Ross has the Braves sh-sh-sh-Shakin’
SAN DIEGO – Damn you, Eddie Money and David Ross.
Not only can I not get Eddie Money’s “Shakin’” out of my mind, I actually found myself singing the unofficial team rally song aloud as I walked back to my hotel at midnight after Tuesday’s game. (Some of those unfortunate folks sleeping on sidewalks in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter must’ve thought, dude’s a dork.)
Ross (left) hugs Jair Jurrjens late Tuesday after Jurrjens pitched first complete-game win for Braves since 2009.
Since we’ve got a budding phenomena here, one that will likely last as long as the Braves stay reasonably hot, it demands to be addressed. So I went to the man at the center of it for answers. No, not the popular ‘80s rocker Eddie Money. Ross.
I’d noticed him singing the song in San Francisco last Friday, and each day since,. with the notable exception of Monday, when I did not hear Ross sing it in the clubhouse once before or after the game.
That night’s 13-inning loss is the only defeat for the Braves in their past five entering today’s road-trip finale against the Padres. In other words, the only game they’ve lost since Ross started singing (and dancing to) “Shakin’” in the clubhouse.
I went to the veteran backup catcher to get the story this morning, after his two-homer, four-RBI performance last night helped the Braves and Jair Jurrjens pound the Padres 8-2.
Ross was in a good mood, but that’s not unusual. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen him not in a good mood. He’s not only as professional and easy to deal with as just about any athlete I’ve come across, he’s also really funny, with a self-deprecating sense of humor.
So after mentioning to him that Turner Field might erupt if he came to bat with “Shakin’” playing during the upcoming homestand – he got a kick out of that, but didn’t dismiss the idea — I asked him about his affinity for that nearly 30-year-old tune.
“Just something fun, to loosen things up,” he said, smiling as he sat at his locker and pulled on his uniform socks. “You come into work to have a blast. Winning obviously cures all that. But, like, when you feel something after you win, like ‘Yeah, man.’ That’s just one of those feel-good songs.”
The timing of him singing it repeatedly happened to coincide with the Braves beginning a series sweep at San Francisco, coming on the heels of losing three of four at Dodger Stadium including an excruciating 12-inning series final defeat.
So it was perfect – catchy, feel-good ‘80s hit that sticks in your brainpan, and instant association with winning when the Braves went out and beat the Giants in the series opener, hours after they’d heard Ross belting out this song that is older than most of them and that, as it turns out, even Ross, 35, was not familiar with until recently.
“Me and O [Eric O’Flaherty] were just sitting in a sports bar and heard it, and he Shazaamed it on his phone because he didn’t know what it was,” said Ross, who was watching the NCAA basketball championship game in Washington D.C., after a Braves game during the season-opening series.
“Neither one of us had ever heard it, believe it or not, especially since I love listening to music. A week later we were in the weight room and it’s playing, and I’m like, man, I’ve heard this song. Where have I heard this song? I said, O, have you heard it? What song is this? Because it was his Ipod [the song was playing on in the weight room].
“He’s like, ‘That’s that song we heard that night at the sports bar.’ And I’m like, sweet, dude! So then I went and downloaded it and started singing it, and it just caught on.”
But it wasn’t until San Francisco that he started singing it aloud, in the clubhouse.
“We went to San Francisco, I just played it after the [series-opening win] on my Ipod, through my computer,” he said. “I started singing it before that day and had it in everybody’s head; you heard me in there being an idiot.
“It had stuck in my head that morning, before the game I was listening to it on my computer. And I was just singing, ‘Shake it…’ and everybody was laughing at me.”
Then they won, and he sang it in the clubhouse, and teammates started laughing. Soon some of them started singing it. After the Braves’ Saturday afternoon win in San Francisco, the middle game of the series, Ross belted the song in the clubhouse as he changed into his street clothes, shaking his hips as he pulled up his pants.
“It’s one of those things,” he said. “It’s all fun and games … until you start losing.”
For now, they’re winning. And the song is spreading. Just listen to it here and try not to sing along. You can’t.
After Ross’ big game Tuesday, he was being interviewed by reporters when 39-year-old Chipper Jones walked past. Jones, who hit a two-run homer in the first inning to tie Mickey Mantle for second place on the switch-hitters’ career RBIs list, broke into song as he walked past Ross and the crowd of reporters. “Shakin’…” Jones sang, off-key and joyful.
Someone said to Chipper, that song was addictive, isn’t it? To which he smiled and replied, “It’s addictive when Rossy sings it, and does his little dance number.” (By the way, Chipper just moved ahead of the Mick with a first-inning RBI as I typed this today.)
Here’s the thing about Ross: He never takes himself too seriously, but he’s no class clown. He has the rare ability to walk that line, to keep the clubhouse loose in trying circumstances, but also be first in line in rare instances when a stern word is required to keep anyone in line who might not approach workouts or games in a professional manner.
The Braves gave him a two-year contract extension last year not just because he’s arguably the best backup catcher in baseball, but also for leadership and for the knack that he, along with Eric Hinske, have for helping keep the clubhouse straight, for helping foster the team chemistry that the Braves said was a big reason they were able to overcome injuries and make the playoffs last year as the wild-card winner.
The Braves signed Ross to a two-year extension because he's arguably the best backup catcher in baseball, as well as a team leader and strong clubhouse presence.
The same chemistry that they say has helped get them through an erratic first month without anyone on the team being nearly as worried or pessimistic as some outside observers.
Jones was asked about the luxury it was to have a backup catcher as good as Ross, who can fill in so ably for five-time All-Star Brian McCann.
“Yeah, it huge,” Jones said. “It’s really huge, to have a guy back there who is as good defensively as anybody in the game, then have him come in and swing the bat a little bit, too – two homers, four RBIs out of a backup, that’s a nice luxury to have. It’s not the first time he’s done it, too.”
So check it out once more, this time with Eddie in his full live-mode glory, by clicking here.
And as I discussed with Ross, wouldn’t it be something if the folks at Turner Field would play that song at some point during the homestand opener, the way the Giants play Journey’s “Small Town Girl” during a between-innings moment at every home game and show the crowd singing along on the video board?
Not to mention what it would be like if he actually came to the plate with it playing.
Alright, we’ll wrap this up. I had some stats to give you, but it’s an early start today and I’m out of time. Had to pack and check out this morning, catching a red-eye flight home tonight, mercifully, after 11 days out here in California.
♣ OK, wait, I’ll just point out a few quick ones: The Braves scored fewer than four runs four times while going 1-4 from April 17-21, hitting .228 in that span. They’ve hit only .220 in their past five games, but scored 4, 5, 9 and 8 runs while going 4-1. Walks, homers and hits with runners in scoring position will do that….
Don’t look now, but the Phillies are 6-5 with a .202 batting average (and 3.09 ERA) in their past 11 games. The Phillies scored four runs or fewer in 14 straight games before a 7-5 loss at Houston on Tuesday. They’ve hit one or no homers in 13 of their past 15 games….
The Braves have hit 17 road homers – tied with Cincy for the NL lead — to the Phillies’ nine road homers (Braves have played majors-leading 16 road games to the Phillies’ 12. More surprising: The Braves ahave 10 home runs at home to the Phillies’ 8.
The Braves are tied for second in NL with 27 homers, behind Cincy’s 29. The Reds have hit 20 of their homers in their hitter-friendly home park.
Today’s Braves starter, Tommy Hanson, is 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA in his past three starts. He’s 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in three starts against the Padres, including 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two at Petco Park.
I’ll close with a song written by Kate Wolf and covered brilliantly by Dave Alvin, with his Guilty Women side band. You can hear him do it live by clicking here.
Dave Alvin
“HERE IN CALIFORNIA” by Kate Wolf
When I was young my momma told me
She said child take your time
Don’t fall in love too quickly
Before you know your mind
She held me round the shoulders
In a voice so soft and kind
She said love can make you happy
And love can rob you blind
Here in California fruit hangs heavy on the vines
There’s no gold I thought I’d warn you
And the hills turn brown in the summertime
Now I will learn to love you
But I can’t say when
This morning we were strangers
And tonight we’re only friends
I’ll take the time to know you
I’ll take the time to see
There’s nothing I won’t show you
If you take your time with me
Here in California fruit hangs heavy on the vines
There’s no gold I thought I’d warn you
And the hills turn brown in the summertime
There’s a old familiar story
An old familiar rhyme
To everything there is a season
To every purpose there’s a time
A time to love and come together
A time when love longs for a name
A time for questions we can’t answer
Though we ask them just the same
Here in California fruit hangs heavy on the vines
There’s no gold I thought I’d warn you
And the hills turn brown in the summertime
2,192 comments Add your comment
TennesseePaul
April 27th, 2011
3:46 pm
Thanks for the work DOB
TennesseePaul
April 27th, 2011
3:48 pm
And Chipper now is the owner of 2nd on the all time switch hitter list…
Congratulations Chipper.
FJR
April 27th, 2011
3:48 pm
did Don just say “Tommy Hanson’s not a hell raiser” on radio?!
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
3:53 pm
Thanks for the new blog, DOB. The old one was getting kinda stale
VaBravesFan
April 27th, 2011
3:53 pm
Thanks for the new Blog DOB.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
3:54 pm
Thanks for the head up on mlb.tv
The picture is much better than mlb.com or whatever it was the last time I used it.
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
3:54 pm
Maybe Shaun won’t find this one to continue the bullpen debate.
Jason in Houston
April 27th, 2011
3:55 pm
first to say first?
The Bream Team
April 27th, 2011
3:55 pm
DOB,
Do we expect this Shakin craze to take over Turner Field this weekend?
Arkansas Transplant
April 27th, 2011
3:57 pm
Ease in case you didn’t see my last post,
Hey Ease, thanks for reminding me that I had another team. I’d totally forgotten about that league and now I wish I had just continued to forget. Och.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
3:57 pm
Forgive the repost, but for those interested:
According to Tony Bruno, Oswalt went home to Mississippi to check on his family after the tornadoes and should be back for his next start. His parents lost their home last year.
Unknown Hinson
April 27th, 2011
3:57 pm
Anyone know what’s a good radio station to find the game on the internet? The Cleveland TN station is down because of tornados
MFin04
April 27th, 2011
3:58 pm
Bad at bat A-Gon.
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
3:58 pm
Nate
Murph
April 27th, 2011
3:58 pm
Ah, new blog… thanks DOB!
Anyone else getting some crappy playback on MLB.TV? I wonder if being the free game o’ the day is bringing in too many people.
Everyone close your game feed and let me see if mine improves, ok?
Arkansas Transplant
April 27th, 2011
3:58 pm
bravesgrl4life, I don’t think you’ll get that lucky.
VaBravesFan
April 27th, 2011
3:58 pm
McLouth nice hit right there.
Venice Jim
April 27th, 2011
3:58 pm
Excellent job, Nate!
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
3:58 pm
Yeah…fresh DOB Bloggage!
And, yes I read it all.
Matt
April 27th, 2011
3:59 pm
Come on Tommy. Get Freddie in!
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
3:59 pm
Suicide coming up?
My Man Nate
April 27th, 2011
3:59 pm
oh yeah baby!!!!!
MFin04
April 27th, 2011
4:00 pm
A-Gon costs the Braves a run, not getting Freeman over. Still should have sent him with the pitcher coming up.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
4:01 pm
That was great Tommy. Now siddown!
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
4:01 pm
Thanks Brad!
VaBravesFan
April 27th, 2011
4:01 pm
Marteeeeeen!!!!
MFin04
April 27th, 2011
4:01 pm
Nice job Martin Prado!
bottom of another 5th
April 27th, 2011
4:01 pm
gotta send the runner there on nates single
garbage
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
4:01 pm
Yes…2 run error
Chris from the Rock
April 27th, 2011
4:01 pm
D’oh!
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:01 pm
Marteeeeen!!!!!!!
Boo birds out in SD today hahaha
CaptainMudderland
April 27th, 2011
4:02 pm
Heads up running by Nate results in a run
BFChris26
April 27th, 2011
4:02 pm
Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Murph
April 27th, 2011
4:02 pm
MFin04
April 27th, 2011
4:02 pm
A-Gon’s negative run production rescinded much like all NBA technicals.
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
4:02 pm
Well, that atones for “the catch” made in right field at the end of game one that did us in. We’ll take it.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
4:03 pm
Jason gon jerk sump’n here?
The Bream Team
April 27th, 2011
4:03 pm
who is going to be that all star representative from san diego?
flange1
April 27th, 2011
4:03 pm
Thanks for the new blog DOB!
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:03 pm
Give him the RBI’s. I could use 2 for my fantasy team!
Arkansas Transplant
April 27th, 2011
4:03 pm
Has the game started?
MFin04
April 27th, 2011
4:03 pm
They called that an error!?!
Wow. Tough scorer.
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:04 pm
And then Bartlett with a great save to rob Prado of a run.
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
4:04 pm
Unknown Hinson: http://tunein.com/radio/WQNT-1450-s22221/
RC
April 27th, 2011
4:04 pm
What was the error that caused Marteeeeeeeeen to reach base? Gameday just says, “Martin Prado reaches on fielding error by first baseman Brad Hawpe”.
The Bream Team
April 27th, 2011
4:04 pm
Eddie Murray has a great mustache
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:04 pm
Bream Team, Probably heath bell.
BravesQueen
April 27th, 2011
4:05 pm
Just dropping in to say hi! Great start to the game this afternoon.
A couple of more ‘thanks’ I need to give: Captain Mudderland, Brava, I appreciate your prayers and concern regarding my son yesterday.
For those who’d like to know, here’s an update on him: He had another episode during an office visit this morning. Luckily, we were sitting with the pediatrician at the time, who was able to witness what was happening. The heart monitor recorded everything. The Dr also had to give him a breathing treatment b/c he was having trouble moving air and his O2 level was low.
This is a very scary time for us both. I hope we are able to get some answers next tuesday when we see the cardiologist. We would be grateful for your continued thoughts/prayers.
GO BRAVES!!
The Bream Team
April 27th, 2011
4:05 pm
ball got under hawpe glove down the line. Righthanded 1st baseman makes the play every time. Wasn’t too tough, should have been an error.
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
4:05 pm
Come on Chipper. Park one.
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
4:06 pm
Thank you.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
4:06 pm
OLD MAN!
VaBravesFan
April 27th, 2011
4:06 pm
Chipper!!!!!
BFChris26
April 27th, 2011
4:06 pm
Chipper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
4:07 pm
Chipper’s finishing trip with a flourish, eh? As are Braves. UP 5-0 in the 2nd inning
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
4:07 pm
That dude is strong. His HR yesterday and that poke were both with him reaching.
Way to go, Chipper.
MIdtown
April 27th, 2011
4:07 pm
Chipper relishing his return season!
flange1
April 27th, 2011
4:07 pm
CHIPPER!!!!!
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:07 pm
Chipper hit the ball hard. Almost hit it out to dead center.
Tommy can pound the strike zone now.
Hope Maybin is okay. Need him robbing other NL East team of hits out there in center soon.
Fargo
April 27th, 2011
4:07 pm
anybody else having issues with mlb.tv?
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
4:07 pm
Maybe Chipper ought to bat clean up.
Dutchieeeeee
April 27th, 2011
4:07 pm
Ok…we’re walking….sac flying….doubling…..groundout ribbieing…..and stand up trippling!
I think we’re getting to Latos early enough!
And way to go Mr. Jones, collect your legacy at your conveniance!
RC
April 27th, 2011
4:08 pm
Chipper putting a little distance between himself and the Mick.
glove51
April 27th, 2011
4:08 pm
Someone asked on the last blog about Uggla’s Babip. He has indeed been VERY unfortuante to date, with a Babip of .181 thus far this season, vs. .302!!! entering thsi season.
Murph
April 27th, 2011
4:08 pm
Anyone know who the older SD announcer is? He makes Chip sound informed.
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
4:09 pm
Lord, if Uggla was having a career year we’d be near unstoppable right now.
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:09 pm
McFann, That one was for you!
Soph
April 27th, 2011
4:09 pm
Go everyone, go!
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
4:09 pm
MAC!!! DOUBLE!!!! RBI!!!! Somewhere, McFann is happy
VaBravesFan
April 27th, 2011
4:09 pm
We are killing the ball today!
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
4:09 pm
double for mac…
CaptainMudderland
April 27th, 2011
4:09 pm
A slugfest
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
4:09 pm
McCann RBI double off the right-center wall, a homer in any park except this one. Braves up 6-0
MFin04
April 27th, 2011
4:09 pm
Might be a good time to pull Tommy Hanson, and get someone in that can hold a 6-0 lead.
Rick
April 27th, 2011
4:09 pm
I was actually wondering yesterday where they ranked in homers so far this season. Hopefully they can keep that up, it will actually make a difference if they can get guys on base.
BFChris26
April 27th, 2011
4:09 pm
BATS ARE ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
4:09 pm
And There is McCann’s double.
McFann should be happy
McFann's date
April 27th, 2011
4:10 pm
Where’s my Axxe spray???
Holy McGoodness!!
RC
April 27th, 2011
4:10 pm
Hey, Brian’s first double of the season! Right?
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
April 27th, 2011
4:10 pm
McHALLELUJAH!!
FIRST DOUBLE!!!!
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:10 pm
Didn’t realize we had a new Blog.
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
McCann “joins the hit parade”.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
wow….who are these braves?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
April 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
Time to bring in Kimbrel,dammit.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
oh wait Kuggla is the same guy
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
Uggla… man he looks totally baffled.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
HEY! They didn’t reshow BMac’s Double!
Arkansas Transplant
April 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
you better bring Kimbrel in now, you won’t want to loss the lead. Right Shaun?
The Bream Team
April 27th, 2011
4:12 pm
Dick Enberg is a broadcaster for the Padres now.
Stereowire
April 27th, 2011
4:12 pm
This team is on a roll. Let’s hope Uggla can get some good wings on the ball today and the Bravos head back to Atlanta in fine form.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:12 pm
DOB McCann RBI double off the right-center wall, a homer in any park except this one.
I always did like Petco Park.
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
4:12 pm
Braves up 6-0 after 1 and a half.
Action in the Braves bullpen – Linebrink and Sherrill.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
4:12 pm
Lets get more. We’ll need ‘em….with this guy on the mound.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
4:13 pm
Everyone close your game feed and let me see if mine improves, ok? _ Murph
The deer watching the game with me don’t much care for that idea, Murph.
Bayou Brave
April 27th, 2011
4:13 pm
Is it just me or has the ajc website been acting up all day?
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:13 pm
Matt, cabravesfan, Bat M.—
@fauxfrankwren
April 27th, 2011
4:13 pm
Love it!
I think we have a theme song for the season. Maybe the fans at the Ted will embrace it.
http://twitpic.com/4q62my
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
4:13 pm
Braves came into this game leading NL in RBI from 3Bs and RBI from catchers. They’ve since raised those totals to 26 and 21, respectively
ContactBuzz
April 27th, 2011
4:13 pm
Did someone shoot one of the OFs (Last Boy Scout-style) on Hoss’ triple?
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
4:14 pm
Hey- Turtle legs are out and dancing!
MFin04
April 27th, 2011
4:14 pm
“you better bring Kimbrel in now, you won’t want to loss the lead. Right Shaun?”
Just wait till this game is close in a few innings.
Unknown Hinson
April 27th, 2011
4:14 pm
Thanks Jimmy but my computer is not accepting.
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:16 pm
Bayou, After I comment, it struggles to reload the comments. Been struggling all day with that here and on DLed’s page.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:17 pm
uggla needs to get moving
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a Go!)
April 27th, 2011
4:17 pm
Braves banging away and about to get on the plane 6-4 after a ten game west coast road trip.
WHEW! Wow!
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:17 pm
Glad no one caught it. I wanted the K!
MFin04
April 27th, 2011
4:18 pm
Nice inning by Hanson.
phil
April 27th, 2011
4:18 pm
Murph – Dick Enberg, the great former CBS, NBC guy…
Wow! What a start today…kick that Padre backside.
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
4:19 pm
Unknown Hinson – Try google WQNT 1450 AM.
Also, let me paste that again. I might not have copied the whole address:
http://tunein.com/radio/WQNT-1450-s22221/
Anyone got a pitch count on Hanson?
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:20 pm
hanson cruising……perhaps another CG?
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
4:20 pm
So far so good on a couple of stages here: Braves up 6-0 and no “S” on this blog (yet).
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:21 pm
28 pitches
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:21 pm
17 fer strikes
Murph
April 27th, 2011
4:21 pm
That’s Dick Enberg? Wow, he sounds borderline senile now. Sad.
Anyone have an idea what Uggla’s K rate is this year compared to last? Is he striking out more than usual or just hitting the ball to people more?
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:22 pm
Tommy is at 28 pitches.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:22 pm
cabravesfan Turtle legs are out and dancing!
HECK yeah! They’re very happy Turtles right now.
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
4:22 pm
bravesgrl4life – “S” is still on the old blog arguing with himself. He’ll soon realize no one is responding and….
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
4:22 pm
Brewers and Reds have been tied at 6 for a while. No sign of either closer. Dont know what they are waiting for. Dolts.
Bay Area Steve
April 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
That ain’t Dick Enberg…
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
bravesgrl4life, not sure if you saw this, as I posted it at the bottom of the old blog. But to answer your question, I use http://www.myp2pforum.eu mostly for online streaming when i’m home (I actually have an MLB.TV account too, so use that when I’m on the road for work, or to watch the archived game replays or condensed games after the games are over when I’m at home [that is actually a really cool feature, as you can scroll around to any point during the game easily, as well as slo-mo and a few other cool options]). You have to download StreamTorrent, but I haven’t had any problems from that, and have been using it since last year. Only problem with the free streaming sites, is that the video quality sucks, there is often a 4-5 pitch lag, and sometimes it pauses while buffering. Overall though, it’s better than nothing, and the price is right.
phil
April 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
4:20 pm
So far so good on a couple of stages here: Braves up 6-0 and no “S” on this blog (yet).
The Braves stink!!! lol
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
BAS-
Yes it is- we’ve gotten the Padres feed the last two nights…weird to hear him doing baseball
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:24 pm
latos just jobbed those 3 out real quick like
Melissa
April 27th, 2011
4:24 pm
What about playing Shakin’ after Take Me Out to the Ballgame in the 7th inning stretch? John Denver does nothing for the team, but a little Eddie Money? Oh yeah!
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
4:25 pm
Latos owns us.
Lou Vales
April 27th, 2011
4:26 pm
Brutal loss by the Marlins. Squandering a bases loaded one out in bottom of 9th, see I don’t hide. Questionable decisions by Fredi’s altar ego, but 4-2 against Rockies and Dodgers is okay.
I’m finally detecting a high level of disgust but not approaching 75% of the Blog so I will remain muted on the subject.
Am going to the Greensboro Grasshoppers-Greenville Drive game to check out Marlins’ affiliate.Greenville has really changed since Chipper was here from what I’ve heard.Would like to get some people to speak for the record.
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
4:26 pm
During Uggla’s first 3 seasons, his average in May–his best month–was 65 points higher than his April average. June is his second best month.
Bay Area Steve
April 27th, 2011
4:26 pm
It was last night, cab.
It ain’t him now.
(I think.) (Dammit, I know.)
phil
April 27th, 2011
4:26 pm
Must be some other old senile fella…
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
4:27 pm
Not stinkin right now, Phil. Actually sounding like they are playing perty good
Melissa, I think that is a fantastic idea!! Implement it this weekend so I don’t have to hear that song on Saturday
DC Brave
April 27th, 2011
4:27 pm
Melissa…I love that idea…Shakin’ in the 7th. It could be our “Sweet Caroline” Dah Duh Dahhhh
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:28 pm
Lou – i just moved back to greenville from augusta. greenville looks like a real city now as compared to the dump it was that we moved to in 1995.
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
4:29 pm
Murph – Uggla K’s are down so far this year:
19 in 96 abs – .197 (this year)
149 in 589 abs – .252 (last year)
779 in 3023 abs – .257 (career)
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
4:29 pm
What about playing Shakin’ after Take Me Out to the Ballgame in the 7th inning stretch? John Denver does nothing for the team, but a little Eddie Money? Oh yeah! — Melissa
I agree wholeheartedly. Put “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” out to pasture.
Shaun
April 27th, 2011
4:29 pm
Murph, Uggla’s strikeout rate is actually lower this season. So far it’s the lowest of his career in obviously a small sample. His walk rate is also the lower than in any other full season of his career. His line drive rate is lower but not to an extreme level and his BABiP is .181 versus .298 for his career. His homers per fly ball rate is about 1 percent lower than his career rate.
The walks are a minor concern but I think in the long run Uggla will be fine.
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:29 pm
40 pitches now thru 3. Keep it up Tommy.
Bay Area Steve
April 27th, 2011
4:30 pm
Enberg was relatively Scully-like doin’ play-by-play last night.
This dude doin’ color just sucks.
tt
April 27th, 2011
4:30 pm
Hey Dave O…ck out Stereomonster on Itunes!
STEREOMONSTER itunes!
ncscoots
April 27th, 2011
4:30 pm
What about playing Shakin’ after Take Me Out to the Ballgame in the 7th inning stretch?
Absolutely not. You take it out of the clubhouse, you steal the mojo. Bad idea.
omg
April 27th, 2011
4:30 pm
Roger Mcdowell accused of Gay Slurs TMZ now!!
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
4:30 pm
Whoever these guys are they pretty much suck.
Soph
April 27th, 2011
4:31 pm
Nice, Snot. Very fish-like.
Hillbilly
April 27th, 2011
4:31 pm
DOB,
If the part about bein’ who he was didn’t help Tom get loose, what’s a Mat without a ‘t’ gonna get?
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:31 pm
DOB – Make the suggestion please. The Braves organization needs to stop playing the whole “Country” thing. We all know Atlanta is in the south.
omg
April 27th, 2011
4:31 pm
HOLY SMOKES FIRE MCDOWELL DOW
The Braves have a rally song that is older than most of the Braves | HardballTalk
April 27th, 2011
4:31 pm
[...] around something — in this case a rally song — that it’s kinda lame and old: “Shakin” by Eddie Money, according to Dave O’Brien. You know, from the 1982 “No Control” album? The one with this video? No, you [...]
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
4:31 pm
BAS-
I’m getting the Braves feed today so I can’t help you, but he is their play-by-play guy so it most likely is, unless he doesn’t do all the games (entirely possible)
DC Brave
April 27th, 2011
4:31 pm
DOB and Melissa…plus, and I am going out on a limb here…but I’m thinking the Braves Girls/Cheerleaders (whatever they are called) could surely come up with some kind of dance number comparable to their “Country Boy” line dance on the roof of the dugout. Shoot…they might even be able to boost ticket prices.
Soph
April 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
Oh lawd, I read that story earlier today but didn’t know it was about Roger McDowell.
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
Absolutely not. You take it out of the clubhouse, you steal the mojo. Bad idea.
Exactly what I thought. I doubt that the highly superstitious ballplayers will allow that.
What is Kimbrel's entrance song?
April 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
Thanks! Haven’t been to a game yet as I live out of state – DC Brave
MFin04
April 27th, 2011
4:33 pm
Still have no idea why Prado didn’t get a hit for that rocket. Bad scoring there.
Arkansas Transplant
April 27th, 2011
4:33 pm
Murph, obviously a small sample size.
omg
April 27th, 2011
4:34 pm
Yes Soph so sad two little girls had to see such an awfull action. DOB where you at what are you doing?? Any news confrence from braves yet??
phil
April 27th, 2011
4:34 pm
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
4:26 pm
During Uggla’s first 3 seasons, his average in May–his best month–was 65 points higher than his April average. June is his second best month.
In this case, Ugly will be hitting .240 at June’s end….
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
4:34 pm
Thanks Soph. I try.
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:34 pm
DC Brave – Good call. : )
Shaun
April 27th, 2011
4:34 pm
Why don’t we go on and on about how Dan Uggla’s stats are worse than Freddie Freeman’s.
Arkansas Transplant
April 27th, 2011
4:35 pm
obviously!
Kat
April 27th, 2011
4:36 pm
Just got out of a meeting to see we’re up 6-0..damn. Must be a good game so far.
Murph
April 27th, 2011
4:37 pm
Don’t go talking about my sample size.
phil
April 27th, 2011
4:37 pm
Score still 6-0?
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:37 pm
Kat—
GREAT game!
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:37 pm
latos settling down now
phil
April 27th, 2011
4:38 pm
Apparently McLouth has a hit….I notified ESPN…
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
4:38 pm
From your mouth to the Braves management ears, DOB!
Freddie Freebird
April 27th, 2011
4:39 pm
Not able to watch the game game but did watch the video of Chipper’s RBI grounder … was TP ever able to coax the Padres ball boy into giving up the baseball?
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
4:39 pm
Freddie Freebird-
Yeah, Chipper got that one
phil
April 27th, 2011
4:40 pm
Chip has 3 rbis today?
ncscoots
April 27th, 2011
4:40 pm
latos settling down now
Well, that, and the fact that the Braves are up by 6 over a team that can’t score hardly at all and they can hear the bus loading up, LOL. I think they might be swinging the stick early and often this last 5.
Kat
April 27th, 2011
4:40 pm
McFann ..missing a good one it seems!
Matt
April 27th, 2011
4:40 pm
Freddie, They eventually got it.
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
4:40 pm
we got ludwick out…I don’t believe it
phil
April 27th, 2011
4:41 pm
Rude of Chipper to take a ball away from a helpless ballboy…
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:42 pm
um…so she has a picture of roger standing near these people. GUILTY!!!! gloria is a damn ambulance chaser
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
4:44 pm
FEAR-
She’s a self serving media w**** who would sue the weatherman if he predicted sun on a rainy day.
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
4:44 pm
I’ll have to check that story about McDowell when I get home. Work computer doesn’t like tmz.com
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
4:44 pm
The Roger McDowell story – remember that Gloria Allred is involved! Nuff said.
Back to real news..the game.
Murph
April 27th, 2011
4:45 pm
Anyone in the path of these storms today?
glove51
April 27th, 2011
4:45 pm
Damn! Hanson heating it up now!
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
4:45 pm
One hit through four scoreless innings for Hanson, with six strikeouts and one walk.
MIdtown
April 27th, 2011
4:46 pm
16 retired in a row by both pitchers.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:46 pm
one hit only for the pads
Ron in Vegas
April 27th, 2011
4:46 pm
I must have missed it….can someone give the bullet points on the McDowell story?
What is Kimbrel's entrance song?
April 27th, 2011
4:46 pm
2nd try – thanks! Curious about what Kimbrel comes into the game with….
