Braves shortstop prospect Simmons is causing stir
JUPITER, Fla. – The idea seemed highly unlikely when spring training began. But with each terrific play he makes and every self-assured stride he takes, Braves shortstop prospect Andrelton Simmons looks more like a major leaguer.
Simmons has opened a lot of eyes in camp with his superb defense and confidence. (Jason Getz photo/AJC)
And shortstop Tyler Pastornicky, whom all signs pointed to as the rookie whose job it was to lose, has struggled enough early to raise some eyebrows and make folks wonder if he might indeed be capable of losing it – or, rather, if the defensive phenom from Curacao with the cannon arm and improving bat might win it.
It’s still way early and a few strong games by Pastornicky might slow the speculation, but for now, with the Braves losing nine of their first 10 Grapefruit League games and doing little to inspire confidence or create any buzz, the Simmons saga, as it were, has become an intriguing topic of conversation.
The notion that Simmons, at 22 and without any experience above the Class-A minor league level, could win a big-league job doesn’t sound as far-fetched as it did several weeks ago. Not to some of us who follow the team, nor to some closer to the situation.
Simmons was in the lineup Monday against the Cardinals, and Pastornicky is in it today against the Marlins.
“He’s got it,” third baseman Chipper Jones said of Simmons, meaning he had “it” in a general sense. “He’s major league-ready defensively, there’s no doubt about that. When everybody says that he’s major league-ready defensively, they’re saying it for a reason.”
Simmons hails from Curacao, home of Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens and former Atlanta center fielder Andruw Jones. Yes, the Jones who hit two homers in a World Series game at 19, finished fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting at 20, and had two Gold Gloves, 80 homers and 257 RBIs in 505 regular-season games before he turned 23.
As a kid in Curacao, Simmons was a great admirer of the center fielder, who won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves as a Brave.
“Growing up it was Andruw Jones, Chipper, Manny [Ramirez], [Derek] Jeter … I liked a lot of players,” Simmons said. “They all had something I liked.”
Among shortstops, he said, “I like Jeter, the way he plays. I like [Alex] Gonzalez, the way he handles the glove. I don’t compare myself to them, though. I admire how Jeter plays the game and behaves around baseball, how he carries himself.”
Simmons was a second-round draft pick in 2010 out of Western Oklahoma State Junior College, where he was a standout shortstop and part-time closer — with a fastball that was clocked at 98 mph.
Scouts rate his arm as plus-plus, which is as good as it gets. It’s an 80 on the 80-point scale, which is uncommonly good. Plenty of teams including the Braves were interested in drafting him as a pitcher, and some backed off when they learned he was intent on playing shortstop.
“They [Braves] wanted me as a pitcher,” Simmons said. “I told them give me a chance to prove that I can play shortstop. And it’s been going pretty good so far.”
In short-season rookie ball in 2010, Simmons hit decently at .276 with a .340 OBP, 14 extra-base hits (two homers) and a .356 slugging percentage in 62 games.
Last season at high-A Lynchburg he raised those numbers significantly, winning the Carolina League batting title with a .311 average while posting a .351 OBP and .408 slugging percentage with 42 extra-base hits (six triples, one homer) in 131 games and 570 plate appearances. He had 26 stolen bases and drove in 52 runs.
Chipper Jones (above) says of Simmons: "He's got it." (Jason Getz photo/AJC)
In Baseball America’s midseason survey of Carolina League managers, Simmons was voted the league’s best defensive shortstop, most exciting player and best infield arm. Those who had questioned whether he’d ever hit were no longer quite so vocal.
“I heard the positives and I definitely heard the negatives, the doubts,” Simmons said in September. “I always knew I was capable…. Just keep doing what I do. I make my adjustments and it worked out pretty good.”
He was 4-for-32 (.125) with two RBIs in his first eight games, then hit .326 with 157 hits and 50 RBIs in 122 games the rest of the season.
Simmons finished on a tear, batting .351 with a .397 OBP and .504 slugging percentage in 31 games during August and September, with 16 extra-base hits in 143 plate appearances.
“I’ve learned a lot, and now this year I’m learning even more,” he said. Then he smiled and said, “It’s going to be dangerous. It’s going to be a good year.”
Did we mention he’s got swagger? The kind that teammates like to see.
“He has no sense of self-entitlement, but he’s very confident,” Braves outfielder Matt Diaz said. “Just the way he carries himself. I asked him the other day, were you in big league camp last year? He said no, and I was [surprised].”
Simmons’ stock is soaring. A non-roster invitee to spring training, he’s gone 3-for-12 with an RBI triple, two walks and two strikeouts in six Grapefruit League games and has played a lot more in the past few days.
Pastornicky was the presumed Opening Day shortstop, but the rookie has struggled early in camp.
Pastornicky is 3-for-26 (.115) with one walk and three strikeouts, and has three errors.
Simmons was asked if he was pleased with how the spring has gone so far.
“Yeah I’m pleased, but still want more,” he said. “I want more results. I’ve felt like I’m really improving a lot, learning things from pretty much everybody.”
If he was to be nervous during spring training, common wisdom said it would be at the plate, not in the field where he’s a natural. But Simmons said otherwise.
“Actually on the field sometimes, like the first groundball – I’ve got to get through that first one and then I’ll be good,” he said. “I felt kind of awkward at first, but now I feel normal. I feel at home.”
Some who played with or saw former Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal in his prime say he had a comparable infield arm to Simmons. That’s saying plenty – Furcal’s arm was rated the best among major league infielders for about a decade.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez, a Braves third-base coach in Furcal’s last three seasons in Atlanta, said Simmons throws like Furcal but without having to load or wind up like the 5-foot-8 Furcal. Simmons is 6-2, long-limbed with fluid movement in everything he does.
Braves prospect Joe Terdoslavich, who played first base at Lynchburg, saw Furcal play on TV when Terdoslavich was a kid. He’s played in the same infield with Simmons for the past two seasons in the minors and the fall instructional league.
“He’s a freak — he makes the plays no one else makes,” said Terdoslavich, who’s expected to start out the 2012 season playing third base at Double-A Mississippi, next to Simmons unless Simmons is brought to the majors.
“I’m playing first base [last season] and the ball’s hit,” Terdoslavich said, describing a play last season. “I didn’t go to first base too hard and all of a sudden I turn around and the ball’s right here [holds hand in front of chest]. And I just laughed.
“He’s a very phenomenal athlete that can play that [shortstop] position better than I’ve ever seen anybody play it. I have a lot of buddies that are Braves fans and they say, ‘Can’t wait to see this kid.’ And I say, he’s a freak.”
Terdoslavich and outfielder Todd Cunningham, another Lynchburg teammate, enjoy describing some of the things Simmons did on a regular basis last season.
“That arm just allows him to make any play out there,” Terdoslavich said. “He can throw a ball from in the hole. He doesn’t have to jump to make [the throw across the infield with momentum carrying him the other way]. He’ll do it, but he can just stop and [flicks wrist] across the diamond and it’s, ‘We’ll see ya.’”
Cunningham said outfielders knew all they had to do was throw the ball close enough for Simmons to touch it, because he would haul it in and make a sizzling throw to the plate. Simmons gets a kick out of cutting down unsuspecting runners.
“Yeah, I try to make them run the basepaths with more caution,” he said.
When he praised Simmons, Chipper Jones wasn’t predicting or suggesting that Simmons get the job over Pastornicky, also 22 but with considerably more minor league experience including nearly two full seasons above Class A.
What Jones did say was that he could see the Braves going with either of them as the starter — and that either could handle the demands of the job.
“What you want out of a shortstop is defense up the middle,” Jones said. “That’s the most important thing. And anything we get out of the shortstop position offensively is a bonus. You want strong defense up the middle, and we’ve got two guys in camp that are capable of doing that.
“We’ve just got to…” he left the sentence unfinished.
“You know, I’m sure that Andrelton – I call him Andy — is going to push Tyler and Tyler’s going to push Andy,” Jones continued, “and it’s going to be tough decision to make. Maybe it’s already made. I don’t know.”
But maybe Simmons has changed some minds or at least made the decision more difficult?
“No doubt,” Jones replied.
Told that Furcal went straight from high-A to the majors without a stop in Double-A or Triple-A, Simmons was asked if he allowed himself to think about the possibility for himself.
“I used to, but now I just go with the flow, take it one day at a time,” he said “Just try to do what I can and let them make whatever decision is best for the team and me.”
After acknowledging he’s trying to make the shortstop decision more difficult for team officials, Simmons was asked when, in his mind, he thought he’d be ready for the majors.
“When, in my mind?” he said. “In my mind?
“Right now.”
Braves Tuesday lineup vs. Marlins
- Bourn CF
- Prado LF
- McCann C
- Uggla 2B
- Freeman 1B
- Diaz LF
- Heyward DH
- Pastornicky SS
- Constanza RF
Braves LH Mike Minor starts against Marlins RH Carlos Zambrano.
♣ Most of the team staying overnight to play both games here in Jupiter (the Cardinals and Marlins share the same complex here), but some – including Chipper, Eric Hinske, Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters – were scheduled to return to Orlando after Monday’s game and will work out back at camp Tuesday.
Let’s close with a great tune by a terrific band, The Felice Brothers. You can see and hear them do it live by clicking here.
“COOPERSTOWN by The Felice Brothers
The water’s wide
It’s deep and wide
It’s down a long and windy road
And everyone knows that a boy can’t swim it
In Narrow’s Church
The white walled church
They’re singing that gospel song
“Bye and Bye, I will see my King”
The clouds will break
And the pews shake
And the choir softly cries
And it’s Georgia in the spring of 1905
Ty Cobb
You’re dead and gone
You had a game like a war machine
And through the great
Hall of Fame you wander
In Tigers Field
A girl in heels
She had a face like a magazine
And through the long metal stands she wandered
The ball soared
The crowd roared
The scoreboard sweetly hummed
And tomorrow you’ll surely know whose won
I’m on First
And you’re on Third
And all the wolves are all between
And everyone’s sure that the game is over
The catcher’s hard
He’s mean mean and hard
And he nips at the batter’s heels
And everyone’s sure that the game is over
The ball soars
And the crowd roars
And the scoreboard sweetly hums
And tomorrow you’ll surely know whose won
The water’s wide
It’s deep and wide
It’s a down a long and windy road
And everyone knows that a boy can’t swim it
The clouds break
And the pews shake
And the preacher’s feet do pound
As the rain beats the streets of Cooperstown
– by David O’Brien, Braves/MIB blog
1,404 comments Add your comment
JAFO
March 12th, 2012
1:24 pm
Quick lead.
Fredi Will Screw It Up Somehow
March 12th, 2012
1:29 pm
You HAVE to put the elite defensive player between 40 year old Chipper and defensive liability Uggla.
Alas, my name is my name.
Lee in S GA
March 12th, 2012
1:31 pm
I’m pulling for Simmons to win the position.
TJ
March 12th, 2012
1:33 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Murph! Still one of my all time favorite Braves.
hammerinhomer
March 12th, 2012
1:34 pm
FIRST
Shelbyflash
March 12th, 2012
1:36 pm
Somebody sign that boy up!
Ijiwaru Sensei
March 12th, 2012
1:36 pm
It’s good to have options.
Mister Frisky
March 12th, 2012
1:36 pm
Nice belly Chipper welcome to 40.
George
March 12th, 2012
1:37 pm
Could starting SS be SIMMONS instead of PASTORNICKY?
Jack Wilson
March 12th, 2012
1:37 pm
Hey Guys! What about me?
I spent all winter ruining Pastornicky so I could get the job. Not sure I have enough time to do it with Andy.
Fols
March 12th, 2012
1:37 pm
It’s innings like that 2nd that just make you shake your head…hit, 2 walks…no runs. Two base running outs and Ross doesn’t make contact with runners on base.
noleee
March 12th, 2012
1:38 pm
so IF Simmons does win it does Tyler have a shot as backup IFer?
bravesgrl4life
March 12th, 2012
1:39 pm
Uh-oh. Come on Beach.
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
1:40 pm
This is split-squad game for #Cardinals (not for Braves). Freese just hit 3-run HR for Cards team that’s facing Nationals in Viera.
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
1:41 pm
Braves shot self in foot that last inning, with Freeman getting picked off 2nd and Hinske thrown out at 3rd on strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out DP to end it
Andrelton Simmons to break camp with team.... - Blowout Cards Forums
March 12th, 2012
1:42 pm
[...] Andrelton Simmons to break camp with team…. Not likely, but is drawing rave reviews while Pastornicky is struggling…. Braves shortstop prospect Simmons is causing stir | Atlanta Braves [...]
Misspelled Tea-Bag Signs
March 12th, 2012
1:42 pm
How are we scouting offensive players? We continue to fail miserably at souting hitters… more recently evidenced by Schaffer, Heyward, etc.
Virginia Brave
March 12th, 2012
1:42 pm
Not that any of you care, but count me in the Simmons’ camp.
Also, thanks as always, DOB. You do a great job allowing this VA desk jockey to feel like he’s at spring training. Much appreciated.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
1:43 pm
“Braves shot self in foot”
Hey, we’re in mid-season form already!
beekay
March 12th, 2012
1:44 pm
Chipper does look heavy in that photo
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
1:44 pm
Beachy’s command has left the park — he just walked Komatsu to bring in a run, third walk of inning.
gordonguy1969
March 12th, 2012
1:45 pm
Waiting for the naysayers to show up. I’m excited about either of these guys. It’s so amazing to think that the folks who are going to blast Gonzalez or either of these shortstops, or Wren, so easily forget that everyone on the team was, at one time, a rookie.
Mark (another one)
March 12th, 2012
1:48 pm
I would bet that if Simmons wins the position, Tyler will be playing every day in the minors. No matter what the Braves want both of these guys to play somewhere and keep improving. Jack Wilson will most likely be the major league backup SS.
Misspelled Tea-Bag Signs
March 12th, 2012
1:49 pm
Defensively we’re fine. I also think we’ll be fine from a pitching standpoint. That said, I think we’ll see yet again that we can’t our way out of a paper bag and yet we’ll stand firm with the hitters we have because of our payroll ceiling. So frustrating…
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
1:49 pm
What in the world is wrong with these guys? Nobody seems to be doing anything right.
Murph
March 12th, 2012
1:50 pm
Just like with the rotation, it’s always good to have a plan B. I’m starting to hope that Simmons works his way up to being the starter out of ST, but if not, at least he’s there in case The Rev struggles mightily out of the gate.
How long would they give Pastornicky before making the change, though? June? July?
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
1:51 pm
Simmons leads off 3rd with walk, then steals 2nd –
firstSB of spring for Braves.(Make that second steal of spring — Pastornicky got the first one Sunday in the split-squad game over at Dunedin)
BravePack
March 12th, 2012
1:52 pm
Does anyone else think Fredi might be too easy on these guys and too laid back? Just a thought.
steve brown
March 12th, 2012
1:53 pm
Both young SS’s are facing the same pressure (due to the lack of funds available to sign an experienced SS due to the wasted money in Chipper’s pocket)-pick the one that performs best under this pressure-it sure won’t get easier in a pennant race.
SeATLite
March 12th, 2012
1:53 pm
David, yesterday Buster Olney posted a vague but ominous comment about “scouts raising early red flags about what they’re seeing from the Braves.” I know you’ve made reference to the fact that the Braves aren’t playing well or scoring — anyone can see that, obviously — but are you aware of any whispers of the sort Buster referred to? Can you possibly shed any light on what he meant? (I’d ask him, but unfortunately he’s a good deal less accessible than you are.)
Thanks!
Hunter
March 12th, 2012
1:53 pm
Oh God….
I just had a flashback to Chris Pittaro. The second coming of Shortstops as Deemed by Sparky Anderson!!!!
Don’t rush the kid!!!
Disgusted
March 12th, 2012
1:53 pm
The Braves might be better off with a healthy Jack Wilson for a while.
Simmons has done better than expected, if he is better, he deserves to play. But, you do not want to rush him too fast.
The hole at SS is on ownership, plain and simple.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
1:55 pm
BravePack, nobody outside the players and Braves people know if Fredi is too easy or whatever on these players. In my far out opinion I don’t think there’s a huge respect for him there. Most is because the man he replaced was as respected a manager you’ll ever find.
Murph
March 12th, 2012
1:55 pm
Prado’s looking really good this spring… pretty much the only bright spot so far.
Kentavo
March 12th, 2012
1:55 pm
I would much prefer a defensive dazzler at SS than a defensive question mark – say yes to the new Curacao Kid!
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
1:55 pm
Prado single drove in Simmons from 3rd to put Braves up 2-1
Jeff R
March 12th, 2012
1:56 pm
Surprising development if Simmons out plays Pastornicky for the shortstop job. But it’s still early. We’ll see.
Murph
March 12th, 2012
1:58 pm
Freeman with an RBI single… Braves up 3-1.
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
1:59 pm
Freeman RBI single put Braves up 2-1, still have 2 on with 2 out and Hinske up…. Hinske 3-1 groundout ends it
BravePack
March 12th, 2012
1:59 pm
No I like Fredi so I don’t want it to seem like I don’t and you are right who knows what goes on behind the scenes but it seems like the team is making a lot of mental mistakes and whatever can go wrong is going wrong. All I’m basing my opinion is what I see from interviews and dugout demeanor.
noleee
March 12th, 2012
2:00 pm
no we caint win, that isn’t allowed
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:01 pm
“I used to, but now I just go with the flow, take it one day at a time,” he said “Just try to do what I can and let them make whatever decision is best for the team and me.” – A. Simmons
Dude must have watched Bull Durham. That’s every banal quote combined into one.
Felix Millan
March 12th, 2012
2:02 pm
I’m amused that Hinske was thrown out attempting to steal —-THIRD!!!
bravesgrl4life
March 12th, 2012
2:06 pm
Beachy not doing so well right now.
wrestler
March 12th, 2012
2:07 pm
Gooo God, I hope that the Braves get there act together before the season start. Right now, they are getting smoked in spring training.
beekay
March 12th, 2012
2:07 pm
i predicted 10 runs for Bravos today…this will be the beginning of an offensive rally from now till end of spring
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:07 pm
LOL at yet another picture of a fat Chipper! I love the guy like few others, but come on. He’s huge!
We’ve scored three times today.
When’s the parade?
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:08 pm
Make that 2 times…still parade-worthy.
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:09 pm
FG is in so far over his head that light from above can’t be seen through the water…
That said, we’re stuck with him for now apparently.
jeffrey d
March 12th, 2012
2:09 pm
Alas, my name is my name.
Deep. Also, a donut is a donut
Billy
March 12th, 2012
2:10 pm
Excellent info on Simmons. Nice to have so much talent at SS. With all the young pitching and the addition of Heyward, then Freeman, and now one or both of those SS being added to the team is testament to Wren re-stocking team with youth.
I like how the team is adding a rookie each of the last 3 seasons, be it Pastor or Simmons. For those not familiar with the Furcal story he made the roster as a backup SS to Walt Weiss, so anything is possible. Furcal skipped AA and AAA to earn a bench spot as a rookie. Tough decisions for Braves if Simmons is as good defensively or better than Jack Wilson.
DAP
March 12th, 2012
2:10 pm
disgusted The Braves might be better off with a healthy Jack Wilson for a while.
welp, we know thats not a possibility, so what else you got?
bravesgrl4life
March 12th, 2012
2:10 pm
Too many walks. TOO MANY WALKS.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
2:11 pm
Yeah if we win what the the hell will a lot of these people have to talk about, nolie? It’s almost as if it ruins their days.
kenhotlanta
March 12th, 2012
2:12 pm
The broadcast crew (or the radio station) needs Spring Training, too. The game keeps going off the air for minutes at a time and coming back for just a minute, then off again. Very irritating.
Happy Birthday to the great player and even better person, Dale Murphy. He’s the definition of the word Hero.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:12 pm
Seems like the Braves are doing to the Cardinals what everyone has been doing to the Braves. Lots of Cardinals out on the base paths, not so many scoring.
bravesgrl4life
March 12th, 2012
2:12 pm
Damage control, thank heavens.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:14 pm
It would be an interesting footnote to this blog to actually get an injury update on Jack Wilson. Is he in Orlando at all or still back in California rehabbing in his back yard? The injury didn’t seem to be so bad that it should keep him out for this long.
Rick
March 12th, 2012
2:14 pm
kenhotlanta,
Are you talking about on 1230am? Guess I’m not the only one having that problem, I assumed it was something with my radio. I turned it off because I got tired of it.
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:14 pm
Winning ruins my days. I for sure hope we lose…
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
2:15 pm
I like Beachy, but I feel some of his success came from his deception. MLB hitters can and will make adjustments and his pitches outside that great fastaball, aren’t that good. Kind of wild with the curve and changeup. Flat slider as well from my memory. All I’m saying is he needs to fine tune his secondary pitches or he’ll get smacked around.
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:16 pm
The problems with the broadcast are not at all unlike what must happen inside Chip Caray’s head….
Ease
March 12th, 2012
2:17 pm
Ask and so you shall receive…
David O’Brien
No, not supposed to play till last week or so. (Calf strain) RT @TuxOnMadisonAve: Dave, has Jack Wilson had any AB yet in ST? @ajcbraves
Billy
March 12th, 2012
2:17 pm
Jack Wilson is here, at Lake Buena Vista, and hopes to play the last week of ST
Bruce Benedict
March 12th, 2012
2:18 pm
1-9 huh? Boy these guys sure have shown up in 2012 angry and with sometime to prove after their historic collapse last year haven’t they? Worst spring training record in the league! This should inspire the fans to sellout opening day.
Stanley
March 12th, 2012
2:18 pm
Is this the main blog for the tweaters? I hope the Braves start playing better before the games start counting for real. If not, I might start cring.
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:19 pm
I am asking for Wayward to someday start playing like the hall of famer we were all essentially told he would be….mostly by bloggers, admittedly, but still….
Still waiting to receive.
Rick
March 12th, 2012
2:19 pm
CTB,
It seems today his issue was location, not getting smacked around. Last season he had trouble staying in games late because his pitch count would go up fast. Despite his success and great SO rate, it took him a lot of pitches to put guys away.
JAFO
March 12th, 2012
2:20 pm
Jason K eyward?
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:20 pm
Yes, Bruce, they’ll be there in droves…
Sadly, they WILL be.
Until FG is canned, not me. Looking forward to saving the money this season.
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
2:22 pm
Beachy: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 3 K. Braves up 3-1 headed to bottom of 4th, Cristhian Martinez to pitch
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:22 pm
And glad to hear that Hack Wilson is on the rebound from his sore pinkie toe suffered a month ago….
These guys are more fragile than the finest china at the Biltmore House.
Mississippi McCann Fan
March 12th, 2012
2:22 pm
It would be an interesting footnote to this blog to actually get an injury update on Jack Wilson. Is he in Orlando at all or still back in California rehabbing in his back yard? The injury didn’t seem to be so bad that it should keep him out for this long .@abeeewright
If I remember correctly, he’s supposed to begin the season on the DL. Not sure about the details of the injury.
Billy
March 12th, 2012
2:23 pm
Bottom of 4th Braves leading 3-1
jeffrey d
March 12th, 2012
2:23 pm
Too many walks. TOO MANY WALKS.
You’ll never hear that from a dog
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:23 pm
Nice to have a rare lead.
5 walks for Beachy? We seem alarmingly able to walk a few this spring.
Felix
March 12th, 2012
2:24 pm
It has been crying time since the end of August 2011.
kenhotlanta
March 12th, 2012
2:26 pm
Rick: yes I am trying to listen to the game on 1230AM, but not having much luck. They could not broadcast any of the game on Friday (I think) and I called the station and was told they were having “technical difficulties”. Maybe it’s those solar flares from the Sun.
phil don't Jack
March 12th, 2012
2:28 pm
Jack strained a calf muscle, days before heading to Spring Training, while working out with Tyler Pastornicky
bravesgrl4life
March 12th, 2012
2:30 pm
jeffrey d, you are right about that. Dogs can go on unlimited walks. I am sure cabravesfan and her pup would agree
Walks not bad for dogs, bad for Braves pitchers.
Billy
March 12th, 2012
2:32 pm
Prado and Uggla have both looked good early on
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
2:32 pm
Prado singles up the middle to lead off the fifth, his third hit in three at-bats today
bravesgrl4life
March 12th, 2012
2:32 pm
Just lost the freakin audio for mlb on my iphone. What the heck???
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:33 pm
Apparently those workouts with Pastor Icky did little to help him…
Does Heyward have a hit today? A measley bouncer anywhere? Something that could be interpreted as a good sign?
I think those solar flares are what’s been wrong with us offensively and help explain the wildness of the starters…we’ll be fine soon.
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
2:33 pm
Prado is 7-for-9 with 2 doubles and 3 walks in his past 3 games after that leadoff single
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:34 pm
Good to see Prado hitting like this.
Of course, it’s just as meaningless as the 1-9 record.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:36 pm
For those wondering, Braves are actually leading this game against the World Champion Cardinals (split-squad) in the top of the fifth. Prado is at third (after a wild pitch) with one out and Uggla at the plate.
jeffrey d
March 12th, 2012
2:36 pm
That’s the spirit, phil
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:37 pm
Uggla doesn’t get-r-done with a hard hit ground ball.
Freeman to the dish.
DAP
March 12th, 2012
2:37 pm
abeeewright The injury didn’t seem to be so bad that it should keep him out for this long.
didnt they say 4-6 weeks from the start? that was at the very beginning of spring training, which menat at best we were looking at no jack wilson for the first 2 weeks of the regular season.
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:37 pm
Means nothing though, abeeewright….
I wish it did…thanks for the word, though – seriously.
jeffrey d
March 12th, 2012
2:38 pm
It’s such a beautiful day today.
Of course we’re all going to die eventually, though
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
2:38 pm
Venters to pitch 5th for Bravos
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:38 pm
Freeman flies out to end the top of the fifth, Braves lead 3-1.
brian
March 12th, 2012
2:39 pm
DOB – thanks for yet another great blog and especially for the updates. I am sneaking peeks at work and want to make sure I read it right. We manufactored a run??? Walk, SB, advance the runner to 3rd, single???
I like the way this new week is starting for the Bravos
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
2:40 pm
Vizcaino (inflamed elbow ligament) still being evaluated. More will be known in couple of days, Frank Wren said.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:40 pm
“didnt they say 4-6 weeks from the start?”
I missed that. I thought it was a minor strain. Losing your back-up SS with an unproven rookie starter seems to be big news.
jeffrey d
March 12th, 2012
2:41 pm
We manufactored a run??? Walk, SB, advance the runner to 3rd, single???
That’s somewhat true. All of that happened, but it was when defense stopped to take a juice break
TJ Lambert
March 12th, 2012
2:41 pm
I would rather them not hit in ST and find it in the regular season. This team will do better than last years.
GAtor
March 12th, 2012
2:41 pm
Being from Curacao he’s probably around 25 instead of 22, so he’s ready.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:41 pm
So far, it’s the Venters and Simmons show. Ground out followed by a line out, both to Simmons.
jeffrey d
March 12th, 2012
2:42 pm
That’s juice as in fruit juice, not steroids
Kwajbraves
March 12th, 2012
2:42 pm
Venters with a clean inning.
Billy
March 12th, 2012
2:43 pm
Jacks aid he was ahead of schedule and hoped to be able to get into some games the last week of the camp
bravesgrl4life
March 12th, 2012
2:43 pm
audio back. go figure.
Murph
March 12th, 2012
2:43 pm
Simmons not hurting his case with a couple of good defensive plays… this is gonna get interesting.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:43 pm
Venters got the last guy out so fast that I don’t even know how he did it.
Venters has been a BEAST so far this spring. (Not that it means anything when a Braves player does anything good. ask phil.)
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
2:43 pm
Another quick 1-2-3 inning for Venters on 6-3 groundout (Jon Jay), L6 (Beltran) and K (Steven Hill)
Hillbilly
March 12th, 2012
2:44 pm
Venters pitching the 5th:
-ground out to Simmons at short. 1 out.
-line drive to Simmons at short. 2 out.
-Strike out looking. 3 out. That half inning lasted about 6 seconds.
jeffrey d
March 12th, 2012
2:45 pm
stoopid Freddie is so stopid he’ll probably name Jerjens the starting SS
FIER FREDDY!!!! FIRE WREN!!! UP WITH STOOPID!!!
Hillbilly
March 12th, 2012
2:46 pm
2 minutes and 7 seconds officially according to the Braves radio guys.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:46 pm
Announcers just quipped that a game would only last about 40 minutes if the half-innings went as quickly as the Venters inning.
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
2:47 pm
Heyward skies a popout to 3B with runner at 1st for 1st out in 6th
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
2:47 pm
Heyward skies a popout to 3B with runner at 1st for 1st out 6th
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:47 pm
Heyward with a high in-field fly for the first out.
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:47 pm
jeffrey d
March 12th, 2012
2:38 pm
It’s such a beautiful day today.
Of course we’re all going to die eventually, though
************
Awesome!
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
2:49 pm
Ross GIDP to end 6th, Braves up 3-1 headed to bottom
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:50 pm
Ross hits into a DP to end the top of the sixth.
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:50 pm
It does mean something. A lot. Venters has been terrific.
But equally as true, if guys are playing horribly, as some have been, how is that not just as potentially meaningful after 10 games? I know. Few ABs, etc.
