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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,690 comments Add your comment
VaBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
9:30 am
Bourn is making 6.8 million this season, a 5 year 50 million offer would be a strong offer IMO, I’d be happy because at least the Braves tried.
Lew
February 29th, 2012
9:35 am
Maybe they’re waiting until they see if Bourn hits more than .256 in Atlanta first.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
February 29th, 2012
9:46 am
The injury bug has bitten……..now if we could only the cure
CB
February 29th, 2012
9:47 am
ncgary,great area. I live in the Triad.
raleighbravefan
February 29th, 2012
9:48 am
McCann taking blame for the collapse…Like a man…like a LEADER. Personally, I blame his personal collapse (and Heyward, and Prado) on injuries. You can’t control injuries. You can be as physically prepared as possible, but injuries are going to happen. Only real way to prepare for that is team depth, which, of course, takes $$$ (usually involves “overpaying” your bench).
This team seems to be using the collapse as motivation, creating greater resolve. Steel sharpens steel. This is why I think the Braves will surprise many (most) with a strong comeback year. The pieces are there…if we just have a LITTLE luck with health.
Lew
February 29th, 2012
9:50 am
Coach – Find that cure and you’ll make a fortune.
ncscoots
February 29th, 2012
9:52 am
.315/.362/.444 in 60AB playing 5 positions with BOS last year is probably why
It wouldn’t break my heart to see Sutton hit a little in ST, but, unless he can play CF, where’s his spot on the bench? Surely you wouldn’t go north with the guy as your primary RH pinch-hitter, would you? if not, really no room at the inn for anybody who can’t spell Bourn.
abeeewright
February 29th, 2012
9:52 am
ncgary, February 29th, 2012, 8:24 am … “1 in 7 Americans Pursued by Debt Collectors”
I wonder how many debt collectors are being pursued by debt collectors.
ncgary
February 29th, 2012
9:52 am
yeah we definitely need the health factor raleigh
as far as starters braves have as much talent as anyone
Mitchie-sand
February 29th, 2012
9:54 am
Well I’m back out in Bahrain after having to fly home to bury my dad.
I can’t wait til the game Saturday and a strong start to the season to lift my spirits.
David O'Brien
February 29th, 2012
9:56 am
Good news on Freeman so far this morning, woke with his knee feeling better, bruising and swelling not bad. He’ll play with a knee brace on from now on, hopes to not miss any time though he knows Braves will probably be cautious and keep him out at least a few games. He’s seeing a doctor now just to make sure original diagnosis of suplux in patella (partial dislocation of kneecap) was correct and nothing more is damaged. Knee is structurally sound and he was walking without crutches today (said the first time he did it in 2010, he was on crutches for a few days).
He returned to DH after one week when he hurt it in ‘10 at Triple-A, but needed nearly another week before they cleared him to play first base.
ncgary
February 29th, 2012
9:57 am
sorry to hear that mitchie,
i lost mine 15 years ago,
Soph
February 29th, 2012
9:59 am
So sorry about your father, Mitchie. Stay safe.
CB
February 29th, 2012
9:59 am
scoots, Bourn played 158 games last year. Surely Heyward could be your substitute if Bourn needs a day off. Sutton hits he should stay up.
ncscoots
February 29th, 2012
10:01 am
[Freeman will] play with a knee brace on from now on
Shoot. There goes all hope of a 30-30 year.
ncgary
February 29th, 2012
10:01 am
could anyone else imagine a world where there was only one law,
that being to help one another, before change can happen someone has to see it
CB
February 29th, 2012
10:01 am
Mitchie,hang in there,buddy.
DAP
February 29th, 2012
10:02 am
vabravesfan I bet Pagan could be had for way less, he’d have to have a nice season to get a multi year deal.
hes already making $5mil this year, and i think he will bounce back with a decent year. he is a solid player, i think.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
10:03 am
Mitchie-sand—
So sorry to hear about you Dad! You’ll be in my prayers.
ncscoots
February 29th, 2012
10:05 am
Surely Heyward could be your substitute if Bourn needs a day off
I guess, though I don’t think the team has ever been enamored of the idea. Maybe a trimmer Diaz could handle it for a day off.
