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882 comments Add your comment
Jeff R
March 31st, 2010
3:10 pm
Braveheart… interesting stat. Perhaps that’s the norm. But am I correct that Chipper has missed over a season’s worth of games (or more) in a six year stretch?
Haven’t taken a look Brett’s Royals or the old Milwaukee Braves (Matthews’ team), so I can’t say if those guys were missed as much as Chipper has been missed by the Braves when he’s gone down.
Very interesting stat, though.
Thrillhouse44
March 31st, 2010
3:11 pm
Shouldn’t an ingrown toenail on an athlete be something that could be avoided?
jim,
Are you suggesting the Braves hire a pedicurist for Chipper?
JJ
March 31st, 2010
3:11 pm
I was going to post a longer version of this, but it got eaten by the blog monster. Here’s a condensed version.
Phils starters:
Halladay
Hamels
Blanton
Happ
Moyer
Last four years Doc has avg. 32 starts and 17.25 wins per season. Even if we concede that he wins 20-22 games this year with the Phils offense, the rest of the rotation is just not very good. I’ll concede Lowe to Halladay and take JJ, Hanson, Huddy, and KK over the Phils 2-5.
I just don’t understand the folks on here that think the Braves don’t have a chance to compete with the Phils for the NL East. I’m not sold that they’ll win it but I darn sure believe they have a legit chance to do so.
Philly isn’t the invinceable team that some of you are making them out to be. Remember, last year’s Braves team went toe to toe with them in the second half of the year both in wins and runs scored. And we’re MUCH better offensively this year. So are marginally better by adding Polanco.
thinbreakness
March 31st, 2010
3:11 pm
Funny how everyone is waiting to see if Phillies problems arise while the Braves problems are deemed certain. People are DLing guys before a meaningful game has even been played.
Lawton
March 31st, 2010
3:11 pm
Norris: It was announced that Kimbrel would not make the 25-man roster. All teams are still playing with minor league guys at this point.
JJ
March 31st, 2010
3:13 pm
Dang it…last sentence should read “They are marginally better by adding Polanco.”
Lawton
March 31st, 2010
3:14 pm
JJ, I don’t think any one has said the Braves don’t have a chance to compete or that the Phils are invincible. Just that the Phils are deservedly the team to beat.
bob lazar
March 31st, 2010
3:15 pm
Heyward still looking for #2
NORRIS
March 31st, 2010
3:15 pm
why would we be playing guys that have already been sent down? that just dont make any since…
Ga in Hi
March 31st, 2010
3:16 pm
Laaaarrrryyyy……will your big toe problem carryover to the start of season???
Money says it does, but it want help you to keep your promise, it gives you an
excuse NOT to do as you said…hang it up… You’ve looked bad this spring,missing grounders, dropping pop flies..You should be expected to earn that oversized pay check…
bill_in_atl
March 31st, 2010
3:17 pm
Braveheart, I checked one other player from that same George Brett/Rod Carew era. Carl Yastrzemski played 1188 games from age 30-37 and then went on to play 144 and 147 the next two years and average 123 per year through age 43.
Jeff R
March 31st, 2010
3:17 pm
thinbreakness… I’m not one of those guys who think probelms for the Braves are certain. I said the Braves had more than their share of ifs. Doesn’t mean that players won’t stay healthy. Doesn’t mean that players won’t perform up to expectations. It could all break very favorably for the Braves, which is my hope.
jim
March 31st, 2010
3:17 pm
I’m suggesting either he goes to one when the problem first begins or the Braves send him to one when they notice it, which should be as soon as he tells them. He should be just as responsible about reporting injuries, no matter how minor, as Kyle Davies, Jordan Schafer, or any other player that was blamed for not reporting an injury until it became severe.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2010
3:18 pm
Moylan in to pitch eighth, after Kimbrel pitched a perfect inning with two strikeouts in seventh
thinbreakness
March 31st, 2010
3:18 pm
Lawton-
I’ll give you that, they’re favorites because they’re defending Champions. No problem with that and I’m patient enough to wait 80 games to be proven correct.
jim
March 31st, 2010
3:20 pm
With all the preoccupation about the Phillies, remember that the Marlins finished 2nd last year, and they are very good. This is at least a three team race in this division.
