Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5,809 comments Add your comment
McFann O O o
October 9th, 2011
3:14 pm
jeffrey d No, but they’re setting themselves up for the mosts overused headline since “Brave New World”
Ha! The other one they love is at the beginning of Spring Training: “Hope Springs Eternal”. Ugh…
Kat
October 9th, 2011
3:19 pm
Pretty good NY Times article on the advancement of women in sports and sports journalism….
“Even in a Locker Room Apart, an Undeniable Leap of Progress”
http://nyti.ms/nCJhZj
Bucky
October 9th, 2011
3:24 pm
Weird circumstance happend I want to share with you guys. I talked to an old friend who is also a friend of Jose Reyes’ agent. He told me, because he knows my baseball team is the Braves, that the Braves are after Reyes. Other teams will get involved obviously, but there’s no question in his mind Atlanta is hot on the trail. Not that I like Reyes and his character but he and Bourn at the top is sick. His health history and money demands are obvious question marks. Interesting note again – Scott my friend says Atlanta is hell bent on dealing Lowe and aren’t demanding other teams to pay most or all his salary…..they just want him out asap.
Guys, don’t be surprised if we do get Reyes. Braves can make this happen somehow, some way and it seems to me they do want this guy pretty bad.
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
3:28 pm
Guys, don’t be surprised if we do get Reyes. Braves can make this happen somehow, some way and it seems to me they do want this guy pretty bad.
Cool. Boosting payroll to $115 million?
jim
October 9th, 2011
3:31 pm
I don’t think the Braves as currently constituted with a patch or two are legitimate contenders in 2012. The Phillies may never win that 2nd title, but they are still formidable over 162 games, and the Nats and possibly the Marlins are on the rise. This team is a contender for a playoff spot, but no more. I think they should plan for 2013 and beyond — Make the following moves
1. Trade McCann for young players or prospects — McCann is not a strong defender, is at the peak of his performance and value, may have vision issues, has no backup position when he is no longer a full-time catcher. There should be no question of extending him beyond 2013, and he will bring back more in return now than later (trade Mac for OF and/or 3B and pitching help — target either Arencibia or Arnaud of Toronto in a separate trade)
2. Trade Prado (to Toronto as above?) — He has no appropriate position with this team and is becoming more expensive to keep.
3. Make a decision on Bourn. If there is little prospect of keeping him, trade him now.
4. Is the “Terd” a legitimate prospect? If yes, can we find him a new position (LF?)
5. Uggla is not the answer. Can he be moved is the question?
The Jones-McCann Braves have achieved about as much as they are going to. Winter 2011-12 should be used to get a post-Chipper team in place for 2013
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
3:31 pm
Pigs flying
Bucky
October 9th, 2011
3:32 pm
Whatcha wanna bet John Sheurholz steps in a bit more than he probably has the last few seasons after this horrid collapse and works his rear off with Wren to make a blockbuster trade or signing? I just see that personal letter he sent to the fans as a sign that not only are he and Wren disgusted, but would like to pay the fans back in someway with something like a Reyes signing. Braves don’t send apology letters to fans. Tight lipped and behind the scenes like no other organization. Something is going to happen. They are unhappy to say the least.
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
3:35 pm
Surrender monkeys
McFann O O o
October 9th, 2011
3:36 pm
jim
1. Trade McCann for young players or prospects — McCann is not a strong defender, is at the peak of his performance and value, may have vision issues, has no backup position when he is no longer a full-time catcher. There should be no question of extending him beyond 2013, and he will bring back more in return now than later (trade Mac for OF and/or 3B and pitching help — target either Arencibia or Arnaud of Toronto in a separate trade)2. Trade Prado (to Toronto as above?) — He has no appropriate position with this team and is becoming more expensive to keep.
There.
Steve from OH
October 9th, 2011
3:37 pm
Whatcha wanna bet John Sheurholz steps in a bit more than he probably has the last few seasons after this horrid collapse and works his rear off with Wren to make a blockbuster trade or signing?
Maybe, but his role would be to try to find more money for the club. I doubt he’ll be overly involved in personnel decisions. Wren has done a very good job during his tenure, even with the collapse of this season. JS doesn’t need to step in and manage that part of the team. I don’t always agree with Wren, but if I were a club looking for a GM I’d have no problem hiring him, and I bet he’d be scooped up pretty quickly if we did (foolishly) let him go.