Certainly, I wouldn’t mind a little bit more stick at the end of the bench than currently projected.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
10:05 am
Soph—
Is our Draw Something game still showing up for you? Mine’s not showing that I have any current games…
VaBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
10:06 am
Backup CF isn’t a huge concern IMO, Bourn is gonna play 150+ games.
monty
February 29th, 2012
10:06 am
If CHipper had Murrays plate appearances, WOW!
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
10:07 am
Very good on the FF front the epicurian breakfast also
Mitchie-sand
February 29th, 2012
10:07 am
Thank you, everyone.
I want the season to start to help take my mind off of things.
DAP
February 29th, 2012
10:08 am
scoots It wouldn’t break my heart to see Sutton hit a little in ST, but, unless he can play CF, where’s his spot on the bench?
the spot that says “jack wilson”. wilson will miss at least all of spring training before he can start to get ready to play. he will have a rehab stint. by the time he is ready to play, sutton might get 3-4 weeks of bench duty in the bigs.
Murph
February 29th, 2012
10:08 am
Ward is scary in a multiple-personality, going on a shooting rampage sort of way. I’d bet $5 that he’s called in a bomb threat at some point in his life.
So glad to hear Freeman’s feeling better and won’t miss much time at all. He’s going to be a big part of the team this year, offensive and defensive.
The 4 year old is sick. Fever, stuffy nose, coughing… as I was leaving the house to take the 5 year old to school she ran up to her sister to give her a big hug. I was very touched… then she blew her nose on her sister’s shirt and ran off laughing. I love that kid.
raleighbravefan
February 29th, 2012
10:09 am
CB @9:59 – I concur….I like the idea of having someone that can play that many positions.
ncgary @10:01 – Law wouldn’t cut it…it must come from the heart…as John Lennon would say, “imagine”.
Lots of NC Braves fans here, I see.
CB
February 29th, 2012
10:10 am
scoots,I agree the thought of Heyward and Diaz in center may be sub-optimal. Ha!
raleighbravefan
February 29th, 2012
10:13 am
Murph – Let’s just say that Ward adds interesting “spice” to the blog…Going postal always seems a possibility.
He says he is in the custodial business…Maybe at the Post Office?
ncscoots
February 29th, 2012
10:14 am
Good one, CB. It’s nice to see a “sub-optimal” show up every once in a while in a post.
raleighbravefan
February 29th, 2012
10:15 am
scoots – I assume it would be emergency basis only, but I think I would take Heyward over Diaz for CF defense.
Bat Masterson
February 29th, 2012
10:16 am
Mitchie_
Sorry to hear abouth your father. I’m with you on the baseball distraction.
raleighbravefan
February 29th, 2012
10:16 am
Has CB been talking to Shaun? “sub-optimal” sounds like a Shaunism to me.
VaBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
10:16 am
Diaz cannot play CF…..
Soph
February 29th, 2012
10:16 am
McFann, it was there this morning and I sent one back to you. I don’t have my iPod right now but I’ll check once I do. Weird.
Lew
February 29th, 2012
10:17 am
Mitchie – Sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you Bud.
Murph
February 29th, 2012
10:18 am
I’d rather see David Ross in CF than Diaz. He might miss a few fly balls, but at least he isn’t a given to go 0-4 with 3 GIDP.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
10:20 am
Soph—
Thanks! Hmm…well, I got the paid version last night, and now I see I should have read the reviews first—several people are having the same issues…Are you using the free version?
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
10:21 am
I hope J Hey feels good enough to throw some on target ropes to B Mc this year
Soph
February 29th, 2012
10:24 am
Yup, I wanted to hold off on the paid version until they made it more competitive. It is pretty glitchy though – yesterday I had at least two games where the streaks should’ve ended but it would kick me out of the app and when I would turn it back on, it would keep the streak going.
jeffrey d
February 29th, 2012
10:28 am
What game is this?
