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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Enquiring Minds Want to Know
March 20th, 2012
10:16 am
Dang, Richbrave, easy now. Just making conversation.
jeffrey d
March 20th, 2012
10:20 am
We’re still looking for a couple more teams for the blog fantasy baseball league. All I ask is that you keep up with your team all season.
League #: 64530
Password: bumpin
http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/b1/register/joinleague?.scrumb=
richbrave
March 20th, 2012
10:22 am
“……..That leaves it open for your guys if they can recover from their own collapse. We’ll see if they can bounce back and if those young arms rebound too………..”
Off last season’s finale and this spring, a few folks here are sayin’ about the BRAVES, “……..I dunno……..” I’m slowing beginning to fall into that camp myself, but I haven’t given myself over entirely to the temptation just yet.
Anders
March 20th, 2012
10:24 am
richbrave- It’s only spring training. Means nothing. Give them until June.
IVAN ...
March 20th, 2012
10:24 am
2 DOZEN SOUNDS GOOD……… Local oysters?
richbrave
March 20th, 2012
10:27 am
Enquiring Minds Want to Know
March 20th, 2012
10:16 am
“…….Dang, Richbrave, easy now. Just making conversation……..”
Yeah, gettin’ old makes you crotchty sometimes, but I’ll be my ebullient old self any minute now. Sorry,for being snippy. Do wonder what type of club MURPH used on the baby seal though. If he swings it correctly, we might try him out for a bench gig in ATLANTA. heh!
richbrave
March 20th, 2012
10:28 am
IVAN:
Are there any other kind?
jeffrey d
March 20th, 2012
10:30 am
They were imported
richbrave
March 20th, 2012
10:30 am
Anders:
I’d take another June like the last one with the exception of DAN UGGLA’s performance. I’m not seeing that off ST this time around, but dang, UGGLA seems primed and ready enough.
richbrave
March 20th, 2012
10:33 am
No FORMOSAN bi-valves for me thank you.
jeffrey d
March 20th, 2012
10:34 am
It’s tri-valves for me or nothing
IVAN ...
March 20th, 2012
10:35 am
not that I know of………
Ate a lot of seafood, the bar is set high from the Old Dominion area. Always has been , always will be..
Would love to have a bushel of ‘blue crabs’ , a COLD Budweiser and a couple hours to enjoy…….
Throw in a dozen or two on the ‘half shell’, some horseradish sauce, a shot of Tabasco and a pack of saltines………… Little slice of heaven……..
TennesseePaul
March 20th, 2012
10:41 am
And it made sense.
You’re darn tootin’
Anders
March 20th, 2012
10:48 am
Does anyone else feel like they’re subliminally being sold a time share for some beach resort on the old blog today? Oysters, crabs, cold beer. I keep hearing the sound of steel drums in my head.
Murph
March 20th, 2012
10:50 am
MURPH:
Which kind of club did you use on the seal? Blunt or sharp?
Club? Why would man have invented the steel-toed boot if he wanted us to kill our baby seals with clubs? I’m not some sort of caveman.
CB
March 20th, 2012
10:55 am
Anders,beats season tickets for the Mets.
Gil in Mechanicsville
March 20th, 2012
11:03 am
One thing that always bugged me about oysters on a half shell was the three times the little suckers would try to escape after I would swallow one…. Dem bad boys be slimmy…..
richbrave Thanks for bringing back a few memories of my childhood. I can still remember my dad tying down a big old dip net to his ‘50 Ford and heading to Proctor’s creek. Personally, herring were too “fishy” tasting to suit me but I can remember dad loving them all year round. Had a big ol’ wooden cask he would store his salt herring in. There was never a shortage of food around my house when I was growing up, just my not be what you would care to eat….
Just checked the program guide for ESPN and it list the Braves and Tigers as this afternoon’s fare. Yea…glad I have a DVR because that is smack dab in the middle of my PT appointment.
Will call you this week, maybe we can have lunch at the Sports Page next week here in Mecahnicsville and you can get the opportunity to meet my better half.
BravePack
March 20th, 2012
11:22 am
Ease
March 20th, 2012
10:12 am
No rest for the regulars! These practice games are really important. They need to be out there!
I sense this as sarcasm. Considering the way they are hitting, or not I should say, yes they do need to be in there to be ready for the start of the regular season and the all important 1st month.
ncscoots
March 20th, 2012
11:29 am
yes they do need to be in there to be ready
It’s not as if the guys who aren’t starting today are just loafing around back at Dark Star, grabbing early tee times and a cold one after.