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
3:43 pm
Not to mention they have two SS prospects that they like a lot in Tyler Pastornicky and Andrelton Simmons.
McFann O O o
October 9th, 2011
3:44 pm
Besides, if BMac is as crummy as all that, why should any other team want him?
Bucky
October 9th, 2011
3:45 pm
Well they almost have to get somebody in that lineup to somehow boost it up a little. Chipper is right that there are so many young guys and it’s hard for them to carry a team when they’re learning the ropes. It’s also bad for their development. McCann and Uggla let the team down as it needed them the most and another injury riddled time for Chipper hampered his gap, homerun power the last month. So you have people bashing Heyward for being prone to injuries anyways and also learning the big show. Not fair. So get a proven hitter in that lineup to hopefully balance things out if/when more than one struggles when you need them most.
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
3:47 pm
What team would want a catcher with fat eyes, McFann
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
3:49 pm
Seattle AND Arizona could be 1-4 before the Niners take the field at home in San Fran with a chance to be 4-1 and three games up 5 weeks in…..
Steve from OH
October 9th, 2011
3:49 pm
So get a proven hitter in that lineup to hopefully balance things out if/when more than one struggles when you need them most.
I don’t disagree with your post persay, but I would add that in my view, I think our lineup is very good and while adding a good hitter is never a bad thing, we don’t have a dire need in my view. An everyday LF would be preferable, but not a necessity. In any case, I think our problem lay more in the fact that everyone was either hot or cold all at once, as opposed to any one particular person’s fault. Kinda fluky, IMO.
P'cola Brave
October 9th, 2011
3:52 pm
Of course the Braves have interest in Reyes. We have a hole at SS and Reyes is a difference maker. He fits the description of the players Wren is looking for. One problem. He is really expensive and would require some money moving or upping the payroll over 100 mil. Not likely to happen, especially after such a low attendance year for the Braves.
Steve from OH
October 9th, 2011
3:52 pm
Department of Redundancy Department…ugh.
Steve from OH
October 9th, 2011
3:56 pm
Reyes is a good player and all that, but he’s one of those guys you can never see yourself rooting for, isn’t he? Like Victorino.
McFann O O o
October 9th, 2011
3:56 pm
Bat M. What team would want a catcher with fat eyes, McFann
I know, right? Sheesh…maybe the bum should just retire while he’s still barely ahead…
McFann O O o
October 9th, 2011
3:57 pm
Steve from OH @ 3:56—
Exactly.
keylargo
October 9th, 2011
4:07 pm
Bad week for Phillie. Phils out and Eagles are going to lose.
T for Texas
October 9th, 2011
4:12 pm
What team would want a catcher with fat eyes, McFann
If he could only stick to his d-eye-t.
P'cola Brave
October 9th, 2011
4:18 pm
Steve from OH
Exactly. Reyes and Victorino are the two players I dislike more than anyone. Except A-Rod.
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
4:23 pm
Wow. Ryan Braun is good.
jeffrey d
October 9th, 2011
4:24 pm
Anybody else hear the TBS announcers (Smoltz included) call Molina the “premier” catcher in the National League? I’ll bet McFann’s on her way to go all Barbara Dooley on them now.
T for Texas
October 9th, 2011
4:25 pm
That warning was BS.
jim
October 9th, 2011
4:25 pm
Sorry McFann,
I’m not syaing trade McCann because he is crummy. I’m saying he has more value for the Braves in trade NOW. A McCann-Jones-Prado team might be competetive, but it will not be a team with any playoff success.
Bravefaninok
October 9th, 2011
4:26 pm
Braun hits one to downtown Mil. then Garcia beans Fielder….This could get Ugly
keylargo
October 9th, 2011
4:27 pm
An everyday LF would be preferable, but not a necessity.
They’ll talk about it just out of habit. We’ve been promised a Big Bat in LF since 2008. We actually had the money allocated back then but signed or traded for Kawakami, Lowe and Vazquez and we only needed two of them.
