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Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,212 comments Add your comment
cricket
September 18th, 2012
4:57 pm
forget post-season roster, set up play-in game roster first. it can be different from post-season roster.
RC
September 18th, 2012
4:57 pm
Dodgers have $193 million already committed to guaranteed contracts for the 2013 season. This does not include 1st year arbitration to AJ Ellis and minimum salaried contracts.
But on the plus side for the Dodgers, Andruw Jones comes off the books in 3 more years!
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
4:57 pm
i was going to say that all these comments pretty much ensure that georgie is going to hit for cycle today..but couldn’t say it
The scary part is that, once he’s between the lines, I root as hard for him to be successful as I do for everybody else. I might have to hurl after I do it, but I still root for him.
(Writing out the nasty emails to Fredo for putting him in is cathartic, too. I can always throw them away. Maybe.)
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
4:57 pm
The Dodgers have committed 99% of their 2013 payroll already
Really, they’ve shared with you personally what their restraints are?
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
4:59 pm
RIP Steve Sabol. Can’t say enough good things about his contributions to the NFL. NFL Films is incredible.
RC
September 18th, 2012
5:00 pm
One more awesome Dodgers note – they have $89.964 million committed in the year 2017. To 4 outfielders and a 1st baseman.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
5:02 pm
Sorry, he makes even Craig Gentry look good.
ncscoots, always the antagonizer.
RC
September 18th, 2012
5:02 pm
if the Braves are as patient with this guy as they were with Gio, could be a long night for him
Or, more preferably, a really, really short night. Like 2-3 innings short.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
5:02 pm
Really, they’ve shared with you personally what their restraints are?
You didn’t ask me, but I do not see them going too much higher than 200 million.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
5:05 pm
You didn’t ask me, but I do not see them going too much higher than 200 million.
So no Greinke? That’d be 1 heavily back-loaded deal to keep them under 200mil. Not that I think he’s going to the Dodgers anyway…
cricket
September 18th, 2012
5:05 pm
It was just announced that the Blue Jays have suspended Yunel Escobar for three games over his anti-gay eye black. Escobar will also participate in a sensitivity training program “in accordance with the Toronto Blue Jays and Major League Baseball.” The punishment was agreed upon between the Blue Jays, the union and Major League Baseball.
.
.
Escobar made a statement at the outset: via a translator, which made it a little disjointed, here are the highlights of his statement:
“I’m sorry for the actions of the other day … it’s not something I intended to be offensive … it’s just something I put on the sticker on my face … it was nothing intentional directed at anyone in particular. ”I have friends who are gay,” I have nothing against homosexuals … I am sorry what will happen and it will never happen again in my career. It is a lesson I have learned … I didn’t mean for this to be misinterpreted by the gay community. I apologize.”
cricket
September 18th, 2012
5:08 pm
Not that I think he’s going to the Dodgers anyway…
he’s not coming to ATL, that’s for sure
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
5:08 pm
52% ground ball pitcher and we have the two best defensive shortstops in the NL… which one plays? Neither. Constanza’s an asset though.
Bay Area Steve
September 18th, 2012
5:17 pm
Any person who apologizes for some sort of comment about a specific group, using “I have friends who are (specific group),” makes me think the opposite is true, and think even worse about their original indiscretion.
Though, I do have friends who are indiscrete. So, I don’t know where that leaves me. It’s all very confusing.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
5:19 pm
a 327 career MLB OBP is “GREAT” ?? Really???????
nolie
September 18th, 2012
5:21 pm
I have friends who are (specific group),” makes me think the opposite is true, and think even worse about their original indiscretion….BAS
but… I have friends who are ex-baseball players so it’s ok if I insult players here, right???
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:22 pm
I can’t believe we traded Yunel! He has sooooooo much talent……….
What a guy.
Bay Area Steve
September 18th, 2012
5:24 pm
You’d never apologize for your insults, so wouldn’t apply to you, noles.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
5:25 pm
such insight
nolie
September 18th, 2012
5:30 pm
he has defensive talent anyway
CB
September 18th, 2012
5:32 pm
14 games left. Wouldn’t it be nice to run the board? Nothing is impossible for those who believe.
