Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,420 comments Add your comment
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
6:26 pm
Lew –I haven’t been to a game since last Thursday. So I haven’t seen.
nolie
May 31st, 2012
6:26 pm
supposedly he is available CraZy, according to some writer. He should bring back some prospects if so
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
6:27 pm
Just checked the G Braves site…..
The Gwinnett Braves, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, announced the following transactions affecting the Gwinnett roster today: shortstop Tyler Pastornicky has been optioned to Gwinnett by the Braves, while infielder Greg Paiml has been transferred from Gwinnett to Double-A Mississippi.
I think that’s who came up when Constanza was called up.
kenhotlanta
May 31st, 2012
6:28 pm
Ship Heyward to AAA (Rob from SC): WTF?
nolie
May 31st, 2012
6:28 pm
poor ol Greg didn’t last long
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
6:31 pm
nolie…. What writer, I was only kidding I hope that was obvious?
Lew…. when Constanza was called up the OF in Gwinnett has been Gartrell-RF Durango-CF and Pie-LF.
Couch Tater
May 31st, 2012
6:32 pm
BAS – Steve from OH? These days, he’d just nod his head, look at you and write some unreadable latin. The guy is a fast learner.
“Heyward? You have Blue Cross? Oh..
..uh, I dunno. Check with flange or Lew.”
Murph
May 31st, 2012
6:34 pm
infielder Greg Paiml has been transferred from Gwinnett to Double-A Mississippi.
NOOOOOOOOO!
Wait…. who?
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 31st, 2012
6:34 pm
VaBravesFan—
Yeah, sorry…guess I was just trying to strike up conversation—freakishly bored on off-day…
Well atleast I think he’s a good defender and isn’t fat…
Yeah, you do have that going for you…
nolie
May 31st, 2012
6:35 pm
I see that Pie is still allergic to taking a walk
count_schemula
May 31st, 2012
6:36 pm
22yo shortstop who already has a 200 hit season and all .300 since coming up…
Yeah, you def trade a 22yo RF for that. Cubs would never do it.
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
6:37 pm
Murph that’s what I said… I never saw him in action.
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
6:40 pm
When is the earliest Bethancourt would move to AAA? Late this year or next? If he keeps hitting in AA or course!
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
6:44 pm
I’m looking forward to seeing Meds pitch in Gwinnett. I’m guessing he’s going to pitch this weekend sometime. Has anyone seen when they plan on pitching him?
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
6:47 pm
4
Gil in Mechanicsville
May 31st, 2012
6:48 pm
Thought, research and deliberation just went into that Edwards’ trial that cost millions of dollars….
End result? phil
That’s easy, a bunch of lawyers who were able to get the leather package in their new Mercedes and tuition for their kids to go to private school.
Murph
May 31st, 2012
6:51 pm
What the holy hell am I supposed to do with my Greg Paiml jersey now?
Son of a…
Gil in Mechanicsville
May 31st, 2012
6:57 pm
Bethancourt is still a couple of years away from being an everyday major league catcher. Often times, folks get sucked into the hype and then become disappointed when a 22 year old kid fails at the big league level. Give em time to mature and allow them to make their mistakes in the minors rather than in the big leagues.
Things like throwing to the wrong base and making the last out at 3rd or base running mistakes are best made in Pearl or Gwinnett. Sometimes, circumstance dictate a player be brought up before he is really ready but I would rather some of these kids be allowed to fail outside of the harsh spotlight of the big leagues.
cabravesfan
May 31st, 2012
6:58 pm
CraZy-
Meds is starting on Saturday- 60 pitch limit
Ex Senator John Edwards
May 31st, 2012
7:16 pm
Braves fans: Yee hah baby!!! Got off scott free!! YEEEE HAAA!!!
I really like political campaigns, especially running for President. You have lots of rich people throwing money at you and babes throwing themselves at you. Man that was fun!!!
Then they put you on trial and you get free publicity too! One tip I have for you prospective candidates is to stay away from the harlots; or if you can’t resist their charms, then don’t to forget to wear condoms.
They can’t keep me down. I’ll be back Braves fans, you can count on that!
Steve from OH
May 31st, 2012
7:17 pm
Et tu, Tater?
VaBravesFan
May 31st, 2012
7:18 pm
I think the key for Simmons at the plate is too continue to make contact like he’s done in the minors. In over 1000 minor league PAs Simmons has only K’d 7% of the time.
Pastornicky is considered a contact/speed guy as well he struck out 17% of the time in the bigs this season, but only striking out 11% of the time in the minors.
