once you’ve taken this thing this far, what’s another few days? After all, Damon can commute to spring training with either the Tigers (Lakeland) or Braves (Dark Star, aka Lake Buena Vista) from his home in Orlando.
So no need to scramble to find living arrangements or anything like that. Not that such matters would be a big deal for a ballplayer anyway, particularly one of his stature. Teams have people that take care of those kinds of things — housing and rental cars and such at spring training. But I’m just saying, Damon will be able to tuck his kids in at his Central Florida home every night if he wants to during spring training, if he ends up with the Tigers or Braves.
And I only keep mentioning the Braves as a possibility because, even as it seems most likely he’s headed for the Tigers in light of that reported offer, we’ll still leave open the possibility that the Braves could sweeten their offer a bit and Damon could decide to go for a one-year ride on the Bobby Cox retirement show – recommended Braves slogan: “Postseason or Bust; We’re Taking ‘6′ Out on Top” — and hit the open market again next winter.
We’ve gone through the reasons why Damon makes sense for the Braves, how he’d given them a proven leadoff option, clubhouse presence, winning pedigree, lessen the pressure to have 20-year-old Jason Heyward on the opening-day roster, etc.
But if the Braves really, truly have only $4-5 mill they are willing to spend – in which case the payroll might be under $90 million — well, then Damon is probably going to sign with the Tigers. Either that or those reported offers from the Tigers are going to turn out to have been bogus.
Jason Heyward reminds Chipper...
♣ Chipper on Heyward: As long as we’re on the subject of the future Face of the Franchise, here’s what the current Face said about Heyward when I asked Chipper Jones this week about the big kid (6-4, 245 pounds) who figures to be in right field before the Fourth of July, and perhaps three months sooner than that.
“I got to hit with him yesterday, and I was more than impressed,” Chipper said on Wednesday. “I’ve got a pretty good feeling he’s going to seize this opportunity and make the most of it.”
People keep asking me – your Crusading Everyman, Pseudo-Hipster blogmeister — and everyone else who’s seen Heyward whom we’d compare him to, and I’ve said physically he reminds me of Derrek Lee. I think he hits the ball as hard as Cliff Floyd, who Jim Leyland once told me hit them as hard or harder than anyone Leyland had ever seen.
As for Chipper, he says Heyward reminds him of someone that many Braves fans are more familiar with. Fred McGriff.
“His swing’s obviously a little different, but he looks like a bigger, more muscular version of Fred,” Chipper said. “And that’s saying something. Fred’s 6-5, 230 or so. This kid, he’s built like a brick house. And to watch the way the ball jumps off his bat … it’s batting practice, I know, and everybody’s supposed to do that in batting practice. But….
... of the Crime Dog, Freddy McGriff
“It’s going to be interesting to see how he hits the breaking stuff, how he makes adjustments pitch-to-pitch, at-bat to at-bat, can he make the adjustment. And that’s all something he’s done in the minor leagues. It’s a little bit different making the adjustment up here, but looking at his makeup, mindset and coachability, it looks like he’s ready and raring to go.”
Chipper’s winter injury scare: Chipper Jones said he’s up to about 230 pounds after a winter of lifting weights and (presumably) trying to eat sensibly. Says he wanted to get his strength back after losing some of it during his disappointing 2009 season, and says he’s done that.
“I’m actually on a little bit of a diet right now, trying to lose a couple of pounds,” he said. “But I feel good, healthy.”
That latter part is always the most important point when it comes to Jones. Healthy. And he waited until our conversation Wednesday to divulge an injury that nearly sent up a red flare six weeks ago from his Texas ranch.
“I had a little scare over Christmas with my thumb, playing golf in Texas,” he said. “A club snapped in middle of my grip as I was swinging, and it bent my thumb back. I was on the shelf with little bit of a sore thumb for a while.”
But before he could get too worried, the thumb was back to normal. Braves Nation never even got a chance to work up its collective consternation.
I also asked Chipper what he’ll be watching for from the Braves at spring training, what he believes to be the key situations to keep an eye on.
“I want to see certain guys in our rotation step up, that’s everybody’s biggest question,” he said. “Is the front end of the rotation going to be solid, is it going to be good?
“Health is always an issue. You hope you’re healthy down at the end of the bullpen, that’s obviously huge. From a position-player standpoint we’re pretty well set. But we know we’ve got to stay healthy.
“And everyone’s looking to see how Heyward does.”
Glavine had no desire to turn his back on Braves organization.
♣ Tom Glavine turns the page: Here’s a few quotes from Tom Glavine that you might have missed or that didn’t make it in my story Thursday, from the news conference to announce his new job as assistant to Braves president John Schuerholz. http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/glavine-joins-braves-front-298830.html
(And for those wondering, yes, Glavine and Greg Maddux should go into the Hall of Fame together in July 2014. Get your Cooperstown hotel reservations well in advance, because the village fills up quickly.)
– Glavine on what will be his fondest memories as a pitcher with the Braves, whether it’s the worst-to-first season, or the World Series title, or his two Cy Youngs, or his time with Maddux and John Smoltz…
“All that,” he said, smiling. “I’m fortunate in that I had a great career individually, and I had a great career as far as my teams were concerned and my teammates that I played with. We were able to accomplish a lot of great things. And I had the luxury of coming to the ballpark and watching great players, and being a part of a pitching staff that’s probably going to have three Hall of Famers off of it before it’s all said and done. That’s pretty special.
“And then on top of all that, you look at the friendships that we had, and the fun that we had off the field, and playing golf and doing all the goofy things that we did. You hear the expression ‘the time of your life’ – yeah, it was. It doesn’t get any better than that.
“So there’s a lot of things. It’s hard to narrow in on one thing that was so much better than the others. When you look at the whole body of work, not just from a personal standpoint. You look at 1987 and I lost 17 games, and we lost 100 games. We lost 100 games for three years, and then you look up and – boom – all those flags are hanging from the rafters. I mean, it’s pretty remarkable.”
– On whether the Braves releasing him in June turned out for the best:
“I can’t sit here in hindsight and say it wasn’t the best thing, because I don’t know what was going to happen. I mean, I don’t know. There were times where my arm felt terrible and times where it felt good. So I didn’t know from one day to the next what was going to happen….
“Was it the best thing? Maybe. Probably. In hindsight. But at that point in time I wasn’t ready to stop pitching. I had done all the work that I needed to do and wanted the opportunity to go back out there. But it didn’t work out, and the guy they brought up here and took my place did pretty well, so it’s hard to argue with all that.”
– On whether it was important to work things out with the Braves:
“Absolutely. Once all the emotions of what happened last year died down, then you have to figure out whether or not there’s an opportunity. I had heard some things about the potential to have some [job] opportunities here, and I floated my messages to people that I knew would get messages here, and eventually it led to a phone call and a conversation with John, and that conversation led us to where we are.
“Look, I’m smart enough to realize that if I want to stay in the game of baseball, it makes the most sense for me to do it here — obviously from a standpoint of me living here, but more importantly this is the franchise where I defined myself as a player. It would only make sense that I would want to continue to be a part of this organization in the future.
“… It was just a matter of a few big boys getting over some emotions from last year, and that really wasn’t that hard.”
– On working things out with GM Frank Wren and the Braves:
“Look, when something like that happens, obviously there are a lot of emotions that are involved. But that’s one of the difficult and interesting dynamics, is the relationship between the front-office side and the player. The player is always evaluating himself differently, and that’s always a delicate bridge to cross. I’ve had my conversations with John. We certainly have cleared the air. I’m happy and comfortable where we are, as far as all that is concerned. I’ve talked with Frank. So, all of that is behind us.
“And if I didn’t feel like it wasn’t, if I didn’t feel like I could work with John or work with Frank, then I wouldn’t be standing here. I feel like that’s all been adequately discussed and everybody is on the same page, in terms of what I’m going to do and the opportunity I’m going to have. So it should be fun.”
– On the possibility of taking a dugout job, coaching or possibly managing:
“More so as a pitching coach. Right now, no. Right now it just wouldn’t fit my lifestyle. I’ve got five kids at home, three of them 10 and under. I enjoy being home with them. That’s the part of my baseball life that I don’t want to duplicate – I want to be home more, I want to be around and see things and be involved more with what they’re doing. So right now, it doesn’t make sense for me to entertain the idea of being in uniform on a full-time basis, because it’s just too much of a time commitment. It’s more of a commitment than you had as a player.
“Somewhere down the road when the kids are a little older, maybe. I certainly would not sit here and tell you that I would never consider it, because I know if I did it, it would be something that I would enjoy. Because I enjoyed working with younger pitchers when I was in the last four or five years of my career. I enjoy teaching and doing all that stuff, so I know I would enjoy it. But the time commitment would be such that it wouldn’t make sense.
Glavine wanted to be part of Cox's farewell season
– On returning to organization for Bobby Cox’s planned final season as manager:
“That had a role in it, as well. I guess it’s always a balancing act when to get back in the game when you’re done playing. On the one hand I’ve had advice from people, ‘Stay away from the game at least a year and figure out what you want to do,’ and I’ve had other people tell me, ‘You know what, if you have an opportunity and it’s a good opportunity, then get back in.’ So I was toying with all that. And certainly the fact that this is Bobby’s last year – although I’ll believe it when I see it – that played a role in it. Bobby’s been so important and instrumental in my career, so for me to be able to be around in some capacity for his last go-round, it’s something that I wanted to try and be a part of it….
“Bobby was such an influence on so many of these guys’ careers, and I certainly fall into that category. He taught me more than anyone about the game itself and about respecting the game and how you play the game and how you carry yourself. Those aren’t things that are just limited to just baseball. I mean, those are things that, when you walk out that door, how you carry yourself as an individual and representing your family and doing all those things. They were life lessons as much as they were baseball lessons, you just didn’t realize it at the time.
“It’s an understatement for me to say he was a huge impact on my career and on my life.
“SHORE LEAVE” by Tom Waits
Well with buck shot eyes and a purple heart
I rolled down the national stroll
and with a big fat paycheck
strapped to my hip sack
and a shore leave wristwatch underneath
my sleeve
in a Hong Kong drizzle on Cuban heels
I rowed down the gutter to the Blood Bank
and I’d left all my papers on the Ticonderoga
and was in a bad need of a shave
and so I slopped at the corner on cold chow mein
and shot billiards with a midget
until the rain stopped
and I bought a long sleeved shirt
with horses on the front
and some gum and a lighter and a knife
and a new deck of cards (with girls on the back)
and I sat down and wrote a letter to my wife
♦
and I said, Baby, I’m so far away from home
and I miss my baby so
I can’t make it by myself
I love you so
♦
Well I was pacing myself
trying to make it all last
squeezing all the life
out of a lousy two day pass
and I had a cold one at the Dragon
with some Filipino floor show
and talked baseball with a lieutenant
over a Singapore sling
and I wondered how the same moon outside
over this Chinatown fair
could look down on Illinois
and find you there
and you know I love you Baby
♦
and I’m so far away from home
and I miss my baby so
I can’t make it by myself
I love you so
Shore Leave….
Shore Leave….
3,133 comments Add your comment
sidslidkid
February 12th, 2010
2:09 pm
Thanks for the new blogage DOB!
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
2:11 pm
WHISTLER, B.C. – Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili has been injured in an Olympic training run.
He was coming around the final 270-degree turn, where speeds approach 140 km/h, when he flipped off his sled and was hurled into a metal pole.
Medics administered CPR to the 21-year-old from Borjomi, Georgia.
The $105-million sliding centre, on the southeast face of Blackcomb Mountain, has been billed as a wild ride and the accident happened at its fastest point.
The 1,450-metre course has 16 turns and drops steeply for 152 metres, the longest drop of any track in the world.
The average grade is about 11 per cent, including two stomach-inverting drops of 20 per cent.
itcouldbeworse
February 12th, 2010
2:11 pm
3rd
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
2:12 pm
Anyway…now to read the blog!
FEAR
February 12th, 2010
2:15 pm
We don’t need Damon. The End
I'm Confused
February 12th, 2010
2:15 pm
I’m Confused
February 12th, 2010
2:05 pm
So why does Detroit trade Granderson and then try to sign Damon? If they pay Damon 7 mil, that’s 2 more than what Granderson was going to make and Damon is older!
So either Boros is blowing smoke about the 2 year 14 mil or the Tigers just went into bipolar mode after dumping Granderson for……. Damon???
Josh
February 12th, 2010
2:16 pm
thanks DOB.
MZ
February 12th, 2010
2:17 pm
Gotta carry over conversation from previous blog … stranded on an island, and you can only bring 5 albums, which would they be?
Mine were — “Wildflowers” Tom Petty; “Era Vulgaris” Queens of the Stone Age; “White Album” The Beatles; “Let It Bleed” Rolling Stones; “Southern Rock Opera” Drive-By Truckers
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
2:19 pm
MZ
I would probably bring all double albums. That way you get double the music to listen to.
Braves_Fan_RSD
February 12th, 2010
2:19 pm
So why does Detroit trade Granderson and then try to sign Damon? If they pay Damon 7 mil, that’s 2 more than what Granderson was going to make and Damon is older!
So either Boros is blowing smoke about the 2 year 14 mil or the Tigers just went into bipolar mode after dumping Granderson for……. Damon??? – Im Confused
Gotta look at it as more than just a Damon for Granderson swap
Tigers get:
Austin Jackson
Daniel Schlereth
Phil Coke
Max Scherzer
Johnny Damon
and Lose
Edwin Jackson
Curtis Granderson
1 Million Dollar
Looks like they did quite well to me
BravesFanLostInOhio
February 12th, 2010
2:20 pm
230? Really? What “kind” of 230 lbs is he? Country strong…or…
FEAR
February 12th, 2010
2:22 pm
I’m Confused – damn good point
ATLFan
February 12th, 2010
2:24 pm
Hope we get ‘08 Chipper instead of ‘09 Chipper in ‘10 …
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
2:24 pm
Coke and Scherzer are going to start for the Tigers, right?
Matt_t
February 12th, 2010
2:24 pm
DOB-
I challenge you to a hipster blogmeister off.
-matt
18 Wheels of Love
February 12th, 2010
2:26 pm
I’m Confused…what did Detroit get back for Granderson? Maybe that was why they made the trade and then Damon’s numbers continued to drop far enough to where they would consider it. Or maybe they have an owner that when pressed steps up on individual case basis’ and helps out the team. But I completely see your point, just playing the other side of the fence.
TG from CA
February 12th, 2010
2:26 pm
I would take these 4 outfielders on Opening Day: Nate, Milkey, Diaz and Jordan S. Hold Heyward for 2 months at AAA. Give the 4 outfielders all playing time. If Jordan struggles during this time, flip him with Heyward and let him spend the next 4 months at AAA. Even if he struggles at the plate for April and May, the dude can play good defense and can pitch run until Heyward gets here. If Jordan plays well, he can take over Center, Heyward in right and Nate in left
sidslidkid
February 12th, 2010
2:26 pm
Willie Nelson – “Red Headed Stranger”
Weezer – “The Blue Album”
Sam Cooke – “Sam Cooke”
Robert Johnson – “King of the Delta Blues”
The Clash – “London Calling”
Jeff R
February 12th, 2010
2:27 pm
What exactly will Tom Glavine do as a special assistant to JS?
Hillbilly
February 12th, 2010
2:28 pm
DOB brought back the Jack Nicholson “The Shining” pic of Johnny Damon for another blog. Creepy.
Mark in Madison
February 12th, 2010
2:28 pm
Man, does Chipper have the worst luck with freak injuries or what?
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
2:29 pm
You’re right FEAR … we don’t need a legit leadoff hitter. Why, McLouth excelled so much in that dept. last year that I’d be so disappointed if we ended up with Damon.
Josh Townsend
February 12th, 2010
2:29 pm
Great blog. Loved reading all those quotes, and brought back lots of memories. Welcome back 47.
Sgt. Pepper
February 12th, 2010
2:29 pm
My 5 desert island albums:
1. “Let It Be” by the Beatles
2. “Parachutes” by Coldplay
3. “Mutemath” by Mutemath
4. “A Collision (or 3+4=7)” by David Crowder*Band
5. Something by Stevie Wonder. Either “Songs in the Key of Life” or “Innervisions” probably. Possibly “Music of My Mind.”
Tale of Woe
February 12th, 2010
2:30 pm
An OF of Schafer, Heyward, Diaz, and McLough is good enough to win.
tdmorgan
February 12th, 2010
2:31 pm
I would like to see Damon in LF, but the downer about that is what happens to Diaz when Heyward is ready, whether it’s at the beginning of the season or 2 months down the road? He played extremely well last year. If Damon does come here and more than likely will not duplicate his numbers from last year, how disappointed will we be? Damon was on an amazing offensive team last year and had a short porch in right field. His defense is ok for LF but his arm is poor. I wouldn’t mind having him but what’s the point?
McCann Fan - Top 5 Desert Island Albums
February 12th, 2010
2:31 pm
Thanks for the carry-over MZ. I want to see more lists, especially DOB’s. Realistic lists people, not trying to impress anyone with your obscure music knowledge.
My original 5 were:
Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy
Dave Matthews – Under the Table and Dreaming
Stone Temple Pilots – Purple
Outkast – either ATLiens or Aquemini
Bob Marley – Babylon By Bus
Honorable mentions were:
The Smiths – Meat Is Murder
Allman Brothers – Eat a Peach
The Clash – London Calling and then I added
Beastie Boys – Check Your Head
Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
Beatles – White Album
Black Crowes – Amorica
Jane’s Addiction – Ritual de lo Habitual
Kings of Leon – Aha Shake Heartbreak
R.E.M. – Reckoning
I guess it turned into a top 15 desert island albums.
Tee
February 12th, 2010
2:31 pm
Trade Chipper Now and get something in value!!!!!
TommyP
February 12th, 2010
2:32 pm
Ready for Damon to decide one way or the other. Getting old.
Heyward seems to be penciled into RF. He’d have to struggle in March to not break camp, in my opinion. (of course, if Damon is signed, that COULD definitely change things)
Heyward is easily the one I’m most excited about seeing this spring. I’m also looking to see what Glaus looks like and Schafer as well. I’m expecting a Cy Young season from Jurrjens this year. Am I too high on him? I don’t think so.
dwaynerice
February 12th, 2010
2:32 pm
DOB
Do you know, legally, how much longer Liberty has to hold on to the Braves? Seems to me it was an agreement for X number of years; in other words, do you see them putting the Braves up for sale anywhere near the time they legally can do so?
sidslidkid
February 12th, 2010
2:32 pm
Has anyone said “Pet Sounds” by The Beach Boys? Rolling Stone loves that album and brings it up all the time. It’s a great album. Nowhere near the top of my list, but I can see (or should I say hear) what people like about album. By far their best work.
N8
February 12th, 2010
2:33 pm
If I were to be stranded on an island, I’d just bring my 32 gig iPod, that has over 7500 tunes on it. Plus it takes up less space than the albums.
Besides, wherever I’d be that would somehow get me on an island, I’d more than likely would have had my iPod with me. Usually don’t carry a bunch of albums with me (or CD’s for that matter).
And if somebody was going to make an effort to bring me my top 5 albums on that island. I’d probably just ask if I could leave with them when the headed back to the mainland.
Though it would be nice to have a generator, a laptop and that USB cable so I could charge the iPod up. Because the only thing that would be more frustrating than being on an island with no music, would be to be on an island with ALL of your music, and not way to power it up.
JEB
February 12th, 2010
2:33 pm
WOW! DOB,
Your fingers must be cramped after all of that info!
Good stuff! Thanks for your input of time!
F-105 Thunderchief
February 12th, 2010
2:33 pm
Johnny’s gone. Mark it down. Jason’s still months away. Mark it down.
N8
February 12th, 2010
2:33 pm
Wow. Didn’t mean to put 2 smiley faces in one post. I’ll go to my room now, to begin my 1 hour, self imposed banishment from the blog for breaking said rule.
Sorry.
96,sc
February 12th, 2010
2:34 pm
B MAC !! got his autograph at a caravan stop yesterday in greenville,sc!
Billy Walsh
February 12th, 2010
2:35 pm
Boras will try and squeeze every dime out of the tigers. For the same amount of money and years Damon could have been back with the defending champs. Can’t wait to see how Boras spins it if Damon signs with the tigers for 2 years at 7 million per. As far as Granderson, the players that Detroit got back where nothing extraordinary. Austin Jackson is probably a Melky Cabrera type player, and Phil Coke was nothing special in the Yankee bullpen last year. Max Scherzer, who the tigers got from the D-Backs, might be their best move of the off season. He has tremendous stuff but can locate it.
JUST SAYIN'
February 12th, 2010
2:38 pm
Fish Bisch
February 12th, 2010
1:33 pm
It’s snowing here in Fort Lauderdale.
—————
100 miles NORTH of Ft. Lauderdale it is 72 Degrees at 2:30. hahahaha
I did hear on FOX that by tonight there would be “measurable” snow on the ground in 49 states at the same time, the first time that had ever happened.
hoho
February 12th, 2010
2:38 pm
Interesting that Heyward reminds folks of only black players (Lee, Floyd, and McGriff). Interesting because the majority of MLB players are not black. But Heyward, uncannily, reminds folks of THREE of those players-wow! Frankly, I’m surprised the term “articulate” or “athletic” didn’t get thrown in there. So he really doesn’t remind DOB or Hoss of any other player in the 90 something percentile (Latin or Anglo) only a couple from the 5-10 percent (black American or Asian-and one of those players is retired-wow)?
Andrew in PA
February 12th, 2010
2:39 pm
ESPN has not said yet that the Tigers offered Damon that 2 year 14 million dollar contract, it was just on sportcenter again that they offered 1 year and 7 million, so if Heyman is right saying the Braves may have 6 million then it could come down to just where Damon wants to play.
tdmorgan
February 12th, 2010
2:40 pm
TG from CA and Tale of Woe, Schafer needs a few months probably to get some confidence in his swing. After he was sent down last year he didn’t play much before having surgery and didn’t get a chance to play winter ball either. His confidence probably also got hurt when he had a quick downward spiral after his injury. I’m glad people aren’t bashing him anymore, but let him get comfortable at the plate again that way we don’t have to send him down again. That would probably be more of a blow to his confidence than having to start out at AAA for a month or two at the beginning of the season. We have 4 guys to play OF for the beginning of the season: Melky, Diaz, McLouth, and Hinske. That’s not really a group of OF to strike fear into anyone, but we all know that Heyward has a very good chance to start the season in ATL, so that probably drops Melky or Conrad. If it drops Melky then maybe we could flip him for another bullpen arm or a prospect.
LT200
February 12th, 2010
2:41 pm
I am in Kissimmee, Fl and that is about 2 hours north of Ft. Lauderdale and it certainly aint 72 degrees. More like 52.
TennesseePaul
February 12th, 2010
2:41 pm
Nice one David. Thanks for the blog
bruce
February 12th, 2010
2:43 pm
Glavine re Bobby: “It’s an understatement for me to say he was a huge impact on my career and on my life.
That would a mighty fine line to put on the top of a letter of appreciation “plaque” that Bobby’s players past & present could sign their name to and give to him when he retires or at the end of this season, whichever comes first.
John OTC
February 12th, 2010
2:43 pm
We don’t need Johnny Damon. It’s a total Furcal.
O.J.
February 12th, 2010
2:45 pm
I also asked Chipper what he’ll be watching for from the Braves at spring training, what he believes to be the key situations to keep an eye on.
“I want to see certain guys in our rotation step up, that’s everybody’s biggest question,” he said. “Is the front end of the rotation going to be solid, is it going to be good? DOB
DOB, do you think he was referring to Lowe?
Shanks A Lot
February 12th, 2010
2:45 pm
Hoho -
stop trying to stir $hit up
McCann Fan - Top 5 Desert Island Albums
February 12th, 2010
2:46 pm
N8 – That’s cheating. The point is that it’s really hard to come up with just 5 so you get a chance to see what 5 you MUST HAVE.
groundfog
February 12th, 2010
2:47 pm
Damon makes the Braves better. Fact. Period. Also, I think Damon would provide some star power to the Braves and help attendance. I don’t know how much it would help, but a buddy of mine who is a huge Yankees fan said he would definitely take his kids to alot more games with Damon in the lineup. I think it would be worth matching the Tigers for 1 year at 7+ million but i doubt he would take that anyway.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
2:47 pm
Hoho – nice screen name
lol
O.J.
February 12th, 2010
2:47 pm
I want to see certain guys in our rotation step up, that’s everybody’s biggest question,” he said. “Is the front end of the rotation going to be solid, is it going to be good? Chipper Jones
DOB, you think he meant Lowe?
JUST SAYIN'
February 12th, 2010
2:48 pm
LT200
February 12th, 2010
2:41 pm
I am in Kissimmee, Fl and that is about 2 hours north of Ft. Lauderdale and it certainly aint 72 degrees. More like 52.
—————
Kissimmee is at least 3 hours from Ft. Lauderdale. I am in Stuart and that is about 2 hours from Kissimmee. AND IT IS 72 AS I TYPE THIS.
I don’t type lies so don’t intimate that again.
I also know it is snowing in Pensacola but that has nothing to do with the temp here in Stuart.
Incidentally the forecast is for a low tomorrow morning of 34 so the cold air is moving south. It simply hasn’t gotten here yet.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
2:48 pm
I’d say Chipper’s comments mean both Hudson AND Lowe
sidslidkid
February 12th, 2010
2:48 pm
hoho, come on dude….
hoho
February 12th, 2010
2:49 pm
callin it as i see it Shanks. If you don’t like it feel free to offer another point of view. You clearly haven’t yet.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
2:49 pm
LT200 -
Here in Ohio…we’d love 52 right about now…
Rob from SC
February 12th, 2010
2:50 pm
joerochester
Coke is going to the bullpen. Leyland wants him there.
McCann Fan - Top 5 Desert Island Albums
February 12th, 2010
2:51 pm
Shanks A Lot – what are the odds that two next-door neighbors are both on here at the same time. We both need to get back to work. I won’t make you participate in my Top 5 Desert Island albums survey but I would like to see what you would say.
JUST SAYIN'
February 12th, 2010
2:51 pm
HoHo, you trying to start a race war on this blog? Sounds like you may have a problem, in your obvious reach for racial political correctness.
hoho
February 12th, 2010
2:52 pm
sidslidkid- have you seen play? I havent. Surely there is SOME player who is not a black American that he reminds you of, right?
LT200
February 12th, 2010
2:53 pm
I never said anyone was lying. I was only making a point as to how cold it is here in Osceola County. Also,the part of Kissimmee that I am in is probably no more than 2 to 2 hours and 15 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale. Osceola county is pretty and goes all the way to the okechobee county line.
jon
February 12th, 2010
2:54 pm
Dave at least your realistic, your buddy jeff schultz who keeps writing about Johhny Damon, doesn’t know what the f… he’s talking about!
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
2:54 pm
I don’t think the Tigers have enough pitching to compete in the central. I think the Twins and Sox battle it out.
If I could sing like Paul McCartney and get funky like Etta James
February 12th, 2010
2:55 pm
The Allman Brothers Live and the Filmore East
Bruce Springsteen The River
Who’s Next
Rodney Crowell Fate’s Right Hand
Van Morrison Moon dance
hoho
February 12th, 2010
2:57 pm
JUST SAYIN’- no wars, just comments. Not tryin to stir up stuff just to do it. Callin it like i see it. Maybe it’s just a happy damn coincidence that the ONLY players he reminded Chip and DOB of were black American players. Hopefully when I see him play his swing will remind me of Chipper’s swing. But it’d be just as fine if it reminds me of Hammerin’ Hanks too. I’m sure there is room for many opinions, just surprised that the two opinions offered here were so limited. Can’t wait to see the man play.
hal
February 12th, 2010
2:57 pm
mark this down some on \this blog project knowing a lot more about baseball then they actually know in fact if they think they know anything …..
StingerSplash
February 12th, 2010
2:57 pm
I turned 21 in prison doing life without parole.
Is getting/not getting Johnny Damon a make or break deal for the Braves’ 2010 hopes?
I think it would be great to have him — good leadoff hitter, has some power, still runs well (though Bobby probably won’t turn him loose to swipe 50 bags and I’m not sure he can do that anymore, anyway) and works the count, gives the other batters a chance to see what the guy on the mound has.
He certainly has some defensive deficiencies, but I think for a team in need of a table setter at the top, he’d be a good fit for a year or two.
But if the Braves don’t get him, honestly, I think they’ll be all right.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
February 12th, 2010
2:58 pm
hoho hayward reminds me of a young yogi berra! what the hell is with that dumb comment
hoho
February 12th, 2010
2:59 pm
didn’t see yogi play when he was young or older so I don’[t know what’s up with that dumb comment.
Let me know if you figure it out.
TommyP
February 12th, 2010
2:59 pm
Heyward reminds me of a young Greg Norton.
I’ve never seen either get a hit. (hopefully that suffices)
Bobby's former players
February 12th, 2010
3:00 pm
Why we love Bobby:
He gave us cute little nicknames
He let us party all spring
He let us play our way into shape in regular season, causing untold pulled and tweaked muscles, hammys, quads, obliques, etc.
He didn’t make us practice bunting
He didn’t make us practice hitting behind the runner
Doesn’t mind if we swing away at the first three pitches
He doesn’t “disrespect” us by moving us down in the order when we are in a woeful slump
David O'Brien
February 12th, 2010
3:03 pm
As a former Fort Lauderdale resident, I’ll never make fun of South Floridians and their TV stations for making a big deal out of “cold snaps” in the 40-degree range again. Because here in Atlanta, on an early Friday afternoon when there’s simple snow falling and the roads aren’t even icy (it’s not cold enough yet for that), our city is responding as if it’s freakin’ blizzard. Seriously. Traffic on N. Druid Hills Rd. at 2:30 p.m. looked like it would normally at 5:30 or 6 p.m., except worse. Is anyone in the city still working today?
Here’s the topper, at least for me: I went to deposit an insurance check at my credit union, wanted to get it in before weekend since I’m paying bills, etc. I pull up to the credit union at 2:40 p.m., where me and a few other people, including a flustered woman holding her young daughter’s hand, were greeted with a little sign on the door that said they’d decided to close early and would see us on Tuesday (Moday is President’s Day).
Really? You run a bank, and on Friday afternoon, when a lot of working people have to do some banking before the weekend, a day that some banks usually stay open, you actually decide it’d be prudent to close a few hours early because it’s snowing. Seriously?
Geez, I hope you made it hope in time to watch the snow falling while drinking a hot chocolate, pretending you’re getting a real snowstorm like the ones that people in the Northeast have been getting all winter. While schlubs like me are driving through the snow to get to your bank before it’s scheduled closing time, only to be greeted by a sign informing us that you folks decided you’d call it a day early.
StingerSplash
February 12th, 2010
3:04 pm
Hmm, five albums to have on a deserted island.
Southern Rock Opera – Drive-By Truckers
Mystery Road – Drivin n Cryin
Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin (Dude, if you’re gonna be on a deserted island, better load up on some double albums)
Revolver – some guys named The Beatles
Fair Warning – Van Halen
TommyP
February 12th, 2010
3:05 pm
Damn, DOB. Drink a beer, brother. Enjoy the snow.
Larry Wayne
February 12th, 2010
3:06 pm
Recall last year when Chipper was impressed with Francoeur in the offseason as well. That went well didn’t it? I’m pulling for Heyward, he looks like a stud. Let’s not rely on #10 to evaluate talent, he past evaluations haven’t really been spot on.
David O'Brien
February 12th, 2010
3:08 pm
TommyP: Enjoy the snow? Some of us have work to do, brother. Got a spring preview and five-point spring checklist due at 5 p.m., so 30 minutes driving to and from the closed bank didn’t help.
But maybe I should just shove it all aside and enjoy the monumental snowfall. You’re right. I’ll tell my boss I shut down the computer early due to the weather.
Andy K.
February 12th, 2010
3:08 pm
Fox Sports says nothing is imminent with Damon and Tigers…You’ve gotta think Braves are probably still in on it
PMC
February 12th, 2010
3:09 pm
DOB I’m just hoping Johnny makes it here so you can use Ben Harper’s “Get it like you like it” in you blogs.
McCann Fan - Top 5 Desert Island Albums
February 12th, 2010
3:09 pm
Stinger – You going to Truckers at Variety Playhouse on March 13th? It will be my first.
DOB – All that hard work and you get a slap in the face by lazy bankers. Sorry dude.
BravesFanLostInOhio
February 12th, 2010
3:09 pm
DOB @ 3:03, that would piss me off, too. I’ve had to shovel my driveway four times in the last week, and I’ve been out every day.
Shanks A Lot
February 12th, 2010
3:10 pm
McCann Fan -
No work for me today. Not much golf happening on a day like this. If I were you I’d wrap it up and head to the house.
TommyP
February 12th, 2010
3:11 pm
LOL Maybe you shouldn’t be banking during work hours then.
Fla Braves Fan 1
February 12th, 2010
3:11 pm
yogi young or old????? what is that?
i can't take it anymore
February 12th, 2010
3:12 pm
heyward reminds me of freddie freeman. they both got hits when I saw them play. and cecill fielder, too. they are both really big
Greg O
February 12th, 2010
3:12 pm
DOB, I’m one of those people in the Northeast having been hit with real snowstorms all winter that you referenced in your 3:03. And, as someone with a brother whose scheduled flight to Atlanta today was cancelled days in advance, not because of the weather up north, but because of the flurries down south, I’m laughing hysterically at your last post. It’s always comical to see the reactions of people not accustomed to snowfall when it happens. Then again, I’m not sure people from my area can comment since there were school closings and whatnot before our latest storm ever happened and we were left with maybe 5 or 6 inches of accumulation – far less than expected.
TennesseePaul
February 12th, 2010
3:14 pm
Braves_Fan_RSD: Yes. They did do well. And there are more dimensions to it than a straight Granderson for Damon swap. For one Damon isn’t a platoon player. Granderson is. Granderson is owed an average of $8.5M over the next three years. Even at $7M for Damon they are getting a “less expensive” player. And one that can play every day and against every pitcher at that.
Lew: Regarding the question you had yesterday (or maybe it was the day before) concerning player value and player production I scoured the internet to gather the numbers… I picked up the salaries of 1,228 players on ML rosters in 2009 from Cots and then 1,351 players who had some appearance in a game in 2009 from Baseball Reference. Not having my trusty modeling tools that I used to have access to in SoCal I had to do an adhoc overview.
From the looks of it, the answer to your question is Damon should be valued at between $5.5M and $6M. That would make the Braves first offer low, but I’m sure it was simply a first offer and jumping off point. And of course my model is not perfect. If the Braves get him for anywhere in that range then I believe they have not over paid for him. That is based on his career numbers juxtaposed with production and pay from 2009.
Now if I were Boras I would probably make the argument based largely off of his previous year (2009) while also holding his career highlights in the other hand. And based on those numbers Damon would fall into the $9.5 to $10M range… which would seem to “justify” his request for an annual salary of around $10… (read he was seeking 2yr/$20M after swinging and missing on his hopes for 4yr/$52M from the Yankees). Paying him at the level of his best year in his career would be a mistake, even if it is adjusted to the current market value for players. So I would say the closer it gets to $9.5M the more it becomes overpaying.
Shanks A Lot
February 12th, 2010
3:14 pm
SMASH YOUR COMPUTERS, ITS SNOWING!!!!
IF YOURE IN YOUR CAR, GET OUT AND RUN!!! THE WHITE DEATH IS UPON US!!!!
dwaynerice
February 12th, 2010
3:15 pm
DOB.
Do you know, legally, how much longer Liberty has to hold on to the Braves? Seems to me it was an agreement for X number of years; in other words, do you see them putting the Braves up for sale anywhere near the time they legally can do so?
Martin From Oakland, CA
February 12th, 2010
3:15 pm
Jon Heyman of SI.com says via Twitter that it looks like the Damon sweepstakes will come down to the White Sox and Tigers. He says the Braves don’t appear to have the money to bid.
Heyman needs to make up his mind on what he says…
Andy K.