Bat Masterson
February 29th, 2012
10:30 am
Murph_
I think this photo was posted with you in mind. Its # 8 if this is not a direct link
http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/sports/braves/braves-camp-022812/
Venice Jim
February 29th, 2012
10:32 am
I am sure everyone will be rushing out to buy the new Sports Illustrated – Jose Reyes and Ozzie Guillen, with the caption reading (and I apologize for even typing this) “MARLINSANITY”…
CB
February 29th, 2012
10:32 am
raleigh,I try to learn from the best.
Soph
February 29th, 2012
10:32 am
jeffrey – it’s called DrawSomething. If you download it, add me – same name as WwF.
CB
February 29th, 2012
10:34 am
Or is it the dum-best?
raleighbravefan
February 29th, 2012
10:34 am
Bat – So….Constanza crashes and misses the ball, and Diaz ducks and misses the ball….
Soph
February 29th, 2012
10:35 am
Gold Glovers, I tell you.
raleighbravefan
February 29th, 2012
10:36 am
CB – Hang in there, my friend…you’re doing fine.
Murph
February 29th, 2012
10:36 am
Thanks Bat, that made me laugh.
I’ll bet someone $1 that, at some point this season, Diaz has a ball bounce off his head and over the fence for a HR. First taker gets the action, only $1 to go around.
Bat Masterson
February 29th, 2012
10:36 am
raliegh_
All that’s missing is Melky throwing the ball backwards.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
10:36 am
Soph—
I think I’ll try going back to the free version and see how that goes…
jeffrey d—
Add me, too, if you get it! Same name as WwF, but without the Turtles…
CB
February 29th, 2012
10:40 am
I was thinking about Diaz playing CF and going up that hill at Minute Maid park. I believe that would be worth a ticket.
Bat Masterson
February 29th, 2012
10:42 am
Sure thing, Murph.
richbrave
February 29th, 2012
10:43 am
Mitchie-sand:
After 56+ years, i can say, the memory stays, but the pain will fade given enough time. Sorry for your loss.
Soph
February 29th, 2012
10:44 am
If my boy Andruw managed to fall flat on his face on that stupid hill in Houston then who knows what MattE is capable of.
raleighbravefan
February 29th, 2012
10:44 am
Bat – Bad News Bears in the outfield.
raleighbravefan
February 29th, 2012
10:47 am
MLB should have not allowed the CF hill. Formula for someone to get hurt.
richbrave
February 29th, 2012
10:48 am
So right now, we cut ‘Jumpin’ JACK the Flash’ and eat his contract while inserting SUTTON to back up the PASTOR?
ROSS, HINSKI, DIAZ, WILSON, ?????
Off last year’s results, does our bench appear a bit shabby at this point?
raleighbravefan
February 29th, 2012
10:53 am
richbrave – We’ll see who they bring North, but right now, the bench is looking weaker than last year, and a lot weaker than 2010. Not a good thing.
DAP
February 29th, 2012
10:55 am
vabravesfan Diaz cannot play CF…..
thats not what his baseball reference page says.
raleighbravefan
February 29th, 2012
10:55 am
Mitchie – Sorry for your loss. It must be especially hard to be so far from home. My dad is almost 93, but hanging in there for now. He is definitely going downhill some…
David O'Brien
February 29th, 2012
10:55 am
Hanson threw off the mound this morning for 1st time since Feb. 20 concussion. Had no problems. Will probably face hitters for 1st time Friday.
raleighbravefan
February 29th, 2012
10:58 am
DAP – I can play CF, but it would be beyond ugly. Just depends on what level of quality you are willing to go with. BTW, I would make up for my attrocious defense by having a BA and OBP of 0.000
Bat Masterson
February 29th, 2012
10:59 am
David_
What do you think of Hanson’s delivery? Big difference or what?