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
4:47 pm
somebody needs to explain to tommy…they are swinging at everything throw strikes low in the zone get some one pitch outs and you can get a CG today…all these strikeouts are driving up his pitch count
Uggla's Uglies
April 27th, 2011
4:47 pm
Chip is on pace for 131 RBI
ncscoots
April 27th, 2011
4:47 pm
Meanwhile, Hanson up 6 can pitch to halves of the plate, instead of thirds, and dare the Friars to hit it. So far, they seem unable to even do much of that.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:47 pm
Murph
some of the places i service were. lost power and had 70 mph winds
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
4:47 pm
One hit through four scoreless innings for Hanson, with six strikeouts and one walk.
..and the Philly lovin’ Mixxo is suddenly nowhere to be seen.
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
4:47 pm
kimbrel hasn’t had an entrance song/video as of yet
Kat
April 27th, 2011
4:49 pm
tiger yes he has. It’s Shinedown’s “Devour” isn’t it?
Arkansas Transplant
April 27th, 2011
4:49 pm
What’s Hanson trying to do? Run up his pitch count with all of these strikeouts? Shaun, you need to address this issue!
FJR
April 27th, 2011
4:50 pm
as long as TMZ and Bleacher Report are the primary sources of information on the Roger McDowell story I’ll reserve judgment.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:51 pm
My house doesnt have central AC. I need uggla to come over and visit
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:51 pm
Now this is the BMac we all know and…yes, some of even love.
Kat missing a good one it seems!
Yeah! Sorry about that!
Kat
April 27th, 2011
4:52 pm
McFann it’s all good..at least I can read the stats.
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
4:52 pm
Boy, I remember some notoriously bad months for Braves hitters–Glaus, Reggie Sanders, Ken Caminiti, Andruw, Frenchy, Marcus Giles…
Uggla is up there.
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
4:52 pm
Yes, some of us do ♥ Mac
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:53 pm
Kat—
True…and there’ll be some replays online.
They may even reshow the game later…
phil
April 27th, 2011
4:53 pm
I’m stunned that a professional athlete/coach would ever utter a gay slur….Really? What ever will we do…
Not saying I approve, but come on….
Did anyone catch a Brave cursing yet? Then what?
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:54 pm
bravesgrl4life Yes, some of us do ♥ Mac
It’s a disease.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
4:54 pm
Did Diaz not ever curse?
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
4:54 pm
McCann loves the F word, in particular.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:55 pm
FEAR—
I think he said [crud] once…
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:55 pm
ray k—
Nobody’s perfect.
Hillbilly
April 27th, 2011
4:55 pm
Did Diaz not ever curse?
FIND A CLUE!!!
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
4:55 pm
FEAR-
Oh, MattE has cursed- he usually just covers his face with his hat first
Poondaddy
April 27th, 2011
4:55 pm
LOL@ Fear. I get it, that was funny!!!
Ray Ray
April 27th, 2011
4:55 pm
Great work as always, DOB. Really appreciate all you do for the fans.
Murph
April 27th, 2011
4:55 pm
Be careful out there FEAR. I had one facebook friend say that it’s like WWIII out there right now with all the twisters and destruction.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:55 pm
“Find a clue”!!
Forgot about that one!!
phil
April 27th, 2011
4:56 pm
Food is McCann’s F word….and yes, i know…he’s lost weight.
DiamondbackMac
April 27th, 2011
4:56 pm
McDowell Story
http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2011/04/27/the-mlb-coach-whos-getting-sued-by-gloria-allred-for-homophobic-slurs-is-roger-mcdowell/
FJR
April 27th, 2011
4:56 pm
phil, apparently, according to some stories, he also threatened a fan in front of his family and when the fan said “not in front of my kid” McDowell responded by saying that he “shouldn’t bring his kids to the game.” If true, that’s just not how Atlanta Braves should represent their team, and there should be consequences.
Hillbilly
April 27th, 2011
4:56 pm
When he go drilled by a pitch a couple of years ago that’s supposedly what he yelled at the pitcher. Uhhh hm.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
4:57 pm
WHOA! Violent play…hope he’s alright…
Corky Miller's Beer Gut
April 27th, 2011
4:57 pm
How about the weather today DOB? Its been crappy as of late but the braves come to town and the sun shines….
flange1
April 27th, 2011
4:57 pm
Here is the basics of the McDowell story.
You can google TMZ Roger McDowell and get more.
Probably a load of crap, but it will be in the news for a while..
Poor Roger
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/680959-roger-mcdowell-braves-coach-is-accused-of-gay-slurs-and-threatening-a-family
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
4:57 pm
man I hate to see that
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
4:58 pm
Oh, Diaz cursed…
…at kids when they asked for an autograph.
phil
April 27th, 2011
4:58 pm
Murph – This weather is alarming….no, not because Global warming caused it but because I don’t ever remember a forecast like this so far east in these areas….we get some bad stuff but “extreme danger”? Sleep with one eye open on the bottom floor of the house….flee the double wides…
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
4:58 pm
Hi y’all!
Who said snot could come in here and spread his refute all ova da place?
Get a clue chief…..I like good baseball but, love my Braves…….understand?
Dutchieeeeee
April 27th, 2011
4:58 pm
I’ll have to check that story about McDowell when I get home. Work computer doesn’t like tmz.com
bravegirl
I think I like the company you work at!
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
4:58 pm
So there is no throw Uggla will not attempt
TennesseePaul
April 27th, 2011
4:59 pm
rolled right onto that ball… that’s gotta smurf.
McFann's date
April 27th, 2011
4:59 pm
My date has NEVER used the F word (in front of me anyway.)
Arkansas Transplant
April 27th, 2011
5:00 pm
That sounds a little out of character for McDowell, but I guess anything is possible now days. I know if the story is true, we’d might want to call up ol’ Leo.
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
5:00 pm
flange1 – Roger does have a checkered past. He was the real spitter that got Kramer and Newman.
Hanson looking good so far.
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
5:00 pm
Why is George Sherrill on our team?
DC Brave
April 27th, 2011
5:00 pm
I imagine ownership will force Roger to attend sensitivity training at the corporate HQ Human Relations center in Denver.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
5:00 pm
Ah, curses…
Murph
April 27th, 2011
5:01 pm
Yeah phil, stay safe man. Scary stuff. I went through a small twister when I lived outside Chicago that took off my roof and pushed my garage doors off the track and onto my wife’s car.
I just read that they average 2 of these “extreme danger” warnings per year… and this is like the 3rd or 4th already and it’s only April.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
5:01 pm
McFann’s date
April 27th, 2011
4:59 pm
My date has NEVER used the F word (in front of me anyway.)
not touching that with a 10 foot clown pole
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
5:01 pm
When did Tommy turn “good?”
CaptainMudderland
April 27th, 2011
5:02 pm
Whopper of an F’in break on that F’n ball there….now I am part of the Diaz legacy.
Braveone
April 27th, 2011
5:02 pm
From the previous blog which had 1,548 comments, Phil led the way with 56 posts. There were 185 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 Phil 56
2 McFann :Ô: :Ô: 51
3 jeffrey d 51
4 nolie 51
5 Matt 49
6 David O’Brien 42
7 Shaun 42
8 DAP 36
9 BamaDude @ #1CowCollege AL 35
10 Tomahawkin 34
11 brian 32
12 cabravesfan 31
13 tiger297 29
14 Roman Gal 28
15 Lew 27
16 ray k. 27
17 Soph 25
18 TennesseePaul 25
19 LAG 24
20 Lou Vales 24
21 Murph 24
22 Jake W. 23
23 ncscoots 21
24 Jeff R 20
25 MariettaDerek 20
phil
April 27th, 2011
5:03 pm
FJR
April 27th, 2011
4:56 pm
phil, apparently, according to some stories, he also threatened a fan in front of his family and when the fan said “not in front of my kid” McDowell responded by saying that he “shouldn’t bring his kids to the game.” If true, that’s just not how Atlanta Braves should represent their team, and there should be consequences.
I can tell you right now if that’s true, he should be fired….Involving kids in anything like that is pathetic…
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
5:03 pm
Murph,
Chicago gets actual twisters? I just moved here last year to get away from the earthquakes in southern California.
Murph
April 27th, 2011
5:03 pm
Who is the AAA pitching coach? Or do they even have pitching coaches in the minors?
I don’t really have an opinion on Roger as a coach. He’s neither good nor bad as far as I can tell. If he gets canned over this story I don’t think it’ll upset me too much.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
5:03 pm
FEAR—
He’s a fake. The love of my life doesn’t know how to spell…
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
5:03 pm
FEAR – saw that too and I let it ride.
Arkansas Transplant
April 27th, 2011
5:03 pm
Well, I’m out of here. Cutting out early so maybe I can get home and watch some of the game. Later all. And how’s the rest of it go?? Oh yeah.. Peace out, my friends.
unbelievable
April 27th, 2011
5:03 pm
Mixxo, from day 1
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
5:04 pm
Good stop, BMac.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
5:04 pm
mcfann – aw bmac did graduate from high school. It was watkinsville but better than nothing
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
5:06 pm
FEAR—
I was talking about my Petey Bird.
Murph
April 27th, 2011
5:06 pm
Oh yeah ray, lots of them. We lived there for 4 years and the end of every August was dicey at best. Twisters all over the place.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_Plainfield_tornado
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
5:06 pm
Hanson ends 5th inning with his 8th strikeout. Has allowed 1 walk, 2 hits.
indianabravesfan.com
April 27th, 2011
5:06 pm
the Hudson/Lowe commercial is good stuff!!!!!
phil
April 27th, 2011
5:06 pm
Roger doesn’t talk to the media, I understand. That’s not exactly a good sign. Besides, the guy was a Met….
If he can’t avoid threatening people in front of their kids, then it’s time to go back to NY where that kind of thing might be the norm….
phil
April 27th, 2011
5:07 pm
Hanson has walked one batter….
Release him….now.
CaptainMudderland
April 27th, 2011
5:07 pm
@Mixxo…shouldn’t you be asking that about McLouth?
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
5:07 pm
I guess Hudson throw that new pitch in the first inning.
ray k.
April 27th, 2011
5:08 pm
I meant: I guess Hudson doesn’t throw that new pitch in the first inning.
omg
April 27th, 2011
5:09 pm
DOB do you have no comment on Mcdowell story???
Jimmy
April 27th, 2011
5:09 pm
If we hold on and win this game (and we should), it will be a pretty good West Coast trip. Should have been better, but not bad.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
5:09 pm
omg-
He’s a little busy at the moment. Not sure how often he checks TMZ, but I’m guessing not a lot
Murph
April 27th, 2011
5:11 pm
DOB, have you heard anything about this TMZ/McDowell report?
Murph
April 27th, 2011
5:12 pm
nevermind, just saw it was just asked.
CaptainMudderland
April 27th, 2011
5:12 pm
…Luebke, Cory/I think we should go after this guy, like to see him in a Braves uniform.
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
5:15 pm
come on lets change the subject back to baseball (and since we like to bitch)…hanson needs to learn to pitch to contact/get an out pitch. With the lead he was given he is still going to burn 2-3 innings of the bullpen and that is totally unacceptable. To quote “Strikeouts are fascist”
Choppinmama
April 27th, 2011
5:16 pm
DOB: Adding my thanks for the late-nite quottage. It is so interesting to hear from the catcher (besides just a few post-game quote-bites [but we are thankful for those too!]) speak in-depth about the pitching game.
Also interesting about his read on Harang: “When you catch a guy, you know what he’s got.” Yet another reason he was in the lineup last night.
OK, back to enjoying the 6-run lead on get-away day.
Dave, when are you reporting to the airport? Good luck flying above the horrible weather in and on the way to ATL today! Find some mellow music for the ride…………or, maybe some heavy, heavy metal to drown out the thunder and lightning.
omg
April 27th, 2011
5:16 pm
Murph we are being ignored…..
ncgary
April 27th, 2011
5:17 pm
and she was sh sh sh shakin
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
5:17 pm
Nice play by the Old man
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
5:17 pm
Chipper is so friggin’ great at that play.
Choppinmama
April 27th, 2011
5:17 pm
Wishbone does it again over at 1st!!
Murph
April 27th, 2011
5:17 pm
omg, DOB will respond after the ballgame or maybe (but probably not) between innings.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
5:17 pm
hanson looking verrrrry good
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
5:18 pm
omg-
Did it occur to you that DOB has not seen or heard about it yet? That he’s too busy covering the game to respond to every comment on the blog or read every link that is posted? Relax, man.
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
5:19 pm
What is with NFL players and their wives/girlfriends? Two of them stabbed in a week (with a Bronco connection).
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
5:19 pm
Dang it Hanson, you’re gonna make me “like” you if you keep this up.
CaptainMudderland
April 27th, 2011
5:20 pm
No excuse our bullpen should be well rested for the homestand…with the leads we have had of late–Venters and Opie should not break a sweat till this weekend’s series.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
5:20 pm
and who was that ex QB from last year (?) that got shot and killed?
Shaun
April 27th, 2011
5:21 pm
tiger297, missing bats, for the most part, is necessary to be a successful major league pitcher. I’ll take the strikeouts any day.
DiamondbackMac
April 27th, 2011
5:21 pm
Choppinmama
Wishbone does it again over at 1st!!
Good one. That’s one heck of a split he does.
Trey
April 27th, 2011
5:21 pm
Okay, that McFann Date crap is really starting to get old.
Soph
April 27th, 2011
5:22 pm
Steve McNair
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
5:23 pm
ah yes steve mcnair
Soph
April 27th, 2011
5:23 pm
‘teeeeeeeeeeeeeen
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
5:23 pm
martin!
Ray Ray
April 27th, 2011
5:24 pm
Gloria Allred really bent Roger over in that press conference. Pun intended.
CaptainMudderland
April 27th, 2011
5:25 pm
…Ms. Sahel Kazemi did the damage to McNair.
Nick N Richmond
April 27th, 2011
5:26 pm
one of the braves players should secretly record Ross singin anf dancin to Shakin and put that up on the JumboTron every time the Braves need a rally, like they did with Kevin Millar in Boston years ago.
Murph
April 27th, 2011
5:26 pm
Okay, that McFann Date crap is really starting to get old.
After all the back and forth with Shaun over the last few days (who I must add is being nice and just sticking to discussing the game now) you’re upset over a single post?
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
5:27 pm
phils’ catcher is hurt. just saying
Trey
April 27th, 2011
5:27 pm
Murph, it’s just friggin old. Friggin played out.
Ross has the Braves sh-sh-sh-Shakin’ | Raw Sports - Atlanta Braves
April 27th, 2011
5:28 pm
[...] Atlanta Braves [...]
FJR
April 27th, 2011
5:29 pm
If I were working in an official capacity for a news outlet (like DOB) I wouldn’t comment until we had a little more information (from more reliable sources) on the McDowell thing.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
5:29 pm
88 for hanson…………how much do ya think he has left?
CaptainMudderland
April 27th, 2011
5:29 pm
@Trey…you didn’t have to say that!
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
5:30 pm
If Cantu’s brim gets any lower over his eyes…..I just might pee my pants….a little.
ColoradoBravesFan
April 27th, 2011
5:32 pm
Fear… I say he gets thru 7, and hopefully gets sent out to begin the 8th. Might be able to get thru 8, but have a lefty warming up.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
5:32 pm
Dang it Freddie!
Trey
April 27th, 2011
5:32 pm
I know I didn’t, Captain.
Beautiful game today, eh!
CaptainMudderland
April 27th, 2011
5:33 pm
Hawpe got a lucky hop….a Freeman, if you will
CaptainMudderland
April 27th, 2011
5:35 pm
@Trey…All is cool…you da man–I really wish I could go out there some day and get a little west coast attitude for maybe a week or so.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
5:35 pm
Man! The ol’ blog crawls when we’re winning eh?
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
5:36 pm
CaptainMudderland-
“west coast attitude?” What, may I ask, is that?
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
5:36 pm
Mixxo
yeah people like to bitch in this country. hahaha
Trey
April 27th, 2011
5:36 pm
Captain, I’m not west coast. Thank goodness for that, but I am extremely tired and I am hot right now and I still need to hit up the gym.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
5:36 pm
Trey-
Trey
April 27th, 2011
5:38 pm
cab, just kidding. I knew that would get a rise our of you.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
5:38 pm
aw cmon tommy. I wanted 2 CG in a row!
Dumbfound
April 27th, 2011
5:38 pm
Has anyone suggested the song “Whole lotta shakin going on” By Jerry Lee Lewis ?!?! I say forget about “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” to which the Braves copied from the Rockies anyway !
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
5:38 pm
FEAR – Evidently!
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
5:39 pm
Doghouse…
Bill
April 27th, 2011
5:39 pm
Why cant we get rid of Conrad and bring up another catcher then we would have Ross as are right-handed. Go good with Hinski being are lefty bat.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
5:39 pm
BMac…..like a cat!
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
5:40 pm
Well I just got some news – my step dad got me and him 2 of his company’s Suntrust level tickets for the game on Saturday. We’ll be right behind the Braves dugout, and on the field schmoozing during BP. I’ll be rubbing elbows with DOB and Brian McCann, making everyone crack up with witty one-liners.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
5:40 pm
Hee hee, whoopsies…BMac’s mask appears to be broken.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
5:40 pm
I’m picturing it being a batting practice version of this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnLwJW8pa7o
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2011
5:41 pm
Ho Sit down!
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
5:41 pm
Hanson has 10 strikeouts and four hits allowed in seven scoreless innings, Braves still up 6-0
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
5:42 pm
jeffrey d—
Aw man! Exciting!
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
5:42 pm
Actually, I’m not very clutch in exciting situations. I’ll be lucky to get a good sentence out.
To McCann: Uh….you play….good. Doubles….BYE!
phil
April 27th, 2011
5:42 pm
I wish em luck flying back tonight….can’t see how they do it until this horrible stuff moves on….the tops on these storms must be 50,000 feet and the storms are as thick as Barry Bonds’ head…
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
5:42 pm
And DOB will probably be off this weekend after a long West Coast swing.
Trey
April 27th, 2011
5:42 pm
cab, who me?
James
April 27th, 2011
5:42 pm
Haha. McDowell story is ridiculous. I don’t care if it’s true or not–in my limited sporting experience, coaches are some of the most foul-mouthed people on the planet. Like drill instructors or boat captains, you know? Doesn’t make it right, but I could care less. The fact that it’s Gloria Allred and TMZ doesn’t make me interested in looking further into it. Nice to see the dad perpetuating the ‘obsecenity’ in front of his daughters on national TV… Now is that appropriate, either?
phil
April 27th, 2011
5:43 pm
Great outing for Tommy….
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
5:43 pm
Trey-
yup. Say hi to nolie for me
Trey
April 27th, 2011
5:45 pm
cab, I will. Now I can save money. At least he has internet and cable and everything hooked up in there.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
5:45 pm
jeffrey d—
To McCann: Uh….you play….good. Doubles….BYE!
Yeah, that’s probably better than I could do.
Einsteindawg
April 27th, 2011
5:48 pm
Question for you mavens…I bet Shaun even has the stats. Are the umps calling a smaller strike zone this season? I notice that Tommy has over 110 pitches thru seven, and many of our starters have averaged over 100 for 6 or more innings. Just wondering and thanks.
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
5:48 pm
heffrey, haha, great call on the dumb and dumber clip. You’ll have ‘em all on the floor…
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
5:49 pm
whoops, that was intended for jeffrey, not his cousin of hispanic descent, heffrey.
Choppinmama
April 27th, 2011
5:50 pm
DiamondbackMac: I thought of that a couple of games ago when he did the splits about 4 or 5 times, scooped an out everytime. Looked just like the wishbone at Thanksgiving!!
Let’s hope those hammys, obliques and whatever that other stuff in his leg is, holds up for the season.
Gil In Mechanicsville
April 27th, 2011
5:50 pm
Said it once, will say it again, I really like this kid Gearrin
UKUGA
April 27th, 2011
5:50 pm
Sitting here in sunny, dry Southeast Texas, trying to work and keep up with the Braves simultaneously.
Keeping all of you in the Southeastern US in my thoughts and prayers today, hoping that none of you are in the eye of the storm.
God bless and Go Braves!
Dumbfound
April 27th, 2011
5:50 pm
The National Weather Service said that there are 4 tornados headed for Georgia. Expect devasting damage and power outages.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
5:51 pm
Hanson’s fourth 10-strikeout game of career. His line: 7 inn., 4 H, 1 BB, 10 K. Threw 74 strikes in 113 pitches
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2011
5:51 pm
Ho Sit Down!
I like This Cory Cat!
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
5:51 pm
whoops, that was intended for jeffrey, not his cousin of hispanic descent, heffrey.
I thought you were just calling me fat.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
5:52 pm
Nice Cory!
Choppinmama
April 27th, 2011
5:52 pm
jeffrey d: let us know what Braves regalia you’ll be wearin’. Don’t forget, you’ll be able to “chat up” DOB during batting practice too!
BFChris26
April 27th, 2011
5:53 pm
Gearrin is a good piece to have in the bullpen.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
5:53 pm
After that stolen base in the bottom of the seventh the Padres guys said, ‘that should have been indifference, nobody covered the bag. But they gave him the stolen base, on well, it’s inconsequential.’
My first thought was, not to McFann.
I’m throughly indoctrinated.
Dumbfound
April 27th, 2011
5:53 pm
Hail the size of grapefruits….
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
5:54 pm
shaun – missing points is necessary to be a truly annoying blogger. So success for you on 2 fronts
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
5:54 pm
Gearrin had a strikeout in 1-2-3 8th. Rookie sidearmer has 3 strikeouts in 3 perfect innings in his first two MLB appearances.
CaptainMudderland
April 27th, 2011
5:54 pm
@Cabravesfan:………Well it’s more of a laid-back approach…like to live and let live; of course while enjoying a swim while observing snow-capped mountains. A demeanor that is perceived as a bit less judgemental and such….in contrast to what I experienced growing up in the south and attending The Church of Christ.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
5:54 pm
Chippin – probably just my gray and blue Braves shirt with the Atlanta “A” on it, and my retro Braves hat with the lowercase Airtran “a”
My Man Nate
April 27th, 2011
5:55 pm
Oh yeah!
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
5:55 pm
I guess the Braves knew what they were doing when they called Cory Gearrin up after all…
Billy Bob
April 27th, 2011
5:56 pm
David, you see the story on tmz.com about Mcdowell?
Gil In Mechanicsville
April 27th, 2011
5:56 pm
Hail the size of grapefruits…. That is some seriously hard water…
Murph
April 27th, 2011
5:56 pm
So…. Braves go back to Atlanta and one of the relievers is going to be the odd man out, right? The team is supposed to call up a position player once the road trip is over from what i’ve read.
Who is getting the boot?
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
5:57 pm
CaptainMudderland-
That’s fair
I’m a pretty laid back girl myself…
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
5:57 pm
Nice inning from Gearrin. He might be keeping a spot instead of Ascencio when they call up another bat when they get back to Atlanta…
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
5:57 pm
do we give craig the 9th just so he remembers where the mound is?
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
5:57 pm
Dumbfound – OK, I’m asceered….now what?
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
5:57 pm
Cory Gearrin seems to have had a very Venter-esque 8th inning.
9 pitches, 1 K.
Business.
Murph
April 27th, 2011
5:58 pm
PS – Conrad sucks. I don’t think there’s any debating that point anymore. Worthless.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
5:58 pm
Conrad…… w-w-what h-h-happ…..?
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
5:58 pm
Bat M. My first thought was, not to McFann. I’m throughly indoctrinated.
I agree with those announcers that it should have been indifference. I mean, if no one was covering…and we DO have a 6-run lead. No need to stick BMac with an OSB there…
LAG
April 27th, 2011
5:59 pm
That was a huge Uncle Charlie though…
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
5:59 pm
Murph, I’d assume it would have to be either Gearrin or Ascencio. I’d say before today it would have been Gearrin, but the fact that he just had another solid outing, and that he is somewhat of a Moylan clone in his repertoire, it’d be more likely that Ascencio goes down.
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
5:59 pm
Billy Bob, just read the same story on ESPN.com. This should be interesting. If its true, he is in big big trouble.
Jay Dubu
April 27th, 2011
5:59 pm
Who gets the 9th inning for the Braves? It would be nice to preserve the shutout.
Choppinmama
April 27th, 2011
6:00 pm
jeffrey d: ok, we’ll be on the lookout. You’ll have to tell us what’s on the menu in your post-game report.
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
6:00 pm
So is the game safe enough now for a Sherrill sighting?
Or will this be the game Ascencio tries to exorcise some ghosts?
Dumbfound
April 27th, 2011
6:00 pm
I’m only reporting to what the weather people are saying. You don’t believe that hell can be that size ?!?! I do !
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
6:01 pm
Give Ascencio the 9th. Last chance audition between him and Gearrin for the last spot..
Kat
April 27th, 2011
6:01 pm
McFann… I just got home to watch the 9th. So not all was lost.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
6:01 pm
Mike S-
Gearrin hasn’t been up for 10 days yet so I don’t think they can send him down right away even if htey wanted to- I think he’s pitched too well to not give him more of an opportunity (10 days, I believe, would be Saturday)
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
6:01 pm
But it looks like Kimbrel’s warming up…
Dumbfound
April 27th, 2011
6:01 pm
hail not hell. although hell could be that big too.
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
6:02 pm
Nice to see Heyward’s bat.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
6:02 pm
Kimbrel to pitch the 9th for Braves
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
6:02 pm
cab, they can send him right back in ten days, it’s the other way around, where they can’t call Young back up within 10 days (barring injury).
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
6:03 pm
that was supposed to read: “send him right back down within ten days”
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
6:03 pm
Not ashamed McFann.
Just fully aware.
Murph
April 27th, 2011
6:03 pm
So is the game safe enough now for a Sherrill sighting?
I think it has to be a double-digit lead before Cheryl comes in the game… just to be safe.
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
6:03 pm
Gearrin hasn’t been up for 10 days yet so I don’t think they can send him down right away even if htey wanted to
The 10 day rule is not about sending someone down, but about bringing someone back up.
So Gearrin can be sent down, only Young cant be brought back up unless it’s an injury replacement.
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
6:03 pm
Does anyone esle dislike Cantu’s facial hair?
The A Bomb
April 27th, 2011
6:03 pm
Don’t you just love these games where Gonzalez the OVERMANAGER can’t feel the need to put his stamp on the game?
We should be 6 over after this game, not .500.
I Have A THing For A SunTrust Girl
April 27th, 2011
6:04 pm
If Fredi won’t use George Sherill for an inning with a 7 run lead then why is he on this team? Seems smart to use Kimbrel and his already heavy workload just because they have an off day tomorrow (sarcasm)
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
6:04 pm
I wouldn’t put it past McDowell. He did spit on Kramer and Newman.
Bayou Brave
April 27th, 2011
6:04 pm
queue Shaun.
puff
April 27th, 2011
6:04 pm
Conrad is a career minor leaguer who caught ligntning in a bottle last year. Nice story while it lasted.
BFChris26
April 27th, 2011
6:04 pm
Kimbrel needs the innings.
NJ Braves fan
April 27th, 2011
6:04 pm
The boys are starting to hit!!!
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
6:04 pm
Kimbrel to pitch the 9th for Braves
Oh my goodness, Shaun’s going to have a cow
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
6:04 pm
Even if the story is true, I doubt Roger is in “big big trouble”- he’ll issue an apology (which is all the people are asking), take a class, and maybe get fined. It will blow over and he will learn to be more careful about what he says.
By the way, I have to wonder what these people are after, considering they hired the Media W**** to “represent” them, when all they are seeking is that apology. Nobody hires her if they don’t want some kind of publicity. Plus, trotting your daughters out on TV screams “LOOK AT US!!”
Murph
April 27th, 2011
6:05 pm
Leave Young in the minors, bring up Costanza
Release Conrad, add Moylan when he comes off the DL
Send Hicks down, bring up Lucas or that guy who keeps hitting HR’s… can’t remember his name
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
6:06 pm
Mike & Snot-
That’s what i thought too, but I could have sworn I read somewhere that it works both ways. Doesn’t really matter- I still think Gearrin’s earned a longer look
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
6:06 pm
This is the part that is so reminiscent of Bobby.
Keeping him fresh.
Like stirring a pickle jar or something.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
6:06 pm
man Tommy dropped his ERA from 3.00 to 2.57…………nice
Murph
April 27th, 2011
6:06 pm
San Diego announcer: “So, how does your closer come in and walk the first man in the inning? Probably because he has a 7 run lead.”
Choppinmama
April 27th, 2011
6:07 pm
DC Braves Fan: not as much as Chipper’s “beard.” And not even close to Brian Wilson. I cringe and turn away at the “what’s going on in BW’s beard” commercial. Funky and gross.
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
6:07 pm
Homophobic slurs and a publicly traded company don’t mix. If it is true and they cannot mitigate the issue by saying he was provoked, he is gone. Of course this is just my opinion.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
6:08 pm
Choppinmama-
That commercial totally creeps me out! It’s more then a little disturbing
CaptainMudderland
April 27th, 2011
6:08 pm
He don’t pull that cap down for nothin…re: Jorge Cantu
I Have A THing For A SunTrust Girl
April 27th, 2011
6:08 pm
If Fredi really wanted Kimbrel to get work today he should have started the inning with Linebrink, then Sherill it would have been a save situation for Kimbrel in no time
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
6:09 pm
Something in this story doesn’t add up. Someone tells McDowell “there’s kids present” so he responds by saying “kids don’t belong in the ballpark” and procedes to threaten this dude with a bat??
Roger McDowell Must Go If Guilty
April 27th, 2011
6:09 pm
Braves’ McDowell accused of homophobic comments
Posted on: April 27, 2011 5:40 pmScore: 103
Rate This Post:Rate This Post:Rate This Post:FairGoodCoolAwesomeI Love It!By C. Trent Rosecrans
Every once in a while you read stories about whether a professional athlete could come out as a homosexual in this day and age, and every time it seems we’re moving toward acceptance, we get pulled back to reality.
According to TMZ.com, noted attorney Gloria Allred has accused Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell of using several homophobic slurs and comments toward a group of male fans at San Francisco’s AT&T Park last weekend.
According to Allred, McDowell asked a group of male fans, “Are you a homo couple or a threesome?” A family of four, including two 9-year-old girls, said after McDowell made the remarks, he used a baseball bat to simulate sex.
After the father confronted McDowell, the pitching coach reportedly responded, “Kids don’t [expletive] belong at the baseball park.” And then approached the man with a bat and said, “How much are your teeth worth?”
It’s unlikely Bud Selig’s crew will add McDowell’s “kids don’t [expletive] belong at the baseball park” as a marketing slogan anytime soon.
The family wants an apology from McDowell, as well as a fine from the commissioner’s office for both McDowell and the Braves.
