Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,368 comments Add your comment
David O'Brien
December 29th, 2010
1:11 pm
TnBrian: I thought you made some very good points at 1:03 p.m.
ramblingman
December 29th, 2010
1:11 pm
Okay, I’ll add my lineup to the fun. At the time of December 29th, here is my lineup for the 2011 Braves.
1. leadoff hitter
2. second hitter
3. three hole hitter
4. cleanup hitter
5. batter after cleanup
6. hitter in the six hole
7. seventh hitter
8. just before pitcher hitter
9. pitcher
All the hitters will either hit left or right, giving to some sort of pattern. Some will be fast, some will not, some will hit for more power than others and some will not always hit.
I reserve the right to change my mind…after New Year’s Day.
TnBrian
December 29th, 2010
1:13 pm
Still a long ways to go, but I’m already getting excited about this team we got for ‘11. I think it’ll again surprise a lot of people. My only concern with this team is the defense up the middle. Gonzalez has to sure it up at SS and Uggla just needs to be average and get to what he should, especially with all our groundball pitchers. Having such young a set-up/ closer in that pen is a little worrying, but McDowell seems to do very good with them and Wren got two vets to help them out. Also I’m hoping Wren gets somebody to back up CF and maybe even a utility IF type guy for cheap. A guy who plays solid defense.
Snotboogie
December 29th, 2010
1:14 pm
The Braves don’t look so good with the homerism turned off.
They definitely dont look so good with the brain turned off either.
Wow...
December 29th, 2010
1:15 pm
The Braves were extremely lucky last season. I wouldn’t count on that happening again.
TnBrian
December 29th, 2010
1:16 pm
DOB, thanks. Sorry about the cussing. Guess I can get carried away.
Snotboogie
December 29th, 2010
1:16 pm
The Braves were extremely lucky last season. I wouldn’t count on that happening again.
Nobody is. That’s why they have upgraded a few positions.
ramblingman
December 29th, 2010
1:20 pm
“The Braves were extremely lucky last season. I wouldn’t count on that happening again”.
Yep, all those injuries were counted under the lucky column
Jason
December 29th, 2010
1:21 pm
when i had my mri, they put some goggles on me and piped in a movie of my choice. the options were limited and i figured ‘hunt for red october’ would be suitable. i had no problems.
stew
December 29th, 2010
1:22 pm
Prado/Gonzo/Hey/Uggla/Chip/Mac/Freeman/McLoser
ramblingman
December 29th, 2010
1:23 pm
Watching a movie about being crammed in a submarine to forget about an mri. Interesting…
j/k
TnBrian
December 29th, 2010
1:24 pm
We did have plenty of luck this year, but all teams that are going anywhere have to have some luck here and there. Also the pen saved so many close games for us. I think Wren was very smart to add two vets to an already good pen. They’re lucky they got not one but two guys who can close games and are cheap. Closers are high dollar. Without them I seriously doubt they’d be able to fit Uggla’s contract within the budget unless they traded some good young talent for a cheap closer.
Snotboogie
December 29th, 2010
1:25 pm
the options were limited and i figured ‘hunt for red october’ would be suitable.
Brilliant idea!
nique
December 29th, 2010
1:27 pm
1) Prado
Freddie
2) McClouth
3) Heyward
4) Uggla
5) McCann
6) Chipper
7) Gonzo
I think McClouth might be batting 2nd so that you don’t have basically 3-4 average hitters all bunched together at the end of the lineup. Although it would seem that batting McClouth 2nd would add pressure to him that batting 8th wouldn’t.
TnBrian
December 29th, 2010
1:29 pm
Oh, and if they had to trade for a cheap closer than I doubt they would’ve wanted to trade more talent for Uggla. Basically I’m saying Venters and Kimbrel are very important to the team right now. Moylan sure as hell ain’t a closer in my eyes. More like a guy who can get out of jams here and there. I love the guy, but he’s more of a middle relief and maybe set up guy.
ncgary
December 29th, 2010
1:31 pm
less than 50 days before pitchers and catchers report
go braves
klaus
December 29th, 2010
1:32 pm
2006 is a long time ago and Mac has only hit 24 hrs once. Look at his last three years.
