Braves slugger Gattis has a story. Man, does he ever
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – It’s a rite of spring training: pitchers dominate hitters in early “live” batting practice, because pitchers have been throwing for weeks while hitters have been facing pedestrian 60-70 mph fastballs from coaches.
After taking a long and winding path to big-league camp, Evan Gattis said he was so happy he cried the first day of spring training. (Jason Getz photo/AJC).
So imagine the surprise when Braves left-hander Eric O’Flaherty, who led major league relievers with a 0.98 ERA, began pitching to Evan Gattis last week and the minor league catcher jacked one after another to the far reaches of the ballpark and beyond.
“Normally guys are late on your heater this time of year, but he was turning on it, pulling it,” O’Flaherty said. “He hit a deep foul, took a couple deep to left field and I was like, who is this guy” A lot of guys come in taking pitches and feeling their way; he swung at everything I threw and just crushed it.”
Pitchers typically tell hitters what pitch is coming next in these sessions. O’Flaherty, juices now flowing, at one point told Gattis he was throwing a four-seamer. He threw a cutter instead. “And he crushed it anyway,” O’Flaherty said, shaking his head.
Gattis is a 6-foot-3, 235-pound, right-handed-hitter — “a beast, a man-child,” veteran catcher David Ross said — who hit .322 with 22 homers in just 88 games last season at Class-A Rome.
He is a non-roster invitee who’s created a buzz in Braves camp, both for his batting-practice exploits — including homers off O’Flaherty, closer Craig Kimbrel and top prospect Julio Teheran — and his highly unusual background.
Did we mention he is 25 and was out of baseball for nearly four years?
Who is this guy? Gattis himself is just starting to figure that out.
Journey began in Texas
Eight years ago, James Evan Gattis was a burly power hitter coming out of high school in Forney, Texas. He signed with Texas A&M, but never made it to College Station.
Instead he went to drug rehab for 30 days. Then a halfway house for three months. After a brief baseball career at an Oklahoma junior college, he dropped out and tried to tune in or turn on to something, anything that might give him some clarity.
His life began to resemble a Jack Kerouac novel mixed with new age spiritualism wherever he could find it. He traveled the western United States, stopping for a few months here and there, working jobs ranging from ski-lift operator to janitor.
“I knew there was something more,” Gattis said. “I just felt like there was this thing called happiness, and I wanted it. And the more you look for it, the more it seems further away.”
He told some Braves players his story recently. They were enthralled. The guy has lived a little bit.
“He,” Ross, “has lived a lotta bit.”
A career with many detours
Let’s back up. To 2004, when Gattis was set to play at A&M before abruptly deciding not to. He was 17. Gattis explained two years ago that had feared he might go to A&M and fail as a ballplayer, and his self-worth would be shattered.
He said this week there was another reason he didn’t go.
“I was terrified – I didn’t want to fail a drug test,” he said. “I didn’t want to be a mess-up, you know? I didn’t want to fail at that stage and have people say, ‘Here’s this kid with all this talent and he wasted it; what a shame’ and all that.”
Instead of going to college, his mother took him to drug rehab.
“I don’t know if that was the best choice, in hindsight,” he said. “But then again…”
Gattis said was diagnosed with clinical depression at one point and used several different medications. He also did plenty of self-medicating. Booze and marijuana.
He doesn’t know if he actually had depression, but said there were times he thought he’d end up dead if things didn’t change.
After 30 days of in-patient rehab, he went to Prescott, Ariz., for three months of out-patient care. While there he got a call from Seminole State (Okla.) baseball coach Eric Myers, asking if he was interested in playing.
“He said, ‘If you want to, it’d be a good spot for you.’” Gattis said. “He kind of found people like me. He was a good molder of people. He died since then, had a brain tumor. I wish he was still around, so I could thank him.”
Gattis redshirted as a freshman and played a half-season at Seminole, then left. Dropped out. Said he’d been sober for about 18 months before something happened.
“I was so overwhelmed with everything that I ended up quitting,” he said. “It surprised the hell out of me that [Myers] said, ‘Well, I see you as a friend and there’s no hard feelings. Enjoy whatever you’re going to do. Enjoy college.’ At that time I planned on going back to college and finishing my degree in psychology or something.”
He didn’t make it back to college.
Going out West
The next couple of years were a blur. Mom buys Gattis plane ticket to visit sister in Boulder, Colo. Falls in love with the place, sells his truck and moves there. Works at a pizza joint, gets a job as a lift operator at Eldora Mountain, hitch-hikes to work.
Seven months later, he got an itch again. Returned to Texas along with his brother, who’d been working at a Utah ski resort. The Gattis boys took jobs as janitors in Dallas at Datamatic – “we found it on Craig’s List” – then moved on to become cart-boys at a golf course.
“Right about this time I started finding these spiritual teachers or whatever on YouTube,” Gattis says, “and I thought, these mother******s know what I’m talking about. They’re speaking my language, whatever they’re saying.”
Gattis met with one such advisor when she came through Dallas. She said something that convinced him to drop everything and follow her to Taos, N.M. He told his parents a few days before Christmas, then left.
He lived in a hostel at Taos and worked at another ski resort there, but after three months Gattis was ready to move on.
“Going to California, going to see some different people,” he said. “Because there’s a lot of them from the West Coast — the California guru game.”
The starter failed on his 1995 Dodge pickup, so Gattis said he push-started it and drove to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara without once turning off the engine, filling up with gas while idling. From there he went to Santa Cruz, Calif., where he ran into a famous spiritualist he’d wanted to talk with about life. Gattis asked him, what do I need to do?
“It was kind of a letdown, but it was like, ‘OK, cool, I don’t have anything to do. I don’t have to find anything.’ He basically said, chill out.”
Teammates and coaches say Gattis is a tireless worker who wants to get better. (Jason Getz photo/AJC)
A day or two later, Gattis had another epiphany. He wanted to play baseball again.
He was in San Francisco at the time. He said he waited four hours for two cars to move that were parked behind him on a steep street, so he could roll his truck into an alley, where he gave a six-pack of beer to a homeless person to help him push-start it.
Gattis called his dad and said he was coming home. He called his stepbrother, Drew Kendrick, a pitcher at the University of Texas-Permian Basin. The coach there remembered Gattis from high school, said there was a spot for him.
Back to baseball
Gattis, who hadn’t played since 2006, took a few months to shake rust off his swing. He hit .403 with 11 homers in his only season at UT-PB. Some teams were wary of his background, but the Braves drafted him in the 23rd round in 2010.
He weighed about 270 pounds at rookie-league Danville in 2010, where he hit .288 with four homers in 60 games. The following spring training, Gattis failed to win an opening day roster spot with any Braves minor league affiliate.
“When he came to camp that first year in instructional league he ended up hurting his knee,” said Joe Breeden, Braves minor league catching instructor. “But before he got hurt he asked me, ‘What should I do?’ I said the first thing you’ve got to do is you’ve got to get in shape. You need to lose some weight, 25-30 pounds at least.
“And he came back in that next spring and he was in great shape. Out of spring he didn’t make the [Rome] club and he was wearing it out down here in extended [spring training], really swinging it very well, hitting balls out to right-center, everywhere.”
Gattis was added to the Rome roster in May and punished A-ball pitching, winning the South Atlantic League batting title while posting a .386 on-base percentage and whopping .601 slugging percentage. He drove in 71 and homered 22 times in 338 at-bats.
Gattis still needs to work on his footwork, but his throws from behind the plate have improved significantly and he's learning to call games. (Jason Getz photo/AJC)
He still needs work defensively, but he’s got a strong arm and tireless work ethic, and Breeden said he’s extremely receptive to instruction.
“He works his butt off,” Breeden said. “You see him he’s in there every morning in the weight room, not just lifting but stretching and flexibility. He needs more flexibility to be able to move the way he needs to move. Losing the weight has allowed him to move…. To me he’s improved the most with his arm, just the accuracy and being able to have true carry all the time. It’s getting better and better.’
Gattis will move up to either high-A or Double-A this season — whichever of those levels the Braves don’t send top young catching prospect Christhian Bethancourt.
Even though he’s 25 and hasn’t played above A-ball, the Braves now consider Gattis a legit prospect.
“He’s got such strength, and a good swing,” assistant general manager Bruce Manno said. “Defensively he’s gotten better behind the plate. He just needs work. His arm’s good enough, it’s just a matter of — with a lot of guys — you work on the feet, the footwork. Coming out quicker, that kind of stuff. But he’s doing that.”
“He’s a little older, but with guys like that it really doesn’t matter. He started later.”
When he’s in the batting cage there’s a distinctive thwack!
“It’s a different sound off his bat,” Manno said.
He’s got plenty of new fans who’ll be following his progress this year.
“He has some serious power,” Ross said. “Kind of rare to see a young guy come in here and make that big an impression… He sat down and told us all his story the other day. He’s a good guy, man. He’s an interesting guy.
“He seems to have his head on straight, and he works hard. Those are the kind of stories that everybody loves. You like the guy that had troubles in life and done some different things. Everybody likes that story. Even us players — you like the guy who’s worked his tail off and things have paid off.”
Gattis said baseball once seemed pressure-filled and grueling. Not anymore. The only thing that’s overwhelmed him recently is happiness.
“I was crying the other day,” he said. “First day here, just like that. It seems like it’s been just like that, four years just flying by….
“I think it might have seemed like a job, because it is a lot of work. But now I feel like I can work harder than some people because I legitimately want to and I enjoy it. I enjoy working hard, you know what I mean? I want to get better.
“I want to see what next year brings, and simple things like how strong am I pound for pound? Technique and all that stuff is going to come, and it comes because we work on it every day. You’re surrounded by instruction, and it’s fun to me now to work hard. It’s fun to try to make yourself better.”
Does he feel like he’s getting closer to fulfilling a dream or reaching goals?
“Absolutely,” he said. “Now I’m trying to play forever. So we’ll see how that goes. Crazy, huh?”
There was just one more question: Did he ever find what he was looking for?
“I didn’t find anything,” he said, smiling. “But I don’t have to look anymore.”
1,791 comments Add your comment
eskippy
February 29th, 2012
7:33 pm
1
David from Athens, AL
February 29th, 2012
7:41 pm
Thanks Dave! Pulling for him! Maybe another position since are so strong in catching depth.
chin music
February 29th, 2012
7:43 pm
excellent work! sounds like an easy guy to root for.
Scottbravesfan
February 29th, 2012
7:51 pm
Awesome story!
Larry
February 29th, 2012
8:12 pm
Thanks Dave!
Much, much more powerful for me is not the crack of his bat but the greatness of victory over his personal demons.
Inspiring story, Dave.
Slope time: 7 underrated ski resorts
February 29th, 2012
8:12 pm
[...] Braves slugger Gattis has a story. Man, does he ever Works at a pizza joint, gets a job as a lift operator at Eldora Mountain, hitch-hikes to work. Seven months later, he got an itch again. Returned to Texas along with his brother, who had been working at a ski resort in Utah. The Gattis boys took jobs … Read more on Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Fitzgeraldfan
February 29th, 2012
8:16 pm
Love the story. Pulling for Gattis to make it to the bigs.
Latest Hitch Ski News
February 29th, 2012
8:16 pm
[...] Braves slugger Gattis has a story. Man, does he ever Works at a pizza joint, gets a job as a lift operator at Eldora Mountain, hitch-hikes to work. Seven months later, he got an itch again. Returned to Texas along with his brother, who had been working at a ski resort in Utah. The Gattis boys took jobs … Read more on Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
David O'Brien
February 29th, 2012
8:17 pm
Larry, Scottbravesfan, chin music, David from Athens: Thanks.
Pedro Cerrano
February 29th, 2012
8:20 pm
Never give up…..
JoshTown
February 29th, 2012
8:29 pm
Wow, amazing story. Absolutely the best of luck to you Evan! Thanks for highlighting this, DOB!
David O'Brien
February 29th, 2012
8:36 pm
Just added some photos of Gattis to the story.
BravesCountryBoy
February 29th, 2012
8:37 pm
Another Hamilton, Dave??????? #wishfulthinking
David O'Brien
February 29th, 2012
8:37 pm
Our Jason Getz posted a really nice photo gallery from today’s photo day:
http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/sports/braves/braves-photo-day022912/
Cleanuphitter16
February 29th, 2012
8:38 pm
Great story! Thanks for bringing it to us DOB, and you have a lot of folks rooting for you Evan. Hey, you get a chance to play baseball for a living, man… just enjoy it!
BFChris27
February 29th, 2012
8:40 pm
Awesome new blog
N Nine
February 29th, 2012
8:40 pm
WOOOHOO It’s baseball season!!!
DP
February 29th, 2012
8:41 pm
Ah… Dave bringing us this story is what makes spring training so special for the players and the fans. Thanks for this gem Dave!
Jarryd
February 29th, 2012
8:44 pm
That’s a hell of a story, thanks, as always, DOB.
Choppinmama
February 29th, 2012
8:47 pm
Wow, what a story. Talk about a personal journey to find what road to take. And God bless people like Coach Myers who are willing to give a chance to folks who are searching for that road.
Thanks to Evan for his honesty and willingness to share his story. Can’t wait to get a picture of him and Rossy side-by-side. David and Goliathesqe!
MIBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
8:47 pm
Great story, DOB. I hope he makes it to the majors. I can’t help but wish him all the best.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
8:48 pm
Is this the New Blog…? Thanks, Chief!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
8:50 pm
N Nine LOL always a sucker for McDoubles. hahah
Always.
cabravesfan I’m sure he’s rather tasty…
You wouldn’t wanna eat him! Five minutes with him and you’ll be in love!…
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
8:53 pm
So…is this the new blog? I’m confused
McFann-
But…but…I love duck!
Interested Bystander
February 29th, 2012
8:57 pm
What’s going on? This can’t be the main blog. No song no posters only few posts….
nolie
February 29th, 2012
8:59 pm
no music???
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
8:59 pm
At least it’s not just me! DOB! HELP!! WE NEED YOU!
Bill
February 29th, 2012
8:59 pm
Super story..I love to see someone over come the demons that drive some crazy. I pray the young man continues with his baseball life all the way to Majors..God bless!
Thanks Dave..great job man.
Dawgdad (The Original)
February 29th, 2012
9:00 pm
Great job DOB, thanks for sharing stories like this one.
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:02 pm
By the way, is it crazy that, from the photos, Gattis looks a bit like Javy Lopez?
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:03 pm
Also, what a great story. Thanks DOB!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
9:09 pm
cabravesfan—
And I love chicken, but that doesn’t mean I’d eat……Babs!…
Samantha
February 29th, 2012
9:09 pm
Hello everyone, New on the site but a Braves lover.
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:10 pm
Who’s Babs? And can I put some soy sauce and butter on…her? and pop her in the oven for a bit of…tanning?
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:11 pm
Hi Samantha! Let’s get the basics out of the way- who is your favorite Brave, how do you feel about the Phillies, and where do you call home?
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
9:14 pm
Babs is from Chicken Run! She’s hilarious…and loves knitting (she’s British)…
And can I put some soy sauce and butter on…her?
OK, but no gravy—she doesn’t like gravy…
Welcome, Samantha!
MiaBchBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
9:14 pm
“I didn’t find anything,” he said, smiling. “But I don’t have to look anymore.”
If that is not THE most brilliant quote I have EVER heard from a baseball player…
Bob in SF
February 29th, 2012
9:14 pm
If the bat progresses do the Braves see him being able to play a corner outfield or infield position? Moving to the outfield worked out OK for another big hitting catcher they had a few years back.
MiaBchBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
9:15 pm
Welcome, Samantha!!!
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:15 pm
McFann-
I don’t like gravy on my chicken either
brian
February 29th, 2012
9:15 pm
another person who can fill McCann’s shoes!! Who will be the blog favorite now? Bethancourt or Gattis? DOB – you did this blog for McFann didn’t you!
Seriously, great blog and great story. If he can keep mashing the ball it would be nice if Gattis could play LF
Samantha
February 29th, 2012
9:16 pm
My favorite brave is Freddie Freeman. Heis awesome and handsome. I hate,hate, hate the Phillies.I hail from Gwinnett Georgia.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
9:17 pm
cabravesfan—
Yeah, me, neither…
brian—
I must have upset DOB some how…
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:18 pm
Bob-
I imagine, given his age and the demands on the body for a catcher, plus Christian Bethancourt, Gattis will either be moved or, if he continues to advance, traded. I just can’t imagine there is a future for him as a catcher in Atlanta. But hopefully there is a future here. Seems like the kind of guy you want around your team.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
9:18 pm
Samantha—
Great! You’re hired!
(BMac’s mine, but I let cabravesfan think she’s got a share of him…
)
MiaBchBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
9:19 pm
“Hi Samantha! Let’s get the basics out of the way – who is your favorite Brave, how do you feel about the Phillies, and where do you call home?”
(Howling with laughter!!!) Subtle greeting, cab, subtle. You are in charge of the official DOB Blog Welcome Wagon Indoctrination Process. Step right this way, please.
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:19 pm
Samantha-
Freddie is acceptable (especially since he is a SoCal boy!), right answer on the Phils, and I hear Gwinnett is lovely. You can stay!
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:20 pm
Dude. Mac is MINE. McFann is not even old enough to drink yet!
Jarryd
February 29th, 2012
9:20 pm
Where did you hear that cab?
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:21 pm
MiaBchBravesFan-
I don’t do subtle very well
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:21 pm
Jarryd-
Where did I hear what?
Jarryd
February 29th, 2012
9:22 pm
About Gwinnett.
Samantha
February 29th, 2012
9:22 pm
Thank you, Anything else you would like to know?
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:23 pm
Samantha-
I’m sure we will drag it all out of you eventually
But that’s all for now
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:24 pm
Jarryd-
It seems like a nice place, from folks who live there, have been there, and photos…
Jarryd
February 29th, 2012
9:24 pm
Fair enough. I hear Statesboro is nice about this time, and this time I mean for the next two weeks, then it gets hot, humid, and miserable.
cabbage
February 29th, 2012
9:24 pm
any chance this guy can play 3d???
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:25 pm
I don’t know where Statesboro is
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:26 pm
I do know it would be nice if it warmed up a bit here…it’s been too cold!
MiaBchBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
9:26 pm
So Freddie’s knee is better today. Good news. Do not want him on the shelf too long and lose valuable swing time in ST. Who’s gonna pitch in the first ST game? Fredi give any inkling?
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:27 pm
MiaBchBravesFan-
Announced today- Minor will start Saturday
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:28 pm
Freddie also said he was going to try to talk his way into the lineup for Saturday, so it sounds like his knee is fine (if not actually better yet)- if I’m Fredi or Frank, there is NO WAY the kid plays before, like, Thursday at the earliest…
Jarryd
February 29th, 2012
9:28 pm
It’s near Savannah, you familiar with that place?
MiaBchBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
9:28 pm
I’ll trade weather with you, cab. SoFla has been OK and “pleasant”, but at least a few weeks of something resembling a normal SoFla winter would be nice. We’re getting June weather on most days here – a little too balmy for my tastes this time of year.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
9:29 pm
cabravesfan—
“Love does not ask to see your ID.”
—Keith Partridge
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:29 pm
Jarryd-
Know where it is- never been.
Ray
February 29th, 2012
9:29 pm
terrific story on the Gattis kid. Shows you, not to give up on someone just because they make a mistake. I think the weather is here outside….cabrave.. just for you
Mark (another one)
February 29th, 2012
9:30 pm
I wonder if he can play third? Now may be the time to give him a chance.
Jarryd
February 29th, 2012
9:30 pm
Well it’s close.
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:31 pm
MiaBchBravesFan-
Nope. It will warm up in a few days
McFann-
Now that sounds a bit…stalkeresque
MiaBchBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
9:31 pm
Now, the knee cap slipped/shifted. Will Freddie need patelar support of some kind, like many of the basketball players use (strap tied underneath the knee cap for support)? Or is this just a condition he deals with from time to time with no real solution?
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:31 pm
Ray-
Yeah- we have weather here too…
brian
February 29th, 2012
9:31 pm
the Terd is getting 1st shot at 3B. Catcher will help Gattis retain a higher value if his hitting continues to progress. It would be nice for Gattis to get some time in LF. I would love to see a masher in LF
Samantha
February 29th, 2012
9:32 pm
I am going to sign off for now. Talk to everyone tomorrow if it is OK.
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:32 pm
MiaBchBravesFan-
I think I read somewhere that he will wear a brace from now on- or at least until it is fully healed…
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
9:33 pm
Samantha-
Of course! Please come back- we always like having more ladies here! (yes, I am female…)
MiaBchBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
9:34 pm
Always welcome anytime, Samantha!
MiaBchBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
9:37 pm
McFann, I am sure others have asked, but now it occurs to me. Have you ever met Brian in person? If so, was he cool or stiff?
bp
February 29th, 2012
9:45 pm
DOB good stuff as usual.
Randy Hatchett
February 29th, 2012
9:46 pm
First time I’ve ever responded to an article before( never called a talk show either), but you hit it outta the park. These kinds of insights are why I enjoy your columns. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a baseball nut and really enjoy those too. Keep it up.
thanks
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
February 29th, 2012
9:47 pm
Wow, I think 1/2 The Cats that are on this blog who live in the Metro Area either live or have lived in Gwinnett County…?
David O'Brien
February 29th, 2012
9:50 pm
MiaBchBravesFan: Freddie will wear a brace from now on — he even said for the rest of his career.
David O'Brien
February 29th, 2012
9:51 pm
Randy Hatchett, Ray, BP: Thanks.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
9:52 pm
cabbravesfan Now that sounds a bit…stalkeresque
Yeah, it was a bit creepier than I wanted…
MiaBchBravesFan—
I’ve never actually met him…I got his autograph at his 2009 rehab game, but I was the next-to-last in the row of people, and he didn’t have time for chit-chat (plus, that was when he first got his specs, so he had all that going on…)…But I’ve heard he’s a great guy!
Not sure what I’d say if I actually did meet—I’d prolly wind up saying something dumb, like, “Nice to meet you!…Really!…Nice!…”
Bravefaninok
February 29th, 2012
9:53 pm
Great story DOB,Thanks!!!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
9:53 pm
Bye, Samantha! Yes, do come back! We ladies always enjoy having another lady around to “giggle” with…
Mixxo
February 29th, 2012
9:54 pm
Yessssss!!!
Warriors OWN the hapless Hawks.
MiaBchBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
9:55 pm
McFann, as long as you don’t stammer.
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
February 29th, 2012
10:00 pm
Braves Better be wise not To rush Fab 5 Freddie Back…This Knee issue will linger longer than most people are gonna think…I have a keen eye on these kinds of things, Trust me…
Storms are here, Time to go out on the patio and watch…
richbrave
February 29th, 2012
10:01 pm
Told you guys all A-ball 2011 season be on the lookout for ‘BIG JIM’ once I saw him raking in ROME.
Skeezix
February 29th, 2012
10:03 pm
Great story! I’m rooting for him. I can relate as I did a few wayward things and some “searching” in my youth, and learned life lessons (like the value of hard work). I hope he never, ever goes back to drugs.
richbrave
February 29th, 2012
10:03 pm
DAVID:
I knew he had an exceptional season in ROME, but had not read the full back-ground story until now. Impressive. Thanx.
richbrave
February 29th, 2012
10:05 pm
“……….Storms are here, Time to go out on the patio and watch………” TOMAHAWKIN’
Be certain to make it back after observing the inclement weather.
ppaddy123
February 29th, 2012
10:11 pm
Gee…………..The Braves now have their very own Ricky Williams “wanna’ be”
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
10:13 pm
Great read DOB I drive past Kerouac/s grave on the way to work every workday and like Gattis he is no longer “on the road” so to speak Now I can root for this kid and Constanza to beat the odds
VaBravesFan
February 29th, 2012
10:14 pm
The Braves will make Nick Swisher their top free agent target next offseason, according to ESPN’s Jim Bowden. Bowden suggests the Yankees could make an all-out push for Andre Ethier if Swisher does head to Atlanta.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
February 29th, 2012
10:20 pm
MiaBchBravesFan as long as you don’t stammer.
True…
banjovie
February 29th, 2012
10:23 pm
He and Hamilton deserve everyone rooting for them. Take it from a former meth addict, these guys have a very strong will. I hope he gets to the majors and crushes every ball he sees!!!!
extremus
February 29th, 2012
10:24 pm
Nice story, and it sounds like Gattis has a lot of potential. I wish him the best of luck making it to the MLB level and hopefully contributing to the Braves.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
February 29th, 2012
10:30 pm
Gattis looks like Todd Pratt a little. Remember him?
Bat Masterson
February 29th, 2012
10:30 pm
Really good piece on Gattis, DOB. Damn fine writing.
