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2,192 comments Add your comment
Pedro
April 27th, 2011
7:10 pm
If McDowell is shown the door, lets make a good offer to Maddux
Juan
April 27th, 2011
7:12 pm
Pedro…second that
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
If Roger gets the axe, I’ll volunteer for the job.
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
Maddux – Glavine – no thanks to Smoltizie – Anyone know if Salazar can coach?
Mike
April 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
Hmmm…Maddux or Mazzone? I think Maddux.
cricket
April 27th, 2011
7:14 pm
Didn’t expect so many supporters and excuse makers here for McDowell after reading the reports and considering the fact that he didn’t deny anything. Sorry, but if the reports are true, he should be fired in my opinion.
Brave New World
April 27th, 2011
7:14 pm
6-4 on this road trip is terrific! Sorry to hear that McDowell is in hot water – based on the limited information I have seen, it appears he might have been goaded by some fans and responded inappropriately in the presence of children. I have been at games where fans have hurled obscenities with no regard for the people around them. When my kids are with me it makes for an environment that is not family-friendly. Roger should have ignored the idiots that were heckling him rather than reduced himself to their level.
Juan
April 27th, 2011
7:14 pm
SMOLTZy
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
7:15 pm
cricket-
all he said was he was sorry for responding to heckling fans. That is not an admission that everything is true. I’d rather wait to hear the entire story before I pass judgement on someone and demand he lose his job.
kirkinga
April 27th, 2011
7:16 pm
If the Braves organization is consistent, then McDowell should be done. What is alleged to have happened here is not about politics, race, or sexual orientation, it is about professionalism and minding your behavior when young kids are around. McDowell is no rookie, he has been around long enough to expect rude fans and to understand which city he is in at any given time.
Can you imagine if Yunel had done something like that? Where are all the professionalism police that lectured us all about Yunel’s lack of professionalism? I don’t think anything Yunel did rose to this level.
I wonder if Leo would like the job, or if Fredi would want him as his pitching coach?
bucky oneil
April 27th, 2011
7:16 pm
DOB-
I made a comment the other day and was ripped a new one by Larry. Of course I didn’t see it until today because I have a “real job” and can’t afford hang on your blog for hours at time defending my position on each and every aspect of what isn’t going right with this team. I don’t live in the negative realm of things; No Depression right! I didn’t realize that Larry made the rules on here about what comments can be made, and to make fun of some one’s blog name, well that’s really classy. If he wants to get that kind of personal then there are forums to resolve things like; it’s called out back in the parking lot. I made my baseball point, I love the game. Simply put. If I’m going to get ripped by some jackass know it all like Larry then I’m going to stay away. I deal with enough of those and get paid for it. I don’t have to deal with it in what used to be a pleasurable forum. I do notice that he doesn’t have a lot to say when we win so, if not for that fact alone, I say Go Braves!
And Larry, you can reference a song by Paul Thorn, because in your case I’d be happy to demonstrate that “It’s a Great Day to Whoop Somebody’s Ass”.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
7:19 pm
Yeah, I said I wanted to hear the whole side of the story, not “It’s okay for McDowell to make derogatory remarks. He was just angry, that’s all.”
Jeff R
April 27th, 2011
7:19 pm
Hanson was sharp today in his win, huh? And the offense is showing signs of life. Nice.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
7:19 pm
Are we sure this was McDowell and not PL?
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
7:19 pm
jeffrey, I don’t think anyone has said that
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
7:20 pm
Anybody know who Fredi’s pitching coach in Florida was?
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
7:20 pm
I don’t think McDowell should be fired for that. Fine and suspend him (not more than a game or two), yes. But I don’t think he should be fired for that type of statement made towards heckling fans on the road during batting practice (regardless of what type of slur was used).
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
7:21 pm
cricket said we were making excuses for McDowell
reckingball
April 27th, 2011
7:21 pm
bucky oneil @7:16……..You should consider the source, before you get too offended, by someone like that.
cricket
April 27th, 2011
7:21 pm
McDowell played professional baseball for 11 years, and has coached at the ML level for 6 years. This isn’t the first time he’s encountered heckling fans.
And Michael Richards faced hecklers for many years before his blow up. Should not be an excuse, may be just brought out real inner feelings.
Anyway, not interested in this discussion anymore. Don’t think I am going to enjoy the tone of discussion here for some time. This spoiled the good mood generated by the fine game. Later folks.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
7:22 pm
Anybody know who Fredi’s pitching coach in Florida was?
