Braves finally won in Chipper’s absence
Chipper says he's workinig to shorten his left-handed swing and hang onto the bat longer.
DARK STAR, Fla. – It was the worst season of Chipper Jones‘ career, but something good came out of it for the Atlanta Braves.
And no, you hardbitten cynics – ahem — I’m not talking about the possibility that Chipper would actually follow through on a vow to retire if he struggles in 2010 like he did in 2009, thus absolving the Braves of about $28 million he’s owed during the 2011-2012 seasons.
(I’m with Bobby Cox on that one, and just have a hard time believing Chipper would do that. But I also don’t think he’ll struggle like that again this season.)
No, what I’m talking about, the positive development vis-à-vis Chipper’s ‘09 struggles, is how the Braves finally managed to win some games, plenty of games, without him in the lineup. That’s something they’d not been able to do much at all during his remarkable three-year stretch before The Slump.
Take a look at these startling stats:
In a stretch from June 24, 2006, to June 9, 2009, Chipper produced better overall numbers than any hitter in baseball except Albert Pujols. In that period, Chipper hit .353 with 178 extra-base hits (78 homers), 259 RBI, a .449 on-base percentage and .617 slugging percentage in 361 games.
That’s a 1.066 OPS in 361 games.
The Braves were 188-173 in games he played during that period, and 45-63 in games he did not. That’s 15 games above .500 with him, 18 below .500 without.
Now contrast that to last year after his numbers began a downward spiral. From June 10 until the end of the season, Chipper went through the worst extended stretch of his career, batting .229 with 24 extra-base hits (10 homers) 40 RBI, a .356 OBP and a .364 slugging percentage (.721 OPS) in 95 games.
The Braves were 48-47 in games he played during that stretch, and — are you ready for this? — 9-1 in games he did not. That’s right, they won nine out of 10 games that he didn’t enter from June 10 through the end of the season. And they won a whole lot more games where Chipper did very little in the 3-hole.
I asked catcher Brian McCann about whether the Braves could take something from that, whether he got a sense that they learned they could win without relying so heavily on Hoss.
“I agree,” McCann said. “I think the second half of last year showed everybody in here that the younger guys can play. And we’re going to have to, because we can’t just rely on Chipper to hit .350 and get the big hit every night.
“You look at our team now, you look at 1 through 8, everybody can get the big hit. And there’s no [easy] outs in our lineup. I feel like everybody has a chance to hit .300. I really feel like that. Everybody gives a good at-bat….
Much could depend on the sustained health of new cleanup hitter Troy Glaus, here arriving for work last week.
“You look at guys like [Martin] Prado and [Yunel] Escobar, and getting Nate McLouth was so huge … And now you’ve got [Troy] Glaus. We’ve got guys in the lineup, 1 through 8, that can really hit.”
Until the middle of last season, when Chipper was out of the lineup the Braves wondered aloud how they’d compensate for his absence. If he was on the DL and they were losing, they’d be asked about how much his presence would mean when he returned. The subject was always front and center, it seemed.
Jones avoided the DL last season, but did miss plenty of games for nagging injuries – a few games here, one game there, you know the drill.
Only this time, they didn’t look so punchless when he was on the pine.
“We won some games when he was hurt last year,” Bobby Cox said when I asked the skipper about it a few days ago. “Prado and [Omar] Infante, those kind of guys that filled in for Chipper, they performed big-time. Got some hits.”
Cox is confident in Omar Infante and other Braves backups.
Prado’s starting at second base now, not available as a fill-in. But the Braves have a healthy Infante to start the season, and added experienced corner infielder Eric Hinske during the winter.
“You’ve got to give guys off days, and hopefully Chipper’s will be off days and not injury days,” Cox said. “I feel good about that now – our backups are great.
“You don’t want to take Chipper’s [bat] out when he’s hot as hell, but we feel good now about giving guys a breather, guys like [center fielder Nate] McLouth. He’s going to need breathers now and then.”
Cox ended that thought with this: “You’ve got a guy like Melky [Cabrera], who can actually play.”
(Ouch. A couple of guys’ ears might be burning about now. Hey, by the way, did Ryan Church sign with anyone?… Nevermind. Someone just told me Pittsburgh.)
Anyway, regarding the Braves’ success sans Chipper last year: Maybe it was because when he was in the lineup, he wasn’t hitting as everyone is accustomed to him hitting. Others had to produce to keep the team’s faint playoff hopes alive.
Or maybe it was just a natural process of some players gaining experience.
Perhaps it was a little of both. I’ll go with that one, actually.
Whatever it was, the Braves weren’t the under-.500 team without Chipper that they’d been in recent years. Far from it.
Loading ...“I think a lot of guys have gotten older,” McCann said. “I think the more experience they get the more they realize, ‘Nan, I can really produce at this level.’ I think it’s a confidence thing. A lot of people had success last year.”
Which brings us to this season, and the possibility that the Braves, including some of those guys who emerged last season, could get a big boost potentially if Chipper returns to anything resembling the form he had up until last June.
At least two key Braves – McCann and Cox – seem certain that he’s going to.
McCann hit four or five times a week with Chipper starting around Christmas, and saw how driven the old dude — the 3B will be 38 in April – seemed in the batting cage and weight room.
Jones put on 15 pounds of muscle and worked with his dad during the winter to shorten a left-handed swing that he said had gotten long in recent years, which Chipper believes is the reason for his loss of power from the left side.
“Chipper’s going have a big year,” McCann said. “Last year I think was a fluke for him, just one of those things where the season kind of snowballed. But I think what he did this offseason, the hard work he put in, he’s back to square one.
“He’s back to what got him where he is — he’s going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and he’s getting back to what got him there. His whole career he’s had so much success and I think last year kind of told him, you know, ‘I might need to get back to square one.’ I think he’s going to have a giant year.”
“ENOUGH” by Todd Snider
Baby we were out behind the pool hall
Somewhere in that gravel parking lot
Back then when we hung out til everything was over
And no one cared if we came home or not
♦
Then again it could have been that night in Nashville
When I came up and crashed out on your floor
I can’t remember where it was that we stopped talking
Well I can’t take this silence anymore
♦
It’s hard enough to keep from shakin’
It’s hard enough without you keepin’ things from me
I don’t know why you tried to make things so confusing
Can’t you see it’s hard enough…hmmmmm
♦
We can’t seem to find what we’ve been missin’
I’ve looked everywhere we used to be
I’ve walked up and down this highland strip a hundred times
Wondering why you left this whole mess up to me
It’s hard enough to keep from shakin’
It’s hard enough without you keepin’ things from me
I don’t know why you tried to make things so confusing
Can’t you see it’s hard enough…hmmmmm
♦
It’s hard enough to keep from shakin’
It’s hard enough without you keepin’ things from me
I don’t know why you tried to make things so confusing
Can’t you see it’s hard enough…hmmmmm
♦
It’s hard enough to keep from shakin’
It’s hard enough without you keepin’ things from me
I don’t know why you tried to make things so confusing
Can’t you see it’s hard enough…hmmmmm
♦
It’s hard enough
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562 comments Add your comment
McFann
February 28th, 2010
2:03 pm
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief!
HTF
February 28th, 2010
2:04 pm
A blog without Heyward in it? WTF? Boo this man.
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
2:06 pm
Sweet blog.
paranoiaagent0
February 28th, 2010
2:06 pm
I assume you’ll want to fix this- you say that Chipper had a “1.066 slugging percentage in 361 games.”
but meant OPS, I assume.
TennesseePaul
February 28th, 2010
2:10 pm
Thanks for the blog DOB
Mitchie-san
February 28th, 2010
2:12 pm
Heyward.
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
2:14 pm
Added a poll to the blog after I posted it. On predictions for Chipper stats in 2010.
MattyRoss
February 28th, 2010
2:14 pm
Thanks for the new one DOB. Who do you put #1 right now, Kansas or ‘Cuse. I have to lean towards my alma mater ahead of yours at the moment, though KU still might be the better overall squad. Just seems like Syracuse should get that recognition, if only for a week.
MattyRoss
February 28th, 2010
2:15 pm
Mitchie-san, everything still where it should be over there? Good to see your computer didn’t get washed away.
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
2:17 pm
Agree with the growing confidence level of the younger players (I think McCann has fully embraced his role as the team leader). I think much of Chipper’s success will depend on how Glaus performs offensively. If he has the power numbers that he had prior to his injury, sitting Chipper for a rest for Infante won’t have so much of an impact on a team that still isn’t geared to play small-ball.
todd
February 28th, 2010
2:19 pm
Chipper will be Chipper – hurt half the time and Troy Glaus will be himself – hurt half the time. We will be lucky to get a full 162 games between the two of them. We better pray that there is somebody who can step up or it is going to be a long season. Thanks for the operating cash Liberty Media!
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
2:19 pm
MattyRoss: Agreed. I’d vote ‘Cuse No. 1 right now. Helluva performance last night.
Paranoia: Thanks for the catch. Got it fixed.
Mitchie-san
February 28th, 2010
2:20 pm
Matty, yeah we are all in one piece. It was pretty crazy around here for a while. It was very anti-climactic…
I have been puzzled since yesterday, though. Some people actually seem disappointed or annoyed that the tsunami wasnt bigger…
I dont get it.
3131
February 28th, 2010
2:21 pm
i hope chipper has a good year cuz i dont want to see him retire yet
Knockahoma
February 28th, 2010
2:22 pm
DOB, Thanks for the article. Assuming that Heyward make the club, our bench should be Hinske, Infante, Cabrera,Ross and ???. What’s your thoughts on that final reserve spot?
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
2:22 pm
Speaking of Heyward, he and nobody else in this group hitting now is doing anything against Kenshin Kawakami. Mostly late swings against him by Heyward, Diaz, others. Thurston pulling some grounders to the right side….
Jesse Chavez coming in to pitch now. I think I’ll head down to field.
BravesinTN
February 28th, 2010
2:23 pm
Also a helluva performance last night: Roger Daltry and Eric Clapton. Great Johnny Cash cover by Roger and Vince Gill and Clapton trading licks…fantastic. Great song by Snider – how about a Clapton tune next blog? I think it’s going to be a great Braves year, I’m still nervous about the health of the backend of the bullpen, though.
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
2:27 pm
Jesse Chavez on the slab. Everything low and away to McCann, only swung at a couple of pitches. Heyward same thing, looking at most low & away stuff in first round, grounder to left side … nothing in air that round.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
2:27 pm
I am expecting huge things from Kawakami
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
2:29 pm
Non one’s got a ball in the air against Chavez yet. Diaz just grounded to left side, took a borderline pitch away, etc. From here, looks like Chavez is locating very well, everything on outer edge of plate or just off it, almost everything down.
MattyRoss
February 28th, 2010
2:31 pm
Mitchie – maybe they feel like it was a “crying wolf” type situation. As in what the hell was all that fuss about, I went to home depot and sealed off windows and etc. etc. for this? People don’t like to be bothered, I guess. Better safe than sorry, though, of course. I’m sure most keep that in mind.
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
2:31 pm
Wind’s blowing hard in from right field, so I’m not expecting many tape-measure shots even after the coaches start throwing BP. Not from lefty hitters at least. Right-handers should be able to get some up on the berm, as it’s blowing in from right but across the field and sort of out to left.
Steve McP
February 28th, 2010
2:32 pm
McCann said “Nan I can really perform at this level”, why was he saying that to his grandmother?
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
2:32 pm
DOB
Based on your observations from previous spring trainings, when do hitters begin to get comfortable.
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
2:34 pm
Heyward just got one up in the air out of the infield. First to do it against Chavez. Soft liner over the shortstop. And that’s it so far against Chavez. Nobody’s hit anything off him.
Mitchie-san
February 28th, 2010
2:36 pm
Matty, I hear ya. If it was worse, they would probably scream that they didnt have enough warning or knowledge of it.
I guess there are just types of people who like to complain.
Benjamin
February 28th, 2010
2:37 pm
I know people were down on Kenshin last year, but aside from a couple horrible outings, I wasn’t disappointed in him. He had several stretches of putting up quality starts. He just needs to work on his pitch count so he can go a little deeper into games.
UKUGA/brent a.
February 28th, 2010
2:40 pm
Syracuse is #1 . . . Kentucky and Kansas are tied for 2nd, pending the outcome of Purdue/Mich State today. Purdue may not lose today, but will probably slip soon, without Hummel.
You can give Duke whatever ranking you want to give them, but I don’t view them as a serious threat.
UKUGA/brent a.
February 28th, 2010
2:42 pm
+ K State/Kansas is huge, coming up this week.
K State is legit, and I expect them to give Kansas equally as tough a battle as they did in Manhattan.
Frankie Knuckles
February 28th, 2010
2:47 pm
DOB – so is it safe to say the Chavez/Soriano trade looks promising? I mean, does Chaves have similar stuff when he’s on? Thx for the realtime updates bro.
Steve
February 28th, 2010
2:48 pm
Dave,
Give us a number on how many games you think the Braves will win. My guess is right around 90.
bigstack19
February 28th, 2010
2:49 pm
You forgot to mention that Chipper played in 143 games last year which is the most for him in some time. Maybe he needs to sit more to keep himself fresh. I hate to say it but the Braves whole season comes down to Glaus. If he stays healthy and hits 30 homers and 100 RBI while playing decent defense this team will be in contention. If he stays hurt, can’t hit a lick or fields the position like he is lost then the Braves will be scrambling to score runs all year. This is a team that has less speed than a senior league softball team. They will need to hit home runs. No first to third on singles. No scoring from first on doubles. No stealing bases to help manufacture runs. Glaus is the lynch-pin for the whole season. If he busts the Braves won’t win 80 games.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
2:54 pm
You guys ready for some hockey? Can USA do the unthinkable and beat Canada…for the second time?
I’m ready!
Venice Jim
February 28th, 2010
2:56 pm
richbrave (if you’re out there) – great shot by the Spiders to force OT…
GovClintonTyree
February 28th, 2010
3:00 pm
Chipper might have been tired, but that wasn’t the major problem. His swing was messed up.
SeATLite
February 28th, 2010
3:00 pm
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&page=wojciechowski/100228
One anonymous scout’s extensive rundown of the best players and his projections for how the season plays out. Not one word in the whole thing about the Braves or any Braves player. In his brief mention of the NL East race, he just says “Phillies win, Mets suck, Nats gotta be careful with Strasburg.” And then pegs the Rockies as the NL WC later on.
Can’t decide how I feel about that. Yes, it’s just one scout’s opinion, and yes, it can be good to come in under the radar… but it makes me worry that we in Braveland have a presbyopia problem. Are we too close and too emotionally involved to see that this team just can’t compete at a high level? Or, conversely, are we the only ones paying enough attention to know that there’s something special about this club?
Think I need a Xanax.
A drunkards ramblings
February 28th, 2010
3:02 pm
Hey Dave, Great blog but wouldn’t Snider’s “Age like wine” be a little more appropriate for Chipper?
Heath
February 28th, 2010
3:05 pm
Hope the US didn’t use up all their goals against the Fins… the count down to the drop of the puck has started.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
3:07 pm
SeATLite
There are a lot of things tha need to go right for tus this season. That being said, we should win the wild card at least.
Venice Jim
February 28th, 2010
3:07 pm
I hope this Richmond-Xavier game is the last double overtime game a team from Virginia plays this weekend…
Braveheart
February 28th, 2010
3:09 pm
I’d like to see Chipper worry less about regaining power, and just transition into the kind of .300/.400, 15 home run hitting guy Todd Helton has become. It’s not likely he’ll once again become the .300/.400/.550 machine he once was. He may have just reached the age where he can either slap singles and doubles and be an on base machine who hits .300 and gets on base 40% of the time, or he lets the average slip, but loads up on the power like in 2004. I’d rather see the .300/.400 guy with average power. Who knows? Maybe he’ll be a monster again this year, but last year didn’t seem to be a lack of strength issue, but seem liked a guy getting old who’s losing the fast twitch muscles needed for fielding and bat speed. But he knows his own body better than what my eyes tell me, so what the hell do I know.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
3:09 pm
on MLBtraderumors it says that Ken WIlliams would seriously giving SD a package centered around Gordon Beckham for Adrian Gonzalez.
