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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,368 comments Add your comment
Hillbilly
December 28th, 2010
3:58 pm
Billy! Let’s finish the game.
Charleston, SC 1988
December 28th, 2010
3:58 pm
Firsst!!!!!
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
4:00 pm
Drove 7 hrs yesterday from Atlantic City to Quogue, got stuck exactly 80 yards from in laws house but a super nice guy go this 4WD and towed me a mile to safer roads… NYC looks like a Vermont ski festival town, never seen anything like it, then I drove to Quogue and have 2-3 foot of snow everywhere, dug myself an entry to the drive so at least can park the car
How are y’all ?
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
4:00 pm
Charlie SC – you are in one of my fave cities in the world, great place there
Danga
December 28th, 2010
4:02 pm
4. Brian McCann C
McFann rant in 3…2…1…
Snotboogie
December 28th, 2010
4:03 pm
They asked to lie down for 40 minutes in an MRI machine! Wow.
Bat Masterson
December 28th, 2010
4:04 pm
Thanks, Carroll
Hillbilly
December 28th, 2010
4:04 pm
Medlen couldn’t be still in a cow pasture for 40 minutes.
nickz
December 28th, 2010
4:06 pm
Good looking lineup…although McClouth batting 2nd is a little scary, especially if he’s an automatic out again this year. Hopefully he’ll bounce back and have a good year.
The rest of the lineup looks very solid, assuming Chipper’s knee holds up. Should be a good year in Braves Country!
Nick
December 28th, 2010
4:06 pm
Charleston, SC sucks. I know, I live there. Nice to visit, sucks to live there.
Puma
December 28th, 2010
4:06 pm
Lineup looks pretty good…I could see moving Heyward back to 2 spot, bump Gonzalez up one, and Nate in the 7 spot. Other than that, I bet that lineup is how Freddi goes.
Why no Nate leading off? Isn’t that what he is supposed to be doing? Maybe if he tries to draw more walks, it’ll help him out some. Plus, Prado seems so much better suited for 2 hole.
Bat Masterson
December 28th, 2010
4:07 pm
Hope I never need an MRI
Carroll Rogers
December 28th, 2010
4:07 pm
LOL Hillbilly…..and it’s a little nuts, eh Snotboogie? he said they had written him a presription for valium and he just didn’t fill it. oops. …I hear the trick is to close your eyes before you even get in there. (easy for me to say)
Steve from OH
December 28th, 2010
4:07 pm
Quibble about the batting order, but that’s a pretty good looking lineup, and looking even better if Nate (or Schafer) returns to form.
All I'm Saying Is...
December 28th, 2010
4:08 pm
Great day in the ATL with a high close to 40 degrees and brilliant blue sky for most of the day with some stringy (cirrus?) clouds in the mix now.
I don’t like Nate batting 2nd. I’d rather see Heyward up there. I actually think Nate would feel too much pressure to perform batting second. I also don’t think Nate knows how to handle the bat well enough to bunt. Plus Nate is too strikeout prone as his judgment of the strike-zone is not that good. I’m not saying Heyward is a better bunter but he certainly has better strike-zone discipline. Plus I would want someone up there with a high on-base average.
Already missing Infante because he was the perfect #2 batter but we needed Uggla’s power.
Any word on Conrad’s state of mind now that the season is well over?
TennesseePaul
December 28th, 2010
4:08 pm
Thanks for the work CR.
Carroll Rogers
December 28th, 2010
4:09 pm
Puma I think Fredi is going off how well the Braves did with Prado leading off last year. …but i’m with you, just based on skills, I’d think Prado is the perfect No. 2 hitter.
