Braves

By Big Al

January 31, 2007 09:10 PM | Link to this

So long, Rochey. We barely knew you, but we liked you - most of the time!

All the best with the Pirates!

By journalist jimmy smith

January 31, 2007 09:12 PM | Link to this

oh, the humanity! they have traded adam laroche! and when have we been exposed to so many refreshingly candid cliches? and dob, this just in: costco.com has the turntable for lp to digital for $89.99. and now, cheese … how many of you will have a super bowl cheese ball? better place your orders now.

By Lithoman

January 31, 2007 09:19 PM | Link to this

Oh how i yearn for the days of the same players on the same team for 10 years or more..but alas….Dave is the Gwinett arena a decent venue for concerts and sporting events? I live in south GA, dont get there too often.

By brent

January 31, 2007 09:38 PM | Link to this

LaRoche is gonna think spoiled, when his team is playing the “spoiler” the last month of the season, for the rest of his career.

By David O'Brien

January 31, 2007 09:43 PM | Link to this

Lithoman, haven’t been to a concert there. It’s an arena, so it can’t be great for concerts. But it’s a relatively small one, and new, so it’s probably better for sound than most huge arenas….

JJS, thanks. That sounds awful low, if that’s the same one described in earlier blogs. Maybe I need to get a costco card. Haven’t had one in about, oh, 18 years.

By AdirondackDave

January 31, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

DOB - Great article on LaRoche. Adam is obviously a thoughtful guy who will be missed. I hope you can get past the cliches with more players. These guys need to know that the fans want and will be more enthusiastically connected to the players and club if they will cut the BS cliches and open up in interviews, cheerfully sign autographs, etc. And by the way, attendance can only be helped. This interview was a great start, Dave. And thank you, Adam.

By The Grinch

January 31, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

LaRoche is 100% right; I’m starting to like him more and more. Too bad. This team is really gonna jam this year, though; I certainly hope the fans get re-energized. I’m definitely gonna be there for more games now that I live 30 miles from the stadium instead of 200. Now, basketball. Why do the Hawks keep winning? Now we’re going to lose our first round pick!

By AdirondackDave

January 31, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

DOB - Great article on LaRoche. Adam is obviously a thoughtful guy who will be missed. I hope you can get past the cliches with more players. These guys need to know that the fans want and will be more enthusiastically connected to the players and club if they will cut the BS cliches and open up in interviews, cheerfully sign autographs, etc. And by the way, attendance can only be helped. This interview was a great start, Dave. And thank you, Adam.

By journalist hung whey lo

January 31, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

This just in: I see our resident journalist jimmy from Cordele is now an esteemed customer service rep. for Costco and is feverishly peddling discount lp turntables and selling stale cheeseballs on the side. Oh, the humanity! and now, …the minimum wage, hang in there jimmy, you shall achieve a higher minimum wage in the near future. Oh, the cliches!

By journalist jimmy smith

January 31, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

grinch, it is good that grinch stopped using the lavendar soap. read this:

BOSTON (AP) - Lavender and tea tree oils found in some shampoos, soaps and lotions can temporarily leave boys with enlarged breasts in rare cases, apparently by disrupting their hormonal balance, a preliminary study suggests.

While advising parents to consider the possible risk, several hormone experts emphasized that the problem appears to happen infrequently and clears up when the oils are no longer used.

had only this journalist discovered this article a few days earlier there would have been no need for grinch to see a specialist.

now, the departure from this blog of carolina lady … rumors only. carolina lady is blogging with us here everyday. rumor that carolina lady is stinky is baseless.

now, super bowl snacks … what will be your super bowl snack fare?

By Filthy

January 31, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

I see journalist jimmy smith/stinky will be blogging with himself again—so I’m outta here, good night all!…

By ssiscribe

January 31, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

Greetings all, as I await to see (hopefully) my first snowflake since I was living up the mountains seven years ago.

Grinch, I hear ya bro on being close. Instead of being 300 miles from the ballpark, I’ll be 25. My wife asked me the other night if I was going to miss my normal week of spring training, where I’d cover a few games, attend a few games and just hang out by the pool.

“Honey, we’re right down the road now,” I responded. “I may go to 30 games this season.”

LaRoche, we’ll miss you, bro. One really genuine, nice, average joe type of guy in my few dealings with him. I love his candid responses about the fans, and he’s absolutely right. I won’t open the whole Atlanta fans/it’ll never be like 1991/can’t sell out the yard for the playoff debate, but I’ll say this:

What AL said about the fans needing to bring the fire, about the fans and the players being spoiled, and about how missing the playoffs last year should make everybody realize how precious and special making the playoffs is, all of that is spot on correct, folks.

Off to bed. Stay safe in your travels tomorrow morning, and only two more weeks until the doors are flung open and they roll the bats and balls out at Lake Buena Vista, aka Dark Star.

Later. The Scribe abides.

—30—

By journalist jimmy smith

January 31, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

touche! stinky is the ultimate copy-cat. ever had an original thought, stinky? now, about that sad episode at christmas …

g’night everybody. journalist out.

By Oil Soap

January 31, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Looking at the pic of Laroche posted on the Sports homepage…I hope Laroche didn’t think leaving ATL meant no more ugly red jerseys. Is that their Sunday jersey? God, I hope its not the new standard uniform. He looks like he sells hot dogs on a stick.

By The Grinch

January 31, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

Dang, I can’t tell if the 10:24 is Jimmy Smith or not. How did he know my breasts were so big? Oh, well. Scribe, I had to go through the same conversation with my cat, but I pretty well knew in advance what the outcome would be. :-) Really, though; I’m looking forward to it. Especially since I’ve had to cancel my Spring Training trip now after handing two grand to my doctor last week(I don’t have insurance). Oh, the Humanity! I didn’t even get a hospital-sized tube of KY with that one, and my wallet’s still sore. That would’ve gotten a pretty nice big screen TV. Blah! What part of South Ga did you say you just came from? Seems like we’re about the same age and moved back here about the same time(thank god I left my woman there, though).

By Chris

January 31, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this

Incredible Ryan Adams song David!!

Especially love “…Eisenhower sent him to war/he kept her picture in his pocket that was closest to his heart

and when he hit shore/must have been a target for the gunman…”

Brings up some strong emotions on how brutal war is.

By mcserge

January 31, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

LaRoche has a great chance to be a big time leader now. And he doesn’t even really know it. That is a huge bonus for the Pirates. That same attitude (and a good defense) turned this dump around in 1991 and carried it to the playoffs for 14 years. I don’t think he knows how much he can positively impact that team.

I like what LaRoche had to say about the Braves’ 2006 season. I am excited for 2007. 2006 was a wakeup call that was needed. The front office has responded. Hopefully the holdovers will. This could be a great year!

Also: Gwinnett Arena is great for hockey (haven’t seen a concert there. Husker Du rules!)

By Mark

January 31, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

While it’s partially true we were spoiled by expectations, it isn’t asking much for a player to hustle and go all out and LaRoche never comprehended those concepts.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

January 31, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

Great blog, DOB. I’m going to miss LaRoche. I think in the end the trade will work out best for the Braves. I do believe LaRoche is the real deal and will do very well in Pittsburgh.

I know some are going to be upset about the things he said. But, he was right on every one of them. We as fans did get spoiled and we expected the division to just somehow come our way. I really do think that last year will help future teams. This team is hungry now. Guys like Chipper, Andruw, Hudson, and Smoltz are going to get refocused and they now know what its like to be on the other end of the stick. The young guys like Francoeur and McCann feel responsible for what happened last year and are going to come into the season to prove the Braves are not going anywhere. Those young guys know realize that the division title isn’t some sort of birthright. I think we are going to see a re-energized team. I just hope the fans are the same. People can say what they want but the fire and passion just wasn’t there last year. The stadium would be quiet when the Braves were in the midst of scoring rallies. I think the most telling thing was that Mets series in July. I know for all three of those games that there were at least as many Mets fans as Braves fans. I got ripped last year for saying this, but it is true. The reason the Braves played better on the road is because they had louder support.

My hope for the season is that people get out to the TED and cheer on these young kids and get them fired up. I will definitely be showing my support by following every game and you can believe me if I lived in Atlanta or anywhere close I would be attending some games and cheering this team on to a 15th division title in 16 years.

By Bryan

February 1, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

So, i think Atlanta is a completely different team to understand than a lot of major market teams in the league.

First, one must understand the change atlanta made as a city in the early 90.s Pretty much, the city of locals has disappeared and a city of transplants from around the US has taken there place,

Atlanta Braves are a regional team. On the radio, in 7 or 8 states, people still stay up late and listen to the braves on the radio - few, few teams have that kinds of support.

I honestly think that the braves has more fans than most teams - who live in a part of the country that doesn’t give them the chance to come to the games at the stadium,

people… atlanta has some of the best fans - they are all just an hr away from the city.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

Grinch, that really, truly bites that you don’t have insurance. Man, that’s one thing I totally take for granted at work. You gotta get insurance, regardless of the costs and even if it’s all coming out of your pocket (as opposed to your employer paying part). Just imagine if someone runs a red light and T-bones you tomorrow, and they have no insurance. How you gonna pay for a few weeks in the hospital? Or even a few days? It’ll bankrupt you….

Chris, yes, Ryan Adams might act like a bratty punk in concert, but the dude can flat-out write a song _ and play and sing it, too. Talented young man, no doubt….

mcserge, yes, they sure did (Husker Du)

By Daybed Wagmoe

February 1, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this

hey dave,

so far the players i’ve heard will be at saturday’s fanfest are andruw, chipper, hudson, mccann, francouer, and renteria (that’s what i’m reading from the notice on the braves’ website). do you know who else will be there? will smoltz? wickman? cox? soriano? gonzalez? hampton? chuck james? thanks.

By TennesseePaul

February 1, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this

DOB: Nice blog. I like the LaRoche updates. I look forward to this season. I think a large portion of the rabbid Braves fans don’t live in the Atlanta area. I’m working on migrating over that way. I’ll see how many I can drag back when I do. Just need to secure a job that affords me season tickets. That’s all that matters in life, right?

GO BRAVES

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 1, 2007 12:31 AM | Link to this

I was talking on the other blog about how I think that JS did an terrific job at making the team competitive this year and for the next few. I do think one more move needs to be made and will be made. But, if Andruw does leave, here is how the 2008 lineup COULD look.

1B. Salty

2B. K. Johnson

SS. Brent Lillibridge

3B. Chipper Jones

LF. Scott Thorman

CF. Gregor Blanco/Brandon Jones

RF. Jeff Francoeur

C. Brian McCann

Rotation. Smoltz, Hampton, James, Davies, and Harrison

Bullpen. Gonzales, Soriano, McBride, Boyer, Villareal, Stockman, and Yates or Paronto

Bench. Bohn, B. Pena, Langerhans or Diaz, Aybar, and either Escobar, Prado, or a FA acquistion.

Now, that sounds like a good young exciting team. They should have payroll left over to fill any needs throughout the season and make a splash in the hot stove for the 2009 season. Johan Santana perhaps?

By di

February 1, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

Roache, You need to learn to play ball 100%. You loafed around the bases in the playoffs and you loafed to first last year costing us a game and potentially deflating the team with that horrible loss at home at a critical time. Learn from it and I hope to see you prosper in PA!

By Gil

February 1, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this

Yes Bryan you are right, I have 10 major league teams that are closer to me than the Braves but I have been a fan since ‘67 thanks to my Dad and TBS.

I will go root for the Braves when they play the Nationals as it is only a 2 hour drive.

Direct TV takes care of the void left by the reduction local Braves broadcast in my area.

As for LaRoach, he will help the Buckos big time. Jim Tracy is a great manager and they have some great young pitching. It is the Washington club that is going to turn the D.C. patrons sour on baseball before it has a chance to build a good fan base.

Of course, those folks are use to liars and wind bags but they ain’t seen nothing yet…..

By leviinalaska

February 1, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this

DOB, great blog. I appreciate Adam’s candor and your reporting it. If anyone else is willing to speak so honestly and freely…please get it online first chance you get. Thank you.

By Oil Soap

February 1, 2007 12:40 AM | Link to this

Animal House is on HBO Zone right now. A truly great film. How bout that Karen Allen?? No one ever talks about her. She made Raiders of the Lost Ark for me. Who’s with me on Karen Allen?

By superadam

February 1, 2007 01:25 AM | Link to this

dob are you going so be at fan fest

By stephenD

February 1, 2007 01:26 AM | Link to this

So long Adam. I will be giving you a standing ovation the first time the Pirates visit ATL this year

By matt

February 1, 2007 01:58 AM | Link to this

Wow, LaRoche, I don’t think I could’ve said it better myself. You’re absolutely right — the fans here in Atlanta have been spoiled and the games were very often a big disappointment to go to. Not because of whether the Braves won or lost, but because it was so hard to try to be a die-hard fan and have everybody around you just stare at you and act like they are in a library. Nobody starts clapping when Smoltz has a two-strike count on a batter until it is the seventh or eighth inning, people pay more attention to the kiss cam than a 3-0 count on chipper, the wave is more important than holding a late one-run lead. It’s like people would rather talk about Top Chef or American Idol than look down and see what’s going on in the game. I would love for us to get the old, loyal crowds back to the park.

By haha

February 1, 2007 02:10 AM | Link to this

boy you folks loved LaRoach when he was here but how quickly he is abandoned and trashed talked once he was traded. he wanted to here, he didnt leave they traded him. and yes the atl fans are spoiled. the braves won the division for so long you and the players expect them to even when the owners chop the payroll in half. the point i felt him making was the fans in Pitt support the team even when they are losing becasue they are fans of the team not just fans of the current division champs. remember the braves used to be the division doormats not to long ago and if they dont turn around soon they will be again. then what good players will want to play there no matter how big a contract they get.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 02:23 AM | Link to this

Daybed, I don’t know that Andruw is going to be there, because he wasn’t mentioned on the release they sent out today. And they certainly would’ve mentioned him, I’d think, if he was scheduled to be there.

Here’s the list, taken directly off the release the Braves sent out:

WHO: Atlanta Braves including: Chipper Jones, Tim Hudson, Jeff Francoeur, Edgar Renteria, Brian McCann, Chuck James, Kyle Davies, Mike Gonzalez, Chris Woodward, Blaine Boyer, Pete Orr, Macay McBride, Lance Cormier, Kelly Johnson, Scott Thorman, Chad Paronto, Anthony Lerew, Joey Devine, Roger McDowell, Glenn Hubbard, Braves General Manager John Schuerholz, Braves Hall of Fame Broadcasters Skip Caray and Pete Van Wieren, and more

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 02:27 AM | Link to this

Oil Soap, I’m with ya.

Haha, I only counted two people who took shots at LaRoche so far, and the rest sounded quite supportive of him and his comments.

By Head Coach

February 1, 2007 06:10 AM | Link to this

Adam LaRoche. Class act , solid citizen and I could not agree with him more. He will be missed. Nice Blog , O’Brien.

By girardd

February 1, 2007 06:47 AM | Link to this

Lithoman - The Gwinnett Arena is a fantastic venue for a concert. I was the Eagles there in March 2004. Sound is good, visibility is good. Seats are comfortable.

By aman

February 1, 2007 06:54 AM | Link to this

He is right about our so called fan base. Spoilled silver spoon fed brats. We dont even have a real fan base like boston, chicago or New York. I hate coming to turner field sometimes because it seems more of an amusement ride than a baseball game. Lets get rid of all the Toons and back to base ball.

By Robert

February 1, 2007 07:17 AM | Link to this

SPOILED??? Well Laroche, now you are playing for a team that nobody cares about, barely puts 10,000 in the stands, and all the players play for is their stats with hopes that they can get traded to a “spoiled” team with “spoiled” fans! Give me a break!!!

By Thrillhouse44

February 1, 2007 07:28 AM | Link to this

DOB, thanks for the story on Hudson and the blog on Laroche. I hope all of us Braves fans pay attention to his words - they’re the truth. It may not be what we wanted to hear, but it’s definitely what we needed to hear.

By bravesfanbob

February 1, 2007 07:30 AM | Link to this

Rochy, we’re gonna miss ya. I hope you hit .290, go for 35 and 100, and make the Pirates a competitive club in the Central. But now with the starting staff we have healthy this year, if Hudson can return to form, and the 3 potential closers in the bullpen, (the trade helps make us light years ahead of last year’s bullpen, arguably the best in baseball), we may see many 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 ballgames. Kinda like the early 1990’s. Less pressure on the hitters to keep us in a 8-7 ball game will allow them to swing more freely, and this team will win 95 games. Excellent job, JS. You went back to your old ways and determined that pitching wins championships!

By bubbaball

February 1, 2007 07:44 AM | Link to this

LaRoche told the truth. We were spoiled, and so were the Brave players. They thought the playoff were a given, and forgot that the playoff and WS championships are hard work and a blessing. Look at some of the lax play the past few years. Chipper need I say more….

Oh well, I will miss Rochieeee, but go Bravos!!!!!

By D.S.

February 1, 2007 07:53 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree more with the comments about not getting excited about the team, but to me it comes down to the vibe I get from the ownership. It’s hard to get fully behind a team when it feels like the ownership doesn’t have the same values or goals. The Braves are just another item in their portfolio, and that really sucks. I fear that Liberty Media is going to be more of the same, but I hope I’m wrong.

I sure would have liked to see Arthur Blank buy the team. Hopefully the deal between Time Warner and Liberty Media will fall through before that deadline in May when the law changes and they can no longer exchange the team for stock.

By beachcomber

February 1, 2007 07:59 AM | Link to this

DOB and others - the turntable that jjs mentioned earlier in the blog is not the same one I’ve had so much enjoyment with. It is an Ion - ran me about $150. Have put about 400 songs on my ipod using it - top notch! on the other matter. Adam is right. my kids who grew up with Sid, Justice, the Lemmer and the rest plus the incredible starting crew have never experienced an October like last year. told them they should be like my parents and be Pirate fans - although the Pirates have won as many WS in my lifetime as the Braves have in history.

By Shawn Smith

February 1, 2007 08:07 AM | Link to this

Adam,

Way to dish the people that payed your salary while in Atlanta. Why is it my 6-year old T-Baller plays better fundamental baseball and hustles more than you or most of the rest of the Braves have done since you were his age? Here’s a refreshing thought; Try being thankful for making the major leagues, play like you are thankful for that opportunity every day (i.e. hustle!), and teach the younger generation like my son what baseball is supposed to be all about. Having spent several thousand dollars on Braves Season tickets the last several years, I have helped pay your outrageous salary; so I don’t want to hear you whine about the people who go out and watch you play and help support your half-hearted effort at the game of baseball.

By chipdip

February 1, 2007 08:10 AM | Link to this

ryan adams blows….gram parsons wanna be….get rid of the parasite contracts of hampton and hudson and sign andruw jones….RAMONES RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By JK

February 1, 2007 08:25 AM | Link to this

Someone remind me again why we should expect Salty to make the jump to the ML in 2008? A well below spectacular season at AA makes you a future star? If this kid has a decent year, he’s trade bait to replace AJ next off-season.

DO, enjoy the blog and insite into the Braves, but can we make a rule that there is no Salty or Carl Crawford talk for a few months?

By Daybed Wagmoe

February 1, 2007 08:28 AM | Link to this

thanks DOB. looks like a good, solid list, although it has a few glaring holes — specifically, andruw, smoltz, cox, and wickman. last year, i never saw smoltz’s name on the list, and then it turned out that he was there. hopefully the same will be true this year.

By Realistic Ricky

February 1, 2007 08:37 AM | Link to this

Lithoman…

I agree with giradd about Gwinnett Arena as a concert venue. I was there for an Eagles concert in March of 2005, and it was awesome. One thing I would add is that parking can be a problem, so be there early to be sure you get a spot.

By joe brave

February 1, 2007 08:38 AM | Link to this

Adam Who?

By tyyosh

February 1, 2007 08:38 AM | Link to this

Failure is such a great teacher. I think the players are going to be more into it this year, and the fans are going to be, too. The vibe from that last weekend series vs. Houston (we went to the Clemens game)… hard to describe, but it felt like maybe the fans decided it was time to wake up and come out to help their team win games. We’ll see what carries over, especially with the renewed commitment by JS and others increasing the anticipation.

By B. Scott

February 1, 2007 08:45 AM | Link to this

I believe that is a trade that will come back to haunt the Braves. I wish Adam much success with the Pirates.

By eware

February 1, 2007 08:53 AM | Link to this

Nice Whiskeytown reference DOB!

I’m going to miss LaRoche, so’s our offense.

By mike

February 1, 2007 08:55 AM | Link to this

adam see how you like itin april and you are out of the race good bye and learn to hussle on every play because the spoiled fans in atl did not get that from you

By KneeJerk

February 1, 2007 08:58 AM | Link to this

Please, no more mentions of 6-year old tee-ballers. We’ve heard it all before.

By 3trees

February 1, 2007 09:02 AM | Link to this

Matt @ 01:58 - Good points, I feel the same way at games. Its almost like being at a concert at Chastain (finger in throat emoticon here)!

Good comments, Adam. I think (not sure, help me here DOB) that the second bulleted quote should’ve been “Its NOT necessary to put stars at every position…”. I agree with his thoughts. Remember the O’s that Angelos put together? FA signings and they looked great on paper, but… And along those lines; there’s been a lot of turnover in personnel this year. Wonder how the “team” will come toegther? I guess, and I’ll incur Robert’s wrath here, that’s one thing BC does so well - make sure that everyone knows its a team - not an individual exercise. We do still have veteren leadership to keep everyone is line.

Husker Du was great and so were the Ramones and so were The Undertones and so were the Minutemen and so were…

By brent

February 1, 2007 09:04 AM | Link to this

Yes, the fans are spoiled. The well-heeled in the ENTIRE lower level rarely stand, occasionally clap, and always chat on their cell-phones. Really, the whole experience of attending a game is lacking…and I am totally repulsed by the $7.50 beer…and the $20 parking…and I make over $100,000. Maybe somebone in the organization will notice that attendance is half what it was 5 years ago and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

By SouthGaRebel

February 1, 2007 09:10 AM | Link to this

I agree with LaRoche. I grew up when it was painful to watch the Braves and we have been spoiled by their run of success. I remember in the early 90s when Fulton County Stadium was full day in and day out due to the “Comeback Kids.” With so many transplants in the metro area I would highly doubt if any were even around in the early years of the run.

By woody

February 1, 2007 09:10 AM | Link to this

“And it’s weird _ I’m seeing it in Pittsburgh, and they haven’t even been over .500 in how many years? These fans are going crazy, they’re the underdog, and these are their guys. It’s almost like they’re part of it.”

THERE IS REAL PRIDE IN PITTSBURGH THATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES AND ITS SO EVIDENT.

YOU ATLANTANS ARE A LACKLUSTER SORT. YOU HAVE NO PRIDE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN BEATEN DOWN SO MANY TIMES AND IN SO MANY WAYS. YOU HAVE GIVEN UP YOUR CITY AND YOU ARE ALWAYS ON THE RETREAT!

By KAYE

February 1, 2007 09:14 AM | Link to this

Adam makes sense but the fans are not spoiled. They are frustrated. Yes they have been the national league east champs for years, but how many world series or even division championships are there? Its frustrating as a fan to see your team get a player like LaRoche only to trade him to make your club better. You might get more fans in the seats if we were excited about the team. We as fans are not. We wanted to see LaRoche play this year, his first full year, but instead because of a 80 million payroll, the braves just traded the player who would pull people in. Makes no sense. If they want fans in the seats, I will say it one more time. Keep our LaRoche type players and fill in the holes with payroll. You wanted me, well I wanted LaRoche. This owner makes billions, he can and should have afforded a pay increase when the salaries went nuts. You want to complet and get your fans, well spend the money. Otherwise the fans will just watch on TV, maybe. Others will be walking out on you. Can you risk it.

Liberty better take head. Atlanta fans are fed up. They are fed up not being able to have pitching, hitting and defense at the same time. Without it your just another sub 500 team. Spend some money.

By bravehater

February 1, 2007 09:16 AM | Link to this

Hey DOB, what’s your preference, Stranger’s Almanac or Pneumonia? Both great albums but I’m a bigger fan of the latter…

By jeff

February 1, 2007 09:18 AM | Link to this

Boy you are special Brent……Over $100,000/yr…..Wow

By Shaun

February 1, 2007 09:19 AM | Link to this

Got some responses from a few things on the last blog then I’m through with Matt Diaz. I don’t think more highly of his abilities than he’s actually shown. I think a lot of people don’t realize his actually abilities because they see him as a guy who couldn’t cut it with TB and KC. Actually he proved himself throughout the minors and couldn’t cut it with TB and KC because those organizations didn’t want to give him a chance. Diaz is a good player, not great but solid. And a lot of people on this blog seem to be looking at him the same way TB and KC looked at him.