Banjovie_
I read an article on Gatis a couple of weeks ago and in it he said they told him he was NOT drug addict.
Bat Masterson
February 29th, 2012
10:33 pm
Not a*
brian
February 29th, 2012
10:35 pm
1. The brace that Freddie uses will not impact him at all, just protect his knee.
2. Nick Swisher is our #1 free agent target for next year. Really? As expensive as he is and as old as he is getting. I seriously doubt it
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
February 29th, 2012
10:36 pm
Todd Pratt was a Dope Back Up Catcher, he called a good Game…
Braves have been blessed with good Back Up Catchers the last 20 years, from Berryhill, C, O’Brien, E. Perez, wasn’t a Fan of Paul Bako, but Pratt and Rossy have been great back ups…
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
February 29th, 2012
10:39 pm
2. Nick Swisher is our #1 free agent target for next year. Really? As expensive as he is and as old as he is getting. I seriously doubt it
Co-Sign! His Name gets mentioned Every year at the trade deadline or the offseason…If we haven’t gotten him by now then people should kill that talk…only way the braves go after him from here on out will be if he is desperate to play one more year and signs a cheap deal or gets released out of a contract…but thats way down the road from now
banjovie
February 29th, 2012
10:41 pm
I was just saying I from a former addicts standpoint, these guys are remarkable and need lots of love
All Braves players need love, but especially Gattis 
banjovie
February 29th, 2012
10:43 pm
take the “I” out between saying and from…my bad
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
February 29th, 2012
10:44 pm
Was thinking about this at the J.O.B.B. earlier
Why did the Braves move from West Palm to Orlando… in 1996-97? West Palm is a Great thriving area to live in if you don’t mind the Yankees (Northerners)…The Braves must’ve had ballpark issues back then at the old West Palm…Not To mention…PGA BLVD isn’t that far away either…
I was wondering abt that because West Palm is Still A Part of the Braves, most fans north of the 954 are Braves Fans
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
10:45 pm
I smell what you’re steppin in Banjovie
Bat Masterson
February 29th, 2012
10:47 pm
Yeah, banjovie, that’s cool. Congrats on staying clean, from what I’ve heard meth addiction is a real bitch. I was just passing on something I read about the “kid”.
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
10:48 pm
T not all “northerners are “yankees” people in new england will tell you”yankees come from new york lol
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
February 29th, 2012
10:50 pm
This Gerris is a rare breed, especially if he stays on this track. Most never seem to recover fro addiction mixed with depression. Not fully to where the achieve big goals.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
February 29th, 2012
10:51 pm
Gattis, not Gerris.
D. Bell
February 29th, 2012
10:59 pm
We called him Gatling Gun Gattis anytime he came to the plate here in Rome. Dude is a crusher. He will be missed.
Runnin
February 29th, 2012
11:01 pm
So, I guess the Countdown Clock on the main page is a countdown to the day of the first game, and not the actual game time. It might make more sense to countdown to game time of first pitch, but that’s just me.
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:05 pm
Count it down for us runnin
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:12 pm
So fri @1:30 Braves vs NY on MLBTV
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:13 pm
Awesome can’t wAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAit
Who Me?
February 29th, 2012
11:18 pm
Wow, nicely done Dave. Why can’t all the other AJC blogs be this good?
The real question is, when are you going to start writing books my friend?
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:27 pm
what up folks
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:29 pm
hi tiger )
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:30 pm
always count on cab…hows the wine dear
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:31 pm
running low…but on my 3rd and a half glass so no more for me
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:33 pm
oh come on ur only 1/2 as much fun until glass 5
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:33 pm
tiger-
I am ALWAYS fun…besides, you have no way of knowing how much I’ve had on any given night
tdmorgan
February 29th, 2012
11:35 pm
Is there any chance of him moving to LF, or have the quickness to play 3B? It would be a shame to waste a talent like that being behind the plate, especially since we have so much depth at catching.
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:36 pm
or maybe we could trade a promising young catcher for a promising young CF or 3B?
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:36 pm
Wow still snowing in Lowell Ma
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:38 pm
Dale murphy started as a “catcher” who knows a Gattis’ future
uga-brave
February 29th, 2012
11:39 pm
DOB, one of your best.
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:42 pm
cab – I think I can tell the range though
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:43 pm
And that from a large “sample size”of gooduns
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:43 pm
tiger-
are you saying you find me boring during the day? keep in mind that I am alone at the moment, and often am when I post my most random comments
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:44 pm
and OMG WHY IS IT SO FREAKING COLD?????
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:44 pm
I think we’re alone now…there doesn’t seem to be anyone around
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:44 pm
Also- my kitchen floor is wet and I don’t know why
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:44 pm
One mans full glass is another mans half glass or womens
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:44 pm
tiger-
does your significant other know???
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:45 pm
B_F52-
what does that even mean??
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:45 pm
correct you are less entertaining during the day…not that you aren’t still widly entertaining and much more so than anyone else on the blog during the day-just that nothing compares to your evening musings
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:46 pm
tiger-
well, I suppose I am less busy at night…my brain is not occupied with spreadsheets and lawyers and such…
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:47 pm
she is upstairs so no
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:47 pm
Besides, the night crowd is way more fun than a lot of the daytime folk…some of them are WAY serious…
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:48 pm
I will say the gap is much smaller than say BAS at night and during the day…like a different person but still quite enjoyable in either time
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:48 pm
tiger-
this is good. I would hate to be the cause of you getting your behind kicked…
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:49 pm
I spend too much of my time being serious this is not that for me
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:49 pm
Some people drink a glass of wine that is proper some fill it up to the top some just drink from the bottle Or is the glass half empty or half full or to full etc.
Loyal Fan
February 29th, 2012
11:49 pm
Great story . . . too bad we have McCann, but at the same time, I love B-Mac.
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:49 pm
it could never be your fault it can only be my fault
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
February 29th, 2012
11:50 pm
I don’t feel good. All shakey and stuff. I get like this at night sometimes. I think it might be that UFO show I watched this afternoon. Stuff is spooky
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:50 pm
tiger-
Well, I do try to make some relevant, semi-intelligent comments every now and than- usually happens during the day
Night time is a free for all with wine… (just wait until I am blogging from Vegas…that could be fun)
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:51 pm
B_F52-
My glass is always half full
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:52 pm
ctb – go off the backside signal mountain and drive for an hour or so…now that is some scary stuff
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
February 29th, 2012
11:52 pm
I so believe in life on other planets after watching top colonel’s and astronauts speak of all this stuff they’ve witnessed and heard. Pretty neat and spooky all at once.
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:52 pm
I gave up on those long ago…when is vegas?
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:53 pm
CTB ru drinkin to much coffee
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:54 pm
The 11th-13th for my birthday
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
February 29th, 2012
11:55 pm
tiger, I live near the main backroad going up signal mtn. Right where a triple murder happend in the late 80s. Yeah it’s a little eerie around there.
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:55 pm
I may have a guys trip somewhere in the next few months…not sure yet but we now have southwest direct to vegas so flight prices should be dropping
B_F52
February 29th, 2012
11:56 pm
I don’t think you should worry about things from lightyears away CTB,theres enough earthly stuff to scare the be geebus out of anyone
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
February 29th, 2012
11:58 pm
Nah it ain’t coffee or any caffeine, B_F52. It’s probably some medical stuff going on. Nothing dangerous, just annoying. But it does have that too much caffeine feeling though.
cabravesfan
February 29th, 2012
11:58 pm
tiger-
I have flown to Vegas exactly once in my life…it’s a short trip, but not worth it from LA, if you ask me. But obviously, you don’t really have another option
Be careful with the timing if yo do head to Vegas- there are times when it is ridiculously crowded and/or SUPER hot…
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:59 pm
towards chatt or the other way? told you my oldest’s mom lives up there
tiger297
February 29th, 2012
11:59 pm
that curvey road is fun…hate to see it after snow/ice
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 1st, 2012
12:00 am
B_F52, yeah like our government … or the Phillies and maybe even the Nats.
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:00 am
if I go it will be april or early may…doubt I do it have other ways I would rather spend a few days
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 1st, 2012
12:02 am
tiger, near Roberts Mill Rd. I’m a few miles down the road from there. You talking about the W Rd?
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:03 am
tiger-
That’s a good time to hit Vegas. It will probably be colder than I would prefer when we go, and it was OMG HOT when we were there for VJ’s birthday last year- 105+ during the day (and 110+ on the drive home through Death Valley without air conditioning…I don’t recommend that)…
B_F52
March 1st, 2012
12:04 am
Hope it gets better ya’ll stay safe peace
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:05 am
W is the narrow one right…signal mountain is wider so a little more fun W is just scary
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 1st, 2012
12:07 am
Yeah W and Roberts Mill are dangerous. Can’t believe not long ago they didn’t even have guard rails. WTF!
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:09 am
cab – with limited funds I would rather spend the time with my friends fishing/diving
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:10 am
tiger-
understood
Vegas is a short drive for me…a bit more of a “vacation” for y’all on the east coast 
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:11 am
with unlimted funds I would rather go to…well several other international destinations
Blake
March 1st, 2012
12:11 am
Sound’s like Mr Gattis Is looking for Jesus Christ….”Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.Matthew 7:7
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:12 am
If I had unlimited funds. Vegas would not make the top 10 on my list
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:12 am
Been to Vegas many, many times…
GE in GA
March 1st, 2012
12:13 am
Wow – how can you you NOT root for a guy like that. Great story DOB. Look forward to following this guy. Maybe we’ll see him in Gwinnett this season?
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:13 am
It’s fun. And close. (Closer than San Francisco).
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:14 am
plus since I love to fly I want that to be part of my trip..and vegas is more than twice as far as bimini
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:15 am
One of the reasons I like Vegas- within easy driving distance
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:16 am
always nice to have places like that – my fun and close places are destin & jekyll island (2 hour trips)
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:17 am
Vegas is just short of 4 hours from LA…that’s close to me
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:17 am
http://www.jekyllclub.com/ quite an interesting destination (quite the mix of people as well)
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:20 am
Not exactly cheap…
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:24 am
when you eliminate $500 in airfare for a 3 night stay its not exactly expensive either
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:26 am
tiger-
easy for you to do
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
12:29 am
Here is a short film by an old friend of mine. My wife even has a cameo around minute 8:08. Think she is in some other scenes but have not noted the times. (As an extra, there is a photo of the director and me in one of my favorite pubs in Kolkata): Sundar Jeebon
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:30 am
it is quite an interesting place to walk out and see people playing croquet on the lawn-the island is a state park and there are several more reasonable hotels on the island…but this one has the old school style that is quite interesting (at least to me)
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:34 am
tiger-
Hawaii is actually closer to us…
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:35 am
yeah my airplane doesn’t have the range for that even if I started in LA
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:35 am
moe interesting movie
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
12:39 am
Sandeep makes rarified art films–teaches at the top film school in India. His younger brother, on the other hand, has become a hugely successful cinematographer in Bollywood–one their equivalent of the Oscar for best cinematography. Sandeep married a minor Bollywood starlet and teaches film directing and slowly produces films. Great guy to hang out with.
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
12:41 am
By the way–I’m the white guy in the photo. Sandeep is the brown one.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:47 am
Yeah- not too many places to stop on the way to Hawaii from here
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:47 am
Anyways- time for me to call it a night…
Good Night Blog!
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:49 am
I was going to use shirt color to differentiate but that works as well
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:50 am
night cab
Tom O'Hawke
March 1st, 2012
12:50 am
Moe… that’s your wife @ 8:08??? She barely looks 16!!
Unless you’re talking about the one with the ‘tache. If so, my apologies.
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
12:50 am
when its sleepy time down south…
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
12:53 am
Tom O’Hawke–Not the one with the ‘tache–the long hair. Well it came out in like 2003, so some years ago. Neither of us had finished Ph.D.’s yet. This was when she was still on t.v. in Kolkata before leaving to go back to grad school.
Tom O'Hawke
March 1st, 2012
12:56 am
Ha,ha. I figured it was a bit old. She’s gorgeous, Moe. If you can think of any more times she appears in the film….. nahhh, maybe it’s better if you don’t.
Skip & Pete Fan
March 1st, 2012
12:56 am
It’s so awesome to see that the Braves are willing to give Gattis a shot! David, we really appreciate your hard work and willingness to keep us all informed through the articles and tweets! Thankful!
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
12:58 am
Tom O’Hawke–I will have to watch it again. Don’t remember it so well. Have not actually seen that much of her work. More of the director Sandeep’s wife’s work. Meghna’s films have had more international releases.
Tom O'Hawke
March 1st, 2012
1:03 am
Moe, I have the link. When I get a little time, I’ll check the rest of it out. It’s only a little over a half hour. What still pictures were you talking about (of you)? I just stopped by and only read a few posts.
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
1:06 am
Tom–Just below the video. There is a photo of two bearded men drinking in a venerable old pub in Kolkata. It features in a film made my another friend of mine. It is Sandeep and I hanging out over a couple of scotches. Have not seen him in a couple of years. Last time I stayed with him, he was shooting another film but I never saw the finished product.
Should probably call it a night. Have some morning meetings.
Tom O'Hawke
March 1st, 2012
1:08 am
Ahhhh…. Thanks, Moe. Now I know how to recognize you if we get together at Citi Field.
Good night, my friend.
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
1:12 am
Good night, Tom. We must definitely meet up at Citi Field. Really hope to do so.
Ward
March 1st, 2012
1:28 am
Hello everyone! Good article DOB. Got a nick name for Gattis. “The Gladiator”. Hope he does well,and he can make the club in a few years.
TennBravesFan
March 1st, 2012
1:31 am
See some talk about Vegas on here, I went to bed at 3:00 am last night in Las Vegas…woke at 4:30 am…caught a plane to ATL at 6 am…and now I am back home in TN tonight…..I really need to go sleep!!!
christophorm
March 1st, 2012
1:41 am
Give us a slugger that cries just to be in baseball…two if ya got em !
Ward
March 1st, 2012
2:07 am
Interesting in 2 to 3 years on what the catching will be like with Bethancourt,and Gattis,as the top catching prospects,and where Mac,will be in all this?Good to be in a spot like this.
Ward
March 1st, 2012
2:10 am
Reports, are that Drew Suttons’ “D” is solid,and could be very helpful for the Braves. I would like to see Sutton get the final bench spot.
A-Ville Ranger
March 1st, 2012
2:33 am
Wow, just a great story DOB. Gattis seems to have the gifts to be a big leaguer. I just hope he stays healthy and hungry.
Ward
March 1st, 2012
2:34 am
All,have a good one! Gattis,has great courage,and I would most definately want him on the Braves team.Would be a great story for baseball one of these days,and for Gattis.”Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!” Yes baseball in near……..Peace My Friends!!!!!!!!
DS1
March 1st, 2012
2:51 am
I guess we can deal away Bethancourt for prospects now, huh? Wait a minute, he IS a prospect…………..
Oh well, scrap that idea.
nolie
March 1st, 2012
3:19 am
Bah Humbug!!!
South African Bravo
March 1st, 2012
3:20 am
That is one of the best pieces I’ve read on here in a long, long time. Kudos for the writeup, DOB. Such a great story!
TommyP
March 1st, 2012
6:15 am
That was award-winning, David. Incredible story and you weaved it well.
Gonna print that and give to a few friends.
Gil in Mechanicsville
March 1st, 2012
6:50 am
You never know, could be a great screen play some day..
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2012
6:52 am
South African Bravo, Ward, A-Ville Rangers, uga-brave, et al: Again, thanks. I really do appreciate the kind words.
FJ10
March 1st, 2012
7:00 am
Well written DOB. It read like a great story out of SI.
ncgary
March 1st, 2012
7:01 am
its a brand new day, the suns a rising
and anything can happen now,
when i awake with a smile
i know the day will smell like roses
go braves
Runnin
March 1st, 2012
7:08 am
I’m ready for [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KQydlJ-qc] some baseball.[url]
Nice story on Gattis. Hope he makes it.
Runnin
March 1st, 2012
7:10 am
well, that was a fail. What did I do wrong?
DOB, a link to the finer points of link posting might be useful in the Hot Links list.
cornjolio
March 1st, 2012
7:27 am
Maybe McCann can move to thirdbase in 2013 & Gattis can be the new starting catcher
ncgary
March 1st, 2012
7:27 am
rounding third
and heading home
put me in coach
CB
March 1st, 2012
7:28 am
cornjolio, I was thinking maybe SS for McCann.
ncgary
March 1st, 2012
7:31 am
have him lose 15 lbs
and put mccann in lf
as long as fleet foot in cf
alex
March 1st, 2012
7:31 am
Interesting story…he better get in shape mabye we will need him in august as it gets hotter and our catchers fade.
CB
March 1st, 2012
7:36 am
Yeah,we could put a postage stamp in LF and tell Brian this is his territory.
Couch Tater
March 1st, 2012
7:37 am
DOB – Nice story.
Rev Robert Wilkins – “Prodigal Son”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylud4u1aAKI&feature=related
BraveDan
March 1st, 2012
7:43 am
DOB,
Ur best blog of the season, love these type stories. Gotta root for the kid, love under dogs. Great job!!!
ncgary
March 1st, 2012
7:47 am
kewl song tater
Kat
March 1st, 2012
7:49 am
My winter wonderland drive this morning. Thought it was beautiful so I figured I’d post. http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/8876/imag10661.jpg
ncscoots
March 1st, 2012
8:01 am
“I didn’t find anything,” he said, smiling. “But I don’t have to look anymore.”
Well, he didn’t have me at “hello”, but he pretty much got me with that.
The Mayans were wrong; no world that includes eloquent minor-league catchers can possibly end in disaster.
Couch Tater
March 1st, 2012
8:03 am
ncgary – You may have heard the version covered by Mick & Keef on Beggars Banquet.
Kat -Really nice! (As well as the one posted, yesterday). Christmas Cards for 2012.
ChillyMutt
March 1st, 2012
8:12 am
Wow. Hope he is still in camp when I get there in a couple of weeks. Love to see him with the big boys.
Mitchie-sand
March 1st, 2012
8:17 am
Well done, DOB. I wish Gattis the best.
jimmya
March 1st, 2012
8:26 am
this is one player that needs training in the out feild to many catching prospects here and no out feilders
Mikeyc588
March 1st, 2012
8:37 am
Bravedan – Agreed! I think we all (for the most part) really appreciate DOB’s daily grind, but pieces like this have to make even the most cynical reader take notice. Dude is churning these things out every couple of days on nothing but coffee and Nutrigrain. Amazing. I’d be surprised if other fanbases had such tireless and communicative writers.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
8:43 am
Kat—
Oh, that is beautiful! Thank you for posting it…
flange1
March 1st, 2012
8:48 am
Another great blog DOB!
Don’t know how you keep doing it for all these years, but you do!
I have to say that I would love to see you write a book or two as well, I am sure you have tons of extra time to write one! Heck as it is you only sleep a couple hours a night.
Forget the sleep and write the book!
Marvin Mangrum
March 1st, 2012
9:03 am
DOB, man, I sure do enjoy reading your stories, it is about as good as it gets. Thank you so much. Can not wait till the next one.
Don in TN
March 1st, 2012
9:05 am
CTB- “I live near the main backroad going up signal mtn.”
You mean the “W” road? I go up there occasionally to the Mountain Opry.
reason
March 1st, 2012
9:13 am
Someone needs to tell Gattis what he was looking for was a man named JESUS.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 1st, 2012
9:16 am
Evan Gattis……..
What a story of perseverance
MJM
March 1st, 2012
9:19 am
WOW.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
9:22 am
Why was Gattis looking for Heysus? He didn’t even go down to Mexico.
Kentavo
March 1st, 2012
9:22 am
I hope Gattis starts year at Lynchburg so I get to see him when they come to Durty Myrtle.
reckingball
March 1st, 2012
9:29 am
@9:13am……I believe that Jesus Alou lives in Fla. somewhere.
reckingball
March 1st, 2012
9:29 am
@9:13am……I believe that Jesus Alou lives in Fla. somewhere.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
9:32 am
DOB – Thanks for a great blog…and ALL the good work you do for us. You’re the best.
Lew
March 1st, 2012
9:32 am
Can he play Left Field?
3trees
March 1st, 2012
9:32 am
Excellent piece, David. Interesting cat. Got a little more rumbling around up there besides just baseball. And how cool is David Ross? The guy pays attention.
Thanks and Go Braves!
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
9:34 am
Lew – That’s the first question I had.
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2012
9:34 am
Thanks again, folks.
By the way, regarding Pastornicky nickname. I told him some on blog are calling him “Rev,” and he said he first got that nickname as a 14-year-old. And he likes it.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
9:35 am
“Rev” it is, then.
Muzuno
March 1st, 2012
9:37 am
Finally, something that’s a good honest laugh and just downright fun. Pervs and Negative Nellie may skip this to maintain your disposition.
http://mail.aol.com/35647-111/aol-6/en-us/mail/DisplayMessage.aspx?ws_popup=true
zgoldatl
March 1st, 2012
9:40 am
Officially a Gattis fan now. The experienced he gained in those 4 years is better than any college he could have gone to. Best of luck young man.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
9:42 am
That was hilarious.
reckingball
March 1st, 2012
9:42 am
Razor’s Edge, Route 66, or Kung Fu?
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
9:45 am
Muzuno – I hope we get out to a fast start in April. It won’t stop the “nellies” and Neysayers…but it might slow them down a bit. As someone (probably Lew) says, some people aren’t happy unless they aren’t.
George Stein
March 1st, 2012
9:45 am
This is good work, David. I enjoyed reading it.
Well done.
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2012
9:52 am
Those of you who are Jason Aldean fans, he’s in Braves camp today doing a “reality” show segment that will air on CMT. He’s friends with Chipper, Hudson and a few others. Suited up this morning and is taking part in the workout, cameras rolling. (By the way whenever something doesn’t go just right, some exchange or clubhouse entrance or whatever, they do it again. That’s the reality.)
Taylor Wooten
March 1st, 2012
9:55 am
Great story.
Never never never quit.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
9:55 am
Jason Aldean looks a bit like Dan Uggla…to me, anyway…
Lew
March 1st, 2012
9:56 am
raleighbraves – I’m somewhat surprised no one has asked if he can play short.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 1st, 2012
9:57 am
DOB, oh yeah. Reality TV ain’t so real.
Damnit I have no coffee creamer. How do some of you drink this stuff black. I’m fixing to puke, but I have to have caffeine.
reckingball
March 1st, 2012
10:02 am
Who is Jason Aldean? Oh yeah, that guy. Does he have Kelly Clarkson with him, as backup?
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:03 am
Lew – Can’t any player be moved to any position at any time? All that matters is, can they hit.
ncscoots
March 1st, 2012
10:09 am
This is good work, David. I enjoyed reading it.
Come to think of it, O’Brien has been hitting the ball squarely with more-than-usual regularity. Several outstanding pieces the last few months, and some classic baseball-begins odes the last couple of years.
(I say that at the risk of subluxing my aloofness, of course, but what the heck, LOL. The man be doing good.)
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:09 am
I watch SOME “reality” TV…most is crap, but I enjoy some where you actually have to DO something, to win your right to stay…like The Amazing Race, and Top Chef. Getting “voted off”, not so much. I don’t like the conniving and back stabbing. I have never heard of Jason Aldean, but then, I rarely watch CMT.
collegeballfan
March 1st, 2012
10:10 am
“I didn’t find anything,” he said, smiling. “But I don’t have to look anymore.”
This is one hell of a statement. Kerouac indeed.
Lew
March 1st, 2012
10:11 am
raleighbraves – Well, the Dude can catch a ball and throw it. No reason he couldn’t play short where he’d have to catch the ball and throw it. Makes perfect sense – inescapable logic.
Lew
March 1st, 2012
10:12 am
Talk about being born in the wrong century – He sounds like he was in High School in 1968. Far out.
Jeff R
March 1st, 2012
10:12 am
Gattis’ story does sound like Kerouac with a little bit of “The Natural” thrown in for good measure. I hope Gattis has a killer season at whatever level(s) he plays. And I hope he eventually makes it to the show.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
10:12 am
Wow, awesome story. Gave me chills DOB.
Now I have to get the minor league version of MLB.TV just to watch Gattis. Would be money well-spent.
Tell him that the blog is pulling for him!
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:13 am
scoots – DOB (and Carroll, for that matter) does an excellant job, and does seem to be getting better. I guess there is no replacement for experience. I am hopeful that will be true for Fredi, as we.., as he could certainly stand to learn from mistakes.
Anyone who criticizes Dave, should check out ANY other blog or forum, before making that judgement.
