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