The people who are on here saying “I knew Medlen would be great and I told you so” must have some serious self-esteem issues to keep bringing it up over.. and over… and over… and over… and over.
Are you expecting a pat on the back? A cookie? Some sort of recognition for your blog deeds?
Well, gotta say, they are no worse than those who can’t seem to enjoy his remarkable run of success, or give him more than perfunctory credit, because that would mean admitting that they didn’t anticipate it. Both sides of the Medlen Divide are being pretty childish, if you ask me.
Y’all really need to get over this Fantasy Baseball mentality.You don’t just drop players you don’t like and you don’t eat tens of millions of contract dollars because someone has an offyear.
It just isn’lt ike that in real baseball.
Yeah, you might eat some bucks in the last year of a contract in extreme situations like last year with Lowe and a relatively insignificant amound (in MLB $) like KK’s and you might non tender a chronically injured player like Jurrjens in his last arb year, but they won’t eat Uggla’s salary and they won’t non tender Hanson in his first arb year – no matter how much y’all can’t stand having them on the team.
“Perhaps you could pinpoint (or even ballpark) the date when you first called for Medlen to have a rotation spot?”
Ahhh you assume too much. I never called for Medlen to have a rotation spot. Didn’t claim I did. I simply observed many folks here who called for it. I also observed many folks here who said Medlen didn’t need to be in the rotation because he was better suited for the pen.
As with anyone who chooses to share their opinion (myself included) sometimes you are right and sometimes you are wrong. Some people admit when they were wrong while others who were wrong twist, squirm and try to rewrite their opinions, discount those who WERE right, and/or predict ultimate doom and disregard the immediate results as quirk or anomaly.
The last group of people are the one who deserve the tweaking.
As for my moniker, I’ve been around forever. I’ve been posting here for literally years. Why keep the same name? I don’t want to be friends with anyone here. I have a real life with real friends. Some people like being a presence here complete with static screen name. If you like that, more power to you. If you don’t, why bother?
If my name was “I’m Here Every Day and You All Know Me” or if it is “I’m a Perfect Stranger Who Will Be Someone Else Tomorrow”, doesn’t matter. You read my words. You responded to my post. When I get tired of this, I’ll post as someone else. I may post as someone else in five minutes. I may post as someone else in five hours or five days.
You can rest assured that no matter how I’m perceived here, it won’t change the way I interact in this forum. Insults? I may respond, I may not. I may come on as another name in insult myself. I may come on as another name and post more opinion. I may come on as another name and tweak you.
Now if the blog becomes a place where you must register and keep a static screen name, I won’t return. Then it becomes a social club which would seem to suit many of you just fine. I’m not here to socialize. I’m here to read and share opinion. I don’t have to invite you to my house to do that.
Any way you slice it, I’m here, I don’t violate TOS so I anticipate being here as much as I like.
I remember a fair number of folks wanting to see Medlen start from the get go, and no, I was not one of them because I had no real opinion on it at the time. That said, claiming credit for it now is indeed silly. This worked out well and kept him from possibly overdoing it. As it is, if he keeps hurling complete games, he’ll be back on the DL eventually anyway…
Jayson, who are your two teams coming out of the NL Wild Card? Seems like nobody wants to take control of either spot.
Jayson Stark (12:20 PM)
I still like the Braves and Cardinals. The Pirates and Diamondbacks are fading. The Dodgers have a killer schedule, as we just mentioned. And at this point, there might not be another serious contender. Want to make a case for someone else? Be my guest. But I think picking any team other than the Braves, Cardinals and Dodgers is a serious stretch.
Thoughts on the Uggla benching? Average was bad, but the OBP was okay. He was still taking his walks.
Jayson Stark (12:51 PM)
I’m surprised he was “benched.” I would have expected them to pick spots for him to match up against pitchers he can succeed against, in the hope it would get him going. But face it, Steve. He’s been awful, even if he has been leading the league in walks. They gave him three months to fix this as an every-day player, and it was getting worse, not better.
Is it actaully now possible that the Braves would decline the club option in McCann next year? Can’t see paying him $14m even for 1 season. Last 2 years it’s always something whether it be his eyes, shoulder, oblique. Dude is breaking down. And even when healthy he’s been diminished.
David Schoenfield (1:21 PM)
Good question. He’s been terrible of late. A lot of innings at a young age. If I had to guess, they bring him back for one more year. Looks like a $12M option, not $14, but you’re right, still a lot to pay for a guy possibly in decline.
If you were Fredi (no, I’m not wishing that on you…or anybody for that matter), in a one game playoff you have to start Medlen, right?
David Schoenfield (1:25 PM)
What do you think the Braves are going to about Uggla? The situation seems to be getting very ugly and he’s still owed a ton of money and doesn’t seem to have very much left in the tank.
David Schoenfield (1:40 PM)
$39 more million! Not a good contract when it was signed and now he’s heading in the wrong direction. His August numbers aren’t terrible — .207, but .324 OBP and .424 SLG. July killed him — .115.
