Braves

By george

February 23, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

If you want to socialize go to Arthur Murry’s Dance studio. If you want to win games get people out. Soriano will get it done.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

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

Billy Joe,

(From the last Blog) No I did not know that BJS wrote that. Thanks,…learn something new every day.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 23, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

oh, the humanity! just in camp and already toe taps! this is a fine addition to the team.

By Mackey Sasser

February 23, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

That’s the kind of good news I’ll be enjoying all weekend. Thanks for getting Friday rolling DOB.

By 10-7-4

February 23, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

DOB— sounds like my kind of ‘old time ballplayer’. A little of the Bob Gibson attitude can go a long way. Just get em’ out.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 23, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

DOB

So basically, Soriano is Pedro Cerano on Major League 1, minus the Voo-Doo. I asked yesterday but here again: How do Johnson and Thorman look so far?

Hey you and Grinch were right. The Departed will most definitely jump into my top ten favorite movies (I didn’t say top ten of all time because there’s a lot I haven’t seen.) Anyway I haven’t seen Goodfellas but if it’s better I gotta have it too. I hope to watch The Departed a couple of more times this weekend to see what all I missed the first time through. Man what a ####-ing awesome movie<—(In my best Boston accent)

By ernesto

February 23, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

I’ll feel a lot better once we see that 8.59 winter ball ERA was just an abberation. Two shoulder injuries and an injury that took him out…I still like this trade, I’ll just like it a lot more once we know it’s going to pan out. I mean, after all, Kolb was an all-star when we signed him.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 23, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

the toe tap delivery will make it difficult for batters to dig in on soriano and will effect their timing.

leading with the toe is a most interesting way of pitching - and most fearsome.

toes are not to be trifled with.

at last this team has a toe champion! now, management must invest in a good toe man for good toe health.

By eware

February 23, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Awesome, I’m jacked about this guy. It sounds like he might have been the better pickup over Gonzalez. I’m excited about both. LaRoche who? Kidding, I miss that guy.

By Steve

February 23, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

That sounds great. I can’t think of a Braves team that I’ve followed since ‘82 with a better bullpen front to back. Just think of all the games the Braves were in last year, but either blew saves — or saw the hitters get demoralized by having to make 2 or 3 comebacks in one game. I wish there was a way to chart some of those losses. If the talented middle relievers can pitch to their potential, this will be a dangerous pitching team. I’m glad to see Schuerholz FINALLY commit to spending money and resources on the bullpen. Do you realize some teams ACTUALLY keep the same bullpen guys for more than 1 or 2 seasons rather than looking for new journeymen each year?

By ernesto

February 23, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

How can you not have seen goodfellas? “Whadd’ya like a wing or drumstick?” “What am I a clown, do I amuse you?” Good stuff.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 23, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

DOB,

A little useless trivia for you:

In the first “Citizen/Cittizin envelope” scene and in the love scene, you hear the song Comfortably Numb playing. This particular version of the song was recorded Live in Berlin in 1990 at a concert production of “The Wall” put on by Roger Waters. Kind of like a Live Aid type of thing with an All-Star cast. Anyway the version of the song in “The Departed” is sung by Roger Waters, Levon Helm, and Van Morrison. (I have the concert on VHS)

By Thrillhouse44

February 23, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

I think the Braves need an intimidator on the team. It’s nice to have the faces of the franchise smiling (Andruw, McCann, Frenchy, etc.), but I also like pulling for the bad a**es!

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 23, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Ernesto,

I know, it’s a travesty, ain’t it. I’ve seen worse cases though. My brother’s wife was 30 before she ever saw “Old Yeller.” What’s up with that?

By KC

February 23, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

I for one perfer an amiable pitcher to one with talent and ability!

Just kidding.

DOB, have you seen him (Soriano) throw yet?

By Matthew

February 23, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

I’m cool with him being all-business and a little cocky, as long as he (1) gets the job done, (2) doesn’t alienate his teammates, or (3) doesn’t change the focus from TEAM to I. Other than that, I’m cool with the attitude. I will say though, that I hope Gonzo rubs off on him a little. The kids who come to the park (of all ages) are looking for opportunities to root for players, and if he were to brush those attempts off, it might rub the fan base and the players the wrong way.

With that said, welcome to the Braves, Rafael! And as jimmy smith said, now that we have a toe champion, the World Series is a lock, since toes are not to be trifled with.

Has LeTwan’s momma made Soriano a pie? Maybe that would soften him a little…just a thought.

By Matthew

February 23, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Cerrano in the first Major League, or, since we’re talking about a power pitcher, why not Wild Thing? Can that be his theme song when he comes out of the ‘pen? Just please, no funky glasses.

I tell you what, with Robert (the fan in the bleachers whose always assuming the worst), Wild Thing Soriano, and Willie Mays Hays (Pete Orr-just wanted to see if you were watching), this is shaping up to be a great team!

Have we begun the countdown to Opening Day?

I think we have 42 days to go-I can’t wait!!

By David O'Brien

February 23, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Thrillhouse, I have a feeling a lot of folks will agree.

Hillbilly, I didn’t know that Van version of Comfortably Numb was that old. Don’t know that I’d even heard it until The Departed, but it immediately made me want to go find it. Great version. Van the Man is an all-timer , for me (been hanging around B.C. too much this spring, with the “for me” stuff)….

Johnson and Thorman both look fine. Cox says Johnson has done about all he can do in the field until games start. Won’t be able to evaluate until then, really. he commented this morning about Thor’s “vicious swing.”

Neither have really stood out in B.P., but not many have other than Diaz, really. It’s just so early.

By Mets Stink

February 23, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

I’ll take a grumpy pitcher that throws gas any day. The Braves need some guys who will intimidate the other team. Roger Clemens never seems to smile, and his fans love him because he gets guys out.

By John Adcox

February 23, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

Man, I can’t wait, can’t wait to see this guy throw. I’ll be there opening day, as always. As much as I looking forward to actually seeing Kelly Johnson in person, and the healing Hampton, the new ‘pen is what has me buying tickets.

Anyone know if Gregor Blanco ever showed? I’ve been on the road and missed some reports.

John

By Charlie Hatton

February 23, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

I for one welcome our new steely-eyed, icy-veined bullpen overlord. We haven’t had a truly intimidating presence on the late-inning mound since John Rocker — and I’d prefer to forger most of what I know about John Rocker.

Instead, I’d rather think of Soriano like Al Hrabosky. With all due respect to Geno, Wohlers, Bedrock, Kerry, and the other Braves closers of the past twenty-five years, the “Mad Hungarian” had the perfect attitude for a man you want on the mound with the game on the line. Let’s hope Soriano’s cast from the same mold.

Charlie / Bugs & Cranks

By braveheart

February 23, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

the departed was real good but it was nothing compared to goodfellas - but not many movies are.

my list of best scorsese movies in order are: 1. Goodfellas; 2. Raging Bull; 3. Taxi Driver; 4. The Departed; 5. Mean Streets; 6. Casino.

Mean Streets was his calling card and might have been the best one if he had been able to make it a few years later when he was established and with a large enough budget to produce it with the style and flair he likes.

As good as the Departed was to me, it just seemed to lack the heart and soul and grit and personal voice that Mean Streets and Goodfellas had. It almost felt at times like he was going through the motions like he can do these gangster movies with ease. mean streets, raging bull, and goodfellas on the other hand seemed like movies coming from his heart and voice and life experience

Casino just seemed like Goodfellas, Raging Bull, and Mean Streets on steroids. the heart and soul and voice just seemed to be missing from that movie as well - like scorsese, deniro, and pesci were just going through the motions established at such a high level in raging bull and goodfellas

Gangs of New York also seemed to just miss - as great as pretty boy leonardo was in the departed, i believe he was just as bad and miscast in the gangs of new york movie.

as for soriano, i want a mean mofo on the mound. glad to hear DOB that you are going to be fair to him even if he is not that engaging. alot of media types ain’t fair to players like that. for example, one of the biggest reasons they will not let jim rice in the hall is because he did not play nice with the media. ridiculous.

By Kieran from Long Island

February 23, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Well at least we won’t be seeing the “I knocked over my glass of juice and now I’m going to cry histerically” look that reitsma usually sported on the mound. Or the “Sitting on teh bench, waiting to talk to the principal, Gee my mom is gonna kill me” look that Dan Kolb had. maybe this will give them some toughness out of the Bullpen for once.

A side question, does anyone know what song the used to play when John Rocker came out to close games? I’m not even sure if they used a reoccuring one, but I assumed they would have. I rememebr an interview on ESPN news with Dan Kolb, and he said he wanted them to play enter sandman at Turner Field when he came out. Gimme a break, what a joke. And Yankee fans were calling the Mets lame for using it, they dont know what Lame is until they see Dan Kolb trotting to the mound.

By N8

February 23, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

I may be going out on a limb here. But hearing Bobby say: “I guess he’s a little cocky.”, doesn’t bother me at all.

While not even trying to compare the two, I seem to recall not too many people having a problem with Rocker’s “cockiness”, until he became a distraction. Even having said that, had Rocker continued to be EFFECTIVE on the mound, my guess, is the fans STILL would’ve eventually accepted him.

BTW: I’m not condoning ANY of what Rocker said, just stating that part of what made him so intimidating on the mound was his cockiness, IMO.

I believe that relievers don’t need to be cockyer per se, to be successful. But there is definitely somthing about a reliever with a good “scowl” on the mound. Smoltz had (has) it. Wickman has it. Clemens has it. Gossage had it. Lee smith had it.

As long as he produces, it’s ALL GOOD.

I for one, CANNOT wait for the season to begin. Maybe the offense is slow to start (isn’t it ALWAYS?), maybe the rotation doesn’t pan out like we’re hoping it will. Maybe KJ is a bust at 2B and Thorman is “out of his league” as everyday 1B. Personally, I don’t think either of the last two, will come true.

But at the VERY least, we are gonna (barring injuries) have a bullpen that we can not only put the pepto-bismol away for the summer, but one that can become the IDENTITY of this team. You know, the same way the crowd goes crazy for Hoffman in SD? The way the chills went up your spine when Smoltz came in from the bullpen?

I’m guessing that this bullpen is going to do for us (as fans) what a great, HARD HITTING defense does for the fans at a football game: FIRE US UP, the second Bobby starts making the Bell South call to the bullpen. Not to mention, once this bullpen starts establishing (if it starts establishing), it’s dominance. That is going to not only take pressure OFF of our offense and Starting Rotation. You’re going to see opposing teams start to press in inning 4-6, knowing that they better score (assuming our offense has given us the lead LOL!), quick, or it’s LIGHTS OUT!

Alright. Maybe I should lay off of the expresso, so early in the Morning.

Hey! It’s early for me.

Speaking of early - How’s your “routine” DOB?

By Tom

February 23, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

I don’t give a rat’s * how good an interview the guy is…get people out.

Dave: Those stats don’t include starts, do they? Pretty sure he came up a starter in Seattle before the switch.

This is new ground for the Braves with these power arms in the pen. It seemed we always ran into them in the postseason but we never had them ourselves.

What are Pete Orr’s chances of breaking camp with the Braves? Seems we have Woodward and Aybar…not sure how many utility guys we can carry.

It’s early but there is a concern about 2/5 of the rotation (Hampton and the #5 guy).

By N8

February 23, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Kieran from Long Island

I believe it was a Twisted Sister song. I seem to recall Dee Snider (a native New Yorker), being intervied, saying they didn’t want their song associated with such a bigit!

The logical tune would’ve been: I wanna Rock. But I believe he used We’re not Gonna Take it.

I could be wrong.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 23, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

charlie hatton has identified the first true terrorist pitcher for the atlanta braves, al-hrabosky. a man before his time.

By Who's Your Daddy

February 23, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

I don’t care if he looks like Pee Wee Herman or Dirty Harry as long as he makes outs and doesn’t blow a lead.

By 3trees

February 23, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Gotta agree, get people out and (within reason) be who you are. If that’s a little “thorny” then so be it. Besides, maybe some of the visa problems, travel, etc. have him in an “all business” frame of mind. One thing I dug about Boyer (before the injury) was when he was on the mound he appeared PO’d and, considering the rest of the pen, that was refreshing. Hopefully, Soriano can be “all biz” and sign for the kids too. Oh, AND get people out.

Hope the toe tap won’t tip his pitches. :)

Go Braves!

By sammy miller

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

Sammy hates the Muts and Tom Glavine with a passion!!!!

By Eric

February 23, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Charlie what the hll. John Rocker was a bad a*, jk. Actually I am a John Rocker fan mostly because I think the same way as him but I could see how some wouldnt like him. As far as Soriano and Gonzo, I think this is the best job JS has done in the offseason since the 90’s.

By GM R

February 23, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

What you described is a WINNER - there haven’t been many of them in the Braves locker room for a while now (particularly among the big salaries, with the notable exception of Smoltz). Time to forget the professional, business-like attitude, time to inject some passion. No more “Oh dear, guess we missed the playoffs”. We want “Miss the play-offs? - HELL NO!”

By Matthew

February 23, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

3trees:

Good analysis in your 12:21 post. I didn’t mean to imply that the two were mutually exclusive. I merely meant that Soriano could become a folk hero by being accessible to the fans outside the confinces of each game. When he comes out of the locker room after the game, for instance. That’s all I meant.

By TennesseePaul

February 23, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

This is looking good. I like it. We have flame throwers all over the pen. Attitude, hustle, and respected veterans. A good mix of youth and age. This has the makings for a fine season.

I read that Thor hustle hard. I know Johnson is going to hustle because I’m sure he’s dying to make the team. Both those guys can hit. But the defense should line up to be pretty tough. Maybe not smooth and slick, but I see a lot of guts plays and fight in these guys.

Let’s just hope they can do this for 9 innings a game every game of the season and post season. Because if they want the Titles, they’re going to have to go out there and take ‘em. Nobodies going to hand ‘em over.

By ssiscribe

February 23, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Good afternoon, gentle people of the blog. Four and a half hours to the weekend; count me among the first to say it can’t get here soon enough.

So Soriano doesn’t have a lot to say. Fine. As long as he can get it done on the mound, that fastball of his and what he adds in the late innings speaks volumes. A .196 career opponents BA? He pitches like that here, he won’t have to say a word to anybody and I’ll be good with that.

Of course, we scribes love those guys who love to talk, the candid guys who open up, who tell you what they think without the BS. There are go-to guys on the field, and there are go-to guys in the locker room, who will comment on anything and everything, and do so sincerely and honestly. I don’t care if you’re covering a high school football team, a college team or a pro team, you have players on the roster who like to talk and give you plenty of useful quotes and info.

Then, there are guys like Soriano, who seems to be a man of few words. You probably won’t get much from him verbally, but what he stands to bring to the mound could have Braves’ fans shouting at the top of their lungs.

And maybe what this team needs down there, like it was pointed out, is somebody who is a little bit of a red@$$, who’s got a mean streak and a little bit of a nasty side about them. Somebody referenced former Braves pitching coach and Cards’ great Bob Gibson earlier. Good example of that corner animal mentality that a guy like Soriano appears to have. I mean, dude got hit in the coconut by Vlad, and he wanted to watch it and see what it looked like on tape? Solid.

I’m excited to watch this guy bring it. Just think about the options the Braves now possess behind the wall in right. You got three big rightys to face in the seventh? Boom, bring in Soriano. Then the eighth, with a couple of big-time leftys? Boom, bring in Gonzalez. Then the ninth, and its Wicky’s turn to lumber to the top of the hill and shut ‘er down.

Somehow, that scenario gives me more comfort than what we’ve seen since Smoltz returned to the rotation.

Time for lunch, then more work, then off we go. See y’all. The Scribe abides.

Peace.

—30—

By Matthew

February 23, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

GM R:

Chipper Jones is not a winner? He has been a part of 10 division champions, 3 NL pennant winners, and a World Series champion, not to mention an MVP (1999). While he has been hurt a LOT the last two or three years, to say that he is not a winner is inaccurate.

I think that there is a balance between the businesslike approach and the passionate appraoch. The two do not have to be irreconcilable. Combine the passion of a Franceour or McCann with the maturity of a Smoltz and Chipper, and you get a deadly combination. With the additions of Soriano and Gonzalez, the Braves are positioned for a run not just at the NL East flag, but the World Series title.

By Mississippi Brave

February 23, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

Reading about the intesity and attitudes of Soriano and Thorman give me a ton of hope for this year. Both have an edge to them, something the Bravos have badly needed for years. It’s been so rare to see anyone really get pumped about doing anything and I think that has had a lot to do with the post season failures. I think we all have strong feelings that this year is going to be very different.

By Lew

February 23, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Nathan-YThe difference between Rocker and Soriano is that Rocker couldn’t keep his mouth shut. It sounds like Soriano can and would just as soon spit tobacco juice as give an SI intervierw about purple hair and the like.

By Porkins

February 23, 2007 01:02 PM | Link to this

I’m okay with Soriano’s steel reserve (speaking of, that “beer” is an instant hangover, even before you finish the first), as long as he is classy. One of the main reasons I love this team is that the management has kept this team classy for years, except for the occasional Rocker incident or Kolb-throwing-the-Gatorade-cooler moment. So give ‘em hell, Soriano…and by “them” I mean the other team.

One week until the Braves are on ESPN!

By Rosalynn

February 23, 2007 01:03 PM | Link to this

This Soriano boah sounds like trouble to me - real quiet, hard to talk to, and distant from his teammates. Does he have a guhlfriend? Speaking of that, I hate to see all this love talk of late on a baseball blog. Get a room! I have nevah undastood why a guhl is attracted to a man who is hahd to get. Just a little disinterest on the paht of the man and the guhl goes craza for the man! We ah seeing this on the blog for the past few dahs. I rememba when I saw young Jimma Carter ovah in Amehicus at the Georgia Pecan Festival and he was busy trying to get some pecans for a pecan pie. Miss Papa Shell Pecan was theah and she thought Jimma had hung the moon. She had seen Jimma smile and dance and make silla jokes with me and Miss Papa Shell Pecan wanted Jimma for herself. I realize now that Jimma knew I was watching him. Jimma plahed hahd to get and said Miss Papa Shell Pecan was ugla and had buck teeth. But that guhl was not ugla! She was pretta! I left and was so proud of Jimma on the wah home! Lata, one of my closest guhlfriends told me what happened afta I left. Miss Papa Shell Pecan threw hehself at Jimma! That made Jimma so hohna! Jimma made a fool of himself right there. He started crooning songs to Miss Papa Shell Pecan and begging heh to go out with him. It was an episode in mah life that I had hoped to put behind me. But this love struck blog has brought it back to me in all its evil wahs. I would like to sah to the tall lada who is now blogging heah that she would have betta luck on the basketball blog if she is looking for a realla tall man to go out with. The men on this blog ah all busa blogging.

By Fred Secunda

February 23, 2007 01:04 PM | Link to this

Soriano reminds me of Jack Parkman from Major League 2. I can see him taking the mound and Skip saying, “Soriano doing his little shimmy, it drives the women here in Atlanta crazy.”

Either way, I’m glad he’s going to be kicking up dirt down in the ‘pen. This team has too many nice guys, what with Diaz and Langerhans and Pete Orr. It’s alright to have a little grit in your teeth.

By beachcomber

February 23, 2007 01:06 PM | Link to this

DOB - Now you have me curious what might be on Soriano’s iPod. Maybe if I feel brave during one of our jaunts to Orlando this spring I’ll ask him. But as was pointed out, Gibby was no glib conversationalist nor was Gossage or even reaching back to the 60’s, the Pirates ace reliever Roy Face was a man of few words. Just get ‘em out! Great post. Thanks.

By RC

February 23, 2007 01:11 PM | Link to this

Soriano could be more like “Heywood” from Major League.

“This guy threw at his own son in a father son game.”

By Matthew

February 23, 2007 01:12 PM | Link to this

Excellent! Another Major League reference. How many can we get on this blog?

Nice to see Mrs. Carter on the blog today. And how is the former pres. today?

By Joshhhh

February 23, 2007 01:12 PM | Link to this

This is exactly what the Braves need, something that scares other teams. I think that in the past we’ve been too lax and not intense enough. I think this is awesome.

By braveheart

February 23, 2007 01:19 PM | Link to this

at least we are debating the pros and cons of a pitcher with a mean disposition.

we could be the sad sack mets with no pitching and relying upon a bunch of old guys with freaking arthritis in the neck. ARTHRITIS IN THE NECK.

you know your pitching is much too old and washed up when you are talking about arthritis in their necks.

chrissakes, if we do not take this division this year, i am going to have a little one on one time with the spreadsheet sams and intrinisic value ians who run this team. and that will not be one on one chat time. oooooh, i am pretending to be tough.

in case you missed it, the mlb.com link for the duque arthritis in the neck thing is below. the funniest thing about the article is omar delusionalaya saying that finding out that one of your very old pitchers has arthritis in the neck is “basically good news.”

good ole journalist jimmy would also love this quote from the article: “The arthritis is the kind of development former Mets manager George Bamberger once likened to “stubbing the toe with an in-grown nail,” i.e., something that wasn’t good to begin with becoming worse.”

‘El Duque’ out with arthritis in neck Mets announce veteran starter to miss as many as five days

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070222&contentid=1811469&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&cid=nym&partnered=rss_nym

By braveheart

February 23, 2007 01:24 PM | Link to this

last time i checked mariano rivera was not exactly lighting up the room with colorful quotes and smiles.

By just Bob, plain and simple

February 23, 2007 01:25 PM | Link to this

Who’s been giving out my phone number? Some stranger called me this morning pretending to be “Rosalyn” and carrying on ‘bout some “Jimma” … I couldn’t understand 60% of what was being said but they couldn’t fool me … wrong accent … Miss Bankhead maybe … Miss Russell never!

David, Soriano sounds like a good, multi-tooled interview that can probably hit as well as he can pitch … so be careful and stay off the DL … you might try olives and brine.

By BamaBrave

February 23, 2007 01:25 PM | Link to this

Didn’t Soriano have a hard time getting out of the Dominican? Maybe he got cavity searched. That would tend to make one a little cranky.

By Coop

February 23, 2007 01:34 PM | Link to this

Shut up and pitch!

By The Grinch

February 23, 2007 01:38 PM | Link to this

Morning, all. Kieren, I saw Kolb pitch once to that intro, and the way it was done was actually pretty cool (started off with a huge rumbling throughout the stadium and a big deisel truck rolling up on the mega-tron). Of course, he also shut the door in the 9th with 2 strikeouts (Smoltz went 8 shutout) and we won 2-0. It was obviously early in the season.

Hillbilly, Goodfellas is the quintessential mob movie; without it there’d be no “Sopranos.” I own a copy and watch it about every six months.

Braveheart, “Gangs” would probably be my favorite Scorcece movie if DiCaprio hadn’t been miscast, as you said. He’s finally able to grow his own facial hair now, but he wasn’t then. Another Scorcece movie that’s in a completely different category and never gets mentioned is “Khundun.” It’s a movie set in Tibet about the Dalai Llama. It’s long, slow, visually stunning and has a Phillip Glass soundtrack. It’s an artsy film, but very powerful under the right setting; won some Sundance awards.

By N8

February 23, 2007 01:38 PM | Link to this

Lew

I was thinking more along the lines of BEFORE the SI article, when speaking of Rocker.

Even then, he “opened his mouth” a little too much, for me. Though, like I said, I have to admit, in the middle of that playoff race and during the playoffs that year (1999?), it was “fun” watching him mock the Muts fans. No different than Reggie Miller jawing with Spike Lee.

But then he had to let the WHOLE WORLD know how big of a moron he was, with the SI article. I still get a kick out of seeing that photo of him in the cammo. LOL! Might as well of had a photo of him along with the cast of Deliverance.

But I agree with you. I wasn’t really trying to “compare” the two. NOBODY deserves to be compared to Rocker, except maybe “Pacman” Jones, but that’s a WHOLE other conversation.

I was just trying to get at the fact that I think most relievers (especially closers and MAJOR setup guys) have to have, at the very least, a tiny bit of “cockiness” in there blood to go about their business successfully.

By just Bob, plain and simple

February 23, 2007 01:39 PM | Link to this

The Ugandan journalist will most cetrainly love “stubbing the toe with an in-grown nail” but some of us who have being it for years don’t find it so funny.

Miss Rosalynn, you know I wasn’t talking about you and the President in my previous post … I’d never do that to my old friends … it was ““Rosalyn” … not you!

By N8

February 23, 2007 01:41 PM | Link to this

Coop

“Shut up and pitch!”

???

Isn’t that precisely what he’s doing? Not really TALKING to anybody.

If I recall, Reitsma wasn’t much of a talker (when it came to disclosing injuries), either. LOL!

By Darth Stinky

February 23, 2007 01:45 PM | Link to this

Dob, Pitty that you couldn’t get that warm and fuzzy thing going on with Soriano. Ask him if he has a kitty cat.

By the dude

February 23, 2007 01:46 PM | Link to this

The cocky and seemingly mean demeaner is perfect for a late inning reliever. The guy I want on the mound in the 8th and 9th inning is the guy who stands up there and says “I’m better than you, here it comes. Hit it if you can.” To quote a sequel that ruined a good baseball movie, “Your standing on the tracks and the trains coming through.”

By Darth Stinky

February 23, 2007 01:48 PM | Link to this

DOB, Pitty that you couldn’t get that warm and fuzzy thing going with Soriano. Ask him if he has a kitty.

By Rosalynn

February 23, 2007 01:48 PM | Link to this

I am personalla distressed that James Brown has not yet been buried. Imagine having a cadavuh up foah so long! When Roa Rogers (late King of the Cowboys) lost his hoss Trigga, Roa had that boah stuffed and put ovah in the cornah at the Cowboy Museum. Do you suppose? I would certainla hope not! Of coahse, this could give entirela new meaning to a comeback touah.

By Stuck at work

February 23, 2007 01:53 PM | Link to this

DOB, just read your article on Cox talking about McBride starting and you said the 5th spot was down to Cormier and Davies. No one thinks Matt Harrison is ready to be given a shot? How has he looked? What’s everyone’s opinion on him?

By brian

February 23, 2007 02:04 PM | Link to this

I agree thrill - nice to have someone with a little attitude on the mound. As good as the Braves have been, they haven’t exactly been intimidating. No Randy Johnsons in their prime.

For any of you other fantasy GMs who want to step up to the plate - yahoo baseball, league 3345 and help me whoop up on some cardinal fans

By kdbanks

February 23, 2007 02:17 PM | Link to this

Awesome! There is nothing better then knowing you have a bad mother jogging to the mound late in the game. That attitude will be contagious in the bullpen, and on the whole team.

I really think that having only a couple of spots available to be won in the ‘pen this year is going to be great for the team. Instead of everyone out there hoping someone else will step up, they’ll each want the opportunity to show their stuff.

By Carolina Gent

February 23, 2007 02:19 PM | Link to this

DOBeatWriter and others, I agree with those who say a bit more of an intimidating presence might help the ‘pen (and the staff as a whole) a bit, though I’m not really sold that Major League ballplayers can be intimidated by a stare down. Maybe a couple of Randy Johnson-John Kruk type of tosses wil loosen ‘em up. However, all this will be fine as long as Soriano gets the job done. If he turns Kolb-esque or Reitsma-like, the media and the fans will start to ridicule that look.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 23, 2007 02:22 PM | Link to this

Grinch,

Believe it or not, I never watched the Sopranos either, until they started re-airing them in order recently on A&E. Now I love it and schedule my Wednesday nights around it. That was popular during my college days and needless to say I didn’t do much television watching back then. I veered toward the ways of Tomahawkin, although a little less “crunk” and “hip-hop.”

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 23, 2007 02:26 PM | Link to this

I just hope Soriano don’t get to extreme with the bad-a$$ image and start acting like Bob Fetters. Anybody remember when Mark Grace pitched in a blowout game for the D-Backs and did the Fetters head snatch stare-down routine. Hilarious…..Gotta love Gracie.

By brent

February 23, 2007 02:31 PM | Link to this

DOB:

The Braves are on ESPN next Friday.
Any word on who the starting pitcher will be?

Any chance we get to see Mike Gonzalez v. Adam LaRoche?

Thanks!

By Car3boogie

February 23, 2007 02:33 PM | Link to this

Didn’t someone mention McBride being a starter here not too long ago…..I think he got shot down quickly.

Great Job, keep it coming.

By ncscoots

February 23, 2007 02:52 PM | Link to this

Guys, I love Goodfellas, but rate it over Taxi Driver and Raging Bull? Huh-uh, sorry, no can do.

By Matthew

February 23, 2007 03:04 PM | Link to this

What time is the ESPN spring game next week. I’ll have to record it since I’ll be at work, but I’d love to watch it when I get home.

Oh and by the way DOB thanks for giving us such great info, but it’s making the wait until the first pitch unbearable. I’ve been on the blog more today than I have in months! Thanks for your hard work!

Vamos los Bravos!