McDowell has yet to respond and he’s innocent until proven guilty, but it’s tough to say it’s uncommon to hear that kind of talk in baseball clubhouses — whether McDowell is dumb enough to say that outside the clubhouse, that’s another story.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2011
6:09 pm
Ball Game
Hell Yeah…!
Great West Coast Swing!!!
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
6:09 pm
Great Win! Ended up being a nice trip…maybe the Braves should come west more often
BFChris26
April 27th, 2011
6:09 pm
.500 BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
6:10 pm
Hanson and two relievers combine for 4-hit shutout, Braves win series 2-1 and finish 6-4 trip, now back at .500 (13-13)
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
6:10 pm
Cabravesfan – you sound like you have some media savy yourself, attaching the victim. Regardless of what they do now, or who they hired to represent, has nothing to do with what Braves/Liberty must do, period. I doubt (hope) that they don’t go on the offensive.
Venice Jim
April 27th, 2011
6:11 pm
Excellent way to close it out!
Murph
April 27th, 2011
6:11 pm
Something in this story doesn’t add up. Someone tells McDowell “there’s kids present” so he responds by saying “kids don’t belong in the ballpark” and procedes to threaten this dude with a bat??
I did the same thing at Sesame Street on Ice last year. It’s not unheard of.
Choppinmama
April 27th, 2011
6:11 pm
Alrighty. The boys will be “Shakin” down the airplane aisles on the way home today.
I’ll be back for some get-away quotage later.
DOB: safe travels.
Nick n Richmond
April 27th, 2011
6:11 pm
Hanson is SHAKINNNN
tmc
April 27th, 2011
6:12 pm
i’d like Cantu on this Braves team. He would help in 3 ways:
RH bat off bench.
RH bat option for spelling FF and CJ at 1st & 3rd.
Vet w/ experience.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2011
6:12 pm
Awesome road trip!
I’ll take 6-4 any day.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
6:13 pm
Oh, the story I read didn’t have all that info in it.
Venice Jim
April 27th, 2011
6:13 pm
cab – who did you attach yourself to?
chilidog75
April 27th, 2011
6:13 pm
Man. Last evening i post how tough this season is going to be because, win or lose, this team just doesn’t blow anyone out. And every game is going to be tense and close and hair-pulling tight.
Then they go out and win 8-2 and 7-0.
All righty then.
Einsteindawg
April 27th, 2011
6:13 pm
Gloria Allred has made a billion dollars persecuting honest people (with good liability insurance). She is what’s wrong with society today. How ’bout taxing her at 75% Mr. president, as she doesn’t create jobs.
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
6:14 pm
tmc – he would have to shave that soup strainer off of his face first.
Murph
April 27th, 2011
6:15 pm
Man, hope nobody from the blog is in or around Tuscaloosa… if so, take cover!
Jay Dubu
April 27th, 2011
6:16 pm
Good road trip. Could have easily come out of it at 8 – 2, but all things considered, 6 – 4, is great.
Have a good couple of days off DOB. Enjoyed reading the West Coast Trip blogs.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
6:17 pm
GREAT game!! Braves did a great job to finished the trip strong.
Kat I just got home to watch the 9th. So not all was lost
Yay!
Bat M. Not ashamed McFann. Just fully aware.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
6:18 pm
DC Braves Fan-
The people that he allegedly yelled the homophobic slurs at are not even a part of the story. And I know how Gloria Allred operates. She is not the type of attorney a family from San Francisco would hire if they did not want attention. That’s what she does. And, sadly, if true, it’s not the first or the last time someone in the pro sports world has or will use words like that. I don’t agree with comments like that, but they do happen more than they should. I just don’t think someone should lose their job over what, at this time, is a one time lapse in judgement, even a big one. Besides, why do I automatically have to believe them? Not saying I think they are lying, but I only have their word- what makes it the absolute truth?
eddie
April 27th, 2011
6:19 pm
hey dave, shoot me an e-mail. need to chat alejandro plan he and i have schemed up! good win today, go braves. eo.
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
6:19 pm
Great W, series, and road trip!
Dumbfound
April 27th, 2011
6:19 pm
It’s funny how if someone makes a homosexual slur like Kobe Bryant who had to pay a 100,000 dollar fine, But no one gets fine for saying the “N” word.
LAG
April 27th, 2011
6:19 pm
Murph – Send Hicks down, bring up Lucas or that guy who keeps hitting HR’s… can’t remember his name
Ed Lucas with the .204 batting average?
Face it, behind Gonzo, we’re VERY vulnerable at SS. There’s Hicks, Diory who has been proven not to be able to hit MLB pitching, and Ed Lucas who right now can’t hit AAA pitching. Only way to get another good backup SS is via trade.
Jay Dubu
April 27th, 2011
6:20 pm
Sherrill has become the new Kenshin Kawakami…Gets paid to watch all the games from the bullpen.
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
6:20 pm
Einsteindawg – So Gloria Alred is the problem here? Remember there was a violent incident recently at the ballbark that involved a fan. MLB will have to move to deal with this quickly, and so do the braves, this type of violence does not work well when trying to sell tickets in a slow economy.
My guess is Gloria Alred wold happily pay a higher tax rate if it meant more American jobs. I know I would; would you?
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
6:20 pm
VJ/cab, what games did you get to go to during the Dodger series?
Murph
April 27th, 2011
6:21 pm
LAG, who is the infielder who keeps raking for the Braves in the minors… I can’t remember his name, but he’s been mentioned as a possible call-up option.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
6:22 pm
Dumbfound – who’s saying the N word in a derogatory manner? I know from personal experience that it’s widely used in the black community, but for them it means “bro” or just “person” and has no negative connotation. Plus, I haven’t heard professional athletes say it (or read about professional athletes saying it)
keylargo
April 27th, 2011
6:22 pm
Hail the size of grapefruits….
Fatalities would follow if that were true. an 8cm hail stone, weighing .7kg falls at 48 m/s (171 km/h).
That’s a 1.54 pound rock at106 mph folks
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
6:22 pm
Murph, you mean Mauro Gomez? I think he’s a 1B primarily.
Murph
April 27th, 2011
6:22 pm
Sherrill has become the new Kenshin Kawakami
I’d rather have KK watching from the bullpen than Cheryl.
Jay Dubu
April 27th, 2011
6:23 pm
Diory only had 9 AB last season.
Murph
April 27th, 2011
6:24 pm
keylargo, they’ve already reported some baseball and softball sized hail. Grapefruits aren’t that much bigger.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
6:24 pm
Face it,
behind Gonzo,we’re VERY vulnerable at SSThere we go.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2011
6:25 pm
David O’Brien
[DOB- Why isn’t college baseball more popular?]
“Matt: aluminum bats. For me, at least, that’s why the college game barely resembles what I consider true baseball. But with the bat restrictions in place this year, they’ve at least begun to address that. If I’m not mistaken, scoring is way down in college ball this season (someone who knows, please tell me if that’s correct).
In the past, I couldn’t stand watching 175-pound hitters get jammed on a pitch and still — ping! — hit an opposite-field home run. To me, that’s like Arena League version of the game we watch in minors and majors.”
A Damn Good Q&A that was on the last blog in which I’m late catching on…
Not to mention college baseball doesn’t get the hype because its players have to advance 2-4 more levels of minor league ball as opposed to the NFL/NBA. In those 2 other sports/leagues their players get drafted out of College and recieve the playing-time/money/fame/prestige from the day they are drafted, not like that in mlb, so 90 percent of the fans don’t care to watch college baseball
Murph
April 27th, 2011
6:26 pm
Mike, that might be the guy. Someone wrote either earlier this week or late last week that he was an option to be called up when the Braves returned to ATL.
Might as well. Look at Brooks… he won’t see an inning on the field, so if he’s only around for his bat, the Braves could benefit from having a guy who could actually hit on the bench.
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
6:26 pm
Great game! Got home in time to see the last Braves hitter in the 9th and then Kimbrel getting the one K and the DP. Always love to see the win
We can’t complain too much about a 6-4 road trip.
FEAR
April 27th, 2011
6:26 pm
500 baby!!!
Dumbfound
April 27th, 2011
6:28 pm
@Jeffery, I was stating through history say like the fifties and sixties. And still to this day. I haven’t heard anything lately, But you know it is being said out there.
Powder Blue
April 27th, 2011
6:28 pm
Congrats to Chipper on passing Mickey Mantle, and congrats to Big Red for pitching a hell of a game. Let’s hope the bats stay alive.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
6:28 pm
We can’t complain too much about a 6-4 road trip.
We can complain about a 10-0 road trip on here.
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
6:29 pm
Jay Dubu, I agree with what I think you’re getting at with your 6:23. Everyone says “Diory has proven he can’t hit major league pitching.” Really? He’s had two cups of coffee in the bigs, with a total of 94 AB’s, and a good chunk of those were in a bench role. That’s not enough of a sample to prove that he definitively “can’t hit major league pitching”.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
6:29 pm
But you know it is being said out there.
I hear it multiple times a day. Just not by athletes.
Nick n Richmond
April 27th, 2011
6:30 pm
I think Eddie Money owes David Ross and DOB a fruit basket or something for all the publicity and youtube hits he’s getting for this.
LAG
April 27th, 2011
6:31 pm
Yeah, Murph, as someone said, yeah, it’s Mauro Gomez. I wouldn’t pencil him in as a backup SS though.
Jay Dubu – And in ‘09, he had 85 ABs (93 PAs), mostly playing in place of Escobar who was on the DL. Still didn’t improve his numbers (.141/.198/.212).
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
6:32 pm
great game/series by the braves…chipper/mac are on fire…uggla is getting on my nerves as the games go by. i’m seeing all this $$ we gave him go to waste.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2011
6:34 pm
Where The Hell are All The “Season Over” Posters that were on here a Week ago…?
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
6:34 pm
i’m seeing all this $$ we gave him go to waste.
He’s still got 4 years and 11 months left on his contract
McFann's date
April 27th, 2011
6:35 pm
I have a “fruit basket” for somebody!
Kat
April 27th, 2011
6:35 pm
Freddie posted a picture of his battle wound from the game today…looks nasty
http://plixi.com/p/96534093
LAG
April 27th, 2011
6:35 pm
Mike S – People want to get rid of Hicks because he can’t hit. Yet he’s had fewer PAs than Hernandez, but I don’t see anyone defending Hicks’ offensive stats as “not enough of a sample.”
Homo
April 27th, 2011
6:36 pm
Is this really a big deal? Have you been to SF before/ Everyone knows how “different” those people are out there! You guys remember watching the NLDS last year!
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
6:37 pm
Mike S-
We only made it to Monday’s game here- ticket prices are ridiculous (we were fortunate to get free ones from a friend)- we are going to the Angels game on May 20th, which I am very excited about
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
6:38 pm
uggla is getting on my nerves as the games go by. i’m seeing all this $$ we gave him go to waste.
Troy Glaus (April): .194/.310/.292 with 2 HR, 9 RBI
He was being pilloried in April and then in May, he totally carried the team. Until his knees went, he was okay.
Uggla – .188/.243/.385 with 5 HR and 8 RBI.
Career in March/April: .237/.311/.442 and then he takes off.
Just wait.
LAG
April 27th, 2011
6:39 pm
Kat – That’s not a strawberry on Freeman. That’s a jar of preserves.
Tomahawkin (5)
April 27th, 2011
6:40 pm
We Caught some lucky breaks today that make up for the crap-luck that happened in Mondays game…
The Maybin Play against Chipper Probably gets caught if it were Pestorino and the error on the ball hit By Martini, well Howard probably smuthers it down some way…I’m just glad we got some lucky breaks today that otherwise could go either way against a good team on paper
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
6:40 pm
How’d Freddie get that boo boo? Remember, I was trying to listen at work today and kept getting pulled away from my desk.
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
6:41 pm
Well LAG, one difference is that Hernandez has hit better in the minors than Hicks, but I agree it’s too small a sample on him too. Hicks also plays great defense, while Diory is more or less average.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
6:41 pm
understandable, however would like to see something at least in the first month of uggla’s tenure with the braves.
Lew
April 27th, 2011
6:42 pm
I saw the Giants feed during that series and they DID have anti – Gay commercials on local TV.
But this incident kind of doesn’t really sound like the guy who used to give his teammates hot feet.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
6:42 pm
Oh my gosh, there’s 5 Tomahawkins now?
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
6:42 pm
his HRs have been good but lacking in overall performance at the plate
Dumbfound
April 27th, 2011
6:43 pm
@keylargo, If Moses with the help of God, Can part the Red Sea, Then surely hail sizes like that can happen. But I take it you are being sarcastic with me. Like I said before, I’m only repeating what all these Meteorologists are reporting. Turn on the Weather Channel.
Lew
April 27th, 2011
6:43 pm
Should say commercials condemning anti – Gay behavior.
Jwyatt15
April 27th, 2011
6:43 pm
Braves need to make SHAKIN their version of Sweet Caroline in the seventh inning
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
6:43 pm
That’s cool, cab, at least you got to go to one! I’m going to be in Long Beach next week for work and am trying to go to the Dodgers-Cubs game Tuesday night. Looking forward to making it over to Chavez Ravine, as Dodger Stadium is the only west coast MLB stadium I haven’t been to.
LAG
April 27th, 2011
6:43 pm
Yeah, Mike S, Hicks is basically a glove. I’m ok with that to an extent, but he’s gonna need some numbers. Otherwise, he’s speed wasted.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
6:44 pm
Lew-
Especially when that guy has 2 children of his own…
Lew
April 27th, 2011
6:44 pm
Real baseball fans look at hail that size and think it;s a good time for batting practice.
Brave4life-1995 all over again??
April 27th, 2011
6:44 pm
This is just wrong, I just completely lost respect for Roger Mcdowell
http://www.tmz.com/2011/04/27/atlanta-braves-pitching-coach-roger-mcdowell-san-francisco-giants-att-stadium-gay-slurs-homophobic-gloria-allred/#comments-anchor
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
6:45 pm
Mike S-
Just be prepared to pay…parking is $15 for cars and the food is rather expensive
Lew
April 27th, 2011
6:46 pm
cab – Yeah. And it’s not like Gloria Allred to stir up a cesspool if it suits whatever she’s crusading for at the time.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
6:48 pm
Lew-
Usually she’s crusading for “Gloria Allred”
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
6:49 pm
UPDATE: Roger McDowell just APOLOGIZED, releasing a statement moments ago, saying, “I am deeply sorry that I responded to the heckling fans in San Francisco on Saturday. I apologize to everyone for my actions. “
A rep for the Braves released an additional statement, saying, “We are concerned by these allegations and the behavior described by a witness today. This in no way represents the Braves organization and the conduct we expect of our employees.”
Hmmm, makes me think, what would Bobby do?
Dumbfound
April 27th, 2011
6:49 pm
The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa has been hit by a tornado. Several Dooms are destroyed.
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
6:50 pm
Why are people jumping on Roger already? Before there is even a chance to hear his version.
Just because the other side has come out with an inflammatory version first doesnt mean everything in it is true.
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
6:51 pm
cab, yea, my buddy who’s originally from LA warned me of that. How far is it from Long Beach (will be at the Hyatt, on the harbor) to the stadium, would a cab ride be exorbitant?
Mr. Matt
April 27th, 2011
6:51 pm
Maybe Roger had a contact buzz? Seems a little out of character for him. I always thought he was kind of quiet for a MLB coach. I figured that’s why Bobby liked him.
This sounds fishy to me…
Dumbfound
April 27th, 2011
6:52 pm
dorms….
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
6:53 pm
Snotboogie – There are reports that he has apologized for his actions and there was no mention of him saying that the allegations were false. That generally means, he did it.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2011
6:54 pm
Wow. Just read about this McDowell stuff.
He’s in some serious trouble. Of course, the homophobic nonsense is going to make the headlines, but cursing at and threatening a dad with a baseball bat? WTF?
He’s definitely going to get suspended by MLB. There’s absolutely no doubt about that. But is he booted?
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
6:54 pm
Mike S-
depending on when you go, it can be quite a trip…between 4:00-5:00 it might take close to 2 hours. Plan a minimum of an hour and a half just to be safe (It’s about 45 minutes from my place and I’m about 20-25 minutes from Long Beach- add another 20 minutes to get to the freeway from your hotel…) A cab would probably cost around what you pay in airfare and public transportation sucks so if you don’t have a car, it may be tricky
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
6:55 pm
Lew – this is in no way/shape/form Gloria Allred’s fault. She is doing her job giving a voice to a victim. Don’t blame her for being good at her job. This is squarely on Roger, don’t you think?
Jay Dubu
April 27th, 2011
6:56 pm
TMZ is in the business of selling propaganda. You have to make sure that their story is factual before you accept it.
They kinda remind me of the Tabloid mags at the grocery store check out.
Jeff321
April 27th, 2011
6:57 pm
Roger McDowell has embarrassed himself and this organization. Sorta like when Cox was arrested for beating his wife. The Braves didn’t fire him, so why start now?
Btw, I won’t be reading any replies. Just stopped by to voice my opinion.
Tomahawkin (5)
April 27th, 2011
6:57 pm
I’m Suprised that Roger’s Comments didn’t make the Front page of the ajc.com…
We all know the site gets off on stories like that especially when it involves celebrities/athletes
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
6:58 pm
Braves players, coaches, manager wouldn’t comment on McDowell situation, and Roger himself was not made available to us after the game. Braves said their only comments, for now, would be these statements from team and McDowell:
Braves Statement
“We were made aware of an incident in San Francisco this past Saturday. We are concerned by these allegations and the behavior described by a witness today. This in no way represents the Braves organization and the conduct we expect of our employees. We will withhold further comments until we finish gathering information.”
Roger McDowell statement
“I am deeply sorry that I responded to the heckling fans in San Francisco on Saturday. I apologize to everyone for my actions. “
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
6:59 pm
Yeah, I’m waiting to hear Roger’s side before condemning him.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2011
6:59 pm
“We all know the site gets off on stories like that when it involves celebrites/athletes.”
Which is why most have the good sense to not DO what McDowell did (and since he apologized for it, that means he did it).
chilidog75
April 27th, 2011
7:00 pm
Jeffrey … he didnt deny it. So what side could he possibly have?
Jay Dubu
April 27th, 2011
7:01 pm
In this day and age when video and soud clips hit the airwaves before an incident is even done happening, why did it take so long for this to get notice?
Mike S
April 27th, 2011
7:01 pm
yikes, thanks cab. I’ll have to look into transportation a little further, maybe see if I can get my hands on a car or something…
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
7:02 pm
I dunno, like what the “heckling fans” were saying. I’d just like to know what was being said to make him go off like that.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
7:03 pm
One more comment and then I will try to refrain from saying anything else. If this family did not want publicity, didn’t want the national attention, why did they not just contact the team, or hire someone to do that? Why did they go straight to the national press conference with an attorney famous for holding press conferences? Obviously there was some kind of interaction between Roger and fans on Saturday, but to what extent remains to be seen
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
7:04 pm
Who is our pitching coach in triple A?
Gil In Mechanicsville
April 27th, 2011
7:06 pm
Gloria Allred’s MO is trial by press conference. As for Roger McDowell, well, if you are dumb enough to get suckered into a shouting match with a fan or fans, then maybe you deserve to get your attitude adjusted. Just saying, don’t allow yourself to get put into these positions because there are lots of folks looking for ways to exploit others.
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
7:08 pm
I have to agree with jay dubu and cabravesfan. I had just said to my husband that in this day and age, there had to be somebody there with a video phone. I’ll reserve judgment.
And for the record, having worked in the legal field, it’s lawyers like Gloria Alred who make lawyers look bad.
Gil In Mechanicsville
April 27th, 2011
7:09 pm
Like many other things in this country, free speech only extends in one direction….
Juan
April 27th, 2011
7:09 pm
Leo Mazzone get Ready
Gil In Mechanicsville
April 27th, 2011
7:10 pm
Now, back to baseball…. Heck of a road trip….
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
7:10 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.
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.
LTBF
April 27th, 2011
8:27 pm
Allred will make to far worse than it really was, she does that all the time.
kirkinga
April 27th, 2011
8:28 pm
This isn’t Rocker v.2.0. There is more than just slurs alleged here.
If true, McDowell approached a family with a weapon in response to heckling. I get that those particular type of slurs don’t register a blip on some people’s moral radar, but I don’t see how brandishing a weapon at a fan and his kids is ever acceptable to the Braves or MLB.
Had this incident taken place outside the park (in some states), the father could have shot McDowell in reasonable fear of bodily harm to him and his kids.
LTBF
April 27th, 2011
8:29 pm
Allred is a liberal who loves gays.
nolie
April 27th, 2011
8:31 pm
Enter your comments hereI wasn’t around but I bet the board was a reasonably pleasant place during todays game
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:32 pm
What really gets me is this picture
http://www.ajc.com/multimedia/dynamic/00916/Braves_Coach_Fan_Ba_916093c.jpg
Okay, if everything McDowell did is true and unprovoked (I highly doubt that’s the case, but go along with it) I mean, is that any reason to call a press conference and bring your whole family and act like your world’s been turned upside down by the most traumatic experience possible?
Buddy who had his daughter puked on by a drunk fan, yes.
Hearing someone called gay and hearing the F word? I’ve heard a lot worse at baseball games.
nolie
April 27th, 2011
8:32 pm
but you’re tough too Jeffrey.
T for Texas
April 27th, 2011
8:33 pm
I’ll bet the worst that happens is he gets suspended.
Unless a damning video of the incident surfaces, I’d agree. If there is video that makes Roger look bad, you’ll never see him in a visible position with a club ever again.
The shame of that is, without seeing the unfolding of the whole afternoon in context, you don’t know if that dad is an innocent victim, or some horrible son-of-a who deserved worse.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:33 pm
I mean, look at that guy’s expression…he looks like McDowell hijacked his car then ran over his dog with it.
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
8:33 pm
RG hide darling
Pinball34
April 27th, 2011
8:34 pm
Everyone knoes RMD is a nutjob. Why the shock?
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:34 pm
They is one hell of a fine, Jeffrey.
You’re talking like Sonny Clusters, Trey
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
8:34 pm
it wasn’t mcdowell in the seinfeld episode, it was keith hernandez spitting on kramer
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
8:35 pm
Freebird- Rodge also didn’t pull the double FF’s… I dont think he needs to be worried about this ‘homophob’ comments. He needs to worry about the allegations of him physically threatening fans.
LTBF
April 27th, 2011
8:36 pm
jeffery d 8:32
About that picture. Good grief what actors!
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:37 pm
Just grinds my gears, nolie.
Isn’t this the same woman who held that ridiculous press conference with Tiger’s stripper mistress, who was suing because she was so emotionally distraught? That was the fakest thing I’ve seen.
T for Texas
April 27th, 2011
8:37 pm
Dr. K, don’t forget the “second spitter” perched up on the gravely drive.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
8:37 pm
If that’s not a staged PR shot, I don’t know what one looks like.
I know I keep dwelling on it, but Richmond Braves Fan sort of brought it up and it’s a good point…Why did nobody bother to inform the Braves about this while they were in San Francisco?? If one of the coaches on the team that is in my park threatened a fan, with or without a weapon, the FIRST thing I do is tell that team. But nobody on the Giants apparently told them, nobody with stadium security apparently told them and nobody at the SFPD apparently told them. They found out the same way we all did- by seeing this man and his family at a press conference…
Wahh
April 27th, 2011
8:37 pm
Roger McDowell was in that episode, too
Trey
April 27th, 2011
8:37 pm
We sure did, didn’t we Jeffrey? We think they appropriate punishment for McDowell is to treat us fans to Dairy Queen.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:38 pm
it wasn’t mcdowell in the seinfeld episode, it was keith hernandez spitting on kramer
No way he could’ve done it at that angle.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
8:38 pm
jeffrey d, that picture is so BS. family looks like their dog was mutilated in front of their daughters. i’ve seen law & order episodes with more convincing people than that. i know it’s ajc’s pic they put up, but still…..gimme a break. are their lives forever ruined by this if it indeed happened?? no, publicity & payouts is all they want
LTBF
April 27th, 2011
8:38 pm
We got no post game quotes after todays game. miss them.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
8:39 pm
my bad, ya’ll right about the seinfeld episode…hernandez was dating elaine. the “grassy knoll” angle of spitting..:)
Trey
April 27th, 2011
8:39 pm
Jeffrey, they look like fakers.
Venice Jim
April 27th, 2011
8:40 pm
McDowell needs to be thrown in a deep dungeon with the Duke lacrosse players…
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
8:40 pm
Cabravesfan- they first had to hire Gloria allred, of coarse.
Furman Bitcher
April 27th, 2011
8:40 pm
Look this may have very well happened but I am pretty sure McDowell didnt say that kids dont belong at the ball park. That part right their made me doubt the whole story.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
8:40 pm
Now that was funny
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:40 pm
He needs to worry about the allegations of him physically threatening fans.
I agree. The gay comments just seemed like boys being boys.
Fans: Hey McDowell! You suck!
RMD: Ha! You guys are so gay!
If McDowell threatened this guy with a bat, that’s pretty stupid of him. Even if it wasn’t serious at all (like when I’d act up and my Grandpa said he’d give me a “knuckle sandwich”) and even it was provoked, you can’t do that. People in the spotlight are held to a much higher standard than us Joes.
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
8:41 pm
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.
LTBF – I dont understand this at all. Sounds quite bad they way you put it, especially when coupled with your other comment. I suggest you dont go down that path.
LTBF
April 27th, 2011
8:42 pm
Rodger was a very good pitcher with the muts.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:42 pm
i know it’s ajc’s pic they put up, but still…..gimme a break. are their lives forever ruined by this if it indeed happened??
I don’t care if it’s the only picture that makes them look so downtrodden. What gets me is that they actually had to hold a press converence for something like this. Good grief
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
8:42 pm
Bigwheel-
Of course. Because the first thing I do after hearing insulting language or feeling threatened is call a known media obsessed attorney in a city 400 miles away because I’m so upset.
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
8:43 pm
Bat
I think DC Brave’s appreciation was in response to carlchamblee’s 8:16 post.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
8:44 pm
jeffrey-
because that’s what gloria allred does. She holds press conferences.
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
8:44 pm
the ambulance chasers
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:44 pm
See? Isn’t this a nice break from bullpen usage, or the #2 spot in the lineup?
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:45 pm
I fully expect PL to chime in praising RMD
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
8:45 pm
i swear shes such a runt
LTBF
April 27th, 2011
8:46 pm
VJ 8:40
Duke lacrosse players did nothing wrong.
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
8:46 pm
See? Isn’t this a nice break from bullpen usage, or the #2 spot in the lineup?
I’d rather be discussing today’s victory.
Or Kimbrel’s usage for the ninth.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:47 pm
Interview the girls. Kids will be able to give an accurate account of the story. And if they don’t, it’ll be obvious they’re hiding something or that they were coached to say something specific.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
8:47 pm
you know their attorneys are chomping at the bit for this right?? back in the day, will clark told me to f**k off when trying to get an autograph from him…LOL….but no need for a lawyer, i knew he was an a**hole!!!
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:47 pm
I think that was the joke, LTBF
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
8:47 pm
LTBF-
I think VJ’s point was those kids were tried and convicted in the media before the facts were known. Ruined their lacrosse careers and their lives at Duke.
Trey
April 27th, 2011
8:48 pm
Jeffrey, well you can’t praise him nor can you condemn him.
Abwright
April 27th, 2011
8:48 pm
Wasn’t it Gloria Allred who represented the strippers who threatened the Duke lacrosse players?
That sure turned out well.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
8:49 pm
you know their attorneys are chomping at the bit for this right??
That just adds to the strangeness of it all- they are not suing, they have not filed any kind of legal complaint. All they claim they are asking for is a public apology. And gloria wants a fine. Not even for him to be fired. Just an apology and a fine.
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
8:50 pm
Snotboogie – you are correct, I was appreciating the Uggla comment.
I take it you have an opinion on Kimbrel’s use in the ninth? I wouldn’t mind hearing it.
In Fredi I Am Trusting A Little
April 27th, 2011
8:50 pm
Just read the Roger McDowell story and all I have to say about that is
ROGER MCDOWELL SHOULD BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY!!!
There is no place for behavior like his. Who the hell does he think he is? He is not that good of a pitching coach, and he is a even worse human being. Fire his worthless being, and make a PR move and hire either John Smoltz or Tom Glavine as the new PC.
kirkinga
April 27th, 2011
8:51 pm
Don’t worry, McDowell isn’t some poor Joe. He has the resources to take on that meanie Gloria Allred…lol!
He’ll need a good lawyer too because this needs to stay out of court. No jury in San Francisco is going to believe that he was “provoked” into brandishing a weapon while threatening a dad who didn’t want his kids exposed to that type of behavior.
The interesting part is that the targets of the slurs aren’t the ones with a lawyer, so far yet people are reacting as if they are the one’s with that big meanie Gloria Allred for a lawyer.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:51 pm
CAB – what were you saying about judging before all the facts were out?
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:52 pm
He’ll need a good lawyer too because this needs to stay out of court
I’ll call Jackie Childs.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
8:52 pm
jeffrey-
where?
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
kirkinga-
There is no lawsuit. The fan is not seeking anything out of it.
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
Fredi you are trusting a little- hold some judgement. All you have is a TMZ (and dont get me started on that toilet paper) and Gloria F Allred’s attention starved presser…
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
Nevermind…
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
DC
Considering Sherrill hasnt been used much on this road trip, and the 7 run lead, I woulndt have minded him pitching the ninth. As someone else mentioned, If Sherrill cant be trusted to pitch in this situation of what use is he. Unless he is injured or something.
But with tomorrow’s off-day and the fact that Kimbrel hadnt pitched yesterday, I guess it wasnt too bad.
LTBF
April 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
Cab 8:47
I did get VJ joke. I just wanted to make sure those unfamiler with the Duke story knew the players were innocent
James
April 27th, 2011
8:54 pm
Guys, make sure you check out the video of the news conference. One version of it has an extra section where Allred holds a baseball bat and simulates the obscene gesture using the accuser dad’s hand. For one thing, having Gloria Allred simulate anal lovemaking on your hand has got to be the most emasculating experience in the world. Second, how is it appropriate to make the motion in a news conference in front of an entire TV audience (including kids) when the whole idea behind this is that Mcdowell was being inappropriate in front of a family?
Fast forward to 2 minutes, its worth it.
http://www.tmz.com/videos?autoplay=true&mediaKey=c768a07d-3b51-4591-963e-3966a27b39b9
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
8:54 pm
jeffrey-
did I say something that went against that? (really asking- I don’t think I did…)
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
8:54 pm
cabravesfan- and where will this fine go to? the family or MLB?
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
8:55 pm
Rodge has been a damn good pitching coach for us, BTW, in fredi you are trusting a little
chilidog75
April 27th, 2011
8:55 pm
Who cares about Allred?
