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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,555 comments Add your comment
Chris from the Rock
November 1st, 2011
12:13 am
Let’s go get some offense Frank.
DHD
November 1st, 2011
12:14 am
A GREAT first day.
bozz
November 1st, 2011
12:17 am
I second that, a solid bat would be a welcome addition.
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:18 am
I was just getting started on my nightly “i’m the only one on the blog” rant. Leave it to DOB to mess that up
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:19 am
Even though he apparently doesn’t want to answer my twitter questions…
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:20 am
Bat-
Regarding your question from the old blog-
It is much easier to type without a fork full of ice cream
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:27 am
Did everyone leave again?
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:29 am
Mud pie is heaven in a bowl
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:39 am
Mud pie consumed. Nobody is talking to me. So I will post random [expletive deleted] until someone does
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:40 am
Steve Young is wearing a pink shirt with an orange tie
bart
November 1st, 2011
12:40 am
Any Braves regulars playing winter ball?
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:40 am
I actually like them both, just not together
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:40 am
Bart doesn’t count, since he is not a regular. No offense, Bart.
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:41 am
And I think Marteen plays winter ball every year
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:41 am
Waiting for VJ to get home
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:42 am
I keep forgetting today is Halloween
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:42 am
Trent Dilfer is ranting.
Bat Masterson
November 1st, 2011
12:43 am
” I knew her well. Or so I thought”
Ha! that sounds familiar.
Good read, DOB. Thanks
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:43 am
I can’t believe Matt Cassel is a starting quarterback in the NFL. If he was half this good in college…he still would not have played that much
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:43 am
DAMN IT BAT!!
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:44 am
Steve Young just said “rue this day” on Monday Night Countdown
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:45 am
How does Matt Cassel still have a job in the NFL?
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:45 am
I do like him, by the way
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:45 am
I’m bored
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:46 am
Y’all are going to have to read my posts for another 25 minutes at least. VJ won’t be home until at least 10:15
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:46 am
Maybe I will go to bed. Where did Tiger go?
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:47 am
Then again, I can sleep in tomorrow so I can stay up a bit later
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:47 am
Lucky for you all I am out of wine
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:48 am
Isn’t it about time for Vampire Tom to show up?
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:48 am
VAMPIRE TOM!!! I’M BORED!
Bat Masterson
November 1st, 2011
12:48 am
Whoa………..mud pie makes cab yell at innocent bystanders
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:49 am
Only at 13…need to work harder
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:49 am
Bat-
Not yelling AT you. And you are hardly innocent.
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:50 am
Mud pie is soooo good
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:51 am
Lucky for you all VJ is on his way
glorydays (from SF)
November 1st, 2011
12:52 am
Wonder if McClouth was a roid victim?
glorydays (from SF)
November 1st, 2011
12:53 am
Hope we can sign Bourne, if not Michael then Jason
glorydays (from SF)
November 1st, 2011
12:55 am
Also like for us to get Parra from the Diamondbacks for LF, the guy is an animal defensively
Bat Masterson
November 1st, 2011
12:55 am
Simply offering kudos to DOB, not trying to break your streak, cab. So innocent in that regard.
ccrider
November 1st, 2011
12:56 am
cabravesfan: The entire blog is in shock from the Derek Lowe trade! Some can’t believe another team wanted him, some can’t believe we have $5 million to spend for improving the team , but most of all we just can’t believe we don’t have to watch him pitch for the Braves again!
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:56 am
Bat-
uh huh. If you say so
glorydays (from SF)
November 1st, 2011
12:57 am
And a SS that can hit situationally, I’d rather have Jack Wilson than Gonzo.
DS1
November 1st, 2011
12:57 am
McLouth was not a roid guy, in my opinion. But he had some injury issues and supposedly played with a sports hernia.
Maybe the real story will come out in a few years.
I hope we don’t get in too big of a hurry to sign Bourn to a long contract (btw, you misspelled both last names………..). That could be a mistake.
Players that rely on their speed often time have little to nothing when their speed diminishes.
Besides, he was only average at best with the bat after coming to ATL.
cab
How ya been? Any news in the past few days on nolie?