February 12th, 2010
3:19 pm
Martin, I wouldn’t put much stock in that Heyman comment…he has been goign back and forth on many topics for a while
Shanks A Lot
February 12th, 2010
3:19 pm
I’m begining to think Heyman is a shill for Scott Boras
Travis
February 12th, 2010
3:19 pm
hoho- Heyward was paid the highest compliment by being compared to some of the best players to ever grace a mlb uniform. Only you saw the fact that they were black. The fact remains that some of the most athletic builds and some of the prettiest leftie swings belong to guys like Ken Griiffey and “the crime dog”. I bet Heyward would be thrilled by the tribute paid to him by Chipper.
Report: Braves out on Damon sweepstakes
February 12th, 2010
3:19 pm
http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyman/status/9023777909
P-Town Brave
February 12th, 2010
3:19 pm
I don’t think anyone has any idea where this is going…ESPN is saying there never was a 2-yr offer for 14M, so as of now, the only two public offers were Detroit 1/6 and Atlanta 1/5…
Fla Braves Fan 1
February 12th, 2010
3:20 pm
TP
Granderson is a platoon player? Did not realize that
Andy K.
February 12th, 2010
3:20 pm
Like I said…never take stock on heyman’s comments…
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
3:20 pm
I always laugh at the people running to the stores to buy milk and bread like a bat out of hell because of some flurries. Even the 3/4 in. we got like two weeks ago had completely melted within two or three days.
EVERYBODY IS FREAKIN OUT!!!!!
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
3:23 pm
Regarding Damon:
Are we in or out?
That’s what she s….. SHUT YO MOUTH!
P-Town Brave
February 12th, 2010
3:23 pm
^^ YOU GUYS ARE HILARIOUS!!
We had more than that overnight…we call it a “dusting”…
I wonder what you guys would do if you had the 8 that is still sitting around up here…
McCann Fan - Top 5 Desert Island Albums
February 12th, 2010
3:23 pm
Shanks A Lot – If it were up to me I would have left already. It’s looking good to not open tomorrow though (first scheduled Saturday opening of the year). But yes, I have already smashed my computer.
Shanks A Lot
February 12th, 2010
3:23 pm
Quick, run to the store and buy everything you need to make French toast!
P-Town Brave
February 12th, 2010
3:24 pm
Actually, it reminds me of going to LA when it was raining…
You would have assumed the locals thought they were going to melt if they went outside
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
3:26 pm
P-Town Brave, they’re bad down here. I’m serious, they literally have panic attacks if the snow starts sticking. They love seeing the white stuff fall, but when it sticks …..
Shanks A Lot
February 12th, 2010
3:27 pm
P-Town Brave
If Atlanta ever got 8inches of snow, there would be looting by roving gangs and marshal law would be imposed. Think “Mad Max” but with snow.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
3:28 pm
how much money do the white sox have to spend? They made a lot of moves this offseason.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
3:28 pm
We have to have like a foot up here for school to be canceled.
NORRIS
February 12th, 2010
3:29 pm
The white sox already said that they were just throwing a number out there. They dont have the money and neither do the braves.. SO what is the hold up. Why dont he go ahead and sign with the Tigers???
AGTFan
February 12th, 2010
3:30 pm
>DOB< You’re right. I’ll tell my boss I shut down the computer early due to the weather.
Just send him an email and tell him your internet conection is down because of all the snow.
RHR
February 12th, 2010
3:30 pm
DOB – but for a bank, after 2:00 p.m. is considered next business day anyway so it wouldn’t have mattered if you got your deposit in or not, would it? (Credit unions may be different, never had an account at a credit union). But I can make deposits from my atm any time of day or night regardless if the bank is open, I love that about them, not all banks offer atm deposits.
Toots
February 12th, 2010
3:31 pm
So I guess Chipper is saying that Heyward is mighty, mighty, just lettin’ it all hang out. Cool.
Someone
February 12th, 2010
3:31 pm
By TIM REYNOLDS
The Associated Press
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — An Olympic official with direct knowledge of the situation says a men’s luger from the former Soviet republic of Georgia has died after a crash during training. The official tells The Associated Press that the International Olympic Committee received confirmation of Nodar Kumaritashvili’s death. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the 21-year-old luger’s family hadn’t been notified yet.
hoho
February 12th, 2010
3:31 pm
Travis- hopefully we can all inhabit your utopian world soon. I would wager I’m not the only person to notice the comparisons were only of black American players. While I agree the player comparisons were high praise and Chipper’s words were high praise, why not any more comparisons? Maybe we’ll all get to see for ourselves soon and his swing will be unable to be compared.
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
3:32 pm
In the south’s panic when it snow’s defense, we down here aren’t nearly equiped to handle heavy snow fall like the north. You guys up north are probably on red alert and ready.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
3:32 pm
Snow is like Napalm to southerners.
Crime Dog
February 12th, 2010
3:32 pm
I’m in the Florida panhandle and they had predicted snow here. Place was going absolutely bananas. Of course, it hasn’t snowed a single flake.
keylargo
February 12th, 2010
3:33 pm
The one really huge drawback to Damon’s contract offer from Detroit is that he will have to spend large parts of the next two years in Detroit. That devalues the contract considerably.
AustinBrave
February 12th, 2010
3:33 pm
Five Albums on a deserted Island. Kind of funny my kids gave me a record player for Christmas so I could here my old records. The best gift I have ever had. My top Five
1) Willie Nelson- Red Headed Stranger
2) Jerry Jeff Walker-A Man must carry on
3) Neil Diamond-12 greatest hits VolII
4) Rod Stewart- Greatest Hits
5) Meatloaf- Greatest Hits
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
3:33 pm
I’m guessing it’s not financially efficient for local governments to have multiple snow plows ready.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
3:34 pm
Would you rather live in Detroit or Atlanta???? That’s not a tough one.
RHR
February 12th, 2010
3:34 pm
In the south’s panic when it snow’s defense,
Uhhhhh
unbelievable
February 12th, 2010
3:34 pm
Id go to Detroit for $14mil instead of $4 to Atl
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
3:35 pm
(OLY-LUG-Accident)
A Georgian luge athlete is reported to have died after an accident during an Olympic training run at Whistler.
He was coming around the final 270-degree turn, where speeds approach 140 kilometres-per-hour, when he flipped off his sled and was hurled into a metal pole.
The Associated Press quotes an Olympic official with direct knowledge of the crash as saying the 21-year-old has died.
The tragedy comes only hours before the opening of the 2010 Games.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
3:37 pm
His name was Nomar Ka-TASHA-VILLIE…not the proper spelling but how you pronounce
RHR
February 12th, 2010
3:37 pm
Id go to Detroit for $14mil instead of $4 to Atl
No kidding. Especially since I’d only have to “live” there for about 80 days/year.
Andrew in PA
February 12th, 2010
3:38 pm
once again the braves are poor, for a couple days there it seemed like we had a little bit of cash stashed away, but now back to our little shack frank wren goes.
RHR
February 12th, 2010
3:38 pm
Thats awful about the Olympian.
Puma
February 12th, 2010
3:38 pm
I really want to know how Chipper snapped his club shaft in his hands??? The only thing I can imagine is that he took a huge backswing and then jammed his club into the ground about a foot behind the golf ball, but even then, how did it break in his hands and not in the middle?
McCann Fan
February 12th, 2010
3:39 pm
AustinBrave – I did ask for no compilations, to make it more difficult. But since you included Jerry Jeff I am letting you slide. Enjoy rockin’ the vinyl!
Patrick
February 12th, 2010
3:40 pm
Here’s some sarcastically good news about Damon: 2:12pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com says via Twitter that it looks like the Damon sweepstakes will come down to the White Sox and Tigers. He says the Braves don’t appear to have the money to bid.
RHR
February 12th, 2010
3:41 pm
I really want to know how Chipper snapped his club shaft in his hands???
Maybe he caught Tiger Woods with his….nevermind. LOL
fleming
February 12th, 2010
3:43 pm
The Damon signing delay is a conspiracy between Boras and DOB. Baseball news is slow right now so DOB asked his good buddy Boras to delay the signing as long as possible to get the max number of page hits.
htownbravesfan
February 12th, 2010
3:44 pm
Top 5 Desert Island Albums:
1. Beach Boys-Pet Sounds
2. Kiss-Alive
3. Smashing Pumpkins-Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness
4. Elvis Presley-The Memphis Sessions
5. Rolling Stones-Sticky Fingers
By the way, Heyward, provided he shows any signs of life in spring training, is the way to go. We don’t need another slap happy offense. Especially when nothing was done to improve it in the off season. I’m talking to you, Troy Glaus! How can Wren keep a straight face when he says he likes the offense the way it is?
P-Town Brave
February 12th, 2010
3:44 pm
Speaking of shaft…it sounds like thats what Jon Heyman is doin to the Braves
AustinBrave
February 12th, 2010
3:44 pm
McCann Fan – Thanks. I just seen Jerry Jeff in Austin about two months ago at a small pub. I had front seats, he was GREAT.
DAVBRAVES
February 12th, 2010
3:46 pm
Go braves
Logan
February 12th, 2010
3:46 pm
If the snow sticks down here in south florida we’re required to open shelters for all animals and bikini clad coeds. It’s the law.
TennesseePaul
February 12th, 2010
3:46 pm
Fla Braves Fan 1: He should be. Guess that ultimately rests with the manager, but his splits scream platoon. Bats .210/.270/.344/.614 (AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS) against lefties.
timthebrave
February 12th, 2010
3:48 pm
Let it snow let it snow let it snow…
I don’t believe they offered him 2 years at 14 million GUARANTEED..I bet it includes a lot of bonus money if he hits certain milestones.
5 albums on a deserted island. I am going to cheat a little with box set
1. led zep-4 disc box set-first music that made me fall in love with music. I might be listening to bad pop music if it wasn’t for them
2. widespread panic-till the medicine takes..when I feel like jammin
3. bob marley-legend-the best beach music ever
4. fugazi-13 songs-the best band you never heard
5. outkast-southernplayalistic…
All of these are subject to change because impossible to say top 5
Shanks A Lot
February 12th, 2010
3:48 pm
McCann Fan-
Just tossed a few snowballs in the general area of your deck. Feud on!
McCann Fan
February 12th, 2010
3:52 pm
htownbravesfan – Great list. My favorite from Mellon Collie was always Muzzle (#12).
AustinBrave – I bet. Every time I hear Sangria Wine I want to invite all my friends over to get drunk.
DAP
February 12th, 2010
3:53 pm
TnBrian In the south’s panic when it snow’s defense, we down here aren’t nearly equiped to handle heavy snow fall like the north. You guys up north are probably on red alert and ready.
one of my pet peeves is people dissing the south and southerners. i HATE it when people are like … “stupid southerners…everything shuts down when it snows down here…” gah i hate that.
ill admit it gets a little over the top at times. my wife is a teacher…one day last year the county cancelled school because of a threat of an ice storm. next day it was beautiful and sunny, and no ice at all ever came. everyone stayed home that day.
thats pretty ridiculous, but seriously. we are inexperienced with snow, why does that make us stupid? if they didnt have snow plows, salt trucks, and tire chains up north, they would be the same way. we dont have any of that stuff.
Ease in Woodstock
February 12th, 2010
3:53 pm
Thats awful about the Olympian.
Very true and saddening, but how many people will tune into the luge competition now?
Tennbravefan
February 12th, 2010
3:54 pm
I may be proven wrong, but I really think the rumored 2yr 14 million for Damon from Detroit is wrong. If Damon truley has that kind of offer, I think he would have already taken it. It is more likely he has about a 5 mill offer from ATL and 6 to 7 million offer from Detriot. I think he’s holding out because he wants Detroit’s money, but would rather play in ATL….just my thoughts though.
McCann Fan
February 12th, 2010
3:55 pm
Shanks A Lot – FEUD ACCEPTED!!! Consider this post an e-version of a slap to your face with a white glove good suuhh! You’re lucky we have to leave for dinner right after I get home.
keylargo
February 12th, 2010
3:55 pm
Bobby Abreu made $5M on a one year contract in 09 and parlayed that into a 2 year – $19M contract from the Angels this year. Same age as Damon.
TennesseePaul
February 12th, 2010
3:56 pm
Ha. Guess if I’m Frank Wren I’m heading into the discussion with last years player worth, salary/production for the position… Damon fits in nicely at $3.6M-$4M range for outfielders of his career production…
So based on the crude modeling I have Damon’s value is between $3.6M-$6M from a career production point of view of outfielders only and entire league.
And from a single season point of view Damon is valued between $9.5M-$11.8M of outfielders only and entire league.
That’s where the two ends of the table (owner/player) are negotiating from.
CB
February 12th, 2010
3:56 pm
Ease in Woodstock,probably those who watch NASCAR.
DAP
February 12th, 2010
3:57 pm
Thats awful about the Olympian.
Very true and saddening, but how many people will tune into the luge competition now?
sometimes seeing the silver lining can be insensitive.
timthebrave
February 12th, 2010
3:57 pm
I love watching olympic sports. I love skiing and snowboarding and it amazes me the things people will even attempt much last land…like the long ski jump….who thought that it would be a great idea to jump a whole mountain…those people got guts
GovClintonTyree
February 12th, 2010
3:57 pm
BTW, for an idea of what a “Special Assistant to the President” does, please reference “Scenes from Kissimmee” at about 6am 2/12 on page 42 of the prior blog.
Ease in Woodstock
February 12th, 2010
4:01 pm
DAP – wasn’t making any judgments, just an observation…and regarding “stupid southerners”…how about smart southerners! We take precautions, sometimes unwarrented, yes, but who wants to be the parent of a child whose school bus hit a patch of ice and skidded off the road?
N8
February 12th, 2010
4:03 pm
DOB, maybe you should try that barbecue place that was out of food today. Probably not busy enough to run out of meat. LOL
TennesseePaul
February 12th, 2010
4:04 pm
Keylargo: based on my crude model, Abreu’s career worth would fit in the $9.5M-$10M range.
But based on what he did last year, he is being over paid by a factor of two. His 2009 wasn’t particularly impressive against his entire career and it was in line with what he has done since he turned 31… so the Angels probably have overpaid him.
And my model isn’t an exact science… Plus the Angels really liked his “intangibles” which we all know are impossible to quantify and financially value.
FEAR
February 12th, 2010
4:04 pm
TnBrian – If I remember correctly I didn’t say “We don’t need Damon because Mclouth is a great lead off hitter.”
McCann Fan
February 12th, 2010
4:04 pm
timthebrave – Me too concerning Led Zep. I’m pretty sure it was the summer between 7th and 8th grade back in the very early 90’s. I must have bought 80% of their albums including the box set during that time. I think we are far from alone on that one.
lpad
February 12th, 2010
4:04 pm
DAP, i grew up in upstate NY and i don’t think i ever seen tire chains. As far as salt trucks, you guys freak out over stuff that wouldn’t even get the salt trucks on the road. And don’t talk to me about ice storms until you’ve been hit in the shoulder with a 1/2 inch thick chunk of ice.
keylargo
February 12th, 2010
4:05 pm
Lincecum 2 years @ $23M.
Tale of Woe
February 12th, 2010
4:06 pm
We don’t need no stinkin’ Johnny Damon
Crime Dog
February 12th, 2010
4:08 pm
Timthebrave–
I believe 311’s first gig was opening up for Fugazi.
FEAR
February 12th, 2010
4:09 pm
I live in Augusta, GA, but I have lived in Alaska, Moscow, and the most northern part of Mainland Japan. Yes, people around here freak out with the mere mention of snow. It doesn’t make them stupid though. They do alot of other things to get that stigma.
NORRIS
February 12th, 2010
4:11 pm
If Johnny had the offer that the media says he has (2 years 14 mil) then he would have already signed. No one else has that kind of money. I think someone is wrong on their information. Johnny would have already taken this deal. Something is up…………..
FEAR
February 12th, 2010
4:13 pm
Tale of Woe – agreed. You get your name from les claypool?
DAP
February 12th, 2010
4:13 pm
ease in woodstock how about smart southerners! We take precautions, sometimes unwarrented, yes, but who wants to be the parent of a child whose school bus hit a patch of ice and skidded off the road?
yeah!
IpadAnd don’t talk to me…
my pleasure, you elitist yankee pig.
FEAR, im in augusta too. see you around.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
4:13 pm
Norris -
Maybe he does have a 2/14 deal from Detroit was is hoping Boras can get a similar deal out of ATL (another team) because he would rather play for the Braves (or another team).
timthebrave
February 12th, 2010
4:14 pm
Crime Dog, 311 is another good band but very different from fugazi. I looked it up and it’s true.
DAP
February 12th, 2010
4:15 pm
another way my pet peeve is manifested is when folks equate stupidity with a southern accent. geez i hate that.
FEAR
February 12th, 2010
4:15 pm
DAP – hope that wasn’t a threat. Hahahahahaha. kidding
Cru Jones
February 12th, 2010
4:16 pm
Puma
Agree with you on Chippers thumb injury. Cant think of a normal scenario when that would happen. I’m thinkin he got mad at shot and took the club to a tree.
timthebrave
February 12th, 2010
4:16 pm
I’m off work and headed home. No problem with my truck but wish me luck that someone with bald tires doesn’t go sliding into me….and…
GO BRAVES
Crime Dog
February 12th, 2010
4:17 pm
timthebrave–
Was big into 311 in high school and first couple years of college. I don’t listen to them much anymore, but they’ll always have a special spot in my heart because they were my first real concert. I was in the pit and I remember my ears ringing for a week.
Hillbilly
February 12th, 2010
4:18 pm
2) Jerry Jeff Walker-A Man must carry on
Wow, I thought I was the only one here…Many props to you AustinBrave.
I wish I could polish off all the edges of my craziest dreams…
McCann Fan
February 12th, 2010
4:18 pm
311 is awesome. Always a good live show when they come to Atlanta. When I was approaching mid-20’s instead of mid-30’s I may have included them on a top 5 desert island list.
NORRIS
February 12th, 2010
4:18 pm
Boras is as dumb as he looks if he thinks the braves are going to bogg down a payroll with a 36 year old for two years. I am all for Damon for a year but not two.
Boras knows that their is nothing else. He is wishing in one hand and pooping in the other to see which one fills up first.
itcouldbeworse
February 12th, 2010
4:19 pm
Snow in the south is not normal so it becomes a big deal…just as a under 4 magnitude earthquake is in the northeast…I grew up in CA and laugh at how much attention small earthquakes get in other parts of the country.
Geri
February 12th, 2010
4:19 pm
Damon or no Damon, the Braves will compete, baby
Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
Radiohead – Kid A
Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Beatles – Abbey Road
DAP
February 12th, 2010
4:19 pm
FEAR, haha, no, im not that menacing. you, on the other hand, with a name like that…
timthebrave
February 12th, 2010
4:21 pm
I go see 311 almost every year at Lakewood…Always a fun show
OHBravesGirl
February 12th, 2010
4:21 pm
Enjoy your fun snowstorm – up here in Ohio, we’re just starting to dig ourselves out of the mini blizzard we had over the past week. My place got about 12 inches of accumulation over a 3 day span, and that was in the city!
In the meantime, I have a quick question for you loyal denizens. I’m debating heading down to spring training for a couple of days next month, and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for making it a successful trip – you know, best places to sit, when to arrive, good places to stay, etc.? Any advice you can pass along would be greatly appreciated…thank you!
Stay safe, and enjoy your weekend!
Hillbilly
February 12th, 2010
4:21 pm
And to you McCann fan. Old friends always show up on time…
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
4:21 pm
Sunday is hereby declared National Johnny Damon Day.
htownbravesfan
February 12th, 2010
4:26 pm
McCann Fan,
Muzzle is a great song, but “Take Me Down” was the song my wife and I danced to at our wedding. That was the first truly great CD I ever bought at it’s actual time of release, and I realized immediately how spectacular it was. The others I listed, naturally, came out before my prime. I’m only 36 years old.
McCann Fan
February 12th, 2010
4:27 pm
Hillbilly – …..that’s why you add sparkling burgandy wine.
I think I’ll listen tonight with some old friends of mine, and my wife of course.
CharlieAlphaBravo
February 12th, 2010
4:32 pm
I don’t know if anyone has posted this yet, but the guys on Baseball Tonight just reported that the Tigers’ offer to Damon was for one year, $7 million.
Is that an error, or were the original reports bogus? If true, how do you think it will effect the Braves’ chances at signing Damon?
Hillbilly
February 12th, 2010
4:32 pm
McCann Fan,
I saw JJW a few years ago in Little Rock. Great show. “Backslider’s Wine” gave me chill bumps. I’ve been a fan of his since I was about 13, and I’m 30 now, so not many people around here my age shared my taste. They always looked at me with a “Who the hell is Jerry Jeff Walker?” look on their face while they loaded up another Kenny Chesney cd.
McCann Fan
February 12th, 2010
4:33 pm
htownbravesfan – Nice. I’m with you on knowing it was great. I got mine for Christmas my freshman year in college and wore it out.
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
4:35 pm
Frank Wren on 680 right now
CharlieAlphaBravo
February 12th, 2010
4:35 pm
Maybe we could go out on a limb and offer 2 years at $10 million??
Santa Cruz CA Dawg
February 12th, 2010
4:37 pm
I hope the Braves have a great final season, for Bobby C!!
The Braves need to send him out on a wonderful note, but I don’t know if I would spend to much money, for Damon.
McCann Fan
February 12th, 2010
4:40 pm
Hillbilly – Not surprised. I’m barely older than you and don’t know near as much about him as you, but since college I have always had buddies that played his music. Most people don’t realize he wrote Mr. Bojangles!
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
4:40 pm
DOB-
Lord, what a great record – 16 Shells, Franks Wild Years, Soldiers Things which is sooo incredibly good, Gin Soaked – Man I listened to this one for hours.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
4:43 pm
On the Damon thing – I hope he plays in Atlanta this year, if not, I hope Schafer plays in Atlanta this year.
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
4:43 pm
If you like Herbert on Family Guy, here’s someone doing an impression. Sounds just like him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czgZf0KYuh4&feature=related
CharlieAlphaBravo
February 12th, 2010
4:43 pm
Did Wren just tell Kelly and Francoeur to suck it??
AustinBrave
February 12th, 2010
4:44 pm
Hillbilly
February 12th, 2010
4:32 pm
McCann Fan,
I saw JJW a few years ago in Little Rock. Great show. “Backslider’s Wine” gave me chill bumps. I’ve been a fan of his since I was about 13, and I’m 30 now, so not many people around here my age shared my taste. They always looked at me with a “Who the hell is Jerry Jeff Walker?” look on their face while they loaded up another Kenny Chesney cd.
Hillbilly,
I’ve been listing to JJW since I was 18 in the hills near the Chattanooga river in SC. I’m 48 now and just got to see him live two months ago in Austin, TX. He put on a great show I was very glad to finally get the chance. Just good old folk country music. Most people may know him for Mr. Boganles.
groundfog
February 12th, 2010
4:44 pm
Wren says??????
CB
February 12th, 2010
4:44 pm
VJ,tell us what Wren says,please.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
4:45 pm
One more thing about Swordfish – Rarely will you find better storytelling on a record – Waits is genius.
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
4:45 pm
Venice Jim, let us know what he says, man. You know we’ll appreciate it.
NORRIS
February 12th, 2010
4:45 pm
wrenn has said nothing… just running his mouth
brian
February 12th, 2010
4:48 pm
All the comments focused on Heyward’s ability is true. He will also be a great face of the franchise. We met him in Myrtle Beach and Heyward is a good dude. Really outgoing and goes out of his way to meet fans, especially children. He saw my son with a ball and when my son said Jason he went to my son smiling. He talked with him and gladly took a picture. I was very impressed. His parents obviously raised him right because for someone so young being told how great they are to be so friendly and down to earth – that says something. Heyward has fans for life in my house and so does Freeman. Freddie was a little quieter but also could not have been nicer to my son.
Of course Heyward went 3-4 or 3-5 with an opposite field HR, a SB, a double, and played solid defense. Freeman played great defense, showed off a nice swing, had a couple hits including a rocket shot double.
The Braves are very lucky to have these fine young men in their organization. Heyward will deserve every endorsement deal he gets – for his play and his personality.
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
4:49 pm
CB – nothing unexpected – discussed the caravan; Damon – usual quote-”we like what we have, but always looking”; confident about Glaus at first base; happy Glavine has returned; would rank the rotation higher than Buster Olney; thinks those fans who are unsure how good the Braves will be need to give it a chance and see how it goes
Crime Dog
February 12th, 2010
4:49 pm
-Radiohead: OK Computer
-My Morning Jacket: Okonokos
-Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals: Live From Mars
-Wilco: Kicking Television
-Led Zeppelin: Remasters
Andrew in PA
February 12th, 2010
4:49 pm
Frank Wren gets played again. I wonder if Mr. Wren strikes out on women as much as he does with men.
AustinBrave
February 12th, 2010
4:50 pm
McFann Fan & Hillbilly,
Had to go in the office and put the old vinyl on JJW, boy that was some good times. Now I need to go buy a six pack that is some drinking music.
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
4:50 pm
They have mentioned that the pre-game shows on the Fan will be an hour long, with Buck Balue hosting, with Leo, Lemmer and Glavine contributing.
Andy K.
February 12th, 2010
4:50 pm
Andrew in PA..Wren is married so…
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
4:51 pm
brian-
I don’t think the Braves will be robbed this year when the ROI is announced.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
4:51 pm
meant Rookie of the Year.
CB
February 12th, 2010
4:51 pm
VJ,thanks buddy.
McCann Fan
February 12th, 2010
4:54 pm
Amen AustinBrave. Got to hit the road and hope for the best on my commute home. Be safe out there Braves fans.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
4:54 pm
Venice Jim-
And they weren’t fabricating.
unbelievable
February 12th, 2010
4:56 pm
how did Wren get played exactly?
Nate from NCState
February 12th, 2010
4:56 pm
“Frank Wren gets played again. I wonder if Mr. Wren strikes out on women as much as he does with men.”
Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, Billy Wagner, Takashi Saito, Nate McClouth…
I’d say he’s done pretty well so far.
Knockahoma
February 12th, 2010
4:56 pm
I don’t think the loss of Damon will be a great loss. IF we need help
later in the season, we’ll still have 3-4 M to use in a trade for another bat. I’m liking the way our outfield is shaping up. It’s
like I tell my wife, “Just because we have a little extra money doesn’t
mean we have to spend it right now”
RockytopATL
February 12th, 2010
4:57 pm
I hate to poke fun because I love the guy and what he’s brought to the field his entire career, but it’s just like Old Hoss to get hurt playing golf. Some of us clearly get a little more fragile as we get older, and that’s been Chipper’s story the last coupla years.
unbelievable
February 12th, 2010
4:58 pm
its not a loss if you never had it
Knockahoma
February 12th, 2010
5:01 pm
DOB, thanks for the good update and especially the quotes from Tom
Glavine. I’m glad he agrees that it was probably for the best. I
would have hated to see him try to hang on too long like Smoltzie
appears to be doing. Thank you Tommy for all the great Braves memories.
N8
February 12th, 2010
5:02 pm
“Frank Wren gets played again.” Andrew in PA
Please explain. From my angle. Wren set a price in his head that would be deemed worth investing in Damon for the minimal (if any) upgrade he would have been over Diaz/Melky in LF. Detroit far exceeded that offer.
The only way I see Wren getting played in this deal, is if he’s stupid enough to match it.
Damon at 3-5 million dollars(preferably less than 4 million) = good bargan and worth doing.
Damon at 5+ million = too much money for a guy who isn’t going to give the Braves much more than Melky and Diaz (and will play worse defensively than Melky and be a wash defensively with Diaz).
Melky and Diaz are going to combine for 5.3 million in 2010. Why on earth would Wren be willing to pay 7 million for Damon?
lpad
February 12th, 2010
5:03 pm
so i’m an elitist yankee pig? how is that possible when pork is so popular down there?
nolie
February 12th, 2010
5:04 pm
Good call on that Jerry Jeff album from earlier. Guy is awesome.
Knockahoma
February 12th, 2010
5:04 pm
The Damon loss was a loss in the bidding war for his service
Andrew in PA
February 12th, 2010
5:06 pm
Wren got hustled again.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
5:06 pm
Who thinks we carry 5 OF’ers – Diaz, Cabrera, McLouth, Heyward, Schafer with 1 backup middle INF’er – Infante and 12 pitchers or 5 OF’ers with 2 backup middle INF’ers and 11 pitchers or 12 pitchers 2 backup middle INF’ers and 4 OF’ers with Schafer starting at AAA?
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
5:07 pm
Prediction:
Diaz- .287-10-56
Cabrera– .268-8-40
That averages out to maybe a .275 avg with 18 HR, 96 RBI. Damon would doing very good to do that in Atlanta. Main reason whi I’d like to see him here is for leadoff skills.
DaveInDallas(NC)
February 12th, 2010
5:08 pm
Great to see a NEW subject on the ole blog. Johnny Damon. I haven’t heard much about him lately.
N8
February 12th, 2010
5:11 pm
I went into a car dealership earlier today, made an offer on a used car. Then some jackass came in after me and offered way more than I did, and were willing to make payments on it for an additional year. Sounds like the car dealership is going to take the other guy’s offer.
Guess I got hustled, huh?
David O'Brien
February 12th, 2010
5:14 pm
N8, that’s a good point about trying the Community BBQ tonight, to see if elusive food is available finally. Of course, my luck we’d get there and there’d be a sign up that they are closed because of snow. And that’d be three strikes, so I’d not be able to return. So I gotta decide. Should call before we go, for sure, if we decide to.
itcouldbeworse
February 12th, 2010
5:15 pm
well stated N8…So far wren didn’t get JR….and that hurt how…didn’t get furcal…and that hurt how….what has he missed out on that turned out to be a big miss???
Lew
February 12th, 2010
5:15 pm
How did he get hustled? Are you that same idiot on Bradley’s blog claiming Wren was a terrible GM because of the deals he tried to make for Peavy and Furcal? Not sure exactly how someone can be judged on deals that didn’t happen because Wren either refused to pay the asking price or because a jerk of an agent screwed him over.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
5:16 pm
ho thinks we carry 5 OF’ers – Diaz, Cabrera, McLouth, Heyward, Schafer with 1 backup middle INF’er – Thick
not a chance in 20 they start the season with those 5 OFers and one IFer.
Ease in Woodstock
February 12th, 2010
5:16 pm
Andrew in PA – can you link for us the announcement that Damon has signed? I can’t find it anywhere…not even Joel Hymen is reporting it yet…
N8
February 12th, 2010
5:16 pm
Call Wren (or Liberty Media) cheap if you want for not being willing to pony up the money for a 36 year old OF with and arm that would remind people every night of the 16 hopper that Bonds threw trying to get Bream in 92.
But if you think Wren got “played” or “hustled” in this negotiation, you’re just and idiot.
If you’re a fan who realy, realy, realy, realy, REALLY wanted Johnny Damon and are silly enough to think that he is “THE” difference in this team making the playoffs. Then yeah. I can see why you’d be upset that LM won’t give Wren the authority to overbid for captain caveman’s services.
But if that were to happen and Damon were to have a down year, how long do you think it would take for half of you to gripe about that contract, like Derek Lowe’s contract?
Andrew in PA
February 12th, 2010
5:16 pm
Frank is a joke. But not as much as Omar Minaya.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
5:16 pm
N8-
Maybe, If the car you end up buying or sticking with (McLouth) can’t get you around the block or on base regularly – making that improved gas mileage (Chipper, Glauss) effective.
Andy K.
February 12th, 2010
5:17 pm
Andrew in PA, not to mention it’s not over yet…Damon could still sign with Atlanta.
Lew
February 12th, 2010
5:17 pm
Andrew-Not so sure it’s FW who’s the joke. Seems you’ve got that territory staked out yourself.
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
5:18 pm
Damon says he has other offers besides Tigers and Braves.
Alright, I’m officially sick of this dude. The human brain can only take so much of slurred speaking ex Sox & Yankee player.
McFann
February 12th, 2010
5:18 pm
This snow is really beautiful! And it’s still comin’ down! I’ll have pictures up soon–tonight or tomorrow.
David O'Brien
February 12th, 2010
5:19 pm
Do you know, legally, how much longer Liberty has to hold on to the Braves? — dwaynerice
They are required to keep the team through the current collective bargaining agreement, which expires after the 2011 season. But Braves CEO Terry McGuirk told me that Liberty might hold onto the team for considerably longer.
I guess much could depend on the economy between now and then, because Liberty presumably wouldn’t sell the Braves until they can get what they believe is a fair price, which might not happen in the near future.
By the way, you a Miami Heat fan? Though maybe that screen name was a combo of Glen Rice and Dwayne Wade.
CB
February 12th, 2010
5:19 pm
Lew,you read Bradley’s blog? Oh,the horror!
N8
February 12th, 2010
5:19 pm
DOB, they’ll probably still be out of food. But maybe they’d help you out with your banking issues?
Lew
February 12th, 2010
5:20 pm
Nathan-Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. When you start getting judged on deals that you don’t make AND the deals you do, you stand no chance.
Guess you must be a joke because you didn’t play a gig or two you could have, right? Maybe a picture you didn’t take. One of your worst, without a doubt.
Just Pat
February 12th, 2010
5:20 pm
Someone said it on an earlier blog and I couldn’t agree more….just wish Damon would sign SOMEWHERE and stop all this speculation. Between him and the “snow arguments”, people seem to be getting a bit testy here.
Lew
February 12th, 2010
5:21 pm
CB-Not regularly.
David O'Brien
February 12th, 2010
5:22 pm
N8, good post at 5:11.
Andrew in PA: Good post at … well, I’m sure I could find one if I went back a ways. (Just busting your chops, but a couple of your most recent posts were weak and a little offensive, including one that got deleted.)
Andrew in PA
February 12th, 2010
5:24 pm
Haters.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
5:24 pm
I think Damon wants to play in Atlanta for one year, otherwise we’d be hearing the announcement of him in Detroit. It’s doubtful a better offer is out there. He sees the potential of this lineup and the Braves realize there is a whole at the top. None of this would be happening if the Braves were confident in an in house solution at the top of the order. Damon certainly isn’t improving the OF defense.
Sgt. Pepper
February 12th, 2010
5:24 pm
The Sporting News baseball preview says the Braves picked up Tim Hudson’s option. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that false?
ExBraves Fan
February 12th, 2010
5:26 pm
Oh goodie. Glavine joins mean old management and will not be the union rep any more. Man, how are the union thugs going to take this one? Glavine will probably be their inside spy man. Or, maybe he could just get a job with some of the Obama auto industry union thugs. He is more skilled at milking money out of someone than he is giving it too someone. I have very, very serious doubts that adding Tom “the union cry baby thug” Glavine to the management roster is going to help the sorry Braves win anything. Why the heck didn’t you just join your pals the Mets Glavine, you fit in there so so well.
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
5:27 pm
LMFAO at 5:22!!
Heath
February 12th, 2010
5:27 pm
Bou chica wou wou
JUST SAYIN'
February 12th, 2010
5:28 pm
hoho
February 12th, 2010
2:57 pm
JUST SAYIN’- no wars, just comments. Not tryin to stir up stuff just to do it. Callin it like i see it.
————–
OK but it seemed that you were trying to start some racial crap. No one else here noticed the comparisons were limited to black players. Frankly I don’t see the problem you see. Perhaps you can find a white player Jason reminds you of. Give it a shot. Surprise us.
N8
February 12th, 2010
5:29 pm
“Maybe, If the car you end up buying or sticking with (McLouth) can’t get you around the block or on base regularly – making that improved gas mileage (Chipper, Glauss) effective.” thickfreakness
Love the analogy. Isn’t that fun? Anyhow, as much as I enjoyed it, it’s a horsesh!t arguement.
Can everybody agree that McLouth had a down year last year. Whether it was from injury, his eyes, the trade… whatever.
But here’s the thing. His numbers aren’t that far off of what Damon did last year in one of the best hitter’s parks, in one of the best lineups.
Damon: 143 games, 625 PA, 228 times on base (.365 OBP – not counting reaching on errors), 107 runs, 24 HR, 84 RBI.
McLouth: 129 games, 591 PA, 207 times on base (.354 OBP – not counting reaching on errors), 86 runs, 20 HR, 70 RBI.