I would not trade Beckham if I were them
Nan, I can
February 28th, 2010
3:09 pm
Baseball season. FINALLY.
I have a feeling Glaus will be just fine.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
3:12 pm
Braveheart -
I agree that Chipper doesn’t have to worry about HRs to be really effective in the 3-hole. Hitting for a high average, strokin’ doubles in the gap, and rackin’ up the BBs would be perfect.
Braveheart
February 28th, 2010
3:14 pm
Cain can really pitch, man. Lincecum, he’s a freak. He weighs 160 or so pounds. He’s a max-effort guy with a bad delivery. Don’t get me wrong — he punched out 261 guys last year and he might pitch forever. But it’s just that Cain pitches with such ease. He won 14 games last year with a 2.89 ERA. Lincecum won 15 with a 2.48. See what I’m saying?
No, Scout X, I don’t see what you’re saying. Are you saying Cain’s smart enough not to exert himself too much, knowing how many he wins is dependent upon luck of the draw when it comes to run support and defense?
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
3:20 pm
SeATLite–just finished reading that as well. Gotta he an AL scout (read his comment on Javy as being from the “other league”). So I am thinking that we are just running under his radar. How could you comment on Strasburg on the one hand and fail to even mention Hanson.
But my view is that works. Frankly, outside of McCann, we don’t have a player that draws much attention beyond the local market (unless Chipper lights it up like two seasons ago). I think we have a very solid team. Individual match-ups against the Phillies are going to be problematic, but if we can dominate the Nats, Mets and Marlins, we should be withing striking distance come Sept.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
3:21 pm
VJ -
You guys getting this hockey game live?
The Bird and Indian
February 28th, 2010
3:22 pm
Thanks for the BP updates DOB. I was disappointed that I don’t get to go to a BP this year. At least I get to see a game in a couple of weeks.
Braveheart
February 28th, 2010
3:25 pm
Frankly, outside of McCann, we don’t have a player that draws much attention beyond the local market (unless Chipper lights it up like two seasons ago).
hence, why it doesn’t make too much sense that folks are crying about Heyward getting so much nationwide love. even mccann is pretty much baseball’s best kept secret to everyone but the south and fantasy baseball players
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
3:27 pm
HEath
This pace does not favor us
Braveheart
February 28th, 2010
3:29 pm
Chipper played in 143 games last year which is the most for him in some time. Maybe he needs to sit more to keep himself fresh.
I agree with that. Thought so too with Garrett last year. Garrett was hitting .300 and had an OPS around .800 in late July, but got run into the ground and his numbers nosedived.
Venice Jim
February 28th, 2010
3:30 pm
Heath – yes, we are getting it live- we did watch then end of the UR-Xavier game – sorry about the outcome, richbrave…
Heath
February 28th, 2010
3:31 pm
VJ -
Just checking. I didn’t want to say something and ruin in for ya.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
3:32 pm
what a hit
NCBravesFan
February 28th, 2010
3:33 pm
SeATLite : I’d rather scouts and pundits ignore the Braves. A lot of these same folks have been pretty high on the team the last couple of years, to no avail.
With the pitching depth they have, they should be able to contend. Health and a few breaks here and there will probably determine how far the Braves go.
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
3:34 pm
you like that brooks orpik putting heatley on the US bench
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
3:34 pm
Sports can be fairly random at times. An injury or two can always put one team out of contention and another one in contention.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
3:34 pm
I’d rather scouts and pundits ignore the Braves. A lot of these same folks have been pretty high on the team the last couple of years, to no avail
…yeah, thats why they didn’t make the playoffs. Dang scouts and pundits.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
3:37 pm
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
3:34 pm
you like that brooks orpik putting heatley on the US bench
I wonder if he would check Crosby?
Heath
February 28th, 2010
3:37 pm
VJ -
No where near the scoring in the first period for this game compared to the last one, huh?
NCBravesFan
February 28th, 2010
3:38 pm
Heath, did you really think that was the point I was trying to make, or are you just trying to be a smarta$$?
Heath
February 28th, 2010
3:40 pm
saw that goal coming as soon as they turned it over….damn.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
3:42 pm
NOT LOOKING GOOD HEATH
Must stop this PP
Heath
February 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
….and now a power play. Sheesh.
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
If the Braves can get this guy then they are world series bound. Adrian Gonzalez, Braves offer Freeman, let them choose between Arody’s and Julio, and another mid level prospect. Who’s with me?
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
b from SC
February 28th, 2010
2:32 pm
DOB
Based on your observations from previous spring trainings, when do hitters begin to get comfortable.
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
3:44 pm
Rob in SC, i doubt he would give Crosby more then a little push.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
3:44 pm
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
If the Braves can get this guy then they are world series bound. Adrian Gonzalez, Braves offer Freeman, let them choose between Arody’s and Julio, and another mid level prospect. Who’s with me?
Gonzo is a .260 hitter, I’ll pass
Heath
February 28th, 2010
3:44 pm
…bad thing, US seemed to have the ice tilted in their favor for most of this 1st period…stupid turnover and all that good play is erased.
Salamander
February 28th, 2010
3:44 pm
Not sure if its been posted here yet, but here is a tv schedule for Braves games this spring (I found the list on Talkingchop.com):
Tuesday, March 2nd @ 1pm – Braves vs. Mets on MLB
Tuesday, March 9th @ 7pm – Phillies vs. Braves on CSS (Comcast?) and MLB
Thursday, March 11th @ 7pm – Braves vs. Yankees on CSS and MLB
Tuesday, March 16th @ 1pm – Marlins vs. Braves on FSS and MLB
Wednesday, March 17th @ 1pm – Braves vs. Marlins on FSS and MLB
Tuesday, March 23rd @ 1pm – Braves vs. Mets on ESPN
Wednesday, March 24th @ 1pm – Phillies vs. Braves on ESPN
Friday, March 26th @ 1pm – Tigers vs. Braves on ESPN
Tuesday, March 30th @ 1pm – Yankees vs. Braves on CSS
Wednesday, March 31st @ 1pm – Astros vs. Braves on CSS and MLB
Heath
February 28th, 2010
3:45 pm
Good pp kill…let get something going here.
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
3:48 pm
lol you’ll pass on Gonzo? what are you smoking and where can i get some? is fat albert good enough to play first for you?
TommyP
February 28th, 2010
3:53 pm
Slow sports Sunday today. Is it me or did they used to have more men’s basketball on Sundays?
Watched a lot of NFL Combine today. Tebow impressed in most of the measurables. Hardesty looked great, Spiller burned the 40 up as did Best…. Can’t wait to watch Dexter McCluster in the NFL. He’s a football player.
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
3:54 pm
I’m with Rob. I’d rather keep two of our top prospects and take a chance that Freeman will pan out rather then trade for Gonzo.
SoDak Brave
February 28th, 2010
3:54 pm
Need a lil help. I am using google chrome and everytime i refresh the blog, it goes back to the top. Anyone know how I can fix this, so it will go back to the place i was last at?
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
3:55 pm
Andrew in PA
I would rather have 6 years of Freeman and Teahern than 2 year of Gonzalez
Poorbrave
February 28th, 2010
3:56 pm
“we got a guy like Milky Cabrera who can actually play.” said Cox.
“Ouch, a couple guys’ ears might be burning about now.” said DOB.
Is it obvious DOB you do not care for Cabrera are does it just seem that way? Alot of bloggers seem to be cutting him down. I hope he proves the non-believers wrong….Give the Man a chance, new league, new team, don’t have NY pressure, and He’s got Wren & BC’s backing. If it don’t work, we have July trade bait.
Thanks for the info. You and Jeff have been doing double duty. Thats GREAAAAAAAAAAAAT.
glove51
February 28th, 2010
3:58 pm
Poorbrave: WTF???
And Roodge Owns
February 28th, 2010
3:59 pm
Poorbrave, I don’t think you’ve got those two quotes put together correctly.
toga party
February 28th, 2010
4:00 pm
Thanks for that post Salamander. I hadn’t seen the spring TV schedule yet.
Andy K.
February 28th, 2010
4:01 pm
Poorbrave, I think you’re misinterpreting…the Cox comment was referring to guys in the past like Church, etc who were less desirable options for the OF. and DOB has already addressed Melky and his preseence, and has shown no signs of not caring for him…
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
4:01 pm
Poorbrave,
You’re taking the quotes out of context.
Poorbrave
February 28th, 2010
4:03 pm
Sorry about that. My bad. Gone back to re-read.
TnBrian
February 28th, 2010
4:04 pm
“I’d rather keep two of our prospects and take a chance that Freeman will pan out rather then trade for Gonzalez” joerochester
joerochester, now I’m not accusing you of doing this, but the second Freeman starts to struggle in the bigs so many will be screaming at why the Braves didn’t package him in a trade for Gonzalez. Personally, I’d offer Freeman and maybe two decent prospects to SD and might even raise the offer a little with one more good propect.
Some of ya’ll take these young minor leaguers too seriously. Really, how many of them pan out to be a Adrian Gonzalez?
toga party
February 28th, 2010
4:05 pm
SoDak Brave, I have that problem when using Chrome as well. I haven’t found a solution for it yet, so I just read the blog in Firefox. My other problem with Chrome, when reading the blog, is that I tend to highlight things as I read. Chrome adds all the things you highlight to the RAM the program is occupying, so you end up eating way too much memory with the browser. The combination of those two issues leads me back to Firefox.
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
4:06 pm
Poorbrave-Not to speak for DOB (like he needs the help), but I think the point he was trying to make is that BC will almost never say anything not positive about anyone of his players–even to a point of re-cycling worn out sound-bites. Like this one was…
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
4:06 pm
Tn
If we were assured that AGON would be a Brave and we could lock him up, then I would think about trading for him. However, if we lock him up would we still be able to keep Hanson, Heyward, Jurrjens, in the future?
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:07 pm
2nd period about to get underway…. come on boys, let’s get that game-tieing goal.
Poorbrave
February 28th, 2010
4:08 pm
Thanks glove51, Andy K, and Roodge my screw -up…forgive DOB?
Poorbrave
February 28th, 2010
4:09 pm
your right….RJB
TnBrian
February 28th, 2010
4:09 pm
joerochester, A-Gon’s contract is up about the same time as Chipper’s and Lowe’s, correct? If so, I’d think they could have enough cash to lock up all those guys you mentioned above. Maybe they’d need to release another contract or some other kind of tweaking, but man, this is Adrian Gonzalez we’re talking about.
Andy K.
February 28th, 2010
4:10 pm
Be back in a bit ladies and gents…more USA hockey
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:10 pm
Another penalty? dang.
Couch Tater
February 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
Braveheart – I agree about the days off, but the other side from Jermaine Dye about last years second half slump. He’s younger than Chipper.
“Having everyone rotate between the outfield and DH, doing all that, I think it made it that much tougher than being in the lineup every day, trying to work your way out of a slump. It just kind of piled up and piled up.”
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Rosenthal-Why-is-Jermaine-Dye-not-signed-021010
So, I guess if you’ve got a good avg. you can take a day off. lol
And Roodge Owns
February 28th, 2010
4:13 pm
Happens to me all the time, Poorbrave.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:14 pm
….okay…killed a pp….and now we get one.
TommyP
February 28th, 2010
4:15 pm
Isn’t this the last year of A-Gon’s (yet ANOTHER athlete where we give him the unimaginative 1st letter of first name, 1st 3 letters of last name….ugh) small contract? If so, I want no part of him as he’s going to get a MONSTER deal next year.
Braves aren’t going to sign him to, say, a 5yr./$90 million deal. Just ain’t happenin’….
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
…pp looking… oy.
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
Tommy…
I’m not sure even that would get it done. LOL.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
DOes anyone like Matt Diaz to hit leadoff against LHP
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:17 pm
2-0…..looks like we have to settle for the silver.
toga party
February 28th, 2010
4:17 pm
Uh-oh. Getting in a hole here.
Jay212033
February 28th, 2010
4:17 pm
TnBrian
It’s not some of us that take these prospects too seriously it the organization as well.
cabravesfan
February 28th, 2010
4:18 pm
Heath-
Relax buddy
Lot of time left…
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:20 pm
cab -
I’m relaxed…disappointed, but relaxed. Almost a must pp here if we want to get back in this game.
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
4:21 pm
DOB, do you know what Bobby’s plans are with left? I know its Diaz and Melky,but do you know if Melky is going to start against all or most righties?
Andy K.
February 28th, 2010
4:22 pm
Per DOB on twitter…D-Lowe opening day nod…
Frankie Knuckles
February 28th, 2010
4:22 pm
D-Lowe to start opening day? Mend fences we will.
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
4:22 pm
Bobby surprised us by announcing pitching plans not just for next week … but for the opening week of the regular season! I use exclamation mark because it’s something he’s never done this year.
Any guess who it is for opening day? No, not Huddy. Not Jurrjens. Nor Hanson.
Yes, Derek Lowe.
Lowe is scheduled to start opener April 5 vs. Cubs, then Jurrjens in Gm 2 vs. Cubs on April 7, followed by Hanson April 8 vs. Cubs, then Huddy in the April 9 series opener at San Francisco and Lowe in Game 5 at San Francisco. Kawakami wouldn’t go until the series finale there on April 11, sixth game of season. (Lowe would be on regular rest for Game 5).
Cox said if Jurrjens hadn’t had his shoulder situation, he was candidate for opening day. “But I like Lowe right now [for the start]…. There’s an honor to [getting the start]. Lot of first-game jitters, excitement. You’ve got to have the right makeup to handle that. He can pitch big games, that’s for sure.”
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:22 pm
..by the way..to answer the question. I would like Diaz batting lead-off against lefties. He would “ambush” that first, get-me over fastball and rake it for a double.
dogsbrekky
February 28th, 2010
4:23 pm
Dobi – re college basketball… can anyone recall a season where Nos 1 has switched so much… I mean Texas was nos 1 a few months ago and last I looked they were ramked 20 with a shovel heading south….
thanks for the new bloggage.. Can you ask Bobby who he intends hitting leadoff… I would like to see Capt Caveman there and McLouth at 7
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
The reason for Huddy going in Gm. 4 is that they want to give him extra rest for his early starts to be sure about the elbow. He’ll get five days before each of his first two starts. Bobby said they want to make sure he’s rested early so he’s ready to go every five days for second half, when they could give Hanson and Jurrjens the extra day now and then if needed.
dogsbrekky
February 28th, 2010
4:25 pm
smart thinking re Huddy
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
4:25 pm
highest paid pitcher usually gets the opening day nod
TnBrian
February 28th, 2010
4:25 pm
I like Lowe taking the hill for opening night. I find it strange though that Hudson doesn’t pitch until game 4.
Who cares, I’m just ready for some baseball!
TnBrian
February 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
Nevermind, I see from DOB’s comment the reason for Hudson. Makes sense.
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
USA just can’t find the back of the net…despite a ton of shots.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
So:
1.Lowe 7 Innings
3.Hanson 7 Innings
5.KK <7 Innings
Atleast he is alternating guys that are likely to pitch less than 7 innings with guys that are likely to pitch 7 or more. Should make it easier on the BP.
toga party
February 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
Thanks for the explanation on Huddy, Dave. I found that curious at first, but it makes sense with the schedule.
Of course this all depends on JJ being completely ready…
reagan
February 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
Been watching “baseball tonight” on espn…………..Nate said he is 5′ 8″
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
yeahhhhhhh USA!
dogsbrekky
February 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
I am glad for Bernie Williams that he could play baseball, cause he could put an insomniac like me to sleep very quickly with his music… playing on BSPN now…. at least they showes BMAC and Nate playing footy and basketball…. woo hoo some Braves tv…. now I hope they show the McDonough Masher… err “Bonecrusher” killing some cars at 450 ft !
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
4:28 pm
And just to prove me wrong (again)
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:28 pm
Finally!!!!!!!!!!!
We NEEDED that…need to stay within 1 goal.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:30 pm
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
So:
1.Lowe 7 Innings
3.Hanson 7 Innings
5.KK 7 Innings
4.Huddy >7 Innings
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:31 pm
Why is it eating my posts and jumbling them?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dogsbrekky
February 28th, 2010
4:32 pm
USA will win the hockey, do not worry, the little folks to the north would have trouble getting drunk sitting under a keg !
