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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
245 comments Add your comment
richbrave
August 31st, 2011
1:35 pm
98 – Forgot about LUGO. Was he the lefty specialist at the plate? Maybe he goes instead.
David O'Brien
August 31st, 2011
1:38 pm
Do we still have to make a move on the 40-man to add Diaz? — jim
No, Braves were at 39.
Peter
August 31st, 2011
1:40 pm
THE HITTIN’ FOOL IS BACK!! WELCOME HOME MATTY DIAZ!!!
I screamed with joy when I saw this, lol.
Stinger2
August 31st, 2011
1:40 pm
Seems to me the starting pitching rotation should be a greater concern right now. See Bradley`s blog today.
Heisenberg
August 31st, 2011
1:41 pm
Is Julio Franco next?
Memphis
August 31st, 2011
1:41 pm
RichBrave. Bourn is under control through 2012.
Biff Pocaroba
August 31st, 2011
1:44 pm
I hate that we have thrown up the white flag against the Phils
Before yesterday we were only 6 back w 6 games remaining w them. Anything can happen. If pitchers are struggling send them down or get them extra work when it doesn’t mean anything. Heyward should have been sent down awhile ago to get better…. he could help but not with his current swing. Get Minor Tehran, Delgado and Beachy all the starts they need at the majors, get them used to pressure. We will need them in the playoffs
gcs
August 31st, 2011
1:44 pm
Instead of congratulating Wren for this move you should be asking why he didn’t just give Diaz the $2 million back in December. Do you remember who the Braves started out with? Matt Young! After he flopped around Wren brought up Joe “The Beaver” Mather.
.
bravesgrl4life
August 31st, 2011
1:47 pm
I tend to agree with you, gcs. We never should have let MattE go. He would have been better than Young, Mather, etc.
M. Church
August 31st, 2011
1:48 pm
@ NIckB. You are correct sir. Anybody who wants to trade Heyward is out of their mind. He even said in the post game interview againts the Cubs thats it’s repetition. He’s not getting as many chaces now that Constanza is playing well. Not saying that Constanza doesn’t deserve the playing time, he does. JHeys not used to being a player off the bench. Oh and Welcome Back Matty D!
Bill
August 31st, 2011
1:50 pm
NickB..read!!!! DOB said he would be in uniform tonight.
The Pirates were as glad to get rid of Diaz as he was to leave….no power! No homers! just average 258 hitter…hope being back in Atlanta will help him get going. Otherwise no help for Braves.
Tomahawk
August 31st, 2011
1:52 pm
Awesome! I love Diaz!
Peter
August 31st, 2011
1:54 pm
2011 Matt Diaz=2010 Cody Ross
Mark it down.
59bulldawg
August 31st, 2011
1:55 pm
If he doesn’t figure out the problem soon, the player to be named might be JJ . . . especially if can’t keep the ball in the park. Just kidding folks! I like the guy a lot. Just frustrated! But we do need him to find his first half form again before the playoffs. Before Hanson went down and JJ’s troubles, I thought we had a decent chance to beat the Phillies if we got that far. Without Hanson, I still think we have enough young pitching talent to be a spoiler. But without Hanson AND JJ in the postseason rotation, unless Lowe can up his game, it’s gonna be tough.
Bill
August 31st, 2011
1:57 pm
@1;54=lol
BrandonW
August 31st, 2011
1:58 pm
Now let’s get Farnsworth and Keith Lockhart and then Bobby can manage again…this move is a waste of time. Diaz is terrible on defense and on the basepaths. He swings at everything…boo
DawgDad
August 31st, 2011
1:59 pm
So Wren gets Diaz back for the stretch run and playoffs and essentially didn’t have to pay his salary this year. Sweet. That said, his presence vs. lefties would have made a HUGE difference this year, and who knows where the Braves would be in the standings?
gcs
August 31st, 2011
1:59 pm
So when is Matt Diaz bobble-head night?