Shaun-I think you’re falling into the trap of thinking Diaz is anything MORE than a utility man. You point out his entire career, but he was dumped by the Rays and the Royals-two teams that can use any decent player they can get. Then he comes to Atlanta and hits .327, yet BC won’t use him as an everyday player when we need all the hits we can get. Somewhere along the line you just have to ask yourself why all these great baseball minds aren’t sold on him as an everyday player. Could it be because he has no power and can’t field worth a damn?

All these baseball minds aren’t sold on him because he’s not a great player, just a good one. And they would rather insert players that look like good players rather than trust the evidence and play actual good players. Why do you think organizations like the A’s and Twins and Braves are successful? It’s because many of the “great baseball minds” aren’t that great after all and organizations like the A’s, Twins and Braves can steal solid, cheap talent from them.

I’m not sure why you think so highly of Diaz. I remember having this conversation last year when you were saying he would replace Andruw’s bat if Andruw were traded. Matt Diaz is a platoon player/4th outfielder/pinch hitter and that’s about it. I would be absolutely shocked if he put up the same numbers as he did last year. Anywhere close to those numbers would be a shock. He may put up .275 Avg/.320 OBP/.425 SLG in 250 at bats but not much more. And he is horrible in the outfield.

I don’t recall ever saying Diaz’s bat would replace AJ’s. There’s no way I would even think that. And I agree that Diaz is only slightly about an average player. I think you are looking only at Diaz’s major league career. You aren’t taking into account his entire pro career (minors and majors) and looking at what the statistical evidence tells us about him—he’s likely going to hit at least .280 with a .340-.370 OBP and a lot of doubles for the amount of PT he will get; and he’s not going to K or BB all that much and his defense, while not good, is not as bad as his rep.

Diaz was not very good at the major league level with KC or TB. He was a good player though, as evident by his minor league numbers which were very impressive. He just never got a chance.

Yes, I know that Vlad is a better contact hitter. That’s why I called Frenchy a “poor man’s” Vlad. They are both free swingers capable of hitting balls outside of the strike zone out of the ballpark. In that way, they are very similar. Francoeur just isn’t nearly as good as Vlad just yet.

Both are free swingers but Vlad actually can make contact on most pitches he swings at while Francouer is not a contact hitter. Francouer is much closer to a Dale Murphy, Duke Snider than a Vlad Guerrero.

Wayne, thanks for the compliment. I wish I could be O’Brien for a while…well, have his job.

By Voice of Reason

February 1, 2007 09:20 AM | Link to this

LaRoche makes a comment about how the fans need to rally around the team more. The real problem is that the players act like they don’t care and play with zero emotion. Until that changes, the fan support will stay the same.

The Gwinnett Arena is the most acoustically fit venue in the Atlanta area. REM used it for rehearsals and to get their sound right before their last tour. Other name bands have used it as well.

By Gil

February 1, 2007 09:38 AM | Link to this

One great thing about being about being a southerner is the ability to always be able to talk about how great things used to be…. Face facts folks. The reason the Braves won all those titles was they were willing to reinvent themselves each year.

LaRoach was a great player when he would stay focused but how many times last year did we see those big early leads the Braves have get blown in the 6th, 7th and 8th innings by those quad A pitchers. It was 1990 all over again.

Chipper is never going to be the player he use to be. Even Andrew is a little slower. Twenty fewer pounds would do wonders for him and take a lot of strain off his back.

The extra time off for Hampton is going to pay dividens for the Brves this year. He is the best left hander in the league. That said the whole league is better which makes for great games.

Best advice I ever got was from a golfing buddy of mine who said “always keep your nose in your own bag”. Play the players you have.

I still remember the worst trade the Braves ever made. Brooke Jacoby and Brett Butler for Bert Blyeven. Two guys who who became allstars for a washed up pitcher with a bad arm who I think the Braves are still paying.

By Big Pimpin'

February 1, 2007 09:41 AM | Link to this

Spoiled by what ….. 14 playoff seasons and what …. 1 series title ?

It felt the same to me … missing the playoffs last year and getting beat out in the playoffs the prior 13 of 14 years.

No body cares if you finish 2nd or last.

Still couldn’t sell out a playoff game

By Jim E. Chonga

February 1, 2007 09:51 AM | Link to this

LaRoche, very good comments!

I’ll start going to Braves games when Chipper starts playing 100% in the 57 games he’s healthy each season. I guess I won’t be going to any Braves games.

In 2 years, Smoltzie will be applying for his A.A.R.P. card (people > 50 years of age). At least we have 3 relievers that can each go 1-2 innings each game.

I say we clean house later this year and get something in return for Andruw, Chipper, Smoltzie.

I’m sick and tired of Scheuerholzz using the excuse “a corporation controls the purse strings so we can’t spend the big dollars like others”. That’s so lame and he should be held accountable like the rest of us working stiffs. Can any working person here use an excuse with their Boss if they didn’t meet the expectations of their job? FIGURE out another way SLICK. You’ve gotten very complacent.

Let’s see if the Atlanta Braves can get fired up this year instead of being so “corporate”. Just thinking of the way the Braves act and play, I need a Nap now. Nightie Night!!

By The Grinch

February 1, 2007 09:58 AM | Link to this

Hey Woody, just read your 9:10. Go %$#& yourself, you worthless piece of yankee trash.

DOB, I’ve actually got medical coverage through my car insurance($5000 deductible); it’s when I’m out of the vehicle I’m screwed. I got spoiled having State Merit for so long then Blue Cross/Blue Shield; I’ve only been without about a year and it sucks. After last week I’m definitely gonna find a remedy. Does Steve Wyche need a backup covering the Falcons? :-)

By joe brave

February 1, 2007 09:58 AM | Link to this

I ain’t spoiled and that lazy sonsabitch LaZyroach can go to hE11!

By Shawn Smith

February 1, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

Hey Knee Jerk,

Do you have a six year old like I do? Have you bothered to spend time and coach a t-ball team. Have you been to over 40 games a season the last three years and paid for others to go support the Braves as well? If so great, if not, get involved with the game of life instead of just criticizing others who are players and not spectators in life.

By Fed Up

February 1, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

DOB:

You seem to be totally discounting the work of Caitlin Cary on “Houses on the Hill.” Maybe this is why most of Ryan Adams’ post Whiskeytown stuff seems juvenile compared to his work with the band.

By Spider29

February 1, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Thanks for a great blog, DOB. Adam was right on in his comments. We are spoiled and it shows. I appreciated that he included the players as well as us fans. Unless there is a prolonged space of bad years, the euphoria of the 1991 season won’t be felt again. But we can certainly be more excited about our team when they do well. I truly believe that this year’s Braves will be good enough to win the division again and make it to the playoffs. I’m ready for spring training and the 2007 season. Go Braves!

By Shaun

February 1, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

I don’t know if it’s so much the Braves fans are spoiled. Every game I’ve been to the fans seemed pretty appreciative that the team won every year. Since about 2000, I think there is the perception that the Braves were good but not good enough to win it all. And I think you get that sense when you go to a game. It’s fun too see a team win a lot of games but, fair or not, it’s not quite as fun as winning throughout the playoffs and winning a World Series.

By Bigboi

February 1, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Breaking news, Todd Helton will be here by Spring Training.

By Rodger

February 1, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

Gil, I wish we had gotten Blyleven-the worthless pitcher was Len “once threw a no-no” Barker.

mcserge, I was thinking the same thing reading this-LaRoche to Pittsburgh could have the same effect as Bream to Atlanta in 91 (neat kind of reversal, huh?)

The fans are spoiled, and frustrated, and current and potential future owners just don’t care. There will be more scrambling like this for the next few years, I’m afraid. Let’s hope the team can try to win or at least stay in it until we can do better.

Cant wait til spring training!

By JK

February 1, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

The payroll constriction is valid b/c when some of these larger contracts (i.e. Chipper’s) the rules were different. When those contracts were awarded the total payroll was higher, and since been cut back to the $80M, so those contracts now account for a higher % of the payroll.

I would like for most of you to do your job for a few years, then have your boss tell you that you can no longer use Excel or Word. Sure you can still do it, but a quickly & effectively?

By ATLER

February 1, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Let’s be honest with ourselves people. Adam was right, we are and have been for years spoiled as Braves fans. Is it just me or does anybody esle think our Braves are done? Sorry people I look at this line up and I don’t see the magic I used to see. Andrew is our only HOPE!!!!!!!

By Daybed Wagmoe

February 1, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

DOB (and others) - in the braves beat email i just received, here’s the list of braves scheduled to appear at fanfest:

chipper jones jeff francouer brian mccann andruw jones tim hudson edgar renteria bobby cox mike gonzalez mike hampton scott thorman kelly johnson chuck james kyle davies macay mcbride pete orr blaine boyer roger mcdowell joey devine lance cormier eddie perez chris woodward anthony lerew chad paronto brian snitker glenn hubbard sid bream

By Larry Orange

February 1, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Gil, that was Len Barker, not Bert Blyleven.If Blyleven was with the Braves, they would have won a lot more games in the early ‘80’s .

By bruce

February 1, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Regarding vinyl LP to MP3 or WAV: Here is the Costco Turntable link that JJS mentioned in his 9:12 pm post last night. I am wishing I had waited for this one… Just bought a DAK 2800-PC mixer which goes between old turntable and PC and comes with software for $70 DAK Link When the other LP to CD turntables seemed to be sold out a couple of weeks ago at Best Buy, I decided to give this DAK approach a try. Used it yesterday for first time, just learning the software and think it will be good, and hopefully even excellent BUT just learned that my old turntable, a Pioneer PL-4 direct drive, is not running at consistent proper speed. What to do… (1)buy the Costco turntable and start over (2) replace the turntable or (3) bought PL-4 service manual last night on e-bay for $10 after google find of prospective fix of spraying contact cleaner on the rotary speed adjuster but not obvious how to open up the turntable. Hummmm….

It was really nice to hear some of the old vinyl… even if in parts the speed was not right. Think I’ll get some spray when the manual arrives and take it apart… maybe it’s be like the lawn mower I took apart as a kid and had parts left over when I put it back together. an adventure.

By Jaye

February 1, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

LaRoche was the answer at first base. Now, we’ll have to search for another one. I enjoyed him while he played wearing the tomahawk. Honestly, I think there was All-Star potential there for this season. Best wishes, LaRoche.

By bruce

February 1, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

Dave: Thanks for great articles on Hudson and LaRoche. I am impressed with the candid statements that you got and your going beneath the surface with both guys to get their heart statements that fans really want to read/hear. … do you get a sense that Hudson believes he can repeat his 2003 LEFTIES averages with his off-season prep and determination not to repeat? or if not that great, near-ace-like performance? Thanks, Bruce

By Kieran from Long Island

February 1, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Phenomenal Interview David. The fact that he came out and said all of that is amazing. It really gives a birds eye view into the clubhouse. I miss him already, but I tell you what i hope he is very successful over there. I remember when he struck out with the basesloaded noone out, and Chipper openly got in his ear and barked at him in front of everyone. Next time up he came through big time. It’s time for him to go to Pittsburgh and do that to some of the younger guys over there.

But once again, great Interview, and I can tell you, noone in the New York Media up here could EVER get a player to be as open as Adam was in this one. There is just no trust whatsoever, and rightfully so. It is very refreshing to see such trust here, and then for you to portray im in the positive light he deserves. Well written, well done.

By TennesseePaul

February 1, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Payne: Diaz also had no depth perception with either of those teams. They had him in the field. Apparently that was like sticking Hans Mullman out there. Once he got to a superior team with excellent doctors, great management and a winning spirit, he was properly diagnosed as needing contacts and performed well. But, as you put it on the other blog, he did look lost out in LF. Now imagine that without depth perception. I doubt the Braves would of had him up for long if they hadn’t discovered his lack of depth perception. But we’ll never know, because they did discover the issue, which is a credit to the team doctors, excellent managment, and winning spirit. I should also note that Diaz was a good patient. We’ve had a few “bad” patients on the team. Guys who insisted on playing hurt and ruining themselves for no apparent reason. But I think they’ve learned the lesson.

Diaz’s hitting abilities are good. But his fielding abilities are poor. His lack of power make him less attractive as a DH. This, along with the affore mentioned eye issue, forced 2 AL teams to dump him. His age along with his less than stellar defensive skills are forcing him into a utility/back up roll.

None of that is to say I don’t like the guy. He seems pretty cool. But I’d rather have Langerhans out there. I think Langerhans is going to turn it around this year and put up solid numbers along with his stellar defense.

By Shaun

February 1, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

Breaking news, Todd Helton will be here by Spring Training.

Are you serious? No way the Braves are going to take on that contract.

By Not-A-Blogger

February 1, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

I admire your taste, OIL SOAP.

A great Karen Allen movie is Star Man, with Jeff Bridges, and an astounding soundtrack.

If you really want to see “more” of her, check out Until September (wink-wink, nod-nod).

By bruce

February 1, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Kieran: You did a much better job than I did of describing why Dave’s articles/interviews are so much better than most others…

TennPaul: Do you really think Diaz has poor field abilities or just average or maybe just inferior to Langy? I think Diaz made some visible errors that hurt his rep, but maybe it is part of his “style” as in he also sometimes looked bad swinging at a first pitch then hit a single on the next. I am surprised that folks here seem to think it is more likely that Diaz’s batting numbers will fall this year from last and that Lang’s will rise…. might be that those folks just like Langy a bit more than Diaz and therefore have higher hopes. I like both alot and hope they both rip it up in Spring Training.

By sammy miller

February 1, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

I say place Sammy Miller at first and Thorman at second, would be deadly right side!

By Eugene

February 1, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

STILL NO POP IN LEFT FIELD… I GUESS WE WILL SETTLE FOR 10 HRs and 26 RBI and hope Chipper will remain healthy for 85 games. We are still a weak team on the edges. AND NO LEADOFF HITTER…

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

3Trees, thanks for catching that typo in the quote. Should be “not necessary.” Fixed now….

By TPM

February 1, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Don’t forge - Adam LaRoche - to take your ADD pills

By TennesseePaul

February 1, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

Bruce: I do think Diaz is a poor defender. The difference in fielding and hitting is great. One can afford a “style” when hitting. But when fielding, you don’t get the ball hit to you 3 times before a play has to be made. He only has the one chance to catch the fly ball. I suppose you can have a “style” like Andruw or Bonds where they catch it with one hand. But you can’t have a “style” of missing a play and creating an error, allowing a runner to reach or advance. That’s just poor defense. Plus, his routes to balls were awkward. He could improve on it though. But so far he hasn’t shown himself to be anything but a subpar defender.

I have no problems with both these guys tearing it up in Spring. I think Langerhans will do better because I think he is a better hitter than he has shown. And, apparently he was playing with an injured wrist last year. I think people are saying Diaz will fall back because it’s hard to believe he really is a .330 hitter. Others believe every player declines at a certain age in every aspect of their game no matter what. But if Diaz is a .330 hitter then he is and no one is going to complain about it. He just doesn’t have that many at bats at the pro level (416 total) to make a fair judgment on how well he will do in the long run at this level.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

Bruce, I definitely get the sense from Hudson that he’s got plenty of great, not good, seasons left in him. We’ll see, but it sures sounds like he believes it. And that’s a huge part of it, him believing it. I just wonder why it took him two years to get it figured out, if it’s really as simple as getting back to a different offseason program. But I do get a sense that he really didn’t do much last winter at all, something he simply couldn’t get away with at 30, with his slight build and all. Bit him in the butt in ‘06…

Bruce, I’m with you on the pops and non-digital sound of vinyl. With certain music, it just sounds better, more authentic or real or whatever. If we could only find a way for it to be as easy to play a full-length album as it is to put on a CD. Talk about spoiled … that’s us with CDs, compared to the actual effort that went into cleaning an LP, putting it on, turning it over after 4-5 songs, etc….

Kieran, thanks much….

By brent

February 1, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

I find it amusing when people say, “yes, he’s right, we are spoiled.”

Speak for yourselves.

I’ve been a Braves fan since 1991. I love it when they win, and hate it when they lose. I go to games when I can.

I’m sorry that so many of the rest of you have become spoiled and have to hear it from Adama LaRoche.

By TennesseePaul

February 1, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

Eugene: Last year we got the following from LF
AVG OBP SLG HR RBI R
.283 .355 .425 14 60 83

In CF, where traditionaly less power comes from, we got over 40 homers and 120 RBIs.

Oh, and last year, we had no leadoff hitter and had the best offense in the league… just barely behind the Phillies.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Fed Up, I certainly didn’t mean to discount Caitlin’s input. You’re right _ she’s amazing. I’ve got two of her solo albums, have her “Begonias” album with Thad Cockrell on the basement office CD multi-disc changer as we speak, and saw her beautiful self at Smith’s a few years back. She’s amazing. And from N. Carolina, to boot. And not a self-absorbed jerk like Ryan Adams certainly seems to be.

That said, Adams is undeniably talented, and I think a lot of his solo stuff is really great. Most of it, in fact.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Bravehater, tough to pick between those two, since both records are outstanding with very, very little filler. I was putting songs from Strangers Almanac into my Ipod, and realized there were only a couple from that I could even leave out. I’d give that one a slight edge.

By Phull of Schitt

February 1, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

The sign and trade with LaRoche was a great deal, he was at his most marketable, and he could have had 100 RBI’s last year if Frenchy had an OBP worth a hoot.

That said, I’m glad he’s gone and his ADD with him. Lollygagger. And that swing of his really makes him have to guess what’s coming. If he duplicates last year’s numbers again I’ll be surprised. Don’t know why Jaye coronated him the “answer” at first base. He would have sat if that the only position Chipper could have played with his injuries.

I’m just holding my breath on the Kelly Johnson experiment.

And I hope Hudson eats a burger and does some push ups so if he still gives up his usual 5 runs a game, he can at least make it to the 7th inning. Interesting stats on Hudson - thanks. Too bad his contract makes him impossible to deal.

Hey Woody, psss off, our women are much better looking down here. Pittsburgh women all look like Joe Torre.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

Grinch, the answer is clear: Until you get group insurance through a new employer, simply live in your car. That way any accident should be covered, right?

And I like your retort to the critic of our fair citizens.

By TheNewYaWker

February 1, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

So there’s dis jockey see, you’s knows, one o’ dem guys what’s rides race horses for a livin’. Well there’s dis one ol’ jockey in particular that only wants to ride if he knows the horse in question is ganna win the race, otherwise he tinks ridin’ anything other than the winnin’ horse is a waste of his time. He’s an old jockey see, not much time left to ride anything for that matta. Well, dis old jockey tinks he can just perch hisself up on the rail there near the end of the race and wait for the winnin’ horse to approach the finish line, then knock the rider off the winnin’ horse, jump on him hisself, and be the winna of the big prize! Little effort, large rewards! Competitive stiff huh?

Well, dis certain old jockey that I’m speakin’ of in particular happens to be Roger Clemens, yes Rocketman. Ol’ Roger wants to sit at home with the wife and kids, countin’ his millions, till he sees who’s gonna be in the postseason. Then ol’ Rocketman wants to jump on the back o’ that particular team and take credit for gettin’ ‘em across the finish line, and winnin’ the big prize. Roger is interested in gettin’ hisself one o’ dem World Series Rings, but he ain’t too interested in workin’ much for it. Competitive huh? Kinda like a fellow that shows up to work at 3:00, den punches out at 4:00 expecting a full days pay. What a swell guy. You’s knows what? I gots no respect for a guy like dat!…

By Shaun

February 1, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

TennPaul,

Looks like Diaz has above average range (he got to more balls than an average LF). Just doesn’t exactly have the softest hands in the world. Not saying he’s a good fielder, but probably better than awful.

What’s your point about our LF production last year? Looked pretty strong. Given that the Braves got and are going to get some good production from positions like C and SS, so they don’t really need quite as much from the other traditional highly productive positions.

But the way I see it, if you are above average at almost every position as the Braves likely will be, you are going to be just fine.

By MBATL

February 1, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

NewYawker, couldn’t agree more. Kinda like the Rosie Ruiz of major league baseball. I’d love to see a couple of his potential teams stand up and say, “be there for spring training, and be there on road trips, or don’t bother.” But, of course, will never happen.

DOB, regarding Diaz/Langerhans: what’s your feeling about keeping both? Does that leave us too little coverage on the infield, or is it a viable option?

By Greg in TN

February 1, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Hey everyone…

Great stuff DOB, thanks for the leg work in tracking down LaRoche for his thoughts. Can’t say that I really disagree with his statements. Let’s hope that what happened in 2006 gets everything in gear for 2007. There was a few things that was out of everyone’s control (especially the injuries that robbed us of several players either for the season, or for key stretches), but if last season’s disappointments sticks in everyone’s craw, I bet we see a very focused team that does not want to repeat last year’s shortcomings.

By Mike

February 1, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

If LaRoche hadn’t cost the Braves 4 wins with his lack of hustle and attention, the Braves would have made the playoffs as the WC.

Then again, his attention span probably isn’t long enough to take a good look in the mirror.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 01:01 PM | Link to this

Diaz made a couple of awful plays last year, but he’s not an awful outfielder. Really wasn’t a glaring weakness at all when he was out there. Not good, not awful, certainly better than the Braves and everyone else expected.

And I think much of that had to do with the correction of the depth perception via the single contact (not a pair, just one) that he was prescribed by the specialist at spring training who tested him and discovered he had very little depth perception.

I’m with those who wonder why every team wouldn’t do such testing, when the cost would seem like it’d be more than made up with the success of just one player like Diaz last season.

By the way, I’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: Andruw’s depth perception is off-the-charts, freakishly good. The doctor was amazed, according to a Braves folks who spoke to him afterward.

By Shaun

February 1, 2007 01:01 PM | Link to this

Sorry. I know I said I would get off of the Matt Diaz subject, but looks like he still needs defending.

…if Diaz is a .330 hitter then he is and no one is going to complain about it. He just doesn’t have that many at bats at the pro level (416 total) to make a fair judgment on how well he will do in the long run at this level.

We do have enough at the pro level (pro is professional which means getting paid and he got paid in the minors). Diaz was a .300 hitter in the minors. I don’t think he’s going to hit in the .250’s or whatever, as some suggested. In spite of what you may have heard, minor league stats are usually pretty reliable indicators of a players’ abilities.

By TennesseePaul

February 1, 2007 01:04 PM | Link to this

Payne: LF point was a response to a guy who expects 10 HR and 20 RBIs. Point was, we got more than that last year and did well. I’d suspect, if no move is made, Diagernhans can reproduce or better last years efforts.

By Shaun

February 1, 2007 01:05 PM | Link to this

Mike,

How did you come up with LaRoche costing the Braves 4 wins? If that’s true, I’m sure he more than made up for it with his hitting: .285 AVG/.354 OBP/.561 SLG.

By Lew

February 1, 2007 01:14 PM | Link to this

Oh The Humanity-A day of duality if ever there was one. I woke up to a blister on my big toe that had turned black-not a good sign for one with diabetes. I got in the car to see my podiatrist on an emergency basis, for as the Good Journalist tells us, Toes are not to be trifled with. I turned on XM Home Plate (for I am a baseball fan) and the first words I hear were “There was an interesting article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution about Tim Hudson”. DOB-You’re bad-you’re nationwide! Anyway, the toe is fine. Just a blister and I have to take still more antibiotics. Have no fear! The Wurlitzer WILL be presented in Orlando on February 16, even if they have to wheel me into the Stadium Formerly Known As Crackerjack Field.Then when I got home, there was an email naming me the official artist of Wickman’s Warriors, Wicky’s charity/Fan Club. Yet again- The Humanity! The Bionic Painter is an Offical Artist. Beats Officious, don’t it?

By Lew

February 1, 2007 01:18 PM | Link to this

Woody-Before you completely castigate Braves’ fans at the expense of Pirates’ fans. I remember the 92 NLCS (Braves Win, Braves win!). Pittsburgh couldn’t come any closer to filling the seats than the Braves have in recent years. The NLCS and the Penguins sold out, but there were many Pittsburgh Fans disguised, as Skip says, as empty seats. Let’s not praise their fans because they ‘re excited over LaRoche. Let’s see how that translates to a*******e$ in their seats over the course of a season, before you hold the Pittsburgh fans up as the Epitome of The Baseball Fan.

