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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5,810 comments Add your comment
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:23 am
macc, had what 19 doubles this season.
first of all the guy that hits in the 3 hole has to score when there is a double in the gap hit by the cleanup hitter.
Bat Masterson
October 15th, 2011
2:25 am
Sure thing N8.
Wren’s a pretty crafty guy so maybe he pulls something off. But it seems to me the braves either need to raise the budget or shed someone.
Lowe would be ideal
It’ll be interesting when the rumors start.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:27 am
mcfann, before you lay down the thunder, be gentle.
N8
October 15th, 2011
2:27 am
I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it.
If the philosophy of this team is to be a hack and jack team, then we need more “jack”.
So we either need more big bopper, high risk (strikeout) and high reward (30+ HR guys), up and down the lineup so we can play that style of ball, assuming that eventually on a nightly basis, one of them will come through with the 3run HR.
Otherwise there needs to be more OBP and speed guys. I’m not talking SB guys. I’m talking athletic guys that can allow Fredi to hit and run more, can take 2B on singles not hit right at outfielders, take 3B on routine singles, and score from 1B on doubles, along with scoring on MOST singles. How many times did we get hits with RISP only to have guys held up at 3B or thrown out at home?
I get the feeling from reading between the lines of Wren’s comments that he wants more speed and less hackers.
I think based on what Fredi did in Florida and how he stuck with Constanza for that stretch, that he too thinks that way.
We’ll see how it all shapes out.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:30 am
macc, is the perfect six hole guy.
so was javy.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
2:31 am
I agree that he makes quick decisions and follows through with alacrity , I would not agree that they are brash as a rule. I would classify most as pretty damn astute really.
Ward High Hopes back
October 15th, 2011
2:35 am
Hello every one! We let Agon go,and Hinske,and pick up a Johnny Damon for a couple of years. Chipper will be gone maybe in a couple of years,and Lowe as well. Thats when we get our hitter. We wait it out,and just get a couple of fill in rentals for now. Works for me.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:35 am
nolie, over under on macc hitting 260 dingers?
nolie
October 15th, 2011
2:36 am
So we either need more big bopper, high risk (strikeout) and high reward (30+ HR guys), up and down the lineup so we can play that style of ball, …N8
we were third in the league with homers and one of the two above us was Cincy with a hitters park, I do not believe we need another bopper. We were 13th in BA and 14th in OBP, that is our need IMO. Now a bopper with high OBP would be great but thet are not growing on trees nor likely cheap enough for us to acquire
Bat Masterson
October 15th, 2011
2:37 am
Just get pooholes, stick him in left and call it a day
nolie
October 15th, 2011
2:38 am
career numbers Uga? Yeah I think he will, he already has around 200 right?
nolie
October 15th, 2011
2:39 am
I second the motion Bat
Ward High Hopes back
October 15th, 2011
2:39 am
Bat why waste all the money? Sign Johnny Damon. He puts up solid numbers every year.
Ward High Hopes back
October 15th, 2011
2:40 am
Go rental,and think for a hitter the next two years.Remember Howard with all the money?
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:42 am
nolie 136. as i say that i look over my shoulder for that bird.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
2:43 am
johnny damon? not only is he older than dirt but he is a DJ now, which we do not have a need for
Bat Masterson
October 15th, 2011
2:44 am
Ward__
Its not my money and malone can’t take it with him when he dies. I think malone should buy pooholes and make me and nolie happy
nolie
October 15th, 2011
2:45 am
sorry I read dingers as doubles somehow Uga. Maybe because McFann is always talking about them in his name. Could get to 250 , yeah.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:46 am
nolie, javy 260.
dont go there with the hgh.
Bat Masterson
October 15th, 2011
2:48 am
Steroids
Ward High Hopes back
October 15th, 2011
2:48 am
What do you do with Freeman ,who has great promise?
Ward High Hopes back
October 15th, 2011
2:50 am
Johnny Damon a vetran,and puts up solid numbers,and would work until the Braves can save up some money for a big Bat,and we could get him cheap.He does play with high energy…..
