Braves

By J-dogg

March 5, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

DOB. If Hampton is not ready to go when the season starts who do you think will take his place in the rotation?

By Patrick

March 5, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB,

What do you think Blaine Boyer’s chances are of getting on the team at least at some point this season. He pitched great when he got called up, threw striks, fearless…he was being talked about as maybe the teams’ future closer…I can’t imagine the Braves not considering him..

By CMC

March 5, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

DOB,

What is the latest with Blaine Boyer? Before his injury last year, he was really coming on and appeared to be a lock in the bullpen for awhile. I loved his aggressiveness and mental toughness.

By Phil in Alabam

March 5, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

(Just noticed the old blog made way for the new one just after I posted on it - rookie mistake. Here’s what I had…)

I’ve read this blog for over a year without posting, so let me get the obligatory commendations out of the way. DOB, this is a great service and not only for the regular commentors here - I know there are a lot of ‘readers only’ who check this all the time without posting. Thanks for keeping us informed.

I’m a Braves fan from the ’80s (you have to establish your fanship first time posting, too, right?) and had the Dale Murphy poster up on my wall since age two. As a diehard fan ever since, I’m glad to see more people seem to be genuinely excited about the team this year.

Anyways, don’t want to bore yall first time out, so here’s my question for DOB: I read the Post story that Gil posted a link to about Pat Corrales. I was always a big fan of his and in the Post article, Pat said there was a reason why he left Atlanta but it wasn’t Bobby or John. Any clue as to what it was?

Weird that after all this time, that was the one question that made me post, but there it is. It’s funny having read so many of your comments over the past year, but never having contributed myself.

Well, hope all goes well against the Nats today. I can’t make it to spring training this year unfortunately, but looking forward to the home opener. I’ll just have to be content with Rickwood Field here in Birmingham, AL until then.

(Quick plug: Rickwood Field is an amazing stadium here in town. It’s where the Birmingham Barons and Birmingham Black Barons franchises played for years and years. Everybody from Rollie Fingers back to Dizzy Dean and all the way to Babe Ruth played here - as well as all the Negro League stars, such as a skinny 17-year-old B’ham native named Willie Mays who was discovered playing here.

Gorgeous field and, I am told by those relentless PR folks all the time, the oldest professional baseball park still up in America. It was built in 1910 (two years older than Fenway and four older than Wrigley, I think). Anybody know of anything older?

By MGL

March 5, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

DOB - Thanks for another great update and all of the hard work. I skipped work on Friday and attended the game at the Evil Empire. For all of you that have not had that luxury, I would encourage you to make the pilgrimage to Orlando one year. There’s just not much that compares to basking in the sun taking an an MLB baseball game in the small stadium environment after the winter break.

By Rodger

March 5, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Sure would be nice to “lose touch with reality” at spring training-some would say I already have, otherwise. Haven’t been able to do that in eons. As a CPA, not much free time this time of year. I’m really gonna be bummed when my son, probably next year, starts playing ball, and i can’t see much of it. Maybe Glen Burns can help me there!

By TN-MAN

March 5, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

DOB- you know the lineup for today and scheduled pitchers?

By nlp

March 5, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

are you sayimg boyer has no shot of making the team you have not mentioned him as one of the candidates for the bullpen

By Rosalynn

March 5, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Theah is a Miz Lillibridge at ouah chuhch. She is an old maid but she has that baba face that DOB is talking about. Must be in the Lillibridge genes. Miz Lillibridge is what old-school chuhch folks call the proverbial “chuhch lada” who has that chuhch lada mentalita and instincts. That mentalita and approach is difficult to define, but instantla recognizable by pastas when they see it, and they all see it in Mz. Lillibridge. Still, Mz. Lillibridge has considahble chin haih so she mah be may not be closla related to the smooth-cheeked young baseball playuh. I must go tuhn on the radio and prepah foah the game.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

March 5, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Let’s hear more about this newest prospect,…the lady behind the dugout with the sunscreen. Does it look like she’ll make the squad, or will she be sent down to South Arkansas for more development? =-)

By Bob, journalist

March 5, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Every man dies, not every man really lives … one thing is older than me … Stone Mountain, bigger too.

The Barrons were my neighbors and they had a redheaded son named Ricky who wanted to be a catcher but he couldn’t play baseball for squat … grew up to be a surgeon, but I don’t remember any Rickwood and I don’t think they were related to the Woodwards.

Rickwood may not be older than me but Methinks Rickwood Field is the oldest active baseball park, at least in Birmingham, Alabama.

By Braveheart

March 5, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

what is escobar’s attitude? will he pout if he gets sent down to the minors? he does seem stubborn and too proud after refusing to switch positions last year. maybe, they need him to play real well this spring so that they can trade him while his value is good before he gets sent down and starts pouting and putting up another miserable minor league season, thereby decreasing his trade value.

By ernesto

March 5, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

So where does a healthy Sturtze fit into all of this? Or if they cut him loose before April are there any economies?

By Bob, journalist

March 5, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

Every man dies, not every man really lives … one thing is older than me … Stone Mountain, bigger too.

The Barrons were my neighbors and they had a redheaded son named Ricky but he couldn’t play baseball for squat … grew up to be a surgeon, but I don’t remember any Rickwood and I don’t think they were related to the Woodwards.

I believe that Rickwood Field is the oldest.

By beachcomber

March 5, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

It’s rather comforting that Boyer is in reserve (along with Devine, Cormier and a half dozen others) when the inevitable injury fells one of our relief (or staring) pitchers. Much more depth than last year.

By Greg in TN

March 5, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

Top of the afternoon everyone…

A repost from late last blog.

Good news it sounds like on the Hampton front. I believe we are likely to be on a bit of a rollercoaster with him for the next several weeks at least. There’ll be good days and bad as he adjusts back to pitching to live hitters after the long layoff and TJ surgery.

So far, Prado does seem to be doing well with the stick and Johnson seems to be doing just fine with the glove. If current trends continue, I suspect there may be a trade at some point during spring training, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s not one either.

Phil in Alabam’s post brings back memories of a couple Dale Murphy posters I had on my bedroom walls back in the day. Good stuff Phil, thanks.

By ssiscribe

March 5, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

OK, here we go. Got the Gameday Audio on and the headphones at the ready.

Play ball and blog on!

—30—

By beachcomber

March 5, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

Ark Hillbilly - Maybe she’s the same young lady I saw last Saturday on the arm of a former Astro’s lefty (who shall remain nameless) who is twice her age!

By Brave Dawg

March 5, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

DOB,

What time do the players come out on the field for warm-ups down at Spring Training? I’m going down this weekend and want to get there early and watch BP etc…possibly shake your hand too. And, most importantly, what time do the concessions start serving cold’nz? Looking forward to the 80’s that are forecast for this weekend. Who will most likely be starting Saturday?

Thanks for any info and go Braves!

By Braveheart

March 5, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

or is she over the hill and a nonroster invitee, hoping for one last good season in the sun?

or has she shed twenty pounds over the winter in anticipation of the walkout year of her marriage contract?

or does she have too good of an eye and patience and not enough wood and glove skills?

or is she all about the wood and not enough glove, eye, and patience?

is she a platoon type player which means we will have to have another girl in our lineup to make up for her shortcomings?

or is she merely using us with the hope of catching on with someone else?

will we have to swap her?

will we be passing her back and forth between our little brothers in the minors the whole season?

has she jerked one out yet in batting practice?

but, most importantly, how does she look toeing the rubber?

By Rosalynn

March 5, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

You can leahn a lot about a guhl’s toes when she is weahing flip-flops. Some guhls have lovla toes and some have hammah toes. A guhl with hammah toes is not attractive in flip-flops. Toe haih is also unsightla. It is best to weah canvas shoes ratha than be embahassed with unsightla toe haih on hammah toes. How did we get on the subject of toes? Oh, yes, Jeff Schultz’ ahticle eahliah. That was some pooah toe juhnalism. Be thankful we have DOB to write foah us.

By ssiscribe

March 5, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Listening to the Cards and Astros (Wainwright, no hits, one walk through one, and just opened the second with a strikeout).

Anyway, the Astros’ broadcasters are KILLIN’ Chipper for his diet. I’m assuming they read Schultz’s column. One of them said, “Chipper Jones has lost his mind,” and they go on to pound on Chipper for the shakes and so forth.

(For your coastal folks, Wainwright just finished a perfect second. No score from Jupiter.) Anyway, wasn’t gonna post on here for a while, but just had to share the Astros’ radio guys’ thoughts on Chipper.

Shake, anyone?

