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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,457 comments Add your comment
Heisenberg
March 16th, 2012
3:01 pm
If Pastornicky hits .250 with a .300 OBP and plays average defense that would ……..
be a downgrade from the person he replaced. Will need more offense than that to make up for defense of AGon. Not that Pastor is a poor defensive SS, but he cannot be expected to be equal or better in that area. So he needs to produce at the plate. Otherwise you go with Simmons.
LJ
March 16th, 2012
3:01 pm
scoots, looks like your new stick doesn’t work
noleee
March 16th, 2012
3:01 pm
I seriosly doubt that both Simmons and Tyler go north, and I doubt either will OPS 700 in the bigs as a regular this year either
RC
March 16th, 2012
3:02 pm
He can play CF and not take the Schafer circuitous routes.
Come’on, for all of Schafer’s problems (and there were plenty), bad routes to balls was not one of them. Now McLouth….he could circle the right fielder on his way to catch a ball in left. But Schafer had pretty good CF instincts.
Venice Jim
March 16th, 2012
3:03 pm
‘Bama falling apart…
Venice Jim
March 16th, 2012
3:03 pm
Of course, I just turned it on, so small sample size…
Venice Jim
March 16th, 2012
3:11 pm
Now unfalling apart…
Juan
March 16th, 2012
3:11 pm
If Braves are loosing games because minor league and non-roster players are blowing leads late in games, then what would record be if games ended after 4 or 5 innings when the first string is in for both sides?
Looking at the Scoreboard we should be won the Following Games:
3/8 Orioles,3/10 Yankee,3/12 St Loius,3/13 Miami.
Record should be 6-8.
erik
March 16th, 2012
3:13 pm
I have to agree with Noleee. The best option for me is to go with Simmons, his defense seems to be far above pastor’s. Seems we have so many what-ifs this year at least we could leave simmons defense of that. With Pastor we can say what-if he hits and what-if on defense. we already have way to many what-ifs??? hey ward, prado, jj, hanson, chipper…uggghhhh it goes on and really you can add Bmac to a what if…..
I am never one to bank anything on spring training, but ugghhh we look rough folks
Shaun
March 16th, 2012
3:13 pm
kenhotlanta, Belanger’s World Series titles were because he played on great teams, so that doesn’t tell us whether Belanger was good or bad.
Belanger was a great fielder.
Simmons seems like the much better fielder than Pastornicky, and there seems to be little doubt. The question is can Pastornicky’s bat more than make up for the difference in fielding between the two.
It’s not like the Braves can just automatically throw out the guy who is better defensively and that is automatically going to lead to more wins. Maybe it will. But they obviously have to factor in both sides of the ball.
erik
March 16th, 2012
3:14 pm
***simmons defense off******
northbeach Scott
March 16th, 2012
3:15 pm
DOB Did you notice that someone finally removed the arrow from the neck of the T. Rex outside of Dinosaur World, as you drove past? I always thought that was hilarious, everytime I passed it as Mr. T. Rex looks really pissed off about it.
noleee
March 16th, 2012
3:16 pm
schafer… bad routes to balls was not one of them….RC
we must notta been watching the same Schafer, he was better than Nate but still wandered around quite a bit. his range was noticeably less than his speed
RC
March 16th, 2012
3:16 pm
It’s not like the Braves can just automatically throw out the guy who is better defensively and that is automatically going to lead to more wins. Maybe it will. But they obviously have to factor in both sides of the ball.
As well as balancing their present needs with future value. If they rush Simmons to the majors and he isn’t able to perform offensively, they may have spoiled what could have been a lineup fixture for years.
Shaun
March 16th, 2012
3:17 pm
Another thing that hasn’t been brought up much in the shortstop battle is the MLB service time rules. With Simmons, since he does clearly have more upside the Pastornicky, how much is it worth to wait to start his service time clock versus trying to win this season, if these two players are fairly close in terms of overall value they would likely add to the team in 2012?
Just all sorts of things complicate the position battle beyond whether or not Simmons is the better fielder.
6 foot demon that sounds like barry white
March 16th, 2012
3:18 pm
braves should just go ahead and end it now
DS1
March 16th, 2012
3:19 pm
Just checked in on the blog. Thanks DOB for your good work down there!