She’s an afterthought. Maybe the parents went to the Giants, went to the police, saw nothing was going to happen and then took matters into their own hands by drumming up a PR attorney who was CERTAINLY going to get attention.
Just because they hold a press conference doesn’t mean it’s not true.
McDowell needs to get out in front of this thing immediately – if he is in fact innocent of threatening a dad with a bat. But, his formal apology was all of two sentences and he expressed regret. Seems if they were lying, if this dad was just conjuring it up to get paid (by whom, by the way?) … then McDowell would IMMEDIATELY say he was full of ish. And nothing like that happened.
He didn’t. He gave a BS apology with no real substance or specifics. And that’s been it.
He better pray there isn’t any video evidence of this actually happening because if there is, he’s likely done.
Kat
April 27th, 2011
8:55 pm
Using an adjective that describes a group of people to insinuate something negative is never acceptable, especially when someone is at work representing their employer. Which is why I respectfully disagree w/ jeffrey d’s boys being boys comment. If he had said as jeffrey d put it “Ha! You guys are so gay”..would some people think differently if was said “Ha! You guys are so black.” Same idea, different adjective. imho
Back to baseball talk….
LTBF
April 27th, 2011
8:55 pm
Outta here, later ya all, have a good one or two.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
8:56 pm
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater-
Don’t know. Most likely to some charity- that’s what usually happens.
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
8:57 pm
James- I completely agree. Its an absolute joke that runt decided to give a visual demonstration for some twins who are DAMAGED by this horrible image. It def. takes complete credibility away from them, in my book.
TRB
April 27th, 2011
8:58 pm
“I know I keep dwelling on it, but Richmond Braves Fan sort of brought it up and it’s a good point…Why did nobody bother to inform the Braves about this while they were in San Francisco??” — cabravesfan
According to DOB’s 6:58 post:
Braves Statement
“We were made aware of an incident in San Francisco this past Saturday. We are concerned by these allegations and the behavior described by a witness today. This in no way represents the Braves organization and the conduct we expect of our employees. We will withhold further comments until we finish gathering information.”
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
8:58 pm
i still say bogus unless roger comes out and apologizes…espn would’ve been all over this days ago
Tomahawkin (5)
April 27th, 2011
8:58 pm
I’m suprised that I haven’t even heard a peep about the McDowell issue on the Phillies forum
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
8:59 pm
TRB-
“We are concerned by these allegations and the behavior described by a witness today.
Described today seems to indicate that they had not heard them before that.
Abwright
April 27th, 2011
9:00 pm
Maybe Allred will have a news conference with just the little girls, saying how their Dad humiliated them by allowing a media wh0re to simulate an obscene act in public.
Soph
April 27th, 2011
9:01 pm
Well said, Kat.
Ron Roberts
April 27th, 2011
9:02 pm
1. He’s been a damn good pitching coach
2. He should be fired.
Anybody making a gay slur in SAN FRANCISCO has a certain level STUPIDITY entrenched in their brain, and anybody working in an MLB uniform who doesn’t get that his salary COMES from families with 9 year olds coming to the park and shelling out $150-250 a night for seats, concessions and souvenirs is clearly out of his mind.
The guy was a career MLB pitcher who, at this stage in his life, should be better calloused to the heckling of opposing fans better; apparently he’s not. The Braves and MLB should do the right thing and fire him immediately.
Jeff R
April 27th, 2011
9:03 pm
“Seems if they were lying, if this dad was just conjuring it up to get paid (by whom, by the way?) … then McDowell would IMMEDIATELY say he was full of ish. And nothing like that happened.”
Something happened – in other words, McDowell reacted – but it might not have been as bad as it’s being alleged.
McDowell’s not calling the shots on his response and apology. The Braves’ attorneys and management are riding herd. Might even have a crisis management consultant weight in.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
9:04 pm
Of course they should fire him now- why wait to find out if they are even true?
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
9:04 pm
this might take some sting away
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/baseball/mlb/04/27/mets.finances/index.html?eref=sihp
Kat
April 27th, 2011
9:04 pm
One more thought..which is just my opinion, so I will opine. Bigotry in any form whether it be about someone’s sex, race age, religion, sexual orientation, etc, always irritates me as there’s no point to it.
So how bout those Marlins?
davec
April 27th, 2011
9:04 pm
Folks this was in San Francisco.
How would you know the allegedly pink dressed girls were not two midgets in drag ?
Befour making any judgement I would like to hear both sides.
TRB
April 27th, 2011
9:04 pm
Yeah, cabravesfan, I was wondering about that myself after I re-read it. I may have been taking that first sentence the wrong way. Either that or the Braves learned more details about it today.
Larry
April 27th, 2011
9:06 pm
Here’s an idea…why don’t all of you judges bite your tongues until Roger can tell his side of the story? The guy is on a cross country flight.
Good grief!
T for Texas
April 27th, 2011
9:06 pm
She holds press conferences.
When the judge and the jury, are the media and the audience, that is where you plead your case.
Soph
April 27th, 2011
9:07 pm
RG, stay safe! I just saw there’s a tornado in progress near Rome.
Trey
April 27th, 2011
9:08 pm
chilidog, exactly. He’d better hope and pray that there is no evidence and deny everything. Keep denying until evidence is provided.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
9:08 pm
TRB-
Just seems to me that if they knew about it in San Francisco and if all the family wants is an apology, then the whole thing could have been handled quickly and easily by the Braves arranging a meeting so Roger could apologize in person and everyone could move on.
DC Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
9:08 pm
Snot – I can see your point about Sherrill but hey, our closer, who is much more important to the wellbeing of our team, needs to stay sharp.
Kat
April 27th, 2011
9:10 pm
Larry..I think a lot of people understand they are just allegations. But are talking in general about those types of comments and ‘if’ they are true their thoughts on it and what they feel could happen. Posting speculations and opinions something that happens on this blog all the time. I think for the Braves organization we all hope they’re not true.
keylargo
April 27th, 2011
9:10 pm
If McDowell threatened this guy with a bat, that’s pretty stupid of him.
McDowell was a pitcher for goodness sakes. And a relief pitcher at that!! Who could he hurt with a bat? Probably just swing and miss.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
9:11 pm
CAB – you said something about convicting someone before the facts were known, then about 3 minutes later someone said “FIRE MCDOWELL! This is unacceptable!!”
Soph – did you see RG’s pics on Facebook of those enormous trees that were uprooted and blown over? Whew!
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
9:12 pm
jeffrey-
yeah I saw that
Got tired of responding to all of those people
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
9:13 pm
Maybe I’m just not sensitive enough, or not PC enough, but I don’t see the gay comments as being too bad. I hear them all over the place and don’t think too much of it. It’s just something guys say.
Venice Jim
April 27th, 2011
9:14 pm
Thanks for clarifying my position while I’m doing whatever it is I’m doing…
Soph
April 27th, 2011
9:14 pm
jeffrey – I did. I can’t believe trees that gigantic just toppled over – crazy stuff.
TennesseePaul
April 27th, 2011
9:16 pm
Braves coach accused of yelling gay slurs at fans
I think that one is my favorite headline.
Fan: You suck!
McDowell: Who dressed you, your mother? That ensemble completely clashes with your skin tones.
Jake W.
April 27th, 2011
9:16 pm
I’ll refrain from the Roger controversy but what a way to end the road trip. This good play needs to continue when we get home because it doesn’t get easier. I see Gearrin pitched another scoreless inning. If I remember correctly this was about the time last year when we got Jonny V. Not saying the guy has to be that good, but if he is solid that will be a huge plus for the pen. Jason seems to be back, Nate still hasn’t fallen off the face of the earth like so many believed. Starters have figured out its easier to win when you don’t give up early runs every game. Hopefully we’ve turned that corner for the better.
Stay safe Georgians and everybody else being affected by this weather.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
9:16 pm
I try, VJ
(I almost called you that twice in an e-mail to a non-braves friend this afternoon
)
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
9:17 pm
Those trees had to be at least 100 years old. They’ve braved all kinds of weather, but this was the big one that did them in.
DiamondbackMac
April 27th, 2011
9:18 pm
Abwright
Maybe Allred will have a news conference with just the little girls, saying how their Dad humiliated them by allowing a media wh0re to simulate an obscene act in public.
I thought the same thing. I also thought she demonstrated McDowell’s alleged use of the bat for far too long.
flange1
April 27th, 2011
9:19 pm
I don’t know what happen with Roger M., we see about that as it plays out.
I am just sorry it had to happen now when the team is finally jelling to have this distraction come along.
This can be a good or a bad thing for team morale, hopefully it will not distract the team.
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
9:19 pm
Well… Never a dull moment on operation repo
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
9:20 pm
Changing the subject; classy Boston hockey fans, booing a Canadiens player that took a hard shoulder shot to the jaw and had to be helped off the ice…real nice
TRB
April 27th, 2011
9:22 pm
That’s a good point @ 9:08, cabravesfan.
Jake W.
April 27th, 2011
9:22 pm
But Boston fans are some of the best in the game. They waited all of 10 minutes to boo Smoltz in his debut for them.
Soph
April 27th, 2011
9:22 pm
Hmm, AJC says tornado sirens in Woodstock which would be Ease’s part of town.
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
9:22 pm
Out here in Dawson County, they are sounding the tornado sirens.
kirkinga
April 27th, 2011
9:23 pm
There is no lawsuit. The fan is not seeking anything out of it.
Yes, I know, and that is to the family’s credit. Of course, there is still plenty of time to file a suit. I think it’s interesting that there was not been any denial issued along with the apology.
Brave New World
April 27th, 2011
9:24 pm
James: Thanks for providing the link to the video. Prior to watching that I was of the opinion that Roger had been in the wrong for whatever reason, but in seeing the complete lack of regard for the (2) nine year olds sitting there listening and watching this trash makes me much more suspect of the father’s motives. If he was truly “protecting” his daughters from inappropriate language and gestures why would he now find it ok to make them center stage to such a (vulgar in its own right) media circus? Something is not right here.
SeATLite
April 27th, 2011
9:24 pm
All I can say is, if it’s true — and it doesn’t look good, folks — then I’m extremely disappointed in Roger (whom I think is a terrific pitching coach). There’s no excuse. None.
And I’m more than a little disappointed by the (fortunately relatively few) posts on this blog expressing slurs about San Francisco (which is an incredible city, if you’ve never been there) and about gay people in general. I guess it’s to be expected on a sports-related blog, but… disappointing nonetheless. Several of my best friends and co-workers are gay or lesbian. One of them, who stood up with me at my wedding, is the biggest Braves fan I know besides myself. How do you think he feels right now?
Sigh. Shameful stuff, when we ought to be able to focus on baseball and the great trip our team just finished.
T for Texas
April 27th, 2011
9:25 pm
she demonstrated McDowell’s alleged use of the bat for far too long.
Cue the clowns, acrobats, and elephants! Jeffrey D, get that midway set up out front, we got us a circus.
Kat
April 27th, 2011
9:25 pm
I hope all of those out there in the tornado warning areas across the country stay safe!
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
9:26 pm
I’ll get the dunk tank ready!
T for Texas
April 27th, 2011
9:31 pm
Great idea jd, they should just put Roger in a dunk tank, and let the family have all the throws they want until they feel justice has been served.
northbeach Scott
April 27th, 2011
9:31 pm
SeATLite, let’s not rush to judgement on Roger. Does he not merit the benefit of the doubt until evidence is presented. I lived in San Francisco for years and while the natural beauty is unrivaled by any other city, the people are mostly disgraceful. SF is known as the “Land of Misfit Toys.”
I have never lived any place so intolerant of what most folks would consider “normal” behavior. As long as you worship crystals and enjoy beastiality, you are a hero. Reality is upside down there.
Several of my friends and relatives are gay and lesbian, but I would expect them not to be so sensitive to an alledged minor reference. Grow up and get a thicker skin.
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
9:32 pm
seATLite- why dont you wait until you hear from mcdowell, rather than use your jump to conclusion mat. Sorry for your sensitivity
Couch Tater
April 27th, 2011
9:33 pm
Even if the allegations are false, this story will follow Roger and the heckling will be worse.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
9:33 pm
Ah crap…I kept thinking the bad parts of the storm would be to the north of us, but I just checked the radar and it looks like there’s a big strand of red that can’t miss us. It’s in Alabama right now.
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
9:33 pm
well the weather scaring machine is working at my house…other 1/2 wants us to go downstairs now…storms aren’t projected to come here at all and even the rain isnt forecast to get here for 2 1/2 more hours
Trey
April 27th, 2011
9:35 pm
I hope Ease is alright. The other week there were apparently 60 some tornadoes up in North Carolina.
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
9:36 pm
jeffrey d – go to weather underground and on the nextrad page you can put storm tracks on them…don’t think gwinett will get the bad stuff
T for Texas
April 27th, 2011
9:36 pm
Ease was on here today, Trey.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2011
9:39 pm
I think McDowell deserves the benefit of the doubt in why he hasn’t gone more in depth with his “apology.” Being on a cross-country flight and all.
But if he doesn’t come out tomorrow and attack the validity of these claims immediately, if he stands behind his two-sentence press release and refuses to address it again? Well, then, his silence will say everything that needs to be said.
SeATLite
April 27th, 2011
9:40 pm
northbeach Scott and Bigwheel (especially Bigwheel):
Which part of the first words in my post — “All I can say is, if it’s true…” — was unclear? I’m the second or third poster who expressed similar sentiments and CLEARLY qualified them, then was unfairly harangued for judging Roger before he’d had his day in court. Knee-jerk responses aren’t helpful, folks.
(And northbeach Scott, I don’t entirely disagree with your characterization of San Franciscans as a group, whom I’ve found to be pretty insufferable, mostly about the fact that they live in such a beautiful place. But I don’t think that’s relevant here at all, personally.)
flange1
April 27th, 2011
9:41 pm
It’s been awhile since we have heard from DOB……
JerseyGil
April 27th, 2011
9:41 pm
My Kids live in Woodstock….any news ,tried to call my daughter…no answer..
Trey
April 27th, 2011
9:42 pm
T, I thought the sirens just started going off in Woodstock.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
9:43 pm
I think he’s on a cross country flight, flange
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
9:43 pm
It’s been awhile since we have heard from DOB……
He’s been busy filing mini-blogs and game reports.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
9:43 pm
JerseyGil-
Is Woodstock in Alabama or West Georgia? RHR lost power in Alabama a while back- same thing probably with your kids.
Venice Jim
April 27th, 2011
9:44 pm
On his long double off the right-center wall, missed a homer but at least you got your first double
“Yeah, that’s all I’ve been wanting.” [sarcasm.]. “It took me 85 plate appearances. Everybody was getting on me for not having a double, so actually I was glad it didn’t go out of the yard. This is a big yard. You’ve got to hit it pretty good.”
Glad Mac listens to McFann…
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
9:44 pm
Trey – T thinks you were implying that Ease lives in North Carolina
T – Trey meant that he had 60 some tornadoes in North Carolina
Confusion averted.
T for Texas
April 27th, 2011
9:44 pm
Sorry, I misunderstood you earlier, Trey.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
9:44 pm
Link to QUOTAGE:
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2011/04/27/braves-quotes-after-wednesday-win-over-padres/
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
9:45 pm
Jeffrey-
DOB not flying out until later- he posted quotes on twitter but they have not found their way here yet…
NO MORE BOBBY
April 27th, 2011
9:45 pm
Kids don’t belong at a baseball park – Roger McDowell
What the? He is now officially the biggest A-hole on this team (maybe in baseball).
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AnsBN.4DT2_5safagNJzbA8RvLYF?slug=ap-bravescoach-fan
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
9:45 pm
Nevermind
JerseyGil
April 27th, 2011
9:45 pm
cabravesfan ,,,,North of Atlanta…off 575 hwy 92
chilidog75
April 27th, 2011
9:46 pm
And being in North Florida, looks like the brunt of this storm is going to miss it. For any of you in its path, please be safe.
Trey
April 27th, 2011
9:46 pm
cab, Woodstock is in Georgia.
NO MORE BOBBY
April 27th, 2011
9:46 pm
I bet McDowell is in the closet like that weirdo dad in American Beauty.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
9:46 pm
add another name to the “guilty before the facts are known” group
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
9:47 pm
Link to GAME STORY: http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/hanson-dominant-as-braves-927632.html
Trey
April 27th, 2011
9:47 pm
Jeffrey, I didn’t even know there were any until after the fact. I was asleep through out the whole storm.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
9:47 pm
Thanks all- VJ just pointed that out to me also.
bravesgrl4life
April 27th, 2011
9:49 pm
Okay, folks, devoting my laptop to staying informed on this massive storm. We are still under tornado watch. They are talking about Amicola State Park – that’s about 30 miles from me. I do live in a valley, and usually we are somewhat protected from the worst of the storms. Even so, we’re making plans (blowing up the air mattress) incase we have to sleep in the basement tonight. Will check in when I can. For all of us in North Georgia right now – STAY SAFE!!!
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2011
9:52 pm
CAB – Woodstock is in Georgia.
Pameee
April 27th, 2011
9:55 pm
I wonder why any type of slur made always goes back to Blacks? Does gay slurs involve anything related to Blacks?
Leo told stories on 680TheFan about how he and his pitchers were called some of the worst names in the world. He said Philadelphia and Chicago were the worse but it happened all the time. Leo said it was funny to him because it never quite made sense that people did not know him could harbor such awful and hateful things. That my friends is consider the source type things.
Richmond Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
9:55 pm
I agree that IF Roger did all the things alleged he should be fired. That would seem to be a reasonable response to such behavior. However does anyone REALLY think he did EVERYTHING that they alleged? Far too many of these allegations just do not pass the smell test. The AP reported “Quinn alleged that the coach replied that kids don’t belong at a baseball park, picked up a bat, walked up to Quinn and asked him, “How much are your teeth worth?”” An important point in this allegation is that he “picked up a bat.” That shows intent which there is NO WAY that both the Giants and SF police would have ignored. If the complaint he allegedly filed included that the police would have arrested him or at least issued a warrant for his arrest. That should tell you something about the most serious of the allegations.
Secondly the allegation that he said “Kids don’t [expletive] belong at the baseball park.” Once again does this pass the smell test? A man with a history as both a player and coach who by the way has two daughters himself (about 8 and 11 years old) would say this? Come on. However in the world of PR not court that Allred practices, that is a headline statement and insures that MLB will take this seriously. Coach and/or player yells inappropriate and offensive things back to a heckler would be somewhere with dog bites man.
Third the supposed true victims of the slur(s) and gestures were so offended that they did not file a complaint. The true victims either were not that offended or possibly enjoyed the fact that they got under the skin off the opposing team.
Therefor once you truly examine these allegations it seems probable that he said and/or did some homophobic things that he should not have. I think Kobe taught us a lot last week when he pointed out that some words are best not used if for no other reason than simply avoiding any problems with interpretation and context. However the idea that he was threatening people and saying kids don’t belong at the ball park are too far of a stretch. Take that away and surprise there is no reason for Allred’s press conference.
Remove the threat with the bat and kids don’t belong comment and most people especially fans would think they have heard far worse. So is firing for just THAT really warranted?
Abwright
April 27th, 2011
9:56 pm
Good luck to those of you in Georgia who are facing these storms. We just had our bout in Arkansas and it was no fun. Stay safe.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
9:56 pm
Brian McCann “Yeah, that’s all I’ve been wanting.” [sarcasm.]. “It took me 85 plate appearances. Everybody was getting on me for not having a double, so actually I was glad it didn’t go out of the yard.
Aw, now who was getting on you? Gimme names! Man, some people…
Seriously, though—the look on his face after he hit it? He looked quite relieved to me…
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
9:57 pm
V. Jim Glad Mac listens to McFann…
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
9:58 pm
Yes, STAY SAFE, all in the storm’s way, including us, apparently…
DANG, though, enough with these friggin’ storms already! They’ve been extra horrid this year…
Fredi's Fu Manchu
April 27th, 2011
9:59 pm
Guilty – no mound visits for 1 week.
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
10:01 pm
seATLite- Youre taking credibility from Gloria F Allred, and TMZ. Obviously, youre not a golfer..
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2011
10:02 pm
Peter Moylan cursed at Logan Morgan on twitter. I read it and am offended. Anyone got Gloria’s number?
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
10:04 pm
After listening to Ross’ comical exchanges following his 10th career multihomer game, McCann walked toward the batting cage, smiled and told a reporter, “I better be the MVP of today’s game.”
Richmond Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
10:05 pm
cabraves just follow the lights of the tv cameras. She chases tv cameras not ambulances.
reckingball
April 27th, 2011
10:05 pm
That Dad in the TMZ Gloria Allred clip, looks like he is trying to keep from busting out laughing, while she is thrusting her bat into his O-ring.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2011
10:05 pm
Richmond Braves Fan,
We’ll know if its true or not by McDowell’s next interview. If he doesn’t vehemently defend himself against those allegation, if he doesn’t call it nonsense and the dad a liar, well, then he did it. It’s pretty simple.
No way he’d stay mum on a subject like this.
Bigwheel
April 27th, 2011
10:08 pm
reckingball- what an embarrassment that was. Shes an ambulance chaser
Abwright
April 27th, 2011
10:08 pm
I love America, where you’re guilty til proven innocent.
Wait.
I think I got that backward.
DAP
April 27th, 2011
10:11 pm
saying ugly things about gay people is not what “homophobic” means. definition of that word seems to have been stretched quite a bit. just a side note there.
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
10:12 pm
chili – if his boss tells him stay mum or we will terminate your contract and sue you for breach of code of conduct within your contract I’ll bet he would keep his mouth shut (at least I would).
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
10:14 pm
Snotboogie – you are correct, I was appreciating the Uggla comment. _ DC Braves Fan
Okay SB & DC, that was funny.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2011
10:16 pm
tiger297 … give me a break. Why in the world would the Braves NOT want McDowell to defend himself? They’d rather it appear that he did this? What rationale would they have for that?
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
10:16 pm
bat – buddy of mine just asked if I wanted to join him at marco island for a couple of days…he has the tarpon charter booked in 2 weeks. Its a shame I won’t be able to make it.
007
April 27th, 2011
10:22 pm
NO MORE BOBBY
April 27th, 2011
9:46 pm
I bet McDowell is in the closet like that weirdo dad in American Beauty.
Cris Cooper has starred in some of my favorite movies The Bourne Identity, and before that in Matewan with James Earl Jones and Pharaoh’s Army with Kris Kristofferson.
kirkinga
April 27th, 2011
10:23 pm
…“Quinn alleged that the coach replied that kids don’t belong at a baseball park, picked up a bat, walked up to Quinn and asked him, “How much are your teeth worth?”” An important point in this allegation is that he “picked up a bat.” That shows intent which there is NO WAY that both the Giants and SF police would have ignored….
Here we have more magical reasoning. The flaw in this “logic” is that if something criminal really happened, then McDowell would have been arrested and taken away.Unless the cops actually witnessed the incident, there is not enough evidence for them to arrest McDowell. Had he knocked the dad’s teeth out, or there if was some other physical evidence, then the cops would be on more solid footing to arrest him.
Secondly, McDowell can still be arrested if the local authorities so desired.If some If the alleged incident was captured on video by a fan or stadium cameras, then the D.A. might still file. McDowell has status. People with status and resources are tougher to prosecute because of the legal assistance they can employ.
I feel sorry for the Braves as this puts a cloud over the team and organization.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
10:23 pm
jeffrey d, I’ll be out there Sunday.
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
10:24 pm
chili – do you think gloria flew the family to LA with no idea of a financial return on this thing? Regardless of guilt I would bet Liberty Media is willing to pay a solid amount for this to disappear. Truth of the allegations is irrelevant and McDowell’s personal desires are even more irrelevant. The question is what is the potential risk to Liberty Media’s investment and can they settle now and mitigate that risk.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
10:29 pm
Guys, make sure you check out the video of the news conference. _ James
Well that was bad. Seems they could have handled that without the kids there. I mean ask them to step out, or something, when when they get started. The little kid on the left seemed a little pleased/ amused, of course that means nothing, she’s a little kid.
I began to suspect early on, and was completely convinced by the bat scene, that Gloria whatever her name is, is an idiot. The father………. man, who knows. It would be easy to pass some judgement here and cast aspersions, but I’ll pass.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2011
10:32 pm
DOB do you have no comment on Mcdowell story??? — omg
What do you want me to comment on? I have no idea how much of what is alleged actually occured, though I also haven’t heard anything yet from McDowell or the Braves to suggest the comments were inaccurate. None of us heard anything about this, on that day or since, until the presser at attorney Allred’s office today, which happened while the game I was covering was being played.
I’ve read the comments from the father and his children. If those things were said — I’ve got no reason to believe otherwise, since Roger hasn’t said anything other than a generic apology via statement issued through team — then it’s clearly a bad situation. For now, we don’t know what, if anything, provoked it. Not that those things, if actually said, would be an appropriate response in any situation.
Given the severity of the allegations, it’d be irresponsible for me to comment other than that. I don’t know all the facts. Right now, it doesn’t look good.
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
10:33 pm
bat – not sure I would define gloria as an idiot. I may not like what she does but she uses todays societal pressures and media to make a ton of money.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2011
10:34 pm
Roger McDowell’s personal desires are not irrelevant to Roger McDowell. His very livelihood is on the line. I imagine he not only wants to keep his job in MLB, but he probably doesn’t want his entire career – pitching and coaching – to come down to a sex act with a bat and then a verbal assault on a dad in front of his two daughters.
It just defies real-life logic. No. 1. You honestly think Liberty Media would fire him for denying an allegation. What right would they have for terminating one of their employees – who is a public figure – for publicly defending himself? You want to talk about a lawsuit? There is absolutely no way that would happen.
Like i said, if he comes out and vehemently attacks these allegations, then I’d believe him. If he doesn’t, then I’ll believe the dad’s story.
007
April 27th, 2011
10:35 pm
Chipper Jones is now second all-time in switch-hitter RBI’s as noted by David O’Brien. Jones is also second at the moment in career batting average [.306] behind only Frankie Frisch at .316. Lance Berkman is third at .304.
Bay Area Steve
April 27th, 2011
10:43 pm
I don’t know what concerns me more…
The instant castration of our pitching coach, or the fact my favorite carney sucks at math…
Allred with the bat
April 27th, 2011
10:43 pm
This is what the world has come to. Anyone “rich or famous” has a target on their back for anything that happens.
Everyone always looking for a payday…
VaBravesFan
April 27th, 2011
10:46 pm
good Braves win today, and a much needed day off tomorrow.
BIOMASS
April 27th, 2011
10:47 pm
boy o boy, Roger is in a mess. Turn my head for one second, and this happens.
N Nine
April 27th, 2011
10:48 pm
Great week for the Braves, not so much for Roger.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
April 27th, 2011
10:48 pm
Allred needs a bat side the head………..
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
10:48 pm
bat – buddy of mine just asked if I wanted to join him at marco island for a couple of days…he has the tarpon charter booked in 2 weeks. tiger
tiger, yeah it’s a shame you can’t go. Such is life, eh.
Quick tarpon story. I was down in nolie’s neck of the woods, as I often am, Tarpon fishing in a pass out of Pine Island Sound. Drifting along I hooked up a monster, 25 lb test line on a bait caster, saw her jump, wow…….. so I fought her for an hour, had the leader in the boat three times, and she would kick back off again.
The third time she did it a big bull shark hit here about twenty feet off. We were in a flats boat, (lake and bay),they rolled around some and she broke away and I was still hooked up. Chased her out into deep water, she sounded and died. I can’t be sure but she had to be very close to seven feet and 200 lbs. Biggest tarpon any of us had ever seen before or since.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
April 27th, 2011
10:50 pm
You people wanting Roger fired should grow a pair…………you think those Giants fans sitting around Mr. Innocent and his twin daughters wasn’t shouting obsenties also………he needs a bat side the head as well
BIOMASS
April 27th, 2011
10:51 pm
Gloria Allred is expecting a payday. And she will get it if there is video or enough witnesses. Roger’s apology is incriminating in itself.
VaBravesFan
April 27th, 2011
10:52 pm
Roger messed up big time…
BIOMASS
April 27th, 2011
10:56 pm
Allred isn’t all bad. She went after child molester Jackson, which was good. She represented Amber
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
10:57 pm
bat – not sure I would define gloria as an idiot. I may not like what she does but she uses todays societal pressures and media to make a ton of money.
tiger_
I did not really mean that literally. I don’t think she is stupid, more that she is willing to appear the idiot to many of us to do as you expressed in your second sentence.
SeATLite
April 27th, 2011
10:57 pm
Bigwheel, I’m not “taking credibility” from anyone. (I’m not even 100% sure what that means. I’m assuming you mean I’m taking their word for it.) I hate TMZ and I’m no fan of Gloria Allred; I tend to see her as a bit of a glorified ambulance-chaser, as someone else said.
However, as DOB said, the element that seems to imply most that there’s substance to the allegations is that Roger’s statement makes no attempt to suggest otherwise. Others have discussed how that may reflect legal counseling, and, indeed, in my limited experience with such matters, that’s the sort of statement civil suit lawyers counsel you to make when the complainant’s got you dead to rights.
But whatever. It doesn’t matter what you or I perceive to be the truth. The truth will come out, one way or the other. I return to my original point, which was that mostly it saddens me to see people becoming reflexive apologists for alleged homophobia and threats of violence and, in some cases, making pretty inflammatory and offensive slurs of their own, from behind the protection of a mask of anonymity provided by a blog handle.
And that one I ain’t backing down from. “Sensitive” or not.
BIOMASS
April 27th, 2011
10:58 pm
Amber Frey
Doc Holiday
April 27th, 2011
10:59 pm
But most important………..6-4 west coast trip………..
YEAAAAAAAHH!!!!!!!
Winning road trip…..UN-believable.
uga-brave
April 27th, 2011
11:00 pm
roger was just channeling his inner larry david.
Trey
April 27th, 2011
11:01 pm
So far, around 64 were killed in the south from the tornadoes and 40 were killed in Alabama.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2011
11:02 pm
Something clicked in Hanson a few starts back, something good, and JJ looks like the ‘09 pitcher to me. Hudson and Lowe should keep doing what they’ve pretty much always done. I’m a happy fan these days.
Trey
April 27th, 2011
11:02 pm
VaBravesFan, did he mess up? We don’t have any evidence that he said any of those things. Right now it is nothing but speculation.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
April 27th, 2011
11:03 pm
Roger if you reading the blog……….”nobody talks…….everybody walks”…..no matter what happened……these clowns can’t stand up in a legitimate court of law with this…………..they are hunting a payday and I don’t mean a candy bar.