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
4:10 pm
Nick, I do love you so, funniest guy of 2010
Snotboogie
December 28th, 2010
4:11 pm
I hear the trick is to close your eyes before you even get in there. (easy for me to say)
I’ve heard they can play music to keep you entertained/calm. Even then… nuts is right.
cabravesfan
December 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
The thought of super hyper Meds trying to lay still for 40 minutes makes me giggle
Poor kid! I miss him 
tiger297
December 28th, 2010
4:15 pm
thats funny brekky I was just asking about you
keylargo
December 28th, 2010
4:15 pm
I was “injected” into one of those tubes for a shoulder MRI. The top was about two inches away from my face and I was in head first so it was 6 feet out and no way to get out on your own. They actually told you it was best if you didn’t open your eyes. Very, very claustrophobic. I had to go back for a second one but refused to go back to that type of machine. They have a clinic in Miami called Stand Up MRI which is basically what you do. Not comfortable either but easier mentally.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
December 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
23rd
Bat Masterson
December 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
Claustrophobia, yeah. Hell I gave up scuba diving because I knew that feeling was going to get me killed.
tiger297
December 28th, 2010
4:20 pm
Bat – its funny I know people who get the claustrophobic feeling when diving. For me it is the most free feeling in the world, floating without falling.
UGA Bail Bonds
December 28th, 2010
4:22 pm
Like ya said Carroll, it’s still early. I don’t see that lineup on opening day, that McLouth thing sticks out like a sore thumb. My guess for a line up will have to wait cuz I’m still thinking about it and it takes me a long time to think these days.
Bob Horner had a big fro
December 28th, 2010
4:22 pm
Can tell you from first hand experience the trick is to close your eyes before you go in, keep them closed and try to listen to music or something. Just pretend you are trying to sleep. If you open your eyes or wait to close them until you are inside, you are toast.
Speaking of toast, this might be the lineup at present, but I give it a one-in-ten chance McClouth is playing, much less batting second, by May. I hope I am wrong…
Tim B.
December 28th, 2010
4:23 pm
I like the line-up, assuming that Nate can bounce back. Ideally, I would like to see him hit first and Prado hit second. I just think Prado is better with the bat and can do more than Nate can. I also like Nate’s speed at the top vs. Martin’s. Again, that is if (and a big if) Nate turns it around. The other change I would make is to switch Chipper and Heyward, unless Chipper comes back a the level he was a couple of years ago when he won the batting title. I just think that at this point in their respective careers, Jayson is going to be more productive than Chipper. I also like Jason’s speed up closer to the top of the order – but I also like him in a power spot. If Chipper is not at all ready and Prado moves to 3B, then I would bump everyone up and put Schaefer in the eight hole. Speed at the bottom of the order is a good thing – almost like a second leadoff hitter. One last thought – don’t be surprised if Freeman moves up to somewhere in the five to seven hole by the end of the season. Once he figures out big league hitting, he is going to be a run producer. For opening day, I like him where he is.
nolie
December 28th, 2010
4:23 pm
any of you claustrophobic folks breach births?
Fish Bisch
December 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
My lineup:
1. Haywood
2. Prado
3. Mclouth
4. Uggla
5. Mcann
6. Chipper
7. Gonsalez
8. Freeman
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
tiger – I am still kicking ass and taking names
Paul From Milton
December 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
I really hope this isn’t the opening day lineup. I would rather see a legitimate CF lead off and have Prado feast on fastballs in the 2 hole.
Venice Jim
December 28th, 2010
4:25 pm
I definitely closed my eyes before I went into the machine – I seem to remember that I provided my own music in my head while I was in there…
tiger297
December 28th, 2010
4:25 pm
glad to hear it is back in the US…you aggressive enough to make it to Dark Star or Atlanta this year?
Carroll Rogers
December 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
All I’m Saying Is…..are you reading my mind? I was thinking of Conrad myself today and tried to call him. I’m sure he’s running around with his too little kids. But i was curious too. I imagine he’s good. He’s the kind of guy I said after seeing him at work at a clinic for the Braves 101 women’s thing that I think he would be a great coach. and his experiences of that playoff game would make him an even better one, knowing how to handle a situation similar to that. not that he’s ready to be one just yet!
