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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,829 comments Add your comment
Ward
February 19th, 2012
1:49 am
We could be like the San Fran,and the Pitching will carry the Braves if nothing else?
MIBravesFan
February 19th, 2012
1:55 am
Brian McCann, Dan Uggla, Freddie Freeman, Martin Prado, Jason Heyward, Chipper Jones – the Braves have an offense, folks!
Ward
February 19th, 2012
2:00 am
MIBravesFan-We should have a fun year. All have a good one!and peace my friends……
MIBravesFan
February 19th, 2012
2:05 am
Take care, Ward
MIBravesFan
February 19th, 2012
2:31 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBuUUBrC9eQ
MIBravesFan
February 19th, 2012
2:39 am
I hope I have in no way stopped cabravesfan from blogging! That would be a bad thing!
nolie
February 19th, 2012
3:55 am
she’s a cheater anyway, padding her stats when there is no competition around
ncgary
February 19th, 2012
6:57 am
take me out to the ball game
so coach can get me some of those peanuts……..;)
David O'Brien
February 19th, 2012
7:13 am
Good morning from Central Florida and the Braves/MIB spring headquarters on the perimeter of Dark Star. Sun’s covered by heavy clouds, but at least it’s not raining. I’m headed to the ballpark shortly.
It’s pitchers and catchers reporting day, folks. Wake UP!
VaBravesFan
February 19th, 2012
7:32 am
Good Morning Everyone
Ray
February 19th, 2012
7:35 am
Let the fun begin from Dark Star.
tiger297
February 19th, 2012
7:37 am
and so the early am’s at dark star begin…I’m looking for photo’s of lake bryan
David O'Brien
February 19th, 2012
7:41 am
Didn’t see a lot of commentary from you good folks regarding ESPN’s “Future Rankings,” which had the Braves ranked 9th in the majors in terms of being set up for success over the next five years. Philly was 10th. No one else in the NL East was in top 10.
tiger297
February 19th, 2012
7:42 am
some of us struggle to get through all the other garbage on ESPN and as such have eliminated it from our reading…is that bad?
Ray
February 19th, 2012
7:57 am
DOB, I saw that list and thought it was interesting. I do believe the Braves should be contenders over the next several years. Anytime you have the pitching depth of the Braves (barring major injuries) they should be able to contend.
Do you find it interesting that Oswalt has not signed yet? I keep seeing the Redsox would like to sign him but he doesn’t want to pitch there. I wonder if the pressure of pitching in Boston has anything to do with it? Maybe he knows he would be under a more scrutinizing microscope than he was with Philly
dap01
February 19th, 2012
8:12 am
The things that have been bothering me lately about the Braves is the drafting the past 2 or 3 years. it seems we are drafting a lot of low ceiling players. That can’t be good.
braves4ever
February 19th, 2012
8:24 am
DOB, The sound of you in Dark Star saying its reporting day is so sweet. Go Braves
Jbailz
February 19th, 2012
8:33 am
DOB – You are in Florida, watching baseball, I’m in Utah up since 4:30 making sure my subs don’t mess up pushing all the snow falling here.. Needless to say, I’ll trade ya?!?!
Lew
February 19th, 2012
8:34 am
I’m ready for some baseball.
mrnatural
February 19th, 2012
8:36 am
A new season of hope has finally arrived. My prediction for the Braves: Guys will pitch and catch, spit sunflower seeds, scratch their nutz, swing and miss, swing and hit, make spectacular plays and boot the ball at the worst times. Chipper will wallow in the role of the grizzled veteran and the “kids” on the team will hang on every word spoken out of the corner of his mouth. Popeye ain’t got nuttin’ on Chipper. To me it’s not about the stats, but the wonderment that is a baseball season. I’m going to enjoy the ride. No matter where it goes. Great time to be a basefall fanatic. Play Ball!
CB
February 19th, 2012
8:40 am
DOB,staying at same location this year? A lot of great pictures last year.
VaBravesFan
February 19th, 2012
8:51 am
Well the last 2 drafts we have added alot of athletic and faster players. Also we continued to go after guys that have a high chance to be average big league players but nothing special. The Braves should now change it up and go after higher upside players IMO.
After the our 4 top pitchers in Teheran, Vizciano, Delgado, Gilarmtin wour 2 best position player prospects are Andrelton Simmons who is compared to at best Omar Vizquel or low as Jack Wilson type player. Then Christian Bethancourt who is a highly rated defender such as Simmons. Both players biggest question marks are will they hit. We also have a ton of relief pitching prospects within our top 20. Overall I think we have a ton of pitching already ready and on the way. The problem will be offensive players. We have alot of speed and defense in our postion players prospects hopefully some of them hit.
