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1,115 comments Add your comment
Wayne in Utah
March 10th, 2010
2:12 am
NO MORE BOBBY
On Schafer…..I highly doubt it. What do we truly need that he could get us???
Now, if all hell breaks loose and we lose a few guys to injury, maybe…..but I still highly doubt it.
Maybe Schuerholz, but not Wren.
BA
March 10th, 2010
3:13 am
Opening Day hell, the real question should be whether he hits third, fourth or fifth!
Couch Tater
March 10th, 2010
5:56 am
Several times yesterday, [Chipper] Jones offered unprompted comparisons to the era when his team dominated, winning division titles in every season from 1991 to 2005 Andy Martino, Philadelphia Inquirer
Frank comments by Chipper, if you want to smash the link. (or, if you want to link the comments by Chipper to smash Frank)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/87198292.html
David O'Brien
March 10th, 2010
7:09 am
Sun is already high over Lake Bryan, while the low-lying fog still surrounds the trees. Pretty cool sight from this 10th-floor condo. Temp’s headed to 80 today for day game against the Mets, folks. We’re getting some serious baseball weather, and it’s not supposed to rain until tomorrow.
Oh, and Heyward just finished a second bowl of cereal.
I can't take it anymore
March 10th, 2010
7:25 am
DOB, can you get Heyward to lend Mclouth some of his cereal?
10-80
March 10th, 2010
7:28 am
DOB i’m digging your whimsical sunrise descriptions the last couple mornings. As for here in Atlanta, the sky is gray as hell and rain expected for next 24 hrs. Love ya brother!
jeffrey d
March 10th, 2010
7:40 am
I don’t think it’s the cereal
sidslidkid
March 10th, 2010
8:01 am
DOB, what kind of cereal? If it’s Cap’n Crunch knock it out of his hands. We can’t afford to have him to be on the DL with lacerations to his mouth.
Dang ...
March 10th, 2010
8:12 am
I wish Chipper would shut his fat mouth. He’s the main reason they didn’t go anywhere last year and he’s the reason they “didn’t get up” for the lesser teams. If he’d be a true leader then maybe they’d go all out against everybody. Instead he’s too busy pouting about a slump, or injury, or was too consumed with his buddy LaRoche and their offseason hunting adventures in the woods of Texas.
See, all those years they had real on the field leaders like Smoltz, Pendelton, Justice, Maddux, Glavine and Lemke. Now they’re stuck with Chipper who I like as a player, just not as a leader.
And don’t say McCann is because he’s too NICE and buddy, buddy with not only all his teammates, but every other opposing player. Leaders step up and shout when needed and Brian seems like that is nowhere near his personality. He ain’t no leader and I giggle when I hear that he is from announcers.
Dang ...
March 10th, 2010
8:20 am
Also, Chipper needs to shutup about Heyward. Sure, make him feel the bulk of the pressure by saying he’s the difference maker for this team in 2010 and how they need him to compete. Not only is that a but far fetched, but a very ignorant thing to say. Why would you make a kid not even old enough to have alcohol feel that kind of pressure? He hasn’t even seen a MLB pitch! Yeah, he’s mature, his parents went to Dartmouth, he’s special, etc,etc,etc. He’s still a kid and has a TON to learn. Leave him alone!
Advice for Chipper— just shutup and try not to pull a hammy, big boy.
O.J.
March 10th, 2010
8:22 am
I thing Dang just needs to shut up period!
Dang ...
March 10th, 2010
8:26 am
And Yunel– oh boy. Love this kid and the pasion he brings, but can you really blame pitchers for dusting him off the plate all the time? If I were a pitcher and a hitter shakes his head no to a pitch he just laid off I’d be a little ticked too. “That’s how he plays” you say. Well, imagine him in another uniform doing that to Jurrjens or Hanson.
ken
March 10th, 2010
8:28 am
Question? Was there ever a question concerning whether Lebron James was ready to play professional basketball right out of high school? Why is so hard for the braves to understand that talent is talent no matter the age and that the goal is to put your best players at each position on the field regardless. Did they not learn from how they dealt with Hanson who could have given them a better shot at making the post season if he would have started the season as he rightfully should . Are the Braves more concerned with the money than winning.