—30—

By KC

March 5, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

J-dogg: The Braves have several off-days early on, so they’ll only need 4 starters the first 2 times through the rotation. Hampton could easily skip his first 2 starts and not be missed.

By Robert

March 5, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

“Paronto is a groundball guy and Bobby Cox likes to have one of those “double-play specialists” in the ‘pen.”

Cox more often uses his double play specialists as pinch hitters

By KC

March 5, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

To follow up on my last post… skipping Hampton’s first 2 starts might actually be preferable with 2 off-days in between their first 9 games.

Usually it’s the 5th starter, Kyle Davies, that would get skipped in order to keep everyone else on schedule (every 5th day). But if Davies continues to have a good spring and builds some momentum heading into the season, you’d hate to skip his first two starts. Where as a little extra time might do Hampton some good… maybe he could get a start or two in at Richmond if he would be willing.

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

Two-run double for Craig Wilson in the second inning, Braves up 2-0

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Pete Orr just pulled an RBI single to right for the third run in the inning. His second 2B/leadoff start in three days, because Johnson made trip to Vero yesterday and is making trip to Viera (Nationals) tomorrow.

By Bob, journalist

March 5, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Pardon the double post … really wierd … I don’t remember hitting the post button twice … and even if I did, the “at least in Birmingham, Alabama” was the last thing I “typed” … but it appears in the first post and not the second … and the time difference is 7 minutes.

I always enjoyed the Barron and Cracker games, especially when we won … always exciting, probably our best rivalry though the great rivalry between Earl Mann and Joe Engel made the Lookout games more entertaining.

I think the early “sacrifice” failures are good … maybe they’ll work harder on that success key.

By True Braves Fan

March 5, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

DOB: Don’t have statistics, but one of the Braves shortcomings was in inability to bunt. (Probably cost them several games.) So far this spring we have been unable to successfully execute the bunt 3 times. Once, Escobar failed twice to get it down and lined into double play, killing an inning and a 9th inning win. (We did win in 10.) Twice now the opposition has gotten the front runner because of the faulty bunt. Any comment on this situation?

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

Nationals starter Jerome Williams was chased from game with bases loaded and one out in second, and Chipper Jones greeted non-roster right-hander with a two-run double over the RF’s head for a 5-0 Braves lead.

Break up the Braves! (no, don’t give Liberty any ideas)

By Bob, journalist

March 5, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

I thought Pete’s radio comments made it sound like Hampton was estatic with his latest side session … maybe that’s just what I wanted to hear but I liked it!

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

After Andruw struck out, McCann just ripped an RBI single to right, but Chipper was thrown out trying to score second run on the play to end inning. Braves up 6-0.

By eric the elder

March 5, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

Phil, glad you decided to join in. Good post. Welcome aboard.

By dcarp23

March 5, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

Listening to the game on the web and hearing my first “Welcome to the Bigs” commercial. That might be the most over the top cheese ad I’ve ever heard in my life.

By Tom

March 5, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

DOB: Two questions for ya.

Paint a picture for me about Lillibridge. Are we talking about a “David Eckstein” but with more offensive ability? Whom would you compare his game?

Also, if the Braves LF situation doesn’t settle with Langerhans and/or C.Wilson, what do you think about the Braves going out and getting a kid like Scott Hairston from Arizona to at least platoon with Langerhans?

Hairston has a lot of offensive ability but no place to play in Az. He’s young and he’s cheap.

By marietta-monroe

March 5, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Did you see the poll ranking the general managers of the Atlanta teams? Were the people picking Billy Knight over JS just kidding or were they on drugs? Almost as perplexed as to how JS scored so low in the overall survey. Gee, if I were an owner I won’t want a GM that wins the division 14 years in a row, manages payroll to your specified level, and keeps only high character guys. Why would any owner want that? Don’t get me wrong, I like Waddel, but 36 spots above Schuerholz? Get real.

By eric the elder

March 5, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

TBF, you stole my thunder. I don’t want to use a faulty memory to pick on anyone in particular, but I recall Hudson and even Giles failing time and again to get a bunt down. Now we’re seeing that affliction again this spring. Assuming the coaching staff isn’t blind, I hope they will build more bunting instruction and practice into spring training.

By ssiscribe

March 5, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

Well, a good day all the way around so far. Four shutout, hitless innings for Wainwright down in Jupiter (two walks, one K), and the Braves are cruisin’ in Lake Buena Vista.

Guess I’ll turn on the Bravos and listen to the rest of the rout while I slave away here at Scribe Central. Peace.

—30—

By kenny d

March 5, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

Thrown out trying to score, huh? Maybe he needs to mix a salad in with those chocolate shakes.

By Head Coach

March 5, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Phil in Alabama is right , Rickwood Field is the oldest baseball facility in the United States and the world for that matter. It was built in 1910 by Birmingham industrialist Rick Woodward for the Birmingham Coal Barons. Rickwood Field was modeled after Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field and Connie Mack designed the field dimensions. The right field seats came from the original Polo grounds after it was torn down.

By True Braves Fan

March 5, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

To Phil in Alabam: My records only go back to 1922, but then Atlanta (Ponce de Leon), Birmingham (Rickwood) and Chattanooga (Engel) were all in the Class A Southern Association. The Lookouts now play in Bell South Park (will be renamed because of the merger.) But Engel is still standing and used for some events. I now live in Chattanooga, and have the opportunity to have lunch with Cal Ermer, who managed the Lookouts for many years a couple of times a week. He also managed the Twins for a couple of years in the 60’s. Never was at Rickwood, but lived in Atlanta for many years, and saw quite a few games at Poncey. (Now a Home Depot location, I believe.)

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

Fine start by Cormier, who went three scoreless innings and allowed one hit and one walk with three Ks, 24 strikes in 42 pitches

By Rodger

March 5, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

I would think maybe the other NBA GMs want to keep Billy Knight on the job, so the Hawks continue to Hoover. The only person as clueless as him would be Woodson!

By True Braves Fan

March 5, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

Head Coach..Thanks for the updated facts on Rickwood. Will file with my baseball facts Your memory is better than mine. Phil, you brought up an interesting subject.

By A.J.

March 5, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

Good point by Ernesto about where Sturtze fits in is especially good of Yates wins that 12th spot.

I assume that Sturtze’s deal is a major league deal, so that when he comes off the DL he has to be on the major league roster, correct?

Regardless of Sturtze, is it possible that the Braves would try to pass Yates through waivers anyway just to give themselves the option, since they can pull him off if he gets claimed?

If a player passes though waivers does that give the team the option to move him to the minors at any time for the rest of the year or does it have to be done immediately after he clears?

Would there be any chance that Yates would clear anyway? I kind of doubt it, so I guess this whole idea is useless, except that we will learn from the answers.

By A.J.

March 5, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this

I have notice that there is a direct correlation between when I have a paper due in class in when I post.

It seems I only post when I have one due.

I’m off to right a 12-page book review of a book on Kennedy’s foreign policy for class tomorrow. I just need to read the book first.

By ssiscribe

March 5, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

Man, Randy St. Claire (the former Brave who now is the Nats’ pitching coach) must be in great shape: Even in spring training, he’s making a ton of trips to the mound.

And goodness, the ol’ sound effects and PA dude down there at Happy Place, USA, are annoying. At least when you’re there, instead of listening several hundred miles away, you can look at the hottie who talks on the mic between innings.

And there’s the extra point … 7-0 Braves.

Selah.

—30—

By Shaun

March 5, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

True Braves Fan,

An inability to bunt? The Braves problem last year was pitching. They scored the 2nd most runs in the league. If there was an inability to bunt last season, it certainly didn’t seem to make the offense suffer.

By Charles

March 5, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB,

Did Mickey Carroll (one of the last living Munchkins from “The Wizard of Oz” give Bobby Cox a charm of some sort? Last I read, he had given out four of them to four different MLB managers and they won the World Series. He was planning on giving one to Bobby Cox at Spring Training (I think). Just curious. Superstitious thoughts on a boring day at work. Need a positive lead for the rest of the week.

By ssiscribe

March 5, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

Let’s see, 10-0 in the fourth inning of a spring training game. Methinks the Johnny Cash talk is going hot and heavy in the ol’ press box high above the diamond at Lake Buena Vista.

And I also bet there are those at Happy Place USA today wishing this was a high school game, where the 10-run-lead after five (four and a half if the home team is doin’ the whippin’) ends the game and sends everybody home early.

Another run in. 11-0.

Selah.

—30—

By ElbravoX

March 5, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

DOB- I have a chronic case of roids, any comments on this?