Lew
February 19th, 2012
8:53 am
mr. natural – In other words, they’ll just Keep On Truckin, right?
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
8:58 am
Report day is here Wake up pitchers and catchers
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:02 am
Oh, I see now DOB already said that. Well, wake up anyway.
grampa
February 19th, 2012
9:04 am
It’s 9:00 a.m. Do you know where your money is?
grandson – Yeah gramps, on the ball-field.
That’s right and don’t you forget it.
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:04 am
Heh!
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:05 am
Let’s go get ‘um BRAVES
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:06 am
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:20 am
Hey VaBravesFan, are you going to get any snow? Calling for upwards of three inches here in central Virginia.
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:20 am
Hey, anybody awake
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:21 am
Hello
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:22 am
Heh! Didn’t make the top 25 board last time. Got to make amends
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:22 am
Boo-Yah
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:23 am
LEW:
Where’d you go guy?
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:23 am
Well, this is an even dozen. Time to put on the feed-bag.
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:25 am
Speaking of that did any of you ever put a feed bag on a mule at 4:00 a.m.?
Lew
February 19th, 2012
9:25 am
richbrave – I’m here – just treadmilling some miles, paying some bills and burning some cd’s while blogging – I’m a multi-tasker.
VaBravesFan
February 19th, 2012
9:26 am
richbrave
There saying we’ll see around a inch in our area. Saying rain will change to snow starting around midnight.
VaBravesFan
February 19th, 2012
9:27 am
I’m multi-tasking as well. lol cleaning, doing laundry, blogging and playing xbox haha.
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:27 am
Just wondering how many old timey farmers we’ve still got out there. Mules are the onryest critters on earth especially early in the a.m.
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:32 am
LEW/VaBravesFan
I’ve got my fingers crossed and eye-balls too regarding PASTORNICKY. I just don’t feel he’s ready somehow.
‘Course CHIPPER hardly paid RICHMOND a visit before he went up.. Heck, FURCAL didn’t even drop in and say hello in RICHMOND.
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:35 am
Anyway, think race-horses not mules where this season is concerned folks. The BRAVES are the race-horses, everyone else in the NL are the mules. We’re gonna’ be the hare this year not the tortoise.
nolie
February 19th, 2012
9:36 am
If I’m getting up this early on a Sunday morning to greet the Ps & Cs, they damn well better win the WS this season
Lew
February 19th, 2012
9:37 am
richbrave – I’m not overly concerned. Dude should hit better (minus the power but with more speed) than Gonzo and I think there are several mitigating factors with his defense – lousy minor league infields and lighting lead to a lot of high error totals in the minors (go and check Braves’ figures from when they plkayed in Macon), tutoring by Jack Wilson and having a 6′5″ first baseman that can dig out those throws – should help him considerably.
His fielding will be better than expected and he’ll hit – IMO – artound .275, .335, .350 and steal a few bases. Actually, I’d more concerned about bench depth than any other phase of the Braves’ game. Wish we had an Omar Infante type around.
IVAN ...
February 19th, 2012
9:38 am
richbrave….
sure would like a dozen on the half shell, some saltine crackers, horseradish / cocktail mix and some Louisiana Hot sauce…………
IVAN ...
February 19th, 2012
9:38 am
And a shout out to nolie…
how you doin?
nolie
February 19th, 2012
9:41 am
yawnin’ a lot Ivan, other than that pretty good. How ’bout you?
nolie
February 19th, 2012
9:41 am
260/320/335
VaBravesFan
February 19th, 2012
9:50 am
Pastornicky will be a overall upgrade with the Bat at shortstop. We have plenty of power in the lineup and what we need from the shortstop position is good ABs. We need someone who can handle the bat make contact often and run well. Hopefully he will be solid on defense and only have around 20 errors. He’s gonna be batting 8th and with his speed he should be able to stay outta double plays and get the pitcher up there to get the lineup turned over. Also he will give Fredi plenty of opportunities to attempt a steal with 2 outs while Bourn is batting. I really like these types of players. Looking at SeaBass he provided amazing defense and solid power, everything else was crap, Pastornicky should improve the AVG/OBP output, make more productive outs, provide alot more speed in terms of being able to score and stealing bases.
ncgary
February 19th, 2012
9:51 am
for all the doom and gloomers be glad it aint the 70’s again where at this time of year
you were just hoping they may get to 63 wins where it wasn’t another triple digit loss year
nolie
February 19th, 2012
9:53 am
I remember some years like that gary , wasn’t much fun
ncgary
February 19th, 2012
9:54 am
richbrave
doesn’t the tortoise win in the end though?
or was that only on bugs bunny……..;)
Lew
February 19th, 2012
9:55 am
Lousy Braves’ teams in the 70’s, but at least we still had hair and no arthritis.