Does Heyward have a hit today? Why am I asking since it doesn’t matter?
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:51 pm
Ross should be the starter this year….
After all, he hit a few dingers last season.
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
2:51 pm
Minor league lefty Dusty Hughes to pitch 6th for Braves. Ex-Bravo Linebrink up in Cardinals pen.
brian
March 12th, 2012
2:53 pm
OK Martin – we believe you – that you are back. Please save some for the regular season
brian
March 12th, 2012
2:53 pm
OK Martin – we believe you – that you are back. Please save some for the regular season
Seattle Braves
March 12th, 2012
2:53 pm
Perdition:
Braves will break camp with a 9-x win/loss record.
Then will go on a 10-1 start in the regular season.
Go Figure!
Kwajbraves
March 12th, 2012
2:53 pm
I hate that Descalzo guy. He’s another player that hit us well.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:53 pm
Heyward is 0-2 with a walk and a strike-out.
phil
March 12th, 2012
2:53 pm
Oh my God….
Linebrink is with the Cards? They must have seen something in that bum that we didn’t. Couldn’t have been much though…
brian
March 12th, 2012
2:54 pm
I think I just caught whatever DOB had on that Heyward post – sorry guys.
I also think Vizcaino is headed towards Tommy John. May be the best thing to just do it now anyway instead of rest, throw, ineffective, rest, throw, etc. then TJ
Rick
March 12th, 2012
2:54 pm
phil,
I believe they just gave him a minor league contract.
Lee in S GA
March 12th, 2012
2:54 pm
Ross the starter…over McCann ..come on now.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:55 pm
My gameday is still showing Venters pitching, but whoever is pitching (Hughes?) just gave up a flare for a hit followed by a walk.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:56 pm
Hughes it is.
Kwajbraves
March 12th, 2012
2:57 pm
Bases loaded no outs.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
2:57 pm
Announcers are starting the cap-tipping for all the Cardinals walks.
Juan
March 12th, 2012
2:57 pm
MLB Gameday this ST is a JOKE….
Kwajbraves
March 12th, 2012
2:59 pm
3-2 Sac fly.
Andrelton Simmons (Braves) — BaseballMoves.com
March 12th, 2012
3:00 pm
[...] Source: ajc.com [...]
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
3:00 pm
Heyward catches a deep fly ball on the warning track. Run scores. First and third for the Cardinals. One out.
Murph
March 12th, 2012
3:00 pm
Heyward with a high in-field fly for the first out.
How uncharacteristic of him.
What is that, 10 or so infield popouts for the JHey Kid so far this ST? One of you former baseball guys tell me, what does that indicate is wrong with his swing?
So far JHey appears to be picking up right where he left off last season.
bravesgrl4life
March 12th, 2012
3:01 pm
Gameday and MLB app on Iphone still showing Venters pitching. Don’t we wish?
Stoopid is
March 12th, 2012
3:02 pm
My perdiction is that Stoopid maroon phil will be banned. Bloggers are loosing patients with him because he is and idiot.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
3:02 pm
Another sac fly to Heyward. Tie ball game (3-3). Man on first with two outs.
bravesgrl4life
March 12th, 2012
3:02 pm
Well, this one is getting away from us
Kwajbraves
March 12th, 2012
3:02 pm
3-3 Sac Fly. Cards scored 2 runs without the benefit of a hit. Maybe that’s why there are the defending champs.
Just Pateeeee
March 12th, 2012
3:04 pm
Can’t believe I’m here for a pbp (usually working) AND…..actually get to watch the Braves Wed. evening!
SteveinFXBG
March 12th, 2012
3:04 pm
Play for the tie!
Kwajbraves
March 12th, 2012
3:04 pm
Hughes is walking everybody this inning.
coach13
March 12th, 2012
3:05 pm
Let them struggle now and come out of the gates with a fury!! Watch them win 20 of the first 30 games.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
3:05 pm
“Linebrink of Disaster” up in the pen for the Cards. There’s hope that the Braves can pull this one out.
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
3:06 pm
Who thinks Hughes is going to make the big club out of Spring?
Prado catches a fly ball to end the inning.
brian
March 12th, 2012
3:06 pm
if the Braves are up when they start putting in journeymen to pitch, I really am not concerned about the W/L. It would be great to win but I am more happy seeing Prado hit well. Simmons get a walk and SB and solid pitching except when Beachy’s control went to hang out with Elvis as it left the building
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
3:06 pm
Cardinals got 2 in inning off Hughes, who walked 3 and gave up 2 sac flies and a single.
Linebrink to pitch 7th for Cards.
hmmmm.........
March 12th, 2012
3:06 pm
I know the pic is small but Chipper looks fat. When’s he due?
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
3:06 pm
The funny thing about the gameday, Venters ERA went up that inning.
phil
March 12th, 2012
3:07 pm
I’ll take Heyward’s walk as a good sign…
but clearly the shoulder still hurts if he couldn’t throw the guy out at home from the outfield wall….
For you slow ones, like poor ole Lee in S Ga, I’m kidding.
DAP
March 12th, 2012
3:08 pm
abeeewirght, heres the story on wilson.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/02/24/jack-wilson-calf-strain-to-miss-4-6-weeks/
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
3:08 pm
As with the Braves and Cards starters leaving the game, I’m out. Peace!
Fols
March 12th, 2012
3:08 pm
I’d rather see Venters pitch an inning and leave the game. We know what he’s capable of, seeing him go 2 innings in ST kinda scares me a bit.
phil
March 12th, 2012
3:09 pm
Linebrink will be on the brink of a Cy Young this year with the change of scenery!
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
3:10 pm
Kimbrel up in Braves ‘pen
cowdogit
March 12th, 2012
3:11 pm
The braves pitching staff stinks. I don’t understand why Liberty has stood by an allowed Bobby Cox with his personal vendetta against Leo Mazzone to destroy what was once a history of great pitchers.
Fols
March 12th, 2012
3:13 pm
MLB AT BAT 12 killed the app for Blackberry users? Yikes, I think they should have waited one more full year until everyone is out of their BB contracts. Despite their failures, many of us are still stuck using them. I’m going to miss that app on my phone.
What else do people do while BBQ’n in Winnipeg? I thought everyone listened to the Braves.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
March 12th, 2012
3:13 pm
can martin bat 2x. once as LF and once as DH?
Kwajbraves
March 12th, 2012
3:15 pm
Kimbrel is in and got greeted by Beltran with a hit. Sutton is in playing SS.
Just Pateeeee
March 12th, 2012
3:15 pm
I didn’t agree with the first fat Chipper comments but hafta admit he looks a little hefty in that pic. However, didn’t look that way at all in the photo shoot about the players’ photos.
Kwajbraves
March 12th, 2012
3:16 pm
More walks…
coach joe
March 12th, 2012
3:16 pm
does the galaxy II phone get the mlb audio package ???
cant get mlb to respond>>
Fols
March 12th, 2012
3:17 pm
I don’t really get the Chipper is fat comments……it’s baseball? Since when is body weight an issue? Little more girth under the uniform might keep him healthy.
Fols
March 12th, 2012
3:18 pm
Coach joe, pretty sure Android gets the app……best $15 i’ve spent!
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
3:19 pm
Kimbrel has given up a single and two walks to 1st three Cardinals in 7th
Kwajbraves
March 12th, 2012
3:19 pm
Bases loaded. Kimbrel walks another one.
Fols
March 12th, 2012
3:21 pm
Kimbrel is just confused, it’s the 7th inning…..cause you always test a 9th inning guy in the 7th inning…DUH!
MFin04
March 12th, 2012
3:23 pm
Carlos Beltran!
Never gonna let him go…
phil
March 12th, 2012
3:23 pm
Kimbrel is ready for the season to start.
No worries that he’s becoming a head case like Wohlers did…
Monty
March 12th, 2012
3:24 pm
KImbrell having a flashback! Who says sports isn’t 99% mental?
Billy
March 12th, 2012
3:24 pm
Gotta love some comments that are so far from reality they make me smile.
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
3:24 pm
After loading bases on a single and two walks, Kimbrel has struck out next 2 batters….
coach joe
March 12th, 2012
3:25 pm
thanks. fos will check it out..
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
3:25 pm
… and Kimbrel gets easy fly to LF by Komatsu for 3rd out. After loading bases on hit and 2 walks, he sat down next 3 w/out a run
CB
March 12th, 2012
3:26 pm
Billy,I never knew there was so many dumb baseball fans until I came on this blog.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
March 12th, 2012
3:27 pm
unreal
Soph
March 12th, 2012
3:29 pm
Throw your brick wall at random people, CB. So much more fun than slamming your own head against it.
DAP
March 12th, 2012
3:29 pm
and Kimbrel gets easy fly to LF by Komatsu for 3rd out. After loading bases on hit and 2 walks, he sat down next 3 w/out a run
reminds me of wags…
Monty
March 12th, 2012
3:30 pm
Crisis avoided!
Fols
March 12th, 2012
3:31 pm
People need not worry about Kimbrel seriously, kids gonna have another terrific year.
Starting pitching health
Hitting with RISP
That’s about all.
bravesgrl4life
March 12th, 2012
3:36 pm
Can’t capitalize on a decent inning.
CB
March 12th, 2012
3:36 pm
True that,Soph.
Braveone
March 12th, 2012
3:41 pm
From the previous blog which had 1,213 comments, Rick led the way with 79 posts. There were 144 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 Rick 79
2 David O’Brien 66
3 noleee 62
4 phil 53
5 Venice Jim 44
6 Ward 42
7 Bravefaninok 41
8 Lew 37
9 jeffrey d 36
10 ChattTownBrian (CTB) 35
11 Kwajbraves 32
12 Tom O’Hawke 31
13 Just Pateeeee 30
14 Tomahawkin 27
15 cabravesfan 22
16 B-F_52 20
17 brian 20
18 MFin04 19
19 CB 18
20 Trey 18
21 Juan 15
22 Brava 14
23 VaBravesFan 14
24 Bat Masterson 13
25 Spice 13
bravesgrl4life
March 12th, 2012
3:44 pm
Oh, well, we still gotta chance.
Tim
March 12th, 2012
3:46 pm
Waiting for first cuts to see if Heyward goes to AAA or to AA the guy will not hit. Hope Wren keeps his promise that he needs to win the RF job. Keep Prado get a bat for RF.
Lew
March 12th, 2012
3:48 pm
Another of the terminally clueless checks in.
Mike
March 12th, 2012
3:49 pm
If braves want to win this season, they should go with Simmons no doubt. He’s already proven that he is the better SS. Can’t wait for infield defense with Freeman and Simmons going to look sick. Pastornicky good kid, would like to see him spend the year or maybe half the year in triple A. Utility player at best.
Murph
March 12th, 2012
3:49 pm
Hope Wren keeps his promise that he needs to win the RF job.
Ummmmm… who is he competing with? Constanza? Durango? Diaz?
Not gonna happen. Heyward could pop up every single AB from now until the end of March and he’ll be starting in RF on opening day.
phil
March 12th, 2012
3:49 pm
Kimbrel is indeed terrific….
Except in the final game of each season when all the chips are on the table.
That cannot be denied or downplayed. But in this new year, he CAN change that.
phil
March 12th, 2012
3:51 pm
Wayward isn’t going anywhere.
BravePack
March 12th, 2012
3:51 pm
Finding a way to lose…again. Oh well it’s only ST right?
phil
March 12th, 2012
3:52 pm
LOL at Lew…
phil
March 12th, 2012
3:52 pm
LOL at Lew…
Steve
March 12th, 2012
3:52 pm
Fumbling Frank fiddled while the Braves burned.
Steve
March 12th, 2012
3:52 pm
Fumbling Frank fiddled while the Braves burned.
phil
March 12th, 2012
3:54 pm
Fumbling software seems to be double posting.
Could be those solar flares that are responsible for Heyward’s struggles…
Steve
March 12th, 2012
3:55 pm
What’s the record for spring training losses by a team?
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
3:56 pm
Some guy who you’ve never heard of gets a triple to score another guy you’ve never heard of to tie the game at 4. This against the Card’s actual closer.
The Brown Corner with a chance to put the Braves ahead. But, Cards gun down the runner at the plate.
yoursporthouse.com
March 12th, 2012
3:56 pm
Chipper is stealing money..
phil
March 12th, 2012
3:57 pm
Cards fans will revolt at this news and demand a release….
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
3:59 pm
Every time I come on here it reminds me why I no longer have a brick wall in my office. I’ve bashed my head into it so many times it’s nothing but dust on the floor. Some people just don’t get reality.
Juan Pierre
March 12th, 2012
4:01 pm
Anybody else find phil’s routine boring?
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
4:01 pm
If Chipper is stealing money then the Braves are stealing talent and not paying properly for it from Kimbrel, Freeman, Venters…….
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:01 pm
Lew, Mercer grad, right?
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:04 pm
Kimbrel, Freeman, Venters, McCann….
Name 4 players we can’t afford to keep in the near future.
No worries keeping Heyward as he’ll only be commanding the league minimum at this rate.
Steve
March 12th, 2012
4:04 pm
Will Gearrin win a job?
Steve
March 12th, 2012
4:05 pm
Any trade rumors?
noleee
March 12th, 2012
4:07 pm
Heyward for Yunel
Juan Pierre
March 12th, 2012
4:08 pm
phil is probably the bald headed guy on the Geico commercial.
Soph
March 12th, 2012
4:10 pm
Ooh, then can we do Yunel for A-Gon again? It would be a blast re-enacting that summer on the blog.
bravesgrl4life
March 12th, 2012
4:10 pm
Well, darn. At least it was an even game for the most part.
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
4:11 pm
Step 1. Write a sentence, stating a fact or an opinion.
Step 2. Make a Heyward joke or joke about not being good.
Step 3. Repeat obsessively over and over and over again
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:11 pm
Juan – a lot of the stuff here is “boring”. Mine, yours, others too. A lot of it isn’t boring. My dull personality is what it is. sorry.
At the same time, don’t you have anything else to gripe about? A job for which to apply? Something?
BravePack
March 12th, 2012
4:12 pm
Ouch…1-10.
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:13 pm
I’m not joking about Heyward. Tell me what he’s done to inspire your confidence in him?
Juan Pierre
March 12th, 2012
4:13 pm
phil, I could go spend the 55 million I have made. Good idea.
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:14 pm
We’ll have to toss in some money on that Heyward for Yunel trade to even things up…
Just Pateeeee
March 12th, 2012
4:14 pm
Time to get the paperwork on my desk done since this is my only full day in the office. Back later, I hope.
Chipper
March 12th, 2012
4:14 pm
I like them double wide double cheeseburgers with onion rings and french fries washed down with a large chocolate shake. Then I eat me some good old Texas chicken fried steak with barbecued beans finished off with some Mexican style fried ice cream.
That’s what I call some good eating!
Murph
March 12th, 2012
4:15 pm
Step 1. Write a sentence, stating a fact or an opinion.
Step 2. Make a Heyward joke or joke about not being good.
Step 3. Repeat obsessively over and over and over again
People who like pickles on their hamburgers are mentally deficient.
I bet Heyward likes pickles on his hamburgers, because his inability to adjust at the plate makes me think he is mentally deficient.
Heyward likes pickles on his hamburgers, Heyward likes pickles on his hamburgers, Heyward likes pickles on his hamburgers, Heyward likes pickles on his hamburgers, Heyward likes pickles on his hamburgers, Heyward likes pickles on his hamburgers, Heyward likes pickles on his hamburgers, Heyward likes pickles on his hamburgers!!!!!!
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:15 pm
It’s a plan, Juan. Might as well join your brother athletes in incredible waste and squander. Why not.
CB
March 12th, 2012
4:16 pm
Sutton currently batting .417 if we need a hitting SS, not sure about his glove being good enough.
Huh?
March 12th, 2012
4:17 pm
Heyward and Freeman have the same batting average. Both stink.
Bourn, Uggla, Jones = washed up
McCann = looking forward to free agency
Heyward, Freeman, Pastornicky = busts
Prado, Jurrjens = mad about trade rumors
Hudson, Hanson = broken
Beachy, Minor, Teheran, Delgado = should all be in rotation for all of 2012
Bullpen = gassed
Bench = old and unathletic
Final analysis – 2012 record = 73-89, 4th place
MFin04
March 12th, 2012
4:17 pm
Should’ve signed Beltran. He hits.
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:19 pm
I thought I was a little down on the boys….
Good grief, Huh?…
Harsh Marsh
March 12th, 2012
4:20 pm
You forgot:
Manager = hotdog stuffing dipstick.
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
4:21 pm
Good job Murph.. I mean Phil!!
Felix
March 12th, 2012
4:21 pm
And the great choke still goes on……………
raleighbravefan
March 12th, 2012
4:28 pm
Getting pretty old with the Beltran crap…way overpaid, and hurt all of the time.
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
4:28 pm
Brandon Hicks is 1-for-10 with seven strikeouts….
There were 19 walks in this game, 11 issued by Braves pitchers.
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
4:29 pm
I wasn’t aware that spring training games were weighted so heavily when determining who makes the playoffs in October.
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:30 pm
If only it was me, Crazy…..sorry.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
March 12th, 2012
4:30 pm
man, I thought commercail real estate was bad, but reading these blog entries makes me feel good about myself.
Nick
March 12th, 2012
4:31 pm
Lets not kid ourselves folks, this team might be the worst in baseball. It will be a dogfight between Astros and Braves to determine who gets that #1 draft pick.
Juan
March 12th, 2012
4:32 pm
No Bueno DOB, 11 walks….wow….
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:32 pm
Add Crazy to the list of those determined to ignore the fire that might just be this team until it’s burned to the ground.
Do you mean in the same way that last year’s good spring foretold our epic collapse that left us at home in October?
raleighbravefan
March 12th, 2012
4:33 pm
Nick – Oh my gawd….all I can say is…..oh my gawd!
Kwajbraves
March 12th, 2012
4:33 pm
We forgot how to win.
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
4:33 pm
Phil… I know you and Murph are different people… he doesn’t swing and miss when trying to make a joke.
Nick
March 12th, 2012
4:34 pm
2013, the entire coaching staff needs to be replaced.
Harvey's
March 12th, 2012
4:34 pm
Chipper looks FATTTTTTTT
Juan
March 12th, 2012
4:34 pm
Question?….can ever in MLB be a fire a manager in Spring Training?
I don’t say Gonzo has to be fire….but this team look Bad…real bad
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:34 pm
Our pitching – what’s left of it – is superb.
It’s early. We’re good. We’re fine. no worries, Juan.
Hurry along and blow your millions….
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:35 pm
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
4:33 pm
Phil…I know you and Murph are different people… he doesn’t swing and miss when trying to make a joke.
************
I do. What’s your point, other than trying to make yourself feel better, I guess?
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:36 pm
At least Nick is optimistic about our chances vs. Houston in its NL swansong….
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
4:37 pm
Add Phil to the continuously growing list of Douche nozzles on this blog.
KK
March 12th, 2012
4:37 pm
Maybe one of them can play 3rd base, save $14 Mil
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
4:37 pm
#1 draft pick
Ha, silver-lining
raleighbravefan
March 12th, 2012
4:37 pm
Amazing how many so-called fans here, would RATHER be right about the Braves being as bad as they claim…than for “their” team to actually win. There’s going to be some miserable people around here, if we actually go all the way. Of course, we will never hear from them if that happens. They will crawl away to their hole.
ATLcracker
March 12th, 2012
4:38 pm
I thought there was some discussion last year that if any of the young shortstops passed Pastornicky he would be converted to center field to take over when Borne leaves. Is that still out there?
Tim
March 12th, 2012
4:38 pm
FIRE FREDDI
kenhotlanta
March 12th, 2012
4:40 pm
You know, when Leo was here, we didn’t have all of these walks or injuries….
raleighbravefan
March 12th, 2012
4:40 pm
phil = short for phillies fan.
Harsh Marsh
March 12th, 2012
4:40 pm
If I were gonna be any part of a douche, I reckon I’d be the nozzle.
Disgusted
March 12th, 2012
4:40 pm
Man, Freddie is setting himself up for the expected soph jinkx just like his buddy Jey Hey.
That is two soph jinks in a row now. And forget about Pastorsucky, he will not last 100 MLB AB’s.
This team is setting its self up for classic mid 80’s baseball. Its worse than even I thought it would be.
Can’t hit, can’t pitch, can’t do anything.
ncscoots
March 12th, 2012
4:41 pm
#1 draft pick Ha, silver-lining
Plus, you would have a lot fewer posters here at the forum. And you would be able to skip most of them, to boot.
Be pretty easy to keep up with everything.
Fols
March 12th, 2012
4:41 pm
I almost want to see this continue only cause it’s funny how angry everyone gets on here! I mean do any of you TRULY give a crap about he outcome of these games?
CraZy you missed an important step…….Chipper Fat jokes!
Harsh Marsh
March 12th, 2012
4:42 pm
Raleigh, I hate the team right now. But if they caught fire and proved me wrong, I’d eat my crow and cheer ‘em on. There are just as many homers who jump ship in a losing year as there are cynics who jump ship in a winning year.
panamajack
March 12th, 2012
4:42 pm
I predict Fredi will go with Pastronicky even if Simmons out hits him, we know he will out field him.
raleighbravefan
March 12th, 2012
4:42 pm
Harsh – sounds pretty Freudian to me.
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
4:42 pm
It’s over
Lew
March 12th, 2012
4:42 pm
phil – Mercer undergrad, UGA grad school
LWells2000
March 12th, 2012
4:44 pm
I wonder if we could make it 17 in a row by the week’s end if we try~
Nick
March 12th, 2012
4:44 pm
Most people on this blog are smart Braves fans. We love the Braves but even we recognize a terd when we see a terd. This team, in my opinion, will lose 95-100 games. Frank Wren is somewhat to blame for sticking with virtually the same team that choked last September. Ownership, however, is the main culprit. In this day and age, you can’t run with the big dogs with a $87M payroll.
LWells2000
March 12th, 2012
4:44 pm
I wonder if we could make it 17 in a row by the week’s end if we try~
LWells2000
March 12th, 2012
4:44 pm
I wonder if we could make it 17 in a row by the week’s end if we try~
Disgusted
March 12th, 2012
4:44 pm
“Amazing how many so-called fans here, would RATHER be right about the Braves being as bad as they claim…than for “their” team to actually win. There’s going to be some miserable people around here, if we actually go all the way. Of course, we will never hear from them if that happens. They will crawl away to their hole.”
You know something Raleigh Brave, with the way things happened in September I do really fit into that category. As long as Liberty Media is around and there are apologists for the team I will delight in the rose colored glasses crowd being wrong.
I give them a zero chance of finishing above 4th. Going all the way, that is a laugh, the Braves have zilch going for them.
LWells2000
March 12th, 2012
4:44 pm
I wonder if we could make it 17 in a row by the week’s end if we try~
Bay Area Steve
March 12th, 2012
4:45 pm
“you would be able to skip most of them”
I didn’t at least skim the weekend for the first time ever. Feels liberating…
Venice Jim
March 12th, 2012
4:45 pm
Marlins lose to Red Sox in the 10th – only scored 3 runs in 10 innings – that’s all I need to know how bad they will be this year…
LWells2000
March 12th, 2012
4:45 pm
I wonder if we could make it 17 losses by week’s end if we work hard at it.
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
4:45 pm
Fols
Nutty people ready to jump off a bridge before we even get half way through ST.
Lew
March 12th, 2012
4:46 pm
No apologists for the head up their ass crowd like Disgusted.
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:46 pm
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
4:37 pm
Add Phil to the continuously growing list of Douche nozzles on this blog.
*************
Why not add your own pathetic ass to that list as well.
What the heck is wrong with you today? I don’t remember you getting so bent out of shape in the past over this stuff.
It’s a blog, in case you didn’t realize it. We’re not treating ER patients here.
JAFO
March 12th, 2012
4:47 pm
23 LOB. Stunning.
raleighbravefan
March 12th, 2012
4:48 pm
Nick and Disgusted – You may be right…but I don’t think so. Time will tell.
I think the chance of us losing 95-100 games, or finishing no higher than 4th in the division, are both unrealistic. Almost absurd.
KK
March 12th, 2012
4:48 pm
Can’t have too much pitching a couple of big league bats would be nice too.
ncscoots
March 12th, 2012
4:48 pm
BAS, you wild man. Good to see you, brother.
State of the blog, notwithstanding.
Fols
March 12th, 2012
4:48 pm
Funny how it works……last year down the final day, battling for a playoff birth against another team just as desperate as us to get into the post-season. They win the World Series. Our fans peg us as the typical 4th place at best. How quickly we all forgot that it was actually a pretty good year for the Braves. Was the ending pretty epic? Yes. If your still sniffling into that tissue, man you just aren’t mentally fit to follow sports. Wake up Braves fans, new season, there’ll only be one champ. Just hope we’re in a similar position near the end with a chance to get in.
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:48 pm
Lew – Follow the fortunes of the basketball team this year? Had a great run…
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
4:49 pm
Disgusted
Lots of people hate on Liberty Media, but will you be happy if we get an owner with a face, but lowers the payroll down to the 50 million level??
Hillbilly
March 12th, 2012
4:50 pm
#1 draft pick
Ha, silver-lining
Guaranteed polished college lefty. This is too good to be true.
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:51 pm
raleighbravefan
March 12th, 2012
4:40 pm
phil = short for phillies fan.
*************
You know better than that!
Lew
March 12th, 2012
4:51 pm
phil – I’m not much of a basketball fan, though Mercer was good when I was there – Jack Scott (who went to the Globetrotters) and Billy Smith (who played in Europe) and at UGA – Dominque Wilkins and Vern Fleming – both of whom had pretty good NBA careers..
ncscoots
March 12th, 2012
4:51 pm
Guaranteed polished college lefty. This is too good to be true.
I’m not sure there are any left, LOL.
raleighbravefan
March 12th, 2012
4:52 pm
CraZy – None of the whiners consider that possibility. A lot of owners out there worse than LM.
Lew
March 12th, 2012
4:53 pm
Hillbily – Saw a documentary on VH1 this weekend about the History of Rock – had some great 67-70 Pink Floyd footage and sent a good bit of time about Syd Barret.
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
4:53 pm
Be pretty easy to keep up with everything. _ scoots
That would be handy since I don’t have much time for reading the blog comments lately anyway.
On the other hand a long wining streak and it’ll get quite around here, too.
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
4:53 pm
Phil what did I say?? You added me to a list so I added you to a list! What you can do it, but I can’t?
I’m not bent out of shape.. I just get annoyed at how pathetic Braves fans have gotten over the past few years. Some teams have loyal fans that complain like we all do myself included, but they at least don’t pull for failure like some here do. I hope your not one of those.
jim
March 12th, 2012
4:53 pm
I wonder how many people on this blog are pulling for Simmons to win the SS job so they can skewer him if he’s in over his head at the plate.
raleighbravefan
March 12th, 2012
4:53 pm
phil – just poking at you.
Fols
March 12th, 2012
4:53 pm
8 made the playoffs…2 missed on the final day…yeah i’d say there was about 20 owners that didn’t do the job that Liberty did just last year.
Hillbilly
March 12th, 2012
4:54 pm
I’m not sure there are any left, LOL.
Well, by God, then we’ll make our move toward the “crafty” pool of talent.
buzzer
March 12th, 2012
4:55 pm
Most of the people on here WANT the Braves to succeed.
The fact is we couldn’t win a game for basically the last month of last season and we still cant as of today. We all know spring traning is exibiton…..but dammit they need show something.
Commenting,ranting, and sarcasm are the new norms in the bolgasphere world.
Those of you that smell roses on this team are truly uneducated. They did not change from last season and we still cant hit.
Of course now,…we can’t pitch either.
4th and 5th place in the NL IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
You pollyannas did notice that the Marlins and the Nats did get better offseason? Did you also notice we can’t hit? This isnt the ’90s. We are 2 decades later. This team is not producing.
Uhh, yeah…..I’m worried.
jim
March 12th, 2012
4:56 pm
This blog loved Chuck James, Jeff Francouer, Yunel Escobar, Jason Heyward, and Chipper Jones until they hated them. (and there’s a few warming up in the bullpen to bash Brian McCann)
Hillbilly
March 12th, 2012
4:57 pm
Lew, I haven’t seen that yet, but they show a good one on VH1 from time to time called Which One’s Pink? It pretty much covers the Pink Floyd storyline from start to finish. Well worth the hour to sit and watch.
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:58 pm
Crazy – If you read a thing I say, then you know the answer. I’ve been a fan for 37 years through a lot of the bad years. Douche nozzles? That’s what you said, and while my skin is plenty thick, what the heck is that for? I am just as loyal as the last one of you. I simply speak my mind, whether it’s necessarily relevant, stupid, funny, whatever….
Sorry you have an issue with me but you aren’t the first…
raleighbravefan
March 12th, 2012
4:58 pm
I’ve had enough of the drivel for today. Later, friends.
Lew
March 12th, 2012
4:58 pm
Pollyannas and uneducated? As opposed to terminally stupid and nasty?
ncscoots
March 12th, 2012
4:58 pm
You pollyannas did notice that the Marlins and the Nats did get better offseason?
Wait. What’s their spring record, LOL?
phil
March 12th, 2012
4:59 pm
Lew – i thought I remembered you didn’t care for basketball. Mercer went 22-11….a rarity and thought I’d pass it along….
ncscoots
March 12th, 2012
4:59 pm
Sorry you have an issue with me but you aren’t the first…
It’s OK, phil; I still love ya, buddy.
