AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > April > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLiberty Media closing in
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While a deal has not been finalized, all indications are that Colorado-based Liberty Media Corp. is the leading contender to acquire the Braves from Time Warner.
What’s your take on this? Do you think Liberty Media is the type of ownership that will spend more on the ballclub; or is any deal based primarily on its tax benefits doomed to failure on the field?
Permalink | Comments (252) | Categories: Braves sale
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By Eric
April 23, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this
This sucks. I see them slashing payroll to…ohhh say $40 mill.
By Brad
April 23, 2006 11:57 PM | Link to this
I only hope if the deal goes through MLB makes sure they are gonna spend money on the payroll and the rest of the team and nothing changes. They own part of the Avalanche and I think they are in the high end of the NHL payrolls, so maybe they would spend more on the Braves payroll. Lets hope they will or MLB won’t let them buy the team.
By Chuck
April 24, 2006 12:15 AM | Link to this
Given Liberty’s associations with News Corp. and other conservative media outlets, I have to admit that I’m unenthusiastic about this sale. I’ll still root for the team, but with far less enthusiasm than in the past.
By Michael A.
April 24, 2006 12:25 AM | Link to this
Liberty’s [spokesman] declined to comment about the Braves when reached on Friday, but last month he said: “If we acquired any asset … we would be hoping to acquire a strong management team that could continue to operate the asset as it has in the past.”
Translation: If we buy this team, we’re not going to spend one thin dime more on payroll or any other operations.
By Ed
April 24, 2006 12:28 AM | Link to this
I would rather have Mr. Blank buy the team. He is based in Atlanta and wants to bring a championship to the city, and I am pretty sure he would not care if it was football, baseball, or both that he does it with. Liberty Media has already stated that they want the Braves for tax breaks. This is not good for the team, the city, and especially not the fans. I hope Mr. Blank steps up and gets the team, but obviously we will cheer for whoever wins the sale of the Braves. Here is to hoping we are not like the Marlins next year with a $14 million dollar payroll. GO BRAVES and FALCONS!!!!!
By Brad
April 24, 2006 12:31 AM | Link to this
Who knows what Liberty is going to do, maybe DOB can fill us in on his thoughts. I would much rather Blank gets the team. Does anyone thing that Liberty would buy the team and then turn around and sell them. To me it seems like MLB would have problems with this deal…
By JMar
April 24, 2006 12:38 AM | Link to this
Not thrilled with the idea of an owner who just wants the team as part of a tax write-off, but I’m definitely glad Blank didn’t buy the team. He’s got enough to worry about with the Falcons, and I think owning the Braves would be too much stress on both him and his wallet.
By True Braves Fan
April 24, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this
Not excited over absentee ownership…Sounds like more of TW to me…. Maybe AB can still pull it off….
By geechee
April 24, 2006 12:47 AM | Link to this
I don’t see this as such a bad thing. LMC owns and operates many channels on the dial but I don’t think they own any sports channels or sports programming. If they were to buy the team, it would probably be for the same reason Ted did, to get the programming. Of course the Braves were a deal when Ted bought them. Why else would they have an interest in purchasing a sports team that on paper at least is losing money? They would understand that watering down the Braves would be self-defeating. The Braves have a national following because of TBS. They are the Notre Dame of MLB. The Braves would be great programming. They won’t have to do a thing to operate the team because the management that is in place is already some of the best in all of sports.The broadcasting rights to the Yankees are worth over $50 million a year so the Braves have to be in that neighborhood. They might even acquire the sports channel that goes with them that TW owns whereas Blank would probably not want that.
By Miles
April 24, 2006 12:50 AM | Link to this
umm..based on the reports I’ve read, Liberty media is only temporarily taking over the Braves to get tax breaks and cash.
http://www.mlive.com/business/ambizdaily/b…84558258420.xml
TimeWarner sends Atlanta Braves+Cash to LG Liberty Group sends 4% stake in TW to TW
Liberty Group sends Atlanta Braves to AB Arthur Blank sends ~$400 million dollars to LG
Net effect: TW gets: lots of it’s shares back Liberty gets: tax breaks+money Blank gets: Ownership of the Atlanta Braves
By geechee
April 24, 2006 01:00 AM | Link to this
Miles this is a great theory but your link does not work. Can you repost the correct link. Thanks
By ernesto
April 24, 2006 01:00 AM | Link to this
I wish they could be owned by the city, like the Packers are…and then take all proceeds from the toll on 400 and spend it on the bullpen.
By Aleem
April 24, 2006 01:04 AM | Link to this
Geechee, I had the same problem, but if you scroll down on the list of newspapers the site has and click on American Biz Daily, it’s the first article that shows up…
By ernesto
April 24, 2006 01:04 AM | Link to this
By the way, i’m still not a “Reeksma” hater, but I watched the end of the Padres Mets game today and Hoffman came in, and wasn’t lights out, but you felt the game was over. I never feel that way when Chris comes in. I know there is nothing we can do about it right now, but I don’t see this as him just being a little off. He just doesn’t have the make up of a lights out kind of guy. It’s going to be a drama-filled year. Break out the Rolaids.
By thanks, chuckie
April 24, 2006 01:07 AM | Link to this
Exactly which “other conservative media outlets” trouble you, Chuck? We are all deeply troubled that you will be forced to “root for the team, but with far less enthusiasm than in the past” simply because the prospective buyer dares to own shares in News Corp (among BILLIONS in other holdings including two sports teams, QVC, and TIME WARNER). My heart bleeds for you…
By Miles
April 24, 2006 01:08 AM | Link to this
this link should work http://www.mlive.com/business/ambizdaily/bizjournals/index.ssf?/base/abd-2/1145684558258420.xml
By Tomahawkin
April 24, 2006 01:12 AM | Link to this
Arthur….? Quit BS-ing and give the City of Atlanta its team back, I’m Tired of this team being ran by Those Corporate Clown in New York…I wouldn’t mind seeing him doing da chop come playoff time…
Go Braves! We got Lucky tonite…and I’m not giving Reeksma a break…He pitched behind in the count on just about every hitter… A good offensive team would have made him pay fro that…
Go Martin!…Prado Did more at the plate in one game than Pete Orr has done out of the leadoff spot all season
Let Prado Leadoff…It just pains me to see Orr and LaRoche hit and try to pull the ball all the time
LaRoche needs to be no higher than sixth
By teoa
April 24, 2006 02:15 AM | Link to this
Today’s observations…
The fact that TW can sell the Braves to a multi-billion dollar Colorado-based corporation for tax breaks instead of to a local owner that cares about baseball (for comparable value even!) is yet another failure of Bud Selig.
Prado looks like he’s got a good idea up there…really goes after it. I definitely don’t think Pena Jr. has a place on the team with him around, and I’m starting to wonder about Orr.
I know Bobby doesn’t have any good options out of the pen, but still, he is not managing it well. Reitsma is closer by default — not because he is necessarily better than anyone else. The entire mediocre bullpen is more likely to have success if pitching for just a couple of batters per pitcher (and no more than an inning.) Reitsma is not a 2-inning pitcher! It is arguable whether he is even a 1-inning pitcher. Trying to stretch him for 2 innings and 40+ pitches could have easily lost the game today.
Looking forward to getting some starters back…the bench guys have filled in nicely, but this lineup is pretty week right now.
John Thompson could be 4-0 right now and on his way to an All-Star appearance.
LaDouche is…LaDouche. I really hope someone gave him the steal sign or missed a hit-and-run or something. Otherwise, they should require him to start medication immediately on the condition that he will no longer play otherwise. Isn’t it enough that he strikes out every other AB without “forgetting” that he is not Otis Nixon on the rare occassions that he actually gets on base?
By TennesseePaul
April 24, 2006 02:16 AM | Link to this
Well this would suck. Liberty Media, if you have a man on this blog, pay attention. Braves attendance is poor. Suck the life out of this team and you will get nothing. You MUST keep this team winning. You MUST attempt to get this team a World Series. Especially right after you buy the team.
Anywho, I’ve got a good buzz and the Braves have won. Liberty if you win, you better treat me right.
By geechee
April 24, 2006 02:19 AM | Link to this
Thanks Miles, that is very interesting. They referred to twice to Time-Warner’s headquarters being in Atlanta. I’m not sure what that is about unless they confused it with TBS. The $400 million asking price mentioned is the current market value or a little less actually. The irony is that it would be three way deal that baseball is famous for.
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 24, 2006 02:20 AM | Link to this
all reports i’ve read send the message that Liberty doesn’t care about keeping the braves’ winning tradition alive, and if that’s the case, then i don’t see how MLB would let this transaction go through. i am hoping (like so many others) that Arthur Blank will succeed in buying the Braves and making it 14 more division titles.
By JMar
April 24, 2006 02:32 AM | Link to this
I think Ernesto’s idea of public ownership is the worst yet. Atlanta’s like the anti-Green Bay of sports towns.
By Ashy Larry
April 24, 2006 02:44 AM | Link to this
The Braves, a public owned franchise funded by GA 400 tolls? I don’t think you have quite caught on to how terrible Atlanta sports fans are. Every time the Braves lose a game you can expect to see people go out of their way to avoid going on 400 the next day.
Seriously though, it’s one thing to sell it to a publicly traded company IN GEORGIA. But to a company in Colorado? Don’t we have a similar situation called the Atlanta Spirit owning 2 of our pro sports franchises already, which is primarily made up of investors based in Boston and Washington? I think by now we should know that out of state owners are only concerned about the bottom line, not on-field results (see Steve Belkin). I hope that little 3-way trade goes through where Blank gets the Braves, he has at least shown that he’s willing to open up the pocketbook. And as a bonus maybe he will wheel Chipper out to 3rd base before every game starts.
Oh yeah, and the MLB really needs to fix this situation with companies owning teams.
By Ashy Larry
April 24, 2006 02:48 AM | Link to this
About the actual team on the field… it is a crime that Betemit is not an every day player. Wouldn’t it be easier on Chipper if he got moved to first base, like so many people have called for already? Maybe after his recent scary-looking injury Cox, Schuerholz & co. will reconsider. I’m sure if Betemit played every day at 3rd, and Chipper was at first, we could find some team who was willing to give us a mid-level closer in exchange for LaRoche. LaRoche after all is still a talented young player who doesn’t make a lot of money and can hit for decent average and power and play great defense, there’s gotta be a market for a guy like that.
By Bob
April 24, 2006 03:02 AM | Link to this
Jimmy, If you missed it, I left you a quick note at the end of the last Blog.
Chuck, I’m confused; “conservative media” is still listed as an oxymoron in the dictionary … what do you mean by that?
I know nothing about Liberty but a “resale” hidden agenda, following asset stripping is not uncommon with “tax advantage” based purchases.
You folks convinced me in, an earlier, abbreviated discussion of this subject that Blank was the far better choice; if only because of his personal interest in the city and the sport.
They’re only my own uninformed opinions, but …
MLB’s transaction approval decision making matrix isn’t going to include consideration of the buyer’s inclination to underwrite the Atlanta Braves’ vigorous pursuit of high priced, “name” talent … in order to buy a winner for its fans … and rightfully so … that goes beyond MLB’s oversight authority.
Having one of the best, if not the best, organization in baseball is in our favor. It’s fairly likely that these highly valued “Organization” Asset elements will remain basically in tact; especially if resale is on the agenda.
Hopefully the Braves’ ownership will continue to reject the strategy of buying championships in favor of continuing to build from within, as the current managment team is now doing.
The mioptic vision associated with a strategy that attempts to buy championships makes “winning” everything and generally permiates throughout the organization and the team’s fan base; replacing order with chaos.
It’s interesting that such a vision would cause or exacerbate problems, identical or similiar to those that we’ve been discussing this weekend … and I believe, would ultimately destroy the organization, regardless of the team’s ownership.
Again, that’s only my opinion … and hasn’t been approved or authorized by Doc, Jimmy Smith, Penn, HK, Honorable, DOB, Old Timer, Liberty Media, Mr. Blank, or anybody else, including Bobby Dews. I absolutely deny any rumors that might get started that Andruw helped me write it!
By Ashy Larry
April 24, 2006 03:23 AM | Link to this
Bob, I’m sure the Braves will continue to build from within regardless of who the owners are. In my opinion though, the reason we see so many young homegrown players on the roster now is not by choice but by necessity. From 1995 to about 2000, the Braves were able to mix home-grown talent (starting pitchers, C Jones, A Jones, Blauser, Lemke, etc.) with big name players acquired by trade or in free agency (Grissom, Neagle, Lofton, McGriff, Galarraga for example) to create a level of talent that allowed us to go deep in the playoffs without compromising our farm system like the Yankees did. Since about 2001 though, the big name players acquired have been limited to short-term rentals like Sheffield or players still on the rookie pay scale like JD Drew, while we have had to rely a lot more on reclamation projects and bargain basement free agents — some of these pan out, like Chris Hammond or John Burkett, while others don’t, like Albie Lopez or Rico Brogna. With the ownership we had in 1995, we probably would have the freedom to let guys like Francoeur spend another year perfecting his skills in the minor leagues, instead of throwing him into the fire less than 3 years after he was drafted — who knows, letting him do that might have allowed him to have a Pujols-like start to his career instead of the up-and-down start he is having now. I think the fact that we haven’t gone deep in the playoffs recently is a direct result of this. With a guy like Blank as the owner I don’t think we necessarily have to be afraid that Schuerholz is gonna become the next Brian Cashman — he’s not gonna change his style just because he has more resources available. But it will give him a lot more flexibility, so he won’t have to pull off as many salary-related moves like the Millwood for Estrada deal or letting Furcal walk without a fight.