He is an 18-20 HR guy who will miss too many games as a catcher to rely on as a 4 hole hitter. That is my point.
RBIs, Runs and HRs are what I look at from a 4 hole hitter. A good BA is nice but less so if the RBIs are not there to go along with it.
Mac is a good hitting catcher but relying on a catcher as the 4 hole guy is not a good idea. It also seems unnecessary when you finally have a guy who can hit 30 HRs and drive in a 100 RBIs.
We will continue to disagree but nothing I am seeing from this debate is convincing me that a slow running low 20s HR hitting catcher should hit 4th on this club when Uggla is here.
DAP
December 29th, 2010
1:32 pm
“The Braves were extremely lucky last season. I wouldn’t count on that happening again”.
dont need luck as much when you add one of the top 10 power hitters in the game.
daniel buck
December 29th, 2010
1:37 pm
Brett Favre has been fined 50,000 for sending Jen Sterger a picture of his penis… Poor guy… I guess a 50 year old Johnson can be terrifying… lol
cabravesfan
December 29th, 2010
1:41 pm
Way to go with the selective enforcement of the rules, NFL. They didn’t fine The Quarterback for the texts, they fined him for “not cooperating with the investigation”
banjobrave
December 29th, 2010
1:42 pm
So many things come into play. Here’s my line up assuming a few things:
1. McClouth if he’s back to Pittsburgh form, if not then another if…if Schafer sp? is convinced Freddie that he’s the man then it is his job
2 Prado
3 Chipper (only if 100%) if not then Freeman
4 Mac
5 Uggs
6 Heyward
7 Chipper or Freeman
8. Gonzo
9. who ever is up that day
I also think Hairston is a good option and fit just in case.
Wow...
December 29th, 2010
1:43 pm
They definitely dont look so good with the brain turned off either.”
No, they’re better than the Phillies with the brain turned off.
Bat Masterson
December 29th, 2010
1:44 pm
A scene from Primary colors comes to mind,daniel, but I’m not going to post the quotes here.
cabravesfan
December 29th, 2010
1:45 pm
There is still only one “C” in McLouth…
banjobrave
December 29th, 2010
1:47 pm
My bad on the spelling but I think you knew who I was referring to. Do we get docked for a failure to use the Brave’s lineup spell check?
daniel buck
December 29th, 2010
1:48 pm
The more I look at Freddie Freeman the more he reminds me of Wally Joyner… i hope he can have a career like his!!
Wow....
December 29th, 2010
1:48 pm
Maybe if McCCCLouth starts producing, people will care about spelling his name right.
abwright
December 29th, 2010
1:49 pm
> sarcasm on < So, McCann is a below average slugger in the 4 hole. > sarcasm off <
Walker, Texas Ranger
December 29th, 2010
1:50 pm
Can the Braves cut to the chase and go ahead a get a leadoff hitter for when Chipper gets hurt in the beginning of May. That way we will only have to go 3 weeks without one.
Bat Masterson
December 29th, 2010
1:54 pm
Maybe the extra C in McLouth’s name is his credit rating.
Walker, Texas Ranger
December 29th, 2010
1:55 pm
When Chipper got hurt while batting .240, that was luck. Best thing that happened last year. It forced Bobby to play Prado and Infanti (sp)
daniel buck
December 29th, 2010
1:56 pm
What do u think DOB… Freeman the next Wally “World” Joyner???
Arkansas Transplant
December 29th, 2010
1:58 pm
TnBrian, I’m not so sure that we won’t see Wags back in that bullpen closing games this year. As far as I know I don’t think any retirement papers have been filed as of yet.
