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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,473 comments Add your comment
cabravesfan
February 23rd, 2011
2:48 pm
Soph-
That might be a good idea
what of it?
February 23rd, 2011
2:48 pm
What is McCann emerging as the leader of? Defensive errors amongst Major League catchers.
I bet if you look at his power numbers since All-star 2009, there would be considerable drop off.
Freeman Says Hey
February 23rd, 2011
2:48 pm
Honestly I don’t think he will either, but should the conversation take place? Of course McCann and his bat have value. A guy who van hit .285/25/90 should be given the opportunity to further his career. If moving him would allow him to sustain those type of numbers 2/3 years then it would be irresponsible not to.
Soph
February 23rd, 2011
2:48 pm
cab – tada!
http://i53.tinypic.com/a4sf47.png
cabravesfan
February 23rd, 2011
2:49 pm
I bet if you look at his power numbers since All-star 2009, there would be considerable drop off.
McFann? I sense a project for you
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
2:51 pm
“Those sliding Klesko basket-catches still wake me with a cold sweat in the middle of the night.”
He turned every routine fly ball into an adventure for sure
cabravesfan
February 23rd, 2011
2:53 pm
Soph-
Looks like you need a few more bricks
Shaun
February 23rd, 2011
2:54 pm
As far as this point goes, what if a proven offensive force could’ve been available for Teheran and others? It would be the same situation. Those are the kind of calls GMs have to make all the time. I’m not sure how that factors into the argument.
Well, Teheran is regarded as one of if not the top pitching prospect in baseball. Here’s Wainwright’s Baseball America rankings:
Pre-2001: Rated #97 Prospect
Pre-2002: Rated #42 Prospect
Pre-2003: Rated #18 Prospect
Pre-2004: Rated #49 Prospect
Clearly a very solid prospect but no indication that he wasn’t worth Drew in his prime. And the fact that he was a pitcher also goes into the equation because pitching prospects are much riskier than positional prospects. So unless you have clearly one of the best pitching prospects in the game, it’s probably worth considering a trade if you are offered a proven hitter with MVP-type talent.
Actually, it’s really too soon to know what the ceiling is for the guys in the Tex trade, but, other than that, the only talents I can think of that the Braves let get away without having a chance to prove themselves are Dye, Wainwright and DeRosa. That’s a record I can live with. And honestly, Dye and DeRosa hurt more than Wainwright, because of who we got for Dye, and I think all we got for DeRosa was an open roster spot. Not sure who took that spot, but I would think letting DeRo walk was a more egregious error.
We all remember DeRosa’s outstanding season with the Cubs a couple of years ago but even I’m shocked when I look at DeRosa’s career how unspectacular it has been. He had a lot of value because of his versatility but DeRosa was never all that good a player. The Braves let him walk after the 2004 season and I don’t see that that was a mistake at all. With the Braves he posted a .317 on-base and a .371 slugging. Those aren’t great numbers even for a guy with versatility. Since he left the Braves he’s posted a .351 on-base and a .439 slugging. Much better and at least worthy of significant playing time but nothing spectacular.
Jermaine Dye was a better player than DeRosa but even he was generally overrated throughout his career. He had three solid seasons but was a little better than a league-average hitter the rest of his career. He was pretty much your run-of-the-mill major league corner-outfielder. Like DeRosa, and to a slightly larger degree, there was plenty of value in who he was but it wasn’t like he was a star.
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
2:55 pm
Is there a way to get a issue of the New SI sent down to Florida to get Freedie and Heyward to sign it? Im stuck in Missouri working with the Cardinals.
CraZyTRaDeMaN
February 23rd, 2011
2:55 pm
Robert
I saw your rant on the Hawks blog earlier, looked like one of your Bobby sucks / Liberty Media sucks / Chipper sucks rants. It’s good to see you stick to the same angle no matter the sport.
DAP
February 23rd, 2011
2:56 pm
heisenberg I cannot see McCann in LF. 1B would be logical.
id say mac in LF is more ligical than 1B, since he has actually played LF in the last several years. (y’all remember the world baseball classic?) but moving mccann anywhere is pretty illogical, no matter what position it is.
and whats it with people who think any ol’ sack can play 1st base or left field? i take offense as a former 3 and a terrible outfielder.
Horner's Corner
February 23rd, 2011
2:56 pm
richbrave-
“You admonish our sainted blog-meister for belaboring a topic to the detriment of one you desire instead, then at the last minute return to a part of the subject you want away from [McLOUTH]? Dude………”
Nice catch! I was hoping to get a rise out of DOB, but I’ll take my well deserved razing from you instead.
