AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLet’s take ‘er north, boys
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re taking this thing north. Finally.
And if you denizens of the Braves/Man in Black and throughout Braves Nation are half as optimistic as the players are, you must be dying to get this thing started Monday at Philly.
I’m not kidding, as a group this is as eager and optimistic as I’ve heard the Braves in a few years. Everyone you ask in the clubhouse comments about how strong the bullpen is and the great chemistry in the clubhouse.
And everybody says “if.” As in, “if we stay healthy.”
“If everybody stays healthy, I like our chances,” Andruw Jones said. “No doubt we’ve got a great team. I love our chances.”
And what of the NL East champion Mets?
“Now they have got what we had every year _ the pressure to repeat the title,” Jones said. “We just have to go out and do what we do. Our main thing is, stay healthy. If we stay healthy, we’ve got a great chance.”
Oh, before I forget, must share a classic exchange from an hour or so ago in the dugout, before the last game down here at Disney, “Where Dreams Come True” (trademark). (And by the way, my dream is to be anywhere but here tomorrow).
A few of us are talking to Bobby Cox in the dugout and Andruw comes off the field during batting practice to get a drink of water.
“Play short today?” he asks Cox, the 1,000th or so time that Andruw has asked the manager about the possibility of the Gold Glove center fielder getting to play shortstop, where Andruw often takes ground balls in batting practice.
“Free agent year, I don’t think I should,” Cox says, laughing.
“[Bleep] free agent,” Jones answers, and spits out a mouthful of water. “It don’t mean nothing.”
Cox laughs and says, “That’s what I say. We’re on the same page, Andruw.”
And with that, I was just about on the floor, laughing so hard.
By the way, Andruw took batting practice wearing a jersey with “Dos Cinco” instead of his name above his No. 25. I’ll be stunned if he’s wearing it when they come back on the field for the game.
That won’t fly with Bobby, who doesn’t even let players wear their sunglasses on top of their hats when they’re taking batting practice. But for B.P., on the last day of spring in Florida, and with Andruw, the manager let it slide.
Roster decisions this weekend: The Braves are taking all 37 players left in camp to Atlanta for the Friday-Saturday games against unhinged manager Ozzie Guillen’s White Sox (I can kid about Guillen being a little wacko, because I’ve known him for a while since his coaching days with the Marlins. But some of the things that he says … wow. Hey, at least he’s honest. But wow.)
Where were we? Oh, the roster. Taking everyone north, and the final cuts will be made Friday or Saturday, Bobby said. He didn’t know which day he’d do it.
My gut feeling, barring any unforeseen developments, on the last spots: Pete Orr (over headed-to-the-DL Willy Aybar) and Chris Woodward as the backup infielders, and out-of-options Tyler Yates (unless he’s traded at the last minute) and Chad Paronto in the bully.
I think Lance Cormier’s going to get the last rotation spot over Kyle Davies, but only if Cormier’s arm is OK when he long-tosses today and tomorrow, but especially when he throws in the bullpen Saturday. That’ll be the real test.
Couple of injury updates: Ryan Langerhans has a bruised arm after getting hit by a pitch Wednesday, but he’ll be fine. Not playing today, but he took batting practice…. Mike Hampton keeps progressing, will accompany the Braves to Atlanta and Philly, pitch in sim-game conditions to hitters once in Philly, then return to Florida for an extended-spring game before starting a minor league rehab assignment. Still targeting early May for return, as early as first week of the month.
Most impressive springs: Among the young guys, Yunel Escobar and Martin Prado really opened eyes and let the Braves know by their performances that either is ready if needed this year.
If something were to happen to Chipper before Aybar (hand) is ready, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Escobar. Don’t think anything’s going to happen to Chipper, but just making a point _ they really were impressed by Escobar here.
