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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,084 comments Add your comment
NickB
July 10th, 2012
11:56 pm
If Bourn gets $15 mill a year, you should thank Frank for letting him go, no way he earns that over the life of a 5 year deal
N Nine
July 10th, 2012
11:56 pm
Melky Cabrera wins a car. In Atlanta, he couldn’t get a job washing cars.
We got 20% of his efforts. What an ass.
NickB
July 10th, 2012
11:57 pm
I wonder who got on Melky’s behind and got him to take his job seriously and do the work. Drastic improvement the last two years compared to his prior 2
The A Bomb
July 10th, 2012
11:59 pm
Probably just getting out of Atlanta with all that rich food down there….
count_schemula
July 10th, 2012
11:59 pm
“GARRETT “Loaf’ ANDERSON”
Bad Brave for sure.
The A Bomb
July 11th, 2012
12:00 am
And Bourn will get $15 million a year. And we return to the black hole without a leadoff hitter.
David O'Brien
July 11th, 2012
12:01 am
La Russa asked Chipper to speak to team before game, and players said what he said was heartfelt and motivational. Gist of it was, take advantage of this opportunity because you never know how many times you’ll get to come back.
The A Bomb
July 11th, 2012
12:02 am
And good for Chipper for finally making it to Kansas City. Braves have NEVER played there because of the cro-magnin interleague scheduling.
NickB
July 11th, 2012
12:03 am
A Bomb
worst case scenario we put Prado back in the one slot, he does a great job getting on base, wouldn’t be so bad
The A Bomb
July 11th, 2012
12:03 am
And good for DOB who got to see his hero blast a home run in the softball game. Too bad the guy won’t take his team out west for OOC games.
kenhotlanta
July 11th, 2012
12:08 am
The A Bomb: That was funny re: man on Mercury, but you never know. Luman Harris wasn’t exactly Casey Stengel, but he did remind me of him when he talked.
The A Bomb
July 11th, 2012
12:10 am
Lum Harris needed a translator for sure. Holy cow!
Mark
July 11th, 2012
12:10 am
Would have been nice if Melky would have laid off the Big Macs when he was in Atl.
He was a lazy acting out of shape player for us
David O'Brien
July 11th, 2012
12:11 am
Chipper: “We’ve won three in a row. Somebody in this clubhouse is going to be real happy to have home-field advantage come October.”
The A Bomb
July 11th, 2012
12:12 am
When Melky was with the Braves he was sponsored by mayonnaise.
The A Bomb
July 11th, 2012
12:14 am
Wonder if Gonzalez will give Chipper Friday off. You know, Francisco (Melky Jr.) will be fresher.
David O'Brien
July 11th, 2012
12:14 am
Chipper: “I mean, 40 years old legging out an infield hit in the All-Star game – that’s exactly the way I scripted it.”
brian
July 11th, 2012
12:18 am
Chipper did bust it down the line
brian
July 11th, 2012
12:19 am
I hope that Chipper can give the Braves a similar speech late in October – “take advantage of it because you never know when you will make it back”
I also hope the Braves respond as well versus the AL champs as the NL all stars did versus the AL all stars
brian
July 11th, 2012
12:23 am
Now that the All Star game is done, time to turn our focus to the second half of the season. A more consistent effort from the Braves would be a welcome sight in this second half.
I also look forward to the trade rumors. I think that Wren will pull a JS and acquire a pitcher we had not debated here. Greinke will be out of our range with so many teams getting in the bidding. Dempster is a rental and Garza was unimpressive versus the Braves. James Shields would be an interesting pick up as would Jon Lester from Boston if both these teams go into sell mode. Aside from Minor or Delgado, I think an AL team would be willing to take a flier on Gattis – he should profile well as a DH who can play LF or C as well in the AL
The A Bomb
July 11th, 2012
12:23 am
So at this rate, Drew Sutton for World Series MVP. Thanks Frank.
brian
July 11th, 2012
12:27 am
DOB – how high are the Braves on JR Graham and Aaron Northcraft in high A right now? They both are putting up huge seasons and seem to be improving as the season moves along
David O'Brien
July 11th, 2012
12:40 am
Uggla on Kimbrel’s 2 strikeouts in 7 pitches: “Wow. Dude, he was jacked up, man. He was jacked up.”
David O'Brien
July 11th, 2012
1:04 am
post All-Star game QUOTAGE
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/11/braves-and-a-couple-others-quotes-after-nls-win/
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beidbol Fandango)
July 11th, 2012
1:14 am
Yes, it was nice to see Chippers smiling face after he crossed first base. He was one happy camper.