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:58 am
I just can’t get away from it- even SportsCenter mentioned Kim Kardashian…
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:59 am
DS1-
Only news I’ve seen is that nolie is improving slowly. Which is good. Hopefully he will feel up to stopping by to say hi at some point in the near future
DS1
November 1st, 2011
12:59 am
Jack Wilson is Alex Gonzalez with no power and a lesser glove. (not much, but less)
And Wilson hasn’t played starters innings in several years.
No thanks.
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
12:59 am
I’ve been good. You?
Bat Masterson
November 1st, 2011
12:59 am
I can’t imagine the situation jack wilson could hit in.
glorydays (from SF)
November 1st, 2011
1:00 am
Eithier could be a possibility, not sure of the clubhouse prescence tho.
DS1
November 1st, 2011
1:00 am
Who is Kim Kardashian? I’ve heard the name, but I don’t know anything about her??????????
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
1:00 am
DS1-
You are better off not knowing.
glorydays (from SF)
November 1st, 2011
1:03 am
Just want a SS thatcan and will hit to the off-field and earns his stats consistently rather than in bunches. My spelling is not to be relied upon, plus didn’t know I was being graded.
glorydays (from SF)
November 1st, 2011
1:04 am
Kim is an ass.
DS1
November 1st, 2011
1:04 am
Been great. Busy. Changed jobs back in March. Area of coverage increased. Travel doubled. Not as much blogging time.
My youngest comes home a week from Thursday from boot camp and MP training. I am pumped.
Kinda bummed out today. Found out a fellow we knew from 10 years ago (oldest son was the best friend of his son) was one of the Americans killed in Afghanistan a few days back. He was a private contractor working on putting armor on vehicles. He was a welder.
Was over there because he wanted to make some good $ for a few years so he could retire early. Leaves a wife and 2 grown children. Real downer.
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
1:05 am
Sorry to hear that, DS1. Always tough when something like that happens.
Bat Masterson
November 1st, 2011
1:06 am
I guess the Lowe deal has left Ward speechless.
Gotta go.
Peace, y’all
Bat Masterson
November 1st, 2011
1:09 am
Hate to hear that, Wayne.
Bat Masterson
November 1st, 2011
1:12 am
Good news on your son though, Wayne
kevin from columbus ga
November 1st, 2011
1:14 am
There is not an article in the world that can get me to drink the Braves kool-aid again…The braves have a long time before they win their fans back. The first opportunity will be october of 2012.
cabravesfan
November 1st, 2011
1:16 am
Time for bed.
Good night all!
DS1
November 1st, 2011
1:21 am
glory days
Not grading, just making an observation……….
kevin from columus
You’re either a fan or you’re not. It’s simple, really. Nobody here is trying to force any “kool aid” on anybody.
We’re just fans. Reading our beat writers’ (excellent) blog. Making observations about our team.
If you’re a fan when they win, well so be it. Most of us are fans come rain or shine.
Venice Jim
November 1st, 2011
1:25 am
DS1 – people like you who enjoy baseball because it’s a great game and don’t realize what an abject failure the entire season is if it is not validated by winning the World Series make me shake my head in wonder…
DS1
November 1st, 2011
1:33 am
VJ
How ya been?
It bothered me more before I had a wife and kids. Now it’s great entertainment, but not my life. (although my better half might disagree once in a while……….).
Venice Jim
November 1st, 2011
1:38 am
DS1 – I am good (save for a bit of lower back tenderness) – just got in from a long night of academic endeavoring. Was not expecting today to be a newsworthy day, but caught the big news on my Twitter feed while working with a guy on stats this morning – nice to never be far away from what’s happening…
Venice Jim
November 1st, 2011
1:39 am
And I am off to bed – talk to you later…
DS1
November 1st, 2011
1:40 am
but this September collapse was hard even for a positive guy like me to deal with………
nite folks.
Say a prayer for the Acerra family from Pennsylvania tonight…… Tony was my age.
N8
November 1st, 2011
1:41 am
cab, back of my Chiefs. LOL.
That was one helluva ugly way to win a game. But you know what. I’ll take it. Not because I like Matt Cassel. Not because I think that even if they win the mediocre AFC West they have a legit shot at a playoff run.
