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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,686 comments Add your comment
nolie
January 4th, 2013
5:03 pm
some of us greaties have yet to make that great mistake though…..
DAP
January 4th, 2013
5:04 pm
scoots “Is the team better with Upton 2 and Bethancourt or with McCann and Gattis?”
could have a point there. if im choosing between mccann and justin upton i also prefer mccann.
Efrim
January 4th, 2013
5:04 pm
I will say, Wren has made it harder on DeMacio as he gave him no first rounder in 2010 and now no first rounder in 2013. I did like the 2012 draft for the most part. Liked it better than the previous two drafts. Tough to say with the new rules, but they did pretty well in 2012 and I’ve read a lot of good things about Sims and Wood a few months after they were drafted.
Efrim
January 4th, 2013
5:09 pm
Good point, scoots. But I’m still really happy Wren is our GM and not Sabean.
noles, picking at the back of the draft, loss of 4 Top 100 picks, and young talent being promoted have really hurt the system. Still solid enough, and that’s the shocking part.
That’s how bad it is for a few others. For the Braves to be Top 20 still is a small miracle, so DeMacio is doing something right, I suppose(although I think the Minors are way down anyway and there is a huge drop off in orgs after the Top 5-8).
Hugo Z Hackenbush
January 4th, 2013
5:10 pm
Hey, I’ve read through this entire page, and haven’t found any references to mascots or events that occurred two hundred years ago. What’s wrong with you people!?
DS1
January 4th, 2013
5:24 pm
scoots and nolie
Personally, I am going to be really disappointed if Simmons numbers don’t approach Joltin Joe’s career averages………………
nolie
January 4th, 2013
5:25 pm
I’m not sold on DeMacio. what we have harvested were mostly from the other regime and we have always picked late well B4 he came, and we have often ignored draft picks b4 too, but IMO the overall drafts were better
nolie
January 4th, 2013
5:43 pm
Murphy shunned by voters and statheads
January, 3, 2013
JAN 3
1:38
PM ET
By David Schoenfield | ESPN.com
RECOMMEND0TWEET4COMMENTS0EMAILPRINT
Jerry Crasnick has a nice story on Dale Murphy and the push his family made for him on his final year on the Hall of Fame ballot.
Murphy has no shot at getting elected after receiving just 14.5 percent of the vote a year ago; his family needed to start the campaign five years ago. Murphy doesn’t have a strong Hall of Fame case despite his two MVP Awards, but you do wonder why his support never built after getting 19.3 percent and 23.2 percent of the vote his first two times on the ballot. Jim Rice, a contemporary and player of similar career value — Baseball-Reference has Rice at 44.3 WAR and Murphy at 42.6 — started a little higher than Murphy, but not that much higher at 29.8 percent, and slowly built Hall of Fame momentum until he got elected in 2009, his final year on the ballot.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy
Dale Murphy was voted the NL MVP after the 1982 and 1983 seasons.
The Rice/Murphy comparison is even more difficult to understand when factoring that Rice could be a bit surly at times and wasn’t really well-liked by the media while Murphy is universally regarded as one of the class individuals in the game’s history. It certainly isn’t a “fame” thing; yes, Rice played in Boston, but Murphy was one of the biggest stars of the ’80s, with Braves’ games broadcast all over the country on TBS.
Rice has some statistical advantages in his favor — he hit .298 lifetime versus Murphy’s .265 mark, had eight 100-RBI seasons to Murphy’s five — but Murphy played center field, got on base at nearly the same rate since he walked more, ran better and Rice received a big advantage from Fenway Park. Neither player reached 400 home runs (Rice had 382, Murphy 398) or 1,500 RBIs (1,451 for Rice, 1,266 for Murphy), but Rice got the support.
Of course, you can’t really create a Hall of case around a Jim Rice comparison, since Rice is one of the weakest Hall of Famers the baseball writers have elected. Let’s compare Murphy to two other 1980s outfielders: Hall of Famer Andre Dawson and Tim Raines. Many think Raines has a better Hall of Fame case than Rice, Murphy or Dawson.