For my 50th birthday, I got to see Chipper Jones hit that walkoff home run from the first base line. Wearing my present, a Chipper Jones jersey.My greatest Bday ever. My wife and ten year old son did not get to see it though. TO CHIPPER: alot of fans didn’t leave, they just went to stand in line to run the bases. My wife and son waited until the 8th before leaving and it was 45 minutes after the game before I got to see him run. Great game ! Go Braves!!
Chipper knees will fail him before the playoff even starts and Uggla should have been sent to the minors month ago .That we know ‘but when do we start holding the manager accountable ?
My 50th birthday I watched Chipper Jones hit a walkoff home run. I was sitting on the first base line wearing my birthday gift, a Chipper Jones jersey. My wife and ten year old son did not get to see it though. TO CHIPPER: Alot of people didn’t leave, they just went to stand in line to run the bases. My wife and son waited until the 8th before the left. and I didn’t get to see him run until 45 minutes after the game. Go Braves!!
If my name was “I’m Here Every Day and You All Know Me” or if it is “I’m a Perfect Stranger Who Will Be Someone Else Tomorrow”, doesn’t matter. You read my words. You responded to my post. When I get tired of this, I’ll post as someone else. I may post as someone else in five minutes. I may post as someone else in five hours or five days.
Multiple personalities. I remember that from my abnormal psych classes in college.
Well, gotta say, they are no worse than those who can’t seem to enjoy his remarkable run of success, or give him more than perfunctory credit, because that would mean admitting that they didn’t anticipate it.
Hey, I love it that he’s doing well. Pleased as punch. Don’t even care that he could audition for “Little People, Big World”.
Brava – Just spewing on Medlen a bit. The guy is awesome. Just hope he doesn’t, in fact, overdo it someway and get hurt again. Nothing makes me think he will aside from the somewhat sudden dramatic increase in innings pitched per outing. If anything, maybe he fatigues down the stretch? Sure hope not…
Hello everyone! Just back from the lake, and nice couple of wins. We need those, and now it’s time to go on a hot streak. The time is now…….Also who is this Baker guy, and how good is he?
Hello everyone! Just back from the lake, and nice couple of wins. We need those, and now it’s time to go on a hot streak. The time is now…….Also who is this Baker guy, and how good is he?
ahh, back in april i stated kris medlen should be in the starting rotation. yeah that’s it. ummm, back in january i remember saying that jason heyward should bat 3rd and will have a bounce back year, yeah that’s the ticket. yeah back in september i remember telling folks here that chipper will be the best player on the team at 40, yeah that’ it, that’s the ticket. yeah back in winter meetings i suggested that we look at ben sheets as a possible pickup, yeah that’s it. ummm, back in february i believe i remember telling people here that nationals will be the best team in baseball, yeah that’s it. i think i am the best poster on this blog, yeah, yeah that’s the ticket
Well, no one knows for sure how things are going to go, but I’m glad the Braves have Medlen, and I thought Medlen wouldn’t be this good, but he’s shown to me he can be that (Ace), and I think you can call him an (Ace) now.
i know people are kidding on when they said Medlen should be in the starting rotation but we really should give Fredi and FW the credit for managing his innings early on and letting Medlen get his feel back then inserting him into the rotation the last 1/3 of a season so he can pitch through the end of the season
“but we really should give Fredi and FW the credit for managing his innings early on and letting Medlen get his feel back”
No we shouldn’t, especially when they certainly didn’t mean to manage his innings early. They only meant to manage Kimbrel, Venters, and EOF’s innings early, not Medlen’s.
brian – Yeah, I was joking, but you can’t really give FG and FW credit for that. It kind of fell in their lap.
Remember when they sent Meds down to “stretch out his arm”? When he came back up, he was sent to the bullpen again. I don’t think they really had a plan.
And if they did, why didn’t they say what the plan was? Instead, Medlen in long relief was deemed more valuable than as a starter. I remember FG saying just that.
Looks great now though, and according to Joe Simpson, a brillant plan.
“Looks great now though, and according to Joe Simpson, a brillant plan.”
That’s what drives me crazy. The announcers start spewing this stuff as fact when clearly neither Frank Wren nor Fredi stated this at any point earlier this year. In fact, they really stated quite the opposite.
Jimmy – When I come on my blog name is there, and after a few post it is gone. It’s been happening every time I post. Just thought I would let who ever know, and that would be the end of it.
toast – agree that it has worked out well for the pen and Meds. Just I don’t believe that was “the plan”. I haven’t heard FG or FW say that was “the plan” all along.
Yeah, couldn’t believe that ESPN was giving massive kudos to Braves management for their foresight in handling Medlen (comparing it to what’s happening with Strasburg).
If Beachy doesn’t get hurt, JJ doesn’t fall flat on his face, and Delgado doesn’t struggle, Medlen would never sniff a spot in the rotation. (and the ’stretching out’ assignment I think came when Minor was scuffling too).
Hey, that’s okay. I guess Yankee’s management thought that Wally Pipp was a better option than Lou Gehrig, until circumstances proved otherwise..
