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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,463 comments Add your comment
Murph
October 31st, 2012
12:31 pm
BP, I’ve been thinking the same thing about Hamilton.
I know the guy has substance abuse issues, but the team can cover its own arse to an extent with behavioral clauses in his contract. Should he mess up more than a couple of times they’d be able to void his contract.
He’s risky, but there are ways the Braves (or whoever) could minimize that risk, or at least minimize the impact a giant contract like Hamilton’s could have should it go south in a hurry.
I still don’t think there’s a chance in hell that the team pursues him, but he is an amazing ballplayer… when he’s sober and healthy.
ncscoots
October 31st, 2012
12:33 pm
Now, several of the players mentioned in Minor’s place could not hold a candle to him at the moment but that’s a different discussion for another day.
Somehow, I don’t think GV is all that worried about relying on 50-start Mike Minor near the top of the rotation.
David O'Brien
October 31st, 2012
12:35 pm
Let me get this straight…Lew decides to post a nice little jab at me with his 10:43am – which was perfectly fine because it was in good humor, I think. And then DOB decides to jump all over it. — Efrim
Nope, I never saw Lew’s comment. Did a search for “DOB” as I often do (it brings up any comments with DOB or David O’Brien). Lew’s wasn’t one of them that showed up. I’ll check it out now, though.
TennesseePaul
October 31st, 2012
12:37 pm
Wasn’t the choice really Kotchman or Trout? It was the Teixeira comp pick after all… ( :
David O'Brien
October 31st, 2012
12:37 pm
I know most/many and the big guy DOB have said no way Wren goes after Hamilton but can we be sure? — BravePack
Nope, I didn’t say no way. I said it wouldn’t make sense for a team with Braves payroll and needs to do that, to over-spend for Hamilton at his age and with his baggage. I said I can’t see the Braves doing it. I did NOT say “no way” Wren does it. I almost never say that.
Shaun
October 31st, 2012
12:39 pm
I would be pretty surprised if a team like the Braves signed Hamilton. At his age, at this point in his career, I just can’t see that it’s worth the risk for a team like the Braves. Even if the cost works out, it would obviously mean the end of pursuing anyone else who could play well in one of the outfield spots. They would probably have to worry about a back-up plan and that back-up isn’t going to be nearly as good as if they just acquired a less risky player than Hamilton in the first place.
I could see Hamilton back in Texas or going to a team like the Angels, some laid-back city where the baseball team has tons of money to spend on risky players without batting an eye. I know there is talk of Milwaukee but that makes little sense to me. I think people are just trying to make the connection with the hitting coach. But who knows.
David O'Brien
October 31st, 2012
12:40 pm
By the way, at this rate is anyone going to be left standing at season’s end on Sons of Anarchy? My God, the MC has run into a serious run of misfortune and bad luck, don’t ya think?
Efrim
October 31st, 2012
12:41 pm
Lew’s wasn’t one of them that showed up. I’ll check it out now, though.
Right, I get that. And I know your slammed and don’t have time to read every comment with as much attention as I can or someone else who isn’t a good worker can, but I do scratch my head sometimes with some of the posts to the regs here.
We aren’t the buffons who rip everything Braves just because they are frustrated they don’t go 162-0 in the regular season and 11-0 or 12-0 in the playoffs. Little bit more brighter than them, I think.
Efrim
October 31st, 2012
12:42 pm
Now, several of the players mentioned in Minor’s place could not hold a candle to him at the moment but that’s a different discussion for another day.
Can’t wait to see Shelby Miller and Zack Wheeler this upcoming season.
Efrim
October 31st, 2012
12:44 pm
Team to watch out for Hamilton is the San Francisco Giants, imo. If we are to ignore the Milwaukee Brewers theory. I think the Giants have the payroll flexibility and need to get Hamilton locked up for the next six years. Sabean is not afraid to hand out long term deals.
TennesseePaul
October 31st, 2012
12:44 pm
I almost never say that.
True, you seem to hold those statements and apply them to trades and option decisions bandied about the blog.
Shaun
October 31st, 2012
12:45 pm
The only way I can see the Braves getting Hamilton is if they could somehow get two more really good outfielders at a good price (either in terms of money or players to trade away) and if Hamilton takes a relatively low dollar, low years contract. It would have to be an absolute perfect scenario, seems to me, which isn’t likely.
