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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,457 comments Add your comment
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
4:43 pm
Matty said that Meds is making it real tough on the Braves’ organization to put him in the pen.
He also said he was a short, fat first baseman in the 8th grade and Keith Hernandez (one of the Mets announcers) was his idol. They all got a kick out of that up in the booth.
Ward
March 17th, 2012
4:43 pm
Hello everyone! Cab- Don’t feel too bad aobut the bracket. I’m already out. I picked Duke to win it all the way,so my bracket is done.
cabravesfan
March 17th, 2012
4:44 pm
I picked Missouri
B-F_52
March 17th, 2012
4:45 pm
Au revoir
Ward
March 17th, 2012
4:46 pm
I’m just going to go along with the games now,and pick the teams after each game,since I’m done.Can still have a little fun with March Madness,but early out by me.
Powder Blue
March 17th, 2012
4:47 pm
So glad to see Meds back on the mound. That is all.
cabravesfan
March 17th, 2012
4:48 pm
I’m running out of west coast teams to cheer for…Colorado does not inspire much confidence, so Gonzaga is all that is left…
(And yes, I am aware that Colorado is technically not a west coast team, but they are a Pac-12 team, therefore, I have to cheer for them)
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
4:50 pm
Is VJ’s bracket still alive?
cabravesfan
March 17th, 2012
4:50 pm
Tom-
He is in 2nd place, one point behind Kat
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 17th, 2012
4:51 pm
Oh, just a little over an hour, and it’s Corn Beef and Cabbage time!!
Not to mention the red potatoes…love the red potatoes…
Ward
March 17th, 2012
4:51 pm
Go with Kentucky, or Indiana? I’m going to cheer for Kentucky….
cabravesfan
March 17th, 2012
4:51 pm
John Stockton looks like he has not aged since his last playing days…
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
4:52 pm
So, can’t you root for his teams?
Ward
March 17th, 2012
4:52 pm
Which team did VJ pick? Bet it was Syracus?
Brava
March 17th, 2012
4:52 pm
Raquel, what country are you in, Faux France? It’s Au revior.
cabravesfan
March 17th, 2012
4:52 pm
Tom-
I am rooting for VCU…
cabravesfan
March 17th, 2012
4:53 pm
Ward-
He picked North Carolina
Ward
March 17th, 2012
4:53 pm
Syracuse is still pplaying good basketball with out their big man.
Brava
March 17th, 2012
4:54 pm
Funny how nolie brings up that old poster of Raquel Welch last night and a “Raquel” shows up on the blog today. Someone obviously has too much time on their hands.
Ward
March 17th, 2012
4:54 pm
Cab-I was thinking about North Carolina,and now paying for it.
noleee
March 17th, 2012
4:54 pm
so McFann is an Irish name huh?
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
4:55 pm
A Faux Female From Faux France!
Ward
March 17th, 2012
4:55 pm
Gonzaga, is about to come back ,and beat Ohio State?
cabravesfan
March 17th, 2012
4:56 pm
Gotta run for a bit…later all!
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 17th, 2012
4:58 pm
Don’t look now but our Bravos have won four out of their last five games…….
David O'Brien
March 17th, 2012
4:58 pm
Jack Wilson, Tim Hudson step up the injury rehab; Minor starts Sunday vs. O’s
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/03/17/wilson-calf-hudson-back-stepping-up-the-rehab/
VaBravesFan
March 17th, 2012
5:00 pm
Hey everyone, it’s been a while. Actually worked 40 hours this week for the 1st time in atleast a year. Looks like the Braves have turned it around.
noleee
March 17th, 2012
5:00 pm
still gonna loose a hundert games….
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
5:01 pm
Okay, time to get all Irish up in here. Going to the store for some Killian’s and stuff to make ruebens (I know they aren’t Irish, but they do have corned beef). That’s about as Irish as I can muster for today.
Ward
March 17th, 2012
5:01 pm
Coach- Don’t worry be happy……….Braves are playing better,and that’s is good. It’s only spring training too,but a very nice couple of wins.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
March 17th, 2012
5:02 pm
noleee so McFann is an Irish name huh?
Apparently…
Oops, gotta run! The guests have arrived! Talk to y’all later…
noleee
March 17th, 2012
5:02 pm
I’m goin’ with Reubens too O’Brava
Ward
March 17th, 2012
5:03 pm
We all still agree that Simmons should get the start at SS.
noleee
March 17th, 2012
5:05 pm
no we don’t. he has tailed off a lot
Monty
March 17th, 2012
5:07 pm
And some people were worried about our Bravos. How silly.
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
5:09 pm
We all still agree that Simmons should get the start at SS.