Atlanta Braves @Braves
Tonight’s lineup vs. COL (7:10, SPSO/680AM/BRN): Bourn 8 Johnson 7 Jones 5 Freeman 3 Prado 4 Heyward 9 Ross 2 Janish 6 Hanson 1
Ward – That is your pc – or whatever you are using. No one on here can delete your name…or your email. I have to add it everytime I come here too, but that is because I delete all my cookies and such.
jimmy, i agree it was not a plan from day 1 i believe. still, some credit has to be given. if meds in the starting rotation, the big 3 at the end of the pen are used more and maybe shades of last season. if meds starts the season in rotation, maybe we don’t win some of those games he holds getting the ball to o’ventbrel.
let’s all enjoy the success young medlen is having and look forward to a long distinguished career as a starting pitcher.(and wild card game starter if he stays hot).
good to see uggla get hacked off and unhappy about the decision. major league ball player, should be pizzed. still a important part of this team and important he brings it up a notch.
still……. haven’t looked it up, gut feeling he will be a horrible pinch hitter. his stats first time up in a game have to be brutal(even moreso than overall)
MFin04 They only meant to manage Kimbrel, Venters, and EOF’s innings early, not Medlen’s.
you dont know that and some people need to realize that what people (any people) say to the media isnt always the whole truth. somethings dont need to be public, for a variety of reasons.
MFin04 neither Frank Wren nor Fredi stated this at any point earlier this year. In fact, they really stated quite the opposite.
the opposite would be them saying they planned to ride medlen as hard as possible and have him pitch until he breaks down. show me where they said anything close to that.
Thanks VJ. I was hoping Heap would be back in there tonight. It was painful watching Ross swing yesterday and we are going to need him come October. I thought we’ve learned that playing when hurt..well, never mind.
MikeInFl – Excellent post sir. MLB folks were saying the same last night.
If Beachy doesn’t get hurt, JJ doesn’t fall flat on his face, and Delgado doesn’t struggle, Medlen would never sniff a spot in the rotation.
A few years ago (and yes, there actually were a few folks who touted Medlen for a spot then), some posters here opined that Medlen was caught by bad timing, in that there were seasoned vets in front of him and highly touted prospects right behind. The thought was that Medlen would be squeezed out, and would only show up in the rotation on a regular basis if some catastrophic set of circumstances came to pass.
And that has pretty much been the case. Jurrjens’ fall from grace, Hanson’s shoulder, steps back by Teheran and Delgado, Vizcaino’s injury and subsequent trade, and even Beachy’s injury (Beachy wasn’t on the radar then but eventually usurped somebody’s spot, anyway, LOL)…it basically took ALL those things happening to get some starts for the kid.
And I would call those, collectively, a very, very bad turn of events.
Would like Mac to start hitting. I’m just not buying that he’s hurt. I think the shift has done him in, and just about done it for Mac. I’m wondering too what happened to Uggla. You can almost call it “The Great Fall” If he can’t get it together?
“you dont know that and some people need to realize that what people (any people) say to the media isnt always the whole truth.”
But why would you LIE to the pubilc about Medlen’s usage? Why wouldn’t you come out during Spring Training and say hey we are going to put Medlen in the bullpen to manage his innings and hopefully give him a chance to start somewhere down the road if necessary.
There is no reason not to say that. They really had no intentions of starting Medlen. They were going to use him as a 7th or 8th inning guy and that was it, that was all they planned. Medlen was lights out in Spring Training as a starter, the Braves still decided to not use him as a starter. But nothing was said about his innings, and it would have been a perfect time to use that excuse.
I don’t agree with Uggla move. It isn’t like we have some one outstanding to replace him . Uggla still gets walks and is a power threat each time out there. he can go 1 for 5 in a game but that 1 hit could be a huge 3 run homerun. something that neither Johnson nor Conztanza are capable of doing. Uggla should be playing. It is one thing to look down at his performance but the guy is still talented.
I’m certainly one of the people who dislike the Uggla contract and think the Braves should try to trade him in the offseason if they can get anything remotely favorable for themselves, even if it’s a Derek Lowe type move where they’re trying to get whatever salary relief they can.
But I’m not sure how benching Uggla improves the offense all that much. Reed Johnson is basically a league-average offensive leftfielder. He’s quite good against lefties but, if it’s a platoon, it may be Constanza in left or Jeff Baker or Pastornicky playing second against a righty. I just don’t like any of these scenarios that much except maybe Johnson in left and Prado at second against lefties. Part of the reason for that is that Uggla actually has hit righties better than lefties in his career.
Against righties, they should probably just stick with Uggla and hope for the best. I think it’s fine to bet that Uggla isn’t a great player any longer. But I’m not sure the Braves should bet that Uggla is worse than Johnson or Constanza or Baker, at least against righties, over the next month (and hopefully longer).
Phhhht! My very first words were, “Kris Medlen will be born on October 7, 1985 and will become the Ace of the Atlanta Braves pitching staff in 2012 (I said it in French, of course)”. My mother wrote it down in shorthand on the liner of a 45 recording she’d just bought called, “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini”.
Strangely enough, I agree with Ward, who makes a very good point. If Uggla wasn’t POed about his benchining, there probably wouldn’t be much chance of him coming out of the slump. It’s going to take a very healthy dose of pissed off to carry him back to where we expect him to be.
Uggla has shown what he is at this point and time…………..an underperforming overpaid sack of muscle that can hardly hit anything………….
Now his attitude towards Fredi his “Daddy” that brought him here and had a role in Danny getting an outragously over paid contract………..shows him as being in denial….