Heisenberg
September 18th, 2012
5:34 pm
When I lived in Florida, my group of friends included Lebanese, Cuban, Spanish, Swedish, Jewish, African-American, and WASPs. I can have a field day insulting all kinds of people know that I know it is OK if you have friends that are of the group you are insulting.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:34 pm
Has the Braves PR department sent out a memo on how to scoreboard watch these days?
Root for the Cardinals to keep the Phillies out of WC slot?
Root for the Brewers because no southpaw could shut us down?
Root for the Dodgers and hope their no name pitching staff somehow gets in?
Hell with it, I will be at Turner Field on Friday night the 5th watching revenge exacted against the Redbirds.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
5:34 pm
Sorry about all the derogatory stuff I said about Scott Proctor last season… I have friends who are Proctors, and they didn’t seem offended.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:35 pm
“he has defensive talent anyway”
So does Janish
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
5:35 pm
Teddy Cahill @tedcahill
RT @washingnats: The game between the #Nats and #Dodgers has been postponed. The teams will play a doubleheader on Wednesday at 4:05 p.m.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
5:36 pm
14 games left. Wouldn’t it be nice to run the board? Nothing is impossible for those who believe.
Yes, that would be nice. But at this point, 7-7 might just do the trick – unless we’re still hoping the Nats stumble (cross your fingers).
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
5:36 pm
14 games left. Wouldn’t it be nice to run the board? Nothing is impossible for those who believe.
Aye, that’s the spirit!
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:37 pm
guess that should be enacted
monty
September 18th, 2012
5:37 pm
Murph- “Sorry about all the derogatory stuff I said about Scott Proctor last season…”
Bully !
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
5:38 pm
I believe! I believe!!
AZBravoFan
September 18th, 2012
5:38 pm
Forget that Frankie, how about being there on Sat. the 6th as we exact our revenge on the Redbirds after they take out the Nats in the play-in game…
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:39 pm
Braves sweep the Fish and someway somehow Kemp delivers huge tomorrow night. Braves out 3 games going into weekend.
Yeah c’mon
CB
September 18th, 2012
5:39 pm
Jeff R, I was referring to catching Nats. I believe they will stumble with tough schedule left.
AZBravoFan
September 18th, 2012
5:41 pm
Actually, I take that back. In that scenario we got Cincy coming in or we’re going to SF for Game 1.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:41 pm
“Forget that Frankie, how about being there on Sat. the 6th as we exact our revenge on the Redbirds after they take out the Nats in the play-in game…”
Even better! How do I get my refund for Friday tixs!
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
5:41 pm
A successful and revenge-filled playoff run would include wins over the Cardinals and the Yankees in the World Series!!
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
5:42 pm
@ncscoots……I have long wondered what motivates a guy like you, scoots. In a plea for the benefit of aspiring baseball bloggers, I ask, what is it–what fuels your motor guy?
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
5:42 pm
@ncscoots……I have long wondered what motivates a guy like you, scoots. In a plea for the benefit of aspiring baseball bloggers, I ask, what is it–what fuels your motor guy?
Trader Jack
September 18th, 2012
5:42 pm
The Dodgers payroll could hit $250 mil next season, and they wouldn’t even break a sweat
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:45 pm
Start to feel extremely confident with this team when they start putting teams away. Last night a good offensive team adds on and double digits when leading 6-0 early. Two more weeks to build MO and click offensively and become a solid team in all facets of the game.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
5:46 pm
MAHOLM on the bump. Get SHEETS and C-MART ready. One of them needs to go in after three with the other to follow after six.
Dum-Bass
September 18th, 2012
5:47 pm
Gnats/Dodgers already postponed tonight. Too bad! Poor babies. No wiggle room in that brutal 16 day schedule, with no days off. Gotta play a DH tomorrow. All they need is another game postponed this week, which could happen, and they are in deep doo doo! Miss Karma may be showing up already.
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
5:48 pm
Frankie – Both the Braves and the Falcons scuffled after building big leads. For some worried, I am more worried about the Falcons though.
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
5:48 pm
reason instead of worried (good grief)
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:49 pm
Mike Minor starting Game 2 of the NLDS isn’t making me sleep comfortably yet. Nice story but he can totally wet himself in that situation. Will be a home game at least I believe. That will help some.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
5:50 pm
Thanks for the article DOB. Some obviously sincere comments from OZZIE GUILLEN about CHIPPER. Good read. Good to learn a bit from his words and see OZZIE is not just a crazy hired to hype the gate in CHICAGO and MIAMI either.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:51 pm
Tumbledown- yeah good win but best part is that it’s September only. 4th quarter 3 and out won’t do it come December. Running game is a concern and will see some new opportunities this weekend. TOUGH day for the big boy in the backfield. Well tough night during and after the game that is.