By Renegator

March 5, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Thanks for the great updates. What is the deal with Sturtze? When he comes back is he automatically added to the roster as some here have suggested? Does that mean we will have to send someone else down? Seems like with such a deep bullpen this year, we have too many arms - if that’s even possible. Seems like his signing was just out of desperation earlier in the off season.

By eric the elder

March 5, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

Shaun, you are certainly right, but so is TBF. Yes, they scored a bunch of runs, but they also lost more games than they won. The inability to lay down a bunt, especially late in the game or in extra innings, cost us, I think, in some of those one-run games. A good bunt doesn’t show up in the offense stats, but it can give a team the opportunity to win, which is what counts.

By The Grinch

March 5, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

AJ, would that be Ted Kennedy or John?

HC, I agree about the benefits of excess pitching, I was just worried we’d have SO many we’d have to cut deserving folks. If everyone we don’t need can be sent to the minors it’s no biggie. I also forgot he was picked up before Soriano and Gonzo, so that makes a bit more sense.

DOB and Rodger, y’all don’t dig Smythe in the spiked hair and black dragon kimono? “Shootin’ out the walls of HEART-ache/Bang-Bang! I am—the warrior.” Great stuff! Really, though, she was kinda cute. DOB, my mom’s boyfriend has an old poster of Patty Smith(not Smythe) standing behind a sitting William Burroughs hanging on his wall…apparently they dug each other in some way at some point. Figured if you were into Buchowski you might be into Burroughs, too. Naked Lunch was a trip. That’s where “Steely Dan” took their name from.

Robert(BCITW), your 1:33 was funny.

By Bob, journalist

March 5, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

13-0 … let’s go for another touchdown!

By The Grinch

March 5, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, Hillbilly. The more I thought about my little tryst in ARK. the other day the more it occurred to me you might be the poor guy in question. Since you didn’t comment, though, it must’ve been someone else. Whew! That puts my mind at ease. :-)

By MGL

March 5, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

Who missed that last extra point, or was it two field goals?

By Braves20

March 5, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

ssi - Hottie between innings? Not due in Orlando until next weekend but unless they have changed chicks, that Susie Q is about the most annoying thing in the world since Erin Andrews. You’re right about the new PA guy - you can hear him on the broadcasts - oh for the late, great Marshall Mann!

By Shaun

March 5, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

eric the elder,

I’m not so sure. I would like to see how many unsuccessful bunts the Braves failed to execute. And what about the bullpen and just plain ol’ bad luck costing the Braves in a lot of close games?

In many situations, a sac bunt is counterproductive. It’s is an overused strategy. You only get 27 outs in a nine inning game, and teams often times waste them trying to advance runners one base at a time. Sometimes it’s a good idea but often times it is not.

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

Braves had a 13-0 lead until this fifth inning, when the Nationals have scored four. Old friend Robert Fick just hit a three-run homer off Matt Harrison to make it 13-4.

By Shaun

March 5, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

eric the elder,

What gives a team the best chance to win is to score a lot of runs and allow few runs, no matter how you do it. The Braves scored a lot of runs but also allowed too many.

By A.J.

March 5, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

Grinch: That would be John: Laos, Bay of Pigs, missle crisis, Vietnam. All the good stuff.

By ssiscribe

March 5, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Braves20: Yeah, that Susie Q is tough on the ears. But like Erin Andrews, she’s quite easy on the eyes.

There always are nice, eh, sights to see at Dark Star, which I’m sure the folks working away during today’s blowout are, eh, enjoying seeing. Me? I’m looking at my office, and listening to the Phils and Reds, wishing I was chillin’ out at the Happiest Dateline on Planet Earth.

Marshall Mann … he and Ernie Johnson Sr. provided the soundtrack to my youth. Ah, only to hear Marshall’s booming voice again, “The center fielder, No. 3, Dale Murphy …”

—30—

By Carroll

March 5, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

AJ: there’s only two things you need to know for your paper on Kennedy’s foreign policy:

1. The Domino Theory (google it)

2. An overall wishy-washy, unwillingness to commit.

Now just spin that into 12 pages, and get back to bloggin’!

By Bob, journalist

March 5, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

Shaun, is your last name Feller?

By Lew

March 5, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

Now Grinch-What do you know about Steely Dans? Do we need to take a pole? Enquiring minds probably don’t need to know.

By Carroll

March 5, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

Ssi: I hear ya about Mann….my most memorable line would be:

“number 20, Bruuuuuuuuuuuce Benedict.”

By Rodger

March 5, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

Shaun,

Regardless of the soundness of the strategy, once the choice is made, failing to execute creates an unproductive out-and we all know how you hate those! To make an out without advancing a runner, or worse making 2 outs from it, is very likely to cost runs, and since a close game is the only time to use it, probably cost games as well.

By Robert

March 5, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

“America Russia and the Cold War 1945-1980” by Walter Lefeber is an excellent analysis of the long history of the American-Russian conflict that in actuality way predated WWII - good background for Kennedy’s foreign policy describing how Truman and Acheson and then Ike and Dulles saw things and how they maneuvered and why

By Thrillhouse44

March 5, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

Anybody got a picture of this Susie Q?

By ssiscribe

March 5, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Back listening to the Bravos’ blowout, and all I can say is that poor, poor pitching rubber: I hear Paronto is toeing the slab for the second inning in a row.

Carroll, I hear ya on Bruce Benedict, who, last I heard, still was officiating basketball games.

—30—

By Shaun

March 5, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

Rodger,

The question is did the failing to execute bunts costs the Braves games? I’m not so sure because you could argue that not employing the sacrifice at all would have led to more runs. You could also argue that pitching costs the Braves more runs and more wins than failing to get down bunts. I think the pitching led to the Braves under .500 record more than anything they did or did not do on offense. Why? Because they allowed the 7th most runs per game in the league; they scored the 2nd most. Clearly pitching was the problem.

By eric the elder

March 5, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I don’t disagree with you in the least, especially about the horror show called the bullpen. However, as far as the standings are concerned, winning 11-0 is no different from winning 1-0.

I just recall late inning or extra inning games in which one of our guys lead off with a double, or a single and then stole second, and our next batter made zero effort to hit to the right side. Or the next batter popped up a bunt. Having a runner on third with less than two outs gives a team about a 50% chance to score, whereas even a great hitter has only about a 1 in 3 chance of driving him in from second.

I definitely agree with you that a bunt can be counterproductive in many situations, but I have awful memories of our failure to bunt when the game was on the line.

Finally, the true value might be indicated by the team, which always high fives a guy who lays down a good bunt and which leaves a guy who doesn’t feeling pretty lonely.

By Greg in TN

March 5, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

ssiscribe,

Right there with you on Marshall Mann. I miss the heck out of that guy.

“Catcher, No. 20, Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce Benedict.”

By Greg in TN

March 5, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

Good to see Carroll and I on the same page.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

March 5, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, Hillbilly. The more I thought about my little tryst in ARK. the other day the more it occurred to me you might be the poor guy in question. Since you didn’t comment, though, it must’ve been someone else. Whew! That puts my mind at ease.

Grinch,

I have no idea what you’re talking about. I was couched for three days last week with bronchitis, so I must have missed something. Proceed. Enlighten me.

By Renegator

March 5, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

Carroll: I hear you - Bruce Benedict was always my favorite. I was lucky enough to play on a Little League Team with his son, Chris. Bruce was one of the assistant coaches and was such a nice guy. He even took us to a Braves game, into the Braves Locker Room and let us meet and talk to some players. I got to meet Dale Murphy that day and he has always been another favorite of mine. Ahhh, the memories…

By Rodger

March 5, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Shaun, with you 100% on pitching. And you’re right about the strategy many times. But, once decided, get the damn thing down like a little leaguer could!

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

Sorry, fell asleep on my keyboard from all hits, walks, substitutions and pitching changes in this game….

By brent

March 5, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox doesn’t play small ball.

If you haven’t gotten used to it by now, then you should probably just step away until 2009.

He’s not gonna change.

And yes. I’d like to see more of it too. In fact, because we don’t try it much, is probably what makes us so unsuccessful at it when we do try.

Bobby’s not gonna change.

By Shaun

March 5, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

eric the elder,

In close games, sure you can point to a hitter failing to hit the ball to the right side or failing to get a bunt down but couldn’t you also point to a ball that hit a rock earlier in the game or a couple of hitters swinging at what would have been ball four or a pitcher failing to put enough pressure on the middle finger and the curve doesn’t curve enough, etc.

These kind of “little things” affect the run totals of every game and affect the outcome more often in close games.

Doesn’t it follow that since little things that don’t really have all that much to do with baseball ability affect the outcome in close games, that often times we can’t really tell a whole lot about a team’s baseball ability in close games?