Bat Masterson
October 15th, 2011
2:51 am
Ward__
We’re gonna play pooholes in left field. Should be fun. 800 runs here we come
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:51 am
nolie, what you think about jamie garcia of the cards?
love leftys that can put it on and off.
he is young but monster future.
the dead fish against rh’s is an out pitch.
Ward High Hopes back
October 15th, 2011
2:55 am
Can’t say for trying. Like Damon,and will still admire his great play…..
N8
October 15th, 2011
2:55 am
“we were third in the league with homers and one of the two above us was Cincy with a hitters park, I do not believe we need another bopper.”
I agree nolie. I’d much rather see better OBP guys up and down the lineup with speed to run the bases efficiently and make the most of the doubles and singles by scoring when they occur.
The only real thing that another HR hitter to be a legit cleanup hitter would do would be to make the lineup deeper. But that’s not my preferred philosophy.
Bat Masterson
October 15th, 2011
2:59 am
Well get somebody good, okay.
See y’all
Ward High Hopes back
October 15th, 2011
3:00 am
Bat have a good one buddy…..
Ward High Hopes back
October 15th, 2011
3:01 am
I want to wait a couple of years now.Focus on Zimmerman,and David Wright.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:03 am
mcfann, javy and andruw were my guys.
please dont get mad at me.
Ward High Hopes back
October 15th, 2011
3:04 am
If I could get a left fielder as of right now. Carlos Quentin,or Johnny Damon.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
3:04 am
I was a big Javy fan. I watched him every year coming up and liked him a lot, but Mac is better. The only ways in which Javy might have been better is that he might have blocked the plate better, he had a stronger arm thought he still wasn’t great at throwing out runners, and according to all my lady friends he was hot with a great butt.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
3:07 am
I could live with Quentin if I had to, I want no part of Damon his defense is shot and his arm is a noodle
Ward High Hopes back
October 15th, 2011
3:07 am
If you look at Mac,and Javy. They have pretty close numbers…..
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:08 am
javy, had bing dingers in the post season nolie.
one agianst clevland in the series. one against the cubs in nlds. one against the astros.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
3:12 am
day in, day out I take Mac, but like I said I liked Javy a lot
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:12 am
charlie o’brien was maddux’s favorite catcher of all time.
only because he threw the ball back quickly.
maduxx wanted the ball back immediately.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
3:15 am
Maddux also did not really like Javy’s game calling, another place where I think Mac is better
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:15 am
certain pitchers want it back fast. maduxx and javy never worked well.
greg wanted the ball back quick.
Ward High Hopes back
October 15th, 2011
3:16 am
Well, guy’s it’s been good! Tlk tomorrow,and peace………
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:17 am
nolie, maddux wanted the catcher to throw it back quick.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
3:19 am
true, but he also shook Javy off a lot when they did work together
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:24 am
nolie, i only say that because madduxx was the best i have ever scene.
he had a run in the late 90’s.
1993- 1998.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:27 am
five years and he did not touch
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:28 am
.270 era.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
3:28 am
Mad Dog was awesome, especially when you consider that he did not have an overpowering arm
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:28 am
Enter your comments here
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:31 am
in the dinger era. his numbers from 1992-1998 are stupid.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
3:32 am
I always loved those stories about Greg saying something like : “He’s gonna throw him a curve and the batter is gonna pop it up to third”
I heard that all the time, if it even happened just a few times it was impressive. All the guys I knew who were still around were in awe of him
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:34 am
1994-1995
1.56, 1.63. unreal.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:39 am
nolie actually it was at new york. leo trotted out an asked madawg.
how are you going to pitch posada.
gonna throw him one away and he will pop up to third.
leo came in the dugout and told bobby that. they both shook their heads.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:43 am
leo’s book about johny sain is worth a look.
also, leo and bobby have zero love about dave duncan.
Ward High Hopes back
October 15th, 2011
3:47 am
Before I call it a night, Who do you think will be in the World Series? I think the Rangers,and Cards,but I would like Tigers,and Cards World Series. Peace…….