By Paul
April 24, 2006 04:36 AM | Link to this
Bob,
I’m not a tax lawyer, but it seems to me that without a sale of assets, there isn’t an enormous tax advantage to acquiring the Braves and then selling them, since Liberty would have to pay taxes on any sale to Blank (corporations often have to pay taxes on sales and dispositions of assets). The most profitable way for the deal to work would be to acquire the team, reduce the operating cost and absorb as many of the assets as possible, and then quickly sell the Braves—hoping that the brand and broadcasting rights are worth enough to get a good price from a new buyer. Remember what happened to the Expos?
This is precisely the problem with corporate baseball and laissez-faire economics generally. While competition is generally good for both business and baseball a complete lack of oversight is exactly what produces the kind of chaos you claim to fear. MLB ought to step in to protect one of its darlings.
p.s. I think its misguided to assume that “promotion from within” would solve our bullpen problems, it hasn’t worked for about two seasons now. I, for one, would love to see a big dollar closer that can actually get the job done.
p.p.s. Anyone that thinks that FOX news or Clear Channel affiliate media is “liberal” would find their politics better suited to Saudi Arabia than a democracy. Also, I’m unfamiliar with the word “miotpic.” Perhaps you meant “myopic”?
By UGA 72
April 24, 2006 05:19 AM | Link to this
Okay Folks, this is about tax consequences, so Liberty will not flip the Braves to anyone anytime soon. I suspect, as has been mentioned that they could offer a controling interest in the Braves to someone and retain some of the stock which would make a lot of sense. They are unlikely to break apart this organization because they don’t have that history, and if they did one of we rednecks would likely drive our pickups to Colorado and shoot the Chairman, such is our love for the Braves. Either way they won’t do anything pro or con the first year unless the Braves bleed red ink, and anyone with a calculator and basic accounting knows the Braves make money. Exactly how much profit they make will never be known to we peons, but the Braves failing to make money is as likely as Ocean Front Property in Kansas!
By geechee
April 24, 2006 05:29 AM | Link to this
Since we are talking so much about bottom lines. The bottom line here is; this is all hearsay until it happens.
By Caelus
April 24, 2006 06:27 AM | Link to this
It may be a bit late to ask this question but I do hope that DOB is still monitoring these posts.
Question: Who was the Braves’ starting pitcher last night? I did not have a chance to tune into the game last night and DOB’s main report on the game makes no mention of the starting pitcher. Must have done a helluva job as the Nationals only had one run. I think that it may have been Thompson’s turn but do not know for sure.
p.s. I shudder at the prospect of this Colorado corporation controlling the Braves’ purse strings.
By Shawn B
April 24, 2006 06:40 AM | Link to this
Great, just what Braves fans want, another corporation buying our team. Thanks Time Warner for trying your best to ruin one of the best organizations in all of sports. Of course Liberty is not going to spend more money on the payroll, the only reason they want the team is for some tax break. PLEASE Time Warner, sell this great organization to someone who wants to win with it, not get tax breaks and squeeze every penny they can out of it.
By steve
April 24, 2006 07:57 AM | Link to this
What a crock! Business as usual. Liberty could care less about the Braves. Just another little business transaction. By the way, did anyone watch the game last night? I had to turn it off because listening to those jerks “broadcasting” the game was unbearable.
By quint
April 24, 2006 07:58 AM | Link to this
Does Major League Baseball really think this is going ot be good for the sport? If the deal with Liberty Media goes through because LM wants a tax write-off, How can Bud Selig or anyone involved with the operation of the game not go around with their heads hanging? Please, don’t allow the sale to a company that wants tax breaks. Doesn’t MLB have to approve the potential buyers? Don’t they have an obligation to the sport?
By Jimi Richards
April 24, 2006 08:08 AM | Link to this
I will ALWAYS be a Braves fan, but their shine and luster will be tarnished if they are owned by anyone outside of Georgia! It is all about pride in the hometeam…..where is Liberty Media from again?
By LAC
April 24, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this
Complete BS to let this liberty group run it…
If so… We will be like The Walmart All-Stars…Oh…I mean the Kansas City Royals !
A jerk david glass owns the team… and guess who is president… dan glass… his STUPID son… who, prior to this nice job DADDY gave him, was a diamond salesman…
I can see 100 loss seasons, attendence at 10K a game a just like in the mid 1970’s LOSERSVILLE USA.
Why does this town have such STUPID OWNERS ??????
The Thrashers ownership is the EXACT SAME… People with money who have nothing more to do than buy a sports team then ruin them…
Just another example of corporate America showing us ALL…How much they HATE the average man in this country !
By Mike
April 24, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this
I HOPE Liberty does not get the deal! It is obvious from their comments that they care NOTHING about the Braves, its all about the taxes. And of course Time doesn’t care either, they want the shares back. I really wish the city would step in and help A. Blank or any other local bidder, someone who actually cares about the Braves and cares about bringing a championship to Atlanta. I see it now….no more Turner Field, no more Braves on TBS, a 40 million dollar payroll, etc. If this deal goes through, next year we will be seeing a bunch of single A minor players playing in a stadium called Liberty Media with a few commercials on QVC! Please ATLANTA, dont let this happen!
By Tim
April 24, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this
Just what we need, more commitment to profitability, instead of a commitment to winning a World Series.
Let’s hope that Mr. Blank still gets his chance to purchase the team.
By Tyler
April 24, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this
I rather see a local ownership than Liberty. Watch and see if Liberty media buys the Braves, they will decline.
By USAFCCF
April 24, 2006 08:26 AM | Link to this
Quite simply, this is bad for the Braves and baseball. I hope Mr Blank or someone else comes through and buys the team.
By doc
April 24, 2006 08:31 AM | Link to this
if this goes through we become a facsimile to the kansas city franchise and watch j.s. leave and really see what an asset he was. then the j.s. contingent of detractors can complain about something else like; how can we get john and bobby back? why dont we have a farm system? why cant we compete with anyone except the dregs of the league? why does turner field look like a ghost town?
scares the dikens out of me but i dont think arthur has enough to make this one go as these two partners in crime take it to the bank. not an investment banker but it seems that is the only way this is moving so fast as no real money changes hands.
By Chuckles D
April 24, 2006 08:34 AM | Link to this
Hmmmmmm
By Matt
April 24, 2006 08:36 AM | Link to this
This could be a horrible, horrible development for our hometown team. The Braves are a world-class, championship organization, and anyone looking to aquire them had best realize that they have a responsibility to not only keep this thing going, but improve on the past. I beleive Blank has this vision, but a faceless corperation trying to aquire a “tax efficient major asset”? That just makes my blood boil. May the execs at Time Warner burn in Haties if this deal goes through.
By Rod
April 24, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this
Arthur, Heeeeelllllpppppp!!!!
By Dave
April 24, 2006 08:39 AM | Link to this
This sale would be BAD, very BAD!! This entire team would be dismantled within 2 years.
By David
April 24, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this
If you would enjoy seeing Andruw in a Mets uniform, let this sale go through.
By cleo moore
April 24, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this
local owner ship is very imporant in the sale of any pro team . not a tax write off for a big corp.its to easy to get lost in the shuffle.
By Tom McGill
April 24, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this
I don’t believe anything Tim tucker writes.. He still has the Hawks and Thrasher being sold to a Dallas Texas Car Dealer
By Cairo
April 24, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this
Miles,
I do believe you may have summed up the WHOLE entire deal… Liberty does not want the Braves. They want a tax break and cash from the sale of stock and then turn around and sell to Blank. Sounds like the Jets and Denver deal AB is pulling off.
By M
April 24, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this
TW should make a deal only with Blank! He will negotiate a satisfactory deal for himself and TW! I think his relationship with the area will help guide decisions to benefit not only himself monitarily, but, the Braves organization for the benefit of the area! Liberty Media will not!!!!!!
By Rod
April 24, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this
Unfortunately, you can’t blame Liberty Mutual (just trying to increase the bottom line) or Time Warner (trying to sell for the most possible) or Arthur Blank (may not have an extra $420 million laying around).
The real crook in all of this is Major League Baseball for not having specific parameters set up to avoid this sort of conflict. They have nothing in line to stop corporate purchases - not even those from outside the state. Then, they’ve already given an initial approval to Liberty. There’s always a chance (very slim) that they could deny the actual sale if they think Blank would be willing to buy the team at a similar price - but that would mean Selig would have to actually do something for the good of the game. And, don’t forget, helping the Braves would eventually hurt the Milwaukee Brewers (his true lowalty).
By dylan
April 24, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this
teoa your observations suck. The braves bullpen has been quite good this season its heads and tails above the bullpen last year I agree with you that reitsma doesnt need to pitch 2 innings but to say the entire bullpen has been mediocre is a mistake.Bud Selig does have a boss btw its the owners. The owners get to decide who they sell the team too and as long as the buyer has the assets to run a ballclub then there is no reason to veto a sale. Prado plays second base pena plays shortstop Pena has looked like Ozzie smith defensively he isnt ready to hit in the Majors yet but as a defensive replacement he is ready now.Prado has only played one game for us he looked good in that game but its too early to judge what his value will be.
By Rodger
April 24, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this
I agree with most of the sentiments posted here-you’ve got to figure anyone trying to get the team to be on the cheap will stay on the cheap. Not a good situation.
By Fan
April 24, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this
They have no passion for the team, the city or a legacy here. Professional sports is not a place to “make money” annually. Any chance they can flip it to Authur just like any other house in Atlanta?
By Richard T Hill Jr
April 24, 2006 09:16 AM | Link to this
Liberty associated with News Corporation (FOX) … so if that deal goes thru I will have alot more freetime this and coming summers. To whom it may concern…Sell the team to LOCAL folks….PLEASE. Enough of this corporate ^% ^@^#!
By angela
April 24, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this
please dont sell to Liberty Media. The Braves are a class, top of the line organization and Liberty Media will not appreciate the years and years of fine baseball. Sell to Arthur Blanks - he is local and knows the impact that the team has on the Southeast. Bigger is not always better. The Braves class and professionalism will suffer
By JasonInMaine
April 24, 2006 09:27 AM | Link to this
I don’t like it. We have had our experience with corporate ownership. I think the chances of Liberty coming in and slashing payroll is certainly higher than them coming in and increasing it. Where’s Ted??? Man, the day he sold the team still haunts me! But, if we can’t have Ted, I rather have Arthur.
Jason
By Brad
April 24, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this
Corporate ownership of sport teams is a bad idea! We need a owner passionate about the team, not someone only looking at the bottom line. I would much rather see the the Blank group have a chance at purchasing the Braves.
By Matthew
April 24, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this
The idea of Liberty owning the Braves makes me want to puke. The only possible comfort in this whole story is that it seems Liberty might be willing to turn around and sell to Mr. Blank, who seems committed to winning and appreciates the Braves’ legacy. With that said, the Braves’ streak is alive in spite of Time Warner, so it may be that with all our young talent coming up, the Braves might could continue to win in spite of Liberty Media. Who knows?
Easy way to fix this: sell to Mr. Blank-I’ll chip in $20 to join the ownership group!
By Matthew
April 24, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this
That should read, “could continue to win.” Sorry-Monday morning
By Paul
April 24, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this
Great, another corporate owner. Corporations think about the bottom line only. The Bravos are not an asset, they are our team. If the Braves didn’t have such a strong farm system, the Mets would be going for their 5th straight division title. But we as fans have no input. And the corprations know it. Arthur on the other hand would put more fans in the stands because WE would know he wants a winner. Do you think a company in Colorado really would care about us here in Atlanta?!
By Jim From TN
April 24, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
Liberty won’t keep the braves for long, they plan on flipping the braves over to the next bidder, probably blank.
By Jon
April 24, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
I fear if Liberty gets the Braves that will be the end of the good times. Well, it was fun while it lasted. And we’ll never forget 1991. Few baseball fans have had that exhilerating experience.
By Denny
April 24, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this
This deal will only be good if they in turn sell the braves to a local group.
By Brandon
April 24, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this
I was ecstatic when I heard TW was going to sell the Braves. But hearing Liberty’s motivation is tax reasons, it’s just more of the same. You think they’ll back any big moves? No way. Blank, please save the Braves from the dark abyss known as corporate America.
By Jonathan Phelps
April 24, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this
I see Greg Maddux is in fine form. I understand his contract is up after this season. At his age the price might be right to reacquire him. I would love to see him end his career in a Braves uniform
By Emily
April 24, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this
I will be very disappointed in the Braves organization if the deal with Liberty media goes through. I would much prefer to have an Atlanta-based company or at least southeastern company to acquire the Braves. I have seen the trend of more and more franchises being corporate owned by companies who have little vested interest in the team itself. It is a sad thing for baseball, one that seems to alienate the fans even more. I have always been and will always be a devoted Braves fan and love the sport of baseball, but I cannot be as enthusiastic when the “suits” do not seem to be interested in the best interest of the franchise, the team, and the fans.
By Jason
April 24, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this
“Liberty’s motivation for a Braves deal has little to do with baseball and a lot to do with taxes.”