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

KC, it’s not as easy as “skipping Hampton’s first two starts,” even though there are two off days in the first eight days of the schedule.

You could skip the fifth starter the first time through, but in the game on April 8th (seventh day of the season), you have to have your No. 2 starter go on short rest to make that work, since he will have pitched on April 4 in the second game of the season.

In other words, you can’t skip the fifth starter twice without having someone start the season going on short rest in his second start. Which is possible, obviously, but not preferred.

By KC

March 5, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

It’s way too early to read to much into it… but it’s certainly encouraging to see how well our starting pitching as looked for the most part up till now.

By True Braves Fan

March 5, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

Did not mean to start WWIII with my comments about the inability lately of Braves batters to successfully bunt when called upon to do so. Shaun, you obviously, are a proponent of the AL strategy of swing away regardless of the situation, and in some situations that works. I do remember the days when Maddux, Glavine, Nixon, etc. laying down a bunt being almost automatic…And it won a lot of games for us. Just this spring, Escobar was called upon to lay down a bunt with 2 men on in the bottom of the ninth. He failed on two tries, and used the swing away philosophy. After failing to lay down the bunt and advance the runners, he lined into a double play, so we have a man on first and two outs, instead of men on second and third with one out. The following batter would have driven in the winning run. As it turned out we won the game in the 10th inning. The bunt is considered a good offensive weapon to score runs in the NL. My point was that we don’t seem to be able to execute the bunt in the last two years, as we have in the past. Also, successful bunt execution eliminates numerous double plays, which the Braves batters seem to be doing a lot of lately.

By eric the elder

March 5, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I’m afraid you have lost me a little bit, which is probably my own intellectual defect more than the points you are making. In any event, I’m sure everyone is tired of our dialog, so I’ll let it be.

By Shaun

March 5, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

Rodger,

The Braves had the fifth-most sac hits in the NL. I don’t know the percentage of successful ones, but it looks like they were decent at getting bunts down.

Philadelphia had the fewest sac hits and they led the league in scoring.

Toronto and Texas had the fewest sac hits in baseball and they both finished above the AL average in scoring.

Colorado and Houston were the only teams to have over 100 sac hits. Houston finished near the bottom in scoring and Colorado was above average.

Guess what—the 5 teams that were best at avoiding outs all scored over 800 runs. The five teams that were the best at making outs all scored under 760 runs.

By KC

March 5, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

DOB: You are correct. They could easily skip Hampton the first time through the rotation, but not the first two times. I wasn’t playing close enough attention to the schedule.

Though, if Cormier’s performance in the last month of last season as a starter, and his start today are any indication… I’m sure the Braves wouldn’t hesitate to give Hampton another start or two off if he needs it early on.

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

I guess I’ll have to reassess my opening day lineup _ Prado’s left five guys on base in two plate appearances today.

On a bright note, Craig Wilson is 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

On a brighter note, there’s some serious action on the sun-baked left-field berm….

Come on, get your minds out of the gutter. I meant action as in people throwing Frisbees, rolling down the grassy slope, etc. Yeah, that’s it.

By Renegator

March 5, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Not to continue this conversation… but the Braves lost the ability to lay down the bunt when Furcal left.

By Shaun

March 5, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

eric the elder,

As I preach often here, what matters most to run scoring is avoiding outs; what matters most to run prevention is getting outs. Other things are important too but avoiding and getting outs are the essentials to being a good run scoring or good run prevention team.

Sac bunts, hitting the ball to the right side, etc. are overused strategies because they cost the team outs and avoiding outs can lead to runs. Not saying it’s not a valid strategy in some situations—when you need just one run to win the game or when a terrible hitter is up and he’s very likely to make an out anyway—but it is overused and I wouldn’t worry too much about a player not getting a bunt down here and there.

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

And Blanco, who came in 0-for-7 with a walk, is 2-for-2 with a walk today.

Braves stranded 10 runners and still scored 14 runs. Nice pitching, Nats.

By Shaun

March 5, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

True Braves Fan,

See my above posts—I do think bunting is a bad strategy in many situations in which managers use them. They aren’t bad all the time but they are overused.

By michael of b'ham

March 5, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Really enjoying the bunting banter. If I may chime in… I too remember the glory days of Atlanta’s big 3 being able to bunt at will,stop it on dime and get the job done. The problem may be that the guys in the lineup just aren’t any good at it. So, do you tell them to bunt knowing they’ll soon be swinging away with 2 strikes or do you just turn them loose as soon as the AB starts? I love watching the finer points of the game being executed. Oh how easy it is to yell at Andruw or Chipper for NEVER even considering a bunt…(I know they’re “big hitters that don’t get paid to bunt” but come on! )…however,in fairness….taking someone who stinks at bunting and asking them to bunt say against Clemens..and he knows you’re gonna try to bunt….yikes! Glad I’m in my living room instead of the batter’s box. come on regular season!!!

By beachcomber

March 5, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

Braves20 - Have to agree with you. Susie Q, while an attractive thing, doesn’t belong at a major league park. Much prefer the antics of the Phanatic and Dan McDonough(?) in Clearwater. Braves are coming to Clearwater for the first time in about three years on the 23rd. Feel the flu coming on that day!

And Marshall Mann - worked in major market radio in my misspent youth and never worked with anyone with a better voice than Mr. Mann. How he is missed!

By Rodger

March 5, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

michael of b’ham,

I think that’s a good note to end on!

By Robert

March 5, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

This game is a great example of how one needs to look at context to evaluate a performance.

You look and say the Braves scored 14 runs and the tendancy is to think they did great.

Look again and see that they stranded ten runners - now the conclusion is that

A) Whoever the Nats had on the mound aint major league ready

B)The Braves still need work on their fundamentals, and werent so great after all

I think were gonna have to learn how not to overeact one way or another to Mike Hampton’s progress at this point. Good days and bad days are bound to be part of his story. The overall trend established after several outings is what’s gonna be cause for worry or optimism.

The Braves long ago traded the ability to lay down a bunt for excellence at laying down in October

By Bob, journalist

March 5, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

Shaun,

I’m sure you agree that proper execution of the fundamentals is more revelant to the success of a team than chance occurances.

Just as there’s a difference between striking out while going for a homerun with the bases empty, when down by one with two gone in the ninth … and so doing with the bases loaded.

Besides, since we carefully control the length of the grass, the hardness of the infield, the slope along the foul lines … and let all our players know where the carefully placed rocks are … little is left to chance.

Braves win again!

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

Highlight of the day, or at least the most fun, was Gonzalez buzzing Fick and the two exchanging words after the final out, with Pendleton running out to get between them to make sure it didn’t escalate. Could be interesting, the 19 matchups between the teams this season. Wait till you see the quotes I got from Fick and Gonzalez. I’ve got to write my notebook now; they’re going in that….

Bobby raved about Paronto (2 inn, 1 hit, 3 K) and said nothing more than “good” when I asked about Cormier.

Paronto’s working on a changeup that he rarely threw last season, used it a few times today effectively.

Just a gut reaction, based on past experiences, of Cox’s one-word evaluation of Cormier: His only chance of making the rotation is if Hampton’s hurt. Again, just my gut reaction, but if that’s all the praise he warranted after three innings of one-hit ball today, it tells me something.

By rupert

March 5, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

all hail the bravos

By Bob, journalist

March 5, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

David O’B, it sounded to me like many of those left on base could have scored if we so chose … was Chipper going all out when thrown out at the plate?

One would have thought that with two outs and going with the pitch … unless he ran thru a stop sign …

By The Grinch

March 5, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

Hillbilly, go back to the “The Inimitable LaRoche Returns” blog (not the last one, but the one before). You wrote about your wife calling you at work March 2nd at 4:08; I wrote a response March 3rd at 10:04pm about 2/3rds of the way down the blog. Man, I just ate way too much. Time for a nap.

By Carroll

March 5, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

DOB: I wonder if Bobby and the Braves are trying to downplay Cormier’s performance in case they need to send him through waivers, under the radar? Or does he have options left?

By Bob, journalist

March 5, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

Another fundamental on which we need work … fouling off pitches that are too close to take. Many of our guys either strike out with the bat on their shoulder and words for the umpire … or make weak, nonproductive outs trying to put the ball in play.

By ssiscribe

March 5, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

If there was a fight, I hope the Nats do that better than they hit. Or pitch. Or field.

Man, they suck.

As for Fick, he had an attitude when he was here. Remember the cheap shot he took at the Cubs in the playoffs? Yeah, class act. He didn’t last here for long for a reason.