Lew
March 1st, 2012
10:13 am
beekay – Yeah Dude, you are.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 1st, 2012
10:18 am
Well……if and I said IF one of our young catching prospects develop into big league material, I wouldn’t mind seeing McCann move over to 3rd base. Mac’s knee’s would benefit as would his career longevity.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:20 am
beekay – Quoting the Heritage Foundation? Really?
Listen, Dude, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR A POLITICAL DISCUSSION. The stated rules say exactly that, so I will have NO FURTHER COMMENT of this nature, no matter what drivel you wish to espouse. I will just say that MANY people agree with you, and MANY do not. We’ll see what happens in November.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:22 am
Lew – Thanks…It’s good to have friends.
BTW, in high school in 1968…I resemble that remark!
Jeff R
March 1st, 2012
10:24 am
“Anyone who criticizes Dave, should check out ANY other blog or forum, before making that judgement.”
– raleighbravefan
Indeed. Go check out the sports sections on major newspapers online. DOB is providing a service leagues ahead…
Ease
March 1st, 2012
10:24 am
And people complain about Chippers “lack” of range. Heysus.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
10:26 am
I wouldn’t mind seeing McCann move over to 3rd base.
Our pitchers will be so good that they’ll be able to put the ball in exactly the right spot so that hitters hit it straight to McCann, standing at 3rd like he’s wearing cement shoes.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:26 am
Ease – Yeah, I guess some always have to find SOMETHING to complain about…and they DO.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
10:28 am
We’ll see what happens in November.
Why are we talking about the off season already? Can’t we just play 163 first?
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:28 am
Whatever
ncscoots
March 1st, 2012
10:29 am
I am hopeful that will be true for Fredi
Last year, some here opined that the first year would indeed be a learning experience for Fredo. He had never managed a team with as much talent as this one, on both sides of the ball. Some would say that such a thing shouldn’t make a difference (and they might be right), but I think it did.
That being said, it’s a new year for everybody. Whether Fredo improves as a tactical manager, I don’t know, but i have a feeling he’ll be a better strategic one this year.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:30 am
Ease – Funny. Actually, I predict that after someone beats the Phillies in game 163, we will go deep into the post season.
Soph
March 1st, 2012
10:30 am
You do the same with people who don’t share your opinions so call it even and let it go already.
Must-click link: Meet Evan Gattis, who has lived a hell of a life so far | HardballTalk
March 1st, 2012
10:30 am
[...] Turns out he has had one hell of a journey in his life these past several years, and today Dave O’Brien of the AJC has his story: Eight years ago, James Evan Gattis was a burly power hitter coming out of high school in Forney, [...]
Soph
March 1st, 2012
10:32 am
Great read, DOB. Thanks as always.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:33 am
scoots – “stratigic” is where he needed to improve. I believe that will happen. Most great managers and coaches had rocky starts. I’m one H3LL of a lot better at what I do than I was 30 years ago.
Lew
March 1st, 2012
10:34 am
raleighbraves – No problem – he’s yet another of those who can’t see the forest for the pine straw – totally missing the big point – that it’s kept happening over and over the poast forty or so years and will continue to happen as long as we continue to not advance the technology and really has nothing to do with partisan politics. It’s common sense that if you keep doing things the same way then nothing will ever change..
Not to mention that this ain’t the forum.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:34 am
Soph – Thanks…and I totally agree.
CB
March 1st, 2012
10:34 am
Politics is the only thing everybody is an expert. Me,I am an expert on bacon.
Lew
March 1st, 2012
10:36 am
And it has nothing to do with global warming you idot. It has to do with paying out your nose and continuing to do so because you keep putting all of your proverbial eggs in the same basket. Ignorance personified.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:37 am
Lew – Agreed. Although I enjoy a lively discussion (as apposed to an irrational argument), this CLEARLY is NOT the proper forum. I don’t know why these types of things even come up.
Braveone
March 1st, 2012
10:37 am
From the previous blog which had 1,688 comments, cabravesfan led the way by a large margin with 183 posts. There were 153 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 cabravesfan 183
2 nolie 75
3 raleighbravefan 73
4 Bat Masterson 70
5 Ray 70
6 ncscoots 67
7 VaBravesFan 59
8 Soph 54
9 McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô: 51
10 Lew 48
11 Murph 44
12 TennesseePaul 37
13 Venice Jim 37
14 David O’Brien 33
15 Ease 31
16 Billy 28
17 Kat 27
18 CB 25
19 DAP 24
20 George 22
21 brian 22
22 MFin04 20
23 MiaBchBravesFan 20
24 DS1 19
25 Jimmy 19
Nelly
March 1st, 2012
10:38 am
thanks for an awesome story. without song lyrics
Murph
March 1st, 2012
10:38 am
When I read about politics I get that same feeling in the pit of my stomach that I did when Scott Proctor was called in from the bullpen.
Please, I’ve been feeling good… don’t bring that stuff to the blog. This should be a happy place.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:39 am
CB – Yuuuuummmmmmmmmmmm! BACON. Nature’s perfect food. Makes everything better.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:39 am
Murph – True that.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:40 am
#3….Man, I need to get a life!
Lew
March 1st, 2012
10:40 am
Murph – A happy place? You mean you’ve finally gotten over the effects of that rotten burrito that’s been coloring your thoughts about Mike Minor?
Soph
March 1st, 2012
10:41 am
CB, stop spewing your baconist agenda.
CB
March 1st, 2012
10:42 am
raleigh,no,you need to get back to work. LOL
CB
March 1st, 2012
10:44 am
Soph, pig’s are wonderful.
Venice Jim
March 1st, 2012
10:44 am
I need to stop working and dedicate myself to keeping someone from typing so much…
ncscoots
March 1st, 2012
10:44 am
CB, stop spewing your baconist agenda
CB has been long- and well-known as a baconist agitator and fifth-columnist
Homeland Security has been notified.
Boonie27
March 1st, 2012
10:45 am
DOB this is a longshot and may be asking too much, but my 5 year old son is a huge Jason Aldean fan. Is there any way to get Aldean to sign my son a ball and send to him?
Ease
March 1st, 2012
10:47 am
Soph, pig’s are wonderful.
I.Have.No.Comment….Using.Restraint…Bwahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
CB
March 1st, 2012
10:47 am
I am not worried about Homeland Security. Everyone can be bought with bacon.Even Obama is in my pocket.
Ryan Giacomini
March 1st, 2012
10:47 am
I had the privilege of living with Evan and playing with him at UTPB. He was and still is an inspiration to myself and many of his former teammates. He deserves everything he gets and I am very proud to call him my friend.
Soph
March 1st, 2012
10:47 am
•Dealing with a computer virus that’s wiped out my Tweetdeck, folks. Sorry if I don’t respond to as many Tweets as I normally would. 59 mins ago
Screw the Twitterers.
old timer
March 1st, 2012
10:49 am
Braves slugger? How can there be Braves slugger I’ve never heard of? Oh, OK, minor league slugger. Hopefully he makes it big with the big club in a couple years and Mac moves to left or third base.
Lew
March 1st, 2012
10:49 am
CB – I like bacon, too. Is there an online petition advocating bacon use that I can sign?
Ease
March 1st, 2012
10:49 am
CB has been long- and well-known as a baconist agitator and fifth-columnist
You mean he is not a Visitor? Always though he was kind of reptilian.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
10:50 am
Lew, my preference for Delgado/Teheran over Minor doesn’t upset me or make me unhappy… quite the opposite. I’m absolutely thrilled that the Braves have the depth for such a debate to be taking place.
See? Happy place.
Lew
March 1st, 2012
10:50 am
Honestly, just the mental picture of Mac playing the hot corner gives rise to nightmare scenarios – not to mention humor the likes of his slide into third on that triple.
Romefan
March 1st, 2012
10:51 am
Watched Bethancourt and Gattis last year in Rome. You could tell right away that Gattis is a baseball player. Bethancourt looks good in the uni but it did not take long to see that Gattis is a special talent and needed time behind the plate for the Rome Braves. I would not change his position any time soon. Great athletes do not always become great baseball players. Watched B-Mac play in Rome too and Gattis reminds me a lot of him at that level. Gattis just needs to keep focus and he will be special in Atlanta.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
10:52 am
Even Obama is in my pocket.
You mean his ears don’t stick out, or are they just shoved inside, making it awfully uncomfortable for….
Lew
March 1st, 2012
10:52 am
Murph – So the Immodium AD worked? Or was it the Pepto?
Jeff R
March 1st, 2012
10:52 am
No politics here, fellers. Plenty of b-ball to discuss – in addition to BBQ and music.
So, does Bethancourt land in Mississippi to start the season? If Gattis continues to crush the ball could he leap to Gwinnett before the end of 2012?
Lew
March 1st, 2012
10:53 am
Murph – I’m looking at a Hanson, Beachy, Teheran, Delgado, MInor rotation in a couple years.
CB
March 1st, 2012
10:53 am
Thanks,Ease.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:54 am
Baconists are not the problem…It’s vegans I worry about.
Lew
March 1st, 2012
10:55 am
Not necessarily in that particular order.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
10:57 am
Murph – How’s the 4 year old feeling?
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
10:57 am
“The pig is an amazing animal! You feed a pig an apple, it makes bacon! Think about that—it’s taking an apple, essentially garbage, and giving you bacon! That’s magic, or the most success recycling process ever!…”
—Jim Gaffigan
LJ
March 1st, 2012
11:02 am
we raised a lot of pigs, didn’t feed apples, maybe apple cores, mostly garbage, and yes you guessed it, bacon is the end result.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 1st, 2012
11:05 am
Grits, scrambled eggs and bacon mixed together
nolie
March 1st, 2012
11:05 am
how ‘ bout ham and pork?
reckingball
March 1st, 2012
11:09 am
bbq
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
11:09 am
A good country breakfast is a great meal…albeit not very healthy.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
11:10 am
So how does the pig make turkey bacon? Eat a turkey?
reckingball
March 1st, 2012
11:10 am
granny’s fried chittlins.
Soph
March 1st, 2012
11:10 am
They get married.
reckingball
March 1st, 2012
11:11 am
you feed a turkey bacon
Murph
March 1st, 2012
11:12 am
raleigh, she managed to sleep through the night, for the first time in 4 days, so that’s something. No fever this morning either, but still a bad cough. Thanks for asking.
This morning she told me how space tornadoes made the dinosaurs get exed and stinky, and that’s why they don’t exist anymore.
Which brings me to a new business idea I’ve been kicking around. This is not in place of the Sopapillaporium, but might actually help fund it. As some of you know, I’ve been making video games for the last 15+ years. While listening to the 4 year old tell one of her magical stories the other night about a superhero named Invisible Man it dawned on me that her stories would make awesome games.
So, sometime this month, I’m going to post a new project to the crowd-funding site Kickstarter. I’m going to get the 4 year old on video, telling one of her awesome stories, and then I’m going to turn that story into a game for iOS and Android devices. I’ll be hitting you all up for donations, or at the very least to help spread the word, so stay tuned and start saving your $$$. It’s gonna be huge.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
11:13 am
You talkin’ bout my granny?
Ease
March 1st, 2012
11:13 am
Posts are disappearing…
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
11:14 am
reckingball – I LOVE ham, bacon, pork chops, pork roast, sausage, ribs, BBQ…ALMOST all things pork…but you may have my share of the chittlins. You gotta draw the line somewhere.
reckingball
March 1st, 2012
11:15 am
my granny
Dr. Phil
March 1st, 2012
11:15 am
Just call him “Roy Hobbs.”
Ease
March 1st, 2012
11:17 am
I’m melting…melting…melt…mmm…
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
11:17 am
Murph – “it’s going to be HUGE” …You been listening to Donald Trump too much (actually, ANY is too much)
LJ
March 1st, 2012
11:18 am
teacher asked the class, what is your favorite animal. I said bacon. She got mad, said that wasn’t funny, I know that it was everyone was laughing. She sent me to the Principal. He laughed that said I shouldn’t do that. I am confused. Mom and Dad taught me to be honest. Dad said teacher was probably a vegan, don’t worry about it.
Next day, she asked what is favorite live animan. I said Pig, she asked why? I said cause you get bacon and sausage from pigs. She sent me back to the Pricipal. He laughed and then said don’t do that any more.
Next day she asked person we most admired. I said Jimmy Dean. Guess where I am now?
Ease
March 1st, 2012
11:19 am
raleigh, come see me…
Ease MD,
Cardiologist
Murph
March 1st, 2012
11:21 am
http://www.milb.com/milb/multimedia/milbtv.jsp
For an extra $20 you can add MiLB.TV to your MLB.TV package. Not many AA or lower teams are participating, so you might not be able to catch Gattis or the lower level guys often, but you’d be able to watch quite a few Gwinnett games.
That’s the cost of 6 breakfast tacos and a couple of drinks… probably worth it.
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
11:23 am
Murph … my seven year old is full of creative and exciting stories. At 4, she didn’t have all the plot elements nailed down. But yes, much interesting and creative stuff spews out of the young’uns. Capture it if you can. And, keep the 4 year old away from Disney as much as possible or she’ll get homogenized.
Lew
March 1st, 2012
11:23 am
LJ – If they don’t wanna know, then they shouldn’t ask, right?
urban redneck
March 1st, 2012
11:23 am
i REALLY love the story (all us recovering addicts do), but does he have a future in this organization? we will at least try to extend b-mac, then christian bettancourt is next in line, right? do we keep him for a backup catcher for after david ross?
reckingball
March 1st, 2012
11:24 am
A friend of mine told me that he hosted a chitlin cooking at his home on one occasion, and that all of the guest started hoggin’ down all of the chitlins.
So, to slow them down a little bit, he threw a half of a teaspoon of creamed corn into the chitlins(when no one was looking).
He said that it worked pretty good, and that he had some left-overs, after the party.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
11:26 am
abeee, I hear ya. She’s the type of kid that doesn’t watch much TV… doesn’t hold her attention. She’s way happier playing with her toys and making up stories.
Funny thing is, she actually hates princesses and Disney and all that stuff. Way more into superheroes right now… she saw the new trailer for The Avengers last night and broke into a full crying fit when I told her she couldn’t go to see it until she was older. Hulk smash!
GSouthEagle
March 1st, 2012
11:26 am
Dave, every day I am blown away by the stories you put up. You are by far the best beat writer for this paper and site. Keep it up. Real quick though, what are his realistic chances of cracking the Braves roster in the long term? He is looking more like a backup catcher?
Matt the Brave
March 1st, 2012
11:31 am
Man, sounds like the kind of guy that will be able to take a lot from David Ross this spring. I hope they keep him in camp until last cut so that he can really learn a ton. Sounds like he’ll be a great major leaguer soon.
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
11:31 am
Murph, March 1st, 2012, 11:26 am … “Way more into superheroes right now… she saw the new trailer for The Avengers last night … Hulk smash!
My little bit watched Captain America and Thor with me last summer. She is definitely into super-heroes. She’s also co-piloted many video games with me (lots of Zelda games, Okami, Super Mario) and is just now starting to play them herself.
Her video game plots range from such sequels as “Okami Birth” to “Legend of Zelda: My Life as a Wolf.”
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
11:32 am
BTW … can’t wait for the Avengers.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
11:38 am
Ease – Actually, my BP, Collesterol, and triglycerides are all excellent. Get everything checked quarterly, due to diabetes. I credit genitics, not diet.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
11:40 am
Art Linkletter made a career out of the “stuff that spews from young’uns.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
11:41 am
Mmmmmm BACON
Blame nolie for my blog domination – he challenged me and I WAS VICTORIOUS!!!!
Ease
March 1st, 2012
11:42 am
Collesterol
This is what I’m worried about…
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
11:44 am
I hope he goes to Lynchburg…would like to catch him at Mudcats games (they moved from Southern league to Carolina league for 2012).
Lew
March 1st, 2012
11:46 am
My cholestoral is terrible, but I can’t take any of the statin medications because I get “The one serious side effect” and can’t take Niacin because of the possibility of retinal bleeding, which I already have.
What? Me worry? Let them eat bacon.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
11:50 am
cab – Good morning. I hope Samantha comes back today. I love the strong “girl power” presence here…gives a little different perspective…always a good thing.
BlakefromAR
March 1st, 2012
11:52 am
Other than Pitchers(Delgado, Teheran, Minor, Viscaino) and Pastornicky are there any rookies/prospects expected to contribute early in the season or potentially have an impact this season?.
BlakefromAR
March 1st, 2012
11:52 am
Other than Pitchers(Delgado, Teheran, Minor, Viscaino) and Pastornicky are there any rookies/prospects expected to contribute early in the season or potentially have an impact this season?.
JoshTown
March 1st, 2012
11:54 am
Got our home opener tickets, and can’t stop smiling. Been in LA the last 8 years, and couldn’t be happier to be moving back home in time for the start of the season. Go Braves! Atlanta here we come!
Zing
March 1st, 2012
11:58 am
Lew, you don’t think Vizcaino will be in that mix?
CB
March 1st, 2012
12:06 pm
HA! I leave for awhile and come back you guys are still talking about bacon. WHEE! WHEE!
BravePack
March 1st, 2012
12:10 pm
Congrats Josh! Wish I was coming down there as well. I’ve been trying to move the family down there from Chicago for years now and we are as close to doing it as we’ve ever been but just too hard with kids ages 9 and 12, all our family is here(more so wife’s family as she is much closer to her family than I am to mine), jobs we’ve been at for a while, the hassle of moving to another state just to name a few. I, personally, have been ready for a long time now as we love the state of Georgia and our Braves, the wife and kids included. And we love Turner Field and we make that trip in the summer every year no matter what. Maybe someday I’ll get there for good.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:13 pm
raleighbravefan-
Good morning
Danny Jasso
March 1st, 2012
12:15 pm
Can he play OF? Seem to remember a certain former Brave (who should be a HOF’er) who was a C that converted to OF #justsayin
Murph
March 1st, 2012
12:17 pm
abeee, do you have a PC or Mac at home? If you’re PC let me know and I’ll hook you up with a new family-friendly game that my company is working on… should be releasing soon’ish.
DS1
March 1st, 2012
12:17 pm
Lew
I take Vizcaino for my high cholesterol!
Did I miss out on a political rant or two??
DAMN!
nolie
March 1st, 2012
12:18 pm
I felt sooo sorry forya that i let you win……
DS1
March 1st, 2012
12:22 pm
Bethancourt has a good Fall League, and we are trying to figure out where to move Mac to fit him in.
Now Gattis hits some bombs this spring, and we are talking about moving Mac again.
These things tend to have a way of working themselves out.
Enjoy the ride!
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
12:24 pm
Murph, March 1st, 2012, 12:17 pm … “abeee, do you have a PC or Mac at home? If you’re PC let me know and I’ll hook you up with a new family-friendly game that my company is working on… should be releasing soon’ish.
PC – Windoze XP
PC – Ubuntu
Mac Mini
I like computers, although my NEXT-Station is a thing of the distant past.
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
12:25 pm
Until it’s PBP time, Nolie and Cabravesfan live in rarefied territory that I can barely imagine.
JoshTown
March 1st, 2012
12:25 pm
Thanks BravePack! I grew up in Atlanta and then moved out to LA in my mid 20s. I think 8 years out here is long enough. I’d always go see them play against the Dodgers, but that wasn’t nearly enough. Luckily my wife’s been able to transfer to the Atlanta office from out here, and having a job secured makes it MUCH easier. Chicago’s a great town, been there several times for work, but I know what you mean, nothin beats the “feel” of the South.
nolie
March 1st, 2012
12:25 pm
yeah its a good story but the odds are pretty long
Ted M
March 1st, 2012
12:27 pm
DOB –
Great job on a great story!
Who is our # one outfield prospect? Can you tell us a little about that player?
Thanks,
Ted
nolie
March 1st, 2012
12:27 pm
prolly cause we both work at home on our ‘puters and get bored easily
DS1
March 1st, 2012
12:29 pm
nolie
Reminds me of an old peanuts cartoon strip from years ago. Charlie Brown had a little baby brother (I think?) and one of the others asked Snoopy if he was going to see the baby? He says to himself, “I think I’ll wait till he opens his eyes.”
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:30 pm
abeeewright-
Blame VJ! I get bored when he leaves for work (usually around the time I’m done with mine) so I talk to you guys
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:30 pm
nolie-
sure you let me win
nolie
March 1st, 2012
12:33 pm
you can see by my piddlin’ amount that I didn’t even try….
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2012
12:34 pm
Braves rotation for first five spring-training games: 1. Minor, 2. Delgado/Teheran, 3. Jurrjens, 4. Medlen, 5. Beachy. (Teheran piggybacks w/ Delgado)
Delgado will start and Teheran relieve the second time through, Fredi said. And Hanson will replace Medlen either second or third time through. Hanson could be ready second time through if he’s back tomorrow to face hitters in BP, a possibility.
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2012
12:36 pm
Chipper Jones and Jason Aldean take a break during workout
http://twitpic.com/8qn81k
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2012
12:37 pm
Couple of shots of Heyward, who had a particularly impressive BP session today. Was crushing some balls over RF and CF walls.
http://twitpic.com/8qn3qu
http://twitpic.com/8qn42v
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2012
12:37 pm
Guest coaches David Justice and Fred McGriff
http://twitpic.com/8qmvui
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2012
12:38 pm
Ol’ Chipper squaring one up:
http://twitpic.com/8qmth5
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
12:38 pm
cabravesfan … boredom may give you the incentive to post, but it takes a little creativity and determination to rack up the high post counts.
I’ve tried to bump my stats on occasion, but I just don’t have the staying power you and nolie have.
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2012
12:39 pm
McCann in the cage
http://twitpic.com/8qmr90
Bulldawgman49
March 1st, 2012
12:39 pm
What a great story . I hope this kid keeps up the good work and makes the club , I know he a catcher now maybe try him at first base ?
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
12:40 pm
Who’s the broad-caster that occasionally calls Chipper “the old gray mare?”
Does he know that that’s not very complimentary?
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2012
12:40 pm
Jason Aldean actually has a pretty good swing for a guy who hasn’t played baseball in 17 years (since high school):
http://twitpic.com/8qmtx5
Jake
March 1st, 2012
12:41 pm
Great story, DOB. You’ve got to love a guy like that. God bless him.
nolie
March 1st, 2012
12:45 pm
yeah at the very least he could call him the old gray gelding…
oops wait, maybe that would be even worse
lets go with old gray stallion, that’s better
BravePack
March 1st, 2012
12:45 pm
Bulldawgman49
March 1st, 2012
12:39 pm
What a great story . I hope this kid keeps up the good work and makes the club , I know he a catcher now maybe try him at first base ?
Not sure that would be in the best interest for the kid Gattis as I think 1st base will be occupied for many years to come for the Braves by some guy with a #5 on the back of his jersey.
BravePack
March 1st, 2012
12:47 pm
If anything I would throw him in LF as it would probably be the easiest position for him to learn given his size.
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
12:48 pm
The problem with many of the young kids in the Braves organization is that many positions are locked down for a while … catcher, 1B, RF (hopefully), starters #1-5, closer, set up man, maybe SS if The Rev is “all that,” …
This is a young team.
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
12:48 pm
Forgot 2B, and 3B (if Prado makes the switch).
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
12:49 pm
In other words, if you’re not a CF prospect or power-hitting OF, you might have to toil for four-six years before having an opening on the big club.
nolie
March 1st, 2012
12:51 pm
not so sure Prado will be a long term third baseman for us
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
12:52 pm
I agree on Prado at 3B, but don’t tell Soph I said so.
Terry
March 1st, 2012
12:52 pm
Can he play left field???????
Terry
March 1st, 2012
12:53 pm
I am talking Gattis:)
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
12:53 pm
They ought to outlaw these Performance Enhancing Posts or I might get back on the list.
They say that PEP’s don’t necessarily get you into the HoF, but they can make a marginal player a major leaguer.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
12:58 pm
Oy- AJ Burnett took a ball off his eye on a bunt attempt- having surgery…
braveshoo
March 1st, 2012
12:58 pm
I would love to see us carry 3 catchers on the 25 man roster. Then we could pinch hit Ross or Gaddis and still have a reserve catcher if needed. Both Ross and Gaddis are RH with power, something we need. Has he ever tried playing LF? This could help too.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
1:00 pm
braveshoo-
Gattis has not played above A ball…not to mention there is no way a team would carry 3 catchers on their 25 man roster…
George
March 1st, 2012
1:01 pm
Cab won by a lot, more that 2 to 1 over nolie.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
1:04 pm
Only because I took it as a challenge to beat him
ncscoots
March 1st, 2012
1:07 pm
If anything I would throw him in LF as it would probably be the easiest position for him to learn given his size.