Pete*
April 27th, 2011
11:03 pm
Chili, My own opinion is he is in big trouble with the team. I personally dont believe this family of 4 (including 9 year old twins) would spend most of their day making foolish accusations, BUT we shall see how it plays out. Just my opinion is all; gonna be a long flight home.
Atlanta has a large gay community, so look for lots of protests at the Ted starting Friday. This will snowball very quickly, and will become a much larger issue than the Cox incident with his wife. Minimum of suspension, and probably 50-50 chance he is gone. No way Braves and/or MLB can take that publicity hit. Of course, should the story prove to be false or exaggerrated, then thats a different story.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
April 27th, 2011
11:06 pm
this is all about attention wh*res…………people
TnBrian
April 27th, 2011
11:06 pm
Trey, let’s put it this way, here in Chattanooga we don’t see many tornadoes and we had a few hit the city today from what I heard. Stepdad saw from his house one from a pretty short distance and thought it was birds flying around. It was tons of debris. I stood outisde earlier as another storm was approaching and felt that creepy ass silence. Thought something was about to go down, but luckily just lightening and rain.
Gregg Maddux
April 27th, 2011
11:07 pm
Hi,
I´ve heard that you have a vacant for pitching coach.
If you need me feel free to call me.
My number is 1-800-the-best
Yunel's Frosted Tips
April 27th, 2011
11:07 pm
uga brave…………….Hanson musta laid off the sauce last PM………..finally came up big in a day game..
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
11:08 pm
pete – i wouldn’t have believe a family of 4 would spend their days on a ballon hoax either
Richmond Braves Fan
April 27th, 2011
11:08 pm
Chili such rationale would be that the best thing for the Braves is this to go away. Initially the Braves and his lawyers will make sure he keeps quiet. After the Braves, MLB, and his lawyers gather all the facts the quietest corse of action could very well be a fine and a press release. No press conference less of a story. What would the Braves and even Roger have to gain by stirring it up again. It seems clear that Roger at least did some things he should not have. That is not an interview that would go well. Imagine questions like could you demonstrate with this bat the obscene gesture? Assuming he declines the next question would be well is the demonstration Gloria Allred made at the press conference accurate? It is a bit of a no win situation.
Also for those who note that Gloria did not ask for anything other than an apology that is because an apology directed toward her clients would be proof and allow for the subsequent lawsuit. She did the same thing with one of Tiger’s women claiming that she only wanted Tiger to apologize to her for lying to her. Of course had Tiger done that then Gloria would have undeniable proof of the relationship. Rogers current apology is no doubt intentionally vague.
Kirk while I do not know for an absolute fact of California law in can assure you in Georgia that if you file a complaint with the police alleging the threat of violence then they will arrest the alleged violator. Keep in mind if you lie then you go to jail so false complaints are rarely a problem. A friend of mine’s roommate got into a strictly verbal fight with my friend’s girlfriend while he was away. A complaint was filed and he was arrested. He was allowed to move out in exchange for the charges being dropped but he was arrested none the less. This is an offshoot of the precedent set by domestic situations. The police if informed of such threats and fail to act find themselves being sued. There does not need to be evidence such as a video. It is done more to protect the police than actual safety. This is not the sole reason for my questioning this allegation. Also my “logic” as you put it also revolves around the fact that the Giants were supposedly notified about a man with a bat threatening to knock out people’s teeth. It does not pass the smell test to assume that the complaint alleged this obvious threat and the Giants did nothing especially in light of the SF fan in LA incident. A man with a bat threatening someone whether he is a coach or not is an obvious problem. It would seem pretty safe “logic” that at an absolute minimum a Giants security guard would have a talk with someone from the Braves and STRONGLY suggest that Roger stay in the dugout until the game starts. Yet this also did not happen. The Braves were according to their press release just made aware of this. These questions are just too big to overlook.
BIOMASS
April 27th, 2011
11:08 pm
I bet Leo Mazzone is staring at his phone right now. lol
VaBravesFan
April 27th, 2011
11:09 pm
Trey
thats true, but its gonna be mentioned and dragged around for a while now.
Pete*
April 27th, 2011
11:09 pm
Trey: “VaBravesFan, did he mess up? We don’t have any evidence that he said any of those things. Right now it is nothing but speculation.”
Trey when someone apologizes with no rebuttal (other than “heckling fans”) in a situation like this with 9 year old fans etc., you can bet big $$ it is far more than just speculation.
Gil In Mechanicsville
April 27th, 2011
11:09 pm
Sigh, when are folks going to learn the only legitimate target for slurs, smack downs and otherwise abusive behavior are fat people… Plain and simple, they are the only group still considered fair game and they don’t even have to actually be obese. Sad but true, no love for the fatties of the world.
Every other ethnic group is off limits, sexual orientation, race, gender…. all no-nos. Physical appearance is still fair game to the weak mined, but only if the weak minded are not as a result of some genetic defect.
For some reason, people believe it is okay to taunt. tease or otherwise demean other human beings. Why, I am not sure, personally, I think it is a result of poor parenting. Could be just because people feel a since of entitlement, could be a cultural thing, possibly all of the above.
The bottom line is this incident is a distraction for the team. Maybe it’s because the Giants got swept. maybe Roger ran over Gloria’s dog, maybe it is all true. Hopefully, it is resolved quickly because every chance some folks get, they will bring up John Rocker.
Personally, I think Roger will be dismissed, demoted, gone… Just the way things work in sports. Roger may be a great pitching coach, maybe he is not. What I do know is Public perception is important and the Braves cannot allow for this incident to be a distraction where every time you turn on a sports channel it is the lead story.
A professional baseball coach is very undervalued. They have the same terrible hours and the same long hours spent away from home without the compensation. That said, there is always someone else willing to take the job.
As for the motives of the accusers, in another story, it was hinted that civil action (money angle) is being considered. Facts are, you do not set yourself up to be the fall guy…. A lesson that should be headed by all….
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
11:09 pm
SeATLite
April 27th, 2011
11:09 pm
Doc Holiday, I second that. Let’s talk about the road trip! And the Cardinals. Who I figure CAN’T be as good as their run differential suggests. They play in a super-weak division.
Bravefaninok
April 27th, 2011
11:10 pm
Be safe folks ,we will be praying for everyone in the south tonight.
Pete*
April 27th, 2011
11:10 pm
Tiger this is far more than that. There are other witnesses etc; doesnt even compare with the baloon hoax.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
11:11 pm
Gil Plain and simple, they are the only group still considered fair game and they don’t even have to actually be obese.
How freakishly true…
SeATLite
April 27th, 2011
11:11 pm
Nicely said, Gil in Mechanicsville.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
11:12 pm
Thanks, Bravesfaninok!
TnBrian
April 27th, 2011
11:14 pm
Now suddenly everybody’s a lawyer. LOL! So damn silly.
Trey
April 27th, 2011
11:15 pm
TnBrian, that is crazy. At least y’all are alright. That would be some really scary stuff.
Pete*, that may be true, but we still can’t say he did or said anything. For all we know they could be just trying to get attention. People will do that.
MariettaDerek
April 27th, 2011
11:16 pm
The Braves totally got DOUBLE PITS TO CHESTY with it today!
BIOMASS
April 27th, 2011
11:16 pm
thankew Bravesfaninok. nice of you. it’s like russian roulette here lately. and where you are. take care, yourself.
TRB
April 27th, 2011
11:16 pm
This blog was much more enjoyable, earlier, when sha sha sha sha sha she was shakin’.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2011
11:18 pm
McFann_
You take care up there tonight.
All of you in the path of this storm, take good care.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
11:20 pm
Thanks, Bat! I swear, this is the ONLY thing I HATE about Spring…
Just enough already!
Doc Holiday
April 27th, 2011
11:21 pm
Seatlite,
Cards are not weak, nor is the central. Brewers punished us and the phillies. Reds are strong. Cubs are average team.
Maybe our division is stronger, so is the west, but central is no walk in the park
Trey
April 27th, 2011
11:21 pm
McFann, be safe. Go into the basement if needed.
Doc Holiday
April 27th, 2011
11:22 pm
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110427&content_id=18303456&vkey=news_atl&c_id=atl
Nice story………….behind the scenes of a magic braves moment.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2011
11:22 pm
Trey, thanks.
What I see is that the way people abuse the media for financial gain or attention, maybe both, is I’m suspicious.
If McDowell said homophobic things than BOO HOOOO! Cry me a fu**** river. Arrange a meeting in a alley or something. Now the whole baseball bat situation, especially in front of kids, RM should be fired for that IMO. Totally uncalled for.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
11:25 pm
Thanks, Trey! Thankfully I think we’re good to stay above ground, but…that doesn’t take away the scariness……
Trey
April 27th, 2011
11:27 pm
TnBrian, true. That’s if he said it. If there is any sort of evidence that he said it then he will most likely be fired. I just don’t believe the family. Hell, even in their photos they looked like complete crap. He better deny it and if he did do it still deny it and hope there is no evidence.
DS1
April 27th, 2011
11:30 pm
What the…… anytime Gloria Allred is involved, my first thought is that somebody is looking to start a frivolous lawsuit. The cause of the week.
But I am hoping that Roger didn’t jeopardize his job in his comments/actiions.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
11:31 pm
McFanned it…dang storm threats…been up late all week and was looking forward to a long night’s sleep…instead it looks like a long night’s awake…
Pete*
April 27th, 2011
11:35 pm
McFann good luck on the sleep lol are you in Cobb or? Im in Dekalb and should not be bad here
DS1
April 27th, 2011
11:35 pm
I have been to countless games in SF. Seems to me like a perfect place to be offended, if one wants to be. Some pretty crude fans.
I read the NY Post article, and it seems that if Roger was truly over the line on his actions, there would be others willing to stand up against (or for) him.
Crime Dog
April 27th, 2011
11:36 pm
DOB with an interesting Tweet.
“It’s serious. He really screwed up.”
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
11:37 pm
Pete*—
Thanks! I’m in Gwinnett.
You stay safe, too!!
DS1
April 27th, 2011
11:37 pm
McFann
In all seriousness, go ahead and get some sleep. Don’t worry. I am confident your daddy will be monitoring the weather situation. Let him do the worrying. That’s what dad’s get paid to do!
Pete*
April 27th, 2011
11:39 pm
Trey: “Hell, even in their photos they looked like complete crap.”
Im sure that will be relevant to Bud Selig and the Braves lol
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
11:41 pm
Wayne—
Haha…actually, Dad’s been asleep for a couple hours.
Hey, he gets up at 4 to get to work early, he’s got a right to get some sleep…
I think Mom’s watching the weather downstairs…and I’m watching it up here. I think I’ve got enough worry in me for the whole family. But I just gotta Trust…
Snotboogie
April 27th, 2011
11:41 pm
DOB with an interesting Tweet.
“It’s serious. He really screwed up.”
Uh oh! I think tomorrow is going to be a busy off-day for the Braves.
Tomas
April 27th, 2011
11:43 pm
Just fine Mcdowell, and give him a warning…..Geez it’s not like he killed or physically injured someone.
Mike
April 27th, 2011
11:43 pm
Serious, huh?
Lee-O! Lee-O! Lee-O!
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 27th, 2011
11:44 pm
Maybe I should try watching a TV show on my iPod…holy [crud]! Is that wind or rain outside???
tiger297
April 27th, 2011
11:44 pm
DS1 – thats what I’m doing…only issue is other 1/2 thinks its her responsiblity as well
Doc Holiday
April 27th, 2011
11:46 pm
That link I posted reveals what happened right before the hit from FRANCISCO CABRERA IN 1992.
aFTERWARDSI checked on the video (The Sid Bream/Cabrera video) and you can see how deep Bonds was playing fter ignoring Van Slyke.
DS1
April 27th, 2011
11:48 pm
Amen Tomas.
I get cynical when I hear about folks looking for monetary compensation in these circumstances.
“Oh, my poor children will have to go through therapy and will be warped for life!!”
I guess Kobe’s target Ref wasn’t interested in suing, so Gloria moved on to greener pastures……
groundfog
April 27th, 2011
11:49 pm
Anybody see the price of gold lately? Sensitivity training is going to be the least of anybodys problems including Roger.
DS1
April 27th, 2011
11:49 pm
tiger
Stay safe…..
kirkinga
April 27th, 2011
11:53 pm
We simply cannot have people wielding bats because their feelings were hurt. We don’t allow that outside the ballpark, and that should be the standard of behavior inside as well.
The fixation on the alleged homophobic slurs and not the wielding of the bat…allegedly…is most disturbing.
groundfog
April 27th, 2011
11:56 pm
You people crying about a homophobic slur have no idea what is coming in this country. The country is bust and the currency will be soon worthless but keep crying. You should be disturbed about 14.3 trillion in debt but your not lol. Biggest rain wreck ever coming
SeATLite
April 27th, 2011
11:56 pm
Doc Holiday, you may be right, but I look at their records (12-11 leads the division) and their run differentials (only the Cards have much of one, although it’s way early), and I’m just not sure. Maybe it’s just that they’ve mostly been playing each other. Agree with you that St. Louis, Milwaukee and Cincy are the class, as usual.
DS1
April 27th, 2011
11:58 pm
groundfog
I agree with you man, but to say so on the blog could get you castigated………
Moe Berg
April 27th, 2011
11:58 pm
Well, McDowell seems to be doing well with Hanson. His ERA of 2.57 and WHIP of 1.06 are much better than his career average of 3.16 and 1.17.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
12:00 am
doc – question is if he was playing in would he have been able to cut the ball off…and if he could have would he have even had as much momentum heading to the plate to get off a solid throw as quickly
Powder Blue
April 28th, 2011
12:03 am
So is McDowell in danger of losing his job?
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2011
12:05 am
Usually she’s crusading for “Gloria Allred”
True that. It’s a shame, too. Professionals shouldn’t disgrace their professions in such ways. That goes for you too, Roger.
Couplea thoughts:
Roger’s been heckled before. Heck, I’ve seen him get heckled. Means one of two things to me:
1. The guy went really over the line, which makes him…a hypocrite! Fun times.
2. The guy doesn’t have as many legs to stand on as you’d think. Probably not the case given what (little) I’ve read.
Still, it’s strange that (apparently) the guy doesn’t want to sue. Why is Allred involved again?
Either way, Roger’s just gotta turn around, go to the clubhouse, and take solace in the fact that he’s a big-leaguer. Inexcusable. Especially if he threatened the guy with the bat. That would be the tipping point, IMO. Pretty bad stuff no matter which way you slice it. The slurs? Pretty freaking bad and definitely unprofessional, but not firable. People these days act like the worst thing that can happen to them is that they might get insulted. Trust me, it ain’t. By a long shot. Next time someone takes a jab at you, thank the Good Lord you can laugh it off and that you aren’t, you know, in a coma or something. Because that’s quite a bit worse.
Still, can’t believe Roger would do something like that. There’s something more beneath the surface here…what would possess someone in his position to do such terrible things?
Doc Holiday
April 28th, 2011
12:05 am
tiger,
He was almost in the warning track………what was he thinking?
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
12:05 am
moe – tell us your dinner plans as we all watch the weather and wait to see if we get damage from this storm
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
12:07 am
doc – my guess is he figured a double ended the game and he had enough of an arm to get bream
Braveheart
April 28th, 2011
12:07 am
Someone threatens you with a weapon in front of your kid, and you don’t call a cop? You not only call a lawyer, you call a greedy attention seeker like Allred? Gimme a break. I dunno. McDowell might have done it. Probably did do it, and, if so, should be fired, only because he caused a distraction and brought shame to the name of a franchise that he’s easily expendable to despite being a pretty good pitching coach for the team the last 6 years.
But that father can kiss my arse. You’re a joke if you don’t call a cop and have his arse arrested, and instead not only look for a quick buck by calling a lawyer to sue him, but call Gloria Allred so you can be all pathetically dramatic and attention seeking and greedy about it.
Someone does that to those other people in front of my kid, I dunno. I don’t have kids, so I can’t pretend to know. But I probably wouldn’t confront him. I would just use it as a morality lesson for my kids, and tell them what a piece of sh!t Roger McDowell is, and that they should never act like that at any time in my life.
I’d probably also make a note to myself that it’s probably not best for my kids to be too close to a clubhouse, dugout or field if I don’t want them to hear just how crude and crass athletes can be when they unfortunately sometimes take their locker room senses of humor and methods of verbal warfare outside of the clubhouse and onto the field with them. And if I personally am just that sensitive myself, then maybe I also need to stay the hell away from the field too.
But if, for whatever reason, I did act like a jack arse and confront Roger about the way he was talking to other people, and McDowell threatened me in front of my kids like that, I’d call the cops and have his arse arrested. Or maybe I wouldn’t. Maybe I would simply call his boss and have his arse quietly fired. Or maybe I’d do both. And once he was arrested and/or fired, I’d leave it alone, and again tell my kids what a piece of sh!t Roger McDowell is, and that they should never behave that way themselves.
But that’s not the America we live in today. Always gotta be someone out for money and attention, and a greedy attention seeking lawyer willing to bring disgrace to the profession by doing the bidding of these phony “victims” claiming “harm” was inflicted upon them. It can’t just be about writing a wrong, and doing so in the right way. Always has to be a friggin’ agenda attached to it. Now we have to have protestors and every other damn parasitical faux do gooder group justifying their meaningless existences by picking a fight that wasn’t theirs to fight.
Moe Berg
April 28th, 2011
12:09 am
tiger297–How are the storms there? I will have some begun bharta and a doi murgi for dinner.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2011
12:12 am
It can’t just be about writing a wrong, and doing so in the right way.
Very few people can be troubled to do things the right way anymore.
Great post, BH.
Braveheart
April 28th, 2011
12:14 am
Thanks Steve. Meant to say righting a wrong obviously
Bravo Nam
April 28th, 2011
12:14 am
Irrespective of where the truth lies on this issue, I think it is appalling that the parents and Allred have used the alleged incident as a publicity stunt. If the parents were genuinely concerned about what happened, they should’ve followed through the proper channels and let the situation be resolved in a thoughtful and effective manner. Only as a last resort (after all formal channels were exhausted), would you consider a step such as this.
Given one of the parents’ most significant concerns was the impact of Roger’s alleged behaviour/comments on their children and children generally, to expose their children to a press conference of that nature and make them even more vulnerable was exploitative and despicable. Those two poor girls are now far more humiliated and traumatised than they would’ve been if the parents simply followed through the approrpiate formal channels and kept their daughters out of the spotlight… unbelievably insenstive behaviour.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
12:15 am
just rain & thunderstorms but I have a hypersensitive other 1/2 and she has me and the little one downstairs in fear…I’m watching the weather and if anything is headed our way we can be downstairs in about 30 seconds.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2011
12:17 am
How’d you like to be the 9-year old kids of that guy? Your dad’s all over the news, draggin the family through the media…good work, pops.
Moe Berg
April 28th, 2011
12:21 am
tiger297–I actually love watching storms. When I lived in Boston, I used to sit in my living room with windows all along two walls and watch snowstorms. In Calcutta, I love to sit and watch the monsoons. I realize that tornadoes are a different caliber of storm, though. Some came through near here a few weeks ago.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
12:22 am
steve – to be fair say this family makes $100K a year and have the opportunity to get $2-3M out of this deal. Not a bad payday for a few weeks of trama. Plus if it gets an opposing coach canned they might get praise for it who knows.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2011
12:23 am
Ah, and I see the kids are now quoted on the ESPN story. Jesus H.
Like I said, Roger was waaaay outta line. But c’mon dad, take BH’s advice and take care of it like a man without dragging the family through the media scrutiny (and so idiots like me don’t comment about your alleged money-grubbing on a late-night blog).
Well, I believe that’s my cue to revert back to the real world.
Oh, by the way, these Braves look pretty good all of a sudden…
TnBrian
April 28th, 2011
12:23 am
Bravesheart, I agree 100%. Very well said.
I have a feeling RM will be fined and suspended. Not fired, though, weilding a bat at a fan is imo worth getting canned over.
I wonder if any players/coaches were around RM during all this?
I just hope it goes away fast as possible. The team doesn’t need this distraction.
kirkinga
April 28th, 2011
12:25 am
I think it’s great that the dad is showing his kids to fight back against bullies..allegedly.
And if you are going to fight someone you perceive as more powerful than you, then you go get yourself a bulldog of an advocate and you show up in the public and not hide from the press. After all, you’ve done nothing wrong.
I think it’s terrific that the dad is showing his kids how to fight back without picking up a bat or a gun.Only bullies have a problem when the other person fights back.
Brava
April 28th, 2011
12:26 am
Neither Gloria Allred nor the parents have done anything wrong here so I don’t understand all the attempts to vilify them. How they chose to handle this incident and how one of you would handle it under the same circumstances is irrelevant. If they end up suing, it’s irrelevant. The fact is Roger McDowell has done something seriously wrong, something that brings dishonor upon the Braves organization. Granted, we don’t know all the particulars, but, by his own admission, he is guilty of inappropriate conduct.
If, what has been reported is accurate, he should be fired and left to deal with his legal battles. The Braves can ill afford the distraction of gay rights groups protesting at Turner Field for every home game, that will become the news. Bottom line, the Braves are bigger than Roger McDowell, he can be replaced.
Lastly, if the reports are true, I, as a fan, don’t want him in a Braves uniform. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2011
12:27 am
steve – to be fair say this family makes $100K a year and have the opportunity to get $2-3M out of this deal. Not a bad payday for a few weeks of trama
Not worth it. And it would be too bad if this turned into a drawn-out thing for the two kids because the dad wants a payday and Gloria wants another 15 minutes.
Just not worth it. So many things in life to be happy about…and money’s only just one of them.
uga-brave
April 28th, 2011
12:27 am
great post BH.
TnBrian
April 28th, 2011
12:28 am
Bravo Nam and Steve from OH, also a very good posts. I MIGHT be thinking along ya’lls lines, but you guys word it perfectly.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
12:29 am
I love the storms as well…when I worked at the airport it was amazing our lobby opened to the airport and we had windows 15 feet high and 40 feet wide that facing the airports…basically those windows opened to 10 square miles of open space. Watching storms cross it was pretty impressive. (cleaning the windows on the other hand was one of my least favorite tasks)
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2011
12:31 am
I think it’s terrific that the dad is showing his kids how to fight back without picking up a bat or a gun.Only bullies have a problem when the other person fights back
I dunno, there’s a lot of different routes dad could’ve taken here, all of which would teach the kids a better lesson, with less public scrutiny. The kids see EVERYTHING dad does (remember that, parents out there), so dad doesn’t need to run to Gloria to teach the kids a lesson.
Tip Of The Cap
April 28th, 2011
12:34 am
Exclusive video of McDowell in San Fran!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu1CrI5PPVo&feature=related
Bay Area Steve
April 28th, 2011
12:36 am
Curse of Seinfeld strikes again?
Nobody can get a show (and I ain’t counting Elaine’s; that thing blows), Kramer’s droppin’ N-bombs, Seinfeld’s tickin’ off the Royal Family…
Can’t he just toss out a NTTAWWT, so I can celebrate our five of six?
With all the wrong in the world, I’m continually astounded by that which draws folks’ ire…
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
12:38 am
brava – I think there are 2 separate issues here.
1st what roger did or didn’t do should be brought to light and braves/mlb should handle punishment for that. Would punishment be appropriate without issue 2 who knows but that is a tertiary issue I won’t bring into this comment.
2nd issue is the money grab by a greedy attorney and the family. I personally don’t thing the greedy useless sack of skin that is glora is doing anything wrong (and in an earlier post I noted I don’t think the family is doing anything wrong either). It is the system that will likely pay them off to shut up and go away that I don’t like.
Richmond Braves Fan
April 28th, 2011
12:41 am
Also something which I don’t think has been mentioned, the alleged activity took place in SF, the man making the allegations lives in Fresno and who does he turn to but the ever so convenient lawyer in the neighborhood whose office is over 200 miles away in LA??????????
Rest assured it is about the money. A specific apology to her client would all but assure that a lawsuit would never even have to be filed just a simple out of court settlement. The apology and fine she “graciously” only asks for are simply to build a case. Why do any work of your own like investigating when MLB will do it for you. I saw the video posted on you tube of the obscene gesture which was obviously done in an attempt to go viral. Anyone want to bet that the poster micwawaw is Gloria’s assistant? Also good to see the kids have somehow gotten over this obscene behavior that they can now sit and watch it again this time demonstrated by your own dad and his lawyer.
Kirk in case it was missed in my lengthy post I fully agree that if he threatened ANYONE with a bat he should be fired. I just think there are too many questions about the bat, the threats, and the kids don’t belong at the park statement to pass a smell test.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
12:44 am
steve – not saying I disagree with you at all. I’ve personally turned down a lot of money for what I think would be best for my family. My point is if this family makes $30K a year and they see a shot at $10M (or a bigger differential plus a shot at fame or a reality show and a….). I can understand the thought process for some people.
DS1
April 28th, 2011
12:50 am
Whether Roger did what he was report to have done or not, should be dealt with appropriately.
I think it is total Barbra Streisand that Gloria Frickin Allred is involved.
Good point WW. A REAL dad removes his kids from the situation. If he walks away, no way does Roger have a chance to further “offend” him.
Now, I may have it all wrong, but I just get sick and damned tired of folks wanting something for nothing!!! What the hell is this country coming to???
Nite folks…..gotta go get my blood pressure back under control.
Brava
April 28th, 2011
12:51 am
tiger, I agree that the legal system is screwed up, but if Roger McDowell had ignored the hecklers (paying customers), as a professional MLB coach should have, this wouldn’t be a story.
Yes, Gloria Allred is a publicity seeking money grubber, that is a fact. And yes, these parents should not expose their children to this type of publicity, that is an opinion which I share with some here. But, none of that is relevant to Roger McDowell’s alleged conduct.
DS1
April 28th, 2011
12:54 am
I have had folks ask me before if I want to keep my teeth. Never did I think I was truly going to lose my teeth, or get hit in the mouth.
I think this whole issue has been blown WAY out of proportion.
But Roger will probably lose his job over it. Stupid comment. Lose your job. It never had to happen, but somebody wants something for nothing.
MIBravesFan
April 28th, 2011
12:55 am
The Braves swept the World Series champs in the midst of a 6-4 West Coast road trip. JJ had a complete game, Chipper passed Mantle in RBIs, J-Hey heated up, and Nate started hitting well in the 8th spot. This is what I will remember from this road trip. That said, it sounds ominous for Roger.
DS1
April 28th, 2011
12:57 am
Brava
It is perfectly relevant. As a father, I ALWAYS take my children away from situations that will not benefit them.
This dad didn’t do that.
Doesn’t excuse Roger’s actions, but I find the dad almost as responsible. Shoulda just walked away.
Damn, if I’d been smart all my life, I think I could have goaded somebody into a “offending” me so I could sue.
DS1
April 28th, 2011
12:58 am
MIBravesfan
And we were darned close to winning those two extra inning games! Coulda been an 8-2 trip.
Where are all the Negative Nellies now that we are winning a few games???
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
12:59 am
brava – ummm isn’t that what I just said?
Waylon Jennings's Rightful Heir
April 28th, 2011
1:00 am
DOB, thanks for all that you do.
Do you know who will be in the Peachtree TV/Sportsouth booth on Friday the 29th? Is it Chip/Joe or will Glavine or Smoltz be there?
Brava
April 28th, 2011
1:01 am
Wayne, in the article I read, it said when Roger approached the dad with the Bat and asked about his teeth, the dad was able to defuse the situation. Later, he was encouraged by witnesses around him to report the incident to the Padres and the police. I don’t consider asking someone not to say offensive things in front of my children “goading”. But, we all have differing opinions. That’s what makes life interesting.
Mike S
April 28th, 2011
1:03 am
Tip of the Cap, that wasn’t right…
Bravo Nam
April 28th, 2011
1:04 am
As a number of bloggers have pointed out, this is the last thing the Braves need. Typical Braves luck- just as they’re getting their season back on track, they’ve got this nonsense to worry about. Then again, it may steel the boys to rally around the organisation during its time of need.
I couldn’t disagree more with those bloggers who say Allred and the parents have done nothing wrong. They have compromised their daughters’ psychological and emotional well-being by not protecting them from unnecessarily being exposed to the national media- it’s an exploitative act. Also, by pursuing the matter in this way, they have cast aspersions on their own motivations- in a nutshell, this approach has just made a very unsavoury matter much uglier.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
1:06 am
As many of you are reserving judgment until after the facts truly come out … and McDowell presents his side, maybe we should hold off calling this a money grab until they actually ask for money.
Now, I’m not naive. With Gloria involved, I doubt she’s doing it for her love of the Giants or the shattered innocence of a baseball bat.
But they said they didn’t want any money. And nobody has been sued. So let’s quit acting like there are millions of dollars on the line here.
At any rate, that press conference was a nightmare and the fact that the kids were there to see a baseball bat humping … AGAIN … I mean, are those two ever going to be able to watch a game without that image in their heads? That was a circus.
Still. Just cause the dad doesn’t seem very likable and just because he hired who he he hired for an attorney, it doesn’t mean McDowell shouldnt be punished severely. The carnival act only happened because of what McDowell allegedly did.
Anyway. Great end to the road trip.
Brava
April 28th, 2011
1:07 am
Again, those are opinions, Bravo Nam, not facts that can be proved. I’m certain it can be proved that McDowell did something inappropriate.
Good night.
.
Richmond Braves Fan
April 28th, 2011
1:12 am
Brava it is relevant in the sense that the motivations of the people making the allegations are very important. Look no further than the Bonds trial. The government’s “best” witness Steve Hoskins was obviously not believed by the jury due to what they felt were his revenge motives. The financial motivation that many have been referring to is very important to determine his credibility. It seems obvious especially in light of the apology that Roger did SOMETHING wrong. As I pointed out in previous posts that the alleged threatening with a bat seems questionable at best. If that allegation is overstated much less an out and out lie then they have no chance for damages. Did Roger really say the kids at a ballpark statement? IMO because of the reasons stated in my earlier posts, it does not seem likely but certainly helps with publicity and insures MLB will do Gloria’s investigating for her. Did Roger really threaten this man with or without a bat? Based upon the Giants and SF police’s action that does not seem likely. Once again IMO based on the reasons in my previous posts. So I respectfully disagree that since we only have their allegations ie interpretation of what happened their financial incentive to lie is important. His selection of a lawyer known for her PR skills located over 200 miles away is also important. I find it hard to believe he could not find another lawyer a little closer to SF or Fresno to take this case. If so why pick this one? These questions are relevant to determine what of the alleged conduct is actually true.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:13 am
DS1 – we have made it through the worst part of the awful starting schedule at .500 figure we split the next 10 games and then from there the schedule gets easier for a while
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:15 am
Brava – if the witness in San Francisco suggest he report the incident to the Padres he is going to lose credibility with me
MIBravesFan
April 28th, 2011
1:16 am
“DS1
April 28th, 2011
12:58 am
MIBravesfan
And we were darned close to winning those two extra inning games! Coulda been an 8-2 trip.