By Shaun

February 1, 2007 01:37 PM | Link to this

O’Brien,

Did you see the program (I think it was TWIB) where they did all kinds of tests on Albert Pujols—reaction time, quickness, etc.? And he was off the charts.

By Shaun

February 1, 2007 01:45 PM | Link to this

Lew and Woody,

I think that’s something the national media and a lot of fans (and maybe Adam LaRoche) don’t take into account—Atlanta is not a huge city and they have a rather large ballpark. It’s easy for places like New York and Boston and Los Angeles and Chicago to sell out playoff games because they are huge cities or they play in small parks or both.

Plus, the metro Atlanta area has been a fast-growing place for a decade, a decade and a half. I’m guessing there is a huge percentage of the population who don’t really care much at all about the Braves. But the population of Boston, for instance, lives and dies with the Sahx.

By Jack In Macon

February 1, 2007 01:47 PM | Link to this

Best of luck to Adam; both for his family and his baseball future.

I’ve been a devoted Braves fan for about 35 years and it’s obvious some fans don’t know how fortunate we have been for the last 15 years. It’s easy to take winning for granted. Pete, Skip, and for many years Ernie Johnson, can tell you how difficult it must have been to announce a game with the stadium almost empty, and the field mic having to be turned down on TBS telecast because it was so quiet you could hear the on-field conversations amoung the players.

It all started with Bobby Cox as the GM being a great evaluator of talent; especially pitching (Smoltz, Glavin, Avery, etc.). It then continued to get even better when Bobby went to the dugout and Schuerholz added his great knowledge of the game and organiztional skills as the GM.

So I say to you fans that have only know winning during the time you’ve been a fan, I understand if have become complacent, but if you will study the team’s past history, you may become more understanding of just how hard it is to accomplish what the team has done, and to continue to do it on a consistent basic. We should have a very competitive team this year, so enjoy. Go Braves!!

By TennesseePaul

February 1, 2007 02:05 PM | Link to this

Payne: Is it always semantics with you? 416 at bats was listed and you still had to point out the semantics? Kids dream of making it “to the Pros”, “to the show”, or “to the majors”. All of it meaning MLB, not minors.
And you should know very well that minor league numbers don’t exactly translate to major league numbers.

By beachcomber

February 1, 2007 02:10 PM | Link to this

jack in macon - right on comments. should be a rule that if you can’t identify a former braves third baseman with the initials k.o. - you cannot be a true braves fan. those were dark days.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 02:19 PM | Link to this

Lew, a black toe is a minor inconvenience on the day when one is named official illustrator of the Wicky Fan Club. Congrats are in order.

You gotta come up with some great T-shirts with his regal countenance displayed on the front.

By Rodger

February 1, 2007 02:20 PM | Link to this

Lew, nice bit of ZZ TOE… er, TOP

By Ben

February 1, 2007 02:25 PM | Link to this

This is off topic, but… I just finished reading an article about how great Hank Aaron was/is and I thought that the Braves should have a big Hank Aaron celebration right about when Bonds is close to “breaking” Hank’s record. Good idea?

By Rodger

February 1, 2007 02:26 PM | Link to this

As to spoiled fans, I’ve been a Braves fan since ‘66, at the tender age of 5. Saw more losses than should have to be endured. Saw all 3 home playoff losses prior to 91. Then couldn’t get playoff tix in 91 or 92, due to jumpers on. But yeah, I got spoiled. Even last year, when everything said no chance, I kept thinking they would pull something out because hell, they’re THE BRAVES. After 14 years of sucess, we’ve earned that right. But for the guys getting paid to play, they shouldn’t be.

By Jai J

February 1, 2007 02:29 PM | Link to this

Laroche was right on the money about the fans and players. No love lost when you’re telling the truth. Georgia fans go to games to drink beer and mingle. Hang out at the sports bar on the balcony. They don’t go for the love of the game. I’ve gone to the games with my company several times and sat in the box with the corporate cutthroats. I was the only person sitting and watching the games. Others were too busy trying to get ahead. I wish the fans had love like the fans of the 90’s. I guess I’m one of last true fans of the 90’s when it all began. I became a fan when I moved here from Louisiana in 87 and if I decide to move to another city I will continue to be a Braves fan.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 1, 2007 02:32 PM | Link to this

New Yawker and MBATL,

Lord I don’t think I can take another first-half season of Roger Clemens retiring/returning talk. I can see it plain as day:

Welcome to Sportscenter, I’m Trey Wingo. A perfect game at Turner field, an unidentified saskquatch hits for the cycle at RFK, and a U.F.O. lands behind shortstop at Kaufmann stadium, but first our top story. We go to Tim Kurkjian. Tim,…

Tim Kurkjian: Thank you Trey, Unconfirmed sources report that Roger Clemens hinted early this morning of the possibility of returning to baseball. While it isn’t known where he wants to play the final two months of his sixth career, sources report that the Rocket used a “I Love New York” toothbrush this morning upon awakening. So it appears he’s leaning toward returning to the Bronx. In an effort to persuade him further, Andy Pettitte kicked his own son out of the house to make room for Roger, and George Steinbrenner fired his entire coaching staff, his gardener, his psychiatrist, and the Peanut man in section D to clear up payroll space for the future Hall of Famer. For more lets go to Peter Gammons……Peter?

Peter Gammons: Humminna Humminna Humminna Humminna Red Sox Humminna Humminna Humminna.

Trey Wingo: Thanks guys. Now for the rest of the league action……

Arkansas Hillbilly: This nation needs a new hero.

By Michael

February 1, 2007 02:38 PM | Link to this

Dear Shawn Smith:

“…Way to dish…” The word is diss, short for dismiss.

Just felt I needed to help get you up to speed on the slang side of life.

By Joe Torre

February 1, 2007 02:39 PM | Link to this

So what’s wrong with the way I look?

By Rodger

February 1, 2007 02:48 PM | Link to this

Michael, isn’t that disrespect?

By Shaun

February 1, 2007 02:49 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul,

No, minor league numbers don’t exactly translate but if you can consistently hit well in the minors, you can hit well in the majors. If you hit .315/.362/.491 in 7 seasons at Class A to Class AAA, as Matt Diaz did, you are good enough to be at least a pretty good hitter in the majors.

I’m sure there are a handful but there aren’t many players who hit very well in the minors over several seasons and completely stink in the majors.

My point is Matt Diaz’s minor and major league numbers and age are enough to give us insight into what he will do next year: He’s likely to hit at least in the .290 to .300 range with around a .340 to .360 OBP and a .460 to .470 SLG.

By TennesseePaul

February 1, 2007 02:50 PM | Link to this

You know, I’ve been re-reading that Hudson article, fabulous writing I might add, what’s Hudson going to do if, after all this offseason conditioning, he’s even worse this year? Sounds like the guy has a lot of pride in himself. That’d be a hard one to handle.

By Rodger

February 1, 2007 02:52 PM | Link to this

Shaun, 2 names from Braves lore-Brad Komminsk, George Lombard. Pros or Major Leaugers ?

By Darrin "The Vent King"

February 1, 2007 03:08 PM | Link to this

I don’t agree with LaRoache’s assessment here about the ATL fan’s being spoiled. I believe the term is “tired and apathetic”. We Braves fans are tired and have been for some time of the apathetic way the Bravos go about their play in a boring, unpassionate, buissness-like manner and then fall on their face in the playoffs for an entire DECADE straight. We watch 162 games every year and know what’s coming come October. “Spoiled”?? Hardly. How could we get excited when the same thing happens year after year after year. I only watch ‘cause I’m a hometown guy and pray it will change someday but I can’t expect everyone here to do the same and I don’t blame them- they have all the proof and I don’t. So far as I’m concerned, it’s just another cheapshot at the fans by another whiny EX-Brave that’s mad he can’t just coast along and play when he feels like it and get away with it like David Justice. Don’t get mad at us for now jumping up and down every year when you CHOKE!!

By Greg in TN

February 1, 2007 03:12 PM | Link to this

Hey beachcomber,

KO wasn’t too bad… Now Jim Presley? That was brutal to watch for the one season he was here.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 1, 2007 03:21 PM | Link to this

“The deal was beginning to look like an albatross around the Braves’ necks last season.”

Beautifully done, DOB. I’m thoroughly impressed. What can Esteemed Journalist Jimmy Smith do with this one?

By Shaun

February 1, 2007 03:21 PM | Link to this

Rodger,

That’s two players in Braves history out of how many?

I’d be curious to see Komminsk’s BB/K ratio in the minors. My guess is his traditional stats looked great but he didn’t have the plate discipline to be a good major leaguer. Could be wrong, though, if anyone can find his numbers.

Lombard is similar. Doesn’t look like he has/had the plate discipline to do much in the majors. I would also add that he was never really given a shot to play everyday anywhere. Who knows what he could have done with consistent playing time in his prime?

By Lew

February 1, 2007 03:31 PM | Link to this

DOB-Yes, it is, indeed, an honor to be the Official Wicky artist. I’m sure T Shirts will be discussed. BTW-Check your AJC email-I forwarded you a concert announcement you’ll like. Hillbilly-That was great. Do they have journalists in Appalachia? If not, you could start a trend.

By Shaun

February 1, 2007 03:31 PM | Link to this

Rodger and TennPaul,

I will add, in TB and KC’s defense in regards to Diaz and in regards to Lombard, it’s hard to give decent-hitting outfielders a shot at the major league level because there are a lot of them. You have to do much more offensively in the minors to impress as an outfielder than you do as a secondbaseman or a catcher.

By Gil

February 1, 2007 03:32 PM | Link to this

My bad, you are right, it was Len Barker. The trade was made when Ted Turner thought he was a great baseball mind. I had the opportunity to see Jacoby and Butler while they were in Richmond. You could see they were going to be great ones. As for Brad Komminsk. That kid could really hit until Joe Torre really screwed up his swing. After that….. Thud…. I still think it is too early to give up on Langerhans. He is only 26. That is really young. Most guys really don’t hit their stride until they are 28 or so.

I don’t know how many of you guys play golf but lets face it. A lot of the game is played between the ears. It takes a while for some of these kids to get it sorted out.

As for Huddy, I think he got caught up reading his press clippings too much and forgot what made him successful. The last two years may have been a wake up call.

I think you are going to see a much different Braves team this year. They found out they could not just phone it in.

By JK

February 1, 2007 03:39 PM | Link to this

Gil, Hudson is not the kind of guy to get caught up in his own press clippings. If anything, he pressed a little too much to live up to the expectations of the fans & management. Those Oakland teams were so much fun to watch b/c you could see the players having fun. Completely different clubhouse & atmosphere in Atlanta.

By WALKING BEAR

February 1, 2007 03:41 PM | Link to this

“This is off topic, but… I just finished reading an article about how great Hank Aaron was/is and I thought that the Braves should have a big Hank Aaron celebration right about when Bonds is close to “breaking” Hank’s record. Good idea”

This is a bit offbeat also but I want to share an experience of about ten years ago. I needed to lose some weight and my wife and I decided to attend Duke’s famed FAT FARM. And who do you think was in our class? Hank Aaron. I didn’t think he needed to be there but he did and he participated in the classes although it was a repeat for him.

During that two weeks the guy charmed everyone there and by the end of the time we were all wishing he was still playing and we could go out and cheer him on.

In my book Hank Aaron is a first class citizen and I detest the idea that some “walking attitude” is going to break Hank’s record. It simply isn’t right and I for one hope that indictment is coming in short order —- if there is to be one of course.

Three cheers for Hank Aaron from South Georgia.

By kerrell goolsby

February 1, 2007 03:42 PM | Link to this

ADAM! Shut up! Be thankful you got to put on a major league uniform. You knew what the Braves organization was all about, so stop the whining!

By tomo

February 1, 2007 03:46 PM | Link to this

Laroche lost me when he didn’t hustle and was beaten to first base in midseason. After that the Braves season dove…thanks for nothing you miserable curmudgeon

By The Grinch

February 1, 2007 03:49 PM | Link to this

Jai J, as a rabid Dawg fan I feel I need to inform you that if you’re looking for us you might want to try somewhere besides the corporate boxes. You might be surprised at what the rank and file honest Joes/students are like. You might also be interested to know that folks in the corporate box of ANY team in any sport are pretty interchangeable; they’re only interested in money and advancement, as you say.

Funny, Hillbilly. Gammons is rather obsessed with the Sox, is he not?

Lew: props, my man. Just be careful if Wicky takes you out to eat.

DOB, living in the car ain’t such a bad idea; it’s also a hell of a lot easier and cheaper to heat and cool than this antique monster of a house. Might as well be a log cabin(the old stlye, not a nice, tight pre-fab).

By Rodger

February 1, 2007 03:52 PM | Link to this

Yes, a loud three cheers for Hank. Always carried himself with dignity and class. Although its a different era, how many players with a fraction of his talent JUST CAN’T SHUT UP?!

Look back at the books when he played, especially in Milwaukee-he was usually in the top 3 of most offensive and defensive categories every year. A couple weeks back we were talking about unanimous Hall of Fame elections-it’s impossible to believe Hank Aaron was not one!

By Adam LaRoche

February 1, 2007 03:56 PM | Link to this

Can’t y’all just leave me be now—I’m a Pirate now baby!…aarrrrrgghhhhh!…

By brent

February 1, 2007 04:06 PM | Link to this

Didn’t Brad Komminsk have eye problems?

Even though he forgot how to hit, he did win a lady a trip one time in the “grand slam getaway!”

She predicted that he would hit a grand slam in the 7th inning of a game, and he did! Amazing!

What are the odds, and why Brad Komminsk?

I’ll never forget it. Back around ‘88, or so.

That was before I became spoiled, and I watched every game just for fun.

Now, I apparently only watch every game because I expect the Braves to win.

Go spoil yourselves!

By bruce

February 1, 2007 04:06 PM | Link to this

Dave: That is awesome news that Hudson believes he has “great” seasons ahead of him… I am really getting pumped up for this year…

Regarding improved digital recording from LP to CD or improving pre-recorded digital to our individual listening preferences… this guy Drew A Kaplan sells an equalizer software for $22. It seems to me like he knows what he is talking about. If you are interested and can take a few minutes to read what DAK says about his using his digital equalizer product and give your thoughts, I’d appreciate it. I watched & listened to his demo and it looks pretty cool. Your musical ear is probably more sophisticated than mine and I am thinking it might be overkill, but maybe not. “In the old days”, when I had four speakers, I would move the stool to the dead center spot to listen, (and with enough Jack Daniels pretend to conduct or play along with the band) but did not get into boosting particular ranges of sound on an equalizer. Does this product look to you like a part of the answer for recording awesome CDs from LPs or just tuning up WAV files? I am not trying to get you to save me $22, but asking your thoughts on sound improvement potential. DAK says it is good for adjusting to particular listening environments… headphones, car, living room etc and for boosting the highs which is needed as the ears get older. Thanks, Bruce

By Gil

February 1, 2007 04:08 PM | Link to this

Too many hypocrits for that to ever happen. There will always be some “cause of the month” that people will be fighting about. For Hank it was the dumb asses that were mad he broke Babe Ruth’s records.

The man still represents Atlanta and baseball with dignity. No wispers or snide remarks. A true sign of greatness as his legacy endures.

By brent

February 1, 2007 04:10 PM | Link to this

and one more thing, and this is important:

NO ONE SHOULD BE PAYING $20 TO PARK! I HAVE NEVER PAID MORE THAN $10, AND USUALLY ONLY PAY $5.

I am convinced that the inflated prices that people report paying for parking, beer (which is bad for you), and tickets, is part of what keeps some fans away.

By doggonegadawg

February 1, 2007 04:13 PM | Link to this

I really hated to see Adam leave. I thought that he was truly on the brink of greatness. He said that the Atlanta fans were “spoiled and they need to know that” but what kind of attitude should Atl fans have after 14 straight? We do, however, see that Atl will not support a team in the playoffs if that is their only goal. World Series Champions should be the only goal.

By Mitchie-san

February 1, 2007 04:15 PM | Link to this

Its funny how many people that hardly say anything have piped in. LaRoche really got under people’s skin!

By BB FAN

February 1, 2007 04:16 PM | Link to this

Shaun,

Minor league stats do not mean everything. Ron Kittle was one of the best minor leaguers but he could not consistantly hit in the majors. I believe he hit under .240 for his career in the majors. But I believe he hit like .310 in the minors with awesome power. That is just one example of thousands who succeed in the minors but can’t hit in the majors.

Diaz is a great 4th OF/platoon player/pinch hitter. But that’s about it. And even if he repeats his performance at the plate from last year, his defense is bad enough to keep him a platoon player. He will always be replaced in the field. His defense reminds me of Manny Ramirez. The only reason Manny still plays in the OF is the Red Sox have Ortiz to DH and Manny’s offense makes up for his miscues in the field. Diaz will never be a good enough hitter that the manager can ignore his miscues in the field.

By Jim

February 1, 2007 04:20 PM | Link to this

LeRoach sez: The Pirates need “a couple players to step up and show them how to win”. Maybe when it happens, there will be someone to show him how to win. LeRoach is LeLoser.

By MizzouGuru

February 1, 2007 04:28 PM | Link to this

DOB:

What is the status on Blaine Boyer? I don’t hear much about him in regard to projections of the Braves’ bullpen. Is he expected to be healthy and fully recovered from his shoulder ailment?

By Shaun

February 1, 2007 04:30 PM | Link to this

BB FAN,

Well, I don’t think Diaz is as bad as Manny in the field.

Also, you’re right, minor league stats aren’t everything. But they are pretty reliable if you have enough info. You need to also look at how good the rest of the league is, ballpark, age. Also, as someone brought up once, BB/K ratio and batting average are more important in the minors than in the majors.

Also, some players might flop in the majors for some inexplicable or not-so-obvious reason.

For the most part, the best hitters in the minors are going to be at least good major leaguers. Look at how many hitters that Baseball America has ranked as top 100 prospects since they’ve been doing their list actually become productive major leaguers—it’s probably at least 95 percent.

Minor league stats are more reliable than a lot of people think.

By trey kelley

February 1, 2007 04:37 PM | Link to this

we are spoiled fans, we expect to win and that is not a bad thing. why do we not have sellouts at games anymore. people don’t hold the team inregards anymore, we need to support our team and will them to win instead of sitting home and watching. personally i am glad he’s gone, he is a cocky player that had to be benched several times for his lack of effort on the field. just because he has one good year doesn’t mean we pay him an outrageous amount of money. plus we need pitching, whats wrong with having 3 closers, that means from the sixth or seventh inning the other team will have to work real hard to win that game

By dylan

February 1, 2007 04:41 PM | Link to this

gwinnett arena is hit or miss when I saw the beastie boys there it was awful you couldnt understand a word coming from any of the rappers mics. On the other hand Weezer and Foo Fighters were terrific there and I had no problems with hearing at all. I heard bad things about tenacious D there though several friends complained about problems hearing the mics at times. Its not the best acoustically designed place in the world for sure but it isnt the worst and I have had a good time at the venue its close to my house so that is another bonus. I would advise eating before you come cause the food prices inside there are horrendous.

By Braves Fan

February 1, 2007 04:43 PM | Link to this

I am a braves fan living in NY and I will proudly wear my braves jersey to a mets vs braves game. Go Braves 2007

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 1, 2007 04:45 PM | Link to this

Lew, What exactly is Appalachia? I honestly have never heard that term used locally, but I’ve heard it used a couple of times on these blogs by various folks. I live in extreme south central Arkansas and the closest thing to a Mountain around here is the mountain of Milwaukee’s Best cans in old man Kemper’s yard.

By Ray

February 1, 2007 05:10 PM | Link to this

Glad to see LaRoche take the being traded experience with class. Good luck to him and I hope he can remain a productive major leaguer for years to come

By Tommy

February 1, 2007 05:15 PM | Link to this

Spoiled … Well its hard to be spoiled when it takes 150 to 200 dollars for a family of four to enjoy a night at the ball park to watch a bunch of millionaries play baseball. I love the game with a passion most can’t think of, I’ve been there when they lost a 100 games a year, I was there when Hank hit 715, I was there in the Old days of Rico, Bob, Phil, and many more. No I’m not spoiled. I’m Hard … I’m sick of guys not giving 100% everyday, I’m sick of no blockbuster trades, I’m sick of no REAL FREE AGENT signings, I’m sick of the Yankees and the Red Sox getting the pitchers and the Braves not doing anything year after year in the off season to help the club WIN. Andrew will be Andrew a Potential best there ever us for 15 years. We all talked about him after he hit those homeruns as a kid, well he has never developed in to the SUPERSTAR. Chipper is still Chiipper, steady as can be. On the down side of his career never turn into the superstar we all wished for, We all so thay shinning star it just never happened. Until the front office decide to commit to bring in front line pitchers it will be the same story year after year.

By dougp

February 1, 2007 05:15 PM | Link to this

wow wow woow, slow down people, someone said that beer is bad for you, or is it just ‘high priced’ beer? this has to be settled now. no way beer is bad for you, if it was they wouldn’t charge so much for it at the ball game now would they.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 05:20 PM | Link to this

Hillbilly, that’s some funny stuff. Appalachia _ all you need to know is Arkansas ain’t in it.

And I doubt you’ll find many of your average residents of north Alabama or way-north Georgia who know they’re in it, either.

Or folks in the eastern parts of Tennesee and Kentucky.

It’s kind of a term us pseudo-intellectuals (and intellectuals) like to throw around for an awfully large area that starts in Dixie and runs up almost to New England, which means it’s too diverse to be considered a real region, in my opinion.

Of course, I’m in the pseud group, so who cares

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 05:23 PM | Link to this

MizzouGuru, I’ll ignore the fact that you have Mizzou in your name and answer your question: Boyer’s fully recovered (or so everyone says, so I’ll take them on their word until proven otherwise) and supposed to be ready for spring training. If he’s healthy, he definitely could be a big contributor, especially now that the Braves won’t have to put him in high-pressure situations right off the bat because they have their setup guys. Boyer’s a stud, when healthy. Great arm, fearless approach.

Rock Chalk.

By Scott

February 1, 2007 05:29 PM | Link to this

I guess LaRoche doesn’t remember the 1991 and 1992 playoffs when the Pirates didn’t even sell out their stadium for the NLCS. Adam’s 27 years old and yet he has no history of the game nor the teams that he has played for.

What a joke. He’s just p** because the fans booed him because he was lazy on that ground ball against the Nats earlier this year.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 05:33 PM | Link to this

TennPaul, regarding what’ll happen if Hudson has another mediocre season … man, that’s rough to even bring up this early. Let’s let the man go out and show us what he can do first.

But now that you mention it … yikes. Another disappointing season would be problematic, to say the least.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 1, 2007 05:33 PM | Link to this

oh, the humanity! black toe? this journalist can think of nothing more scary. it is good that lew saw a good toe man quickly. as some will remember, this journalist has advocated a toe man for the braves for many months but as yet without success. perhaps if js is reading the blog today he will consider employing an eminent toe man for this baseball team. toes are not to be trifled with.

now, lew, congratulations on being the official portrait painter of wicky. you must go to the art store and buy more pencils. how many pencils for a wicky poster? this journalist thinks lew should get a stipend for supplies because this is going to be a big job. now, lew could enhance the portrait a bit - perhaps include a waist. maybe a better defined chin(s). lose a few doughnuts.

and have the braves ordered enough pants to start the season? it is important to have plenty of pants on hand for these big pitchers. and didn’t paronto pitch well enough last season to not have to give up his pants for other players this year?

and now, grinch … yes, that was an authentic jjs post you read. it is true that stinky blogs as jjs as much as this journalist - but, hey, stinky is everywhere on this blog. if he learns to post his name in bold blue type he will soon be dob.

and, this journalist has read that the zoo may move from grant park. there are so many things this journalist could do with this topic … best that jimmy smith only say that the zoo belongs in grant park. walking distance from the ted.

By bruce

February 1, 2007 05:48 PM | Link to this

jjs: …and didn’t paronto pitch well enough last season to not have to give up his pants for other players this year?** Wow… that is funny, I amost spit out my cheez-its… the peanut butter with them is too much trouble, but I tried it.

By Adam L

February 1, 2007 05:52 PM | Link to this

You know what I think about Scott Thorman?

I mean, you got the first mainstream Canadian-American first baseman who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that’s a storybook, man.