But because with the weapons they lost in 3 consecutive games to start the season (TE Moeaki in the last pre-season game, pro-bowl safety Eric Berry on opening day, and Jamaal Charles in week to against the Lions), if they manage to get this offense rolling? Next year is going to be pretty exciting. Might even be hard for Cassel to mess that up next year. Especially when you consider that WR Baldwin showed tonight why they took him in the 1st round, (only his second game of the year after missing all of training camp and the first 5 games with a broken hand from a fight with teamate Thomas Jones).
After the 0-3 start, I was on the “suck for Luck” bandwagon. But Todd Haley has shown a knack for getting the most out of WR in the past.
Seriously think about the weapons Cassel will have next year:
HB Charles
FB McClain
WR Bowe
WR Baldwin
WR Breaston
TE Moeaki
Who you gonna cover? Good luck.
And while that is a horrible way to lose a game for the Chargers. My hatred for Phillip Rivers leads me to feel it couldn’t have happened to a “nicer” guy. LOVE LOVE LOVE watching that guy crybaby and pout on the sidelines. Don’t like Norv Turner either. So I think it’s funny as hell.
DS1
November 1st, 2011
1:42 am
Good read DOB.
Thanks.
Ward
November 1st, 2011
1:53 am
Hello everyone found the post this time? Gald to see Hinske back,ubt should junk Conrad……Good to see Lowe,and Nate gone………
Ward
November 1st, 2011
1:55 am
If Braves take a chance on Pastornicky? I think he will do great,and I have no problem starting a rookie at SS. I think the Braves will go with Pastornicky.
Ward
November 1st, 2011
1:58 am
Trading Lowe was the best thing that everhappened,and now I don’t have to Sh*t my pants next yea! I was speechless all day,and had to tell my self it really happened…..
Ward
November 1st, 2011
1:59 am
Could we see Wren get Carlos Quentin? Hm………
Columbus
November 1st, 2011
2:20 am
Yeah Kevin, stop making my town look bad with your juvenile comments. Go root for the Red Sox….
Ward
November 1st, 2011
2:28 am
With the 5 million in cash,Why not go get Wilson Betemit for 3rd base,and you would still have money for a strong bench guy……I would want some one to back Chipper, if he gets hurt again next year?
pj
November 1st, 2011
2:29 am
Please correct me if I’m wrong on ANY of this – I could be…
Now that they have let a few guys into free agency (Sherril, Linebrink, Gonzalez), and they have shaved 5 MIL from D Lowe’s salary and resigned Hinske… after Arbitration – (which we stand to take a hit on Jurjiens and Prado, lesser on Medlen and O’ Flaherty),….
Shouldn’t we have around 20-22 Million to spend? (assuming Tehran takes Lowe’s place for the league minimum). If we got 2 cheap rentals for the bullpen to go with our big 3 and a possible Minor or Beachy long relief – Could we not then afford the 15 Million Jose Reyes at SS? Imagine this lineup!!
1. Reyes
2. Bourn
3. Chipper
4. Uggla
5. McCann
6. Freeman
7. Prado
8. Heyward
Ward
November 1st, 2011
2:38 am
Here’s what I like…..We get wilson Betemit 3rd base,and strong bech duties.Sign Mark DeRosa,and pick up Carlos Quentin,or Josh Willingham,or Cuddyer.Any one one I would be happy with for the Out field……..
Ward
November 1st, 2011
2:41 am
Wislon Betemit,and DeRosa would be great bench guy’s. Trade Diaz,and a package for an out fielder. There are lots of ways to go….
pj
November 1st, 2011
2:44 am
Just looks like – with the young cheap pitching – that we could go after a big name SS or OF. I see 20 mil on the table – what would you guys do with that money?
