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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
8,261 comments Add your comment
Savannahfan
August 1st, 2010
11:19 am
DOB I read in your bio you used to cover the Marlins. Are they as much of a keystone cop front office as it seems? They fire FG because the team is underperforming???? They do not deal Ross (not that I wanted the Braves to get him) even though they are too cheap to tender him in the offseason. So they get nothing for him at the end of the season because they overplayed their hand. DOB what is your take on that are they really idiots, inexperienced, and/or mislead by the owner?
Venice Jim
August 1st, 2010
11:19 am
“Gap in N.L. East Starts With Bullpen”
Article in the NY Times, largely about Venters:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/sports/baseball/01bases.html?_r=1&ref=sports
McLeeeeeeeeew
August 1st, 2010
11:19 am
ray k-Troy has a history of injuries- shoulder and otherwise. I guess we just have to look at the deal to bring him here in light of is what we paid him worth the 14 HR and 60 something RBI and then make sure we have a fall back option.
IVAN ...
August 1st, 2010
11:21 am
Lew — Best hitting coach to pass through here last was Don Baylor… Clarence Jones was decent also…
Agree or disagree…………
McLeeeeeeeeew
August 1st, 2010
11:21 am
Isn’t it nice to be here on a Sunday morrning, arguing differing points of view – nicely and like rational people? And we’re in first place. Life is good.
richbrave
August 1st, 2010
11:22 am
JerseyGil
August 1st, 2010
10:53 am
About the 40 men roster…Where is Lee Hyde playing today?….Braves put him in the 40 MR because we need to protect him from rule 5 draft….
GIL, he’s in MISSISSIPPI AA. 2.95 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 29 G, 0 GS, 2 HLD, 8 SV, 39.2 IP – 42 H; 12 BB – 35 SO.
IVAN ...
August 1st, 2010
11:23 am
richbrave— I have a question for you when you have time……….
richbrave
August 1st, 2010
11:24 am
IVAN …
August 1st, 2010
11:21 am
Lew — Best hitting coach to pass through here last was Don Baylor… Clarence Jones was decent also…
Agree or disagree…………
Well, I agree and have said so here numerous times.
McLeeeeeeeeew
August 1st, 2010
11:24 am
Ivan-I liked Baylor. I still don’t think they make a huge difference – at least not with all that many players. Change can be beneficial and it can also go south really fast.
Thing is that there won’t be any change this year and next year there will be way more than I’m comfortable with, even though I realize it had to happen sometime. I’m still missing Pat Coralles positioning the outfield like a master.
richbrave
August 1st, 2010
11:24 am
IVAN:
WHAT………..it is?
brian
August 1st, 2010
11:26 am
flange – I would not bring them up myself, but I don’t think it is unrealistic either. How old was Andruw Jones when he hit HRs in his first two World Series at bats?
If the Braves are convinced that Freeman, etc, are ready while helping them win the division and helping them in the playoffs, then they should recall these guys and not worry about the arbitration clock. A successful season and post-season dwarfs the arbitration clock. If the Braves want to pull them up, ready or not, because we are getting sorry production at their positions, I agree with you whole heartedly. That was Joey Devine. He was rushed because our bullpen was absolutely terrible and Devine was obviously not ready. The Braves rushed and ruined a good bullpen prospect
dbbraves
August 1st, 2010
11:26 am
Baylor was no better “coaching” than Pendleton. He was just better with the players in general. They liked the guy. Pendleton coaches like he has a large pine cone in his arse.
Frankie Wren
August 1st, 2010
11:27 am
Time to win a game on a Sunday afternoon for once.
brian
August 1st, 2010
11:27 am
McLeeeeeeeeeewww – and no off the wall insults either. Stinky must be asleep
richbrave
August 1st, 2010
11:27 am
Dude
August 1st, 2010
11:17 am
Thanks richbrave. Just have a hard time believing that Freeman would outperform Hinske in that role, and the price of a year of team control is steep.
Ding,ding,ding. Another hit for the stroke-meister, battin’ 1.000!!!!
flange1
August 1st, 2010
11:27 am
Lew,
Yes it is wonderful to have a decent conversation about the team without all of the doom criers and the non- fans.