There are a number of question marks on this team but don’t they all. As it stands presently I think we have a pretty sound make up. I’d still like to see them explore the possibility of bringing in a veteran for the 5th spot in the rotation to push our young guns a little, someone along the lines of Penny, Sheets or Garcia. Someone that could sign maybe a minor league deal with incentives or something along those lines. Very low risk with a very high reward. Also I think the team could benefit from signing someone like Willy Aybar to fill our need for a versatile infielder. As far as our OF stands, I think we could go into ST as is and maybe address any needs at that time.
Jason
December 29th, 2010
1:58 pm
Snots…i thought so. The hard part was to not do my sean connery impersonations while watching the movie…because i wasn’t supposed to move any.
daniel buck
December 29th, 2010
2:00 pm
I read a report about the Braves entertaining the thoughts of getting Lastings Milledge??.. Have we not learned our lesson to not get Pirates outfielfers… See Mclouth!!
cabravesfan
December 29th, 2010
2:01 pm
banjobrave -
It just seems to be the name (along with Medlen) that gets misspelled all the time…I’ve been on a neverending quest to try to get people to spell it right, to no avail
abwright
December 29th, 2010
2:02 pm
I can’t remember everything about the April, 2010 Atlanta Braves. However, with the musical chairs crap shoot at first and second in the line up, it seemed that for all of April, Braves started every game with Chipper coming to the plate in the first inning with 2 outs and no one on.
Then, Prado took over the lead off role, and it seemed that Braves had a guy on 2nd with less than two outs for Chipper in the first inning of every game.
Unless Martin proves that he cannot handle the lead off role, why would Fredi consider anyone else for that position in the line up?
ncgary
December 29th, 2010
2:02 pm
agreed ranger
not about chipper
but id sure negotiate with podsednik
2 million or less and he’d be signed
if you twisted his arm and held him hostage
what does it take to sign him,
he’s still pretty productive
for an old geezer
McFann O O
December 29th, 2010
2:03 pm
klaus nothing I am seeing from this debate is convincing me that a slow running low 20s HR hitting catcher should hit 4th on this club when Uggla is here.
You don’t have to sound so harsh. My gosh…as if McCann is the only catcher who’s not very fast…and low 20s HR is a good thing in this case.
Of course I do agree that now that we have Uggla, BMac should go back to his number 5 spot. But, I’ve been saying he’s a #5 guy for 2-and-a-half years now and it hasn’t mattered yet, so why do I even bother?
At least if BMac does get stuck in the 4 spot again this year they’ll have a good option to take his place when he gets the day off…
McFann O O
December 29th, 2010
2:04 pm
abwright I can’t remember everything about the April, 2010 Atlanta Braves.
That’s good.
abwright
December 29th, 2010
2:07 pm
I’m not sure how anyone determines whether a team was lucky or not.
I can remember a couple of walk-off wins that were extremely improbable (the Cincinnati game was a classic). But, I can remember a couple of walk off/late inning losses that were equally unlikely (the Colorado loss being the most memorable).
All of the other late inning / comeback wins were a product of the Braves make up. Great pitching with an outstanding bullpen (arguably the best in the majors) combined with a lack-luster and inconsistent offense that scored mostly off the opponent’s mediocre bullpen.
Because of pitching, Braves were rarely out of the game. Because of the AWFense, they needed all nine innings to get a lead most nights.
keylargo
December 29th, 2010
2:07 pm
Pitchers and Catchers report February 14.
abwright
December 29th, 2010
2:08 pm
McFann … I know I don’t remember McCann having a recurrence of his vision problems. That was just a bad dream.
McFann O O
December 29th, 2010
2:12 pm
keylargo Pitchers and Catchers report February 14.
Love will be in the air…
abwright I know I don’t remember McCann having a recurrence of his vision problems. That was just a bad dream.
Of the worst kind! Awful awful awful…
Ease® in Woodstock
December 29th, 2010
2:12 pm
Wags still on roster: Retired closer Billy Wagner still occupies a spot on the Braves’ 40-man roster, but Wren said that’s merely a procedural matter. Wagner has no intention of pitching again, but hasn’t gotten around to filing his retirement papers.
