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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,178 comments Add your comment
VaBravesFan
January 29th, 2011
11:22 am
I’m reading about the Mets finacial problems, there team in my opinion is a mess. Possible change of ownership, the Front Office is on a tight leash spending wise. I wouldnt be surprised to see the Nats finish ahead of them. There rotation of Johan,Pelfrey,Dickey,and whoever lol aint gonna cut it. Wright is the only player who will play great for sure, Bay got hurt and fell off a cliff, Beltran has question marks, and even Reyes injuries. There bullpen looks terrible with no clear closer.
TnBrian
January 29th, 2011
11:25 am
It’s funny how it’s worked out the last few years having real good defensive 1st baseman. LaRoche, Tex, Kotchman, LaRoche again, Lee and now Freeman. I wish the rest of that IF D was as sharp. You have to miss the days of Belliard, Lemke, Blauser, TP. They saved that pitching staff so many runs.
VaBravesFan
January 29th, 2011
11:33 am
jeffrey
Yeah your right. I say 75% chance he stays. The bench mark for his next contract is Alex Rodriguez, in my opinion Pujols he’s way better. AROD signed his big deal at 31 years old. From 2008 to 2010 AROD has only hit 95 homers and batted 285. While Pujols has 126 homers and batted 331.
TnBrian
January 29th, 2011
12:06 pm
I heard or read not long ago (can’t remember now which) that Pujols grew up a pretty big Braves fan. I’m sure a lot of players his age grew up watching/rooting for the Braves of the 90’s, but it’s cooler since he’s the best MLB has right now. I wouldn’t bet on it happening at all, but imagine having him in our lineup? Holy smokes!
TnBrian
January 29th, 2011
12:10 pm
Glavine is right ….. that Philly rotation will NOT match or really even come close to all what he,Smoltz, Maddux, Avery ,etc did back in the day. LOL– it’s not even close. So many years of dominance from guys right in their primes. Philly filth better not even go there is all I got to say. What we watched will NEVER be done again. Not for that long year after year. The way FA is now with all the money being thrown at guys is one reason why.
Mitchie-sand
January 29th, 2011
12:25 pm
Good job, Major. HUA.
raleighbravefan
January 29th, 2011
1:07 pm
I grew up as an ACC basketball fan – lived and breathed it. For over 30 years I have loved the Braves, and it is my #1 sports passion. However, contrary to what I would have believed 10 years ago, I absoluteluy LOVE hockey. 2 trips to the finals, and winning the cup in 2006 certainly helped. I have now been a Hurricanes season ticket holder for 7 years. You would have to be here to feel the excitement of all-star weekend. I’m having a ball, and can’t wait for the skills competition tonight and the game tomorrow.
Go team Stall! Monday I will be back strong into the Braves. Come on Spring Training!
DS1
January 29th, 2011
1:18 pm
Interesting conversation this morning on baseball’s payroll situation and Pujols.
Watch out for WW. He wants to give all the poor owners money to the players!!!
I kinda like the current system, because it helps the smaller market teams more, I think……….. They can build a good farm system, and deal off their superstars for other prospects when they get too expensive. There have been a few teams win it all with modest payrolls.
Unless the teams went to a more socialized (it kills me to suggest something so utterly offensive to me) take on revenue sharing, then to shift pay away from the vets to the younger players would kill some small market teams.
Is it spring training yet???
Bro
January 29th, 2011
1:19 pm
TIME TO UPDATE THIS PAGE.
DS1
January 29th, 2011
1:22 pm
A thought on Pujols: Yankess don’t need him. Boston doesn’t need him. Phillies don’t need him. Mets probably can’t afford him. Who is left? Dodgers? Can they afford him with all their internal strife?
Seems to me that his open market bargaining power might not be as strong as he and his agent would hope.
Clue me in on other clubs that would be willing to spend 25-30 million on a player for 6-10 years. Unless I am missing someone, I don’t see it.
I’ll check back in later for any responses.
David O'Brien
January 29th, 2011
1:22 pm
Bro: Why, so we can get more great comments like yours at 1:19?
