Braves’ Wren on payroll, ownership; DOB’s Top 50 CDs
Denizens and everyone else, here’s to a Merry Christmas, happy holidays, rockin’ New Year and all that.
Now, a new blog and Top 50 CDs of 2010 list for you to peruse, use or abuse as you see fit.
In spring training or during the season, there’s usually too much rather than not enough for us to write and blog about. But coming up with a fresh topic during the holidays can be difficult, particularly when you cover a team that moved quickly to complete its major offseason moves by early December.
But we got what we needed for this holiday blog via a conversation with GM Frank Wren, as he literally sat on a beach in Cozumel this week, following a couple of morning scuba-diving sessions with his vacationing family. He said the reef off that Mexican resort is one of the best anywhere for diving, and also added that it was 80 degrees and he had a bit of a sunburn.
Braves GM Frank Wren introduced new manager Fredi Gonzalez in October, the first in series of Braves offseason moves that came in rapid succession.
I put my cold hand over my phone – temp’s about 60 in my 1950s-era ranch house, where we’re trying to minimize furnace use to get a couple more years out of that contraption – and cursed Wren for rubbing it in. Then I thanked him in advance for being gracious with his time while on vacation. (Really was cool of him to do this.)
The interview was for a Q&A that will run in the Christmas day print edition of the AJC, and should be posted online at some point in next couple of days. For now, I thought I’d tease it with a few topics that have been discussed quite frequently on the ol’ blog – Liberty Media, payroll, Zack Greinke, and the Braves’ increased emphasis on speed.
I asked Wren: Is it difficult working within the constraints of a mid-size payroll in a division with two high-payrolled teams, the Phillies and Mets, or is that not as big an issue as some might imagine, and something you just get accustomed to dealing with?
“The one thing about it is, as long as you know what you have” it’s workable, he said. “And we have an ample payroll to win, there’s no question about that. We’ve seen all kinds of signs of that in recent times. San Francisco was marginally higher than us, and plenty of other [winning] clubs are in our payroll range. Texas and Tampa Bay were lower. You look at clubs that are well constructed, if you have young players coming up in your system – only way any team can consistently compete, that’s not in the really high payroll levels, is by having a strong farm system, where you’re continually bringing young players to the big leagues who can contribute to your team.”
I followed that by asking him if the payroll limits force a team like the Braves to be even more diligent in terms of making good draft picks and trades that add, rather than subtract, depth in the minor league system?
“What you have to be diligent about is, you have to know your players better than anyone else knows them,” he answered. “You make sure you don’t trade those players who have a chance to be real productive, game-changing types. You’re going to make trades, but you just make sure you don’t give away players who are going to have a huge major league impact in the future. But sometimes players develop at different paces, and you’re not going to see it, they come around and develop at a different time than you thought they would. We’re not going to stop being aggressive and making trades, getting players to help us win.
“John [Schuerholz] and Bobby [Cox] were so good and so consistent for so long, but that’s not the norm. That’s really hard to do, and every other club will tell you that. Being there 14 years in a row just doesn’t happen. Our goal is to be consistent, year-in and year-out, but to do that you’re also going to have to keep developing players and getting players.”
Jason Heyward is a legit five-tool player, one being ability to run. The Braves are "re-emphasizing" speed in their drafts and international signings.
When I asked him if there were specific areas or things the Braves would like to accomplish in the future, that’s when Wren brought up the subject of speed.
“We’ve talked about it — and it’s a hard thing to do — as we transition to a more athletic team,” he said. “Where speed and defense and those areas are so valuable in the overall scheme of things the way the game’s played today, transitioning more to that type of team as we go forward, while also maintaining our strong pitching base. Not to say you can’t have a very successful team without that, but if there’s one attribute that plays so well in our game it’s speed. In the last five or six years, there’s been a re-emphasis on speed.
“But speed without the presence of other skills really doesn’t do you a lot of good, either. That’s why those players are so rare. They’re hard to come by. That’s been a focus of Tony [DeMacio, Braves scouting director] last year in the draft, as well as for Johnny [Almaraz, Braves international scouting director]. That’s hopefully the direction we’re headed more and more as we go forward. But it’s five or six years to turn that around, from the time you sign a player to when they become an impact player in the big leagues.”
While on the subject of payroll restrictions, I asked him about Liberty Media, the Denver-based conglomerate that owns the Braves. I asked how much interaction he had with Liberty officials, or whether that was left primarily to Braves CEO Terry McGuirk.
“We all in the front office have interactions with them several times a year, whether we’re playing [against the Rockies] in Denver, or they’ll come to Atlanta or at our annual meetings,” Wren said. “But primarily they have given us the ability to run this franchise, especially Terry, to put together the budget and basically just keep them informed. It’s an ideal situation for a baseball operation, to be able to make decisions internally.”
I asked him if it was a good ownership situation, from his perspective, since we often hear from fans who’d prefer to have a big-spending local owner, preferably one person, rather than some far-flung corporation.
“It’s an outstanding situation,” Wren said of the current ownership arrangement. “It’s never been a time that I know of where there was a [phone] call saying, ‘Why are you doing this or doing that?’ They’re confident in the leadership situation in Atlanta, to make decisions in those situations. I think [criticism from media or fans] is misdirected – the budget is set internally, not by Liberty Media.
“There are a lot of teams with single owners who are local are doing exactly the same thing we’re doing – with a similar payroll and how they’re doing things. We get very high marks for how our franchise is run throughout baseball….
“The economics are really a function of our market size and the revenues that are coming in. It’s not because there’s an owner saying ‘You’re not going to do this.’ It’s just a function or our market. And like I said, I can reel off half a dozen other markets very similar to us that do have local owners, who are doing it the same way we’re doing it. So that’s a bit of a red herring when you always want to throw it on Liberty.”
Oh, and as long as he seemed so relaxed on the beach, I figured I’d ask about Greinke, the former AL Cy Young Award winner who’d just been traded from Kansas City to Milwaukee. I asked Wren, if the Braves ever considered making a run at Greinke this winter.
“His name was brought up,” he said. “We talked
about it. I just think it was going to be cost-prohibitive for us, because some of those players it would have taken to make that deal are players we’re going to be counting on in the next year or two, and we think they’re going to be premium talents at the major league level.”
There’s a lot more coming in that Q&A with Wren that we’ll get posted this week. He was candid and, uh, Frank (did I really just use that? Oy.)
♣ Whither Uggla? Don’t panic, folks. There have not been any setbacks in negotiations between the Braves and Uggla on a potential contract extension. A report in a Boston paper last week got everyone excited, because it made it sound like a deal was imminent on a five-year extension worth $60-61 million.
Fact is, the Braves and Uggla agreed after he was traded to the Braves in November that there was no great urgency to get an extension done, and both sides said they wanted it to happen and didn’t see any reason it wouldn’t.
That hasn’t changed. Uggla, who’s eligible for free agency after the 2011 season, wants to stay with the Braves for a lot more years, and they want to keep him. Will they guarantee a fifth year, something the Marlins would not do? I think in the end, they probably will, especially in light of the seven-year contracts that were just handed out to Jayson Werth and Carl Crawford. Werth, 31, is 10 months older than Uggla.
Although Werth has an .848 career OPS to Uggla’s .837, and a .369 OBP to Uggla’s .349, Werth has only two seasons with as many as 27 homers (Uggla has done that in all five seasons in the majors). Werth has driven in more than 70 runs only twice in the past five seasons; Uggla drove in at least 90 runs in four of those five seasons, and 88 in the other.
Werth never scored more than 73 runs before totaling 98 and 106 runs in the past two seasons. Uggla has scored 100 or more runs three times, and totaled 97 and 84 runs scored in his other two seasons.
I’m not suggesting that Uggla should be paid what Werth’s getting, and I realize that Uggla isn’t a free agent yet. But he will be 10 months from now if not signed to an extension, and five years at $60-65 million sure sounds like a bargain about now, compared to the staggering seven-year, $126 million contract that the Nationals lavished upon Werth.
And for those who suggest that Uggla won’t be worth $12 million by the fourth or fifth year of that deal, you might be right. Or you might not be. No middle infielder has ever hit as many homers in his first five seasons as Uggla, but just as importantly, for contract purposes, it’s worth noting that very few current players have put up as consistently productive numbers in their first five seasons as Uggla has.
But the bottom line is this: Whether you’re comfortable paying him a guaranteed fourth or fifth year, right now that appears to be the going rate for such a player. So you pay it, or you risk him putting up the same kind of season he’s produced every year, then commanding an even greater contract next winter, when multiple teams will surely be ready to offer that kind of cash for a consistent 30-homer, 95-RBI middle infielder, regardless of his mediocre defense.
Dude’s a run-producer and a big-time power threat. He’s going to get paid. And the Braves have searched too long for a right-handed power bat to let this one slip away after one season.
I’m confident they’ll get a five-year extension done, whether that’s next week or next month.
♣ Braves and the NL East: We were having a discussion on the blog a few days ago about the Braves’ postseason chances in 2011, when I suggested that the Braves, with starting rotation returning intact, and Uggla added to the lineup, should be better than they were during an injury-plagued 2010 season in which they won 91 games and the wild card.
The Nationals gave Jayson Werth a huge contract to lure the free agent from Philadelphia, but Washington still has too many holes in its pitching staff and elsewhere to compete for the division title.
One of our regulars, screen name MFin04, replied with this: “Contending this year and contending last year are two different beasts. Teams continue to get better every year. Phillies got better, Nationals got better, Marlins always find a way to win with young guys, the Mets are going to be healthier this year I’d presume. So while the Braves got a little bit better with Uggla, the rest of the division did too.”
I just wanted to repeat here the answer I gave him (since we were up to about 60 pages of comments, I’m sure many of them went unnoticed by a lot of our readers). My reply was:
“Please. The Nationals finished 28 games out of first place (and 22 games behind the Braves), lost Stephen Strasburg to injury, Adam Dunn to free agency and Josh Willingham in a trade, and added Jayson Werth and some far lesser pieces. Even if they were to sign, say, Derrek Lee, they still haven’t closed much of the gap on the Phillies and Braves. Look at their pitching staff.
“You say the Marlins (who finished 11 games behind Atlanta) “always find a way to win with young guys” and the Mets (who finished 12 games behind Atlanta) “are going to be healthier this year, I’d presume,” and then you conclude with, “So while the Braves got a little bit better with Uggla, the rest of the division did too.” Why, just because the Marlins always find a way to win with young guys and the Mets are going to be healthier? Those are the reasons you believe they’re going to close double-digit gaps on the Braves in the standings?
“One could certainly argue that the Phillies improved by adding a tremendous starting pitcher, Cliff Lee, although they lost one of their key lineup cogs in Werth. But the rest of the division? What did those teams do to put them ahead of the Braves, who won the wild card, kept their starting rotation intact, and added a 30-homer hitter? The Braves lost a very good closer to retirement, and it remains to be seen whether Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters can handle the closer role without much dropoff. Otherwise, the Braves’ only significant loss was All-Star utility man Omar Infante.”
OK, other blog participants, your thoughts?
♣ Etc. The Braves have signed a load of 6-year minor league free agents this winter that seem a cut above the usual flotsam
This dramatic homer by Rick Ankiel was the highlight of his brief time with the Braves, who declined a 2011 option on the outfielder.
that falls into that category. The latest is lefty Yohan Flande, signed from the Phillies organization last week. He’ll be 25 in January — old for a custard treat; just checking to see if you’re paying attention still — and went 10-8 with a 4.38 ERA and 1.402 WHIP at Double-A Reading in 2010 in 27 starts, with 84 strikeouts and 44 walks in 158-1-3 innings. Those aren’t impressive numbers, obviously, but he was rated among the Phillies’ top 20 prospects before last season, and has a 34-17 record, 3.28 ERA and 1.250 WHIP in five minor league seasons. So who knows? Certainly worth taking a look at. The Braves plan to have him in their Triple-A Gwinnett starting rotation…. In case you missed it, former Braves lefty Chuck James signed a minor-league deal last week with the Twins…. Center fielder Rick Ankiel signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Nationals, which is one-fourth of the amount of the $6 million option the Braves declined on Ankiel for the 2011 season…. Speaking of the Nats, they will pay Jayson Werth $21 million per season in 2015-2017, when he’s 36, 37 and 38.
♣ The best CDs of 2010, period: It’s too bad that fewer people buy music these days, because they’re missing out on a great period of new music in all genres. Seriously, this was one of the best years I can recall for new, bold and just plain terrific new music.
Which only made it that much harder to put together my annual list of the best 50 CDs/albums. But here it is, after much coffee-fueled late-night cramming (had to play a bunch of them again, since it’s been months since I last listened to a few of them – you who buy too much music know what I mean).
My rules are simple: It must be a CD or LP that I possess in its entirety (confession: I cheated on two CDs this year, borrowed them from a lovely lady). It can not be a recording that I heard a cut from, or that I just read about. No, no, no. Can’t be something I downloaded one or two songs from or heard at a listening station at Decatur CD or Criminal Records, or that the dude played at Wuxtry.
That means two things: First and foremost, I spend irresponsible amounts of money on CDs. Secondly, there are going to be plenty of great CDs that I missed, that I haven’t found so far at a reasonable price. I’m a sports writer, not a rock critic getting dozens of CDs sent to me gratis every week. Dammit.
Lastly, we’ve got no genre restrictions. If I like it and think it’s good enough — top-50 good — I rank it. Plenty of CDs not listed here got great critical reviews, but I either didn’t hear them in their entirety or didn’t like them enough to rank. And yes, I know a few I’ve ranked in the bottom half of my list finished in the top 10 of others. So? Maybe I just didn’t like them as much, or maybe I don’t have conflicts of interest, like a magazine that gets a cover story from this or that artist in exchange for a better-than-deserved review or ranking (not that that would ever happen; ahem).
I'm not sure why DBT's Big To-Do didn't make many best-of-2010 lists, but it made ours.
There might also be one or two I simply overlooked when I was going back through my stacks and stacks of CDs, trying to figure out exactly what came out this year. It happens every years. I reserve the right to change one or two if I immediately realize that I overlooked one or two last night when I was finishing this exhaustive task. But only one or two, and only for a day or two. Can’t be changing my list for anything else.
Two other things: We tried to avoid all reissues or tribute albums this year (or else the John Prine and Loretta Lynn tributes would both have made my list). The Bruce Springsteen gem is not a reissue. And lastly, the CD of the year was a really tough call for me between terrific work from The Black Keys and The National, with Jamey Johnson’s hard country double-CD also great enough to be No. 1 in a lot of years.
Among the many other CDs I really like this year that fell just outside the list were new ones by Alejandro Escovedo, Bad Religion, Gil Scott-Heron, Broken Bells, Josh Ritter, Warpaint, Tom Petty, Graham Parker, Wolf Parade, New Pornographers, Merle Haggard, Midlake, The Thermals, Mary Gauthier, Jason & The Scorchers, The Roots with John Legend, Maximum Balloon, Mynabirds, Sharon Van Etten, Surfer Blood, Ryan Adams, Wavves, Dangermouse & Sparklehorse, Eels, John Mellencamp, Future Islands, Everest, The Tallest Man on Earth, Futurebirds, Free Energy and Budos Band, among others. But now….
Best CDs of 2010
- The Black Keys: Brothers
Black Keys: Unusual CD cover, terrific CD
- The National: High Violet
- Jamey Johnson: The Guitar Song
- Big Boi: Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Dusty Chico
- Grinderman: 2
- Arcade Fire: The Suburbs
- Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
- Bruce Springsteen: The Promise
- Beach House: Teen Dream
- The Soft Pack: The Soft Pack
- The Roots: How I Got Over
- Cee Lo Green: The Lady Killer
- Justin Townes Earle: Harlem River Blues
- No Age: Everything in Between
- The Walkmen: Lisbon
- Drive-By Truckers: The Big To-Do
- Phosphorescent: Here’s To Taking It Easy
- Local Natives: Gorilla Manor
- Swans: My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky
- Paul Weller: Wake Up The Nation
- The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights
- Elizabeth Cook: Welder
- LCD Soundsystem: This Is Happening
- Titus Andronicus: The Monitor
- Mumford and Sons: Sigh No More
- Deerhunter: Halcyon Digest
- Spoon: Transference
- Johnny Cash: American VI: Ain’t No Grave
Spoon's Transference came in at No. 27
- Superchunk: Majesty Shredding
- Best Coast: Crazy For You
- Helen Stellar: If The Stars Could Speak They Would Have Your Voice
- Gorillaz: Plastic Beach
- Caribou: Swim
- Neil Young: Le Noise
- Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti: Before Today
- Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings: I Learned the Hard Way
- The Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Preservation Hall: An Album To Benefit Preservation Hall
- Crime in Stereo: I Was Trying to Describe You to Someone
- Roky Erickson with Okkervil River: True Love Cast Out All Evil
- Janelle Monae: The ArchAndroid
- Sleigh Bells: Sleigh Bells
- Joe Pug: Messenger
- Dale Watson: Carryin’ On
- Vampire Weekend: Contra
- Band of Horses: Infinite Arms
- Mavis Staples: You Are Not Alone
- Flying Lotus: Cosmogramma
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
- The Gaslight Anthem: American Slang
- The Hold Steady: Heaven Is Whenever
- Jenny and Johnny: I’m Having Fun Now
ADDENDUM: I picked up more CDs on my year-end vacation in Seattle, after this list was published, a few of which could’ve been in the top 50 or at least been mentioned: Robyn’s Body Talk, Crocodiles‘ Sleep Forever, and Antony and the Johnsons‘ Swanlights.
– By David O’Brien, Braves blog
3,528 comments Add your comment
Hillbilly
December 21st, 2010
3:39 pm
She smelled like cigarettes and wine. She kept me happy all the time.
Mitchie-san
December 21st, 2010
3:42 pm
Fresh blog. Thanks DOB.
Bayou Brave
December 21st, 2010
3:46 pm
Woohoo!!!
Trey
December 21st, 2010
3:46 pm
Thank you for the new blog.
ContactBuzz
December 21st, 2010
3:48 pm
Was Hampton’s Lullaby by the Futurebirds considered?
Crime Dog
December 21st, 2010
3:48 pm
Well, I own eight of those CDs. I’ve got some work to do.
Murph
December 21st, 2010
3:52 pm
26. Deerhunter: Halcyon Digest
I should own this, but don’t.
DOB, do you still buy CD’s or are you getting all your stuff digitally?
McFann O O
December 21st, 2010
3:53 pm
Hi, Wayne! I’m good, thanks, how ’bout you? Yup, Brother got home safe and sound—his friend that was driving had some car trouble, but they made it home and that’s what counts.
Hope you folks have a marvelous Christmas, as I do all my friends on the blog.
Thanks! Hope you do, as well! (And I hope everyone else does.)
Heck, I even hope the folks that are jerks have a great Christmas too!
Of course. Maybe it will cheer them up…
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief!
Steve from OH
December 21st, 2010
4:00 pm
Great comments from Wren, DOB. Did you get a chance to ask him directly about draft spending? We’ve been near the bottom recently, and that figure is a bit contradictory given his statements about a strong farm system and player development.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
4:00 pm
Great insights by Frank Wren. Thanks Dave.
CD’s? CD’s? Don’t ever mess with a Chinese man’s CD’s!
dap
December 21st, 2010
4:02 pm
DOB: What minor league players have the most speed for the Braves? Lipka? The SS that came over in the trade last year? Schafer? Who else? When should we start seeing the results of the emphasis on speed?
McFann O O
December 21st, 2010
4:02 pm
Wayne Trey and Mitchie…Hey, most of us here appreciate the sacrifices you guys (and your fellow soldiers and sailors) give for our freedoms.
I DO!!
You guys are the best there is.
MZ
December 21st, 2010
4:03 pm
No “Mojo”?
Bayou Brave
December 21st, 2010
4:04 pm
The Braves are definitely better heading into 2011 than they were heading into 2010. Does that mean they will win more than 91 games in 2011? Of course not.
But I like our chances.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
4:05 pm
Hey zookey! I was thinking about starting a twitter account. Wow! You could follow my every moves; find out all that I do. Keep up with DS1 100% of the time.
Wouldn’t that be lovely!
ManOfTeal
December 21st, 2010
4:05 pm
No Dave the Marlins are not going to win because they are young and simply find a way to win, they are going to win, and compete well, barring unforeseen injuries. The Marlins lost 21 games that they were leading in after the 6th inning to blown saves and a crappy bullpen last year, that issue has been rectified as long as the bullpen they put together remains healthy
While the Braves improved a little offensively by adding Uggla, the Marlins improved substantially from a pitching and defensive perspective from what they were a year ago and this was aided by the fact that they were able to spend the money they were originally going to spend keeping Uggla elsewhere.
If the Marlins remain healthy, you are looking at a team much improved and very dangerous to the Braves attempts to repeat as the NL Wild Card.
Daybed Wagmoe
December 21st, 2010
4:06 pm
DOB — Very glad to see your Best Of 2010 list for music. I’d agree with many of those, though I’m not able to get as deep into it as some others…I was surprised to see Vampire Weekend on your list — thought you weren’t a fan?
T for Texas
December 21st, 2010
4:06 pm
Nice to see Roky Erickson on the list. For anybody who hasn’t seen the documentay on his life “You’re Gonna Miss Me” it is a good one. Great story.
Cecil34
December 21st, 2010
4:06 pm
DOB – good job with Wren, I can’t wait to read the whole interview.
I will say that with a guy like Uggla, the Braves can’t help but be better. This ballplayer has been the model of consistency at the plate.
He will be vitally important as the Braves ease into the Chipper-less years.
Nick
December 21st, 2010
4:06 pm
Whoever makes the payroll, internally or not, sucks azz.
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
4:06 pm
Murph, I get nothing digitally, unless someone gives me an ITunes gift card or something and I download some songs. I like the actual CDs. Digital downloading doesn’t do it for me, I just download songs from my CDs on my Ipod for traveling and the gym, etc.
dap
December 21st, 2010
4:06 pm
The Braves are making progress with Frank Wren. He spends our minor league players wisely. Money is coming off of the books each year and great young pitchers are coming up. We now need position players.
Kevin
December 21st, 2010
4:07 pm
Deerhunter barely beat out Kanye for my top album. Nice list. Love that the AJC has an old hipster for a Braves beat writer.
flange1
December 21st, 2010
4:07 pm
DOB,
That for a new clean blog! Hopefully this one will stay unpolluted!
TDub
December 21st, 2010
4:07 pm
That is a very fine top 50. Thanks so much DOB, your blog is an ongoing Atlanta treasure.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
4:07 pm
Here are my predictions for 2011: Braves 104-58, Phillies 89-73, Marlins 70-92, Mets 68-94 and Nats 66-96.
See how smart I am! Now they don’t have to worry about playing the season, as I have it all figured out.
Don’t ya just love predictions!!
Zach
December 21st, 2010
4:08 pm
Anyone who has Phosphorescent above Mumford and Sons is OK in my book.
ryan
December 21st, 2010
4:08 pm
Well if Terry McGuirk does set the budget and not Liberty Media than why can’t we just get rid of the CEO and bring in someone who does want to win and spend money and put fans in the seats obviously Terry is not doing a good job of it .
DS1
December 21st, 2010
4:11 pm
Nick
Exactly how would you construct the payroll? Lets say I gave you 95 million. Tell me exactly what you would do to improve the team. And you can’t bring back Hank Aaron……….
Mitchie-san
December 21st, 2010
4:12 pm
Thanks McFann, Thanks Wayne. Im glad there are good people on the blog and in the world.
MFin04
December 21st, 2010
4:13 pm
The bullpen is one of my concerns. Billy Wagner was incredible this year for the Braves and depending on Kimbrel and Venters, while I love them both, they are still both very young and inexperienced. The new additions may or may not pan out, that remains to be seen.
Also when you have question marks at 3B, LF, CF, and 1B the lineup overall still has its concerns. Alex Gonzalez is what he is, a low on base guy with some power and should hit no higher than 6th in the order.
If Chipper Jones doesn’t come back healthy, Prado moves to 3rd, we still have a gaping hole in LF. If McLouth continues to tank we have once again one of the worst outfields both offensively and defensively in baseball.
The good news: Jason Heyward, Brian McCann, and Dan Uggla are some of the best players in the NL at their respective positions. And Martin Prado should be excellent next year as well if he has healed up nicely for all his various nagging injuries.
So the Braves are set with a nice starting rotation and 4 of the first 5 spots in the lineup look great.
Murph
December 21st, 2010
4:14 pm
DOB, do you ever get anything on vinyl? I’ve been trying to teach my 2 and 4 year old kids about vinyl… they can operate an iPhone but the idea of a record is foreign to them.
TP
December 21st, 2010
4:14 pm
Recommendations:
Weekend, Sports
Surfer Blood, Astro Coast
Tame Impala, Innerspeaker
Great list though, good work.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
4:15 pm
Yes, that darned Terry McQuirk! He doesn’t want to win! He doesn’t like to spend money, and he could careless about putting fans in the seats.
Folks, they could spend another 10 million per year, and some of you would still be crying in your milk.
Does “Spend more money” = More Wins?
or “Spend more money” = More fans in seats?
Not sure those are proveable correlations? But I am sure someone here who is a lot smarter than me has that answer.
The critical part is putting more fans in the seats, so you can pay for the higher payroll.
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
4:15 pm
Daybed: I was a bit turned off by what I still think was overhype for Vampire Weekend’s very good-not-great debut. I honestly believe this second CD of theirs is better. That’s all. I gave it more of a chance, too, I must admit.
Mitchie-san
December 21st, 2010
4:15 pm
Steve from OH, I just went back and saw your last post on the old blog. Thanks, my man.
Matt
December 21st, 2010
4:19 pm
So the Braves will win over 91 games then? What about the central now being more difficult with Milwaukee vastly improving their rotation, St. Louis and the Reds remaining tough… And I no longer think it’s the Marlins winning with just young talent. Their rotation is flat out good, and the addition of Buck will help them, losing Uggla hurt though, definitely.. I don’t think it’s a given that the Braves win nearly as many games.
P-Town Brave ©
December 21st, 2010
4:20 pm
DS1-
Well, thats really subjective…
Its all about WHO you are spending that money on…
I still go back to Holliday and while the Cards overspent by 20M on him from what anyone else did, I would have liked to get in on that as he’s very consistent and has loads of power…at the time, he would have solidified our team greatly, just as I feel Uggla has…
Yet, we were not involved at all…
Its not so much for me about ending up w/ every single talented player, but at least making a run at some of them would be nice.
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
4:20 pm
Murph, I still buy used, collector-type stuff on vinyl. Got a bunch of good first-edition LPs, and still have hundreds of LPs I bought before I had a CD player.
scott
December 21st, 2010
4:21 pm
That Superchunk album kicks so much ass, it’s not even funny
DS1
December 21st, 2010
4:21 pm
MFin04
You can’t have it both ways: Either third base is a question mark, or LF is. Not both. We have Martin Prado. He will man 1 of those positions.
And you can’t interject injuries or returns from injuries, as all teams have those as question marks for ALL their players.
So, you’re saying that (making an assumption that LF is OK) 3B, CF and 1B are question marks. Agreed on all 3. But with our team as presently constructed, what can you do? Not enough cash to add a significant player at any of those slots when you are paying McLouth his salary.
Chipper’s situation is critical, but can’t be determined until they start playing. Freeman is an unknown, but is also YOUNG as heck. I expect him to be OK.
The bullpen will be young and will have a few questions. The rotation is strong, unless we get bit by the injury bug.
But really, what do you propose? Spend another 20 million? And pray-tell, who do you go and get?
I like our club, and if we get a few breaks, we will be in the hunt again.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
4:23 pm
Bat
Keep up the good work, my friend. With you onboard, there is no need for me to not be DS1!
Thanks, Wayne_
and I’m happy to be of assistance if it helps you maintain your desired sunny disposition. Hopefully I’m not losing to many points on the overall score card for blasting the occasional bozo.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
4:24 pm
P-town
I hear what you’re saying, but when you have payroll limitations, what are you going to do??? It is what it is. Those that seem to lament the payroll limitations are wasting time worrying about something they can’t control. Not very productive.
How ya been? Cold up in Peoria?
UKUGA
December 21st, 2010
4:25 pm
80 degrees?
Ha! I’ve got that here in Houston.
Wren is a sucker.
Go Braves!
Arkansas Transplant
December 21st, 2010
4:25 pm
P-Town Brave ©
December 21st, 2010
4:20 pm
That pretty much sums up my feelings as well. It seems to me we alway let a lot of good talent slip away just from lack of interest or lack of pursuit, which ever it may be.
Kyle
December 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
Eminem’s Recovery doesn’t make the list??
Jerry Blooger
December 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
When I got to mr. West on the list I quit. Surely you jest.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
Bat
Nah, not at all. Problem is I was blasting too many folks too often. Not in my character. I can be an azz hole for sure, but the nature of the blog was making me somebody I didn’t want to be.
But I still gotta win over zookey!!! Whoever that person is???
Lew
December 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
I buy only CD’s myself. Never downloaded anything. Of course, it’s surprising that DOB have any overlap in our musical tastes (we do), because I don’t own a single album he bought this year and I seriously doubt he bought any I did.
I did get him the new Grace Potter stuff, though.
Arkansas Transplant
December 21st, 2010
4:28 pm
It was nice to know that they actually discussed the possibility of acquiring Greinke. Although I have to say, I’m glad we didn’t win that bidding war. I think the Brew Crew way over paid but I guess time will tell.
MFin04
December 21st, 2010
4:28 pm
DOB – I still don’t understand people buying digital music that has restrictions on it rather than buying the CD at more or less the same price, (and having the CD, Digital Music, and The CD Insert itself).
[Of course with music being so easy to obtain...I don't understand why people would even pay for digital music off of iTunes, but that's another story. ]
But CD vs Digital Copy, I’m CD all the way.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
4:28 pm
Arkansas
Why would you pursue someone you know you won’t have the $$ for?? Counterproductive.
And please, let’s not go back to dealing Lowe to free up money for a NEW bad contract.
I will be happy if we can sign Uggla up for a 5 year extension. That would make my day, four shore!
P-Town Brave ©
December 21st, 2010
4:29 pm
DS1-
Yeah, just a tad…not quite as bad as last week when it was in single digits, but thats because it warmed up just so it can snow again…
Snowed 4 inches between Sunday night and Monday am (were only supposed to get 1 inch) and then between last night and this morning we got the freezing rain…the commute to work has been a real joy…
Also, they’re saying Friday morning we could be in for another blizzard…calling for up to 18 inches of snow…
Anyone wanna trade places w/ me?
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
4:30 pm
The Kanye West album gets high praise everywhere I read a top 10 or top 50, shame I only bought ONE cd this year the excellent Steve Earle remastered double cd, then again I spent half of it in Arabic hell, anyway I did just go out and get 2 tickets to the Gregg Allman New Years Eve show at Westhampton Beach, woo hoo, will take a look at your TOP 10 Dobi and spend some loot, I need to expand my repetoire
DS1
December 21st, 2010
4:30 pm
AT
My guess is the Braves braintrust sits down and considers 75% of the players available. Just a guess.
Arkansas Transplant
December 21st, 2010
4:31 pm
I did the same Jerry, but I’m not much of a West fan.. personally or professionally.
McFann O O
December 21st, 2010
4:31 pm
Thank you, Mitchie-san!
Im glad there are good people on the blog and in the world.
Oh yes. I think there are far more good than bad—it’s just unfortunate that the bad/insensitive ones seem to be more vocal.
UKUGA
December 21st, 2010
4:31 pm
I look forward to the day when (insert Braves GM name here) says, “Payroll is gonna be up about $10 million this year.”
Creativity is fun. The 1990’s were more fun.
AdirondackDave
December 21st, 2010
4:33 pm
Thanks for the excellent read, DOB. I imagine Dan Uggla will be signed the first couple weeks in January when offices around the country get back to normal. I could see them working out that guaranteed 5th year, conditioned on 800 ABs combined during the previous two years… or something along those lines. Both sides obviously want it to happen.
Arkansas Transplant
December 21st, 2010
4:33 pm
DS1
December 21st, 2010
4:28 pm
Why would you pursue someone you know you won’t have the $$ for?? Counterproductive.
Who are you referring to here?
P-Town Brave ©
December 21st, 2010
4:35 pm
DS1-
Sometimes you just never really know if you have a chance or not…
Think of any girl you’ve ever wanted to ask out…
If you don’t go up to her and take the risk, you’ll never know what she’s gonna say.
ITP Braves Fan
December 21st, 2010
4:36 pm
DOB:
I certainly think the Braves did well this offseason, especially considering that they had no shot of getting any of the “big name” free agents. The issue, in my mind, with the Phillies acquiring Lee is that it gives the Phillies a rotation like the Braves had in the mid-90’s but something that the Braves could really never add: a solid, powerful lineup. (The exception for the Braves, of course, was towards the late-90’s when Castilla, Lopez and Jones were mashing while the starters were on the decline.)
What a team looks like on paper in December certainly has no bearing on where the team finishes the following October. (See, 2010 Yankees.) But, it looks very difficult for the Braves to compete with the Phillies for 162 games barring injuries or some other unpredicted decline in their lineup. Unfortunately, I think that is going to be the case for the next 2-3 seasons until the Phillies’ roster starts getting older (and the contracts for Oswalt and Hamels are up).
Fortunately, I believe the Braves are primed to make their own run for the next few seasons (I always thought 2011 was “the” season), and they could potentially steal the division from the Phillies. I just wish Liberty Media would allow the Braves the opportunity to sign a top-tier free agent (Crawford comes to mind) that would give the Braves not only the chance to compete, but also dominate like they did 15 years ago.
MFin04
December 21st, 2010
4:37 pm
It’s amazing how anyone in the Yankees organization still has a job after all the money they have wasted over the years.
They are going to have a terrible rotation this year and have tied up way too much money in Mo and Jeter. (Mostly Jeter).
So while it stinks that the Braves don’t have the money that the Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox, etc have.
At least our GM has to make intelligent long-term decisions when constructing the team. And overall Frank Wren has done a great job getting players. Pretty much every move but the Escobar move I have agreed with. McLouth, Ankiel, Derrek Lee, Glaus, Hinske, Derek Lowe (ugh), Kawakami, all the moves were good at the time. Not necessarily all of them panned out, but those moves all had to be made. And to some extent the Escobar move as well.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
4:37 pm
Man nothing on that list is even remotely good in my opinion. Guess my friends are right when they say I’m a music Nazi. Oh well…..I can live with that.
DCBrave
December 21st, 2010
4:37 pm
How about The New Pornographers ‘Together’? I dug it a lot more than ‘Challengers ‘. And it sounds great live, too.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
4:38 pm
I never liked Kanye until I saw him support the Stones at the Meadowlands 4 or 5 years back, he was brilliant live so I bought a few of his cds… quite poetic if you ignore all the trash talk and n.. words etc
Kerfeld
December 21st, 2010
4:38 pm
“Wig!” by Peter Case deserves a mention.
MFin04
December 21st, 2010
4:40 pm
Anybody but McFann and I pick up the new Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift album
Branch Rickey
December 21st, 2010
4:40 pm
If the Braves are depending on Chipper’s health, McLouth “rebounding” and an unproven Freeman to generate offense, we are in serious trouble.
Mitchie-san
December 21st, 2010
4:40 pm
I never thought I would be against trading Lowe, but I personally think its in the Braves’ best interest to hang on to him. Trading young guys is not on Wren’s to-do list and he would have to if he wanted to replace him. As much as I would like Garza or someone else, Wren aint trading the yougun for anyone. The haul we would get back for Lowe wont be enough to flip for another starter and there is no one else as a free agent that will put up the innings that Lowe will.
Keep him for now, I say.
Branch Rickey
December 21st, 2010
4:40 pm
Trade Lowe to Yankees & use that money to get a REAL slugger !
Michael From Curacao
December 21st, 2010
4:41 pm
DOB, although I regularly visit this website, I have never posted here on AJC. But the way you have put my heart at ease today I have to tell you, all the way from Curacao (which is where I am from), that you rock. Keep the blogs coming dude.
Crime Dog
December 21st, 2010
4:41 pm
Man nothing on that list is even remotely good in my opinion. Guess my friends are right when they say I’m a music Nazi. Oh well…..I can live with that.
What would your album of the year be?
K.C. Frenchy
December 21st, 2010
4:43 pm
IF speed is a priority, then lets trade for Gardner, hes young, cheap, & fast & the Yanks are desparate for pitching,we need a leadoff man, lets give them J.J. if they’ll also take K.K., we dump a huge salary & get a legit leadoff hitter with speed, we have enough pitching to survive until Medlen comes back & it gives Minor/Beachey starts to develop, GIT ER DONE FW!!!!!!!!!! Go Bravos Ugga Ugga
Sid Thrift
December 21st, 2010
4:43 pm
Its amazing teams like Giants, Rays & Rangers could reach post-season on payrolls comparable or LESS than the Braves.
Tie up one-third of the payroll on hasbeens like Chipper & Lowe; stop whining !
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
4:44 pm
I do have to say that the Braves are putting alot of stock in Chipper coming back. I wonder if there is a back up plan? Prado to 4rd and then what Hinske or Mathers in LF? uh-oh.
Braveheart
December 21st, 2010
4:44 pm
I’m just so damn irresponsible and disorganized, that’s why I don’t own cds anymore. They always ended up getting lost, scratched, and cracked because I’m so careless. Plus, I’ve got a brother and two sisters who loved stealing my cds (nevermind girlfriends who never seem to give the damn things back). Have had an IPOD for about 5 years now, and have never regretted it.
Crime Dog
December 21st, 2010
4:45 pm
Tie up one-third of the payroll on hasbeens like Chipper & Lowe; stop whining !
Um. Did you watch Lowe pitch last year?
Lew
December 21st, 2010
4:45 pm
4rd Base? Dude – been listening to that Norweigian Death Metal again and your brain is still numb?