If we look at each player’s “Hall of Fame” seasons — what I’ll call a season with 4.0 WAR or greater — we get this:
Rice: Five seasons, 29.2 total WAR
Murphy: Six seasons, 36.2 total WAR
Dawson: Six seasons, 37.3 total WAR
Raines: Six seasons, 37.5 total WAR
So, yes, at his peak Murphy was awesome. He even compares favorably to first-ballot outfielders like Dave Winfield (six seasons of 4-plus WAR, total of 32.6) and Tony Gwynn (seven seasons, total of 39.6 WAR). What Murphy lacks are some of those 2-win and 3-win seasons, seasons that add to a player’s career totals and help cement a legacy. Those aren’t really Hall of Fame seasons, but they are seasons that Hall of Fame voters factor in. Jay Jaffe has a more in-depth statistical look at Murphy’s career.
There is one interesting side note to Murphy’s case. As many voters decline to vote for PED-tainted candidates, or rebel against all these fancy new stats, you might think they would be more inclined to vote for “clean” players like Murphy (if we can assume anybody was clean, even in the ’80s, it would be Murphy), but that hasn’t been the case at all. Sometimes you just can’t please the Baseball Writers Association of America. And sometimes it elects Jim Rice. ESPN
Nick
January 4th, 2013
6:16 pm
Has Wren got JUpton yet? No? 84-78.
kenhotlanta
January 4th, 2013
6:23 pm
Efrim @ 3:46: “It certainly isn’t like Mad Men though. Heading to the whiskey bottle after every meeting rarely occurs…..but it is rare and not non-existent.”
Yeah, but how ’bout all the women that are yours for the taking…I know you never tire of that perk.
ccrider
January 4th, 2013
6:38 pm
I don’t know the cost in players that Justin Upton would cost the Braves, but if it is anywhere near what it would cost to get Stanton. I would bite the bullet and give what was necessary to get Stanton.
I say this knowing that he would only be here 4 years, but it might be a 4 year era that might well end in a World Championship with what the Braves already have.
But, the Braves would have to be flexible with their budget to be able keep all parts of the team solid despite injuries during that 4 year window.
But, I do feel the Braves are contenders this season without anymore moves, the probability just gets higher with this move.
Tom O'Hawke
January 4th, 2013
6:46 pm
Hey cabifornia
Bobby was just leaving for work as I was coming in. He said to tell you that, Lane Kiffen, was just another one of those from the “Merry Multiple Moniker Man” (that was my name for him – Bobby said something much, much nastier).
In addition, he said, braves4life, is ALSO one of his monikers. He’s used, braves for life, braveslifer, braveslover and several hundred others (too many to list).
He figures, Lane Kiffen, is on your case because you’re trying to get “The2Georges” (another fake) to answer your question.
If you continue to get harassed by this a-hole everytime you try to come on the blog, Bobby suggests you e-mail DOB and let him know about it. (He gave me the e-mail address. If you’d like it, I’ll be glad to e-mail it to you.)
As far as I’m concerned, let him post… just ignore him. I figure the more time he spends on here, the less time he’s out torturing small animals.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 4th, 2013
6:55 pm
RC
January 4th, 2013
2:51 pm
Is it $10MM better than Gattis at the end of the other 7 guys, though? I’m not so sure.
Considering the value of a marginal win to a team like the Braves who expect to be very close to a playoff berth, absolutely. Even if you expected similar offensive numbers it would mean that Gattis had a damn near perfect 1st season, and it’s completely unreasonable to expect anything close defensively or on the basepaths. Gattis’s upside for 2013 is pretty similar to Upton’s floor for 2013. So the question is whether or not $10 million is worth it to eliminate that risk. Unless there is another, more productive way to use that $10 million (which I am unaware of), then it would certainly be worth it.
Agree with that.
I think Durino(sp) ain’t saying Minor will win 4 games, he is saying that his WAR will be over 4- nolie
Indeed…. Fangraphs WAR btw
Nick
January 4th, 2013
7:03 pm
EOF, Delgado, Ahmed, & Bethancourt should get JUpton.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 4th, 2013
7:04 pm
but ‘zona has developed a history of ripping it’s own players and then trading them off, sometimes for less than they are worth
Sad really, but they do it too often. May help us get a good deal.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 4th, 2013
7:04 pm
Pitchers who were around 4WAR last year… Matt Harrison, Matt Cain, Hiroki Kuroda, Anibal Sanchez, Josh Johnson, James Shields
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 4th, 2013
7:07 pm
feeling good about BJ going back to his 2007-8 numbers.. .393/.344 babips…
yep
Murph
January 4th, 2013
7:08 pm
I know I shouldn’t be getting excited about the idea of adding the younger Upton, but I can’t help myself. The Braves are a perfect for him… not sure they are a perfect fit as a trade partner with AZ, but the talent, position, money, etc all make him an ideal pickup.