DS1
January 29th, 2011
1:26 pm
Dave
When do you head south? As much as we love this time of year (start of ST), it’s gotta be hell for you…..
tiger297
January 29th, 2011
1:36 pm
DS1 – You shouldn’t think of revenue sharing as anything near socialism. If the big market teams didn’t get to play the small market teams there would be no MLB. How much revenue would teams generate if there were 8 teams in 4 cities in the league? As much as they may complain about revenue sharing the big market teams do it because it increases the value of the league.
Venice Jim
January 29th, 2011
2:20 pm
Just doing my part to keep the blog from being silent for 45 minutes…
FEAR
January 29th, 2011
2:23 pm
Hiya pals. anyone have an idea of who is going to be on the caravan for tomorrow in Greenville, SC?
Trey
January 29th, 2011
2:46 pm
Hey what’s up, everyone? I am just here to “pad” my numbers!
Gotta go for the record posts on one blog! Where’s my trophy? 
keylargo
January 29th, 2011
2:58 pm
If I smelled as bad as you do, I wouldn’t live near people Mattie Ross to Rooster Cogburn
True Grit at 5:00 pm today on AMC
IVAN ...
January 29th, 2011
3:15 pm
Nowhere to go but up replacing Pendeless.
Is Rafael Belliard needing a job?
That would be an improvement.
keylargo
January 29th, 2011
3:34 pm
True Grit (1969)
Moon: Quincy, he never played me false until he killed me.
I didn’t realize this until I saw it but Dennis Hopper played Moon Later on that year he had a slightly larger role in a flick named Easy Rider
haggard
January 29th, 2011
3:52 pm
keylargo
Thanks for the True Grit heads up. I saw the current version Christmas Eve afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I’ve never seen the original, though I’ve always known it starred John Wayne, Kim Darby and Glen Campbell,(I’ve been a major Campbell fan since grade school and always got a kick out of his line, “I’m the reason John Wayne won his Oscar. Next to my acting, that’s the reason he looked so good”).
And I’ll be sure enjoy the original on it’s own merits and not to compare it to the Coen brothers’ version.
haggard
January 29th, 2011
3:53 pm
“not compare it”
O'flarity's water bottle
January 29th, 2011
3:53 pm
WOULDNT YOU WANT SOMONE THAT KNOWS ABOUT STEALING BASES!
haggard
January 29th, 2011
3:55 pm
“If I smelled as bad as you do, I wouldn’t live near people Mattie Ross to Rooster Cogburn”
LOL
Bat Masterson
January 29th, 2011
3:56 pm
Bat – given that it was a week ago short of a couple of hours that I said something you replied to on the prior blog,………… And thanks for the good wishes for Matt Stafford (I think). _ MIBravesFan
MIBF _
You think? Are you rethinking Stafford’s value because he has been injured? I have not been keeping up with what people are saying about him. Maybe I came across as less than sincere?
At any rate, I’m pulling for the Lions and hope they win a Super Bowl soon. There is the Stafford/ Ga Bulldog connection, but also the Calvin Johnson/ Ga tech one. Stafford is a guy I though would be better as a pro than in college. I almost see his career at Ga as a waste. They did end 07 ranked second, that’s something I guess. Would have loved to see Ga v USC at the end that year, probably would have been a hell of a game.
Maybe I just want the Lions to win because it seems Detroit has been on the ropes for a long time. Maybe it has something to do with fond memories from my youth of Muscle cars and Motown . Whatever it is, the only two teams I care about seeing win a Super Bowl at this point are the Falcons and the Lions.