Does THAT not already scare you? It would be a huge shame and the worst option - the contiunation for CORPORATE OWNERSHIP. If the Braves want to remain competitive, they need INDIVIDUAL OWNERSHIP, not owned by some random media company not even based in the South! In all of the history of the Braves, from their origins in Boston to today’s team at Turner Field…this will be THE single most WORST decision in the history of professional sports! Mr. Blank needs to step up and step up NOW if he cares, at all, about this town! Even the THOUGHT of having corporate ownership disgusts me. I’m all for big business - but not when it comes down to ownership of sports teams! If the Braves EVER desire to have another World Championship team anytime soon, then the LAST thing they ever need to even THINK about is selling the team to a damn huge corporation that cares NOTHING about winning or baseball for that matter - yet again the Braves will be owned by a business that cares not about winning but ONLY (trust me, I work there!) about the BOTTOM LINE. As long as money is made, that’s ALL they care about - not winning, not a World Series…but making $. THAT, my friends, is why Mr. Blank needs to bite his damn tongue and buy the Braves before some damn huge corporate congolmerate eats up the Braves and we have another 10+ years of never making the World Series again. Cmon! They are OWNED by Turner…therefore they would only sell to a somewhat similar corporation that cares only about revenue and the bottom line. If the Braves were currently owned by an individual, more than likely, he would sell the team to another individual…the only reason Turner is selling the team is so they can make money…they are NOT selling the team as a vision of the future as far as winning goes. It’s about their damn wallets and pocketbooks. It has GOT GOT GOT GOT GOT to be STOPPED!!!!!!!!!!!
By Jman
April 24, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
From the sounds of things with Liberty, I am worried. They apparently are just interested in acquiring the Braves for a tax write off. They dont care about baseball. We need someone who cares about baseball! Why have the yankees been so successful? Because Steinbrenner loves baseball! These guys in Colorado dont care. I dont believe at all that Liberty will raise payroll. I’m not so sure they’ll drop it drastically either at least not at first.
By UGABlake
April 24, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
This mass panicking on here is ridiculous. First of all, the company has said they won’t interfere with running of the organization. Secondly, if it is a short term ownership, which by all accounts it seems to be, they are not going to do anything to weaken the Braves’ value. Thirdly, those of you who keep harping on the Royals - they are not corporately owned -the situations are completely dissimilar.
And any of you who would change how much of a fan you are based on ownership were not much of a fan to start offwith.
By Khao$
April 24, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this
At first glance, this seems like a REALLY bad deal for the team and Braves’ fans alike. Liberty is simply doing this deal for ecomomic purposes. I just don’t see anything positive coming out of this deal. We haven’t been competitive in free agency in years and Andruw’s contract is almost up. If Liberty takes over and simply worries about “the bottomline”, I don’t see us being active in either of the forementioned areas. Again, at first glance this seems like a VERY BAD deal for Braves fans and the 25 man roster.
By John
April 24, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this
Great—another outside ownership group that cares nothing about the community and looks only at the bottom line.
By Brenda
April 24, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
I am not looking forward to the team being corporately owned again. It’s been a disaster being owned by Time Warner and I can’t see any improvement in just switching Corporate owners.These people aren’t interested in winning. They’re just out to make as much money as possible. Corporations never see that to make money you have to spend money…..
By Adam
April 24, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
The panic may be premature; as someone else already posted here, the Liberty Group probably has no intention to keep the Braves for long. And they will very likely turn the controlling interest over the Arthur Blank. Here’s a link to another article:
http://www.mlive.com/business/ambizdaily/bizjournals/index.ssf?/base/abd-2/1145684558258420.xml
By Carolina Lady
April 24, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
Testing…..
Can’t seem to get a post on today. Never had this problem before…
By journalist doing commentary
April 24, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
commentary - if liberty mutual buys the braves all the fans can buy a pre-game insurance policy against the accidental loss of an eye or a limb, or a toe - by a batted ball. this is good for the fans. if liberty mutual buys the team we can hire bob as team actuary and he can assist bobby cox with the placement of players by statistical likelihood of success (bobby is already picking up on this as he let jordan sit last night). if liberty mutual buys this team maybe we can get an affordable policy on chipper - our soon to be grandfatherly third baseman (how old are those babies now?) - perhaps, if liberty mutual buys the team we will have a new team logo - ducks are taken, geckos, too - but something in a bushbuck or hartebeest is a possibility - this journalist has called the liberty mutual offices (in boston - not colorado as reported) and they are denying that they are buying the braves (trying to throw jimmy smith a curveball - little do they know that jimmy smith hits the curveball) much like wurlitzer denied giving luckovich that journalism prize. stay tuned for more commentary and any breaking news on this story. jimmy smith will get to the bottom of this. now, baseball … can reitsma go again tonight after so much work last night? interesting that he did not get to pitch against the last batter …
By Art
April 24, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this
This looks like absentee ownership and the Braves need Atlanta ownership not Colorado ownership. The only winner in this deal is Liberty and not Braves fans.
By Brett
April 24, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this
We’ve already seen what TimeWarner(downsizing has done.) Thank goodness for Bobby Cox and John Sheurholtz or we would have been cellar dwellers for a long time. Give Mr. Home Depot a shot, he is committed to winning and allows the GM’s to do their jobs. Corporate run teams seem not to get over the top too often. But TimeWarner is worried about the bottom line and not the loyal Brave fans who bought tickets and their $7 beers for all these years and allowed the Braves to be their only profitable venture out of the Turner deal.
By hk
April 24, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this
… vote for Blank’s ongoing commitment to the Atlanta cummunity …
By Bob
April 24, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this
Its way past time for Corporate to remove themselves from baseball. Major league should put a stop to this. Its not in the best interest of a team to be owned by a tax sheltered operation. While there are plenty of people offering to purchase the braves, it should go the the bidder who is best for the team and has a decent bid. These buyouts and swamps for stock to save tax money is not how you run a successful sports team.
I am really beginning to wonder if the entire baseball world would like to see the braves taken apart piece by piece. I think if they did that then that would be the end to baseball as far as true fans bases went. The fans have had enough of the corporate takeovers.
By UGABlake
April 24, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this
For God’s sake people - Liberty has said they would not want an asset that did not have an existing successful management team. They want the team to continue to be successful b/c that means the team retains its worth when Liberty tries to re-sell it which will be shortly after they acquire them.
Why is the immediate reaction to panic here. Have any of you ever taken a basic economics course before?
By Southern Gentleman
April 24, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this
Not to digress, but conservative media=oxymoron?! What a load!
I guess you may have a point, if we just overlook Fox News, The Washington Times, The New York Post, the National Review, the Weekly Standard, the American Spectator, the Drudge Report, Clear Channel Radio, and every media source owned by Rupert Murdoch, Richard Mellon Scaife, et al.
Aside from these obvious examples and scores more, what conservative media?
Back to the topic, transferring ownership of the Braves from one disinterested corporate owner to another hardly seems like a step in the right direction.
By chuck
April 24, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this
I hope that who ever buys the BRAVES thinks about how to make a winning team like the past fourteen years. Also i hope that whom ever buys the team thinks of the true Braves fans.
By Rodger
April 24, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
Sorry, Jason, but Turner hasn’t been involved for a LONG time. And Jonathon, you are right about Mad Dog…sure would have been great to see him win #300 here. Glavine, however, threw his chances at 300 out the window! At least with the extra $ he made, he can buy tickets for the family to visit the hall of fame.
By Economics Professor
April 24, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
UGABlake, I have taken economics - but apparently your economics courses were at Georgia (nuff said). Liberty Mutual says they want the successfull management team? Yeah, and I’m sure if asked they will say they will invest in the team and blah, blah, blah.
Have you ever heard of breaking up a business and selling it piece by piece? The sum of its parts is worth more than the entity as a whole. Yes, they may keep it like it is, but they may also break it apart and destroy it - that’s the problem with corporate management, they’re only concerned with the bottom line. The Braves come with a ton of assets that could easily be broken apart. If it was a local company, they might care about public image, but from across the country they couldn’t give a rat’s a— about image in Georgia.
By the way, if I needed your permission to panic, I would have asked for it.
By Jim
April 24, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this
worst case if it sells to Liberty: they don’t spend the money needed: second worst case they move the team. All i can say it shows how wrong it was for AOL (or any outsider) to own the team in the first place. i vote we cancel all AOL subscriptions and send AOL a message to sell the team to locals.
By hk
April 24, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this
Bob, … my thought is that Blank made some promises to Atlanta at the outset, then, as a newbie to pro football, got some bad advice, Vick crippled by the west coast offense, Mara sniffing ammonia on the sidelines, etc … fans are beginning to grumble …
… here are the Braves, a ready made proven organization from top to bottom, an opportunity for Arthur to recommit to the community, save the Braves, make restitution … he’s a good business manager, think he can juggle the money problems and handle the pressure alright ..
… typing this, something flashed through my mind, made me laugh … you know how Arthur is always seen on the sidelines with the troops during the game, grinning ? … imagine Arthur sitting next to Bobby, rocking back and forth !
By UGABlake
April 24, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this
Economics Professor,
PLease enlighten me as to what pieces of the Braves can be broken apart and sold off. Also, Liberty Mutual is an insurance company that is not involved with this deal. And in this particular case, instead of using some tired cliche, why don’t you consider the Braves as an entity. A baseball team cannot be broken into pieces that are worth more than the whole. So, despite your sophomoric personal jab, you still failed to address the economics of the issue. The Braves are worth more in their present state than they would be broken up (which isn’t feasible anyway). Liberty MEDIA has already indicated they don’t want to be long term owner. Therefore, it is extremely unlikely they would do anything to decreasde the value of an asset they intend to sale.
By journalist tooting horn
April 24, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this
jimmy smith is successful! liberty mutual is now in the running … as confirmed by an economics professor above. this is journalism at its best - bringing surprises to readers and expanding horizons for all. now, liberty bell …
By braves fan
April 24, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this
This is absolute bunk. I can’t believe MLB gave preliminary approval to a group that’s sole objective is to save some taxes. This sale should be based completely on a potential owner/group that WANTS to be a baseball owner. If Liberty is what we get, then how is that any better than Time Warner? Bud Selig has completely f*cked this up by allowing groups who have no baseball interest to even sit at the negotiating table. Baseball teams shouldn’t be called “assets” or traded for stocks. Is there nothing sacred anymore?
Please Mr. Blank, do something to end this charade. Deliver Atlanta back it’s baseball team. The Braves are worth more than $400 million, if the Yankees are worth a billion. The farm system and management team should factor into the future value of the franchise. Those two things alone are worth more than their Yankee or Red Sox couterparts combined.
By Bill Gause
April 24, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this
Let’s see… we can choose from a LOCAL businessman who has ALREADY shown a willingness to spend to make a local team (the Falcons) better OR we can have a faceless corporation in COLORADO buy the team as a business acquisition. Hmmm… let’s see which one I would choose. Come on Time-Warner! You’ve screwed this team and it’s fans ever since you bought the club, by refusing to spend what it takes to keep the players we need to win. How about make it all up to us by selling the team to someone who cares about winning as much as the fans do.
By Rodger
April 24, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this
You tell ‘em, UGABlake!
By journalist reveals more
April 24, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this
By The Captain
April 24, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this
I suck at anything financial so what I’m about to pose may be completely off base. But while Liberty would have to pay taxes for a sale of the Braves to Arthur Blank, it would still be considerably less than if they sold off their Time Warner stock directly rather than trading it in for the team. Is that correct? If that’s the case, they could still make money by turning around and seeling the team fairly quickly. I could just be grasping at straws and trying to hold on to a glimmer of hope that the Braves aren’t about to get crap ownership.
By JOE
April 24, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this
The Braves are not losing money. Look it up! MLB needs to look into this deal,Best interest of baseball.BLAnK YOU ARE OUR LAST HOPE, PLEASE HIT A HOMERUN NOW!
By journalist not confused - readers confused
April 24, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this
liberty bell is being crated for shipment. also, trade is in works for david bell. new team logo will be bell on shirt. bobby cox will now ring bell in dugout for closer - reitsma runs on field (bell is cracked). bellwether fans lead new surge for tickets and much is well with new ownership. tired, poor, huddled masses in bullpen must go elsewhere to play … new ownership will be big change for team and for city. statue of liberty will be MARTA stop - get off bus closer to field. well lighted and safe.
By UGABlake
April 24, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this
Captain,
That is what is likely going to happen. John Malone does not want to own another professional sports team. He wants out of AOL. Swapping stocks for the Braves and then turning around and selling them to another buyer is what is best for him financially. It is another reason why he would not do anything to hurt the value of the team. There really is no reason to panic over Liberty Media taking ownership of the team because it will not be long term.
By Charles
April 24, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this
It seems to me that having the ownership transferred from a New York City based, publicly traded corporation to a Denver based, publicly traded corporation is at least a step in the right direction.
It may be just the first step; but, I’ve got to believe the Braves fare far better under Liberty than they do under Time Warner and that bunch of elitist, provincial, inbred, and incompetent snobs.
By Wayne
April 24, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this
This sale, I just don’t get…If Liberty Media had wanted to buy TurnerSouth, I would be all in favor of it (I’d much rather have LM own TurnerSouth than Fox Sports or Comcast/CSS); after all, Liberty can run a sports channel (Altitude in Denver)…However, they just see the Braves as nothing more as a tax write-off…Furthermore, they’re not local…
By Dubya Cubed
April 24, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this
Talk about the Department of Redundancy Department!