Braveone
November 1st, 2011
4:22 am
From the previous blog which had 4,015 comments, Efrim led the way with 319 posts. There were 210 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 Efrim 319
2 cabravesfan 216
3 tiger297 187
4 Tom O’Hawke 168
5 DS1 144
6 Ward 136
7 raleighbravefan 117
8 Murph 114
9 McFann O O o Get Well Soon, Nolie!! 107
10 Trey 103
11 jeffrey d 102
12 ncscoots 100
13 Bat Masterson 98
14 richbrave 97
15 RC 96
16 TennesseePaul 88
17 BraveFaninBC 82
18 Snotboogie 82
19 CB 78
20 David O’Brien 73
21 uga-brave 73
22 Lew 71
23 Moe Berg 63
24 Ease 59
25 N8 59
kevin from columbus ga
November 1st, 2011
4:26 am
I would just burn the cash because it is what were going to do anyway. You can all attack me for having the same opinions as the guys on 790 in the zone. They have grip on reality as I do when it comes to the Braves. As a fan the braves have to prove to me something before I put my money back into their product. Watch how many empty seats at the ted next year that share my opinion. I guarantee you they are Braves fans but are not fools to accept the torture the city of Atlanta gets year after year choking and not winning championships.
NickB
November 1st, 2011
4:37 am
@pj No they won’t have nearly that much because many of the players are going to get arbitration raises and McCann gets a raise of a couple of mill as well. So , if you count Gonzo as being gone, along with Lowe’s $$$ we are looking at like $8 mill tops
ncgary
November 1st, 2011
4:48 am
lets hope liberty goes to around 110 million and leaves enough for cuddyer
Ward
November 1st, 2011
4:57 am
Use the 8 million to get a couple of guy’s.
1. Wislon Betemit-would be great incase Chipper got hurt.
2. Mark DeRosa-for utility guy
3. Trade for a LF or RF bat that can play the corners if you can’t find one on the Free Agent Market.
All have a good one and peace…….Talk tomorrow.
longtimebravesfan
November 1st, 2011
4:57 am
If you include arbitration and other raises, and minimum salaries for 10 or so players (Heyward, Hanson, Freeman, etc.); the Braves payroll is a little over $85 million already.
And since Pastornicky and Simmons are close to the majors, I doubt the Braves will spend big for a SS. They will probably look for a vet for 1 year deal, unless a good SS becomes available on the trade market.
Jeff R
November 1st, 2011
5:40 am
Good for Frank Wren, clearing $5 million form the Braves’ payroll with the Lowe trade. Actually, that’s a couple of million more than I thought Wren would get if another team agreed to take Lowe.
It should be a spirited competition for Lowe’s spot among the young and ready pitchers, with Minor having the inside track due to his two years of part time major league service. Medlen can’t be counted out of the running for Lowe’s spot, but I think he plays more Moylan’s role moving forward.
Couch Tater
November 1st, 2011
6:46 am
The Braves’ payroll limits are not set by Liberty but by McGuirk in consultation with other team officials, he has said – April 2010, DOB
McGuirk: “So Frank, What’s your plan with Lowe?”
Frank: “Well uh, I was thinking [ahem] that we might possibly [cough, cough] uh, take one on the chin.”
McGuirk: “How about Kawakami? Remember you wanted me to authorize a $2 million dollar bonus?”
Frank: ” I thought for sure Maserati would come through with the ad deal and the rotating neon Turisimo above the right field stands.”
McGuirk: “McLou…, hold on Frank. I have to take this call.”
Frank to Manno: “Let’s hold off on the new budget proposal.”
richbrave
November 1st, 2011
6:48 am
kevin in columbus:
You have to do what you feel is best, but I guarantee that you will be missing some of the greatest baseball ATLANTA’s even seen from this club going forward next season and thereafter. The stage is set for a World Championship sometime soon after 2012.
Bschro3000
November 1st, 2011
6:54 am
Dave –
I would be interested to see the number of starts and PA’s Conrad and Hinskie had in 2010 vs 2011.
I think Cox did a better job getting those guys at bats and starts than Gonzalez …
(I know that September last year should probably be taken out … They were getting a lot of ABs because of injuries)
richbrave
November 1st, 2011
6:55 am
FALL BALL
ARIZONA
SURPRISE SAGURROS
C CHRISTIAN BETHANCOURT [.333 BA] 1-5, 1 R, 1 HR [3], 2 RBI [10], 1 SO, 1 CS by BETHANCOURT [6].
DOMINICA, MEXICO, and VENEZUELA – No games scheduled.
