AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USToo early to make decisions; just enjoy the sun
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well I’ve seen enough in less than a week’s worth of games here in sunny Florida for me to confidently make out my Braves opening day lineup:
Martin Prado, 2B; 2. Yunel Escobar, SS ….
Kidding, folks. Trying to make a point that it’s folly to even begin to base personnel decisions on what we’ve seen _ or you’ve heard about _ from a couple of weeks of workouts and a handful of games in Florida.
Or even after we’ve seen four weeks of games in Florida, in most instances.
And by that I mean, some players have track records that are going to supersede what uproven players do in spring games, especially in early spring games when half the pitchers they’re facing won’t be on opening day rosters.
That said, Prado (5-for-9 before today) and Escobar (5-for-10) are off to strong starts in camp. But I don’t know whether either had or has much chance to make the team unless there’s an injury or projected second baseman Kelly Johnson shows he just isn’t ready.
That’s not to say guys are given every job before they get here. But rather, team officials obviously put a lot of thought into what they project to be their lineup and bench and pitching staff.
They’re not going to toss aside all the hours they spent discussing it based on a few weeks of spring training games.
But again, if K. Johnson struggles this spring and Prado surpasses expectations and shows them something they didn’t expect, then I’d imagine they’ll consider reevaluating. (Escobar hasn’t worked at 2B enough to be considered, I’d assume.)
But we’re just not even close to reaching such a point of reevaluation. I haven’t seen anything yet to make me believe Johnson won’t be the second baseman. So far, he looks good defensively, but he hasn’t even handled a double-play situation in a game yet. That’s how premature it is to start giving out jobs.
(A brief aside: utility man Chris Woodward is still out with a strained calf, and will be out at least the rest of the week. And infielder Willy Aybar, who just got here Saturday, will work out a couple more days before his likely debut Wednesday. OK, back to the previous train of tought…)
I will say this regarding Escobar: I’ll predict that a year from now he’s on the 25-man roster and competing for a starting job _ whether with the Braves or another team.
With all the teams that have expressed interest in the talented Cuban, who is older (24) than most prospects, I can see the Braves coming to a fork in the road with him, where they either decide he should have a spot in their lineup within a year, or that they can fill another organization need by trading him.
Here’s the thing to think about: In every conversation I’ve had with Braves officials, coaches, etc., everyone seems to be in agreement that Brent Lillibridge is an absolute keeper.
The impossibly baby-faced shortstop, who came from Pittsburgh along with Mike Gonzalez in the LaRoche trade, is what old-school baseball folks call the proverbial “baseball player,” the kind the Braves love to have, who combines not just talent and athleticism but a baseball-player mentality and instincts.
That mentality and approach is difficult to define, but instantly recognizable by this baseball lifers when they see it, and they all see it in Lillibridge.
What that means is, I’d be willing to wager more on him being in the Braves’ lineup within two years than I would any other prospect they have, including Escobar, whose sheer physical talent is probably a bit above Lillibridge’s.
Spring training isn’t reality: No, I don’t mean as far as the games and players’ performances and all that. I mean overall. Us living in a rental house, no mail or newspaper delivery, living in what becomes a virtual baseball-only news vacuum.
And right now, sitting here on another gorgeous late morning in Central Florida, a cloudless sky, temp approaching 70 degrees, low humidity, flags atop the big green scoreboard/batter’s backdrop billowing in a light breeze, a few dozen folks standing on the grass berm beyond left field, waiting for baseballs to clear the fences, a gorgeous lady behind the Braves’ dugout applying sun screen … oh, wait, mind wandering.
Hampton, Soriano updates: Yes, both of them will someday pitch. Actually, both should pitch by this weekend, Rafael Soriano perhaps by Thursday.
Mike Hampton was far more encouraged after his latest bullpen session Saturday than he’d been previously, and will throw another Tuesday. If that goes well, he could pitch Friday vs. Pittsburgh or Saturday vs. Toronto, probably just an inning but maybe two if his pitch count is low. Talked to him this morning and he sounded a lot more upbeat than he had been last week. Said he thinks he’ll be ready when season begins, though he knows he might need to stay under control and rely more on location and change of speed, work at 86 mph instead of 90-92 for a while. “I can do that and be successful; I’ve done it before,” he said.
Roger McDowell assured me Soriano hasn’t had any setbacks and that they’re just being cautious with him because he was a late arrival to camp. But regardless of what anyone says, I’ll guarantee you there are plenty of people crossing fingers and hoping he’s completely over the post-concussion problems that kept him out of the final month of the 2006 season after he got nailed in the side of the head by that vicious line drive off the bat of Vlad Guerrero.
(BLOGMASTER NOTE: See below about later news that Soriano’s shoulder is a bit sore. How sore, not quite sure. But he was on DL last summer for 15 days with “shoulder fatigue.” Can you hear any alarm bells sounding?)
There’s a lot of competition in the bullpen … But I think when all’s said and done, there are only two openings and Chad Paronto is almost certainly assured of one. I’d bet Tyler Yates will get the other; someone would have to really surprise us this spring for the Braves to put Yates on waivers (he’s out of options). Paronto is a groundball guy and Bobby Cox likes to have one of those “double-play specialists” in the ‘pen.
But there’s so much more depth this year than there was last year when the Braves had to scrounge to find anyone to bring up from the minors who they could rely on to fill out the ‘pen. Guys like Aussies Peter Moylan (sidearmer, can be tough to hit) and Phil Stockman (98 mph fastball), young lefty Will Startup (impressive on Sunday at Dodgertown), Blaine Boyer, and talented-if-erratic Anthony Lerew, plus non-roster guys like Steve Colyer (also quite impressive Sunday) and Buddy Carlyle … all of them could be called upon at some point, and a couple of them could get strong consideration this spring for the opening day ‘pen.
But again, barring a trade, I think Paronto and Yates, at this early juncture, seem most likely to get the last two spots.
The locks, barring injury: Bob Wickman, Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano, Oscar Villarreal, Macay McBride.
Comments
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:
The Domino Theory (google it)
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 o