Noticed that our friend Mitchell has pronounced 2012 a lost cause. Whew! I am glad somebody has come to their senses.
One good thing could come from this disastrous season: Mitchell will feel NO need to come on and be embarrassed by the team, since there is really no hope for them to win more than 60-65 games this year. Heck, we might even beat the Mets record for most losses in a major league season.
We can only hope…………….
DS1
March 16th, 2012
3:21 pm
Shaun
The whole service time issue is primarily a concern for higher upside players. Not saying that Simmons won’t be a find major leaguer (I hope he does), but nobody is thinking in terms of him being a big star.
Wil
March 16th, 2012
3:21 pm
Mitchel – When comparing ST records absolutely. Is that comparison any less valid than comparing us to the Pirates, who haven’t had a winning season in over a decade?
alex
March 16th, 2012
3:22 pm
Shaun, this year please refrain from your statistical jibberish, you “sound” as if you are a stock technician at goldman/sachs…. Pease, I beg you, please…..
Mixxo
March 16th, 2012
3:24 pm
Can’t wait to see the ‘Spring training doesn’t matter…’ folks 2 weeks into the season.
CAN’T WAIT !!
Disgusted
March 16th, 2012
3:25 pm
RBI’s will always be around whether the new fangled statheads like it or not.
Hey, if a guy gets a hit with men on base, its an RBI. When you get an RBI you score a run. When you score a run, you help your team. How is that pointless.
Give me a guy who has 120 RBI’s and he is having a monster yr.
Are some of the new stuff useful, of course. OBP, OPS, of course. Some of the new stuff like VORP and WAR, forget it.
The zone range for defenders have some purpose but are not the end and be all. The role of scouting will never go away in the game.
Marc Schneider
March 16th, 2012
3:25 pm
No point expecting rational comments on this blog, but it’s absurd to talk about the team being “disinterested” or “showing no passion.” First, you have no idea whether they are or not playing hard-you simply assume that if the team is losing, they have no “passion” whatever that means. Second, this is SPRING TRAINING. Are they supposed to play like it’s the World Series? Third, half the time the games are lost by players who aren’t even going to be on the team when the season starts. Fourth, this isn’t footballl, throwing your helmet down isn’t going to help your performance. IN baseball, the problem is generally trying TOO hard and pressing.
Contrary to some of the bright posters, we have NO IDEA what ST records mean. There is enough evidence both ways. The collapse last year has nothing to do with what happens in spring training or what will happen during the season.
DawgDad
March 16th, 2012
3:26 pm
Last September I witnessed the Braves implode and post one of the worst records in Major League Baseball. Spring Training won’t PROVE anything to me one way or the other, but so far I’m not seeing many positive signs of a recovery. The best pitcher is out at least for the month of April, and the highest-paid position player is nearing 40 and complaining about the pain in his knees. Shortstop is a hole manned by minor leaguers, and the next two best starters are coming back from injury. No one of substance was added to the roster. Just saying.
DS1
March 16th, 2012
3:30 pm
Mixxo
While I am not oblivious to the fact that the team is struggling this spring, I don’t necessarily think that it’s a sign of how the season could go. It may well be, but it equally could be just what it is; spring games. (I’m going easy on you from now on, since I learned you’re a picker!)
Wil
Don’t pay any attention to Mitchell. He is and idiot!
Burrito time; then a 200 mile drive. Is the game on XM today???
Later
Bo Graves!
Juan
March 16th, 2012
3:31 pm
GO CREIGHTON…..is in my Bracket (No Idea where this College is)
Bay Area Steve
March 16th, 2012
3:33 pm
“If you know the math and know when to get up from the table, you can actually make a little money at it.”
Surprises me then, to hear you say you always hit 16 vs. 7-A. Only way to make money nowadays is to vary your play with the count. You can’t spread your bet enough anymore to win with bet-size alone. Times have changed. High count you actually stay 16 vs. 10.
Play variation is even more important for the single deck game out here. But even with y’all’s multi-deck, you must adjust your play with the count. Insurance being the biggest example.
RC makes a great analogy, and one I think fits well here. But, it also makes me realize, yet again, how much we don’t know. When anyone makes a decision that we question, but that person has more information than we do, we can often be wrong, even if it appears otherwise.