Lawton
March 31st, 2010
3:20 pm
thinbreakness: Me too. And I hope you are very correct.
Braveheart
March 31st, 2010
3:20 pm
Really, Bill in Atl, Carew played 1077 games from the age of 30 thru 37 compared to Chipper’s 1072, and you think this is evidence to refute my point? Whatever, thanks for proving my point
J-Hey Kid
March 31st, 2010
3:20 pm
The Jason Heyward J-Hey Kid shirts are still available at http://jasonheywardfacts.com
Glen W
March 31st, 2010
3:20 pm
OK, so I am totally sold on Francisco Liriano at this point and am adding my to my fantasy team in leagues where he is available… got to be great upside there, no?
Lawton
March 31st, 2010
3:21 pm
jim: With all the preoccupation about the Phillies, remember that the Marlins finished 2nd last year, and they are very good. This is at least a three team race in this division.
excellent point
Glen W
March 31st, 2010
3:22 pm
thinbreakness – my precition is that the Braves will win the east and have the second best record in the NL behind the Rockies. But the Phils are still the proverbial team to beat in my view.
monty
March 31st, 2010
3:22 pm
Didn’t Smoltz insinuate a few years ago when he was pitching and his arm was hanging on by a thread that Chipper should be playing through some injury he had at the time or am I making that up?
Lawton
March 31st, 2010
3:23 pm
Glen W: OK, so I am totally sold on Francisco Liriano at this point and am adding my to my fantasy team in leagues where he is available… got to be great upside there, no?
homer move if I ever saw one…….
just kidding, haven’t been following him……
thinbreakness
March 31st, 2010
3:23 pm
Jim-
I picked: 1)Braves 2)Marlins 3)Phillies, and caught a big ration of
sh!t from the blog.
JJ
March 31st, 2010
3:24 pm
Lawton –
I have no problem saying they are the favorites. But I have seen several folks say that we’ll just compete for the wildcard because the Phils will win the division. I consider that conceding to them, and I frankly don’t understand it.
Just a few more numbers from last year.
Post All-star break:
Phillies – 4.74 runs/game 45-31 record
Braves – 4.89 runs /game 43-31 record
Now, imo, the braves are significantly better now than they finished the year last year while the phillies are only marginally better. To me, that shows that we can at the very least compete with them. Again, I don’t mind calling them the favorites (which is largely a media and fan perception concept anyway), but I don’t agree that we should just focus on the wildcard either.
Arkansas Transplant
March 31st, 2010
3:24 pm
Dave’s in the booth.
bill_in_atl
March 31st, 2010
3:25 pm
Braveheart, I checked randomly Brooks Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, Frank Robinson….All played more than Chipper from 30-37 from what I can tell. I haven’t checked one yet that didn’t.
Greg in TN
March 31st, 2010
3:25 pm
DOB sitting in on the Braves radio network broadcast right now.
Denard Span struck his own mom with a foul ball in Tampa today as the Twins face the Yankees. Span’s mom returned to the game from some reports. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/03/twins-span-strikes-mother-with-foul-ball/1
Rodney Derrick
March 31st, 2010
3:25 pm
This Astros reliever makes Mike Gonzalez, Mark Fidrych, and Pascual Perez look normal
Theo
March 31st, 2010
3:26 pm
What next for Chipper, an ingrowing hair on his butt?
Nova Scotia Steve
March 31st, 2010
3:26 pm
What is this clown doin on the mound???
Regardless he just bozo’d Clint Sammons with that slider…
sportsmandh
March 31st, 2010
3:26 pm
One other thing about the Phillies. Jimmy Rollins is hitting a serious drop off. He did not put up great numbers last year. He hasn’t looked very good in spring training which I know may not say much. The other thing I noticed is when that they played the Braves he didn’t look to be in very good shape to me, he’s basically getting older and slower. So, they still have the best offense in the NL, and will score boatloads of runs, but I don’t think Rollins is going to be as big a threat as he has been before.