As for what needs to be done before this team can be considered playoff material (and no, I don’t think they are as currently comprised)….Frank Wren has to acquire another starting pitcher, bolster his bullpen and add somebody to his bench not named David Ross.
NickB
July 11th, 2012
1:19 am
I think they have the talent to be a playoff team as they are right now. It’s just a matter of how consistent the young players/pitchers can be.
That being said, acquiring another starter and replacing Jack Wilson would help (Moylan’s healthy return would too)
David O'Brien
July 11th, 2012
1:53 am
NL wins its third consecutive All-Star game as Chipper ends ASG career the way it began
Updated game story with quotes
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/10/nl-scores-5-in-first-inning-of-8-0-all-star-rout/
haggard
July 11th, 2012
2:28 am
David O’Brien
Due to travel, I didn’t get to see a single pitch or hear one line of play by play. But–for the last hour or so–I’ve done a lot of smiling while reading of the good fortunes of our Braves cavorting on the big stage. And 8-nothing sure sounds good for a long time National League fan. Thank you for working hard and staying up late.
Ward
July 11th, 2012
2:50 am
Hello everyone! Just heard from ESPN that the Braves are still scouting Greinke, and looking for a starting pitcher. great to see Chipper get a hit. Skip C. would call it a seeing eye single.
Ward
July 11th, 2012
2:52 am
Excited to see Ben Sheets coming up, and pitching against the Mets. When he does I hope he Blankets them…..
haggard
July 11th, 2012
3:13 am
“Excited to see Ben Sheets coming up, and pitching against the Mets. When he does I hope he Blankets them…..”–Ward
Now Ward; it’s too early and that’s way too good. Now I can truthfully say there’s nothing else worth waiting up for that can hope to best it!
Good night good man.
haggard
July 11th, 2012
3:18 am
Ward
Speaking of Skip Caray; the possibilities with him at the mike and Sheets on the mound would be fun to hear. “The bases were drunk here in Chicago and Sheets just got three in the wind”.
Ward
July 11th, 2012
3:32 am
Haggard – Funny stuff. I’ll be on for a while, but I’m watching the All Star Home run Derby now. Gald ESPN is showing it again. Take care buddy…..
nolie
July 11th, 2012
3:52 am
Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko said Tuesday he believed Ozzie Guillen’s departure and Robin Ventura’s arrival to the team was best for everyone involved.
Ward
July 11th, 2012
4:04 am
Look at Ozzie, and his presence in Florida………Bet it will be short lived too, and better for the Fish.
Ward
July 11th, 2012
4:05 am
All, have a good one! Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!” Talk tomorrow.
Jeff R
July 11th, 2012
7:07 am
All-Star game. Congrats to Chipper. Nice to see him get that hit for a national TV audience.
Kimbrel looked every bit the overpowering closer he is…
phil
July 11th, 2012
8:07 am
Chipper deserved MVP…
Well, perhaps not.
Braves Fan in Maine
July 11th, 2012
8:14 am
I hate John Kruck….. he is an overweight fat espn announcer
Jeff R
July 11th, 2012
8:29 am
I hate John Kruck….. he is an overweight fat espn announcer
Well, John doesn’t hate you, Braves Fan in Maine. And John’s not overweight; that’s just residual baby fat. His mom thinks John’s cute.
richbrave
July 11th, 2012
8:55 am
KIMBREL amped last night, and not about to take any crap from hitters.
Showed the hook for the first out too.
Juan
July 11th, 2012
9:01 am
Correct me if i wrong…..there was not a Miami Marlin player represent in the Game last night……Any one know why.
ncscoots
July 11th, 2012
9:02 am
Chipper deserved MVP…Well, perhaps not.
No, but I do start to get a creeping feeling about his last year being “special”. Those just-off-the-DL hitting rampages, the 5-fer-5, standing ovations and a hit in his last AS game…the stuff of a good story line. Of course, the fitting end to the story would be a ring, bookending his career with WS wins.
Now, I admit, that’s a whole supertanker load of good karma, but what the heck…I’m going with it until the baseball gods tell me otherwise.
Lew
July 11th, 2012
9:05 am
Juan – Giancarlo Stanton underwent arthroscopic suregery on MOnday – they chose Bourn (I believe) to replace him rather than choosing another Marlin’s player who would not have been more deserving than Bourn (or Prado, for that matter)
TennesseePaul
July 11th, 2012
9:09 am
Just a lot of fun last night watching that game. Go NL! and Chipper!