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:34 pm
Try this again (third time a charm):
1.) Lowe 7 Innings
3.) Hanson 7 Innings
5.) KK < 7 Innings
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
4:34 pm
For next week the plan is: Hanson in the Grapefruit League opener at Mets, Hudson vs. Mets in second game (Dark Star opener), Kawakami in third game vs. Pirates, Lowe in fourth game vs. Nationals, and KRIS MEDLEN to start fifth game vs. Houston.
Jurrjens will throw his first bullpen session tomorrow, and could be back for the second turn through rotation. Cox said they haven’t worked it out beyond five games. They’ll wait and see how he feels.
Relievers for Tuesday’s opener are scheduled to be Medlen, Chavez, Dunn, Resop, Parr, Acosta.
Saito and Wagner are scheduled to make their debuts in the fourth game, Lowe’s start vs. Washington at home.
KC
February 28th, 2010
4:34 pm
dogsbrekky, I agree. If it were up to me, I’d platoon Diaz/McLouth in the leadoff role. Diaz leads off vs lefties… McLouth vs righties.
Steve McP
February 28th, 2010
4:35 pm
dogs – I have known a lot of Canadians and never found one that did not know how to get drunk at any time and in any situation.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:35 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Okay, I quit with the pitching stuff. Can’t even make a damn 1 – 5 list without the site eating it and/or jumbling it.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:36 pm
Steve McP -
Ditto. They are as good as anyone ‘em at that based on my experience. Same with Germans.
dogsbrekky
February 28th, 2010
4:37 pm
Steve McP – you missed the dry Aussie sarcasm there… meanwhile in the Premier League, my mob looks shaky (AGAIN) defensively and quietly the Gunners are a game within it !
Jake W.
February 28th, 2010
4:38 pm
Lowe did so well opening day last year that I don’t really mind. Hopefully we get more of that. Say what you want about Lowe and how he did last year but opening day he was as good as an ace. Of course no gurantee he does that this year but hopefully this offseason he was able to work out his problems from last year.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
4:38 pm
DOB
anyway Diaz will leadoff against LHP
Steve McP
February 28th, 2010
4:39 pm
damn semantics so hard on the written word
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
4:40 pm
Rob, why the heck would you put a guy with a career .921 OPS and .537 SLG (against lefties) in the leadoff spot? If anything, that’s the guy you bat cleanup or 5th against lefties, not leadoff.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:40 pm
Whew..thank goodness for that goal. 2-1 at the end of 2nd period is a whole lot better than 2-0.
Steve McP
February 28th, 2010
4:41 pm
Chelski were just awful yesterday, what was Ballack thinking, now he’s out for three games.
Gunners have too many injuries to really challenge for the title, Ramsey’s broken leg was sickening.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
4:42 pm
Steve from OH
Because you know the 3-4-5 will be Chipper-Glaus-McCann
Escobar will hit 6th
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
4:43 pm
McP- In my experience, no one can put it away like the Kiwi’s.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:43 pm
Steve from OH -
I can see the rationale for putting Diaz in the lead-off. His good slugging % is due to doubles not HRs…so, a lead-off double to start the game would be great. Braves would only have to play A-B-C baseball just to get a run to start the game. Just a thought.
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
4:44 pm
Well, why wouldn’t you put Diaz fifth and McCann sixth? Putting those numbers at the leadoff spot is a waste.
jeffrey d
February 28th, 2010
4:47 pm
2-0…..looks like we have to settle for the silver. Heath
Yeesh…
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
4:47 pm
Steve from OH
We are talking about Bobby Cox
Steve McP
February 28th, 2010
4:48 pm
RJB, got to disagree, the New Zealanders that I have worked with (mainly in Hong Kong) all seemed to be so health obsessed that they drank only on special occasions, like there is a Y in the day!
Heath
February 28th, 2010
4:48 pm
jeffrey d -
Wasn’t lookin’ good at the point…and we’re still behind. But, 2-1 makes me feel a little better since we have at least seen one hit the back of the net.
ChAsj
February 28th, 2010
4:48 pm
Put Chipper in the # 2 slot and Escobar # 3. Yes we are very dependent on Glaus right now. Let’s hope that Heyward hits 30 homers this year. I like our lineup if it stays healthy. Our pitching will keep us in games an the home run ball could win us some games. A Gon makes little sense in the grand scheme. We have a nice balance between trying to win today but not mortgaging the future to do so.
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
4:48 pm
Who cares who we’re talking about? Irrelevant of where Cox is likely to bat him, he should be batting in a run-producing spot against LHP.
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
4:49 pm
Steve-not sure it is a waste at all. Given that the Braves don’t run, having that lead-off double is more likely to get the run in as opposed to depending on a stolen base to get into scoring position. As I recall, Marcus Giles spent a productive few years with the Braves doing just that.
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
4:49 pm
Diction is not my strong suit, folks….
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
4:50 pm
And if you want to get technical about it, Cox isn’t likely to bat anyone besides McLouth leadoff regardless of who is on the mound.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
4:53 pm
Steve from OH
I love Escobaar hitting in an RBI spot as well
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
4:55 pm
Why? Because he’s better than Diaz against LHP, or simply because you think he’s better? Because he’s not.
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
4:55 pm
McP- That’s a shocker to me. During my Army time, worked with NZA troops in Somalia in 93, and their anti-sniper berm was made of empty beer kegs filled with sand. Kiwi’s took great pride in having the most secure berm around. Years later, I had a few working for me in Europe. Not only did they routinely drink me under the table, they made sure I was properly indoctrinated into history of the mighty All-Blacks. Much to the dismay of the South Africans present…
More Dang
February 28th, 2010
4:55 pm
cept Lew ain’t all that young. Dang
and every year he bad mouths the Phils .Really hates the old home town I guess
TnBrian
February 28th, 2010
4:57 pm
Carl Ravech is wetting his pants right now having the Yankee players to his his left. You just know he’s thrilled right now.
18 Wheels of Love
February 28th, 2010
4:58 pm
No problem with Lowe in the opener. Didn’t he deal in the opener last year? Should be good for his confidence.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
4:59 pm
I guess it is safe to say we have the best 3 4 5 pitchers in baseball
Braveheart
February 28th, 2010
4:59 pm
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/01/dude_wheres_my_breakfast.html
The Dude got his nickname because he worked on behalf of the Coen Brothers on their first feature, “Blood Simple,” and it’s said that in their film “The Big Lebowski,” the Jeff Bridges character (aka The Dude) was inspired by him. The Dude’s friends might consider the Coen version a little dialed down.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:08 pm
Just over 11:00 to go… still need a goal… Come on boys.
Realist
February 28th, 2010
5:08 pm
The results of the Chipper poll are pretty funny. No way the dude hits that well this season
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:10 pm
USA living dangerously…too many turnovers.
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
5:13 pm
DOB
How has Lowe looked so far?
Snotboogie
February 28th, 2010
5:16 pm
dogsbrekky:
You guys do look shaky this season. Everytime it seems like you guys are going to put some distance, you come back to the pack. ManUre arent doing well either.They are a Shrek hammy pull away from 3rd place. Its going to come down to the wire.
Gunners are doing well. Hard to figure out whether yesterday’s horrors will hurt them or the subsequent win would help their mental strength.
SteveMcP:
The gunners have the easiest run-in and no big four games.Dont rule them out yet. Did you see the injury – more sickening was the reaction of Vermaelen and Cesc. Tragic really.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:16 pm
Hope USA doesn’t pull a UNLV…undefeated…except the last game. Painful.
nolie
February 28th, 2010
5:18 pm
so many will be screaming at why the Braves didn’t package him in a trade for Gonzalez. TnB
for one thing SD has no use for him, they have a 280 pound first baseman playing LF that they want to put on first if Adrian leaves
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
5:21 pm
Man, hockey is intense. It’s hard to follow that puck on tv, though.
FEAR
February 28th, 2010
5:22 pm
finally some action!!!
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:22 pm
Time is ticking quickly… tick tick tick…
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:24 pm
Empty net now…
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
5:25 pm
this is gonna get interesting
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
5:28 pm
ohhh baby
Venice Jim
February 28th, 2010
5:28 pm
WOW!!!
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:28 pm
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SoDak Brave
February 28th, 2010
5:28 pm
I am starting to love this hockey stuff!
toga party
February 28th, 2010
5:28 pm
Holy crap.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:28 pm
Oh my oh my!!!!!!!!!!
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
5:29 pm
cutting it a tad close
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
5:29 pm
Crap! What happened… I’m at work!
Steve McP
February 28th, 2010
5:29 pm
Although Arsenal’s run in looks easier because they are playing the relegation threatened teams, all of those are playing for their lives and so every game will be blood and guts, not the type of game which Arsenal does well in.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:29 pm
Wow….Overtime.
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
5:30 pm
10 million glasses of beer just hit the floor north of the border.
jim
February 28th, 2010
5:31 pm
The Braves are a mid-market team. They cannot be competetive on a yearly basis unless they get a substantial and continuing input from their system (think Rockies and Twins). They cannot afford to deplete their system by trading 2 top prospects for a 2-year rental and a higher salary player, especially when they have already commited to Glaus as their 1B-man this year. Do you want the Braves to change their game plan before even one pitch in the grapefruit league has even been thrown?
DirtyYuni
February 28th, 2010
5:31 pm
How ’bout that one, ‘Nucks?!
Jamia
February 28th, 2010
5:31 pm
Fact: When players like “Larry” have what they perceive to be a good year, they invariably demand a contract change for more money, even though they’re already being paid more in one month than many fans will make in a lifetime.
Question: When these bozos have a crappy year, why don’t they give some of the money back?
I haven’t been to a major league professional sports event in twenty years, and I don’t miss it a bit. Let someone else pay these loafers and thugs, not me.
cabravesfan
February 28th, 2010
5:32 pm
Joerochester-
USA tied with 24 seconds left to send game into OT
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:32 pm
RJC in DC -
Only bad part of that is that they have some good brew up there.
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
5:33 pm
What are your favorite girlscout cookies?
Samoas!
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
5:33 pm
We are not a mid market team
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
5:33 pm
USA tied with 24 seconds left to send game into OT
Thanks!
Rob from SC
February 28th, 2010
5:33 pm
a shootout if scoreless in OT is not the way to end this game.
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
5:36 pm
USA!
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
5:36 pm
Heath- indeed they do. And they were just about to hoist it at the expense of their southern neighbors too…
Choppinmama
February 28th, 2010
5:37 pm
Salamander – thanks for the broadcast info!
The Grinch
February 28th, 2010
5:37 pm
We do NOT need to package the aforementioned prospects for Gonzales. Look, y’all; I was just down there for a week. This team is focused, determined, and deep at just about every position. Hinske’s got major power. Glaus will be fine. Lowe will bounce back; he looks great so far (and I should mention I said he should be the opening day starter over a week ago). Yunel looks stronger and more focused. Prado’s in better shape. Chavez looks good; this bullpen is the most underrated part of the team. Moylan’s flat out nasty. Dunn looked good and he probably won’t even make the team (Proctor’s way ahead of schedule). Say what you want about Wren, but the guy has put together a potentially excellent team and has a contingency plan for ANY scenario, without having raped the farm system. I firmly believe this team will win 90-95 games.
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
5:37 pm
Labatt Blue and Molson Canadian are two of the best brews.
Jake W.
February 28th, 2010
5:38 pm
We are not a mid market team
I’d say right now we are a mid market team but we would be one of if not the highest payroll for a mid market team.
bravebob
February 28th, 2010
5:40 pm
WOW. I dont watch much hockey but I’ve never seen an empty net situation work
Snotboogie
February 28th, 2010
5:40 pm
Steve McP
Hull, Burnley and the Wolves are the slightly worrying teams. Man City is the only other team to worry about.Gunners have been playing better overall and not as weak as previous years with the lower rung teams.
United play City, Pool, Chelski along with some relegation teams.Pretty tough overall.
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
5:40 pm
Shootouts suck, Rob. No way an Olympic game or an NHL playoff game should end in a shootout. I don’t mind it in the regular season, but at least do a 20 minute OT instead of the crappy 5 minute thing…
Navigator
February 28th, 2010
5:41 pm
Does anybody in their right mind expect Chipper to walk away from $28 Million!!!?? I don’t even like Chipper, but I don’t think he has that little sense. If anybody says his pride (read ego) will make him leave early, then him and you are living in an alternate universe. Only a micro fraction of the people living in this world will ever make $28M in their whole life.
TommyP
February 28th, 2010
5:41 pm
Had a best friend in college that went to spring training and came back raving like Grinch just did….about the Pirates. LOL
They look focused, eh?
nolie
February 28th, 2010
5:42 pm
Samoas! joe r
me too yumyum
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:42 pm
Steve -
Is the OT in the Olympics 10 min?
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
5:43 pm
It’s 20 in the gold medal game, Heath.
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
5:44 pm
Do you guys remember when Stevie Y scored that 2 OT goal in game 7 against the Blues? That’s good hockey, not shootouts.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:44 pm
Steve -
Oh….well, should have a decent shot at not having the Shootout then.
jeffrey d
February 28th, 2010
5:45 pm
I like this 4 on 4 thing
jeffrey d
February 28th, 2010
5:46 pm
Is this sudden death?
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
5:46 pm
Is this sudden death?
Yeah, bro.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:46 pm
Yes. On the sudden death.
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
5:47 pm
I agree with The Grinch on his assessment. I thing the current roster is strong, if not spectacular. Better than last year. Moreover, we gave a number of games away early while BC hung with KJ, Frenchy and Schafer despite the fact that they were under-performing. Thus exposing the myth that the early games somehow don’t mean as much as games later in the season.
The Grinch
February 28th, 2010
5:47 pm
Schaeffer also looked like he was trying to prove something; I wouldn’t be surprised to see him up next year.
Speaking of Moylan, he was over in the indoor batting cages taking bunting practice with Hanson. He stepped toward the plate and Jimy Williams says “Hey Peter, why don’t you let Tommy go first? There’s a thing or two I want to work on him with.” Moylan looks incredulous and says in his Aussie accent: “Tommy? Tommy who? Tommy F—ing prospect?” Williams laughed and said “What?” while gesturing to the kids standing around waiting for autographs. Moyan looked around and said “Tommy prospect?” You had to be there; he sounded just like Jason Statham in “Snatch.” He and Medlen were constantly cutting up.
Godd to see Williams back coaching, too; he was actually giving helpful advice which is something I didn’t see much of last time. I get the feeling this team really wants to send Bobby out on a high note.
jeffrey d
February 28th, 2010
5:48 pm
Yes. On the sudden death.
Oh geeze….whoever wins it’s gonna be some finish
The Grinch
February 28th, 2010
5:50 pm
TommyP, I was down there two years ago and didn’t rave a bit. They really do look better this year.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:52 pm
heart is pounding…
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
5:53 pm
There’s a blog up with the whole story on Cox’s plan and reasons, plus a poll on what you think.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
5:53 pm
…damn
cabravesfan
February 28th, 2010
5:53 pm
Oh well…
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
5:54 pm
well im glad crosby got the game winning goal, but poor USA great job.
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
5:54 pm
F@#king Crosby.
The Grinch
February 28th, 2010
5:54 pm
Also, Heyward is a line drive hitter. He’ll hit homeruns, but that isn’t his approach. Expect to see a lot of doubles and triples. After watching him, as impressed as I am I still think he should start at AAA and come up in July unless he’s just tearing the cover off it. Also, for those worried about his weight; dude could put on another 15 pounds easy and still be fine. You just have to see his build in person; can’t apply normal rules to it.
RJB in DC
February 28th, 2010
5:54 pm
And it had to be Crosby too. ugh
jeffrey d
February 28th, 2010
5:54 pm
Canadian bacon is just ham anyway. Idiots…
The Grinch
February 28th, 2010
5:55 pm
Figures; always a new blog when I start typing.
TommyP
February 28th, 2010
5:55 pm
I would imagine that everyone is focused right now and ready to prove something. I mean you know there is someone at the Royals spring training raving about how they look and all but…..