Would I rather have Stanton? Sure. But I also know if the chances of landing Upton are 5% then the chances of landing Stanton are .000001%.
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
7:10 pm
Tom-
Oh, I know
It’s fine. He’s not being offensive, just annoying.
Hi, by the way
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 4th, 2013
7:14 pm
EOF, Delgado, Ahmed, & Bethancourt should get JUpton.
That’s what I’m thinking… DBacks don’ really have another need left outside of LHRP… and Towers doesn’t really seem to get max value on his players. Wonder if Peraza instead of Ahmed would work…
If we can be optimistic on BJ, who hasn’t been impressive since 2008, I think that we can have some hope in Justin who has played at an MVP level before… just 25. Potential
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
7:21 pm
If you were the D’Backs, would that proposal excite you? Honestly? Basically that is like trading Justin Upton for EOF, since he is the only proven player on that list…
Tom O'Hawke
January 4th, 2013
7:25 pm
Hi LAdy
JasonInFL
January 4th, 2013
7:25 pm
Has Peavy made the playoffs since vetoing a trade to the Braves in order to play for a contender?
MFin04
January 4th, 2013
7:34 pm
Alright, I give up. We mine as well go ahead and get Justin Upton. Heck he and his brother will probably suck it up for the Braves, but numbers aside, we’ll have the coolest looking outfield in the Majors and a pair of brothers.
George_George
January 4th, 2013
7:42 pm
Tom O’Hawke
January 4th, 2013
6:46 pm
Hey cabifornia
Bobby was just leaving for work as I was coming in. He said to tell you that, Lane Kiffen, was just another one of those from the “Merry Multiple Moniker Man” (that was my name for him – Bobby said something much, much nastier).
In addition, he said, braves4life, is ALSO one of his monikers. He’s used, braves for life, braveslifer, braveslover and several hundred others (too many to list).
He figures, Lane Kiffen, is on your case because you’re trying to get “The2Georges” (another fake) to answer your question.
If you continue to get harassed by this a-hole everytime you try to come on the blog, Bobby suggests you e-mail DOB and let him know about it. (He gave me the e-mail address. If you’d like it, I’ll be glad to e-mail it to you.)
**************************************
Hey Tom
I see you are still being your old nasty self, trying ti get everyone banned that does not agree with you. VJ, and cab. Tom seems to want a one opinion blog.
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
7:52 pm
George_George-
Nothing in that post mentioned banning anyone. Also, VJ & I have different opinions on a large number of things, both on and off the blog. So who’s opinion does Tom want?
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
8:04 pm
Also, if you think Tom & I agree on everything, ask him about the time he blocked me from twitter and “accidentally” forgot to refollow…
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
8:09 pm
So Venice Jim’s stomach is rolling NOT because of what he said but because of what someone else said?????
That makes the Chief’s response even more spot on.
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
8:11 pm
George you are spot on about the one opinion blog.
Why anyone would want such a thing who knows.
nolie
January 4th, 2013
8:12 pm
Jim is upset because he strongly feels that it is racist?
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
8:13 pm
nolie-
He has strong feelings on the whole thing. Let’s leave it at that
his name is legion
January 4th, 2013
8:15 pm
Lane is just another name of our endless troll
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 4th, 2013
8:15 pm
If you were the D’Backs, would that proposal excite you? Honestly?
A little, yes. Not the max return, but there isn’t much that they can get… whatever they receive needs to be prospects. And KT doesn’t really do a good job getting return for his players…
Look at how little the Dbacks got for Trevor Bauer? All the dbacks do is trash their players publicly, and then trade them for next to nothing. Ryan Roberts, Chris Young, Stephen Drew, Trevor Bauer, now Justin Upton
And we did get Uggla for very little, esp. after the year he had. Marlins didn’t want him. Maybe the same thing happens with Upton.
nolie
January 4th, 2013
8:17 pm
ok, I wasn’t sure if that was the subject that bothered him
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
8:17 pm
Venice Jim checks in with his name is Legion tonight. Last night he was NIck’s record.
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
8:18 pm
Venice Jim is in the kitchen making pop corn.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 4th, 2013
8:18 pm
and imo, as a DBacks fan, I would want to see him traded…. it’s clear that he’s unwanted, let him go somewhere where he will be. What we get in return, well… he just needs to get out, I’m sure he’ll blossom in a positive environment.