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
4:46 pm
Yeah, I was looking at Washington after I heard they signed Ankiel, and I’m really not sure they haven’t gotten worse offensively after throwing all that money around. I haven’t heard the details of this, but ESPN had Morse as their only 1B. If that’s correct, they just got him more ABs, but they’ve essentially exchange Dunn and Willingham for Werth and Morse. They might be better defensively, but that would appear to be at best a wash offensively. Obviously, they should also be better just by having a full year of Stras, but idk that they’ve done enough to catch up with the Braves.
Arkansas Transplant
December 21st, 2010
4:47 pm
Like I said earlier, I’m not completely against keeping Lowe but if you could get a pretty good return for him now then I’d have to consider if there was some package that would net us Garza. At the same time, if you move Lowe I’d also have to consider an addition of Webb. Maybe a low risk, high reward pickup?
Lew
December 21st, 2010
4:47 pm
GT Alum – A full year of Strasbourg? Wouldn’t that be in 2012?
Stan Darsh
December 21st, 2010
4:48 pm
DOB,
Do you think Wren will see if Dayton Moore and the Royals will be more open to a Cain for Beachy swap than Melvin and the Brewers?
MFin04
December 21st, 2010
4:49 pm
Nationals picked up Vazquez as well. Can’t wait to see which one shows up against the Braves. Zimmerman and Werth are pretty darn good 3/4 hitters and they usually have some speed around them. They aren’t going to be great, but it seems like the Braves always struggle against Florida and the Nats.
Hopefully it was just Uggla and Dunn that killed us!
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
4:49 pm
Crime Dog – really nothing. I dont listen to anything recent
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
4:50 pm
What’s up Lew? how ya been?
Wes
December 21st, 2010
4:51 pm
Mumford & Sons should be way higher than 25!…also cool that you like Gaslight Anthem but their 2010 effort was pretty underwhelming compared to their first album.
jimmymack
December 21st, 2010
4:52 pm
dob refreshing great work
Lew
December 21st, 2010
4:52 pm
FEAR – Doing well and rockin and rollin like usual.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
4:52 pm
Vazquez is in MIAMI not DC !
dap
December 21st, 2010
4:53 pm
CD’s? Braves!
TennesseePaul
December 21st, 2010
4:54 pm
DOB: Thanks for the blog, and the CD List. Will come in handy with the gift cards come Dec 25.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
4:54 pm
yeah i do believe javy went to the fish
MFin04
December 21st, 2010
4:55 pm
That’s right Javy is in Florida, my bad. He didn’t have one of those “I’m taking my talents to South Beach” press conferences so I forgot which team he went to.
Darryl Blackberry
December 21st, 2010
4:56 pm
No Blonde Redhead in the top 50? That’s just silly.
Alex in DC
December 21st, 2010
4:57 pm
Dave – No “Kings of Leon”? C’mon… their new album is phenomenal! In fact the track “Back Down South” could be Brian McCann’s theme music before coming to bat.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
4:57 pm
That would be funny if JV paid for his own hour long special introducing himself to Miami.
Braveheart
December 21st, 2010
5:03 pm
Thanks for the blog, and the CD List. Will come in handy with the gift cards come Dec 25.
yeah, I’ve always appreciated DOB’s music recs. Have found alot of good music that way. I often download a song or two from the cds he recs, and if it’s something I’ll think I like, I’ll download the rest. There have been quite a few cds I’ve downloaded that he rec’d that I wasn’t initially feeling that ended up growing on me over the years as songs from it were played on shuffle on the laptop or ipod.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
5:04 pm
P-town
So, how do we know the Braves didn’t inquire on the top free agents? We don’t. But most of the top dogs’ agents probably let it be known where the bidding would start.
Why waste your time when you know you aren’t interested in Carl Crawford for 7 years and 140 gazillion dollars?
P-town and Arkansas Transplant
Sorry gents, but I am very happy with the approach (not dealing our prospects haphazardly) and the direction (build the staff, and fill in where possible: Uggla) of our GM and his staff. For a mid market team, that is a recipe for success.
Lonegunman
December 21st, 2010
5:04 pm
The Braves came from behind to win so many games last year, with an unbelievable number of walk-off wins, that you have to wonder if that sort of thing will even out this year. Uggla will provide some much needed power, but as others have pointed out, we still have several question marks. I will be thrilled if we can win the wild card again but how many times has a team repeated as wild card winner in the National League? It doesn’t seem like there have been that many.
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
5:05 pm
Yeah, for some reason I was thinking Stras would be back next year. OK, so as I said, while the Braves have had trouble with the Nats, I don’t see any reason to believe their win total will be significantly higher than last year.
McFann O O
December 21st, 2010
5:10 pm
MFin04 Anybody but McFann and I pick up the new Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift album
Hey-ey, hold on there, Babaloo! My Sister’s the one who listens to Taylor Swift. As for the that other guy? WOW-WEE!! Were you ever joking! YELGTH!!
abwright
December 21st, 2010
5:10 pm
I think the Phillies got better with the addition of Lee and the subtraction of Werth. However, it remains to be seen whether they trade other pieces, such as Blanton or Ibanez to make room for Lee’s salary.
Uggla, if he does what he normally does, makes the Braves much better than they were in 2010 or 2009. The Braves “basic” line up is an on-base machine. Whenever they have had a slugger in the line up (Laroche,end of 2009, Glaus, May/June of 2010) they have scored a ton of runs. Losing Wagner may be significant and force the Braves to make a move at the trade deadline.
While Lee and Oswalt potentially make the Phillies better at preventing runs 2 out of 5 days for an offense that may be significantly weakened with the loss of Werth and Ibanez, Uggla makes the Braves much better for 162 games.
Marlins lost Uggla and Ross. I don’t think the Mets got any more pitching going into 2011. Nats gained Werth and lost Dunn. Did they get any pitching?
In short, Phillies might be a little better when all the moves have been made. Braves are a lot better. Mets and Nats look about the same. Marlins look a bit worse.
Soph
December 21st, 2010
5:11 pm
As for the that other guy? WOW-WEE!! Were you ever joking! YELGTH!!
Good girl.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
5:14 pm
Why so much hate for Taylor Swift, she is an articulate, attractive and talented young lady, she will never have the street cred of Bon Scott but hey, he is dead
Then again, I cannot name one Taylor Swift song, but don’t quote me
P-Town Brave ©
December 21st, 2010
5:15 pm
DS1-
Never said I wasn’t happy w/ the approach FW has taken…I have been very pleasantly surprised at times in how he has maintained, and even added to the team since he took over the GM position.
All I am saying (and I think AT is the same) is that it would be nice to at least hear the Braves name here and there in discussions for players…as I feel the more you put yourself out there, when the Braves are better, more FA will want to come here. I mean just look at Lowe…he was the biggest FA the Braves have landed in a very long time.
bschro3000
December 21st, 2010
5:15 pm
DOB – you gotta check out the Futurebirds – Hampton’s Lullaby.
My top 10 (no order . . . but the Kanye, Arcade Fire, Beach House and DBT are near the top:
Arcade Fire
Belle & Sebastian
Beach House
Drive By Truckers
Futurebirds
Kanye West
Big Boi
Girl Talk
Janelle Monae
The Roots
Braveheart
December 21st, 2010
5:16 pm
No Bieber?!?!? WTF kind of list is this?
P-Town Brave ©
December 21st, 2010
5:16 pm
McFann-
Hasn’t that clown’s 15 minutes of fame ran out yet?
Boy is he riding that til the wheels fall off!
Joe
December 21st, 2010
5:16 pm
Dave,
During your interview with Wren, were you able to ask him about the Braves small draft budget? The Braves during the 90’s were aggressive spenders in the draft and it payed large dividends for them. The Braves over the last few years I believe have spent less in the draft then any other team in baseball. Wren mentioned teams competing with lessor payrolls like Texas and Tampa Bay, but those teams spend big in the draft. They go after athletic, high reward, high school players. The Braves cutting back in the draft has limited their ability to take similar players beyond the first few rounds. Texas also spends heavily in the international market as well.
I know currently the Braves have an above average farm system, but can they keep the level spending near the bottom? The Braves have done well internationally, but they are rarely big spenders there either. Salcedo being the exception. My concern is why spend so little on an area you are counting so heavily on for the success of your team?
Teams that spend in the low end in player development for an extended period of time always suffer eventually and have to spend heavily to restock there systems. The Blue Jays are a good recent example. Kansas City and Pittsburgh are teams still trying to build successful major league teams after over a decade of skimping on player development. The Dodgers are are a franchise who has taken a hit after cutting back on player development spending in recent years.
I know the counter argument is that the Braves have very good talent despite spending in the low end for a few years. My point is why spend so little in the area that you get the most bang for your buck.
MFin04
December 21st, 2010
5:25 pm
Phillies had the best record in all of baseball last year with 97 wins despite having an injury plagued year from the majority of their 1-5 hitters.
And some on here say they are only slightly better than last year or about the same. So basically they are going to be a 95-100 win team next year and win the division again?
Its tough to be significantly better than 97 wins, but the Phillies didn’t need to improve as much as the Braves did. I mean we couldn’t even score during the last month or two of last season.
So even if the Braves improved more than the Phillies did, (which I completely disagree with), the Phillies are still the better team and will win the division correct?
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
5:26 pm
During your interview with Wren, were you able to ask him about the Braves small draft budget? — Joe
No, I didn’t.
Nick
December 21st, 2010
5:27 pm
The Braves need to go all in and sign Beltre. 5 years, $72M.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
5:29 pm
no on beltre
DS1
December 21st, 2010
5:29 pm
P-town
I think “hearing your teams name” out there when there is no prayer of us actually being interested in a specific player is a total waste, and gets us absolutely nowhere.
Why would we care to hear that “the Braves are one of the players for (insert name of over priced free agent here) as reported by Jon Heyman or Buster Olney or whomever??? When we know we are not in the game???
That makes absolutely no sense to me, to be perfectly honest.
I’d rather hear “Braves GM Frank Wren has stated time and again that the Braves are NOT in the market to overpay for players who are marginally better than what they have on the field today.”
And then for him to keep his prospects, and build his team from within.
Now that’s what I love to hear.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
5:30 pm
Beltre and a big contract usually lead to frustration and poor performance, indded most Bosox cast offs fall in a hole at FA
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
5:31 pm
Dave – No “Kings of Leon”? C’mon… their new album is phenomenal! — Alex in DC
Sorry, but I just think it pales compared to their earlier stuff. It’s just OK, nothing special. They’ve gone too far in the arena-rock direction, for me.
abwright
December 21st, 2010
5:31 pm
DS1, December 21st, 2010, 2:02 pm … from the previous blog … “The Pirates are definitely a puzzle. They have some decent players, but you would think their system would be loaded. Maybe they have some scouting issues?”
I don’t know enough details, but I don’t think you can underestimate how a bad organization can get its in own way.
It makes me appreciate the Braves scouting, recruiting, and development that much more.
Murph
December 21st, 2010
5:32 pm
The Braves need to go all in and sign Beltre. 5 years, $72M.
Whoever signs him will get 1 good year and 3 or 4 mediocre ones… I wouldn’t pursue him.
Aramis Ramirez might become a FA in 2012. I’d rather have him personally than Beltre.
Nick
December 21st, 2010
5:33 pm
Murph – good call on Aramis.
Ease® in Woodstock
December 21st, 2010
5:34 pm
Muffin got called out in the blog…Gotta love it!
Trey
December 21st, 2010
5:34 pm
I read Phillistein’s comment about the Phillies on the previous blog and he had the nerve to compare them to the Yankees.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
5:35 pm
As for Justin Bieber.
“Who the f*** is Justin Bieber” in the words of Ozzy Osbourne.
McFann O O
December 21st, 2010
5:35 pm
Soph—
P-Town Hasn’t that clown’s 15 minutes of fame ran out yet?
Ick, who knows, who cares?
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
5:35 pm
Man nothing on that list is even remotely good in my opinion. Guess my friends are right when they say I’m a music Nazi. Oh well…..I can live with that. FEAR
Cool. So can I.
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
5:36 pm
Also, it’s not like Uggla is the only improvement we should have this year. Actually, C and 3B are the only places where I’m not reasonably sure we’ll show an improvement this year.
1B was hardly a position of strength last year. Lee was good while he was here, and Glaus had a few good weeks, but Freeman should be able to have approximately the same production they did.
You can either look at the Uggla acquisition as a slight upgrade of 2B over Prado and Prado a big upgrade over LF last year, or as Prado = Prado and Uggla is a huge upgrade over what we got from our LFs last year.
Remember, Chipper had just gotten hot when he got injured. Unless, he misses most of the year, 3B will likely not be much of a problem. If he has a major injury that will keep him out an extended period, the Braves will probably address that issue then.
SS should be improved next year just because of how badly Yunel was hitting before he was traded. Even if AGon only hits like he did after the Braves acquired him, that’s still a significant upgrade over what Yunel gave us last year.
Heyward’s production should tick up a bit, just based on additional experience, and could be significantly better if he doesn’t have anything that drags down his production like the injuries he had last year did.
And it’d be hard for McLouth to be any worse than he was last year, so the Braves should be at least marginally better even in CF.
The rotation is a bit harder to figure. JJ will hopefully be better (and healthier). Lowe will hopefully pitch at least as well as he did last year, and hopefully better – his September and October may have been stellar, but the rest of the year he was okay. I’m hoping he can be pretty consistently in between those 2 levels, which would be a good to very good year for a SP. Hudson figures to be a little down from last year – he had a great year, one of the best of his career. I’m not saying he’s going to fall significantly, but you can’t expect a player to have a year where he’s significantly above his usual production every year. Hanson figures to be as good or better. Minor should be about as good as KK + Medlen, maybe a bit better.
I won’t go through the ‘pen player by player, but I think it may be a little less talented, but deeper, especially if it’s used properly.
The bench isn’t solidified yet, but it figures to be a little weaker since we don’t have Infante. However, considering how much starting duty Infante had to pull, I think that’s less of a hit than some people seem to think.
Nick
December 21st, 2010
5:37 pm
DOB needs a job on the Travel Channel where he travels the country, trying BBQ and finding good music.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
5:40 pm
Medlen was effing brilliant last year
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
5:41 pm
Lew, I really like that Grace Potter CD; bought it new as a Christmas present for someone, and kept the burned copy you gave me. It was borderline top-50, just fell outside it for me, along with some other good stuff like Tom Petty, Graham Parker, Wolf Parade, New Pornographers, Midlake, The Constellations, Maximum Balloon, Mynabirds, Sharon Van Etten, Wavves, Dangerous & Sparklehorse, Elvis Costello, Future Islands, Eels, Everest, The Tallest Man on Earth, Futurebirds, and Austin Collins.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
5:42 pm
“Diners, Drive-ins, Honky-Tonks and Dives”, starring David O’Brien! I can see it now. I’d watch it, so long as he didn’t overdo the White Snake!
Bobby Hill
December 21st, 2010
5:43 pm
I think the comment about the other teams in the division improving is a very relevant to the discussion of next year. Did the Marlins, Mets, or Nationals improve enough to overtake the Braves? No, probably not. But the Braves just barely squeaked into the wild card. Philly will obviously go into the season as the favorite. I think that was the case even before they landed Cliff Lee. So if, incremental improvements by division rivals, and the Braves’ own additions cancel each other out, then the Braves are right where they were at the end of the 2010 season. What happens if San Diego doesn’t swoon like they did in 2010, of if Colorado stays hot down the stretch, or if the Cards don’t fall apart again.
When you go into the season with the wild card as your most reasonable route to the post season, it doesn’t matter if the division bottom feeder have improved enough to catch you. What matters is if they have improved enough to cost you a few wins.
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
5:43 pm
Jerry Blooger: I can’t stand Kanye West as a person, or at least all I’ve read and heard from him. But as an artist? The man is really good.
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
5:44 pm
Yeah, that’s true. With how you were raving about the Eels album, I am a little surprised it wasn’t up there.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
5:45 pm
yeah but the braves barely squeeked in due to injury. imagine if troy’s kness had held up? chipper was coming around right about when he blew out his knee and then prado with the finger and the pointer and oblique.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
5:45 pm
You know your getting old when you only recognize 3 names on that list of almost top 50’s!
50 CD’s in a year. Heck, I bet I haven’t bought 50 CD’s in the last 10 years. Probably 20.
Cheap sumbeach!
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
5:46 pm
NoBreggie4Dogs -
Yeah, but KK’s starts weren’t very productive. If you average KK and Medlen, I don’t think that’s too much pressure to put on Minor/Beachy.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
5:47 pm
Think Blyleven gets in the Hall? 10p
yes I do, and maybe Alomar the Spitter too this year
Trey
December 21st, 2010
5:47 pm
“Jerry Blooger: I can’t stand Kanye West as a person, or at least all I’ve read and heard from him. But as an artist? The man is really good.”
His music isn’t my taste but I do admit that he is pretty talented as an artist.
Nick
December 21st, 2010
5:48 pm
I wonder if the Bravos are gonna sign a 4th OF or are they content with Logan Schafer and Matt Young?
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
5:51 pm
Filthies have some major problems coming up
1. Jimmy Rollins in the post steroid era has slipped steadily and now is but an offensive shell of his former self
2. Werth was the most consistent Phillie (AB) all year and is gone
3. The stud 1B is now entering his big contract years at a time when his OPS dipped significantly in 2010 (usuallu a bad sign)
4. Ibanez kind of collapsed for 1/2 a season and is 39 a slowing badly
5. The superstar 2B has been injured and carries the risk of that bad hip laying him low for games yet again
6. Their catcher was gr8 in 2010 but that amounted to a career year offensively
7. Victorino lost the plot for 3/4 ofthe season and assumed his name was Ryan Howard and as a consequence kept swinging for the fences
Now on the +ve side for them, their godawful SP at the start of 2010 looks oh so studly in 2011.. but we will be better across the board except maybe at closer and CF
nolie
December 21st, 2010
5:51 pm
as we transition to a more athletic team,” he said. “Where speed and defense and those areas are so valuable in the overall scheme of things the way the game’s played today, transitioning more to that type of team as we go forward, while also maintaining our strong pitching base. Not to say you can’t have a very successful team without that, but if there’s one attribute that plays so well in our game it’s speed. In the last five or six years, there’s been a re-emphasis on speed.
“But speed without the presence of other skills really doesn’t do you a lot of good, either. That’s why those players are so rare. They’re hard to come by. That’s been a focus of Tony [DeMacio, Braves scouting director] last year in the draft, as well as for Johnny [Almaraz, Braves international scouting director]. That’s hopefully the direction we’re headed more and more as we go forward. But it’s five or six years to turn that around, from the time you sign a player to when they become an impact player in the big leagues
what I been saying all along. It needs to be corrected in the draft and Wren is working on doing just that. give it a bit.
Branch Rickey
December 21st, 2010
5:51 pm
Lorenzo Cain can be had now that he’s in KC.
Wren, give Dayton Moore a call & make it happen !
Another season of dopers like McLouth & Schaefer will put me in rehab !
abwright
December 21st, 2010
5:52 pm
I haven’t heard everything on the Black Keys album, but what I’ve heard from this group has been very distinct and original. It’s got a little 70s throw-back feel. (I think they use the term “out-a-sight” once or twice.) This band is the real deal.
I doubt that I’ve listened to 50 albums released this year (I just got Piper at the Gates of Dawn on itunes to give a hint at how far behind I am on music). I applaud you, DOB, for compiling such a comprehensive list. It’s hard to imagine how much time that took.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
5:53 pm
NoBreggie4Dogs – made the same points to a friend of mine who is a red sox fan by the way. He disagreed with me. I think the Phils are not unstoppable as everyone is putting out there. Couple of those mentioned guys get hurt. They are in trouble.
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
5:55 pm
Bobby Hill -
SD traded their main offensive cog in Gonzalez, and is really overhauling their club. It’s hard to compare them to last year’s team, but, unless they make a significant acquisition, I don’t see them as contenders next year. Also, Atlanta was 38-34 in the division last year. Unfortunately, the Braves didn’t feast on the rest of the division other than Philly like they should have. We had the same record vs the Nats that we did vs the Phillies. I think we’re in pretty good position to meet or beat that record vs the division next year.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
5:56 pm
Red Sox on the otherhand look just putrid, awful filthy lineup and SP, plus now a real BP, going to bet on AGONZ for MVP, think he crushes souls at Fenway with that rinky dink field
nolie
December 21st, 2010
5:57 pm
Braves 104-58 DS1
maybe that stands for De Senile 1 ?
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
5:58 pm
yeah Agon is gonna have a hell of a year knocking balls all over that tiny field. Should be fun to watch especially against the yankees. hahaha!
Supes
December 21st, 2010
5:59 pm
Looking forward to the Wren piece DOB,
I know what Wren said to you, but I just refuse to believe that a faceless corporation with no vested interest in seeing the team win a WS is a better ownership situation than lets say an individual owner (Like an Arthur Blank is to the Falcons).
From the previous blog, I can’t believe so many fans here are “mentally defeated” due to the move Philly made to acquire Cliff Lee and have given up on the NL East for the Braves. Oh well, I guess I’ll believe it when we are mathematically eliminated in 2011! I refuse to give in and surrender my expectations as a fan…and I believe the Braves can still win the NL East and go from there.
Moe Berg
December 21st, 2010
6:01 pm
NoBreggie4Dogs–I have to agree with you on the Red Sox, They seem to be doing a great job of restructuring after this injury-riddled year. Think they will be a contender in the AL East next year.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:03 pm
The bullpen is one of my concerns. Billy Wagner was incredible this year for the Braves and depending on Kimbrel and Venters, while I love them both, they are still both very young and inexperienced. The new additions may or may not pan out, that remains to be seen MF04
one of mine too. they have great potential but not really proven yet long term. not saying they will implode, just that I am a bit concerned
Trey
December 21st, 2010
6:03 pm
Supes, I think it is less than being mentally defeated, but arguing with a child who has no valid points. I know the Braves have a great shot of winning the DT until mathematically eliminated, as well. Phillies were expected to win last year, but look what happened.
N8
December 21st, 2010
6:03 pm
“Lew, I really like that Grace Potter CD; bought it new as a Christmas present for someone, and kept the burned copy you gave me.” DOB
Is that the newest one? I bought it on iTunes about two months ago, and liked it so much I bought a live album of there’s as well. I remember asking you DOB if you liked her or had that disc, because based on what you normally list as your favorites, she(they) remind me of some of that stuff. They are very vintage in a non-forced way, which is cool, imo. Her voice holds up very well live (though I realize that most live albums these days are far from “live”). But she can sing no doubt.
” I can’t stand Kanye West as a person, or at least all I’ve read and heard from him. But as an artist? The man is really good.” DOB
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Not my cup of tea music-wise. But the guy’s got talent. Unfortunately, like many “quirky” artists with creativity, he’s pompous enough to buy into his own hype and acts like it.
Poorbrave
December 21st, 2010
6:06 pm
DOB thanks for the blog. Hope you and your lady have a great time ROCKING around the Christmas tree. Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year. I’m looking forward to Spring Training and the pitchers reporting Feb 12th.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
6:07 pm
Is Kanye West related to Dwyane Wade? Did their mothers flunck spelling in the 8th grade?
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:08 pm
flunck xmas
N8
December 21st, 2010
6:08 pm
I’ll say this about the Braves bullpen, because the concerns about how Kimbrel and Venters will handle the pressure that comes with closing games is the great unknown. Clearly they both have what it takes to get 3 outs. The only question is if they are both capable (or even just one of them) of getting the LAST three outs. Always easier said than done on a nightly basis.
But here’s the ironic twist to it all. Last winter two of the biggest questions (before it was made known that Heyward was going to be given the RF job and other than what Glaus would provide), were how Wagner and Saito would hold up.
I think the bullpen has the chance and the arms to be every bit as good as last year’s pen, and possibly better. Will either of Venters or Kimbrel be better than Wagner? Unlikely. But either could come close to his production and the other will likely be better (or could be) than Saito was. Add in O’Flaherty returning healthy, Moylan being Moylan and then a guy like Marek getting added to the mix. Along with the other veteran additions?
I’m not sure if this bullpen will dominate the way it did last year. But it’s set up to be a very good, deep bullpen. Can’t really ask for much more. I’m sure a couple of guys will disappoint, and another 2 or 3 will really surprise.
The bullpen isn’t my concern.
Mikeyc588
December 21st, 2010
6:08 pm
DOB –
Great list (I might put High Violet at #1 and Gorilla Manor a little higher) and there are a ton of albums on your top 50 I haven’t heard yet and will be picking up based on your recommendations. Thanks for list and the new blog, as always.
HeyTLien
December 21st, 2010
6:09 pm
The new Kanye is like Hip-hop’s Exile on Main street – in form, function and substance
Jbailz
December 21st, 2010
6:09 pm
I keep seeing people that are talking about how Glaus had a good couple weeks. While I agree the sad part is even with just a “good couple weeks” he was 8th on the team in 2B, 4th in HR and RBI, 6th in TB, 4th in BB and this in 128 games played. My point with this is that he only had a good run and was near the top in a lot of offensive categories.
If Uggla was on our 2010 lineup he would have ranked 1st in Runs, 3rd in 2B, 1st in HR (by 12!), 1st in RBI (by 25!), 1st in TB (by 24), 2nd in BB (only Heyward had more) and played in 159 games.
Infante stats vs Uggla – AB (471 I to 589 U) Runs (65 I to 100 U), Hits (151 I to 169 U) 2B (15 I to 31 U) 3B (3 I to 0 U) HR (8 I to 33 U) RBI (47 I to 105 U) SB (7 I to 4 U) CS (6 I to 1 U) BB (29 I to 78 U) SO (62 I to 149 U) BA (321 I to 287 U) OBP (359 I to 369 U) SLG (416 I to 508 U) OPS (775 I to 887 U) Uggla also only ground into 9 DP’s all year, I don’t know about the rest of you but it seemed like that’s all we did, Infante ground into 14. And when it comes to defense Infante is a career .981 Fld% and Uggla is a career .980 Fld%
I’m not sure how anyone can think we didn’t come out on top of the Uggla trade and with those numbers, I mean he’s a career 30+ HR 90+ RBI guy. The last time we had one of those was A Jones for I think just one year.
Anyways, I’m done throwing around stats, just want to say FW is doing a great job and if we can get Uggs for $12 mill per I think it’s a STEAL!!!!!!
richbrave
December 21st, 2010
6:10 pm
OMG, the FEAR is here.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
6:12 pm
“Braveheart
December 21st, 2010
5:16 pm
No Bieber?!?!? WTF kind of list is this?”
One with good taste.
keylargo
December 21st, 2010
6:13 pm
MLB Channel has a debate on the best pitching staffs on now. Former Brave Ron Gant is part of the panel.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:14 pm
alive and well
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:14 pm
best staffs currently or all time?
shinburger
December 21st, 2010
6:17 pm
wow i must really be out of the music loop, i havnt even heard of most of the names on that list
Trey
December 21st, 2010
6:18 pm
shinburger, neither has The Prince of Darkness!
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
6:19 pm
The biggest concern in my opinion is Chipper. Chipper in the lineup is a huge factor, even when Chipper is struggling he impacts the game.
I’m not concerned about CF, basically it cant be any worse than last season.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:21 pm
well like i said earlier. What if chipper can’t continue? then what?
Mutts
December 21st, 2010
6:21 pm
The Braves were a playoff team in 2010, so expecting them to reach the playoffs in 2011 is very realistic. Phils were picked to win it all in 2010, so expecting them to fold in 2011, is very realistic as well.
Supes
December 21st, 2010
6:22 pm
My biggest concern for 2011 as far as the Braves go is the health of our key guys…especially Chipper Jones.
Do I worry about the pen…and Kimbral or Venters inexperience in the role? Not as much…I’ve seen enough where in key situations they got the job done in 2010. I do think that losing Wagner (from a teaching perspective, and a mentor perspective is a bigger loss in the pen to those guys)
Health of Prado…is he back or can he play a full 2011 season and produce for us in LF…and the health of Chipper…can he give us 125 games at 3B (I know, I was gonna say 140 but I’ve gotta be tempered down with my expectations given how frequently he’s been injuring himself lately)
I mean are the Braves bult in such a way (minus OMAR INFANTE now) to sustain a season where Chipper plays lets say…half the games and then gets injured?
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:22 pm
then Prado goes to third and LF is a Hinske/somebody platoon perhaps
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:24 pm
I think the loss of Wags is a huge loss all around. He had arguably the best year of an allstar career, expecting a couple of rooks to make up for that is a stretch IMO
Stan Darsh
December 21st, 2010
6:25 pm
Anyone else think LORENZO CAIN for BRANDON BEACHY is a greater possibility now that he belongs to the Braves friendly GM, Dayton Moore?
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
6:26 pm
FEAR
Prado moves to 3rd base and we then Platoon in LF with Mather/Hinske or McLouth if Schafer is making strides. Its my biggest concern.
No matter how much Chipper has declined he’s still taken seriously every AB. He’s one of the smartest hitters in the game and will get respected. Chipper will be a High OBP guy still, and if he strays away from the long ball I think he can still hit in the 300s. Which is what he should be doing at this time in his career.
Be nice to see Chipper hit over 300. with a obp close to 400. 10-15 homers the Rbi’s will come with him hitting tons of singles and doubles.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
6:26 pm
Stan Darsh
Might be a greater possibility, but probably still won’t happen. If McLouth, Young and Schafer can’t win the job in the spring, look for a deal then, but not before.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
6:29 pm
Is any team taking a pot shot with Mannywood, havent heard his name mentioned at all in rumors
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:29 pm
Might be a greater possibility, but probably still won’t happen. If McLouth, Young and Schafer can’t win the job in the spring, look for a deal then, but not before.
agreed on that
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:30 pm
i think manny is done
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
6:30 pm
NoBreggie4Dogs
BlueJays have been the most connected to Manny so far. Talk of him playing DH while moving Adam Lind to 1B.
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
6:30 pm
FEAR -
If the Braves know Chipper can’t continue, that’s a known need I have confidence they’ll address, either by acquiring an OF or a 3B. It probably won’t be someone who replaces what a healthy Chipper gives us, but I don’t think we’d acquire anyone now who fits that bill either. The Braves have obviously decided that they can’t let McLouth’s salary rot on the bench (which is what would happen if they acquired a starting-caliber OF and Chipper is relatively healthy this year) without at least seeing if he can provide some value, especially since acquiring another starting-caliber OF would entail trading talent that the Braves could have a use for.
Also, if Chipper has another major injury or can’t come back from this one, the Braves will likely have a clearer understanding of his contract situation and how much of his salary they’ll have to pay, which could allow them more financial flexibility in finding a replacement.
Branch Rickey
December 21st, 2010
6:32 pm
When did Chipper last hit .300, three years ago ?
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
6:32 pm
Dave O’Brien and y’all, I wanted to seriously and sincerely thank you all for the comraderie you have shown me this year in what was a hell of a time for me, if it werent for this blog and some online radio shows I am not sure I could have survived my 5 months in Africa… Have a great Christmas and Holidays and god bless
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:33 pm
how many 38-39 year olds hit 300?
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:34 pm
africa? yeeesh!
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:34 pm
you too Breggi, and stay free
Murph
December 21st, 2010
6:34 pm
Anyone want to partake in a pool on how many games Chipper will play this year? Pick your number…
92 games
civilized white trash
December 21st, 2010
6:35 pm
dob–
good list but you missed some that you need to put on there like: taylor swift, darius rucker, lady a, kieth urban and rascal flats… come on they were good WTF?
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
6:35 pm
how many 30 year olds hit 300? not all that many
civilized white trash
December 21st, 2010
6:36 pm
i probably should mention that my last post had a ton of sarcasim i do believe that country music is starting to get ruined
JOHNNY B
December 21st, 2010
6:39 pm
Greetings Man in Black and all Bravo Fans!
The Black Keys album was definitely my #1 pick. As I was reading down the column and seen you were going to announce your top fifty, “Brothers” jumped immediately into my thoughts. Dan Auerbach with his soulful blues renditions and Pat Carney with his rhythmic licks…man just plug in the headphones and get swept away! Good to see great minds think a like DOB!
Springsteen’s “The Promise” is my #2. An album nearly 30 years in the making (the best description I’ve heard for it), with songs reminiscent of younger days for me and the Boss.
Great stuff Chief and greatly appreciated by the true fans of the Bravos and the Man in Black!
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
6:41 pm
Branch Rickey -
He hit 364 in 2008, so it’s been 2 seasons since then. However, he has such a good knowledge of the strike zone and commands so much respect from pitchers that he’s put up an OBP in the 380s both of those years. That would put him in the top 20 in the majors at getting on base.
Mike S
December 21st, 2010
6:42 pm
Thanks for the bloggage, DOB. Always love the top 50 CD recap this time of year from you. Glad to see Big Boi so far up the list. That album is so perfectly Big Boi (that should make sense to Outkast fans at least), and makes you really appreciate the uniqueness and creativity that he and Andre have brought over the years together as Outkast and now continue to bring solo, while most of the rest of the rap genre continues to be toilet worthy. (I definitely need to check out Kanye’s new album though, especially after your strong rating).
One CD you should check out is Girl Talk’s “All Day”. I know you had “Feed the Animals” on your 2008 top-50 list, and if you liked that one, than you’re sure to love this one. It’s excellent. So many great mixes in there; Big Boi/Portishead, White Zombie/YingYang Twins/Ludacris, Notorious BIG/Cream, just to name a few incredible sequences off the top of my head. The album is available for free download at his website, but I think you can also purchase a CD there, since I know that’s your preferred method of tunage. Definitely check it out, I’m confident you will enjoy it.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
6:43 pm
civilized white trash
Actually, you are not correct on country music. It started to get ruined when the Garth Brooks and other pop country wanna bees hit the sceen around 20 years ago.
God Bless George Jones!
DS1
December 21st, 2010
6:44 pm
that’d be correctly spelled scene……..
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:45 pm
118 games Murph
Trey
December 21st, 2010
6:49 pm
Nolie, aiming high!
robb
December 21st, 2010
6:50 pm
great list DOB, excellent range across genres. I would have Vampire Weekend higher and included Ra-Ra Riot, Broken Social Scene, Toro Y Moi, Tame Impala, and Diamond Rings. Also would Pavement Greatest Hits and Cold War Kids EP be eligible?
Go Bravos!
N8
December 21st, 2010
6:50 pm
“expecting a couple of rooks to make up for that is a stretch IMO.” nolie
Duplicating or “making up for that”, in comparison to Wagner? Yeah. Probably unlikely.
The two of them converting saves at a rate of 8 or 9 out of 10 opportunities? Why not? Wagner had 37 saves and blew 7 of them (about 85%).
Matching the 1.43 ERA might be tough. But who cares about relievers ERA anyhow?
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:51 pm
hi Trey howya doin’ tonight?
almost guessed 128. I gots faith, well some anyway
Murph
December 21st, 2010
6:52 pm
118 – nolie
92 – murph
? – you
jerry
December 21st, 2010
6:53 pm
One WS win in 44 years. Name a 44 year period when the Yankees had only one WS win. Money matters, Mr. Wren, aka House Man.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:54 pm
i’ll go 110
Norcross
December 21st, 2010
6:55 pm
Damn DOB you like Flying Lotus? Awesome man! You ever see him live? Do you like Bassnectar or Pretty Lights? Very diverse list of CDs. Reminds me of my iPod.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
6:56 pm
“NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
6:32 pm
Dave O’Brien and y’all, I wanted to seriously and sincerely thank you all for the comraderie you have shown me this year in what was a hell of a time for me, if it werent for this blog and some online radio shows I am not sure I could have survived my 5 months in Africa… Have a great Christmas and Holidays and god bless.”
You too!
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:56 pm
I’m willing to bet that between the two of them they will blow more than 7 saves will not be surprised by double figures
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
6:56 pm
Norcross, I haven’t heard of the latter two you asked me about. Haven’t seen Flying Lotus live, either. But yes, very cool CD.
Will
December 21st, 2010
6:56 pm
The baseball world has been so enamored by the Cliff Lee deal, and the likely one-year-only formation of what could be the greatest pitching rotation of the last 50 years, that they’re overlooking the net sum improvement accomplished by Atlanta. They kept virtually the same core players that got them 91 wins the year, added a legitimate power hitter, and will likely be able to cut the teeth of either young power-arm reliever (Kimbrell or Venters) for the closer’s role by mid-season. Philadelphia lost arguably the most versatile bat in a lineup that already has shown a tendency to go into hibernation for three weeks at a time or longer. I think your blog hits those points right on the head, DOB. I like Atlanta’s chances.
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
6:58 pm
robb, I didn’t consider any greatest-hits packages. An EP could’ve made it (I liked the Street Sweeper Social Club EP, and Tallest Man on Earth EP); I didn’t get that Cold War Kids EP, because I was so disappointed by the band’s last CD after really liking the previous one. How does this compare to those two disparate CDs?
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
7:01 pm
“Murph
December 21st, 2010
6:34 pm
Anyone want to partake in a pool on how many games Chipper will play this year? Pick your number…
92 games”
122
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:03 pm
Nolie, I am not doing too bad. How hve you been doing? Hell, it’s better to be positive than negative. The Debbie Downers and Negative Nancy’s bring me down.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:04 pm
84 games for Chipper.
Supes
December 21st, 2010
7:06 pm
nolie,
right you move Prado back to 3B…but then u create the whole “platoon muck” in LF…and given that CF is already a potential platoon and weakness for us…it creates possibly another OF performance like 2010.
We are solid with Heyward in RF…but if Prado has to move from LF to 3B….we are right back to platoon 101 with the rest of the OF spots.
Part of the brilliance of the UGGLA deal was not only acquiring a RH stick, but it was strengthening our OF by basically adding an all star type hitter PRADO to LF at the same time.