Wren said he spoke with Wagner’s agent last month and was told it would be done soon. Wren said it’s not a problem at this time, because the Braves haven’t needed the roster spot yet. When they do, then could drop Wagner from the roster even if he has not filed his retirement papers yet.
Theoretically, if the Braves dropped Wagner from their roster before he retires, another team could offer him a $15 million contract for 2011. But again, Wagner has never wavered in his retirement decision since he announced it early in the 2010 season, and the Braves have no expectations that he will.
“The player has to retire; the team can’t retire him,” Wren said. “I talked to his agent a few weeks ago. They just haven’t got around to filing the papers. And I told him, it’s just not an issue for the roster spot today. He said, we’ll get to it. They just haven’t done it yet. But it’s not a problem.”
abwright
December 29th, 2010
2:13 pm
Uggla appears to be the Braves’s best option for clean-up hitter. I imagine that Fredi will see that before the end of ST.
Chipper/Uggla/McCann/Heyward
Heyward/Uggla/McCann/Chipper
Chipper/McCann/Uggla/Heyward
Heyward/McCann/Uggla/Chipper
as your 3…6 is a fairly meaty line-up.
Either way, both McCann and Uggla are going to have some protection around them.
Ease® in Woodstock
December 29th, 2010
2:15 pm
And that is from a DOB blog on Dec. 9th…
abwright
December 29th, 2010
2:19 pm
I liked the blog where Fredi told the story about Bobby’s “bomb squad” line ups, especially on get away day. I don’t think McCann being catcher and needing days off, especially with David Ross as the back up, makes any difference in where McCann should hit in the line-up.
He’s one of the top two sluggers on the team.
If he doesn’t start and get 5 ABs, he can pinch hit in the best situation and get one AB.
Similarly with Chipper. Chipper is still probably the best hitter on the team, even though he might not play more than 120 games. On his days off, bring Chipper of the bench when you need him. 1 AB instead of 5.
Another thing about McCann and Chipper is that they always put a quality AB out there. Can’t underestimate the effect of 10 quality ABs per game on the opposing pitcher.
Snotboogie
December 29th, 2010
2:20 pm
And that is from a DOB blog on Dec. 9th…
Well, that Stringbean fella has a large family and so got busy with Christmas shopping, year end cruise and such I guess. January, he will have to take off the festive decorations etc. So i’d say by around Feb, he should get to it.
richbrave
December 29th, 2010
2:23 pm
RE: WAGNER:
And as of this week, he still hasn’t filed? What’s up with that?
cabravesfan
December 29th, 2010
2:24 pm
richbrave-
too busy playing with his kids and shoveling snow
DAP
December 29th, 2010
2:32 pm
klaus I am seeing from this debate is convincing me that a slow running low 20s HR hitting catcher should hit 4th on this club when Uggla is here.
kudos on the creative retreat from your original point, that mccann doesnt stack up well with other #4 hitters.
should he hit 4th with uggla here? now thats an argument i may agree with you on.
one way to look at it is comfort level…uggla is comfy with 5, and mccann is comfy in 4. also, mccann is a better OBP guy than uggla, so getting him on in front of uggla is a good thing.
personally, probably just like you, id like to see mccann protecting uggla in the 5th slot.
LJ
December 29th, 2010
2:34 pm
we do have plenty of snow here in Virginia to shovel, I am tired of it
jim
December 29th, 2010
2:37 pm
Arkansas Traveller,
Just how would a veteran starter like Penny “put pressure” on our young guys like Minor and Beachy? If the Braves were to sign a Penny for a couple of million dollars, Minor/Beachy would be pitching in the minors. If these guys are the future, and Teheran and Delgado are right behind them, then they have to be promoted to the majors at some time, and they will be going through some growing pains whenever that occurs. It might as well be now. There is enough “pressure” on a young pitcher to achieve their dream and excel. A veteran like Penny would not put any pressure on the kids, he would steal their roster spot!