sidslidkid
March 10th, 2010
8:29 am
Dang …
The best thing about this comment is that I now know that never have to read any of your post again. Truly hilarious… Thank you sir.
northbeach Scott
March 10th, 2010
8:38 am
Just saw in MLBTradeRumors that the Cardinals invited Ruben Gotay to ST, to provide some competition for 3B. I would say that is a serious indictment of our Joe Thurston, who played for the Cards last season, if they would rather have Gotay than Thurston. Ouch!
McFann
March 10th, 2010
8:45 am
TheAntiMe–
Oh, you don’t have to try to convince me…I was just making sure that’s what you were saying.
I have a feeling that if you asked the managers around the league who they would least like to face on the Braves when the games is on the line, I believe most of them would say Brian McCann.
Hmm…perhaps. Though it seems to me that a lot of those guys don’t fully understand the threat of our “secret weapon” just yet. But, give them time…they’ll learn as he continues to. Haha! I know if Clint Hurdle was still a manager, and you asked him that question, he definitely wouldn’t say BMac.
Well then, they certainly lived to regret that mistake because McCann drove in 23 more runs (94) than Chipper did (71) in the exact same number of At Bats (488).
Ye-ep…I used to have BMac’s AVG etc. for when Chipper got iBB’d in front of him…not sure where that is, but I’ll try to dig it up. My favorite was this one–the Marlins walked Chipper to get to BMac in the top of the tenth inning of a 3-3 ballgame. 2-2 count, 2 on, one out…
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5832011
McFann
March 10th, 2010
8:46 am
(That was also the day after he and Bobby had been thrown out by Mr. Hohn.)
Don
March 10th, 2010
8:49 am
One thing is for certain about Heyward. Bobby Cox is not going to teach, emphasize, demand that he work the count, be selective, make the pitcher throw some pitches, and concentrate on making solid contact and not be concerned about the long ball – the things that are essential from the manager for a very young player to continue to develop and be seccessful – for almost all young players. Then the only question is whether Heywood has the rare, rare maturity for a young player (Or even older players) to do this on his own. Otherwise, it is just going to be another failure of a great hitting prospect under Bobby Cox – or at least only a shadow of what the player could be. Remember that our two best examples of young hitters developing as they should – had their Dads overseeing their development.
jadarm
March 10th, 2010
8:51 am
I agree with ya Date Of Birth. I am thinking that the brass’s off-season approach to Johnny Damon, and not really knowing that McClouth can actually fill the lead off role, ….well to me that was the main reason I think Heyward was as much as penciled in before Spring Training ever began….barring a horrific spring of course.
I love your insight man, and thanks a-ton for the play by play that you often give.
sidslidkid
March 10th, 2010
8:54 am
Oh good, Don and Dang are both here. See you guys later, I’d rather not be here while they crap up the blog.
Voice of Harold
March 10th, 2010
8:57 am
I think we just hit the mother lode of bu11sh1te between Dang and Don. Hey, didn’t Dang and Don have a ’50’s variety show together?
dpelfrey
March 10th, 2010
9:02 am
Don, where you at with your repetitive rants about Bobby Cox not stressing plate discipline. I think it’s astounding that the Braves have walked 52 times compared with only 39 strikeouts so far this spring. No other team is even close to that ratio. Good signs, good signs.
I’m very impressed so far with Glaus. He’s a professional hitter, no doubt about it.
One question for everyone, is Acosta teasing us again or has he finally figured it out?
dpelfrey
March 10th, 2010
9:03 am
Oh, there you are Don at 8:49. Didn’t see it.
Stan
March 10th, 2010
9:16 am
DOB… thanks for the Son Volt lyrics. I used to “dance” my infant (now 13 year old) daughter to “Windfall” to get her to go to sleep. Must have done something right. She’s a Bravos fan, and her all-time favorite player is Jackie Robinson.
Guess it would be too much to ask for an Uncle Tupelo reunion, right?