John Rocker
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
7:22 pm
jeffrey-
ah- ok.
reckingball
April 27th, 2011
7:23 pm
There is a report of the McDowell incident, from the AP, posted at Yahoo Sports.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
7:24 pm
And Michael Richards faced hecklers for many years before his blow up
And McDowell spit on Michael Richards, so he must’ve done it.
Frankie Wren
April 27th, 2011
7:25 pm
“Can you imagine if Yunel did that”. Give me a freaking break and don’t bring that analogy into the picture. McDowell was wrong, way wrong and should be punished accordingly. Quit using making Escobar’s crappy attitude like he was misunderstood. Totally different situations.
cricket
April 27th, 2011
7:25 pm
I’d rather wait to hear the entire story before I pass judgement on someone and demand he lose his job.
That’s why I said in my comment – if the reports are true he should be fired..
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
7:26 pm
Jeffrey – Funny one.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
7:26 pm
cricket-
Serious question- do you think Kobe Bryant should have been thrown out of the NBA for yelling a homophobic slur- caught on national TV- at an official a few weeks ago?
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
7:27 pm
cricket – you also said we were “supporters” and “excuse makers” for not casting judgment on the guy yet.
Jeff R
April 27th, 2011
7:27 pm
I have no idea what prompted McDowell to say what he said and act the way he acted – allegedly. In all my years going to games, I’ve never seen coaches or players initiate that sort of stuff with fans unless there’s plenty of provocation.
It certainly doesn’t justify McDowell reacting – he’s a pro, and in today’s environment, pros need to be very restrained. But I can’t imagine that that “fan” was just sitting in the stands minding his own business and apropos of nothing McDowell started to hurl insults and act rudely or threateningly.
cricket
April 27th, 2011
7:27 pm
And McDowell spit on Michael Richards, so he must’ve done it.
damn the curse of reverse contamination
reckingball
April 27th, 2011
7:27 pm
What does “hectoring” mean?
007
April 27th, 2011
7:29 pm
WTF is up with Roger McD and fans? Where’s the iphone video and taped exchange? Must be up to several hundred thou by now.
Jeff R
April 27th, 2011
7:31 pm
Hectoring… riding someone’s back, hurling insults, etc. Or close enough for purposes.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
7:31 pm
Crap, it’s true. I just saw the video of McDowell letting two heckling fans have it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcaq4ElAJrE
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
7:33 pm
No wait, this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsxzmkm2vRc&feature=related
reckingball
April 27th, 2011
7:34 pm
to intimidate or harrass by bluster or pressure
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
7:35 pm
At least it wasn’t a homoerotic “slurp.”
007
April 27th, 2011
7:36 pm
I would advise the assembled to focus on our recent pitching-offensive awakening.
reckingball
April 27th, 2011
7:37 pm
by bluster or personal pressure
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
7:37 pm
Or close enough for purposes.
and porpoises
for you, nolie
Frankie Wren
April 27th, 2011
7:38 pm
Ever feel better about a team that is only .500 before? Great trip.
reckingball
April 27th, 2011
7:38 pm
That Eddie Money video of Shankin is pretty darn funny.
Richmond Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
7:39 pm
There is still far more to learn before passing judgment. The press conference was a little light on details. Yes he did apologize for his actions but since he did not admit to what those were or were not let us not quite fire him yet. After all if McDowell only made offensive comments to people who were not offended enough to file a complaint themselves then there is no case for this family or Allred. If McDowell had in fact threatened this family with a bat then the complaints made to the SF Police by the family would have resulted in his arrest. Since that did not take place something does not quite add up. Slurs of any kind whether they be racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. have no place in pro sports as Kobe showed the other day. However if that is all he did and it appears that the SF police feel that way then is that alone really a fireable offense?
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
7:43 pm
Richmond Braves Fan-
You make a lot of good points- especially the one regarding the SFPD. A police report was filed, yet the police did not even fell it necessary to contact the Braves about the incident? That alone makes that claim seem odd.
usnavyvolfaninva
April 27th, 2011
7:45 pm
Nice game today! Never thought the Braves would finish the road trip at 6-4 after their start in LA. Let’s wait a day or two on the McDowell thing before we pass judegement. I know personally that far too often I’ve been prematurely judgemental of someone based on a headline.
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
7:45 pm
haha, jeffrey d at 7:24!
reckingball
April 27th, 2011
7:46 pm
The AP reported that witnesses accused him of threatening to knock a man’s teeth out with a baseball bat, after the man asked him to stop making obsense jesters with it, while McDowell was hectoring three men down in front of the stands, where the man was sitting with his two nine year old daughters.