TennesseePaul
October 31st, 2012
12:46 pm
Sabean is not afraid to hand out long term deals.
… to aging players.
I think he pioneered that strategy. Hamilton makes a lot of sense with them based simply on the length of contract being sought and the age of the player seeking it.
George_George
October 31st, 2012
12:46 pm
cabravesfan
October 30th, 2012
10:39 pm
Jason’s tweet after winning the Gold Glove:
“Its tough to put it in words how grateful I am for being recognized as a #RawlingsGoldGlover! Thank you to all of my FRIENDS, FAMILY, FANS, FELLOW PLAYERS and COACHES AROUND THE LEAGUE and my TEAMMATES for the continued support. Honor and a pleasure to bring such a respected award to the city of ATLANTA. CONGRATULATIONS to all of the Gold Glove Award winners and finalist for the award! Again proud to win the award and wear a Rawlings Glove every time I stepped on the field this yr. Thank y’all again! “
*************
The above proves what a fine person JASON is, hope he can continue to put up stats to prove he is also a fine player.
TennesseePaul
October 31st, 2012
12:48 pm
The only way I can see the Braves getting Hamilton is if they could somehow get two more really good outfielders at a good price
What? By my count you would have four on the team, one with a Gold Glove in right field, two “really good outfielders at a good price” and Hamilton. Where would all these outfielders play?
David O'Brien
October 31st, 2012
12:53 pm
Efrim: Not to beat this horse till it’s dead, but over the course of the past year many of the most prolific posters on this blog have also most caustic, disrespectful and downright hateful commenters we have. Sorry, but the good, long-term regulars have either allowed them to take over by humoring them, egging them on or at least encouraging them by responding to the bile, or some of those good, long-term posters have just given up while the games are going on and sometimes altogether.
If you can’t see how it would get frustrating for me (or Carroll, for that matter; thankfully she doesn’t get as much harsh treatment as I do here) would get a little tired of always having to wade through the garbage and vitriol directed at us and at the team to find the sincere, entertaining and/or informative and interesting comments, well, then I can only kindly suggest that you don’t understand the nature of our job, the hours required, and the fact that other forums that have arisen (namely Twitter) where we can at least choose who we follow and generally not get bashed nightly, over and over and over again, for not asking the GM when he’s going to fire the manager or asking a player why he stopped trying, as so many here demand we do almost daily unless the team’s on a five-game-or-better winning streak.
Fleming
October 31st, 2012
12:53 pm
DOB
Unrelated to baseball request, but I like your musical tastes and wondered if you would listen to my Grandson’s band and give me some comments on the music. Music located at http://www.reverbnation.com/3rdclasscitizens . Thanks in advance.
Dadgum.....
October 31st, 2012
1:00 pm
Jeff R
October 31st, 2012
10:58 am
I’d wager Bourn is off to DC or Philly.
Well it won’t be The Nats unless they plan on converting him to an infielder. Philly, yep I can see that one easily.
Efrim
October 31st, 2012
1:00 pm
… to aging players.
I think he pioneered that strategy.
Yup. Did you also see that Colletti signed Brandon League for three years, $22.5 million? They have like 5 minimum salary players on that team. It’s nuts. Lot of guys doing nothing next year and making a boatload of cash.
David O'Brien
October 31st, 2012
1:01 pm
And Fleming’s comment at 12:53 p.m. reminds me of something else: I used to LOVE sharing my opinions, thoughts and such about bands, movies, TV and barbecue and other fine foods here, and did on a regular basis. But somehow, over the past year or so, the irrational, intolerant, narrow-minded and uninteresting segment of bloggers who want only to discuss the same topics — baseball only, even if there is nothing happening at that particular time — has grown, or just added a couple of particularly vile new members who lash out anytime a topic is broached that isn’t something they care about. And honestly, those particular individuals evidently have so much time on their hands, particularly during the season at night, that it’s made it often made it such an unrewarding experience to try to discuss any of those things here, because of the constant backlash from the vocal minority, and because such a relatively few, compared to the old days, seem to want to discuss it or who are at least willing to tell the horrible loudmouths to shut up and just ignore subjects they don’t have interest in.