Danga
July 11th, 2012
9:12 am
Hate I missed the game last night. Sure read like it was a lot of fun.
Lew
July 11th, 2012
9:15 am
I just don’t get the hatred for announcers like McCarever and Kruk (much less Chip Caray or our own) – not as if you have to watch them that often. Is once a week at most all that painful? Seems to me tht reading whatever incarnation of Lou/Earl/Whatever is infinitely more excruciating.
CrαZy
July 11th, 2012
9:15 am
Harper’s missed Fly last night: http://i.imgur.com/5fKIy.gif
Where’s the ball, Bro
Hillbilly
July 11th, 2012
9:21 am
they chose Bourn (I believe) to replace him rather than choosing another Marlin’s player who would not have been more deserving than Bourn (or Prado, for that matter)
Bourn replaced Ian Desmond and The Bryce Harper Hype Machine replaced Stanton, I think. Prado got hosed.
Gary
July 11th, 2012
9:21 am
If you are talking about the best to play the position, #1 is Brooks Robinson hands down. No he was not a great hitter like Jones, Boggs, Schmidt, or Brett, but hitting has nothing to do with playing 3rd base. Jones is one of the best hitters ever, period. He just happened to play 3rd base and played it well, but no one could top Robinson.
Hillbilly
July 11th, 2012
9:23 am
When I heard Crazy Train along with the crowd coming to its feet, the hair stood up on the back of my neck. That was by far the coolest thing I’ve seen all year.
Well done Kansas City. Extremely well done.
keylargo
July 11th, 2012
9:25 am
No Marlins
Samson said he spoke with Tim Brosnan, an MLB vice president, about why no Marlins were selected. Asked about the explanation given to him, Samson said: “Can’t say that I had one.”
Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen, meanwhile, said while “it feels weird” the Marlins won’t be represented at the All-Star Game, nobody other than Stanton in his eyes really had an All-Star caliber first half. Asked who he thought could have replaced Stanton, Guillen mentioned Rugginao (but worried he didn’t have enough at-bats), Cishek and second baseman Omar Infante.
“Everybody else, they should be watching on TV,” Guillen said.
The Rookie Ruggiano has played well, but in only 31 games.
ncscoots
July 11th, 2012
9:26 am
Where’s the ball, Bro
That’s a clown attempt, bro.
Juan
July 11th, 2012
9:28 am
Lew thanks….i knew about Giancarlo, but is not a kind of rules that all team should be represent in the Game?…..Harper don’t belond there….Martin has better number, but when Desmond deside not to play they need to pick Marlin player, intead another National. IMO
Lew
July 11th, 2012
9:28 am
Gary – Brooks was the best defensive 3B I ever saw (and a really nice person — he owns one of my drawings). Clete Boyer was also good as was Graig Nettles – six time AS and four time GG winner – as good as anyone besides Brooks.
Lew
July 11th, 2012
9:31 am
Juan – I’m certain that Bud Light would have overruled LaRussa if there was a problem. Guess that Stanton was their one player (don’t know if he was actually there) and that was all that mattered was they had someone who would have been there.
If I were a Marlin’s fan, though, I’d certainly be upset.
Hillbilly
July 11th, 2012
9:33 am
I wonder who (in the dugout) was Sandoval shooting arrows at after his triple. I don’t watch many Giants games so that might be something he does regularly, but I’ve seen Chipper do that earlier this year, too.
keylargo
July 11th, 2012
9:36 am
Y’all better not demand that the rules about every team having a representative be followed to the letter or Bourn or CJ would have missed the game. It’s one of those things “you’d better be careful what you wish for”.
Lew
July 11th, 2012
9:41 am
Who’s wishing for anything to change? I think all that we said was that we were aware and if it had been the Braves, we would have been upset. Also said that were there a problem, then Selig would have told LaRussa to choose a Marlin.
Prado already didn’t get to go and should have – there are always inequities with the AS game. The only thing that could be done is to expand rosters and get rid of the pklayer per team rule – neither of which will happen and neither of which really should – hard enought to get all the players in the game to begin with.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 11th, 2012
9:42 am
Does anybody know who’s in the truck with Uggla?…
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/national-league-all-star-dan-uggla-of-the-atlanta-braves-news-photo/148131489
Thanks!…
Lew
July 11th, 2012
9:42 am
If they were going to make any changes, the only one should be making it an exhibition game with no post season ramifications. Never shuld have done that to begin with and should have let that one freaking game end in a tie and have been done with i.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 11th, 2012
9:44 am
I’d be pretty peeved if I was a Marlins fan, too—especially after Harper lost that ball…
CrαZy
July 11th, 2012
9:45 am
If I were a Marlin’s fan, though, I’d certainly be upset.