I came across this the other day. I’ve seen the photos better reproduced at another site but his will do.
http://www.marchandmeffre.com/detroit/index.html
Not a uniquely Detroit problem I know, but a sad one.
haggard
January 29th, 2011
4:17 pm
Bat Masterson
Did you see where Lions teammate Zack Follett called Stafford a “china doll” because “anytime he gets hit he goes down”? I’m sure Follett was speaking out of frustration and does indeed refer to himself as a friend of Stafford’s. And I share your admiration of Stafford’s arm. Even as a freshman at Georgia, it seemed as if he would simply cock his arm to throw and the ball would seemingly reach it’s destination with hardly any follow through. Mitch Album of The Detroit Free Press wrote a story for Sports Illustrated about the sad state of affairs in his city last year. Did you see it?
keylargo
January 29th, 2011
4:20 pm
Haggard – I’d be interested in your review of the two after you watch the original. Hope you enjoy it. By the way, in addition to Dennis Hopper, I also saw Robert Duval with a fairly significant role when I watched the original.
Bat Masterson
January 29th, 2011
4:26 pm
haggard_
I’ve read a couple of Album’s books but did not see that story, maybe I’ll look it up. I saw the fat man on ESPN questioning whether Stafford was injury prone or not. ‘You have to ask this’ or something along those lines, he said. Lets give the guy a chance, I say.
Bat Masterson
January 29th, 2011
5:08 pm
I know it’s not going to change, but the enormous gap between professional athlete and civilian just irks me a little. How people like police officers, firemen, and carnies are making a fraction of what A-Rod is making. _ jeffery d
I get you here, jeffery. That said, there are what, 750 players in MLB at any given time. There are more than 12,000 full time employees in the Fulton Co school system alone. One way to look at how teachers, police and fireman are valued beyond salaries is: People are willing to be taxed to pay them.
From what I understand MLB players get paid every two weeks and it is consider ordinary income. The point being, it is harder to shelter and they would be taxed at the top marginal rate. As apposed to say………… On second thought shutting up now.jeffrey d
January 29th, 2011
5:21 pm
Mark Fox wearing such a light suit with UGA wearing black makes him look like Colonel Sanders on the sideline…in Kentucky.
WVBravesFan84
January 29th, 2011
5:31 pm
so the braves are one team that rodrigo lopez is thinking of signing with…yikes…NRI of course but i saw he gave up 37 dingers last season
Snotboogie
January 29th, 2011
5:43 pm
So what’s everyone’s view on the possible NFL lockout?
I cant seem to get a handle on who is in the right here.
18 games seems like a bit much and have a tough time understanding how owners are so willing to anger fans by forcing a lockout.
nolie
January 29th, 2011
5:45 pm
. Hits depend a lot on defense and just pure luck. Shaun
as does everything in baseball. at leas it is not affected by what another pitcher does like ERA is. sigh
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
5:57 pm
Snotboogie-
The possible 18 game schedule is the last issue that is causing the NFL labor problems right now. It’s way too long and complicated to get into here but it’s all about money (what a surprise, huh?) I’ve sorta been obsessing over it (I’m weird like that) and the whole thing is kind of messy- if they get a deal worked out before the old CBA expires, I will be very shocked
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
5:58 pm
and, obviously, neither side is ever really “right” in situations like this, but it seems the players are more right then the owners are at this point…
Eric In Albany N.Y.
January 29th, 2011
6:09 pm
Can someone explain to me why the braves would need Rodrigo Lopez?
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
6:09 pm
where did everyone go??
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
6:11 pm
Eric-
What makes you think they do? (just curious…)
Eric In Albany N.Y.
January 29th, 2011
6:12 pm
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/atlanta_braves/index.html
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
6:12 pm
just saw the previous comment- “thinking of signing with” does not mean the Braves are interested
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
6:14 pm
and just reading that link- even if the Braves signed him, sounds extremely low to no risk for them (I’m a little slow today- sorry!
)
Eric In Albany N.Y.
January 29th, 2011
6:15 pm
just wondered what they would need him for… i dont personaly see a reason
i know it doesnt mean they will but i was just wondering if you knew something i didnt
Snotboogie
January 29th, 2011
6:15 pm
obviously, neither side is ever really “right” in situations like this, but it seems the players are more right then the owners are at this point…
Thanks for that. I kinda felt that way reading about it too. The players dont want to give up their 18% cut or play 18 games. but the owners seem to think that the current high profits wont last and hence want the 18% cut back. These owners are funny – not “haha” funny, but “tear your hair out not getting their point” funny – they want public funding for their stadiums, fans for the tickets and players to put their bodies on the line but will cry about their profits not going up enough. A stark contrast to the european soccer clubs who spend millions on their clubs and more often than not end up in debt.