AUSTRALIA
Play begins Thursday November 3.
PUERTO RICO
Games begin Friday November 4.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. FAILED)
November 1st, 2011
7:00 am
Agreed with couch tater’s post. Frank Wren has done an absolutely wonderful job with player development, especially with all the young pitching.
That said……Nate McLouth, Troy Glaus, Melkey Cabrera, Ryan Church, Derek Lowe, Garret Anderson and Kenshin Kawakami were all mistakes. Which is to be expected because not every move hits pay dirt. But these were free agent and trade acquisitions.
Wren had better learn from his mistakes by improving his thinking because more than anything, these moves have put the Braves budget in tough financial straights these past three years.
BravesAC
November 1st, 2011
7:00 am
Whoa….had knee replaced 7 weeks ago, lost 40 lbs doing rehab so hard, but the Lowe trade had me jumping up and down. I wish him well but I think it’s a must do move.
I agree with other posters – Betemit and DeRosa would be so solid for the bench/part time starters. I like that move so much more than a Grady Sizemore flyer. And you can almost bet the Braves go after Willingham in a Fredi reunion with a RH outfielder.
P.S. Even now I may be faster than
BravesAC
November 1st, 2011
7:01 am
That P.S. was:
Even now I may be faster than McCann running to 1b.
Old time Fan
November 1st, 2011
7:07 am
I have been a Brave fan since 66 and have suffered a lot especially in my younger days when every spring I felt that this is the year. It is good to read posts by sensible fans before the haters get on here. A few observations over coffee this morning. Chipper will be here this year, accept it and appreciate all he has done in his career and the leadership he brings. Prado is somewhere between 2010 and 2011 and is really little more than a utility player. I would package him in a trade with a pitcher or two and get a real left fielder. Time to try a rookie at SS, Wilson or AG is not the answer. McCann is a good hitter and a poor catcher. I think he is lazy on D. How many times does he reach for a low and outside pitch and does not move his body? Sign Bourn, short leash on Hayward, Fredi is not the answer as manager and who in the world cares about what happens to a Kardashian and why are they always in the news?
Ease
November 1st, 2011
7:08 am
Wow, I made the top 25? So much for the hiatus that I was supposed to be on…
richbrave
November 1st, 2011
7:51 am
EASE makes the Top 25? LaRUSSA retires? PENDLETON may be in as CARDS manager? LOWE gone and only for 10 mill? “SKI comes back? PARRISH out and FREDI’s next? WOW? News all ’round. Gotta’ get back to Buckhead.
Efrim
November 1st, 2011
7:53 am
But I also think your summary is a little high. I don’t think Bourn will get quite that much, for one thing, and McCann’s salary is probably amortized more over life of contract, knowing how Braves usually do their accounting. But I’m not sure, since they don’t disclose any of that.
Okay, but that makes it a lot harder for me to figure out.
Efrim
November 1st, 2011
7:55 am
Office is closed for second straight day. As much as I like the time off, so many people are without power in CT the roads are loaded with cars every hour and long lines at gas stations. Really lucky I have power. So many are without power.
Braves fan.
November 1st, 2011
8:00 am
We have like 15 million to spend….
Ease
November 1st, 2011
8:03 am
rich…
richbrave
November 1st, 2011
8:07 am
Old Time Fan:
Agree with a lot of your post especially about McCANN’s defensive prowess, or lack thereof. I know little of his pitch management, but he doesn’t move around behind the plate well.
Go to the park, if nothing more than to see one of baseball’s greatest switch-hitters all-time end his career as a BRAVE. I would add, don’t be too surprised if he’s back in 2013..
I love the idea of PRADO and a young arm like SPRUILL for a genuine LF’er.
Sign BOURNE. We haven’t had an effective lead-off man since FURCAL.
Short leash on HEYWARD.
I’m more ambivilant than you are on FG. This year tells the tale on FREDI’s leadership I think.
I agree with DOB that the bench which already includes ROSS and HINSKI must be improved. CONRAD is on thin ice this year. I don’t think he makes the club out of ST.
And finally, despite MATT’s contract, I think he’s moved to another club in a trade that brings in a bench infielder. ST will determine his fate as a BRAVE.