—30—

By ROCHIE

March 5, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

GO BRAVES! i am excited baseball is back. we can compete with a little help from the mets starting pitching. we have the old fashion pitching. overall we should see more of the older braves days of scraping runs while our pitching holds it down. go hudson

By ROCHIE

March 5, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

carroll good point we must have a good reasonable backup starting pitcher for mike hampton. although mike will probably be ok and do well. go hudson

By The Grinch

March 5, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Lovely. Please tell me this doesn’t mean they’re going with Davies as the 5th starter. Unless he’s had a brain transplant in the off-season, if he pitches better than Cormier would this season in the majors it’ll be the greatest comeback in sports history in that short a time period. I’d put his behind back in Richmond for at LEAST half a season first, especially since Cormier’s pitching well.

By stevethehawk

March 5, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

DOB,

When you say “Bobby raved about Paronto” what exactly did he say?

By journalist jimmy smith

March 5, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

it is good that chad paronto has impressed bobby so. paronto is a favorite of this journalist. what other pitcher would give up his pants for the team? well, chipper, but that is another story …

now that chad paronto has an effctive changeup to go with his very good sinker, he is a formidable part of this new bullpen.

now, toe journalism as practiced by jeff schultz in today’s ajc is an embarrassment to all journalists. more on that later from this journalist.

By rammerjammer

March 5, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

I must say, everything is a-ok with our Braves these days. A very nice, encouraging start to spring training.

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

Steve, here’s something from my notebook about Paronto:

Cormier gave up two runs and four hits in two relief innings Thursday vs. Los Angeles. He was sharp Monday, allowing a hit and a walk with three strikeouts.

Asked about Cormier’s performance, Cox said, “Good. [Chad] Paronto was the guy I really liked. He came up with a changeup he’s working on down here.”

Paronto had three strikeouts and allowed one hit in two scoreless innings. The big right-hander is a top candidate for one of the final two bullpen spots.

The groundball specialist said he threw his changeup infrequently last season because he didn’t want to get beat on his third-best pitch.

* ADD FROM ME NOW: Cox went on to talk about how good Paronto was last year, how he “came on strong” and how the changeup could really help him. Paronto thinks the changeup can help keep them from sitting on his sinker and slider, since it’s 8-10 mph slower than his sinker.

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

And here’s a few paragraphs from the notebook regarding the Fick/Gonzo thing:

The two exchanged stares and a few words as Fick walked across the field to the visitor’s dugout. Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton hurried from the dugout to step in front of Gonzalez and make sure things didn’t escalate.

“He didn’t like that first swing I took and he tried to buzz me,” Fick said. “He definitely doesn’t want to fight me.” Why? “Just because,” he said.

Fick’s three-run homer off left-handed prospect Matt Harrison in the fifth was the only highlight for the Nationals, who were outhit 18-7 by the Braves (4-1).

“He did a good job, but he should have kept his mouth shut,” said Gonzalez, who allowed one hit and one walk in his second spring appearance for the Braves.

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

Carroll, waivers not a factor on Cormier _ he’s not out of options.

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

Red flags are at least slightly raised: Soriano has a sore shoulder. Braves downplaying it, saying he was late getting to camp and is just a bit behind, etc. But considering he spent 15 days on the DL in July-Aug with sore shoulder, something to keep an eye on.

He pitched well in 10 games after returning from that shoulder thing last summer, before he got drilled by Vlad the Bad.

By ElbravoX

March 5, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

DOB- Flower or corn tortillas? Margaritas, blended or on the rocks?

By farthammer

March 5, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

DOB - Been meaning to ask, hopefully you’ll catch this. Have any of the pitchers, specifically Hampton and James, said anything about the Thorman taking over 1B with respect to him being a right-handed fielder? Or is the LH/RH fielding 1B not a factor at the major league level? Thanks

By eware

March 5, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this

DOB, I’ve got to recommend the Deadstring Brothers album “Starving Winter Report” if you don’t already have it. The male/female singers harmonize amazingly. Good to great music.

Also, did you ever get that Spencer Dickinson album? Thoughts?

By N8

March 5, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this

DOB

I’m telling you, with Thorman, Francoeur and McCann’s energy in the everyday lineup, add to that Soriano’s stare (if he’s healthy enough to pitch), Smoltz, Hampton, Hudson, and Wickman’s demeanor, and NOW add to that a setup man that has NO problem buzzing a guy in Spring Training.

Enough to fire me up.

I guess the days of Glavine, Maddux, McGriff and the boys appearing that they have no fire, by not wearing it on their sleeves are LONG GONE, huh?

Younger, more aggressive and slightly more mean. I LIKE IT.

Let’s just hope they play well. LOL!

By Robert

March 5, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

“When you say “Bobby raved about Paronto” what exactly did he say?”

No, I wont. I promised to be good

By Sir Stealth

March 5, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

Robert Fick single handedly lost that serres with the Cubs for us. In a tight series, went 0 for everything, made a key error, and threw in the cheapshot running the bases on top of that. Probably one of my least favorite Braves ever.

By Robert

March 5, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

“Sac bunts, hitting the ball to the right side, etc. are overused strategies because they cost the team outs and avoiding outs can lead to runs.”

Shaun, this is an interesting point to debate. On the one hand, you are very right about the game being one of not making out on offense and getting outs on defense. By that theory, any time an offense gives the d an out for free, they are working against themselves. But it’s not so simple, and here’s why. Because sacrifices, and hit and runs, and small-ball in general makes the defense make plays. It makes them execute - and if they are not solid fundamentally, they will at times fail to execute.

Bottom line is that there are no clear cut answers. Sometimes the best course is smallball. At other times, the best course is to play for the big inning. Knowing when to employ which strategy is the ART of being able to manage a baseball team.

This is why playing matchups strictly by the book or by the computer printout is NOT always the best policy.

And you know what, sometimes the right decision leads to a poor outcome. Sometimes.

The question then becomes, was the decision made for the right reasons, or for the wrong reasons.

Let’s leave it there.

By Phil in Alabam

March 5, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

Like the fiesty news from the field today. Hope there’s more where that came from.

Bunting is the topic now, huh? I’m an NL bunting advocate, but have to say the most memorable Braves bunt in my mind is the one that, if I remember correctly, Otis Nixon tried to lay down to keep hopes alive in Game 6 of the ‘92 World Series. It didn’t work and I lay prostrate on the floor for about an hour wishing he had swung away.

Bob, journalist… eric the elder and others, thanks for the welcome.

GreginTN…glad to hear you had the Murph posters up, too - mine went with me to Knoxville when I moved there when young.

Head Coach…Glad to see someone else has the Rickwood Field history down. I actually work for a newspaper here and have written about it quite a few times - never heard about bleachers from the Polo Grounds there, though. That’s cool.

TrueBravesFan… Thanks to you, as well. I’ve been to Ponce de Leon as well. Great field, too. Had a great uncle who played for the Crackers.

By AP in the LA

March 5, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this

After reading the post about LaRoche from the other day I wanted tell you guys about meeting him.

I met Rochy on my wedding day, right before our reception was to start. Our reception was at Maggiono’s in Buckhead, and he came into the restaurant with his wife and 2 kids. I recognized him when he walked in, but no one else did. I pointed him out to my wife and she immediately ran right up to him and said, “I got married today and I love you!” Since she was a about 10 it has been her goal to meet and marry a professional baseball player. I told her it was ironic that she met one an hour after we said “I do”. Anyways, LaRoche and his wife were very nice and signed a wedding program for us. He couldn’t have been a nicer guy.

Anyways, I hope you guys like my story.

Andrew

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

CMC, sorry not to get back to you on Blaine Boyer, but if you noticed I added his name to the original blog. I had simply overlooked him. He’ll get consideration.

Phil in Alabam, I’m not at lIberty to discuss what I was told was the reason Pat left, but believe me, it’s not something titillating or scandalous. Just a procedural thing, as I understood it. But again, it was told to me in confidentiality.

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

Eware, I forgot about the Spencer Dickinson album. Gotta get it next time at Virgin Records. Think I’m going by there tomorrow night with my brother, who’s in town on business.

By ssiscribe

March 5, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

Word out of the Evil Empire tonight is Rafael Soriano is nursing a sore shoulder, the same shoulder that had “fatigue” last season, before the flamethrower was drilled in the dome by a Vlad Guerrero line drive.

I know some folks will be upset and begin worrying about a crack already forming in the vaunted Big Three at the back end of the Braves bullpen. For now, I’ll reserve judgment and not play the panic card. Dude has been throwing through the winter and playing winter ball, so it may not be that big a deal, just a byproduct of pitching a bunch lately.