Maybe the ones who liked what I liked just went away or decided to keep quiet for fear of also getting battered by the small, angry mob. Whatever the reason, I’ve usually confined those comments to Twitter and just kept it at baseball here, at least during the season when the handful of really bad commenters takes hold of the blog and steers the entire tone of conversation for days on end.
But that’ll change now that it’s the offseason. I’ll discuss what the h*** I want to again here, whether those guys want to hear it or not.
diamondlady
October 31st, 2012
1:04 pm
It’s nice to see a GG back in Atlanta! Way to go Jason & hoping many more for you in a Braves uni.
Shaun
October 31st, 2012
1:07 pm
Efrim, good points. The Giants are not afraid to rely on under-the-radar, under-valued players, the Gregor Blanco types. I assume they’ll have extra revenue from winning the World Series for the second time in three seasons. So they could sign Hamilton and they could afford the extra players to cover themselves in case Hamilton doesn’t work out, and they’ve shown a willingness to rely pretty heavily on those players that are viewed as extra players.
Mixxo
October 31st, 2012
1:11 pm
Uh oh…..somebody’s butthurt!
David O'Brien
October 31st, 2012
1:11 pm
Sabean is not afraid to hand out long term deals.
… to aging players.
I think he pioneered that strategy. Hamilton makes a lot of sense with them based simply on the length of contract being sought and the age of the player seeking it. — TennPaul
Not to mention the large and now, after two World Series titles in three years, getting even larger revenues being pulled in by the Giants. They ranked 4th in the majors in attendance (41,695, or 99.5 percent capacity at their ballpark) and had a $117 million Opening Day payroll that ranked 8th in 2012.
Mixxo
October 31st, 2012
1:17 pm
Guess what….tomorrow is moi’s birthday, also known as All Saints Day. lolol
Along with…
Larry Flynt
Lyle Lovett
Anthony Kiedis
Sophie Hawkins
Yeah, we ain’t right.
But, you’ll deal with it.
Efrim
October 31st, 2012
1:18 pm
But that’ll change now that it’s the offseason. I’ll discuss what the h*** I want to again here, whether those guys want to hear it or not.
Hah! Love that last comment. And you’re right, it is your right as the owner and writer of this blog to do that. You and CR.
And I don’t FULLY understand the nature of your job – but I do get that you have to deal with a lot of crap here and that it has gotten overwhelming and frustrating. And I can’t blame you entirely for focusing slightly more on Twitter, as that platform has absolutely changed things – in a good way, imo – in the sports media world.
Like I said before, appreciate what you, and Carroll, do for us here.
I used to LOVE sharing my opinions, thoughts and such about bands, movies, TV and barbecue and other fine foods here, and did on a regular basis.
Hey man, that’s an easy fix with me – just start watching “The Walking Dead” again and there is plenty to talk about here.
TennesseePaul
October 31st, 2012
1:18 pm
DOB’s 1:01 is making me think I should move back West. It was easier to cover in-game and evening times when in-game and evening times was the afternoon.
I always appreciate the music talk… and the food, movies, and what not. Baseball is a pastime, no reason it must consume alltime.
TennesseePaul
October 31st, 2012
1:20 pm
Not to mention the large and now, after two World Series titles in three years, getting even larger revenues being pulled in by the Giants.
True. They have money to burn. It’s going to get out of hand real fast on the West Coast as the Dodgers and Giants enter an arms race. Dodgers should surpass the Yankees in spending real soon.
Efrim
October 31st, 2012
1:20 pm
Boston Red Sox Top 10 Prospects
By Jim Callis
October 31, 2012
1. Xander Bogaerts, ss
2. Jackie Bradley, of
3. Matt Barnes, rhp
4. Allen Webster, rhp
5. Henry Owens, lhp
6. Blake Swihart, c
7. Garin Cecchini, 3b
8. Bryce Brentz, of
9. Jose Iglesias, ss
10. Deven Marrero, ss
Good system. Getting better. Xander looks to be a star and Jackie Bradley Jr. has above average regular potential and looks like the heir apparent to Jacoby Ellsbury in CF.
old man
October 31st, 2012
1:23 pm
I know these are highlights, but you get a flavor of the 2011 version of Bourjos here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxbnZEnIrIQ
David O'Brien
October 31st, 2012
1:24 pm
Not to mention the large and now, after two World Series titles in three years, getting even larger revenues being pulled in by the Giants.