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
claustrophobia is easy to cure, just read the book about the Vietnam War “tunnel rats”, now that is real claustrophobia
nolie
December 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
like the line-up, assuming that Nate can bounce back. Ideally, I would like to see him hit first and Prado hit second. I just think Prado is better with the bat and can do more than Nate can. I also like Nate’s speed at the top vs. Martin’s. Tim B
I agree on McLouth first and Prado-or Jones-second. If McLouth bounces back to 340-350 OBP.
tiger297
December 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
btw I swear I saw you on a special with jesse ventura no too long ago…
keylargo
December 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
Carroll – Have you ever heard anyone talk about hitting Chipper 2nd? I think if you took away the responsibility of hitting 30 HR’s you expect out of the #3 hitter, let him use his great eye for the strike zone and concentrate on hitting singles and doubles he would be ideal. It would be like 2008 all over again.
.330 average and .430 obp
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
4:28 pm
tiger – “I’m an alien, an illegal alien, I am an >>>”
I technically do not exist so my ghost may try to convince the boss lady to head south, we will see
Playoffs!!!!
December 28th, 2010
4:29 pm
I like Freeman hitting second, and Nate 8th. At least until Nate proves he can hit again. And Freeman would get a lot of good pitches to hit in the 2 hole
UKUGA
December 28th, 2010
4:29 pm
One thing we don’t get enough of around here is line-up suggestions.
Go Braves!
tiger297
December 28th, 2010
4:30 pm
well as long as we aren’t crossing international borders no papers required aboard my airplane…but my range is limited to 300 miles so quite a few stops on that trip
Rob from SC
December 28th, 2010
4:30 pm
HIT HEYWARD THIRD
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
4:30 pm
HOSS in the 2 hole makes some sense with Marteen at 2 and JHey @ 3. I prefer just putting Fugly at 4 and leaving him there, take some pressure off the fatty
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
4:30 pm
bugger Marteen at 1 I meant
UKUGA
December 28th, 2010
4:30 pm
” I’m sure he’s running around with his too little kids.”
What size are they?
Ghostrider
December 28th, 2010
4:31 pm
I had an MRI last year on my knees…. They do give you a head set and your choice of music. Just have to ignor that hammering noise. Oh Yeah…One more minor thing…..you cannot move an inch, cannot scratch, cannot sneeze cannot move a fraction of inch. TO have the MRI done on my right knee took about 45 minutes, give or take a few minutes.
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
4:31 pm
tiger – I will remember that but this little white ass will not be going near any airports for a while I think, and I mean ANY airfield
FEAR
December 28th, 2010
4:32 pm
IF Mclouth and Chipper come back. Then that is one kick ass lineup!
FEAR
December 28th, 2010
4:32 pm
Enter your comments here
Bat Masterson
December 28th, 2010
4:34 pm
tiger_
I loved diving and at first it would go away. Then it got stronger, I would dwell on it, had to fight the urge to bolt for the surface. I knew something was going to freak me out at some point and I would bolt………
UGA Bail Bonds
December 28th, 2010
4:35 pm
That’s a good one Nolie.
Tim B.
December 28th, 2010
4:37 pm
I like the Chipper hitting 2nd suggestion. That would have Prado hitting leadoff and Heyward 3rd. Ugla and McCann changing places at 4 and 5 depending on who is pitching that day (lefty or righty). Then you can move McClouth down in the order at least until he looks like he did in Pittsburg. If he hits 8th, then you get Freeman in a more run producing spot. Chipper hitting second is the key.