Speak for yourself, buddy, just yourself. I never posted anything to that effect. Not that Wren would care one way or the other.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 17th, 2012
5:10 pm
I’m not worried, hell I’m not even gonna bother to address the nonsense about our Braves spring training record. Instead , I’ll just use some common sense.
Rays are 4-9
Rangers are 3-9
Arizona 5-9
On the flip side…
Oakland 11-3
Toronto 12-4
Seattle 11-5
All the EXACT OPPOSITE of what these teams will accomplish once the season starts.
Ward
March 17th, 2012
5:11 pm
Is the Rev. In or out than?
Soph
March 17th, 2012
5:12 pm
Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
Times two.
Ward
March 17th, 2012
5:13 pm
I’m still going with Simmons unless he really goes down hill?Then it will be the Rev.
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
5:13 pm
Ward, there’s still 16 ST games left to play. I seriously doubt if Wren has made a knee-jerk decision.
Ward
March 17th, 2012
5:14 pm
Tom- Just seeing where everyone is at.
Monty
March 17th, 2012
5:15 pm
Coach
I could care less about the record either, but I do care about the overall play and how they were not hitting much. Looks like they have turned a corner.
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
5:18 pm
Tom- Just seeing where everyone is at.
Well, Ward, you can mark me down as, I’ll get back to you on that.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 17th, 2012
5:21 pm
I would go with Andrelton Simmons in a heartbeat. For reasons which escape the casual baseball fan.
1. Defense, Simmons will save our pitching many runs, cut down on errors and simply make our young starters even better.
2. I really don’t expect much offense from the SS position, Heyward, Uggla, McCann, Freeman and the top of the order will take care of this department just fine.
3. If Simmons does tank, we can always switch back to Pastornicky.
4. Simmons can run, just like Pastornicky. So their won’t be any drop off in team speed.
5. Well hell, at some point the Braves could even consider dumping Jack Wilson and play both of our young short stop’s.
Ward
March 17th, 2012
5:23 pm
Well, I’ll talk later tonight.It’s been cool,and getting ready to watch the Wisconsin game,and later check out the Kentucky game. Peace my friends…..
noleee
March 17th, 2012
5:23 pm
right now I am thinking that if Simmons does not hit much they will send him down for more seasoning, even if Tyler hits less
noleee
March 17th, 2012
5:25 pm
Simmons supposedly has the higher upside, so if you are not gonna get much from either right now, give your best player time to mature. course that might escape the casual fan……
Bob the Blogger
March 17th, 2012
5:26 pm
I’m convenced that Simmons is the SS of the future, but I would like to see him at AAA for a month or two to prove he is not overmatched by that level of pitching. Let Wilson, Sutton and Pastornicky compete for playing time until Simmons is ready. Furcal made the jump from single A, but that’s a heck of a jump.
noleee
March 17th, 2012
5:27 pm
course some scouts say that they are both scrubs…..
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
5:32 pm
3. If Simmons does tank, we can always switch back to Pastornicky.
That one is interchangeable, Coach. Whichever one Wren decides on, he’ll probably figure your #3.
I wish you two would stop saying things that escape me.
VaBravesFan
March 17th, 2012
5:34 pm
Simmons would benefit from another year in the minors. Yes his defense is very good, but needs time to improve at the plate.
Lew
March 17th, 2012
5:34 pm
Patrick – You don’t trust Varvaro? Why not? He put up a 2.63 ERA, a WHIP of 1.08 and struck out 8.6 batters per nine last year in 24 appearances.
I’d say that’s a pretty good record to build on.
VaBravesFan
March 17th, 2012
5:37 pm
Simmons at worst will be comparable to the former NY Met Rey Ordonez, all glove type player. But with his wheels he could be comparable to Elvis Andrus or Omar Vizquel with the bat, Jack Wilson is another good comparison. One thing is certain he can play defense.
VaBravesFan
March 17th, 2012
5:41 pm
Bench Competition
Luis Durango is 9 for 17 All Singles, 5 BB 1 K 1 SB
Jordan Parraz is 8 for 19 1 3B 1 HR, 1 BB 3 K
Lew
March 17th, 2012
5:41 pm
Simmons is pretty great defensively, but didn;’t he win a batting title last year? I understand why we would want his defense at the ML level this year, but would probably be inclined to send him to AA (at least for a month or two) and let him work on the offense so when he DOES come back, we have a good shortstop on both sides of the game.
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
5:42 pm
Simmons is a very good contact hitter. But I’d like to see him get a little more experience in order to barrel a few more, as Chipper would say.
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
5:43 pm
That was a great post you had @ 5:41, Lew.