B)
The Dude Abides
August 31st, 2011
2:04 pm
Now its time to get Omar Infante to take lougies spot. Can play 3B, SS, 2B, 1B, LF, CF, RF
dawggone
August 31st, 2011
2:04 pm
Dawgdad..that would apply to any good RH hitter–”IF”—Wren had got one..not just Diaz.
Ralph
August 31st, 2011
2:08 pm
HELP*** Just checked the 40 man roster, Diaz is on it but I can’t figure who was removed from it, can anyone help me out.
Bill
August 31st, 2011
2:10 pm
no one..there were just 39 on it before we got Diaz. Check DOB@1:38
Ralph
August 31st, 2011
2:13 pm
Thanks Dave, didn’t see your post until I had posted.
Ralph
August 31st, 2011
2:17 pm
Moylan is not on the 40 man roster(60 day DL), when he is taken off the DL someone will have to be removed to put him back on the 40 man, could that be the player to be named later?
JeanE
August 31st, 2011
2:18 pm
For once this is the only tag that will apply:OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Frank Wren, you are forgiven, you have righted your wrong, thank you thank you thank you!!! I am so happy, for MattE and for the team, both. He is back where he belongs!!!! Now, I just hope he gets to play sometimes!!!!!! Welcome home, MattE!!!
Philly Phanatic
August 31st, 2011
2:19 pm
I’d be remiss if I didn’t congratulate the Braves for picking up Diaz. That pick-up certainly trumps the Phillies picking up Pence. By the way the latest up to the minute Vegas odds on NL champ.
Phila- 10-13
Milwaukee- 7-2
Atl.- 5-1
All you Braves fans who think they have a shot at winning pennant should make your way to Vegas, bet the Braves for $10,000 and return home with $50,000. The biggest reason Milwaukee is such a heavy favorite over Atlanta is your alledged strong suit, pitching. The article says your rotation is in shambles. The Braves also have the lowest batting average in baseball against lefthanded pitching. These odds are researched and account for every facet of the teams obviously.
It seems like Homeboy Simpson jinxed you. A few games ago he said IF the Phillies play .500 ball the rest of the way and the Braves go 22-10, they would tie. He said he thought the Braves 22-10 was a given and he had doubts about the Phils. Non-stop jabberjaws Glavine agreed. He made the statement during a 3-2 loss to the Cubs and the Braves have since gone 1-3. Phils have gone 2-1 in that stretch so now the Braves have to go 21-7 and the Phils, well do the math, it’s not good. Your pitching was alot more solid starter wise last year and they played an anemic team that i know we lost to also. Cody Ross had his career last year in a 4 week stretch. These odds are shaping up this way due to the fact the Brewers are on fire and let’s face it, Arizona is a joke. I think they went 1-8 on their swing through the east a couple weeks ago. May the best team win. I will say one thing outside the Phila/Atlanta box and that is starting next year the Nats are going to be on their way to juggernaut status and that does affect Phila and Atlanta. I am not being an obnoxious Philly fan with what I’ve written, it’s all fact but at the same time conjecture
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
August 31st, 2011
2:20 pm
This is just terrific news!
Can’t wait to see MattE again!
onthego
August 31st, 2011
2:23 pm
Matt Diaz…step up
Sean
August 31st, 2011
2:23 pm
Thanks for that update Philly, hope you took some time to look up those stats, I didn’t care to read more than halfway.
We’ll see you in the playoffs, wildcard or division. Just hope we don’t make your team look like fools.
Kane337
August 31st, 2011
2:24 pm
Welcome back Matty D!
JeanE
August 31st, 2011
2:26 pm
Someone probably mentioned this but on Buck & Kinkaid that said Braves only have 39 on roster currently, so MattE D makes 40. No one is dropped, nice & neat!!!