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
6:17 pm
Eric-
have not been following very closely today so it was news to me too…certainly can’t hurt to have a major league arm (even if it’s a crappy one) in camp with all the young guys. And who knows- he could end up surprising…
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
6:21 pm
Snotboogie-
One of the major sticking points in this whole thing is that the owners are claiming they are losing a ton of money, hence the demand for the cut, but when the players seemed willing to discuss it and asked to see the books, the owners refused. So now the players (rightfully, in my opinion) don’t believe the owners claims. Like I said- it’s messy and complicated. And I do think the 18 games schedule is inevitable, mainly because I think the players (who seem to all hate the idea) have more important things they want to get in the CBA then that…
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
6:24 pm
Something else to watch out for, that will further complicate matters, is if the players do end up decertifying the union…
Snotboogie
January 29th, 2011
6:25 pm
Well, either way next Sunday might be the last meaningful game in a while. So we better enjoy it.
I pity the college guys who declared for the NFL draft this year. Tough wait for them.
shinburger
January 29th, 2011
6:27 pm
Eric, i dont understand why they would want him either. The only thing i can think of is they might be a little short on starters in the high minors and want a cheap veteran with experience as a insurance policy in case they might need him in atlanta.
nolie
January 29th, 2011
6:27 pm
they are going from 162 games to 18?
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
6:28 pm
Snotboogie-
Not just them, but all the free agents also…nothing can be done until a new CBA is reached…I actually feel less bad for the college kids (at least the underclassmen) because they knew this was coming… one of the reasons Andrew Luck stayed at Stanford
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
6:29 pm
nolie-
Dude, where have you been? Thought that was common knowledge by now!
Old People! 
tiger297
January 29th, 2011
6:31 pm
keylargo – yeah in my skyhawk I start with 38 gallons -3 unusable -6 reserve – 2 for taxi/runup – 3 for the pattern at the destination airport only leaves me 24 gallons for climb out and cruise, I burn about 8 GPH and average 100 kph so 300 nm is what I plan for depending on the winds. Never flown to an island but I’m guessing I will increase my reserve just a touch so 310 nm to cayman brac is out of my reach unless I can get a tailwind both ways LOL
nolie
January 29th, 2011
6:33 pm
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
6:33 pm
You look good blushing!
nolie
January 29th, 2011
6:33 pm
well played
BravesFanChris26
January 29th, 2011
6:33 pm
MLB Trade Rumors is saying Rodrigo Lopez is contemplating signing with Braves, Mets or Rockies. All three deals are considered to be non roster invitations to spring training.
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
6:35 pm
Now we have to get this to another page before VJ gets home and sees that- wouldn’t want him to get the wrong idea
BravesFanChris26
January 29th, 2011
6:40 pm
And for all the wrestling fans on here, you guys ready for Royal Rumble tomorrow?
That’s one of the big 4 PPVs I always get. Royal Rumble/WrestleMania/Summer Slam/Survivor Series, they are the only ones I get each year.
Braveheart
January 29th, 2011
6:41 pm
Can someone explain to me why the braves would need Rodrigo Lopez?
Wasn’t Demacio the scouting director for the Orioles when Lopez was a young player with them? Maybe it’s just one of them Dayton Moore loving old Braves he was familiar with type of things? Or maybe it’s just Demacio doing a favor for an old player of his by faking interest to get him some more money while at the same time driving up the price on a divisional rival like the Mets? Or maybe they are really interested as insurance just in case sh!t happens, and you need a body so that you’re not using someone worse than Lopez, and you’re not burning a prospect like Teheran by rushing him up
BravesFanChris26
January 29th, 2011
6:44 pm
Rodrigo Lopez would be a good depth move to be quite honest. Say a pitcher is needed towards middle of season and don’t wanna rush Julio. Rodrigo fits that bill.
