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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,789 comments Add your comment
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
11:32 am
Maybe Gattis can lead off next year .Start a game off with a homerun now and then
raleighbravefan
March 2nd, 2012
11:37 am
Guys on xm homeplate this morning were discussing which they would choose, of the big 3 CF that will be FA next year…BJ Upton, Bourn, or Victorino. Their opinion was that Victorino was the best all around of the 3, and also, they felt that Phillies would likely re-sign him.
Some speculation that Nats are holding off until next year on CF, and may very well be targeting Bourn.
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
11:42 am
We could get McLouth back to hit leadoff
I’d guess he’ll be off to join Proctor in the obscurity that is the North Korean National Baseball League/Artillery Unit 43.
As uninteresting as this year’s offseason was, I think next year’s will more than make up for it. No CF in the system, so it’s a need that has to be filled via FA. Bourn? Upton? Victorino? Trade for a big name or trade for a washed up vet with one year left in him?
I’m so excited I can barely contain myself. And by that I mean I’m scared that Melky will be in a Braves uni for a 2nd tour of duty.
kenhotlanta
March 2nd, 2012
11:45 am
Hillbilly: The thing I despise about Country music is, since the 80’s, they are always looking for the “Next Big Thing” and they throw away so many talented singers when they find someone new. Where is Earl Thomas Conley, Sammy Kershaw, Kathy Mattea, Suzy Boggus, Ricky Van Shelton, Deborah Allen, The Mavericks, and on and on. Their only saving grace is most that had at least one hit can continue to make a living in Branson or small venues, but they can’t get a new record contract or current airplay. The only country singer from the last 10 years that matters is Jamey Johnson, but I agree with you about Taylor Swift, she is very talented and has a target audience, much like when Reba in the 70’s and 80’s sang to single and divorced women.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
11:48 am
Suzy Boggus = awesome
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
11:53 am
Suzy Bogguss and Jerry Jeff Walker – Night Rider’s Lament (live) nice video for S Bouggus fan on utube
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
11:57 am
Under the breast bone.
He didn’t say breast bone. He said breast. Which I don’t associate with many GMs
MFin04
March 2nd, 2012
11:58 am
“But [Bourn’s] not really an offensive difference-maker.”
I disagree. He may not be an offensive difference maker over the whole year, but his speed in a 1-game, 5-game, 7-game series, is a game changer.
The guy is good enough to put himself into scoring position at will. Now his run total is completely dependent on guys driving him in, but the guy is great at getting into scoring position without having to have the extra base hit. In a short series that is invaluable.
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
11:58 am
I meant that they’re not female, not that they’re not boobs…
richbrave
March 2nd, 2012
11:58 am
DAP
March 2nd, 2012
10:21 am
“……..victorino wants a 5 year deal. he shouldnt get one from the braves………….i wouldn’t mind the braves offering him a 3 year contract, but not the 5 he is looking for…….”
Agreed, and I think FW agrees also. No more retirement contracts for aging ball-players [KK, LOWE] ………. unless they’re loyal BRAVES of course.
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
11:59 am
I’ve never understood the appeal of country music. I figured satellite radio would be the death of it… no longer would people in the sticks or those travelling on the interstates only have country music as an option… yet it still is hanging on.
DAP
March 2nd, 2012
12:04 pm
murph I’ve never understood the appeal of country music. I figured satellite radio would be the death of it… no longer would people in the sticks or those travelling on the interstates only have country music as an option… yet it still is hanging on.
hanging on? thats one way to put it. thriving would be more accurate. its the most popular music genre in the country. There are more country radio stations than any other format, and they are huge money makers.
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
12:08 pm
Pop country (Tim McGraw, etc) is awful. But I can appreciate some old stuff (Hank Williams, Johnny Cash), as well as new (Hank III). Brad Paisley is borderline pop (to me at least) but he’s incredible at guitar.
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
12:09 pm
Pop country (Tim McGraw, etc) is awful
Let me reword that. I don’t care for pop country, but I respect those that do
Jeff R
March 2nd, 2012
12:19 pm
“The Atlanta Braves, who control catcher Brian McCann for two more seasons, but might need to pay him more than they ever imagined long-term.”