True. They have money to burn. It’s going to get out of hand real fast on the West Coast as the Dodgers and Giants enter an arms race. Dodgers should surpass the Yankees in spending real soon. — TennPaul
No doubt. Yankees West. Folks who wondered what it might be like if Mark Cuban bought a team, well, this Dodgers ownership group appears to be even more ready to spend whatever it takes to pack that ballpark again and field a big-time contender.
Shaun
October 31st, 2012
1:24 pm
DOB, for what it’s worth, I want to encourage you to post whatever the heck you want anytime you want, regardless of the criticism.
And I want to go back and forth with you when we disagree (and God knows we’ve had our disagreements). I hope it’s never come across as a personal thing or a criticism of you or your work or of anyone on here, and if it has (and it probably has at some points), I’m truly sorry and that is never my intention. I want to be able to come here and have disagreements that are honest and respectful, and I want both agreeable discussions and meaningful disagreements to make everyone a little better and wiser.
I’m not sure my point except to encourage you to share, whether we like or agree or not. And to disregard those who are nasty about things or who make it personal.
We should be able to express whatever we want here, whether we agree or disagree, as long as it’s not personal or nasty or doesn’t become political or religious, etc. For what it’s worth, I want to encourage everyone to make this forum that way and to disregard those who want to make it something worse.
Efrim
October 31st, 2012
1:24 pm
How do we find out if the team made a qualifying offer? Will it just be reported like arbitration was? Will we find out the exact offer since the $13.3 million dollar AAV is the important part? Or will it just be “Braves make qualifying offer to Bourn” and leave it at that?
Venice Jim
October 31st, 2012
1:29 pm
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
MFIKY has opted out of his Yankees deal.
Venice Jim
October 31st, 2012
1:29 pm
There may have been some non-sanctioned editing of that tweet…
Patrick
October 31st, 2012
1:30 pm
Great, it sounds like Baseball is about to turn into the NBA
TennesseePaul
October 31st, 2012
1:31 pm
The Dodgers have pulled in at least 2M fans a year every year since 1973. In fact, since moving to LA 54 years ago, the Dodgers have pulled in at least 2M fans in all but 7 years. That ownership group has a cash cow in their hands.
… I wonder if they will go forward with McCourts “Go Green, Think Blue” initiative for stadium improvements. Part of that was to upgrade the stadium in such a way as to allow fans to access almost all parts of the Stadium (except luxury areas) without regard to which gate they entered (as it is now, you enter where you sit and you cannot move about, which stinks for such a nice setting of a park)
MFin04
October 31st, 2012
1:31 pm
Ok so had to get on here about the Gold Gloves. So McCutcheon was one of the worst CFers in the league last year defensive, and Bourn was the best yet Andrew wins the award? Gosh I hate the Gold Glove being an offensive award.
That being said, I sure hope Michael Bourn wins the Silver Slugger award for CF. He definitely deserves the Silver Slugger for his defense in CF.
TennesseePaul
October 31st, 2012
1:33 pm
MFIKY has opted out of his Yankees deal.
I don’t keep up with twitter accounts, but if Heyman actually posted Soriano’s status with MFIKY that is classic. ( :
Tumbledown
October 31st, 2012
1:33 pm
As an avid reader of the blog and sporadic poster (I would post more, but quite frankly, my baseball knowledge is dwarfed by the expertise I read here), I just want to add that I enjoy the non-Braves discussions here very much.
I echo a previous post that you should start watching the Walking Dead again. The pace and direction of the show has improved dramatically from last season.
Do any posters recommend the show “Homeland”?
Tumbledown
October 31st, 2012
1:35 pm
Great post, Shaun (1:24 pm).
BravePack(FreeFan)
October 31st, 2012
1:37 pm
David O’Brien
October 31st, 2012
12:37 pm
I know most/many and the big guy DOB have said no way Wren goes after Hamilton but can we be sure? — BravePack
Nope, I didn’t say no way. I said it wouldn’t make sense for a team with Braves payroll and needs to do that, to over-spend for Hamilton at his age and with his baggage. I said I can’t see the Braves doing it. I did NOT say “no way” Wren does it. I almost never say that.
So your saying there’s a chance then?
Alright! Hamilton is gonna be a Brave. I’m going to order up my jersey then.
ncscoots
October 31st, 2012
1:37 pm
MFIKY has opted out of his Yankees deal.