BravePack
March 20th, 2012
11:35 am
ncscoots
March 20th, 2012
11:29 am
yes they do need to be in there to be ready
It’s not as if the guys who aren’t starting today are just loafing around back at Dark Star, grabbing early tee times and a cold one after.
Freeman just tweeted that he, Mac, and Uggla are on the 8th tee hammered already because the cart girl won’t stop following Uggla.
Ease
March 20th, 2012
11:35 am
yes they do need to be in there to be ready for the start of the regular season and the all important 1st month.
Well screw the back-ups then…I guess they need to be in tip top shape to take BP and sit the bench for games at a time. Why even bother? Scrubs need no practice.
BravePack
March 20th, 2012
11:37 am
Scrubs are scrubs Ease we all know what they can do…that’s why they are on the bench.
kenhotlanta
March 20th, 2012
11:43 am
Murph: Baby Seal, Bald Eagle, fried and raw oysters on the half shell is a feast for a king.
richbrave
March 20th, 2012
11:50 am
GIL in MECHANICSVILLE:
Roger that. I’ll dial you up this weekend.
Ease
March 20th, 2012
11:57 am
Scrubs are scrubs Ease we all know what they can do
Do you? I mean you have no clue what the starters can do and thus they need more practice? Good grief, People read so much into practices…
TennesseePaul
March 20th, 2012
11:59 am
If I’m reading the schedule correctly, games played between May 25th and August 22 are all in the Eastern Time Zone. That’s almost 3 straight months with no travel west.
Murph
March 20th, 2012
12:01 pm
I’ve never had Bald Eagle before. I bet it’s yummy.
Oh, man, that got my wheels turning. Instead of the Sopapillaporium, how about a restaurant that serves Bald Eagle hot wings? Those are still all the rage with the college crowd, right?
Ease
March 20th, 2012
12:06 pm
BREAKING: David O’Brien @ajcbraves
#Braves Arodys Vizcaino havin Tommy John surgery this morning
Fish Bisch
March 20th, 2012
12:09 pm
Get well soon Arodys.
Murph
March 20th, 2012
12:10 pm
BREAKING: David O’Brien @ajcbraves
#Braves Arodys Vizcaino havin Tommy John surgery this morning
That sucks, but it seems like the writing was on the wall since we acquired him.
Oh well. That at least ends the starter vs reliever debate for 12+ months.
Enquiring Minds Want to Know
March 20th, 2012
12:10 pm
I think its a good idea to see as much of the “backups” as possible because the Braves have some hard decisions to make.
1. The outfield: Is Matt Diaz the player we remember, or have his skills fallen off the cliff? Costanza and Durango are similar players who can back up CF and pinch run- which one is better? Parraz has more pop than either one, but can he play a serviceable CF? If not, and he’s just a defensively suspect good RH hitter, is he so superior to Diaz in that role that you can justify releasing Diaz?
2. The infield: The obvious question- is Simmons already better than Pastornicky? And, can Sutton provide adequate protection in the event that Wilson is a chronic injury problem?
3. Pitching Staff: Has Gearin really improved that much? Which Vavaro is the real one- the one seen at the end of last year, or the one that’s getting killed now?
You don’t answer any of those questions without playing them. A lot.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 20th, 2012
12:10 pm
Vizcaino’s surgery should come as no surprise.
Ease
March 20th, 2012
12:11 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
#Braves reliever Arodys Vizcaino has torn ligament, having surgery now and hope is he’ll be ready this time next year.
George
March 20th, 2012
12:11 pm
The entire country gets to see us this afternoon. Will the BRAVES continue to embarrass themselfs on ESPN?
N8
March 20th, 2012
12:13 pm
Agreed Coach. But at least he’s young enough to rebound (IE: Wainwright). Talent is still there. Definitely sucks. Was looking forward to that extra power arm in pen. But ultimately makes Medlen that much more important, along with Moylan’s eventual/hopeful return at some point.
David O'Brien
March 20th, 2012
12:15 pm
In case you missed my Twitter post from the field, Vizcaino is having Tommy John surgery this morning. Braves hope he’ll be ready at about this time next year.
George
March 20th, 2012
12:16 pm
What is with no FREDDY FREEMAN in todays lineup? Does he ever get to play?
David O'Brien
March 20th, 2012
12:16 pm
Also, Fredi said they haven’t ruled out Medlen for fill-in duty while Hudson is out of rotation, but Wren later made it clear Braves are planning on Medlen in bullpen and one of the kids, Delgado or Teheran, in the rotation in place of Hudson.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 20th, 2012
12:17 pm
1.Hudson
2. Jurrjens
3.Hanson
4. Beachy
5.Minor
6. Delgado
7.Teheran
8. Medlen
Braves starting pitching depth chart is still in good shape
TheOnlyBravesFan
March 20th, 2012
12:17 pm
Dang that sucks for Viz, but I guess that’s what you get with a fireballer.
