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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,748 comments Add your comment
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:14 pm
http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/26348/braves-rookie-simmons-already-elite-ss
Great stuff.
Heyward, Freeman and Simmons – Three 22 year-olds in your everyday lineup. Special.
Go Braves!!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
1:15 pm
I think this one game play-in to become the wildcard is silly.
Another one agrees. Stupidest game of all. The whole season is decided on 1 game.
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
1:17 pm
“Chipper may not be having an all star year,”
Better than Fat Panda.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:17 pm
I’m in against one game too, always have been
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:17 pm
Yep, pretty stupid, should be at least a 3 game series like the regular season.
scoots just threw up on his laptop.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
1:19 pm
Pablo Sandoval looks heavier than Juan…. looked it up, Pablo’s 3 inches shorter, and 5 pounds lighter…. We could have it worse with the fat jokes….
George
July 2nd, 2012
1:19 pm
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
Yup, one game is not a true test in baseball, to much would depend on how each teams pitching rotation happened to fall at that time. Also I believe 4 teams in playoffs is plenty.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:19 pm
I need more info on this Luis Merejo kid down in the GCL. 6′0” 170lbs, 17 year-old LHP, 20 K’s/1 BB in 15 innings – 3 starts. Looks to be one of, if not the youngest player down there. All I could find was a couple of Baseball America folk saying it was a great International signing by the Braves. No scouting report.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
1:20 pm
Also I believe 4 teams in playoffs is plenty.
I’m agreeing with George… I’m scared
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:20 pm
get rid of the season and have every team play a 7 game double elimination tourney….
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
1:20 pm
Fat Panda “.300 .362 .471 .832″
Chipper “.292 .375 .455 .830″
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
1:22 pm
Though I’m okay with the 5-team playoff, just make that first series 3 games at least.
Jimmy
July 2nd, 2012
1:22 pm
No, I’m not voting for Chipper in this “last man vote” thing.
It’s not justifiable. HOF, yes. But not an All Star in 2012.
But you folks vote away – if you feel lead. I understand there is no limit?
George
July 2nd, 2012
1:23 pm
I do not like SF ballplayers. I do not like SF, to many liberals out there.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:24 pm
I do not like SF ballplayers. I do not like SF, to many liberals out there
What’s wrong with liberals?
Jimmy
July 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
Efrim – Does it have to be spelled out for you:
Liberals are too liberal.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
George The BRAVES should have BRIAN’s eyes checked again, he does have a history of eye trouble.
I’m sure that’s included in the physical all the players take in Spring Training, especially for players who’ve had eye issues in the past…
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:27 pm
buncha bleedin’ heart pansies……
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
Let’s go 7-0 through the break. Finish up the first half at 48-37. Who’s with me?
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:28 pm
buncha bleedin’ heart pansies……
Hah! Nice…
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
wanna take away our guns so we caint shot bad people ourselves and have to wait forever for the death penalty to finally get around to it………
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
All I ask is that we hit Kyle Kendrick this Friday night. Please….
By the way, Hamels was lined up to face us but I guess they shuffled the rotation? We miss Lee and Hamels – which is awesome.
B_F 54
July 2nd, 2012
1:30 pm
loggers limbs? anyone read “Sometimes a Great Notion” by Ken Kesey?
that is a great book
George
July 2nd, 2012
1:30 pm
If CHIPPER were not in the extra man vote I would vote for HARPER I think the kid is for real and I did like his qoutes per DOB yesterday.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
1:31 pm
I’d like that Efrim, but I’d say 5-2 or 4-3 much more likely.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
I swear, I still can’t believe the Phillies are 36-45. I get that they are a shell of their former selves and are missing so much and are old as dirt. Just crazy to see. They have practically crushed everyone for 3 years and won the division 5 straight. That’ll finally come to an end.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
1:33 pm
Walker fixed Heyward and Prado, but he’s screwed BMac…. (sarcasm)
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:33 pm
great book, but it can be confusing to some with the unannounced multiple first-person narratives
Trader Jack
July 2nd, 2012
1:34 pm
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
All I ask is that we hit Kyle Kendrick this Friday night. Please….
By the way, Hamels was lined up to face us but I guess they shuffled the rotation? We miss Lee and Hamels – which is awesome.
If the Braves can’t hit Kendrick and Blanton well…………………………………
tony austin
July 2nd, 2012
1:34 pm
Jimmy – No, I’m not voting for Chipper in this “last man vote” thing. It’s not justifiable. HOF, yes. But not an All Star in 2012.
As a Braves fan I voted for him to show loyalty and allegiance. Maybe he isn’t having an all star caliber year, but this his final season and the Braves would not have been the team they were without him. Bourn, though a very good choice, has been with the Braves less than a season and more than like will bolt at the end of the year.