By The Master Debater

February 23, 2007 03:07 PM | Link to this

I’d forgotten about Rocker until y’all mentioned him, but I still can’t remember why so many people hate him so much.

Did he rape a woman, or microwave a baby, or start a strip-club brawl that resulted in a bouncer being paralyzed by a gunshot?

Oh, yeah, now I remember: he said something stupid.

And, since so many of us look to professional athletes for moral guidance, we certainly can’t allow them to get away with stupid comments — unless, of course, they’re Charles Barkley.

By humbug

February 23, 2007 03:08 PM | Link to this

JOHN ROCKER:

1- He could pitch. 2- He had the guts to say what he meant and to mean what he said. 3- Most realistic folks totally agreed with him on his views. 4- The media and pansy public can’t stand someone like that so they ruined him. 5- He could pitch.

By Head Coach

February 23, 2007 03:10 PM | Link to this

I’m not here to bust up the party. but , Doesn’t Stockman throw just as hard ? Soriano will give the Braves 50-60 quality innings and it remains to be seen how Horam will make JS look for making this trade. Then again , if Horam goes out and chalks up 12 to 15 wins we might be wondering if JS gave up to much for a set up pitcher. We have a monster of a bullpen for sure. The question is: Did JS short change the rotation ? We shall see !

By Najeh Davenpoop

February 23, 2007 03:15 PM | Link to this

About time the Braves got someone with a real closer’s mentality. Closing games is about more than having a 99 mph fastball. I hated John Rocker as a person and completely disagreed with him on his views on society, but I was still sad to see him leave the Braves, because he had the mentality needed to be a closer and was entertaining to watch as a player. I’m looking forward to seeing Soriano pitch.

By doc

February 23, 2007 03:18 PM | Link to this

well io have shared my doubts but this does sound fun if the two are ready to answer the bell and dont show the scars from the end of last season.

btw glad to know the drama is over in the blog as i came on the info last week when some were doing the forgive and forget routine that speaks well for all and is a wonderful way to start the season.

glad to see the african correspondent is resplendant and up beat. i was a little taken aback when i tipped my toe to him earlier in the year and didnt get a response, thought the gentleman had lost his manners there, found out he had been burned by protecting a damsel in distress.

now, lets see how these guys perform out of the spring season, find out if we really have a starting staff or a mirage and find out if the right side of the infield can measure up to the nasty that the relievers talked about here show. not many significant questions … not! and havent even considered the hot corners toes and the hope cf still has fast toes (reported to have skinnier toes) to allow him to make a run for the green.

enjoy the work you do dob.

By just Bob, plain and simple

February 23, 2007 03:18 PM | Link to this

Apologies for contracting “been doing” into “being” in my previous post! I reviewed it before posting but, as so often is the case, my eyes deceived me … seeing what they expected or wanted to see, without due regard to what I had penned.

Of course, it could be that my third eye is so finely tuned that it knew what I had intended and didn’t want to offend me by pointing out my mistake.

David, your kind words are, as always, appreciated … I learned to always try to take the high road long ago when we lived in South Dakota, especially in the Spring as the snow begings to melt!

For those who would suggest that my recent sloppiness bespeaks old age, senility, typing ineptiness and poor eysight … good points all … I’ll admit to some rustiness too, but most of all, a lack of sleep … “Tallulah’s phone call gave me a start and robbed me of some needed zzzs” … methinks it’s time for a hot tub and a snooze … wake me before the game starts!

By Paul

February 23, 2007 03:30 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB do you know how long soriano and mike gonzalez are signed for?

By just Bob, plain and simple

February 23, 2007 03:33 PM | Link to this

Rocker’s a piece of work, that’s for sure, but I rather think that he said something stupidly … the most stupid thing he did was to share his feelings with the wrong folks … Patton had much the same problem.

Maybe Soriano’s a student of history.

Tub’s ready!

By Greg in TN

February 23, 2007 03:37 PM | Link to this

Good Friday afternoon folks…

I think Charlie Hatton, JJS and others are right on the ball. The Mad Hungarian was great fun to watch when he went back behind the mound and stood glaring until he fired the ball back into his glove and stormed to the mound. That was another bullpen experiment that didn’t go as we planned, but he was entertaining to watch. I’m looking forward to watching Soriano setting up for Wickman. I think we can use a little fire like that in the clubhouse under BC’s expert tutelage.

Not much longer before we’ll actually see Grapefruit League action!

By 3trees

February 23, 2007 03:41 PM | Link to this

Matthew - I wasn’t disagreeing with you in the least about signing. Accessible is good. I think its part of the job for them. Doesn’t mean he’ll be a quote meister. As long as he’s respectful in those circumstances, that’s all I’d ask. That AND get people out.

I was at a game last year (that Cormier pitched great in, BTW) that Wickman closed out. He’d only been in Atlanta for a few weeks, but already he was handshaking with the grounds crew, the security folks etc.. That speaks volumes to me. That’s accessible even if he didn’t sign for my kid. Different ways of going about it.

Gotta go with ncscoots on the Scorsese debate. Goodfellas was entertaining, but not like TD and RB. I lived in South Philly in the early 80’s and Goodfellas was eerily close to some of stuff (and people) I saw there.

By The Grinch

February 23, 2007 03:43 PM | Link to this

Hillbilly, the first three seasons are awesome. The fourth is still good, but slips a bit. I think the show had already jumped the shark by that point; the 5th season’s just not up to par IMO.

Scoots, I didn’t rank any of the man’s movies in order. His movies are like Stanley Kubrick’s to me; they’re all masterpieces. Depends on what mood you’re in.

Gotta run; off to see “Romeo and Juliet” at the Shakespeare Tavern. Maybe it’ll be JackAss and April. :-)

By ncscoots

February 23, 2007 03:56 PM | Link to this

Grinch, think that was someone else rating Marty (notice how I slip the familiar in there). You’re right, rating those flicks is like dealing with good barbecue: you don’t throw away KC-style just cause it ain’t NC-style, least not if you like barbecue!

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 23, 2007 03:58 PM | Link to this

Yeah Grinch, They just started showing it on A&E in early January. Two episodes every wednesday night. So I’ve seen about ….. aw hell, you do the math, but awesome—-> yes

By Matthew

February 23, 2007 04:05 PM | Link to this

3trees:

Gotcha-and thanks for the anecdote about Cormier-I like him more already!

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 23, 2007 04:08 PM | Link to this

She works in the bank and she works in the store. And she don’t go for that old stuff anymore. She likes to get high and listen to the band. She likes to make love to her kind of man.

In many ways she’s a lot like me. She don’t give a damn ‘bout society. She might be a little rich girl. She might be poor. She might be a married woman that needs a little more.

Some call her a lady. Some call her other names. But you won’t call her that around me and my gang.

Does anybody here know who she is??? DOB??? Eware??? 3Trees??? anybody???

By journalist jimmy smith

February 23, 2007 04:15 PM | Link to this

this journalist would never slight doc on purpose. likely, doc was blogging during this journalist’s banishment from the blog. as doc will know, e.e. cummings fans must stick together. now, baseball … will wicky react badly to having two young understudies who throw the ball very hard? and will wicky be even more effective after batters have faced the fireballing set-up men? but, wait we do not wish the same batters that face the set-up men to face wicky … and what of the situational pitchers this year? mcbride for sure and remember bobby used remlinger last year (miscast but gotta go with the guy if you are bobby cox). and perhaps doc can give us some medical insight on the dreaded bunion. and now, would al-hrabosky be allowed on team flights if he were pitching today? not profiling mind you, just asking. and to the new fans this year … do not eat a hot dog at turner field until the second home stand. leftovers from last season should be consumed by that time. and grinch is off to see romeo and juliet? hey, thre is something like that on the blog now. not sure romeo is interested, though. and will walter be traveling to a game this season?

By braveheart

February 23, 2007 04:17 PM | Link to this

the first season ended the other day i believe on A&E, hillbilly.

i ranked goodfellas number one because goodfellas and do the right thing were the first two magical “real” movies i saw when i was 13 when they came out. prior to that i was watching too many movies out of Darkstar. so do the right thing and goodfellas will always be my #1 movies for life for no other reason other than timing and my age at the time - just like no matter how much you love any of the braves teams over the last 15 years, will any of them ever compare to that magical 1991 season. the 1991 season seems like everyone’s favorite season, including even the 1995 season. so watching goodfellas and do the right thing and the braves magical 91 run will always overshadow in my mind all of the great things done by scorsese, spike lee, or the braves thereafter - even if they are greater

By Braves fan 202

February 23, 2007 04:17 PM | Link to this

Reitsma and kolb weren not intimidating, they just sucked. The key to intimidation is good pitching, an additude like soriano has doesnt hurt though

By MGL

February 23, 2007 04:23 PM | Link to this

hillbilly, is it annette funicello??

By MGL

February 23, 2007 04:30 PM | Link to this

For the blogger who asked about the first ESPN game, it is Fri March 2 at 1:05 vs Pit

By journalist jimmy smith

February 23, 2007 04:34 PM | Link to this

madeline albright?

By RC

February 23, 2007 04:36 PM | Link to this

Paul:

Soriano and Gonzalez are both in their first year of arbitration, which means the Braves have 2 more aribitration years (after 2007) for each of them before they are eligible for free agency. LaRoche was also in his first year, and I think that Rameriez was too, but I could be wrong on that one.

By Head Coach

February 23, 2007 04:38 PM | Link to this

This is for all you baseball nuts like me , enjoy !http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=art23&date=20040523

By DonCoburleone

February 23, 2007 04:38 PM | Link to this

Soriano sounds awesome! I love that kind of spirit in a player! Kind of reminds me of Pedro Cerrano from the movie “Major League”. I think we should start calling Soriano “Jobu”… Nothing better than a crazy man to come into the game late and just scare hitters. Exactly what we need…

By Arkansas Hillbilly

February 23, 2007 04:39 PM | Link to this

MGL, She’s not a proper noun.

By Roper

February 23, 2007 04:42 PM | Link to this

This is the begining of an article on espn about The Mets pitching problems. Too bad you have to be an “insider” to read the whole article.

*Some roster problems are easily solved. If Scott Thorman doesn’t work out at first base for the Braves and Bobby Cox prefers to not give the job to Craig Wilson, Atlanta general manager John Schuerholz could go out and get an established first baseman with relative ease. You can get corner outfielders; you can get decent middle infielders. But if the Mets have to make a deal for a good starting pitcher this year, they could have a problem, because of the shifting values in the marketplace and the relative value of pitching, and because of the lack of depth in their farm system. And Orlando Hernandez, who is effectively the No. 2 starter in the Mets’ rotation, is already having a physical issue, which is hardly a surprise. He had a neck injury when he was with the Yankees, oh so many years ago.

The Mets don’t need a No. 4- or No. 5-type starter; they’ve got plenty of candidates for those roles, from young prospects Mike Pelfrey and Philip Humber to veterans Aaron Sele and Chan Ho Park. What they need is someone who has a chance to be a frontline starter or at least a middling starter — someone who can eat innings and consistently contribute a solid six. It’s unlikely that the only team with excess starting pitching — the Phillies, with Jon Lieber — would even consider making a trade with the Mets; if New York wanted Lieber, it would have to try to work through a third team, but you have to assume that Philadelphia GM Pat Gillick would be very careful to make sure that wouldn’t happen.*

By Braves fan 202

February 23, 2007 04:45 PM | Link to this

Who do yall hate more, mets or yankees?

By Braves' fan since '79

February 23, 2007 04:56 PM | Link to this

Even though he flamed out early and didn’t help himself with his mouth, there weren’t many better than Rocker when the chips were down:

Career postseason: 20 IP, 0 earned runs, 26 Ks

By Wayne in UT

February 23, 2007 05:04 PM | Link to this

Head Coach

Enjoyed the “glove” article. I have 2 mitts, a fielders and 1B mitt. One is 29 years old and the other 40+. My dad is 73 and while his shoulders (we both suffer from deteriorating shoulder joints) won’t allow much of a throw anymore, he uses a mitt that is about 60 years old. I have one I found about 25 years ago, a left handers glove, that has to be close to 80 years old from the style and era it came from.

Enough about gloves. I understand your earlier posts about questioning the loss of HoRam and our possible shallow depth of our starters, but for my money, I think it was a good move, even if HoRam proves to be a 15 gamer and if we have issues with our staff. I also really do like the potential from a few guys: Cormier, Villarreal, and I also like Harrison’s potential and McBride as a possible starter down the road. The Braves were talking about that last year, as I remember.

Also, while there are not going to be too many decent rotation guys available, I think in a bind we could pick up someone who could give us serviceable innings. Last resort, if the injury bug really kills our rotation this year, then I would use the year as a re-tooling season, and do some experimenting with some youngsters. I really like our prospects for ‘07 and beyond though. Again, anything can happen.

By Carolina Gent

February 23, 2007 05:07 PM | Link to this

Braves Fan 202 — If it has an interlocking NY on the cap, I hate ‘em!!! Well, most of them. I can’t bring myself to hate Glavine after all of his years with us, and his ‘95 Series gem, and who among us could ever hate Julio?

By Chop Chop

February 23, 2007 05:08 PM | Link to this

“So what’s next? Well, the Mets may have to wait until some teams start to fall out of the race in late-May and June, and veteran starters become available. Depending on the standings in June, the Mets could take a look at Mark Buehrle of the White Sox, Jake Westbrook of the Indians, or the Astros’ Jason Jennings, three pitchers who will be eligible for free agency after next season.

But wanting and getting are two different things, and even if the Mets were to target someone like the Marlins’ Dontrelle Willis, they would have to bid against multiple teams to make a deal, and a lot of other organizations have better, deeper farm systems to trade from.

The Mets can offer Lastings Milledge, whose potential is very highly regarded by some teams. “I’d love to have that guy,” said one AL GM recently. But other rival executives say they would never consider making a trade for Milledge, because of questions about his personality. And even if the Mets are willing to deal Milledge, he may not necessarily get them a frontline-type starter. They might get someone like Oakland’s Joe Blanton, or the injury-prone Brad Penny. The price of pitching, relative to position players, has skyrocketed; it’s akin to what the U.S.-Canadian exchange rate was 10 years ago. You have to offer exceptional position prospects if you even want a shot at a good pitcher.

The Mets are walking a shaky tightrope now with their rotation, and are operating without much margin for error. There is every reason to think that Mets’ bullpen could be the best in baseball, as it is currently comprised. That is a good thing, because New York will depend heavily on its relievers. On most nights, the Mets may need nine to 14 outs out of their bullpen.

But if the Mets were to sustain just two disabled-list level injuries to their relievers — say the 35-year-old Billy Wagner and set-up man Scott Schoeneweis — their needed bullpen depth would be gone and their rotation weakness would become a full-blown crisis.”

I’m an ESPN Insider. It’s worth the subscription if you like to read Olney, Gammons and Stark. By the way, Buster seems to like DOB. I guess DOB’s doing top-notch work.

Buster likes to brag on his ‘Dores from time to time. That got me thinking about something. I’d like to see Rock Chalk play on Vandy’s goofy court. I have a feeling they’d be sent home with a fervent wish never to see Nashville again.

By Wayne in UT

February 23, 2007 05:08 PM | Link to this

Hate is such a strong word, but I do thoroughly dislike BOTH the Mets and Yankees equally. Actually, in 1969, I pulled for the miracle Mets, and was a Mickey Mantle fan as a kid.

If I hated anyone, it would be the Jones era Cowboys.

By MGL

February 23, 2007 05:17 PM | Link to this

The importance of a good TOE has hit the IT industry. We just had an internal discussion on TOE’s (TCP Offload Engine for those who care). Anyway, you can team the TOE’s so that if one goes down, the other will pick up the load.

Made me wonder of toes could be teamed on baseball players. Understanding that toes are not to be trifled with, perhaps it could help Chipper. Maybe Doc or the esteemed journalist could investigate toe teaming.

By N8

February 23, 2007 05:21 PM | Link to this

I agree with you Wayne. While Head Coach may get the last laugh, if this deal blows up in JS’s face.

I guess in being realistic about it, I look at it as follows. Last year we were just “barely” not good enough to win the wild card. While one could (and should) argue that the main reason was our bullpen. THAT HAS BEEN FIXED.

Another person could argue that our bullpen (made mostly of has beens and never will be’s), was put in a very poor position, based on our Rotation’s inability to eat up innings. Thus causing too many relievers to be pitching more often than Bobby and JS anticipated.

Has the rotation been shored up?

A pessimist would say: NO. Tim Hudson is not the “Tim Hudson” we thought we were getting, Smoltz is one year older, James is unproven, Hampton is coming off of Tommy John, and that NEITHER option of Davies or Cormier is gonna remind anybody of when our 5th starter was a young Kevin Millwood.

An optomist would say: YES. Tim Hudson can’t POSSIBLY be as bad two years in a row, Smoltz will be Smoltz, James is the real deal, and the combination of Cormier, Hampton, Davies (or ANY OTHER arm they use), can’t POSSIBLY be as bad as our 4th and 5th starters were last year.

I like our chances this year, even if the rotation has been weakened, (which I don’t think it has). For one, having the bullpen makes the jobs of the Starters “easier”. Smoltz and Hudson can give it their ALL for 5-7 innings without worrying about “turning it over” to the HORRIBLE bullpen we had last year. James may struggle as teams start to see him more often, not to mention he’s going to have to be able to adjust mid-game to get people out the 3rd time through the order. So if he struggles at doing that, and we can consistantly count on 5 “solid” innings from him (similar to Jorge Sosa two years ago), I can live with that. Then you have Hampton and Davies. They will be “allowed” the luxury of taking their time coming off of injuries, with this bullpen. Cormier (if he’s in the mix), falls under James’s category, IMO.

So to me, having 3 guys capable of closing, along with Stockman, McBride, Boyer and the other relievers, could possible “mask” a weak rotation. Similar to what the Mets did last year.

Sorry (not really) for the long post. But since DOB is doing daily blogs, I’m not gonna hold back, since I don’t have to worry about bogging it down. LOL!

By Wayne in UT

February 23, 2007 05:25 PM | Link to this

Can’t wait to see Hampton “toe” the rubber again in a real game!

By 3trees

February 23, 2007 05:32 PM | Link to this

Prolly wrong, ArkHB, but I’ll take a stab at it hoping you’re staying in the “Waylong” vein - Jesse Coulter?

Matthew - It wasn’t clear, but I meant Wicky, not Cormier.

Gotta run, a buddy is takin’ me and my better half (sp?) to “Spamalot”. Reveiw later.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 23, 2007 05:36 PM | Link to this

mgl brings up an interesting topic - the teaming of toes. and how many toes would one need to team the toes? if this is a five toe per foot project then the braves are the wrong team for toe teaming. not saying anything for sure - could just be a rumor. have the new shoes arrived and has dob had a look inside? this could answer many questions. journalist will defer to doc for medical advice.

By Wayne in UT

February 23, 2007 05:45 PM | Link to this

jjs: has anyone ever tried to determine the average number of toes that are used to “toe” the rubber? Some might single toe it, while others got full foot on.

By MGL

February 23, 2007 05:48 PM | Link to this

Many TOEs can be teamed however certain difficulties can arise when you try to team more than 5.

By Bob, jounralist

February 23, 2007 05:55 PM | Link to this

Gosh! While some of his flock have never left, it’s mighty good to see the name “doc” … in honor of the doc’s return … I’m eating some more olives, drinking some brine and changing my name back to Bob, journalist.

What good is it to be “plain and simple” when even those who know you best claim they can only understand 60% percent of what you try to say … and I figure that percentage was probably way too high cause they’re nice and didn’t want to hurt my feelings.

Stealing from some of the better lines from a different Jimmy “I’m a sweetheart, genius, reckless jerk. Lord, have mercy, I’m a piece of work”.

Doc, I like “e e” too but his abuse of capitalization and punctuation is a bit too remindful of my own … especially when I’m trying unsuccessfully to be plain and simple.

A lot of what I do is probably done with the subconcious thought that it’s probably better that people think when you say they’re “too full of the milk of human kindness”, you mean they’re too nice instead of being too much like everyone else.

Selah

By journalist jimmy smith

February 23, 2007 05:56 PM | Link to this

this is an interesting topic as well, wayne in ut. jimmy smith thinks it takes only one toe to toe the rubber but no thought has been given to the average number of toes toeing the rubber. journalist jimmy smith is not sure how to go about this research. perhaps this is one for hk.

By Bob, jounralist (formally known as being PAS)

February 23, 2007 06:00 PM | Link to this

3 Trees, I looked it up, not to worry … you spelled “better half” just fine.

By Rosalynn

February 23, 2007 06:11 PM | Link to this

I used to have a problem with haih on my toes. I visited this nice doctah at Walta Reed Hospital and he applied a poultice that completla removed all the toe haih and made mah toes nice and smooth. I would recommend this to ana playah having toe issues on the braves team. Good toe health is vera important to the success of a baseball team. Seeing a good toe doctah can make all the difference in one’s outlook on life. Jimma used to be embahassed at my toe haih sticking out of my flip flops. Not anamoah. Now Jimma thinks I have the prettiest toes he knows. Jimma says I am a fuzza Georgia Peach when I’m at the beach. Jimma often rhymes at the vera best times.

By rotgut

February 23, 2007 06:11 PM | Link to this

dob

i just read your response on the other blog. you sounded a little testy i wasnt trying to argue. you are by far the baseball expert of the blog world and i just misunderstood your feelings for the little lefty. i got the R L R L R lineup but for you to put him 2nd i thought you were expecting him to repeat last year as being the 2nd best pitcher on the team. i agree with breaking up the left handers but id still have to start hudson 2nd and go with the R R L R L. And as for DAVIES, yeah i just like him. i wasnt trying to imply that hes any better than James or will have a better season. im just feeling that the odds are better for Davies to improve (and when i say improve i mean for him to actually produce to his capabilities and be a factor on this team) this year compared to James having another 12-4 season. i could be waaay off. you get to see them everyday so ill take your word on it but i kinda get the opinion that you would disagree with me on this. Sorry if thats too jumbled to make any sense. i saw the EVERYONE ORCHESTRA last night and it was lots of fun. they are like an all-star line up jamband with a conductor. highly interactive. steve kimock, jeff sipe, the sax from bela fleck, butler from p-groove. i know im forgeting a lot (theres like 10 guys) but they were well worth the price of admission. i saw them this summer with jimmy herring too before he joined panic. the lineup always changes. i definantly suggest anyone who likes music to go see them.

By Wayne in UT

February 23, 2007 06:16 PM | Link to this

oops…..bob, I think it’s “journalist”, not “jounralist”, unless that is a new word I have not heard before. Joun-Ralist, sounds sort of regal….

By OddJob

February 23, 2007 06:20 PM | Link to this

I think personality and make up are often confused.Go back over the players the Braves have tried at closing.The only pattern I see is some can handle the pressure and some can’t.Sorianos’career save rate is about as low as it could be,but he has been lights out as a setup man.With all due respect to money ball red sox theories on numbers over a set closer some have the make up and some don’t. So Soriano can make all the faces he pleases,he is a set up man not a closer. You can check the record.

By Wayne in UT

February 23, 2007 06:26 PM | Link to this

Latest update from Miami:

Dwyane Wade was wheelchaired to/from the private jet that took him back to Miami on Thursday morning, then wheelchaired to the hospital where he was examined and consulted with doctors, who all in unison said: “Get up and walk, you wimp! Ain’t nothing wrong with your legs son!”

Sorry, I couldn’t resist….

By Gil in Mechanicsville

February 23, 2007 06:27 PM | Link to this

Just as long as he doesn’t bite the head off a live chicken (not sure if a dead one with the feathers still on counts) on camara.

Perhaps it is what the Braves need is someone who will throw high and tight just to let the other side know we are still serious.

Didn’t the Braves have a guy back in the 80’s that had that kind of rep?

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 23, 2007 06:38 PM | Link to this

My favorite color is purple and I have been called a “purple tyrant” but I wouldn’t want any more folks thinking I’m an elitist than already do … journalist it shall be!

By UKNOWN HINSON

February 23, 2007 06:59 PM | Link to this

UHH.. NOT SURE, WHAT, TO DO, NO FOOTBALL, NO BRAVES, ONLY STUPID NBA. GOD PLEASE LET SPRING TRAINING GET HERE SOON. NEED MY BRAVES FIX. ALSO DOB, JUST QUICK QUESTION, DO YOU PERSONALLY THINK ANDRUW WILL BE BACK IN ‘08? THANKS!

By Wayne in UT

February 23, 2007 07:01 PM | Link to this

LOUD and clear UNKNOWN….

my stupid Utah Jazz are doing quite nicely though, thank you!

By DonCoburleone

February 23, 2007 07:14 PM | Link to this

I hear you UNKNOWN HINSON, I freakin’ dread this time of year… February (and even most of March) is just unbearable when it comes to sports. Luckily there is MLB spring training in March and then in the middle of March you have the NCAA March Madness (not really a basketball fan, but the tournament always gets me interested cuz I’m a gambler). But anyway, Spring Training is only a little over a week away, so hang in there!

By 10-7-4

February 23, 2007 07:16 PM | Link to this

Wayne in UT -great observation on Dwayne Wade. Don’t know much about him, but I found it odd, that he was taken from arena in a wheelchair with a shoulder problem!! Don’t know who will remember Bob Horner, our brittle third baseman of the early eighties, but the late, great Lewis Grizzard had a gread column one day starting out “last night in Los Angeles, Braves third baseman Bob Horner was carried from the field on a stretcher, after being bitten by a mosquito.” I guess the term ‘prima donna’ bridges generations, even in pro sports.

By braveheart

February 23, 2007 07:28 PM | Link to this

burt reynolds needs to inform dwade that in man law #1222, under every circumstance, no man shall be escorted around in a wheelchair when all he has suffered is a separated shoulder.

also, in man law numero uno, no man shall cry at any time - definitely not on a bench in front of television cameras and 20000 people and especially not in public - A man is not even ever allowed to cry in front of his woman or his children.

the only time a man may cry is if you are like Robert DeNiro in Deerhunter who was a soldier who just came back from Vietnam where he and his friends were tortured POWs who witnesed the worst of man. only then may you act like DeNiro in that movie and wait until you get back home after being a bada$$ hombre fighting the war and the go and cry all by yourself in the privacy of a dark room - even then you are subject to ridicule as a man - SNL i believe even mocked that Deerhunter scene a time or two.

cowboy up dwade - i hate that cowboy up phrase because i hate all things bosox related.

By OddJob

February 23, 2007 07:31 PM | Link to this

David O’ - Which of the young infielders are moving up in the pecking order? and who do you see making the roster?

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 23, 2007 07:50 PM | Link to this

35, I imagine most folks remember Bob … or at least know of his compact swing. However, “… Braves third baseman Bob Horner was carried from the field on a stretcher, after being bitten by a mosquito.” will live forever!

Thanks for sharing a truly wonderful quote from the Great Grizzard … in addition to being called the purple tyrant, I was once introduced as Lewis Grizzard Jr. by a professor of ancient Greek … and was totally taken aback; Charlie was paying me a compliment but I thought he was calling me a dirty name.

By Big Al

February 23, 2007 07:56 PM | Link to this

I’m starting to think that that will all of the heat that Soriano and Gonzalez are going to bring as set up men, our oppoents are going to be glad to see Wickman’s comparatively hittable stuff in the ninth inning. I think we are going to see shut down innings in the seventh and eighth followed by some white knuckled moments in the ninth.

By OddJob

February 23, 2007 07:58 PM | Link to this

Braveheart - In the case of Wade I think his response was to much for the circumctances. But assuming you were serious about men crying,this is kinda like the Soriano conversation.Some people put way more stock in manner,posturing or stoicism than it rates. Those things don’t tell you what kind of heart a man has.Also the culture you come from can effect how you express yourself.What about Jordan rolling on the floor after winning the title,his father had died a few months back and he was crying and saying daddy over and over.What a puss!! what real man would want a cry baby like that on his team?The truth is if you’re secure enough and tough enough what me or the next guy thinks really shouldn’t matter.

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 23, 2007 08:08 PM | Link to this

OddJob, good point about culture … some have and some don’t … I guess what Dorothy Parker said about Joan Crawford applies to some men as well.

By King Nick Saban

February 23, 2007 08:10 PM | Link to this

the NBA sucks and rocker was right on… wanna fight about it?

By braveheart

February 23, 2007 08:13 PM | Link to this

oddjob, of course i was overstating the point as i usually do. but really jordan was just hamming it up for the cameras. jordan was the toughest competitor with the strongest willpower i have ever seen on any ballfield or court. but jordan had a big melodramatic quality to him at times. i mean really rolling all over the floor and crying daddy - was that really necessary in public? a man should do that in private - instead of seeking to create yet another melodramatic gatorade or nike commercial moment for the ages. jordan was tough as hell yes but also a melodramatic drama queen when he wanted to be. but i will say that i was touched when tiger woods won a tourney this summer shortly after his father died and tiger cried - probably because his tears seemed real and unrehearsed unlike jordan’s little drama queen moment. tiger actually seemed to be trying to hide it and embarrased that it was happening and that the cameras were on him.