Peace.
Lew
March 10th, 2010
9:21 am
Dang-Dude, you keep running your mouth muttering idiocies and ain’t no telling what you might pull.
Home of the Braves
March 10th, 2010
9:23 am
Don – 8:49AM
“Then the only question is whether Heywood has the rare, rare maturity for a young player (Or even older players) to do this on his own.”
I’ve seen enough baseball to know that Haywood leads the league in most offensive categories, including nose hair. But I doubt he’s very mature, since he may be a convicted felon. See 8:10 in the following clip…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsW9Fb21WvI&feature=related
O.J.
March 10th, 2010
9:24 am
Today’s Mike & Mike trivia: Joe Nathan has 4 seasons with 35+ saves & sub-2.00 ERA. Name the 3 other active guys with 3+ seasons like that
DAP
March 10th, 2010
9:24 am
braves needed to win 92 games last year to tie for the wild card. that means they needed 6 more wins. if hanson had started at the beginning of last year he would have had around 10 more starts. do you guys think that the braves would have won 6 of hanson’s first 10 starts?
O.J.
March 10th, 2010
9:25 am
Home of the Braves, wow, not only does Don spell his name wrong, but you go and spell it wrong as well.
Its not Heywood or Haywood, its HEYWARD
David O'Brien
March 10th, 2010
9:26 am
Players are trickling in later than usual today because of night game last night — no BP on field, and they don’t have to be on field till 11 a.m. But plenty were already here when I arrived, and I saw Billy Wagner walk in at 8:30, Ross at about 8:45, Jurrjens at about 9….
Gorgeous day here today.
O.J.
March 10th, 2010
9:27 am
Home of the Braves, nevermind, I see what you did there, lol
Jersey Gil
March 10th, 2010
9:28 am
I was listen to 950 the Fan here in phillis and they are talking about
The twins are looking at Atlanta pitching for posible trade to add Pen help of the posibility that Nathan is out. Any Rumors out there in Braves camp?….They say Saito is a good Fix for the Twins Pen….
DAP
March 10th, 2010
9:29 am
dang… He ain’t no leader and I giggle when I hear that he is from announcers.
do you think its possible they know him and the way he interacts with teamates a little better than you?
Ed
March 10th, 2010
9:30 am
no way they trade saito or any other braves reliever to the twins. everyone says they have no money and are looking internally to solve there bullpen holes.
Ed
March 10th, 2010
9:32 am
mlbtaderumors.com says the twins are talking to blue jays for one of there pitchers that makes 2 mil this year.
bruce
March 10th, 2010
9:35 am
Dave,
What is your take on Schafer’s hanging remark?
northbeach Scott
March 10th, 2010
9:37 am
Jersey GilI believe that when a club signs a free agent, they are not allowed to trade him until late May or early June of that season. So Saito would not be a candidate. Besides, Saito is considered a key part of the bullpen and surely is some help for country-man Kawakami.
How about Manny Acosta for a bag of balls?
Lew
March 10th, 2010
9:39 am
DAP-Debatable, considering that in his first five Gwinnett starts Hanson walked twice the number of batters per game and went an inning less per game than in his final fie Gwinnett starts. He wasn’t sharp yet or stretched out. Considering that our offense sucked early on and so did our pen, I don’t see how Hanson could possibly have accounted for six wins in that time frame.
Not to mention that (though I haven’t gone and checked it out), some of the games thrown by the fifth starter were won – something even Hanson could not have improved upon. Wouldn’t have won the WC anyway. It was offense we needed that cost us a playoff spot last year – NOT the pitching.
Lew
March 10th, 2010
9:42 am
Gil-I don’t see the Braves letting Saito leave – unless the package is totally unturndownable – and I’m not seeing that it would be.