Juan Pierre is most likely one of the best contact hitters any of us have seen. In the minors Pierre struck out 5% of the time, but also in the Majors (13 Seasons) has managed to maintain the 5%
count_schemula
May 31st, 2012
7:20 pm
Juan Pierre with the swinging bunt, a move that won Chipper Jones his batting title.
Couch Tater
May 31st, 2012
7:27 pm
haaa!
VaBravesFan
May 31st, 2012
7:29 pm
Michael Bourn strikes out 20% of the time, which is my biggest beef with him. A guy with that crazy speed, just hit the ball. Explains why he’s only a career 274/338 hitter. Averages around 120 strikeouts a season.
Couch Tater
May 31st, 2012
7:31 pm
So what’s the latest, Steve.
When will you finish ? Where will you go?
Steve from OH
May 31st, 2012
7:37 pm
I finish in about 50 weeks, Tater. Gonna try to get a neurosurgery residency somewhere after.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 31st, 2012
7:42 pm
Hi, Steve from OH!!
VaBravesFan
May 31st, 2012
7:44 pm
Chipper walks 14% of the time while striking out 13% 2012 – BB 10% K 10%
McCann walks 10% of the time while striking out 14% 2012 – BB 10% K 9%
Heyward walks 13% of the time while striking out 21% 2012 – BB 11% K 25% (ouch)
Uggla walks 10% of the time while striking out 22% 2012 – BB 15% K 25%
Bourn walks 8% of the time while striking out 20% 2012 – BB 8% K 17%
Prado walks 7% of the time while striking out 11% 2012 – BB 11% K 10%
Freeman walks 8% of the time while striking out 23% 2012 – BB 7% K 22%
VaBravesFan
May 31st, 2012
7:47 pm
Wow Cubs are willing to eat 45 million of the remaining 48 million left on Soriano’s contract.
phil
May 31st, 2012
7:53 pm
faninva
May 31st, 2012
5:46 pm
raleighbravefan – I meant no disrespect. you’re right, they are there if you need them, only i am afraid there are many who’s only goal is to file frivolous law suits that clog up our courts and make it harder for people with real issues get the justice they need. I’m sorry, but Edwards just has that stereotypical ambulance chaser “charm” about him – just strikes me as sleazy.
*********
more mindless drivel…..stick to something you know something about.
keylargo
May 31st, 2012
7:53 pm
Ship Heyward to AAA (Rob from SC)
I must have personally read 8 or 9 million times how Heyward should start in RF in 2010 for the Braves from this same guy. I probably missed a couple of million of his post though.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 31st, 2012
7:53 pm
Poor Cubs
VaBravesFan
May 31st, 2012
7:55 pm
1.5 million each for 2013 and 2014 isn’t that bad for a guy who can provide a 450+ SLG and 20 homers. But he’s still a poor hitter and defender. At best 250/300/450 type guy at this point. Most likely would be worse in a part time/bench role too.
keylargo
May 31st, 2012
7:59 pm
Steve from OH
Good – you can work on my brachial plexus injury. It has improved a good bit on it’s own, but it could stand some hi tech new Dr. techniques working on it.
phil
May 31st, 2012
8:01 pm
Auction Hunters just isn’t the same as a game….
Oh wait!
That’s how we’ll be getting our players going forward with only a few mill to spend on em.
VaBravesFan
May 31st, 2012
8:03 pm
Im not suggesting the Braves try and get Soriano, I was mentioning the crazy money
phil
May 31st, 2012
8:03 pm
Steve from OH
May 31st, 2012
7:37 pm
I finish in about 50 weeks, Tater. Gonna try to get a neurosurgery residency somewhere after.
********
Medical Center of Central Georgia…..might be worth a shot?
Couch Tater
May 31st, 2012
8:07 pm
That 50 weeks will be over before you know it. Thank goodness. Right? I hope you get the residency you want, preferably with good weather and good golf courses.
phil
May 31st, 2012
8:09 pm
Then ignore my 8:03! Lol
Steve from OH
May 31st, 2012
8:12 pm
Tater–thanks, bud. Dunno how often I’ll be on the golf course but it’s a nice thought…
McFann–What’s up? I hope all is well!
KL–you’re barking up the wrong tree…I’m not the innovative type
Steve from OH
May 31st, 2012
8:13 pm
phil–I’m applying pretty much everywhere. Haha. It’s a pretty competitive specialty.
phil
May 31st, 2012
8:18 pm
It has to be, Steve. Best of luck!
