Braves

By ssiscribe

February 19, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

“Laughing River” makes me want to go fishing, and go to a minor-league game.

Nice way to start the week and the new blog, DOB.

—30—

By bravesfan16

February 19, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

DOB—-head over to www.yeproc.com and stream the new SCOTS and You Am I albums. Both are fantastic.

I like the new Lucinda also.

By Gene

February 19, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

Isn’t spring baseball great! Chipper has gotten me excited. Now if he will only play defense…

By just Bob, plain and simple

February 19, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

Now I know I’m leaving … make a couple of posts to Lew, SSI and MBATL … and one the Hillbilly … and before anyone has a chance to read then, you go and put up a new Blog!

Ain’t the first time …

By Topher_24

February 19, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

DOB, great post. Chipper and Smoltz are always honest about their feelings regarding the team and it’s ability or inability to win. Both were less than enthusiastic last year, and both seem happy about the changes made this offseason. However, Liberty will need to dish out some bucks if the Braves are to retain both Andruw and Smoltz. PR wise, Liberty had better make an effort to retain at least one of them. They will be battered by the media and fans if they don’t. Some of the players’ performances will help in the decision-making come next offseason. If Hudson reasserts himself as a premier pitcher, the Braves may allow Smoltz to walk (although I hope they don’t). If Andruw has a poor showing (.260 35 100) and still want 18M+ per season, the Braves may allow him to walk. However, Liberty understands profit/loss, value, etc. and they better realize the value of the team they will wish to sell in a few years will depreciate if they lose Andruw and Smoltz and do not even attempt to replace that talent.

By Michaelmike

February 19, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Before the 1991 season began, the Atlanta Braves had been the worst franchise in major league baseball - based on wins and losses - for 25 years. I lived through that stretch. During the 1988 season I lived in an apartment nestled in the shadow of Stone Moutain. Because of its proximity to the mountain, I could only get one television station - I was too poor for cable. That station was WTBS, or Channel 17 as we used to call it. The Braves lost 106 games that season, so I watched the opposing teams shake hands a lot that summer. Sadly, I shall carry those scars with me to my grave, and I shall always be a pessimist as a result of that cruel and bitter season. But the bullpen does look pretty good. And Hudson just has to have better luck. Hampton might hit eight or nine home runs (which translates to 50 for an everyday player) and win 14 to 18 games. Thorman might do alright given a chance to play. Kelly Johnson might make us forget all about Marcus Giles after a while. Renteria is an all-star. Francoeur will strike out less. For sure he’ll strike out less. Andrew might hit 50 again. Maybe I’m not as pessimistic as I thought.

By Kentavo

February 19, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Play ball!!!!!!!

Chipper has to stay healthy, but we all know he won’t. It’s not really his fault, but he’s kinda like Griffey now - you know he can’t make it thru a full season. But, look what he did last year in limited action. I think they’d be wise to spell him a little bit more to prevent some injuries. And pull him outta of blow-outs.

By brent

February 19, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Okay, if you can only have one guy back in ‘08, is it Smoltz or Andruw?

By MGL

February 19, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Regarding visa issues, Soriano would probably require a work visa which is initiated by the employer. I read somewhere that Seatle had messed up the process which may have been complicated by the trade.

By AdirondackDave

February 19, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Great post, Dave. I love the ‘real time’ commentary from the ball park. Looking forward to stuff on/with Andruw when he shows up. Gonna be a good year, I can feel it in my bones.

By ernesto

February 19, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Great post. Good to hear Chipper as geeked as the fans seem - a lot of things have to break right for us to win it - but this is a team you can feel good about. If Thorman comes along and we get antying at all out of 2B, we should be fine offensively. I think I’d rather be pinning my hopes on someone’s stock rising than another Brian Jordan, Mondesi type gamble. Or, say, Alou holding up for hte whole year.

By roan st

February 19, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Dave, is it possible liberty media will spend some money on this team to keep the value high since they will certainly sell in two or three years. Does having a competitive team over the next few years affect the value? If it does it would seem logical that they would try and spend some money to protect their investment. For example, if andruw signs a six year deal and they sell the team in two years then their not on the hook but for 1/3 of that money. Just Curious.

By Philip Covin

February 19, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

The pitching rotation of Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton and James sounds powerful; let’s just hope they can all stay healthy this season.

By Emilio

February 19, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

DOB I appreciate the updates! I’m excited about our prospects. Last year I caught several games at Disney and really enjoyed the ambience. It’s a fun time for (Grandpa - me), son, and grandson. There is just something special about spring. It heralds new growth and new beginnings! Surely hope does, indeed, “spring” eternal. The whole scene down there is just plain fun and, for me sets the stage for the season to come! So, come on!

I too sense a resurgence of Braves success! Chipper should be optimistic! If our pitching staff remains healthy, and Hampton comes along we will be tough! We have enough offense. I actually, believe it could be better than last year. The right side will not be as strong defensively, but the trade off for the potential superlative pitching was worth the trades. We’ll see how it all unfolds, but I like what I see. J.S. has given B.C. options. Our pitching may be so deep as to allow for one more fairly high level trade, left field maybe?

Nevertheless, I’m ready to rock with what we got! My biggest concern is Chipper’s oft-banged up big toe or bunion. The boy needs to stop wearing pointed cowboy boots and get some wide toe boxes. If he plays at least 140 games our offense will work! Jeff and Andruw really need a few less strike outs, at least strike out on pitches that are within a foot or two of the plate. So, little things mean a lot! Just a few of these and we might surprise some folks! Good luck Braves – It takes that, too!

By Shaun

February 19, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Chipper just understands the game perhaps better than any player I’ve read or heard an interview of. He keeps it simple—offense isn’t the best but it’s good, and a much improved pitching staff means better run differential than ‘06 and therefore more wins. I think Chipper could be a manager or even a GM right now if he wanted to, based on the few interviews I’ve heard.

By Shaun

February 19, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

Emilio,

AJ and Francouer are going to strikeout a lot. If AJ keeps doing what he’s been doing the last couple of years and Francouer improves enough to stop swinging at pitches way out of the strikezone and kills pitches in the strikezone, he’ll be fine.

By Bill Wilson

February 19, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Hey Dave, I enjoy your musical notes (ha ha). Check out the new Mellencamp cd Freedom’s Road. It just may be his best all time. Have you ever heard Ed Cassidy drum for Spirit/ He was the Step-Father of their late lead guitarist Randy California and had a jazz background which greatly influenced their sound espacially the late sixties and early seventies material. Keep the faith!

By Sir Stealth

February 19, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Have to disagree somewhat on that Lucinda review DOB. I think that its a good album with some great stuff on it, but not among her best, and not just because of the down mood. World Without Tears and Essence flirted with maudlin at times, and I think both are better, especially World Without Tears, which is in a different class. To compare West with Car Wheels is probably blasphemy. Just my opinion.

I agree with Chipper - Braves are gonna kick *ss this year.

By northgeorgiafan

February 19, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

I’M READY FOR A GREAT YEAR.GO BRAVES.

By Barrett

February 19, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

DOB, I was just curious. With Soriano having past starting experience, have you heard anything about the braves maybe trying him as the 5th starter if the others don’t pull through?

Also, what about Orr. With woodward, aybar, Jones, Renteria, Thorman filling out the infield and all the outfield guys and two catchers, he seems like the odd man out. Have you heard anything about the position battles? It seems like they are getting over looked because of the fuss over the last ‘pen spot. Just one guys opinion I guess

By John Adcox

February 19, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Hey, DOB,

Has Gregor Blanco arrived yet? While I realize he’s only going to get a passing look, I’ve always been a fan of the Otis Nixon types. I’d love to hear how he’s doing.

John

By jon

February 19, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Springtime! the time for eternal optimism! But as far as the Braves go, I am always in a springtime mood as I feel they will win every year, series, game, night. That was true in the 50’s when I had to wait until they were on the west coast to skip in on the radion on the SF and LA stations late at night. When I hear Chipper and Smoltzie so upbeat this year after the disappointments of last year, I know it is spring. Can’t wait until the first broadcasts from Florida!

By jon

February 19, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Springtime! the time for eternal optimism! But as far as the Braves go, I am always in a springtime mood as I feel they will win every year, series, game, night. That was true in the 50’s when I had to wait until they were on the west coast to skip in on the radion on the SF and LA stations late at night. When I hear Chipper and Smoltzie so upbeat this year after the disappointments of last year, I know it is spring. Can’t wait until the first broadcasts from Florida!

By The Grinch

February 19, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Bill Wilson, does the new Mellencamp have “Our Country” on it? That’s the only way I’d buy it. Would you guys like to see the lyrics? :-)

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Barrett, no mention of Soriano competing for fifth starter job this season, but it’s possible in future he could be considered for rotation….

Blanco isn’t here yet, but probably because he played in Caribbean World Series and isn’t required to report until tomorrow anyway. Andruw dropped by today, didn’t work out but checked in. He was gone before we had a chance to talk to him….

Sir Stealth, I said it was a cut below Car Wheels. But I do think it’s as good or better than Essence. Tough to rate them other than to lump them 3-4 of her albums together beneath Car Wheels. But I do really like this one….

Someone asked about Boyer past couple days. He’s throwing fine, off the mound, said he feels great and Bobby said he looks good.

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 01:01 PM | Link to this

Shaun, forgot to mention: I entirely agree with your post about Chipper.

Oh, and Craig Wilson reported and worked out.

By USMC DAWG

February 19, 2007 01:11 PM | Link to this

I can’t wait to get this season started,yet I remain somewhat hesitant about Chipper’s health. IF he can play 135-145 games, the Braves will definately be contenders. Look for Andruw to put up huge numbers (contract year), he should easily hit 45-50 plus homers and drive in somewhere around 130. Francoeur should hit around 25-30 HR’s and drive in 100, he needs to get his BA up another 15 points, and his on base % needs to be up 30 points. McCann needs to just “keep on keeping on”. This kid’s gonna be an all star for the next 10 years. I’m still afraid the LaRoche trade is going to blow up in our face somewhere down the road.

By The Grinch

February 19, 2007 01:14 PM | Link to this

Dave, I sent you a copy of the Onion A.V. club’s review of “West.” They’re usually cynical with their reviews (especiallly cinema) but also often provide honest insight most don’t. I haven’t heard the alblum myself. Off to the gym.

By Greg in TN

February 19, 2007 01:17 PM | Link to this

Hi folks…

Thanks for the update DOB. Supposed to get a bit warmer in my neck of the woods later this week, already better today than it was over the weekend. Have faith all ye buried to the ear lobs in snow drifts, it’ll get there.

Michaelmike, that ‘88 season was flat out brutal to endure. Gerald Perry hit .300, Rick Mahler and Pete Smith were the only starters with a sub 4 ERA (this was a staff that had a 22-year old lefty named Tom Glavine and a 21-year old righty named John Smoltz), those were the lone bright spots on Capitol Avenue that summer. Murph struggled mightily in that season (.226, 24 HRs, 77 RBIs in 156 games) and we had the incredible error machine at short in Andres Thomas. To see how far we’ve come since those days is why I’m always the optimist. It’s my fervent hope to never relive those dark days again.

Good stuff on Chipper, DOB. I hope he’s right about Smoltzie and AJ. I doubt we will know what Liberty’s intentions are as far as payroll until next offseason, but I remain optimistic that something will be worked out so that we keep them both.

By tvsportscaster

February 19, 2007 01:17 PM | Link to this

I find the comments about this team being better than last year interesting. I sure would hope its better than last year’s garbage team or its going to be a long year. The bullpen itself is the major reason. But saying Chipper says this year’s team will be better than last year’s isn’t exactly awe inspiring. It sure better be.

By Braves20

February 19, 2007 01:19 PM | Link to this

Is anyone else surprised that most of the media (Sporting News, Baseball Weekly or whatever they call it since they polluted it with football) ranks the Braves mid-pack - 15 through 18th in the major leagues? Are we (Braves fans) just too geeked up to see a middle of the pack team one that has two All Stars plus a probable HOF on the left side, statistically the best pen in the NL and three guys who have won 20 in the rotation. Granted we’re going to have to get a first baseman when Thorman flops but this is not a middle of the pack team. Is it?

By Tuckerboy

February 19, 2007 01:20 PM | Link to this

Everyone’s an optimist in Spring! Too bad the right side infield defense will let the Braves down durng the season. I predict another 18 games out by the end of the year. Thorman will be gone by next year. He needs to DH in the AL whch is a better fit for him. Over-kill in the bullpen cannot cover the late innings when there is no lead to protect. Good pitching must have good defense in order to be effective. JS traded too much away this year.

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 01:26 PM | Link to this

Grinch, I didn’t get the review. Where’d you send it?

By Harry

February 19, 2007 01:31 PM | Link to this

DOB: I agree with your Lucinda review, as well as Greg Brown rec. I personally liked World better than Car Wheels, simply because it was a little less “studio polished”, if you know what I mean. You missed Gillian and Rawlings at the VP Friday. Excellent show, as always.

By MBravesFan

February 19, 2007 01:35 PM | Link to this

DOB, had a post on the now defunct blog about why Jonathan Johnson was chosen over Matt Wright to be on the 40 man roster… Was wondering if you could ask someone in the know how the thinking behind the move..

By The Grinch

February 19, 2007 01:36 PM | Link to this

OK, I just tried it again. dobrien@ajc.com. NOW I’m off to the gym.

By Mark

February 19, 2007 01:37 PM | Link to this

I love the negative people who talk smack and you can never find them at the end of the year when things don’t go as they think. The Braves will have a great team. Sure, you never know what may happen. As long as they can keep this team healthy, they will be in the race come September. Maybe that’s a big if, but time will tell. If Chipper says they are going to be good, then I believe him. He’s been on enough good teams to know one when he sees a good team…….don’t you think?