That would reduce his positional value quite drastically. Providing offense at a nominally defensive position is the thing that raises the stock of someone such as Gattis.
ncscoots
March 1st, 2012
1:08 pm
In other words, if you’re not a CF prospect or power-hitting OF, you might have to toil for four-six years before having an opening on the big club.
That’s why GMs have phones.
jeffrey d
March 1st, 2012
1:14 pm
Great story on Gattis…thanks DOB
jim
March 1st, 2012
1:18 pm
Since the pitchers are only going 2 and 3 innings the first two starts, it doesn’t matter who starts and who relieves. Once the starters go 4+ innings, then the innings Teheran, Delgado, and Medlen get as a reliever will be diminished.
jim
March 1st, 2012
1:22 pm
The order Jurrjens (3), Medlen/Hanson (4), Beachy (5), Minor (1), Delgao/Teheran (2)
probably works out to fix the opening season rotation.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
1:22 pm
News of the day: McGriff still has a 34 waist size.
Venice Jim
March 1st, 2012
1:32 pm
Today’s installment of songs from Springsteen’s new album is actually an old song, first done on tour in 1999 – but it does feature one of the last recordings made by The Big Man:
http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2012/03/stream-bruce-springsteens-land-of-hope-and-dreams-free-today/
Patrick
March 1st, 2012
1:42 pm
Franklin Gutierrez torn his pectoral muscle today, he’s probably out until mid to late May
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
1:50 pm
Good morning everyone, Are you on cabravesfan?
brian
March 1st, 2012
1:55 pm
cabravesfan – With McCann and Betancourt ahead of him, the way Gattis gets on the Braves 25 man ML roster in a FEW years is to learn LF as well. He could be LF and an emergency/3rd string catcher. Agree that no NL team will carry 3 catchers except maybe when playing an AL team and they want to use one catcher as the DH. The BRaves and Gattis will want to keep his Cattcher skills up to date to keep his value as high as it can be
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
1:59 pm
brian-
I understand that. That is not what the other poster was implying (or if it was, it was not how I read it). I said yesterday that I can’t imagine Gattis’ future with the Braves will be as a catcher.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
2:01 pm
That would reduce his positional value quite drastically. Providing offense at a nominally defensive position is the thing that raises the stock of someone such as Gattis.
If Gattis moves up and is equally impressive with the bat I think the conversation has to be had at some point, though… He has increased value as a catcher, sure, but if his bat continues to progress I’d imagine the team would want to find a place for him in the lineup.
From DOB’s article he strikes me as the kind of guy who wouldn’t care much if the team moved him to LF… sounds like he just wants to have fun and play some ball.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
2:01 pm
Another reason that Diaz sticks around…he is the emergency catcher.
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
2:05 pm
I neeed to talk to cabravesfan, but since everyone is ignoring me. I am going to just sit back and be quiet.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
2:08 pm
I’d rather have Gattis on the roster than Diaz. At least he has the potential to do something interesting (I don’t consider GiDP all that interesting).
DAP
March 1st, 2012
2:13 pm
DS1 Now Gattis hits some bombs this spring, and we are talking about moving Mac again.
ought to be talking about moving gattis. LF.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
2:14 pm
(I don’t consider GiDP all that interesting).
If it is bang-bang it could be interesting. I mean, for about one second, you might get your hopes up before the “Aw sh*t Matty,” comes.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
2:15 pm
Samantha-
Sorry! Been busy with work today
How are you?
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
2:21 pm
Iam good thank you for asking. I kind of misspoke last night on Hometown. I just moved to Gwinnett a month ago to go to work before going to Georgia Tech in the fall. I was actually bormn and raised in Whitefish Montana. Sorry I told you wrong.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
2:24 pm
Hmmmmm… Bethancourt = BeFannCourt. That worked. But, what moniker will McFann take on when Gattis takes over for BMac in 2014?
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
2:25 pm
Samantha – Glad you made it back.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
2:25 pm
Samantha, do you know Ward? He lives in Montana. Works in janitorial services. Likes the Braves. Yells at people a lot.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
2:26 pm
Samantha-
No worries! Montana, huh? I imagine that’s quite a bit different than Georgia
Ease
March 1st, 2012
2:27 pm
GatFannTis
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
2:27 pm
Murph – Probably McP*ssed.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
2:28 pm
Montana > Gwinnett
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
2:29 pm
Murph – That’s real Ward (I think)….Who knows where fake Ward is from.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
2:29 pm
Or she could just keep McFann and start posting on a Yankees blog.
jeffrey d
March 1st, 2012
2:31 pm
You’re compairing a county to an entire state?
Gwinnett > a post office
Murph
March 1st, 2012
2:31 pm
Bye N. McCann
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
2:32 pm
It will be a real test of McFann’s dedication. Will she move to NY too?
Murph
March 1st, 2012
2:34 pm
You know, there’s something about Samantha that reminds me a lot of Ward. Missing punctuation, capital letters in odd places…
Either the Montana school systems are teaching all of the kids there the same mistakes or our Ward has decided to go in a new direction with his life.
Her life… sorry Ward.
jeffrey d
March 1st, 2012
2:35 pm
Be nice
Bat Masterson
March 1st, 2012
2:36 pm
You’re compairing a county to an entire state?
Gwinnett > a post office
The population is about the same.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
2:36 pm
Antarctica > Gwinnett
Is that better jeffrey? Does that adequately express my disdain for that “county”?
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
2:37 pm
I miss the mountains and the snow but I needto get out of Montana for a while. Murph I dont know Ward. What part of Montana is he from? Whitefish is 75 miles from Canadian border
jeffrey d
March 1st, 2012
2:37 pm
Between Gwinnett and Montana or Gwinnett and the post office?
jeffrey d
March 1st, 2012
2:37 pm
So leave! I love Gwinnett. Just bought a house there
HometownFan
March 1st, 2012
2:38 pm
Longtime reader, first time poster here.
I’m pulling for this kid what a great story!
An on another note what a great asset David Ross is to this team, everything I read has some quote from him about helping the young guys. Even though he is the back up catcher you can’t put a price on having a guy like that in your clubhouse.
Oh yeah keep up the good work DOB. By far the best beat writter in the business.
Soph
March 1st, 2012
2:39 pm
Hater.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
2:40 pm
Whitefish is 75 miles from Canadian border
Wow, so that is really up there in the north. I’m sure it’s stunning…but I can also imagine the need to try something new for a while
tim-o
March 1st, 2012
2:40 pm
hey dave, thanks very much for the regular updates. living in switzerland, i really appreciate you keeping us up to date every day in orlando. thanks, man!
Bat Masterson
March 1st, 2012
2:41 pm
Gwinnett & Montana …………
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
2:41 pm
Ease Or she could just keep McFann and start posting on a Yankees blog.
If you’re gonna keep hating on Gwinnett, maybe I will!!…
Murph
March 1st, 2012
2:44 pm
Lots of deer in that part of Montana… lots and lots of deer. I would have moved too.
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
2:46 pm
Well, Cabravesfan, Sorry i am very touchy right now and very shy so they started picking on me and I just can not handle it right now. Sign off . Talk to you later
Ease
March 1st, 2012
2:48 pm
I grew up in Gwinnett (20years) and have indeed left. But I still have ties and therin lies the problem I have.
HometownFan
March 1st, 2012
2:50 pm
I’ve lived in Gwinnett for 6 year now its not that bad. Certain parts suck but you can find that in any county.
Don in TN
March 1st, 2012
2:50 pm
“News of the day: McGriff still has a 34 waist size”
Hey, I’m older than McGriff (68) and still have a 34 waist size.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
2:51 pm
Samantha = Ward
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
2:51 pm
cab – like talking to people?
jeffrey d
March 1st, 2012
2:53 pm
I have deer all the time in my Gwinnett backyard
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
2:54 pm
Samantha-
Being picked on means you have been accepted
tiger-
talking to people is overrated
jeffrey d
March 1st, 2012
2:54 pm
What didn’t you like, Ease?
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
2:54 pm
Deer and Nala are not a good combination…
Jimmy
March 1st, 2012
2:56 pm
Samantha – “so they started picking on me and I just can not handle it right now.”
If she can’t handle a couple of Ward remarks, she certainly can’t handle some of the real loosers on here. And forget the in-gamers!
Samantha, everyone on here is just having fun. Not picking on you.
The posters on here right now are good folks.
Jimmy
March 1st, 2012
2:58 pm
Murph – you may be on to something there. Let’s see if Ward pops in soon.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
2:58 pm
Good column by Bauman on the official website. Pretty much sums up the feeling of us “half-fullers”.
David O'Brien
March 1st, 2012
3:01 pm
hey dave, thanks very much for the regular updates. living in switzerland, i really appreciate you keeping us up to date every day in orlando. thanks, man! — tim-o
Dark Star-to-Switzerland direct connection to spring training. The Internet’s a great thing.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
3:01 pm
That was definitely Ward. Look at the spelling, the punctuation, the same “here I am!” opening and “here I go!” exit.
If that wasn’t Ward and my remarks sent “her” packing… oh well. More attention for the real women on the blog.
ncscoots
March 1st, 2012
3:01 pm
He has increased value as a catcher, sure, but if his bat continues to progress I’d imagine the team would want to find a place for him in the lineup.
Probably not, but why nuke the good feeling on the blog for the guy? I can always write that post next year or the year after. Meantime, I’d just as soon join the rest of the forum and envision young Gattis finding wild success in a Braves’ uni, at any position and in any future year.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
3:03 pm
Samantha – Hey, they weren’t really picking on you. They were really saying ” You’re already one of the group”. No body bothers to kid with you if they don’t like and accept you. Please hang around. We need more rationality here.
jeffrey d
March 1st, 2012
3:03 pm
It wasn’t Ward, and you’re coming off as an internet bully Murph
Soph
March 1st, 2012
3:03 pm
I didn’t know you were a Gwinnettian, Ease.
lefty fielder
March 1st, 2012
3:04 pm
DOB
What a great column. Never heard of him but gotta pull for him now. (I read the title and heard Larry Munson)
Soph
March 1st, 2012
3:04 pm
I didn’t know you were a Gwinnettian, Ease. What part?
Soph
March 1st, 2012
3:05 pm
Pulled a half cab there.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
3:05 pm
It got old really fast. I was in Norcross/Duluth when it was one of the fastest growing counties in the nation but then it fizzled (and admittedly, I am only speaking west of 85, well actually west of Buford Hwy).
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
3:06 pm
Samantha – The fact that people are kidding with you means they have already accepted you as part of the group. Please come back. We need more rationality here.
Jimmy
March 1st, 2012
3:06 pm
ScottMCBS -”Players very much on-board w/extra wild card team. No dissenters among those I’ve talked with. Enthusiasm very high.”
He might want to talk to Chipper for a different perspective.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
3:06 pm
Soph-
A “half cab”? First, what is a half cab? and you can do better! Go for a full cab!!
Murph
March 1st, 2012
3:07 pm
It wasn’t Ward, and you’re coming off as an internet bully Murph
I’m 99.9% sure it was Ward.
And how am I coming off as a bully? I didn’t do anything wrong. If Ward wants to put on a dress and call himself Samantha, that’s Ward’s business, not mine. Doesn’t bother me.
Soph
March 1st, 2012
3:07 pm
Near my part of town. It’s not as bad as you make it sound.
Soph
March 1st, 2012
3:08 pm
cab, 1/2 of a double post except the second one was a little different.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
3:09 pm
Soph-
You must strive to achieve greatness…no half cabs allowed!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
3:10 pm
Samantha—
Ah, don’t let the kidding get to you…it cann get rough on here at times, but there’s enough fun to override the crazies!
Believe you me, I know about the crazies…
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
3:13 pm
staff meeting see if I have time to blog
Ease
March 1st, 2012
3:13 pm
Soph, which half? And it was a lot better when I was growing up, which might be the problem now, as I am all grown up.
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
3:16 pm
I’ve heard of a half-Nelson.
Today’s the first half-cab.
Soph
March 1st, 2012
3:16 pm
Ease – Norcross/Lilburn. I agree that the area was much better during my childhood as well but I still like living here. Seems like Lawrenceville is the place to be in G’nett these days.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
3:17 pm
I’m going to change my blog name to “Francine” and stomp off crying every time one of you so much as thinks about saying something mean to me.
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
3:19 pm
murph you deer chicken…
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
3:20 pm
or is that a dear chicken I can’t remember
Jimmy
March 1st, 2012
3:22 pm
Francine = Fair weathered fan.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
3:22 pm
Played some HS ball over around Lilburn (Lilburn, Shiloh, Parkview, Brookwood). But when I see how much Woodstock has grown and developed, it just seems kinda of depressing going over to the old ‘hood.
Ease
March 1st, 2012
3:23 pm
tiger, just give the deer and the chicken to the pig to eat and call him bacon.
Ward
March 1st, 2012
3:26 pm
Hello everyone! Murph – Agree with your 2:01pm post,and nicley well said…….
richbrave
March 1st, 2012
3:28 pm
‘Big JIM’ GATTIS – Where did this guy come from?
Heh! Now there’s a REAL story.
Last year’s comments whenever I mentioned how well he was doing.
1- He’s old – 24.
2- He’s hitting because he’s in low A-ball.
3- His defense is terrible.
Next year’s comments
1- Can he take over for ROSS now?
2- Can he be as good as McCANN defensively?
3- Was RICHBRAVE actually right about this guy?
Well, remember the last guy I liked besides AL SIMMONS was CHARLIE MORTON. I’ll wait on the accolades where GATTIS is concerned, but I sure am going to LYNCHBURG to see him in 2012. Last year, I blinked and VIZ was in AA. I ain’t waitin’ this time.
Ward
March 1st, 2012
3:29 pm
Ease-can’t agree with your 10:52am post.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
3:29 pm
Ward, tell me the truth… were you on here earlier posting as “Samantha” from Whitebutt, Montana or was that really someone else?
Don’t lie to me, Ward… was it you?
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
3:30 pm
great idea
Ward
March 1st, 2012
3:30 pm
richbrave- Gaittis came from the Gods……A gift from the Gods…….
richbrave
March 1st, 2012
3:33 pm
ZEUS I’m presuming. He sure carries lightning in that stick of his.
Ward
March 1st, 2012
3:33 pm
Murph-I didn’t post until I said “Hello evreyone”,and sometimes I don’t say Hello all the time,but I go by Ward only my friend,and if I came down on some to hard yesterday. I apologize for it.
richbrave
March 1st, 2012
3:36 pm
Besides with all the crap that has gone down about moving the franchise to WILMINGTON, N.C., I expect to have unobstructed views from behind home plate.
KK
March 1st, 2012
3:36 pm
There goes Brian’s leverage
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
3:37 pm
ward – so how close to whitefish are you? I know you have told us before but I can’t remember
richbrave
March 1st, 2012
3:39 pm
Ward
March 1st, 2012
3:41 pm
tiger297- I never tell locations my friend…….Around the Montana Flathead Lake area. I’m going to try to start fishing again. Beautiful place,Montana will always be home.
Jimmy
March 1st, 2012
3:43 pm
Ward = Fake Ward.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
3:43 pm
So, Ward is not Samantha.
I made a girl cry. Pretty much par for the course… my day isn’t complete unless I say something to send one of my daughters or wife running for their room with snot bubbles coming from their nose.
But, this is a baseball blog, and there’s no crying in baseball, so I don’t feel too horrible about it.
Efrim
March 1st, 2012
3:44 pm
Haven’t been around much lately. But did want to comment on the Molina finalization of his contract extension. It absolutely hurts the Braves chances of re-signing McCann, imo. I still believe it will happen, but as I have said before, now you have to sign Mac through 2019, his age 35 year old season. That’s a very big commitment to Mac and I’m less sure about him staying with the Braves than I was a couple months back.
Not sure if this was discussed: The Braves will make Nick Swisher their top free agent target next offseason, according to ESPN’s Jim Bowden. Bowden suggests the Yankees could make an all-out push for Andre Ethier if Swisher does head to Atlanta.
He’s the most logical free agent target for the Braves because he a) plays a corner outfield spot, and b) won’t cost as much as some of the other premiere free agents in terms of length of contract. Still have to see the season play out to determine their value going forward, but he makes sense and I’d rather Swisher than Andre Ethier, who can’t hit LHP at all.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
3:44 pm
Delgado vs Scherzer on Sunday… too bad they’ll only go one or two innings. That would be an interesting matchup.
Ward
March 1st, 2012
3:45 pm
All have a good one! Talk later tonight,and peace my friends…….”Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!” I Have High Hopes!!!!!!!!
nolie
March 1st, 2012
3:46 pm
cripes I can’t believe some here want Gettis on the team this year, give me a freakin’ break……..
Murph
March 1st, 2012
3:48 pm
cripes I can’t believe some here want Gettis on the team this year, give me a freakin’ break
Who said that? I think you need to put your readers on…
nolie
March 1st, 2012
3:52 pm
didn’t murph said he’d rather have him than Diaz, but it was Murph afterall……
nolie
March 1st, 2012
3:53 pm
I seriously doubt they sign Swisher next year
Bat Masterson
March 1st, 2012
3:54 pm
Well the games haven’t started yet, so maybe dreaming about having some come from nowhere baseball masher is more fun than resigning oneself to the likelihood of a fifth outfielder of the swinging bunt variety.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
3:54 pm
Efrim-
Hi! I was hoping you’d pop up so I could complain to you about the Niners signing Ahmad Brooks to a 6 year deal…not that I don’t like him, but…
Jimmy
March 1st, 2012
3:55 pm
Looking for Dee Gordon to have a breakout year with the Dodgers. Flash Gordon’s son.
With Furcal gone, it’s his to lose. He has blazing speed. Been watching him for a couple of years now. 2012 is his year.
ncscoots
March 1st, 2012
3:56 pm
[Swisher is] the most logical free agent target for the Braves
yeah, but he’s received the Bowden Kiss Of Death, now. Just as well, where I’m concerned. Swisher induces no faster heartbeat for me.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
3:57 pm
Murph – I like you, man…and sometimes you are pretty funny…but…try to back off on the jerk meter a little. We need all the nice new contributers we can get.
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
3:59 pm
I think the Braves would have loved to had the younger, cheaper Swisher. Next year’s version? Maybe not so much.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
4:00 pm
didn’t murph said he’d rather have him than Diaz
You better believe it. At least Gattis could get the ball out of the infield.
nolie
March 1st, 2012
4:00 pm
kinda my thought too raleigh
DAP
March 1st, 2012
4:03 pm
the braves will target swisher only if chipper retires.
BravePack
March 1st, 2012
4:03 pm
Murph
I have to say I agree with you about Samantha. Too many similar characteristics in her posts that mirror Ward. Plus she said she is from Montana and there are like 2 people in Montana so what are the possibilities that they both would be on this blog?…not good. The only thing I am doubting is Ward having the mental capacity to come up with another personality for the blog given how much trouble he has working on his Ward posts.
nolie
March 1st, 2012
4:03 pm
I’m always embarrassed to be caught agreeing with Murph, but I too thought Samantha was perhaps a regular having fun….
Murph
March 1st, 2012
4:04 pm
raleigh, what did I say that was so jerky? A person came on the board, from Montana, who couldn’t spell or use punctuation, who pointed out that they had arrived and later that they are leaving, and I… bah, whatever. I’m not the only one who suspected that was Ward, I’m just the only one who said something.
Hillbilly
March 1st, 2012
4:04 pm
Looking for Dee Gordon to have a breakout year with the Dodgers. Flash Gordon’s son.
It took a double take for me to come back to my senses after reading this the first time. I pictured Dee Gordon from the Dodgers and then I pictured the blond dude from the movie throwing melons at the henchmen. Go Flash, Go!
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
4:05 pm
DAP – I would guess they are grooming some young’uns for 3B, unless Prado for a year or two.
DS1
March 1st, 2012
4:05 pm
DOB was saying that Diaz had trimmed down a bit. Not that he was heavy before, but might have bulked up too much in the past couple of years.
I think Matty D might be a pleasant surprise for us this year.
But then again, I thought Scott Thorman was gonna be the answer too……….
DAP
March 1st, 2012
4:06 pm
ralieghbravesfan I think the Braves would have loved to had the younger, cheaper Swisher. Next year’s version? Maybe not so much.
good point. the braves should have gotten him in the deal with javy vasquez when swish was coming off a down year with the white sox. i said it then.
but swisher will only be 32 and ahs shown no signs of slowing down with an excellent OBP and good power.
nolie
March 1st, 2012
4:07 pm
takers a real man to admit that big a mistake DS1….
DS1
March 1st, 2012
4:08 pm
or just a huge homer……….
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
4:09 pm
OK, Murph. You could be right. But it would be a real shame if you are wrong, and ran off a new participant.
I agree that Ward is a real cunundrum…Real Ward? Fake Ward? Fake Samantha? Who knows???
Gibby
March 1st, 2012
4:10 pm
Even Kevin Goldstein likes the blog today. Called it an amazing story on Twitter. I have to agree. Can we curb the McCann to Yanks talk. He should be and deserves to be a brave for life (or at least on more contract)
DS1
March 1st, 2012
4:10 pm
Thinking about changing my moniker to “Giancarlo in Montana”
nolie
March 1st, 2012
4:14 pm
I been thinking of changing to Pendejo in Punta Gorda
Murph
March 1st, 2012
4:14 pm
Again raleigh, what did I say that was so bad? Please, enlighten me so I can avoid making the same mistake again.
Was it my deer comment? Oh… gosh… I didn’t even think of that. I wonder if Samantha was some kind of Montana orphan due to a deer attack or something? Now, if that’s the case, I’d be truly remorseful for my comment about the deer around Whitefish, Montana. Stupid Murph! I should know better… deer have taken their toll on so many lives, I really should take more care. Especially with someone from Montana.
Sorry deer killed your folks, Samantha. Sorry ’bout that.
JoeFan
March 1st, 2012
4:16 pm
Great story. Can he be taught to play LF or RF?
Sean Grace
March 1st, 2012
4:16 pm
Great story and great writing! I hope we see him at Turner in the future.
nolie
March 1st, 2012
4:17 pm
well we all know that Murph writes Ward, now he is claiming that ward writes Samantha, and he is calling out Ward for doing so, ….getting very convoluted there IYAM
New Mexico Lee
March 1st, 2012
4:18 pm
Dumb question time. I remember Scott Thorman being the talk of the town, but I never heard what happen to him. Would someone fill me in. Thanks
raleighbravefan
March 1st, 2012
4:18 pm
outta here. later, friends.
ncscoots
March 1st, 2012
4:19 pm
Even Kevin Goldstein likes the blog today.
Probably means he’s ready to trade O’Brien, because his value will never be higher.
Jimmy
March 1st, 2012
4:20 pm
Murph – I agreed with you about the Ward = Samantha, and said so at the time. But, I didn’t see it until you pointed it out.
And then after “she” left crying, Ward turns up. Or the Fake Ward. Another oddity.
But I’m sure of this, if what Murph posted ran her off, she won’t lsat long on this blog.
nolie
March 1st, 2012
4:20 pm
AAAA guy. could hit some in the minors but not in the bigs, back bouncing around various team’s AAA clubs I think
New Mexico Lee
March 1st, 2012
4:22 pm
nolie, did we trade him or cut him?
nolie
March 1st, 2012
4:23 pm
granted minor league free agency IIRC
New Mexico Lee
March 1st, 2012
4:24 pm
Thanks nolie.
beekay
March 1st, 2012
4:31 pm
DOB
Has Uggla ever tried to play third base? If Chip retires after this season I would love to see an infield of Freddie, Prado, Pastornicky/Simmons and Uggs….seems to me it would be easier at 3rd with less ground to cover and that would be one heck of an offensive infeld.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
4:32 pm
Does Uggla have the arm for 3B?
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
4:37 pm
Uggla played 228 games at 3rd base in the minors- last played 11 games there in 2005…none in the majors
Alphonzo
March 1st, 2012
4:40 pm
hele ya he sound like da real man “When his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.’ –Mark 3:21
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
4:41 pm
I am back.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
4:45 pm
Welcome back, Samantha
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
4:53 pm
Thank you. Sorry, I left. I am very touchy right now. Trying to get over a very hurtful relationship right now.
Ken Stallings
March 1st, 2012
4:58 pm
Given the Braves have a dire need for corner outfield power, and Brian McCann is a fairly young and All-Star quality catcher, and that this Gettis kid is struggling merely on his catching defense, seems a natural question why the Braves are not considering moving him to outfield. Is it because he doesn’t have the speed to be successful at left field?
Greg from Marietta
March 1st, 2012
4:58 pm
This has to be one of the best stories that I have read in a very long time. I will definitely be pulling for this young man. Not many kids survive the search to find themselves as well as he has. I hope he continues to improve and find his way onto a big league team. If not the Braves then with somebody. BEST OF LUCK EVAN!!