If there were nothing else for which we might love and honor RHR (luckily, there’s plenty), that nickname would count for all.
I only wonder if doodie-heads such as Heyman have the faintest inkling as to its origination.
Venice Jim
October 31st, 2012
1:38 pm
TennPaul – no, as I quickly noted, I did “edit” it …
P-Town Brave ©
October 31st, 2012
1:38 pm
Well damn it if you don’t adhere to the wants and needs of EVERYONE DOB…
But seriously though, much can go a LONG way by not responding to ONLY the critical like you seem to do….(just a thought)
P-Town Brave ©
October 31st, 2012
1:39 pm
BP-
You get a chance to check out that game yet?
Threadkiller
October 31st, 2012
1:41 pm
DOB, Been a part time resident here for about 15 years now…(My Girlfriend is from here) And I finally went to Maggiano’s for the first time last weekend..It was very good!
Shaun
October 31st, 2012
1:42 pm
Efrim, it seems that the Red Sox are trying to get back to focusing on acquiring value instead of going all out on the free agent market in an attempt to stay relevant. They seemed to have lost their way a bit towards the end of the Theo era, not that they ever abandoned their farm system completely or anything. It’s just that they spent on some free agents and probably would have been better off spending that money elsewhere.
Of course it’s easy to say that in hindsight. It’s not like they finished 15 games out in 2011 or something. Who knows? They win a close game here and there, they make the playoffs in 2011, they make a deep run and the perception totally changes.
They’ve had a lot of injuries and players not performing up to expectations, and it’s hard to blame them for not knowing those types of things would happen.
RC
October 31st, 2012
1:44 pm
DOB, Been a part time resident here for about 15 years now…(My Girlfriend is from here) And I finally went to Maggiano’s for the first time last weekend..It was very good!
Do you mean part time resident of the United States? Cause Maggiano’s is a national chain…..
Threadkiller
October 31st, 2012
1:47 pm
RC, Yes, a part time resident of the US..
P-Town Brave ©
October 31st, 2012
1:48 pm
Not all of us live in prime time cities there RC….
Cmon now MAN!
P-Town Brave ©
October 31st, 2012
1:48 pm
I think the closest Maggiano’s to me is 3 1/2 hrs
RC
October 31st, 2012
1:49 pm
RC, Yes, a part time resident of the US..
Ok….that makes so much more sense. At first I thought you meant simply Georgia/Atlanta, which is why is was confusing to me that you would mention Maggiano’s that way.
Glad you enjoyed it. My wife and I actually went there last Friday night.
Bat Masterson
October 31st, 2012
1:49 pm
Do any posters recommend the show “Homeland”? _ Tumbledown
I do
RC
October 31st, 2012
1:50 pm
P-Town Brave,
Yeah, fair point. I think I read the question as if it was an Atlanta-centric place, which confused me.
I should probably just stop talking now.
cricket
October 31st, 2012
1:52 pm
have you had enough drama, Murph?
Threadkiller
October 31st, 2012
1:52 pm
RC..Been here for 15 years and never been to Maggiano’s..I need to get out more!
RC
October 31st, 2012
1:55 pm
Threadkiller,
A good start is to try pretty much any of the restaurants DOB suggests. And if you like burgers or BBQ, Atlanta is a pretty good city to find plenty of both.
Bat Masterson
October 31st, 2012
1:55 pm
But I’m the guy in the dunce cap so you might want to take that with a grain of salt.
ncscoots
October 31st, 2012
1:55 pm
If you can’t see how it would get frustrating for me
Of course, folks here can see that. How the heck do you think folks who have been coming here for a long while feel about it? The same. But this:
but the good, long-term regulars have either allowed them to take over by humoring them, egging them on or at least encouraging them by responding to the bile
…supposes that there is some mechanism by which some posters can regulate other posters, and that simply isn’t the case. If one responds to them, it encourages them. If one ignores them, it doesn’t nothing to slow them down. You’re the victim of your own success, man. You won an award for this thing, remember? It’s not unexpected that the composition of the audience will change as the audience grows and widens, and most of the good folks were already here.
Additions to the community, almost by definition, are going to change the quality thereof.