Thank you to those of you that actually add something new and interesting to the blog.
I’ve got to get back to work now after killing my whole lunch hour reading the same comments over and over.
Let’s talk about something new: like how awesome Thomson is, or how much we are looking forward to Davies’ start.
By journalist agrees
April 24, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this
dubya cubed is right - where is dob? must we wait until 4:00 pm? talk of sale is full of ill-informed commentary. tax breaks good only to a point - corporate responsibility will determine course of events. boards of directors will watch and be watched. if smoltz gets the ball every few days fans will be okay.
By hk
April 24, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this
The Captain, Joe …
… siphoned the numbers off the latest Forbes website, put them in a spreadsheet, added some columns, etc …according to those, Braves looking pretty good financially…click here … surprised at some of the other numbers …
By eric the elder
April 24, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this
Corporate ownership came about as a result of a strong and greedy players’ union that caused the cost of ownership to skyrocket past what most individual owners can afford.
Let’s not forget that Blank is Home Depot. Although there is no proposal for Home Depot to buy the team, Blank would surely bring a corporate mentality to his ownership. He wouldn’t do it from philanthropic motivations.
Any owner, individual or corporate, will seek to increase revenue or decrease costs to boost the profit line. Passion for baseball is great, but if we want the answer to any question about America, just follow the money trail.
By KC
April 24, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this
Absentee ownership is ALWAYS bad for a sports franchise. Hopefully Blank will get his hands on the team one way or another and we won’t have to worry about this for long.
By David
April 24, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure I would call at or near 3 million fans a year as “poor” attendance, but I get your drift. Attendance would be better if the Braves had a local owner who cared about the team.
By Hairydawg
April 24, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this
If memory serves me right … Liberty was allowed to purchase what was then known as Sports South, originally a Turner Broadcasting network back when Ted was giving away his empire for about $10 billion in Time-Warner stock. Sports South went from Liberty to NewsCorp in about two seconds, when it became Fox Sports Net South. FSN South is a mere shell of what Sports South was.
We all agree that Mr Blank would be a better owner rather than Liberty or NewCorp, who has agreed in principle to buy Turner South. Just another example of Murdock “one-uping” Ted Turner, like Fox News Channel out rating CNN about 3 to one. If we could do anything more than blog our brains out, I’m sure we would. Hell, I would. I’d invest $1,000 in Braves stock if Mr Blank was the owner. Damn right I would!
By Economics Professor
April 24, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this
UGABlake, please point out EXACTLY where Liberty says they only want to own the Braves for a short time and then resell them? That rumor is pure speculation that has come from other sources - not Liberty. MLB would not approve a sale of a team if they knew for a fact that the team was going to be resold within the next couple of years.
You don’t think the Braves have any assets? They have other teams (development programs) which would be EXTREMELY attractive to other MLB teams - you don’t think the Yankees would pay millions for the rights to the Rome or Richmond Braves? They have leases that are worth over $100 million all by themselves. Why don’t you try reading the financial report in detail on the Braves’ (available through T.W.) assets sometime (if UGA actually taught reading courses).
By Brave new world
April 24, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this
This maneuver is not about the Braves at all. The team is just an afterthought in the Liberty deal. If it goes through, it will drop the team into a deep corporate hole, from which nothing but mediocrity can be expected.
By RA
April 24, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this
Oh, this is good. The Braves get to go from being a “commodity” for AOL/Time Warner to being a “commodity” of another multi billion dollar company, with no money for basebal. Early postseason elimination here we come! If we make it that far…
Wake me up when the Braves go from being a taxable “commodity” to being a team who have an owner that gives a crap about the fans.
R.A.
By ssiscribe
April 24, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this
My goodness, everybody. Calm down.
How about Prado last night in the eighth? Betemit? The subs sinking the pesky Nats? Rem showing there is life after 40? Reitsma getting the hook?
As for the ownership situation, remember, these things take time. Likely that the Liberty Group (it’s not Liberty Mutual Insurance, is it?) will look to this move from a business and stock standpoint, but I don’t think it buying the Braves means the payroll’s going to be slashed to $25 million next season.
It’s likely the paperwork won’t be signed before opening day 2007 no matter who or what group buys the team, so relax, y’all.
By David O'Brien
April 24, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this
Since a copy editor chose to delete entirely the paragraph about what John Thomson did last night (probably because I wrote too long on deadline) and it wasn’t restored for online edition, I’ll give it to you here. And sorry it got cut; the policy is to run stuff in full online, since we obviously have no space limits online and since readers would like the info. But sometimes stuff just gets cut and not restored, for whatever reason.
Anyway, sorry again, and here was the simple paragraph about Thomson:
The Nationals scored a run in the first inning against John Thomson on consecutive two-out doubles by Nick Johnson and Jose Guillen. Thomson escaped bases-loaded jams in the fourth and fifth innings, and allowed only one run despite seven hits and five walks (two intentional) in six innings.
By David O'Brien
April 24, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this
Since a copy editor chose to delete entirely the paragraph about what John Thomson did last night (probably because I wrote too long on deadline) and it wasn’t restored for online edition, I’ll give it to you here. And sorry it got cut; the policy is to run stuff in full online, since we obviously have no space limits online and since readers would like the info. But sometimes stuff just gets cut and not restored, for whatever reason.
Anyway, sorry again, and here was the simple paragraph about Thomson:
The Nationals scored a run in the first inning against John Thomson on consecutive two-out doubles by Nick Johnson and Jose Guillen. Thomson escaped bases-loaded jams in the fourth and fifth innings, and allowed only one run despite seven hits and five walks (two intentional) in six innings.
By David O'Brien
April 24, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this
Since a copy editor chose to delete entirely the paragraph about what John Thomson did last night (probably because I wrote too long on deadline) and it wasn’t restored for online edition, I’ll give it to you here. And sorry it got cut; the policy is to run stuff in full online, since we obviously have no space limits online and since readers would like the info. But sometimes stuff just gets cut and not restored, for whatever reason.
Anyway, sorry again, and here was the simple paragraph about Thomson:
The Nationals scored a run in the first inning against John Thomson on consecutive two-out doubles by Nick Johnson and Jose Guillen. Thomson escaped bases-loaded jams in the fourth and fifth innings, and allowed only one run despite seven hits and five walks (two intentional) in six innings.
By Del
April 24, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this
Back to the game of baseball ….. Had a silly thought watching the game last night. Keep Prado on the big league roster the rest of this year, and send Orr back down. Prado looks like a potential leadoff man: good eye, level and short swing with good sped through the strike zone. Silly thought after one game ?? Maybe not !!
If, after this year Prado proves himself we could trade Giles for a decent closer and let him lead off. If he doesn’t work out, at least it looks like he could contribute as least as much as Orr would have.
By Del
April 24, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
Back to the game of baseball for a minute. Had a silly thought while watching last nights game: Let Prado replace Orr for the balance of this season. It would appear that Mr Prado has some leadoff potential: good eye, a level quick swing, fair speed and good baserunning skills. If he doesn’t work out this year then we haven’t lost anything since it looks like he would contribute as much as Orr would have. If he does work out than we can entertain the thought of trading Giles for a decent closer and install Prado as our leadoff man. Silly thought ?? Maybe not !!
By KD
April 24, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this
More to do with taxes, uhh? If that’s the scenario, I can not see another World Series Championship in the near future.
By MorenoIV
April 24, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this
Econ Professor,
I’m no economics whiz, but I’m pretty sure that if any ownership of the Braves were to sell the farm systems, the organization would totally implode. The Rome and Richmond Braves are feeder systems that Atlanta built and are not likely to part with. Maybe I’m way off here, but I think it’s pretty ignorant to say that Liberty Media would try to sell the minor league teams to another MLB organization.
By MorenoIV
April 24, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this
Econ Professor,
I’m no economics whiz, but I’m pretty sure that if any ownership of the Braves were to sell the farm systems, the organization would totally implode. The Rome and Richmond Braves are feeder systems that Atlanta built and are not likely to part with. Maybe I’m way off here, but I think it’s pretty ignorant to say that Liberty Media would try to sell the minor league teams to another MLB organization.
By MorenoIV
April 24, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this
Econ Professor,
I’m no economics whiz, but I’m pretty sure that if any ownership of the Braves were to sell the farm systems, the organization would totally implode. The Rome and Richmond Braves are feeder systems that Atlanta built and are not likely to part with. Maybe I’m way off here, but I think it’s pretty ignorant to say that Liberty Media would try to sell the minor league teams to another MLB organization.
By ernesto
April 24, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this
Thomson looked great, and I’m really looking forward to Davies start.
Where’s the series preview? Is Sheets still DL’d, are we going to face Capuano?
By Rick
April 24, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this
Journalist—
You need to do some investigating it is Liberty MEDIA, based out of CO not The insurance company out of Boston. You are a horrible journalist if that is what you really do. You should probably change that moicker to Miss-informed if you are looking for a clever play on words that sums up your knowledge about the aquisition.
By ernesto
April 24, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this
Thomson looked great and I’m really looking forward to Davies’ start.
Seriously, where’s the series preview. Is Sheets still DL’d, are we facing Capuano?
By rick
April 24, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
Journalist—
You are an idiot it is Liberty Media not Mutal. You are so clever with your wordsmith skills and hard hitting investigative journalism. You should change your moniker to Miss—Informed if you want to be clever and truly show your prowess for discovering the truth. You go
By j
April 24, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this
Mr. Blank or Mr. Ted please help us. I have an Idea if every Braves fan in the State Gave $20 the cost of 1 seat in the outfield pavillion, how much would we come up with. I’ll even pay extra when going through the toll if it will keep the Bravo’s out of the hands of cooperate ownership.
By BOB C
April 24, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this
Ahh, remember the good old days when you only worried about our infielders getting better instead of which faceless corporation was going to buy the Braves. And speaking of infielders, one really late swing on a fast ball that happened to split the gap between the National’s not so good outfielders doesn’t make a star. Plus “Joke” Morgan says he likes his swing - isn’t that enough to make you nervous about Prado?
By M
April 24, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this
Give it back to Ted Turner.
By M
April 24, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this
Give it back to Ted Turner.
By M
April 24, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this
Give them back to Ted Turner.
By Chop Chop
April 24, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this
Journalist needs to write expose on Thomson’s leaky cap. Much dripping on mound could cause footing detrimental to toes.
If the Denver Business Journal article that Miles posted is accurate and Liberty Media would look to sell the Braves to Arthur Blank, then I don’t think a sale to Liberty Media would be a problem. However, if Liberty Media decides to keep the Braves and run them as just another “asset”, then I wouldn’t expect any more money to be spent on the Braves’ payroll. Most likely, it would be less.
By ATLien4Life!
April 24, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this
This is a dark day for Braves fans everywhere….
By Chop Chop
April 24, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this
Journalist need to write expose on Thomson’s leaky cap. Much dripping on mound can cause footing detrimental to toes.
If the Denver Business Journal article Miles originally posted is accurate, I don’t think Braves fans have much to worry about. Arthur Blank buying the team from Liberty Media after a sale from Time Warner would be a good thing. However, if Liberty Media decides to hold onto the team for programming purposes, they might just take the view that Turner had of the team for the better part of twenty years: strictly programming. If that happens, you can kiss the playoffs goodbye.
By Adele
April 24, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this
Still wish Arthur Blank would end up buying the team. He is a human being, not representing some absentee corporation. He would bring fans back to the park. Home boy buys home team…what could be better?
By Joseph
April 24, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this
I really don’t know a lot about this. I just hope this deal will increase our payroll rather than decrease it. Being able to sign a high profile free agent in the offseason would be a nice luxury. Go Braves.
By Jere
April 24, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this
First off, this is a very bad choice. Blank would be much better, more local. Of course, it’s hard to compare the known vs unknown at this point. We all saw blank with the falcons, so we know what would happen. Nobody knows with Liberty. Then again, I LOVED what Blank did with Falcons.
However, I had read sveral posts about “ruining of the Thrashers”… actually, I think this is way off. The Thrashers have only gotten and will only get better. If you bothered to watch them, you’d change that opinion.
Back to Braves, we need a local owner who can put money into the team first without worrying about profit. Then that can build the team, and you’ll eventually see the results (am I screaming the word “Blank” yet?)… but then again, what would you expect Time Warner to do? Since when have they done the right thing for the Braves or Atanta for that matter. Just another large business.
By mr shade
April 24, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this
if mr blank has any compasion hed better buy the braves before they get bought by this non atlanta, never heard of em, probobly dont care if they win, kind of company. He loves atlanta and if you see this mr blank PLEASE! buy the braves
By Sir Stealth
April 24, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this
I really wish that someone at the AJC would use this blog format to ellaborate on the probable FINAL outcome of the sale so that all of the confusion, speculation, and anxiety here can stop. Is it likely that Liberty Media would turn around and sell the team to a local owner such as Blank or not? Nobody seems to have a definite say as to whether or not this is a potential, probable, or unrealistic outcome. Whoever is reporting this story obviously doesn’t HAVE to do anything to shine some light on this, but I for one sure would appreciate it.
By Jan
April 24, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this
I hope that whoever buys the Braves will have a real heart for them, like Ted did! The owner needs to think of it as more than just another business, or the Braves will lose players, games and fans!