I would not regret it if we never saw him in Hotlanta again…………
Just going through a stack of old magazines piled up next to my recliner, pulled out the Sports Illustrated season preview issue. They predicted this for NL East: 1. Philly, 2. Miami, 3. Washington, 4. Atlanta, 5. New York.
Made me feel a little better about my preseason picks: 1. Philly, 2. Washington, 3. Atlanta, 4. Miami, 5. New York.
1,389 comments Add your comment
MikeInFl
September 4th, 2012
1:46 pm
The people who are on here saying “I knew Medlen would be great and I told you so” must have some serious self-esteem issues to keep bringing it up over.. and over… and over… and over… and over.
Are you expecting a pat on the back? A cookie? Some sort of recognition for your blog deeds?
Well, gotta say, they are no worse than those who can’t seem to enjoy his remarkable run of success, or give him more than perfunctory credit, because that would mean admitting that they didn’t anticipate it. Both sides of the Medlen Divide are being pretty childish, if you ask me.
Lew
September 4th, 2012
1:48 pm
Y’all really need to get over this Fantasy Baseball mentality.You don’t just drop players you don’t like and you don’t eat tens of millions of contract dollars because someone has an offyear.
It just isn’lt ike that in real baseball.
Yeah, you might eat some bucks in the last year of a contract in extreme situations like last year with Lowe and a relatively insignificant amound (in MLB $) like KK’s and you might non tender a chronically injured player like Jurrjens in his last arb year, but they won’t eat Uggla’s salary and they won’t non tender Hanson in his first arb year – no matter how much y’all can’t stand having them on the team.
Three Strikes They Are Out
September 4th, 2012
1:50 pm
“Perhaps you could pinpoint (or even ballpark) the date when you first called for Medlen to have a rotation spot?”
Ahhh you assume too much. I never called for Medlen to have a rotation spot. Didn’t claim I did. I simply observed many folks here who called for it. I also observed many folks here who said Medlen didn’t need to be in the rotation because he was better suited for the pen.
As with anyone who chooses to share their opinion (myself included) sometimes you are right and sometimes you are wrong. Some people admit when they were wrong while others who were wrong twist, squirm and try to rewrite their opinions, discount those who WERE right, and/or predict ultimate doom and disregard the immediate results as quirk or anomaly.
The last group of people are the one who deserve the tweaking.
As for my moniker, I’ve been around forever. I’ve been posting here for literally years. Why keep the same name? I don’t want to be friends with anyone here. I have a real life with real friends. Some people like being a presence here complete with static screen name. If you like that, more power to you. If you don’t, why bother?
If my name was “I’m Here Every Day and You All Know Me” or if it is “I’m a Perfect Stranger Who Will Be Someone Else Tomorrow”, doesn’t matter. You read my words. You responded to my post. When I get tired of this, I’ll post as someone else. I may post as someone else in five minutes. I may post as someone else in five hours or five days.
You can rest assured that no matter how I’m perceived here, it won’t change the way I interact in this forum. Insults? I may respond, I may not. I may come on as another name in insult myself. I may come on as another name and post more opinion. I may come on as another name and tweak you.
Now if the blog becomes a place where you must register and keep a static screen name, I won’t return. Then it becomes a social club which would seem to suit many of you just fine. I’m not here to socialize. I’m here to read and share opinion. I don’t have to invite you to my house to do that.
Any way you slice it, I’m here, I don’t violate TOS so I anticipate being here as much as I like.
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 4th, 2012
1:52 pm
LOL @ Murph….so true.
I remember a fair number of folks wanting to see Medlen start from the get go, and no, I was not one of them because I had no real opinion on it at the time. That said, claiming credit for it now is indeed silly. This worked out well and kept him from possibly overdoing it. As it is, if he keeps hurling complete games, he’ll be back on the DL eventually anyway…
VaBravesFan
September 4th, 2012
1:53 pm
Justin (Philadelphia )
Jayson, who are your two teams coming out of the NL Wild Card? Seems like nobody wants to take control of either spot.
Jayson Stark (12:20 PM)
I still like the Braves and Cardinals. The Pirates and Diamondbacks are fading. The Dodgers have a killer schedule, as we just mentioned. And at this point, there might not be another serious contender. Want to make a case for someone else? Be my guest. But I think picking any team other than the Braves, Cardinals and Dodgers is a serious stretch.
VaBravesFan
September 4th, 2012
1:54 pm
Steve Waterman (Lowell, MA)
Thoughts on the Uggla benching? Average was bad, but the OBP was okay. He was still taking his walks.
Jayson Stark (12:51 PM)
I’m surprised he was “benched.” I would have expected them to pick spots for him to match up against pitchers he can succeed against, in the hope it would get him going. But face it, Steve. He’s been awful, even if he has been leading the league in walks. They gave him three months to fix this as an every-day player, and it was getting worse, not better.
VaBravesFan
September 4th, 2012
1:56 pm
CC (Atlanta)
Is it actaully now possible that the Braves would decline the club option in McCann next year? Can’t see paying him $14m even for 1 season. Last 2 years it’s always something whether it be his eyes, shoulder, oblique. Dude is breaking down. And even when healthy he’s been diminished.
