Who’s in LF? Plus, DOB’s Top 50 albums

10paul By demand, you mean consistently and undeniably out performing all other conferences thus routinely earning all four play-off spots, right?

if they did it reasonably, the SEC probably would dominate that top 4 most years. but im guessing they will take champions of 4 major conferences, right? SEC, ACC, Big 12, PAC 10? some other ones…?

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http://www.talkingchop.com/2013/1/2/3816000/braves-extension-analysis-jason-heyward

They say 6/81…. I was thinking closer to 70, but that’s okay

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Lew – I have limited interest in jazz, but I like some. I guess my favorite is Vince Guaraldi Trio. I think Chicago, whom I like a lot, has some jazz elements, along with, of course, plenty of big band/rock/pop ingredients.

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Buster Olney’s Infield Rankings… 1. Rangers 2. Tigers 3. Reds 4. Rays 5. Yanks…..

6. Atlanta Braves
It’s still not entirely clear how the Braves will replace Chipper Jones at third base; Martin Prado could be the full-time third baseman, or Atlanta could work the powerful Juan Francisco into the mix against some right-handed pitchers and shift Prado to left field on some days. No matter how the Braves decide to go, however, their infield should be one of the best, now that Andrelton Simmons is established as one of the sport’s best young shortstops and Freddie Freeman is emerging as a run-producer. Freeman was hampered for weeks by eye trouble — which has since been fixed — but still closed the year with 58 extra-base hits after having a strong second half.

The X factor: The Braves need more peaks than valleys from Dan Uggla, whose slugging percentage has dropped from .503 in 2010 to .453 in 2011 to .384 last year.

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#6 sounds about right, given the unknowns to who will be at 3B and questions on Uggla

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So far Buster has ranked our

Outfield 8th Best, Rotation 8th Best, and now Infield 6th Best. I’m sure he’ll do bullpens and we’d likely finish 1st or 2nd. Overall that would make us the 5th or 6th best team in baseball from Buster’s perspective. If Wren was able to land a legit LFer, it would really put us over the top in my opinion. Still a great ballclub considering we have 10+ million in unspent payroll, or possibly have maintained greatness after a huge slashing of payroll.

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So Buster ranks the Braves’ pitching 8th in MLB (and I don’t think he even factored in the pen, which has to be in the top two or three) and sixth in infield and people are still worried that this is not one of the best teams in the game? Go figure.

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Lew

Only factored our rotation in the rankings, sure he’ll do the bullpens tomorrow.

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Ninth out of thirty teams is hardly anything to sneeze at. It should put us in the playoffs.

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Though I’m not all that certain of the math that puts us 8th, 8th and 5th and that then equals ninth.

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Maybe the blog regulars need to take a year off. In any blog regulars eventually shape the conversation in one direction. Not saying it is good or bad but it becomes predictable like any social system.

A few dissenters or newbies come in trying to shake things up but they are quickly brushed aside or contained. The only way they get a sniff at relevance is to bang the contrarian drum with extreme views and or personal attacks. The latter gets them banned and usually rightfully so.

This is a theoretical idea of course bc its a free country but when blogs become too familiar and predictable they A) become more closed off or cloistered in their discourse generating more personal attacks and dismissive comments (aka: unhealthy blog), B) the person running the blog gets replaced (or begs to be replaced ) with hopes it stimulates new membership/new social structure (aka resurrected blog) or C) people leave and start a new blog which will have a similar lifecycle (aka end of life blog).

Since this blog supports a team which drives much of the ebb and flow of the conversation it is hard to stray too far afield if the team is itself fairly predictable and or frustrating to some.

DOB has the unenviable task each season, every week etc to fined new angles, stats and talking points to insert into the blog to keep readership up and the conversations lively but also healthy (for him and us).

After a while I can imagine that makes one a little cooked and the insertion of musical threads are a nice way to cleanse the mental palate (as an example).