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 01:40 PM | Link to this

In Buster’s ESPN baseball blog today, he leads with a note about McCann and links to an interesting story about Leo in the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/18/AR2007021801121.html

By DonCoburleone

February 19, 2007 01:41 PM | Link to this

Why is everyone so worried about the right side of the infield? I mean, Thorman has played first his entire professional career, so he is at worst an average defensive first baseman. Sure LaRoche didn’t hardly make any errors, but at least we know Thorman will RUN to first base after fielding a ground ball. Plus, LaRoche’s range was nothing special. I swear I think I saw a total of 5 diving attempts in LaRoches career in Atlanta. And don’t worry about KJ, the guy is an extremely gifted athlete who’s had experience on the middle infield.

I’m not saying we will be better or even as good defensively this year as we were last year (in the infield). But our outfield is going to be downright sick. When Langerhans is in left, I believe it is without question the best defensive outfield in baseball…

By DonCoburleone

February 19, 2007 01:46 PM | Link to this

“If the Braves stay healthy, they could have pitching to trade at the end of spring training. Right-handers Oscar Villareal and Lance Cormier, both of whom were acquired from the Diamondbacks for catcher Johnny Estrada before last season, would be among the leading candidates to be dealt. The Dodgers could use a middle-inning reliever such as Villareal, while the A’s could pursue Cormier as a replacement for righty swingman Kirk Saarloos, whom they traded to the Reds.” - Ken Rosenthal

Did anyone else read this article this morning? If you think about it, he may have a point… Surely some team coming out of spring training is going to be willing to overpay for a guy like Villareal or Cormier.

By Tuckerboy

February 19, 2007 02:01 PM | Link to this

The outfield has to be good (and admittedly, this outfield is a potential one for the ages) because the infield D is horrible. Only true baseball people will ever understand the nuances and psychological effects that a good first baseman has over a team. Remember the first thing JS did in 1991 was bring in a third baseman (Terry Pendleton) and a first baseman (Sid Bream) who could actually catch and throw. JS has gotten away from his pitching AND defensive philosophy. Laroche played well for the Braves but it is his upside that the Braves will miss out on. The Braves can’t win it all without a solid defensive infield, especially first base. Not to beat a dead horse but what a lousy trade. Again, Thorman will be and should be gone by next year.

By DonCoburleone

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

But I don’t know, I really do like Cormier and Villareal… If I had to pick though, I’d trade Villareal before Cormier. I really think Cormier will be the 5th starter for the majority of the season, I don’t think there’s any doubt that he’s better than Davies right now…

By BigA

February 19, 2007 02:17 PM | Link to this

No discussion of “roots music” would be complete without a mention of the “Lost Highway” label, at www.losthighwayrecords.com. That label is home to Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, Ryan Adams, the last albums of Johnny Cash, Jayhawks, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, Kim Richey and Golden Smog…to name a few. If the Braves are listening to “roots music”, I feel better about the season already.

By DonCoburleone

February 19, 2007 02:22 PM | Link to this

Tuckerboy, are you Adam LaRoche?

By Adam

February 19, 2007 02:26 PM | Link to this

Defense is important, but it’s not like Thorman can’t catch the ball or dig a throw. First base is not the most infield position to be solid, that would easily go to shortstop. Up the middle defense usually determines wins more often than corner defense. It’s all important, but do not believe for one minute that Thorman’s defense is the key to the Braves season. If he can’t catch routine throws or dig the ball out of the dirt on occassion then the Braves should be worried but I really doubt that would be the case.

By Nick

February 19, 2007 02:26 PM | Link to this

This situation does seem a lot more promising than last year. We’ll get over LaRoche, we’ve got enough bats that the pitching was more important anyway.

One thing I wonder about is speed on the bases. Do we have anybody who can steal a base this year? Last year, that really seemed to be lacking. Itd be great to have a speedy leadoff guy. Maybe we should try to get Furcal back off the Dodgers.

By geauxbraves2000

February 19, 2007 02:26 PM | Link to this

Thinking about it, what concens me this season is actually all of the coaches who seemed to have bolted, Corrales (his defensive positioning will be missed), Dews, Mazzone last year, Gonzalez (which I understand he left for a manager’s position). Does someone know something and is not saying? Or am I just reading something into nothing? I guess time will tell.

Still, if this team stays healthly, I really do think they are the team to beat.

Geaux Braves!!

By Mark

February 19, 2007 02:29 PM | Link to this

Only true baseball people will ever understand the nuances and psychological effects that a good first baseman has over a team

Now that is funny! Prime example would be Albert Pujols is an average first baseman at best and I think his team won the WS if I’m not mistaken.

By DonCoburleone

February 19, 2007 02:32 PM | Link to this

“The outfield has to be good (and admittedly, this outfield is a potential one for the ages) because the infield D is horrible. Only true baseball people will ever understand the nuances and psychological effects that a good first baseman has over a team. Remember the first thing JS did in 1991 was bring in a third baseman (Terry Pendleton) and a first baseman (Sid Bream) who could actually catch and throw. JS has gotten away from his pitching AND defensive philosophy. Laroche played well for the Braves but it is his upside that the Braves will miss out on. The Braves can’t win it all without a solid defensive infield, especially first base. Not to beat a dead horse but what a lousy trade. Again, Thorman will be and should be gone by next year.”

Okay okay, lets not kid ourselves here. Now, if baseball people are truly honest with themselves, they will ALL tell you that defense is without question the least important of the 3 major aspects of the game (pitching, offense, defense). You can’t have absolutely horrible defense, but an average defense is obviously good enough to make or win a world series…

By sammy miller

February 19, 2007 02:34 PM | Link to this

Sam I am i love green eggs and ham!!!

By brent

February 19, 2007 02:35 PM | Link to this

Roan St:

A team’s value is based upon its projected future cash flows and expenses.

So, in most instances, having a competitive team means a stronger fan base, more ticket sales, etc., and reason to believe that the future profitability will be strong.

Thus, value increases.

By DonCoburleone

February 19, 2007 02:37 PM | Link to this

“Only true baseball people will ever understand the nuances and psychological effects that a good first baseman has over a team”

“Now that is funny! Prime example would be Albert Pujols is an average first baseman at best and I think his team won the WS if I’m not mistaken.”

Well, a little off with that statement Mark, he won the gold glove at first last year… The better example would be the Mets, they won 98 games and were a run away from going to the World Series with Carlos Delgado and Jose Valentin on the right side of their infield. If anyone thinks Thorman and KJ can’t be as good defensively as Delgado and Valentin then you are an idiot…

By Dr.Doom

February 19, 2007 02:38 PM | Link to this

Nick,

Please refer to my comment at 2:20. That will take care of the concern you raised.

By kent

February 19, 2007 02:39 PM | Link to this

That’s very reassuring that Chipper thinks the Braves will be good. Did he think otherwise the pervious year?

By DonCoburleone

February 19, 2007 02:41 PM | Link to this

Nick I was saying that all last year too. That was the one problem with our offense, nobody who could get on base and really distract a pitcher and get him out of rhythm. That is what Furcal was so good at, and Giles benefitted from it. Don’t think his struggles last year were ONLY because he had to hit lead-off, Furcal got Giles better pitches to hit… But, I don’t think we need to trade anyone, just wait it out until 2009 when Renteria is gone and Lillibridge is ready to play everday at short… The guy is 50 steals a year waiting to happen…

By Mark

February 19, 2007 02:48 PM | Link to this

Because Albert won the gold glove doesn’t mean he is a great first baseman. He makes the routine plays, but I don’t think he is super smooth at first. Granted he more than makes up for it with the bat.

By ssiscribe

February 19, 2007 02:51 PM | Link to this

WISHIN’ I WAS AT DARK STAR — Hope springs eternal … that is, until some people look at the right side of the Braves infield.

Gone is Adam LaRoche, his Gold Glove potential and 30 home runs, from first base. Gone is Marcus Giles, an All-Star known for his gap power and true grit up the middle. In their place, two question marks in Scott Thorman at first and Kelly Johnson at second.

Certainly, I am one who expects there to be some semblance of a dropoff in defense at the two positions. With that said, I don’t think every ground ball hit to the right of the pitcher’s mound is going to end up in the glove of right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

Johnson has worked diligently all winter with former Braves second baseman Glenn Hubbard, who had worked with Giles in years past and helped Giles become one of the better second basemen in the NL. Johnson started his career in the middle of the infield as a shortstop, so he came into this offseason with a working knowledge and some experience around the second-base bag.

Thorman — as just about any other first baseman out there — will be hard pressed to match LaRoche’s defensive numbers (five errors in 142 games, a sparkling .996 fielding percentage). But in 18 games last year at first base, a span of 117.1 innings played, Thorman made just one error. Projected out over 144 games, that’s eight errors, a .992 fielding percentage.

A more accurate barometer is Thorman’s work at Class AAA Richmond, where he made eight errors in 81 games. Some of those games — and I couldn’t find out how many — were in left field; remember, Thorman was put into left field for a time, then promoted to the big-league club to help out in left (he played in 21 games in the outfield last year).

Still, citing the old adage that one must give up something to get something of value, the Braves had to part with LaRoche in order to get Mike Gonzalez, who along with Rafael Soriano and Bob Wickman form one of the major’s best bullpens. Anybody who watched the Braves for more than, oh, two minutes last year realized the leak in this ship came from behind the right-field wall. Dealing from a position of strength — plenty of offensive support on board — the Braves felt giving up LaRoche was worth it in order to shore up the bullpen.

Certainly, the Braves won’t be as strong defensively on the right side of the infield, but I don’t see the leaky sieve others feel Johnson-Thorman duo will be. Instead, I see two young players who will make some errors, but will progress as the season unfolds.

And those who bemoan the loss of LaRoche’s offense only need look at last year’s final standings in the NL East to see how much good the vaunted offense did Atlanta in the long run. This year’s team will score more than enough runs, and Johnson and Thorman will contribute to that. Defensively, there won’t have a true reading on just how well they will fare until we get well into the season — meaning if KJ or Thorman make an error on April 2 in Philly, it’s not time to call up Martin Prado or start Craig Wilson.

Overall, this Braves team is better that last year’s squad, even with Johnson and Thorman in their current positions, better suited to return to the top of the NL East and better suited to do something once October dawns.

Have at it, denzines. The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Mark

February 19, 2007 02:59 PM | Link to this

*That’s very reassuring that Chipper *thinks the Braves will be good. Did he **think otherwise the pervious year?

You have a point to a degree……….What is he going to say? We are going to stink it up this year? But, last year everyone knew the bullpen was very suspect at best! Now, we know that the bullpen is strong and that was obviously what killed us last year. This team will be in the playoffs this year IF and it’s a big IF, we can keep the key guys healthy. If Chipper goes down it’s going to be a long year. If he plays 140+ games we will be the a WS caliber team.

By NYM

February 19, 2007 03:00 PM | Link to this

Keith Hernandez was a great first baseman. If Ozzie is in the Hall for his glove then Hernandez should be too.

By daddy

February 19, 2007 03:00 PM | Link to this

Thurston Moore? You’re a lot cooler than I imagined, Dave.

By The Stranger

February 19, 2007 03:04 PM | Link to this

I’m surprised the WaPo didn’t seek out colorful quotes from former Braves pitchers, such as Marquis or Ligtenberg for the Mazzone article.

I won’t discount Leo’s contribution to the Braves’ NL East dynasty, but I will say it was time for a change in leadership for Braves pitching. I was much sadder to see the loss of Pat Corrales & Bobby Dews.

Living in a city with no MLB team, I finally saw my first Braves game in person a few years back. I thought the bigggest thrill would be seeing my favorite players, like the Joneses, making plays in the field. Nope. Biggest thrill for me was seeing Dewsie with his pads on playing catch in the pen before the game, and Glenn Hubbard hitting grounders to Andruw on the infield. And, of course, Bobby Cox, living legend, slapping backs and yelling encouragement to everyone.

It wasn’t the millionaires that made the show. It was the coaches and their mid-level management salaries, playing catch and throwing BP and teaching the game. Can’t find that on a football field or a basketball court or a hockey rink. It’s what makes Baseball a pasttime rather than a spectacle.

Thanks O’B for bringing Braves’ Spring Training to all of us fans spread far and wide.

By hk

February 19, 2007 03:06 PM | Link to this

Bob, plain and simple …

… hadn’t checked the blog in a few days, saw your 11.28am above, thought (ha!!), went back, read your posts and the various responses from the earlier blog, then back to Arkansas Hillbilly’s comments about the ‘saitizing’ from the blog before that, and finally, what I think is by far the best piece DOB has ever done on the ‘stinky’ problem since I’ve been lurking here (March of last year) .. triggers some thoughts …

… I’ve been tracking blogs since 1996, my favorite one nicknamed ‘freep’ … gets 20-40,000 posts a day these days, great way to get the truth of the news … with that blog, and every other I’ve seen, their is this period in the early years when it is pretty rough … the ‘stinky’ problem is ever present … but as time goes by, the blog matures, and the correction is mostly done by the bloggers themselves … antagonists go away, but occasionally are changed for the better by all the back and forth with some of the more seasoned veterans …

… I did a spreadsheet on this about a year ago (weighted criteria, etc), when stinky was in full bloom, made some projections as to how this blog might develop over the years … long story short, this blog has matured hugely since then, much better than I figured …

… it is alot easier for privately owned blogs like ‘freep’ to monitor content than AJC, who is not only public, but has the ‘freedoms’ issues to contend with, vulnerable to lawsuits as such … but I feel like this blog is doing just fine, is by far my favorite, right up there with ‘freep’ … some reasons:

(1) the exchanges on the problem between you guys are highly entertaining … and your expositions in the last few days, with reactions are first rate, high caliber stuff …

(2) our stinky has changed alot in the last year, for the better, so has SDA …

(3) provocations are part of life, and this blog is one of the best teaching places I know for learning how to handle it … it grow us up, I know I have learned alot …

(4) I just love the back and forth between particular guys … you get to know them and the history of their running conversation … for instance Lew just said something to bob about our all being “incomplete fools”, quoting something bob said to Lew way back last summer, I remember because I chimed in at the time, stuff like that is a delight …

(5) all this blog stuff is pretty new to AJC, it has taken them awhile to get the hang of it, and they are doing alot better at it … over time as they become familiar with the nuances of a particular blog it becomes easier to selectively delete messages, which tend to wear down (and educate) the antagonist …

… I feel like jimmy will be back, he retires to take a deep breath from time to time … same with Carolina Lady …

By BabeOnBaseball

February 19, 2007 03:11 PM | Link to this

I agree with Chipper that the Braves teams that have gone the deepest in the playoffs have done so on the strength of the pitching staff. That’s why I’m so optimistic about this year, much like Chipper.

