McLouth goes to minors for a day; Braves make cuts
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – Good day from Dark Star, where it’s getting dark as rain and storms head this way. Looks like the Braves and Cardinals might get in a few innings before the storms arrive, but not much more than that.
Before we go any further: If you missed it in comments section on last blog, Braves had their second round of roster cuts today, dropping relievers Mike Dunn, Jeff Lyman and Mariano Gomez, outfielders Brent Clevlen and Mitch Jones, and catcher Orlando Mercado.
More on what that means for the roster-spots battles in just a minute.
2009 minor league homer leader Mitch Jones among todays' roster cuts.
As for today’s game and rain, it would’ve been good if they could have been sure to get at least get in a few innings for Jair Jurrjens, who was scheduled to pitch today. But we’re about to start in rain and Jurrjens has been scratched and replaced by reliever Peter Moylan.
Bobby Cox said before the game that Jurrjens would probably wait to pitch tomorrow in a minor league game if this one got banged.
“Unless he insists on the cages,” said Cox, referring to the option of Jurrjens throwing simulated innings in the batting cage today if he preferred that to pitching Monday on the team’s only scheduled off day of the spring.
The forecast, as of 11:30, was for the bad stuff to arrive about 2 p.m., but it’s already raining pretty hard at 1:05 as we get underway.
Anyway, there was some news this morning: Nate McLouth was scratched from original lineup this morning after Braves decided to send the slumping center fielder to a minor league game so he could bat every inning.
Dude is 1-for-35, batting .029 with three walks and 14 strikeouts – twice as many strikeouts as the next-highest Braves totals by minor leaguers Brandon Hicks and Clevlen.
“He can get nine at-bats over there, see if he can get it going a little bit,” said Cox, who then compared McLouth’s spring woes to another recent Brave, albeit one with a bit more power and longer resume.
“Remember the spring Teixeira had?” Cox said, referring to Teixeira’s struggles in only Braves spring training in 2008. “I was beginning to wonder if he was every going to hit a ball hard. His base hits [in spring training] were little ground balls that would sneak through. I was like, ‘Let’s get going.’”
(Tex eventually got going, to put it mildly. He hit a combined .308 with 41 doubles, 33 homers, 121 RBI and a .962 OPS that season with the Braves and Angels, including .358 with 13 homers and a 1.081 OPS in 54 games after the Braves traded him to Anaheim.)
As for McLouth, he’s 0-for-28 with 12 strikeouts since getting his only hit of the spring on March 6. He’s had two strikeouts in five of his last eight games, including three times in games where he had only three plate appearances.
McLouth to play minor league game for more at-bats.
Cox said he wasn’t sure which minor-league game McLouth would play in today. “It was a last-minute deal,” he said. “Doesn’t matter. Just see some balls.”
I asked if it was McLouth’s or the Braves’ idea.
“It was our idea,” Cox said. “He was all for it. Said he wanted to do it.”
♣ Two-man race: The second round of roster cuts trimmed the field of contestants for the final two bullpen spots and last bench job, though it’s been apparent for some time that Jones and Clevlen weren’t serious contenders to begin with due to the positions they play (or don’t play).
Left competing for the last bench job are Joe Thurston and Brooks Conrad, same as it’s been all spring, for all intents and purposes.
Cox always keeps two backups who can play middle infield; last year it was Omar Infante and Martin Prado, until Prado became the starting 2B. Now it’ll Omar and one of these two guys, Conrad and Thurston, who are similar players and have had similarly impressive springs.
Conrad has, in Cox’s estimation, made more great defensive plays than anyone else in the Grapefruit League. Hard to argue against that point, because I can remember at least five or six gems that he’s turned, mostly at 2B but a couple at 3B.
Thurston, too, has made several outstanding plays in the field. And he’s shown some impressive pop with a couple of well-stung home runs last week and some serious blasts in BP (it’s just BP, but team officials are there watching and taking mental notes).
Loading ...Thurston’s hit .323 with a .344 OBP, two homers and seven RBI in 31 at-bats, with five strikeouts and one walk.
Conrad, 30, spent seven years in the minors before getting a cup of coffee with Oakland’s big club in 2008, and last year he hit .204 with five extra-base hits and eight RBI in 54 at-bats over 30 games with Atlanta.
Thurston, 30, spent most of a decade in the minors through 2008, with brief stints with the Dodgers in three seasons and with the Phillies and Red Sox in one season apiece. He didn’t have significant major league playing time until last season with the Cardinals, when he played in 124 games and hit .225 with a .316 OBP in 267 at-bats. He had only one homer among his 22 extra-base hits.
Thurston had some decent numbers in his long minor-league career, batting .295 with a .358 OBP and .779 OPS in a whopping 4,676 at-bats (I said it was a long minors career). Had one season with 39 doubles, and 11- and 12- homer seasons.
Conrad’s had a similarly length career in the minors, batting .261 with a .344 OBP and .810 OPS in 4,119 at-bats during parts of nine seasons, including three seasons with 36 or more doubles and four consecutive seasons with more than 20 homers through 2008.
When Conrad got called up by the Braves last July, he made seven starts at second base and hit .355 (11-for-31) with five extra-base hits (two homers) and eight RBI in 10 games.
He went 0-for-23 in his remaining 20 games with the Braves, while being used almost strictly as pinch-hitter for the rest of that first stint and during a later callup.
One other thing to keep in mind, as I was just reminded: Conrad is on the 40-man roster, and Thurston is not. I don’t think it’ll be the deciding factor unless they judge the two of them to be otherwise equal. But so far, they basically have looked equal. So….
♣The last ‘pen job: Left standing from an initial crowded field of contestants are righties Jesse Chavez, Craig Kimbrel, Manny Acosta and Scott Proctor, and lefties Jonny Venters and Jo-Jo Reyes.
Could Reyes open season in 'pen?
If I had to guess today, I’d say Chavez and either Venters or Reyes will get the last two spots on the opening-day roster, but Proctor will be up by the third week of April.
Chavez hasn’t had a good spring, but made 73 appearances last season as a Pirates rookie. I don’t think the Braves are going to let a few spring appearances change their view of a pitcher they spoke so highly of after getting him in the Winter Meetings trade for Rafael Soriano.
Kimbrel’s stock continue to climb and the Braves have nothing but good things to say about the 21-year-old future closer’s work in camp and his rapid climb in the past year.
While it won’t shock me if he makes the opening-day roster, but I think the Braves prefer to get him at least a little more experience in the high minors – he only has 14 appearances and 13-2/3 innings above A-ball.
Also, Kimbrel’s not on the 40-man roster, and the Braves are already going to have to make one 40-man roster move to open a spot for Proctor when he’s ready, and another before that presuming that to add Jason Heyward, presuming he’s going to be the opening day right fielder. (It should be easy to open one spot — move INF Diory Hernandez on the 60-day DL. He’s recovering from shoulder surgery and not expected back until May or June anyway, though he’s already hitting.
Acosta has eight strikeouts and two walks in 5-1/3 innings this spring, but has also given up a pair of home runs among five hits. He struggled for much of his time in the majors last season (45 hits and 19 walks allowed in 37-1/3 innings) and he’s not out of minor-league options, so it seems to me the Braves would prefer to have, say, Venters and what Cox calls his “super sinker.”
(As we know from Kevin Gryboski and a couple of others, Cox does like to keep a so-called groundball specialist, even if they’ve been a bit erratic at times.)
Proctor will undoubtedly take one of the spots as soon as he’s ready, and Cox keeps saying that he hasn’t ruled him out for opening day. But he also conceded this morning that Proctor, who is 10-1/2 months removed from Tommy John surgery and only made his first appearance Friday, would have to be used carefully initially if he’s on the opening day roster.
So instead of rushing him to opening day after just a handful or fewer spring appearances, I think the Braves will have Proctor pitch for a couple of weeks in the minors. Besides, don’t forget that service-time matter — if Proctor is on roster all season,he’ll be a free agent at season’s end. If he spends two or three weeks in the minors before he’s added to the major league roster, the Braves will have him under contractual control for another season.
Not saying they would do it for that reason, because it won’t come to that: It’s only the prudent move to not rush him back for opening day, when they have other options, including several already on the 40-man roster.
As for Reyes, it’s only been in the past few days that Cox and Frank Wren said enough to make me believe Jo-Jo’s really being considered for a bullpen spot.
He’s got that hammer curve that could make him effective, and he’s had more success the first time through against lineups in the past than he has the second or third time that hitters face him. So who knows, maybe he could thrive in the bullpen role, at least for this season.
Still, the Braves might decide they really need Jo-Jo starting at Triple-A, at least for the early part of the season. Because if a starter gets hurt or has a sore shoulder and needs to miss a start or two, the Braves’ only starting depth besides Reyes is Kris Medlen, who’s going to be the long reliever in the ‘pen and is very valuable in that role.
But keeping him on the roster this long convinces me the Braves are either strongly considering Reyes for a bullpen role or are showcasing him for other teams who might be interested in trading for him, particularly if they think he could be effective as a reliever or starter.
♣ OK, it’s getting darker here and rain’s falling harder. But we’re going to start this game. So let’s get this posted now.
“DADDY LEARNED TO FLY” by Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)
Daddy’s gone away and no one can tell me why
Mommy’s been so sad since Daddy learned to fly
Everyone brought food and everybody cried
Nothing’s been too good since Daddy learned to fly
♦
The fun we used to have and the way we used to laugh
Have all gone away since they cut my world in half
But sometimes I can see him smiling from the sky
But he never stops to visit since Daddy learned to fly
♦
Everyone tries so hard to ease my troubled mind
I guess he’s doing better than the ones he left behind
They say that I’m not old enough to know the reasons why
The clouds reached down from heaven and Daddy learned to fly
♦
They tell me that in time everything will be ok
Life gets back to normal like before he flew away
They say he can see me so I’m trying not to cry
But sometimes I can’t help it since Daddy learned to fly
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1,063 comments Add your comment
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
1:17 pm
There she is.
Runnin
March 21st, 2010
1:18 pm
ok
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
1:19 pm
We got this one started in the rain, with Moylan pitching instead of Jurrjens.
Moylan gave up consecutive singles to start game, then struck out Albert Pujols and Colby Rasmus. Count’s full to Felipe Lopez…
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
1:19 pm
Walked Lopez.
Frankie Knuckles
March 21st, 2010
1:21 pm
How does Dave look? Pete’s Dave
Smitty
March 21st, 2010
1:21 pm
DOB i take it Schafer isn’t getting on?
Heath
March 21st, 2010
1:26 pm
joerochester -
Being a “home” game is not what worries me….UK REALLY travels well, especially since they’ll be in the sweet sixteen. What worried me about Cornell is their 3-point shooting. I think I would rather be facing Wisconsin.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
1:31 pm
Smitty
He’s still rehabbing.
Frankie Knuckles
March 21st, 2010
1:33 pm
This game get called?
And Roodge Owns
March 21st, 2010
1:33 pm
Dying laughing at the photo choice for McLouth.
ewe1403@yahoo.com
March 21st, 2010
1:34 pm
melky draws a walk
And Roodge Owns
March 21st, 2010
1:35 pm
Dave, you have to change the caption under the McLouth photo. Something like “Hey, Terry, like this?”
ewe1403@yahoo.com
March 21st, 2010
1:35 pm
prado flies out to left and chipper strikes out swinging while melky is caught stealing 2nd base. end of inning
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
1:35 pm
Thanks, EWE.
Prime Time
March 21st, 2010
1:36 pm
Didn’t McLouth get something done with his vision? Sounds like McCann last year. Hope he gets it together.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
1:37 pm
Prime
He got contacts.
TnBrian
March 21st, 2010
1:37 pm
I’d rather have a proven guy like Scott Proctor instead of Chavez, but who’s complaining … it’s just that Chavez seems like Acosta with good stuff, but lacks consistancy, but who’s complaining. Also– why are there so little ST games being televised this time around? It just seems like there were more on TV before. Not complaining, just sayin’.
Mitchell
March 21st, 2010
1:38 pm
17th!
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
1:38 pm
Chavez is pitching the second inning, just walked Nick Stavinoha, got one out, then gave up a single to Tyler Henley.
Smitty
March 21st, 2010
1:39 pm
joe: he was supposed to be getting on the blog to talk
Mekons
March 21st, 2010
1:39 pm
There will be three Braves games on ESPN this week. I think Tues., Wed and Thurs.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
1:40 pm
Knuckles: Yeah, it got called. I’m providing fictional play-by-play. Creative, eh?
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
1:40 pm
smitty
Sorry. I thought you meant getting on the team.
JerseyGil
March 21st, 2010
1:40 pm
Don Sutton say that McLouth has a single & Double today in minor league game.
TnBrian
March 21st, 2010
1:40 pm
DOB, did Chavez change his number from 51 to 43? I thought I saw him wearing 43 that last game on tv and I know he was 51 at the start.
And Roodge Owns
March 21st, 2010
1:41 pm
Not just creative, but gritty realism (Chavez).
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
1:42 pm
The Schafer thing had to be postponed because of the rain and uncertainty about what he was going to be doing, hitting in cages or whatever.
We’ll do it later, though. Try to get him and another player before camp breaks.
TnBrian
March 21st, 2010
1:43 pm
Anybody else notice that if something isn’t extreme people won’t talk about it? For instance … Heyward = extremely good. McLouth = extremely bad. Any middle ground is just boring, it seems.
Smitty
March 21st, 2010
1:43 pm
Alright thanks DOB
Sigmnund Jung
March 21st, 2010
1:45 pm
TnBrian, more than just being bored, our we have a neurotic need to demonize and hero-worship.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
1:45 pm
RAIN DELAY …. aaarrrgh.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
1:45 pm
The Cards have to be the favorites for the NL Central. The Brewers have no pitching, Astros are rebuilding, Cubs are a mess, Reds are building, Pirates suck.
JerseyGil
March 21st, 2010
1:46 pm
Mekons …yes Espn Tue Met,Wed Phillis,Fri Detroit
TnBrian
March 21st, 2010
1:47 pm
joerochester, I think a “every team in the NL Central sucks, except the Cards” would’ve done just fine.
Frankie Knuckles
March 21st, 2010
1:47 pm
DOB – didn’t know, there was a 12 minute lag from the previous PBP and its raining. Valid question imo
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
1:48 pm
Everyone here hopes McLouth gets it going.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
1:50 pm
Steady rain alone wasn’t enough to get the umps to stop it, but an up-and-in pitch to Pujols by Chavez with a wet ball — that’ll do the trick. Bring out the tarps, boys. The King got buzzed.
Mekons
March 21st, 2010
1:50 pm
I think the Reds are going to be better than usual. But the Cards have the best team all-around in that division. The Cubs are going to be the worst defensive team in the league.
Bravofan
March 21st, 2010
1:50 pm
I don’t see Jo Jo on the opening day roster.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
1:52 pm
My bad, Frankie Knuckles. Wasn’t aware of that 12-min delay.
Anyway, we’re sitting here now in rain delay. Lot of wet folks in standing-room only crowd. What do you want to bet the good folks at Disney wait a while to call this one?
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
1:52 pm
TnBrian
That would have been too easy.
TnBrian
March 21st, 2010
1:52 pm
Well DOB, or anybody else that has ten minutes to kill, check this bit out. We used to watch this show all the time and this is the funniest episode–
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wopVsCXO0U0
ugaaccountant
March 21st, 2010
1:53 pm
Chipper jones is looking promising, sort of. Probably closer to early 2009 than late 2009, so a significant positive trend. Does that work for middle ground stuff?
Nova Scotia Steve
March 21st, 2010
1:57 pm
okay…so just so we’re clear here…Jurrjens is okay…just not pitching because of the wet conditions?
and second…I really and truly don’t agree with Moylan STARTING a game this late in Spring Training…should our late inning guys be starting to pitch – ahem – later innings???
Moylan prolly never started a professional game in his life…or hasn’t in the last 5 years anyway…to me THAT decision right there…is just as much of an injury risk to Moylan as it would be if Jurrjens started the game.
Seriously…
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
1:57 pm
ESPN will televise Braves games Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
1:58 pm
What do you guys think for the AL East?
bruce
March 21st, 2010
1:58 pm
Did not know the Cards signed Elvis and that he is in Orlando today.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
1:59 pm
Nova Scotia: Why in the world would it be an injury risk for a reliever to pitch one inning in a spring game, whether it’s the first inning or the ninth? I’m entirely lost on your logic there.
Both managers knew the rain was coming, so both scratched their starters rather than have them pitch an inning or two before the game got stopped.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
1:59 pm
Steve
Moylan’s just getting his work in.
Mekons
March 21st, 2010
1:59 pm
Moylan was only pitching an inning. Using a starter in that situation would screw up his conditioning schedule.
Frankie Knuckles
March 21st, 2010
2:00 pm
Its b/c I have Tuesday off. I see a few cold ones, pizza and baseball in my future. Thx ESPN. You don’t say that often.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
2:00 pm
Olney says Twins need a closer and the Padres need outfielders. Twins apparently have some talented minor league outfielders but may be unwilling to part with them.
bruce
March 21st, 2010
2:01 pm
Seems like this is first time in a few years that we are not going to have someone on the 40 man roster start the season on 60 day DL
abwright
March 21st, 2010
2:03 pm
Jurrjens didn’t start because he would never have been able to get five innings in before the rain began.
Moylan was prolly the first reliever scheduled. So, he gets moved up to start the game.
If this thing goes five innings it will be a minor miracle. No need to worry about finding guys to fill in the last few innings.
RHR
March 21st, 2010
2:06 pm
ESPN will televise Braves games Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
Boo. All day games.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
2:07 pm
They moved the minor league game up to 10:30 a.m. today, so McLouth got his ABs in. They’re seeing if he’s still around for us to talk to.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
2:08 pm
It’s is POURING now.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
2:08 pm
Boo. All day games.
Ugh…still haven’t gotten to see them play
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
2:09 pm
Added a POLL to the original blog, about who should get final bench job. VOTE NOW
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
2:09 pm
If Nate didn’t get a hit against minor league pitching, he’s gonna get scorched on here.
Well, you know…more than usual
ugaaccountant
March 21st, 2010
2:10 pm
Bruce – Diory Hernandez is heading to the 60 day dl
cabravesfan
March 21st, 2010
2:10 pm
Boo. All day games.
Ahh, the joys of working from home!
Nova Scotia Steve
March 21st, 2010
2:10 pm
I guess my logic is – a veteran guy (Moylan) – who’s a key cog in ATL bullpen is starting a game on a wet and rainy day.
But I get the – “he’s getting his work in” situation…workin on the new change-up etc.
Why no worry about potential injury risk to one of our top relievers…it not like P.J. Walters fills the type of role a Peter Moylan does in our pen.
Anyway…it’s prolly the “right” move…I just don’t agree with it!
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
2:11 pm
Coincidentally… I have Monday and Thursday off. No games on tv then.
SouthGaBrave
March 21st, 2010
2:12 pm
C’mon guys, cough up the extra 10 or 15 bucks a month and get yourself some DVR. I’ve recorded all our televised games so far and just wathched them as soon as I get home from work.
KLB
March 21st, 2010
2:12 pm
Bill Shanks reported at least two hits (single and double) for McLouth in the minor league game – http://twitter.com/BillShanks
CB
March 21st, 2010
2:14 pm
Did DOB say please behind that Vote Now?
bruce
March 21st, 2010
2:16 pm
uga — yep, forgot about Diory, thanks. I was thinking more about regulars, in particular pitchers in the past
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
2:16 pm
The Braves will probably go Wrigley on us this year and have all day games this year, just to stick it to us. I’ll bet that’s what idiot Wren and those weasels at Liberty are plotting right now
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
2:17 pm
SouthGa
I had DVR. Right now I’m living with my in-laws while we close on our house. Unfortunately they don’t even have cable.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
2:17 pm
Oh wait….I’m being sarcastic.
Nova Scotia Steve
March 21st, 2010
2:17 pm
Mark Bradley really need to write a new column or take the current one down of the website.
“Why Jason Heyward might not be here on opening day”
Unless Bradley means he won’t in Flordia playing Spring Training games – then I guess he’s correct.
ugaaccountant
March 21st, 2010
2:19 pm
They wouldn’t play a spring training game if it’s wet enough to be an injury risk. The games just don’t matter that much.
I see 0 concern with him relief pitching the 1st. It’s not like he went out there to go multiple innings, which by the way a 3rd reliever should be able to do anyway, but I digress.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
2:19 pm
Great for Nate!
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
2:20 pm
Did anyone see Green Zone yet? It’s worth a view, I think.
Mekons
March 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
Diory is probably more of an asset on the DL anyway. If we are desperate for a SS, I’d rather have Hicks.
And the risk of injury on rainy days is mainly to outfielders. And there’s just about zero risk to a pitcher. This was done so JJ would be able to get his work in, being stretched out for the regular season. Having him rained out after one inning would not be good for his conditioning.
Crockett
March 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
DOB, In his 9 ABs today, how did McLouth fare?
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
Steve
It’s on my long list of movies I want to see. Is it as good as the Bourne movies?
SouthGaBrave
March 21st, 2010
2:24 pm
joerochester, sorry about that buddy. Hopefully the house will be closed on in time for the season. I’ve got a 4-week business trip to NC in June and I’m gonna be bummin’ if I can’t watch the Bravos at night………
Coach (2011 or Bust)
March 21st, 2010
2:26 pm
It’s spring training…..McLouth will be fine unless he’s got something physically wrong.
O’Brien, tough loss for your Jay hawks dude. David and Goliath all over again and Northern Iowa brought their sling shot’s.
Conrad or Thurston? Well obviously Conrad is on the 40 man and he looks like the better defender right now. But it’s nice to see some competition for the last remaining bench spot. Not to mention the depth provided.
I can’t wait for the season to start!
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
2:27 pm
southga
Scheduled for April 09.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
2:28 pm
You know, I’ve never seen the Bourne movies, joe. It’s a good flick though. The only problem I had with it is that they did sort of a “documentary” style filming (or whatever), so the camera was kind of fuzzy at times and there are a lot of scenes where the characters are moving around in pretty much the pitch-black. It was still cool though. Not as great as some movies I’ve seen, but it’ll entertain you at the very least.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
March 21st, 2010
2:28 pm
Steve, I saw Green Zone last week end and it’s a fairly decent movie but nothing to write home about. If you enjoy the genre then it’s worth the price of admission.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
2:33 pm
Coach–yeah, that’s a good take on it. I do enjoy the genre, so it entertained me, but you’re right, it’s just decent.
JTH
March 21st, 2010
2:33 pm
DOB- Is Diaz going to be the opening day starter in left, and how has he been doing this spring?
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
2:36 pm
Steve
Watch the Bourne movies. They are awesome.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
2:37 pm
We were already downstairs to talk to McLouth when game got banged. It’s over.
Jair will pitch tomorrow in minor league game.
McLouth had three hits and a walk in four PAs today, for what that’s worth. Hit the ball hard a few times, they said.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
2:39 pm
joe–yeah, that’s what everyone tells me. Unfortunately, the time just isn’t there for me right now, LOL.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
2:39 pm
JTH: likely be Diaz or Melky. Since it’s supposed to be Zambrano pitching for Cubs, I’d guess Melky (that is, assuming he’s not in CF).
Diamondback Mac
March 21st, 2010
2:41 pm
Steve from OH
Those Bourne movies don’t hold a candle to the Bourne books. Robert Ludlum was a great writer.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 21st, 2010
2:44 pm
per bill shanks, foxsports radio in macon…nate single and double this morning.
UNCBrave
March 21st, 2010
2:44 pm
Go Kansas!!!….oops…
Second Round SELF:
Bradley
Bucknell
Northern Iowa
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 21st, 2010
2:45 pm
Not all is lost if Nate doesn’t get going. Relatively speaking, there’s a bona fide slugger on the market. Yep, Greg Norton is STILL out there. Can you believe our good fortune?
Goldenglove002
March 21st, 2010
2:46 pm
Was the minor league game rained out also?
Frankie Knuckles
March 21st, 2010
2:48 pm
Greg Norton’s a hitting coach now. He’ll probably make a good one in all honesty.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 21st, 2010
2:48 pm
Read up a few posts, Golden.
Winterville
March 21st, 2010
2:50 pm
Good luck in the NIT UNCBrave!
Mekons
March 21st, 2010
2:52 pm
The minor league game was this morning.
tvsportscaster
March 21st, 2010
2:53 pm
DOB when addressing the 40-man roster, you’re right the Diory Hernandez move is a no brainer, however, they will need to make another move on the 40-man to make room for Jason Heyward, so ultimately someone who is on the 40=man is going, likely another if Thurston makes the squad.
Braveheart
March 21st, 2010
2:54 pm
Self has one more national title as the coach of Kansas than Roy Williams did.
Heath
March 21st, 2010
3:00 pm
I am officially rootying for Wisconsin now.
Heath
March 21st, 2010
3:02 pm
This Cornell team can shoot.
njbraves
March 21st, 2010
3:02 pm
Choosing Jo-Jo for a bullpen spot would be a mistake. The kid has never shown anything.
UNCBrave
March 21st, 2010
3:05 pm
Roy Williams=2 National Titles in 5 years at UNC
Self-1 Title
Also, UNC and Roy won the NC last year when they were the FAVORITE by far to win it….KU bailed in the 2nd Round
It could be argued that KU had a WORSE season than UNC b/c of expectations..
If LAST YEAR’s UNC NC team would’ve lost in the 2nd Round, that would have been a WORSE season to me than this year
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
3:05 pm
Self has one more national title as the coach of Kansas than Roy Williams did. — Braveheart
And one fewer second-round exit as a No. 1 seed (happened twice under Roy at KU). But there were the first-round exits for Bill’s teams in 2004 and 2008…. Hey, bottom line, every KU alum I know is happy to have Self as coach, and most UNC fans I know are thrilled to have Roy, despite what happened with either team this season.
Mekons
March 21st, 2010
3:06 pm
JoJo’s problems are usually the second time through the order. He has good stuff. I think he would be good out of the bullpen.
unbelievable
March 21st, 2010
3:09 pm
good move by the Braves and McLouth
DOB, any word on the Thurston/Conrad battle. Who has the advantage up to this point?
Goldenglove002
March 21st, 2010
3:13 pm
Regarding the 40-man roster, I would think Diory would go to the 60 day DL for Heyward and then Stephen Marek would be dropped off to make room for Proctor. Does marek really have any sort of shot at making this team in the near future? I don’t know that I would even worry about him being claimed off waivers.
If Thurston or Kimbrel get spots I’m not really sure who the braves would have to move.
Heath
March 21st, 2010
3:14 pm
“Hey, bottom line, every KU alum I know is happy to have Self as coach, and most UNC fans I know are thrilled to have Roy, despite what happened with either team this season” –DOB
Great coaches for both teams…no doubt. Coach Cal can bring in the recruits….we’ll see if he can bring home the bacon. So far UK fans are happy to have him.
UNCBrave
March 21st, 2010
3:19 pm
Agree with DOB there…I’m sure KU is happy to have Self just as I’m happy to have Roy
TnBrian
March 21st, 2010
3:28 pm
Is Jonny Venters pretty good. I take it he’s better with command than Dunn, but haven’t heard much at all about what he throws. I just know he’s a lefty and he’s 25 judging from what the internet tells me.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
3:28 pm
It could be argued that KU had a WORSE season than UNC b/c of expectations.. — UNC Brave
Ahh … ol’ UNC Brave is back. You disappeared with hoops talk for about two months, after carrying on early about how great the Heels were (for about their first 10 games) and how weak KU’s out-of-conference sked was, etc.
Why can’t you just enjoy the Heels’ run through the NIT, dude? You gotta revel in others’ misery? Why’s that?
You’ve got a lot of gall to even mention your school and hoops right now, after the horrendous season they had. And my cousins who are UNC alums and huge fans — including one big financial contributor to the school — agree with me on that. Unlike you, they think this season was a huge disappointment at UNC. You have some low exectations if you don’t.
If KU ever, and I mean ever, has a 16-16 season under Self, there will be calls for him to be fired. There’s no way, under almost any circumstances, that KU, UNC, Duke or Kentucky should have a .500 season (not counting those NIT wins you’re tacking on).
And by they, you mention that UNC didn’t have high expectations this year. Really? They were preseason top 10 in virtually every media outlet. They were No. 7 in Sports Illustrated college hoops preview (I got it out the other day because I was curious what was being said about them entering the season).
So don’t try the revisionist history. Just enjoy your possible NIT title run. And why is it so hard for you and some other UNC fans to understand that KU alums really, honestly are happy that Self is the coach now instead of Ol’ Roy? I don’t see why that’s any concern for you all, but it obviously is. I hear it every time I go home to see my parents in Wilson, N.C.
It amazes me that a school with UNC’s rich hoops traditon, that any of its fans/alums would give a rat’s arse about what’s happening at KU vis-a-vis the coach. But it clearly is an obsession with some.
Roy did a great job at KU while he was there. He’s gone. KU got a helluva replacement, and that’s that. Move on, dude. And if a 16-16 season is satisfying for you, then fine.
And by the way, after KU went 37-3 en route to winning the 2008 national championship, it lost five players to the NBA draft, lost its entire starting give and seven of their top scorers to the draft or graduation. The next year the Jayhawks won another Big 12 title and advanced to the Sweet 16 before losing to Michigan State.
A 16-16 season or NIT berth that season wouldn’t have been acceptable to KU fans.
Heath
March 21st, 2010
3:32 pm
“If KU ever, and I mean ever, has a 16-16 season under Self, there will be calls for him to be fired. There’s no way, under any circumstances, that KU, UNC, Duke or Kentucky should have a .500 season (not counting those NIT wins you’re tacking on).” –DOB
Spot on. Look how quick Billy G. got the hook at UK. Win or go away.
jim
March 21st, 2010
3:33 pm
Having another lefty like Jo Jo in the pen to pitch to the likes of Howard, Utley, and Dunn would be a plus, provided all else is equal. I think Kimbrel needs another year — or at least 3 months — in the minors to work on his command. I could see Proctor replacing Chavez when he is ready.
TnBrian
March 21st, 2010
3:37 pm
jim, I think Venters gets the nod instead of JoJo. Just going by what DOB and Bowman predict and they should know much more than we do about this stuff.
Soph
March 21st, 2010
3:37 pm
A 16-16 season or NIT berth that season wouldn’t have been acceptable to KU fans.
Oh, as a Heels fan it was a major disappointment to me but I’ve come to terms with it. It is what it is. Hopefully, the freshmen will gel throughout the NIT and come back strong next season.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
3:38 pm
Spot on. Look how quick Billy G. got the hook at UK. Win or go away.