By OddJob

February 23, 2007 08:22 PM | Link to this

Braveheart - to say Jordan was ‘hamming it up’ in his expression of grief is pure nonsense.Anybody who saw it and has any clue as to what is genuine knows as much.

By Head Coach

February 23, 2007 08:25 PM | Link to this

Wayne , I collect old mitts and gloves. Ebay keeps me hunting for more but I still love finding old gems at yard sales and thrift stores. Funny you mentioned Mickey Mantle , Rawlings signature model Mantles are my favorite. I have more than forty and keep looking for more. I’m sold on Smoltz , Hudson and James. They are solid dependable starters who will give the Braves a chance to win. Hampton is still recovering , Davies has yet to pitch the way his talent level suggests that he can. Cormier is a spot starter at best. Villarreal can flat out pitch , but Cox wants him in the bullpen. If McBride were to eventually end up in the rotation , it means something has gone seriously wrong already. The Braves have plenty of rotational depth . The question is , do they have four dependable , quality starters ? That is my main concern. Hopefully , the answer is yes. Lord knows , nobody wants to see 12 starters and 26 pitchers marching out to the mound like we did last season.

By OddJob

February 23, 2007 08:25 PM | Link to this

ps Braveheart why do I get the impression you had a stern mommy?

By David O'Brien

February 23, 2007 08:30 PM | Link to this

Adcox, yes on Blanco, he’s been here for all the full-squad workouts. Bobby had praise for him the other day, said all the minor league officials rave about him. Eddie Perez told us that he watched him this winter in Venezuela and said the kid’s ready right now. We’ll see….

Braveheart, I for one agree with you that Goodfellas is the best of his incredible body of work, though it’s very hard to rate it over Taxi Driver and Raging Bull.

you had 1. Goodfellas; 2. Raging Bull; 3. Taxi Driver; 4. The Departed; 5. Mean Streets; 6. Casino.

I’d go: 1. Goodfellas, 2. Taxi Driver, 3. Raging Bull, 4. The Departed, 5. Casino, 6. Gangs of New York, 7. Mean Streets, and my guilty-pleasure Scorsese, 8. Cape Fear (love that movie, the original and the great director’s remake with DeNiro deliciously over-the-top).

By David O'Brien

February 23, 2007 08:36 PM | Link to this

Tom, no those stats don’t include starts. He made eight starts, all as a rookie in 2002, then moved permanantly to the bullpen. His starter stats: 0-3, 5.10 ERA, eight homers allowed in 42-1/3 innings.

That’s why I didn’t include them, because I wanted people to see just how dominant he’s been in the actual role he’s filled for almost his entire career.

He allowed as many homers in those eight starts as he’s allowed in his entire career as a reliever.

By OddJob

February 23, 2007 08:41 PM | Link to this

David O’ I’d rate The last waltz somewhere in Scorseses’ best, with Raging Bull #1.I saw Mean streets last night,it seems over acted to me now. Braveheart my last post was uncalled for. NO MAS!!

By David O'Brien

February 23, 2007 08:43 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, you should make an exception for “Cowboy Up,” because my buddy Kevin Millar popularized it and he’s one of the hilarious, fun-loving, coolest guys you’ll ever meet _ not just among pro athletes, but guys, period. He’s absolutely without pretense or arrogance, and gets along with everyone. He told me last year when Baltimore was in town (he was the one who talked Leo into getting the “14 Straight” tattoo, by the way) that he might still open a bar called “Cowboy Up” someday in Boston.

Whether he does or doesn’t, the man will never have to buy another beer in Boston for the rest of his life. He’s a legend there. Saw a T-shirt on a girl at LA Fitness in Atlanta a few weeks ago, a Sox logo on front and “Millar Time” on back, with beer bottles for the l’s. Couldn’t believe how far he’d gone since the year the Marlins called on this aging minor leaguer in 1998, only because they had blown up the World Series team and needed cheap talent.

Millar’s been in the bigs ever since.

By braveheart

February 23, 2007 08:46 PM | Link to this

the thing with rocker was this: it was a very stupid thing to say. he was a stupid young man who stupidly took locker room humor out to a kid reporter looking to make a name for himself. pearlman has now left si and works now for espn. rocker on the other hand had his career destroyed by it. he used rocker as his calling card.

rocker was unguarded and let the punk take advantage of him. rocker should have been smarter than that - but he was just a stupid loudmouthed kid pitcher with only a few years in the bigs who was buying into his image and his hype and he ran his mouth. he was doing the whole howard stern type outrageous and irreverent thing. he took it too far and said them in the wrong setting to the wrong person.

it is kind of like this toe fixation many have on here. this constant talk about toes as if we have a toe fetish like eddie murphy. say it in here, and it has context, and is humurous. take that toe talk outside here and everyone thinks you are a crazy loon. it is all about context. the jokes told on here make sense for this blog but not to others outside. jokes told in locker rooms make sense and are funny within the context of the locker room if kept within the locker room. say it outside, and you look like a crazy ignorant racist because there is no context.

the little punk kid reporter from SI though had not yet been in enough locker rooms at the time and wanted to make a name for himself, so he did not understand the humor and was not secure enough in his career, to exercise the discretion to shelve the comments - it was better for his career at that point to use that info as the heart of the story than to shelve it and find a better story to write - making fun of country rubes from macon was an easier story. does anyone here not think that DOB, gammons, buster, kurkijan, stark, and all the other beat reporters do not know unspeakable things, truths, and thoughts about most of these players - they do not use it and share it with us for the most part unless they absolutely have to because what it the point? they are secure enough in their careers and reps and abilities to not have to sensationalize and overplay things in order to feel good about themselves and where their career is going.

Does anyone really think that he believed those things or that he would treat people of other races in accordance with the stupid locker room humor he was telling SI? It was really more of a racially insensitive thing than a racist thing to me at least.

Having grown up in as many locker rooms as i grew up in with teams filled with blacks, whites, hispanics, and asians, that is just the type of stuff that is said in the locker room all the time between each other. everyone is usually real cool with each other and play off the stereotypes and such and usually no one gets too offended - although there is always that one overly sensitive guy in the locker room who has to fight with someone every year - usually had nothing to do with the racially insensitive jokes - the overly sensitive guy can not go a year on a ball team without coming to blows with someone - Chad Curtis, anyone?

By braveheart

February 23, 2007 08:51 PM | Link to this

oddjob, it’s cool. i was thinking of going drew brees on you and trashing my mother but i can not do that to my mother. but it’s cool.

sorry all of you for my long-winded rocker rant. that one has been kind of building up in me for about six or seven years now - i could probably write a book about that one - not that anyone would care to read my thoughts on it.

alright, it’s friday night. it’s time to go out and party. i will stop annoying all of you now.

By Darth Stinky

February 23, 2007 08:54 PM | Link to this

Head Coach, No disrespect intended, but I have to question the fact that you’re sold on Smoltz, Hudson and James.

Smoltz is old. Almost as old as an old barrister on this blog. Doesn’t mean he’s done, but it might be time to turn him over.

Hudson gave 200 innings last year, but he was pretty shaky as a would-be ace. I like innings eaters (which Horam was in 2005, for the record), but I don’t have gut faith in the undersized, Columbusite Auburn Alumnus. I hope i”m wrong.

And James is primed for a sophmore slump. He did a good job as a Tom Glavine look alike last year, but he’s still a question mark. And I don’t really like junk ballin’ lefties. They leave too much at home. And he’s not that big.

Oh,well.

By Head Coach

February 23, 2007 08:56 PM | Link to this

Al , you couldn’t be more wrong if you tried. Yes , Wickman has a very pedestrian 90-91 mph fastball. But you understand little of his ability to throw strikes , get ahead of hitters and nail down saves. He was spectacular after joining the Braves last season. His 1.04 ERA with 18 saves , 0.69 walks per nine innings , 8.65 strikeouts per nine innings and 1.00 WHIP was lights out. Unlike most closers Wickman is effective due to the movement on his pitches , not the velocity. His control is exceptional , which is why the Braves coughed up a 6.5 million dollar contract for him this season.

By OddJob

February 23, 2007 08:56 PM | Link to this

I don’t think Rockers’ words hurt anybody but him and maybe the braves and his family.If he hadn’t had other problems that caused him to melt down I doubt he would have said those things in public.Maybe he should have cryed the NY Italians would have loved it.

By braveheart

February 23, 2007 08:57 PM | Link to this

one last post before i go and get hammered:

i will make an exception on cowboy up for millar.

as for mean streets, i kind of compare that movie to where frenchy is right now in his career. imperfect but you can just see the talent oozing out of the movie and out of frenchy. hopefully, 30 years from now, we will see that frenchy made the same career progression marty made over the last 30 or so years

By David O'Brien

February 23, 2007 08:58 PM | Link to this

Brent, we’re going to get the pitching plans by Sunday afternoon. Bobby said he and Roger would go over it and decide during the four hours Saturday and four more Sunday morning when players are getting physicals. That’s when they usually work it out.

Anybody want to get a GREAT CD that came out last year you’ve (probably) never heard? “Powder Burns” by Twilight Singers’ (Greg Dulli’s band, the dude from Afghan Whigs in 90s). It’s their best yet, and pure soulful rockin’, great lyrics, great guitars, big beats, and Dulli’s incredible voice. Get it. You won’t regret it. Or download some of it to see. Try track No. 3.

I also finally have been playing the Jet CD that came out last year. Really good, but not as good as the first one.

By Head Coach

February 23, 2007 09:01 PM | Link to this

Stinky , all they do is win. Guys like you don’t understand that concept. WINNER , its that simple.

By braveheart

February 23, 2007 09:11 PM | Link to this

never saw the original cape fear but i definitely saw the marty/deniro remake. deniro hammed it up so over the top in that movie, it was awesome. i remember being in college and a bunch of us had just watched cape fear with deniro in it. we went out to a movie all drunk and we would all take turns every 5 minutes or so imitating that scene with deniro in the movie theater laughing like an insane maniac. that was one of the funniest moments in college. i am sure that the rest of the people in the theater did not appreciate it very much - i don’t think the crouching tiger, hidden dragon movie was meant to be a comedy that would make us laugh like that.

By OddJob

February 23, 2007 09:12 PM | Link to this

David O’Brian - Can you list the infield prospects in camp and your impressions so far?

By OddJob

February 23, 2007 09:21 PM | Link to this

Braveheart - We did the come out! come out! wherever you are! bit.

By David O'Brien

February 23, 2007 09:42 PM | Link to this

OddJob, it’s too early. All they’ve done is take infield and batting practice a few times, and the top infield prospects _ Escobar, Lillibridge _ aren’t even on the main field. They’re on a backfield, and I haven’t gone back there to see any of them yet. I just have to go on what coaches tell me, and they’re really impressed with both of those guys. But again, nobody’s really moving up any pecking order yet, because they haven’t even played any games or hit against any of the big-league pitchers.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 23, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

toe fixation? on this blog? haven’t noticed a toe fixation on this blog. the toe must not be trifled with. would discussion of pedro’s toe not be appropriate in ny? griffey jr’s toe in cincy? chipper’s toe(s) here? all three are big stars with sore toes and all three have missed games because of a toe. toes are not to be trifled with. now, toe spacers … if the little gel toe spacers can separate the toes why does chipper need a special shoe for this purpose? does the league need to look into this special shoe? is it like the manifold of michael waltrip’s car? will this shoe be laced(!) with jet fuel to improve the speed of chipper jones? oh, the humanity!

By hk

February 23, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

braveheart …

… amen and amen to your 8:57pm ..

By ssiscribe

February 23, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

And so, as the exhibition opener sits just five days away and we draw closer to the opening of the regular season, one question to ask about these Atlanta Braves:

What type of team will this be?

The Braves were known as a model of consistency throughout their run of 14 consecutive division championships, a time frame that also saw the Braves win five National League pennants and one World Series championship. Throughout that amazing run, one trait commonly associated with the Braves was business, as in the business-like way those team went about their business.

You would see it in the dugout. Save the early years of the run, the Braves never got too worked up about the proceedings around them. You would see it on the field. You even would see it in the locker room. The Braves, for the most part, never got too high or too low about things. After all, they were the Braves. They were supposed to win 100 games, clinch the division in mid-September, then — many would argue — fall flat in the playoffs.

But what of this year’s edition?

A lot has been made throughout the offseason and into the opening days of spring training about the mindset of the players, the organization and its fan base. Everything we’ve seen to this point shows that the Braves of 2007 will have a little different ebb and flow about themselves. The players on this team appear to have a chip on their shoulder, and rightly so.

As discussed in recent days, nobody wanted to be part of the team that broke the postseason streak. For years, the Braves — and their fans — have been criticized for their low-key, non-emotional approach. In some respects, the criticism has been warranted; it is hard to flip that switch when the postseason begins, and the manner in which this franchise has run for so long from March-September has contributed, at least in part, to the struggles when the calendar flips to October.

But we saw some signs in 2005 that the stoic Braves of years past were fading out, being replaced by a young, emotional group. The young kids who burst onto the scene in 2005 resembled the group that captured the nation in 1991, a group that carried this franchise from 97 losses and a fifth last-place finish in six years in 1990 to the 10th inning of Game 7 of the World Series just 12 and a half months later.

Guys like Jeff Francoeur, Brian McCann, Blaine Boyer and Macay McBride, those Baby Braves of 2005, brought a new enthusiasm, a new espirit de corps to that season that had been missing from the home side of Turner Field in many of the years prior to their arrival.

And now, this group comes off an offseason that started earlier than any Braves’ offseason since Kyle Davies was in elementary school. We read about Rafael Soriano and his no-nonsense, give me the ball and get outta my way attitude, and you’ve got to feel that the big, hard-throwing reliever will fit right in with this group of players who feel as if they have something to say to the baseball world in 2007.

So, what kind of team is this? A team that feels it has something to prove. The proof, as always, is in the pudding. For all the talk, all the analysis and columns and blogs and calls to the talk shows, it all will bear itself out where it always does: between the lines.

But while runs and hits and errors still will play a huge role in how far the Braves go this season, pride and emotion will play a role, too. Maybe a bigger role than in years past, and that’s definitely a good thing for those in Braves Nation who hope to spend the playoffs at Turner Field cheering for the hometown nine, instead of watching somebody else play on TV.

The Scribe abides. Peace.

—30—

By Matthew

February 23, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Haven’t had time to read the blog for a few hours, jjs, but I figured you’d appreciate this from the Langerhans story:

“Langerhans knows he could help his job security by improving his hitting. He has incorporated a new toe-tap with his front foot. He brings it back now before swinging, to put his weight on his back leg similar to Chipper Jones and others.”

The job is his-he knows the importance of toes.

By Lew

February 23, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

Braveheart-I had a talk with Rocker at Spring Training earlier in the year that he made his comments. I think the guy is just plain clueless. I attended Mercer University in Macon. Rocker also attended, though a number of years after I did. Macon was notorious for it’s paper mills. There used to be three of them. In the summer it smelled horrible. When talking to Rocker, he talked about Macon as the greatest place in the world to live. Having lived there myself for the better part of four years, I said to him “But John, what about the smell from those mills?” Rocker just looked at me with a blank look and said, “Oh yeah. I forgot about them.” Believe me-no one who ever smelled those paper mills in Macon forgot them. The guy just lived in another dimension.

By Jake C.

February 23, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Dave,

I whipped out Afghan Wigs “Gentleman” after our conversation about Greg Dulli this morning.

Talk about an underrated band. Those guys were amazing.

And just to put things in perspective for everyone:

Bobby will keep 12 pitchers 8 starters a backup catcher 4 bench players

You have to figure Woodward and Wilson will be in that mix…since they were signed as free agents.

So you essentially have 2 spots, and about 5 guys competing. Orr, Aybar, Diaz/Langerhans, Prado/Johnson.

It might come down to the number of options a player has left…

By brent

February 23, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Thanks for the pitching update. Have a good week-end.

By hk

February 23, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

braveheart …

…correction, 8:46pm :))

By journalist jimmy smith

February 23, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

yes, matthew, the toe tap will serve langerhans well. …suddenly there came a tapping, as of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. “‘tis langerhans,” bobby muttered, “tapping at my chamber door — Only toes, and nothing more.”

By journalist jimmy smith

February 23, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

By PAUL NEWBERRY

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -Chipper Jones removed his shoe and pointed toward the joint at the bottom of the big toe.

“Originally, the pain was up in this area,” he said.

Then he moved to the other side.

“Every time the toes bend up - which happens every time I take a step or run - it feels like I have a marble on the bottom of my foot,” Jones said.

oh, the humanity! paul newberry has been given a guided tour of chipper jones’ feet and not a word about the number of toes! the big toe? the other side? the other side of what? the big toe? the remaining toe(s)? and how did paul newberry get this interview? how many little piggies, paul?

By Dr. Tchock

February 23, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

Lew,as a native of Macon, I have to say that the in my lifetime, the past 22 years, the paper mills, while horrific, only affected some areas of the city. Being downtown, where Mercer is, puts you pretty close to a lot of the traditionally industrial areas. Therefore, it would be very easy to grow up in Macon without having the mills as anything like a constant factor. Macon really isn’t a bad place, though I couldn’t wait to get out. Too bad we lost the Macon Braves, though. Good memories of trips to the ballpark there as well as some baseball camps. Speaking of sad, the ol’ park is just sitting empty now in a big lonely parking lot.

By the way, all of this is not to defend Rocker. His statements stand for themselves, and they don’t stand very high at all. Just doing a little defending of the hometown.

By Dr. Tchock

February 23, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Additionally, if fewer than ten little piggies, which little piggy has run away? A market-going piggy? A roast-beef eating piggy? Or, could it be, that a little piggy did not, in fact, return home?

By Head Coach

February 24, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

Lew , I dated a girl in Macon. Never even knew about the paper mills , O’well Mary Jones was the hot little redhead that got away.

By Lew

February 24, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this

Head Coach-Yes, redheads could definitely distract one from the smell of Macon. Several certainly attracted my attention back then. The only thing is that Rocker went to Mercer, too, so if I could smell the pulp mills, so could he.

By Darth Stinky

February 24, 2007 03:55 AM | Link to this

Head Coach, I understand winning. I also understand reality. I just don’t understand your two-fisted faith in a trio of guys who have issues.

And Wicky. I like him, but a lot of that success last year came after switching leagues. He’s also 50 lbs overweight and just turned 38.

Spin that.

By GeorgetownKid

February 24, 2007 04:51 AM | Link to this

Mr. O’Brien,

I just arrived from Iraq in Cape Town, South Africa. I’d been in the Middle East for WAY too long.

I haven’t posted anything for several months, but I haven’t missed a single one of your articles or blogs. A lot of us over here are big fans of yours.

I am crazy excited about our squad for this upcoming season. We’re far from perfect, but I honestly think we’ll be able to compete with the Mets for the Division.

I also think the Phillies are going to dissapoint, and that the Marlins will drop off from last year. And it goes without saying that the Nats will be pitiful.

So that leaves us and the Mets. And I think we took several steps in the right direction this past offseason, while the Mets didn’t improve nearly as much (and could have gotten worse with Pedro being out).

But I suppose that we’ll know for sure soon enough!

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 05:27 AM | Link to this

David O’B, before going back to sleep … or at least so trying, my ponderings have left me wondering how Bobby feels about Soriano from a team chemistry perspective … it’s probably much ado but regardless of Bobby’s spin, methinks much of his success has been due to his ability to see that what we call good team chemistry is created and maintained … and I assume that starts with selecting players to don the uniform.

Why do I get a strange sense an uneasiness that while we’re pleased with what he can bring to the dinner table, mama might want him to eat out in the kitchen so as not to spoil other folks’ appetites? … and I ain’t just whistling Dixie.

By ernesto

February 24, 2007 06:07 AM | Link to this

Here is what I think the Bravos 25 man line up will look like opening day

Smoltz, Hampton, Hudson, James, Davies/Cormier (loser starts in Richmond in case needed for call up)

Wickman, Soriano, Gonzalez, McBride, Villareal, Yates

Chipper, Edgar, Johnson (if he wins job, if not, hello! Richmond), Thorman, McCann, B/U Catcher (Pena), Andruw, Frenchy, Langerhans, Diaz, Wilson,Woodward, Orr, Aybar

That’s assuming BC doesn’t start the year off with 12 picthers then I think you’ll see Diaz, Langy, or Orr packaged in a trade (unless Pete’s got options left then he might start year in Richmond).

Without Orr though, does this team have any speed at all? I don’t know much about Aybar’s wheels.

This is all assuming we signed Woodward to a guaranteed contract, if not, and he has a bad spring, htey might buy him out.

Let’s play ball!

By chipdip

February 24, 2007 07:54 AM | Link to this

he’s the next nolan ryan.

By ssiscribe

February 24, 2007 07:58 AM | Link to this

Top of the mornin and a happy weekend to all of you, from the southside of the A to ports of call around the world.

GeorgetownKid, thanks much for all you and your mates are doing for us. Glad you checked in, and we wish you Godspeed wherever you may be heading (hopefully, you’re coming home). I know DOB and the rest of us are thrilled to hear you folks are checking in, even while in harm’s way.

Bob, I get what you are saying about chemistry. Heaven knows the trouble makers never lasted long (I can tell you from personal experience that Kenny Lofton wasn’t a good fit, and he didn’t stay long; a few other headstrong individuals who didn’t want to play nice come to mind, too).

However, I do not worry about Soriano. Cox is one of those managers who lets his guys do their thing without micromanaging. As long as you don’t rip anybody in the press, don’t talk on your cell phone in the locker room, and play your music on your headphones — that, and play your tail off — Bobby’s good with you. I definitely think the kids can learn a little something from a veteran guy who has a little bit of a thorn in his side about things.

If Soriano were to start being a jerk to his teammates, that would be one thing. But I think behind closed doors, behind the door of the bully, he’ll be just fine, one of the guys, albeit one you wouldn’t wanna mess with or tick off. He definitely won’t be one of the guys front and center to give those good quotes DOB and Bowman and Haney and the AP writer du jour will be looking for, but that’s not his role or his personality.

Speaking of AP, JJS, how’d ya like Newberry’s lede on Chipper? Toe journalism at it’s absolute finest!

Ernesto, Bobby will start the season with 12 pitchers. Usually does, especially this year with the lack of off days early on (what is it I wrote the other day? Four or five days off in the season’s first 53 games, with two off days in the first six days?). I would think you’re right on with the pitchers through your first five in the pen (the big three, plus McBride and Villarreal). After that, I really think it’s a matter of who has the best spring.

Blaine Boyer is going to be a strong candidate if he pitches well, as will Chad Paronto, for his ability to get ground balls. Then, there is hard-throwing Phil Stockman. Of all that group, Tyler Yates may have the best pure stuff. And what of Peter Moylan and Joey Devine? No Mike Remlingers or Brad Bakers need apply this time around.

Stinky, you do bring up a valid point on Wickman and his success after changing leagues. I don’t expect his ERA to be as low and certainly he’s going to blow saves here and there over the course of a long season. But overall, he threw the ball great last year. He worked his way in and out of trouble, and I think most everybody has the confidence that with the two guys in particular brought in to set up games for him, Wicky has the potential to have a 40-save season.

And, I think Gonzalez will pick up close to 10 saves himself. There will be days where Wick’s went back-to-back, or the ninth is full of lefties, and you’ll see Gonzalez out there in the ninth. Remember, Gonzalez was 24-for-24 in saves last year with Pittsburgh. Pitching in the ninth with the game on the line is not a new proposition for him.

Physicals at Dark Star today, so a later workout time than normal. Back here in the A, a huge game for the Thrashers tonight at Philips against the Canes. A win vaults the Atlanta hockey club back into first place in the Southeast Division. Unfortunately for the Scribe, the game is a sellout.

Later on, folks. May your weekend be filled with good times, good food, healthy toes, a little Cash on the CD player and the realization that every day ticking off the calendar is one day closer to us getting this ride back to the top of the mountain started for real.

The Scribe abides. Peace.

—30—

By David O'Brien

February 24, 2007 08:09 AM | Link to this

Ernesto, Bobby’s already made it clear he plans to start the season with 12 pitchers, not 11. So plan your projected rosters accordingly.

By David O'Brien

February 24, 2007 08:16 AM | Link to this

GeorgetownKid, a big thanks to you and your pals over there. Glad to hear you’re safe and your internet service has gone unabated. Much appreciated.

And how ‘bout those 12th-ranked Hoyas? Big game today vs. No. 8 Pitt.

By No Chop Zone

February 24, 2007 08:24 AM | Link to this

projected win totals for the NL East: Mets: 95 Phillies: 87 Braves: 84 Marlins 74 Nats: 66

By Daybed Wagmoe

February 24, 2007 08:46 AM | Link to this

DOB, very cool to see a plug for the twilight singers, who are one of my favorite new bands. (at least, new in the sense that they’re new to me.)

i only have two TS albums, “powder burns” and “play blackberry belle.” i LOVE them both, but i would give the slight edge to “belle.” for me, the best tracks are 2, 4, 5, 6 (possibly my favorite TS song), and 12. (the one you mentioned, track 3, is good, but not one of my favorites.) i hate “my time (has come),” i just think it’s filler, and there are parts of the album that just don’t blend well, going from one song to the next. for “belle,” there’s no filler, and every song can stand on its own as well as in the mix of the album.

both are terrific albums, and anyone who likes that kind of music (alternative) shouldn’t be disappointed. TS definitely rock, and they have a dirty, seedy undertone to them. hopefully they’ll reschedule the cancelled athens show from a way back. they also have a lot of videos on youtube.

By David O'Brien

February 24, 2007 09:15 AM | Link to this

Daybed, I actually love all of the first six songs, then it slips a slight bit. Those first six are amazing. I might even have plugged the wrong song, since I don’t have the case with me (just have all my cds in sleeves here).

Did you get Dulli’s solo album, Amber Headlights? If not, you MUST get it. Done around same time as Blackberry.

I like Powder Burns even more than Blackberry, which is saying something. Love the contributions from Joseph Arthur and others, it all works perfectly.

And if you don’t have Afhan Whigs stuff, man, you gotta go back and see where it started. When you put on the Gentlemen CD from 1993 and hear the first couple of songs, you’ll be amazed at how powerful and fresh it still sounds, and then ask yourself how in the hell this guy isn’t a huge star.

So talented, and such an accessible sound, too. I don’t get it, unless it was just poor marketing or whatever. I’m just glad the man kept recording and doing great stuff to this day, that he’s got a big enough core audience to make a good living off this music-making occupation, because he’s a master.

By David O'Brien

February 24, 2007 09:20 AM | Link to this

OK, nice to take a few minutes away from baseball mode there. You can’t imagine how baseball-centric you get when you’re down here living in a vacuum, getting to the park before 8 a.m., leaving at 6-7 p.m., blogging at night and early morning, talking baseball all day with local and national reporters, doing radio interviews, and of course meeting with the manager a couple times a day and talking to players for daily stories, notes, blogs and future projects. Baseball, baseball, baseball.

Not that I’m complaining. It’s a good gig, especially when the freakin’ weather is as perfect as it’s been for the past 4-5 days. I mean, 75-78 degrees, brilliant sun, no clouds, low humidity, great breeze…rode back from the park yesterday on the Triumph and it was just spectacular outside, just before sunset, the sun dropping below the spanish oak trees in the marshland around Disney World.

Pretty nice. Not a bad way to make a living, I fully realize.

Later

By brent

February 24, 2007 09:42 AM | Link to this

Georgetown Kid:

What do you know about John Thompson III?

Does the fanbase feel that he is “married” to the program, or would he consider other opportuities, especially if an elite program had an opening?

I really want to know about this. I think he is a great coach. Georgetown gave Florida its toughest test in the NCAA last year, and the follow-up this season has been very impressive. I find myself secretly rooting for them.

Thanks,

Brent

By Lew

February 24, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

Well, now we know that the Odiferous Blogger enjoys peanut butter in a perverse manner. Did he really think we would be fooled? NOChopZone-All I can sayis that your predictions border on delusional. The Mets are going to be lucky to barely break .500 this year. Your pitching was non-existent, and now El Duque the Ancient has arthritis in his neck. The Mets are lucky if they end up third in the Division. The whole league will light up that joke of a pitching staff and the offense won’t save it for the second straight year. That’s if you actually think that swapping Moises Alou for Cliff Floyd really improved your offense.