Thanks for the post. You described this morning in such great detail I could picture myself there. Can’t wait to come see the first game next week!

http://babeonbaseball.blogspot.com

By mike p.

February 19, 2007 03:27 PM | Link to this

Let’s throw this out there.If Chipper cant get it done with his bat, do we put Aybar on third and put some speed on the bases? We are going to have to face the fact that he will get hurt again and we could have a brand new younger infield like we had when we started the run in 1991. Also the Baseball Channel on MLB.com didn’t even have Braves pitchers in their top 5. Are we really better or do we just think we are. I would be interested in what others think. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!

By Mark

February 19, 2007 03:37 PM | Link to this

Let’s throw this out there.If Chipper cant get it done with his bat, do we put Aybar on third and put some speed on the bases?

Chipper is still the heart and soul of this team. Look at the numbers he put up in 110 games last year. I say we need to use Aybar to spell him at least once a week and late in the game if we can afford to take Chipper out. The success of this team this year depends on Chipper staying healthy PERIOD! The pitching will be fine and the bullpen is settled. Finally!! WE don’t have to wait for the 8th and 9th to blow a game we have in hand. Thank Goodness!!

By Mark

February 19, 2007 03:40 PM | Link to this

Also the Baseball Channel on MLB.com didn’t even have Braves pitchers in their top 5.

How many of these so called “experts” picked the Tigers and Cardinals to be in the WS last year? Enough said don’t you think?

By jed

February 19, 2007 03:42 PM | Link to this

Bench Chipper? He’s one of the best hitters in the game! How bout this? If Thorman doesn’t work out at 1b, move Chipper to 1b and put Aybar on 3b. So many variables…everything will depend on performance….I really dont expect the lineup we’re projecting now to be the lineup we see in June.

By DonCoburleone

February 19, 2007 03:44 PM | Link to this

Of course we are Mike P., after all, fan is short for fanatic… But, with that said, the fact is we have 3 former 20 game winners at the front of the rotation and 2 (potentially 3) dominant closers in the bullpen. Our pitching should be good…

By nick

February 19, 2007 03:52 PM | Link to this

DonCoburleone-

Let’s not forget the potential of rockstar status for Chucky James, who could easily be a 20 game winner within the next few years.

By ssiscribe

February 19, 2007 03:55 PM | Link to this

OK, I’ll bite. Chipper to first? Not happening. Hoss has said repeatedly he’s not going over there. And from what he’s said all spring, he’s not taking any days off as a precaution.

Aybar played well in September, and did a good job in the leadoff spot, as well. But I don’t think you’re going to see Chipper sitting on a quasi-regular basis until or unless he gets hurt. If he can play 150 games, he’s in there.

I think the lineup we project today, Feb. 19, stands to be the lineup we see in June if everybody stays healthy. The only changes I forsee is if Johnson is an absolute flop at second base, and the potential for some revolving in left field between Langerhans (or Diaz, if Ryan really struggles in camp) and Wilson. I think Thorman will do plenty enough with the stick and glove to play most every day at first base. That’s what we’ve heard since the LaRoche trade, that Thorman is going to play most every day, against lefties, etc.

hk, nice to hear from you. Good points on the evolution of the ol’ blog, here. I hope you are right about Jimmy and Carolina Lady, and I think in time, they shall return.

—30—

By DonCoburleone

February 19, 2007 03:56 PM | Link to this

I think our biggest concern though is without question losing a starter to injury. If Hampton or Hudson or (gulp) Smoltz goes down with injury, we will definately be struggling to fill out the 4 and 5 spot in the rotation. Unless Davies picks it up and pitches like many people (other than me) believes he can, we are looking at Cormier and ????? to fill out the rotation… Sounds a little like the last couple months of last year don’t it?

By Rev. Cletus Fowler

February 19, 2007 04:02 PM | Link to this

All good Braves fans should pray for full restoration of our team:

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert.

Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.

By Greg in TN

February 19, 2007 04:16 PM | Link to this

Mark P - The only reason Chipper sits is if he’s injured. The past few seasons that he’s battled injuries, he’s still managed to hit .296 in 109 games in 2005 and .324 in 110 games last year. Nothing wrong with his stick other than the fact he hasn’t had a chance to use it in 150+ games since 2003.

I’ve said this pretty consistantly when it’s been mentioned in previous blogs and I’ll mention it again, moving Chipper to first is a bad, bad idea with his feet the way they are. There is much more footwork and movement required at first that could aggravate his feet even more than playing third would do.

By tulsabravo

February 19, 2007 04:42 PM | Link to this

I still don’t understand why the Braves have done nothing to address their need for a leadoff hitter. We need someone fast who can work the pitch-count and can steal when he gets on. And by the way, that’s a big “if” when asking if Hampton can be any good this year. Still see the Braves as a .500 team, good for 3rd or 4th place in the NL East.

By AdirondackDave

February 19, 2007 04:49 PM | Link to this

I sure hope Chipper plays ‘til his 40s as a Brave and goes to Cooperstown (I should say comes to Cooperstown because it’s only 50 miles from here). That aside, he really is the perfect America League DH. Switch-hitter, power, average, OBP, clutch RBIs… everything you could want from a day-in, day-out DH.

It’s not about to happen, but if the NL had the DH, can you imagine the career numbers Chipper would put up? He’d pass 500 homers at 38 and challenge 600 at 41-42. All this with a .300+ BA, .400 OBP, etc. There would be serious discussions about whether Mickey or Chipper was the all-time best switch-hitter as well as “can you imagine if they had healthy legs/feet into their 40s.”

Or am I an over-enthusiastic Chipper fan? Maybe but I don’t think so.

By Braves20

February 19, 2007 04:52 PM | Link to this

Everybody seems worried about Thorman’s glove - and rightfully so but it is the bat that we should be worried about. It’s hard to build a winner with a guy at first hitting under two and a half. And with no money to pick up a rental like Helton or Sweeney, it shapes up as a dreadful platoon of Wilson, Woodward and who knows who else.

By jimmy smith

February 19, 2007 04:59 PM | Link to this

blogger friends, thank you for your e-mails. it is good to be missed.

despite what some have suggested, jimmy smith is not away from the blog offering a protest against any one blogger - for jimmy smith is not easily intimidated.

jimmy smith can give as good as jimmy smith gets - as some will attest - only not so crudely as some. just outsmarting stinky is enough - and sometimes baby seal does this for jimmy smith.

it’s dob’s blog and jimmy smith respects dob enough to clear out when dob asks. but dob might take note that some useful contributors no longer come here. jimmy smith can’t say why.

jimmy smith can only speak for jimmy smith.

jimmy smith was painted by dob with the same brush that had been rubbed all over stinky for months and jimmy smith was appalled by that. rather than exchange e-mail addresses with stinky, as dob suggested, jimmy smith decided to find other amusements.

jimmy smith has taken up the ukulele. jimmy smith hopes to learn to draw through correspondence training with esteemed blog artist, lew. soon, jimmy smith will begin growing hostas again. and jimmy smith is once-again dabbling in the market. coincidentally, in this time of need, jimmy smith has a new girlfriend.

“and, jimmy smith is busily preparing for an audition on american idol.*

the world does not stand still for jimmy smith. still, jimmy smith misses the blog. the toe discussions here of late have been mis-guided and full of mis-information - but jimmy smith digresses.

this now “former journalist” especially misses jimmy smith’s blog buddies and wishes everyone a great and entertaining year in baseball with good toe health for all players. toes are not to be trifled with.

go braves! and, as the old journalist is wont to say when the cheese is off the table, selah.

and where is -35- ?

By Voice of Reason

February 19, 2007 05:32 PM | Link to this

My toe kinda hurts… See ya JJS!

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 05:39 PM | Link to this

JJS, I was hoping my reference to Chipper’s bunions and Edmonds’ hammer toe would get you back. If that wouldn’t do it, I knew nothing would.

Sorry to hear that you were so offended or took my suggestion the wrong way. I was merely very upset that morning that you two were continuinig the sniping from the night before. And since it wasn’t just him, but you, too, I rightfully included you in the admonition.

You know your contributions are appreciated here, but not going to apologize for asking you to take the personal back-and-forth elsewhere. Don’t be so easily offended, man. If I was, we’d have two-paragraph blog posts ever day, and no responses from me to any questions.

We’d love to have you back. The Braves/Man in Black will go on regardless, but it’s best with the full complement of denizens onboard.

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 05:45 PM | Link to this

Adirondack Dave, I’d agree about the DH thing for Chipper _ IF he hadn’t spent his entire career with the Braves. If he’d bounced around to two or three teams (or five or six, like a Sheffield), I’d agree the DH is where he belongs. But he’s got this year and next on his contract, at $11 mill each season, with a vesting option for 2009 worth $8 mill to $11 mill.

Long as he’s productive, I think he’s worth the money to the Braves, both for his contributions on the field and in the clubhouse. I really do. It’s so rare in the game today to have a player like a Jeter who spends his whole career with one team, and the Braves could have three _ Smoltz, Chipper and, unlikely as it might seem, Andruw. They should at least make sure the first two stay here, long as it’s for reasonable prices, and try like hell to afford Andruw if it’s doable.

By DonCoburleone

February 19, 2007 06:03 PM | Link to this

We should try like he!! to keep Andruw, but it’s not gonna happen DOB unless Liberty Media ups the payroll at some point between now and the end of the season. And lets be real here, whoever is calling the shots for Liberty Media regarding the Braves probably doesn’t even know who Andruw Jones is… I mean, is that really a ridiculous statement to make DOB? The Braves were nothing more than a line item on a contract that saved Liberty Media millions in capital gains taxes, THATS IT!

Typical though, the Braves have been under-appreciated for the last decade and a half…

By ncscoots

February 19, 2007 06:03 PM | Link to this

Jeez, Brave20, did Thorman once spit on your children or something? You certainly seem to have a mad-on for the guy. You vilify Thor as no-glove, no-lumber, based on what? Perhaps you can draw on your expertise in swing mechanics and dissect the many holes in his swing for us. Or perhaps point out the problems with his footwork and positioning around 1B, to spotlight his defensive deficiencies. Maybe pick out some of his minor league stats that show he’ll be a total offensive and defensive bust.

It’s obviously a conspiracy that the guy was rated one of the organization’s top prospects. Well, those of us who think he’ll succeed will soon learn better, I guess.

By DonCoburleone

February 19, 2007 06:04 PM | Link to this

We should try like he!! to keep Andruw, but it’s not gonna happen DOB unless Liberty Media ups the payroll at some point between now and the end of the season. And lets be real here, whoever is calling the shots for Liberty Media regarding the Braves probably doesn’t even know who Andruw Jones is… I mean, is that really a ridiculous statement to make DOB? The Braves were nothing more than a line item on a contract that saved Liberty Media millions in capital gains taxes, THATS IT!

Typical though, the Braves have been under-appreciated for the last decade and a half…

By Wayne in UT

February 19, 2007 06:21 PM | Link to this

A thought or two about AJ. Andruw (why does he spell his name wrong?) has been a great CF for the past 10+ years. AJ has lost a step or two over the past few years. Also, he has picked up a few extra pounds in recent years. Unless he has gone on an off season diet this year, I have to assume he is about the same size as last year now.

This statement is not scientific, but is just my assessment of what I have seen. Many players when they have reached 28-30 years of age, go into a slight decline until they finally become a shadow of themselves. Of course, AJ’s numbers do not reflect such a decline for him, but will it start next year, or the year after.

With that having been said, we have thought in the past few years (that thinking has changed somewhat after this winters ridiculous contracts) that we had 3 players who have had a disproportionate percentage of our teams salary. If the Liberty folks offer AJ 18 Million for 5-6 years and he accepts, what are we going to be saying about this contract in 3 years, when AJ’s knees are 3 years older?

If he wants to stay for his career, then I am sorry, I am not inclined to want to pay him as a 36 year old the same salary he was worth as a 30 year old. My inclination would be to offer him a contract with an opt out for both him AND the team in 3-4 years, or offer him a 3-4 year contract, with some vesting options for additional years. Let’s don’t get ourselves into another bad contract situation like some teams are willing to do. All players are replaceable. Maybe not in one year, but ultimately, they are replaceable.

Agree, disagree??