By Miles
April 24, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this
Economics Professor, stop talking about things you know nothing about. MLB teams CANNOT sell their minor league franchises to other teams. Each MLB franchise is required to have 4 minor league teams to support player development.
And im willing to bet that Blank will in fact buy the team. Whether he buys it from Time Warner or Liberty Media is still up for debate. But what Blank wants, Blank gets. He wouldnt of progressed this far in negotiations if he wasnt fully intent on owning the Braves.
By Penn
April 24, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this
Let’s see if we can recap all this “stuff”.
All corporations are horrible.
All corporationsn only pay attention to its bottom line.
A corporate owner will destroy the Braves.
This is nutty. Ted Turner sold his empire to AOL/Time Warner on September 22, 1995. The Braves have won 10 division championships since then, all under the ownership of one of those horrible corporations.
The Kansas City Royals have been owned for many years by David Glass, FORMER President of WalMart and his team has not played .500 ball much less win any championships.
There are many other teams with private, local owners. Tampa Bay is one and so are the Marlins and Seattle and Detroit and on and on and on.
Will someone tell me how those towns have fared better than the Braves?
It is true that I would rather see Arthur Blank own the team than someone in Colorado, either an individual or a corporation. But I am not going to panic about it. An individual owner with little knowledge about baseball will destroy a team quicker than anyone else. Remember Marge Schott?
And an individual owner with shallow pockets will be a heck of a lot worse than a corporate owner who is looking at his bottom line and determined to do nothing to lessen the value of the franchise.
Oh yeah, one more thing, would any of you panic stricken corporation haters like to buy some stock in a company that did NOT KEEP ITS EYE ON THE BOTTOM LINE? You would? Well, I don’t want you for my financial adviser.
Do a little studying before you spout this silliness. At least try to sound intelligent when you start typing.
I’m pulling for the Braves and sitting tight while I hope for an owner who wants to keep John Scheurholz and Bobbie Cox and all the excellent coaches and managers and scouts that go to make up their outstanding farm system.
Be thankful for what you have and try to say something positive occasionally.
By Brian
April 24, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
Off the subject…could someone pleeeeaaaassseee get a message to ESPN that his name is pronounced BeteMIT, not BeteMEET! And, by the way KEVIN Ray, Not KENNY Ray!
By Claudette
April 24, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
I hope that Mr Blank will buy the Braves. I do not want anybody to buy them that does not love baseball.
By Penn
April 24, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
One additional comment:
The Braves’ payroll is the eighth largest of the 30 major league teams and you scream ugly things about payroll. How would you like to be living in one of those 22 towns with smaller payrolls than Atlanta?
Here is a link to the payrolls of all of baseball. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/salaries?team=atl
For that matter who among you would trade JS and BC for $25 million more in payroll? Learn to be thankful for your good fortune. You don’t know just how good you have it. Geeezzz, some of you make me a little sick.
By TennesseePaul
April 24, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this
Where’s the blitz when you need it.
By Penn
April 24, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this
Speaking of Payrolls would you trade the Braves team for the Cubs team? The Cubs have a higher payroll than the Braves. What they don’t have is JS and BC.
By eric the elder
April 24, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this
Brian, if you were to pay a visit to Betemit’s father, I guarantee he would pronounce his name bay-ta-meet. Jon Miller uses the correct Spanish pronounciations, perhaps because he speaks fluent Spanish. Naturally we’re more used to Anglicized pronounciations, but technically Miller had it right.
By Chop Chop
April 24, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this
Yeah, eric. Jon Miller had it right, but it still sounds kind of gay.
I prefer to call him “Bit-A-Met”, especially when he gets a big hit against them.
By Penn
April 24, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this
Brian, in the interest of accuracy Braves pitcher Ken Ray’s name is Kenneth Alan Ray and not Kevin Ray.
By The Captain
April 24, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this
What that ESPN list does not take into account is that the Braves aren’t paying Hampton’s salary this year, insurance is cause he’s out. So that would put them at 80 mil or just a shade under, which drops them to 14th on the list. An 80 million dollar payroll is certainly not bad, but I think everyone’s concern is that this company could shed payroll further. If they keep it at 80 and quickly sell it to Arthur in the next couple of years than our boys should be fine.
By pville
April 24, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this
i always wonder about economics professors from local community colleges in the florida panhandle. they talk bad about our SEC educations, but they themselves can only get teaching jobs. it is good therapy for them to join a blog where they know nothing about the subject, and talk down to the bloggers. they feel superior while at the keyboard, while they get their nerd selves laughed at when they go out to buy more ink for their printers. Rock on UGABlake. this little rant was brought to you by an auburn fan. i coulnt stand that pompous p*^%^& attitude. good riddance econ prof.
By MGL
April 24, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this
Anyone heard from DOB? Seems like we could use a new topic. Missed blitz might mean too much brew already.
By MGL likes men
April 24, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this
I’m bored, so I figured I’d out the guy above me.
By Michael
April 24, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this
Corporate ownership of teams JUST DOES NOT WORK. Sure many teams survive being owned by companies but rarely is it a good situation. I mean Time Warner showed us this for the past decade.
Want more proof? Take a look at the top men’s and women’s soccer leagues in the USA. The women’s WUSA was made up of teams owned mostly, if not all by, corporations (include the AJC parent Cox Communications). It flaked in 3 years. The men’s MLS is still going 11 years later. It’s primary investors are old rich men. Lamar Hunt, Dave Checketts, Jorge Vegara.
A rich guy (or gal…Marge Schott) owns a baseball team because he wants a baseball team. They are not assets, they are entertainment monsters. If one of the biggest corporate media companies in the US didn’t give a flip about the Braves (even when Ted was there), why is Liberty Media going to? They won’t. Too bad Arthur and Bernie couldn’t have pooled their money and offered more.
By MBATL
April 24, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this
Two big differences in buying an NFL franchise and buying an MLB franchise.
NFL has a salary cap, and it has a HUGE national t.v. contract. Baseball has neither (it has a t.v. contract, but nothing like Sundays/Mondays and the NFL). In the NFL, you’ve got a pretty good idea of your maximum expenses and your likely revenue. In baseball, you’re going dollar for dollar against the Mets, the Yanks, the Sox. Green Bay might win in the NFL, but could probably never put together a successful baseball franchise and still turn a profit.
By UGABlake
April 24, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this
Captain,
I don’t think its a safe assumption to assume that the payroll wil drop. The Braves are already profitbale at their current payroll and Liberty Media has stated that it would not want to interfere with the current management team. There really is no reason to believe they would if they acquired the team. Also, like Penn mentioned above, many of the teams in baseball with small payrolls are teams with individual owners. Corporate ownership does not automatically mean a lowered payroll. Part of the lowered payroll for the Braves came about because AOL was already losing money because no one needs AOL anymore. Furthermore, if Liberty is not looking to be a long term owner (which is not an unreasonable belief considering the reasons for the transaction with AOL and statements made by the company) it would not be in their best interest to do anything that would diminish the value of the ballclub.
To Economics Professor: I’m sorry you feel that you need to make derogatory personal remarks to strengthen your argument. Maybe that goes over well in academic discussions at your school, but for the rest of us it just demonstrates further that you have no idea what you’re talking about.
By Ace
April 24, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this
Rick - who is the idiot?
Journalist Jimmy Smith wrote a little parody to get a reaction out of people like you. I’m not convinced he’s not some kind of journalist covering the Braves who likes to have a little fun on the blog.
To the matter at hand… please please please please please let somebody with a face buy the Braves.
By UGABlake
April 24, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this
Michael,
WUSA failed because no one cares about women’s soccer not because of corporate ownership.
By WANdur-ur
April 24, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this
Who be a cummin back to night, I be a jumpy
By journalist jimmy smith
April 24, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this
urgent message for carolina lady - jimmy smith needs to know - what is faberge egg and why is it so expensive? please get back to journalist as soon as possible. thank you!
more information on big deal with liberty mutual buying braves. if this is a sale of assets only … is reitsma considered an asset? jordan? how about the coolers damaged by dan kolb? full value? cents on the dollar? now, chipper … damaged and on dl - known to have bad toe(s) - does chipper bring full price? now, francoeur - will braves swing at first pitch for francoeur like he does every at-bat, or will braves look make them throw a strike? much to consider. journalist jimmy smith has learned that MARTA has turned down the statue of liberty and it will not be a bus stop as reported by this journalist earlier. liberty bell, however, is on its way from division rival philadelphia. sons of liberty organizing in outfield. liberty valance new mascot … shoots mets. much news to report in abswnce of dob? where is dob on heavy news day? where is blitz? where is bobby dews? never mind about bobby dews - he was sighted in bullpen last night. more later- carolina lady please respond - somewhat urgent.
now, leaking cap … chop chop, what are you talking about? brains ooze? hair cream melts? not much hair there as jimmy smith recalls.
By Penn
April 24, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this
Even my wife asked about the drip drip drip from cap bill of John Thomson. I explained he had no hair to damn up the sweat. She thinks he was somehow loading up the ball like Catfish Hunter used to do or Gaylord Perry. She had read somewhere that Perry never threw a ball that had not been doctored. Do you think she is right?
By Joe Roman
April 24, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this
How in the hell should we know? Isn’t it the newspaper’s job to inform us?
By eric the elder
April 24, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this
pville wrote: they themselves can only get teaching jobs. So I can understand that statement in context, I wonder whether you would share with us what it is you give back to society that trumps the work of teachers, the targets of your derision.
By the time the game starts, I hope we can talk about baseball.
By Bob
April 24, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this
Paul, others
I think I’ve just learned a valuable lesson … never try to write or think after you’ve had 3 pain pills and no sleep.
I appologize if my oxymoron reference upset anyone … consider it to be just an ill-fated attempt at humor from someone once associated with Military Intelligence.
Sorry about the myopic mixup too. I started a play on “my optic nerve”, changed my mind … and the the words. I just didn’t catch the spelling due to my poor vision.
I do admit to being a big Bill Buckley booster and have a worn out dictionary to prove it. I much prefer unbiased news reporting rather than the personal value based kind, regardless of whether it’s liberal or conservative.
I probably wouldn’t mind Saudi Arabia too much … if I owned significant oil wells or belonged to the Royal Family … but, I thank God that I live in a Replblic; even though I oppose those efforts to make it a democracy. I grew up with the Pledge of Allegiance, back before it was changed.
I can understand your frustration and I don’t mean to suggest that our value systems are significantly different.
“Democracy” is a “warm and Fuzzy”, even for me, but democracies scare me because of the excessive decision making power they give to that large group of folks known as “Doc’s Sheep”. Most of my true friends belong to that group … and I intend no disrespect when I use that term. We, the people, still retain ownership in a Republic … guess I just like elections to be more than media controlled popularity contests.
Either I misspoke myself or you misunderstood my comments regarding the scope of MLB oversight. I was simply trying to respond to something I read that seemed to indicate a misconception of MLB’s role. I strongly support maintaining the integrity of the game … almost without regard to how it’s accomplished … almost.
Conservative though I am, I can even support governmental control … if that’s what it takes.
I know very little about Liberty Media except that I don’t think it’s Liberty Mutual and I’m highly impressed and support the programming they provide through their TV subscription services. If the Braves’ Games are added to that list, it would cover more than 90% of what I watch.
My preference for Mr. Blank is based solely on my belief that he would be more personally involved; primarily because of his existing ties with sports in Atlanta and love of the game.
I assume that the dynamics underpinning the tax advantages driving Liberty’s interest in acquiring the Braves are far more complex than we can properly understand or appreciate without being closely involved … and I strongly support the view that we should avoid attempts to evaluate that motivation without such an understanding.
I admit that my comments could have been much better worded but I think I’d rather be a John Rocker, and take justifiable criticism, than apologize for my views.
I could explain or rationalize my “tax” related comments but my bottom line is that I really cannot imagine any reasonable scenario under which the best interests of Atlanta Baseball and the best interests of any of the potential owners would materially conflict; regardless of the motivation … it just doesn’t compute.
However, things don’t always turn out as expected, and if that happened, I would tend to believe that the team would again be sold to someone where that wan’t the case.
You may not believe in Adam Smith … but his Invisible Hand really does work … if we’ll let it.
I admit to being surprised that you chose to use the “precisely the problem” phrase as you did. I find it impossible to identify or isolate just one problem with either Baseball or any form of economics … there are just too many … and imagine you agree.
Along that same line, I’m not “exactly” sure what produces the kind of chaos I fear. I’m not even sure of which kind of chaos that is. Chaos is just an easy word for me to remember … one that I like, because it has so many connotations that you can usually use it without fear of being understood; if you’ll pardon the convolution.
By geechee
April 24, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this
Penn, do you understand the difference between total payroll and median payroll? The Braves have one of the lowest median Payrolls in the major leagues. There are only about 3 or 4 teams in both leagues with a smaller median payroll. The top 8 teams in the league as far as median payroll all average over $2,200,000. The Braves average under $475,000. That is a huge difference. You are not going to get a real closer for that kind of money, that is for sure.
By Carolina Lady
April 24, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this
Erudite, astute, witty. And Jimmy Smith wants me to believe he doesn’t know Faberge?? Ok, I’ll play! :-)) …Can’t wait to see what becomes of this!…Click here, Jimmy
By Blake
April 24, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this
Tonights Lineup Features:
Jordan, Pratt, Prado at 3B, and Giles is playing, WillyB. at SS, and Diaz in LF
By Penn
April 24, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this
Bob, I thought your post was right on target.
geechee, are you trying to start another fight by asking your stupid question about median payroll?