Jersey Gil
March 10th, 2010
9:47 am
I don’t say that Saito is the Candidate…They said that is the best fix for them. How about trade Acosta for Aaron Hicks or Ben Revere.
dpelfrey
March 10th, 2010
9:47 am
DAP, I don’t think having Hanson for the first 1.5 months last year would have changed anything. The pitching wasn’t the problem, they just couldn’t score enough runs. In the games 8 Medlen and Reyes started before Tommy was called up, the Braves were 3-5. Maybe the Braves go 6-2 if Tommy had started those games. Who knows, but I don’t think having him at AAA to start the season was the difference in making the playoffs versus sitting home in October.
This year, however, I think Chipper has a good argument. You go 30+ games to start the year without Heyward in the lineup, and that could make a big difference in the final win tally.
Lew
March 10th, 2010
9:48 am
Gil-I’m glad it isn’t your idea (didn’t think it was), because whoever it was is basically clueless thinking Saito would be their answer.
dpelfrey
March 10th, 2010
9:50 am
Apparently, I enjoy paraphrasing Lew’s comments.
Lew
March 10th, 2010
9:50 am
Y’all-There’s much more to be gained bringing up an everyday player to start the year than bringing up a fifith starter, who won’t even start every fifth day early in the year.
Lew
March 10th, 2010
9:51 am
dpelfrey-Great minds thinking alike?
dpelfrey
March 10th, 2010
9:51 am
Lew, we’re on the same page today…pick a number between 1 and 10.
Lew
March 10th, 2010
9:52 am
14
DAP
March 10th, 2010
9:53 am
lew Wouldn’t have won the WC anyway. It was offense we needed that cost us a playoff spot last year – NOT the pitching.
yup, im with you 100%. everything else being equal, i think the braves still come up short in 2009, even with hanson here from day one.
now, if they only needed to win 3 more games to be in it, hanson may have made the difference, but not 6. i think hoss was exaggerating a little bit.
Lew
March 10th, 2010
9:53 am
It’s being reported that actor Corey Haim has died of a drug overdose. Is Corey Feldman’s death soon to follow?
dpelfrey
March 10th, 2010
9:53 am
Amazing, that wasn’t even close. Oh well, we’ll always have 9:39 to 9:50.
Jersey Gil
March 10th, 2010
9:54 am
LEW…You know Phillis better than me…they have to be a Phillis Fan that make that comment.
Moe Berg
March 10th, 2010
9:55 am
Nomar is going to announce his retirement later today–the Red Sox gave him a one-day minor league contract so he can retire with them. He’ll then become an ESPN analyst.
flange1
March 10th, 2010
9:55 am
Sad to hear about Corey Haim. Was a talented kid and a pathetic adult…
Lew
March 10th, 2010
9:55 am
Gil-Well, the general intelligence level fits.
Lew
March 10th, 2010
9:56 am
dpelfrey-I know the answer to that one. 9:41, right?
reason
March 10th, 2010
9:57 am
DOB
I’m headin’ down for the game this Saturday (my first spring game)…thought you might have some advice for me about what time to be a the park and such.
Thanks
MDbrave
March 10th, 2010
9:59 am
Just wondering what kind of milk Heyward has for his cereal. Could be interesting story DOB.
CB
March 10th, 2010
10:00 am
Well,whatever kind of milk and cereal it is, it appears to work.
Jay212033
March 10th, 2010
10:01 am
The Nathan situation makes you wish the Braves would have waited on trading Soriano but if they had they more than likely would not have signed Salcedo. So Chavez(even though he’s been horrible so far) and Salcedo > waiting to trade Soriano. But the Braves do have several guys that they could trade to the Twins though.
Couch Tater
March 10th, 2010
10:02 am
He’ll then become an ESPN analyst.
Moe – By the time Nomar adjusts his wrist bands, shoes, shirt and microphone; they’ll be ready to break for a commercial.
jeffrey d
March 10th, 2010
10:03 am
I saw Billy Wagner walk in at 8:30
No horse today, eh?
18 Wheels of Love
March 10th, 2010
10:04 am
Drive By Truckers streaming new album! See what the fuss is about.
http://www.spinner.com/new-releases#/4
jeffrey d
March 10th, 2010
10:04 am
Well,whatever kind of milk and cereal it is, it appears to work.
I’ll bet Heyward is a Fruit Loops kind of guy.
jeffrey d
March 10th, 2010
10:06 am
Maybe Apple Jacks.
