Archive for July, 2009

Mannywood: Hip or hype? (AP Photo)

Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez has been back from that 50-game suspension for use of performance-enhancing substances for a while now and Los Angeles appears a lock for the NL West division title. Sounds like life is good in Mannywood.

YOU TELL US: If the Braves and Dodgers can sneak in a game or two between downpours this weekend, how will you greet Manny at the Ted? Do you even care about his having been suspended in the first place? Better question — is Dodgers-Braves still the rivalry it once was?

Continue reading Dodgers vs. Braves: Mannywood Mania comes to Hotlanta — or not. Is Manny Ramirez overhyped? »

When former Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur, recently traded to Atlanta’s NL East rival, the New York Mets, returns to Turner Field tonight for the Mets-Braves series, there’s sure to be mixed fan reaction.

YOU TELL US: Are you going to the game? If you are, how will you greet Frenchy? And even if you’re not going to The Ted, what’s your reaction to seeing Francoeur in Mets orange and blue?

Continue reading Atlanta Braves: Francoeur returns with Mets — what will your reaction be? »

   

Statue of Braves' winningest pitcher Phil Niekro welcomes fans to Turner Field. (AJC file)

 

The Atlanta Braves have had a storied history. Players have come and gone, but some still remain fixtures of the franchise. With so many standing out, we pose this question: Who makes up you All-Time Braves roster? We begin answering that question by asking you to vote on players — position by position.

And with that we begin with the pitchers. Many talented hurlers have graced the mound in an Atlanta Braves uniform, but only six — starters and relievers — will get the call.

Phil Niekro (1966-1983, 1987) Atlanta’s all-time leader in wins (266) had 13-straight seasons of 10 or more wins. Niekro also holds the team record for most complete games (226) and innings pitched (4,553).

Gene Garber (1978-1987) The Atlanta Braves’ leader in game finished (388), ranks second on the team’s all-time saves list behind John Smoltz with 141 saves. In 10 seasons with Atlanta, the sidearm …

Continue reading Pick the Braves’ all-time pitchers »

Frenchy swears by ‘turkey underwear.’ (AJC)

Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur says the team is 7-0 when he wears his lucky ‘turkey underwear’ to Turner Field. And in Chicago, a die-hard Cubs fan says he’ll go on a post-All-Star game ‘hunger strike’ (actually, he’ll eat 500 calories a day) as a way of “shaming” the team until they win five in a row, something the Cubs haven’t done this season.

Photos: Ultimate Braves fans over the years

YOU TELL US: We KNOW the Braves should get more hits and play more fundamentally sound baseball. But we’re asking you what extreme measures you, as a fan, would take to get this team going on a hot streak — a hunger strike? Heading to The Ted in special skivvies? Getting a rally mohawk? What, just for fun, would be your ULTIMATE Braves Doomsday Plan? (Keep it clean, y’all.)

Continue reading Atlanta Braves: Turkey underwear, Cubs fan ‘hunger strikes’ – what’s your weird way to get Atlanta winning? »