By Jon B

February 19, 2007 06:22 PM | Link to this

DOB Guess I was right about Wickman losing some weight. I thought he looked much slimmer than last year. Looks better, healthier. Good for him. I myself need to get my fat butt on a treadmill or something. LOL

By ncscoots

February 19, 2007 06:28 PM | Link to this

While it’s true that the Braves are just a speck on the P/L for Liberty Media, the team will have a much higher public profile than any of their other, core, businesses. Do not doubt the competitive streak in Malone…it’s unlikely he would let the team rot on the vine, with his name attached to the decay. You think Schuerholz has an ego? Fuhgeddaboutit. Malone won’t throw money at the team, because it’s not a toy to him, but he’s the type of guy who can be convinced about budgets, given good reason. And, frankly, $10MM more a year to the Braves is not going to impact Liberty Media’s bottom line a whit.

By james

February 19, 2007 06:29 PM | Link to this

DOB who were the pitchers that worked out today and how did they look(specifically Davies)?

By DonCoburleone

February 19, 2007 06:36 PM | Link to this

ncscoots I think Brave20 might be Adam LaRoche…

By just Bob, plain and simple

February 19, 2007 06:53 PM | Link to this

HK, All

Thanks for the acknowledgement and words of wisdom!

I haven’t really been keeping up with the Blog for some time … not in protest … first on-going computer problems then serious family illnesses, and my own lingering bout with the flu. However, I’ve enjoyed some wonderful email contact with some of my friends.

When JJS emailed that the Ugandan journalist was retiring, I was greatly disappointed but not really surprised … a polluted atmosphere drains both the energy and the passion of the strongest of those among us. Hopefully, Spring Training and improvement in conditions will allow Jimmy, My Lady and the rest of us to recharge our batteries and return to active participation.

Of all those who post, Jimmy’s head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to imagination, wit and insight! If Carolina Lady is the Blog’s First Lady, then surely he’s its number one gent!

I just react to folks … they’re true creative artists with the pen, the ones truly deserving of the Wurlitzer!

So, when I learned of Jimmy’s decision, I visited the Blog in order to gain a little more insight into what had triggered Jimmy’s departure … the best thing that came of that was that I gained greater appreciation for the eloquence of one hillbilly from Arkansas and the sincerity of a certain scribe who’s always on the spot with good information and words of wisdom.

I read David’s most unfortunate post … one which will join 7 December in infamy … and the posts causing his frustration.

As I posted earlier, David’s frustration is totally understandable and most of us have been there and done that … methinks his intentions were good but unlike the attack on the Harbor of Pearl, I think his aim was bad … we all have our opinions but, from my view, he had the wrong target!

Ugandan journalists have a strange sense of humor when it comes to things like that … they don’t like it! It was important for many of us to know where both Jimmy and David stood on this … and it’s good to have heard from them both.

I’m sure Robert would disagree … but, it’s unfortunate that the wisdom of Bobby Cox’ s wonderful management style couldn’t have been used in handling this awkward situation … or at least his private office.

David’s work is outstanding and his extra effort on the Blog he mentors is without equal … Porter’s “Night and Day” best describes the difference between his efforts … and those of most others!

However, I can’t agree with the notion that we can afford to lose our First Lady and First Gent … that would be like the 2007 Braves without Smoltz, Frenchy, McCann, Chipper, Andrew and Bobby … or me having buiscits without country ham and redeye gravy … no, those are not among my mt favorite things.

By Jay

February 19, 2007 06:57 PM | Link to this

Its hard for me to take Chip as credible after he said he didnt want to hire a personal trainer to deal with his injuries..despite the fact he is making over 10 million a year.

By DonCoburleone

February 19, 2007 07:06 PM | Link to this

I still think if we let AJ walk after the 2007 season we still would have seen AJ’s best years. I think letting him go may be about 1 or 2 years too early, but better to let a great player go 1 or 2 years too early than 1 or 2 years too late right? I look at it like this… His 50 homer year was the pinnacle of his prime (2005 at the age of 27-28). Last year, 2006, could be the first year of his “decline”. I still say great players have about an 8-10 year prime though, so with that said, the next question is, when did his “prime” begin? I’d say it was in 2000 at the age of 23 (his 4th full season in the majors). That year he had a line of .303BA; 36HR’s; 104RBI’s. So, in line with my theory, that would mean he’s got 3 years left (‘07,’08,’09) in his prime. And if that is the case, letting him go now before he becomes a burden on the payroll (say in 2011 when he’s making $18mil and only playing 110 games a year - ahem, Chipper) may end up being a very smart move.

By Lew

February 19, 2007 07:16 PM | Link to this

NYM-Dude, I know whatever I say will probably set you opff but….Ozzie Smith was quite possibly the BEST shortstop in ML history, at least until through his playing days. Keith Hernandez was an extremely good first baseman, but hardly worthy of being called the best ever. Sorry, Dude, he wasn’t a good enough defender to get him elected into the HOF. He also wasn’t good enough with the bat to get himself elected-sharing that MVP or not.

By The Grinch

February 19, 2007 07:20 PM | Link to this

Howdy, all. Good to see a return of the esteemed former journalist, even if a brief one. I’d been having to go other places to get my third-person fix. Saw Ringling Bros. circus at Phillips Arena yesterday; there were definitely some healthy toes among the participants. Imagine attempting trapeze stunts with bunions! The humanity! DOB, did you get the review this time?

By Mets Stink

February 19, 2007 07:21 PM | Link to this

Well put, Bob. It’s sad to see JJS and Carolina Lady go. Both are much more entertaining and full of insight than most of us on this blog.

Thanks for the continuous updates DOB!

By LA Brave

February 19, 2007 07:27 PM | Link to this

DOB, It seems for a change that all of us are on the same page entering the season. Much improved bullpen, Frency cut down on k’s, 2nd base, Hudson, Hampton, may not be the end of the world if Andruw is cut loose though we all want desparately to keep him…guess it’s time to play ball!

By the way, I happen to know that Shooter Jennings is very close to wrapping his lastest studio work. New album soon to follow.

By LA Brave

February 19, 2007 07:33 PM | Link to this

JJS, You let slip (though given your brilliance probably wasn’t a slip) that you still read the blog. We all want you back (as you can tell by the many posts) so it’s time to suck it up and play hurt for a little while. You’re not injured just a little hurt and you of all people demand from athletes (and journalists alike) to play through it until it heals. And you will heal as well as heal us in the process.

Basically, get your azz back on here

By Lew

February 19, 2007 07:38 PM | Link to this

Bob-Sure hope you’re feelng better. Esteemed Jimmy Smith-Of course we all appreciate you (well, everyone but Stinky and SJA and you know what we think of them). You can’t let David’s comment get to you. He was really dealing with Stinky, who makes everyone’s life miserable. Hell, I even had a couple of posts zapped the other night for inviting Stinky to explore a break with reality (or at least a bigger break than usual). You just can’t let it bother you. As I’ve said before to you privately-If I had your imagination, I might be a REALLY good artist instead of just a good draftsman. The blog needs your presence. Get your carcass back here. HK-good to have you back, for sure. Jimmy, good question-what happened to 35? BravoNam, too. He should be back by now.

By hk

February 19, 2007 07:45 PM | Link to this

Bob, plain and simple …

… watched ‘Night and Day’ on Comcast last night, wondering if you did the same … followed by ‘The Glenn Miller Story’, great night for old geezers, been humming the old songs all day :))

… looks like the air got cleared pretty good awhile ago between jimmy and DOB …

By Josh

February 19, 2007 07:45 PM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson doesn’t worry me a bit at 2B. He came up through the farm system as a SS. The guy is a very, very good athlete. Moving from SS to 2B is a heck of a lot easier than 2B to SS. So Thorman isn’t as smooth as LaRoche. How many starting 1B are as good as LaRoche defensively? Can you name 4 in the NL? I can’t. All Thorman has to do is make all of the routine plays on D and hit .270, 15+ HR, 80 RBI. If he does that how can anyone complain about him?

By Wayne in UT

February 19, 2007 07:49 PM | Link to this

DonCo I think we are in agreement on AJ’s value a few years from now. The question is, how much would be too much to keep him? Scott Bore-us would have you think that he will NEVER decline, and that in fact, he will improve with age (maybe he needs to train with Barry Bonds, huh?). So, how do we get him to do another end around old Bore-us so we can sign him to a reasonable contract. Why should the Braves be expected to give him top dollar for the next 6 years, when we are pretty sure he will decline?

I know that somebody like the Yankees or some other teams would overpay (See December 2006) for players, but I sort of like the thought that our Braves are working under a budget, even though at times we might think it should be a bit more flexible.

For my money, let him walk if a reasonable contract is not good enough.

Besides, my distaste for Scott Bore-us would almost have me do a Kenny Williams if I were the GM. Like the kid said in the movie, I would come after Bore-us like a “spider monkey.”

Hee-Haw!

By ernesto

February 19, 2007 07:49 PM | Link to this

Don’t mean to pick on anyone but…

… I did a spreadsheet on this about a year ago (weighted criteria, etc), when stinky was in full bloom, made some projections as to how this blog might develop over the years … long story short, this blog has matured hugely since then, much better than I figured …

Ummmm, you did a spreadsheet/blog cycle prediction with weighed criteria? Ummm, I’ve never said this to another human being before, but dude, maybe you should watch more tv.

By Wayne in UT

February 19, 2007 07:57 PM | Link to this

Ernesto: Agreed. Anyone that does a “Blog-Analysis” has way too much time on their hands.

By Slick Willy

February 19, 2007 07:58 PM | Link to this

I did not have sex with that girl, Ms. Lewinsky!

By Wayne in UT

February 19, 2007 07:58 PM | Link to this

Hee Haw

By james

February 19, 2007 08:09 PM | Link to this

DOB who were the pitchers that worked out today and how did they look(specifically Davies)?

By ncscoots

February 19, 2007 08:13 PM | Link to this

you guys ragging on hk must be blog touristas, else you’d know the 411 on the guy. His charts during the season are invaluable (not to mention fun), and he can crank ‘em pretty quickly. Besides, think of all the time he saves by scrolling past your posts.

By TennesseePaul

February 19, 2007 08:13 PM | Link to this

Keeping AJ became possible this offseason for two reasons. The liberty deal inched ever so close to the finish line and we picked up Lillibridge. I love Renteria, but it could be he is gone after this year. That would open up all his salary. Lillibridge would make the minimum. The fact that we have at least 3 guys waiting in line at that one spot says to me we are planning a trade. And Renteria would fetch a little more than prospects would. But, if Liberty does up the payroll 10 mill, we’ll be set to keep everyone we need and promote from within.
Other than that, I don’t know about this “lost a step” business. I keep seeing people say that but I don’t see Andruw play that. If he has lost a step so what. He was already about 10 steps ahead of everyone else. The critism would put him 9 steps in front of everyone else. And lastly, we don’t have much depth in CF. Not like we do at SS. Which is another reason I see it the way I do. That and I really really want the guy to stay. Him and especially Smoltz. They just have to stay. Smoltz is close to 200 wins. He’s a power pitcher. He hits 40 this season. He could pitch another 3 or 4 years and get even closer to 300. The rest of the team just has to kick some arse for him. If all goes well, this season Smoltz could reach 3,000 Ks and certainly 200 wins to go with his 154 saves.
AJ is Dutch, so that might explain the the triple u at the end.

By ernesto

February 19, 2007 08:16 PM | Link to this

And one more thing, and I hope I’m not out of place as I’m an infrequent contributor, but all of you folks who feel the need to announce your departure and return to the BLOG!!!, well, don’t you think it’s a bit much? I mean I like ocming here and getting my fix of Bravos talk and occassionally chiming in, and I certainly appreciate the efforts of those who don’t just attempt wit but achieve it, but still…it’s a freakin’ blog. I don’t mean to put down camraderie and the feeling of a blog family that you tune into now and then, but good god, the drama queens on here!!!

By ernesto

February 19, 2007 08:21 PM | Link to this

I probably should make a Braves comment instead of just btch’ing about eveyrone…sorry my bad…it’ll be interesting to see what this Bohn kid does, but even if he tears it up this spring I think he’ll be renting an apartment in Richmond come April. .146 average, albeit in a very few at bats, says “look at me, I’m Jurries part 2”.

By ssiscribe

February 19, 2007 08:22 PM | Link to this

Oh, the humanity! Jimmy’s back!

Jimmy, the blog’s press box isn’t the same without you, bro. I have nobody to eat cheese with, nobody to edit my stories focusing on toe injuries (it was pretty slick of DOB to lure you to post with his references to hammer toes and bunions; that’s why he covers a major league baseball team and I, well, I do my thing).

But I digress.

Jimmy, come on back here. DOB said his piece. You know where the venom in there was directed. You got into it with Stinky; the air now is cleared. Rise above and get back in here, dude, we’ve got a World Series to win, and you’re needed in the blogosphere.

Now, baseball (famous transition by the Scribe): Couldn’t agree more with Josh’s assessment of the right side of the infield. Like I wrote earlier today in longer, rambling terms, give KJ and Thorman time on the right side to prove themselves. This team is going to be just fine with those two playing most of the time over there, or so this Scribe and follower of the grand ole’ game would say.

Alright, denzines, fire up some Johnny Cash, stretch out your toes, stir the barbecue in the crock pot and let’s get ready for some baseball.

Scribe is out. Peace, y’all.

—30—

By hk

February 19, 2007 08:30 PM | Link to this

earnesto …

… oh, I’m serious, it’s still on my web page …

http://www.mindspring.com/~hk3/whyblog.htm

… see the ‘Next Year’ column over on the right, well that was my prediction a year ago … comparing that prediction/now:

Love of baseball 35/40

Information, share ideas 8/10

Talk ‘nonsense’, have fun 7/10

Camaraderie 6/15

personal growth 3/5

Venting (good)6/10

Venting (not-so-good)35/10

Totals 100/100

… that’s in the off season, in April Love of baseball will jump from 40 to 60 …

… well (yawn) … think I’ll go watch ‘The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence’ another good old geezer movie :))

By Wayne in UT

February 19, 2007 08:34 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul: Thanks for the explanation on AndrUUU. As for losing a step, it is true that most of us, when we hit the age of 30, start to lose a bit of our athleticism. AJ has never been one to indulge in a lot of off season conditioning. He has gotten heavier with the years. His stolen base totals are really the only place where you can see numbers have changed appreciably.