And apparently, he has asked for a trade too… KT probably doesn’t have a whole lot of leverage… signing of Cody Ross put the writing on the wall imo
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
8:18 pm
Just think how upset he will be when HE FINDS OUT……….what the chief said.
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
8:19 pm
I suspect he won’t care
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
8:20 pm
You mean he is using Maize??
Mr Maggot
January 4th, 2013
8:20 pm
Gosh, you guy are unreal.
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
8:21 pm
I suspect he knows that is why he hasn’t been on…..at least under his moniker.
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
8:23 pm
His name really is Legion
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
8:24 pm
He has not seen the blog since he said he was gone for a few days. And seriously, do you really think that one comment from DOB would keep him away?
(Moving on to better things. Have a good night)
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
8:24 pm
Keep thinking whatever you want. Doesn’t make you right
SouthGADawg
January 4th, 2013
8:25 pm
As a person with Native American ancestry, I have no problem with the logo, actually I love it. I am more concerned about the quality of the product (team) than some logo. I personally am happy with the Atlanta Braves as a quality product, and I am looking for an exciting year on the field.
nolie
January 4th, 2013
8:25 pm
if I had to guess which one of youze guys was regularly using various aliases, I wouldn’t guess VJ….
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 4th, 2013
8:26 pm
LK just seems to remind me of Ace…. or Mixxo… dunno why, just got a feeling
his name is legion
January 4th, 2013
8:28 pm
or Lou or Paul, just keep naming trolls, you will get him severaly times I am sure
nolie
January 4th, 2013
8:31 pm
most likely
nolie
January 4th, 2013
8:41 pm
I guess in a way the addition of the other Upton would be kinda exciting as long as we didn’t sell the farm for him
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
8:47 pm
When someone is not used to the Chief getting on their case….. yes I would.
He supposedly took some days off because of a few comments.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 4th, 2013
8:47 pm
If we were to get him, I wonder if he/Braves would or could negotiate an additional 2 years to the end of the contract…. keep him on the same time table as his brother
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
8:50 pm
Mixxo and Ace? That’s high praise even from a teenager.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 4th, 2013
8:52 pm
not meant as high praise…
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
8:53 pm
George would you please repost the bottom of page five to all other pages so jim doesn’t miss his message from the chief WHEN he returns…………….
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 4th, 2013
8:53 pm
not meant as high praise…
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Source: #RedSox, #Rays, #Nationals, #Royals scouted Javier Vazquez in Puerto Rico tonight. Pitched at 93 mph
Hard thrower, may be cheap… come on Braves!!!
… if the Nationals get him, oh my… a great 6th option.
TheOnlyBravesFan
January 4th, 2013
9:00 pm
Ben Duronio @Ben_Duronio
“@bravesfanjulien: @Ben_Duronio Should the Braves look into Javy Vasquez? He’s supposedly pitching real well in Puerto Rico” Yes I think so
Chop Chop
January 4th, 2013
9:00 pm
I suppose that the difference is that Native Americans weren’t the ones coming up with names for sports teams. WASPs have generally done that in the U.S. I don’t have a problem with teams being named in derogatory ways precisely because they don’t degrade me in any way, but I can certainly understand why any minority group would feel offended by something like, oh, “Redskins.”
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
9:01 pm
Now is the time to either fish or cut bait with Del gado and Julio>
nolie
January 4th, 2013
9:11 pm
I doubt VJ is all that upset about what DOB said, he has called out a lot of folks over the years, sometimes erroneously
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
9:16 pm
nolie-
He has not even seen DOB’s comment, but no, he would not be upset by it at all, in spite of what some folks want to believe
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
9:22 pm
Yeah right……….
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
9:24 pm
Jim is OLD enough to know better.
What the Chief said was spot on.
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
9:26 pm
Whenever he returns……..we won’t let him miss out.
nolie
January 4th, 2013
9:27 pm
the chief……
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
9:28 pm
Stop saying “we”- you seem to be the only one that cares
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
9:29 pm
George, Legion, Mr. Maggot, Nick’s record etc.
Jerry
January 4th, 2013
9:29 pm
Keep thinking whatever you want. Doesn’t make you right…cabravesfan
Funny, that’s what I keep saying about every one of you know-it-alls on this blogs. But somehow, you all think you are right and every one of us is wrong. And that is all well and good, but then a select few have to resort to calling people idiots, morons, etc., etc. Kinda makes it not worthwhile to post here anymore. But who the hell am I? I’m just one person who doesn’t matter, and neither does my opinion.