Braveheart
January 29th, 2011
6:44 pm
Isn’t Lopez one of the Oriole pitchers of that era that Mazzone loves to rant about on his radio show? Maybe they want to sign him just to tick off Leo
nolie
January 29th, 2011
6:44 pm
could be BH, but it would be hard to use a worse pitcher than he is anymore
nolie
January 29th, 2011
6:47 pm
OK so now we get to worry about Egypt too. Interesting times
David O'Brien
January 29th, 2011
6:50 pm
If Braves are interested in Rodriguez Lopez, it’s purely as depth for the fifth spot, should they have a couple of injuries or whatever. Otherwise he’d be at Triple-A, I’m fairly certain.
Lopez, 35, was 7-16 with a 5.00 ERA for Arizona last season, and gave up NL-highs of 37 homers and 126 earned runs. And he was actually worse on the road (3-9, 5.06 ERA, .840 opponent OPS) than at Chase Field (4-7, 4.93 ERA, .825 OPS).
nolie
January 29th, 2011
6:54 pm
except for his first and third year he has been unrelentingly bad
David O'Brien
January 29th, 2011
6:58 pm
ESPN showed the entire alma mater and Rock Chalk chant pre-game ritual at Allen Fieldhouse. Chills every time. Love it.
Wish they’d show the KU video that plays on the scoreboard overhead before lineups are introduced, the fast-edit trip through the school’s basketball history, including black-and-white shots of Wilt, etc. But that’d be a bit of an unfair recruiting advantage, I guess.
Braveheart
January 29th, 2011
6:58 pm
Lopez has pitched in mostly hitter’s parks (Baltimore, Philly, Colorado, Arizona). He’s got terrible K rates for someone who ain’t a groundball pitcher, but he has really low walk rates, and a 2:1 K/BB rate. Gives up alot of homers. Part of that is that he stinks, but part of it may be that he pitches so much in homer happy parks.
Trey
January 29th, 2011
7:02 pm
What’s up, everyone? I just checked out the information regarding Rodrigo Lopez and althought I hope we don’t get him regarding his stats, I have seen much worse. As DOB said, he will probably just be brought to Atlanta in case we have a couple of injuries, but later in the year we probably won’t have to worry about using him for depth as Medlen should be back later this year.
Braveheart
January 29th, 2011
7:03 pm
Well, damn, nevermind that 6:58, I just looked up his career numbers, and Lopez has actually stunk much worse on the road that he’s stunk at home in his career. The guy just stinks. Now, I’ve just done wasted way too much time thinking about this scrub than I ever should have.
nolie
January 29th, 2011
7:05 pm
as DOB said be was worse away from ‘zona. most of it is that he stinks. little stuff combined with too many pitches over the plate but not in the right spots
Braveheart
January 29th, 2011
7:06 pm
yeah, I hadn’t seen DOB’s post before I posted what I wrote at 6:58.
Trey
January 29th, 2011
7:07 pm
Nolie, oh I know he stinks. I also know I have seen worse than him in my life.
keylargo
January 29th, 2011
7:08 pm
Medlen won’t be counted on for anything next year. He may pitch some but coming back from TJ is too unpredictable to count on him and be unprepared.
MikeInFl
January 29th, 2011
7:09 pm
Lopez would be a good arm to stuff away at Gwinnett, IMO. He’s not very good, but he does eat innings, and actually pitched quite a few good games last year (including shutting down the Braves for 8 innings in one start). He would help insure that we don’t have to rush a young guy who’s not ready, in the event of a couple of injuries to starters.
I don’t want him to be anything above a 7th or 8th starter, but sure don’t see any harm in having him down on the farm.