The one thing that continues to worry me are his knees. As you get heavier and older, those knees are the first to feel it. I hope the rumors are true that he has dropped some weight this offseason. Ideally, I would like to see him drop about 200 pounds; Scott Bore-us.

Bore-us has done a lot for getting guys a lot of money, but more often than not, he has taken a player out of a comfortable situation and placed him in a more difficult situation, for the sake of a few bucks. To me that is not doing anyone any favors, except for lining his OWN pockets.

By Lew

February 19, 2007 08:36 PM | Link to this

Ernesto-You’re not out of place and your posts are usually as worthwhile as anyone elses’. I, for one, appreciate the advice you gave me about MLB TV. However, you have to realize that some of us have been blogging together for more than two years and, in many ways, we do feel like family. Jimmy Smith is, many of us feel, one of the more creative individuals we’ve ever encountered. We really enjoy his somewhat cockeyed view of life. Bob is also special to us. His well thought out, sometimes convoluted posts are treasured by many. The same goes for many of the regulars who we’ve known for a long time. When you communicate with people many times each day for two or more years, their departure tends to leave a void. Now you may say we have too much time on our hands or we need to get a life. That’s ok, you’re certainly entitled to your own opinion and we probably won’t think any less of you for thinking that way, but many of us will also disagree with you. You’re seemingly a pretty good guy, yourself, and over time, if you decide to leave, we’ll probably miss your input, too. Like I said, you were the only one to give meaningful information on MLB TV. Apparently you have some value to us, too.

By journalist trying to come back

February 19, 2007 08:42 PM | Link to this

this journalist has written a song - a ukulele song - about bloggin’ and cryin’ and lovin’ and huntin’. not sure what this journalist was huntin’ when this journalist left the blog - but anyone who cares to remember will know that jimmy smith did not carry on overnight with the stinky nemesis. the ajc deleted some of stinky’s uglier posts but enough remain to see who was the aggressor time after time through the night. jimmy smith responded the next morning, with humor, not malice, and was shooed from this blog by the distinguished blogmaster. dob woke up grumpy, perhaps? (have to be quiet in the magic kingdom for fear of waking grumpy, sneezy, and others).

still, jimmy smith can take a joke - it was a joke, right, dob? it is true that this blog will go on with or without journalist jimmy smith - and as we saw with guy curtright - it likely could survive without someone else (not saying who - just an observation). and journalist likes dob. still, jimmy smith is ready to bury the hatchet. as soon as someone removes it from between this journalist’s shoulder blades it can be buried. now, on to subjects more worthy of this blog space.

where are chipper’s new shoes? all this talk of new shoes and they are not here for spring training? what, are they-fall colors? and what is with this new goatee? does it not look like a hartebeest goatee just a little? and is chipper really dispensing uh, marital advice to smoltz?

and this atlanta falcon who it is said has been cruel to animals? does he shoot them to death with high powered rifles while they graze on his ranch following a carefully laid trail of baby ruth bars? does he then autograph them and sell them to children? does he consume them at the dinner table and make good use of their pelts? or are they made into tainted peter pan peanut butter? just wondering.

and, this journalist was away when scribe was asked about the -30- sign- off and jimmy smith knew the answer! it was difficult for this journalist not to share jimmy smith’s journalistic knowledge - but at the time jimmy smith was of the opinion that jimmy smith was banned from blogging.

and now this peace offering - jimmy smith still voted for dob for the wurlitzer. should lew ever again leave vermont (or make it to the post office) the wurlitzer will be awarded.

By Wayne in UT

February 19, 2007 08:44 PM | Link to this

Some guys that Bore-us has misplaced: JD Drew, Carlos Beltran, and A-Rod, just to mention the first that comes to mind. If I were the GM, I would tell all players that the Atlanta Braves will not deal with Bore-us, so if you sign with him, you essentially just cut your Braves career short.

By ernesto

February 19, 2007 08:44 PM | Link to this

Ahh, remember HK, he was the greatest man of all (at least according to James Taylor). Good to see you have a set.

By ernesto

February 19, 2007 08:53 PM | Link to this

Well thanks Lew, I’m, well, well, I guess if I almost might be missed one day, I almost care, but on an up note, I should tell you an update on the MLB thing. NOw that it looks like this DirecTV thing is going to be a slam dunk, (and as much as I hate to admit it I’m a Bravos junkie and just can’t walk away) I saw tehy have an MLB Plus or whatever they’re calling it package that gives a 400 mb stream (I know you said you don’t speak computerese, so let me translate….much better!!!) It’s about 40 bucks more for the year, but if you’ll be tuning into about 150 (I’m in NY so they’re all out town for me) it’s worth the dough.

By just Bob, plain and simple

February 19, 2007 08:55 PM | Link to this

Yor’re all priceless! Of course, that sword has many edges … worthless, of inestimable worth, highly amusing, and wierd.

As another man with style used to say, good night and good luck!

By Wayne in UT

February 19, 2007 08:55 PM | Link to this

Lew: Good comments. While I do not chime in much, I am a fairly steady reader. I have 2 or 3 other things going on usually while connected, so I don’t comment too much.

I have to admit, some of the bantering can be a bit tedious, but I do enjoy some good comic relief too.

Some of my favorite reads are yourself, KC, DonCo, Robert(JITB), Shaun, ncscoots, ssiscribe, The Grinch, and of course, DOB. Not to say I don’t enjoy others also, as I certainly do.

I would love to know which bloggers are actual Braves players, but maybe that would spoil the suspense, knowing the answers to the questions.

Hee-Haw (in honor of Robert)

By braveheart

February 19, 2007 08:58 PM | Link to this

tenpaul: sorry to get all shaun on you now but these are the numbers for andruw’s putouts since 1998: 1998 - 413; 1999 - 493; 2000 - 439; 2001 - 461; 2002 - 404; 2003 - 390; 2004 - 389; 2005 - 365; 2006 - 378

there has been a 115 putout difference since he was the skinny little kid diving all over the park in 1999 to the fat slower guy out there in center. no wonder chipper remarked that andruw needed to drop weight.

his range factor per 9 innings as opposed to the league average range factor per 9 innings is as follows since 2000: 2000 - 2.82-2.64; 2001 - 2.95 - 2.59; 2002 - 2.71 - 2.57; 2003 - 2.70 - 2.50; 2004 - 2.67 - 2.53; 2005 - 2.58 -2.61; 2006 - 2.60 - 2.58

where he was once much better than the competition, he is just merely average in his range these days with the balls he catches per 9 innings.

these are the amount of balls, he has caught in his zone since 1996: 1996 - 91%; 1997 - 91%; 1998 - 92%; 1999 - 90%; 2000 - 88%; 2001 - 89%; 2002 - 88%; 2003 - 84%; 2004 - 84%; 2005 - 88%; 2006 - 85%

does not seem like a big dropoff but these slight percentages really do cause a big dropoff - more balls are landing in center than they used to.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=3520&context=fielding

http://www.baseball-reference.com/j/jonesan01.shtml

still a pretty darn good centerfielder though

By Lew

February 19, 2007 08:59 PM | Link to this

Esteemed Journalist-I can, indeed, make it to the Post Office. The Wurlitzer, however, is in Florida, about to be sent back to Vermont. It will be sent when DOB returns to Atlanta. I’ve already had suggestions for the 08 Wurlitzer portrait from various blog denizens and it’s only February of 07. Oh, The Humanity. Now-Embedded hatchets. How’s that for Journalistic transition? Does Acme make a hatchet dis-embedding device? I’d be happy to get you one.

By braves fan 202

February 19, 2007 09:01 PM | Link to this

ive always thought i knew a lot about the braves, and i do compared to most. I was pretty sure this would be a pretty good season. But im pretty sure chipper knows a little more about the bravos than i, so he if he feels good abouit this season, than i just cannot wait for April baby

By MBATL

February 19, 2007 09:06 PM | Link to this

Wayne, I’ve never really gotten the “I hate Boras” mantra. Boras is the best in the business at what he does. No player is forced to sign with him, or to take his advice once they do. It’s like hating defense attorneys, to me. They serve a purpose, and their clients deserve their best effort. If AJ (or any other player) wants a soft-sell approach to management, they’re free to hire someone else.

By Lew

February 19, 2007 09:18 PM | Link to this

Wayne-We like you, too. I look more like Wicky than anyone on the team and I’m 56 years old. I sure ain’t a Braves’ player (except maybe in my dreams). I’m interested in knowing which Brave blogs with us, too, but DOB won’t tell us. I think maybe Robert is Bobby Cox in disguise.

By AdirondackDave

February 19, 2007 09:20 PM | Link to this

Braveheart - AJs putout numbers mean very little when you ignore his fellow outfielders. When you’ve got guys like J.D.Drew, Langerhans, Francoeur out there no need to go so far left and right. Hence, fewer putouts. Sure he’s lost a step. Still far and away the quickest and best anticipation, judgment, and hands out there. I’ve seen fine outfielders since Joe D. and Andruw’s easily the best, hands down.

By The Grinch

February 19, 2007 09:39 PM | Link to this

A third-person arrow was slung! Journalists are not to be trifled with. Wayne in UT, being incognito is half the fun of blogging, IMO. I bet if we all met, half the people we enjoy reading most would probably not be people we’d gravitate towards normally, whereas others on here that are relatively nondescript in cyberspace might surprise by how fun they are in person. Who knows? Speaking of missing people, I wonder what happened to Scalp ‘em Braves? He must have entered a 12-step program.

By Stinky

February 19, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

I’m goin away,/’cause I gotta busted heart.

At least DOB’s Schlocky Ditty of the DAy didn’t start out with a hackneyed cliche.

OK. Censor away.

By Tomahawkin

February 19, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

D.O.B. Good 411, lie I’ve said before, How does everyone like those red stripes on the side of the hats? I hate ‘em, These MLB guys who are trying to pump out merchandising dollars, need to quit messin with our Jerseys and hats, Keep The “A” the way it is and stop tryin to alternate the look on it…

Other Than that I’mn ready to see these cats in the exhibition games, Gawd Its gonna be a fun week, I won’t be here at all I don’t think, Fat Tuesday Is tomorrow, and there are parties all week…

Check Ya…

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 19, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

I love how some on here ridicule Chipper for his comments about believing this team can win the East. Sure, Chipper isn’t going to say something like, “We don’t have a chance of winning”, even if he believes it. However, when players like Chipper and Smoltz don’t really feel the team is that good they will say things like you heard both of them warning last year about just how good the Mets are. I remember Smoltz saying last season that he felt the team could win the East but he would have to pick the Mets if he was being objective.

Look, Chipper isn’t the sort of guy that talks just to talk. If he feels this team can win, then that is exactly how he feels.

By Tomahawkin

February 19, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

Reading Through some of dese posts, Its good to see the same cats that were in here last year are still here, and this blog isn’t filled with New Yawk Mutt and Yankee Trolls, Lovely…

Wayne In Utah Lets not forget Chan Ho Park in the list of Playas that have Hustled teams out of f-c^k..d up contracts because of Mr. Boras, and Didn’t Kevin Brown Join that list when he signed to first 100 million dollar contract prior to the 1999 season…?

By Stinky

February 19, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

Jimmy Smith is Back! And still claiming that Stinky is everywhere.

By Hammy the Brave

February 19, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Do you share the following concern with me? Don’t you think people may be pushing a strong down-the-road starting candidate(Anthony Lerew)too hard as a bullpen candidate? I mean, don’t we finally have enough bullpen depth to keep him as a starter, and not rush Boyer back from injury and Devine, from having been rushed to the majors too early. Am I missing something, or don’t we need to be much more concerned about our immediate starting depth in the high minors, then our bullpen depth?

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

Lew, I’ll only repeat what I said before: He’s a prominent Brave. Very prominent. And a veteran.

OK, no more hints.

Schlocky? Greg freakin’ Brown? That’s undoubtedly the first time anyone has accused the great, grizzled songsmith from Iowa of being schlocky. Good one, dude.

By Tomahawkin

February 19, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Grinch Ur Quote ” I bet if we all met, half the people we enjoy reading most would probably not be people we’d gravitate towards normally, whereas others on here that are relatively nondescript in cyberspace might surprise by how fun they are in person. Who knows?”

Hey If You see me in person I’m usually gonna be at a house party/bar drunk as shyt, but nonetheless I’m still gonna be choppin the tops off the people who be dissin my Choppas from the “A”

And by the way I have Braves hats in the window of my car as well as a braves tag… so U might see me boppin my head in traffic or sumptin like that the next time I come down to the “A”…

By hk

February 19, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Lew …

… really really liked your 8:36pm post above … your words say far more about the growth of this blog than my attempt earlier … a pure picture of how one guy can rub off on another … artfully done by a self described ‘draftsman’ :))

By Stinky

February 19, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Dobber’s endorsement makes it Schlockey. And you have to admit that the theme about ‘leaving cause she broke my heart’ has been done before.

And we all know what a happenin’ place Iowa is.

Please tell me I haven’t written something that can be censored, today. Hows’s Coltrane?