It’s February. February.
Jake W.
February 28th, 2010
5:58 pm
Well good game, don’t watch much hockey. I didn’t even see the puck go in the net. For this to be thier game it took a battle for them to win. They can have this sport, we got them in everything else.
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
6:01 pm
take that ovie, a cup and a gold metal, what you got
The Grinch
February 28th, 2010
6:01 pm
It’s not my first ST there, Tommy; they didn’t look all that focused or hungry last time. I’m much more of a realist than an optimist; I’m just calling it like I see it.
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
6:01 pm
Ovie’s got more talent than Crosby, that’s what he’s got.
TommyP
February 28th, 2010
6:03 pm
Jake W.: I’m with you, bro. I just can’t get into that sport. Wasn’t it Fox that used to have this blue laser follow the puck so you could see it?
Good for Canada. It’s all they have, really.
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
6:05 pm
talent or championships..hummm,ill take the winning.
nolie
February 28th, 2010
6:05 pm
So if we can just dump Chipper off somewhere we should win 140 some games, right?
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
6:06 pm
ovies got more talent then jesus christ himself,but that doesnt make him a winner.
Chad
February 28th, 2010
6:07 pm
A-Gon has a club option for $5.5M in ‘11, which you would assume any team he’s on would exercise. Lowe’s and Chipper’s contracts expire after ‘12, assuming the Braves don’t exercise Chipper’s option (although it’s only half what he’s making each of the next 3 seasons). The Braves’ contracts expiring b/t now and then are KK, Wagner, McClouth, Saito, Ross, Infante and all our 1 year guys.
KK and McClouth’s salaries might be free, assuming our front four are as strong as most expect and assuming Schafer can recover and establish him as a ML OF. The other salaries will likely be tied up in those guys or their replacements. The Braves’ best shot to re-sign A-Gon (assuming they trade for him) would probably be to offer him a slightly back-loaded deal.
The only way I would want to trade that kind of talent for A-Gon is if Wren knew he would have the financial resources to make a strong run at re-signing him. We traded a lot of talent for an excellent 1B who was supposed to put us over the top a couple years ago. It seems like the Braves never really expected to make a strong run at retaining his services. Not every trade for an established slugger works out as well as the McGriff trade did either.
I agree with Rob’s sentiment. We can’t keep trading our future away for a shot at success now. Unless you can spend like the Yankees, you have to be able to develop your own local talent. Prospects may not always pan out, but guys like Chipper, McCann, Jair, Hanson and Esco are great examples of what can happen when they do. Someone recently went through a list of some of the guys we traded away for our rentals at 1B and RF, and my stomach turned a little.
TommyP
February 28th, 2010
6:09 pm
Many have projected a lineup so far and here’s my first attempt:
McClouth
Prado
Chipper
Glaus
McCann
Yunel
Heyward
Diaz
Lowe
IF Glaus comes through, that’s a pretty good lineup. (also Heyward coming through but I feel he’ll be a solid contributor from the start)
I’m really pulling for Lowe. I really like the guy and want him to succeed. I also like Huddy being further back in the rotation. Expectations are WAY too high for him right now. He’ll be much better in the 2nd half of the season vs. the 1st. Handle with kid gloves to start.
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
6:11 pm
im just gonna say it now, Derek Lowe will have a better year then Javy.
Jake W.
February 28th, 2010
6:13 pm
I don’t know Tommy as I’ve only watched hockey a little for a couple of years but if they did thats a good idea. Watching on a 40 inch and still couldn’t see the thing most of the time.
From the sound of things the USA is closing the gap between them and us in this game but right now they are still better but if they ever had to play us in basketball, soccer, or baseball we would be heavy favorites and rightfully so. But hockey is theirs and although its dissapointing to come this far and finish second the US still did well and they didn’t roll over us. I liked the fight.
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
6:13 pm
I just read an article where the two lifeguards at the local YMCA are 82 and 70 lol.
TommyP
February 28th, 2010
6:15 pm
Andrew: That’ll be comparing apples to oranges with the change in leagues (especially since Javy is in the AL East now).
nolie
February 28th, 2010
6:23 pm
no bite here Andrew. gave it up for Lent
Andy K.
February 28th, 2010
6:29 pm
If you guys think we have crazies on this blog just go look over on Schultz’s…shenanigans
Snotboogie
February 28th, 2010
6:43 pm
Lol and joerochester’s story.
They really put the Y in YMCA dont they!
Braveheart
February 28th, 2010
6:44 pm
I wouldn’t have a problem trading elite prospects or paying lots of money if the player we’re getting back is so special that he’s worth it, but the thing Adrian Gonzalez just ain’t that special of a player. He’s just not. He hasn’t put up a 1.000 OPS yet in his career. If I’m gonna trade elite prospects, I’m gonna do it for Fielder, Braun, Pujols, etc. Not for some guy who has barely averaged an OPS above .850 before last season.
Troy Glaus, 2006 thru 2008: .261/.364/.491/.856
Adrian Gonzalez, 2006 thru 2008: .288/.357/.504/.860
I understand Gonzalez had a great year last year, and that he is 28 and in his prime, and that he’s been putting up those numbers in a hitter unfriendly park, and ain’t making that much over the next year or two, and that Glaus was injured last season, and is getting old, but the Braves basically paid what? 2 or 3 million for Glaus? But you’re willing to pay with a bunch of elite prospects in addition to money for Gonzalez?
And about Gonzalez’s season last year, yeah, it was pretty good. But are those walk totals real? Would they be similar in a more competitive lineup? Or were they inflated because there was no fear of those around him?
And that was a mighty impressive power display he put up last season, but, again, is that also a product of seeing so many garbage pitches thrown to him that he obviously wasn’t supposed to swing at, that it became easier to identify and lock in on those rare pitches he saw that he could drive?
I dunno, but I’m very reluctant to consider trading valuable pieces for a guy who didn’t put up numbers much better than Laroche or Glaus before last season, especially when there were circumstances present last season that possibly caused his walk and power rates to be inflated.
nolie
February 28th, 2010
6:50 pm
well at l;eat you didn’t base it on WARP or BJWS or some such BH
nolie
February 28th, 2010
6:58 pm
Even I can understand that post and the points it makes. and I kinda agree. though he does have a 935 OPS away from home which might make it kinda interesting
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
7:00 pm
snotboogie
In all fairness to the old dudes, they are incredibly fit. The 82 year old runs two miles a day and lifts weights.
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
7:01 pm
This is the same city where we had an 80 year old bartender, too. It’s the fountain of youth up here, let me tell ya.
Woody Woodward
February 28th, 2010
7:03 pm
Chipper needs to keep his pie hole shut on this retirement business. What clubhouse leader talks retirement in the middle of a pennant race like he did last year? I also remember a column a few weeks ago that made mention of a thumb injury he suffered while hunting (one of his niggling injuries) and then Chipper raved about how well his hunting show (or some such) is coming along. Where’s the man’s head? Is his heart in it?
nolie
February 28th, 2010
7:06 pm
Pretty desperate for something to bytch about, huh Woody?
Dang ...
February 28th, 2010
7:10 pm
Woddy Woodward– now now, can’t give the slightest hint of negativity. Shame on you.
Of course when the season starts and there’s one tiny hiccup in anyone’s play THEN they’ll be the same old negative nelly’s we all know and love patrolling the site.
Dang ...
February 28th, 2010
7:11 pm
Woody– told ya. (Refering to nolie’s 7:06)
RHR
February 28th, 2010
7:12 pm
I like how ballgame! posts aren’t just for baseball games.
nolie
February 28th, 2010
7:12 pm
– now now, can’t give the slightest hint of negativity. Shame on you.
there’s negativity and then there’s ridiculous whining about nothing. kinda like your post, y’know?
Bobbymahlom
February 28th, 2010
7:13 pm
Whoever came up with the idea that the only team without a loss had to beat a team they had already beaten to win the gold medal. Now both teams have the same record and if you go to a tie breaker on goals scored USA wins.
nolie
February 28th, 2010
7:14 pm
and you won’t find me being negative no matter what happens, unlike a lot of folks . prolly you too from the tone of your post.
Braveheart
February 28th, 2010
7:16 pm
though he does have a 935 OPS away from home which might make it kinda interesting bb
yeah, geez, just looked at that road split, and am inclined to say nevermind about what I said earlier. A 139 OPS+ over the last 4 seasons. Chipper’s got a 143 for his career, so I guess Gonzalez’s numbers should be relatively similar to Chipper’s average season if Gonzalez was hitting in a more friendly park. Trade the farm!
18 Wheels of Love
February 28th, 2010
7:19 pm
Hockey is not a sport.
Braveheart
February 28th, 2010
7:20 pm
What clubhouse leader talks retirement in the middle of a pennant race like he did last year?
maybe a clubhouse leader looking to ease the pressure on everyone else by deflecting attention? or maybe a clubhouse leader who has to answer far more questions than anyone else, and thus gets asked far more questions he has to answer than anyone else?
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
7:21 pm
For those scoring at home, the five longest home runs that I saw in BP today were off the bats of Brian McCann, Yunel Escobar, Jason Heyward, and two by ol’ Chipper himself. He drove one right-handed that hit off the Champion scoreboard sign about 20 feet above the left-center wall, and crushed one left-handed (remember that’s the swing he’s working on) that hit three-quarters of the way up the high wall in straightaway center field. That was an epic shot, and the swing drew praise from GM Frank Wren seated behind the cage.
nolie
February 28th, 2010
7:21 pm
why not 18? I can see that about Curling but why hockey? Ever play it? it’s pretty rough work.
Andrew in PA
February 28th, 2010
7:22 pm
batting practice is mad overrated
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
7:23 pm
18 Wheels–huh?
nolie
February 28th, 2010
7:25 pm
but a lot of fun Andrew
Braveheart
February 28th, 2010
7:25 pm
How is hockey not a sport? I don’t like hockey at all, even though I loved the game today, but if hockey ain’t a sport, what the hell do you consider baseball?
nolie
February 28th, 2010
7:26 pm
I think maybe 18 was trolling for a bite?
a643dp
February 28th, 2010
7:27 pm
Heywards nickname should be…… HEMI
brian
February 28th, 2010
7:30 pm
I would just call Heyward “The Argonaut”
Heath
February 28th, 2010
7:32 pm
DOB -
Would you agree or disagree if the polls read: 1.) SU, 2.) KU, 3.) UK tomorrow?
SeATLite
February 28th, 2010
7:33 pm
Rob, RJB, NC, thanks for the reassurance. I’ll endeavor to see the media’s blind eye as a good thing.
Now if I could just get over Lowe starting on Opening Day…
Heath
February 28th, 2010
7:35 pm
I hope you’re kidding about the Hockey is not a sport comment. Curling…yeah..but hockey?
JasonInFL
February 28th, 2010
7:41 pm
D-Lowe should start the opening day at Gwinnett… (:
Hope D-Lowe bounces back and earns that $15 mill…If he has a real good year, this staff can be really, really good. The bullpen will be BETTER than last year.
Woody Woodward
February 28th, 2010
7:43 pm
“maybe a clubhouse leader looking to ease the pressure on everyone else by deflecting attention?”
deflecting attention from what? His own poor play down the stretch? In the field and at the plate, Jones was anemic. The rest of the Bravos were playing with a fire in their belly that has been sorely lacking in recent years. Jones’s job is to stoke the fire, not douse it.
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
7:44 pm
Go Braves: Peachtree TV still hasn’t announced who’ll team with Joe Simpson on its broadcasts.
nolie
February 28th, 2010
7:44 pm
The rest of the Bravos were playing with a fire in their belly that has been sorely lacking in recent years. Jones’s job is to stoke the fire, not douse it. Woody
Steve from OH
February 28th, 2010
7:47 pm
By my count, Chipper needs about 11 more down years until we can start getting on him for “dousing the fire.”
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
7:51 pm
Are the Cubs sending out Zambrano opening day?
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
7:58 pm
if glaus doesnt put up big numbers expect the braves to be under five hundred. i dont get why the heck they wont freaking sigh a speed player who can steal a lot of bases. we need speed and power this season if we want to make the playoffs
Dang ...
February 28th, 2010
8:00 pm
Chipper most definitely ended his swing with both hands on the bat when he was younger. I remember it pretty clear. I guess he still does right handed, but he used to from both sides of the plate as I recall.
I got Jason Heyward finishing 2010 at .290-21-82.
Dang ...
February 28th, 2010
8:02 pm
falcoholic– that’s what they got Nate McLouth for. Not sayin’ he’s a prototypical leadoff guy, but they obviously think he is. Just sayin’.
KC
February 28th, 2010
8:03 pm
Classic!!! For those not easily offended… with a slightly twisted sense of humor, here is one of the all time classic underground songs/videos (Gaybar by Electric 6):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTN6Du3MCgI
nolie
February 28th, 2010
8:07 pm
I got Jason Heyward finishing 2010 at .290-21-82. Dang
so he is gonna hit better as a 20 year old rookie than Chipper did at what 23? BA might be a bit high, but I think it’s possible, and would be mighty happy with those figures
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:08 pm
so how do u guys think well rotate our outfield
Avon Barksdale
February 28th, 2010
8:10 pm
no people is crazy on here
Avon Barksdale
February 28th, 2010
8:11 pm
falcoholic, heyward in right, nate in center, diaz plays lefties melky plays righties
Dang ...
February 28th, 2010
8:11 pm
nolie– Chipper has a series of nagging injuries when he first came up and I think it played a part in some of his numbers. Still impressive numbers by young Chipper, but still. If Heyward can stay healthy….
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:12 pm
avon dude whos crazy?
Avon Barksdale
February 28th, 2010
8:12 pm
heyward will be ROY and MVP the same year, has anyone ever done that?
Woody Woodward
February 28th, 2010
8:12 pm
Heyward will make Chipper look like Woody Woodward.
Stringer Bell
February 28th, 2010
8:12 pm
you got that right bro
lpad
February 28th, 2010
8:13 pm
Wow hockey not a sport. That must be the dumbest thing ever written on this blog, maybe ever. Would love to here why it isn’t?
On a different note, Crosby is officially a legend now. Not much else for him to do now? Is he even 25 yet?
Avon Barksdale
February 28th, 2010
8:13 pm
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:12 pm
avon dude whos crazy?
everyone on this blog
Couch Tater
February 28th, 2010
8:13 pm
On Blaine Boyer’s recruiting calls to come to the D-backs…
LaRoche, an avid hunter, questions Boyer’s true ambitions – “He just wanted another redneck on the team”
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/2010/02/27/20100227diamondbacks-blaine-boyer.html
Avon Barksdale
February 28th, 2010
8:13 pm
hahaha my man stringer bell is here whats up homie
Stringer Bell
February 28th, 2010
8:14 pm
you mean as a rookie or career, Woody?
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:15 pm
dude heyward is not going to be mvp look umm. howard is a lot better than heyward will be in this upcoming season i mean seriously common sense
Jimmy McNulty
February 28th, 2010
8:15 pm
I know where you guys live.
Dang ...
February 28th, 2010
8:16 pm
“u guys can u reply faster i mean dang not bein mean but i like chatting wit u guys”
Well, I’m not “bein” mean here either, but could you like, I don’t know, use spell check because I feel like I’m talking to a Kindergarten kid with your grammer.
Stringer Bell
February 28th, 2010
8:16 pm
just hangin’ and watchin’ all these fans make fools of themselves, just like we used to do back in the day in Baltimore
Jimmy McNulty
February 28th, 2010
8:16 pm
falcoholic, heyward is hank aaron and mickey mantle rolled into one ..he will win the mvp 10 times
Dang ...
February 28th, 2010
8:18 pm
flacoholic– Ryan Howard is one fat, ugly slob. Seriously, he makes me sick. But yeah, he’s still a legit slugging fool, no doubt.
Steve McP
February 28th, 2010
8:19 pm
Oh dear, text speak on the blog, is that allowed?
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:19 pm
so how are we going to rotate our outfield
Stringer Bell
February 28th, 2010
8:19 pm
keep an eye out fot that dam Omar, Avon. He might be hidin’ in here waitin’ for his chance to ambush us.