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
9:30 pm
Jerry-
When have I ever called you any of those names?
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
9:33 pm
Jerry take a look at the bottom of page five.
The Chief addressed this problem.
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
9:36 pm
If you are not part of the herd you are nobody on this blog.
Venice Jim found out that even being part of the herd does not stop you from a smack down.
his name is legion
January 4th, 2013
9:38 pm
But who the hell am I? I’m just one person who doesn’t matter, and neither does my opinion @ jerry
join the crowd. the problem I have with people like you is that you think it is just fine for you to insult somebody-a player- but think you should be exempt from insults yourself. There is a word for that
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
9:39 pm
Or will when he returns…………………
Pameee
January 4th, 2013
9:40 pm
Nothing can be further than the truth . Spent many years here and read every night. that’s all bye
his name is legion
January 4th, 2013
9:41 pm
I see Lane is now pitching the “part of the herd” whining that he does so regularly under so many different names. Poor fellow must really have been ostracized as a kid..
Not that you can blame others considering his personality.
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
9:43 pm
Hello Venice Jim…………………Legion
nolie
January 4th, 2013
9:44 pm
Getting back to baseball……
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
9:44 pm
Still not Venice Jim…
Lane Kiffin
January 4th, 2013
9:47 pm
For someone who supposedly doesn’t care or HASN’T EVEN SEEN OR HEARD about the smack down that the Chief issued it seems to have struck a nerve.
Or should I say caused a stomach to roll.
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
9:49 pm
Joachim Gilman
January 4th, 2013
9:54 pm
Armstrong Said to Weigh Admission of Doping
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/05/sports/cycling/lance-armstrong-said-to-weigh-admission-of-doping.html?_r=0
Jerry
January 4th, 2013
9:54 pm
cab,
I didn’t say you have leveled insults at me or anyone else. I said “a select few”. You aren’t in that group, but your boyfriend is.
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
9:57 pm
Jerry-
You did use a post of mine and said “Funny, that’s what I keep saying about every one of you know-it-alls on this blogs” – sorry for the misinterpretation.
Tom O'Hawke
January 4th, 2013
9:58 pm
Enter your comments here
Tom O'Hawke
January 4th, 2013
9:58 pm
Enter your comments here
nolie
January 4th, 2013
9:59 pm
dumb site
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
9:59 pm
Best post of the night, Tom
Bobby H
January 4th, 2013
9:59 pm
Sorry, that (Tom O) was me trying to change the moniker. Something went awry.
uga-brave
January 4th, 2013
10:00 pm
Fox’s coverage of college football leaves a lot to be desired. the studio show is turrrrible
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
10:00 pm
OK, best post of the night, Bobby
nolie
January 4th, 2013
10:00 pm
but was it good enuff to post twice????
Jerry
January 4th, 2013
10:01 pm
join the crowd. the problem I have with people like you is that you think it is just fine for you to insult somebody-a player- but think you should be exempt from insults yourself. There is a word for that…legion
First off, I don’t remember ever insulting any player. I do call out players for not doing their job that they are paid so handsomely for, i.e. Uggla. That is not an insult. It is merely stating facts. And because I am not enthusiastic about a player being unproductive, does that mean it is okay to call me names while seated behind the safe comfort of your keyboard? I don’t buy that.
Bobby H
January 4th, 2013
10:03 pm
OK, best post of the night, Bobby — cab
Thank you, but which of those 2 did you like better? The first or second one?
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
10:03 pm
uga-brave
Something we agree on!
I don’t like FOX’s college football coverage, which is too bad, because their NFL coverage is excellent. I can only hope (and I suspect) they will get better
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
10:05 pm
Bobby-
Well, when in doubt, I always go for the original
Bobby H
January 4th, 2013
10:07 pm
I agree, cab. I thought I may have been a little redundant on # 2.
cabravesfan
January 4th, 2013
10:10 pm
Bobby-
Just a little
Jerry
January 4th, 2013
10:11 pm
cab,
yes, you misinterpreted that to a certain degree, but as I’ve stated in the past, you are associated with the company you keep, and I mean your boyfriend. I know that you two are separate people with separate viewpoints, but you do tend to have his back a bit much. Case in point, DOB drops a bomb on him and all of a sudden there’s no more VJ since that post. You keep defending him. You should let him handle it himself. After all, DOB did nothing to him that VJ hasn’t done hundreds of times to other people on this blog.
nolie
January 4th, 2013
10:11 pm
yeah Bobby, the second time weakened it a bit….