Which is why everything hinges on Chipper’s health…which is in itself is a far scarier proposition than anything the Phillies might do.
sheeesh
December 21st, 2010
7:06 pm
The Braves bullpen and bench are going to be their weakest links in 2011. Linebrink and Sherrill showed a tendency to get hammered with regularity last year. I foresee a lot of blown leads by those two. Uggla should help compensate for some of that by providing more offense, but losing both the experience and talents of Wagner and Saito (along with Infante) is going to be a much bigger issue than most people think. The ripple effect in the bullpen of losing Wagner and Saito will be painful to watch in 2011. Many may argue that Saito was hurt a lot (and he was late last season), but he provided stability for the first 2/3 of the season.
The strength and depth of the bullpen and bench carried the Braves to the playoffs last season. When players went down or struggled, there were solid players to fill in and a sound bullpen to soften the blow. But with the strict budget with which the Braves operate, the Braves are going to be more exposed in both areas in 2011. Aside from Uggla, the Braves regressed in the area of improving the team via new acquisitions. That said, they can still make a playoff run if they have the same kind of (or better) luck as they had in 2010. I just hope they can beef up the bullpen and/or bench at some point in 2011.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
7:06 pm
Trey?? you talk about being positive and then say only 84 games for Chipper? what’s that all about?
Jbailz
December 21st, 2010
7:06 pm
Murph
115 Games
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:08 pm
Nolie, my realistic thought.
I will go 115 then!
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:08 pm
jbailz, wow I did not even see how many games you said until after I posted mine.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
7:09 pm
Supes, just about every team in baseball has question marks as big or bigger than the ones the Braves have. Sure Chipper is important, but what exactly could be done about it with the current payroll? I’m not sure anything that would be a guarantee of improvement
Jbailz
December 21st, 2010
7:09 pm
Great minds think alike, I’m realistically just hoping he lasts that long. Maybe he’ll surprise us all and go 140…. We could hope!
nolie
December 21st, 2010
7:10 pm
nope stick with your realistic thought.
Norcross
December 21st, 2010
7:10 pm
Cool, DOB. Thanks for the response. I see you listed Plastic Beach also. Great choice. You into MGMT? I can’t say Congratulations was as good as Oracular Spectacular.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:11 pm
Nolie, haha I will then; but he may surprise us and go at least 115.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:11 pm
Nick, how many games do you think Chipper will play?
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
7:13 pm
Is any team taking a pot shot with Mannywood, havent heard his name mentioned at all in rumors
Any, even a small, sign of sanity is appreciated.
N8
December 21st, 2010
7:16 pm
“I’m willing to bet that between the two of them they will blow more than 7 saves will not be surprised by double figures”
Neftali Feliz blew 3 saves this past year. You know how many people blew double digit saves in ALL of MLB last year? One person:
Tyler Clippard of Washington with exactly 10.
Moylan blew 3. Saito blew 1. Venters blew 4.
So yeah…. if the two of them are combined to be the closer/primary setup guy? It’s likely that they (like every other closer/primary setup guy on every other team) will likely end up with double digit blown saves.
On the flip side, the Braves with the addition of Uggla and the allegedly improved offense should have more save opportunities.
Braves were 11th in all baseball last year with 41 saves (SF had 57). They were 11th in all of baseball with a 71% success ratio in save opportunites. San Fran also led that category at 78%.
So…. the Giants had 57 saves and a success ratio of 78%. Meaning they blew 13 saves.
The Braves had 41 saves and a 71% success ratio. Meaning, they blew 12 saves.
So, just like ERA, I don’t really care how many saves they blow. What is the success ratio and how many opportunities are they given to save games?
Braves might blow 15 saves next year and have a better success ratio. If that’s the case, how do you determine which pen was/is better?
If Venters and/or Kimbrel don’t go all Mark Wohlers circa 1997, they’ll be of great help to this team saving many, many more than they blow though I agree that they’ll blow as many as 10-15 games between them.
But if they mentally can handle it (I think they can)?? I wouldn’t be shocked at a Neftali Feliz type season between them (combined). They’ve got the arms and the stuff to absolutely dominate once they KNOW they are that good.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:17 pm
Enter your comments here
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:18 pm
Nice, considering I did not hit submit on the “Enter your comments here”
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:21 pm
So the Bears clinched their division and they are two games up and still have two games to play. The Falcons are two games up and two games to play; yet they only clinched a playoff spot, but not the division. How is that?
Jbailz
December 21st, 2010
7:24 pm
Trey – It may have to do with their division record.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
7:24 pm
My guess would be the Bears are holding the tie-breakers, Trey.
doug
December 21st, 2010
7:25 pm
DOB,
Thanks for all you do during the year. I have read this blog since it’s inception, though rarely contribute. I do have a baseball question though. Any talk of a Prado extension? Would love to see him locked up longterm.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
7:25 pm
I certainly hope you are right, but I’m still of the belief that they will be less effective than Wags was
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:26 pm
Jbailz, alright.
Bat, okay. I was just confused about that.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
7:27 pm
now why caint I write pages and pages to say stuff like that?
N8
December 21st, 2010
7:27 pm
Trey, it’s because the Saints already beat the Falcons and if they beat them again, and then end up tied, the Saints would win the division based on head-to-head games.
Just like my Chiefs and the Chargers. Chiefs have two game lead with two to play. They each beat each other once, I think division record is better by the Chiefs, but the Chargers have a better AFC record. If they end up tied, Chargers win.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
7:28 pm
Trey, it’s because the Saints already beat the Falcons and if they beat them again, and then end up tied, the Saints would win the division based on head-to-head games.
No, no, no…….The Falcons beat the Saints.
Efrim
December 21st, 2010
7:28 pm
Great blog, DOB. Excellent stuff that you got from Wren. I do wonder what he would of said if you had asked him about the draft budget. But my guess is he probably would of said that our current farm is one of the best in the majors, etc. And while that is true, I wonder if they’ll be able to maintain that system depth if they continue to spend as little as they do.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:29 pm
N8, I believe the Falcons actually beat the Saints.
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
7:30 pm
Thanks for the new blog, DOB…great work as always.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:30 pm
Oh well all we need is one more win.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
7:31 pm
The Falcons lost two games early……… Steelers & Eagles………… Beat the Saints on the road and have them in Atlanta next Monday night.
gd from nz
December 21st, 2010
7:33 pm
I think the bull pen is one of the biggest question marks for 2010. I know people will talk about whether Chipper comes back as maybe the biggest question mark but at least this has been addressed and planned for, we have back up options. Obviously the McLouth situation may be a bigger question mark too.
I think not annointing either Kimbrell or Venters is the closer should take the pressure off them and I’m sure both will get chances in the ninth, with others also getting the odd save opportuntity to take the pressure off them.
Surely they will manage Venters appearances this year, or he may be arm surgery waiting to happen.
Can’t wait for the season to start, it will be very hard to win the division/wildcard this year with the pitching the NL is putting up next year, but will be fun seeing how it all pans out.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
7:34 pm
An increasingly rare event – a Monday night game that might actually be really interesting to watch!
N8
December 21st, 2010
7:37 pm
nolie, as a pure “9th inning” classic meaning of saves? I agree. It’s going to be really hard for either of them or both of them combined to do what Wags did.
But I think in general the bullpen (that actually had 17 blown saves if you count the 7th and 8th inning blown saves), might actually be better suited to shut teams down from the 7th on.
Saito had moments. Obviously once Venters was locked in, he and Wags formed a very nice 1-2 punch.
Add to that, there always seems to be a guy that comes up and surprises and dominates kind of under the radar because he’s not the closer. Slowly but surely putting up mind boggling numbers (like Venters last year).
I guess I could just keep it simple and say that I see very little reason why the overall bullpen can’t have a VERY good season and not be a weakness of the team.
Plus, I think that the semi “platoon” of Venters and Kimbrel might serve them both well when it comes to successfully converting saves.
I really think that at least early on (until one of them shows they are THE MAN), Fredi will pick his matchups when deciding who closes.
If the Phillies have Ibanez, Utley and Howard due up in the 8th inning with a lead? He’ll probably go with Venters in the 8th. If the bottom of the order is due up in the 8th, he’ll probably hold off on using him until the 9th.
But in the end, if they mentally are OK with finishing games, they BOTH have the stuff to get RHB and LHB out. But the safe path, at least initially, is to decide which one to use based on who’s coming up.
Let’s not forget that Moylan and O’Flaherty are both capable of finishing games if needed. Sherril is going to get LHB out, and if Linebrink is healthy, he’s a much better option than say Blaine Boyer or even Farnsworth.
I’m WAY more worried about Chipper, and/or who plays LF when Prado has to move to 3B, than I am about Kimbrel and Venters.
Maybe Wagner and Wren have a Yankees/Clemens type of deal under the table saying if Venters and Kimbrel suck it up, he’ll come back mid-season and “save the day”. LOL! (kidding of course).
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
7:39 pm
MIBF_
Maybe so, but an…….. it’s over by halftime, home team blow out win would not hurt mu feelings one bit.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
7:40 pm
you make some good points N8, I hope you are right
N8
December 21st, 2010
7:43 pm
Sorry guys. Forgot that they (Falcons) beat the Saints.
But looking at the next two tie-breakers (division record and conference record), if the Saints win next Monday, they will be tied all the way around in those 2 categories (even though Falcons would still be a one game ahead in standings.
Falcons 5-0 in division (a loss against Saints makes them 5-1), Saints are 4-1 in division (a win against Falcons makes them 5-1).
Falcons 9-1 in conference, Saints 8-2, a Saints win makes them both 9-2.
After their head-to-head matchup next Monday, Saints play Tampa and the Falcons play Carolina.
So, if Falcons lose and Saints win, that makes Saints 10-2 in NFC, and Falcons 9-3.
Saints win the division. Of course, a Falcons win next Monday takes all the guessing away.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
7:43 pm
“Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
7:39 pm
MIBF_
Maybe so, but an…….. it’s over by halftime, home team blow out win would not hurt mu feelings one bit.”
I know, but that seems unlikely. A win is a win, especially this late in the season with things like home field advantage at stake.
Vain Jangling
December 21st, 2010
7:44 pm
I’ll just assume it was some kind of typo that left Widespread Panic’s Dirty Side Down off the top of the “best of” album list.
Feeanch
December 21st, 2010
7:45 pm
DOB, this is why this is the best baseball blog around. We are all most appreciate of the exhaustive task the TOP 50 list must be. I am jealous that you had and made the time to go back through so many CDs. The rugrats in my house are kind of a time deterrent to such activities. And first and foremost, the baseball reporting and bloggage go without saying. It’s good to be a Braves fan because of you and the Carroll Rogers Experience (my new favorite band).
By the way, when you were yukking it up in NOLA, the Louis CK show was absolutely the funniest live comedic performance I have ever seen. Can’t wait for season 2. They were filming the concert to use as background for next season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I’m already jacked up about Feb. 12th and our opening homestand against the Filthies April 8th.
My prediction: 99-63. We win by 2.5 over the Phillies for the division. No clue what happens after that.
Feeanch, The Welder
deadly atlanta
December 21st, 2010
7:45 pm
The payroll will not increase until something is done about the safety around the stadium area. If you make a wrong turn trying to find the interstate hwy, you may end up on a street that ends up in a downtown project. Just too dangerous. I would love to take my grand kids to more games. I only buy tickets that include parking. I made a wrong turn.got lost, tried to turn aroundn and 4 guys ran up to my bmw, Guess they thought I wanted to buy drugs.I sped off like a race track driver.
Billy Jack's Barbecue & Shrimp Co.
December 21st, 2010
7:45 pm
Go Braves. Come eat our beef brisket and brunswick stew. Just installed our bar. You can come over and talk about the Braves with me OR the Red Sox with Keith. Yes, typing Red SOx made my fingers cramp up.
N8
December 21st, 2010
7:45 pm
I hope I am too nolie.
Part of me says it’s common sense (though with young guys – and guys that were possibly overused the season before – you can’t predict what’s really going to happen), the other part says it’s wishfull thinking.
I guess I’m still mad Cox didn’t leave Kimbrel in to finish that game against SF.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:46 pm
N8, actually the Falcons are two games up in first! Thank goodness for that.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:47 pm
N8, I misread your post. My apology.
N8
December 21st, 2010
7:50 pm
“My prediction: 99-63. We win by 2.5 over the Phillies for the division. No clue what happens after that. Feeanch
Come on man. If you’ve got enough balls to predict that the Braves not only win 99 games, but finish ahead of the Phillies doing so…..
Why not go out on a limb and predict that they steam roll through the post-season then too?
btw, I think you’re close in your 99 wins prediction (I’m thinking more along the lines of 95-96. But I think we still finish 7-10 games behind the Phils.
I think the Braves and Phillies will be the monsters of the NL (the competition will bring out the best of both of them), with the Phillies rotation just being too strong for the Braves to keep up in dominating the crappy teams.
But I’m with you…. once playoffs begin? Game on.
N8
December 21st, 2010
7:51 pm
Yeah Trey, I’m saying if the Saints win next Monday, then it’s down to a game with all the tie-breakers (head to head, division and conference records), even.
N8
December 21st, 2010
7:52 pm
Besides Feeanch, which team (Braves or PHillies) is going to have a game rained out and not made up?
Sorry, but that’s the only way for a team to finish any amount (and a half) game ahead in standings.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
7:53 pm
the Falcons play Carolina. _ N8
If the Falcons lose to the Saints, then lose to the worst team in the NFL,( both home games) with home-field advantage through out the playoffs on the line, well damn. Take ‘em out behind the barn and shoot them. I know, I know ………. any given Sunday.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
7:57 pm
N8, yeah. Hopefully the Falcons will come out on top.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
7:57 pm
I know, but that seems unlikely. A win is a win, especially this late in the season with things like home field advantage at stake. MIBF
Yes,very unlikely. The Falcons have several last minute W’s this year. Turning my hair grey.
Russell Bell
December 21st, 2010
8:02 pm
The following 3 lists lay out my favorite 10 albums released in 2010, followed by 5 albums I either unearthed or ‘re-discovered’ that were not released in 2010, and finally, 5 albums released in 2010 that might be good, but just didn’t do anything for me (‘overrated’).
I have listened to all these albums at least a few times all the way through – most were in heavy rotation in my Ipod at some point over the past 12 months. A quick note about my overrated selections – I’m not suggesting that they are bad albums, they just didn’t do much for me, considering the amount of hype they received.
favorite 10 albums of 2010
1. High on Fire – Snakes for the Divine
2. Tame Impala – Innerspeaker
3. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles
4. Zoroaster – Matador
5. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
6. Forest Swords – Dagger Paths
7. Kylesa – Spiral Shadow
8. Besnard Lakes – …Are the Roaring Night
10. Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma
5 favorite ‘rediscovered’ albums (non-2010 edition)
1. Eagle Twin – Unkindness of Crows (2009)
2. Unwound – Leaves Turn Inside You (2001)
3. Failure – Magnified (1994)
4. Black Sabbath – Master of Reality (1971)
5. Neurosis – Enemy of the Sun (1993)
5 most ‘overrated’ albums released in 2010
1. Vampire Weekend – Contra
2. Beach House – Teen Dream
3. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
4. Ariel Pink – Before Today
5. Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me
Russell Bell
December 21st, 2010
8:06 pm
One of my favorite albums didn’t make it past the editing process apparently and was accidentally omitted!
9. Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
njbraves
December 21st, 2010
8:07 pm
Wren is so full of crap. The Braves front office determines the budget??? Sure they do, you keep believing that. What do you expect the guy to say, he’s not going to trash his bosses in the media. Liberty Media are crappy owners who don’t care about baseball, they just want to make sure they turn a profit. As long as they are in the black at the end of the year, they will let McGuirk and Wren do whatever they want. It’s a terrible way to run a baseball team. Adding $15-$20 million to this payroll would do wonders, and they have the money, but won’t spend it. Meanwhile, the Phillies get Halladay and Lee in a two year span.
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
8:09 pm
Yeah! Those $90 million BUMS!!
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
8:09 pm
“Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
7:57 pm
I know, but that seems unlikely. A win is a win, especially this late in the season with things like home field advantage at stake. MIBF
Yes,very unlikely. The Falcons have several last minute W’s this year. Turning my hair grey.”
And that’s on top of all the Braves late inning comebacks this year (and on the flip side, that nightmare in Denver we would all like to forget! No lead is necessarily safe, in any sport, apparently!)
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
8:10 pm
I’ll bet there’s gonna be a lot of Liberty complaints based on the title of this blog.
Probably gonna be some “This is baseball, not music, STEWPID!” comments too
Trey
December 21st, 2010
8:11 pm
MIBF, I hated that Rockies game; but I loved it when we did it to the Red. Honestly, I was like I’d hate to be the Reds fans when it happened and I didn’t think it would happen again, especially to us. Boy, I was wrong.
Bravefaninok
December 21st, 2010
8:12 pm
Chipper will play in 136 games…..several of those as a pinch hitter on his off days! my guess is 122 games @3rd base.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
8:14 pm
Now we know the real truth. Thank you so much njbraves for clearning that up for us.
Those tightwad bums! Geez, can you believe they think we can run a baseball team with 80,90,95 million?
So I guess if they pony up another 10-20 million we’d be guaranteed the World Serious.
Thanks again for clearing that up for me.
Newsflash! Salary doesn’t win titles! See the 2010 NY Yankees for latest example.
Soph
December 21st, 2010
8:16 pm
Yes,very unlikely. The Falcons have several last minute W’s this year. Turning my hair grey.
Mine too. I enjoy the close wins but I was very appreciative of them putting it away before the 4th quarter last week. Nice to take a week off from the nail biting.
Soph
December 21st, 2010
8:16 pm
VJ, where are you? I want you to see what’s on ESPNU.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
8:17 pm
“Trey
December 21st, 2010
8:11 pm
MIBF, I hated that Rockies game; but I loved it when we did it to the Red. Honestly, I was like I’d hate to be the Reds fans when it happened and I didn’t think it would happen again, especially to us. Boy, I was wrong.”
That old ABC Wide World of Sports slogan, “The joy of victory, the agony of defeat” sums up those 2 games in a nutshell!
Trey
December 21st, 2010
8:18 pm
Next week is when the real nail biting continues. In football, I hate the Saints nearly as much as I hate the Phillies in baseball.
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
8:18 pm
I trust the Falcons…this sandy blonde hair is gray-free
Bravesfan54
December 21st, 2010
8:19 pm
Comments that the Braves are “counting on” or “depending on” Chipper rebounding miss an important point: Chipper IS coming back – but the real question is for how long and what limitations. One answer (lunatic fring keep quiet for a moment!) is simple: $14 million dollars which is what he is entitled to, whether healthy or not. One answer is a bit more complicated, i.e., he attempts to come back and has simply lost too much bat speed, etc., in which case the question becomes one of pride and money. He retires and gives up the money, or stays on the team withouth being able to produce. These last two options, retiring or having a greatly diminished role are rather unlikely. More likely is a healthy Chipper, whose eroding offensive and defensive skills are obviously diminished. While I doubt any serious student of the game counts on more than 120 games, 12-15 HR’s,60 rbi, and nearly adequate defense, those contributions would be indeed significant to this club.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
8:20 pm
The best thing Mark Bradley saw in sports this year: Heyward’s opening day, first big league swing homerun. Yep, kind of hard to top that.
Bravefaninok
December 21st, 2010
8:21 pm
njbraves
Adding $15-$20 million to this payroll would do wonders, Ya in a few years when werth(or other overpriced FA) is broken down and unproductive you would want another 15-20 mil.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
8:22 pm
MIBF, it was an even harder pill to swallow than thought possible. It was like watching someone driving or flying smoothly, and all of a sudden a couple of bumps here and there, spinning them out of control into a firey wreck. They come out alive and burning up and their suffering just won’t end. That’s how I felt during that game.
Who was pitching that game? Was it Hudson?
Trey
December 21st, 2010
8:23 pm
jeffrey, my hair going gray is a fear that I feel will make me go gray.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
8:25 pm
“Bravefaninok
December 21st, 2010
8:12 pm
Chipper will play in 136 games…..several of those as a pinch hitter on his off days! my guess is 122 games @3rd base.”
Good point about pinch hitting appearances! I assumed Murph meant games started at 3rd base, but he didn’t specify that. And anytime Chipper is in the batter’s box, he’s a threat to the opponent and an asset for the Braves, so those should count, too.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
8:27 pm
That old ABC Wide World of Sports slogan, “The joy of victory, the agony of defeat” sums up those 2 games in a nutshell! _ MIBF
That poor skier, ouch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2AZH4FeGsc
sheeesh
December 21st, 2010
8:29 pm
Braves and Phillies will be the monsters of the NL?
The Phillies certainly. Not the Braves. If the Braves are in the playoff race, they will be fighting it out with the top teams in the West and the Central for the wild card. The difference in pure talent between the Phillies and everyone else in the league is too great. The Braves are in the second tier with most everyone else who will compete. They have the misfortune of being in the East with the Phillies which makes it tougher for them because their chances of winning the division are slim. They will likely have to win a more hotly contested wild card race.
2010 was a perfect example of the effect of the Phillies’ superior talent. They were muted most of the season due to numerous injuries. Their depth enabled them to stay within striking distance. When they finally began to get healthy, it was no contest. The Braves could get lucky and the same thing could happen in 2011 . But if the tables are turned and the Braves suffer the magnitude of injuries that the Phillies endured last year, they will be out of the race in a hurry. They don’t have the depth across the board to survive like the Phillies do. That almost happened to them at the end of 2010. If the regular season had been one week longer, the Braves probably would not have won the wild card. The injuries had just about caught up to them eventually buried them against the Giants.
N8
December 21st, 2010
8:29 pm
“Bat Masterson, stranger things have happened then that. It would only be magnified because it’s the last day of the season.
I can remember in 1999 or 2000 for the Chiefs (Gunther Cunningham was the head coach), the Chiefs were playing the raiders for the last playoff spot on the last game of the season. Chiefs win and they’re in.
Seconds left in the game, 4th down for the Raiders, not quite in FG range. They run a play, Chiefs knock the pass down, and begin to celebrate…. game over.
But the Raiders were called for a false start and the Arrohead crowd was so loud, nobody heard the whistle, so the play continued. Add to it, the Chiefs hit the QB (Gannon maybe?) after the whistle and were called for a penalty, so not only did the Raiders get another shot, they got 15 yards, ran another play, spiked the ball and kicked the game winning FG.
Like I said. Strange things happen on the last day of the season.
If I’m a Falcon fan, I’m praying for a win against the Saints, so the last day of the season is meaningless.
Braveheart
December 21st, 2010
8:30 pm
The best thing Mark Bradley saw in sports this year: Heyward’s opening day, first big league swing homerun. Yep, kind of hard to top that.
It will always p!ss me off that I missed that even though I had spent close to $200 on my tix to see that very moment, and was only 4 blocks away when it happened. Should’ve heard the crowd from 4 blocks away. Insane. And when I heard it, I just knew, just friggin’ knew what had just happened. The sound of that crowd was just too unique at that moment for it to have been just another routine Opening Day homer.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
8:30 pm
“Trey
December 21st, 2010
8:22 pm
MIBF, it was an even harder pill to swallow than thought possible. It was like watching someone driving or flying smoothly, and all of a sudden a couple of bumps here and there, spinning them out of control into a firey wreck. They come out alive and burning up and their suffering just won’t end. That’s how I felt during that game.
Who was pitching that game? Was it Hudson?”
JJ
Justin Townes Earle,,
December 21st, 2010
8:31 pm
has a great dad and somewhat of an Uncle in Townes Van Zandt. I find all three to be original and extremely talented.
As for Liberty Media… I don’t really care for those folks.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
8:32 pm
MIBF, I was hoping you’d say Kawakami. I was hoping for more of a reason to dislike him.
Navigator
December 21st, 2010
8:33 pm
Same song, second verse.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
8:34 pm
If I’m a Falcon fan, I’m praying for a win against the Saints, so the last day of the season is meaningless. _ N8
That’s me in a nutshell.
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
8:36 pm
Trey -
Pretty sure KK had been banished from the rotation for a while by the time that game was played. He might’ve come out of the ‘pen, though.
Bravefaninok
December 21st, 2010
8:36 pm
But if the tables are turned and the Braves suffer the magnitude of injuries that the Phillies endured last year,
Wow..you don’t think the braves suffered as many injuries as the phils?
Chipper lost for season,Troy Glauss ineffective after the knees gave out.JJJ (ace of the staff in 09) hurt most of the year,McCann was still having eye issues……Mcclouth Never recovered from the J-Hey train wreck in Arizona…J-Hey hurt thumb for 1/3 of the year.
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
8:38 pm
Braveheart
Commiserations, man. Your experience sounds about as bad as McFann’s.
Almost like the situation from “Sports night” where Isaac missed the HR.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
8:38 pm
“Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
8:20 pm
The best thing Mark Bradley saw in sports this year: Heyward’s opening day, first big league swing homerun. Yep, kind of hard to top that.”
To borrow a Kirk Gibson description, a “special moment” that I think many people, years from now, will look back on and remember as the beginning of a special career.
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 21st, 2010
8:39 pm
DOB and I had the same Top 50.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
8:40 pm
GT Alum, you’re right. He had been kicked off the rotation by then. I don’t think that was a game in which he pitched.
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
8:41 pm
The Heyward HR was so sweet after hearing throughout ST how he was breaking stuff in Orlando. The ones who couldnt see it were waiting for him to do something special on TV or in person and he didnt disappoint. Didnt waste any time in hitting one 470 ft.
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
8:41 pm
No KK appearance at all. JJ, Moylan, Farnsworth and Venters were the culprits. That was when JJ started struggling again. Had just gotten his ERA under 4, but this game started it back in the other direction.
Soph
December 21st, 2010
8:43 pm
Jason’s homer is saved and protected on my DVR! Fun times.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
8:44 pm
GT Alum, the Braves had some pretty horrible games like that. There was that game in Houston and their fielding was so sloppy.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
8:45 pm
Braveheart
Commiserations, man. Your experience sounds about as bad as McFann’s. _ Snotboogie
Mine too.
I think McFann handled that with more grace than I would have.
N8
December 21st, 2010
8:45 pm
“They were muted most of the season due to numerous injuries. Their depth enabled them to stay within striking distance. When they finally began to get healthy, it was no contest.” Sheesh
And in the last 3rd of the season when Glaus was worthless, Chipper went down, Prado was out, Medlen was lost for the season, the BRAVES had enough depth to fend off the other WC contenders.
Goes both ways dude. I’m not denying the Phils were the better team last year. They were. By 5 games. Meaning had the Braves beat the Phillies head-to-head two more times at the end of the year (you know…. when half of their lineup from opening day was MIA?), that difference in the standings would have been 1 game.
It’s not even close to when the Braves would lock up the division in August and win by 22 games over the next closest teams.
The Phillies NEEDED to trade for Roy Oswalt to even remotely have a shot. The Braves traded for Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth.
I honestly believe (and I’m not even close to a homer), that the Braves pitching staff (top to bottom) is second in ALL OF BASEBALL to only the Phillies. And that includes the Giants. After all, without a horrible call on Posey’s SB by the umpire and Brooks Conrad’s defense (and Wagner being lost for the season), the Braves probably sweep the eventual WS champions.
Braves pitchers in that series: 37 IP, 8 ER (1.94 ERA)
Giants pitchers in that series: 38 IP, 7 ER (1.65 ERA)
The Phillies against the same SF team the following week?
In the 6 games, they allowed 18 ER in 50.2 IP (3.19 ERA)
But in case you’re wondering, since the Braves only lasted 4 games, after 4 games, the Phillies gave up 14 ER in 32.2 IP (3.85 ERA) and were down 3-1 in the series (exactly what the Braves did).
So one could (and I actually would) argue that the Braves were a tougher challange for the Giants than the Phillies were.
Reply if you must. But I’m right and you know it.
Gone Viral
December 21st, 2010
8:46 pm
“Almost like the situation from “Sports night” where Isaac missed the HR.”
I always thought that was a brilliant idea. What if you were attending the greatest sports moment of your lifetime but not paying attention at the key moment?
With regards to Heyward’s homer, that game is still on my TiVo. Nobody remembers it now, but we were down 3-0 before we ever took a swing in 2010.
ray
December 21st, 2010
8:47 pm
I read that the Braves and Twins were the only 2 teams that didn’t pay any draft picks over the MLB slot recommendation in 2010.
How is that buidling through the draft when teams like the Red Sox, Yanks, Tigers, Pirates and Dodgers exceed slot on several draftees every June ?
They drafted Alvord and Sabol with the knowledge they wouldn’t sign for slot money and let them go to college, wasting 2 picks.
Wren should be in politics.
Crime Dog
December 21st, 2010
8:47 pm
DOB-
Have you picked up Hendrix’s West Coast Seattle Boy box set? I’ve heard great things.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
8:49 pm
(you know…. when half of their lineup from opening day was MIA?), that difference in the standings would have been 1 game. N8
6 out of 8……. 75% but who’s counting.
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
8:50 pm
Crime Dog, I’m hoping someone got me the Hendrix box for Christmas.
Gone Viral
December 21st, 2010
8:50 pm
“When they finally began to get healthy, it was no contest.”
I don’t mean to interrupt your trolling by stepping on your point, but when both teams were healthy early in the year, the Braves won 7 out of 12. It was only when we were beaten to crap and the Phillies were healthy at the end of the year that they beat us. And even though we were running on fumes in the playoffs, we still played the Giants closer than the Phillies did.
So….
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
8:50 pm
Heyward’s homer….I was at Turner Field but missed it because my lady friend’s ticket didn’t have a barcode and we had to wait at willcall while they reprinted it.
Steve from OH
December 21st, 2010
8:52 pm
Heyward’s homer….I was at Turner Field but missed it because my lady friend’s ticket didn’t have a barcode and we had to wait at willcall while they reprinted it.
That’s grounds for dismissal, I believe…
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
8:52 pm
LOL, I was thinking about defensive disasters, and I just thought of an answer to the question what if Chipper can’t play next year – Brooksie at 3B. I bet that thought would make a few people cringe – Conrad and Uggla playing on the same infield for an extended period of time.
soldier mcgee
December 21st, 2010
8:53 pm
this blog has hit an all time low. top 50 cd’s? this is supposed to be a baseball blog but it is continually over run with music, bbq and movies. i can’t believe i have to weed through this stuff on a braves blog.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
8:54 pm
Sheesh, if the Braves didn’t have much talent and lost to the G’s because of that; then why did the Phillies lose?
Trey
December 21st, 2010
8:55 pm
Soldier McGhee, it talks about baseball too. If you don’t like it don’t read or comment. This blog is for fun and people to enjoy.
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
8:55 pm
this is supposed to be a baseball blog but it is continually over run with music
Told you!
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2010/12/21/braves-wren-on-payroll-ownership-dobs-top-50-cds-of-2010/?cp=3#comment-940484
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
8:55 pm
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
8:50 pm
Heyward’s homer….I was at Turner Field but missed it because my lady friend’s ticket didn’t have a barcode and we had to wait at willcall while they reprinted it.”
If that was a first date, it might also have been the last
Not an auspicious beginning!
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
8:56 pm
Congrats, soldier mcgee. You’re the first one I’ve seen who’s whined about the CD listing.
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
8:56 pm
Anyway, this wouldn’t really be an “all time” low because DOB does it every year.
Lew
December 21st, 2010
8:56 pm
DOB – One CD I did buy that must have missed your list was the new Wolfmother. Great CD – sounds like you’re lost in a 1968 Psychedelic time warp. Great tunes.
Nathan – I’ve seen Grace Potter live and have a DVD from the The Nocturnals first album (Grace had a kinda soul cd when she was like 16) and believe me – she does it live – in fact the band is much better in concert than on CD. They spent much of the last couple years touring with Govt. Mule and Warren Haynes. One show they did up here, Derek Trucks came out and jammed with them.
She also did the theme song for the new Disney flick Tangled.
soldier mcgee
December 21st, 2010
8:56 pm
dude, get a date. seriously, have you ever kissed a girl trey?
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
8:57 pm
It wasn’t really a first date….we’d been on-again/off-again. We’ve been off for awhile. I can’t really blame her, though. I bought and printed the tickets. I was still pretty miffed, though.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
8:57 pm
Soph-
VJ’s at work…taping the game
Crime Dog
December 21st, 2010
8:58 pm
DOB-
I’m pretty sure someone did get it for me. Can’t wait to hear all the stuff he did as a “side man.”
Soph
December 21st, 2010
9:00 pm
Boo, cab. That’s no fun.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:00 pm
solider mcgee, haha. What does that have to do with anything?
Resorting to insults? Really? Get a date? I’m home for the holidays. All my dates are up in VA, dawg!
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
9:00 pm
I’m pretty sure someone did get it for me. Can’t wait to hear all the stuff he did as a “side man.”
Wouldn’t it be funny if you think you’re about to open up the Hendrix box on Christmas morning, then you get past the wrapping paper and it turns out to be a Nickelback box set?
Bravefaninok
December 21st, 2010
9:00 pm
About Atlanta Braves
We talk baseball, other sports, music, movies, BBQ and whatever (except politics or religion)
yupp just the way it is meant to be.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
9:00 pm
“jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
8:55 pm
this is supposed to be a baseball blog but it is continually over run with music
Told you!”
There’s always at least one in every crowd, and on the Internet, it’s a pretty large crowd. And this bugger seems to have it in for Trey.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:01 pm
jeffrey, I have had some of those. I dated this one female for two years, but it was on and off.
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
9:01 pm
All my dates are up in VA, dawg!
So? Travelling doesn’t stop Tomahawkin from macking….and then telling us in depth about it.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:01 pm
Soph-
Sorry! Boy’s gotta earn a living
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:02 pm
MIBF, nah I kinda started it and he just chose to be a p*** about it.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:03 pm
jeffrey, I tell ya one thing. I am nothing like Tomahawkin’; I don’t like talking about my personal life like that. Even at work other folks do and I just keep quiet.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:03 pm
89 straight for UConn…Girl Power at it’s finest
(and an added bonus because it was ucla’s record they broke…)
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:03 pm
Bing!
“Get Out The WAYYY! Pretty Boy Coming Through! Me and My Crew! We Swaggin In The Room!”
Whats Up All…?
Soph
December 21st, 2010
9:03 pm
T’hawkin’s dating someone. He was complaining about her the other day.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
9:04 pm
You didn’t say anything wrong, Trey, so bleep him.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:04 pm
jeffrey, I don’t like to mack like Tomahawkin either! I actually like to find myself a steady relationship like thing. I don’t like picking up random women; especially in an area I don’t really live.
Soph
December 21st, 2010
9:04 pm
Speaking of…
Congrats to the UConn women!
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
9:04 pm
Megan?
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:05 pm
Hey!!! What up Tomahawkin! You musta got some ESP; as we were just talkin’ bout ya and your mack daddy skills with women!
Ross
December 21st, 2010
9:05 pm
Hello David, Would you please listen to Nathan Sextons Cd titled Grave and let me know how it stacks up against you top 50. Thank You, http://www.amazon.com Nathan Sexton
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
9:05 pm
Wouldn’t it be funny if you think you’re about to open up the Hendrix box on Christmas morning, then you get past the wrapping paper and it turns out to be a Nickelback box set?
Nah, the returns lines after Christmas are terrible.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:06 pm
jeffrey, I am debating whether or not to date this one woman up in VA.
Soph
December 21st, 2010
9:06 pm
Yeah, I think he said her name was Megan. Right, T’Hawkin?
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:06 pm
Damn, lol, I just got on and I see gossip…? Cheesewhiz?
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
9:07 pm
Yeah, Megan was staying with him, but she doesn’t like it when he blogs or watched old TV shows on YouTube when she’s around
MitchC
December 21st, 2010
9:08 pm
Dave, thank you! I’m glad you agree that Uggla is worth the extension being talked about.
As you probably read, your esteemed colleague, Mark Bradley, wrote a strong article earlier this week saying that Uggla is not worth 5 years, and 60 to 65 mil. Bottom line, I agree with you, and disagree with Mark, for the following reasons.
1. 12 mil a year is a bargain, comparatively, for a guy who can hit 30 homers. Some guys like that cost 15 mil each, and often a lot more than that.
2. The Braves need a long term solution in a power position in the lineup, someone to go along with Mccann and JHey. Chipper is done, or just about done. Also, by the third year of the contract, Lowe’s contract comes off the books. Even if Chipper plays in 2011, we have 10 mil plus to spend after next year, and another 15 mil to spend in 2012 when Lowe’s contract is up. Uggla’s deal isn’t as constricting as Bradley makes it out to be. He would be a good deal, even if he hits us 25 homers and 90 RBIS over the life of the contract.
I think the Braves should definitely win the wild card if they are healthy. They wont challenge Philly unless Philly has major injuries, but.. they are the second best team in the NL East, and probably, in the whole NL.
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:09 pm
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:04 pm
jeffrey, I don’t like to mack like Tomahawkin either!
Both you guys might find this hard to believe but once upon a time I was a real conservative dater until College…Now I simply don’t trust women…
MitchC
December 21st, 2010
9:09 pm
I made a mistake: I know Lowe’s deal is four years. I should have said after 2012 for Lowe, and after 2011, even if Chipper plays next year.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:11 pm
but she doesn’t like it when he blogs or watched old TV shows on YouTube when she’s around
So, basically, she likes to have him pay her some attention…crazy thought there!
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:11 pm
Tomahawkin’, I am a very conservative dater. I don’t 100% trust all women, but I am very careful when I find one to date.
Crime Dog
December 21st, 2010
9:11 pm
Wouldn’t it be funny if you think you’re about to open up the Hendrix box on Christmas morning, then you get past the wrapping paper and it turns out to be a Nickelback box set?
Blog friends don’t joke with blog friends about Nickleback. That would prove that my parents don’t love me.
Skeezix
December 21st, 2010
9:12 pm
Last year I predicted the Braves would finish second. For 2011, I predict that the Braves will contend for first place in 2011 and win it outright. Dave, you are right–all the other NL East teams haven’t improved themselves that much during the offseason, including the Phillies (despite adding Lee). I think a lot of people are forgetting how close things were in the NL East until we lost Chipper and then Martin.