Det. Bunk Moreland
February 28th, 2010
8:19 pm
Jimmy lets go get sh*t faced.
Omar Little
February 28th, 2010
8:20 pm
stringer you already know, omar here and he aint going nowhere.
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:20 pm
mcclouth in center diaz in left in cabrera in right?
Venice Jim
February 28th, 2010
8:21 pm
Did the blog get hijacked when I wasn’t looking?
Omar Little
February 28th, 2010
8:21 pm
MVP IN RIGHT
Dang ...
February 28th, 2010
8:21 pm
Has Prince Fielder had a heart attack yet? Hmmm, they’d better get that fat boy an oxygen mask next time the Brewers come to Atlanta on one of those hot and humid summer days.
D'Angelo
February 28th, 2010
8:21 pm
hey Stringer, you guys are gonna have my back while I’m in the slam, aintcha?
Stringer Bell
February 28th, 2010
8:22 pm
shur we are D’
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:24 pm
we shouldve sighned laroche
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:25 pm
for some odd reason i have to reply to see your replys so i might ask random things to see u guys replys
Dang ...
February 28th, 2010
8:26 pm
“we shoulve sighned laroche”
You should’ve stayed in school.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
8:27 pm
No real good way to try and predict RBI as it is largely dependent on the lineup, but I think .290 and 20+HRs as an expectation for Heyward my be a little high. I would be happy that for sure, but, I’m expecting more like .270 and 15-18HR.
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
8:27 pm
VJ
It’s getting wild.
Bubbles
February 28th, 2010
8:28 pm
Heeeyyy hey can i get some dope
jeffrey d
February 28th, 2010
8:28 pm
You should’ve stayed in school. Dang …
If you’re going to criticize spelling, then you should know that it’s spelled grammAr with an A, professor. Leave the kid alone, man.
jeffrey d
February 28th, 2010
8:29 pm
ahhh….italics
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:30 pm
what do u mean joeroechester
Bubbles
February 28th, 2010
8:31 pm
falcoholic, your in 5th grade, god help your soul leave this blog now while there is still time.
Dang ...
February 28th, 2010
8:32 pm
jeffrey d, I guess I should’ve been born a mind reader then. How the hell was I supposed to know he’s just a kid? If he said he was earlier than I obviously missed it.
Sorry falcoholic, I didn’t know you were in Elementary School kiddo.
Rich Clary
February 28th, 2010
8:32 pm
Salamander, Thanks for the Spring TV schedule…
Chad
February 28th, 2010
8:34 pm
Sorry, falcoholic, he didn’t know. We’re used to responding to posts from adults who sound like they never got past fifth grade.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
8:34 pm
5th grade…awake and on the internet on a school night. Dang, either really cool parents, or really bad ones.
Jimmy McNulty
February 28th, 2010
8:35 pm
haha chad nice
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 28th, 2010
8:35 pm
Hey nollie, I think those numbers you proposed would be more realistic for Heyward in the 2011 season. I expect Jason will sport a batting average more in the .250 range for 2010 and that would not be shabby at all for a 20 year old rookie up from AA ball.
Chad
February 28th, 2010
8:36 pm
Good advice, Bubbles.
nolie
February 28th, 2010
8:36 pm
y’all are all Wired, huh?
jeffrey d
February 28th, 2010
8:36 pm
Dang –
dangg u just got poned
You couldn’t tell?
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:37 pm
is a beast
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
8:37 pm
Hey nollie, I think those numbers you proposed would be more realistic for Heyward in the 2011 season. I expect Jason will sport a batting average more in the .250 range for 2010 and that would not be shabby at all for a 20 year old rookie up from AA ball.
Not to mention he’ll probably be batting in the 7/8 hole.
Jimmy McNulty
February 28th, 2010
8:37 pm
falcoholic, yo nobody is talking about you anymore chill
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:37 pm
jeffrey d is a beast
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
8:37 pm
What age is a fifth grader?
Lew
February 28th, 2010
8:38 pm
On that HR that DOB said Chipper hit today off of the Champion sign – I believe that particular sign was petty high up on the sign poles. That means the HR traveled at least 400 feet and would have been an upper deck shot at The Ted. If it hadn’t hit that sign, it would have landed in the parking lot beyond on the fly over 500 feet.
nolie
February 28th, 2010
8:38 pm
Hey nollie, I think those numbers you proposed Gil
I didn’t post those numbers Gil, I was responding to someone who did. I simply said it was possible, but the BA at least might be too high.
P'cola Brave
February 28th, 2010
8:38 pm
Does anyone know if the Tuesday game is on TV? If so, what station?
Lew
February 28th, 2010
8:39 pm
joerochester-about ten years old.
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
8:39 pm
P’Cola
I believe someone said it was on the MLB Network
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
8:39 pm
Anyone who checked out the Grapefruit League pitching plans note that I posted on the blog, you might want to re-check it if you’re looking for a certain pitcher. I made two corrections and added Saturday’s relievers.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2010/02/28/hanson-to-start-grapefruit-opener-tuesday/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:40 pm
so should we have kept gonzy or soriano
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:41 pm
im not a fan of bobby cox bein coach but thts just me
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
8:43 pm
The question becomes: are you smarter than a fifth grader?
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
8:45 pm
Heath, I’d agree with that top three in tomorrow’s polls.
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
8:45 pm
Are there curling clubs in the US? How does one get involved in that activity?
unbelievable
February 28th, 2010
8:46 pm
DOB, I know Chipper has talked about shortening that swing to generate more power. Has he said anything about is relieving some of the strain on his obliques also? Seems like his big long swings have caused some injuries in the past also
Heath
February 28th, 2010
8:48 pm
Well….we could debate with an actual fifth grader, or go back to debating with a middle-aged guy from SF that acted like a fifth grader.
unbelievable
February 28th, 2010
8:48 pm
joerochester, I have a friend from Minnesota and he’s talked several times about the curling clubs up north. Says its basically like bowling in the south. Anyone can go pay and play anytime
jeffrey d
February 28th, 2010
8:48 pm
Do you text talk on your tests, falcoholic?
Heath
February 28th, 2010
8:48 pm
joerochester -
I think you have to move to Minnesota for that.
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:49 pm
how will our batting order go
lpad
February 28th, 2010
8:50 pm
hey, heath. I agree with your top 3 as well. unfortunately, it looks like Duke will be #4. The idea of Duke having a shot at a 1 seed is just ridiculous. Nothing like playing in a weak conference and beating teams like Tulsa.
brian
February 28th, 2010
8:50 pm
If I were to vote these are my favorite 3 nicknames for Heyward that I have heard.
1. The Arognaut
2. The Heymaker
3. J-Hey (if he plays up to his potential and is as good as we think he is we can add “kid” later – he would have to ear J-Hey Kid with his play as deference to the Say Hey Kid himself)
Jimmy McNulty
February 28th, 2010
8:50 pm
Braves game tuesday is indeed on the MLB Network at 1 pm
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
8:50 pm
Dang, it looks real fun.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
8:51 pm
how will our batting order go
I presume you mean to ask about the order of the guys…if so, it will be whatever Cox wants.
Senator Clay Davis
February 28th, 2010
8:52 pm
Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittttttttttt!!!
Heath
February 28th, 2010
8:53 pm
Senator -
You stub your toe?
Jimmy McNulty
February 28th, 2010
8:53 pm
hahahahaha best post of the day by clay davis,nicely done.
jeffrey d
February 28th, 2010
8:54 pm
Alright, I’m heading out. Falcoholic – say no to drugs
http://www.dare.com/kids/index_3.htm
toga party
February 28th, 2010
8:55 pm
joerochester, there’s a curling club just north of Albany (Schenectady). Some of my buddies went there last week, and had to basically go through an “orientation” week. Next time I guess they’ll be able to just play. Seems like it would be pretty fun with the right group of people & beverages.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
8:55 pm
Well, that’s what I say when I stub my toe. That hurts.
Jimmy McNulty
February 28th, 2010
8:56 pm
Senator Clay Davis
February 28th, 2010
8:52 pm
Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittttttttttt!!!
Jimmy McNulty
February 28th, 2010
8:57 pm
falcoholic go to bed
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
8:58 pm
jeffrey d u still on??/
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
8:58 pm
Shuffleboard is fun,too.
Senator Clay Davis
February 28th, 2010
8:59 pm
DOB, you gonna be at Port St. Lucie(a.k.a Port St. Lousy to you)on tuesday? If so, maybe I’ll see you there. You visiting press guys and gals enter and leave through the gate by where the Braves bus sits right?
Venice Jim
February 28th, 2010
9:02 pm
It’s always misfortunate when someone inadvertently puts an “f” in front of their screen name when they first post, and then never realize that they spelled their name wrong…
toga party
February 28th, 2010
9:03 pm
joerochester, check these guys out:
http://www.rochestercurling.org/
Home of the Braves
February 28th, 2010
9:08 pm
DOB, you wrote: “You don’t want to take Chipper’s [bat] out when he’s hot as hell, but we feel good now about giving guys a breather, guys like [center fielder Nate] McLouth. He’s going to need breathers now and then.”
Cox ended that thought with this: “You’ve got a guy like Melky [Cabrera], who can actually play.”
Are we supposed to interpret that quote to mean that Diaz is going to get a chance to play pretty much every day and Melky will be more of a role/bench/late inning sub when they bring in an especially tough righty RP? Because it sounds like he’s saying that Melky will be available to come in off the bench or play a day or two for McLouth…
The Bird and Indian
February 28th, 2010
9:08 pm
What the heck happened? I get off for a little bit and the blog shoots up a couple of pages. Cool, me and McFann aren’t the youngest around here anymore.
Speaking of McFann, where has she been?
Chad
February 28th, 2010
9:09 pm
Venice Jim, you’re talking about someone who’s a decade short of legal drinking age in the US.
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
9:09 pm
LOL. Thanks, toga.
Home of the Braves
February 28th, 2010
9:11 pm
Wow. Just reread that, and I sound like one of those impersonal annoying posters who just badgers you for more information with no regard for how hard you work. Let’s try that again…
Hey DOB, when you were talking to Bobby, did he give you the vibe that Melky would be coming off the bench more and that Diaz would be getting the start almost every day in LF? Just wondering if that was the impression you got from that quote, because on paper, without any ability to hear his tone, that’s kind of how it reads.
That’s better…
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
9:16 pm
There’s an open house this Saturday. I may check it out and do some curling!
Heath
February 28th, 2010
9:17 pm
VJ -
Take the blog back!
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
9:19 pm
I could go for some Bocce ball right now, too.
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
9:21 pm
Senator: Yeah, I’ll be there. In the rain, if the forecast holds. Press enters on third-base side of field, by Mets clubhouse.
toga party
February 28th, 2010
9:22 pm
Those curling clubs must get inundated right after the olympics. I bet the open house will be cool to check out. Good luck joerochester. Maybe you’ll make the US team for 2014 in Russia.
Venice Jim
February 28th, 2010
9:23 pm
Heath – I am happy that we will not have another Virginia team going to double OT tonight…
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
9:23 pm
Haha. Yeah, they said they expect quite a showing. I bet it’s popular for like six months after the olympics. Then it dissapears again.
nolie
February 28th, 2010
9:29 pm
used to have curling at my northern Ohio university 40some years ago. it’s fun. not that I did it all that much.
The Bird and Indian
February 28th, 2010
9:35 pm
And then the new youngster leaves, and the blog returns to normal state.
PhuturePhan
February 28th, 2010
9:40 pm
PhuturePhan says…Chipper will have a better season than 09, but will decline noticeably in 2011 and will accept a buyout for 2012.
McFann
February 28th, 2010
9:40 pm
The Bird and Indian–
I’ve been righchere…don’t know why I haven’t posted much. Guess for once in my life I haven’t had a whole lot to say.
Games are gonna be startin’ up soon, though! That oughta get these fingers goin’ again!
joerochester
February 28th, 2010
9:42 pm
Anyone have a chance to see The Ghost Writer yet? It’s not coming around here until late March I believe.
fgdgfg
February 28th, 2010
9:44 pm
Yes Yes.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
9:44 pm
joerochester…I hope to see you in Russin in 4 years buddy. Make us proud. We need some help.
fgdgfg
February 28th, 2010
9:44 pm
Yes Yes
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
9:44 pm
i have to go to bed in a feqw minutes so whats been going on
fgdgfg
February 28th, 2010
9:44 pm
Yes Yes
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
9:45 pm
i type fast so i have some spelling errors
falcoholic
February 28th, 2010
9:46 pm
so will the braves make the playoffs? yes or no. what do u think??/
The Bird and Indian
February 28th, 2010
9:46 pm
McFann
Ah, okay. I hadn’t had too much to say until the last couple of weeks. Aren’t you glad we aren’t the youngest posting around the blogs now?
Keep working at it falcoholic.
Elon Brave
February 28th, 2010
9:46 pm
DOB how has Glaus looked swinging?
Heath
February 28th, 2010
9:47 pm
i type fast so i have some spelling errors
Happens to the best of us.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
9:48 pm
Bird -
McFann is still the blog’s honorary lil sis.
nolie
February 28th, 2010
9:50 pm
Anyone have a chance to see The Ghost Writer yet? I joe r
yeah I saw it a while ago, in fact I recommended it here. I like Brosnan and McGregor both. Cattrall uses her English accent, she is from Liverpool.
The Bird and Indian
February 28th, 2010
9:53 pm
Heath: Does that mean we should adopt falcoholic as our little bro? Nahhhhh.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
9:56 pm
McFann -
Has earned it…just being young doesn’t mean anything. Sorry kid.
Heath
February 28th, 2010
9:57 pm
sorry, meant:
Bird -
McFann has…..
keylargo
February 28th, 2010
9:57 pm
Road House is a good movie with The Jeff Healy Band playing themselves as the house band at a rough dive. Jeff Healy was a blind blues/jazz bandleader from the 80’s and 90’s that was really a very talented guy. It comes on at 10:00 pm on 255 Direct TV or the MGM channel tonight.
McFann
February 28th, 2010
9:57 pm
The Bird and Indian Aren’t you glad we aren’t the youngest posting around the blogs now?
Totally…though I always knew that we were the youngest only as far as age goes, not maturity.
Heath–
Makes me proud.
McFann
February 28th, 2010
9:58 pm
“Happy” proud…you know what I mean.
Night, all!
nolie
February 28th, 2010
9:59 pm
falcoholic is probably 40
David O'Brien
February 28th, 2010
9:59 pm
NOW we’re talking. NEIL YOUNG on the closing ceremonies. Raise a toast to Neilsy. Legend….
Elon Brave: Glaus has looked promising. I stood at the batting cage and watched a few groups hit today, including his. He hit some towering shots onto the left-field grass berm. And while it’s just BP, and he was crushing against coaches’ pitching, fact is he’s hitting balls a long way. And unlike Heyward or other young guys, it’s not like we need to see him hit breaking balls to know he can do it. With Glaus, it’s just a matter of, is the shoulder healthy? And so far, it sure looks like it is.
Wren was sitting behind the cage today when Glaus hit. Here’s what he had to say about what he saw: “One thing you can tell about strength and bat speed, is the way the ball jumps off the bat…. Glaus looks good.”
nolie
February 28th, 2010
10:00 pm
so he didn’t say anything???
nolie
February 28th, 2010
10:06 pm
That’s cheating
The Bird and Indian
February 28th, 2010
10:13 pm
McFann: Very true.
Heath: You confused me there bro. I was bringing up the idea of it to make fun of him, and then I put nahhh. But you might have know that.
Steve McP
February 28th, 2010
10:15 pm
I prefer Python’s Descartes quote in the philosphers song – “I drink therefore I am”
nolie
February 28th, 2010
10:15 pm
Cogito ergo sum… falcoholic
toldja
Venice Jim
February 28th, 2010
10:16 pm
Steve McP – exactly what I was thinking…
nolie
February 28th, 2010
10:19 pm
“I drink therefore I am” McP
what’s the Latin for that again? I forget.
Steve McP
February 28th, 2010
10:19 pm
Socrates himself is particularly missed, a lovely little thinker but a bugger when he’s pissed
Moe Berg
February 28th, 2010
10:21 pm
“what’s the Latin for that again? I forget.”