Oh, there might be some technological changes that could minimally stifle the numbletards, but the “good, long-term” folks would be equally affected, producing no discernible change in the overall tenor of the thing. Just no way around it. As far as I can see, the only reasonable agent of change is you, brother. And I don’t have the slightest, first clue as to how even you could effect it.
cricket
October 31st, 2012
1:59 pm
if MLB adopts this, Uggla may hit over .300
-
http://news.yahoo.com/blind-tennis-players-keep-ears-ball-180153298–spt.html
Blind tennis features a smaller court, lower net and junior tennis rackets with bigger heads and shorter handles. String is taped to the floor so players can feel the boundaries with their feet.
Players use a foam ball filled with metal beads that rattle on impact, allowing them to locate the ball when it hits the ground or racket. Once served, they have to return the ball before it bounces three times.
CB
October 31st, 2012
2:03 pm
Dodgers after James Shields,per MLBTR.
richbrave
October 31st, 2012
2:07 pm
DAVID:
I’ve cut back a bit here, but mostly due to medical concerns. However, I can see the day when twitter and other social networks supplant this venue as the major source of info on all things BRAVES.
As I refuse to let an electronic device control my life, I’m afraid I’ll falling into the dinosaur catagory of being disadvantaged and left behind technologically. Blogging here is where I draw the line.
Therefore, before it’s too late and this medium goes a-glimmering, I just want to thank you and CARROLL for allowing me the priviledge of sharing with others of like mind BRAVES machinations on a daily basis.
Thanks to your indulgence, it has also been my priviledge to hopefully add some value to this venue by sharing game results from the minors. This I will continue doing as long as I can, or until interest wanes to the point where I see no need.
Unrtil then thanks a million to all the personages posting here for the memories and additions to my lexicon like MFIKY, M-A-A-R-R-R-T-T-E-E-E-E-N-N, et. al.
RC
October 31st, 2012
2:14 pm
Shields is a good target for the Dodgers, but I’m a little surprised that aren’t in on Haren at all. He would cost a whole lot less in prospects than Shields, and the Angels would likely be willing to pay a portion of his salary.
wheelz007
October 31st, 2012
2:14 pm
DOB -
This is a great blog you’ve kept going. Very informative.
But you’re right. Too much rediculous speculation. Too much name-calling, etc.
Too much player bashing. Some of these guys have no clue what they’re talking about some times….
I no longer visit a certain LSU fan forum because of the same stuff.
But thanks for your work DOB. Many of us really appreciate it.
richbrave
October 31st, 2012
2:15 pm
RE: BBQ
The non-pareil of bbq will now and forever be PARKER’s in WILSON and GREENSVILLE, N.C.
Sorry folks, I’ve had GATES in K.C. and bbq at other sources that are highly rated. But I cut my teeth on eastern N.C. bbq, and there will never be the evocative quality of flavor blends elsewhere that PARKER’s holds for me.
RC
October 31st, 2012
2:15 pm
Also, Ryan Ludwick declined his side of the option with the Reds. Might be a good platoon bat if the Braves choose to use Prado as a hybrid LF/3b (Francisco could be the other side of the platoon).
BravePack(FreeFan)
October 31st, 2012
2:16 pm
P-Town
Unfortunately my family needed me to do fatherly things like drive them around last night like some kind of chauffeur so my time was limited. And on top of all that my wife wanted me to go to bed with her after the kids went to bed (and no I wasn’t lucky either) because her best friend since high school is moving to Texas in 2 days and she’s gonna be lost without her. (her words) To which I say but babe I’m your best friend, you don’t need her. I then said to her “besides who cares as we are moving to Atlanta soon so what does it matter?” Glad you asked?
Seriously, the game has a lot of new things to check out and I didn’t get a chance to do them all yet but from what I played I was happy with…better graphics, better roster, more camera angles. I’ll let you know more as I hopefully get more chances in the upcoming days.
abeeeewright
October 31st, 2012
2:20 pm
I too have been saddened by the minimization of several of the valuable presences on the blog. Much less DOB, much less of several regulars. Too much of the numbletards.
Thank goodness for ncscoots, nolie, lew, efrim, 10paul, shaun, murph, and many others who have continued to slog through the mindless crap, fighting the good fight. And by fighting, I mean continuing interesting discussions despite the nonsense going on around the edges.