Or Tubby. Do you know how many teams would kill to have Tubby Smith as coach?
Mac
March 21st, 2010
3:38 pm
What NIT title run? UAB will end them.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
3:40 pm
jim-
A couple of good points have been made about JoJo as reliever. First – he was effective as a starter the first time through an order. Second – He may be able to give you 2 innings when you need them. Maybe his calling is in the pen?
TnBrian
March 21st, 2010
3:42 pm
Are we having a war of words about college hoops again? Sure looks like it’s fixing to heat up big time around here. PEACE!
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
3:42 pm
But Kentucky fans have a “nothing short of the Final Four will satisfy us” attitude. Which is respectable, but there’s about 200 other teams that want to win it all too. And your team isn’t always going to be the best.
Now Calipari has the Wildcats in excellent position for a title after just one season. What happens when UK has an average season under him? He didn’t always have lights out seasons in Memphis either.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
3:44 pm
Are we having a war of words about college hoops again?
For real. It’s not like we’re in the middle of arguably the most exciting playoffs of any sport in the nation.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
3:44 pm
Looks like the Buffalo Bills are poised to draft a QB. The question is which one will they draft? Bradford, Tebow, Clausen?
Soph
March 21st, 2010
3:45 pm
Didn’t Gillespie have issues with his contract too though? I think I remember him not signing his contract for two years after being hired. Not saying that the lack of wins didn’t have anything to do with it but weren’t there other factors too?
Soph
March 21st, 2010
3:46 pm
joe – I was reading an article yesterday that had a couple of mock drafts within it and both had Bradford going first to the Rams so I think the Bills will go with Clausen.
Nova Scotia Steve
March 21st, 2010
3:47 pm
NCAA basketball to Canada is like NHL to USA.
In most states anyway…
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
3:48 pm
TnBrian-
There you go again. DOB never made a definitive committment to either pitcher, just pointed out possible scenarios and the reasoning behind these decisions.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
3:48 pm
Meh… The Bills need to be run better to be successful. They have made many poor personnel decisions in the last few years. I don’t know if Clausen will work there, but who else do they have..?
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
3:49 pm
McLouth on his work in intrasquad minor-league game today (three hits, one walk in six plate appearances):
“It went good. I’m glad I got a chance to do it. I just need to step away. Hitting is a funny thing. It can wear on you, even in spring training when numbers don’t matter – because they do. Not necessarily numbers, but feeling well and making good contact matters. And when that’s not happening, regardless of whether it’s spring training or not, that’s frustrating.”
“To step away and kind of have some at-bats that really don’t matter, and get a chance to just make some good contact. It was good. I felt great at the plate, made good contact … it was a big step forward.”
“I got six at-bats, had three hits and a walk. And made solid contact. That was what I was looking for. Being on time. That’s really what I’ve been struggling with is my timing. When you’re on time – everyone here knows how to hit. So it’s being on time, and being in the right position when the pitch is in the zone, to take a good swing. And that’s something I haven’t been doing.”
lpad
March 21st, 2010
3:50 pm
I would respect UK’s standard involved running a clean program. Wherever Calipari goes, sanctions follow.
Heath
March 21st, 2010
3:50 pm
jeffrey d -
Tubby was not fired. He quit. He is a an excellent coach, but intentionally did not recruit the best of the best…so, once Pitino’s players left after ‘98, UK really wasn’t a legitimate contender. For programs like Georgia, Minnesota, and Auburn (recent rumors link him there…true or not), Tubby is perfect. For UK, KU, UNC….not so much.
Also, I wouldn’t say that UK fans expect to be in the Final Four “every” year….but since we haven’t really been a contender since ‘98….yeah, that is too long.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
3:51 pm
On Pendleton’s comment to me yesterday about how McLouth was collapsing his legs, going too low in his swing stride:
“That’s part of it,” McLouth said. “Because if you’re late, then all of a sudden you’re rushing to get to the ball and things are breaking down. What better time to fix it than in spring training.
“It’s not like it’s not frustrating because it’s spring training. It’s not like I’m not trying to fix it. It’s just something that’s difficult to do. So today was nice to step back and get on some backfields, get a bunch of ABs in a row.”
I asked him if he’s confident he’ll be ready for the season:
“Definitely. Because I’m not gonna stop working or stop taking at-bats until I am ready. I’m going to take as many at-bats and as many pitches as it takes.”
Nova Scotia Steve
March 21st, 2010
3:51 pm
Who ever thought McLouth would be one of the major causes for concern heading into Opening Day???
Seems like a great move by both sides today.
atlantaspike
March 21st, 2010
3:52 pm
I’ve never understood Cox’ approach to bench construction. A bench should be full of hitters who can’t field, not fielders who can’t hit. The overwhelming majority of times a bench player enters a game is for offensive (PH or PR), not defensive purposes. Gwinnett is just a phone call away. I’d rather have the tactical offensive advantage on a game by game basis, and be willing to suffer the consequences of very occasionally having to deal with an inferior defender for an inning or two. The virtue of keeping a Lockhart-esque “glove man” around over someone who can actually change a game around – say a Jim Edmonds type 5th OF who might actually win a game or two for you just eludes me.
Heath
March 21st, 2010
3:53 pm
Soph -
Billy G. was a major a – -. There was articles on ESPN about how he treated their reporters and after left, his mistreatment of the players started leaking out. These two things did not sit well with the fan base or the administration….so, him not winning on top of that made it pretty easy to decide to give him the boot.
Braveheart
March 21st, 2010
3:54 pm
Choosing Jo-Jo for a bullpen spot would be a mistake. The kid has never shown anything.
In his career, JoJo’s split against lefties is .210/295/350/.645, with a 2.53 K/BB rate.
The league average lefty against lefty split in the NL last season was .238/.314/.374/.688, with a 2.59 K/BB rate.
So there is some reason to believe JoJo could at least be average against lefties as other lefties in the NL are. And most of that split came as a starter. Most starters should have better results as a reliever. So maybe his splits against lefties become even better, although the improvement likely won’t be better than what other LOOGYs do against lefties. As a starter, JoJo doesn’t have much value. As a LOOGY, however, there are indications he can at least be average, which means you’re able to make him valuable to your team.
Minor doesn’t have much experience to base this on, but if he’s starting the season in AA, he’s getting close to major league ready. And even if Minor ain’t necessarily ready, he couldn’t possibly be much worse if forced into emergency action than the 6.00 or so career ERA JoJo has as a major league starter. So what would you lose by not having JoJo ready to go as a starter? You got Medlen, and maybe Minor (if only because Minor couldn’t possibly be worse as a major league starter than JoJo). So you’re likely not losing anything by using JoJo as a LOOGY, but you could possibly gain something by taking a useless piece and making him valuable as an average LOOGY.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
3:54 pm
Heath-
No shedding the Rupp legacy huh?
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
3:55 pm
Tubby was not fired. He quit
Didn’t he quit because the UK fans ran him out? Even though he was regularly making the NCAA Tourney and won Coach of the Year in 2005 (I think)?
For programs like Georgia, Minnesota, and Auburn (recent rumors link him there…true or not), Tubby is perfect. For UK, KU, UNC….not so much.
Why? Because we don’t want to win? Just because these schools don’t have the rich tradition of UK or KU, we still want that and it doesn’t mean that we don’t deserve that.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
3:55 pm
Glad to see Nate had a great day.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
3:56 pm
I’d love to continue this argument, but I’ve got to head out. Talk to you guys later
nolie
March 21st, 2010
3:56 pm
You know, I’ve never seen the Bourne movies, joe. STEVE
you need to change that when you have time.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
3:56 pm
atlantaspike-
Probably not the only thing that elludes you.
T for Texas
March 21st, 2010
3:58 pm
I hope that today really is a step back for Nate. If he hits this year we are dangerous. Sounds like the side trip today was a good idea with the three hits and all. Thank god he didn’t take an 0-for on a minor league field. That would have been worse for his psyche than that diatribe DOB dropped on UNC Brave must have been for his. You okay there little Tar Heel?
TexasBrave
March 21st, 2010
3:58 pm
atlantaspike thats why I like Thurston over Conrad. Better numbers and some pop in his bat. Probably not as good a fielder as Conrad, but that is why you have Infante and Hinske. The other thing Thurston has going against him right now is that he is not on the 40 man and Conrad is. It would take a roster move to keep Thurston and unfortunately for him the competition between he and Conrad is close. If Thurston was far and away the better choice then it would be a no brainer.
JEB
March 21st, 2010
3:59 pm
McClouth should do a few more games with the minors group.
Should not just go on one afternoon’s efforts. He needs more time to build and correct his timing issues – one day will not do it!
If he will take a few more days and get alot more at bats – he will be a different hitter in a week’s time.
If they move him back into the regulars after just one day – we will see the same results as with Francouer going to the minors for 3 days.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
4:01 pm
Texas
Conrad has a higher OBP, though. He still has some pop, too.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
4:02 pm
Get this: A San Francisco writer wrote on Twitter that Willie Mays said he’s looking forward to seeing Jason Heyward when the Braves play out there in April. Seriously, he said that. (Apparently Mays watches all the games he can get on his satellite dish, has the MLB package and all that.)
So the “Say Hey Kid” looks forward to seeing J-Hey. No pressure there.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
4:04 pm
of arguably the most exciting playoffs of any sport in the nation. JEFFREY D
bouncey ball? you’d have to do a lot of arguing to convince me of that
Heath
March 21st, 2010
4:06 pm
jeffrey d -
You’ll get this later…
Sure, UGA, Minnesota, etc. wants to win….but it usually doesn’t happen over night. Look at Gonzaga. To become a national title contender, you generally have to establish yourself as a consistent winner first. Now that they are consistent winners, they are getting better players and maybe in the years to come they will become true national title contenders. Right now, there typically is only a dozen or so programs that can realistically expect to be in contention for a title nearly every year because of their consistent performances. Like the old saying goes, you have to walk before you can run….Tubby is a great coach to help take you to that “walkin” stage.
T for Texas
March 21st, 2010
4:06 pm
Last year in approx 275 ABs Thurston .645 OPS. In 55 ABs Conrad .666 OPS.
atlantaspike
March 21st, 2010
4:08 pm
Probably not the only thing that elludes you.
You know, when you misspell an ad hominem, you come off looking like even more of an idiot, thinbreakness.
Jay212033
March 21st, 2010
4:09 pm
I wonder what pitcher(s) McLouth faced today.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
4:10 pm
A bench should be full of hitters who can’t field SPIKE
man that is soo sad. ain’t fantasy ball spike
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
4:10 pm
I wonder what pitcher(s) McLouth faced today.
I think he played in Williamsport last year.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
4:13 pm
http://appshopper.com/prices/free/2
Free Iphone apps at that site. Not sure of the quality, but hey, they are free.
atlantaspike
March 21st, 2010
4:13 pm
man that is soo sad. ain’t fantasy ball spike
I yield to your riveting, well-researched logic. Really, this is the kind of commentary you are only going to get on an AJC Blog. It’s what keeps me coming back.
Jay212033
March 21st, 2010
4:13 pm
Cool! Thanks Joe.
Mixxo
March 21st, 2010
4:18 pm
atlantaspike LOLZ!
BTW…..I agree with you. I’ll take bench “hitters” over bench fielders……any day!
Richie
March 21st, 2010
4:20 pm
DOB, I am a UNC fan, and I didn’t have high expectations for this year’s squad. I wasn’t going to dare compare them to 06 squad, like i read on UNC sights early on. Coming off a NC, and having elite talent of that caliber leave, UNC would struggle. I went to the Coaches vs Cancer classic in November. And they struggled mightily against Ohio St. They just happened to win because Ohio St was flat. I saw they had no consistent outside threat, besides Graves( he is way toooo streaky), saw teams were able to pack the middle and the paint to neutralize their bigs. And inexperienced PG play. The team also had no cohesion. I think UNC fans and alums, esp in N.Carolina, were spoiled by the deep playoff runs the past 3 years, without looking at the roster. They had a highly ranked class with no back up pg in it. And only 1 true pg on the roster ,so I knew they would struggle.
Kansas, reminded me on UNC’s 07 squad, loaded with talent. They just didn’t bring it every night and had a tough end to a fantastic season. Just make sure Henry comes back because he isnt NBA ready, no matter what he says. KU destroyed my bracket, with help from Nova.
TnBrian
March 21st, 2010
4:24 pm
thinbreakness, there I go again, huh? Yeah, because I just put words in O’Brien’s mouth all the time or something. I hope you were kidding because if not, you have me mistaken for somebody else, dude.
86-76
March 21st, 2010
4:24 pm
Confussed!!!! Heyward is looking good-McLouth is not. Would that mean that we will have a outfield of:
1. Heyward-Cabrera-Diaz
2. Heyward-McLouch-Cabrera (Diaz)
3. Heyward (Diaz)- McLouch- Cabrera
TnBrian
March 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
DOB, well, according to some here, J-Hey feels no pressure. He feels nothing but the ball jumping off his bat for a 450 ft blasts.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
atlantaspike-
Sorry for adding the extra “l”. Based on my negligence, I’ve changed my mind and agree with everything you’ve said.
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
4:28 pm
McLouth will be fine. Again, a proven veteran slumping in Spring Training means little to me. What he does in April is what matters to me.
Heath
March 21st, 2010
4:28 pm
Cornell is puttin’ a hurtin’ on Wisconsin. Looks like it will be Big Red versus Big Blue. More worried about that team than I was about Wake…..even moreso than WVU too because of their ability to shoot.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
4:30 pm
TnBrian-
Go to the other Blog and tell me where DOB said Venters will be the LH if Bobby carries 3 in the pen. If you find a definitive statement of such, then my blog must not post DOB’s comments
nolie
March 21st, 2010
4:30 pm
It’s what keeps me coming back.spike
gee if I had know that I wouldn’t have said it. your comment was too silly to warrant any deep commentary on.. they have to play if starters get hurt and D actually does have an important place in real baseball.
hopefully your bench players can do some of both, but to ignore defense and stock nothing but hitters…well doesn’t seem to be any actual major league managers who subscribe to you opinion. Prolly a reason for that which escapes you too huh?
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
4:30 pm
..With the way the Braves are handling Scott Proctor’s comeback from surgery (which I feel is the smart move to make)……..I’m wondering why the Braves didnt do the same thing with Peter Moylan last year when he was making his comeback from surgery?
Moylan pretty much stank the month of April in 2009. He should have started the 2009 season at Gwinnett and worked on his control. Yet Bobby kept trotting him out there (kind of like how he did with Greg “the only way I can get on base is if the pitcher forgets to throw strikes” Norton). Moylan didnt really start turning it around until June.
Perhaps it isnt too late to teach an old dog some new tricks (you know, like allowing Proctor to ease his way back in, instead of rushing his comeback like Bobby did with Moyan last year).
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
4:31 pm
RHR………..thanks for the heads up on ESPN televising the Braves next week.
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
4:36 pm
I must give major props to O’Brien for the rip job he did on UNC brave. I can understand dude cracking on Kansas for the dump job they did against Northern Iowa. But to try to prop up the DUMP JOB that North Carolina did this year, at the expense of KU………was pitiful.
atlantaspike
March 21st, 2010
4:39 pm
your comment was too silly to warrant any deep commentary on.
Touche’! I am wounded to the core with this rapier thrust!
well doesn’t seem to be any actual major league managers who subscribe to you opinion.
they have to play if starters get hurt and D actually does have an important place in real baseball
Okay, I am going to humor you and actually try and have a dialogue here. How many times a year does a starter get hurt in mid-game versus how many times a year do you bring in a pinch hitter to you know, actually try to win a close game? Let me put this another way – I’ll type slowly, as I know you don’t read fast – which do you think you’d use more often, insurance against being struck by lightning, or insurance against being rained on?
another Wonderbra post – no visible means of support
The Grinch
March 21st, 2010
4:40 pm
Nolie, agreed about the bounceyball comment. If you’re not interested in the sport, then the playoffs may not be quite that exciting for you. Oddly enough, I like watching the Hawks, but college just doesn’t get it for me. Yet I prefer college football to pro football (though I love them both).
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
4:42 pm
Cornell getting ready to go to the Sweet 16.
Just think, for the next few days, a team of mostly privileged white kids will be considered “underdogs” by the media. Ironic dont you think?
Mekons
March 21st, 2010
4:45 pm
Our BP wasn’t as good last year. We needed Moylan, even at 75 percent. We’ve got a lot more alternatives this year.
Lew
March 21st, 2010
4:46 pm
Great to know that McLouth can at least hit minor league pitching. I guess that means we have Gwinnett covered.
Seriously though – maybe this lights a fire under his behind and he turns into the player so many think he is. Damn this negativity is liberating.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
4:46 pm
gee Spike, why don’t they all do as you suggest? Can’t believe they all miss your cogent points.
Sigh. Another guy who thinks he knows more that actual baseball folks, and gets an ego boost out of being condescending.
enjoy your stay lil man.
The Grinch
March 21st, 2010
4:46 pm
Atlantaspike, I’m inclined to agree with you. I remember a game last year when Ross Gload from the Marlins KILLED us with a walk off homer (I think it was a three runner) and thinking to myself, “self, why don’t we have someone like that on our bench instead of folks like Blanco, Norton and Hernandez?”
Heath
March 21st, 2010
4:48 pm
Hell of a finish in the MSU – Maryland game… MSU wins on a buzzer beater.
Lew
March 21st, 2010
4:48 pm
Grinch-Wren saw to it that it won’t be a problem this year.
The Grinch
March 21st, 2010
4:49 pm
Of course, I think this year’s bench will be quite good.
Heath
March 21st, 2010
4:50 pm
Paul -
Bilas has already said that he thinks they would win.
lpad
March 21st, 2010
4:52 pm
heath – that was a pretty dull game that got real good at the end. MD was too passive on D on the last possession. Gotta find the shooters.
Heath
March 21st, 2010
4:53 pm
lpad -
I was stuck watching the OSU game here in Cleveland….so, all I caught was the ending. Was still a good finish.
lpad
March 21st, 2010
4:55 pm
go to ncaa.com and use the on demand feature. get to see any game you want for free. I was able to watch the Missouri and WVA game on it as I watched the MD game on the tube.
lpad
March 21st, 2010
4:56 pm
wish I had known about it earlier. missed all the games i wanted to see on thursday and friday.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
5:03 pm
“self, why don’t we have someone like that on our bench instead of folks like Blanco, Norton and Hernandez?” GRINCH
one or two like that is just fine. Spike’s original statement was to stock the bench with all guys like that A bench should be full of hitters who can’t field quoth the great spike, which is a completely ludicrous statement even if you accept it as hyperbole.
We have Hinske this year and they were interested in Gload, but having nothing but those type guys on your bench is not gonna fly with any real life manager.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
5:03 pm
Just think, for the next few days, a team of mostly privileged white kids will be considered “underdogs” by the media. Ironic dont you think?
That’s ok. Most of the losing teams’ members will be working for them one day.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
5:04 pm
Anyone else see the Mich State/Maryland finish? I was eating lunch and an awesome buzzer beater it was.
atlantaspike
March 21st, 2010
5:05 pm
Spike, why don’t they all do as you suggest? Can’t believe they all miss your cogent points.
I don’t suppose you have any, like evidence that there are no “actual major league managers who subscribe to you (sic) opinion.”? Or do I need to do your work for you? I just love guys who spout perceived conventional wisdom while patting themselves on the back for being some kind of savant. I don’t mind you using argumentum ad verecundiam, but perhaps, for us lesser folk, you could actually define the authority you are appealing to? Or can I file this under “stuff nolie makes up and prays to god holds up under scrutiny”?
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
5:06 pm
Not to mention, Nolie, we have utility fielders. They are much more valuable in that they are able to field multiple positions. Most of your power bench hitters are able to field one position at best(see Matt Stairs).
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
5:08 pm
Mr. Atlantaspike, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Mekons
March 21st, 2010
5:08 pm
You’ve gotta have really good glove people on the bench to protect your lead after a double switch. Infante and Brooks will probably be those two. Then we have Ross, Hinske and whoever the fourth OF is that day for bats off the bench. And both Infante and Conrad can hit pretty good. And we have the flexibility to rest Chipper, Glaus, and McCann (not at the same time) without losing much offensively.
The last thing you want is five hulking DH types.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
5:11 pm
A bench should be full of hitters who can’t field spike
and I hope all the condescension is helping your fragile ego. It obviously needs it or you wouldn’t use it so much. glad to help out there lil buddy.
abwright
March 21st, 2010
5:14 pm
I’m glad to hear that Nate had a good day for a change. Hopefully he gets a ton of ABs in the next couple of days and puts this timing issue behind him. I’m guessing that a minor league game is somewhere between batting practice and regular Spring Training games. Fix the problem, establish the changes, then do it for real.
If Nate gets back to normal and Glaus starts showing some power, Braves fans can comfortably waste their blog time arguing about JoJo versus Venters versus Chavez to see who gets to ride the bullpen pine and dream about getting into a 20 inning ballgame.
Mixxo
March 21st, 2010
5:16 pm
atlantaspike for moderator!!
CB
March 21st, 2010
5:16 pm
nolie,glad to see you are taking the high road- do you need to borrow my fly swatter?
monty
March 21st, 2010
5:18 pm
Last year we had a guy coming off the bench pinch hitting late in the game with chances to tie the game or put us ahead and he never delivered at leaast I don’t recall him delivering. (Norton) But BC kept running him out there and I’m quite sure it cost us a game or two. As opposed to having someone who could actually get a hit. I don’t think his defensive prowress is why BC kept him around. He was supposed to hit. But he didn’t. WIth that in mind I would lean toward having bench players who were better hitters than fielders, if I couldn’t have both.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
5:21 pm
not worth the effort CB, but thanx. he’ll disappear along with his silly comments soon if he can’t get someone angry. its what he needs
JasonInFL
March 21st, 2010
5:22 pm
Went over to the game today…got soaked…wanted to see Heyward…was going to leadoff the next inning before the game got called.
Also, the stadium accidentally played sound of glass breaking when Chip hit…he had to step out…took a look up to the box…didn’t look happy for a sec…
nolie
March 21st, 2010
5:24 pm
But BC kept running him out there and I’m quite sure it cost us a game or two. As opposed to having someone who could actually get a hit. I don’t think his defensive prowress is why BC kept him around. He was supposed to hit. But he didn’t. WIth that in mind I would lean toward having bench players who were better hitters than fielders, if I couldn’t have both. Monty
gee, nobody is saying we shouldn’t have a hitter or two like that-though don’t forget that Norton WAS that hitter the year b4. spike’s contention is that the bench should be full of nothing but guys who can hit but not field.
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
5:26 pm
“So it’s being on time, and being in the right position when the pitch is in the zone, to take a good swing. And that’s something I haven’t been doing.” –McLouth
Everyone love’s punctual players.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O589eKjL4LQ
lpad
March 21st, 2010
5:28 pm
i guess Cal knows what kind of game it is going to be already. less than a minute in a Cal player has to leave for blood, and another gets a loose ball foul
nolie
March 21st, 2010
5:28 pm
yup that’s one of the advantages Schaeffeur has. if he starts running behind he can just flap them ears a few times and catch right up “)
lpad
March 21st, 2010
5:29 pm
guess princess jasmine isn’t a sports girl
Mixxo
March 21st, 2010
5:34 pm
lpad – you betcha!
Zubek is going to get a piece of that pony-tailed thug for Cal too.
Couch Tater
March 21st, 2010
5:35 pm
I agree, nolie.
We (me too) like to poke fun at Norton for his ‘09, but the last half of ‘08 he hit .323/.597/1.058. And, he had one of the best lines ever from a Brave, “Bench me or trade me.” lol
lpad
March 21st, 2010
5:38 pm
mixxo, it would be nice to see duke play 5 on 5 for once instead of 8 on 5.
atlantaspike
March 21st, 2010
5:42 pm
It obviously needs it or you wouldn’t use it so much. glad to help out there lil buddy.
Hey, you’re right – you are making me feel much better! Thanks, Masked Stranger!
joerochester – your cutting and pasting skills are absolutely nonpareil. That was awesome.
So, back to the topic at hand, bench construction. I’ll have a look at how bench guys actually get used, since apparently neither of you is actually interested in whether what you’re arguing is accurate or not. The home side had 202 PH attempts last year, the majority being high leverage (risp, close and late, etc.) opportunities. Having a bona fide hitter would be really useful in this situation, as this person is definitely going to be a part of the game outcome. Compare that with what happens with a mid-game defensive replacement. There is no guarantee the ball is going to go towards that person, and if so, no guarantee the play will even be difficult – you could bring in Andruw Jones in his prime and it wouldn’t make a difference on most days. The PH on the other hand, is DEFINITELY going to deploy his skill set each time he’s brought in. In the event of injury, and a true defensive player is required, one can be brought from the minors in time for the next game. The vast majority of tactical advantage is going to come from capitalizing on offensive opportunities, not defensive ones.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
5:48 pm
Thank you, Spike. I did a right click–copy/paste.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
5:49 pm
Spike
You’re not taking into account midgame injuries, though.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
5:50 pm
A bench should be full of hitters who can’t field spike
hedge all you want spike. this is what you said
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
5:50 pm
monty……………Bobby kept Norton around because he was one of “his boys”.
If Bobby Cox stuck with Norton all year long, stuck with Francoeur and Kelly Johnson for 3 months……….then I dont think that it is asking for too much for Bobby to stick with McLouth for one month.
Unlike Norton, Francoeur and Kelly………I feel that Nate McLouth is actually capable of rewarding the Braves for their patience with his ability to be a table setter for our offense AND play some decent defense in center. He’s the only natural center fielder we have right now (do any of you really want to see Blanco on our roster?).
MIBravesFan
March 21st, 2010
5:51 pm
“joerochester
March 21st, 2010
5:04 pm
Anyone else see the Mich State/Maryland finish? I was eating lunch and an awesome buzzer beater it was.”
I did, and indeed it was!
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
5:57 pm
Duke is looking good early.
atlantaspike
March 21st, 2010
5:59 pm
You’re not taking into account midgame injuries, though.
read a bit more closely – “In the event of injury, and a true defensive player is required, one can be brought from the minors in time for the next game.”
and furthermore, just how many mid game injury replacements do you think happen over the course of a season – a dozen maybe? And the idea that this person is still going to HAVE to hit, but may never see a defensive chance still holds.
A bench should be full of hitters who can’t field spike
hedge all you want spike. this is what you said
Where exactly have I hedged this? And where exactly, have you demonstrated it not to be true?
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
5:59 pm
I’m calling it now: Cornell over Kentucky!
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
6:00 pm
MIBravesFan………This has to be the most exciting NCAAs I’ve seen in quite some time. More buzzer beaters and upsets combined than any in recent memory.
After seeing the previous buzzer beaters so far, I had no doubt that when the shot left the Michigan St. player’s hands that it was going in. Just the way it’s been going this year.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
6:04 pm
And where exactly, have you demonstrated it not to be true? Spike
and where have you demonstrated it to be true? It’s your statement you should provide the proof, say by listing every major league team that has nothing but hitters who can’t field on their bench. Of course you won’t because you already know that teams in real life don’t do that, you just like to talk down to folks. hope its helping your mood today
HeloMan
March 21st, 2010
6:04 pm
According to ESPN, The Twins & Joe Mauer agree to a 8-year, $184 million extension.
lpad
March 21st, 2010
6:07 pm
Izzo’s 85 percent sure Lucas has a torn ACL. I’m surprised looked like it was just sprain. Northern Iowa has a real shot now.
Cherokee
March 21st, 2010
6:08 pm
Is that idiot back for another fight?
You’d think he would give up after all the whippings he’s had.
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
6:08 pm
atlantaspike……….I have to side with you on the topic of wanting instant offense from your bench. Diory Hernandez had a good glove, however what did he do for us offensively while Escobar was hurt? Nothing.
Other than Infante (who was hurt for over 2 months), Diaz and Prado (who languished on the bench while Bobby Cox stuck with “his boys” Francoeur and Kelly) and the 3 week stretch from Brooks Conrad before he was promptly sent back to the Minors……..we got squat from our bench in 2009.
After the debacle that was our bench last year, it would be nice to see Bobby pick some players who can actually pinch hit and deliver a big hit (or at least be a threat to do so…..something that Greg “the only way I can get on base is to hope that the pitcher forgets to throw strikes” Norton was unable to do).
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
6:10 pm
Ghost
You’re also missing the point of having bench players. They don’t just hit. You need them for specific game situations.. i.e. bunting, speed, etc.
atlantaspike
March 21st, 2010
6:12 pm
I provided you with a brief summary of why PH’s have more of an opportunity to influence a game over fielding replacements. QED a better hitter would be more useful in this construct. You responded with another assertion, natch, rather than factually addressing my argument.
You followed this with another complaint about my conduct. If you’d care to page back through the thread, I posted my opinion, followed by you calling me an idiot. I pointed out your fact-free assertions, and you replied that “MA! teh smart kidz iz using big wordses again to me look like a doofus – hey cut it out you guys!”
Ad hominems and whining really don’t constitute an affirmative defense of your position, but do carry on if it’s all you’ve got.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
6:12 pm
he thinks he wins something if he can make an exaggerated ludicrous statement and get some fool to agree to it, or somebody else to get mad about it.
We should really be feeling sorry for him rather than reacting to him, but sometimes its just so much fun to play with him.
atlantaspike
March 21st, 2010
6:17 pm
NOOOOO! – Nolie used the “Nuh Uh!” defense! You win this time – but I’ll be back! Gaaaaaah – foiled again!
dogsbrekky
March 21st, 2010
6:18 pm
Kimbrel is the best reliever of that group DOBI… who cares if he is 20
“If he is good enough he is OLD enough”
nolie
March 21st, 2010
6:20 pm
ME man that is soo sad. ain’t fantasy ball spike
SPIKE I yield to your riveting, well-researched logic. Really, this is the kind of commentary you are only going to get on an AJC Blog. It’s what keeps me coming back.
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
6:21 pm
yup that’s one of the advantages Schaeffeur has.
nolie, I know not of whom you speak.
Rob from SC
March 21st, 2010
6:21 pm
dogsbrekky
March 21st, 2010
6:18 pm
Kimbrel is the best reliever of that group DOBI… who cares if he is 20
“If he is good enough he is OLD enough”
I agree
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
6:23 pm
guess princess jasmine isn’t a sports girl Lpad
Well, she could appreciate punctuality by the end of the tale. Aladdin was always runnin’ late!
nolie
March 21st, 2010
6:23 pm
Enter your comments here
Snotboogie
March 21st, 2010
6:24 pm
8 yrs – $184 M : Pretty steep contract for a catcher. He gets a better deal than Mark Teixeira. Just wow!
atlantaspike
March 21st, 2010
6:24 pm
You know, Schaeffeur, the center fielder who drives that limo for hire.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
6:26 pm
but is he good enough yet,Doggy? history of real wildness.