Bibo ergo sum.
Steve McP
February 28th, 2010
10:22 pm
No Latin, but Descartes was French so “Je pense, donc je suis” is probably more accurate and no Robert that is not a 17th Century reference to Bobby Cox.
nolie
February 28th, 2010
10:25 pm
Ergo bibamus
Venice Jim
February 28th, 2010
10:28 pm
Because “we” drink? That works for me…
nolie
February 28th, 2010
10:31 pm
therefore let us drink , I believe. long time since those days
Venice Jim
February 28th, 2010
10:35 pm
nolie – just going by being an altar boy the last year of the Latin mass…but you are correct…
Daybed Wagmoe
February 28th, 2010
10:37 pm
Era vulgaris
nolie
February 28th, 2010
10:41 pm
well i can’t say i was ever an altar boy, so I musta lernt that somewheres else
nolie
February 28th, 2010
10:45 pm
let’s see Daybed, in baseball that would be the guy with the lowest earned run average???
Steve McP
February 28th, 2010
10:45 pm
je bois, donc je suis
nolie
February 28th, 2010
10:49 pm
That’s French to me, McP
nolie
February 28th, 2010
10:51 pm
no I get it…I think.
Chris from the Rock
February 28th, 2010
11:11 pm
Jo-Jo’s not getting the opening day nod? Hosed again…
Nick in PA
February 28th, 2010
11:47 pm
Nickelback followed by Avril Lavigne, gee thanks Canada!
N8
February 28th, 2010
11:53 pm
“Nickelback followed by Avril Lavigne, gee thanks Canada!”
Who did you expect, Triumph?
N8
February 28th, 2010
11:54 pm
Just stumbled across China Girl by David Bowie on my iTunes player, and forgot about Stevie Ray Vaughn playing guitar on that. Which explains why I downloaded that tune to begin with.
Steve McP
February 28th, 2010
11:55 pm
What is going to be highlight of the next winter olympics closing ceremony going to be when it is held in Russia – free bread for the attendees?
bravefaninok
February 28th, 2010
11:58 pm
N8
February 28th, 2010
11:53 pm
“Nickelback followed by Avril Lavigne, gee thanks Canada!”
Who did you expect, Triumph?
Now that was funnyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!! wtg N8
Heath
February 28th, 2010
11:58 pm
SteveMcP -
Free shipping on mail-order brides?
bravefaninok
March 1st, 2010
12:00 am
N8,Triumph singing “magic power” would have been perfect.
N8
March 1st, 2010
12:06 am
I have to admit that I was dead wrong about Derek Lowe and opening day. To those who predicted that he’d get the nod, congrats (I guess).
Actually makes a lot of sense with Hudson coming off of the surgery and JJJ going through what he’s recently gone through. I never thought for a second that Hanson or KK would get the nod.
I really think that had JJJ been healthy, Cox might have gone his way with it. But whatever. In the end, doesn’t really matter much. Can’t hide anybody. They’re all going to get about 30-34 starts if healthy. Order is a minor detail.
N8
March 1st, 2010
12:08 am
bravefaninok, I honestly don’t remember much about Triumph. I was pretty young. Just remember that they were Canada’s “other” power-trio. The poorman’s Rush, if you will. I remember that Rick Emmitt (sp?) was left-handed and played a doubleneck SG in a video. That’s about it. Couldn’t actually name a tune if I had to.
But I figured the older bloggers would appreciate the name being dropped on the ole’ blog.
NorthDakota Brave
March 1st, 2010
12:09 am
I’m looking for a little help in planning a trip to Atlanta in August sometime. What hotels would you recommend staying at that are somewhat close to Turner Field. I’ve stayed at some Embassy Suites and have liked the service and free breakfast but are there any close to the Ted and if not how, how is a bus ride to the park? We would prefer a hotel with free breakfast. We don’t travel much but I want to make a trip this summer, just looking for some advice. We are going to Minneapolis when the Twins play the Braves in June and we want to take a trip to Atlanta to catch a game. Any info would be appreciated. Can’t wait for the season to get started! GO BRAVES!!!
N8
March 1st, 2010
12:10 am
Actually I was wrong. Just looked up some photos. He wasn’t left-handed. Not sure who I’m thinking of? Oh well. Now it’s going to bug me. Either way, I vaguely recall Triumph videos being in regular rotation in MTV’s early years.
nolie
March 1st, 2010
12:14 am
I doubt it Nate. either Lowe or hudson was likely gonna get unless neither was healthy.
N8
March 1st, 2010
12:17 am
DOB, I saw Erik Cordier’s name in the pitching plans next week. Is he the kid that we got for Pena Jr. from the Royals, or was he in the Tex trade from the Angels?
Steve McP
March 1st, 2010
12:21 am
North Dakota Brave, the MARTA provides good service in Atlanta, which means that you do not need to book a hotel on the Ted’s doorstep. I have stayed in what are called “perimeter” hotels and they use the train and shuttle bus to get you to the game with the minimum of fuss, there are also some reasonably priced downtown hotels (the Motel 6 has free parking and wi-fi and is 2 blocks from the MARTA).
Steve McP
March 1st, 2010
12:24 am
Erik Cordier was acquired in the Pena trade – isn’t google wonderful!
ccrider
March 1st, 2010
12:29 am
NorthDakotaBrave, You need to look for Hotels near a MARTA (rapid transit system) line, the Lenox Square Shopping Center area, is near one, Perimeter Mall area is near one and if you want to keep the price down you could get a hotel near the airport( that either is near a Marta line or has a transport to it and ride MARTA into Atlanta and get off at the Georgia State University stop and I believe get a bus to the stadium. You need to lookup MARTA online and check how they work the shuttle buses to the stadium. Are you driving or flying?
The Bird and Indian
March 1st, 2010
12:31 am
NorthDakotaBrave: I would suggest the Country Inn&Suites. It’s a nice place, very close to the stadium.
Avon Barksdale
March 1st, 2010
12:42 am
man whats goin on with the playstation network tonight
Andrew in PA
March 1st, 2010
12:43 am
i know avon your right
BuckheadBrave
March 1st, 2010
12:46 am
Post from someone named La Jolla Dawg FINALLY shed light on the group of people who are all of a sudden hating on Chipper,. For a lot of you it’s because he’s a Gator, should have known you UGA fans would stoop that low. Hate to break it to you but:
1.) Its the ATLANTA Braves, not the UGA Braves and just fyi ATL has the largest Gator Club and NOT the largest Bulldog Club that would be Jacksonville(we will make that swap with you any day of the week, you want Jax you can have it)
2.) UGA is a SCHOOL, just like a High School. It represents no city or region, you could live in Athens next door to Vince Dooley himself ( Who is an admitted Vol fan now) and have no reason to be a UGA fan if you have no connection to the SCHOOL. I guess we need to get right on cutting David Ross as well because he went to Auburn AND Florida *gasp*!!!
And for the record as I said there as many or more Gators in Atlanta and in the stands at Turner Field so Chipper is in NO way alienating the majority of his fan base.
NorthDakota Brave
March 1st, 2010
1:02 am
thanks for all the info everyone. We are going to fly in. Right now we are leaning towards the Dodgers series in the middle of August. Probably fly in on Friday around 2pm, check in at hotel, grab a bite to eat and head to the field. I never realized how much work it is to try and line all of this up (flight, hotel, transportation, food, etc.) since my parents used to line most of this stuff up.
Shane
March 1st, 2010
1:03 am
Huh?
Shane
March 1st, 2010
1:05 am
UGA is a SCHOOL, just like a High School. It represents no city or region,
Thats just dead wrong. The school is funded with state tax dollars. Therefore that school represents the state of Georgia.
And if you think there are as many Gators as Bulldogs in ATL well youre just wrong about that 2.
uga-brave
March 1st, 2010
1:07 am
after that comment, i better buy some jean shorts and a tank top.
Jarryd
March 1st, 2010
2:15 am
i am what i am, i am the back door slam
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2010
3:03 am
N8, glad your question about Cordier was answered. I just woke. Fell asleep on the couch couple hours ago. Had taken a second from transcribing a Wagner interview to lay down on couch and close my eyes, since I was falling asleep transcribing. Next thing you know I’m out cold, woke up two hours later not knowing where I was, TV blaring and that Michael Buble dude singing from atop some sinister, circus-looking set of Royal Mountie giants on ice. Thought I’d gone insane or was having some sort of bizzaro Canadian nightmare. I was waiting for Delta to hurl my luggage across the ice, when suddenly I realized it was only the closing-ceremonies replay on NBC.
Marc D
March 1st, 2010
3:16 am
I just got home for a drive back to Birmingham, AL after an exhausting day at a regional mock trial competition. It ended at 8ET and I’m just now finally getting home. I collapsed on my couch and turned on the television just to veg from the crazy car route from a state that reminds me of the funny farm, and what do I see on television…
You’re not alone.
Marc D
March 1st, 2010
3:16 am
the fact that the comment should say back from Birmingham AL should indicate to me that it’s bedtime.
P. W. Hjort
March 1st, 2010
6:16 am
Where’s random?
18 Wheels of Love
March 1st, 2010
6:53 am
Looking forward to tomorrow. What are the odds Jhey in starting in RF? I’d say 90%.
Lew
March 1st, 2010
6:54 am
People in Athens aren’t UGA fans? Damn, it’s obvious that you’ve never been anywhere near Athens – especially on a football Saturday. Lived in that town for 8 years while my wife and I went to grad school. Believe me, the life expectancy of anyone NOT a UGA fan is a couple of minutes.
DerekZ
March 1st, 2010
7:05 am
Chipper is definitely double pits to chesty!
P. W. Hjort
March 1st, 2010
7:13 am
DerekZ (March 1st, 2010 7:05 am EST): Chipper is definitely double pits to chesty!
You wouldn’t happen to be from Marietta, would you?
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2010
7:26 am
A weather-perfect day is dawning here at Dark Star. Too bad this sunny, 70-degree forecast won’t hold for tomorrow, when it’s supposed to rain on Tommy Hanson’s Grapefruit League lid-lifter…
sidslidkid
March 1st, 2010
8:10 am
Damn rain. Hopefully tomorrow’s game won’t get rained out.
Elon Brave
March 1st, 2010
8:13 am
If tomorrow’s game is rained out would it be made up?
sidslidkid
March 1st, 2010
8:13 am
Elon Brave, I wouldn’t think so. Not positive though.
toga party
March 1st, 2010
8:14 am
Pretty cool that tomorrow’s game is going to be on MLB network. I know we won’t get to see the starters for very long, but it’s still going to be a nice way to start the Grapefruit league.
Thanks for all the great coverage you’ve given us in the off season Dave. Some of us live for this stuff.
toga party
March 1st, 2010
8:29 am
DOB, seeing as Diaz, Cabrera, and Heyward are all healthy, and tomorrow is a full squad game, do you think that tomorrow’s starting line-up will give us any insight into Bobby’s thoughts on the outfield situation? Or is it far too early to start reading into things like that?
dpelfrey
March 1st, 2010
8:33 am
A good article on the Phils mlb site about all the prospects they’ve traded away the past few years for Halladay, Lee and Blanton. It’s pretty staggering when you list them all…
Kyle Drabek (#25 prospect in MLB)
Michael Taylor (#29 prospect in MLB)
Travis D’Arnaud (#81 prospect in MLB)
Jason Knapp (#64 prospect in MLB)
Carlos Carrasco (#8 prospect for Indians)
Lou Marson (#66 prospect in MLB for 2009, should be starting for Indians this year)
Jason Donald (#69 prospect in MLB for 2009, crashed in AAA last year)
Josh Outman (already established in A’s bullpen)
Adrian Cardenas (#9 prospect for A’s)
Matt Spencer (marginal prospect, but had a strong year in Oakland system last year)
They did get a few decent prospects in the Halladay trade, but nothing compared to what they gave up. And if you want to make it look worse, realize that Lee is no longer there, so basically they gave up 7 of their top 10 prospects in the past year for Halladay.
I don’t see how an organization can survive something like that long term. Just a thought.
bravofan
March 1st, 2010
8:40 am
slidskid: Im almost positive that they do not make up the games when I went and they cancelled the game they had a simulated game
And Roodge Owns
March 1st, 2010
8:57 am
DOB, do you get any sense at all that Cox’s plan to ease in Hudson elbow is related to any concerns besides the bare fact that he had surgery last year? I mean, he did come back and pitch enough games that I would have thought those kind of precautions were over.
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2010
9:17 am
After talking with Lowe this morning, I’m convinced that Bobby Cox would have gone with Jurrjens if his shoulder was healthy. Lowe said Bobby explained to all of them as a group yesterday why they were doing it this way, because of Jurrjens’ situation and wanting to get Hudson extra rest early, etc. If it had been just a vote of confidence for Lowe, something to boost him after the offseason rumors, then Bobby would have just flat told him, “You’re my guy. I want you to start opening day, period.”
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2010
9:19 am
Roodge, if they had any special reason to be concerned about Hudson, anything abnormal or whatever in his early workouts, I’m pretty certain they’d be shutting him down now, not scheduling him to get an extra day of rest for his first two starts of the season and last two in spring training.
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2010
9:20 am
Toga party: far too early to read anything whatsoever into the lineups that will be used in these early games.
BraveMan
March 1st, 2010
9:21 am
So, basically bobby told lowe that he was the opening day starter by default? why say that?
….i get being brutally honest and all, but some things are better left unsaid in my opinion.
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2010
9:22 am
Lowe on him getting opening day start: “It made sense to everybody, with JJ being maybe a little bit of a question mark right now, and Hudson coming off surgery.”
And Roodge Owns
March 1st, 2010
9:29 am
Thanks for the response, DOB.
Getting pretty excited. Hanson said in yesterday’s ABT interview that he’ll be concentrating on his change up in his ST starts. If he gets that going effectively, what an arsenal.
And Roodge Owns
March 1st, 2010
9:41 am
BraveMan, you don’t think Lowe would have sniffed that out? He had a rough year, they tried to trade him, there are two young studs and a Brave veteran favorite on the rotation with him, and you think Lowe would have taken “You’re my man, Derek!” right to the bank with no suspcion he was being patronized?
I think transparency was the way to go. Lowe can at least know that with circumstances being a little fuzzy, Cox would like to give him the honor of the opening day start, and thinks he can handle it fine.
Lew
March 1st, 2010
9:46 am
Another thing for those (TommyP) who think the Phillies may be invincible. Both Romero (arm surgery) and Lidge (shoulder surgery and yet another knee surgery) threw off a mound for the first time yesterday.
N8
March 1st, 2010
9:49 am
“After talking with Lowe this morning, I’m convinced that Bobby Cox would have gone with Jurrjens if his shoulder was healthy.” DOB
Hey nolie, chaulk one up for the N8meister, huh? Just kidding man, you’re right more often than I am.
It’s just been Bobby’s style to “reward” the previous season’s best pitcher with an opening day nod, and with Vazquez gone, JJJ was next in line (some, like myself, would have argued that even with Vazquez still a Brave, JJJ would have been deserving).
In the 90’s, it was easy for Bobby, he just chose whoever won the Cy Young the year before. LOL! But since the Cy Young stopped going through Atlanta, he’s always chosen the best guy from the previouos year to reward them on a fine season.
Which is why I think it would have been JJJ.
P. W. Hjort
March 1st, 2010
9:52 am
We’re spending entirely too much mental energy on this opening day starter thing.
IT DOESN’T MATTER.
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2010
9:53 am
Derek Lowe on the opening-day assignment: “I don’t think they’re throwing me a bone here, like ‘Hey, we tried to trade you. We couldn’t do it, now since you’re here we’re going to … That’s not how teams function. That’s now he functions.
“Again, this is done to help our team out. To keep everyone healthy throughout the season. I know people may not understand that by setting up the rotation in early April it’s going to help us at the end of the year, but it will. Just because of off days and being able to give guys extra time.
“So that’s where we are. And I think everyone understood it, just like if he told me I’d be pitching the fifth game. You’ll still be excited to get the ball because you’re still going to get 34 starts. I think that’s the way we took it, and off we go.”