VJ, with your math background, you must count. Part-time fun, or well-practiced?
Juan
March 16th, 2012
3:34 pm
I’m doing better in my Bracket than McCann….also i have VCU
PMC
March 16th, 2012
3:35 pm
I mean, the games don’t count, but it’s fairly indicitave of the place that the team is in right now.
Money is really tight, they are trying to become a team that can manufacture runs but they have missed on a lot of outfield talent and they collectively are lousy at the plate.
It is what it is, a really nice starting staff, an AMAZING bullpen one of the best in the game, and an average lineup that struggles to string enough hits together to score even one run.
The team is in transition and it shows. It’s a team with a chance to make the playoffs if everything goes right, and they have played fantastic for weeks at a time, because if they hit AT ALL they win.
The problem, as usual, is that they generally don’t hit very much.
Shaun
March 16th, 2012
3:35 pm
Disgusted, don’t disagree with anything you said except for maybe, “Give me a guy who has 120 RBI’s and he is having a monster yr.” But I can’t understand where you’re coming from. It’s sort of like a pitcher with 25 wins. It’s pretty difficult to rack up 25 wins without having a monster season. While it’s possible the odds are against it.
But I and I think most front offices prefer to pretty much ignore RBI in order to avoid the possibility that you are getting fooled by a player’s RBI, since that possibility does indeed exist.
Seattle Braves
March 16th, 2012
3:35 pm
If Parraz makes the team and plays very well. You will see the Braves trade away Bourn.
Prado needs to get sign a long term and play third.
Simmons/Pastornicky? Im not sure who, but I like Simmons so far.
Dont see a long term signing for McCann. Sorry but he wont be a Brave after 2013.
Tired of Diaz and he needs to go.
Chipper more or less will end his career as a player this year. Thank you Jones for everything.
The problem I have and I will assume other Braves fans have this same issue. What makes you think that this club will do better than last year? From an offensive production stand point, it looks and feels the same as last year. Who knows if Uggla will crush the ball or fall back into a half year slump? What if Bourn gets hurt and misses the first half? What if Freeman gets the sophmore slump, like Heyward did. What if Heyward is lost again. What if Chipper cant play 100 games. What if Hanson, Jurjens, and Huddy not 100%. What if the BullPen gets over worked again.
Too Many What If’s
ncscoots
March 16th, 2012
3:36 pm
Looks like NC State won today
Bully for the Pack, and all, but I dislike them almost as much as I hate the Heels and Duke, LOL. I’m a Clemson boy.
(I do have some respect the Leslie kid, though. Sucker plays hard getting off the bus.)
scoots, looks like your new stick doesn’t work
I always hit 16 when Shaun’s the dealer, LOL.
DS1
March 16th, 2012
3:37 pm
A player can have a very good year without having a truck load of RBI’s, but it would be DARN hard to get 120 RBI’s and not being having a very, very good year. Just not likely.
northbeach Scott
March 16th, 2012
3:41 pm
Marc Schneider, some of us have actually been to ST games this year and for many years and do have some context from which to form an opinion not because the Braves are losing. They really look shaky and on the heels of the second worst collapse in Major League history and with little in the way of personnel changes, there is cause for alarm.
If the Braves finished well in 2011 and we at least saw an occasional bit of hustle and pride in preparation, then perhaps we would not be so concerned. There is something rotten in the state of Denmark and methinks its the Braves.
ncscoots
March 16th, 2012
3:41 pm
Play variation is even more important for the single deck game out here.
Shows how long it’s been since I’ve played, I guess. Casinos play single decks these days? I’m so old-school, I’d probably end up going back to work.
I’ve always just played a fairly mechanical game, hit-stay-split based on the show, press a single loss, bet-size a bankroll percentage, like that. I’m the dinosaur here, remember?
pat
March 16th, 2012
3:44 pm
Here’s what I don’t see from spring training…No hit and run. No scoring from 2nd. No moving guys over. No, first to third. No string two/ three hits together…
If we cannot make things happen on the base pads, we won’t score runs.
These guys are pros, don’t they know they got to manufacture runs?