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:48 am
nolie, madduxx did that in spring training.
would throw bagwell or biggio a pitch in kisiimee just to see if they would lean.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
3:50 am
nolie, great pitchers master the changeup.
it is their out pitch.
ncgary
October 15th, 2011
4:00 am
5156th
haggard
October 15th, 2011
5:43 am
nolie and Venice Jim
Yes; that look as she stands on the street corner with arms folded as she coyly asks to borrow the outfit, to which Hoffman says, “You’ll ruin it”. And Lange, riding the horse on the farm, then the scene in the kitchen–in slow motion, when she gives Dorothy a taste of what’s cooking on the stove– just before the flourish of the soundtrack piano–and pause– timed to her turning to put eggs on the table. All the while Stephen Bishop sings “it Might Be You” in the background; the same Stephen Bishop who had his guitar smashed by John Belushi in the stairwell on Animal House.
That’s great movie making by the late Sydney Pollack, who did a nice turn as Hoffman’s agent in the movie. Of course, Jessica won an Oscar for Best Supporting and Bishop’s “It Might Be You” was the number one song in the country.
And more Lange later? I liked her in Cape Fear and The Big Fish.
haggard
October 15th, 2011
5:53 am
nolie and Venice Jim
More on Tootsie: When Dorothy shows up at the Russian Tea Room, sits down beside Pollack, then leans in close to say, “It’s Michael Dorsey. Last time you got me a job as a tomato”, all while switching between Michael’s deep whisper and Dorothy’s high lilt. Pollack looks aghast, saying, “I begged you to get some therapy”. Tootsie has certainly held up well over the years.
Couch Tater
October 15th, 2011
7:07 am
The Land Report’s Top 100. John Malone is #1 at 2.2 million acres. Park adjusted, that’s about the size of Yellowstone National Park. From Land Report…
He’s adding cropland so that “we can go a little more vertical in cattle and produce more of our own feed and control costs better,” he says.
Look for another chopping cow at the top of Turner Field, next year. Moo!
CB
October 15th, 2011
8:08 am
N8 and Bat,if you check the bottom of Cots contracts for the Braves it tells you White Sox paid 3.5 million of his 5.5 contract.
Couch Tater
October 15th, 2011
8:09 am
I went on a You Tube trail and took a fork that was long and winding, but here’s the follow up..
The Doors – “Land Ho!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymi2kpF7Em0&feature=related
Brave New World
October 15th, 2011
8:18 am
I’d rather be in the Braves’ position than the Phils. We have one more year of (2) large contracts (Lowe and Chipper) and we then free up about $30 million. We are loaded with young pitching talent – think about this: Would you rather have Jurrgens, Hanson, Teheren, Delgado, Venters, Kimbrel, Beachy, Medlen, and Viscaino or just Cliff “$25 million” Lee? Lee is a very good pitcher, but he has folded in the playoffs the last two years. His strength is also his downfall: He almost always throws a first pitch strike, so hitters that jump on the first pitch usually rock him. Lee was supposed to put the Phils over the top in 2011, and instead they disappeared in the first round. BTW, while the Braves and Phils try to figure things out, watch out for the Nats – they finished about .500 and are on the rise.
McFann O O o
October 15th, 2011
8:41 am
Uga-brave first of all the guy that hits in the 3 hole has to score when there is a double in the gap hit by the cleanup hitter.
Well, you can’t get mad at BMac for that. He can’t help it that he’s always been a bit on the not-so-fast side…Fredi’s the one that shoved him into the 3-hole…
Lew
October 15th, 2011
9:09 am
Johnny Damon? I don’t know. He made over $5 mil last year, only got on base at a .326 rate and though he hit 16 HR in St. Pete, he won’t come vaguely close to that total in Atlanta. He has no arm. But he did steal a few bases.
McFann O O o
October 15th, 2011
9:18 am
Lew But he did steal a few bases.