Can we agree that if McLouth is healthy enough to play in 143 games, his numbers will be pretty much the same as Damon’s?
All this talk of getting Damon to improve the leadoff position, and I’ve been guilty of it as well. I’ve spent too much time focussing on Damon vs. Melky/Diaz, that I hadn’t bothered looking at the comparison between Damon and McLouth.
They’re the same guy. Only one is younger, cheaper and under control for a while.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
5:31 pm
ExBraves Fan-
I’m glad you’re an ex- Braves fan. Maybe you’re the one who should join the Mets as an obnoxious fan.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
5:31 pm
N8
Don’t you hate the way salespeople work?
P-Town Brave
February 12th, 2010
5:33 pm
McFann-
Pictures? Really? Have you never seen snow before?
Hillbilly
February 12th, 2010
5:34 pm
McFann Fan & Hillbilly,
Had to go in the office and put the old vinyl on JJW, boy that was some good times. Now I need to go buy a six pack that is some drinking music.
Yeah, I cranked up London Homesick Blues with Gary P. Nunn on the way home from work a minute ago, solely because of the posts on this blog, today. Good times coming up tonight.
JUST SAYIN'
February 12th, 2010
5:36 pm
Lew I used to work for a company that had a factory in St. Albans, about 10-12 miles from the Quebec border. Talk about cold, that is one cold mutha in the middle of winter.
I also lived in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois for many years and this Georgia boy learned a whole lot about snow and cold during those years.
P-Town Brave
February 12th, 2010
5:36 pm
N8-
The differences I look at are the runs scored AND you didn’t mention the strikeouts, which I would look at as well…
The point is not about comparing Nate to Johnny, but by adding Johnny and moving Nate down in the order making for a better ballclub…
Also, I do believe Johnny has won more rings than Nate
brian
February 12th, 2010
5:37 pm
agree thickfreakness. Just saying it is great seeing such a good dude be successful and I wish him continued success.
N8
February 12th, 2010
5:39 pm
joerochester, I do. But I was one for 13 years. I think everybody should have to do that job for a while, selling any time of merchandise. You can always tell the people who have NEVER worked at a job like that, because they are the ones bullying people around and generally giving out little respect for somebody just trying to make a living.
Often, I’d like to complain about food at restaurants, or this, that and the other. But I don’t. One, because this community is small enough that if I make an ass of my self, word will spread and being a small buisness owner, that isn’t good for business. Two because the best way to hurt a business, is to discontinue to give them your business.
How’s the old saying go? It takes 25 VERY pleased customers to make up for one angry one? 50 percent of people will never mention a satisfying trip to a place to eat, or a furniture store. But 90 percent of people will spout off to anybody willing to listen (even strangers), if they feel they got screwed by a business.
Treat customers the way you’d like to be treated when you’re the customer and your business will boom. Really a pretty simple rule that goes a LONG way towards success.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
5:39 pm
Average snowfall here is 96 inches. Average high in JUNE is 77 degrees. LOL. Snow is annoying.
John Adcox
February 12th, 2010
5:39 pm
Awesome … there’s a lovely patch of black ice on McLendon near my house, and there’s been one accident already. One car had New York plates, the other Pennsylvania.
Lew
February 12th, 2010
5:39 pm
Just Sayin-Yeah, It can be a tad nippy up here on occasion. Not too much snow this year though, but we have been down to around minus ten -even so, no nearly as bad as the day I left for ST some years back-minus 38 actual temperature. THAT was colder than I ever want to experience ever again.
Lew
February 12th, 2010
5:41 pm
joerochester-Yeah, but we drive through snow that would close down the entire SE U.S..
Jake W.
February 12th, 2010
5:41 pm
Snow again, yeah a little more than last time looks like and yes, here in Atlanta snow isn’t as common as maybe up north and in the midwest. People down here would rather be safe than sorry, call it freaking out, I call it being prepared. Kind of like people who aren’t use to how hot it gets down here in the summer, this southern heat. A little different than summers up that way.
I would expect the same kind of behavior from northern folk if they got hit by a dust storm. I’m pretty sure you guys would freak a little bit too. I know I had never seen one before visiting some family in Arizona. Just like i’m pretty sure hurricane preparation would be a little more frantic for those who aren’t use to it unlike my family in Miami. Just the way it is.
Still no new news on the Damon front, if that Detorit deal is true can’t see him passing it up. So close to spring training. Depending on what happens with Damon or if we start with Diaz and Melky I’m leaning more towards hoping Heyward is starting the season in triple A simlar to what we did with Hanson. That is unless in spring training he’s just really to good to justify sending him there.
CB
February 12th, 2010
5:43 pm
Why does it not surprise me N8 was a used car salesman?
Knockahoma
February 12th, 2010
5:44 pm
Andrew in PA, Wren didn’t get hustled. It appears Detroit got hustled
Wren merely made a good business decision. You appear to be a typical
Braves basher who thinks he could do a better job at the GM, managing
and playing than the current men we have. Sad, so sad.
P-Town Brave
February 12th, 2010
5:45 pm
Guys, its 16 here and there are 8 inches still left on the ground from the last snowfall…plus its supposed to snow Sunday again here…
I think you can deal with your little dusting you have…
N8
February 12th, 2010
5:46 pm
“The point is not about comparing Nate to Johnny, but by adding Johnny and moving Nate down in the order making for a better ballclub…” P-Town
If you’re of the belief that Damon is an upgrade over a Melky/Diaz platoon. I don’t. So that’s where the difference is. Especially not for 2 years/14 million dollars.
As for the runs scored? Damon scored 107 in 143 games (.74 runs per game). McLouth scored 86 runs in 129 games (.66 runs per game). So, like I was saying, if McLouth plays the same amount of games as Damon, it’s equal (or pretty damn close to it).
Can’t argue the rings, or the strikeouts. So I won’t. But I stopped believing in post-season experience when the Braves were in their 10th year of post-season play after winning the WS in 95, withouth winning another one and having a string of first round exits.
I’ve seen to many teams with guys with less playoff experience take care of the Braves (and other teams), to make that mean much to me as a fan. Melky has one more ring than everybody on the Braves other than Chipper and Glaus. Does that make him better than Escobar, Prado or McCann?
As I’ve said all along. Adding Damon would be a nice addition to the team and clubhouse. But anything above the 5.2 million that Melky and Diaz will combine for is not worth it. I really, honestly believe that the Braves will get similar production from those two as they would with Damon. Really.
18 Wheels of Love
February 12th, 2010
5:47 pm
Steely Dan – Aja
Morphone – Cure For Pain
Midnight Oil – Diesel and Dust
Hobex – Back in the 90’s
Drive-By Truckers – Brighter Than Creations Dark
Rob from SC
February 12th, 2010
5:48 pm
Why does everyone bash Frank Wren.
Peavy did not want to come to Atlanta. He got hurt, is a 7 inning pitcher so we should be happy.
Furcal and his agent were 100% wrong.
Wren had to trade Vazquez. Liberty Media has set the payroll.
Wren did a great job keeping our top prospects. Something Schuerholz had trouble with once he had to deal with payroll restrictions.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
5:48 pm
N8-
Yesterday I spoke of the need to have base runners when Chipper ( tremendous situational hitter) and Glauss (power), are at bat. Obviously, this puts pressure on the pitcher and the defense with McCann and Escobar (led League in avg./RISP last year) to follow. I think Braves brass also view this as essential to maximize the abilities of our 3,4 hitters. You saw last year how Chipper suffered when hitting with no one on base.
The Career Facts:
McLouth as 1st batter in game – 293 AB .197 BA .271 OBP
McLouth leading off an inning – 593 AB .245 BA .315 OBP
Damon as 1st batter in game – 1523 AB .274 BA .345 OBP
Damon leading off an inning – 3187 AB .290 BA .355 OBP
To me it’s simple, Damon has proven he can reach base which makes our 2-7 extremely effective. I like Nate at 7 were he will do great damage. I just think he is miscast at 1. Just my opinion.
brent a.
February 12th, 2010
5:49 pm
It’s time to leave the credit union and open an account at a bank that has remote deposit capture.
Tomahawkin
February 12th, 2010
5:50 pm
D.O.B
You sound just like me, I can’t stand it when people freak out over 2 inches of snow. Earlier I was at the store picking up a 30 pack and people were acting like the world was coming to an end….
You are becoming more and more like me everyday. Next thing you will be bumping old Mariah and R Kelly, lol
Lew
February 12th, 2010
5:50 pm
CB-Actually, Nathan is a photographer. I’ve seen some of his work. He’s good.
N8
February 12th, 2010
5:51 pm
CB, I wasn’t a used car salesman. I said I worked in sales. Actually I never stated that. But joerochester asked if I hated how salespeople worked, and I responded without being specific.
But no. Never worked as a used car salesperson. Couldn’t pay me enough to do that job. Not in this state, with our weather.
If you need to know, I worked at a mom and pop camera shop/photo lab. Wasn’t a great job, but my boss was a guy that used to play in bands, so he was realy cool about giving me EVERY day I needed off to go gig. So when I was playing full time, i still worked there on off days for extra cash.
The knowledge I garnered there selling cameras taught me more than I learned going to photography school, which led me to freelancing, and now to owning a full-fledged photo studio.
Soph
February 12th, 2010
5:52 pm
The snow doesn’t bother me – it’s actually really pretty. However, the slick roads? That’s another story.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
5:56 pm
The differences I look at are the runs P-town
the runs scored are like RBI, very lineup dependent and a very poor way to compare players
CB
February 12th, 2010
5:56 pm
N8,sorry. No offense meant- would love to see any photography you would be willing to link.
Jake W.
February 12th, 2010
6:00 pm
The snow doesn’t bother me – it’s actually really pretty. However, the slick roads? That’s another story. -Soph
Yeah, its not really the snow that causes the trouble, its what it does to the roads down here. Ground is generally not cold enough so it melts and creates the dangerous driving situations. Icey roads and cars just don’t go together well. Shoot, Ice in general is just more dangerous. Can walk perfectly fine across snow in the yard but it gets a little tricky when I try to walk on the ice on my driveway.
McFann
February 12th, 2010
6:00 pm
P-Town–
Actually, yeah, I have. But you see, down here in the South it’s just not as common, so we tend to get a little more excited.
I think you can deal with your little dusting you have…
To us, this is not a dusting, duuude. It’s about 4-5 inches. and it’s still coming down. I mean, come on–duh the people up North cann deal with more snow than we folks down here…y’all see this stuff all the time.
McFann
February 12th, 2010
6:01 pm
Jake W. Yeah, its not really the snow that causes the trouble, its what it does to the roads down here. Ground is generally not cold enough so it melts and creates the dangerous driving situations.
Exactly. Good point.
N8
February 12th, 2010
6:01 pm
Lew, thank you for your kind words. You know I enjoy your work as well.
“thickfreakness”, great dig on the stats. Apparently I wasn’t digging deep enough.
But I’m of the belief (maybe blind faith) that McLouth wasn’t 100 percent last year, and for whatever reason, expect big things from him.
But I’m with you. I like McLouth lower in the order.
I’ll take it one further. I’m kind of curious to see what Diaz would do in the leadoff spot. Very small sample size batting leadoff for the game (only 11 games), but he’s gone .500/.545/.500/1.045
Leading off an inning (312 PA), .337/.381/.408/.880
To take it even further, the best leadoff hitter on the team, isn’t even being considered in all of this. If having Nate lower in the order is all you want, why not do that and move Escobar to the leadoff spot.
In 75 games that he’s led off a game he gone: .411/.427/.616/1.043
Leading off an inning (360 PA), .312/.364/.423/.787
Seems to me that Escobar is better suited to bat leadoff than either McLouth OR Damon.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
6:02 pm
McLouth as 1st batter in game – 293 AB .197 BA .271 OBP THICK
too small of a sample size to have much meaning at all.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
6:04 pm
so N8, you gotta web site with purty pxtures on it?
Soph
February 12th, 2010
6:05 pm
Yup, Jake – the ice is what messes everything up down here. I nearly slipped and busted my butt on the driveway a few times already today.
McFann! I want to see those pics.
Tomahawkin
February 12th, 2010
6:06 pm
Soph
Yeah… Atlanta Traffic was off the Chain…I gotta be a good boy tonight, No parting 4 me. Gotta chill at the pad and watch old New York Undercover
N8
February 12th, 2010
6:06 pm
(if this posts twice, I apologize)
CB No offense taken at all. If you’re on facebook, go to:
Platinum Photography
The network will be Bismarck ND
If you’re not on facebook, I have a website as well (actualy like the layout of the facebook page better than the website). But it’s:
platinumphotography.org
Don’t ask about the “.org” part. My guy that set it up was kind of out there. Though I love to claim that I’m “non-profit”.
N8
February 12th, 2010
6:08 pm
I’ve tried twice to get website stuff to post. But I’ll try again.
My business website is platinumphotography.org
If you’re on facebook, you can look me up under Platinum Photography. I don’t think there is more than one on facebook, but I’m located in Bismarck ND, just in case.
I like the facebook page better than my actual website. Plus I’ve got more photos (and more recent ones) up there.
Base
February 12th, 2010
6:08 pm
The Braves tell us to wait till next year!
McFann
February 12th, 2010
6:09 pm
My poor little Wrennines are breaking my heart! I just fed one some worms by sticking my hand out the back door. Didn’t take long for him to come up to me (he was waiting by the window, anyway), but after he had eaten a bunch, he flew under the grill and wouldn’t come back. I was thinking that the snow was too deep for him–and he then tried to land in some snow on the railing, but he jumped up right away because he started to sink.
And I really don’t wanna here about the Northern birds…
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
6:10 pm
nolie-
Those are his career numbers, whatever the size.
N8-
I agree on Diaz as leadoff because we don’t need base stealers we need base runners to maximze the abilities of Chipper and Glauss.
2009 Chipper with base runners: 275 AB .282 BA .433 OPB .887 OPS
2009 chipper with bases empty : 321 AB .251 BA .349 OBP .761 OPS
McFann
February 12th, 2010
6:10 pm
Thanks, Soph! I think I’ll start loading the ones I have onto the computer.
Careful on that ice!
hoho
February 12th, 2010
6:10 pm
JUST SAYIN’- I have already said that i have NEVER seen Heyward play. I cannot make any comparisons. I have asked others to do so if they have seen the man play. Perhaps no one mentioned it since I was one of the first to post today. People perhaps saw that I was “stirring” up something and stayed away. Perhaps some people saw that I mentioned it and felt no need to mention it again. BTW, “racial crap” sure sounds like another way of saying “stuff I don’t want to hear anymore about”. If that is so, I understand. However, that “crap” is still out there and some folks have a more keen eye to notice it, some are just more sensitive to it. Folks who are tired of hearing about it are usually folks who have not gone through much “racial crap” or folks who have gone through “too much” “racial crap”. I called no one a racist. Just pointing out old attitudes and tendencies that still seem to be out there. Peace to us all. Hope spring training and the season shows us all what is what.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
6:12 pm
N8-
I like Escobar in run producing situations. Unlike nolie with sample sizes, Escobar proved his value last year in these situations, regardless of size.
N8
February 12th, 2010
6:13 pm
Alright, I’ve tried about 5 posts now trying to give directions to some of my work. Can’t get it past the filter apparently.
JasonInFL
February 12th, 2010
6:15 pm
What was Buster’s top 5?
N8
February 12th, 2010
6:15 pm
Anybody interested I’m on facebook. The name of my company is Platinum Photography. Should be the only one. But if not, I’m in Bismarck, ND.
www.mlbprospectwatch.com
February 12th, 2010
6:17 pm
If Heyward is half as good as everyone on his bandwagon is saying he is, it will be tough for the Braves not to keep him in Atlanta at the end of Spring Training.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
6:17 pm
Those are his career numbers, whatever the size. Thick
predictive stats are all about sample size for any reliability. has no bearing that they are his entire career stats in that category , they are too small to have a lot of meaning. It may stay that way but we certainly can’t jump to that conclusion on such relatively few at bats. If you’re gonna use a stat to back up your point, it should do so with little room for error. Otherwise it becomes the butt of a Mark Twain one-liner.
N8
February 12th, 2010
6:18 pm
I guess there is a couple other facebook pages with that business name. My thumbnail logo is black with PP in white letters.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
6:21 pm
Unlike nolie with sample sizes, Escobar proved his value last year in these situations, regardless of size
which does not guarantee it will continue this year. If it ain’t a big enough sample it’s just hot air to anyone who knows stats. and Diaz’s leadoff at bats are too small to be meaningful too. if you are gonna use them you should make sense instead of fooling yourself that the mean anything to anybody else
David O'Brien
February 12th, 2010
6:23 pm
Hope none of you are flying Delta in or out of Atlanta today, tonight, or tomorrow morning. Should say, I hope none of you were planning to. They’ve cancelled the bulk of those flights.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
6:23 pm
facebook? nobody uses Facebook anymore….it’s too crowded
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
6:27 pm
nolie-
At what point does the sample size become large enough to justify an up or down on a players batting order slot. As I stated, when leading off an inning McLouth was only slightly better with 593 AB (quite a large sample) .245 BA and .315 OBP – not real strong in 600 at bats coupled with the 240 leading off a game, that’s over 800 at bats and these additional 240 at bats further weaken his BA and OBP. I don’t think the Braves engage Damon at all if they are as confident as you are in McLouth’s ability to reach base consistently.
N8
February 12th, 2010
6:27 pm
nolie, I understand the sample size and what not. But in the end, I’m not looking for a 10 year career as a leadoff hitter with Diaz or Escobar (or McLouth for that matter). Isn’t a 162 game season that you’re trying to catch lightning in a bottle and make the playoffs, a pretty small sample size?
I mean, if Diaz happens to work as a leadoff hitter for one season and never replicates it again…. who cares?
Kelly Johnson had ZERO track record of being a leadoff hitter too. Was a #3 hitter if I remember correctly. But there he was. Two opening days as the leadoff hitter. If he got a shot, shouldn’t others as well?
BabyGoatEater
February 12th, 2010
6:28 pm
without getting in a … ahem …. measuring contest, let me tell you about a drive to the store the other day. Went to my local super-chain to pick up bread, milk and such. Lines were full. Not uncommon for a Tuesday at 7. Not even the 11 inches of snow on the ground kept most of us from doing our needed weekly shopping. We were half-way to our eventual final count (at least for that night, we got 10 more inches Wednesday). We’re supposed to get 10 more on Monday.
Got a rule around here that you have to keep the sidewalks clear for the kids and their daily walk to school, or you will be fined by the city. After 4 hours with a snow-blower (some of you may not know they exist …. think lawnmower, but shoots snow 5 feet instead of grass parts) five people and four shovels (gotta have at least two metal ones for the ice at the bottom), we now have a five foot high tunnel in front of my house. Don’t be reckless or anything with your “snow storm”, but come back down to reality, and enjoy the snow. That’s something we “miserable” northerners (been up here for 15 years now, guess I can’t claim southern residence anymore) rarely do anymore.
Altoona, PA – 32 inches of snow since Tuesday;getting 10 more Monday – They are calling it a mild winter in most area newspapers.
N8
February 12th, 2010
6:30 pm
Ive got a website too nolie. But it’s more difficult to nagigate around. Mainly have it for PDF files of my order forms and brochures.
I’ll try and link it again. But if it doesn’t show up, then I might have to put it in code or something. LOL
N8
February 12th, 2010
6:30 pm
http://www.platinumphotography.org
N8
February 12th, 2010
6:33 pm
Wow. It worked. Like I said. The facebook page is cooler (more and newer photos – because I can control it and update it), and easier to navigate. But…. it is facebook.
MrKnowItAll
February 12th, 2010
6:33 pm
It does not matter a hill of beans that whomever the Braves might sign. As long as they have the most abolute worst excuse of a manager in the history of the game of baseball they will not be competing for any post season titles. Shucks, an empty paper sack could outmanage Cox.
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 12th, 2010
6:39 pm
Nice work Nate…
Couch Tater
February 12th, 2010
6:40 pm
BabyGoatEater, I was wondering how JoePa stayed around so long. They freeze him after the bowl game, don’t they?
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 12th, 2010
6:40 pm
Damn.. Robert is back…
CB
February 12th, 2010
6:42 pm
N8,great stuff buddy.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
6:43 pm
N8 – Are you the redhead on the bottom right?
nolie
February 12th, 2010
6:44 pm
I was referring to leading off a game at bats. 230 some is too small. hell Chipper hit 248 in 500+ at bats a few years ago, meant nothing. The 590 is more meaningful, but he has hit 259/328 with no outs in an inning. I’m not saying he is as good as Damon WAS, I’ve said all along that the difference isn’t worth more than 4-5 mill and not worth 2 years in the current Braves situation. .
jim
February 12th, 2010
6:47 pm
The Damon deal may be a dumb one but it does point out one thing – The Tigers have a single owner, who cares about his teams ( Tigers and Red Wings) and cares about his city. We used to have that here with Ted T. However we now have a out of town corporation as an ownership. Dumb ownership who do not care about the product but about profit. Detroit actually has the better set up even if wrong about Damon. At least their owner will get involved and spend when he thinks it helps the team. Come on Ted, buy em back!
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
6:52 pm
nolie-
OK. I don’t care who bats leadoff as long as their OBP is .375 – .385 If we have a guy that can do that, with this lineup we will lead the NL in runs scored and win 98 games. People will think I’m nuts for making this statement. If we don’t have this guy we’ll win 94.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
6:53 pm
good stuff N8 . I liked the saturated red apples against the desaturated baby.
I used shoot a lot, mostly just personal, but I did get a lot of gigs shooting pictures of Appaloosa horses for sale and stallions standing at stud. Long time ago though. My equipment burned up after my divorce and I never replaced most of it.
do any scenic work at all? I had an ex-girlfriend who just recently passed away who was in the business for years. She was so busy with weddings and family pics she didn’t get to shoot as much of what she really loved.
Thanx for the link. I enjoyed it.
McFann
February 12th, 2010
6:54 pm
Here are some of my best snow photos from today:
http://s607.photobucket.com/albums/tt158/McFann_O/?action=view¤t=P1010012.jpg
nolie
February 12th, 2010
6:55 pm
I don’t care who bats leadoff as long as their OBP is .375 – .385 If we have a guy that can do that, with this lineup we will lead the NL in runs scored and win 98 games. People will think I’m nuts for making this statement. If we don’t have this guy we’ll win 94. Thick
I’m not positive but I think I remember that Damon’s OBP away from NY last season was only about 350. Too small a SS or age beginning to take its toll? No way to really know
nolie
February 12th, 2010
6:58 pm
not the Atlanta scenes I remember most McFann with all that ice. Thanx for the link.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
6:58 pm
nolie-
I’ll make another nutty statement. I think a healthy Schafer puts up a .375 OBP season if given the chance.
McFann
February 12th, 2010
6:59 pm
You’re welcome, nolie! Yeah, I definitely wasn’t expecting this much snow…and it’s still coming down.
Doc Holiday
February 12th, 2010
7:04 pm
** Jon Heyman of SI.com says via Twitter that it looks like the Damon sweepstakes will come down to the White Sox and Tigers. He says the Braves don’t appear to have the money to bid.**
Thats is new to me……..isnt it for you guys?
nolie
February 12th, 2010
7:05 pm
not too nutty. no way to know, he could after he settles in, but I gotta admit that I am not yet completely sold on how well he will hit. I’m thinking more like another Nate, but hoping for better.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
7:06 pm
nolie-
I was a young, new fan when Jim Rice and Freddy Lynn, 2 rookies took the Red Sox to the WS in 1975. I’d love to see Schafer and Heyward do that for us.
keylargo
February 12th, 2010
7:07 pm
ESPN reports that the Lugers are hitting 90 mph on the course the kid was killed on today. Thats one ot those small one man sleds they ride lying on their backs. WOW!
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
7:12 pm
nolie-
I know Lynn and Rice both hit 20 and drove in over 100, but I think Schafer gets on base more than a few times with speed alone and plays a great CF. As for Heyward, 25 – 25 guy with 100 RBI and very solid defender in RF. McLouth, 25 – 25 guy with 90 RBI and very solid defender in LF. Wouldn’t that be a dream?
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
7:16 pm
N8
Was that senior with the “TOOL” background done with a green screen?
nolie
February 12th, 2010
7:17 pm
I was a young, new fan when Jim Rice and Freddy Lynn, 2 rookies took the Red Sox to the WS in 1975. I’d love to see Schafer and Heyward do that for us. THICK
that would be cool. I just don’t think there is much possibility at all that Schafer will start the year in Atlanta unless someone gets injured.
Heyward I’m not so sure of. There was a time that I thought it highly unlikely, but if they don’t add someone like Damon and he has a decent spring I think it might happen. A good thing to look forward to watching develop anyway.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
7:19 pm
as big as Hey is getting, I’m not sure what his SB numbers will be like, but I agree, I have hoped for a McLouth/Schafer/Heyward OF. Sure would be a good defensive group.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
7:19 pm
I think that while some sample sizes may be small, sometimes it may be all you have to go off of. However, if a small sample size is helping you lean toward a 5 million dollar decision then it’s not worth it.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
7:20 pm
TOYOTA did another recall! This time on TACOMA trucks.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
7:22 pm
Are you the redhead on the bottom right? jeffrey d
now that was just plain mean jeffrey
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
7:23 pm
nolie-
The Red Sox were 84 – 78 in 1974 and these 2 were unproven. The magic of Baseball and the wonder of possibilities. Man I Love This Game. 35 years ago and you don’t question why the older fans talk about the way the game used to be.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
7:24 pm
I think that while some sample sizes may be small, sometimes it may be all you have to go off of joe r
that’s true joe, you just have to be aware that the reliability of your predictions will be lower. Doesn’t mean you won’t be right, but a bigger odds that you may be wrong.
Chuck James can Potentially be Solid until the 6th again!!!
February 12th, 2010
7:25 pm
N8
That kid at the bottom right of the front page of your website is clutch.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
7:25 pm
Oh boy, now Jermaine Dye is considering retirement. Do players consider that a threat to teams?
keylargo
February 12th, 2010
7:25 pm
I was a young, new fan when Jim Rice and Freddy Lynn, 2 rookies took the Red Sox to the WS in 1975. I’d love to see Schafer and Heyward do that for us.
That was a different era and a different Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Both Rice and Lynn played full seasons in AAA Pawtucket in 1974 with Rice being called up in Aug and Lynn in Sept.
Jim Rice 1974
337 BA .391OBP .579SLG .971OPS
117 games AAA Pawtucket
Aug call up to Red Sox
Fred Lynn 1974
282BA .368OBP .489 SLG .857OPS
124 games in AAA Pawtucket
Sept call up to Red Sox
That’s how you prepare players for MLB
Chuck James can Potentially be Solid until the 6th again!!!
February 12th, 2010
7:27 pm
N8
PS – Very good work…
Heath
February 12th, 2010
7:32 pm
The death of that luger is just awful. The video and still-frames are just…. whew.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
7:33 pm
keylargo-
Thanx for the “Sentimental Hygiene”.
keylargo
February 12th, 2010
7:36 pm
Thanx for the “Sentimental Hygiene”.
You brought it up Thick. For about the 73rd time.
thickfreakness
February 12th, 2010
7:39 pm
keylargo-
I was sincere. To my knowledge I made 3 post reagrding the subject of Lynn and Rice. But I do apologize if they offended your sensibilities.
keylargo
February 12th, 2010
7:42 pm
Thick
Try going back and see how many times you’ve said the same thing about McLouth, Schafer and Heyward the last two days.
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
7:50 pm
That last paragraph, on DOB’s blog, where Tom Glavine talked about what Bobby Cox has meant to him, over the years, was great stuff.
With this being Bobby’s last year, it almost brought a tear to my eye.
Bravissimo
February 12th, 2010
7:58 pm
Can any of you snowbirds tell me if you lose your signal on direct tv if snow is coming down pretty good….im familiar with thunderstorms, but the snow is a novelty to me.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:01 pm
Bravissimo -
It would have to be really heavy snow unless the person that installed your dish did not install it to get the best signal. They can set it up at around 70% or so and it will give you a perfect signal…but once bad weather hits and it drops below around 55%, it will start to go out.
brian
February 12th, 2010
8:02 pm
so what you are saying DOB is people get to see their luggage for a little longer due to the snow
BravesFanChris25
February 12th, 2010
8:05 pm
The longer it takes, I think Damon might end up being the one saying where he goes instead of Boras being the driving force. If he truly wants to be in ATL, this delay could be a result of that.
Bravissimo
February 12th, 2010
8:05 pm
Well i never put much thought into how it was installed…It only goes out during heavy rainstorms. Just wondered if i needed to clean the snow off the dish?
I wanna watch the opening ceremonies damit.
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
8:05 pm
Tom O – you Cox apologists make my blood boil…
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:07 pm
Bravissimo -
Cleaning off the dish is a good idea. The signal does need to bounce off the dish and into the LNB. In fact, you can spray some PAM or something on it so that stuff won’t stick to it as easily. (sounds stupid, but, hey….)
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
8:09 pm
Bravissimo
If you can get at your dish, you can always clean it off, if needed. Just be careful not to move the dish (be gentle).
You can also check the signal out (the strength), on your tv.
Bravissimo
February 12th, 2010
8:09 pm
Thanks Heath…Id better do it before I drink too much Beer…lol
Macon Braves (RIP)
February 12th, 2010
8:10 pm
Bravissimo—There is probably snow built up on your dish. Just have to wipe it off. I’ve had to go out twice today and do it with mine today because of the snow building up on it.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:10 pm
Tom O’Hawke -
The problem with checking the signal on yout tv…it is not accurate (at least not with the DirecTv boxes). It might say 85%, for example, but really only be 60%. (I used to install DirecTv.)
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
8:12 pm
Venice Jim
I knew bloggers like Robert, No More Bobby, Don and you, would object to my post.
Bravissimo
February 12th, 2010
8:13 pm
Thanks guys…wiping the snow off worked!…you guys are priceless!
Braves win! Braves win!
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
8:13 pm
Heath
I did not know that. (It’s getting so you can’t trust anyone!)
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:15 pm
Tom -
The DirecTV and Dish guys get paid by the dish and the box, not by the hour….so, speed is of the essence. As soon as they’ve got signal…bam…next! Especially since they will get paid to come back out on teh service call…
Soph
February 12th, 2010
8:15 pm
Don’t forget YAACA…
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:16 pm
Bravissimo -
Don’t forget the PAM!
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
8:18 pm
McFann – I was at that Publix…I could have been right in front of you and we never would’ve known
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:18 pm
DOB -
You got a spot online to post your music for when I get my iPhone next week?
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
8:20 pm
Heath
How come the strength you can monitor, on the tv, isn’t accurate?
Mitchie-san
February 12th, 2010
8:20 pm
I have to hear that Shore Leave song DOB. Thats the first time I ever really read the lyrics at the bottom of the blog. I like it.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
8:21 pm
Heath
Are you getting a 3G or 3GS?
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:22 pm
Tom -
The box manufacturer.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:22 pm
joerochester -
3GS-32gig
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
8:23 pm
Don’t let them talk you into screen protectors. The screen is practically scratch proof.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:24 pm
joerochester -
Why?
unbelievable
February 12th, 2010
8:24 pm
why would Damon really want to be in ATL? he’s not coming here unless the Braves offer the highest $$ figures
Bravissimo
February 12th, 2010
8:24 pm
PAM..lol…the dish is easy to get to. If it does it again ill give it a shot. This is much better than getting info from directtv.com.
DOB’s multi-purpose blog! If I was in ATL Id buy DOB dinner and drinks at community q.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
8:26 pm
32 GB.. sweet. You going to be putting a lot of music on it?
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:26 pm
joerochester -
nevermind….i see your reason now. By the way, buying from ATT or Best Buy is over-priced anyway. My sister, her husband and my mom have had the phones for a couple years now… they get all their iwhatever accessories from here….
http://www.hdaccessory.com/servlet/StoreFront
WAAAAAAY cheaper and the same stuff.
Steve from OH
February 12th, 2010
8:27 pm
N8–impressive work with the photos, my man.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:28 pm
joerochester -
I would like to put a lot…depends on where all I can get some free tunes
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
8:29 pm
Heath
By, “The box manufacturer, I assume that means that they don’t want the customer to be able to adjust their dish, too well?
Hi, cabravesfan, if you’re out there somewhere. (You almost have to be out there, somewhere, huh?)
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
8:29 pm
Heath
For most accessories, yes. Just don’t buy a generic car charger or home charger. The company can tell and if the charger is not factory standards it voids the warranty.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:31 pm
Tom -
I don’t it’s that…just sucks.
keylargo
February 12th, 2010
8:32 pm
You tell em Tom O’H @ 7:50.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
8:34 pm
*Let me rephrase that. The company can tell if you use a generic charger because it expands the battery.
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
8:34 pm
Soph – exactly what I was thinking – liked the snow pictures
cabravesfan
February 12th, 2010
8:35 pm
Tom-
Hey
How are things in NY? Not too snowy I hope 
(Did I mention it’s supposed to be 75 here on Sunday?)
McFann
February 12th, 2010
8:36 pm
jeffrey d–
Really? Too funny! That’d be hilarious if we were right next to each other…were you carrying a reddish-pink bat?
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
8:37 pm
22 degrees but no snow on Rochester, NY
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:40 pm
joe -
I’ve not heard that before…what is that?
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
8:42 pm
Heath
What is what?
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
8:43 pm
No, I don’t usually walk around with a pink bat
I like how NBC is going with the Pirates of the Caribbean theme for their Olympic coverage
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
8:45 pm
Tom-
Hey How are things in NY? Not too snowy I hope
cabravesfan, we’ve only received a little over 20 inches, for the whole season! That’s about half of the normal, and less than half of last year. Considering a lot more has fallen, in one storm, much further south of here, makes this a weird planet.
(Did I mention it’s supposed to be 75 here on Sunday?)
I’m glad to hear that you guys left Seattle, and have moved back to LA.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:47 pm
joe -
expanding a battery and why does it happen with car chargers.
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
8:47 pm
No, I don’t usually walk around with a pink bat
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
8:51 pm
It happens with car chargers that are not made to factory made standards for your cell phone. What happens is too much voltage is sent into the phone to charge the battery (which causes it to get very hot) and the battery expands because of the heat exchange. If you take it into the shop under warranty, they’ll take out your battery. If it expands from using a charger that was not to factory made standards then your warranty is voided.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:53 pm
joe -
Gotcha.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
8:55 pm
#22 Cornell 20-3 (6-0) going down big to Penn 3-15 (2-2)
Another reason we will probably never see another undefeated season.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
9:00 pm
Time to watch the opening ceremonies… I love the Olympics (I’m a dork, I know… but hey, I love ‘em.)
RHR
February 12th, 2010
9:01 pm
Hey N8 – I just became a fan…I love photography and look forward to checking out your stuff.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
9:02 pm
I love the Olympics (I’m a dork, I know… but hey, I love ‘em.)
If that makes you a dork, then I guess I’m a dork too.
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
9:03 pm
DOB, is that you coming down the mountain?
haggard
February 12th, 2010
9:09 pm
N8–Certainly enjoyed browsing through your work and particularly like the “barefoot bride” in Wedding 2.
Though I have been shooting since the age of 15, I am just now about to make the leap to a nice, digital SLR,(probably Canon or Nikon) and I have a question for you: How do I duplicate the properties of favorite films–say the grain and reddish tint of Kodachrome 25 / 64 or the greenish, “velvet” characteristics of Fuji– with a digital camera?
If the answser is too involved for this space, kindly point me elsewhere.
McFann–Those are some beautiful shots of the snow and I enjoyed the “Wild Kingdom” shots as well. One cane certainly tell you have a great love of animals.
Educate me here: is Francois I a hamster or a gerbil?
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
9:09 pm
I hope you two dorks, left room for more dorks.
cabravesfan
February 12th, 2010
9:11 pm
There is NOTHING wrong with being a fan of the Olympics! I am simply waiting for 7:30 so I can watch
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
9:12 pm
I like the Summer olympics.. .not really the winter olympics, though.