The discs played most: These 10 did it for me this spring through 3,000 or so miles in the Hyundai Santa Fe SUV rental (which has a few coffee stains and a pleasant cigar aroma), and I’d recommend them to any with eclectic music tastes. Some very old, some very new, some somewhere between. All full-length CDs (none of that download-the-single crap for me, thanks. I’m a dinosaur). Oh, and Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” saved my life one night when I was dozing on drive back from Viera and put it in to jerk me back to alertness; but it was only time I played it down here, so didn’t make top 10:
Tom Waits “Orphans” (three-CD set)
Son Volt “The Search”
Centro-Matic “Fort Recovery”
Arcade Fire “Neon Bible”
Lucinda Williams “West”
Johnny Cash “Unearthed” (five-CD set)
Van Morrison “Astral Weeks” (does music get any better?)
The Dears “Gang of Losers”
The Birmingham Sound: The Soul of Neal Hemphill (compilation of incredible old soul music culled from the vaults of the great Southern studio owner/producer)
Elvis Presley “From Elvis in Memphis” (Kentucky Rain, In the Ghetto, etc)
Now take us out, brother Townes:
“PANCHO AND LEFTY” By Townes Van Zandt
Living on the road my friend,/Is gonna keep you free and clean
Now you wear your skin like iron,/Your breath as hard as kerosene.
You weren’t your mama’ss only boy,/But her favorite one it seems
She began to cry when you said goodbye,/And sank into your dreams.
Pancho was a bandit boy,/His horse was fast as polished steel
He wore his gun outside his pants/For all the honest world to feel.
Pancho met his match you know/On the deserts down in Mexico
Nobody heard his dying words,/Ah but that’s the way it goes.
All the federales say/They could have had him any day
They only let him slip away/Out of kindness, I suppose.
Lefty, he can’t sing the blues/All night long like he used to.
The dust that Pancho bit down south/Ended up in Lefty’s mouth
The day they laid poor Pancho low,/Lefty split for Ohio
Where he got the bread to go,/There ain’t nobody knows
The poets tell how Pancho fell,/And Lefty’s living in cheap hotels
The deserts quiet, Cleveland’s cold,/And so the story ends were told
Pancho needs your prayers it’s true,/But save a few for Lefty too
He only did what he had to do,/And now he’s growing old
Services »
Comments
By TennesseePaul
March 29, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
It’s been a great Spring DOB. Thanks for the updates and blogs. I’m looking forward to this season taking off and never stopping.
GO BRAVES!!
By Rodger
March 29, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
YES!!! Let’s, as they would sy, get ready to rumble!
By snowball's chance
March 29, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
Play Ball! I only have Astral Weeks but a few of those picks are on the way as we speak. Pancho and Lefty is my favorite song. I used to sing it to my kids when I put them to bed. There is a whole lot between the lines in that tune.
I’ve been checking the odds on the Braves winning the East.A couple of days ago It was 30 to 1. Today it is 9 to 1. It will be fun to watch them climb higher.
By ElbravoX
March 29, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
No one is giving us a chance and I LOVE it. It is a 2 team race in the East and we are not included. Let’s show the experts wrong.
By journalist jimmy smith
March 29, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
that song about pancho and avery makes this journalist cry everytime.
By Brad in MT
March 29, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the blogs and information DOB…you do a great job and its great to be able to get so much information and discussion in one place. I cannot wait for the season to get started and I think we have a great team if everything works out!
By journalist jimmy smith
March 29, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
this journalist wishes all braves players good toe health this season. go braves!
By snowball's chance
March 29, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
DOB, Do you have a favorite ‘gar tune? I like listening to Ennio Morricone’s soundtracks to Eastwood’s spaghetti Westerns. Then there are the Sopranos soundtracks. You can never go wrong with Waits. If the stogie doesn’t drive the women away, Tom usually does.
By Art in Tenn
March 29, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the blog DOB!