If we are going to rely on the HR, we might as well forfeit.
noleee
March 16th, 2012
3:44 pm
depends too much on the rest of the team and where you hit to be an ideal guide to ability. certainly not meaningless but most baseball teams look at other things a bit more strongly, The Braves are still one of the more old school teams though
Shaun
March 16th, 2012
3:45 pm
Marc Schneider, good post. It’s amazing when people judge passion and interest of a baseball team, especially from afar. I mean, sure, there are maybe an obvious case maybe once every few years where a guy is completely loafing and we can tell.
I think people that make these judgements don’t realize how difficult it is to make it to the majors and stay there. How likely do you folks who make such judgements think it is that a player would work all his life to get to the majors only to consistently loaf and not care about whether he is going to be out of the game or whether he is going to make several million more dollars the next time he’s in an arbitration hearing or in a salary negotiation?
pat
March 16th, 2012
3:46 pm
Oh and before I forget:
Rot in HELL Liberty Media.
If the CEO and board had a shred of decency they would kill themselves.
Murph
March 16th, 2012
3:46 pm
Stupid Mountain West teams… UNLV and San Diego State have doomed me to last place in the bracket challenge. Picking Wichita St. over VCU didn’t help much either, but geez louise.
I need a Lobo upset over Louisville tomorrow.
pat
March 16th, 2012
3:48 pm
Complacency leads to being at home in October. These guys aren’t worried, these guys are complacent. These guys expect the very average from themselves.
They aren’t worried about anything and they should be…
Shaun
March 16th, 2012
3:49 pm
Marc Schneider, some of us have actually been to ST games this year and for many years and do have some context from which to form an opinion not because the Braves are losing. They really look shaky and on the heels of the second worst collapse in Major League history and with little in the way of personnel changes, there is cause for alarm.
If the Braves finished well in 2011 and we at least saw an occasional bit of hustle and pride in preparation, then perhaps we would not be so concerned. There is something rotten in the state of Denmark and methinks its the Braves.
Wow. I can’t believe this is a post from someone who actually invests time and money into going to Spring Training.
Can you give us some specific examples, please?
Bay Area Steve
March 16th, 2012
3:51 pm
I’m not knocking basic strategy, scoots. Most important thing for a beginning player, after bankroll management. Gets the house edge under 1%, in most instances. But, when you said math, I assumed you counted. Bet progressions are great when they work, but they are not infallible.
Reno’s always been a single deck town. Downtown Vegas, as well. The strip is virtually all shoe-games, now. Some higher limit singe and double deck. Have you heard about 6-5? These frickin’ fools are playing a game where blackjack pays 6 to 5. And, waiting in line to do it. If that nonsense catches on, why should any casino pay 3 to 2? If VJ or cab played 6 to 5, I’m drivin’ down to LA this weekend, and waiting outside In-’N-Out Burgers ’til I can correct somebody…
OK, I think I lied about the last part.
pat
March 16th, 2012
3:51 pm
I think every time a Brave says that they are past the collapse, they should get a fastball in the testicles.
They’ll be past it when they have 95-100 wins and not one single, solitary, second, before.
ncscoots
March 16th, 2012
3:52 pm
Complacency leads to being at home in October.
I’m pretty sure that you’re in for disappointment if you want to see them eating raw meat and dripping blood from their fangs in March.
noleee
March 16th, 2012
3:54 pm
95 to 100 wins? Really? sheesh
Venice Jim
March 16th, 2012
3:54 pm
Murph – I am kicking myself for listening to a couple of people and picking Belmont…
noleee
March 16th, 2012
3:54 pm
another football fan lost on a baseball site scoots
ncscoots
March 16th, 2012
3:56 pm
where blackjack pays 6 to 5. And, waiting in line to do it.
Fools and their money, bro. Bad enough to know that, even if you play perfectly, play long enough and you’ll lose, without giving a bigger edge to the grinding wheel. Mercy.
I’ve never been to Reno. What’s it like?
Bay Area Steve
March 16th, 2012
3:57 pm
“when they have 95-100 wins”
What if they have 95 through September 15, and lose the last 11 to miss the one-gamer? Still a collapse, right? Don’t give up hope, for “one single, solitary, second.” You can still drill guys’ testicles all you’d like (since it seems to be your thing)…
ncscoots
March 16th, 2012
3:57 pm
nolie, re your 3:54, yeah, I know. I just wanted to use “blood dripping from their fangs”.