Hillbilly
March 20th, 2012
12:17 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
#Braves reliever Arodys Vizcaino has torn ligament, having surgery now and hope is he’ll be ready this time next year.
I’m somewhat relieved to hear this. I’d rather him go ahead and get it over with than waste three or four years of controllability trying to fight through it.
George
March 20th, 2012
12:18 pm
Good that CHIPPER is playing.
Enquiring Minds Want to Know
March 20th, 2012
12:18 pm
George, I would imagine they’re trying to be conservative about that knee injury.
njbraves
March 20th, 2012
12:19 pm
With Viz now gone for the season, all the more reason to keep Meds in the bullpen. Although, Wren’s plan will give most people here a heart attack, it’s the right thing to do. If the big three in the ‘pen get overworked again this year the results will be the same come September.
Ease
March 20th, 2012
12:19 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
Wren also made it clear #Braves planning on Medlen for bullpen. Thinks Medlen helps team more there because they have good starters
N8
March 20th, 2012
12:19 pm
IMO, from what I’ve seen and read, Medlen should fill in for Huddy while he is out. Let Delgado and Teheran start year at AAA and find their groove. Less pressure on them to go to AAA and get “ready” then get called up when needed, than to start year with the pressure of “replacing” Huddy. Medlen can handle it better in my opinion. Add to that with the way Gearrin has appeared to succeed, perhaps he can be used in the pen for now until Medlen goes back to pen upon Huddy’s return.
If Jurrjens or Hanson have problems along the way, then perhaps Medlen stays in rotation. Medlen doesn’t get enough credit for being as good as he is from my angle. Dude will probably never be a true ace (though who knows?), but he has what it takes to be a VERY solid 3 or 4 guy in the rotation.
Probably not too many teams in MLB that wouldn’t take Medlen in their rotation right now.
Ease
March 20th, 2012
12:21 pm
Will the BRAVES continue to embarrass themselfs on ESPN?
As you do so on a daily basis on the AJC?
N8
March 20th, 2012
12:22 pm
Then again, I haven’t looked at the schedule that much for April. Is there a lot of days to “skip” the 5th starter if it’s Teheran or Delgado? If that’s the case, then yes. Meds should be in bullpen taking pressure off of big 3.
With Meds out there, our bullpen has legit chance to be “Big 4″ instead of big 3. Meds would excel in the pen.
Ease
March 20th, 2012
12:23 pm
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Scouts saying they are seeing improvement in Jason Heyward, while he continues to better integrate hands and lower half in his swing
Notice the use of the word “scouts” and not “fans”…
Murph
March 20th, 2012
12:25 pm
Also, Fredi said they haven’t ruled out Medlen for fill-in duty while Hudson is out of rotation, but Wren later made it clear Braves are planning on Medlen in bullpen and one of the kids, Delgado or Teheran, in the rotation
DOB, what kind of relationship do Fredi/Wren have?
It seems that the 4 or 5 times Fredi has talked about personnel moves Wren is right there to completely refute whatever FG has said. Hitting coach, Teheran/Delgado in the bullpen, Medlen, etc.
I am getting the impression that Wren doesn’t have much respect for his manager, although I’m probably reading too much into things… but it is interesting how often Wren has to set the record straight right after his manager opens up his pie hole.
Bat Masterson
March 20th, 2012
12:27 pm
Are Fredi and Wren ever on the same page?
Chop Chop
March 20th, 2012
12:27 pm
Heyward can’t help but improve his numbers from last season. He’s not a bad player. The rational question is this: Can he meet most of those lofty expectations from a couple of years ago? He has time to mature and grow, but I get the feeling that the Braves really need him to be a superstar quickly.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 20th, 2012
12:30 pm
Bullpen depth chart:
1. Kimbrel
2.Venters
3. O’Flaherty
4. Medlen
5. Martinez
6.Gearrin
7. Asencio
8. Fish
9. Cordier
10. Russell
11. Varvaro
Still deep and Moylan will eventually rejoin their ranks
George
March 20th, 2012
12:33 pm
Chop Chop 12:27
HEYWARD will never be able to hit for ave. He is a .240 BA hitter with a lot of power.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 20th, 2012
12:33 pm
George
March 20th, 2012
12:11 pm
The entire country gets to see us this afternoon. Will the BRAVES continue to embarrass themselfs on ESPN?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You are hereby banned from watching today’s game. If caught with your TV on…..I will crawl out of the screen and throw baseballs at you
Vinny
March 20th, 2012
12:34 pm
@Coach
7-11 all suck.