Randy S
December 21st, 2010
9:13 pm
I buy very few CDs each year, but I see a healthy dose of live music. I moved to New Orleans in January resulting in the best year of live music of my life. My top 10 concerts of the year:
1. Jam Cruise 8, Caribbean Sea – the best music festival I have ever been to.
2. Phish, Encore Park, Alpharetta, July 4th – raucous cover of Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name”
3. John Scofield and the Piety St. Band, Tipitina’s, NOLA – Scofield, George Porter, Jr., Jon Cleary, Terence Higgins
4. Pavement, Tabernacle, ATL
5. Phish, Charleston, Oct. 16
6. Lettuce with the JB Horns, Bear Creek Music Festival – Superb funk bank with special guests Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley and Peewee Ellis. Step back, kiss myself.
7. Worship My Organ, Blue Nile, NOLA – Robert Walter, Marco Benevento, Skerik, Adam Deitch. Instrumental bliss.
8. The Dead Kenny G’s, dba, NOLA – saw them 8(?) times this year. Nasty hell-powered love jazz.
9. Galactic + Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Lundi Gras, Tipitina’s, NOLA – til the sun came up.
10. Ani Difranco, Blue Nile, NOLA – small room ~100 people.
Honorable Mention: Simon and Garfunkel at Jazzfest – Art’s voice was shot, but he gave it his all for “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. Tears were shed.
Didn’t make it: Roger Waters, The Wall – super painful to have missed such an epic tour.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
9:13 pm
Both you guys might find this hard to believe but once upon a time I was a real conservative dater until College…Now I simply don’t trust women… _ Tomahawkin
Dude, you talk about the kind of women you hook up with on the blog. No exactly the kind of women that inspire trust. A mother and daughter in one night!
Crime Dog
December 21st, 2010
9:14 pm
Randy S-
Did you happen to catch a band called Lingo at Bear Creek? Good friends with those guys…
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:15 pm
soldier mcgee
“dude, get a date. seriously, have you ever kissed a girl trey?”
OUCH! My Man, Come On Bro…The Braves have made their big moves, its the slowest time of the year on the blog…Whaddya Expect? And for being a rookie poster on the blog you should kill the personal attacks…?
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:15 pm
“Dude, you talk about the kind of women you hook up with on the blog. No exactly the kind of women that inspire trust. A mother and daughter in one night!”
LMAO.
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:16 pm
@Bat Masterson
Oh My Damn, I forgot about that…Damn how have I grown…and damn you have seen me post that long on here….?
nolie
December 21st, 2010
9:17 pm
DOB will you please listen to the latest White Snake and lrt me know how it stacks up to your top 50? Please
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:17 pm
“OUCH! My Man, Come On Bro…The Braves have made their big moves, its the slowest time of the year on the blog…Whaddya Expect? And for being a rookie poster on the blog you should kill the personal attacks…?”
Tomahawkin, I actually find the personal attacks quite funny. It just proves he can’t think of something more creative.
sheeesh
December 21st, 2010
9:18 pm
Bravefaninok, not only do I not think the Braves had as many injuries as the Phils, I know for a fact that they did not.
The Phillies lost Rollins (twice on DL), Utley (out 2 months), Lidge (twice on the DL), Victorino (once on DL), Howard (once on DL), Blanton (once on DL), Happ (out practically the whole season until traded for OSWALT), both catchers (each on the DL once), Polanco (on the DL once), Moyer (60 day DL), Romero (once on DL).
Chipper got hurt with 7 weeks to play in the season and he was having a mediocre season by any standard to that point. Chipper was easier to replace than most people want to admit (and don’t tell me he was just starting to get hot — that is a tired, old whine). They had Prado to step in for him (who is better than Chipper now) and Infante (who is also better than Chipper now) to step in for Prado. They won’t have that luxury in 2011. No bench this year to fall back on based on the current roster.
Troy Glaus?? Are you kidding me?? He had 6 weeks of above average play and then tanked. He was a disaster waiting to happen the moment he signed his contract last winter. The only mild surprise is that it was his legs that gave out instead of his shoulder. Glaus was a huge gamble that paid off for 6 weeks and then went cold. Not a surprise at all. It tends to happen with the old steroid abusers.
JJ? I will give you that one.
McCann? I can’t believe this is part of your argument. He is not going to ever be much better than he was this past year. He was not even hurt. He is what he is. A pretty good hitting catcher. He was an All-Star. What more could you want? His eye issues were not a factor this past season. I will take what he gave me in 2010 and be happy with that every year.
McLouth? Surely you jest. The Braves were lucky that J-Hey took him out. It gave them an excuse to not play him. McLouth sucked long before the collision with J-Hey. That travesty was a carry over from 2009.
J-Hey? Yes he had a thumb injury. But he was a 20-year-old rookie. The fact that the Braves were counting heavily on a 20-year-old rookie speaks volumes to their depth issue. Which was my whole point.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
9:18 pm
Looks like I have T.
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:19 pm
@Trey…
Yeah that happened a couple years ago…
I can’t do that no more since I’m starting to turn the corner now
Soph
December 21st, 2010
9:21 pm
No way, wasn’t that this past season?
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:21 pm
sheesh, the Braves lost Heyward, Resop, Jones, Saito, Glaus, McLouth, Clevlen, O’Flaherty, Prado.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:21 pm
Soph-
It was this past season or late in the one before, because I remember it and I haven’t been here longer than that
nolie
December 21st, 2010
9:22 pm
since I’m starting to turn the corner now T’
well be sure to slow down and look both ways
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:22 pm
Tomahawkin’ that’s a good thing.
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
9:22 pm
What corner, Tomahawkin?
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
9:23 pm
By turning the corner, does that include counting “Al Bundy” as a hero? Or did I misread that Sunday night?
nolie
December 21st, 2010
9:23 pm
because I remember it and I haven’t been here longer than that CAB
are you sure about that.seems like you been here forever
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
9:23 pm
I think it was the summer before, T-Hawkin spent this summer boating naked at the lake.
Soph
December 21st, 2010
9:23 pm
I thought so, cab. It hasn’t been that long.
Bravefaninok
December 21st, 2010
9:24 pm
McLouth? Surely you jest. The Braves were lucky that J-Hey took him out. It gave them an excuse to not play him. McLouth sucked long before the collision with J-Hey. That travesty was a carry over from 2009.
Lmao you got me there…
The phils had alot of injuries,i only seen them when they played the braves.
Why would they let Werth walk he must have been the only phil to stay healthy?
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
9:24 pm
It’s funny that we know all this
Soph
December 21st, 2010
9:24 pm
Bat –
T’hawkin, tell me about Megan.
Bravefaninok
December 21st, 2010
9:25 pm
And Matt Diaz was hurt to…..
Randy S
December 21st, 2010
9:25 pm
Crime Dog – Didn’t catch Lingo. Bear Creek has such a dense schedule, full of bands I love. I’ll check them out though.
Robin Hood
December 21st, 2010
9:26 pm
Phils pitching–Hamels is one year away from a bad year–Oswalt had a great 2nd half but I have my doubts on him for the whole year
Phils hitting has not gotten better so the piching will have to be good.
Good time to be a Braves fan!
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
9:27 pm
sheesh -
Hate to screw up your rant with facts, but Chipper posted a 806 OPS last season compared to Prado’s 809. Considering “he was having a mediocre season”, I don’t see how you think Prado is now a better player. Also, Chipper was hitting .400 with a .471 OBP and a .833 SLG with 3 HRs and 4 doubles in only 30 August ABs when he got hurt. No way of knowing if that would’ve continued the rest of the season if he hadn’t been injured, but he was en fuego when he got hurt.
Crime Dog
December 21st, 2010
9:27 pm
Good deal, Randy S. I like ‘em, but I’m biased because they’re buddies of mine.
Braveheart
December 21st, 2010
9:27 pm
Dentz responds to his latest banishment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wfto_Ow5jA
I’ll get you next time, Gadget! Next time!
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
9:28 pm
MIBF_
No, you have the ” Al Bundy” thing right. T’s role-model.
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:28 pm
jeffrey d
[All my dates are up in VA, dawg!]
“So? Travelling doesn’t stop Tomahawkin from macking….and then telling us in depth about it.”
I’m Glad You Mentioned that…Because I will be an hour Outside of Memphis this weekend…I can’t wait to go to the Boom Boom Room and watch people get Crunk!
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:28 pm
Braveheart, so he was banished after all? I know DOB said he was done messing with him; especially when his friend Tomahawkin wants him here, or something like that.
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:29 pm
Paullie Liinntz Got Bozo’d again…? After Last night, now it doesn’t suprise me
Soph
December 21st, 2010
9:29 pm
jeffrey, will you be visiting the Boom Boom Room as well?
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:29 pm
Tomahawkin’, that will be fun. Hope you enjoy your time.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:30 pm
nolie-
Yup. This past season was my first full year on the blog
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
9:31 pm
I pictured PL more as Costanza at the end of this scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwfioD-ING8
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
9:32 pm
jeffrey, will you be visiting the Boom Boom Room as well?
HAHAHA
No, I don’t think I’ll make it to the Boom Boom Room
Braveheart
December 21st, 2010
9:32 pm
Hell, I dunno. Just figuring
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:32 pm
Jeffrey, the way you describe PL made me think that he is a lot like that dude Otis in the movie Otis. They are both middle aged, balding, and very psychotic.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
9:33 pm
“Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
9:28 pm
MIBF_
No, you have the ” Al Bundy” thing right. T’s role-model.”
Thanks, Bat.
I do wonder, though, if we should all be picking on him like this so close to Christmas.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:33 pm
Actually, Otis was a shaved head loser.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
9:35 pm
geeze I thought I been
putting up wiadmiring your posts foreverMIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
9:35 pm
Never mind!
Poet
December 21st, 2010
9:36 pm
PL was banished? Say it isn’t so. I wrote a poem for him for Christmas (even though he doesn’t believe in Jesus).
N8
December 21st, 2010
9:37 pm
What about Medlen Sheesh? 14 starts, Braves went 13-1 in those starts.
So while we LOST our most productive pitcher (if based on team wins per start), you gained yours in Oswalt for the stretch run.
Only a moron wouldn’t see that those to roster changes pretty much shifted the balance of power.
How about Heyward not being able to grip a bat for two months, but playing through it? You talk about DL stints. Sounds like your guys have a vagina/manliness issue to deal with. They should have man’d up and toughed it out.
Oh that’s right, with our payroll, we didn’t have billionaires at every position. So our 20 year old rookie had to suck it up and play because there was no better option.
Face facts dude. Braves handled the Phillies all year. Then when they were at their lowest point of health the Phillies swooped in and handled them. Without Roy Oswalt, you guys finish 5 games back. Maybe further.
THEN, you get your asses handed to you by the Giants. Chokers.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:37 pm
nolie-
(I have that effect on people
)
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:38 pm
Soph
“T’hawkin, tell me about Megan.”
She Will be, how should I say Dismissed before New Years “Bank On It!”
She is trying to change me…I’m older than her and she gets mad when I bump My old 80’s and 90’s R&B/Rap… And obviously she hates it when I’m on the cpu…
And The Number one reason! She is being scandoulouz (dating other dudes)…I have proof of that monday
But there is nothing better than a chick who likes that Mariah…Its soooo good having a Total playlist of that Mariah on my laptop…That shyt is still on point!
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:39 pm
N8, excellent post. I forgot to throw Medlen in there with our list of injuries and probably a few others.
sheeesh
December 21st, 2010
9:39 pm
The Phillies let Werth go because he is not “werth” what the Nats paid him. Plus I think they have a budding young star outfielder in the wings. I don’t blame Werth for taking the money. He’s got his ring. Now he’s got a great retirement plan.
Trey, you are right. But the Phillies list of injured players has numerous current All-Star-caliber players. And the whole point was that even if you have an inordinate number of injuries, when your talent pool is that deep, you can still overcome it. If I had named all the players on the Phillies who were marginal or non-factors like you did, the list would have been longer. Of the Braves players on your list, the only loss that killed the Braves chances in the post-season was Prado. Marginal players can be replaced with other marginal players without suffering significant consequences.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:39 pm
Tomahawkin, ouch. Sounds like a chick you should dump on Christmas, or her birthday.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:40 pm
Sorry cab, forgot you don’t like the term chick!
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:41 pm
Bat, thanks to his friend Tomahawkin.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:41 pm
Trey-
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:42 pm
MiBravesFan
Other than spending time with family, the football games and the Christmas parties, Just Like Al Bundy I hate Christmas…And my reasoning on that is how its such a retail/corporate holiday…
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:42 pm
sheesh, I am sure I forgot to mention some more players on there. My thing is that if you are going to say that your team didn’t have first place due to injuries; why can’t we say we lost first place due to injuries? Remember, we had the biggest injury to the whole Braves organization, Kawakami as pitcher.
Steve from OH
December 21st, 2010
9:42 pm
Yes, he’ll be back. Surely he’ll be out of bed momentarily to show his manhood on the internet poker tables and chastise our ADD ways…
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
9:42 pm
“cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:41 pm
Trey-
A chick is a baby bird, NOT a person!”
Yeah, Cab!!!
Bay Area Steve
December 21st, 2010
9:43 pm
Poet: post away. Please.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:43 pm
cab, at least it’s not as bad as what guys used back in the 30s!
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
9:43 pm
He’ll be back when he wants to come back
He said last night that he’s going skiing today…I can’t imagine that going very well
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:44 pm
MIBravesFan -
Just one of my pet peeves
Trey-
Such as?
Mitchie-san
December 21st, 2010
9:44 pm
NOW it doesnt surpised you he got bozo’d, T-hawkin????? Where have you been the past few years?????
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:45 pm
where is he skiing? He lives in San Francisco, right? There isn’t really anyplace you can ski up there just for the day…we can only hope he’ll be gone a while…
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:45 pm
Trey
The Best Part about the Boom Boom Room is when They start playing That old Three Six Mafia or Triple 6, then I go off…I might Have to wear my J-Hey Jersey Shirt up in their just to show those bandwagon Cardinals Fans Whats up….
And I’m pretty sure they will play “Pretty Boy Swag” That is my jam as most have seen on here since I post the second verse lyrics when i get onto the blog…
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:45 pm
cab, they used”dames”, or “broads”.
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
9:46 pm
It’s funny that we know all this
Actually it’s funnier when you think that he doesnt like others doing the same on twitter and facebook.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:46 pm
Trey-
Still not as bad as chick…
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:46 pm
cab, he said he is in Colorado.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:47 pm
Trey-
I see…
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:47 pm
Mitchie-san
“NOW it doesnt surpised you he got bozo’d, T-hawkin????? Where have you been the past few years?????”
Yeah, Last night was really the first night I saw him off the chain…It doesn’t suprise me at all now that he got bozo’d after the stuff he was dishing last night…
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:47 pm
Tomahawkin, if you ever hit VA; go to Portsmouth, and they have a place called the Final Frontier. Kind of expensive, but you get to choose your music.
Poet
December 21st, 2010
9:47 pm
A Question of _Chance
What is this _Christopher _Chance?
Skidmarks adorn his name,
Like soilings left in underpants,
His musings all the same.
Self-aggrandizing blather,
Tedious bomblets of disdain,
Delusions of great intellect,
Belie a damaged brain.
If one does dare to question him,
Your name he’ll likely sully.
A habit learned some time ago,
As a loathsome schoolyard bully.
So the question begs of saner minds,
Faced with the odious _Chance.
Does one ignore his diatribes,
Or with the devil dance?
Oh, and I learned today that I should do this when being a little mischievous
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
9:48 pm
where is he skiing? He lives in San Francisco, right?
Hey, he surprises us. DOB/the world says we don’t want him here, and he goes through painstaking lengths to come back to a place where he’s not wanted, and where he gets furious.
And just when you think you can’t lower your opinion of him, BAM….he finds a way to do something stupider.
So yeah, he’ll find a way to ski in San Francisco
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:49 pm
Poet-
another job well done
Steve from OH
December 21st, 2010
9:49 pm
Anyway…let’s talk baseball…
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
9:49 pm
where is he skiing? He lives in San Francisco, right? There isn’t really anyplace you can ski up there just for the day…we can only hope he’ll be gone a while…
He said he was at his bro’s place in Colorado.
I think it is actually a mental health sanitarium and he got online when Nurse Ratched wasnt looking.Let’s hope Chief doesnt help him out.
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:51 pm
Bat Masterson
[Paullie Liinntz Got Bozo’d again]
“He’ll be back when he wants to come back. DOB posted several comments about that this morning.”
Yeah, I need to check the posts…D.O.B. put me on Blast for being compassionate towards him because I have said that i have never gotten into it with him…he must have a short fuse with other bloggers he has seen on here for years?
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:51 pm
It’s kind of funny how he became a cuss word in this blog.
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
9:52 pm
Poet
Awesome.
Please make sure to save your “I ain’t shook” poem. I have a feeling we might be needing it during the season.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
9:52 pm
“Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:42 pm
MiBravesFan
Other than spending time with family, the football games and the Christmas parties, Just Like Al Bundy I hate Christmas…And my reasoning on that is how its such a retail/corporate holiday…”
Toma, the fact that you actually put family first in your order of things there distinguishes you from “Al Bundy”!
Maybe all hope is not lost after all! The fact that retailers exploit Christmas actually helps people have jobs, if that makes you feel any better about that aspect of it. Find better role models!
Crime Dog
December 21st, 2010
9:53 pm
Poet–
POST OF THE YEAR.
Except, I think he was the one who got bullied and not the bully himself.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:53 pm
Tomahawkin, he mentioned you this morning on his previous blog with Chrissy.
Steve McP
December 21st, 2010
9:53 pm
The injury that hurt the Braves most in 2009 was to Wagner – up to that point they were holding their own. Once he went down they did not have people to replace him and that is what worries me most about 2011 – will Venters and Kimbrel be studs that will see them through in the end game? They both have the stuff but do they have the mind set to be closing?
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:54 pm
Has anyone ever seen the movie ‘Otis’? He reminds me of Otis with his psychopathic ways.
Soph
December 21st, 2010
9:54 pm
Ooh, someone please repost the other poem or tell me where I can find it. I haven’t seen it yet.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:54 pm
Steve McP, I knew I forgot some players in my injured list.
Tomahawkin
December 21st, 2010
9:55 pm
Trey
“Tomahawkin, if you ever hit VA; go to Portsmouth, and they have a place called the Final Frontier. Kind of expensive, but you get to choose your music.”
That sounds Dope…I have been wanting to hear that Big Boy/Purple Ribbon All Stars “Kryptonite” at a club but I never hear…That song is my jam! I lose my voice to that!
And I always have to bump that R. Kelly “Ignition Remix” on a Friday…Its sooo logical!
And Nelly’s “Tip Drill” is my ultimate fast grind song
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
9:55 pm
“Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
9:49 pm
where is he skiing? He lives in San Francisco, right? There isn’t really anyplace you can ski up there just for the day…we can only hope he’ll be gone a while…
He said he was at his bro’s place in Colorado.
I think it is actually a mental health sanitarium and he got online when Nurse Ratched wasnt looking.Let’s hope Chief doesnt help him out.”
lol!
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
9:55 pm
Soph-
It’s on the previous blog, but I know one or two people copied it (hopefully Poet is one of them!)- it was great
(Tom copied it, I’m pretty sure- if no one else has it he may if he pops up tonight)
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:56 pm
Tomahawkin’, it’s kind of a waste of money. However, there is a real club in VA Beach called Peabody’s. It is very popular and I don’t know why.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
9:57 pm
You may like it T’.
Mitchie-san
December 21st, 2010
9:58 pm
The injury that hurt the Braves most in 2009 was to Wagner.– Steve McP
I think the Prado injury hurt the team more. The bullpen did a great job after Wags got hurt. The team never really recovered after Prado went down.
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
9:58 pm
…and, lo, the Braves in their graves had been laid,
although nary, not one, single game had been played
yes fans, fairly weathered, except for a few
said the Phillies got Lee, God help us, we’re through
but a cry arose from a noble man, Lew
hold up, wait a minute, the Braves are great too
they may not have Hamels, Lee and two Roys,
but they’ve got some gritty, hard-playing boys
and so it came to be in the land called Blog
loyalties were questioned, fans lost in a fog
battered by pundits, declaring who would win
hopes dashed, they succumbed, one by one, to the spin
but there came a retort, one well fit for a book
from a Brave young man simply saying, “I ain’t shook.”
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
10:00 pm
Except, I think he was the one who got bullied and not the bully himself. _ Crime Dog
Yeah, and I feel terrible about it too.
Soph
December 21st, 2010
10:00 pm
Bravo. Very nice. Good stuff, Poet.
Crime Dog
December 21st, 2010
10:01 pm
Haha Bat, I knew you were the culprit! What we he like as a boy?
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
10:02 pm
Yeah, and I feel terrible about it too.
Because now we’re all paying for it
Poet
December 21st, 2010
10:02 pm
Thank you all.
Steve from OH
December 21st, 2010
10:02 pm
This is a bit old, but this is crazy…
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/10/world/asia/10military.html?_r=1&hp
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
10:02 pm
It’s on the previous blog – K-Med – page 22 , if someone wants to bookmark it or something. Or you could bookmark this page and get 2 for 1.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
10:04 pm
“Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
9:58 pm
…and, lo, the Braves in their graves had been laid,
although nary, not one, single game had been played
yes fans, fairly weathered, except for a few
said the Phillies got Lee, God help us, we’re through
but a cry arose from a noble man, Lew
hold up, wait a minute, the Braves are great too
they may not have Hamels, Lee and two Roys,
but they’ve got some gritty, hard-playing boys
and so it came to be in the land called Blog
loyalties were questioned, fans lost in a fog
battered by pundits, declaring who would win
hopes dashed, they succumbed, one by one, to the spin
but there came a retort, one well fit for a book
from a Brave young man simply saying, “I ain’t shook.”
Cool! (Am I the only one who wonders, though, if “I ain’t shook” doesn’t sound like J-Hey? Are we sure he really said that?)
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
10:04 pm
I copy it to break out from time to time this season.
Again, nice work Poet.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
10:06 pm
Some really talented poets on here. This page is really full of talented folks. Got talented artists, have talented poets, and I wonder what else we have.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
10:06 pm
Crime Dog_
The same, a blithering idiot, always has been.
braveslifer
December 21st, 2010
10:07 pm
I logged on to see CC/PL vs. the blog 2.0 and see that he had not made an appearance. Must have gotten his LSAT scores and decided he needed to study more and rant till 4 in the morning less.
Bravefaninok
December 21st, 2010
10:09 pm
Cool! (Am I the only one who wonders, though, if “I ain’t shook” doesn’t sound like J-Hey? Are we sure he really said that?)
they said it was a tweet ….
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
10:10 pm
Trey
There is only one poet and 2 poems – I just reposted his earlier one.
Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
10:10 pm
Cool! (Am I the only one who wonders, though, if “I ain’t shook” doesn’t sound like J-Hey? Are we sure he really said that?) MIBF
The Kid is not a rookie anymore, maybe he did. I’m going believe he did anyway.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
10:13 pm
Snot, yeah but the poet is really talented.
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
10:14 pm
I think there is potential for using that quote from J-Hey in banners/signs this year at the stadium. If they can use “Rocktober” – they can surely use this one. But I’m guessing the team wouldnt want to appear cocky.
sheeesh
December 21st, 2010
10:15 pm
I am a Braves fan since 1979, definitely not a Phillies fan. Just because I point out that the Phillies have more star power and depth than the Braves does not mean I am a Phillies fan. I don’t see how any objective person can argue that. The opposite was true in the 1990’s. The Braves were the mighty giants that the rest of the league wanted to slay. That is not the case anymore. I’m not being anti-Brave in saying that (at least not trying to be). It’s just the way it is. I would love for the Braves to hand the Phillies their head. I just don’t think they have the troops to do that these days. And the past few years have proved that.
GT Alum, I’m not sure I get your point. You pulled one stat out to make a point (and Prado’s number was slightly higher) and used that to argue that Chipper was better (or as good?) as Prado now? Ask any MLB personnel expert who they would rather have between Chipper and Prado now. That’s a no-brainer, man. And you obviously ignored my comment about Chipper being hot for a week before he got hurt. You are right, we will never know. I tend to believe that he would have regressed a bit from his hot streak.
N8, Medlen was a significant loss. The Braves did have strength and depth at pitching, so they were able to overcome that loss. But if you think Medlen was their most productive pitcher, you obviously did not see Hudson pitch. Or Hanson. Both were superior to Medlen at his best in 2010. I won’t call you a moron because that would be rude. Oh, and I am not saying that Oswalt did not make a difference. He obviously did. Which again backs up my original point about the depth across the board of the Phillies roster. The Phillies did the smart thing and did not have to man-up and tough it out. They let their guys get reasonably healthy. And do you know why? Because its better to be smart than tough, tough guy. They knew it was smarter to let their players heal because they knew they had the depth to still win the division. N8, you sound like a bitter, closet Royals fan who pulls for the Braves because the Royals are awful. Am I right, KC boy? lol
Trey, I don’t think the Braves lost first place so much because they had injuries as I believe the Phillies won it because of their depth. Every team has injuries. The Braves injuries certainly did not help their cause. We can play “what if” all day, but in the end, all that matters regarding the 2010 season is “what is” and “what was”. If the Braves (more specifically, Liberty Media) had the desire to fatten the payroll, the Braves could add the insurance that the Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox, and Angels add to their rosters most seasons. But to me, it is actually more fun to watch a team that is not over-paid with super stars win (even if they don’t win it all) than it is to be disappointed by a super star team like the Phillies, Yankees, and Red Sox when they don’t win.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
10:18 pm
I see N8 is getting a run for his money as far as length is concerned. C’mon buddy step up with a two pager and lay that pretender low
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
10:18 pm
What if Poet turned out to be ward?
nolie
December 21st, 2010
10:19 pm
what if ward turned out to be Jeffrey
Crime Dog
December 21st, 2010
10:20 pm
What if Finkle turned out to be Einhorn?
N8
December 21st, 2010
10:20 pm
“… the only loss that killed the Braves chances in the post-season was Prado.” Sheesh
Do you actually watch baseball? Uh…. Braves go to Atlanta tied 1-1 in the series, after losing Billy Wagner in SF for the series and possible entire post-season if they got that far. Then they proceed to blow a 9th inning lead in the very next game.
And like it or not, with Ankiel in CF for nothing other than his defense, if Chipper isn’t hurt, he’s at 3B, Prado’s at 2B (assuming he’s healthy, since you said he was the only one that it hurt to not have), and Infante is in LF.
Meaning no Infante (and his limited range) at 3B allowing the groundball that Posey scored on (after clearly being out at 2B). Meaning no Brooks Conrad at 2B to make the critical error in game 3. Meaning that the loss of Wagner might have been diminished a tad.
So, while to you, losing Chipper might seem insignificant, for anybody that actually paid attention to how the Braves were rolling the NL East with Chipper and Prado playing everyday (with Infante filling in where needed), they’d understand that Chipper at 3B, Prado at 2B, and Infante in LF is considerably better than Infante at 3B, Conrad at 2B and McLouth/Diaz in LF.
But keep talking. It’s entertaining. By entertaining, I mean like listening to a 6 year old kid playing the violin he brought home from school for the very first time.
Are all Phillies fans this stupid, or is it just you?
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
10:20 pm
“Bravefaninok
December 21st, 2010
10:09 pm
Cool! (Am I the only one who wonders, though, if “I ain’t shook” doesn’t sound like J-Hey? Are we sure he really said that?)
they said it was a tweet ….”
I know. I hope it was, because it was a great thing for him to say, if he really did!
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
10:22 pm
“Bat Masterson
December 21st, 2010
10:10 pm
Cool! (Am I the only one who wonders, though, if “I ain’t shook” doesn’t sound like J-Hey? Are we sure he really said that?) MIBF
The Kid is not a rookie anymore, maybe he did. I’m going believe he did anyway”
I like your thinking!
N8
December 21st, 2010
10:23 pm
Sheesh, I do admit that the Phillies have the deeper roster. As they should. Payroll is considerably higher.
As for me calling you stupid, I’ll take it back since your not a troll.
Hate trolls.
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
10:23 pm
nolie
December 21st, 2010
10:23 pm
just cause you is edumacated don’t mean ya don’t use no coloquialisms and slanguage
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
10:25 pm
Then that would make me Poet
Bravefaninok
December 21st, 2010
10:27 pm
I believe the Phillies won it because of their depth
So your saying the depth of the phillies pockets is why they won the division,you may be correct.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
10:27 pm
Nolie – true! Is that the real Nolie? I wondered that earlier about the, who was it, White Snake, album post?
Nolie being playful?
nolie
December 21st, 2010
10:27 pm
nolie
December 21st, 2010
10:28 pm
nolie does that at times. actually fairly often….
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
10:28 pm
“Bravefaninok
December 21st, 2010
10:27 pm
I believe the Phillies won it because of their depth
So your saying the depth of the phillies pockets is why they won the division,you may be correct.”
Also true!
Moe Berg
December 21st, 2010
10:29 pm
Steve McP–What are you thinking of the whole debate about Sachin vs. Don Bradman as best batsman? The 50th test century is very impressive. Too bad that India’s first innings were so dismal that they still could not pull out the match.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
10:29 pm
“Trey, I don’t think the Braves lost first place so much because they had injuries as I believe the Phillies won it because of their depth. Every team has injuries. The Braves injuries certainly did not help their cause. We can play “what if” all day, but in the end, all that matters regarding the 2010 season is “what is” and “what was”. If the Braves (more specifically, Liberty Media) had the desire to fatten the payroll, the Braves could add the insurance that the Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox, and Angels add to their rosters most seasons. But to me, it is actually more fun to watch a team that is not over-paid with super stars win (even if they don’t win it all) than it is to be disappointed by a super star team like the Phillies, Yankees, and Red Sox when they don’t win.”
The payroll doesn’t always make a difference. If it did; I highly doubt the Yankees would have finshed behind Tampa and Boston would have highly finished behind both. The Phillies are tough, don’t get me wrong; but I really wouldn’t put them in the same department as the Yankees like Phillistein did earlier. The Yankees have 27 or 28 WS titles and the Phillies just got their second in 2008. The Phillies were better than us in the end, but the Braves put up one hell of a fight up until that last road series in Philadelphia. However, we had star players hurt at the time and we were running on fumes. If we hadn’t had the injuries to Prado, Jones, or even Jurrjens; I honestly believe we could have won more games. Don’t forget, we pitched with Kawakami for a lotta the season and he is no Cy Young. Hell, I don’t think I could put him in the same boat as Albie Lopez.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
10:33 pm
“nolie
December 21st, 2010
10:28 pm
nolie does that at times. actually fairly often….’
nolie
December 21st, 2010
10:34 pm
I like that…First Batsman. can we use that instead of leadoff hitter or does it mean something else?
Moe Berg
December 21st, 2010
10:37 pm
Yes, the first batsman would be the leadoff hitter. However, it is possible for the first batsman to continue to bat, while the subsequent batsmen get out.
N8
December 21st, 2010
10:38 pm
“N8, Medlen was a significant loss. The Braves did have strength and depth at pitching, so they were able to overcome that loss. But if you think Medlen was their most productive pitcher, you obviously did not see Hudson pitch.” Sheesh
Two things.
First of all, I’ll repeat… the TEAM went 13-1 in Medlens starts. After he went down, Minor and Beachy made 11 starts. The TEAM when 4-7 in those 11 starts.
I’d say losing Medlen was very significant. The numbers don’t lie.
Second of all, I watched Hudson, Hanson and Lowe…. hell… I watched about 150 or so of the 162 games this year. I’m aware that they were PERSONALLY more productive than Medlen.
But that’s not what I said (and I quote):
“So while we LOST our most productive pitcher (if based on team wins per start)….”
Kinda hard to beat going 13-1 in his 14 starts, wouldn’t you say?
Braves went 20-14 in Hudson’s starts (.604)
Braves went 19-15 in Hanson’s starts (.558)
Braves went 18-15 in Lowe’s starts (.545)
Braves went 12-8 in Jurrjens’ starts (.600)
Braves went 13-1 in Medlen’s starts (.928)
Braves went 4-7 in Beachy/Minor starts (.363)
Again. Down the stretch, losing Medlen might have been the biggest loss of all.
Beachy & Minor combined to make 3 starts against Philly in September. Lasting a combined 10.1 Innings, and going 0-3 in those 3 starts.
The Braves were 2-0 in games against Philly started by Medlen. He also picked up W’s in back to back days out of the pen against them early in the year.
Again. I’ll repeat. Losing Kris Medlen pretty much sucked. Time for Braves fans to recognize how much he gave the team a chance to win when he pitched last year.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
10:41 pm
we might gone 1-13 in Medlen’s next 15 starts
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
10:42 pm
Moe
I’d say 1A and 1B simply because of the different eras. The best thing about Sachin is that he has at different times been mentioned in the same breath as Lara, M.Waugh and even Ricky Ponting. But the little guy has been chugging along since, what, ‘89 leaving everybody else in his wake. Far behind.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
10:43 pm
“nolie
December 21st, 2010
10:34 pm
I like that…First Batsman. can we use that instead of leadoff hitter or does it mean something else?
Moe Berg
December 21st, 2010
10:37 pm
Yes, the first batsman would be the leadoff hitter. However, it is possible for the first batsman to continue to bat, while the subsequent batsmen get out.”
I don’t think we have the patience for cricket here. Some people don’t even have the patience for baseball (their loss!)
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
10:45 pm
On the other hand, there are obvious exceptions to my assumption!
nolie
December 21st, 2010
10:46 pm
yeah MIBF waay too complicated for us ADD folks. Prolly best suited for a super genius like Chris Chance.
sheeesh
December 21st, 2010
10:49 pm
I watch baseball quite a bit. I have for 31 years now. Mostly the Braves. Good or bad. They are my favorite sports team of all time. They have given me many great memories. I was at Game 6 of the World Series in 1995. Chipper Jones is one my all-time favorite players. He should be a first-ballot HOFer. I hope he comes back strong in 2011. I hate the Phillies. I hate the Mets more. I hate the Yankees and Red Sox, too.
I might be a pretender here on this blog. I guess I don’t know what it takes to be considered a contender here. I don’t contribute to it much. Just read it a lot, mostly. Sometimes I feel the urge to post, usually to point out where I think the Braves are weak. I don’t feel the need to be a rah-rah fan who just admires all the pretty things about the Braves. I want them to be better, so I point out the areas where I think they could get better. That’s all.
Chipper is good player now. Not great anymore. Just good. He had a mediocre season. What can I say? For a 3-hole hitter, he had a mediocre season. Even he thought it was mediocre that he started talking retirement. The Braves would have been better with him in the line-up in the post-season than Conrad(obviously), but losing Prado was the death knell. Chipper could just as easily made an error as Infante. I’ve seen him do it.
Anyway, the whole point of my posting today was that the Braves need to improve both their bullpen and their bench to compete for the wild card. A division title would be icing on the cake, but I think that is a pipe dream. The Phillies have superior talent. I hope the Braves can overcome it in 2011. If not in the regular season, in the NLCS. But it would be more likely if they had more depth. Not super stars, but something more than Linebrink, Sherrill, and the question marks on the bench besides Hinske.
Moe Berg
December 21st, 2010
10:49 pm
SB–I agree on the Sachin/Bradman debate. The Sydney Morning Herald conducted a poll and 2:1 respondents chose Sachin. I really like him, but I don’t think there is much use comparing people performing in such different circumstances. Bradman’s average runs is absolutely stunning. I think Sachin’s longevity is what really is impressive. Ponting is behind him with what, 39 test tons? A big gap. Still, too difficult to judge.
MIBravesFan–Cricket has begun a new, extremely shortened form–Twenty-Twenty–for the ADD era.
ncgary
December 21st, 2010
10:50 pm
1 game canceled due to indifference?
PHIL
December 21st, 2010
10:50 pm
DOB I USED to think you were the smartest AJC sports writer hands down. UNTIL you put a CD by Kanye West in the top 10,000. He’s not any better than anyone else in his genre. Not as good as most. I think he must have some blackmail pictures on people, he’s not that good. Neither is Neil Young. If he were to come along today he couldn’t get a gig in a hole in the wall bar.
As to the Braves, on paper I think the Braves are beaten by the Phillies 3 out of 4 times they play, maybe more. Let’s hope last year was a hiccup for Jurrjens. I think the Phillies first 4 starters are better than out 2,3, and 4. Only Hudson has a chance to be an equal to any of there top 4.
As to the other teams in the division, yes I think a healthier Mets team is takes a few more wins from the Braves than last year. The Nats may not be contenders but it seems they beat the Braves at will and I would argue that I’d rather have Jason Werth than Dunn, so there are some more losses for the Braves, Not so much worried about the Marlins they are the same every year. Bottom line to me is there is no way they can compete with the Phillies on paper or over a 162 game schedule.
I am not sold at all on the additions to the bullpen. I am not at all sold on this guy we picked up from the Cardinals that he is better than Diaz. The ONLY improvement I see is in adding the power of the second baseman. I have lots of reservations about the line up even if it includes Chipper. If McClouth can’t hit first, who are we going to bat second when Prado is lead off? You may argue that Jason did just fine last year but he is no but the guy over hit a single to right and get the runner to third kinda 2 hole hitter. Prado is the perfect #2. If McClouth can’t do it that puts Freddy 7, McClouth 8, and the pitcher 9, an easy out inning unless Freddy does better at the major league level than he did at the end of last year. Not saying he won’t be great eventually, but by that time the Braves will be so far out they can’t catch up. Lotsa luck involved in winning the wild card last year. Not that luck doesn’t count, look at the Giants. I thought the Braves could/should have beaten them each time. With Chipper they beat them easy. But I just don’t see the luck holding up like last year. Hoping the injury bug stays away and we don’t need as much luck. I think 10 games over .500 would be about all you can expect.