As far as so-called journalist jimmy smith - I don’t think he knows what the heck he is talking about.

By Crig

February 1, 2007 05:55 PM | Link to this

In general, LaRoche was right about fans being spoiled. It’s obvious in the playoffs when they can’t even sell out in the first round. As someone who has to drive 8 hours to catch a couple games every year, I nearly puked when the Ted was transformed into little-Boston last summer when the Sox were in town. Pathetic. As far as the budget… I can deal with a set 80-85m cap but NOT when they spend millions to put in that stupid scoreboard. Now, they have the nerve to raise ticket prices but NOT increase payroll. MLB needs to get out of the business of allowing corporations to own sports teams.

By TennesseePaul

February 1, 2007 06:32 PM | Link to this

Something a little interesting… Renteria wasn’t a consistant minor league hitter (started well, slumped off then came back) and, over the course of his minor league days, compiled a .258 average with a .308 OBP. On another note, one particular Brave slammed up the minors with a .305 AVG and now struggles to hit .270. But he cranks the ball out of the park and plays incredible defense.

By TennesseePaul

February 1, 2007 06:34 PM | Link to this

DOB: Yeah. I’m hoping for a turn around for so many reasons now. I don’t wanna know what would happen to Hudson if he flops this year.

By Gil

February 1, 2007 06:41 PM | Link to this

now that’s funny….

By Homer Sapien

February 1, 2007 06:44 PM | Link to this

I just finished the article on Hudson. Two things,Hudson has blamed off season workouts every year,and Roger Mcdowell hasn’t seen the pitchers in four months!You would think a pro would be more dedicated.

By brent

February 1, 2007 06:49 PM | Link to this

I have this to say to Boston Fans:

If you’re going to make fun of Atlantan’s for letting Sox Fans fill up the Ted,

then you should be SUPER-EMBARRASSED at having Kobe Bryant cheered and lauded with “MVP!” chants in Boston last night.

Losers!

By Lew

February 1, 2007 06:50 PM | Link to this

Hillbilly-I certainlyapologize if I am geographically challenged. However, the question remains-How can you be a Hillbilly if yer a goldurned flatlander?

By The Grinch

February 1, 2007 07:25 PM | Link to this

One vote for beer is NOT bad for you.

Jimmy Smith, thank you for settling my mind about the post. That was a disturbing idea that Parantoe may have to give up his pants. I wonder how he’ll take it if he gets cut or demoted? I can just imagine the locker room, only with all the RP’s as proportionally-sized elephant seals…

Gonzalez holds Parantoe’s pants up in one flipper, looking unsure of himself. He looks at McBride, already wearing HIS pants, and McBride gives an affirmative grunt. As Gonzalez begins to put them on for the first time, there is a great bellowing as Parantoe comes around the corner from the showers, his great, boxer-clad body moving three times faster than normal. All the other bulls scatter save Gonzalez, who stands to meet the challenge. They face off and bellow deeply at each other a few times, then begin to batter each other with their huge bodies. It quickly becomes apparent that Gonzalez is no match. After the third time Parantoe butts the young pitcher, he turns and begins to give ground, bleating in alarm. One more butt sends him sprawling and scurrying. Parantoe bellows in triumph, but as he moves to reclaim his pants there is a deep roar that shakes the lockers as the monstrous, battle-scarred form of Wicky barrels in and moves between Chad and the pants. Parantoe bravely butts at Wicky, but bounces harmlessly off. He looks to his brothers Yates and McBride for help, but they hang their heads. Wicky dives forward and delivers a mighty blow, sending him rolling toward the locker room door. His pride wounded more than his body, he deals out a few mighty roars from a safe distance, then scuttles off to regroup before migrating to another bullpen, hopeful of mounting a succesful challenge there. A delighted and relieved Gonzalez tries to nurse at Wicky’s enourmous withered teats, but Wicky slaps him aside with a tusk-scarred flipper and points to the pants. Gonzalez understands his role now and dons them with much ceremony and barking from his new pod.

Off to the gym.

By Head Coach

February 1, 2007 07:31 PM | Link to this

This is my two cents on the MLB/Direct TV deal. The owners pay the players millions. The TV networks pay MLB and the owners hundreds of millions. Cable companies pay the networks. YOU , the American consumer pay the cable companies billions of YOUR HARD EARNED DOLLARS and I just disconnected my cable , permanently. I’ll probably eventually cave in and buy the MLB online package so I can watch games on my computer , which is far cheaper than paying into the current system. Add a TV tuner card , run it to my big screen and watch all the games on my 42 inch TV. Sound like a plan ?

By Stinky

February 1, 2007 07:36 PM | Link to this

jjs is such a liar.

By ernesto

February 1, 2007 07:47 PM | Link to this

Head Coach, I’ve done the MLB internet thing for two seasons be prepared to lose the stream - plenty. Be prepared for the video feed to stop and stay frozen while audi continues - plenty. I’d watch it a few times before I invested in a cable card - it pretty much sucks.

By Lew

February 1, 2007 07:55 PM | Link to this

Stinky-It’s been a while since you’ve been a Whiny Little Jerk. You getting ready to disassociate again anytime soon? Have you fully recovered from your break with reality? Has you therapist cleared you to blog again? Just concerned for your welfare, you understand.

By Haze Gray

February 1, 2007 08:00 PM | Link to this

Who cares what thr Roach thinks. Glad he’s gone and wish Chippie was going with him.

By Lew

February 1, 2007 08:01 PM | Link to this

Ernesto-What kind of internet access do you have? Will high speed cable make a difference? I’ve had Extra Innings through cable for several years, but I’ll listen to the games on XM before I change to Direct TV. It may be the only way to hear Skip and Pete, anyway.

By Hammy the Brave

February 1, 2007 08:41 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Don’t you think the Bravos could you a little more depth? Like another potential lefty for the rotation, like Mark Redmond or Bruce Chen, to hedge against Hampton or help at Richmond. Also a veteran lefty bat for the bench, like Dimitri Young who could play first, left and third. They both could be signed to minor league contracts.

By KC

February 1, 2007 08:44 PM | Link to this

TennPaul:

If he has another mediocre season… it will all depend on how mediocre.

If he has posts another ERA of close to 5.00… OUCH!!! Even in this market, we’d likely have eat at least a bit of his salary in order to deal him (or package young talent with him while getting nothing in return).

If he posts an ERA in the low 4.00 range or better, I think there will teams willing to absorb all of his salary. When you consider that Vicente Padilla, Ted Lilly, and their perennial 4.50 ERA’s are worth 11 million a season… it’s hard to imagine no takers for Hudson in that scenario.

If he puts up something in the neighborhood of the 3.52 ERA that so many have called “mediocre”, then there will be 10 or more teams willing to deal for him and offer something significant in return. However, in that case, we probably wouldn’t be looking to deal him. 13 million for a 3.50 ERA starter in this market is a bargain. And with this bullpen and what should still be a very solid offense… that ERA would likely be good for at least 17 or 18 wins.

Hey, unrelated to baseball…

Check out these two websites… they’re both hilarious. (But don’t visit the second one if you belong to PETA!):

www.despair.com

www.petsorfood.com

By KC

February 1, 2007 08:48 PM | Link to this

Hammy:

The Braves already have 2 lefties in their rotation: Hampton and James. Why would they need another? Especially Bruce Chen???

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 1, 2007 08:55 PM | Link to this

DOB, a couple of questions. 1. Do you have a list of the non-roster invitees to spring trainging? 2. Does JS lament his not pulling the trigger on the Reitsma for Holliday trade last season?

By journalist jimmy smith

February 1, 2007 09:13 PM | Link to this

grinch, that episode with the paronto pants and elephant seals has this journalist very confused. perhaps when baby seal gets back from the gym baby seal can help this journalist understand the post better. in the meantime, continue with the medications prescribed by the doctor and stay away from the lavendar soap. now, we must ask dob, which of these big relief pitchers is the most imposing? and this journalist notes the stinky blogger taking a few shots at jimmy smith again. have at it, clarabelle. probably paid his bill and got his phone turned back on - now the modem works again. now, baseball … what will it be like in bobby’s dugout with new bench coach chino cadahia? and has chino been blogging here over the winter months? not sure - just asking. last day to order your super bowl cheese ball in time for the game.

By Hammy the Brave

February 1, 2007 09:34 PM | Link to this

KC,

What I’m suggesting is adding more lefty starting depth, someone who’d agree to stay in Richmond if needed, where they won’t have much lefty starting depth at all. If you’ve noticed the last 2 off-seasons, JS has signed a plethora of righties, but not lefties, for some unknown reasons.

Also, don’t you think we need a veteran lefty power bat on the bench? My suggestion of Dimitri Young can play 3 positions, switch-hit and is very familiar with the NL.

I always try to look and see what the ‘weak link’ is on the Braves, and am not satisfied until they fill it.

By KC

February 1, 2007 09:50 PM | Link to this

Hammy: I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to signing the right left-handed bat for the bench. I think it is very disappointing that we didn’t re-sign D.Ward. When news broke that he wouldn’t re-sign, I figured he got some 3-4 million dollar deal somewhere. I was pretty surprised that we lost him to a one million dollar deal with the Cubs. Oh well.

I understand your point on the lefty thing, but I don’t know that there’s really any reason to be overly concerned with whether your starters are righties or lefties. As long as they get outs, that’s good enough. Now relievers may be a different story. You always want to have at least to lefties in the pen (which we have), but I think 2 is plenty in the rotation right now.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

Robert (JIB), they haven’t announced any other invitees since their mid-December announcement of these six guys: Journeyman lefty Steve Colyer, OF/2B Willie Harris, righty Buddy Carlyle, OF Doug Clark, and catchers Iker Franco and Corky Miller.

There might be a few more, maybe a catcher or two because they need catchers in the first weeks down there.

When they signed journeyman pitcher Trey Hodges and a couple others to minor league deals in the past month or so, they didn’t announce them because the Braves don’t announce most minor league deals unless there’s a spring training invite, and I was told those guys had not and probably would not get invitations to big league camp.

By OPII

February 1, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

I always thought that LaRoche was a nice enough guy (after all, he has a farm in my home state). However, it was always my impression that he was absolutely TERRIBLE in the clutch.

His numbers were pretty good, but whenever he’d be up and we’d need a hit, seems like he’d strike out or hit into a double play. Anyone else feel this way?

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

so far, by the way, Salty and Escobar aren’t on the non-roster invitee list, and gotta think they will be. So I’d expect there’s a few more coming soon.

By flbravesgirl

February 1, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

Y’all are in good form today. First Ark. Hillbilly’s 2:32, then Grinch’s 7:25. Hysterical stuff, guys.

Congratulations, Lew! Now we’ll all have to be on the lookout for Official Lew-designed Wicky merchandise.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

Opii, while true that LaRoche hit a pedestrian .254 with 31 strikeouts in 122 at-bats with runners in scoring position last season and .258 with RISP for his career, in the late innings of close games he hit .273 (21 for 77) with eight home runs, second on the team to Francoeur’s nine homers.

LaRoche’s .649 slugging percentagte in close-and-late situations was the team leader, and his 1.001 OPS in those situations ranked second to Andruw’s 1.024.

And in eight career playoff games, he hit .320 (8-for-25) with two doubles, two homers (including a grand slam), five walks and a robust 1.073 OPS.

So no, he obviously wasn’t always terrible in the clutch.

By Scalp 'em Braves

February 1, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

As I sit before the fireplace, real wood burning with a nice flame emanating on this cold Febraury night, I have the following thoughts and reflections, on baseball, and other issues discussed on the blog.

Grinch:

You and I are kindred spirits (other than the fact that you are a ball licking, leg humping UGA fan) that come from different walks of life. But, my good friend, you MUST get health insurance. DOB pointed out a worst case scenario of being without it. I am an employer of 12 people. I give each of them health insurance as part of their employment. It costs me a freaking arm and a leg. It is expensive. But, it is a “necessary evil” in today’s world. Either find a job with an employer who offers it, or buy it. You will curse every payment you make for the insurance while you don’t need it, and thank the stars, or God, whichever your bent, if something bad happens, or you are diagnosed with a disease which involves expensive treatment.

JJS:

Did you read that LeBron James has been diagnosed with a sore toe, which will likely sideline him for 2 or 3 games per week. How do you weigh in on this “toe the line”? Is there a difference between Basket-toe-ball and Base-toe-ball?

Also, you queried yesterday concerning Super Bowl menus, and the inclusion of cheese. I can only say that my good friend, hosting a Super Bowl party, has come down heavily on the side of meat - ribs, brats, burgers and venison chili (I’m not sure about this one - will have to reserve judgment). When I asked him about the availability of cheese at the party, his response was “Sure, we’ll have some skanky women there, and you can get all the cheese you want from between their legs” (barf). It is very likely he was joking about this. I hope so, because my wife would definitely not appreciate me being exposed to that kind of cheese, aged, blue veined, or otherwise.

Baseball issues:

I think we have a good team next year. The key will be which of the players will “lay it all on the line”, every day. Looking over who we have, I can’t see anyone who will “dog it”. Thorman - he’s got something to prove. KJ at 2nd - don’t know enough about him, but the boy has proven himself tough at the plate in the short time he has been with the club. Renteria - “Steady Eddie” - no worries. Chipper - as long as he is in the lineup, you can count on his best, even if it hurts him - he’s a gamer. Left Field - who the hell knows? I don’t think we will be disappointed, effort wise, whoever is out there. Andruw - this one is the only suspect - his incredible gifts have led him, in some minds, to be somewhat lackadaisial, in the field - he is also sloppy at the plate at times. But, this is his “walk year”, and Bora$$ has no doubt “bored” into him that he has to bust his butt this year to maximiaze his value. Frenchy - no worries - the guy will lay it out every play, and every at bat - if he could just be more patient at the plate at times. McCann - Baby Huey is mature way beyond his years, and has demonstrated over the past 1 1/2 years he will spare no effort to win.

LaRoche - I think DOB’s interview and summary comments indicates several things about Adam. First, he was happy here, and hated to leave. Second, he took his trade like a man, understanding the business side of baseball. Third, he leaves with no bitterness and has plenty of class to express candid (not detrimental) observations (unlike Cory Lytle’s trade from the Phils to the Yankees last year - God rest Cory’s soul).

I’m not sure if we, as Braves fans, are “spoiled” - perhaps complacent. But, we should not assume that the Braves will win the divsion each year, as we have come to expect. Adam was correct that this past season was a wake up call for players and fans, and that we should all treat every game as a “must win”.

Read an earlier post that “I have been a fan since ‘91”. You are either a baby, or a late comer. Some of us here have been fans since ‘66, when the Braves hit town initially. We have suffered through the bad, rejoiced through the good, and tolerated the mediocre. Welcome to baseball, Newby.

As usual, this post was too long. However, it is a long post as opposed to 5 or ten shorter posts which may have been made by others, and doesn’t set out quotes from others, and then argue with them (yes, I am calling you out Shaun).

By ag

February 1, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

Ryan Adams puts on a great show. Doesn’t put up with people talking crap to him or yelling out what songs they want to hear. Amazing, Amazing song writer. ‘Heartbreaker’ is GREAT album.

By David O'Brien

February 1, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

Scalp ‘em, thanks for cozying up by the fire and giving us a damn thoughtful post. Good stuff, right on the money with just about everything. Maybe even everything, I just don’t want to go back and make sure.

Anybody watch Sarah Silverman’s new show on Comedy Central tonight? Very funny and very cute, that woman….

OK, gotta watch The Office on DVR and try to get to bed before my normal 3-4 a.m. winter lights-out, since I actually have to wake up on time in the morning to get down to Turner Field.

The boys are gonna throw it around a little tomorrow at the ‘yard, folks. Can you believe it? Spring is just about here….

By Gil

February 1, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this

Just a thought, In case the Braves get desperate for more cash they can hold some preseason SUMO wrestling exhibitions. I think we can come up with some candidates. Hey, Milwalkie already has the sausage races…. My money is on Wicky….

By Scalp 'em Braves

February 2, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this

DOB:

Gotta say, The Office show tonight fell a little bit short of expectations - I love the show generally. However, the hooker angle toinght was awesome.

Hope them boys wrap themselves up tomorrow throwing the ball around. Don’t want any of them straining a cold muscle which could affect them during spring training or the season.

Taking off on your song lyric quotations, I listened to an oldy, but goody ( I know lots of people think this guy is a terrorist now, but in his day, he was an awesome writer and performer). This song has particular significance to me, as I met my “Hard Headed Woman”.

“Hard Headed Woman” by Cat Stevens

“I’m looking for a hard headed woman… One who’ll take for myself… And if I find my hard headed woman, I won’t need, nobody else…

I’m looking for a hard headed woman, one who’ll make me do my best… and if I find my hard woman, I know the rest of my life will be blessed, yes, yes, yes….

I know a lot of fancy dancers, people who guide you on the floor, they move so smooth, but have no answers, when you ask them what’d you come here for?

I know, many fine feathered friends, where the friendliness depends, on what you do… they know, many sure fired ways, to find out the one who pays, and how you do….

I’m looking for a hard headed woman, one who’ll make me feel so good….. and if I find my hard headed woman, I know my life will be as should, yes, yes, yes…

I’m looking for a hard headed woman, one who’ll do my best, and if I find mny hard headed woman……. (end)

I have to say - I am lucky - I found that hard headed woman who made me do my best. This song has been a rock to me over the past 26 years of my marriage. Tomorrow, perhaps my other favorite Cat song - Father & Son, which had relevance to me 30 years ago as a young man, and now has relevance to me as a father of sons in their 20’s?

Peace to all and good will to man ;o)

By flbravesgirl

February 2, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

Gil, you’re right about having sumo candidates in the bullpen. But think about it man, do you really want to see Wicky, Paronto, etc. in those little sumo-thongs? I sure don’t. Reeally scary image.

By Scalp 'em Braves

February 2, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this

Geez - my typing/proofreading is terrible at this hour.

The next to last paragraph of the song should read should read “I’m looking for a hard headed woman, on who’ll make me do my best…

Grinch, help a drunken brother out here!!

By Scalp 'em Braves

February 2, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this

FBG:

You don’t like fat men? And you serve up the ultimate fattening Red Velvet Cake? Do you want to have your fat men, or do you want to eat them? Oh, the humanity!!!

By journalist jimmy smith

February 2, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

scalp’em, toes are not to be trifled with. a toe injury can be a debilitating injury. just look at our own chipper jones who has an injured toe/toes - not sure how many (probably just a rumor). will lebron be forced to wear a big, red, clown shoe like pedro? and will that one, long, shoe not cause lebron to be over the line on his shots? one cannot toe the line with those big clown shoes.

and now, cheese from a can sounds better and better when one considers cheese from the source described by scalp’em - and this journalist would never eat canned cheese. could scalp’em have found the origin of cheez wiz? and if meat is the fare at scalp’ems’ super bowl party that is just fine. but take time for cheese whether it be cheese in the chili, cheese on a cracker, or cheese in a can. a little more cheese and a lot fewer doughnuts and wicky would be not more than a two-pencil portrait. now, dob will be seeing the players tomorrow. perhaps dob can ask wicky his favorite cheese (let’s hope it is not a processed cheese product).

and now greetings from carolina lady who reports to this journalist that she has been busy caring for her mom and has been unable to blog. carolina lady thanks those bloggers who have missed her and inquired about her being away. hopefully, she will return soon.

now, one last thought about venison chili. as jjs was reading this post aloud hartebeest ran from the room. go figure.

By Scalp 'em Braves

February 2, 2007 01:02 AM | Link to this

JJS:

Doughnut cheese?? I thought that is what I was running away from!!

Carolina Lady - by way of JJS… please come back and add some class to this blog. You help keep us male alpha wolves under control.

By stinky

February 2, 2007 01:14 AM | Link to this

How will LaRoche know that he’s batting without Muley Cox yelling at him from the dugout now?

By Lew

February 2, 2007 01:20 AM | Link to this

Esteemed Journalist-I’m so good, Wicky only took one pencil. We court painters know how to bring out the best in people while avoiding their worst sides, so to speak. He is a person of substance. It’s all in your approach.

By Wayne in UT

February 2, 2007 03:10 AM | Link to this

Scalp em I am darn late getting to the blog tonight, as I have been working (gotta make a livin’).

We must be similar aged, as my dad took me down to Atlanta (3 hour trip) in ‘66 to see the new kids in town.

Clete Boyer was my favorite a year or two later, and we all tried to throw the knuckleball the same way Phil did back then, with our fingernails “dug in” to the ball.

Life was good then, and Joe Torre couldn’t leg one out, even then. Come to think of it, life is still pretty darned good. Any day above ground is a good day!

Nite all……. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

By TheNewYaWker

February 2, 2007 03:15 AM | Link to this

So there’s dis guy out in San Fran with a big head and a bigger ego, Bonds I tink his name is. Well, he wants about $16 mil. dis year to wear a Giants jersey, and dats about all he wants to do. Oh, and he wants his entourage, whatever that is, guess that must be the guys what totes his vitamins and his special creams around for him. Most of all he don’t want to make any promotional appearances in support of the team, in other words, he could care less about signin’ autographs for the kids and gettin’ his picture took wit ‘em…What a bonehead! He’s a little bit like that Rocketman down there in Houston, he wants one o’ dem World Series Rings, and most importantly, he wants to break ol’ Hank’s homerun record. Talk about castin’ your pearls before the swine!

If I was the opposin’ pitcher tossin’ the ball to ol’ Bonds in particular I tink I would just bean the guy every time he got in the box, that way I would save myself 3 extra pitches in lew of walkin’ him. Tell you’s guys what dis is like, dis is like an ol’ pimp(MLB & Giants)and Bonds(expensive, but worn out w*******)and his loyal fans(johns). MLB & the Giants keep puttin’ Bonds out there and the fans keep tryin’ to squeeze their moneys worth out of the guy…I guess as long as everybody keeps feedin’ the big bills to ol’ Bonds den he don’t mind to keep on “lovin’ you longtime”…oh it’s the ruination o’ baseball!…What a swell guy! You’s knows what? You’s guys oughtta be glad a scoundrel like that don’t wanna sigh autographs for your kids or get his picture took wit ‘em, he ain’t the best example o’ how a man conducts hisself in dis world. I gots no respect for a guy like dat!…

By ernesto

February 2, 2007 05:16 AM | Link to this

LEW - Sorry to be so long to respond about teh high-speed wifi. I run the upper high-speed cable package (3 up, 3 down I think). I do wifi through an apple airport extreme and ahve tried using MLB.com through Safari, Internet Explorer (no longer available to us Mac-heads), and Netscape Navigator. Also you can choose b/w Windows Media (the one I use) and a Real Media Player. I have tried most mixes of all configs with varying results. Mostly bad. I was pysched to have MLB Extra Innings last season, it was so much better - I really hope this DirectTV deal doesn’t go through.

By Shaun

February 2, 2007 08:28 AM | Link to this

As usual, this post was too long. However, it is a long post as opposed to 5 or ten shorter posts which may have been made by others, and doesn’t set out quotes from others, and then argue with them (yes, I am calling you out Shaun).

Sorry, man. To me this is the nature of the blog world. And discussion and argument often times leads to truth.

By doc

February 2, 2007 08:30 AM | Link to this

you know dave, this fan base is as fickle as they come. last year at the beginning of the season there was nothing but sniping against laroche. you defended him well against the rails upon his “long” swing and his momentary mental lapses that we all have from time to time. i got tired of it and retired leaving it to you as it reminded me of what had been done to andruw the year before. adam made them drop their hate just in time to see him go with the class and aplomb you said he had as you defended him. he took all the hits broad side and stepped up to the criticism. now we se it very clearly. i got tired of the hate and simply read in disbelief.

again, it reminded me of all the hate there was for andruw the year before as i warned many that they better wake up as they were liable to miss enjoying one of the best if not the best offensive years any atlanta brave had and possibly any brave ever had period, in milwaukee or boston. he came through and sadly this might be the season known only for his passing through our fingers as he goes on to another team and gets into the hall wearing another hat other than the braves like the rocket is apt to do.

yes, roachy said it very well the fans and the players have been spoiled and this year may really bring it home as andruw plays out his string and others go on to the playoffs if the pitching doesnt hold up. the bats arent going to be the same as last year with roach and giles gone and the defense that is so vital to pitching may suffer even more without those two who were not resigned for what they were worth or to arbitration system or 3 mil a year more than what the braves apear to have as a budget. in four months we could be watching again from the bottom wondering where the good times have gone as aj gets traded to a contender for some young prospects if the magic in the bullpen doesnt hold up along with chippers body.

which will get worn out first the bullpen or chipper? where does andruw go as a for hire pennant and world series gun? is there a line on it in vegas yet, should be? … stay tuned.