Freeman Says Hey
February 23rd, 2011
2:57 pm
How do you make those sexy italics in ya’lls posts. Dion James and I sure would like to know.
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
2:58 pm
Why does everyone think that all catchers can play Major Legue level 1st base? haveing players like Omar Infante that can play several positions is rare at this level.
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
2:59 pm
“The guy is overweight and he is a liability behind the plate as far as his defense is concerned.”
McCann is no Gold Glover, but he’s not what I’d call a liability on defense.
As far as fitness, you can blame that on the man who manages the team. If he doesnt make fitness a priority, then what can you expect from the players? In other words, McCann might have some lazy fitness habits, but that’s been Braves culture for a long time (hopefully changing these days)
I really dont have any issue with McCann – he is what he is – an average fielder and a decent hitter who is above average for his position -
Freeman Says Hey
February 23rd, 2011
3:00 pm
I blame McDonalds on my fitness, if the Mcrib didn’t taste so dang good I wouldn’t tote this spare tire around…
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:00 pm
Mccann might be a average catcher but hes a outstanding hitting catcher caint take that away from him.
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
3:01 pm
“I saw your rant on the Hawks blog earlier”
Huh? I havent ever posted on a Hawks blog. I havent watched or cared about the NBA since John Havlicek retired
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:01 pm
speaking of fitness i wonder what Dan Kolb is doing these days?
Heisenberg
February 23rd, 2011
3:01 pm
It is not just some of us on this blog that seem to believe any old sack can play 1B of LF. That is where teams put their worst defenders whose bat is still valuable. Other than shipping them off to semi-retirement in the AL as a DH, where else would a defensively challenged but good bat play?
cabravesfan
February 23rd, 2011
3:02 pm
Of course some want to blame the manager for the fitness level of a player. Because the manager should spend the off season following these guys around and watch everything they eat and force them to work out every day- I mean, they are adult men, and we all know men are totally incapable of taking care of themselves…
GT Alum
February 23rd, 2011
3:02 pm
Actually, McCann hit a HR every 24 ABs before the 2009 ASB, and has hit one every 21.44 ABs since, so his power has actually improved a little.
McFann Ô Ô
February 23rd, 2011
3:02 pm
What is McCann emerging as the leader of?
The Braves! Pay attention…
cabravesfan—
OK, I’m on it! But let’s bear in mind that the eye-issues skewed his numbers a bit.
What do you think I should compare the numbers to? Like…2008-All-Star Break 2009? Or just all of the rest of his career?
Freeman Says Hey
February 23rd, 2011
3:02 pm
Look Mickey Mouse..———–>
CraZyTRaDeMaN
February 23rd, 2011
3:03 pm
Huh? I havent ever posted on a Hawks blog.
Then you have a twin
cabravesfan
February 23rd, 2011
3:04 pm
McFann-
Well, the statement was “after the 2009 all-star break” so I think a simple “before-and-after” comparison would work nicely
GT Alum
February 23rd, 2011
3:05 pm
Although, it depends on what you mean by power numbers. His slugging percentage 2nd half of 2009 was 806, and during 2010 it was 828. Both of those are off his career average of 849. He hasn’t been hitting the doubles he used to.
Freeman Says Hey
February 23rd, 2011
3:06 pm
Because he is using 3rd eye vision sober.
BravesFanChris26
February 23rd, 2011
3:06 pm
If you like BBQ sauces, I strongly recommend ordering from good ole JR Jim Ross!
I ordered a BBQ sauce package from him last week and just got it today. I went straight to the beef jerky and it’s fantastic! I can’t wait to start using the sauces. I cheated and opened the sauces for a taste and they are so good.
Especially the Chipotle Ketchup!
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:07 pm
With Macs speed im not sure doubles are what we want to see out of him, I will be happy with just homers and singles.
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:07 pm
Jordans BBQ in Cleveland Tennessee is very good
McFann Ô Ô
February 23rd, 2011
3:09 pm
cabravesfan—
Okie dokie! Just gotta finish this danged Latin, and then I’ll get on it…that is, if I don’t fall asleep during Latin…
GT Alum He hasn’t been hitting the doubles he used to.
Don’t remind us…
McFann Ô Ô
February 23rd, 2011
3:09 pm
Matt With Macs speed im not sure doubles are what we want to see out of him
You’ve. Got. To be. Kidding…
Freeman Says Hey
February 23rd, 2011
3:10 pm
Mr. P’s in Birmingham has the best seasoning and marinades. Charles owns it and it is family operated.