Might. Of course, McCann needs to stay healthy. I imagine that Wren can wait awhile to re-up McCann. Would give Wren a chance to see how Bethancourt develops.
flange1
March 2nd, 2012
12:19 pm
Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Keith Urban and Brent Mason are all VERY talented guitar players. I love to listen to all of them play guitar.
Not really a fan of their songs or music, but all 4 of their guitar playing is incredible.
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
12:19 pm
Check out this shot of Heyward in the cage:
http://twitpic.com/8r1jn8
And here’s one of a few guys you may know — Crime Dog, “6″ and Justice
http://twitpic.com/8r1i1i
And one of Michael Bourn:
http://twitpic.com/8r1ird
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
12:23 pm
Who gave Heyward a rubber bat??
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
12:25 pm
hanging on? thats one way to put it. thriving would be more accurate. its the most popular music genre in the country. There are more country radio stations than any other format, and they are huge money makers.
I glanced at the Billboard charts for 2011 and only saw 5 or 6 country acts in the top 50. Does anyone know if those charts are based solely on sales?
I don’t doubt that there are more country stations than any other genre, but I don’t know that they are as profitable as other genres. I only found one article with actual data from the Chicago Tribune and it had the local country station 9th in revenue, about 50% of what the top station made.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
12:26 pm
How many hinges can you find in this picture?homers?
Venice Jim
March 2nd, 2012
12:29 pm
Uh-oh – hope Murph doesn’t see who’s DHing tomorrow…
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
12:30 pm
Braves will be on radio 680 AM 1st 2 games, then 1230 AM next 5 games after that.
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
12:32 pm
Uh-oh – hope Murph doesn’t see who’s DHing tomorrow…
Who?
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
12:32 pm
I just stole a nice tuning (quitar) from David Lindley,via you tube it sounds like one of David Gilmores ‘favorites too
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
12:32 pm
Braves will go w/ lineup regulars tomorrow except Hinske at 1B. Freeman (knee) could be back in few days. Diaz will DH tomorrow.
They’ll probably use DH through March 18, Fredi G. said.
Venice Jim
March 2nd, 2012
12:33 pm
I didn’t have the heart to tell you myself…
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
12:33 pm
Cool DOB I hope I can listen in Ma
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
12:34 pm
I saw Lindley play at Mercer with Jackson Brown a decade or three ago.
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
12:35 pm
Freeman did some jogging today, three days after subluxation of kneecap. Said he feels great, hopes to take BP tomorrow.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
12:35 pm
Venice Jim
March 2nd, 2012
12:33 pm
I didn’t have the heart to tell you myself
This would make a good “country song”
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
12:36 pm
Jeffrey sigh
breast [brest] Show IPA
noun
1. Anatomy, Zoology . (in bipeds) the outer, front part of the thorax, or the front part of the body from the neck to the abdomen; chest.
Jerry Dunn
March 2nd, 2012
12:36 pm
Beautiful story………..wish him all the best.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
12:38 pm
Lew I saw him in Atlanta several years ago about a hundred people hangin around he had two bat racks full of vintage slide Guitars it was cool I stood about 10 ft in front of him he had a young kid on drums who was talented as well
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
12:38 pm
Diaz at DH… based on that picture I saw a few days ago of him cowering under a fly ball, looks like he could use the OF practice.
Instead of it being the designated hitter it’ll be the dink hitter… or the double-play hitter… or the don’t hitter… for a day.
Better he’s in the lineup and showing what he has left in his tank from day 1 instead of it being a big surprise at the end of spring training when he has yet to hit a ball out of the infield.
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
12:39 pm
The guy is good enough to put himself into scoring position at will. Now his run total is completely dependent on guys driving him in, but the guy is great at getting into scoring position without having to have the extra base hit. In a short series that is invaluable….MF
the little creep had an OBP of 321 in Atlanta, that absolutely sux and cuts back even further on hi scoring ability.
all those years hitting leadoff and the guy has never once scored 100 runs. what good is he? heck Prado scored 100 or more the single year he led off…..
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
12:42 pm
Jeffrey is obviously a sex maniac…..
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
12:43 pm
man I get so used to the slowness overnight I can’t finish reading everything in time to post b4 I have so much more to read…much harder to multi-task
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
12:44 pm
(Sung to the Folsom Prison Blues tune)
So Diaz is the DH,
A boy amongst grown men.
He hasn’t hit a double,
Since… I don’t know when.