Another Clueless Braves Blogger
August 31st, 2011
2:27 pm
Philly Phanatic It’s going to be a treat watching the Phils fold in the playoffs again in 2011. Knock yourself out enjoying the best record in baseball (so far), and then try not to barf up that greasy cheese steak during the playoffs. Paste this to your forehead: “The Phils will be knocked out in the playoffs in 2011.”
Mcsavy
August 31st, 2011
2:31 pm
MattE grew up in Florida and continues to live there. He was born in Oregon, sure. But he went to grade school in FL, his entire family lives in Lakeland, FL. MattE and his wife Leslee live in Winter Haven, FL.
Welcome back MattE! So excited to have you back in the South
CBS
August 31st, 2011
2:35 pm
Sherrill to the DL, opens a spot for Diaz. Minor will be in the bullpen for a few days until his next start.
bravesgrl4life
August 31st, 2011
2:41 pm
I knew JeanE would be a happy girl with this news
I can’t wipe this 
off my face right now I am so happy.
JoeFan
August 31st, 2011
2:42 pm
If someone doesn’t light a fire under the Braves they might not even make the playoffs. They look like they are assuming they will be the wildcard and have nothing to play for until October. Well that 9 game lead can vanish very quickly if they go a losing streak and St. Louis or San Fran catches fire. Until the magic number is zero there is a chance for them staying home. The rotation is a shambles and their offense has disappeared. Fredi better start earning the big bucks. Its time to go to the whip and get this horse across the finish line.
DC Brave
August 31st, 2011
2:44 pm
We know one thing for sure….if some dude in a red spandex suit runs onto the field, THE DUDE IS TOAST! Great news…welcome back Capt Caveman!!!!
Jabroni aka Chimp Carey
August 31st, 2011
2:45 pm
Damn Phanatic! You have way too much time on your hands dude…
Patriot
August 31st, 2011
2:46 pm
Excellent! Good to have Matt back in the dugout.
Skeezix
August 31st, 2011
2:48 pm
Greg Norton—we will get back to you on your generous offer. You just sit by the phone and wait for a call from FW or FG. You may have to wait awhile.
Have to be patient with Heyward guys—it will pay huge dividends. Remember, while he looks older, he is actually very young.
PJ
August 31st, 2011
2:53 pm
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J.S.
August 31st, 2011
2:55 pm
Quit giving credit to FW for Diaz. It was my idea to get Matty back.
FW is too slow to think of something like that. In fact, right now he is in his office playing with his Lego toys.
dwayne
August 31st, 2011
2:55 pm
We wont catch the Phils, I’ve been telling you knuckleheads that for the past MONTH!!!!
Phanatic, you got Pence, great move, we got Bourne, great move, not sure what yall gave up, we gave up nothing much. Your bull pen is suspect, we got a young set up guy and a young closer. We have the edge there. Yalls line up looks much better than ours, but I like ours to have Constanza in it, manufactured runs might be the only way to have a shot. Your starters are just plain better. But, first things first, yall beat the dbacks, we beat the brewers and then we will see what happens. Go Braves(first)…Go Phillies(second) I cant lose!!!!haha!!! losers!!!
David O'Brien
August 31st, 2011
2:56 pm
“Headed back to Atlanta,” Diaz said on Twitter just while ago. “Enjoyed playing with the Pirate players so much. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited. Time to go back back home.”
NickB
August 31st, 2011
2:58 pm
We are going to make the playoffs. Jeez we win 12 of 15 nobodies here . and then lose 2 out of 3 and chicken littles come out of the woodwork…. This team is going to win around 93-95 games that’s gonna cinch the wildcard. The real key is getting our pitching healthy and rested and ready to go. We can beat the Brewers, heck one could say we have a knack for beating them. I’m more interested at how the Phillies are gonna feel when the D-backs put them out in 4 games !!!! lol
Hugo
August 31st, 2011
3:03 pm
Ralph
Nobody was taken off the 40 man. It was at 39.