If you go around the infield, the Phils are better at first and second, but the Braves are better at catcher and third. I’m gonna say shortstop is even. They are better overall in the outfield, but if you compare pitching staffs the Braves are definately superior overall.
So I agree with some of you guys that said the Braves have a legit shot to beat them out if we don’t have a lot of injuries.
thinbreakness
March 31st, 2010
3:28 pm
JJ-
There ain’t a guy in the Braves club house focusing on the Wild Card. They’re focusing on a Division Championship because they know they’re better than anyone else in the Division. They could care less what we or anyone else outside their club house thinks.
Danga
March 31st, 2010
3:28 pm
I’m not so sure the Braves are a lot better than the post-all star break version. Vazquez was dealing, and LaRoche was killing the ball.
Greg in TN
March 31st, 2010
3:28 pm
I should say she returned to the stands after being struck. Anyway you look at it, the odds of getting hit with a foul off the bat of your own son has to be astronomical.
Glen W
March 31st, 2010
3:28 pm
Greg in TN: Denard Span struck his own mom with a foul ball in Tampa today as the Twins face the Yankees. Span’s mom returned to the game from some reports.
OK, I am waiting for the first comparison of Chipper to Denard’s mom.
Rob from SC
March 31st, 2010
3:29 pm
nobody knows what HEyward did in his last AT bat
Rodney Derrick
March 31st, 2010
3:30 pm
Would you believe Royce Ring now relieving for Yankees against Twins. With number 47, he must have a chance to make team. If I were Javier Vazquez, I would not be happy if he came in to relieve me.
bravesgirlnc
March 31st, 2010
3:30 pm
Norris,
Kimbrel has very little experience above the lower minors, so why not keep him up here to face the big boys? He is getting valuable experience and confidence and the Braves are getting a longer look at their closer of the future. It makes complete sense to leave him up there as long as possible…as long as he is not getting shelled, which he is not.
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 31st, 2010
3:30 pm
Toes and Bar-B-Cue… Where else but the DOB/MIB blog? What? Just pigs? Not Bar-B-Cue yet? Oh the Humanity…
We miss you JJS…
Glen W
March 31st, 2010
3:31 pm
homer move if I ever saw one…… just kidding, haven’t been following him -Lawton
Lirano this spring: 20 IP 19 H 6 ER 5BB 30 K
jim
March 31st, 2010
3:33 pm
The NL East had 3 of the top 4 rookies in the ROY voting last year, the 3 top prospects in baseball this year, the AL CY Young winners in 2 of the last 4 years + Huddy from previous years, and young stars like Zimmerman, Wright, McCann, and Hanley in their prime years. With all due respect to the AL East, the NL East has more YOUNG talent, and may be as competetive as any in baseball this year.
unbelievable
March 31st, 2010
3:34 pm
“I’m not so sure the Braves are a lot better than the post-all star break version. Vazquez was dealing, and LaRoche was killing the ball.” – Danga
they dont have to be, they are a whole lot better than what they were before the break
NORRIS
March 31st, 2010
3:34 pm
well, I was thinking that this is just days prior to opening day and once you have sent guys to their designated assignments then they should get with the team. At this point it should be jelling with the current team. I understand getting the playing time. But some of these guys have never spent time at the place they are going to.
Lawton
March 31st, 2010
3:34 pm
Glen W: Lirano this spring: 20 IP 19 H 6 ER 5BB 30 K
wow, ok looking to add him in the other 73 leagues I’m in besides the one we are both in.
Thrillhouse44
March 31st, 2010
3:34 pm
jim,
he’s missing a spring training game. Don’t fret, his toe will be healed. No need to hire a pedicurist, manicurist, or someone to chew his dip for him.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2010
3:34 pm
Jonny Venters doing two shows nightly … er, I mean, Jonny Venters in to pitch the ninth.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2010
3:35 pm
Rob from SC: Heyward reached on an error in his last at-bat, then came out for a pinch-runner. But he’s fine
Nova Scotia Steve
March 31st, 2010
3:36 pm
I vote Thurston for last spot on the roaster!