He should not be on the roster,
Should be washing cars in… stead.
Did you see him in the field?
That pop fly bounced off his head.
BravePack
March 2nd, 2012
12:44 pm
Thanks for the update on Freeman DOB…great news. Can’t wait for Spring to start tomorrow. Baseball is back and remember Braves fans: 2012 Braves-The season of Redemption.
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
12:44 pm
B_F52 – It was a good show overall. Greg Allman came up as a guest, “played” Sweet Melissa and forgot the chords and lyrics – he was trashed. Embarrassing as all hell. Messed up what had been an excellent performance to that point.
Juan
March 2nd, 2012
12:45 pm
What up with those Bat?…look like rubber gomee bear …
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
12:46 pm
need a tiger in your tank……….
JRW
March 2nd, 2012
12:46 pm
I believe Bourn will be in Washington next season with Werth in Right and Harper in Left. Not a bad Outfield Trio.
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
12:47 pm
I’ve got a tiger by the tail it’s plain to see
I won’t be much when you get through with me
Well I’m a losing weight and I’m turning mighty pale
Looks like I’ve got a tiger by the tail
Well I thought the day I met you you were meek as a lamb
Just the kind to fit my dreams and plans
Now the pace we’re livin’ takes the wind from my sails
And it looks like I’ve got a tiger by the tail
I’ve got a tiger by the tail…
[ guitar ]
Well every night you drag me where the bright lights’re found
There ain’t no way to slow you down
I’m about as helpless as a leaf in a gale and it looks like I’ve got a tiger by the tail
I’ve got a tiger by the tail…
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
12:50 pm
yeah b4 we anoint Boun our offense savior go compare his offensive stats to our beloved/hated francoeur
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
12:51 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIuep-pOS0U Buck Owens
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
12:51 pm
Greg Allman could f up a iron ball with a cotton swab as my daddy used to say
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
12:52 pm
I sincerely wonder how long Washington’s owner can continue to spend like he seems to be willing to do without a boost in their attendance, which comes nowhere close to even Braves’ levels. Dude has to be putting out a bunch from his own pocket between what he’s spent on the minors and on Free Agents. With Werth’s deal, Zimmerman’s extension and the cost of a FA CFer and what Strasburg will command in anoter year or so? Gonna get expensive fast. 21st in attendance won’t cover it.
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
12:52 pm
Murph with his normal “guy had a bad year so he will be worthless forever” approach
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
12:53 pm
What kind of TV deal does Washington have? Seems a good TV deal trumps attendance these days.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
12:54 pm
Ya’ll are on target today on the blog makin a brave fan smile
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
12:54 pm
B_F52 – This was back when he was married to Cher and was heavily into heroin. Hardly surprising at the time – not that he’s been anywhere near clean since then.
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
12:54 pm
Dale Murphy starts 15-day guest-instructor stint Sat. and will also do color Sat. with Jim Powell on Braves radio
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
12:54 pm
The snow is starting to melt up here in Lowell Ma
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
12:55 pm
Murph – Not sure about their TV deal, but wasn’t it disputed by Peter Angelos as infringing on Baltimore?
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
12:55 pm
Murph with his normal “guy had a bad year so he will be worthless forever” approach
Yeah, I was really off on my opinion of Scott Proctor last season….
And Diaz hasn’t just had “a bad year”… 3 out of his last 4 seasons could be classified as mediocre.
When Chipper’s on the DL and Diaz is starting LF… well, we’ll see what y’all think of him then.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
12:56 pm
yeah that was true about me for many years…but I’m much slower now
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
12:56 pm
Not melting in Central Vermont. At least it’s stopped snowing – going to get messy tonight – freezing rain and sleet changing to mush – making rain in the morning.
Ease
March 2nd, 2012
12:57 pm
he has more SB than Franceour
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
12:58 pm
now off to a conference call…
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
12:58 pm
Lew, now I remember… the Washington TV deal “resets” every 5 years. They step back, look at how competitive it is, and renegotiate it if needed. It’s in the contract.
I think the current deal is for $29-30mil per year, but it’s expected to go well beyond that when it resets the next time.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
Dale Murphy If he could have laid off of those out side pitches; man, Oh well! he was still “very” easy to pull for
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
nobody was off on their opinion of Proctor so what kinda example is that.