By ssiscribe

February 2, 2007 08:32 AM | Link to this

So, they’re throwing it around at Turner Field this morning … ah, you’d never know there was sleet and freezing rain on the northside of town just 24 hours ago. Early spring indeed, or so says the furballs who popped out of their holes this morning.

Grinch, to respond: I spent six years on St. Simons Island. Beautiful place to work, chill and enjoy life. But our family went from hubby and wife to hubby, wife and two little guys while down there, and the rest of the family lives in the ATL. So, we moved back last summer, and I honestly don’t miss the beach. Something about being a short drive up I-75 from Philips and Turner, along with being close to family and the mountains, too. I’m an Atlanta native and I’m thrilled to be back. More stuff for us to do, frankly.

Haven’t been on here much lately, unfortunately. Working like crazy. Had a death in the family out of state. And, I hesitate to even mention this, knowing JJS will lecture me about toes not being trifled with, but I had a toe injury (yes, Jimmy, a case of the gout) that made walking sheer agony for a week. It finally took a cortisone shot, some heavy drugs and rest to make it better. Still haven’t returned to the gym yet, though. And the sad part is, with my diet, I’d backed off the red meat and booze and shellfish, which is supposed to trigger gout.

Guess my body was going through withdrawls :-)

And Grinch, health insurance is a must, bro. I used to go without it, but once I married my wife, then had babies, it was a definite must-have. DOB is right: One stupid wazoo running a red light can wreck your car, and your life, if you don’t have insurance. I’m still paying for stuff my boys went through (probably will until they are in college), but it’s OK. Without insurance, I’d be paying until I’m 80.

Here’s to the Bravos getting ready, and the season drawing close at hand. Great to be back on the blog. Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable weekend to all.

The Scribe abides. Peace.

—30—

By Bigboi

February 2, 2007 08:39 AM | Link to this

I’m still hearing rumbleings about Todd Helton wanting to come back home (to the south) and restructure his contract.

Go Bravos

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 2, 2007 08:55 AM | Link to this

Catching up on lastnight’s stuff:

Scalp ‘em, A good pot of Venison chili will make you back up and throw rocks at that beef chili. As long as you don’t have a complete bonehead trying to over-do it.

Grinch, I’m speechless……Almost choked on a piece of deer-steak reading that stuff.

Lew, No need to apologize for the Appalachia thing. I wasn’t calling you out or anything. It was a sincere question that I was curious about. Interesting point about the flatlander thing. I suppose I could change my name to Arkansas River-Rat, considering I live ten minutes from the Ouachita (WA-shi-taw) river and spend all seasons on it. But during turkey season I go North to the Ouachita Mountains and spend a little time, so I guess y’all can call me whatever y’all feel is appropriate.

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 09:06 AM | Link to this

Hey folks, getting ready to head down to the field (or the indoor batting cages at the field), but just wanted to point out something about FanFest Saturday. Someone wrote yesterday that Andruw’s going to be there, but everything I’ve seen from Braves doesn’t include him in list of commitments to be there and sign autographs, etc.

Latest list I got has Chipper, Hudson, Francoeur, McCann, Chuck, Mike Gonzalez, Edgar Renteria and seven or eight others, but not Andruw.

I’ll file a brief something today around 11 a.m. (they want a short few graphs from me then, just who’s at the camp, etc) from the ballpark, then file my real story later after I get home this afternoon.

By Shaun

February 2, 2007 09:30 AM | Link to this

O’Brien,

Do you see any way the Braves could work Helton in? I just don’t see it, but I guess anything is possible. Atlanta obviously doesn’t want to/can’t afford to take on that HUGE contract and I don’t see Colorado trading him if they are still paying a big chunk of what’s remaining on his contract.

Even if the money situation was sorted out, Colorado would probably want at least a player like Andruw and a top prospect. Helton is not exactly a young player anymore and decent, cheap 1B are relatively easy to find, so it wouldn’t make a lot of sense to give up a whole lot for him at this point.

By Lew

February 2, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Hillbilly-Dude, that’s cool. I live in the mountains of Vermont (actually it IS part of the Appalachian Trail), so I hereby make you an honorary Mountain Person. You may now legally retain your tag. No River Rats on this blog (not even Stinky-may he never have another break with reality). Y’all-I’m concerned about these tornadoes in Florida. I have a brother right in the middle of the devastation and I can’t get ahold of him.

By Lew

February 2, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Shaun-Andruw AND a top prospect for Helton-an aging, diminished skill player with a huge contract? Even the Rockies brass aren’t stupid enough to try for THAT trade. They’re trying to dump his contract. Do you really think that if someone were willing (and they’d be really stupid to do it) to take on the contract, that the Rockies wouldn’t take a bag of balls and a few bats in return. WE DON’T WANT OR NEED Helton. Not even for the balls.

By Bigboi

February 2, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

But I think the deal is already being done lew, and they are gonna eat some of the contract.

By Shaun

February 2, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Lew,

Yeah, that’s true. The Rockies would take anything for Helton.

But if they had to pay a lot of his contract anyway, they’d probably want quality players in return or else why trade him?

By Shaun

February 2, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Bigboi,

Doesn’t make sense. As I said, anything’s possible but that’s a ridiculously huge contract, especially for a firstbaseman approaching his mid 30’s. The Rockies want to trade him to get rid of his contract. It doesn’t seem the Braves would take even a large portion of his contract. They already have what appears to be a solid, cheap, young firstbaseman and an adequate backup.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 2, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

The Helton deal makes about as much sense as the Ritchie Sexson fairy tale. This white-trash Hillbilly ain’t buying it. No reason to go after him if we couldn’t even afford to keep Giles. Save that money and make a run for Andruw.

By Lew

February 2, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

Shaun-I can’t see them paying a large portion of Helton’s contract and then taking on Andruw’s $13.5 million. That’s the most absurd way to save money I ever heard. I mean, not even the Bush administration could cut expenses by spending twice the money. Sorry Bigboi-If that one goes through, I’ll take you to dinner. I can’t see the Braves weakening their offense for Helton, who has declining numbers for multiple seasons. For Andruw, who will provide much of our offense this year? Might as well hope the DRays will give us Crawford for the aforementioned bag of balls.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 2, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

scribe, has not this journalist lectured on good toe health for all these many months? how could scribe contract gout with all these warnings? toes are not to be trifled with! lecture now completed.

and now, baseball … the groundhog was out this morning and wicky will be out this afternoon. Isn’t baseball wonderful?

will wicky see his shadow? is the shadow also formidable? does the shadow have its own chaw?

and what of chipper’s toe(s)? can dob give us some indication of chipper’s toe health going into spring training?

and wicky’s protrait completed with only one pencil. that is impressive. neck up, probably.

and cheese … all journalists will be shopping for good road cheese (to take on the road). many a journalist will sit in a lonely hotel room eating cheese and drinking root beer during the baseball season. some will also listen to music.

now, pie … what place does pie have in the super bowl snack assemblage? and why not a nice super bowl pie. ice box probably, not sure. think on it and get back with this journalist.

By Jeff R

February 2, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

LaRoche is the real deal, on and off the field. But…if Gonzalez performs up to expectations, then it was a deal worth making. Thorman just has to be good, not great, for the him to work out. 2B is the key here, though. Johnson needs to prove that he can cover the ground and turn a double play. Up the Middle Defense is second, in my mind, to pitching as the key to winning games.

By Lew

February 2, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Well, things sometimes work well. The tornadoes in Lady Lake, Fla. hit right across the street from my brother’s house. It was so close, his paint job was sandblasted. I feel lucky today. He’s ok.

By Lew

February 2, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Esteemed Journalist-Check your mail-wink, wink. There was an article by Chipper in Chop Talk. He says the oblique is healed but his bunions will give him problems. He is seeing toe doctors and shoe experts to remedy bunion problems as much as possible. Road Cheese? Oh, The Humanity!! Perhaps to be eaten by lowland River Rats?

By Lew

February 2, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Journalist Jimmy-Perhaps the SuperBowl pie should be a variation on the chili-Philly Brand cheese dip. Just put it in a pie shell and serve it in wedges.

By TennesseePaul

February 2, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Go this in my email this morning about the Winter Fan Fest from braves.com

WINTER FANFEST PLAYER APPEARANCES

Players scheduled to appear:
Chipper Jones
Jeff Francoeur
Brian McCann
Andruw Jones
Tim Hudson
Edgar Renteria
Bobby Cox
Mike Gonzalez
Mike Hampton
Scott Thorman
Kelly Johnson
Chuck James
Kyle Davies
Macay McBride
Pete Orr
Blaine Boyer
Roger McDowell
Joey Devine
Lance Cormier
Eddie Perez
Chris Woodward
Anthony Lerew
Chad Pronto
Brian Snitker
Glenn Hubbard

By TennesseePaul

February 2, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Sweet. Eddie Perez. I just saw that. It was in my email and I just now saw that. What’s Eddie’s role with the team these days DOB? Wish I could be there for this thing.

By Mitchie-san

February 2, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

I am concerned about the defense on the right side. If I was the opposing team, my strategy would be to pound the ball that way all game. Hopefully KJ will be there to turn that double play!

By MGL

February 2, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

TennP, If I remember correctly, Eddie is the new BP coach.

By Lew

February 2, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

TenPaul-Eddie takes Bobby Dews place as bullpen coach.

By tvsportscaster

February 2, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

TennPaul, Eddie Perez is now the teams bullpen coach.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 2, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Lew,

Glad to hear everythings o.k. in FLA. Road cheese? Better than Frumunda cheese I guess. Nevermind, I won’t even go there. I’ll leave that up to Scalp ‘em. Almost threw up in my mouth a little bit just thinking about it. (Happy thoughts, Happy Thoughts, deer chili, budweiser, “The Girls Nextdoor”….)

JJS, I’ll bet everybody within a four mile radius west of Wicky saw his shadow this morning. Total eclipse.

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

Hey folks. Just checking e-mails at stadium before I head home to write.

Once again, just wanted to let anybody who’s expecting to see Andruw at FanFest know, he’s not scheduled to be there. They just handed us another release with list of those scheduled to attend _ it’s everybody on TennPaul’s list above, except Andruw. Not on the list.

He might be at the Super Bowl, from what I heard today.

By Mitchie-san

February 2, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

FanFest would be a dream, but I wont be there. (its that whole 7000 miles away thing…not to mention at sea…) If anyone gets some pictures and can post them or email them to me, it would be great!

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Braves are planning to release non-roster invitees list next week, but here it is, from what I was told today:

Pitchers: Kevin Barry, Buddy Carlyle, Steve Colyer, Matt Harrison.

Catchers: Iker Franco, Carlos Mendez, Corky Miller, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Clint Sammons.

Infielders: Yunel Escobar, Willie Harris, Brent Lillibridge.

Outfielder: Doug Clark.

By the way, they’re real high on Harrison, and Bobby even said if they had to use him as a fifth starter, he could probably handle it. But Bobby indicated that Davies and Cormier were the two leading contenders for the spot, and he’d definitely prefer to keep Villarreal in bullpen if possible.

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Oh, and the good news about Andruw: I heard from a couple people today who said he looks to be in terrific shape and has lost between 15-20 pounds. More than one person told me that, and these were people saw him working out this week.

Chipper looks good, same 225 pounds, though he said (half-seriously) it’s more fast food this year instead of chicken and rice. He didn’t hire the personal trainer this time around, the guy who cooked his meals and oversaw his workouts all last winter. Chipper figured that he worked out three hours a day with him last winter and then had three stints on the DL, so he’d try another tact this time.

Also said he fully expects to play 150 or more games if healthy, and doesn’t expect to be spelled by Aybar just as preventive measure. Cox also sounded as if he plans to play Chipper long as he’s healthy. So nevermind that earlier talk about Chipper resting a lot even when healthy. not going to happen.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 2, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Anybody else have the pleasure of watching Duke get beat on ESPN lastnight? Nice comeback by Virginia to send it to OT, and a helluva shot that turned out to be the game winner. I think Duke didn’t make a shot from the field for the last 8 or 9 minutes of the game. I always love to see Duke lose.

By Shaun

February 2, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

Looking at Matt Harrison’s page on thebaseballcube.com:

Less than a homer per 9 innings, 6.57 K/9 and 1.72 BB/9, lefty—very impressive, indeed. And he’s been pretty consistent at every level so far.

By TennesseePaul

February 2, 2007 01:12 PM | Link to this

This mis-information Braves.com is spewing forth is a little disturbing. Oh well. But it’s good to hear AJ is in shape. However, I remember last spring similar stories were being told. Not that he did a bad job last year… I just hope he sticks with the Braves for his whole career; follows the footsteps of Hank (I know, Hank went to the Brewers at the end, but he did play in that city with the Braves so it wasn’t as bad as signing with the Dodgers for the money…)

Thanks for the reminder guys. I forgot Eddie took over for Dews. But, after 10 reminders, I don’t think I’ll forget again. I’m glad he’s still with the Bravos in some capacity.

Chipper. That guy. I recall he worked out with the trainer last offseason, then got the flu and lost 25 pounds. Then jacked his leg up on the infield in Frisco. I’m not sure any amount of training could prepare for that. Whatever he does, I just hope it keeps him in the lineup on a regular basis. I’m looking forward to some stiff NL MVP competition coming from 3B, CF, RF, and C this year.

By Shaun

February 2, 2007 01:37 PM | Link to this

TennPaul,

Something I thought about reading the last part of your last post: Chipper hasn’t gotten all that much MVP consideration over the past few year—kind of odd for a player who has been so consistently excellent. Part of it is the injury problems he’s had and the fact that he doesn’t put up really huge RBI numbers that the voters love. But I also think part of it has to do with his consistency. No one notices when Chipper his .300/.400/.540 because that’s what he does every year.

By mariner

February 2, 2007 01:48 PM | Link to this

DOB, somebody, help me out please. What does “it’s more fastball this year than chicken and rice” mean? Good stuff to hear about Chipper and Andruw. Looking forward to a big year from both. And good to hear about Harrison. Sounds like he has a bright future and that the future may be sooner than later.

By TennesseePaul

February 2, 2007 01:58 PM | Link to this

His MVP season was off the charts though. He hit .319/.441/.633 with 45 HR and 110 RBIs. Ever since it’s been Bonds, Pujols, Howard… and he’s been injured or just hasn’t overshadowed the competition.

By DonCoburleone

February 2, 2007 02:02 PM | Link to this

Sure LaRoche is a nice guy, but this trade had to be done. I mean, come on lets face it, take out July and August of 2006 and he was at best average for his first 2 1/2 years in the major leagues. Someone finally realized he is lazy and has ADD and put him on some drugs so he could actually focus for more than 2 seconds, and BOOM! A great second half. LaRoche dogs it more than any other player in the league (who isn’t named JD Drew). Not to mention he struck out in important spots more often than he came through with a hit! It’s no coincidence that LaRoche hits about 30 points higher and slugs about 80 points higher batting 6th or 7th instead of 5th. He can’t handle it! My prediction is LaRoche will struggle mightily in Pittsburgh because they all have extremely high expectations for him. They think they are getting a guy who can bat 4th or 5th in their lineup every day and protect Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez. However, in reality they are getting a guy who occassionaly gets hot for a 1 or 2 month stretch while the majority of the season he is an inconsistent strikout machine (128 strikeouts last year) who can’t get hits when it counts (.254 BA with RISP in 2006, .258 career).

So that is how I feel about LaRoche (DOB I know you whole-heartedly disagree), but that is my opinion and I think the numbers back up my stance…

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 02:09 PM | Link to this

Mariner _ that’s my bad on Chipper’s quote. Should’ve been “more fast food” than chicken and rice. That’s what I get for posting while hurrying to get out of there and get home. Anyway, fixed it now.

By AdirondackDave

February 2, 2007 02:10 PM | Link to this

Mariner - Not sure what fastball means to Chipper but up here it’s a version of softball with the pitcher firing the ball in, full tilt.

Shaun - I agree, Chipper tends to get less MVP consideration because he is so CONSISTENTLY good. However, the last few years, injuries have cut his totals too much for serious consideration. When he’s healthy, there are few players I’d rather have at bat when the game’s on the line. I would love to see him be able to put in 3-4 more years of 150+ game seasons. I think they might rival or exceed his MVP year.

By DonCoburleone

February 2, 2007 02:15 PM | Link to this

“Oh, and the good news about Andruw: I heard from a couple people today who said he looks to be in terrific shape and has lost between 15-20 pounds. More than one person told me that, and these were people saw him working out this week.”

Good, I definately noticed he was looking a little pudgy last year, he practically had a double-chin going!

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 2, 2007 02:18 PM | Link to this

What?? Wicky not present at the Pitcher’s mini camp? Prior engagements? Punxsutawney, perhaps?

By Shaun

February 2, 2007 02:20 PM | Link to this

DonCoburleone,

Appreciate you stirring the pot on a slow day.

LaRoche is a 27-year-old .274/.337/.504 career hitter who plays excellent defense. He’s not an upper-echelon firstbaseman but absolutely nothing wrong with him. Not sure what you were watching last season.

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 02:28 PM | Link to this

Wickman’s supposed to be here early next week, and Hampton, too. Soriano’s not coming.

The thing’s voluntary, and for guys who live as far away as Soriano (Seattle) and don’t have friends or apartments in Atlanta, it’s a bit much to fly all the way here for a few days of pretty much what they could do at home. Team doesn’t pressure them.

The good thing it does is allow new guys to spend time with the pitching coach and their new teammates, but then again, they’ll have six weeks to do that real soon.

McDowell likes having the time to spend with guys who want to work on something specific, and he’s also going to use it to get a headstart on drills they plan to emphasize this spring to improve pitchers’ delivery time and help give McCann a better opportunity to throw out base-stealers. Several Braves pitchers were awful slow in that regard last season.

By Rodger

February 2, 2007 02:55 PM | Link to this

JJS-perish the thought, but since the pigskin is actually leather, an appropriate pie might be-ahem “cow pies”?

Straight from the oft mentioned braves.com e-mail:

Players scheduled to appear: Chipper Jones Jeff Francoeur Brian McCann Andruw Jones Tim Hudson Edgar Renteria Bobby Cox Mike Gonzalez Mike Hampton Scott Thorman Kelly Johnson Chuck James Kyle Davies Macay McBride Pete Orr Blaine Boyer Roger McDowell Joey Devine Lance Cormier Eddie Perez Chris Woodward Anthony Lerew Chad Pronto Brian Snitker Glenn Hubbard

Special Alumni Appearance from famed Brave Sid Bream

Braves really need to get their stories together?

By Shaun

February 2, 2007 03:08 PM | Link to this

DonCoburleone,

Would you take someone worth maybe 100 runs overall and isn’t going to hit well in the clutch or a clutch hitter who may only be worth about 50 runs overall?

I think that’s the argument against putting a lot of emphasis on clutch hitting—it matters but what matters more is overall numbers. Usually winning comes down to overall production, not necessarily situational production.

Kind of like the myth that great teams win close games. No. Great teams win their share of close games, but mostly they just blow out their opponents.

By DonCoburleone

February 2, 2007 03:13 PM | Link to this

Not sure what I was watching Shaun? I know exactly what I was watching, a lazy, average hitting first baseman who got hot for 2 months of the season… Just look at these stats, and tell me they don’t mean anything…

July and August: 165AB’s; 14HR’s; 40RBI’s; .358avg; .418OBP; .723SLG…

Rest of Season: 327AB’s; 18HR’s; 50RBI’s; .248avg; .319OBP; .480SLG…

And then add in the fact that he struck out 128 times and only hit .254 with runners in scoring position, and basically you are left with a very poor-mans Adam Dunn…

By Don

February 2, 2007 03:13 PM | Link to this

Great to see Andruw is getting in shape coming into the last year of his contract. I’d have thought the Braves paid him enough to stay in shape the last several years, but I guess that’s too much to expect. Maybe Andruw will be able to hustle to first base this year without fear of pulling a hamstring.

If Andruw goes on the program Javy Lopez was on in his last contract year here, Andruw might hit 80 home runs. That’s provided he could pass the drug tests.

And yeah, I know that Andruw has been productive offensively and defensively. I just wonder what he’d have done if he had shed that spare tire 3 years ago.

By Trailer Trash

February 2, 2007 03:23 PM | Link to this

Bartender, I really did it this time. Broke my parole to have a good time. When I got home it was 6 a.m. The door was locked, so I kicked it in. She was trippin’ on the bills. I think she was high on some pills. She threw my sh-tuff out into the yard. And then she called me a bum and slapped me real hard. And in my drunken stupor I did what I shoulda never done. Now I’m sittin’ here talking to you, drunk and on the run. I’m sittin’ at a bar on the inside, waitin’ for my ride on the outside. She stole my heart in the trailer park, so I jacked the keys to fuglin’ car, and crashed that pizza-ship and then stepped away……

By Shaun

February 2, 2007 03:25 PM | Link to this

DonCoburleone,

Here’s a very interesting piece on clutch hitting that’s about as simple as I’ve found:

http://www.geocities.com/cyrilmorong@sbcglobal.net/ClutchNoMore.htm

By 96,sc

February 2, 2007 03:29 PM | Link to this

For those interested, The Carribean World series is on Sports South now and Gregor Blanco is playing CF and the leadoff hitter.

By Shaun

February 2, 2007 03:41 PM | Link to this

DonCoburleone,

All hitters go through hot and cold streaks—some are more pronounced and some are less pronounced than others.

And I’m not sure why you are just looking at batting average with runners in scoring position and only judging LaRoche by that stat. Check these out:

.273 AVG/.352 OBP/.649 SLG in the 7th inning or later with the Braves either ahead by one run, tied or with the potential tying run at least on deck.

.342 OBP with runners in scoring position, which means he avoided an out in a respectable 65.8 percent of his plate appearances with runners in scoring position.

He hit .276 AVG/.371 OBP/.497 SLG with runners on base.

How do you explain all these positives in what could be called clutch situations, if he’s such a bad clutch hitter?

By james

February 2, 2007 03:58 PM | Link to this

DOB, two questions: how come gregor blanco wasnt invited to spring training as with brandon jones? second, what has happened to JoJo Reyes?

By Shaun

February 2, 2007 04:04 PM | Link to this

Oh, with a man on third and less than two outs (pretty important situations) LaRoche hit .412/.370/.824.

And what about getting on to lead off an inning, which greatly increases a team’s chance to score? LaRoche posted a .377 OBP in those situations.

By Shaun

February 2, 2007 04:08 PM | Link to this

.342 OBP with runners in scoring position, which means he avoided an out in a respectable 65.8 percent of his plate appearances with runners in scoring position.

That should read he avoided and out in 34.2 percent of his plate appearances—very respectable.

By brent

February 2, 2007 04:16 PM | Link to this

scalp ‘em,

FWIW, I have been a fan since ‘81, the “‘91” was a typo.

My later mention of Brad Komminsk was partly an attempt to show that I had been around much longer.

Even at that, no need to insult, and call a “newbie.”

By 1997, I knew a whole heck of a lot, about baseball and the Braves, which is where I’d be now if I had joined the fray in ‘91.

FWIW, I also knew that it was Brook Jacoby and Brett Butler that were traded for Len Barker.

In fact, I remember the ‘82 Braves quite well!

By brent.h.acree

February 2, 2007 04:28 PM | Link to this

I think watching Andruw this season is going to be semi-depressing.

The only cure will be winning a World Series.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 2, 2007 04:36 PM | Link to this

Brent H. Acree,

I’d have to predict that watching other teams on TBS NEXT season is going to be what’s semi-depressing.

The only cure will be alcohol.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 2, 2007 04:45 PM | Link to this

O.K., I’ve started the timer on Shaun’s newest debate. 2:20 p.m. on Friday February 2, 2007. Let’s see how long it’ll last. If Don C will keep fueling the fire a little, I’m gonna predict he makes it to the Super Bowl Pre-game show on Sunday. Any takers???