Bottom line sports blogs are tough. High emotion, strong opinions and the source material (the team) is not something people can change. The Braves are going to do what they are going to do no matter what we say or how we interact with one another.

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Buster Olney’s Infield Rankings… 1. Rangers 2. Tigers 3. Reds 4. Rays 5. Yanks

6. Atlanta Braves
It’s still not entirely clear how the Braves will replace Chipper Jones at third base; Martin Prado could be the full-time third baseman, or Atlanta could work the powerful Juan Francisco into the mix against some right-handed pitchers and shift Prado to left field on some days. No matter how the Braves decide to go, however, their infield should be one of the best, now that Andrelton Simmons is established as one of the sport’s best young shortstops and Freddie Freeman is emerging as a run-producer. Freeman was hampered for weeks by eye trouble — which has since been fixed — but still closed the year with 58 extra-base hits after having a strong second half.

The X factor: The Braves need more peaks than valleys from Dan Uggla, whose slugging percentage has dropped from .503 in 2010 to .453 in 2011 to .384 last year.

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PS – That is why Twitter is becoming the preferred communication model for beat reporters and the press. Less stressful. Immediate. You can jump around topically avoiding topic burn out, etc.

Blogs are devolving into the old bulletin board systems of the 80s/90s. More of place where people hold conversations with other regulars versus constant evolving and new set of people swarming around a new topic.

You know a blog has hit the wall when its viewed like the two old guys from the Muppets who sit in the balcony seat and poke fun or rant about the world around them.

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ESPN’s Jim Caple Predictions… I’ll post a few.

MAY: “FLY, FLY AWAY! HOME RUNS INCREASE AFTER MARINERS MOVE IN FENCES”

Now that Seattle has moved in the outfield fences from a mean-spirited, soul-crushing 390 feet, there should be no more sleep-inducing 3-1 losses for the Mariners. Just think how much more exciting those three-hour 8-4 losses will be!

JUNE: “OUT OF GAS! AGING YANKEES FALL INTO LAST”

Just as ignoring a dwindling gas gauge will eventually catch up with you, so too will relying season after season on an aging roster. And with perhaps their oldest roster yet, plus injuries to Jeter and A-Rod, elbow surgery for CC Sabathia and a rejuvenated AL East, this season looks like it will be the year.

Or at least I hope so.

JULY: “MIAMI TRADE DEFICIT WORSENS: MARLINS DEAL STANTON AT DEADLINE”

Hey, they’ve traded away every other star on their roster. Why must Giancarlo Stanton stay in Miami with Loria and David Samson as his bosses? Let him go help a team that is trying to win instead of one fleecing the taxpayers.

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Ninth out of thirty isn’t all that bad… likely gets us in the playoffs, just not the Div. Title… the team ahead of us is one of the best. But, to get into the tournament, you’ve gotta be one of the top 10-12, and right now, we’re there.

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Murph

Well even a blind pig can find slop. Just like Fredi found common sense throughout the season lol. Or maybe he did read the blog? Just because we don’t work in MLB and so on doesn’t mean we have no clue about this stuff.

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How many SEC teams did ND play?

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I definitely see Freeman improving to 270/350/475 or better. I also see him getting 25 HR and 100+ RBI

He’ll be our first 100+ RBI man since 35 year old Chipper Jones in 2007…..

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’scoots Malone. Now it all makes sense.

I always have fondness for guys who make me money.

Plus, anyone who has been around these parts for a while knows that I lean towards the guy who pulls his money out of his pocket and lays it on the table to make the bet, the guy who takes the chance and the risk. Kibitzers and lookers-on around the table are a different story; most of those don’t care if the risk-taker ends up sleeping under a bridge, as long as he meets their entertainment quotient, LOL.

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That is why Twitter is becoming the preferred communication model for beat reporters and the press. Less stressful. Immediate.

No need for actual writing skills. Less taxing intellectually. Easy.