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:00 am
So some guy in Brazil walks into a bank and tries to open an account with an I.D.that had a picture of Jack Nicolson,I think it was the “Mug shot”"from the five-iron episode hilarious?
abeeewright
February 29th, 2012
11:04 am
David O’Brien, February 29th, 2012, 9:56 am … “…original diagnosis of suplux…”
Isn’t the suplex an old rassling move?
abeeewright
February 29th, 2012
11:07 am
DOB: “[Freeman will] play with a knee brace on from now on …”
ncscoots, February 29th, 2012, 10:01 am … “Shoot. There goes all hope of a 30-30 year.”
Actually, if they fitted that knew brace with a rocket pack, it might give Freeman a glimmer of hope at a 30-30 year.
Mitchie-sand
February 29th, 2012
11:10 am
Thanks again everyone. It’s real hard to be way out here alone. The Navy only gave me 2 weeks. I had to come back and get right back to work. Most of my time home was dealing with lawyers and funeral home people. Certainly not a vacation.
Ok, let’s hurry and get this season started. Thank goodness for MLB.tv .
Random
February 29th, 2012
11:14 am
“Rookie shortstop Tyler Pastornicky throws to first on a running ground ball.” (http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/sports/braves/braves-camp-022812/)
Internal evidence (viz, the tortured syntax) compellingly suggests that the above caption was penned by our own Crusading Everyman, DOB.
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:16 am
As my good friend Bob Wind say’s Where two stand together one is never alone thoughts and prayers to you young man
Juan
February 29th, 2012
11:17 am
Good News all around today with Freeman & Hanson…Thanks Chief
LJ
February 29th, 2012
11:31 am
don’t understand all the hate for Diaz. 300 hitter until last year, is it impossible to bounce back from one bad year, defense has improved year to year, no Jones, but to Melky either. give him a chance befor you run him out of town.
Murph
February 29th, 2012
11:40 am
Diaz represents a lot of things that have people upset with the Braves, so he bears a lot of the hatred. $2mil for a player in rapid decline who managed to get a whopping 6 extra base hits (all doubles) from July through the end of the season.
The thought of seeing him come to the dish with the game on the line makes me cringe.
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:45 am
“Hit em where they ain’t” gotta go to work hoping for new story when I return Thanks for all the good stuff M.R. O’Brien.
VaBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
11:45 am
Matt Diaz is a below average defender in the outfield and doesn’t provide speed either. He has seen his OPS go from 878 in 2009 to 739 in 2010 and then 625 in 2011. That’s a major indication that someone is just about done as a major league player. His power is gone, he hit 7 homers in 2010 then ZERO in 2011 with even more PAs…… Although he did hit around 290. vs LHP in 2011 he’s still only a singles hitter vs them. His OPS+ of 74 is just horrible.
Lew
February 29th, 2012
11:48 am
Well, no doubt about it, Matt Diaz lost his power last year – something he attrinutes to the Pirates changing his approach and having him bulk up. Obviously a failed experiment.
However, cringe? Not quite so much. A different approach could benefit Matt and even with the lack of power, he still hit .295 with a .336 OBP vs. LHP, so maybe a platoon with Hinske might work out when Martin is at third and hopefully, working with the Walker/Fletcher/Chipper trio might bring him back to where he was a couple years back.
After all, it’s not like he’ll be an everyday player except in the worst of circumstances.
Venice Jim
February 29th, 2012
11:48 am
Lew – those 37 plate appearances he made for the Braves undoubtedly give us a definitive picture of what to expect going forward…
bravofan
February 29th, 2012
11:51 am
I see the mlb at bat app on the app store for apple but what about android?
GermanBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
11:53 am
DOB: in case you missed it… all the songs from Springsteen are being streamed throughout this week; each song for 24 hours. The latest one can be found here:
http://www.drs3.ch/www/de/drs3/themen/musik/323876.drs-3-streamt-das-neue-album-von-bruce-springsteen.html
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find it.
So far, a great, great album!! Looking forward to its release on Friday…. I will actually be in Georgia for that one.
VaBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
11:54 am
Eric Hinske is also a below average defender in the outfield and at 1st base. Also provides zero speed. His numbers declined. His OPS in 2010 of 793 to only 713 in 2011. As a pinch hitter in 2010 Hinske was great 316/400/667 with 11K and then in 2011 he hit 197/279/361 with 25K
Lew
February 29th, 2012
11:56 am
VJ – Yeah, big fans of small sample sizes running rampant at all times.
Always hoped Matty would shouw more when playing full time, but it hasn’t happened so far. But……point of fact – he’s who we have.
DAP
February 29th, 2012
11:56 am
vabravesfan Also provides zero speed
what, he just stands there? :- )
Lew
February 29th, 2012
11:57 am
VaBraves- So let’s just freaking give up. They are who we have. We do not have the money to get someone else and there are no heirs apparent in the minors.
Lew
February 29th, 2012
11:58 am
Wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth won’t change the situation folks. Get over it.
VaBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
12:03 pm
Lew
I know that’s who we have, I’m just pointing it out that our bench is rather weak coming off last season.
Murph
February 29th, 2012
12:04 pm
Lew – those 37 plate appearances he made for the Braves undoubtedly give us a definitive picture of what to expect going forward…
What about 2008, 2010, 2011? I’ll admit that his 2009 was fantastic, but I wouldn’t bet my precious $1 that he performs close to 2009 standards this year.
He’s what, 35 now?
MRSFREEMAN
February 29th, 2012
12:06 pm
FREEMAN IS THE ONLY BRAVE WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING A GOLD GLOVE THIS YEAR….
VaBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
12:08 pm
There is legit concerns going into the season with our backups. Even one of our favorite players David Ross has seen his numbers decline each year in Atlanta. Pinch hitting could be a weak spot too. Brooks Conrad who was let go produced more as a pinch hitter than Eric Hinske who was brought back at 1.5 million which is alot of money for the Braves.
Lew
February 29th, 2012
12:09 pm
VaBraves – And keep pijnting it out and pointing it out, etc. Dude, we know the bench isn’t what it was in 2010. But obsessing about it won’t do anything but raise your blood prssure. If you can’t be optimistic in Spring Trainibg, it’s going to be a long, painful season for you.
Lew
February 29th, 2012
12:11 pm
Murph – There’s always Constanza.
Ease
February 29th, 2012
12:11 pm
And keep pijnting it out and pointing it out, etc.
Ditto.
Venice Jim
February 29th, 2012
12:12 pm
Speaking of Matt, he and Ross will be on 680 this morning…
VaBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
12:13 pm
While I agreed that no major changes was needed with this roster, we needed to improve the bench and depth behind our regulars. I think Wren missed the boat on this.
jeffrey d
February 29th, 2012
12:13 pm
If my boy Andruw managed to fall flat on his face on that stupid hill in Houston then who knows what MattE is capable of.
Slip on a banana peel at the top and tumble uncontrollably halfway to 2nd
ncscoots
February 29th, 2012
12:14 pm
What about 2008, 2010, 2011?
Pick any year, and he’s hammered LHP. Even in an awful no-power year last year, he still hit .295 and had an OBP of .330+. He’s a platoon player, Murph. And since his role on this club will be to PH against lefties, I think you want to look at how he actually does in that role, no?
He may be toast, as you say. However, his past performance justifies taking at least one last look before tossing the guy.
jeffrey d
February 29th, 2012
12:16 pm
If bench players were great, they wouldn’t be bench players
Murph
February 29th, 2012
12:16 pm
Murph – There’s always Constanza.
Yeah, we’ve got the infield and bloop single thing covered with our bench players, that’s for sure. I hope Hinske at least has a little bit of a power resurgence… who is going to hit that 3 run HR in the bottom of the ninth that the Braves count on so often?? 1 run singles just ain’t gonna get the job done.
Murph
February 29th, 2012
12:17 pm
And since his role on this club will be to PH against lefties, I think you want to look at how he actually does in that role, no?
$2mil is a lot to pay for 20 or so singles against LHP.