NickB
August 31st, 2011
3:03 pm
I mentioned this on another one of DOB’s blogs yesterday, but am gonna repeat it now.
The Braves have not been winning by manufacturing runs or playing “small ball” since we got Bourn and Constanza.. The team has the 2nd most HR’s in the NL since the trade deadline. They have been winning by hitting the ball out of the park. The main difference has been that Bourn has gotten on base much better than Schafer at the top of the order which has created more chances for multi run homers and big innings. This team isn’t scratching out one run innings via the hit, steal sac bunt and sac fly…. They are scoring in bunches….. Small ball is generally a horrible waste of outs and leads to very few runs being scored. it doesn’t work. (oh and those about to bring up the old 70’s and 80’s Cardinals, they led the league in OBP and extra base hits….. the fact they stole a ton of bases didn’t hurt either. But they didn’t play “small ball” they put up multi run innings”
DC Brave
August 31st, 2011
3:04 pm
Does anyone have a good link to the “red man” incident?
DC Brave
August 31st, 2011
3:05 pm
Is Matty available tonight?
DawgDad
August 31st, 2011
3:07 pm
Philly Phlop’s post was a hoot. “May the best team win”, yeah, like that happens all the time.
I’m more concerned about the Braves offense than I am their pitching. I have a sense the team has subconsciously taken a breather, with some exceptions they just don’t look sharp. With their place in the standings and need to juggle pitching this month we may not see a fully focused and hungry team until the playoffs.
Gran Jen 1
August 31st, 2011
3:08 pm
Welcome home, Matty!
richie
August 31st, 2011
3:09 pm
now all we need is omar infante to reprise his role as chuck norris and well be on our way
Hugo
August 31st, 2011
3:10 pm
I think the stats getting used to disprove small ball are defunct. If you look at how a team scores most of it’s runs, it’s not gonna be small ball. Small ball is good when you need one run. It’s stupid to downplay the importance. Find me a MLB manager that doesn’t believe in small ball.
fuzzmeister
August 31st, 2011
3:12 pm
Now get Infante back too and let’s play some base ball ya’ll
Hugo
August 31st, 2011
3:12 pm
I don’t think it’s fair for someone on the outside looking in to judge a group of grown men’s focus…
Unless you’ve got one of those 3D tv’s that makes the players actually sit on the couch with you.
nique
August 31st, 2011
3:13 pm
Matty D – welcome back!
Largo
August 31st, 2011
3:16 pm
It’s interesting to see how many fans are so happy about Diaz returning to Atlanta. I wonder how long it will be before they’ll want him gone and be cussing Wren for being so dumb for bringing him back. Not long, I bet.
My Name Is Earl
August 31st, 2011
3:17 pm
The “Hittin Fool” is back! It seems like all is well with the world again!
joekill
August 31st, 2011
3:22 pm
welcome back matty whos roster spot will he take?
HMMMMMMMMM
August 31st, 2011
3:22 pm
So DOB is McLouth going to even play again this year? Do the Braves even want him too?
DC Brave
August 31st, 2011
3:23 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGc62b0d8sA&feature=related
Not best quality…but here is a great Matty D moment.
fuzzmeister
August 31st, 2011
3:23 pm
real fans never wanted Diaz gone Largo ain’t that fairly clear with all the open arms on the blog
atlantamelo
August 31st, 2011
3:25 pm
Just want to add my EXCITEMENT about bringing back Matti D. His enthusiasm as to how he plays the game will be a huge energy boost. Yeah, hopefully he’ll turn his own thrill about being back into some big hits for us the rest of the way, regardless of how he’s done with the Pirates. He is hitting .295 against lefties and that’s the need we’ve been looking to fill. WELCOME BACK MATTI. WE LOVE YA MAN!!!
J.S.
August 31st, 2011
3:26 pm
Like Dick “Darth Vader” Cheney was propping up W, I’m here having to prop up FW (and I wanted to retire in place). It is like baby sitting.