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
4:29 pm
Hum, 49′ers game here
T for Texas
October 9th, 2011
4:30 pm
Either issue the warning before the first pitch of the game is thrown–if you want to be preventative, or issue the warning after the retaliation beaning.
It would be better to just let the teams police the game, old style. It’s not like there were fights in every other series before the warning rule. It’s a rarity, but a reality of the game.
jfp
October 9th, 2011
4:32 pm
Victorino and Reyes probably wouldn’t be as successful without that chip on their shoulders. That could be what gets them fired up. They are spark plugs. And as hard as it is to cheer for someone in our division, if they were on our team, we would all be cheering. They bring a lot to the table.
jeffrey d
October 9th, 2011
4:33 pm
But McCann brings a lot to the table too
jim
October 9th, 2011
4:33 pm
Bucky,
The young guys were mostly the pitchers. The lineup had 2 young guys — Freeman and Heyward.
Heyward actually played better during the last 3 weeks than he had for the previous 3 months.
Bourn, Prado, Chipper, Uggla, Mac, —. Gonzo, —, (pitcher) Is NOT a very young lineup.
The bench Ross, Hinske, Conrad, Wilson, Diaz, and even Constanza were not young either.
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
4:34 pm
I would expect reyes to be a fouled spark plug more often than not
jfp
October 9th, 2011
4:36 pm
jeffrey d, agreed. Mac is my favorite player.
Couch Tater
October 9th, 2011
4:36 pm
The first time in 29 years, a team from the State of Florida isn’t in the AP Top 25.
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
4:36 pm
I’m betting he does not leave much on the table though
T for Texas
October 9th, 2011
4:37 pm
But McCann brings a lot to the table too
Blatant set-up.
jeffrey d
October 9th, 2011
4:38 pm
Blatant set-up.
And Bat spikes it!
keylargo
October 9th, 2011
4:39 pm
But McCann brings a lot to the table too
Yeah, but he leaves nothing but a tip.
T for Texas
October 9th, 2011
4:39 pm
Nice team play, fellas.
jeffrey d
October 9th, 2011
4:40 pm
oooh, but keylargo returns the spike with a diving save!
jeffrey d
October 9th, 2011
4:42 pm
hm, although I suppose keylargo’s on my team here so that wouldn’t make much sense
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
4:44 pm
Pick 6 for Carlos Rogers! 14-3 Niners!
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
4:45 pm
I have no idea what they are talking about, McFann.
I was talking about reyes greed.
Soph
October 9th, 2011
4:46 pm
McFann is plotting revenge on all of you.
Lew
October 9th, 2011
4:48 pm
“Such a low attendance year for the Braves.” Well……..considering the economy
2009 – 2,373,631
2010 – 2,510,721
2011 – 2, 372,910
Seems to be pretty steady attendance to me. Not all that drastic a decline.
jeffrey d
October 9th, 2011
4:48 pm
Bat, if that really is a coincidence then that makes it about 10x funnier than what it was originally. And it was already funny.
jfp
October 9th, 2011
4:48 pm
jeffrey d, if that was sarcasm, then you would probably be saying that he doesn’t leave anything on the table also. Any way, Mac is a great player and works hard. We saw him struggle for the first time this year without him or anyone else saying he had problems that caused it. I would be surprised if he had a similar melt down again. He may have been trying to play through the oblique injury. And it is hard to fault him for that. If Ross had not struggled while he was out, he would not have tried to get back so soon.
jeffrey d
October 9th, 2011
4:49 pm
Nah, she’s too busy plotting her revenge on the TBS announcers
Lew
October 9th, 2011
4:49 pm
I’m pretty certain those attendance figures put the Braves at 15th out of 30 teams in attendance each of those years as well as 15th of 30 teams in payroll for the same years.
jeffrey d
October 9th, 2011
4:49 pm
jfp – I intentionally left it open-ended.
But in all seriousness, McCann is one of my favorite players
jeffrey d
October 9th, 2011
4:51 pm
That’s a loss of 1689.02 people per game between last year and this year.
So that’s 1689 people and a newborn per game.
T for Texas
October 9th, 2011
4:52 pm
So you will all know what is behind it when you are attacked by a flock of wrens who are chirpirng tunes from the Music Man.