Chad Paronto reminds me a little too much of KG… I know BC likes having a groundball guy for those sticky situations, but why not Cormier to the pen and Davies in the last spot. If Davies blows up, theres always Moylan or Boyer or even Devine or Lerew…
By Greg
March 29, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
“If”… The biggest word in spring training. I think the Braves look great, IF they stay healthy.
Hey, DOB, you have any love for the Old ’97s?
By 3trees
March 29, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
Thanks for all the SP reporting/blogs, DOB. You guys are headed north as we’re headed south. Ain’t it always the case. Looks like an intersting year. Plenty of story lines to follow and play out. OK, fellars (that’s everyone), have fun, play with passion and let the chips fall where they may.
Still got to buy a new cap.
Go Braves!
By David O'Brien
March 29, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Greg, much love for the Old ’97s and also for Rhett Miller’s solo stuff.
Snowball’sChance, ain’t that the truth about the cigars and Waits driving ‘em away? I tell you what, there were some gorgeous women at the Waits show _ not many, but some _ and I’m thinking, OK, those are just about the most desirable females on the planet. Because if they’re Waits fans, gotta be cool.
OK, gotta write a story about Boog Sciambi, the new broadcaster. You guys like what you’ve heard of him so far, right?
By The Stranger
March 29, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
That 20th loss Frenchy hung on the Mets yesterday tied the franchise record for spring training futility. It’s happened twice before: in 2004 when NY finished 4th in the East; and in ‘95 when they finished 6 games below .500, and 2nd in the East, just below the world champion Braves.
By Micah
March 29, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
For me, Pancho and Lefty is the highlight when seeing Willie these days. I realize its a Townes tune but I never got to see the MAN so I feel it can’t get any closer with Willie:) Speakin of which, shouldn’t Willie be taking you out of Florida with Whiskey River? Dont let her memory torture me….(whistle)
be safe DOB, if your flyin don’t pull a M. Vick at the airport and if you are drivin then keep the tunes loud:)
Go Braves!
By Art in Tenn
March 29, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
JS is fine as a broadcaster, but what was the problem with BR?
By dougp
March 29, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
Has Latwan sent one of his mommas pies down this spring. One is needed for opening day, nothing calms the nerves better than a good slice of some home made pie. I have a saying here at work, ‘I ain’t afraid of no pie’.
Good times, lets all raise our pie forks and beverage glasses and toast this years Braves.
By David O'Brien
March 29, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
Wouldn’t you know, Francoeur draws his first walk of the spring on “first pitch day.” (It’s not uncommon for a LOT of guys to swing at first pitches on the last day of spring training before breaking camp, since everyone’s eager to get on the charter and get home.)
He just drew a second-inning walk
By Robert
March 29, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
“And everybody says “if.” As in, “If we can get a HALFWAY competent manager”
550 and change until hope will be reborn in Atlanta
Til then - two more seasons of agonizng tease
By Robert
March 29, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
“I know BC likes having a groundball guy for those sticky situations”
BC uses ground ball guys like he uses double play guys - as rally killing pinch hitters
By N8
March 29, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
DOB
The more I read about Andruw and hear of his love for Bobby, I’m beginning to wonder if the odds are in favor of keeping him around.
I’m still not convinced that it’s the RIGHT move, with a limited payroll.
But for instance, if the Braves were to backload the hell out of the contract (again, good for TODAY, but not so for “tomorrow”), basically they could stay “status quo” with payroll for now, and then in a couple of years when Hampton, and Chipper’s contracts are up, and the eventual retirement of Smoltz, it could make sense.
Like I said, I’m just still not convinced that spending upwards of close to 25 percent of your payroll on one player is the right thing to do.
But it sure seems that he would prefer to stay in Atlanta. I wonder how much, Bobby possibly being done after next year, will play into it as well?
Just a thought.
By krath
March 29, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
DOB…. about Sciambi…. I like the guy a lot. Great voice. Nice delivery. Doesn’t over/understate the game, players or situations.