The man told Mcd that there were kids up here, whereupon McD approached him and asked him if he wanted keep his teeth, and told the man that kids should not be in a ballpark.
Jeff R
April 27th, 2011
7:46 pm
Richmond Braves Fan… Chances are the allegations against McDowell are overstated. Again, not justifying his reacting to “fan” taunts or jibes or insults. But something about this incident stinks of setup.
The Braves probably instructed McDowell to apologize even if the allegations are exaggerated. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Braves’ attorneys are back-channeling a deal with the Allred to get the matter behind them.
Bob H
April 27th, 2011
7:47 pm
kirkinga is right… McDowell is an embarrassment and needs to be fired. As a parent I don’t want my kids exposed to those types of comments. Was he drunk? I will be very disappointed with The Braves organizat
Smoltz, Maddux, Glavine, Mazzone,are all good choice replacements for pitching coach. Even Keshin Kawikami is better than — ” McFinnished.”
April 27th, 2011
7:16 pm
If the Braves organization is consistent, then McDowell should be done. What is alleged to have happened here is not about politics, race, or sexual orientation, it is about professionalism and minding your behavior when young kids are around. McDowell is no rookie, he has been around long enough to expect rude fans and to understand which city he is in at any given time.
Can you imagine if Yunel had done something like that? Where are all the professionalism police that lectured us all about Yunel’s lack of professionalism? I don’t think anything Yunel did rose to this level.
I wonder if Leo would like the job, or if Fredi would want him as his pitching coach?
Jeff R
April 27th, 2011
7:49 pm
reckingball… Glad to be proven wrong, but I’d be very surprised if this incident was started by McDowell. Just out of character for ballplayers and coaches to go looking for trouble with fans. The motive? Doesn’t add up.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
7:52 pm
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Lillibridge-8217-s-grabs-against-Yankees-prompt;_ylt=AmlCuBEi3CiT9wRa8_4zsSMRvLYF?urn=mlb-wp4578
Kind of funny bit about Lillibridge
reckingball
April 27th, 2011
7:53 pm
Joe Simpson made a comment about the behavior of some of the Giants fans
on the Sunday broadcast. He said they were brutal, he mention Conrad in particular.
Jeff R
April 27th, 2011
7:54 pm
“…it is about professionalism and minding your behavior when young kids are around.”
Certainly, but we still don’t know what McDowell actually said or did. He might have been vile and offensive to children, in which case, McDowell was wrong and appropriate steps should be taken to deal with him (up to and including a firing). But we can’t ask for a man’s job on allegations alone.
bravesfaninNashville
April 27th, 2011
7:55 pm
It’s a sad day but I think that McDowell is going to be done in Atlanta.. I can’t see them coming back from this if the allegations are true. I’ll bet they are looking for a pitching coach as we speak.
Freddie Freebird
April 27th, 2011
7:56 pm
“Quit using making Escobar’s crappy attitude like he was misunderstood. Totally different situations.”
agree, this one is WORSE (if true). He may have had a bad attitude but he at least never did anything this bad.
And if true, I don’t want Roger on the team any longer. A guy in his position needs to show some professionalism … if what he said/did is true that’s high school crap McDowell!! You’re are 50 F’N years old, at some point you need to grow up!
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
7:56 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEke7×4CKSM
Jeff R
April 27th, 2011
7:57 pm
Sadly, civility has gone out the window at a lot of sporting events. Come to think of it, civility is out the door on society generally.
LTBF
April 27th, 2011
7:58 pm
Good Game, good win
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
8:02 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi6d3Py1MGo
AdirondackDave
April 27th, 2011
8:03 pm
Jeff R — Couldn’t agree with you more. For me, this is not just about Rogers highly inapproapriate reaction to the fan with kids. It’s also about the hate behind his gay-bashing. If the Brave’s investigation confirms this is true, he should be promptly fired and I believe he will be.
LTBF
April 27th, 2011
8:03 pm
I don’t know all the details, but my first thought would be don’t fire Rodger, after all they were SD fans without a dought trying to provoke him.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2011
8:04 pm
Of course McDowell didn’t START the incident. Who here thinks he did?
Of course he was reacting. That’s not even up for debate, I wouldn’t think.
But the guy in the uniform HAS to be the professional in that situation because he’ representing a multi-million dollar organization.
Again. I don’t much have a problem with what he said to the guys that were heckling him – I mean, who knows what garbage they were spouting – I have a problem with what he said to the dad.