Ralph
March 16th, 2012
3:58 pm
Other than the win and loss columns, I think we’re right where we’re supposed to be, as far as getting guys ready,” Gonzalez said.
How stupid can anybody be?
Mellie
March 16th, 2012
4:00 pm
Pat…no scoring from 3rd with less than 2 outs….never happens.
1eyedJack
March 16th, 2012
4:00 pm
As soon as we get Jack Wilson back we’re gonna catch fire!
noleee
March 16th, 2012
4:01 pm
shades of Ty Cobb……
Ward
March 16th, 2012
4:02 pm
Thanks DOB for the article,and right on. Maybe the Braves will get off to a good start in April? Would rather see them lose now,and start winning in April,and one mention is the Braves played thier first 6 games between the Yankees,and Detroit,and that doesn’t help you get off to a fast start.
Ralph
March 16th, 2012
4:04 pm
he’s pleased overall, especially the recovery of pitchers including Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson –
How could anybody be pleased with JJ and Hanson progress?
Bay Area Steve
March 16th, 2012
4:04 pm
Reno’s pretty sad, at this point. Lost a huge amount of their gambling business with the wide spread of the tribal casinos. Keeps folks from having to drive over the mountains. Even though the gamble (rules, limits, etc.) is better in Reno, my idiot brethren won’t go.
The city was still growing, and thriving, through the housing-boom. No state tax, and cheap labor, so a lot of CA businesses moved there. Vegas and Reno (and a couple places in Texas) were the fastest growing cities several years running. But, since the collapse, it’s pretty brutal in both places. Good prices for those of us still going, and of course, the Vegas strip puts on a happy face, but housing prices are 40% or less of what they were. Huge suburban tracts nearly deserted. Reno casinos nearly empty mid-week…
proverbsI-23
March 16th, 2012
4:05 pm
Parrazzzzzzzz!! love the young kids.Thanks DOB for info. Now lets win!
Ward
March 16th, 2012
4:06 pm
Hello everyone!Being a Braves Fan, I don’t see them doing the same thing twice,as last year. One thing is Lowe was the main reason for the callapse.Look what he did down the stretch,and that explains it,and Huddy had a sore back.
BravePack
March 16th, 2012
4:07 pm
Mixxo
March 16th, 2012
3:24 pm
Can’t wait to see the ‘Spring training doesn’t matter…’ folks 2 weeks into the season.
CAN’T WAIT !!
Can’t wait for all the chicken little’s who say Spring Training means everything when AA, AAA and AAAA players play half the game when the Braves are WINNING games that actually mean something when the season starts and REAL major leaguers play the WHOLE game.
CAN’T WAIT!
MFin04
March 16th, 2012
4:08 pm
Some of us should probably be locked up during Spring Training. But we will see after the month of April which group should have been locked up.
I think the games play what…23 games in April against pretty weak teams?
If the Braves aren’t 16-7, 15-8 or so…it will be a major disappointment.
proverbsI-23
March 16th, 2012
4:08 pm
Wilson ain’t no Simmons…
ncscoots
March 16th, 2012
4:09 pm
Geez, BAS, you make it sound like The Walking Dead, LOL.
I don’t mean to make light of what is obviously a bad economic situation for a lot of folks, but I guess I just did.
noleee
March 16th, 2012
4:09 pm
not much comping going on now days I guess except the whales
Ward
March 16th, 2012
4:11 pm
Also Huddy hasn’t pitched in spring training,and that has a factor to with wins.
MFin04
March 16th, 2012
4:12 pm
“Also Huddy hasn’t pitched in spring training,and that has a factor to with wins.”
No it doesn’t. He isn’t pitching in the first month of the season.
noleee
March 16th, 2012
4:12 pm
Face it folks, the era of the Braves is over, we are fixin’ to do a Pittsburgh now….
Ward
March 16th, 2012
4:12 pm
What’s Simmons new nickname? Anyone come up with one?I have to say I’ve been very impressed….
ncscoots
March 16th, 2012
4:12 pm
If the Braves aren’t 16-7, 15-8 or so…it will be a major disappointment.