BravePack
March 1st, 2012
4:59 pm
Samantha you must be fairly young if you are so upset about a hurtful relationship and it making you so emotional right now.
BravePack
March 1st, 2012
5:02 pm
Don’t let it bother you so much because it will get easier. Just take it one day at a time and do things you enjoy to take your mind off of it. Don’t make your life harder than it already is and most of all be good to yourself.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
5:03 pm
Eat lots of ice cream. That always helps too. Lots and lots and lots of ice cream.
Soph
March 1st, 2012
5:06 pm
Blog March Madness league anyone? I think we did one last year.
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
5:08 pm
Thank you, BravePack. If 19 is young than I guess I am. That is why I left Montana, and decided to go to school at Georgia Tech.
corboto
March 1st, 2012
5:09 pm
where from in MT?
MiaBchBravesFan
March 1st, 2012
5:14 pm
Man, now I’n glad we did not take a flyer in Grady Sizemore. He’s out 8-12 weeks after surgery. Poor kid has had some bad luck with injuries.
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
5:14 pm
Whitefish
MiaBchBravesFan
March 1st, 2012
5:15 pm
Where in Montana, Samantha? I have a friend from Libby.
MiaBchBravesFan
March 1st, 2012
5:17 pm
Ah, dues east from Libby, ’bout 60-plus miles.
MiaBchBravesFan
March 1st, 2012
5:24 pm
Baseball is good tonic for forgetting heartbreak, if for a while. When you get bucked off the bronco, you dust yourself off, find new friends at Tech, and go out a lot.
Getting in people circulation helps to distract a broken heart – which will repair itself!
Mixxo
March 1st, 2012
5:25 pm
Baseball is good tonic for forgetting heartbreak…
Unless you’re a Braves fan.
STRETCH
March 1st, 2012
5:26 pm
•The Braves will make Nick Swisher their top free agent target next offseason, according to ESPN’s Jim Bowden. Bowden suggests the Yankees could make an all-out push for Andre Ethier if Swisher does head to Atlanta.
And people wonder why Atlanta is the worse sports city in america????
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
5:29 pm
And people wonder why Atlanta is the worse sports city in america????
I am not sure how a rumor about what the Braves may or may not do NEXT OFFSEASON has anything to do with it being a bad sports city. But hey, what do I know? I think LA is a bad sports city…
Lew
March 1st, 2012
5:29 pm
Why is that? Because they’d like to have a switch hitting LFer with an OBP of .350, an .800+ OPS and who hits 20 plus HR every year?
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
5:30 pm
Thanks Guys, Understanding and Friendship is what i need right now.
BravePack
March 1st, 2012
5:30 pm
Mixxo
March 1st, 2012
5:25 pm
Baseball is good tonic for forgetting heartbreak…
Unless you’re a Braves fan.
Until this year.
Braves Redemption 2012!
And that was a low blow Mixxo.
New Mexico Lee
March 1st, 2012
5:32 pm
Go out, but do NOT get into a new relationship until you are completely healed and over the heartache. A new relationship now would not be a good thing.
Mixxo
March 1st, 2012
5:35 pm
BravePack -
I hope you’re right! Man oh MAN, I hope you’re right!
BravePack
March 1st, 2012
5:35 pm
Samantha
How did you find yourself on this blog and how did you become a Braves fan being from Montana?
Murph
March 1st, 2012
5:38 pm
A new relationship now would not be a good thing.
Unless it’s with his best friend or brother.
New Mexico Lee
March 1st, 2012
5:42 pm
O Murph
blazon
March 1st, 2012
5:43 pm
DOB…a great story in the first place but you got it just right…the 4 hour wait in his truck on the hill in SF was the killer detail…thanks
BravePack
March 1st, 2012
5:48 pm
Me too Mixxo…me too!
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
5:50 pm
BravePack, I have been a brave fan since the age of six when i would watch them on extra inninningsor TbS sitting on my daddys lap. My roommate showed me how to get on this site. I just talked to my sister and she told me to think about go Yellow Jackets and Go braves and pick my self up and look at the new day. I an going to try. I hope it works.
BravePack
March 1st, 2012
5:55 pm
Murph
It’s hard man…too many similarities. I’m torn…
New Mexico Lee
March 1st, 2012
5:57 pm
Murph, I know who it is and you know how it is, but can’t you play along. Give them a little rope….
richbrave
March 1st, 2012
5:58 pm
For those of you following baby BRAVES here’s the six minor’s affiliates opening day schedule:
GWINNETT [AAA] – APRIL 5 away
PEARL RIVER [AA] – APRIL 5 home
LYNCHBURG [A+] – APRIL 6 home
ROME [A] – APRIL 5 away
DANVILLE [R+] JUNE 19 home
ORLANDO [R] JUNE 18 home
BravePack
March 1st, 2012
5:59 pm
That’s good advice from your sister. It’s nice when you have family to help you through this. Like I said earlier just keep yourself busy with things that make you happy…even if it’s just the simple, little things.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
6:04 pm
The last girl I dated before Mrs Murph was a real piece of work. When we broke up she went on an eating/drinking binge and put on a good 40 pounds in just a couple of months.
Ran into her downtown at a club. At first I didn’t recognize her, but when she came over and threw a drink at me, I knew exactly who she was.
The guilt I felt, seeing this once beautiful, vivacious woman now bloated and gross… it was indescribable.
Revenge is a dish best served cold… like Rocky Road ice cream cold.
ncgary
March 1st, 2012
6:04 pm
nolie,
you weren’t the one who smashed the toyota at swamp fest in punta gordta
are you/?
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
6:05 pm
Thanks BravesPack But apparently you think that I am someone else. Well I am not so I am out of here.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
6:08 pm
Way to go BP. I hope you’re proud of yourself.
richbrave
March 1st, 2012
6:09 pm
MURPH:
That ‘dish served cold’ reminds of a quixotic poem I remember.
ncgary
March 1st, 2012
6:14 pm
its about time for dense lentz to show up
New Mexico Lee
March 1st, 2012
6:18 pm
O man.
Bat Masterson
March 1st, 2012
6:34 pm
PL posted a comment on one of Schultz’s blogs.
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
6:35 pm
If Samantha returns and starts calling us all MORONS and premadonnas, expounds on the advantages of friends with benefits, and declares that God is dead, we’ll finally see the face behind the mask.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
6:42 pm
is it tomorrow yet?
CB
March 1st, 2012
6:49 pm
Bat,things looking better for your mom and brother?
New Mexico Lee
March 1st, 2012
6:49 pm
No, it is still today, a very long today. And tomorrow will be another long day. How long until first pitch?
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
6:51 pm
I’d rather it be next almost Friday…I need a vacation
New Mexico Lee
March 1st, 2012
6:51 pm
Abeeee I think it is pretty clear already.
CB
March 1st, 2012
6:52 pm
cab,it is a hard job doing all this typing on the blog.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
6:53 pm
Would it be in poor taste to ask Samantha out on a date? I mean, besides the fact that I’m married and she’s heartbroken.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
6:54 pm
CB-
I’ve actually been busy the last few days…now I’m putting off the rest of my work for today and pondering when I can go crash on the sofa…
CB
March 1st, 2012
6:56 pm
Well,maybe nolie has a chance to be number 1 again.
Mixxo
March 1st, 2012
6:56 pm
Murph -
Only if she’s younger than your own daughter…..like mine for instance.
abeeewright
March 1st, 2012
6:58 pm
Actually, Sam must be a helluva a student to manage a midterm transfer to one of the more prestigious engineering schools in the country.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
7:01 pm
McFann! Soph! COME BACK!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
7:03 pm
Hi, cab!
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
7:04 pm
McFann!
Hi! I have to admit I giggled a little on your “Jordan” guesses …than I just felt really old
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
7:08 pm
cabravesfan—
Haha! I really don’t know anything about basketball except for a few names I’ve heard…
then I just felt really old
Heehee—sorry!
Patty
March 1st, 2012
7:08 pm
He sounds like a flake, but if he can hit, break out the Head and Shoulders.
Bat Masterson
March 1st, 2012
7:09 pm
CB_
Things are very well with my mother, with my brother………… Man I just don’t know. It seems his liver has been getting much worse the last few years and he has not been getting the treatment he should have.
It’s all really complicated to explain but with the construction industry collapse, and the financial problems that followed that he has not always been able to see the specialist he should have, even with insurance. Anyway he got bad news this week, if he had been getting treated sooner with the new meds he would have a 70% chance of clearing up the liver problem. Now the odds are not so good, if he can handle the treatment at all. A liver transplant is highly unlikely.
Aside from him being my brother he has been my business partner for well over twenty years so we have been together almost every weekday all those years……… And even with his problems he has always been so strong, the kind of guy that brute forces his way through problems, you know. He needs surgery on his back, too, but that’s out for now…………… Hard to watch…………
Thanks for asking.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
7:10 pm
BTW, McFann-
Where did you get the extra colors? thought you had to buy those?
New Mexico Lee
March 1st, 2012
7:16 pm
Murph, not a good idea. Fear the Mrs. Murph!
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 1st, 2012
7:25 pm
Damn!
Grady Sizemore out 2 to 3 months…That dude might retire if he can’t stay healthy
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
7:30 pm
Hi cab
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
7:32 pm
Hi Samantha!
John
March 1st, 2012
7:32 pm
Evan Gattis–I will be watching your progress. Great story and hope it becomes better for you. You are with a good organization–The Braves need a good stick-keep on plugging at it. Thanks Dave for this one!
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
7:35 pm
I will talk to you ladies. The guys on here do not believe that I am who I say I am.
Braveone
March 1st, 2012
7:41 pm
From all blogs this year which totals 30,253 comments, cabravesfan leads the way with 1,836 posts. There were 965 different poster names. Here are the Top 100:
Rank Poster Frequency Percent Cumulative_%
1 cabravesfan 1,836 6.1 6.1
2 nolie 1,766 5.8 11.9
3 Efrim 1,266 4.2 16.1
4 Venice Jim 1,026 3.4 19.5
5 Lew 815 2.7 22.2
6 Tom O’Hawke 729 2.4 24.6
7 Bat Masterson 696 2.3 26.9
8 Tomahawkin (The Godfather) 651 2.2 29.0
9 DS1 638 2.1 31.1
10 VaBravesFan 636 2.1 33.2
11 ncscoots 623 2.1 35.3
12 Ward 598 2.0 37.3
13 David O’Brien 584 1.9 39.2
14 Murph 562 1.9 41.1
15 Ray 556 1.8 42.9
16 richbrave 552 1.8 44.7
17 ChattTownBrian (CTB) 545 1.8 46.5
18 raleighbravefan 512 1.7 48.2
19 jeffrey d 509 1.7 49.9
20 DAP 462 1.5 51.4
21 McFann O O o 445 1.5 52.9
22 TennesseePaul 415 1.4 54.3
23 tiger297 400 1.3 55.6
24 Sopheee 369 1.2 56.8
25 jeffrey doo doo 361 1.2 58.0
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
7:42 pm
I am awesome. And apparently need to get out more. That is all.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 1st, 2012
7:44 pm
A 1 game playoff is the stupidest thing MLB has ever done.
Braveone
March 1st, 2012
7:47 pm
Top poster by blog post date:
Date Poster Frequency Percent
02JAN2012 Efrim 429 9.1
10JAN2012 Efrim 307 7.3
17JAN2012 cabravesfan 245 6.5
23JAN2012 nolie 308 6.9
03FEB2012 cabravesfan 253 6.8
11FEB2012 nolie 223 9.5
16FEB2012 cabravesfan 159 8.7
21FEB2012 nolie 101 9.3
23FEB2012 Lew 78 5.7
25FEB2012 nolie 174 16.1
27FEB2012 cabravesfan 183 10.8
Muzuno
March 1st, 2012
7:50 pm
Haven’t seen Tiger lately but y’all show him what his airplane looks like after a “rough landing”.
http://www.keysnet.com/2012/02/29/425788/crashed-plane-pulled-from-the.html
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
7:51 pm
I was trying to be friendly and get some understanding and friendship but they believed I am someone else. I guess if every one believes that, then there is no reason for me to be on here looking for friendship.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
7:52 pm
cabravesfan Where did you get the extra colors? thought you had to buy those?
You don’t have to pay real money—I got 400 coins for buying the full version (I went back to the free one, though, ’cause the full one…had more issues…), so I “bought” one of the color packs, which cost 259 coins. I think you earn coins based on the words you guess and draw…
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
7:54 pm
Ah- you have the full version…
I don’t have that many yet
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
7:54 pm
Samantha—
Don’t worry about them—when I first came here, some folks didn’t think I was a real person, either…they thought I was some other posters, or something…Just ignore them…
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
7:55 pm
cab Ah- you have the full version…
Had…
keylargo
March 1st, 2012
7:56 pm
Enter your comments here
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
7:59 pm
You ladies wanted my Hometown. How about yours?
keylargo
March 1st, 2012
8:00 pm
You still just got 3 lines of programmining Mz. MCFann
1) McCann is a good defensive catcher
2) McCann has no need to improve his body via workouts.
3) One day he will see the light and marry you and have 8 little McFanns.
That joke is precisely one month ahead of schedule so cool it!!! :mrgreen”
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
8:00 pm
Samantha-
I’m in suburban Los Angeles
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
8:03 pm
Oh, McFann… and now I feel even OLDER
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
8:07 pm
I have a sister in Burlingame. I think that is in the Bay Area. Not sure.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
8:09 pm
Samantha-
It is- very nice suburb of San Francisco…
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
8:10 pm
McFann, Are you Female?
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
8:17 pm
Since she seems to have wandered off again, I hope you don’t mind me responding- Yes, McFann is female
Mixxo
March 1st, 2012
8:30 pm
http://blogfiles.wfmu.org/KF/2011/08/03/girls_chewing.gif
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
8:35 pm
cabravesfan—
That’s OK!
and now I feel even OLDER
Why…?
Samantha—
I hail from this beautiful state yet hot that is Georgia!
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
8:36 pm
Because it took you so long to get “Tetris”- I would have gone there right away!
Choppinmama
March 1st, 2012
8:38 pm
Samantha -
Step right up to the plate with the rest of us for this season. You’ll have to grow some thicker skin, though. Some folks on here can be rough and condescending at times, but they’re in the minority. You’ll get the most informed, most current and enjoyable Braves and baseball read from DOB and the rest of his “followers” here than anywhere else.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
8:38 pm
cabravesfan—
It was on the tip of my brain! Just took me a year-and-a-half…
I knew what it was…
Tom O'Hawke
March 1st, 2012
8:39 pm
Sometimes the day crew says the night crew is a bit weird.
But I just read where, Murph, wants to ask, Lou Vales, out on a date. (NTTAWWT)
Now you see… that strikes me as being a bit weird.
(Hi, LAdy… can’t stay… so, bye, LAdy)
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
8:41 pm
Hi Tom!
Bye Tom!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
8:42 pm
What were you going for with Crescents?
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
8:43 pm
Dude- I have no idea
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
8:44 pm
Thank you ladies, Just thought you would like to know that I am feeling better after talking to my sister.She told me to wake up in the morning and look at the beautiful day and think Go Yellow Jackets and go Braves. I can find a new relationship but to take my time and be careful. Maybe I should just wash my hands of all men.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
8:45 pm
cabravesfan—
That’s OK—my drawing was pretty bad…
Samantha—
Well, don’t do anything drastic…
richbrave
March 1st, 2012
8:49 pm
Hey McFANN:
“Big JIM’ GATTIS is coming to take your man away.
richbrave
March 1st, 2012
8:49 pm
HEH!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 1st, 2012
8:50 pm
richbrave—
Hmm…I don’t know about that…
Samantha
March 1st, 2012
8:58 pm
Well I am only 19. That is a lot of years to do away with men. Right. I have to go to work in a few minutes. Is there any thing you would like to know about me before I go.
Enquiring Minds
March 1st, 2012
9:02 pm
your measurements??
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
9:02 pm
Samantha-
Bye for now! Come back soon
Ray
March 1st, 2012
9:04 pm
Good evening all… Wow Grady Sizemore out again. I think someone posted last night how it was a mistake for the Braves not to sign him. Case in point on why NOT to sign him.
nolie
March 1st, 2012
9:07 pm
guess not, EM
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
9:12 pm
Seems all the dirty old men have come out tonight…
Mixxo
March 1st, 2012
9:16 pm
cabravesfan -
Hehe
Buncha rougues…..
Mixxo
March 1st, 2012
9:19 pm
oops….
*rogues
messed that all up.
Mixxo
March 1st, 2012
9:22 pm
Cut me some slack.
I’m a bit giddy at T minus 1 day 15 hrs. 42 min.
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
9:33 pm
I’m a little sad to see Jason Varitek retiring. Not surprised. I was living in Boston, when he came there. After the departure of Clemens, Boston needed the injection of some new life and Varitek brought that (with his fellow tradee Derek Lowe).
kenhotlanta
March 1st, 2012
9:44 pm
Moe: I enjoyed the heck out of that movie you posted last night…it was very well done.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
March 1st, 2012
9:45 pm
Just grate. The Braves draft a palyer with a drug problem who cant decide his next move. Fist Tommy Hansen and now this looser.
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
9:47 pm
kenhotlanta–Glad you liked it. Sandeep is a good (albeit not terribly productive) filmmaker. He is wonderfully cantankerous and a great drinking buddy. I would hate working for him–an absolute control freak. One time I was staying with him the day before a production was to begin. He gave his crew a rather rough time.
Murph
March 1st, 2012
9:54 pm
So… I’m guessing our newest blog member is a stripper. Or she works the night shift at Motel 6.
Either way, she sounds like a real catch.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 1st, 2012
9:55 pm
I think JJ gets traded for a hitter this summer. I’d say Beachy MIGHT bring more at that time due to another possible JJ injury, but you have to remember JJ hits FA waaaay sooer than BB. Teheran is ready and he’ll need to take somebody’s spot in that rotation.
Of course an injury or two could happen preventing any trade of a SP at all anytime soon.
kenhotlanta
March 1st, 2012
9:58 pm
Moe: forgot to tell you that you wife is beautiful and looked really good in the movie.
Venice Jim
March 1st, 2012
9:58 pm
In counting 6 misspellings in one post, does one ignore the poster’s name, which is always misspelled?
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
9:58 pm
CTB–What if Chipper is healthy this season? Where does the hitter fit? Do the Braves do a midseason dump of Bourn and pick up a longer-term CFer? If so, whom? Yes, the Braves would like another bat, but where do you put him on the field?
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 1st, 2012
10:02 pm
Moe Berg, I still think Prado at a super sub role while getting a LF who can give you as much, if not more than Prado, would make us so much stronger on the offense side. Prado will be doing plenty of fill-ins for CJ and others on the field.
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
10:03 pm
VJ–I think I see the misspellings in the name and know to skip the whole post.
ken–I agree. Rather fond of her. The film was made right about the time we met. A slightly humorous story. She was shooting her saree’d scene in some small village. The next day, they were shooting something else, but she was not in the scenes. So she was on the set in her jeans, t-shirt and smoking a cigarette. The villagers were asking where was the young lady that had been there the day before–could not recognize her at all.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 1st, 2012
10:06 pm
Nobody knows what to expect from CJ on the health side. Pins and needles again, but the guy gives the lineup a lot when he’s in there. It’s why Prado in the super sub role is so valuable. Hinske and Diaz will be in LF and that doesn’t get anybody pumped. Constanza is almost worse.
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
10:08 pm
CTB–I can see the value of Prado as a super-sub, but if he returns to his .300+ BA, we will want to see him everyday. He has demonstrated a diurnal sustainability that Infante never did in moving from super-sub to everyday player.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 1st, 2012
10:11 pm
They’re now of course revving up the idea of this Sutton guy at some IF spots as a fill in,including the hot corner. Just a fancy way of saying “we’re broke, maybe we can find some gold in this rust”. We’ve seen this for a while now.
kenhotlanta
March 1st, 2012
10:11 pm
Moe: The movie was an interesting and funny story, and it was beautifully photographed. I’ve tried watching Bollywood movies and just can’t seem to get into them, but this movie was totally different. It reminded me of some of the characters and scenes in the movie “Outsourced”, which I also enjoyed a lot.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 1st, 2012
10:15 pm
Moe Berg, they should’ve gotten more than Drew Sutton. Wilson is a good fielder, can’t hit for shi* though. They know CJ will need his rest and of course he’s a walking piece of glass nowadays. There’s time to get them a utility IF, but I wished they’d have gotten something better than Sutton or Wilson when they knew for sure Prado was going back full time to his LF spot.
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
10:17 pm
kenhotlanta–I completely understand about Bollywood. After watching it for years, I have learned to appreciate its different modes of communicating and signifying. But it is difficult to get into and to access. But there is a lot of other quite interesting cinema in India that is not Bollywood. Another friend made a quite fun film ‘Sthaniya Sambaad’ that has won some awards and shown around at film festivals and art houses. I am quite fond of it, as well. Glad you liked this one.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 1st, 2012
10:19 pm
Until I see Hudson pitch at least two games will I feel good about him. That’s always worrying when your #1 goes down and it’s still an unknown. Cannot replace Huddy at this point. Maybe next year when Hanson gets another season under his belt and Teheran gains more time up in the bigs. Not now.
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
10:19 pm
CTB–I would like a better bat as a back-up. But I understand working within financial constraints. One can see the weaknesses, but it is hard to get around.
Anyway, I am being hailed for a good dinner, so I should go grab some food.
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 1st, 2012
10:23 pm
@CTB
Losing Fan Appeal of SKE???
The Dude has been the Braves best Pinch hitter since I don’t know when…? He has Arguable been the best Pinch Hitter the last 2 years running
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 1st, 2012
10:26 pm
Tomahawkin, he has struggled for us down the stretch more than not since being a Brave. He’s still one of my top guys off the bench late in the clutch though.
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 1st, 2012
10:32 pm
Too Much Wine Already…
I meant to say Arguably…in regards to SKE
Soph
March 1st, 2012
10:32 pm
cab & McFann – I mean seriously?
http://i44.tinypic.com/359jzvn.jpg
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
10:34 pm
Soph-
HAHA! What IS that???
Soph
March 1st, 2012
10:35 pm
I don’t know yet. Please help me figure out how to quit these random games.
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 1st, 2012
10:37 pm
@CTB
Players who spend their seasons either as backup Catchers or Pinch Hitters are going to have up and down streaky years, same came be said for 90 percent of set up relievers…
Not to mention SKE prolly starts somewhere for 1/2 the teams in the game. He chooses to stay with us despite our Cheap As owners Lowballing him…So I can’t Rip SKE…
My eye will be on Matty-D…A season like he had in 2008-09 with us makes our bench a lot better than it looks on paper…with that said I don’t want Matty-D our there playing D in the late innings…
And If I’m not mistaking??? Matty D in his first stint with Atlanta was one of the smarter baserunners on teams full of Slugs….
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 1st, 2012
10:38 pm
yeah, Too much wine so far…I meant to say…”Same can be said”
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 1st, 2012
10:40 pm
Rasslin Sucks Tonight, Bring back old Dubya C Dubya (WCW) Thunder!
Soph
March 1st, 2012
10:42 pm
I figured out how to quit! Yay!
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
10:45 pm
all the ladies on the blog earlier and I come back for t-hawk tom & moe…what a letdown (no offense guys)
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
10:46 pm
oh and Soph is here too so now I feel better
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
10:48 pm
who is mizuno? nice link will be interesting to read the accident report. I do it frequently to try and avoid arrogance/complacency/ignorance in my flying
Venice Jim
March 1st, 2012
10:49 pm
tiger – even worse – I’m here…
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
10:49 pm
I spent 2 hours last night at a seminar walking through accidents and the decision chain that could have avoided it
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
10:50 pm
maybe I should just go to bed
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
10:54 pm
great now I broke the blog
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
10:54 pm
tiger-
finishing up dinner
Hang in there…
Venice Jim
March 1st, 2012
10:55 pm
I should make some hay while the proverbial sun is shining..
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
10:58 pm
I’m trying…
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
10:58 pm
I damn near fell off the top 25 YTD
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
10:58 pm
and that is just unacceptable
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
10:59 pm
friggin work and kids getting in the way-need to reset my priorities
Venice Jim
March 1st, 2012
11:02 pm
tiger – I would have been nowhere near #4 three weeks ago – I got lucky with my incessant babbling about the radio alphabetization…
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
11:03 pm
VJ–Just finishing up Episode One of Season Two of Downton Abbey. Who is your favorite character? I am finding myself in a bit of a minority. Lady Mary is my favorite.