Today, we saw drive-bys from Tom O’Hawke, Roman Gal, cabravesfan, and a few others who seem to have withdrawn from the fight, but will hopefully re-enter if the blog becomes a little more civilized in the future. We even had a mention of RHR, whose MFIKY, and Loaf on a Blackberry from Left Field posts always made me smile.
Other than just keep talking baseball and music and barbeque and trying to have respectful conversation with other fans, I don’t know how to root out the unbelievers. These folks seem to be immune even to mockery (maybe they don’t get when they’re being mocked).
abeeeewright
October 31st, 2012
2:24 pm
richbrave … “However, I can see the day when twitter and other social networks supplant this venue as the major source of info on all things BRAVES.”
This format seems to be really good for sustaining multiple conversations across a range of topics. Don’t get that from facebook or twitter.
There’s also something to be said for opening the doors to the unwashed masses (y’all let me in after all). The question is, how do you usher the haters out and keep them out.
CrαZy
October 31st, 2012
2:31 pm
DOB @ 1:01
Preach-it brother!!!!
Murph
October 31st, 2012
2:33 pm
have you had enough drama, Murph?
Indeed, that got me through my morning like a warm cup of coffee.
Lew
October 31st, 2012
2:35 pm
Efrim – Sample Size? I like that. Maybe we could send Shaun with you dressed as a calculator, too.
Murph
October 31st, 2012
2:37 pm
Thank goodness for ncscoots, nolie, lew, efrim, 10paul, shaun, murph, and many others who have continued to slog through the mindless crap, fighting the good fight.
I appreciate that, although I’ve always tried to be a mindless crap pioneer… I obviously need to double my efforts, batten down the hatches, and so on and so forth.
phil
October 31st, 2012
2:38 pm
George_George
October 31st, 2012
12:46 pm
cabravesfan
October 30th, 2012
10:39 pm
Jason’s tweet after winning the Gold Glove:
“Its tough to put it in words how grateful I am for being recognized as a #RawlingsGoldGlover! Thank you to all of my FRIENDS, FAMILY, FANS, FELLOW PLAYERS and COACHES AROUND THE LEAGUE and my TEAMMATES for the continued support. Honor and a pleasure to bring such a respected award to the city of ATLANTA. CONGRATULATIONS to all of the Gold Glove Award winners and finalist for the award! Again proud to win the award and wear a Rawlings Glove every time I stepped on the field this yr. Thank y’all again! “
*************
The above proves what a fine person JASON is, hope he can continue to put up stats to prove he is also a fine player.
*************
But he didn’t thank a single blogger….that must prove something too. Right? lol
Murph
October 31st, 2012
2:39 pm
her best friend since high school is moving to Texas in 2 days and she’s gonna be lost without her.
Feel free to give the best friend my info… I’m sure she’s also feeling lost… and lonely… and vulnerable… and adventurous… and…
Efrim
October 31st, 2012
2:39 pm
http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/2012/10/31/looking-toward-bourns-qualifying-offer-and-an-interesting-offseason/
But with thoughts of Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami still fresh in their minds, some of the club’s top executives seem to believe it would be better to avoid the potential pitfalls of free agency by filling this offseason’s needs via the trade market.
Totally agree. Keep the draft picks and fill up the lower levels of the farm. Trade from the glut, or surplus, at the top.
ncscoots
October 31st, 2012
2:44 pm
better to avoid the potential pitfalls of free agency by filling this offseason’s needs via the trade market.
Well, that would be nice. Now, all they need is a lot more minor league depth than they have.
‘Course, that could mean trading from the big club, too, I guess. Probably O’Flaherty.
Lew
October 31st, 2012
2:44 pm
And yes, it was in good humor. In fact, if phil hadn’t mentioned going dressed as a LF Umpire, I doubt I would have even gone down that track at all. And I thought the Saple Size quip was in good humor, too.
In fact I think alot of our back and forth on a regular basis is pretty humorous in and of itself.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 31st, 2012
2:44 pm
Dodgers after Shields? Are they planning on having a farm system left… at least that would mean no Greinke for them…
Team to watch out for Hamilton is the San Francisco Giants, imo. If we are to ignore the Milwaukee Brewers theory. I think the Giants have the payroll flexibility and need to get Hamilton locked up for the next six years. Sabean is not afraid to hand out long term deals.