For you, that goes for just about every month, no? Anything under .660 for the month, might as well shoot them for the broke-down nags they are?
Shaun
March 16th, 2012
4:12 pm
Complacency leads to being at home in October.
Yes, I’m sure all it takes is not being complacent. Sure. If only I hadn’t been complacent, I would be a veteran major leaguer on my way to the Hall of Fame right now. It’s all about complacency, that most of us are not starring in the big leagues, right?
Ward
March 16th, 2012
4:13 pm
noleee- go take your meds……little humor…..
Ward
March 16th, 2012
4:14 pm
Braves will be in the Play-Offs……Bank on it!
ncscoots
March 16th, 2012
4:15 pm
It’s all about complacency, that most of us are not starring in the big leagues, right?
Actually, I just couldn’t have afforded the pay cut.
Ward
March 16th, 2012
4:16 pm
I might lose only one game today in college baksetball,and Florida St. could be that loss?
1eyedJack
March 16th, 2012
4:16 pm
How’s Derrick Lowe doing?
Ward
March 16th, 2012
4:17 pm
Lost 5 games on bracket,so far,but not too bad.
noleee
March 16th, 2012
4:18 pm
and Florida St. could be that loss?…ward
now that was just plain mean…
Ward
March 16th, 2012
4:18 pm
All have a good one! Hang tough,and cheer for our Braves…….Talk tonight…..Peace My friends……..”Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
Ralph
March 16th, 2012
4:21 pm
Murph
March 16th, 2012
1:29 pm
If there is a race between Simmons and Pastronicky, well Simmons left the Rev at the starting gate.
Lew
March 16th, 2012
4:21 pm
I had to run errands this morning and I listened to XM HOme Plate while in the car. They interview the new Cards manager (or is that Managar?) Mike Metheny. He made an interesting comment when asked about where the team was right now in ST – something to the effect of “Well, we’re just stretching out now and trying to get warmed up a bit. We’ll really turn on the heat and work hard in another week or two to get into shape to make it through a 162 game season.”
MFin04
March 16th, 2012
4:22 pm
“For you, that goes for just about every month, no? Anything under .660 for the month, might as well shoot them for the broke-down nags they are?”
Nope, but all the “Spring Training Doesn’t Matter” people, think this team is going to play well. And with the EASY schedule in April, this team should play .660 baseball. The schedule is a joke. Absolute joke. And if this team is a playoff contender, and spring training is an anomaly, they should be 16-7 or so.
Dunkin
March 16th, 2012
4:23 pm
I think it’s a stretch to say that the spring doesn’t mean anything. It DOES mean something. I bet very few great teams have had awful springs. Sure there are always exceptions and it appears that Dave has found a few. But it does not take away from the fact that the Braves are having a terrible spring. We just have to hope they turn it around from here on out and have a decent record. Otherwise I think it may be a very long year for Braves fans.
I seriously doubt this team is as bad as their record shows. My worry is that they will underperform enough that they miss the playoffs or they underperform after making the playoffs. If they don’t do as well this year I think you can kiss Fredi goodbye. This team really should be way better than they performed last year or this spring. There is something seriously wrong and it better be corrected.
Ralph
March 16th, 2012
4:24 pm
Ward
March 16th, 2012
4:06 pm
Hello everyone!Being a Braves Fan, I don’t see them doing the same thing twice,as last year
They won’t because they won’t have a 10 game lead in September this year.
ncscoots
March 16th, 2012
4:26 pm
And with the EASY schedule in April, this team should play .660 baseball. The schedule is a joke.
But, but, but…won’t they get swept by the Diamondbacks and Dogers, those being good teams and all? That means they’d have to go unbeaten against the downtrodden?
northbeach Scott
March 16th, 2012
4:27 pm
Shaun,
Sure examples of the worst collapses in MLB history would be the Red Sox in 2011 9 game WC lead, 2011 Braves 8 1/2 game WC lead, Phillies 1964 6.5 game lead with 12 to play, the 2007 Mets, etc. The Braves collapse in 2011 was of epic proportions. At least the Red Sox held their manager accountable, the Braves, not so much.
Examples of poor preparation and hustle in ST that I have witnessed (have you been to a ST game this season Shaun or ever? I doubt it so you know nothing) so far include:
1) 3/10/12 vs Yankees, Braves LF (Prado?) loafed on fielding a single and turned it into a double for Almonte.
