OK, folks, your wish is granted: Freddie Freeman gets the call
I mentioned yesterday that Freddie was almost ready. Today the Braves made it official: Freddie Freeman, the 20-year-old first baseman, will be promoted to the majors Wednesday, which is Sept. 1, which is the day big-league rosters can expand to 40.
I’m like you: I want to see the guy play. But I’m not sure how much we will. The Braves already have a new first baseman in Derrek Lee and a backup plan in Troy Glaus. But this has been, as we’ve noted a time or two, a stunning season.
Who would have predicted that Glaus, so bad in April, would be the National League’s May player of the month? Who saw Jonny Venters coming? Who envisioned Omar Infante as an All-Star? Who figured a career utility man might well lead the National League in hitting? Who guessed a team without Chipper Jones leading the reigning National League champion by three games with 31 to play?
So, as much as I’m trying to tamp down civic enthusiasm regarding Mr. FF, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say: Given the tenor of our times, it would only make sense if Freeman gets pushed into the lineup as a callow rookie — and then is named MVP of the 2010 Fall Classic. Not saying it will happen that way. Just saying that, with these Braves, pretty much anything could.
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459 comments Add your comment
Freddie's Ready!
August 31st, 2010
3:58 pm
Phillies, class? Are you a Tech fan?
Duluth's Finest
August 31st, 2010
3:58 pm
we need to stop making excuses for the attendances and show up to the darn games
Chuck
August 31st, 2010
3:58 pm
How could the Braves have not possibly called him up on 9/1? He’s been hitting the cover off the ball at Gwinnett.
Phillies Road Manager
August 31st, 2010
3:58 pm
The team is on the road this past week as the Little League World Series was being played in Philadelphia. You know: the stadium with the 300 feet fences?
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
3:58 pm
Thanks, nola braves fan. I have to say last night’s blog was the most enjoyable to date. (At least to me.)
mclOUTh
August 31st, 2010
3:58 pm
I do believe the Phillies are closer to being OUT of the playoffs (1.5 game lead over SF) than they are to being in first in the division.
Ted Turner
August 31st, 2010
3:59 pm
Listen, when the average tempature drops back down below 103, the crowds will come back.
Mouth of the South Larry Jones
August 31st, 2010
3:59 pm
the Philthies trolltard is a real jerk – i was just aksing if the attendance was accurate, okay??????? if so, that is not a good number
Ted Turner
August 31st, 2010
3:59 pm
ps-I have tremendous faith in this team, am excited to see Fast Freddie Freeman called up, and think they the Bravos can go all the way.
Now can I please have my old dugout seats back?
Phillies, Class of the NL
August 31st, 2010
4:01 pm
Mark Bradley, since you are the only intelligent one on here, could you please explain to a yankee northerner the attendance issues the braves are having?
Chamber of Commerce
August 31st, 2010
4:01 pm
The Phillies can win all they want. Who cares? They still live in Philly.
Yo Adrian.
Empty Seat at Turner Field
August 31st, 2010
4:03 pm
how come no one is sitting in me?
Kenny Rogers
August 31st, 2010
4:03 pm
Mark….according to MLB.com the eligibility lists are determined today, AUGUST 31…so how about finding out how Wren thinks they can get around it…. Carroll told me the same thing the other day…
What is the truth here?
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/important_dates.jsp
Freddie's Ready!
August 31st, 2010
4:03 pm
for Phillies, C_ass see http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/10/phillies-yankees-world-series-fans.html
Braves fan
August 31st, 2010
4:03 pm
(sobbing) Please, Philly guy! Please stop talking about attendance! You’re killing us! Merciless I tell you. Your arguments are far too intelligent, researched, and detailed. All we know is to look at the won/loss records. Please! Stop!
Phillies, Class of the NL
August 31st, 2010
4:04 pm
I almost feel bad for you hillbillies, it seems as though you actually believe you can knock off the juggernaut Philadelphia Phillies
Neon yellow shirt guy
August 31st, 2010
4:05 pm
Yeah…I think I’ll definitely wear the yellow shirt.
Conyers Brave
August 31st, 2010
4:06 pm
Bringing up FF will not impact the Braves making the playoffs.
The concern right now should be the poor quality of the starting pitching . Only Hudson can be counted as consistently reliable at this
point. JJ was only medicore last night, Lowe is pitiful, Hanson is erratic at best and Minor is inexperienced.
Greg
August 31st, 2010
4:07 pm
AJC: get this damn Amelia Island ad off this page! it doesn’t function. you can’t close it!
TTTT-Thumbody Thed Thats Thupid!
August 31st, 2010
4:07 pm
You heard it from me first. If anyone wants to go ahead and make your plans, you can take this to the bank. It will be Braves, Padres, Reds, and Phillies(wild card) in the NL playoffs. Braves will start with the Padres (since they can’t play the Phillies-own division) and take that. Then after the Reds take the Phils, the Braves will take care of the Reds to become NL champs. The BIG ONE will have the Braves and the Yankees, and I’m reserving that prediction for when I get a “feel” for it.
Filthies, Ass of the NL
August 31st, 2010
4:07 pm
Fact!
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
4:08 pm
You only have to be in the organization as of Aug. 31/Sept. 1, Kenny Rogers. You don’t need to be on the 40-man roster or the 25-man roster.