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
6:27 pm
If he is good enough he is OLD enough
True, which is why Heyward will more than likely be the opening day right fielder. Kimbrel needs work, just like Hanson did. No doubt Hanson was a better option out of ST last year, but he needed to work out some kinks before he was thrown to the fire. The minor leagues are there for a reason. Why not let Kimbrel at least prove he’s ready in AAA at the beginning of the season? Because more than likely, if he proves he’s ready, he’ll be up pretty quickly.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
6:28 pm
Good for Mauer. Minnesota stepped up like they should and resigned him. He got fair market value without having to take a hometown discount.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
6:28 pm
Snotb-
Because he’s a lot better than Texeria.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
6:30 pm
I doubt they could afford Morneau now, though.
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
6:30 pm
Pretty steep contract for a catcher. He gets a better deal than Mark Teixeira. Just wow!
Well, they do have that designated hitter crud over there. Plus, Mauer is a great, great player. I think that’s a great deal for him and I doubt the Twins will regret it.
Goldenglove002
March 21st, 2010
6:30 pm
Wow, thats a BIG contract. First reaction is that is too much to give to a catcher since you don’t know how they will hold up in their later years, but they do have the DH position, so all is good I guess.
Is this bad news for how much we might have to pay McCann when he is coming up on free agency?
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
6:31 pm
They do have him for a few more years.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
6:32 pm
atlantaspike-
You’re argument imagines a league full of people like Lenny Harris. Fact is, if there was an abundance of these bench players you describe, they’re already DHing in the AL or playing 1st base in the NL.
Drawyeh_Nosaj
March 21st, 2010
6:32 pm
Joe Mauer agrees to an extension with the Twins. 8yrs/184mil. 23 million a year, full no trade clause.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
6:38 pm
You’re argument imagines a league full of people like Lenny Harris joe r
he knows the flaws in his argument joe. Its a regular approach of his.Its just an excuse to ridicule folks.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
6:40 pm
nolie-
Why you callin me joe?
Snotboogie
March 21st, 2010
6:41 pm
Yeah he might be better than Mark Teixeira. Yeah they might have a DH.As a slugging catcher there is a premium on his production. But still, with a catcher – even if he catches 120-130 games a year – the body takes quite a beating. To give 23M/yr for the next 8 years seems like a huge commitment for the Twins, who generally have low payrolls. Last year they had a payroll of ~59M.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
6:43 pm
RG–well said re: Kimbrel
nolie
March 21st, 2010
6:43 pm
sorry THIN, misaligned the posts
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
6:44 pm
Damn, I almost stole credit for another post.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
6:44 pm
snot-
So what are you saying? Suprised the Twins found the money or that Mauer isn’t worth the contract?
Snotboogie
March 21st, 2010
6:45 pm
Oh well it was 67M according to ESPN. But still….
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
6:47 pm
nolie-
Just messin, what’s in a name. Was hoping atlspike was taking the bait on you’re instead of your – come on spike, dazzle us.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
6:47 pm
its a big % of their payroll no doubt. and catchers do wear out earlier than most. calculated gamble. likely worth it if he stays healthy that long I guess
Snotboogie
March 21st, 2010
6:48 pm
thin–
Suprised Twins found the money – Yes.
Also suprised they went for the length-money combo. Mauer is definitely worth 23M right now and will possible be for the next few years. Not absolutely sure after 2015. Who knows about trades down the line though. Also, like joerochester said, there isnt even a hint of a hometown discount.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
6:51 pm
snot-
He has had back issues, but you move a guy that hits like Mauer to 1st in a couple of years.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
6:54 pm
I wonder if Minnesota included a lot of deferred money in that deal; I would imagine that they’ll be paying him millions over the next 30 years.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
6:55 pm
If Minnesota’s pitching can step it up this year, they can do some damage.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
6:55 pm
back injuries can sometimes derail a career no matter the position .long term contracts are always a gamble. good luck to them, he is a great player as of now no doubt
BraveMan
March 21st, 2010
6:57 pm
hey snotboogie… seems to me like espn was only off 110 million or so, no big deal haha
but seriously, 23 million per to a catcher? dude has only shown one season with power… the avg has always been there but what if he goes back to hitting 9 homers and batting .350 a year? … are those numbers worth 23 million? no. they arent even worth half of that… now, they would be worth 15 million or so if joe could steal 50 bases, but he cant. just a very very risky contract in my opinion.
dude goes from hitting 6 hr, to 9, to 13, then back to 7, then back to 9…then up to 28. you cant count on that 28 number from him year in and year out… that has to be considered an outlier in the equation in my opinion. in 5+ seasons he doesnt even have a 100 rbi year…
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY T
BraveMan
March 21st, 2010
6:57 pm
…(continued)
too much money!
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
6:57 pm
I like Mauer a lot. He’s a great player with a great attitude.
Snotboogie
March 21st, 2010
6:57 pm
thin-
They do have Morneau tied up till ‘13. So its going to be one heck of a combo and I guess they could move Mauer to 1B around then. But Mauer is supposed to be a great defensive catcher too and thats part of the value he brings (GG award in 08 and 09). In my opinion (who’s asking though) moving him only makes the contract look worse. Anyway, the twins have been run and managed well over the last several years. New stadium, and who knows what else is going to give them more money. Watch out AL central!!
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
6:58 pm
nolie-
It would take a contract like that for any team. If the Twins didn’t gamble, the 2 Yangeese or Blood Sox would’ve.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
6:59 pm
thin
Don’t forget that they can DH Mauer, too, saving some wear and tear on his knees/body normal to catching.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
7:01 pm
You guys are probably correct, it is a lot of money. Hometown favorite I guess.
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
7:02 pm
joerochester…………the name of the game is scoring. Look at the NBA for instance. Sure, you want guys who can play some defense on your bench. However usually you’ll see a team have a 6th man whose job is to come off the bench and score. Usually the 6th man will bring instant offense into the game.
I’m not saying that the Braves shouldnt have players on the bench who cant field the ball. I’m saying that I place a bigger emphasis on hitting.
Look at the Phillies. The past several years they had both Matt Stairs and Greg Dobbs who could come off the bench and deliver instant offense. As good as their offense is, the Phillies wouldnt have won the World Series in 2008 if not for some key pinch hits by both Stairs and Dobbs.
abwright
March 21st, 2010
7:03 pm
I remember some talk early this spring about Selig’s Task Force considering abolishing the DH. Anyone hear anything more?
I know it’s a pipe dream, but wouldn’t it be lovely.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
7:03 pm
ghost
I know. You also need speed and situational bunting/stealing.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:03 pm
If the Twins didn’t gamble, the 2 Yangeese or Blood Sox would’ve. THIN
yeah but the Yanks or Bosox can afford it better and not be completely devastated if it goes awry. and BraveMan raised a legitimate question, will he continue to hit 20+ homers? who knows. risky but they showed that they cared enough to gamble.
are they getting any of the same pressure to raise payroll that Florida has gotten. For years they pocketed big bucks from MLB too.
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:04 pm
Thanks, Steve.
So I saw your comment the other day about there being cool gals out there and I wanted to reply, but the blog wouldn’t let me. Anyways, I was going to say that now all you had to do was write a poem and you’d have all the blog-ladies melting.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:06 pm
Look at the Phillies. The past several years they had both Matt Stairs and Greg Dobbs who could come off the bench and deliver instant offense. Ghost
nobody is saying they shouldn’t have a couple of boppers off the bench, that’s obvious. the statement made was that the bench should be full of hitters who can’t field. Huge difference
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
7:07 pm
Roman Gal………Kinks? What kinks did Tommy Hansen need to work out? I’m curious.
If I remember correctly, Tommy Hansen dominated Double A ball in 2008. He went on to dominate the Arizona Fall League that year as well. Then he proceeded to have a good 2009 Spring Training. Finally he dominated the first 2 months of Triple A.
Tommy Hansen was ready to be a member of the Braves rotation on Opening Day of 2009. I’m not sure exactly what kinks he had that needed to be worked out. Please elaborate on that, lol.
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:08 pm
risky but they showed that they cared enough to gamble.
But think about what would happen if the Twinkies didn’t sign him. Heck, even I would’ve been ticked. There are certain players that just sort of belong to an organization…Chipper is a Brave, Jeter is a Yankee, Mauer is a Twin. There would be a great imbalance in the world if any of those changed.
Snotboogie
March 21st, 2010
7:09 pm
nolie
The twins havent been as notoriously stingy as the Marlins.Cant believe that the Marlins’ payroll in 06 was under 15M. Twins have steadily increased their payroll while still playing a lot of the cheaper guys.Dont believe they would been pressurized by MLB much. Take a look.
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005_01_19_mlbcontracts_archive.html
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/minnesota-twins_17.html
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
7:10 pm
They just locked up Span for a few years, too.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
7:11 pm
RG–thanks, but poetry ain’t my style, LOL! I can barely write my own name, much less a poem.
I’m encouraged by the Mauer signing. If a mid-market team like the Twins can find reason to pony up that kind of dough, I’m more confident that the Braves may have the ability to do so in the future for a certain outfielder. I realize that it isn’t exactly apples-to-apples, but let me have my delusions, ok?
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
7:11 pm
joerochester…….what good is speed and situational bunting/stealing if you dont have anyone to knock them in?
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:12 pm
thanx snot I just wondered.
bowman
March 21st, 2010
7:13 pm
DOB:
You may have to take a day off in a couple of months. We’re trying to get Patterson Hood for the June performance in the Bowman House Concert Series. As it is now, we’ve got Gretchen Peters in April and Terri Hendrix in May. Stay tuned.
bowman
– -
“Art will always be Art.” – Goethe
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:13 pm
….what good is speed and situational bunting/stealing if you dont have anyone to knock them in? GHOST
you are still arguing a strawman. that was not the original point.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
7:15 pm
bouncey ball? you’d have to do a lot of arguing to convince me of that
nolie – Whether you like basketball or not, you have to at least somewhat concede that a single-elimination tournament of 64 of the top teams in basketball can be exciting. Especially considering that it creates interesting matchups of teams/conferences/geographic areas that would otherwise never happen
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:15 pm
What kinks did Tommy Hansen need to work out?
Well, considering Tommy Hansen is a porn star, it’s probably not appropriate for me to talk about his kinks…
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
7:17 pm
nolie………….was dude over the top with his “bench full of hitters who cant field” comment? Sure. However I do understand what he was trying to say. He was just expressing his frustration with the lack quality pinch hitting that we had in 2009.
I feel that when it comes down to it, I place a higher priority on hitting over defensive prowess when it comes to building a bench.
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:18 pm
But seriously, Ghost, did you watch the kid last ST? He struggled with his command. He went deep into counts on most hitters and the problem didn’t stop right away in AAA. He needed that time there for whatever reason, because once he came to Atlanta he did well. Going deep into counts on the hitters was sort of his M.O.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:19 pm
I’m sure its exciting to those who care Jeffrey, just no amount of argument is gonna make me into one of them
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:21 pm
but poetry ain’t my style Steve from OH
Mine either, but I sure do like Haikus!
The Atlanta Braves
are going to be World Champs
for Bobby’s last year!
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
7:21 pm
Roman Gal……….great way to dodge answering a valid question.
You just showed me that you dont know what the hell you’re talking about. Your poor attempt at deflecting attention to my inadvertent spelling of Hanson’s name shows that you simply didnt like the fact that I had the nerve to question your point that Tommy Hanson needed to work out some kinks at the beginning of 2009.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
7:22 pm
nolie-
The Bloody Sox and Yangeese are definately in different situations and can afford lots of mistakes. I’d go with you and snot on the size of gamble to an org like the Twins.
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:25 pm
You just showed me that you dont know what the hell you’re talking about.
Right…wait! What’s that? Oh, right…I did answer your question. So why don’t you go down to the grocery store and buy some crow, because you need to eat some.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:26 pm
….was dude over the top with his “bench full of hitters who cant field” comment? GHOST
that was my point, but instead of saying it was just hyperbole, he tried to defend it by snide condescending comments. and it was sure not the first time he has used that approach.
as for the bench I want a couple of guys who can bash whether they can play much D or not, but I also want several guys who are decent defenders at various positions. Hopefully they can at least hit some too. I am not advocating an all field-no hit player. In fact I have several times expressed concern about Conrad and Thurston’s previous history as hitters at the MLB level. You need both kinds on a decent bench, and at least at the beginning of the year Norton was expected to produce as a hitter like he had done b4.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
7:26 pm
RG is right, Hanson (still laughing about the Hansen comment–of all people, you would think PL would know that) needed time in AAA. His changeup was still very much a work in progress, his control wasn’t as pinpoint as he needed it to be in order to be the type of pitcher everyone expected him to be, and he did a very poor job of finishing the opposing hitters off. I remember a few games in Gwinnett in which he throw 100 pitches in five innings. If he started 2009 in Atlanta, I have no doubt that he would not have performed as well as he did. Plus, we got the added benefit of a delayed arbitration and free agency. A true win-win.
And I really think we need to do the same thing with Kimbrel. The kid is definitely not a finished project, so why rush him at this point? He’s got the potential to be dominant, so why lower that ceiling by putting him in situations that he can’t excel at? And it’s not like we’re hurting for relievers. We’ve got good depth in the bullpen this year, so that is yet another reason why he should start in Gwinnett. We’ve got more than one guy that can do a similar job to Kimbrel, so throw that guy to the wolves while the guy that is more important to our future hones his skills for another few months.
Besides, we can always delay our future closer’s free agency, right?
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
7:28 pm
Not only is Tommy Hansen a porn star, he’s a gay porn star
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Hansen
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
7:28 pm
P. L.
Whats your take on Mitch Jones…?
I’d rather have him on our bench at some point during the season…
What a crappy day…Time to mellow out to some Vanessa Williams and Cyndi Lauper….
Steve McP
March 21st, 2010
7:30 pm
I loved The Kinks, great music and great in concert.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
7:30 pm
jeffrey d–hence the “kinks.”
Speaking of Kinks…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWw1z3h-ee0
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
7:31 pm
I agree with Steve from OH
We are already deep in our bullpen, no need to rush Kimbrel, unless during the season the pen gets the injury-bug going around…
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:31 pm
And it’s not like we’re hurting for relievers. Steve
That’s the main reason I don’t think we need to rush him. There’s no point in rushing a great prospect to become a middle reliever, especially if we have players that can get the job done. Now, we’ll see on the last part, but I have confidence in most of the guys we’ve already got penciled in down there.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:31 pm
I do kinda remember Tommy going real deep into a lot of counts last spring and for a short time in AAA. Though he did dominate it after several starts got him in a rhythm. Prolly could have been up right away but didn’t hurt him and likely helped him a bit. and delayed his free agency a year too, right?.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
7:32 pm
So yes, I’m sure Hansen has stopped by San Francisco at some point during his career
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
7:33 pm
Roman Gal………….I have been watching the Braves since 1982. I followed Hanson last spring. Here’s a news flash for you: Most starting pitchers in today’s game dont make it deep into ball games because of high pitch counts. Tommy Hanson had proven at every step along the way that he had good control and could dominate hitters.
Anyone with any objectivity (in other words, not sniffing Bobby Cox’s jock strap) can see that the Braves were all about delaying Hanson’s arbitration clock. When it became apparent that Tom Glavine wasnt going to make this April 18th start last year……the Braves first turned to Jo Jo Reyes and then Kris Medlen.
Any talk of “well, the Braves didnt only want to call Hanson up for only a couple of starts” is just pure window dressing. In my mind, the Braves should have never signed Glavine. When it became apparent that Glavine wasnt going to be ready anytime soon after April 18, the Braves should have cut Glavine and called up Hanson………..instead of going with Jo Jo and Medlen.
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:33 pm
Steve-
The first comment under that video cracks me up:
How can you parody a farce?
Kyle
March 21st, 2010
7:33 pm
Anyone watching the Tiger Woods interview on ESPN? Tiger is good golfer but a bad guy.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:34 pm
prolly what confused PL in the first place
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
7:35 pm
Roman Gal……….you answered my question AFTER THE FACT. After reading your stupid post about my incorrect spelling of Hanson’s name, how the hell was I supposed to know that you was going to respond and really answer my question. Am I Marvin the Mind Reader?
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:35 pm
arrogant snot just like his buddy Smoltzie
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
7:36 pm
PL–so what? So what if they did? Like I said, it’s a win-win because he did need extra seasoning, whether you want to admit it or not. Could he have started the season in Atlanta and have posted an ERA around 4.00? Sure. But why do that when you could keep him down, delay his arb and FA, and have him more prepared to take over his role as a future ace? It’s not like he was being groomed to be a #4 starter. He’s the future of this staff. He’d better damned well be ready to take over that mantle when he comes up. When you call guys up before they’re absolutely ready, you just waste club control time getting them to their ceiling.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:37 pm
oops, excuse me Snot boogie, didn’t mean to insult you
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:37 pm
Tommy Hanson had proven at every step along the way that he had good control and could dominate hitters.
Sure, he’d proven that he could get hitters out. The only problem was that he couldn’t do it with minimal pitches. Now, do I think that the Braves probably kept Hanson down longer than they needed to? Yes, of course. But at a certain point, it just makes sense to keep him down to keep him from becoming a Super 2.
As for me sniffing Bobby Cox’s jock strap, well…I’ll leave that to you.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
7:37 pm
Kyle
Most rockstars are great performers and terrible people, too. It’s important we separate performers from the people they are.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:38 pm
good to see you 4 a while STEVE
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:38 pm
Am I Marvin the Mind Reader?
I guess I just thought you knew everything. Don’t worry, I won’t make that mistake again.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
7:39 pm
After reading your stupid post about my incorrect spelling of Hanson’s name, how the hell was I supposed to know that you was going to respond and really answer my question. Am I Marvin the Mind Reader?
He’s heating up…I think he’s about to erupt! Hide the minorities and veterans
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
7:39 pm
Steve from OH…………I guess that Hanson dominating at Double A and the Arizona Fall League should have been ignored because he had a few deep counts against hitters in meaningless Spring Training games?
I guess that when the Braves called up Kris Medlen in early May of last season that Hanson was still struggling with his change up and deep counts in Gwinnett? Whatever. Dude dominated in Triple A before the Braves called him up in June. From the very beginning.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
7:40 pm
People tend to hang around other people who are like them. Tiger also hung around with egotistical Jordan.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
7:40 pm
Who cares if Tiger Woods was cheating on the D.L.
A majority of Athletes do it, I mean look at Steve McNair…
Tiger Woods is my role model….
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
7:40 pm
Thanks, nolie. Had a test last week so a free weekend for once, so I’m enjoying the March Madness and blogging. Well-planned by the administration, I must admit…
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:41 pm
Hide the minorities and veterans jeffrey d
I don’t think it’d do any good. He is a ghost, after all…
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
7:41 pm
One of these days it’s going to come out that Tiger tried to pick up trannys or cross dressers… you wait and see.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:43 pm
Hide the minorities and veterans j d
Soph
March 21st, 2010
7:43 pm
After reading your stupid post about my incorrect spelling of Hanson’s name…
Hey, you’re spelling his name correctly now though, huh?
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
7:44 pm
Heath – I had Purdue losing in the first round based on your advice that it was almost a sure upset. Purdue’s going to the Sweet 16 now…thanks bud
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:44 pm
Who cares if Tiger Woods was cheating on the D.L.
What I want to know is, how many times is the guy going to have to make a public apology? And you’re right, t-hawkin, lots of players cheat. Report it and move on.
Now, I was too young to understand when everything happened with Chipper…but was it this annoying?
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:44 pm
well RG I see that great minds once again thought alike with out quoting the same post
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
7:44 pm
Steve from OH………..I had no problem with Tommy Hanson starting the year in Triple A last year. I agree with keeping him in Triple A until early June in order to delay both his arbitration and free agency clocks.
I was just disagreeing with Roman Gal’s contention that Hanson had some kinks to work out in Triple A. If Hanson had started the season in the starting rotation, he’d been our 5th starter. He wouldnt have had the pressure to go deep into games. The work he got down in Triple A could have been done at the Major League level.
After all, do you really think that Hanson would have done worse than Jo Jo and Medlen did in the rotation in late April and all of May? I seriously doubt it.
N8
March 21st, 2010
7:45 pm
Oh I get it. Ghost of P.L. is actually P.L.???
Here I thought it was just a catchy, clever moniker. Neat.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
7:46 pm
PL–you don’t follow the minors as closely as I do, and certainly not as closely as Efrim and PWH do, so if you don’t mind, don’t act like you know that Hanson’s pitch counts (among other things) were just fine in AA and hi-A. That was one flaw that we had discussed while he was in the minors, that he didn’t keep his pitch counts down like he should have. In the AFL he went into a lot of deep counts. Also, keep in mind that he had just begun throwing his slider during the last half of the season in 2008. Don’t you think the extra time in AAA in 2009 helped him get a better feel for that pitch, so that he could trust it in big spots in the big leagues?
Nah. He was ready to dominate from day 1. ‘Cause those AA hitters are so comparable.
And besides, if the Braves wanted to keep him down for money reasons, that’s their perogative. Get over it. It was 100% the right call. 100%.
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
7:46 pm
Tomahawkin…..Cyndi Lauper is on The Celebrity Apprentice this year. She was almost the first one fired last Sunday night. She’s not a very bright person.
Soph
March 21st, 2010
7:46 pm
Heath – I had Purdue losing in the first round based on your advice that it was almost a sure upset. Purdue’s going to the Sweet 16 now…thanks bud
I know. Although, I can’t blame Heath – I listened to ESPN.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
7:47 pm
it was pretty annoying, and I still read references to it by haters EOIAW all these years later.
Thanagar
March 21st, 2010
7:47 pm
It’s the no-trade clause I find questionable in Mauer’s contract. Eight years? Really?
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:48 pm
I see that great minds once again thought alike with out quoting the same post
It’s true. But you know what they say:
Great minds think alike, but fools seldom differ.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
7:48 pm
Maybe we can get Derek Lowe some of this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b-XWgQJ4kk
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
7:49 pm
Tomahawkin………..As far as Mitch Jones, I havent seen him play enough to have a good feel for his abilities.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
7:50 pm
I know. Although, I can’t blame Heath – I listened to ESPN.
I’m gonna go ahead and blame Heath. And Liberty Media.
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:50 pm
I was just disagreeing with Roman Gal’s contention that Hanson had some kinks to work out in Triple A.
Well, disagree all you want. You certainly haven’t changed my mind. And speaking as someone who watches and listens to a good number of milb games, you’ll be hard pressed to change my mind about this particular subject.
Ghost of P.L.'s echo
March 21st, 2010
7:51 pm
Enter your comments here
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
7:52 pm
Forgot to add RG and scoots to the list of folks who follow the minors more closely than I do. But they already knew that…
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:52 pm
jeffrey d-
Or some of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz5iGD96JXE
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
7:52 pm
As far as Mitch Jones, I havent seen him play enough
PL – It’s actually spelled Match Jones. Mitch Jones is a famous plumber.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
7:52 pm
P.L.
I don’t watch reality TV… and I don’t plan to…
I know that Mitch Jones hit 32 homers in AAA last year, but I think he is AAAA player (Tears up the minors but can’t hit in the bigs, much like Diory Hernandez)
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
7:53 pm
It’s the no-trade clause I find questionable in Mauer’s contract. Eight years? Really?
He’s got huge marketability there, too. It’s as much a marketing move as it is a baseball move.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
7:53 pm
R
Soph
March 21st, 2010
7:53 pm
I’ll blame Nate McLouth.
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
7:54 pm
Forgot to add RG and scoots to the list of folks who follow the minors more closely than I do.
Hah! Maybe more than some, but probably not you. But thanks anyways.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
7:56 pm
Roman Gal
What gets me is why didn’t the Media try to destroy Pay-Rod (AROD) when he was living Foul…
I guess there is nothing else BSPN has to do…
Damn Storms here in Gwinnett keep playing with my power…!
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
7:57 pm
Not at a bar tonight, Tomahawkin?
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
7:58 pm
Oh right…Sunday
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
7:58 pm
Tom
How many golfers do you think the average person can name other than Tiger Woods?
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
7:59 pm
you can still drink on Sundays if they serve food.
atlantaspike
March 21st, 2010
8:00 pm
You’re argument imagines a league full of people like Lenny Harris.
Good lord, if you imagine Lenny Harris (career.269/318/349 – .262/317/332 as a PH) bears any resemblance to an actual “hitter”, then it’s clear we have nothing to talk about. Lenny Harris is a professional out-maker.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
8:04 pm
Jeffrey D
Yes-sir Buddy…I’m at a Bar in Tucker, getting tuned up, even though I have to be a good boy tonight…
My Narrow carcas should be down in Panama City bumpin some old Outkast. My whole crew is down there, and I’m missing it ( crocodile tear ). They keep sending me txt messages trying to rub it in. My boy D is going to La Vela tonight….
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
8:04 pm
Name the pinch hitters you want on the team, Spike.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
8:06 pm
Oh yeah, D….he knows how to party
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
8:06 pm
Steve from OH……..again, I totally agree with keeping Hanson in Triple A for the first 2 months of 2009. That isnt my point of contention. How hard is that for you to understand?
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
8:07 pm
Roman Gal……………So let me get this straight? It’s ok to keep Hanson in Triple A for 2 months in order to delay his arbitration and free agency clock…….yet not ok to do the same with Jason Heyward?
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
8:08 pm
jeffrey d………..Hide the minorities? I’m not sure where that came from.
lpad
March 21st, 2010
8:08 pm
not trying to start a fight, but can we all assume that everyone on here has watched the braves for at least a few years and stop defending a point by saying “i’ve watched the braves since x”. I’ve seen it a lot and it is quite annoying.
Crime Dog
March 21st, 2010
8:09 pm
Tomahawkin-
If it makes you feel any better, the weather sucks down here in the Florida panhandle.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
8:10 pm
I think I (and others) have very clearly explained the reasons requiring Hanson to need more seasoning in AAA in order to be a legit ace, PL. Try again.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
8:11 pm
P.L.
Co-sign on your post about Tiger and marriage…
Like Al Bundy used to say “Don’t ever get Married! Love is not only blind but its stupid…”
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
8:14 pm
I think the Angels are going to regress this year. I don’t see them winning the AL West.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
8:14 pm
Hide the minorities? I’m not sure where that came from.
Oh, it just comes from your stupid comments about minorities, that’s all.
eg – “McNappy”
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
8:15 pm
Crime Dog…
Where you at down there…? in the Tally? (Tallahassee)
I should be down in Panama City getting tuned up and going to La Vela…That place is is gonna be off the hook, weather it rains or not…
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
8:16 pm
It’s ok to keep Hanson in Triple A for 2 months in order to delay his arbitration and free agency clock…….yet not ok to do the same with Jason Heyward?
You’re obviously missing the point, and I’m through explaining. Besides, there’s a difference in being an everyday player and a pitcher.
Crime Dog
March 21st, 2010
8:17 pm
I’m in Fort Walton Beach, about 60 miles east of PC.
Roman Gal
March 21st, 2010
8:19 pm
but can we all assume that everyone on here has watched the braves for at least a few years and stop defending a point by saying “i’ve watched the braves since x”.
I think that’s a grand idea, lpad.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
8:19 pm
Man, huge deal signed by Mauer. He’s great, but I don’t know if he’s $23 million a year great. Especially considering that last season is the only the second time he’s hit more than 10 homeruns.
ncscoots
March 21st, 2010
8:19 pm
Oh, it just comes from your stupid comments about minorities, that’s all.
In keeping with the general “level” of………his “posts”. Props to jeffrey!
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
8:20 pm
jeffrey d…………I dog on McNabb because I’m a Dallas fan. In case you dont know, the Cowboys and Eagles are bitter rivals.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
8:22 pm
It is ok to do the same with Whose-his-nickname.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
8:23 pm
It’s more than McNappy…it’s a lot of your ignorant “let’s see how edgy I can be” posts. Like your 8:19 “posting.” You think you’re being BA and cool but it’s really just making you look like a MORON
Crime Dog
March 21st, 2010
8:24 pm
PL-
Doesn’t change the ignorant undertones of the route you chose to dog him…
If you called him Donovan McCrap I don’t think anyone would have minded.
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
8:24 pm
San Antonio is off to a hot start. 24 points scored and still over 4 minutes left in the 1st quarter.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
8:25 pm
PL…
I agree with that last post, and If I were him I’d be in Panama City or South Padre Island right now…
he will have a reality show once he’s retired, watch…
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
8:26 pm
jeffrey d…………My 8:19am post was valid. I was dead on with my assessment. JFK showed how the infidelity game should be played.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
8:27 pm
If you called him Donovan McCrap I don’t think anyone would have minded
AND it’s funny! I actually chuckled at that. But when you call him “McNappy” it only makes me think that person is stupid (when in his head he’s making a hilarious point)
abwright
March 21st, 2010
8:27 pm
racism, misogyny, narcissism, repetition, ignorance, …
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
8:27 pm
I was talking about your 8:19 PM post, though.
ncscoots
March 21st, 2010
8:27 pm
He’s great, but I don’t know if he’s $23 million a year great
He’s probably worth more to the Twins than anyone else. New stadium coming on line, new revenue streams, a hometown hero, the psychological factor of image, yada yada yada. Even so, it’s not a high premium over market value and there isn’t any more risk with this contract than there is with any other long-term big-dollar deal.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
8:28 pm
Gosh…I thought you were right 99% of the time, PL
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
8:29 pm
Tiger Woods is such a great golfer who will be winning Majors in his 50’s.
On a side not, he’ll also be going after one of Wilt Chamberlain’s most infamous records. Even Tiger will have his work cut out for him in that regard.
Soph
March 21st, 2010
8:32 pm
I won’t respond, I won’t respond…
lpad
March 21st, 2010
8:32 pm
I agree ncscoots. I think we’re making too much out of the money. Mauer’s the best at his position, which is probably the most important on the field. He brings it offensively and defensively. With the new stadium they had to pay him.
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
8:33 pm
jeffrey d………..What did you think of my 8:05pm post?
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
8:33 pm
Yeah, he’s just sucking you in
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
8:35 pm
Matt Bonner with the offensive rebound. The Hawks are playing stellar defense, giving up 33 points in the 1st quarter to an old San Antonio team.