Fire Rodney Ho
December 28th, 2010
4:38 pm
I would bat Prado second, Heyward sixth, and I’d fire Rodney Ho first
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
4:39 pm
I have a question or 2 and they may both appear to be dummies but here we go
UGA Bail Bonds – is crime that high at UGA that they need their own Bail Bonds business and
2. Why are there so many stupid naming “Bowl” games in USA and does anyone really care about the “Bobs corner tyre store” Bowl between two teams with 7-5 records
nolie
December 28th, 2010
4:39 pm
Freeman second? Talk about clogging the bases . he has no bat contriol skills and is slow as molassas, why in the world would you want him hitting second? He is just about the exact opposite of what a second slot hitter should be. goodness
Daniel
December 28th, 2010
4:39 pm
Enter your comments here
tiger297
December 28th, 2010
4:39 pm
brekky…all I need is 2000 feet about 50 feet wide doesnt have to be an airport LOL. But seriously I understand the concerns (to some extent can’t claim to really understand the feeling). Hopefully I get a good bonus and a raise next year and I can upgrade to something with a little more range/speed. Look me up on hotmail I would love to talk and hear what happened (and add some persuasion to the trip). How is the jewelry thing going for the missus?
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
4:41 pm
tiger – I seriously am not flying anywhere for a year or so and the business is chaotic as usual. I was living elsewhere for a while until I worked out the ladies I was living with were dealing dope… too funny and in line with my “luck”
Playoffs!!!!
December 28th, 2010
4:41 pm
Tim B.–Yes, I like Chipper hitting 2nd, too. Maybe after he goes 1 for 20 with 8 walks, Freddy will move him there
Playoffs!!!!
December 28th, 2010
4:43 pm
nolie—don’t know if Freeman is slow or not–didn’t see him run the bases enough. McClouth has good bat control???
Daniel
December 28th, 2010
4:45 pm
Carroll- Well, you kinda summed up all the current issues with the line-up in your blog, which is great reporting and writing, but takes all the fun out of making suggestions.
I say IF you are going to give Mclouth the shot and hit him second then you might as well let him lead-off. His skill set[sic] is that of a lead off man anyway. If he is going to fail, at least let him fail at his line up position. I say
Mclouth (now, I along with everyone would prefer a different CF lead off man, but it is what it is)
Prado
Heyward
McCann
Uggla
Jones (Assuming he will be in and out of the line-up, wouldn’t it be better to establish him lower in the order, also protects Uggla)
Gonsalez
Freeman
Pitcher
what do you think?
UGA Bail Bonds
December 28th, 2010
4:46 pm
I don’t know 4dogs. Never been to Georga.
MitchC
December 28th, 2010
4:47 pm
Carroll, I don’t agree with your lineup. for a few reasons.
Hasn’t it always been an unwritten rule in baseball that a team’s best hitter should be hitting third? How does a guy who is going to be 39 next year, with the injury problems Chipper has, and who hit 265 with 10 homers, and 46 RBI’s, qualify as this team’s best hitter?
Although he’s only in his second year, I would probably hit J Hey third, both because he can hit for a high average, and power.
My lineup would be.
Prado
‘Nate
Jhey
Uggla
Mccann
Chipper.
Mclouth
Freeman.
Chipper is no number three hitter anymore. The Mets hit Carter sixth in the last couple of years of his career, and guys like Murphy were dropped in the order after a while as well.
A team’s three and four hitters should be their best producing guys,. for average, power, and RBIS.
I doubt that Freddie will drop Chipper so far down in the order, but, this isnt the time for egos. If this team wants to win a wild card, it cannot have a guy who misses a third of the team’s games, and who hits 265 with 10 homers, hitting third.
I hope Freddie does the right thing when it comes to the batting order.
Steve from OH
December 28th, 2010
4:49 pm
Chipper should bat either 2 or 3. A .375+ OBP is a terrible thing to waste lower in the order.
Arkansas Transplant
December 28th, 2010
4:50 pm
Carroll, has you or DOB talked to Wags resently? Any mention of why wait to file papers? Any possible return?
nolie
December 28th, 2010
4:51 pm
McClouth has good bat control?
I said nothing about McLouth at second, but yes he can bunt , and yes Freeman is slow
UGA Bail Bonds
December 28th, 2010
4:51 pm
itch did You mean Gonzo in the 7 spot?
UGA Bail Bonds
December 28th, 2010
4:52 pm
I meant to say Mitch not itch sorry
Jack
December 28th, 2010
4:53 pm
Here is my lineup.