By TennesseePaul

February 19, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Ideally, I would like to see him drop about 200 pounds

Wayne That has to be a joke. I don’t know AJ’s exact weight but in order to drop that much and still be alive he’d have to be 4 or 5 hundred pounds! I hear enough about how small Hudson is, I don’t want to think of AJ out there bones pokin through his uni wizzing around the outfield catching everything and then stepping into the box and get knocked down every time his bat connects with the ball. lol!

By Dane Thull

February 19, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

DOB, If we were to trade Cormier or Villareal what kind of player would we ask for in return and any names.

By The Grinch

February 19, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

T’hawk, somethin’ tells me you’d be one of the ones that wouldn’t be hard to recognize.

10Paul, I think Wayne was referring to Andruw dropping Boras, not 200 pounds of his own.

Dave, not watching Kansas/K-State? Or just so dedicated to the blog you’re taking breaks to tickle our fancy?

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

Dane, it’s a little early to know who’ll be most interested in either of those guys, whether Braves will want to trade one (they’ll wait to see how Hampton and others do this spring), and what needs the Braves might have.

Like I’ve said (and Schuerholz confirmed to me yesterday), teams including the Braves aren’t inclined to make moves now, not at this point of spring. Everyone wants to see what they’ve got in some games, what injuries they might incur, etc.

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Coltrane’s good, thanks for asking. I’m assuming you’re serious (not even someone as rotten as you can actually dislike pets).

Bradley just informed me that he had lunch with Coltrane by the pool this afternoon. Bradley had a sandwich, Coltrane had some grass.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 19, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

sticks and stones can break this journalist’s bones but not on a blog. journalist jimmy smith will try to be a better person and ignore the mean-spirited posts directed at this journalist and others. perhaps some day the ugly blogger will forget who he is and attack himself in another persona. and, grinch … has grinch got a confession to make to this journalist? and what is wrong with the ukulele? more ukulele playing and this would be a happier blog. some will know that bobby dews plays the ukulele - and tom glavine before the onset of cold ringfinger. and who is this uh, very prominent brave that is a very prominent veteran and a blogger here? and why did he not blog with you on sunday - the day of the daytona 500? yes, that is right. and with the addition of some hair above the lip the goatee could become a van d**. which sounds more cultured? goat-ee or van-d**? clearly, the moustache must be started tomorrow. and now a riddle … i am blue and i crawl through the night, eating hostas and causing blight, my name is familiar but my lips are sealed tight, who am i? those who guessed wicky are incorrect. it will take a long-time blogger to answer this one.

By AdirondackDave

February 19, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

DOB - ok, no more hints on who the blogger Brave is but can you say a bit more about his blogging habits … is he here daily, weekly, occasionally… in and off season… is he baseball or BB/music… etc., etc. Thanks.

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

Hammy the Brave, regarding Lerew: If a kid can help the major league team now as a reliever, that’s where he’ll be assigned. It’s more likely he’ll not win the bullpen spot over the more seasoned guys, in which case he’ll be sent down to start in the minors. Really not a big deal this spring, because Lerew is not going to start games this spring anyway, other than perhaps a split-squad game.

You see what I mean? He’s not going to start this spring (Braves will use their five-man rotation, of course), so if he pitches so well that he deserves consideration for a bullpen job, he’ll get consideration. No harm in that whatsoever.

By Tomahawkin

February 19, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

OK, Its warm Outside, Gotta go have a few cold one’s and hit up da hot-tub…C-Ya…

Oh yea, Ur Rite D.O.B., I don’t see anyone gettin traded/released til the last week of Spring Training, There are so many things that can happen to everyteam, not just ours within the next few weeks, If Langerhans Struggles I’d like to see us make a run a Bernie Williams, and have him in left for a year…

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

Grinch, definitely watching KU-KState. Sitting here right in front of the TV laptop going on the verizon broadband internet card thing.

Jayhawks finally putting ‘em away now, but the Wildcats definitely gave them a game. That streak’s going to end in the next few years (K-State hasn’t beaten KU in Manhattan since 1983), now that Huggins is there and bringing in big-time recruits to K-State). He’s got the No. 1 or No. 2-rated recruiting class in the nation next season.

It’ll be good to have it be a rivalry again, like it was when I was in school at KU, back in the Mitch Richmond days at K-State.

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

Adirondack, in the offseason he was here quite often. I don’t know if it was every day, every week or whatever. But he’d have spurts where he’d actually blog 3-4 times a night for a few nights in a row. It took me a while to figure out who it was, after he’d dropped a few hints in posts directed at me.

I’d imagine he’s checking in time to time this spring, now that he’s away from his wife and kids and has some time on his hands down here in Florida.

And he’s just baseball. Not music.

By AdirondackDave

February 19, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Many thanks for those tasty additional morsels, DOB.

By TennesseePaul

February 19, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

braveheart: We’ve also given up more homers a season since AJ’s first few years in the bigs. More homers equals less put out possibilities. But whatever. AJ is still better than the rest so if he has lost a step (which I doubt), it really doesn’t matte he’s still better than the rest. And more importantly, he’s a Brave.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 19, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

oh, the humanity! journalist cannot say, van d** on this blog. surely, jimmy smith will be thrown off again. a blog that tolerates stinky being ugly to carolina lady will not let jimmy smith say, van d**? didn’t bill kovach have a van d** when he was hired to save the ajc? what about burl ives? wicky? and lew, don’t forget lew. good men all. oh, the humanity!

By The Grinch

February 19, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

A confession? Jimmy Smith, surely you’re not a priest. I know because otherwise you wouldn’t have been into Virginia Madsen except for her 12-year old son (rim shot). Oh, I think I know what you’re talking about. Yes, I’m afraid I’m relentless when my curiosity’s piqued. My ukulele’s much the same, unfortunately; I haven’t had the extra funds neccessary to persue the appropriate luthier for my Martin. The king of luthiers? Martin Luthier King? D’oh! The Van-D** sounds more cultured, but the right-wing AJC chooses to censor it; must be because it was worn by Lenin. I think I know the answer to your riddle, but I’ll let some of the less experienced bloggers take a shot first. I’m nothing if not fair.

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

James, I don’t have all the pitchers’ names written down who threw today. Come on, man, it’s the fifth day of spring workouts. Davies did throw, and looked good. I was standing by the batting cage when he threw. Bobby says he’s looked good so far, appears to be throwing with confidence now, not worried about the groin injury or anything else….

JJS, hatchet buried (I didn’t realize that was necessary, but consider it done). And yes, I was very grumpy that particularly morning. I remember it clearly. But it’s a new day, spring and all that renewal stuff, you know?

And thanks much for your vote.

My suggestion for next year’s portrait, whomever it may be rewarded to: Hank Williams. Gotta be. Gotta have that iconic big hat on him, too.

By Wayne in UT

February 19, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

TennPaul: The 200 lbs for AJ to lose would be Scott Bore-us.

By David O'Brien

February 19, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

JJS, Grinch, if that was indeed cut, it was only because filter caught the word automatically.

By MEB

February 19, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Praise the Lord and don’t wake them blue worms… Journalist Jimmy is back!

By Wayne in UT

February 19, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Lew: We are similar individuals. 51, and another Wicky wannabee here in Utah. While I am not or have never been a major leaguer, about 6 months ago, I had some shoulder surgery to clean up some scar tissue in the rotator cuff (my softball playing is about shot!). One night while recuperating, I dreamed I was trying to rehab the shoulder so I could resume my career as a Braves relief pitcher. It seemed so real, and then I woke up…….

Hee Haw

By The Grinch

February 19, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Man, that’s gonna drive me completely nuts wondering who it is. I hope it’s not someone we’ve totally torn a new one. :-)

By TennesseePaul

February 19, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Grinch: That makes a little more sense. I gotta get. Too much to do…

Lew, those photos are amazing. I haven’t seen snow in ages, at least not in person. I miss that kind of stuff. Every day out here it’s 70, sunny, and tons of traffic. Occasionally we get a cloud. It gets a little monotenous. Today was nice, it rained for about an hour this morning.

By Wayne in UT

February 19, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

Don’t want to give the impression that I hate Scott Bore-us, as hate is an extreme that I am not willing to venture to. I profoundly do not like what he has done to some of his clients, as he is always going for the top dollar, regardless of what might be best for the player. Beltran has now adapted to the NY crowd, but 2005 was not a good year for him, and Houston seemed to be such a good fit. JD Drew would have thrived in Atlanta, but I suspect he will not be as successful in Boston.

I would still not deal with him if I were a GM though.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 19, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

grinch, this journalist is not a qualified luthier but if grinch wants this journalist to repair grinch’s luthier please mail it to jimmy smith and perhaps a repair can be effected at minimal cost - with the loan of the martin for a short while. as you know this journalist is devilishly handsome and having a 1930’s era martin uke in hand for a few weeks could lead to stardom for jimmy smith in american idol tryouts. journalist has a new song almost ready. did grinch determine if the martin is made of mahogany or perhaps koa? if koa, journalist will need to travel to hawaii for parts. will charge grinch only for transportation and lodging - parts at wholesale price - no labor.

By Kentavo

February 19, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

So is Andruw lighter, or not?

By The Grinch

February 19, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

I guess now the little Dutch boy won’t be able to put his finger in the D**. Poor Andruw! Or Langerhans, for that matter; ‘tis a Dutch name. They’ll have to find something else to clog it with. Get it? Oh, my; I amuse myself to no end.

By Wayne in UT

February 19, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

My 14 year old son wants to be a blogger. He thinks it is cool that Brian McCann spent some time with those sick kids this week.

Logan in UT thinks Barry Bonds should retire, and leave Hank Aaron’s record intact…..

Hee Haw

By journalist jimmy smith

February 19, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this

repair the martin - hire this luthier! oh, the humanity! it has been so long that journalist has forgotten how to blog. please forgive the blogging error. almost as bad as saying chipper has hammer toes when it is well documented that chipper has bunion(s) - not sure how many - not sure exactly where. mysterious new shoes may reveal more - how can we get a look inside those shoes? this is a job for dob. how will dob be persuaded? and what if dob is caught? oh, the humanity!

By The Spirit of James Brown

February 19, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this

I FEEL GOOD

Hee Haw

By Logan in UT

February 19, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

I feel good too!

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 19, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

DOB, you don’t have to say, but I’m going to guess the Brave is either Chipper or Smoltz. You kind of gave it away the the “veteran” reference. I kind of hope it isn’t Chipper only because he is my favorite Brave and I would hate for him to have to read some of the mindless horsecrap that is written about him here. Also, I see a guy like Francoeur blogging as well. He seems the type that would get in here with us fans. Am I wrong about that?

By Wayne in UT

February 19, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this

Do we have any guesses who the Braves blogger is? A veteran with kids…..Chipper, Smoltz, Hampton, Rent-a-SS (does he have kids?), AJ, Hudson. Any veterans I am forgetting?

By Logan in UT

February 19, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

If any of you Braves players are reading this, can I borrow a million dollars so I can go to college, and to Disneyland. My dad says I don’t need that much, but when I learn how to drive next summer, it would be nice if I could buy a convertible if I had some cash!

By just Bob, plain and simple

February 19, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

Someone just told me to revisit the blog … am I to understand that Chipper has working out durin the off-season to increase the strength in his problem feet? I know I read somewhere that he will be wearing special new protective shoes this year … it’s always a good idea to develop ones strong muscle and to protect it well, regardless of where it might be located!

Draftsman, according to a certain journalist, you’re a word kunstenaar of the first order … ones entire body of work needs evaluated before handing out such lavish praise but if this evening’s work product is a fair representation, then I totally agree … of course, it helps that you spelled my name correctly!

Like David said, it’s time …

By Stinky

February 19, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

Somebody got censored for saying that DOB’s cat, Coltrane, had him p***-whipped. What would have happened if DOB’s cat was named Van D**. And what about Dick Van D**. Can he ever blog here?

By The Grinch

February 20, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Jimmy, I remembered its age incorrectly. based on further discussions with my dad and a little photo research, I believe it’s a 1951 Martin Style-3 mahogony. It cost $75 new in ‘51. It’s got a couple of nasty cracks in it, but no wood missing. Is Baby Seal any good at woodwork? Seems like a flipper would be good for applying glue.

Wayne, I second the idea Bonds should leave the game asap. Not because of the roids, but because he’s a king-sized d-bag of the highest order. You could say the same about Cobb and Rose, but at least they loved the game. Bonds only loves Bonds.

By Wayne in UT

February 20, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

To any Braves players reading this: Please do not send any $$ to my son. If he had more $$ than me, that would be like the manager/coach not having the respect of his players. I might lose my authority around here. Heaven knows it is hard enough being a dad these days.

PS: Anyone who wants to send $$ to Utah, we could apply it to the “Wayne in UT” deficit reduction fund! :-)

By just Bob, plain and simple

February 20, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

My dog Ralph, still taking tranquilizers and receiving therapy from earlier encounters with relatives of he who shall not be named … thinks he knows the the identity of the unidentified Brave … and of Jimmy’s riddle. We share the notion that there’s more than one … and hope they have a sense of humor!

If any are still up after curfew, then shame on you … you’ve got a World Series to win!

By Chop Chop

February 20, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

Dick Van D**’s real name is Penis von Lesbian.

It’s baseball time!

By Chipper in FL

February 20, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this

Darn. Time to turn the lights out and hit the sack……..

By Smoltzie in FL

February 20, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

Lights out time…..

By Smoltzie in FL

February 20, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this

PS: To Logan in UT

Check’s in the mail home boy…..

By The Grinch

February 20, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

Stinky, I started to bring up DVD as well. He should be censored, but only because he wasn’t funny.

Wayne, have no fear. If I had enough money just to be giving it out I’d be up there with T’hawkin’ in a hot tub full of sorrostitutes.

Bob, the world series of poker, maybe. Care to help me with the $25,000 buy-in?