Then again, the Spurs scored 147 against Golden State on Friday.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
8:38 pm
I’d take Mauer over some of the other boneheaded contracts out there like Soriano’s.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
8:38 pm
PL – I think it’s insightful and a good point. Except one I don’t agree with
I dont think that Tiger is a bad person at all. He’s just a man that lives in a world where certain expectations are put on him to live his life a certain way by society.
Those “expectations” are called being considerate to those who love you. I agree that physical relations are a basic human desire, but if you can’t control them like Tiger did, it’s going to deeply hurt his wife and kids. He acted on a natural human desire, but it indirectly involves people that love him.
unbelievable
March 21st, 2010
8:39 pm
as soon as Tiger wins almost all will be forgiven….America loves winners, look at Kobe
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
8:40 pm
Yeah, Tiger’s gotta think about his kids, jeffrey. I can’t imagine what those kids will go through when the realize what their dad did. It’s shameful and unacceptable, to put them in that position. It does make what he did wrong and immoral.
nolie
March 21st, 2010
8:40 pm
I think Tiger will give it a good run, but I think Wilt’s record is safe.
The Zombie P.L.
March 21st, 2010
8:41 pm
did i ever tell you all my feelings on marriage?
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
8:42 pm
Ghost is right that he should have never gotten married, though. It was purely image and public relations.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
8:42 pm
It’s shameful and unacceptable, to put them in that position. It does make what he did wrong and immoral.
But when you struggle with addiction, those you care about don’t matter. Your main focus is on feeding the addiction. Later you’ll worry about them. Fault Tiger if you want, but it’s human nature to be susceptable to addictions.
Now I’m not condoning what Tiger did, and I feel terribly for his wife and kids.
The Zombie P.L.
March 21st, 2010
8:42 pm
I have an opinion on everything, and it is the correct one…
unbelievable
March 21st, 2010
8:43 pm
“He’s just a man that lives in a world where certain expectations are put on him to live his life a certain way by society.”
this is BS….so we are only to be faithful to our wives because of worldy expectations?
The Zombie P.L.
March 21st, 2010
8:45 pm
I have all those opinions documented in a giant word file, listed alphabetically for ease of locating and the ol cut and paste…
yep, cut and paste, makes blog life much easier for the ol zombie PL
Harold from Huntsville
March 21st, 2010
8:45 pm
Nolie
If you are still on the blog, I have a topic I would like for you to address if you will. And that is how important is it to keep the bat in the same plane as the ball as long as possible during the swing. I read someplace that Albert Pujols’s swing kept the bat in the same plane as the ball longer than anyone in the majors. I would think that timing would be less critical for him. If I remember correctly, Henry Aaron almost looked like he was swing down on the ball. Mark Teixeira has and upper cut which I believe would make timing more critical for him. Is that the reason that it takes him longer in the spring to start hitting for higher average?
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
8:45 pm
jeffrey–that’s true, but again, it is not an excuse, and I will fault him for putting his loved ones in this situation. But that’s not to take away from how serious addiction is. We had a lecture on alcoholism and the first words out of the professor’s mouth (and this guy is, um, well-respected, to say the least) are “addiction IS a disease, and we must treat it as such.”
It’s a fine line, but in the end, what he did was wrong.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
8:48 pm
JoeRochester
The twins will trade Mauer 5 years into his contract “Bank on it” those longterm contracts rarely last, especially when the contract’s duration is over 5 years and that applies to all sports
Look at Alfonso Soriano, the cubs are looking to deal him because they were dump to give him all those years on his contract…
unbelievable
March 21st, 2010
8:48 pm
Tiger knows the difference from right and wrong, he can only blame himself.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
8:49 pm
It’s a fine line, but in the end, what he did was wrong.
No doubt.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
8:49 pm
I’m afraid that I’ve said much more than I intended to on the subject. That’s all I have to say about that…
Anyone else think Jeff Lyman really improved his stock this spring? I’ll bet we’ll see him this season if need be.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
8:52 pm
T-Hawin
But it’s year 4 and Soriano is still with the Cubs. Right now, Mauer wants to be with the Twins and the Twins/Minnesota want Mauer. Even if things do sour, it’s going to be incredibly difficult to trade him given his huge contract and his no-trade clause.
I most certainly will not take that to Wachovia tomorrow
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
8:52 pm
tom
He has a no trade clause.
ncscoots
March 21st, 2010
8:57 pm
as soon as Tiger wins almost all will be forgiven….America loves winners, look at Kobe
Probably true. I’m pretty much laissez-faire about the way other people lead their lives, their personal ethics, and like that. Doesn’t mean I’d invite some of them to dinner, though. And any celeb who doesn’t want to be found out for feet of clay, shouldn’t be sticking their toes in the mud.
What separates us from the animals is our ability to reason and control our urges. For example, I often have the urge to jump a plane to San Francisco and make Dentz do the hurt dance to the entire American Top 40. Do I give in to it? No. Tiger controlling a mere biological urge should be child’s play by comparison.
Crime Dog
March 21st, 2010
8:59 pm
I only read the first two paragraphs of that research paper, but Tiger would have been better off telling the media to go screw its collective self than getting married and dishonoring his family because “people wanted him to.”
Crime Dog
March 21st, 2010
9:00 pm
Scoots-
Your third paragraph was pure poetry.
Bad Scooter
March 21st, 2010
9:03 pm
MLB TR says that the Hanshin Tigers are looking at 3 MLB pitchers to fill out their rotation. Jo-Jo Reyes is one of those three. What do you think DOB?
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
9:04 pm
I don’t think people can fully understand addiction unless they’ve gone through it. I’m not saying that people who do bad things by feeding addictions are justified, I’m just saying they’re battling something a lot bigger than common sense.
jeffrey d
March 21st, 2010
9:06 pm
As much as I’d like to continue, I must be going.
Mr. L-word, I’m (seriously) glad that we’ve just civilly agreed to disagree.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
9:10 pm
Are you justifying, though, that sex addiction is a real thing?
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
9:11 pm
You could say I was addicted to junk food, but I stopped buying it and was suddenly cured.
Soph
March 21st, 2010
9:11 pm
Look at my starvin Marvin Williams at the buzzer.
unbelievable
March 21st, 2010
9:11 pm
JO JO to Japan? – as long as it keeps him off the roster, sure
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
9:11 pm
joe–I don’t know if it is or not. I just don’t know enough now to make a definitive statement.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
9:12 pm
Jeffrey D
“But it’s year 4 and Soriano is still with the Cubs. Right now, Mauer wants to be with the Twins and the Twins/Minnesota want Mauer. Even if things do sour, it’s going to be incredibly difficult to trade him given his huge contract and his no-trade clause.
I most certainly will not take that to Wachovia tomorrow”
LMAO!
The Cubs are now paying for getting into a bidding war for Soriano especially after a “contract year” Now if they dump him they are gonna have no choice but to eat half that contract, much the same scenario when the braves were shopping around Lowe during the offseason
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
9:14 pm
Crime Dog……….I totally agree with your 8:59pm post.
brian
March 21st, 2010
9:14 pm
DOB Comment:
Roy did a great job at KU while he was there. He’s gone. KU got a helluva replacement, and that’s that. Move on, dude
Amen to that. Roy was great at Kansas and Kansas got a dynamite replacement. Both sides need to stop the war and relax. Roy did great things at Kansas but obviously could not get them over the top. It was good for Kansas to move on and Bill Self took them to the next level with a title. Roy, who for so long had been unsuccessful in the NCAAs despite having dominant teams at Kansas, won 2 titles in 5 years at UNC. If this were like grading a MLB trade I would grade it win-win.
DOB – are you going to be at the preseason games in Atlanta versus the White Sox? I will be looking for you there. Great time to come to Atlanta. I cannot wait to see Heyward, CHipper, McCann, Hanson, etc……
Bat Masterson
March 21st, 2010
9:14 pm
It’s nice to see nothing has changed here.
GovClintonTyree
March 21st, 2010
9:14 pm
Does PL spend a lot of time with Tommy Hansen out there in San Francisco?
Crime Dog
March 21st, 2010
9:15 pm
My dad could beat up your dad.
GovClintonTyree
March 21st, 2010
9:15 pm
The woodlaying DOB dropped on the UNC guy was epic. Epic. Way to roll, DOB.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
9:16 pm
Gov–someone needed to do it to that dude. Jeez.
GovClintonTyree
March 21st, 2010
9:17 pm
It is my intention to go as high as I need to for Nate McLouth in my upcoming fantasy draft. I want to thank Nate for planting the seed of doubt so my leaguemates will not be inclined to bid him up.
thinbreakness
March 21st, 2010
9:18 pm
atlantaspike-
I chose Lenny simply for the fact that no one in the history of Baseball has delivered more pinch hits. Sure, you can give his career totals that will reflect his ABs when he started, yes he started often during his career. Like the foolish statement you made earlier, you have still not made a valid point. Please, Dazzle me again.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
9:18 pm
Did you know Ricky Henderson stole 130 in one season once?
GovClintonTyree
March 21st, 2010
9:20 pm
Wonder how Chipper’s LH stroke looks? Last year’s debacle was primarily on the left side. Andy Van Slyke one year called his prolonged slump “the summer of 4 to 3″. Kind of sums up the way Larry was rolling over everything last year.
I’ve only seen a little bit of tape, and it was a lousy angle and he didn’t hang on to the bat with the top hand like he said he was trying to.
Larry
March 21st, 2010
9:21 pm
Go Duke!
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
9:23 pm
Mr. Ghost, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
9:24 pm
joerochester………which post do you have a problem with?
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
9:26 pm
I don’t have a problem with any of them.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
9:29 pm
Damn That was cold…!
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
9:29 pm
joerochester………then I’m somewhat confused on what you was referring to in your 9:23pm post.
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
9:31 pm
GovClintonTyraBanks………..Dressing and talking like Tyra Banks does not make you Tyra Banks.
Smitty
March 21st, 2010
9:31 pm
Has anyone seen the post on MLBTR that Hanshin Tigers are interested in Jo Jo??!!
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
9:33 pm
It’s from Billy Madison, ghost.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
9:34 pm
Good for JoJo. It’s a chance for him to pitch, and a chance for him to make some money. I hope it works out for him.
The Zombie P.L.
March 21st, 2010
9:34 pm
Gov, I resemble that comment… a little too well i might add..
richbrave
March 21st, 2010
9:35 pm
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2010
8:49 pm
Anyone else think Jeff Lyman really improved his stock this spring? I’ll bet we’ll see him this season if need be.
I was the one time I saw him. Put two on, then got two out to end the half-inning. I said here he looked pretty good this spring.
GovClintonTyree
March 21st, 2010
9:36 pm
Jo-Jo to Japan…I like it…I’ll never have to hear again how he’s ready “to turn the corner” and “that 12-6 hammer curve really keeps ‘em guessing”.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
9:37 pm
Bad Scooter: It makes some sense, that Japan trade rumor regarding Jo-Jo. Don’t know if it’s valid at all, but wouldn’t surprise me.
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
9:40 pm
Would the Braves get compensation?
FlaBravesFan1
March 21st, 2010
9:41 pm
Gov
9:15 post
That was a slam dunk by DOB
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
9:41 pm
who is this UNC Brave character?
GovClintonTyree
March 21st, 2010
9:42 pm
Hey, where’d my epic post about PL and the girl in the bar go?
joerochester
March 21st, 2010
9:43 pm
164.99 + $267.84 shipping
That’s what it says on amazon for a particular patio set. lol.
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
9:43 pm
I know that I’ve cracked on Jo Jo Reyes. However I dont see the Braves trading him away to a Japanese team like that. Left handed pitching with any kind of stuff is the most sought after commodity in baseball. Reyes is young with good stuff.
The only way I’d see that happening would be if the Braves didnt feel like he had it in him to be a quality ML pitcher. Still, I dont see Frank Wren rushing to do that unless he felt sure. Quality left handed pitching is hard to find. As long as Reyes has potential, the Braves would be wise to keep him.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
9:44 pm
Couple of things I didn’t get into any stories today, but should have. Moylan struck out the lefty Colby Rasmus on a 3-2 changeup, the pitch that the Aussie sidearmer has been working on all spring. It could be the pitch he needs to help him against lefties:
“It’s exciting for me, to be honest,” Moylan said. “It’s a pitch that I’ve had in the past, but never had the confidence to throw it. Now’s the perfect time to try it out. You’ve got a guy coming up, Rasmus at 3-2 he’s not going to be expecting the changeup, especially when I haven’t had one for the last three years.”
He smiled and added, “”So it’s going to be a nice little secret weapon. But the more you guys talk about it, the less secret it gets. So let’s just keep it on the down-low. I don’t want them to know all my secrets now.”
Ghost of P.L.'s whisper to self
March 21st, 2010
9:46 pm
^%#$^%$^% I a dumbsheet for allowing I autofill to type Hansen instead of Hanson in I post. Now every know I typed Hansen before
GovClintonTyree
March 21st, 2010
9:47 pm
So this idiot can say anything he wants but mine is the one that gets censored? Seriously?
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
9:47 pm
Bobby Cox on Michael Dunn and Jeff Lyman, who were among today’s cuts:
“Dunn’s got that good arm. Just needs more command of the fastball. He rushes out there a little too much. Tries to really extend. Just a matter of command.
“And Jeff, he did great every time out. He’s come a long ways quick.”
Said Lyman just needs more time in minors. And Dunn just needs to keep pitching, because he’s a converted outfielder who’s only pitched since 2006.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
9:49 pm
On Mitch Jones and Brent Clevlen, two outfielders cut from camp roster today: “Both of them are OK. Clevlen’s still a young guy. Lot of talent. Throws good, runs good, real good outfielder. Just got to be more consistent with the hitting.”
Moby Grape
March 21st, 2010
9:59 pm
DOB
I’ve seen several bloggers make much of the fact that Bobby has not seemed to have a good word for McLouth like he usually does if a player struggles. Do you see anything in that?
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
10:00 pm
Hopefully Mitch Jones gets called up during midseason…I like that cat…
Moby Grape
March 21st, 2010
10:02 pm
Tomahawkin
what is it that you like about him?
Marc
March 21st, 2010
10:05 pm
If McClouth is striding too far (according to Pendleton) then why not tie a rope around his feet when he hits, thus forcing him to not over stride? At least until muscle memory takes over.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
10:07 pm
Moby Grape…
The Dude has power, he hit over 30 homers last year. Plus he’s a lifetime minor leaguer, I feel for guys like him…
but I guess he got sent down because our bench is stacked and that is a good thing…
Time to chill out to some old Sade and Coldplay…
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
10:08 pm
Sure Nate-Dawg is struggling
But does anyone remember how A. Jones used to Clown in S. Training?
I don’t take much into S. Training stats especially for hitters, who don’t catch up to pitchers (timing) til mid April
Moby Grape
March 21st, 2010
10:18 pm
I’m getting a bit worried about McLouth, but you are right that hitters are often behind pitchers at this time of year
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
10:20 pm
I don’t take much into S. Training stats especially for hitters, who don’t catch up to pitchers (timing) til mid April– Tomahawkin
Agree with you about not putting much stock in spring stats. But regarding the latter part, about mid-April — you seen most of the Braves’ batting averages. OBPs and OPS totals this spring? Through the roof.
Team average is .288, OBP is a majors-leading .390, with majors-leading 97 walks — 17 more than any other team before Monday. (Nate has three walks, 14 K)
Braveheart
March 21st, 2010
10:26 pm
For me, Mauer vs. McCann is like Fisk vs. Munson. If you loved Thurman, you couldn’t say a nice word about Fisk. So screw that greedy, skinny pretty boy Mauer. I’m glad we’ve got Heap. At least McCann looks like a catcher.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
10:27 pm
True That D.O.B.
but the caliber of pitchers they are facing especially in the mid-2-late innings I don’t get really hyped about (J-Hey is the exception obviously because of his age and raw skills)
The roster come September will be a lot different than it is now as Skip Caray used to say ‘The season long will tell that story…”
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
10:30 pm
Nate McLouth will be fine. In late April, when McLouth is among the league leaders in runs scored and stolen bases………..I expect those who doubted McLouth to fill the blog with apologies.
Then again, given the track record and memory recollections of those who are often so wrong on here………..hell will freeze over before that happens.
Moby Grape
March 21st, 2010
10:30 pm
oh well
Venice Jim
March 21st, 2010
10:33 pm
Extremely cool – watching CMT Crossroads with Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett doing “Into the Mystic”…
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
10:33 pm
Not to mention D.O.B.
When The braves come back to the “A” its probably gonna be a different climate up here, not to mention the braves hit that West Coast Swing after the Cubs Series… I’m pretty sure that the offense will fall off a little bit being in SF and SD in April, where is gonna be cold and the ball will not jump, but anyway I’m looking foward to reading your blog when you are out there
and you have a hell of a week-long stent. First coming from Florida to Atlanta, and then going out west in a weeks span. Being someone who loves to travel and eat, damn I envy your job…
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
10:35 pm
PL
We just need Nate Dawg to cut down on his K’s and try to get on Base more, we don’t need the homers from him since he hits leadoff…
I’d like to see himm hit the ball from Gap to Gap and utilize his speed more…
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
10:37 pm
Tomahawkin………..I got my 3 tickets to the weekend series against the Giants. I’ll be 4 rows directly behind where the Braves hitters stand while they’re on the on deck circle.
While I wish that the Braves were coming here later in the season, I am looking forward to getting an early look at them.. Hopefully we’ll play much better than last year when we got swept here.
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
10:39 pm
Tomahawkin……..again, trust me. Nate will be fine. I’ve seen enough of the guy to know that he’ll work it out and be ready when the regular season starts.
Let those on here whose suffer from ADD to worry about meaningless Spring Training at-bats. All you have to do is have the foresight to look forward to McLouth doing a good job setting the table for our offense this year. I’m confident that McLouth will be among the lead leaders in runs scored this year.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
10:43 pm
P.L.
You Plan on taking any posters to those games so we can see you on TV or Better yet do u plan on being the one that’s behind the plan on the cell phone and waving at the TV?
Steve McP
March 21st, 2010
10:44 pm
I never trust people who say “trust me”
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
10:45 pm
P.L.
I plan on going to a few Sunday Games out here, dressed as Tiger Woods ( I had a coach that said I looked like him so I used to dress up at Halloween Parties as him)
Plus the chicks will love it…Fa-Shizzle…
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
10:48 pm
P.L.
Yeah that series last year in S.F. was one of those where I got Violent because the offense didn’t show up
And I hate the unbalanced schedule in that we don’t go to the west coast more…I love the late games out there and the music…escecially at Chivez Ravine. They bump a lot of old gangster rap…
Venice Jim
March 21st, 2010
10:48 pm
Checking the MIB Brackets, I appear to be among the fortunate few (maybe one) to have my two finalists left…which means both are sure to be knocked out in the near future…
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
10:50 pm
While the stuffed shirt, holier than thou Augusta National types may be lamenting the circus and tabloid type media who’ll be attempting to crash it’s party……….I’m sure that they wont be turning down those massive profits and ratings that Tiger’s appearance will bring.
Kind of like how hotel chains like to talk about being family friendly………yet offer adult channels (which generates massive profits for the hotels).
The Ghost of P.L.
March 21st, 2010
10:53 pm
Tomahawkin………..I dont do the sign waving thing. Also, I’ve never been one to take pics or get autographs. I just enjoy watching the games. I know I’m in the minority here, but I’ve always felt that asking for someone’s autograph is pretty much a degrading thing to do.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
10:58 pm
P.L.
The best thing about going to the games (at least out here ) is the chicks!
I usually go to the games early and stay late, not to mention tailgating…
Turner Field is horrible however, because the fans are not into the game, in other words Turner Field caters to the corporate crowd…
Moby Grape
March 21st, 2010
11:04 pm
How can a park cater to a particular crowd?
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
11:09 pm
Moby Grape
Go To a Braves game at the Ted on a Thursday Afternoon and you will see what I mean about the corporate crowd who could care less about the game…
RHR
March 21st, 2010
11:09 pm
Oh and gotta give a big ol props to scoots but man, i wish you had a little less self control lol.
Moby Grape
March 21st, 2010
11:12 pm
Go To a Braves game at the Ted on a Thursday Afternoon and you will see what I mean about the corporate crowd who could care less about the game…
that may be who shows up and how they act, but anybody who wants to could could come. Most just don’t want to, and even when they do most aren’t any more spirited than the corporate bunch.
I’m sure that the Braves would love to have others come and show enthusiasm. The truth is that baseball is just not that popular a sport in Atlanta for a number of reasons.
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
11:13 pm
RHR is in the House!
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
11:16 pm
Breaking Bad season premiere tonight was sublime. New roads they’re headed down, all look dark and compelling.
OK, now time to transcribe a couple of interviews for off-day story tomorrow.
glord1
March 21st, 2010
11:21 pm
DOB – My condolances on KU. Its painful when your team is loaded and has one bad game. Although I guess thats what makes March Madness so exciting. It happened to my team twice in the early 2000’s (UK). Self will have them reloaded again next year.
Whats your feel on Kimbrel? Do you really think he has a chance of going North with the Braves? Who is your guess for the last 3 spots?
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
11:24 pm
glord1: thanks, man. appreciated.
I gave my thoughts on the last three spots above in the blog.
Mekons
March 21st, 2010
11:25 pm
That’s a lot of money Mauer got, but he is clearly the best catcher in baseball and probably the best since Bench or Fisk. I love McCann, and having the second best catcher in baseball is not a bad thing. When was the last time we even had the 10th best, apart from one incredible year from Javy?
I’m really happy with the way this team has developed.
Just an aside about Tigger. He won’t be forgiven easily. I have no respect for Kobe Bryant and never will. America may love winners, but not THAT much. When all those Tigger texts get spread around…well, he ain’t gonna be forgiven by a lot of people. You can still admire his skills, but if I were a company looking for a spokesman, he’d be at about Mike Tyson level.
RHR
March 21st, 2010
11:36 pm
Not exactly, tomahawkin. Im
on the iphone, which is a far cry from the house. But hi!
Tomahawkin
March 21st, 2010
11:38 pm
Got ya RHR, You must be addicted to the I-Phone…?
RHR
March 21st, 2010
11:38 pm
Oh and dave, i like that youve gotten used to using twitter. Much easier to follow on the go than the blog.
RHR
March 21st, 2010
11:40 pm
No, just the braves. Should i seek treatment?
TnBrian
March 21st, 2010
11:50 pm
“The truth is that baseball is just not that popular a sport in Atlanta” Moby Grape
Maybe Heyward changes some of that here pretty soon. I mean, Willie Mays wants to see him play for God’s Sake!
Steve McP
March 21st, 2010
11:51 pm
DOB – did you ever write the Leo Mazzone piece that you mentioned a few days back? I had not noticed it on the website.
TnBrian
March 21st, 2010
11:54 pm
If ever Ryan Howard starts gettin’ a little too cocky and Heyward’s around he can tell him, “Yeah homie, did Willie Mays ever want to see you play? … BEEYATCH”
brian
March 22nd, 2010
12:08 am
if JoJo goes to Japan, does the Braves get any compensation from the japanese team??
toga party
March 22nd, 2010
12:23 am
brian, the Japanese team would have to pay the Braves a transfer fee. Probably less than $1 million or so.
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
12:24 am
Steve McP: No, a couple of other things came up and the Mazzone thing got pushed aside. But I might throw it up as a new blog in next day or two. I’m getting a few days off this week, and we’ve got a free-lancer covering team down in Port St. Lucie Tuesday before Carroll takes over Wednesday for three days (I’ll be back Friday night). So I might need to put something up as a new blog, and that could be it. That and a couple other interviews.
NO MORE BOBBY
March 22nd, 2010
12:26 am
So did Jerry Royster make the latest roster cuts?
Mekons
March 22nd, 2010
12:28 am
Breaking Bad was unreal tonight. I dunno if everyone knows what that meant, the guys crawling along the road. It’s a drug dealing death cult. They worship death. Dying is GOOD to them. And the two psychopath twins are obviously going to be big parts of this year.
Mekons
March 22nd, 2010
12:30 am
If JoJo goes to Japan, they have to pay a transfer fee and if the Braves want, cough up a player, I think. Any Japanese player will jump at a chance to go to the US as long as they get their salary.
Steve McP
March 22nd, 2010
12:36 am
Thanks DOB, look forward to the article. Instead of a freelance journalist how about having Chipper (assuming he is not playing in P S L) run the blog for a day, it would be great fun!
Mekons
March 22nd, 2010
12:36 am
Breaking Bad season premiere tonight was sublime. Whole new roads they’re headed down, and all look dark and compelling.
The opening scene was amazing, Dave. This show just keeps building the tension. Now we have crazy death cult psychopaths after Walt. The first year was interesting, but it is just getting better and better. Anyone not watching this is insane.
I saw a post on a liberal site, and I’m a liberal, saying he or she refused to watch the show because it glorifies meth. Anyone who has watched the show knows how wrong that is.
The Grinch
March 22nd, 2010
12:38 am
What’s wrong with meth?
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
12:52 am
g’nite y’all
Mekons
March 22nd, 2010
1:32 am
Yeah, Grinch. It’s just a wonderful drug. Heck, I love psychosis. Snicker.
shmoe
March 22nd, 2010
1:35 am
Um, meth will rot your skin and internal organs before inducing psychosis, but yeah, glamorous drug indeed
Runnin
March 22nd, 2010
1:59 am
Mekons wrote: “Any Japanese player will jump at a chance to go to the US as long as they get their salary.”
I have doubts about this. The major league may be the ultimate challenge for a player of any nationality, but it takes a certain kind to pull up roots and move halfway around the world. The Japanese are big on family loyalty and responsibility. Any J player moving to America is likely going against his family and friends and many will not be willing to do that.
Mekons
March 22nd, 2010
2:11 am
Runnin. You are wrong. Succeeding in the US is crazy good in Japan. Why do you think they have about 50 reporters around every Japanese players in the U.S.? Japanese bands who do well in the U.S. get huge coverage, too. But not like Ichiro.
The Grinch
March 22nd, 2010
2:34 am
One can achieve psychosis through other means…it often happens as a matter of fact. Don’t hate on a Seussian for crackin’ a joke.
Runnin
March 22nd, 2010
3:44 am
I disagree. Living in Japan for 20 years I’ve read and heard many stories of J players who didn’t want to go to the Major League. Yes, it’s a big story and big news, but not every player wants that kind of attention or pressure. Most probably don think they could succeed there and many don’t want to leave their countries or their teams. It’s only the more independent minded and confident players who make that leap.
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
6:34 am
Just watched the fourth quarter and overtime of the Hawks-Spurs replay on ESPN. Helluva game, and a reminder of just how far the Hawks have come.
Why I’m watching an NBA replay at 5 a.m. is another sad story about the disaster that is my nonsensical sleep routine. Or lack thereof….
18 Wheels of Love
March 22nd, 2010
7:22 am
At least there is coffee…
zookey
March 22nd, 2010
7:29 am
DOB
Talking about sleep routines,just finished listining to Atl Baseball Talk interviewing you today.
Question…Dose McLouth look as bad in bp vs live pitching ?
jeffrey d
March 22nd, 2010
7:39 am
I could go for a dose of McLouth
Jeff R
March 22nd, 2010
7:56 am
Rather see Kimbrel assigned to Gwinnett where he can get his share of opportunities to close rather than backing up Saito and Wagner at Atlanta. The kid needs to pitch in tough game situations.
sidslidkid
March 22nd, 2010
8:04 am
zookey, I watched him on Saturday vs the Jays and he was making good contact in BP. I don’t remember him hitting any 450 shots… but I also didn’t see him struggle in the cage.
zookey
March 22nd, 2010
8:08 am
Dose > Something unpleasant,to which one is subjected.
My subconscioue must be on overtime.
JD,thanks for pointing that out.
robdawg08
March 22nd, 2010
8:17 am
There should be lots of concern about McClouth struggling against basically minor league pitching in ST. This guy is supposed to be our CF and leadoff hitter. I guess an OF of Diaz,Melky,and Heyward would be ok ? The defense would have much less speed though.
DOB, wouldn’t it be smarter to let Kawakami be the opening day starter to against other teams’ aces so you would have an advantage of your better pitchers 2 thru 4 facing other teams less talented pitchers ? Basically give up 1 loss to potentially get 3 in return ? Then our # 1 would face their # 2,our # 2 would face their # 3,etc.
How is the confidence in Saito and Wagner right now closing out games ? Wagner has struggled I think every time he’s pitched…
Lew
March 22nd, 2010
8:42 am
robdawg-I can’t find the ST game logs, but I believe that Wagner’s first outing was bad and that he’s been pretty Wagner – like every other time out since then. He’s given up six hits in five IP, but K’ed 5 and only walked one batter. I know his first appearance was the source of most of those hits and, I believe, all of the runs he’s given up.
zookey
March 22nd, 2010
8:46 am
Thanks Kid,Wondering if this was really a timing thing or if Nate was pulling a A.Jones on us.
robdawg08, Kawakami facing other teams aces might be a great idear and based on his past we might win a lot of those games.
Steve McP
March 22nd, 2010
8:47 am
DOB said in the blog that Nate was taking BP OK according to Pendleton, but then collapsing his knees when in live action. Nate’s comments about the Minor League game he played was that he was finding his timing and staying upright through the ball.
Spin Cycle
March 22nd, 2010
8:50 am
“Chavez hasn’t had a good spring, but made 73 appearances last season as a Pirates rookie. I don’t think the Braves are going to let a few spring appearances change their view of a pitcher they spoke so highly of after getting him in the Winter Meetings trade for Rafael Soriano.”
Actually the Braves would have spoken highly of a warf rat had that been what they got in return for Soriano!
The Braves spin machine works more overtime than the spin machines of the two major political parties combined!
Lew
March 22nd, 2010
8:53 am
Spin Cycle-And you do such a great job keeping up with it, too.
Thanagar
March 22nd, 2010
8:57 am
As with many drugs, there’s nothing “wrong” with meth… if you have a non-addictive personality. And “Breaking Bad” is one of the half-dozen or so dramatic series worth watching these days.
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
9:09 am
Lew, Robdawg: Wagner gave up three hits, two runs and one walk in his first appearance, then allowed no hits or runs in his next three (with three strikeouts in that stretch).
In his fifth and most-recent appearance Friday, he gave up three hits and one run (if I’m not mistaken the hits came on breaking pitches, which is what he was working on that night.
18 Wheels of Love
March 22nd, 2010
9:12 am
Did you know?