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 31st, 2012
8:21 pm
Steve—
Thanks! Can’t complain…much…
Hope all is well with you, too! Good luck finishing up and congrats!…
keylargo
May 31st, 2012
8:26 pm
Steve from OH
I found that all the hi tech stuff hasn’t helped me at all. I finally said screw it and and went and bought some 10 pound dumbells. I’ve worked my way up some over the last 2 years but the most progress was just grit my teeth, put up with the pain and get stronger. I was having trouble with feeling in my hands to start and that’s mostly come back too.
Bat Masterson
May 31st, 2012
8:33 pm
Ship Heyward to AAA (Rob from SC)
May 31st, 2012
6:16 pm
Whoa there, man. It looks like Rob is off his game. Might need to ship him off to Bradley’s blog to work on it.
Waffle House or Bust
May 31st, 2012
8:52 pm
Wild Card one game playoff prediction…
Marlins over Braves and they break your hearts again. Notice I said your? I know it’s going to end ugly again. It’s what they do.
phil
May 31st, 2012
8:57 pm
Fire Waffle House!!
Disgusted
May 31st, 2012
9:00 pm
I don’t think that there is anyone is the system that is going to be an upgrade over Heyward right now, as frustrating as Hewward is to watch, the only real option is to keep working with him through this yr at least and see if he can be coached up.
If he does not show improvement, than in the off season they have to upgrade. The down side is that Heyward’s value is low. U cannot get much selling low. Maybe he could be part of a package, but that is something to address in the off season.
I feel sort of bad for Pastornicky, the kid did work his tail off and he was just not good enough. Maybe someday he can be adequate in the field, but he has a way to go. Maybe a future as a U infielder so he better learn to play a couple more positions to stay in MLB for a good long time.
There is a place for role players.
nolie
May 31st, 2012
9:01 pm
there are a whole buncha 150- 200 pound dumbells around here if you need a bigger size KL
Disgusted
May 31st, 2012
9:02 pm
John Edwards is da man!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sarcasim)
phil
May 31st, 2012
9:03 pm
The place for those role players?
Elsewhere….
You know….except for a few.
nolie
May 31st, 2012
9:04 pm
I knew that Alan Shore and Denny Crane working behind the scenes could get him off
nolie
May 31st, 2012
9:04 pm
I hope Hey is here forever….
phil
May 31st, 2012
9:06 pm
Sarcasim?
Disgusted
May 31st, 2012
9:08 pm
Phil—There is a place for role players on every team, you need a bench and some vet guys who will accept their role.
In Pastornicky’s case that is not him yet, he is very young but when he is in his late 20’s if he can play a couple of positions adequately and have a servicable bat (was not that bad at the plate but not that great), there is a place for him in MLB.
Hope that Simmons can be the SS of the future, but we have seen our young guys struggle (ex Hewward). And the young pitchers too.
This is a developing team and I still do not have high result expectations for them. And don;t have high aspirations for our owners doing a heck of alot either.
nolie
May 31st, 2012
9:08 pm
nah. I luv the kid.if he is here forever it will be because he lived up to his potential and became a star, otherwise he will be gone sometime over the next few years
phil
May 31st, 2012
9:10 pm
It’s all so disgusting….
keylargo
May 31st, 2012
9:13 pm
Nolie – you have to grip those 200 pounders just right to make them do what you want them to.
nolie
May 31st, 2012
9:16 pm
yeah those can be kinda hard to handle at times KL
Powderfinger
May 31st, 2012
9:23 pm
Just got home. I gotta say that the Constanza move seems to have injected a little life into the line-up. Nothing wrong with that. Other changes can’t hurt either. Can’t wait for this weekend in DC…
phil
May 31st, 2012
9:24 pm
Yeah….
Watching Harper walk all over us will be a thrill!!
Powderfinger
May 31st, 2012
9:26 pm
C’mon, phil…I’ve been doing my best to remain positive. Little help please?
Bat Masterson
May 31st, 2012
9:29 pm
Yep, sure fire HOFer. No reasonable expectations for Harper, no siree bob.
nolie
May 31st, 2012
9:30 pm
phil is a believer in misery loves company PF…..
phil
May 31st, 2012
9:30 pm
I’m always positive, PF!!
nolie
May 31st, 2012
9:32 pm
positive that everything will go bad….
phil
May 31st, 2012
9:33 pm
Happy as shaun at a sabermetrics convention, noles!