By Rosalynn

February 20, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

Jimma once won the Peace Prize and I think Juhnalist Bob is desuhving of a Peace Prize of his own. Imagine Juhnalist Bob bringing those feuding pahties back togetha again! Jimma has his Peace Prize on the mantle next to a pictcha of Jimma and Hammerin’ Hank back when Jimma was Govenah and Hammerin’ Hank was still hammerin’. Sometimes I will go by and dust that pictcha off just so I can admiah my young Jimma and the homerun champion theah togetha in theah youth. I seem to be getting off subject a bit. I think Juhnalist Bob should receive the Nobel Peace Price for bringing peace to wawhing juhnalists and I am going to ask Jimma to make the nomination since he is a previous winna foah some wuhk he did in the mid-east awhile back. Lew should get some honahable mention for Lew is indeed a worthy craftsman - certainly no draftsman. I used to have a little van d** of my own back when we weah in the Governor’s mansion. Chin haih has alwahs been a nemesis foah the guhls in my famila. My little sista could pass for Wicka in a dahk room. I best be going now, I heah the Commanduh calling me. “Yes, Jimma, heah I come honah.”

By just Bob, plain and simple

February 20, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

Repair the Luthier? … might I respectfully suggest you remember that this is a family Blog … I notice that you’ve already had more than one word edited for making pointed remarks of a sexual nature. You must promise to lay off the hard stuff … try Coca-Cola instead of Root Beer.

By Tony C.

February 20, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

DOB

Check ut a guy named James Hand

His record “The Truth Shal Set You Free” is pretty darn good. You may like it as well.

Thurston Moore huh? as long as he doesn’t play like Thurston Moore moves around onstage he’l be fine

By Bo

February 20, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

Play Ball! Man, that sounds good. Now get mother to make the pie….See all you good friends at the park. Go Braves!

By Lew

February 20, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

How about we try Van Dyck as in Sir Anthony, the famous portrait painter. If they zap this one then they certainly have no culture.

By Wayne in UT

February 20, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this

Grinch: I guess we are doomed to be poor working stiffs for the rest of our days! Oh well, at least I have my health….. Well, maybe not that either. At least my family loves me….I think??

By just Bob, plain and simple

February 20, 2007 12:40 AM | Link to this

Miss Rosalynn, it’s always a delight to have you join in … been some time since I last saw you and the President … 16 years I guess … but, it seems more like two or three.

I appreciate the nice words and the compliments … but, the peace is prize enough for me … and anyway, most of the credit shoud go the Cordele Ugandan and our Irish mentor … like Dorothy Parker almost said, … you can take them to the water, but the rest is up to them … and they did us proud!

Do y’all any green peanuts left?

By Gil in Mechanicsville

February 20, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this

O ye of little faith… How many times do I need to tell you guys not to worry about Thorman.

Seems to me, last year everyone was crying that Atlanta needed to get rid of LaRoach. Well, you got your wish…

What? You changed your mind? Well too late. Live with it. It migth take Thorman a little time to get the stars out of his eyes but as soon as he jacks a few out of the park and gets a little confidence he will become the greatest thing since sliced bread in Atlanta.

My God people, where does all this sense of dispair come from. Half of you act like Atlanta may as well not play this season.

As for the pundits, I would like to remind everyone that the Braves were pick to finish last in the National League West in 1991 by EVERY expert prior to the beginning of that season.

And as for trades…. The Diamondbacks have one of the deepest talent pools as far as minor leauge talent. The Devil Rays also. They recognize the Baves model. The Brave have all theire young talent playing in Atlanta.

The Braves are not going to trade away good players Cormier just because someone else wants them. It is called depth. Insurance for the when someone does goes down with an injury.

As for opening day roster. I like it when you have guys fighting for a spot. Shows some hunger. Woodward is a good player with some clutch numbers. He is coming off an injury so it should be interesting. I think it is going to be a dog fight for the final two spots in the pen and on the bench.

A lot is going to depend on who has options and who has a good spring. After all, the Braves had Gary Matthews Jrs. in camp a few years ago a cut him because of a bad spring. Turns out he was a pretty good outfielder.

Sometimes timing is everything.

And jjs… etal… glad for your return…

By just Bob, plain and simple

February 20, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

I’ll close with this note to any monitoring players … If Wayne doesn’t want his son to have it, David O’B has my email address and I’d gladly accept any contributions … with the promise that at least 90% would go to my favorite charity and the rest to a worthy cause.

Get some sleep!

By The Grinch

February 20, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this

As long as he doesn’t field like Thurston Howell the third. It’s beddy-bye time for the Grinch. Peace.

By Wayne in UT

February 20, 2007 01:08 AM | Link to this

It’s only 11pm here in Utah, and probably early for Mitchiesan on the ship wherever he is.

I thought all you Braves fans were real party animals. I guess you are now partying with your favorite teddy bear now…….(nothing sexual intended in that comment)

I too think Thorman is going to be a huge hit. He will bat 7th or 8th, and the pressure will be minimal so long as our other big guns stay reasonably healthy. I think by June we will have forgotten about that other guy who used to play 1B.

Good night all, and for Robert, Hee Haw

PS: Just bob: I wouldn’t want Chipper or Smoltzie to send any cash to my son Logan, but I wouldn’t turn down a donation for the Wayne in Utah deficit reduction fund. By the way, I have two convertibles, that’s why my son thinks he is going to get a convertible when he learns to drive this summer. Little does he know that there is a gutless ‘95 Chevy Lumina with his name on it……

By Chop Chop

February 20, 2007 01:16 AM | Link to this

That’s weird. I didn’t think my 12:08 post would show up in quite the way it did. This galdanged filter ain’t got a lick o’ sense.

Well, I’m getting my copy of Baseball Prospectus 2007 soon. I have a feeling they’ll be unkind to our Braves.

By Wayne in UT

February 20, 2007 01:28 AM | Link to this

Chop: I think you are right, as it seems to be popular to be on the “Braves are sinking” bandwagon. I think it is just because many of the pundits have their own teams, and while they try to be objective, they are tired of the Braves success. Somebody mentioned the Diamondbacks and Devil Rays copying the Braves player development system.

I am so excited this time of year, it is a challenge just to be able to wait until the spring season begins.

I guess I am just a 51 year old that is still a kid at heart!

By Dustin from Dville

February 20, 2007 02:46 AM | Link to this

I read on one of the first blogs how someone sat thru the 88 season and still is pesimistic about the braves. WHAT??? man do u not remember 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98…..then 99, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004??? last year was a fluke and this year will be different….who wants to make a bet with me?? the braves might be nearing the end of there run…. with smoltz, chipper and andrew possibly in there end years with the braves because of age, and $$…..but as long as we have the big 3 surrounded by the talent we have now….well be ok!! Go Braves!! I hope liberty ownership shows loyalty to our beloved players and keeps them till retirment!!
Some players just mean to much to a organization and fans to just dump off as some meaningless player because of some salary cap or cheapness of ownership. I used to stay up really late at night as a kid listening on the radio as dominique wilkins led the hawks….but when they traded him i was crushed…..for DANNY MANNING??? When the Hawks were in FIRST place??? I hate u stan kasten and always will for taking my favorite player away (i was 2 poor for satelite growing up….so i never saw clippers games). The Hawks are cursed for doing that and i will always hold that lack of loyalty against them as any true fan should do. Go Rockets!! Mutombo….now thats a good man!…and i always knew he could still play.

By Head Coach

February 20, 2007 03:11 AM | Link to this

The eternal optimism of spring training is shining through in the comments of Chipper Jones. Of course , Chipper and Smoltz both said that Reitsma would be a great closer in spring training last year . Such is the annual positive spin coming out of the Braves camp. Hey guys , do us fans a favor and bust out of the gate by winning in April. Winning a few spring training games would help to. Chipper , playing a 140 plus games at 3B would do a lot to improve your teams chances in October.

By Stinky

February 20, 2007 05:08 AM | Link to this

Wayne in Utah,

• Little does he know that there is a gutless ‘95 Chevy Lumina with his name on it……*

Now that’s what I call tough love.

By ncscoots

February 20, 2007 06:31 AM | Link to this

Grinch, while you’re deciding on a luthier, pick up some music by Brudda Iz, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. I know, my reaction, too, was “hey, DBT men don’t listen to no steenkeng ukelele music!”, but I found his stuff stunning (thanks to a previous gal pal).

By ssiscribe

February 20, 2007 06:42 AM | Link to this

Good morning. I have long had my thoughts on who the member of the ballclub joining up in the blogosphere was (three names immediately come to mind), but I’m not offering who it may be (not like I know or anything).

But whoever posted as Chipper and Smoltzie from FL early this morning … that was priceless!

OK guys, get up and get to Dark Star. Workout is starting soon! And if you’re a vet who was on the team in 2000, I never misquoted you, ha ha!

Everybody enjoy your day. I’ll have more later. For now, the younger Scribes need to get ready for the sitter’s, and I gotta get ready for work.

JJS, welcome back bro!

—30—

By Shaun

February 20, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Head Coach,

I don’t know about great, but Reitsma could have been an adequate closer had he not had injury issues. His ERA was better than the league average 2002-2005.

I see no reason why the Braves can’t be right there will the Phillies and Mets. All these teams have questions but the Schuerholz has put the Braves in a good position.

The Phillies have the offense, but did they do enough to improve the pitching staff?

The Mets got a lot of big years from a lot of old guys. Any chance LoDuca, Delgado, Glavine, Wagner and even Beltran repeat their ‘06 performances? Can Pedro stay healthy enough to be Pedro?

I think the top three NL East teams look about like 88-92-win teams at this point. I don’t think we’ll see another 97-win year out of the Mets again.

The Phillies improved by adding Freddy Garcia and the Braves will be improved with the bullpen additions and having Chuck James all season.

I say it will be a battle between the Phillies and Braves this season with the Mets hanging around.

By Lew

February 20, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Morning Y’all-I can’t think of a single player besides McCann who hasn’t gotten reamed on this site at one time or another. If the mystery Brave was Chipper, he probably would have invited someone to go “hunting” by now. Smoltz did pretty well until recently, but has been having his own issues, so I really wonder if it was him. If it was Andruw, he might have changed that ankle-breaking swing a lot sooner. If it was Terry Pendleton, he might have closed Marcus Giles’ stance and had him hitting like Marcus a lot sooner, because that was mentioned a lot. If it were Huddy, I think he would have left a long time ago with the reaming he’s had. Maybe it’s Mike Hampton-he might have had a little bit more time than the others. I still think it’s Bobby Cox and he’s posting as Robert to fool us. Whoever it is, tell TP to listen to us this year. We’re good coaches.

By 3trees

February 20, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

Wow! Great to see some of the good folks returning to the blog. When going strong, this blog’s got texture. jB,p&s - Thanks for kunstenaar, played perfectly into the Dutch theme.

Grinch - Don’t know about Thurston Howell III, but Charles Howell III won something yesterday. Man, the boy’s got big feet, or maybe REALLY long toes! Definitely not to be trifled with.

Sorry I don’t have the link, but I saw someone playing an amazing version of GH’s “As My Guitar Gently Weeps” on ukelele (baritone, I think) on YouTube.

If Langerhans could hit .275 w/some doubles, play his D, man that could really go a long way to easing the loss of LaRoche and allow Thor to come along at his own pace. I think KJ will be fine at 2B.

Go Braves

By Jaye

February 20, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

“Hoss really believes this Braves team is better than last year’s.”

When I read this, I thought to myself, “big deal! Didn’t this team only scratch at a .500 winning percentage last year?”

Anyway, Go Braves!

By TennesseePaul

February 20, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Lew: Whoever it is, I hope he moderates his time on the blog during the season. I don’t want him going down like Zumaya. Carpal-tunnel is a pretty nasty thing. Zumaya was a victim of the Wii last season. I had to laugh when I read that. His arm issues weren’t from throwing. They were from playing video games. How long until that works its way into a player contract? Sure, Soriano has 136 million to his name, but he isn’t allowed to play Nintendo.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 20, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Narrator: (The Hillbilly showed up at work this morning and planned to catch up on all the work he missed the day before while at home sick most of the day. In a quick recap of the previous day’s blogs he found a huge smile upon his face as he echoed a deep sigh throughout the office. Things are coming together just as he planned. People will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.)

By Matthew

February 20, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Hey all:

It’s been a while since I posted, mainly because the baby is teething now and sleep is coming at a premium-can I get an amen from the bobbleheads?

Two things:

1. If Chipper plays 130 games or more, Hampton wins 15, and Thorman OR Johnson have breakout years, then the Braves are NL East champs.

2. Did anyone notice where Sirius and XM are merging? I got excited when I realized this, because I was given a Sirius Radio for Christmas, but wanted to get rid of it because baseball is on XM. With the merger, does anyone know if baseball will be available on Sirius now?

Thanks, and enjoy your Tuesday.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 20, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

and what kind of name is “hoss”? who are some famous people called, hoss? well, hoss cartwright of bonanza fame comes to mind if we are talking cowboys and ranchin’ - or perhaps old hoss radbourne, the famed submariner, of the boston braves if we are talking baseball. if a player is a cowboy/rancher/baseball player the name “hoss” may be a good fit. then, there are the skeptics who will say a hoss has only one toe and that is why chipper is called hoss. this journalist does not know the answer and that is why this journalist is hopeful that dob will be successful when dob slips into the locker room for a look inside these mysterious special shoes. and does “uh,hoss” mean the same as hoss by itself? now, baseball … will the braves have a good season with so many players sporting van d** and/or goatees? and will bobbycox sport a goatee this year and what is that stuck in bobbycox’ goatee? oh, the humanity! journalist bob, please get jimmy smith out of this.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 20, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

‘Morning everyone,

Wow, yesterday I was down for the count but a long day of sleep and NyQuil brought a new breath of life to the air. When my boots hit the boards, I was a brand new man. Anyway there’s so much and so many people for me to respond to, that I can’t even begin to dive into that right now. Lot of work to catch up on. I’ll drop in later.