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:05 pm
what is downtown abbey about?
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:05 pm
vj – yeah I read most of it just didn’t have much to offer…
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:06 pm
I ask like I would watch the show…I have 4-5 shows on now that I really like and don’t make the time to watch cant imagine starting a new one
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:06 pm
I spend most of my free evening time on the blog or reading for the instrument written exam
Venice Jim
March 1st, 2012
11:08 pm
Moe – I tend to like Bates – I started liking Lady Mary more the second season…
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
11:11 pm
VJ–I like Bates but find myself feeling very fond of Mary. Not sure why.
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:16 pm
yeah that reads better as fond of mary…first 2 reads I added some letters to it made it a bit naughty
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:19 pm
nebody seen brekky lately?
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:19 pm
I find it interesting he drops in for a couple hours like he never left and then disappears for 3 months…
Moe Berg
March 1st, 2012
11:21 pm
Must call it a night. Have an early morning conference call with the DOL–must defend a challenge to an agency dismissal before scurrying across Central Jersey for a meeting.
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:23 pm
night Moe-
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
11:23 pm
Night Moe!
nolie
March 1st, 2012
11:26 pm
there are several like that tiger, I guess they read and only comment when they have extra time
nolie
March 1st, 2012
11:26 pm
night Moe
Venice Jim
March 1st, 2012
11:27 pm
Might, Noe!
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:27 pm
unfortunately if pace at work keeps up I will likely become one of those…combined with little tiger getting older that will reduce my blog time
Venice Jim
March 1st, 2012
11:28 pm
That’s a reference to Chuck Noe, former coach at VCU, of course…
Venice Jim
March 1st, 2012
11:28 pm
Long before I even lived in Richmond…
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:29 pm
if something doesn’t change soon at work I will likely be looking for something new anyway
Venice Jim
March 1st, 2012
11:29 pm
My daughter keeps getting older but I try to ignore her and not let it affect blog time…
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:31 pm
I wonder should I try and change geography as I begin the job search
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:37 pm
VJ – how old is she though? once they are 13-14 time starts to free up (at least for most folks I know)
Goldman
March 1st, 2012
11:38 pm
Good story…..If D. Ross likes the kid, then he’s definitely someone I’d have a beer, er coffee, with.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
11:39 pm
tiger-
VJ’s daughter is 30
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:40 pm
2-4 is pretty slow they don’t have that many activities then school/sports/etc start ramping up and free time goes away
richbrave
March 1st, 2012
11:41 pm
VJ:
The old ‘mongoose’ himself. Dang, haven’t thought of CHUCK NOE in a decade at least.
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:42 pm
cab – I figured as much
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:43 pm
although I have a co-worker whose 28 year old son requires more time than both of mine plus blogging
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:44 pm
ok so maybe the blogging part was a stretch
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
11:44 pm
that’s because he’s a boy!
tiger297
March 1st, 2012
11:48 pm
both of mine are boys
richbrave
March 1st, 2012
11:49 pm
tigre:
DOWNTON ABBEY is a soap set in the period 1914-1920 ENGLAND. Very well done. Shows the cultural changes wrought by the war and the times in fashion, attitudes etc. Pretty absorbing if you can concentrate more that 250 milliseconds.
richbrave
March 1st, 2012
11:57 pm
MOE BERG:
I see SHIRLEY MacLAINE will be added to the cast in the next series as a foil to MAGGIE SMITH no doubt.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2012
11:58 pm
Maggie Smith is AWESOME. That is all
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
12:00 am
gotta go with efrrim on this.
the cards way overpayed on molina. 5, 75. .
with a option.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
12:01 am
ahhh well then that eliminates me…if I can’t do it while also doing at least one other thing and beginning or ending something else it wont get done
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 2nd, 2012
12:02 am
And Yadier has a full No Trade Clause
I love It!
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
12:04 am
the fact napoli, withdrew from the rangers until he hits free agent status should tell you what macc might want or get in the process.
Buckeye Brave
March 2nd, 2012
12:05 am
If meeting people like Gattis doesn’t make you love your job more Dave, nothing will. I thoroughly enjoyed his story.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
12:06 am
uga – overpayment is the new normal (or some such babble)
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 2nd, 2012
12:07 am
Oh Well, Gonna Cool out to some old Ratt, Sade, Seal, and Counting Crows…brb
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
12:08 am
so if market value is 5 years at 90 million, do you do it?
that is what i think is fair market value is considering molina’s contract.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
12:10 am
so if market value is 5 years at 90 million, do you do it?
Yes. But I think you start at 5/$80 with an option- in other words, similar but slightly better than Molina- and go from there.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
12:11 am
But nothing is going to happen before this season is over anyways, so no need to worry about it now
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
12:15 am
cab, considering molina’s contract 15 large is the floor. he has to get more then that.
pretty sure his agent will use that, right.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
12:18 am
uga-brave
I think Mac will get more too, but you never want to start high in a negotiation if you are the employer. Mac’s agent will start high, and they will meet in the middle. Who knows- Mac may be more interested in the number of years, so he can stay in Atlanta for his entire career than he is in the money (and whatever he gets will be substantial, obviously). We shall see…
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
12:20 am
the fact that the yanks got rid of montero. i see the yanks targeting him.
perfect fit. short porch in right. can DH at times. great clubhouse guy. they or if i was the GM go over the top.
i could easily see the yanks go 5 years 90 million.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
12:21 am
Sure they could…but it won’t matter if he doesn’t want to play in New York. Or DH…which he has said he doesn’t want to do
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
12:23 am
either way it will not happen for two more years. the braves control the option year right?
they still have the option right?
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
12:25 am
Yes- I believe it is a vesting option for 2013…if it’s a team option, there is no doubt it will be picked up.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
12:26 am
actually does look like it’s a club option. So no worries there…
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
12:32 am
everybody says what they do/don’t want to do but very few can turn down $10-20M regardless of the situation
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
12:32 am
time for bed…
night all!
Fat Chipper
March 2nd, 2012
12:32 am
Let’s eat!!
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
12:33 am
cab, people give heap a hard time (myself included) but the guy is a total leader, and a class act.
could not find a better guy to strap on the tools of ignorance.
Venice Jim
March 2nd, 2012
12:33 am
Venice Jim
March 2nd, 2012
12:33 am
(not you, uga)…
Venice Jim
March 2nd, 2012
12:34 am
Bye…
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
12:34 am
tiger, the difference pays for little tiger and little tiger’s grandkids.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
12:40 am
uga – no doubt and no way would I begrudge the man that.
You sing the party line because it is the right thing to do but the day someone else offers 20-30% more is the day I walk. People bemoan loyalty and such but if primary loyality isn’t to provide for your family however you see fit then you need to adjust your priorities.
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 2nd, 2012
12:41 am
BREAKING:
It has been reported on the philly.com/phillies/forum as well as other media outlets that Shane Pestorino is seeking a 5 year deal when he hits free agency. D.O.B. knows Zolecki, interesting scenario up there since they also will have a priority of locking up King Cole Hamels and Hunter Pence…
Stay Tuned!
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
12:41 am
night cab.
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
12:45 am
tiger, a round of clicks for you. totally agree.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
12:46 am
uga – thanks…you local to atlanta or forced to follow from afar?
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
12:48 am
tiger, live right next to chastain park. local as local gets.
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
12:50 am
you fly into PDK right? not far from there.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
12:51 am
yes that is about right…you are much closer to my office than I am LOL
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
12:51 am
I work in lenox park
I do fly into PDK when I need to have my airplane washed I keep it down in peachtree city
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:00 am
well looks like I’m in the in between’s again
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:01 am
tiger, my first house was off of east roxboro drive. right next to lenox park.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:03 am
yep drive by there all the time – I would love to live in the city but the other 1/2 won’t hear of it and cost per square foot would make her hate it even more
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:04 am
bottom of the hill. right off shady valley.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:05 am
shady valley sounds familiar is that the road that cuts through? if traffic is backed up I use that to avoid n druid/buford intersection
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:17 am
shady valley is in between E roxboro and lenox road.
used to walk my dog down at the area around the lenox park ponds there.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:19 am
yes there are some nice views from our buildings…my desk overlooks the field so I get to watch folks play with their dogs
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:19 am
the cancer society, before i think at&t bought all of the buildings there.
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:20 am
tiger, so you are transient? you do not live here?
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:21 am
dont remember the cancer society days…how long ago was that?
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:23 am
10 years. you ever eat lunch up at houston’s?
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:23 am
I live down near peachtree city and commute to lenox park…I’ve been here for 6 years
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:26 am
yeah we hit houston’s occasionally – more often it is sushi kiku or over to the downwind at PDK or this small lebanese place
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:27 am
dude that is a haul. you do that everyday?
gotta be close to a hour each way.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:31 am
40 miles each way – and the official answer is absolutely I’m in the office every day (last 18 months my boss and all my staff are not located here so like I said yes I’m in the office every day)
trip time depends on when I leave it is 45 to 60 minutes in if I leave before 6:30 and 1:30-2:00 home – and imagine on baseball nights I can spend between 3-4 hours in the car
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:33 am
tiger, great stuff.
tell venter’s hello. gotta go.
i will find you in what, section 145 at some time.
pretty sure you are around
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:34 am
this is likely the last year a get to really do the full season thing for a while – next season little tiger will start school in the fall which will cut out much of august/september and the season after that I will lose the start of the season as well
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:35 am
i go to at least 20 games a season.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:35 am
im in 139 and I am there pretty regularly
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:36 am
you are in section 145 right?
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:36 am
I think we made between 50-60 last year but like I said I know that is coming to a halt very soon so I’m trying to enjoy it while it lasts
not sure little tiger will sit still for that many games this year
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:37 am
section 139
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:37 am
so you are on the right side of bullpen?
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:38 am
outfield wise?
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:40 am
i will look you up this season one time.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:40 am
yeah if you are looking from home plate I’m to the right of the pen – next to the stairs they walk down to get to the field (soph actually linked a nice photo of my back and little tiger towards the end of last season)
uga-brave
March 2nd, 2012
1:42 am
good stuff. till the next time.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:42 am
I will look forward to it
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
1:45 am
when its sleepy time down south….
Runnin
March 2nd, 2012
2:04 am
35 hours till first game
Ward
March 2nd, 2012
2:10 am
Hello everyone! What’s the story on journey man Josh Wilson,and does he have have the talent to make the team too,or just to triple AAA?
Ward
March 2nd, 2012
2:16 am
Glad the Braves didn’t sign Grady S. from the Indians. Just goes to show you that Free Agnecy isn’t always the best thing. Most players asking for higher price are health hazzards,and too high price. You most always take a gamble,some times it works out,and other times you can get burned.
Ward
March 2nd, 2012
3:14 am
Pirates can’t catch a break! A.J. Burnett under goes eye surgery for bunting a ball off his eye.
Ward
March 2nd, 2012
3:27 am
J.J. most likely will get Opening Day start,and I like that plan.
Ward
March 2nd, 2012
3:45 am
I’m going to keep an eye on some of the Free Agents who signed for big bucks,and see how well they played this year. It will be interesting to see how Albert, Fielder,and Beltran does? If they all live up to the money they are getting paid.All have a good one Talk later in the day,and be cool……. I’m also going to work on staying calm all year too.Peace My friends……….”Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
6:31 am
Glad the Braves didn’t sign Grady S. from the Indians. — Ward
Fortunately the Braves never considered it. Frankly, I couldn’t understand why some here believed it worth taking a “flier” on a guy who hasn’t stayed healthy in years. Not a half-season or one season, but for years.
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
6:33 am
Mornin’ everybody. Tomorrow, we have ‘ball.
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
6:58 am
Sunny and 89 degrees here today, 90 tomorrow. Yes, 90.
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
6:59 am
Oh, and 50 yrs ago today, the great Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in an NBA game. Rock chalk.
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
7:09 am
Well I can understand why. His last healthy season – 2008 – he hit 33 HR and 39 doubles. It’s the ideal hope that he’s finally healthy and will consequently produce again.
BraveDan
March 2nd, 2012
7:59 am
Morning DOB, Im ready for the games to begin. Hopefully, we won’t experience any serious injuries this year.
Hillbilly
March 2nd, 2012
8:31 am
Rising Sun, Rising Sun,
shining down on me.
I’m my daddy’s Rising Son;
The world in front of me.
Ray
March 2nd, 2012
8:41 am
DOB, I agree. Sizemore made no sense. Beltran IMO would not have been a good signing especially for the monies he signed. Beltran has had 1 fairly healthy year in the last 4? Today and tomorrow are the start of ST games. Its all good.
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
8:48 am
Well I can understand why. His last healthy season – 2008 – he hit 33 HR and 39 doubles. It’s the ideal hope that he’s finally healthy and will consequently produce again. — jeffrey d
Yes, and Sizemore has averaged 70 games in three seasons since then, including barely 50 games per over the past two years. By comparison, Chipper is Cal Ripken Jr.
Fredi's Fu Manchu
March 2nd, 2012
9:23 am
Dear Cal – On behalf of baseball fans everywhere, sorry. It’s still early for our beatman.
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
9:24 am
Beltran was almost that bad for a few years and bounced back for a 900 season last year. Grady was too much a risk IMO too, but hope springs eternal in the breast’s of some desperate GMs
Lemke's Knuckler
March 2nd, 2012
9:40 am
Sizemore just goes to show you how hard it is to predict the future. About 5 years ago, people were talking about guys like Sizemore, Hafner and Morneau being the stalwart superstars of the American League for the next decade.
Lemke's Knuckler
March 2nd, 2012
9:44 am
DOB, who might be pitching for the first televised game next Friday if guys stay on their current schedule?
Too bad Sunday’s game isn’t on TV. Would love to see 4 innings of Delgado/Teheran.
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
9:49 am
Braves aren’t working on McCann extension right now, say still plenty of time (club option for 2013). Wren said yesterday he’s not talking with media about any contracts.
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 2nd, 2012
9:51 am
I will be Listening to Boog Powell and Don Sutton on the JT/R-Dell Performances
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 2nd, 2012
9:53 am
That means This Will be The Bourne Identity’s Last season here, Bank on It
I hope the Braves Go after Pestorino after the season is over but that is a long ways away. Who knows who we are gonna get in return once we trade Double J, or Big Red or both…
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 2nd, 2012
9:55 am
I’m Standing Up…
I was one of the Cats on here who was willing to take a flyer on Sizemore, but only on a 1 year 3-4 mill incentive laden deal based on games played and performance
Jeff R
March 2nd, 2012
9:59 am
I don’t think Wren needs to be in a rush to re-up McCann, not with the club option possibility in 2013. I suppose that option can be exercised after the 2012 season, if management so desires?
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 2nd, 2012
10:00 am
Lemke’s Knuckler
“Sizemore just goes to show you how hard it is to predict the future.”
Co-Sign, Just like 95 percent of the Blog had Heyward hitting 30 bombs and stealing 15+ bases la year ago…
Juan
March 2nd, 2012
10:13 am
I hope the Braves Go after Pestorino after the season
Who’s Pestorino????
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 2nd, 2012
10:15 am
Shane Victorino is Known As Pestorino…
If we don’t get McCutchen…Then I want Pestorino…He is the perfect #2 hitter, and his defense is on point…Dude is one of the most underrated OF’s in the game
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
10:17 am
Juan – McFann’s name for Victorino – not a particular favorite among Braves’ fans.
Jeff R
March 2nd, 2012
10:17 am
McCutchen will be one pricey signing, if his 2012 numbers are strong. Though the Braves will have greater budget latitude following the season, I wonder if they’d commit big bucks long-term to McCutchen?
Ease
March 2nd, 2012
10:18 am
Shane Victorino is Known As Pestorino…
Maybe only to you…
DAP
March 2nd, 2012
10:18 am
tomahawkin Dude is one of the most underrated OF’s in the game
what makes you say that?
Ease
March 2nd, 2012
10:19 am
McFann calls Victorino, The Reaper…
Juan
March 2nd, 2012
10:20 am
oh…i got it….”The Braves Pest”….sorry guys
DAP
March 2nd, 2012
10:21 am
victorino wants a 5 year deal. he shouldnt get one from the braves. i do think he is a pretty good player, but look for his offensive to begin to slide just a little bit, starting this season. he played a little over his head last year, anyways. i wouldn’t mind the braves offering him a 3 year contract, but not the 5 he is looking for.
DAP
March 2nd, 2012
10:23 am
yadier molina’s contract is an overpay, and everyone knows it. i wonder if if mccann would take the same deal after his current contract is up?
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
10:24 am
McFann calls Victorino, The Reaper…
I thought that was his name for vegetables
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
10:26 am
Victorino is entering his 31 year old season and some want to give him five years yet balk at extending McCann or Bourn that long? Really? Why?
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
10:27 am
Better hope Pastornicky starts to develop some lead-off qualities, otherwise… well, back to where we were pre-Bourn.
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
10:27 am
Ease – I’d be surprised if McFann hasn’t come up with even more colorful names for her boy’s nemesis.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 2nd, 2012
10:28 am
Yeah, The Reaper is my “pet” name for Victorino…but sometimes I call him an imp…
Yeah, not all that colorful…
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
10:28 am
McCann’s a catcher
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
10:29 am
Oh it was McFann, not McCann…whoops
MFin04
March 2nd, 2012
10:30 am
Chipper is Cal Ripken….BAZINGA!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 2nd, 2012
10:32 am
Soph—
Sorry I missed your post last night! Hmm…that certainly was an…interesting drawing…looks like some sort of…I don’t know what…
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
10:32 am
looks to me like the Braves are thinking of cheapin’ up on Mac. He might be lst yet
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 2nd, 2012
10:33 am
jeffrey d—
Mr. Funny Man…
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
10:35 am
McFann – Colorful for you – it’s all relative. I never expect profanity from you. However, I’ll make up for it for you.
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
10:36 am
of course breast, that’s where your heart is and hope springs from the heart Jeffrey. don’t you know anything?????
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
10:38 am
McFann used to spout some profanity when she first arrived IIRC. she was a lil’ meanie for awhile
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
10:38 am
My heart’s in my chest
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
10:41 am
jeffrey d – Are you sure that’s where it is? Have you seen it?
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 2nd, 2012
10:42 am
Thanks, Lew!
nolie—
Oh, I was a mean, nasty creature, but I didn’t cuss. Although that would have been an improvement…
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
10:42 am
Better hope Pastornicky starts to develop some lead-off qualities, otherwise… well, back to where we were pre-Bourn.
I have no problems with Prado hitting leadoff again, if Bourn leaves and Prado is still with the club.
zookey
March 2nd, 2012
10:43 am
Better hope Pastornicky starts to develop some lead-off qualities, otherwise… well, back to where we were pre-Bourn. Murph
That would make you a twinkle in your daddys eye.
Sounds like a improvement.
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
10:43 am
McFann – That’s all right. Enough of us are parents who’ve dealt with teenagers before and know what to expect. You weren’t that bad.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
10:44 am
There ya go JD write a song about feelin it (heart beating in chest)and knowing it
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
10:45 am
Positive
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1luLRXKoJM8/SM-QLt8zyqI/AAAAAAAAH8Y/IqPyrWN3ZTg/s400/davy+jones+chest.jpg
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
10:47 am
But seriously, yeah…my heart is in my chest
Soph
March 2nd, 2012
10:47 am
McFann was mean? I don’t believe it.
Hillbilly
March 2nd, 2012
10:47 am
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Chipper’s taste in music sucks. I’m a hunter so I appreciate the Buck Commander Series and the way it ties my three favorite pastimes together: hunting, baseball and music. I just have a hard time getting into a dude wearing big black earrings and distressed skinny jeans rapping about mud tires and dirt roads (while standing on the yellow line of the flippin’ black top! <–see the video) and repeatedly reminding everybody of how country he is. Such is the duality of the Southern Thing.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
10:48 am
Thats a funny picture If I had a chest like that I would sell it on ebay
DAP
March 2nd, 2012
10:49 am
hillbilly, i dont get aldean either, for the most part. amarillo sky is a pretty good song, otherwise i just dont get it.
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
10:50 am
Thats a funny picture If I had a chest like that I would sell it on ebay
Oh, context
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 2nd, 2012
10:51 am
Lew—
Aw, you’re nice!
Thanks…
Soph—
Ha, thanks. But i’s true…I was a jerk back then…
Ease
March 2nd, 2012
10:52 am
Under the breast bone.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
10:53 am
Has anyone read “Lila”a book by Robert M. Pirsig
Venice Jim
March 2nd, 2012
10:55 am
Ken Rosenthal this morning:
Well, I can name at least two teams that are ticked off by catcher Yadier Molina’s five-year, $75 million extension with the St. Louis Cardinals:
• The Arizona Diamondbacks, who broke off talks on an extension with catcher Miguel Montero and might lose him to free agency.
• 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.
Venice Jim
March 2nd, 2012
10:57 am
More:
Molina’s career-high .814 OPS last season is well below McCann’s .844 career average. If McCann stays healthy, he easily might command $100 million, if not from the Braves, then some other club.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
10:58 am
I Highly Recommend that book its real page turner Sometimes you turn the pages backwards to reread and reflect
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
10:59 am
Sizemore would have been a decent guy to take a flier on…had he taken well under what Cleveland gave him, perhaps somewhere south $1M for one year. But he commanded more, so it’s neither here nor there at this point.
Hillbilly
March 2nd, 2012
11:00 am
DAP, The thing that irks me the most is the “I’m so country” proclamation that these guys make. If you’re going to sing pop trash, that’s fine and dandy. Just don’t try to talk everybody into believing you’re a country hick because you mentioned Johnny Cash, tractors, and bonfires in your song. It’s entirely too forced.
I can’t stand her music, but the reason I don’t despise Taylor Swift is because she sings about teenage girl stuff and well, that’s what she is. It’s a natural fit for her.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
11:01 am
Neither here nor there must b on the DL or IR
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
11:06 am
In the book Pirsig talks about cowboys or western pioneers coopting simple mannerisms from tribal plainsman (original buffaloe hunters)
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
11:08 am
If McCann stays healthy, he easily might command $100 million, if not from the Braves, then some other club.
There are so many variables that could come into play in the next two years, it’s nearly impossible to figure out a reasonable number. If the Braves can find a suitable offensive replacement for a retired Chipper, if Uggla doesn’t fall off a cliff, if Heyward and Freeman progress, then maybe, maybe, mind you, the offensive loss between McCann and a developed Bethancourt can be covered over. If there isn’t enough offensive depth, then overpaying McCann makes more sense.
Too many things yet to play out that can impact such a decision.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
11:08 am
Hillbilly they can’t all be “Fox on the run” can they?
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
11:08 am
That would make you a twinkle in your daddys eye.
Sounds like a improvement.
Are you Samantha’s ex-boyfriend by chance? If so, I hope you realize that what you did to the poor girl is making her fat. Hope you’re happy with yourself.
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
11:10 am
Better hope Pastornicky starts to develop some lead-off qualities, otherwise… well, back to where we were pre-Bourn.
2010: 5th in the league in runs scored
2009: 6th
2008: 6th
The pre-Bourn days wasn’t all that bad.
I love that the Braves acquired Michael Bourn. But let’s not overrate him as some offensive catalyst. His OPS+ the previous three years (his ages 26-28 seasons) is 97. That’s very good for an elite or near-elite defensive centerfielder. And I would certainly rather have Bourn in center and at the top of the order than many of the other options we’ve seen. But he’s not really an offensive difference-maker.
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
11:15 am
Fox On The Run? The Sweet – gone, but apparently not forgotten.
BravePack
March 2nd, 2012
11:16 am
Good job Murph you made a 19 year old Montana girl head for the hills never to return…I hope your happy with yourself. You’re a bully.
DAP
March 2nd, 2012
11:20 am
shaun 2010: 5th in the league in runs scored
2009: 6th
2008: 6th
The pre-Bourn days wasn’t all that bad.
thank you. the idea that we havent had a decent leadoff hitter since furcal bugs me. we have had a couple of pretty good ones…arguably better than furcal was, and we have scored runs just fine up until 2010.
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
11:21 am
BP, I will have to live with myself and our beloved Samantha can rest assured that what goes around, comes around, and someday when I’m sad and go to an obscure sports forum for consolation, I too will get bullied off the site and straight into a tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream, also making myself fat as I try to eat my way to happiness.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
11:21 am
Thats funny Lew I had “Desolation Boulevard “on vinyl but I was talking about blue grass music
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
11:23 am
Shaun the Jason Aldean of baseball statistics enters the Fray
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
11:23 am
Who, beyond Martin Prado (whose future with the club is in doubt) could hit leadoff after Bourn departs?