McFann O O
December 29th, 2010
2:39 pm
DAP one way to look at it is comfort level…uggla is comfy with 5,
And McCann is comfy in 5…
jim
December 29th, 2010
2:39 pm
Has Smoltz ever filed his retirement papers?
Snotboogie
December 29th, 2010
2:40 pm
Has Smoltz ever filed his retirement papers?
Nope.
Hillbilly
December 29th, 2010
2:41 pm
Please don’t be sad. If it was a straight mind you had, we wouldn’t have know you all these years.
Arkansas Transplant
December 29th, 2010
2:45 pm
jim – I never mentioned putting pressure on them, I said to push them as with any competitive sport. You can’t just hang a spot over to a player without seeing what they can do when pushed to show what they can do. Nor did I ever say anything about signing Penny to a multible million dollar contract. Something along the lines of a minor league contract with incentives if they make the team out of ST. That’s why I also included pitchers like Garcia and Sheets, the demand for these injury prone pitchers aren’t as high as other proven vets. If they do or don’t make the team out of ST what will it matter? If they do, then you hold on to them until mid season and move to allow room for one of the younger guys you mentioned if they are ready. If they don’t make the team, then you cut them lose and go with one of the young guys. Really, what do you have to lose??
jim
December 29th, 2010
2:49 pm
Does Hall of Fame ellibility begin 5 years after you last appear in organized baseball, or 5 years after you file retirement papers? Would a delay in filing retirement papers affect the HOF class you would compete against?
When a player files his papers and is removed from a team’s 40-man roster, is he a free agent if he decides at a later date to unretire, or does the last team still have first priority on his services?
If that answer is no, could a younger player under a contract he doesn’t like retire, then unretire and become a free agent?
cabravesfan
December 29th, 2010
2:50 pm
jim-
I believe that if a player retires while still under contract, that team holds his rights until the contract expires, but I am not 100% sure…
ramblingman
December 29th, 2010
2:52 pm
“Really, what do you have to lose??”
Or, what do you have to gain?
You could (rightfully, IMO) say that the young guns will be pushed by heading into ST trying to prove they should be on the ML team, that this will be plenty of competition they need, that sending them to the minors might retard their development, that they have higher upsides than a borderline vet given a minor league contract with a ST invite, that if they are going to be counted on at some time, better to be early so they can reap the rewards of the experience gaining later in the year, and that the money could be better saved to use in another direction, maybe at the deadline.
richbrave
December 29th, 2010
2:53 pm
cabravesfan
December 29th, 2010
2:24 pm
richbrave-
too busy playing with his kids and shoveling snow
This week probably.
Maybe next week. But it makes me wonder if WAGS really has decided to retire despite all the protestations that he definitely will.
cabravesfan
December 29th, 2010
2:55 pm
richbrave -
I’m convinced he is done. He doesn’t strike me as the type to chnage his mind once it’s made up. AS Wren said, there is no hurry to file the papers and they will get around to it when they have to
ramblingman
December 29th, 2010
2:55 pm
I’m almost positive that filing papers has no bearing on HOF eligibility dates, as most players never file them.
MFin04
December 29th, 2010
2:57 pm
I don’t understand the point of having one of your worst 3 hitters hit in the top 5. McLouth would be a good guy to hit in front of the pitcher, can be moved over with the bunt since the Braves never steal, and can hit for power out of the 8 spot.
If Freeman hits like many are expecting I’d probably move him into the 6th spot, for now A-Gon can hit there.
1 Prado
2 Chipper
3 Heyward
4 Uggla
5 McCann
6 A-Gon
7 Freeman
8 McLouth
jim
December 29th, 2010
3:04 pm
What do you have to lose signing a vet like Penny et al.?