Waffle House or Bust
March 12th, 2012
5:00 pm
Which player is white? That’s the one Fredi will go with. You know how the Braves good ol boy system works.
Venice Jim
March 12th, 2012
5:01 pm
Those of you that smell roses on this team are truly uneducated.
Wish I had talked to you before wasting money on all those degrees…
64 year Braves fan
March 12th, 2012
5:01 pm
Send Heyward to single A and bring back Gregg Norton!
Moneyball
March 12th, 2012
5:01 pm
At least the Braves aren’t going to break our hearts in September like they did last year. Looks like they’ve started the collapse much earlier this season.
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
5:02 pm
(and there’s a few warming up in the bullpen to bash Brian McCann)
Warming up? Man those guys have been loose and throwing heaters for years.
buzzer
March 12th, 2012
5:02 pm
Yod did waste em pal if your degree is in Braves worship.
The rest dont apply in blogo world
phil
March 12th, 2012
5:03 pm
ncscoots – awwwww.
So thoughtful…lol
Lew
March 12th, 2012
5:03 pm
Hillbilly – This one traced the evolution of “art rock” from The Velvet Underground and their influence on Floyd and Bowie.
Not sure I agree completely with that contention (maybe with Bowie) as I’m not all that certain Velvet Underground had that wide an influence outside of the NE U. S., but I supposed I could be worng. They weren’t all that big at that time down south.
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
5:03 pm
Phil,
It’s probably just me… I’m not negative enough.
phil
March 12th, 2012
5:05 pm
Poor McCann….
Fat, underpaid, can’t hit anymore, never could throw, half blind.
You mean those folks, Bat?
I just think he’s a little chubby….
Mixxo
March 12th, 2012
5:05 pm
1-10 eh? The beat goes on.
Someone mentioned Heyward for Esco………I’ll take that every day!
cabravesfan
March 12th, 2012
5:05 pm
I love how being positive seems to make me uneducated, a Pollyanna, an apologist (for what I’m not sure), a kook aid drinker, and lord knows what else. Oh well. I will put on my rose colored glasses, knock back a margarita (still hate kook aid) and cheer for my Braves, whether they win 60 games or 100. So be it. Life goes on
Peter
March 12th, 2012
5:08 pm
Martin Prado is now 5-5 in his at bats that I have seen in person.
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
5:08 pm
You mean those folks, Bat?
I just think he’s a little chubby…. phil
I prefer robust reciever
phil
March 12th, 2012
5:10 pm
cabravesfan – Posters like that guy I think TRULY believe every word they say….
I get down on these guys a lot too, but I’ll still be pulling hard for the last one of em until the alzheimer’s takes me away or I drop over.
Being really positive is a great thing. I wish I had more of it in me. Some. just not a ton.
phil
March 12th, 2012
5:11 pm
Alert Wren to hire Peter immediately….
Mixxo
March 12th, 2012
5:11 pm
cabravesfan -
I know…..I know….
Same here. I’ll be a Braves fan for life, win or lose. That’s just the way it is.
Seriously doubt this squad will win 5 games this spring though. But wait, it’s only ST………..
Golly, I’m so tired of hearing that!!!
phil
March 12th, 2012
5:12 pm
CrαZy
March 12th, 2012
5:03 pm
Phil,
It’s probably just me… I’m not negative enough.
**********
Me neither. I’ll work on it.
Peter
March 12th, 2012
5:12 pm
The braves are saving all the wins for when it counts…. Or maybe Frank Wren is just DUMB !
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
5:13 pm
Well what the hell, I’m looking forward to watching a game to see for myself what’s going on, at least I think I am.
Peter
March 12th, 2012
5:14 pm
I was at the game, and the offense seemed to be clicking a lot better today, especially Prado and Freeman.
cabravesfan
March 12th, 2012
5:14 pm
Phil-
I used to get really worked up about my teams- especially USC. Then I realized that my sleepless nights spent stressed about them were not doing anything except keeping me awake and making me feel sick. So I slowly moved to reminding myself that it’s only a game and, while I care passionately about my teams, stressing and getting upset does not solve anything
. It’s a much more enjoyable way to watch. But has just me…
cabravesfan
March 12th, 2012
5:16 pm
Mixxo-
But it is just spring. If you get too worked up now, you won’t have any anger left when the games count.
Wait…on second thought…rant away!
Peter
March 12th, 2012
5:16 pm
There are two Peters on this board.
Wow
March 12th, 2012
5:17 pm
“Same here. I’ll be a Braves fan for life, win or lose. That’s just the way it is.
Seriously doubt this squad will win 5 games this spring though. But wait, it’s only ST………..
Golly, I’m so tired of hearing that!!!”
Me too. And it’s not just the bloggers who on here who are doubting the Braves. According to Olney, scouts are starting to raise a few red flags on this team, also.
But I guess they don’t know anything either. The blind homers are always right, like they were in Septemb-
Wait….
cabravesfan
March 12th, 2012
5:18 pm
Please forgive the typos. On my iPad, pondering how much I need to move to reach my drink…
DawgDad
March 12th, 2012
5:19 pm
“And shortstop Tyler Pastornicky, whom all signs pointed to as the rookie whose job it was to lose, has struggled enough early to raise some eyebrows and make folks wonder if he might indeed be capable of losing it ”
This is SO backwards. You don’t just hand a starting major league shortstop job on a “contender” to an untested rookie unless . . . you aren’t really a contender.
I’m all for plugging in the next Ozzie Smith, regardless of the offense. But the Braves can’t survive a Mendoza-like shortstop unless he plays defense like Ozzie Smith.
I’ll ask it again – WHAT logic is there in paying a 40-year old third baseman so much money you can’t afford a shortstop?
Peter
March 12th, 2012
5:20 pm
They should make it clear to Pastornicky and Simmons that it is a competition between the two of them. Competition brings out the best in people.
ohhhhYEAH
March 12th, 2012
5:21 pm
Looks like our young pitchers should have spent way more time working their butts off to improve rather than “easing into the season,” as Venters so ridiculously put it. Command issues and velocity shouldnt be an issue 3 and a half weeks into spring training (workouts before the games included). I was one to rush to their defense early and say its still early in spring training, but these guys better shape it up.
Murph
March 12th, 2012
5:23 pm
I too used to live and die with each Braves loss. Back in the early 90’s through about 2002 or 2003.
Then I met Mrs Murph and, while still very passionate about the team, I dialed it back a notch or two. After the mini-Murphs were born my priorities underwent a major reshuffling to the point where I am lucky if I catch highlights or even the box score on the same day usually.
Love the Braves, but they just can’t compare to a good story out of the 4 year old or listening to the 5 year old tickle the ivories after her piano lesson.
haggard
March 12th, 2012
5:24 pm
David O’Brien
Thanks for the new goods!
cornjolio
March 12th, 2012
5:25 pm
I keep hearing how stocked the Braves’ farm system is. I see tons of promising young pitchers, but not any real position players of note.
In recent years we had Francouer, Escobar & Heyward to look forward to. Two are elsewhere, and one might be heading back to the minors.
Anyone else share my concerns?
ohhhhYEAH
March 12th, 2012
5:27 pm
DawgDad
Probably because that 40 year old third baseman is STILL one of the best producing third basemen in the league. The ENTIRE league. Do yourself a favor and check the stats of all of last years third basemen with enough games to qualify, and youll see Chippers name in the top 8 of all qualifying third basemen in every major offensive category except for avg and strike outs (which is a good thing. He was also one one-thousandth of a pooint behind Polanco for highest fielding percentage among third basemen (.976) and was tied with Descalso for fewest errors (6) among third basemen, all in 127 games.
So as stated in a previous article, point the finger at people who deserve it, ie…Heyward, Bourn, and lets see….our GM who wont trade any of the 500 top prospect pitchers we have to get a true bat in left field and let Prado go somewhere that he can actually shine as a 2nd basemen where he belongs, instead of sticking him in an uncomfortable left field situation.
Get real man, Chipper is the least of this teams problems.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 12th, 2012
5:28 pm
Bat M. Warming up? Man those guys have been loose and throwing heaters for years.
I was gonna say…
Travis
March 12th, 2012
5:32 pm
There are a lot of teams out there that have contracts for aging players that don’t make sense anymore. $14ml for Chipper is the contract the Braves agreed to. Live with it. The problem isn’t Chipper’s salary, it’s the budget and a bad tv contract…this won’t change any time soon. Enjoy the ride or get off.
Travis
March 12th, 2012
5:32 pm
There are a lot of teams out there that have contracts for aging players that don’t make sense anymore. $14ml for Chipper is the contract the Braves agreed to. Live with it. The problem isn’t Chipper’s salary, it’s the budget and a bad tv contract…this won’t change any time soon. Enjoy the ride or get off.
haggard
March 12th, 2012
5:32 pm
phil
I, like Lew, am a Mercer alumnus and the basketball was outstanding during my time as well. I came in the year after Cindy Brogdon made the US Olympic team and the men’s team included Dartez Talbot, Benton Wade, and Sam Mitchell, NBA player and coach.. Thanks for the update.
Travis
March 12th, 2012
5:33 pm
sorry about the double post.
phil
March 12th, 2012
5:34 pm
cabravesfan – i’m much the same way at 44…..but I do get upset with my teams and have to rant a bit, usually in sarcastic mode.
And, I’m busily teaching the junior phil’s to be bitter and angry too with every error, strikeout, loss….not really!
Piratetigers
March 12th, 2012
5:38 pm
DOB – when do you see the Braves making the first round of cuts?
phil
March 12th, 2012
5:38 pm
haggard
March 12th, 2012
5:32 pm
phil
I, like Lew, am a Mercer alumnus and the basketball was outstanding during my time as well. I came in the year after Cindy Brogdon made the US Olympic team and the men’s team included Dartez Talbot, Benton Wade, and Sam Mitchell, NBA player and coach.. Thanks for the update.
*********
I remember that now…I think the three of us discussed it last summer, but I couldn’t remember your “name”.
Cindy Brogdon. I remember her very well as a fairly small kid. She could really play. And that ‘81 team is remembered fondly for getting us our first NCAA birth. Sam came along the next season and got us there in ‘85.
This year’s team is actually playing in one of the knock off tourneys beginning tomorrow night in Macon…it’s been a great run this year and we have a fine coach.
Actually ran into Benton Wade at a game. Big, big man.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 12th, 2012
5:39 pm
cabravesfan Then I realized that my sleepless nights spent stressed about them were not doing anything except keeping me awake and making me feel sick. So I slowly moved to reminding myself that it’s only a game and, while I care passionately about my teams, stressing and getting upset does not solve anything
Me, too—last couple of years I’ve really tried to cool it…it’s hard sometimes, but it is much nicer when I don’t let a stupid little loss or 0 for 20 effect my everyday life…
phil
March 12th, 2012
5:40 pm
Now, if only McCann would lose about 50 pounds…
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 12th, 2012
5:41 pm
Murph—
Your 5-year old plays the piano? That’s awesome! My Sister was almost 6 when we started taking lessons. I love little kids that cann play instruments…
Steve
March 12th, 2012
5:41 pm
In November, Pastornicky was deemed not ready to be an everyday MLB shorstop. In December, he was given the job. What changed in a month? I agree with the comments about a GM who wouldn’t make a trade. How is all that wheeling and dealing looking now, Fumbling Frank?
Murph
March 12th, 2012
5:42 pm
And, I’m busily teaching the junior phil’s to be bitter and angry too with every error, strikeout, loss….not really!
I had the mini-Murphs screaming at the TV last September… they were actually getting pretty good at it towards the end. The then 3 year old came up with some real doozies when describing her distaste for the Braves’ performance, especially when it came to DLowe.
They are actually up in the Philadelphia area right now visiting family. The 5 year old and I worked really hard on an anti-Phillies drawing to give to her Phillies-loving cousin. Her depiction of Ryan Howard in a wheelchair was pretty spot-on.
Whitey
March 12th, 2012
5:42 pm
Stop the split squad crap and put the proposed starting lineup into every game.
Apparently they need the practice of playing together. Then, after a week or so
replace the non productive ones with the young kids. Then go with the best.
cabravesfan
March 12th, 2012
5:44 pm
Well, in fairness I have been known t get creative with my curse words while watching football…
but only the dog seems to mind. VJ just laughs at me
dogsbrekky
March 12th, 2012
5:44 pm
Great article Dave, thanks, if we are unsure about o then we should go with the best defense at SS..
Venice Jim
March 12th, 2012
5:45 pm
buzzer
March 12th, 2012
5:02 pm
Yod did waste em pal if your degree is in Braves worship.
It is people such as yourself who equate not relentlessly harping on how many losses this team will have with worshiping the team. I have never once projected what I think the Braves will do this year. On the other hand, I did learn how to spell “you,” so they were not totally wasted…
Lew
March 12th, 2012
5:45 pm
What changed in a month? The price of what mediocre to bad shortstops were costing on the open market.
Murph
March 12th, 2012
5:45 pm
Your 5-year old plays the piano?
Yeah, she started playing last year. The kid has been musical for as long as I can remember… was banging out the drum beat for “We Will Rock You” before she could walk. Figured we’d give her some music theory on piano and then let her pick her instrument after that… I’m hoping she’ll choose guitar. I’d hate to spend a lot of money on something like the oboe or tuba when she’ll stop playing as soon as she realizes how uncool it is.
phil
March 12th, 2012
5:46 pm
Murph – Good stuff. We’re starting on the screaming at the TV in a few weeks I think….strength in numbers, and we need a new generation of fans who can’t afford to go to games.
dogsbrekky
March 12th, 2012
5:47 pm
Ohhh Yeah – and how many very gettable easy balls did HOSS miss at 3rd… he is bloody horrible and way below mlb avg now defensively (and I love the guy)
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 12th, 2012
5:48 pm
1. Pitching (PITCHING)
2. Defense (DEFENSE)
3. Power (OFFENSE)
4. Speed (RUNNING GAME)
This is the way every single baseball team should be built, period. If Frank Wren knew this he would not have anointed Pastornicky as our starting SS, thereby allowing Simmons and Pastornicky to decide who would be the starter come April.
phil
March 12th, 2012
5:48 pm
I was kidding about McCann….
just in case someone notices my stupid, juvenile post and launches into me!
phil
March 12th, 2012
5:49 pm
Chipper IS 40 with bad knees….
But I doubt that’s it.
haggard
March 12th, 2012
5:50 pm
phil
I actually saw Brogdon dunk during a practice game in the old women’s gym on campus and you’re right; she was 5′10″, and–if memory serves correct–she averaged 30 points per game during her junior and senior years, while scoring over 20 in 59 of 60 games.
And, yes; we ha a very enjoyable, wide ranging conversation about almost everything Macon, including Rose Hill. I was just down a couple of weeks ago and stopped in for lunch with Tommy Joe Tucker at Tucker’s Barbecue down on lower Broadway. It’s still as good as ever. By the way, I was saddened to hear of the closing of the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame, (due to the usual funding woes). I was last down for the Otis Redding exhibit and it was excellent
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 12th, 2012
5:53 pm
Murph—
That’s cool! It’s nice to have music…we stopped taking lessons a couple years ago because of the money, but really want to get back to playing…
Guitar would be neat—my Sister got one for Christmas. She’s been working on trying to get it tuned, and Mom said they could look into lessons (there’s a music place fairly close to the house).
I’d hate to spend a lot of money on something like the oboe or tuba when she’ll stop playing as soon as she realizes how uncool it is.
Hey, I have a cousin that played tuba in Highschool for the school band!…
If I ever took up another instrument, I’d be int’rested in trying the drums—but I’m pretty sure I’d have to have my own house for that…
Petey wouldn’t like it, either…
Choppinmama
March 12th, 2012
5:53 pm
Hey all. Got the car packed for my trip down to Dark Star tomorrow. Sure hope I can bring some winning karma with me. Yeah, I know it’s only spring training, but I like to win!
Can anyone tell me why I can only read DOB blogs on my Samsung android, but not the comments? I’d like to be commenting away while I’m down there.
kenhotlanta
March 12th, 2012
5:53 pm
haggard: I’ve been waiting for you to come on here. George Benson is playing at the Peachtree City (Fredrick Brown) Ampitheater on June 1st. If you have never been there, it’s a great small venue with no bad seats. They sell tables up front and on the sides, you can set in the grass on each side, or have a reserved seat. I’ve been there many times and was never disappointed except with Wayne Newton and I didn’t want to go in the first place, but my date had tickets…he was turrible, just turrible.
haggard
March 12th, 2012
5:53 pm
See you folks later….Things are starting to get a bit more interesting with game day look sees beginning to pay off.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 12th, 2012
5:54 pm
phil I was kidding about McCann….just in case someone notices my stupid, juvenile post and launches into me!
Don’t worry—I gave up crazies for Lent…
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 12th, 2012
5:57 pm
dogsbrekky, exactly. Chipper is a liability with the glove at 3rd base. Expecting our future Hall of Fame inductee to repeat his offensive performance from last season is hoping against hope. Lord knows I want Chipper to hit well, but he’s 40 and the legs are gone. When your base (legs) are shot to hell, repeating another productive season is going to be extremely difficult.
As for Uggla, I wanted his glove in LF LAST YEAR. I know the guy works hard at playing defense, but Uggla’s average glove takes away from his offensive production. Our Braves have yet to show that they are truly committed to playing top notch defense, and until they do…..I’ll be on their butts about it nonstop.
Just Pateeeee
March 12th, 2012
5:57 pm
McFann
What a WONDERFUL idea! (Giving up crazies for Lent, I mean.)
I’ll hafta remember that for next year.
haggard
March 12th, 2012
5:58 pm
kenhotlanta
Wayne Newton ! Wow. Did your girlfriend shout out “Danke Schoen” ?
I’m glad you told me about George Benson as I’ve never seen him in concert and will immediately check on tickets–especially following your description of the venue. Thanks!
Can Of Corn
March 12th, 2012
6:00 pm
FREDI’S LACK OF FIRE
I hate to say it, but I’ve found myself actually rooting against the Braves this Spring — with the hope that Wren might see the clear handwriting on the wall, so to speak, and fire Fredi.
I don’t see the Braves truly doing well as a team again until Fredi is gone; he’s just not a competent major league manager.
Fredi just doesn’t instill the kind of confidence the team needs, as Bobby so clearly did. And it shows — even in Spring Training.
I believe the current 1-10 Spring record is much more as a result of Fredi’s lack of fire and lack of motivational ability than most have wanted to admit.
Murph
March 12th, 2012
6:00 pm
Hey, I have a cousin that played tuba in Highschool for the school band!
Nothing like a good tuba serenade to drive the opposite sex crazy.
I have yet to meet someone in my adult life who openly brags about playing the tuba, or even mentions that they once played the tuba in their lifetime.
My sister is a pretty amazing guitar player and singer… has a couple albums out on iTunes (folksy, Americana type music). I’m hoping the 5 year old got her musical abilities and not mine. I can play the first 10 seconds of about 20 different songs and that’s about it.
Disgusted
March 12th, 2012
6:00 pm
“At least the Braves aren’t going to break our hearts in September like they did last year. Looks like they’ve started the collapse much earlier this season.”
Moneyball—Also note that they will be saving us a whole lot of aggravation and disappointment.
For me, I am not that disappointed because I was expecting this. It will be a fun season in just watching how bad this team is.
Most teams who go through a collapse like September usually do not recover from it with the same manager and core players.
Examples are the 1964 Phillies, 1969 Cubs, 1978 Red Sox and 1995 Angels.
The Blue Jays of 87 recovered but that was after Jimy Williams was let go for Cito Gaston.
Pollyanna fans cannot figure that out.
Heard today on a sports talk show that 63 pct of teams that are wretched in ST often have a disappointing season. Not good.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 12th, 2012
6:01 pm
Just Pateeeeee—
Thanks! I’ve been enjoying it…
I’m going for one of those don’t-then-go-back-to-it-after-Easter type things… 
haggard
March 12th, 2012
6:02 pm
kenhotlanta
Before I go……Remember Benson’s double album “Weekend In LA”? I’ll bet you sold a few at Record Bar, especially as it came on the heels of “Breezin’”.
I Gave Her Undertaker eyes
March 12th, 2012
6:03 pm
what idiot said the braves are the best sports team in atlanta?
Murph
March 12th, 2012
6:03 pm
What a WONDERFUL idea! (Giving up crazies for Lent, I mean.)
Perhaps we could talk the crazies into giving up the blog for Lent? That would take us into the first week or two of the season, right?
kenhotlanta
March 12th, 2012
6:05 pm
Lew: Agree on The Velvet Underground, I never got them either, except for Lou Reed. They were big in New York, with the Andy Warhol crowd, and with critics and media. They also paved the way for punk and new wave according to their bios, but, again, I don’t hear it myself. Nico was pretty hot, but weird.
I saw Lou Reed at the Electric Ballroom in the mid-70’s and I was standing at the bar watching the show, when I noticed the guy standing next to me looked very familiar, but I couldn’t place him. I finally told him I thought I knew him and what was his name and he said “John Cale”,,,he was a member of Velvet Underground. We talked for awhile and he was a nice down-to-earth guy.
Just Pateeeee
March 12th, 2012
6:05 pm
McFann
Wellll…..I gave up drs. for Lent and the closest I’ve come is going with hubby to HIS appt.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 12th, 2012
6:05 pm
Murph I have yet to meet someone in my adult life who openly brags about playing the tuba, or even mentions that they once played the tuba in their lifetime.
Haha! Some people get a charge out of it when it’s mentioned that she’d played the tuba because she’s so skinny…
My sister is a pretty amazing guitar player and singer… has a couple albums out on iTunes (folksy, Americana type music).
That’s cool! Congrats to her!
I’m hoping the 5 year old got her musical abilities and not mine.
That’d be nice…
Murph
March 12th, 2012
6:07 pm
“Pollyanna” is right up there with “drinking the kool-aid” for me as most disliked blogisms at the moment.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 12th, 2012
6:07 pm
Murph Perhaps we could talk the crazies into giving up the blog for Lent? That would take us into the first week or two of the season, right?
Nah, unfortunately that would only get us through Spring Training and the first two games of the year—Easter’s April 8th this year and Opening Day’s April 5th…
Just Pat—
Hmm…well, hope it works out for ya!
kenhotlanta
March 12th, 2012
6:07 pm
haggard: Benson was a superstar in the late 70’s and 80’s and those albums sold extremely well.
kenhotlanta
March 12th, 2012
6:08 pm
cab and VJ are prolly going to see Wayne Newton tonight.
Just Pateeeee
March 12th, 2012
6:09 pm
McFann
Hubby went to clean out the flycatchers’ house that he built for them this morning because we were pretty sure we were hearing them in the neighbor’s yard, but they’ve nested twice at our place, so he thought maybe if he cleaned their house, they’d come back. Imagine his surprise when he reached in and came out with a baby flying squirrel!!!!! Thing jumped from his hand to the tree and just “froze” and wouldn’t go back to its nest, so he finally had to put a glove on, pick it off the side of the tree, and put it back in the house. Fun time at the compound this morning.
Just Pateeeee
March 12th, 2012
6:11 pm
They are SOOO cute! Biggest thing about them is their eyes.
Moneyball
March 12th, 2012
6:12 pm
I want a manager with some fire in his belly who hates losing. FG looks & acts like someone who can’t believe he got a gig in MLB and doesn’t want to make waves.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 12th, 2012
6:15 pm
Just Pat—
Oh, CUTE!!
That’s cool All we got in our birdhouse last year was a wasp nest…
They are adorable…haven’t seen one in years, but I look at pictures≥…
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
6:15 pm
Prado & Simmons are eating their w-h-h-heat thins before games. Others are not.
ohhhhYEAH
March 12th, 2012
6:16 pm
dogsbrekky
I dont know if you knew this or not but……fielding percentage includes number of chances, meaning….number of gettable balls hit at him. Surely you dont think chipper can jump ten feet in the air or dive 10 feet to his left or right for a grounder. Now, were some of those, probably 5 out of the 6, errors he made stupid and routine? Most likely, but hes surely not as liable at third as heyward is at center, Mac is behind the plate, and Uggs at second. Hate to tell ya, but Chipper is playing solid baseball for ANY age. Its that simple
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
6:17 pm
“Oh, CUTE”
What, McCann’s new jelly role?
ohhhhYEAH
March 12th, 2012
6:18 pm
Not to mention, he STILL plays the slow roller up the line better than anyone in the majors. So to say hes bloody horrible and well below MLB average…well, his play and the stats certainly say otherwise.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
6:19 pm
“It will be a fun season in just watching how bad this team is”
And that, people, is exactly what the whiners want. This guy just said what they all feel. They just aren’t happy people at all.
New Mexico Lee
March 12th, 2012
6:25 pm
Hello everyone. What a great weekend to be in New Mexico. 4 inches of snow Sunday morning, today 70 degrees. Springtime in the Rockies.
Both New Mexico State and New Mexico both win Titles and get to go to the Big Dance.
Ha Murph what do you think of the Lobos now? A 5 seed going to Portland to play Long Beach State and then L’ville most likely. Can you say sweet sixteen, well maybe not.
The two seed worked out well for us in Vegas. I did not want us to have to play Boise State or Colorado State again, they had our number.
Go Lobos, Go Braves.
brian
March 12th, 2012
6:25 pm
Ladies and Gentlemen – it is still spring training. The Braves played well today when their A team was in there. We even manufactured a run. That being said, I do think it is more important than usual for the Braves to build some momentum in spring training and then start the season strong due to their collapse last year. What good has come out of spring training?
1. Prado appears to be back
2. A shortstop is making a strong push to win the opening day job. Of course it is Simmons not Pastornicky, but Simmons continues to impress.
3. Minor is taking hold of the 4th starter job – strong spring so far
4. Medlen is back to form after injuries
5. Gilmartin also appears to be near major league ready and is also exceeding the expectations of many
6. Teheran rebounded for a horrific first start showing mental fortitude to go with his elastic arm
7. Uggla has been hitting like it is August
8. Venters has been lights out. Kimbrel right behind him
9. Jurrjens and Hanson appear health
10. The Terd appears to be a legitimate prospect as does Bethancourt
concerns:
1. the losses. After the historic collapse, starting spring training 1-10 is not what anyone had in mind even if it is just spring training.
2. sporadic hitting as a team.
3. 5th starter spot – Delgado and Teheran were rocked their first outing though they have shown improvement.
4. Although appearing healthy, Jurrjens and Hanson are not near their needed form
5. Heyward
6. Chipper’s health and fitness
7. bench production
8. Vizcaino’s elbow
CB
March 12th, 2012
6:37 pm
A lot more reasons to feel good about this team than negatives,if people want to wallow in their own mud then do what you need to do.
Rob from SC
March 12th, 2012
6:50 pm
Can’t blame the hitting coaches anymore. It’s on the player to hit. If they can’t then they need to go to the minors….
Kwajbraves
March 12th, 2012
6:54 pm
DOB is going to be on XM Radio with Cliff Floyd and Jeff Joyce at 0700 PM EST discussing our beloved Braves.
brian
March 12th, 2012
6:57 pm
David Lee Roth returns to record a new album with Van Halen and the BRaves play like it is the mid-1980s
Jerry
March 12th, 2012
6:59 pm
Most of you already know that I hold little hope that the Braves will do anything more than break .500 this year. I still believe that with each passing day, but I’m learning not to worry about it anymore. I grew up on the Braves and I’ve seen this team at it’s best and more times than not, at it’s worst. If the Braves are to struggle this year as I believe they will, I want there to be someone on this team that will make me wanna see the Braves play. That player is Simmons. As good as Freeman was last year making Gonzo look brilliant, I really believe that Simmons and Freeman could make pure defensive magic out there. If Pastornicky gets the nod, I’ll hold my breath with every grounder his way and on every throw. We can’t afford a bad fielding shortstop. I could care less if the ss hits, but he must field well. Please Fredi, if you do nothing else in your cap-tipping life, please make Simmons our shortstop.
New Mexico Lee
March 12th, 2012
7:01 pm
WOW on what Chipper said. Just WOW.
Jimmy
March 12th, 2012
7:02 pm
Observation – Check out how many Braves have a batting average less than the Braves winning percentage.
Actually, Prado had another good game. I Like what Minor and Freeman have done. Also, the SS situation getting interesting.
If you have Dishnetwork..Braves are on lie Wednesday at 6:00 Eastern on 152/153.
Jimmy
March 12th, 2012
7:03 pm
lie=live
flange1
March 12th, 2012
7:07 pm
Have y’all read DOB’s Chipper story?
VERY interesting reading…
Frank Wren
March 12th, 2012
7:09 pm
Time to bring McLouth back. Need him to get this offense going.
Jerry
March 12th, 2012
7:13 pm
I love how being positive seems to make me uneducated, a Pollyanna, an apologist (for what I’m not sure), a kook aid drinker, and lord knows what else. Oh well. I will put on my rose colored glasses, knock back a margarita (still hate kook aid) and cheer for my Braves, whether they win 60 games or 100. So be it. Life goes on…cab
Well, I’ll tell you this much cab. The two of us are standing on opposite sides of the street when it comes to what we believe from the Braves, but in the end, we are both still avid Braves fans. We just voice it differently. But no matter how much I might disagree with you, I’ll never say you are uneducated and don’t know what you are talking about. You know your baseball. Most of the time, I really enjoy your posts. Anyone who talks about you otherwise has to be off there rocker.
