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Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,958 comments Add your comment
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
11:30 am
You definitely want Chipper and Freeman getting on base in front of Bourn and Heyward.
Can you imagine that? Bourn 7/7 in SB. Heyward 5/6 in SB FOR THE YEAR.
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
11:33 am
I really hated Willingham a day or two ago until I looked at his numbers.
Consistent for every team he has played for. Hits lefties and righties equally well, lefties a little bit more power.
cowdogit
September 21st, 2012
11:35 am
The lineup that beat Josh Johnson is the lineup that will make the braves competitive in the playoffs. Speed is the best way to beat great pitchers.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 21st, 2012
11:35 am
I’d prefer Willingham to be 4 (more power than Freeman), but you’re doing the L-R thing. That’s okay too.
phil
September 21st, 2012
11:37 am
And hitting the ball where they weren’t some against Johnson helped a lot too…
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
11:37 am
“Speed is the best way to beat great pitchers.”
2nd best way to beat great pitchers. The BEST way to beat great pitchers is a guy named KRIS MEDLEN.
ncscoots
September 21st, 2012
11:38 am
The only downside to acquiring another RH banger is that Fredo will probably return to being a slave to L-R, also.
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
11:39 am
Oh no. Tommy Hanson tonight in Philly!?!
Over/under 2.5 homers?
raleighbravefan
September 21st, 2012
11:39 am
cowdogit – speed and patience.
phil
September 21st, 2012
11:40 am
Unfortunately, Hanson will probably get hammered….
raleighbravefan
September 21st, 2012
11:40 am
MFin – Medlen prevents loss….You still have to score some runs.
Jeff R
September 21st, 2012
11:43 am
Oh no. Tommy Hanson tonight in Philly!?!
Over/under 2.5 homers?
I dunno. But it’s likely a 5-inning night for Hanson. The bullpen better be primed.
raleighbravefan
September 21st, 2012
11:43 am
scoots – Add to that the loss of our best switch hitter.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 21st, 2012
11:45 am
Under… same with # of innings
Seriously, he’s been better as of late, maybe tonight he can make it thru the 6th. Needs to finish strong, up his trade value. Would be nice to get Willingham or Jay in a package centered around him.
raleighbravefan
September 21st, 2012
11:45 am
We need to win at least 2 against Phillies….put the nail in their coffin. Also, it will help keep the Philthy trolls away.
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
11:45 am
Let Medlen hit higher in the order, he’s a switch hitter and will hit with RISP.
cowdogit
September 21st, 2012
11:45 am
We need to delete D O B,- He keeps repeating himself telling us how great Chipper Jones is. Enough !!!
raleighbravefan
September 21st, 2012
11:47 am
I predict 5 2/3, 3 ERs. We can still win the game.
Murph
September 21st, 2012
11:47 am
Oh yeh, I forgot some people don’t watch the games and just read box scores.
It’s a real shame when people start putting kids/wives/work ahead of the Braves, isn’t it?
My 6 year old was born during baseball season. I didn’t even pick her up or change a diaper until the season was over.
That’s the kind of true fan I am.
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
11:48 am
“We need to win at least 2 against Phillies….put the nail in their coffin.”
Gonna take a lot of effort to dig up their coffin, clear the dirt off of it, just to put extras nails in it.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 21st, 2012
11:48 am
The Kenshin Kawakami of 2009, and part of 2010 was roughly equivalent to Tommy’s production for the last year….
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
11:49 am
If Kenshin Kawakami got any run support he’d probably have a 70% winning percentage for the team too.
ncscoots
September 21st, 2012
11:50 am
I dunno. But it’s likely a 5-inning night for Hanson.
Game situations get some of that blame, too. Even when he’s had low pitch counts recently, no run support gets him pulled.
Frankie
September 21st, 2012
11:52 am
“We need to delete D O B,- He keeps repeating himself telling us how great Chipper Jones is. Enough !!!”
I believe you are confusing him with nolie, lol.
I swear nolie has a centaur of Chipper hanging in his bedroom. Lots of man love there.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 21st, 2012
11:53 am
I predict 5 2/3, 3 ERs. We can still win the game.
No Quality start? He needs a few of those… hasn’t had one since August 17.
phil
September 21st, 2012
11:57 am
Chipper earned his love…
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
11:57 am
Yeh game situations keep screwing Medlen over too, that whole closer has to get the save in the 9th sure is jacking up his complete game total.
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
11:58 am
“Chipper earned his love…”
Ordered lots of wings?
ncscoots
September 21st, 2012
12:02 pm
Yeh game situations keep screwing Medlen over too
Merely pointing out that, if you’re going to knee-jerk bash a guy, it’s best to first look where your foot is going to come down. Doing that keeps you from from having to clean **** off your shoe.