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

georgetown kid, there are no words to express what we all need to express to you. so, just know that all of our thoughts, prayers, support, and love is with you. keep on keeping on, kid.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 24, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

an impostor is posting as journalist jimmy smith already this morning. rather than raise an issue with the stinky blogger and risk banishment from this blog … jimmy smith will merely wish everyone a very good morning and good toe health. know that he is here this morning, as he was last night, and is continuing in meltdown.

now, baseball … scribe is right that paul newberry indulged in toe journalism last night and this journalist must say it was a timely and relevant story. will we see toe journalism from dob in the coming days? will we see the first photos of the special shoes from asia?

and now this to ponder … once chipper was called face of the franchise. then, perhaps that mantle was passed to smoltz - depending on who is asked … perhaps chipper, smoltz, and andruw. with the emergence of francoeur some suggest francoeur is bcoming the face of the franchise. this journalist now asks for thoughtful consideration from all bloggers - who has the toes of the franchise? there can be only one answer - uh, chipper jones. that is unless we recall that bobby last year told dob that mccann had hurt “both toes”. yes, this complicates matters. does it take ten toes to have the toes of a franchise? will paul newberry beat dob to this story? journalist jimmy smith will bet on the wurlitzer winner to write this story first.

By marietta-monroe

February 24, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Dave, It’s great to be back in baseball season. Look forward to your articles and blogs. The line above “* I might ask him what’s on his Ipod someday. Or not.*” says it all. Great line, great article. Nothing could have gotten your point across any better, subtle music reference linked to Braves baseball. Great job. Look forward to more.

By woogidy

February 24, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

ROSTER, smoltz, hudson, hampton, chuck james, davies, wickman, gonzalez, soriano, mcbride, paronto, villarreal, yates, chipper, andruw, frenchy, mccann, thorman, kelly johnson, renteria, diaz, wilson, bryan pena, woodward, aybar.

NO pete orr and no langerhans

By Lew

February 24, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Esteemed Journalist-Yes, my money is also on The Wurlitzer Winner when it comes to timely Journalism. Timely Journalism and cutting edge musical news. Quite a combination. Now baseball. Maybe it would be best not to ask what’s on Soriano’s IPOD. It might be thrown at the questioner at 96-98 MPH. How does he feel about brushback pitches? Enquiring minds would like someone else to find out.

By Lew

February 24, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Woogidy-That’s only 24 players. Langerhans will make the team. Pete Orr is no major loss.

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

journalist jimmy smith, whatever happened to Toe Nash that Gammons used to rave about a few years ago? I would think he might have been your favorite prospect of all time. in case you missed gammons’ initial article on Toe Nash, here you go:

http://espn.go.com/gammons/s/2001/0111/1007850.html

By MGL

February 24, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

woogidy,

You have one spot left for 25 I’d say Langerhans. This quote by Cox in DOB’s story this morning on Langerhans - “But the way he plays defense, he doesn’t have to hit a lot, for me.”

By journalist jimmy smith

February 24, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

will dob be the first to call soriano a sissy?

By Lew

February 24, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

Esteemed Journalist-Probably not. Unless he wishes a 96-98 MPH IPOD thrown at his head.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

February 24, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

braveheart, your comments on the head job done on John Rocker yesterday were right on the money. I too learned the hard way that the media would use any ploy to get you to speak (off the record) and then gleefully print those comments.

It is why young players must take the younger guys under their wings so to speak to advise them of the pitfalls that await them.

Rocker had many troubles of his own making and I do not mean this to endorse his views.

By hk

February 24, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

to the old geezers …

… wonderful article today about the showing last night of the television broadcast of the Oct. 8, 1956 Don Larsen world series perfect game, the only one in history … Larsen and Yogi Berra (who caught the game) and about 100 folks were there to watch … first time either guy had seen it … Mel Allen and a young Vince Skully did the game …

click here for link

… I watched it back then …

By hk

February 24, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

jimmy …

… glad to see you’ve got your protective ‘toe’ shoes on this morning :))

… same mfr as Chipper’s ???

By MGL

February 24, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

For you Extra Innings fans - http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2775761&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

By Head Coach

February 24, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Toe Nash ? I remember reading about the “natural” from Louisiana. Unfortunately his is a tale of a tragic upbringing and a life gone wrong from the start. the last I heard of him he was in Prison.

By ernesto

February 24, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the update MGL, I’m one of those fans who are severely po’d about this deal. Up here in NYC your apartment building offers you only one choice, so people like me, or htose that can’t or won’t get the dish will be screwed by MBL. Heard a quote in an article a little while ago that Bud Selig thought this was a non-issue because there hasn’t even been that much reaction to the proposal. Classic Boob Selig.

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

yeah, i hope no one thinks that i walk around talking like rocker or that i think it is okay to condone thinking or talking like rocker did. i just think he was a stupid young man who got himself taken advantage of. i think he was a meltdown waiting to happen kind of like mike tyson. but that little article that exploded was the beginning of the end for him - he had a plenty tough enough mindset to handle the pressures of the ninth and the playoffs but once that article came out, everything around started to crumble until it led to a kind of spectacular collapse. it was just a terrible combination - a stupid loudmouthed young player and an ambitious young reporter looking to make a name for himself.

the problem with rocker is that i do not think he could be taken under the wing of an older player - he was too much of an individualist for that.

but it is nice to see that smoltz and giles and even chipper would take kids like frenchy and mccann and the like under their wing. it was also nice to have guys like pratt around mccann last year and guys like eddie perez still floating around to help mccann.

i liken it to that one year when damian moss was pretty decent here because he was working under the tutelage of glavine. every time they showed moss during the middle of a game he was pitching, it seemed glavine was talking to moss coaching him up. after moss left here and glavine, he was never the same.

Whatever happened to Moss after he left here? Giants, Orioles and then he disappeared. What was the deal with him - why were the Braves so willing to dump him after a decent rookie year and then he just kind of disappeared? Were there things behind the scenes we were not aware of?

Not that i am looking to help the Mets here, but why don’t the Mets attempt a reclamation project with damian moss - maybe glavine can work some magic with him again? I know he is australian and not latino enough it seems for minaya but their rotation can not get any worse, so what will it hurt to try?

By ernesto

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

I guess if Bobby’s taking 12 pitchers I’ll have to amend my earlier 25 and substitute Paronto for Orr.

Can Orr take another trip to Richmond DOB or is that impossible? He’d have to clear waivers I’d imagine.

By 10-7-4

February 24, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Journalist, Bob—-great point on chemistry issue. I believe that running a ‘happy’ team,[also helps to be talented] has been the key to what success Bobby Cox has had. Don’t want to get the Cox bashers started, but I feel that his strength has been in his handling of his players, rather than his strategic ability. Just because a guy doesn’t want to talk and ‘cut up’, indicate that he is a bad seed. Let’s hope for the best. I believe that in today’s game a bullpen is more important than starting pitching. I just realized that last year was the first time in history[not counting strike shortened seasons], that we had no, nada, not a single 20 game winner. Makes me feel even better now, with our top notch pen. Also, Drunky Clint, wants to know “is there another word for synonym?”

By ernesto

February 24, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

I don’t think you have to worry about a clubhouse cancer in a BC dugout, I mean he handled Sheff, right?

By 10-7-4

February 24, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

good point, ernesto. I believe Bobby will keep order on the team, and cut loose any problems real quick.

By Bryan

February 24, 2007 01:09 PM | Link to this

here is the story on Toe Nash

By journalist jimmy smith

February 24, 2007 01:13 PM | Link to this

yes, toe nash is a familiar name. now driving a toe truck in louisiana. journalist has been thinking … perhaps this persona of soriano is carefully contrived. perhaps he is a bully. perhaps not. journalist is not sure. what would be involved for dob to get hold of soriano’s i-pod and add a few show tunes? then dob could expose soriano to the team as an ethel merman listener. dob could then suggest to soriano dob might go public with this news. this would bring soriano down to the level where he would be an engaging interview at any time dob wishes. just a thought. disclaimer: of course this could backfire on dob resulting in serious injury and soon carroll rogers would be running this blog.

now, hk, this is the teflon journalist. sticks and stones may break this journalist’s bones … besides, journalist must become a better man now that journalist jimmy smith is about to be syndicated.

By Darth Stinky

February 24, 2007 02:00 PM | Link to this

jjs, I would like to claim that masterful act of parody, but I can’t. Someone’s got you down, though. Maybe it was Bizzaro Jimmy.

By David O'Brien

February 24, 2007 02:04 PM | Link to this

Jimmy, I can assure you I will not be calling Soriano a sissy.

By the way, latest unusual Soriano moment: Braves are all milling around dugout an hour ago, waiting to go on the field for stretching, and I hear a ball-hitting-concrete sound. I look in the tunnel/walkway that goes from dugout to clubhouse and Soriano is in there, of course, alone, quietly throwing a ball off the back wall, bouncing it back to himself, then repeating.

Soon as a coach shouts for everyone to hit the field, he immediately stops, joins the group and runs onto the field.

By the way, I’m told he smiled briefly two days ago around Schuerholz. And also told that Cox really likes Soriano’s serious approach.

By David O'Brien

February 24, 2007 02:12 PM | Link to this

I probably won’t be asking Soriano what’s on his Ipod, but I did ask Chipper. Actually, I asked him first if he has an Ipod. Hoss does not.

But he did give me his five favorite artists for a Gimme 5 on Page 2. First he said, ‘You’re gonna put this on the internet, aren’t you? On that [blog].”

Anyway, I think you guys will be surprised by a couple of his choices. I might wait to give those in the Gimme 5, unless there’s a real interest here.

His best line this morning. He was lacing up his new Mizuno spikes, and I said Mizuno makes good running shoes. Then I realized what I’d said and added, “But you’re probably not running 10 miles at a time or anything, right?”

And with great comedic timing, he said without hesitation, in his slow drawl: “I haven’t run 10 miles in the last 20 years.”

I’m pretty certain he meant, 10 miles combined in that span.

By TennesseePaul

February 24, 2007 02:19 PM | Link to this

You can’t imagine how baseball-centric you get when you’re down here living in a vacuum, getting to the park before 8 a.m. Trying out the latest fabrication of Micky Mouse Ears; which now wisk away sweat and allow the head to breathe. This should help in the interviews. No longer will the subject be repulsed by the sweat pouring out from the cap and the rank oder it then creates. Plus the colors won’t bleed, which always led to some embarassing and awkward moments. Interviewees had a hard time taking the whole interview process seriously. Those new ears are going to change the way things work.

DOB: as always, I appreciate the sacrifices you make. Keep up the good work.

GO BRAVES

By TennesseePaul

February 24, 2007 02:22 PM | Link to this

First he said, ‘You’re gonna put this on the internet, aren’t you? On that [blog].”

HA! That’s good stuff. What was said in place of [blog]? He didn’t slander the blog did he?

By hk

February 24, 2007 02:54 PM | Link to this

TenneseePaul…

.. you took the words right out of my mouth …

… gives pause, one of the big mysteries to ponder here (along with who is Rosalynn) has been who is the ‘prominent(very)’ Brave that blogs with us from time to time ??? … hmmm, don’t think Chipper would call it a [blog] if he were the guy … leaning a little more toward Smoltzy ..

By Lew

February 24, 2007 03:05 PM | Link to this

Have you noticed that Robert hasn’t been posting lately? I still think he’s really Bobby Cox and is just too busy right now.

By David O'Brien

February 24, 2007 03:15 PM | Link to this

he didn’t slander the blog. he started saying “that braves…” and got interrupted. maybe he was going to say Braves/Man in Black. But I don’t know. Let’s assume he was.

By brian

February 24, 2007 03:16 PM | Link to this

I am interested in Chipper’s music. I would love to hear his top 5 - ?country, ? rock, ???

I was more interested in his feet and his attitude coming into this year. If we see the Chipper we know and love, and his feet behave, this offense should thrive.

DOB - any Braves read this blog that you know of? Of course we know that LaRoche did not

By David O'Brien

February 24, 2007 03:21 PM | Link to this

Oh, and yes, Orr’s got ALL of his three options left.

First time he made the 40-man roster, he was on the opening day roster. And he’s never been sent down since making the opening day roster.

Thus, he’s got all his options left. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s at Richmond on opening day. Anything can happen, and Cox loves the guy. But….

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 03:22 PM | Link to this

robert was definitely a member of the braves. not sure who.

By hk

February 24, 2007 03:22 PM | Link to this

Lew …

… I mostly grew up in Tulsa, that’s where Bobby was born, noticed with interest that Robert recently mentioned taking a new job, moving to Lawton Okla … maybe that wonderful Oklahoma air is causing a transformation ???

By TennesseePaul

February 24, 2007 03:28 PM | Link to this

maybe he was going to say Braves/Man in Black. But I don’t know. Let’s assume he was

Sounds good enough to me. Perhaps he was going to be very descriptive and, in doing so, would have given himself away.
Nevertheless, I’m interested in the Gimmie 5. Over the course of time you’ve alluded to some of the Braves top tunes, but I’d be interested in knowing a top 5 for each of the guys. You had mentioned it was mainly a lot of country tunes. I was shocked, shocked! to hear the team wasn’t a collective, avid, avant-garde fan base. Especially seeing how that genre makes it onto this blog so much.

By brian

February 24, 2007 03:29 PM | Link to this

Maybe Robert actually works? I thought all he did was brood around town all day complaining how Bobby Cox is the root of all evil.

DOB - your job has to be a grind, but man, what a grind it has to be

By Rosalynn

February 24, 2007 03:35 PM | Link to this

Jehnalist Jimma I was pleased to heah yoah peanut buttah bahl recipa. Once upon a time I pahticipated in some pehvehse acts with my Jimma. If yoah dog isn’t available some time give me a call. Jimma has been very pleased with my sehvices ovah the yeahs…

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 03:48 PM | Link to this

downloaded alot of those afghan/twilight/dulli stuff you mentioned yesterday. pretty good stuff. ashamed that i have been sleeping on that stuff.

imagine if the marlins had never done that fire sale and millar had never been brought up by default almost from what you are saying. a good major leaguer may have never gotten his shot. what a shame. i bet there are alot of guys out there who just never got their shot and who might have been able to hang and actually thrive in the bigs. but i guess we all go through those same issues in our everyday workplaces as well.

as for the bosox getting rid of millar, that was stupid. but they have been doing alot of seemingly stupid things lately. you finally design a world championship team and then you blow it up the next year. how stupid. losing guys like millar, trot nixon, pedro, nomar, mueller, damon, lowe, arroyo, always trying to trade manny ramirez for who knows what reason. talk about sucking the heart, soul, juice, and productivity out of a team. wanting to trade manny because you think he makes too much but then paying j.d. drew just a little less than manny. clueless. i understand also that there were many reasons (some good) for getting rid of some of those guys, but i think they are too many people involved in management over there and that there are too many immature young guys running things whose heads have gotten too big for their own good. if they had been able to steal helton though that would have been some steal.

what if the braves got a 10 mil salary increase from the new ownership, asked colorado to eat 6 or 7 mil of helton’s contract, and the braves traded some of their good young prospects for helton. probably not going to happen but it would be nice.

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 03:49 PM | Link to this

brian,

do you mean that some of us bloggers actually have jobs? couldn’t be.

By Jared

February 24, 2007 03:52 PM | Link to this

Robert is the secret Brave. You can just tell with all his inside knoweledge of Bobby Cox. Who else knew Bobby Cox said “hee haw” all the time? /end sarcasm

By Lew

February 24, 2007 03:55 PM | Link to this

The Odiferous One has stolen yet another identity. How many is this now? 45 or 50?

By Charlie

February 24, 2007 03:57 PM | Link to this

DOB, Did you really mean .533 OPS ?? If so, what is OPS?

By ernesto

February 24, 2007 04:01 PM | Link to this

Why? Why? Why? Why good people are you baiting Robert? Seriously those dull, predictable posts are a pants down spanking. Leave it be, for the love of all that’s holy, leave it be!!!!!!

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 04:02 PM | Link to this

Braveheart I agree about Rocker being pushed over the edge by the backlash from the article. Where we might disagree is on his mind-set.To my way of thinking he had to be near the edge in order to first say those things, and then not have the ability to deal with the consequences.Sometimes Rockers’ kind of bravura can mask insecurities and in his case I suspect that to be true.This goes back to my comments last night on the difference in personality and make up.Rocker was a fragile person,but I agree he probably isn’t a bad guy.Also I think it’s possible he was taking steriods and this may well have contributed to his melt down. David O’Brian can you give an updated top ten list of braves prospects?

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 24, 2007 04:05 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I’m starting to think that Robert is also a Brave as well. I quickly noticed that his blogging stopped around last Friday or Saturday. Coincidentally, the same time as spring training. Hmmm? Now, the question is which Brave is he. Whomever it is, is having loads of fun at our expense. That has to be what it is. Nobody can hate one manager as much as Robert claims he does.

By TennesseePaul

February 24, 2007 04:05 PM | Link to this

bet there are alot of guys out there who just never got their shot and who might have been able to hang and actually thrive in the bigs

I used to work with one of these guys. He was in the Giants system. Good friends with Sean Estes. His arm blew out and his career was done. He finished school and got a “job” where I met him. I can’t really say what we did was work though. We just talked baseball all the time. I went to a few Dodger games with him. Whenever the Giants came to town he’d get free tickets from the players. Several years ago I got to go when A.J. Pierzynski gave him the tickets. I got to meet Tomko, AJ and some other guy after the game. So much fun. He and I moved in different directions. He’s with Stats Inc now. Still see him at the occassional poker game though.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 04:13 PM | Link to this

Don’t be to surprized if Soriano proves’ to be unstable.

By Soriano

February 24, 2007 04:16 PM | Link to this

That’s it OddJob, you’re on the list.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 04:18 PM | Link to this

ernesto - let it be, let it be, let it be, speaking words of wisdom, let it beeeeee!

By ernesto

February 24, 2007 04:18 PM | Link to this

If we send down Orr (which seems likely) who’s our pinch runner? Aybar? Has he got wheels?

By N8

February 24, 2007 04:22 PM | Link to this

Hey guys. Was just trolling around the foxsports website and noticed that Lillibridge was ranked as the 86th “overall” prospect, in Dayn Perry’s (he usually takes EVERY shot he can at ripping the Braves), prospect countdown. He essentially said the Brent is the kind of prospect the Pirates should’ve NEVER let go, and if he shows more “raw power” in the upcoming season(s), he’ll be ranked MUCH higher.

Now I’m not sure if he’s saying that the Pirates should have “never” let him go, because he is that GOOD, or if it is because the Pirates are that BAD, and shouldn’t be giving ANY prospects up. LOL!

Anyhow, here’s the link:

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6494682

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 04:24 PM | Link to this

Soriano - FEETS’ DON’T FAIL ME NOW!!

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 04:27 PM | Link to this

oddjob, i actually agree with you about what you are saying about rocker. i think your comments about the matter are in important caveat to include in order to fully flesh out my rant. the rant was going on long enough as it was. like i said i could write a book about it. maybe we should put our heads together someday and write the book. when i start going over the top with my opinions, you can lasso me back in. when you start crying, i can get my stern mommy to slap you around and tell you to cowboy up.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 04:38 PM | Link to this

heres a list of present and former Braves with the right make up. Tom Glavine,Chipper Jones, John Smoltz, and Greg Maddox ( well Maddox could be the exception who proves the rule) again anger and posturing don’t add up to make up.AND I’M GOING TO BE MAD AS HELL IF YOU GUYS DISAGREE!!!

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 04:43 PM | Link to this

Braveheart sounds like a plan stan.

By David O'Brien

February 24, 2007 04:44 PM | Link to this

Yes, Aybar’s got good wheels _ just needs to make sure he touches the bases.

Charlie, OPS is on-base plus slugging percentage, which has quickly become a popular stat among seamhead fans and us hacks.

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 04:46 PM | Link to this

i’m not too concerned about making you mad oddjob. i just don’t want you to cry.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 04:52 PM | Link to this

David O’Brian I think ops is the best meassure of a hitter.Do you know of a better one?

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 04:57 PM | Link to this

It’s to late Braveheart I weep as I type.

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 05:19 PM | Link to this

Don’t forget “Little Bobby” …

I had a scare … my computer locked up this morning as I sent my last post … but I see the post went through … a 6 hour diagnostic test showed nothing wrong though Windows Task Manager showed multiple instances of IExplorer running … using 99% of CPU resources when the only address with which I was connected was the AJC one.

Shades of 1984 …

Standing in line at Kroger, I noticed a sign that said “We Care … we Card … you must be 21 to buy alcoholic beverages” … thought to myself … “which of our journalists is moonlighting?”

I politely said to the kid checking me out … “the sign on the register says you have to be 21 to buy alcoholic beverages. I’m not 21 … can I buy some beer?” He thought for about 10 seconds and then asked “How old are you?” … “2,500 years old”. He looked at the sign, looked at me and called the manager and asked … the manager didn’t crack a smile but told him it was okay! Of course, all I bought was some orange juice, cheese, and a roast.

SSIScribe, I well remember Loftin’s attitude and think it impacted the team as well as his play while he was a Brave … he expressed his professional opinion that “the American League was for him … pitchers are supposed to pitch … nobody wants to want’s them trying to hit” … as I recall. I think the leapord later used some of his money to buy some spotremover.

Boone seemed to be another … maybe even Thompson to some extent … but, they were with us for a longer spell … so I rather doubt it.

If I could have mastered Chemistry or Physicis, I probably would not have becone an actuary.

Don’t ask me what an actuary is cause I never found out … maybe something something like a mortician … cause they seem to get upset when folks don’t die when they’re suppose to so do.

By Head Coach

February 24, 2007 05:20 PM | Link to this

If Aybar has wheels , Blanco has jets. I do have a preseason prediction because it will happen. Richmond is going to rock. they already have an all-star team. Richmond will beat the daylights out of the International league this season.

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 05:22 PM | Link to this

lol. well, at least there will be a tear in your beer

By OddJob

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

It’s not you that made me cry Braveheart I was just thinking about fryed green tomatoes (the side dish not the movie)and it took me back to my childhood on oddjob mountain.Then I remember Ma and Pa Luke and Marry Ellen and all the other oddjobs and I can’t help getting all verclimped.

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

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

OddJob, the best measure of a hitter is a high and tight fastball, just under the chin.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 05:28 PM | Link to this

Bob I get your point but whos’ gona check the shorts for stains afterwards?

By journalist jimmy smith

February 24, 2007 05:29 PM | Link to this

it is a beautiful day and jimmy smith has been outdoors. imagine jimmy smith’s surprise to return to the blog and find someone has blogged as jimmy smith - again! who could it be?

now, dob … were these the special shoes chipper was lacing? the ones cobbled in asia? and wouldn’t velcro be a better closure for a uh, chipper jones’ shoe? and did dob arrive before the shoes went on chipper’s feet? and what can dob tell us?

now, hk …(it is good to have hk blogging again) … journalist thinks it is probably not chipper blogging with us. someone gave dob a clue awhile back and then dob recognized that mysterious blogger - could that be the one?

and what would the 5 favorite songs of chipper jones be? (1) a huntin’ we will go , (2) bear went over the mountain, (3) buffalo (wings) gals, (4) be kind to your web-footed friends, and (5) danny boy.

By flange1

February 24, 2007 05:36 PM | Link to this

Hey Lew,

Question for you, have you ever noticed that it is very rare for the smelly one a nd Roberts to be ranting at the same time? Maybe different lunar cycles? Couldn’t be the same person?

By journalist jimmy smith

February 24, 2007 05:40 PM | Link to this

orange juice, cheese, and a roast. this will be concocted into a fine meal. bob reminds us that bob is an actuary. rankin smith built the life insurance company of georgia with the help of actuaries and the atlanta falcons with the help of norm van brocklin who knew how to deal with bad attitudes. and now, i-pod has something to do with feet, right?

By hk

February 24, 2007 05:44 PM | Link to this

Bob,

… whenever your computer locks up, it’s because things are all glommed up in memory … one thing that causes it alot is every time we refresh this blog (currently at 270k), more memory is consumed for some reason … right now task manager says my blog is occupying 87meg of memory for instance ..

… a good thing to try when it locks is to do a ‘ctrl alt del’, a screen will come up with a bunch of options, choose ‘log off’ … in 5-10 seconds another screen will show up, just hit ‘enter’ and in another 5-10 seconds you’ll be back in business, with memory cleaned up a good bit … not as much as if you rebooted, but enough to carry you for awhile ..

… I’m going to address you as Bob from now on as your moniker gets less and less ‘plain and simple’ as time goes by :))

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 05:46 PM | Link to this

i only make doves cry

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 05:49 PM | Link to this

Bob it’s better to back out of the page than refresh.

By Navigator

February 24, 2007 06:00 PM | Link to this

Hampton is the example of bad signings by the braves. I’m hoping that he’ll come back, but based on a player that couldn’t get a job when the braves got him, they then were fooled into making an unbelievable contract. I truly doubt another team would have given him the contract the braves did. You wonder if the team will ever go back to trusting there farm system to develop players.

By journalist jimmy smith

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

does this mean that soriano will not play old maid with the guys in the clubhouse? and has anyone explained to chipper that winning old maid is really losing?

By Gil in Mechanicsville

February 24, 2007 06:12 PM | Link to this

Navigator, The Braves really have not had that much invested in Hampton until this year. The Rockies ate most of his contract and the insurance covered most of last year.

When he has been healthy he has been outstanding.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

February 24, 2007 06:16 PM | Link to this

As for the young arms, looks like a lot of kids are coming along nicely.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 06:19 PM | Link to this

Gil old maids need love too.

By TennesseePaul

February 24, 2007 06:19 PM | Link to this

David O’Brian I think ops is the best meassure of a hitter.Do you know of a better one?

The best measure is Average and RBI.

There, that should make Payne cry.

By TennesseePaul

February 24, 2007 06:23 PM | Link to this

David O’Brian I think ops is the best meassure of a hitter.Do you know of a better one?

I just noticed this when I hit submit… I’d say a good measure of a blogger would be the correct spelling of DOB’s name. It’s not like his name doesn’t appear throughout the blog. Come on, OddJob. Otherwise you’re right on top of it. But that’s like swinging and missing a ball on a tee.

By TennesseePaul

February 24, 2007 06:27 PM | Link to this

Signing a five-year, $55 million deal in the offseason has put the proverbial bull’s-eye on the chest of Gil Meche. Will he live up to what many believe is an outlandish contract?

I saw this on ESPN. I’m not sure this will be a good contract even if Meche wins 5 straight Cy Youngs. If you signed him for 5 years and 25 million and he threw perfect games every outing, it would look even better. It’s just a bad contract all the way through.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 06:31 PM | Link to this

TennrseePaul No way is average and rbi a better measure! If you have one thru eight average .900 you can have your average but the rbi isn’t a given,that depends on teammates on base and being advanced that is why ops is clearly a better gauge.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 24, 2007 06:31 PM | Link to this

Oddjob, what are you talking about Soriano losing it. He doesn’t seem like a nut case to me, but someone who is just more of a loner. Maybe, he is a different person in the offseason, but its all baseball when the season is going on. I don’t find anything wrong with that. You need a couple of guys like that on the team. Just like you need a couple of guys like Francoeur and McCann who keep things light and jovial. Besides, have you ever heard of a good closer or late inning relief pitcher that was really in their “right” mind. Heck, look at Mariano Rivera. He is a quiet guy with a bit of an edge. We have seen that edge this spring with the contract issues. I could care less if Soriano is Mr. Personality or not. As long as he goes out there and gets the job done and helps this team to a WS ring, I could care less if he is nice to anybody. And I doubt Cox does either. The only thing Cox asks is that a guy not be a clubhouse distraction and I haven’t heard of Soriano ever being one in Seattle.

By KC

February 24, 2007 06:33 PM | Link to this

My NL Pre-season power rankings:

1 – Braves: Yes, I know. I’m going to get accused of blind loyalty by some here. But if you pick the Braves as the top seed in the NL east, and I have… as has DOB and numerous others in the blog, then it’s a pretty reasonable notion to rank Atlanta #1 in the NL right now. If the Braves are the top NL East team on paper right now (and “on paper” is the only context in which we can talk about any team in February)… who would be better? Certainly no one from the central, and my feelings on the Padres and Dodgers can be found below. Bottom line… Atlanta is more likely than any other team in the NL to finish in the top 3 or 4 in the league in both runs scored and team ERA.

2 – Dodgers: The Dodgers improved their rotation greatly with the addition of Schmidt, which is why I have them at #2. Pitching will be very good, but a hair behind the likes of SD and Atlanta, and I don’t think they’re going to score quite as many runs as last year.

3 – Mets: As questionable as their rotation is… it’s not that much worse than last year’s… so I have to place some faith in them. The rotation is slightly diminished which will affect their ability to win in spite of their rotation. They’ll score a helluva a lot of runs though.

4 – Padres: This will probably be one of the top 2 or 3 pitching staffs in the league. However, they’ve done little to improve an offense that ranked 13th in the league last year.

5 – Phillies Freddy Garcia is a fine addition… but let’s not get carried away. He post an ERA of over 4.50 last season, which is very similar to the ERAs he has posted in 3 of his 5 previous seasons heading into 2006. But if Garcia has a good year, and Cole Hamels comes into his own, The Phillies will be in the thick of the battle for a post-season berth.