CB
March 12th, 2012
7:13 pm
Lee and flange,sounds discouraged.
Stanley
March 12th, 2012
7:14 pm
Is Chipper about to announce his retirement?
Soph
March 12th, 2012
7:20 pm
Yikes on that Chipper story.
Soph
March 12th, 2012
7:21 pm
Makes me sad to read that.
veer
March 12th, 2012
7:21 pm
Fredie Gonzalez should be fired right now. He has done nothing since last Augest to motivate this team to win and he sure can’t get the team going in March.
Will it take a 1-10 record in the regular season to fire him?
1-10 Record is unacceptable even if its pre-season.
Gonalez needs to be fired.
Teheran and Delgado could have been traded last year to ensure us a chance to get to the world series.
These two will never be impact pitchers.
flange1
March 12th, 2012
7:22 pm
CB,
Yeah, it sounds like Chipper had a bad day and is hurting some.
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
7:24 pm
Chipper: “I don’t know if I can make it through this year.”
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/03/12/chipper-i-dont-know-if-i-can-make-it-through-this-year/
flange1
March 12th, 2012
7:26 pm
DOB,
Thoughts on Chipper? Just a bad day or is this real?
cabravesfan
March 12th, 2012
7:27 pm
Jerry-
Thanks
Nobody has to agree with me. I will never call anyone names that does. But I do have a problem with folks that call me such things because I don’t complain about my team. People are allowed to have different opinions.
cabravesfan
March 12th, 2012
7:28 pm
I mean I won’t call anyone names that does disagree…
don sutton's wine glass
March 12th, 2012
7:29 pm
chipper probably won’t make it trough the year. freddie’s gonna get fired, the Braves may never win another game, think i’ll go get a beer
Venice Jim
March 12th, 2012
7:33 pm
Not sure that I agree that Freeman will be fired…
abeeeewright
March 12th, 2012
7:34 pm
“cabravesfan, March 12th, 2012, 5:16 pm … “If you get too worked up now, you won’t have any anger left when the games count.”
I’m starting to think there is an inexhaustible supply of anger to last through the next 1000 years. If only we could run cars on this stuff, we’d never worry about gas prices again.
Jerry
March 12th, 2012
7:39 pm
It’s a sad thing to hear Chipper talk like that. Sounds like he’s giving up. If that’s the case, he should walk away and leave the job for Terd and see if he can make the grade. I’d like to think that Terd can handle it out there, but we won’t know until it actually happens. And if the Braves wouldn’t use the money to upgrade, then maybe Chipper can ride the pine and make our lousy bench a little better.
Kat
March 12th, 2012
7:40 pm
Choppinmama..
I view the blog on the browser.. I view the regular site not the mobile version. The comment section shows up on my android.
Steve
March 12th, 2012
7:40 pm
Enter your comments here
abeeeewright
March 12th, 2012
7:58 pm
Tough article from Chipper. But, when you cross 40, the extended warranty expires. I’m sure he’ll adapt, but it looks like this Spring is going to be an unpleasant learning experience for him.
As long as he’s functionally OK and it’s just aches and pains, he’ll do fine. If he’s got some real health issue, this might be it.
George
March 12th, 2012
8:13 pm
It just goes on and on and on. What a season. On CHIPPER I told y’all BRAVES were hideing something with him, that it was more than just a sore leg. CHIPPER at least is honest about it. If CHIPPER feels he cannot play well this year, he should retire now and go out with that good season last year. I would hate to see him struggle thru the year and end career on a sad note. I remember WILLIE MAYS stayed to long. I know CHIPPER will do the right thing.
George
March 12th, 2012
8:16 pm
Please don’t fire FREEMAN. Fire the old no good FREDI.
LefordIV
March 12th, 2012
8:24 pm
When you are 40 years old and looking at one last run to the playoffs, maybe you can suck it up and maybe will yourself to perform. When you are 40 years old and looking at a bumbling mess of losing ways left over from last September, you start asking yourself it you really have it in you to spend a full season struggling with a team who may not even break .500.
So the team being 1-10 may not mean anything…….except to an aging veteran who doesn’t like what he sees from the 2012 season.
Just something to consider.
Bravefaninok
March 12th, 2012
8:30 pm
ohhhhYEAH
March 12th, 2012
5:21 pm
Looks like our young pitchers should have spent way more time working their butts off to improve rather than “easing into the season,” as Venters so ridiculously put it. Command issues and velocity shouldnt be an issue 3 and a half weeks into spring training (workouts before the games included). I was one to rush to their defense early and say its still early in spring training, but these guys better shape it up.
Johnny Venters ran out of gas the last 2 seasons(and threw a perfect 7 pitch inning today),Every player has to learn what works best for themselves to stay strong and sharp over 162.
It seems to me you took what Johnny said about himself and applied it to all the young pitchers.
DS1
March 12th, 2012
8:38 pm
Tough start to the spring games, and now Chipper feeling it! OUCH!
Venice Jim
March 12th, 2012
8:41 pm
Tough start to the spring games
Another gloom and doomer…
brian
March 12th, 2012
8:55 pm
CHipper will be fine this season – he is just sore and frustrated.
If CHipper did retire, the Braves would have to make a trade. The Terd may be an answer at 3B but no way do the Braves open with the Terd and Simmons on the left side of their infield.
The Braves would have to deal some pitching and some prospects for either a big bat in LF or at 3B
abeeewright
March 12th, 2012
8:55 pm
Jonny Venters was awesome today. Prado keeps on getting it done. Simmons was outstanding on defense. Some positives.
Wheels fell off when Hughes came in and walked the ball park. Hughes who?
Efrim
March 12th, 2012
8:58 pm
Not really that worried. He’ll be fine. He always does this and throws out this sort of comment: “The big reason for me coming back was my teammates wanted me to come back,” he said. “I still feel like I can be a productive major leaguer. We’ll give it this year and see how it feels.”
Not saying he isn’t in pain and more concerned than he thought he may be. But he’s not retiring right now, and if he gets through this year OPS’n .780-.800 and plays in 125 games, I think he’ll come back. All depends on how he feels later this year, imo.
DS1
March 12th, 2012
8:58 pm
As much as I love Chipper Jones, if he is hurting that bad, I’d say he should just hang em up. A game is not fun when it hurts that bad to play it.
Ray
March 12th, 2012
9:03 pm
Today’s lost doesn’t bother me too much because when the regulars were in there the braves were up and were doing well. Only when Hughes came in. When its games like this (not all of them have been) the losses in ST are not a big deal.
Ray
March 12th, 2012
9:08 pm
IMO Chipper is a bit frustrated with the time he has missed in ST and he is not 100% yet. He will get rejuvinated for sure.
DS1
March 12th, 2012
9:13 pm
Ray
Yes, this could be just frustration talking (Chipper’s comments).
ncgary
March 12th, 2012
9:14 pm
well i know how he feels, tried starting a job installing satellites,
something i haven’t done since the primestar days.
then you get the houses with the 40 ft high roofs and the steep pitches
and you wonder just how many of these can you do before you fall off one
ncgary
March 12th, 2012
9:16 pm
probably kinda like the feeling he gets when a 100 mph fastball
gets a little too close
Ray
March 12th, 2012
9:17 pm
There were a lot of positives in today’s game against the cards. Simmons, pitching minus hughes.
MFin04
March 12th, 2012
9:18 pm
Just move Prado to 3B and move Beltran to Left…problem solved.
Oh wait…we didn’t sign Beltran. Whoops!
Ray
March 12th, 2012
9:19 pm
nc, i admire any one that can get up on those 40 ft roofs especially in the summer. This past summer I saw this dude had 2 big bags or whatever you want to call them of shingles on his right shoulder and just moving up a ladder like it was nothing. The dude was a beast.
Venice Jim
March 12th, 2012
9:22 pm
But who would play left the two months Beltran is hurt?
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
9:23 pm
Those steep roofs are a little tough on the ankles, ncgary, not to mention the nerves as one gets older.
DS1
March 12th, 2012
9:23 pm
Don’t know which I’d rather do; face a 100 mph fastball or work on a 40 ft roof?
DS1
March 12th, 2012
9:27 pm
This Simmons story is quite amazing. The next couple of weeks will be interesting on several fronts.
And I’d sure love to see Diaz doing better at this point in ST.
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
9:27 pm
Ray_
Probably bundles. Standard asphalt shingles, three bundles to a square. A square is 100 square feet.
brian
March 12th, 2012
9:28 pm
do the Braves make a run at Parra from Arizona?
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
9:30 pm
That guy may be a beast now, but he’ll most likely end up an old young man.
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
9:33 pm
Wayne_
DNN pulled back a little more than I wanted it to.
DS1
March 12th, 2012
9:35 pm
No kidding. Maybe it’s time to find a few grand to buy up some more?
DS1
March 12th, 2012
9:44 pm
Burrito time…..
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
9:44 pm
Yeah, I don’t know, Wayne. I’m in at $1.58 ……. I watched the stuff I’m tracking pull back today……. Might be that kind of week.
benchwarmer
March 12th, 2012
9:45 pm
Looks like J hey is slow to begin his comeback. Pretty poor when the best that your manager can say is you had some good swings today. Is it starting to be believable that this kid was overrated?
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
9:46 pm
The Chipper drama continues. Mercy!! He really needs to retire and that hurts to type that since he’s my favorite player ever. But the organization needs to move on from all this and so does CJ. He’s still a very good player, but he’s giving a dark foreshadowing early this time that he probably won’t be anything more than a part time player this year and maybe less than that. Prado to 3rd, but who to LF? Damn. This doesn’t ease my worries for the year.
Guys, he’s our #3 hitter for God’s Sake! Tell any fan of their team looking to compete to have their #3 hitter talk like this. This sucks!
Trey
March 12th, 2012
9:48 pm
Sounds good, DS1. I just finished running and had a burrito.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
9:49 pm
Yeah I’m kind of over this JHey stuff too. He’s so young and hasn’t been around but for 2 seasons, but “will he or won’t he breakout to what he was supposed to be” is getting really old and tiring.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
9:52 pm
I believe it was Lew who said CJ’s health and career is in serious jeopardy because of his bad knee at his age. I agreed and look what’s happening in early spring. I have a strong feeling Chipper is about to announce his retirement. I really do.
David O'Brien
March 12th, 2012
9:55 pm
DOB,
Thoughts on Chipper? Just a bad day or is this real?
flange1, it’s real, but probably not as dire as it sounds. I mean, I don’t see him retiring now or during season. I think he’ll get through it. But the knee is worse than it’s been, which is why he couldn’t play for five days after the opener. It looks like he’s past the worst of it, though, for now. He’s played a few days in a row, not doubled over in pain or limped off field, etc.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
9:59 pm
Sorry, but I don’t mind if he retires. Another season wincing every time he runs down to 1st or takes a not so good cut? No thanks. Tired of it and apparntly so is he. Surely most fans are honestly tired of it.
Fredi's Fu Manchu
March 12th, 2012
10:02 pm
Me tired of it too. Have a bobblehead day for CJ and be done.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 12th, 2012
10:02 pm
Wow! I’ve never seen so many quitters on one blog. I don’t know why we are even going to play this season. It’s so obviously hopeless. Woe is me.
DS1
March 12th, 2012
10:05 pm
Trey
Burrito time = dinner/lunch time. Tonight it is a subway philly and a bowl of chipolte corn chowder.
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
10:06 pm
Well I hope he can make it and play well. Chipper seems like a tough guy to me. It’s no fun when your body will no longer let you do what you once did with ease.
DS1
March 12th, 2012
10:09 pm
We’ll be pulling for Chipper to have one last fond farewell this year. He’s a gamer. Time for Mac to take over the mantle of team leader now though.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
10:12 pm
I hope Simmons gets the job as our starting SS. He’s a “whiz” with the glove? You damn right. Even sounded like CJ is secretly rooting for him as well. Got to have that kind of glove at that position.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 12th, 2012
10:18 pm
Well, all there is left to be said is this……..
It has been an incredible privilege to have watched Chipper’s entire career. Cooperstown is calling and so is retirement. Larry Wayne Jones .Jr is no longer an everyday player, and that coupled with the Braves mid market budget, then Chippers contract. Leaves this fan with a great deal of nostalgia knowing that the ride is almost over. God how I’m gonna miss seeing Chipper in uniform.
B-F_52
March 12th, 2012
10:20 pm
Huddy’s the tough one Pitching with bone on bone
AussieBrave
March 12th, 2012
10:22 pm
LefordIV @8.24pm. I agree.
DS1
March 12th, 2012
10:23 pm
If Chipper doesn’t get a tall drink from the fountain of youth, then talk of next year is only academic.
ncgary
March 12th, 2012
10:23 pm
no doubt chipper jones not being on the atlanta braves will be a sad day.when they released niekro i quit following the braves for a year, at least the braves are allowing this hofer to go out on his terms, and all you jealous haters can take that and shove it where the sun don’t shine
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 12th, 2012
10:25 pm
Well everybody would miss Chipper if he retires. What Brave fan, or even a real baseball fan, doesn’t repsect the hell out of the man. If they don’t they’re fuc**** stupid and should be smacked really hard in the face.
B-F_52
March 12th, 2012
10:25 pm
I’m still mad about nucksie
noleee
March 12th, 2012
10:26 pm
y’all quit pickin’ om my hero Larry, ya hear
Bravo Nam
March 12th, 2012
10:27 pm
I’ve been saying it since the end of last year… the Braves need to trade for reliable starting pitchers. You cannot hope to have experienced pitchers with injury problems and the rest who are kids and very inconsistent to last the whole year. Not only will we lose a bunch of games, but we are going to burn out the bullpen as we did last year. We need to trade one of our stud pitching prospects and bring in some experienced arms who can pitch 200 plus innings.
B-F_52
March 12th, 2012
10:28 pm
He’s been a good one hope he can make it work
DS1
March 12th, 2012
10:29 pm
nolie
How ya been? This time next year, Larry Wayne will probably come on down to FLA and pay you a visit during spring training. You got an extra rocking chair?
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
10:30 pm
Randy Moss to the Niners. How about that….
ncgary
March 12th, 2012
10:30 pm
well when your body aches and groans and moans
theres only one logical thing to do, eat some lindts truffles
DS1
March 12th, 2012
10:31 pm
Bravo Nam
My guess is they are going to wait on 2-3 of these youngsters to develop into that 200+ inning guy.
Jurrjens and Hanson would increase big time in my world if they could give us that sort of a year.
DS1
March 12th, 2012
10:33 pm
Bat
A guy like Moss might perform well on a 1 year deal. It’ll be interesting four shore.
noleee
March 12th, 2012
10:35 pm
they are not gonna spend money that the do not have in the budget for starting pitchers when the have so many prospects , just ain’t gonna happen, nor should it
kenhotlanta
March 12th, 2012
10:35 pm
I think Chipper will tough it out, at least this year. How many years did Smoltz pitch when his upper body was black and blue? That was not reported, was it?
DS1
March 12th, 2012
10:36 pm
Anybody who is watching the games, what’s the story on Jordan Parraz? Small sample size, I’d guess.
Moe Berg
March 12th, 2012
10:36 pm
dschoenfield David Schoenfield
Chipper ailing, Heyward not hitting, pitchers hurting, possible issues at SS … Fredi Gonzalez early favorite for first manager fired?
dschoenfield David Schoenfield
Yes. Just having a little fun w/ panicking Braves fans. “@junkstats I enjoy your work, but for the love of all that is holy: IT IS MARCH 12
dschoenfield David Schoenfield
Sox. Lineup is still lethal “@grahamdude: @dschoenfield @junkstats you think the Braves or Red Sox have a better chance of bouncing back?”
Bravo Nam
March 12th, 2012
10:37 pm
DS1
I’m not sure we can afford to wait until our kids can pitch 200 plus innings… or hold on to the hope that JJ and Hanson will get by. This has nothing to do with wins and losses and everything to do with our bullpen- we cannot afford to burn great arms in our pen, otherwise V will only be the start of it.
phil
March 12th, 2012
10:38 pm
More Moss.
Great.
That’s worse than more phil….
Moe Berg
March 12th, 2012
10:40 pm
The Dude abides: Jeff Bridges to co-write book of Zen teachings
brian
March 12th, 2012
10:40 pm
looks like Heyward has to step up even more. Heyward needs to be the 3rd hitter quickly or the Braves will need to trade for that big bat in LF
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
10:41 pm
Wayne_
Maybe a year off helped his legs. I read he ran a fast time for the someone, the Saints I think.
He’s something else when right.
phil
March 12th, 2012
10:41 pm
kenhotlanta
March 12th, 2012
10:35 pm
I think Chipper will tough it out, at least this year. How many years did Smoltz pitch when his upper body was black and blue? That was not reported, was it?
******
not that I recall. Sad to know it was that hard.
DS1
March 12th, 2012
10:43 pm
Nam
Like nolie so aptly states, with the Braves budget, no way are they going to add any significant salary. How do pitchers get to that 200 plateau? By getting experience. I suspect Fredi will be smarter about his pen this year.
phil
March 12th, 2012
10:44 pm
I wish Heyward could step up.
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
10:46 pm
That’s worse than more phil….
I’m gonna do what I want to do, say what I want to say _ Randy Moss
phil
March 12th, 2012
10:49 pm
As i was saying! LOL
Good nite all.
brian
March 12th, 2012
10:51 pm
last time CHipper talked like this he found the fountain of youth during the Rays series two years ago if I remember right. He was on a tear right up to the ACL tear.
Hopefully he can find his fountain of youth one more time after this talk and avoid the injury bug
Bravo Nam
March 12th, 2012
10:52 pm
DS1
The Braves would obviously make eating salary part of any deal for it to work out budgetary wise. The way things are looking at the moment, we may get even less innings out of our starting pitchers than we did last year. Even with the extra demand, can we be sure Fredi will be smarter? I’ve got no issue with getting innings into young pitchers- but how many young pitchers can we afford to do that with without completely throwing away our season and BP- I’d suggest a max of 2-3, but it very well could be more than that.
Bat Masterson
March 12th, 2012
10:52 pm
See ya, phil
DS1
March 12th, 2012
10:55 pm
Nam
A LOT of things are going to have to come together for us to be competitive in the off season this year, so I’d say go with the youngsters.
DS1
March 12th, 2012
10:55 pm
off season = post season
Bravo Nam
March 12th, 2012
10:57 pm
DS1
Time will tell. Gotta go. Bye everyone.
Moe Berg
March 12th, 2012
11:03 pm
Marianne Faithfull is performing in the city this weekend on my birthday but the tickets are quite expensive ($90/each). Trying to decide if it is worth it.
Couch Tater
March 12th, 2012
11:08 pm
I didn’t at least skim the weekend for the first time ever.
“Rogues are preferable to imbeciles because they sometimes take a rest.” – Alexadre Dumas
B-F_52
March 12th, 2012
11:10 pm
Eighty year old John Mayall playing in lowell this summer,also pat matheny
B-F_52
March 12th, 2012
11:11 pm
Chipper should have been a bluesman easier on the knees
Moe Berg
March 12th, 2012
11:13 pm
I have never seen John Mayall–would be nice. But have seen a good show by Pat Matheny.
B-F_52
March 12th, 2012
11:22 pm
Look it up Lowell summer music series more bookings to come but so far these two stick out to me
B-F_52
March 12th, 2012
11:24 pm
Nice little city too rich history
Moe Berg
March 12th, 2012
11:30 pm
Always liked Lowell, when I lived in the Boston area. I agree, a good town. I’m up in Boston in a week-and-a-half and looking forward to it. Was just down in Atlanta this past weekend and up to Boston soon. So thought, I might pop into NYC in between for Marianne Faithfull.
kenhotlanta
March 12th, 2012
11:32 pm
Moe: Marianne Faithful was and probably still is a goddess. I saw her on Jools Holland’s great live music revue show (that is not being shown over here anymore) last year and she is still great.
John Mayall is responsible for the careers of many of the top British rockers of the 60’s and 70’s…I didn’t know he was still performing, but I would love to see him, too.
Saw both of the above back in the day with fond memories of each.
Moe Berg
March 12th, 2012
11:39 pm
kenhotlanta–I know she would be wonderful. Just dropped a lot of money on a trip down to Atlanta this past weekend and will on a trip up to Boston the following. Still, she is on the list of people I would love to see. There are still seats right near the stage. Will waver and probably go.
Must call it a night. Have a series of rather heady meetings tomorrow.
richbrave
March 12th, 2012
11:42 pm
My grandson has had 2 G, 8 AB’s to date this season. As the lead-off hitter, he’s walked six times, been hit by a pitch once, and had a double, 1.000 BA, 1.000 OBP, 2.000 SLG., 3.000 OPS, three SB, 4 R scored, 1 RBI, no E in center. Interesting start to his junior campaign.
richbrave
March 12th, 2012
11:43 pm
Good to see MARTEEEEEEEEN hitting his groove.
Trey
March 12th, 2012
11:47 pm
DS1, Chipotle is good.
Frank
March 12th, 2012
11:47 pm
Pastornicky moves to third, Simmons on SS.
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
1:16 am
The night has gotten quiet back East…
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
1:37 am
richbrave – only one hit – could be a rough year…
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
1:49 am
I;m sure Ward is moments from arriving, but I am outta here – as we approach birthday time out here, I’ll say it an hour and a half early – happy birthday Dana Delany!
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
1:49 am
“I’m”
kenhotlanta
March 13th, 2012
2:28 am
Dana Delaney is one of my favorite actresses from way back when she starred in “China Beach”, a very good show about a combat hospital during the Vietnam War. She is now starring in “Body of Proof”, another good procedural show and she still looks sensational. I always wanted her to play Louise Brooks, a beautiful silent screen star who was a throughly modern women in thoughts and looks all the way through to her death in 1985 at the age of 79. She was writing poetry, posing nude and smoking dope all the way to the end and lived her life as free on her own terms as anyone possibly could. She was a female who did it “Her Way”. Dana is now too old to play her as a young actress at the top of her career, but she would have been perfect.
I hope Chipper feels better tomorrow. Goodnight until tomorrow afternoon.
Ward
March 13th, 2012
2:47 am
Hello everyone! Braves almost had a win there.Things are looking up. Good to see Prado hitting well.
Ward
March 13th, 2012
2:54 am
I hope Chipper can play through this year,but I see him playing until the All Star Break. Prado going to 3rd base,and a possible trade for a LF. Doesn’t sound good ,but maybe Chipper will be O.K. If not not? I see a trade in mid-season.Braves finally getting that sugger for LF.
Ward
March 13th, 2012
2:56 am
meant to say getting that slugger for LF at the end there.
Ward
March 13th, 2012
3:09 am
The people who are negative do have the right to be upset,because of the slow start in spring training. It’s possible that the Braves could finish strong at the end of spring training this time? We are seeing progress being made.Long road of spring training left.I look for improvements, and progress. Wins don’t mean much,because it’s spring training.It’s how you finish at the end of spring training,and that your team is in fine tune.
Ward
March 13th, 2012
3:14 am
I love seeing the battle for SS,and find it interesting there. One way or another I’m sure we will be happy with the result. I’m pulling for the Rev,because he’s earned his way up through the Minor League Levels. A,AA,AAA, well alomst triple AAA. All have a good one! Peace My friends……..Talk tomorrow.
Morning Reads for Tuesday, March 13th — Peach Pundit
March 13th, 2012
6:13 am
[...] is running for judge as a Republican in Los Angeles County, California. – Andrelton Simmons is turning heads for the Braves in Spring Training. – The Capitol Avenue Club gives us three Braves that shouldn’t made the [...]
Morning Reads for Tuesday, March 13th — Peach Pundit
March 13th, 2012
6:13 am
[...] is running for judge as a Republican in Los Angeles County, California. – Andrelton Simmons is turning heads for the Braves in Spring Training. – The Capitol Avenue Club gives us three Braves that shouldn’t made the [...]
GwinnettDad
March 13th, 2012
6:24 am
Exhibition season means nothing. Braves 1-10 this season. Playing exactly like they did when they ended last season, aren’t they? But the exhibition season means nothing. Gollee, I sure hope so.
Gimpah & McError
March 13th, 2012
8:00 am
“The big reason for me coming back was my teammates wanted me to come back,” Jones said. “I still feel like I can be a productive major leaguer. We’ll give it this year and see how it feels.”
YEAH, RIGHT! I’m SURE your teammates would rather have you pilfering $14M from the payroll than bringing in someone else that can play better for cheaper. Or here is a thought, how about putting Prado at third and signing a left fielder? Nevermind, Gimper wants to sit on the bench and get paid because he’s selfish.
Don’t you people know anything? Gimper ‘deserves’ the cash for the 1995 world series, eh? Gimper ‘deserves’ to play until he ‘feels’ like retiring. It doesn’t matter if the Braves miss the playoffs again!
Mitchie-sand
March 13th, 2012
8:08 am
Someone get David Wright’s agent on the phone. Stat.
flange1
March 13th, 2012
8:15 am
Thanks for the response DOB.
That was my thinking from afar as well.
Ease
March 13th, 2012
8:16 am
I wonder how far fetched that really is?
Moe Berg
March 13th, 2012
8:17 am
Don’t you people know anything? Gimper ‘deserves’ the cash for the 1995 world series, eh? Gimper ‘deserves’ to play until he ‘feels’ like retiring. It doesn’t matter if the Braves miss the playoffs again!
There seems to be a muddle in the straw man, which you are creating. The idea of just deserts, which you are attacking, has no relevance in determining Chipper’s role on the team. Such theories posit that people receive that which they deserve based on some external criteria–usually two broad theories: egalitarianism or some form of meritocracy. Your sarcasm tends to believe that the latter is the proper form.
However, Chipper being on the team has nothing at all to do with just deserts theory, but rather contract theory. Since there is a binding agreement between the team and Chipper, he will be paid to be on it. Whether he ‘deserves’ this privilege is irrelevant. Bobby Bonilla is still being paid for work done years ago and has not been productive in years. The nature of a contract is not about performance but the agreement.
Jeff R
March 13th, 2012
8:38 am
“‘I’ve said it a million times, it’s hell getting old,’ said [Chipper] Jones, who’ll be 40 next month and sounds as if he’s leaning increasingly toward retirement after this season.”
– DOB
… if Chipper makes it through this campaign. Got to respect Chipper for being so frank. I’ve thought all along that the 120 games goal for Chipper this season was ambitious. I still think it is. I believe Prado will be getting more than his share of playing time at third.
Morning Reads for Tuesday, March 13th
March 13th, 2012
8:43 am
[...] is running for judge as a Republican in Los Angeles County, California. – Andrelton Simmons is turning heads for the Braves in Spring Training. – The Capitol Avenue Club gives us three Braves that shouldn’t made the team [...]
tiger297
March 13th, 2012
8:44 am
Moe – oh come on and be fair to the blog man. That level of logic doesn’t even exisit normally in the real world and you expect the blog to be able to handle it
Jeff R
March 13th, 2012
8:57 am
“However, Chipper being on the team has nothing at all to do with just deserts theory, but rather contract theory.”
– Moe Berg
One quibble (small). Yes, contracts are about the agreement. But there are clauses in contracts about performance (satisfactory delivery of services or better). There are performance clauses in Chipper’s contract that impact renewal and incentives for surpassing expectations.
Yet nothing in Chipper’s contract (I presume) terminates the contract for nonperformance (or under-performing) due to injury or health. Chipper has every right to collect his money, and hopefully, will contribute on the field in 2012.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
9:07 am
Not surprising on the Chipper news – it was painful just to watch him late last season when every swing looked like it was tearing him up. I really didn’t think he’d even attempt to come back this year.
The question is if he does miss a large portion of time, what do the Braves do? Do they move Uggla to third or left and let Pastornicky play second and Simmons short? Not sure I like the idea of Constanza/Durango/Diaz playing for a large block of games.
Jeff R
March 13th, 2012
9:25 am
Lew, what about Prado? Or have I missed some Braves’ news? Uggla is an adequate defensive second baseman; I can’t imagine he’d even be adequate at third. Prado is a natural infielder. I think if Chipper’s out for an extended period, Wren finds a LF and moves Prado to third.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
9:41 am
Open season for Chipper (and Wren) haters. Those who criticize the contract extension ignor a lot of things, not the least of which is the fact that Chipper had just won the batting title, and could have gotten a much better deal as a free agent. And Moe is correcty…it’s all about the legal contract, not performance. This isn’t the NFL, and baseball players have a real union.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
9:42 am
JeffR – If you move Uggla to third, Prado plays left. If you move Uggla to left, Prado plays third. Nothing happens to him that isn’t already happening. Uggla and Pastornicky would move.
Of course, I’m not certain how Uggla would do at third or in left or if the Braves would actually do that or maybe just call up Terdoslavich to play third – IF they’d even feel comfortable doing that. It’s all just my own random speculation – maybe with no basis in reality.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
9:43 am
Ideal case would be for Chipper to play at a high level. Second most ideal would be for Chipper to hang it up (ONLY if he can no longer contribute), Prado moves to 3rd, and Wren signs a decent (or better) LF.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
9:45 am
Lew – “maybe with no basis in reality”…why should you be any different from the rest of the bloggers here?