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
10:51 pm
Doesn’t matter what the Phillies do, they can’t beat us in 2011. We took Yohan Flande from them and now they are going to suck so bad Dyson will be trying to patent them for his next bagless vac.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
10:52 pm
sheesh, nah it’s nice hearing your opinions. I haven’t seen any insults slung like monkey feces by you. You are good at making your points.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
10:52 pm
“nolie
December 21st, 2010
10:46 pm
yeah MIBF waay too complicated for us ADD folks. Prolly best suited for a super genius like Chris Chance.”
lol!
N8
December 21st, 2010
10:52 pm
“we might gone 1-13 in Medlen’s next 15 starts”
First of all, 1+13 does not = 15.
Second of all…. OK nolie. Whatever you say.
Had cox left Kimbrel in, he might have saved the game and gone on to save 9 more games in the post season, leading the Braves to the WS title.
Matt Diaz might have thrown out a runner trying to steal, had he been allowed to play catcher.
Heyward might have had 140 RBI if he had been allowed to bat 3rd from the beginning of the year.
The Braves were rolling in Medlen’s starts. That’s what I know.
McFann O O
December 21st, 2010
10:52 pm
Snotboogie Commiserations, man. Your experience sounds about as bad as McFann’s.
Yeah…Braveheart, I’m with ya, man!!
Bat M I think McFann handled that with more grace than I would have.
Ha, thanks…I’ll never forget that as long as I live, especially if Heyward does go one to have a great career. I cried…I cried when Heyward hit his home run, and when BMac hit his…and when they just kept scoring. That was a bizarre emotional state of being…
sheeeesh He is not going to ever be much better than he was this past year.
You don’t really know that as a fact…
His eye issues were not a factor this past season
Yes, they were. They were a fairly good-sized issue for a while there. He wore specs for a month and a half and cut his caffeine off cold-turkey.
I will take what he gave me in 2010 and be happy with that every year.
I will, too…except that I would like a few more Doubles.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
10:53 pm
Wow, a lotta folks posting in paragraphs tonight!
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
10:55 pm
By the third week of the season, Ibanez will be down severe diaper rash from his Depends.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
10:55 pm
I might be a pretender here on this blog. I guess I don’t know what it takes to be considered a contender here sheeesh
It was in regard to N8’s well known affinity for looong posts. when you posted a rather long one I was joshing N8 that he now had competition. It had nothing to do with what you said nor was it personal in any way.
There is some badinage here(I guess I’m one of the worst offenders) so don’t immediately assume that someone is seriously ripping you.
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
10:55 pm
The Sydney Morning Herald conducted a poll and 2:1 respondents chose Sachin.
That many immigrants?!
No seriously though- avg near 100 with those bats and bowler friendly rules – awesome. Bodyline tour included. They did have less media pressure and a lighter schedule. So not comparable at all.
Oh and yeah – Twenty20 sucks.Slog slog slog.
tiger297
December 21st, 2010
10:56 pm
nolie – and we might have gone 15-0. I understand the perspective and I think he was beginning to struggle a bit more towards the end (I’m sure one of the stat guys will straighten me out quick if the memory is as bad as feared).
Do injuries like he had just show up all of a sudden or could the problem have been developing a week or so maybe even unkown to the pitcher before the snap?
N8
December 21st, 2010
10:57 pm
The plus side of Medlen going down, moving forward, is that Minor and Beachy got valuble stretch run pitching experience. Can’t buy that kind of “thrown to the wolves” scenario for two young guys.
I think Minor comes ready to pitch this year, because he knows before he was gassed that he could get hitters out. He’ll have all spring to work with Roger knowing the job is his (I’m assuming it’s his to lose), rather than fighting for it and pitching high stress innings when he should be simply getting in shape for the season.
For 2010, it sucked losing Medlen. For 2011, it might have been a mini-blessing in disguise.
I will admit also, upon looking at the numbers, the Braves didn’t hit a lick when Beachy and Minor started against the Phillies in September. So perhaps Medlen doesn’t make that much difference.
But combining for barley 10 innings over 3 starts didn’t do the bullpen any favors after a long year either.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
10:57 pm
sheesh, you do seem like a good guy. Everyone is entitled to their opinions.
Moe Berg
December 21st, 2010
10:58 pm
SB–I was surprised by the results in Sydney. I agree that it is just not comparable and that Twenty20 sucks. I was not a fan of ODIs, but Twenty20 is excruciating.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
10:59 pm
Moe – the only thing I know about cricket is there is a ball and something resembling a shortened rowing paddle involved, and that “test matches” can take days. In short, I’m ignorant on the subject, but I suspect I’m not the only one on the blog.
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
10:59 pm
In mid May, Chase Utley will suffer a concussion when he collides with Ryan Howard’s nose.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:01 pm
The Braves were rolling in Medlen’s starts. That’s what I know. N8
but not really because of much he did. he pitched no better than others for whom the Braves had less records. Small sample size not dictated by overpowering performance could change at any minute….unless of course you think Medlen will have a 900+ winning percentage in his starts the rest of his career???
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
11:02 pm
Moe – the only thing I know about cricket is there is a ball and something resembling a shortened rowing paddle involved, and that “test matches” can take days.
You got all of that right. Actually it’s not all that dissimilar to baseball. It’s easy once you get the hang of the different terminology and the Englishness.
CharlieAlphaBravo
December 21st, 2010
11:03 pm
Who’s going to send MFin04 the trophy? Pretty sure he’s the first to get DOB-served by an in-blog feature.
Congrats on your historic achievement, sir.
sheeesh
December 21st, 2010
11:04 pm
W-L records by a pitcher are important, but not that important. It tells you less about how effective that pitcher is than any other stat. Yes, a good pitcher gives his team a chance to win. But since the bullpen pitches 1/3 of most games these days, even when the starter is effective, I think the won-lost record of a team when a certain pitcher starts is just that — the won-lost record of the TEAM. nolie is right, Medlen could have pitched just as effectively the remainder of the season and the Braves could have gone 1-10 in those starts.
All you have to look at Felix Hernandez, the 2010 AL Cy Young winner. His team went 17-17 in his starts. Even the Cy Young voters get that W-L records say very little about how effective a pitcher is.
Let’s put it this way: If you were a GM and someone wanted to give you Medlen for either Hanson or Hudson, would you make that deal? I sure would not. I admit I hated losing Medlen. But that was a loss the Braves were prepared to absorb. The Braves simply did not score much when Hanson pitched. That has just as much to do with a team winning as how well the pitcher pitches.
Stats are for losers. I rely more on what I see happening on the field than what I read after the game.
N8
December 21st, 2010
11:04 pm
sheeesh, for the longest time, I’ve considered myself the keeper of the “keeping it real” mantra on the blog. So don’t think I don’t appreciate others not wearing the rose-colored glasses all the time. I do.
I have to be honest, while thinking you were a Phillies troll, you annoyed me and I was prepaired to treat you like Dentz or Nick the douche. I hate trolls. Their own teams fans don’t want to deal with them, so they come here.
But knowing (allegedly) that you’re a Braves fan, I can live with your assessments. Won’t always agree with them, and don’t expect you to agree with mine.
Consider it like when you think your wife/girlfriend is being a tad of a bitch. You think it’s OK for YOU to think that. After all. She’s “yours”.
But when a friend of yours says that she’s being like that, all hell breaks loose. I can live with BRAVES FANS debating the merits of this club and discussing why they feel the way they do. It’s why this thing is here.
But for Mets or Phillies trolls (after losing to the same team we did in the playoffs – and looking worse while doing it), come on here to talk trash? That’s just not right.
When the Phillies won the WS, we all deserved what came our way. They were the champs. They had EVERYTHING to brag about. But in the end, once the 2010 season was over, the Phillies were just like the Braves and 30 other teams…… they weren’t WS champions.
(PS: I still think I’m right about Medlen)
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
11:04 pm
In late May, Catcher, Carlos Ruiz will be placed on the 60-day DL as a result of injuries suffered while filming a commercial for The Scooter Store.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:04 pm
CAB, meaning?
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:05 pm
keeping it real? sigh
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:06 pm
CAB, I like how you got the phonetic alphabet. I may actually do that.
Tango Romeo Echo Yankee
December 21st, 2010
11:06 pm
Thanks, CAB!
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
11:07 pm
In June, Placido Polanco will announce his retirement and begin a career as the only real zombie on AMC’s “The Walking Dead”.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
11:07 pm
“Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
11:02 pm
Moe – the only thing I know about cricket is there is a ball and something resembling a shortened rowing paddle involved, and that “test matches” can take days.
You got all of that right. Actually it’s not all that dissimilar to baseball. It’s easy once you get the hang of the different terminology and the Englishness.”
Thanks, SB. The scoring is a bit different, too, isn’t it?
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:08 pm
(PS: I still think I’m right about Medlen) N8
that he will have a 900 w/l% in his starts? That is keeping it real?
NOBODY keeps it real like nolie keeps it real.
he is the greatest reallistimacator on here.
CharlieAlphaBravo
December 21st, 2010
11:08 pm
Meaning?
Uh, pretty much what I wrote… Not a whole lot of allusion there really. Maybe a little sarcasm…
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
11:09 pm
this blog has hit an all time low. top 50 cd’s? this is supposed to be a baseball blog but it is continually over run with music, bbq and movies. i can’t believe i have to weed through this stuff on a braves blog — soldier mcgee
Classic. At ease, soldier.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
11:09 pm
I see all these “CAB” posts and I had to scroll up to see if someone had stolen my name
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
11:09 pm
I just like that everyone is beginning comments with “sheesh.” It makes it sound like everyone is flabergasted and about to explain why.
Braveheart
December 21st, 2010
11:09 pm
N8 and sheesh are having a “I see your post is as long as mine” schwartz fight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S25Zf8svHZQ
Tango Romeo Echo Yankee
December 21st, 2010
11:09 pm
N8, but I think that Nick and Paulie are Braves fans. Nick just likes to be a rabble rouser and Paulie is not much of a people person. I think the online thing and fake IP addresses gives him a false sense of security to keep out of any sort of legal trouble or from pissing off some sort of psychotic person, crazier than him.
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
11:10 pm
Also in June, Shortstop, Jimmy Rollins will be issued a Life Alert by MLB after he falls down during a game and is unable to get up.
njbraves
December 21st, 2010
11:10 pm
DS1….You’re an idiot if you don’t think having a large payroll greatly increases a team’s chances of winning the WS.
Tango Romeo Echo Yankee
December 21st, 2010
11:10 pm
Yeah, Cab. I thought it was you just being clever with the changing of your name. However, the one who stole your name is kind of a douche bag.
SC Ace
December 21st, 2010
11:12 pm
DOB – Curious to know, in your opinion, which Brave has the best taste in music. And the worst…
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:12 pm
Enough of that name change thing. It was too long.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:12 pm
You’re an idiot if you don’t think having a large payroll greatly increases a team’s chances of winning the WS.
will DS1 be able to remain the sensitive one after that thrust? Tune in later to find out.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
11:13 pm
Trey-
He’s been here a while- just haven’t seen him post lately- didn’t steal my name
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
11:13 pm
CharlieAB
Sometime last year a few people got that in-blog burn. There were 2 or 3 of them, including RHR. I believe that was the first instance. Dont remind RHR of it though.
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
11:14 pm
MIB
Yes, way different scoring rules.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:14 pm
Whitesnake was named the 85th greatest hard rock band of all time by VH1
sheeesh
December 21st, 2010
11:15 pm
I may not be the smartest guy, but I am smart enough and knowledgeable enough about the denizens of this blog to know better than to argue with McFann about her man McCann. I like McCann. I was only saying he looked fine to me. If he is going to be a better player than he has already proven to be, I’ll take it.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
11:15 pm
Only 2 of the teams that made the playoffs last year had payrolls over $100 million and neither made the World Series…the Rangers were 27th overall…
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:16 pm
CAB, hm weird. First time I have seen him. I just assumed it was you using phonetic alphabet.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:17 pm
sheeesh, we all learned to stay away from McCann! She is ready to claw some eyes to protect her McCann.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
11:17 pm
trey-
Nope. Besides, if I were to use phonetics it would be a lot longer than that
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:18 pm
the monetary difference between the Yanks and Rangers was the greatest ever in post season…and guess who lost
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:18 pm
CAB, not if you shortened it to what everyone else calls you “CAB”.
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
11:18 pm
Trey-
I’m not that creative
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:18 pm
Nolie, I don’t think money always makes a difference. I know I stated that on the last page.
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
11:18 pm
californiabravesfan
N8
December 21st, 2010
11:19 pm
“All you have to look at Felix Hernandez, the 2010 AL Cy Young winner. His team went 17-17 in his starts. Even the Cy Young voters get that W-L records say very little about how effective a pitcher is.” Sheesh
Apples and oranged my friend. King Felix was playing on HORRIBLE team going nowhere. It’s a testament to how good he was that that pathetic excuse for an MLB team managed to go .500 in his 34 starts.
The Braves were leading the NL East for the majority of the 2010 season. Kris Medlen was a big part of that winning (along with the other 24 men on the active roster). He was a cog in the machine.
“Let’s put it this way: If you were a GM and someone wanted to give you Medlen for either Hanson or Hudson, would you make that deal? I sure would not.”
That’s one of the silliest hyptheticals ever proposed on the blog. Medlen never replaced Hudson or Hanson, nor did they replace them.
The question should be, in 2010, who would you have rather had pitching games down the stretch against Philly? Kris Medlen (whom the team had gone 13-1 in his 14 starts), or two rookies pretty much getting thrown into the fire?
Our discussion was about losing Medlen and having to use Beachy/Minor in their place. Not if a GM offered Kris Medlen for Tommy Hanson would I make the trade?
“Stats are for losers. I rely more on what I see happening on the field than what I read after the game.”
Really? Those standings are prety important stats, don’t you think? Or if the Braves finished 20 games back of the Phillies, but you thought they “looked good” doing so, would you still stay those stats are for losers?
Tim Hudson in his 34 starts:
228.2 IP, (6.2 innings per start), 1.150 whip, 2.83 ERA, 5.5 K/9
Kris Medlen in his 14 starts:
84 IP, (6 innings per start), 1.214 whip, 3.86 ERA, 6.6 K/9
One is a 34 year old veteran who was once a consistent member of the Cy Young discussion, making 9 million dollars.
One is a 24 year old rookie/2nd year player who was supposed to be in the bullpen, making the league minimum.
But yeah, I know…. stats are for losers. So I’ll just stick with what the team did when they pitched. When Medlen pitched…. the Braves won. 13-1 in his starts. 20-11 in his overall appearances.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
11:19 pm
Nolie – 85th?! Wow!!!
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
11:19 pm
jeffrey-
Yes?
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
11:19 pm
Yohan Flande Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:19 pm
of course it doesn’t Trey. it helps though if used wisely
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:19 pm
CAB, neither am I. That’s why I changed it to phonetic alphabet after he did.However, I got bored with it.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:20 pm
nolie, that it does.
BravesFanChris26
December 21st, 2010
11:20 pm
Mariners looking for an impact bat in return for David Aardsma.
McLouth for Aardsma >_>
McLouth can be an impact bat!
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
11:21 pm
“nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:18 pm
the monetary difference between the Yanks and Rangers was the greatest ever in post season…and guess who lost.”
Every time I think about that series this long winter, I’ll smile!
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:21 pm
yup 85th .so since all newer bands stink Whitesnake should easily make a top 50 CD list I would think….
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
11:21 pm
“Stats are for losers. I rely more on what I see happening on the field than what I read after the game.”
Behold, ladies and gentlemen Shaun’s anti-matter! Prepare for annihilation.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:22 pm
BravesFanChris, I doubt we could trade McLouth to a farmer for a bag of cow S****.
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
11:22 pm
McLouth’s bat has so much impact it’s immeasurable.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:23 pm
ward’s child, yeah impact with air.
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
11:23 pm
McLouth can be an impact bat!
Just because McLouth “bombed” last year, he doesnt become an impact bat.
N8
December 21st, 2010
11:23 pm
“that he will have a 900 w/l% in his starts? That is keeping it real?” nolie
I never once typed that. If you find it, copy and paste it and prove me wrong.
My point was that the Braves likely would NOT have gone 4-7 in his final 11 starts like they did in Beachy and Minors.
Probably wouldn’t have won them all. But let’s just speculate for a moment, that those numbers were flipped. Instead of 4-7, they go 7-4, NOW let’s take it one step further. What if those extra 3 wins were head to head against the Phillies?
Braves win the division by 1 game.
But yeah. You guys are all right. It was IDEAL to have Minor and Beachy starting in the most important games of the year. Made zero difference whatsoever.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:23 pm
my goodness yes SB. let’s hope they never appear on the board at the same time.
I wonder if it was the certainty of that eventually happening that caused the Mayans to end their calendar?
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
11:24 pm
I stopped worrying when we signed Yohan Flande. We are WS bound, Baby!
N8
December 21st, 2010
11:25 pm
Sorry. My mistake. Braves finished 6 back. I was thinking it was 5 back.
So if they win those 3 games against the Phils, the division would have been tied.
Either way, the “swing” of those head to head games were fairly important.
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
11:26 pm
Does anyone think Murph is ward’s child?
CharlieAlphaBravo
December 21st, 2010
11:26 pm
Snot: I remember that, I just don’t remember it being quite as extensive…
Tango Romeo Echo: Nobody stole any names so there’s no need for name-calling. I’ve been posting under this name for a few years now, just not much recently.
My initials are CAB, and I just spelled it with the army phonetic alphabet. I would hate it if someone else ever ripped that off….
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
11:26 pm
“SC Ace
December 21st, 2010
11:12 pm
DOB – Curious to know, in your opinion, which Brave has the best taste in music. And the worst…”
You know, that’s an interesting question, but do you really expect DOB to answer it? He might be able to say this guy likes this band or singer and has great taste in music, but how on earth is he supposed to say “and this guy likes crap”?! He has to talk to these people to do his job, and saying they have lousy taste in music is probably not going to be helpful in that.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:26 pm
Snotboogie, I think a lot of people are a lot of others.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:27 pm
My point was that the Braves likely would NOT have gone 4-7 in his final 11 starts like they did in Beachy and Minors. N8
my point was that there is no realistic way in the world to just assume that. it could have easily have happened since it wasn’t really all that much to do with what he himself did. .
I guarantee you that at some time in his career something similar or worse will happen…
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:28 pm
Charlie Romeo Echo, no I talked with the other cab and got it figured out. It was my first time I saw it like that and I thought it was cab just changing up her name a little.
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
11:28 pm
I wonder if it was the certainty of that eventually happening that caused the Mayans to end their calendar?
You might be on to something there.
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
11:28 pm
Charles Alexander Butler
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
11:29 pm
Clifford Andrew Baxter
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:30 pm
My apologies to you Charlie Romeo Echo.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:30 pm
Juliet Delta
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
11:30 pm
I’d be Juliett Delta
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/a/alphabet.htm
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
11:31 pm
Is Murph my long, lost brother? My daddy took that long trip years ago and this lady kept calling here after that…Hum, mama got really mad about it.
Anyway, I hope if I meet Murph, he likes Yohan too. We can get matching Flande jerseys!!
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
11:31 pm
Dang, nolie…
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:31 pm
Dang, November Oscar Lima India Echo, everyone is going into the Phonetic alphabet now.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:33 pm
ought to be easy for you Trey, you are in the military aintcha?
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
11:33 pm
Whatever happened to old “Charlie Alpha Bravo”?
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
11:33 pm
Papa Oscar Oscar Papa , Hee hee
Snotboogie
December 21st, 2010
11:34 pm
Murph, quit foolin’ around.
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
11:35 pm
Papa Echo Echo, Hee Hee
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:35 pm
Nolie, heh. Yes.
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
11:36 pm
Lima Echo November Tango Zulu
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:36 pm
Jeffrey, you actually said his name!!!
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
11:37 pm
Well hopefully it’s not like Beetlejuice
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
11:38 pm
Speaking of Oscars . . . . I wonder if the Best Actor might be in a movie almost no one has seen yet?
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:38 pm
Jeffrey, gotta say it three times!
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
11:38 pm
“jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
11:37 pm
Well hopefully it’s not like Beetlejuice”
lol!
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
11:39 pm
No repeating!!
Mitchie-san
December 21st, 2010
11:39 pm
Who’s going to send MFin04 the trophy? Pretty sure he’s the first to get DOB-served by an in-blog feature.
Actually, he isnt the first. There have actually been a few. Didnt you get on there once cab?
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:40 pm
Why did he get banned, Mitchie-san?
ward's child
December 21st, 2010
11:42 pm
Nitey November India Golf Hotel Tango 2 Alpha Lima Lima!
sheeesh
December 21st, 2010
11:43 pm
Does anyone know how to put N8 on ignore on this blog?
N8, don’t be so defensive. It makes you look bad. You seem to be the kind of guy who wants to make others look bad so you will look better rather than just letting your comments stand on their on merit. Just because you say my analogies are bad or HORRIBLE or whatever word you use, it only suggests that you are short-sighted. It does nothing to convince me that my opinion is invalid. It makes me want to skip your posts because I know I’m always going to get the “you are an idiot for having that opinion” response.
All I can say is, your poor wife. Good luck.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:45 pm
Have a good night Ward’s child.
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
11:45 pm
Oh good, another long paragraph by sheesh….I hope a lot more people begin their comments with sheesh now.
sheesh, it sure is cold.
diamond jim
December 21st, 2010
11:46 pm
Booyah
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
11:47 pm
jeffrey d – just don’t say that b-word again!
sheesh1
December 21st, 2010
11:47 pm
Dagnabbit
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:47 pm
Actually, I don’t see much of a problem with sheeesh. It’s just a rivalry going between him and N8. Nothing like the other guy who loves hating the entire blog.
Guthro
December 21st, 2010
11:47 pm
Wren is tactfully saying to Atlanta: buy more tickets and we’ll buy better players.
The question is, why are Atlanta fans so tepid in support of the Braves? Compared, say, to fans of the Twins & Cardinals, 40K of whom attend each game on average, and of the Phillies (45K per game)!?
munchkin
December 21st, 2010
11:48 pm
N8:
Yo’ mamma’
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:49 pm
I think they have a thing going to see who wins and gets to have the longer posts.
narfel the garthark
December 21st, 2010
11:49 pm
munchkin, you’re short
nutzie
December 21st, 2010
11:52 pm
BRAVES are the best
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
11:52 pm
“Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:49 pm
I think they have a thing going to see who wins and gets to have the longer posts.”
Oh lucky the rest of us!
Michael
December 21st, 2010
11:52 pm
Dave, you have to check out Butch Walker. New CD is I Liked You Better When You Had No Heart. Local Atlanta guy and the best rock star and performer most people have not heard of …but should. Go see him live and you will be hooked for life.
ward's moustache
December 21st, 2010
11:53 pm
You tickle me
cabravesfan
December 21st, 2010
11:53 pm
I may have gotten an in-blog shout out, but I don’t think it would have been negative…I can’t remember
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:54 pm
I think it’s GARTHOK, but I might be wrong….
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:54 pm
MIBF, unless it’s one person having an argument with himself.
kidding.
jeffrey d
December 21st, 2010
11:54 pm
I think they have a thing going to see who wins and gets to have the longer posts.
It’s like some sort of nerdy Mavis Beacon showdown.
Mitchell
December 21st, 2010
11:54 pm
Hello BRAVES fans
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:56 pm
jeffrey, I think they are competing. Like, oh, hell no; I will not let this dude have a longer paragraph than me. I have to add two more paragraphs to win.
Chop Chop
December 21st, 2010
11:56 pm
What does it mean when a man such as myself, a man who is stubborn about music, happens to have four or five of DOB’s top 15 albums?
It scares me.
Hold me.
narfel the garthark
December 21st, 2010
11:56 pm
prove it nolier. Show me, I’m from Missoura
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
11:56 pm
Trey – even worse! But yes, I doubt that, N8 is good at getting people to argue with him. He doesn’t have to do a dual act.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:57 pm
Well, how do you like that! Mitchell is back. Mitchell, I have wondered what happened to you.
N8
December 21st, 2010
11:57 pm
“Just because you say my analogies are bad or HORRIBLE or whatever word you use.” Sheesh
Your analogies aren’t nearly as bad as your reading comprehension.
The only time I capitalized HORRIBLE, was when I was calling the Seattle Mariners a horrible team.
Yes. I called your hypothetical question asking me if I would trade Hanson or Hudson for Medlen “silly”. Because it was.
What would you call it?
Before you call somebody defensive, you might want to look in the mirror.
Besides, the only way that I can “look good” on the blog is if my theories, research and posts are more solid than yours. Me mocking your posts won’t make me look better, unless my points actualy ARE better.
So rather than worry about how my comments are allegedly out to make you look bad so I look good, how about just bring some valid points to the table? Then everybody wins.
” It makes me want to skip your posts because I know I’m always going to get the “you are an idiot for having that opinion” response.”
Similar to life, the blog is really pretty simple. If you don’t want to be called and idiot for having a certain opinion, just make sure that your opinion isn’t idiotic.
Doesn’t get much more simple than that, does it?
Sounds to me like YOU are the one worried about how you “look” on the blog. I know exactly what most think of me here. I’m pretty comfortable with it. What’s your story?
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:58 pm
MIBF, I was actually kidding about that. I think it is kind of funny. N8 and sheeesh seem to be able to hold their own quite well.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
11:59 pm
well I said i might be wrong…
Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:59 pm
Nolie, you is wrong!
Mitchell
December 22nd, 2010
12:00 am
Gee, you missed me?
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:02 am
Mitchell, not really; but since PL has been back it is nice to see someone a lot less crazy off his medication on here.
MIBravesFan
December 22nd, 2010
12:02 am
“Trey
December 21st, 2010
11:58 pm
MIBF, I was actually kidding about that. I think it is kind of funny. N8 and sheeesh seem to be able to hold their own quite well.”
I knew you were, Trey. Just adding my own little comment.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:02 am
AHA!!
Highmaster: Therefore, you will… NARFLE THE GARTHOK
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106598/quotes
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:03 am
MIBF, haha I know.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:03 am
see thar Trey I were right…as always
Snotboogie
December 22nd, 2010
12:03 am
Gee, you missed me?
Yeah, like a migraine.
Mitchell
December 22nd, 2010
12:03 am
Saweet, Trey. How did you know I changed my meds?
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:04 am
Nolie, dang it! Next time I will research it before I call ya wrong.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:04 am
Huge Really Really Bad Migraine
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:05 am
Cuz, you aren’t as belligerent on the blog, Mitchell.
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:05 am
Nolie, of course I had no idea why I called ya wrong.
sheeesh
December 22nd, 2010
12:06 am
I’m not trying to top anyone’s paragraph lengths. I don’t view it as a competition. Just trying to blog some baseball. Like I said earlier, I don’t post here much. Sorry if it is annoying. I can see how some may view long posts as such. I will be briefer should I decide to post later.
Tomahawkin
December 22nd, 2010
12:06 am
I was away from the Blog for a minute… but
I have siad it before and I will say it again…Mitchell is cool, he just goes off the deep end during games, as do I during some games and people find wrongdoing with that?
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:06 am
nah Mitchell ain’t all that bad an egg as far as eggs run
but then who really likes runny eggs?
Mitchell
December 22nd, 2010
12:07 am
I also have read up a bunch on this franchise, and want to apologize for all the angst I’ve caused loyal braves fans. My heavy reading has made me realize that the braves are one of the best franchises existing not only today, but throughout the history of baseball. Can you forgive me?
Tomahawkin
December 22nd, 2010
12:07 am
Snotboogie
[Gee, you missed me?]
“Yeah, like a migraine.”
OUCH!
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:07 am
sheeesh, I was actually just kidding about that. I honestly don’t see you as a bad poster; just someone who is debating his opinion, and rightfully so. You can make your posts as long as you want.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:07 am
Tomahawkin’ luvs Mitchell AND Dentz. ya gotta wonder….
Crime Dog
December 22nd, 2010
12:08 am
No offense, Tomahawkin, but you also didn’t see anything wrong with Dentz. You’re just an extremely forgiving dude.
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:08 am
Tomahawkin’, I agree. There is nothing wrong with Mitchell.
MIBravesFan
December 22nd, 2010
12:08 am
It’s time for me to log off. Good night, all. Take care, everyone.
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:09 am
Well, more tolerable.
Mitchell
December 22nd, 2010
12:09 am
to all with the exception of nolie, a curmudgeon of the first order who does not deserve an apology.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:09 am
actually I can remember when T’Hawkin’ was just like Mitchell during the games especially
Snotboogie
December 22nd, 2010
12:10 am
sheesh
Dude, we are quite used to long posts over here – actually they are easier to spot and scroll past
. Dont worry about disagreeing with N8 and keep posting.
klaus
December 22nd, 2010
12:10 am
The Braves were 6-9 versus the Nats last year and the Nats are now a better team IMO that is not done with FA moves or trades. Willingham was often injured and not as much of an impact guy as a Zimmerman never mind Werth. He was gone after 2011 in any case.
If they add Lee on top of Werth and continue to refine their pitching they will only be more difficult to beat.
Wren is almost done with moves (sans a cheap CF or INF bench guy) and broke.
The Marlins also have had the Braves number for years no matter how they are/were funded or configured.
It doesn’t matter how many games they finish behind ATL what matters is how many games they win against ATL (in terms of playoff picture)
Right now all ATL can hope for is a WC (only biblical injuries to the Phillies will stop their division run) and I suspect their competition will come from the NL Central not the punchless NL West.
SF got hot at the right time. Let’s see them repeat. I say 20-1 SF even makes the playoffs in 2011 so Wren et al cannot use them as a benchmark. They are an anomaly just like the Marlins were at the time they popped in. Right mix of young and transient veteran players who came together and do something special.
Re: Wren and Liberty – we all loved that you asked (brass ones for sure sir) but we all knew he was not going to anything that was not 100% positive. You told us that in the past but you humored us and asked the tough questions, bravo!
Why was he pollyanna about ownership? – b/c he has no contract extension on the table and in 10 mos he could lose his job. What GM w/o a contract past the upcoming season would risk saying anything negative about his employer.
In no way shape or form is an absentee and faceless corporation an ideal situation. When the fans are groaning for change and investment they look to the big boss and that is Malone not McGuirk,JS or Wren.
Wren is managing for his job in 2011 IMHO and he shouldn’t be.
I am sure over the dinner table at home he would say – damn I wish I had Phillies payroll. With my farm system and 120-130mm I could run roughshod over the division and WS every year.
Heck if Wren were given a 110mm payroll he could almost print WS tickets with the arms he has and those that are coming up.
The problem is he has no offense in the wings. FF was it. Schafer is a hail mary and after that you need a Hubbell telescope to see the need Chipper, Heyward, Ron Gant, Dave Justice or any other slugger/impact guy in the minors.
He will need cash or sacrifice some impact arms to fix that problem.
Good luck Frank and keep clicking your red shoes together, you are going to need it.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:11 am
thank you Mitchell since i don’t believe a word you are saying and am sure you will be just as hateful and obnoxious as soon as the games start
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:11 am
Nolie, especially when Tomahawkin is drunk.
Snotboogie
December 22nd, 2010
12:11 am
Tomahawkin’ luvs Mitchell AND Dentz. ya gotta wonder….
I dont. I’ve made up my mind.
Mitchell
December 22nd, 2010
12:12 am
Well, thanks, I needed that.
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:12 am
Jeeze Laweeze, klaus. You writing an essay for school? Wow, you win paragraph of the year.
McFann O O
December 22nd, 2010
12:12 am
sheeeesh I am smart enough and knowledgeable enough about the denizens of this blog to know better than to argue with McFann about her man McCann.
Very smart, indeed.
I was only saying he looked fine to me.
After a certain point he did, yes…but while he was having eye issues you could see in his face that he was miserable. (Ha, or at least I could.
) He had a little trouble with the K last year, but that was due in part, I and several others think, to the lack of production, especially power, in the lineup—he seemed to take it upon himself to be that power guy (and being in the cleanup spot, that was understandable), and at times tried a little too hard to knock the ball outta the park.
Also he was pitched around like nobody’s business. And, well, sometimes he just got a little impatient perhaps and swung at bad pitches because the rest of the lineup was struggling and he wanted to make something happen.
Just theories, of course—I don’t know for a definite fact that these were the cases (well, I know the eye thing was a problem, but as far as the other things go, I’m only making guesses). But I cann see him having a bit of a better year now with Uggla in the lineup.
Trey She is ready to claw some eyes to protect her McCann.
Eeeeeww!
Maybe not quite that far! …
Antoine Dodson
December 22nd, 2010
12:13 am
Braves will win the division in 2011. Run and tell THAT.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:13 am
klaus perhaps being better will actually work against them with the Braves who often seem to rise to the level of their good opposition and sink to the level of their bad?
Mitchell
December 22nd, 2010
12:13 am
Why wai till’ then snarkie.
McFann O O
December 22nd, 2010
12:14 am
I don’t have an issue with long posts…
[Looks upward innocently…]
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:14 am
Mitchell’s comments actually give me a good laugh.
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:15 am
McFann, me neither.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:15 am
m,e too Trey, especially when he is serious
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:17 am
nolie, I do too. Nick, Mitchell, and PL all make me laugh.
McFann O O
December 22nd, 2010
12:17 am
Trey—
Good! (Or course, that doesn’t mean I always read them…
)
Mitchell
December 22nd, 2010
12:17 am
Thanks trey, and tomahawkin. Nice to know who your friends are. I’ll be back with some braves stuff tomorrow.
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:17 am
McFann, of course. You skim to see if there is something about McCann.
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
12:18 am
N8 responds with an uppercut at 11:57, but let’s see how sheesh retaliates.
Oh, what’s this?? It appears klaus and McFann have also entered the longest post bout
ding!
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
12:18 am
How come nobody’s making a big deal about Chop Chop’s cameo? Everyone’s focused on Mitchell….
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:19 am
jeffrey, so far Klaus is winning.
Nick
December 22nd, 2010
12:19 am
Somebody mentioned laughter, been talkin’ braves again huh?
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:20 am
Whatever happened to that former “baseball” player that Nolie debated?
McFann O O
December 22nd, 2010
12:20 am
Trey You skim to see if there is something about McCann.
Wha…what makes you think I do that…?
jeffery d It appears klaus and McFann have also entered the longest post bout
Hi there!
PS—How’d your ice-skating go the other night?
sheeesh
December 22nd, 2010
12:20 am
Snot, N8 who? lol
As you said, so easy to spot and scroll past.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:21 am
gee Mitchell I would think you wouls already know how most of the denizens feel about you. Wasn’t made any secret of last season.
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:22 am
McFann, cuz you find mine and others’ post about McCann from like two weeks ago.
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
12:22 am
Fantastic, McFann, thanks for asking. Spent the first couple laps getting my ice legs back, but after that it was great
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:22 am
sheeesh, nah I was joking with you about the longest post thing. It just gave me something to do. You can post the long ones. It’s actually kinda interesting.
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
12:22 am
Hey, when you guys say N8’s name in your head, do you say “Nate” or “N Eight”?
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:23 am
nolie, I don’t have any hatred or ill will towards him. He is pretty mild in comparison to some others that have been here.
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:24 am
Jeffrey, I used to think it was N Eight.
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:24 am
It still comes out as N Eight in my head.
Brave4life- Cliff Lee's wife ruined it
December 22nd, 2010
12:24 am
I am ready for baseball
SF Giants fans are really pissing me off right now. In every sports forum Giants fans are calling themselves the ” Team of the decade”
Its worse then Philly phans
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:25 am
Brave4life, eh better them than the Phillies fans.
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
12:26 am
Well the Giants have more championships this decade than any other team
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:28 am
He is pretty mild in comparison to some others that have been here. Trey
caint agree with that Trey, during the games he is one of , if not the, most obnoxious posters. Many bloggers have commented the he and a few others keep them away from here during the games.
bi+chy little girl.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:29 am
Nate for Nathan
Nick
December 22nd, 2010
12:30 am
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:21 am
gee Mitchell I would think you wouls already know how most of the denizens feel about you. Wasn’t made any secret of last season.
You like picking on medicated individuals who don’t understand what you mean don’t you nolie?
monty
December 22nd, 2010
12:30 am
So much depends on a team’s health, if Glaus’ knees don’t go to pot and he hits like he did in May the rest of the year, Chipper doesn’t blow out his knee just when he starts turnng things around,Heyward and Prado don’t hurt their fingers, Prado doesn’t pull an oblique or groin,same for Wagner,and you just might believe we could have ran the table.
We stay relatively healthy in 2011 and the Phillies have a couple of major injuries and anything can happen. That’s why you play the games. and if I learned anything last year, it’s that it really is a marathon.
McFann O O
December 22nd, 2010
12:31 am
Trey—
jeffrey d—
You’re welcome! Glad you had a great time!
Hey, when you guys say N8’s name in your head, do you say “Nate” or “N Eight”?
Eh, I go back and forth…
Stinky…when did it get to be so early? Gotta hit the hay—gonna be making cookies tomorrow! Need to rest up…baking takes a lot outta ya! Already got some of the dough made, though.
Night, all! Should resume talk in a few hours, as usual…
Venice Jim
December 22nd, 2010
12:33 am
A much more disjointed conversation than last night… not that I’m complaining…
klaus
December 22nd, 2010
12:34 am
Sorry about the verbal barfing. I started the post then paid some bills (lovely) and came back to it.
It just goes on and on with the requisite typos to boot. My proof reader was clearly Mr Magoo.
Anyway Wren is a good egg but needs cashola, Liberty needs to go and can we get to ST already.
Tomahawkin
December 22nd, 2010
12:34 am
nolie
“actually I can remember when T’Hawkin’ was just like Mitchell during the games especially”
Oh, You Already Know What Time It Is when I blog and get Tuned up watching the Games…Once I get a few Samuel Jackson’s in me during the games then it becomes a “Man’s Time of the Month, w/o the Cramps”
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:35 am
Nolie, he is better than some of the Phillies fans that have been on here. He is better than the banned dude.