6 – Cardinals: Like the Mets, they’ve done little to sure up a suspect rotation, but they aren’t as well equipped to compensate for that shortcoming as the Mets are.

7 – Florida: Good young pitching, and more good young pitching.

8 – Houston: Pettitte’s gone and probably the Rocket as well. Carlos Lee will help the offense, but the pitching has taken a big hit. Also, they need Lidge to bounce back in a big way.

9 – San Francisco: It’ll be interesting to see if Zito’s revamped delivery can help him get his ERA out of the 4.00 range where it’s been for a few years now.

10 – Reds Ken Griffey Jr. is the disabled list what Courtney Love is to rehab.

**11 – The Cubs have taken a definite step up, but giving 20 million a season to the Jason Marquis-Ted Lilly duo will ultimately make Cubs fans feel the same way I felt after dropping $10 bucks at the movies to see “Click”. Ouch.

12 – Brewers: If Sheets can remain healthy, they’ll have a nice rotation with the addition of Suppan.

13 – Diamondbacks: Not sure if the Big Unit has another good year left in him, but if he does… that’ll be a nice 1-2 punch with Webb.

14 – Rockies: There’s some good young talent there… but they’re not there yet.

15 – Pittsburgh: Adam LaRoche will help them… but they sure aren’t a finished product.

16 – Nationals: Stan Kasten will build this franchise into something worth watching… but it’ll take a while.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 06:40 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul - No way is average and rbi a better measure than ops,this isn’t even subjective! average is one thing but rbi depends on teammates getting on and over at a good rate.If you average .900 ops one thru eight the runs can’t ‘not come’the numbers assure it!

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 06:46 PM | Link to this

Sorry about the simi double post I thought the first one got lost in the bloggosphere. Robert I hope you’re right about Soriano,I’m just looking at the blown saves along with the personality it just looks too familiar thats all.

By KC

February 24, 2007 06:54 PM | Link to this

Navigator: No offense, but you are completely uninformed on the Mike Hampton topic.

The Braves weren’t the ones who gave Hampton this contract. The Rockies did. The Braves didn’t “sign” Hampton… they traded for him. And it should be noted that I don’t think the players Atlanta gave up are even still playing at the major league level.

Yes, Hampton’s salary was over the top, especially at the time. But Atlanta has been paying only a portion of his 15 million annual salary (about 8 million on average) since he got here.

We were without his services for a full season with the Tommy John surgery, but we receive insurance compensation for that. And here’s what you need to know about Hampton’s performance as a Brave:

After arriving here from Colorado, it took Hampton about half a season to get his head and his mechanics straight (that’s not uncommon for pitchers after departing Denver).

From the all-star break of his first year with Atlanta (2004) until he went on the DL in 2005, Mike Hampton went 39-18 with a 3.41 ERA. And from the half-way point of 2004 until he went on the DL in 2005, Hampton went 15-2 with a 2.61 ERA.

Hampton was not a bad deal for the Braves. It’s just unfortunate that we’ve been without his services for most of 2 seasons.

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 07:02 PM | Link to this

I appreciate all the help and good advice …

Hk, I imagine that it’s my memory and not that of the computer that is the problem … however, with one gig on top, I can’t imagine memory being the problem … even if I had two instances of IE running as Task Master reported …which I did not. I’m familiar with those proceedures to which you refer but for some reason it didn’t like me this morning … of course, I didn’t like me too much this morning either … to which some can attest.

The name change has me confused too … when I assume a persona, I really assume it … unknowingly perhaps … probably a carryover from my transcribing and code breaking days when it was imperative that I think in German.

Let’s just say I have an increased appreciation for those that can effectively “mix” personas … I recently penned some things where I was Bob, plain and simple … Bob journalist, … and the real me; all in the same piece … and it was truly a mess … confusing, pompous, rambling … the harder I tried to repair the damage … the worse it got! I’ve learned my lesson, maybe one of the best of my 2,500 years, and don’t intend to fall into that trap again.

That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy sitting in the “MilchBar” for for hours on end with a German kid … with him speaking only English … und mia nur auf Deutsch.

OddJob, I’ll try that … but if I do, how will I get the updated version of the Blog? I never minded the indide fastball until I misjudged one for a curve … after that, high and tight and I was out of there! Unless of course, I was high and tight whe he threw the ball.

Time for some spicy beef from Little China … Chow!

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 07:04 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul You’re just way to smart for me.I bet you can even spell anal retentive!

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 07:05 PM | Link to this

Was Van Brocklin an actuary?

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 07:05 PM | Link to this

i think they need to find a way to give us the stat that measures total bases per plate appearance. that would be walks + hbps + total bases + stolen bases + sac hits + sac flies - caught stealing.

take that number and divide it by the number of plate appearances.

i think that would show how productive someone is per plate appearance.

then if you take that number, multiply it by the number of plate appearances and divide it by two, you usually get what the runs + rbi totals of a player are.

not perfect sabermetrician analysis. but it roughly gets you to where you want to be in terms of looking at how productive a player should have been expected to be in terms of run production per plate appearance which is roughly correlated directly to how many total bases the player creates per at bat.

if you do the math with the braves players last year, you will see that most of them fell roughly right in line with that sort of regression analysis.

so, basically do this for each braves player from last year: add their runs + rbis. multiply that number by 2.

then add up their total bases, walks, hbps, sb, sh, sf

see how similar the two numbers are.

there are discrepancies of course. the variances are alot of times attributed to batting order placement, pinch hitting, pinch running and the like.

By KC

February 24, 2007 07:06 PM | Link to this

CORRECTION: I meant to say “From the all-star break of his first year with Atlanta, 2003 (not 2004)…”

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 07:10 PM | Link to this

Bob I don’t know why but when I click the little green arrow it updates! good luck.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 07:14 PM | Link to this

braveheart I thik money ball goes into all that stuff.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 07:23 PM | Link to this

braveheart I thought of calling a stat bases responsible for per plate appearance that would show not just raw numbers but how clutch you are at advancing base runners.If you had bases loaded and went yard the number for that would be ten.

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 07:23 PM | Link to this

for anybody who can not wait six weeks for the season to start so that they can get their fantasy baseball fix, try this website:

http://www.csfbl.com/index.asp

It is FREE to play. no money. no credit cards or personal information needs to be given.

it is a really cool web site. year round fantasy simulated baseball action. it is all fictional players of course. you get to create your own teams. you can own up to 10 teams. you run them as a franchise. some of my franchises are now well into their 25th year of existence.

we all seem to think we can run a baseball team better than the guys who do, so www.csfbl.com gives you a chance to prove it. even if you are not a fantasy baseball geek like me, you will probably get into it. if you are a stats & sabermetrician head, you will love the game.

some of you will knock it before you even try it. but you guys should try it out. i have been hooked since March 2003. i think alot of you would get hooked too. they have active blogs where everyone chats and proposes trades and tries to outwit each other as GMs and owners.

and, no, i have no personal interest in the game. it was actually created by a guy 6 years ago who was a struggling computer tech guy who actually just recently got hired to work for the yankees.

so, try it out. hopefully, enough of you will join and we can all get a private league together and compete against each other and really prove to one another who would be the best GM/Owner/Coach if we really could be one.

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 07:29 PM | Link to this

OddJob, I think it’s a matter of setup … oddly, for 10 minutes after may last post, I couldn’t get back to the Blog … seems okay now.

David O’B, maybe it’s the olives or the brine … everything seems okay now!

By Navigator

February 24, 2007 07:38 PM | Link to this

Colorado may have paid a chunk of Hampton’s salary, but he was damaged good when he came here. It was widely known that his velocity on his fastball had decreased. That is usually a sympton of arm trouble. When you make good sound decisions they are not made on rehabilitation. The braves have lived with that MOI for too many years.

By Lew

February 24, 2007 07:39 PM | Link to this

Flange-No, Robert only gives BC grief. Stinky would have slipped up and called DOB, JJS, or myself donkeys (or probably much worse-maybe called us homosexual donkeys).

By hk

February 24, 2007 07:41 PM | Link to this

Bob…

… doesn’t matter how large your memory is, it can get glommed up at any size, it gets sort of ‘locally glommed’ within a certain memory area, leaving alot of clean memory untouched …

… well, on the one hand, your ‘moniker’ could be looked at as sort of a metaphor for your ‘persona’, and on the other hand, where some folks use multiple monikers for expression, you have your multiples within one moniker … all in all, complicated, unpredictable, refreshing, and always alot of fun :))

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 07:42 PM | Link to this

braveheart percentage of bases advanced is what I was trying to say.If the batter comes up with one runner on second and singles him home while taking first,the total chances if he homered would be two for the runner on second and four for the batter,so that’s three out of six or .500

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 07:47 PM | Link to this

Lew, I think if you check back, you’ll find some rather bad behavior coming from the pen of one named Robert.

While I’ve been critical of that behavior, I’ve always suspected an imposter’s pen since I’ve never received open objection or reaction.

By The Grinch

February 24, 2007 07:57 PM | Link to this

The Grinch is now operating with more power! New ‘pooter has twice the memory, 4 times the HD space, better processor, sound card that actually utilizes the kick-arse speaker system…time to celebrate! I say beer is in order.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

February 24, 2007 07:58 PM | Link to this

Guys, they do have a way of measuring all of what you are saying. It is called….. Playing time vs being sent to Richmond….

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 08:04 PM | Link to this

David O’brien I just finished the story on Chippers new shoes.I hope they do the trick.It occurs to me that if the team had shoes made with a special toe box with a dense memory foam or other material to support and cushion those high end toes, if it helped him play a few more games a season it would be money well spent.Also tell him many of us hope he finishes his career a brave in about ten years having never played for another team.

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 08:04 PM | Link to this

oddjob, i dig what you are saying. because even using my little equation, there is a wide discrepancy in andruw’s rbi numbers. so, yeah, it would fun and interesting to see something like that be included. it would give a more accurate picture. do you know anywhere where we can find that kind of stat? as bill james likes to complain, it is hard to obtain the stats you need to have fun playing games with them and figuring things out like that.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 08:11 PM | Link to this

Sorry braveheart I don’t but if I run across it I’ll post,please do likewise.

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 08:18 PM | Link to this

Gil: i thinking you are just kidding (sort of). but is that the kind of thinking that, as DOB was saying last night, kept kevin millar down in the minors for far too long when the guy could obviously play in the bigs? it took kevin millar six years from 1993 until 1999 to make the big leagues full time, presumably because people did not like the looks of the fellow because he does not look much better or more athletic than any of us.

but if you checked out his minor league stats, you would have seen this: .306 batting average; .390 on base percentage; and .507 slugging percentage.

it should have been no surprise then that his averages in the bigs have been: .287 batting average; .366 on base percentage; and .472 slugging percentage.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/Kevin-Millar.shtml

the stats don’t lie but the scouts and management would not let them see what was plainly before their eyes because of their biases about how people are supposed to look like on a ballfield.

the poor guy had to wait until he was about freaking 28 years old to make the bigs.

By Braves fan 202

February 24, 2007 08:25 PM | Link to this

New blog DOB come on new blog!

By TennesseePaul

February 24, 2007 08:39 PM | Link to this

OddJob: They were all jokes. Just wait till Payne logs on and sees AVG and RBI. He’ll pop a blood vesel. lol. All in good fun OddJob…

By Head Coach

February 24, 2007 08:41 PM | Link to this

Sorry to hear about the software KC. Just a suggestion if you haven’t already tried it. This is for Windows 98/XP. Click start , run. Then type in msconfig , that will bring up the system configuration utility. Click on the startup tab and it will tell you everything that is running(software)on your computer. Now , for God sake. For anybody else reading this : IF YOU DONT KNOW YOUR SOFTWARE/HARDWARE , DONT EVEN TRY THIS. You can do a selective startup by unclicking the green check marks on the items(software) running when your computer starts up. Of course , if your computer gets funky , you might want to put things back like they were and forget you ever read this. It works for me by helping to minimize the amount of system resources(memory) being eaten up by software that I’m not using. Of course I’m running an old Pentium three with an 80 gig HD and 512 MB of memory(yea ,it’s maxed out performance wise). just a suggestion , not an ironclad solution. Again , if your not a computer geek. Ignore this.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 08:43 PM | Link to this

David O’Brien Somebody once said a mind is a terrible thing.I get these things on my mind and get on a tangent.Well here goes,I’m a hiker and over the years have tried about everything for foot comfort over long treks.Chipper said he wears three pairs of socks,I’ve done that in the past but found it causes friction and they tend to bunch up.The best tech in socks is in hiking wear,maybe he could try some high end hikers with advanced material and thick cushioning.

By braveheart

February 24, 2007 08:50 PM | Link to this

tenpaul:

i think when he sees you loving average and rbi, he just might cry. don’t worry, oddjob and I will call in my stern mommy to tell him to cowboy up!

By journalist jimmy smith

February 24, 2007 08:56 PM | Link to this

it is true! toe journalism at its finest - and not a hint from dob that it was coming! dob is indeed modest as he wields the pen of a true toe journalist. and what have we learned today? 3 pair of socks! 3 pair of socks! a size 14 shoe and 3 pair of socks! and chipper’s photo is on a shoe box. beats a milk carton. and what happens if these shoes get wet? and most importantly, how many toes? that’s right - how many toes did dob count? and why is chipper jones called hoss? anything to do with toes of lack thereof? and now, andruw has switched gloves? oh, the humanity! if andruw wanted to try a mizuno chipper has one that he hardly uses (can of worms). and what color are these new shoes? and did dob look for a secret compartment? can chipper take these shoes on an airplane? does chipper look at all like buster brown on the shoe box? many questions. many, many questions and it is still early. now, baseball … doesn’t rawlings sponsor the gold glove award? hmmm….

By Brave Fan

February 24, 2007 09:00 PM | Link to this

I know why don’t they cut the end of his shoe out. Then his toes could flop in the breeze. Oh well, he’d probably stump his toe chasing a grounder he can’t get, then he be out a month. I have a good idea, why don’t the braves let chipper find a new home, and see if somebody will pay him $15mil for his services. Maybe the results would wake him up, and let him know what he’s really worth.

By The Grinch

February 24, 2007 09:09 PM | Link to this

OddJob, should you choose to accept it, I hereby nominate you “Official Braves/MIB Blog Non-Journalist Toe Expert,” or OBMIBBNJTE for short. Anyone second the motion?

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 09:10 PM | Link to this

Head Coach, good suggestion … if you have any beer cans handy, you can turn on the TV and pretend it’s me … but, if KC were a Computer Geek, he would probably have that figured … however, I’m impressed you know about msconfig … not many do … bout the only time I ever get into trouble is when I turn mine on … so I usually have it running 24-7 … there’s supposed to be some humor in there somewhere.

It is sometimes fun to see how much damage I can do playing around with the bios and registry settings … I keep telling myself that it’s the frustrations I feel, stupid things I do, and failures I experience that help me better appreciate me successes and good things life has to offer!

Sorta like telling myself that I can’t win the lottery unless I play … the same folks that put you in the “jug” for playing the “bug” now have one of their own … and all of a sudden, it’s the greatest thing sinced sliced bread!

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 09:11 PM | Link to this

Jimmy while I’m in a problem solving mood let me try helping you.I see this with little kids all the time why don’t you turn on the cartoon network,if that’s too much just play with car keys or loose change,but remember they are for the hands not the mouth.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 24, 2007 09:32 PM | Link to this

oddjob, is that really from oddjob? socks bunched up on you?

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 09:34 PM | Link to this

David, nice evaluation as always … will we be able see or hear the Tech Game … from any source? Will Tech carry it?

Personal note to and from myself …

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder just as it’s a matter of personal perspective as to when one should be severely punished … from my perspective, and I’m sure most folks will agree, one should almost always be commended and rewarded for exercising self restraint!

Self, I just sometimes find it impossible to keep you in check …shame! Shame!

To punish myself, I’m going to add some more hot mustard sause to the Hunan Beef … and to reward my self, I’m having homemade icecream for dessert!

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 09:45 PM | Link to this

little jimmy - yes it is me.Chipper makes what thirteen million from a payroll of eighty.I posted last night and today he changed shoes.Baseball is the last sport not to get the importance of technology in protecting investments.I didn’t post to amuse dumb asses or to intertain fools,so if you don’t like what I post don’t read them. good night children!

By ssiscribe

February 24, 2007 09:50 PM | Link to this

Good evening, although I don’t know how good it is after watching the Thrashers struggle tonight.

Grinch, Waddell is making some sort of announcement here shortly … sounds like a trade is forthcoming for the hockey team.

Jimmy, the toe journalism really exploded on here today with the story on Chipper and his shoes. Oh, the humanity! Toe journalism, the staple of every great scribe.

Now, this Scribe: How much toe journalism has this Scribe penned? Only the Wurlitzer folks will know for sure.

The Scribe abides. Selah.

—30—

By The Grinch

February 24, 2007 09:55 PM | Link to this

I doubt that was OddJob. Headline: “Sprewell barred from seeing children.” I guess all that nonsense about him “not being able to feed his children on umpteen mil a year” a few years back wasn’t nonsense after all. What a loser! What do these morons do with all that money? If you’ve had more than one guaranteed contract of 100 plus mil over a few years in your career, how do you run out of money? Gold plate your Bentley inside and out and drive it into an olympic pool full of Kristal? That wouldn’t even touch a year’s interest. Amazing. Apparently balancing a personal budget that exceeds that of some third world countries is harder than dunking a basketball. Try Ramen noodles, Spree.

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 09:56 PM | Link to this

Grinch, OBMIBBNJTE sounds Kosher to me! Most folks would say it was greek to them but I know Greek and that it ain’t!

I told somebody, maybe the guy from Cordele, Uganda, that since you understand 60% of what I write and I understand 40%, then maybe we could write something together that everyone could understand.

Everybody seems to like what you write … I’m envious and tired of being misunderstood!

Young man, it now looks like it’ll take a couple of months before things ripen, but methinks Robert III will quite possibly be picking tomatoes from the seeds I planted earlier this month … at least the plants are looking healthy.

By The Grinch

February 24, 2007 09:59 PM | Link to this

I don’t know; Stinky possesses better grammar than that. Maybe I misjudged his character. Oh, well; no biggie. DOB, any thoughts on how Gonzales looks on the mound?

By KC

February 24, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

Software? Huh? I must have missed something.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 24, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

well, so far jimmy smith finds oddjob very “intertaining”. all braves fans are in oddjob’s debt for suggesting the new shoes for chipper jones last night. guess somebody with the team reads the blog. oddjob’s either kidding or oddjob’s socks must be too tight.

scribe, is scribe holding out on scribe’s blog buddies? has scribe perhaps published pertaining to the toes? and where will this morsel be found?

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

OddJob … hard language to children … I’m shocked … such things are not to be permitted. If it doesn’t concern you, think of the rest of us … if they close down the Blog for permitting child abuse, what would we do?

By 10-7-4

February 24, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

BOB—Drunky Clint wants to know, what was the greatest thing before sliced bread??

By The Grinch

February 24, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Scribe, I missed the game (messing around with my new computer) but just heard we traded Coburn (our 1st round pick in ‘03) for Zhitnik from the Flyers. Should improve the penalty kill.

Bob, I was not aware everyone liked what I wrote. Could you inform some publishers of that? :-) I would be much obliged.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 24, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

grinch, now that journalist jimmy smith is going to be syndicated maybe jimmy smith can introduce grinch to a few publishers. did jimmy smith mention the requirement for third person? should not be a problem for grinch - especially with a new computer. is this a tub model like journalist bob’s computer? and does it float?

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

35 The toaster!

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Point noted Bob - It’s just that I assumed most people could discern between a post directed to DOB for a purpose and one meant for chatting.I don’t have a dirrect line to the clubhouse so this is the best way available.I really believe if I could get the ear of the right people there’s a chance to help Chipper with this.I’m not a fool I’m right on these things more than not.So keep your eyes open and see if anything comes of it.

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

Grinch, if you’ll share in the money, I’ll be more than happy to send them some olives and brine … that suuff works miracles … and put in a good word … anything to help a good friend! However, I will need a small advance.

By hk

February 24, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

10-7-4

… before sliced bread: Gutenberg Printing Press

… after sliced bread: the internet …

By TheSouthernJackAss

February 24, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

No matter what name Stinky posts under—his comments all have the same odor!…

By 10-7-4

February 24, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

Guys, ole Clint still insists that it is Seagrams 7.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

Jimmy - Studs Terkel once said Vegas is where western civilization goes to die.I guess I really must be thick! For the last month or so this country has ate up the Anna Nicole garbage,so why I’d expect more than your silly tripe must be as you put it a character flaw.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 24, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

think it was stinky, southern? could be. sometimes a man, sometimes a woman. always mean. now, baseball … with the new shoes (suggested just last night by a fan on the braves blog) chipper jones is expected to be fleet of foot this season. the question now is will chipper run past edgar renteria who reported to camp a bit pudgy?

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

HK, the printing press was pretty good but since nobody reads any more and people still toast their bread I’d have to go with the toaster.

Even 2,000 years ago folks liked toasted bread and coming up with a toaster years before sliced bread was invented was rather remarkable … don’t you think?!

Baseball wasn’t a bad invention either!

Of course, as 35 posed the question, cronoligical order wasn’t an issue so I’d go with “Heaven and Earth” … then maybe the “wheel”.

By OddJob

February 24, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

Jimmy in a better world you would be a complete fool,lucky for you huh!

By journalist jimmy smith

February 24, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

oddjob, tiny tim once said, tiptoe through the tulips. has oddjob been in the tulips tonight? jimmy smith has made no mention of character flaw on this blog but if oddjob feels one coming on try some extra nice socks to remedy the problem. well past this youngster’s bedtime, so goodnight.

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

Jimmy, the Most Honorable Southern would never do that and I have his promise to keep the Jackass under controll and out of mischief … to the best of his ability … however, from time to time, it’s difficult since mules and jackasses have trouble solializing with sheep.

Even I posted a note to myself earlier this evening reminding me of much the same thing.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

February 24, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

braveheart, There are those who made much of the fact that despite Jeff Francouer had a high RBI total. He did not deliver up to his potential when you considered the number of opportunities he had to drive in runs.

I read many years ago something that I think to be quite comparable. It stated that in football, for every turnover i.e. interception or fumble, you needed to subtract 75 yards from the offense’s stat sheet to get a true measure of the game.

When you look at situational hitting, that is not just home runs but advancing the runner, not hitting into double plays, hitting to the opposite field.

How many times have we seen players come to the plate and we knew the outcome before they even stepped into the box? Knew they were going to do the worst possible thing? Other times you knew the guy was going to come through. Just knew the guy was going to come through.

Kelly Johnson is one of those players who is going to hit. He was 0 for awful but he was crushing the ball. Anybody who knows anything about baseball can see the kid can hit. He just was hitting the ball at people. Perhaps this season he will be hitting them where they can’t catch them.

Diaz is another kid that has a knack for getting hits with men on base. With the early reports perhaps those hits will be a little longer than before. Wow, a guy with a high average and power, sounds like someone who the Braves fans are looking for and they won’t have to make a trade to get him.

So if someone will come up with a number that takes into account the following: A.B. O.B.P. AVG. RBI. plus the ratio of RBI per opportunity, game winning hits. slugging percentage, minus rally double plays. Okay I think you get the picture of how complicated it really gets.

Yes, you are right how some guys are overrated and some are overlooked. Always been that way and always will be. It is why you want to be the guy they have signed to the big bonus because they have the most to lose if you fail.

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this

OddJob,

Jimmy is about as incomplete a fool as there is on this blog … bar none! Well, maybe Scoots, My Lady, and the SSIScribe … but he stands well behind me, HK, Lew, Grinch and everyone else of whom I can think when it come to completeness.

To think Jimmy a fool is, by definition … to be complete, though I know that seems to be a reversal of thinking on my part, having earlier told Lew that there was no such animal … I now realize that I have not met everybody!

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 24, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Here’s a foot exercise that might help Chipper:

Tell him to sit upright, pick up his right foot a couple of inches off the floor and move his foot in a circle clockwise, at the same time take his right hand and draw a “6” in the air, starting at the top of the six.

If his foot doesn’t change directions, he does indeed have a problem … that or he’s using the wrong right foot.

By David O'Brien

February 24, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

just got in and got some genuine laughs reading the posts. you good people have some fervent imaginations and some have a flair for creative writing. tip of the KU cap to you (I was wearing one while watching them crush Iowa State earlier tonight. KU’s playing too well, they’re scaring me. Need to save this for the tournament, and I ain’t talking about the Big 12 tournament).

Anyway … yes, if only Jimmy could have been there this morning as Chipper gave me a personal tutorial in his footwear and toe health. And the shoe box … it’s a pretty good photo of him, in uniform and in his batting stance.

Grinch, Gonzalez has looked awfully impressive so far. He throws hard, but also has a nasty breaking ball. And he throws with such a quick, loose, fluid delivery. “Live arm,” as the scouts say. Big-time live arm.

Hampton’s second BP session today was much more encouraging than his first. Went 10 minutes today, and threw harder than a few days ago. Still up in the air whether he’ll make first turn in rotation next weekend, but better chance of it now, I’d say, than was before he threw today….

OK, speaking of Chipper: As promised, Hoss’ five favorite artists (not sure if they’re in order, but this is the order he named them):

1. Rascal Flatts (hey, what can I say, I asked him and he’s not really into the old stuff, Waylon and such)

2. Sarah Evans (she’s quite attractive, I’ll say that)

3. The Eagles (now we’re warming up; not bad at all)

4. The Cars (who knew!? I’d have never guessed this one. For the Gimme-5 entry, he told me a story of a young Chipper and his ‘Vette with the removable roof in 1991 in A-ball at Macon, driving to the park cranking The Cars. Now that’s a visual for you all.)

5. Steve Miller Band

Now I ask, where else can you possibly get this hard-hitting journalism?

By TheSouthernJackAss

February 24, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

Bob, journalist—I can understand jimmy’s suspicians, and mistrust of TheJackAss, especially taking into consideration our past adversarial history, however, I do not feel the need to tear down the esteemed journalist in order to bolster my own confidence. My biggest transgression on this blog is that I have never feared to state the obvious, and that in a very raw manner.

So now only time will prove my genuine proclamation of reform and repentance as to my former uncut style of bloggery to that of a more genteel persona. But I hope no one mistakes my new found kindness as weakness nor lack of adequate cognitive ability, and if I do have a severe relapse, it will be for good reason!

So jimmy, as the old JackAss would say—It wasn’t me A**n!!!…if you can converse with me fine, if you can’t, fine!!!…

By The Grinch

February 24, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

Wow. I’ll withdraw from that conversation.

DOB, the image of Chipper in a ‘vette listening to the Cars the year I graduated…yeah, that puts a different spin on my assessment of him (such as it was). Hmm. Glad Gonzo’s lookin’ good and even more glad Hampton is.

I hereby predict the Braves are going to have a kick-butt season and put all the nay-sayers in their place. The only way this team doesn’t win 90-95 games is if several unexpected catastrophes happen this season, and since that happened last season I don’t expect it again. We will we will rock them. Hoo-ah!

By TennesseePaul

February 24, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

DOB: Thanks for posting the gimmie5. That’s a pretty eclectic list is some regards.

Now, I’m surprised… the printing press and internet even the toaster? Please, we all know it’s toilet paper. No more leaves and pine cones.

Tom- “What you need is a great idea. Like the pet rock.”
Michael Bolton- “You think the pet rock was a good idea?”
Tom- “Well, yeah. The guy made a million bucks. You know, I had an idea once.”
Peter- “Really Tom, what was it?”
Tom- “Well alright. It was a jump to conclusions mat. You see, it would be this mat with conclusions on it; which you would jump to.”
Michael Bolton- “That’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”
Samir- “Yes. It is horrible.”

By Spike

February 25, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Could be that Soriano is one of those guys that’s a little shy and has a hard time introducing himself, and the tough guy is just a cover until he feels comfortable. I hope he’s just that and not a disruption. And just to point out that relievers don’t always have to snarl to be intimidating, Smoltz was as good a reliever as there has ever been and he intimidated hitters with his stuff, as does Mariano Rivera. Let’s don’t annoint Mr. Soriano as the baddest Brave yet, he hasn’t even thrown a pitch in a Brave uniform.

By Bob, journalist (formally known as being PAS)

February 25, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

Most Honorable, Methinks Jimmy knows that … early this morning I found myself going back and forth between personas .. and my real self … very confusing and the work product a total disaster … had the good sense not to post it but was sorely tempted.

Those who recognize your essence may attempt to occasionally laugh with you … and past histories always carry some baggage but I’m sure their intentions will be good, and honorable.

There’s more than just humor in the previous post to which you responded as I’m sure you’re aware. The newer ones to the Blog don’t realize our history or understanding … or that I’ve been calling you Most Honorable Southern for a long time.

I’m not quite sure what you think of me but think you know what I think of you! Too much thinking in that sentence for someone of my limited capacity so I’ll pause and rethink it while you continue blogging … hopefully as Most Honorable but I’ll try to understand it it’s Southern.