IVAN ...
February 19th, 2012
9:55 am
nolie….
Trying not to starve to death as a heating and air man…
Winter here has been too warm, high 50’s-60’s, phone not ringing enough…..
Braves baseball means summer coming, my be hot as hell , work you to death then…..
Hope your health is still on the up and up…..
nolie
February 19th, 2012
9:56 am
I’m kinda doubting that Tyler will be all that much if any upgrade, probably a higher OBP and a lower S%
nolie
February 19th, 2012
9:58 am
too warm for folks to hafta fix the heater and not warm enuff to hafta fix the AC huh?
ncgary
February 19th, 2012
9:59 am
yeah the only games we stood a chance in were when ron reed and nuxie pitched
and if they gave up 2 or more that was pretty much game
abeeewright
February 19th, 2012
9:59 am
P&C Day. DOB is back in Florida.
Baseball season is officially ON!
nolie
February 19th, 2012
9:59 am
I still have all my hair anyway
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
9:59 am
Me too, but I always knew that once TED TURNER took over he’d figure a way to get them to the top even if he had to fire the manager and become one himself. Heh! Remember that?
nolie
February 19th, 2012
10:01 am
Ted screwed around a long time B4 he smartened up and butted out and hired some competent baseball men and let them alone
nolie
February 19th, 2012
10:02 am
ok I got up and saw my shadow, does that mean we win it all ot lose again? I’m goin’ back to bed. See y’all later dudes and dudesses
richbrave
February 19th, 2012
10:03 am
Well, if the PASTOR bats in the eight home and there are men on base, I’m hoping he won’t be an automatic out or DP victim like GONZO was most of last year. Anybody got a stat on how many of his 15 HR’s were solo jobs. I’m thinking maybe 10.
ncgary
February 19th, 2012
10:05 am
i remember when ted owned a small tv station in charlotte ufh channel 36 he would televize about 20 to 35 games a year and at the end of the game he would come on and talk about his idea for a superstation with no commercials all he needed was for you to send him your money, and one day tv would be commercial free. well guess what a lot of people sent him money
IVAN ...
February 19th, 2012
10:05 am
nolie…….correct.
Still hafta get a paycheck..
CB
February 19th, 2012
10:06 am
I wish Ted would come back. I see his net worth is still 2.1 billion.
abeeewright
February 19th, 2012
10:06 am
richbrave, February 19th, 2012, 9:35 am … “Anyway, think race-horses not mules where this season is concerned folks. The BRAVES are the race-horses, everyone else in the NL are the mules.”
I was going to pass by the mule comments til this one.
I’ve got a race-horse and a mule (I know that’s an odd combination.)
The race-horse is all heart and emotion. The mule is crafty and clever. Those two took to each other the day they met and have been best buds ever since. The mule keeps the horse out of trouble, and the horse keeps things interesting.
In summary, hopefully the Braves have a mix of race horses and mules.
IVAN ...
February 19th, 2012
10:06 am
richbrave…
see my 9:38?
Lew
February 19th, 2012
10:08 am
nolie- It means you should get up after the sun goes down.
Lew
February 19th, 2012
10:11 am
IVAN – At least it’s better fishing weather.
IVAN ...
February 19th, 2012
10:16 am
Lew…. Been some nice days, today it’s raining…….
BraveDan
February 19th, 2012
10:23 am
THIS MEANS WAR was hillarious, saw it friday night. My wife and I and the packed theater were constantly laughing. I had to sit a little closer than I like, but it was worth it. Of course Reese Witherspoon was nice as well, LOL
BraveDan
February 19th, 2012
10:25 am
DOB,
What’s going on? Inquiring minds want to know:)
BraveDan
February 19th, 2012
10:25 am
What time is everyone checking in today?
BraveDan
February 19th, 2012
11:02 am
Well, off to church I go. I’ll check in later. Man, I’m so ready to watch a game. lol
reckingball
February 19th, 2012
11:04 am
Was John Mullen considered a competent baseball man?
cabravesfan
February 19th, 2012
11:05 am
DOB-
I was just trying to get people back on the blog. Usually someone will pop up just to get me to stop
tiger297
February 19th, 2012
11:18 am
I’ll try now…
BhamBrave
February 19th, 2012
11:33 am
“Didn’t see a lot of commentary from you good folks regarding ESPN’s “Future Rankings,” which had the Braves ranked 9th in the majors in terms of being set up for success over the next five years. Philly was 10th. No one else in the NL East was in top 10.”