Rob from SC
March 31st, 2010
3:37 pm
Thank you Dave.
Kimbrel looks really close
Nova Scotia Steve
March 31st, 2010
3:37 pm
I mean rooster…or roster
DAP
March 31st, 2010
3:39 pm
sportsmandh he’s [rollins] basically getting older and slower.
ok, rollins had a bad 2009, but he hit 43 doubles, 21 homers, and stole 31 bases. his slash line looks pretty bad, but didnt totally fall off a cliff. i think he just had a bad year, and i think you are pretty way off about a guy who wont even be 31 until midseason.
The Grinch
March 31st, 2010
3:40 pm
Thinbreakness, I agree with your finishing order. I think it’ll come down to the Braves and Marlins. The Phillies tried as hard as they possibly could to give the division away the last two seasons, and only played good baseball when it was obvious nobody was going to challenge them. That’s been their M.O. forever; they fold early when someone else jumps out front. They’re also older, Jimmy Rollins ain’t all that, Placido Polanco ain’t either, and after Halladay their pitching is Jeckyl and Hyde (not OUR Hyde). I see the Braves jumping out early and staying there. The Marlins are less talented than the Phils, but mentally stronger (imo) and I see them moving into the 2nd spot ahead of the Phils later in the season. The battle between the Nats and Mets for last should be amusing. I’d put my money on the Nats to finish 4th.
unbelievable
March 31st, 2010
3:40 pm
but didnt totally fall off a cliff. -DAP
his OPS has fallen .150+ over the last 2 seasons
rico43
March 31st, 2010
3:40 pm
bravesgirl, Kimbrel won’t be getting experience in the big leagues, because there is no role for him right now. At Gwinnett, he will be pitching three times a week with the game on the line — now that’s getting experience.
By the way, BRAVES WIN!
Lawton
March 31st, 2010
3:41 pm
Nova Scotia Steve: 3:36 pm
I vote Thurston for last spot on the roaster!
Me too. Maybe they should let fans vote for the last guy on the roster like they do in the All-Star game. Too bad Greg Norton isn’t on the ballot this year.
jim
March 31st, 2010
3:42 pm
Chipper missing a ST game is no big deal. Chipper with another nick, that could have been avoided, is a big deal. The team needs him in the lineup for at least 150 games. A strained oblique may or may not be avoidable (avoided with better conditioning?), but an ingrown toenail is avoidable in someone who relies on his feet to earn his living is not a good sign.
The Grinch
March 31st, 2010
3:43 pm
And I predict barring a series of major injuries, that we win 92-95.
Innocent Bystander
March 31st, 2010
3:43 pm
How could you say no to Joe? I love Brooksy, but it’s gotta be Thurston.
Saff
March 31st, 2010
3:44 pm
For all the people bashing chipper for missing a spring training game need to realize that ingown toenails are very painful. Also it’s SPRING TRAINING. I’ve had four ingrown toenails all on big toe, each on inner and outer for each toe. I had them cut out and some kind of acid put on after so it woulden’t grow back, all in all it was worth it if you don’t mind the needle or knife.
Lawton
March 31st, 2010
3:44 pm
DAP: ok, rollins had a bad 2009, but he hit 43 doubles, 21 homers, and stole 31 bases. his slash line looks pretty bad, but didnt totally fall off a cliff. i think he just had a bad year, and i think you are pretty way off about a guy who wont even be 31 until midseason.
Agreed. And Rollins played lights out in the second half last year.
DAP
March 31st, 2010
3:46 pm
unbelieveable his OPS has fallen .150+ over the last 2 seasons
what? is a leadoff hitting SS supposed to OPS an MVPish .875 for the rest his career? like i said, his slash line took a hit last year, but a guy with 43 doubles 21 homers and 31 SB isnt finished.
thinbreakness
March 31st, 2010
3:46 pm
Grinch-
I’m with you Dude. Thanx and let’s get this season started already.
TnBrian
March 31st, 2010
3:46 pm
Brian Jordan should be named broadcaster of the year for 2010 with that riveting analysis of the Braves. WOW … speechless.