By ElbravoX

February 25, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

DOB- WHAT IS UP WITH THE HOSS THING? WHY, WHEN- DETAILS PLEASE!

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this

10 Paul, you’ve got a point about toilet paper … can’t count the number of times it seemed the only leaves I could find were from the vine of the oak.

How long do you think will it take for the “short - second - first” thing to get in sync?

Outside of that, my only fears relate to injuries and pre-occupation of some players with filling the preceived “power loss”.

Hopefully, at least from my perspective, we’ll see some “Nellie Fox -Willie Keeler” baseball … much more exciting … more consistent … I personally think that this team could set records relative to run production if they’d play “Keeler” rather than “Weaver” baseball … and the fans would love it!

Speaking of that, what’s your opinion of team speed … that is, from where do you expect our speed to come?

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 01:04 AM | Link to this

10 Paul … My response was tongue in cheek but one that maybe 35 expected. You’ll find the toaster used in some parlor games … like: List the following “inventions” in order of occurrance “radio, TV, presliced bread, toaster, computer” … pretty sure the toaster was first … I remember that presliced bread wasn’t introduced until sometime during the Depression while the electric toaster was invented in the 19th century!

To me, that’s a egg before chicken thing to appreciate!

By The Grinch

February 25, 2007 01:09 AM | Link to this

Well, Bob, I expect Hudson expects his speed to come from his contacts in Oakland. Unfortunately, they test for that stuff nowadays, which is the only explanation for his unexplainable decline since they started testing that I can come up with. Hmm. Perhaps, like Giambi, he can find a way to rediscover his natural ability after the substance ban and become at least a no. 3 starter for us. That would certainly be nice.

By TennesseePaul

February 25, 2007 01:19 AM | Link to this

Bob, Journalist: Perchance have you seen Office Space yet? I still recommend it. It seems the tongue in cheek really comes out when I quote a reference from that flick.

By Head Coach

February 25, 2007 01:19 AM | Link to this

Hudson on speed ? Then , was Chipper on Riod’s ? Was Andruw on doughnut’s ? I better quit caffiene before I get accused of being high while blogging.

By braveheart

February 25, 2007 01:19 AM | Link to this

well grinch, in a related bay area story, i heard today that nick swisher reported to camp claiming that he put on “20 pounds of muscle” working at a farm this winter. as the SNL skit goes these days, Oh, Really Now, Nick Swisher? funny how oakland just seems to have the best “farms” around the bigs. kind of funny how zito did not stray too far from those bay area “farms” this winter, did he?

By KC

February 25, 2007 01:20 AM | Link to this

Oh common Grinch! You don’t really believe that crap. I truly hope you’re kidding.

While steroids can help bat speed, they don’t do much of anything for throwing velocity. Barry Bonds throws a baseball at about 75 MPH, while a little guy like Rafael Furcal throws 90.

And Hudson’s velocity was right where it’s always been until the last couple months of the season. I would imagine that mental exhaustion played a role as much as anything. It was a looooong year for Hudson and the Braves.

By KC

February 25, 2007 01:24 AM | Link to this

Grinch, have you rented 40 Year Old Virgin yet?

By KC

February 25, 2007 01:27 AM | Link to this

I hear Matt Diaz is filling out and hitting the ball harder. Better make sure he’s not using any of that… uh-hum… pain-reliever cream Barry Bonds used for his aching knees.

Just kidding. From everything I’ve heard about Matt Diaz as a person, it would shock me if he weren’t completely on the up and up.

By The Grinch

February 25, 2007 01:46 AM | Link to this

No, KC, not ‘roids…look at the guy. Amphetemines. Possibly; of course I have no idea and it’s pure speculation, but that might be what helped him pass the 5th inning in the old days, whereas now he wears completely out aftr 5 1/3. Plus, that A’s team at that time was known for just about everything drug related, as Braveheart noted. And no, I haven’t rented 40 year-old virgin yet, but I’m planning on it.

I’m just taking a shot in the dark, and maybe he’ll prove me wrong (and I hope he does). But, no injuries and a steady decline at his age with his body type that just happened to coincide with the ban? I’d love it if he came out this year and proved that supposition wrong. If he doesn’t, though…As for Chipper, you can look at him and tell he hasn’t done ‘roids. Andruw has definitely done doughnuts, but not ‘roids. Huddy is suspect to me ‘till he explains himself physically. Hope he does.

By Head Coach

February 25, 2007 02:16 AM | Link to this

Anybody seen: Rolling Kansas(2003)? It’s about a road trip to find a magical forest of marijuana. Between the gorgeous topless chick with the huge rack and the copious amounts of weed , Thomas Hayden Church(Sideways,2004) has written , directed and acted in a rather laugh out loud independent film/comedy well worth the renting. Need I say more. What about: Waiting(2005)? Between the grossed out jokes , genetalia exhibition , beaver shot and lesbian kiss this is one movie that will remind you to never forget the tip at the end of the meal. O’yea , if you do ever see it , keep watching through the credits. Then again , if you don’t have a sense of humor…..you might not want to watch either of these movies.

By Head Coach

February 25, 2007 02:47 AM | Link to this

Grinch , steroid’s are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Sooner or later it will all come out in the wash and then we will know exactly why guys like Bonds , McGwire and Sosa looked like professional wrestlers. We have yet to even scratch the surface. The drug cocktails will become more than just an urban legend and some people(professional athletes) whose names we have yet to hear will be exposed for the frauds they are. If you ask me there should be a moratorium on all current(excluding veterans,coaches and announcers) hall of fame voting until we know exactly who the guilty are. That alone would force MLB and the players union to out these players instead of trying to sweep it under the rug. The current penalty system isn’t nearly enough , there are players playing right now who should be permanently banned from the game for life. Would you let a thief work in a bank , a child molester work in a daycare or an alcoholic behind the wheel ? These athletes are not above the law. They cheated , they lied , they broke the law and should be punished ASAP. Your all welcome to your own opinion and I respect that , but there it is in black and white.

By The Grinch

February 25, 2007 03:04 AM | Link to this

Amen, HC…but it’s a mighty big iceberg. When it’s all sorted out we’ll likely be hangin’ out with James Brown. I was sticking that theory about Huddy out there for those who say: “But it just doesn’t make sense!” No, not according to the criteria you’re using. But it makes sense somewhere outside the lines. We’ll find out in his biography, if we’re still ticking, along with the explanations of many others. BTW, I’ve been using a setup like you described earlier (PIII/512/80) for the last 4 years, and upgraded today. Major, major difference for not much more than I paid for the old one then. I highly recommend it.

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 04:05 AM | Link to this

Before closing down, I thought I’d share some of my thoughts with the “Most Honorable Southern” who has at times, for reasons of his own … taken on the persona of a jackass … but, after I began writing, I realized that he probably already knows pretty much what I’m thinking … so rather than discarding the post and waste the effort, as I’ve been known to do, this is for both the Most Honorable Southern and the collective neighborhood, including all visitors … hopefully, it bespeaks my perspective and it’s yours … to have or have not.

Honorable, there’s little wrong and much right with being obvious … I’m envious of those who can effectively so do! You know, better than most, that it’s only preaching to the choir if your remarks are only understood by others who already agree with you … but, I also think it’s generally better to try to charm the snake rather than trying to outbite it.

Don’t know why I thought of this, but I’m sure you will well remember the time that I was shocked, surprised and pleased to get a positive response after having opposed someone’s objectionable behavior with a scathing post that included my repetitive use of “how dare you sir!” … wish I had saved it!

I myself was blunt and straightforward on that day … and for once, my intended audience, understood and appreciated the point(s) I was tring to make … so don’t get discouraged or beat yourself up when there are bumps in the road … just keep doing your best and you’ll be fine!

You know my attitude toward boorish behavior but I also think the adroit, effective use of the vulgar as Sam Clemmens, the Bard and others have shown … is a good device for getting your point accross … but unfortunately, over 99% of those who attempt to so do, fall far short of the mark and their behavior is boorish … their rhetoric obscene … for while they are certainly vulgar, they are neither adroit nor effective! Truth is that most folks don’t really know the definition of “vulgar”, except maybe “Billy” who knows the definition of all the words I use … not picking on TBFNB, one of my favorite bloggers, … just a transition for a brief digression … if we can’t laugh at ourselves and with others … we are indeed all jackasses!

Blessing or curse, I think your destiny is to lead rather than follow, my friend … others are going to follow your lead, whether you want them to or not … “good cop - bad cop” has it’s place but generally, trying to live that in which you believe will accomplish more, and hold you in good sted over the long run … we already have far too many bad role models.

Most folks are trying, generally with considerable success, to put their best foot forward … in life and on this Blog … and want to make a good impression, make friends, share opinions and ideas, and leave their mark.

However, some are predisposed to show everybody how little they know … I’m not sure why they try so hard when they make their point so easily … but, we can’t let them get us down … I think it’s just a matter of hearing and proper spelling … if we can only get them to listen to themselves and start using “eye” instead if “I” … they’ll begin seeing things in a different light.

Hopefully, in 2007, we can just have some fun … make new friends, share those ideas and laughs, rid ourselves of apathy … and really enjoy our time together as the Braves give us some exciting baseball.

I truly believe a World Championship is there for the having and will be diasppointed if we fail to acheive that level of success … but winning only has significant meaning if the other things are be realized.

Maybe the most difficult thing for anyone to do is to really appreciate and enjoy the differences in people rather than thinking everybody should be the same … like them!

Mama would sometimes tell me that I would argue with a fencepost and was stubborn as a mule … but that didn’t mean I had to act like a jackass. Mama was just saying that for the benefit of my sister and baby brother … I was always good and especially nice around Mama.

I love my Mama, my best friend … and Daddy too … they taught me that it’s always best to be nice … I have the scars to prove it!

My friend, let’s slay the dragons together!

Selah

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 05:07 AM | Link to this

Grinch, Metinks I just wrote the first chapter to a book … guess I just got carried away … sorry to dissapoint, they haven’t come for me yet … just be patient, all good things come to those who don’t deserve them!

I just looked at it … not too many errors … but the ones I made were disturbing … I can understand things like “of” vs “if” cause they are next to each other on the keyboard … and “for the having” instead of “for the taking” was intentional though I intended to also say … “but, we have to take it” … then there are extra words where I started one thought and changed how I said it … without deleting the entire first thought. I was getting ready to change the “outbite” to “spew more venom” when Carol called me … and then I forgot to so do.

I think you’re better off not to admit to your publishers that you know me, at least until I learn how to type!

By Jeff R

February 25, 2007 05:50 AM | Link to this

DOB’s piece on Hampton…interesting that Cox is saying that the Braves are counting on Hampton to be their #3 starter, and a little later in the piece (I think later), there’s discussion of Smoltz being on the DL twice his first season back from surgery and the need for a “go slow” approach. Certainly, I hope Hampton rebounds quicker rather than slower, but why would Cox hang his hat on a starter who may be facing physical hurdles and time off? Maybe Hampton begins as a #5 starter. Maybe it’s best to lower expectations.

By Darth Stinky

February 25, 2007 05:51 AM | Link to this

gmafb

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 06:24 AM | Link to this

10 Paul, hopefully you’ll see this when you return … I’ve been unable to connect with my nephew but it hasn’t been forgotten. However, your remarks give “tongue in cheek” new meaning.

You sir, can succeed where others fail because I always trust you … my labeling you the best of the best Braves’ fans is sincere and I really wanted your opinion … you notice that I didn’t ask the others for their opinions … only you! I expected what I got from my young Super Hero friend … I only hope that we don’t find that there’s more than just his cigar causing the smoke to which he’s alluding.

By No Chop Zone

February 25, 2007 08:58 AM | Link to this

LEW, How could a team that won 97 games the year before barley get to .500 the next without any major players leaving. That’s OK, I copied and pasted your post (2/24/07 10:26am) just to remind you all season long that you don’t know s-h-i-t about baseball and that all your comments are based on bias not facts.

By Kentavo

February 25, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

If any of ya’ll have spare time, check out my new blog - http://kentavo.blogspot.com

This blog is devoted to Braves talk, general sports, pop culutre, music and life along the Grand Strand (S.C.)

Any and all are welcome.

By KC

February 25, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

GRINCH: “I’m just taking a shot in the dark, and maybe he’ll prove me wrong (and I hope he does). But, no injuries and a steady decline at his age with his body type that just happened to coincide with the ban?”

Aaaaah yes… the Tim Hudson topic. I’m sure it will surprise you that I have something to say about this! =)

No injuries??? 2006 was his first completely healthy season in 3 years. Hudson’s career games started since 2000:

2000 – 32

2001 – 35

2002 – 34

2003 – 34

2004 – 27

2005 – 29

2006 - 35

It’s widely known that he struggled with an oblique muscle strain most of 2004 and 2005, and these numbers certainly bear that out. Most of both seasons, it was one of those injuries where you’re trying to decide if rest will help, or if you just need to pitch through it. A 3.50 ERA when you’re playing hurt is pretty damned good.

Barry Zito hasn’t sniffed a 3.50 ERA in several (healthy) seasons and still got the largest contract of any pitcher in history. Hudson posts a 3.50 (very much like the ERA we all praised John Smoltz for in 2006) in two seasons in which he was clearly not 100%, and we call it a “mediocre” effort. Posting a 3.50 ERA while playing hurt is a sign of “decline”? I still don’t get it.

Again, we’re talking about one bad season (2006). That’s it. If we’re going to continue to roll 05 and 06 together and look at the combined numbers… of course Hudson will look like he’s been mediocre since he got here. But he wasn’t at all mediocre in 2005.

Tim Hudson was healthy in 2006 and still sucked. Hard to fathom. But the difference between the Hudson of old and a 4.86 ERA sure as hell wasn’t as simply as amphetamines.

By eware

February 25, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Why does everyone on the Braves like Rascal Flats? Those dudes are horrible. They have one song that they change the lyrics to.

DOB, just got Alejandro Escovedo’s album “A Man under the Influence.” Castanet’s is one of the coolest songs I’ve heard in a while.

By KC

February 25, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

Jeff R: I don’t think you want Hampton as your 5th starter, because your 5 guy has to miss starts… sometimes 2 or 3 starts in a row in order to keep other starters on schedule. We probably want to keep Hampton on a more consistent schedule than that.

However, I like DOB’s idea about Hampton being the 4th starter right now. Makes a lot of sense. Of course, it’s all symbolic anyway. It doesn’t really matter in the regular season. Unless you’re the 5th starter, you pitch every 5th day.

By Robert

February 25, 2007 01:04 PM | Link to this

“If you ask me there should be a moratorium on all current(excluding veterans,coaches and announcers) hall of fame voting until we know exactly who the guilty are”

Except of course for Bobby Cox’s automatic first ballot induction, right?

I have bewen trying to picture in my mind how exactly Bobby Cox explained his role to Soriano

Cox - “Ok, so I’m the guy who, in the first week of October, will, with one or two ill-timed stupid decisions make sure that your entire season’s worth of effort gets flushed down the toilet”

By TennesseePaul

February 25, 2007 01:26 PM | Link to this

Bob, Journalist: Sorry I didn’t respond sooner. Anywho, to answer your question, I think the team speed will be alright. Assuming you are speaking of the athletic abilities and not that which Grinch and DonC promote. At any rate, I think we’ll be fine. If Orr doesn’t make the cut we won’t have anyone with out-right blazing speed, but it isn’t like our team consists entirely of McCann level wheels. Langerhans can run well. AJ will probably run very well in his walk year. Francoeur is pretty swift. KJ is pretty atheletic. Renteria isn’t bad either. Basically, if it comes down to a Sid and Barry type situation, it won’t be any where near as close unless McCann is running. Maybe Pena, but I don’t recall his speed. This team hasn’t really had a big time base stealer in a while. Furcal stole bases, but he didn’t run as much here as with the Dodgers. Cox doesn’t manage that way. And with this team, you really shouldn’t. This team has a lot of pop in the bat. McCann, Francoeur, Chipper, AJ can all hit 30 homers. Thorman has potential to hit 30. Renteria and KJ can hit 10-15. There will be a lot of doubles knocked out there as well. So running shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
You know, even though McCann isn’t the fastest guy out there, he still comes across faster than Estrada. When Estrada ran, it looked like a turtle could out pace him. It was like he was stuck in mud even when running on a people mover. That guy was slow.
I remember when he made the all-star team. I watched it with all these Dodger fans. They had questions and I told them how clutch the guy was. He was hitting close to .500 with RISP at the all star break. Right there with Bonds in clutch numbers. Finally, he gets up and connects with the ball. He starts running and everyone one of us were wondering if the video feed was put in slow motion. The guy just couldn’t run. The Dodger fans just looked at me and said, “What’s wrong with the guy, he doesn’t like to hustle?” All I could say was, “That’s the fastest I’ve ever seen him move!”

By Gil in Mechanicsville

February 25, 2007 02:04 PM | Link to this

Lots of problems with the blog connection today. I guess they did not pay somebody in the IT department this week.

As for the speed question…. Base running has not ever been one of the Brave’s strong suits. When you add bone head mistakes to the mix like not touching bases or leaving too early and getting picked off. Well, those can kill a rally in a heartbeat.

It is not always pure speed that allows for base stealing. It is timing and the ability to judge a pitcher’s movement to the plate plus the ability of a catcher to make accurate throws.

Other teams have not had problems running on the Braves. A glaring weakness I know the coaches will be working on this spring.

By AdirondackDave

February 25, 2007 02:30 PM | Link to this

Things are very quiet here… did they cancel spring trainging?

By mike

February 25, 2007 04:00 PM | Link to this

The last thing a mets fan wants is for us to cut-and-paste their comments over the years and re-post them to remind them of the foolishness they have spit out over the years.

By Lew

February 25, 2007 04:26 PM | Link to this

There is a big difference between team speed and stealing bases. Watch Andruw go from first to third. He moves much quicker than home to first with his ankle breaking swing. Chipper is also not base stealing fast, but can score from second on a single. Most of the Braves can.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 25, 2007 04:26 PM | Link to this

well, must be some sore feet on the blog today - had to shut ‘er down for awhile until better. and what happened while this journalist slept? never did this journalist accuse sja of being ugly last night. braves fans are fortunate oddjob picked up on too tight shoes for chipper. bigger shoes could lead to more toe freedom and a mvp. now, this journalist was surprised with chipper’s top 5 and not a single song that jimmy smith guessed! still, if chipper is humming on the field jimmy smith suspects chipper will be humming one of jimmy smith’s picks. now, baseball … if scribe has published some toe journalism scribe must tell us. for healthy toes and happy feet - red goose shoes.

By Lew

February 25, 2007 04:45 PM | Link to this

I’ve had fits with the site today, also. I sent four responses to NoChopZone and none posted. Since it seems to be working now. What is it about Mets fans? Every time I post something they don’t agree with or refuse to accpet as a fact, I’m called a D!ck, an assH-le, or told I don’t no sh!t about baseball. Never once do they actually use logic. Well, NoChopZone, here goes- You haven’t lost any pieces to last year’s team? How about Trachsel, who won 15 games, Cliff Floyd, three mebers of what WAS a great bullpen and Pedro Martinez, your best pitcher? Where is all that money all of you have been throwing in our faces? Why haven’t they spent it? What is that stud GM of yours, Omar been doing to earn his reputation or his salary? Oh yeah-he signed Moises Alou, Jorge Soas, Chan Ho Park, Ruben Sierra and Alomar, Jr. You want to know how a team can go from a 90+win season to barely at .500? Look at the Braves last year. The reason you will do it this year, like we did last-It’s the pitching, stupid. You don’t have any. You won’t have Pedro back for four months and he won’t be up to his usual performance for some time after that-if at all. He had more than the shoulder problem, he had toew and calf issues, too. He had already been in decline before thsi recent rash of injuries. Didn’t you get how good Jorge Sosa was when you saw hi pitch last year? Chan Ho Park is not exactly going to malke the NL East quake in fear, either. You are counting on unproven kids, from a lousy farm system to make your rotation respectable. When was the last time you had a kid from your farm system become a stud pitcher for you? Scott Kazmir doesn’t count, you got rid of him. I think the last one was David Cone, over 20 years ago. You replaced Cliff Floyd with Moises Alou. Man, that really strengthen s your team. Same with Sierra and Alomar Jr. Do you have eb=nough rocking chairs in the clubhouse for all your 40 year olds- Glavine, Julio France, El Duque (the often injured), Sierra, Alou and Alomar? I just love that youth movement Omar has going for them. You will come in third in the division this year. The Braves and Phillies are improved-You aren’t. Your division crown streak will end at one. Just like every other time you’ve won ONE.

By David O'Brien

February 25, 2007 04:48 PM | Link to this

Adirondack, others: The entire website was down for most of a period between late last night through early this afternoon.

Harrison’s starting Wednesday vs. Tech, but Bobby’s waiting until tomorrow to announce the other starters. Dodgers plan to start Randy Wolf.

Others pitching vs. Tech: Ascanio, Barry, Lerew, Johnson, Devine.

By David O'Brien

February 25, 2007 04:52 PM | Link to this

Cox raved about Harrison today, but even more about Yunel Escobar. Said he absolutely crushed the ball on back field during BP. Bobby spent the day back there watching a bunch of the prospects.

Escobar is ripped, man. Saw him in the clubhouse after workout. He’s not built like a typical middle infielder, taller and stronger than most. Built more like a 3B, but moves well enough to play middle infield. And teams keep calling Braves about him….

Eware, that Escovedo album is one of my favorites of his. He sang “Castanets” at the live show at the Earl last fall. You got his latest, “The Boxing Mirror”? Also very good.

By ssiscribe

February 25, 2007 05:14 PM | Link to this

Well, appears the ol’ Web site and the blog are back in working order. Tried to file both this morning and this afternoon, to no avail.

So, what did the Scribe have to say? A recap (from memory):

— Glad to see Hampton feeling good about his session yesterday. Patience has to be a virtue with him. If he can only go five to six innings come opening day, that’s cool.

— I’m really excited about the Harrison kid. Don’t think he’s going to be ready until he gets a little more seasoning, but it’ll be a great experience for him to start on Wednesday. For those of you on the coast, remember Adam Wainwright — who threw the final pitch of the Series last year — started against Tech in the spring opener (I know, the game doesn’t count; we’ll call it the opener just because) back in 2003. Best I remember (that was the year before I started going down to camp), he got hit kinda hard, then it rained. Didn’t hurt him that much, though; he gets a pretty ring come April, and it looks like he’s — for now — settling into the Cards’ rotation in the No. 4 spot (behind Carpenter, Wells and Reyes).

— And speaking of pitching against Tech, let’s see if Joey Devine can take a big first step. Remember, he was spot on during camp last year before it all fell apart for the kid from N.C. State.

— JJS, toe journalism? The Scribe has some, but I’ll leave it to the Wurlitzer folks to dig it up. After all, some of my “Scribe-ing” came before the Internet really took off, so Googling might not work in this case. Rest assured, I kept the readership on its toes.

— Bob, I can state with all honesty that this Scribe can be a fool with the best (or worst) of them. Just ask Mrs. Scribe; she has a list of foolish things done by her husband that would stretch from home plate at Turner Field to the Varsity!

(And she still puts up with me. Miracles never cease.)

— Grinch, bro, whatchya think about the Thrashers’ deals? I think they gave up too much today; Metro and three picks, plus another No. 1? Dude best come in here and score like the dickens, and fire up the power play. Right now, even if Le Thrash get into the playoffs, they’re going home in five games, the way they’re playing (what a stinker last night).

Time to close out what’s turned into a beautiful day. Hey gang, games start in less than 72 hours, and we’ll have new things to talk about every day between now and the big parade we’ll have on Peachtree sometime shortly before Halloween.

For now, the Scribe abides.

Peace.

—30—

By journalist jimmy smith

February 25, 2007 05:21 PM | Link to this

dob, is escobar the whistling infielder and will we hear escobar whistle during games? and does escobar whistle at beautiful girls in the stands as well? perhaps chattanooga choo-choo is the proper song to be played when escobar comes to bat - choo-choo. and jimmy smith has just read another book about the twbts and the south loses again! much like the braves in the playoffs. not this year, though.

now, dob … serious baseball questions … the braves have players now who can throw hard and fast. who impresses dob most? and would dob remind us who the really hard throwers are on this team? and doesn’t this bode well if the braves can get into a short series at season’s end? and whither bobby dews?

By journalist jimmy smith

February 25, 2007 05:28 PM | Link to this

this, from journalist dave kindred: Skip Caray said to his Braves broadcasting partner, “Joe, what do you do with an elephant who has three balls?” Joe Simpson fell silent, so Caray finished: “Walk him, silly, and pitch to the giraffe.”

By Yars

February 25, 2007 05:44 PM | Link to this

I am glad to read that Chipper is optimistic about this season and I pray that he stays healthy. Chipper is the kind of player that can singlehandily win you games. A reminder to everyone, the Braves will be playing on ESPN this friday!! I hope players such as Kelly Johnson, Thorman, Chipper, & Langerhans are in the lineup that day.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

February 25, 2007 06:02 PM | Link to this

DOB, with Lillibridge in the fold and the hopefulness that Kelly Johnson can handle second is there any place for Escobar on the team or is he nothing more than trade bait at this point? Also, are you allowed to divulge which teams are calling about him?

By TheSouthernJackAss

February 25, 2007 06:20 PM | Link to this

A famous philosopher by the name of Stonecold Steve Austin proclaimed on more than one occasion, “Don’t trust anybody!”…and TheSouthernJackAss took those words to heart, and now I can see it was advice well worth receiving. I entered this blog awhile back just for fun, I dished it out, as well as I took it. Consequently, some folks began to take offense to my tirades, while at the same time firing words, just as raw as my own, right back in my face, questioning my intelligence, stature, education, social skills, financial wealth, sexual orientation, you name it, I lacked it! Then the delete button came into play, along with the threat of the dreaded IP address exposure. This allowed certain pet bloggers to fire away at ol’ JackAss with whatever monkeyshyt they felt like tossing, then when ol’ JackAss returned fire, he was quickly deleted!

Some of you(including the writer of these blogs)were permitted to use the same type of language, and to make statements just as bad as TheJackAss ever made, but without any repercussions whatsoever. Some of you felt the need to include disparaging comments about me in nearly everyone of your posts, and most without provocation.

I’ve been told many a time on this blog that I am worthless as a person, with nothing of value to say, and unliked by all. Pretty strong judgements coming from strangers that know absolutely nothing about me, nor who attempted to take the time to genuinely do so. Guess I hit a real sore spot somewhere along the way with your DOB, and I reckon I threatened the cleverness of a certain beloved journalist too many times for comfort.

I do want to remind you of a few people that I remember hearing about a while back, all with questionable morals and character, one was a young man who killed another man then hid his body, another committed adultery with a man’s wife then had him murdered, another was a murderer and a terrorist who enjoyed his work, another was a prostitute caught in the very act. Just imagine the consternation these people would have received in this blog, pretty bad people huh?

Well, those bad people mentioned above are Moses, King David, and the Apostle Paul, and that w******* who had committed an act worthy of death was allowed to live because none of her accusers were anymore sinless than she, so they walked away in shame knowing this in their hearts.

I’ve said all that to say this—TheSouthernJackAss has admitted his faults, but you guys are no better, nor worse than me. You present yourselves on these blogs as you would have others perceive you, but the heart of man is evil, yours and mine. The only difference between me and you is that I allowed a little more to spill out for others to see, and they didn’t like what they saw, the reason being is that what they were seeing was a reflection of themselves!

So I will be leaving the blog forever, under my own power, not because anyone ran me off, but simply because it just isn’t fun anymore. And jimmy, if someone happens to poke a stick in your cage, look elsewhere, it won’t be TheSouthernJackAss a doin’ the pokin’! Much ado about nothing huh? Oh well, that’s what blogs are for.

Thanks Bob for the kind words, a rare thing these days, especially if they’re sincere…

By AdirondackDave

February 25, 2007 06:33 PM | Link to this

I don’t know if Escobar is trade bait yet or not but, man, it sure is good to be so well stocked in middle infielders knocking at the door or a year away. Have to think that Edgar, good as he is for the club, will be traded by this time next year for/toward an outfielder that can replace AJ if necessary (which I hope is not the case.)

So far, I’ve heard nothing but positive news out of the first week of spring training. This is going to be a good team and flying below the radar should help us as well.

By Lew

February 25, 2007 06:35 PM | Link to this

What’s with the persecution complex, Jacka$$? You haven’t gotten over yourself yet? Or is it the Odiferous One pretending again?

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 06:38 PM | Link to this

Earlier today, I posted twice, maybe thrice … but, they evidently got lost in translation … I saved this one … if it reappears … hopefully, you’ll understand that it’s not an intentional multiple posting!