Obviously, this bears watching, a red flag to raise at this point, even if you don’t raise it all the way up the flagpole. His next throwing session, obviously, will be watched closely.

Speaking of watching sessions closely, on to Hampton: Good news that he’s encouraged. We’ll see what happens after his next bullpen and see if he can get into a game Friday or Saturday. As he said, that will be a big, big test, putting the lefty in a game environment for the first time in a year and a half or so.

The Kenny Lofton Club: There aren’t many players who have worn out their welcome in Atlanta, but Robert Fick is one of them (in the same fraternity with Kenny Lofton, Tim Spooneybarger and Jason Marquis). Funny to hear Gonzalez to tell him he should shut up. Gotta feeling if the Braves rumble at any time this year, the boys in the bullpen (Gonzalez, Wickman, Paronto) will be, uh, separating the pile.

And speaking of Paronto, glad to hear he threw it so well today in his two innings. In a Scribe exclusive, I’vve been told by a source at the Happiest Dateline on the Planet the rubber on the mound at Disney is glad the Braves are on the road tomorrow, so it can try to recover after Big Chad toed the slab for TWO innings today.

Big Chad toed the slab … can you say T-shirt???

And what does the esteemed Ugandan journalist have to say about Schultz’s toe journalism? The world wonders, and the Scribe abides.

—30—

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

That and that James Hand CD someone else recommended.

By Jared

March 5, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

The Soriano shoulder thing, even though it’s probably nothing at all, shows exactly why getting Mike Gonzalez was such a great move by John Schuerholz for the Brvaes.

By ElbravoX

March 5, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

DOB-You are not AT liberty or at LIBERTY? Oh, one more, margarine or butter?

By journalist jimmy smith

March 5, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

jeff schultz has trifled with toes with his toe journalism. there, journalist has said it.

scribe is right. serious toe journalists do not talk of grandma’s toes … a serious toe journalist would reveal that “once a bunion has formed, the mechanics of the feet and toes are altered. Tendons begin to pull the toe into an abnormal position, and the problem tends to progress over time. As the big toe becomes more and more angulated (pointing towards the other toes), the base of the toe becomes more and more prominent, thus forming the bunion. The bunion forms in part because of the new angulation of the toe, and in part due to inflammatory changes over the bunion surface. As the inflammation worsens, people can experience pain with shoe wear and walking. The big toe may eventually come to lie over, or more commonly under, the second toe. This may cause further irritation while wearing shoes, and cause more pain. The second toe of patients who have bunions commonly forms a hammer toe.”

so, this journalist wonders … if the toes have overlapped would a larger shoe be called for? hmmm….

now, chipper may not know a doctor who will repair his toes but jimmy smith knows of just such a doctor back home in uganda. some call ubuto a witch doctor. jimmy smith prefers to think of ubuto as a speciailist. it is good medicine that ubuto’s name sounds like a “toe” at the end, right?

now, shoes that are too small can cause bunions. shoes that are too big can cause friction. friction can cause sparks. sparks can cause fire. fire can cause heat. heat can cause sweating. sweating can cause stinking. stinking can cause a need for new shoes. this is a very complicated medical matter.

now, baseball … whey shakes? whey shakes? chipper actually drank whey shakes last year? a by-product of cheese making? chipper should just eat a jar of cheez whiz and wash it down with a good cheese beverage like cheese flavored tang. is there real cheese in cheese flavored tang? can it be drunk with a straw? will the cheese clog or collapse a plastic staw? should it be spooned? oh, the humanity!

now, baseball … go braves!

By Tomahawkin

March 5, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

Wazzup D.O.B. Haven’t been up in here in a grip…Too much partying…and workin…

You’re right about makin conclusions, we have to wait about another 10 days before anything can be drawn out…

Has there been any news regarding the contract on our prized centerfielder? or is all that talk gonna begin in the offseason…?

By Tomahawkin

March 5, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

I might be in the minority, but I would love to see a new rivalry with the Nats…

The Rivalry with the Mutts died when John Rocker Left…those games were fun…

By Robert

March 5, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

“Robert Fick single handedly lost that serres with the Cubs for us. In a tight series, went 0 for everything, made a key error, and threw in the cheapshot running the bases on top of that. “

What about the fella who kept trotting Fickey out there? Is he blameless?

By IllinoisBravesFan

March 5, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

I think the Braves should try to trade Villareal and mid level prospect for a good young left fielder and put him out there and forget about the platoon with Langerhans and Wilson. Does anyone agree?

By Bryan

March 5, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

Dave, do you think if Davies kills it and Cormier is great, that Cormier would get a bullpen nod over Yates?

By Robert

March 5, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Open the ajc.com Braves page and you can find several month old to over a year old links to such Braves items as reporting day in 2006, McCann’s cans, the outlook for the second half of 2006, and gripes about Glavine galore.

However, perhaps the biggest recent story concerning the Braves, and it’s associated blog, is suddenly GONE

Vanished without a trace.

Things that make you go “Hmmmmm”

By Robert

March 5, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

And the non-Braves question of the day

If you dont pay your exorcist, do you get repossessed?

By Lew

March 5, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

Cheese flavored Tang. Oh, the Humanity.

By Jared

March 5, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Who gave up the fifth run for the Braves? I know Harrison gave up four. But I can’t find who allowed the other one.

By The Grinch

March 5, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

Epic post, JJS. Hard-hitting toe journalism at its finest. Your last paragraph reminds me of a joke, circa 1990-ish. What do Saddam Hussein and Little Miss Muffett have in common? They both have curds in their whey (Kurds in their way? Oh, the humanity!).

Illinois Braves Fan, Villareal is much more valuable to us than he would be on the open market. Even with a prospect, we probably wouldn’t get back someone more productive than our current platoon. Then we have two problems: what do we do with the extra outfielders and who’s our long-relief specialist? Sturtze isn’t ready yet, and probably won’t be as good as the Vulture when he is. Oscar is young, cheap and effective, just the kind of player we don’t need to be trading these days.

By bravesfan

March 5, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

I think they should trade Villareal for a young left fielder. Idk about the prospect but yeah i dont like the plattoon in left field either.

By IllinoisBravesFan

March 5, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

The Grinch, Do you like the platoon or do you also wish we could get a one man left fielder, because we wouldnt have to trade Villareal we could try to trade somebody else.

By Tomahawkin

March 5, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

Only thing I hate about spring Is that I’m seeing all the Bandwagon Cardinal Fans bring out their hats up here where I live…It’s sickening…

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

Jared, Villarreal gave up the other run in one inning of work (one hit, one walk)

By Don

March 5, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

Robert, I’m sure there are some adult literacy courses in this area. It would definitely be a better use of your time than slobbering all over this blog.

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

Bryan, no, don’t see that happening. For one very big thiing, Yates is out of options and Cormier isn’t. He can go down and start at Richmond, be ready for a call if they need a starter.

By Tomahawkin

March 5, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

I’ll hafta wait through the first 2 months to see if I like the platoon, Ifs its anything like The Julio Franco/LaRoche, we’re set..

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

ElBravo, should’ve been “at liberty” not “at Liberty.” Just a fatigue typo from writing that name so much, i guess

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

T-hawkin’, nothing new on Andruw and not expecting anything new for a good while. But I’ll certainly write something if/when I hear anything. Not something I’d keep to myself, obviously.

By Tomahawkin

March 5, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

Preciate, That D.O.B. Nuff Respect…I’m outta here bout to go cook some smoked salmon…

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

BraveDawg, they get on the field at about 9 a.m., though some do some early work and hitting in cage beyond left field before that, if you want to try to get autographs then.

Carroll Rogers is covering Thur-Sat, my only days off for the 6-1/2 weeks of spring training. I might come out one of those days, but hopefully not. Need to stay away a few days. Driving to Jupiter on Sunday for games vs. Cards Sunday-Monday.

By David O'Brien

March 5, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

Tom, Lillibridge is faster, stronger, more talented in every physical way than Eckstein. Now, whether he has that special something that Eckstein has, we’ll see. But scouts and team officials (not just Braves but several others surprised Braves got him in the trade) say this kid is absolutely special. Might be a year or two, but he’ll be here someday, I’m pretty certain. Maybe even sooner.

By The Grinch

March 5, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

IBF, to be honest I haven’t been home during the day to watch a Spring Training game, so I can’t offer much of an opinion yet. It sounds serviceable to me on paper, but it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to get a more legit player. I just wouldn’t give up Villareal if we didn’t have to. But yeah, if they can get a significant upgrade for a combo of another relief pitcher and either Langy or Diaz (or something like that) then I’m all for it. It would probably take some pressure off of KJ, too.