Peter
October 9th, 2011
4:53 pm
Gotta Love the Philly “Dream Team “. Con-grad’s to all Philly fans !
jeffrey d
October 9th, 2011
4:54 pm
I at least figured there’d be a turtle involved
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
4:55 pm
I’m in the clear
abwright
October 9th, 2011
4:55 pm
Wren has made good moves and bad moves. However, the team he put together this year was pretty good. “The collapse” was a bit inexplicable.
The GM is responsible for the hiring and firing of the manager. I’m not sure if GM or manager hires the coaches, but I suspect that Wren has over-sight on this issue.
If the Braves go through another lethargic April and Wren doesn’t make a personnel move, I suspect that his job will be in jeopardy.
That was my only real quibble with how Wren performed his job function in 2011. The hitting woes were present from day one. The lack of experience of LP was evident from day one. By the time that “the collapse” hit, it was too late to do anything about it. But, Wren should have stepped in around the all star break and resolved that situation.
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
4:57 pm
Nice mixture, T
T for Texas
October 9th, 2011
4:59 pm
Gracias, Bat.
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
5:00 pm
I’m pretty certain those attendance figures put the Braves at 15th out of 30 teams in attendance each of those years as well as 15th of 30 teams in payroll for the same years.
Pretty sure you are correct, or at least, close to it.
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
5:01 pm
LP was Wren’s hire
Lew
October 9th, 2011
5:02 pm
The rpoblem with fixing things at the All Star break is that a large part of the first half’s problem was Uggla’s terrible streak, Heyward not performing and Prado being out of the lineup. However, Uggla went on his tear right around the All Star break and Prado had returned and they weren’t ready to sit Heyward- not to mention that the Braves were winning. So what was Wren going to do at that point?
The September swoon was due to McCann never returning to form after his injury when he had been red hot prior to it and Prado not hitting. If Ross was not played more for Mac and no one put in instead of Martin, how was this Wren’s fault?
McFann O O o
October 9th, 2011
5:06 pm
T for Texas So you will all know what is behind it when you are attacked by a flock of wrens who are chirpirng tunes from the Music Man
jeffrey d Anybody else hear the TBS announcers (Smoltz included) call Molina the “premier” catcher in the National League?
Oooo!! Why those little pipsqueaks!! I will concentrate on tearing them apart!!…
And Smoltz had BMac as his personal catcher…SOME friend!…
Lew
October 9th, 2011
5:06 pm
Don’t mean to throw the collapse all on Mac and Martin, though – it was a team wide slump. Nothing Wren could do about it that late in the year.
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
5:10 pm
Signing Tom Glavine to a one year deal after the 2007 season and giving the Mets a first round pick was my most hated move that Wren made. Screwing up with signing starters happens to everyone. I’m just glad the guy has never given a reliever a multi year contract. That is inexcusable for a mid-market team and he’s done a great job with that.
Also made two great trades involving Javier Vazquez. And nabbed Jair Jurrjens for Edgar.
Lew
October 9th, 2011
5:14 pm
And Wren is also very good at picking up waiver wire claims like O’Flaherty and Varvaro, too.
Lew
October 9th, 2011
5:16 pm
And the deal for McNate SHOULD have been a good one.. I seriously doubt anyone thought Nate would perform to the level he did for his entire tenure in Atlanta – for whatever reason.
McFann O O o
October 9th, 2011
5:16 pm
Bat M. I have no idea what they are talking about, McFann.
SURE you didn’t…
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
5:17 pm
Whoops
McFann O O o
October 9th, 2011
5:19 pm
jim A McCann-Jones-Prado team might be competetive, but it will not be a team with any playoff success.
Why not?…I bet if Chipper and Prado had been able to play in the 2010 playoffs, the Braves woulda kicked butt…
They will this year.
McFann O O o
October 9th, 2011
5:19 pm
I’m watchin’ you, Masterson…always watchin’…
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
5:25 pm
I have no issues with the McLouth trade. He also made good signings with Saito and Glaus – for as long as they could go.
And, he has kept ALL of our elite prospects. Which will hopefully pay off in the coming years with cheap pitchers – allowing them to spend on position players(since they have little at the minor league level).
keylargo
October 9th, 2011
5:25 pm
Lew – I have looked and looked and never could find a reason the Mariners released O’Flaherty. He had some awesome stats in the minors and unless they were trying to sneak him in and protected someone else, it made no sense to release him.