David Schoenfield (1:21 PM)
Good question. He’s been terrible of late. A lot of innings at a young age. If I had to guess, they bring him back for one more year. Looks like a $12M option, not $14, but you’re right, still a lot to pay for a guy possibly in decline.
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 4th, 2012
1:56 pm
Three Strikes They Are Out = insecurity personified
VaBravesFan
September 4th, 2012
1:56 pm
Clay (Charlotte)
If you were Fredi (no, I’m not wishing that on you…or anybody for that matter), in a one game playoff you have to start Medlen, right?
David Schoenfield (1:25 PM)
Yes
VaBravesFan
September 4th, 2012
1:57 pm
Jeff (Mesa)
What do you think the Braves are going to about Uggla? The situation seems to be getting very ugly and he’s still owed a ton of money and doesn’t seem to have very much left in the tank.
David Schoenfield (1:40 PM)
$39 more million! Not a good contract when it was signed and now he’s heading in the wrong direction. His August numbers aren’t terrible — .207, but .324 OBP and .424 SLG. July killed him — .115.
Bat Masterson
September 4th, 2012
1:58 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdR7yieQdoo&feature=share&list=AL94UKMTqg-9CSM-Rb6i9oNs8fbFdt3GA-
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 4th, 2012
1:58 pm
Mac is a shadow of his old self….a shell really.
Since we have no one to really replace him with next year, I guess we bring him back. But if this keeps up, time to cut the cord a year from now.
Brava
September 4th, 2012
2:00 pm
As it is, if he keeps hurling complete games, he’ll be back on the DL eventually anyway…
What makes you think this, phil? He’s pitched quite efficiently in those CGs. 104 in the first, and 111 yesterday.
GWD,sc
September 4th, 2012
2:04 pm
For my 50th birthday, I got to see Chipper Jones hit that walkoff home run from the first base line. Wearing my present, a Chipper Jones jersey.My greatest Bday ever. My wife and ten year old son did not get to see it though. TO CHIPPER: alot of fans didn’t leave, they just went to stand in line to run the bases. My wife and son waited until the 8th before leaving and it was 45 minutes after the game before I got to see him run. Great game ! Go Braves!!
Brava
September 4th, 2012
2:09 pm
Sounds like a wonderful birthday, GWD. Happy belated birthday.
Vesaversa
September 4th, 2012
2:11 pm
Chipper knees will fail him before the playoff even starts and Uggla should have been sent to the minors month ago .That we know ‘but when do we start holding the manager accountable ?
GWD,sc
September 4th, 2012
2:11 pm
My 50th birthday I watched Chipper Jones hit a walkoff home run. I was sitting on the first base line wearing my birthday gift, a Chipper Jones jersey. My wife and ten year old son did not get to see it though. TO CHIPPER: Alot of people didn’t leave, they just went to stand in line to run the bases. My wife and son waited until the 8th before the left. and I didn’t get to see him run until 45 minutes after the game. Go Braves!!
chipontheroad
September 4th, 2012
2:12 pm
A fellow Lowellian in the ethosphere web cool
ACE
September 4th, 2012
2:13 pm
Pirates are fading like the braves last september
ncscoots
September 4th, 2012
2:15 pm
Ahhh you assume too much. I never called for Medlen to have a rotation spot. Didn’t claim I did.
You’re right, I did assume.
Everybody else with a pulse has chimed in to puff up and get validated, why not? My apologies, sir.
As to the other thing, I was only saying that I wasn’t familiar with the moniker. Change as much as you like, I say, and more power to you.
Bat Masterson
September 4th, 2012
2:18 pm
GWD,sc _
Cool, man and at the risk of sounding like a social club member, Happy Birthday.
Jeff R
September 4th, 2012
2:19 pm
If my name was “I’m Here Every Day and You All Know Me” or if it is “I’m a Perfect Stranger Who Will Be Someone Else Tomorrow”, doesn’t matter. You read my words. You responded to my post. When I get tired of this, I’ll post as someone else. I may post as someone else in five minutes. I may post as someone else in five hours or five days.
Multiple personalities. I remember that from my abnormal psych classes in college.
Felix
September 4th, 2012
2:23 pm
Uggla is mad because he has been benched? Really? You got to be kidding. He should have been benched 2 months ago. He has been killing us.
Earth to Uggla.
ncscoots
September 4th, 2012
2:23 pm
Well, gotta say, they are no worse than those who can’t seem to enjoy his remarkable run of success, or give him more than perfunctory credit, because that would mean admitting that they didn’t anticipate it.
Hey, I love it that he’s doing well. Pleased as punch. Don’t even care that he could audition for “Little People, Big World”.
chipontheroad
September 4th, 2012
2:27 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxYBRb7FRgE&feature=related
blast from the past
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 4th, 2012
2:28 pm
Brava – Just spewing on Medlen a bit. The guy is awesome. Just hope he doesn’t, in fact, overdo it someway and get hurt again. Nothing makes me think he will aside from the somewhat sudden dramatic increase in innings pitched per outing. If anything, maybe he fatigues down the stretch? Sure hope not…
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 4th, 2012
2:29 pm
I knew Medlen could do it from day one too.