There are players not going that deserve to go and there are players going that maybe shouldn’t be there. This is Chipper’s last chance, let’s send him out an All-Star.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:36 pm
I saw Girl with the Dragon Tattoo this weekend and didn’t really like it. Never read the book, though.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:36 pm
Chipper = Fat Panda
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:36 pm
If the Braves can’t hit Kendrick and Blanton well…………………………………
They;ve never really been able to hit Kendrick.
B_F 54
July 2nd, 2012
1:37 pm
Kesey was liberal with his artistic license,He musta been “trippin”
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:38 pm
which one Efrim, the original or the American remake?
I can’y say that I thought any of the series was quite as good as most folks did.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:38 pm
It is shaping up to be a big offensive week for our Braves, imo. 6 RHP’s vs. the one LHP – Paul Maholm.
Samardzjia, Volstad, Kendrick, Blanton….
Big weeks for Heyward and Freeman. Calling it.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:39 pm
American remake, noles. Just didn’t like it. Rooney Mara was good, I guess, but I just didn’t care it.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:39 pm
coupla great novels though in a short time between NOTION and CUCKOO’S NEST
B_F 54
July 2nd, 2012
1:39 pm
My wife just read Dragon Tatoo she told me I’d like it but the the movie trailers were weird
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
1:39 pm
njbraves
“Anybody really think the Braves would win a single elimination WC playoff game? No chance. This team needs to win the division if it wants any shot at making a run in the playoffs.”
Co Sign! We don’t have a Shutdown Ace that can go up against Another teams ace assuming The Giants, Dodgers,Cards, or Nats get the other WC spot
Trader Jack
July 2nd, 2012
1:40 pm
Efrim
Very true, but Kendrick has been throwing BP all year, and it would be a major disappointment not to light him up
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
1:40 pm
If Im Not Mistaking?
Cy Maholm Owned Us when we were at Wrigley earlier this year?
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:40 pm
jaysonst Jayson Stark
An exec of one team who spoke w/ #Phillies says he can’t see them unloading Hamels etc. until after Howard/Halladay return in mid-July
Howard is coming off achilles surgery and won’t play everyday from the beginning and Doc will effect, what, 3 games? That’s stupid logic.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:40 pm
I think the original was a tad better, but not all that much difference so you likely wouldn’t care all that much for it either.
B_F 54
July 2nd, 2012
1:41 pm
Yea pretty awesome output no doubt
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
1:42 pm
@Trader Jack
“If the Braves can’t hit Kendrick and Blanton well…………………………………”
Heavy B aka Joe Blanton Threw a 1 or 2 hit Shutout against us at home earlier this year
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
1:42 pm
just threw up on his laptop.
Every extra series that does not pit the winningest team from the NL against the winningest team from the AL, devalues the regualr season. It’s bad enough that there are already two extra series that teams have to play. So, what some people want is to not only reward a team that can’t win its division, but want to give them extra chances to grab that reward against a likewise came-up-short team? Kee-rist, trophies for everybody.
Win, or suffer. End of story.
Trader Jack
July 2nd, 2012
1:42 pm
Plus Blanton has surrendered 19 hrs in 104 innings
George
July 2nd, 2012
1:42 pm
Still think we should send DAN and BRIAN CHARLEY SHEEN’s slump-buster.
Trader Jack
July 2nd, 2012
1:44 pm
omahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
1:42 pm
@Trader Jack
“If the Braves can’t hit Kendrick and Blanton well…………………………………”
Heavy B aka Joe Blanton Threw a 1 or 2 hit Shutout against us at home earlier this year
Even a broken clock is right twice a day
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:45 pm
more about perception than reality perhaps Efrim, they likely hate to think of themselves as sellers B4 trying all options
Jimmy
July 2nd, 2012
1:45 pm
Let’s see – The starting eight are voted in by the fans (up to 25 times), the manager selects the rest of the roster and all teams must be represented.
Yet the League that wins gets home-field advantage in the WS.
Brillant! Just Brillant!
Why not return it to what it really is – an exhibition game. Let the season interleague record determine who gets the home field, or just rotate it like they used to.
The conference that wins the Pro Bowl gets the opening kickoff in the next Super Bowl? See how stupid this really is.
Jimmy
July 2nd, 2012
1:46 pm
There is no “I” in team, but there is in “brilliant”.
George
July 2nd, 2012
1:47 pm
Jimmy
July 2nd, 2012
1:45 pm
AGREED TOTALLY.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
1:48 pm
Plus Blanton has surrendered 19 hrs in 104 innings
I think our LHH’s should have big weeks.