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
9:46 am
I should have said “contributors”.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
9:48 am
raleighbraves – I think what is REALLY unrealistic is expecting Chipper to retire and give back the $14 mil (or them NOT negotiating a parting deal with him) or taking what they have available and going out and finding another Left Fielder or Thrid Baseman.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
9:48 am
I’ve said it before, but this is March 1969 and The Mick all over again. I really hate for Chipper to go out this way.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
9:50 am
I knew March 1969 and this is NOT March 1969. My hips told me.
beekay
March 13th, 2012
9:50 am
Lew
No way they start the Rev AND Simmons together. Offensively that would be a disaster. I still think we will pick someone elses late cut to start at SS. Prado will fill in at 3rd and left will either come from a trade or maybe they find a way to use that 5 mill they have for someone. Joey Terds”The Deuce” and simmons will hopefully start the year in Mississippi…or if Simmons beats out the Rev then send the Rev to Gwinnett
Lew
March 13th, 2012
9:50 am
The difference is in 69 it was Hippie and now it’s hip replacement.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
9:51 am
beekay – It might be offensive disaster anyway if Chipper does not contribute at all.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
9:53 am
I agree about where the Kids SHOULD be playing, but with Chipper out of the equation, all changes pretty radically.
Mixxo
March 13th, 2012
9:55 am
Looks like the word is out kids. Dark days.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Rosenthal-Atlanta-Braves-Fredi-Gonzalez-contending-with-slow-spring-start-Chipper-Jones-questions-031212
Monty
March 13th, 2012
9:55 am
Uggla goes nowhere, Prado plays 3rd when Chipper is out, and Diaz, Bourn, and Heyward in the OF. We’d better get some production from JH,FF,BM,Prado and Uggla or it’s going to get ugly. A couple of those guys tank and the Braves are a .500 team at best.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
9:58 am
Lew – I said “ideal”, not “realistic”.
I did not mean to imply he would walk away from the money.
I agree that any “retirement” on Chipper’s part will include an agreement with the Braves for a buyout. He may continue on as a “special assistant” of some kind, as with Tommy Glavin.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
9:58 am
Monty – That’s all fine and well if Chipper misses his normal amount of time, but NOT if he retires or misses weeks at a time.
beekay
March 13th, 2012
9:58 am
Lets hope we don’t have to use Diaz against RH pitching…Hope his power comes back because if he is still a singles hitter this year you might as well start Georgie, he at least has blazing speed to go with his singles
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
9:59 am
Lew
Remember we were talking about Chipper a good amount of times and we both said we have hard time seeing Chipper play over 100 games cause of his knees, well we were right. I’d love to see Wren push for someone like Peter Bourjos to get alot of playing time in LF, and be our CF in 2013 after Bourn leaves. Wishful thinking
Lew
March 13th, 2012
10:00 am
raleighbraves – You weren’t my reference to unrealistic. It’s those who think Chipper’s kmoney would magically reappear on the budget or that we’d go out and get what we didn’t over the winter with the $4 mil they say we have left.
Patrick
March 13th, 2012
10:00 am
DOB, Serious question:
Given Chippers comments yesterday and the pitiful record and sub-par performances by everyone single players not named Prado or Minor.
Have you heard anything regarding the Braves making a move before the season begins?
Thanks
Lew
March 13th, 2012
10:04 am
beekay – I think it would be a Diaz/HInske platoon.
Diaz vs. LHP – .295, .336, .356
Hinske vs. RHP – .252, .333, .421
Diaz had no power last year, but HInske hit 8 of his 10 HR against RHP and knocked in 24 runs.
This platoon wouldn’t be great, but could at least produce average numbers – better than either in there all the time.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
10:05 am
Chipper won’t hang it up until the end of the season… in the meantime, I’m betting that Wren flips a pitcher (probably JJ) for a decent LF sometime before the trading deadline. Prado plays 3rd fulltime and Chipper fills in occasionally as he completes his farewell tour around the league.
It’s a sad day to see one of your heroes throw in the towel, but I think that’s what is happening here. Better to know it early in the spring so the team can make adjustments.
Too bad The Terd is still at least a year away from being ready.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
10:06 am
Lew – Agree completely. The “Chipper should retire and quit stealing money from the Braves” crowd, that though we would magically gain $14M have always been….well….ignorant of the facts.
Patrick
March 13th, 2012
10:06 am
This year seems DOOMED already before it’s begun.
That’s sad.
On a side note. I bet the Braves are happy that the didn’t make the HUGE mistake of trading Prado for Seth Smith….
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
10:06 am
though = thought
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
10:09 am
“Pastornicky moves to third, Simmons on SS.”
The Rev’s biggest defensive concern (so far) has been his throwing. Add some distance and that should get worse. He’s not hitting like a third baseman either.
Jeff R
March 13th, 2012
10:10 am
Lew, all -
Prado has expressed a desire to eventually return to the infield. I think he’s the more natural fit at third than the other options (Uggla or a rookie). Uggla is an okay fielder at second; I’m not sure he has the range for third. I sure don’t think Uggla has the range for LF.
I agree with those that say Prado swings to third and Wren finds a replacement for Prado in LF. I anticipate that Chipper plays this season, albeit far fewer games than some have hoped.
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
10:12 am
Pastornicky could be a solid defender at Shortstop in time, but long term his best spot is 2nd base IMO
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
10:12 am
“DOOMED already”…after the first week or so of ST?? It’s possible that we are headed that way, but I don’t think so…at least not yet. It certainly is too soon to determine that.
Monty
March 13th, 2012
10:13 am
Interesting that Chipper thought he was ready for ST but once he got there he found out he wasn’t. Sounds like his knees are much worse than he thought or one would have to question his conditioning regimen in the off season. I would hope it would be the latter but I suspect it to be the former.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 13th, 2012
10:14 am
They’re getting the losing out of the way in the games that don’t count…
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
10:14 am
I’m sure Wren is gonna check around for Shortstop help and Left field help. See if any deals make sense for us.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
10:15 am
VaBraves – “”long term” likely won’t happen until Uggla is done, or at least, done with the Braves.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
10:16 am
Prado and Simmons on the left side gives me a lot more confidence in our D than Prado and The Rev or Chipper and The Rev.
Funny how you go into the season fully expecting one lineup and after a few weeks all that goes in the crapper. Right now I’d expect something like this:
1. Bourn
2. Prado
3. Freeman
4. Uggla
5. McCann
6. Heyward
7. Diaz/Hinske
8. Simmons
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 13th, 2012
10:19 am
Murph—
I love that lineup. But I doubt Fredi would go for that…
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
10:20 am
If worse comes to worse, we have slick fielding Jack Wilson to plug in there to atleast provide the good defense. A solid platoon of Hinske and Diaz in LF as Lew Pointed out.
Simmons has MLB ready defense, but he hasn’t seen advanced pitching and I bet he would be pretty bad at the plate making the jump from A ball to the Majors… Talking about a guy who’s main question marks going forward is will he hit enough. I just think we’d better him by starting him in AA and let him improve.
ncgary
March 13th, 2012
10:23 am
furcal didn’t have much of a problem making the jump
Travis
March 13th, 2012
10:24 am
The constant reminder of Chipper sitting on the bench and preventing this “budgetly challenged” franchise form hiring the talent it needs might be too much for some. This probably wouldn’t be as big an issue if the someone like Heyward were stepping up to replace the offense lost from Chipper. Very puzzling to me that so many Baby Braves haven’t thrived at this level. It’s only money!
beekay
March 13th, 2012
10:24 am
Lew
I like Hinske’s bat but I dread his glove in LF…I also like having him available late innings to pinch hit, especially with RawDog gone
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
10:25 am
Yeah, but Simmons isn’t Furcal
George
March 13th, 2012
10:27 am
Enter your comments here
Trader Jack
March 13th, 2012
10:28 am
I see the Chipper haters are out in full force on the other blog.
Maybe they should call that training facility Dark Cloud instead of Dark Star
George
March 13th, 2012
10:29 am
I posted this last evening when blog was almost dead so not many read it, so I am reposting it.
**********************************************************************
George
March 12th, 2012
8:13 pm
It just goes on and on and on. What a season. On CHIPPER I told y’all BRAVES were hideing something with him, that it was more than just a sore leg. CHIPPER at least is honest about it. If CHIPPER feels he cannot play well this year, he should retire now and go out with that good season last year. I would hate to see him struggle thru the year and end career on a sad note. I remember WILLIE MAYS stayed to long. I know CHIPPER will do the right thing.
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
10:30 am
beekay
Eric Hinske hit 197. as a pinch hitter last season in 68 plate apperances with 25 K’s. He also hit 164. in late and close games last season. He hit 111. in August and 130. in September..
frank huff
March 13th, 2012
10:30 am
David, as a teenager and old Atlanta Cracker fan, I drolled over a young second baseman playing at Jacksonville. thought he would be in Atlanta the next season, the great Hank Aaron went straight to Milwaukee Braves. Believe Jax was class a. so maybe the young shortstop can make it too. thankx from a retiree in south florida. uga 59
Murph
March 13th, 2012
10:30 am
My thoughts on Simmons and whether he’s ready: There’s only one way to find out. Put him in, give him ’til the end of May, and if he’s hitting under .200, send him down.
I’m not expecting the guy to come out and his .300, but I’d be willing to bet his OBP will be higher than what we saw out of Gonzo. Similar fielding ability, better arm, better OBP… sounds like an upgrade to me.
I wouldn’t say I’m desperate, but I’m starting to get a feeling that this season is going to go differently than I had originally thought. Might as well give the kid a shot, especially if he really is the SS of the future.
George
March 13th, 2012
10:35 am
I can’t imagine CHIPPER being on the active roster of a team that may win only 30 or 40 games this year. That would be so sad.
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
10:37 am
Loving PRADO’s comeback and not much else in this ST so far.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
10:37 am
Dear Chipper haters…here are some facts:
- Chipper has a contract. Whether he is “worth” what he is being paid is a moot (mute
) point.
- If Chipper retires, he still won’t “walk away” from the money owed him (nor should he) …there will be some agreement with the Braves that includes him being paid some/most money owed.
- If Chipper si “robbing” the Braves, and should walk away from the money, then…by the same logic…the Braves are “robbing” the young guys…almost all the guys during their pre-FA years…and should pay them more.
Enquiring Minds Want to Know
March 13th, 2012
10:38 am
Murph,
If Chipper can’t go I think Heyward has to bat 3rd, not Freeman. What speed we have should be bunched together at the top. And if Heyward doesn’t hit well enough to hold down the 3rd spot, it doesn’t really matter what the line up is- we got big problems.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
10:38 am
Braves lineup: Bourn CF, Prado 3B, McCann C, Uggla 2B, Freeman 1B, Diaz LF, Heyward DH, Pastornicky SS, Constanza RF (Minor LH).
ncgary
March 13th, 2012
10:41 am
this season sure is looking a lot like the movie
lets hope they get the ending right anyway
George
March 13th, 2012
10:41 am
I still think the BRAVES will winn between 81 and 84 games.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
10:42 am
beekay – Several have commented on HInske’s D in left, but I remeber hi making some pretty solid plays and a couple of very good ones.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
10:42 am
George – What color is the sky in your world? Only in Bizarro World will the Braves only win 30-40 games.
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
10:42 am
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
10:25 am
“…………Yeah, but Simmons isn’t Furcal………..”
No, he’s better in my estimation. He’s a line-drive doubles hitter, and much better between the ears. He listens. learns, and properly applies adjustments to his game. It’s just too soon to go all in, although as the PASTOR plays himself out of the job, AL may be the one in to start the season.
beekay
March 13th, 2012
10:43 am
VABrave
I still love his power potential late in a game. He did hit 2 ph home runs and the year before his ph #’s were .298/.389/.596
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
10:44 am
George @10:35 – 30 or 40 wins.
George @10:41 – 81-84 wins.
Am I confused, or did you magically change your mind in 6 minutes?
ncgary
March 13th, 2012
10:44 am
sutton probably isnt the answer either, but he hasn’t looked too bad
Lew
March 13th, 2012
10:45 am
George – One of the worst teams in baseball history – The 62 Mets – won 40 games with Freaking Marv Throneberry playing. No way the Braves even have a losing season, no matter how bad they fall.
For crying out loud – they’ve only had ONE losing season since 1991 and it was barely below .500 – and that was with three rookies (including Jorge Campillo) in the starting rotation.
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
10:46 am
If HEYWARD drags on through ST like this, I see DIAZ/HINSKI in LF, BOURN in CF, and PARRAZ/CONSTANZA in right.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
10:46 am
The Rev getting the start today. Looks like they’re getting Constanza some time in RF as well. Is Heyward next in line for some starting lineup speculation?
Gonna shape up to be an interesting last 3 weeks of ST. The Rev could do himself a lot of favors with a good performance today.
ncgary
March 13th, 2012
10:47 am
besides chipper will get it tofether, and have another solid season.
we are gonna have to adjust to 2 days off a week
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
10:47 am
It’s not all doom and gloom for me yet. But it is a little darker with the Chipper news.
I was going into the season with the hope he would play 90 to 110 games. I don’t see that now. He can’t even go now and we’ve played just a hand full of games. He is 0 for 2012, and even scouts have said he looks terrible.
He’ll never make it come July and August.
Sad, sad state of affairs. I feel bad for him and even worse for our team.
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
10:47 am
beekay
Yeah he needs to bounce back, but it kinda sucks were banking on regulars to bounce back and then the bench players who might be counted on alot more than expected during the season have to bounce back as well. Alot of rolling the dice this season.
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
10:48 am
LEW:
Sounds something like the possibilities for this year [three rookies pitching] with the exception of CAMPILLO who is still soft-tossing ‘junk’ in the Mexican leagues.
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
10:49 am
And if Heyward doesn’t hit well enough to hold down the 3rd spot, it doesn’t really matter what the line up is- we got big problems.
True that. The team might be able to withstand the absence of one major bat, but missing both Chipper and Heyward would put a lot of strain on the rest of the offense. That would take the team from having a lot of offensive depth and lineup length to having very little of either.
Jeff R
March 13th, 2012
10:51 am
Simmons is the real deal. Whether or not he’s ready for the bigs is the question. And Simmons is better than Furcal, because Furcal is – what? – 70 years old now?
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
10:51 am
If we’re stuck with Diaz or Hinske for LF, well this is going to be a long season.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
10:51 am
richbrave – Not surprised Jorge is still going. Makes sense to me.
beekay
March 13th, 2012
10:52 am
Is ther any possibility that J-Hey gets sent down to AAA to start the season if he continues to slump? I realize we don’t really have a replacement but just thinking out loud
Lew
March 13th, 2012
10:53 am
Transplant – Not if Fredi uses them as a platoon and sticks with it without screwing around. It won’t be great, but we’d get a .275, .333, .400 line out of left if we did with a bit of power from Hinske.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
10:54 am
You know, if we had traded Prado for a true LF, we’d really be in a mess right now.
Jeff R
March 13th, 2012
10:56 am
“It’s not all doom and gloom for me yet. But it is a little darker with the Chipper news.”
Look, Chipper will likely play for the Braves this season. The question is: “How many games?” And: “How will Chipper produce in the games he plays?”
Also: “Does Prado rebound offensively?” If so, Chipper’s and Prado’s combined numbers at third could be quite good. And if Prado plays more at third (as now anticipated), the Braves benefit from better defense there.
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
10:56 am
I must say CHIPPER’s comments were quite surprising coming from him. If he feels that way, this will be a long season because it’s still his team. As he goes with the offense, and as HUDDY goes with the defense, so go the BRAVES this year. This may be the transition year to a new club identity with the last remnants of the 14-year win streak finally in the rear-view at the end.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
10:58 am
Isn’t Johnny Damon still out there?
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
10:59 am
Blog is dead this morning. Maybe I’ll coin some phrases …
Negative Nellie … these folks hope the Braves will lose so that everyone can be as miserable as they are.
Dreary Weary … these folks want the Braves to win, but, when they don’t, want everyone to be as miserable as they are.
WLBB … these folks want someone else to take responsibility for making their lives tolerable.
Pollyanna … these folks cannot see anything wrong with their team, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Kook Aid Drinkers (thanks to cabravesfan) … these folks are just bat sh!t crazy.
JoeFan
March 13th, 2012
10:59 am
Braves need to go all out in the rebuilding process in 2012. Make the trades that will net top shelf outfielders and if that means trading McCann and /or Bourn then so be it. Go ahead and bite the bullet and play Simmons at SS and Bethancourt at C. Play Joey T. at 3B and lets be done with trying to convince fans this is a competitive as constructed.
Jeff R
March 13th, 2012
10:59 am
beekay, if Heyward bombs through the spring (there’s still a lot of spring training to go, mind you), I think Wren would seriously consider dropping Heyward down to Gwinnett, whatever the complications for the Atlanta lineup. Wren made it really clear after last season that he expects Heyward to start producing, so, I think, Wren’s patience is fairly limited.
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
10:59 am
Murph
March 13th, 2012
11:03 am
One thing I have decided, just now, is that I’m no longer going to refer to Heyward as “JHey”… I still believe in the kid, but I think he needs to earn his nickname back.
With the news that Chipper isn’t likely to be in the lineup much this season is Heyward going to elevate his game, or crumble under the added pressure?
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
11:03 am
Johnny Damon still out there? Really? Who cares?
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
11:06 am
Jeff R – I guess my concern is that when Chipper is in, will he produce..or at what level.
We won’t see 100 games from him this year. That is a major concern for me. Yeah, slide Prado to third, and platoon LF, but that is an overall downgrade from what we (or I) thought we’d have.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
11:09 am
abeee – What does WLBB stand for?
I would add – Haters and Whiners – People who hope the Braves lose, so they can say “I told you so” to everyone else.
beekay
March 13th, 2012
11:09 am
Jeff
If that were to happen and Prado ends up playing 3b for Chipper more often, what would your starting outfield projection be? Bourn in CF and….
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
11:11 am
raleigh – So you aren’t a big Damon fan?
I was thinking LF possibilities.
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
11:12 am
Wow, there really taking this spring training slump to the extreme
Rival executives believe Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez may already be on ‘probation,’ Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. Last year’s team lost its grip on a playoff spot down the stretch under Gonzalez, who’s now entering his second season as Atlanta’s manager. Here are the rest of Rosenthal’s notes from around the Major Leagues…
Special assistant Jim Fregosi may be the Braves’ leading candidate to manage should they replace Gonzalez internally.
Efrim
March 13th, 2012
11:14 am
I mean, is it really that bad? Here is an observation from Buster Olney’s blog this morning:
The Atlanta Braves don’t look much different than the club that collapsed last September.
Spring training stats should never be taken at face value, especially wins and losses. But the Braves are 1-10 in the Grapefruit League, ace Tim Hudson is out indefinitely, and some of the hitters who need to succeed are not. Chipper Jones isn’t feeling great this spring, and he mused to David O’Brien about the possibility he won’t be able to make it through the season. The Braves’ hope is that Tyler Pastornicky could be OK offensively, but so far, he’s 3-for-26. Jason Heyward is 4-for-24 with one extra-base hit and eight strikeouts, and the early chorus from scouts is concern about whether Heyward’s mechanical adjustments will work, or if he will need a lot more time.
There is a silver lining: Martin Prado has hit well.
Trader Jack
March 13th, 2012
11:16 am
With the news that Chipper isn’t likely to be in the lineup much this season is Heyward going to elevate his game, or crumble under the added pressure?
Spot on Murph – I think we’ll find out what Heyward really is made of.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
11:17 am
Rival executives? Who cares? You think Wren – maybe the tightest lipped GM there is – is out there talking to them?
I’m doubting Fredi’s on the edge here – at least not until after a very bad season.
Jeff R
March 13th, 2012
11:17 am
beekay… very hard to say. I think it would depend on Heyward rebounding at Gwinnett. If Wren sent Heyward down, does Heyward start to perform well enough for a quicker return to Atlanta? Again, we don’t know that Heyward won’t start hitting here shortly. LF might prove the real challenge with Prado at third (most times).
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
11:18 am
Spring training stats should never be taken at face value, especially wins and losses. But
There is no “but” in spring training baseball.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
11:19 am
“Spring Training stats should never be taken at face value, especially wins and losses.”
Buster should have stopped there.
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
11:19 am
Jason Heyward is the key. Really hope it clicks for him soon.
kenhotlanta
March 13th, 2012
11:22 am
Lew @ 9:50:
…’69 was a lot more fun, my friend.
cabravesfan
March 13th, 2012
11:23 am
“rival executives believe Fredi may be on probation…”
This is called arumor. Rumors are not facts.
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
11:24 am
I was just posting what I read on MLBTR folks, thats all.
kenhotlanta
March 13th, 2012
11:26 am
VaBravesFan: “Yeah, but Simmons isn’t Furcal”; We don’t know that yet…the kid hasn’t played enough games or batted against too many regular major league pitchers.
cabravesfan
March 13th, 2012
11:26 am
Vabravesfan-
I know! That wasn’t meant to be directed at you – sorry if it seemed that way!
Lew
March 13th, 2012
11:29 am
ken – Yeah, it was.
Efrim
March 13th, 2012
11:30 am
I’m more concerned with what the “scouts are seeing”, as Olney wrote a few days prior. Elaborating on a comment like that would of helped. I guess Heyward may take some more time to adjust and if Chipper can only play 2 or 3 times a week than it’s an issue.
Where is TenneseePaul at? He stated over and over that Wren needed to go get an outfielder. Looks like he really, really needs one if Prado is playing tons of 3rd base and Heyward may start the season in Gwinnett.
Been away for a while and I’m hoping things are golden by April 5th. Go Braves!!
Murph
March 13th, 2012
11:30 am
There is no “but” in spring training baseball.
It’s getting harder to tell myself that what’s happening right now doesn’t matter, that it’s where people are at around the end of March that matters…. sooner or later guys are going to have to stop tinkering and play like it matters, otherwise what good is ST?
Gotta practice getting hits instead of popping out to 3rd… eventually… right?
Jeff R
March 13th, 2012
11:30 am
If anyone’s on probation, it would be Wren… he built the club (with a helping hand from the executive suite). But, yes, the manager goes first when things go bad. BUT… it’s spring training. All the doom and gloom about the Braves is incredibly premature.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
11:35 am
Que Será Será
noleee
March 13th, 2012
11:35 am
Wren is NOT on probation
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
11:38 am
Jeff R
Wren might have built the team, but he has a boss too, he wasn’t given any financial flexibility to work with. Wren wanted to find a stop gap Shortstop the free agents were too expensive and he couldn’t find a trade partner, He obviously tried to add a outfielder, but he wasn’t gonna give up our top prospects. It comes down to money. We couldn’t even add a real solid bench player who can be counted on to fill in alot.
Disco Stew
March 13th, 2012
11:38 am
Buster and Rosenthal spend more time analyzing this stuff than most. Anyone who is not concerned about the overall poor play and lack of hitting apart from Prado is kidding themselves.
Fredi will be fire this year if the miss the playoffs and may be canned by the summer if they start very poorly.
Wren has no loyalty in him. He is cheap and or forced to be cheap by Liberty but he is not loyal.
His own job is on the line here at some point and he is not going to let Fredi drag him down should he decide Fredi is part of the problem.
The Lowe deal killed this team or what was left of Chipper’s career. It prevent Wren from being able to add the one more bat the team always seems to need.
Now Chipper is struggling in the first two weeks of ST practice and Wren have 1.50 to spend on coffee.
Disco Stew
March 13th, 2012
11:41 am
wow massive amt of typos. sorry about that – on cell.
George
March 13th, 2012
11:42 am
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
10:44 am
George @10:35 – 30 or 40 wins.
George @10:41 – 81-84 wins.
Am I confused, or did you magically change your mind in 6 minutes?
**********************************************************************************
My 30 or 40 wins was sort of in jest, it was based on a 1-10 record projected to 15-147 over full season. No team can be that bad so I said 30 or 40 wins. I do think they can win 81 to 84 games because of a pitching staff that could be very good. the problem is when you get past MARTIN, BRIAN, and FREDDY the regulars are not very good.
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
11:42 am
Gotta practice getting hits instead of popping out to 3rd… eventually… right?
The difference in the swings that produces each of these occurrences is about an eighth of an inch in swing plane or a tenth of a second in swing timing. Making corrections in either flaw is the reason for ST, in the first place. Not winning games, or accruing good slash lines.
What is it about that that people don’t get?
Lew
March 13th, 2012
11:43 am
Yet another of the clueless makes his mark.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
11:44 am
Cause it’s all about Wren’s loyalty, right?
haggard
March 13th, 2012
11:45 am
Happy Birthday Tom O’Hawke !
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
11:45 am
March 1969…different world…getting ready to graduate from HS, my whole life ahead of me. I could not imagine what has happend since…some good, some bad…most unexpected. Life is an adventure.
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
11:45 am
Wren has kept our young talent intact, we have 25 million coming off the books, If Chipper’s health doesn’t improve make that almost 40 million coming off the books. With the young talent and loaded pitching and alot of money the Braves are in a good position. If they do struggle in 2012 and we become sellers we’d be able to possibly unload high would-be salaries in 2013 for prospects before the deadline. Regardless I think Wren has put us in a good position with the resources he has to work with.
George
March 13th, 2012
11:47 am
Is tomorrows game on FOX SPORTS SOUTH?
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
11:49 am
scoots – People believe what they want to believe, fact based or not.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
11:50 am
What is it about that that people don’t get?
So…. when do the corrections start getting made? Do they typically like to reproduce the same flaw for a few weeks before fixing it, just to make sure they are correcting the right flaw?
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
11:50 am
George @11:42 Regulars are not playing very well…I’m not ready to say they are not very good.
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
11:51 am
haggard – confusing Tom with cab?
haggard
March 13th, 2012
11:51 am
March 1969 My oldest brother was preparing to graduate from East Atlanta High, had drawn a number that had him all but certain of being drafted, and the tension present in our household was major until that possibility passed. March 1969 was also the first time I purchased a copy of Street and Smith’s Baseball Yearbook.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
11:53 am
Murph – I understand the frustrations, but habits are hard to break, and corrections take time and work (as with everything, it is easier for some than with others). You can’t snap your fingures and all of a sudden make things work.
haggard
March 13th, 2012
11:53 am
Venice Jim
You know, I may be. There was talk of birthdays the other night when you guys were on board and I asked O’Hawke, “When’s the big day?”. He replied, “March 13, haggard”, and may indeed have been referring to your beloved.
So, Happy Birthday cab!!!!!!!!
haggard
March 13th, 2012
11:55 am
Venice Jim
What’s in store for the youngster? Any chocolate covered strawberries?
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
11:56 am
My draft lottery # was 26. Thank goodness for the old college deferment…Viet Nam almost over by 1973 when I graduated. Post draft generation has no concept.
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
11:56 am
haggard – we had dinner out in Vegas last night – today brings the trip back to LA…
She says “Thanks!”
noleee
March 13th, 2012
11:57 am
I thought we were having some hail, but on further observation I see it is actually pieces of sky falling all around.
Don
March 13th, 2012
12:00 pm
Why are people calling Heyward’s Spring performance a slump?
What basis was there for thinking that he was going to produce even good enough to be a fourth or fifth major league outfielder. Once the major league pitchers adjusted to him last season, he showed no signs of being able to adjust and be productive.
If he is having problems against Spring Training pitching, what will it be like when the regular season begins.
Of course, there is the posibiliy that the new hitting coaches might cause some improvement – but so far it does not look promising.
The big, big question is — Is Fredi enough of a Booby Cox clone – that he will go on and continue to play him no matter what??????
Murph
March 13th, 2012
12:00 pm
raleigh, I know, I’m just giving scoots a hard time. Like I said earlier, I still believe in Heyward. I mean….. what choice do I have? If I don’t believe in him then I might as well throw in the towel myself, because he’s going to play a HUGE part in this offense, for better or worse.
I’m not a doomsday guy. Even if the Braves suck, I’m looking for positives to come out of it, like maybe Simmons/Delgado/Teheran getting more and more playing time and improving on their already bright futures.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:01 pm
I root for the Braves. I support the Braves. I love the Braves. It means a lot to me for the Braves to win.
My joy in life does not depend on the Braves winning. If yours does, you may need to get a real life.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
12:01 pm
Haters hate, that’s what they do best.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
12:01 pm
The big, big question is — Is Fredi enough of a Booby Cox clone – that he will go on and continue to play him no matter what??????
Ummmmm… Constanza ‘11. Enough said.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:02 pm
Murph @12:00 –
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:04 pm
Heyward will be fine…I know this because Don has declaired him a bust.
George
March 13th, 2012
12:06 pm
Yup, game is on FOX SOUTH tommorrow night. Should be fun hearing CHIP trying to explain away spring training.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
12:09 pm
Well, the fish tacos (mahi-mahi, grilled) at Roger Dean Stadium ain’t bad. For $8.
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
12:09 pm
raleigh, I know, I’m just giving scoots a hard time.
Unbeknownst to you, I have a direct line to the 4-year-old and I have bribed her sufficiently that you might want to tread carefully with me, good buddy.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
12:12 pm
raleighbraves – My lottery number was 363. Didn’t need the deferment. Not a snowball’s chance in hell I was going to be drafted. Good thing, too. I would NOT have done well.
Bernie
March 13th, 2012
12:13 pm
Way to go Mr. Wrenn. Just sit back and watch your team lose early this year because they can’t hit period.