If they get Hamilton, possibly bring back Pagan, Pence would be a goner, right?
Efrim
October 31st, 2012
2:45 pm
Maybe we could send Shaun with you dressed as a calculator, too.
We can send some less than stat-centric folk with me too. They normally follow the sample size thought process as well. Heck, maybe we can get a group together of Sabermetrians and Traditionalists and call the group “Compromise”.
ncscoots
October 31st, 2012
2:47 pm
better to avoid the potential pitfalls of free agency
Yeah, well, there’s “risk-averse” and then there’s “risk-intolerant”. The surest way to go broke in a card game is to never play a hand.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 31st, 2012
2:47 pm
Also, Ryan Ludwick declined his side of the option with the Reds. Might be a good platoon bat if the Braves choose to use Prado as a hybrid LF/3b (Francisco could be the other side of the platoon).
Eeeek!
Lew
October 31st, 2012
2:47 pm
Well, I suppose if we wanted balance, I could go as one side of a scale, but it would take you, Shaun and a few others to balance out my weight – as well as my “forceful” opinions.
Efrim
October 31st, 2012
2:48 pm
Well, that would be nice. Now, all they need is a lot more minor league depth than they have.
Or they can settle for a “less than premium player” at one of the spots – which I’d bet is the route they go.
Lew
October 31st, 2012
2:49 pm
But compromise seems unnattainable these days.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 31st, 2012
2:49 pm
Royals Decline Option For Joakim Soria
I know he missed last year with TJ, but would he be a good (and cheap enough) option for our power RHP for the bullpen?
ncscoots
October 31st, 2012
2:50 pm
Heck, maybe we can get a group together of Sabermetrians and Traditionalists and call the group “Compromise”.
What makes you think Brian Kenney and his ilk would fly under that particular banner, LOL? Not happenin’.
Efrim
October 31st, 2012
2:50 pm
NBA has postponed the Knicks vs. Nets game scheduled for Thursday.
Yeah, I mean the only way to get to the game is by canoe.
Sadly, I wish I were kidding.
Efrim
October 31st, 2012
2:52 pm
What makes you think Brian Kenney and his ilk would fly under that particular banner, LOL?
Hey, it’s Halloween. Maybe that will allow them to dress up as a false identity?
Murph
October 31st, 2012
2:53 pm
Joakim Soria just became a free agent… wouldn’t be a bad bullpen pickup if the price is right.
phil
October 31st, 2012
2:55 pm
I’m not sure what to take from the DOB tirade….
And I mean that in a good way. For one thing, it made Murph’s day, which is good, but the flip side of the coin is that I sometimes AM what he described, though usually not meaning for it to cross any kind of a line.
I see no reason not to call folks out by name and ask them/us to get lost if that’s what the majority/DOB want. I personally don’t want to be a thorn in people’s sides and help drive them away from here (though I find such a reaction to be silly).
Tell the ones that need to go to go. It worked on ACE. Who else?
ncscoots
October 31st, 2012
2:55 pm
Or they can settle for a “less than premium player” at one of the spots – which I’d bet is the route they go.
If they scared, say “scared”. Geez. I fail to see how discarding the FA option makes the process of filling two OF slots easier. I guess Peter bleepin’ Bourjos is looking better all the time. Plus some fourth-tier .750-lefty-feeble “banger”.
My heavens…the FO has turned me into phil.
CB
October 31st, 2012
2:57 pm
Any room in that group for open minded people? You know,the king willing to listen to both viewpoints?
phil
October 31st, 2012
2:57 pm
Say what?
Murph
October 31st, 2012
2:58 pm
My heavens…the FO has turned me into phil.
NOOOOO!!!
phil
October 31st, 2012
2:58 pm
Two viewpoints are sometimes frowned upon here….take that trash to the curb.
ncscoots
October 31st, 2012
2:59 pm
Any room in that group for open minded people? You know,the king willing to listen to both viewpoints?
No. Folks like that would never be caught dead hanging around with the extremists in either group. Not even in costume.
You never know but that bleep might be airborne. Why take the chance?
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 31st, 2012
2:59 pm
I guess Peter bleepin’ Bourjos is looking better all the time.
Oh yeah! Now time to get nolie on board…
CB
October 31st, 2012
2:59 pm
Dang,I believe my keyboard has been mating with Lew’s.