In fact, i was saying so to myself 4 years ago!!
Efrim
September 4th, 2012
2:30 pm
LH Hitters are 7 for 56 off of Rockies LH starter Drew Pomeranz this season in the majors.
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 4th, 2012
2:30 pm
How do you make the angry face emoticon on here? Need to add a new one to the collection…
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 4th, 2012
2:32 pm
I guess if we manage 2-3 hits tonight, then we’ll be on average against this latest unknown Cy Young candidate type….
brian
September 4th, 2012
2:34 pm
McCann needs to save his career by being a part time catcher and part time DH. Too good a bat to end prematurely
Ward
September 4th, 2012
2:34 pm
Hello everyone! Just back from the lake, and nice couple of wins. We need those, and now it’s time to go on a hot streak. The time is now…….Also who is this Baker guy, and how good is he?
Ward
September 4th, 2012
2:34 pm
Hello everyone! Just back from the lake, and nice couple of wins. We need those, and now it’s time to go on a hot streak. The time is now…….Also who is this Baker guy, and how good is he?
toast
September 4th, 2012
2:34 pm
ahh, back in april i stated kris medlen should be in the starting rotation. yeah that’s it. ummm, back in january i remember saying that jason heyward should bat 3rd and will have a bounce back year, yeah that’s the ticket. yeah back in september i remember telling folks here that chipper will be the best player on the team at 40, yeah that’ it, that’s the ticket. yeah back in winter meetings i suggested that we look at ben sheets as a possible pickup, yeah that’s it. ummm, back in february i believe i remember telling people here that nationals will be the best team in baseball, yeah that’s it. i think i am the best poster on this blog, yeah, yeah that’s the ticket
ncscoots
September 4th, 2012
2:35 pm
I guess if we manage 2-3 hits tonight, then we’ll be on average against this latest unknown Cy Young candidate type….
Lefty, so at least Francisco and Constanza grab some pine. So, there’s at least a chance.
Jimmy
September 4th, 2012
2:35 pm
On April 28th, at 4:01 pm, I called for Medlin to be in the starting rotation.
So there Mr. Murph!
Bat Masterson
September 4th, 2012
2:38 pm
the word evil, phil
Ward
September 4th, 2012
2:38 pm
Well, no one knows for sure how things are going to go, but I’m glad the Braves have Medlen, and I thought Medlen wouldn’t be this good, but he’s shown to me he can be that (Ace), and I think you can call him an (Ace) now.
Bat Masterson
September 4th, 2012
2:39 pm
Jeff R
September 4th, 2012
2:39 pm
I’ve never called on Medlen to enter the starting rotation… or a sweepstakes… or anything.
Ward
September 4th, 2012
2:40 pm
I’ll admit that I was unsure about Medlen, and now I’m not anymore.
Bat Masterson
September 4th, 2012
2:41 pm
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 4th, 2012
2:41 pm
brian
September 4th, 2012
2:42 pm
i know people are kidding on when they said Medlen should be in the starting rotation but we really should give Fredi and FW the credit for managing his innings early on and letting Medlen get his feel back then inserting him into the rotation the last 1/3 of a season so he can pitch through the end of the season
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 4th, 2012
2:42 pm
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 4th, 2012
2:43 pm
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 4th, 2012
2:45 pm
:fightingmadcrazedlunaticspewingmadmanloon:
MFin04
September 4th, 2012
2:46 pm
“but we really should give Fredi and FW the credit for managing his innings early on and letting Medlen get his feel back”
No we shouldn’t, especially when they certainly didn’t mean to manage his innings early. They only meant to manage Kimbrel, Venters, and EOF’s innings early, not Medlen’s.
Bat Masterson
September 4th, 2012
2:48 pm
:fightingmadcrazedlunaticspewingmadmanloon:
That hasen’t worked since PL’s pic was banned.
Jimmy
September 4th, 2012
2:48 pm
brian – Yeah, I was joking, but you can’t really give FG and FW credit for that. It kind of fell in their lap.
Remember when they sent Meds down to “stretch out his arm”? When he came back up, he was sent to the bullpen again. I don’t think they really had a plan.
And if they did, why didn’t they say what the plan was? Instead, Medlen in long relief was deemed more valuable than as a starter. I remember FG saying just that.
Looks great now though, and according to Joe Simpson, a brillant plan.
Ward
September 4th, 2012
2:49 pm
By the way, who ever is deleating my monikers name can give it up! I’n not going any where.
toast
September 4th, 2012
2:49 pm
They only meant to manage Kimbrel, Venters, and EOF’s innings early, not Medlen’s.
yeah well how has worked out? precisely why you won’t see a september collapse this season regardless of the offense
Bat Masterson
September 4th, 2012
2:50 pm
or hasn’t, even
Ward
September 4th, 2012
2:51 pm
Anyways, just thought I would tell who’s ever doing it? I’m not going any where.
Jimmy
September 4th, 2012
2:52 pm
Ward – what are you talking about? Deleting?
MFin04
September 4th, 2012
2:54 pm
“Looks great now though, and according to Joe Simpson, a brillant plan.”
That’s what drives me crazy. The announcers start spewing this stuff as fact when clearly neither Frank Wren nor Fredi stated this at any point earlier this year. In fact, they really stated quite the opposite.