1. McCann
2. McCann
3. McCann
4. McCann
5. McCann
6. McCann
7. McCann
8. McCann
9. McCann
If everyone could only take his approach to hitting, this would be the best lineup in the majors. Patience, intelligence and hard work make him the best hitter in our lineup.
bravesgrl4life
December 28th, 2010
4:53 pm
Got my 4-game package as a Christmas gift. Hubby actually bought tickets for 2
He’s agreed to go to one of the 4 games with me and told me I could feel free to share the other three games with whomever I choose. Life is good 
jeffrey d
December 28th, 2010
4:55 pm
haha, itch…
tiger297
December 28th, 2010
4:58 pm
well I gotta go see a man about a horse now
tiger297
December 28th, 2010
4:59 pm
bravesgrl4life…how good are the seats maybe I can earn one of them LOL
jeffrey d
December 28th, 2010
4:59 pm
well I gotta go see a man about a horse now
We’ve all been there.
Lank
December 28th, 2010
5:02 pm
McLouth/Schafer
Prado
Heyward
Uggla
McCann
Chipper
Freeman
Gonzalez
I have high hopes for Schafer this year, and this lineup is perfectly balanced.
UGA Bail Bonds
December 28th, 2010
5:03 pm
You gettin a horse Tiger?
Mitchell
December 28th, 2010
5:04 pm
Chipper’s kind of a problem in the line-up, isn’t he?
I mean, I hope he can play but I just don’t see him anywhere near the heart of that line-up.
If only he had retired and we kept Omar and traded Matty and Brooks for Uggla. No offense to Chipper, of course.
But then you could have BMac behind the plate, Freddie at first, Uggla second, Gonzo shortstop, Martin at third, Omar in left, Nate center and Jason.
I guess that’s what you call denial. Omar’s gone, isn’t he?
We’re gonna miss that son of a gun. Or at least I do/am/will.
Hopefully Nate can get it together. I definitely wouldn’t want him batting lead-off if he’s hitting .190 or whatever but Martin is just a classic number two guy.
If we can somehow get to a line-up that has Martin, Heyward, Uggla and McCann batting 2-3-4-5 as many days in a row as possible, without Chipper being excluded due to injury, there would be very little left to worry about.
Why can’t he bat 6th? What would be so bad about that?
Where is the law that says Chipper can’t bat 6th? Huh?!
Ralph
December 28th, 2010
5:04 pm
DOB, it didn’t take no genius to figure out that line up, I guessed that before I even read your blog and I never even met Freddie, let us both hope we are wrong and they go out and get a center fielder and a replacement for Chipper because if they don’t then they are in trouble.
Mitchell
December 28th, 2010
5:05 pm
There you go Lank!
There’s your line-up folks. My work here is done.
TommyP
December 28th, 2010
5:05 pm
I like everything Carroll threw out there as reasoning for Fredi’s lineup. It’s sound thinking and will probably be your April lineup. Good thoughts, Carroll.
After April, I could see the lineup going to this:
Prado (he’s your best on-base guy and offers the added periodic power)
Chipper (handles the bat better than any on the team as far as situation hitting..power is sapped)
Heyward (I see him breaking out this year)
Uggla
McCann
Gonzalez (just to break up the lefties)
Freeman (no way I’m putting the rookie in the 8 slot where they feed you junk)
McLouth (he’s the vet trying to dig himself out of this hitting abyss he’s in…also speed at bottom)
Once Freeman proves himself and settles in, I’d bump him up to the 6 hole, Uggla to the 5, McCann to the 4 and A-Gon to the 7.
I’d have to go back and look over Florida’s lineups over the past few years but I do remember Fredi putting Hanley at the top of the order for awhile until his power matured…then he moved him to 3rd. I see Heyward occupying that 3 spot by Memorial Day for the next 12-14 years.