(Shaun, I’m just picking with you. I know you’re just trying to bring forward the truth. I actually admire your persistence and work ethic. Very thorough. Keep on truckin’ ;-)

By journalist jimmy smith

February 2, 2007 05:01 PM | Link to this

this journalist thinks there should be an official pie of georgia - could be peach, could be pecan, might be something else, not sure.

check out this from florida:

HB 453 - Designation of an Official State Pie of the State of Florida: Designates the Key Lime Pie as the official pie of the State of Florida. Effective Date: July 1, 2006.

now, baseball and wurlitzers … the wicky portrait is fearsome. lew does most excellent work! wonder if lew can draw musicians? and if so, who will grace the wurlitzer? and will the wurlitzer presentation ceremony be as low key as planned? this journalist will report from the scene. and how is carroll rogers and when will her by-line appear? and who is her favorite musician and is it celine dion? should lew have a celine portrait ready just in case? must see some hard-hitting toe journalism before this vote is cast.

By DonCoburleone

February 2, 2007 05:11 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I’m telling you, he will struggle in Pittsburgh. He can’t hide behind Chipper, Andruw, McCann and Francoeur in Pitt. He is going to have to produce big numbers in an important spot in the batting order (meaning 4th or 5th, not 6th or 7th).

This debate is not going to be won or lost until after this season, but I can definately see LaRoche taking a beating in the Pittsburgh media around mid-June when he’s posting a .240/.320/.475 with 60 strikeouts… Of course, this is just a prediction…

By journalist jimmy smith

February 2, 2007 05:12 PM | Link to this

perhaps a couple slices of kraft american cheese in the bottom of chipper’s shoes would help with the bunions. kraft american cheese has unique texture. some say it sticks if you throw it against the refrigerator. this journalist does not throw cheese or cheese products. the braves now have a couple guys who can throw some serious cheese. it will be good to see them instead of remlinger and reitsma.

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 05:17 PM | Link to this

James asked: “how come gregor blanco wasnt invited to spring training as with brandon jones? second, what has happened to JoJo Reyes?”

Blanco’s on the 40-man roster, thus is already coming to spring training. Brandon Jones has had less than a half-season above A-ball and still at least a year away.

Jo-Jo Reyes is 22 and hasn’t pitched above A-ball.

Bobby Cox doesn’t like to bring a bunch of guys to camp who have no shot of making the team, because they feel it makes it too crowded for no reason. They’d rather bring guys over to fill out the roster for split-squad games when they need them, that kind of thing.

They only bring over prospects who they believe are ready or have at least a shot at being ready to play in the majors.

Non-roster catchers get brought over only because you need extra catchers early in spring training.

By Lew

February 2, 2007 05:24 PM | Link to this

Journalist Jimmy-There will never be a Celine Dion portrait flowing from my pencil. I have my limits. It’s one thing doing portraits of Zamfir and Englebert Humperdinck for the Wurlitzer Winner, but I have my pride. No Celine. Perhaps Chipper might have better luck with Velveeta. It has a spongier texture and if sliced thick, might provide an extra cushioning effect. I am looking forward to Spring Training. It hasn’t been above 23 degrees here for over a week. Warm weather, Wurlitzers, Wicky and Key Lime Pie (designated, no less). I can’t wait.

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 05:24 PM | Link to this

Don wrote: “I’d have thought the Braves paid him enough to stay in shape the last several years, but I guess that’s too much to expect.”

Don, in the last two years Andruw totaled 92 home runs, 257 RBIs, two Gold Gloves and one MVP runner-up.

In the last nine seasons the Braves have gotten from him 319 home runs, 940 RBIs and nine Gold Gloves.

I don’t know, but it looks like the Braves have gotten their money’s worth.

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 05:46 PM | Link to this

Zamfir? Humperdinck? What Wurlitzer winner would want such an atrocity?

Neil Diamond, that’d be acceptable _ cheesy but kitschy enough to be cool.

Humperdinck? No.

Elvis _ now you’re talking.

By NCBravesFan

February 2, 2007 06:04 PM | Link to this

DOB - fair warning … Mr Humperdinck was recently seen manning “The Easy Button” for Staples. I’d be careful if I were you.

By DonCoburleone

February 2, 2007 06:06 PM | Link to this

DOB do you think LaRoche will struggle in Pittsburgh?

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 06:13 PM | Link to this

DonC, no I don’t. As a matter of fact, I think that park lends itself to him putting up better numbers, long as he doesn’t get too pull-conscious and try to hit them in the river.

They’ve got the NL batting champ (Sanchez) and Jason Bay, so it’s not like LaRoche will be the only emphasis for opposing pitchers. And he’ll get a lot more RBI chances batting in the middle of the order instead of sixth or lower as he did much of last season.

By james

February 2, 2007 06:17 PM | Link to this

Update: Gregor Blanco is 1-4 in the Carribean series while batting leadoff. He has a double and a walk.

By Coloradobravesfan

February 2, 2007 06:24 PM | Link to this

DOB is feeling the love from this I copied from BUCCOBLOG

As you may know by now, MLB’s Pittsburgh Pirates beat reporter Ed Eagle has been assigned a new job in Toronto.

Today I was informed by David O’Brien of the Atlanta Constitution-Journal that the Pirates new MLB beat reporter will be a young lady from Atlanta who was an Intern for the Braves MLB beat reporter Mark Bowman last year. Both O’Brien and Bowman were very impressed with her work ethic and writing ability, which is a great start.

Well, at least she’ll know something about LaRoche.

—

Speaking of David O’Brien, if you didn’t read his latest article about Adam LaRoche you missed a great one. I noticed most of my fellow Pirate bloggers all honed in on LaRoche’s comment where he said: “They want to win, but I think nobody’s real sure how to do it.”

That’s unfortunate because I believe they overlooked the haystack while picking out the needle.

O’Brien’s work painted a very clear picture to Pirate fans of LaRoche’s seriousness for the game, his sense of humor, and the genuineness of his sorrow after being forced to exit Atlanta. It was a very profound piece - very deep.

I also think some folks misunderstood LaRoche’s point.

Adam LaRoche grew up in the Braves organization and he probably doesn’t know that most of our younger players have seen nothing but success in the lower levels. But he does know the team is very young and they haven’t won together as a group in Pittsburgh.

In contrast, LaRoche has experienced winning in Atlanta. I didn’t get the feeling LaRoche’s comment was pointed at the Pirates management.

In any case, nice work Mr. O’Brien.

By TennesseePaul

February 2, 2007 06:36 PM | Link to this

Payne: I don’t necessarily agree with DonC. I can look at LaRoche’s over-all stats last year and see they were good. And DonC does have a valid point, he was hot for short period and cold for a longer period. He was so hot his overall numbers looked good. I’d like to see if you can do the same break down on LaRoche and exclude the two months he was hot. I’d imagine his late and close numbers go down just like his over all numbers do. And, DonC did point out that for the first 2 years he wasn’t particularly breath taking. On top of that, he platooned, but that wasn’t entirely his fault. His minor league splits, if I recall correctly, weren’t so hot against lefties justifying a platoon.
LaRoche put up some fine numbers over the course of the year. But prior to those two hot months, he hadn’t really done all that much. Last season, a large portion of this blog was calling for James Jurries to take his place… his place or Jordan’s place. Either way that would have turned out to be a disaster as Jurries just completely fell apart after ST.
I think this is one reason why the Braves were impressed with Thorman. When they sent him back down, instead of going back and feeling sorry for himself, he hit the cover off the ball to show he was ready for the next step. Now he has it. I think he’ll do well. He might need a little time to break in and I think that’s only fair. It took LaRoche 2 and half years before he became mr irreplacable… Hopefully it won’t take Thorman that long. I doubt it will. He’s hit well against Lefties and Righties all throughout his career. He just looks like a solid player. And from the reviews, he’s a solid guy.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 2, 2007 06:47 PM | Link to this

I don’t know where Bigboi is getting this junk about Helton coming to Atlanta. I think he is just attempting to stir up a bunch of crap. While I for one would love to have Helton on the team, there is no way the Braves could get him. Since the team seems to be so determined to stick with their self-imposed $80 million budget I just don’t see how it could get done. The Rockies were willing to pay for $36 million of his contract when negotiations were going on with the Red Sox. I can’t see them eating any more of the contract. Even with the Rockies eating that amount the Braves would still be paying $12 million of the contract. It is simply imposible for the Braves to acquire him. The only two people they could trade to equal it out would be Andruw or Chipper. You know Chipper isn’t going anywhere and I don’t see Andruw and Boras agreeing to go to Colorado. At least not this year.

By Lew

February 2, 2007 06:53 PM | Link to this

DOB-What? Elvis, but no Englebert? The Humanity! How about Tom Jones or Tiny Tim? I guess next you’ll be telling me that the Wurlitzer Winner would prefer a portrait of Johnny Cash instead of a portrait of Tommy James and The Shondells or The Turtles. What is the world coming to?

By DonCoburleone

February 2, 2007 07:00 PM | Link to this

“And he’ll get a lot more RBI chances batting in the middle of the order instead of sixth or lower as he did much of last season.”

But DOB, the reason he was hitting 6th and 7th in the order is because he failed to keep the number 5 spot early in the season… That’s my whole point, the 2 months he produced there was absolutely 0 pressure on him, now he is going to be expected to protect one of the premiere up-and-coming power hitters in the game(Bay). And don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying LaRoche is horrible, but honestly, he was Atlanta’s 5th or 6th best hitter last year…

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 07:07 PM | Link to this

Why would anyone respond to that Helton post? Get serious.

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 07:26 PM | Link to this

DonC, TennPaul: I really don’t care to defend LaRoche beyond this, simply because I don’t need to and it’s pointless. You guys don’t like him, and that’s fine. Several teams obviously see him differently than you do, including the Pirates, who were willing to give up arguably the best young lefty reliever in baseball (B.J. Ryan’s the one who’s done more; Wagner isn’t young) for him.

But just in case you care: After LaRoche began both taking ADD medication and playing every day (this was the same week in late June, before the Tampa-NY road trip), he caught fire. Beginning June 24 at Tampa Bay, he hit .323 with 22 doubles, 21 homers, 53 RBIs and a 1.013 OPS over his final 79 games, and the Braves were 42-37 in those games.

And just FYI, in nine career games at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, he’s hit .300 (6-for-20) with two doubles, two homers and three strikeouts.

Again, I don’t really feel any need to defend him or predict big things from him. You’re entitled to your opinion. And maybe if he struggles mightily, you’ll feel better. Whatever. He’s gone.

For the record, I predict he’ll continue with many seasons similar to last year, with between 30-40 homers, maybe a couple years with more and a couple with fewer, and probably average 85-95 RBIs. Good, not great offense from a 1B. And without question, great defense.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 2, 2007 07:30 PM | Link to this

I know, DOB. I should have just let it go. I just got tired of seeing it said. Atlanta is one of the three places that Helton said he would go to. Fact is, the Rockies are stuck with that contract. DOB, would you agree that even if Helton has a huge year this season that nobody will be willing to pay all that money to him or even a fraction of the contract? Also, do you think Helton is in decline or merely a victim of injuries?

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 07:36 PM | Link to this

Oh, and DonC, while he did have some woeful skids early in the season, if you remember correctly, even then he hit well on the road. His home numbers were dreadful in the first two months, but not his road numbers.

For the season, LaRoche hit .290 with 21 homers, 57 RBIs and a .994 OPS in 77 road games, second on the team in road homers and road RBIs to Andruw (22 & 71) and third on the team in road OPS behind Chipper (1.048) and McCann (1.000) and ahead of Andruw (.925).

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 07:39 PM | Link to this

Robert (JIB), Helton is in serious decline, and has been for a while now. His slugging has gone done in five of the past six seasons, compared to previous season.

By David O'Brien

February 2, 2007 07:42 PM | Link to this

I was curious and looked up B.J. Ryan after making that reference to him. He just turned 31, 2-1/2 years older than Gonzalez.

By DonCoburleone

February 2, 2007 07:47 PM | Link to this

“Also, do you think Helton is in decline or merely a victim of injuries?”

It’s called introducing a policy against performance enhancing drugs 3 years ago… Helton, IMO, is in the exact same boat as a Luis Gonzalez or Steve Finley… All premiere power hitters on the juice (50HR capability), but without it, they are just solid hit-for-average type hitters with a little pop (30HR’s max).

By AdirondackDave

February 2, 2007 08:01 PM | Link to this

On the juice? Gonzalez, Finley, and Helton physically look the same to me. Didn’t the first two got old(er) and Helton, who knows, but he was hurt the last few years. I think using the juice argument here without facts or evidence is inappropriate.

By DonCoburleone

February 2, 2007 08:07 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I guess we will see DOB. And despite what you think, I don’t dislike Adam LaRoche. In fact I hope he does well in Pittsburgh (not too well though to the point it makes Scheurholz look bad). It’s just that, IMO, LaRoche for Gonzalez was a deal that had to be made and I’m glad it was…

By AdirondackDave

February 2, 2007 08:24 PM | Link to this

The LaRoche-Gonzalez deal wasn’t about “which club won.” It was about the expectation of improving each team sufficiently to make the deal attractive to both. In this case, it’s pretty clear that it did. That’s why the overwhelming number of Braves and Pirates fans are enthusiastic. I’ve never quite understood this obesssion with “which club won the trade.”

By MBATL

February 2, 2007 08:30 PM | Link to this

Had forgotten that the Rockies still potentially owe $26 mil on Mike Hampton! They are responsible for the original $20 mil signing bonus (plus interest), which does not kick in until 2009, and the $6 mil buyout if we don’t exercise our $20 mil option in ‘09 (uh, I wouldn’t expect that we’ll pay that unless he wins a couple of Cy’s between now and then).

Now they’re looking to do the same kind of thing with Helton. So they’ll be paying for that contract through 2011 if they trade him.

Makes you pause about offering AJ (or anyone else, for that matter) $17-20 mil per for 6-8 years, doesn’t it? That’s like getting married, except that marriage is easier to get out of.

btw, what I read today is that the Rockies might expand their payroll in 2008 if they could sign an impact player like Andruw, not that there is any discussion of a trade this year.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 2, 2007 08:32 PM | Link to this

To me there is little doubt that the Braves will get the better end of this deal. Gonzales gives them,as DOB said, the best young lefty in the game for the next three seasons at least and in Lillibridge a guy who has the makings of being a star and will be on the big league roster in 2008 either as a SS or 2B. As for LaRoche, I honestly think this guy will hit 35HR and 90-100RBI and even more RBI if Chris Duffy does what he is supposed to do at the top of the lineup.

By Gil

February 2, 2007 09:13 PM | Link to this

There are many symptoms of “steriod” use besides the change in body build. One is often long term unexplained inflmations and injuries to tendons that do not heal.

You may have noticed some other players who had been hitting home runs but now only have warning track power. They never seem to adjust their swing to the fact that they had lost that muscle mass.

The one player I truly don’t suspect of using chemicals to enhance his game is Julio Franco. I belive he did it the hard way. That is why their is no sudden drop off.

Good to hear about Andrew, he will be better this year. He played in a lot of pain last year after falling down the dugout steps during the classic. I don’t think he ever was 100%

And one final word on Roachie. The medicine made a difference. I have a grandson with ADD and the meds make a difference with him too. He might not be able to tell the difference but everyone else can.

As for the winning tradition of the Braves organization. Maybe if they haven’t played in Richmond. We have not seen a .500 ball club in 10 years I think.

Have a good night y’all. Time for Vagas.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 2, 2007 09:29 PM | Link to this

this journalist became a journalist almost a year ago when dob was laboring with the demands of spring training coverage. jimmy smith has enjoyed doing journalism and has did some fine pieces over the past few months - hard-hitting toe journalism and frequent pie talk. still, as much as this journalist loves doing journalism, this journalist would leave journalism in a minute if jimmy smith’s editor was a whiny little jerk like stinky.

now, road cheese … traveling with cheese: cheese can travel outside of refrigeration provided that it is kept at room temperature and is kept out of direct sunlight.

if traveling by car, do not put cheese in the trunk of your car…especially in hot weather.

keep cheese in an air conditioned car or in a cooler.

if traveling by airplane, it is usually best if you can pack your cheese in a carry on bag, if allowed.

next … cheese in a pocket.

By Buc man

February 2, 2007 09:35 PM | Link to this

La Roche = The Rock.

On this rock we will build our team!

By Mets Aficionado

February 2, 2007 09:42 PM | Link to this

Oh, and what’s with all the jimmy smith crap on this blog? I can’t tell if he is a pre-teen or some kind of wacko. Do you losers find this stuff amusing? If he was up here, we would stick him in Pilgrim State and throw away the key.

By TennesseePaul

February 2, 2007 09:59 PM | Link to this

You guys don’t like him

We’ll that isn’t entirely true. I didn’t much like him the first 2 years, but he made a believer out of me last year. But before I believe he is a true difference maker, I’ll need to see him perform well for a longer period of time. I was more curious about the splits minus those two months. And, the willingness of JS to deal him also adds to my doubts of him. But I don’t “not like him”. Just not sold that he’s set up to hit .280+ with 30+ HR from here on out. But hey, he can prove me wrong and I’ll be happy for the guy. I’m certainly not rooting against him… unless we’re playing the Pirates and he’s up with the game on the line. Otherwise, if we’re blowing them out, I dont’ mind if he goes 4-4.

By TennesseePaul

February 2, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

It’s called introducing a policy against performance enhancing drugs 3 years ago

Helton has been injured and the Rox have introduced the humidor. On top of that he hasn’t had much protection in the line up. I’m not sure it was because he juiced. He hits, for his career, .295 away from Coors. That’s pretty good. But he has stepped back in his level of production. His OBP last season was amazing.

By Lew

February 2, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

How coincidental. Whiny Little Jerks are mentioned and another never before heard from person criticizes JJS. I wonder. Could it be another face of Eve? Probably. Is another breakdown imminent? Probably.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 2, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

lew, it is known as: *journalist jimmy smith envy: in freudian theory, the repressed desire of stinky to be like jimmy smith.”

why else would stinky devote so much attention to this journalist? stinky can’t find a woman to occupy stinky’s time?

now, how many identities tonight? last official count was 19 identities in 24 hours and that wasn’t even the christmas meltdown.

now, baseball … whither bobby dews? and whither brian jordan? and whither thorman if pete orr was in the cages today? what has pete orr taught thorman about batting? and does thorman have a slap shot? many questions.

By Editor D Trump

February 3, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

journalist jimmy smith__You’re fired!…

By Enquiring Mind

February 3, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this

I have a question for journalist jimmy smith.

If Antonio Alfonseca were to get pi$$ed off at someone, how would he fly them the bird—since he has no “middle” finger??

By DAP

February 3, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

Can someone remind me why gregor blanco is not ready for the majors? i know it has been discussed and apparently dismissed, but i cant seem to get over this guy. i feel like all i can remember is that he doesnt have much power. but as a leadoff hitter this winter, he stole over 30 bases or something, hit over .350 and had an OBP of over .430! thats good for a leadoff guy, right? it would be good to get some power out of left field, but if we can get a guy in front of our big bats that can get on base alot(which i know we think johnson can do) and steal alot of bases(which we dont think johnson can do) then this seems like a great opportunity! is this a bad idea because we lose some power numbers of what? please enlighten me!

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 3, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this

DAP, I’m with you. I’m totally mystified by the fact that Blanco doesn’t even seem to be getting any love from the Braves. DOB, do the scouts see something that makes them leery of him or what? He tore up the winter leagues and had another good day today. I just don’t see how this kid, if he has a off the charts spring, doesn’t make the team.

By ncscoots

February 3, 2007 06:38 AM | Link to this

If I remember correctly (sorry, I don’t look up stats at this time of morning, LOL), Blanco has a pretty high K ratio in addition to his lack of power. That combination may be a little off-putting, I guess. But Braves get corner-outfield production from CF, so his lack of power can’t be the only thing keeping him off the radar. And isn’t he supposed to be pretty good defensively? On the surface, it does appear puzzling that he’s getting so little love.

By MBATL

February 3, 2007 09:09 AM | Link to this

ChopNation has an opinion on why Blanco is perhaps not ready for prime time. It’s their theory, not mine - I’ve never seen him play except a couple of innings yesterday - but thought you might be interested.

By MBATL

February 3, 2007 09:11 AM | Link to this

That link to to BravesJournal, not ChopNation… sorry … but the content is there.

By Mackey Sasser

February 3, 2007 09:42 AM | Link to this

Dear Mets Aficionado,

This is a Braves blog. I can understand how you maybe got here by accident but please don’t make the same mistake again. Just leave it to Jimmy Smith and the rest of us “losers” if you don’t mind. Surely there’s a Mets blog where you can go discuss your putrid starting pitching and your 2006 NLCS loss to the worst NL World Series rep since the ‘88 Ddodgers. Oh yeah, your Mets lost to them too. Well, there you go - a perfect topic to discuss on the Mets board. Run along now and get started with that.

By brent

February 3, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

What is our payroll now?

By brent

February 3, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

What is our payroll now? Are we going to be at $80 million, or is there still some wiggle room?

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 3, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Brent, I was wondering the same thing. If the 25 man roster stand as it is right now, what is the amount that salaries add up to. Is it right at $80, or is there some room to move?

By MBATL

February 3, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

Well, since I’m posting links today… HERE is a view of our payroll. I can’t see anything really wrong with it, though I don’t think the amounts for the low-end guys are precise, probably close enough, and it suggests we’ve got some $$ to play with.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 3, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Although he is not as young as I would like, Reed Johnson of the Blue Jays could be a good option in LF also. I just read that the Jays will still be willing to shop he or Rios for pitching help. Now, I would prefer Rios but without knowing how tight the budget is right now I’m not sure that his $2.35 mil contract can fit into the payroll. As for Johnson, he isn’t making that much and has been a quality leadoff hitter fot Toronto the last two years. His OBP last season was .390, and he is type of guy that can play everyday.

As I said, Rios would obviously be the preferred option. I just don’t know what the Jays would demand in return. I’m sure it will be more than what they ask for Johnson. I was encouraged by what I read yesterday about Harrison. If this kid could have a terrfic spring, it would give JS some flexibility in trading a pitcher or two away. I would see the Braves offering Davies or Cormier, Diaz, and Paronoto, Yates, or Devine. The question would then become would that be enough to land someone of Rios’ capabilities.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 3, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

MBATL, I think that payroll is pretty much dead on. The only things I saw wrong is with Sturtze’s and Renteria’s figures. Sturtze’s contract is $750,000. He gets an additional $350,000 if he makes it onto the 25-man roster. He can earn some incentives, which can allow him to max out at $1.5 mil. As for Renteria, the Braves are only responsible for $6 mil. The Sox are paying the rest. So, with that being said it looks like the Braves have about $5 mil to play with. Actually, a little more if you take Sturtze off the 25-man roster and place one of the younger guys who will only make between $327,000 and $350,000 or so. That would give them the flexibility to afford an Alex Rios, Chone Figgins, or even a Craig Monroe. But, the problem is how would the Braves get them. Of course, that is basing all of this off those numbers, which I assume to be correct. Perhaps, DOB can give us the actual amount and tell us how much the Braves really have.

I think JS and Cox are probably praying that Davies, Cormier, Harrison, and Lerew all look damn good during “Camp McDowell” and on into the first three or so weeks of spring training. If Davies or Cormier have good springs, teams like the Devil Rays or Blue Jays may be willing to take another look and listen to a deal. The Yankees also. Right now their rotation isn’t exactly stellar and they need more arms for that bullpen at the least.

By MBATL

February 3, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

RJIB, I THINK that some people factor in some signing bonus money on Renteria. I’m not sure, though.

I was thinking the same thing (reading that Johnson and Rios had been signed). You know, JS waited on the Gonzo deal until he was signed - may have needed to know the precise number, so who knows, maybe we could make a run at Rios. But, from reading about their demands, it seems like James would be the only guy who would get it done (they want cheap and ML proven, of course). Toronto’s got money… wish they’d consider Hudson for Rios.

Johnson would be a nice pickup (especially if last year is representative of his ability). Personally, I’m hesitant to give up Davies - but I know I think more of him than most do - or any quality starting pitching unless it’s for a potential big-timer like Rios, because I think we’re gonna need it. Of course, sometimes you’ve got to give up something valuable to get what you need.

On the upside, Johnson would almost surely make both of our current LF’s expendable, as he’s not a guy who would need to be platooned. And he can play CF if needed.

A few mil in reserve is a good thing, btw… if we have $5 mil available, that amounts to renting a $10 mil player at the trade deadline (like we did with Wickman and Baez last year, only too late). I’m not opposed to spending it now for a LF/Leadoff type, but don’t consider it a crime if JS maintains some flexibility.