DAP
March 1st, 2010
9:57 am
UGA is a SCHOOL, just like a High School. It represents no city or region,
thats not the way it works around here.
N8
March 1st, 2010
9:57 am
DOB, that 3:03 was funny. The closing ceremonies of the Olympics are about as obnoxious and overrated as the half-time entertainment at the SB.
The opening ceremonies have a certain excitement due to anticipation and what not. But the closing ceremonies have always felt like the bouquet toss at a wedding dance. Necessary, due to tradition, but pretty stale in general. Usually by the time the closing ceremonies are taking place, I’m pretty Olympic’d out. Save the stellar hockey game yesterday, the Olympics could have ended 3 or 4 nights ago for me. I get that there is time issues and what not. But it just drags out too damn long.
I think I liked it better when I was a kid, when only the “big” events were televised and you had to read about the others. Gave it kind of a mystique. Now it’s just oversaturation.
I mean seriously. Imagine in there was a network that covered sports 24/7 and then felt the need to branch off into many other channels, including but not limited to a 2nd main channel, one that simply gave scores and highlights, one that showed re-runs of classic evnents, on that was Spanish and one just for college sports.
THAT would be ridiculous.
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2010
10:02 am
Lowe on Braves’ rotation order being relatively insignificant: “Our situation is unique because we have so many good pitchers…. You have guys in this room who are going to be pitching opening days for many, many years, in J.J. and Tommy Hanson. They’re going to get the honor probably at some point in the near future.”
N8
March 1st, 2010
10:06 am
You know, I gotta say it DOB, I know you’ve stated how much you appreciate Lowe’s candor and being a straight shooter. Down year or not, rebound or not this season, he’s a good guy to have around those other pitchers.
He accepts accountability, accepts the challenge and most of all, doesn’t seem to high on himself, which keeps the other guys in check around him. IMO, exactly what Hanson and JJJ need.
Not that Hudson couldn’t have provided that as well, (or Vazquez). But the more I read on Lowe’s comments (and that goes back to last year), the more I like the guy.
Of course, I will like him a lot more if he keeps that ERA around 4.00. LOL!
That being said, all money aside, if he duplicates what he did last year, things could be a LOT worse.
Rock On......
March 1st, 2010
10:17 am
Gee Cox must be wrong. Stop the presses it’s a typo. Hudson is our 4th starter to open the ‘10 campaign? That can’t be. Hudson ain’t a 4th starter. No sense bringing him along slowly is there? I mean seriously, who on this fine blog saw that coming? Who could have possibly said that the starters would be Lowe, JJ, Hanson, Hudson, KK?(he says with tongue planted firmly in cheek).
It is quite a luxury to have Hudson as the 4th starter actually. Might even move up as ST progresses what with injuries and some unforseen things that could happen. But with what we know on paper, Hudson screams off the page as a #4 guy (mind you not #4 potential).
Not sure who but something tells me one of our starting staff is going to have some type of injury that puts him on the shelf for an extended period of time. I can see Medlen having a substantial impact during the season.
Rock on….let’s hope Lowe has it figured out, Hudson doesn’t implode, and JJ is not hurt(your #2 starter should never be playing some quasi-type baseball pick up game in some foreign country just prior to ST….just stupid…shouldn’t that have been in his contract somewhere?) Frankly this pitching staff could be just fine though—or not.
keylargo
March 1st, 2010
10:19 am
DOB, do you get any sense at all that Cox’s plan to ease in Hudson elbow is related to any concerns besides the bare fact that he had surgery last year?
Actually, Hudson had surgery in 2008.
I Second That Emotion
March 1st, 2010
10:19 am
Have to say I agree with N8. I’ve never heard anything come from Lowe that didn’t sound like he wasn’t a stand up guy. He’s accountable. He calls a spade a spade…. even when he’s the spade.
I would love to see him turn it around this year and quite honestly think he might just do that.
Rock On......
March 1st, 2010
10:24 am
N8…if Lowe duplicates what he did last year and doesn’t get the run support he got last year….well, let’s just say it’s gonna be nowhere near 15 wins. I hope, and think, he has it figured out. The mechanics that is—according to Lowe himself. We’ll see. I’m pulling for him. Of course I pull for anyone in a Braves uni.
sidslidkid
March 1st, 2010
10:24 am
I predict Lowe will have a solid year. I think he’ll go 16-10 with a 3.4 era, and 190 IP. If his numbers are the worst of all our starters, I think we’ll be playing in the post season.
TennesseePaul
March 1st, 2010
10:28 am
So Scout X completely over looked the Braves. Just completely over looked them. Didn’t utter their name, or any of the players names. I’m sure he really believes what he says, but, I would have expected something. Some hint… even if its “Jurrjens is nice” or “does Georgia still have a team?”
I mean, Jason Heyward. He’s supposed to win the World Series with monster home runs. He’s supposed to make Ryan Howard look like a feeble old man with minuscule home run totals. Every one knows about him…
Ignatius J. Reilly
March 1st, 2010
10:30 am
thanks for the updates DOB
damn im ready for some ball
JeanE
March 1st, 2010
10:36 am
I feel certain Chipper will have a better year than last year but another hitting title year, nah. And it makes me nervous that he’s “bulked” up, sounds like Francoeur and that didnt’t work out AT ALL. I’m not sure what his previous offseason workouts entailed, maybe nothing but bulkiness doesn’t seem like the answer to me. I say he plays through next year but after that, who knows?
Lew
March 1st, 2010
10:39 am
Uh-there’s quite a bit of difference between gaining 20 pounds (when you lose it through attrition during a season) and gaining strength and bulking up. Besides – if you remember, Francoeur stupidly put on his weight and muscle doing a football regimen – quite different than strength training for baseball.
Couch Tater
March 1st, 2010
10:41 am
DOB,
You’re not alone about Seinfeld. Sad.
Newman’s revenge – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zG_PN31YJU&feature=related
Lew
March 1st, 2010
10:43 am
Another thing about Chipper (if you missed my post later last night) and the HR he hit at BP yesterday.
From DOB’s description, the ball traveled at least 400 feet to hit that sign (which is twenty feet up on a pole on a hill twenty feet higher than the fence it cleared). If it had not hit that sign, it would have landed in a parking lot beyond the stadium – a good 500 Ft from Home Plate. Guess that extra muscle was a waste after all.
P'cola Brave
March 1st, 2010
10:43 am
Tennessee Paul
I just read that article you linked. Guy seems to be fascinated with the Yanks and any West Coast team. Spent a lot of time talking about the NL West. I don’t think that division is that good. Its solid but so many of those teams are year-to-year teams and you never know how they will do. Colorado for instance never seems to be consistent. Their hot then their cold, you just never know. Every team in that division has question marks and theirs no clear winner. I don’t think the Wild Card will come out of that division this year.
Don
March 1st, 2010
10:46 am
Obviously there are some fans who think Bobby Cox is great and some who think he is terrible. The mystery is that there are some things that Bobby Cox does or fails to do that are a matter of record or at least obvious and cannot be denied. So then, you Cox supporter must think these things are good??
(1) There can be no doubt at sometimes Cox leaves a nonproductive who he likes in the lineup for months when everyone knows that he has a better option on the bench. — So you Cox supporters must think that this is a good practice.
(2) It is a matter of record that Cox, for the most part, does not adjust his batting order based on who is hot and who is not. So you Cox lovers must think that this is good.
(3) It is obvious that Bobby does not adjust his batting order based on certain hitters doing great or doing terrile against certain opposing pitchers. So I assume that again you must think that a manager should not be bothered with details like this.
(4) It is a matter of record that Bobby has coninued to use a completely innefective pinch hitter in game afer game after game in key game determing situations. So you Cox supporters must think that this is good.
(5) It is obvious that Bobby Cox does not teach, emphasize, demand that hitters be selective, work the count, and make the opposing pitcher throw some pitches. So do you Cox supporters think that this is a good practice to violate the most essential thing to consistant run production.
(6) It is a matter of record that Cox does not move a star player down from his favorite spot in the batting order when he is in a terrible prolonged slump. So you must think that this does not effect run production.
(7) In past seasons, it is a matter of record that Cox has continued to use ineffective relief pitchers game after game after game. So you must think that this what a good manager does.
(8) It is also a matter of record that in past seasons Cox has overused some bullpen pitchers to the extent that they are completely worn out by the last 1/3 of the season.
THERE CAN BE LITTLE OR NO QUESTION that Bobby Cox does these things. So then the question becomes – HOW CAN YOU THINK THAT THESE ARE GOOD PRACTICES.
Rock On......
March 1st, 2010
10:48 am
Look guys I’m gonna keep it real here. The Braves have simply too many if’s to be projected for everyone’s post season projections. Besides the pitching questions/scenarios previously mentioned, the offense has it’s own quandries. Will Glaus provide the 4-hole 30 homer power we need while being shoe-horned into a 1st base role. Will Chipper finish up like a HOF player he is. Will Heyward be that ROY candidate that holds up well to the spotlight and play a great RF from opening day. Will McLouth rebound to his Gold Glove Pittsburgh days or will he indeed be a .260 hitter. Will Wagner be the closer we all hope he will be. Finally how many “Houstons” will Bobby pull this year. Lot of if’s for me. I say the Braves will finish 3rd in the division this year and hope I am wrong. A lot has to go right. Anytime you trade away your top pitcher and get potential with a question mark in return you aren’t exactly playing with house money. I’m pulling for them but not betting on them(to reach post season) unless I get real good odds.
Rock On......
March 1st, 2010
10:50 am
And my last post had teh dubious distinction to come right after Don…probably a good time to sign off.
claudell
March 1st, 2010
10:51 am
Don, you’re right. I would root for another team if I were you.
Poter
March 1st, 2010
10:53 am
Good Call on the Todd Snider lyrics
dpelfrey
March 1st, 2010
10:54 am
Scout X also says…”When I look for breakout players, I look for good, young players who have some experience who are on good clubs, with good players around them.”
He doesn’t actually say who…just generically says what he looks for. Gee, thanks.
And Roodge Owns
March 1st, 2010
10:55 am
“Anytime you trade away your top pitcher and get potential with a question mark in return you aren’t exactly playing with house money.”
That’s right. There are no potential question marks with Vazquez. He’s simply “top pitcher.” That’s established. That’s a done deal. The Yanks got all the house money on that one.
P'cola Brave
March 1st, 2010
10:57 am
Rock On
The Braves have a lot of ifs no doubt but so does every team. The whole key to success is health. If you stay healthy chances are you’ll produce just like the braves did in the latter part of the season. This years lineup has a good chance of performing well but of course its success is directly linked to the health of the players. The Phillies for instance could suffer a few injuries that could ruin their season. I’m not saying that were going to win the division but we didn’t miss 90 wins by much last year and with the bulk of the lineup returning and a strong pitching staff I don’t see it as crazy to view this team with others as a potential to win 90. The key of course is health.
BravePack12523
March 1st, 2010
10:59 am
So me and the wife went and did the 2 for 1 movie deal at the AMC this weekend. Many of our family and friends have done it but we never had the chance yet when we take the kids, way too long to be at the theater for 5-6 hours with the kids. I felt bad at first but after the prices they charge for tickets and food that feeling quickly disappeared. First movie we watched was Shutter Island and after some of the hype it received my wife didn’t like it too much and I kind of agree, nothing special. Long movie too-2 hours and 20 minutes. I would’ve been pissed spending the money if that was the only movie we watched. The second movie made the money worth while…Edge of Darkness. This was a great movie, everything I expected and more. Mel Gibson is probably my favorite actor because he seems like he doesn’t take anyone crap and isn’t a typical hollywood type. Definately would recomend Edge of Darkness.
DAP
March 1st, 2010
10:59 am
don 1) true, bobby likes to let his guys play out of thier slumps.
2) this is false
3) this is false
4) if you are talking about norton, the guy didnt makes out any more often than cox’s other options.
5) not bobby’s job
6) braves won alot of games and scored alot of runs during chipper’s slump. must not have affected run production that much
7)i dont like the way he manages a bullpen, but i always give him the benefit of the doubt, since he has all the info, and i dont.
8)use ‘em up, well get some more.
why cant you just accept that not everyone sees it the way you do?
Lew
March 1st, 2010
11:00 am
And Don, The One Trick Pony drones on and on and on and………….
Dude, have you just resorted to posting the same post every time you wake from your coma?
P'cola Brave
March 1st, 2010
11:00 am
(2) It is a matter of record that Cox, for the most part, does not adjust his batting order based on who is hot and who is not. So you Cox lovers must think that this is good. (Don)
Name another manager in the game that tinkers with his lineup based on whos hot or not. No manager constantly shuffles the lineup. Its just not good practice. I’m taking it you were someone who enjoys watching the game but has limited experience playing or managing it. Some of what you have said is right but most of it seems to come from an individual who is self taught about the game and knows very little.
DAP
March 1st, 2010
11:01 am
rock on… Will McLouth rebound to his Gold Glove Pittsburgh days or will he indeed be a .260 hitter.
if anything is for sure, its that mclouth is a .260 hitter. not that there is anything wrong with that. i think its reasonable for braves braves to expect the post season in 2010, in all seriousness.
dpelfrey
March 1st, 2010
11:01 am
Don, I applaud you for your growth. Your rants make so much more sense in a numbered list format rather than the block format you’ve used previously. By the way, are you a personal injury lawyer?
Lew
March 1st, 2010
11:04 am
dpelfrey-Dude couldn’t get into a Law School, much less pass a Bar Exam.
BuckheadBrave
March 1st, 2010
11:04 am
Shane,
So no non UGA fans are allowed to be Braves fans and live in Atlanta? Check the facts the Alumni Association of the University of Florida in Atlanta is larger than the UGA one, sorry if your grads don’t have the cash to join their associations. You may also want to see that many schools alumni associations in metro Atlanta are among their institutions largest,especially from the SEC,ACC, and Big10. Atlanta is a melting pot and the ATLANTA Braves represent that city NOT the state. Since people move here from everywhere other fans out number UGA 5 to1, Atlanta is a big city it is NOT a UGA town, hell you can’t claim the city of your biggest rival thats like saying Tallhassee is Gator Country. If UGA represents the state because it is state funded, then what about Tech, Southern,Georgia State, Kennessaw, West Georgia etc…why do you have to be a UGA fan?
Bailey
March 1st, 2010
11:06 am
Don,
On your numbers 7 & 8, that’s a complete contradiction. If you want Bobby to ONLY use “effective” relievers, then those guys are going to get overworked. Otherwise you have to use some guys who aren’t as effective as others.
Tomahawkin
March 1st, 2010
11:06 am
DAP
Agreed in your last post about Nate-Dawg…
I really don’t care about batting average at the top of the order because I stress OBP over batting average (which I think is over-rated)…
We just have to get Nate Dawg to cut down on his K’s and maintain an OBP around .360 or higher…
BuckheadBrave
March 1st, 2010
11:07 am
Also, I didn’t want to get into a football conversation when we should be talking about Baseball but you UGA people make no sense. Say what you want about fan base, your “beautiful” (and over rated) campus, truth is Tech has a more recent championship AND was Nationally relevant and in a national championship discussion this year somewhere you havent been for going on 30 years now.
N8
March 1st, 2010
11:12 am
“N8…if Lowe duplicates what he did last year and doesn’t get the run support he got last year…” Rock On….
I couln’t care less about Lowe’s actual win total. He made 34 starts, and in 21 of them, he went 6+ innings giving up 3 ER or less.
As of August 12th, through 25 starts, he was 12-7 (team was 15-10 in his starts to that point), with a 4.08 ERA, with 150 IP (ending up with 194.2).
Save 9 rough starts to end the season, where he went 3-3 (team went 6-3), despite allowing 33 ER in 44.2 IP (6.65 ERA), I’d say he was exactly what the doctor ordered for a team that had no reliable starters in 2008.
You can say that a handful of his wins (and certainly some of the team wins in his starts), were due to good run support. But in 2/3 of his starts, he MORE than did his job.