Where are all the Negative Nellies now that we are winning a few games???”
It really should have been a 7-3 road trip, and Craig has got to stop walking the first batter, but he’s got to work through that to get where he can be. The kid can be really, really good – he’s clearly shown that. He’s really still in “on the job training,” for all he got from Wags and from his experiences last fall. I think his April “growing pains” will lead to great things in September and October.
And don’t wake the NN crowd – they’re just waiting for the next loss to explain how the season is over.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:21 am
bravo nam – so I assume you are a psychologist with much experience in this area and knowledge of the individual children and the family situation to state with such certainty this “exploitation” will be a greater damage to the family than any potential settlement regardless of the amount?
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:24 am
I’m excited to think about 7 games over .500 by the middle of june (of course more excited to live the ups and downs of the games to get there but that isnt the point)
kirkinga
April 28th, 2011
1:25 am
I’m not a fan of Ms. Allred, or her daughter, but the more I comments I read that attempt to turn the family into the bad guys, the more I think the family picked the right attorney. One thing Allred will do is keep public pressure where it allegedly belongs.McDowell is not the victim, the family is including two children.
Contrary to the inaccurate comments here, the family has not sought money. I hope they rethink that as there is no reason not to make a giant example of a bully.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
1:26 am
At the end of the day, I don’t really care about the family’s motives. Because I have no vested interest in them.
I care about the Atlanta Braves pitching coach and whether he embarrassed the franchise and acted like a complete buffoon in uniform, in front of two 9-year olds. Everything else is secondary. And should be for all Braves fans.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:26 am
guess I ran everybody off
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:31 am
can BAS come out to play?
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:32 am
hope all the locals are ok…storms are moving out now
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:33 am
too early for Ward I guess
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:34 am
Moe how was the bharta and a doi ummm doi something?
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:37 am
doi murgi – looks pretty good I guess I have to find a good indian restaurant in the lenox park area
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:38 am
RG – really worried about you dear looks like Rome got pounded like…hmmm somebody with those shoes & pole
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:40 am
just took my friday night tickets off stubhub I’m quite excited about this game (plus a new reliever for the little one to meet)
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:42 am
question – am I the only one who thinks it may be a touch earlier for MLB All Star game voting?
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:49 am
How many seasons get called if we don’t score 5 by the 3rd against carpenter on Friday night?
CaptainMudderland
April 28th, 2011
1:50 am
Is this blog open to other mutha feckers?
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:50 am
ok 11 is my limit – was hoping someone would show up…guess I’ll go wake the family up and move them upstairs
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:51 am
I did say someone shoulda been more specific I guess
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:52 am
just checking the weather highs around 80 lows around 50 for the weekend games…looking good!!!
CaptainMudderland
April 28th, 2011
1:52 am
Seriously….a pretty cool vid on utube…Mcdowell and Lenny Dykstra from 1986 interviewed by a NY sportswomen with a few minutes of good stuff.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:53 am
have you seen the george brett crap story during spring training? that was pretty funny (at least to us 13 year olds)
CaptainMudderland
April 28th, 2011
1:54 am
I should be there too–weather so far looks great for weeked
Bravo Nam
April 28th, 2011
1:54 am
Brava, so what’s your point? Everything on this blog is opinion. Even what people consider as appropriate and inappropriate is opinion, not fact. If the allegations against Roger are correct, then in my opinion, his actions were completely inappropriate and they need to be addressed.
At this point, we do know that the parents had a press conference with Allred and their daughters present. I am expressing my opinion on that. In Roger McDowell’s case, we do not know have all the info at hand, and therefore judgment should be reserved.
Tiger297, I am a father of three children, with 25 years experience working with families and their children, including a number of years in child protection. I am a qualified counsellor and social worker. I don’t know these two girls at all. I am simply expressing my opinion that it was completely inappropriate exposing them to this circus. At no stage have I made comment about the family receiving a financial settlement- I have simply made the point that I believe the parents actions were exploitative- it is only an opinion, not a fact, and you are entitled to disagree.
Let’s not forget that most things expressed on this blog are opinion- some of us agree and some disagree with statements made- that’s what makes this so interesting.
CaptainMudderland
April 28th, 2011
1:56 am
No…but I’ll check it before I get back to listening to tunes
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
1:58 am
bravo nam – and I’m not saying I disagree with you at all…just that unless we know the particular situation it is difficult to know how we would react. We know how we would like to think we would react but until put into the situation quite impossible to know if we could follow through.
Kinda like the lineup discussions
CaptainMudderland
April 28th, 2011
1:59 am
@Nam…agreed, the girls should not (if true) had to witness such junk….then again, alot of this stuff takes place in the school yards too…not to condone what is alledged though.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
2:06 am
ok I actually have to get up and go into the office in the morning so I’ll call it a night now
Bravo Nam
April 28th, 2011
2:08 am
Tiger297, fair enough.
I just hope this issue is not going to derail the Braves season… good night all.
N8
April 28th, 2011
2:12 am
Loved McDowell so far as a pitching coach. How can you not like the results once the guys have been healthy?
But he’s gotta go. For one reason and one reason only.
This team doesn’t need any distractions. They have enough problems.
John Rocker was a dominant pitcher and they tried as an organization to fight through it because of his talent ON THE FIELD. It didn’t work. It became a distraction and sooner than later he was traded away.
McDowell will NEVER be able to walk to the mound to visit with a pitcher this season (and possibly beyond this season), without fans booing the hell out of him. Reporters will hound our pitchers, players, manager and GM with questions about this, everytime they go to a new city from here on out.
I’m all for second chances. I’m even all for 3rd chances. Did he mean what he said? Only Roger knows the truth to that question. But people can change and can overcome things like this.
But he needs to do that on his own time and away from the Atlanta Braves. This team is too young to have to deal with that BS.
Sorry Roger. You’ve done good work here. But you gotta go.
Ward
April 28th, 2011
2:19 am
Hello My friends! We win again, and tomorrow off day…….Draft on Friday. New York Giants are going to draft an offensive tackle from Arkansas. I can’t remeber hisname,but he is 6/7 310 pounds. Eli could use some more protection.Great day 6,and 1 with my hat too…..
Ward
April 28th, 2011
2:21 am
Roger Mcdowell ,shouldn’t have to apologize to San Fransico. They have some stupid fans in the first place. Just my opinion I could be wrong…..
N Nine
April 28th, 2011
2:21 am
tiger297-
Congrats on the 10 straight posts & 13 of 14. I’m sure you will hit the top 25 list buddy.
Ward
April 28th, 2011
2:22 am
After all has any-one seen San Fran lately. I rest my case!
N8
April 28th, 2011
2:25 am
While I don’t disagree with you Ward (actually I have no first hand knowledge of how the SF fans are, so….), but the bottom line for me is this young Brave club doesn’t need this right now. Not after a successful west coast road trip.
And maybe more importantly, a new manager that’s replacing a living legend doesn’t need somebody on his staff (who he inherited), derailing his maiden voyage with his new team.
As a fan of the team, it makes me sick. Don’t care who’s right. Who’s wrong. What prompted him to react the way he did. It appears by the shortness of his statement/apology that he’s not denying it.
Thus he’s gotta go.
N Nine
April 28th, 2011
2:25 am
Mazzone will turn Hanson, Huddy, and JJ into Smoltz, Maddux, and Glavine. Smile.
Ward
April 28th, 2011
2:29 am
N8: That can be a distraction. You are right,but I just think the whole thing is rather funny to me……San Fran Fans deserve it in my opinion…….
N Nine
April 28th, 2011
2:30 am
For one reason and one reason only.
This team doesn’t need any distractions.
Not sure a team would get so distracted by this. The pitchers are blossoming right now and time heals mistakes. Perhaps he goes but this could be getting overblown a tad. We shall see N8. You seem ready for a change no matter what.
N8
April 28th, 2011
2:31 am
I’m not sure that Leo is the right guy for this bunch. If I recall correctly, Hudson didn’t care for him that much. And many of the young pitchers that came along after Glavine, Smoltz and Avery (guys Leo had groomed in the minors), failed to “connect” with Leo.
It was always the veterans that were on their last legs that thrived under Leo.
I think a guy like Smoltz would be better for these young guys. A guy who battled injuries, anxiety and playing 2nd or 3rd fiddle to Glavine and Maddux could teach the young guys how to go about their business. Not to mention what he could do for a young guy like Kimbrel’s preperation and mental state of mind as an up and coming young closer.
If Roger goes, my vote is for Smoltz. I want him back in this organization. Maddux would be a fine choice as well, but I’m not sure he’s ready to leave his cush job with the Cubs, same goes for Glavine.
I think Glavine is a GM waiting to happen down the road. I’ve always felt Smoltz would make a fine coach/manager. But that’s just me.
Ward
April 28th, 2011
2:35 am
If I went to A San Fransisco Game, I would bring some crappy underwear, and put under a San Fransisco fans seat……
N Nine
April 28th, 2011
2:37 am
Ward- You really dislike SF fans! Did you get a kick out of the Dodger fans attacking some SF fans earlier this season?
MIBravesFan
April 28th, 2011
2:38 am
N8 – “And maybe more importantly, a new manager that’s replacing a living legend doesn’t need somebody on his staff (who he inherited), derailing his maiden voyage with his new team.”
A minor point, I know, but trains (which get derailed) don’t have maiden voyages, ships do. And hopefully the only cracking of a bottle of champagne will be in front of Fredi’s head, not on it.
Ward
April 28th, 2011
2:39 am
I wouldn’t be that mean. I would have a some what mercy on them…..
N Nine
April 28th, 2011
2:39 am
The main question is when will Uggla get in him groove and swing like a leader?
N8
April 28th, 2011
2:40 am
N Nine, just reference how the veteran team “handled” the Rocker distraction. And that was a flipping interview while hunting and wearing camo with a guy that seemingly was baiting Rocker (not that he needed to be baited to be an idiot).
This is a guy that AT THE BALLPARK threatened (allegedly) a father WHILE his daughters were there. Made comments about kids not belonging at the ballpark, and made homophobic comments to people at the ballpark with other people (and likely other kids) around to hear it.
Not cool.
Yes. If it’s true I want him gone. But make no mistake about it. I’ve been a Roger supporter, even when many bloggers and fans wanted him gone. He’s done a fine job and is a fine coach.
But sorry, no place for that on any team. He doesn’t deserve to wear the uniform for a while. As Herm Edwards says about NFL players… “they are expected to respect the shield”. Meaning it is their duty to respect and represent the NFL at all times.
Roger clearly doesn’t respect the MLB’s or the Braves’ “shield” if he’s willing to act like that.
That being said, he deserves his “day in court” to be proven innocent or guilty.
I’m not pre-judging him. He’s innocent until proven guilty. But sometimes the proof is in the pudding. The “pudding” being his statement and reaction. Two sentences without even a REMOTE comment of denial says all it needs to say to me.
Is the accuser and blood thirsty lawyer exaggerating? Perhaps. But he clearly said something offensive and likely threatened this guy (in front of his daughters) who was simply trying to keep a loudmouth from spouting off in front of kids.
Like I said. Not cool. Not cool at all.
He’s gotta go if this story even remotely holds water.
Ward
April 28th, 2011
2:42 am
Uggla, will start hitting soon….May is on it’s way…..At least thats what the stats say…..
N8
April 28th, 2011
2:42 am
MIBravesFan @ 2:38…
LMAO. Nicely done. I appreciate the observation and sarcasm. Maybe the ship’s “maiden voyage” was when it was transported by train to the nearest dock? LOL
Ward
April 28th, 2011
2:43 am
Any one excited about the NFL Draft?
N Nine
April 28th, 2011
2:46 am
Crazy how he allegedly went nuts like that. Reminds me of the Phil Wellman episode. Just not sure where it came from. Roger usually a calm cool customer and seems out of the norm for the coach. I get your point N8. Not cool indeed.
N8
April 28th, 2011
2:49 am
“N8: That can be a distraction. You are right,but I just think the whole thing is rather funny to me……San Fran Fans deserve it in my opinion……” Ward
Let me make this clear (and maybe this makes me an ass). I’m more bothered by the “kids don’t belong at the ballpark” comment and by him threatening the father with the daughters there. Than whatever he was saying to the hecklers.
I think when it comes right down to it, Selig is going to be more bothered by this as well. MLB has worked VERY hard to make it’s game very fan friendly and have tried for almost 2 decades to bring young fans back to the sport that used to be “America’s Pastime”, while the NFL and NBA have become favorites of today’s youth.
I can’t imagine Selig being real happy about him saying that about kids.
Hell, my guess is that if a Liberty Media employee said something like this, they’d be fired. Ultimately, Roger is one of their employees. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s gone by the weekend.
Ward
April 28th, 2011
2:49 am
You guy’s know how fans are. They like to set players up to make them look bad too. Any ways it’s San Fransisco. who cares? They have people smoking weed out in the Parks,so what?
Ward
April 28th, 2011
2:51 am
Selig should just chill himself,but we all know he will try ,and take action. Just so he could look tough.When Selig is a whimp himself…..
Ward
April 28th, 2011
2:52 am
Selig, probably srokes his bats…….
N8
April 28th, 2011
2:54 am
Ward, I’m still excited about the draft. Not sure why. But eventually, the game and players will return and while the 2011 might be messed up because of the lack of off-season workouts and what not, these guys getting drafted will still have an impact on the NFL for years to come.
It’s always exciting to see where the top players end up. Even if there ends up being no season this year.
I’m concerned for my Chiefs. I was excited at their hiring of Jim Zorn to be QB coach and help push Matt Cassel as far as he can be pushed. Not sure he’ll ever lead them to a SB title. But I think Zorn will make him a better player.
But it’s disappointing as a fan to know that Cassel and him haven’t had the opportunity to already be working together.
This whole season will be one big crap shoot. I think some of the elite teams will “survive” the lack of off-season preperation. But a team like my Chiefs who after having a nice turnaround year, with a REALLY tough schedule coming up this season might ultimately be devistated by the lack of off-season work to further their progress.
Sucks more for the fans than anybody. But isn’t that always the case?
Ward
April 28th, 2011
2:57 am
N8: I like the Giants to Draft an Outside line backer as well, and just Draft Defense.
jed
April 28th, 2011
2:58 am
the mcdowell thing is hard to believe. a 50 year old man simulating a sex act with a baseball bat? that’s just embarrassing.
Ward
April 28th, 2011
3:05 am
jed: Once again it’s San Fran, who cares?
N Nine
April 28th, 2011
3:08 am
Can’t believe Gloria Allred demonstrated how the bat stroke. Was that really necessary?
Ward
April 28th, 2011
3:08 am
Remember when Randale Simmon from Pittsburge a few years back,struck the Brewers Hot Dog in the The race. He Hit it with a baseball bat. Now that was freaking funny…..
Ward
April 28th, 2011
3:10 am
Gloria Allred needs to take a time out some times…….Have a reality check herself.
Ward
April 28th, 2011
3:19 am
Here’s my take. Fans hackle players all the time. If they don’t wan’t their feelings hurt.Perhaps they should shut up their -selves.
Mike S
April 28th, 2011
3:20 am
Ward, San Fran is one of the coolest cities in the US.
Where this happened isn’t relevant.
Ward
April 28th, 2011
3:23 am
Mike S: I just have a different opinion, but it’s all cool……..Hawks are on tomorow. Hope they can slam the door……
Mike S
April 28th, 2011
3:28 am
Gonna be interesting tomorrow night Ward. Man, I hope they can pull it out, but I’m definitely nervous. Will be nice to have ZaZa back to help defend Howard.
Mike S
April 28th, 2011
3:29 am
I’m hopefully gonna make it down there, if I can find some decently priced tickets.
Ward
April 28th, 2011
3:30 am
Are we going to jugde some one on what they do all the time. Whats this country coming too. Move on, and let’s start talking about baseball. Every one gets excited over every thing,so let’s just move on……
Ward
April 28th, 2011
3:33 am
Mike s.: i’ll be at work, but will be rooting for the Hawks! Orlando is a cheap shot team, and I will be glad not to see them advance. Just hope the Hawks will put them out of there missery…….
Ward
April 28th, 2011
3:37 am
Mike S: Have fun at the Hawks game, and all be cool. Talk tomorrow, and Peace……
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a Go!)
April 28th, 2011
4:00 am
Morning folks, I’ve been hearing about the awful weather, hope everybody is keeping their heads down and staying safe.
Speaking of awful, Wow, has Roger McDowell lost his mind or what?
Hey, everybody has the right to speak their mind. Even it they open their mouth and reveal pure ignorant stupidity. I think what was said is one thing, but threatening a fan with bat in hand….
NO SIR. That is criminal. If McDowell did the same on the street he would probably be arrested, and charged with either a felony or misdemeanor. Hey, I love the job he’s done over the last six plus years since Leo retired. But it ain’t looking good for McDowell at the moment. I’ll be surprised if he keeps his job.
That said, McDowell has royally screwed the pooch on this one, and even if this is the first negative on the man’s resume, in today’s politically charged atmosphere the Braves will be hard pressed to keep their pitching coach.
Goldy
April 28th, 2011
4:02 am
“Rossy” sounds like a great guy. Type of cat I’d like to drink a beer with. Great insight into the Braves’ clubhouse — DOB. Not easy to be a team leader as a backup, but “Rossy” pulls it off because he’s so well liked. And, as Chipper pointed out, he can play. The way in which “Shake It” was discovered by “Rossy” and became part of the clubhouse scenery made me smile.
I’m a proud pappa. Typing this at 4 a.m., Thurs., from Piedmont Hospital next to one day old Samantha Goldberg and my wife.
Mike S
April 28th, 2011
4:14 am
Congrats Goldy!
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a Go!)
April 28th, 2011
4:15 am
More proof that the apocalypse is upon us……
Jeff Francoeur is batting .322 with 4 bombs and 18 RBI. What’s even more astounding is the 7 walks already accumulated. This from an athlete who had 30 walks all of 2010, and 23 in 2009.
Frenchy is currently on a fifteen game hitting streak and he’s hit safely in 20 of 22 games played. Folks, it really is the end of the freaking world!
Mike S
April 28th, 2011
4:15 am
And I agree, I loved today’s blog. One of your best, DOB.
Mike S
April 28th, 2011
4:16 am
Especially your intro paragraph about walking the streets of San Diego singing Shakin. Great stuff.
MIBravesFan
April 28th, 2011
4:50 am
Congratulations, Goldy!
Couch Tater
April 28th, 2011
6:47 am
Braveheart – Video of the tornado passing Bryant-Denny Stadium.
http://www.twitvid.com/4W6PU
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
7:27 am
Francoeur may be taking concentration and discipline pills. Maybe?
JerseyGil
April 28th, 2011
7:39 am
If the BRaves fire McDowell, we already has a Pitching Coach in the Pen.
His Name is Eddie Perez.One of the best Pitching coach in MLB is a Catcher and he been with Tony Larussa for ever.
Playoffs!!!!
April 28th, 2011
7:48 am
You know who would make a great pitching coach for the Braves-?—Don Sutton
DAP
April 28th, 2011
8:14 am
N8 But he’s gotta go. For one reason and one reason only.
are we sure its all true yet?
if mcdowell was just responding to heckling fans, i dont think he did anything too bad. if he said the other stuff to the father with his daughters, thats different.
doesnt seem like something someone who isnt a total idiot would do, but sometimes when your being threatened, you bow your back and anyone around you gets it.
DAP
April 28th, 2011
8:17 am
playoffs!! You know who would make a great pitching coach for the Braves-?—Don Sutton
good call. i was thinking, what hanson said about “never taking a pitch off…” don sutton would have covered that a loooong time ago. not that mcdowell hasnt taught something like that, but don is always talking about throwing every pitch with conviction. i love the way he talks about pitching.
Playoffs!!!!
April 28th, 2011
8:24 am
DAP—Yeah, he knows pitching. A smart guy, and I think he knows how to pass on that knowledge And he knows this pitching staff. However, he has a great job now. And does he really need the aggravation and stress that would come with being pitching coach? That being said, I still would love to see him get the job.
Brave New World
April 28th, 2011
8:37 am
Any truth to the rumor that Roger McDowell will be paired with Gloria Allred on “Dancing with the Stars?”
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
8:41 am
Weird. I just submitted a civil comment on McDowell and it didn’t post. What gives?
Snotboogie
April 28th, 2011
8:46 am
Sorry, folks, but the message about it “being serious” was meant as a DM to my brother, something entirely unrelated to #Braves.
Haha… okay.
Soph
April 28th, 2011
8:48 am
Fish must be sleeping. Allow me -
N8
April 28th, 2011
8:49 am
“are we sure its all true yet?” DAP
No. Not at all. That’s why I stated he’s innocent until proven guilty, and deserves his “day in court” to prove it.
But the mere fact that there wasn’t an emphatic denial pretty much tells us on the surface all we need to know.
If it didn’t happen, and YOU were being accused of it….. would you NOT deny it, much less apologize for it?
It simply doesn’t look good for him at this point, and IF it is “proven” or determined that he did threaten the father in front of the kids and say that about the kids not belonging at the ballpark?
He’s gotta go.
I believe he could be suspended, but retain his job for the homophobic BS. Everybody deserves one 2nd chance, and a stint in “sensitivity training” for saying something stupid like that.
But the threat and kid comment? NOBODY deserves a 2nd shot from that, imo.
Lemke's Knuckler
April 28th, 2011
8:54 am
Why does this surprise anyone. Anyone who would spit a loogie at Kramer from the bush is bound to have another incident.
Brave New World
April 28th, 2011
8:54 am
Mel Gibson has been signed to play the title role in “The Roger McDowell Story” to be shown exclusively on TBS.
DAP
April 28th, 2011
8:57 am
i dont talk much music here, but if you havent heard of this band “NEEDTOBREATHE” do yourself a favor and check them out. They are South Carolina guys with a really cool, unique style.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaFaE5NafcI
Lemke's Knuckler
April 28th, 2011
8:58 am
I agree N8, the gay threesome comment deserves a second chance, the threat to the father and his daughters deserves a pink slip.
I think Don Sutton would be an awesome hitting coach, but he’s also a brilliant broadcaster and already has a pretty good gig.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
9:07 am
Gloria Allred said McDowell should be required to undergo sensitivity training.
Maybe instead people shouldn’t be so damn sensitive about things. Get over it!!
Snarky
April 28th, 2011
9:11 am
If the Braves release Roger McDowell, I look to see them promote minor league pitching coordinator Dave Wallace to the club. He has an excellent track record as a major league pitching coach.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
9:12 am
N8… I don’t think anyone is suggesting that there wasn’t an incident between McDowell and the “fan.” But the nature and degree of the incident matters. The allegations could be exaggerations. There are penalties short of dismissal if facts bear out that McDowell’s reactions to taunts and insults was milder than alleged. Punishment must fit the crime – to be fair and just.
If McDowell did, in fact, react as the allegations state, then he should be fired.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
9:17 am
Sorry, in my humble opinion, Gloria Allred is a publicity-hound and fee-hound. She’s a high profile ambulance chaser. She’s got to smell money in the McDowell controversy to have jumped into it.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
9:19 am
“I agree N8, the gay threesome comment deserves a second chance, the threat to the father and his daughters deserves a pink slip.”
– Lemke’s Knuckler
We know beyond a doubt that McDowell actually did what you describe?
Lemke's Knuckler
April 28th, 2011
9:30 am
Jeff R, no I don’t know he actually said that. That’s what has been reported. I’m just talking hypothetically.
007
April 28th, 2011
9:31 am
Lemke’s Knuckler
April 28th, 2011
8:58 am
I agree N8, the gay threesome comment deserves a second chance, the threat to the father and his daughters deserves a pink slip.
I think Don Sutton would be an awesome hitting coach, but he’s also a brilliant broadcaster and already has a pretty good gig.
I don’t think one way or the other regarding Roger mcDowell, about who he is, what he’s doe or said.
But at Don Sutton replacing him I draw a line in the sand. I have an abiding dislike for Sutton, and his broadcasting.
As to who he is personally I can only guess, but professionally he makes me want to puke. Insightful……yes, and arrogant. Repetitive definitely. Boring absolutely. I prefer Chip Carey to him, and Joe Simpson over both.
Sorry Lemmer, he’s not my cup of tea.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
9:32 am
Do we know what the fans said to Roger to provoke him?
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
9:33 am
Lemke’s Knuckler… Gotcha.
Lemke's Knuckler
April 28th, 2011
9:35 am
007, I hate Bond movies, so I guess we’re even. Chip Carey has grown on me a little, but I can’t believe anyone would prefer him over Sutton.
RC
April 28th, 2011
9:36 am
The allegations are obviously horrible, and if true in their entirety, the organization simply cannot afford to keep McDowell around. I do question if the allegations are entirely true, since seeing McDowell interacting with kids at Turner Field he appears to be one of the most accomodating of the coaching staff at signing autographs, chatting up the fans, etc. Maybe that’s a bit of a double edged sword.
That aside, the press conference itself was attention grabbing at it’s absolute worst. There was absolutely no reason to have a press conference to announce these allegations, much less one with the guys children actually present (although it was amusing watching them try to not laugh when the lawyer said “f-word”). And the demonstration with the bat at the end was completely uncalled for and pointless. If it’s such a vulgar act (which it is), then why in the world would you recreate it for camera crews? There is simply no reason for that other than attention grabbing, which is completely uncalled for.
Brava
April 28th, 2011
9:37 am
“I agree N8, the gay threesome comment deserves a second chance, the threat to the father and his daughters deserves a pink slip.”
Really? What if it was you and two buddies sitting there heckling a member of a rival team and McDowell asked you are you a homo couple or a threesome, then later asked you if you take it up the @ss in front of other fans? Would you think that deserved a second chance? Add to this the obscene gestures performed with the bat. Is this appropriate behavior coming from a supposed MLB professional toward paying baseball fans at a stadium? I think not.
All this is alleged, but if the reports are true, he should be fired. It doesn’t really matter what the hecklers said to him, he should have ignored them and gone on about his duties. And yes, I agree that threatening the father with a bat is another offense that should be dealt with by firing.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
9:38 am
Chip Carey has grown on me a little, but I can’t believe anyone would prefer him over Sutton.
I’ll take Powell by himself over any broadcaster we have!!
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
9:38 am
RC… See: Allred, Gloria… Those sort of crass stunts are right up her alley.
Don
April 28th, 2011
9:39 am
I have not been a McDowell fan because of the pitcher injures going on and on and on ever since he became the PC. These may or may not be the fault of his conditioning program and the way he handles pitchers. But one has to wonder if we would not be better off with Leo. HOWEVER, IN McDOWELLS DEFENSE, HE SHOULD NOT BE FIRED BECAUSE OF THE COMMENTS THAT HE IS ACCUSED OF MAKING.
Chipper is a Redneck
April 28th, 2011
9:45 am
McDowell’s comments, whatever they alledgedly were, can’t be NEARLY as bad as Chipper telling ALL THE FANS to “Kiss my a**”. Where’s the commissioner’s outrage over THAT?
Lemke's Knuckler
April 28th, 2011
9:46 am
CrαZy…”Do we know what the fans said to Roger to provoke him?”
Unfortunately, in this world, the answer to that question is of no consequence. Fans can say anything short of a physical threat without consequence. If a player singled out a fan and sued them for whatever derogatory thing they said, it would be a PR nightmare for the organization. If a fan sued a player or coach for whatever derogatory thing they said, it would be a PR nightmare for the organization.
When you’re at the top, people can only bring you down. You can’t be dragged down when you’re already at the bottom. McDowell has more to lose than those fans, so he should show better self control in that situation, not because he has to, but because it would be in his best interest.
Hillbilly
April 28th, 2011
9:46 am
Do we know what the fans said to Roger to provoke him?
That’s what I want to know. He obviously caught McDowell’s attention somehow. He’s worried about his children being exposed to raucous behavior, yet he’s heckling the visiting team? If you’ve been threatened, fine. Make your case. It’s not a crime to yell at the players coaches, and umps, I know…but don’t give me that moral values, family-exposure crap when you’re the one standing there in front of 45,000 people acting like a horses a55 to begin with.
UKUGA
April 28th, 2011
9:46 am
Okay, so I wake up to find out the big news on Rockin’ Roger.
What I don’t find discussed is what the “threesome” had to say. Apparently, they are nowhere to be found.
The whole thing is too bad. Sounds like Roger was being heckled and responded to three dudes, and when one parent of a nearby family overheard/saw what was happening, Roger lacked the good sense to apologize and move on.
The first part was unprofessional, the second part seems really stupid.
What’s wild is this family from Fresno taking it to these lengths. Who is paying for the trip for the 4 of them to LA to hold press conferences? And why do they, as a family, find this to be the best course of action?
Why would they want to amplify it to this level? The Giants beat the Braves. The Giants won the World Series. Buster Posey won the ROY over Jason Heyward. Why be bitter? (Okay, j/k about this part).
Okay, seriously, it’s pretty evident that we won’t hear much of anything about specifics of this from Roger. I’m sure he’s been advised to not talk publically other than statements (one already released, probably the last unless/until some type of formal action is taken) that are crafted by his attorney.
So, we’ll probably never really know what was said to him initially. Even so, he’s gotta know better than to get into it at that level with fans, and even moreso, not taking it out on others in attendance.
That said, I have little doubt that stuff like this has gone on for years (>100), just with little fan fare. Maybe not the fights with families, but certainly arguments with other fans.
Even with Kobe, calling the ref a name, that stuf happens all the time, and everyone knows it. Ever wonder why the audio often goes dead after missed shots under the basket? It’s because there are microphones there recording every f-bomb and (fill in blank) uttered by the players.
Regardless of what you believe is or is not appropriate, we live in an increasingly PC society. (Research where the concept of PC comes from, you might not be as pro-PC as you currently think you are). But, if reports are accurate, then what McDowell did was not just anti-PC, it was generally inappropriate.
Gestures with bats are rude. Making lewd comments are rude. Threatening to knock a guys teeth out is threatening. Saying that kids don’t belong at the ball park is just plain stupid.
We DON”T KNOW the FACTS. But again, if reports are accurate, then he made a lot of mistakes.
Even if McDowell deserves a second chance, I agree with the sentiment that says the Braves don’t need this distraction.
McDowell’s been around the game a long time. He has to know better than to engage in this kind of banter with fans and hecklers alike.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
9:48 am
What I’d like to know is where are the three guys he supposedly made the homophobic remarks to? They just don’t look as cute as little girls dressed all in pink? Just why aren’t they front and center?
I can see him getting ticked and yelling something to hecklers (yeah, I know, you can’t say anything anymore when someone pisses you off), but to wait four days and walk into the press conference with Lady Lawsuit demanding money? Smells a bit iffy to me.