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
5:52 pm
Let us hope that: (1) Minor gets the chance to wet himself in Game Two of the NLDS; and (2) he does not wet himself in said game.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
5:52 pm
@ncscoots……I have long wondered what motivates a guy like you, scoots. In a plea for the benefit of aspiring baseball bloggers, I ask, what is it–what fuels your motor guy?
Metamucil
ChipperisGod
September 18th, 2012
5:52 pm
Smart of Fredi to rest Andy. There is absolutely no reason to risk him getting injured. Let him rest that shoulder for a day or two, and he’ll be ready to hopefully play tomorrow or start in Philly. Hope Mac is back for good now. Looking for Paul to bounce back tonight, and looking for the offense to hopefully keep rolling.
Good time to be an Atlanta sports fan! How about those birds last night!
Go Braves/Falcons!
Heisenberg
September 18th, 2012
5:53 pm
Braves have 2 off days coming up. There were 2 viable options laid out yesterday that would have Medlen/Hudson pitching first 2 playoff games whether the first was WC or NLDS. If a couple bozos on this blog can figure that out, Fredi certainly better be able to. I mean no offense to bozos – I have friends that are bozos.
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
5:55 pm
The Falcons need to move away from Turner as the primary back. They always seem to coast in the fourth quarter. That lack of urgency has come back to haunt them in the playoffs. As for the Braves, I remain cautiously optimistic. Having a closer like Kimbrell provides a bit of comfort at the end of games.
Dum-Bass
September 18th, 2012
5:56 pm
Somebody on the blog yesterday said there is no day in between the wildcard game and the first game of the NLDS, but there is. Wildcard game is on Friday the 5th and first day of NLDS is Sunday, the 7th.
That means Meddog could pitch the WC game, miss just the first two home games of the NLDS, and start the third game on Wed. the 10th with 4 days rest. That would be the first game in Washington(most likely) and would be very important.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
5:56 pm
nolie
September 18th, 2012
5:21 pm
“…..//I have friends who are (specific group),” makes me think the opposite is true, and think even worse about their original indiscretion….BAS
but… I have friends who are ex-baseball players so it’s ok if I insult players here, right???…….”
Chuckle. Evidently.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:57 pm
Yep, Meds goes game 3 in the NLDS. And yes he will have the opportunity to pitch in that series.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
5:59 pm
ChipperisGod:
What…..no love for some HAWKS?
AZBravoFan
September 18th, 2012
6:01 pm
Tumbledown – revenge wouldn’t be quite as sweet without LaRussa’s smug mug in the opposing dugout.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:06 pm
eric (miami)
Do you see the Braves winning their one game wild card game whether its against the Cardinals or Dodgers?
David Schoenfield (1:33 PM)
With Medlen likely going, I think they’d be the favorite. But anything can happen, of course, and if you’re facing a Clayton Kershaw, it’s not much more than 50/50. But the Braves are the best team of the three.
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
6:06 pm
@Murph……………”Motivation factor re: ncscoot,”
……….”metamucil,” hey, is that knida like: ‘metaworldpeace?’
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:07 pm
Adam (Toronto)
Is Kris Medlen legit? His changeup is devastating, but with a pitcher his size, is he ready to come back down to earth or can he be a top end starter going forward?
David Schoenfield (1:37 PM)
I don’t see why not. Lincecum has been a successful starter despite his short stature. Baseball people will say they’ll worry about injuries, but that’s true for any pitcher. Not saying he’ll be a Halladay-like workhorse, but I’d be comfortable leaving him in the rotation next year for 200 innings.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:09 pm
billy (vegas) [via mobile]
If the braves dont resign bourn, then who do they go after in free agency or make a trade with. they seem to have a bunch of pitching depth
David Schoenfield (2:12 PM)
There are a lot of outfielders in this free agent market. Bourn, Hamilton, B.J. Upton, Melky, Victorino, Swisher, Angel Pagan. So if they let go Bourn go, I could see them going after a less-expensive option like Pagan.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:09 pm
Chris will have an epic fail crash. Bank on it!!!
or not….