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:35 am
McFann, so true. Have a good night.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:35 am
why Nick, did I pick on you?
you really believe either CC or Mitchell are medicated. I was a mental health counselor,and I’m pretty sure thaey ain’t. now yopu on the other hand….
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:38 am
I guess Trey, but thats like saying that cancer is better than radiation poisoning….
Elonbrave
December 22nd, 2010
12:38 am
DOB,
Ryan Adams has at least new album due out in ‘11. Apparently the newest one is going to be a kind of Love Is Hell part 3, he said. Glitsy guitars, etc. I actually worked with a girl (at a church, no less) that used to snort stuff off the tops with Adams in Jacksonville, NC. Calls him Ryan. Was very, very surprised when she learned that he was actually an established musician. It’s weird. But I guess they’ve both recovered, so that’ss good. She said it was hard for him to um, “pursue” the opposite sex in the bars, even when he played in, them because in Jacksonville he was known as the guy with the ‘Effed’ up Teeth”. It’s true that he doesn’t smile in any photos, and I have heard rumors of braces. But he’s a fellow North Carolinian, so I’ll let it all slide.
PS, I can’t think of many more better albums than his Heartbreaker. I think it stands up to anything put out in the last 10 years.
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:40 am
Nolie, touche.
I mean, chemotherapy is some what of a good treatment for cancer.
Tomahawkin
December 22nd, 2010
12:41 am
Crime Dog
“No offense, Tomahawkin, but you also didn’t see anything wrong with Dentz. You’re just an extremely forgiving dude.”
Dude you know me I don’t take offense to anything unless someone steals my moniker name for ill purposees. I’m telling ya, I’m alot more compassionate to bloggers on here…I mean if they watch the games and blog on here for a long time then people have a right to express their opinions on here…At Least Nick, Mitchell and Pauli think its worth their time to hear what braves fans have to say on here…Or is it the Pinot Grigio Talking?
I have beef with the bandwagon fans who show up on the blog during opening day and leave after the 10th game, then proceed to come back on here in September and proceed to front that they were blogging on here the whole season…
Crime Dog
December 22nd, 2010
12:43 am
Tomahawkin-
That’s the thing though. I don’t think they come here to listen to opinions or even express theirs. They come here to piss people off. And they’re pretty good at it.
Tomahawkin
December 22nd, 2010
12:44 am
Aight You guys T-Hawkin is “High On Stress” (I saw that on a 1990’s shirt) Time to cool out to some old Toni Braxton
Da Good Shyt!
BRB in 10 minutes!
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:44 am
At Least Nick, Mitchell and Pauli think its worth their time to hear what braves fans have to say on here T’h
say what? They don’t give a rat’s arse about what we have to say, they are here to rant their opinions and dislikes over everybody else whether it drives folks away or not. Get real T’.
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
12:48 am
Nolie, I can hold civil conversations with Mitchell, a little less with Nick, and not at all with Paulie.
N8
December 22nd, 2010
12:50 am
“I mean if they watch the games and blog on here for a long time then people have a right to express their opinions on here.”
I couldn’t agree more. Just the same, if I think Nick is a douche, I have the right to say so.
Kinda makes you miss Stinky.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
12:51 am
I’m gonna shut up about it Trey. Each of us has their likes and dislikes, I’ve made mine known well enough over time… likely too much I guess.
Tomahawkin
December 22nd, 2010
12:59 am
Nolie…
Its Easy Though…As much as you ignore my BF’s during games (and you know I’m prone to them) its easy to ignore rants if they make you mad or play with your emotions….
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
1:00 am
Nolie, very true.
Tomahawkin
December 22nd, 2010
1:03 am
Dammit Megan is going to be over she she is off work…Dammitt, she snores like a phyucker….Grrrr! I can’t get used to this…Bring back sumertime, braves games and Lake Lanier!
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
1:03 am
T’ I just do not like the fact that they know they are making the board experience less enjoyable for many folks and they continue to do it anyway. that’s the gist of it.
Now like I said I’m gonna shut my trap. and keep it shut this time about this subject.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
1:04 am
toss her out…or quityer bellyachin’
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:05 am
Hello Every one! I think DOB, answers all my questions……My favorite music is the old stuff like Guns N’ Roses, Poison,The Doors, Arosmith. ext…..
Tomahawkin
December 22nd, 2010
1:06 am
Nolie..Its Offseason, you are in full effect mode lol, thinking about that…”Can’t you just like free your mind or something…?” I heard that off of Beavis and Butthead
but I do miss Soph and RHR up in here during gametime!
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
1:06 am
You’re an idiot if you don’t think having a large payroll greatly increases a team’s chances of winning the WS.
will DS1 be able to remain the sensitive one after that thrust? Tune in later to find out
nolie earlier tonight……..
Dang nolie, you’d think that young man don’t like me or sumthin!
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
1:08 am
caint imagine that Wayne, especially now days. why you is just about the most luvable old coot on here any more
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:09 am
I would like to see Beau Tolbert backing up Prado…..
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
1:10 am
You younguns have been going out and back about music all day. Not that there is anything wrong with that……
But I gotta say I bet I never heard of 95% of the bands mentioned. Where the heck have I been the past 20 years? I guess I missed out while raising my kids.
T’hawkin
Some of these guys just aint worth the trouble. I agree with nolie. I think most of them are here because they want to make as many folks miserable as possible.
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
1:11 am
I must be a better salesman than I thought, I got ole nolie sold fore shure!
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
1:12 am
Is Beau Tolbert this years Mitch Jones? (wasn’t that the sluggers name we got out of the Dodgers system last winter?)
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:15 am
In country Travis Tritt, Allen Jackson, Clint Black,Tracy Adkins ext…..
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
1:15 am
yeah I think so DS1, prolly with the same result. We do have a coupla interesting signees this year though.
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
1:15 am
Kinda makes you miss Stinky.
N8
That brought a smile to my face!
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
1:17 am
Merle Haggard, Hank Williams Sr, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Lacy J Dalton etc
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
1:17 am
yea, that CF’er and that infielder could be interesting to watch this spring.
Anybody think Keppinger of the Astros might be worth a prospect?
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:17 am
I read DOB article on Beau, and he is invited to Spring Training this year…..
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
1:18 am
And who can forget the Possum!
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:18 am
Nolie those are cool Cd’s too….
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
1:19 am
“He stopped loving her today. They placed a wreath upon his door. And soon they’ll carry him away, he stopped loving her today!”
Greatest song lyrics I have ever heard.
(Doug Stone’s “Better Off in a Pine Box” is a close second, in my book!)
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:20 am
I don’t think Wren plans to do any thing until mid season…..
Trey
December 22nd, 2010
1:21 am
ward, and it may be another Stankiel.
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:21 am
B.B. King is cool too…..and Blues music…..
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:23 am
All we can do is see what Beau brings, and hope he brings promise…..
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
1:24 am
ward and nolie
I really think either McLouth or Schafer (or hopefully both) will have turnaround years this year. I believe the pen will suffer a tad bit from inexperience, but will do well. I also think the rotation will rank right up there close to the Phillies and the Giants.
Chipper is the big question mark. If he doesn’t start 125-130 games, we might have issues in LF when Prado is NOT out there.
I just don’t see Mather being good enough, though as a fan, I am always hopeful.
If we can keep our roster relatively healthy, we have a shot.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
1:25 am
It’s ok, don’t think I’d put Pine Box up there with some others
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
1:29 am
nolie
not what I meant to say…….I just love the line: I’d be better off in a pine box, on a slow train back to Georgia, or in the gray walls of a prison doing time. I think I’d rather die and go to hell and face the devil, than to lie here, with you and him, together on my mind.”
Great line……….
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:29 am
DS1: Ilike Schafer ore than Mclouth, but i’m willing to give Mclouth a chance, and I think Mather will make the club, and if any one gets hurt, bring in Beau Tolbert….or Matt Young….
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
1:31 am
gotcha Wayne. it is a good line
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:32 am
I got to look more at my spelling before I hit the submit…..
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
1:32 am
ward
I like your spunk fella. I too am a big prospect hugger. But I am a realist too. But dang it I’m going to pull for our kids until they show me they need to go back to Dubois or wherever they came from.
Guess that’s why they call us fans.
Folks, I am going to head off to bed. Gotta get out tomorrow and finish my Christmas shopping. My excuse for waiting to the last couple of days (some times it’s Christmas eve) is that I do well under pressure!
See ya on the flip side.
A-Ville Ranger
December 22nd, 2010
1:33 am
I don’t know how DOB can really enjoy so many albums. My core music that stays with me over the decades ( I’ll call them my 20 year collection) probably only comes to 50 or so. Brothers is the first in several years that seems like might be in my rotation in 20 years.
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
1:35 am
ward
Hey, I’ll be the first to give you a ration of shyt for some funny spelling, but don’t sweat the small stuff.
Our bad efforts at spelling has made for some funny bloggisms over time: Chew the fact with my buddies, your and idiot, crime shame, pre-madonna, looser, and others.
I was the 8th grade spelling bee champ back in my day, and I still screw it up plenty!
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:35 am
DS1: Nite, and have fun shopping……..
Kyle
December 22nd, 2010
1:37 am
DOB – great blog and nice work with the CD list. About the Braves chances next year, I just dont see how we can keep up with the phils. i think we will win the wild card again which is fine. doesnt matter how you get there as long as you do. im not ready to say philly has the best rotation of all time because i do not think that our rotation is that far behind them. sure halladay and lee are great and oswalt and hamels arent bad either, but the way lowe finished last year i feel really good about him as a number 2 behind hudson. hanson will get better and jj should return to form as long as he is healthy. losing werth was a loss for the phils. you cant lose a bat like werth and still think that offense stays as good. look at it this way, we added uggla and they lost werth. so this may sound crazy but with prado 100 percent and (hopefully) a 120 plus games from chipper i think our offense is just as good as the phils. i like our bullpen depth more but until one of the kids lock down that closer role, ill lean towards the phils.
so here is how i would rank nl teams as of right now
1. SF 2. PHI 3. ATL 4. STL 5. MIL 6. COL 7. CIN 8. NYM
Merry Christmas
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:46 am
I don’t like the Wild Card,but it’s better than nothing. I’m still going to root for the Division Title. I think we have a good shot at The Division Title too….
Sportsradio PD
December 22nd, 2010
1:46 am
I get more for my money when I have less to spend, it forces me (often w/considerable pain), to look b/4 leaping. Maybe that’s the Yankees current problem.
ward
December 22nd, 2010
1:47 am
Well every one, have a good one, and nite to you,and peace, and goodwill towards men. and peace to all……
Melky
December 22nd, 2010
2:01 am
Do they have beaches in Kansas City?
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
2:03 am
no but they have buffets
.christopher.chance
December 22nd, 2010
2:04 am
Enjoyed reading the Frank Wren interview.
Mark Twine
December 22nd, 2010
2:21 am
“The Guitar Song” by Jamey Johnson is the best CD of the year. Great call on including that DOB.
.christopher.chance
December 22nd, 2010
2:59 am
VaBravesFan………Your 6:18pm was correct in that The Dipper impacts the game…….in a way that stalls the Braves offense.
You cant have a #3 hitter making $14 mil who is at a point in his career where he’d be lucky to hit .270 with 10 homers, 50 RBIs and play in 100 games…..and expect to seriously compete to win the World Series.
.christopher.chance
December 22nd, 2010
3:03 am
VaBravesFan……in your 6:26pm post, you said that it would be nice to “see The Dipper hit over 300. with a obp close to 400. 10-15 homers the Rbi’s will come with him hitting tons of singles and doubles”.
It would be nice if I won the Mega Millions lottery.
Not a band wagon fan
December 22nd, 2010
3:11 am
Dave, I am starting to like you and your work as much as I liked to listen to Skip Caray (even though we don’t agree on music preference). I appreciate your off-season writings about the Braves. I always make it a priority to read your posts. Again, thanks.
Jeremy – Greenville, SC
Smitty
December 22nd, 2010
3:13 am
Couple other CD gems: Fistful of Mercy (debut CD) and Crowded House “Intriguer”…
off-topic: I went to a Best Buy and it is starting to look like Target. Terrible selection. No wonder music sales are in the tank!
.christopher.chance
December 22nd, 2010
3:16 am
cabravesfan………..I said last night that I’m in Dillon, Colorado visiting my brother for a couple of weeks. Plenty of skiing in this resort community.
By the way, I enjoyed myself on the slopes today.
D.J.
December 22nd, 2010
3:16 am
The classiness is overwhelming.
/sarcasm
Loogy
December 22nd, 2010
3:20 am
hey DOB, tell ol’ soldier mcgee its the offseason. And not to fret, old soldiers never die…they just fade away.
.christopher.chance
December 22nd, 2010
3:38 am
N8……………I liked your reasoning in your 10:57pm post. However, I wouldnt call Medlen’s injury a “blessing in disguise”.
The effect that Halladay and Lee will have on the Phillies will go beyond what they individually do on the mound. It will extend to the effect that their complete games will have on saving their bullpen.
.christopher.chance
December 22nd, 2010
3:42 am
Tango Romeo Echo Yankee………..you are correct, I am a Braves fan……who is more concerned with seeing the Braves WIN…….then I am with seeing over the hill, way past their prime, injury riddled, overpaid FRAUDS like The Dipper hit in the all important #3 slot of the batting order.
.christopher.chance
December 22nd, 2010
3:44 am
nolie………..you nailed it with your 11:12pm post. While money isnt the only factor in building a championship…..it does greatly increase your chances to win one.
.christopher.chance
December 22nd, 2010
3:49 am
N8………..Wow, your 11:19pm post came out “guns blazing” when it came to blasting sheesh. I cant say that I found fault with anything you said.
The argument you put forth defending your position in that post is pretty impressive.
Instead of being offended when one “challenges” your position on something…..this blog would be much better if others on here looked at “challenges” as being an OPPORTUNITY to further justify your opinions.
Again, impressive post.
.christopher.chance
December 22nd, 2010
3:50 am
N8………..Man you are on a roll! You hit another one out of the park with your 11:23 post.
KEEF
December 22nd, 2010
4:09 am
Poor Wren. He ALWAYS tows the corporate line… while McGuirk and Liberty Media just smile all the way to the bank.
Are you gelling us fans, Mr Wren, that you prefer an $84 mill payroll to a $184 mill???
Please….stop…
,christopher,chance
December 22nd, 2010
4:25 am
It’s been amusing reading the 8 pages of opinions on the new blog. Seeing many of you on here is like seeing a pig wallow in slop. You’ll eat anything, lol.
Frank Wren is trying to make the best of the payroll he has. I just wish that he’d be more willing to say publicly that it’s the responsibility of the Braves organization to increase attendance by putting a more ENTERTAINING and WINNING product on the field that will inspire the casual and non-diehard fan to come.
Other than that, I have confidence that more times than not,he’ll make moves to improve the roster.
ward
December 22nd, 2010
4:52 am
Christopher Chance:It’s funny how you can only talk when evey one is gone. You ,and your little pals….. And try to act all big, which proves my piont. Your nothing, but an idiot………………………………………………………………….you are truely pathetic little man………………..
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
5:00 am
man that whole mess was so pathetic, I’m embarrassed for you.. off your meds again, huh?
fat, balding and stupid is no way to go through life. May God have mercy on your soul.
Conyers Braves Fan
December 22nd, 2010
5:20 am
DOB:Normally I enjoy your blogs about the Braves. In this case, I had to sift through so many comments (seems to abouth half of them) about CD`s etc. that I got tired.
Anyway, no real complaints. You do a great job keeping us informed about the Braves.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
5:26 am
Forgive him Lord, for he knows not what he says.
ward
December 22nd, 2010
5:28 am
Nolie: You have a good one budy……Nite All……
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
5:29 am
nite ward, peace & love
braveshoo
December 22nd, 2010
6:43 am
Right now, I like everything about our team except the OF. IMO our 4 outfielders are Heyward, McClouth, Prado, and probably Matt Young. I personally dont think McClouth is going to cut it, offensively or defensively, and when Prado goes to 3B this year or next year for Chipper either because of injury or retirement, the OF is even worse. If possible, I think we make a move that helps us this year, and even more next year. Trade JJ to the Yanks for Gardner. Gardner becomes our starting CF and leadoff hitter. McClouth becomes our 4th Of, and slides into LF where his arm is less of a liability when Prado moves to 3rd. We also already have Gardner for next year and beyond when McClouth is nontendered. We can afford to give up JJ and the Yanks need him. Because JJ is represented by Boras, we probably cant sign him longterm. He will cost about 3m this year, and next year we probably trade him anyway. We have Minor and Beachy for the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation to begin the year, but by July, this could be altered by Teheran, Delgado, or Medlin, and we definitely have all 3 ready to go next year. Of course, the Yankees have to agree, but I see this as a trade that helps both teams.
,christopher,chance
December 22nd, 2010
7:24 am
braveshoo……the Braves would struggle big time if they began the year with Beachy and Minor as our 4th and 5th starters. Also, trading Jurrjens straight up for Gardener would be a steal of a deal for the Yankees. It’s much easier to find a lead-off hitter, then it is to find a quality, young starting pitcher who eats up innings and can pitch under pressure like Jurrjens.
I’d trade Lowe straight up for Gardner (however, as I’ve said before, the Braves should try to include either Kawanappy’s or McLousy’s contract in any Lowe deal to the Yankees….especially if the Yankees didnt want to give up anything of quality in a trade).
O.J.
December 22nd, 2010
7:35 am
I see ole PL is back at it again, what a waste of time and effort to try and weed through all of his posts.
Red Herring My Azz!
December 22nd, 2010
7:40 am
“The economics are really a function of our market size and the revenues that are coming in. It’s not because there’s an owner saying ‘You’re not going to do this.’ It’s just a function or our market. And like I said, I can reel off half a dozen other markets very similar to us that do have local owners, who are doing it the same way we’re doing it. So that’s a bit of a red herring when you always want to throw it on Liberty.”
Know what is a bit of a red herring? When you lower payroll after swearing up and down you aren’t gonna lower payroll and still swear you didn’t lower payroll when Cots and half a dozen other media outlets report you ACTUALLY DID lower payroll. Wren would say he had enough payroll to compete if his payroll consisted of $1500 and a box of Twinkies to pay the players. It’s his job to give the predictable, company line, answers to the questions he knows are coming.
Wren, Mcquirk or anyone with any sense isn’t going to come out in an interview and say, “yeah the fact is Liberty could give a rats azz about the fans and this franchise. It’s terrible to be owned by a faceless conglomerate! Local ownership by a committed individual or small group would be much better than those Liberty jokers!”
Nope….. they ain’t gonna say that even if they believe it’s true. Why? Because they would be unemployed tomorrow. I know if I said that in a public forum about the company I work for I would likely be looking for another job.
UGASlobberknocker
December 22nd, 2010
7:45 am
Braves man and a rocker. DOB, youre the best.
Carlton Berry
December 22nd, 2010
7:55 am
Will Ryan Madson and Lidge both have another good year together? Will the Braves 2nd year Pitchers on the end of our games be as good as last year? I have to say odds here are about even. Ryan Madson is playing towards Free agency, but I think starters and position players have better last year before new contracts than the end of the bullpen. Rollins is also playing for free agency or a new contract. (Can’t figure how they will afford him and Oswalt or either). Rollins in definitely on the down swing as we are afraid Uggla will be by the end of his new contract. So what will be the difference this year? What the Braves have missed for the past 2 years? A big Right handed bat in the middle of their line up. WE had one May last year and it got us into the playoffs. The Phillies will miss Worth more than his numbers the last two years show. There will not be a veteran right hand bat to protect their great left handed batter. The results maybe that Howard has a down year. Then THEY become the wildcard team instead of the Braves.
MaconBraves (RIP)
December 22nd, 2010
8:07 am
N8 from last night, the 3rd tiebreaker for the NFL is actually record vs common opponents. The Falcons have a two game lead on that one, so if Atlanta loses to the Saints this week, as long as they beat Carolina next week they still win the division.
http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakingprocedures
braveshoo
December 22nd, 2010
8:21 am
No offense Chris, but I strongly Disagree. Minor will be in the rotation anyway, so what you are talking about is Beachy vs JJ. JJ was hurt last year and had a poor record. We both agree he is much better than that, and thats why the Yankees want him, but we were able to win last year with JJ hurt and we can make it without him this year. Beachy had a great ERA in the minors last year, and pitched well under pressure at the end of the year. We will be fine with him as our 5th starter,
Gardner is fast and plays excellent defense. He hit .277, .383 OBP, stole 47 bases in 56 attempts, Scored 97 runs, and had 47 RBI’s. He’s not arbitration eligble for 2 more years, so he is both young and inexpensive. IMO he is better than “the flying Hawaian” of the Phills and much cheaper. A good leadoff hitter with speed makes our entire lineup better, and impoving our defense up the middle in CF will help all our pitchers. If the Yankees will take McClouth too, all the better, but I would do the deal either way.
Braves for life
December 22nd, 2010
8:22 am
Im very concerned they are putting to much stock in Chipper and when (and he will go down) he goes down our lineup will be weak. Brooks Conrad is not a major league player, hes a major league waist of bench space and that will show badly this year. Rest of team I like. I just think we are really weak in the outfield with McLouth and whoever because Prado will be at 3rd all year.
Efrim
December 22nd, 2010
8:25 am
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5943917
See, the Braves spent 89.2 million in 2010.
AL champion Texas was 22nd at $74.3 million. Joining the Rangers in the postseason from the bottom half by spending were Atlanta (16th at $89.2 million), Cincinnati (19th) and Tampa Bay (20th at $77.5 million).
MaconBraves (RIP)
December 22nd, 2010
8:37 am
So much nicer catching up with the blog this morning…much less auto scrolling necessary.
O.J.
December 22nd, 2010
8:42 am
You know, I was just watching video highlights of Hanson’s starts and I got to tell you, I am really impressed with his mound presence. I mean, the guy doesnt seem to waiver one bit, its like he is a 10 year veteran that doesnt get shaken easily. I love that about him.
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
8:42 am
Efrim: See, the Braves spent 89.2 million in 2010.
That doesn’t help the case. Perhaps Wren is right, the anger is mis-directed. That it isn’t Liberty Media’s fault the reigns are pulled on spending… It’s for some reason the Front Office and Terry are crimping it. The change in payroll from the year 2000 when adjusted for inflation is -$20M. When I have the time I’ll go back through and find the Braves press releases on ticket/concession price increases over this period. My hypothesis is that these two revenue streams have seen an increase in price in ten years. Coupled with that hypothesis is that non-ticket/concession merchandise has also seen an increase in price. One data point thoroughly discussed on this blog is that the Braves have had remarkably consistent attendance. Perhaps the increase in prices mirrors directly with the increase in CPI. If so, it will show that there is an adjusted net decrease in payroll over that same period. Which makes it a little absurd to dismiss certain free agents as “too expensive.” Maintaining a constant payroll adjusted for inflation would provide enough for the “too expensive” free agent.
Trickster
December 22nd, 2010
8:46 am
Larry The Cable Guy : “That’s a lot of sucky music right thar, let me tell ya”.
The Phillies have just put together 4 aces by signing Cliff Lee. I’ve never seen 4 aces lose in a poker game (the rare times someone has gotten 4 aces) have you ? This is baseball but when most teams have one ace and possibly two, the Phillies have four. You are right about the Marlins,Mets,& Nats being behind the Braves but forgot to state the Braves are far behind the Phillies as well.
As expected Wren defended Liberty Media because hey they pay his salary no less… What was he gonna say ? “They need to up the payroll so we can compete” ??? He just tows the company line with the “everything’s fine” routine.
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
8:50 am
The Phillies have just put together 4 aces by signing Cliff Lee. I’ve never seen 4 aces lose in a poker game (the rare times someone has gotten 4 aces) have you ? — Trickster
So I guess it’s a good thing teams aren’t playing the Phillies in poker?
By the way, most Braves fans don’t have to think too long to remember a team or two that had four aces and didn’t win the World Series, Trickster.
LJ
December 22nd, 2010
8:51 am
straight flush
O.J.
December 22nd, 2010
8:52 am
Trickster, you act like all four of those pitchers will be pitching in the same game everyday. They wont. So while their rotation is stacked, it takes a team to win games, not just one player. I believe the Braves have the better overall team as far as chemistry goes. Phillies may have the better rotation, but I believe the Braves have the better team.
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
8:59 am
By the way, most Braves fans don’t have to think too long to remember a team or two that had four aces and didn’t win the World Series, Trickster.
I still have my “Five Aces” poster… sporting the blazing Pistol Pete Smith.
Trickster
December 22nd, 2010
8:59 am
When those four go 80-12 and the Phillies win 118 games DOB, you revisit this conversation and remind yourself what four aces can do on a team, ok ?
Trickster
December 22nd, 2010
9:01 am
By thw way, Pete Smith,Denny Neagle,nor Steve Avery were ever true aces. Maddux,Glavine,Smoltz were the 3 aces. But the Phillies have 4.
Couch Tater
December 22nd, 2010
9:01 am
There can’t be more than one Anders…
Q. Is Jeff Francouer worth $13 million a year? – Anders
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/the-baseball-economist-answers-your-questions/
richbrave
December 22nd, 2010
9:01 am
And speaking of ‘red herrings’ look at those names that have been posting lately.
Efrim
December 22nd, 2010
9:05 am
TenneseePaul, oh I agree. The main reason I said “see” was because many people thought the Braves were shelling out less than 85 million. But with performance bonuses and such, it was closer to the 90 million that Wren had said they were spending. But I agree with you, this team should be spending more money on the payroll, as well as the draft.
Trickster
December 22nd, 2010
9:06 am
That music list looks like it was compiled by my 14 year-old niece,my 39 year-old wife,and my 80 year-old grandma. Where’s the alternative rock at ?
Mutts
December 22nd, 2010
9:07 am
Trickster December 22nd, 2010 8:59 am When those four go 80-12 and the Phillies win 118 games DOB, you revisit this conversation and remind yourself what four aces can do on a team, ok ?
Why only 80-12? Your “4 arses” should be 92-0 if they are really the greatest starting pitchers of all time.
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
9:08 am
Trickster, you say the Phillies’ four aces will go 80-12 and the team will win 118 games, huh? I’m going to make a gentlemen’s wager with you that neither of those win totals will happen. The Phillies’ four top starters will win 72 or fewer games and the team will finish with something closer to 100 wins than the 118 you predict.
LJ
December 22nd, 2010
9:12 am
for staff 12-13 pitchers, I would not trade even up with Phillies, I like the
Braves staff, including starters, let the season begin!
Tommy T
December 22nd, 2010
9:14 am
Trickster:
How many pitchers in the NL won 20 games last season (or the last five years for that matter)? Times are much different now than when the Orioles had four 20 win pitchers. I’ll bet my wife that the Phils don’t have four this year.
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
9:14 am
When those four go 80-12 and the Phillies win 118 games DOB, you revisit this conversation and remind yourself what four aces can do on a team, ok ?
That’ll be great. It took 128 years for a team to win 116 games in a season. I really, really look forward to the rapid advancement of medical break throughs which extend our lives and at such an athletic and youthful state! I will gladly recall this conversation.
McFann O O
December 22nd, 2010
9:15 am
Trey so true.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 22nd, 2010
9:17 am
You didn’t list any Lady Gaga.
Dave
December 22nd, 2010
9:18 am
@Tommy T – I bet you’ll bet your wife the Phillies don’t win 1 game this year!
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
9:19 am
many people thought the Braves were shelling out less than 85 million. But with performance bonuses and such, it was closer to the 90 million
It’s all a matter of how one tallies the total. If one tallies it the same way, year in, year out, one will be in the ball park for the year over year change in payroll. From every figure I’ve read, and they are all different, not one of them has been off by 15 to 20 million. They’ve all been within a $5M range of each other, and all consistent in year over year differentials.
Tommy T
December 22nd, 2010
9:19 am
Dave
You must’ve never met my wife???
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
9:23 am
Tommy T, is this her?
Jim Orr
December 22nd, 2010
9:26 am
Yes, you must spend an irresponsible amount of money on CDs. When do you have time to listen to them?
Trickster
December 22nd, 2010
9:26 am
I’m so tired of this one guy posting under 75 different names. I have to overlook his 50 posts to see DOB’s replies. So DOB, you dropped my 80 combined wins down just 8 to 72 ? I’m a Braves fan. I just face reality instead of being a Braves homer. I’ll split the difference with you big Dave and go with 108 Phillies wins if you care to continue the gentleman’s wager ?
Poorbrave
December 22nd, 2010
9:28 am
Tommy T..who would want your wife, unless its the one Tenn-Paul put up..Just fun son! Have a Merry Christmas all.
Trickster
December 22nd, 2010
9:28 am
I didn’t ask you revisit anything Tennesee Paul. Unless your name is DOB. Put down the pipe and stop all the wasted blogging.
Trickster
December 22nd, 2010
9:30 am
Phillies don’t have to have four 20 game winners if Halladay & Lee each win 25.
Red Herring My Azz!
December 22nd, 2010
9:32 am
“It’s all a matter of how one tallies the total. If one tallies it the same way, year in, year out, one will be in the ball park for the year over year change in payroll. From every figure I’ve read, and they are all different, not one of them has been off by 15 to 20 million. They’ve all been within a $5M range of each other, and all consistent in year over year differentials.”
A great point made by TP. I would say his assumption is accurate. Listed below are the “Opening Day” payrolls of the Braves over the last few years. No one is going to argue that they did not adjust at sometime over the season due to player movement or performance bonus being reached…. but these figures aren’t going to be off by a lot.
* 2010: $ 83,890,334
* 2009: $ 96,726,166
* 2008: $102,365,683
* 2007: $ 87,290,833
* 2006: $ 90,156,876
* 2005: $ 86,457,302
* 2004: $ 90,182,500
* 2003: $106,243,667
* 2002: $ 93,470,367
* 2001: $ 91,936,167
* 2000: $ 82,700,000
stew
December 22nd, 2010
9:32 am
Time to deal Lowe is now. I’d be happy just dumping his 15 million with no return. No need to spend the 15 million yet. Have it in reserve so that when something comes along we have it to use intelligently. Everone says “Lowe gives us innings”. That’s true but pitching a lot of innings with a high ERA means simply that you gave up a lot of runs in a lot of innings. Until his lights out stretch at the end of the regular season and the post season, Lowe was rocked on a regular basis. It wasn’t until he started throwing his slider that he became effective. I think the big three should be Huddy, Tommy, and JJ with Minor and Beachy as 4th and 5th starters and Meds, Julio, Randall, and Arodys in the wings. I don’t want Prado to play third. Prado is basically punch and judy. If Chip can’t cut it, I want a power hitting third baseman (Zimmermann or McGehee). Anyway, Lowe to Yanks just for salary relief and payroll wiggle room.
timthebrave
December 22nd, 2010
9:34 am
DOB, Just want to say keep up the great work! Thanks for writing a blog with new information instead of just rehashed opinions. Also thanks for the list of new cd’s to check out. Go Braves!
Justafan
December 22nd, 2010
9:34 am
TennesseePaul, its not how much you spend its what you spend it on. Value for Value=winner.
Red Herring My Azz!
December 22nd, 2010
9:34 am
Figures furnished by Cots.
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/atlanta-braves_15.html
Danga
December 22nd, 2010
9:35 am
if Halladay & Lee each win 25.
They won’t. Halladay managed 21 last season and his career best is 22. This is a guy who eats up decisions, too. Lee only started 28 games last season. You can expect them to pitch very well, but to expect them to win 25 would assume that the team behind them is going to be better. I don’t see that happening.
GTSteve
December 22nd, 2010
9:37 am
I’ll take the under on 108
Stop Talking and Win Wren
December 22nd, 2010
9:37 am
Wren keeps saying we can win with our payroll. Time to show us some results. Yeah we made the playoffs but we also blew a division lead and got embarassed by the Giants in the process. Our farm system is full of good arms but what about bats?
We have owners that do not even attend games and only speak to the executives a few times a year? Wren can say we have great owners all he wants but every Braves fan knows he is FOS.
O.J.
December 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
Trickster, what on earth makes you think these 4 guys are going to go above and beyond their career numbers and put up numbers such as you speak. I mean, if you take the career averages for all 4 pitchers and add them up, you come up with a win total of 63-37, if you want to get more into it and go by what they did just this past year, their combined record is 58-43.
timthebrave
December 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
Got some good concerts coming up. Going to North Mississippi All Stars, John Prine and Old Crow, and Linkin Park. Got 4th road to John Prine and Old Crow…..and I’m off from noon today until Jan 4. Life is good
Justafan
December 22nd, 2010
9:39 am
alot can happen between now and the end of next season..just watch. I’ll say 101 at most.
O.J.
December 22nd, 2010
9:39 am
Stop Talking and Win Wren, how about this past year when we won the Wild card with the current payroll, those results arent good enough for ya?
Danga
December 22nd, 2010
9:40 am
Wren can say we have great owners all he wants but every Braves fan knows he is FOS.
Compared to the owners of the Marlins, Royals, and Pirates we have it pretty good. I could be better, but it could be worse also. This team is competitive.
Red Herring My Azz!
December 22nd, 2010
9:42 am
* 2010: $ 83,890,334
* 2009: $ 96,726,166
* 2008: $102,365,683
* 2007: $ 87,290,833
* 2006: $ 90,156,876
* 2005: $ 86,457,302
* 2004: $ 90,182,500
* 2003: $106,243,667
* 2002: $ 93,470,367
* 2001: $ 91,936,167
* 2000: $ 82,700,000
I sometimes get away from the point I was trying to make initially. You can look at the payroll figures over the years and see a fluctuation. I don’t have an issue with that. MY ISSUE is that when Wren and McQuirk say they aren’t cutting payroll and in fact do cut payroll……. thats a bald faced lie! If you are going to cut it, then tell me you are cutting. Don’t pee down my back and tell me it’s raining!
dogsbrekky
December 22nd, 2010
9:48 am
I will bet that Lee and Hallday combined do NOT get 40 wins
Speaking of value, how valuable has Brian McCann been to this franchise, his WAR values are near $100M in a career where he been paid to date what $12M or so, incredible, now I just hope the cheap bastards at Liberty realize that and sign him again to extend after 2013, go after him now before the Yankees see blood in the water and offer him crazy $$ like Mauer got
Tech Sucks
December 22nd, 2010
9:55 am
How the Hell can you not have Zac Brown Band’s newest album on your top 50 of the year. That’s criminal…
O.J.
December 22nd, 2010
9:56 am
dogsbrekky, dont talk like that, the thought of Mac in a Yanks uni just made me cringe.
Efrim
December 22nd, 2010
9:59 am
Good article from Fan Graph’s Dave Cameron on Buyers and Sellers markets this offseason:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-two-markets/
bruce mac
December 22nd, 2010
9:59 am
It won’t matter Frank, the idiots on this blog will still post on every subject involving the Braves that our ownership doesn’t spend enough money. These same fools go to one game a month or never and have no concept of business. I think it is called the ignorance of repetition. If enough people say it, it must be true.
dogsbrekky
December 22nd, 2010
10:00 am
OJ – I think we have options for 2 years after 2011 for $9M or so and $13 or so (one is versting) but if we could go and say well we will sign you for 2012-2017 for say $70M that may get it done, cause on the free market at current rates, he may well be the most valuable player at his position out there not named Pujols
Lemke's Knuckleball
December 22nd, 2010
10:03 am
Trickster…
The only way you can say Avery wasn’t as much an ace as Cliff Lee is by using revisionist history based on how his career fizzled out. From 91-93, Avery actually did more in the regular season than Lee has done in any three year span and his postseason performances, while not quite as extraordinary as Lee’s, were still very comparable.
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
10:04 am
Another day and Lowe is hanging on.
dogsbrekky
December 22nd, 2010
10:07 am
1991-1993 Avery was every bit as great as the big 3
bruce mac
December 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
Hea Red H, look at the attendance trend in those years, you Jack Wagon.
O.J.
December 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
Arkansas Transplant, as much as i hate to say it, Lowe isnt going anywhere.
McFann O O
December 22nd, 2010
10:13 am
dogsbrekky sign him again to extend after 2013
Sounds good. I’m for that.
And yes, don’t mention him and the Yankees in the same sentence unless you’re talking about him cleaning the Yankees’ clocks!!
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
10:13 am
O.J.
Unfortunately your probably correct, but a man can always dream. I think we should sell high.
Steve McP
December 22nd, 2010
10:19 am
I saw yesterday that Moe Berg and Snotboogie were discussing the relevant merits of Sachin Tendulkar and Don Bradman, for me there is no question that the Don was and always will be the best batsman ever, to have a Test average of 99.96 (and he was out for a duck in his last Test innings) is astonishing. had he played the number of Tests that modern players have (his career was shortened by the war and he was so ill in 1936 that many thought he would not be able to travel to England) his records would be unattainable. By the way for an Englishman to say this is a further tribute to the greatest batsman ever.
Lemke's Knuckleball
December 22nd, 2010
10:20 am
One missing piece can have a huge impact on a team. In football, the net effect of having a below average quarterback is the defense drops the safety down to smother the run game. Then you can’t move the ball at all (go ask the Carolina Panthers about this).
I would loosely compare this to the situation of the Braves not having a legitimate right-handed power hitter these past few years. That one missing piece has had a domino effect on the entire lineup. So in my opinion, having Uggla now will have a more dramatic impact on the offensive punch of this team than most are willing to consider. It’ll have a ripple effect throughout the lineup (Chipper won’t have to try to hit for power, McCann should see better pitches, etc). We all got a glimpse during May-June of last year of how well this team played when Glaus was healthy enough to fill that role. So I am very optimistic that the offense will hold up it’s end of the bargain this year.
Also, keep in mind, the last time we had that guy (Tex), we also had the likes of Buddy Carlyle, Jorge Campillo, Chuck James, Kyle Davies, Charlie Morton and JoJo Reyes starting over 50% of the time.