The Braves’ median payroll means nothing other than it is a strong indicator of the strength of their farm system. They are able to field a winning team each year by using good, young and cheap players, such as last year and the 18 rookies who saw action.
I ran three manufacturing corporations here in the US before founding a fourth in Asia. I not only understand “median,” I also understand “total budget.” And I know how to read a balance sheet. Do you?
Profit and loss are not compiled at the end of the year based on “medians” but rather on total income vs. total costs.
Keep working on it and you’ll get it yet.
By UGABlake
April 24, 2006 07:40 PM | Link to this
Who gives a crap about median payroll. The Braves are smart with their payrolls and don’t overpay veterans past their prime. Simply bumping up the payroll is not the solution to winning. As a fan, I would like to see a little more flexibility with certain freeagents, but griping about median payrolls doesn’t make any sense.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 24, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this
uh, oh, baby seal is in big trouble.
By geechee
April 24, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this
Penn, I am trying to argue a point. If you do not have the facts or simply don’t have the ability to argue your point, don’t tell me I’m fighting with you. Median Payroll means everything. First of all if you are going to argue total payroll, you must subtract Hampton’s $13 million, since that has been flushed down the toliet. Baseball is played by 25 guys not 5 millionaires and others. Nobody cares how many companies you used to run that only changes the subject and proves nothing. You have no idea what I do and how that compares to you because it is not important to baseball. Just like when the first friggin Hickory House opened in Atlanta has nothing to do with baseball but, you still like to write about it. You don’t have to have a comeback for every post I make just to prove you don’t like me cause I don’t care.
By Bob
April 24, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this
Anyone know if Authur is related to Ernest Blank?
I just hope that whoever buys the Braves isn’t a diehard Mets fan with evil intentions; looking for payback.
I see other posts from another Bob … so maybe I’ll try reversing the letters for my alias … boB. At first I thought someone was posing as me … but what they said was too nice, concise and easy to understand … no possible confusion.
Actually, I’m a junior … but too many people called me that when I was little … and Bobby could confuse folks; what with Cox and Dews and all. My grandson has an IV afer his name … it doesn’t indicate a dynasty or ego … just a lack of imagination. We were always afraid that we’d have a second son and wouldn’t know what to do. Howdy to the other Bobs … It’s a pretty good name so I’ll stick with it until I can think of something better.
By MBATL
April 24, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this
Whoever buys the Braves is going to be bound by a handful of big contracts: Chipper, AJ, Hudson, Smoltz, Hampton.
Whether it’s a corporation or an individual, it’s just not realistic to expect a buyer to buy, but not be concerned about the bottom line.
Blank bought the Falcons, but what did he really do? Hired good front office people, a good coach. Extended Vick’s contract (way beyond what some think he should’ve done). You just can’t spend money in the NFL like you can in baseball.
I think it’s wrong to think anyone is going to buy the Braves and then compete with NYM, NYY, etc., on spending.
Better to be thankful that we’ve got good player evaluation, and hope we keep it.
By Mike Bryant
April 24, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this
Come on Ted!!!!! There is still time!
By Penn
April 24, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this
Bob, geechee doesn’t like for us to talk about anything but who got how many hits last night. He also hates corporations and Old Hickory House. How sad.
BTW geechee, when you subtract Hampton’s $14 million that drops the Braves payroll to about $78 million. The Cubs are paying out $94 million. Would you trade teams if the payrolls were equal? Come on now and try to answer a rather simple question. To me this shows the expertise of one fine Braves management team. What do you see in that story? Or do you see anything?
And I am also aware that the insurance company is paying most if not all of Hampton’s $14 million so in reality it hasn’t been flushed down anything. Didn’t you know that?
As for the companies I have run I simply wanted you to understand that I do indeed understand “median” which means not one thing. Why do you keep harping on meaningless garbage such as median incomes? I see it as good management while you want to spend like Slimebrenner spends except you want to use other people’s money.
Have fun now, ya heah?
By MBATL
April 24, 2006 08:10 PM | Link to this
Braves have loaded up on righthanders tonight… but the stats seem to say that Capuano gets out righties much better than lefties. We’ll see…
By geechee
April 24, 2006 08:14 PM | Link to this
Penn what does all that gibberish you are drooling out have to do with the fact that TW will not allow the Braves to spend any money on a real closer? Why do you always take sides against this team? Where do you come off saying anything about my thoughts about corpoartions and restaurants and what does it have to do with baseball? I own a corporation. What does being too cheap to have gotten us a closer have to do with the Cubs? When did I mention the Cubs? Go back to talking about the Atlanta Crackers because you know nothing about the Braves.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 24, 2006 08:20 PM | Link to this
if capuano throws to first jimmy smith thinks francoeur may swing at it.
By mathias
April 24, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this
francoeur falls behind every single at-bat. when are we going to address this? and by we i mean bobby cox. they should just start the count 0-1 because pitchers aren’t going to throw him a strike, BUT he is going to swing at it. i mean i’m all for being aggressive but…
By Bob
April 24, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this
Thanks Penn!
You know me and my feelings about all these millions being spent … from my frequent uninformed rants. Especially how some seem to think it’s pocketchange and the solution to everything. Most of us will never earn a fraction of what some propose be paid for a mariginal gain in performance from some Name with a decent track record. They don’t earn it either, not for performance … they get it for their “Star Quality” marketing value.
I know that my views on the subject are unpopular … but, my views on buying success don’t change just because we’re talking about the other fellow’s money.
I was opposed to the Minimum Hourly Wage when it first came out … to pay someone more than they’re worth is still against my principles … but, I’d support paying them all the hourly minimum wage, inspite of how high it’s gotten, and then give out team and individual bonuses at the end of the year; based on how both had done.
Before discarding the above as tripe … please consider the possibility, remote as it might be, that there might just possibly be some way to restructure player compensation and what we nomially call the “free agency” system that would be better for Baseball than what is currently in place.
By journalist doing journalism
April 24, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this
bobby’s digging tonight …
By Nikki
April 24, 2006 08:38 PM | Link to this
This sale is awful. Liberty Media gets to avoid taxes. Time Warner gets its stock back. The fans are the only ones getting screwed here. Great! Move over Florida Marlins fans. Here we come. I hear misery loves company.
By MGL
April 24, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this
Geechee - You are way off base with your median payroll garbage. What do you want? 25 players making about $3M per yaer, and you would have the highest median payroll in the league and a team that was full of maybe’s that would turn over 50% a year for free agency. Median means nothing other than to a statistical aberration that likes to look at numbers just because they are there. Give it up!!
By ncscoots
April 24, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this
I have absolutely no problem with any baseball player (or software architect, or stock broker, or entrepeneur, etc, etc, etc) making as much money as the market allows. Economics of supply and demand determine worth in the marketplace, and NO ONE holds a gun to the head of owners and forces them to pay what some people consider over market value. Is there the same intrinsic value in a great work of art as a bar of gold? Who knows? To some, the answer is yes, and to some, no. It matters not if you or I think a price is wrong, if another buyer thinks it is right. End of story. I personally think the salary structure of baseball is a little out of whack, but I might think differently if I owned a team, because the context would be overwhelmingly different. I guess my rambling point is this…griping because the Braves “can’t afford a closer” is ludicrous on the face of it. If the management of the team thought they needed to allocate more dollars in that area, they would have.
By Carolina Lady
April 24, 2006 08:57 PM | Link to this
Jimmy Smith - Trouble? baby seal? Faberge? Tell me it isn’t so!
By mathias
April 24, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this
OK… I’m getting sucked into geechee and penn’s debate. First, I believe a couple of things: 1. Closer is the most overrated position in all of baseball. 2. Saves are the most overrated satistic in all of baseball. 3. Any major league pitcher worth a damn should be able to pitch one inning every couple of nights and consistently preserve leads.
All of that leads to this. I refuse to believe that the Braves need to spend X amount of dollars on a closer to get production from a guy who only gets called on when the hard work has been done by the every day players. With the exception of Smoltz, we’ve never had a “big name” closer, and I think that we have done alright. I believe money is best spent elsewhere.
By Paul Hamilton
April 24, 2006 09:07 PM | Link to this
First off the Braves made 27.6 million before taxes last year, according to forbes. I don’t know what the bottom line was but at a 90 million payroll they did make a profit. Secondly if Liberty buys this team and slashes payroll, the Braves team will drop in value. Slashing payroll would put off fans and ultimately lead to a loss of profit. The Braves are also tied to significant television contracts. I don’t like the idea of Liberty taking over the Braves, but if they can produce a profit with a $90 million payroll then I would expect Liberty will continue that trend. I don’t know what is going to happen but that is my opinion. Fans looking for an owner that is going to spend a $120 million on payroll are going to be very disappointed with whoever buys this team. I certainly don’t think Arthur Blank will operate this team at a loss. I think most of you fans are going to be disappointed either way.
By ncscoots
April 24, 2006 09:08 PM | Link to this
closer? we don need no steenking closer! at least, as long as Kyle keeps dealing like he is..whew!
By journalist jimmy smith
April 24, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this
unfortunate incident with baby seal today while in downtown mall. journalist and baby seal were in store when baby seal spots and admires beautiful blue egg. when journalist looks away, egg disappears! next, security guard grabs jimmy smith and tries to handcuff baby seal - flippers freak out guard and she runs away in fear like fulton deputy sheriff.
jimmy smith is at fault. journalist spent two weeks teaching baby seal how to find easter eggs so seal could participate in easter egg hunt at presbyterian church and learn to get along with other children - so journalist cannot blame baby seal for lack of understanding.
brewers’ team doctor (one that works on kolb)agrees to look at baby seal and confirms baby seal ate faberge egg. doctor comforts jimmy smith by saying, “this too shall pass”. jimmy smith is comforted by kind words from Bible but normally it is minister who says, “this too shall pass”, not doctor. journalist is confused. jimmy smith did not expect faberge egg to cost so much. brach eggs cost $1.79 for whole bag. faberge egg is much like brian jordan. egg has presence. jimmy smith is afraid baby seal may need attorney. is there one on blog willing to take seal for client? now, baseball … can marcus giles do that on tv? most inapppropriate gesture following error. may have been inadvertent with finger wrapped like that. davies is pitching well and that is good for this lineup may not score another run. carolina lady, thank you very much for information. baby seal is incarcerated for the evening. journalist is lonely except for stimulating converstaion on blog about median salaries and sale of team to big insurance company.
By JasonInMaine
April 24, 2006 09:17 PM | Link to this
It will be nice to see Chipper and hopefully Renteria back tomorrow! Man, Frenchy simply can’t resist the first pitch…I think he is addicted…can’t resist.
Andruw seems to be missing mistake pitches for the first time in quite a while. Hope he doesn’t go into one of his prolonged slumps!
Jason
By Bob
April 24, 2006 09:21 PM | Link to this
Jimmy Smith, I agree with the Carolina Lady about you; especially after your astute observation about Jeff’s “anxiousness” at the plate. He seems to swing at everything like he thought it would be his only chance … kinda like the kid that takes three biscuits every time they’re passed.
geechee, if you have a successful corporation, I imagine that you already know and agree that being confontational with those you disagree or want to influence is rarely productive … and if you’re less successful than you’d like to be, give some thought to the possibility that being less confontational might make your company more succesasful.
I just hate to see two smart people sparring so much over so little.
By Paul
April 24, 2006 09:27 PM | Link to this
I shouldn’t have started an economic/pseudo-political discussion on a public board in Atlanta. I’ve been in Japan so long I guess I forgot how the discussion would devolve.
Bob,
I respect your opinion and your response to my post. I think that our differences are not so severe and I enjoy discussion with someone that’s well informed such as yourself.
I guess the entirety of my argument would be summed up as: I would like an owner that is intent of giving this city a championship rather than a corp looking for a tax break and I think that MLB should consider this in approving its deals. Otherwise, what’s the point of an approval process?
By ncscoots
April 24, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this
Francoeur may be swinging at the first pitch a lot, but the fact is he’s swinging at strikes early. It would be different if he were swinging at sliders in the dirt first pitch. The guy’s aggressive, no doubt, but you can’t fault a guy for swinging at strikes. If he starts squaring the bat up on those pitches, he’ll be scary. As afor AJ, he does look off-balance a little, and lunging instead of waiting back (which he was doing last year and earlier this year).
By JasonInMaine
April 24, 2006 09:31 PM | Link to this
Man, what are the Bravos doing? Capuano(sp?) had thrown 63 pithces through 3…and now has 73 through five. We could have gotten him out of there and gotten into that Brewer bullpen that has been so bad!
Jason
By JasonInMaine
April 24, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this
ncscoots,
I agree. I know we have discussed Frenchy at length, but don’t you think that when one is struggling…which Frency obviously is…shouldn’t he try and see a couple of pitches? His pitch recognition is awful…look at the slider that he struck out on where he had a better chance at kicking it than hitting it.
I am a Frenchy supporter, but one way to get out of a slump is to be a little more selective, get in a hitter’s count, and look dead red. Also, his OBP basically =s his average. Sooner or later, he has to be a little more selective. Just has to, no?
Jason
By mathias
April 24, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this
ncscoots, I’m in total agreement. I have no problem with Francoeur swinging at first pitches, especially if they are pitches he can drive. But it just seems he is swinging at pitcher’s pitches, not working the count and seeing a hitter’s pitch. I think by taking a look at some he may be able to get back into a groove.