Frankie
September 21st, 2012
12:05 pm
Pound for pound give me Smoltzie any day regarding greatest Brave since team became relevant back in 90’s. Guy was a assassin and nobody I wanted to see more in crucial situations and in big games. Chipper is great player, Hall of Famer but not elevated to Smoltz level but pretty damn close.
Karma or what, got to think Chipper is going to do something big. Playin game HR or base clearing double, love to see him have a last hurrah. Trying to temper expectations though, he’s been pretty average this month. Hope he’s keeping a little something in the gas tank to showcase in a couple weeks.
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
12:05 pm
“Doing that keeps you from from having to clean off your shoe”
Hanson is the stuff that keeps getting on the shoe. I’d rather just get rid of Hanson then have to clean my shoes all the time.
Murph
September 21st, 2012
12:06 pm
scoots, a catch-phrase for every situation.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 21st, 2012
12:08 pm
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 21st, 2012
12:10 pm
“Got to scrape that sh!t right off your shoes.”
Rolling Stones, “Sweet Virginia”
Today’s barely-relevant song lyric fragment
Trader Jack
September 21st, 2012
12:11 pm
Phillies will honor Chipper before the start of tonight’s game
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
12:14 pm
Does everybody just go to lunch without even a goodbye? Very sad.
We need status updates on everyone next to their names.
George_George
September 21st, 2012
12:19 pm
David O’Brien
September 21st, 2012
10:28 am
I don’t know. He [ACE] was pounded into oblivion by DOB last night. It was ugly.
I don’t blame DOB one iota for his warning to ACE. The guy’s fixation and taunting of DOB borders on the… weird. Correction: It is weird. – Jeff R
Exactly. I can take heavy criticism and mocking. Over-the-top criticism and mocking, even. But that had just become ridiculous, and there was no sign of any let-up. To the contrary, the obsession was becoming, as you said, weird. Repetitive to a mind-numbing degree. And I didn’t want to find out how much further it could go. Don’t want it, don’t need it, don’t have to let it override so much else on my blog.
Thus, the warning. Didn’t ban him yet, but it’s an easy click away if it resumes.
****************************************************************************************
GOOD DAY ALL
THIS IS IN CAPS BECAUSE I WANT YOU ALL TO SEE IT. DOB is about to ban ACE? How far will it go ? Freedom of speech MR O’BRIAN? Could I be next? If so it has been FUN, ENTERTAINING, and INFORITIVE. I have met some very good people here and will miss them. If I am banned those of you who read this PLEASE REPOST so the folks that are on only in the evening can see it. I WILL MISS ALL OF YOU, and continue to read your commemts. Freedom of speech MR O’BRIAN?
CB
September 21st, 2012
12:21 pm
CB-bored with phil and Bobby.
kenhotlanta
September 21st, 2012
12:25 pm
“Caught Looking” on the NBCSP channel is a really good inside look at the current week in baseball. The Braves-Nats episode this week was outstanding and it you missed it, you have 2 more chances to watch or record: 8:00PM tonight and 2:00AM Sunday.
A new show will be on next Thursday at 9:00PM.
We need Tommy to pitch his best game of the year tonight.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 21st, 2012
12:26 pm
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8404780/there-no-pitcher-better-craig-kimbrel-national-league
Bat Masterson
September 21st, 2012
12:27 pm
George_
I thought you scored well enough on the civics test to understand what the right to free speech means.
Brian from SC
September 21st, 2012
12:27 pm
George,
Bye.
David O'Brien
September 21st, 2012
12:28 pm
DOB
I didn’t even get a “warning” before the hammer came down. I’m not entitled to that? — Mixxo
Can someone tactfully explain to this guy that if your comments are showing up on the blog, it means you’re not banned? Thanks.
Efrim
September 21st, 2012
12:28 pm
TenneseePaul, you really believe that the Braves have a chance to come in at $75 million? They haven’t been there in like 15 years, why would they start now? And please, spare me the Hampton contracts or whatever way they did it that one year.
It’ll be around a $90 million dollar payroll. Pretty certain of that unless Wren makes an announcement after the season that it’s going down. And if so, then that would be out of nowhere.
Around $65 million devoted to 12 players for 2013. We have between $20-25 million to spend if all options of McCann, Hudson and Maholm are picked up , I’d say.
raleighbravefan
September 21st, 2012
12:28 pm
George – Freedom of speach? You’re kidding, right? Appearance on this blog is a priviledge, not a right. Constitutional rights don’t apply. I think DOB has been damn lenient on here…with you included.