Fols
September 18th, 2012
6:10 pm
Yeah but I don’t want the clean Melky….that guy is not half the man the HGH version is!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:11 pm
Pagan? Oh my…
Nova Scotia Steve
September 18th, 2012
6:16 pm
I believe this is the best quote from DOB’s blog and it belongs to Ozzie Guillen (Not surprised).
“He grew up in the era when baseball was a little dirty and he did it the right way.’’
Dum-Bass
September 18th, 2012
6:16 pm
“Angel” Pagan, the only oxymoronic MLB player there is.
Long time fan
September 18th, 2012
6:18 pm
Everything looks good for now. One last shot at the division but the wild card is in the bag. Of course that will be handled when we are six up with five to play or something like that.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:20 pm
anybody who uses oxy is a moron….
Dum-Bass
September 18th, 2012
6:24 pm
That could be true, but only if used inappropriately. Used correctly it’s a “lifesaver”.
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
6:25 pm
I guess when he gets on base–the fans are uplifted…..and when he fails to reach [makes outs]–the fans are again blinded and downcast….this somehow sounds so unique, ahem, his name is Angel Pagan.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:25 pm
plus you can coordinate the colors with your wardrobe
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:27 pm
I guess we could do worse than Pagan
Murph
September 18th, 2012
6:29 pm
Pagan is one of the most underrated CF out there… given that he’ll (hopefully) cost less than Bourn will while providing similar production (with 1/3 less K’s)… seems like exactly the kind of player the Braves need to hit leadoff and man CF for a few years.
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
6:30 pm
What does mlb do if washington gets a rain out they cannot make up? Normally, you’d play those games at the end of the season if it would make a difference. It would be funny if Washington had to play a game to see if they would be in a tie with Atlanta for the division lead. Lost that game and played Atlanta. Lost that game and had to play a play-in game. Won that game and had to play the first game of the NLDS.
They could end up playing 20 games in a row (counting first two games of NLDS).
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:34 pm
I much rather see what it would take to get Peter Bourjos. Cause he’s one of the best defenders in the game and is still young and can improve with the bat. Angel Pagan is a solid hitter with average defense, but I still see him getting 5 to 7 million a season possibly on a 2 or 3 year deal.
I say for filling CF, defense should be priority. Add offense in LF. Also were paying Uggla to produce and McCann is most likely gonna get that 12 million option. They have to do better than they have been, end of story. That’s what it really comes down too. Imagine if Uggla and McCann were having normal seasons, we’d be in 1st place in the East.
Dum-Bass
September 18th, 2012
6:35 pm
One player with the most unique name of all time is Skye Bolt. He is from GA and ended up going to UNC after being drafted by the Nationals. With a name like that he has to end up with the Braves. Maybe a trade with the Gnats after he finishes college and signs with them.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
6:38 pm
Bourjos is sporting a sub .300 OBP this season. That scares me.
I s’pose you could bat Prado or Simmons leadoff and bury Bourjos at 8th, hoping he doesn’t hurt the team too much with his offense.
I’d rather use the prospects on a trade for a proven LF power bat, spend the $7 or 8mil it’ll take to get Pagan, and use whatever is left to chase that coveted “top of the rotation” arm that everyone wants.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
6:42 pm
Or… use the prospects to land Headley, keep Prado in LF, sign Pagan, chase SP.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:44 pm
Bourjos isn’t getting much playing time this season…
In 2011 they gave him 552 PAs
271/327/438/765 26 Doubles, 11 Triples, 12 HR, 22 SB with Top Tier Defense.
Ken Stallings
September 18th, 2012
6:45 pm
David,
It might be a good question to pose to Fredi Gonzalez tonight. But, looking at the remaining regular season schedule and the fact that the Wild Card play-in game is scheduled for October 5th, it means the Braves need only do one small tweak to their rotation to have Kris Medlen perfectly timed for that play-in game.
The Braves have an off day scheduled on 24 September (their last scheduled off day). If the Braves leveraged that off day, they could adjust the rotation to have Medlen pitch on the 25 September home game versus the Marlins. Then, five days later Medlen would pitch his last regular season start on the last home game on 30 September versus the Mets.