CB
March 10th, 2010
10:07 am
Couch, from what I have seen of ESPN analysts,he might be one of their best if he is still adjusting and not talking.
tiger297
March 10th, 2010
10:10 am
Lew
In the WC race not sure I would assume 6 games is the number we needed to makeup. The Braves basically stopped playing once they were eliminated doubt they would have lost 6 in a row to close the season if they were still in the chase. But I do think leaving him in AAA was performance related. When he was called up Medlen’s number were actually better than Hanson’s.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
March 10th, 2010
10:17 am
Corey Haim dead at 38. Damn, that’s such a waste and way too young.
Daybed Wagmoe
March 10th, 2010
10:18 am
18 Wheels of Love — thanks for the link! Can’t wait to listen to it later this morning!!
By the way…are there any DBT album release parties in Atlanta or Athens next Tuesday (or Monday night)?
David O'Brien
March 10th, 2010
10:19 am
Heyward getting a day off.
Braves lineup: 1. McLouth CF, 2. Prado 2B, 3. Chipper 3B, 4. Hinske 1B, 5. Cabrera RF, 6. Diaz LF, 7. Infante SS, 8. Ross C, 9. Lowe RH.
sidslidkid
March 10th, 2010
10:22 am
“Heyward getting a day off.”
Unacceptable.
Braveboi
March 10th, 2010
10:22 am
If J-Hey makes the team from day one, would anyone ever bring up Frenchy again??
Moe Berg
March 10th, 2010
10:25 am
“If J-Hey makes the team from day one, would anyone ever bring up Frenchy again??”
I’m sure if Heyward has the slightest inkling of a slump, analogies to Francoeur will abound–too much pressure to be the face of the franchise, local boy forced to carry expectations, etc.
Lew
March 10th, 2010
10:25 am
tiger-I was just responding to someone else who mentioned that number as the number of games by which we missed the WC . As for the quit playing part? I didn’t see that. What I saw was a slump after an extremely (improbably) hot streak.
DAP
March 10th, 2010
10:28 am
tiger In the WC race not sure I would assume 6 games is the number we needed to makeup. The Braves basically stopped playing once they were eliminated doubt they would have lost 6 in a row to close the season if they were still in the chase.
thats a good point, but since its impossible to know, the stipulation was added to the hypothetical that all else was equal. meaning only the ten or so games hanson would have otherwise started at the beginning of the season is being changed.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
March 10th, 2010
10:31 am
Well, so far there are just two minor problems with this roster.
1. The Braves have been the slowest baseball team on the planet in recent years. However, they might be somewhat faster on the base paths this season, and won 86 games in 2009 in spite of only stealing 58 stolen bases. The pitching, defense and offense all look fine, so three out of four ain’t bad at all.
2. The loss of Diory Hernandez is more significant than one might think. Other than Escobar and Infante the Braves don’t really have another capable SS on their depth chart. Brandon Hicks has the glove but his bat ain’t ready for the show just yet. Atlanta needs to go rummaging around in the waiver wire bargain bin, and nip this in the bud before the lack of depth at SS becomes a problem.
?Mrs. Catie Francoeur?
March 10th, 2010
10:31 am
I would never mention Frenchy’s name again.
Ed
March 10th, 2010
10:38 am
conrad and prado are utility players as well that could play ss
bschro3000
March 10th, 2010
10:45 am
18 Wheels of Love – thanks for the link as well – i just rolled it into a facebook post for the Georgia Conservancy http://www.facebook.com/georgiaconservancy
Radio Cure
March 10th, 2010
10:45 am
DOB, does Heyward getting a day off today mean he’s more likely play tomorrow?