CB
March 31st, 2010
3:48 pm
I love Grinch and thinbreakness- we need more optimism on this blog instead of trolls.
Jeff R
March 31st, 2010
3:49 pm
“Jonny Venters doing two shows nightly … er, I mean, Jonny Venters in to pitch the ninth.” -DOB
I don’t know if anyone else got the humor, but I did. Yep, Venters has that sort of name!
thinbreakness
March 31st, 2010
3:49 pm
TnBrian-
I met Jordan at a Best Buy. He is a real nice guy, very friendly and I’m glad he works and lives in Atlanta.
unbelievable
March 31st, 2010
3:49 pm
Agreed. And Rollins played lights out in the second half last year. – Lawton
he was better but far from lights out. .272/.306 isnt that special
TnBrian
March 31st, 2010
3:49 pm
Stop Brian Jordan. Just stop. Amazing choice of words. I think he said three words in one. Who else can do that?
Nova Scotia Steve
March 31st, 2010
3:50 pm
Brian Jordan: “Jamie Moyer representin’ the ol’ men of baseball” – Again….hilarious…I also liked his Eric “Ice Cold” Hinske comment yesterday.
unbelievable
March 31st, 2010
3:50 pm
DAP – I didnt say he was finished
thinbreakness
March 31st, 2010
3:50 pm
Brian Jordan: NFL Pro Bowl, Major League All Star.
RHR
March 31st, 2010
3:50 pm
Just have to hope all the righties roll over the sinker and hit it to SS, and pitch the lefties away and hope THEY hit it to SS, LOL.
You forgot to hope for Yunel’s perceived “attitude” to be just right to get to the ball good enough/fast enough and with enough “guts” or “grit” to satisfy ye ole blog.
TnBrian
March 31st, 2010
3:51 pm
thinbreakness, I like Jordan too. He was one of my favorites when he played for us. I just think he was a much better player than he is analyst.
Nova Scotia Steve
March 31st, 2010
3:52 pm
Can’t forget Ron Gant’s “Allll niggghhhttttt lonnnnggg” comment from last year on PTV or Jon Miller’s “There’s one of those banana shaped archs into right field off the bat of Shafer”
FEAR
March 31st, 2010
3:52 pm
offseason free agent spending numbers:
1.Red Sox – $137,030,000
2.Cardinals – $129,450,000
3.Mets – $75,350,000
4.Brewers – $55,650,000
5.Angels – $52,000,000
6.Mariners – $51,325,000
7.Braves – $41,350,000
8.Reds – $37,070,000
9.Giants – $34,750,000
10.Phillies – $30,850,000
11.Astros – $29,900,000
12.Nationals – $29,900,000
13.Cubs – $25,800,000
14.Tigers – $23,950,000
15.Orioles – $23,900,000
16.Rangers – $22,500,000
17.Athletics – $20,900,000
18.Blue Jays – $20,500,000
19.Yankees – $19,800,000
20.Diamondbacks – $19,100,000
21.Royals – $18,600,000
22.Twins – $14,400,000
23.Rockies – $13,100,000
24.Dodgers – $11,500,000
25.Padres – $8,675,000
26.White Sox – $8,375,000
27.Pirates – $8,125,000
28.Rays – $5,300,000
29.Indians – $2,850,000
30.Marlins – $0
GetwhatUpayfor
March 31st, 2010
3:53 pm
Great game today and the bats are hot…April 5th big day, maybe 45,000 fans. Hope so.
Like Mike Morgan during the games on CSS.
Fire Paul Hewitt.
monty
March 31st, 2010
3:54 pm
I think where the Braves dropped the ball last year was they didn’t beat up on the Mets and the Nationals the way that Philly did. They were 27-9 against them and we were 23-13. That coupled with a disasterous record against the Reds of 3-6 while Philly went 7-2 is what separated the two teams. Yes it’s oversimplistic but that’s where the biggest differential was.
Lawton
March 31st, 2010
3:55 pm
Unbelievable: he was better but far from lights out. .272/.306 isnt that special
LOL, is that all he did?