You gotta like Hampton … “There were some times where I’m behind the wheel and if somebody’s driving slow in the fast lane, I want to knock them out of the way. But hey, don’t be in a hurry. … if I can live by that, … not only will my game be better, I think my personal life will be better.”

*Well, you don’t gotta, … but I do!

KC, regarding Hudson, I sent something that I didn’t save … but, a little part of it was along these lines.

An old scribe named Charlie Dickens told me that how folks view your performance ususlly depends on their expectations … “if they don’t expect much and you do just a little bit, they think you’re the greatest thing since the “toaster” but if their expections are high and you don’t do perfect, they act like you’re burned toast!” … Charlie always did have his own way with words.

Some folks are never satisfied, if your performance is good they suspect you’re cheating … and if it declines, the suspect you cheated! I suspect those some of those folks may know a little too much about cheating.

By No Chop Zone

February 25, 2007 06:39 PM | Link to this

OK A-HOLE otherwise known as LEW. First of all Cone didn’t come from the Mets farm system as much as I would like to take credit for it. Secondly, the Mets farm system has produced at least two players better than any on the braves team, Wright and Reyes. There’s a method to Minaya’s madness that won’t be apparent until later in the season. Your prediction of the Mets finishing 3rd will not be fogotten in the course of the season. Be ready to be so very wrong. In case your memory has weakened with age I’ll be here to remind you. Keep in mind that last years pitching didn’t scare you either but you had to eat S-H-I-T because the 2006 Mets basically kicked your braves team all year long.I’m sure you have some bullcrap explanation that doens’t include giving credit were credit is due. Being a stand up guy is just foreign to you I guess.

By TheSouthernJackAss

February 25, 2007 06:52 PM | Link to this

He who gets stung the hardest will also scream the loudest!!!…

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 06:56 PM | Link to this

Honorable Southern, I understand and appreciate what you have said … especially the part about mirrors … that’s why all of ours are ins storage … some day I may have the courage to take them out.

Courage is as as rare as sincerity … methinks you have more than your share of both!

By Lew

February 25, 2007 07:01 PM | Link to this

What did I tell you. Nothing but a personal attack from Mets’ fans. I guess if they didn’t produce David Cone, then the last one was Ron Darling? Or Tom Seaver? What’s the method of Omar’s madeness? Wait until the Mets are so far out of it with their non-pitching staff and hope they can pull it out in a month and a half? Good luck. As far as the Mets producing two players out of their farm system, I assume you are referring to Reyes and Wright. Well aren’t you special. The Braves have produced Andruw, Chipper, Francoeur, McCann and Chuck James, to name a few. The Mets put two players out of their everyday 8 on the field from their own system. The Braves play 6 of 8 daily and 7 of 8 if Langerhans is in left. Don’t even go there Met Boy. Your farm system is non-existent compared to that of the Braves. Always has been and always will be. So the Braves got beat by the Mets last year. Well, again, aren’t you special? What about the 14 years before that? When have the Mets EVER won more than one in a row? Rhetorical question-they never have. Go away Met Boy. You don’t scare us and neither does your team with it’s laughable rotation. Calling me names won’t accomplish a thing. The Mets have no pitching and will not win the East this year. Bookmark it all you like you ignorant little potty mouthed dweeb. Like it or not-believe it or not, they won’t have their behinds pulled from the fire by the offense this year. And just why should I give any credit to you or the Mets for anything? Dude, I’m a Braves fan and your on a Braves’ website. What the hell do you expect, you immature little moron?

By braveheart

February 25, 2007 07:03 PM | Link to this

wright and reyes are not better than chipper and andruw. take it easy. i am not even sure wright and reyes are better than mccann. take it easy and watch the langauge, dude. what are you 14 years old? grow up!

No Chop Zone - After Glavine, name who your next 4 starters are right now? can you do that for me? you probably can’t and you probably do not want to. but please do because we all need a good hearty laugh at you.

what i find no chop zone is that braves fans are pretty reasonable about what the holes in their team are - but you just come off irrational - you can not lose the key members of your pen and think you are going to be good again - that whole team was based upon offense and bullpen. after you put out our leftovers as your number one starter, what do you have? NOTHING! be real about your team for once. discuss the strengths and the weaknesses of the mets and then explain why you think you are going to be good. that is the way adults argue. not with name calling and cursing like a 12 year old.

i know it is hard for you guys. you perpetually have the perpetual little red headed bastard brother complex playing in the city you do but you also have it in your own NL division as well. Here’s a question for you, if you are so darn confident about the mets, why are you on here arguing with braves fans? you finished first last year. BRAVO! but that still does not make you feel secure does it? deep down you know we are right and that the mets are fatally flawed and that is why you are taking out your little man complex out on people on here. It is funny i never heard a braves fan saying oh no the mets during the 14 years in a row. braves fans never bothered to waste their time concerning themselves with the mets chances of overtaking them. braves fans did not even bother to laugh at them. they just did not even bother concerning themselves with the mets at all. it is the same way for yankees fans. yankees fans do not even bother laughing at you either because you are so not on their level, you are not worth giving a second thought to.

deep down, you know i am right. otherwise, you would not be so insecure and be concerning yourself with the braves fans and what braves fans think of the braves chances this year. deep down. you know we are right and that you guys are headed back to your patented 70 something win also ran status

are you even from new york? if you are, why are you even on here? to true new yorkers, the rest of the world does not even exist. makes me believe that you are not a true new yorker and that you are just a bandwagon jumping new yorker wannabe.

By David O'Brien

February 25, 2007 07:04 PM | Link to this

Robert (JIB), first of all, we have no idea if Kelly is actually going to be able to handle 2B in games, though he’s certainly looked encouraging in workouts.

But is he going to be just serviceable? If so, then Lillibridge (or Prado, or Aybar, etc) could be there next year or before. And if Escobar isn’t traded (he won’t be unless Braves get serious talent back), then a year from now he could be ready to play SS if Edgar is healthy and coming off another productive year, in which case he could be traded.

In other words, just impossible to know what’s going to happen, which team might want a veteran SS and which team might want a cheap, promising young prospect, etc.

OK, just saw Penelope Cruz on the red carpet at Oscars. Yowza.

Going to try to go for a run now before the Oscars.

Scorsese, Whitaker, The Departed. If those three win, it’ll be a cool night.

By David O'Brien

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

And Mark Wahlberg for supporting actor. Or Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine. One of those two.

By TheSouthernJackAss

February 25, 2007 07:14 PM | Link to this

Thanks Lew for reaffirming my 6:20 post—you’re a prime example! Didn’t think I would have to wait very long for it either—and now I can leave the blog in peace…feel free to fire away!…

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 07:15 PM | Link to this

Hear’s another I tried to post earlier … updated just a bit …

At least HeadCoach had a good post last night before the AJC suffered a meltdown!

Coach is my friend … the problem was, he posted more than one … and after I told everyone what a fine upstanding coach and role model he was too. I’m surprised and a little dissappointed … trying to pretend he’s a dirty old man … I’ll bet he’s not even old enough to qualify as a sexy senior citizen!

However, I did rather enjoy his Richmond Braves guarantee earlier in the day … I won’t say the coach is like a Timex … but he certainly is dependable … wasn’t it Tom Sawyer’s Daddy who said that the most dependable watch is the one that’s stopped … it gives exactly the right time once less than thrice a day!

Honorable Southern, that’s an example of stubbornness … lose your focus, type thrice instead of twice, and then change the entire sentence rather than the word … old Sam would have been proud! Now, pause, reflect and reconsider … us jackasses need somebody like the “Most Honorable Southern” to help keep us straight! Nicely!

No, I’m not really beating up on HeadCoach … just having some fun and asking him to think … Sam’s watch analogy fits me too … and coach’s just sharing his opinions … if I lived in North Dakota in February, I’d probably … well, let’s just say I’m glad I don’t … but I did once (well almost - South Dakota’s close) sort of a been there and done that type of thing, in more ways than two … how many hours before Spring Training games start?

See, Jimmy, I can use third person too … different style; talking about folks when I’m really talking to them.

The bad penny shall return … along with the old soldier … you can count on it … to the Blog Jimmy, not the Philippines … probably after I wake up from this dream … if the AJC stays up for a while.

By David-ATL14

February 25, 2007 07:28 PM | Link to this

Great Job DOB, What a Life!

By hk

February 25, 2007 07:39 PM | Link to this

SJA …

… really liked your 6:20pm above, straight from the shoulder all the way, and well said …

… I agree with what you say about the hearts of men, not so much from looking at others, but myself … not too many years ago something happened to me, since then there’s this guy in my head that day in and day out holds a mirror up in front of me and says “do you see what I’m looking at ???” have come to see that my heart is full of bad stuff, always has been …

… agree with Bob, and think you ought to stick around :))

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 07:52 PM | Link to this

HK, what’s apt to be lost in all that he said is that while we know what is right, even the very best of us fall fall short … David, Moses, even you and me! His was not a religious comment, just an astute observation … and you don’t have to be 2,500 years to appreciate it!

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 07:57 PM | Link to this

I figure “Miss Prime Suspect” will win tonight … no mystery there … though I haven’t seen the movie.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 25, 2007 07:57 PM | Link to this

journalist disagrees that the heart of man is evil - depends on who you hang out with. when this journalist began blogging, sja and ron roberts were exchanging many insults - many involving goats. for a time, sja and jimmy smith blogged cordially. so, this journalist is sad to see sja leave - yes, it is true. sja, looks like only one stinky blogger picking on you now, and that blogger takes liberties with all - especially jimmy smith. sja actually adds some pretty good comments at times but attacks on others are unfounded. don’t slap all your children if only one misbehaves. then again, it could be stinky instead of sja. never can tell. oh, the humanity!

By Dr. Tchock

February 25, 2007 08:01 PM | Link to this

Hmmm, Demian is an excellent piece of literature. Ever read it, SJA? If not, I think you might appreciate it.

As far as people getting angry, I think a lot of that comes from the feeling, right or wrong, that some participants in this electronic discourse make things personal only to distract from the reasons that they come here: to discuss and ponder baseball, their team, music, toes, pie and other fascinating subjects.

Also, my experience is that a lot of people really just like a good fight from time to time. What better place to take part without consequences?

By No Chop Zone

February 25, 2007 08:06 PM | Link to this

This time last year you all were talking tuff too. There wasn’t much bravado in your words once the season got under way. You spent all season waiting for a turn-around that never happened. The past is the past and Lets see how it all plays out this year. But like I said at the begining. This is all the same non-sense I heard last year and 97 wins later I heard very few saying We underestimated the NY Mets. Remember LEWIE & BRAVEFART “Those who forget the mistakes of the past are destined to repeat them”

By David O'Brien

February 25, 2007 08:16 PM | Link to this

Speaking of sexy senior citizens … Helen Mirren.

Maybe I’m just getting older, but she’s gorgeous. And I don’t mean for 60-plus years old. I mean gorgeous, period.

What happened to accomplished, drop-dead American actresses? The three prettiest ones I’ve seen on this red carpet thing are Penelope Cruz, Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslet _ none American.

Not that it matters or anything. Just wondering.

By ncscoots

February 25, 2007 08:16 PM | Link to this

As I appeared to be the only Scorsese fan in the universe not to have seen The Departed, I bought it this weekend. I agree with everyone on the blog who has raved about it, it was stunning. Can you imagine any other director casting Leo in that role, AND getting the performance he gave? Bravo.

Now, riddle me this…I see much excitement for Lillibridge (who admittedly seems to have much upside) and Andrus (I believe he’ll be a hoss, too), but Escobar seems only to be mentioned as trade bait. Yet Yunel seems certainly the most advanced of all the middle-infield prospects (disclaimer here: I’ve been touting the guy for over a year, so I may be a little biased). Watch this guy a little, and you’ll be a believer. I’d HATE to see the Braves move him.

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 08:38 PM | Link to this

Even No Chop Zone recognizes the importance of appreciating history … of course a good thing can be over done … yes, history has a way of repeating itself … the Mets know that only too well, losing year after year, after year after year.

He may his points and it doesn’t hurt to listen … but methinks his manners leave something to be desired. I was taught not to accept someone’s hospitality and then use language like LEWIE & BRAVEFART … Mama said folks might think I was being rude and not offer me any pie or invite me back.

Maybe he just needs better role models that those to whom he’s accustomed … offer him some grits and show him how it’s done.

By braveheart

February 25, 2007 08:43 PM | Link to this

“Those who forget the mistakes of the past are destined to repeat them.”

Which mistakes do you mean?

that toxic waste dump of a stadium you play in?

the softball uniforms you guys have worn through the history of your franchise?

trading tom seaver?

trading kevin mitchell?

trading lenny dykstra?

bringing mex around doc and straw straight out of a drug scandal and letting him destroy sure shot HOFers by introducing them to coke?

trading david cone?

trading mookie wilson?

trading jeff kent for carlos baerga?

do you mean the big laughable mistake that was generation K?

signing mo vaughn?

trading kazmir?

signing vince coleman?

bobby bonilla?

bret saberhagen?

eddie murray?

watching your HOF catcher get chumped out TWICE by a HOF red sox pitcher pimping himself out to the yanks?

signing pedro long term for a decent year and a half of pitching?

77 wins in 1991, 72 in 92, 59 in 93, 55 in 94, 69 in 95, 71 in 96, 82 in 2001, 75 in 2002, 66 in 2003, 71 in 2004, 83 in 2005?

do you mean the worst team $$$$ can buy? maybe you need to review this book sometime to check out the mistake that is your sad franchise - http://www.amazon.com/Worst-Team-Money-Could-Buy/dp/0679419756

need i go on?

By Gil in Mechanicsville

February 25, 2007 08:45 PM | Link to this

Yes, the omly punches thrown are verbal ones at best. Would this not be a most boring place if we all agreed before hand?

By ernesto

February 25, 2007 08:47 PM | Link to this

Just keep that Yankees hat handy No Chop, that’s all we’re saying. Don’t want you to be left empty handed in case youre bandwagon crashes.

By ernesto

February 25, 2007 08:50 PM | Link to this

You may have a lot of “facts” and “truth” on your side Braveheart, but No Chop’s got a nifty way with words…BraveFart. Bet that stings don’t it?

By braveheart

February 25, 2007 08:58 PM | Link to this

oh yeah, ernesto, it’s bringing back all the painful memories of fourth grade.

By Lew

February 25, 2007 09:01 PM | Link to this

NoChop-You just don’t get it, do you? We overestimated the Braves last year, not underestimated the Mets. It won’t happen two years in a row. Besides, no matter how much you rant, rail and plead for respect for your ONE division title, you can’t change the fact that Jorge Sosa is your #3 starter. BTW, Dude, I seem to remember all the Met’s fans comments about winning it all last year and how division titles don’t mean diddly-as a matter of fact, they rubbed it in real good. Where’s that talk now? Gone with the wind along with your pitching staff. Truth really hurts, doesn’t it? Jorge Sosa? Yeah, right.

By David O'Brien

February 25, 2007 09:02 PM | Link to this

How ‘bout Dale Murphy coming out strong in recent interviews regarding steroids and not pulling punches when asked about who he thinks has used them? Good for him. I think former players should say what they think about it, if they feel strongly one way or the other.

Anyway, here’s the transcript I got of part of an XM radio interview Murph did this weekend:

Dale Murphy on MLB Live: Weekend Edition with Holden Kushner

Holden Kushner: One guy that?s trying to make a comeback right now, Sammy Sosa, do you think Sammy Sosa used performance enhancing drugs?

Dale Murphy: Yeah I think so

HK: Barry Bonds?

DM: Yeah, I think so

HK: What do you think your reaction will be if and when Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron?s all-time Home Run Record?

DM: Well, I?m not that excited about it. Let me put it this way, when Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig?s record, I pulled my kids into the living room, and said, ?You gotta see this.? This is not going to happen with Barry. It doesn?t mean anything to me, ya know, Barry is a great talent, and would have been a great talent without getting involved in this kind of stuff, in steroids, and all the stuff like that.

People have said, ?Dale, he hasn?t failed a drug test.? That doesn?t matter to me anymore, it?s what I see, what I?ve read, what I?ve heard, and what I can see with my eyes, that?s my opinion, and a lot other people have that opinion as well.

You get back to the record; he?s a hall of fame player and would have hit a lot of home runs without it, and now that he?s breaking the record, I don?t think he went about it the right way.

HK: A final name then, Mark McGwire, and if you think he used performance enhancing drugs, do you think he belongs in the hall of fame?

DM: I think he did. Anybody who watched the testimony, it?s just not a great leap to say it?s kind of obvious. Bottom line is, yeah, I think he did (use Performance Enhancing Drugs).

I think he got some bad advice because know we?re just kind of looking at him and saying ?We obviously know you won?t address it.? I think there?s ways for Mark McGwire to address this issue and to help baseball, and to reach out to kids. ?..

Hall of Fame, I don?t think so, I wouldn?t vote for someone who I felt was involved with that.

By MEB

February 25, 2007 09:21 PM | Link to this

The Mets… HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

No Chop Zone… you got owned! Now go away!!!

Alan Arkin… DOB do you really think he deserves an Oscar because he can swear with attitude? I don’t think so and I didn’t think he was funny either. I know it was about a dysfunctional family and all but the really foul stuff in from of a ten year old.

Lew and Braveheart… you guys are awesome!

By journalist jimmy smith

February 25, 2007 09:22 PM | Link to this

journalist met a young lady who called herself tatiana honey. journalist is not sure if that is her real name. tatiana honey was quite a looker and her lips were sweet like honey. this journalist found jimmy smith falling for tatiana honey. then, jimmy smith realized that tatiana honey was a googan. yes, a googan. sadly, journalist had to leave tatiana honey seated at a table for two in an exclusive buckhead restaurant, for jimmy smith could never fall in love with a googan. journalist tells you this to explain why journalist likes this blog. one must delve deeply into this post to understand the reasons why. now, baseball journalism … scribe is playing this journalist like a cheap ukulele - teasing jimmy smith with unexplained toe journalism. will scribe please reveal the toe journalism so that we all may read such journalism and come to better understand why the toe is not to be trifled with. now, oscars … clint eastwood has pretty good seats tonight, huh? probably found a scalper outside. and nothing like hot cheese over chips for the academy awards. and where are the vendors? no beer man at the oscars? peanuts? some of these ladies should not have hot cheese tonight the way they are dressed. that, or have a napkin around the neck.

By braveheart

February 25, 2007 09:30 PM | Link to this

yeah, i think they all should start talking.

i think the feds need to back off and let the fans and the media and most importantly the players handle it between ourselves.

the players are all too scared to talk because of the whole balco/feds thing.

i think giambi is the only one who came out and sort of said sorry. i think if barry just said a few years ago, yeah, i did it, i am sorry, it was wrong, the pressures just got to me. pride, money, legacy got the better of me. i am sorry. i think we all just might be cool with him.

as dale murphy alluded to, if someone had just told big mac to go to congress and just say sorry, yes i did it, i am sorry, it was wrong, there were alot of pressures - money, career, living, pride, performance, so i did it to keep my career going and my performance level up. if he did it the right way and sounded contrite about it, i think we all would have bought into him and he might be in the HOF now.

it may be too late now. bonds could have simply said i am sitting here watching sosa and big mac outshine me, they are clearly using it, i am the better player but they are getting all the aclaim and record books, i am not, so i basically said to hell with this and took them because there was no one stopping them. i don’t know i just think if they would all stop pretending that we do not see what we see and have clearly seen, they would all be much better off.

the older retired players should be the leaders behind this push. it is guys like dale who legacy has been tarnished because 398 does not sound like much anymore when palmeiro has 500 something home runs. 162 is too long if the records no longer mean what they historically have meant.

might be too late now.

but if the feds finally let up and let the players (retired and active), the fans, and the media clean this up between each other, things might be a whole lot better for these guys.

just look at the support and love mickey mantle got just before his death when he finally opened up about how wrong his lifetime of drunken exploits were

By Yars

February 25, 2007 09:31 PM | Link to this

I have a feeling the Braves will trade Langerhans or Diaz before opening day. No way Bobby can make them & Craig Wilson happy. We will never know this season what numbers each could put up if given the opportunity to play everyday. Wilson would definitely be an everyday player for a lot of teams. I also think Langerhans has a lot of talent and when he is 100%, he will be able to prove that ‘06 was a fluke and he is the real deal, not just a good glove. Matt Diaz it seems is already creating a buzz in spring training and I truly believe if he played 140+ games, he would put up impressive numbers. We’ll see what happens. I am a Langerhans fan and would like to see him the opening day LF. I salute Dale Murphy for speaking his mind. I agree with everything he had to say about steroids and certain players. Way to go, Murph!

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 09:57 PM | Link to this

Kudos for the Murph!

As I told Honorable in the wee hours, “there’s little wrong and much right with being obvious” and kudos to those who can effectively so do … I’m not blessed with that ability but what goes for visitors applies to us too.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

February 25, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

Yars, Unless someone makes a very good offer to the Braves, I don’t think anyone is moving. It is called insurance. Let’s see how spring training plays out before we get too quick to trade talent.

It is good to hear we have a kid(Escobar) in the system that may be able to play third base in a few years who could replace Chipper. It is not good to hear that he did not want to play second because he was afraid he would get hurt. Does not sound like a mature player to me.

Ditto on Dale Murphy’s comments. When you look at his numbers and the fact he did not have anyone to protect him in the batting order all those years it makes his stats even more outstanding.

Bonds’ ego would not allow for someone else to get any press ahead of him. He could have been a great player without the drugs but that was not enough for him. I would rather they let Joe Jackson and Pete Rose in before McGuire, Sosa and Bonds. I thinks that should include a pitcher named Roger Clemens too.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 25, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

to take this one step further … tatiana honey was one of the most beautiful and mysterious women this journalist has ever met. jimmy smith was struck by her beauty and journalist admittedly was ill at ease when she offered her hand and huskily spoke her name, “ta-t-iana”. this jouranlist was spell bound and jimmy smith’s head was spinning - yes, jimmy smith was falling in love. but jimmy smith was repelled - for lovely tatiana was found to be a googan. yes, a googan. and journalist relates this emotional story only to explain why jimmy smith likes to blog here and would miss the blog terribly if ever to leave again. let’s say some hot cheese spilled on say, penelope cruz … would not this journalist be willing to remove the cheese? yes! another reason this journalist likes to blog here. now, baseball … would dale murphy be a candidate to replace bobby in a few years?

By braveheart

February 25, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

diaz minor league totals are: .315 batting average; .362 on base; .491 slugging

should be no surprise therefore that diaz has this in the majors: .305 batting average; .348 on base; .462 slugging

i think diaz is kind of like DOB’s buddy Millar to a certain degree. They do not look like big team athletes or prospects. They just hit and produce. and they both pretty much got their shot when they were 28.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/D/Matt-Diaz.shtml

craig wilson in the minors: .275; .357; .496

craig wilson in the majors: .265; .354; .480

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/W/Craig-Wilson.shtml

langerhans in the minors: .265; .355; .414

langerhans in the majors: .254; .347; .399

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/L/Ryan-Langerhans.shtml

thorman in the minors: .276; .342; .452

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/T/Scott-Thorman.shtml

frenchy in the minors: .282; .330; .478

frenchy in the bigs: .271; .305; .477

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/F/Jeff-Francoeur.shtml

andruw in the minors: .302; .389; .543

andruw in the bigs: .267; .345; .505

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/J/Andruw-Jones.shtml

looks like langerhans is the odd man out in the 1b/OF equation. hard to do that because of his great defense. don’t understand the lack of faith in diaz myself. if they had shown faith in diaz, there was no reason to sign wilson although wilson is somewhat productive. langerhans late inning defensive replacement glove might be more valuable than any contribution wilson can give which is redundant with what diaz seems to be able give the team if he just get his shot to play.

plus, it is awfully hard to forget that although langerhans overall minor stats are not great, his last year in AAA Richmond, he did this in 135 games: .298; .397; .519 a year after he did this in 38 games at AAA Richmond: .280; .338; .477. it is also hard to forget how hot langerhans was in the last two months of 2005 and at the very beginning of 2006.

thus, i am a little bit confused about the need to sign wilson or keep him around

By David O'Brien

February 25, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, they signed Wilson not primarily to play left field, but as a pinch-hitter and as insurance and/or platoon option at first base if Thorman struggles overall or struggles just against lefties.

It had little if anything to do with faith in Diaz, or a lack thereof.

By TennesseePaul

February 25, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Barry is a great talent, and would have been a great talent without getting involved in this kind of stuff, in steroids, and all the stuff like that.
People have said, “Dale, he hasn’t failed a drug test.” That doesn’t matter to me anymore. It’s what I see, what I’ve read, what I’ve heard, and what I can see with my eyes. That’s my opinion, and a lot other people have that opinion as well.
I wouldn’t vote for someone who I felt was involved with that
—Dale Murphy

Well, at least he’s consistant. If he wouldn’t vote for Bonds because of this, then he shouldn’t vote for anyone involved in this.

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

Jimmy, I can understanding falling in love but one must be careful not to so do with those who excessively love the one for whom you’re falling … they sometimes have trouble accepting your views or advice, regardless of how lovingly you offer it … however, I can can see how you might admire them … it takes talent to be both defensive and offensive at the same time.

What’s a googan?

By David O'Brien

February 25, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

MEB, yes I thought Arkin was deserving of an Oscar … and apparently someone else did, too. And yes, I thought he and the entire movie were hilarious. It wasn’t for 10-year-olds, it was an R-rated movie.

And if you’re genuinely concerned, he said in an interview I saw today that he wouldn’t do his filthy lines in the movie unless the kid had on her headphones with the music playing and couldn’t hear him. I’m assuming that’s true.

Coming up to the big ones _ Scorsese? Whitaker?

By woogidy

February 25, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

Y’all see that story on Marcus Giles? I hate when players take business personal. Stupid. It is a business. The Braves run a very good business, and can’t be concerned with what people think.

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

Jimmy, I just saw now your 12:20 … antincipating me ignorance.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 25, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

why, bob, tatiana honey was a googan. jimmy smith thought journalist made that clear. and that is another reason!

By The Grinch

February 25, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

Oh, the humanity! The Grinch has returned from “Spamalot” to find SJA has been reading Hermann Hesse! Whooda thunk? BTW, I highly recommend Spamalot to any Monty Python fans; it was quite remarkably funny. Scribe, I agree we gave up a bunch but Ktchuck was the biggest free agent out there. I think it’ll be worth it if we havent already dug too big a hole. They’ll definitely be more fun to watch the rest of the season, and the penalty kill will be vastly improved too.

By Bob, journalist

February 25, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

David, I just saw helen … she did look fantastic … others should follow her lead and select the best surgeons when regaining their youth … she obviouly didn’t use Doc Hollywood.

By MEB

February 25, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

DOB…I’m glad we can agree on the Braves and music for the most part. Alan Arkin is a better actor (Catch 22) than the heroin-sniffing, f-word spewing grandpa in this dysfunctional little satire. You are right though that the critics love Little Miss Sunshine.

By Rosalynn

February 25, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

Well, mah Jimma has been busa all dah. Jimma is starting his own denomination - the Jimmabaptist Church and he has that nice boah Bill Clinton on boahd with him. Bill suggested we call the new church Billabaptist but Jimma told Bill it would have to be Jimmabaptist since Jimma is the one with the Bible. I digress. Jimma and I weah talking baseball awhile ago and I mentioned that nice boah Dale Murpha. Jimma remembas Dale realla well because one dah when Dale was leahning to plah fuhst base Dale let a ball thrown bah Jerra Rohsta hit Jimma right on the head! Dale trotted ovah and said, “Sorra, Mista President.” About that time those Secret Sehvice boahs weah all ovah Dale Murpha. Theh wrestled Dale to the ground and Dale got tickled. That boah was laughing and laughing. Theh took him off the field just a laughing. He was a happa playah. Well, that’s all I rememba about that. It was good to read about Dale Murpha tonight.

By TennesseePaul

February 25, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this

I don’t think Langerhans is the odd man out. I think he is almost assured of a spot. He’s the depth at center. Without him, you have a fairly weak defensive depth if AJ is out. Francoeur does a good job. But flanking him in CF with Diaz and Wilson would line up to be a terrible defensive outfield. Keeping Langerhans allows you to protect the defense, even if his offense struggles, which I doubt will happen. I think the guy is going to hit well this year.

By Head Coach

February 26, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this

You call non-tendering Giles at the last minute after knowing months in advance that he wasn’t part of the plan and getting absolutely zilch in return good business ? Woogidy , I’m sure you have your own business where you give your product away for free , right ?

By Darth Stinky

February 26, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

What have you people done to SJA?

By Gil in Mechanicsville

February 26, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

I think people just called the Braves’ hand on Giles. They knew the Brave were not going to sign him so why give up something if you do not have to?

Giles signed for the same money he was making with the Braves. I don’t blame him for feeling a bit bitter about it but time for all to move on. He gets to play close to home on the same team with his brother and the Braves…. Well the Braves get to have open tryouts for 2nd base and save about 3 Mil in payroll.