What do you have to gain? You don’t build a stable full of young pitching prospects, and then put a roadblock in their path to the big leagues. These youngsters are going to need to start their careers sometime. They will have growing pains and they may not all make it, but the organization thinks that Minor and or Beachy are ready to take the next step now. They don’t need a “push” from a vet, they are doing everything in their power to succeed as is. They certainly don’t need to be blocked by some more expensive pitcher (if one makes the roster, the cost will be at least 1.5 million with those incentives — or they wouldn’t come here.) The least of the issues that the Braves have for next year is their 5th starter. Last year the 5th starter was a combination of KK, Minor, and Beachy and the team made the playoffs.
ward
December 29th, 2010
3:05 pm
Hello every one! I have high hopes…… I have high hopes. Hitting Mclouth 2nd is a good idea. He will see fast, and more fast balls, and less presure on him, and I have high hopes, high hopes, because we have deep pitching prospects to carry us a long way….
ward
December 29th, 2010
3:08 pm
I fear no Phillies………..Phillies who???????
daniel buck
December 29th, 2010
3:08 pm
Guys I personally know Billy Wagner’s brother Robbie who lives in Johnson City as I do… He says Billy has made it clear to him that he will retire…
LJ
December 29th, 2010
3:09 pm
ooooorah
Bat Masterson
December 29th, 2010
3:13 pm
ward and ants
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJVewWbeBiY
high hopes ………… and peace
Ease® in Woodstock
December 29th, 2010
3:16 pm
Go Braves!!!?!
ward
December 29th, 2010
3:17 pm
I read a report on the last pitcher we got. I’ll have to find out his name. He as good as Delgado, and Theran. He reminds you of Pedro M. a little bit, as Braves fans we should not be worried!!!!! We have a good farm system in hands……. See you guys’ later got to go to work. We have knee deep snow, and still snowing. I have to walk to work in Montana.
Ease® in Woodstock
December 29th, 2010
3:18 pm
Barefoot, both ways and uphill…
Bat Masterson
December 29th, 2010
3:19 pm
Gotta go attend to some business, going through Seaside. I’ll keep an eye out for Mark’s for the Braves.
Just A Thought
December 29th, 2010
3:19 pm
Here is something that I have not seen mentioned: How about batting Heyward cleanup? That makes the lineup
1 – Prado, LF
2 – McLouth, CF
3 – Jones, 3B
4 – Heyward, RF
5 – Uggla, 2B
6 – McCann, C
7 – Gonzalez/Freeman
8 – Freeman/Gonzalez
To me, this would be the deepest possible lineup (assuming McLouth can produce at 2007-09 levels). To me, batting Heyward 4th and McCann 6th is stronger than the other way around, as Heyward had a higher OBP and SLG% than McCann last year. Plus, that keeps the lineup R-L-S-L-R-L-R-L. Thoughts?
TennesseePaul
December 29th, 2010
3:19 pm
klaus: 2006 is a long time ago
Perspective I guess. 2006 doesn’t seem that long ago to me. Perhaps if I were 5 years old, it would. Nevertheless, 2006 is when McCann began hitting in the Clean Up spot (4th) with any regularity. It was his first full season in the majors. The point of tallying the totals from 2006 to 2010 is to see how he he has compared in his career in that spot to the rest of the league/majors over the same duration of time. Year in/year out totals always fluctuate.
klaus: and Mac has only hit 24 hrs once.
McCann has hit extra base hits at a greater rate than the league and the majors when hitting 4th. He also plays fewer games therefore his overall totals will naturally be less than those who play more games than he (hence I show rates).
But since you bring that bit up, here are the rates for McCann as a clean up hitter (2006 though 2010)…
________PA__AB_HR/PA_HR/AB
Majors 704 617 025.4 022.4
League 698 609 025.5 022.5
McCann 367 319 026.2 022.8
klaus: Look at his last three years.