Powderfinger
May 31st, 2012
9:37 pm
phil — I’m confused concerning just what it is that you’re positive about. How about this: I’m positive that we’ve gone through our worst stretch of the season already, and we’ll take 2 out of 3 (at least) this weekend. Amazing how 2 beers after being awake since 3 AM this morning will build your confidence…
nolie — If misery loves company, then phil is adored and surrounded by many like-minded bloggers. He should bask in the warmth…
phil
May 31st, 2012
9:40 pm
I actually think we’ll do well this weekend.
Who really knows, of course, but we should take 2 of 3 if we bring our bats with us.
phil
May 31st, 2012
9:42 pm
Good night folks….
Powderfinger
May 31st, 2012
9:42 pm
phil — I’ve got plenty of bats in my belfry, should they require some more. Seriously, I feel all of the frustration out there. What encourages me most is that they’re making some moves. I was beginning to give up on the very thought of that…
Powderfinger
May 31st, 2012
9:44 pm
Enjoy some rest, my friend…I’m not far behind you…
tiger297
May 31st, 2012
9:44 pm
day off through me for a loop
tiger297
May 31st, 2012
9:46 pm
through me…WTH did I go to school in louisiana
tiger297
May 31st, 2012
9:46 pm
oh wait I did
MrC
May 31st, 2012
9:52 pm
Remember the days when Heyward was the Bryce Harper of MLB???
Anyway, he has 4 multi-hit games out of 47 games played. I know he walks a fair amount but that is astonishing to me.
BFChris27
May 31st, 2012
9:58 pm
Sad news today.
Just found out yet another good friend of mine has passed away due to cancer. I’m speechless and numb.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 31st, 2012
10:05 pm
BFChris27—
So sorry to hear that. You, your friend, and his family will be in my prayers.
Efrim
May 31st, 2012
10:11 pm
BAS – Yeah, I read Efrim’s honeymoon comment. So many responses…
Tater, sorry, I just hadn’t been on the blog in over a few weeks. Sounded like rambling, I’m sure.
BAS – promise I won’t bring up more draft stuff. I am optimistic for next week. Should be interesting with all the rule changes.
BFChris27
May 31st, 2012
10:11 pm
Thanks.
This is just becoming so surreal. I don’t know what to say, feel or do.
ray k.
May 31st, 2012
10:16 pm
Those k to BB numbers are interesting. What I find so dispiriting about Heyward is his inability to enjoy multi hit games. Seemingly every night he’s either 1-4 with 2 ks or 0-4 with 2 ks. He hasn’t been able to enjoy 4 or 5 game stretches where he’s seeing beach balls coming over the plate. Prado, on the other hand, seems to have gotten at least 2 hits a night for a month now.
Maybe the light goes on soon, but if this keeps up for another season or two, Heyward may be the Ryan Leaf of Atlanta.
richbrave
May 31st, 2012
10:50 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
GWINNETT
Hogs eat G-Men 14-4
1B ERNIE MEJIA [.314 BA] 1-4, 1 RBI [40], 2 SO, 1 SB [5]. First to 40 RBI’s, but still too many SO’s – 35 SO – 13 BB.
Lead-off CF FELIX PIE [.255 BA] 2-4, 2 R, 2 2B [2].
1B CHRIS MARRERO [.259 BA] 2-4, 2 RBI [19].
SS JOSH WILSON [.242 BA] 2-4, 1 R, 2 2B [10], 1 SO.
PH STEF GARTRELL [.261 BA] 1-1, 1 RBI [31].
RHSP TODD REDMOND [2.76 ERA] 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 HR, 4 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 SO.
RHRP ADAM RUSSELL [L 3-2, 3.57 ERA] 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 0 SO.
RHRP JAYE CHAPMAN [3.09 ERA] 1.0 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO.
RHRP ANTHONY VARVARO [3.15 ERA] 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 HR, 1 R/ER.
Trey
May 31st, 2012
10:59 pm
It’s a shame about Pastornicky. Oh well, Simmons should be good.
Disgusted
May 31st, 2012
11:00 pm
Maybe the light goes on soon, but if this keeps up for another season or two, Heyward may be the Ryan Leaf of Atlanta.
@Ray K.–Not quite that bad, one thing for sure is that Heyward, for his faults as a player, has more personal charachter and work ethic than Leaf could ever hope to have.
If the light does not go on iin the second half of the yr, consider moving him as part of a package in the off season. You could get something with a package of Heyward and say, Teheran. Some team would bite. Teheran has no real record of failure in MLB, so he would be more attractive than say, a Minor. Or, even Delgado.
richbrave
May 31st, 2012
11:12 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
MISSISSIPPI
Bandits sink under the weight of too many BISCUITS 3-7.