(Hillbilly extends a cyber-handshake and a hearty welcome-back to the esteemed Journalist.)

By braveheart

February 20, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

call me crazy but i think robert is really a braves player poking fun at bobby and delusional overzealous fans. (i have been wanting to kill myself since 1999 for example).

his posts are so over the top that they seem like classic teenaged high school prankster goofiness. Hee-Haw sounds exactly like an inside joke a player would have about his coach with his other players. maybe a bunch of them are in on it. “Robert” stated this weekend that he had insider knowledge that the yankees were laughing at bobby in the 96 world series. Hmmmm. who knew players on the 1996 yankees team because he played for the yankees in 1996 before being traded midseason? none other than “Robert” Joe Wickman!

just one fan’s speculation

By Lew

February 20, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

Matthew-The Bobbleheads sympathize. My son was born two months prematurely and was seven months old before he slept a night all the way through. I can still remember the “It’s your turn! ” No, it’s your turn! “But I have an exam at 8:00” “SO WHAT-Go get the baby.” Oh The Humanity! Fun and games in married housing at UGA. Hillbilly-Be careful, Dude. We’re as changeable as the weather. It’s sunny today, but we’re susceptible to intermittent tornadoes.

By David O'Brien

February 20, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

Andruw just talked at length. I’ll write a new blog, put a lot of it in there. The good news: He’s in terrific shape, lost about 10 pounds, down to 225.

The not-so-good news: While he says he wants to stay with Braves rest of his career, he also says the market value is the market value, and that’s what he’s going to get. Also said he WON’T be traded.

By Shaun

February 20, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Jaye,

The Braves actually were better than their record last season. They lost a lot of close games. Their run differential was actually indicative of a team good enough to be in the Wild Card hunt.

By Lew

February 20, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Well-As much as I’d like to see Andruw remain a Brave, I’m not sure he will be worth “Market Value” by the end of any long term contract. Not that I think he’s on the decline like Shaun says of the thirty and over crowd, but 10 pounds is not going to take much of the pressure off of his knees and hips. He needs to be about 200. Just the attrition, the way he plays, is going to cause a deterioration of his joints over time. There’s just no way around it. Has there been any indication that Liberty will even boost the payroll? God knows, with the cost of the Braves, at the 34% corporate tax rate, they will save more than enough to give the payroll a considerable boost, but it remains to be seen if it will happen. I was somewhat optimistic about keeping Andruw, but it is seemingly becoming increasingly more difficult.

By Rosalynn

February 20, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Now, bravehaht, if it is Wicka (that was a vera cleva deduction) why doesn’t he evah talk pie? One would think Wicka would talk pie at anatime. Pie, Krispy Kremes, bahbecue … Robert nevah talks any of these basic food groups. I do not think it is Wicka posing as Robert because of the absence of talking about food. I think pehaps you ah right that it is a pitcha instead of a position playuh blogging heah. Pehaps DOB will reveal who it is befoah long. Pehaps DOB will reveal it when he reveals the inna-workings of Chippa’s new shoes. Does Chippa suspect anathing wheah he will be on his toe(s) or is he unsuspecting about DOB’s intentions? Jimma has a theora about the toe matta but Jimma is holding back his opinion at this time. Jimma used to go bahfoot a lot when he was living in Plains as a boah.

By TennesseePaul

February 20, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

Dagnabit! Freakin Borass! He’s a homewrecker he is. If it weren’t for him, we’d never be in this situation. Ah who am I kidding. Some other clown with a more complicated name to jab at would have taken his place. I just hope AJ stays. I hate it when the guys leave. Maybe winning the WS this year would be enough to make him sit down and realize, if he stays here, he can win. If he leaves, he can have a lot of money and become good friends with Miguel Tejada albeit, from yet another do nothing team that sunk the majority of its payroll into one player.

Matthew: Scott Jaygow reported this morning that the merger is put on hold due to legal concerns. When congress opened up outer space for satelite radio it deemed the need for at least two providers for the sake of competition and better consumer prices. They have some hurdels to go through before MLB will be close to being on Sirious.

By Ricardo

February 20, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

DOB -

Thanks for the update. I still think it’s 50-50 the Braves keep him beyond this year. Out of an $80 mill payroll, he’s already getting, what $12.5 give or take? If Liberty bumps it to 90-95 mill, we can give him an extra $5 mill he’d beat at $17.5 and still have money for raises, Smoltz, etc.

By flbravesgirl

February 20, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Nice to see so many old friends returning to the blog. I guess it’s time to report in here as well as on the field?

Matthew, I haven’t heard any specifics about the radio deal but if they merge into one company presumably all subscribers would get the baseball stations.

Happy Birthday, Brian McCann!

By Lew

February 20, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

I wish the sale of the Braves to Liberty Media was put on hold for legal reasons. We need individual ownership. Baseball claims that it’s their desire too, for non-corporaste ownership, but Bud Lite talks out of the side of his mouth on a consistent basis. We need Terwilliger or Blank.

By TheSouthernJackAss

February 20, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

This ol’ chickenhead was bout to celebrate her birthday so she asked her husband if she could get “Beautiful” tattooed on her left buttcheek, and “Babe” tattooed on her right buttcheek as a birthday gift. Her husband Larry James gave her some money to get the tattoos and off to the tattoo parlor she went. So after telling the tattoo artist her wishes he lets her know that she doesn’t have enough money to get the complete tattoos, however he would be able to place just the initials “B” on one buttcheek, and “B” on the other. She agrees, and so the tattoo artist completes the job, and she hurries home to show her husband. She runs thru the front door, drops her drawers, bends over, and says look hun, what do the think of my tattoos?…her husband Larry James says uhhhh, ummmm, well babe they’re very nice, I guess, but who the hell is “B*B”, plain and simple???…

By ssiscribe

February 20, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

I’ll wait to see what AJ has to say in the new blog, but I’m not surprised. I still think, unless the payroll goes up, he’s as good as gone. Sorry to be so sour about it, but market value is what it is, and if Carlos Lee is worth $16.6 mil a year, what in the world is AJ worth? At least the sale of the team is now in MLB’s hands, meaning there COULD be some movement in payroll (not saying there will be, or will be enough, but as long as Time-Warner owned the team, the payroll wasn’t budging off $80 million).

Anyway, more after I read the new blog. Good to see more familiar names popping up in here. Guess full-squad reporting date just wasn’t for the team, either. Welcome back, gang. Stretch those fingers (and toes).

—30—

By KPH

February 20, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Chipper is right the Braves will probably win the division and once they get in could go deep into the playoffs this season with the additional pitchers they picked up. 2008 however will be a crap shoot depending on if Liberty is for real or just another Time Warner.

By TennesseePaul

February 20, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

It’ll be tough for Bud to nix this deal. Its end result puts the value of the Braves higher than what Forbes had it. That is like an Owner Free Agent score. I think that is why Bud leans so heavily on keeping the same managment in place. That and the fact that this deal would lead to the Braves being sold again in about 3 or 4 years. If this team wins 3 or 4 straight it’ll be worth more than if it tanks for 3 years.

By TennesseePaul

February 20, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

See that’s the thing. Carlos Lee isn’t worth 16 million a year. The market is being driven by a bunch of idiots bidding against themselves. However, AJ in decline is still worth something. If we sign him to a long deal and he declines towards the end, we move him to left field and bring up AJ version 2.0. By then we should have one. I can’t fathom AJ declining to a point that he is absolutely atrocious. Even Bonds is still out in the field and he has no cartilage. Granted that isn’t the best decision, but I don’t think AJ will slip that far. Bonds couldn’t even throw out Bream when he was in his prime.
On top of that, it’s been tough watching milestones be set by our players when they are in other uniforms. AJ is going to get to 600 homers and I’d like to see it happen in a Braves Uniform.

Now, long deal is probably something like 5 or 6 years with some options or something. But who knows. Idiots are out there… they usually occupy positions on bad teams. So the one thing we will have over that is, we can offer a shorter contract to be on a winning team versus a longer contract to suck.

By hk

February 20, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

jimmy,

… this popped into my head last night, then thought(leave well enough alone), but can’t stand it, have to say something …

… I know you are still smarting a bit with the the perceived hatchet still embedded … but you, above all others should realize this was not a back, but a ‘toe’ problem :)) … sometimes people, focussed on one thing, inadvertently step on anothers ‘toes’… I have this picture of the Long Branch Saloon, rather late at night, crowd becoming a bit raucous, jimmy and stinky getting into it, slamming into tables, crowd barely noticing (high raucous tolerance) … in comes Matt Dillon, tired, rough day, says “hey, you guys break it up, Jimmy you should know better, take this outside !!” … and as he steps in to intercede, he accidently steps on jimmy’s ‘toes’ …

… the thing is, toes are tricky, very sensitive, sometimes there’s a perceived phantom transference of discomfort to other places, like the back … and toes are more likely to get stepped on the more we choose to get out in the traffic …

… we on this blog are all shadows, virtually invisible, except by our choice with trusted friends … our time on the blog is for pleasure at our leisure … but DOB is totally exposed in every way imaginable, this is his profession, and a large part of his life, a life he has chosen to share with us on a daily basis, to our benefit … if I was in his shoes I’d get a lot more ticked off than he does … but he knows enough to get it off his chest now and then, let off a little steam, not let it build up … but we know that afterwards it’s over and forgotten … in this way he has taught us what I have called ‘good venting’, part of what blogs are all about …

… in other words, ‘welcome back :))’

By ellaguru

February 20, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Ukelele guy is Jake Shimabukuro. If you like ukelele guys doing that sort of thing he’s your man. Likewise there’s a guy here in Atlanta, Bobby Yang, who’s a virtuoso violinist and there’s a vid of him doing “Eruption” note-for-note, string bends and tapping included. Does AC/DC, Queen, all that. Don’t get it myself. And Lucinda’s just…a drag. And she no rapper, Dave :)

You’re probably as lucky a person as there is in my opinion, D. There are, what, 30-something guys like yourself lucky enough to be on the field in the first days of spring training and tell us all about it. Man…and if Chip likes the team so do I. We will never know what would have happened if Todd van Poppel hadn’t been a complete diva but I can say with some certainty it wouldn’t have been nearly this fantastic a ride.

By NYM

February 20, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

Spring training is finaly here. Let the IF’S and MAYBE’S begin. I’ve read through some of the posts and noticed some have had a head start.

By mike

February 20, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

I really hope I am wrong but I just dont have a positive feeling about the right side of our infield. Before I jump on board the Francour band-wagon I want to do some research and see what his average was against pitchers with winning records last year.

By yars

February 20, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

I truly believe if Chipper hadn’t been hurt the last 3 seasons, he may have another NL MVP under his belt.

By Shaun

February 20, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Lew,

Yes, Andruw is on the decline but that does not mean he doesn’t have quite a few good years left. (Decline doesn’t mean done after 30. Decline just means players generally peak in their late 20’s and they gradually get less and less valuable as they age after that—for those who don’t understand the concept of aging and peaking and declining and who thinks that decline is synonymous with finished.)

TennPaul,

The problem (if you want to look at it this way) with the free agent system is that players have different value to different teams. If I feel I’m a all-star CF away from the playoffs but you already have a decent, cheap guy who can play CF, who do you think is more willing to give AJ a bigger contract for a lot of years? The free agent system skews actual value because a team that desperately needs a player is going to offer more for that player than a team that is mildly interested in that same player.

You’re a smart guy, I’m sure you realize this. Just interesting to talk about it and bring it up on the blog for those who want to place blame for athletes’ high salaries.

You can place blame everywhere—from owners, agents, players to the fans, who willingly watch a lot of games and pay a good bit of money to be entertained by athletes even while complaining about how the economics of what they are contributing to are so unfair and unjust. It’s called economic freedom, folks. Deal with it or stop contributing to it…okay, I’m off my talk radio soap box.

By 3trees

February 20, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

hk - outstanding post @ 11:52AM: “…we on this blog are all shadows…”

By MBATL

February 20, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Wayne, point taken on Boras (didn’t mean to put the word “hate” in your mouth). Although I still say his job is to obtain offers, and a player is not forced to take the highest one. I’d bet that if Toronto offered AJ $20 mil a year, he would probably say no thanks, because it’s not where he wants to be. At some point, it’s up to the player, no matter who the agent is.

I did read that the Twins refused to pick Mark Prior (the consensus best player in the 2001 draft) as their No. 1 pick, because he had retained Boras. I guess if all teams adopted that approach, he’d be out of business, but would also win a billion dollars or so in his “collusion” lawsuit.

If I wake up tomorrow with a 95-mph fastball, Scott Boras is probably my newest, bestest buddy and big toe.

By David O'Brien

February 20, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

I’m sure most are aware by now, but there’s a NEW BLOG POSTED. On Andruw.

By Matthew

February 20, 2007 01:21 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the updates 10Paul and ftbbravesgirl.

Just Bob and JJS, thanks for returning. I saw the first jjs post right after mine and was definitely glad to see it.

hillbilly, way to “” or however they say it. Great to see Bob and JJS back, and hopefully the blog’s First Lady (not Rosalynn, sorry ma’am) can return when her mom stabilizes. CL, prayin’ for ya!

By Anonymous

February 20, 2007 01:58 PM | Link to this

I can’t wait for the season to start! It seems like the season goes by so fast and the offseason is so slow. I think with 3 closers on our team that we will topple the Mets offense and come in first.