Lew
March 17th, 2012
5:44 pm
The Front Office already knew he was a much better defender than Pastornicky. There was a reason they wanted Simmons getting more minor league experience, which is why they planned on The Rev playing this year.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 17th, 2012
5:45 pm
And the NUMBER ONE REASON I’m not worried in the least bit….
!.Hudson
2.Jurrjens
3.Hanson
4.Beachy
5.Minor
6. Teheran
7.Delgado
8. Medlen
Name one other team that has EIGHT legitimate starters and get back to me
VaBravesFan
March 17th, 2012
5:46 pm
Lew
Here’s a good read on Simmons.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1013219-meet-andrelton-simmons-the-atlanta-braves-future-at-shortstop
Lew
March 17th, 2012
5:47 pm
Thanks Tom.
Simmons defense might be a revelation to some here who never saw him play (I’m one of them), but it certainly was NOT to theBraves’ brass. Knowing he was that good didn’t change their desire to leave him down and let Pastor get the shot. Not so sure why they should change their minds now – they really haven’t gotten any different info this spring that they didn’t already have.
N Nine
March 17th, 2012
5:48 pm
1 of 8 could be out of town by august!
VaBravesFan
March 17th, 2012
5:49 pm
Here is another tid-bit
Andrelton Simmons, Braves: Simmons had about as solid a first full season as you could ask for in 2011, playing at two levels while hitting for average, stealing bases and playing outstanding defense at short. The Curacao native is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, with a plus arm and range. He has offensive skills as well, with good bat speed and ability to make consistent contact. While Simmons doesn’t strike out, he is a bit of a free swinger and he could tone that down some, along with his basestealing approach. Once that all comes together, starting this season at Double-A Mississippi, he could be a high-level everyday shortstop.
Lew
March 17th, 2012
5:51 pm
Coach – Actually, they have nine. Cristhian Martinez was a starter throughout the minors and they stretched him out last year to the point he was able to go six innings in relief in one game. In a pinch, I’d start him.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 17th, 2012
5:53 pm
VaBravesFan
March 17th, 2012
5:41 pm
Bench Competition
Luis Durango is 9 for 17 All Singles, 5 BB 1 K 1 SB
Jordan Parraz is 8 for 19 1 3B 1 HR, 1 BB 3 K
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Atlanta will have someone who can back up Bourn in CF. That would be Durango at this point. Diaz isn’t a lock to make this team, leaving the door open for Parraz. Also the Braves will likely carry one other back up infielder behind Jack Wilson. Drew Sutton looks like he’s got nod so far.
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
5:54 pm
I know there’s still a long way to go, but if the pitching keeps up the way it’s been going, Minor or Medlen may get the opening day nod.
VaBravesFan
March 17th, 2012
5:55 pm
Here’s a good Pastornicky vs Simmons article from FanGraphs. Good Read.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/scouting-comparison-andrelton-simmons-vs-tyler-pastornicky/
Lew
March 17th, 2012
5:56 pm
Coach – I’d say it depends on whether or not they want spped/defense or a bit more power potential in the outfield. They might go with Parraz and send Durango down to Gwinnett. Guess they’d just release Constanza in that case.
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
5:57 pm
I was watching the Braves/Mets today. Man, that Durango can fly. He looks to be, ridiculously, fast.
VaBravesFan
March 17th, 2012
6:01 pm
Wonder if Durango could be a possible CF replacement after Bourn leaves? Durango’s contact rates and plate discipline would make him a solid lead off man.
DS1
March 17th, 2012
6:04 pm
If we follow in line with what the naysayers were proclaiming last week, then we will probably go about 110-52 this year since we are 4-1-1 in the last 6 games.
Works for me……….
VaBravesFan
March 17th, 2012
6:05 pm
I’d be willing to bet that he’d Strikeout half as much and walk more than Michael Bourn.
B-F_52
March 17th, 2012
6:09 pm
I like your logic DS1
The only way to attain a season like that ,
would be an extremely dominate pitching staff.
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
6:18 pm
I haven’t seen that much of Durango, but from the little I have seen, he reminds me of Constanza. Slaps at the ball and beats it out.
He had a good OBP in the minors, but he still needs to learn more about stealing bases. He was thrown out almost a third of the time.
David O'Brien
March 17th, 2012
6:19 pm
Beachy, Medlen both sharp in Braves’ split-squad wins; Uggla homers again
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/03/17/beachy-medlen-both-sharp-in-braves-split-squad-wins/
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
6:21 pm
nolie, great choice on the reubens. I’m having a bit ‘o potato salad with mine tonight.
Forgot how good Killian’s tastes. Used to be my favorite beer until I gave it up for something with far less calories. Now, I’m pleasantly reminded why that was.