Flammable and Inflammable mean the same thing.
I don’t understand.
Lew
March 22nd, 2010
9:13 am
EnDOB-Thanks-couldn’t find the info. I didn’t think he had been as bad as portrayed.
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
9:14 am
Rey Clay Baseball: Good stuff you pointed out at 7:44 a.m. I had no idea how good Thurston was defensively until seeing him this spring. By the way, just looking at his bio again after reading your post, and couple other things stand out — he played in the outfield in 34 of 37 games in Venezuelan Winter League in 2007, and he struck out more than 65 times in only one of his 10 minor league seasons.
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
9:16 am
Talking about sleep routines,just finished listining to Atl Baseball Talk interviewing you today.
Question…Dose McLouth look as bad in bp vs live pitching ? — zookey
Not many folks have such a clever way of getting a question answered.
CB
March 22nd, 2010
9:20 am
18 Wheels, one of life’s mysteries,huh?
Hillbilly
March 22nd, 2010
9:23 am
18 WOL (9:12),
Huh? I work in the safety department at an Oil Refinery and if that’s the case then you just turned my world upside down.
Hillbilly
March 22nd, 2010
9:25 am
Ahhh. You said inflammable,…not non-flammable. OK.
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
9:27 am
natec: Yes, Twins payroll is going to be about $100 million this season.
Jeff R
March 22nd, 2010
9:28 am
Unless something is physically wrong with McLouth, Cox will have him in centerfield on opening day, regardless his poor spring performances. Bobby Cox has never been the sort of manager to go south on his starters quickly, even if it would be better for the team if he dd so.
Braveheart
March 22nd, 2010
9:29 am
Next time I hear about a catastrophe at an oil refinery in Arkansas, I’ll know that the Hillbilly in the “safety department” momentarily got his flammables confused
18 Wheels of Love
March 22nd, 2010
9:30 am
Jeff R, you are right my man. anyone care to check Derosa’s spring stats the year he was given 3B?
18 Wheels of Love
March 22nd, 2010
9:31 am
Braveheart, that scenario brings to mind Homer at the nuclear plant. Mmmm, donuts.
Jeff R
March 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
18 Wheels of Love… I remember the DeRosa agony well!
Hillbilly
March 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
Braveheart,
Maybe I better log off and get to work, huh?
unbelievable
March 22nd, 2010
10:00 am
Rather see Kimbrel assigned to Gwinnett where he can get his share of opportunities to close rather than backing up Saito and Wagner at Atlanta. The kid needs to pitch in tough game situations.
- Jeff R
maybe so, but I still think pitching in the 6th or 7th of major league games is tougher than closing out a minor league game. Eventually, he’ll have to make the jump (might not need to be this season) but Id rather him come up and get a year under his belt before we throw him into the closer role
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 22nd, 2010
10:06 am
Here’s the deal, Moylan will be put into the closer role before Kimbrel has at least pitched in high AA.
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 22nd, 2010
10:08 am
And yes, it’s tougher to get major league hitters out than minor leaguers no matter what inning you are pitching in.
Jeff R
March 22nd, 2010
10:08 am
unbelievable… I don’t know about that, that the 6th or 7th in a major league game is necessarily tougher than closing at Gwinnett for Kimbrel, at least at this stage in his development.
As DOB has pointed out, Kimbrel has very little high minors experience. At Gwinnett, he’ll face a lot of players who’ve had major league experience or are close to being major league ready. I think that Kimbrel benefits from game situations where he needs to close games and sew up saves; that’s what he’s being groomed to do.
And pressure at Gwinnett? No, not on the order of major league pressure, but Kimbrel will have something to prove. Kimbrel’s ability to jump to the bigs will depend on his performances. I’ve got to believe that that would involve a good deal of pressure for him.
Jeff R
March 22nd, 2010
10:11 am
I think KImbrel goes to Gwinnett, though I might be wrong, but Gwinnett is just a short drive from Turner in case he’s needed. And I think Kimbrel’s AAA ready, too.
Chopshop
March 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
DOB
Great interview on atlantabaseballtalk !! It was great to listen and learn some additional information. Keep up the great work !!!
Lew
March 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
Unbeievable-I hear what you’re saying, but should Kimbrel come up this year (other than to replace an injured reliever), how much experience would he really be getting. We’ve already got our closer and three set up relievers – Moylan, Saito, O’Flaherty – so I’m not certain Kimbrel would have much more than a mop up role. He might do just a well pitching regularly in Gwinnett.
Jeff R
March 22nd, 2010
10:19 am
And let’s not forget Joey Devine. The Braves, if the relievers stay healthy and perform up to expectation, have a pretty solid bullpen without Kimbrel. Why rush the guy? Granted, not all pitchers are created equal, but management having rushed Devine into the majors should be a lesson to us all. Most young pitchers benefit from minor seasoning.
Homer
March 22nd, 2010
10:22 am
Fire DOB and Nate.
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 22nd, 2010
10:23 am
For one thing, the minors are a much more controlled environment. Despite what folks in the ticket office at Gwinnett would have you believe, winning is not all that important.
Jeff R
March 22nd, 2010
10:33 am
Gil In Mechanicsville… Yes, minor league baseball is about development.
bravesgrl4life
March 22nd, 2010
10:33 am
So, are any of you regular denziens gonna be at The Ted on April 5?
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
10:34 am
Jeff R and Lew: Good points about Kimbrel. Some act like him starting the season in Triple-A is akin to him being sent to Siberia with no chance of seeing him again until next spring thaw.
In addition to points you made, keep in mind he’s not on the 40-man roster. To put him on it, the Braves would have to expose someone to waivers by removing them from the 40-man. They can put Diory on 60-day DL to open one spot, but that’s presumably the spot they’ll need to create for Proctor.
sidslidkid
March 22nd, 2010
10:35 am
bravesgrl4life, I’ll be there.
unbelievable
March 22nd, 2010
10:36 am
Lew, good points also. I still think any opportunity against big league hitters will be beneficial for Kimbrel. Like I said his time may not be this season either. We can bring him up next season after Saito is gone and let him be behind Wagner and Moylan. I was just saying that there is probably more pressure at the big league level, even in a smaller role.
unbelievable
March 22nd, 2010
10:37 am
Some act like him starting the season in Triple-A is akin to him being sent to Siberia with no chance of seeing him again until next spring thaw. – DOB
yeah DOB, exactly what I was thinking. AAA is just like Siberia
Jeff R
March 22nd, 2010
10:43 am
DOB, yes, it creates complications with the roster for the Braves to keep Kimbrel with the big club.
I listened to your interview on Atlanta Baseball Talk. Excellent to get your analysis with all the extra color.
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 22nd, 2010
10:47 am
Face it, the real reason players want to be in the show is the money, they game is the same in Gwinnett as in Atlanta. I suspect the neighborhood in Gwinnett might be a little nicer.
Stop trying to rush these kids along too soon. Haven’t we seen the JoJos and the Devines get set up to fail far too often. That said, I hope Dunn can find his comfort zone and contribute this year.
Jeff R
March 22nd, 2010
10:54 am
Gil In Mechanicsville… I would say that generally the level of talent in the big leagues is better than the talent in AAA, any triple A league. AAA has more than its share of retreads and lifers.
NEW CARS
March 22nd, 2010
10:57 am
DOB,
In regards to McLouth, have you noticed whether he’s getting good breaks on ball in the outfield. In other words, is this a vision problem or a little further north. I hope he’s secure enough to go back to what worked for him in the past, being a little more patient at the plate instead of pressing. That is the biggest difference that I see between Nate and Frenchie, as Nate seems to have a grip on the strike zone. Frenchie never made the adjustment after pitchers quit serving up first pitch fastballs.
car3boogie
March 22nd, 2010
10:57 am
maybe I missed it but what spot on the 40-man roster will open for Heyward?
flange1
March 22nd, 2010
10:58 am
I agree with Gil!
Let Kimbrel, Dunn and Lyman start the season in Gwinnett. Let them get some good work in and have them ready if needed later in the year or next year.
I think I am for keeping Acosta and Chavez on the big team until Proctor is ready and then dropping Acosta. Let Jo Jo start in Gwinnett or trade him to Japan.
I think Minor is the new go to guy for a starter after Medlen anyway…
Jersey Gil
March 22nd, 2010
11:00 am
DOB…I was listen your interview in bravesbaseballtalk…You have a nice “Radio Voice”…How come you don’t have a radio talk show?….Anyone approach you about that?…..
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
11:02 am
gil in mechanicsville, just wondering by what experience or authority you make your claims that winning or losing doesnt matter in the minors, that the game is the same between AAA and MLB, and that players care about making more money, not playing at the highest level. im thinking to know all that, you must have been a MLB player at some point, and you must be an official in the office of some organization somewhere.
unbelievable
March 22nd, 2010
11:04 am
dont want Acosta on the roster
Jeff R
March 22nd, 2010
11:08 am
Gil can speak for himself, but I’ll expand on what I wrote earlier. Minor baseball is about development. More precisely, it’s primarily about player development. I would never sugget that minor league teams don’t want to win. Those clubs still need to sell tickets and concessions to earn solid profits. Winning is good for business, good for management and good for the players regardless the level.
Jersey Gil
March 22nd, 2010
11:09 am
Anyone…What happen to Todd Redmond?….He was in gwinnett last yr, also play for USA in the World Baseball in Italy last Oct.
smitty
March 22nd, 2010
11:22 am
bravesgrl4life – I’ll be there, got season tickets again this year after a year off. Sadly I doubt most of the regulars here go to many games.
Moe Berg
March 22nd, 2010
11:25 am
“Sadly I doubt most of the regulars here go to many games.”
A lot of regulars here don’t live where they can go to many games.
Rob from SC
March 22nd, 2010
11:27 am
Joey Devine got hurt as soon as he came up. Secondly he got screwed by going up and down.
18 Wheels of Love
March 22nd, 2010
11:30 am
McLouth more than likely has what golfers call ‘the yips’, which means he is thinking too much.
P'cola Brave
March 22nd, 2010
11:30 am
Just bought tickets last night for the Colorado series. Can’t wait for the trip and regular season baseball.
car3boogie
March 22nd, 2010
11:32 am
18 Wheels come on now are we at the point of Tin Cup quotes….That is funny. But I actually agree 100% it is mental now
rico43
March 22nd, 2010
11:32 am
Redmond went down to AAA in first cut. Pitched pretty well in the early games, though.
rico43
March 22nd, 2010
11:34 am
DOB or anyone, when are the DBT scheduled to be on Letterman?
c jonze
March 22nd, 2010
11:35 am
Isn’t Heyward also not on the roster? Will someone lose a spot if/when he joins the club in ATL?
ncscoots
March 22nd, 2010
11:41 am
McLouth more than likely has what golfers call ‘the yips’, which means he is thinking too much.
Might be pronating and supranating all at the same bleepin’ time, LOL. Dropping too low, swinging too high, loading too deep, hands too forward, head up, feet back, shoulders open, hips closed, etc., etc.
And people wonder why I gave up golf.
thinbreakness
March 22nd, 2010
11:41 am
DOB-
Listened to your interview and want to thank you for your hard work. I was particularly interested in the commercial aspect of the blog. I hope electronic journalism pays dividends. I enjoy very much the info you provide. Good Luck and Thanx again.
DiamondbackMac
March 22nd, 2010
11:41 am
Enter your comments here
Nova Scotia Steve
March 22nd, 2010
11:47 am
Only 2 Weeks until OPENING DAY!
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
11:54 am
Jersey Gil: Redmond was in camp, but got optioned to Gwinnett in the first round of roster cuts.
Thinbreakness: Thanks, man.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
11:55 am
Yes, Heyward will have to be added to the 40-man roster. So a couple of guys are probably going to have to be put on waivers. Some candidates: James Parr, Stephen Marek?
unbelievable
March 22nd, 2010
11:55 am
Marek and Parr should be taken off the 40 man
richbrave
March 22nd, 2010
11:56 am
Jeff R
March 22nd, 2010
11:08 am
Gil can speak for himself, but I’ll expand on what I wrote earlier. Minor baseball is about development. More precisely, it’s primarily about player development. I would never sugget that minor league teams don’t want to win. Those clubs still need to sell tickets and concessions to earn solid profits. Winning is good for business, good for management and good for the players regardless the level.
And he-e-e-r-r-r-r-e’s ‘NUTZY.’ Easy now Jeff. ‘NUTZY’ is the current mascot of the RICHMOND FLYING SQUIRRELS, the GIANTS AA team now ensconced at the cozy confines of the “Diamond.” I met NUTZY up close and personal in a town south of RICHMOND, VIRGINIA on saturday. Being an old man I was not particularly impressed, but the kids playing there ate it up. Out with the old – BRAVES fans. In with the new – GIANTS fans. Us BRAVES old farts will be dead, and a new, young generation of suckers needs to be spawned here. So let the games and the winning begin anew as it did in 1966.
Willy Wally
March 22nd, 2010
11:59 am
You guys do remember what Kimbrel did in the Arizona Fall League, right? Kimbrel walked 16 batters in 10.3 innings. Kimbrel had a BB9 of 6.8 last year, and has a BB9 of 5.7 for his career in the minors. That’s just not going to cut it. Not in the majors. Definitely not for Bobby Cox. You remember what happened to McBride when he couldn’t stop walking people?
We’ve had some talented relievers like McBride, Boyer, and Devine who crumbled under the pressure. I don’t know what the explanation was for why Kimbrel went from having a really bad walk rate in the minors to become somewhat Ankiel-ian when given some attention and pressure in the Arizona Fall League. There were even reports that his fastball was down 3 to 5 miles an hour in the AFL while he struggled to throw strikes.
I’d be very hesitant to put a kid with control problems in the majors based purely on performance reasons. This is even more true when I have questions at the present time about his ability to handle the performance expectation pressure that comes with being a major leaguer, especially since he will be the kind of major leaguer who has a huge friggin’ fatal flaw like walking people that tends to p!ss off managers and fans, which only heightens the pressure and sense of panic when he gets to any count that has 2 balls in it. It takes a tough dude with a thick skin to withstand the abuse that comes from the manager, teammates, broadcasters, the media, and fans when you have an unfortunate propensity to hand out free passes to first base in the late innings.
The kid has electric stuff. As I’ve said before, I’ve seen him. His stuff is awesome. Like I said before, the time I saw him in Gwinnett there was a buzz in the crowd when he pitched. Lots of oohs and aahs, but there was also alot of grumbling and groaning in the crowd as well when he started walking people. There were only about 4,500 very laidback people in attendance that day, but imagine what that would’ve been like if there 45,000 people in the stadium grumbling, groaning, hissing, and screaming bloody murder at him? If there were bloggers foaming out of the mouth and cracking jokes all day, every day about grand slams like with Devine or calling him a vat of goo like with Boyer?
I like that he has bounced back strong off the AFL as if it never happened, but ya gotta be careful. This kid is special. No need at all to rush him. He needs to at least get the BB9 rate below 5 to be successful in the majors, don’t ya think? And at the very least further seasoning in the minors can toughen him up in a low pressure situation, let him get more comfortable with the fact that, “yeah, I may walk a batter or two more than I should, but, oh well, it is what it is. I’ll work hard to overcome it, but I’m not gonna freak out and panic over it, and turn a BB9 of 7 problem into a BB9 of 14 nightmare like I did in the AFL.”
richbrave
March 22nd, 2010
12:00 pm
DAVE if you’re still up………. if I can get a taste of home, how might I ship you some “Q” from RALPH’S in WELDON, N.C.
Jersey Gil
March 22nd, 2010
12:00 pm
rico43…DOB…Thanks..He only pitch on 3/5/10 agains Wash…looking at the Box Score 2inn , 1hit, 1BB ,1SO..that its…for a player to be in 40men roster..i say wow…He will be candidate to be replace in the Roster if the Braves not have plan for him.
Don
March 22nd, 2010
12:01 pm
Poor Bobby — What will he do if Wren messes the Roster up – and he doesn’t have a pinch hitter to use who can’t get a hit – or a relief pitcher to use who can’t get anyone out.
Of course, with our two options for center field (McLouth and Melky), he will probably be able to continue his tradition of useing a regular who can’t hit much.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
12:03 pm
I think that’s Don’s way of saying he thinks the Braves will be good this year and that he’s looking forward to the season! I knew you’d come around, Don!
Wayne in Utah
March 22nd, 2010
12:05 pm
Don
You are so predicatable…….
You would probably complain if your banana split had too much chocolate syrup!
When Bobby is gone, you Bobby bashers will find something you don’t like about the next guy. Never satisfied.
Wayne in Utah
March 22nd, 2010
12:06 pm
Don is the kind of guy that would want Heyward returned to Gwinnett the first time he struck out two times in a game………………….
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
12:09 pm
No, if Heyward struck out two times in a game, Don would blame Bobby for not teaching him how to not strikeout.
Interestingly, Don would also blame Bobby if Heyward burns his toast one morning.
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
12:17 pm
Doesn’t making it thru two cuts and the fact that Nate McLouth can’t buy a hit make it a sure thing now that Jason Heyward is the Braves opening day righfielder? — Chopper
I think it’s pretty much been a sure thing in the view of most of us here since the second week of camp, or thereabouts. I’d really be surprised if Heyward’s not on the opening day roster.
Hillbilly
March 22nd, 2010
12:17 pm
Rico,
DBTs were on Letterman about a week and a half ago. They played This ####### Job off the new album. It’s on Youtube.
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
12:21 pm
i finally got around to buying my opening day tickets this past weekend. im pumped about april 5th….and i would really like to see heyward that day.
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
12:21 pm
Brian from SC: yes, thanks for pointing that out about Heyward and 40-man. We all get so conditioned to just assuming he’s gonna be on the opening day roster, it’s easy to forget they have to make a 40-man roster move to get him on.
Then another to get Proctor on.
One of those moves will be moving Diory to the 60-day DL, I’m sure. But after that … wouldn’t care to guess. Anything could happen in next two weeks, including a possible trade to open a spot.
But you can see where the Braves might like to avoid having to make yet another 40-man move to add someone else right away, in addition to Heyward and Proctor.
One other thing to consider: It’s usually easier to move someone from the 40-man and get them through waivers right after the season begins, after other teams have set their rosters and don’t have any spots open to make a waiver claim.
Hillbilly
March 22nd, 2010
12:21 pm
Got my Jamey Johnson tickets for April 9th. Wish he was the main event, but he’s opening for Hank Jr. so I won’t get the full effect of a JJ show. Anything’s better than nothing I guess.
thinbreakness
March 22nd, 2010
12:23 pm
Hopefully Nate gets it going. If not, that’s why they pay Bobby. Bobby will figure something out until McLouth starts putting the ball in play again. If you think it’s a weak OF to begin with, then this is just a bump in the road to a long season. This team is pretty deep and should be able to overcome adversity in April or August.
monty
March 22nd, 2010
12:25 pm
IS there a game today?
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
12:27 pm
Brad Wilkerson
Cliff Lee (1920s hitter, not the pitcher)
Gary Sheffield
Matt Williams
Frankie Hayes
Luke Appling
Curt Flood
Mike Easler
Joe Nuxhall
Don Newcombe
Scott Sanderson
Anibal Sanchez
Frank Oberlin
Who is this random group of players? These are the guys that have the highest baseball-reference similarity scores to each of the Braves’ projected starters, through their current ages. (I cheated and put Matt Diaz in instead of Heyward, since Heyward doesn’t have any MLB stats yet.)
What does it mean? Absolutely nothing. Just maybe a little interesting.
CB
March 22nd, 2010
12:28 pm
monty,somewhere there is but no Braves game.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
12:30 pm
Oh, here are the pairings:
Brad Wilkerson – McLouth
Cliff Lee (1920s hitter, not the pitcher) – Prado
Gary Sheffield – Chipper
Matt Williams – Glaus
Frankie Hayes – McCann (Yogi Berra was 2nd on his list, but I couldn’t cheat)
Luke Appling – Escobar
Curt Flood – Melky (interesting comp there)
Mike Easler – Diaz
Joe Nuxhall – Lowe
Don Newcombe – Hudson
Scott Sanderson – Jurrjens
Anibal Sanchez – Hanson
Frank Oberlin – Kawakami
monty
March 22nd, 2010
12:30 pm
CB
Thanx
Jeff R
March 22nd, 2010
12:38 pm
Willy Wally… nice post at 11:59 a.m.
TnBrian
March 22nd, 2010
12:46 pm
I linked this a few days ago, Cody Ross on Heyward —
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/marlins/braves-young-stud-jason-heyward-proving-himself-to-381262.html?cxtype=rss_marlins&imw=Y
Nova Scotia Steve
March 22nd, 2010
1:00 pm
So i’ve noticed a lot…like A LOT of people are picking Milwaukee to either win the NL Central or Wild Card.
Are the Brew Crew going to be that good this year? I’ve seen like at least a half dozen prognosticators pick em’.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
1:02 pm
I haven’t seen anyone pick the Brewers, and I don’t really know why anyone would. Weak pitching staff there.
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
1:09 pm
nova scotia Are the Brew Crew going to be that good this year? i think they will be similar to last year. they will score alot of runs, but wont pitch well enough to win. they have gallardo, and then bolstered it with wolf, who will be solid, and doug davis, who will struggle to be average.
my opinion is that anyone who picks against the cardinals is just plain stupid. no one will beat them. but for the wild card, they may be in the discussion, but they arent going to be a serious threat.
Will
March 22nd, 2010
1:10 pm
Uh oh we have our first “Bobby Cox spin zone” moment of 2010 with him comparing Mcclouth’s trouble to Texiera in spring training a couple years ago. First of all Tex is 20 times the player Mcclouth will ever be. Mcclouth also stunk for the last few months last season so this continued slump is great cause for concern. The Braves cannot afford to play any extended periods of baseball this season with a leadoff hitter that is going 0-4 with 2 strikeouts every night.
TnBrian
March 22nd, 2010
1:15 pm
Will, you’re wrong … Nate will NOT go 0-4 with 2 K’s every night. He’ll go 0-4 with 3 K’s a night with 1 measly pop out. Get your facts straight.
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
1:27 pm
I just posted a story about how the newcomers have helped on the field and in the clubhouse.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2010/03/22/braves-say-newcomers-have-helped-team-unity/
Stone
March 22nd, 2010
1:29 pm
late to the party here but one question DOB:
How does the minor league games work? How would Nate get 9 AB’s in a 9 inning game? are the field positions set or do that rotate. Never heard of this before?
flange1
March 22nd, 2010
1:30 pm
Nice story DOB!
TnBrian
March 22nd, 2010
1:41 pm
That was a good story, DOB. I think guys like Hinske and Cabrera can bring a lot with just their experience. Of course Chipper can too, but Hinske seems more talkative and Cabrera is Latin, so he can communicate a lot better with those guys, I’d assume.
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
1:42 pm
TnBrian: Thanks. Yes, you’re correct in those observations, too, at least from what I’ve seen/heard.
Jersey Gil
March 22nd, 2010
1:44 pm
DOB..I was watching the Baltimore/Phillis Games yesterday and Gonzo came to Picth and he change his stand in the Mount, he’s not Rocking no more, he was stand looking at the Plate and then throw…totally diferent Pitcher…
Chris from the Rock
March 22nd, 2010
1:47 pm
Burnett is getting rocked against the Phils today.
Jersey Gil
March 22nd, 2010
1:47 pm
Good stoty DOB…People don’t understand how important is Chemistry not only in Sport team but also in any Place of Work.
ugaaccountant
March 22nd, 2010
1:52 pm
So DOB mentioned earlier about it being easier to make a 40 man roster move right after the season begins, to get the player through waivers unclaimed. The other teams would have already set their roster and plans and just made their moves.
Plus, we all know we get an extra year prior to free agency if Heyward isn’t on the roster the first 10 games this season.
Let’s assume McLouth gets back onto some kind of reasonable track by then. Hitting at least .200 for the rest of spring training and looking at least ok.
Does anyone think the Braves might come up with some kind of scenario to either keep 13 pitchers or both Conrad/Thurston for the first 10 games, in order to do the waiver trick and the free agency trick? I’ve mentioned before that the way to smooth things over with Heyward is to put a contract in his locker the day he’s called up like Longoria had.
Chris from the Rock
March 22nd, 2010
1:54 pm
I wonder if the Braves will try to make a Tyler Yates-type deal with a reliever such as Acosta. There has to be a team out there that could use him.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
1:59 pm
Chris, I do think Acosta’s days with the Braves could be numbered. You can only give guys so many chances, and there are a lot of teams that would take a flyer on his ability, hoping a change of scenery helps. Acosta will be 29 in May…time’s running out for him to figure it out.
TnBrian
March 22nd, 2010
2:01 pm
Ever accidentially hit buttons on your computer and something pops up that you never knew existed? Why can’t I make that pop up intentionally? One of life’s great mysteries.
ugaaccountant
March 22nd, 2010
2:07 pm
Wow Acosta’s turning 29? Didn’t realize that. It’s time to trade him to a lesser team, possibly after a week or three to let Proctor fully recover. Take what we can get for him.
On the flip side, for JoJo, I’d hope the Braves try him in the pen instead of selling him. The guy’s career screams middle relief. Able to throw a couple of innings in theory, effective first time through the order in his starts, and useful splits against lefties.
And I know this isn’t currently the topic, but Chavez is functionally the equivalent of a LOOGY. Yes I understand he’s not left handed, but his splits say you should bring him in to face left handed batters.
abwright
March 22nd, 2010
2:10 pm
Chris from the Rock, March 22nd, 2010, 1:54 pm … “There has to be a team out there that could use him [Acosta].”
I hear the Twins are desperate for a closer.
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
2:14 pm
abwright I hear the Twins are desperate for a closer.
yeah, but were talking about manny acosta here.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:16 pm
Milestones to look forward to:
With 20 HR this year, Chipper would pass Piazza, Ripken, Juan Gonzalez, Andre Dawson, and Dave Kingman for 35th place all-time. With 30 HR, he would also pass Jeff Bagwell and Carl Yastrzemski.
Tim Hudson need 98 strikeouts for 1500 in his career.
With 16 saves, Billy Wagner will pass Dennis Eckersley for 5th all-time. With 40 saves, he would pass John Franco for 4th.
Brian McCann needs 9 homers to hit the 100 mark.
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
2:19 pm
The only thing Manny Acosta can close is a Hardees.
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
2:22 pm
brian from SC, im really looking forward to some milestones this season. chipper is going to get to several.
sidslidkid
March 22nd, 2010
2:23 pm
Brian from SC, and Heyward is 755 HR’s behind Hank… it might be until September before even the great Heyward gets to that mark.
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
2:24 pm
2500 hits, 1500 RBIs, 1500 runs are all numbers chipper will surely reach this season. im betting he will reach 450 homers too. (he needs 24)
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:25 pm
With 9 wins this year, Derek Lowe would join John Smoltz and Dennis Eckersley as the only pitchers with 150 wins and 75 saves.
sidslidkid
March 22nd, 2010
2:26 pm
“2500 hits, 1500 RBIs, 1500 runs are all numbers chipper will surely reach this season. im betting he will reach 450 homers too. (he needs 24)” – DAP
Damn… that really puts his career in perspective. Truly one of the best ever.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:30 pm
Here is the prestigious 2500-H, 1500-R, 1500-RBI, 450-HR club:
Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Ott, T. Williams, Musial, Mays, F. Robinson, Aaron, Yaz, Reggie, Winfield, Murray, Palmeiro, Bonds, Sheffield, A-Rod, Griffey.
All either in the Hall, ineligible, or roided up.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:31 pm
And if you toss a .400 OBP requirement in there, you’ve got: Ruth, Gehrig, Williams, Bonds, Foxx, Musial, Ott.
And soon, Chipper.
ugaaccountant
March 22nd, 2010
2:32 pm
What do you guys think about Johann Santana this year? He’s had a rough? spring, but small sample size and coming off injury sometimes it’s just about getting the innings. Is he going to be effective this year? Close to his old self? If he doesn’t succeed, i’m not thinking the Mets will either, as Jose Reyes seems destined for a forgetable season.
Sgt. Pepper
March 22nd, 2010
2:33 pm
DOB-
Did the article on team chemistry (which is excellent) come about because of your own observation, because players were commenting on it, or both?
ugaaccountant
March 22nd, 2010
2:33 pm
That’s the first time i’ve seen Shef in a group that made me strongly consider his candidacy. assuming of course he’s clean.
sidslidkid
March 22nd, 2010
2:33 pm
Brian from SC, That’s some decent company Chipper’s got there…
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
2:34 pm
ugaaccountant – i’m not sure yet about santana. Like you said small smaple size. the mets are doomed if he doesn’t perform. They have no one else worth a sh*t in their rotation.
MattyRoss
March 22nd, 2010
2:34 pm
Should we be worried that the Mauer extension may well price McCann out of ATL?
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:35 pm
Even if Santana is Cy-worthy, I don’t think enough of the rest of their pitching staff to put them down as serious contenders.
Santana is 31 years old now, and has been on a slow downward trend the last few years. He’ll still be good, be he won’t be what he once was. He will also make $21 million this year.
Homer
March 22nd, 2010
2:36 pm
Another year with DOB. UGGGGH Fire him!
sidslidkid
March 22nd, 2010
2:37 pm
MattyRoss, no. For one, Mauer is better (Sorry McFann). And two, there are at least 3 more seasons until this becomes an issue.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:38 pm
I agree with sidslidskid…I love McCann, but Mauer’s on another level entirely. He is the best player in the American League.
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
2:39 pm
i was just checking out the rest of the brewers rotation. do ya’ll realize jeff suppan is their 3 or 4 starter. this is the guy who made almost $13mil last season, made 30 starts and went 7-12 in 161 innings. 5.29 ERA and 80 Ks. just 80. they have a $2mil buyout for 2011, which means they are on the hook for at least $14.75mil. what a horrible contract, especially for a team with a relatively small payroll.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:40 pm
Haha…Oliver Perez is the Met’s 3rd highest-paid player this year ($12 million).
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
2:41 pm
Enter your comments here
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:43 pm
FEAR, that’s probably my favorite post of yours.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:44 pm
Also, Suppan will get a $250,000 bonus if he wins the NL MVP.
ugaaccountant
March 22nd, 2010
2:44 pm
Mauer vis a vis McCann – If we were to resign McCann today, I think he’d get about half that contract. Economically, that’s the difference in the market for MVPs vs. all-star level players.
ugaaccountant
March 22nd, 2010
2:44 pm
I don’t figure they need to budget for that Suppan 250k MVP bonus. Just a hunch.