By A.J.

March 5, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this

Carroll, thanks for the JFK input. That’s pretty much the gist of it. I’ll turn this out real quick, be back to bloggin by 5 or so tomorrow.

By OddJob

March 5, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Shaun This talk of when and when not to bunt is all about situation and capability.If you have a one run lead in the seventh one out and a runner at first,do you have a stong fresh pen or a great offensive team?If you have a weak pen but a bunch of big bats, bang away.If your offense is weak but the pen is lights out, get him over and in and turn it over to the pen.Thats why I say ratio of runs scored against runs surrendered is what matters most.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

March 5, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

Great blog tonight, GO VCU Rams.. made it to the big dance tonight by defeating George Mason… Now baseball.

One must remember when a team ( the Nationals) is getting its collective head handed to them by another team (the Braves), someone is always bound to get a case of the red a**, Now if that team happens to have a person by the name of Robert Fick well now… That chance just increases expontentially.

I look for maybe a few high hard ones to come the Braves way when these two teams meet again. Just baseball. Best get it out of the way early before any real damage is done.

And jimmy, some real thought provoking stuff there. However, anytime I ever had hold any “tangy cheese” I let it go quick because I knew it wasn’t going to stay with me either way.

By OddJob

March 5, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

David I saw Hudson and Smoltz on espn last night,Hudson looked to have more meat on him,has he put on weight?

By Oil Soap

March 5, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Who has the cheesier tattoo? Tim Hudson (fireball on the wrist)or Andruw “Web Elbow” Jones?

By mr baseball

March 5, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

One of the aspects of Cox’s managing that causes some of us to question his strategic grasp of the game is his approach to bunting. The Braves have never been a small ball kind of team (they rarely have had to rely on scratching out runs to win), but there are times when Cox insists on bunting in the absolute wrong situations.

Every time the Braves leadoff hitter gets on base to start the game and the No. 2 hitter is asked to bunt, all we can do is shake our heads and wonder what in the world Cox is thinking by taking the bat out of someone like Renteria’s hands with a chance to start a big inning.

But the unquestioned worst bunt decision Cox has ever made came in Game 4 of the ‘05 series in Houston. With runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs in the 15th (I think) against a tiring Houston reliever, Cox had Francouer bunt, which he did successfully, ensuring that Langerhans would be walked intentionally to load the bases. Both players had been hitting pretty well, but Cox took the bat out of their hands in favor of the pre-‘06 McCann, who had already caught 14 innings and was trying hard to avoid hitting the ball on the ground, and a pinch-hitter (Orr).

That wasn’t just a matter of a manager making a decision that turned out to be the wrong one. It was another example of a manager incapable of examining a situation hinging on various factors and making a decision based on logic and not the age-old managerial “book.”

At a game I attended a few years ago, one of the mid-inning distractions on the big screen concerned a question asked of Braves players and coaches.

“Are you a chess or checkers person?” Cox answered checkers. That tells you a lot about his managerial style and why so many of his decisions in crucial situations have been the wrong ones.

Other than pitchers or the occasional late inning, tie game situation, the best strategy regarding bunting is simply not to. Unfortunately, you won’t read that in the all purpose baseball “book.”

By journalist jimmy smith

March 5, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

let’s say for argument that someone’s big toe is overlapped by the second toe and that second toe is a hammer toe. no shoe is going to fix this problem. no spacer. no special socks. no powder and no absorbine jr. say for a minute that this person is involved in an athletic play where the opposing player steps on the toe(s) and the hammer toe slips off the big toe and little piggy goes to market. if it is indeed as painful as it sounds little piggy may go wee wee wee all the way home. journalist thinks everyone probably realizes the seriousness of the problem now.

By Phillip

March 5, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

I saw Hudson on ESPN too & he looks ripped. Hope it helps his stamina.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

March 5, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

Then what you are saying that for want of a shoe our kingdom could be lost?

By Bob, journalist

March 6, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

Grinch,

“Hard-hitting toe journalism at its finest” … I think you’re being a little too hard on David … I couldn’t find anywhere that he stomped on anyboby’s toes.

However, I never claimed to understand journalistic syntax, though I do understand why some journalists should be so taxed … but what is the purpose of the (Kurds in their way)? … I must admit that (Oh, the humanity!) showed true genius! Kudos!

Phil, nice folks from far west Georgia are always welcomed aboard … just so long as they like potato chips and Coca-Cola too.

Who was your Great Uncle that played for the Crackers and when?

True Braves Fan do you know if Mr. Ermer still takes the time to watch the kids practice and play Soccer?

By Head Coach

March 6, 2007 2:03 AM | Link to this

Just to add to the bunting topic. There are two things you will never see Cox call for in a game. A suicide squeeze or a double steal. A hit and run is almost unheard of and bunting is something the pitchers do or is done to put a runner in scoring position. It’s either a three run bomb or like we saw today where the Braves string a bunch of hits together in order to score. Cox has the philosophy that if you can out pitch the other team , play better defense and score by hitting the ball where they cant catch it , you will win. He has been right so far. I’m sure someone will bring up the post season. So , before you do. I’ll tell you , its a nineteen game short season crap shoot. Lonnie keeps running(91) Wohlers doe his job for one inning(96) and we have three rings. Did anybody expect the Cardinals to beat Detroit ? Like I said already , crap shoot. Anything can happen in a five or seven game elimination and it often does as we saw in last seasons world series.

By T-bone

March 6, 2007 7:36 AM | Link to this

DOB, do we have a log-jam of middle infielders and relief pitchers? Any trade rumors? I’m still not satisfied with our left-field options. Also, how about Villareal as a fifth starter? He started some last year and did rather well.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

March 6, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

Grinch,

Saw your response in the other blog. HAHAHAHA!! LMAO.

By Shaun

March 6, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

Robert and OddJob,

I do agree that it’s situational as to whether or not to employ smallball in certain situations but I also think it’s overused. Avoiding outs is going to lead to more runs than using up outs to advance runners one base at a time. Again, not saying sac bunts, etc. are bad strategies all the time in every situation but I would argue they are overused.

Sometimes chances are so high that a hitter is going to make an out (a pitcher is up) that it’s best not to fool around with letting him swing away. Sometimes you only need one run to win the game (bottom of the ninth, home team has a runner on second with no outs) so it is worth using up an out to greatly increase the chance to score just one run. But often times it’s counterproductive to use up an out to advance a runner because outs are more valuable than bases.

As Earl Weaver once said: “You play for one run, that’s all you’re going to get.”

By Lew

March 6, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

Hillbilly-Good morning. The big yellow Clown Shoes under your bed should have been a dead giveaway. Grinch’s calling card.

By Brave Dawg

March 6, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

DOB,

Thanks for your tireless efforts to answer all questions for us bloggerheads.

I hate that you will be away this weekend, but I can’t say I don’t blame you; everyone needs a break from their job at some point to remain interested and focused. That is exactly the reason for my trip down. If you ever need someone to stand in for a few days, I can easily put justice (not Dave) on hold for a few days.

Thanks again and enjoy the days off.

By Jeff R

March 6, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

Hope that management isn’t so locked into Johnson that they fail to give Prado the look he seems to deserve. I’m guessing that Johnson’s bat will be better than his glove, at least until he gains enough experience at 2B (what’s enough, though?). Prado is probably going to have an edge in the field. Up-the-middle defense is second only to pitching as the key to consistant winning. Bat or glove? If that’s the choice, I hope management goes with the better glove.

By Phil Valentine

March 6, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

I must say I enjoy whoever is doing the Robert character now . This guy/gal writes about baseball instead of just bashing Cox.

The Berry Boys version was annoying, then humorous when they fessed up. But actual discussion of baseball is better.

By journalist jimmy smith

March 6, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

and is carroll rogers reading today’s blog? welcome carroll rogers! welcome to dob’s world of braves baseball, music, toes, barbecue, pudding, and fashion. journalist thinks it is a good idea for carroll rogers to read the blog for a few days before assuming responsibility for this blog since this blog can tend to upset digestion, and often surprise. now, toes … does carroll rogers delve into toe journalism? this season could turn on a toe(s) - not sure how many. tip of the day - there is a wurlitzer winner there who has done hard-hitting toe journalism and there is a columnist there who trifles with toe jouralism. stay close to the wurlitzer winner.

now, baseball … the blogger asks if chipper will be called upon to bunt at any time this season - and the answer is, “not by the hair of chipper’s chinny chin chin.” as the old journalist would say, selah.