By The Grinch

February 3, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

Mackey Sasser, that post was hilarious. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Well, y’all, it’s too nice of a day to be typing on a computer. Time to dive into the wild blue yonder.

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

Sorry to disappoint, but those payroll figures are off in several areas, and the Braves don’t have $5 mill to “play with” within their $80 mill payroll. In fact, they have little, if any, left now, according to my calculations. And no, I can’t tell you exactly for one reason: Braves don’t share their payroll numbers, other than to tell us it’s an $80 mill payroll.

But going back to the figures someone posted and that were linked to above.

For one thing, the major league minimum rose to $380,000 this year under the new collective bargaining agreement.

But a far bigger discrepancy in figures comes from fact that no prorated signing bonus figures were included in the figures the person posted above. You have to count those for several Braves veterans with multi-year contracts.

Here’s actual figures, or very close, including prorated signing bonus.

Chipper Jones $12 million*

John Smoltz $11 million*

Mike Hampton $9 million@

Tim Hudson $8.5 million*

@Approximate figure Braves use for their accounting purposes, which represents the annual average of their six-year commitment to him.

• Includes 2007 salary plus prorated portion of signing bonus

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

Well, Grinch, you obviously aren’t in the Atlanta area. It’s just above freezing here and windy. Nice day for ice fishing, if that’s the blue yonder you speak of.

By Head Coach

February 3, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

John Schuerholz has shaved about eight million off the payroll from last season. so yes , they have room to add players later on during the season.

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Head Coach, that’s not at all accurate. They’ve spent as much as they’ve shaved because of built-in raises and the additions of three relievers (Gonzalez, Soriano, Sturtze) making about 4.5 mill between them and Woodward and Wilson, making about $3 mill between them (slightly more if Woodward hits some incentives)

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 01:10 PM | Link to this

On a brighter note … (WARNING: MUSIC TALK COMING, SKIP OVER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO READ ABOUT MUSIC, NOTHING TO DO WITH BASEBALL, OK YOU’VE BEEN WARNED)

Anyone who has $60 or so (I think you can find it for that these days) to spend on a music purchase that’s timeless, powerful, beautiful, phenomenal _ the Johnny Cash “Unearthed” five-CD box, which came out a few years ago, but which I keep going back to and keep being amazed by.

It’s better than any 4 new recently released CDs you’ll go out and pay that much for, trust me.

The 79 songs themselves (64 previously unreleased) are more than worth twice the cost of the thing, including amazing covers of songs like Devil’s Right Hand, Pocahantas, Heart of Gold, Wichita Lineman, Long Black Veil, Delia’s Gone, Bird on a Wire, and Marley’s Redemption Song, which Cash does with fellow late-great Joe Strummer.

But in addition to the well of great music, it also has a detailed, 100-page CD-sized hard-cover book with essays and interviews with Cash and a lot of the folks who helped him or observed him doing these songs in his latter years. People like Tom Petty, Norman Blake, produce Rick Rubin, Rosanne Cash, etc.

Also, I should point out this stuff was done when his voice still had its booming bottom and still powerful. This isn’t the stuff he did at the very end, which is also remarkable but literally the sound of a man dying. This stuff, you don’t hear that. He sounds like big John here.

Anyway, just thought before we get real busy with baseball that I’d throw that highest possible recommendation out there, for those who have any love of Cash and/or rootsy music in general. It’s a must-have, and the price has begun to come down in some places (for a couple years you couldn’t find it anywhere for under the list price of $80)

Cash forever.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 3, 2007 01:15 PM | Link to this

So, DOB, I guess what you’re saying is that Rios is a no go and even Reed Johnson would be a push at this point unless a Renteria or Hudson was part of the deal?

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 01:27 PM | Link to this

Why in the world would you trade Renteria, not to mention Hudson, for Reed Johnson?

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 01:30 PM | Link to this

Reed Johnson: 30 years old, .288 career BA with 101 doubles, 40 homers, 220 RBIs and a .771 OPS in 1,808 career at-bats in 531 major league games.

You’re going to give up what for him?

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 3, 2007 01:34 PM | Link to this

DOB, I wasn’t saying that we should. I was merely saying that the only way the team could make any sort of deal and be able to pay a player is to move one of those guys since they are the only ones making signiificant money that could be traded. Andruw, Chipper, Smoltz, Wickman, and Hampton obviously aren’t going anywhere. I would not advocate trading Huddy or Edgar for Reed Johnson. Now, Alex Rios is a differnt story.

By MBATL

February 3, 2007 01:49 PM | Link to this

RJIB, I wonder if a guy like Villarreal, who makes some money, might be part of a deal for Johnson. The dollars are fairly similar. We’d probably have to give up a prospect as well.

Johnson is no superstar, but he’s solid; and I like Oscar for his versatility, but a deal like that would give us a solid LF with no need for a platoon, and an emergency CF if AJ leaves. Then we’d be looking for a LF in ‘08, which is a lot easier than a CF. With our newfound BP depth, we could probably replace Oscar; and again, both Diaz and Langerhans would be expendable.

Really, the 800 lb gorilla is AJ; if he’s staying, we’re probably okay with a makeshift LF; but if he’s leaving, we need to start making plans for covering the OF. I hope JS has a better idea than I do as to the likelihood of re-signing AJ.

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 01:50 PM | Link to this

Rios is a solid player, but let’s not make him out to be some kind of young Ken Griffey Jr. _ or Andruw Jones.

He hit .262 with six triples, 10 homers and a terrible .306 OBP in 2005, his second full season in majors, after hitting one homer in 426 at-bats as a rookie.

He made significant strides in his third season in 2006, batting .302 with 33 doubles, six triples, 17 homers, 82 RBIs and an .865 OPS. Very solid.

But he also qualified for arbitration as a super-two player and just signed a $2.5 mill contract for 2007 (I think that was the figure; it was just in past couple days).

That means he’ll probably make $4-5 mill in 2008 after another good season.

He’s had one really good season in three. Don’t get me wrong _ he’d be a great addition in left field. But not at the expense of trading your affordable SS and definitely not one of your top three starters.

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 01:53 PM | Link to this

Not when you don’t have another major league-ready SS ready to step in (don’t say Escobar; there’s nothing to support saying he’s ready, certainly not a decision to be made based on AFL performance), and not when the 31-year-old starter in question (Hudson) is under contract at what could be a bargain rate if he has a good _ not sensational, just good _ season.

By Shaun Payne

February 3, 2007 02:01 PM | Link to this

DonCoburleone,

I do think it was the right time to trade LaRoche—before he gets a large raise and while he’s on the rise—because he’s never going to be a great hitter for a 1B. The Braves addressed a need and get maybe the best young lefty reliever in baseball.

But LaRoche is going to be 27 so next season is likely to be his best. Yes, he’s had ups and downs, but I’m guessing a lot of really good players had ups and downs their first three years in the majors, especially players with slight mental conditions.

Turner Field slightly favors pitchers and PNC is pretty neutral so he should put up better numbers at Pittsburg.

Yes, some of his numbers like RBI may drop because he’s hitting in a worse lineup but they could rise because he’s going to be in the middle of the order.

But the stats that matter most and that aren’t affected significantly by place in the order or teammates—AVG/OBP/SLG— are likely to be just as good or better than his 2006 numbers.

If I had to put $100 on LaRoche hitting .240/.320/.475 as you predict or hitting .285/.354/.561 as he did last year, I would say he’ll be closer to what he did last year.

TennPaul,

I think it took LaRoche “so long” to become a good player is because he’s still young and possibly because of his mental condition. As I’ve said many times on this blog, players peak in the late 20’s, usually around 26-28. I think age is one of the more underrated aspects of the game. (Not accusing you of underrating age, but it’s quite simple to not think about it.)

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 02:08 PM | Link to this

Just thumbing through the Bill James Handbook and went back to Todd Helton’s page, stumbled upon a pretty telling stat.

He hit 30 or more homers in six consecutive seasons (1999-2004), including years with 35, 42 and 49 homers.

Guess how many times he hit as many road homers as LaRoche (21) hit last season?

Once. In 2001, Helton hit 22 of his career-high 49 homers on the road. His road homer totals in nine full seasons: 12, 12, 15, 22, 12, 10, 11, 7, 7.

Yes, he’s hit a total of 14 road homers in the past two seasons (and keep in mind, he had more than 500 total at-bats each of those two seasons).

The Braves had six players hit 10 or more road homers last season, including four who hit as many or more road homers last season than Helton’s totaled in his past TWO SEASONS COMBINED.

Braves road homer leaders in 2006: Andruw 22, LaRoche 21, Chipper 14, McCann 14, Renteria 10, Francoeur 10.

I wonder how many folks realize that Renteria hit .287 with a team-high 20 doubles, 10 homers, 43 RBIs and an .823 OPS in 71 road games. That’s pretty damn outstanding.

By Shaun Payne

February 3, 2007 02:12 PM | Link to this

Here’s an interesting article on espn.com by Rob Neyer about VORP (Value Over Replacement Player):

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove06/columns/story?columnist=neyer_rob&id=2751842

By Head Coach

February 3, 2007 02:21 PM | Link to this

O Brien , last season Giles , Horam , Reitsma , Sosa , Thomson , Remlinger , Pratt , Laroche and Jordan made 16.2 million. Smoltz is making three million less this season. Thats 19.2 million. so , are you trying to tell us the Braves have added as much or more in salary ? I dont think so.

By Shaun Payne

February 3, 2007 02:32 PM | Link to this

Here are Helton’s road AVG/OBP/SLG over the last three seasons:

2006: .266/.360/.421

2005: .287/.418/.453

2004: .326/.446/.544

Helton is obviously a good hitter, but he’s nothing overly spectacular for a firstbaseman; which we can see by looking at his non-Coors numbers. And he’s not likely to get any better at the age of 33.

Consider this and consider the fact that decent hitters capable of playing first are relatively easy to find and it begs the question, why would anyone touch Helton with a 10-foot pole?

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 3, 2007 02:42 PM | Link to this

DOB, if the Yanks get forced into a corner and keep Bernie Williams for this season, do you think they would be willing to trade Melkey Cabrera to the Braves if the Braves offered Paronto or Yates, Cormier or Davies, and perhaps a Tony Pena? Or would that just not be enough. The Yanks need pitching and the likes of Yates and Davies would certainly help there. I suppose the question would be if Davies could handle New York since I have heard a few times that is mental makeup has become an issue.

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 02:51 PM | Link to this

Head Coach, I honestly am not trying to deceive you, since I have absolutely no reason to. I’m not going to spend the next half-hour breaking down the payroll and giving you exact totals, because that’s for another day, after they’ve signed all the non-arb guys and we can get a little more exact.

Just a couple of points: They didn’t have to pay Rem his whole salary because they released him before a deadline in spring.

Smoltz is not making $3 mill less in 2007, he’s making the same $8 mill salary, with the same $2 mill prorated portion of his signing bonus. He got a $6 mill signing bonus in 2005 when he redid his contract and it became a two-year deal with a third-year option. If he’d just been here for the two years, it would’ve counted $3 mill per year prorated on the bonus. Since he’s going to be here three, and since Braves always fully intended to pick up the option, they could count it as $2 mill per year for three, the prorated portion of the bonus, if that’s what they chose to do.

It gets very complicated, which is the problem _ there are no clear-cut, black-and-white totals. It depends how you count it, how the team counts it, how MLB counts it, etc. The Braves count it their own way to come up with their $80 mill payroll, which ultimately is all that matters, since there’s not salary cap in baseball and since they aren’t even remotely close to the luxury tax level.

But for your purposes, you should know Smoltz’s option for 2007 is $8 mill, same as his salary in 2006. And the prorated portion of his $6 mill signing bonus is the same $2 mill. That comes to $10 mill (not $11 mill, as I erroneously stated above).

Non-arb guys like Francoeur, McCann, Diaz, Chuck James, Aybar, Thorman, Pena … all are going to get raises, which, while not large, will add up to more than $1 mill.

Villarreal will more than double his salary to a little more than $1 mill

Wickman will make $6.5 mill (are you forgetting about him? That’s an additional $5 mill or so more than Braves paid him for his stint with team last year)

Like I said, the other three new relievers are making about $4.5 mill (slightly more if incentives are hit). That’s about $11 mill for four relievers in a bullpen that had only ONE GUY making $1 mill last year (Reitsma, 2.75 mill) until Sosa was dropped to ‘pen (and he was “only” 2.2 mill).

They’re paying Wickman $1.5 mill more than they paid Reitsma and Sosa combined.

You’re pulling your hair out trying to come up with exact totals and what’s left, etc, when it’s virtually impossible unless the team tells you, which they won’t. What they did say off the record this winter was that they’d be right at their budget if they did the things they planned to do, and I think they ended up doing those things.

I really don’t think they have much left at all to spend, maybe a mill or two to add a piece this spring, but that’s just a guess. Certainly not anywhere near $5 mill.

You’re also forgetting that Hampton’s salary was partially covered by insurance in 2006 (again, we don’t know exactly, and Schuerholz said near end of last season he honestly didn’t know the exact amount covered, it was so complicated to figure out). Obviously, insurance isn’t covering any this year, long as he’s not back on the 60-day DL.

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 02:54 PM | Link to this

Head coach, think of it this way: Just the four relievers who weren’t with Braves for any or most of 2006 (Wickman, Gonzalez, Soriano, Sturtze) are going to make more than $11 mill, and the two backups and/or platoon guy (Woodward and Wilson) are going to make about $3 mill. That’s roughly $14 mill for those six.

By Shaun Payne

February 3, 2007 03:15 PM | Link to this

O’Brien,

I’m guessing it’s also very difficult to determine actual payroll because of bonuses and incentives that may or my not come to fruition.

By MBATL

February 3, 2007 03:17 PM | Link to this

DOB, good summary. I guess my only comment is that some bloggers are trying to talk about trades we might make to improve the team, but no one (almost) wants to deal in fantasy. If there’s no money, there’s no money.

However, I’ve heard for 2 years that Hampton was journaled at $8 mil/per year, and I think the Rockies are responsible for all of his $20 mil signing bonus, as well as his buyout. But, be that as it may… I sure don’t doubt that you have better info than I do.

I guess if the Braves are choosing to prorate signing bonuses on an annual basis, they could just as well assign some of those bonuses to later years in order to accommodate an acquisition. The players are paid according to the contract, not according to our accounting measures, I would guess.

If there is indeed no flexibility, I guess we should accept that and wait for the season to start; but if there is, then I see no harm in blogging about what to do with it.

By Ron Roberts

February 3, 2007 03:17 PM | Link to this

Does this crap concern anybody else?

This was from today’s Braves notes:

Chipper: No need for trainer at this point

Jones, who will be 35 in April, said he wants to play until 38 or 40. He is owed $11 million in 2007 and ‘08, with a vesting option for ‘09.

Despite three stints on the disabled list in 2006, he still hit .324 with 26 homers and 86 RBIs in 110 games.

He took extra time off this winter to rest his problematic feet and his oblique (side) muscle, and didn’t hire a trainer/dietician to supervise workouts and meals like he had the previous winter.

“Right now I’m still 225 [pounds], but it might not be chicken and rice,” he said, smiling. “Might be more McDonald’s.*

“I hired a trainer and went on the DL three times [last year]. I don’t need to dedicate three hours a day to working out at this stage of my career. I can spend more time with my kids.”

Uh, so let me get this straight… Chipper doesn’t need to spend more time toning his body for a full season of baseball… because, unlike everybody else in human history, his body wouldn’t require more working out as he ages?

Does this whole article kinda come off with a not-so-comfortable sensation runninig all over you when you read it? Thoughts….

By AdirondackDave

February 3, 2007 03:43 PM | Link to this

Don - No, it doesn’t concern me for 2 reasons. First, Chipper knows his body better than any of us and second, the guy’s given us Hall of Fame production for more than ten years with remarkable consistency. Who am I to question his regimen? Whether he gives us 150 game or 120 games, he still worth every penny he’s paid as far as I’m concerned.

By Ron Roberts

February 3, 2007 03:58 PM | Link to this

Well, correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t recall Chipper ever talking before about his offseason eating regimen to be mostly *McDonalds” before. I get wanting to spend time with the kids in the offseason, but I fail to see what that has to do with eating right so you aren’t dealing with a higher percentage of body fat when you come back for spring training.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 3, 2007 04:27 PM | Link to this

I think what Chipper may have meant was that he was not going to over do it and that the rigourous training didn’t do him a lot of good last season. It is possible that the extra weight training and exercising could have actually lead to the oblique injury. I’m not exactly enamored with comments about him eating more McDonald’s but if he has stuck with a solid workout plan then I’m not that worried about him. I think if he gets one day off a week he will be fine.

By Head Coach

February 3, 2007 04:38 PM | Link to this

I got it. The payroll has dropped , which is my point and no I don’t sit around pulling my hair out about it. It’s just that JS has done a great job rebuilding the bullpen and lowering the payroll. He is getting no credit for the latter. So , the Braves are under their own 80 million self imposed cap with somewhere between 4 and 6 million to spend. They have money to spend and plenty of prospects to trade should the need arise before the july 31st deadline , just like last season.

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 05:03 PM | Link to this

OK, Head Coach, they’ve got $4-6 mill to spend. (They don’t really, but whatever you say.)

Just please don’t ask me to explain to you later why they’re not spending the $4-6 mill, since they don’t actually have it.

And the reason he’s not getting credit here or elsewhere for reducing payroll is because he hasn’t nor was he trying to. He didn’t need to.

Again, for others who care: From my calculations, Braves have very little if any left to spend within their $80 mill payroll, unless they move current players. It’s all pretty well spent otherwise….

Meanwhile, those who actually care what I know about the payroll: Shaun, yes it’s very difficult because of the bonuses, how they’re prorating them, etc. MBATL, yes, the $8-8.5 mill figure was what we all believed was approximate average annual amount, but I was told this winter that it’s closer to $9 mill and that that’s a more accurate figure to what the Braves are actually counting for their in-house accounting, for payroll purposes.

By DAP

February 3, 2007 05:18 PM | Link to this

when reading stories about chipper’s work out routine before last season, i remember him saying that during spring training it was a tradition for him to eat mcdonalds either before or after almost every game. he said he would have mcdonalds bags filling up the back of his car. so he has done it in the past. i dont see how that is good, but hes pretty darn good, so whatever makes him happy.

and i agree, chipper’s salary is a bargain even if he only plays 110 games. his numbers last year were better than alot of guys getting paid more than him, and he missed alot of time. if he can play 150 games then we’ll be doing really good. let him do his thing… he knows what hes doing.

By Gil

February 3, 2007 06:54 PM | Link to this

If Chipper played like Micky Mantle on the Jack Daniels plan it would be okay with me. Sometimes I think baseball players over train and end up hurting themselves.

Who are we to judge? Would Wickman be more effective if he lost 50 pounds? Babe Ruth did not appear to be one to hit the training regimen too hard either.

I guess we will have to wait and see. As for the payroll. I don’t think it makes much difference how much anybody thinks the Braves are paying. They are going to do what they want. The best anyone can hope for is they get maximum for what they spend.

By Ron Roberts

February 3, 2007 07:07 PM | Link to this

If we needed Wickman to play 7-8 innings 150 days out of the year, and cover the hot corner well, too, I’d be concerned about his body, too.

It just read like Chipper said “healthy eating and exercising, be damned; I’m gonna eat McDonals’ and play with my kids this offseason.”

Heck, I go to the gym 4-5 days a week, and with changing, warm-up, working out, cardio, showering, and changing again, I’m there at least 1.5 hours.

The comments he made just didn’t cross me the right way; that’s all. I might be reading more into it than there is, but I’d be far more encouraged if he’d said something like “well, I rested the foot and oblique this offseason, but kept a healthy diete and exercise regimen, anyhow…I’m not getting any younger and it takes more work to keep the body in shape.”

But that’s just me.

By Gil

February 3, 2007 07:44 PM | Link to this

Of course the best thing he could do is get rid of the snuff. But thats a whole different topic….

I sometimes think some guys are really lucky and they do not have to work as hard as others to stay in shape. Some are just prone to fall apart. Perhaps the expectations are greater when a guy is making 12 million to work at it.

We shall see. I am just glad the spring training is nearly upon us. It has been a long winter.

By MBATL

February 3, 2007 08:13 PM | Link to this

Some of the troubles Chipper has had, like hamstring and the oblique, really can be caused by being too ripped, too tight - God knows, I try my best to avoid that (and do a pretty good job of it). And the ankle injury - well, we all saw him turn that thing over hard on the wet field in San Fran. Not much you can do about that.

Anyway, his statement was not real well thought out. That “candor” that we love so much can get guys in trouble unless it’s what we want to hear. But I really think Chipper is a very good athlete who’s just had a little run of bad luck. I really hope he can stay healthy, because he’s still one of the best 10 hitters in baseball.

DOB, thanks for the clarification on payroll issues.

By Lew

February 3, 2007 09:15 PM | Link to this

I read interviews last off season and this with Chipper, explaining his diet and exercise program. He’s always eaten fast food (too much by his admission). Last year was the first he ate what the trainer said to and he ended up playing 110 games with oblique problems. He felt that if changing his habits had no positive effects, he might as well do as he always has. Most of the time missed last year was from the oblique and that play on the torn up field in SF, which should not have been played on. His injuries are never from being out of shape. They’re circumstantial, except for his toe, which really causes him to miss very little time. He tries to play through it. As long as he keeps putting up numbers and doesn’t gain 40 pounds, why shouldn’t he do as he feels is best? Get over it.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 3, 2007 09:25 PM | Link to this

When chipper comes to bat …

Cheeseburger in paradise (paradise) Medium rare with mustard ’be nice (paradise) Heaven on earth with an onion slice (paradise) I’m just a cheeseburger in paradise

I like mine with lettuce and tomatoe Heinz 57 and french fried potatoes Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer Well good God almighty which way do I steer for my

Chorus: Cheeseburger in paradise (paradise) Makin’ the best of every virtue and vice (paradise) Worth every damn bit of sacrifice (paradise) To get a cheeseburger in paradise To be a cheeseburger in paradise I’m just a cheeseburger in paradise

By Shaun Payne

February 3, 2007 09:56 PM | Link to this

I think everyone is making a little too much about Chipper’s fast food comment. Obviously we all know that fast food is not good for you but who knows if it’s going to affect Chipper’s baseball skills?

I saw a Lewis Black routine where he’s talking about how no one knows anything about why some people live a long time and some people don’t. He talked about the oldest guy in NY city who ate bread cooked in bacon fat everyday—funny stuff. I think there’s some truth to that. How many of us know people who aren’t really concerned about exercise or diet and live to be 70-, 80-, 90-years-old?

Anyway, something else to consider: Chipper’s production is more dependent on great power, excellent strikezone judgement, remarkable hand-eye coordination and impeccable hitting instincts above athleticism at this point in his career.

Let’s just wait and see what Chipper does this year before we judge his eating habits. Afterall, how many players have used steroids, drank after games, used drugs, etc. and were still able to perform at a high level?

By Gil

February 3, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

My question is. Do you think Roachie is going to be able to understand what his teammates are saying to him after being in Atlanta for three years and then being wisked to Pittsberg?

Honest, I needed a translator when I met my first wife’s folks from Detroit. Those folks do talk a bit funny.

By TLJ

February 3, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

Guys,

What is this fascination with Reed Johnson?? I looked at his numbers and they weren’t that great. If Langy or Diaz got the same number at bats, I believe their numbers would be similar to his. If we make a trade for a LF let’s get an upgrade.

I would like for the braves to obtain an LF or 2B that can hit leadoff and provide speed to the lineup. However, I really think the team as it is currently set up will score a lot of runs. I’m a little worried about the defense but these things seem to work themselves out.

The pitching looks very good especially the bullpen. I’m looking for a good season from the braves. Spring training is just around the corner and I can’t wait.

By Gil

February 3, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Pittsberg??? Pittsburg…

By journalist jimmy snith

February 3, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts comparing himself to Chipper Jones is like PeeWee Herman comparing himself with Hercules!

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

Folks, you really are making a bit much of his casual comment. Chipper actually looks like he’s in really good shape, and looks great swinging the bat this early on.

Now go watch the last 10 minutes of this KU-Texas A&M game.