I hope the fans in Atlanta gives Marcus Giles a big hand in his first at bat when he returns in May, our pitcher strikes him out and we move on.

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

Scorsese, The Departed, Forest Whitaker and Helen Mirren … if my NL East pick is as lucky as my Oscar-pool picks, you folks will be happy come October.

By The Grinch

February 26, 2007 12:24 AM | Link to this

Later on, all; other diversions await…

By Daybed Wagmoe

February 26, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this

DOB - i agree, those first six songs are all great songs…i love Powder Burns, though i give Blackberry Belle the slight edge. like i said, “my time (has come)” is filler to me, so that taints the album for me a tad. but they’re both incredible albums.

i don’t have amber headlights, but i will check it out. i’m very familiar with the Afghan Whigs, and i love them. you’re right — i can play them “gentlemen” today, a decade and a half after it came out, and it still sounds as fresh and good as anything that’s come out since it by anyone. i have “gentleman,” “black love,” and “1965,” and there’s not a song on any of those albums i don’t like. i’m pretty new to them (a friend turned me onto them back in september), and for about 2-3 weeks solid, their catalog was all i was listening to. i didn’t get tired of it one bit. their ability to put together great hard-rocking songs with such grit and passion is a rare thing.

anyway, i was pleased that the departed won best picture, i’m sure you are too. great film.

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this

Head Coach, regarding Giles, were the Braves supposed to force another team to give them something of value for him?

Or, if they couldn’t get anything of value for him (which I’m told they couldn’t, despite trying all of November and through winter meetings, right up to non-tender date), then were they supposed to offer him arbitration and pay $5.5-$6 mill for a 2B who hit .262 with 11 homers, 11 steals and a .341 OBP in 2006, and whose OPS went from .916 in 2003 to .728 last season?

And why would they announce, say, two weeks before the date that they were going to non-tender him? Just so he could look elsewhere for work? I mean, what if another team decided they really wanted him, say the Padres got wind that another team might offer him a $5 mill contract when he was non-tendered?

Don’t you think the Padres might then have been willing to part with a little something in a trade for Giles, if they really wanted him?

Anyway, the point is that teams almost always wait until right up to the deadline, or very close, before announced they’re non-tendering a player, if it’s a player who still has value.

Or maybe you think they could have non-tendered him, then offered him a pay cut and expected him to swallow his pride and stay here when he could go back home and play alongside his brother in San Diego? No.

Try looking at it realistically and tell me what you would have done, given their payroll and desire to bolster the bullpen. I’m just asking, what would you have done? Do you really think they didn’t call every team trying to get a deal done? As if they WANTED to let him walk and get nothing back?

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this

Daybed, can you believe Dulli’s never had a bit hit or big-selling album, as great a talent as he is? Those Whigs albums you mentioned are the best ones. Great stuff.

Head Coach, nothing personal with that last post. I just wonder if you’re looking at it realistically, instead of ideally, what you think other teams SHOULD have been willing to give up for Giles, rather than what they were actually willing to give up. Simply, teams weren’t lining up. If they were, he’d have signed with someone for, say, $5 mill.

Good night. Wakeup call in six hours.

By N8

February 26, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

DOB

Nice call on the Giles situation.

Some people just don’t (won’t) get it.

To me it speaks MASSIVE VOLUMES as to what the 29 GM’s thought of Giles’ ability to produce the way they had in the past.

JS’s hands were tied. EVERYBODY knew that he was going to get non-tendered if no deal was made. If there was even one GM out there that was willing to give up, even a low level (longshot) prospect, he could’ve been had, before it became a bidding situation with the Padres.

NOBODY took the bait. I’ll repeat that…….NOBODY!

It finally has sunk in to some Braves fans (others are still scratching their heads), what the other 28 teams (I’ll exclude the Padres, they were ALWAYS going to acuire him on the open market), already knew:

HE WASN’T EVEN WORTH A FRINGE PROSPECT.

Just goes to show how blind, faith can be sometimes. I commend JS for not overpaying for Giles (as much as even I liked him - still like his grit), when we have SO MANY options for 2B for this year and the future.

I’m of the opinion, that even IF we had unlimited payroll for JS to work with, it STILL would’ve been a mistake to overpay for Giles.

But that’s just me. LOL!

By N8

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

DOB & Head Coach

DOB, you said this in your last post, after I had posted my last post (try and keep up LOL!):

“If they were, he’d have signed with someone for, say, $5 mill.”

In all fairness to everybody involved (Giles, JS, SD, and the other teams). I suppose there is a chance that another team was willing (or maybe did - DOB, do you know differently?) to offer Giles more than what he signed with SD for. But my guess is that he was ALWAYS gonna sign to play with his brother (no matter what money was in the other offers), once he was made a free agent.

To me, the more telling thing is that any of the 28 other teams (again….leaving out SD) had a pressing need for an experience, hard nosed 2B, they could’ve acquired him for little or nothing and went to arbitration with him. He wouldn’t have had a choice (to block a trade), in where he was going. But nobody even offered a lick.

Like I said before, NOBODY thought he was worth losing in arbitration over. There is NOT a chance in hell that the other 28 teams wouldn’t have leaped from a tall building at that scenario (trading for him and going to arbitration), 2 or 3 years ago.

That is how far he has fallen and apparently (some) Braves fans are the only ones who haven’t noticed, IMO.

By Daybed Wagmoe

February 26, 2007 01:02 AM | Link to this

DOB - yeah, actually i can believe that dulli’s never had a big hit or big-selling album, despite his talent. lord knows he deserves to have had many of each. for one, a lot of afghan whigs’ songs don’t follow the verse-chorus-verse structure (and other elements) like typical hits do. (not to say that that makes their songs not as good — they’re still incredible, and better than many hits, with or without the structure.) another reason, i think, for the lack of hits, is the subject matter in the songs. i mean, there’s a lot of songs in dulli’s catalog about sex, drugs, self-loathing, domination, violence — dark stuff that’s not really “comfortable” for the general public. true, others have had success despite having the similar subject matter…i guess i just think that his catalog isn’t quite as easily accessible as other “bad boys.” it could be the stuff that he writes about is so true and revealing of human nature and emotion that it’s almost too true to deal with, and people would rather listen to music that takes them away from that stuff rather than facing it head-on. or it could also be that modern pop music is too weak to acknowledge a strong, rare talent like him. fine with me - i don’t mind that his music is a gem that takes a little more effort getting into.

so there’s my answer to your rhetorical question. i mean, if you go into a borders, what do you think most people would prefer listening to on the loudspeaker — a jack johnson song or the afghan whigs’ “neglekted”?

By Daybed Wagmoe

February 26, 2007 01:11 AM | Link to this

DOB - back to baseball: what would you say is the typical length of time between being drafted by a major league club and seeing time in the majors? obviously, guys like joey devine are the exception. but if a guy moves along at the expected pace and improves as he should, how long would you think it would take him to get to the bigs?

By braveheart

February 26, 2007 07:01 AM | Link to this

okay, DOB. i just really like Diaz and Langerhans and want to find a way to keep them both on the team. I see your point about Wilson with 1B and pinch hitting. I think I posted without thinking it through fully (I have a tendency to do that). Is there anyway that they keep Langerhans, Wilson, and Diaz?

By Bob, journalist

February 26, 2007 07:09 AM | Link to this

Jimmy, we once had some neighbors named Googan … one was a wonderful tenor! I grew up thinking Googan’s were folks that were good singers.

None in our immediate family could even carry a tune but it seems like all of Daddy’s relatives could … and some were/are really good. Singing has been a long standing family tradition covering many generations. When I was growing up, there were at least 3 widely acclaimed Family Quartets among our relations that participated in statewide (North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas) all day singings on a regular basis … two had regular radio shows, one spanning over 35 years.

I always loved to try but was so bad that I quit taking showers and started taking baths in order to avoid the temptation.

I remember somebody once calling me a Googan and I thought they were crazy … complimenting my singing like that … but, Mama told me it was an insult … she said a Googan was a “know-it-all” redneck that didn’t know they were a redneck but thought everyone else was; excepting those who agreed with ‘em.

Mama was almost always right so I believed her … but even if I hadn’t, I would never argue with Mama.

By David-ATL14

February 26, 2007 08:17 AM | Link to this

Perfect read on the Giles situation-DOB, the head Coach just can’t get that through his thick skull. No team in the game considered Giles worth his arby bound contract much less a player.

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2007 08:21 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, yes they could keep all three. I’d imagine Orr is the one who goes to Richmond in that scenario….

Daybed, agree with what you’re saying _ but I mean big-selling even by alt-rock standards. I mean, I know a lot of people who are really into good music, and don’t have a clue who Afghan Whigs or Greg Dulli are.

By braves fan

February 26, 2007 08:36 AM | Link to this

DOB,

Can you discuss the situation of Yunel Escobar? I’m racking my brain trying to figure out why he’s not been mentioned more prominently as a possibility of making the club as either a starter at 2B or a backup at 2B, SS or 3B. All I’ve ever heard about him is how he’s a great hitter with huge upside (the Miguel Tejada of the minor leagues) and he tore it up in the fall league. But all we hear about is Kelly Johnson and Martin Prado are the guys who will have the opportunity to win the 2B job, and that Chris Woodward and Willy Aybar are likely to be the utility infielders. If Escobar were younger, say 19-20 (like Elvis Andrus), I can see the Braves letting him develop more in the minors. But Escobar is already 24 years old, maybe older since players from the Caribbean have a tendency to lie about their ages. Woodward is 31 and has had his opportunity to produce if he was ever going to. Aybar and Prado are 23 (going on 24 later in the year) and are known commodities. Aybar has a good eye and a nice stick, Prado a team first-excellent defense type player. But neither have a huge upside like what we hear about Escobar. So what gives? Why not give Escobar the shot to win a starting job and the Braves just might get a huge offensive threat, instead of a medium threat of KJ, or just a defensive guy in Prado. He might offset the loss of Laroche, instead of the loss of Giles, you know what I mean?

By Gil in Mechanicsville

February 26, 2007 08:51 AM | Link to this

I must say, where else would one learn so much about so little in such a short amount of time. A Googan you say? Damn…. I might even be one….

By tim

February 26, 2007 09:06 AM | Link to this

I’ve got Spring Training tickets for Wed. thru Friday. Can anyone tell me just what to expect playerwise for these games ie- regulars vs prospects in terms of how much playing time each might get?

By Bob, journalist

February 26, 2007 09:06 AM | Link to this

Methinks that we can and will always rationalize our irrational behavior … it’s the nature of man.

I have so much baggage that were I to win the Lottery, the first thing I’d do would be to hire a fulltime porter … but, things aren’t going to change until we decide where we stand and what it is that we really want.

Stepping out of character and speaking for myself, it really would be nice if folks could be on one side or the other … I have so much baggage that were I to win the Lottery, the first thing I’d do would be to hire a fulltime porter … but, things aren’t going to change until we decide where we stand and what it is that we really want.

It’s confusing to hear ourselves endorsing, applauding and engaging in the vulgar and obscene … while loudly proclaiming that such “filth” is not suitable fare for our mothers and children.

Movie ratings confuse me too … I can’t decide whether they’re to help us better select those movies we would enjoy watching … or a marketing device used to entice us to watch things we shouldn’t.

It’s time to stop pretending … I think that we need to stop acting like adults and start behaving like we say we want our children to do … at least our childern deserve our honesty … these dual standards are diminishing our believability quotients and confusing them just as they are me … they ain’t dumb and we can take it to the bank that they look to us for guidance and are eagerly awaiting the day when they can be just like us.

Coffee Break!

By Bob, journalist

February 26, 2007 09:11 AM | Link to this

Gil, I’ve been reading your stuff … I don’t know if you can sing but I like your songs.

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2007 09:11 AM | Link to this

BravesFan, Escobar is 24 (pretty old for a prospect, because of the Cuba thing), he hasn’t played above Double-A, and at Double-A last year he hit .264 with two homers, 45 RBIs, seven steals. Hardly scintillating.

Guys don’t win major league jobs based on Arizona Fall League or winter-ball performance, period. He has a shot this spring to show what he can do.

All that said, keep in mind one big mistake he made: He said last season he didn’t want to play 2B when the Braves asked him to, from what I’m told. That’s not good. If he’s that reluctant, that concerned, possibly that scared, to play the right side of the infield, even when they let him know that might be his ticket to the bigs, it’s a red flag.

I don’t know that Martin Prado has much shot to make this team, in all reality. I think his name gets floated largely as a motivational thing, or just so people don’t think the job’s being handed to Kelly.

I could be wrong, but that’s my read on it.

By Bob, journalist

February 26, 2007 09:16 AM | Link to this

Gil, as far as I can tell, anyone who thinks they might be a Googan ain’t!

It’s the idoits that don’t reread what they’ve writtten before they post it that you have to worry about!

By NO CHOP ZONE

February 26, 2007 09:23 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, Every team has had bad season. The Braves weren’t winning much in the 70’s and 80’s. My point of the past was not to bring up poor team season. My point was only this. Met fans were warned all last spring that it would not be good enuf to be competetive. Obviousley that was incorrect. Now here we go again with the same talk. I believe you will find the Mets will have enuf good pitching to win the division again.

By 10-7-4

February 26, 2007 09:40 AM | Link to this

Mornin Bob,journalist—interesting fodder for our ‘loaded’ minds, this morning. Along those lines, Drunky Clint wants to know, “do infants enjoy infancy, as much as adults enjoy adultery?” Now that’s something to ponder.

By Lew

February 26, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

NoChopZone-Dream on. The Braves saw last year what lousy pitching can do to a team even with good offense. The Mets pitching is worse than the Braves of last year. You will not win again. Quote me on it and just for good measure, go do it on a Mets’ site.

By Lew

February 26, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

35-Clint is, without a doubt, one of a kind. How’s he been lately?

By 22oz

February 26, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

Someone actually has picked the Braves in the East this year: Peter Gammons. At least thats what John Kruk said this morning on XM radio. Its about time, i picked up 3 different baseball preview magazines, and saw 3 3rd place finishes predicted for the Braves. Its amazing.

By Lew

February 26, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

Well Peter Gammons knows his stuff. That’s why he’s HOF.

By 10-7-4

February 26, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

Lew,my friend,—Clint’s fine. He still thinks, he had a ‘round’ with you in the distant past. Truth is he’s had a round with a lot of folks. Hope, you and yours are well. Remember the stuff about the cattle and sheep flatulance causing a lot of ‘global warming’, well an Australian based company called “Easy Being Green”, will “mitigate your cat’s contribution to global warming” for $6. Kinda steep when I believe Falcons player Jonathan Babineaux, would do it for free. Anyway, great to ‘converse’ with you again.

By ncscoots

February 26, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

I agree that Escobar previously refusing to play some 2B is, well, a head-scratcher, and definitely a bad omen. But is he not getting some time at 2B on the back fields now? Mayhap he’s changed his mind. Or had it changed for him.

As far as his AA numbers, he doesn’t appear to be the only prospect down there who underperformed last year. Maybe it was something in the water. In any event, I’m of the belief that he’s got more than .264 in his bat.

By Lew

February 26, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

35-Considering my distant past, Clint may well have shared a round with me. The possibility surely exists. Not these days, though. Nothing stronger than Diet Coke, I’m afraid (and no, unlike the dumb blond, I’m not snorting Nutrasweet thinking it’s diet coke). Hope you and yours are well, as well. Me and mine are doin’ fine.

By NO CHOP ZONE

February 26, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

LEWIE…..Yes, I will quote you on that and I’ll stick around this blog because someone has to remind you that you don’t know what your posting/talking about. You said the same thing last year and yes you were WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.

By braveheart

February 26, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

no chopzone, fair enough. you can believe what you want to believe and we will believe what we want to believe.

and, as for coming on here, i should not have told you to stay away. that wasn’t right. it makes it more fun to have someone to fight with instead of us all slapping each other on the back. but just don’t go name calling and cursing. that’s not fun. it’s just downright childish. i think we all try really hard not to let this blog devolve into the pits that is the falcons blogs which i finally swore off after the season ended.

but the question is still out there for you to answer, besides glavine, who are your pitchers? you still have not answered that. merely stating that you think, hope, pray, and/or believe you have plenty of pitching is not enough of an answer.

i think all braves fan would tell you this: if they get smoltz, hampton, hudson, and james pitching the way they historically have, this team will win 90-95 games, if not more. The braves were 52-36 when smoltz, hudson, and james pitched last year. 27-47 when they did not. but if smoltz gets hurt or slows down due to age, if hudson continues to underperform and wilt in the humid Hotlanta summer, if hampton is not all the way back even in the second half, and if james has a sophomore slump, then the braves might be in trouble again. but this year, the braves on paper have an excellent bullpen which hopefully should be able to make up for any underperformance by one or two of the starters.

these are the things we have all been rationally discussing ad nauseum for months now on this blog.

all we are asking you to provide is a similar breakdown of the mets pitching. we do not care what your prayers, hopes, and beliefs are about your pitching. just break it down for us, and prove us wrong with facts

By Head Coach

February 26, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

DOB , you basically admitted that the Braves can no longer compete financially. It’s a sad state of affairs when 29 other teams can wait you out. The 2007 season has not even been played and we already know we are getting two compensation draft picks for Andruw. Sad ain’t it ? The Braves 2006 season ended in may(I called it) and JS waited until after the season was over to try and trade Giles. JS screwed up and nobody wants to admit it. I’ll agree to disagee and thats my last statement on Marcus Giles.

By TennesseePaul

February 26, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

As far as his AA numbers, he doesn’t appear to be the only prospect down there who underperformed last year. Maybe it was something in the water.

Jeff Blauser. Apparently he rubbed them all the wrong way. Not a good start to a managerial career. Can’t miss guys turned into flops under his reign. Salty struggled, although he was hurt initially. Escobar struggled. The team did miserable. I don’t recall anyone jumping from AA to the bigs last year… if they did they didn’t stick.

By Lew

February 26, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

NoChopZone-If you’re going to stick around, then your education needs to proceed. Let’s try it like this-You lost Trachsel and Pedro, a total of 24 wins. Your starting rotation will consist of (pick 5) Glavine 15-7, Maine 6-5, Perez 3-13, Sosa 3-11, and Park 7-7. You’re confident with this? Atlanta, who is widely criticized for their pitching lastyear, has Smoltz 16-9, Hudson 13-12 and James 11-4 returning. That’s a total of 40 wins right there, whereas if you count the win totals of ALL the Mets, it comes to 36. I don’t know how to make it any clearer to you than to show you these actual statistics. Your pitching is way sub-standard. Calling me names will still leave you with Oliver Perez and Jorge Sosa. Them’s the facts, Dude. Spin them any way you like. The Braves improved radically with the additions of Soriano, Gonzalez and Wickman. The Mets did not improve, they got much worse. Time to face facts Mets Boy.

By KC

February 26, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

NO CHOP ZONE: You don’t really want to keep score on the accuracy of NL East prognostication. How many times did Mets fans (and the media) say “this is the year the Mets knock off the Braves” before it actually happened?

Pedro’s out at least a half a season and may not be 100% at any point this year. Tom Glavine is still good, but not what he used to be. And you’re #2 starter, O.Hernandez (not exactly what you want for a #2 starter anyway, is already injured.

To top that off, the bullpen that will have to try and compensate for this incredibly questionable rotation… lost two key members over the winter.

None of this bodes well in a greatly improved NL East. If Mets fans aren’t scared, they’re either lying to themselves, or they’re ignorant.

By Bob, journalist

February 26, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

Goodness Gracious 35 … methinks you’re telling tales out of school!

Folks will have to pardon me this morning … I haven’t been practing the early to bed … early to rise routine for some time and don’t quite know how to act … well, it was early for me at least.

“Sakes Alive” 35 would have rhymed but I was listening to Jerry Lee as I had my coffee … as one who has enjoyed a long rather infancy … I really don’t know but will indeed ponder your question while continuing to hope that it doesn’t end too soon, at least not while adults continue enjoy engaging in such activities.

I must admit that the simple truth that today’s adults are much smarter and wiser than me … because their thinking beyond my comprehension.

I’m also bemused by the young physics student who’s causing an uproar … wrote a paper supposedly explaining the Creation as proclaimed in Genesis.

It seems to me that nobody wants to address the greater questions associated with the beginning … The truth is that man can’t conceive of something being created from nothing so it has to be put into context so that we can make fools of ourselves talking about it.

I think it behoves us to try and appreciate the world in which we live, assume there’s a good reason why we’re here … and try to leave a little better than we found it.

Personally, I’m like that gracious lady, Miss Minnie … I’m just so proud to be here!

By Lew

February 26, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

ChopZone-I apologize. I forgot El Duque (The Once And Future Injured-and currently injured, for that matter). His whole 11-11 record gives you 33 wins for your top three pitchers. Still nothing to write home about. You replaced Trachsel and Pedro’s 24 wins with Sosa and Parks combined 10 wins. You wonder how the Mets can drop 16 games in the standings. There’s 14 of them right there.

By Mets Stink

February 26, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

The Mets didn’t improve this off season. Their bats will keep them close to the top, but their pitching will be their downfall. The team Braves fans should worry about is the Phillies. I think it will be a dogfight with them all year. Let’s hope their bullpen will be much like the Braves of 06.

By Kieran from Long Island

February 26, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

David, good job calling all those oscar winners, 3 and a half out of 4. I thought it was a decently entertaining show, better then most years.

I might be showing my New York Qualities here, and If I am blindly criticizing, please tell me, but is it not fair to criticize Willie Aybar right now for not being in camp? I mean, this is a guy who has almost inherited a role on this team rather then earned it, I felt at times last year he played lazy with too big of a swing and now he’s got Visa problems down in DR?? By no means should he be a lock for this roster, i would hate to see a guy like Pete Orr who ALWAYS busts his but be left off because he’s a little less attractive for scouts. I feel like Bobby has almost tricked himself into thinking that Willie is Wilson Betemit and that he wasn’t traded to the Dodgers for the Exploding Appendix. Get your lazy arse to camp and show me you belong on this team, and get your damn paperwork taken care of ahead of time, did you not know when Training Camp starts?

Once again, I know nothign of the process by which it takes to get a VISa, but soemthin seems a little bogus to me, I’m not sure, fill me in please Dave, thanks

By NO CHOP ZONE

February 26, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

I have concerns like any fan would when addressing their teams strengths and weakness’s. I think you’re all looking at stats in a vacuume. Trachsel had an ERA of about 5.00 but his run support was among the hightest in the majors. Pedro was pretty much a non factor last year and the “core” of the bullpen is still together. Sanchez, Heilman, Feliciano and Wagner. Look at some of the starters for the Mets last year. Jose Lima, Jeremy Gonzalez, Alay Solar these guys suck and we still won 97 games. Yes. I’m guilty of predicting the Mets overtaking the Braves in years past but it was never because I thought the Braves sucked it was because I thought the Mets had done enuf in the off season to overtake them. I think predicting the Mets playing .500 (Lew’s Post)baseball is ridiculous. There are many arms at spring training for the Mets and I’m confident they’ll put a decent staff together and the offense/bullpen will do the rest.

By kdbanks

February 26, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

DOB,

Re: your comment on no gorgeous American actresses…

Did you see Reese Witherspoon (or however you spell it)? WOW! Single life is good for her.

By braveheart

February 26, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

and, no chop zone, i forgot to mention the all time mistake of trading nolan ryan for jim fregosi.

i can keep going on and on and on about the follies of the mets if you would like.

By braveheart

February 26, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

i think reese needs to put back on about 10 pounds or so. she looked prettier before she lost all that weight.

By NO CHOP ZONE

February 26, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

LEW, who says Sosa will be a starter and Park will make the rotation? I will say this, Chan Ho Park is a good risk. He has had some good seasons and who knows.

By NO CHOP ZONE

February 26, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, I guess every trade the braves have ever made turned in their favor. Every signing has paid off too?

By braveheart

February 26, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

of course not no chop, but they still managed to overcome whatever mistakes they made and win 14 in a row whereas the mistakes made by the mets have consistently proven disastrous for the mets. the farm system is the biggest reason behind. with a few exceptions, the mets have never had the farm system needed to overcome their mistakes. they are always too busy trying to imitate the yankees

By 10-7-4

February 26, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Lew—Drunky Clint wants to know if you have ever been to Commerce Ga.??

By The Truth

February 26, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

Are you kidding me??? Braves fans…Trying to beat down the Mets will not erase the fact that the Braves have been overrated for over 14 years!! That’s right I said it… How can you explain 1 World Series win in 14 consecutive playoff appearances..instead of calling you a dynasty I am calling you a disater!!!

By KC

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

The Truth: That’s one more than the Mets have won over that period. And if division titles count for nothing… you shouldn’t even be talking to us. Your teams has won the division title once since 1986.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 26, 2007 01:48 PM | Link to this

someone told journalist jimmy smith that tatiana honey wants to get back together. alas, tatiana is lovely - but a googan.

By NO CHOP ZONE

February 26, 2007 01:52 PM | Link to this

Correction KC. They have two since 1986 (1988 & 2006) & and they have the same amount of Title’s as the Braves since then too…….ONE

By journalist jimmy smith

February 26, 2007 01:58 PM | Link to this

esteemed manager bobbycox describing the swing of canadian first base prospect boog-boy thorman:

“He’s got a vicious swing. He might just have the hardest swing in baseball,” Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox marveled Sunday. “You can actually hear his swing when you’re standing there.”

now, “boog: is an accepted nickname for a first baseman - and one of the best former braves was called “beeg-boy”, “beeg” is kinda like “boog”.

following this logic, beeg can be boog and thorman becomes “boog-boy”. wait a minute, this team already has a boog-boy if you know what this journalist means. oh, the humanity!

now, yunel escobar, the whistling infielder … does yunel do requests? and when chipper throws the ball to yunel, what tune does yunel whistle? prize to the winner.

By KC

February 26, 2007 02:10 PM | Link to this

NO CHOP ZONE:

Forgive me. One division title since 1988, not 1986. Terribly sorry.

And no, they do not have the same number of World Series titles since then. The Mets haven’t won it since 86.

Over the last 15 years:

Atlanta: 14 division titles / 5 NL Pennants / 1 World Series Championship

NYM: 1 division title / 1 Wild Card / 1 NL Pennant / 0 World Series rings.

Hmmm… Seems as though your attempt to place the Mets recent accomplishments on equal footing has fallen short.

By journalist jimmy smith

February 26, 2007 02:15 PM | Link to this

toe journalism - without apology

from the mayo clinic:

A bunion is an abnormal, bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. Your big toe joint becomes enlarged, forcing the toe to crowd against your other toes. This puts pressure on your big toe joint, pushing it outward beyond the normal profile of your foot, and resulting in pain. Bunions can also occur on the joint of your little toe (bunionette).

journalist’s note: if it is a bunionette we will never know. bunionette sounds sissy.

Bunions can occur for a number of reasons, but a common cause is wearing shoes that fit too tightly. They can also develop as a result of inherited structural defect, injury, stress on your foot or another medical condition.

Often, treatment involves conservative steps that may include changing your shoes, padding your bunion and wearing shoe inserts.

By NO CHOP ZONE

February 26, 2007 02:24 PM | Link to this

OK….Since 1985 both teams have been able to claim themselves as “The Best” in MLB only ONE time.

By KC

February 26, 2007 02:38 PM | Link to this

What radio station will be carrying the Braves games in Atlanta this season?

By KC

February 26, 2007 02:42 PM | Link to this

NO CHOP ZONE: Okay… wow, you’re taking us back 22 years in an effort to put the Mets on equal footing.

All I know is that in 14 of the last 15 seasons, the Braves have shown the Mets their tail lights.

By NO CHOP ZONE

February 26, 2007 02:58 PM | Link to this

You took us back 21 years. So what’s one more?

By Mets Stink

February 26, 2007 03:02 PM | Link to this

Who cares what the Braves have done over the last 15 years and what the Mets have done over the last 22 years? The only thing that matters is this year.

By braveheart

February 26, 2007 03:16 PM | Link to this

sing it now no chop, we’ve got the teamwork to make the dream work, let’s go, let’s go mets, let’s do it again. oh, that’s right, they never do it again. they’re a one and done crew.

so, we’ll sing your other song for you: Beat the Mets! Beat the Mets! Step right up and beat the Mets! Hot dogs, green grass all out at shea, guaranteed to get a loss today, Beat the Mets! Beat the Mets! Step right up and Beat the Mets!

By KC

February 26, 2007 03:17 PM | Link to this

Okay NO CHOP: You’re right. I give up. The Mets have accomplished every bit as much as the Braves over the last 15 years… 22 years… take your pick. Of course they have.

I will refer you now to Mets Stink’s 3:02 post.

It isn’t looking good for the Mets right now. =)

By KC

February 26, 2007 03:26 PM | Link to this

BRAVES ON TV… ONLY 4 DAYS AWAY!!!

Anyone know what radio station(s) will be carrying the Braves in Atlanta this year?