Frankie Wren
April 28th, 2011
9:49 am
Crazy- great call.
Could this society be a little more sensitive. He was obviously wrong if he these accusations are true and punished in some form. IMO he shouldn’t be fired. Get over it and move on.
Sutton IMO is extremely knowledgeable about pitching and he is HOF. Thinking man’s pitcher and a really good one. I like him on the radio and don’t see him ever moving anywhere but who knows. He and Steve Stone are a fountain of knowledge about the art of pitching and without Stone’s massive ego a little easier to listen to.
Lemke's Knuckler
April 28th, 2011
9:51 am
Hillbilly, I don’t think the Dad was heckling Roger. Some other people were and Roger reportedly responded to them with the gay slurs and some hip thrusting. The Dad was in the area with his two girls and yelled out to Roger that kids were there, at which point Roger reportedly told him kids don’t belong at the ballpark and made a threatening gesture with the bat.
BravesQueen
April 28th, 2011
9:52 am
In this day and age of technology and the usually immediate appearance of video’s taken when something like this happens, I find it very odd that NO ONE in that SF stadium didn’t catch this on a smartphone or other device…not to mention all the TV cameras within the stadium itself. IF it truly happened the way this family/Allred is alleging, where is the proof? I’m not saying the family HAS to prove it happened. I’m simply saying that usually when something major (like I would consider this to be), someone somewhere usually gets it on camera to get their own 15 minutes of fame.
I do believe if this happened the way its being said, McDowell deserves whatever fallout comes of it. Accusations are sometimes enough on their own to ruin a career. The reason Roger gave a blanket apology was because Allred is looking for him to ‘apologize’ so she has “proof” from Roger that he did something wrong. Maybe all of this is blown out of proportion. Maybe it did happen like they claim, maybe it didn’t. I wasn’t there, neither were the rest of you. I say we not be so quick to judge before we’ve heard more of the story.
MikeR
April 28th, 2011
9:53 am
Folks before hanging McDowell, remember who is behind the accusations. We have to consider the source. Gloria Allred is a liar. She lies far more than she ever speaks any truth. Sorry to say but I have no doubt MLB will force the Braves to let him go. If Selig feels McDowell will harm MLB’s “revenue stream” he will kick him out regardless.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a Go!)
April 28th, 2011
9:53 am
I just wanted to repost this from another blog, it’s good stuff about Roger McDowell.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jerry Pritikin aka The Bleacher Preacher:
I just read about Roger McDowell, and his bad choice of antics for any fans, especially Giant Fans. And that McDonnell apologized for his poor choice of actions.
However, I known Roger as one of, if not the best fan friendly players I had the pleasure to watch and know for his many years as a Met,Philly and Dodger pitcher. I first met him in 1984, during a pennant chase… he with the Mets and I was a Super cubs fan. He played Frisbee prior to important games in September. From that time on when ever he came to town, he would always come out to the bleachers and ask” Got your Frisbee?” In September of 1987 on a drizzling rainy day… he came out and asked the question…
there were few fans in the bleachers and no chance of batting practice. As I took my Frisbee out a rookie usher said if i threw it… i would get kicked out of the park. I threw it and sure enough my 75 game streak for that season came to an end. As it turned out…
it made the Chicago Sun-Times and even Sports Illustrated. However, for the next 10 years… when ever he was in town… he came out to say hello, or play catch with a ball or Frisbee. The fans in the cheap seats loved him. Often, people would throw him their cheap cameras… and he would take pictures of them from the field, of his teammates and of himself making funny faces.
On hot days, before a game he would pull out the hose from under the bleachers and cool down the fans. That earned him a “Gunga Din” Award from me. When he was with the Dodgers, he and Orel Hershiser would take a clean garbage can, put a new Dodger jacket, a Bat a signed ball and a hundred dollar bill into it and then had fans from throughout the bleachers trying to make a basket with a baseball. It gave fans a chance, and when someone one won… they got a standing ovation from their fellow bleacherites, and Roger and Orel.
Once, when his team had a traveling day, he stayed behind and sat with us in the bleachers, and he walked over to the fans in wheel chairs, and signed their scorecard or gave them a ball. This went on for years… and never once did I see him mistreat a fan or make unkind gestures.
So when I heard of this story tonight, I wanted to let Brave fans and all baseball fans know that Roger McDowell is a good guy, who made a few bad choices on this one day in a career as a player and coach for over 25 years. I urge the Braves and Giant Fans fans to accept his apology, and maybe Roger can make a donation to a good gay cause.(San Francisco and Atlanta’s Gay Community Centers). I happen to be gay, and spoke OUT against Cubs Pitcher Julian Taverez in 2001 when he made anti-gay remarks, as well as John Rocker. But both those guys had a history of being hot headed and anti-gay. My best wishes to him for all those great years he entertained fans in Chicago and elsewhere.
Cheers and Good Sportsmanship Always,
Jerry Pritikin aka The Bleacher Preacher.
ncscoots
April 28th, 2011
9:54 am
It doesn’t really matter what the hecklers said to him, he should have ignored them and gone on about his duties.
Turning the other cheek is admirable, Brava. But the idea that there is nothing that hecklers can say that would cause a man to lose his self-discipline, is naive. Everybody has a breaking point. And just as some folks here take liberties behind anonymity, some fans do the same from behind the rail.
I hate to put it in this context, but, folks who have never endured the kind of “heckling” that crosses the line can’t really speak to defining the recipient’s appropriate reaction.
flange1
April 28th, 2011
9:54 am
If Roger said the word “homo”, I have no problem with that.
If he used a different word, than I might be able to understand the outrage.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
9:55 am
one has to wonder if we would not be better off with Leo
How many years has he been out of baseball now? You’d think such a valuable pitching coach wouldn’t have to do morning drive radio for a living.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
10:00 am
Turn the other cheek? No freaking way – too often you get tagged there, too.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
10:03 am
The Dad was in the area with his two girls and yelled out to Roger that kids were there
I think they said the girls were both 9 years old. If they’re in public school what Roger said was nothing compaired to what they hear daily in school. Again Roger was wrong but he should only be fine and suspended then brought back to continue his fine work as piching coach!
Lemke's Knuckler
April 28th, 2011
10:04 am
Unfortunately, when you’re dealing with matters like this, it doesn’t really matter what’s right and wrong. I work in engineering and my company gets pulled into lawsuits all the time. Something goes wrong on a project, and even though we had nothing to do with what went wrong, whoever is filing the lawsuit includes everyone that touched the project. Doesn’t matter who was wrong or who caused it, the least expensive thing to do is let our insurance pay out a settlement to make it go away. It would cost far more to fight it in court and prove we did nothing wrong.
This is the reality of this world. So my point is to say that Roger shouldn’t be fired for making the comments (assuming they’re true) may be valid from a logic standpoint since he really didn’t break any actual laws, but the reality is that this incident will cost the Braves in many ways (lost revenue from sponsors, costs associated with the lawyers and public relations needed to work through this, etc.). Sometimes those are the factors that drive decisions like this. Just the way things are.
That’s why lawyers that chase cameras and ambulances are, in my mind, some of the most costly and damaging people in our society. Some lawyers do good work protecting people, but largely it’s more about the settlement than upholding justice.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
10:05 am
“Unfortunately, in this world, the answer to that question is of no consequence. Fans can say anything short of a physical threat without consequence. If a player singled out a fan and sued them for whatever derogatory thing they said, it would be a PR nightmare for the organization. If a fan sued a player or coach for whatever derogatory thing they said, it would be a PR nightmare for the organization.”
– Lemke’s Knuckler
This is very true.
“What I’d like to know is where are the three guys he supposedly made the homophobic remarks to? They just don’t look as cute as little girls dressed all in pink? Just why aren’t they front and center?
I can see him getting ticked and yelling something to hecklers (yeah, I know, you can’t say anything anymore when someone pisses you off), but to wait four days and walk into the press conference with Lady Lawsuit demanding money? Smells a bit iffy to me.”
– Lew
Lew, I’d just say: Follow the money. Trust me, Allred’s on the scene because there’s a payday somewhere. And she likes the earned media; beats running commercials.
Hillbilly
April 28th, 2011
10:05 am
Lemke’s Knuckler, thanks for that clarification. I completely misunderstood all of that when I read it the first time. I thought the father was the heckler.
DS1
April 28th, 2011
10:06 am
To heck with the McDowell discussion, since I read the blog in it’s entirety this morning, I have been “SHAKIN’”, snapping my fingers….
Thanks DOB!!
Brava
April 28th, 2011
10:07 am
Sorry, scoots, I disagree. In my opinion, there is nothing those fans could have said that warranted a response of homophobic remarks and obscene gestures with a bat in front of other fans. This isn’t a 20-something baseball player we are talking about here, this is a 50-something coach. As such, he should have had the maturity and good judgment to not bring dishonor on the organization he represented while visiting a rival team. If he has so little self-discipline, he should probably not be working in such a high profile occupation where he is expected to maintain a high level of professionalism.
DS1
April 28th, 2011
10:09 am
If I were looking to collect a quick buck for nothing, I’d call Allred too.
A good father takes his children out of that sort of situation and does not remain. How’s a pitching coach on the field of play going to physically threaten you when you are 10 rows away and walking in the other direction?
I want to hear from folks who were there before passing judgement.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
10:10 am
Everybody’s getting so caught up with the homophobic element of this incident.
That is VERY minor compared to the allegation that a MLB pitching coach THREATENED to knock a paying customer’s teeth out! In front of his nine-year-old daughters.
Good grief. How can any rational human being defend this? Or say people are being too sensitve?
If McDowell really did that, when all the guy was trying to do was remind the “professional” that kids were around and his actions were inappropriate, well, then he deserves ANY punishment he gets. Completely classless. And embarrassing.
TennesseePaul
April 28th, 2011
10:10 am
I think Roger has done a fabulous job of bring an end to bullpen and batting order discussions.
DS1
April 28th, 2011
10:12 am
Brava
To be honest, right now it is only “he said…” Something happened, since an apology was offered, but at this point, who has corroborrated (sp) the claim?
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
10:13 am
Poor SF fan got his wittly feelins hurt by Roger. Dude needs to grow a pair he should have ran onto the field and beat the hell out of Roger if he was offended. No need for all these apologies, sensitivity training and loss of jobs they should just solve the issue with violence it solves everything!!
Brava
April 28th, 2011
10:14 am
Chilidog, I want to be clear that I think both the homophobic remarks/obscene gestures and the threatening of the father with the bat are, separately, offenses that should result in his being fired, if proven true.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
10:14 am
DS1- When I was doing art work for a radio station, I had a free ticket to see Eddie Money back inhis heyday. Dude rocked.
Arkansas Transplant
April 28th, 2011
10:15 am
I think you can probably kiss Roger goodbye.
DS1
April 28th, 2011
10:15 am
The blog is turning into a “Law & Order, SUV” scene!
Don’t ya just love off days!
Later Braves fans…..
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
10:15 am
And the notion that lawyers have told McDowell not to speak is utter nonsense. There is no lawsuit (at this time) and no criminal investigation … so what would be the harm? If he, in fact, was innocent of most or all of this?
If the dad was just blndly making that accusation up or embellishing in anyway, McDowell would scream from the mountains that it was a lie. Just like we all would. The silence, so far, is pretty deafening. And damning.
Brava
April 28th, 2011
10:16 am
Wayne, I agree completely and have tried to qualify all my comments with something to the effect that all this is alleged, at this point. If this a all a farce, then Roger should sure everyone involved for defamation of character.
TennesseePaul
April 28th, 2011
10:16 am
Before this is all over, I would like to know if Roger is indeed scared of gay people, humans or same. The term “homophobic” has been toss around quite a bit. Homo, from Latin, meaning Human. And phobic from the greek meaning fear. Human fear. Is this a natural state? Or are they both intended to be from the Greek, Homo meaning same, and phobic meaning fear.
Brava
April 28th, 2011
10:16 am
sue, not sure
TennesseePaul
April 28th, 2011
10:17 am
And lastly, Gloria must be running out of things to do.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
10:18 am
“Something goes wrong on a project, and even though we had nothing to do with what went wrong, whoever is filing the lawsuit includes everyone that touched the project. Doesn’t matter who was wrong or who caused it, the least expensive thing to do is let our insurance pay out a settlement to make it go away. It would cost far more to fight it in court and prove we did nothing wrong.”
– Lemke’s Knuckler
Litigation has long been about going after anyone or entity involved and especially going for deep pockets. There are also plenty of nuisance suits filed by cut-rate versions of Gloria Allred designed to win quick out-of-court settlements. Some trial attorneys make a fortunate this way.
Believe me, somewhere, somehow, Allred and whoever else involved in the McDowell controversy will want money. On the Q.T., the Braves will be writing checks.
As to terminating McDowell, I don’t know the terms of McDowell’s contract with the Braves. He could be dumped for reasonable cause. Even if facts bear out that he reacted only mildly to provocations, Braves’ management could let him go, citing anyone of a number of factors in terms of his harming the club, etc.
Brava
April 28th, 2011
10:18 am
Yeah, maybe homophobic remarks isn’t appropriate. Gay slurs, maybe? Doesn’t really matter, if it happened, it’s wrong.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
10:19 am
Brava – Assuming, of course, that the allegations are real and actually happened as Gloria said they did? I’m still waiting for the people who supposedly instigated the situation and originally were slurred to make an appearance.
This all seems awfully opportunistic to me – especially since it took four days and engaging that particular lawyer before anything was even brought to the Braves’ attention.
Yes, you’re right – there’s no excuse for saying those things to a family and making any gestures with a potential weapon. There really hasn’t been any proof of what was said, nor has there been an admission that it was anything other than a response to a heckler. And then there’s the “fine” Allred wants imposed. The question is – who gets the “fine”.
Could be yet another case of “Show me the money”.
ncscoots
April 28th, 2011
10:19 am
Brava, certainly your prerogative to think as you do. Though I would think that you would want to hear both sides of the story, before bringing in the verdict.
I wasn’t really addressing the McDowell situation, anyway (Braveheart summed up my sentiments on the matter with an overnight post that said it at least as well as I could have done). I was making the point that there’s just so much a man can stand before he has to stand up. Baseball, or life, either one.
JeanE
April 28th, 2011
10:20 am
Since it won’t let me comment on Mark Bradley’s article, I’m over here. My mouth dropped open reading the AP article about Roger McDowell’s “antics” in SF. If these are true, he should be fired. I liked Roger always remembered him fondly from his pants on his head playing days but that behavior is absolutely unacceptable. And in front of kids! My kids go to more games that I do and they just love the whole experience, for him to say kids don’t belong at the ballpark lets me know there’s something wrong with this guy. Was he on drugs or something or is that just the real Roger? Either way, bye bye. Don’t care how good a coach you are, bring Leo back, I’d be thrilled with that and so would Leo.
Sidenote, great play from the Bravos lately! And I love Eddie Money….Sh Sh Sh Sh Sh shakin!!!! Hope Rossy gets a regular start now, let him be JJ’s catcher. Glad the team is coming home.
Arkansas Transplant
April 28th, 2011
10:21 am
I don’t see the homophobic (if that’s really what you would call it) remark or the gesture would have cost him his job and nor should it. But if he did threaten the father and responded in the matter in which he’s being accused after the father brought it to his attention that there were children in the area, then yes he probably should be let go.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
10:22 am
Transplant – I’d rather not kiss him goodbye – I might have homophobic remarks yelled at me if I did.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
10:23 am
“If the dad was just blndly making that accusation up or embellishing in anyway, McDowell would scream from the mountains that it was a lie. Just like we all would. The silence, so far, is pretty deafening. And damning.”
– chilidog75
Nope, not so. Braves’ management and lawyers are in the driver’s seat, not McDowell. McDowell has very likely been instructed to keep quiet, the inference being that if he doesn’t, he’s toast.
And just because a suit hasn’t been filed doesn’t mean one won’t. Any lawyer for McDowell worth his salt is telling McDowell not to say or do anything that can fuel a suit or be cited later if a suit is filed.
Brava
April 28th, 2011
10:26 am
Lew, I’d also like to hear from the three hecklers. I’m curious about what was said to set off this unfortunate chain of events.
I can’t speak to Allred’s motives yet, as she doesn’t yet seem to be seeking compensation for her clients. Of course, knowing her past, that could very quickly change.
Arkansas Transplant
April 28th, 2011
10:26 am
Lew, it’s funny how they can turn what he said into a phobia. I doubt those guys even batted an eye over it, it was probably just a lot of back and forth going on. I’d imagine the guys were excited that they had actually gotten his attention and had him engage with them in the heckling.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
10:26 am
Anyone here get San Francisco TV stations? I’d like to know if there were reports of this on Saturday or Sunday or it was just released yesterday.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
10:27 am
Seems to me that if it really happened – especially as described in that contrived press conference -, it would have been immediately picked up by local – if not national – news services.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
10:27 am
What does it matter what Gloria’s intentions are?
For us, as Braves fans?
The only thing that matters is if our pitching coach acted like a 12-year-old bully and threatened to knock out the teeth of a dad … the circus-like aftermath of said incident is almost completely irrelevant.
Whether they sue? Whether they don’t. Who cares? It’s not YOUR money.
The only thing that should matter is whether it is true or not.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
10:30 am
“I can’t speak to Allred’s motives yet, as she doesn’t yet seem to be seeking compensation for her clients. Of course, knowing her past, that could very quickly change.”
– Brava
Allred’s history indicates that she has motives – likely on many levels. She’s a pretty clever shyster.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
10:33 am
There was an incident at Spring TRaining in 08 that The Grinch and I were witeness to – in fact we were sitting right next to the obnoxious a holes that were doing the heckling. It was a group of Mets fans who were also autograph brokers. They got pissed because Bobby wouldn’t come sign at that particuar moment (he always signed plenty on a daily basis and would later that day, as well). and they were abusively vocal about it to the point where I had to hold Grinch back.
It was so bad that I saw Chipper and several others looking like they were about to come over and take issues with them.
Now nothing happened this time and Bobby just told them he had a job to do – but it does show that there are times when it’s the fans being abusive in an extremely profane and vitriolic manner.
Honestly, I’m shocked that this type of situation doesn’t happen more often. As for Roger’ comments? At least he didn’t wing a baseball at the fan like Albert Belle did.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
10:34 am
“Nope, not so. Braves’ management and lawyers are in the driver’s seat, not McDowell. McDowell has very likely been instructed to keep quiet, the inference being that if he doesn’t, he’s toast.
“And just because a suit hasn’t been filed doesn’t mean one won’t. Any lawyer for McDowell worth his salt is telling McDowell not to say or do anything that can fuel a suit or be cited later if a suit is filed.”
Utter nonsense. If McDowell didn’t do it, then he has ABSOLUTELY nothing to worry about in a future lawsuit. He denies, denies, denies. Any any lawyer worth his salt would say the exact same thing.
If McDowell did do it, then yeah he’s probably been instructed to keep quiet. That makes sense. If he didn’t do it, not only would the Braves tell him he should deny the allegations they would hold a f’n press conference to make sure he told the world he was innocent.
To think otherwise is just ridiculous.
McDowell and the Braves would have absolutely NOTHING to gain from staying quiet.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
10:34 am
Yeah, maybe homophobic remarks isn’t appropriate. Gay slurs, maybe? Doesn’t really matter, if it happened, it’s wrong.
I think if people are offended by Gay slurs or Homophobic remarks then they should go to de-sensitive training and get over it. It’s going to happen no matter how many lawsuits or how many people get fired for making remarks it’s always going to happen some people just aren’t comfortable around it and some of those people just don’t know how to bit their tongue. So maybe society should just learn to deal with it.
But what do I know I was de-sensitized long ago there isn’t much that offends me!!
O.J.
April 28th, 2011
10:34 am
Wonder whats going to happen to McDowell, if anything. You dont think the Braves would fire him do you? I mean, its one thing when a player runs their mouth, you can trade or suspend them, but its another when a coach on the staff does it, and in such a rude manner. That has to be grounds for termination, dont you think?
Who would they replace him with? Dave Wallace??
Lew
April 28th, 2011
10:35 am
chilidog – Her intentions matter, because she has a way of blowing situations way out of proportion to up the payday for her clients and to give credence to her cause du jour. That’s why.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
10:37 am
As a matter of fact, why would someone even engage her services if all they wanted were an apology? Answer is that you bring in GLoria to pump the money and for no other reason.
The four day lag could well be a rehearsal session to get all of their stories straight – bet that Mom and the girls had a trip to the salon, as well.
I just don’t trust anything she has a hand in.
FEAR
April 28th, 2011
10:38 am
Roger Mcdowell vs. Golddust. BOOK IT!
FEAR
April 28th, 2011
10:39 am
gloria Allred is the lionel hutz of female lawyers!
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
10:39 am
Lew, I’d say that 99% of these controversies start because of “fan” incitements. Today, players and coaches have to 1) take a lot of abuse and 2) learn to ignore it and walk away. As McDowell can attest, there’s little upside to any response to provocations from the stands.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
10:40 am
chilidog – Yeah nothing at all for Roger to worry about. No one has ever been falsely accused of something or had what he DID do trumped up to make it look worse. Yeah – no chance of THAT happening. We never react precipitously in this country, do we?
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
10:40 am
Lew.
That’s fine.
But whether the family ends up getting paid or not is irrelevant. What is relevant, for us and for the Braves organization and for Selig … is if it’s true or not. That’s it.
Everything else, from the Gloria sideshow to any potential lawsuit, is secondary.
UKUGA
April 28th, 2011
10:40 am
It is kind of funny that McDowell is being called a “homophobe” (by Mark Bradley and others).
If there is “nothing wrong” with being a homosexual, then why is it wrong to ask someone if they are? What if McDowell had asked this guy if he was married to his wife? Would that have been wrong? What if there had been an openly polygamist family there? Would it have been wrong for McDowell to ask the man if he had two wives?
Yes, the comments cross the line, mainly because they are of a sexual nature, and the gesture with the bat is sick, especially in public, out on a baseball field (or in the bullpen). But, if these guys were gay, and proud of it, then why the outrage about McDowell asking them if they were gay?
Here is his alleged quote: “Are you guys a homo couple or a threesome?”
That is not homophobic. Especially not in light of all the efforts that are made by so many in our society to make us believe that just about every choice in this area is OK. (Not my beliefs, just what is being purveyed by our society).
The real issue is that McDowell then gets into it with a family, who is now pushing the issue. So GLAAD is more than HAPPY to get involved (they are attention grabbers, just like Allred) and stir up controversy.
But, as tacky as McDowell’s comments to the first duo/trio may have been, to jump on them and call them homophobic is very short-sighted and ill thought out.
FEAR
April 28th, 2011
10:41 am
LEW- you sir are correct. The family is looking to hit da pay window. If they were really upset and wanted just an apology they’d write a letter to MLB or the Braves or try to contact them directly someway.
Arkansas Transplant
April 28th, 2011
10:41 am
What’s amazing about Allred is she’s claiming a phobia in this instances and when you look at her past and background she’s a staunch male hater. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
10:42 am
“chilidog – Yeah nothing at all for Roger to worry about. No one has ever been falsely accused of something or had what he DID do trumped up to make it look worse. Yeah – no chance of THAT happening. We never react precipitously in this country, do we?”
Have no idea what point you’re trying to make and it how it pertains to anything I’ve typed.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
10:45 am
Roger Mcdowell vs. Golddust. BOOK IT!
When Wrestle Mania 28 or Backlash? Holy crap Dustin Rhodes will kill Roger!!
007
April 28th, 2011
10:46 am
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
9:38 am
Chip Carey has grown on me a little, but I can’t believe anyone would prefer him over Sutton.
I’ll take Powell by himself over any broadcaster we have!!
And Powell over all three.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
10:46 am
chili – I love that comment “its not your money” exactly whose money is it?
If there is a settlement it will likely be paid by an insurance company. the premiums paid to that insurance company will be paid by the Braves & or MLB. So if you spend money on baseball part of that money will come from your pocket.
Murph
April 28th, 2011
10:46 am
Is everyone accounted for after those storms yesterday? Crazy, scary stuff. I just read that the death toll is up over 200 now.
As for this Roger McDowell business, regardless of what happened he’s now in the media crosshairs and there’s the potential for this to turn into a very distracting issue for the team.
Whether he did it or not, if this starts affecting the team’s performance they’re going to have to make a change. Either putting him on suspension until things calm down or getting rid of him or sending him elsewhere within the organization.
I don’t know much about the guy, and from what I’ve read he seems to have the respect of the players and other coaches…. but they can’t let something stupid like this affect the season. I’d hate to see him go, but I’d hate to see the Braves distracted and losing even more.
Frankie Wren
April 28th, 2011
10:47 am
What would Frank, Deano and Sammy say about this?????
zzzzzz
urban redneck
April 28th, 2011
10:47 am
i wonder if d-ross has two tickets to paradise for himself and O.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
10:48 am
chilidog – The money is irrelevant? Not so – it may well be the reason for the entire situation and it would certainly point to the motivationm for this entire situation. I’m still bothered that we haven’t heard from thos who were supposedly slurred to begin with.
As for IF he did it – yeah, IF he did what they claimed in the wway they claim, threatening anyone with a bat is inexcusable and should be dealt with. However, short of having a cell phone video, I just don’t see how it can be proven. As for the comments? Fine him and give it to a charity and let the situation drop.
Maybe you can’t yell fire in a crowded theater, but last I heard, we have freedom of speech guaranteed by our constitution and last I heard, names don’t hurt like sticks and baseball bats. Same he’s insensitive – send him to a sensitivity training course. It ain;’t a firing offense.
Murph
April 28th, 2011
10:49 am
AT – Checked Sportsline? The rich are getting richer, aka, my lead is getting bigger and bigger. 65.6 to 50.5!
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
10:49 am
I’m still worried about RG & soph – jeffrey d have you heard from them?
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
10:50 am
tiger297 … Ha. I hope you didn’t injure yourself with that big of a stretch.
Ok then. I bought the MLB package. So out of the 180 dollars i paid for it, I’m thinking about 1/10 of 1 cent will go to some yet-to-be determined settlement. Damn you Roger! I’ve got kids to feed!
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
10:50 am
billy jack – I’m coming to see your for lunch today.
Arkansas Transplant
April 28th, 2011
10:50 am
Murph, I’m with you.. I’d hate to see him go but if this could potentially cost us this season then I hope they make a move.
Shaun
April 28th, 2011
10:52 am
Unfortunately, if there is any truth to the allegations at all, I think McDowell’s days with the Braves are numbered. If for no other reason, it would be because this is going to be a distraction, and the Braves organization has generally, for better or worse, doesn’t put up with these sorts of distractions. I’m not saying I agree or disagree; just saying that’s probably the case. Sad situation for all involved.
Arkansas Transplant
April 28th, 2011
10:55 am
Talk about a fall from graces.. I’m bearly in the top 5 now.
Shaun
April 28th, 2011
10:56 am
Lew, even if you disagree that slurs and yelling aren’t a fire-able offense (Believe me. I sympathize with this for the exact same reasons you do: Free speech.) I think you have to acknowledge threatening to knock the teeth out of a fan, no matter what the fan said, if that is indeed what he did, is a fire-able offense.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
10:57 am
Lew. That’s sort of my point.
If the family’s motives are purely money-driven and most or all of this was conjured out of thin air, then that will be proven soon enough. But IF McDowell did what he is alleged to do, and it is proven to be true, then everything else is secondary. Don’t you agree? How could you not agree? Whether the dad gets paid or gets an apology or the two girls get teddy bears — who cares? It’s not relevant to us. The ONLY thing that’s relevant to us is that we’ll most likely be looking for a new pitching coach.
And I’m not sure why you’re bothered about the other three guys. They aren’t suing McDowell. They aren’t asking for an apology. For all we know, they were laughing at the stupid bat-humping McDowell was allegedly doing. And for the record, I don’t think the gay slurs are fireable. I think the threat, if he made one, is what will do him in.
Arkansas Transplant
April 28th, 2011
10:58 am
Hey, I found a post of Shaun’s I agree with!! Totally agree Shaun.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
10:59 am
I’d hate to see him go but if this could potentially cost us this season then I hope they make a move–Ark
How could this cost us the season? I don’t see Chipper standing at the plate with a 3-2 count in the bottom of the 9th worrying about what’s going to happen to Roger. I think a true pro can over look these sorts of things. Hell, what ever it was Roger did say I bet most of the guys in the clubhouse have wanted to say the same thing to a fan at some point in their careers. I don’t think it’ll be a distraction.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:02 am
chilidog-sorry,you’re missing my point. Not surprised, but sorry.
The point is nothing has been proved and you ( as well as others) seem to be jumping to conclusions before facts are in. All you have is one side of a supposed story, coming from one of the most monumentally unreliable and self serving legal representatives there is.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
11:04 am
I think firing someone and using the distraction excuse is just that an excuse. I call BS to most firings that are to prevent distractions. If they fire Roger its not to prevent distractions it’s to prevent corporations from pulling their sponsor. That’s the truth!!
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:04 am
Dude – I said if he was guilty of brandishing a baseball bat then he has to pay the price, but if it was just insensitive remarks, then he should pay a fine and take a class.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
11:05 am
Shaun… Could well be true that the Braves will cut McDowell loose because the organization has never liked controversy. Reasonable cause is a fairly broad area to find grounds for dismissal.
Arkansas Transplant
April 28th, 2011
11:06 am
CraZy, it’s not about worrying about Roger it’s about the constant media exposure, potential protests and things of that sort. So pretty much the constant annoyances of the “circus” that would follow.
Snotboogie
April 28th, 2011
11:06 am
Believe me. I sympathize with this for the exact same reasons you do: Free speech.
I dont think you have quite got the right meaning of that. It doesnt mean “No consequences”.
Arkansas Transplant
April 28th, 2011
11:08 am
then he should pay a fine and take a class. – Lew
Personally, I think this would actually be too much of a price. I think the apology and a seat down reprimand by the organization should be enough.
Murph
April 28th, 2011
11:08 am
Dammit, why couldn’t it have been TP out there getting heckled instead of Roger??? Oh, yeah, he was probably asleep in clubhouse.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
11:08 am
Lew,
I’m sure you’re quite used to not being understood. So I’m glad you’re not surprised.
I’m not jumping to any conclusions. It’s why I consistently use the word “if.” Look it up, it’s in the dictionary. Right in between idiot and ignoramus.
Snotboogie
April 28th, 2011
11:09 am
If they fire Roger its not to prevent distractions it’s to prevent corporations from pulling their sponsor. That’s the truth!!
It could also be so that they can continue to sell their business as a family entertainment event. And to maintain a certain uniform code for handling of such situations.