RemoW
December 22nd, 2010
10:22 am
Trickster: I have actually beaten 4 aces in poker on 2 separate occasions. Straight flush trumps all but a higher straight flush. Post season is a crap shoot based on who is hot. Lee just lost 2 games in the World Series.
O-me
December 22nd, 2010
10:23 am
bruce mac, these same fools go to one game a month or never and have no concept of business.
Who the help do you think you are to make such a stupid statement? If bloggers make a statement of opinion its there right where they attend games are not. Plus what does attending games have to do with go business decisions.
I think your statement applies to you!
Lew
December 22nd, 2010
10:24 am
Itmwas interesting last night – I was watching Hot Stove on the MLB Network (Gant was on) and they evaluated the best rotations in the NL and they didn’t even mention the Braves.
Of course all sorts of love was given to the Phillies and their Four Number One starters (actually the first time anyone accused Hamels of that). And of course the Giants were mentioned (who only beat us doe to errors). Of course the Cards were mentioned (despite where they finished las year even with their top thre). The fourth team was the Brewers.
Of course Grienke does improve the Brew Crew, but the rest of that rotation couldn’t even make it as a WC contender last year – no better than a third place finish in their division. Grienke won’t really change that, IMO.
Oh well. Being the underdog rarely hurts. Guess that’s why they play the games.
dogsbrekky
December 22nd, 2010
10:26 am
Steve McP – statistically, Bradman rates as the BEST sportsman EVER, not sure how they compare cricket to other spots but I have seen many boffin tests where he rates 1, the next average to Bradmans 99.94 was I think one of the South African’s (Pollock ??) at about 60 and the 2 great English deprerssion era guys Headley and Sutcliffe at about 60, on a bell curve Bradman is the far far outlier
Personally, I always thought Edwin Moses was right up there, he was unbeatable at the 400m hurdles
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
10:27 am
Wonder why there’s been no discussions of signing Webb, he’ll more than likely command a very incentive laiden deal. I’d think he would come with a low risk, high reward type of contract. As it looks now, doesn’t look like the remaining payroll is going to go towards signing another outfielder and there really isn’t much talent available else where on the FA market.
So I would think if your looking for impact from the remaining FA’s available? Webb would have to be the best bet.
Lew
December 22nd, 2010
10:28 am
Transplant – Well, it does appear as if you”ve been smoking something if you think they’ll trade Lowe. Is that what you mean by selling high?
Nick
December 22nd, 2010
10:29 am
Ha,ha,ha. Love it. Even dob admits the phillies will win 100 or something close. The braves will not be nine wins better than last season, maybe 95 wins tops. You lose, losers. Better hope for the wild-card. Ha,ha,ha.
CraZyTRaDeMaN
December 22nd, 2010
10:29 am
People have been comparing the 2011 Phillies rotation to the 1997 Braves. I think most people forget the 4th best starter Denny Neagle was the only 20 game winner on that staff. I can’t see Cole Hamels winning 20 games. Not sure how many wins they can get between them but topping the 68 number that the 97 Braves put up would be quite an accomplishment. Not sure they can do it but it should be close.
dogsbrekky
December 22nd, 2010
10:30 am
ARK Tplnt – discussions on NY radio about Brandon Webb said his stuff has GONE and he cannot get his fastball above 86 regularly, Yankees who are desperate for pitching wouldnt even offer him a low starting contract with incentives .. I assume this was seen at his try outs with the various clubs
Lew
December 22nd, 2010
10:30 am
And as for Wren being FOS – You di perhaps realize that in 08 we finished with a 78 win season – below .500 and within two years of that Wren rebuilt the rotation and improved the Braves two consecutive years, culminating in a 91 win season last year and a return to the playoffs?
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
10:30 am
Lew,
The Brewers also traded to acquire Shaun Marcum. I think they may be overvaluing him a little but I know they seem to think he’ll play a big part of that rotation.
dogsbrekky
December 22nd, 2010
10:32 am
Lew – we only won 72 in 2008, 78 would have looked gr8
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
10:33 am
dogsbrekky
He’s still not at full strength yet from what I’m hearing but should be by the start of spring training and there’s also the possibility of him signing a minor league deal as well.
Lew
December 22nd, 2010
10:34 am
dogs – Yeah, and now that Lee has signed with the Phillies, the NY Talk people think he’s worse than Webb. I wouldn’t read too much into what they say.
dogsbrekky
December 22nd, 2010
10:35 am
ARK TRP – My cuz is at Yankees and they werenot impressed by medicals or the “stuff” shown given his progress
McFann O O
December 22nd, 2010
10:35 am
Lew Of course all sorts of love was given to the Phillies and their Four Number One starters (actually the first time anyone accused Hamels of that). And of course the Giants were mentioned (who only beat us doe to errors). Of course the Cards were mentioned (despite where they finished las year even with their top thre). The fourth team was the Brewers.
Well, that’s better than to get all the attention and fall flat on your face. If you get no attention and go nowhere people don’t pounce on you quite the same way…and if you get no attention and kick tail, that’s just about the best the game has to offer!
Lew
December 22nd, 2010
10:35 am
OK, then Wren improved the team even more. Thought we were a better bad than all that.
timthebrave
December 22nd, 2010
10:36 am
Just got falcons playoff tickets…woo hoo
Lew
December 22nd, 2010
10:39 am
Transplant – I’d still not pencil the Brewers in for more than a 3rd place finish in their division. Their rotation still isn’t all that and they gave up some talent to get Grienke. Still not sold on the Brewers. A lot of their season may depend on whether the Reds can repeat their 2010 performance or not. The Cards will still be better than the Brewers, too. Have to see about the Cubs – their track record isnt great, but they usually can come up with the bucks.
dogsbrekky
December 22nd, 2010
10:39 am
Everyone in the media underrates and undervalues Jair Jurrjens, well those who actually even know who he is, imagine his 2008-2009 if he were a Yankee, he would have won 24 games
Red Herring My Azz!
December 22nd, 2010
10:40 am
“Hea Red H, look at the attendance trend in those years, you Jack Wagon.”
So you’re saying that attendance trends gives ownership the justification to lie about payroll?
Or is it that reading comprehension is not your strongest trait?
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
10:42 am
Lew,
I also think it will depend on whether or not they decide to move Fielder. I’d think he’d leave a big hole in that lineup.
Lew
December 22nd, 2010
10:43 am
They actually Lied to you? How terrible. They didn’t tell you the truth on how many millions of dollars of someone else’s money that likely didn’t even include the price of a ticket from you, that they planned to spend? I’m sure you could fabricate a reason to sue them.
Soph
December 22nd, 2010
10:45 am
timthebrave – lucky! Heard they sold out within a few minutes.
CraZyTRaDeMaN
December 22nd, 2010
10:48 am
One year ago today (December 22, 2009)
The Braves trade Javy Vasquez and Boone Logan to the Yanks in exchange for Melky Cabrera, cash and prospects Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino.
njbraves
December 22nd, 2010
10:51 am
The problem with the Braves rotation is that they don’t have any dominant starters. They have four very capable pitchers, but no truly dominant, shut down guy. Halladay and Lee are aces, with Hamels and Oswalt solid #2’s. I feel that the Braves have one borderline ace, Huddy, two solid #2’s, and a 3 in Lowe.
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
10:51 am
its not how much you spend its what you spend it on. Value for Value=winner
True. It’s great to know that value for value is considered acceptable when Garret Anderson is hired as opposed to say, Matt Holliday. But in truth, the reasons given for such moves are, the Matt Holliday’s of the game are too expensive… ie. unaffordable. despite a $20M decrease in inflation adjusted payroll.
DAP
December 22nd, 2010
10:54 am
lemke’s knuckler the Braves not having a legitimate right-handed power hitter these past few years. That one missing piece has had a domino effect on the entire lineup. So in my opinion, having Uggla now will have a more dramatic impact on the offensive punch of this team than most are willing to consider.
i totally agree. on paper, ive got the braves scoring 800 runs, which would be a 60 run improvement over last year. thats fairly significant, but i think adding uggla, and the fact that he will be right in the middle of the lineup, will do that for the braves.
lew, im actually shocked that the brewerws were mentioned when talking about top NL rotations and the braves werent. are you kidding me? thats crazy.
MFin04
December 22nd, 2010
10:54 am
Anyone see the interview with Chipper Jones at the Hawks Magic game the other night?
Sounded pretty confident in his rehab and was excited to start hitting again soon.
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
10:56 am
Good to see so far Gabriel’s followed his own advice.
richbrave
December 22nd, 2010
10:56 am
FALL BALL
DOMINICAN
DH DIORY HERNANDEZ 1-5, 2 R, 1 2B (7), 1 SO, .304 BA. Diory was out of the line-up for about a week and his bat has cooled somewhat since his return.
LF WILKIN CASTILLO 0-4.261 BA pretty much the same as when he arrived as a BRAVE.
PH/DH MAURO ‘45′ GOMEZ 0-1, 1 SO, .279 BA. He’s back after an extremely long two-week lay-off. Don’t know if it was due to injury or because his bat grew very cold starting Dec. 2.
RH/RP JAIRO ASENCIO 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2.91 ERA.
MEXICO
‘THE FLAILING CUBAN’ goes yard (10), but other-wise has a rough night at the plate (1-6). He of course scores a run, and as it was a solo blast collects his 43rd RBI. 1 SO, as his BA falls to .310. Her’s lost fifty points on his BA in the past month. Pretty typical for him. Just not consistantly a great hitter.
PUERTO RICO
C ORLANDO MERCADO 0-4, 1 SO, .284 BA.
ernesto
December 22nd, 2010
10:58 am
Where did Glaus end up? Or did he?
Lew
December 22nd, 2010
10:58 am
TenPaul – You can rant and rave all you wan about value and the like, but when you have a payroll (inflation adjusted or not) of around $90 million, you can’t add a salary for one player that is more than 20% of that payroll. Just the way it is.
Y’all act like it’s no problem for someone to just fork out another $10-20 million, but sometimes it’s not practical even if you’re rich. Time to face facts that most teams will never have the payroll levels of the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels or Phillies (and I’m betting the Phillies’ payroll doesn’t remain that high indefinitely) and that constantly griping about it will do absolutely nothing to solve what you see as a problem.
The only thing that would provide equity is a capped payroll for all of MLB – and we know that ain’t happening anytime soon. So either accept it or find a team that spends as much as you think they should cause its likely the only way y’all will ever be happy.
Lew
December 22nd, 2010
11:00 am
DAP – NO, I’m dead serious and considering Ron Gant was there talking about playing behind Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz, that they’d at least have us at number four………not so though.
richbrave
December 22nd, 2010
11:00 am
“…….Don’t pee down my back and tell me it’s raining!…….” redherring my azz!
So you’re an ‘OUTLAW JOSIE WALES’ aficionado then?
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
11:03 am
im actually shocked that the brewerws were mentioned when talking about top NL rotations and the braves werent. are you kidding me? thats crazy.
It doesn’t surprise me much. Jurrjens was injured last year, which makes it hard to point to him for 2011 “ace” material. Lowe hasn’t been an “ace” for a full season in quite a while, if ever. Obviously there is a lot of uncertainty about Beachy/Minor, they both look like they could be good, but do not have a full season of Major league experience. That leaves only Hudson and Hanson. Hudson, the saying will go, is bound to regress some (though I’m certain he’ll still be very good). And Hanson’s knock is “he’s inconsistent”.
The other teams don’t appear to have has many question marks. It’s all “on-paper” analysis. And it’s baseball. Anything can happen.
Efrim
December 22nd, 2010
11:05 am
Buster Olney ranked the Top 10 starting rotations in baseball:
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. San Francisco Giants
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Tampa Bay Rays
5. Boston Red Sox
6. Milwaukee Brewers
7. Detroit Tigers
8a. Atlanta Braves
8b. St. Louis Cardinals
10a. Los Angeles Dodgers
10b. Chicago White Sox
I think the A’s are high. And the Braves are too low.
richbrave
December 22nd, 2010
11:06 am
njbraves
December 22nd, 2010
10:51 am
“…….The problem with the Braves rotation is that they don’t have any dominant starters. They have four very capable pitchers, but no truly dominant, shut down guy. Halladay and Lee are aces, with Hamels and Oswalt solid #2’s. I feel that the Braves have one borderline ace, Huddy, two solid #2’s, and a 3 in Lowe……”
To my way of thinking, the problem is in YOUR head. I’m sure you feel the same about mine.
How about the BRAVES pen vs. the PHILLIES? And to continue on, the best starting five position players and the bench. As I have said before, I believe any separation between the PHILLIES and the BRAVES comes lower in the line-up at the six-seven slots. If IBANEZ and RUIZ outdo JONES and McLOUTH then the PHILLIES have an edge, but that’s it in my book. We’ll see won’t we? Let the games begin.
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
11:07 am
Lew: it will do absolutely nothing to solve what you see as a problem.
True, but that never stopped you from griping about Nate McLouth last year. Not sure why it suddenly applies to this topic.
DAP
December 22nd, 2010
11:07 am
10paul. yeah, but the brewers? i just dont see it there. i think their rotation can officially be called overrated, if theyve been ranked 4th in the NL.
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
11:08 am
I’d probably put the Braves in the top 5 for sure in the NL, but they definitely aren’t in the top 3 slots.
richbrave
December 22nd, 2010
11:10 am
Red Herring My Azz!
December 22nd, 2010
10:40 am
“Hea Red H, look at the attendance trend in those years, you Jack Wagon.”
“…….So you’re saying that attendance trends gives ownership the justification to lie about payroll?
Or is it that reading comprehension is not your strongest trait?………”
So did you read the article in this blog regarding payroll, or did you just not believe it?
Lew
December 22nd, 2010
11:12 am
One thing commenting that a player isn’t as good as a lot of people think he is, when he hasn’t shown it before as an argument of a current situation – quite another consistently griping about a situation that has existed for a decade or more and won’t be getting better.
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
11:12 am
I’d have to admit, the Brewers do have a very capable rotation. Possibly with more upside than the Braves but it’d be more of a wash in my book.
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
11:14 am
I’m glad the Mclouth issue hasn’t been around a decade.
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
11:14 am
DAP: I could see an over-rated tag being applied to them… but Yovani is pretty good. I’d love to have him on the Braves team. Marcum appears to be improving… or the Jays sold high on him… and Grienke is a great pitcher. Don’t care much for Wolf, but he’s not a terrible number four starter… eats a lot of innings and turns in approx league average work, much like Lowe.
They have depth in the rotation which is good and boosts them up there. They picked up two pitchers in the off-season that are or could be very good in the NL. Last year they only really had one good pitcher, Yovani with average Wolf. Now they have potentially three good pitchers with average Wolf.
Lew
December 22nd, 2010
11:14 am
And yes, I did gripe about Nate all of last year. You’ve been going on about the payroll for at least six seasons I’m aware of.
Hillbilly
December 22nd, 2010
11:15 am
Now I have
A Machine Gun
HO-HO-HO
ramblingman
December 22nd, 2010
11:16 am
“Wren can say we have great owners all he wants but every Braves fan knows he is FOS.”
You know it’s a junk statement when it includes such statements as “everyone knows” or “no one will disagree”. I am a Braves fan, so don’t tell people what I know. I can do that.
“One year ago today (December 22, 2009) The Braves trade Javy Vasquez and Boone Logan to the Yanks in exchange for Melky Cabrera, cash and prospects Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino.”
And 5 minutes later, the heads of several bloggers exploded.
“So you’re an ‘OUTLAW JOSIE WALES’ aficionado then?”
Or Judge Judy…
richbrave
December 22nd, 2010
11:18 am
Efrim
December 22nd, 2010
11:05 am
Buster Olney ranked the Top 10 starting rotations in baseball:
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. San Francisco Giants
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Tampa Bay Rays
5. Boston Red Sox
6. Milwaukee Brewers
7. Detroit Tigers
8a. Atlanta Braves
8b. St. Louis Cardinals
10a. Los Angeles Dodgers
10b. Chicago White Sox
Well, if BUSTER says it, then it’s settled. We don’t have a chance against the PHILLIES.
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
11:18 am
I’m glad the Mclouth issue hasn’t been around a decade.
No, it hasn’t. But it seems the lack of a solid LF has been. Besides, prior to McLouth there was AJ and people ragged on him his entire tenure in ATL…. I would love to have that level of production back in CF. I would love to have the production of Kelsko back in LF. The OF just fell apart over the last decade.
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
11:19 am
There’s still a lot of day left to trade Lowe to the Yanks on the Anniversary we trade Vasquez to them. I’m sure they are probably wishing they had taken Lowe last year. Talk about 20/20 hindsight.
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
11:21 am
TennesseePaul,
I agree with that assessment wholeheartedly. Mclouth’s name can be interchanged with numerous issues through the last few decades.
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
11:21 am
And yes, I did gripe about Nate all of last year. You’ve been going on about the payroll for at least six seasons I’m aware of.
Yes I have Lew. And it’s that same level of consistency that I desire to see from the outfield… but it ain’t happening on an ever shrinking budget. : )
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
11:22 am
TennesseePaul
It’s called fuzzy math, not a shrinking budget.
timthebrave
December 22nd, 2010
11:23 am
Soph, First time I tried it said sold out but then someone didn’t complete their transaction and it released them back
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
11:24 am
I’m sure they are probably wishing they had taken Lowe last year. Talk about 20/20 hindsight.
Yeah, that wish wouldnt’ surprise me at all. But, on the other hand, perhaps it helped them with avoiding Povano this off-season… They gave Javy a second chance and it was awful… no way they make that same mistake two years in a row.
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
11:25 am
Yeah, I couldn’t see them wanting to roll the dice on Povano again. He was a lot like Hampton was to the Braves the whole time he was with the team.
MFin04
December 22nd, 2010
11:25 am
I’m surprised the Yankees aren’t in the top 5 of best rotations
Thom Brooks
December 22nd, 2010
11:26 am
David, Merry Christmas! Please listen to my son’s band, called Listen 2 Three. They’re on Facebook, from Savannah, but live in Atlanta. They’re good and would love any recognition you could give. They just played for Ed Roland of Collective Soul at his Christmas Party at Eddie’s Attic.
Thanks, Thom Brooks
cricket
December 22nd, 2010
11:26 am
Steve McP 10:19 am
I agree about Bradman over Sachin, though I don’t like comparing players from two different eras. Still, no question – Bradman has to get the nod and I think most of the Indians (ok, all my friends) actually agree with this.
), I remember hearing his name may be from age 13/14 (I am a year older than him) and people used to travel from all over Mumbai just to watch his batting in local matches. The pressure of expectations from a billion people, most of who do not much to look forward to in life, that he has shouldered over 20 years is just unbelievable. I sincerely do not believe any sportsman has ever endured so much pressure for so long and performed at such a great level, all the while keeping his child like enthusiasm for the sport, his commitment and drive (even now practices more than anyone else in team, and some of them were not born when he made his debut), his humility and his ability to lead pretty much perfect life in spite of God like status in the nation that comes with so many temptations. America would have loved this guy. Hope he finally gets to be part of world cup winning team.
As far as modern era goes, again no question in my mind that Sachin is best and way better than Lara, Ponting and Kallis etc. In Mumbai (then Bombay
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
11:27 am
The one thing about the Yanks however, when they get desperate they are willing to do just about anything which always leads to them over paying.
MFin04
December 22nd, 2010
11:27 am
So that list puts us 3rd or 4th in the NL and 4 teams make the playoffs. That actually is pretty nice. Who cares about AL rotations, doesn’t really concern us that much.
richbrave
December 22nd, 2010
11:27 am
“………If Senko Tanaka is your shidoshi, then show us the dim-mac………..” Bloodsport.
Watch out PHILLIES fans and BRAVES wanna’ be’s, here we come.
TooSlim73
December 22nd, 2010
11:28 am
DOB
I’d have “Wake Up the Nation” a bit higher but I like the list.
Steve-O in Vegas
December 22nd, 2010
11:29 am
No Eminem, Drake or Lil-Wayne on the list? Eminem’s CD was his best to date, including the Marshall Mathers LP. Deeply emotional CD; I haven’t gone through 1/10 of what he’s gone through, but it still resonates. And he simply reestablished himself as the best rapper not named Jay-Z. Drake’s album was different; a nice blend of Hip-Hop and R&B; dude’s just smooth. Lil Wayne’s album was nice – I won’t say too much for that one being excluded.
As for the baseball part of the blog, anyone who thinks the Nats or Fish are going to seriously challenge the Braves (assuming they stay healthy) is crazy. The Marlins have Josh Johnson, Hanley Ramirez (I hate sharing the last name with that guy – what a fool sometimes), and…? Washington has…Jayson…Werth? Talk to me in 4 years about the Nationals (saw Bryce Harper play some juco games out here last season — dude’s LEGIT). Philly has an all-time rotation on paper, but health is always key. And they lost Werth, and haven’t been able to unload Raul Ibanez, who’s declining, and not cheap. All their stars are north of 30…so it’ll be interesting this season, for sure!
richbrave
December 22nd, 2010
11:30 am
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
11:27 am
The one thing about the Yanks however, when they get desperate they are willing to do just about anything which always leads to them over paying.
That luxury tax they got hit with this year will knock ‘um back a bit. Besides, I think the “win at any cost” mentality has passed away.
Juan
December 22nd, 2010
11:35 am
Everyone compare The Phillis rotation agains other Past rotation are the bestor #1….You can’t compare a Phillis Rotation before they do something together….They have four capable number One Pitcher, but together they acomplish “NADA”, NONE,ZIP, yet….
Ted M
December 22nd, 2010
11:40 am
Buster Olney ranks the rotations, with the Phillies, Giants, and Athletics taking the top three spots. It seems odd to see the Cardinals in an eighth-place tie, but there are a lot of good ones.
I don’t have ESPN insider; Does anyone know the list or where he put the Braves rotation?
It would be much appreciated if you could post it.
Steve-O in Vegas
December 22nd, 2010
11:40 am
Juan, that’s why I said they have an all-time rotation *on paper.* They still have to go out and prove it, but individually, they’ve all put together great seasons. None have a history of significant injuries, and unlike the other 8 on the field, pitching rotations are more individual anyway. I’m a Braves fan, and believe me, I hope that it doesn’t work out for Philly…but, I’m a realist…they’re rotation is already something special.
timthebrave
December 22nd, 2010
11:46 am
Why is everyone saying that Hamels is an ace? He wasn’t an ace before they got Lee and now they got Lee and he suddenly he is ace material. The Phillies got a great rotation but people are wanting it to be better than it is
DAP
December 22nd, 2010
11:46 am
richbrave Besides, I think the “win at any cost” mentality has passed away.
what makes you think that? the $200+ mil payroll?
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
11:50 am
He wasn’t an ace before they got Lee and now they got Lee and he suddenly he is ace material.
He was an ace on the WS Champion team.
Lemke's Knuckleball
December 22nd, 2010
11:52 am
Every team in the NL East has question marks…
Mets – health & pitching: will Bay, Beltran and Reyes return to form, what will Johan be when he returns midseason, will they be able to get any consistent pitching from Pelfrey, Maine, Niese, etc.
Marlins – Youth and bullpen: A lot of young guys with potential (Coughlan, Sanchez, Stanton, Morrison) but you never know what you’re going to get with that. Also, a bullpen does Dunn, Choate and Nunez not make.
Phillies – Matchup issues, bullpen & depth: They are loaded with lefties (Brown, Utley, Howard, Ibanez) and I contend they will struggle much the same way the Braves have the past few years without that right-handed bat to split those guys up. Also, we all know Lidge is one bad horoscope away from another implosion and Madson can’t pitch every night. And a few key injuries and there’s not much left in their system to fill in the gaps.
Nats: I really don’t have to explain much here. Without Strasburg, their pitching belongs in AAA.
Who cares what the payroll is. The team with the lowest payroll, the Marlins, is actually the team that scares me the most.
coachx
December 22nd, 2010
11:57 am
Love your taste in music.
Jamie Johnson and DBT are 2 of my favorites over the last few years too.
CraZyTRaDeMaN
December 22nd, 2010
12:00 pm
timthebrave……
I agree!!!! Not sure how a pitcher who has 5 seasons in the Big Leagues won 15 games only once and has a 22-22 record over the last 2 years can be considered an ace.
Ted M
December 22nd, 2010
12:02 pm
Age is going to catch up to Ibanez next year. The 39yr old is going to have down year.
DS1
December 22nd, 2010
12:04 pm
Crazy
It’s all magic! He is a Phillies starting pitcher, so he must be an ace, right? And Oswalt too! You betcha!
I’ll agree to your ace designations for Halladay and Lee. I saw something yesterday that stated that Catfish Hunter had 30 complete games in one season (think it was mid 70’s), and nobody has approached that level since.
I blame Tony LaRussa for a lot of this specialization, which has turned major league starters into wimps.
Murph
December 22nd, 2010
12:09 pm
Am I the only one who looks at Cliff Lee’s stats and doesn’t see the “ace” part? He had two good seasons, one in 2005 and one in 2008. The rest of his career has been pretty mediocre. His ERA is a lot closer to 4 than it is to 3… the only thing that really jumps out at me is his IP, which averages over 200 per year.
O.J.
December 22nd, 2010
12:10 pm
Ted M, it was already posted on here, check out the last few pages.
O.J.
December 22nd, 2010
12:17 pm
Murph, Cliff Lee has been an ace on some staffs that werent very good, so he was basically the ace because of the staff he was on. But yes, he has been very mediocre except for a few years. A scout also said that while he has good command, he doesnt have an ‘OUT’ pitch, which could hurt him in the long run. Cliff Lee doesnt scare me
Braverson111
December 22nd, 2010
12:18 pm
DOB:
I repeat the Doug`s Question:Any talk of a Prado extension? Would love to see him locked up longterm.
Ted M
December 22nd, 2010
12:19 pm
I’ll look. thx OJ
DAP
December 22nd, 2010
12:19 pm
id say cole hamels pitched like in ace in 2008 and 2010. check out those years, and tell me he didnt pitch like an ace. if you do, id say your definition of an ace is unbelievably narrow. by the way, he went 14-10 and 12-11 in those two years.
N8
December 22nd, 2010
12:21 pm
“N8 from last night, the 3rd tiebreaker for the NFL is actually record vs common opponents” MaconBraves(RIP)
Thanks. I had them flipped in my head (Conference record and Common Opponents).
That actually makes perfect sense when you stop and think about it. Because teams within a division obviously play the other teams in their divisiono twice each for (6) games. Then they each play the same four NFC/AFC teams in the opposite league of theirs for (4) games. They also play (4) games against one other complete division in their conference, with the remaining (2) games being games against the teams from the remaining to divisions in their own conference who finished in the same place as they did the year before.
So for instance, the Chiefs “got to” play the Browns and Bills as the other last place teams in the two AFC divisions they weren’t playing every team in. While the Chargers had to play Pittsburgh and New England for winning the division last year.
Short point long, it wouldn’t be fair to judge conference record when one team clearly had two tougher opponents than the other.
Thanks for the reminder and correction.
DAP
December 22nd, 2010
12:22 pm
ted m, Age is going to catch up to Ibanez next year. The 39yr old is going to have down year.
i agree, but ill add that age caught up with him already. 2010 was a down year for him, he wasnt terrible, but if he isnt better in 2011 (and i doubt he will be) he will be a big weakness in that lineup.
T for Texas
December 22nd, 2010
12:26 pm
The only thing that would provide equity is a capped payroll for all of MLB – and we know that ain’t happening anytime soon.
I think they could work it out with the Union, but along with the payroll cap there would have to be a floor that teams couldn’t spend below.
Am I the only one who looks at Cliff Lee’s stats and doesn’t see the “ace” part?
I posted about this a while back. His ERA and wins are pretty mediocre. His WHIP and SO/BB ratio are outstanding, at least for the last three years.
DAP
December 22nd, 2010
12:27 pm
16 homers and a .793 OPS isnt exactly what the phillies were hoping for in 636 PA from their $12mil left fielder last year.
its not a terrible line, but its certainly not great for a leftfielder, and especially for one making $12mil and batting 5th. he probably wont get much better at age 39, either.
N8
December 22nd, 2010
12:28 pm
I think Lee is a good match for the NL. Add to that, anybody who followed Braves baseball in the 90’s know that those guys feed off of each other. Denny Neagle had far and away his best season of his career while in Atlanta as their 4th starter, as opposed to being the Ace on another team (and a crappy team at that).
While on paper the Phillies have 4 aces. All 4 of them have the luxury of relaxing, knowing that the other 3 guys will have their back if they have an off night.
It’s similar to having Chipper in the 3-hole with McGriff, Javy Lopez and Justice behind him. Rather than McCann, A-Gone and Infante.
When a rotation or lineup has depth and QUALITY depth, it does wonders for production all the way around imo. No pressure on one guy and one guy alone to do all the dirty work.
Ted M
December 22nd, 2010
12:30 pm
Thx again OJ…can’t believe he has the Milwaukee Brewers rotation ranked 6th best.
Murph
December 22nd, 2010
12:32 pm
DAP, I agree… W/L record isn’t exactly a good indicator of “ace” status. To me an “ace” is a consistently dominant pitcher… Hamels in those 2 years was consistently dominant despite not getting the kind of run support needed for a 20-win season.
Compare him to Tommy Hanson’s 2 seasons. Hanson was also dominant, but not consistently. If he can avoid the 8 run blowups and maintain the level he’s pitched at for his 2 (more like 1.5) seasons then I think it’s safe to say Hanson is an “ace” in the making.
Ted M
December 22nd, 2010
12:34 pm
DAP – Ibanez did have a down year in 2010 but he was great 2nd half after a terrible first half.
He won’t have a 2nd like last year.
ryan c
December 22nd, 2010
12:40 pm
Murph…
WAR is probably the most important stat in the business. Cliff Lee, as a starting pitcher in 2010, had a 7.1 WAR, which is good for first in the Majors. Roy Halladay was 2nd (Roy Oswalt was 15th and Cole Hamels was 34th). Technically, that’s 3 aces and one #2 starter.
Here’s Cliff’s rankings the last 3 years according to WAR:
2010: 1st
2009: 6th
2008:4th
He’s an ace. Think about who we consider aces on our staff and understand that none of our pitchers came close to Cliff Lee’s stats the past 3 years. And, what’s more depressing, take the last 3 years into effect and guess who is #1 and #2 according to WAR….
Roy Halladay: 21.5 WAR
Cliff Lee: 20.9 WAR
LawDawg
December 22nd, 2010
12:41 pm
no love for Girl Talk’s ‘all day’? Such an awesome album. mashup of lil john and simon & garfunkel is awesome.
al
December 22nd, 2010
12:48 pm
DOB, check out “In Evening Air” by Future Islands, a North Carolina indie band….my fav album of the year….kinda new wave-ish with a singer that sounds like a cross between Tom Waits and Glen Danzig
peace and go braves 2011
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
12:49 pm
I don’t have much disagreement with Buster on his rotation rankings, but I’d have Atlanta and St. Louis ahead of Detroit and Milwaukee.
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
12:52 pm
Braverson111: There’s no rush on signing Prado long-term. I agree it would probably be a good move now, but also don’t see any reason the Braves wouldn’t wait another year to see him have a full, healthy season and see how he adapts to left field and what their needs look like at various positions going forward after this season. He’s only first-time arb-eligible, after all.
Slowhiteguy
December 22nd, 2010
12:53 pm
DOB , agreed. I thought Detroit was way too high. I am not sure I would even include them in the tope ten. Verlander is a stud..but to me the rest of the rotation questionable.
LJ
December 22nd, 2010
12:53 pm
rankings are fun, but it is December, we’ll see how it actually shakes out.
I Gave Her Undertaker eyes
December 22nd, 2010
12:53 pm
I thought B.o.B. album saved hiphop
Slowhiteguy
December 22nd, 2010
12:54 pm
I would probably take the Marlins rotation over the Tigers. Just saying.
richbrave
December 22nd, 2010
12:56 pm
DAP
December 22nd, 2010
11:46 am
richbrave Besides, I think the “win at any cost” mentality has passed away.
what makes you think that? the $200+ mil payroll?
No DAP, GEORGE STEINBRENNER………
Murph
December 22nd, 2010
12:57 pm
I’m not much of a Sabermetrics guy, so this talk of WAR and FIP is confusing to me. In my understanding IP plays a part in determining a pitcher’s WAR… so in looking at this last season for Cliff Lee, would his two CG losses skew his WAR? He went 9 in a game he lost 6-1 and 9 in a game he lost 4-1.
Ted M
December 22nd, 2010
12:58 pm
me too DOB
DAP
December 22nd, 2010
12:59 pm
rich brave, haha, gotcha.
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
1:00 pm
Am I the only one who looks at Cliff Lee’s stats and doesn’t see the “ace” part? He had two good seasons, one in 2005 and one in 2008. The rest of his career has been pretty mediocre. His ERA is a lot closer to 4 than it is to 3… the only thing that really jumps out at me is his IP, which averages over 200 per year. — Murph
Lee has been a different pitcher the past three seasons than previoiusly in his career, and the past three years are obviously more relevant because it is what he is now. He’s 32, so he should be able to maintain his current form, or close to it, for at least a few more years.
Compare his stats to Zack Greinke’s over the past three seasons, and tell me who’s more an ace.
Edge
December 22nd, 2010
1:04 pm
On the CD List I gotta call BS on Kanye West being included. doesn’t deserve to be on the list.
Also if you like Jamey Johnson that much, would suggest you checking out Jefferson native Brantley Gilbert, Jason Aldean currently has one of his songs poppified on the radio in My Kinda Party.
Gilbert is pretty solid country artist that actually sounds country and can be heard in Kick it In the Sticks doing something no one else has ever done so well….combining hard rock and country together.
I Gave Her Undertaker eyes
December 22nd, 2010
1:06 pm
^^^Edge I thought kanye had the albm of the year…very good album way better than 808s and heartbreak
UKUGA
December 22nd, 2010
1:10 pm
Anyone watch the Rex Ryan foot fetish videos and can tell me what the story is?
Anders, I’m looking your direction.
Murph
December 22nd, 2010
1:10 pm
Compare his stats to Zack Greinke’s over the past three seasons, and tell me who’s more an ace.
Oh, I never said Zack Greinke is an ace. If anything I’ve been questioning his “ace” status on here more than anyone. I don’t buy into his hype at all. I partially buy into Lee’s hype, although I don’t think he’s nearly as good as Halladay, despite whatever WAR or FIP numbers people throw at me.
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
1:10 pm
Murph, we agree on Zack, then. For others who might be curious, here are the stats for Lee and Greinke over the past three seasons (2008-2010):
Cliff Lee went 47-25 with a 2.96 ERA in 92 starts, with 17 complete games and five shutouts. He had a .255 opponents’ average with 533 strikeouts and 95 walks in 659 innings, and received 4.97 support runs per nine innings pitched in that period (and put up those numbers while pitching for four different teams, two in each league).
Zack Greinke went 39-32 with a 3.25 ERA in 98 starts, with 10 complete games and three shutouts. He had a .249 opponents’ average with 606 strikeouts and 162 walks in 651-2/3 innings, and received 4.43 support runs per nine innings pitched in that period (probably not nearly as low as some would suspect, right?).
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
1:14 pm
What are the huge differences that jump out to you about these 2 guys? Besides their ages.
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
1:16 pm
al, I actually bought that Future Islands album about a week ago at Decatur CD, after hearing some great things about that band. I hadn’t heard it before, but glad I got it. It’s strong. Could’ve made my list; the last 10 or so were so difficult to pick.
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
1:19 pm
Compare his stats to Zack Greinke’s over the past three seasons, and tell me who’s more an ace.
______AGE__W-L___G_GS_CG_SHO__ERA____IP__SO__BB_HR__WHIP_ERA+
Cliff 031 48-25 93 93 17 005 2.98 667.1 536 095 45 1.122 142
Zack. 026 39-32 98 98 10 003 3.25 651.2 606 162 50 1.194 133
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
1:22 pm
Arkansas Transplant, I wasn’t implying there were huge differences. Only one that jumps out is Lee’s been more consistent. Greinke had the one terrific season in 2009, posting a 2.16 ERA and otherwordly 1.073 WHIP between seasons of still-strong 3.47/1.275 in 2008 and 4.17/1.245 in 2010. He had 61 fewer strikeouts in only nine fewer innings last season than in 2009.
TennesseePaul
December 22nd, 2010
1:26 pm
He had 61 fewer strikeouts in only nine fewer innings last season than in 2009.
I read that article where he said he reduced the number of times he through his slider, I think it was, so as to save his arm for a different team. For whatever that is worth.
I was a bit surprised to see the two as close as they were. The career numbers are fairly similar as well. While Cliff has age against him, Zack has mental issues… so the futures could be similarly foggy…. in that if one were to argue Cliff, at his age, doesn’t have a potential of many more great years, Zack with his issues could very well have the same potential duration, despite his youth.
Edge
December 22nd, 2010
1:26 pm
UKUGA, I guess I put more stock into lyric and being from rural GA, I relate better to non-hip hop/r&b artists, plus Kanye is just an asshat all around that I refuse to listen to unless he happens to come on radio in my wife’s car, where I’m not allowed to change the station…
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
1:29 pm
Lee has definitely shown that he can take his game anywhere and consistently be expected to produce on or above levels he was expected to produce on.
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
1:29 pm
If that makes any sense?
Edge
December 22nd, 2010
1:30 pm
And to go with Baseball Argument. The Phillies have 2 late bloomers in Halladay and Lee, just took them some time to develop into what they are. Lee doesn’t have to be the Ace. They are like the Braves of the 90s somewhat, doesn’t matter who starts opening day.
I do however question the health of Oswalt who has been in a bit of a decline and am not certain he can be counted on to eat 200 innings now-a-days. Hamels is on again, off again type. Could he be set to have another bad year this year?