And I’m being generous to not include options 5 and 6.
Dutchieeeeee
March 20th, 2012
12:36 pm
Good day, denizens.
Dinnertime ánd the Braves online, with the Curacao kid hurling. A good day indeed! For anyone looking for a stream: http://forum.wiziwig.eu/threads/70974-Streaming-MLB-Spring-Training-Tuesday-20-March
As allways, please do respect the rules of that forum.
let’s enjoy!
Unfortunate for Vizcaino, hopefully he’ll come back stronger. Good luck to him!
Jimmy
March 20th, 2012
12:37 pm
Murph / Bat – I read it the same way. I thought it was just me seeing that.
Of course, it could just be over-zealoused reporting.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 20th, 2012
12:38 pm
looking forward to seeing JJ pitch for the first time in spring training.
Vizcaino's Elbow
March 20th, 2012
12:38 pm
“In case you missed my Twitter post from the field, Vizcaino is having Tommy John surgery this morning. Braves hope he’ll be ready at about this time next year.”
My brother-in-law’s been sleeping on my d–n couch and the sumbee ripped the cushions nearly in half. Kicked the guy out, but I’ve got to replace the cushions.
George
March 20th, 2012
12:38 pm
I can’t see MEDLEN in pen. He should be a starter.
Bat Masterson
March 20th, 2012
12:40 pm
Damn shame about Vizciano seemed inevitable though.
Soph
March 20th, 2012
12:41 pm
Best wishes to Arodys.
Bat Masterson
March 20th, 2012
12:41 pm
Put your glasses on George
George
March 20th, 2012
12:41 pm
Looking forward to the game this afternoon. I know it is only ST but we need to win one, otherwise the ESPN guys will make fun of us all afternoon after the colapse last Sept.
CB
March 20th, 2012
12:42 pm
Sounds like Fredi needs to check with Wren before he scratches his rear.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 20th, 2012
12:42 pm
Vinny
March 20th, 2012
12:34 pm
@Coach
7-11 all suck.
And I’m being generous to not include options 5 and 6.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>……….
Well that combined with Martinez and Viscaino being out of options, along with Fish’s rule 5 status should clear up any question as to why Medlen is needed in the bullpen.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 20th, 2012
12:43 pm
Curious George need banana
B-F_52
March 20th, 2012
12:44 pm
George as last years Red Sox manager is on the broadcast crew I doubt they will make fun of us
George
March 20th, 2012
12:44 pm
Yum Yum
Patrick
March 20th, 2012
12:44 pm
When you think about it, tommy john surgery for Vizciano seemed really inevenitable after he partially torn the ligament a couple years ago and just left it heal “naturally”
None-the-less. What a shame…
George
March 20th, 2012
12:46 pm
Yup you are right, I was not thinking about him doing game and I did watch yesterdays game. BTW it looks like the Phills may have some problems this year.
Moylan Prado
March 20th, 2012
12:51 pm
Medlen definitely needs to stay in the pen right now. The only way he should move to the rotation is if two of our starters are out at the same time (ie, Teheran and Delgado should not be in the rotation at the same time).
kenhotlanta
March 20th, 2012
12:51 pm
Murph & Bat: You took the words right out of my mouth. I have been thinking the same thing about how many times Wren has immediately contradicted Fredi. Seems like a pattern to me. However, I think Meds should be a starter until Hudson returns, and send the 2 studs down for fine tuning.
George
March 20th, 2012
12:51 pm
Hope CHIPPER hits a HR today so the BRAVES will let him move out of the Homer-less peoples tents at DARK STAR.
Patrick
March 20th, 2012
12:54 pm
Wren’s insistance on having Medlen in the bullpen is an ignorant and stupid move.
Medlen 1. Has more experience starting and in general than Delgado and Teheran. and 2. He clearly outpicthed the both of them this spring.
I may be wrong, but shouldn’t the thought process be, let’s put the best guy out there to help us win games now? If the braves were thinking that way, then Medlen would get that rotation spot.
Now I’m not saying that Delgado and Teheran don’t have more upside and will probably and potentially have better career’s in the coming years. But upside and future projections will not help you win games in the present.
Christian Martinez can fill in as the long man in the bullpen while Medlen fills in for Hudson.
That’s the move that makes sense. And not making that move could cost the Braves another playoff appearance.
George
March 20th, 2012
12:55 pm
Outta here to watch the game. Lets have a good one this afternoon y’all.
Lew
March 20th, 2012
12:58 pm
Enquiring MInds – Which Varvaro is the real one? Apparently the one that sucks in spring training (he did last year, too) and not the one who shows up during the regular season. Looks to me like he’s just a slow starter.