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:11 pm
McFann i can think of several times Mac has been thrown out at 2nd trying to strech a single into a double.
bravesgrl4life( a/k/a In Love with Fredi G!)
February 23rd, 2011
3:14 pm
McFann – I aced 2 years of Latin in high school. Can’t remember much of it at all some 20+ years later.
Horner's Corner
February 23rd, 2011
3:14 pm
The front cover of SI should have read, “Atlanta welcomes White Lightening and Chocolate Thunder!” Get the t-shirt printed now. Just wait, in a few years you’ll see Bradley writing stories with titles like, “Philadelphia’s forecast calls for Thunder & Lightening all weekend.”
CraZyTRaDeMaN
February 23rd, 2011
3:14 pm
With Macs speed he should lead the team in doubles and triples this year. Don’t hate!!
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:15 pm
LMAO @horner
Mikeyc588
February 23rd, 2011
3:15 pm
Any chance the Braves and Kawakami aren’t in too big of a hurry to work out these visa issues while they’re looking to trade him? I’d much rather stay home in Japan than fight for scrap innings after the Lopez signing. It doesn’t make Kawakami look too appealing that the Braves aren’t even going to have him battling for the 5th spot (even for appearances sake).
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:18 pm
So if Nate can hit this spring is there any chance we trade him and a couple minor leaguers for a upgrade in center?
P-Town Brave ©
February 23rd, 2011
3:19 pm
Horner-
If I hadnt read the left side, that sounded quite like a Murph comment…
P-Town Brave ©
February 23rd, 2011
3:20 pm
Matt-
Slim and None would be a good guess…
CraZyTRaDeMaN
February 23rd, 2011
3:22 pm
I can think of several times Mac has been thrown out at 2nd trying to stretch a single into a double.
How many times do you think McCann stopped at 1st when he should’ve been on second? Besides that won’t happen this year WE GOT TP AS A 1B COACH!!!!
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
3:22 pm
“Of course some want to blame the manager for the fitness level of a player. Because the manager should spend the off season following these guys around and watch everything they eat and force them to work out every day”
No. The manager’s job is not to make sure the players arent unfit. The manager’s job is to make sure there are consequences when a player is unfit.
There’s a difference
In the recent past, not being fit hasnt had consequences in this organization
Ward
February 23rd, 2011
3:22 pm
Great article again D.O.B. : Just think of some people on this blog wanted to trade MCCann, and he looks llike he’s in good shape. Shame on you people. That is some of you…..I really encouraged by the News on Nate too……. Good info on Wainwright,becauase there was some people on the blog who still wanted him on our team.Now thats funny……
McFann Ô Ô
February 23rd, 2011
3:22 pm
Matt—
Maybe…but it really doesn’t happen that much…I cann think of two or three times in his whole career. But when he’s on, he’s great at hitting to the gaps. He’s gonna have plenty of Doubles!
bravesgrl4life—
Wow. Yeah, Latin’s OK, but ugh…so many rules, and so many exceptions to every single one!
Not my favorite subject, but I think I’ve made 82 or over on each test so far, so I should get by…
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
3:23 pm
“Then you have a twin”
Imitation is the sincerest formof flattery
Ward
February 23rd, 2011
3:24 pm
Wren did a great job this year, and manged money well. Two thumbs up way up!!!!!!
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
3:25 pm
“Atlanta welcomes White Lightening and Chocolate Thunder”
Dont know about White Lightning, but the Chocolate Thunder nickname is taken – Darryl Dawkins – (which is about the era in which I last cared about the NBA)
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:25 pm
Speaking of TP after the Demotion i think his chances at being a head coach are behind him.
BravesFanChris26
February 23rd, 2011
3:25 pm
Freeman Says Hey
Nice, if I get in that direction anytime soon, I’ll check it out.
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
3:26 pm
“With Macs speed he should lead the team in doubles and triples this year”
The words “Brian McCann” and “triple” should never be used together in the same sentence. Unless the ball gets wedged the outfield wall somehow
abwright
February 23rd, 2011
3:27 pm
McFann Ô Ô, February 23rd, 2011, 3:09 pm … “Just gotta finish this danged Latin, and then I’ll get on it”
Is that what you’re doing right now? You could at least throw a “quod est demonstrandum” at the end of your posts.
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:28 pm
Has Mac ever had a inside the park home run?