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
5:05 pm
MANU got pipped in overtime for a 1-1 tie at Birmingham, that is the only good news I have had this week sporting wise
Falcons lost
Aussie cricket – embarassing
Chelsea – murdered by the arch enemy for another LOSS
Knicks – oh doesnt matter
jeffrey d
December 28th, 2010
5:07 pm
If only he had retired and we kept Omar and traded Matty and Brooks for Uggla
If only? We’re lucky we got Uggla for Infante. Throwing in Brooks won’t sweeten any deal
TennBravesFan
December 28th, 2010
5:09 pm
I see where a few people are telling Carroll that you disagree with her lineup…..I dont really think thats her lineup…thats just what Gonzalez said the lineup would probably be at this point.
Snotboogie
December 28th, 2010
5:10 pm
DOB, it didn’t take no genius to figure out that line up, I guessed that before I even read your blog
You probably should then….
No Way
December 28th, 2010
5:12 pm
Jack, that is too many lefties.
Let's Go Bravos!
December 28th, 2010
5:12 pm
Do any of these guys have good averages against Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, or Hamels?? Not trying to be pesimistic, but it will be a miracle if we win the division this year. I can’t stand the Phillies. I hate them just as much as the Yankees now. Can we get a salary cap please??
Efrim
December 28th, 2010
5:13 pm
My lineup:
1. Prado
2. Jones
3. Heyward
4. Uggla
5. McCann
6. McLouth
7. Gonzalez
8. Freeman
9. pitcher
Ralph
December 28th, 2010
5:13 pm
Sorry Carroll, I looked up top and saw Davids picture and assumed he wrote the blog, why don’t you put your picture up when you sub for him, you look a whole lot better than he does anyway.
UGA Bail Bonds
December 28th, 2010
5:14 pm
I was just thinking the same thing Mitchell. Those 4 guys in a row. With a legit top of the order guy and Chipper in the 2 spot and then BMac at 6 would be pretty good. If the Braves could field a lineup with BMac in the 6 spot THAT would be good. Pipe dreams I know but that would be good.
Snotboogie
December 28th, 2010
5:15 pm
MANU got pipped in overtime for a 1-1 tie at Birmingham, that is the only good news I have had this week sporting wise
Aussie cricket – embarassing
Chelsea – murdered by the arch enemy for another LOSS
I have been waiting to gloat about it since yesterday. 3 -1.:lol:
But this is our first win against ManU or Chelsea in the last 12 competitions. 10 losses in there. It was an immense relief for us.
ManU – 89th minute goal by Brum. Utterly deserved by that nasty bunch.
Hank755
December 28th, 2010
5:16 pm
I`m 90% agree with Jack.Here is my lineup.
1. McCann
2. Prado
3. McCann
4. McCann
5. McCann
6. McCann
7. McCann
8. McCann
9. McCann
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
5:16 pm
Freeman needs to be 7 or 6 in this lineup, kid has some pop and will get diddly squat to hit in the eighthole, Nate cannot hit for squadoosh so should be at 8 until he shows a 2 month streak of some quality ABs
SoWeGa Fanatic
December 28th, 2010
5:16 pm
Enter your comments here
myra
December 28th, 2010
5:17 pm
I cant stand an MRI. They are awful. It feels like you’re being entombed alive.
SoWeGa Fanatic
December 28th, 2010
5:18 pm
Chipper will &should hit 3 until he shows he can’t.
Nobreggie4Dogs
December 28th, 2010
5:19 pm
Snotboogie – I always give props to Arsene Wenger but it is bad to be the 2nd best coach in any league as he never gets the kudos he deserves… guy wins year in and out with trash, quality, glamour, injuries, no money, plenty of loot, whatever, he shapes great sides every year that play ABOVE their expected potential
Steve from OH
December 28th, 2010
5:19 pm
Efrim–I’m in agreement. Except that I would move AGon to 8th.
VaBravesFan
December 28th, 2010
5:22 pm
McLouth should only bat 1st or 2nd if he has a good spring, I’m not counting on it tho.
McLouth
Prado
Heyward
Uggla
McCann
Chipper
Freeman
Gonzo
Is how I would do it.