You’re going to threaten to knock a dad’s teeth out because he wants you to stop fornicating with a bat?
Stay classy, Rog.
If it really is true, the deal with the dad and saying that kids don’t belong at a f’ing ball park, if he really did do that —- MLB is going to drop the hammer on the guy. He might not lose his job, but he’s definitely going to get suspended. Heck, Rocker got suspended for just saying things to a reporter. What’s the punishment for threatening a dad with a baseball bat?
kirkinga
April 27th, 2011
8:05 pm
….Quit using making Escobar’s crappy attitude like he was misunderstood….
Uh, nope, it is a relevant comparison because it involves conduct and level of professionalism. Yunel is gone, so that’s done and over. This story involves something current and there is no rule that says we can never refer back to others whose conduct and professionalism was found lacking (Escobar, Rocker, etc…).
That he wasn’t arrested was lucky for him, if these allegations are true. If McDowell did come at a family with a bat he’s lucky he was in the ballpark.
If these allegations are true, he has to go. If true, it is the use of the bat, not the slurs alone, that make the totality of his actions particularly egregious.If true and he keeps his job, then someone from the organization has to explain how this is acceptable conduct because that is what keeping his job would mean.
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
8:06 pm
I just dont believe Rodge said all of those things. He may have had a few choice words for some fans, but GLORIA F ALLRED is running a press conference. Sorry Glor, my batteries are drained.
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
8:07 pm
What a sad situation going on in birmingham, and northern alabama for that matter. Thats braves country too!
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:08 pm
I’ll bet the worst that happens is he gets suspended.
Trey
April 27th, 2011
8:08 pm
Oh lord, I just read the comments about McDowell. I am always the last one to find out about this stuff. It’s just hearsay though.
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
8:09 pm
Did anyone see Kobe bryant get fired for his gay slurs at bennie the ref?
carlchamblee
April 27th, 2011
8:09 pm
IF McDowell threatened violence with the bat he is done.
Also calling the fans a mo isn’t gonna help him.
I’m sure their fans were jerks but this guy has been around the bigs for almost 30 years. Mighta been drunk
Freddie Freebird
April 27th, 2011
8:11 pm
“Joe Simpson made a comment about the behavior of some of the Giants fans on the Sunday broadcast. He said they were brutal”
not surprised. You have those people who may not necessarily care a thing about baseball but they still go to games just to cause trouble. Doesn’t mean though that someone in a professional position should lower themselves to those standards and go off on another.
If outfielders can control themselves for 9 innings, he should at least be able to do it in the short time he’s out on the field.
carlchamblee
April 27th, 2011
8:11 pm
Memo to Rog – ok for Braves coaches to take bat to wife but not to fans haha
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
8:11 pm
The fan claims Roger threatened him with a bat.
He says he told Stadium security
He filed a police report
The Braves did not hear about this until today when the fan went on TV with Gloria Allred at a press conference to rant about it.
Something does not add up with that claim.
LTBF
April 27th, 2011
8:13 pm
Opps on my part. The Rodger thing happened in SF not SD. All the more reason not to fire Rodger. SF is a strange city lots of gays out there Rodger must have been provoked by fans.
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
8:14 pm
LTBF – I don’t think he would be fired for reacting to hecklers. He would be fired for the way he reacted to the hecklers. i.e. using homophobic remarks and lewd gestures. On top of that he threataned a father of two girls (while they were watching) when the father had seen/heard enough from the baseball clown.
To me it comes down to this; what is this franchise all about? Winning above all else (no) or putting an honest product on the field that will attract good attendance at home (yes). Roger’s actions are not in accordance with what this franchise represents. See – John Rocker – a saves leader shipped off to nowwhere because he was a clown. When I think of this franchise I think of John Shuerholz, Hank Aaron, Dale Murphy, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, etc, etc. All stalwarts.
Sorry guys, if the Braves are honest, he will go. If Roger is honest, he will leave.
That is all!
Freddie Freebird
April 27th, 2011
8:14 pm
“Did anyone see Kobe bryant get fired for his gay slurs at bennie the ref?”
you really think the Lakers would fire Kobe? I think if he was accused of murder the Lakers would still try to keep him on the team.
Teams will try their hardest to keep their best players. Though McDowell is someone who … to put it lightly … can be easily replaced whereas someone like Kobe, not so much.