RHR
February 12th, 2010
9:12 pm
Hee..you’ve got some adorable little kids in there, N8
RHR
February 12th, 2010
9:13 pm
I love the 2 little boys reds and yankees lol at those faces
Heath
February 12th, 2010
9:14 pm
joe -
I think I like the Winter ones more…but I love both.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
9:16 pm
Canada gets Nelly Furtado to sing a beautiful rendition of their national anthem at the Olympics (gave me goosebumps)
Meanwhile, we get Queen Latifah to “sing” America the Beautiful at the Super Bowl (I dry heaved a little)
nolie
February 12th, 2010
9:18 pm
Hey Nate, where are the neked pixtures?
Bravissimo
February 12th, 2010
9:18 pm
Heath…If youre a dork then so am I!…thats why i wanted my signal.
PAM wins the gold!!
Soph
February 12th, 2010
9:19 pm
I’m a dork too! Love the Olympics.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
9:19 pm
I just like the summer olympics more because I like watching swimming, basketball, softball, baseball and gymnastics. Dominique Dawes anyone??
Soph
February 12th, 2010
9:21 pm
Soph – exactly what I was thinking – liked the snow pictures
Thanks, VJ! Don’t you wish you were here?
Bravissimo
February 12th, 2010
9:22 pm
Who’s carrying the flag for the US team?
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
9:22 pm
jeffrey d
My favorite rendition, of our National Anthem, was
Roseanne BarrWhitney Houston, many years ago.Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
9:26 pm
joerochester
But Joe, the winter olympics has women’s figure skating. Top that!
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
9:26 pm
I just like the summer olympics more because I like watching swimming, basketball, softball, baseball and gymnastics
I like the Summer Olympics better too, but I really enjoy the whole national aspect of the Olympics in general.
Given how many people hated the WBC I may be in the minority on this, but I would’ve liked to have seen MLB pull an NHL and suspend play for a couple weeks every 4 years so players could participate. I know it would mess with pitching schedules, staying sharp, etc but I think the Olympics transcend MLB.
Of course, all this is a moot point now.
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
9:28 pm
I do
Bravissimo
February 12th, 2010
9:30 pm
Id go along with that jeffrey d
brian
February 12th, 2010
9:31 pm
if the reports of the Tiger’s offer to Damon are accurate, I am shocked he has not officially taken the offer. To get that 2 year deal is nothing short of magic by Boras. Unless he would rather go somewhere else than Detroit and is hoping the other team(s) will up their offer to close to Detroit’s I just don’t see what the hold up is.
Eric from MO
February 12th, 2010
9:31 pm
I personally dont care much for the olympics but I dont consider you a dork for liking them. Unless you watch the really stupid events such as curling.
Bravissimo
February 12th, 2010
9:33 pm
Greg Norton would win a gold in curling! no doubt.
Eric from MO
February 12th, 2010
9:33 pm
jeffrey d in a perfect world that would be awesome. However unless you shortened the season, which is a ridiculous idea, it isnt possible. You would have another month of games played in the freezing cold.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
9:35 pm
I personally dont care much for the olympics but I dont consider you a dork for liking them. Unless you watch the really stupid events such as curling. Eric from MO
What if I was a die-hard curling fan and I had posters of curling legends hanging in my bedroom? Would you still talk to me?
Eric from MO
February 12th, 2010
9:35 pm
By the way I am one of the few people who really like the WBC and really dont get what all the fuss is about. It is a pretty cool event and I think it done about as well as possible to not mess up the regular season.
Eric from MO
February 12th, 2010
9:36 pm
Well I have never actually spoken to you, so I guess that trend would continue.
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
9:39 pm
I would’ve liked to have seen MLB pull an NHL and suspend play for a couple weeks every 4 years so players could participate. I know it would mess with pitching schedules, staying sharp, etc
jeffrey d, you forgot greed. There’s no way the owners would give up 2 weeks of revenue. Hockey only plays 2-3 games a week. They can make up the difference by playing 3-4 games per week. Baseball can’t do that. They’d have to play double headers, to make up some, and also shorten the season.
As a fan, I agree with you. I’d like to see that too.
Soph
February 12th, 2010
9:40 pm
Nice to see the crowd give Georgia a standing ovation for the luger that passed away.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
9:40 pm
Eric – I understand that. Especially if New York, Boston, or Colorado went deep into the postseason. But like I said, I think the Olympics are more important than that. When we send college and minor league players to the world’s highest stage of sports competition it says it says “Eh, it’s not really that important to us.”
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
9:43 pm
Anybody here ever watch Pawn Stars on History channel? Pretty good show.
Johnny Damon stuff … lets talk about it. LOL
Chuck James can Potentially be Solid until the 6th again!!!
February 12th, 2010
9:45 pm
TnBrian
Watchin it now, awesome show!!!
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
9:45 pm
Iran…how does Iran have an Olympic team?
Heath
February 12th, 2010
9:45 pm
Appropriately… Vancouver won their NHL hockey game tonight…
Bravissimo
February 12th, 2010
9:45 pm
Watch pawnstars all the time..my son manages a pawn shop in Sav. He says thats somewhat made for TV..even if it is in Vegas.But I do enjoy it.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
9:46 pm
jeffrey d -
i was thinkin’ the same thing.
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
9:47 pm
Good piece on Maddux:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnCoI0IVvGc&feature=related
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
9:48 pm
Should be “How does Iran have a Winter Olympic team?”
Eric from MO
February 12th, 2010
9:49 pm
Yeah but if someone is on pace to break a single season record you cant just say eh, time to stop play for a month.
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
9:51 pm
Bravissimo, my brother called up and he mentioned the show to me the other day. I just watched a few episodes tonight. It’s a pretty cool show.
That MadDog link don’t work for some reason.
I was watching some Tom Green stuff earlier. Should I link some of that, or are any of you fans of him. Not the Green today, the one back ten years or so on MTV.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
9:51 pm
Yeah but if someone is on pace to break a single season record you cant just say eh, time to stop play for a month.
I’d rather have a gold medal
Eric from MO
February 12th, 2010
9:55 pm
If I had a 45 game hit streak…I would rather have the chance at the 57 game streak than a gold medal. Besides they have the WBC which is basically the same thing as the Olmpics, just not played the same year or month.
Soph
February 12th, 2010
9:55 pm
I’d rather have a gold medal
Me too.
Rob from SC
February 12th, 2010
9:55 pm
I like Curling
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
9:57 pm
Hey Eric – I LOVE CURLING!!!
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
9:57 pm
Nice timing…
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
9:59 pm
Here’s a nice fact: Nepal and Ohio have the only two non rectangular flags in the world
Heath
February 12th, 2010
10:00 pm
I gotta admit I’m a curling fan too…but only every 4 years for two weeks.
Soph
February 12th, 2010
10:00 pm
You stole that from Bob Costas.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
10:01 pm
jeffrey d -
Ohio does not have a flag… it is a pennant.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
10:02 pm
Costas only said that Nepal didn’t have a rectangular flag. I dug up that Ohio thing on my own
….unless I just wasn’t paying attention and Costas did mention that
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
10:02 pm
Peru likes “eating and partying”.
You gotta respect that.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
10:04 pm
Tom -
Trip to Peru, buddy?
Soph
February 12th, 2010
10:04 pm
Nah, I only heard Nepal. I’ll give you half credit for digging up Ohio.
GboroBravo
February 12th, 2010
10:04 pm
TnBrian i like the American Pickers show a little better….but you should check out Madhouse on Sunday at 10 on History if you like racing. Shows racing at Bowman Grey in Winston Salem.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
10:04 pm
Ohio does not have a flag… it is a pennant.
My goodness…I didn’t realize this would be such a hot topic. I was just trying to brighten everyone’s evening with a little bit of trivia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Ohio
nolie
February 12th, 2010
10:05 pm
of course it has a flag
http://www.50states.com/flag/ohflag.htm
McFann
February 12th, 2010
10:05 pm
jeffrey d–
It was closer to red in color.
haggard–
Thank you! Yes, I do love all the living things (except spiders
).
François was a Gerbil. He had a brother (at least, we assume they were brothers) named Louie…they both passed away last year, sadly.
They were LOTS of fun, though!
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
10:06 pm
jeffrey d, I already ordered the tickets.
McFann
February 12th, 2010
10:06 pm
Soph–
Here are my snow pics–you wanted to see them, dunno if you missed them on the last page:
http://s607.photobucket.com/albums/tt158/McFann_O/?action=view¤t=P1010012.jpg
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
10:08 pm
You know, Sweden may be a nice place to visit, also.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
10:09 pm
it is still officially a pennant.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
10:09 pm
Tom – to what? Curling?
Heath
February 12th, 2010
10:09 pm
Tom -
based on the athlete they chose to show…I’m for a visit to Sweden too.
Soph
February 12th, 2010
10:10 pm
McFann, I did see them – thanks for posting! You got a great pic of the Wren birdy. Pudgy little thing.
Bravos11
February 12th, 2010
10:12 pm
As a Persian, its great to see a woman on the Iranian winter Olympic team.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
10:12 pm
based on the athlete they chose to show…I’m for a visit to Sweden too
I don’t know what it is about Sweden, but they had a lot of pretty ladies in there.
Hetch Hetchy
February 12th, 2010
10:15 pm
Tina Fey on the cover of Vogue? And they airbrushed her fishhook thingy?
Talk about putting lipstick on a pig. ugh
abwright
February 12th, 2010
10:17 pm
I’m a curling fan too.
It’s starting to pick up a wider tv audience. If the US teams do well this year, it might even make the prime time coverage.
Remarkable
February 12th, 2010
10:18 pm
Hey, isn’t this supposed to be a blog about the Braves?
TnBrian
February 12th, 2010
10:20 pm
GboroBravo, not a big fan of racing, but I’ll check it out. Also American Pickers … as long as it isnt about picking boogers or butts.
Shanks A Lot
February 12th, 2010
10:21 pm
Without coming off as a racist, why do ppl from Iran, Iraq, etc refer to themselves as “Persian” instead of Iranian, Iraqi, etc? Not trying to start anything, I’m genuinely curious.
McFann
February 12th, 2010
10:21 pm
Soph–
You’re welcome!
You got a great pic of the Wren birdy. Pudgy little thing.
Thanks! Oh, they’re round little buggers for sure! And so incredibly CUTE!
I just love them. The way they bounce around (they can’t walk–they can only hop and fly)…well, I guess you could say they just bounce right into your heart! 
That’s corny, sorry…should get a lotta fan letters from the crows on that one…
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
10:22 pm
Hey, isn’t this supposed to be a blog about the Braves?
Oh gosh, you’re right. Sorry man.
Hey, did you guys hear about that ham sandwich McLouth ate for lunch? How about that extra long nap Lowe took after shoveling his driveway?
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
10:23 pm
based on the athlete they chose to show…I’m for a visit to Sweden too
Heath, yeah, I was alluding to those female athletes, towards the 2nd half of the group. (They looked like real, good athletes.)
Sorry about before. I was talking to you but put in jeffrey d, because I was distracted by Sweden.
Tom – to what? Curling? —- jeffrey d
Disregard. I was distracted by Sweden. (Is there an echo in here?)
Shanks A Lot
February 12th, 2010
10:23 pm
I enjoy watching American PIckers, but the show should just be called “Robbing the Elderly”
Soph
February 12th, 2010
10:25 pm
Echo, echo, echo…
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
10:25 pm
Hey, isn’t this supposed to be a blog about the Braves?
Who?
Bravos11
February 12th, 2010
10:26 pm
Well it would not be from Iraq. Only in Iran, would you consider someone a Persian. Before Iran existed, it was Persia. Also in the Middle East, there are mostly Arabs, the only country that is not dominated by Arabs is Iran, which is made up primarily with Persians.
brian
February 12th, 2010
10:26 pm
I will take the NCAA basketball tournament over the Olympics any day. I can only imagine how much someone here is anticipating March Madness
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
10:27 pm
I think Soph enjoyed the other half of Sweden.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
10:27 pm
Yes, I do love all the living things (except spiders McF
you love cockroaches? ugh
nolie
February 12th, 2010
10:28 pm
no it isn’t, its officially a state flag.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
10:29 pm
Shanks – “Persian” can generally mean someone coming from the Persian Gulf region (pretty much the Middle East). While the Persian language and culture has a lot of its population in Iran, it has kind of become synonymous with Islamic/Middle Eastern culture.
It’s like the term “Hispanic.” “Hispanic” is supposed to mean somebody from Hispania (Spain) but people now use it to refer to pretty much anybody from Latin America.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
10:29 pm
I was distracted by Sweden. –Tom
Totally understandable.
Remarkable -
I think the Olympics trumps the Damon watch….we’ve beat that topic to death anyway until he signs…
McFann
February 12th, 2010
10:32 pm
nolie–
Hmm…OK, no…no love for the cockroaches, either. I mean, at least spiders serve some purpose…they’re just s’dang creepy looking!
jeffrey d @ 10:22–
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
10:32 pm
Talk about putting lipstick on a pig. ugh —- Hetch Hetchy
That comment about Tina Fey, upset me. But wait until nolie gets a hold of you.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
10:32 pm
nolie -
They call it a pennant in Ohio…they don’t care what Wiki says. (Not that I carem, mind you…I am not from Ohio…just happen to live here now.)
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
10:33 pm
I think the Olympics trumps the Damon watch….we’ve beat that topic to death anyway until he signs…
No, I think we need to talk about Damon some more.
Bravos11
February 12th, 2010
10:33 pm
Jeffrey D- That is incorrect, If you were to refer to someone from Iraq or Jordan or Syria as a Persian, They would not take to kindly to that, just like if you referred to someone from Iran as an Arab, they would not like that.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
10:35 pm
yeah who is that moron with the Tina insult? I’m thinking of getting up a lynching party, but Dave loves her too and just might throw him off the board and save me some energy. But I’m fightin’ mad now. Grrrr!!!
Soph
February 12th, 2010
10:36 pm
Ooh, can I get in on the fight? I like Tina too.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
10:36 pm
Bravos – I didn’t say it was correct, I meant to imply that over here in the West the term “Persian” is missused.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
10:37 pm
I didn’t quote wiki, give me a break.:)
Just kidding around Heath I lived in Ohio for years
Steve from OH
February 12th, 2010
10:37 pm
Iranians are the ones referred to as Persians, IIRC…
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
10:38 pm
I wasn’t on the blog when this happened, but did anybody else see the “We Are the World” remake? I really didn’t like it.
Steve from OH
February 12th, 2010
10:39 pm
Never mind. Already addressed…
Heath
February 12th, 2010
10:39 pm
nolie -
No biggie. I am not the one who cares. I was “corrected” on it when I moved here… I live here now, but I doubt for much longer.
You know the best thing to come out of Ohio? I-75/I-71 South.
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
10:40 pm
I’m thinking of getting up a lynching party,
I’ve got the rope, buddy. Soph knows of a good tree.
L-Town Scrub
February 12th, 2010
10:42 pm
Wow, what a performance so far. I’m a total curling addict.
Soph
February 12th, 2010
10:42 pm
Yeah! There’s plenty of trees in McFann’s back yard from what I saw in her pics.
nolie
February 12th, 2010
10:46 pm
You know the best thing to come out of Ohio? I-75/I-71 South. Heath
LOL, that’s funny. I bet you live in eastern Ohio somewhere, maybe near Cleveland etc?
I was in western Ohio and I gotta say that I have lived in worse places a number of times, but I ain’t sayin’ where or I’ll get somebody on here mad at me for sure.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
10:48 pm
nolie -
I’m from Kentucky…that’s where that comes from.
But yes, I live in Cleveland.
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
10:49 pm
Any effort possible to avoid spoilers in terms of torch lighting for those weirdos who don’t get to watch the opening ceremonies live would be appreciated (weird that we live in the same flippin’ time zone where they are happening)
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
10:50 pm
These opening ceremonies are pretty awesome. Each hosting city, tries to beat the previous one’s effort. With the 4 year advance on technology, they usually do.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
10:51 pm
VJ -
Good that you mentioned that. I will not provide a spoiler. Just don’t read the internet anywhere else either.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
10:52 pm
Has anyone heard of the “winner’s curse”? It’s what is happening with johnny damon.
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
10:53 pm
Heath – there is an internet existing other than here? What a bizarre concept…
Heath
February 12th, 2010
10:54 pm
VJ -
Smarty pants.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
10:55 pm
Jim
They don’t show the olympics live there?
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
10:56 pm
Yeah! There’s plenty of trees in McFann’s back yard from what I saw in her pics.
I’m not sure McDad would go for that
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
10:56 pm
(weird that we live in the same flippin’ time zone where they are happening)
I dunno, Jim, if I’d agree that’s weird. Having a California athlete, in this year’s winter Olympics, that practiced in Death Valley …… now that would be weird!
N8
February 12th, 2010
10:56 pm
Was that senior with the “TOOL” background done with a green screen?” joerochester
No. I’ve pondered that technology. It was just actually a poster he brought in, and I shot a photo of the poster, shot him and dropped the background out, and layered him on top.
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
10:57 pm
VJ – I never even thought of that. Glad you mentioned it
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
10:58 pm
N8
Do you cover up a lot of people’s acne?
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
10:58 pm
joerochester – we are stuck in a void where “prime time” rules – very bizarre for someone who has spent more than 35 years in the real time US zone…
Heath
February 12th, 2010
10:59 pm
Anyone see that promo for Parenthood? True story. Monica Potter lives here in Cleveland and my girlfriend’s 1st cousin does her nails. Too bad I hate that woman (not Monica)….cause I would love to meet that fine-lookin’ woman from Con Air.
cabravesfan
February 12th, 2010
10:59 pm
They don’t show the olympics live there?
Joerochester-
They don’t show anything live out here…welcome to my world
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
11:00 pm
Jim
I don’t mean to be naieve, it’s just that they even showed the Beijing olympics live. But now that I think about it, I could see the opening ceremonies being saved for prime time.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
11:01 pm
JIM/CABravesFan
Radio shows like Mike and Mike and The Herd are on live, though, right? So Mike and Mike starts at like 3 am?
Soph
February 12th, 2010
11:03 pm
McDad would be fine with it, right McFann?
Maybe McDad’s a big Tina Fey fan too, huh?
nolie
February 12th, 2010
11:05 pm
The Ohio burgee, as the swallowtail design is properly called, was designed by John Eisemann. Them dumb Ohioans don’t even know it’s a burgee
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
11:05 pm
joerochester – but in this godforsaken land outside of the eastern time zone, life is hostage to the whims of the network…
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
11:06 pm
They don’t show anything live out here…welcome to my world
cabravesfan, you don’t think 75 degrees and sunny doesn’t come without a price, do you? (snicker)
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
11:07 pm
joerochrester – I often hear the beginning of Mike and Mike at 3:00 (thanks to my sleep disabilities)…
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
11:07 pm
I could go for a cheese burgee right about now
cabravesfan
February 12th, 2010
11:09 pm
My favorite memory was attending the Emmy Awards and then being able to go home and watch them on TV because they were tape delayed…
Tom-
A price? yes…tape delaying live events (especially those that are actually taped in LA)? NO
Eric from MO
February 12th, 2010
11:09 pm
How in the hell is Tina Fey a pig? So she has a scar, she may not be Carrie Underwood but she is still hot.
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
11:10 pm
Por ejemplo, I have to remember that the Duke-Maryland game starts at ten in la manana here tomorrow…
glord1
February 12th, 2010
11:10 pm
Here are a couple of Brave tidbits I have heard the week before Spring Training. DOB can add his two cents on if he has heard these things as well if he is interested. I found all of these things interesting.
1. Tim Hudson is throwing the ball extremely well and expects to one of the top pitchers in the NL this year.
2. The Braves are content with their current outfield and have had an interest in Damon to add leadership and lead off ability only if the price dropped into the right level. In other words it was going to have to all break perfect like Abreu did last yeat for LAA.
3. If the Braves had signed Damon it was going to have affected Melky and Diaz much more than Heyward. The Braves right now plan to have Heyward starting in RF unless he fails or gets hurt in ST. If Heyward breaks camp with the Braves expect a big marketing campaign involving him in April.
Allen
February 12th, 2010
11:11 pm
DOB or anybody that has been to Spring Training. I am going to Dark Star during spring training and was wander when was the best time to come to the stadium to possibly meeat players and get a few autographs? I’ve seen the info posted in years past, but have not been able to go until now. I’ll be there from March 15th to 19th. I believe they play the Marlins on the 16th and the Tigers on the 19th.
joerochester
February 12th, 2010
11:13 pm
My g/f is going to orlando on Sunday. I’m jealous.
Eric from MO
February 12th, 2010
11:13 pm
Alright I first thought you all were being sarcastic about curling, but if your not, explain to me how you can watch it. What makes it interesting? To me its like watching paint dry.
Allen
February 12th, 2010
11:13 pm
wondering when…not WANDER. Sheesh
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
11:15 pm
tape delaying live events (especially those that are actually taped in LA)? NO
LAdy, I have to admit. You make a strong point.
JUST SAYIN'
February 12th, 2010
11:19 pm
jim
February 12th, 2010
6:47 pm
The Damon deal may be a dumb one but it does point out one thing – The Tigers have a single owner, who cares about his teams ( Tigers and Red Wings) and cares about his city. We used to have that here with Ted T. However we now have a out of town corporation as an ownership. Dumb ownership who do not care about the product but about profit.
——-
How long do you think Atlanta would have a team if they lost money all the time?
For that matter how long could any company continue operating without making a profit?
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
11:20 pm
Tom – dealing with my youthful compadre here, I recorded The Graduate today to bring her up to speed with my generation…God knows when we will see it, given her Olympics obsession…
glord1
February 12th, 2010
11:21 pm
Allen – The braves are one of the tougher teams to get close to for autographs in ST. The stadium is like a mini MLB field with the dugout being the entrance to the club house. That means the players do not have to walk by the fans very much. My experience if the best place to get close to the Braves players are in fields like the Astros, Pirates and Blue Jays. Those teams ST home fields give you tremendous access to both visiting and home players.
I have heard their are better chances to get Brave players on the pactice fields at Disney but have never had much sucess doing that once games start in the Spring.
cabravesfan
February 12th, 2010
11:21 pm
Tom-
The awards shows have actually gotten better with the live shows -there really is no point to tape dealying something on a SUNDAY after all…
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
11:22 pm
Jim, a toast. Here’s to you Mrs. Robinson. (cheers)
Heath
February 12th, 2010
11:22 pm
VJ -
Did she see “Rumor Has It”?
Eric from MO
February 12th, 2010
11:22 pm
Just sayin your right. Look at Turner he has had to sell off alot of business because he loss so much money.
L-Town Scrub
February 12th, 2010
11:23 pm
Eric, the ability to curve and or place that heavy stone on an ice surface is amazing to me. Not to mention the strategy that goes with it. Like billards, darts and bowling most curling league’s are heavily operated in venues where booze flows frequently.
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
11:24 pm
Tom o – where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? … (not Greg Norton, thank goodness)
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
11:24 pm
Tom O, not Tom o
JUST SAYIN'
February 12th, 2010
11:24 pm
Hdeath
Has the Cuyahoga river caught on fire lately? I had a friend who lived in the Eastern Cleveland when that happened and I never let him forget it. Any time he said anything negatively about the South I got even with the Cuyahoga story.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
11:25 pm
L-Town -
“curving” the stones is neat… and the frequently-flowing beer is an added bonus.
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
11:26 pm
Heath – I have not, although the concept sounded interesting…
Heath
February 12th, 2010
11:27 pm
JUST SAYIN’ -
Being from Kentucky, I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the south. Planning on moving south… The river, however, is quite a but cleaner now, though.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
11:28 pm
*bit cleaner
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
11:31 pm
Tom O, not Tom o
Whatever happened to just plain Tom? Unless, of course, there’s another Tom on here.
Venice Jim
February 12th, 2010
11:34 pm
Tom (undefined) – just my usual greeting for the past year,,,
nolie
February 12th, 2010
11:35 pm
Whatever happened to just plain Tom?
he’s just sounds too boring. Tom O on the other hand, well….
StingerSplash
February 12th, 2010
11:35 pm
Jeff Buckley’s version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallejuah is unbelievable. one of the most haunting songs I’ve ever heard.
Kentavo
February 12th, 2010
11:39 pm
Believe it or not, it’s snowing here in Myrtle Beach.
They even cancelled tomorrow’s M.B. Marathon – gonna be about 10,000 p.o.’d runners in the a.m.
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
11:40 pm
cabravesfan
There’s a dichotomy, in your time zone, that I don’t understand. You may or may not either.
If the Dodgers are playing in the east at 7:00, they show the game out there live, correct? At 4:00, most people are either still working, just getting done, or fighting traffic. Personally, I would rather they tape-delayed it.
However, there are live events, such as this, that are delayed. Why? Do they figure that a lot more people don’t want to miss any of the olympics, than the first several innings of the Cali. baseball teams?
glord1
February 12th, 2010
11:43 pm
StingerSplash
February 12th, 2010
11:35 pm
Jeff Buckley’s version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallejuah is unbelievable. one of the most haunting songs I’ve ever heard.
That really was amazing.
Eric from MO
February 12th, 2010
11:44 pm
Tom I wouldnt want it delayed because there are to many media outlets where your going to know the score before you ever see it. If I made it through the day without hearing the score I would just DVR it, then I got the choice. Thats just my opinion.
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
11:45 pm
Tom (undefined) I like that “undefined” reply.
he’s just sounds too boring. Tom O on the other hand, well…. Well, if you insist that I’m more exciting that way …. Tom O it is.
BravesFanInPhilly
February 12th, 2010
11:46 pm
Stinger – Agreed. I almost feels like that’s a song that just shouldn’t be sung anymore because I dont see how it can be done any better than Jeff did it. Beautiful.
cabravesfan
February 12th, 2010
11:47 pm
Tom-
The main difference is that the dodger games are on the radio and they don’t play that many games on the east coast anymore
nolie
February 12th, 2010
11:50 pm
Stinger I liked that, but not sure I like it better than Leonard’s version. Both are great IMO.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
11:51 pm
Meanwhile, there is apparently one hell of a basketball game going on right now…. Pitt and WVU no in the 3rd OT and…get this….tied….at 91.
Heath
February 12th, 2010
11:58 pm
embarrassing….
Tom O'Hawke
February 12th, 2010
11:59 pm
Tom I wouldnt want it delayed because there are to many media outlets where your going to know the score before you ever see it.
Eric from MO, personally, if it was on delay, I’d try to keep away from hearing the live score. But you are probably right. The stuff they, do, delay isn’t something that someone is going to leak to you, prematurely.
Hey, cabravesfan, guess who’s lighting the torch?
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
11:59 pm
A little awkward
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
12:00 am
Wow…can’t believe they got Morgan Freeman to light the torch
Heath
February 13th, 2010
12:00 am
jeffrey d -
a little? you think?
Soph
February 13th, 2010
12:01 am
That was interesting.
raindawg722
February 13th, 2010
12:03 am
glord1, just curious, where have you “heard” this?
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
12:04 am
But did they have to dress him in a penguin suit?
Heath
February 13th, 2010
12:04 am
Pitt wins by 3 in 3rd OT.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
12:05 am
Speak of the devil…
cabravesfan
February 13th, 2010
12:11 am
Tom-
I’ve got a few hours to go yet…
Tom O'Hawke
February 13th, 2010
12:14 am
But did they have to dress him in a penguin suit?
jeffrey d, that was Morgan Freeman in there? I just thought it was a regular penguin, on PEDs.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
12:17 am
It was the greatest Canadian of all time….the birth of text messaging and iPhones… Alexander Graham Bell…quite a feat they pulled off, huh?
Heath
February 13th, 2010
12:19 am
Gotta go to bed. Night all.
Tom O'Hawke
February 13th, 2010
12:19 am
I’ve got a few hours to go yet… —- cabravesfan
Even though I live by Ben Franklin’s words; “In wine there is wisdom,
in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.”
I still am cognizant of your time zone.
BossLady
February 13th, 2010
12:20 am
This is the south and it is in the best interest of the employees to close early on a snow day. The costs of accidents, stranded children and slick roads is just not worth it and it’s plain consideration. Employers never get to big or power players to disregard the safety and families of the employees. People that make these decisions to close early have to look beyond their own selfish wants and show compassion for others. When one only look within for what’s for themselves they can’t see that others are important too.
They did predict this snow storm all week and cautioned this morning that it would hit around noon and hit hard. So?
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
12:20 am
I don’t know if I’d call Morgan Freeman the greatest Canadian of all time
nolie
February 13th, 2010
12:21 am
I don’t know if I’d call Morgan Freeman the greatest Canadian of all time
he’s played God, right?
Tom O'Hawke
February 13th, 2010
12:21 am
Good night, Heath. It’s been fun.
BossLady
February 13th, 2010
12:22 am
By the way, I too sent everyone home and closed at 1:30.
Chris from the Rock
February 13th, 2010
12:24 am
A reference on mlbtraderumors.com just said Dave Nillson was the best Aussie MLBer of all time. We all know it’s Moylan.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
12:35 am
People that make these decisions to close early have to look beyond their own selfish wants and show compassion for others. — BossLady
Thanks for underscoring the very point that I made. Because customers do matter, too.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
12:37 am
Jeff Buckley’s version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallejuah is unbelievable. one of the most haunting songs I’ve ever heard. — StingerSplash
No doubt about it. It’s as powerful as the original, which is saying an awful lot.
glord1
February 13th, 2010
12:39 am
raindawg722
February 13th, 2010
12:03 am
glord1, just curious, where have you “heard” this?
raindawg722 – fair question. I know some people that know some people(translated I know some folks with the Braves but Im not going to name them publicly). That said I realize that on an anonymous forum everyone thinks they are an insider so you have to take what I said with a grain of salt. I hear stuff like this sometimes but dont post it often. Not looking for attention on a board – just love to talk about baseball.
Mitchie-san
February 13th, 2010
12:48 am
They havent even shown the opening cermonies here yet. 15 minutes….
Jurrjens4NLCY
February 13th, 2010
12:50 am
So, I read on MLBTR ala “James Schmehl of MLive.com” that the club may look to move Ryan Raburn if they sign Damon.
If this is true, the Braves should look into adding him for the bench.
Seriously.
Poondaddy
February 13th, 2010
12:51 am
David, whats the lastest????
cabravesfan
February 13th, 2010
12:56 am
OK- time to shut down and watch the rest of the opening ceremony…Good Night all!
)
(especially to you Tom
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
12:58 am
jessica biel has the nicest pooper in hollywood. Yes– nice and plump just like a well rounded tomato.
Still talkin damon ’round here? Well, looks like another fun weekend of damon hysteria because the guy obviously isn’t signing before monday. Damn– boras relentless!
Allen
February 13th, 2010
12:59 am
glord1 – Thanks for the info about Spring Training. Hopefully I can at least shake some hands and get a good picture or two. If anything, it looks like a great place to watch a ball game!
nolie
February 13th, 2010
12:59 am
(especially to you Tom CBF
dang, now I’m jealous. wheres that no name dude so I can put out a contract ?
Jurrjens4NLCY
February 13th, 2010
1:00 am
AtTheMike,
He ain’t signing with the Braves, so I don’t care no mo.
Andrew in PA
February 13th, 2010
1:11 am
seriously wouldnt anyone take dye for 2.5 mill, i think he can still put up 20 homers
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
1:12 am
o’brien— tell some of these numbletards around here that the braves are done making moves for the offseason. For cryin out loud—seems like I go back and read suggestions for players to target by fans here quite a bit.
damon was an option because he could’ve led off thus dropping mclouth in the lineup.
just hope diaz can repeat last year, melky too. Diaz maybe, melky? Very, very doubtful. He’ll more than likely be dealt by summer.
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
1:14 am
“I think he(dye) can still put up 20 homers”
I rest my case.
glord1
February 13th, 2010
1:14 am
Allen I just noticed that the Braves play the Jays on Sat March 20th in Dunedin. If you can make that game you will get almost all the Braves that travel to sign and get close to them. Its maybe the best spot for autographs in FL.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
1:16 am
Numbletards?
Tom O'Hawke
February 13th, 2010
1:18 am
They havent even shown the opening cermonies here yet. 15 minutes…. — Mitchie-san
My Cali. friends, talk about time zones ….
Good night dear, … and also you, too, cabravesfan
Tom O'Hawke
February 13th, 2010
1:21 am
(especially to you Tom CBF)
dang, now I’m jealous. wheres that no name dude so I can put out a contract ?
Apparently, nolie, there are those that still don’t need the “O”.
Jurrjens4NLCY
February 13th, 2010
1:44 am
Andrew In PA,
I don’t doubt his ability to hit 20 HRs. What I’m worried about is how much his defense will cost the team, which in the scheme of things might negate 20 HRs. Not to mention taking away playing time away from Heyward and Diaz, who needs to get some serious respect from us. Although Dye seems like a perfect mentor for Heyward. I mean perfect.
I would add a bench piece or eat the money until mid season.
alphadawg
February 13th, 2010
1:44 am
DOB –
You and I were on the same track but I think I one-upped you. I left a meeting at 2:30 on Bolton Rd this afternoon headed to Alpharetta. Even without the snow that’s a long trip but of course, it took an hour and a half for me to get back north from downtown. I too had to go to the bank and like you, I was praying it was open when I got there. it was and I was successful – lets hear it for weekend money!
Here’s the kicker: I left the bank to go to GA Power to pay my electric bill and there’s a sign on the door saying “due to inclement weather predicted we have closed this office at 2:30 today”. The POWER CO. closing early??? what is that about?? – the same people that get out there to get the power on BECAUSE the snow came in can’t stay open til 5 so that the little people can pay their bill??
Gimme a break – that’s ludicrous….I can almost see a bunch of candy-*sses at a credit union leaving early but the Georgia Power Co.??
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
1:47 am
David, whats the lastest???? — Poondaddy
Well, Poondaddy, the lastest I gots is tonight’s best selection of consecutive songs that played on the Ipod shuffle while I was doing 3.1 miles on the treadmill (ran out of time, couldn’t do more). I only share it because for the second straight night, it struck me as particularly invigorating and spectacularly random set of songs in succession:
“No Excuses” (Alice in Chains), “When Your Mind’s Made Up” (Glen Hansard & Mareta Inglova, aka the Swell Season), “Blistered” (Johnny Cash), “Cowboys to Girls” (The Intruders), “Folsom Prison Blues” (Johnny Cash), “All I Have To Offer You” (Charley Pride), “Jackson Cage” (Bruce Springsteen), “Dig, Lazarus, Dig” (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds), “Detroit Rock City” (Kiss), “Theme From Shaft” (Isaac Hayes).
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
1:50 am
alphadawg: I think BossLady is office manager of that power-company location.
NO MORE BOBBY
February 13th, 2010
1:58 am
THREE THINGS ABOUT THIS BLOG…….
1. Our outfield is going to look like an old timers game if Heyward doesnt come through.
2. The Braves organization just can not let the 90s go.
3. DOB really likes Tom Waits.
N8
February 13th, 2010
2:02 am
RHR, the two boys in the Yankees & Reds uniforms are my boys. That’s from two summers ago. Needless to say, they get their good looks from their mother (but I’ll take credit for whatever talent they may perfect!)
Andrew in PA
February 13th, 2010
2:06 am
Jurrjens, we can just get dye to be that bench piece. Trust me the braves will need all the hitting help then can get. Dye could also be a nice piece when it comes to playing american league teams and using dye to dh for us in those games. Having power threats like jones,mccann,glaus,heyward and then if you added dye we could win alot more interleague games this year. Hey and if the braves do have a decent amount of money to spend, say 4 or 5 million, then do what you gotta do and try to get uggla from the fish. Trade melky and mike dunn and maybe another smaller piece. It could happen.
Jurrjens4NLCY
February 13th, 2010
2:09 am
Dear Jesus!
I’m listening to dance hits from the 90’s. Oh boy. Marky Mark, House of Pain, Fatboy Slim, Haddaway, MC Hammer, B52’s, and so on.
SO MANY MEMORIES!
Jurrjens4NLCY
February 13th, 2010
2:10 am
Andrew In PA,
Has Dye said he would join sit on the bench?