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
5:25 pm
Ha, I’m sure you are.
That whoops was for the 3 run homerun, not a confession.
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
5:29 pm
That sucks. Really hoping for a Brew Crew win this series. Rooting for Texas too. Pretty much, as long as the Cards don’t win.
Ward High Hopes back
October 9th, 2011
5:31 pm
Hello everyone! Good job to Seattle,tough loss,but Giants are starting to look better,except for the last play. I want Reyes with the Braves,and will welcome him.15 triples,and all those stolen bases.High energy player,and yes…….
Ward High Hopes back
October 9th, 2011
5:32 pm
All those bashing Mac, knock off the crap. He will be back…..
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
5:35 pm
Texas/Detroit game postponed. Since when does rain so much in Texas?
Ward High Hopes back
October 9th, 2011
5:36 pm
I like Chipper,but he should retire after this year,and let Prado have third base.Will respect Chipper,but in my view should should hang it up.
McFann O O o
October 9th, 2011
5:40 pm
Bat M—
Yeah right…
Ward High Hopes back
October 9th, 2011
5:45 pm
Lew: I would say it was little bit of everyone,not just one guy on the meltdown. Eveyone’s to blame,or you could say the Cards were on a roll,and got hot,and the Braves were not.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. FAILED)
October 9th, 2011
5:46 pm
Reyes, Victorino????
Victorino I admire, the guy’s a gamer and winner. Reyes has had recent leg issues but he’s still an incredible catalyst when healthy. That said, Victorino is under contract and Reyes will end up getting overpaid. So I’m not convinced that our Braves have any realist chance at signing Reyes.
Bravefaninok
October 9th, 2011
5:47 pm
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
5:35 pm
Texas/Detroit game postponed. Since when does rain so much in Texas?
The last 2 days we have got more rain than all year….I am3 hrs N. of Arlington,We have a Burn Ban and could not even have outdoor BBQ or Fireworks for 4th of july this year.
haggard
October 9th, 2011
5:48 pm
David O’Brien
Just checking in before spending a couple of days on the farm,( where we’re too rural for internet) and just wanted to say thanks for all you do. But I will check in when I journey to the library in the next closest town: Royston, Georgia, home baseball’s immortal Ty Cobb.
“He’s done a day’s work. Fix a fire”.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. FAILED)
October 9th, 2011
5:48 pm
Brian McCann’s defensive game suffered behind the plate because he wasn’t healthy after returning from the DL. I blame Fredi completely for the circumstances surrounding Mac’s health.
Ward High Hopes back
October 9th, 2011
5:49 pm
Hell, I don’t care who they get for SS,as long they are better than Agon.
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
5:50 pm
Bravefaninok, that stinks. Looks like I’ll have to watch Sunday Night Football. Two games tomorrow, though.
Bravefaninok
October 9th, 2011
5:51 pm
Braun just went Full beast mode…2 run gr double.
Bat Masterson
October 9th, 2011
5:52 pm
Damn brew crew……….. Boom
Rob from SC
October 9th, 2011
5:52 pm
That comeback happened real fast…single…double…double…HR.
As a Braves fan, I didn’t know you were allowed to score 4 runs in an inning
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
5:53 pm
Heck yeah, Brewers!
And the Niners score….again. 31-3.
Ward High Hopes back
October 9th, 2011
5:53 pm
Here’s my top players
1. Reyes
2. Scutaro
3. Quentin,would at least like two of these ……
Bravefaninok
October 9th, 2011
5:54 pm
We need the rain ….Sorry for any inconvenience.
T for Texas
October 9th, 2011
5:54 pm
Ward, you and Murph really like the same players.
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
5:55 pm
As a Braves fan, I didn’t know you were allowed to score 4 runs in an inning
Yeah, two beast offenses we’re watching here.
Ward High Hopes back
October 9th, 2011
5:56 pm
Murph,and I have a brain……
Efrim
October 9th, 2011
5:57 pm
We need the rain ….Sorry for any inconvenience.
No prob, rather two games on a Monday when there is nothing else on.