I’m sorry, I thought he had 22 doubles, 14 homeruns, 43 RBI, 15 SB, scored 52 runs and played gold glove defense. But I guess all he did was .272/.306……
Poorbrave
March 31st, 2010
3:55 pm
agree Monty.
abwright
March 31st, 2010
3:55 pm
Has Venters left the building?
What’s the final score?
thinbreakness
March 31st, 2010
3:56 pm
TnBrian-
So what, the organization must think very highly of him and so do I. I understand he gives alot of his time to the Atlanta community and to me, these are the things that matter most. Just my opinion.
Mixxo
March 31st, 2010
3:56 pm
*sigh*
Win…..win……win.
Liking this! I don’t care if it is ST.
Winning’s fun.
sportsmandh
March 31st, 2010
3:57 pm
I ain’t sayin Jimmy Rollins is terrible, I’m just saying he’s declining. He still does what they need him to do. He’ll still score a lot of runs and steal a lot of bases. And I don’t think you’ll ever see another MVP caliber season from Rollins again. And if you don’t think he’s in decline, I’ll ask you a question. Who would you rather have, Rollins or Jeter? Most people would say Jeter and he’s a lot older.
I also don’t think that what Rollins does for his team is that much superior to what Escobar does for the Braves. And I was talking about Rollins related to my post about Braves team wise verse Phillies team wise.
FEAR
March 31st, 2010
3:57 pm
the marlins spent $0 That’s so hilarious. Yet they still compete every year.
Glen W
March 31st, 2010
3:58 pm
Rollins has a high maintenance swing… takes a really inefficient route to the ball.. and his swing can get loooooong and mechanical (remind you of anyone named Kelly Johnson). Of course, Rollins as a switch-hitter… so got to understand a bit of high maintenance there.
BravesfaninWis
March 31st, 2010
3:59 pm
Which pitcher of ours gave up the extra 2 runs? I am going out on a limb and saying it was Chavez. Am I right or wrong?
Nova Scotia Steve
March 31st, 2010
3:59 pm
Any thoughts are on the Marlins picking up Nate Robertson??? I thought that was a nice late ST addition for them
thinbreakness
March 31st, 2010
4:00 pm
Glen W-
Although Rollins is not the player he used to be, it’s incomprehensible to compare him with Kelly Johnson.
JJ
March 31st, 2010
4:01 pm
Thinbreakness –
Agree with your 3:28. And that’s all that REALLY matters. But since we’re on the blog and discussing all this with fans, that’s the reasoning for my arguing.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2010
4:01 pm
CB
I am definitely not wise, but was repeating what a wise man stated years ago…….”toes are not to be trifled with”…..
from our beloved Journalist Jimmy Smith……….
TJ
March 31st, 2010
4:01 pm
EOF gave up the 2 runs
Mixxo
March 31st, 2010
4:02 pm
The Marlins always scare me.
FEAR
March 31st, 2010
4:02 pm
thinbreakness – agreed. Jimmy didn’t lose his job in the middle of last year.
Glen W
March 31st, 2010
4:02 pm
thinbreakness – was not comparing their production. I think Rollins has a long swing, but he is less mental about it. When things are not going well at the plate, Rollins is able contribute in other facets. Kelly would get so mental about it that he would be able to do anything with a straight 85 MPH fastball down the middle… Rollins does not have that problems. But he has a looong mechanical swing.
thinbreakness
March 31st, 2010
4:03 pm
JJ-
Hear ya Dude and appreciate your perspective.
BravesfaninWis
March 31st, 2010
4:03 pm
Thanks TJ. I thought for sure it was Chavez, but not surprised at all it was EOF. I see that Chavez walked another batter today as well.
Kimbrel is just playing lights out. Another 2 strikeouts today. He will be on this team soon, its just a matter of time.
thinbreakness
March 31st, 2010
4:04 pm
DOB-
Thanx for the coverage today.
FEAR
March 31st, 2010
4:05 pm
we could win 2-3 from the yanks and bosox. sweep the phils and the cards and then turn around and get swept by the fish. They are our achilles heel!!