I’m going to tomorrow’s game in Tampa and hope to see him.
fleming
March 10th, 2010
10:45 am
ED – Not very well.
jeffrey d
March 10th, 2010
10:46 am
Heyward should play tomorrow
Steve McP
March 10th, 2010
10:47 am
If the lack of a second back up short stop is all we have to worry about this year then we will surely make the play-offs
jeffrey d
March 10th, 2010
10:54 am
I think the Yankees won the World Series entirely based on their depth at SS
JeanE
March 10th, 2010
10:59 am
That BETTER not be the opening day lineup. Melky just got here: why’s he starting in Left instead of Matty???? And don’t give me that crap about he can’t hit righties, that’s just bull. Matty bleeds for this team and does whatever it takes and it makes me ill that Cox is just going to stick him in a daggone platoon AGAIN> NOT right.
RC
March 10th, 2010
11:00 am
2. The loss of Diory Hernandez is more significant than one might think. Other than Escobar and Infante the Braves don’t really have another capable SS on their depth chart. Brandon Hicks has the glove but his bat ain’t ready for the show just yet. Atlanta needs to go rummaging around in the waiver wire bargain bin, and nip this in the bud before the lack of depth at SS becomes a problem.
Unless Escobar or Infante suffer a major injury, I don’t really see this as a problem. I’m sure the plan is for Escobar to start 150+ games, and Infante to spell him for the others. There may be a point late in a game at which someone like Prado, Conrad, or Thurston is forced to play SS for a few innings, but in the context of a single game I really don’t see that as a huge problem. And if a major injury DID occur, I trust that the front office would have the flexibility to go get a player to play SS servicably for the meantime.
brian
March 10th, 2010
11:02 am
what happened to Diory??? I missed that one
flange1
March 10th, 2010
11:04 am
Diory= shoulder surgery out for the year!
ncscoots
March 10th, 2010
11:07 am
I’m sure if Heyward has the slightest inkling of a slump, analogies to Francoeur will abound–too much pressure to be the face of the franchise, local boy forced to carry expectations, etc.
…and the biggest ranters will be the same guys now daring the team not to take him north for Opening Day, LOL. So guaranteed that Vegas won’t even make a line on it.
Gil in Mechanicsville
March 10th, 2010
11:08 am
Diory is out due to a shoulder injury
Gil in Mechanicsville
March 10th, 2010
11:10 am
Hicks has not looked sharp in the field either Lew
Gil in Mechanicsville
March 10th, 2010
11:11 am
Twins need pitching…. What do they have in their cupboard to offer????
TennesseePaul
March 10th, 2010
11:11 am
Can’t help but wonder… what if the Braves had held on to Soriano until Spring…
Macon Braves (RIP)
March 10th, 2010
11:15 am
JeanE—Are you seriously freaking out over a lineup the second week of spring training?
TennesseePaul
March 10th, 2010
11:15 am
The loss of Diory Hernandez is more significant than one might think
Very much doubt it. If Escobar AND Omar go down, and were replaced with Diory “9 OPS+” Hernandez (.141/.198/.212/.410) the team would already be in significant trouble.
DAP
March 10th, 2010
11:18 am
10paul Can’t help but wonder… what if the Braves had held on to Soriano until Spring…
ive seen this sentiment from others…its just totally unrealistic to have expected the braves to hold onto soriano. i guess its fun to think about what we could get from the twins, but there no way i would have wanted the braves to wait on that trade.
Jersey Gil
March 10th, 2010
11:19 am
Gil…The twins have the following Prospect:Calos Gutierrez RHP future closer for them…Aaron Hicks OF,Ben Revere Of, Wilson Ramos C, this kid has Power and also the 2009 firt draft pick with a big Bonus….Miguel Sano ss,3b.
Evan
March 10th, 2010
11:22 am
Coach,
You said the Braves suffer from the loss of Diory, citing the fact that Hicks’ glove is solid, but does not have the skills with the bat. You say this as if Diory DID have skills with the bat. What games were you watching last year?
Ease in Buckhead
March 10th, 2010
11:24 am
Move Melky/Diaz to RF and have Heyward cover SS and LF…fixed…anything else?
CB
March 10th, 2010
11:28 am
Ease,he can also be the left-handed specialist in the bullpen if needed.
BraveMan
March 10th, 2010
11:29 am
Rob from SC @ 11:51 last night and DOB @ 12:18 this morning…
Thank you.