Steve McP
March 1st, 2010
11:13 am
I thought Homer was the only guy who posted the same thing on every blog (of course he only posts two words), but Don seems to be on to the cut and paste idea too, if he could be original nobody would mind (they would disagree but it would not be so annoying) but simply regurgitating the same stuff every time is just a waste of space.
Rock On......
March 1st, 2010
11:13 am
Something to ponder….someone want to explain to me how Maryland (who for my money is a better team than Duke in a short tourney and may well be ACC champion) is not even in the AP top 25 but Univ. of Richmond is ranked 23′rd. Given that may change now coming off college basketball’s best game of the year against VT.
Assuming Vt beats BC this week and GT loses to Clemson at Clemson the VT/GT game on Sat. could determine which team gets the last NCAA bid out of the ACC. Can’t see the ACC getting 7 teams in the dance. If GT beats either VT or Clemson that would give the ACC 7 teams with 20 + wins and 8-8 in the ACC or better. Only once has a team finished .500 in the conference during the regular season and posted 20 total wins and not received an invitation. That team—-VT. The ACC tourney is going to be very interesting.
bigchiefrg
March 1st, 2010
11:13 am
Inspired by Marteeeeen and Matty D, I started P90X this morning. Weighed in at 202.2 last night. Day 1 was really tough. The instructor guy is cheesy to the point of hilarity. He is a PT machine though. It was a really good workout.
Lew
March 1st, 2010
11:13 am
Florida plays in a place called The Swamp. Nuff said. Who cares about how large the Booster Club is in Atlanta? Check how large the Dawgs Booster Club is in Tampa – it’s huge. Makes no difference, though.
If you can’t be a fan of your own favorite team than what’s the point of it all? Dawg Fans like Chipper despite the fact he’s a Gator Fan. Whatever. It’s a zero sum argument. Move on.
Randy S
March 1st, 2010
11:15 am
Buckhead Brave
Uhhhhh, UGA was just as much “in the national championship discussion” in 2007 as Tech was in 2009.
Lew
March 1st, 2010
11:16 am
Just found out I’ve lost 64 pounds so far -half way to my goal. Didn’t use P90X, either. I quit eating and started walking. Try it. It works. Even without a trainer.
Tomahawkin
March 1st, 2010
11:20 am
Rock On
“Will Glaus provide the 4-hole 30 homer power we need while being shoe-horned into a 1st base role. Will Chipper finish up like a HOF player he is. Will Heyward be that ROY candidate that holds up well to the spotlight and play a great RF from opening day.”
I think That too many people are putting too much expectations on a 21 year old Phenom…
He will not carry the offense, so some fans need ( not you) need to get that straight…
I’d be content with Heyward at .270-20-75-15SB especially at 21 years old he is going to struggle after 4 weeks into the season
Chipper was 23 in 1995 but he had a Squad of veteran sluggers to help him break into the league, Heyward doesn’t have that Luxury, so there will be more pressure on Heyward as opposed to when Chipper was a Rookie
MLH
March 1st, 2010
11:20 am
Actually UGA was in the National Championship discussion the last few years besides last year. Just sayin. They did begin the year #1 a couple years ago DMSO they had to be in the discussion.
BuckheadBrave
March 1st, 2010
11:21 am
Lew thats exactly my point, Gators catch gruff here, nobody in Tamps cares if you are a UGA fan. You never here down there “how can you be a UGA fan in Tampa, especially oh man how do you like the Bucs and UGA?” Tampa, its sports teams and the Univeristy of Florida are in no way linked together, UGA wants to try and claim Atlanta and it’s teams. There are plenty of native Atlantans that went to UF PLENTY. I am a Gator but my favorite pro teams are the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, Thrashers, and I am as big an Atlanta fan as anyone so why should it matter if i’m a Gator as well they are totally different things. The question to Chipper just seemed a bit ignorant to me.
Randy S.,
UGA was in the picture, until the actual season started and they fell on their face, Tech was in the picture in November.
Tomahawkin
March 1st, 2010
11:23 am
Rock On
“Will Glaus provide the 4-hole 30 homer power we need while being shoe-horned into a 1st base role..”
We will be lucky to get 20-25 homers out of Troy Glass (Glaus) in that he’s hitting in a pitcher’s park and he’s off the HGH/Roids…
Honestly, The only hitter I think that is capable of hitting more than 25 homers in our lineup is B-Macc and that’s if and only if he plays 138-144 games…
Lew
March 1st, 2010
11:24 am
Buckhead Brave-Dude, whatever your point is (still not all that sure), it’s moot. Like I said-It’s a zero sum argument, designed to do nothing but piss people off and inflame useless passions. Time to move on.
MLH
March 1st, 2010
11:25 am
UGA was also the picture in November the year they won the Sugar Bowl
DAP
March 1st, 2010
11:26 am
buckheadbrave Tech has a more recent championship AND was Nationally relevant and in a national championship discussion this year somewhere you havent been for going on 30 years now.
are you kidding me with that? whoop whoop GT won a national championship 20 years ago. how can anyone brag about something like that?
and UGA WAS in the national championship discussion most recently in 07 and 08. you have no clue what youre talking about.
BuckheadBrave
March 1st, 2010
11:27 am
My point was not only did someone make the statement to Chipper is it “biting the hand that feeds him” to be a Gator fan over UGA which I am just trying to have someone explain to me how that question can even be justified, but it was by actually being presented to Chipper.
eltrompoBRAVESfan
March 1st, 2010
11:27 am
DOB- will you be doing play-by-play for tomorrow’s game?
Anybody know what time it will start? Sorry if I’m repeating a questions already asked a ton.
BuckheadBrave
March 1st, 2010
11:27 am
DAP, UGA brags about a championship in 1980, how is that better?
Rock On......
March 1st, 2010
11:28 am
N8…agreed, he wasn’t by any stretch terrible or anything like that. In fact I have him tabbed as teh #1 starter this year. I think he has it figured out and is durable. However, by his own admission he wasn’t the pitcher he wanted to be and certainly not at season’s end. If memory serves he did receive the most run support of any regular starter we had last year. If the Braves don’t hit well no pitcher is going to look great anyway. I am not blaming Lowe for getting run support or downplaying his 15 wins. My question is does he really feel like he has made the adjustments he needs to and will he get the 15+ wins we need him to get. I am betting he does actually.
ccrider
March 1st, 2010
11:29 am
Don: 1. Cox shows faith in his players, sometimes he and the team is rewarded, sometimes not. You would have benched Willie Mays(A horrible start to his career)
2. Cox shows faith in his players, He always believes they will soon snap out of thier slump, His confidence in them usually helps them get out of their slumps sooner, sometimes not.
3. Cox knows that players like knowing where they will be batting in the order on a daily basis, it creates a comfort level that allows the players to perform at their best.
4. Sometimes, Cox did wait too long to take Greg Norton out of that roll, but they signed him because he did a great job in 2008 and Cox believed he would snap out of it, he had faith that the player would return to his norm.
5. Some players do best when they have a great eye for the strikezone and are able to “work the count” Chipper, Prado are examples. But, Escobar, McCann have great results even when they don’t. It’s a nice goal to have, but all players are not gifted with the same strikezone judgement, thus different approaches with similar results.
6. Players earn their positions in the lineup over a long period of time during which they produce, Cox gives them an extended period( though not as long) to prove they can’t produce. He has faith in their ability to work out of the slump.
7. NO MANAGER can win this debate, the pitchers make the team for a reason! If, the manager doesn’t use all his relievers, the few hot relievers will be burned out. If, he uses the relievers that are struggling he is an idiot. HE has to have faith in all the relievers that have earned their way onto the team, unless they have other better pitchers in the minors, which has not been the case for most of the past 20 seasons. It was a main reason they lost some World Series!
8. See No.7
You may be finally getting the picture(though I doubt it), that the key phase here is Bobby Cox’s faith in his players. He picks the guys who he and the staff are the best they have at the start of the season and has the faith in them to give them time to prove that they belong or not. IT IS THE REASON THEY ALL LOVE TO PLAY FOR HIM. Even the ones that are traded, cut loose or retire almost never have anything bad to say about their treatment or opportunity that they got while playing for him. HE IS A MANAGER OF PEOPLE AS WELL AS GAME SITUATIONS. What don’t you understand about that!!!!!
HOW CAN YOU THINK THESE ARE NOT GOOD PRATICES
DAP
March 1st, 2010
11:33 am
buckhead UGA brags about a championship in 1980, how is that better
no, i dont think they do. certainly not in the way that you are. ive never heard a UGA fan trash talk someone by bringing up the championship in 1980. are UGA fans proud of it? sure. do we think it makes us better than ANYBODY because we won it all 30 years ago? no.
raleighbravesfan
March 1st, 2010
11:34 am
Bailey – SPOT ON POINT with numbers 7&8. This season may be the ONLY season Bobby has ever had solid dependable middle relief. JS didn’t believe in spending the money in this area. Wren has been working on it, and it’s looking good now. Also, during the “glory years” closer sucked most years. Thank goodness for the great starters that took us late into games with leads most games.
In past, Bobby’s choice was to use undependable middle relief (did Don want more Acosta last year?) or wear out the guys he could (sometimes) depend on. He could only use players that he had available on the roster. (responsability of GM, not manager). Let’s hear your answer to that, DON!
BuckheadBrave
March 1st, 2010
11:34 am
ccrider,
in response to your point number 2, I am a huge Bobby Cox fan but I think the concern is his judgement of players may be more skewed than it used to be. I agree he is respected for showing faith and giving players time to correct their problems but his recent track record with that has been horrific. Kelly Johnson, Jeff Francoeur, Jordan Schafer, and thats just last season, all of them should have been benched long before they were.
BuckheadBrave
March 1st, 2010
11:36 am
I was making a point, I was not bragging on one measly title in 1990. I don’t have to, my school won in 1996, 2006, and 2008…pick one and i’ll brag about that one.
Rock On......
March 1st, 2010
11:36 am
Tomahawkin…..Actually I think Heyward has the veteran sluggers to help him which is indeed why he won’t feel the pressure to begin the season as much. I mean Chipper (HOF), BMAC (all star) and Glaus (homer potential former GG) all will bat ahead of him and can help him along. Heyward will most likely bat in the 7 hole. The numbers you have for Heyward are pretty realistic but the .270 average might be low for me.
Lew
March 1st, 2010
11:37 am
Tomahawkin-Dude, the whole Glaus/steroids issue is just a bunch of nothing. IF the reports are to be believed, he received shipments during the 03-04 seasons (six years ago), likely for recuperation from injury (he played 91 games in 03 and 58 in 04 then had surgery). Since then, his HR totals have been 37, 38, 20 (in 115 games) and 27 year before last in St. Louis (hardly a sterling hitter’s park). His RBI totals have been 97, 104, 62 (again in 115 games) and 99, before missing most of last season ith surgery due to a freak injury (he slammed his shoulder into the ground and severely dislocated it – hardly due to steroid use).
Should he put up an average season for the Braves (like post 04), he will hit 25-3o HR with around 95 RBI. Considering he’s playing for one more big contract, I’d say he’s highly motivated and will excel in Atlanta, hitting between Chipper and McCann.
raleighbravesfan
March 1st, 2010
11:39 am
ccrider – well said
DAP
March 1st, 2010
11:41 am
braves bullpen is really deep this year. i feel really good about what we have out there, and i think we will be in really good shape in combo with our starters. it shouldnt be hard to get 6 strong out of our starters every time out.
DAP
March 1st, 2010
11:44 am
buckhead brave , truth is Tech has a more recent championship
sounds like bragging to me.
bravofan
March 1st, 2010
11:44 am
It will be great for Heyward to have a guy like Chipper to mentor him!
itcouldbeworse
March 1st, 2010
11:47 am
So I have a bet with a friend that Glaus will hit more than 30 HR’s this year. If I win I get lunch for a week. If I lose He gets 1 dinner. (the odds are in his favor) Was this a good bet on my part?
bravofan
March 1st, 2010
11:47 am
from what Dob said yesterday this chavez kid is gonna be awesome
raleighbravesfan
March 1st, 2010
11:48 am
DAP – Agreed. Bobby should have a strong bullpen which he can depend on, with extras waiting in the wings. This will be a first. Past bullpen problems have added significantly to post season problems, especially since starters (other than Smoltz) have often struggled during post season. (Glavin and Maddox have been especially disappointing, partly because of different strike zone in playoffs, especially by former American League umps and umps trying to make a name/statement).
P'cola Brave
March 1st, 2010
11:48 am
itcouldbeworse
Your chances of winning would of been better if you set it at 25. Not saying he won’t get 30, just kinda iffy.
Bruce's Pearl
March 1st, 2010
11:51 am
Congratulations on your weight loss Lew.Last April I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and weighed over 260 pounds.I now weigh about 185 and have the diabetes well under control with a hba1c reading of 5.5.Keep up the good work.
itcouldbeworse
March 1st, 2010
11:53 am
I tried to get 25 as the mark but he thinks it will be 20-25 if he stays healthy…I think high 20’s with a chance at 30+. So I made the bet at over 30 with him giving me odds…the fun part is that if I am right and he is close in Sept each game my friend that is a Padre Fan will be checking my braves box score. That almost makes it worth it.
Tomahawkin
March 1st, 2010
11:54 am
Lew
Glaus’s 40 Homer days (During the HGH era) are long gone, but I will be happy with .265 25-85…That beats the hell out of the numbers we started last year with The Kotchmeister…
with that said our infield is set. Our main priority is to get out of the ML cellar in terms of production from our outfielders…Having Nate Dawg for a full year is a plus…and I think if Heyward starts 130-145 game then Milky Cabrera gets traded during midseason. I’m not sold on Milky Cabrera at all seeing that he hit 9 of his 13 homeruns at that Corporate Bandbox in NY… (I’m still can’t get over that deal BTW)
Also I like the Idea of Batting Matty D or Esco Leadoff against Southpaws….but leave it to Bobby to stick the same lineup out there for the first 2 months….
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2010
11:56 am
NEW BLOGGAGE
Tomahawkin
March 1st, 2010
11:56 am
Looking at our Infield as it stands right now….
75 Homers combined from our 4 infielders would be legit…
and 60 from our OF would work for me as well…
Lew
March 1st, 2010
12:13 pm
Tomahawkin-Considering he was supposed to have ordered the steroids (seen absolutely NO proof of that, though) in 03 and 04 and his 40+HR seasons were prior to that, I would say that (if he even did them) the steroids had damned little effect on anything he hit. Had he been juicing prior to those two injured seasons, why aren’t they included in the “Evidence”? Hmmmmmm…..Much ado about not a damned thing? I’d say so.
Besides, no one is expecting him to hit 40+ HR. Should he hit even 25 from the cleanup spot with Mac batting behind him, the Braves will have a huge season – especially with their consideraboly deep rotation and pen – by far the best in the league.
Lew
March 1st, 2010
12:16 pm
Nruce’s Pearl-Dude, that is absolutely excellent. Keep it up. I only hit a 5.8 and 5.9 on my last two A1C’s. Of course, I’ve been insulin dependent for almost 20 years, but none the less -way to go Dude.
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2010
6:47 am
Nasty morning here on the shores of Lake Bryan, in the shadow of Dark Star (actually, there are no shadows now, since it’s still pitch black out).
Thunder and steady rain out now….
In Port St. Lucie it’s not raining yet, according to weather.com, and only 30 percent chance till about noon. But then … arrgh. 70 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms at 1 p.m., 60 percent at 2 p.m., doesn’t improve much till after 3 p.m.
So we’ll see. I can only remember a couple of road games being called before the bus ride in my years doing this. But with a two-hour ride today and a nasty forecast, this might be one that gets banged early. We’ll see.
National League East Division Baseball News for 3/2/10, Philadelphia Phillies, Florida Marlins, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets and Washington Nationals » Baseball Up
March 2nd, 2010
8:10 am
[...] Atlanta Braves Jones reportedly said he may retire and forfeit about $28 million if he has a bad 201… [...]
Alan
May 5th, 2012
3:34 am
So will they not be starting prcticae this weekend 3/10/2012 as the confirmation email stated. I am just a little confused and need clarification which was not provided in your previous message. I think the above calendar is a great help for us to keep track of upcoming events. Thanks-Demetria