CB
March 22nd, 2010
2:45 pm
Brian from SC,be careful how you jest- the dreaded enter your comments here curse will get ya!
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
2:49 pm
santana will make the mets worth watching this season, but he wont make them compete.
my prediction is that jason bay will be a big disappointment. his power will be neutralized by citifield, and he will be lucky to ever hit 20 home runs in a season again. mets will struggle to score runs and thats really bad with their 2-5 starters.
i personally think the mets need to build thier team different. wright, reyes, and beltran are good for them, because they get one base and can run. take jason bay’s power away, and you arent left with much.
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
2:50 pm
if i were minaya, i would have tried to get cameron, torrealba, and then focused on pitching.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:50 pm
These guys are currently the highest paid players on their respective teams. Most of them are very nearly the worst players on their teams: Jeff Suppan, Eric Chavez, Vernon Wells, Alfonso Soriano, Barry Zito, Paul Maholm.
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
2:50 pm
Brian from SC – which one?
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
2:51 pm
oh nevermind……………
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
2:51 pm
I thought I said something witty and insightful……………sigh
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:52 pm
Most baseball people will tell you that the Mets give the Royals a run for the worst put-together team in baseball. Just a mess of a roster.
How much longer can Minaya really keep his job? Talk about a disaster of a GM…
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:53 pm
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
2:51 pm
I thought I said something witty and insightful……………sigh
One day, you will, I’m sure. Keep on trying.
sidslidkid
March 22nd, 2010
2:53 pm
I think the Met’s are very underrated by most folk. I’m betting they will be one of the most improved teams in baseball. Heck, if they finish at .500 that will be a huge improvement. I’m putting them somewhere near 83 wins this year.
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
2:54 pm
soriano is just plain terrible. I read an interview with Pinella. He was trying to do the politician spin on soriano getting knocked to the 7th hole.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
2:58 pm
sidslidkid, I can see how a healthier team might produce a few more wins, but looking at their roster, I don’t see a 13-win improvement. Wright’s a star, Beltran’s excellent if healthy, Santana’s a number on on most teams, but beyond them…kinda stinky if you ask me. Bay will get exposed this year as a little above average. Oliver Perez, John Maine, Mike Pelfrey, Nelson Figueroa, and Fernando Nieve will be starting 80% of their games.
MFin04
March 22nd, 2010
2:58 pm
The Mauer/McCann debate, isn’t that cut and dry. Mauer played about 20 less games than McCann did at catcher last year, and has the luxury of an extra day off from catching about once more a week than Brian does. Add in Brian McCann’s eye problems last year, and it would be a good debate who had the better year last year. And lets be realistic, Joe Mauer shouldn’t have won the AL MVP last year anyways.(Sucks when Jeter, Tex, and A-Rod all steal votes from each other.)
Furthermore, Brian McCann has more career homers and about the same amount of RBIs, while playing in the National League and playing in almost 100 less games.
I don’t think the whole American League hitting and DH-day off thing can be overlooked, especially for a catcher.
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 22nd, 2010
2:58 pm
Jeff R.. Did not say that a minor league club did not like to win, only that it is not their priority.
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
2:59 pm
sidslidkid, here what the mets did this offseason: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/03/offseason-in-review-new-york-mets.html
i fail to see how they improved much, unless you think jason bay is going to be a big performer for them. (i dont). i think they had a disaster of an offseason. they could have done alot with the money they used on bay.
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 22nd, 2010
3:00 pm
Now, the independent leagues feel differently. For them it is about winning.
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
3:00 pm
Mets signed 3 catchers, right? Improvement my ass. they will probably battle the Nats for last place.
MFin04
March 22nd, 2010
3:02 pm
Not to mention that McCann plays in the best division in the National League, while Mauer plays in the worst division in the American League, And on top of all that Minnesota had the 5th best record in the AL last year and got that by squeaking into the playoffs on a tie-break game.
Danga
March 22nd, 2010
3:02 pm
I don’t know. The Mets will need some pitchers will have to show something this year in order for that team to improve. They were awful last year. If Santana is ineffective then they will really have nothing. They need Reyes and Beltran to come back strong from injuries, and Wright to rediscover his power stroke. They just seem to have a lot of ?s. Even more than our team.
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
3:03 pm
MFin04 – worse than the AL west?
ncscoots
March 22nd, 2010
3:03 pm
personally think the mets need to build thier team different. wright, reyes, and beltran are good for them, because they get one base and can run.
Well, Minaya thinks as you do, since he’s quoted as saying they will henceforth build their team around speed, defense, and pitching. The rest of the division applauds.
As soon as the team actually has that character, of course, they’ll move the fences closer, in an effort to keep Wright from signing with the Braves as a FA.
YAP, YAP, YAP
March 22nd, 2010
3:04 pm
Most people on this blog cant even balance their checkbooks, who cares about all your knowledge and insight into something you have never done and will never do which is play, manage of own a major league baseball team. Shut-up talking about something you know nothing about and leave it to the pros. If you are getting paid millions of dollars to consult, advise of have any kind of input into how the Braves need to do things let me and everyone else know about it. Other than that go play the lottery tonight, your knowledge, insight and luck should make you a millionare if your as smart as you think you are.
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
3:05 pm
read somewhere that the Mets’ brass had a chance to push the outfield walls closer in. To make the stadium less cavernous. They refused. What the hell?
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
3:05 pm
MFin04, I completely and unequivocally disagree. Mauer was far and away the best player in the AL last year. He led the league in hitting, OBP, and slugging, and basically every other category except the overrated ones like HR and RBI. All while playing 109 games at the game’s most demandind defensive position.
Mauer’s career OBP is 50 points higher than McCann’s. He didn’t find his power stroke until last year, when he finally broke out with a .587 mark. That was the 9th-highest SLG ever for a player with over 100 games at catcher.
MFin04
March 22nd, 2010
3:07 pm
Looking at the standings, yes worse than the AL West.
Does anyone know of a website where you can see how many team hits the Braves got each game last year? I tried baseball-reference.com and couldn’t find that info….
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
3:08 pm
Here you go, MFin04:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/tgl.cgi?team=ATL&t=b&year=2009
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
3:12 pm
scoots Well, Minaya thinks as you do, since he’s quoted as saying they will henceforth build their team around speed, defense, and pitching. The rest of the division applauds.
starting right after he signs jason bay and no starting pitchers? please. dont tell me you think its a bad idea to build around pitching? youve got to be smarter than that. i didnt hear minaya say this, but it doesnt make sense. he could have signed lackey, or both wolf and pinero, but instead he signed bay. minaya needed to get at least one good pitcher to compliment santana, and then spread the rest out to get the best position players he could. torreabla, johnson, cameron, all would have been helpful pieces. instead, minaya put all his eggs in the bay basket, and signed 3 catchers.
Willy Wally
March 22nd, 2010
3:13 pm
He led the league in hitting, OBP, and slugging, and basically every other category except the overrated ones like HR and RBI.
There is absolutely nothing overrated about home runs.
MFin04
March 22nd, 2010
3:15 pm
Brian- awesome, I’m not sure what page I was on, it only showed the game score. I knew it had to be on there somewhere thanks.
The Mauer/McCann debate would be better if they were at least in the same league, but I think there is a huge discrepancy between the AL game and the NL game. The splits between them are only going to get worse as the gap between playing in the AL and NL widens for the two catchers. McCann is going to continue to wear down, and Mauer will just be able to move more and more towards the DH and not wear down.
That is one thing I hate about baseball and the AL. The DH is the worst “position” in baseball, it really ruins the game and inflates numbers, especially numbers for catchers.
It’d be interesting to see some sort of calculation of McCann’s numbers in the terms of playing for an AL team, and getting to DH a lot. Obviously there is no real way to determine that, but it’d be interesting.
ugaaccountant
March 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
“FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
3:05 pm
read somewhere that the Mets’ brass had a chance to push the outfield walls closer in. To make the stadium less cavernous. They refused. What the hell?”
Their pitching needs all the help it can get?
ugaaccountant
March 22nd, 2010
3:19 pm
Willy Wally – True story, somebody on this blog once argued against hitting a 3 run homer, because it was a “rally killer”. Said he’d rather have had a double to start a rally.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
3:22 pm
HR are overrated in the sense that some people think the player with the most of them is always the best player. Obviously not as overrated as RBI, but still overrated because it’s not the number one stat.
MFin04
March 22nd, 2010
3:23 pm
One of the Braves players made that statement too I believe, I think it was the quotable Jeff Francoeur, but I can’t remember. It does have some logic to it though.
Much easier to pitch with the bases clear than guys on base. Bloop singles don’t score anyone, defense isn’t holding anyone on, etc.
MB
March 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
First – do we know who the back up catcher is going to be? Sammons?
Second – Drive By Truckers are the WORST live band I’ve ever seen.
Danga
March 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
“Much easier to pitch with the bases clear than guys on base. Bloop singles don’t score anyone, defense isn’t holding anyone on, etc.”
Maybe so, but I’ll take my 3 runs on the scoreboard.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
3:27 pm
MB, backup catcher is David Ross.
Danga
March 22nd, 2010
3:28 pm
Ross is the backup catcher.
MFin04
March 22nd, 2010
3:30 pm
“Maybe so, but I’ll take my 3 runs on the scoreboard.”
And that’s the debate, do you essentially take the 3-runs and “kill the rally”…or perhaps hit a double, score 2-runs, and have a guy on 2nd base for the next hitter.
Inning and situation have a lot to do with this as well.
But it is a pretty good debate, I don’t think there really is a right or wrong answer. Tons of factors.
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
3:32 pm
runs in baseball is like sleep for marines. you get it while you can get it, cause you never know what will happen next. ill kill the rally and take the 3 runs to, please.
Magic Man
March 22nd, 2010
3:34 pm
If McLouth’s problem is not being on time, then why doesn’t he just get a new watch?
DiamondbackMac
March 22nd, 2010
3:36 pm
Has anyone noticed that Andruw has 3 stolen bases this spring?
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=116662
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
3:37 pm
I’m pretty sure that will be about as many as he steals during the regular season.
MFin04
March 22nd, 2010
3:37 pm
Thats also while RBIs might not be such an overrated stat. I understand the theory behind it, that it doesn’t reflect just the individuals ability, but there is something to be said about hitting with RISP, and driving in runs with sac flies, singles, doubles, homers, etc.
On base % and average could be overrated as well depending on when you get on base and when you get hits. If you pull a Casey Kotchman and never hit a sac fly, and never drive in any runs, but consistently get worthless 2-out hits, and it takes a triple or homer to score you, what good is his single.
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
3:38 pm
so was mclouth in the minors a one shot deal?
MFin04
March 22nd, 2010
3:40 pm
Wow, Andruw has some really nice Spring Training numbers. Really hope he gets back on track and can be productive again. Has he been playing a lot of LF or DH in Spring Training?
ugaaccountant
March 22nd, 2010
3:41 pm
mfin04 – That’s something I noticed about Mitch Jones first week of ST. I wanted to like him, really did. But there was a situation, runner on 3rd I think, just screaming for a sac fly and he struck out. It wasn’t like he was seeing incredible pitches, it was just average stuff at best. Hate to judge off 1 at bat, but that was one I saw that really deserved attention given his potential role as PH specialist.
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
3:43 pm
Dang…definitely thought the clubhouse chemistry story was the main blog. Alas, it is not.
FEAR
March 22nd, 2010
3:43 pm
Yeah watched Druw hit a homer on saturday afternoon. He is playing pretty well. good for him!
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
3:44 pm
Should i seek treatment? RHR
That’s like asking your pimp if you should take a vow of celibacy.
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
3:44 pm
Sadly I doubt most of the regulars here go to many games. smitty
I don’t know. I’d venture to say that those of us who live near Atlanta go to a good number of games.
ugaaccountant
March 22nd, 2010
3:47 pm
I think the main blog rule is if there’s a song lyric, it’s the main blog.
Homer
March 22nd, 2010
3:48 pm
DOB is such a pimp
Homer
March 22nd, 2010
3:49 pm
Braves need to drop DOB from 40-man list.
Homer
March 22nd, 2010
3:49 pm
Fire DOB!!!
DiamondbackMac
March 22nd, 2010
3:49 pm
MFin04
I checked back three games and he played 2 in CF and 1 DH.
Mike S
March 22nd, 2010
3:51 pm
Sweet, opening day must be close, as Homer is rounding into regular season form…
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2010
3:57 pm
Well, one wireless adapter, 4 hours and one visit from my brother later and I have internet in my home office! YAY! Good morning…errr…afternoon blog-folk!
ncscoots
March 22nd, 2010
4:07 pm
Obviously not as overrated as RBI, but still overrated because it’s not the number one stat.
And the “number one stat” is?
Seriously, how can you call the most efficient method of scoring, one which produces almost 1.5 runs per event, overrated? I was beginning to really like you and your posts, man, LOL.
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
4:07 pm
and one visit from my brother later cab
Yikes…we all know how those can be.
Lew
March 22nd, 2010
4:10 pm
smitty-you’d be surprised about how many games The Denizens get to. I live in Vermont, but have seen the Braves at Turner Field, in Montreal, Toronto, Boston and even at the HOF Game in Cooperstown. There were plenty Braves’ fans at all of those away games, too – in Montreal, 90% of those at the games were Braves’ fans.
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
4:12 pm
There was a belief at the time that Heyward, a native of McDonough, Ga., wanted to sign with the Braves and might have opted for college if drafted by another team.
I’d never heard that before. I know he’s also a bit of a Yankees fan, so I guess it was Braves, Yankees, or bust for him. Kidding…I think. Anyways, This article is a good read.
ncscoots
March 22nd, 2010
4:15 pm
i didnt hear minaya say this, but it doesnt make sense
“Henceforth” being the operative word. As in, “in the future”. You’re right about one thing, though, it makes about as much sense as your outline for what Minaya should, or should have, done.
They are in a ballpark that penalizes the would-be power sources on their team, and they play in a division where every other team is ramping up offensively. Even if Minaya gets all the starting pitching in the universe, the speediest-grittiest-most-havoc-wreaking offense, and half-a-dozen Gold Glovers, they’ll still get their brains beat in on a regular basis. Couple of years of that, and there won’t be any more discussion about not moving the fences.
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
4:20 pm
I think the main blog rule is if there’s a song lyric, it’s the main blog.
Yeah, I usually look for it. But today I just clicked by DOB’s pretty picture on the main page and just assumed it was a new blog. I’m only a partial failure, though, because I figured it out rather quickly.
Lew
March 22nd, 2010
4:22 pm
RG-That college education appears to be paying off.
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
4:22 pm
Seriously, how can you call the most efficient method of scoring, one which produces almost 1.5 runs per event, overrated? I was beginning to really like you and your posts, man, LOL SCOOTS
perhaps they meant it in the sense that team home run totals don’t correlate to team wins as highly as some other stats? or not…
ncscoots
March 22nd, 2010
4:24 pm
nolie, I actually think it was meant that homers were overrated because you don’t spell abbreviate “home run” as “OBP”.
Lew
March 22nd, 2010
4:27 pm
Relliance on Triple Crown stats. What was it Shaun used to say to us? “You just don’t want to know the truth.”
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
4:27 pm
well OBP does correlate somewhat higher than homers..and homers usually do kill the rally…
Bay Area Steve
March 22nd, 2010
4:34 pm
Di. No. Saur.
DAP
March 22nd, 2010
4:35 pm
scoots, its hard to believe a guy when basically the only thing he has done is add a players who pretty much has one skill, hitting homeruns. (which will be hard to do in that park.) its like saying, “in the future, im going to do pretty much the opposite of what i just did.” maybe he realizes how dumb it was.
i disagree with you on how good the team could be though. getting good pitching, and more players like beltran or wright, instead of guys like bay, and you can wins alot of ballgames.
i never said they should stock up on juan pierre types. im saying get good pitchers, and players who can do more than hit for power. (like bay)
ncscoots
March 22nd, 2010
4:36 pm
What was it Shaun used to say to us? “You just don’t want to know the truth.”
…and I always wanted to point out to him that I was reading the work of Bill James and other pioneers in the field before he could decipher a bubblegum card, but, I held my tongue, didn’t I?
richbrave
March 22nd, 2010
4:36 pm
DAVE:
Since you obviously can’t give out info to contact you, I called PARKER’S to see if they had an address or knew you. They didn’t, but did give me a person that will send the Q if you order it. So I thought you might want that info. It’s STEVE at PACK and SHIP, WILSON, N.C. Phone # 237-1351. You know the area code I presume. Good luck.
Brian from SC
March 22nd, 2010
4:37 pm
ncscoots, I’m aware that the home run is the single most productive event that can happen in an at-bat. But you don’t believe HR is the most useful stat for evaluating a player’s value, do you? We were talking about evaluating MVP candidates, not game events.
Homer
March 22nd, 2010
4:40 pm
Just stay in FL and help the Marlins again. Can I get a “Fire DOB?”
ncscoots
March 22nd, 2010
4:40 pm
Di. No. Saur.
Yeah, but I’m a smart dinosaur, LOL. I’m an evolving dinosaur. Suckers could have ruled the earth with more dinsaurs like me. OK, except for the meteor, maybe.
ncscoots
March 22nd, 2010
4:42 pm
But you don’t believe HR is the most useful stat for evaluating a player’s value, do you? We were talking about evaluating MVP candidates, not game events.
I shoulda have read the thread, Brian. Oops. I’m afraid I was tangential to the actual conversation.
Mixxo
March 22nd, 2010
4:45 pm
Where’s that cut-list? I wanna see Nate on it.
CB
March 22nd, 2010
4:57 pm
We had a blog cut list while you were not here ,Mixxo, please turn in your moniker.
Homer
March 22nd, 2010
4:58 pm
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
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nolie
March 22nd, 2010
5:00 pm
I know its only spring training, but can we vote Nate off the team? When is that meeting anyway?
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2010
5:01 pm
RG-
He is my personal computer guy
BGfsu
March 22nd, 2010
5:04 pm
Wow, Homer, you’re working overtime. Keep up the great work!
CB
March 22nd, 2010
5:10 pm
I think VJ has too much free time on his hands lately.
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
5:10 pm
I figure that if nobody hits a homer all year we’ll have one season-long rally.Double after double, we’ll never loose a game, huh McFann?
Skeezix
March 22nd, 2010
5:10 pm
Forgot what this blog is about…..but Kansas losing to Northern Iowa? You kidding me….. St. Mary’s and Cornell in the sweet 16 also? I mean is this the NCAA or NIT I’m watching? What the H is going on?
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
5:12 pm
It was a really interesting story. Oh, and one time, I went skiing. BOD
WOW! thats almost like DOB, except he went boarding
waiting for a blogger to say.....
March 22nd, 2010
5:13 pm
“MLBTR says Sheffield is talking to an NL team. DOB, do you think it’s the Brave? He would really help the young Heyward out a lot. Go get ‘em Wren!”
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
5:17 pm
how does shef help jason that chipper can’t? and what makes you think he needs any help at all, isn’t he the second coming?
chipperchop
March 22nd, 2010
5:18 pm
Where are we going to put Sheffield? We don’t have room for him without moving someone of the 40 man. Diory Hernandez is the safe bet once Proctor is ready, since he is injured, but I don’t see us clearing another space for a player that we don’t need.
CB
March 22nd, 2010
5:23 pm
Sheffield is like a lot of older players- he is retired. He just doesn’t know it yet.
itcouldbeworse
March 22nd, 2010
5:27 pm
In my opion HOMER IS A
█▀▀ █▀█ █ █▀▀ █▀▀ █▀█ █ █
█▀▀ █▀▀ █ █ █▀▀ █▀█ █ █
▀▀▀ ▀ ▀ ▀▀▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀▀▀
itcouldbeworse
March 22nd, 2010
5:28 pm
nevermind messed that up
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2010
5:28 pm
CB-
I was refering to my brother, not VJ
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
5:31 pm
s’ok, it coulda been worse
CB
March 22nd, 2010
5:33 pm
cab- Homer.
TnBrian
March 22nd, 2010
5:33 pm
Guys, that comment about Sheff was me. I just know when somebody reads that article about him talking to an NL team somebody would bring him up here as an option. Happens almost every time.
zookey
March 22nd, 2010
5:35 pm
Homer
What that mean ????????
Mets homer ?
Homer who wrote the Greek epic poems ?
Homer Simpson ?
Homer sexual ?
Homer,Alaska ?
This is not a epic fall its spring time,enjoy it…..
Mixxo
March 22nd, 2010
5:39 pm
CB – lolz!
I run this joint son, who are you again?
Wayne in Utah
March 22nd, 2010
5:41 pm
Since Heyward seems to have his game down pat, maybe we should get Elijah Dukes in here to help him with his interpersonal relationship skills?
CJ Dawg
March 22nd, 2010
5:44 pm
Keep em coming DOB!! All I need is your updates and I can move on. Fellas, THIS is what a sportswriter should be. All the news, behind the scenes talk and some humor and music thrown in. Ain’t nobody better!! Thanks DOB and keep up your great work!
One question DOB…you ever thought of broadcast work?? Just curious….
CB
March 22nd, 2010
5:45 pm
Mixxo. I am the official fly swatter,so be careful.
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
5:54 pm
gee if only Nate could start swatting some flies, it would be an improvement from all those Ks
Just Pat
March 22nd, 2010
5:56 pm
zookey
Didn’t QUITE make me spit my beer but…….almost!
zookey
March 22nd, 2010
6:03 pm
Just Pat
Do you go to National Postdoctoral Association meetings ?
Just Pat
March 22nd, 2010
6:08 pm
zookey
Good guess but not even close!
abwright
March 22nd, 2010
6:09 pm
Just heard that turning right on red without coming to a full stop in LA will cost you $380. Ouch.
zookey
March 22nd, 2010
6:20 pm
abwight
Going north on I 75 into Atl speed limit drops 70 mph to 55,moving violation 86 mph $350.00.I know this to be fact…
Heath
March 22nd, 2010
6:25 pm
abwright -
No one ever accused Californians of having common sense. Sorry cab.
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2010
6:32 pm
Health-
No need to apologize…I was just trying to remember the last time I came to a complete stop at a stop sign…can’t remember
itcouldbeworse
March 22nd, 2010
6:35 pm
“You just ran that stop sign”
“I totaly paused”
name that movie…I know you know it
toga party
March 22nd, 2010
6:43 pm
National Pigeon Association? I could see Just Pat as a fancier.
Just Pat
March 22nd, 2010
6:45 pm
Nope….pigeons are for target practice!
Just Pat
March 22nd, 2010
6:46 pm
itcouldbeworse
Dunno the movie but know the internet joke about the cop who beats the crap outta the guy andd then asks if he wants him to pause or stop…..
toga party
March 22nd, 2010
6:47 pm
Please tell me you’re a Pawnbroker. That would be awesome.
Just Pat
March 22nd, 2010
6:51 pm
toga party
Huh????? Nope….not a pawnbroker, either.
itcouldbeworse
March 22nd, 2010
6:54 pm
Its from the movie clueless.
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
6:57 pm
I was just trying to remember the last time I came to a complete stop at a stop sign…can’t remember CAB
thats why its called a California rolling stop
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
7:00 pm
name that movie…I know you know it
CLUELESS ?
jeffrey d
March 22nd, 2010
7:09 pm
How’d you know that, nolie??
Soph
March 22nd, 2010
7:10 pm
Well, one wireless adapter, 4 hours and one visit from my brother later and I have internet in my home office!
Lucky duck. I wish I could work from home once a month!
abwright
March 22nd, 2010
7:14 pm
zookey, March 22nd, 2010, 6:20 pm … “Going north on I 75 into Atl speed limit drops 70 mph to 55,moving violation 86 mph $350.00.I know this to be fact…”
That’s a pretty big outchie. But, compare a “rolling stop” with “36 mph over the speed limit”?
Pretty soon, picking your nose in public will rate a $50 fine.
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
7:15 pm
Jurrjens gave up two runs and five hits in four innings of a Triple-A Gwinnett game against the Tigers’ Triple-A team. Had three strikeouts with no walks.
O’Flaherty pitched one inning in the same game and wasn’t particularly sharp: He gave up two hits, two runs (one earned) and one walk with one strikeout.
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
7:24 pm
That college education appears to be paying off. Lew
You know it! $35K a year to slack off and post on a Braves blog. That’s what life’s all about, man!
abwright
March 22nd, 2010
7:25 pm
Sounds like a less than inspired outing by the Bravos pitching.
abwright
March 22nd, 2010
7:28 pm
I’m wondering if Nolie’s admission that he’s memorized Clueless has stunned the blog. It’s pretty dead around here.
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
7:30 pm
He is my personal computer guy cab
Well dang! If you’d have just paid all my expenses to come out there, I’d have fixed up your router for you. They don’t call me Roman Gal the Computer Whiz for nothin’.
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
7:31 pm
What? You think I didn’t watch Clueless? Girl, as far as you are concerned, I am the messiah of the DMV
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
7:32 pm
hey, she was cute
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
7:32 pm
I’m wondering if Nolie’s admission that he’s memorized Clueless has stunned the blog.
It just adds to his intrigue…
Rob from SC
March 22nd, 2010
7:32 pm
why are the Texas Rangers allowed to have 42 men on their 40 man roster? Is it because two were just activated off the restricted list
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
7:33 pm
They don’t call me Roman Gal the Computer Whiz for nothin’. RG
you have to pay them to do that???
i can't take it anymore
March 22nd, 2010
7:34 pm
Does anyone have the MLB TV package? If so, do you like it? I am moving to Ann Arbor and HAVE to watch the Braves on a nightly basis. I though about buying a slingbox, but it’s a little expensive right now. Any suggestions?
a6732
March 22nd, 2010
7:36 pm
DOB
When can we expect an official announcement on if Heyward makes it on the Opening Day roster or not?
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
7:38 pm
you have to pay them to do that???
Sure, I give them my 2 cents when they need my awesome computer skillz.
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2010
7:39 pm
RG-
why would I pay you to fly out here when my brother can come over and fix it for free??
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
7:40 pm
cab-
Because then I would get a free trip to California…
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
7:42 pm
I’m having to build a replacement ‘puter. If I had known you are an expert I’d have had you do it and save me some frustration:)
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2010
7:47 pm
Sorry RG- not in the budget this year
Just Pat
March 22nd, 2010
7:47 pm
WHEW!!!!! Just caught up with ALL the side blogs and DOB’s interview and now it’s time to go home and watch House and 24. Take care guy-o-s and play nice. G’nite!
jeffrey d
March 22nd, 2010
7:48 pm
So from page 8 we’ve learned that nolie builds computers and watches Clueless in his free time
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2010
7:49 pm
a6732: Bobby Cox doesn’t announce his 25-man roster until the team comes home for those final two exhibition games at Turner Field, so I wouldn’t expect an “official” announcement on Heyward until then, a day or two before the season opener.
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
7:50 pm
could be 24’s last season, at least on that channel.
i’m getting a bit tired of it too i guess
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
7:51 pm
nolie-
Hah! Why, just today someone asked me how to load a video on youtube. Now, this may sound like a daunting task to some, but in reality it’s a piece of cake!
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
7:54 pm
you can often get some very good deals on kits @TigerDirect . cheaper than buying a pre-made, or much faster for the same price jeffrey
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
7:55 pm
I’ve never loaded one, so I’m impressed
jeffrey d
March 22nd, 2010
7:59 pm
Just in case anyone wants to feel depressed
http://espn.go.com/espn/thelife/salary/index?athleteId=5018022
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
8:01 pm
thanx jeffy, that hit the spot
jeffrey d
March 22nd, 2010
8:02 pm
It would take me about 600 years to make Mauer’s annual salary. Too bad I don’t plan on being 626
jeffrey d
March 22nd, 2010
8:05 pm
Seriously, where is the blog tonight? Maybe they all went to rent Clueless per nolie’s recommendation.
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
8:08 pm
jeffrey d-
Dang…it would take 11,500 years for me to make his annual salary.
CB
March 22nd, 2010
8:10 pm
jeffrey d, being I am retired and not able to draw social security yet, that really depresses me.
jeffrey d
March 22nd, 2010
8:11 pm
It is a little unsettling to know that Joe Mauer earns your annual salary in a couple innings.
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
8:12 pm
I liked Blast From The Past even better.
jeffrey d
March 22nd, 2010
8:12 pm
When I think of how much time, effort, and stress to make sure I do a good job, and these athletes are earning a gajillion times more than me.
Thanagar
March 22nd, 2010
8:12 pm
House is a rerun tonight, and will be next week too. I’m getting tired of that approach…they need to adopt the hbo model…just show thirteen weeks in a row of new episodes, then disappear for awhile.
jeffrey d
March 22nd, 2010
8:12 pm
I liked Blast From The Past even better.
Shh…your influence will make people go and rent that now. It’s like Oprah’s book club
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
8:12 pm
believe me CB, after you start drawing, it will be even more depressing.
Moe Berg
March 22nd, 2010
8:15 pm
jeffrey d–Well, I am grading another batch of papers. Maybe, I’ll have another plagiarism case for us to discuss.
jeffrey d
March 22nd, 2010
8:16 pm
I caught a plagiarizer today. But on a much smaller scale than yours
CB
March 22nd, 2010
8:17 pm
nolie,my wife is already drawing and I hear you.
Moe Berg
March 22nd, 2010
8:17 pm
I almost never have a term, in which I don’t have some.
Moe Berg
March 22nd, 2010
8:19 pm
When players sign long-term contracts like Mauer did today, how are teams able to insure the contract? An eight year contract on a catcher sure seems like a risk. Not sure what the actuarial tables would say on that.
KC
March 22nd, 2010
8:22 pm
i can’t take it anymore, I bought one month of MLB TV (the online package) just to catch a few month spring games. As long as you have a good high speed internet connection, I think you’ll like it just fine. Video quality is good.
Only complaint is that I haven’t been able to get the DVR functionality to work yet. They told me I had to install something, which I did, but it still doesn’t work. I just haven’t felt like calling their (apparently overseas-based) customer service again to mess with it since I won’t need to keep it past this month, living in ATL area.
bravefaninok
March 22nd, 2010
8:23 pm
i can’t take it anymore
March 22nd, 2010
7:34 pm
Does anyone have the MLB TV package? If so, do you like it? I am moving to Ann Arbor and HAVE to watch the Braves on a nightly basis. I though about buying a slingbox, but it’s a little expensive right now. Any suggestions?
I have used MLB.TV for 3 seasons if you have a fast connection it works pretty good.
bravefaninok
March 22nd, 2010
8:29 pm
I have my puter hooked up to my 32inch tv,I have been very happy with the premium MLB.TV package(better quality picture,DVR function ,etc.)