Veer
March 13th, 2012
12:13 pm
It would be a blessing in disguise if braves start out slow and fall out of contention so that way we can start rebuilding.
We need to trade Mac this year and get a bounty for him because as it is we wont be able to resign him. Bethancourt will be good in future.
We need to trade Heyward and Jurrjens this year as well.
Our biggest weakness is starting pitching.
We have no pitching.
Beachy was a one year wonder
Hanson is finished with his new arm delivery
Hudson is old and wont be fit for the reason
Minor is the only reliable pitcher we have
Jurrjens a big time bust.
Delgado and Teheran big time busts
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
12:15 pm
Our biggest weakness is starting pitching.
This is why I like to read posts from veer, LOL.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
12:18 pm
WLBB = Whiny Little Beyatch Brigade
Zing
March 13th, 2012
12:18 pm
Minor is the only reliable pitcher? Because he’s pitched okay in the first 2 ST games? Dude…
Lew
March 13th, 2012
12:19 pm
Veer – You’re still and idiot.
BravePack
March 13th, 2012
12:21 pm
See leave it to DOB to put something positive in the dreary blog…the Mahi tacos are good. Life is not all bad in Braves world. I’m not going to give up on this team even if they win 1 game the rest of ST.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:22 pm
Lew – I would have gone if called, but I would have been a poor soldier.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
12:25 pm
Why am I the only one who gets it? It’s not the players or the coaches… it’s those damn new uniforms that they have yet to wear!
Burn ‘em! Burn ‘em all!
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:26 pm
Veer – You couldn’t be that big a moron, so you must just be a trouble maker.
Trader Jack
March 13th, 2012
12:27 pm
March 1969 – Graduating and moving on to grad school. I remember the funerals, two friends coming home in body bags, and a couple more from overdoses. Strange times indeed.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:27 pm
Murph – And those ugly red ones caused the collapse in September. You may be on to something. (actually, I think I like the new unis).
noleee
March 13th, 2012
12:30 pm
Don’t be dissin’ my red unis
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:30 pm
TJ – Yeah, Viet Nam killed over 50,000, and messed up even more young lives. 2nd most useless, unjustified war in US history.
Scot
March 13th, 2012
12:31 pm
Call me crazy, but in the picture above, Chipper looks fat. He needs to drop 20 lbs to take the load off his knees.
Scot
March 13th, 2012
12:31 pm
Call me crazy, but in the picture above, Chipper looks fat. He needs to drop 20 lbs to take the load off his knees.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:31 pm
noleee – If you like them….well, OK. Not my taste.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:32 pm
Here we go with “picture makes Chipper look fat” stuff again.
Monty
March 13th, 2012
12:33 pm
I usually don’t put much stock into what happens in ST. ST for me has been over the years more about watching the young guys who are trying to make a name for themselves, the Heywards, the Schafers, trying to earn a spot onto the roster, or a rookie pitcher winning a spot(Brandon Beachy last year). I can’t tell you any of the Braves past ST records. ST was more interesting in the past for me hearing about some of the golf outings when the Big 3 were here. In the past if Chipper or Crime Dog or Sheffield didn’t hit so well, big freaking deal. But this team has me worried, especially after the “Collapse.” Is what’s happening so far this ST some anomally or does it have roots in September of last season? Time will tell. But I think even the most optimist among us have to admit this ST seems pretty wierd. Every day seems like groundhog day, just like coming down the wire in Sept. when every optimist on here was saying “No way we don’t make the playoffs”, but we didn’t.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
12:33 pm
raleighbravefan, March 13th, 2012, 12:30 pm … “2nd most useless, unjustified war in US history. “
What’s number 1? Spanish-American War? War of 1812? Don’t leave us hanging.
Trader Jack
March 13th, 2012
12:34 pm
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:30 pm
TJ – Yeah, Viet Nam killed over 50,000, and messed up even more young lives. 2nd most useless, unjustified war in US history.
Yep – the ones that came home, the stories they told, after getting really drunk, are pretty horrific
noleee
March 13th, 2012
12:34 pm
hmm. Chipper came to ST 10 or so pounds less than usual, but this year he is fat all of a sudden?
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
12:36 pm
Who do the Braves lose to today? Er … I mean play today?
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
12:38 pm
I had a friend who used to say, “Fall behind early. That way, you’ve got plenty of time to catch up.”
If the Braves are truly playing as awfully as “people” seem to think, they’ve got time to fix it. Better than play well and collapse in September.
BravePack
March 13th, 2012
12:41 pm
Just because these guys aren’t hitting in ST doesn’t mean it will translate to the regular season. There are too many good players on this team, they may not look like it right now but it will get better…please believe me.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
12:41 pm
monty – NO, we didn’t make the playoffs. We missed by a single game. We must have been complete morons for being optimistic enough to believe the Braves could have won twelve games in September instead of ten.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
12:41 pm
abeee, you got that right… I’ll take last season in reverse… collapse now, then start April the way they ended August and all will be well.
Scot
March 13th, 2012
12:42 pm
Fredi needs to lock up the clubhouse frig to keep Chipper out.
George
March 13th, 2012
12:42 pm
RED SOX have recovered from thier colapse why can’t we?
Lew
March 13th, 2012
12:44 pm
George – No one has recovered from anything until they start to play the regular season and show what they’re made of.
As has been mentioned here once or twice over the past week – on Day One of the regular season, everyone’s record starts at 0-0.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
12:45 pm
And, what exactly is the problem?
Braves are built to win with pitching. Even if all the “ifs” end up as “yes’s”, Braves aren’t likely to score more than 4.5 runs per game. I’d say 4 runs per game would be loverly.
Questions on the pitching … so far …
Hudson … back … when will he back? will he be the same pitcher? better? worse?
Jurrjens … knee … did his nu shooz fix the problem? was his 2009 and first half of 2011 a fluke?
Hanson … shoulder, new delivery, concussion … will he be ready for opening day? will his shoulder blow up during the season?
Beachy … one year wonder? or legitimate ml pitcher?
Minor … can the polished college lefty be a legitimate starter in the ml?
Medlen … is his 13-3 (or whatever) record a fluke? how does this guy keep winning?
Delgado … is he really a top prospect?
Teheran … is he really a top prospect?
Vizcaino … how much longer will he put off TJ surgery?
Lowe … Cleveland doesn’t have a give-back program?
Kawakami … He’s not our problem either, right?
George
March 13th, 2012
12:45 pm
Lew:12:41
Think we had 8 wins in Sept.
George
March 13th, 2012
12:47 pm
Think the reason we still are in colapse mode is we still have same MGR. SOX have new leader.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
12:47 pm
No – we went 10-20
Ease
March 13th, 2012
12:49 pm
Wow, the Red Sox are doing better than the Braves in practice games. Holy Moly.
George
March 13th, 2012
12:50 pm
Let me look again thought we were 8-18.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
12:50 pm
Besides – had we won two more games we would have made the playoffs.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
12:51 pm
On the offense …
1. Bourn … doing OK so far
2. Prado … tearing it up
3. Chipper … filing retirement papers? will he play 20 games? will he play well despite the pain?
4. McCann … not hitting much in ST? is he done?
5. Uggla … doing OK, where’s the power?
6. Freeman … knee injury, a weak behind everyone, sophomore slump emerging?
7. Heyward … new swing, injury free? how long will it take to get his muscle memory fixed?
8. Pastornicky … yikes! no hitting, no defense (bring on Wilson or Simmons)
Bench
1. Diaz … yikes!
2. Hinske … at least he’s hitting for power
And there’s the biggest rub so far … where’s the power? Tigers hit more bombs in one inning of one game than Braves have hit extra base hits.
Wow
March 13th, 2012
12:51 pm
Ha! Like the Red Sox won’t do better than the Braves in the regular season also.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:52 pm
George – Yeah, Fredi can’t hit OR pitch worth a darn.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
12:52 pm
I do think that the collapse will take a toll to some extent this season.
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
12:53 pm
Anybody know anything about mlb app for Iphone and why I can’t get audio for today’s game right now? Also, not showing on the Braves site that there is going to be gameday availability. That stinks. How’s a girl to follow the game while at work without those???
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
12:53 pm
If the Rev doesn’t get right and Chipper retires, there’s no way Heyward goes to AAA. Braves couldn’t fix three holes at once.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
12:54 pm
nybody know anything about mlb app for Iphone and why I can’t get audio for today’s game right now?
The game is about 10 minutes from starting. No audio till the beginning of the broadcast.
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
12:54 pm
Okay, so maybe the audio will start when the game does, and looks like I can get gameday on my phone, too. Jeez
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:55 pm
abeee – I’m NOT going to get into a political discussion. Let’s just say I was thinking of more recent history. End of comment on that subject.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
12:55 pm
there is no way Heyward goes to AAA no matter what happens
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
12:58 pm
noleee – You’re probably right, but they did send McLouth down for a week (wouldda been longer, except for injuries).
George
March 13th, 2012
1:01 pm
Lew and I both wrong, baseball reference we were 9-18. ralighbravesfan the RED SOX are 6-2 this spring the MGR does make a difference. Also FREDI could not play well when he did play. In 6 minor league seasons he was a lifetime .197 hitter.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:01 pm
Let’s just say I was thinking of more recent history.
I figured as much, and I was just goosing you. Not trying to say anything political.
But I will post some lyrics …
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y’all
War, huh, good God
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
Ohhh, war, I despise
Because it means destruction
Of innocent lives
War means tears
To thousands of mothers eyes
When their sons go to fight
And lose their lives
I said, war, huh
Good God, y’all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain’t nothing
But a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Ooooh, war
It’s an enemy to all mankind
The point of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest
Within the younger generation
Induction then destruction
Who wants to die
Aaaaah, war-huh
Good God y’all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it, say it, say it
War, huh
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again y’all
War, huh, good God
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain’t nothing but a heartbreaker
War, it’s got one friend
That’s the undertaker
Ooooh, war, has shattered
Many a young mans dreams
Made him disabled, bitter and mean
Life is much to short and precious
To spend fighting wars these days
War can’t give life
It can only take it away
Ooooh, war, huh
Good God y’all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain’t nothing but a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Peace, love and understanding
Tell me, is there no place for them today
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord knows there’s got to be a better way
Ooooooh, war, huh
Good God y’all
What is it good for
You tell me
Say it, say it, say it, say it
War, huh
Good God y’all
What is it good for
Stand up and shout it
Nothing
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:03 pm
I do think that the collapse will take a toll to some extent this season.
Kind of like trying to play after an injury. Has it really healed? Will that part collapse unexpectedly (like it did when it was injured)?
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:05 pm
bg4 … I’ve got audio now.
Ease
March 13th, 2012
1:08 pm
The Braves need to turn it up a notch and win the Grapefruit League title…otherwise, this Spring Training will have been deemed a complete and utter failure. THAT is completely on mgmt and front office.
Tim
March 13th, 2012
1:08 pm
Freddi on probation FIRE HIS ASS.
Mixxo
March 13th, 2012
1:08 pm
Good start!
3 pitches…..one strikeout.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:08 pm
Bourn strikes out to start the game. Fish own us!
Runnin
March 13th, 2012
1:09 pm
We have a good history against Zambrano.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:10 pm
Prado rolls to third for the second out. Close play.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
1:10 pm
Hanley made nice bare-hand play (probably didn’t need to, but it was impressive), catching Prado grounder near 3rd and throwing to 1st.
1-2-3 inning for Braves in 1st
Mixxo
March 13th, 2012
1:10 pm
We just need to get under Big Z’s skin……works every time.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:11 pm
McCann flies out softly. 3 up, 3 down.
George
March 13th, 2012
1:11 pm
Ease 1:08
We may have been mathmaticly elimiated already.
Monty
March 13th, 2012
1:11 pm
Lew
I never said anyone was a moron for thinking we could make the playoffs. Obviously if you had to bet you would have bet that they would. But my point was all the optimist(and I hesitate to even use that word because it doesn’t really take an optimist to believe that your team won’t win more than 10 games out of their last 30, but I used it so I’ll stick with it) thinking won’t help your team win and all the pessimistic thinking won’t hurt them. Personally, I believed we wouldn’t make the playoffs when Kimbrell blew the save against St. Louis, but that’s beside the point. People are right (in my view) to be concerned about this ST. I realize everyone starts even at the gun but to not be concerned now is IMO just like being unconcerned last Sept. Maybe we win big in April, we can hope for the best, but realistically I wouldn’t bet on it, not based upon ST, would you?
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
1:13 pm
Anybody else hoping for a Carlos Zambrano meltdown?
Duke
March 13th, 2012
1:14 pm
Sounds like we should just trade everyone and start over from what most on here have said. If you’re going to be negative now, then don’t jump on the bandwagon later in the actual season when we are in first place in the division. Patience fools
Lew
March 13th, 2012
1:16 pm
Monty – I don’t know, but I think I’ll take my chances that the Braves are better in a month then they are after their starting pitchers having pitched 8 innings (or less), their hitters hit more than 10-30 at bats and half their team being comprised of minor league players not likely to see the ML roster this year and not playing two games a day with half of their regular team playing in each.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
1:17 pm
Yeah, I mean, c’mon! Look around Braves fans! Same old problems, just a different month.
Example 1: starting pitchers can’t get past the 2nd or 3rd inning! It’s ridiculous! Fredi’s going to have an overworked pen by mid-May at this rate. C’mon!
Huh? What’s that? Starters… limited innings…
Oh.
Well, still… I mean… c’mon!
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
1:17 pm
George – Let’s see….Red Sox have a better record in the first 10 games of ST than the Braves…Conclusion…Must be the manager…Yep, there are no other variables there, so it’s definitely Fredi.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
1:18 pm
Minor struck out 1st two, then Pastornicky made nice play going to right, to knee, then throwing out Hanley at 1st
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
1:18 pm
good start on the defense and pitching at least. Now lets score in #2!!!
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:18 pm
Minor gets ‘em 1-2-3. Ramirez out on a grounder to short (The Rev). Low through to first is dug out.
beekay
March 13th, 2012
1:19 pm
I’m still giving it another 5-7 games before I start to panic
Mixxo
March 13th, 2012
1:20 pm
Duke -
Huh?
Being a 40+ year fan gives me the “right” to do WTF I want. If they suck, I’ll say they suck and you’ll deal with it.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
1:20 pm
abee – I didn’t mean to imply you were getting political…just wanted to be sure I didn’t after getting sucked in by beekay one day. Rules of the blog, you know. And that song is almost always appropriate.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:21 pm
Uggla strikes out looking.
DS1
March 13th, 2012
1:22 pm
Patience grasshoppers…………..
It’s still early…………
It’s a marathon, not a sprint………..
(just thought I’d add my 2 cents worth today)
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:22 pm
Freeman flies out deep to CF on the first pitch.
Powder Blue
March 13th, 2012
1:23 pm
I’ll never understand the Chipper-hate.
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
1:23 pm
Bourn has looked really good this spring.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:23 pm
Diaz strikes out looking. another 1-2-3 inning.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
1:24 pm
Texted with Chipper today, and he clarified that he didn’t mean the “I don’t know if I can make it through this year” comment literally. Said he’d never walk out on team during season, much less during spring training.
Duke
March 13th, 2012
1:24 pm
Mixxo-
Do what you want. It just makes you look like an idiot when you say the Braves suck through the first 12 or so games of “Spring TRAINING” and then when they are playing well in the season you take back your ignorant comments.
That’s what is wrong with our fans; some can only support them through the good times and then trash them when the going gets tough. Be a real fan and support them through it all.
DS1
March 13th, 2012
1:24 pm
Does being a Braves fan for 45 years give me the right to be an ass hole? Just curious….
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
1:24 pm
Maybe we win big in April, we can hope for the best, but realistically I wouldn’t bet on it, not based upon ST, would you?
Ask me April 2. Anything sooner, and one would be relying on faulty data.
Not that such a thing stops anyone here, LOL. Me, I haven’t seen a single AB or pitch this spring, and I don’t know that anyone here has seen much more. I haven’t seen what players are working on, what they need to work on, or anything in-between. How can I be concerned about a meaningless ST win-loss record when I haven’t seen any of the stuff that actually is meaningful?
Frankly, if one thinks these guys are bust, to start with, this ST start just feeds one’s confirmation bias. But If one thinks the players actually are who they have been in the past, then the thought of ST scoreboard watching brings a chuckle, but not much else.
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
1:24 pm
DS1, take your positive attitude and go elsewhere.. there’s no room for that kind of talk on here!
Murph
March 13th, 2012
1:26 pm
I’m still giving it another 5-7 games before I start to panic
I’m giving it April… if they have only one win for the month of April, then yeah, time to panic.
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
1:26 pm
DOB, thanks for the clarification but I never really thought he’d do that either.
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
1:26 pm
Time to head for home – enjoy the game – be back in 5 hours or so…
DS1
March 13th, 2012
1:26 pm
But, but, but………..
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
1:28 pm
No buts
Fols
March 13th, 2012
1:28 pm
No way I could see him walking……he’s gotta pick his words better though. I want to see him exit on his terms on a more positive note. That article ran and it just sounded like he was already dead.
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
1:28 pm
amazing how delayed the radio is when compared with gameday.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:28 pm
Minor walks Morrison to start the bottom of the 2nd.
Uggla-Pastornicky-Freeman erases the walk on the next pitch.
Mixxo
March 13th, 2012
1:29 pm
Duke -
Huh?
I haven’t said it yet Boss.
Patience!
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
1:29 pm
You need some time to reflect on that attitude and come back when your more downtrodden.
ncgary
March 13th, 2012
1:30 pm
wayne i dont think being a braves fan has anything to do with that
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
1:30 pm
Duke – Some of us stay on the band wagon, rain or shine…some jump off and on (kinda like UNC fans), and somejust hurl insults from the sidelines. In spite of the irritation factor, I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion.
CB
March 13th, 2012
1:30 pm
I am one of Chipper’s biggest fans, but sometimes best to keep mouth shut. Loose lips sink ships.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:30 pm
DS1, March 13th, 2012, 1:24 pm, … “Does being a Braves fan for 45 years give me the right to be an ass hole?”
I don’t think “Da Sensitive Ass Hole” has quite the sound you’re looking for.
Meanwhile, Minor strikes out Buck to end the second.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
1:31 pm
After Morrison leadoff walk, Braves Minor induces GIDP by Sanchez and strikes out Buck to end 2nd.
Duke
March 13th, 2012
1:31 pm
Minor has been a pleasant surprise this spring. I think him and one of either Teheran/Delgado need the confidence of a good spring more than anyone else. If Minor can pitch well then our staff should be really solid.
DS1
March 13th, 2012
1:32 pm
As Arnold S said in the terminator, “I’ll be back!”
Duke
March 13th, 2012
1:33 pm
Mixxo-
Good news, let’s keep the positive thoughts going for the Bravos. I’m staying positive through this miserable spring so far. I think we will start to reel off a few wins here soon.
DS1
March 13th, 2012
1:33 pm
But I can be soooooooooooo good at it…….
Later folks
Bo Graves!
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:34 pm
Heyward strikes out swinging on a 3-2 pitch. 1 down.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
1:35 pm
JHey SO. Another quick inning by Z.
ncgary
March 13th, 2012
1:35 pm
if you answer a question truthfully are you really insulting
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:35 pm
The Rev grounds to the pitcher. 2 outs.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
1:35 pm
scoots @1:24 – As usually, you pretty much nail it.
Fols
March 13th, 2012
1:36 pm
I don’t know what’s worse, following on Gameday or our bats?
Gameday showed that it was in-between innings, by the time it refreshed we had 2 outs…
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:36 pm
Constanza lines out to Zambrano (the crack sounded like it was hit pretty well).
No hits through 2.5.
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
1:37 pm
Lets hope Minor can go toe to toe with Zambrano in this duel.
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
1:38 pm
Clay (Charlotte)
Bold Prediction: Around June, Chipper will lead a coop to overthrow Fredi, becoming the first player/manager in a few decades. By having his middle hitters actually hit the ball instead of bunt, the Braves actually make the Wildcard.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:39 pm
After the first out of the third, a soft liner over the Rev results in the game’s first hit.
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
1:39 pm
Don’t have a calendar in front of me, when is opening night? I have a trip planned July 28th thru Aug 3rd to Atlanta. Going to take in the series against the Phils.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
1:41 pm
I’d trade a bad ST and a bad April for a good SEP and OCT.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:41 pm
Fly out to Diaz in LF for out #2.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:42 pm
Almost an error on Freeman, but the ball is called foul.
Tim
March 13th, 2012
1:43 pm
Heyward will be in minors this year has not since doing that comercial breaking windows.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
1:43 pm
Minor’s curve is dancing today.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:44 pm
I guess the third out is recorded, as I’ve lost audio.
Efrim
March 13th, 2012
1:46 pm
“I was kidding. I just got done playing eight innings with three at-bats. I was a little tired. I wasn’t by any means suggesting I couldn’t make it through the season. If I didn’t think that I could, I wouldn’t be out there.”
Same old stuff from Chipper. Love the guy, but he gets himself into these situations. He isn’;t retiring. In fact, I still think there is a fair chance he plays in 2013. Just needs 123 games, and 9 million dollars isn’t pocket change.
Rick
March 13th, 2012
1:47 pm
Bourn lead off walk, followed by Martin groundball single through the left side
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:47 pm
Bourn walks to lead off the fourth.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
1:47 pm
Martin continues with his good ST. Another hit.
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
1:47 pm
Right there with ya, Kwajbraves
Come on with a double, Marteeen!
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:48 pm
Prado gets the first Brave hit (big surprise). 1st and 2nd with no one out.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 13th, 2012
1:48 pm
abwright 4. McCann … not hitting much in ST? is he done?
I hope you’re not serious…He’s only 28, I think he’s got a ways to go before anyone could ask “is he done?”…
Besides, historically his his better offensive seasons have followed crummy Spring Trainings…
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
1:48 pm
or that will work. get ‘em on, get ‘em over and get ‘em in.
I’d take a Mac double or jack here.
Rick
March 13th, 2012
1:48 pm
McCann RBI single. Prado at third.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
1:49 pm
McCann RBI single. 1-0
Ease
March 13th, 2012
1:49 pm
Bourne walks and Prado singles.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
1:49 pm
McCann RBI single puts Braves up 1-0
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
1:49 pm
Go Mac!!
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:50 pm
McCann gets a single that rolls into the Marlins bullpen on a 3-0 pitch.
Bourn scores, Prado to third.
Braves lead 1-0, no one out.
CB
March 13th, 2012
1:51 pm
Yay! Braves lead! World Series,here we come!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 13th, 2012
1:51 pm
YAY, BMAC!!!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 13th, 2012
1:52 pm
Ease is waaay behind the times…
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
1:52 pm
Common Uggla.
Rick
March 13th, 2012
1:52 pm
Uggla SO on a full count breaking ball.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:53 pm
Uggla strikes out swinging on a 3-2 breaking ball.
Rick
March 13th, 2012
1:53 pm
3-6-3 DP off Freeman to end the inning.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
1:53 pm
DP. Sigh!
CB
March 13th, 2012
1:55 pm
Arrgh! Last place here we come!
Ease
March 13th, 2012
1:55 pm
Wow, BethanFann full of vinegar today.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
1:55 pm
Never seen a team that kills more rallys like the Braves.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:55 pm
Freeman GIDP ends the threat.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:, March 13th, 2012, 1:48 pm … “I hope you’re not serious [that McCann is done]…He’s only 28, …”
Exactly. Same for all the veterans. Calling them done based on two weeks of ST is absurd. But, that’s what the Weary Drearies are doing.
DAP
March 13th, 2012
1:55 pm
im actually surprised a 40 year baseball fan would suggest this team sucks. must not be very perceptive.
i like the stories about the braves maybe being trouble. we know there is no way they lose 100 games, or whatever, and being favored to be really good doesnt usually do much for you. under the radar is fine with me. (by the way, we arent THAT for under the radar or no one would be talking about us being 1-10 either. everyone knows this is a good team)
BravePack
March 13th, 2012
1:56 pm
Yup really, really slumping right now. 1st and 3rd none out and only get 1 run. A strikeout and double play with the heart of the order is about right. Get it all out in ST because I’m tired of seeing it during the regular season.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:56 pm
Fly out to Bourn in deep CF for the first out of the fourth.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
1:59 pm
Pastornicky with his second strong play against Hanley, fields a short-hop and then bounces a throw to 1st and Freeman snags anyway
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
1:59 pm
Ramirez grounds out to the Rev at SS. Good play to get the ball, low throw to first (again) dug out by Freeman for out #2.
Rick
March 13th, 2012
2:00 pm
Marlins go down in order
JoeFan
March 13th, 2012
2:00 pm
Prediction: Pendleton to takeover for Gonzales by the All-Star break. Braves rally from last in the division to finish in third and Pendleton is given a two year extension.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
2:00 pm
Another quick inning by Minor.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:01 pm
Third out recorded on a fly ball to CF. 4 good innings by Minor.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
2:01 pm
perfect 4th inning for Minor, strong outing for Braves lefty — 1 H, 1 W, 4 K’s in four scoreless
Murph
March 13th, 2012
2:02 pm
So far this has been a Bizarro ST. Everything is backwards.
Minor is pitching well, Hinske is the team’s only power hitter, etc.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
2:03 pm
Minor has been consistantly good so far.
Gotta tip your hat……yeah, I said it. But it was about our guys.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 13th, 2012
2:03 pm
abwright—
OK, sorry.
I figgered you were kidding, but I just wanted to be sure… 
Ease Wow, BethanFann full of vinegar today.
Really? I wouldn’t know…
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:03 pm
Bell to pitch to Diaz for the fifth.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
2:06 pm
Where JHey swing has gone? Another SO
Rick
March 13th, 2012
2:06 pm
Heyward SO swinging for the second time this game.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
2:06 pm
Time to give Heyward a day off to work with the new hitting coaches.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:07 pm
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:, March 13th, 2012, 2:03 pm … “I figgered you were kidding, but I just wanted to be sure…”
Whenever I post anything “Dreary Weary” related to about McCann, I just seem to amp it up for your benefit. Only a maroon would think that a non-injured McCann isn’t going to hit.
Meanwhile, Diaz grounds out weakly to second and Heyward strikes out swinging.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:08 pm
The Rev flies out to RF to end the inning.
Little Big Man Meds on to pitch the fifth for the Bravos.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
2:09 pm
Bell pitches perfect 5th for #Marlins, strikes out out Heyward (swinging, looked like slider) before Pastornicky flies out to end inning
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
2:09 pm
I like Medlin.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
2:10 pm
You go, Minor….I LOVE it….Haters can stew.
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
2:10 pm
Jimmy, Medli is a drag racer. Mede is our new pitcher.
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
2:11 pm
The strikeouts this spring has been alarmly high.
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
2:11 pm
Okay, that was supposed to be Medlen, not Mede. Stupid wordpress
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:12 pm
Bloop hit to start the fifth.
The Atlanta Bears Are...
March 13th, 2012
2:13 pm
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Rosenthal-Atlanta-Braves-Fredi-Gonzalez-contending-with-slow-spring-start-Chipper-Jones-questions-031212
Ken Rosenthal: The rumblings seem to be going past this blog. Fredi on probation? Braves have enough?
Rick
March 13th, 2012
2:13 pm
“The strikeouts this spring has been alarmly high.”
They are at least leading all teams in walks.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:13 pm
Soft liner to CF for the first out.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 13th, 2012
2:14 pm
abwright Only a maroon would think that a non-injured McCann isn’t going to hit.
True that…
And it’d be even better if he, ya know, wasn’t batting third…
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
2:14 pm
bravesgirl4life – Oops. Thought abeee was referring to Medlen. Just trying to add some humor to the old blog.
Positive #1 – Minor had another good performance.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:14 pm
Soft liner to RF from Rowand for the second out.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:15 pm
Fly ball to left of CF. Diaz hauls it in to complete Meds fifth.
Pastornicky, Simmons, Braves, Shortstop, Fantasy | FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball
March 13th, 2012
2:15 pm
[...] so far, also working in his favor are the glowing reviews by teammates like Chipper Jones, who was quoted as saying “He’s got it. He’s major league-ready defensively, there’s no doubt about that. [...]
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
2:16 pm
Murph, is it “dreary wearies” or “weary drearies”? I think I’ve confused myself.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:17 pm
Webb in for the Marlins. 9-1-2 for the Braves.
Disco Stew
March 13th, 2012
2:19 pm
ALew – Wren is the GM last we all checked. If he is not loyal to his manager he will keep him on a short leash should results fall short.
What part of that don’t you understand or seems implausible to you?
BTW – you are a painter/artist yes but also worked for the Braves FO for 10 years and prior to that a 40 year ML Scout.
Just checking.
Man what an ego. How many 2×4s are on you shoulders to hold that fat head up?
King of the AJC Braves Blog. A dubious title at best.
Yikes.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
2:19 pm
I’m a pout pout fish,
With a pout pout face,
I spread the dreary wearies,
All over the place.
blub,
bluuuuuuub,
BLUUUUUUUUUUUB!
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
2:19 pm
abeee – Thanks for the PBP.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:20 pm
Constanza hits another ball hard, right through the middle for a lead-off hit.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
2:20 pm
Constanza leadoff single in the Braves 6th, goes to 3rd on E1 attempted picked throw that sailed
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:20 pm
Errant pick off attempt allows Constanza to run all the way around to third.