Ok then… 2008 through 2010 (Majors and League are sans-McCann)
________PA__AB__AVG__OBP__SLG__OPS_XBH/PA_RBI/PA_HR/PA_HR/AB
Majors 697 614 .274 .351 .472 .823 0010.7 0006.8 025.4 022.4
League 686 604 .273 .350 .471 .822 0010.7 0006.8 025.5 022.5
McCann 367 319 .282 .363 .478 .841 0010.7 0006.1 026.2 022.8
klaus: RBIs, Runs and HRs are what I look at from a 4 hole hitter.
That’s your prerogative klaus. It’s a flawed concept in this particular discussion as McCann is not attaining the same number of plate appearances or at bats in the clean up spot as the league or majors… hence his counting stats will inherently be lower.
klaus: Mac is a good hitting catcher
Actually, he’s a great hitting catcher. He’s the best hitting catcher in the National League over the last 5 years. He’s in the top three in the majors over the last five years. And he has the most power of all catchers in the majors over the last five years.
klaus: relying on a catcher as the 4 hole guy is not a good idea
Ahhhh, but this is a totally, and completely different argument than stating McCann isn’t a good clean up hitter.
TennesseePaul
December 29th, 2010
3:24 pm
**Correction: When stating 2006-2010 I typed the 2008-2010 figures. Below is the correct figures.
…here are the rates for McCann as a clean up hitter (2006 though 2010)…
________PA__AB_HR/PA_HR/AB
Majors 704 617 024.5 021.5
League 698 609 024.4 021.3
McCann 367 319 026.7 023.3
McFann O O
December 29th, 2010
3:25 pm
TennesseePaul 2006 is when McCann began hitting in the Clean Up spot (4th) with any regularity.
Actually, not to nitpick, but he only batted cleanup in 3 games in 2006. It became a regular thing after Teixiera was traded in 2008, I’m pretty sure.
But your stats are still beautiful.
jakob
December 29th, 2010
3:25 pm
everything is fine except for heyward being 6th.he should be switched with mclouth….
TennesseePaul
December 29th, 2010
3:28 pm
McFann: True. That was a mis-statement on my part. 2006 is when he began playing full-seasons. Hence I began the splits in that year.
Just A Thought
December 29th, 2010
3:28 pm
Jakob, I agree that Heyward is a pretty good number two hitter, but I would never want McLouth batting sixth.
McFann O O
December 29th, 2010
3:30 pm
July 25, 2008 was when McCann became the Braves’ practically-permenent cleanup hitter.
McFann O O
December 29th, 2010
3:31 pm
TennesseePaul—
Oh, no sweat. Just wanted the rest of the public to know.
TennesseePaul
December 29th, 2010
3:32 pm
And McFann, that point made me realize I hadn’t fully corrected my 2006-2010 numbers for PA and AB…over that time span he has averaged 230 plate appearances a season and 201 at bats as a 4th hitter…. the steep decline in the totals is exactly related to your point.. he barely hit in the 4th spot in 2006.
TennesseePaul
December 29th, 2010
3:33 pm
July 25, 2008 was when McCann became the Braves’ practically-permenent cleanup hitter.
Ha! Always precise when it comes to McCann… There is no way in hell I’m going to figure in that half year split.
McFann O O
December 29th, 2010
3:35 pm
TennesseePaul—
Ah-oh…then maybe I shouldn’t point out that he only spent 8 games in that spot in 2007.
Sorry I sorta screwed up your numbers.
I like those charts that you make!
McFann O O
December 29th, 2010
3:38 pm
TennesseePaul Ha! Always precise when it comes to McCann
I like to be thorough.
Must be the German blood in me…
There is no way in [heck] I’m going to figure in that half year split.
Ha! Yeah…that’d be a pain in the butt for the League/Majors part!
Eric from MO
December 29th, 2010
3:39 pm
TennPaul thanks for the stats but is that the Majors as in Majors cleanup hitters or all hitters in the majors because if it was all hitters then you have number 8 hitters bringing that down. Thanks.