Murph
September 21st, 2012
12:29 pm
Freedom of Speech doesn’t apply to privately owned website forums. DOB, with the powers vested in him by the AJC, can ban whomever, whenever, for no reason at all.
Jeff R
September 21st, 2012
12:29 pm
GOOD DAY ALL
THIS IS IN CAPS BECAUSE I WANT YOU ALL TO SEE IT. DOB is about to ban ACE? How far will it go ? Freedom of speech MR O’BRIAN? Could I be next? If so it has been FUN, ENTERTAINING, and INFORITIVE. I have met some very good people here and will miss them. If I am banned those of you who read this PLEASE REPOST so the folks that are on only in the evening can see it. I WILL MISS ALL OF YOU, and continue to read your commemts. Freedom of speech MR O’BRIAN?
Goofball #2 shows up.
I wish I had the power to ban you, Jorge_Jorge, and your pea-brained partner in DOB obsession, ACE. DOB’s too fair.
And before you throw out “freedom of speech,” how about learning what it is? Lamebrain.
Murph
September 21st, 2012
12:29 pm
Can someone tactfully explain to this guy that if your comments are showing up on the blog, it means you’re not banned? Thanks.
Permission to do so in a non-tactful way?
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
12:30 pm
“Freedom of Speech doesn’t apply to privately owned website forums.”
Heck the constitution doesn’t even really apply with this current government regime.
Brian from SC
September 21st, 2012
12:31 pm
I wonder if Kimbrel can get any voting momentum and have a shot at the Cy. That would be cool.
Murph
September 21st, 2012
12:32 pm
Heck the constitution doesn’t even really apply with this current government regime.
Politics!!! Ban him!
raleighbravefan
September 21st, 2012
12:32 pm
MFin @12:30 – really? Really?? REALLY??? Since politics are banned, I won’t respond to your ignorant staement.
Venice Jim
September 21st, 2012
12:33 pm
Also, not to go all Medlin here, but it couldn’t hurt to spell the blogmaster’s name correctly when you print it in all caps…
Trader Jack
September 21st, 2012
12:33 pm
Efrim
The covenant in the sale agreement of the Braves regarding the payroll terminates at the end of the year. Liberty is free to do as they wish, although i don’t believe they will drop payroll below $85 mil
Jeff R
September 21st, 2012
12:34 pm
I WILL MISS ALL OF YOU, and continue to read your commemts.
Now, you are a man of your word, aren’t you Jorge_Jorge? You double-triple promise not to show up on the blog again? Wow. I’d be so proud of you.
chipontheroad
September 21st, 2012
12:35 pm
Double George you can’t yell “FIRE Fredi” in a crowded theatre
raleighbravefan
September 21st, 2012
12:35 pm
VJ @12:33 –
Also, what the heck is INFORITIVE?
Juan
September 21st, 2012
12:36 pm
Can someone explain how the Braves can clinch the Playoff this weekend?
Trader Jack
September 21st, 2012
12:37 pm
George
Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out
Efrim
September 21st, 2012
12:37 pm
The covenant in the sale agreement of the Braves regarding the payroll terminates at the end of the year. Liberty is free to do as they wish, although i don’t believe they will drop payroll below $85 mil
Ah, yes. I keep forgetting this.
I would still be really surprised if it was less than $85-90 million. Although even $5 million less at $85 is going to be tighter than I’d like it.
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
12:37 pm
“I don’t believe they will drop payroll below $85 mil”
Who knows. We sure as heck know they aren’t going to try to raise the payroll to try and win the dang division. We like playing for the Wild Card and underspending.
It was worth the risk before, but now with the 1-game playoff you gotta look to spend money for the whole year not just after the ASG.
Frankie
September 21st, 2012
12:37 pm
Wow, stimulating conversation regarding freedom of speech, constitutional rights. Gee is what this blog has evolved to? Great baseball insight.
Really not sounding condescending but it will come across that way. Get outside more folks. Play catch with your son, take a book to the park, get involved. Shrinks all across the country are having clients tune into the blog here to work on self esteem issues and self examination. Not as bad as thought.
Goodbye for the rest of the day.
Go Braves!
raleighbravefan
September 21st, 2012
12:37 pm
Gone to lunch. Let the insults begin….
chipontheroad
September 21st, 2012
12:38 pm
@mixxo I think you were on double secret probation for F bombitis
Arkansas Transplant
September 21st, 2012
12:42 pm
Why would they drop payroll after only having to maintain 85 per sale agreement but actually spending above that?