McLeeeeeeeeew
August 1st, 2010
11:28 am
Re: Freeman-If they are, indeed, planning for him to be our full time 1B next year, then by all means bring him up – at least as a September call up. If they are not yet convinced he’s the answer for 2011, then let him stay at AAA.
flange1
August 1st, 2010
11:30 am
brian,
Oh I remember AJ in the series! And it has been great to watch Heyward.
I don’t think Freeman is as good a natural player as those guys. I think he needs time.
Now if the FO calls him up, I will be happy to se him and hope he does well, but it would not be my first choice!
Efrim
August 1st, 2010
11:30 am
So with Prado playing as well as he has, why do you consider Figgins unless you know that Chipper will retire at the end of the season?
I think something can be worked out this offseason. Figgins contract after this season is complete:
11:$9M, 12:$9M, 13:$8M, 14:$9M vesting option
2014 option guaranteed with 600 PAs in 2013
If Kawakami or McLouth is sent back to Seattle, or even both, maybe something can be worked out. Of course, this is all if Chipper retires. If he comes back, I just don’t think there is room for Figgins on this team that desperately needs more power in 2011. I think Figgins can get back to a .251/.372/.383 line….which is what Chipper is hitting. And if Seattle eats some money, ya never know. Yeah…..it’s a stretch.
McLeeeeeeeeew
August 1st, 2010
11:30 am
Flange-Yeah, Ivan and I got off on the wrong foot a few weeks back, but we worked through it. Now we disagree, but converse about it like humans. There is indeed hope.
richbrave
August 1st, 2010
11:30 am
dbbraves
August 1st, 2010
11:26 am
Baylor was no better “coaching” than Pendleton. He was just better with the players in general. They liked the guy. Pendleton coaches like he has a large pine cone in his arse.
Just knowing he rubbed LARRY WAYNE JONES’ azz the wrong way, and got a career year from him, puts him a leg up over anyone else in my book.
brian
August 1st, 2010
11:31 am
Hinske should get a 3-4 week audition at 1B before we consider calling up Freeman. Who knows what rental 1B may pass to us on waivers as well?
Frankie Wren
August 1st, 2010
11:31 am
Watching the Zimmerman walk off again and looks like Lidge through a fastball. 86mph on gun, ouch.
McLeeeeeeeeew
August 1st, 2010
11:32 am
Not so sure I’d be willing to pay Figgins that kind of $$$$. I bet we could find a better option if need be..
JerseyGil
August 1st, 2010
11:32 am
richbrave …Thanks, but i look at Miss. Roster and he is not there this year, Last time i’m heard he was in Gwinnett but has not Piching enough there…..It’s he ok….
IVAN ...
August 1st, 2010
11:33 am
richbrave —
A couple weeks ago we were talking about Great Bridge athletes from the past , notably tailback Lora Hinton and basketball player named Wayne Grimes .
You said one was deceased and one was a pastor.
Can you recall…
richbrave
August 1st, 2010
11:34 am
IVAN:
Does it have to do with the person/preacher I googled and found that he had passed away? Forgotten his name right now.
Brave4life-1995 all over again??
August 1st, 2010
11:36 am
NO Glaus
Freeman
Dude
August 1st, 2010
11:36 am
Lew, I’d be surprised if Freeman is on the roster to open the season. As far back as I can recall Heyward is the first rookie they’ve broken camp with as an everyday starter. They won’t have him in the majors to sit and I don’t think Heyward was the start of a trend. Could be wrong, just don’t see it.
Venice Jim
August 1st, 2010
11:37 am
A-Rod not in Yankees’ lineup today – maybe the Braves have a waiver deal coming…
ray k.
August 1st, 2010
11:37 am
Does anyone in here get an unsettling feeling that farnsworth is going to be closing soon? Worried about wags and his fastball.
dbbraves
August 1st, 2010
11:38 am
Pendleton isnt awful, he’s just too “all business” about things. Hell even Bobby gets in on the fun throughout the season, loosen up Terry.
Dude
August 1st, 2010
11:38 am
Bet that Venters would close before Kyle.
flange1
August 1st, 2010
11:40 am
Efrim,
But don’t you think it is strange that the Braves would be looking at Figgins if Chipper is NOT planning on retiring?