Then, Medlen would rest during the last three games at Pittsburgh on 1-3 October. You have an off day on 4 October, and the fifth day comes up on the play-in game on 5 October.
I would hope the Braves are thinking this way, but would be nice to know. Because right now, if no tweak is made, then Maholm pitches on that 25 September game and Medlen would have only four days of rest before pitching the 5 October play-in game.
ncbravesfan90
September 18th, 2012
6:45 pm
I wonder how they feel about the Nats game being postponed in Washington now, rain has cleared the Metro area and 30 minutes before scheduled first pitch. That’s why you always wait as long as possible before making a decision, never can go by forecasts and especially future radars…..
Kat
September 18th, 2012
6:47 pm
Thanks for the new DOB blog David; appreciate the good read before the game as always!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:48 pm
I’d take Gentry over Bourjos, I have a feeling he will never hit all that much
per Bill James site
top 10 CFers
Michael Trout +36
Michael Bourn +35
Bryce Harper +25
Denard Span +24
Justin Maxwell +16
Eric Young Jr. +13
Cameron Maybin +13
Peter Bourjos +13
Lorenzo Cain +13
Craig Gentry +13
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:48 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
However, #Dodgers’ Kershaw will be not be allowed to pitch if he continues to have hip pain. Re-starting his throwing program today.
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
#Dodgers announce that Kershaw has impingement of right hip. Can continue to pitch if pain allows without doing further damage…
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:49 pm
I like Pagan cause overall he’s a really solid player, but I do believe he’s playing a bit over his head this season. But definitely a the type of player that will fit for us mainly cause of price.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
6:51 pm
I don’t know if the Angels are going to be willing to give Bourjos up for anything less than a king’s ransom… Hunter is old and entering into free agency… should he leave the Angels are going to need Bourjos in their OF.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:52 pm
Pagan is at an OPS+ of 122 this season, he also had a 122 in 2009 though in a shorter season. last year was his worst by a good bit since he started playing regularly
Kat
September 18th, 2012
6:52 pm
On a football note…why would someone be so stupid to say that, even if they were thinking it, man why would you say that. Shaking me head..
Replacement ref reportedly told LeSean McCoy, ‘I need you for my fantasy team!’
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/replacement-ref-reportedly-told-lesean-mccoy-fantasy-team-143558559–nfl.html
Murph
September 18th, 2012
6:53 pm
Trade for Headley, move Heyward to CF, sign Hunter to a 2 year deal to play RF, keep Prado in LF.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:54 pm
unless he is hurt the Angels sure aren’t playing him much
Felix
September 18th, 2012
6:56 pm
I hope Chipper always stays a part of the Braves. A no doubt first ballot HOF. I would love to see him as our hitting coach.
Chipper bashers can go stuff it!
Felix
September 18th, 2012
6:56 pm
I hope Chipper always stays a part of the Braves. A no doubt first ballot HOF. I would love to see him as our hitting coach.
Chipper bashers can go stuff it!
cowdogit
September 18th, 2012
6:56 pm
Easy win tonight, When Constanza’s in the starting lineup the braves win three out of four, With Constanza, Bourn and Heyward, At least one of them will be on base every inning . Stress on their pitcher will cause mistakes.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:56 pm
Headley’s the guy that it would take a king’s ransom to get.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
7:00 pm
Headley’s the guy that it would take a king’s ransom to get.
True true… I like the idea of him at 3B and Prado in LF for the next 2 or 3 years, though.
I don’t know if we even have the prospects it would take to land him anymore… I imagine everyone is available except maybe JR Graham at this point, but even then… would a package built around Teheran be enough? Maybe.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
7:00 pm
Georgie has a pretty poor on base percentage ya know
nolie
September 18th, 2012
7:03 pm
I’ve always been high on Headley but I think he is having a bit of an outlier season this year
nolie
September 18th, 2012
7:05 pm
top 10 SS
Yunel Escobar +27
Brendan Ryan +24
Mike Aviles +18
Andrelton Simmons +17
J.J. Hardy +17
Clint Barmes +17
Zachary Cozart +16
Brandon Crawford +14
Alexei Ramirez +12
Starlin Castro +8
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
7:06 pm
Eovaldi owns us!
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
Marlins starter Nathan Eovaldi has allowed 10 earned runs over his last 3 starts (16 IP). #Braves