Shaun
February 23rd, 2011
3:28 pm
In the recent past, not being fit hasnt had consequences in this organization
Robert, Really? You have proof of that or at least some reasons to believe that? Because I’d like to hear them.
Also, being unfit is presumably going to affect performance. So being unfit has consequences in the most laid-back organizations. If a player is unfit and unable to perform, he’ll be riding the pine or he’ll be back in the minors; or at the very least he’ll make millions of dollars less than what he otherwise could have.
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:30 pm
Didnt the giants threaten to suspend King Fu panda if he didnt lose weight this offseason? How did that go?
Ward
February 23rd, 2011
3:31 pm
Wren you did a grat job, and I aplogize for ripping you last year. I’ll keep my mouth shut this time……..
McFann Ô Ô
February 23rd, 2011
3:31 pm
Robert The words “Brian McCann” and “triple” should never be used together in the same sentence.
But he’s got 2 in his career…it’s gonna happen sometime…
abwright—
But I haven’t learned demonstrandum yet!
Does it mean…like… “demonstration”…?
Ward
February 23rd, 2011
3:31 pm
Correction great job……Have a good one Brave Fans talk later……peace…..
McFann Ô Ô
February 23rd, 2011
3:32 pm
Matt—
No. What of it? That’s not what makes a great player…
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:32 pm
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Giants-to-Panda-Lose-Weight-or-Lose-Your-Job-106801158.html
Horner's Corner
February 23rd, 2011
3:33 pm
Good call Robert, maybe we change it to “Chocolat Thunder” and enunciate it like it’s the title of Johnny Depp film.
Freeman Says Hey
February 23rd, 2011
3:33 pm
The website is pilleteri.com.
Worked a homeshow couple years back and purchased a little 5 pack of seasoning for 20-25 bucks. Now I just re-order them online and have them shipped to me. The orginal seasoning on a good steak is off the radar good.
BravesFanChris26
February 23rd, 2011
3:34 pm
Awesome. Thanks so much!
I’m a BBQ freak, I can live off of BBQ to be honest.
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
3:34 pm
“If a player is unfit and unable to perform, he’ll be riding the pine or he’ll be back in the minors; or at the very least he’ll make millions of dollars less than what he otherwise could have”
That’s the way it SHOULD be
But not the way it has been
Look – fitness takes a great degree of self motivation. The money motivator often takes hold in a contract year, but until then, it’s far away. Most days, the monetary consequences arent seen on the immediate tomorrow
Fact of the matter is that if an organization’s culture tolerates less-than-optimal fitness, then most people wont have the self motivation to break enough sweat to be superbly fit. That’s not a fault of the player. That’s human nature.
The Braves have a poor track record on fitness. It’s never been emphasized. Chipper’s comments earlier this spring show that to be true. And just as an example, as much as I loved watching him pitch, Greg Maddux’s idea of fitness was riding a golf cart for 36 holes instead of 18.
If fitness had been a priority, Andru Jones wouldve been benched for being a fat slob early and often in his career
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
3:35 pm
“But he’s got 2 in his career…it’s gonna happen sometime”
Hey, Rafy Belliards hit two dingers in his career. Anything can happen
I actually saw Rafy’s second HR live on tv. It was the ultimate wtf moment
dmack2027
February 23rd, 2011
3:36 pm
Regarding Lowe to the Yankees:
Don’t you have to think about it if you could obtain top flight SS or 3B prospects? The Braves will have to replace Alex Gonzalez after this year, and Chipper in the not to distant future. The Braves have been trying to dump Lowe for some time now. That said, his stock is very high right now after his performance down the stretch and in the playoffs last year.
The Cardinals might be looking for pitching as well. Maybe the Braves could pry Shelby Miller from the Cards.
bravofan
February 23rd, 2011
3:36 pm
anybody have experience with the mlb at bat app for android I have a droid incredible.
Any idea on the release date for this years version??
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:37 pm
Belliard was a painter last i heard…
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
3:38 pm
Hey, I LIKE McCann – I’m ribbing him a little for being slow, but as a slow person myself I can do that. The thing about him playing outfield was a joke – a chance to reminisce about Klesko
He is actually a pretty good baserunner – 14 steals the past three seasons aint shabby for a catcher.
CraZyTRaDeMaN
February 23rd, 2011
3:39 pm
And just as an example, as much as I loved watching him pitch, Greg Maddux’s idea of fitness was riding a golf cart for 36 holes instead of 18.
Yeah it was sad to see Maddux out of shape every year the guy could’ve been a HOF’er if he had only taken care of himself!