Again, I hope Pastornicky develops some leadoff qualities, and does so quickly.
DAP
March 2nd, 2012
11:23 am
shaun And I would certainly rather have Bourn in center and at the top of the order than many of the other options we’ve seen. But he’s not really an offensive difference-maker.
actually, with a .350 OBP he might be. as much trouble as we have had getting on base, that will be huge, and citing his OPS+ doesnt show what kind of leadoff hitter he is.
DAP
March 2nd, 2012
11:28 am
murph Who, beyond Martin Prado (whose future with the club is in doubt) could hit leadoff after Bourn departs?
maybe rev, or whoever replaces bourn. so there’s 3 potential options. we’ll think of something.
DS1
March 2nd, 2012
11:31 am
We could get McLouth back to hit leadoff………..
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
DAP
March 2nd, 2012
1:33 pm
murph 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.
you are relatively new here, so maybe you dont realize that matt diaz is a bit of a fan favorite.
that said, the last 4 seasons you referenced, diaz was hurt in 2 of them, and one where he was really good, and then had last year, where we have heard the pirates messed him up. he’ll be fine.
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
1:34 pm
DWW, Lipka has a ways to go. This coming season will be his age 20 season. In his previous 2 minor league seasons, at Rookie and Class-A, he’s posted a .316 OBP with 107 SO and 57 BB in 179 games.
Way too early for doom and gloom but he definitely looks like he won’t be ready for at least another 2-3 more years.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:34 pm
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
just like bob dylan nolie is usually right on target and so direct
George
March 2nd, 2012
1:35 pm
Are the BRAVES ready to play a game tomorrow? I think they need more lessons on how to play baseball because they totally forgot how game is played last Sept and it is the same team less HUDSON, LOWE, and A-GON. Worse yet same manager who does not have a clue on how baseball is played.
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
1:36 pm
Didnt Lipka get moved to CF? How is he progressing and could he be an option there as soon as next year?
Lipka’s barely past potty-training age. He’s a ways off.
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
1:37 pm
and BTW in college testing I was in the top one tenth of one percent on comprehension and retention and even at 66 I still have an awesome memory
and I will post this just as soon as I remember which button I’m s’posed hit….
man , now I’m sounding just like that nolie guy
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
1:39 pm
yeah Va if the OBP stays up he has some offensive value , but I’d rather have 50 homers than 50 steals
George
March 2nd, 2012
1:41 pm
Yup nolie a HR is a run a steal is not a run.
DWW
March 2nd, 2012
1:42 pm
I didn’t realize he was so young. Seems like the front office should adress this before they have to compete in free agency for the three guys mentioned earlier.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
1:43 pm
I think I need one of you to come over and stand behind me while I sit here and scream at me over and over until I get something done…
Ease
March 2nd, 2012
1:44 pm
a HR is a run a steal is not a run.
It must be catching…I had forgotten.
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
1:44 pm
nolie
Well of course, I’d rather have the homers too. lol But each player does something well. Would we rather have Adam Jones or Michael Bourn?
Soph
March 2nd, 2012
1:47 pm
I was anticipating a petrel sighting right about now.
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
1:47 pm
Seems like the front office should adress this before they have to compete in free agency for the three guys mentioned earlier.
Blame Jordan Schafer’s broken wrist.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
1:47 pm
SOPH!
How did you quit your Randoms?
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
1:49 pm
Also when looking at Bourn, he’s gonna score from 1st base on a double and from 2nd base on a single way more often than others. His speed makes a huge difference and also his defense. The whole package makes him a very good ball player.
flange1
March 2nd, 2012
1:50 pm
B-F,
Thanks for the suggestion! An ode to The Staples Singers!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebj_e4VagcA
Soph
March 2nd, 2012
1:51 pm
CAB!
Go to the homescreen where all the games you’re currently playing are listed then swipe your finger from left to right where it has the status of the game. It should turn red and say delete. I quit them all yesterday.
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
1:52 pm
This is a really exciting part of the year, The NFL offseason is starting to heat up with free agency and the draft, and baseball starting up.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 2nd, 2012
1:52 pm
SEASON! Oh, we aren’t playing right now? Well when we do and when we lose a game or two there will be the “SEASON” people screaming around here.
flange1
March 2nd, 2012
1:52 pm
Ry Cooder and David Lindley doing “All Shook Up”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjPKFeHDaeM&feature=related
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:52 pm
Ken Lofton was a good leadoff batter
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
1:53 pm
YAY! Although that’s a really stupid way to set up delete options…
Did you ever figure out what that blob was?
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
1:54 pm
That’s awesome nolie. In the first grade I tested in the top one percentile for my scissor skills. Hearts, snowflakes, people holding hands… could do it all.
Funny thing is, much like your memory, my ability to cut fantastical shapes has dulled as the years have passed.
Soph
March 2nd, 2012
1:54 pm
No, I forgot to check before I quit. Weirdos.
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:55 pm
flange1
March 2nd, 2012
1:52 pm
Ry Cooder and David Lindley doing “All Shook Up”
The spirit of Elvis lives on in Ry and Dave
DWW
March 2nd, 2012
1:56 pm
Scoots
If you could have him back right now for Bourn, would you take him?
B_F52
March 2nd, 2012
1:57 pm
Good material on the blog this fine meteorillogical spring day
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
1:57 pm
VaBravesFan, I’d rather have Adam Jones. Jones turned 26 last August and he has more upside. Bourn is probably about as good as he’s going to be. Jones and Bourn aren’t far apart now but Jones is more likely to improve some.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
1:59 pm
Sad…now we will never know what the Big Black Blob really was… I will never recover.
I will always have my golden jail waffles to remember…
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
2:05 pm
If you could have him back right now for Bourn, would you take him?
Lofton, you mean? With someboy else’s head and personality, sure.
Lofton had a great OBP, as I remember. Good hitter, too.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
2:05 pm
My hair is still wet from yesterday afternoon…
Soph
March 2nd, 2012
2:06 pm
Ha, I should’ve sent a message before I quit. Just two words.
You. Suck.
Bay Area Steve
March 2nd, 2012
2:07 pm
Enter your comments here
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
2:08 pm
I caught that you wrote something to me on one of the drawings- it disappeared before i could read it…?
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
2:09 pm
I love my company’s new system for web editing- it took me literally 30 seconds to edit something that would have taken 20 minutes with the old one. And I have nobody to share my joy with so y’all get to be part of my joy
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
2:10 pm
Hi, Cab
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
2:10 pm
Hi Samantha
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
2:11 pm
nolie, I know you’re not a basketball fan, but, a great comeback from your boys last night. I had already ballgame-ed that sucker, came back from the laundry room, and they were up three with a second left. Awesomely awesome, is what I’m sayin’.
jeffrey d
March 2nd, 2012
2:11 pm
Yup nolie a HR is a run a steal is not a run.
Unless you steal home
Ease
March 2nd, 2012
2:12 pm
Whew!
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman
#Braves agreed to terms with all of their players with 0-3 yrs of service. Tommy Hanson’s contract was unilaterally renewed the past 2 yrs
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
2:12 pm
Shaun
I rather have Adam Jones when you factor in age and contract/control. But what we know right now is that Adam Jones would only be a upgrade in the power department, Bourn is better at OBP, stealing, baserunning and defense. But I do think Adam Jones and BJ Upton are huge break out candidates.
Soph
March 2nd, 2012
2:12 pm
cab, that was probably the one I sent with an apology because it was awful.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
2:12 pm
soph
i got it though
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
2:13 pm
Braves agreed to terms on one-year deal with all 24 of their zero-to-three (non-arbitration eligible) players, including Heyward, Freeman, Hanson. They had unilaterally renewed Hanson each of the past two years, so this year is progress in that regard.
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
2:14 pm
Tommy Hanson’s contract was unilaterally renewed the past 2 yrs
Cue the posts that Hanson is only biding his time until he can bolt the Braves.
Shanks probably already has it out there, as a followup to his “Jason Heyward doesn’t like baseball” note.
MLB to Fans: Gimmie Five! (Probably) | Augusta Blog
March 2nd, 2012
2:20 pm
[...] background,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Dave O’Brien writes. “Did we mention he is 25 and was out of baseball for nearly four years? Who is this guy? Gattis himself is just starting to figure that [...]
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 2nd, 2012
2:22 pm
Watching The 1996 World Series on the MLB Network is Brutal to Watch!
Gawd I hate Smut Yankees Fans!
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
March 2nd, 2012
2:26 pm
Yankees were outhit, outhomered, and outscored in the 1996 World Series…Atlanta was Just Outexecuted…
That was the beginning of the Curse
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm
I would have rather had Justice and Grissom for a few more seasons than Lofton and Embree. Not that I think there was anything wrong with Kenny Lofton at that point in his career. It’s just that Justice was outstanding and a more complete hitter in that he was a very good on-base guy and a good slugger. Plus I would have rather the Braves had Grissom than a relief pitcher.
If we break it down, I think Justice was the better player of the Justice-Lofton side of the deal. And I think Grissom was the more valuable piece of the Grissom-Embree side of the deal. I think Justice was a very under-appreciated player, maybe one of the most under-appreciated of the last 25 years
Bravofan
March 2nd, 2012
2:30 pm
MLB alters playoffs 2 wild card teams added!
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
2:34 pm
VaBravesFan, I agree. I think if Upton signs with a team that plays in a more favorable park for hitters, everyone will notice what a solid player he is. Sure, he’s not an MVP type or a superstar. But he’s a very good player.
I think Jones having a fairly big edge in the power department and his age are somewhat significant separators for me, because I don’t think he’s all that far behind in other categories.
For just 2012, I don’t think you can go wrong with either guy and it’s really close. But for the next 3-5 years, I think Jones is the fairly clear choice.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
2:34 pm
and BTW in college testing I was in the top one tenth of one percent on comprehension and retention and even at 66 I still have an awesome memory
please nobody correct his tense of have to had and remind him he is now actually 96…
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
2:35 pm
Among Braves signings today, NL Rookie of Year Craig Kimbrel got about $590K (new MLB minimum is $480K). Jonny Venters got $533K
LJ
March 2nd, 2012
2:36 pm
bigger need to win the division
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Great. Teams now are rewarded not solely for winning games but divisions. The luck of being in the right geographical location and the right division plays a fairly big factor.
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
bigger need to win the division
Yep. Doesn’t matter if the Braves would be clearly good enough to win every other division but their own or if they are 20 games better than the 2nd wild card. They will be forced into a one-game playoff in that scenario.
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
I think the new playoff format is a joke.
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
Yep. Doesn’t matter if the Braves would be clearly good enough to win every other division but their own or if they are 20 games better than the 2nd wild card
Absolutely correct. Because they will have proved that they are not the best team of a group of teams that have the same competitive opportunity. You don’t get that, I understand. But I figure as long as you want to completely chew the cud of teams-as-wild-card-martyrs, I’ll continue to make the other point for those readers a little more open-minded.
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
sorry tiger I forgot how old I am….
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
IMO it has to be at least a 3 game series.
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
2:49 pm
The Braves will end up paying about $4500 per Kimbrell K… and about $30k for each Diaz single.
New Mexico Lee
March 2nd, 2012
2:51 pm
Good point scoots
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
2:52 pm
If there is going to be 2 wild cards with a 1 game playoff they should just get rid of wild card all together. It was fine the way it was. Why change something that works. Easy fix about the schedule and such is to shorten spring training.
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
2:53 pm
Winning enough games to make the playoffs is no longer enough. Now teams have to worry about winning games and also whether they are in the right division.
I’m not so much worried about what it does to wild card teams (although I do think it’s unfair that a 95-100-win wild card team is disproportionately disadvantaged in the playoffs). But, okay, I can accept giving wild cards a disadvantage in the playoffs.
But I’m more annoyed that a fairly mediocre team that wins a weak division will be disproportionately disadvantaged in the playoffs compared to a clearly superior team in a strong division that doesn’t win the division.
DWW
March 2nd, 2012
2:53 pm
The playoff format hasn’t really changed. They added one game. Get over it
ncgary
March 2nd, 2012
2:53 pm
yeah murph but the dodgers paid over a million dollars for each of andruws hits
B-F_52
March 2nd, 2012
2:54 pm
It is what it is Go Bravos
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
2:54 pm
Hi Murph,
DWW
March 2nd, 2012
2:57 pm
AND… we might need that second wc spot.
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
2:58 pm
ncscoots, that’s the problem. Some teams have have a better competitive opportunity. Teams like the Brewers and Reds will likely have a much easier time winning their division than a team like the Braves. So even if the Braves outplay the Brewers and Reds and finish in second place, the Braves get punished, simply because they weren’t far enough in the middle of the country to be in the weak NL Central.
VaBravesFan, the problem with doing away with the wild card and having the two worst division winners play that one-game playoff is that MLB doesn’t make as much money with 6 playoff teams as opposed to 10. That’s the bottom line.
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
2:58 pm
DWW
Alright well when we our the 1st wild card team that is like 5+ games better than the 2nd wild card team and we lose that 1 game don’t complain, Baseball is a team game, but only 1 starting pitcher will determine if we move on in the playoffs. A 1 game playoff only makes sense for tie breakers.
ncgary
March 2nd, 2012
3:00 pm
32 million dollars for 31 hits
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
3:01 pm
thanx scoots, they did show some grit last night.
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
3:01 pm
DWW, they’ve just increased the chances that a fairly mediocre team can win the World Series even more so than it was under the 1995-2011 system. They’ve just increased the likelihood that a playoff edge will be given to the fairly mediocre winner of a weak division.
New Mexico Lee
March 2nd, 2012
3:03 pm
Murph, you playing hard to get? Say hi already.
ncgary
March 2nd, 2012
3:03 pm
i think the focus is more towards keeping interest during the season,
to keep attendance up.the more teams chasing a playoff spot , the more fans
remain interested.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:03 pm
scoots – unbalanced schedules take away that competitive balance there can be significant differences in strength of schedule between teams. – if not for that I would agree with you.
That being said once we understand that the world series is not in fact designed to crown the best team in MLB in a given year the discussion really loses relevance to me.
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:04 pm
and we lose that 1 game don’t complain
I won’t. Why should I? Both teams have the same opportunity, to win or to lose. They have already had the same opportunity to make it a moot point, by winning a division.
These two teams are already getting a pass, by simply having an opportunity to win a WS without first having won anything. A playoff opportunity, of any kind, one game or whatever, is a gift. If it turns out to be a lump of coal, so be it.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:04 pm
man nolie I was hoping the loss of eyesight would cause you to overlook that post
by the way I no longer consider 66 old
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
3:04 pm
VaBravesFan, yep. If the Phillies win 100 games, the Braves win 95, the NL Central winner wins around 88-90, the NL West winner wins around 88-90, and the Braves are forced into a one-game playoff with an 85-win team I don’t want to hear it from the folks who like this new format.
B-F_52
March 2nd, 2012
3:04 pm
wrong can of worms wait wait don’t say it don’t step in it
I totally agree its just not fair live with it
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
3:05 pm
Murph, you playing hard to get? Say hi already.
Don’t wanna.
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
3:05 pm
There not giving the wild card “team” a chance to play a series. Say Hudson starts the game and now Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens will have no impact on the team going forward, just sit the bench and hope you get a chance to show what you can do if we win and move on. That goes for alot of teams.
DWW
March 2nd, 2012
3:05 pm
VaBraves
Alright well when the braves are the second wild card team and win the one game playoff and make it to the world series dont celebrate. Complain about the format.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:05 pm
samantha is here
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:05 pm
how you dooing?
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:05 pm
they did show some grit last night.
I just like the fact that Leonard Hamilton looks like Bunny Colvin from The Wire.
DWW
March 2nd, 2012
3:06 pm
Shaun,
Does that winner of the weak division gain an advantage over other division winners?
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
3:08 pm
I won’t. Why should I? Both teams have the same opportunity, to win or to lose. They have already had the same opportunity to make it a moot point, by winning a division.
ncscoots, not all teams in the playoffs will have had the same opportunity. That’s what you seem to be overlooking. The Braves won’t have an opportunity to play in a weak division and win that division in order to get a pass in the one-game round. That’s what you’re missing.
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:08 pm
I don’t want to hear it from the folks who like this new format.
You won’t. There won’t be enough space on the forum to make a post, in between the wailing and gnashing you’ll be doing.
New Mexico Lee
March 2nd, 2012
3:08 pm
OK LOL
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:09 pm
I’m guess I’m confused on the point of the world series now. I thought it was generating maximum revenue for players/owners/league.
What the heck was I thinking.
Or did I miss something and we time warped back to the ’60s?
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
3:10 pm
DWW
Regardless of what the Braves do I’ll stick with the new format is a complete joke.
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
3:10 pm
I am OK Tiger, Just come on to say hello to everyone.
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:11 pm
The Braves won’t have an opportunity to play in a weak division and win that division in order to get a pass in the one-game round
And in your opinion, relative strength of all the divisions is baseball is immutable, and thus are destined to remain as they now are, forever more?
Bubba, please.
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2012
3:14 pm
Brilliant read. Amazing how people end up where they do. Thanks for the bloggage Dobi
ncgary
March 2nd, 2012
3:14 pm
what you’re missing shaun is this. divisions arent always the strongest top to bottom every year. so the east is strongest this year, 4 years from now it could be the weakest.
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:14 pm
Regardless of what the Braves do I’ll stick with the new format is a complete joke.
Hey, I’m good with that, LOL. The best compromise is the one that tends to p*** everybody off, remember?
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
3:16 pm
DWW, MLB opens the possibility that the winners of weak divisions gain an advantage over superior teams, that could have won that weak division much easier had they merely been lucky enough to play in the right geographic location to be in that weak division.
I guess what die-hard Braves fans should pray for this year is an earthquake that somehow puts Atlanta in the middle of the country so they can play in a weaker division, win it more easily and get a bye in the one-game round.
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
Baseball isn’t a 1 game sport that’s why its 162 games long. That’s why the world series winners are determined by best of 7. The more games played the more it proves who is the better team. Good teams lose to bad teams all the time, and vice versa. But hey overtime the best one’s are determined. 1 game isn’t enough.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
VaBravesFan – not arguing with the perspective of it as a complete joke I just think we should be clear it is just a different joke. If you consider the goal of the World Series to crown the best team in baseball in a given year Its been a joke for quite a while.
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
3:18 pm
well sure they are immutable til the end of time, this is the last season B4 Dec 21, 2012
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:19 pm
brekky whatup man…was talking about you last night
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:20 pm
nole with his reality check of course
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:20 pm
I guess what die-hard Braves fans should pray for this year
Good grief. What they should “pray for” is that the team plays to its potential, not that they should be able to weasel into the playoffs through some tricked-up everybody-gets-a-trophy mechanism. Win the dang division, fercrissake. It ain’t rocket science.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:20 pm
samantha – welcome to atlanta looking forward to having you on the blog…some of the folks can be a bit rough they are just trying to weed out the weak so we can have a nice strong diaolgue
ncgary
March 2nd, 2012
3:21 pm
now granted i don’t like the new format either/ i think the more logical solution is to add 2 new teams
realign to 8 divisions . 4 teams in each division, 8 division winners advance
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:21 pm
man I guess I’m on scoots scroll by list now
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
Playoff teams are given a chance to play in a series. The better team will win. The loser can’t say they didn’t have ample opportunity. A 1 game playoff is crazy. Imagine if the Phillies are a wild card team. I guess 2 out of Halladay, Lee, and Hamels will have ZERO impact on moving on in the playoffs. It doesn’t make sense. So 2 of the best pitchers in all of baseball, don’t even get on the field.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
scoots – we talking about determing best team in baseball and you want divisions? Gimme 2 leagues no interleague play and a 15 game world series among the top record in each league
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
man I guess I’m on scoots scroll by list
Not hardly.
It’s just more fun to pick at Shaun, when I’m in the mood to do so.
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
ncscoots and ncgary, the strength of the divisions will change. But the possibility that mediocre teams winning weak divisions will get an edge over superior teams that aren’t lucky enough to have the opportunity to win that weak division will remain constant.
So maybe this year the Braves will get bent over by playing in a strong division and not being lucky enough to play in a division they can easily win. Maybe in 5 years it will be the Cubs or the Reds or the Diamondbacks or some other team.
Baseball should reward winning games primarily, not just winning divisions. Because a team has no control over the division in which it plays. Yet, which division is going to be a huge factor in terms of which teams get a postseason edge, wins and losses could very well be secondary.
I’m sure the 2005 82-win Padres would have greatly appreciated being treated, in the postseason, as a superior team to the 89-win Astros. Oh, that’s right. The Astros would have had the same “competitive opportunities” as the Padres. I guess the Astros could have had the opportunity to petition MLB to let them in the weak NL West for that season, so they could be treated like they were the better team in the postseason.
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
I think its pretty crappy that its gonna end on the 21st. when just another week woulda given us one more buncha Christmas gifts
flange1
March 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
I agree with scoots.
Instead of poor mouthing, the Braves need to win the division and let everyone else worry about the wild card play in game.
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Thank you Tiger, Still having a little rough time, but better. I think I am going to have to change my cell number where he will leave me alone
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
we talking about determing best team in baseball and you want divisions? Gimme 2 leagues no interleague play and a 15 game world series among the top record in each league
Hey, that’s closer to something I’d like, than most other scenarios. It’s not that I “want” divisions, or anything like. But, they exist, along with unbalanced schedules weighted to the divisions, so it’s a matter of finding at least something that keeps a slight shred of integrity to playing 162.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
the better team does not always win a series regardless of 3/5/7 games it just isn’t reality. The hottest team might beat a better team that is slumping (and we don’t have to go back far to point out examples). It doesn’t make them a better team just because they won the series.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:29 pm
change it now leave them and get on with life…and remember AT&T is better than the other carriers
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2012
3:29 pm
tiger – g’day, just watchin the Apple stock market here, Apple Apple Apple, seems to drive everyone’s truck these days, nothing new from Australia
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
3:29 pm
tiger
True, but only 1 game is a joke. Atleast by giving a team 3 to 7 games to compete gives them a chance. The whole roster sent the team to the playoffs. Not 1 starting pitcher.
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:30 pm
Oh, that’s right. The Astros would have had the same “competitive opportunities” as the Padres
You seriously don’t have any clue as to what I mean by “competitive opportunity”, do you, LOL?
kenhotlanta
March 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
So Justin Bieber gets a $100,000 Fisker Karma for his 18th birthday? When I turned 18, I got a 1950 Ford 2 Door Coupe that would fly and was about the most fun car I ever owned. It only cost me $200, which was about $100 too much. But I can’t sing either, oh well.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:32 pm
scoots – the money isn’t there to support our view of the world we live in…it is why I really don’t put much stock in world series trophies. Sure they are fun to look at but that trophy isn’t where I get my enjoyment of the game its the 7-8 months I get to watch games plus the time I get to spend discussing it with friends.
Maybe that makes me a loser but I loved my braves just as much in the ’80’s as I did in ‘95 and I will continue to feel that way if they never win another one.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
brekky-so I guess that means no trips to atlanta this year…
LJ
March 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
I’m an old man, still like no divisions, National league winner plays American no playoffs, just two winners playing each other. That being said, that is not what we have had in years. Doesn’t really matter, enjoy 162 games every year, if you get more, have fun, if not, it will be April before you know it.
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
ncscoots, look at 2005. The Padres got into the playoffs because of some tricked-up everybody-gets-a-trophy mechanism,” and under the new system would have gotten a bye in the one-game round because of “some tricked-up everybody-gets-a-trophy mechanism.”
Okay, fine. Had they had the one-game system that year, the Astros should have won the NL Central that year and they wouldn’t have had to worry had they been playing under that system. However, what about the fact that the Padres would have been treated like a superior team to the Astros in the postseason under the one-game playoff system, even more so than they were under the previous system. That’s the issue.
The Astros would have had no control. They outplayed the Padres over 162 games. Several teams outplayed the Padres over 162 games. Yet, the Padres are one of the three teams in the entire league getting the pass while a couple of the other superior teams get a disadvantage of playing a one-game playoff and the rest don’t even make the playoffs.
MFin04
March 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
“At least by giving a team 3 to 7 games to compete gives them a chance.”
I really hate the new playoff format, hopefully it doesn’t go through somehow. I think I’d probably be ok with a 3 game series. A one game series really isn’t even baseball. There is no real usage of your bullpen or starters, because basically anyone and everyone is queued up for a 1 game series.
BravePack
March 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
Sam you’re back….hooray! Glad to have you back…you going to stick around?
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
It doesn’t make them a better team just because they won the series.
It does, however, make them the winner.
Which is kinda what counts.
