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
4:34 pm
Class of the Phillies, is this you? http://onerudedude.blogspot.com/2010/04/phillies-worst-fan.html
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
4:34 pm
The Tampa stadium — actually in St. Petersburg — is awful, Heath. It’s a terrible place for any sport.
TTTT-Thumbody Thed Thats Thupid!
August 31st, 2010
4:34 pm
Makes you wonder how many of those 35,000 are freebies. Hear there are some of those “specialty homes” and “schools” nearby to get in free during the week. Maybe P-C of the NL could verify this as I’m sure he attends one of those schools.
Stan
August 31st, 2010
4:34 pm
Pardon me, “Phillies, Class of the NL” but didn’t one of your fans get arrested for throwing up and fighting with cop and his 11 year daughter?? Seriously? That’s class alright…
Really? Fighting is one thing, I mean, Rocky Balboa(who’s real, ask anyone) is from Philly and so maybe it’s a cultural thing…but that guy’s first defense move is to yak on somebody..sick…and good luck on the West coast trip…
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
4:35 pm
Absolutely, Freddie’s Ready. TV drives the financial bus in every major sport. (That’s why the NHL is in such dire straits and why its ticket prices are so high: Because hockey gets next to nothing from TV.)
TM
August 31st, 2010
4:36 pm
take 2. Hey Mark, did anyone with the T-shirt last night?
If not, roll it over to tonight is some way…just a thought.
Phillies, Class of the NL
August 31st, 2010
4:36 pm
Phillies fans took over Petco Park, home of the best record in the NL Padres, and oh yeah, the Phillies swept them
Peter
August 31st, 2010
4:36 pm
Hey Mark……..I don’t know if this question has been asked before…..
Come Post season……. does the roster stay at 40 or go to a different number ?
Thank you !
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
4:36 pm
Wow, nola. You’re being far too nice to me.
Trey
August 31st, 2010
4:37 pm
Brava, he can only make fun of our attendence, but we can make fun of the 10,000 losses and only two WS titles and their pathetic Jayson Werth.
Heath
August 31st, 2010
4:37 pm
Is anyone live blogging the game tonight?
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
4:37 pm
Postseason roster is 25 men, Peter. Additions and subtractions can be made between series.
Ryan
August 31st, 2010
4:37 pm
Braves road attendance is number 5 in the league in percentage capacity. I know there a lot more intricacies than just the road team in that number, but I part of the reason we’re higher is because we have more of a national fan base.
Michael in England
August 31st, 2010
4:37 pm
You do realize it was not that long ago, 2002 in fact that the Phillies only averaged 19,977 a game? It is only in the last couple of years that Phillies fans have really supported their team. Kinda of like when the Braves started their run of 14 straight. We averaged 47,960 a night in 93′. 44,548 in 94′ and on. If the Phillies don’t make the playoffs this year I would imagine your attendance would drop next year. That said, I wish we filled Turner Field every night. The nights it is filled are electric. You can see Braves fans in every ballpark in America. This has been a great year to watch and follow the Braves. I think it will come down to the final three games of the year. And I think the Braves will take it. But we shall see.
Phillies, Class of the NL
August 31st, 2010
4:38 pm
what will happen is the influx of Phillies fans will add another 20k to the attendance number but it still wont be sold out
Trey
August 31st, 2010
4:38 pm
The Phillies swept the Padres, yet they were swept by the Astros.
Dean doesn't know
August 31st, 2010
4:38 pm
Trivia question: What was Philly’s attenadance rank in 2001?
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
4:39 pm
I won’t be at the game tonight, Heath. (I’m a no-show, too!) I plan to be there tomorrow.
And TM, nobody did win the T-shirt last night, which was probably a good thing given that I hadn’t figured out what sort of shirt a winner might win. But I will think about another sort of contest for tomorrow’s game.
Heath
August 31st, 2010
4:39 pm
The Phillies hate their fans. That’s why that $140 million payroll refuses to go to the playoffs for them anymore.
Resign or Resign?
August 31st, 2010
4:39 pm
Real simple answer to attendance: How many people live and/or work within an hour of Philly vs. Atlanta? The answer? About 20 million vs. about 3 million.
Ted Turner II
August 31st, 2010
4:39 pm
So…you’re saying there’s more money in television than in attendance?
Brava
August 31st, 2010
4:40 pm
The last time I was in Philly, I was stuck in traffic for hours as a convoy of short-buses, stretching further than the eye could see, was given priority to head to Citizens Bank Park. I clearly remember a small caveman-like creature sticking his head out the window of one, and, upon seeing my Braves decal, screaming at me, “We have better attendance than you”.
Braves win Braves win Braves win
August 31st, 2010
4:40 pm
Mark, I think you have the post season eligibility wrong. Freddie can’t be on the roster. Maybe if there is an injury. But I seriously doubt we DL Lee or Glaus for the post season. Thoughts?