The Grinch
March 22nd, 2010
8:29 pm
bravefaninok, I have it through Comcast, but I have the top package with every channel they offer. Don’t know what it costs separately if you have to add it on. I like it, but not sure how much I’d pay for it. What do they charge where you’re at?
bravefaninok
March 22nd, 2010
8:38 pm
Last year it was $ 19.99 per month for premium ,$14.99 for standard.
This year it is $24.99per month premium,$19.99 standard
this is the MLB.TV ….not The Extra Innings package.
bravefaninok
March 22nd, 2010
8:41 pm
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/index.jsp?product=mlbtv&c_id=atl&affiliateId=atl_toolbar_team
McFann
March 22nd, 2010
8:49 pm
Hay-hay, y’all! Long time no read! Just got our computer back. It’s been in the “hospital” since Friday–needed a hard-drive transplant. We still had this old eMac, but the internet was a little too slow for Blogging, and I can hardly make heads or tails outta those crummy “mobil” sites on the iTouch. Plus we can’t work our iPods on that old computer, so it was almost weirder than the time our internet and cable were out for 10 days. But anyway, after about four days with pretty much no computer, I have returned! (”Yee-haw”, right?
)
sidslidkid Mauer is better (Sorry McFann).
Eh, apology accepted…half-heartedly.
How much is that guy gonna be making, anyway?
nolie I figure that if nobody hits a homer all year we’ll have one season-long rally.Double after double, we’ll never lose a game, huh McFann?
Heck yeah!!
McFann
March 22nd, 2010
8:53 pm
Wrakarooni!! $184 million???? Lord have mercy!
The National Debt continues to climb…
The Grinch
March 22nd, 2010
8:54 pm
Dang. That’s pretty high. I probably wouldn’t pay that, to be honest, but then I live in Atlanta and get to see most of the Braves games regardless. I don’t watch many other teams, already have the DVR feature, and don’t care about tracking fantasy stats. I guess it depends on how into baseball you are. I really only watch it for ST games and if there’s an interview or show about someone I’m interested in; I may be the wrong person to ask. Now I’d pay that and THEN some for the NFL network (which I also have and love).
The Grinch
March 22nd, 2010
9:01 pm
McFann, your 8:49 post would have been absolutely incomprehensible as recently as the mid-90’s. Whatever are you younguns gonna do when the world collapses and you’re off the grid? I recommend buying lots of canned food, ammunition, and watching less “Mr. Ed” and more “Man vs. Wild.”
Mauer isn’t worth anywhere near that much. Not for 8 years. Skinny catchers don’t stay great long; look at Santiago and Kendall; they stuck around but eroded quickly.
i can't take it anymore
March 22nd, 2010
9:03 pm
KC, bravefaninok…thanks for the word. $20 bucks is lame, but I guess I have to do what I have
to do. I watch the boys every night, and have no intention of changing. I am a born and raised southerner and Braves fan, so its going to be tough all around. I’m hoping that Braves and the ole blog will keep me together.
i can't take it anymore
March 22nd, 2010
9:04 pm
oh yeah, did mlb tv use Joe and Boog?
bravefaninok
March 22nd, 2010
9:19 pm
I live in Oklahoma,We get no free baseball,so I pay .
Moe Berg
March 22nd, 2010
9:20 pm
i can’t take it anymore–Another possibility you might want to try is one of the online file sharing sites. They are not always reliable, however. You can go and find the Braves game for 3 nights in a row and then they are suddenly not there the next night. I sometimes watch them at: http://www.p2p4u.net/. If you are worried about the cost, this option is free, but you will miss some games here and there.
bravefaninok
March 22nd, 2010
9:21 pm
You can choose Home or away feed
McFann
March 22nd, 2010
9:22 pm
The Grinch your 8:49 post would have been absolutely incomprehensible as recently as the mid-90’s.
That doesn’t bother me–the mid-90’s are behind us!
Whatever are you younguns gonna do when the world collapses and you’re off the grid?
I’ll cross that bridge if I come to it.
“Less ‘Mister Ed’”?!? You have GOT to be kidding…Besides, the Posts don’t have cellphones or computers. (And I’m sure Wilbur appreciates that…cann you imagine Ed getting his hooves on either one of those?) “Man vs Wild”, eh? Don’t…think I’ve heard of that. But Ed cann get Wilbur into some wild situations sometimes!
Mauer isn’t worth anywhere near that much.
Nobody is…
joerochester
March 22nd, 2010
9:23 pm
Slow Day?
i can't take it anymore
March 22nd, 2010
9:27 pm
right on. I think that I am just going to have to get the package. It stinks that I am going to have to be
off of the laptop during the game, since I am going to hook it up to my tv so I can watch it on the big screen.
ABTSteve
March 22nd, 2010
9:28 pm
Check out our interview with DOB. Lots of talk about the blog (he mentions some denizens by name) and terrific stuff about the team. You can listen here. Thanks.
DiamondbackMac
March 22nd, 2010
9:34 pm
Grinch
I recommend buying lots of canned food, Check</strong.
ammunition, Check
and watching less “Mr. Ed” and more “Man vs. Wild.” and Check
Finished that short list plus a lot of other items you didn’t mention years ago.
Steve from OH
March 22nd, 2010
9:35 pm
i can’t take it anymore–any good news for your wife?
DiamondbackMac
March 22nd, 2010
9:35 pm
Kinda screwed up that bolding somehow.
abwright
March 22nd, 2010
9:45 pm
The Grinch, March 22nd, 2010, 9:01 pm … “Whatever are you younguns gonna do when the world collapses and you’re off the grid? I recommend buying lots of canned food, … “
That’s a real “Blast from the Past,” Grinch. But, I’m also totally “Clueless” about all of McFann’s iGear.
abwright
March 22nd, 2010
9:49 pm
I’m pretty sure it was Man v. Wild. I saw a commercial where Bear Grills (or whatever his name is) was eating an undigested nut that he pulled out of some bear poop.
He grimaces and says, “That was a little … sharp.”
Let’s hope it never comes to that.
The Grinch
March 22nd, 2010
9:51 pm
Bravefaninok, seems like the least they can do is give you free baseball in Oklahoma.
Diamondback, that was meant as more of an idea spawning primer kit for a technologically dependent young lady, not a complete list. But I hear ya. Also watch “Apocalypse Man” if you haven’t already. GREAT tips.
McFann, there’s no question Ed would be an excellent companion in a tight situation, and could have poor Wilbur committed quite easily with the benefit of a cellphone. Wilbur isn’t exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer.
The Grinch
March 22nd, 2010
9:54 pm
Yeah, ol’ Bear earns his money; no doubt. Of course, he used to do all that on military wages, so I’m sure he’s happy now making 7 figures.
McFann
March 22nd, 2010
10:01 pm
abwright But, I’m also totally “Clueless” about all of McFann’s iGear.
Dang…
Grinch there’s no question Ed would be an excellent companion in a tight situation, and could have poor Wilbur committed quite easily with the benefit of a cellphone.
Totally…Haha! He nearly got Wilbur committed plenty of times without a cellphone…
Wilbur isn’t exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Yeah!
Who better to get saddled with a talking horse?
The Grinch
March 22nd, 2010
10:09 pm
Is Wilbur really the one getting saddled?
McFann
March 22nd, 2010
10:13 pm
Grinch–
Oh yeah…Mister Ed cann really be a handful!
Steve from OH
March 22nd, 2010
10:14 pm
You guys may wanna check out Talking Chop, the dude there has posted several great interviews with Braves prospects including Cole Rohrbough and Jeff Lyman.
Steve from OH
March 22nd, 2010
10:21 pm
Is anyone watching the Tiger Woods South Park episode? Hilarious.
PleaseStopOBrien
March 22nd, 2010
10:21 pm
I can’t tell you how tired I am of you O’Brien and how much it pains me that you are a writer for the Braves. Just because you have a blog, does not mean you can stop being a journalist. “Dude is 1-for-35, batting .029 with three walks and 14 strikeouts.” Are you kidding? I trust zero of what you say because you write like man trying to act 15 years younger. Please, just do your job and report on the Braves. Spare us your slang, your being “hip”, and please…please spare us your song lyrics. None of those have anything to do with Braves. Just report.
Steve from OH
March 22nd, 2010
10:23 pm
Just report
Then I would advise you to read DOB’s game stories and the like, because those contain a fair amount of what you would classify as “reporting.” If you don’t like the blog, leave. Simple. Problem solved.
And how can you not trust DOB when he says McLouth is 1-for-whatever this spring? What, you think he’s making that sh!t up? Gimme a break.
thinbreakness
March 22nd, 2010
10:24 pm
PleaseStop-
Good Lord, please stop before you hurt yourself.
The Grinch
March 22nd, 2010
10:26 pm
McFann….saddle….horse….PUN….(sigh).
Soph
March 22nd, 2010
10:29 pm
What the hell is wrong with people these days? I see the crazies are making their return.
PleaseStopOBrien
March 22nd, 2010
10:29 pm
Steve from OH-
the quote was about his use of “dude”- not the stats. The man is a joke. Trust me- I will leave. Just one more reason the AJC is a third rate paper.
Paul "The Punchin' Pole"
March 22nd, 2010
10:29 pm
Hey guys,
I just had a thought on what Matt Diaz’s nickname should be – Matty Fresh.
What do ya’ll think?
Steve from OH
March 22nd, 2010
10:29 pm
Good. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
The Grinch
March 22nd, 2010
10:30 pm
Has he taken over as the Prince of Bell Air?
McFann
March 22nd, 2010
10:32 pm
Grinch–
Hay, I knew what I was doing when I made the joke in the first place…
But, yeah, I did kinda ruin the funny with that last post. I’m not exactly on Wilbur’s level when it comes to comedy.
Guess I should’ve added something like, “Don’t be fooled by appearances!”
abwright
March 22nd, 2010
10:46 pm
Listened to the DOB interview. It’s good to hear the “voice” of DOB
I didn’t really think about it, but, if DOB is reading all these comments, it sure must take up a bunch of his day.
The Grinch
March 22nd, 2010
10:47 pm
Did you also mean to say “Hay” instead of “Hey?” If so, that was a good one.
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
10:49 pm
Spare us your slang, your being “hip”, and please…please spare us your song lyrics.
“Hip”, really? Couldn’t you have at least used contemporary or trendy or chic instead? I can’t really say that I trust your judgement of what’s “hip” or not since you’re throwing out words like, well…hip.
The Grinch
March 22nd, 2010
10:54 pm
At least he’s not old enough to BREAK his hip, like Nolie.
abwright
March 22nd, 2010
10:54 pm
nolie, March 22nd, 2010, 7:42 pm … “I’m having to build a replacement ‘puter.”
I buy most of my parts for assembling systems from newegg.com.
If you’re looking to do something fancy (like for a multimedia system) where fan noise and hard drive noise interferes with the audio, you might want to look at logicsupply.com. They sell fanless, solid state parts (mini-ITX and nano-ITX).
I built a system which I would be using for mlbtv, except that, out in the sticks, I don’t have fast enough internet access.
abwright
March 22nd, 2010
10:56 pm
Is it hip to be square?
Daybed Wagmoe
March 22nd, 2010
10:57 pm
Regarding the 40-man roster spots and Heyward and Proctor being a part of them…
If Heyward is to start the season in Atlanta — couldn’t the Braves put Diory Hernandez on the 60-day DL to start the season, put Heyward on the 40-man (as well as 25-man) roster, and then put Proctor on the 40-man once he’s ready a few weeks into the season? Or is the plan to have Proctor on the roster to start the season?
abwright
March 22nd, 2010
10:57 pm
I’ve got to wonder about Homer and PleaseStopOBrien. Did Dave punch their momma in the mouf?
I mean, why all the anger?
Roman Gal
March 22nd, 2010
11:00 pm
At least he’s not old enough to BREAK his hip, like Nolie.
How do you know? If he’s upset by the word “dude” then he must be more than old enough to break his hip. Heck, I’m old enough to break my hip…
Mike S
March 22nd, 2010
11:02 pm
Good stuff on the ABT interview, DOB (and thanks for the link ABTSteve). I’m glad to hear you get so much satisfaction from the blog. Lord knows you put enough time and effort into it, so it’s nice to hear that all your long hours and hard work pay off for you too – and it’s not just us reaping all of the benefits.
And glad to hear about the clubhouse chemistry being so strong this year. I kind of got that vibe from all the stuff you’ve written this spring, but it’s often hard to tell just from the optimistic quotes players normally throw around this time of year if there really is truth behind their statements. So to hear some of those stories and feeling you’re getting from the players makes me even more excited for this season…
Enjoy your couple of days off!
abwright
March 22nd, 2010
11:04 pm
If you look at the 40 man, once Diory goes on the 60 day DL, most of the spots in the position players are held by folks who could legitimately come up if someone gets injured.
That leaves the pitchers as the only folks who could make room for Heyward, Thurston, or Proctor (whomever gets a roster spot).
If I understand correctly, moving someone off the 40 man exposes them to a waiver claim.
That’s why there’s so much talk about Acosta or Reyes getting traded. Most of the pitchers wouldn’t make it through waivers. Still, the Braves have time til Proctor is ready to make that decision.
Baseball 101
March 22nd, 2010
11:06 pm
Thanks ABTSteve for the link to the radio interview!
Awesome interview DOB – keep up the great work. I appreciate ALL inside information regarding the Bravos, being a long time fan. In this day and age, with all the demands on your time, I am very grateful for any and all 411 that you provide. You truly go above and beyond the call of duty towards putting a personality to the player and adding that 3rd dimension to the 2 dimensional baseball players we see on TV.
Oh..BTW..RBI’s are not overrated. They are a measurement of a player’s propensity to produce in the situations that deliver THE most valuable commodity in the game – a RUN. Yes – the stat is largely dependent on the offensive ability of other players. However, if the “run – producing” positions do not perform, then all that OBP goes for naught (LOB is the stat that measures this).
I’ll probably get VORPed over this..
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
11:06 pm
I didn’t break my hip??? I did break both shoulders a few years ago.boy was that a pain
TexasBrave
March 22nd, 2010
11:09 pm
Dave just listened to your interview on Atlanta Baseball Talk. Thanks for opening up, it is nice to put a voice with the words and to hear your passion about this blog. Appreciate all you do to keep us Brave fans in the loop.
nolie
March 22nd, 2010
11:38 pm
I buy a lot from NewEgg too AB, but if I’m not in a hurry I can usually find a kit @ Tiger that gives my the same stuff cheaper. I’ll check out LogicSupply. I’ll be building a media computer sometime this year since all my movies are on hard drives.
The Bird and Indian
March 22nd, 2010
11:39 pm
Nate is killing me. I know it’s spring training, but those numbers are scary.
stynes
March 22nd, 2010
11:43 pm
DOB – Ditto to everyone else’s positive comments on the ABT interview. I’ve read the blog for year and that’s probably the first time I’ve heard you beyond catching one of the radio spots you used to do on occassion. Certainly the most frank I’ve heard you be with regards to your view of the blog and that kind of a thing. Really appreciate what you’re doing – keep up the good work, man!
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2010
12:23 am
I too listened to that entire DOB interview and Dave talked for 43 of those 44 minutes. Kidding …
I appreciate you even more now. Also, great points on the state of this team and the chemistry. Enjoyed the full 44 minutes.
nolie
March 23rd, 2010
12:36 am
♫ I ♥ DOB ☼ ♪
David O'Brien
March 23rd, 2010
12:53 am
TnBrian, glord1, stynes, Baseball 101, Mike S, Tokyo Bravo, Texas Brave, et al: Thanks. I appreciate it.
Saff
March 23rd, 2010
12:58 am
I have to give some praise to you also DOB, I enjoyed the ABT a very great deal and thought you were great.
nolie
March 23rd, 2010
1:03 am
David O'Brien
March 23rd, 2010
1:07 am
PleaseStopOBrien: Even though you asked nicely, I’m gonna have to say no to your suggestions. All of them. Every one. Dude.
David O'Brien
March 23rd, 2010
1:10 am
Dob you need to do SOMETHING besides eat bbq and listen to cds… — oldschool
Really? Why?
NorCal
March 23rd, 2010
1:36 am
Just listened to the ABT interview, I don’t usually have the patience to sit and listen to something that long, but it was very entertaining. I defy anyone to listen to it and not love DOB and the great job and effort he puts in for us.
NorCal
March 23rd, 2010
1:40 am
Great Southern accent too, I miss that living out here.
wowbobwow
March 23rd, 2010
1:48 am
DOB, I know you’re coming out this way soon, so I thought I should let you in on my recent find…SF has never had any really great BBQ that truly knocked my sox off, not until I recently discovered the newest place in town (about a year old now, but I’m just now finding out about it)….. Baby Blues in the Mission. Just north of Bernal Hill, kind of a trek from the ole ballpark, but trust me- go if you get the chance. They seriously have some of the best Memphis ribs I’ve ever had. They also have a mac n cheese w/ 4 different kinds of cheeses melted in! Serious Yumsville. BTW, You probably don’t remember me because I’m not exactly a regular poster, but I’m the guy who hipped you to Centro-matic and Doug Sahm a few years back. So you know I wouldn’t steer you wrong!!! Trust me, go to this place……
http://www.babybluessf.com/#/home
a643dp
March 23rd, 2010
1:49 am
DOB,
Well for ever thousand there are a handful of haters. I personally think that we as braves fans have a great setup here at the AJC DOB BLOG. A lot of teams do not have this fan platform so……..Thanks. The music element is cool even though I have never heard of a lot of the songs, but hell the best restaurants I’ve eatin at i cant pronounce the dish I ate so what do I know. So not that you need any support but ………………………………..PLEASESTOPOHHHHHBRIAN : is an idiot.
DiamondbackMac
March 23rd, 2010
2:21 am
DOB
Like NorCal, I just finished listening to your radio interview. It was without a doubt the most interesting I’ve heard. While listening I realized that I’ve been remiss in telling you that I’ve loved this blog since I first found it. Also, while I’ve subconsciously known how much time and effort you’ve put into keeping us informed, I haven’t expressed my profound appreciation for your efforts. Your accurate and timely reporting along with your insightful opinions are a credit to your profession. I truly do appreciate everything you’ve done to make this blog, from what I’ve seen (I’ve checked out other team blogs), the very best MLB blog.
The Grinch
March 23rd, 2010
7:05 am
David, your interview was terrible. I haven’t actually listened to it yet, but thought a different angle was becoming desperately necessary.
Baseball 101, while you happen to be 100% correct, I assure you that if you think BA, HR, RBI, W/L, K, BB, ERA or any other stat that’s been printed on baseball cards for a hundred freaking years and is actually relevant to the game of baseball will garner you anything but scorn or derision by discussing them here, you’re in for an ugly and disgusting treat. According to most here who never leave their accounting offices or basement dungeons (which apparently don’t have TV’s), our two best players are Nate Mclouth and…well, I’m not entirely certain they like anyone else. Jurrjens, perhaps; not because he’s a great young pitcher but because he’s high (or low) in some stat they invented to compensate for never having known the warmth of the sun or the embrace of a woman other than their mother.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
7:39 am
C’mon, AJC…”Brave New World”? Like that hasn’t been used 238497329 times to describe Braves stories.
It was a Brave New World when the baby Braves came. Then it was a Brave New World when we traded for Teixeira. Then it was a Brave New World when we traded Francoeur. Then it was a Brave New World when Loaf and McLouth collided.
Runnin
March 23rd, 2010
7:47 am
That phrase is the lamest of the lame, though I’m sure Date of Birth had nothing to do with it.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
7:53 am
Miley Cyrus to mentor ‘Idol’ singers
To do what? Talk like a man? Just because she’s famous doesn’t mean she’s a good singer
CB
March 23rd, 2010
8:24 am
13 days til opening day- 10-11 days until we know final makeup of team. The best day of the year for a baseball fan is opening day. We all have dreams of World Series in our thoughts, reality later sets in for most of us.
Fischerking04
March 23rd, 2010
8:30 am
Hey DOB- I just listened to your interview on the Atlanta Baseball Blog Podcast from a couple of days ago. I really enjoyed listening to it. You captured the mood and ‘tude of the ole blog very well. Keep up the great work!
O.J.
March 23rd, 2010
8:32 am
Who is starting today DOB, I just realized that todays game is being televised on ESPN and was wondering who was pitching today. Thanks man.
MDbrave
March 23rd, 2010
8:36 am
Anybody has a link for DOB’s interview please? Eager to read/listen to it.
sidslidkid
March 23rd, 2010
8:38 am
Is it weird that I’m craving a Choco Taco at 8:30 in the morning?
Fischerking04
March 23rd, 2010
8:39 am
MDbrave: I don’t have a link but if you have iTunes and you go to the Atlanta Baseball Talk podcast it’s the one labeled 3/21/10. It’s about 45 minutes. A little bit about the team and more about this blog (from the captain’s perspective). Good listen.
ugaaccountant
March 23rd, 2010
8:41 am
I’m an accountant and am not really a fan of the fancier stats. Mainly, I get enough math in real life, don’t need it in a game.
Hillbilly
March 23rd, 2010
8:41 am
David, your interview was terrible. I haven’t actually listened to it yet, but thought a different angle was becoming desperately necessary.
Well Grinch, your name was specifically mentioned in the interview, for what it’s worth.
car3boogie
March 23rd, 2010
8:43 am
DOB keep up the good work Dude. I do not post a lot but truly enjoy your insights and the characters on this site.
10-80
March 23rd, 2010
8:44 am
link posted above at 928 by ABTSteve to the interview. DOB did a killer job.
Hillbilly
March 23rd, 2010
8:45 am
Miley Cyrus to mentor ‘Idol’ singers
To do what? Talk like a man? Just because she’s famous doesn’t mean she’s a good singer
To take over the world, of course. Between Miley Cyrus, American Idol, and Facebook today’s youth have no chance. It’s like the next coming of Gozar. Choose the form of the destructor.
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2010
8:47 am
MDbrave, just go to ABTSteve at 9:28 pm on this page, he linked the interview for us.
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2010
8:48 am
Page 9, MDbrave.
Hillbilly
March 23rd, 2010
8:50 am
Folks just put atlantabaseballtalk in your daily rotation of websites to check out. They do podcasts and interviews like this every week or two…plus that’s where Bubdylan hangs out.
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2010
8:51 am
Oh come one … she ain’t that annoying–
http://www.youtube.com/watch?vbr0gnSmcWFg&feature=related
Danga
March 23rd, 2010
8:53 am
Baseball 101
Guess I’ll try to throw the point of view from my mother’s basement out there. I know I’ve posted these a lot here lately, but they really are interesting. Check these out from stats from the 2009 season:
Fewest Left on Base: 951 wins, 1322 losses, .418 winning percentage (Also: 157 ties).
More Times on Base: 1880 wins, 393 losses, .827 winning percentage (Also: 157 ties).
Of course seeing these two stats together makes a lot of sense. If getting on base more times leads to winning more, it follows that if you get more people on base then you’ll leave more people on base and you’ll still win more. How is that for a run on sentence? It really makes a ton of sense. OBP is basically a measure of not making outs. If you don’t make outs, then more people come to the plate creating more opportunities for the counting stats such as runs and rbi’s. If you can get on base and get an rbi at the same time, then you create more opportunities for more rbi’s down the lineup. If you can get on base while getting an extra base hit then that is just plain awesome, and the rbi’s will pour forth.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
8:59 am
Between Miley Cyrus, American Idol, and Facebook today’s youth have no chance
It really makes me wonder what life will be like when these kids become adults and hit the workplace
10-80
March 23rd, 2010
9:01 am
i had been wondering for quite some time why DOB always referred to his activities as “we” went to this show or “we” went to this movie…always was under the impression he was running solo, but per the interview he does have a lady friend. good for you DOB, she must be a much more understanding chick than mine is, she gets irritated when i spend too much time reading the blog!
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
9:03 am
I always thought it meant he was taking us with him everywhere he went, in his heart.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
9:06 am
I think it’s both
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2010
9:08 am
jeffrey d, the majority of them should grow up, just like the generations before them. I bet middle aged people back in the mid-40’s/early 50’s when the TV came along and kids were propped in front of it for hours were saying awful things about how the youth’s brains would melt and the world as they knew would end.
MDbrave
March 23rd, 2010
9:10 am
Fischerking04,
Thanks for the info. I’m an old man, and have nothing to do with anything ending with an “i:” iPod, iPhone, etc.
But I’ll try to find a web link.
MDbrave
March 23rd, 2010
9:14 am
TnBrian and others: Thanks for the info.
Bayou Brave
March 23rd, 2010
9:14 am
Since its slow today…
Who will lead the 2010 Braves in:
AVG
OBP
SLG
Runs
RBI
HR
Wins
ERA
Saves
Innings
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
9:15 am
TnBrian – I’d like to believe that, but we’ve never been in an age like this. I think all these distractions (Facebook, a bajillion channels) are keeping kids from productive activities like sports, instruments, etc.
Plus, it’s completely changing the way we socialize. I just wonder how that will affect the near future once they’re independent members of society.
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2010
9:15 am
I’m not trying to suck up to DOB or anything silly like that (he’s not around right now anyways), but he really does seem like a very cool guy. He seems to really care a lot about his work and wants everybody to be free to discuss what they want on his blog, aside from the obvious — politics/race, etc. Yeah, DOB is one cool dude!
Bayou Brave
March 23rd, 2010
9:17 am
My predictions
AVG – McCann
OBP – Chipper
SLG – McCann
Runs – Heyward
RBI – Glaus
HR – Glaus
Wins – Jurrjens
ERA – Jurrjens
Saves – Wagner
Innings – Lowe
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2010
9:20 am
jeffery d, I agree with that facebook thing, not sure that’s very healthy unless you have family/friends far away and want to chat or send photos. I talk with my uncle and cousins in Alabama and SC occasionally. It really boils down to how kids are raised. That’s the key as you probably know.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
9:20 am
On a similar note, you know how some of us will say “you’re doing that over TEXT?? You need to call, man.”
Do you think they did that when the first was first invented? “You’re breaking up over the phone??! Dude, you need to send a letter.”
car3boogie
March 23rd, 2010
9:21 am
AVG- Chipper
OBP- Yunel
SLG- McCann
Runs- Prado
RBI- Glaus
HR- Heyward
Wins- JJ
ERA- Hanson
Saves- Wags
Innings- JJ
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
9:21 am
When the PHONE was first invented*
DAP
March 23rd, 2010
9:23 am
jeffery d It really makes me wonder what life will be like when these kids become adults and hit the workplace
plenty of government jobs to go around.
DAP
March 23rd, 2010
9:27 am
Who will lead the 2010 Braves in:
AVG diaz
OBP chipper
SLG mccann
Runs mclouth
RBI mccann
HR mccann
Wins jurrjens
ERA moylan
Saves wagner
Innings jurrjens
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
9:28 am
Who will lead the 2010 Braves in…
Who am I, Marvin the Mindreader?
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
9:30 am
AVG- Prado
OBP- Chipper
SLG- Glaus
Runs- Prado
RBI- McCann
HR- Glaus
Wins- Hudson
ERA- Hanson
Saves- Wagner
Innings- Lowe
richbrave
March 23rd, 2010
9:34 am
KID NICHOLS – greatest BRAVE ever.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
9:35 am
I’ve filled out 25 of these prediction things, but I’ll post my underdog one
AVG- Schafer
OBP- McLouth
SLG- Diaz
Runs- Moylan
RBI- Conrad
HR- Prado
Wins- Medlen
ERA- Lowe
Saves- Saito
Innings- Proctor
CB
March 23rd, 2010
9:37 am
AVG- Chipper
OBP-Chipper
SLG-Glaus
RUNS-Heyward
RBI-Glaus
HR-McCann
Wins-Lowe
ERA-Hanson
Saves-Wagner
Innings-Jurrjens
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
9:41 am
The worst thing I see from things like facebook is that the notion of privacy is flying out the window. These young people will feel they have a right to know everything about everybody, and at the same time, don’t know what to keep to themselves.
And don’t get me started on the texting. This generation is not going to know how to put together a sentence. Grammar and spelling among the teenagers I’ve come in contact with is far, far worse than it was when I was that age (and I’m 24).
DCbrave
March 23rd, 2010
9:41 am
DOB-
Just listened to your interview with ABT. Great show and great interview. Been on the blog for some years but didn’t know you are not only a great writer/blogger, but also a decent talker. Love your description the maturity of Heyward: “a father of 3.”
Hillbilly
March 23rd, 2010
9:46 am
Miley: “I am the gatekeeper.”
Simon Cowell: “I am the Keymaster.”
They unite and out comes Gozar…the winner of America’s Next Top Model, with a flat-top styled by the winner of Shear Genius, a mysterious bubble costume designed on Project Runway, and a set of ABs she constantly refers to as “The Situation.” Yeah, part of the building collapses, but don’t worry. The guys from Extremem Makeover are here to complete an ugly-ass remodeling job that closely resembles a miniature theme park. Gozar sends us a text that reads “OMG! Chse tha frm of tha dstrctr. LOL!” and without a moments notice, a Giant Flava Flav comes crashing through the streets to kill us all with a Facebook Virus.
Folks if we cross the streams, there’s definitely a very slim chance we’ll survive this.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
9:48 am
Ghostbusters, right?
McFann
March 23rd, 2010
9:53 am
Grinch Did you also mean to say “Hay” instead of “Hey?” If so, that was a good one.
In that last post, yes.
And thank you–I was proud of it. 
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
9:53 am
Yeah, Ghostbusters. I loved that movie growing up, man. I had the action figures and everything
Bayou Brave
March 23rd, 2010
9:59 am
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
9:28 am
Who will lead the 2010 Braves in…
Who am I, Marvin the Mindreader?
Mindreaders can predict the future?
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
10:00 am
It was a take on a PL quip
Ignatius J. Reilly
March 23rd, 2010
10:09 am
ave-prado
obp-hoss
slg-heap
runs-hoss
rbi/hr-glaus
wins-jj/hanson
era-jj
saves-wags
inn-lowe
monty
March 23rd, 2010
10:21 am
Think of texting as learning shorthand. That doesn’t ruin your grammatical skills. I have a daughter who is an English major and on the Dean’s List in college and she texts frequently. Both of my daughters are teens and they could care less for American Idol. It’s my wife and I that watch it. Good clean fairly wholesome entertainment. I guess they should be watching Breaking BAd according to some comments on here. You know, prepare them for the real world. LOL!