I’d be more upset at my team for not playing good enough to have a deserving player than upset at LaRussa for not adding another Marlin.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 11th, 2012
9:45 am
Lew Never shuld have done that to begin with and should have let that one freaking game end in a tie and have been done with i.
Yeah, and they coulda let 2008’s end in a tie, as well, and we wouldn’t have to be saddled with that danged replay of the winning run scoring in the bottom of the 15th for the rest of our born days…
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 11th, 2012
9:46 am
Being upset with LaRussa is more fun, though…
Lew
July 11th, 2012
9:47 am
Just saw a story on CNN – Man found a box full of mint considtion baseball cards in his aunt’s house as he was cleaning the place aftetr her death.
Hundreds of cards as old as 100 years including Cy Young and everyone else from that era you’d ever heard of. They will auction the collection in a few months and it’s expected to bring in millions.
Lew
July 11th, 2012
9:48 am
McFann – That would naturally bother you more than me cause you have many more born days left than I do.
Lew
July 11th, 2012
9:50 am
Crazy – When have you known upset fans to practice rationality?
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 11th, 2012
9:51 am
Lew—
Aw…
Lew
July 11th, 2012
9:54 am
McFann – Just stating fact. I’ve got more than a few decades on you.
Efrim
July 11th, 2012
9:54 am
http://capitolavenueclub.com/?p=7083
I agree. I wouldn’t extend Hanson either. Play it out and see if he can stay healthy. He hasn’t been the same since the shoulder injury last year, imo.
MFin04
July 11th, 2012
9:55 am
There is no Marlins player more deserving than Bourn, Prado, or Heyward though right? I mean…come on…not if Bryce Harper makes the game.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 11th, 2012
9:58 am
Lew—
Guess that’s true…
Efrim
July 11th, 2012
10:01 am
I think Bourn is getting 15 million a year if he keeps this pace up, and I don’t think the Braves will, or should, be willing to go that high for a player turning 30 next year that depends on this legs so much.
Efrim
July 11th, 2012
10:05 am
McCann, Freeman, Uggla, Simmons, Prado, Heyward, Hudson, Hanson and Kimbrel are locks for 2013. After them, it’s all up in the air, imo. Far different from last offseason and the next six months should be much more active for Wren.
Jeff R
July 11th, 2012
10:20 am
I think Bourn is getting 15 million a year if he keeps this pace up, and I don’t think the Braves will, or should, be willing to go that high for a player turning 30 next year that depends on this legs so much.
If that’s Bourn’s payday, he won’t be a Brave in ‘13.
MFin04
July 11th, 2012
10:23 am
“Far different from last offseason and the next six months should be much more active for Wren.”
We always say that though. This last off-season we thought we’d have money to get a free agent or someone of worth and didn’t. I wouldn’t be surprised to get no one in the offseason, and run the same young rotation out there, and have Francisco/Glaus playing third, and Constanza/Durango in CF.
Murph
July 11th, 2012
10:27 am
Bryce! Bryce! Over here… Bryce! David O’Brien, Atlanta Journal Constitution. Bryce, can you tell us what happened on the fly ball tonight?
That’s a cloud question, bro.
MFin04
July 11th, 2012
10:31 am
WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO THE MELK MAN? WHY DO WE ALWAYS GET CRAP FROM GUYS?
raleighbravefan
July 11th, 2012
10:31 am
As season started, I believed…
- Braves 1st or 2nd (still believe that)
- Nats would be the team to fear the most…great pitching (if it holds up), good baseball minds, plenty of money.
- I picked Phillies to finish 3rd. ..still possible, but who would expect them 14 games back?
- I didn’t buy ionto the fear of Marlins…way too much potential for drama, and questionable work ethic by key players. (Stanton excepted)
- Mets would be terrible…wrong about that one big time.
I believe for 2nd half, that Nats will faulter…a little…or a lot, if the pitching doesn’t hold up.
Mets will fade, but congrats to them and their attitude/effort.
sri
July 11th, 2012
10:33 am
Here is a video of Chipper addressing the NL All Star clubhouse yesterday..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPz-PjqJ2k0&feature=player_embedded
raleighbravefan
July 11th, 2012
10:34 am
MF – Some guys have given us their best years…Vazquez, for example.