Skeezix
April 27th, 2011
8:14 pm
Great, Dave. Good post. Only baseball generates stories like this. I hope they do play the song at Turner field. The team is really starting to come together and I predict the best is yet to come. The pitching has been superb!!! J. Hey keeps warming up, Freeman is gaining confidence, and Chipper & McCann have been awesome with RISP.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
8:15 pm
Groucho Marx :
LoveReason goes out the door when money comes innuendo.Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
8:15 pm
who cares, mcdowell will keep his job regardless
carlchamblee
April 27th, 2011
8:16 pm
Reports are Dan Uggla also threatened fans with a bat but they simply laughed…
Dennis Reynolds
April 27th, 2011
8:17 pm
He was wrong, but get over it SFO. He was probably just defending Conrad.
Richmond Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
8:17 pm
Jeff R that overstated to which you refer is where I have a real problem. If the allegations made at the press conference were accurate then why was McDowell not arrested????? If however the complaint made to the SF police forgot to include the whole threatening with a baseball bat then public figure or not that is slander not just overstated. Both statements can not be true or SFPD HAS to arrest him. A complaint filed to police includes the possibility of jail if you lie but a press conference does not. Somehow if this obvious inconsistency arose in my mind then how does it not arise in Gloria Allred’s? Obviously something happened but calling for his termination at this point seems premature at best. Way too many questions.
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
8:17 pm
chilidog75 – good post.
carlchamblee – hilarious post
Dennis Reynolds
April 27th, 2011
8:18 pm
LOL @ carlchamblee
I know one thing, if we make it to the playoffs and face SFO again, that will be real fun watching Roger make trips to the mound.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:18 pm
Did anyone see Kobe bryant get fired for his gay slurs at bennie the ref?
No, he was just fined 3 times my annual salary.
Trey
April 27th, 2011
8:18 pm
Freddie, they did fine the hell out of Kobe though.
When Rocker made those statements about NY, didn’t they keep him until he just completely lost it? That was years ago and I can’t remember the details that well.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
8:18 pm
this is coming from someone who were just now finding out allegations 3 days later??? could it be the hecklers were next to the family??
nolie
April 27th, 2011
8:19 pm
21 ribbies in what? 23 games for Chipper so far? guess the old man is doing better than so many here claimed he would this winter…
Abwright
April 27th, 2011
8:19 pm
If McDowell did all of the inappropriate actions described by Team Allred, there were certainly hundreds of witnesses and maybe some video. Facts will come out.
The Braves statement makes you think there are some teeth in this matter. But, that could just be a cautious response to a shark like Allred.
If this turns out to be a set up, I can’t see how the various players don’t get exposed.
It’s sad to see our Braves dragged into this muck.
Jeff R
April 27th, 2011
8:20 pm
chilidog75… Problem is, we really don’t know what McDowell said or did at this point. All we have are “eyewitness” reports (unattributed reports).
McDowell’s behavior and words may have been as bad as reported or far less severe. Unless or until there’s more substantiation, McDowell deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
8:20 pm
didn’t rocker still play for a long island, ny minor league team though?? any issues??
Kat
April 27th, 2011
8:20 pm
Disappointing if he did say what they’re saying he said..including threats of violence. I agree with those who posted above that he’s been around the game for a long time, and you’d think he’d be able to handle himself in a better manner, if the allegations are true.
In other more entertaining news… Peter Moylan tweeted tonight that Kimbrel changed his introduction song from Devour by Shinedown to Welcome to the Jungle due to team pressure… we’ll see if Moylan is yanking our chains or not hah.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
8:22 pm
me thinks just another BS lawsuit from some desperate folks during these tough economic times
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:23 pm
Freddie, they did fine the hell out of Kobe though.
$100,000 out of $26 million is .038%
Trey
April 27th, 2011
8:24 pm
Noisewater, I think so, but he was one hell of a closer before all that crap.
LTBF
April 27th, 2011
8:24 pm
Trey 8:18
I believe you are right about Rocker, think he was fined but we kept him till he started playing poorly.
Trey
April 27th, 2011
8:24 pm
They is one hell of a fine, Jeffrey.
Newman and Kramer
April 27th, 2011
8:25 pm
We remember Roger McD.!—he’s that guy who spit on us in that Seinfeld episode.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
8:25 pm
To me it comes down to this; what is this franchise all about? Winning above all else (no) or putting an honest product on the field that will attract good attendance at home (yes). Roger’s actions are not in accordance with what this franchise represents _ DC Braves Fan
Memo to Rog – ok for Braves coaches to take bat to wife but not to fans haha _ carlchamblee
carlchamblee – hilarious post _ DC Braves Fan
Trey
April 27th, 2011
8:27 pm
LTBF, I guess because they thought he would still be effective for them.