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
12:42 pm
“I would still be really surprised if it was less than $85-90 million. Although even $5 million less at $85 is going to be tighter than I’d like it.”
Exactly. 16th in the league in payroll and 5th best record. At some point you have to try to move from $85 to $100 million and try to really become a team with very few holes. One more starter or a bat that crushes lefties may just do that. This team can compete with their budget but it takes A LOT of young players falling into place and playing for cheap while producing like All-Stars.
Bat Masterson
September 21st, 2012
12:42 pm
Heck the constitution doesn’t even really apply with this current government regime.
Are you referring to the Patriot Act, passed in 2001? The one that lets the government search your home when you are not there, without your permission or even telling you they did so?
Murph
September 21st, 2012
12:42 pm
Taking a book to the park is getting involved?
There was a mom reading a book at the 4 year old’s soccer game last weekend… she was the least involved of anyone.
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
12:43 pm
“There was a mom reading a book at the 4 year old’s soccer game last weekend… she was the least involved of anyone.”
Exactly. Does online multiplayer video gaming count as getting involved?
Jimmy
September 21st, 2012
12:47 pm
Fire GeorgeX2.
Gotcha Bat. But this isn’t the place to discuss that and other related issues.
Baseball – I hope Heap isn’t behind the plate tonight…with Hanson on the mound.
Oh, the Brewers lead the NL in stolen bases…..and runs scored. But I’m sure that can’t be related.
Murph
September 21st, 2012
12:47 pm
Exactly. Does online multiplayer video gaming count as getting involved?
I sure hope so. Lunch starts in 14 minutes, and I’ll be playing Counter Strike… so… I’m doing my part.
Samantha
September 21st, 2012
12:51 pm
Hello everyone!
Just a little humor.
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
12:52 pm
Stolen bases are pretty darn effective when you can steal at a clip of 100% against Hanson and McCann. Unless they start getting all greedy with Howard leading off of first.
Pretty sure Carlos Ruiz stole off of Hanson last year.
I’m not sure I’d steal any bases in that park though. Just wait for Tommy to give up massive bombs.
P-Town Brave ©
September 21st, 2012
12:53 pm
Depends….
Which multiplayer video game are we talking about?
Murph
September 21st, 2012
12:53 pm
The Rally Stripper!
Braves are gonna sweep the Phillies now. Go Rally Stripper go!!!
Trader Jack
September 21st, 2012
12:54 pm
What it cost the Braves this year to field this team is $83.5 mil. Forget the $10 mil that went to Cleveland with Lowe. That money is at the total discretion of Liberty. In essence they spent 10 to save 5.
Now think like an owner for a minute. You’ve spent 83.5 mil and have a playoff team. In their mind another say 6.5 mil might catapult you to the next level.
I just don’t see it going above $90 mil, and I hope Liberty proves me wrong
Robert
September 21st, 2012
12:57 pm
Here’s what I find interesting – and follow me here
1. It is noted that Medlen is somewhat like Greg Maddux in his pitching style and cerebral approach
2. DOB recently made comments that Medlen is just the kind of pitcher these Braves need for the playoffs
3. In the past, Bobby Cox apologists said that the reason he didnt win in the playoffs was because he didnt have a staff full of power arms, that guys like Maddux and Glavine were NOT what got you success in the playoffs
which would mean that Medlen is NOT the kind of guy the team needs for the playoffs,
OR
that the Cox apologists were full of it
phil
September 21st, 2012
12:57 pm
CB
September 21st, 2012
12:21 pm
CB-bored with phil and Bobby.
************
Well, so was I. It ended several hours ago, I hope.
DiamondbackMac
September 21st, 2012
12:58 pm
Arkansas Transplant
Were you transplanted to or from Arkansas? Either way, you might find this interesting.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/20/record-gator-caught-in-southwest-arkansas/?intcmp=features
nolie
September 21st, 2012
12:58 pm
Maybe he should be run off. re ACE…phil
nah, he could cut back on the obsessions a bit though.
Not sure what he gets out of ripping DOB and the blog, but if he is 40 like he says he should know that David would eventually get tired of it.
Samantha
September 21st, 2012
1:00 pm
I, for one, am looking forward to the postseason.
Looks like the Wild Card, but hey, it is the postseason.
Just think of it as a “game seven” and it is at home.
GO BARVES!!
Brian from SC
September 21st, 2012
1:01 pm
I think the kind of pitcher you need for the playoffs is one who allows very few runs.
Jimmy
September 21st, 2012
1:02 pm
Just a little humor!
Blog was getting a little tense.