2) 3/10/12 vs Yankees. Jurrjens walks 6 Yankees in 2+ innings. Absolutely no command for a second ST start. He looked like Jo-Jo the dog faced boy.
3) lots of other non-chalance in the field like I have rarely seen in the past 30 years of ST
Hard to measure these things, except for results. While you may be ignorant Shaun on ST and how it works, I am not.
BravePack
March 16th, 2012
4:28 pm
He made a very good point Lew and I truely believe it is true for smart teams. Like I said earlier it is a long season and most injuries occur in the beginning of ST. Let the players gradually step it up week to week and not bust their nut right away in the first week or two. I think we see the Braves heat up in the next week or two when all the regulars start going longer into games.
extremus
March 16th, 2012
4:28 pm
A comment posted at mlbrumors.com said that several NL executives have remarked that this Braves team “looks like the same team that finished 10-20 last year”. Put that in your confidence pipe and smoke it (and I say this as a loyal Braves fan since the early 1980s). When rival executives are saying those kinds of things, you’d better believe all is NOT right in the ATL.
We have fallen a lot farther than I think the Braves organization is ready to admit with regard to the quality of the product on the field and the level of respect they carried during the great 1990s and early 2000s seasons. In short, the Atlanta Braves are no longer MLB’s “model organization”, and a lot of things must change (from ownership to management to players) for that downward trend to ever truly turn around.
MFin04
March 16th, 2012
4:28 pm
Dodgers and D-Backs aren’t that good either. I can’t stand the whole NL West. And I’m stilling holding out hope that the Brewers suspend Braun 50 games because it is the right thing to do.
noleee
March 16th, 2012
4:30 pm
yada yada yada
Juan
March 16th, 2012
4:32 pm
The Game tonight will be in MLBN on Video Delated at 10:00Pm.for those fan outside Atlanta
MFin04
March 16th, 2012
4:33 pm
To be honest, the Braves have looked pretty good the last few TV games with the regulars playing the majority of the games. EOF and Kimbrel have looked good as well. Now if we can get the starting rotation going, we will be good.
ncscoots
March 16th, 2012
4:33 pm
A comment posted at mlbrumors.com said that several NL executives
Challenge! on “several”.
Hillbilly
March 16th, 2012
4:34 pm
St Bonaventure is looking to wreck shop on my bracket and I can’t afford it after Alabama’s come-from-ahead loss.
Do something nolie!
extremus
March 16th, 2012
4:36 pm
Oh, there’s more by the way. Once again, here’s a direct quote from MLB Rumors:
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.
Hmm, pretty detailed for a “rumor”; this would lead me to believe that behind the “We’re not concerned” remarks from Freddi Gonzalez and Braves players, there may be a lot of tension and fear of a major shake-up coming in the near future if things don’t seriously get better.
Scott from Fairburn (live from Champion Stadium)
March 16th, 2012
4:36 pm
Watching the Astros take batting practice reminds of a scene out of Major League … Who are this ‘effin guys?
http://www.twitvid.com/JTQB2
ncscoots
March 16th, 2012
4:38 pm
Dodgers and D-Backs aren’t that good either.
You and your boys got to get on the same page. Diamondbacks were touted here earlier today by one of your D&G brethren. Dodgers have Kershaw and Kemp, and whatever else they care to bring along. Those two guys alone are enough to make some here quiver and tremble.
Seriously, though, a big win month when they are playing 27-29 games would be 17 or 18. I mean, a big month. Any month where you’re five or more over is pretty successful. Would you settle for a 14 wins in a short month?
Juan
March 16th, 2012
4:38 pm
St Bonaventure my second Bracket surprise…wooohoooo..VCU was the first one
Murph
March 16th, 2012
4:38 pm
Yeah, Simmons needs a nickname. This should be a blog priority.
Ummmmmm… hmmmmmmmm…. I’m drawing a complete blank.
Andrelton “Richard” Simmons
Andrelton “Gene” Simmons
Andrelton “Phat Farm” Simmons (obscure Russell Simmons reference)
CB
March 16th, 2012
4:39 pm
Fox Sports South is carrying the game live.