Anders – Reyes won’t be helping the Marlins as much as they think he will, IMO. Bet he getws hurt and misses a lot of time. The Mets? I don’t even think of them anymore – they’re just not an issue. I know I gave them lots of grief when they were good, but they really should have won much more than they did with the talent. But…….I’ve been a Braves fan through thick and really thin and know what it’s like being a fan of a lousy team. I feel for the Mets’ fans and their current predicament – a little bit, anyway.
ncscoots
March 20th, 2012
12:59 pm
You guys seem to think Medlen will go 4-0 if he fills in for Hudson, and one of the kids will go 0-4, LOL. I doubt the Braves expect any more than a break-even from whoever fills that spot for a month. If that’s their thinking, then Medlen in the pen is probably the smart move.
Lew
March 20th, 2012
1:00 pm
Actually had that backwards I would hope that the real Varvaro is the opne who pitches good in stretch runs and NOT in ST.
Moylan Prado
March 20th, 2012
1:03 pm
So if Medlen goes to the rotation, for the first month we have Kimbrel, Venters, O’Flaherty, and then what? If you put Meds in the rotation you severely risk overusing the Big 3 in the first month of the season.
Lew
March 20th, 2012
1:06 pm
Then what? Martinez, Varvaro, Gearrin, Asencio, and several still at Gwinnett.
I’m hardly worried we’ll overuse anyone in April – especially with off days.
ncscoots
March 20th, 2012
1:06 pm
Best wishes to Arodys.
Just as well, really. When he comes back, maybe the notion to use him in the pen will have vanished in his absence. I’m sure that idea had at least some germination from the thought of protecting his arm. And maybe he starts getting some more lower-half into his delivery to take some strain off. And maybe he wakes up from surgery with a changeup.
I’m thinking positive, here.
B-F_52
March 20th, 2012
1:08 pm
Our pen is very strong Varvaro is one of the reasons Play ball! Spring is sprung GO BRAVOS
bravesgrl4life
March 20th, 2012
1:08 pm
I love Joker Marchant Stadium! I grew up in the Lakeland area; next town over – Bartow. But went to JMS many times in my childhood. And drove by it probably thousands of times in the 20 years I lived there. I’ve now been in the Atlanta area almost as long as I lived in my hometown.
ncscoots
March 20th, 2012
1:08 pm
If you put Meds in the rotation you severely risk overusing the Big 3 in the first month of the season.
I don’t know that the name on the jersey of the fill-in starter is going to be the determining factor of that.
Venice Jim
March 20th, 2012
1:10 pm
Bourn pop to short…Prado grounder to short…
Does anyone need PBP today, before I drive everyone else crazy?
Anders
March 20th, 2012
1:11 pm
Lew- I’m not as pessimistic as most on the Mets. I do think it’ll be a couple of years though. They need to focus on pitching and nothing else. If it means letting guys like Wright walk – so be it. I became a die hard fan when Craig Swan was their ace so I know tough times too. This is when you find out who the real fans are. Like I said earlier today, I enjoy the climb as much as winning. I have confidence in Alderson and now it looks like the money is coming back too. Bluer skies today in Metland.
Enjoy your Braves ST gameon ESPN today.
Bat Masterson
March 20th, 2012
1:15 pm
Yikes…. Nice play, Bourn
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 20th, 2012
1:15 pm
UGH JJ already getting hit. 89 mph fastballs. Sure he’s not still hurting?
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 20th, 2012
1:16 pm
84 sinker away K out for JJ
Enquiring Minds Want to Know
March 20th, 2012
1:17 pm
Yes, please, VJ.
Venice Jim
March 20th, 2012
1:17 pm
A misplayed, blooping single = “already getting hit?”
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 20th, 2012
1:18 pm
Errors galore
Venice Jim
March 20th, 2012
1:18 pm
Chipper grounded out…
Blooping single bounced off Bourn for single and error – Strike out – error on pick off throw, runner to third – sac fly – fly to right ends inning
1-0 Tigers…
Bat Masterson
March 20th, 2012
1:19 pm
Get ‘em on, get a couple of errors and get ‘em in……..
Juan
March 20th, 2012
1:19 pm
BAD NEWS BRAVES…..2 error in one inning…
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 20th, 2012
1:19 pm
Venice jim, so what if a fan gets a little frustrated? JJ hasn’t been sharp this spring, so I’m edgy with him. No biggie
Moylan Prado
March 20th, 2012
1:20 pm
Pastornicky should have had that throw
Venice Jim
March 20th, 2012
1:20 pm
Just kidding