Robert
September 21st, 2012
1:03 pm
“Pound for pound give me Smoltzie any day regarding greatest Brave since team became relevant back in 90’s. Guy was a assassin and nobody I wanted to see more in crucial situations and in big games. Chipper is great player, Hall of Famer but not elevated to Smoltz level .”
Chipper is a great player, but Smoltz had the makeup of a champion. Well said
phil
September 21st, 2012
1:03 pm
raleighbravefan
September 21st, 2012
12:37 pm
Gone to lunch. Let the insults begin….
************
I thought you were better than this…..guess I was wrong.
Robert
September 21st, 2012
1:04 pm
“I think the kind of pitcher you need for the playoffs is one who allows very few runs.”
Oh I agree.
My point was that the excuse that you need power pitching to win in the playoffs is apologist b.s.
ncscoots
September 21st, 2012
1:04 pm
a catch-phrase for every situation.
By-product of my upbringing. Metaphors and such are simply a southerner’s way of saying the same thing a New Yorker might say, couched in slightly more civility.
Besides, I get tired of repeating “what a dumb***”.
Bat Masterson
September 21st, 2012
1:05 pm
OR
that the Cox apologists were full of it _ Robert
Or that baseball, among other things, is more nuanced than your black &
whiteblack take on things allows for.ncscoots
September 21st, 2012
1:06 pm
No one can convolute logic the way Robert can. I’ve missed that, what with living on this planet, instead of his.
Robert
September 21st, 2012
1:06 pm
“I, for one, am looking forward to the postseason.
Looks like the Wild Card, but hey, it is the postseason”
If we win that one-game wildcard playoff, it’ll be the team’s first post-season success in over a decade
nolie
September 21st, 2012
1:06 pm
this is a privately sponsored blog, George. The onliest freedom of speech allowed is what they want to allow.
Folks like ACE can be scary, obsession is the basis of the stalker mentality whether it is on a blog or in person. Hopefully the warning works and he pulls back a bit,
I see Tomahawkin insisted he was already bounced(no surprise) I saw no such action.
P-Town Brave ©
September 21st, 2012
1:09 pm
HANSON BY THE NUMBERS
His ERA is a 1/2 a run lower on the road and he has 8 wins on the road this year…
BUT he has close to a 6 ERA against the Phils this year in 2 starts…(he did get a win at CBP earlier in the year though)
ALSO, he has NOT won a game when the Braves score 2 or less runs, BUT when we score 3-5 he is 4-0 w/ a 2.61 ERA….
But the stranger thing as typical Hanson goes, he is 8-0 when we score 6 or more, but pitches like crap enough to win but look awful to a 5.34 ERA.
Look at the stats against the 7 hole hitter as well….he can not get out team’s 7 hitters to the tune of slash line of .351/.456/.579/1.035 YIKES right?
BUT if he could EVER manage to throw strikes, when he is ahead in the count the slash line is .206/.223/.381/.604
He has trouble once he reaches 75 pitches (.380 BA) and his worst inning all year via the numbers is the 6th inning (.394 BA w/ 1.210 OPS)
The most telling stats:
Starts w/ BMac: 4.74 ERA in 21 games (~ 5 1/3 IP / start) (24 of 32 SB)
Starts w/ Rossy: 3.27 ERA in 9 starts ( ~ 5 IP / start) (3 of 6 SB)
CB
September 21st, 2012
1:12 pm
phil, don’t worry, Robert came along to bore me even more.
MFin04
September 21st, 2012
1:13 pm
Yep, Hanson is a 5 inning pitcher who needs tons of run support.
And he is too risky in close games because of his propensity to give up the curve-ball-homerama.
Robert
September 21st, 2012
1:13 pm
If we sweep the Phils and the Brewers sweep the Nats, this gets real fun
kenhotlanta
September 21st, 2012
1:15 pm
Murph is talking to himself again.
Arkansas Transplant
September 21st, 2012
1:15 pm
DiamondbackMac, acutally transplanted back and forth.. born in Arkansas, went through my entire school years in Georgia and then relocated back to Arkansas.
Yeah, that’s a ways down south from me. That’s a pretty good sized little gator.
Bat Masterson
September 21st, 2012
1:16 pm
Yep, that would make for a fun baseball weekend, Robert.
Robert
September 21st, 2012
1:18 pm
It would make for a fun final 10 days. The division means more than it used to now that the wild cards face an elimination game situation right away. That said, the main goal is still get in, and then go from there
Arkansas Transplant
September 21st, 2012
1:18 pm
What’s the comparisons of Maholm and Hanson over their last 5 starts? Just wondering. Not really a huge fan of Maholm either.