By TennesseePaul

February 3, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

“I hired a trainer and landed on the disabled list three times,” [Chipper] Jones said. “I’m not going to say he didn’t help me, because I think that he did. But I learned enough from him that I can do what I need to do by myself”

Not too worried about Chipper. He went on the diet and exercise path for one season. That’s it. Now he has learned from that season and is going with what works for him. Sounds like a good plan. But, I can’t really say the Micky D’s is a good plan. The fries are good, but the burgers are a little lacking. Mix in an occassional Hot Apple Pie Crisp and you got yourself and nice little snack. I’m a fan of the Chick-fil-A myself. That’s just good chicken. I typically make it to the Dwarf House and a game when I’m in Atlanta.

So anyways, Dirtbags won today. Corder, I think that was his name, kills the ball. That guy just cranks them out of the park. It’s hard enough to hit them out of Blair Field, what with the sea level, constant wind blowing in, high humidity, and 350 down the lines and 390 in the power alleys… but this guy still manages to knock it out. Great game.

Love the picture on the main page. That kid is amazing. The helmet is as big as he is.

By TennesseePaul

February 3, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Got my TV on the Stanford/Cal game. My wife baby-sitted two of these players when they were kids. They’re twins. Freaks of nature. So tall it just blows your mind.

By TennesseePaul

February 3, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

Payne: I was saying all I said about LaRoche mainly because I wanted to know his splits minus the end of last season. I was curious mainly. Nothing more.

As for the age and when players peak… From everything I’ve read, the peak years depend on the skill you are speaking of. Different skills peak at different ages. Which is why I wouldn’t go with this blanket statement that you’ve laid out. But even still, I’d imagine the truly great players stay pretty even keal for the majority of their career only fading towards the end when they typically recognize it and retire “on top” as opposed to doing what Sammy Sosa is doing.

David Duchovny wrote an X-Files episode about the truly great ball players. It was pretty cool. The premise was that no human could accomplish the feats of a real baseball hero. That those baseball greats were really aliens, hiding here on earth, who just absolutely loved baseball. It was a great episode.

By David O'Brien

February 3, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

Damn, sorry I suggested for anyone to watch the last 10 minutes of that game. I jinxed ‘em.

Hate to say it about my boys, but what a choke job. A&M used a 17-4 run to close it out and erase a 12-point KU lead. Two home losses in one season for the Jayhawks. Bill Self better hope they do something big in the tournament or some folks are going to get restless in Lawrence.

Still, that A&M team impressed me. Got some nervy, tough dudes on that squad….

Anyway, back to Chipper. Don’t worry about the diet. That’s basically unimportant with him at this stage of his career, which is why he doesn’t mind making the comment. By that I mean, Chipper knows, everybody knows, that he’s going to hit, period, long as he’s healthy enough to play. And the diet isn’t going to be a determing factor in that area with him. He’s not flabby, and really doesn’t have the body type to get fat, long as he’s active.

We all know it’s not about offseason training with him anymore as much as it is the chronic feet and somehow avoiding fluke injuries. Like what happened the first week in San Francisco, when he hurt the knee and ankle on that wet field, injuries that may well have contributed to his other injuries later, the side stuff, because he compensated for the leg problems by using his upper body more in his swing.

By Drummerdad

February 4, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

When I read that quote from Chipper I knew Journalist Jim would be all over it. We’ll be hearing about this all year. When they make the west coast trip maybe DOB can take Chipper and Wicky to In & Out Burger and get a picture for us!!

By The Grinch

February 4, 2007 01:21 AM | Link to this

Dave, what do you mean acting like you know more about their payroll than the rest of us? What do you do, like talk to them on the phone every day or something? Act like you have a press pass? I swear, one would think you were the Braves beat writer for the AJC if one didn’t know better.

By ssiscribe

February 4, 2007 07:28 AM | Link to this

SOUTHSIDE SUBURBS — Had a previous engagement in Macon yesterday, but was able to break away long enough to take the bride, Little Scribe and Baby Scribe to FanFest.

When we lived on the coast, we’d always wanted to come up for FanFest but never could break away. But being back at home, it was nice to drive 25 minutes and be at the yard.

I’ve been on the field before, behind home plate during batting practice, and in the locker rooms, dugouts, etc., but I’ve never run the bases. Getting to do that with my kids was really, really cool. I won’t lie; I felt like a little kid myself.

But walking through a mostly empty stadium late on a cold, breezy February day that felt more appropriate for hockey than baseball, I thought about the season approaching. When we all reconvene at Turner Field on April 6 for the home opener against the Mets, and for the 80 home games to follow, I think there will be a lot of eyes on those of us occupying the seats.

Nobody wanted the postseason streak to end. Certainly not the players who are back this year. None of those guys wanted to be a part of the team that didn’t go to the playoffs for the first time since 1990.

Certainly, the fans didn’t want to see it end, either, no matter what the national media or outsiders say about fan apathy in the ATL. If you’re a Braves fan, you expect your ballclub to be playing in October, even if it’s only for the first week.

So, how will this team — and its fan base — react in 2007? Will we see more energy and more enthusiasm from the patrons in the stands? Certainly, the younger players on the team bring plenty of emotion and fire, and certainly, watching the playoffs on TV after many of them got a taste of the postseason in 2005 should be quite a point of motivation.

What will the fans bring in 2007? Personally, and I know I’m biased, but I think Braves fans get a bad rap. Not selling out a first-round playoff game that’s played at 1 p.m. on a Wednesday, a first-round game the Braves have played every year since, oh, the postseason expanded 12 years ago, is nothing by which to measure a fan base.

I’m looking forward to many nights of loud crowds, great baseball and memories with my family and friends. As the winds blew through the plaza and we strolled out of the yard yesterday afternoon, most of my family shivered in the cold.

But I smiled. No matter what the mercury or calendar tell me, spring is here at last. One can only hope, with the upgrades to the bullpen and the established talent already on board, that we’re all filing into the ballpark when the winds are blowing this cold again.

In late October.

The Scribe abides. Peace.

—30—

P.S.: Colts 21, Bears 13, for what its worth. Later.

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February 4, 2007 09:13 AM | Link to this

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By Steve

February 4, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Pittsberg? Pittsburg?? Pittsburgh!!! ….Ahhhhhhhhh

By The Grinch

February 4, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Morning, all. Got a long day ahead; just thought I’d warn everyone to be careful tonight and make sure you’re crashing wherever you watch the superbowl. Even if you don’t drink, the hour after the game’s over the a-holes who do will be all over the road. Be safe. Scribe, great post.

By Lew

February 4, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Ditto Brother Grinch’s advice-I’m driving while the Pre Game show is on.

By David O'Brien

February 4, 2007 01:23 PM | Link to this

Like most of you, pretty much taking a break from the blog today. Let’s get this damn ridiculously overhyped spectacle out of the way tonight so we can focus on baseball (and college hoops, of course, though I plan to keep that out of the blog unless someone else brings it up; baseball and music are enough here, with occasional lapses into pie, movies, hoops, etc).

Anyway, new blog tomorrow. We’ll throw in some stuff heard, overheard, etc., at Turner Field Friday.

Colts 21, Bears 10.

By Glass Half Full (GHF)

February 4, 2007 02:44 PM | Link to this

Any chance the Bears do the “Superbowl Shuffle” during the pre-game show? Seriously, at least FOX isn’t covering the game…no shameless promos for 24 and American Idol, no Joe Buck. Hey, things are looking up already. And another thing: on the subject of Superbowl drinking games…drink every time the announcers reference Archie Manning, Adam Vineteria’s (sp?) Superbowl success, the ‘85 Bears, Mike Ditka, the phrase “monkey off his back,” and anything about Peyton finally winning “the big game.”

By ssiscribe

February 4, 2007 03:27 PM | Link to this

Amen, DOB. Enough already with the Super hype. Two years ago, I had to cover that stuff and — while I’m certainly not complaining about getting to go to the Super Bowl on somebody’s nickel and see a three-point game (not to mention Sir Paul at halftime and Charlie Daniels during pregame) — it does get old, and long. So play the darn game, already!

Grinch, thanx bro. Just felt the need to fire off one this morning after FanFest. Everybody be safe. Going to a Super Bowl party with my kiddies; we’ll probably be home before the fourth quarter so I don’t have to encounter the crazies on the road. Right now, need to take a break after a big ol’ plate of barbecue for lunch.

Until the new blog tomorrow, selah.

—30—

By The Stranger

February 4, 2007 04:35 PM | Link to this

I may be a Chipper apologist, but I happened to be sitting on the 3rd base line at AT&T Park when a chopper to Chipper started his season off on the wrong foot. The turf was literally under water. They had these ridiculous zamboni-type machines that went around between innings trying to suck the water off the field. All they did was push the water and mud around - it did not help.

No diet/training regimen was going to save Chipper from that injury. Only the schedule-makers can be blamed for starting the Braves 2006 season on the west coast, during a particularly wet and cool California spring.

That road trip set the tone for the entire season and laid the foundation for an almost unimaginable June.

I’ll add that one of the bright spots in that SF series was watching Langerhans take BP. No towering HGH-fueled shots into the cove, but he was chipping into that brick wall with one lazer line drive after another. Langy was on fire in their only win in that ugly, fateful series, and went 8-18 on that trip to start the season.

I think the competition for LF will be healthy for the team, and I think Langerhans will step up to the challenge.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 4, 2007 04:57 PM | Link to this

I think Chipper will be just fine. I also think that Cox should give Chipper a day or two off a week.

As far as LF goes, I think JS will attempt to work out a trade. If nothing satisfactory can come of that then it will be a Diaz/Langerhans/Wilson platoon unless TJ Bohn or the underdog Gregor Blanco can emerge.

Tongight’s game will be a good one. Here is my prediction:

Colts 35 Bears 31.

Grossman and Manning will have huge games!

By Adam

February 4, 2007 05:16 PM | Link to this

DOB: Has Chipper looked into getting his feet fixed. I know having bunions removed is possible as I had the surgery myself on both of my feet. I had it done when I was 23 and my feet are far better now then when I was 21. No pain at all and more range of motion. If Chippers feet are anywhere near as bad as mine were, I know the pain he is going through. I can say from experience that there is nothing like walking and running with no pain.

By David O'Brien

February 4, 2007 05:37 PM | Link to this

Adam, your recommendation directly contradicts what he was told by a couple of specialists, who both advised him that there would be a rather lengthy recovery period (no way he could get it done after the season and be ready the following spring training) and also that there’d be no guarantee whatsoever that it would take care of his problems.

I can tell you firsthand, I went to a podiatrist this winter (not for bunions) and had a conversation with the doctor after he saw what i did for a living. we talked about chipper and the doctor said at this stage of his career, with bunions on both feet and the recovery period necessary, he’d be better off just doing what he can and playing with the condition.

He got yet another pair of orthotics made this winter. Mizuno (his endorsement company) has tried extensively to create a perfect shoe for him. Right now, he said his feet feel good. Of course, that could change with one bad motion or wrong step. But we’ll see.

But yes, getting back to your question, he’s checked into it and was advised by multiple doctors that surgery would not be advisable at this point of his career.

By Carolina Lady

February 4, 2007 05:56 PM | Link to this

Bears and Colts?? American League, right?

By journalist jimmy smith

February 4, 2007 05:58 PM | Link to this

ron roberts, that was not journalist jimmy smith posting at 10:31 - probably sda based on past history. of course, could have been stinky - or maybe they are one and the same. anyway, jimmy smith thinks chipper should shy away from cheeseburgers and eat more vegetables. a vegetable plate would help chipper immensely. and who has seen the cover of southern living magazine? banana pudding pie! yes, that’s right, banana pudding pie! this journalist has been in contact with mrs. anthony and has requested just such a pie for the super bowl. speaking of the super bowl, this journalist bids all a good day. time to watch some football.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 4, 2007 06:06 PM | Link to this

turning one toe into two,

is more than doctors wish to do,

a troubled toe knows no reason,

orthotics will get us through the season.

By The Stranger

February 4, 2007 06:10 PM | Link to this

CL, either way, more spectacle than sport.

By AdirondackDave

February 4, 2007 09:11 PM | Link to this

zzzzz… is it over yet …

By Adam

February 4, 2007 09:23 PM | Link to this

DOB: I was told my whole life the same thing, infact I was told to wait until I was in my 40’s and couldn’t deal with the pain any longer to go through with the procedure. I can tell you from direct experience that I was laid up 4-6 weeks per foot. When I was 9 years old I went to the podiatrist and was told I had the feet of a 60 yr old man. I struggled for my entire life up until I was 23 yrs old with horrible pain in my feet. The head of podiatry at Barry University in Miami is who fixed both of my feet. He invented a procedure that doesn’t effect the joint. I am now 32 yrs old and have been living without pain for the past 9 years. I don’t know Chipper, but I would bet that if he was told and showed what this doctor would do, he wouldn’t hesitate to go through with the procedure.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 4, 2007 09:27 PM | Link to this

So, what do you guys say? Was he inbounds or not? I say he was and the right call was made.

By Head Coach

February 4, 2007 09:36 PM | Link to this

Congratulations to the Colts and Payton Manning on winning the Super bowl. Archie’s little kid finally won the big one.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 4, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

oh, the humanity! he was inbounds. by a toe. and now, more toes … to see an example of the bunion, search google images. nasty stuff and no shoe made is made for that! perhaps chipper’s new shoes will have individual toe compartments - then, perhaps not. what if it takes only one compartment to separate these toes? two compartments at the most? oh, what a tangled web we weave … not saying anything for sure - may just be a rumor. then why do they train at the home of donald duck? and why must we do a web search to see the photos? there are many, many questions. only dob has seen chipper in the clubhouse without shoes and dob isn’t telling. now, the mizuno cobblers … how do they differ from cobblers in the u.s.a.? and the mention of a cobbler reminds this journalist of pie - and pie is a pleasant thought unlike bunions. now was that carolina lady who posted earlier? american league? and if js is reading tonight … why spend so much money on shoes for chipper when your relief pitchers have no pants?

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 4, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

Congratulations, Colts! They totally dominated. The score was not indicative of that game. The Bears got they behinds whupped!

Manning has the monkey off his back now. Perhaps, Andruw can get it off his and bring Atlanta a championship this year!

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 4, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

Esteemed Journalist Jimmy Smith, oh the humanity indeed. Yes, the Colts won the Super Bowl by a TOE!

By journalist jimmy s**

February 4, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

LaRoche should feel really comfortable with his new team—and fit in perfectly with the rest of those underachieving, perennial losers up there in Polacksburg!

By MEB

February 4, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Journalist Jimmy… request a report on the banana pudding pie. Can you cut such a pie with a knife or must one use a spoon?

Now that the Super Duper Bowl is over lets get down to some serious baseball coverage. Dadgummit!!!

By flbravesgirl

February 4, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

Now that football’s over, I look forward to actually seeing some baseball coverage in the local paper. Thank goodness we can come here in the offseason. Seeing the pics from pitchers’ camp and Fanfest just makes me want Spring Training to hurry up. Love the shot of the little guy in the large helmet and full uni running the bases. Scribe, your post this morning was great.

jimmy, funny that you mention cobbler. I just made a peach cobbler Fri.

By The Grinch

February 5, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

I made it home alive. Oh, the humanity! Chicago is in desperate need of a quarterback. When Rex Grossman is your best option of three, what does that say about the other two? I’m surprised Prince didn’t get electrocuted during the halftime show with all that rain. He couldn’t have scripted it better though when he played “Purple Rain” and it was falling down all around him through the purple stage lights. You know when he changed his name to that symbol and was referred to as “The artist formerly known as Prince?” Since he’s changed it back now, shouldn’t he be known as “The artist formerly known as the artist formerly known as Prince?”

By Shaun

February 5, 2007 08:53 AM | Link to this

As for the age and when players peak… From everything I’ve read, the peak years depend on the skill you are speaking of. Different skills peak at different ages. Which is why I wouldn’t go with this blanket statement that you’ve laid out. But even still, I’d imagine the truly great players stay pretty even keal for the majority of their career only fading towards the end when they typically recognize it and retire “on top” as opposed to doing what Sammy Sosa is doing.

TennPaul,

I don’t even remember how this came up, but I agree that the way players age depend on their skill sets, and I think research backs us up on that. But the vast majority of major leaguers peak around 26-28.

As far as truly great players, most aren’t around the same value throughout their careers. As I said, the vast majority of players (goods ones, okay ones, bad ones) peak around 26-28. Most players, even great ones, aren’t as good at 22 as they are at 27. And are at least a little less productive at 34 than they were at 27.

The thing about truly great players is the years when they haven’t yet reached their peak or when they are in the decline phase are usually still head and shoulders above other players.

Take Chipper Jones, for example. Chipper’s best season was clearly his 1999 season, by pretty much any objective measure. He was 27. He has his best OBP and SLG and hit .319. If you trust RC, it was his best season by that measure. His “traditional” stats were also impressive (a career high 45 HR and 110 RBI, one off his career high). Plus he stole a career high 25 bases and was only caught 3 times.

Now Chipper was amazing before that and after that and he’s still a great player. But there is clearly an ascent phase, a peak phase and a decline phase, if you look at his career in total. His ascent phase and decline phase are/were just a lot better than a lot of players’ peak phases.

…oh, yeah, I think Adam LaRoche brought this up. LaRoche is 27 this season and we all know he had a great year last year. He should be at the very least close to as productive in 2007. I would guess he’ll be more productive given that 27 is often a better year than the age 26 season and given that Turner Field is a pitcher’s park and Pittsburgh is neutral.

By Shaun

February 5, 2007 09:24 AM | Link to this

TennPaul,

Also many great players are good at a variety of skills. These type of players usually decline slower than most players. If you graphed Chipper’s production, his decline would be a slight downward slope as opposed to a sharp downward slope like Kevin Mitchell’s.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 5, 2007 09:44 AM | Link to this

Thank goodness Rex Grossman doesn’t have a Super Bowl Ring this year. That would give the “Gators” too much to gloat about. National Champs in football and basketball, and an alumni QB as a Super Bowl champ all at the same time.

Prince looks like he should be doing someone’s nails in a cell block somewhere. Not a big fan of the artist formerly known as a funny-looking symbol.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 5, 2007 09:47 AM | Link to this

Could someone please go back and check McDonald’s menu in 1999 (Chipper’s MVP season)? Whatever they had going on back then might be the answer. McRib???

By Gil

February 5, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

The sum of the parts is sometimes greater than the whole. With Chipper in ‘99 there other than the fact teams were unable to pitch around him. He got hot during August and September.

Chipper is a money player. His physical abilities have declined as he has gotten older but he is a smarter player. He is still the guy who can beat you in the clutch.

I still don’t see Atlanta’d future third baseman currently in their organization. Unless it is someone in the very low minors.

By Carolina Lady

February 5, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

Prince looks like he should be doing someone’s nails in a cell block somewhere. Arkansas, that is so funny! (And true.) :-)))

By Lew

February 5, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

Gil-That’s not necessarily the case. Check out 3B Van Pope at Myrtle Beach. He hit .263 last season, with 15Hr, 74 RBI and 31 doubles. He is a highly thought of prospect.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 5, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

first, there is pie. then, there is pudding. pudding-pie is not the answer. what sort of confusion is this pudding-pie? and meb is right, is it to be eaten with a fork or a spoon? and flabravesgirl, cobbler is always a welcome addition at the table. peach cobbler is not to be trifled with much like toes. and, now football is over and surely baseball season must be close. now, a question for dob … do these players ever walk through the outfield grass without shoes? and do they leave tracks in the infield on the way out to the outfield and have you ever examined chipper’s tracks? this might prove worthy of a wurlitzer. just a rumor - nothing certain. and now, whither hk and a report on who is the smartest brave now that laroche is gone and the braves have these many new relievers? does chipper retain the crown as uh, smartest atlanta brave? and this journalist has heard from journalist just plain bob who is carving black diamond watermelons until bob’s computer dries out from the soaking. everyone have a good day.

By KC

February 5, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

YES!!!!!!! IT’S OVER!!!!!!*

No more football!!! =)

Now we can concentrate on that which is truly imprortant… the countdown to opening day!

By KC

February 5, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

Lew, yes Van Pope could be Chipper’s heir apparent.

Speaking of “Vans”… does anyone remember the guy we almost drafted instead of Chipper? If fact, Bobby Cox was roundly criticized for not selecting this other guy back then. Can you remember who that was?

By journalist jimmy smith

February 5, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

this journalist was surprised to read the scouting reports on aybar after learning of his tremendous upside from the braves organization. aybar has utility stamped on his farhead. apparently, regarded only as an average 3b, and not athletic enough for 2b. one scout’s opinion. this journalist hopes aybar proves him wrong. and, andy marte was the top prospect and heir apparent at 3b and now he is in cleveland.

and now, dan kolb … The Pirates began pursuing the 32-year-old Kolb after they dealt closer Mike Gonzalez to the Braves on Jan. 17 for first baseman Adam LaRoche, Kolb’s former teammate in Atlanta.

Salomon Torres (3-6, 3.28 ERA, 12 saves) finished up last season as the Pirates’ closer after Gonzalez sat out the final five-plus weeks with a sore left elbow. But Torres often pitches better in the second half of a season than the first, and adding Kolb gives the Pirates some protection should Torres not pitch well in April and May.

The right-handed Kolb, who turns 32 in March, was 2-2 with one save and a 4.84 ERA in 53 appearances as a Brewers setup reliever last season. He had a 2.75 ERA after the All-Star break, making 14 consecutive scoreless appearances at one point. Kolb allowed only eight runs over his final 25 appearances.

Kolb had 60 saves in 67 chances with a 2.55 ERA as the Brewers’ closer in 2003 and 2004, making the NL All-Star team in 2004. But Kolb struggled after signing with Atlanta in 2005, going 3-8 with a 5.93 ERA and blowing saves in seven of 18 chances.

Kolb was seeking a spot on a 40-man roster, but the Pirates currently don’t have an opening. Instead, they agreed to allow him to become a free agent if he doesn’t make the team out of spring training.

Kolb is expected to join Torres and setup men Matt Capps and John Grabow, Damaso Marte in what looks to be one of the NL’s deepest bullpens even without Gonzalez.

In 10 career appearances at PNC Park, Kolb has four saves and hasn’t allowed a run in 10 1-3 innings, permitting six hits, striking out five and walking four.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 5, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

and, super bowl commercials … how about the nice cheese commercial immediately following the game?

and jimmy smith has some time to blog and jimmy smith’s posts are not showing up! has this journalist broken the dob/man-in-black/music/and pie blog?

lastly, who is dr. pepper and is he a toe man?

By flbravesgirl

February 5, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Todd Van Poppel, KC.

And the Braves MLB site has a countdown of days, hours, minutes & seconds ‘til pitchers & catchers report, so they’ll probably have one for Opening Day too.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 5, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

FLBravesGirl wrote—” Love the shot of the little guy in the large helmet and full uni running the bases. “

Isn’t that Pete Orr in that picture? ; -)

By Shaun

February 5, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

journalist jimmy smith,

Marte is in Cleveland because Chipper wasn’t going anywhere anytime real soon and mostly because the Braves needed a shortstop after Furcal left.

If the Braves could have resigned Furcal, Marte would be the Braves leftfielder or firstbaseman or the Braves would have traded him for another need.

By Shaun

February 5, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

flbravesgirl and KC,

Todd Van Poppel, Brien Taylor, and countless others—perfect examples of why it’s risky to use first-round picks on high school pitchers.

By Greg in TN

February 5, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Hey friends and neighbors…

Todd Van Poppel Wow KC and flbravesgirl, there’s a name from the past.

To me, it couldn’t have happened to a better guy. In 1990, the kid pretty much tells BC and the Braves brass, “Don’t pick me. If you do, I won’t sign a contract. I’ll go to college instead.” So we instead draft Chipper, while Todd goes about building a career record of 40-52 with an ERA of 5.58 and a WHIP of 1.54. Yeah, great idea there Todd.

I’m sorry I missed Bravesfest over the weekend. I tried to go to the caravan stop in Knoxville the weekend before last and didn’t realize it was a part of the hunting and fishing expo until it was too late (Doh!).

The clock continues to tick… 10 days until pitchers and catchers report. Anxious to get 2007 started in earnest.

By Greg in TN

February 5, 2007 01:47 PM | Link to this

I guess that should be Braves FanFest after rereading my last post. I kind of like BravesFest better, but that’s just me.

By Shaun

February 5, 2007 03:10 PM | Link to this

Slow day on the blog. What gives?

By John

February 5, 2007 06:35 PM | Link to this

LaRoche was a lazy bum. No emotion. No enthusiasm. The Pirates can have him.

By sammy miller

February 6, 2007 04:43 PM | Link to this

Hellooooo friends just wanted everyone to know I hate the Mets with a passion!!!!