Lee is easily the best lefty in the game at the moment. Halladay, depends on how you look at him. Advanced Stats don’t really credit Groundball pitchers like him and Tim Hudson but simple stats are just as flawed so He’s up there, not sure if he’s all that simple stat viewers want to make him out to be. But he is good and he has a bulldog type work ethic and eats a ton of innings.
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
1:30 pm
So DOB, you dropped my 80 combined wins down just 8 to 72 ? I’m a Braves fan. I just face reality instead of being a Braves homer. I’ll split the difference with you big Dave and go with 108 Phillies wins if you care to continue the gentleman’s wager ? – Trickster
Wait, this morning you said 118 wins for the Phillies, and I said they’d be closer to 100 than 118. Now you’re saying 108?
By tomorrow will you have it at 98 wins for the Phillies?
Arkansas Transplant
December 22nd, 2010
1:30 pm
TennesseePaul,
Are you a lawyer? lol
Edge
December 22nd, 2010
1:32 pm
and according to advanced Stats, if Greinke is an ace…then you have to be willing to toss Tommy Hanson into that conversation too because he has a better FIP, xFIP than Greinke.
Over the past 4 years Greinke was between 6-7th in FIP and xFIP, so unless you are saying there are only 5-6 aces (including Big Red in that) in the majors then Greinke has to be an ace pitcher
Edge
December 22nd, 2010
1:34 pm
Anyone saying the Phillies got better…yes the pitching did, but they Lost Werth, gonna have to rely on a rookie. Can Jimmy Rollins and Polanco stay healthy? Can Ruiz put up another year like he did this year? How far back from the hip injury can Chase Utley come because consensus is that he most likely won’t ever be able to fully recover from it. How long before Ibanez and Victorino finally get exposed as the overrated players that they truly are?
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
1:34 pm
Speaking of music, all you CD-buying fans in Atlanta should try to get over to the Paste Magazine offices in Decatur before 4 p.m. They’re moving offices to smaller place, and dumping thousands of CDs at just $2 a pop. I found some great stuff this morning, and there weren’t many people there (though one guy cleaned out an impressive REM section before I could even check it out). They’ve got tons of rock, Americana, some jazz and hip-hop, etc.
Their offices are on E. College, just past Commerce and next to the Corner Pub.
GTSteve
December 22nd, 2010
1:40 pm
I could use a Corner Pub about now
ryan c
December 22nd, 2010
1:44 pm
2010….
Werth WAR: 5.0
Lee WAR: 7.1
Yes, they got better. Also, this process weeds out their #5 pitcher. Making this move probably added 4-5 wins for the season. At this point, they are probably a 103 win team.
Efrim
December 22nd, 2010
1:52 pm
I think Greinke is an ace. 3.25 ERA close to 700 innings in the American League isn’t an ace? You people have high standards for that then. How many starters under 30 would you have over Greinke? I think there are pitchers better than him, for sure, but the list isn’t as long as some here think.
T for Texas
December 22nd, 2010
1:55 pm
How long before Ibanez and Victorino finally get exposed as the overrated players that they truly are?
I don’t know that I would throw Victorino into the overrated category. He has had an OPS+ over 100 for the last three years and plays a mean CF. I had always thought of him as underrated on that Phillies team just because there are so many guys he takes a backseat to–but then again over or underrated would be dependent on how you see them rated in the first place, very subjective.
Lemke's Knuckleball
December 22nd, 2010
1:57 pm
Comparing the schedules next year, Braves and Phillies each play interleague games against the Mariners, Blue Jays and Rangers. The Braves also play the Angels and Orioles while the Phillies play the A’s and Red Sox. So through that alone, I would say the Braves should have a 2-3 game advantage.
Also, comparing the NL out of division games for each…
Braves: Padres (9), Rockies (8), Brewers (8), Dodgers (7), Giants (7), Cubs (7), D-Backs (5)…all other teams 6 games.
Phillies: Cardinals (9), Reds (8), Padres (8), Brewers (7), Cubs (7), Giants (7), Rockies (5)…all other teams 6 games.
Just based on the Phillies playing the Cards 9 times, even though the Braves play 3 more against the Rockies, I think preliminary there is a 1-2 game advantage there as well.
So there’s some optimism for you, I have given the Braves a 3-5 game advantage over the Phillies based on the schedule variances. Does that close up the gap for the number of wins the Phillies gained by signing Lee?
bravesgrl4life
December 22nd, 2010
1:57 pm
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Braves Fans and Blog Denziens, and, of course, to the Master, DOB!
I miss chatting with everyone during this off season, but aside from the Uggla trade, it’s been pretty boring. Can’t wait to rejoin the fray in February when ST starts up!
MFin04
December 22nd, 2010
2:00 pm
Sure is a lot of hate for an “easy” 95-100 win team that will win the NL East and more than likely have the most wins in the NL this year.
I get it, the Phillies are in our division and are a “rival”, but just because they are better than us doesn’t mean we don’t have potential to be a great team.
Murph
December 22nd, 2010
2:00 pm
http://www.fangraphs.com/teams.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&type=8&season=2010&month=0
To my unSaber’d mind it appears WAR doesn’t exactly predict or dictate ultimate success. Seems about as useful as assigning odds to the ponies at the track.
Gotta love the human factor in sports.
Efrim
December 22nd, 2010
2:03 pm
Gotta love the human factor in sports.
Yup, heart is all that matters. Get me a bunch of Francoeur’s and Bob Wickman’s to go to battle with…..
MFin04
December 22nd, 2010
2:03 pm
Braves have played well versus the Phillies 3 out of the last 4 years. The key is that the Braves are going to need to beat the Mets, Marlins, and Nats consistently.
8-10 vs the Phillies in 2010
10-8 vs the Phillies in 2009
4-14 vs the Phillies in 2008
9-9 vs the Phillies in 2007
Hillbilly
December 22nd, 2010
2:06 pm
I wanna jump but I’m afraid I’ll fall.
Hillbilly
December 22nd, 2010
2:06 pm
I wanna holler but the joint’s too small.
Jay Blaisdell
December 22nd, 2010
2:12 pm
Dave; you’re defense of the Braves with regard to how they and their East Div. rivals fared in the off-season market reads a little bit too much like you’re sitting in Wren’s lap. Would appreciate a more skeptical over-view rather than a pom-pom response.
Also; no man your age should have that long a musical list. It’s a bit too precious in its overt hipness.
T for Texas
December 22nd, 2010
2:15 pm
Easy there, Jay. Lap sitting, pom pom and precious make for an awful antagonistic post that has little basis.
cabravesfan
December 22nd, 2010
2:16 pm
Would appreciate a more skeptical over-view …
One would actually have to be skeptical in order to have a skeptical view…
The A Bomb
December 22nd, 2010
2:17 pm
Braves maxed out at 106 wins in ‘98 WITH 5 pitchers above 16 wins….
So don’t rush to judgment about Philly.
ALSO: Teams in the ’90s feared the Braves for whatever reason — maybe because each hurler got an extra 12 inches on the plate. No NL East team fears the Phillies.
Only given is Halladay. The other 3 are solid but not in the Halladay/Maddux automatic mode.
Let this thing play out. I’ll bet anyone we’re in serious striking distance on Labor Day.
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 22nd, 2010
2:17 pm
Not sure where I saw it, but believe Greinke has best WAR of any pitcher last year or few. Agreed not Maddux, but think he’s getting slighted a little bit too much on this blog. If payroll were not a factor (I know it was), I think Braves would’ve been foolish not to pursue him especially given where they are right now (legit contender w/ 4-6 others). Prospects are better referred to as SUSPECTS.
Carl
December 22nd, 2010
2:21 pm
“Anyone saying the Phillies got better…yes the pitching did, but they Lost Werth, gonna have to rely on a rookie. Can Jimmy Rollins and Polanco stay healthy? Can Ruiz put up another year like he did this year? How far back from the hip injury can Chase Utley come because consensus is that he most likely won’t ever be able to fully recover from it. How long before Ibanez and Victorino finally get exposed as the overrated players that they truly are?”
The Giants won 92 games last year with a lineup that lacked speed and power. The Braves won 91 games last year with a lineup that lacked speed and power How did both teams do that? With great pitching. Guess what…now the Phils have great pitching. As much as I hate to say it, the Phils are going to run away with this division even with a “decline” from Rollins which I don’t see happening because he’s in a contract year and players tend to play better in contract years.
Phillistein
December 22nd, 2010
2:23 pm
Greetings and salutations from the City of Brotherly Love.
Well, you guys sure are obsessing over the Phillies rotation. I think if you continue to rationalize about it (them) you can almost convince yourselves.
Indeed, the Phillies have some issues; no righty power, no lefties in the bullpen, gettin a little old, offensive droughts.
However, if you’re going to have these issues it pays to have lights out pitching. And however you want to slice, dice, rationalize, the history of these 4 points to having a very solid rotation.
The issue with the Braves is thus:
1. Phillies
2. Braves
3. Marlins
4. Nats
5. Mutts
You’re NOT going to win the division. Just as every Phillie phan who visited you guys last year told you you weren’t going to win it in 2010.
The issue however, is that the WC WON’T come from the East in 2011. Both the Cardinals and the Brewers are going to give the Reds a serious run for the Central.
So, win the East or….go fishing in October.
Just my two cents
DAP
December 22nd, 2010
2:26 pm
edge, not sure i can agree with your assessment of the phils rotation. i certainly wouldnt call halladay a late bloomer, not sure where you got that. you might could consider lee one. and roy oswalt has not shown decline. he out pitched lee last season, and had yet another 200+ inning campaign. one season with an ERA just over 4.00 (a run higher than his lifetime ERA, by the way) does not make him in decline.
t for texas He has had an OPS+ over 100 for the last three years and plays a mean CF.
up until last year, he had roughly the same career as nate mclouth. id say he is a little overrated, but not a bad player.
Phillistein
December 22nd, 2010
2:27 pm
P.S. I picked the Nats over the Mutts cuz y’know….they got (cough) Ankiel
robb
December 22nd, 2010
2:28 pm
DOB, the Cold War Kids 2010 EP was immensely better than album #2 and much closer to Robbers & Cowards. They have a third full length due in Mar so that will be interesting. Any thoughts on Morning Benders or Broken Bells’ 2010 offerings?
T for Texas
December 22nd, 2010
2:31 pm
DAP–My perspective on VIctorino is that any CF, SS, or C that plays superior defense and contributes offensively at an above average level is a very valuable player. The same reasoning applies to refuting the arguments to trade McCann, although his value hinges more on offense, handling the pitching staff, and intangibles more than outright defensive prowess.
glove51
December 22nd, 2010
2:35 pm
Not even an honorable mention for the new one from The Hold Steady? I really liked that one. Was Spoon’s Transference on your list? I agree with you 100% on Black Keys being the best record of 2010. The were gerat in conert at The Cain’s Ballroom a couple of months back.
I don’t listen to enough new stuff anymore to rate a top 50 (or even 25 probably). I was mildly disappointed in my man Elvis’new disc, but he always, always keeps it interesting. Also thought Ryan Bingham’s new record was a slight disappointment.
Thanks for putting out the list and doing the blog and keeping it interesting. You (and Carroll) do a great job. Have a Merry Christmas.
Steve
December 22nd, 2010
2:40 pm
.
daniel buck
December 22nd, 2010
2:43 pm
I hope that Ted Turner will one day find the passion for baseball that would coax him into purchasing the Braves once again.. It will probably not happen but I remember a Christmas holiday in the early 90’s in which I heard a breaking news story on ESPN saying that “The Atlanta Braves have signed Cy Young award winner Greg Maddux to a contract”… I miss hearing things like that!!!!
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
2:48 pm
Speaking of Greinke, Joe Posnanski wrote a great story about him last week. Poz has covered Greinke since he was a minor leaguer:
http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2010/12/being-there-with-greinke.html
beekay
December 22nd, 2010
2:51 pm
Kanye doesn’t like white people. Drake and Em had much better albums on the rap side.
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
2:51 pm
glove51, that was just an oversight on The Hold Steady, and has been corrected (as I wrote, I always allow myself one or two like that immediately after I put that list out). Thanks for pointing it out. I had it in my top 50, and in swapping places with another CD and moving it lower, I messed up and dropped it off altogether. Not intentional. I really like that CD, have played it to death. It’s on there now.
Agreed on the Ryan Bingham CD. Really disappointing for me. Mescalito was a terrific CD, then Roadhouse Sun was quite good, too. But this year’s Junky Star was just mediocre and pretty boring. Costello’s CD this year was good, not great, I thought.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
December 22nd, 2010
2:52 pm
Cab – ya know…that *purse/handbag* convo you and TnBrian had a blog or so back….
I’ve always been a sucker for an attractive woman with a sexy leather purse/handbag hanging down off her shoulder. Kinda gives that extra special thing to her attractiveness….to me, anyway.
Kind of like…when ya have a regular bowl of cereal….but ya had some fruit to it. I know kind of a corny way to look at it…but ya can’t argue with it.
Bat Masterson
December 22nd, 2010
2:54 pm
Rollins which I don’t see happening because he’s in a contract year and players tend to play better in contract years. _ Carl
One in recent memory that did not: Andruw Jones
Nick
December 22nd, 2010
3:01 pm
Olney usually jizzes in his pants over the Braves. Surprised he had their rotation 8th. I’d put them at 6 or so.
ryan c
December 22nd, 2010
3:01 pm
Murph, you showed offensive stats only. There is pitching you know…
cabravesfan
December 22nd, 2010
3:03 pm
Frank-
sorry- my current bag is not leather…it’s really pretty though
cabravesfan
December 22nd, 2010
3:04 pm
not that you (or I)were implying anything there…didn’t mean it that way
UKUGA
December 22nd, 2010
3:04 pm
Daniel Buck,
I don’t think Ted Turner has the money to buy the Braves. He gave a billion to the U.N., y’know?
Bat Masterson
December 22nd, 2010
3:07 pm
I hope that Ted Turner will one day find the passion for baseball that would coax him into purchasing the Braves once again. _ daniel buck
Not likely daniel…………….
Ted Turner said he has given so much of his money away that he is “almost to the edge of Poverty.” Speaking on Wednesday’s “Morning Joe,” Turner said he has, at most, a few million dollars left (not exactly everyone’s definition of Poverty, but a far cry from his purported Billionaire status.) The media mogul, well known for his Philanthropy (most notably his $1 billion pledge to the United Nations), said he “loved” giving money away “while [he] could do it.
cabravesfan
December 22nd, 2010
3:10 pm
make it go away…make it go away…make it go away…
Crime Dog
December 22nd, 2010
3:11 pm
What’s that smell?
ward
December 22nd, 2010
3:12 pm
I think the Phillies will win 94 games,and the Braves will win the division by 1 game.Lee wins 16 Ozwalt wins 12, Cole wins 14, and Halladay wins 18. Lidge is older, and not consistant at times, and the Phillies offense is weakened, also the bull pen is weak too. Thats my prediction, and it could happen.Nobody has to agree.
,christopher,chance
December 22nd, 2010
3:13 pm
Efrim………….I love your 2:03pm post, lol.
You forgot to add Buddy Carlyle and Greg Norton to your “go to battle with” list, lol!
Jake W.
December 22nd, 2010
3:13 pm
You’re NOT going to win the division. Just as every Phillie phan who visited you guys last year told you you weren’t going to win it in 2010.
But didn’t these very same philly phans guarantee us that their team would make it to back to back to back world series and in doing so stamp a place in history? Damn, what is the world coming to when you can’t take a philly phan’s word as gold.
monty
December 22nd, 2010
3:14 pm
Here’s the deal, if by some chance the Braves had obtained Lee instead of Philly, 99% of bloggers would have said, “We now have the best starters in baseball as a collective whole.” But the Phillies got him and now they don’t have the best? I don’t get it.
Lee would be an ace for us, but not for Philly? That’s fuzzy math.
N8
December 22nd, 2010
3:14 pm
Trickster & DOB:
I’m standing by my prediction that I’ve made (though slightly vague) since the Phillies signed Lee. I honestly think the Phillies will win somewhere between 100-106 games and the Braves will also improve to the mid-90’s (94-96) in the W column.
I think the Phillies will “run away” with the division like some have said, and I think the Braves have an excellent chance (with some health and Kimbrel/Venters handling the closer’s role with relative ease), to run away with the Wild Card.
Now, a couple of things could happen to change both of those scenarios. If the Braves manage to handle the Philles. Say winning 75% of the head to head games, they could win the division. I’ve said multiple time that it’s my belief that the Phillies having that rotation is going to allow them to destroy the bottom of the barrel of competition (just like the Braves did in the 90’s).
That to me is going to be the difference in the division. I just think with that rotation, no matter how good the Braves will be (and I think the Braves will improve on their 91 win season of 2010), the Phillies are going to be 5-10 games better than the Braves over 162 games.
The other thing that could factor in is if Chipper is a non-factor, moving Prado to 3rd and leaving a gaping hole in LF, and Venters/Kimbrel fail miserably at closing, the Braves could be in a massive dogfight for the wild card.
I think the Giants will dominate the West. Leaving, imo, the Dodgers as the only real threat to compete for the WC out of the West.
The Cardinals, the Reds and Brewers are going to battle for the Central, leaving the other two as the main WC competition for the Braves, of course the Mets or Nats could surprisingly contend for WC.
I think SD and Arizona are going to be non-factors. I think Houston, the Cubs are going to be non-factors. And in the East I expect the Marlins to be compettive (they always are), but they’ve just given up too much proven talent to ligitmately compete for the WC. The Nats could either be really good, or just more of the same (same boat as the Marlins).
I think the NL Central having 3 really good teams in the Brewers, Cubs and Reds will hurt the two that don’t win the division in the WC standings because in theory they will likely be very competitive with each other and possiibly hinder their WC chances.
It’s a theory. Nothing more. But one I think I’ve used some logic in coming to.
That being said, there likely will be one team that fails to meet expectations (could be the Braves), and likely will be one team (or 2) that exceeds expectations, like the Reds and Padres did last year. Happens every year.
When I say “run away” with the WC, I mean that I think the Braves will win it by 3-4 games. Which is a big gap for WC winners in the NL if you look at recent history. That doesn’t mean that it won’t be in doubt entering September. I just don’t think it will come down to the last weekend or that there will be the need for a possible one game playoff for the WC.
There is more of a chance of a one game playoff or a tie-breaker scenario in the NL Central if you ask me.
But 118 wins for the Phillies? Highly unlikely.
UKUGA
December 22nd, 2010
3:15 pm
Speaking of Labor Day . . .
Braves open a 3 game set in Philly on that very day.
Then, they close the season with 3 games at home against the Phils.
The last two years, the Braves have struggled in their late season games against Philly.
This year, we’ll get a chance to reverse the trend, and really make it count for something.
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
3:15 pm
I didn’t realize that newcomer Yohan Flande, the lefty signed as a six-year minor league free agent, pitched in the 2009 Futures Game. Found a picture and posted it in the blog near bottom.
T for Texas
December 22nd, 2010
3:15 pm
Great article by Posnanski on Greinke. Thanks for the link, Dave.
jim
December 22nd, 2010
3:15 pm
I look at 2011 as a transition year for the Braves. They may or may not win as many games as last year and may or may not make the playoffs, but would be unlikely to advance 3 rounds if the do. 2012 looks like a much more realistic year for them to do well.
The Braves may have an opportunity to make either a substantial move, or a major move toward 2012 at the trading deadline. If Teheran and or Delgado are tearing it up at AAA, the Braves could trade JJ or Lowe to a team desperate for one more starter and get either a missing piece for 2011 if they are still a viable contender for the playoffs, or a nearly ML ready prospect for 2012 to fill one of the voids we all know so well on this blog. By the mid year deadline we will have a more realistic idea of what Schafer, Mather, Young and some of the other longshots signed this winter are capable of producing, what the status with Chipper will be, and what the most urgent needs that need addressing.
Bat Masterson
December 22nd, 2010
3:15 pm
make it go away…make it go away…make it go away…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g9WjcGdxuM
ward
December 22nd, 2010
3:16 pm
How is evrery one ? The Braves could win Division too, and lot would have to happen for the Braves too.Philly, and Braves down to the wire again…
Jake W.
December 22nd, 2010
3:16 pm
,christopher,chance
Hey, dude if you don’t like his blog or his rules there are literally thousands of other blogs out there for you to take your opinions. Find one, and be happy.
N8
December 22nd, 2010
3:17 pm
In my last post I stated:
“I think the NL Central having 3 really good teams in the Brewers, Cubs and Reds….”
Obviously, I meant to say Brewers, Cards and Reds. Not the Cubs.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
December 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
Cab – re: your 3:10 p.m…….LOLOLOLOL
as for your 3:04 p.m……yep, I gottcha
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
3:19 pm
Monty: To be clear, I absolutely view Cliff Lee as an ace. To me, he’s more of one than Greinke because of the consistency that Lee has produced over the past few years.
T for Texas
December 22nd, 2010
3:19 pm
Funny SFX, Bat.
ward
December 22nd, 2010
3:20 pm
We shall see little Philly fans . We shall see… …..Braves are just as good, and I say the teams are even …….Down to the wire this year……Philly fans always over confident……Don’t you think!
ward
December 22nd, 2010
3:21 pm
Let’s just see how well Lee does under presure with his greedy contact…..
Leo
December 22nd, 2010
3:22 pm
Here is my proof that Bonds never used steroids:
1. Bonds has ALWAYS tested CLEAN.
2. EIGHT years of a FEDERAL investigation has more than confirmed that NO evidence concerning Bonds and steroids exists.
3. Bonds had his best offensive seasons in 2002-2004 WHILE testing clean, WHILE he and BALCO were the most scrutinized people on earth.
Whats the case against him?
Well, lets see, its not the the major news sources all haven’t lied that Bonds ADMITTED taking steroids. They release the entire grand jury transcript right in their face.
Its not like the judges have already called out the Feds for making up evidence three times, once trying to pass B.B. for three Bonds (the Feds response was “we didn’t know B.B. could stand for something other than Barry Bonds”), and testing ANONYMOUS samples for substances banned AFTER the Grand Jury Testimonies.
Its not like judges have not accepted ONE piece of evidence from the Feds yet, and have even gone as far as calling their “evidence” (and I quote) “inadmissable heresay”.
Its not like almost every other major player in the MLB has been caught taking steroids EXCEPT Bonds. They even complained that Bonds was taking “undetectable steroids” LMAO. When the Feds investigation ONLY Bonds.
Its not like they spent 5 years and millions of tax dollars to investigate the Clear and the Cream, only to find out TWO WEEKS before the trial that it wasn’t even classified as a steroid during the Grand Jury testimonies.
Its not like they very publically accused Bonds of cheating in 2001, THEN made the rule that steroids was considered cheating in the MLB in 2002 AFTER calling Bonds a cheater. And just four years before when McGwire AND Sosa shattered a then 40 year old HR record, with McGwire OPENLY on PEDs, they called the “the “SAVIOR of baseball”.
They claimed that they were concerned about Bonds and steroids after Bonds broke the record because they wanted to preserve “the sanctity of the game”. And just a couple of years before, they juiced the balls and lowered the mounds for the very reason of “seeing more balls fly out of the park”.
And its not like the MLB continues to treat ARod like a hero when he was been CAUGHT taking steroids this year, after the ALWAYS lied about NOT taking steroids before.
And now they celebrate the Yankees full of PROVEN steroid users winning the championship.
Thoughts?
BAM
T for Texas
December 22nd, 2010
3:22 pm
I think I had some Yohan Flande for desert once at a French restaurant in NYC.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
December 22nd, 2010
3:23 pm
Cab – ya know, he’s like that pain in your behind you just can NOT get rid of
LOL
ward
December 22nd, 2010
3:23 pm
DOB: I just don’t see Lee winning no more than 16 games this year!
N8
December 22nd, 2010
3:23 pm
I agree on the Lee vs. Greinke debate DOB
Here’s the thing from my angle. With Greinke’s possible anxiety issues, Milwaukee is a perfect place for him. Close to KC as far as mid-range market and still close to the mid-west, as far as media coverage compared to the big market/east coast teams. But….
Being traded for to be THE ACE of the Brewers might get to him. He’s the “missing piece” to push that rotation to the elite status. And rightfully so. He’s that good (or can be that good).
But what if the Phillies had traded for him instead of Lee? That might have been a better fit for him being the “4th Ace” on an already stellar staff, even though it’s in a big market and on the east coast, rather than being asked to be “the man” on a team with playoff aspirations.
Hard to say. I’m sure he’ll be fine with the switch to the NL and playing for the Brewers. But it’s an interesting angle/debate to ponder.
ward
December 22nd, 2010
3:25 pm
What are all these essays? I feel like i’m in school, and school sucks!
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
3:25 pm
N8: It’s way early and a lot can happen, but I generally agree with your 3:14 p.m. assessment of the NL and how the divisions and wild-card could shake out.
ward
December 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
N8: Just a small joke before Christmas……See you guy’s later, and peace my friends.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
December 22nd, 2010
3:27 pm
Leo re: your 3:22 p.m.
SI.com ran a picture timeline, eariler this decade (can’t remember exactly when….02? 03? 04?) of Bonds….from his first year as a Pirate to his current year (at the time of the timeline). You could tell he’d been using roids for quite sometime.
He was MUCH bigger than he was when he was a rookie with the Bucs….and it wasn’t that he worked out with just weights, etc. You could easily tell he’d been using roids.
N8
December 22nd, 2010
3:28 pm
You’re absolutely right about it being too early to predict. Way too many factors that can change all of it.
But it’s December and I’m bored. If my Chiefs actually get into the playoffs, I’ll have something else to think about for a couple of weeks, but for now….
N8
December 22nd, 2010
3:29 pm
Ward, no offense taken. It’s what I do. I type what I’m thinking. More often than not it gets too long. But very rarely does anybody ask me to clarify my point.
monty
December 22nd, 2010
3:31 pm
DOB
My comments weren’t directed at you. Your points were spot on.
cabravesfan
December 22nd, 2010
3:33 pm
Frank-
it makes my head hurt…
Venice Jim
December 22nd, 2010
3:34 pm
Quick on the delete button…
cabravesfan
December 22nd, 2010
3:38 pm
That’s what happens when someone insults our McFann
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
December 22nd, 2010
3:38 pm
Cab – oh yeah, and I’m guessing…a few other things too
LOL
McFann O O
December 22nd, 2010
3:39 pm
Hi, bravesgrl4life! LONG time no see—how are things? Merry Christmas! Sorry I missed you when you were on here.
aside from the Uggla trade, it’s been pretty boring.
True that. But we had a big fight about why BMac should not be traded last weekend, so that helped.
Bat Masterson
December 22nd, 2010
3:41 pm
Thoughts?
BAM _ Leo
I suppose so.
thought n.
The act or process of thinking; cogitation.
A product of thinking. See synonyms at idea.
The faculty of thinking or reasoning.
The intellectual activity or production of a particular time or group: ancient Greek thought; deconstructionist thought.
Consideration; attention: didn’t give much thought to what she said.
Intention; purpose: There was no thought of coming home early.
Expectation or conception: She had no thought that anything was wrong.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
December 22nd, 2010
3:42 pm
N8 – a few comments back….you said the Chiefs have a 2 game lead over the SD……it’s a 1 game lead, if I’m not mistaken
Bat Masterson
December 22nd, 2010
3:43 pm
T for Texas_
Thanks
Salt Lake Brave
December 22nd, 2010
3:43 pm
Has anyone seen True Grit yet? I love westerns and can’t wait to see this. Thinking of taking the wife tonight.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
December 22nd, 2010
3:45 pm
Salt Lake Brave – I’m a HUGE John Wayne fan…..and I don’t believe THIS version of True Grit will ever come close to the original.
Salt Lake Brave
December 22nd, 2010
3:48 pm
I to love John Wayne. But would you believe I have never seen the original. I grew up with Clint Eastwood westerns and judge every western accordingly
abwright
December 22nd, 2010
3:48 pm
N8 … could you clarify your 3:14?
Bat Masterson
December 22nd, 2010
3:52 pm
Ask N8 to clarify a point?
Ha, I’m no masochist .
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
3:52 pm
Which part? There’s 15 paragraphs
abwright
December 22nd, 2010
3:57 pm
Whenever you try to handicap a baseball season, you have to realize that injuries, underperformances, and unplanned events will have a greater impact over 162 than payroll or the Spring Training 25 man roster.
Frank Wren did a great job in 2010 to build a good team and a fantastic bench. So, the Braves were able to fill in competently when the starters went down. 2011 looks more like a year when Braves fans better hope the starters play 162. The starting 9 look better in 2011 than in 2010, but the 2011 backups look extremely scrub-like.
I don’t know enough about the 40 man on the various MLB teams to make any reasonable assessment on how well those teams will hold up with a major injury.
For instance, if the Phils have to trade Blanton to make room for Lee’s salary and then, say, Oswalt goes down for 30 games. How do the Phils do with Kendrick/Whomever for that stretch?
If one of the Braves’s five man goes down, Braves have a decent back up and, as the Braves get towards mid-summer, they have some top prospects on the cusp. For instance, what if Lowe goes down and Teheran is ready to debut? Braves might see a step up in performance.
monty
December 22nd, 2010
4:00 pm
I also agree with N8’s 3:14 assessment. I said when the Phillies got Lee they would win 100+ games. I also said I saw the Braves at around 93-94 wins(if the Phillies don’t go, say 12-6 against us). They do that and we struggle to win 90.
Lee and Hallady in the past 2-3 seasons have been as dominant as anybody,that would even include any of the Braves aces of the 90’s. They are pitchers that if they are on their game and you give them 3 runs to work with they will not be beat.
Heck, the Rangers had never done anything much in post season,(never gotten out of the 1st round I believe). They acquire Lee and go to the Series. I could see Lee and Halladay each winning 20-23 games. Oswalt and Hammels winning 18-19 a piece. They do that and they do run away with the division.
Heck that old lefty guy used to throw great games at us. I haven’t liked how the Braves have played the Phillies the last couple of seasons in the last couple of series. They seemed to be able to do with us as they wish.
I don’t think a WC winner will come out of the cental division. Rockies or Dodgers, Braves.
IA Braves Fan
December 22nd, 2010
4:05 pm
DOB, love the music list…I have been listening to HOLD STEADY awhile and I really like their new CD as well. Went to their concert in San Diego this year, it was pretty sweet. Have you heard them live? I have been meaning to ask, are you a big fan of OAR? Not necessarily their new stuff (its becoming to mainstream and sounding like everyone else) but maybe their older albums?
GO Braves
Happy Holidays
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
4:14 pm
IA Braves Fan: I’ve seen The Hold Steady 4-5 times, including once with a couple hundred people at The Earl in Atlanta, before they got bigger. Saw them open for Drive-By Truckers a few years ago at Tabernacle in a great twinbill, with both bands doing a rousing rendition of Neil Young’s Rockin’ In The Free World during the encore.
Oh, and no, I’m not a fan of O.A.R.
Chuck
December 22nd, 2010
4:24 pm
The new babies – J-Hey, Freeman, McLouth, Schafer? – will rank the Braves next year. That and Chipper’s HR production when he plays. If they don’t perform well, then we can’t compete with the Phillies unless they have another season of injuries like last year. Chipper will hit .300 when he can play, but his HR production from the 3rd spot needs improvement. Gonzalez is average and predictable (an upgrade from the former SS), Prado will still be on base a lot, Uggla will give offensive production, and the pitching staff is solid. The decider is the offensive production of the babies (and whoever plays LF when Chipper is out, if not a baby). I wonder how much the loss of Werth will impact the Phillies. He played well, but not a leader in the clubhouse. Does the addition of Lee go beyond counteracting the loss of Werth?
Roy Hobbs
December 22nd, 2010
4:32 pm
Glad the Hold Steady record made it on. Saw them in Savannah this year for $12 in a small bar with probably 250 folks — bargain of the year! For what it’s worth, my favorite live shows seen this year:
1. Hold Steady, Savannah
2. Pavement, Tabernacle
3. Wilco, Savannah
4. Neil Young, The Fox
5. Wilco, The Fox
Great blog DOB — my favorite of the year. You put me onto some great music this year, most notably the Soft Pack cd which I picked up at Decatur when I was in Atlanta for the Pavement show and have worn out. My only big disagreement from your list– Futurebirds “Hampton’s Lullaby” — I know you had it on the fringe, but to me, a really strong record, and I probably would add Broken Bells — always enjoyable when I put it on.
Keep us posted on the Uggla proceedings. Thanks for all of your great writing this year. Merry Christmas and Go Braves!
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
4:39 pm
WAR is probably the most important stat in the business. ryan
for one thing it isn’t a stat. it is a model based on stats with a lot of subjective and arbitrary components. It is not all that reliable, just another attempt to try to rank players values, fantasy geeks love it, many others not so much.
Mutts
December 22nd, 2010
4:45 pm
Cliff Lee has had one outstanding year and a few very good ones. Being overpaid by the Phils does not make him an ace. He was 4-6 during the pennant push for the Rangers, hardly befitting an ace. His lifetime 3.85 ERA is exactly the same as Derek Lowe’s, but Derek has 5 seasons of at least 15 wins while Lee has only produced 2 such seasons. Cole Hamels has only one 15 win season so he’s hasn’t achieved ace status. Roy Oswalt has had 5 seasons of at least 15 wins, same as Lowe, but he is clearly on the downside of his career. Roy Halladay is truly an ace, and the ace of the Phils. This “4 Aces” garbage is mostly hype just like the hype that the Phils were the favorites to win it all in 2010.
Darlington
December 22nd, 2010
4:45 pm
Great list, I always look foward to your end of the year music blog/list. I haven’t been all the way through the comments and these may have been mentioned, but a couple of CD’s/Albums I wore out this year were Broken Bells, “Broken Bells,” which is probably my favorite CD of the year, and Broken Social Scene’s Forgiveness Rock Record. While Broken Bells, The Black Keys, Arcade Fire and The National top my list, I’ve really been listening alot to the Deerhunter CD and its definitely closing ground on these other albums.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
4:46 pm
he had roughly the same career as nate mclouth. id say he is a little overrated, but not a bad player. DAP
better defender
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
4:48 pm
I hope Trey’s ok
Soph
December 22nd, 2010
4:54 pm
What happened to him?
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
4:55 pm
I dunno….just haven’t heard from him all day.
Snotboogie
December 22nd, 2010
4:57 pm
It’s funny when I see people referring to N8’s 3:14. It’s almost like they are referring to a chapter and verse from his treatises.
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
5:01 pm
And yea he sayeth in chapter 3, verse 14 of the book of Nathaniel – Chipper doth hurt himself too much to contribute.
No shalam, no shalom
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
5:02 pm
It’s almost like they are referring to a chapter and verse from his treatises. SB
yeah I see what you mean.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
5:03 pm
Juliet Delta
Snotboogie
December 22nd, 2010
5:06 pm
I to love John Wayne. But would you believe I have never seen the original. I grew up with Clint Eastwood westerns and judge every western accordingly
I take it you dont have AMC, because they keep showing it regularly.
I dont know if I could compare True Grit to any of Eastwood’s westerns, but as far as Wayne’s westerns go, this wasnt on the level of Searchers, Stage Coach, Liberty Valance etc. I think the young girl’s character takes a lot of spotlight away from Cogburn’s.
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
5:09 pm
Does anybody else piture Brooks Conrad when they see/hear “True Grit”?
Snotboogie
December 22nd, 2010
5:09 pm
You know eventually we are just going to call him by his first name.
Juliet.
It’s happening.:-)
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
5:10 pm
picture*
Mutts
December 22nd, 2010
5:10 pm
One of John Wayne’s best films was his last, “The Shootist.”
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
5:13 pm
Of all 26 letters, I have to have the only one with a girl name
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
5:13 pm
Of all the 26 letters, I have to have the only one that’s a girl’s name.
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
5:14 pm
I quit
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
5:14 pm
. I think the young girl’s character takes a lot of spotlight away from Cogburn’s. SB
In the book she is more the main character and actually the one with true grit
Snotboogie
December 22nd, 2010
5:16 pm
jeffrey
Weren’t we kinda discussing that as the name of Brooks’ TV-movie?
Tonight at 10 on Lifetime – An inspiring tale of the rise of an average joe from the dusty backfields to magic at turner field
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
5:16 pm
Juliet. Juliet. Wherefore art thou Juliet?
jeffrey d
December 22nd, 2010
5:17 pm
Is PL a renowned malaria specialist? I know he’s skiing in Colorado
Three witnesses told deputies they observed a renowned malaria specialist punch a 14-year-old girl between two and four times last Friday while skiing at Colorado’s Beaver Creek resort.
Soph
December 22nd, 2010
5:18 pm
I thought of him when I read that story too. Sad, huh?
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
5:19 pm
John Wayne detested <b<High Plains Drifter He called it un-American and refused an offer by Clint to make a movie together
Snotboogie
December 22nd, 2010
5:19 pm
In the book she is more the main character and actually the one with true grit
Makes sense.
cabravesfan
December 22nd, 2010
5:19 pm
the only thing he is renowned at is being a complete a**hat…
(I like that word…is that wrong?
Steve from OH
December 22nd, 2010
5:20 pm
What are malaria specialists doing in Colorado, I wonder?
David O'Brien
December 22nd, 2010
5:20 pm
Roy Hobbs: That’s a helluva list of great shows you saw this year. Too bad you didn’t get to see Grinderman (I know you didn’t, because if you did it’d be in your top 5). That tour didn’t have many U.S. dates, but fortunately came to Atlanta. Best show I saw this year.
Oh, and Broken Bells shoulda been in others mentioned, because it was another that I had in top 50 and meant to drop down lower, but instead dropped it off altogether. I do like that CD a lot.
nolie
December 22nd, 2010
5:20 pm
I did not check real carefully but it kinda looked like some of his latenight posts were deleted. He ranted about a dozen or more just about by himself.
cabravesfan
December 22nd, 2010
5:21 pm
nolie-
I think he got bounced again…
Snotboogie
December 22nd, 2010
5:22 pm