Freeman Says Hey
February 23rd, 2011
3:39 pm
Enjoy they are great people. At this point McCann and his weight, outfield worthyness is getting tons of pub, but yet not one person has told me how ya’ll make those sexxy italics….lol!
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
3:39 pm
“Belliard was a painter last i heard”
Thats funny, cuz my friends and I always used to joke that Rafy had pictures – which was how he kept his job
He sold Keuth Lockhart a set. And Greg Norton definately had the pictures. So did Dan Kolb.
Wickman’s mistake was he refused to invest in a set
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
3:40 pm
“Yeah it was sad to see Maddux out of shape every year the guy could’ve been a HOF’er if he had only taken care of himself!”
Noone said he wasnt great
Noone said he wasnt a HOFer
Are you saying it’s not possible he couldve been even BETTER had he adhered to a stricter fitness regimen?
P-Town Brave ©
February 23rd, 2011
3:41 pm
Ugh…
P-Town Brave ©
February 23rd, 2011
3:41 pm
Time too…
Freeman Says Hey
February 23rd, 2011
3:42 pm
what…or taken HGH? Where is that going?
P-Town Brave ©
February 23rd, 2011
3:42 pm
Much after lunch break…
P-Town Brave ©
February 23rd, 2011
3:42 pm
But must catch up w/ McFann…
Heisenberg
February 23rd, 2011
3:42 pm
That is it for me. Sadly real work calls. One more post to try to get in top 25.
DAP
February 23rd, 2011
3:42 pm
matt Belliard was a painter last i heard…
hes a base coach for the tigers.
P-Town Brave ©
February 23rd, 2011
3:42 pm
But have a meeting coming up….
P-Town Brave ©
February 23rd, 2011
3:43 pm
Don’t know how I’m gonna do it….
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:44 pm
Maddux,Glavine and Smoltz HOF still on track for 2013?
Bat Masterson
February 23rd, 2011
3:44 pm
Morning all! Holy crap it’s freezing… cab
70 and blue skies here, quit a few tourist on the beach, even a few in the water.
P-Town Brave ©
February 23rd, 2011
3:45 pm
BTW…
I must say…everyone seems to flood the board right when I go on lunch…
Leaves me much time to read and little time to post..
Between that and reading from 5p CT to 8a the next days material, its hard to post too much in the am…
Although for a while there, I was having a whole lot of fun trying to summarize the previous evening into one little nugget post…
Wait did I say Nugget?! AHHHHH MELO!
Sorry guys….couldn’t resist!
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
3:45 pm
McCann – 20/80/.280 should be a lock – would like to see him crack 30+ doubles again – and there’s a chance he could be a little better
He’s 27. If there’s a bump left in his performance, we should see it this year
P-Town Brave ©
February 23rd, 2011
3:46 pm
BAT, CA-
Must be nice…its in the low 30’s here (again) and there’s talk of a nasty storm that is sure to bring snow by weekend…
And they wonder why the suicide rate is much higher in the northern portion of the country
McFann Ô Ô
February 23rd, 2011
3:47 pm
How to make italics!! (Sorry it’s so freakishly small…)
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:47 pm
People in the North and just unhappy in general…
Robert
February 23rd, 2011
3:48 pm
It wouldve been great to see Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz all go in together, but it wont happen
Maddux and Glavine last played in 2008 – Smoltz played in 2009. And Maddux and Glavine are about as lock as you can be to be first ballot
For the record, I predict Maddux will be the first ever unanimous first ballot selection
McFann Ô Ô
February 23rd, 2011
3:48 pm
Robert would like to see him crack 30+ doubles again
Yeah, it would…and he will. Only missed it once, so I totally see him hitting 30+ again.
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:49 pm
Mac has yet to see his prime …
Freeman Says Hey
February 23rd, 2011
3:50 pm
Freeman Says Hey
February 23rd, 2011
3:51 pm
is this it?
Matt
February 23rd, 2011
3:51 pm
Do Coaches gotta wait 4 years also? As in when will we see Bobby go into the hall?
Freeman Says Hey
February 23rd, 2011
3:52 pm
Thank you McFann! I do appreciate learnin how to make dem sexxy italics….lol!
bravesgrl4life( a/k/a In Love with Fredi G!)
February 23rd, 2011
3:53 pm
Freeman Says Hey – you got it, man. To bold type do the same thing but instead of the i, use strong.
Bat Masterson
February 23rd, 2011
3:54 pm
P-Town_
I feel for you, brother. We’ve been blessed with one gorgeous day after another for over a week now, should last for several more.