Skeezix
August 31st, 2011
3:29 pm
If memory serves me right, the Phillies fans went nuts/applauded after Matty tripped the infamous Redman— and always cool Matty tipped hit cap to them.
John Adcox
August 31st, 2011
3:30 pm
Anyone know who goes down tonight to make room for MD till tomorrow?
JohnnyHammersticks
August 31st, 2011
3:32 pm
Clubhouse Morale booster IMO
atlantamelo
August 31st, 2011
3:33 pm
DOB cleared that up for us not too long ago on this blog. We had 39 on the 40 man roster currently. Matt makes 40. He qualifies for post games.
Eagle Eyrie
August 31st, 2011
3:33 pm
Oh happy day!
Da Braves
August 31st, 2011
3:35 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUPEakmuROU
Welcome back, Matty D.
NO MORE PARRISH
August 31st, 2011
3:36 pm
Good bat off of the bench? Really? See if you guys think that when Captain Caveman strikes out in the playoffs while pinch hitting. Bringing him back makes no sense. Over Helms?
Braves just can’t let the good ol boys go away.
rudy
August 31st, 2011
3:37 pm
welcome back mr. diaz!
David O'Brien
August 31st, 2011
3:39 pm
Braves created roster space by placing George Sherrill on DL with left-elbow inflammation
Najeh Davenpoop
August 31st, 2011
3:39 pm
Why is Diaz hitting ahead of Freeman?
John Adcox
August 31st, 2011
3:41 pm
Thanks. I just read that about Sherrill. Wow. What, uh, luck.
atlantamelo
August 31st, 2011
3:41 pm
Yo, NO MORE, they took a flyer on Helms to see if he might find lightning in a bottle, same with Matti but Matti’s #’s are actually better even though not great. As you can see, most of us Braves fans are thrilled to have him back. Whom do you root for?
phil
August 31st, 2011
3:45 pm
NickB
August 31st, 2011
1:30 pm
Apparently the crazies come out on here this time of day………….. Really drop Heyward? Drop the 21 year old phenom who is having a very common sophomore slump and drove in our only 2 runs last nite?
Yeah, that’s smart………
*****************
They’re joking, Shaun…
Release Wayward…
ijudgenot
August 31st, 2011
3:45 pm
Other than Bourn, Wren has made no blockbuster trade. He has not done well in the free agent signings other than Hudson. and Uggla. Lowe,, KK,,Linebrink, and Sherril have been mostly a bust. What he has done in the last 2 years is not trade the talent in the minors for a one year rental. That alone makes him a great GM.
My Name Is Earl
August 31st, 2011
3:48 pm
No More Parrish, He may strike out just like A Gon, but at lest he does hustle. I don’t mind failure near as much, if at least you try!
phil
August 31st, 2011
3:49 pm
Fire FG…
jerry
August 31st, 2011
3:49 pm
It appears that by this bench building move Frank and Fredi are not card carrying members of the Flat Earth Society as were their predecessors. Now if Fredi can only refrain from carrying a third catcher, namely J———–
Memphis
August 31st, 2011
3:50 pm
ijudgenot,
Your facts are all messed up Hudson and Uggla were TRADES. Not “free agent signings”. O”Flaherty was a free agent signing. He turned out okay. Sherrill has not been awful. But compared to Venters, Kimbel and O he looks average. Which those are three of the top relievers in baseball. He doesnt have the money the Yanks, Phils or Red Sox have. Heck even the Rangers and Angels have more money. So yes he has done a great job.
David Allen
August 31st, 2011
3:50 pm
Welcome back Matty Diaz! Greatest player in the game! It’s nice to have my all time favorite player suiting up for the home team once again. World Series here we come (Matt Diaz = MVP of every playoff series)!