Seems like the right thing to say, just don’t remember.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
2:13 am
One thing Canada could have done that would’ve overshadowed the mechanical flaw and unfortunate Bryan Adams/Nelly Furtado duet at tonight’s ceremony: Could’ve had Canada native Neil Young rock a Hendrixian, full-bore electric-guitar version of Canadian national anthem, w/ Leonard Cohen singing. That, or had Arcade Fire do it.
haggard
February 13th, 2010
2:58 am
“Mrs.Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?”
Mitchie-san
February 13th, 2010
3:08 am
That would have been so much better, DOB. This is kinda dumb.
johnbama
February 13th, 2010
3:26 am
while i want to talk about now…chip…heyward….this seasons move….i think more than anything glavine, well, i just want to give props there. while he will be the second best lefty and the second best arm on his team we had the chance to witness a hall of famer….a should be fist ballot guy if not for the retarded baseball writers voting….see robbie alomar. but while he may never get the props he deserves he was a special special player. a union leader (yep we all hate but man if that union represented us) a world series mvp (always missed by the justice homerun) a face of one of the most significant franschise runs in pro sports history (overlooked by chipper maddux crime dog cox etc). this was a special person….a special talent we and the baseball world i feel toof for granted. i am glad he is back as a brave. i hope that he will forever be seen as A face of thise franchise…what a gift…what treat it was to watch
johnbama
February 13th, 2010
3:30 am
thanks tommy for the one…ONE series win we had. thanks for joining in with maddux and smoltz and dominating for so long. thanks for making braves fans realize at some point money talk but thanks that when all is said and done you can come home…its good to be a brave
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
February 13th, 2010
4:11 am
N8
I know I’m a bit nicer to resturant staff, etc….than say a regular person might be, because my first job was working at a motel resturant as a dishwasher (altho I did more than just wash dishes..LOL)…..because I know what goes on BEHIND the scenes in a resturant with waitresses trying to get their tables served and get the food out, etc among other things. From that job, I have a lot more respect for waitresses, etc…than like I said…a normal person does or would..because I know what goes on BEHIND the scenes.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 13th, 2010
7:43 am
Braves looking at Dye as an alternative, inside sources say. Hard not to spend the money left over now that things have been made so “public.”
Braveheart
February 13th, 2010
8:11 am
It’s an injustice that Canada didn’t ask Scott Thorman to light the torch. He probably would’ve missed though
TnBrian
February 13th, 2010
8:12 am
Not that I seriously believe the Braves are thinking about Dye, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they try and get somebody now that it appears Damon is off the shelf. I just think they’d go for a leadoff type hitter.
rpmrob
February 13th, 2010
8:14 am
Dave,
A credit union is not a bank. My bank was opened until 5:00, perhaps you should Live Solid.
CB
February 13th, 2010
8:30 am
It seems not everybody is thrilled with the great Scott Boras- Felipe Lopez has fired him.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
8:35 am
THREE THINGS ABOUT THIS BLOG…….
1. Our outfield is going to look like an old timers game if Heyward doesnt come through.
2. The Braves organization just can not let the 90s go.
3. DOB really likes Tom Waits. NO MORE BOBBY
That’s only one thing about this blog, man.
Braveheart
February 13th, 2010
8:39 am
Is Shaq really crying about the Superman thing? Geez, with the passage of time, you realize that Shaq was just as much or more of an ahole than Kobe was. I really don’t remember anyone ever calling Shaq Superman anyway other than himself. Always seemed at the time to be one of those childish, contrived things he tried to force on everyone., but that nobody really bought into
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
8:50 am
Braveheart – I don’t remember anybody calling him Superman either. I used to really like Shaq. Not only was a dominant player but he was very marketable, very funny (not including Kazaam), and a likeable guy. I really hated hearing him whine about Dwight Howard… “I never double team nobody. Don’t be callin him Superman!”
I used to really like LeBron too until last postseason when I saw how arrogant he was – remember him organizing a victory party in downtown ATL before the game? Or how him and his teammates were dancing around when they were up big (I know it’s okay to be excited, but he was going way over the top), but when they lost to the Magic he moped off the court and refused to talk to anybody. Dwayne Wade didn’t do that when his team lost. Neither did Joe Johnson. Neither did Dwight Howard.
I just hope my other favorite non local athlete stays like he is. But knowing my luck, Peyton will probably hijack a bus full of color blind orphans later today.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
8:50 am
Oh and Braveheart – kudos on your 8:11
Baseball Fan
February 13th, 2010
8:50 am
The Olympics have started? So what?
Braveheart
February 13th, 2010
8:52 am
May have already been posted, but Sickels wrote a rather lengthy article on the A ball arms of the Braves:
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/2/12/1308000/atlanta-braves-a-ball-pitching
The Braves are well-known for their concentration on pitching development. They’ve collected another intriguing group of arms at the lower levels of their system. Overall, the A-ball level looks very impressive in terms of pitching depth for the Braves. And these are just the obvious names that show up on prospect lists; there are other organization arms that could slot in, too. The bottom line is that both Myrtle Beach and Rome should have pitching staffs composed entirely of pitchers with major league potential, without much filler fodder.
northbeach Scott
February 13th, 2010
9:13 am
Nice link, Braveheart. The Braves are likely to have one or more solid ML-ready starters in 2-3 years to go with Hanson and Jurrjens, giving the Braves some options in the last years of Lowe, Hudson, & Kawakami. It will be interesting to see how Minor and Medlen will fit into the rotation or be trade bait.
CB
February 13th, 2010
9:31 am
Lew, I have been reading about your great weight loss and real happy for you. I also have been losing weight, started at 240 and am down to 204. I am doing the 10000 step program,which means I am doing a lot of walking. It is the equivalent of 5 miles a day. I never do less than that amount,sometimes more. I have noticed a great improvement in heart rate since on this program,never gets over 90 now,even at top speed. My diet is oatmeal and banana for breakfast, tuna salad for lunch,and a good dinner,usually chicken with veggies. I would like to get down to 170 which is my recommended goal. I would recommend this plan for anybody who is trying to lose.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
9:36 am
Old Timers game in the outfield if Heyward isn’t up? Do you even bother to do research? Without Heyward (or Damn-and we’re not getting Dye) our outfield is Melky (25), McLouth (28) and Diaz (32) or an average age of 28.
Yes, we must go order a shipment of walkers and oxygen masks for our geriatric outfield. Quickly. Before they die in their tracks.
Bill
February 13th, 2010
9:37 am
Hadn’t had time to read all the blogs but ESPN reported last night that Damon is still not signed and Tigers have not offered 2 year deal. Said he could sign with Tigers, Braves are Rays.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
9:41 am
CB-Sounds good. I just limit myself to 1500 calories and make sure much of it is protein and fiber. I just lost another three pounds for a total of 63 so far – under 270 finally and down from 330. I’m walking about 3 miles daily now-occasionally more than that.
Most impressive aspect of all of this for me was a blood pressure reading of 112/56 with a pulse rate of 70. Not bad for someone still needing to lose a bit more than 75 pounds. Knocking my insulin intake from (originally) 60 units to 20 or less is pretty good, too.
No doubt you’ll make your goal. Just have to convince yourself that you can do it and not listen to anyone who tells you what you can’t do.
CB
February 13th, 2010
9:45 am
Lew,are you on blood pressure medicine? I am, and hoping to be able to get off medicine at my lowest weight.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
9:57 am
CB-The lowest dose there is of Lisinopril. They keep me on it to improve kidney function (diabetics tend to store creatine in their kidneys, leading to failure), though I don’t need it for BP. I do, however, hit the higher end of safety in kidney function, though it has gotten somewhat better. I drink a lot of water and wear out the rug on the way to the restroom.
Like Dennis Miller has said “If you’re in a hurry, never get behind an old man at a public restroom”.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:14 am
So, luge is scheduled to go on as scheduled today…anybody gonna watch?
McFann
February 13th, 2010
10:15 am
Soph McDad would be fine with it, right McFann?
Hmm…I dunno. Who you plannin’ on hanging?
Maybe McDad’s a big Tina Fey fan too, huh?
Haha! Not that I’m aware of…
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
10:18 am
Just saw on Twitter that Braves cancelled the “Play Day” at Gwinnett Stadium today because of the conditions.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
10:23 am
Gwinnett Braves sent this e-mail:
Unfortunately, due to weather concerns, the Gwinnett Braves have canceled today’s Caravan events. Our impending announcement, which was set to happen at 12 p.m., is also canceled. We will keep you updated on the announcement situation but, for now, it is rescheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, February 17th. Please contact myself for more information, any media requests regarding the G-Braves announcement which is now on Wed., Feb. 17, and with any other questions you may have. Thank you and have a nice, snowy weekend!
Lew
February 13th, 2010
10:26 am
Impending announcement? I thought announcements were pending and doom impending.
What announcement might that be? They moving the AAA team back to Richmond? Maybe further south might be good considering the weather.
jztwothree
February 13th, 2010
10:28 am
Good for Felipe Lopez firing Boras. Dude’s had better seasons than some of the other guys who’ve signed already. From the outside, seems like Boras spends a ton of time getting huge contracts for his biggest names, and not so much on the guys lower down the totem pole.
Felipe Lopez: middle infield option?
Lew
February 13th, 2010
10:32 am
jz-I don’t see the Braves adding another infielder unless as a utilility option. I’m thinking Lopez would have to be a starter with his numbers. Prado is much cheaper – even without Boras in the equation.
CB
February 13th, 2010
10:39 am
Buster Olney seems to believe there is no two year offer and Damon will accept a 1yr deal. Anybody who has ESPN insider please post.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
10:42 am
CB-I don’t think any of the pundits have a clue what’s going on. Had Damon received tis mythical two year deal – especially for the amounts speculated upon – his name would already have been on the dotted line two days ago.
CB
February 13th, 2010
10:46 am
Lew,I think of all the experts I would think Olney is most reliable. I don’t think he makes up stories,like a few do,ie Heyman.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:46 am
Wall, Cousins, Patterson, Bledsoe, all…Please get up early and dominate the UT game tonight so that I can swith over and watch the Olympics…
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
10:49 am
Lew-
It seems dubious. Didn’t the Yanks offer similar deal (2 @ 14 mil). If it was there, wouldn’t there be Union pressure to sign?
jztwothree
February 13th, 2010
10:50 am
Lew-
I agree with you, but Lopez has played all over the field (though mostly at 2b and 3b) and could be a super-utility type player. If the Braves want to add another versatile player, Lopez seems like a possibility. Just putting it out there, considering the guy hasn’t been linked to, well, anybody.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
10:50 am
CB-Met Olney at ST a couple years ago and I like the Dude. I am certain his sources are as bona fide as anyone’s. However, these Dudes, Buster included, seem to be wrong muh more than they are right. It’s their job to stir things up and to speculate. Buster’s may be less speculative than some, but it’s still a good bit of guesswork involved – especially when things are filtered through Boras, who I would believe about as far as I could pick him up and toss him down the third base line – about six inches.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
10:58 am
jz-Maybe so. I just re-checked his line and saw that he hasn’t played but 50 something and 68 games the past two years, so maybe a utility player is what he is at this point of his career.
Dude batted .320 last year and over .300 in 08 with pretty good OBP’s, but made $3.5 mil last year. If they could get him for $1 mil or thereabouts, I agree, might just be a really good pick up.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
11:00 am
jz-
Lopez had an OBP of .383 in 151 games last year, plays solid 2nd base. As much as I like it, what of Prado? Does he crowd an already crowded OF?
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
11:02 am
Lew-
Lopez had over 600 plate appearances in 2009 between Arizona and Milwaukee.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
11:05 am
Filled up Rupp Arena for GameDay. Pretty cool.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
11:12 am
Actually Lopez had 680 plate appearances in 2009 batted .310, 9HR, 57RBI, .810OPS, 187 hits, 6 for 6 in stolen bases. He also played 9 games in the OF in 2008. I agree with jtz, why has Boras been unable to find this guy a job? Is he trouble in the clubhouse?
Lew
February 13th, 2010
11:15 am
tf-I think I misread it as two seasons. Not feeling great this morning – all the congestion is breaking up and I’ve walked two miles while blogging. Not so sure I’m even in the right dimension.
That brings back my original contention that we don’t need a full time middle infielder. He’ll make some team happy though, IMO -especially with Boras out of the picture.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
11:21 am
DOB -
When I see NCAA tournament games with half-empty stadiums it kinda pi$$e$ me off. They should use, Rupp Arena, Freedom Hall, Allen Field House, the Carrier Dome, etc every year that and all those tourney games will be filled up.
Ozzie
February 13th, 2010
11:23 am
If Wren signs Dye I will be very disappointed. That will look like and will be an act of desperation & a waste of money.
Dye moves like a guy in two leg casts in the OF. He is a DH from top to bottom.
GA looks like a gazelle compared to Dye in the OF. We’re talking slow.
Even for 1mm I would say pass.
Hopefully Damon will come to his senses and take the ATL offer. DET is going to get b-slapped by the Yankees and Red Sox at a min. The Twins could also give them a good spanking.
For a million or two more than the Braves offer is it really worth it, especially on a 1yr deal.
I think Wren can and will go to 6mm. The Tigers are not going past 7mm and we don’t know if they even offered that.
Daybed Wagmoe
February 13th, 2010
11:23 am
CB — Here’s what Buster writes in his blog:
Heard this: While a two-year offer might be on the table to Johnny Damon, at least one team that might have extended an offer has no expectation that he would actually take a two-year offer; rather, part of the negotiation with that team is that he would take only that one year. Seriously, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen machinations at this height.
The current expectation among some executives involved in the negotiation is that Damon will eventually accept a one-year deal with the Tigers for something around $7 million, with some deferred money, and his camp will indicate he turned down a two-year deal.
The early talk of a three- or four-year deal for Damon raised expectations unrealistically, Jon Heyman wrote. Well, those expectations came from his agent, Scott Boras; what he indicated in this piece is what he told the Yankees, too.
Drew Sharp wonders if the Tigers are being played by Johnny Damon. Landing Damon would fill two needs for the Tigers, writes John Lowe. The Tigers are better with Damon, says Bob Wojnowski.
Daybed Wagmoe
February 13th, 2010
11:24 am
Ozzie — I think you can stop worrying about Dye now. DOB has stated several times that the Braves have flat-out said that they’re not interested in him.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
11:34 am
Daybed-
Maybe Damon wants a 1 year deal with a team that has a very good chance at the World Series. Too many impediments in the AL (Yankees, Red Sox, Angels), but only 1 in the NL (Phillies). Speculation – He signs with the Braves and leads them to the WS, showing the Yankees that they missed the boat in 2010. Then, under public pressure, Hank brings him back to NY for 2 seasons at 20 million.
Jay212033
February 13th, 2010
11:38 am
That’s a great summation of our A Ball pitcher by Mr. Sickels.
dwaynerice
February 13th, 2010
11:42 am
David O’Brien
By the way, you a Miami Heat fan? Though maybe that screen name was a combo of Glen Rice and Dwayne Wade.
Not really, just a combination of my first,middle, and last names…thanks for the info Dave on when Liberty can sell the Braves…I was just hopin’…it’d be sooner rather than later!! Always enjoy your blog and your insight, experience, sense of humor, and taste in film, BBQ, music, and women (not necessarily in that order). Finally saw “Crazy Heart” yesterday..loved it.
keylargo
February 13th, 2010
11:46 am
Here is a video of the Olympic Luger’s fatal crash. You can distinctly hear his helmet crashing into an I – Beam as he flew off the course.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/nodar-kumaritashvili-video-fatal-luge-crash-9823485
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
11:48 am
It seems dubious. Didn’t the Yanks offer similar deal (2 @ 14 mil). If it was there, wouldn’t there be Union pressure to sign? — thickfreakness
No, union would never get involved in that situation. Simply because at the time, whether NY made the offer or not, Boras and Damon thought they’d get a lot more. Why would the union have pressured him to sign a two-year, $14 mill deal a month or two ago when he made $13 mill last season and hoped to make same this year? Union wouldn’t do that.
When union (allegedly) applies pressure is in situations where player has two or more offers on table, one much larger than others, that kind of situation. They’d (allegedly) pressure player to take the larger one.
That Yankee offer hasn’t been on the table in quite some time.
And no, I’m not suggesting that Tigers two-year offer is legit. I don’t know if it is or not. Just saying that the union would not have applied pressure for Damon to take nearly a 50-percent paycut by accepting that Yankee offer some time ago.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
11:53 am
DOB-
Yeah – speaking out of my arse – your response makes perfect sense. Any thoughts on my speculative conjecture @ 11:34.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
11:54 am
Our outfield is going to look like an old timers game if Heyward doesnt come through. — No More Bobby
Huh?
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
11:55 am
Dave,
A credit union is not a bank. My bank was opened until 5:00, perhaps you should Live Solid. — rpmrob
Good for you, rpm. Glad your bank was opened.
csg
February 13th, 2010
11:59 am
there is no way that the Tigers have offered a $7mil deal for 1yr or two. Damon’s only offer is from the Braves for $4mil and Boras is just using the Tigers in order to try and drive up the price. If Damon had a realistic $7mil offer he wouldve taken it by now. I honestly wouldnt be surprised if the Braves had the only real offer to Damon. He hasnt signed last I checked and there still may be a 50/50 shot that he comes to ATL
CB
February 13th, 2010
12:01 pm
Daybed,appreciate it.
Couch Tater
February 13th, 2010
12:09 pm
“I love you Felipe, I want to be your Valentine”.♥
So, Felipe Lopez fires Boras and goes with Barry Bond’s agent.
Chris from the Rock
February 13th, 2010
12:10 pm
I think the offer from the Tigers is legit. I wonder if Damon is waiting for Wren to shed a couple mil in payroll (trade Cabrera) so he can match Tigers offer. I think it’s clear that all things being equal, Damon would rather be in Atlanta than Detroit.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:15 pm
Chris-
I tend to agree, but I think the Braves like Cabrera.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
12:17 pm
I would be so pumped if Wren traded Cabrera to get Damon on a one-year deal.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:21 pm
Steve-
Could happen, someone here said a source figured either Cabrera or Diaz would be impacted most by Damon signing.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
12:24 pm
thickfreakness–I really don’t think it would happen at all, and I think that Damon is most likely a Tiger in 2010, but if it did, I don’t see any way they trade Diaz in lieu of Cabrera.
Chris from the Rock
February 13th, 2010
12:27 pm
I’d to see Diaz go. The dude rakes lefties.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:28 pm
Steve-
Diaz – Righty that hits the crap out of lefties probably better than anyone in the NL and has done it for 2-3 years.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
12:30 pm
Yeah, that’s why I don’t see them trading Diaz instead of Melky. Even though, I get the feeling that (for whatever reason) the Braves do like Cabrera. I’m still trying to figure out why exactly that is, though, LOL!
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:37 pm
Steve-
He’s 25, switch hits, very solid defensively and at 3.1 mil is a very reasonable 4th on a contender. He did start 151 games in the OF for the World Champion.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
12:38 pm
The Braves are probably going to trade the player with the most value. It’s not like the Braves can go “well we like this guy better, so you can have the crappier one.” That’s like trading baseball cards with your naive little brother.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:39 pm
Steve-
Check that, he started 130 games but played in 151. Still, he started 130 times.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:41 pm
jeffrey d-
You’re right, maybe trade the player with the highest value but least impact to your overall team structure.
ChipperFan
February 13th, 2010
12:44 pm
Steve and Thick,
That’s my main reason for wanting Damon: that it probably means Melky is gone. I’d still give it a 50/50 chance at this point.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
12:45 pm
His highest OPS in his career is .751, his career OPS against LHP is .680, his defense is above average but not stellar (at least according to the info I have at hand), at least not good enough (IMO) to justify that bat playing 100+ games (like the Braves have in mind) from a corner. In addition, he is almost certainly a non-tender candidate next offseason due to his salary. Teams like Atlanta, in my opinion, cannot afford to pay very mediocre players 3MM to be a 4th OF unless, like Matt Diaz, they offer tangible benefits like abillity to hit baseballs, and, at least statistically, moderately above-average defense in left field.
I can see how Melky maybe fits out needs this year, being a decent defensive OF, but I certainly don’t see how he fits beyond 2010 at all.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:45 pm
redundent I know, but getting Damon helps them fill the one need (leadoff) while determining which OF pieces will work in 2011.
kenhotlanta
February 13th, 2010
12:45 pm
IMHO, the following groups and artists should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; some are way overdue:
Chicago
Heart
Moody Blues
Doobie Brothers
Journey
The Carpenters
John Denver
Emmylou Harris
John Prine
Connie Francis
I couldn’t listen to John Denver, The Carpenters, and most of Journey back in the day, but, either due to my advancing age or the state of music from the last 10-20 years, they sound pretty darn good today.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:48 pm
Chipper-
I could see it that way, same with your assessment Steve.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
12:48 pm
Best report I heard so far was just on XM Home Plate- “Another of Boras’ clients who hasn’t signed yet is Johnny Damon. The Tigers reportedly are interested.”
Tomas
February 13th, 2010
12:49 pm
Tom Glavine 1st ballot, Greg Maddux 1st Ballot, Jeff Kent 2nd ballot, Frank Thomas 3rd ballot. Randy Johnson 1st Ballot
Lew
February 13th, 2010
12:51 pm
Ken-Kiss hasn’t been elected yet either, have thy?
I’m not much of a Kiss fan, but they should damned well be in the Rock and Roll HOF. John Denver or the Carpenters? Not so much.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
12:53 pm
Tomas-I would imagine that Thomas gets in before Kent – especially with FT now claiming he did it all without roids – though neither will be inducted quickly, IMO. I’m betting more than three years for both. The rest are first ballot players.
VaBraveFan
February 13th, 2010
12:53 pm
I think the Braves should stay firm with the offer. If they do up the money it should be no more than 1 million and it should be deffered over the next couple seasons.
Felipe Lopez who has put up some good numbers alot of teams still dont see him as a everyday player. I much rather have him over Joe Thurtson lol. But we already have Infante on the bench and Prado deserves to be the starter at 2nd. But if Lopez could be had for 1-2 mil go for it. We’ll have more depth if Prado’s performance drops off we plug Lopez in. But with so many quality players AB’s will be hard to come by. And with youngsters Heyward and Schafer being in the mix sometime this season we look stocked on decent to good players.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
12:55 pm
As I see it now, I think we’re looking at McLouth-Heyward, and a Diaz/Melky platoon in left, which isn’t as bad as Melky starting every day, but still, he’ll be playing most days as more pitchers are RH than LH, and his career OPS against RHP is still just .730, which is simply not acceptable for a corner OF. Add in the fact that Heyward, the next Dave Winfield or not, would be a 20-year old rookie, I think there is really no question that Damon on a one-year deal improves this club and certainly takes some pressure off of Heyward to perform. Add in the fact that Melky has played most of his career in hitter-friendly Yankee stadium, I don’t think it’s a stretch to think he could be worse in Atlanta.
That said, absolutely no chance I’d do two years for Johnny.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
12:55 pm
VaBravesFan-I’m betting Lopez wouldn’t accept a platoon offer anyway – specially at that small an amount.
VaBraveFan
February 13th, 2010
12:59 pm
I see Melky as a good defender with a plus arm. plays all OF spots well. Athletic with good speed (tho not a base stealer) 25 years old plenty of time for improvement with the Bat. But yes 3+ million is a bit much. I think the Braves should give Melky some AB’s batting 1st or 2nd. Over his career his sample size numbers at the top of the order look pretty good to give him some AB’s.
Daybed Wagmoe
February 13th, 2010
1:00 pm
Tomas — I may be overshooting, but I say Frank Thomas is a first-ballot HOFer. 500+ HR, an ridiculous OBP of .419, batting average of .301, 2-time MVP, played most of his career in a big-market city — I say he’s a shoe-in in 5 years.
VaBraveFan
February 13th, 2010
1:02 pm
Lew
I was responding to someones comment about Lopez. Not to many 2B jobs left, and I was surprised the Nats went with Adam Kennedy over Lopez. He got paid 3.5 mil last year and put good numbers up yet he has no job, And there isnt too many teams interested in him. He’ll prolly settle for a platoon/utility role.
ken
February 13th, 2010
1:04 pm
1. cf nate
2. 2b. prado
3. 3b. chipper
4. c macann
5. 1b. glaus
6. rf. heyward
7. ss. escabar
8. lf schafer
bench:
diaz
cabrera
hinske
infante
ross
thurston
starters
1. lowe
2. hudson
3. j.j.
4. hanson
5. kk
bullpen
1 wagner
2 saito
3medlin
4moylan
5 chavez / dunn/ kimbrew
6 oflanterry
pretty good alot better than last year
kenhotlanta
February 13th, 2010
1:04 pm
Lew, you are right. Forgot Kiss, they should be in, also would add Ted Nugent just for “Stranglehold” alone, and maybe Foghat…if you ever saw them, you would know why.
Andy K.
February 13th, 2010
1:06 pm
If you all are applying Yankee Stadium logic to Damon, then shouldn’t you apply it to Cabrera too? Seriously, If Cabrera had to go in order to get Damon, I wouldn’t be too broken up about it. Trade him off to a team where he’ll be a mainstay in the outfield for a prospect or whatnot and slap another 2-3 million on the most recent offer to Damon. It’s not like we don’t have flexibility, as a trade of Cabrera still leaves us with Diaz, McLouth, (Maybe Damon), Heyward, Schafer, Blanco, etc.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
1:08 pm
Melky’s career UZR/150 in center is negative, but he does profile as + in the corners, at least according to UZR. However, this does not justify placing a career .716 OPS player in one of your corner OF spots on any consistent basis. Now, of course, that doesn’t mean much without a solid scouting report, but I don’t watch many Yankees games at all, so I cannot comment on his defense from a scouting standpoint, because I just haven’t seen him play enough to put in an assessment either way. Yes, he could improve, as players typically peak around 28-29, but keep in mind that he’s moving away from a very good hitter’s park into a much more even offensive environment.
Melky’s career split leading off is pretty decent, but it represents about 10% of his total career PA. Certainly too small of a sample size to say he’d suddenly become a useful offensive player from the leadoff spot. His splits batting second are putrid, small sample size or not. Sorry, I just don’t see much use for batting order splits, as the sample sizes are usually much too small to draw a valid conclusion from, and if a player stinks, chances are he’s going to stink no matter where he hits. You don’t turn a pickle into a cucumber by batting it leadoff, you know.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
1:09 pm
VaBrave-
What I find most intriguing about Lopez is his representation’s inability to get him a contract. The players that suffer the most are of his caliber. The Union is kind of a sham because they encourage overrepresentation of the superstars to drive up salaries. In the present economic climate were inflation is sure to follow, deferred money will be worth much less next year. I have a feeling that this plays a big role with the Damon negotiations as most suitors wish to defer his contract. As much as people praise Boras for obtaining huge contracts, there are some clients who suffer. There is no question that this is an ethics issue that the Union will not address because he can drive up the salary structure with the few superstars he represents. Not bashing Boras as he has manipulated the current CBA to the extreme advantage for a select few Superstars.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
1:09 pm
ken-Not only saw Foghat, but saw them twice. The second time was at a small club in Tampa, twenty years after I originally saw them (The Energized tour in Atlanta) and got to meet Lonesome Dave – about a year before he died of cancer in Orlando. They rocked – both times. – though they were better in the 70’s because Rod Price was still with them.
Most people don’t realize, but they were an offshoot of The Savoy Brown Blues Band.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
1:10 pm
It’s been nice chatting with y’all, but I’m behind as it is, so I gotta run.
Josh from Columbus
February 13th, 2010
1:11 pm
Say what one will about the Black Eyed Peas, but I Gotta Feeling is a great workout song DOB. Ya might enjoy that one while on the treadmill.
Andy K.
February 13th, 2010
1:14 pm
DOB, is Chipper going to make his usual trip to the Daytona 500 tomorrow? Falls earlier than Spring Training this year…
Josh
February 13th, 2010
1:14 pm
DOB, have you heard anything about Garret Anderson signing with anybody?
kenhotlanta
February 13th, 2010
1:20 pm
Lew, you are right on about Lonesome Dave and Foghat. I saw Savoy Brown in a small club in Decatur about a year ago. Kim Simmonds is amazing, too…they played over 3 hours for maybe 100 people and played everything you would want to hear and then hung around talking to anyone who stayed. I asked him about the ‘74 Boogie Brothers tour with Deep Purple at the Omni when they blew Purple off the stage…he said he still hears those comments from all over the country.
Steve McP
February 13th, 2010
1:21 pm
Some other missing from the R&R HOF – Deep Purple, Status Quo and the Bee Gees
kenhotlanta
February 13th, 2010
1:25 pm
Steve McP…the Bee Gees were elected in 1997, but certainly agree on Deep Purple, they should have been a lock.
VaBraveFan
February 13th, 2010
1:25 pm
Steve From OH
I was just saying the Braves should give him some AB’s at the top. See how he does, like we did with Diaz. Melky could get comfortable and find his nic at the big league level as a decent lead off guy.
Josh
About Loaf
Last i head the Dodgers were interested but then they signed Reed Johnson so that changed. I think he’s looking at a minor league contract with spring invite. A deal around 1 mil. Most likely to a AL team. Would the Angels be interested in bringing back there former star?? Its not like Loaf is a terrible player, he can still hit for good average and he brings a experienced winning pedigree to a team. Most likely 4th OF/ Part time DH/ pinch hitter role. Or retirement.
Daybed Wagmoe
February 13th, 2010
1:34 pm
Anyone else think that this past Thursday’s episode of “The Office” was hilarious? I loved it. Had to go back and watch it again.
Josh
February 13th, 2010
1:36 pm
thanks VABravefan, I just curious about Anderson because i got to meet him last year and he was one of the nicest guys i’ve ever met.
Salamander
February 13th, 2010
1:38 pm
I couldn’t listen to John Denver, The Carpenters, and most of Journey back in the day, but, either due to my advancing age or the state of music from the last 10-20 years, they sound pretty darn good today.
A lot of good music is still being produced – you just gotta know where to look to find musicians that interest you (hint, internet). I really don’t think music from the 90’s or 00’s is that much worse than stuff from the 80’s or earlier. Hell, a good portion of the new stuff being released these days sounds like unearthed 80’s B-sides.
Steve McP
February 13th, 2010
1:39 pm
You’re right about the Bee Gees, I’m and idiot and couldn’t read an alphabetical list. So, instead of the Bee Gees, how about The Jam or The Stranglers?
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
1:39 pm
Dayed – Really?? Shoot…I missed it.
I’m still getting caught up, anyway (about to finish season 4). I remember when I first saw a new one while I was still in season 2.
Who’s that guy? (It was Andy)
He’s gay??
Jim and Pam are together AND expecting?!?!
Kind of took away a little bit of the drama of the whole Jim/Pam/Roy/Karen for me.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
1:41 pm
Daybed**
Tomas
February 13th, 2010
1:42 pm
Daybed, Lew, al those guys are deserving first ballot. But in 2014 it doesn’t get easy for all of them to get in in the first ballot. Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Jeff Kent, and Frank Thomas. They need at least 75 % votes, so it’s gonna be tough for all of them to get in. Tommy, and Maddux are locks to the hall, but the other two I don’t know if there gonna get enough votes. Kent is a second baseman and one of the best hitting 2B in history, so he has that going for him. Frank Thomas was a monster, but he was also a DH. And in 2015, Randy get eligibility and he is also a lock for the hall.
Macon Braves (RIP)
February 13th, 2010
1:44 pm
ken—Your bench makes no sense. You’re gonna carry five outfielders on the roster and only have one guy on the bench that can play middle infield? Not a good roster setup. The Braves aren’t gonna carry five outfielders and the last bench spot will be another utility guy who can play SS and 2B.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
1:47 pm
Do other sports conduct HoF voting like baseball? Where they conduct ballots for fifteen years, even though a player’s stats aren’t going to change.
Ugh…it still makes me mad how it’s run. That even though Greg Maddux was one of the greatest pitchers of his era and the history of baseball, some guys aren’t going to vote for him.
Stumpknocker
February 13th, 2010
1:47 pm
Scott Boras, as usual, plays the Braves like a cheap fiddle. Probably the only reason for talking to us was to leverage a better deal with the Tigers,
Chris from the Rock
February 13th, 2010
1:54 pm
I wouldn’t be shocked if the Nats signed Loaf. They’re like an old lady at your yard sale, buying up stuff you were just gonna’ through out anyway.
Jurrjens4NLCY
February 13th, 2010
1:54 pm
kenhotlanta,
What about Rush and Bon Jovi?
Eric from MO
February 13th, 2010
1:57 pm
Tomas if Kent gets in it will take awhile. I personnally wouldnt include him. While he was good by 2nd base standards his numbers really dont jump out at you. Ryne Sandberg is one of the best 2B ever and it took him 6-7 tries to finally make it.
Maddux will easily make it first time and Glavine probably will too. The Big Hurt I dont know. Before the steroids era his numbers would of put him 1st ballot easily. Now his numbers dont look as impressive, however they should since it appears he never took steroids. My guess it takes him two times to get in, just because of Glavine and Maddux.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
1:58 pm
Macon-
He has Thurston and Infante on the bench, 2 middle infielders. He has decided to caryy 11 pitchers instead of 12. This was the issue last year when Cox carried 12 but rarely used the 12th pitcher. If the bullpen workload is lessened by your starters going a minimum of 6 and most often 7 innings, this is not a bad situation. However, Cox has always been comfortable with 12 pitchers as most ML Managers are.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
2:00 pm
From Yahoo! Sports
k.d. Lang’s rendition of “Halleluiah” went by without a mention of Kumaritashvili — seemingly a perfect spot for it
Yes, that’s a PERFECT spot to mention this tragedy. During a song about adultery, betrayal, and love that’s grown cold.
I think a lot of people misinterpret this song because of its tone and the repeated use of “hallelujah.” I think Justin Timberlake sang it in tribute to the people of Haiti last week.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
2:04 pm
Time for some Olympic games…
Soph
February 13th, 2010
2:04 pm
Lil Wayne was in the new We Are the World? Really?
VaBraveFan
February 13th, 2010
2:06 pm
Chris from the Rock
Lol yeah thats true. But they have been doing better. If Loafs defense was atleast average the Braves would prolly have resigned him. Went with outfield of McLouth, Diaz, Melky, Loaf until Heyward/Schafer is up. I actaully like Loaf as a player more than most on here.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
2:07 pm
Soph – Yes, and he wasn’t too bad (when I saw him step up to the mic I was like “ooooh boy…”
But how did that Justin Beiber kid get to sing first?? Really?
TnBrian
February 13th, 2010
2:09 pm
I know DOB has said they aren’t interested in Dye, but I have a feeling if he comes cheap they’ll think long and hard about bringing him in. Of course they’d rather have Damon and there’s gotta be a small chance he still comes to Atl, but if not I just wonder if they shock people and sign Dye.
Soph
February 13th, 2010
2:09 pm
Yeah, he was actually okay. I was surprised about Justin Bieber singing first too. I missed his part though – was he good?
I liked it overall though. Not bad.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
2:14 pm
I liked it overall though. Not bad.
I didn’t care for it much.
I guess Bieber was okay. I understand that they were trying to include people from today’s culture, but I don’t know how you can have the video start off with him. But I don’t see how you can go from a legendary song featuring Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and tell me that there’s nobody better to kick off the new version than Justin Bieber.
lexbrave
February 13th, 2010
2:17 pm
Rupp Arena is so loud today for gameday that the record 24,000 crowd registered off the decibel meter Erin Andrews was holding. It only went to 125 which is louder than the engine of a jet plane. (140 causes loss of hearing)
Soph
February 13th, 2010
2:18 pm
I remember after 9/11 they got all the artists together and re-made Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”. I think it was something that they were already working on but they went ahead and released what they had after the attacks happened.
I read somewhere that for the new We Are the World, Lionel Richie didn’t use anyone that sang in it last time.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
2:19 pm
America doesn’t even have official representation for ski jumping at the Olympics? The Americans that are there did this all on their own dime? Now that is a true Olympian.
northbeach Scott
February 13th, 2010
2:22 pm
Why the facination with Dye? He is a worn out, DH-type. This obsession with him, just because he came up with the Braves, even though it has been 13 years. Try some objectivity.
kenhotlanta
February 13th, 2010
2:24 pm
Jurrjens4NLCY, Good choices.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
2:24 pm
I read somewhere that for the new We Are the World, Lionel Richie didn’t use anyone that sang in it last time.