1990
August 31st, 2010
4:40 pm
See Philthy Phan, winning around here isn’t as big a deal because we’ve done it for almost two decades. Your little 3 year run was cute. How was that Philly attendance in the ’90’s? Probably still pretty good seeing as your other alternative would be looking at a cracked bell or shoving cheese steaks in your maw while you talk about the “Iggles” and boo Santa Claus, lol.
Dean doesn't know
August 31st, 2010
4:40 pm
24th with 24k per game.
Trey
August 31st, 2010
4:40 pm
Also, after the sweep of the Pads they end up losing game one against the Dodgers and almost get no hit, what’s up with that?
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
4:41 pm
The way Freddie Freeman would get on would be via an injury exception, Braves win et cetera. But the injury exception could be, say, Chipper Jones.
Kenny Rogers
August 31st, 2010
4:41 pm
Philly’s attendance rank was much higher than their IQ ranking….
Heath
August 31st, 2010
4:41 pm
Loyal bunch they got, DDK. Through thick and thin.
Phillies, Class of the NL
August 31st, 2010
4:42 pm
Dean, Phillies fans are not dumb enough to pay hard earned money for a horribly playing, horribly run team like the 2001 Phillies – my question is, what is the rays or braves excuse for 1st place team? Lethargy, Apathy from the fan base??
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
4:42 pm
I say again: I specifically asked Frank the GM if Freddie Freeman would be postseason-eligible, and he said, “Anyone in the organization is eligible.”
Dean doesn't know
August 31st, 2010
4:43 pm
Trivia question #2: What was Philly’s attendance rank in 2002?
Jack G.
August 31st, 2010
4:43 pm
Hey Phillies Fan—-If you are not the lead dog, the view aint to great.
nola braves fan
August 31st, 2010
4:44 pm
being nice will end once you scribe some nonsense about my other beloved team (UGA). Actually shoot, I usually agree w/ your UGA assessments.
Dean doesn't know
August 31st, 2010
4:44 pm
24th with 20k per game
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 31st, 2010
4:44 pm
Jeff doing tonight’s game?
Trey
August 31st, 2010
4:44 pm
“Dean, Phillies fans are not dumb enough to pay hard earned money for a horribly playing, horribly run team like the 2001 Phillies – my question is, what is the rays or braves excuse for 1st place team? Lethargy, Apathy from the fan base??”
This right here is a perfect example of a fair weather fan comment. A fan will go to his team’s game win or lose.
Morgan Freeman
August 31st, 2010
4:44 pm
Watching my boy play is more exciting than when I won the role of Easy Reader.
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
4:45 pm
I think Georgia’s going to be good, nola. But somehow Dog fans don’t think my definition of good — 9-3 — fits theirs.
nola braves fan
August 31st, 2010
4:45 pm
did you really leave the press box to go watch yellow shirt guy? and then green shirt guy?
The obligatory "break-up-the-fight guy" in every argument
August 31st, 2010
4:46 pm
“Don’t argue with the Phillies fans, guys. You’re only giving him what he wants! Don’t stoop to their level.”
Mark Bradley
August 31st, 2010
4:46 pm
I left the press box to walk into the press dining area to get a look at the shirts on the big TV, nola. I did not go downstairs. I was interested, but not that interested.
nola braves fan
August 31st, 2010
4:47 pm
we have a blind faith Mark I agree… and your prediction is probably going to be very close, I say just one more W. I was VERY bearish on UGAs team (as you were) last year, but this year, I am the polar opposite. It starts with #11 vs Mr. Cox. Huge upgrade IMO.
Anyway, keep up the good work. Can’t wait for the next live blog
Neon yellow shirt guy
August 31st, 2010
4:47 pm
Liar.
Einstein
August 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
Good for Freddie and good for the Braves. Now Bobby, forget that you’re Bobby Cox and keep Lee and Glaus on the bench, and you’ll probably win that elusive WS. What a way to retire!
Trey
August 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
“Don’t argue with the Phillies fans, guys. You’re only giving him what he wants! Don’t stoop to their level.”
It’s so fun though! He is ignorant, and believes the Phillies are better!
Dean doesn't know
August 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
Class, do you know how many people live in the City of Atlanta? Philly? Atlanta has about 500k, while Philly has about 1.4 million. So I would jope that Philly could fill a smaller stadium (44k to 50k) with three times as many people to draw from!
Rob Woodward, Cliff Bernstein
August 31st, 2010
4:49 pm
Not a baseball question, Mark, but what do you think about Tennessee/Derek Dooley awarding access only to reporters they deem “respectful”?
Trey
August 31st, 2010
4:50 pm
Brava, there may be some trolls on Jeff Schultz page, as well!
Dean doesn't know
August 31st, 2010
4:51 pm
I’m not arguing, I dazzling him with intelligence.