BravesfaninWis
August 31st, 2011
3:58 pm
If they send Constanza down, they are even dumber then I gave them credit for. You don’t just send down a speedster and a hot hitting younger guy who makes things happen in games because you get back Matt Diaz. Now don’t get me wrong, I like Diaz, but it his return better not be at the expense of Constanza.
Virginia Ranger
August 31st, 2011
3:58 pm
PTBNL no doubt is someone we never heard of like maybe Jon Adcox or Dave O’Brien
Hugo
August 31st, 2011
4:02 pm
Phanatic
Yes, you are being an obnoxious philly fan, and “a lot” is two words. “alot” is not a word. But thank you for looking up the Vegas odds for me. I had noticed that Philly had the best record in baseball all year, but wasn’t aware that made them hard to catch. This is golden stuff. You should post these gems on Philly’s blog.
ray
August 31st, 2011
4:03 pm
can’t afford his low salary either ? have to ask Bucs to throw in cash for a big 2 mill contract !. that means player we give will be better. but Wren insists budget is fine. (Obama says economy isn’t so bad also) . let him go as free agent for nothing, now have to lose a player to get him back. PTBNL
better not even be a mid level prospect.
Matty D
August 31st, 2011
4:03 pm
“I’m coming home, I’m coming home…tell the Braves I’m coming home.
Let my bat, find a way, to get some hits and avoid the Ks…
I know the play-offs await, 6 is gone now, but Freddi’s great…
I’m coming home…I’m coming home…tell the Braves I’m coming…home.
Braves #17 Fan
August 31st, 2011
4:07 pm
It’s possible for it to be the same exact time in Florida and Oregon. Anyone know how that’s possible?
Hugo
August 31st, 2011
4:08 pm
Some facts of life(although i could be wrong, somebody said there was an impending supernova)….
Most teams are usually going to have some guys in the pen that they don’t have to use much.
Take George Sherril. He doesn’t pitch much. In a perfect world where starters go 7-8 every night, he never pitches. You could pay for a better pitcher, but that’s the problem you have to PAY for it. So it’s the natural thing for staffs to have these kind of guys. Good relievers are not in abundance.
By the same token…
There will always be people who don’t get it that complain about it. We can no sooner eliminate one niche than the other. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like to replace him with someone better. Don’t know that i’d spend anything or trade anything with a chance of replacing him with Moylan, who “i” already pay.
Hugo
August 31st, 2011
4:09 pm
It’s possible for it to be the same exact time in Florida and Oregon. Anyone know how that’s possible?
Miller time?
Virginia Ranger
August 31st, 2011
4:20 pm
It’s possible that Agone cold hit a curve ball. Anyone know how that is possible?
Lots of Miller Times
Chief Knockahoma
August 31st, 2011
4:22 pm
DB – What are the chances of the Braves getting Zane Smith or possibly Claudell Washington once rosters expand?
Yawwwwwwwwwn....
August 31st, 2011
4:28 pm
Won’t help.
ohhhYEAH
August 31st, 2011
4:34 pm
Miguel Tejada DFA……he plays a little short stop right?
fuzzmeister
August 31st, 2011
4:41 pm
Infante in and all ’s well in ATL
Largo
August 31st, 2011
4:48 pm
Fuzz. . . Wait and see.
Gil In Mechanicsville
August 31st, 2011
4:49 pm
Can we send the Pirates Kawakami??? Please???
Matt Diaz to rejoin Atlanta Braves | Sportsrageous
August 31st, 2011
5:00 pm
[...] back to Atlanta,” Diaz wrote on Twitter. “Enjoyed playing with the Pirate players so much. But I’d be lying if I said I [...]
fuzzmeister
August 31st, 2011
5:12 pm
Largo- He can’t look any worse than everyone else did last night. It’s real hard to come back from a 4 run defecit. Why didn’t JJ stay out there for the whole 9? We were already so far behind no need in replacing him until we are down by 7 I guess.