Shaun
July 11th, 2012
10:35 am
MFin04, last off-season all positions were filled, except maybe shortstop. But they had viable options at short, too, that they knew were likely to be no worse than Gonzalez was in 2011 in Pastornicky, Wilson and Simmons.
The difference this coming off-season is there are holes in leftfield/thirdbase and centerfield. Plus I wouldn’t be surprised if the Braves tried hard to get another established and reliable major league starter between now and Opening Day of 2013.
Lew
July 11th, 2012
10:37 am
Who thought that last year we could afford a Free Agent? No accounting for delusions, I suppose.
raleighbravefan
July 11th, 2012
10:42 am
MF – You may be right about the future spending, and resulting downward spiral….but I don’t think so.
I do believe that Wren will do what is reasonable within the available options and budget, to field the best team we can the rest of this year…likely resulting in a playoff run. I also believe he will (and will be able to) use freed up payroll, and possibly the spoils from a playoff run, to build the best team possible for 2013.
“you may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one”….John Lennon
Efrim
July 11th, 2012
10:44 am
22 year-old Lynchburg RHP Aaron Northcraft leads the Carolina league in striekouts with 103 in 99 innings.
Efrim
July 11th, 2012
10:46 am
Good post, Shaun. They have a lot more holes this upcoming offseason with less guaranteed money tied up in players.
LF, CF, SP, and perhaps some new set-up relievers will be needed.
Efrim
July 11th, 2012
10:46 am
Oh, and Northcraft hasn’t allowed a home run in those 99 innings.
raleighbravefan
July 11th, 2012
10:47 am
Anybody know if Gattis is still on DL?
Efrim
July 11th, 2012
10:48 am
Who thought that last year we could afford a Free Agent? No accounting for delusions, I suppose.
Agreed. Thought it was pretty clear to all after the Bourn trade that we didn’t have any funds to make a run at any free agent. Only trading Jurrjens or Prado was going to afford them that luxury. Thank god they didn’t trade Martin.
raleighbravefan
July 11th, 2012
10:49 am
Efrim – Great news on Nothcraft…and Carolina League is well respected high A …far from the majors, but pretty good talent.
Efrim
July 11th, 2012
10:50 am
I’m always a believer that bullpens are year to year things and Wren should be looking to mix it up in the set-up corps. Plus, 4 of our relievers are entering into arbitration and even though they won;’t make a ton of money, now is probably the best time to field offers for a couple of them.
raleighbravefan
July 11th, 2012
10:50 am
Nothcraft = Northcraft
raleighbravefan
July 11th, 2012
10:54 am
Efrim – Right you are about the BP…MR is almost always the last consideration…Venters will be a key, + or Minus. I expect EOF to be gone, unless V continues to be ineffective. Middle relief pieces are pretty much interchangeable, with older guys and journeymen always available.
Hillbilly
July 11th, 2012
10:57 am
Ef,
Don’t know if you saw it or maybe already mentioned it, but I saw where Lucas Sims got bumped up to Danville. Keep the line movin’.
DAP
July 11th, 2012
11:02 am
efrim Plus, 4 of our relievers are entering into arbitration and even though they won;’t make a ton of money, now is probably the best time to field offers for a couple of them.
yup. o’flarety might be on the block, especially.
MFin04
July 11th, 2012
11:04 am
“Some guys have given us their best years…Vazquez, for example.”
Not really true. Vazquez was good as long as he was in a big park and not in the AL.
“Who thought that last year we could afford a Free Agent?”
We always have TONS of money to spend, and it ends up going somewhere…even Wren said we had tons to spend this year if we wanted Grienke…
TennesseePaul
July 11th, 2012
11:05 am
I wouldn’t extend Hanson either.
It isn’t the Braves MO to do so even if he were dominating. The team has control over these pitchers for 6 years. And so far, in the history of this team, contracts for pitchers have been, on average, less than 3 years. They’ve handed out only a few contracts to pitchers for more than 3 years. 2 that I can think of, Maddux and Lowe.
MFin04
July 11th, 2012
11:07 am
More holes means more scrap heap guys. It is how the Braves seem to do things. I wouldn’t expect too much, or else you may be greatly disappointed.
Frankie
July 11th, 2012
11:07 am
Good for the Melk man,
Sucks he didn’t do anything for the Braves but give him credit for turning his game around and rededicating himself. Guy was(is) just a kid and had poor work habits. Sure it doesn’t apply to anyone here that has been busting on him…..