What I liked about the Braves in that ranking was how balanced they were in all categories. No glaring weaknesses. That to me is a better recipe for long-term success than having a hodgepodge of really good/really bad.
David O'Brien
February 19th, 2012
11:47 am
Heyward lost 20 lbs, but clearly it wasn’t muscle he dropped. Chipper’s son Shea watches.
http://twitpic.com/8m208h
David O'Brien
February 19th, 2012
11:51 am
Couple of shots of Heyward in the batting cage:
http://twitpic.com/8m1glv
http://twitpic.com/8m1l9i
David O'Brien
February 19th, 2012
11:53 am
Chipper signing autographs as son Shea observes
http://twitpic.com/8m1lbl
Jason and Chipper signing autographs
http://twitpic.com/8m1mrv
David O'Brien
February 19th, 2012
11:56 am
Talked to Huddy for a while this morning. He’s got a long way to go to get his abdominal/stomach muscles back in condition, because they did the back-fusion surgery through the front, cut him open in stomach. But the positive is that he said his back feels great and he’s doing things that he couldn’t do without pain in past 6-7 years. He sounds like late-April or early May is a reaonable targeted return date (May 1 would be 5 months after surgery, and it’s a 3-6 month typical recovery for the surgery he had. It was far more involved than a typical herniated disc surgery.)
He thinks that after having this surger, he could pitch another 3-4 years. Before he had it, he was thinking he’d probably retire after his current contract, so bad was the back in recent years.
BhamBrave
February 19th, 2012
11:58 am
Modern medicine is truly amazing.
cabravesfan
February 19th, 2012
11:59 am
DOB-
Please correct me if I am mistaken but the non pitchers and catchers can’t participate in formal work outs until the official report date, right?
BhamBrave
February 19th, 2012
12:00 pm
Also amazing is the ability of these professionals to deal with so much pain and still perform at an elite level.
BhamBrave
February 19th, 2012
12:01 pm
Any players returning from injury can work out early.
David O'Brien
February 19th, 2012
12:01 pm
Brandon Beachy and Cory Gearrin leave field after throwing
http://twitpic.com/8m27a7
Steve from OH
February 19th, 2012
12:03 pm
Whoa, Huddy had an anterior fusion? That’s certainly a lot bigger than they were letting on…
David O'Brien
February 19th, 2012
12:05 pm
No one who’s been around the Braves for many years can recall so many reporting to camp early. More than half of position players already here.
September collapse a motivator, obviously.
flange1
February 19th, 2012
12:09 pm
Thanks for the pics and reports DOB!
SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!!!!!!
David O'Brien
February 19th, 2012
12:13 pm
Whoa, Huddy had an anterior fusion? That’s certainly a lot bigger than they were letting on…
— Steve from OH
He had same spinal fusion surgery Darren Holmes had years ago. Yes, it’s pretty serious stuff.
David O'Brien
February 19th, 2012
12:14 pm
Please correct me if I am mistaken but the non pitchers and catchers can’t participate in formal work outs until the official report date, right? — cabravesfan
Correct, only other position players coming back from injury can be on the field when pitchers and catchers begin workouts tomorrow.
Bravo_F 52
February 19th, 2012
12:14 pm
J hey looks like he’s got that bat ready to swing thanks D O’B
abeeewright
February 19th, 2012
12:16 pm
Glad to hear more about Huddy’s surgery and progress. This could work in the Braves favor (assuming he makes it all the way back), since they’ll have a pain-diminished Huddy with fewer miles on his arm come September/October.
This gives Minor, Teheran, Delgado, Vizcaino, and Medlen more incentive to have a good Spring and will give one more of that group a chance to strut his stuff in April in games that matter.
An additional arm will get a chance in the bullpen for a month, which makes some of the early decisions a little easier.
April’s rotation: Hanson, Jurrjens, Beachy, two of Minor/Delgado/Teheran/Vizcaino/Medlen. If April’s schedule is weak, this might work very much in the Braves favor.
nolie
February 19th, 2012
12:17 pm
yeah I had no idea it was that serious a surgery on Huddy
JerseyGil
February 19th, 2012
12:17 pm
Sorry to bring some bad News, but the Spinal Fusion is only a temp. for the problem…My wife has three in the last 6 yrs. One in the cervical area and two in the Back….Hope Huddy’s one will prolong his pain.
nolie
February 19th, 2012
12:18 pm
I’d rather just had a healthy Huddy from the gitgo myself
ColoradoBravesFan
February 19th, 2012
12:19 pm
WOW…Pitchers and Catchers reporting and DOB is already deep into reporting and delivering pics.
Baseball is here and it’s time to get excited….
GO BRAVES…