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
6:23 pm
Okay, DOB, enough writing (though we all thoroughly appreciate it). You need to take some time off tonight to get your Irish on, Mr. Obrien.
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
6:24 pm
Poor David. He even has to work on St. Paddy’s Day. Thank you, sir.
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
6:25 pm
Oops, O’Brien. Didn’t mean to take away your apostrophe.
Tom O'Hawke
March 17th, 2012
6:28 pm
Be careful, O’Brava. Those extra calories can make you do crazy things.
David O'Brien
March 17th, 2012
6:28 pm
Pastornicky relaxes a bit, has his best game
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/03/17/pastornicky-relaxes-a-bit-and-has-his-best-game/
richbrave
March 17th, 2012
6:34 pm
cabravesfan
March 17th, 2012
4:44 pm
“……I picked Missouri…..”
Don’t see how anyone could have missed on NORFOLK STATE. Heh!
Trey
March 17th, 2012
6:38 pm
Man, I already miss legal school, but at least being in North Carolina I get to watch the Braves again. I hate having to go back to real work next week.
Oh well, thank goodness for anxiety medication!
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
6:40 pm
Yeah, because I get my advice on beer from someone who calls themselves Enemas for Easter. Thanks for the input.
BTW, what’s that cologne you’re wearing? Oh, never mind, it’s Summer’s Eve.
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
6:42 pm
Hey, Trey. Have you been able to keep up with ST?
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 17th, 2012
6:44 pm
Unfortunately I know more than I should about Luis Durango.
I’ve been following his career for about three years now and while his potential is high, Range has holes in his game. The Padres identified the first problem more than two years ago. If you have noticed any of Durango’s at bats in spring training, you will see that he chokes up on the bat above the handle and tries to beat the ball into the ground all the time. Which is fine some of time, but not against big league pitching. Opposing scouts will pick up on this tendency, and pitchers will bust him inside with fastballs until Durango proves he can hit the ball through the infield.
The Padres let Durango walk due to this very deficit. San Diego tried to address the problem with no success. So did the Astros. Also, his base stealing skills are still raw as Durango still has problems reading pitchers first move toward home plate.
Now for the good stuff. Yes, Durango can fly. The dude has NFL wideout foot speed. That combined with his steady improvement on defense playing the outfield (his arm has drastically improved), and range makes him a candidate to back up all three outfield spots.
The other two jaw dropping stats: 318 walks against 306 K’s in the minors, and his .403 OBP. More walks than strike outs is amazing in that it’s rarely seen anymore. That and his bunting skills are complete. The dude knows how to get on base at a high rate in spite of being a pure slap hitter.
But the hidden caveat is that Durango has only been playing organized baseball full time for about a decade now. He was a soccer star in Panama for many years until his mid teens before taking up baseball full time around the age of 16. So Durango continues to learn the game and highly talented but still raw around the edges.
Trey
March 17th, 2012
6:45 pm
Here and there O’Brava. Unfortunately Norfolk doesn’t have FSS, when they come on FSS. At least they have FSS in Charlotte.
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
6:47 pm
Trey, do you get MLB Network? They are re-showing some of the games, although it seems to be at odd hours. Today’s Mets game will be shown at 7:00 tomorrow morning.
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
6:49 pm
Very informative and interesting post on Durango, Coach. Thanks.
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
6:51 pm
Oh boy.
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
6:53 pm
Actually, I do like Corona. Of course, I like most beer. But just so you know, I’ve traveled all over the world and enjoyed award winning beers from many countries. I’m just a simple girl and don’t feel the need to drink fancy beer all the time, but when i do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Small joke.
Tomahawkin
March 17th, 2012
6:54 pm
S/O To My Man Trey!
Whats Happenin Chief?
Who is O’Brava…?
There is only one Brava on here!
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
6:54 pm
It’s me, T. I’m just getting my Irish on!
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
6:55 pm
Some A-hole is messing with me because I like Killian’s.
Tomahawkin
March 17th, 2012
6:56 pm
NM…
O’Brava is Brava…
I can tell by the foreign beer references…Having come from a military family….
Trey
March 17th, 2012
6:57 pm
Nah, I don’t feel like spending any extra money on the MLB Network. ST really isn’t that important for me to catch up with the games. They lost most of the games while I was in Norfolk, so I have no interest in watching replays of the losses.
Tomahawkin
March 17th, 2012
6:58 pm
Killian’s Irish Red? Yuck
I will still to my Samuel Jacksons… even though I do like Heiniken’s and Chicks
O'Brava
March 17th, 2012
6:58 pm
Not, MLB.TV, Trey, MLB Network. It’s a channel on cable TV.
Tomahawkin
March 17th, 2012
6:59 pm
I meant to say I will Stick to my Samuel Jacksons…