By Matthew, Walter's Dad

March 6, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

It seems that the Marlins are already having pitching problems, with both Ricky Nolasco and Josh Johnson facing injuries.

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070305&contentid=1829266&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&cid=fla

By Arkansas Hillbilly

March 6, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Lew,

The shoes are hanging up in my gun cabinet with all of my turkey beards. If he wants them back, he can come back and get them from me. (Click-Click) (puts out a cigarette on his own forearm) =-)

By Lew

March 6, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

It’s 10 below zero here this morning, with a wind chill of minus 36. My wife wants to go shopping. Guess where I’m going today? Out to freeze my behind off.

By Lew

March 6, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Matthew-I predicted Johnson and Sanchez of the Marlins and Hamels of the Phillies would go down with injuries this year. No one believes it, but pitchers under 25 who are used more than 25 innings over their past season, have a ridiculous percentage of injuries the next year. Lucky for us, Chuck James actually pitched less innings last year than in 05. We’re in good shape.

By journalist jimmy smith

March 6, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

jimmy smith likes matthew’s new handle. walter will probably play center field. bat cleanup. now, big yellow shoes … a grinch calling card but, someone else known to many on this blog also has big yellow shoes. wears them in the garden. journalist can say no more. now, baseball … judging from the past when the braves were always scrambling to pick up relief pitchers this will be a very different season. some good pitchers won’t make this team. oh, the improvement!

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

Lew, I’m feeling your pain, man.

No, wait, actually I’m not. It’s 60 degrees and gorgeous here, the sun bright as can be and the temp on the way to 75 today. Just drove over from Orlando to my old stomping grounds at Viera, aka Melbourne.

At least they painted this dump and got rid of the teal seats. Doesn’t look bad, actually.

Alright, going down to the clubhouse. We’ll talk later.

By Lew

March 6, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

Hillbilly-Putting out cigarettes on your arm? Dude, you need to quit smoking. Have you tried the patches? They worked for me. Of course, yellow clown shoes indicate something more than a smoking problem. Or a smoking problem of a different nature, anyway.

By LanceinFl

March 6, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

DOB - going to the game on Saturday against the Blue Jays as a guest of Vernon Wells. How would one get a chance to say hi and talk some Braves with you?

By Lew

March 6, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

My pain has been felt-not. Oh, The Humanity!

By Bobby Valentine

March 6, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

Phillies and Mets are the premier players Braves in the middle Nats and Marlins are the bottom feeders.

By Matthew, Walter's Dad

March 6, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

JJS:

If he does play CF for the Braves, I’ll make sure he gives the team a hometown discount when his contract is up. I’m guessing 6’5”, 230 lbs. He’ll have to learn to hit from someone else, though. I can only get on base if the game is Nintendo.

Speaking of which, I bought a Yobo, a knockoff of the NES Original System. I played Tecmo Baseball last night for the first time in fifteen years or so. Anyone else remember the stubby legged baseruners and how all the fielders ran together? Good times, good times, except since the game was made in 1989, the Braves are not very good.

By Lew

March 6, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Well, Bobby Valentine never knew what was happeneing, anyway. Didn’t he go out and get Mo Vaughn and Jeromy Bernitz? That sure was a good move, wasn’t it?

By Matthew, Walter's Dad

March 6, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Lew:

Good call on Johnson. One out of three so far, and the season hasn’t begun yet.

I’m glad to know that we haven’t overused Chuck James. Given the bullpen Atlanta has, I doubt seriously that any of our starters will be overused this year, though I am a bit concerned about Soriano’s shoulder.

I would still like to see Smoltz get 200 innings if he can, just to continue proving that he is the most durable and adaptable pitcher in baseball.

Go Braves!

By Matthew, Walter's Dad

March 6, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

I’m curious, since jimmysmith has brought up the bullpen, which of our relievers could we use as trade bait?

If Kelly Johnson doesn’t cut it, or if the Diaz/Langerhans/Wilson trio doesn’t work out, could we package a couple of our relievers who don’t make the big club with a Langerhans to get a real 2B? I’m thinking of a Brandon Phillips/Mark Grudzelanek type guy. Not one who has to be an All-Star or hit 30 homers, but who would be reliable and not have to learn the position on the fly. I don’t want to give up a lot for this type of player, but I figure the market for good quality relievers is going to be pretty hot come July. Any thoughts?

By Rodger

March 6, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand all the venom toward Fick. His aggressive play is reminiscent of Pete Rose. While you won’t find many who will talk about what a nice guy Rose was, he was a WINNER! Isn’t that what the game is played for?

By Mo Vaughn

March 6, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Might be an upgrade for Thorman.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

March 6, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Lew,

Thank the lord I never started smoking (anything of any “nature”), but I thought I’d use the image as an intimidation element. It kinda hurts just thinking about it.

By ncscoots

March 6, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Whether Carroll Rogers delves into toe journalism pales beside the real question: Does Carroll Rogers wear Prada?

By Gil in Mechanicsville

March 6, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Trust me guys, one of the greatest gifts I ever gave myself was to give up tobacco 12 years ago. Bought myself a Lexus SC 400 with the money I saved. No kidding….

Now baseball… It is with mixed emotions to hear of other teams having pitching woes. You at least want the other teams to win a few against the Mets and the Phillies.

Lew makes a good point about pitchers under 25 being overused too soon. Kerry Woods is another prime example.

Looks like Washington is waiting to see who gets cut from other teams this spring so they can fill out their pitching staff.

By journalist jimmy smith

March 6, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

journalist thinks carroll rogers to be more of a docker’s man. there are many ugandan hand spun fabrics available for a low price, however the salt water from shipping can be hard to remove…

By journalist jimmy smith

March 6, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

journalist thinks carroll rogers to be more of a docker’s man. there are many ugandan hand spun fabrics available for a low price, however the salt water from shipping can be hard to remove…

By Shaun

March 6, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Rodger,

I guess people don’t like Fick because of his .261/.329/.414 career numbers—not all that impressive for a firstbase/DH type guy. Plus the whole elbowing Eric Karros in the playoffs for no reason. A little too aggressive and probably just rubs people the wrong way. Maybe if he was an awesome player, he can get away with it. You can’t get away with acting like a jerk if you are a utility guy who doesn’t really have a position and is frankly not that great a hitter.

By Shaun

March 6, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Lew and Arkansas Hillbilly,

I find the best way to avoid smoking anything is to let a two-year-old relative and a five-year-old relative smoke it instead, then have someone video it. Then if you get caught say something like, “it’s not like it was alcohol or crystal meth.”

By Shaun

March 6, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

…all that while the kids’ mom is asleep in the next room because she took a pain-killer for a toothache.

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Hey, ya’ll may not want to hear this, but Fick’s another guy most of you would really, really like. Funny as hell, and no B.S. with him, he’s a straight shooter who’ll cut to the chase and tell you what he thinks.

That said, he went a bit over-the-top in the division series. Not a smart move. Or a classy one. I can’t rip A-Rod for a similar incident and not rip Fick just because I liked him. So there.

OH, one more thing: NEW BLOG IS UP

By The Grinch

March 6, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Shaun, you got any statistics to back that up? :-)

So it was you, Hillbilly. Uhhh, it’s cool; keep ‘em. I got clown shoes like the unibomber’s got hoodies. BTW, let me know where you’re sitting at the next Braves game; I want to make sure I’m at least 200 yards away. You do hunt with a shotgun, right?

By Nelson

March 6, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this

I have not seen neither Escobar nor Lillibridge, but I do know that Cuban players have proven many times they are very talented, and this cuban boy could give brakes to Chipper and Renteria, I believe, this year Bobby have a good team and one way or the other the Braves should be back in the postseason, so Bobby needs to rest his key players (something He doesn’t like to do until the championship is secured). In other hands, why not to move Hamptom to the fith starter (even if He is O.K., which still uncertain) and then if He is doing good, at any time during the season or at the all star brake, move him to the 3rd or 4th position in the rotation?

By Robert

March 6, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

“I don’t understand all the venom toward Fick. His aggressive play is reminiscent of Pete Rose”

I’m not a big fan of Pete Rose. I think he was a guy who played very hard , who owns one of the most respected records in the game on the basis of playing forever and the legend of whom was far bigger than the player ever was. But, understand that Robert Fick is to Pete Rose as lead is to silver - they’re both ballplayers like the latter two are both metals

“I do agree that it’s situational as to whether or not to employ smallball in certain situations but I also think it’s overused.”

Shaun, I think we have finally found the common ground. Managing baseball is an art, not an exact science.

“Artists” run the gamut from Picasso and Michaelangelo to the kid who smears crayon on the walls