By JasonInMaine
April 24, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this
Andruw is swinging and missing at strikes…and balls. I am not trying to be negative, but are others seeing the same thing?
See that pitch that Frenchy just swung at? Another one he had a better chance at kicking as opposed to hitting!!
Andruw can’t go into a slump until Chipper and Renteria are back!
Jason
By JasonInMaine
April 24, 2006 09:48 PM | Link to this
can it be?
By ncscoots
April 24, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this
Jason, tough to be selective with two strikes, and a good major league slider with two strikes will get alot of people out older than 22. I just watched his last AB, Capuano threw him five strikes, and he made contact on every one, and laid off two pretty good down-and-away balls. He’s just got to get his stroke centered, that’s all.
By ncscoots
April 24, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this
Jason, tough to be selective with two strikes, and a good major league slider with two strikes will get alot of people out older than 22. I just watched his last AB, Capuano threw him five strikes, and he made contact on every one, and laid off two pretty good down-and-away balls. He’s just got to get his stroke centered, that’s all.
By JasonInMaine
April 24, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this
Jeff’s first walk? Nope!
By ncscoots
April 24, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this
oops..some sort of glitch there…pardon the double post…
By MBATL
April 24, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this
nscoots, agreed; that was a really good a.b. for Jeff. Don’t know what the next 3 innings hold, but boy, look at Davies dealing.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 24, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this
paul, jimmy smith here. we don’t have enough information to properly evaluate this deal. if jimmy smith were trying to make the deal you would not read the particulars in the ajc. businessman jimmy smith takes exception to your comment, “slashing payroll would put off fans and ultimately lead to a loss of profit.” it might well lead to a loss of revenue but profit is a function of revenue and expense - and we just don’t know enough about broadcasting revenue and revenue sharing - and where a new manager might take out expense. if gate revenues are reduced and expenses too, who knows what happens? who knows how the revenues have been applied in the time warner regime? has one company subsidized another for tax advantage? there’s a fine line with revenue and expense before diminishing returns. the ability to maximize profit makes skillful managers much in demand. if, this deal is, as some have portrayed it, then liberty is going to flip the team to blank and mlb may well bless that as being in the best interests of all concerned. we just don’t know, do we?
By ncscoots
April 24, 2006 10:10 PM | Link to this
journalist jimmy smith makes much sense in last post…too much logic for real journalist (no offense, DOB, you are sportswriter…fine distinction). cover blown for journalist jimmy smith, obviously more to him than baby seals and faberge eggs…will investigate further.
By SJA
April 24, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this
Davies had to many pitches to send him back out there for the 7th (106), especially after the Prince got a hard single.
By MBATL
April 24, 2006 10:14 PM | Link to this
Agreed. journalist jimmy smith earned his stripes with last post. Well said!
By SJA
April 24, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this
Why didn’t Langerhans hit for Diaz?
By journalist jimmy smith
April 24, 2006 10:30 PM | Link to this
hey, bunny, should see lots of pinch hitters now. look at the batting averages of the guys in the game right now …
By MBATL
April 24, 2006 10:30 PM | Link to this
SJA, I would guess because only 1 out, 8th inning. Odds were good for a run scored without a DP, with AJ coming up, but of course it didn’t work out that way. Still got a lefty for the 9th if needed.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 24, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this
will bobby send a message and bat for francoeur? will francoeur send a message and get on base? ah, baseball …
By Paul Hamilton
April 24, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this
Yes you have some good points Jimmy, my point was that I don’t see Liberty or Blank reducing payroll if the Braves can produce a profit. Blank is obviously the best option. I just thought the doomsday talk of Liberty owning the Braves is a bit crazy. I also think anyone who believes that Blank is going to raise the payroll $15 million and lose money will be disappointed. He could raise ticket prices to account for the payroll increase, just like he did with the Falcons. Do we know what will happen? Nope, I was just giving my opinion of the whole situation.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 24, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this
turnbow has that deliverance look, don’t you think?
paul, jimmy smith respects your opinion - just took exception to a certainty of reduced profits. when you’re able to buy a baseball team you know how to do some things right.
By Ashy Larry
April 24, 2006 10:41 PM | Link to this
SJA, I’m asking the same question as you. Bobby loves to play the lefty-righty game, why was Langerhans not hitting in Diaz’s place? I’m sure we could have got a sac fly out of him and left 2 runners on for A Jones.
By Carolina Lady
April 24, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this
Could someone please show the Braves what a ‘Strike Zone’ is? At your earliest convenience?
Lots of ‘presence’ at 1st tonight.
Pratt is 39, JSmoltz is late 30s, CJones is 30-ish, AJones has 10 years service even though he is not yet 30; GHubbard, Freddy G, Bobby Dews, P Corrales, et al are WAY over 40. Just how much ‘veteran presence and leadership’ do these new kids need?? Redundancy gone amuck, methinks.
By Bill Mc.
April 24, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this
I don’t like the idea of another “non-baseball” corporate type owner with no real interest in baseball…especially from a thousand miles away. It sucks.
By gotigers72
April 24, 2006 10:59 PM | Link to this
I don’t understand why Langerhans didn’t pinch hit for Diaz in the 8th with the bases loaded and no outs. Bobby always goes by the book [righty against lefty and vice versa] in those situations if he can. Instead Diaz hits into a double play, we get one run, Andruw hits a weak grounder, inning over. Maybe i missed something, maybe Langerhans wasn’t available for some reason, but otherwise, I don’t understand that non move.
I love Francouer, and realize he HAD to be brought up last year. But he is really looking overmatched now. It’s like the pitchers have figured him out. What alternatives do we have? Moving Langerhans to right and playing Kelly Johnson in left when he is physically able?
By Tomahawkin
April 24, 2006 11:30 PM | Link to this
Quote from the vent…
“Was it just me or was the ESPN game last night the worst announced game in the history of televised baseball?”
He!! Yes that was the worse piece of crap I’ve seen on ESPN Since the 2004 NLDS
What the He!! was Tony Kornholer doing on the set…That dude has no relevance to the game whatsoever
I used to have love 4 Jon Miller and Joe Morgan, but now they annoy me to the extent of Blow (Joe) Buck and Tim McCarver
Oh yea, I didn’t catch the game tonite…but looking at the score, I’d imaging that Pete Orr was leading off again…?
By David O'Brien
April 24, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this
Atlantans, we can all agree that Francoeur is a great guy, a joy to be around, a gentleman and would-be scholar had he opted for college.
But folks, let’s also agree that Francoeur has been one of the very worst offensive performers in baseball this season, and his struggles since late August have got to be a concern regardless of whether the Braves say so or not.
The first-pitch thing: He and Vlad Guerrero are the only hitters in the majors who’ve swung at more than 47 percent of first pitches this season, and they were each at a whopping 56 percent before Monday.
The strategy works for one of them, the one who’s considered the best “ball-ball hitter” in the modern era. The strategy isn’t working so much for the other.
I just did these stats for my game story: He was 0-for-4 Monday to reduce his average to .184 and his road average to .096, the worst in the major leagues.
After hitting .339 with 12 homers in his first 50 big league games, he’s hit .196 with five homers in his past 39 games.
His OBP is down to .203. TWO-OH-THREE!!!! And he still hasn’t drawn a walk.
Oh well, the Braves get Chipper back tomorrow. They can only hope he’ll provide a spark.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2006 12:01 AM | Link to this
Atlantans, we can all agree that Francoeur is a great guy, a joy to be around, a gentleman and would-be scholar had he opted for college.
But folks, let’s also agree that Francoeur has been one of the very worst offensive performers in baseball this season, and his struggles since late August have got to be a concern regardless of whether the Braves say so or not.
The first-pitch thing: He and Vlad Guerrero are the only hitters in the majors who’ve swung at more than 47 percent of first pitches this season, and they were each at a whopping 56 percent before Monday.
The strategy works for one of them, the one who’s considered the best “ball-ball hitter” in the modern era. The strategy isn’t working so much for the other.
I just did these stats for my game story: He was 0-for-4 Monday to reduce his average to .184 and his road average to .096, the worst in the major leagues.
After hitting .339 with 12 homers in his first 50 big league games, he’s hit .196 with five homers in his past 39 games.
His OBP is down to .203. TWO-OH-THREE!!!! And he still hasn’t drawn a walk.
Oh well, the Braves get Chipper back tomorrow. They can only hope he’ll provide a spark.
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2006 12:10 AM | Link to this
I’m thinking the spark is in the shortstop still. Last year, when Furcal was struggling, we didn’t score. Then he healed up (remembered it was a walk year) and hit close to .340 the rest of the season. The team caught fire. Andruw cranked out the homers and Atlanta had another division. We need our shortstop back. Not Furcal though. We need Renteria. That guy is just amazing. Once he and Chipper are in that line up, the game will change. They’ll be guys on base when Andruw comes up. Andruw won’t have to reach for pitches.
Francoeur is in a sh!tty position. He was so patient he watched fastballs go right down the middle of the plate. Now he’s so aggressive he’s swinging at every first pitch that comes his way. There is a medium in there somewhere, but finding it is something he should have learned in the minors. Sending him down will probably kill him though. This is just getting to painfull to watch. I sure hope he snaps out of it for good soon.
By Bob
April 25, 2006 12:28 AM | Link to this
Paul, there’s no need for explanation … my third ear ain’t what it used to be, but but it’s still good enough to “see” from whence you came … just as I knew you respected my opinion.
It appeared to me that our differences were only a matter of degree … we certainly share the same preferences. I just hope folks realize, when I have one of my ‘Hoof-in-Mouth’ episodes, that I mean no harm … and I think that most realize that. Besides, I’m too dumb to realize it when people hurl verbal abuse my way … I’m just pleased that they’re nice enough to pay their respects … and assume that they just have troble expressing themselves, same as me.
My biggest problem is that my mind goes faster than my typing and I frequently leave out words without realizing it.
The Japanese I know like to know what the problem is before they try to solve it … and we can all learn from that. I love the Japanese sense of humor and their love of golf and baseball. They understandably take advantage of every opportunity they get to play golf when they’re in this country. Our Pro once put me with three of them to complete a foresome, with the caution that they spoke no english. Things went smoothly, with a lot of sign language, until the third tee … when one of them skied the ball about 100 yards straight up and it landed at the end of the teebox. “Tempra, Tempra” I shouted … then, followed it with a straight faced “Great Shot, Great Shot”.
That broke them up … their english was better than mine and we had a truly great time. Evidently, that was their last chance to play golf while here … and they insisted that I accept all of the balls and tees that they had with them; over three dozen balls and more tees than I could count!
By geechee
April 25, 2006 12:30 AM | Link to this
David, I think it was a very poor decision on Frenchy’s part to go play in the WBC or whatever it was called. He actually didn’t really get to play so instead of being at spring training which is where a young player such as he needed to be he was riding the bench for the US team. That probably has really hurt him but hopefully he turns it around soon.
You said Chipper is due back tomorrow. Is he ready to return or is he rushing it? I’d rather him be sure about returning and not risk coming back to soon.
By Miles
April 25, 2006 12:31 AM | Link to this
when is Renteria going to be back on the field? The guy was our most dependable bat at the start of the season and we badly need him back in lineup.
I dont know why Cox decided to sit McCann and Langerhans for tonight’s game. The whole “they need rest” thing is BS, its friggin APRIL for crying out loud. Those two young guys should still be running on fresh legs.
I know its only April but the mets are in a little bit of a funk right now so the Braves should capitalize on this and try and catch up to them. Not play .500 ball as they have done so far this season.
By Chop Chop
April 25, 2006 12:43 AM | Link to this
Cox has to sit Francoeur now. He’s completely clueless at the plate. I don’t care if he turned it around for two games. Two games out of nineteen is not satisfactory. Sit him for a few games and let him watch the game for a while. If he struggles when he comes back, send him down to Richmond. I don’t care if he was on the cover of SI or not, he is not a major league player right now.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2006 01:07 AM | Link to this
Langerhans was rested because he’s been whiffing like crazy on this trip, his first big slump since last season.
Tenn, I agree that Renteria’s return is as big as Chipper. Just mentioned Chipper because he’s definitely back tomorrow, and Renteria might or might not be. Bobby’s thinking about resting him until homestand starts Friday, just to be sure he’s ready. Or, he might play tomorrow.
Yes, Chipper is ready, to answer that question. He’s fine. Knee’s a bit sore, he said, but he could have played 3-4 days ago if he wasn’t on DL. Also, he’ll be wearing a brace that’ll make it very hard to reinjure. The ankle is recovered.
By teoa
April 25, 2006 01:17 AM | Link to this
Dylan, my observations may “suck” but your response to my observations was sadly misinformed.
My criticism of Bud Selig for allowing corporate ownership is valid since the NFL does not allow it. Corporate ownership is not necessarily inevitable as you imply. The fact that the owners have so much power over Selig is just a sign of weakness in my opinion, and it’s definitely not in the best interests of baseball. As always, Selig is 10-20 years late with these kinds of issues before taking the initiative to actually do something.
If you watched the game tonight, I’m sure you learned that Prado is not “just a second baseman” — it has been widely reported that he is capable of playing anywhere in the infield. Again, I think my first impressions that Prado may make other players expendable was valid.