I can live with or without Figgins, I just think FW let the world know that Chipper is gone after this year by talking to the Marinres about Figgens.
I just don’t see him as a viable OF piece.
Just a thought…..
IVAN ...
August 1st, 2010
11:40 am
Lew — I tried to tell you I was a Brave’s fan from way back….
I sometimes come off as a complainer (maybe) because I hate to see us under perform.
I think Cox makes stupid and redundant mistakes too often especially with pitchers in the game.
(Notice I didn’t call him Coxie) lol……………
Brave4life-1995 all over again??
August 1st, 2010
11:40 am
Under/Over
New guys have more than 3 hits Ankiel-Gonzalez????
Frankie Wren
August 1st, 2010
11:40 am
Farnsworth will not be closing. 6th and 7th inning guy for this team.
Long Time Braves Fan
August 1st, 2010
11:40 am
Thanks for the INFO Lew, hope we start winning again so you can enjoy games.
dbbraves
August 1st, 2010
11:40 am
Good bet, Dude.
richbrave
August 1st, 2010
11:41 am
GIL:
You’re right. He got a promo to GWINNETT last month, and has been out six times (6.35 ERA, 5.2 IP, 6 H, 1 HR, 4 ER, 5 BB, 7 SO). I’m guessing he’s shut down for maintenance……….for some side work because the results aren’t very good in GWINNETT. I don’t think he’s hurt, although that could account for the poor showing in AAA to date.
Long Time Braves Fan
August 1st, 2010
11:43 am
When I lived in NJ had all braves games on TBS. Those were the good times when Ted owned Braves.
hmmmmmm
August 1st, 2010
11:44 am
DOB, What are the realistic chances that KK , seeing there is zero trade interest, gets released and the Braves eat that contract? They really could use that roster spot, maybe even for Freeman, to come platoon a bit and give Glaus a rest while seeing if FF is ready for the big show…
Brave4life-1995 all over again??
August 1st, 2010
11:44 am
I NOW have faith in everyone in the pen’, KK a long relief guy isnt too shabby
bravefaninok
August 1st, 2010
11:44 am
Dude
August 1st, 2010
11:36 am
Lew, I’d be surprised if Freeman is on the roster to open the season. As far back as I can recall Heyward is the first rookie they’ve broken camp with as an everyday starter. They won’t have him in the majors to sit and I don’t think Heyward was the start of a trend. Could be wrong, just don’t see it.
Jordan Shafer opened the season as our starting CF in 09′
richbrave
August 1st, 2010
11:48 am
GIL:
Did you know he’s had “Tommy John” surgery? I didn’t, in 2008 I believe.
Steve from OH
August 1st, 2010
11:48 am
KG: As for the minor-league addition, the Tigers once had very high hopes for Wilkin Ramirez, but those had long since diminished, and their recent moves squeezed him off the 40-man roster. He’s a tremendous athlete with well above-average power, good speed, and a cannon for an arm, but his inability to recognize breaking balls has led to 823 strikeouts in 704 minor-league games. If Bud Selig made a new rule that forced pitchers to only throw fastballs, Ramirez would be a star. Until that happens, he remains an exciting talent that is unlikely to ever make an impact.
Goldstein on Wilkin Ramirez.
Brave4life-1995 all over again??
August 1st, 2010
11:49 am
Whats sad is that this lineup is better that our “regular” lineup of late. Glaus has been garbage lately whereas Chipper has been mediocre at best.
IVAN ...
August 1st, 2010
11:50 am
Long Time Fan……
Never stopped enjoying games, hope that you enjoyed watching JJ lose yesterday when it possibly could have been avoided.
When the leadoff man got on and we only had a 1 run lead, (JJ has only gone so deep in his pitch count) I thought go get him and hold them there.
We need those wins and we need a 7 or 8 game streak of our own.
brian
August 1st, 2010
11:50 am
Kyle is not closing and I don’t think he wants to close. He will be a 7th-8th inning guy for the Braves, possibly jumping Moylan in the Braves pen
David O'Brien
August 1st, 2010
11:50 am
Talked to Ankiel and Farnsworth, who flew in early from K.C. today. Farnsworth is as edgy and ripped as ever. Scary dude. Hilarious comments from teammates about his rep, including the body-slam of a hitter who charged the mound years ago. (Chipper joked that the first thing they’d tell him today was to go hit the Cincy pitcher.)