Juan
March 13th, 2012
2:21 pm
Good opportunity to move the runner, or manufactured a run
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:21 pm
Bourn rolls out to second for the first out. No score by Constanza. Prado to the dish.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
2:23 pm
Man, we really need some speed. He should have scored from first. Now, he’ll just be stranded at third.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:23 pm
I’m a pout pout fish,
With a pout pout face,
That so describes Sea Bass from his Marlins days.
Juan
March 13th, 2012
2:24 pm
Wow…we can’t take the ball out the infield
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:24 pm
Prado grounds out to Ramirez. Constanza anchored at third. McCann to the plate.
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
2:25 pm
Michael (Atlanta )
How much do you read into the Braves horrible start this spring, as well as Jason Heyward’s continued plate struggles?
David Schoenfield (2:14 PM)
Not concerned yet, especially with Heyward. What, 25 at-bats so far? In big, bold letter, let’s all say it: DON’T OVERREACT TO SPRING TRAINING NUMBERS, GOOD OR BAD.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:25 pm
McCann thumps a ball out to the gap, but Rowand tracks it down.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
2:25 pm
Stew – You sound about as relevent as, well, DISCO. The 70’s are calling you.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:25 pm
Let me add, “Blub, Blub, Bluuuuub.”
Murph
March 13th, 2012
2:25 pm
Man, we really need some speed. He should have scored from first. Now, he’ll just be stranded at third.
You do realize he would have been stranded at 2nd if not for his speed… right?
Juan
March 13th, 2012
2:25 pm
History will be make in MLB with the First Manager Fire on the ST
BravePack
March 13th, 2012
2:26 pm
Wow a runner at 3rd with none out and they fail to score him again. When it’s bad…it is bad! This team really lacks doing the fundamental things it needs to do to win.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:27 pm
Meds continues into the sixth.
Juan
March 13th, 2012
2:27 pm
Heyward will be send to AAA Gwinnet and they will be a big trade before Season open.
Ease
March 13th, 2012
2:28 pm
Shoulda bunted right there.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:28 pm
Medlen strikes out the first Fish of the sixth.
Soph
March 13th, 2012
2:29 pm
Fire Spring Training.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:29 pm
When you’re bunting in the fifth, with the lead, to get a runner in from third, you have really given up on playing baseball.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:30 pm
3-2 liner through the box to put a runner on first.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:31 pm
Grounder to Meds, quick throw to second base to Uggla, relay to first for the double play. End of the sixth.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:32 pm
Fire Spring Training.
That’s a bit harsh. Why not try sending Spring Training to AAA to work on its swing?
Juan
March 13th, 2012
2:32 pm
The only big off season acquisition was Two (2) hitting coach and look what happen…wow…wow
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
2:32 pm
Murph – Stop being logical with your post.
Gets real annoying.
Tim
March 13th, 2012
2:32 pm
Runner on 3rd nobody out there is no Brave that could hit SF.Five more weeks of spring training so we can get it down. FIRE Taco Bell.
Soph
March 13th, 2012
2:33 pm
Nope, abeeewright. Spring Training is old and fat. Shoot it and put it out of its misery.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:33 pm
Webb gives up a quick hit to Uggla. Why couldn’t that have happened last inning?
Monty
March 13th, 2012
2:34 pm
Why not try sending Spring Training to AAA to work on its swing?
Or trade him to KC. He’s sure to improve there!
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:36 pm
Freeman grounds out to Sanchez at first (great play by S. to rob Freeman of a hit). Uggla moves over to second. (That would have scored Constanza last inning as well.)
Diaz with a chance to get Uggla home.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
2:37 pm
Murph – Stop being logical with your post.
Gets real annoying.
I know, logic is very uncharacteristic of me. Much like Heyward hitting the ball in any direction but straight up.
Unlike Heyward, though, I will make my adjustments and be back to 2010-forum form in no time.
Blub, bluuuuub, bluuuuuuuuuub.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:38 pm
Diaz flies out for the second out.
Heyward to the plate.
Ease
March 13th, 2012
2:38 pm
But Spring Training still likes the donuts…
Ease
March 13th, 2012
2:39 pm
Heyward walks up with an automatic 0-2 count.
Extra Extra
March 13th, 2012
2:40 pm
Wow on the front page of Foxsports.com, story about Fredi and the Braves problems!
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:41 pm
Heyward grounds out to first to end the inning.
Juan
March 13th, 2012
2:42 pm
Extra;;;;Yeah we’re the joke of the Grapefruit League
Murph
March 13th, 2012
2:42 pm
Wow on the front page of Foxsports.com, story about Fredi and the Braves problems!
Good thing Fredi doesn’t know how to read.
Soph
March 13th, 2012
2:43 pm
While we’re at it, fire grapefruits too. So sour.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:44 pm
Soph, March 13th, 2012, 2:33 pm … “Shoot it and put it out of its misery.”
“They shoot Spring Trainings, don’t they?”
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
2:45 pm
At least we know what are we getting with Heyward: SOs and weak grounder to first.
Monty
March 13th, 2012
2:46 pm
“Heyward grounds out to first to end the inning”
Not to worry, groundballs turn to linedrive singles come regular season. I am thankful he at least hit the doggone thing. Keep’n it positive..
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:46 pm
Ramirez leads off with a ground rule double off Varvaro.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
2:48 pm
Tie 1-1.
Monty
March 13th, 2012
2:49 pm
Murph-”Good thing Fredi doesn’t know how to read.
I knew you had to have thick skin to manage,.and I guees selective reading is helpful too.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:49 pm
Morrison doubles to score Ramirez and tie the game.
Blub. Bluuub. Bluuuuuuuuuub.
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
2:49 pm
Well, shoot. here we go again
TDub
March 13th, 2012
2:50 pm
Fun facts: The Braves spring training record in 1994 was 20-9. In 1995, it was 3-8 (shortened because of the strike).
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:51 pm
Varvaro to Prado at third to gun down the lead runner.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
2:52 pm
Throwin error runner on 3rd. Nothing is going right for us lately.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:53 pm
Pinch runner steals second. Errant throw into CF allows the runner to go to third.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
2:53 pm
2-1. Miami. Sigh!
ColoradoBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
2:53 pm
This game is exactly what makes me angry about the braves offense. Two times the Braves have a runner on third with NO OUTS and we score zero runs. Then other team gets a couple hard hit balls and bam tie game late.
Rick
March 13th, 2012
2:54 pm
It seems like every ST game so far where the Braves get a lead, some minor league pitcher comes in and gives it up.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:54 pm
Another double over Constanza’s head gives the Marlins the lead.
Patrick
March 13th, 2012
2:55 pm
Well, it’s looking like Greg Walker is turning out to be an excellent choice as hitting coach
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:56 pm
This is why O’Ventbrel will get over-worked in 2012.
Rowand strikes out for the second out in the seventh.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:57 pm
Wild pitch moves the runner over to third.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:58 pm
Walk puts runners at first and third.
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
2:58 pm
Wow a runner at 3rd with none out and they fail to score him again.
Hey, even I will say that, with a runner at 3B and no outs, you oughta be able to get that guy in, if just by accident, LOL.
Ease
March 13th, 2012
2:59 pm
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
I mean, shouldn’t the Marlins let the Braves win just this once? A confidence builder?
Morosi is just being an ass now…
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
2:59 pm
Hey, cheer up according to FG we are few bloop hits away to break it open.
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
2:59 pm
Who is pitching right now? I had to do some work with a computer illiterate customer.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
2:59 pm
Steal of second.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
3:00 pm
Anthony Varvaro is stinking it up for the Braves.
Soph
March 13th, 2012
3:01 pm
Morosi’s a buttface.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:01 pm
When are we playing the Astos again?
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
3:01 pm
Morosi is just being an ass now…
In other news, the sun rose in the east.
Jack Fate
March 13th, 2012
3:01 pm
DOB,
I imagine Heyward’s struggles are a topic of conversation. Wondering what Walker and Fletcher’s thoughts are on the matter, seeing as reports were so positive coming into camp.
At this point, you would have to think he starts season back in Minors to figure it out?
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
3:01 pm
Seems like AV is throwing a lot of breaking balls.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
3:02 pm
Walk to load the bases.
Braves Marketing Dept
March 13th, 2012
3:02 pm
And the regular season tickets are flying off to customers as we speak! The demand is sky-high to see this team!
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
3:02 pm
Varvaro trying to fill every box on his line, I see. Wowsah, LOL.
abeeewright
March 13th, 2012
3:03 pm
Pitching change. Cordier to come in and make it an unclimbable mountain for the braves offense … er … I mean get the final out of the seventh.
I’ve got to take a break.
Monty
March 13th, 2012
3:04 pm
Just need Mel Gibson to paint his face purple and come by the Braves clubhouse and deliver his Braveheart speech.to motivate the guys.
Fols
March 13th, 2012
3:04 pm
You know, a regular spring could have buried last year and started new.
Now, they are just building the pressure higher during meaningless games. Exactly what these guys didn’t want to happen. Lets take all the negatives from last year, mix in a pure pathetic training camp and see where it takes us.
Braves Marketing Dept
March 13th, 2012
3:05 pm
“Pitching change. Cordier to come in and make it an unclimbable mountain for the braves offense … er … I mean get the final out of the seventh.”
You do realize that quite often, 3 or 4 runs is an unclimbable mountain for the Braves offense. Right?
Fols
March 13th, 2012
3:06 pm
At this rate PeachTree TV might be better off with more Seinfeld re-runs.
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
3:07 pm
Just need Mel Gibson to paint his face purple and come by the Braves clubhouse and deliver his Braveheart speech.to motivate the guys.
I’d go with Viggo’s speech in Return Of The King. “But not this day.”
jeffrey d
March 13th, 2012
3:07 pm
I like Seinfeld reruns
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:07 pm
Glad to see that the Braves offseason no acquisitions are paying off.
Monty
March 13th, 2012
3:09 pm
You would think a blind hog could find a nut every now and then.
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
3:09 pm
Monty, that would depend on whether or not any of the Braves players are jewish.
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
3:10 pm
Maybe Fredo actually did read some of the stuff in the media. Still got the starters in there in the 8th.
jeffrey d
March 13th, 2012
3:10 pm
We don’t need Mel Gibson, just Fredi to give a closed doors speech that goes something like this
“Mankind.” That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it’s fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom… Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution… but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: “We will not go quietly into the night!” We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on! We’re going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:11 pm
Constanza goes to 3rd on throwing error. Didn’t we see this movie before?
DAP
March 13th, 2012
3:11 pm
Fols Now, they are just building the pressure higher during meaningless games
who are they building pressure for? the fans, maybe, but im not sure if they are building it on themselves. in what regular season situation does a pitcher throw a 1 hit shutout through 4 innings and get pulled? and do you think freddi will pitch varvaro in the 7th inning of a 1 run game in the regular season, or will he go to o’flarety.
guys, this isnt a real game.
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
3:12 pm
Marlins certainly have the art of the pickoff perfected, LOL.
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
3:12 pm
Get him in this time!!!
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
3:12 pm
Jeffery d, How about something more along these lines?
“There’s no crying in baseball!”
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
3:13 pm
“Pinch runner steals second. Errant throw into CF allows the runner to go to third.”
Who is the dingdong eatin’ numbletard behind the plate???
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:14 pm
Bourn SO but gets to 1B on WP.
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
3:14 pm
“guys, this isnt a real game”
Nonsense! That’s something someone would say about spring training.. oh wait…
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:15 pm
DP. Yep, we saw that movie. We are terrible.
DAP
March 13th, 2012
3:15 pm
We have some spots available on the DOB/MIB blog Fantasy team. Shoot me an email at daalper@yahoo.com if you want to join, and ill send you an invite!
BravePack
March 13th, 2012
3:15 pm
Here comes the DP. We all know it’s coming.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
3:16 pm
Holy…. crap. Might as well try to steal home from now on when we get a runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs. It’s their only chance.
Blub, bluuuub, bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuub.
ColoradoBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
3:16 pm
Why can’t the Braves hit a fly ball to the OF with a runner on 3rd? Three times today…come on Braves I am pulling for you but the Marlins are trying to give us runs… just take them.
BravePack
March 13th, 2012
3:16 pm
The baseball gods hate us. Who the f pissed somebody off to make this happen to Braves fans.
Ease
March 13th, 2012
3:16 pm
I would rather Mel Gibson to Bill Pullman…
Murph
March 13th, 2012
3:17 pm
We have some spots available on the DOB/MIB blog Fantasy team.
I’d join, but after winning two out of three leagues last season… well, there’s just nothing left to prove.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
3:17 pm
Fish in to pitch 8th for Braves, Terdo at 3rd, Durango in CF, Bethancourt catching, Sutton at 2B
ColoradoBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
3:19 pm
DOB…still OK after the fish tacos?
Ease
March 13th, 2012
3:19 pm
Thank god Bethancourt is finally in.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
3:19 pm
Prado grounded into DP to end 8th w/Constanza at 3rd after Constanza walked, went to 3rd on E1 pickoff (same as he did after single in 6th)
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:19 pm
Good throw by Diaz gets Dominguez on 2b but runner on 3b with 1 out.
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
3:19 pm
DAP, sent you an email.
Fols
March 13th, 2012
3:20 pm
DAP…I don’t believe major league players pretend these games don’t count for anything considering the circumstances of what plagued this team all of last season. We have an entire squad looking to improve this spring. This is no ordinary situation where you blindly play it out and laugh it off. Hitting is a legitimate concern on this club, as it was all of last year.
There’s pressure on these guys, you don’t participate in epic flops without eyes all over you. We’re all just hopeful when they do count, the boys come to play.
Ease
March 13th, 2012
3:20 pm
Murph, the sun shines on a dogs ass every now and then…
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
3:20 pm
DOB…still OK after the fish tacos?
Ha. Yes, I survived. So far.
DAP
March 13th, 2012
3:22 pm
Fols I don’t believe major league players pretend these games don’t count for anything considering the circumstances of what plagued this team all of last season.
then why didnt minor demand he be left in after throwing 4 1 hit innings?
and if the players arent acting like they dont count, the manager certainly is, pitching varvaro in the 7th up by only a run.
phil
March 13th, 2012
3:22 pm
Looks like I haven’t missed much today.
Or any other day since, oh, August 27th….
DAP
March 13th, 2012
3:22 pm
murph, yeah you better give someone else a chance.
BravePack
March 13th, 2012
3:23 pm
You would think a manager might have a great base-stealers running on the 1st pitch to stay out of a DP situation or at least a hit and run to make this sh!t stop with the way things have been going this spring.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:23 pm
Fish wiggled out.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
3:24 pm
Constanza did get to third twice, and nearly scored.
Let’s think positive.
phil
March 13th, 2012
3:25 pm
One of the major problems is that the boys HAVE come to play.
A large number of them, however, apparently can’t hit. If they can hit, most sure as hell can’t hit situationally.
The hall of famer out in right field is one of them. I’ve been screaming it from the mountain tops now for ages. I hate it, but nothing changes with him. He’s ruined.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
3:27 pm
Disco Stew – Apparently with all that experience, you still managed time for douchbag lessons. Apparently you got great grades.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:28 pm
People keep saying that ST is preparation for the season. We are ready for the season based at the number of stranded RISP. Pack up.
Rick
March 13th, 2012
3:29 pm
Bethancourt HR!
Murph
March 13th, 2012
3:29 pm
BE-FANN-COURT!!!
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:29 pm
Bentancourt HR. tie 2-2.
Pure Evil
March 13th, 2012
3:29 pm
Looks like another loss today.
Let me guess Heyward played another Heyward type game?
BravePack
March 13th, 2012
3:30 pm
Can Bethancourt play LF/RF?
Pure Evil
March 13th, 2012
3:30 pm
Must have taken Heyward out of the game!!
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
3:30 pm
DAP, we had to let him win our league.. you see how much he boo whooo’s on the blog. You could only imagine how bad it gets after he loses fantasy league.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:30 pm
Honestly, I can go for a tie today.
phil
March 13th, 2012
3:31 pm
It’s tied, pure evil….
but yes, Heyward is 0fer something…
Monty
March 13th, 2012
3:31 pm
I could care less so much about individual performances except that they all contribute to how the team performs. No heroes this spring, no timely hitting, or playing little ball and manufacturing runs, no real power outputs. Take away Prado and Minor’s performances and so far this has to go down as the most uninspiring ST ever. There is a culture of losing that has developed and everyone seems to adhere to it, like an unwritten code.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
3:31 pm
Pure Evil – No, we saw some improvement in Heyward. 1-3.
Two strikeouts and a grounder to first.
phil
March 13th, 2012
3:32 pm
Fire Rafael Belliard!!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 13th, 2012
3:32 pm
BravePack, ya’ll can blame me if you want. I don’t give a sh**. My wife blames me for everything anyways, I’m used to it.
Soph
March 13th, 2012
3:32 pm
Bethancourt HR!
Oh boy. Take cover, McFann.
phil
March 13th, 2012
3:32 pm
lol at Jimmy!
That’s mean, though…
Monty
March 13th, 2012
3:33 pm
Just when I was saying there were no heroes Bethancourt has to muddy the waters! LOL!
brian
March 13th, 2012
3:34 pm
great outing by Minor. He should be gaining more and more confidence. He is still the star of the spring to date
BravePack
March 13th, 2012
3:34 pm
Here comes another walk off loss…damn now these Braves are making me turn into a whiner….damn you Fredi!
Lew
March 13th, 2012
3:35 pm
Minor’s giving polished lefties a good name these days.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
3:35 pm
AT – Seems like Murph’s whole life is a fantasy.
Juan Valdez
March 13th, 2012
3:35 pm
Trade McFann,JJ,Hanson…..start allover again..Get a columbia cup off coffee
brian
March 13th, 2012
3:36 pm
I agree with the comment above that Heyward is the key. Chipper will be Chipper – he will play through his pain and be productive. Prado appears to be back. Bourn will hit .260-.280 and steal a ton of bases. McCann and Uggla should have All-Star type years or at least be very productive. Heyward must step it up and resume his patch to stardom instead of following the path of Frenchy
BravePack
March 13th, 2012
3:36 pm
CTB
My wife blames me too for everything so we’ll just blame each other…thanks a lot.
Bayou Brave
March 13th, 2012
3:37 pm
Come one Braves, let’s put one in the Tie Column!!
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
3:38 pm
Who the hell is Jason Rice?
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 13th, 2012
3:38 pm
Wren and JS have to be getting squirmy about now. Ticket sales and all.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 13th, 2012
3:38 pm
Soph Oh boy. Take cover, McFann.
Yeah…might be a good idea to catch up on other things right now…
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
3:39 pm
Bethancourt showing alot of grit.
Is there any question what Wren must do now?
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:39 pm
DP… One more inning.
beekay
March 13th, 2012
3:39 pm
Do we get a hockey point for a tie? If not I’d rather have a loss to get the board screaming louder
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 13th, 2012
3:40 pm
BravePack, well I got onto her the other day and I hope it got somewhat squared away. Just never know with women though …
ray k
March 13th, 2012
3:41 pm
Brian,
You think Uggla and Mac will likely have all star years?
I’d say the odds of even one of them making the all star game is about 40%
The rest I agree with you. It hinges on Jason.
RAM
March 13th, 2012
3:47 pm
wheres simmons ? pastornicky isnt doing good at all
Murph
March 13th, 2012
3:47 pm
DAP, we had to let him win our league.. you see how much he boo whooo’s on the blog. You could only imagine how bad it gets after he loses fantasy league.
Knickerbocker please! I won both leagues fair and square. I can’t help it that y’all are a bunch of homers, drafting Braves every chance you got… just look where that got ya.
I play to win, not to try and recreate a lineup that can’t drive a guy in from 3rd.
Pure Evil
March 13th, 2012
3:48 pm
If Heyward goes 4-4 in a game I’m sure he’ll make a E in the field to cause us the lose.
RAM
March 13th, 2012
3:51 pm
game ends in tie after 10 innings right ?
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
3:52 pm
So what’s going on in the game?
Someone give us an update.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:54 pm
Runner on 2b. 1 out
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
3:55 pm
I ask again (if anybody is there) …who the hell is Jason Rice?
brian
March 13th, 2012
3:55 pm
odds are still good McCann continues to make most all-star games for the next 3-4 years. As far as uggla goes, he will still be a very productive 2B for years and could easily make some all star games. I still would love to see Uggla in LF for 3-5 years
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:57 pm
Dominguez SO. 2 outs
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
3:59 pm
Rice hit his second batter in the inning. Runners 1B and 2B.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
3:59 pm
I’m with Murph…no more J Hey Kid stuff for Heyward. He’s got to earn that nickname.
Right now it’s Jason O’ferward. (as in 0 for)
Can’t believe I’m excited about watching the game tomorrow night. But I’ll be there watching.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
4:00 pm
you know, a regular spring could have buried last year and started new.
Now, they are just building the pressure higher during meaningless games…Fols
true that, a decent start would have gone a long ways to alleviate pressure, now it is building higher over meaningless games
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
4:00 pm
I don’t know who Jason Rice is but he sucks.
Kwajbraves
March 13th, 2012
4:01 pm
Braves tie, Braves tie, Braves tie…
bravesgrl4life
March 13th, 2012
4:02 pm
Well, at least it ain’t a loss.
BravePack
March 13th, 2012
4:02 pm
There we go a tie and now the turnaround begins…;)
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
4:03 pm
raleigh – Never heard of him, but here is what I found:
Braves signed RHP Jason Rice to a minor league contract.He’ll also get an invite to spring training. Rice, 25, is now with his fourth organization since the end of August. He posted a 3.69 ERA and 89/42 K/BB ratio over 85 1/3 innings this season with Triple-A Pawtucket in the Red Sox organization.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:04 pm
Braves don’t lose, Braves don’t lose, Braves don’t lose!
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
4:05 pm
Dolphins have traded Brandon Marshall to the Bears for Two 3rd round draft picks.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:05 pm
Thanks, Jimmy…I was too lazy to Google it myself.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
4:06 pm
Jason is one half of the Rice and Fish dish being served out of the pen
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:07 pm
Houston beat the Phillies
New Mexico Lee
March 13th, 2012
4:07 pm
The losing streak has been replaced by a winless streak. Woo Hoo W.S. here we come.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
4:08 pm
too lazy to Google? That’s pretty lazy
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:08 pm
noleee – Funny. He should change his name to Grits.
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
4:08 pm
Houston beat the Phillies
The Phightens are 5-6 for the spring, so it’s obvious that they’re cooked.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
4:08 pm
Big improvement today
Arkansas Transplant
March 13th, 2012
4:11 pm
Murph, I think that’s the only reason why me and you went 1 and 2 in the league.
Brava
March 13th, 2012
4:11 pm
Houston beat the Phillies
The Phightens are 5-6 for the spring, so it’s obvious that they’re cooked.
That’s right, and we beat Houston, so that means we will win the division.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:12 pm
Michael Hossack, drummer (Doobie Bros.) dead at 65…way too young. Another boomer bites the dust.
brian
March 13th, 2012
4:13 pm
past 2 days noleee I think
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
4:13 pm
Just looked at the stats. After today, Bethancourt is now second on the team in homers. He trails only Hinske 2 and Uggla 1.
Yes, Hinske leads the team.
Rick
March 13th, 2012
4:13 pm
“That’s right, and we beat Houston, so that means we will win the division.”
Houston beat the Nats too!
Hillbilly
March 13th, 2012
4:14 pm
Brings to mind that black jack scene from Vegas Vacation:
Dealer: Wha? Twenty. It’s a push.
Griswold: {Pleasantly suprised} I didn’t lose!
Dealer: That’s it, Griswold. You are freakin’ dead!
brian
March 13th, 2012
4:14 pm
scoots – I think most here would be dancing in the streets for a 5-6 record right now. Much better than 1-11
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:15 pm
noleee – big improvement, indeed. Still left too many RISP, though. Pitching, minus Varvaro, was pretty darn good. Minor rocks!
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
4:15 pm
George
March 13th, 2012
12:45 pm
“………….Lew:12:41………..”
Heh! For just a moment George, i thought you were quoting scripture.
BravePack
March 13th, 2012
4:15 pm
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
4:05 pm
Dolphins have traded Brandon Marshall to the Bears for Two 3rd round draft picks.
Doesn’t matter it won’t help them as long as Rodgers is in Green Bay. Go Pack Go! Keep trading your picks Bears for aging veterans.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
4:15 pm
it’s all that “booming” we did in the 60s that is laying low so many of us so relatively young
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:16 pm
Plus the “new and improved Marlins” couldn’t beat us.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
4:17 pm
The Phightens are 5-6 for the spring, so it’s obvious that they’re cooked.
5 wins… man… that would be soooo nice.
Either way, the losing streak is sorta kinda over!
CB
March 13th, 2012
4:17 pm
Fire McCann!
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
4:17 pm
I think most here would be dancing in the streets for a 5-6 record right now
I dunno, brother. I think you’d have the same outlook from plenty here, differing only in degree.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
4:17 pm
raleigh – I’ve got to agree with Noleee. Too lazy to Google?
I once Googled “Bob Saget” and the response was “why”?
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
4:18 pm
aleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:04 pm
“……….Braves don’t lose, Braves don’t lose, Braves don’t lose!………..”
Fine, but did they win?
noleee
March 13th, 2012
4:18 pm
on the other hand who would ever have believed that Richards and Jagger would last long enough to go from “the worlds greatest rock and roll band” to “the world’s oldest Rock and Roll band” ?
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:18 pm
rich – Ah, yes… the New Testiment book of Lew.
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
4:19 pm
So did they?
Just got back from the REDSKINS blogs.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
4:19 pm
richbrave – I’m not that righteous.
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
4:20 pm
on the other hand who would ever have believed that Richards and Jagger would last long enough to go from “the worlds greatest rock and roll band” to “the world’s oldest Rock and Roll band” ?
solid proof that “fast livin’ and early dyin’” is a myth, LOL.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
4:20 pm
If Lew was all that tough it would be an Old Testament book…..
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
4:21 pm
Lew
March 13th, 2012
4:21 pm
Can I have Dore Illustrations?
Murph
March 13th, 2012
4:21 pm
We tied the champions – my friends
Because Bethencourt kept on fighting – till the end –
We tied the champions –
We tied the champions
We’re only kinda losers
‘Cause we tied the champions – of the world….
Juan Valdez
March 13th, 2012
4:21 pm
Chipper : On MLB Story
“Unfortunately, I said it around two guys who don’t know me very well”
DOB: It’s that you?….
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
4:22 pm
LEW:
‘Sup bro. Ready for spring?
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
4:22 pm
richbrave – we are now 1-10-1.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:22 pm
noleee – Yeah, all those 60’s rockers at or past 70 now.
On a more serious note, WW II vets are dying at a rate of 1000+/DAY. My Dad (93 next week) is hanging in there.
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
4:23 pm
If Lew was all that tough it would be an Old Testament book…..
Can I get a halleleujah? I say, gimme a AAAA-men, brothers and sisters!
Pure Evil
March 13th, 2012
4:24 pm
I’m going to jump off a bridge!!!
Blame it on Heyward!!
Hillbilly
March 13th, 2012
4:24 pm
it’s all that “booming” we did in the 60s that is laying low so many of us so relatively young
Meanwhile Mike Cooley of the Drive By Truckers summed up my generation perfectly with his line:
“Caught between a generation dying from its habits and another thinking rock and roll is new.”
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
4:24 pm
MURPH:
HEH! Good ‘un.
I assume from the lyrics to that great tune that today’s tilt was a sister kissin’ contest.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
4:24 pm
VJ and Cab are going to be sorry they missed this game.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
4:25 pm
richbrave – That I am. When do the Braves start playing?
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
4:26 pm
raleighbrave fan:
You thank him for me will you? I was born during that earth shaker. Could have grown up speaking German if not for his work.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
4:27 pm
scoots has sent me back to the minors.
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
4:27 pm
LEW:
LOL!
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
4:28 pm
FG should be doing some “cap tipping” right about now.
Got to go.
Later good folks.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:28 pm
Scoots – Well…there are also cases like Jim Morrison, Jimmy Hendrix, and Janice Joplin, but who’s counting?
Lew
March 13th, 2012
4:28 pm
Guess that means I have to go blog with Bradley.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
4:28 pm
never saw that quote, hillbilly. pretty funny and apt too
richbrave
March 13th, 2012
4:29 pm
1-10-1 !!!!!! Jeezus, have we EVER been 1-10-1 in ST? EVER?
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:31 pm
richbrave – Thanks for the good thoughts, my friend.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
4:31 pm
yeah Raleigh, that was a bad 10 months or so for rockers
Monty
March 13th, 2012
4:32 pm
Maybe Abbeline could give the Braves a pep talk and tell them, “You is kind, You is smart and you is special.” By the way, the lady who played her part should have won the Oscar.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
4:32 pm
surprised that all them “J” starts dying that close didn’t result in more conspiracy theories
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:33 pm
Lew – The Bradley Blog…Man, I wouldn’t wish that on Don or Robert, much less my friends.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
4:34 pm
raleighbraves – Blogging purgatory for fallen angels?
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:35 pm
noleee – Probably would have, if they hadn’t all ended with too much H.
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
4:35 pm
Well…there are also cases like Jim Morrison, Jimmy Hendrix, and Janice Joplin, but who’s counting?