Oddly enough, Heyward has hit really well on the road: .296/.367/.585 – 9 HR’s, as oppose to home: .250/.319/.403 – 3 HR’s
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:49 pm
it was losing it’s éclat and they thought it needed new meaning to bring back the excitement.
Kinda dumb decision IYAM
Ease
July 2nd, 2012
1:53 pm
From Bowman…
Greinke Watch: The Braves will have a scout in Milwaukee tonight to watch Zack Greinke pitch against the Marlins. The signing of Ben Sheets to a Minor League contract was a (very) low-risk high reward transaction that could prove quite beneficial. But the Braves will continue searching for starting pitching and Greinke will remain the target.
As mentioned last week, the Braves are not going to make this deal (see this year’s American League All-Star team) without the confidence they will be able to lock the pitcher up beyond this season. Expectations are that they would need to provide the former Cy Young Award winner an annual salary of approximately $20 million. That might be a little steep. But knowing this is a possibility, the Braves have not seemingly lessened their interest in Greinke.
Greinke is represented by Casey Close, who also represents Sheets, and Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward. The fact that Sheets threw for at least four teams – Phillies, Cardinal and Royals included – last week at Georgia Tech might have benefited the Braves. Close has had a good relationship with Georgia Tech head baseball coach Danny Hall dating back to the days when he played for Michigan while Hall was coaching the Wolverines.
George
July 2nd, 2012
1:53 pm
Outta here for a bit. Lets get a win tonight, BTW I did not mention a certain MGR once today.
Jimmy
July 2nd, 2012
1:55 pm
nolie – Yeah, and that tie game didn’t help.
But this really is ridiculous.
Tony Austin – That is not what being a AS is about.
To honor him, the Braves should schedule a Chipper Jones Day in late September at the Ted. Now that would be a tribute to him.
Maybe that’s in the plans, I just haven’t heard about it.
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
1:56 pm
For those who wonder why the Braves are interested in Minnesota lefty Francisco Liriano, given his 2-7 record, 5.40 ERA and 44 walks in 76-2/3 innings over 18 games (13 starts) this season, consider these numbers since he moved from the bullpen back into the regular rotation on May 30:
In his past seven games (all starts), he’s 2-2 with a 2.95 ERA, .170 opponents’ average and 18 walks with 46 strikeouts in 42-2/3 innings. He has five quality starts in that seven-game period, and the Twins scored no runs while he was in the two losses, and one run while he was in two of the three no-decisions.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
1:56 pm
Wow, going hard for Greinke are they?
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:59 pm
back in the day most retiring all-star/HOF players were named for their last year and few did as well as Chipper is doing this year. I think that is perfectly acceptable, nice in fact
Murph
July 2nd, 2012
1:59 pm
So… does that mean the Braves have an inside track on getting Greinke? And… should they pursue it either way?
After watching some of the pitching performances over the weekend, I’m all for going after an “ace”. Hudson ain’t it, not anymore.
If it costs Teheran, so be it. Prospects come and go, and as we’ve seen, not all of them are as awesome as billed.
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
2:00 pm
Yep, pretty stupid, should be at least a 3 game series like the regular season. _ MFin04
Yeah, I could go for that. Start the day after the season ends, no days off for travel, make the next series start the day after the wildcard is decided. The division winners would only have to wait to play one or two days and it would damn near guarantee no wild card advances.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:01 pm
when he is good, he is really good. when he is bad, he can really sukk
. question is, which one shows up after the trade
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:03 pm
I think he’s onea them guys whose muscle memory has a brain f@rt at times and screws up his mechanics
George
July 2nd, 2012
2:03 pm
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:59 pm
back in the day most retiring all-star/HOF players were named for their last year and few did as well as Chipper is doing this year. I think that is perfectly acceptable, nice in fact
***************************************
Still here. Yup nolie I remember WILLIE MAY’s last days as a player, kind of sad.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:05 pm
yeah you would seriously have to consider giving Teheran if you can get Greinke fo 5 years or so.better delgado and minor though
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
2:06 pm
trophies for everybody.
“You’re all winners!”
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
2:07 pm
Ef, thanks for posting that link on Simmons. He has certainly impressed me so far. I hope he can keep this up for a long time.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:07 pm
sure we are, I already got my trophy
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
2:08 pm
Greinke is represented by Casey Close, who also represents Sheets, and Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward. The fact that Sheets threw for at least four teams – Phillies, Cardinal and Royals included – last week at Georgia Tech might have benefited the Braves. Close has had a good relationship with Georgia Tech head baseball coach Danny Hall dating back to the days when he played for Michigan while Hall was coaching the Wolverines. – Mark Bowman
That’s a reach, imo.