Jim as for HOF it is 5 years after the player last played in the Majors. He may have to have his retirement papers filled out by then but it doesnt go by when he fills them out.
Mfin ST hasnt been played yet. If McLouth has a terrible ST then he wont be hitting 2 and if he has a good ST then he is no longer the worse hitter on the team. It is December right now.
T for Texas
December 29th, 2010
3:39 pm
Just a thought-
That lineup with Heyward batting 4th and Freeman 7th is a good thought, in my opinion. It puts Heywards OBP and speed in front of Uggla and Mac, and I believe the Kid can hold down the clean-up spot.
If McLouth can’t hold down the 2-hole, line up could be adjusted by sliding Chipper and all following up one slot and dropping Nate to 8.
AdirondackDave
December 29th, 2010
3:39 pm
WOW… Is possible for anybody to look more pessimistically at the Braves than your 1:11?
TennesseePaul
December 29th, 2010
3:51 pm
Alright then McFann… pointing out all the little tid-bits… here are the figures for 2009-2010 as well (Majors and League are sans-McCann). McCann was the primary 4th hitter for the Braves both of those seasons, only amassing a total of 197 PA over the two years at any other spot in the line up.
________PA__AB__AVG__OBP__SLG__OPS_XBH/PA_RBI/PA_HR/PA_HR/AB
Majors 693 611 .270 .348 .467 .814 0010.9 0006.9 025.5 022.5
League 678 598 .270 .347 .464 .810 0010.9 0006.9 026.2 023.1
McCann 460 398 .277 .361 .474 .836 0010.8 0006.3 025.5 022.1
TennesseePaul
December 29th, 2010
3:53 pm
EricMO: That is the #4 spot in the line up for Majors and League, subtracting McCann. No other line up spots were included.
Lew
December 29th, 2010
4:10 pm
I wouldn’t rule out a career year for McCann with Uggla hitting behind him.
Huh??
December 29th, 2010
4:14 pm
McClouth in the top of the order?? Did anyone one watch baseball last year?? Nate is nothing after steroids, nor is Schaefer. Braves need a legit CF, and McClouth/Schaefer is not the answer. C’mon O’Brien, why would Nate bat second? Do we need an automatic out in the top of the lineup? My suggestion would be to move Heyward up in the order in front of the RBI guys in McCann and Uggla. BTW, Chipper is done. He will be lucky to come back and play, and if he does, he will bat less than .250 with less than 10 HR’s in ‘11. His best days are over, and he will be paid over $15 million. What a waste. Braves need help in CF and at 3B.
Lew
December 29th, 2010
4:17 pm
If he doesn’t come back and play he won’t be paid $15 million. Besides, he makes less than $15 mil, anyway.
Carroll Rogers
December 29th, 2010
4:18 pm
Lew, not to mention McCann figures to start the season without vision issues for the first time in three years (once he figured out to cut out the caffeine, his problems with dry eyes, etc, really became a non-issue)….and he’s about to turn 27, which in baseball years is your “prime.”….Also having talked to him a couple of weeks ago, briefly, he really sounded excited about stepping it up this year. Granted, he always does, and he’s a hard worker, but to hear a guy who’s won four Silver Sluggers sound that hungry to get better is a good sign for the Braves.
McFann O O
December 29th, 2010
4:22 pm
TennesseePaul Alright then McFann… pointing out all the little tid-bits…
Ah, those stats are still good-looking! In fact, killing off the little-tiny 2006/2007 numbers may have help bring BMac’s stats up a bit.
Lew I wouldn’t rule out a career year for McCann with Uggla hitting behind him.
Carroll Rogers
December 29th, 2010
4:23 pm
Huh?? it’s Schafer, not Schaefer, and it’s not O’Brien either writing this or making out that lineup….just an fyi…..And if Chipper can’t go and they move Prado to third, then they will get more help in the lineup. …Also if Nate scuffles again, I can’t imagine they’d wait too long to do something about that either, but that’s not something they can determine on Dec. 29.