I’ll get that stuff in a new blog shortly…
Hmmm: no, I don’t see the Braves eating KK’s contract. If they do, it’ll be a first (they ate Albie’s salary years ago, but that was about half as much as this would be).
Ivan: Chipper didn’t ask out of the lineup today. He came to the ballpark and saw his name not in the lineup. Cox does that with him in a lot of day games, if you haven’t noticed….
Obee: thanks, I appreciate the kind words.
Long Time Braves Fan
August 1st, 2010
11:50 am
Be back later, things to do before game
Dude
August 1st, 2010
11:51 am
Geez, forgot Schafer. Exhibit A for letting Freeman open up in the minors.
RHR
August 1st, 2010
11:51 am
I feel the words “NEW BLOGGAGE” coming up any second now but nevertheless….
I am so sick of hearing about the Phillies injuries
Amen to that. Utley SUCKED before going on the DL. Not just a cold streak but the entire season before going on the DL his numbers were uggggly. So losing what he had done for them before getting hurt? Not much of a loss.
Joe Poz (a loyal royal fan) loved the moves KC made, especially getting rid of Farnsy and Ankle or whatever his name is. I can’t possibly spell it right without looking, and I’m not going to look, so there. Ankle. Laugh it up. At least I knew that the hats were just photoshopped on to the player mug shots.
http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2010/07/31/diary-of-a-losing-team-hope/
Steve from OH
August 1st, 2010
11:51 am
Kyle is not closing and I don’t think he wants to close. He will be a 7th-8th inning guy for the Braves, possibly jumping Moylan in the Braves pen
Yes. He’s not gonna be taking any late-innings…innings from Venters and Wagner. And he does fill an important need for us. Our right-handed relief corps was hanging by a thread. Moylan is really our only dependable righty and Saito can barely pitch 3 times per week. He’s a welcome addition.
Dude
August 1st, 2010
11:52 am
Steve, Wilkin didn’t go to Parkview did he? Sounds familiar…
richbrave
August 1st, 2010
11:54 am
Hey IVAN:
I didn’t realize LORA HINTON broke the color barrier at LSU. You went to school with him, right?
Steve from OH
August 1st, 2010
11:54 am
RHR–this made me laugh (Poz on our would-be CF savior):
Podsednik, to my eye, is an atrocious left fielder even though he is fast and tries hard and makes a diving play now and again … his minus-14 Dewan plus/minus this year matches what I have seen. I found myself, more often than ever before, grumbling at the television.
Tell that to the blog scouts…
JerseyGil
August 1st, 2010
11:55 am
richbrave…No i didn’t know….That problaly i lost him in his career…
Efrim
August 1st, 2010
11:56 am
flange1, I think GM’s have a lot of conversation with other GM’s and these types of things come up. I’m sure the front office is preparing for Chipper’s departure, but we really won’t be for sure until it comes out of Chipper’s mouth.
Steve from OH
August 1st, 2010
12:02 pm
Efrim, flange–even so, I’m still struggling to find reasons to acquire Figgins. He’s not getting any younger (not a good sign for a man who relies on his legs for value) and that contract is looking worse and worse by the day. His only plus defensive spot by all accounts is 3B. How much is it gonna take for the M’s to eat that money? And once we get to that point, will it be worth it? I can’t say I’m bullish on projecting him past this season.
IVAN ...
August 1st, 2010
12:02 pm
richbrave — Yes, was one year behind him, as a sophomore tailback he was awesome in HS, led us to Championship game. We got manhandled by Hampton HS 44-0 at Foreman Field in Norfolk.
He blew out hi knee in his junior year, still got offer at LSU and was the first Afro American to be given schlorship there. Saw him enter a game on tv in 73…
Didn’t you say you went to O. Smith HS ??
Steve from OH
August 1st, 2010
12:05 pm
Did anyone see the interesting prospects the Pirates got for Dotel?
James McDonald and Andrew Lambo. Not the greatest duo in the world, but man, is Dotel that good?