I got this, you should know, from Frank Wren. Over the weekend I asked him specifically about Freeman and postseason eligibility.
Kenny Rogers
August 31st, 2010
4:09 pm
The Phillies can sell out the stadium but can’t spell c-l-a-s-s
…because neither the fans or the city has any….
Naf Sevarb
August 31st, 2010
4:09 pm
It is going to be really sad for the Phillies because you cant sell out a stadium if you dont make it to the dance.
Whoop there it is!
Choppinmama
August 31st, 2010
4:09 pm
Phillies CONL(??) – all the more fans in your park to leave discouraged and disheartened that you STILL haven’t caught up to the Braves.
Attendance doesn’t equal wins.
Naf Sevarb
August 31st, 2010
4:11 pm
How’s the veiw from behind Philly Boy???? LOL LOL
Kenny Rogers
August 31st, 2010
4:11 pm
Mark…I understand..that is what Carroll told me. However did you see the link I posted? It is from MLB.com and seems to say otherwise…
Maybe they can play with the DL and make someone eligible but still wonder how they get around the rule as listed on MLB’s site?
Naf Sevarb
August 31st, 2010
4:11 pm
FREDDY FREDDY
Brava
August 31st, 2010
4:11 pm
In a future not so far away….
AJC Headline: “Braves Clinch the NL East!!!!”
Phillies, Class of the NL: But, but, but we had far better attendance!
Confucious
August 31st, 2010
4:12 pm
Kenny Rogers, take a breath and settle down. “Love will turn you around,” remember?
Duluth's Finest
August 31st, 2010
4:13 pm
a moron he is, but he’s right about the attendance – i live here and i dont get it
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
4:13 pm
Braves attendance in a nutshell: It has improved this season, but not by as much as you’d expect. Much of this has to do with the economy. Much also has to do with the marketplace. Traffic can be awful. The heat has been oppressive. And a bunch of folks grew up watching the Braves on TBS and support the team fervently while not actually attending many games.
The Braves draw very well on Saturday night (less traffic), not so well during the week, especially after school starts. And public schools started earlier than ever this year.
Freddie's Ready!
August 31st, 2010
4:13 pm
Everybody needs to lighten up on Phillies fan. I can see how he feels his team is dominant. Last 10 games, record is 4-6.
Milt Famey
August 31st, 2010
4:13 pm
Prediction: Derrick Lee becomes the next Wally Pipp next time his back goes out and FF becomes Lou Gehrig. Well, that might be a stretch, but maybe FF takes advantage of his shot. Here’s hoping!
Your 5th Grade Teacher
August 31st, 2010
4:14 pm
Phillies, Class(?) of the NL, Why are you hanging out here conversing with these adults? You know that you are supposed to be doing your homework.
Trey
August 31st, 2010
4:14 pm
Brava, don’t waste your time with him. His only argument is the attendence.
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
4:14 pm
All that said … I was surprised at how few were in the house Monday night.
Phillies, Class of the NL
August 31st, 2010
4:15 pm
The Phillies are the better team from top to bottom, from manager to catcher – whats not to like about the Phillies making their 3rd straight Workd Series?
The Juggernaut rolls on!!!
Kenny Rogers
August 31st, 2010
4:15 pm
I can’t figure how the “City of Brotherly Love” ends up having none…just a bunch of “haters”….they even hate their own players most of the time….
go figure…
Dean doesn't know
August 31st, 2010
4:15 pm
The class of the NL has been stuck in 2nd place for how long?
Joey
August 31st, 2010
4:16 pm
Woo hoo!!!
Naf Sevarb
August 31st, 2010
4:16 pm
Looks like he is in the corner now in the fetal position sucking his thumb thinking about the Phillies blowing it with all that talent.
Freddie Freeman
August 31st, 2010
4:16 pm
Mark, I was under the impression that I could not make the post season roster if not up by tonight the 31st? Was I lied too, can I still make it?
Brava
August 31st, 2010
4:16 pm
I know, Trey, I shouldn’t feed the troll, but he’s so cute. Kinda looks like a cross between a caveman and Jen Utley.
Jerek Deter
August 31st, 2010
4:17 pm
Phillies nearly got No-hit last night, PhilliesClass. Hardly a rolling juggernaut is it?
Heath
August 31st, 2010
4:17 pm
I can’t believe that kid is actually a Phillies fan. Just somwe idiot trying to make them all look that stupid. Must be. Any fan who’s team was swept in a four game series by the Astros…the ASTROS…in the middle of a playoff race would call his team a juggernaut.
Neon yellow shirt guy
August 31st, 2010
4:18 pm
Washed, dried, freshly ironed….
Dean doesn't know
August 31st, 2010
4:18 pm
Mark, is there anyway to take TV ratings into account? I know a ton of Braves fans who watch almost every night. In fact, I never have figured out why you would go to the game when you could watch it on TV with replays, etc.
Joey
August 31st, 2010
4:18 pm
Phillies Fans, class of the port-o-let!
Phillies, Class of the NL
August 31st, 2010
4:18 pm
thank you Mark for the insightful logical post – I do think that the economy has hit philadelphians just as hard as atlanta though, traffic getting out of the CBP and back onto 76 or 95 can be a nightmare also, and we grew up listening to Harry Kalas and watching the Phillies on tv too, public school started last monday here in philly too