Yeah, he said something about this being a different generation. And then 80 year old Tony Bennett has a couple solos in it.
Macon Braves (RIP)
February 13th, 2010
2:25 pm
thick–You’re right, my mistake, I misread and didn’t notice Thurston.
Jurrjens4NLCY
February 13th, 2010
2:29 pm
Barbra Streisand sang, “It’s true we’ll make a better day, just jew and me.”
That made me laugh.
Also, Harry Conick Jr. is the definition of talent.
Jurrjens4NLCY
February 13th, 2010
2:30 pm
I read somewhere that for the new We Are the World, Lionel Richie didn’t use anyone that sang in it last time.
Expect Michael Jackson.
ken
February 13th, 2010
2:31 pm
mac – he only uses 3 pitchers ne way n if hayward n schafer win jobs he has no choice but 2 carry 5 outfileder
raindawg722
February 13th, 2010
2:32 pm
glord1, thanks for the answer. You scored some credibility points with me. (Not that you need that validation but all the same I appreciate it.)
Macon Braves (RIP)
February 13th, 2010
2:38 pm
ken—I don’t always agree with the way Bobby handles the bullpen either, but saying he only uses 3 pitchers is a bit of an exaggeration wouldn’t you say? And if Heyward and Schafer win jobs in the spring (which I highly doubt is going to happen, but you never know), either Diaz or Cabrera will get traded.
Daybed Wagmoe
February 13th, 2010
2:39 pm
Tomas — Good point. I’m not sure how likely it would be for them to vote 4 first-ballot players in one year.
Also, you’re that Frank Thomas was a DH, but he also played 1B a lot. 51.8% of his plate appearances came as DH. I know that makes DH his primary position, but it’s worth noting that he spent substantial time at 1B, for what it’s worth.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
2:39 pm
Did Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg get invited to ST?
Heath
February 13th, 2010
2:41 pm
The moguls looks like the least interesting sport…my knees would not be able to handle all those damn bumps. No way.
Couch Tater
February 13th, 2010
2:44 pm
Bay Area Steve – Looks like a fine day to be following John Daly. I hope you are there.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
February 13th, 2010
2:44 pm
TnBrian (re: Dye)
Be fine by me. I’ve wishing that for a long time.
Macon Braves (RIP)
February 13th, 2010
2:44 pm
I will admit that in late inning, close situations, Bobby usually only has two or three guys he trusts and will ride those guys until their arms fall off. But saying he ONLY uses 3 guys is exaggerating a bit. I think we’ll see Medlin a good bit in the 6th or 7th innings this year and O’Flaherty will get a good bit of work too. Not going to get into a debate about carrying 11 or 12 pitchers, I think there are good arguments both ways. If I was the manager, I would prefer the extra arm in the bullpen personally, but like I said before, I don’t always agree with Bobby’s handling of the bullpen.
For the record though, I think Bobby Cox is one of the best managers in history and am still a huge fan of him regardless of when or how often I might disagree with him. He gets paid to do the job (and does it very well in my opinion) and I don’t.
Jurrjens4NLCY
February 13th, 2010
2:46 pm
Macon Braves,
Some teams carry 14 pitchers.
I prefer 12.
jztwothree
February 13th, 2010
2:48 pm
Gah! What’s a Justin Bieber!?
/old
VaBraveFan
February 13th, 2010
2:48 pm
I like a 7 man bullpen and 5 man bench
unbelievable
February 13th, 2010
2:48 pm
Daybed Wagmoe
February 13th, 2010
1:34 pm
Anyone else think that this past Thursday’s episode of “The Office” was hilarious? I loved it. Had to go back and watch it again.
yep, its good to see Jim back out in sales with Dwight
ken
February 13th, 2010
2:53 pm
yea i was exaggerating but hey basiclly uses his 3 favs good pitchers or not until they need arm surgery lmao but i dont c us trading an outfielder right away because we dont wanna end up like we did last yr … but i can c us carrying 12 pitchers dont know who those last spots will go 2 … because some off the radar pitcher will make the team u can book it
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
2:53 pm
Gah! What’s a Justin Bieber!?
A 12 year old that can carry a tune. But because he’s a pretty boy and has mastered that Jonas Brothers”I don’t need to smile when I’m looking at the camera” doofus look, the girls love him and think he’s the greatest and most talented musician ever.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickkimchongkimerald/3447580616/
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
3:10 pm
ken-
I’m with you on the 11 pitchers if the starting 5 consistently gives an average of 7 innings per game (avg. sometimes 6 smoetimes
and I really think this group is capable. But carrying 11 does go against the norm of at least 12. 12 for most teams without the SP strength of the Braves.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 13th, 2010
3:11 pm
This:
Pitchers and catchers report next week, but Johnny Damon still doesn’t have a home for the 2010 season. ESPN’s Buster Olney hears that “at least one team which might have extended an offer has no expectation that [Damon] would actually take a two-year offer; rather, part of the negotiation with that team is that he would take only that one year.”
Olney says that executives involved in the negotiations expect Damon to eventually accept a one-year deal worth $7MM with some deferred money, so his people can say he turned down a two-year deal. Meanwhile, Drew Sharp of The Detroit Free Press wonders if Scott Boras is just using the Tigers to create a market for Damon when one doesn’t exist.
If Damon has in fact received a two-year offer worth $14MM from the Tigers, I can’t see how he could turn that down at this point.
Leads me to believe it Atlanta he working with…and negotiating
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
3:12 pm
Have no idea how that face got there. Meant to be 8 and a “)”. Always wondered how you guys did that.
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
3:13 pm
OH NOOOOOOO….. I heard this morning that braves might well go to dye as a fallback plane if they can’t sign damon. I’m almost shocked.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 13th, 2010
3:15 pm
I have no problem with bringing Dye back here…Crappy second half…but dude’s still got power…and defensively…well…we’re talking about Damon and Dye in a position that was manned by G. Anderson last year.
So obviously we’re OKAY with not having a Gold Glover in LF.
dogsbrekky
February 13th, 2010
3:18 pm
Anyone seen the movie “The White Ribbon” or Mel Gibson’s new flick
any recommendations there on either 1
Heath
February 13th, 2010
3:19 pm
If Damon is gonna be raked over the coals for his defense…what kind of treatment should Dye get?
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
3:22 pm
dye could very well end up being a steal for some team, but his second half numbers were scary….the bad kind of scary.
We know he’s probably not going for anything less than the 3 mill he turned down from the cubs. Even say 3.5 to 4 mill isn’t bad at all for a guy who’ll hit you 20 plus homers, but that defense is worse than garret’s.
I just don’t know about this dye.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
3:24 pm
Gotta say…I live Al Michaels and Bob Costas as announcers in general…but especially for the Olympics. Great demeanors, great voices, great presence….
Heath
February 13th, 2010
3:25 pm
typo… sorry. *I love Al….*
keylargo
February 13th, 2010
3:29 pm
Gigantic wreck in Daytona. ESPN2
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
3:30 pm
bob costas is wonderful.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
3:31 pm
I have no problem with bringing Dye back here… —
AtTheMikeNova Scotia SteveWell, the Braves do. Or at least they said they did a few days ago.
As I reported here a few days ago: I was told in the past week that the Braves were waiting to see how low the price might go on a free agent or two, but that Dye was not one of them. I asked specifically about him.
He’s the one I asked about because his name had come up here so frequently during the offseason. And I was told by someone — someone who would absolutely know — that the Braves have no interest in him, that they don’t think he can play outfield defense, and that in the second half of last season it also looked like he had little left offensively.
Yet someone comes on the blog and says he “heard this morning” (I don’t even know if he bothered to cite a media outlet) that “unnamed sources” said the Braves were interested in Dye as a fallback.
Well, unless the Braves have done a 180 on Dye in a span of three days and their scouts suddenly told them that on second thought, he can play serviceable defense and he might still be able to hit after all, unless that happened — and there’s no reason to think that it would have — then all I can say is the “unnamed sources” don’t know what they’re talking about.
Anthony
February 13th, 2010
3:34 pm
Hey DOB,
I’m heading to the braves spring training games in mid march when they host florida and then travel to jupiter to play the marlins and cardinals. Any advice as to what I can do at the braves complex before the gates open to the big league park and what I can do in jupiter to see as much braves action as I can? I appreciate your input.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
3:37 pm
Anthony, if Lew or others who’ve attended a lot of spring training games aren’t tired of answering questions about when to arrive and all that, maybe we can get him to provide the same info he’s given so many times to that question. Lew, how ’bout it? (Hopefully, Lew, you’ve saved that block of copy and can just cut-and-paste it here.)
I only suggest this because he and others know far better than I about when to get there and the ins and outs of getting autographs and such, since they’ve done it and I haven’t. I show up long before the gates open, show my press pass and get to work. So I’m not real sure on how to go about it from the fan’s perspective.
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
3:37 pm
ESPN radio had a call in early this morning about some left over FA and jerry crasnik(I believe) mentioned the braves are one of a few teams interested.in dye if the price is right.He could’ve been going by what he heard some time ago and atlanta’s position has changed. I don’t know.
unbelievable
February 13th, 2010
3:41 pm
Braves were thought to have some interest in trying Dye as a 1B at the beginning of the offseason and thats it, pay attention to what DOB is saying folks
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
3:42 pm
o’brien– I didn’t say I had no problem with bringing dye back here, I’m just not sure about him.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
3:44 pm
AtTheMike: My bad. I just noticed that it was Nova Scotia Steve who said that. Sorry about that.
NCBravesFan
February 13th, 2010
3:45 pm
rpmrob @ 8:14 am – Yes, a credit union is not a bank. And for that I am quite thankful.
Enjoy “Living Solid.” :rolleyes:
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
3:49 pm
o’brien– no problem.
You do an awesome job around here. Best team blog in sports… at least the best I’ve ever seen.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 13th, 2010
3:51 pm
Yeah I remember you stating that a while back DOB….I was just responding to an earlier comment.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
3:52 pm
Did Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg get invited to ST? — jeffrey d
No, he did not.
Here’s a note I wrote a couple days ago on the complete list:
Outfield phenom Jason Heyward and left-hander Mike Minor are among 18 non-roster players invited to major league spring training. Minor was the Braves’ 2009 first-round draft selection, and Heyward has been rated the No. 1 prospect in baseball.
First baseman Freddie Freeman, potential future closer Craig Kimbrel and power-hitting outfielder Cody Johnson are other highly-rated prospects on the list, which also includes right-hander Eric Cordier, shortstop Brandon Hicks, outfielder Matt Young, and catchers Jesus Sucre and Braeden Schlehuber.
The Braves previously announced the other invitees, including right-hander Scott Proctor, a former Yankees setup man recovering from elbow surgery and expected to be ready by May. The others: right-hander Chris Resop, left-hander Mariano Gomez, infielder Joe Thurston, outfielders Brent Clevlen and Mitch Jones, and catchers Orlando Mercado and J.C. Boscan.
Braves pitchers and catchers are to report to spring training on Feb. 19, other position players on Feb. 22. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 23.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 13th, 2010
3:52 pm
Braves were thought to have some interest in trying Dye as a 1B at the beginning of the offseason and thats it, pay attention to what DOB is saying folks –
I was just RESPONDING to an earlier post…calm down
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
3:53 pm
Best team blog in sports… at least the best I’ve ever seen.
Absolutely. I’ve seen no other blog that compares to this one, with the quality of reader posts and the dedication of the beat writer in keeping us all informed and keeping the place interesting to boot. I go and read Red Wings blogs or Steelers blogs and none of them can even hold a candle to this place.
Johnny Damon for real?
February 13th, 2010
3:54 pm
I hope the braves sign Johnny Damon who is old, can’t run, plays no defense,and give him more money than some of the local banks which are going under. Signing Johnny Damon will provide the Braves with their reigning title of Losersville for one more year The perfect ending for Bobby Cox to go out the same way he came in a loser!!!
dogsbrekky
February 13th, 2010
3:59 pm
Dobi – my Steve Earle is missing in the USPS….. dohhh but I did get my SI Swimmy issue
Heath – I am cooking up some beef rendang and chicken cumin/sate….
Dogsbrekky style… pure Indonesian delight…. bagus bagus
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
3:59 pm
Johnny Damon for real?— thanks for the insightful and uplifting post. I bet you’re the family member that brightens up everybody when you’re around.
unbelievable
February 13th, 2010
4:05 pm
Nova Scotia Steve, wasnt even talking to you so calm yourself down
dogsbrekky
February 13th, 2010
4:15 pm
AttheMike – was listening to NY ESPN radio this morning while I looked for a parking spot in this snow and they were bashing into Damon, saying he was over the hill yada yada…
then they got a caller reminding them of his huge AB in that WS game before Hideki hit the big homer, his 106 runs per yr average in mlb (making him a top 20 all time run scorer), his 854 OPS (09) and 836 OPS (08) and etc etc..
but last year his performances were excellent offensively, plus the intangibles he adds as to the club-house, WINNING mentality…mentoring young guys like the Milkman, Heyward, Schafer etc
I would like to have him for 1 year
Josh
February 13th, 2010
4:17 pm
so whats the latest on Damon..did he seriously turn down a 2 year deal from Detroit?
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
4:20 pm
Thankfully no WBC this year. Because if we’d have started spring training as early as last year (which they did to accomodate WBC), we’d have been down there on a 40-degree morning today. Hopefully it’ll warm up nicely before P&C’s report on Friday.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
4:21 pm
“It’s not a stripper pole, it’s an exercise pole.”
That IS the greatest pro stripper pole argument ever….lol.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
4:22 pm
Just looked at Orlando forecast and it calls for highs of 50s this week, then jumping to 66 on Friday and 70 on Saturday. Like the distance between the bases, the timing of spring training seems pretty close to perfect most of the time.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
4:54 pm
dogs @ 4:15-
No Doubt.
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
4:58 pm
This thang broken?
dogsbrekky
February 13th, 2010
5:22 pm
broken dow…….n….nnn…..nn………
Fred
February 13th, 2010
5:26 pm
DOB, This may seem trivial, but when are you heading down to Orlando? Are you going to be able to get your bike down there this year? I’m really looking forward to your updates from Florida.
Anthony
February 13th, 2010
5:28 pm
Thanks DOB for your comment earlier about spring training. I’ve been to several braves games at dark star over the years but didn’t know if you had any advice. But since you’re there doing a job and there from a fans perspective, it would be a bit different. Thanks though.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
5:30 pm
Fred, I’m headed to the Orlandisnopolis on Thursday. And unfortunately, for the first time in several years, I won’t be able to take the bike. Because unlike in recent years when we’ve rented a house (with a garage), this year we got a two-bedroom apartment, much closer to the ballpark but in a high-rise building. Thus, no secure parking for the bike. Not gonna leave the bike in some basement parking lot five or 10 or 15 floors away from me, where anyone with a truck and the know-how could just scoop it up overnight.
That’s gonna hurt on some 80-degree sunny day when Braves are playing in Lakeland and I can’t ride over and back. But, sacrifices. (I know, play the world’s smallest violin for me.)
unbelievable
February 13th, 2010
5:33 pm
put in the apartment
CB
February 13th, 2010
5:34 pm
DOB,you can ride the top of our RV and pretend you are on your bike!
Chopdawg
February 13th, 2010
5:35 pm
Anthony, I wasn’t at ST last year…but in the past, you could buy a ticket to the big-league ST game, and that ticket would get you into the Wide World of Sports complex so you could go to the back fields & watch the minor-leaguers practice & play. By the last few days of ST you can usually figure out which minor league players are going where: one field has the probable Rome players, one field the Myrtle Beach players, etc
That makes for a great day of baseball, especially if the big Braves game is a night game.
Like I said, wasn’t down there last yr but unless things have changed that’s the way it works.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
5:37 pm
DOB-No, always ready to answer whatever questions I can about ST. Don’t know a lot about the Exhibition games as I rarely go for the games – usually gone by then. However….
I believe the Braves MLB website posts hints, times, etc. sometime prior to the games (which ordinarily start in early March). I do know you can get in prior to game time and see some of the pre game warm ups, but don’t know if they open early enough for all.
In February, before the games actually begin, the players are looser, more willing to sign autographs and to answer questions. During these workouts you can see everything that goes on on the field – BP, pitchers throwing BP, fielding and running drills and everyone shagging fly balls or fielding grounders. There are separate fields (in the back) for pitchers and later when the exhibitions start, minor league action on the back fields.
There’s a grass berm in the outfield where your kids can try to run one another over catching balls hit over the fence (Javy Lopez always provided a few souvenirs) – also seating there during ex. games if you want to take a blanket out there – and batting cages, where players almost always sign autographs at a short fence.
I believe that the workouts are open to the public starting around 9 in the morning and usually last until Noon – sometimes closer to one. I didn’t attend last year, but there was a $12 charge to get into the Wide World of Sports complex for adults, a bit cheaper for the kiddies. You can always go earlier and wait by the entrance to the players parking lot – some players will sign then, too.
Hope this helps.
ken – Never heard of the Boogie Boys show and I was in Macon at the time. IF Foghat truly blew Deep Purple out, they must have done it while Tommy Bolin and not Ritchie Blackmore was with DP (though at this time Ritchie WAS pretty disgruntled and having epic battles with Ian Gillan – there’s a great video somwhere on You Tube of Blackmore refusing to play a solo and then throwing a glass of some liquid in Gillan’s face. This was the last time they played together for ten years).
I’ve seen DP three times with three different guitarists (saw Steve Morse with them, too). They been around since 1968 and should damned well be in the R&R HOF for Machine Head if no other of their numerous albums.
NEW CARS
February 13th, 2010
5:40 pm
DOB,
On that nice sunny day you’re dreaming about, just rent one and write it off as an ancilliary expense…just saying
The Grinch
February 13th, 2010
5:46 pm
Anyone here remember “Hear ‘n’ Aid?” It was the 80’s metal version of Live Aid. The comedy value of seeing all this dudes dressed like they are (and the HAIR) is worth a watch, as is the fact that the middle five minutes of the song is almost every great metal guitarist of the time engaging in back and forth solo wankery. It’s the perfect combination of epic cheese and technical proficiency.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7eqxg92YG0
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
5:48 pm
unbelievable … that is, your suggestion at 5:33 p.m. I don’t think anybody would mind if I took a 600-plus pound Harley through the lobby and into the elevator, then up to the apartment. No problem. The folks who own the apartment and rent it out, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind that.
Of course, the Triumph is only about 500 pounds, so I could easily do it with that one. (Eyes rolling.)
Actually, Frank Wren had a suggestion a week or so ago that made some sense — I could rent a storage unit for the month, just for the mike. But to find one in the immediate vicinity, where I could drive my car and park it there every time I wanted to ride the bike, and just making all the arrangements on short notice … well, I didn’t think it was worth it. The distance to the park from the apartment would be so short, the only rides worth taking would be to out-of-town games or at night after finishing work.
The Grinch
February 13th, 2010
5:51 pm
Deep Purple not being in the RR HOF cheapens the Hall. That would be like if the baseball Hall didn’t have Charlie Hustle. Hmmmm……gotta wonder how Purple must’ve cheated the industry, huh? Richie Blackmore must have used performance enhancing pickups on his guitar.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
5:54 pm
NEW CARS, I might rent one and ride over to Bike Week one day if I have a chance. But I won’t be writing it off as any “ancillary expense,” I can assure you. These days, expense reports are tight and scrutinized rather closely, in my industry and most every other industry I know of.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
5:55 pm
Anthony: See, I told you that some of the denizens would know exactly the info you were looking for. Ask, and you get answers here. If not from me, then from a bunch of others.
Thanks, fellas.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
5:56 pm
Grinch–haha yeah, I’ve seen that. There’s also a video of the guitar players doing their cuts.
I really wish those guys would’ve written better songs–because they’re all outstanding musicians.
Rob from SC
February 13th, 2010
5:56 pm
DOB
With Maddux, Glavine (should be locks), Frank Thomas and Jeff Kent, is there a limit to how many players can be elected during one HOF year?
I would not vote in Kent. I am unsure about Thomas. He was great but only great for about 5 years.
Fred
February 13th, 2010
5:56 pm
DOB, Thanks for the repsonse and it sucks that you have to leave your bike here in Atlanta. But it sounds like you should have a good time in Florida, despite the hard work and long hours. I guess the rest of us stuck at work can enjoy spring training vicariously through you.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
5:57 pm
BTW–did you like Dio when he was with Sabbath? They made some pretty good records together, IMO.
StingerSplash
February 13th, 2010
5:57 pm
Looking at the Olympic Medal Tracker on the front page of ajc.com/sports … maybe Mr. Mellencamp’s song should have been “R-O-C-K in the ROK”, because someone gave the U.S. South Korea’s flag.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
5:58 pm
Grinch-The HOF must have figure that Purple’s busts portrayed on a Mt. Rushmore type mountain top on the In Rock cover was enshrinement enough.
Now THAT (DP In Rock) was a brutal Hard Rock album. Nothing but unabashed hell raising.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
6:01 pm
Steve – Have you heard the newest Black Sabbath and Dio CD from 09 Heaven and Hell: The Devil You Know? It’s their 30th anniversary tribute to the H&H album. Great stuff. Best Black Sabbath in years and easily equal to any of Dio’s solo stuff (Though Dio and Blackmore on the first 3 Rainbow cd’s is excellent, too). They’ve got Vinny Appice on drums on it – an old Dio alum.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
6:05 pm
Lew–no, I haven’t. Love Appice’s drumming, too, so I should check it out. I really loved Cozy Powell’s drumming on Headless Cross, since we’re talking Sabbath. I also really liked Dehumanizer with Dio and Appice working with Iommi.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
6:06 pm
DOB-No problem on the ST info. However, maybe the Denizens should realize that it might be Chino Cadahia pitching BP part of the time. THAT’S usually the time to catch HR balls on the berm.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
6:07 pm
Yeah, if you want to hear some good drumming, y’all should check out Powell’s work on Headless Cross. Superb.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
6:07 pm
Cozy Powell – Yet another rock star Resting in Peace. I believe a car accident got him.
Soph
February 13th, 2010
6:08 pm
UNC wins. I’m happy again…for now.
StingerSplash
February 13th, 2010
6:08 pm
My favorite sporting events, in no particular order:
Spring training baseball
Playoff baseball
Football bowl season (used to coexist with the I-AA playoffs … but since Southern hasn’t been in the playoffs since 05 … we’ll be back, though. Monken will get us there. Soon, I hope)
March Madness (the first two weekends especially)
The Masters (with the British Open right behind)
Stanley Cup playoffs (sudden death overtimes — with no commercial breaks! — that go into the morning … love it.)
Olympic hockey. (Canada vs. Sweden in the gold medal round. You heard it here first).
Can’t wait for Tuesday and the start of the Olympic hockey tournament. The downhill and alpine skiing are fun to watch but there’s no equal from the Olympics for hockey.
brent a.
February 13th, 2010
6:10 pm
lexbrave,
the crowd was very lowd; unfortunately, that’s not the same crowd that will be at the game. Kind of sad, really, that Rupp isn’t more of a home court advantage than it is.
I Want To Look Like That Guy
February 13th, 2010
6:11 pm
http://www.iwanttolooklikethatguy.com
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
6:12 pm
Stinger–I’m taking Russia vs. Canada for the gold! What a great matchup that would be, with Russia’s forwards (Ovechkin, Semin, Datsyuk, Kovalchuk and Malkin) going up against that great Canadian defense anchored by Pronger…
nolie
February 13th, 2010
6:12 pm
With Maddux, Glavine (should be locks), Frank Thomas and Jeff Kent, is there a limit to how many players can be elected during one HOF year? ROB
there is not an official limit, but only seldom does more than one or at most two get elected in the same year amy more. Thomas is an eventual lock as is Alomar and Larkin. still dealing with Bly , Martinez and Raines and Morris, so it will be interesting to see if they start inducting more per year than usual
Lew
February 13th, 2010
6:14 pm
Steve – Cactus, with Vinnie’s brother Carmine Appice put out their first album in decades a year or two ago. Lacks the raw energy of the original Cactus stuff and of course, Rusty Day is also Resting In Peace, yet it is a fairly decent offering – much more well produced and engineered than the 70’s stuff without the manic quality – which was probably driven by excessive drug use. Still – some great music.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
6:16 pm
nolie- Don’t see how they could NOT induct Randy Johnson, Maddux and Glavine in the first go around. But they didn’t vote Sutton in right away despite his 300, so maybe RJ will not be a first ballot guy-though I would doubt it.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
6:19 pm
With 5 Cy Youngs and a mullet that was breaking hearts across Seattle, I don’t see Randy Johnson not getting in on the first ballot.
Baba O'Riley
February 13th, 2010
6:19 pm
Why would Larkin be a lock? Alomar was THE second baseman of the 90’s. I don’t see Larkin getting in.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
6:23 pm
jeffrey d-Like I said- doubtful they wouldn’t. But those writers can be insane sometimes and you never know. Stranger things happen on these ballots continuously. Bet Maddux isn’t a unanimous choice either, though he should be. There will be some And Idiot claiming “No one ever has been unanimous and he can’t be either.”
Lew
February 13th, 2010
6:23 pm
Baba- Uh, Larkin played short.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
6:24 pm
Neither of them should have been first ballot guys, anyway. Just like Kent and Thomas won’t be.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
6:26 pm
Bet Maddux isn’t a unanimous choice either, though he should be. There will be some And Idiot claiming “No one ever has been unanimous and he can’t be either.”
Of course he won’t. But the question isn’t “Should Greg Maddux be the first unanimous Hall of Famer?” The question is “Do you think Greg Maddux should be in the Hall of Fame?” And some bozo’s going to answer “No” to that.
Baba O'Riley
February 13th, 2010
6:26 pm
Lew- This I know. He brought up Larkin and Alomar. Alomar gets in because he was great and he dominated his position for a decade. Larkin has less than 200 HR and not even 2500 hits. Yes, I know Larkin was a ss
Lew
February 13th, 2010
6:30 pm
He was also a Twelve time All Star with an MVP award. He was the dominant SS in the NL for more than a decade.
njbraves
February 13th, 2010
6:30 pm
Maddux, Glavine, and randy Johnson are locks for first ballot election, it’s not even debatable. I believe Frank Thomas will get in on the first ballot too….. .301 career avg…..521 HR’s…..2 MVP’s…. I don’t see how he doesn’t get in.
Rob from SC
February 13th, 2010
6:30 pm
In order I would vote:
1 – Maddux
2 – Johnson
3 – Glavine
BravesFanChris25
February 13th, 2010
6:31 pm
I can’t wait till spring training finally begins so the season isn’t too far away
GovClintonTyree
February 13th, 2010
6:31 pm
Scene from Kissimmee, Part I:
Frank Wren is in his office at Dark Star. Tom Glavine walks in.
FW: Hey, Tom. Thanks for coming in. I’ve got a Special Project for you.
TG: Hey, Frank. F*** you.
GovClintonTyree
February 13th, 2010
6:32 pm
Scene from Kissimmee, Part II:
FW: So, Tom, John asked me to look around, see ways in which you might contribute to the organization given your unique experience and skillset. We’ve got a number of young pitchers in camp, and obviously have started forming some opinions on them. I’d like you to go to the back fields and watch Delgado, Teheran, Hyde and Kimbrel, tell me what you think. Here’s some scouting report forms.
TG: Gee, Frank, I’d like to, but James Jackson is sick so I’m filling in on SportSouth. See that family out there on the LF berm? I’ve got them lined up to talk about the food at the park and how convenient it is for a family to come over here from the Magic Kingdom.
FW: Tom, aren’t baseball-related matters more important?
TG: Hey, Frank. F*** you.
njbraves
February 13th, 2010
6:33 pm
Alomar was a much better player than Larkin. He got screwed last year because a lot of these baseball writers feel they need to have a cause or make some type of statement. Watch Alomar play and tell me he isn’t one of the greatest second baseman of all time…..HOF voting in all sports has become a joke.
GovClintonTyree
February 13th, 2010
6:33 pm
Scenes from Kissimmee, Part III:
FW: So, Tom, I’ve got a call with Boras at about 2 pm. He’s going to be asking for a second year, and I don’t want to give it to him. I know you’ve been involved in a number of negotiations yourself, I thought you might want to sit in. You might find it interesting to watch a master work.
TG: Frank, I hear the Tigers are going two years on Damon at $7m per. How are you going to top that?
FW: What I thought I’d do is sweeten the pot a little bit, go up to $5m. Johnny’s made his money, he doesn’t need to go the extra $2m. Then I thought I’d offer a mutual option for the second year with maybe a $1m buyout. Don’t give away any power; I can just cut him and Boras’ll never know what I’m doing. See, Tom, agents are idiots. And players are like cattle.
TG: Hey, Frank, F*** you.
GovClintonTyree
February 13th, 2010
6:33 pm
Scenes from Kissimmee, Part IV:
JS: Tom, I asked Frank to try and get you involved, kind of help you get your feet wet as a baseball executive. But Frank tells me you’ve been less than enthusiastic about several of the things he’s suggested.
TG: John, Frank’s an idiot. Why did you hire him?
JS: Well, Tom, I know he has his blind spots. But he’s a good baseball man with excellent judgement. Little rough with the interpersonal skills, I know. But after Dayton went to KC, what choice did I have?
TG: Go outside the organization, maybe? You couldn’t do better than this? The guy’s a bull in a china shop.
JS: Tom, you’re a smart guy. I’m one of the smartest guys in the world, so I understand your challenges. One of the things you’re going to need to do to be a successful baseball executive is learn how to deal with people less gifted, less committed, less intelligent than you. I would encourage you to set aside your prejudices against Frank and try and work with him. It’ll teach you a lot.
TG: Hey, John, f*** you.
Baba O'Riley
February 13th, 2010
6:34 pm
Maybe for a while, but not over a decade. Ozzie Smith was for a part of that time. His MVP season was .293/12/75.
GovClintonTyree
February 13th, 2010
6:34 pm
Scenes from Kissimmee, Part V:
JS: Tom, I know you’ve got some history with Frank, and it’s not all good. Heck, we’ve got some history, but we’ve managed to work through it. I’m sensing some unresolved anger here that’s going to hamper your development into a top-tier baseball executive. I’ll let you in on something. I kind of see you as a special project – an opportunity for me to clone myself as a baseball leader. In order for you to do that, you’re going to need to check that anger, starting with your language. This is a boardroom, not a clubhouse.
TG: Yeah, I suppose I can see that. I’ll work on it. And I’ll try to work with Frank, be a little more open-minded.
JS: I’d appreciate that. Thanks.
FW walks in.
FW: Hey, Tom. I need to run something by John. You mind getting me a cup of coffee, cream and Splenda?
TG: Hey, Frank….
IPayForAOL
February 13th, 2010
6:35 pm
Has anyone ever seen the HBO series called Carnivale? Opinions?
Rob from SC
February 13th, 2010
6:36 pm
GovClintonTyree
In all fairness to Frank Wren, Schuerholz got a lot dumber without Turner’s rich pockets
nolie
February 13th, 2010
6:37 pm
Don’t see how they could NOT induct Randy Johnson, Maddux and Glavine in the first go around. But they didn’t vote Sutton in right away despite his 300, so maybe RJ will not be a first ballot guy-though I would doubt it. LEW
yeah I forgot to include Johnson. it’s getting a little more crowded with legitimate prospects than it was for awhile. If I were voting I would vote Johnson in ahead of Glavine.
Some of the guys like Morris who have been hanging around for a long time might be hurt with an influx of seemingly more deserving guys over the next number of years.
I do think I remember reading that 2012 or so wouldn’t have a strong first time slate. Not sure of the exact year but one around that time.
The Grinch
February 13th, 2010
6:41 pm
Yeah, Steve; I started to include the second video except that I thought about all but five of y’all would have just cocked your head to the side like a confused dog the first time it sees a power car window in use. Got a copy of “Black Sabbath: The Dio Years” in my car changer right now. Also liked Powell on Headless Cross, but it took me a bit to get used to Tony Martin on vocals. Not that he isn’t good, it’s just weird hearing someone besides Ozzy or Dio with Iommi. Did you like Powell with ELP when he replaced Palmer? Remember “Touch and Go?” Cold war paranoia at its best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5K5uUl2Tb8
nolie
February 13th, 2010
6:42 pm
Why would Larkin be a lock? Alomar was THE second baseman of the 90’s. I don’t see Larkin getting in BABA
LOL, what does Larkin have to do with second basemen?
He received 51% of the votes on his first try, that pretty much guarantees he’ll eventually get in and he should. Best NL SS for a good while.12time all-star or so, MVP. Don’t talk foolish about homers for a SS in that era. He’s a lock no doubt. Just hide & watch for 5 or 6 years.
Eric from MO
February 13th, 2010
6:45 pm
Jeffrey you ever thought what if every voter thought that and no one voted yes for him and then he would forever be left off the ballot?
Baba O'Riley
February 13th, 2010
6:48 pm
nolie- I was comparing 2 of the guys you originally brought up. did that really make you “LOL”? Larkin was a very good SS that played with one team. His numbers in ‘95 were relatively pedestrian for an MVP. Maybe he’ll ride some feel-good media wave in the future, but he is far from a lock.
njbraves
February 13th, 2010
6:48 pm
I hate the fact that guys get into the HOF after 5, 6 , 7 years….it’s completely ridiculous. If they aren’t good enough after 2 or 3 years then that should be it. I can understand making first ballot election something special. However, what makes a guy any more deserving after 5 or more years?? The HOF wants to hold a ceremony every year so they are watering down the quality of the selections.
nolie
February 13th, 2010
6:49 pm
Maybe for a while, but not over a decade. Baba
sign. he was an allstar 12 times. last time I looked it up 12 years was more than a decade. 3 GG, 5 SS
Eric from MO
February 13th, 2010
6:50 pm
Nolie Randy Johnson played last year. He wont be eligible till 2015 so he wont be on the list with Glavine, Maddux, and Frank Thomas. You were right the first time.lol
Baba O'Riley
February 13th, 2010
6:51 pm
Speaking of HOF’s, what is with guys like Floyd Little getting in the Pro Football HOF, while Cris Carter still waits. Watching those Viking teams of the late 90’s, did anyone think john Randle would be a HOFer before Cris Carter?
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
6:52 pm
Grinch–that was a very interesting sound Powell, Emerson and Lake had, to say the least. Martin was just a bit too…clean in his vocals for me for a Sabbath singer, but dang it if he wasn’t a good singer.
Yngwie’s solo on that Hear n’ Aid thing was pretty sick, no?
nolie
February 13th, 2010
6:52 pm
Maybe he’ll ride some feel-good media wave in the future, but he is far from a lock. Baba
yeah it made me lol since it had nothing to do with anything. you need to go check on how many players got over 50% of the vote the first time and then did not make the HOF, dude. Absolute freakin’ lock.
Eric from MO
February 13th, 2010
6:54 pm
njbraves I agree with that to an extent. Sometimes it takes players awhile to get with who else is on the ballot. However, IMO it shouldnt matter who else is on the ballot. You are voting for that player and that player only. Same thing with the whole unanimous thing. You are not voting on Maddux should be unanimous. You are voting should he be in the HOF and nobody can say no to that.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
6:54 pm
brent a./lexbrave -
Excited about tonight’s game. Really need to have it too. Don’t want to fall into a tie with Vandy since we still have to go to Nashville. I’m a little worried….
Baba O'Riley
February 13th, 2010
6:54 pm
sign? Was he the starter all 12 of those all-star appearances?
Lew
February 13th, 2010
6:57 pm
Maybe Larkin’s career did overlap Ozzie somewhat, but 12 All Star selections? Apparently Ozzie wasn’t that good in those seasons or HE would have been the All Star SS? Even if you call the All Star voting nothing more than a popularity contest, it was awfully hard to find a more popular player than Ozzie.
Baba O'Riley
February 13th, 2010
6:59 pm
Ozzie was an all star from 81-96. I’m not sure who started which years.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
6:59 pm
Jeffrey you ever thought what if every voter thought that and no one voted yes for him and then he would forever be left off the ballot?