2B PHIL GOSSELIN [.261 BA] 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB.
DH TIM SMITH [.400 BA] 1-4, 1 2B [1], 1 RBI [2]. Enjjoys his fifth game in AA.
RF TODD CUNNINGHAM [.304 BA] 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B [6].
3B JOE LEONARD [.270 BA] 1-1, 1 RBI [22], 1 BB.
LHS/RP LUIS AVILAN [L 1-4, 3.06 ERA] 4.0 IP, 6 H, 1 HR, 4 R/ER, 1 BB, 6 SO.
LHRP CHRIS MASTERS [3.81 ERA] 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO.
RHRP ‘Aussie ANDY’ RUSSELL [1.85 ERA] 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 1 E [1, missed catch 1st base].
BANDITS on top bottom of the fourth 3-1. SEAN GILMARTIN on the mound.
richbrave
May 31st, 2012
11:16 pm
Trey
May 31st, 2012
10:59 pm
“……It’s a shame about Pastornicky. Oh well, Simmons should be good…….”
His glove will be even if he commits a few with the rookie jitters, but his bat may not. It could get ugly. I’ll be interested to see if AL is the kind of player who responds favorably to a challenge. Otherwise, he could be looking up at JACK WILSON’s numbers [this season's that is].
richbrave
May 31st, 2012
11:22 pm
He’s the 1st 2010 pick to make the big club, and the first position player.
Trey
May 31st, 2012
11:23 pm
rich, at this point and time I prefer the bat. Our pitching is horrendous, so we need as many decent hitters as possible. I think I will be a little less patient with him if he strikes out more often, than if he makes an error, here or there.
tiger297
May 31st, 2012
11:44 pm
when its sleepy time down south….
Trey
May 31st, 2012
11:49 pm
Anyway, ’tis bedtime. I gotta get up at 6:00 and it’s damn nearing midnight. Damn duty, plus Drill weekend. I fell asleep once I got home, due to our semi-annual fitness test, so hopefully I can sleep tonight.
JC Brave
May 31st, 2012
11:54 pm
Minor is winless in his past seven starts, going 0-3 with a 9.08 ERA, while allowing 13 home runs in 37 2/3 innings.
That’s for Rick.
Trey
May 31st, 2012
11:56 pm
Crap, Minor pitches tomorrow, too, JC.
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
June 1st, 2012
12:11 am
Trey
May 31st, 2012
11:23 pm
rich, at this point and time I prefer the bat. Our pitching is horrendous, so we need as many decent hitters as possible. I think I will be a little less patient with him if he strikes out more often, than if he makes an error, here or there.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Nope, not even close. Our starting pitching has been inconsistent and the real reason is…..
D-E-F-E-N-S-E or lack thereof. It’s difficult enough with pitch counts to get past the sixth inning. Add in an infield which can turn an inning into a five or six out affair, which turns outs into errors, and base hits along with eating into the bullpen.
It’s real simple. Pitching is defense, Defense is pitching. The two go hand in hand. Our team effort at catching the ball is already taking it’s toll. However, Simmons will help tremendously in this department. But then again, he should have been our starting SS right out of spring training.
My reasoning as to why is simple. Pastornicky or Simmons would have struggled in the batters box as both are rookies. Simmons would not have and won’t struggle in the field. Ergo, Frank Wren dropped the ball, literally.
uga-brave
June 1st, 2012
12:18 am
chuck james, horacio ramirez, and kyle davies.
damn fell into that time warp machine again. must be in a scary time warp.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
June 1st, 2012
12:26 am
It’s funny, they said they’d sacrafice defense for offense in choosing Pastornicky as the opening day SS. Now it flipped around.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
June 1st, 2012
12:27 am
Whew! That is a scary warp there uga.
uga-brave
June 1st, 2012
12:33 am
chat, not much difference.other then beachy, their whip is the same.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
June 1st, 2012
12:37 am
BFChris, Bless you heart. I’m sorry losses keep coming your way. There’s a light somewhere, I promise. I have to tell myself the same thing sometimes. I had to a little bit ago. Having a tough time with my body at night. I get woken up in a panic and can’t go back to sleep, though I’m so exhausted I can just barely lift my arms.
You read this I hope.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
June 1st, 2012
12:40 am
uga, I’m not all that surprised to be honest. Minor and Delgado? Hudson coming off another surgery at his age. Hanson hasn’t really lived up to the huge hype anyways. JJ we knew was a big health question mark, and his velocity has been steadily declining.