Ward
September 4th, 2012
2:54 pm
Jimmy – When I come on my blog name is there, and after a few post it is gone. It’s been happening every time I post. Just thought I would let who ever know, and that would be the end of it.
Jimmy
September 4th, 2012
2:55 pm
toast – agree that it has worked out well for the pen and Meds. Just I don’t believe that was “the plan”. I haven’t heard FG or FW say that was “the plan” all along.
Just Chip Carey and Joe Simpson.
MikeInFl
September 4th, 2012
2:56 pm
Yeah, couldn’t believe that ESPN was giving massive kudos to Braves management for their foresight in handling Medlen (comparing it to what’s happening with Strasburg).
If Beachy doesn’t get hurt, JJ doesn’t fall flat on his face, and Delgado doesn’t struggle, Medlen would never sniff a spot in the rotation. (and the ’stretching out’ assignment I think came when Minor was scuffling too).
Hey, that’s okay. I guess Yankee’s management thought that Wally Pipp was a better option than Lou Gehrig, until circumstances proved otherwise..
Ward
September 4th, 2012
2:56 pm
Anyways, I’ll just keep on posting…..
Venice Jim
September 4th, 2012
2:57 pm
Atlanta Braves @Braves
Tonight’s lineup vs. COL (7:10, SPSO/680AM/BRN): Bourn 8 Johnson 7 Jones 5 Freeman 3 Prado 4 Heyward 9 Ross 2 Janish 6 Hanson 1
Jimmy
September 4th, 2012
2:58 pm
Ward – That is your pc – or whatever you are using. No one on here can delete your name…or your email. I have to add it everytime I come here too, but that is because I delete all my cookies and such.
MFin04 – Exactly!
Ward
September 4th, 2012
2:59 pm
Good to sit Uggla to piss him off. Maybe that will get him going?
toast
September 4th, 2012
2:59 pm
jimmy, i agree it was not a plan from day 1 i believe. still, some credit has to be given. if meds in the starting rotation, the big 3 at the end of the pen are used more and maybe shades of last season. if meds starts the season in rotation, maybe we don’t win some of those games he holds getting the ball to o’ventbrel.
let’s all enjoy the success young medlen is having and look forward to a long distinguished career as a starting pitcher.(and wild card game starter if he stays hot).
Ward
September 4th, 2012
3:00 pm
Thanks Jimmy…….Was getting a little conerned……Thanks!
toast
September 4th, 2012
3:03 pm
good to see uggla get hacked off and unhappy about the decision. major league ball player, should be pizzed. still a important part of this team and important he brings it up a notch.
still……. haven’t looked it up, gut feeling he will be a horrible pinch hitter. his stats first time up in a game have to be brutal(even moreso than overall)
DAP
September 4th, 2012
3:03 pm
MFin04 They only meant to manage Kimbrel, Venters, and EOF’s innings early, not Medlen’s.
you dont know that and some people need to realize that what people (any people) say to the media isnt always the whole truth. somethings dont need to be public, for a variety of reasons.
MFin04 neither Frank Wren nor Fredi stated this at any point earlier this year. In fact, they really stated quite the opposite.
the opposite would be them saying they planned to ride medlen as hard as possible and have him pitch until he breaks down. show me where they said anything close to that.
Ward
September 4th, 2012
3:03 pm
Anyways, I agree If J.J pitched well, adn Delgado? Medlen would still be in the bullpen. I’m glad it worked out for Medlen.
Jimmy
September 4th, 2012
3:04 pm
Thanks VJ. I was hoping Heap would be back in there tonight. It was painful watching Ross swing yesterday and we are going to need him come October. I thought we’ve learned that playing when hurt..well, never mind.
MikeInFl – Excellent post sir. MLB folks were saying the same last night.
ncscoots
September 4th, 2012
3:07 pm
If Beachy doesn’t get hurt, JJ doesn’t fall flat on his face, and Delgado doesn’t struggle, Medlen would never sniff a spot in the rotation.
A few years ago (and yes, there actually were a few folks who touted Medlen for a spot then), some posters here opined that Medlen was caught by bad timing, in that there were seasoned vets in front of him and highly touted prospects right behind. The thought was that Medlen would be squeezed out, and would only show up in the rotation on a regular basis if some catastrophic set of circumstances came to pass.
And that has pretty much been the case. Jurrjens’ fall from grace, Hanson’s shoulder, steps back by Teheran and Delgado, Vizcaino’s injury and subsequent trade, and even Beachy’s injury (Beachy wasn’t on the radar then but eventually usurped somebody’s spot, anyway, LOL)…it basically took ALL those things happening to get some starts for the kid.
And I would call those, collectively, a very, very bad turn of events.
Ward
September 4th, 2012
3:08 pm
Would like Mac to start hitting. I’m just not buying that he’s hurt. I think the shift has done him in, and just about done it for Mac. I’m wondering too what happened to Uggla. You can almost call it “The Great Fall” If he can’t get it together?
MFin04
September 4th, 2012
3:08 pm
“you dont know that and some people need to realize that what people (any people) say to the media isnt always the whole truth.”