[The blog is] More of place where people hold conversations with other regulars versus constant evolving and new set of people swarming around a new topic.

Do folks of this opinion ever consider that “regulars” were newbies, at some point? That one of the reasons a poster becomes a “regular” is that the forum meets the bar of being newly interesting on a constant basis, and thus invites returning to it?

You know, not in-games, maybe, but the rest of the time?

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I’m a regular here on the ole blog. Been on here for about 4 years. But I tend to not spend as much time on here during the actual games. I enjoy talking during the offseason and in between games, where people can actually keep a convo going.

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first

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I agree VA. I stay away during games as there is way too much trolling and garbage spewed during that time. Plus I’d much rather be watching the game.

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Winning a Wild Card spot should no longer be considered a “Playoff Berth or Appearance” Unless you actually win the 1 single game to actually get to the playoff”S”

agree

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Yeah, the game blogs are pretty grim. The “Fire Fredi” trolls are out in force after every loss and sometimes after many of the victories. Reason goes out of the window, and there is a feeling that the Braves are the worst oganization to ever grace professional sports.

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getting to the play-in game means you only play 1 more game than the Astros… basically like a tie-breaker. I can see why some wouldn’t consider it the playoffs

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“try to interject interesting posts to mostly a silent reception.”

Please continue with your attempts. I think many of our less frequent participants get turned off when their posts aren’t responded to. What I feel they’re missing is the fact that virtually all posts here are not responded to. Doesn’t mean they aren’t read, or ain’t appreciated.

I think the goal with a comment should be to make it interesting, though-provoking, funny, and/or original, not to get the most responses. If you just want responses, insult SEC football or Fredi Gonzalez. When all else fails, counter Shaun.

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I need to say I enjoyed reading y’all last year and believe our Bravos are looking good to make a run,so long Chipper hello nuevo Bravos

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When all else fails, counter Shaun.

Cruel and unusual punishment is not fair even when inflicted on oneself and definitely not acceptable here as it gets inflicted on all innocent bystander-esque blog readers as an extension.

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The more I think about it, the more I like asdrubal Cabrera for the braves. Great defense, switch hitter, pretty good hitter, and can play 3rd. Not much pop, but should have a good avg while providing stellar defense. Pair that with my Cory hart idea, move prado to second, and you’ve got easily the best defensive infield in the game

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VaBravesFan- To clarify, I refer mainly to the post-game blogs and not so much discussions during the game. I agree with your opinion about the nature of post-game blogging after a tough loss.

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sometimes i stand in my hot tub and applaud posts.

I’ll prolly spend the rest of the afternoon banishing that vision from my head, DAP.

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I think Shaun makes good points and has solid opinions, but thats never good enough for him. He never lets anything go and will ramble on and on about the same topic for days and weeks. He’s relentless. There’s never no agreeing to disagree with him. I love a good debate but he digs very deep into every single little detail about it. I mean you could agree with him and he’d still be trying to convince you he’s right…. lol

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scoots I’ll prolly spend the rest of the afternoon banishing that vision from my head, DAP.

i applauded that, but but my hands are all water logged.

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Tobf

That sounds like you about a lot of players or me and Cory hart

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“Was there a big debate on here regarding the new BP hats? I’m too lazy to go back and look.”

Yes, most white people didn’t understand why it might be offensive [big surprise] to some, and enlightened people thought it unneccessary to use these stupid stereotype ’screaming/laughing’ Indian faces on any apparel–in other words, if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. Predictably, some white people claimed to be as much as 1/16 American Indian,so this made them an expert on why nobody should be offended. Others cloaked the issue in ‘this is a tribute to American Indians and something to be proud of’ schtick. Needless to say, those couple of days were very amusing. My guess is that a couple Braves front office interns looked at a couple samples from a vendor and choe the one that looked cool…..the screaming Indian face.

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I just watched Dances With Wolves a couple of days ago, so I feel qualified to speak on the subject of Native American feelings….