It IS your standard approach to not pay much attention to anything but the last little bit of data which completely negates the entire approach of any stats.
Ease
March 2nd, 2012
1:00 pm
Ted Turner continued to spend without a “boost” in attendance. Different era’s of course, but it can be done.
flange1
March 2nd, 2012
1:00 pm
Lindley is a beast on the guitar! He reminds me a bit of Ry Cooder.
Unique styles and unique guitar tones.
Awesome talents!
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
flange1
March 2nd, 2012
1:00 pm
Lindley is a beast on the guitar! He reminds me a bit of Ry Cooder.
Unique styles and unique guitar tones.
Awesome talents!
Ry Cooder said He was the best he ever heard
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
1:06 pm
Again, nolie, I don’t know how looking at Diaz’s last 4 years of his career equates to “the last little bit of data”, but ok.
And yes, there were plenty of people on here singing Proctor’s praises when he ended June with an ERA around 3. Plenty.
Lemke's Knuckler
March 2nd, 2012
1:06 pm
DOB,
Awesome shot of Heyward on that swing. People don’t realize how much a wood bat bends at the point of contact. Judging from the bend, I would guess that ball got in on his hand a little bit. Watch that arm bar
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:08 pm
Maybe that was a majic bat?
kenhotlanta
March 2nd, 2012
1:08 pm
B_F52: There used to be a pioneer Baseball card collector who lived in Lowell, MA in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, at least. He published a collector’s newsletter and/or auction and I used to trade cards with him back then. BB card collecting at that time was not big and organized like it became, and there only a few know collectors scattered throughout the country. We traded by mail, the BB card shows didn’t start until the 70’s. The first was in Florida in 1969 and I was there. I just can’t remember the guys name, hopefully it will come to me.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
1:08 pm
I am stalling on the work I have to do today. Is that bad?
George
March 2nd, 2012
1:10 pm
Can we listen to 1230 am online?
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:10 pm
I ll ask a Red Sox fan at work sunday They will probably know who that was or is that had a BB cards
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
1:11 pm
Certainly Bourn is better than any recent options that have played centerfield and better than anyone Gonzalez plugged in to the leadoff spot last season. And certainly Bourn’s OPS+ doesn’t account quite enough for his OBP, which is has been solid.
But the point is that if he leaves via free agency, that doesn’t necessarily mean the offense is doomed. I think the Braves have at least a couple of hitters who could very well be viable leadoff options: Prado or Heyward have displayed skills in the past that indicate they would be pretty valuable in that spot in the order.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:12 pm
George
March 2nd, 2012
1:10 pm
Can we listen to 1230 am online
I hope so
I hope so
Lemke's Knuckler
March 2nd, 2012
1:13 pm
Murph…”there were plenty of people on here singing Proctor’s praises”
Keep in mind this time last year, Venters was the only proven commodity. O’Flaherty was coming off a good year but wasn’t expected to do what he did last year, Kimbrel was a huge question mark, Moylan was coming off surgery and Linebrink/Sherrill were both guys on the wrong end of 35.
I think people were hopeful that Proctor could reclaim some of the effectiveness he had before the injury. Nothing wrong with that. It’s the same reason we all hope that Chipper plays 130 games. It might not happen, but it’s in the best interest of the team if it does. Absolutely nothing wrong with some positive thinking.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:14 pm
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
1:11 pm
Certainly Bourn is better than any recent options that have played centerfield and better than anyone Gonzalez plugged in to the leadoff spot last season. And certainly Bourn’s OPS+ doesn’t account quite enough for his OBP, which is has been solid.
But the point is that if he leaves via free agency, that doesn’t necessarily mean the offense is doomed. I think the Braves have at least a couple of hitters who could very well be viable leadoff options: Prado or Heyward have displayed skills in the past that indicate they would be pretty valuable in that spot in the order.
UN eqvically
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
1:15 pm
1. Anatomy, Zoology . (in bipeds) the outer, front part of the thorax, or the front part of the body from the neck to the abdomen; chest.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:15 pm
Uneqviocally
Lemke's Knuckler
March 2nd, 2012
1:16 pm
And on that note, I will sing the praises of Pastornicky right now. I think he will have a great rookie season. You can give me crap this time next year if he busts, but I will remain optimistic that he will have a very strong season. That’s why god created spring training. There’s enough time for griping and complaining throughout the summer.