Oh, HECK yeah! Sign him up…
Lew
October 15th, 2011
9:39 am
McFann – Channeling Coach, are we?
Efrim
October 15th, 2011
9:50 am
McCann is more than a 6th hitter.
Kat
October 15th, 2011
9:50 am
I went out last night with some friends I hadn’t seen in a few months who made sure to spend time poking fun at me regarding the Braves collapse. I thought we were past that point in the post season in regards to taking about what happened last month but I guess because they hadn’t seen me since the pre-Sept debacle it was free range.
Lew
October 15th, 2011
9:53 am
Kat – Aren’t you in upstate NY surrounded by Red Sox, Yankee and Mets’ fans with little room to talk?
VaBravesFan
October 15th, 2011
10:11 am
Our team has plenty of power, we dont need another bopper. But when looking at our outfield we really need more production. I think Prado and Heyward will improve next season but you never know. We know what were gonna get from Bourn.
Lew
October 15th, 2011
10:14 am
VaBraves – I think we know what we’ll get from Martin, too. Last year was the aberration due to that nasty injury. Sure hope Heyward gets it back together, though.
Lew
October 15th, 2011
10:16 am
But we will need someone to play left when Martin fills in for Chipper cause those knees of his aren’t going to get better. Not so sure Damon would want a part time job, anyway.
VaBravesFan
October 15th, 2011
10:24 am
Lew
Another thing with Prado do you think after trading for Bourn it kinda messed with his approach? With a guy like Bourn on-base you wanna give him a opportunity to steal the base. Prado had a good amount of ABs where swinging at the 1st pitch or swing on a 2-0 count. Just not used to having a bonafide base stealer in front of him? Also on Damon I think we should stay away. His numbers declined last season and got to DH alot. He’s a pretty bad defender too. He’s getting ready to turn 38. I also think he’ll want to stay in AL where he can DH.
McFann O O o
October 15th, 2011
10:27 am
Lew—
Gee, I dunno…am I…?
Efrim McCann is more than a 6th hitter.
RIGHT!! He’s a 5-hitter all the way!!
McFann O O o
October 15th, 2011
10:31 am
I guess number 4 not so bad anymore, either…
Josh Hamilton a Brave in 2013
October 15th, 2011
10:35 am
CF Bourn
3B Prado
LF Hamilton
2B Uggla
C McCann
1B Freeman
RF Heyward
SS Pastornicky
VaBravesFan
October 15th, 2011
10:38 am
We have to be prepared for Chipper not playing around 60-70 games. Like you said the knee’s are only gonna get worse and than all the other injuries on top of that. So are we comfortable rolling with Matty Diaz for that many games in LF? Are there any better options that we could bring in for this type of role?
Efrim
October 15th, 2011
10:39 am
I’d be really surprised if Hamilton leaves Texas.
HARRY KALAS
October 15th, 2011
10:41 am
GO PENN STATE
Efrim
October 15th, 2011
10:45 am
B.J. Upton, Victorino, Kemp, Byrd, Pagan, Hamilton, Bourn all free agents after 2012.
JFP
October 15th, 2011
10:45 am
Can’t imagine Hamilton leaving Texas either. But would like to see Freeman hitting second unless Heyward starts hitting again. Then, he would be ideal.
JFP
October 15th, 2011
10:46 am
At least with Bourn’s speed.
VaBravesFan
October 15th, 2011
10:47 am
JFP
I think Freeman belongs in the middle of the lineup.
CB
October 15th, 2011
10:49 am
JFP, I would like to know why you think Freeman should hit 2nd.
JFP
October 15th, 2011
10:50 am
Agreed if you have a no. 2 guy who can hit with someone else on base that could possibly steal a base. Otherwise you need someone who can be patient and battle with 1 or 2 strikes.
VaBravesFan
October 15th, 2011
10:51 am
Prado (when healthy) is your ideal No.2 hitter.