Not that that would ever happen, but it could be a blessing in disguise
Lew
February 13th, 2010
6:59 pm
What does it matter if he was the starter? Never heard anyone ever mention that in reference to HOF credentials -it’s always “12 time AS.” and not 12 time AS but he only started one. He was an All Star and there’s always deserving players NOT voted to the AS team in any capacity. That’s all that matters.
Did this guy run your dog over or something?
Baba O'Riley
February 13th, 2010
7:00 pm
Who else was to choose from in the NL? Jay Bell?
Baba O'Riley
February 13th, 2010
7:01 pm
No, I just don’t see him as a HOFer. I think of all the all-time greats and I don’t think of Larkin. Barry or Gene. Just friendly disagreement.
Eric from MO
February 13th, 2010
7:02 pm
Baba quit seriously. What does starting the all-star game have to do with anything? That is done by fan voting. How many times do we see the fans vote somebody a starter when they had been hurt most the year or they were having an off year? Umm…every year. Seriously just quit. Larkin was the best ss for over a decade. He was a ss before shortstops were on roids and hitting a ton of homeruns.
AdirondackDave
February 13th, 2010
7:02 pm
DOB — FW giving you advice on your Harley storage problem… is he a biker?
Lew
February 13th, 2010
7:03 pm
njbraves-Watering down the HOF? Dude, you DO realize that of all sports HOF’s that the Baseball HOF is the hardest for a player to be elected to? They’re too discriminating in many people’s opinions.
The Grinch
February 13th, 2010
7:05 pm
There are very few Yngwie solos that AREN’T sick. The guy’s a d-bag, but he can flat out shred. You ever watch him on the G3 tour? Check out Satriani and Vai ganging up on him at the end when he goes out of his way to outplay them; he’s taking it really seriously and they’re trippin out. Got to check on my food; I’ll link to it when I get back.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
7:06 pm
I don’t think fans pick the starter
nolie
February 13th, 2010
7:07 pm
you are still ignoring the 51%. It doesn’t matter what you think of the guy, he is a lock for that reason alone.\
3 Gold Gloves, 9-count ‘em 9 Silver Sluggers(for half his career he was the top hitting SS in the NL), 380 stolen bases. a top OPS of 977 which was very high for an NL SS in that era,
nolie
February 13th, 2010
7:10 pm
LEW you’ve given me some inspiration to get back on a diet for five days now. Keep up the good work, I need the leadership.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
7:17 pm
Yeah, he’s a prick, but he can play…
Braveheart
February 13th, 2010
7:18 pm
The HOF isn’t just for the all time greatest. It’s also for the greatest of their era or generation. I swear so many think only Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb belong in the HOF
VaBraveFan
February 13th, 2010
7:18 pm
Larkin should be in the HOF for sure. His numbers and awards for a SS in that time period are HOF worthy.
Rob from SC
February 13th, 2010
7:27 pm
Ozzie Smith does not belong in the HOF
spitter?
February 13th, 2010
7:29 pm
Dibn’t Alomar have a spittin incident with an ump and would it, should it have some kind of consiquence when it comes to HOF voting?
Fred
February 13th, 2010
7:32 pm
Just to add to the HOF discussion, I don’t think Glavine is a first year lock (Maddux obviously is, in my opinion). There have been several pitchers like Niekro and Sutton who won 300+ games yet weren’t elected on the first ballot.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
7:50 pm
DOB -
At 8…you watching the Olympics or the Jayhawks?
brian
February 13th, 2010
8:00 pm
Heath – is that a rhetorical question????
Heath
February 13th, 2010
8:01 pm
brian -
To what are you referring, sir?
brian
February 13th, 2010
8:02 pm
Knucksie and Sutton are not in the same category as Glavine. How many lefties have more wins than Glavine? Knucksie, I believe, was hurt by playing much of his career for terrible Braves teams
Lew
February 13th, 2010
8:04 pm
nolie-Never thought I’d be inspiration for much of anything. Good luck.
To all who might be concerned- Them Crooked Vultures are on Austin City Limits (on PBS) this evening at 10:00 (at least up here they are.
AdirondackDave
February 13th, 2010
8:05 pm
Rob — The Wizard of OZ doesn’t belong in the Hall? The best defensive infielder of all time doesn’t belong? Think you might get an argument there from.. well, everybody.
AdirondackDave
February 13th, 2010
8:08 pm
Ok, have to amend that. Wizard of Oz was only tied for the best defensive infielder of all time. Momentarily forgot about Brooks, the vacuum-cleaner at 3rd.
IPayForAOL
February 13th, 2010
8:09 pm
WRT Knucksie,
His career Neutral Win % is 0.552, giving him a 327-265 NW-NL record as a result of posting a 0.537 W% (318-274) on teams in which his teammates posted a 0.470 W%. So yeah, he probably was hurt by playing much of his career for terrible Braves teams.
Rob from SC
February 13th, 2010
8:11 pm
AdirondackDave
He couldn’t hit.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
8:13 pm
Big difference between Glavine and Niekro/Sutton.
Glavine won 20 or more games 5 times-Sutton once and Niekro three times.
Niekro had 75 more losses than Glavine in two more seasons. Sutton had 58 more losses than Glavine in one more season.
Glavine won two Cy Young awards. Niekro and Sutton never won any.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
8:15 pm
brian also makes a good point about Glavine and LH pitchers. Very few LH pitchers have won 300 games and only a couple won more than Glavine.
AdirondackDave
February 13th, 2010
8:16 pm
Rob — Stole a lot of bases and became an asset as an offensive player. Not that it mattered, the glove was unbelievable.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
February 13th, 2010
8:23 pm
Enter your comments here
Venice Jim
February 13th, 2010
8:30 pm
Heath – looking like another good day for me – nice win over the Terps, and the Tribe up 16 in the second half…
And, if the fourth winningest left-handed pitcher in baseball history is not a lock (and Eddie Plank, #3, won his prior to 1915), then the voters will need major psychiatric care…
Anthony
February 13th, 2010
8:30 pm
DOB,
Guys on the blog were nice about info for spring training. I had to step away while I watched my gators play basketball tongiht (or attempt to play basketball). They have no talent on their team this year. It’s embarassing.
Anthony
February 13th, 2010
8:32 pm
DOB,
Also, I’ve been a braves for as long as I can remember. I really enjoy reading your work on the ajc site and your blog. I don’t live in atl so can’t make as many games I would like to, but reading your work makes me feel like i’m at the park everyday. Thanks.
Soph
February 13th, 2010
8:33 pm
McFann, isn’t this a cute pic? I found it in AJC’s snow pics.
http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/metro/atlanta-snow-021310/
Soph
February 13th, 2010
8:34 pm
Click to picture 16 of 19 though.
Venice Jim
February 13th, 2010
8:36 pm
At this rate, the Canadian women’s hockey team will beat Slovakia 22-0…(7-0 in the FIRST period)
Heath
February 13th, 2010
8:38 pm
VJ -
I still have to wait for what could be a very nerve-racking game.
nolie
February 13th, 2010
8:58 pm
Ozzie Smith does not belong in the HOF Rob
of course he does, it isn’t just about hitting. everybody always whines about a guy’s hitting. and everybody nowdays wants to judge hitting on what has happened the last dozen years or so. how can you say that a guy who got in with 92% of the vote in his first year doesn’t belong?
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
9:02 pm
I didn’t realize Chism (ankle) wasn’t going to start for Tennessee. If he doesn’t play and play well, they’ve got no real chance to beat UK.
Rob from SC
February 13th, 2010
9:03 pm
nolie
Do you really think Smith is one of the greatest? he never reached any offensive bench mark.
nolie
February 13th, 2010
9:04 pm
Them Crooked Vultures are on Austin City Limits (on PBS) this evening at 10:00 (at least up here they are. LEW
hundreds of stations down here and I can’t get Austin City Limits. I HATE that!!!
Heath
February 13th, 2010
9:04 pm
DOB -
Don’t jinx us.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
9:04 pm
Heath, did you seriously ask me if I was watching the Olympics over the Jayhawks. If you were serious, I’ll pretend you weren’t….
Anthony, thanks for the comment. And glad some of the denizens could help you out with the spring training info.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
9:07 pm
Adirondack: No, Wren’s not a biker. He is a skiier, although he and his family skipped their usual ski trip this winter because his sons got baseball scholarships to Ga. Tech and they didn’t want to risk injury.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
9:07 pm
DOB -
Chism only contributed 8pts and 4rebs against Kansas and they still won….so, I take nothing for granted with this Tennessee team.
kenhotlanta
February 13th, 2010
9:12 pm
Lew, the Boogie Brothers tour was Savoy Brown opening for Deep Purple at The Omni in 1974, and yes, Blackmore did get very mad about half way through the show and briefly left the stage in a huff after throwing his guitar at a roadie. Don’t know what ticked him off. He is one of my all-time favorite guitar players to watch in concert, but, for that night, Savoy Brown’s 3 leads were a lot better.
nolie
February 13th, 2010
9:15 pm
Do you really think Smith is one of the greatest? he never reached any offensive bench mark. Rob
yeah Rob, I really believe he should be in the HOF, no question in my mind. He made himself into a pretty decent hitter for a SS of that period and stole a lot of bases, so he was not just one dimensional though no question his defense overshadowed all else.His stats are overshadowed by the current crop of SS no doubt, but tha’s a pretty recent occurrence. Look at Aparicio and some of the other inductees of the past.
Like I said, to get in first try with 92% there wasn’t much question in the voter’s minds. Not like he snuck in after 10 years of trying.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
9:20 pm
Pretty ho-hum so far for UK.
Rob from SC
February 13th, 2010
9:24 pm
nolie
I respect yor opinion.
Fred
February 13th, 2010
9:31 pm
Lew and Brian, Good points about Glavine compared to Niekro and Sutton, especially the 2 Cy Young awards. I didn’t realize Niekro and Sutton never won that award. I guess Glavine and Maddux have a real shot at being voted to the HOF in the same year.
Venice Jim
February 13th, 2010
9:32 pm
Heath – I should not have said anything – major Tribe choke – lost by 3
Ease in Woodstock
February 13th, 2010
9:33 pm
Ozzie not for the HOF? Dude was the best player on the field in a era when offense was not the standard…and like nolie said, he had his upside offensively as well…
Rob, your cool and glad your not in pain anymore, but a totally ridiculous argument…
McFann
February 13th, 2010
9:35 pm
Soph–
That’s adorable! Thanks for the link! What a cutey…
Tomorrow I’ll get some of my pics from today up on Photobucket (and that will include a picture of the snowman my Sister and I made. Been ages since we were able to make a snowman).
THat snow today rocked. I’ve always wanted that kind of snow–that powdery stuff you see in movies and stuff. Sadly most of it’s melted already.
(I mean, I don’t mind that it melted off the roads, but did it have to leave our yard so soon?)
Soph
February 13th, 2010
9:39 pm
Guess who won today, VJ?
Rob from SC
February 13th, 2010
9:41 pm
Ease in Woodstock
I believe Larkin was a better player than Smith
Heath
February 13th, 2010
9:41 pm
Chism has already out-performed his output in the KU game…. ugh.
Rob from SC
February 13th, 2010
9:48 pm
is there a mercy rule in Women’s hocky?
cabravesfan
February 13th, 2010
9:49 pm
Ack Snow…it was 75 today-blue skies, gentle breeze… absolutely gorgeous!
cabravesfan
February 13th, 2010
9:51 pm
Rob-
there are basically 2 teams in women’s hockey…Canada and the US- they have played for the gold in every world championship that has been played…no reason to think the Olympics should be any different
Soph-
VJ is half happy- Duke destroyed Maryland…
Heath
February 13th, 2010
9:52 pm
This game……….uuuuuugly. Definitely worried.
The Grinch
February 13th, 2010
9:57 pm
Smith deserves to be in. Now, I will say his 12 AS appearances were nonsense (it was a CRIME he got to start the last two or three when he was clearly outplayed by younger, lesser known competition) but then that’s the case with most guys who are awesome for extended stretches (they get the benefit of the doubt) and also why fans shouldn’t have such a high percentage of the vote. The last couple he got just because everyone wanted to see him do a backflip when he came out on the field. Larkin was a good player, but not in Smith’s range IMO (though a better hitter overall). I don’t agree with Kent, either; he’s one of those fringe players who just managed to stick around long enough on the right teams to pad his stats (like Palmiero, and I also think he juiced). I’d be 50/50, except he’s such a d-bag I’d lean towards no as the coin flip factor.
nolie
February 13th, 2010
10:00 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5WqPSDvjoA
Susan Tedeschi
It Hurts So Bad
kenhotlanta
February 13th, 2010
10:04 pm
IPayForAOL…I thought Carnivale was outstanding and a very gritty and atmospheric HBO series. It was about a traveling Carnival during the Depression and featured supernatural overtones that reminded me of Twin Peaks. The lighting and colors were very striking and added a lot to the story, as did the sheer sexiness of some of the stars. If you like a compelling but offbeat story, you can’t go wrong.
nolie
February 13th, 2010
10:06 pm
I thought Carnivale was outstanding and a very gritty and atmospheric HBO series. KEN
I liked it a lot too. too bad it ended so soon.at least those are on dvd.
Moe Berg
February 13th, 2010
10:07 pm
Ozzie Smith’s defense was amazing. His offensive numbers are not as bad as he usually discussed. He had 2460 career hits and 580 stolen bases. That is just 300 fewer hits than Derek Jeter and 275 more stolen base to compare him to a likely Hall of Fame short stop from the current era. Ozzie played in a time that offense was very different. Of course, he should be there.
nolie
February 13th, 2010
10:14 pm
and I’ll throw in the old cliche, he was a great guy. a little quiet but funny and sincere.Ozzie, that is.
(not that is has anything to do with whether or not he should be in the HOF)
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
10:16 pm
This game’s not exactly textbook stuff right now….
Moe Berg
February 13th, 2010
10:17 pm
If we exclude a great defensive player for average offense, then I don’t see how a designated hitter can get in. They literally have no defense at all.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:18 pm
DOB -
No, sir. This is not a game you show to people to convince them that they should be basketball fans…
Braveheart
February 13th, 2010
10:23 pm
Wow, this dunk contest is horrendous.
nolie
February 13th, 2010
10:25 pm
I think DHs will still have some trouble getting in Moe. Eventually Thomas will get in but he played almost as much D as he did first. Thome played more at first, so I see Martinez as the one who will set the stage one way or another. He did play 500 games at third and wasn’t that bad at all, but he played way more as a DH. I do think he will get eventually though. I think Thomas and Thome should too.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:26 pm
Tennessee is hitting 3s like they did against Kansas….I’m startin’ to have some serious angst.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
10:26 pm
BH–you watch that NBA garbage?
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:28 pm
DOB -
Game stats says 19 minutes… 8 points, 4 rebounds.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=31522
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
10:28 pm
Heath, nevermind my since-deleted comment about Chism’s game against KU. I was looking at his line from Tennessee’s loss at KU on Jan. 3, 2009, not this season. My bad.
Ron in Mobile
February 13th, 2010
10:29 pm
Hi Everyone
Been a while since i posted, but i read everyday. Just wanted to let yall know that game 4 of the 91′ series is on mlb tv.
DOB I saw the drive by truckers a couple of weeks ago here at a local place. Fantastic band that has a certain kind of energy thats rare and hard to explain. Thanks for turning me on to yet another great band. I’m going to see Yonder Mountain String band tomorrow at the same venue. I’m not sure if bluegrass is your thing. I’m really not a huge fan myself, buit those guys get down
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:29 pm
DOB -
Of course you delete that… lol.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
10:32 pm
Not quite the level of 3-point proficiency the Vols had against Kansas, but getting close. They hit 9 of 18 against KU, and have 6 of 17 so far tonight.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
10:35 pm
Ron in Mobile: Glad you got to see the Truckers live. They are a terrific live band, one of the best going today. As good as they are on record, you’ve gotta see them live to really get a full appreciation for what they do.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:35 pm
As agonizing as it is to watch…seeing all this zone defense is very good for UK…cause they need the practice for when the tourney starts.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:37 pm
That was a B.S. call right there! Several stupid charging calls…even ones that were in favor of UK.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
10:39 pm
Dick Vitale thinks 18 year olds going to college for a year is a bad thing.
I think his voice sucks.
nolie
February 13th, 2010
10:42 pm
Roundball…UGH!
Soph
February 13th, 2010
10:42 pm
I agree, Braveheart. The dunk contest was borrrrring. ZzZzz.
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
10:47 pm
I’m comfortable with wren as gm. Honestly, what negative has the man done since being gm in atl? I’m talking a complete and total wreck of a decision.
Granted, I personally didn’t like the lowe signing and didn’t particularly like the kawakami signing, but they aren’t decisions that’ll set the organization back.
To this date he’s is or was trying to land damon and that’s pretty damn comendable in my eyes. He wants to win all while keeping the future in tact.
Can we say the same for shuerholz during his final days as gm in atlanta? That man had a “win now” agenda and it’s done nothing but possibly hold the organization back…at least up until last year.
I strongly believe the braves are back and I’m very hard to please. Fans— we have one heck of a team this year and it’s sure to be even better in a year.
Most will be looking at frank wren through different glasses before long…. In a positive way of course.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:48 pm
One thing NOBODY can deny…Calipari is going to have a near-impossible time getting a better recruiting class next year to replace the ones he got, and will lose to the NBA this year.
Moe Berg
February 13th, 2010
10:50 pm
nolie, I agree that DHers will have some trouble, but Thomas will get in. They will be considered. My point was merely that if you want to exclude a defensive player because of average offense. How can someone who only has offense and no defense be considered? I think that those who are absolutely astounding at one (and not very good at both) should be under consideration.
lexbrave
February 13th, 2010
10:51 pm
awful awful officiating tonight. didnt know tim donaghey got a job in college basketball.
Braveheart
February 13th, 2010
10:52 pm
Steve, I’m as sick as a dog, and there’s nothing else on. It’s pretty bad though when in my late teens my big oafish white arse actually could do half the lame arse dunks these guys were using in the dunk contest
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
10:52 pm
Calipari is going to have a near-impossible time getting a better recruiting class next year to replace the ones he got
Why? Did he run out of money?
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
10:53 pm
geez…. that poor kid getting launched at 88mph in those olympics. OUCH….I hope he went fast and didn’t suffer.
Hard to imagine he didn’t die on impact….at least I hope he did.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
10:54 pm
According to the poll on ESPN.com, the only thing worse than spending time with your significant other tomorrow is watching NASCAR
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
10:55 pm
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=frontpage&pollId=86197
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:55 pm
jeffrey d -
To answer your question seriously…Calipari hit the jackpot with Cousins, Wall, and Bledsoe. So many freshmen are over-hyped and just do not perform…ask Soph. These three guys have, in some ways, outperformed their hype (moreso as a trio).
lexbrave
February 13th, 2010
10:58 pm
so now we are acusing calipari of paying players. could people be any more envious?
AtTheMike
February 13th, 2010
10:58 pm
By the way, I was talking about wren on account of Gov Tyree’s glavine vs wren posts.
Glavine needs to get over it if there is still bitterness there. The man knows what this business is about. Surely the 15 bank accounts he looks at on paper when he goes into his home office eases any bitterness. I know it would mine.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:59 pm
lexbrave -
Coming from jeffrey d…I think he’s just needlin’ me. I think so anyway.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
11:00 pm
Heath – well I thought it was funny.
I remember checking Rivals’ player rankings once and UK had the top 2 players, and something like 4 of the top 25 players.
Soph
February 13th, 2010
11:01 pm
So many freshmen are over-hyped and just do not perform…ask Soph.
Hopefully, my baby Heels will come back strong next season. They looked decent today but of course they were playing the worst team in the ACC.
lexbrave -
I think jeffrey was kidding. Breathe.
lexbrave
February 13th, 2010
11:01 pm
man uk would be up 20 right now if cousins would have shot his average from the freethrow line.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
11:02 pm
Steve, I’m as sick as a dog, and there’s nothing else on
That’s pretty unfortunate.
lexbrave
February 13th, 2010
11:03 pm
so all kentucky has done since losing by 6 on the road has beaten 3 ranked opponents in 4 games.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
11:03 pm
Accused? I’m pretty sure he was already found guilty and had to vacate wins
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
11:06 pm
Anyway, I’m glad Kentucky won. I’d like to have at least one SEC among the nation’s top.
Soph
February 13th, 2010
11:06 pm
John Wall gets to be a Net next season. How depressing for him.
lexbrave
February 13th, 2010
11:07 pm
sorry, make that 3 ranked opponents in 5 games. forgot about the LSU game.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
11:09 pm
So I didn’t miss anything in the slam dunk contest?
DMBJAMS
February 13th, 2010
11:09 pm
I’m starting to doubt Detroit’s bid for Damon. Why hasn’t he singed yet?
DOB, have you listened to Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King yet?
Crime Dog
February 13th, 2010
11:09 pm
Soph-
Once Russian Mark Cuban buys the Nets and sends them to Brooklyn, it won’t be so bad.
Braveheart
February 13th, 2010
11:09 pm
According to the poll on ESPN.com, the only thing worse than spending time with your significant other tomorrow is watching NASCAR
The only thing worse than getting laid is watching NASCAR?
lexbrave
February 13th, 2010
11:09 pm
soph, only a 25% chance of being a net next year
Soph
February 13th, 2010
11:11 pm
So I didn’t miss anything in the slam dunk contest?
Boredom.
Braveheart
February 13th, 2010
11:11 pm
jeffreyd, you missed nothing in that dunk contest that you couldn’t see every day watching a dunk contest between neighborhood kids at the local playground
lexbrave
February 13th, 2010
11:12 pm
jeffrery only accused by people who dont require any proof before making such.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
11:13 pm
OK….ugly game…Cousins was a virtual no-show…but we still won. Relieved is how I feel. Win even though the team performed far below par…I’ll take it. One thing is for sure, after being in the dog house and not getting a single minute in the first dozen games or so, Liggins is providing some really solid play off the bench.
Soph
February 13th, 2010
11:13 pm
True, lexbrave. Everytime I see the Nets record, I want to give them a hug. 4-48? Owwwwch.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
11:16 pm
…was recording the Olympics during the game…switching over now.
IPayForAOL
February 13th, 2010
11:19 pm
kenhotlanta,
Thanks.
lexbrave
February 13th, 2010
11:35 pm
heath, had a down night and still beat by double digits the team that nearly beat kansas by double digits. sorry dob, couldnt resist the jab. i’m fully aware it means nothing as we sit here mid feb.
Venice Jim
February 13th, 2010
11:39 pm
Heath – wow, this is the second time I have followed a W&M game on live stats, only to discover hours later that the stats screwed up. Instead of Northeastern scoring a basket at the end for a 3 point win, W&M scored the basket for a one point victory!
Heath
February 13th, 2010
11:44 pm
VJ -
completely differenly feeling finding out you actually won, huh?
lexbrave -
This was still a good game for UK because they need to analyze the tape to get a little better against the zone. They were horrid at times, average most of the time…and need to get better.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
11:59 pm
Gotta say…I like this short-track speed skating. Very exciting.
Soph
February 14th, 2010
12:10 am
Instead of Northeastern scoring a basket at the end for a 3 point win, W&M scored the basket for a one point victory!
Whaaaaaa? So you had a perfect sports day then.
Shanks A Lot
February 14th, 2010
12:15 am
Did the blog die?
Moe Berg
February 14th, 2010
12:22 am
Shanks A Lot–I’m loosely following but chatting with friends and following a cricket match. I have long ago learned that commenting on cricket here is a thankless task.
StingerSplash
February 14th, 2010
12:28 am
DOB,
Concur on the seeing the DBTs live and in person. First saw them at the Variety Playhouse (great venue and rockin’ damn show to boot) and saw them in a great, great show on Isle of Palms. Man alive. They played for close to three hours, with Isbell playing his guitar off the ledge of the lowered ceiling to close the show on an extended version of “Decoration Day.”
DJ
February 14th, 2010
12:58 am
Heath/lexbrave/other UK fans here,
Do you ever discuss the Braves or did you just need to find another blog/message board to propagandize for your beloved Wildcats? This is the exact reason I left Kentucky as soon as I had the opportunity. Don’t get me wrong, Lexington is a great city with plenty of stuff to do and people who are legitimately passionate about a lot of things, UK basketball foremost. But Kentucky natives have this terrible inferiority complex and constantly have to prove they’re better than someone at something. I read the majority of the comments here and almost all of yours deal with UK basketball. Hopefully the start of spring training will save me from this constant onslaught, but I’m skeptical… That said, Ale 8 is one of the greatest drinks ever produced in the history of mankind.
And 5 days until baseball.
IndVsSA
February 14th, 2010
1:01 am
Moe Berg,
You sneaky git, you watching me arent you? Hmph..
AtTheMike
February 14th, 2010
1:12 am
“Did the blog die” Shanks a Lot
No, just some people can’t stop their obsession with college basketball around here.
Kudos to DJ for that grilling he gave a few here.
I love talking the ocassional music/movies/good food and even some other sports, but when pages upon pages are filled with college basketball it becomes extremely boring and brings on migrains.
nolie
February 14th, 2010
1:27 am
For anybody who is interested PC World and most Audio/Video magazines are all rating the PanasonicBD60K as the best blueray player available for anywhere near the $160.00 it costs.Does a great job upscaling regular dvds too.
Moe Berg
February 14th, 2010
1:31 am
“You sneaky git, you watching me arent you? Hmph..”
Yes, until they all went to lunch.
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
1:47 am
Braveheart, sad but true about the dunk contests in general. Can’t think of any televised event that went from so watchable at one point to so utterly dreadful within a matter of a few years.
No, wait. I can think of one other such event: The home-run derby. Equally boring. It’s all been done in both events, and they need to be shortened by about half, with additional changes made to to the formats, to make either an entertaining event again….
heath, had a down night and still beat by double digits the team that nearly beat kansas by double digits. sorry dob, couldnt resist the jab. — lexbrave
Really, no need to apologize. That was so unimpressive it was actually kinda sad. Actually, sort of like most of that game tonight.
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
1:53 am
DOB, have you listened to Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King yet? — dmbjams
No, but that’s next on my list.
OK, that’s not true. It’s Valentine’s Day. I can’t like on Valentine’s Day….
Braveheart, just saw another of you comments that made me smile. At 11:09. (Also another reminder why it’s great not being married on Valentine’s Day — no dread spending time with a woman who’s not a wife on Valentine’s day. Not to say all married people are dreading it, because I know that’s certainly not the case, but….)
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
1:57 am
OK, I think we can all probably agree this is a funny line from Kimmel: “People in the South have no idea what to do with the snow. They tried putting BBQ sauce on it; they tried shooting at it…”
C’mon, that’s funny. At least a little?
nolie
February 14th, 2010
2:08 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgYgpoZpOK0
Bob Dylan Things Have Changed
IPayForAOL
February 14th, 2010
4:05 am
HAHA, classic FJM:
Ben, Philly: Can you go to any baseball game you want any day you want? If so, can you please kidly request that I have such a luxury?
Joe Morgan: I can’t just walk in! But I have a Gold Pass. If you play for 8 years you get a Gold Pass that allows you to go to any game. But you have to call in advance. They will leave you two tickets. That doesn’t work for playoffs and World Series though! That reminds me, I don’t know where mine is! I need to find it.
KT: I’m guessing Bud Selig stole it back. Or maybe Jon Miller burned it.
Chad(WI): Would you be willing to sell me your gold pass?
Joe Morgan: No! It’s a very cool thing.
KT: That you lost.
It’s a great honor.
A lost honor, in your case.
Remember, the average player played around 4.5 years in my day. So when you got to 8 years and got the Gold Pass, it put you in a special category.
And then you lost it.
Ronny B. (DC): If you won’t sell your gold pass, how about if you use it to get me a free ticket the next time you’re in town?
Joe Morgan: I was just there Sunday! Sorry I missed you. If you can find me, you have a deal!
KT: Except that you lost your Gold Pass!
TommyP
February 14th, 2010
6:14 am
Most ridiculous holiday of the year….what’s cool is the woman agrees. What’s funny is she said, “Of course, this is the one time this Winter that many men will get some so I guess it’s a great day for them. Valentine’s Day. A day where many will show their significant other they care about him or her. So the other 364 days must really suck.”
C’mon, Damon. Sign that one year deal with Atlanta. I don’t believe Detroit offered him a 2 year pact. Just Boras being Boras. Braves would get more pub on ESPN with Damon.
The Grinch
February 14th, 2010
7:05 am
David, I believe we would shoot it first, THEN put BBQ sauce on it. Otherwise, it’s pretty accurate.
The Grinch
February 14th, 2010
7:10 am
Also, Valentine’s Day is the only time of winter when most guys get laid? Really? That’s depressing. I’ve never found life to be a Charlie Brown special; guess I’m just odd.
Braveheart
February 14th, 2010
7:20 am
“It’s very frustrating when a player with his talent wasn’t offered a starting job by any of the 30 major league teams,” Boras said of Felipe Lopez. Boras said he was given reasons by teams why they didn’t offer Lopez a starting job, but he declined to mention them. “Once I get the information, I’m going to confront the player,” Boras said. Boras said Lopez was unhappy with the reasons and it was then when he decided to fire him as an agent. Boras said he wished Lopez well.
Braveheart
February 14th, 2010
7:24 am
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Kendry Morales has fired agents Alan and Randy Hendricks and signed with Scott Boras, the agent confirmed to ESPN The Magazine. “Essentially, we had gotten a call from Kendry about a month ago and said he was interested in interviewing representation and he asked if we wanted to be one of the people he looked at,” Boras said. “We had a meeting with Kendry and his wife and yesterday he informed us of his decision.” Last season, Morales — who finished fifth in the American League MVP voting — hit .306 with 34 home runs and 108 RBIs for the division-winning Angels. Morales, who is scheduled to earn $700,000 this year as part of a six-year $4.5 million deal he signed with the Angels in 2005, will be arbitration eligible for the first time after the 2010 season. Boras said he would be open to discussing a long-term deal for Morales with the Angels. “I think obviously we’re certainly going to come to Kendry with any interest that [Angels GM] Tony [Reagins] or the Angels have in advancing the contractual relationship,” Boras said.
Braveheart
February 14th, 2010
7:29 am
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nlnotes.htm?csp=34
RHP Jair Jurrjens has always been smart and mature, and those tendencies were bolstered last season by RHP Javier Vazquez, whose instructions on varying velocity were invaluable. “He’s one of those special guys,” manager Bobby Cox said of Jurrjens. “He can sit on 92 the whole ball game until the seventh, then all of a sudden there’s a 96 up there on the strikeout.”
Couch Tater
February 14th, 2010
7:35 am
Back in Haggard’s bus after the show, sipping George Dickel whiskey out of paper cups, Kristofferson and Haggard celebrated. “For me, it was like being onstage with Hank Williams,” Kristofferson said. San Francisco Chronicle
I was actually going to make a smartazz remark about John Caliparri so, I searched “Memphis.” Well, as we’ve all done, I got on one of those world-wide web tangents. I noticed just southwest of Memphis at one dem Bret Maverick establishments, in Mississippi, there was going to be a concert on 2/20. The only time in the southeast that I could find the Merle & Kris concert.
So, lexbrave thanks for being a UK fan.
http://merlehaggard.com/tour-dates/
Braveheart
February 14th, 2010
8:04 am
Murray Chass on Bobby:
http://www.murraychass.com/?p=1551
A GOOD MAN, THE BEST, PREPARES TO LEAVE – “I’m 99.9 percent sure; I’m pretty set on it,” Cox said of his decision to retire at the end of the season. Why now? “I’ll be 69 in May,” he said in a telephone interview. “It’s a hard decision. I could probably go another five years, but I reached the point where I had to make a decision. The only way to do it is to announce publicly that I’m retiring. We haven’t won in a few years. Maybe it’s time to give someone else a chance.”
I have a couple of things to say about that. First, if I had talked with Cox before he made his announcement, I would have encouraged him to continue managing. Baseball is a better game for having Bobby Cox as an active part of it. It’s certainly better for the people like me who write about the game. But having Cox as part of the game is good for the game itself. And the Braves don’t need to give someone else a chance right now. Their failure to finish in first place the last four years after an unparalleled string of 14 consecutive division titles stems from no shortcomings of Cox. The Braves seriously undermined their chances of winning by paring their payroll and their talent. Cox remains blameless within the Braves’ organization even though some Atlanta fans have criticized him for winning only one World Series in the team’s 14-year run. (I have often said that if the Braves had had Mariano Rivera as their closer they would have won a few more World Series and the Yankees a few less.) “If the ball had bounced our way, we probably would have won some others,” Cox said, “but I’m proud of the organization for what it did. This is my last year. I’d like to go out with my last game being in the World Series.”
As the Braves’ general manager for 17 years, John Schuerholz never had to fire the manager, and he never thought less of him for not winning more than one World Series. “Most of his decisions were based on reliability and respect,” Schuerholz said. “He respects the guy for being able to compete in that situation. The players who came up short in post-season were the guys he relied on and succeeded with throughout the year and he had the most confidence in. In his decision-making he always made decisions based on whom he thought would give us the best chance to win. I never had a circumstance where I said I wonder about that.”
Schuerholz actually replaced Cox as general manager when the Braves hired him in October 1990. He and Cox have been one of the great baseball duos, maybe the greatest, of all time. But it doesn’t take Schuerholz to call Cox the best manager in baseball. Other general managers have called him that. “I wouldn’t quarrel with anyone who says he’s the best manager in baseball,” Schuerholz said. “One of the real assets we’ve enjoyed as an organization is we’ve had many good players. He and I worked in partnership with the accumulation of players who can help us win.”
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
8:26 am
Braveheart-
Thank you again for sharing.
CB
February 14th, 2010
8:26 am
Braveheart, I hope Robert and Don read that article on Cox,but I am afraid they see with blind eyes.
richbrave
February 14th, 2010
8:36 am
We now have an ALABAMA BBQ houser in town. Unfortunately it over town and a thirty minute drive away. But I’ll check it out at least once. Anybody here want an idea for an eastern Va./N.C. house. with a baseball theme. Call it VINEGAR BEND N.C. for “Vinegar Bend” MIZELL and eastern style N.C. BBQ.
Braveheart
February 14th, 2010
8:53 am
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2010/02/13/2010-02-13_spring_hot_spots.html
Not sure which has been the bigger snow job – the one that has buried New York and the mid-Atlantic region or Scott (Avenging Agent) Boras’ latest spin on Johnny Damon’s colossally botched winter in which he now supposedly can’t make up his mind between the Tigers’ two-year, $14 million offer or their one-year, $7 million offer. Duh? Methinks Tigers owner Mike Ilitch did Boras a huge favor, allowing him to save face, by putting out the word that he had approved a two-year offer for Damon, even though his general manager, Dave Dombrowski, had made it clear there was no way he could justify doing that after trading Curtis Granderson.
In any case, the rest of baseball is getting out of the snow and cold this week and heading off to spring training. Here are some “hot spots” in Florida and Arizona that bear particular scrutiny this spring:
Lake Buena Vista, Fla.: Bobby Cox’s last spring as manager of the Atlanta Braves will not include Damon, but will feature another outfielder being billed as the most exciting position prospect in baseball, 20-year-old Jason Heyward. The 6-4, 220-pound Heyward, described as a “lefthanded Dave Winfield” because of his fluid swing, outfield ability and baserunning skill, hit his way from Single-A to Triple-A last year, and Cox has vowed to give him every opportunity to make the team. If his time has not come, it is close. Meanwhile, Cox’s other focus will be on 37-year-old Chipper Jones, from whom the Braves desperately need a comeback season. Jones had 18 homers and 71 RBI in ‘09, both career lows.
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
8:56 am
Braveheart-
Any thoughts on why people are certain Damon will not sign with Braves.
Steve from OH
February 14th, 2010
9:39 am
Anyone see that the Vatican released a top 10 albums list? DOB, what do you think about this?