And Greinke is clearly the #2 starting pitcher on the market this winter. If Hamels gets what he wants – something like 24.5 million a year – Greinke isn’t signing for anythign less than 20 million, imo. Yes, that’s too steep for the Braves. Still can’t see it unless payroll is going up….and it isn’t, so…..
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:09 pm
buzzkiller…..
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
2:09 pm
Still can’t see it unless payroll is going up….and it isn’t, so…..
Just so long as the team doesn’t say they are “increasing” payroll. Every time they say that, $5M is lopped off and a Dan Kolb-esque player waddles into the club house.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
2:09 pm
If Greinke wants to ink for 5 years, 85 million – you’d probably consider it if you were Wren. But I just don’t see this. Not unless teams are alreadu giving him an indication that they are scared about his ability to handle a big market.
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
2:10 pm
If [Greinke] costs Teheran, so be it.
that would be short-sighted in the extreme, in my opinion.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:10 pm
well it is Bowman afterall, there are always any number of “reaches” in logic in his stuff
Jimmy
July 2nd, 2012
2:11 pm
George – 1973 World Series. Yeap. I remember that.
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
2:11 pm
An exec of one team who spoke w/ #Phillies says he can’t see them unloading Hamels etc. until after Howard/Halladay return in mid-July
Given the new system, the team has a choice, value of the trade return or value of the comp-pick. They have the money to sign him if they so desire. I’d imagine the hang up is length of contract and not annual value. They’ve been pretty good at keeping pitcher contracts short, relatively speaking.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:12 pm
in 5 years Teheran is near gone anyway most likely, and might never approach Greinke in ability
njbraves
July 2nd, 2012
2:12 pm
If major cities like Ny aren’t in play for Greinke, who’s giving him $20 million a year? I think he can be had for less than some of you think.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:15 pm
hell, NY took Vazquez….twice.
not so sure they wouldn’t give Greinke a reach
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
2:15 pm
I’d love Greinke. I root for the kid because what he went through ain’t as easy as it sounds.
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
2:15 pm
in 5 years Teheran is near gone anyway most likely, and might never approach Greinke in ability
All true. Nevertheless, I gots my druthers and my road goes the other way. I’m still very high on Julio.
phil
July 2nd, 2012
2:16 pm
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
1:59 pm
back in the day most retiring all-star/HOF players were named for their last year and few did as well as Chipper is doing this year. I think that is perfectly acceptable, nice in fact
*************
Amen.
Where do you go vote?
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
2:16 pm
I wouldn’t trade Teheran for him, even if we got a bargaining window.
phil
July 2nd, 2012
2:17 pm
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:12 pm
in 5 years Teheran is near gone anyway most likely, and might never approach Greinke in ability
************
hater…..disgusting.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:18 pm
mlb.com will get you there phil
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
2:18 pm
I would trade Teheran for Greinke if we get a window…. Teheran won’t be here long anyway (5-6 years at most), just be sure we get a high return for him. Greinke isn’t the best pitcher in the league, but he’s pretty darn good.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
2:19 pm
BREAKING!!!
Frank Wren To Conduct a Trade-winds Interview on the Chuck and Chernoff Show Live at 4:30
Always Streaming Live at 680TheFan.com
Stay Tuned!
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
2:20 pm
I make up email addresses, using posters names that don’t think Chipper should go, and vote 25 times for him for each one.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
2:21 pm
Though I would rather send Minor/Gilmartin and Spruill + an A prospects (Salcedo?) for Greinke…. like “stealing” great talent away from other teams
phil
July 2nd, 2012
2:21 pm
Chipper gets my vote, however many I can cast.
The rest of em can go some other year….
CB
July 2nd, 2012
2:23 pm
Grienke is a free agent after this season. Anybody believe we would be players at 20+million for long term contract? Now, you want to give him that contract plus several of our top prospects? Ain’t gonna happen.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:23 pm
I don’t know if I would either in the end Efrim, but I would sure give it some hard thought. Kinda long odds that Teheran ends up that good, though it could happen
Scoots, you have my blessing to continue along your chosen path
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
2:24 pm
Teheran won’t be here long anyway (5-6 years at most)
Which is longer than any deal the Braves would hand Greike.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:26 pm
like it said CB, not gonna do the deal without an extension in place
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:26 pm
long odds though IMO
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm
I doubt that 10P.he’s only what? 28. I bet they would offer 5 at least
Danga
July 2nd, 2012
2:29 pm
Win, or suffer. End of story.
Hell yeah. Enough of this pansy wild card, expanded playoff nonsense.