Done in by J. Edgar; well-known fact.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
4:35 pm
I look forward to the symmetry of us being 1-101-1.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:36 pm
Lew – Pretty close. Bradley is And Idiot.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
4:37 pm
Lew, don’t do it! I’ve seen the people that post on the “lesser” blogs… it’s not worth it, man.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:37 pm
scoots – And to think, he only tried to DEPORT John Lennon.
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
4:38 pm
scoots – And to think, he only tried to DEPORT John Lennon
Mercy, in a moment of weakness.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:40 pm
Murph – Yeah, the “lesser” blog posters are a pretty sorry bunch, indeed. Strictly minor leaguers.
Lew
March 13th, 2012
4:43 pm
Check with Coach and see if I still have options.
raleighbravefan
March 13th, 2012
4:43 pm
Well, I gotta go. Later, my friends.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
4:45 pm
see ya raleigh
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
4:52 pm
My Redskins signed Pierre Garcon
noleee
March 13th, 2012
4:55 pm
they are making another John Carter of Mars movie I see, I wonder how that will turn out?
gonna hafta be a lot of CGI for all them 15′ tall green Martian barbarians
Murph
March 13th, 2012
5:00 pm
Just got a text from Mrs Murph… she took the kids to the mall today and the 4 year old used her birthday money on Avengers toys.
That’s my girl.
MiaBchBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
5:01 pm
Q: Why do battered women love the 2012 Atlanta Braves?
beekay
March 13th, 2012
5:01 pm
If we tie again tomorrow is it called a two game tie streak?
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
5:02 pm
Chipper: “I would never walk out on my team:
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/03/13/chipper-i-would-never-walk-out-on-my-team/
beekay
March 13th, 2012
5:02 pm
anyone know the worst spring training record ever? I would have to think that we have a shot
MiaBchBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
5:03 pm
A: Because they won’t hit ANYBODY this year.
beekay
March 13th, 2012
5:04 pm
Chip will be back…give him a few more weeks and he will start squaring the ball up like old times
Efrim
March 13th, 2012
5:07 pm
I ally wish MLB free agency was as quick as the NFL Free agency period. Save for a lot of rumors and headaches.
DAP
March 13th, 2012
5:09 pm
MiaBchBravesaFan, thats not funny, bud.
MiaBchBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
5:10 pm
2.36 runs per game in their 11 losses – absolutely pathetic.
As for Chipper? I would rather defer the $14 million over the next 14 years than steal money this season for doing absolutely nothing. Thanks to him, the Braves will be competing with the Mets for last place.
Frankly, I am over Chipper Jones. Don’t give a freakin’ damn about the guy, because he surely does not give a whit about the Braves.
Shaun
March 13th, 2012
5:23 pm
Guess what? It’s still Spring Training. But I see some of the folks who don’t understand the concept of Spring Training and sample size are in mid-season form.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
5:26 pm
That’s not the real Shaun. Post was too short and while yes, condescending, it wasn’t nearly condescending enough.
Fake Shaun!
Shaun
March 13th, 2012
5:30 pm
Murph, you’re right. Probably not nearly as condescending as some of these folks deserve.
Tom O'Hawke
March 13th, 2012
5:40 pm
Frankly, I am over Chipper Jones. Don’t give a freakin’ damn about the guy, because he surely does not give a whit about the Braves. — MiaBchBravesFan
So, does MiaBchBravesFan stand for “Miami Beach Braves Fan”, or “Miami Bitching Braves Fan”?
I know, how about “Me a Bitching Braves Fan”?
I finally found the time to read DOB’s blog about Simmons. It was a great read.
Shaun
March 13th, 2012
5:44 pm
http://firebrandal.com/2012/03/13/does-spring-training-matter/
“One of the biggest dangers in analyzing baseball statistics is sample size. Our society is one that tends to overreact to things too quickly. Jeremy Lin played two weeks of great basketball and suddenly he was a national phenomenon. Jeff Francouer raked the ball for the first two weeks of his career in the big leagues; suddenly he was the next Chipper Jones. Ryan Lavarnway hit two home runs in four at bats; suddenly he was batting fifth on the last day of the season with the Red Sox playing for their season.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself. It’ ridiculous that people have to be reminded of this every year. I have no problem being condescending or being called condescending, especially when people deserve it.
ColoradoBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
5:46 pm
And that is why you are an Ass Shuan…
unbelievable
March 13th, 2012
5:51 pm
Brandon Hicks released and claimed by the A’s. Are the Braves clearing roster space for a move?
Bat Masterson
March 13th, 2012
5:58 pm
“One of the biggest dangers in analyzing baseball statistics is sample size. Our society is one that tends to overreact to things too quickly.” _ Shaun
Couldn’t have said it better yourself, huh. No problem being condescending?
Well in that spirit I would suggest that overreacting too quickly is no worse than overreacting to slowly, ha, how about not overreacting at all.
David O'Brien
March 13th, 2012
5:58 pm
SS/3B Brandon Hicks, who was 1-for-10 with 7 strikeouts this spring with Braves, was waived and claimed today by Oakland.
Veer
March 13th, 2012
6:01 pm
Minor is proving that he not only belings in the Majors but is capable of being a number 2 starter for the team. Before the spring training started he was upset that he would have to compete aganist Teheran and Delgado for the 5th spot. I think Minor had every right to ask for a trade if he didn’t get a starting position with our ballclub. The guy has been amazing this spring and was great last year during the 2nd half of the season. In fact after Hudson He was our go to guy.
I think mentioning Teheran/Delgado in the same sentence with Minor should be seen as an insult from now onwards
Veer
March 13th, 2012
6:04 pm
Hicks has power for an infielder. I am not sure I like that move.
Billy
March 13th, 2012
6:06 pm
Date Transaction
03/13/12
LHP Matt Chaffee assigned to Atlanta Braves.
LHP Jose Lugo assigned to Atlanta Braves.
Oakland Athletics claim Brandon Hicks off waivers from Atlanta Braves.
03/11/12
1B William Beckwith assigned to Atlanta Braves.
CF Mycal Jones assigned to Atlanta Braves.
LF Chase Larsson assigned to Atlanta Braves.
1B Ernesto Mejia assigned to Atlanta Braves.
03/09/12
2B Elmer Reyes assigned to Atlanta Braves.
2B Tommy La Stella assigned to Atlanta Braves.
3B Joe Leonard assigned to Atlanta Braves.
Atlanta Braves signed SS Matt Lipka.
Veer
March 13th, 2012
6:08 pm
It doesn’t seem like Heyward will get it togeather. I am okay with putting Durango in place of him and Contanza for Prado, when Prado plays 3B for Chipper. Speed can perhaps generate us some runs.
I don’t see why we couldn’t afford Cody Ross just in case Prado had to play 3b for Chipper.
He was cheap and yet the managment couldn’t even Cody Ross?
With Chipper down and Prado shifting to 3B and Heyward struggling Who are our OF options?
Hinske? Diaz? Durango? Conztanza?
Lew
March 13th, 2012
6:08 pm
ColoradoBravesFan – I couldn’t say it any better.
VaBravesFan
March 13th, 2012
6:09 pm
We got rid of Hicks cause he sucks.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
6:11 pm
Bye Hicks.
Who’s next? Maybe me? Maybe you.
Braint
March 13th, 2012
6:11 pm
MiaBchBravesFan – Frankly, I am over Chipper Jones. Don’t give a freakin’ damn about the guy, because he surely does not give a whit about the Braves.
Do you know him personally? A guy who re-structures his deal a couple of times to help the organization get more talent and who has played through injuries? Chipper could have left to DH a couple of years ago and might have been able to get more than $14 million after winning the batting title.
Murph
March 13th, 2012
6:14 pm
Shaun, the blog judge, jury, and executioner. And Hair Club For Men representative.
How are the plugs doing, bud?
Billy
March 13th, 2012
6:14 pm
I’m going to guess Hicks time with Atlanta ended because of Josh Wilson, Drew Sutton, Tyler Pastornicky and Andy Simmons.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
6:21 pm
Murph – Hair plugs aren’t the primary “plug” that Shaun uses.
Looking at our boxscore, the pitching was pretty good – except Narnaro, Rice pitched pretty well the last two innings.
But it is alarming how my Braves aren’t hitting thier weight.
Got to run. Later good folks.
Jimmy
March 13th, 2012
6:22 pm
my = many
jeffrey d
March 13th, 2012
6:56 pm
Jimmy must’ve been the life of the party
Bat Masterson
March 13th, 2012
7:04 pm
Yep
ncscoots
March 13th, 2012
7:04 pm
Who’s next? Maybe me? Maybe you
“What we do in life, echoes an eternity. So you sumbees better find a sawmill and pick up some dang lumber.”
jeffrey d
March 13th, 2012
7:08 pm
It’s just not the same without Jimmy. I’ll be back later
Bill
March 13th, 2012
7:13 pm
Chipper always did run his mouth a lot. See if he will accept a trade to the Yankees….he will fit in just find and maybe have a chance to win a W.S. in his last season as a DH for them. This team ain’t going anywhere on his shoulders this season. If I had to bet over / under on 90 games he plays – I’m going under.
BosnianBaller
March 13th, 2012
7:14 pm
Does anyone know if Jeff Porter is in spring training with the team? Just curious b/c of that horrible accident that happend
Billy
March 13th, 2012
7:18 pm
Yes Jeff is with the team and is doing as well as can be expected
cricket
March 13th, 2012
7:19 pm
SS/3B Brandon Hicks, who was 1-for-10 with 7 strikeouts this spring with Braves, was waived and claimed today by Oakland.
moneyball rules !!!
Kat
March 13th, 2012
7:22 pm
If you’re a Jay Z fan or policy wonk.. or even if you’re not this is funny … http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/politics/2012/03/09/hln-jay-z-lyrics-house-floor.cnn#/video/politics/2012/03/09/hln-jay-z-lyrics-house-floor.cnn
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 13th, 2012
7:23 pm
Bye bye Brandon Hicks.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 13th, 2012
7:27 pm
Interesting that Hicks was given the boot. The kid could have been sent back to triple AAA.
You think maybe somebody with a short fuse is trying to get this teams attention????
brian
March 13th, 2012
7:28 pm
Hicks needed a fresh start and was not going anywhere with the Braves. Surprised he was claimed so quickly
Billy
March 13th, 2012
7:36 pm
Josh Wilson, Drew Sutton are both playing 3rd, SS, and 2nd this spring and making all the plays. Hicks was playing those same 3 spots and really struggled this spring. Sutton is hitting .385 and has been impressive in the field.
Billy
March 13th, 2012
7:40 pm
1st Spring Training cuts will be here very soon and Hicks was just that.
ZWacky
March 13th, 2012
7:48 pm
it can be a bit embarrassing to have some bloggers on here as fellow Braves fans
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 13th, 2012
7:49 pm
Some of you guys really are funny.
ZWacky
March 13th, 2012
7:51 pm
I am kind of surprised about Hicks too. They must be pretty happy with Sutton and Simmons to not even bother to keep Hicks around as possible backup in case of yet another injury
George
March 13th, 2012
7:55 pm
CHIPPER in MHO is the greatest ATLANTA BRAVE position player, That haveing been said, if he can not play somewhere close to his high standerds he should retire now. I would hate to see him stuggle this year and end his career hitting in the low .200s. I am old enough to remember WILLIE MAYS entire career [ even thou I was not a GIANT fan] it was sad to see WILLIE hang on to long. CHIPPER go out the great player you are.
ZWacky
March 13th, 2012
7:57 pm
I doubt that Chipper will quit before the season ends, at least I hope not
cricket
March 13th, 2012
7:58 pm
come on kids, start working on curveball early
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46720341/ns/health-childrens_health/#.T1_Zl8WPWBU
ZWacky
March 13th, 2012
8:05 pm
a number of kids are doing just that and are willing, sometimes even eager, to get TJ surgery, thinking it will make them stronger
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
8:29 pm
I have to give props to the Mobile version of GameDay today – I was able to follow the last few innings while driving through the desert…
GameDay (Mobile version)
March 13th, 2012
8:35 pm
You’re welcome, VJ!
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
8:46 pm
Looks like GD(MV) is the only other “person” around…
Tom O'Hawke
March 13th, 2012
8:52 pm
I think everyone is celebrating today’s tie, VJ.
I know I am. I celebrated the rainout against the split-squad Blue Jays, on Sunday.
It stands to reason that I’d celebrate the tie.
Did you guys enjoy Vegas?
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
8:54 pm
We did indeed – I was marginally relieved to see that my PBP is not solely responsible for the lack of scoring. I’ll be back in the saddle for that Thursday, since I will be working tomorrow…
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
8:57 pm
At least someone can score runs:
TribeAthletics @TribeAthletics
Tribe answers with 4 runs in the 5th highlighted by a Tadd Bower 2-run double. W&M leads 13-5 into the 6th.
Jeff R
March 13th, 2012
8:57 pm
I wouldn’t expect Chipper to give up. I just think it may be a hard season on him in limited play.
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
9:10 pm
Ouch – Miss. Valley State…
kenhotlanta
March 13th, 2012
9:10 pm
VJ: When I went to Vegas many years ago, one of the casinos had a beautiful real 1957 Chevy convertible hanging from the ceiling over a bank of slot machines, and of course, it was the jackpot for that group of slots. I wanted so bad to win that car and drive it back to Georgia! I wonder how long it hung there before someone finally won it.
shadetree
March 13th, 2012
9:14 pm
This just in
Chipper is going through a divorce and Fredi is in the hot seat. Fredi has told his players to not worry about signing autographs and when they warm up a stretch look who is out there and not to happy. Chipper is having to do some work and he is not used to it. A security guard told me.
Fredi in the hot seat.
HUMMMMM!
ray k
March 13th, 2012
9:17 pm
Rosenthal and FOX seem to be under the impression that the Braves–and Fredi–may be in trouble and that it’s possible ‘the FIRST half of last year was the aberration for a mediocre team.’
And, unlike now, we had the services of Hudson all year.
If JJ and Hanson are only mediocre, then any resurgence the offense makes may prove insufficient.
Maybe Bobby Cox was even more masterful than we give him credit for.
Nova Scotia Steve
March 13th, 2012
9:17 pm
Rooting for Andy
B-F_52
March 13th, 2012
9:20 pm
Thanks and thank the security guard
B-F_52
March 13th, 2012
9:26 pm
I Think Fox is mediocre sports has ebbs and flows ups…downs Braves are a storied outfit been my team will always be Boyer,Jones or Terdoslavihc
ncgary
March 13th, 2012
9:29 pm
The A’s claimed infielder Brandon Hicks on waivers from the Atlanta Braves. The 26-year-old Hicks batted .048 (1 for 21) during three stints in the majors last year. He is 1 for 26 in parts of the last two seasons. Hicks hit .252 with 18 homers at Triple-A
old man
March 13th, 2012
9:37 pm
The Heyward situation, so far, is sort of depressing.
All I know is what I hear. Can anyone say they have actually seen his ABs in live action, and tell me how he looks?
B-F_52
March 13th, 2012
9:39 pm
(sic) And we are lucky to have baseball its our national pastime soldiers in WWll used stats to fleshout the enemy,Whether we win X amount of games matters ;But the shennanigans some of you folks perpitrate on a more than regular basis is stupifying And we’re lucky to have D O’B, GO BRAVOS
old man
March 13th, 2012
9:40 pm
So far, the two primary non-pitching developments seem to be:
1. Jason looking bad
2. The SS situation maybe working out, but unexpectedly with Sutton and Simmons looking like options
ncgary
March 13th, 2012
9:40 pm
well theres always barry bonds
go ahead frank offer him the mlb minimum
at least we could have some power on the bench
old man
March 13th, 2012
9:43 pm
Pitching-wise, my digestion of the bloggage si far indicates:
1. Minor looks good
2. JJ bad
3. Hanson bad
4. Hudson hurt
5. Beachy bad, but he will come around
6. Bullpen irregular, but very sharp at times
How am I doing without having seen a single pitch?
old man
March 13th, 2012
9:44 pm
“so far”
B-F_52
March 13th, 2012
9:46 pm
I feel like J Hey will come on this year if he can relax and let his swing and the bat do the work
Greg O.
March 13th, 2012
9:54 pm
DOB, with Oakland claiming Hicks, the Braves now have only 35 players on their 40-man roster, easily the fewest in the majors right now. With the realization that the Braves do not have to fill all the spots and may opt for roster flexibility (i.e. leaving a spot open for Moylan’s eventual return, future acquisitions, etc.), do you think the Braves will make any outside acquisition(s) before the season or just fill some/all spots with non-roster invitees?
ncgary
March 13th, 2012
10:00 pm
anyone notice gregor blanco is leading mlb in stolen bases this spring
cricket
March 13th, 2012
10:13 pm
http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/america-s-best-bbq-cities.html?page=all
Moe Berg
March 13th, 2012
10:16 pm
cricket–While Atlanta does not make an appearance on that BBQ list, I was down there this past weekend. I made it to Community BBQ and Fox Brothers. I rather enjoyed myself. I could get rather good brisket in Norman, OK (several spots run by former OU football players). Nice list.
Billy
March 13th, 2012
10:39 pm
shadetree your security guard is not a reliable source. I’m here in LBV and Chipper is doing the same work he has done every spring. His knees are barking and he had discomfort in his thigh. Don’t think your security guy knows the difference between unhappy and discomfort. Chipper is running, stretching, using the bands, doing all the same workout the other players are doing. Some have forgotten he is coming off knee surgery not long ago and the recovery is a process.
Jerry
March 13th, 2012
10:41 pm
Would love to see Minor get the nod over Teheran. I also would like to see Medlen get a rotation spot, but that’s not gonna happen while Hanson, Jurrjens, and Beachy are around. Those guys would have to fail bigtime. Still, Medlen can at least start until Hudson comes back. Make an impression!
Stinger
March 13th, 2012
10:46 pm
How about playing them both, one at ss,the other at 3rd….see ya chipper
abeeeewright
March 13th, 2012
10:55 pm
Minor was already pencilled into the fifth starter role, albeit in very, very light pencil. So far, he’s prolly got that pencil as dark as it can be before they go over it in ink. Two more good spring starts and he’s your fifth starter.
noleee
March 13th, 2012
11:01 pm
My world will end if Chipper quits
phil
March 13th, 2012
11:16 pm
Hate to hear that, nolieee
Jeff R
March 13th, 2012
11:23 pm
“My world will end if Chipper quits”
Take up a hobby… or something.
Joe 12-Pack
March 13th, 2012
11:40 pm
The Braves TIE! WOO-HOO!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 13th, 2012
11:43 pm
If someody’s world camme crashing down because a ball player retires then they need serious counseling. I feel sorry for a certain poster here now. “World would end” …
Billy
March 13th, 2012
11:48 pm
The only thing worse than a practice game ending in a tie is a celebrity softball game ending in a tie or the Harlem Globetrotters losing. I hated to see Hulk Hogan lose in those “practice” wrestling matches.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 13th, 2012
11:49 pm
Harrison Ford is filming a movie here in Chattanooga. I wonder if it’s that baseball movie? IDK, nolie seems in need of some help. So to give you something to do nolie, look it up for me will ya?
Cindy
March 13th, 2012
11:52 pm
Please Chipper,for the sake of the team hang it up !!! save a bit of dignity walk away !!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 13th, 2012
11:53 pm
The movie is called “42″ based on Jackie Robinson.
Venice Jim
March 13th, 2012
11:55 pm
Apparently some folks have never noticed nolie’s penchant for sarcasm and mockery…
Pairy Hecker
March 13th, 2012
11:59 pm
I’m off to have my anus bleached
richbrave
March 14th, 2012
12:00 am
VJ:
‘penchant’ ?
So his pen does most of the talking?
Venice Jim
March 14th, 2012
12:02 am
He uses it to poke the keys…
richbrave
March 14th, 2012
12:02 am
David O’Brien
March 13th, 2012
5:58 pm
“……….SS/3B Brandon Hicks, who was 1-for-10 with 7 strikeouts this spring with Braves, was waived and claimed today by Oakland……..” DOB
Good glove, no bat…..at least not as a BRAVE. Best of luck in Oakland BRANDON.
richbrave
March 14th, 2012
12:03 am
VJ:
I thought his words were kind of sing-songy
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 14th, 2012
12:12 am
Venice, apparantly you don’t either.
richbrave
March 14th, 2012
12:17 am
Gotta’ run sports fans. Thank goodness this ST is going smoothly. Really helps take the pressure off which piled up end of last season. NYTOL
Ward
March 14th, 2012
2:16 am
Hello everyone! I think most likely The Rev. will get the job. We should wait ,and see what he can do in April, when the season starts. At least give the Rev. a shot,but if he fails,than bring in Simmons. At least give the Rev. a shot for April.That way we could say he had a chance.I’m not giving up Rev. Yet.
Edward Armstrong
March 14th, 2012
2:44 am
‘Thank you for this kind of weblog. That’s all I can say. You most definitely have made this kind of blog into something thats eye opening and important. You clearly know so much about the subject, youve covered so a lot of bases. Great stuff from this part of the internet. Again, thank you for this kind of blog.”
Ward
March 14th, 2012
2:56 am
My thinking is Simmons is doiong what most youngsters do in Spring Training. He will knock the cover off the ball,and play good “D”,then when playing in regular season he will get into a slump,and start pulling every thing. Let Simmons develope,and then bring him up. Let’s see what the Rev. can do first,and then make decision later.
Ward
March 14th, 2012
2:57 am
I just think the Rev. should get the job first.
Ward
March 14th, 2012
3:02 am
I hope Chipper can play through this year?If he can’t he had one heck of a run,and will be a HOF for sure. A favorite player of mine,and I hope he can go out with class.
Ward
March 14th, 2012
3:04 am
Brandon Hicks good bye,and you wont be missed…….Good luck with the A’s……. You should fit right in……
Ward
March 14th, 2012
3:20 am
Minor,pitched very well again,and it looks like he’s going to win the job.Only Minor could lose himself. Hope Minor gets the job….. All have a good one!”Go!!!!! Braves!!!!!”Peace……….
noleee
March 14th, 2012
4:06 am
I will indeed be very sad when Chipper retires, but perhaps I overstated it a bit in the tenor of all the sky is falling comments that have swamped the blog lately
susie wells
March 14th, 2012
5:00 am
I think frank wren should be fired and take his big salary and get a good player,the braves have went down hill ever since he took over.He sucks
Couch Tater
March 14th, 2012
7:08 am
Frank Wren should be fired for using Jimmy Johnson’s barber!
jeffrey d
March 14th, 2012
7:31 am
I think frank wren should be fired and take his big salary and get a good player
So Frank Wren should be fired and then he should use alllll the extra money to find that “good player” who’s just waiting around? After he’s been fired from being GM?
the braves have went down hill ever since he took over.He sucks
He took a sinking ship and turned it into a winner with a strong foundation all while being under financial constraints. I can get why some people have beef with Fredi, but I haven’t really gotten all the ire for Wren.
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
7:33 am
It’s early
jeffrey d
March 14th, 2012
7:35 am
Early in the morning or in ST?
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
7:38 am
Early in the morning. 6:36 here and I’ve been up for over an hour.
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
7:39 am
And it’s not like I have plans to go fishing either…………..
David O'Brien
March 14th, 2012
7:39 am
For those who might’ve wondered, I did some crunching and figured out that Chipper could go 100-for-450 (.222) and still be at exactly .300 for his career batting average. It’s .304 now. The .400 OBP also appears safe (he’s at .402 now).
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
7:42 am
It’ll be nice to see a game today. First of the year for me.
jeffrey d
March 14th, 2012
7:44 am
It’s 7:45 here and I’ve been up for over 2 hours.
Your move
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
7:44 am
Well that’s a pretty good cushion, DOB. Thanks
Let’s hope he does not need it.
David O'Brien
March 14th, 2012
7:46 am
What a sunrise today on Lake Bryan….
http://twitpic.com/8w5gh8
Tomahawkin
March 14th, 2012
7:46 am
(Thumbs Up!) Me Too Man!!!
old man
March 14th, 2012
7:47 am
Looking at Drew Sutton. .862 OPS at Columbus in 2010 and .858 OPS at Pawtucket last year. Very consistent in minors. A+ ball, .779 OPS; AA ball, .839 OPS; AAA ball, .805 OPS. Then 31 games with Boston last year with .315 BA and .807 OPS.
How has he looked at SS? Not as good as Simmons I suppose. Better than Pastor?
I sure hope we give him a chance to surprise everyone. He always seems to translate to the next level with little or no drop off. Seriously, if we end up with a .300 BA and .800 OPS from our SS, that would be wonderful.
Would appreciate some feedback from the superstars on this board. What am I overlooking here? Only that letting this happen would make the FO look stupid for hyping Pastor?
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
7:48 am
My alarm was set for 6:50 ……….. By 8:30 I’ll be all jacked up on coffee.
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
7:54 am
Nice picture, David.
David O'Brien
March 14th, 2012
7:56 am
Teheran gets start tonight for Braves vs. Nats’ Strasburg. Delgado, originally listed as starter, will instead follow Teheran.
old man
March 14th, 2012
7:56 am
Just to be clear, I’m asking if it is plausible for Sutton to play his way into the starting SS spot.
old man
March 14th, 2012
7:58 am
I know Sutton has 11 crappy games with Cleveland in 2010. But it’s Cleveland. Who could blame him?
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
7:59 am
Looking forward to seeing those guy pitch. Thanks
CB
March 14th, 2012
8:08 am
old man, I actually have brought up the point about Sutton and using him for a month or two to give Rev and Simmons some more experience in minors. I would be very interested to hear from DOB as to whether that might be a consideration by the Braves.
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
8:12 am
Holy moly …….. over 6mm shares of bac traded @ 8:10′EDT
old man
March 14th, 2012
8:13 am
CB,
Yes, but what if after one month Sutton is batting .321 with a .811 OPS? At that point, I don’t care what Simmons or Rev are doing at AA or AAA. Don’t look a gift SS in the mouth, right?
Has his glove looked OK?
old man
March 14th, 2012
8:14 am
CB,
I asked for the “superstars” on the board to reply. You’re the only one.
CB
March 14th, 2012
8:22 am
Superstar I don’t be,old man.
I believe his glove is slightly below aduequate and yes if he is hitting well may be a good fill in for 2012.
David O'Brien
March 14th, 2012
8:24 am
How has he looked at SS? Not as good as Simmons I suppose. Better than Pastor? — old man
Sutton has played a good/average defensive shortstop when he’s been in. Not bad at all. Pastornicky’s made better plays at the glove end, but some throws to 1st have been spotty. Twice yesterday he made real nice plays with glove, then bounced throws to 1st (Freeman snagged both).
CB
March 14th, 2012
8:24 am
My spelling is not adequate. :_(
CB
March 14th, 2012
8:27 am
DOB, do you believe Braves might consider him as a starter to give rookies some more experience in minors?
noleee
March 14th, 2012
8:33 am
No
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
8:34 am
Not a superstar, CB? Sure you are.
Rob from SC
March 14th, 2012
8:36 am
Any update on Vizcaino’s elbow
CB
March 14th, 2012
8:39 am
Thanks,Bat. My wife loves me.
Ease
March 14th, 2012
8:40 am
Not a superstar, CB? Sure you are.
Hrumph…
Jeff R
March 14th, 2012
8:43 am
“…Chipper could go 100-for-450 (.222)” — DOB
I don’t see Chipper getting 450 at bats this season. Is that a two-season total?
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
8:44 am
Speaking of your wife,CB, how is she doing these days?
Jeff R
March 14th, 2012
8:45 am
Nice that Pastornicky can field but the throws to first count, huh? I’m pretty excited about Simmons. Ideally, both Pastornicky and Simmons would log more time in the bushes, but…
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
8:45 am
Enter your comments here
CB
March 14th, 2012
8:51 am
Bat, overall very well. She had a breast cancer scare when she took a mammogram but place disappeared on a followup six months later. Thanks for asking.
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
8:56 am
CB_
Good to hear all is well after the scare. Are you gonna fire up the RV and go to some games?
CB
March 14th, 2012
8:58 am
Bat,we are considering some April games before it gets hot. How about you?
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
9:01 am
No plans yet.
I’m considering a move, looking around, weighing my options………
Lew
March 14th, 2012
9:07 am
CB – Good to hear your wife is well. We bloggers have had enough cancer scares this year to last a lifetime.
CB
March 14th, 2012
9:13 am
Lew,thanks. Even the doctor didn’t understand the disappearance, we have our thoughts as to why. Nothing ever bothers her, bravest lady I have ever met.
Soph
March 14th, 2012
9:14 am
Last call – blog Tourney Pick ‘em
http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/register/joinprivategroup_assign_team?GID=41961&P=deathnail
Password: deathnail
Get your picks in by noon, EDT tomorrow (Thursday).
Lew
March 14th, 2012
9:15 am
CB – Same with my son. They removed his toe and that’s been it – no other sign of cancer in his last scan. Strange, but if you can survive cancer by losing a toe and not even going through chemo or radiation, you done good.
Bat Masterson
March 14th, 2012
9:16 am
Lew_
Yeah that’s good to know about your son.
CB
March 14th, 2012
9:17 am
Lew,great to hear.
Ease
March 14th, 2012
9:21 am
Lew, CB…Yeah!
Ease
March 14th, 2012
9:22 am
Breaking: David Wright has tear in rectus abdominis muscle…
old man
March 14th, 2012
9:28 am