Nova Scotia Steve
March 23rd, 2010
10:23 am
DOB: Have you given any predictions (using your un-bias journalistic skills) as you to how this season may shake down – WC and Divisions???
NL East
Phillies (Champs)
Braves (Wild Card)
NL Central
St. Louis
NL West
Dodgers
AL East
Yankees
Red Sox (Wild Card)
Al Central
Twins
AL West
Rangers
David O'Brien
March 23rd, 2010
10:28 am
Braves LINEUP
1. Melky Cabrera (S) RF
2. Martin Prado 2B
3. Chipper Jones (S) 3B
4. Troy Glaus 1B
5. Brian McCann (L) C
6. Yunel Escobar SS
7. Matt Diaz LF
8. Nate McLouth (L) CF
9. Tommy Hanson RHP
sidslidkid
March 23rd, 2010
10:29 am
No Heyward? Ballgame!
Ignatius J. Reilly
March 23rd, 2010
10:34 am
is this the first time mleky and mclouth have been in the lineup at the same time where melky has hit leadoff??
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
10:34 am
This just happens to be the opening day lineup if the Braves decide they want Heyward on the team in 2016.
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
10:34 am
Ignatius…second time that I can remember.
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
10:36 am
monty, I’m glad your daughter has not been affected, but in my experiences, she is the exception to the rule.
David O'Brien
March 23rd, 2010
10:36 am
If people don’t want to read lyrics, which are always at the bottom of the blog, after the baseball content, how about drying your tears and scrolling past them? — Scott
Don’t you know how difficult that is, Scott? Nobody should have to do anything so demanding as to scroll a few screens past something they know is going to be there. (Rolls eyes, reaches for tiny violin to play for poor, put-out folks who hate scrolling past lyrics.)
Nova Scotia Steve
March 23rd, 2010
10:37 am
Ignatius J. Reilly – this is the second time Cabrera has led off and McLouth has been lower in the order i believe
Bayou Brave
March 23rd, 2010
10:38 am
jeffrey d
Oh. I stopped reading P.L.’s posts.
bravefaninok
March 23rd, 2010
10:39 am
I thought Melky was a switch hitter,DOB has him as a L in lineup?
ugaaccountant
March 23rd, 2010
10:39 am
“Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
10:34 am
This just happens to be the opening day lineup if the Braves decide they want Heyward on the team in 2016.”
I ain’t afraid of no ghost, well other than P.L.
I feel that from now on, any mention of 2016 will lure him out to tell us again how much smarter he is than everyone else.
Nova Scotia Steve
March 23rd, 2010
10:41 am
And today’s a TV game isn’t it?? ESPN?
JJ
March 23rd, 2010
10:41 am
NL East – Braves
NL Central – Brewers
NL West – Giants
NL Wildcard – Phillies
AL East – Yankees
AL Central – Twins
AL West – Rangers
AL Wildcard – BoSox
Braves / Brewers: Braves win
Giants / Phillies: Phillies win
Braves / Phillies: Braves win
Yankees / Rangers: Yanks roll
BoSox / Twins: Twins win
Yanks / Twins: Yanks win
Yanks / Braves: Yankees win 2nd straight WS
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
10:41 am
Yeah, Melky’s a switch hitter. Lefty Oliver Perez going today for the Mets…sounds like runs on the board.
Nova Scotia Steve
March 23rd, 2010
10:42 am
JJ – I thought about pickin the Brewers too
JJ
March 23rd, 2010
10:42 am
BTW….as with the rest of you, I’m so over spring training already. Can we just start the season please?
Michael B
March 23rd, 2010
10:45 am
My Opinion
AVG Escobar
OBP Prado
SLG Glaus
Runs Heyward
RBI Chipper
HR Glaus
Wins Jurrjens
ERA Hanson
Saves Wagner
Innings Lowe
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
10:45 am
The 5 projected Mets starters have a 7.56 spring ERA. The 5 projected Braves starters have a 3.81 ERA.
David O'Brientr
March 23rd, 2010
10:46 am
Bravesfaninok: Yes, Melky’s switch-hitter, not strictly lefty. Thanks for the catch. I just sent the lineup over the way it was sent out while ago, didn’t notice that myself until you mentioned it.
DAP
March 23rd, 2010
10:46 am
anybody picking the brewers to win the central is dreaming. JJ and nova scotia, pick the braves if you feel like going with an underdog. there is no way the brewers win that division.
JJ
March 23rd, 2010
10:46 am
NS Steve: Hard to pick against the red birds but I just have a feeling this is the year the Brew Crew puts it all together.
Daslied
March 23rd, 2010
10:46 am
DOB – great interview on ABT. Really enjoyed it.
That one dude needs a better microphone, though – your voice over the phone sounded way better than his, which is just backwards.
Nick
March 23rd, 2010
10:47 am
JJ – No, this team has A LOT to work on before the regular season. As it stands today, this is a 74 win team.
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
10:47 am
The Brewers? Seriously? Maybe if Pujols tears his ACL or something…
The Brewers are going to have to slug their way just to get to .500. Scary pitching staff. We’ve got six guys better than their #3 starter.
Daslied
March 23rd, 2010
10:48 am
Nick – so they’re improving? Usually you say 72 wins.
Nick
March 23rd, 2010
10:50 am
Me and N8 have a bet that they won’t get over 75 wins.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
10:51 am
I just usually don’t read the lyrics. I mean, it’s no big deal, really. I don’t care much about it so I move on.
I like hamburgers, but I don’t like pickles. Do I throw the whole hamburger away because it’s got one little pickle on it? No, I throw the pickle out and engorge myself.
I mean, how stupid/insensitive are some people? These people would never say this kind of stuff face-to-face.
JJ
March 23rd, 2010
10:52 am
74 wins? You’re smokin something now. That’s just plumb dumb.
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
10:52 am
I don’t think the Braves will get to 100 wins or anything, but over 75 wins is a pretty safe bet, IMO. Very safe bet. I would put the over/under on 87 wins.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
10:52 am
I also don’t complain to McDonald’s that my hamburger has a pickle on it. It just comes with the territory of not liking pickles
Soph
March 23rd, 2010
10:55 am
I like hamburgers, but I don’t like pickles.
How can you not like pickles? They’re gooooood.
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2010
10:55 am
Nick, who are you talking about, the Braves or Brewers as a 74 win team? We got some talking to do if you think Atlanta is just a 74 win team right now.
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
10:56 am
I’ve seen the Braves with as many as 90 wins in projected standings, but none below 84. In fact, all but one of the projections I’ve seen has the Braves winning the division.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
10:57 am
How many games did we win last season? 86? The major differences from the starters of 2009:
No KJ, Francoeur, Loaf, Schafer, LaRoche
Add Heyward, Melky, McLouth, and Prado
Nothing too drastic except losing 2nd half LaRoche and adding Heyward. We’re not going to lose 75 games.
DAP
March 23rd, 2010
10:57 am
JJ I just have a feeling this is the year the Brew Crew puts it all together.
is it their rotation of gallardo,wolf, suppan, davis, narveson? thats an intimidating group.
the brewers will be the same as last year. they will score alot of runs, but they wont pitch enough to win. they will barely be in the wild card discussion.
bravefaninok
March 23rd, 2010
10:57 am
DOB,Great interview on ABT! Thanks
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
10:57 am
How can you not like pickles? They’re gooooood.
It’s a metaphor, work with me Soph
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2010
10:59 am
I think that 20 year old kid, forgot his name, will be huge for the team. All the walks he can pile up leaves many opportunities for guys to drive in some runs. That and his power potential.
Nick
March 23rd, 2010
10:59 am
TnBrian – Braves. They have too many injury-risk and a weak offense.
Soph
March 23rd, 2010
11:01 am
Ha, I caught the metaphor and it was a rather good one too.
bravefaninok
March 23rd, 2010
11:01 am
bold prediction for today……..Nate goes 2 for 3
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
11:02 am
Nick, the Braves do a have a couple of injury risks, as does every other team. They do not project to have a weak offense, unless more than one of those injury risks happens. I think they’ll have a top five offense in the NL, and the 2nd best in the division.
Ignatius J. Reilly
March 23rd, 2010
11:03 am
thanks brain and nova
Ignatius J. Reilly
March 23rd, 2010
11:03 am
brian not brain
JJ
March 23rd, 2010
11:04 am
DAP: I like the Brewers lineup better than the Cards and think the pitching isn’t going to be quite as bad as you seem to think. Once you get past Wainwright and Carpenter, it isn’t like the Cards rotation is exactly full of all-stars. Overall, I think the Brewers win a close division race.
I’m not saying they are going to run away with the division. And I realize if you start looking at stats they won’t stack up well with the Cards. Like I said originally, just a gut feeling that they’ll compete with the Cards and will end up winning it.
Soph
March 23rd, 2010
11:05 am
Braves. They have too many injury-risk and a weak offense.
So you think they’re going to be worse than last season?
ugaaccountant
March 23rd, 2010
11:05 am
Could someone please explain to me when Mayonaise became a default topping for a Hamburger? Are we not fat enough eating realatively harmless ketchup? Thanks but no thanks to anyone forcing Mayonaise on their fast food.
MFin04
March 23rd, 2010
11:05 am
I rilly dont’ undrstand wht people have against txting? OMG, its not that BIG of a deal!
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
11:06 am
So you think they’re going to be worse than last season?
I think Heyward is a huge downgrade from Garret Anderson.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
11:07 am
oh wait….sarcasm
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2010
11:07 am
Nick, they do have injury risks– Wagner/Saito/Jones/Glaus –but … nevermind, I’m tired of trying to convince non-believers anymore. Gettin’ too old for that stuff. Hey, 28 is the new 58.
The Grinch
March 23rd, 2010
11:08 am
Bravefaninok, I wouldn’t be surprised if Nate went 2-3 today; he’s hitting down where he’s comfortable and known to produce. What WOULD surprise me is if he doesn’t get shoved back in lead off after he does.
Off to the gym.
JJ
March 23rd, 2010
11:09 am
The offense is light years ahead of last year’s team that won 86 games. And I think the pitching is at least comparable and arguably better than last year. Of couse, injuries are a factor as they are for every team.
Maybe there’s more quantity of potential injuries for the Braves, but I think the type of injury risk that the Braves are incurring is fairly low (i.e. the success rate for TJ is very high, both Troy and Billy came back last year and played, etc). It isn’t like this team is full of guys making their actual comeback. They’ve made it. Just have to STAY health.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
11:09 am
Are we not fat enough eating realatively harmless ketchup?
To piggyback, when did we get to the point where we couldn’t shop without having a Pizza Hut and Starbucks built into Target?
“Man, I really need to finish picking out jeans, but I could sure go for a pizza.”
Bobby Hill
March 23rd, 2010
11:09 am
So 87 wins for the Braves this year sounds about right to me. I’ve felt like this was a 85-90 wins team since it became apparent that Wren was going to trade Vaquez and not acquire a big outfield bat. If Heyward plays really well the maybe the team could hit 90-92 wins, but I could easily see a scenario where an injury riddled team ends up with 75 wins.
The real question is: If the Braves finnish with 87 wins do they reach the playoffs? I don’t think it will be enough to win the division, but I can see the Braves getting the wild card bid with 87 wins.
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2010
11:10 am
I’ll tell you what’s nasty — strawberry jelly
MFin04
March 23rd, 2010
11:11 am
Ketchup hasn’t really be relatively harmless for years, and that probably coincides with when mayo and ketchup started being paired together. At this point in time Ketchup is all high fructose corn syrup. Its practically like pouring sugar on your burger, not like cutting up a fresh tomato and putting it on your burger.
unbelievable
March 23rd, 2010
11:12 am
several people have ranked the Braves offense anywhere from #2-5 in the NL, providing that Glaus and Chipper stay healthy of course. From top to bottom and including the Bench, they dont have many holes. Add that in with a top 3 rotation and a deep pen this team could win 90+ games. I like this team and they are light years ahead of the team we put on the field to start 2009
unbelievable
March 23rd, 2010
11:14 am
Could someone please explain to me when Mayonaise became a default topping for a Hamburger? Are we not fat enough eating realatively harmless ketchup? Thanks but no thanks to anyone forcing Mayonaise on their fast food.
- ugaaccountant
this is the exact reason I prefer Five Guys Hamburgers over all others. You get a plain hamburger unless you tell them exactly what you want on it. There is nothing I hate more than a hamburger joint assuming that everyone eats their burgers the exact same way. Why should I have to ask for no pickles, mayo, or onions?
rico43
March 23rd, 2010
11:15 am
DOB, you have to love that the Truckers’ first “single” is This F***ing Job, and then not use the F-bomb in their lyrics. Just one understated s***. Also, I wonder have you heard “Girls Who Smoke,” the vinyl-only cut?
DAP
March 23rd, 2010
11:22 am
JJ I like the Brewers lineup better than the Cards
i am truly flabbergasted by this. while fielder and braun are awesome in the middle of the brewers lineup, they arent better than the pujols holliday combo. and out side of the two stars, st louis definetly has even more of a leg up when throwing out guys like ludwick, molina, ryan, schumaker and lopez.
cardinals might have the best 1-2 in baseball, and after that,sure, they might not be as good. but the brewers dont even have a 1. they have gallardo, who is 24, coming off a pretty good season…but hardly a guy that makes you think the brewers have a chance. go check on suppan and davis, and if you honestly tell me the brewers rotation might be ok, then i will have to deem you a true dreamer. no way the brewers are winning anything.
Soph
March 23rd, 2010
11:23 am
I’ll tell you what’s nasty — strawberry jelly
Nu uh! Take it back, Brian!
Roman Gal
March 23rd, 2010
11:24 am
Who am I, Marvin the Mindreader? jeffrey d
Priceless.
RemoW
March 23rd, 2010
11:26 am
I personally like the lyrics, need a little Floyd once in awhile. But I like them.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
11:26 am
I didn’t mean to start a food debate, but ok
Roman Gal
March 23rd, 2010
11:27 am
What ever happened to kids getting in trouble for busting windows? Man, when I was little if you hit a ball and it smashed something, your butt would get whooped pretty good.
Who’s whooping Heyward? Gotta teach that boy a lesson!
Bobby Hill
March 23rd, 2010
11:27 am
I agree that this team is much better than the team the Braves started 2009 with. Heyward, McLouth, and Glaus have been added. No Frenchy, no Jo-Jo in the rotation, no Loaf, and no Kotchman. Hopefully the team can avoid the slow start that has plagued them in some many years in the past. And hopefully Glaus can provide some stability / consistency to the lineup so its a little less “feast or famine” than it was last year.
However, we can’t count on that lucky September winning streak that inflated the win total, or the huge numbers Laroche put up in short time with the team last year. Also the team was remarkably injury-free last year. Maybe I’m forgetting something, but I can remember any really significant injuries to first string players all year except McCann’s early eye trouble and Escobar and Chipper missing a few days here and there. (Am I wrong?)
RHR
March 23rd, 2010
11:31 am
Thanks ABTSteve for the link to the radio interview!
Awesome interview DOB – keep up the great work. I appreciate ALL inside information regarding the Bravos, being a long time fan. In this day and age, with all the demands on your time, I am very grateful for any and all 411 that you provide. You truly go above and beyond the call of duty towards putting a personality to the player and adding that 3rd dimension to the 2 dimensional baseball players we see on TV.
This. Just listened to it. Like everyone else has already said, thanks Dave.
Could someone please explain to me when Mayonaise became a default topping for a Hamburger?
You know what’s better on burgers than ketchup, mayo or mustard? That orange chicken sauce. With the black specks? Try it sometime.
Where is Heyward
March 23rd, 2010
11:33 am
DOB
Any reason why Heyward is not in the lineup after 2 days off?
Runnin
March 23rd, 2010
11:33 am
Anybody ever had a Backyard burger? I used to eat at the very 1st one. Seems like they even had a peanut butter burger.
DAVBRAVES
March 23rd, 2010
11:34 am
GO BRAVES
DAVBRAVES
March 23rd, 2010
11:34 am
GOOOOOOOOOOO BRAVESSSSSSSSSSSS
Daslied
March 23rd, 2010
11:34 am
Bobby Hill – didn’t Kotchman miss some time? Ankle? McLouth missed a good bit with his hamstring as well. And Prado had his headache thing.
Daslied
March 23rd, 2010
11:35 am
Any reason why Heyward is not in the lineup after 2 days off?
Strategy.
DAP
March 23rd, 2010
11:37 am
at five guys, i get the bacon cheeseburger (comes with two patties) with A1 and hot sauce. its great on a burger. ive started making it like that at home too.
bravofan
March 23rd, 2010
11:38 am
runnin:yes I have had a backyard burger not as good as five guys though
TJ
March 23rd, 2010
11:38 am
NL East – Phillies
NL Central – Cards
NL West – Rockies
NL Wildcard – Braves
AL East – Yankees
AL Central – Twins
AL West – Rangers
AL Wildcard – BoSox
Braves / Cards: Braves win
Rockies / Phillies: Phillies win
Braves / Phillies: Braves win
Yankees / Rangers: Rangers
BoSox / Twins: Bosox
Yanks / Twins: Rangers
Braves over Rangers in WS
Where is Heyward
March 23rd, 2010
11:41 am
I am beginning to get the feeling that Heyward will be optioned to AAA to delay his FA
TJ
March 23rd, 2010
11:42 am
No that would be *Bosox/Rangers: Rangers* lol
Bobby Hill
March 23rd, 2010
11:42 am
Yeah, you’re right both McLouth and Church missed time with back problems. I don’t remember Kotchman missing games last year, but my memeory’s not what it used to be. He did miss a bunch of games the year before when his mom was sick or something along those lines.
Mekons
March 23rd, 2010
11:45 am
Just a reminder that today’s game is on ESPN.
NorCal
March 23rd, 2010
11:45 am
The Twins lost their closer for the year so that’s a serious problem for them
bravofan
March 23rd, 2010
11:47 am
13 days to opening day boys!!!!!!
Where is Heyward
March 23rd, 2010
11:48 am
Never mind, Heyward just sitting because Perez is usually deadly against LHP. And any Brave player
Daslied
March 23rd, 2010
11:48 am
Bobby – found it. Kotchman missed about two weeks after getting hit in the shin with a pitch.
ugaaccountant
March 23rd, 2010
11:50 am
Ouch, so no Ketchup either.
I’m only 29, and yet in my lifetime all of these foods have gone from part of a healthy diet to don’t dare eat this:
Dairy products – remember the milk mustache?
Breads & Cereals – I think this was the base of the pyramid
Canned anything, even fruits or vegetables
most meats – beef, no longer “what’s for dinner”
I mean really, I think we’re currently supposed to eat fresh organically grown fruits and vegetables and maybe some fish or free range chicken, and wash it down with water. Do I have that right?
And have to like the Cardinals over the Brewers. Colby Rasmus is going to be a beast this year.
TJ
March 23rd, 2010
11:52 am
I think the Twins lineup is good enough to win them alot of games though…even though they lost their closer and their starting pitching is not that great. Plus no one else is that great in the division.
sidslidkid
March 23rd, 2010
11:52 am
Best Burgers in Atlanta:
1. Ann’s Snack Bar – 1615 Memorial Dr, Atlanta
2. Holman & Finch – 2277 Peachtree Road Northeast, Buckhead
3. US Cafe – 4499 S Cobb Dr SE Ste C, Smyrna
4. George’s -1041 N Highland Avenue Northeast, Virginia Highlands
5. The Vortex – 438 Moreland Avenue Northeast, Little Five
ugaaccountant
March 23rd, 2010
11:53 am
“Never mind, Heyward just sitting because Perez is usually deadly against LHB. And any Brave player”
I understand this thought in the regular season for guys that aren’t as good against the splits, but shouldn’t spring training be the time to help a 20 year old learn how to hit the tough lefties? What do we have to lose? Bobby and Chipper can easily explain that this guy will be about the toughest he’ll ever face, to help the confidence. Seems like you want to be testing him while you can.
MFin04
March 23rd, 2010
11:55 am
All the celebrity diets seem to consist of water, fish, granola, raw veggies, and then they always say some thing ridiculous like splurging on an “H” size piece of a Hersey bar.
Brian from SC
March 23rd, 2010
11:57 am
I think it’s less about Perez and more about just wanting the other three outfielders to get work today. Heyward will play tomorrow.
TJ
March 23rd, 2010
12:01 pm
AVG – Heyward/Esco
OBP – Chipper
SLG – McCann
Runs – Prado
RBI – Heyward
HR – Glaus
Wins – Hudson
ERA – Hanson
Saves – Wagner
Innings – JJ
Mekons
March 23rd, 2010
12:03 pm
I don’t recall anyone saying don’t eat grains or canned veggies and fruits. Fresh and frozen are better, but canned stuff is pretty good for you. It just tends to have added sodium, which ain’t good.
And there’s nothing wrong with beef. It’s just that we got used to 16-oz. portions, which is ridiculous.
Wal-Mart, believe it or not, just started signing up farmers within a day’s drive of their distribution centers so it can offer fresh, local food at low prices. It’s basically converting high-tech sharecroppers, who grow corn and soy for the big conglomerates, back into family farms growing food you can actually eat.
MFin04
March 23rd, 2010
12:07 pm
Anyone seen the documentary “Food, Inc”? Pretty interesting and informative, talks about all the things you don’t want to know about our food supply. If you are thinking of going on a diet, a great movie to watch. On the flip side, if you like watching movies and eating food at the same time, might want to lay of the food during this one.
car3boogie
March 23rd, 2010
12:07 pm
Great Interview
TJ
March 23rd, 2010
12:08 pm
AVG – Heyward/Esco-.315
OBP – Chipper-.390
SLG – McCann-?
Runs – Prado-?
RBI – Heyward-105
HR – Glaus-29
Wins – Hudson-17
ERA – Hanson-2.95
Saves – Wagner-37
Innings – JJ-215
Roman Gal
March 23rd, 2010
12:08 pm
Oh dang…DOB callin’ out cabravesfan and Venice Jim, and Lew and The Grinch.
Good interview, DOB.
Ignatius J. Reilly
March 23rd, 2010
12:08 pm
neil young just posted a mini solo tour
5/26 the palace lou, ky
5/29 the fox atl, ga
5/30 memorial spartanburg, sc
6/1 the ryman nash, tn
all around my bday…everyone of them while i’m stuck at LSU for 2 weeks
FML
Lew
March 23rd, 2010
12:12 pm
Fact is that whatever we tend to eat in this country, we eat too damned much of it.
If you count calories and eat lots of fiber in your diet (fruits, veggies and whole grains), eat more fish and chicken than red meat and avoid fast food, simple carbs like white bread, potatoes and sugar, you’ll either lose weight or not gain it and everything will function just fine.
MFin04
March 23rd, 2010
12:14 pm
Someone else posted this yesterday, but free game on the internet today:
http://www.p2p4u.net/watch/14560/1/watch-atlanta-braves-vs–new-york-mets.html
BravePack12523
March 23rd, 2010
12:14 pm
So if he is one of the toughest on lefties do we really want someone who is 1 for 35 facing a tough lefty and hurt his confidence more? Doesn’t make much sense to me to be playing McLouth today and sitting Heyward.
Lew
March 23rd, 2010
12:14 pm
RG-Must have missed that. When and where did we get called out? About what? I’ve been a good boy lately.
Roman Gal
March 23rd, 2010
12:16 pm
Lew-
He talked about how you and The Grinch are good friends in that ABT interview that everyone keeps going on about.
TJ
March 23rd, 2010
12:17 pm
On another subject…Go Vols! Gonna go all the way to the final four this year!! yeah!
Lew
March 23rd, 2010
12:18 pm
Is there a link to the interview that I might access?
Drawyeh_Nosaj
March 23rd, 2010
12:19 pm
Anyone know if the Braves game is going to be on TV today?
bravefaninok
March 23rd, 2010
12:20 pm
MFin04
March 23rd, 2010
12:14 pm
Someone else posted this yesterday, but free game on the internet today:
http://www.p2p4u.net/watch/14560/1/watch-atlanta-braves-vs–new-york-mets.html
OR just watch on ESPN…..
Lew
March 23rd, 2010
12:22 pm
He’s right though-the Grinch is a good friend. I”ve got several here that I met on the blog and stay in touch with all the time.
This blog seems to be a pretty unique place – even among team blogs. I don’t think any other has the participation from the Blog Master that we have, characters like JJS, Random and even that strange Ghost Dude. Sure haven’t heard of any other blog that has it’s own award either and certainly never heard of another blog that has someone like RHR that has nicknames available for all occasions..
bravefaninok
March 23rd, 2010
12:22 pm
Lew
March 23rd, 2010
12:18 pm
Is there a link to the interview that I might access?
* Link
* Report this comment
http://www.atlantabaseballtalk.com/?p=223
bravefaninok
March 23rd, 2010
12:24 pm
Anyone know if the Braves game is going to be on TV today?
* Link
* Report this comment
ESPN @ 1:05 east
RHR
March 23rd, 2010
12:26 pm
It’s sad that people have to watch movies to make them pay attention to what they’re eating. I mean..really? Just because you ignore what you’re putting in your mouth doesn’t mean you don’t know better.
Drawyeh_Nosaj
March 23rd, 2010
12:30 pm
Bravesfaninok-
gracias
Lew
March 23rd, 2010
12:34 pm
bravesfaninok-Thank YOu.
MFin04
March 23rd, 2010
12:35 pm
“It’s sad that people have to watch movies to make them pay attention to what they’re eating. I mean..really? Just because you ignore what you’re putting in your mouth doesn’t mean you don’t know better.”
To some extent this is true, but for the most part, we have no idea what we are putting in our mouths. Some movies help to further educate us on the food process. Chicken isn’t chicken anymore. Beef isn’t beef anymore. Veggies/Fruits aren’t Veggies/Fruits anymore.
What you assume to be healthy, may not actually be the case. Everyone can say fast food is bad for you, but to really analyze what is good for you these days is a lot more difficult than you would think.Especially with E-Coli, steroids, pesticides, etc, which aren’t being closely regulated by the FDA because the food industries have become so large and complex and make so much money you can’t regulate them.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
12:36 pm
Just because you ignore what you’re putting in your mouth doesn’t mean you don’t know better
I don’t like how people see “All Natural!” or “No Trans Fat!” and think they’re eating someting healthy.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
12:36 pm
I mean, all it takes is a quick glance at the nutrition facts
bravefaninok
March 23rd, 2010
12:39 pm
Glad to help…your welcome
Mekons
March 23rd, 2010
12:40 pm
RHR: The food industry spends billions every year to obscure what is healthy and make real crap appear to be good for you. Most granola bars are worse for you than a Baby Ruth. Most of those juice cartons marketed to little kids are as bad as a Coke. And just about all processed foods are packed with garbage.
CB
March 23rd, 2010
12:41 pm
DOB, I just listened to the interview you did with ABT and wanted you to know how much I enjoyed it. I have always respected you for the amount of time and devotion you put on the blog. It was good to hear you say in your own words how much satisfaction you derive from the blog, but I also believe you need to hear from some of us the pleasure you bring to some of us hard core fans who thoroughly enjoy the format you allow us to have. We truly thank you.
jeffrey d
March 23rd, 2010
12:46 pm
I really need to check out this interview. It sounds like it’s up for an Emmy
Roman Gal
March 23rd, 2010
12:49 pm
This blog seems to be a pretty unique place – even among team blogs. Lew
I agree. The fact that DOB is so interactive makes it a great forum. Then there are some great people who come here…they know who they are.
Then there are those of us elite bloggers who’ve won a Wurlitzer…
David O'Brien
March 23rd, 2010
12:51 pm
The fabulous Neko Case (and New Pornographers) are at Variety Playhouse on June 26, and Braves are home, 4 p.m. game vs. Tigers that day. Love it.
oh, and NEW BLOGGGGGAAAAGE is up
Lew
March 23rd, 2010
12:54 pm
RG-Speaking of which – You should expect a package by week’s end with your 2nd Wurlitzer. No ears, but it’s autographed. Sent out a bunch of promised prints today, too and will get the rest out in a week or so (over 50 requests this time – might have to put out a sign like Micky D’s – Over 200 Served).
Just wish I had time to do more, but I’m still behind on getting them all out. I haven’t forgotten anyone though. If it was promised, you’ll get it – eventually
monty
March 23rd, 2010
12:54 pm
I didn’t see where anyone commented on the Twins catcher’s contract. It was a doozie. I wonder how McCann feels.
abwright
March 23rd, 2010
1:02 pm
jeffrey d, March 23rd, 2010, 8:59 am … “It really makes me wonder what life will be like when these kids become adults and hit the workplace”
Yeah, they better get it in gear. They got’s to pay for my Medicare, Health Care, and Social Security. Get cracking kids! Work real hard!
Meanwhile, Braves are about to start versus Mets on ESPN.
Baseball 101
March 23rd, 2010
1:48 pm
Still chuckling at the Grinch @ 7:05.
Danga @ 8:53 am
Baseball 101
Guess I’ll try to throw the point of view from my mother’s basement out there. I know I’ve posted these a lot here lately, but they really are interesting. Check these out from stats from the 2009 season:
Fewest Left on Base: 951 wins, 1322 losses, .418 winning percentage (Also: 157 ties).
More Times on Base: 1880 wins, 393 losses, .827 winning percentage (Also: 157 ties).
Of course seeing these two stats together makes a lot of sense. If getting on base more times leads to winning more, it follows that if you get more people on base then you’ll leave more people on base and you’ll still win more. How is that for a run on sentence? It really makes a ton of sense. OBP is basically a measure of not making outs. If you don’t make outs, then more people come to the plate creating more opportunities for the counting stats such as runs and rbi’s. If you can get on base and get an rbi at the same time, then you create more opportunities for more rbi’s down the lineup. If you can get on base while getting an extra base hit then that is just plain awesome, and the rbi’s will pour forth.
I am fully aware of the concept of OBP, and do not require an elementary lecture. The original statement under rebuttal was “RBI are overrated” (along with HR).
Check out these Braves stats from 2009:
Number of games with 9 or more LOB (one per inning avg): 58
W-L record in those 58 games: 32 – 26 (.552 winning percentage)
Number of these games lost by 1 or 2 runs: 14
Number of these losses in which our Braves had 2 or less RBI: 6
If the Braves had produced more RBI in the close losses, their record of 86 – 76 would have been closer to the Pythagorean of 91 – 71. It also would have made the playoff race more interesting.
This makes a lot of sense too.
hotstove.com / archive » The Curious Case Of Nate McLouth
March 24th, 2010
8:37 am
[...] Bobby Cox compared Nate’s spring with the lone spring training Mark Teixeira had with the Braves. [...]