Owl Hunter
April 28th, 2011
11:09 am
Right or wrong, in today’s media frenzy climate, McDowell will most likely be fired. It doesn’t matter if he’s guilty at this point. An overblown acccusation is all it takes these days. That said, Dave Wallace would be a good replacement, even if it’s just for the rest of the season. Also, I don’t worry too much about this being a distraction on the field. The Dodgers are in a much worse situation, and they seem to be doing ok.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:09 am
chili – Do you really want to go that route?
Bat Masterson
April 28th, 2011
11:10 am
Lew, even if you disagree that slurs and yelling aren’t a fire-able offense (Believe me. I sympathize with this for the exact same reasons you do: Free speech.)
I don’t much care to wade into this, but the free speech argument will get you nowhere. The Braves are not a government threatening to, or jailing someone for stating an opinion, simply mouthing off stupid. They are a business that can, and will, fire your ass for damaging their product with your mouth.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:10 am
At least you know how to spell. I’m impressed.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
11:11 am
Lew … Ha. No. Not really.
You insult me. I insult back.
Now we can move on.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
11:12 am
Arkansas Transplant… I think your 11:08 is correct. What is it with this sensitivity training nonsense? Sorry, Lew, but I think we’ve gone overboard on this feelings stuff.
abwright
April 28th, 2011
11:12 am
BravesQueen, April 28th, 2011, 9:52 am … “In this day and age of technology and the usually immediate appearance of video’s taken when something like this happens, I find it very odd that NO ONE in that SF stadium didn’t catch this on a smartphone or other device…”
This is almost certainly why Allred called the presser. To encourage folks with video of the incident to come forward so that she will have the actual smoking gun that will get her a fee.
BravesQueen, April 28th, 2011, 9:52 am … “where is the proof? I’m not saying the family HAS to prove it happened.”
Yes. They do. Family is making serious accusation, perhaps with criminal consequences. The burden of proof falls on the accuser, not the accused.
Murph
April 28th, 2011
11:15 am
The fact that Roger already issued an apology tells you that there is some truth to the accusations. So there’s strike 1.
The fact that he was in gay-friendly San Francisco, probably the hub of the world’s pro-gay movement, and chose to reply to hecklers with a gay slur… strike 2.
If he indeed threatened someone with a bat, regardless of whether it was a heckler or someone trying to calm the situation down… strike 3. He’s out.
I don’t see this ending well for Roger.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:16 am
On a totally different topic – Has anyone heard from RHR or any of the other Bama or Tennessee residents?
JeffR – Yeah, it has gone overboard, but has become an almost mandatory way of proving the situation has been dealt with.
DiamondbackMac
April 28th, 2011
11:16 am
Just got back from church, working to get relief supplies to tornado stricken areas. I see the blog hasn’t changed topics since I read the overnights earlier.
Travis
April 28th, 2011
11:17 am
I would think that the exposure of this man’s family to the fanatics out there that think this is a publicity stunt would be far more dangerous than a gesture with a bat. If I really cared about my childrens safety and exposure to raw side of life, the last place I would put my family is in harms way by subjecting them to the scrutiny of the public. This is an extremely stupid move and money will become the object of this whole fiasco. This could have been settled internally by the two adults involve. It wasn’t and that is indeed a shame.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
11:18 am
Lew, yes, you’re right; pretty much standard procedure in such matters.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
11:18 am
Here’s what is striking to me about this news story so far.
I think most (probably all) would agree that the most serious allegation, by far, is that McDowell threatened the dad with the bat. Right? I mean obviously that’s much more severe than some stupid name-calling and bat sex.
Yet, in O’Brien’s article about the subject he leads with the “gay slurs.” And on SportsCenter, that was the first thing that was mentioned as well.
The “how much are you teeth worth” comment is secondary.
It’ll be interesting to see how this continues to play out nationally, and if the headlines continue to deal with the homosexual slurs and not the actual physical threat.
cabravesfan
April 28th, 2011
11:19 am
Lew-
RHR was around for a bit yesterday (on twitter) but lost power at some point. She was in her basement listening to sirens, but I’m sure she’s ok.
Murph
April 28th, 2011
11:22 am
Yeah, I think the allegation of the threat to knock out a man’s teeth with a bat is way, way, way more serious than the hurling of some gay slurs.
I have to say, if I were at a ballgame with my girls and was in this dad’s situation, I too would have gone to the media to make an example of out the employee who physically threatened me. I doubt I would have retained an attorney, but I certainly would have called up my local news station and given my side of the story.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
11:22 am
chili – so I a few thousand a year directly with the braves and more in playoff years so it affects me a little more than you. Also remember anything you purchase that advertises with MLB/braves also is adding to your total cost of ownership. Its really not a stretch its pretty simple math.
Regardless my concern is that the litigious nature of todays society driven largely by the desire for big paydays combined with the media circus often prevent actual knowledge of the facts of a case.
Liberty Media has an investment to protect and to mitigate the risk it may not be in their best interest to even care about the facts of the case. So there is the potential for someone to lie/embellish a story and be rewarded for that with a large sum of money and at the same time have a negative impact on a persons career (and cost me regardless of the amount).
and now I’m off to Billy Jack’s
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:22 am
chili – I agree with that completely.
I’m thinking that Roger did indeed, respond in a less than pleasant manner to some remarks cast in his direction. The rest seems awfully contrived to me – especially with Gloria involved. I fit were almost any other legal representative, I might b more inclined to believe there was more to it, but with her and a Four Day Creep (It IS the DOB blog and we must get our musical references in there) before disclosure – I’m just hesitant to believe that most of this is anything but a publicity and money grabbing enterprise.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
11:22 am
chilidog75… Let’s face it, the alleged gay slurs by McDowell were the leads, and not the alleged physical threat, because we live in a pretty top-heavy PC culture. I think the threat of physical violence matters a heckuva lot more than name-calling, however disagreeable. But such is how these matters are prioritized these days.
UKUGA
April 28th, 2011
11:23 am
At least McDowell didn’t throw a trash can into the stands.
http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/news/story?id=6440055
And on an even more positive front, McDowell can now follow the path of Ron Artest, and win a citizenship award within 7 years . . .
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6431861
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:24 am
cab – Glad to hear it. Later today I’ll try to call a friend who has a place around Ringold, Ga. – just heard they got smashed.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
11:25 am
Murph.
I agree. I might have done something similar in regards to getting the story out there.
I wouldn’t have retained an attorney though, and I certainly wouldn’t have subjected my 9-year-olds to that circus of a press conference yesterday.
That was disgraceful.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
11:25 am
cab – what about RG & soph…I know where they are and specifically rome got pounded
N8
April 28th, 2011
11:25 am
CrαZy, your moniker truely fits if you don’t understand what type of circus this is going to be for all involved moving forward.
There will be protestors as the players enter the stadium. Possibly even their hotel. There will be radio shows constantly talking about it. Every city they go, many players will have to answer questions about it. The fans will boo and heckle Roger everytime he pokes his head out of the dugout.
Do you even remotely remember the first couple of months of the season after Rocker’s SI article came out? EVERYBODY was tired of the media circus and BS that came along with that, and that was a very veteran club with a manager who had been in place for a decade.
This is a young club with a guy replacing said legend manager.
If this is remotely true, Frank Wren will squash this “bug” in a heartbeat. With corporate sponsers being a distant second on the “reason to fire him” pecking order.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:26 am
UKUGA – Aren’t you in Texas? Are you surrounded by the fires?
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
11:27 am
Sadly, N8 is very correct in his 11:25 comments.
tiger297
April 28th, 2011
11:27 am
abwright – you just touched on my point. You have to prove guilt for criminal cases but in todays environment you don’t have to prove guilt to get a civil settlement.
(wow that was much more concise than my earlier rambling version trying to say the same thing)
N8
April 28th, 2011
11:28 am
To prove my point, read the last 10 or so pages of the blog.
The Braves just came off of a 6-4 west coast road trip, the bats seem to be coming alive, Hanson continues to shine, Jurrjens throws a complete game…..
And all that’s being talked about is Roger McDowell.
Leo Mazzone was one of the greatest pitching coaches of the past era of baseball, and I’m not so sure that he ever commanded 5-6 pages of blog space.
Imagine what’s going to happen in the next city the Braves go to.
Hillbilly
April 28th, 2011
11:28 am
Saw this headline on MSN:
Eating armadillos blamed for leprosy in the South
Ok, stop right here. I’m an avid outdoorsman from the South. I’ve eaten more than my fair share of questionable meals consisting of various wildlife that’s not normally considered to be table fare. I have been separated from my truck by a raging river for an entire day without food. (started generating at the dam upstream after I had waded across on a turkey hunt) But I have never…again I say NEVER…been hungry enough or drunk enough to eat a nasty-a55 armadillo. Ever.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
11:30 am
Lew. I hear ya.
We’re basically on the same page. I’m not convicting the guy. And I’m not convinced he did what the dad alleged. I’m troubled that he hasn’t denied it more vehemently … or actually that he hasn’t denied it at all. But I’m not ready to kick him to the curb. Not until we actually hear his side of the story. I just hope he has a side to this story, other than “I’m sorry.”
As for Gloria, I think for the most part, she represents all that is wrong with the legal profession. And I’ll leave it at that.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 28th, 2011
11:31 am
I didn’t exactly “here” from Soph, but she played her turn in our Words with Friends game around 7AM-ish…I asked if she got hit hard, but haven’t gotten a reply yet. She and jeffrey d are both here in Gwinnett, yes…?
I’m anxious to read from Roman Gal…heard Berry got hit pretty good. And yeah, RHR and the others from Alabama, Tennessee, and North Georgia…Hope everyone is OK!!!
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
11:31 am
What would an armadillo taste like – chicken? Me, I ain’t into roadkill.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 28th, 2011
11:32 am
Neight The Braves just came off of a 6-4 west coast road trip, the bats seem to be coming alive, Hanson continues to shine, Jurrjens throws a complete game…..
BMac hit his first Double…Yes, these are all important topics!
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
11:33 am
Jeff R … It’s just strange isn’t it? And I guess I have to agree. I think it very much reflects our society now, and especially the mainstream media, that the lead element to this story is the bat-sex and the gay slurs. And not the physical threat.
Odd times we’re living in.
cabravesfan
April 28th, 2011
11:34 am
Tiger and others-
RG is fine- popped up on facebook this morning to let everyone know she’s ok (Soph too)- Her school got hit pretty hard by winds but the majority of the storm just missed them- nobody was injured.
Soph
April 28th, 2011
11:35 am
Hi all – I’m good, thank you for the concern. I’m in Gwinnett so only had windy conditions and lots of lightning/thunder.
RG’s fine too – just heard from her via fb. I saw RHR post earlier on Carroll’s piece about McDowell. Thoughts go out to everyone affected by the storms – scary stuff.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
11:35 am
” I’m troubled that he hasn’t denied it more vehemently … or actually that he hasn’t denied it at all.”
Man, I’m telling you, it’s not McDowell’s call to respond. Braves’ management and Braves’ attorneys are crisis managing the controversy. McDowell’s on a short leash.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
11:35 am
OK. Actually have to go back to work now.
Very good trip for the Bravos! It sure is fun to have good starting pitching.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
11:36 am
chilidog75, Amen to your 11:33 comments.
Bat Masterson
April 28th, 2011
11:36 am
Hillybilly_
There was a brief passage about eating armadillos in “Alas Babylon” by Pat Frank. I was curious about what one might taste like after reading it, but not so much as to try it.
Murph
April 28th, 2011
11:36 am
I had the pleasure to meet Leo Mazzone in Houston. Had press passes, got to sit in the dugout and converse with the man for a good hour before the game, and my first thought afterwards was “that man has the foulest mouth of anyone I’ve ever come across.” The guy shocked me, and I consider myself to be a connoisseur of shocking language.
However, when we walked out of the dugout and onto the field, where he could be heard by the fans who arrived early, he was a completely different person. People were openly mocking his rocking, a few people way up on the concourse yelled something derogatory towards him, and he just laughed and went about his day.
You gotta know when hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, and know when to run…
DiamondbackMac
April 28th, 2011
11:37 am
Hillbilly
But I have never…again I say NEVER…been hungry enough or drunk enough to eat a nasty-a55 armadillo. Ever.
I’m with you on that, and I’ve been in similar situations.
chilidog75
April 28th, 2011
11:37 am
Jeff R … I was talking about his statement where he apologized.
That was troubling. I would have rather it read: “I’d like to apologize for absolutely nothing. Because I didn’t do anything wrong. Oh, and that dad is a liar. Peace.”
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:38 am
hillbilly – Why did the chicken cross the road? To prove to the armadillo it could be done.
Bat Masterson
April 28th, 2011
11:38 am
Glad to hear you are okay Soph, RHR too.
I hope everyone is, but over 200 killed in this storm in addition to the ones killed by recent ones, man o man.
UKUGA
April 28th, 2011
11:39 am
Lew,
Since I’m right in the middle of a major city, we have no fires close by (just crime and traffic accidents).
Also, as shocking as this will sound, it feels like the fires are getting much more national attention than local attention. It’s weird, last week, I could click on CNN.com, and the lead story was about the fires. Then, click on the Houston Chronicle,and couldn’t find anything about fires.
The Dallas Morning News covered them more, mainly because there were fires west of Ft. Worth.
Thanks for asking, but everything is pretty okay. It’s been an oddly dry, and not as humid spring here in Houston. But, as you’ve seen, that seems to be the result of severe weather pushing north of us.
Rumor/history has it, that dry, hot springs, often preceed serious hurricane seasons in this area.
We’ll see.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
April 28th, 2011
11:40 am
Good to know, Soph! And thanks to you and cabravesfan for the updates on the others!
Jeff R
April 28th, 2011
11:40 am
chilidog75… Gotcha, but he did do something, perhaps not close to what’s alleged. And making a statement like you suggest only pokes a stick into a hornet’s nest. Braves’ management and attorneys want to tamp down the controversy; McDowell said what he had to say based on instruction.
Frankie Wren
April 28th, 2011
11:41 am
His name is Roger, Roger McDowell. His friends call him psycho. Keep your meat hooks, off his baseball bat, or “he’ll kill ya”. A reminder any of you “homos” out there touch his stuff.. and “he’ll kill ya.”
N8
April 28th, 2011
11:41 am
Chilidog, I’m with you on the 11:30 post. I’ve been pretty vocal in saying that “if this is true – about threatening the dad – he has to go.”
I’m also with Lew, as I’ve stated a couple of times, that if it was simply the homophobic slurs and nonsense, you suspend him, fine him and make him take sensitivity training and move on (though many of the distractions would still happen). But you stand by the guy and give him a second chance.
I may get blasted for this, but here it goes.
Gays are not only used to (not that that makes it right), but by the very nature of our culture and society, “prepared” for homophobic outbursts from ignorant humans without a clue. So, even though they’ll cry “OUTRAGE”, they’ll survive and move on to the next idiot that blasts them. This likely will NEVER stop.
On the other hand, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, grandparents are likely NEVER prepared to be threatened by an MLB player/coach while planning a “family day” at the old ballpark.
A big organization like the Braves or MLB in general is also “prepared” to do charity work to save face when an employee runs his mouth about race or gays. They can all kissy and make up.
But when families might possibly be outraged and little kids may NEVER again want to go to the park? That can’t be stood for by the Braves, Selig or MLB in general.
And anybody with younger kids know that once they’ve had a bad experience doing something or going somewhere, you can pretty much forget about it. If these girls were truely as frightened as the dad says? I can’t imagine them ever looking at baseball the same way again.
Even if the dad is overreacting and making this sh!t up, the daughters will remember the tension, stress and circus surrounding it and ALWAYS connect baseball with that feeling.
It’s going to be interesting, that’s for sure. Unfortunately Roger couldn’t have done this when they were losing, as to distract us all from poor play, rather than the good play of late. LOL
Arkansas Transplant
April 28th, 2011
11:42 am
Glad to hear everyone made it through, looks like they are calling for another rough batch of storms here this weekend.
Hillbilly
April 28th, 2011
11:42 am
I’ve eaten alligator, rattlesnake, squirrel, raccoon,…hell I’ve even eaten goat before. Never once have I felt the urge for armadillo and dumplins.’
DiamondbackMac
April 28th, 2011
11:45 am
Lew
Did you know that armadillos jump when they are threatened. So, even if your tires don’t hit them they jump as your vehicle passes over them and bash themselves against everything beneath the vehicle: engine, oil pan, transmission. rear axle, etc.
Murph
April 28th, 2011
11:46 am
Any of you ever watch the show Storm Chasers? I hope Reed and the guys were there for these storms… seems like the last couple of days were a rare occurrence in tornado history.
LTBF
April 28th, 2011
11:48 am
Good morning all
I lived in NJ and don’t remember him getting in any trouble at all when he was with the mets. I am sure he was provoked by the three gay guys and the Dad with his family over reacted. The Allred press conference was a joke, did you see the picture I believe Jeffery posted? OMG makeing something of very little. We do not need to lose Rodger over sillyness like this, He has done a good job with our pitching staff and that is what counts, not what Gloria Allred or the limp wrists in SF think.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
11:49 am
N8
I know you’re right I guess I’m just way more forgiving than most. I guess I’m under the opinion that society is way to sensitive to things like this. People make threats all the time but, most are made tongue and cheek. You really think Roger would ever knock someone’s teeth out with a bat. I guess by society’s standards he probably should be fired.
Murph
April 28th, 2011
11:50 am
Speaking of armadillo recipes, this is my favorite: http://www.backwoodsbound.com/zarmadilo4.html
Arkansas Transplant
April 28th, 2011
11:50 am
Sorry guys but I haven’t been on FB in quite a while.
Definitely not another feeble offensive performance
April 28th, 2011
11:51 am
Chip and Joe gave the Player of the Game award to David Ross after Tuesdat night’s game. Sure, Ross’ 2 homers helped seal the game. However, the OBVIOUS choice for me was Jair Jurrjens….because of the fact that him going 9 innings SAVED and RESTED our taxed bullpen.
Sherrill was the only one who even got up to throw a little during the whole game in the bullpen (Joe Simpson said that he was “playing catch” in the 9th inning). Not having to have any of your essential relief pitchers even to have to warm up last night…was a lifesaver.
A lot gets made about who is actually used in games. However, many a relief pitcher has to get up 2-3 times a game to seriously warm up…only to not be used in the game. It’s the warming up like that over and over again that wears on an arm as the course of the year progresses. Jurrjens pitching the gem he did last night, gave our pen a MUCH NEEDED night of rest.
That is why I feel that Jurrjens was MUCH MORE deserving of the Player of the Game nod, because of the overall importance that his performance had on whole bullpen.
With Tommy Hanson going 7 innings yesterday, combined with today’s off day, our pen should be rested enough to battle the Cardinals this weekend at almost full strength (minus Moylan of course).
If we’re going to seriously contend this year, we are going to have to pick each other up. When the pitching is struggling to hold the other team’s offense in check…our hitters are going to have to pick up the slack (like we did on Sunday against the Giants). If our hitters are scuffling at the plate, our pitching is going to have to bear down and hold the other team down (which has pretty much been the case for most of our games in 2010). If our bullpen is taxed or struggling to shut the door…..our starting pitching needs to do what it takes to get deeper into games. If our starting pitching is struggling to get deep into games…..then the pen needs to pick up the slack and give our offense a chance to come back.
Sure, the success of any team lies in the above occurring. While the above scenarios cant happen every single day when it comes to picking up the slack……a winning team manages to pick each other up the majority of the time. I just hope that we can do that.
Sunday’s game against the Giants is the only game that we’ve won where we gave up more than 3 runs. That’s 1 game in 26 games this year where the offense picked up the slack for the starting pitching (the last 2 games dont count because our pitching only gave up 2 runs combined in those 2 games). However, we have won 5 games so far in 2011 where we scored 4 runs or less (meaning that our pitching gave up 3 runs or less in those games).
In 2010, the Braves won 15 games where the other team had scored at least 4 runs……while we won 34 games where we scored 4 runs or less. That’s a good example of PICKING UP THE SLACK on both ends.
At the pace, we’ve set so far this year, we’re on track to win 6-7 games where the other team has scored at least 4 runs…while on track to win 32-33 games when we score 4 runs or less. That’s a negative differential of 10-12 games in the win column from 2011. Just something to look at.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:51 am
KUGA – Glad to hear it’s all right down there – like you said, the news media has talked a good bit about it.
We’ve got no tornadoes, but had ten inches of rain in places yesterday and Lake Chamlain is above flood levels – it’s highest ever recorded and lots of folks are getting flooded out – some roads are completely impassable. Luckily, there have been relatively few deaths – mostly fishermen that took boats out and got washed away.
abwright
April 28th, 2011
11:51 am
Brava, April 28th, 2011, 10:26 am … “I can’t speak to Allred’s motives yet, … ”
Money. Attention.
Same as always.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:51 am
And it’s pouring again.
Definitely not another feeble offensive performance
April 28th, 2011
11:51 am
I’ve heard people talk about how games in April mean just as much, and count as much in the standings as games in September do.
Well, if that is the case, then why cant the same be said about preventing runs from being scored in the 6th and 7th inning……as preventing them from being scored in the 9th is?
While you cant win a division title in April or May….you can certainly lose your shot at winning one during those months. Same thing can be said that while you cant win a game in the 6th or 7th innings….you can certainly lose a game in those innings.
I agree, the ideal situation to use Kimbrel and Venters is in the 8th and 9th innings. However, a manager cant be pigeon holed into a set usage of his bullpen 100% of the time….when the situation dictates that if the other team isnt shut down in the 6th or 7th inning…..there will be no 8th or 9th inning lead for Venters and Kimbrel to protect.
Shaun, you’re absolutely right when asserting this in the previous blog.
Fish Bisch
April 28th, 2011
11:52 am
Mother Nature owned us North Georgians last night
Definitely not another feeble offensive performance
April 28th, 2011
11:52 am
I was at Saturday’s game and I dont remember seeing or hearing from other fans what is being alleged that Roger McDowell said to those fans.
I did hear lots of heckling from Giants fans when Conrad was in the on-deck circle. Also, there was Giants fan that got ejected from the game in the top of the 1st when the idiot fan reached over down the left field line and grabbed the ball that Chipper Jones hit for a double.
It should be interesting to see what is going to happen from Braves management. If McDowell keeps his job…..I can only image what would happen at AT&T Park should the Braves have to meet the Giants in the playoffs at the end of the season. The reception that Conrad got would seem like a Swedish massage when compared to the ripping that McDowell would get from Giants fans.
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:53 am
DBack – No, didn’t know that. Are they part lemming, maybe? Self destructive little beasts, aren’t they?
Lew
April 28th, 2011
11:54 am
hillbilly – Thought you could put BBQ sauce on anything and make it palatable.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
11:56 am
Fish
I live in Buford and I didn’t get 1 drop of rain and not 1 limb in the yard. Guess I was just in the right spot.
Definitely not another feeble offensive performance
April 28th, 2011
11:57 am
Ward……….You think that Giants fans are stupid? I guess that when Barry Bonds came to play against the Braves…….Braves fans were very civil and polite with Bonds, right?
If what McDowell said is true, there is no way that the Braves can keep him. When combined with what happened with John Rocker….(as well Bobby Cox being arrested for beating his wife back in 1995)…do you really think that the Braves want to risk being labeled as an organization that tolerates “racist, homophobic, anti-family, wife beating behavior” from it’s employees?
Hillbilly
April 28th, 2011
11:58 am
Hey, sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I’d never know ’cause I wouldn’t eat the filthy ****** ******.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
11:59 am
the daughters will remember the tension, stress and circus surrounding it and ALWAYS connect baseball with that feeling.
Maybe they should go to de-sensitivity training.
LTBF
April 28th, 2011
12:02 pm
Glad it seems all our bloggers from the south are ok after the storms.I live in NC and those sevire T storms with high winds and the Tornado watches sure are scairey.
abwright
April 28th, 2011
12:03 pm
Bat Masterson, April 28th, 2011, 11:36 am … “There was a brief passage about eating armadillos in “Alas Babylon” by Pat Frank. I was curious about what one might taste like after reading it, but not so much as to try it.”
Ah. The flavor of armadillos in the morning. Tastes like … leprosy!
Bat Masterson
April 28th, 2011
12:04 pm
Well, if nothing else, this has presented people with the opportunity to express absolute certainty about things which it absolutely impossible to be certain about.
DiamondbackMac
April 28th, 2011
12:05 pm
Lew
I imagine it’s a flight response that works well in the wild, but not so well on the highway.
Shaun
April 28th, 2011
12:05 pm
How could this cost us the season? I don’t see Chipper standing at the plate with a 3-2 count in the bottom of the 9th worrying about what’s going to happen to Roger. I think a true pro can over look these sorts of things. Hell, what ever it was Roger did say I bet most of the guys in the clubhouse have wanted to say the same thing to a fan at some point in their careers. I don’t think it’ll be a distraction.
Crazy, in spite of the constant reminders that “we’re dealing with humans,” I agree that major league players aren’t likely to get distracted much if at all by this at the point the ump says, “play ball.”
It’s more about the damage to the organization and the negative attention it brings to the organization
About players and coaches talking like this in private, that’s one thing. But threatening and saying offensive things to and in front of fans is a different story.
Bat Masterson, I think your point about free speech is well taken. Seems the government hasn’t afforded much protection to individuals who were fired due to something offensive they said. I guess the only thing I could say is that it brings up the question of when is saying something more than just speech.
I tend to think the government should protect individuals from any sort of harm that is brought about due to something they said. I realize that’s a much more liberal definition of free speech than has ever been applied.
But when your dealing with threats or damage to a brand, even if you take that liberal definition of free speech, I think you could argue that’s more than speech.
That’s the point I was trying to make.
Brava
April 28th, 2011
12:09 pm
Sadly, N8 is very correct in his 11:25 comments.
Jeff, If McDowell did what is alleged, I don’t see what is sad about N8’s comments. Let’s recap here– Allegedly, in front of other paying fans:
- McDowell responded to a group of three male hecklers by asking them if they were a homo couple or a threesome.
- He made crude sexual gestures with a bat and asked the guys if they took it up the @ss.
- In response to a father who reminded him children were present, he said children didn’t belong at effing ballgames.
4- He approached this same father menacingly with the bat and asked him how much his teeth were worth?
If all these things happened, McDowell should not be wearing a Braves uniform. I know many here are ready to poo-poo away the gay slurs simply because they are that, gay slurs. Many don’t give a crap about that part of it. While I don’t agree, I get it.
Realistically though, no evidence has been presented that the hecklers were gay, and if they were, it would not negate the fact that McDowell made the comments in an effort to demean and denigrate them. While it may be a stretch to say he is a homophobe, it’s probably not to say he is a small-minded bigot who has cast a poor light on the Braves organization, one that will, inevitably, lead to protests and loss of endorsements if McDowell’s services are retained. The Braves don’t need these distractions or the negative publicity.
As for the father and his children who witnessed this and were subsequently confronted with a threat, I read this morning in the SF Gate that the SF Police is looking into filing possible criminal charges. Whether that happens or not, I don’t see how the Braves keep this man on their payroll once this story makes it into the mainstream media, which is happening as I type. How are fans, who also happen to be parents, going to react? That’s pretty obvious.
Murph
April 28th, 2011
12:09 pm
Well, if nothing else, this has presented people with the opportunity to express absolute certainty about things which it absolutely impossible to be certain about.
Allow me to jump on this bandwagon then and tell you all about my amazing invention, bound to be the number one selling product of all time. Bigger than Shoedini, bigger than the Bedazzler.
I give to you…. drum roll please… the POOPMASTER 5000! A revolution in dog ownership. It’s a robot, not all that dissimilar to the Roomba vacuum cleaner robot, that patrols your backyard to pick up dog doody. No more shovel, no more having to clean out the treads on the bottom of your shoe with a stick. The Poopmaster 5000 will tirelessly patrol your back yard and clean up all of Fido’s smelly messes.
Again, I am 100% certain, absolutely, that this will be the biggest invention of our generation. Make checks payable to Murph… $500 each ought to do it.
TennesseePaul
April 28th, 2011
12:11 pm
On another note:
In the case of all four teams, the answer is a resounding, probably not.
–Dayn Perry
Can a “probably” clause really be “resounding”?
DiamondbackMac
April 28th, 2011
12:12 pm
Murph
Like I told the mortgage company, “The check is in the mail.”
Shaun
April 28th, 2011
12:14 pm
Definitely not another feeble offensive performance, Keith Law, on ESPN’s Baseball Today podcast, brought up the save rule. Basically he blamed the media. That’s hyperbole but there is some truth to it.
His point was that the reason most managers define a closer or a “9th-inning guy” because if they didn’t, the media would constantly ask. The save stat was invented by a sportswriter. And now it’s taken on a life of its on. It’s one of the few stats in sports that actually influences strategy to a ridiculously tremendous degree.
Anders
April 28th, 2011
12:14 pm
I knew McDowell was a bad egg when he hit Kramer with that loogie all those years ago.
YBF
April 28th, 2011
12:14 pm
Ok, this blog started off with one of those really great baseball stories, to which I was going to say “Shakin’” beats out “Sweet Caroline” any day, and I am waiting to sing it this weekend at the ballpark. The only other song I’ve heard that comes close is the conversion of “We Will We Will Rock You” to “We Will We Will Chop You (Chop You!)”
Unfortunately the McDowell thing put a damper on that. I really like McDowell’s coaching style, but I do not get this.
Bat Masterson
April 28th, 2011
12:18 pm
Bat Masterson, I think your point about free speech is well taken. Seems the government hasn’t afforded much protection to individuals who were fired due to something offensive they said. I guess the only thing I could say is that it brings up the question of when is saying something more than just speech. _ Shaun
When it is done n@ked in a club for money?
* Off the top of my head joke, okay.
CrαZy
April 28th, 2011
12:19 pm
Murph
Do you have any products that will shoot or taser the neighbors Dog when it poops on my lawn? Or better yet do you have anything that will shoot or taser the owner of the dog if the owner allows their leashed dog to poop on my lawn with out picking up the poop?
DC Braves Fan
April 28th, 2011
12:19 pm
Someone wrote earlier (I think it was Chill) that the homophobic slurs are getting all the attention and not the threatening of violence, which they think is what is going to get Roger in the most trouble. I do not agree. I think the hate speech is what is going to get Roger fired. The fact that he threatened a man will resolve itself in the court system. The hate speech is going to get settled in the court of public opinion.
Murph
April 28th, 2011
12:20 pm
I’m pretty sure Keith Hernandez was the the lone spitter… there was no second spitter on the grassy knoll.
TennesseePaul
April 28th, 2011
12:23 pm
it’s probably not to say he is a small-minded bigot who has cast a poor light on the Braves organization
Please. People are bei