But why would you LIE to the pubilc about Medlen’s usage? Why wouldn’t you come out during Spring Training and say hey we are going to put Medlen in the bullpen to manage his innings and hopefully give him a chance to start somewhere down the road if necessary.
There is no reason not to say that. They really had no intentions of starting Medlen. They were going to use him as a 7th or 8th inning guy and that was it, that was all they planned. Medlen was lights out in Spring Training as a starter, the Braves still decided to not use him as a starter. But nothing was said about his innings, and it would have been a perfect time to use that excuse.
David O'Brien
September 4th, 2012
3:09 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/04/since-move-to-rotation-medlen-has-been-maddux-esque/
Jimmy
September 4th, 2012
3:09 pm
toast – Yeah, let’s enjoy the way it turned out and the way he is pitching. Little feller.
And I’ll go on record to say that Minor too has been a revelation this year. I’m a big Polished fan.
I guess Heap is out because of a lefty on the mound? I thought I heard FG say yesterday that McCann would be reddy tonight.
Veer
September 4th, 2012
3:12 pm
I don’t agree with Uggla move. It isn’t like we have some one outstanding to replace him . Uggla still gets walks and is a power threat each time out there. he can go 1 for 5 in a game but that 1 hit could be a huge 3 run homerun. something that neither Johnson nor Conztanza are capable of doing. Uggla should be playing. It is one thing to look down at his performance but the guy is still talented.
Jimmy
September 4th, 2012
3:12 pm
OK, before someone lights me up, reddy = ready.
Bat Masterson
September 4th, 2012
3:12 pm
I’m just not buying that he’s hurt. I think the shift has done him in, and just about done it for Mac.
Keep that up, Ward, and it won’t be long before your name is not the only thing to disappear.
Shaun
September 4th, 2012
3:13 pm
I’m certainly one of the people who dislike the Uggla contract and think the Braves should try to trade him in the offseason if they can get anything remotely favorable for themselves, even if it’s a Derek Lowe type move where they’re trying to get whatever salary relief they can.
But I’m not sure how benching Uggla improves the offense all that much. Reed Johnson is basically a league-average offensive leftfielder. He’s quite good against lefties but, if it’s a platoon, it may be Constanza in left or Jeff Baker or Pastornicky playing second against a righty. I just don’t like any of these scenarios that much except maybe Johnson in left and Prado at second against lefties. Part of the reason for that is that Uggla actually has hit righties better than lefties in his career.
Against righties, they should probably just stick with Uggla and hope for the best. I think it’s fine to bet that Uggla isn’t a great player any longer. But I’m not sure the Braves should bet that Uggla is worse than Johnson or Constanza or Baker, at least against righties, over the next month (and hopefully longer).
Couch Tater
September 4th, 2012
3:17 pm
I see no reason that I should have any respect, mutual or otherwise, for the rest.
Uh… gee thanks, scoots.
You said the same thing at the Florabama Lounge, but kept asking them to dance.
Buy me a drink?
chipontheroad
September 4th, 2012
3:18 pm
And don’t forget Livan he ate up some innings early to help save the pen for us in the present play-off chase
Brava
September 4th, 2012
3:57 pm
I knew Medlen could do it from day one too.
In fact, i was saying so to myself 4 years ago!!
Phhhht! My very first words were, “Kris Medlen will be born on October 7, 1985 and will become the Ace of the Atlanta Braves pitching staff in 2012 (I said it in French, of course)”. My mother wrote it down in shorthand on the liner of a 45 recording she’d just bought called, “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini”.
SNEAKY PETE
September 4th, 2012
4:01 pm
Three Strikes They Are Out = Lou Vales.
Lew
September 4th, 2012
4:34 pm
Strangely enough, I agree with Ward, who makes a very good point. If Uggla wasn’t POed about his benchining, there probably wouldn’t be much chance of him coming out of the slump. It’s going to take a very healthy dose of pissed off to carry him back to where we expect him to be.
Lew
September 4th, 2012
4:44 pm
Brava – That’s actually he first song I remember as a very young kid.
the truth...
September 4th, 2012
5:16 pm
@The Truth….
You are a fraud……….I am the original “truth” and you sire are a schmuck……………
the truth...
September 4th, 2012
5:21 pm
Shaun………..
Uggla has shown what he is at this point and time…………..an underperforming overpaid sack of muscle that can hardly hit anything………….
Now his attitude towards Fredi his “Daddy” that brought him here and had a role in Danny getting an outragously over paid contract………..shows him as being in denial….
I would not regret it if we never saw him in Hotlanta again…………
Mike
September 4th, 2012
7:31 pm
Good, it’s a wake up call.
keyLargo
September 8th, 2012
11:02 pm
McCain Rips Obama Over Iran Policy: Like Watching A ‘Train Wreck’
goes 3 for 4 in win over Mets though.
David O'Brien
September 16th, 2012
11:56 am
Just going through a stack of old magazines piled up next to my recliner, pulled out the Sports Illustrated season preview issue. They predicted this for NL East: 1. Philly, 2. Miami, 3. Washington, 4. Atlanta, 5. New York.
Made me feel a little better about my preseason picks: 1. Philly, 2. Washington, 3. Atlanta, 4. Miami, 5. New York.