Braveheart
January 29th, 2011
7:09 pm
oh I know he stinks. I also know I have seen worse than him in my life.
yeah, remember 2007 when davies, larew, jojo, redman, and cormier stunk so friggin’ horribly that it was a godsend when buddy carlyle only pitched as badly as lopez usually does
Trey
January 29th, 2011
7:14 pm
Braveheart, I remember them well. I wish I could forget them, Remember when we had Albie Lopez on our team? He was awful.
ward
January 29th, 2011
7:15 pm
Hello every one! Some of you don’t want Vlad, but then some of you want Lopez. Doesn’t make any sense too me…..We are good with pitching as of now,,,,,,Why have a stinky pitchers which we don’t need.
nolie
January 29th, 2011
7:15 pm
if we get to the point that we need Rodrigo-who is one of the poorestt pitchers in MLB baseball- we are gonna be in deep doo-doo.
ward
January 29th, 2011
7:16 pm
No on Lopez………
nolie
January 29th, 2011
7:16 pm
not exactly sure what relationship there is between Vlad and Lopez
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
7:17 pm
ward-
who said they wanted Lopez?
ward
January 29th, 2011
7:17 pm
Nolie…. I agree……..
Trey
January 29th, 2011
7:17 pm
Ward, we don’t want Lopez, no need to worry, bud.
MikeInFl
January 29th, 2011
7:18 pm
Hey, his ERA last year, in 200 innings, was better than Kevin Milwood, A.J. Burnett, Jeremy Bonderman, Josh Beckett, Javier Vazquez and Scott Kazmir!
Brave4life- We almost had it
January 29th, 2011
7:19 pm
Pendleton suuuuccks
Still surprised he is employed
Trey
January 29th, 2011
7:19 pm
Mike, it wasn’t hard to be much better than Kevin Millwood last year. Well, unless your name was Kenshin Kawakami. Millwood just had a horrible year and I am actually feeling sorry for the guy. I hope he goes out and has a better season this year.
ward
January 29th, 2011
7:20 pm
I think we should get an extra hitter a vetran like Vlad,not a pitcher like Rodrigo………We need a hitter instead…………
CB
January 29th, 2011
7:21 pm
nolie,lot of things happening now to make us all worry about future events. Egypt is just the beginning.
nolie
January 29th, 2011
7:22 pm
Hey he is terrible every year which some of those guys aint
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
7:23 pm
ward-
Braves are not going to pay Vlad $3 million+ to be a part time fielder and pinch hitter
nolie
January 29th, 2011
7:24 pm
maybe not quite the beginning, N Korea has been troublesome for a while as has Pakistan and our war in the Middle East. starting to pile up
ward
January 29th, 2011
7:25 pm
People should give peace a chance……..
ward
January 29th, 2011
7:27 pm
I would,because he one heck of a hitter. I like the Tin Man……He can hit………
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
7:30 pm
ward-
I like Vlad too, but he’s not going to play center field- he can’t anymore- and our corners are set. He’s not worth that much money to be, essentially, a pinch hitter who would play in left field maybe a few games a month…
CB
January 29th, 2011
7:34 pm
My wife was born in S. Korea,she is worried to death about her family.
ward
January 29th, 2011
7:35 pm
Schafer, and Nate will be fine in center field……Insurance would be a good thing in the out field……always a good thing……..
charlotte observer
January 29th, 2011
7:35 pm
Blast from the past.
I read in the newspaper this morning that Brad Komminsk .. will be working with the AAA Norfolk Tides. Norfolk is the farm team of Baltimore in the International League. He will be employed as the Hitting Coach. I looked to see what he had been doing lately … and found that he has been the Manager of the AA Baltimore team for several years. This is his first stint as Hitting Coach.
You have to hand it to him … he’s still working in Baseball. He will be coming to Gwinnett … and I’ll see him in Charlotte.
ward
January 29th, 2011
7:36 pm
Vlad would be good insurance……..
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
7:36 pm
ward-
I’d prefer someone that can still play the outfield to be my insurance in the outfield…
nolie
January 29th, 2011
7:36 pm
I bet she is CB. I’m sorry
cabravesfan
January 29th, 2011
7:37 pm
and again- I’m not paying someone $3million+ to be that guy