Rhett
August 1st, 2010
12:07 pm
DOB – Saw Jay Farrar at the Denver Woody Guthrie Festival last night. Played a two hour acoustic set in front of a crowd of less than 100 people at this small venue in Denver called the Swallow Hill Music Center. Some really great covers, mixed in with some old Son Volt and his solo stuff. Towards the end of the show, he broke out a couple of songs he’d written (but had never played live before) using excerpts from Woody Guthrie’s journals for the lyrics. Overall, just a really cool experience, and I have a whole new respect for Farrar given he could have easily packed it in (small crowd, festival setting).
David O'Brien
August 1st, 2010
12:07 pm
Farnsworth on coming back to Braves: “My parents and the whole family still lives up in Roswell, so it’s always a good time. When we played [against Braves] a couple weeks ago I stayed with them. So it’s always good to come back, to come home.”
Frank Wren
August 1st, 2010
12:10 pm
you guys need to start understanding why I traded for Farnsworth. You see, I am tired of my pitchers getting plunked. Farnsworth is what you would call “our enforcer”. Let anyone throw at our pitcher, let a pitcher throw at Kyle. There will be hell to pay now! I am tired of all the little fat boys like Melky, McCann, Glaus, and Ross. I wanted a man of some size and integrity to go whoop some azz! Kyle has also been instructed to get in anyone’s face who is out of shape on this team. You guys can start calling him Drillmaster Farnsworth.
semiballcoach
August 1st, 2010
12:13 pm
IVAN—agree on Baylor, but not Clarence…chipper had his most complete year with baylor..including 44 hrs
David O'Brien
August 1st, 2010
12:13 pm
Medlen said arm feels good today, had been swollen yesterday. He thinks he’ll make next start, but was going to test it today and then throw side session tomorrow.
Salty Dawg
August 1st, 2010
12:14 pm
But don’t you think it is strange that the Braves would be looking at Figgins if Chipper is NOT planning on retiring?
Did the Braves approach Seattle or the other way around? I heard it both ways and tend to believe the latter.
David O'Brien
August 1st, 2010
12:15 pm
Rhett, that sounds amazing, seeing him in such an intimate setting. Farrar’s outstanding, and I like his solo stuff as well as his Son Volt work (and obviously his Uncle Tupelo output before that)
tristan
August 1st, 2010
12:16 pm
How do you suppose Hanson’s Batting Avg is more than his on base pct??
I am speaking of his ABs.
Salty Dawg
August 1st, 2010
12:16 pm
I am tired of my pitchers getting plunked. Farnsworth is what you would call “our enforcer”.
That’s what I was thinking yesterday. Immediately gives the Bravos more credibility in an ass kicking contest.
Trey
August 1st, 2010
12:18 pm
DOB, I am looking forward to seeing Farnsworth pitch again. It will be great to see him shutting guys down. I also hope Ankiel is excited to be playing in Atlanta.
GermanBravesFan
August 1st, 2010
12:18 pm
Hi All… haven’t been on here in a while. Whatever happened to Scott Proctor?
SpazzHH
August 1st, 2010
12:22 pm
Some of you folks seem to be unaware, or are forgetting that the reports stated that Seattle approached FW about possible interest in Figgins. The reports did not say FW was looking at him, or asking about him initially, in any way. They approached him. I don’t see how this has any effect on Chipper’s decision at all..
MiaBchBravesFan
August 1st, 2010
12:24 pm
Glad to hear Medlen is OK and may not miss his next start. Any word on JJ’s arm after he got plunked, DOB?
Dude
August 1st, 2010
12:28 pm
Hmmmm… Oswalt has failed to produce a quality start in 5 of his last 10 and has given up 12ER in his last three starts (15 innings). Damaged goods?
Trey
August 1st, 2010
12:30 pm
Random question. Does anyone have any idea on why the Angels keep changing their name? First it was Los Angeles Angels, then it was California Angels, then it was the Anaheim Angels, now it is Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The last one doesn’t even make sense, why will they say Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?
flange1
August 1st, 2010
12:32 pm
Steve for OH,
I tend to agree on Figgins, he has never been a favorite of mine and I think we could get equal production from moving Prado to 3B and letting Infante play 2B.