In any event, as long as you have multiple teams in each league playing multiple games against each other, the probability is going to increase that talent will not win out. Nothing to be done about that, I’m afraid. Certainly, a one-game play-in does nothing to harm the current playoff system, given that it seldom produces the best two teams playing in the WS. Once you accept that premise, everything else is fairly irrelevant.
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
MFin04
You hit nail on the head. 100% agreed.
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Since I work nights, can anyone tell me the first home day game for braves?
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
ncscoots, a team in a weak division doesn’t have the same competitive opportunities as a team in a strong division, under this format. Pretty obvious.
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
but that trophy isn’t where I get my enjoyment of the game
Oh, nor I. I’m a baseball fan, not a “winning” fan. I prefer winning to losing, I’ll admit, but I prefer a good baseball game over either.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
Its baseball folks
60′ 6″
90 feet
3 strikes
4 balls
3 outs
9 innings
oh yeah and its absolutely our right to bitch about it
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
you’re kinda like the anti-Mitchell scoots
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
tiger – may try to get down there some time, depends on the missus’ time table.. quite busy of late (she is)
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
scoots – the relevance comment from you strikes me as kinda funny looking back at my 3:03 post
Don in TN
March 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
Bravo tiger, well said.
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
you’re kinda like the anti-Mitchell scoots
My parents would be so pleased to hear you say that, nolie.
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
Yes, BravesPack, I am going to change my cell number and wash him out of my life. I am working nights now and can hopefully find out when the Braves have a day game.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:46 pm
and I think its fairly obvious we are quite closely aligned here
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:46 pm
brekky – I fly low and slow but its quite faster than driving
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
sam – atlantabraves.com has a schedule…I think it is the wednesday after their opening night
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
I watch baseball to enjoy each and every game I can… on mlb.tv I watch around 500-600 regular games a year plus YANKEES network, mlb on the idiot box.. there is joy and pain in every Braves game..
1 bleeding wild card playoff is HEAPS
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
and I think its fairly obvious we are quite closely aligned here
Yessir. Which makes for little fun if I’m feeling a tiny bit snarky, LOL.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=atl#m=4&y=2012&calendar=DEFAULT
here is the link 4/18 it is a wednesday (obviously had I been wrong I wouldn’t have posted this
)
Lemke's Knuckler
March 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
I would be fine if they went back to having two divisions per league. Get rid of interleague play and go to a balanced schedule. Then they can award wild cards and it’s unlikely there would be 4 teams in one division with a record better than every team in the other division, so we’d get the best 4 teams in each league.
NL East: Marlins, Nats, Braves, Phillies, Mets, Pirates, Reds
NL West: Giants, Dodgers, D-Backs, Rockies, Padres, Cards, Brewers, Cubs
AL East: Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Rays, Tigers, Indians
AL West: Angels, A’s, Rangers, Mariners, Astros, Twins, Royals, White Sox
I’m sure the one-game playoff will be fun to watch, but there’s a sense every year when your team makes the postseason that there’s a fresh start on the “new season.” Having to play a one-game playoff really makes it seem more like an extension to the regular season.
I’m just not a big fan of this. Either expand the playoffs or don’t. This seems like an in-between move to me. But they can’t really go to 12 teams without knocking a week or two off the regular season, so I understand the decision.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:49 pm
I know kinda frustrating –
lets let nolie jump in here cause he doesn’t want good baseball games he wants braves up by 5 in the 4th every night I think
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:52 pm
doesn’t want good baseball games he wants braves up by 5 in the 4th every night
I have to admit, that’s one of my definitions of “good”, LOL.
GeorgetownKid
March 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
Dave,
Is alcohol allowed in the Braves’ clubhouse? Do off-day pitchers ever do what reportedly went on in the Red Sox clubhouse?
If booze is allowed in the clubhouse, what does Chipper drink? I always pictured him with a PBR!
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
I like some scoring in games, but mostly I want Chipper to hit a homer and drive in at least three every game when it comes to Braves games
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
We finally get the leagues balanced on numbers, and LK jumps right up with odd-numbered divisions.
Soph
March 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
Hope anyone and everyone affected by these tornadoes is safe. Thinking about you.
DWW
March 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
VaBrave
By your logic their shouldn’t be a playoff at all because the best team was determined by who had the best record. Playoffs are exciting and it brings eyeballs to the tv, which is what a sudden death game every year will do.
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2012
3:55 pm
I just want Hudson on the mound every night throwing 7 innings of sinkers and then have either Jonny rock n roll or Moylan throw the 8th and Kimber the Lion for a 162 save season to close
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
3:56 pm
but more games would mean more eyeballs
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
3:57 pm
nolie – heck yeah so do I
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
3:57 pm
Thanks Tiger, I will be there. Thank for the info. Please inform everyone I will be gone a little while. I am going to change my cell number where this jerk will quit calling. He is driving me crazy. Bye for now.
Lemke's Knuckler
March 2nd, 2012
3:59 pm
“We finally get the leagues balanced on numbers, and LK jumps right up with odd-numbered divisions.”
I know you’re kidding, but getting rid of interleague and the unbalanced schedule would open so many possibilities for setting up a simpler division and playoff structure.
DWW
March 2nd, 2012
4:00 pm
nolie,
Agreed, thats why MLB added one.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
4:01 pm
its like the last game of the season last year – it was a gut wrenching emotional rollercoaster and it was awful that the braves lost and their season was over. but it was 4 1/2 hours of amazing entertainment.
Just cause I didn’t like the ending doesn’t change the fact that I was definitely entertained.
DS1
March 2nd, 2012
4:02 pm
Samantha
If you’d just answer the phone sometimes, you’d find out that I’m not such a jerk after all!
MFin04
March 2nd, 2012
4:02 pm
I’d rather them just have 8 teams in the playoffs instead of this stupid, 5 teams, 1-game playoff junk.
It’s just dumb. You could very well be penalizing a team with a better record versus a team that has clinched a playoff spot by winning in a bad division. Silly.
We went 90-72, you went 86-76, you beat us in a one game playoff…and you are in…YEAH for you.
Ridiculous. And what the heck is the 90-72 team going to do the last week of the season? Forfeit its games? Drink beer, eat fried chicken, and play video games in the clubhouse? They certainly don’t need to play any games the last week of the season.
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
4:03 pm
brekky – your scenario might be a bit rough on venters until may…since moylan won’t be back until then. kimmie can handle it I’m sure though
richbrave
March 2nd, 2012
4:03 pm
Hey DAVID:
Any words on 1B ERNEST MEJIA and 3B JOE TERDO before the games begin tomorrow.
DS1
March 2nd, 2012
4:03 pm
tiger
Looks like I’ll be in Atlanta during the week of April 16th (Mets series). In meetings during the days, but I hope to get to a game or two.
DWW
March 2nd, 2012
4:04 pm
tiger
Exactly, and now we get that every year.
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
4:04 pm
if they had added three there would be even more eyeballs, I am not a fan of the one game and out setup
B-F_52
March 2nd, 2012
4:06 pm
Dadburn radar looks rough down ya’ll’s way
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
4:07 pm
I guess once the Wild Card game starters are determined the other 8 pitchers don’t even need to participate right? They work the whole season to help the team make the wild card and then have zero impact.
Ward
March 2nd, 2012
4:08 pm
Hello everyone! DOB,I was one who had interest as Braves fan in Grady,but after hearing things,and what happened to him. Every thing makes sense,and glad Braves didn’t even try for him,and glad I changed my mind after all that.
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
Hey, where did Samantha go? Tiger, do you know?
DS1
March 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
Harry Hogge: All right. While we’re still under a caution, I want you to go back out on that track and hit the pace car.
Cole Trickle: Hit the pace car?
Harry Hogge: Hit the pace car.
Cole Trickle: What for?
Harry Hogge: Because you’ve hit every other g..damned thing out there, I want you to be perfect.
Ward
March 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
Great to see basball back again……
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
heck yeah be excited to see you again
MFin04
March 2nd, 2012
4:10 pm
“if they had added three there would be even more eyeballs, I am not a fan of the one game and out setup”
I don’t know about that, because this system is about as ridiculous as it gets. You play a bunch of 3 and 4 game series all year long, with a pitching rotation of 4 or 5 guys, and once you make the playoffs it now is down to a 1-game playoff? Just stupid.
At least with the 8 team playoff, you have a lot more talent separation. 1v 8, 2 v 7, 3v 6, 4 v 5
Phillies playing the Nationals in the first round of the playoffs.
Braves end up playing the Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs.
It definitely gives you more incentive to have the best record in the league, because you get a cakewalk first round series.
Ward
March 2nd, 2012
4:11 pm
Murph-You guys are comedy………The way you treat Samantha.Very funnny stuff…..
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
4:11 pm
murph – no she said she was dropping off the blog for a while (not sure if that means a few minutes/hours/days) but I know you will be awaiting her return
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
4:13 pm
MFin04
Agreed.
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
4:15 pm
At least with the 8 team playoff, you have a lot more talent separation. 1v 8, 2 v 7, 3v 6, 4 v 5
the logical extension of that is a 15-team playoff. Play five months for seeding and have at it.
LK, yeah, just messin’ with ya.
Ward
March 2nd, 2012
4:16 pm
Going to order some Braves gear soon…..Haven’t finished ordering my Giant stuff yet.Can’t believe football is over. Time for March Madness to begin. Talk Later tonight,and peace out……..
B-F_52
March 2nd, 2012
4:25 pm
You should take a vacation from that cold loud wind ward
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
4:26 pm
Yeah, anyone still think that Ward isn’t Samantha? Raise your hands…
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
4:26 pm
why have a regular season lets just start with the post-season?
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
4:32 pm
why have a regular season lets just start with the post-season?
Seeding.
Home-and-home against every team in your league, one home-or-away series against every team in the other league, gets you to about 130. Top team in each league gets a first-round bye, seven games for every series. Owners with teams that continue to advance would probably end up with nearly the same number of home games as currently, WS is over in October. What’s not to like?
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
4:33 pm
I was just thinking of a 162 game non-elimination playoff and at the end the 2 best records play each other for say 9 games
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
4:34 pm
but I’m just a simpleton
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2012
4:36 pm
I was just thinking of a 162 game non-elimination playoff and at the end the 2 best records play each other for say 9 games
That works, too.
B-F_52
March 2nd, 2012
4:42 pm
Saints maintained “Bounty”program in NFL last three years Gotcha cheaters
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
4:43 pm
little one getting up time for me to leave the blog for a while
MFin04
March 2nd, 2012
4:56 pm
Food for thought…
Now that the playoff format has changed…should the Braves have made more (any) off-season moves in order to win the division?
It has been my line of thinking for the last few years, that the Braves have not been trying to win the division, but merely win the wild card.
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
5:00 pm
Tom (KC)
Thoughts on the new playoff format? Will we be able to see wild card teams play against a team from the same division in the divisional round?
Klaw (3:48 PM)
Answer to the second question is yes. Answer to the first: I don’t like it. It destroys the potential for a final-day-2011 scenario. It further devalues the regular season. It’s a moneygrab, but at some point, MLB will grab and the money won’t be there.
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
5:04 pm
I am back. Got number changed. Saw your comment Murph. Believe what you want, it does not bother me any more. You are a jerk just like my EX.
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
5:09 pm
Prado’s skeptics are just another factor that’s motivating him
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/03/02/prado-has-doubters-now-and-it-drives-him/
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
5:09 pm
This is pretty funny..
Claudio (Pleasanton, CA)
Upside on Astros OF JD Martinez? Solid regular, above average or potential all-star team member? best lineup spot 3, 4, or 5
Klaw (4:21 PM)
Best lineup spot = bench.
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
5:12 pm
I’m all for two divisions in each league, and two wild cards in each league (since I know MLB is never going back to anything fewer than four playoff teams in each league. Make all series 7 games.
MFin04, I think all teams are just trying to do all they can to win as many games as they can without doing things like risking the future and making a bunch of risky moves. I don’t think teams think of it in terms of winning divisions versus wild cards. They are just trying to win as many games as possible within whatever constraints might be there. Of course a division title is the goal. But really all a front office can do is try to win as many games as possible when they are ready to contend or just try not to blow your budget if you think you aren’t capable of contending. I don’t think it’s really all that possible for a front office to focus on just doing enough to win a wild card.
MFin04
March 2nd, 2012
5:16 pm
“I don’t think it’s really all that possible for a front office to focus on just doing enough to win a wild card.”
Yeh, but if the Braves were trying to win the division…you’d think they’d make a run at a Jose Reyes…Carlos Beltran, etc.
If they are trying to win the division, with the wild card as their backup, staying put was the obvious (cheapest) choice. But it also is the riskiest, with the new playoff rules in effect.
Shaun
March 2nd, 2012
5:21 pm
MFin04, not really. Maybe Reyes and Beltran add a handful of wins more. That’s just not worth it for those contracts, long term, for a team like the Braves with their budget. There is a difference between trying to win and being so foolish that you have no chance to win in 2-3 years because you are hamstrung by huge contracts to players past their primes.
MFin04
March 2nd, 2012
5:24 pm
“The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in each league have to play Games 1 and 2 away from home.”
Wow, also stupid idea as well. So the worse seed gets the first two games at home, and the better seed gets the last 3 at home. All because they schedule is messed up. Nice.
Murph
March 2nd, 2012
5:25 pm
You are a jerk just like my EX.
Can you send me your new number? I want to talk to you about something.
Murph@aol.com
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
5:30 pm
No I am not going start anything new. I f you want to know something about me just ask.
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
5:32 pm
Samantha, are you new to the blog? 1st day I’ve seen you on here.
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
5:35 pm
I came on here yesterday
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
5:37 pm
well welcome to the blog, the best place to talk about the Braves, baseball and so many other topics. DOB is the best in the biz.
B-F_52
March 2nd, 2012
5:39 pm
Shaun how many wins is a handful,how many players does it take to fill that hand up?
kenhotlanta
March 2nd, 2012
5:40 pm
Samantha leaves, Ward arrives, Ward leaves, Samantha arrives. Hmmmmm….anyone seen nolie today?
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
5:41 pm
I am glad to be here and very excited about seeing my first Brave game live instead of TV.
B-F_52
March 2nd, 2012
5:42 pm
he may be on the new bloggage
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
5:42 pm
B-F_52 – That person you mentioned earlier? No, I haven’t met him, but I believe they did a newspaper article on him a couple years ago, so yeah, I have heard of him.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
5:43 pm
I’m feeling stabby
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
5:44 pm
It definitely gives you more incentive to have the best record in the league, because you get a cakewalk first round series….MF
all the incentive in the world is meaningless if you caint get er done.
the essence of baseball has always been long seasons and many combined sample sizes/ One game playoff is the complete antithesis of the sport. save it for football
Snackwell
March 2nd, 2012
5:45 pm
Hi DOB, I made a rock’n'roll short film that I hope you’re gonna like featuring the song “Sweet Charlene” by The Burmese Crush. It’s a finalist in the Creative Loafing Short Cuts contest and I need you and our fellow Braves fans to check it out and vote for it. Go Braves!
http://posting.clatl.com/atlanta/Survey?survey=4934791
Mixxo
March 2nd, 2012
5:45 pm
kenhotlanta -
lol
What about Tomahawkin?
Snackwell
March 2nd, 2012
5:46 pm
..hey, sorry for just dropping it on the blog but I couldn’t find your email.
New Mexico Lee
March 2nd, 2012
5:47 pm
stabby?
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
5:47 pm
kenhotlanta, I will tell you the same thing that I told Murph. Believe what you want it doesnot bother me any more. You are a jerk just like my ex.
kenhotlanta
March 2nd, 2012
5:48 pm
Mixxo, yeah, him too. Somebody needs to check some IP’s and see who’s who.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
5:49 pm
Stabby
New Mexico Lee
March 2nd, 2012
5:50 pm
What does that mean?
kenhotlanta
March 2nd, 2012
5:50 pm
Samantha, sorry I wasn’t being personal, I like you and Ward. I was just commenting that you and Ward are never on here at the same time. Just sayin’.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 2nd, 2012
5:50 pm
Severe storm threats = the only thing I HATE about Spring…
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
5:51 pm
Is that Ward? haha seems like it.
New Mexico Lee
March 2nd, 2012
5:56 pm
McFann, snowing here. Be safe.
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
5:56 pm
Hi McFann, I did something today I think you would be proud of.
nolie
March 2nd, 2012
5:56 pm
I think it is whoever writes ward
Lew
March 2nd, 2012
5:57 pm
10 inches of snow yesterday .Sleet and freezing rain tonight, turning to rain and total mush tomorrow.
kenhotlanta
March 2nd, 2012
5:59 pm
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô: I think we have some Weather in the ATL and North Georgia.
New Mexico Lee
March 2nd, 2012
6:02 pm
It never fails, the day before or the day of, the first high school baseball game of the season it snows here. First game, tomorrow.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 2nd, 2012
6:03 pm
Thanks, New Mexico Brave! I’m hoping the storm is weakening…You stay safe in that snow, too!
Samantha—
Hi! What’s that?
kenhotlanta—
Huh? Why the winky…?
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
6:06 pm
New Mexico Lee-
It means I want to stab something…you know. Stabby
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
6:08 pm
I got tired of jerk calling me and hurting me so I changed my cell number and washed him right out of my life forever.
New Mexico Lee
March 2nd, 2012
6:09 pm
O well ay, who are you unhappy with? And stay out of the kitchen.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
6:10 pm
McFann-
How did you not get “kobe”??? Between the jersey and the beautiful drawing of the cow drinking beer and turning into a steak I thought it would be easy!
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
6:11 pm
Kimbrel still a bargain after bigger-than-usual raise
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/03/02/kimbrel-still-bargain-after-bigger-than-usual-raise/
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
6:12 pm
I’m unhappy at the editing that won’t do what I want… (yes, I know I was all sunshine and daisies earlier, but then something broke and it’s not working right.)
kenhotlanta
March 2nd, 2012
6:12 pm
McFann: Weren’t cab and some others kidding on the blog a few days ago about “weather” in Orlando and the fact that we have “weather” everywhere? Maybe my memory is hazy, they say the mind is the second thing to go, and I’ll be darned if I can remember what the first thing is!
Tomahawkin AKA CouchKing!
March 2nd, 2012
6:12 pm
Mixxo
“kenhotlanta -
lol
What about Tomahawkin?”
Really?
SMH, Oh well, I’m already ready for the In-Game Blog Tomorrow, I already got Brats, Beer and Wine, On Deck!
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
6:15 pm
kenhotlanta-
I was yelling at the Daytona announcers on Monday because they said “weather was on the way” I merely pointed out (in my charmingly ranty way) that “weather” cannot be “on the way” because it is not something that just randomly happens or comes and goes as it pleases. It’s WEATHER. IT IS ALWAYS HAPPENING. (and now I am ranting again…sorry!)
Tomahawkin AKA CouchKing!
March 2nd, 2012
6:16 pm
For one of the few Times, That Philly Homer John Kincade was On Point Today on 680AMTheFan in how its gonna be Damn near Impossible for The O-Ventbrel Triple Team to repeat their performances of last year…
Especially Easy-E
Dude had a one of a kind year that was Unnoticed by the media!
Expect that triple team to fall off some during this season…Its a daunting task for them to have duplicate seasons like 2011, and that is barring nagging Injuries as well…They can happen to anyone
Bo
March 2nd, 2012
6:16 pm
chatttown….He also looks like a Kenny Wallace Clone
New Mexico Lee
March 2nd, 2012
6:17 pm
I’m sorry cab, did you try rebooting, if that doesn’t work, kick it.
Sam, good move.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
6:18 pm
New Mexico Lee-
it’s not my computer…it’s the wordpress set up we use for editing…it’s new and there are apparently still glitches that pop up suddenly…
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
6:20 pm
Of course, the upside is that I can’t do any more work on it until after the tech folk take a look, so I’m basically done for the day…
kenhotlanta
March 2nd, 2012
6:20 pm
cab: That’s exactly what I was referring to, your comment about “weather” on the way to Daytona. Thanks for setting me straight, my memory does play tricks on me sometimes.
New Mexico Lee
March 2nd, 2012
6:23 pm
There you go, silver lining. Now you can get an early start on that wine.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
6:24 pm
kenhotlanta-
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
6:25 pm
New Mexico Lee-
It’s still a bit early for that…
New Mexico Lee
March 2nd, 2012
6:28 pm
West coast, I guess so. But you know the old saying, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. lol
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
6:28 pm
Hi cab, Did you see what I did today?
B-F_52
March 2nd, 2012
6:28 pm
Lew http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Jaimie+brockett&oq=Jaimie+brockett&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=12&gs_upl=1016688l1029563l0l1033156l17l17l1l0l0l0l234l1796l8.7.1l16l0
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
6:30 pm
New Mexico Lee-
For sure…but I do try to wait until it’s 5:00 here
(or at least until VJ gets home)
Samantha-
I did! Good for you
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
6:32 pm
I always forget how gorgeous Rebecca Romijn is
VaBravesFan
March 2nd, 2012
6:33 pm
Waiting on Ward to come back now that Samantha has vanished. I figured she’d tell someone else about changing her number and calling them a jerk like her ex……
Mixxo
March 2nd, 2012
6:34 pm
Tomahawkin AKA CouchKing! -
lol Not hatin’ T…..jus’ playin’ dawg.
You’re not “Samantha” then?
B-F_52
March 2nd, 2012
6:35 pm
I hope the Braves get some good bats from the wood turners this year
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
6:40 pm
I am still here VaBraves. I am also waiting so you guys decide for yourself. Believe what you want.
Tomahawkin AKA CouchKing!
March 2nd, 2012
6:42 pm
Mixxo
“Tomahawkin AKA CouchKing! -
lol Not hatin’ T…..jus’ playin’ dawg.
I know you were! Do It Again! Do It Again!
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
6:44 pm
I know you guys are just kidding. Please lay off for now.
Mixxo
March 2nd, 2012
6:47 pm
I am Sammy….relax “Hon.”
No malicious intent here.
New Mexico Lee
March 2nd, 2012
6:59 pm
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere and that would be here. Have a good weekend everybody. Talk to you Monday. Go Braves.
cabravesfan
March 2nd, 2012
7:02 pm
Night NM Lee
ncgary
March 2nd, 2012
7:03 pm
n8 hasn’t been around much lately.
who pissed in his cereal and chased him off
ncgary
March 2nd, 2012
7:04 pm
its been 5 o clock here all day, working on second bottle of vino
Mixxo
March 2nd, 2012
7:06 pm
ncgary -
You wouldn’t happen to live near Statesville wouldja?
Jus wondering cuz I knew a HUGE Braves fan from these parts that moved up there.
A-Ville Ranger
March 2nd, 2012
7:07 pm
Just a comment regarding Gaddis. Too many young people get off course and feel their lot in life is set. The biggest value in stories like Gaddis’ is it’s proof for people who think they can’t or even don’t deserve to chase their dreams. Just find the right people who can guide and support you and go after it..whatever it is.
Samantha
March 2nd, 2012
7:08 pm
Sorry, cannot wait any longer. Eat, Shower and off to work. Have a good night everyone.
Tomahawkin AKA CouchKing!
March 2nd, 2012
7:09 pm
That one game playoff with 2 WC teams is a Load of BS, Gawd I hate Dud Selig!
The One Game Crap is FUBR, It needs to be a best of three, because in any game with a Crap Umpire (Pornstache Bill Hohn, or Cowboy Joe West) with their F’d Up Calls can decide a game and an upset, We All saw that in 1997…And The Braves have had the WORST luck in The Playoffs in Sports the last 20 years Period!
And Dud Selig, If you are listening…? Reduce the S. Training Schedule by a week to 10 days…And oh yeah I got two words For Ya?
Tomahawkin AKA CouchKing!
March 2nd, 2012
7:12 pm
ncgary
“n8 hasn’t been around much lately.
who pissed in his cereal and chased him off”
You’re Right…
I haven’t seen N8 on here in a Gripp! He Didn’t get Bozo’d did he…?
I haven’t been posting on here much from the J.O.B.B. been busy doing testing the last 10 days or so
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
7:12 pm
hmmm samantha goes to work at 9-11 at night…wonder where she is tending bar
ncgary
March 2nd, 2012
7:14 pm
prety close mixxo about 30 miles
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
7:14 pm
Braves set for Grapefruit opener; Freeman recovering quickly
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/03/02/braves-set-for-grapefruit-opener-freeman-recovering-quickly/
tiger297
March 2nd, 2012
7:20 pm
man I knoww it doesn’t look likely and I don’t mean to come off slighting those damaged by the storms. But I sure hope it doesn’t rain out little tiger’s baseball practice tomorrow
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2012
7:29 pm
Dig this song by the great Hellbound Glory, with a funny fan-made video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4LB_703jtE