JFP
October 15th, 2011
10:52 am
Prado should be that person, but he appeared to be out of his comfort zone with speed on first base. I realize he had the staph infection, but he just didn’t look comfortable with Bourn on first. Looked like he was trying not to hit into a double play.
Lew
October 15th, 2011
10:53 am
VaBraves – NO, not really. A staph infection just saps your strength and he came back pretty fast from a serious injury that had longer term implications than most seemed to believe. I really don’t think his approach had much to do with it. Besides, we can always bat him lower in the order because Shaun has told us innumerable times that Heyward should hit second.
And maybe we need to see a team wide trend away from first pitch swinging.
Efrim
October 15th, 2011
10:55 am
Free agent outfielders after next season(ages on opening day 2013):
Ichiro Suzuki (39)
Andre Ethier (31)
Torii Hunter (37)
Carlos Quentin (30)
Delmon Young (27)
Josh Hamilton (32)
Michael Bourn (30)
Marlon Byrd (35)
Melky Cabrera (28)
B.J. Upton (28)
Shane Victorino (32)
Matt Kemp (28)
Angel Pagan (31)
JFP
October 15th, 2011
10:56 am
Lew, the last thing I would want to do is agree with Shaun, but if Heyward was batting .300 with a .380 oba, I would agree.
Skeeterleg
October 15th, 2011
10:56 am
fun read
Most Disliked Player in the History of Every MLB Team
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/870405-most-disliked-player-in-the-history-of-every-mlb-team
CB
October 15th, 2011
10:58 am
I sure am hoping that our new hitting coach will at least teach selectivity in his approach. Very frustrating to see hitters take pitches down the middle and swing at pitches out of strike zone. Prado was perfect example.
jeffrey d
October 15th, 2011
11:01 am
if Heyward was batting .300 with a .380 oba, I would agree
According to George, Heyward will be lucky to hit .100
jeffrey d
October 15th, 2011
11:02 am
Very frustrating to see hitters take pitches down the middle and swing at pitches out of strike zone. Prado was perfect example.
But how much of that is on the hitting coach? Prado’s not an idiot. And he’s been hitting for what…20 years?
JFP
October 15th, 2011
11:11 am
Very frustrating to see hitters take pitches down the middle and swing at pitches out of strike zone. Prado was perfect example
I believe it had more to do with not feeling comfortable with a speed guy on base. He was trying too hard to keep from hitting into a double play. It’s not like Bourn just took off on the first pitch. He was on his own and there were times when they had a hit and run on. It’s more complicated than you would expect, but with Prado being a perfectionist and trying so hard, he appeared to be lost sometimes.
CB
October 15th, 2011
11:14 am
Most of it goes on the hitter,of course. Hitting coaches can only help with the approach and hopefully catch flaws.
McFann O O o
October 15th, 2011
11:16 am
I GOT MY NEW FANN!!
jeffrey d But how much of that is on the hitting coach? Prado’s not an idiot. And he’s been hitting for what…20 years?
That’s along the same line as what Chipper said…he didn’t name any names, though, ’cause he was meaning the entire team…
Lew
October 15th, 2011
11:21 am
I think that his feeling uncomfortable had a lot more to do with his mechanics being totally fouled up because of his inactivity during his illness and the loss of strength made it harder to find his stroke again and to correct his mechanics.
JFP
October 15th, 2011
11:22 am
CB, I believe you are right. They didn’t get to this level because of a hitting coach. With all of the effort Prado put into hitting, there is not much a hitting coach is going to be able to do.
Lew
October 15th, 2011
11:28 am
I really don’t believe that most understand just how sick Martin was and the implications helf by that type of injury/illness. Forst, they wouldn’t let him out of bed for the first week or two and lying lat on your back causes leg muscles to waste away – quickly. In addition, it makes it harder to get back to normal and to regain your strength. It’s not unusual for a staph infection to take months to heal from.
Martin never got his leg strength back to normal (maybe a major reason for those DPs he hit into) and legs play a large part in a baseball player’s mechanics. Add to that the fact his stamina was nowhere near normal and you have a career .300 hitter looking lost at the plate.