The contract for Figgins is not good. Reminds me of Luis Castillo with the Mets.
Salty, I have also read it that the Braves did the approaching and then the Mariners did the approaching. Without hearing it from FW, doubt we will ever know.
Hope we don’t get Figgins.
If we did do the approaching, I find it interesting on the Chipper front though.
cabravesfan
August 1st, 2010
12:33 pm
Trey-
There is actually a long, somewhat complicated answer as to the Angels name, but the latest one came about when Arte Moreno bought the team and basically wanted to capitalize on the LA market
TennesseePaul
August 1st, 2010
12:34 pm
Damnit. Finally get a Center Fielder and Melky is still in the lineup.
Mitchie-san
August 1st, 2010
12:35 pm
Trey, I think they were the California Angels first.
As far as silly team names go, have you ever heard of the “Long Beach Armada of Los Angeles of California of the United States of North America Including Barrow, Alaska.”
shmoe
August 1st, 2010
12:36 pm
Will the real Tommy Hanson please stand up, please stand up, please stand up…..
Trey
August 1st, 2010
12:36 pm
cabravesfan, oh okay. The last one is confusing, why would you put two cities in one team? Are they playing in LA or Anaheim, that is why I was curious.
SpazzHH
August 1st, 2010
12:36 pm
Trey –
SpazzHH
August 1st, 2010
12:37 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Anaheim_v._Angels_Baseball_LP
MiaBchBravesFan
August 1st, 2010
12:37 pm
While the Marlins go backwards. When they move into the new stadium, they plan to change their name to the “Miami Marlins”.
Used to be a minor league team down here of the same name. It fits the present team perfectly.
.573
August 1st, 2010
12:37 pm
Good afternoon all. Brand new day. “Good foot” mojo being sent.
cabravesfan
August 1st, 2010
12:37 pm
Mitchie-san-
They were actually the LA Angels briefly when they were founded and played their first few years in Los Angeles
McLeeeeeeeeeew
August 1st, 2010
12:37 pm
Dude-Re: Freeman – Thing is they signed Glaus to a one yer deal intentionally because they were making room for Freeman in 2011. He’ll be up to begin the season or they’ll have to go out and get someone else. I just don’t see that happening – not with the numbers Ready Freddie’s putting up in AAA.
I think the real question is if they bring him up this year.
Trey
August 1st, 2010
12:38 pm
Mitchie-san, I have not heard that. The Angels are just confusing with the way they change their name like that.
cabravesfan
August 1st, 2010
12:39 pm
Trey-
They play in Anaheim…
Steve from OH
August 1st, 2010
12:39 pm
flange–agreed! It’ll be very interesting to see how Wren approaches replacing Chipper. It should be very interesting to see what develops, as I don’t see a lot on the FA market.
Mitchie-san
August 1st, 2010
12:40 pm
Hmm, didnt know that, cab. I stand corrected.
Trey
August 1st, 2010
12:41 pm
It would be like the Braves becoming the Atlanta Braves of Sandy Springs.
Huh
August 1st, 2010
12:41 pm
So Figgins doesnt qualify as a headcase when he just stood there and watched a cut off throw slowly roll past him and then gets into a dugout brawl with his Manager? Yet he’s now a good fit for the Braves who just got rid of a guy for being a headcase? Good thing Figgins isnt Cuban.
Trey
August 1st, 2010
12:41 pm
cabravesfan, I know they do, so it makes no sense that they say Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Trey
August 1st, 2010
12:42 pm
cabravesfan, that is just my opinion though.
McLeeeeeeeeeew
August 1st, 2010
12:42 pm
Steve-Thing is that if Chipper leaves we’ll have the $$$$$ to pay a replacement and if there’s not a viable FA option, we have the wherewithall to make a good trade and the money to pay them once the trae has been made – or to get better in other areas and put in a 3B to hold the fort until another option or internal option presents itself..
cabravesfan
August 1st, 2010
12:42 pm
Mitchie-san-
It was only about 4 years in the early ’60s but that is where the “Angels” name comes from
Steve from OH
August 1st, 2010
12:42 pm
An interesting name may be Hank Blalock. Plays a decent 3B with offensive upside and could be had cheaply.