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
1:17 pm
but it was the first definition as indicated by the #1, sex maniac……..
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:18 pm
Lew have you ever been to see Jaime Brockett up in Vt he lives their fixing guitars I believe
George
March 2nd, 2012
1:19 pm
I just tryed to listen live on thier website , downloaded thier player, heard promotion for BRAVES baseball then try to listen to program now onair could not do it.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:19 pm
Well said Lemke nuckler
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
1:19 pm
we musta been reading different blogs Murph,
and Diaz hit 878 just two years ago
raleighbravefan
March 2nd, 2012
1:20 pm
Lew – Nats are on MASN, which also does Orioles games. It’s owned by Peter Angelos, as part of the concession for entering the territory/market. I don’t know the $$$ detailes, but I bet the Nats don’t reap big bucks on local TV.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:20 pm
I might change my name to Niekros wooden Indian in his honor
Lemke's Knuckler
March 2nd, 2012
1:20 pm
So it’s hard enough teaching a group of 6 & 7 year olds how to play the game of baseball, and now the local rec league is making the kid’s wear mouthpieces. It’s hard enough to get them to keep up with a glove, hat, helmet and bat. How is a kid supposed to throw when his throwing hand is completely occupied messing with the mouthpiece. And that’s exactly what they do, mess with it the entire time they’re in the field. Oy vey!!
flange1
March 2nd, 2012
1:24 pm
B_F52,
I can see that Ry Cooder would like David Lindley!
They have similar approaches to their instruments and both like to use lots of non standard tunings.
Thanks for the info
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
1:24 pm
they will get used to the feel eventually and only mess with it half the time
raleighbravefan
March 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
I am in the Nats territory. Local Time Warner cable is in a 4 year long p!ssing contest with MASN, and refuses to carry it. Therefore, I am blacked out of all Nats (and Orioles) games, even if I pay extra for the MLB Extra Innings package. Therefore, I can’t see about 14 Braves games a year. BTW, I’m about a 5 hour drive from the Nats.
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
we musta been reading different blogs Murph,
and Diaz hit 878 just two years ago
I don’t expect someone of your advanced years to remember yesterday, let alone last year, but I can assure you many people on here were high on Proctor… until July at least.
Yes, Diaz had a good season in 2009… as I’ve acknowledged several times in the last few days. However, much as you tell me not to railroad him for one bad season, you also should not put him on a pedestal for one good season. One good season out of his last 4 seasons. The other 3 seasons… out of the last 4 seasons… not including this one good season… not all that great.
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
Bourn the previous 3 seasons: .283/.348/.373, 97 OPS+
Francoeur previous 3 seasons: .273/.314/.431, 100 OPS+
Bourn is a Gold Glove caliber centerfielder and Francoeur is a decent defensive corner-outfielder. Also Bourn has a noticeably better OBP.
Purely from the perspective of offense, there’s not as huge a difference as we may think, though I’d still rather have Bourn. But when you factor in that Bourn is a centerfielder and a darn good one and Francoeur is a corner-outfield and is nothing special defensively (aside from his arm), Bourn has been quite a bit better.
George
March 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
My local radio station here in Franklin NC carrys BRAVES games during the season but not ST. 680 can be heard online but not 1230, Bummer. Another reason to root for REDS.
Juan
March 2nd, 2012
1:26 pm
MLBN showing the 1996 WS…Yankee/Braves…hum….2012 WS redo?
Can Happen Again…
DWW
March 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
Didnt Lipka get moved to CF? How is he progressing and could he be an option there as soon as next year?
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
He’s playing a Mandolin on a video on Y T at a blues festival in england check it out I just tuned down to d with a seventh or something and its open up and slide blues its fun
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
1:31 pm
I didn’t put him on any pedestal, i simply said that just be cause he had a bad 2011 is not proof that he will be worthless this season. he may indeed be, but he also might bounce back and be an ok 4th OFer
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
Ry Cooder and David Lindley – Jesus On The Mainline—you tube it flange
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
As long as Bourn can keep his OBP north of 340 were good to go. He’s gonna steal more bases than anyone in baseball and is one of the best defensive centerfielders in the game. This is a big year for him as he has free agency coming up. Could have a big career year.
295/355/385 100 R 60+ SB