In no particular order:
Michael Jackson: Thriller
Beatles: Revolver
Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
Carlos Santana: Supernatural
David Crosby: If I could only Remember My Name
Fleetwood Mac: Rumors
Donald Fagen: Nightfly
U2: Achtung Baby
Oasis: (What’s the Story) Morning Glory
Paul Simon: Graceland
Lew
February 14th, 2010
9:42 am
Can’t see the Vatican getting into Oasis and would try to get Crosby into Confession before putting him on their list.
Braveheart
February 14th, 2010
9:47 am
thickfreakness, I dunno. I guess they’re figuring the Tigers do have a better offer out there than the Braves, even if it isn’t the two year deal Boras got Illitch to pretend existed and that no matter how many games Boras plays, the Braves are not gonna budge much from what they’ve already offered, with the Braves being interested enough to get a bargain at $4 or $5 million, but not interested enough to go above that. The Braves in making that offer were more interested in exploiting an undervalued asset than they were interested in Damon himself.
It’s like seeing a $1000 fifty inch television on sale for about $500. You don’t really have a need for it, don’t really have the money for it, aren’t quite sure where in the house you’re gonna put it, but you figure what the hell, when am I gonna find one that cheap again, and it would be pretty cool to have it, and it will likely come in good use, and will be entertaining for my friends and family to watch, so I’ll put $250 on it today, and $250 on it a year from now. But then the store jacks the price back up to $700, and you’re like, nah, wasn’t that interested in the television in the first place. This is even more so when you hear that you may have to finance the $1000 television for two years, and with interest, the price you end up paying is $1400. So you just tell the store $250 today, $250 a year from now, if that’s cool with you, we got a deal, if not, oh well, good luck, I really don’t care either way.
Braveheart
February 14th, 2010
9:58 am
Since “loyalty” is so often a topic on here, here’s one last link and snip from Doug Glanville’s article:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/mad-hatters/
When it was first announced that newly elected Hall of Famer Andre Dawson would be enshrined wearing a Montreal Expos hat instead of the more familiar and historical Chicago Cubs hat, a lot of people asked questions, and it wasn’t just Cubs fans. “The Hawk” had a few of his own. So why the hesitation on Hawk’s part? Let me take a crack at it. Players’ emotions at the end of their careers can get complicated, especially if things don’t end as they would have liked. Tom Glavine’s story is typical; after 16 years with the Braves and then five with the Mets, the future Hall of Famer returned to Atlanta in 2008. An injury sidelined him in 2009 and upon his return, despite having shown improved health, he was given his walking papers by the Braves. That can leave a bad taste and make a player contemplate going up to Cooperstown wearing his first Little League hat or a favorite John Deere cap, just to make a statement.
Another factor is loyalty — a word that gets thrown around a lot in baseball. Players use it often in the context of how they are treated by their organization. When I fought and scrapped my way through the minor leagues, shaking off doubts, biases, labels and curveballs, I was sure the Cubs would say, “Wow, this guy stuck with it, he embodies Cubs baseball, we will make sure he will be with us forever.” But that was the thinking of a naïve ballplayer who believed that he could play forever in the same city. I wasn’t wearing my Business 101 hat. So, when I was traded in the middle of the night by the Cubs, I felt disowned, shunned, misunderstood. It didn’t matter that where I was going was a better place for my career. It didn’t matter that I was going to my favorite team from childhood, or that I would be driving distance from my family. At least it didn’t matter at that moment. What mattered was that I’d lost faith in the possibility of loyalty in baseball. The game was no longer the game I had in my mind as a young fan.
As in any other relationship, the moment you realize the game’s nature is transient, you can get defensive. It can turn into “I will break up with you before you break up with me,” propelling players to leave during free agency before even knowing for sure whether the team they’re with might be preparing them to be a pillar of the organization. And you learn by watching: How are your teammates treated when they come back from an injury? How does the team deal with a player who took a short leave to deal with a personal issue? How do they handle a player who just hit 25 points below his career batting average?
No matter how irrational or un-businesslike it may seem, players expect loyalty. At least my generation did; we watched the game in the ‘80s, an era where your favorite players didn’t go very far from the team you loved. And when, as a player, you got loyalty, it was special. I am older now, and I understand that loyalty is a two-way street. You may want to wear the same hat forever, but then the team can rip it off your head anyway.
Even so — as Hawk now knows — there are places that are special to you, that you look back at with fondness. And naturally, if you’re receiving the sport’s highest honor, you find that you want that place to be recognized. But whether Hawk wore a Cubs hat, Expos hat, Red Sox hat or Marlins hat, it didn’t change who he was: a champion, a survivor — heart, soul and history. So it doesn’t really matter, Hawk: put on that Expos hat and give Montreal some love. The hat doesn’t matter — it’s your shoes that no one will be able to fill.
TI
February 14th, 2010
10:22 am
Hey guys,
I’m taking my first trip to Lake Buena Vista in early March to see the Braves vs. Astros at both Champions Field and Osceola County Stadium.
Do any of you have any advice on getting player autographs, as far as when and where the best time and place to get them are? Thanks in advance for any advice!
Lew
February 14th, 2010
10:28 am
TI – Check my 5:37 post from yesterday on page 9.
Chopdawg
February 14th, 2010
10:29 am
Methinks the best chance for autographs is a couple hours before gametime, in the stadium; get your ticket early & come down close to the field, near the dugout, Some of the players usually sign as they’re getting on & off the field during pre-game workouts.
Also there’s a practice field, behind the main stadium (Cracker Jack Stadium?…or did they change the name?) Sometimes there might be a player or two working out on that field, maybe working on some particular part of his game; & when the player leaves that field on their way back into the main stadium there’s a fence he’ll pass by, between the ballfields, you might get an autograph there.
I saw Francoeur working out on that field, a couple years ago, & he stopped & signed on his way back into the stadium, before that day’s ST game.
dogsbrekky
February 14th, 2010
10:41 am
Donald Fagen sucks……… no actually, he sucks…….. HUGE TIME
at least they had Oasis on the list, I am sure Noel Gallagher is a big POPE fan !
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
10:51 am
Braveheart-
Really enjoyed the 9:47 analogy. Sounds very appropriate in this case.
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
11:02 am
Braveheart-
My thinking is the Braves really need a high OBP guy at the top of the order. Hopefully McLouth will fill the bill and there is no reason to think he can’t. I’ll acquiesce to nolie and go with the limited opportunities McLouth has had in this spot.
richbrave
February 14th, 2010
11:03 am
Ho-hum. No DAMON news yet? When do catchers and pitchers report?
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
11:07 am
richbrave-
IMO and probably most are tired of reading it, we got 5 good outfielders with various skills that help our team on the 40 man roster.
Lew
February 14th, 2010
11:07 am
richbrave-Hopefully after Damon is signed this week?
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
11:09 am
Maybe ST determines if we carry Melky or Schafer. I know, I know, Melkey has no options and makes 3 mil.
Lew
February 14th, 2010
11:10 am
tf-after Nate’s performance at the Ted last year, there’s also nothing much to prove he can, either. Hopefully, since he didn’t fair very well last year, he almost would have to be better, though I’ve learned over the years to never ask what can happen next and never claim it can’t get any worse. Fate, it seems, has a morbid sense of humor.
joerochester
February 14th, 2010
11:11 am
Pitchers and catchers report tomorrow, right?
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
11:11 am
Lew-
I can’t get off the roller coaster.
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
11:13 am
Lew-
I kind of went after Nate at leadoff and kind of got blasted here.
JUST SAYIN'
February 14th, 2010
11:17 am
I believe pitchers and catchers report the 19th.
bravefaninok
February 14th, 2010
11:21 am
5 0 44
That is when Pitchers & Catchers Report
bravefaninok
February 14th, 2010
11:22 am
5days 44 minutes http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=atl
joerochester
February 14th, 2010
11:35 am
My bad. I just knew it was sometime this week. Figured it would start on a Monday.
Lew
February 14th, 2010
11:45 am
joerochester-No. They report Friday and the first workout is Saturday. The first whole team workout is Monday the 22nd – do believe.
Lew
February 14th, 2010
11:48 am
tf-I’ve been blasted Nate so far this winter, much to the chagrin of DAP, who feels he’s what was glimpsed in Pittsburgh. I would rather wait until I see him actually put those type of numbers in Atlanta, too. He didn’t and was extremely disappointing, offensively and defensively.
However, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and hope that his legs have healed and the contacts help his vision. We’ll see.
I think someone posted the exact numbers yesterday, but he is not a good leadoff hitter if those numbers were correct.
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
11:56 am
Lew-
Yeah, I posted them as well to make an argument agianst him as a leadoff hitter. I think we are pretty good offensively with him leading off, but I think we could be very good with a proven OBP guy, say in the neighborhood of .375 – .390 Schafer did post a .415 OBP in April 2009.
joerochester
February 14th, 2010
12:01 pm
I’d rather see Nate down further in the order.
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
12:01 pm
With Glauss between Chipper and McCann, this spot could be huge and make all 3 really dangerous. Then go Escobar, Heyward, Diaz – not an easy out in the lineup. Of course that leaves McLouth as the odd man out if Schafer gets on at a .390 clip. How about a McLouth/Diaz platoon?
Couch Tater
February 14th, 2010
12:02 pm
I thought this was an interesting Harris survey with nice historical and demographic data…
As the season for one sport ends, another begins, but there will be some disappointed fans going through football withdrawal next week. Of those who follow one or more sport, over one-third (35%) say professional football is their favorite — an increase of 4 percentage points over last year. 2/1/10
http://news.harrisinteractive.com/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView.asp?ResLibraryID=35878&GoTopage=1&Category=1777&BzID=1963&t=30
Soph
February 14th, 2010
12:12 pm
No, just some people can’t stop their obsession with college basketball around here.
Well, our bad. What would you like to discuss today?
Lew
February 14th, 2010
12:14 pm
tf-Should Schafer be judged ready (as well as Heyward), we will wave goodbye to either Melky or McLouth, I would imagine. I’d keep Matty as a Pinch Hitter.
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
12:15 pm
Soph-
Probably not as bad as me obsessing over our outfielders. Gotta stop beating that horse, but well with the Damon obsession yadda, yadda
Lew
February 14th, 2010
12:18 pm
I don’t really care what we discuss, but I won’t (and don’t) comment on College Hoops. Just not my sport. My wife does the brackets for March Madness. I couldn’t care less.
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
12:18 pm
Lew-
I wouldn’t even consider trading Diaz, he’s too good hitting lefties and plays solid defense. He’ll start against every left handed pitcher the Braves face this year. I bet he ends up with 350 – 400 PA’s.
joerochester
February 14th, 2010
12:19 pm
McLouth will most likely be bought out in his option year. Then Schafer should be taking over full time (hopefully).
joerochester
February 14th, 2010
12:20 pm
I know jack about college hoops.
joerochester
February 14th, 2010
12:21 pm
Anyone see “Up in the Air” yet? It was a great movie. Clooney was excellent.
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
12:25 pm
I think someone posted the exact numbers yesterday, but he is not a good leadoff hitter if those numbers were correct. — Lew
The numbers posted were for McLouth specifically leading off a game and an inning, not his overall numbers hitting in the leadoff spot in the lineup.
McLouth’s overall career numbers from the leadoff spot in the lineup aren’t nearly as bad: .260 with a .345 OBP and .458 slugging percentage, including .266/.358/.481 over the past three seasons.
Damon’s career numbers from the leadoff spot are .289/.355/.439, including .288/.364/.439 over the past three seasons.
Mike Mike Bo
February 14th, 2010
12:26 pm
joerochester — I saw Up In The Air right before Christmas… I personally don’t get what all the hypes about. Granted it was an entertaining movie… but all the Oscar buzz… not sure where that’s coming from.
joerochester
February 14th, 2010
12:30 pm
Mike Mike
Clooney and Anna Kendrick were great. I thought Clooney’s really seemed to develop the character.
A-Ville Ranger
February 14th, 2010
12:30 pm
A question for DOB, I just watched some Youtube video of Jason Heyward.From what I saw he looks to have something in common with McCann.It looks like he is a natural right/center gap hitter.If so, I expect lots of doubles like we get from Brian.
On a related subject.I watched heyward’s last at bat from last season.No way he needed to gain weight.If he really has put on 25lb since then.I don’t see how that is a good thing long term.
The Grinch
February 14th, 2010
12:32 pm
Those numbers surprise me. Not the .260, but the OPS. My eyes told me he was mediocre and uncomfortable; he seemed like he was pressing. He looked a lot more comfortable and effective lower in the order. He must have lit it up in the games I missed.
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
12:33 pm
Mike Mike Bo: I could not disagree more with you on Up In The Air. I walked out of that theatre feeling as if I’d seen something poignant, something special that really struck a tone with where we are as a nation right now (the economic aspect), on top of being a well-written story with a superb cast. As someone who travels a lot, it hit even closer to home. Not that I thought being a frequent flyer was at all essential to viewing it as one of the best movies of the year, or even one of the best in recent years. It clearly was, to me.
Maybe there are people who feel differently about it just because their lives have absolutely nothing in common with the subject of the movie, or the lifestyles of the characters portrayed. But in the end, it’s just a great story about people.
Carney Johnson
February 14th, 2010
12:34 pm
“Most ridiculous holiday of the year….what’s cool is the woman agrees. What’s funny is she said, “Of course, this is the one time this Winter that many men will get some so I guess it’s a great day for them. Valentine’s Day.” 6:14 am
Really? The “one time this winter men will get some” is valentine’s day? She said that?! The sad thing is that, for the most part, she’s right. And women wonder why men are “afraid to commit”? Wonder why Oprah never does a show on all these women who marry men and then expect them to be happy with sex 4 times a year?
Mike Mike Bo
February 14th, 2010
12:34 pm
Clooney was hilarious, and Kendrick was perfect for her roll… who knows, it coulda’ been just that fact that I’m a little sour about the premise of the movie to really enjoy it.
6-4-3
February 14th, 2010
12:37 pm
IPayForAOL – I also highly recommend HBO’s Carnivale. Very underrated series that was cut off way too soon. It had a creepy and surreal feel to it, very interesting show.
I also enjoyed HBO’s Rome. Thought that was cancelled too soon right after hitting it’s stride.
Mike Mike Bo
February 14th, 2010
12:37 pm
Its definitely one of those movies where I’m in the vast minority. Oh well… it happens… I’m over it. =)
Lew
February 14th, 2010
12:38 pm
DOB-Thanks for the distinction. Thought there might be a qualifier there.
I’d still rather have Damon leading off and Nate batting lower, though. I’m thinking the Braves have to still be in the running. I believe all those rumors are just that – rumors. I still contend if he had a two year deal for $14 mil, he’d be wearing a Tiger uniform by now.
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
12:40 pm
DOB-
I see the numbers you got on Baseball Reference.Com as career Batting Order Position (1st). The Leading Off Inning above which splits to First Batter in Game and Leading Off Inning are much lower. Not being a stat guy, how do you correctly interpret the information?
The Grinch
February 14th, 2010
12:42 pm
Carney Johnson, that’s one of the many reasons why it’s incomprehensible to me that people still get married. I can understand it if it’s purely a business contract, or if you accidentally get your girlfriend pregnant; otherwise you’d just about have to be naive or a masochist. Look around you and see how many happy marriages you know about. There are some, of course, but most are usually older couples. Do you know more than 1 in 5 happily married couples under 40? Trying to be “that one” instead of the other four seems to me to be a heck of a way to gamble with your life.
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
12:45 pm
Pitchers and catchers report tomorrow, right? — joerochester
Not Braves P&C. At least I hope not. If they report tomorrow, I’ll be a few days late when I fly down.
(Actually, Braves pitchers and catchers report Friday.)
The Grinch
February 14th, 2010
12:47 pm
6-4-3, loved Rome. Got both seasons on DVD and don’t know why they canceled it. Same with Deadwood. The fact that shows of that quality get canceled and reality TV thrives is a sad commentary on society.
Heath
February 14th, 2010
12:47 pm
DJ -
I’m not sure why you feel the need to attack me. To satisfy you curiousity, I came to this blog to talk about the Braves, but stayed because we talk about BBQ, music, movies, and all sports…per the description that DOB himself has posted at the top. It is the Braves off-season and we can only talk about Damon so much and that dead horse has been beaten enough until he signs. I can’t wait until the season begins….but until then, it’s basketball season. So that will be on the discussion menu, so to speak. Sorry if you feel that is propoganda. If you don’t like it, sorry. You can always go to a blog that only discusses the Braves. There is no reason, though, for you to attack people that have said absolutely nothing to you.
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
12:48 pm
thickfreakness: Pretty clear. You either state his numbers hitting from the No. 1position in the lineup, or the smaller samples of him leading off an inning or leading off a game. Whichever you want to look at. Not quite sure what the question is.
You can give a No. 4 hitter’s numbers leading off an inning, too, but that’s not a stat you ever see anyone dwell upon. Or a No. 5 hitter leading off an inning.
I think it’s relevant, though, to point out that some guys are a lot better leading off games than others. Nate’s not been good as a leadoff man in those situations. Leadoff hitters like Rickey Henderson were spectacular in that aspect. (But Rickey was spectacular, period.)
TheManMike
February 14th, 2010
12:52 pm
DOB
You may have mentioned this at one point, but did you catch the Coens latest, “A Serious Man”? I watched it a few nights ago and found it likable. Definitely only likable, though. I can usually dig a cultural flick, but it didn’t grab me like previous Coen works. Thoughts?
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
12:53 pm
DOB-
Yeah, I sussed it out and of course he won’t be leading off every at bat. It can be an unfair point I was trying to make – see that. Does beg the question of how important “the leadoff” spot really is.
6-4-3
February 14th, 2010
12:55 pm
The Grinch – I agree with your assessment of Deadwood as well. That was a Kick-Ass show. Even these days I’ll watch it every now and then on DirecTV’s channel 101 free channel. I just have to make sure the kids aren’t around when I’m watching it. Pretty nasty language and violence.
You’re right about reality tv. Sad commentary indeed.
GboroBravo
February 14th, 2010
12:58 pm
DOB what were some of the names of places out in California that you mentioned had great Fish Tacoes? Any around LA or Santa Monica?
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
12:58 pm
The fact that shows of that quality get canceled and reality TV thrives is a sad commentary on society. — The Grinch
Agreed. But of course, the same can be said for every form of pop culture. Horror movies, for instance. Some garbage like Saw Pt. 5 will make $100 million at the box office, while the flat-out excellent Let the Right One In makes 1/50th of that.
And I won’t even stir the pot by bringing music into the discussion….
Heath
February 14th, 2010
1:02 pm
Grinch/DOB -
Haven’t and will not watch those “reality” tv shows. Just don’t understand the fascination with them. I guess I can sort of understand for a season or two…but after that…
Steve from OH
February 14th, 2010
1:02 pm
Grinch, Rome was excellent. Agree with your sentiments re: reality TV.
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
1:03 pm
So to increase the “sample size”, his career OBP is .342 and OPS is .796
I suppose we still score enough runs, but I’d still like to see someone with a .375 OBP in front of the 2 and 3 hitters.
Carney Johnson
February 14th, 2010
1:07 pm
Grinch: Yep, you’re right. To me, it’s really interesting that our culture at large talks about men being afraid to commit, and men who cheat, but you never hear a word about all these women who cut off their husbands. Not a word about it! Women run the world
The Grinch
February 14th, 2010
1:08 pm
Thanks for the tip on “Let the Right One In.” Haven’t heard of it; I’ll check it out. Film is one of the rare things we usually agree on. I LOVE horror movies and have yet to watch a single “Saw.”
6-4-3, “bad language” on Deadwood? How do you normally talk around your kids?
Steve from OH
February 14th, 2010
1:10 pm
I mean, how is this not great TV?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJvAHMtN04c&feature=related
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
1:11 pm
TheManMike: I thought A
SimpleSerious Man was excellent. But I’ve never disliked any Coen Bros. movie. It’s not one of my five favorite Coen Bros. movies, but it’s great — or pretty close.thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
1:14 pm
DOB-
You made me curious, R Henderson had a creer OBP of .401 His greatness is without question and stole more bases than anyone. Ty Cobb had a career .433 OBP – just phenomenal.
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
1:18 pm
thickfreakness: No doubt about Cobb. He was the best hitter in the game for a decade before Babe Ruth seized that throne.
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
1:19 pm
They’ve made many great movies but I really dig Barton Fink, Blood Simple and The Man Who Wasn’t There.
TnBrian
February 14th, 2010
1:20 pm
The first Saw was alright, but it went downhill fast afterwards.
Anybody ever eaten at Genghis Grill? Asian food where you build your own bowl type thing. Pretty damn good and the waitresses were good to look at too.
thickfreakness
February 14th, 2010
1:22 pm
First season of Deadwood was pure enjoyment.
The Grinch
February 14th, 2010
1:26 pm
Mark Anthony was a first class pimp, straight up.
Carney, what gets me are feminists who expect you to open the door for them, pick up the check, etc. when they give you nothing in return but pseudo-intellectual nonsense and icy contempt. BBBB! (Bring Back Barbara Billingsly)
Rodney Derrick
February 14th, 2010
1:27 pm
Perhaps with his new eyes, Nate McLouth will have improved numbers hitting leadoff and/or other positions in the order. I do not remember whether he got contacts or laser surgery during the offseason, but the eyes plus his now healthy legs could make a big difference. Despite being a winner and an exciting guy, Johnny Damon is now 36, with a terrible throwing arm, and he would also be facing pitchers in a new league if he signed with the Braves, without also having that Yankee lineup of Jeter, ARod, and Tex behind him. And while some could point out that Melky will also suffer from the same changes, he is just 25 years old, not yet entering his prime; if he had come up through the Braves farm system, folks here would be calling him the second coming of Mickey Mantle or at least Bernie Williams.
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
1:29 pm
Grinch, after you see Let The Right One In you should also rent Dead Snow from last year. Not a great movie, but a good, fun one. That is, if a sometimes-hilarious splatterfest about Nazi zombies terrorizing a group of 20-somethings on a snowy vacation at a remote Norwegian mountain cabin doesn’t offend you. (You’ll like it, I can say with a high degree of confidence.)
lexbrave
February 14th, 2010
1:29 pm
dj, college basketball is happening right now, baseball is not. have you noticed that about 90 percent of dave’s posts are about something unrelated to braves baseball and it’s actually his braves baseball blog? there are numerous topics discussed here. there happens to be a couple of braves fans here that also like other sports and teams. its only natural that we’d discuss our similar interests. sorry lexington wasnt right for you, ive lived and traveled to many places and ive found lexingtonians\kentuckians to be some of the kindest most generous and compasionate people ive ever met. which is partly why me and my european wife chose to live here and not in her home country or one of the many other places we’ve been.
Jay212033
February 14th, 2010
1:30 pm
A-Ville Ranger
25 lbs of solid muscle IS a good thing. It’s not like Heyward put on 25 lbs of fat.
TnBrian
February 14th, 2010
1:34 pm
This is so stupid. I hate those corny Hardee’s commercials and this tops them all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB2MDYzx5OY
Couch Tater
February 14th, 2010
1:37 pm
We’ve had reality TV since the 50’s. Hollywood just figured out how to move The Young and the Restless and General Hospital to prime time for a younger audience.
Salamander
February 14th, 2010
1:38 pm
I loved all three seasons of Deadwood, and both seasons of Rome.
Most of the people I know who like reality tv are women or dudes placating women (perhaps for some of that elusive relationship booty).
A-Ville Ranger
February 14th, 2010
1:45 pm
jay, You only have to go back 2 years to see what ‘’solid muscle” did to our last wonderboy right fielder.History is clear, 254lbs is too heavy for the outfield.DOB compares Heyward to Dave Parker, but DP was 6′5” 230 at his best.JH is already 245 and he’s JUST 20.
The kid had a perfect build last year.If the weight was intentional or worse yet, encouraged by management it was foolish.
The Grinch
February 14th, 2010
1:45 pm
I’ll put them on my netflix cue directly.
Check this Valentine’s article out from Cracked.com, it’s hilarious. But a bit crude; be warned.
http://www.cracked.com/blog/how-to-social-network-for-women-on-valentines-day
C's
February 14th, 2010
1:47 pm
TnBrian – Try watching with the sound off. It’s not bad.
Heath
February 14th, 2010
1:54 pm
lexbrave -
Where is your wife from? I’ve been to Poland, Hungary, Romania, Germany, England, France, etc… Love the view in Eastern Europe.
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
1:55 pm
A-ville Ranger: Couple of things. One, Francoeur put on the wrong kind of weight, he conceded later. He worked out with football players, doing heavy power lifting, not sport-specific workouts. Heyward, from people I’ve talked to, has not done that.
Heyward is just a very large guy who, from what I heard, has continued doing workouts that are designed with the movements required of a baseball player, the hitting and throwing, not adding bulk that would hinder such movements. By the way, he’s represented by the same group that reps Francoeur, so I would assume they’ve shared info with him about mistakes Francoeur made in that regard.
No. 2, you’re looking at listed weight for Dave Parker. If it says 230 on official rosters or records, pretty safe to assume it was at least 240-250. Because baseball rosters and media guides are notoriously innacurate when it comes to weights. The team will weigh a guy his rookie year, and often won’t update the roster again for years, unless a player changes teams (and sometimes, even then it’s not updated).
Especially for bigger guys, their listed weight is often 20 or more pounds below actual weight.
For example, Chipper was listed at 210 pounds in last year’s media guide. Do you know the last time Chipper Jones weighed 210 pounds? Many years ago, I’d imagine. In last year’s Braves guide, Derek Lowe is listed at 230 and Chipper at 210. That’s laughable, to suggest that Lowe weighs 20 pounds more than Chipper.
And I’d also say that for you to even insinuate that Braves management might have suggested to Heyward that he add weight, that’s a little unfair. The guy’s still a kid, relatively speaking. He’s growing. How many guys — ballplayers or not — do you know of that maintain the same weight they had at 19? Heyward was 19 freakin’ years old last spring. He’s supposed to maintain the same weight? You ever hear of what the players call “man strength”? He’s getting his. Scary to think how strong he might be at, say, 28.
I said last spring I thought he’d be 250 before it was all said and done, just from looking at his wide shoulders and the frame he had to carry weight and more muscle. I said it to Wren and Cox, in fact. If anything, both of them downplayed the importance of that, saying Heyward was already strong and only needed to keep doing what he was doing, that sort of thing. In other words, they said nothing at all that would lead me to think the Braves wanted Heyward to get stronger or planned to suggest that he do so.
The guy was pretty ripped a year ago, and whatever he’s done since, I’m sure he’s done on his own, though presumably — hopefully — with some guidance from people who know what they’re doing.
One other thing to keep in mind: Francoeur was never a fast runner. Good athlete. But pure speed was never a strength of his. Heyward, on the other hand, has good speed. And for a man his size, great speed.
The Grinch
February 14th, 2010
1:59 pm
Governor, to whom are you referring? Palestine Liberation?
Steve from OH
February 14th, 2010
2:00 pm
Did anyone see this? O’s pitcher Brad Bergesen strains shoulder during commercial shoot:
http://deadspin.com/5471423/budding-os-star-gets-injured-in-commercial-shoot-of-course-he-does
TnBrian
February 14th, 2010
2:03 pm
Francoeur is stupid. Talk about a dumb jock, he defines that term.
And we’re still talking about him …..
TnBrian
February 14th, 2010
2:05 pm
I’d like to have a more athletic Ryan Howard hitting cleanup for my team … a kid like Heyward.
Braveheart
February 14th, 2010
2:05 pm
Yeah, I’ve heard Chipper quite a few times on the radio talking about how he starts the season at 235 with the understanding he’ll lost 10 to 15 pounds over the course of the season
The Grinch
February 14th, 2010
2:05 pm
Ha! That’s what you get for naming your team after an herbivore.
TnBrian
February 14th, 2010
2:06 pm
I can’t believe they have that Olympic guy’s death all over the place. Brings a new meaning to “hitting a brick wall”.
Steve from OH
February 14th, 2010
2:07 pm
I can’t believe that they actually showed the video of that guy’s crash. Talk about graphic.
RHR
February 14th, 2010
2:14 pm
By the way, he’s represented by the same group that reps Francoeur
Oh…the “hold out for “a david wright type contract” people? That’s nice.
The Grinch
February 14th, 2010
2:14 pm
What’s sad is that had he been famous, that video would have been pulled instantly out of respect for his legacy and family. Because nobody much knows anything about him or his sport, we’re treated to it in slow-mo whenever we want. Wonder how his family and friends feel about that.
Heath
February 14th, 2010
2:15 pm
Steve from OH -
Almost nothing surprises me anymore in our society.
Steve from OH
February 14th, 2010
2:18 pm
Wonder how his family and friends feel about that
Probably pretty horrified…
P. W. Hjort
February 14th, 2010
2:19 pm
DOB/others,
Do the Braves get to retain Takashi Saito as an arb-eligible in 2011? Cot’s seems to think so
Heath
February 14th, 2010
2:20 pm
Steve -
NBC showed the dad yesterday…he said he didn’t want to see the video. I guess his dad is a former medal winner in Luge with the USSR.
Braveheart
February 14th, 2010
2:27 pm
If he was American, we likely wouldn’t have seen those images. I thought the same thing about Haiti. They kept showing the faces of dead children laying in the streets.
A-Ville Ranger
February 14th, 2010
2:31 pm
DOB, good post.A couple of points though.I don’t think a baseball specific workout would ordinarily produce the kind of muscle gain Heyward has .Second, I’m sure Jason has ”man strength” but my concern is with outfield defense not hitting.Ryan Howard is a first baseman like every player you’ve compared JH to except for Parker.
Let’s take your obviously accurate statement that bodies usually mature from what they are at 19.Again, my main concern is that he’ll outgrow the outfield.That may be a natural progression.It has happened many times in the past.
If we end up with a superstar first baseman in 5 years, it won’t be the worst old thing though.
6-4-3
February 14th, 2010
2:33 pm
Will Damon at least sign this week?
Josh
February 14th, 2010
2:36 pm
with Boras it’s hard to tell when Damon will sign with somebody.
joerochester
February 14th, 2010
2:40 pm
You don’t need a ton of range in the corner outfield spots.
joerochester
February 14th, 2010
2:40 pm
Freeman is supposed to be our superstar 1B in five years.
FEAR
February 14th, 2010
2:44 pm
start the damn season already. haha
Rob from SC
February 14th, 2010
2:46 pm
THis skiing and shooting seems stupid to me
A-Ville Ranger
February 14th, 2010
2:48 pm
Rob, what’s the point of gettin out in the snow if you can’t shoot stuff ?
Rob from SC
February 14th, 2010
2:51 pm
A-Ville Ranger
I just wonder who came up with this event. Two things I would have never put together.
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
2:55 pm
A-ville Ranger: You know what? I think I’ll wait to actually see Heyward playing the outfield in a little over a week before I start worrying about his weight gain or wondering about him outgrowing the outfield. Because as I’ve said, so far I haven’t heard anything from the likes of Chipper or Schafer or team officials worrying on or off the record about how big he is. Quite the contrary, at least in a few conversations I’ve had with those people so far. We’ll see.
A-Ville Ranger
February 14th, 2010
2:56 pm
Rob, I’m guessing it had it’s origin in old Europe where they literally had to get out in the snow and shoot stuff to survive.
For the record though, I love getting out in the snow and I NEVER shoot critters.
TnBrian
February 14th, 2010
2:56 pm
I wonder if we’ll be seeing Jones #25 and Smoltz #29 jersey’s at Turner Field this year? Couldn’t tell you how many fans I saw on TV last year forgetting those guys don’t play for the Braves anymore.
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
2:56 pm
Meanwhile … No. 3 Syracuse in serious danger of losing at home against Louisville. Trailing 1-1/2 minutes left, crowd only now getting involved. Despite 31,000 people on hand, been an odd lack of energy from the fans most of the game.
18 Wheels of Love
February 14th, 2010
2:57 pm
Just saw Crazy Heart…or as my wife called it, ‘The Wrestler Gets A Guitar’. I laughed and laughed when she said that. I liked it and Jeff Bridges will have earned that Oscar if he gets it.
A-Ville Ranger
February 14th, 2010
2:58 pm
DOB, Fair enough, the way I am is I probably wouldn’t have brought it up if I thought other people were thinking of it.
Rob from SC
February 14th, 2010
2:58 pm
TnBrian
I was a little suprised that the Braves allowed Ryan Church and now Glaus to have #25. I would be shocked if anyone else ever wears 47 or 29. I thought 25 would be off limits too
Heath
February 14th, 2010
3:02 pm
DOB -
No basketball talk. This is a baseball blog.
Heath
February 14th, 2010
3:05 pm
Louisville gets a win they pretty much had to have for their at-large opportunities.
TnBrian
February 14th, 2010
3:08 pm
Rob, why? Andruw was great for years in Atlanta, but he didn’t exactly exit a fan favorite. Not only did he stink the place up, but he and Boras fled for more money.
Heath
February 14th, 2010
3:09 pm
For those that are watching the biatholon right now on NBC…what calinber rifle are they using? 22?
A-Ville Ranger
February 14th, 2010
3:15 pm
Seriously, I’d be shocked if Bor-ass doesn’t use writers for propaganda purposes.Whether he would have them on payroll or just play them is another question.
Soph
February 14th, 2010
3:22 pm
Syracuse lost? Wow.
Heath
February 14th, 2010
3:39 pm
Soph -
They say you should press a pressing team and, apparently, you should zone a zoning team. For a team uses the zone as their primary defense, they didn’t know how to play against a zone defense.
David O'Brien
February 14th, 2010
3:47 pm
Don’t know if it’s been mentioned here, but the new Bill James Handbook has Evan Longoria on the front cover, and Brian McCann on the back.
Braveheart
February 14th, 2010
3:53 pm
LOL Jose Canseco is suffering a meltdown on Twitter
Heath
February 14th, 2010
3:55 pm
About to see some more Luge…
keylargo
February 14th, 2010
3:56 pm
The Luge is on in the Olympics.
Chris from the Rock
February 14th, 2010
4:11 pm
Or Eva Longoria, as he’s known to Sox and Yankees fans.
Chris from the Rock
February 14th, 2010
4:12 pm
Has anyone figured out how Corey Hart won his arbitration case?
Eric from MO
February 14th, 2010
4:16 pm
Rob the skiiing and shooting is about the only event in the winter Olympics I like.
Lew
February 14th, 2010
4:20 pm
Rob From SC -They’ll never retire Andruw’s number. Look at those that they have Murphy, Aaron, Spahn Mathews, Maddux and Niekro.
Andruw was a popular (and good) player most of the time he was in Atlanta, but he never achieved anything close to what those others did -who besides Murphy are (or about to be) HOF players (and Murph won two MVP’s).
Andruw will fall into the same category as Javy Lopez. Both were extremely popular but not superstars. Chipper, Smoltz and Glavine will have their numbers retired. But not Andruw or Javy.
Anthony
February 14th, 2010
4:20 pm
DOB,
where do you get your stats on players? How a particular does against a particular pitcher, and so forth? I’m guessing the ajc pays for this service through a website but figured I’d ask you anyways incase you know of a website or websites that give out this information. Thanks.
salespro2
February 14th, 2010
4:21 pm
Despite 31,000 people on hand, been an odd lack of energy from the fans most of the game. – DOB @2:56
The crowd’s blood is probably frozen and thier butts are frozen to the aluminum benches…Can’t move. I know, I used to live there.
No where’s near like the Georgetown/’Cuse game crowds years ago. Maybe they’re getting spoiled.
Lew
February 14th, 2010
4:21 pm
Speaking of McCann – Heard him being interviewed the other night on XM Home Plate. He says he’s seeing just fine since the surgery.
keylargo
February 14th, 2010
4:32 pm
“Justified” is going to be on FX in March starring Timothy Olyphant from Deadwood. If the show is half as good as Deadwood, it will be a hit.
http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/12/01/justified-premiering-in-march/
Braveheart
February 14th, 2010
4:41 pm
Andruw has the 6th most games played in the franchise’s 134 year history. The only ones higher are Aaron, Mathews, Chipper, Murphy, Rabbit – all HOFers with the exception of Murphy. Andruw has the 6th most runs, 4th most doubles, 5th most homers, 5th most RBIs,