And finally, I strongly disagree with you that the Braves bullpen is “good”. In my opinion, the most important role of the pen is to maintain leads. Leading the league in blown saves, the Braves are the worst in that category. I think I was being generous to call them “mediocre”. No pitcher out of the pen has proven to be reliable with the game on the line, and that is a real problem.
By teoa
April 25, 2006 01:21 AM | Link to this
DOB, do you think it’s likely that Kelly Johnson may be considered for a platoon with Francoer when he’s ready? Or is Francoer getting closer to a trip back to Richmond? More and more, I think he just wasn’t ready in spite of his unconscious start. I think he’ll be a good player, but the majors is the wrong place to learn.
By blq byrd
April 25, 2006 01:46 AM | Link to this
I was hoping for local ownership. Aren’t there like, a bunch of really rich people in the Atlanta area?
By Bob
April 25, 2006 02:26 AM | Link to this
DOB, I like what you said … usually do
Jeff is obviously a great kid that was larger than life when he first arrived … he was unbelievable! But, his troubles have reminded me of the feeling I had back then … that he was getting more than his share of good luck too.
You can’t help but like him and feel his pain as he struggles. There are few, if any, right fielders that wouldn’t give a lot to have his arm and natural instincts for playing that position; regardless of some minor fundamental weaknesses. I know that, as a fan, I like seeing him out there in right field … just not at the plate.
I commented before that I don’t think that he’s in a slump … I just wish that he was. My honest belief is that while most hitters average much less that usual when facing sharp “Maddux Class” pitchers in their prime, Jeff’s expected average starts, the first time he faces them, at something close to zero and goes down from there.
Chipper’s advice to relax and back off a bit wasn’t bad advice but pain killers give you relief, they don’t cure serious illnesses.
I’m concerned that he may be alot like a certain bright, brash kid from Atlanta that I’ve known all my life. In the 7th grade the kids called him “Albert” in honor of the man from Princeton while the teachers knowingly called him “Frank”. He breezed through high school, hardly having to open a book and then “almost” flunked out of college in fust his freshman year … for two reasons, (1) he never had to develop good study habits and (2) he couldn’t handle the competition that he’d never before encountered.
He would have too, flunked out that is, if it hadn’t been for a few folks … much smarter and wiser than he, who had been there and done that … and who cared enough to take him out behind the barn and explain things to him … and give him a second chance!
If I hadn’t been lucky enough to have those folks recognize my real problem … and lend a hand, I would have probably turned out like the drunk that drank himself to death, still thinking that (1) everyone else was wrong, (2) he really didn’t have a problem so he didn’t need to change … (3) he was just in a slump, that’s part of life.
I think that Jeff needs a few knowledgable, caring folks like Mr. Cox when he’s mad or Mr. Dews at any time, to take him aside and explain things to him … regardless of how much he protests that he has to be himself. He just needs an overhaul … from the neck up, the rest of him is fine!
As always, it’s just my opinion … verbose and uninformed as usual, but at least I’m consistent.
By Bob
April 25, 2006 03:02 AM | Link to this
There’s a significant amount of “old money” in Atlanta … and I’m not talking about 1916d dimes … a lot more than you might imagine. Insurance, candy, railroads, lumber, oil … names you might not recognize, but they’re there … and some are quite active, behind the scenes.
“New Money” Stationary tends to be real fancy and have a bunch of titles, letters after names, affiliations accross the top … “Old Money” Stationary is real plain.
But, I agree with you and wish that some of that money come out from under Harry Potter’s cloak and buy the team. That’s a thought, has anyone asked J.K. Rowling if she likes basball? … She’s like our Miss Pearl was … never misses a Quidditch match.
By Bob
April 25, 2006 03:19 AM | Link to this
blq byrd,
My bad … the above was for you.
By Scott
April 25, 2006 03:55 AM | Link to this
The Braves are screwed if this goes through. Hopefully they will turn around and sell them to Blank. This sucks for the Braves.
By Bob
April 25, 2006 05:13 AM | Link to this
Maybe they’ve all succumbed to the sophomore jinx. It happens that way sometimes … don’t laugh; we may have some veterans but remember, it takes some folks longer to become sophomores than others.
Seems like we’ve gone through these same trials and tribulations during most of the last 15 seasons. About Mr. Cox, I guess we could either say “there he goes again” or “trust in Bobby, he’ll get them through this, he always seems to find a way”. Perhaps that’s two different ways of saying the same thing.
When Bobby can put his best team on the field, I’m confisent that we will win most every game! McCann, Betemit, Renteria, Prado, Juries, Langerhans, Jones, and Johnson, together with any one of Smoltz, Thompson, Hudson, Davies and James makes a terrific 1st string. He shouldn’t worry about the bullpen either … just let the Starters finish what they start … like God intended.
By Blake
April 25, 2006 08:24 AM | Link to this
Are you really saying Kelly Johnson should be in the starting lineup? Come on.
By Blake
April 25, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this
Jeff does look bad right now, but Kelly Johnson is not the answer to anything
By Gerry Storm
April 25, 2006 08:30 AM | Link to this
Liberty Media? Isn’t this the Neocon conglomerate which owns thousands of playlist rock radio stations? All broadcasting Rush L. on a daily basis? Oh well, maybe they will move the Brave’s broadcasts to a station that has better taste than the current carrier which blasts us with about 50 exposures to the idiot growling Braaaave’s Raaaadio! nightly. I know that it’s strictly business but I long for the glory days of Turner’s gang and the high standards that went with it.
By Dennis
April 25, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this
We need a Blank check. Another Turner round wouldn’t be bad either.
By Bethany
April 25, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this
The only good person to own the Braves is Arthur Blank. He’s an Atlanta man that actually cares about the team like Ted Turner did, and not all about the money like these other companies. The organization went downhill when TIme Warner took over and it’s going to get worse if Liberty Media gets them. We need to stand up for our Bravos and let Time Warner know we want someone decent running our team!!!
By Economics Professor
April 25, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this
UGABlake - still waiting on your response. You stated that Liberty is going to immediately sell the Braves. What is your source? Seriously.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 25, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this
” … He doesn’t disagree with teammates who say his presence means more than statistics alone.”
“‘I’m someone that a pitcher has to think about during the course of a game, and they have to be careful with me,’ said Jones, who will be back in the No. 3 hole ahead of cleanup man Andruw Jones. Chipper Jones will wear a bulky knee brace.”
“And obviously, me going out there, being in the middle of the field at third base, whether it be for the rest of the infield or the pitcher — is worth its weight in gold, as well.”
modestly spoken by the tough out himself … let’s hope he is ready. We’ll give up 60 or 70 points in batting average when he returns. of course, he’ll be a good addition if he’s healthy.
By Pooper Scooper
April 25, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this
Braves will be fine when they’re healthy. What’s up w/ Frenchy? Have him take some pitches!!!
By hk
April 25, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this
jimmy, Bob, … hadn’t really thought about the ‘modesty’ thing with Chipper … come to think of it, he made similar comments in that interview piece they had with him the other night during the rain delay … I’m wondering if this might be a key with Frenchy ? … Chipper is still probably the main guy other hitters look to for leadership, … both Frenchy and Chipper knew nothing but winning coming up through high school, right up into the majors … as you pointed out, Bob, successes early on can make it hard to listen to others about changing anything, ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ type of thing … so if Frenchy does in fact look to Chipper as his main role model, hearing Chipper’s candor about his own importance to the team could make it harder for him to listen, accept, adapt, and change … (and I love Chipper, he is just as candid about the mistakes he has made in his personal life)
By classof74dawg
April 25, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this
allowing a publicly traded out of town corp to buy the Breves as a TAX WRITEOFF…now that is a bonehead idea worthy of a prince among boneheads. therefore, bud selig will love it. It will mean the end of the streak and possibly the end of the franchise-even bigger tax writeoff. this is simply a HORRIBLE idea on every level. the ajc and any other responcible needs to raise holy hell about this untill the idea is dropped. this would be even worse than TW because these people would have absolutely no incentive to continue the success of this franchise. what will the new cheer at braves games be? Go Braves, Deduct, Deduct,Deduct!
By classof74dawg
April 25, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this
sorry for the typo:that should have read ‘responsible media outlets’. is that an oxymoron?
By Penn
April 25, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this
Good grief, is no one reading the facts? I guess not.
Fact 1. Arthur Blank was born in Queens, NY and came to Atlanta when the first Home Depot was opened. He’s not exactly a native although he has adopted Atlanta as home. I would still like for him to buy the Braves but if he does he is going to buy them with a sharp eye on the bottom line. He would be nuts not to and he is surely not nuts.
Fact 2. Corporate ownership is not necessarily a bad thing. The Braves have been CORPORATE owned for ten years and have won the division each of those years. Was that bad?
Fact 3. The key factor and probably the most important constant in this 14 year reign has been the management team of John Scheurholz and Bobby Cox. This year they are fielding a team that is costing their company about $78 million. That compares with the Cubs who are also corporate owned and are spending $94 million for players. And who would trade the 40 man Brave roster for the 40 man Cub roster? I say none of you would.
Oh yeah, before someone challenges my numbers I know the Braves payroll says $92 million but $14 million of it is being paid by their insurance company for Hampton.
A bit of realism here. Of the top 10 payrolls how many of them are corporate owned? Here is the list. You decide.
I don’t know who owns them all or what connections the owners may have with corporations.
If you really want to see some surprises when it comes to baseball and politics you can click on this link and see who gave to which party during the 2000 presidential campaign. http://www.opensecrets.org/alerts/v6/alertv6_32.asp There are some real surprises in there.
By Matthew
April 25, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this
I hope the learner group fails at acquiring the Nationals. Then they could turn there attention towards Aquiring the Braves. It would be great too have Stan Kasten back as Team President of only one club and that of the Braves again
By matthew
April 25, 2006 10:58 PM | Link to this
I am praying for the Learner Group to Buy the Braves. Please let them lose interest in the Nationals
By Kent
April 26, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this
If Liberty media does in fact buy the Braves, I think you can probably expect it to have little to no effect on this franchise.
It’s unlikely that they would increase payroll because could be seen as fiscally irresponsible for a public corporation.
And it’s unlikely that they would slice payroll further because, as it stands, the Braves are fairly close to break even right now, and Liberty doesn’t want to be the ones to blame for dimishing such a perenially successful team. That wouldn’t engender positive feelings toward Liberty media.
I’m not overly worried about what will happen if Liberty buys the team, but I would have a better feeling about Arthur Blank closing the deal. It’s much easier to picture a capable individual owner raising payroll than it would be to picture an non-local corporation doing so. And a raise in payroll is what any baseball fan hopes for their team. Especially when your division rivals are spending 200 million this year!
By Kent
April 26, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this
If Liberty media does in fact buy the Braves, I think you can probably expect it to have little to no effect on this franchise.
It’s unlikely that they would increase payroll because could be seen as fiscally irresponsible for a public corporation.
And it’s unlikely that they would slice payroll further because, as it stands, the Braves are fairly close to break even right now, and Liberty doesn’t want to be the ones to blame for dimishing such a perenially successful team. That wouldn’t engender positive feelings toward Liberty media.
I’m not overly worried about what will happen if Liberty buys the team, but I would have a better feeling about Arthur Blank closing the deal. It’s much easier to picture a capable individual owner raising payroll than it would be to picture an non-local corporation doing so. And a raise in payroll is what any baseball fan hopes for their team. Especially when your division rivals are spending 200 million this year!
By RS
April 26, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this
Time Warner has done very little to help the Braves. Look at the pitchers. We ended the season last year in trouble because of our pitching. We have the same problem starting out this season. What gives? The Braves need a single owner, not a megalith like Time Warner and Liberty Media Corp. Big entities are all the same. No personal touch, not caring, no local loyalty. Hopefully Arthur Blank will be the highest bidder, for the Braves’ sake.
By Lanny
April 26, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this
I don’t know a whole lot about corp. buisness but reading the articule wrote.If LM buys the braves and they loose money over a 2 year period they can sell the Braves and not owe any Taxes on there investment so to me that means they are not going to put money into the Braves like they need to compete with the other high market teams.Also how does MLB allow a company to buy a team just to dodge having to pay taxes on there stocks when they sell,basically that is what Lm is doing right
By francoeur7fan
April 27, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this
Won’t Liberty be taxed on the value of the team after the mandatory waiting period to resell of 2 years? -So why would Liberty want the Braves to increase in value-by doing well-if they were only going to be more heavily taxed? I sure hope MLB is paying close attention…this doesn’t sound good for the Braves and their devoted fans.
By gobraves06
April 28, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this
I’m against corporate ownership of our team in general, but I have always wondered why The Coca-Cola Company has never tried to buy the Braves. Think about it: an Atlanta-based company with billions in their pockets. With their cash, we could probably have a payroll of around 95-100 million, which means, when the time comes, some big free agents might be available to us, we would be able to resign Chipper and Andruw, and we would be able to make those big trades that helped us in the 90’s (Fred McGriff for example). With Liberty Media owning the Braves, all I see is a sub-80 million dollar payroll, Chipper and Andruw leaving without a fight, and our team going right back to how we were in the 80’s. If we must have corporate ownership, it should be by Coca-Cola. As of now though, that is not likely. PLEASE ARTHUR, GIVE IT YOUR BEST SHOT!!!!
By Jimmy Strahan
May 2, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this
John C Malone, Is a long time friend of Ted Turner.maybe it is a gift to TED