The hat is not a big deal.

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Yes, most white people didn’t understand why it might be offensive [big surprise] to some

I find “white people” to be a pejorative term, so I’ll thank you to not offend me by using it.

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Murph: I do wonder sometimes if Fredi reads the blog. There were a couple of times last season when a proposed lineup change or bullpen management strategy was debated on the blog only then to magically appear on Fredi’s lineup card a day later.

Or perhaps it was pretty obvious and his timetable to try something different wasn’t on the smae timetable as us virtual GMs thought it should be. My guess is that he didn’t get the idea from these blogs. Agreed?

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nscoots, I’ll look up the meaning of pejorative when I have time and will let you know,based on my findings, whether or not an apology is in order. Thank You

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From Rosenthal tweet just a moment ago

Seriously, how slow is news from the baseball world when one takes the time to mention a deal that has no chance of occurring, LOL?

Rest your thumbs, Ken, fercrissake.

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Scoots-

Slow, for sure, but since the Marlins did say last week they would listen to any offer, a follow up is logical.

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This is the type of offer it would take to land Stanton. A Franchise Altering Package.

Rangers offer

OF Craig Gentry
OF Leonys Martin
SS Jurickson Profar
3B Mike Olt
LHP Martin Perez
C Jorge Alfaro

Might not take all of them, but you can bet it would take a 5 player package or more. Definitely would take 3 blue chip prospects in my opinion along with others.

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Are you guys saying that I lack filters or something? Am I not politically correct?

This is very surprising to me.

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who I suspect is about as anti-political-correctness as a cat can be

That’s true, insofar as I do not deal well with intolerance of any kind. And make no mistake, those who would impress upon others their own sensitivities, their own sterotypes, their own beliefs as to “correct”, are as intolerant as those others who cause them to do so. Neither camp finds welcome in my home.

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Wren doesn’t have enough prospect talent to even get the Marlins talking, even if he was willing to unload the farm it wouldn’t be enough. Now the DBacks and Justin Upton are a different story, we have enough to get him I think, problem is Wren doesn’t wanna hurt our already bad farm unless he can totally screw someone like he did with the Astro’s.

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[...] that would’ve made my Top 50 albums of 2012 list that came out a couple of weeks ago (click here for that list) or at least made honorable mention. They included Lindi Ortega’s Cigarettes & [...]

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Re: the BP caps. I agree with much of what DOB and the rest of you wrote. But I also think the Braves should think hard about making a change. This problem is not going away and it’s always a killjoy. I just want to pull for the baseball team I loved since I was a kid. I don’t want to offend anyone. I think about the dilemma of the Braves marketing team, the challenge of trying to both build and avoid their image.

Many people find “Indian” mascots offensive. On the other hand, ballClubs want to preserve their history. The Indians and the Redskins are SOL here, unable to bridge this divide. However, IMO, the Braves are not…and could do something Creative…According to Dictionary.com, the definition of the noun brave is…

4.
a brave person.
5.
a warrior, especially among North American Indian tribes.

I think the Braves should do away with all “Indian” imagery…and focus on #4. There are obvious historical examples of great bravery out of ATLANTA. But even today…firefighters, policemen, teachers, soldiers. These people deserve to be honored.

The best looking uniform in baseball is the new braves uni, IMO, and requires no tomahawk. Do away with the chop – it IS offensive, IMO. Doesn’t it come from Bugs Bunny or something like that.

Anyway, I’ll shut up now. I just think, more so than any other sports team with the same undying issue, the Braves have an opportunity to put it all to rest in a bold and creative way that might even invigorate the fan base.

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DOB, I thought Who’s was playing first base????

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[...] ever since David O’Brien of the AJC (Braves’ beat writer) submitted his list of his top 50 albums of 2012.  Only, there’s no way I’ve got a top 50 albums of the year. Not even a top 10 — [...]

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