Don’t think he’s going to take on a “part of the family” kinda thing in my household like Skip and Pete, but he’s definitely a pro that I’ll be comfortable listening to. I couldn’t say that about Bob Rathbun and as much as I like Skip….. Chip kinda grinds on me.
Oh yeah…. I can live with Simpson as the color man to.
By Oregon_Braves
March 29, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
If you post at the end of a blog and no one reads it, is it really there?
Let me repeat, please, that I know it doesn’t matter about NY and LA bias in the sports media. It is a business and in their perfect world, for ratings sake, the Dodgers would play the Yankees in the World Series every year. All that really matters is what happens on the field. The rest will sort itself out. That being said, one fact still does remain. Dayn Perry is a douchebag.
By MBATL
March 29, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
DOB, echoing everyone else’s appreciation for your keeping this blog alive during the offseason. Great work! You must be ready to sleep in your own bed for a change.
As I said the other day, I thought Sciambi was very good. Seemed like a few times Simpson was waiting for him to jump in and it didn’t happen - but a few awkward moments are to be expected for a new combo. All-in-all, quite good.
I see that Frenchy took a walk today - you’ve got your next Sunday Edition headline.
By CJ
March 29, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
DOB, Just wanted to say thanks for the blogs and all the insight you give on the Braves. I’m a lifelong Brave fan but I live in Arizona. Kind of hard to get the scoop on the boys when you live this far away. You’re about all I got, so keep it up!
Any concerns about gonzo? Didnt have the greatest spring.
By Brad in MT
March 29, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
So far I think that Sciambi seems pretty good. He doesn’t distract from the game and does a good job. He’s not nearly as comfortable as Skip and Pete, but I can live with him. Honestly, the only Braves announcer I don’t like is Chip, but unfortunately TBS loves him so we will have to put up with a lot of him.
By BHP
March 29, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
DOB, I like Boog so far. I first heard him on the Dan Lebatard show a few years ago and he is hilarious. They just talked about getting fat, eating at Shula’s, and drinking. He’s a hell of alot better than Rathbun. That guy sucked.
By FLBRAVESFAN
March 29, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
Ah for the 1000th time, Mr. O’Brien has told us how much he dislikes Disney World. Perhaps the Atlanta Journal Constitution could arrange it for him not to have to endure this torture in future springs. This is damned baseball blog not a travel column.
By Lew
March 29, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
Art in Tenn-Maybe they’re going with Cormier because of the 1.15 ERA this spring with 1 BB and 13K in 15 IP as opposed to Davies 9BB and 11K in 19IP (including 3 BB to start a game where he ewas handed a 5-0 lead in the first). Add to that the fact that late last season Cormier showed much improvement while Davies got shelled and you should have your question answered. Why put Cormier in the pen when it is already overloaded and Davies has much to gain by going to Richmond? Makes much more sense to do it as the Braves apparently are.
By Lil' Chopper
March 29, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
It looks like Jimmy Rollins is at it again. He just keeps going on about his the Phillies are going to win the division. Then ESPN makes out this year’s budding rivalry between the Mutz and Phillies as something akin to the Red Sox - Yankees. Excuse me while I puke. The Phillies haven’t done anything in over a decade (13 years to be exact) and now all of a sudden they are talking like this is their division to loose…
I can’t wait to start the season off in Philly. Nothing like punching those losers right in the mouth by sweeping them right off the bat to remind them that you actually have to play the season out before you are annointed division champ. They need to recognize that the little team from down south (the one they have been looking up at in the standings for the past decade or so) is still coming to play.
The Phillies won’t even make the playoff’s this year. How do I know, becaue they are the still the Phillies and WE are still the proud ATLANTA BRAVES. The Mutz won’t make the playoffs either, they may end up scoring 800+ runs, but their weak pitching staff will give up at least that many. It’s time to take care of these clowns and get to the business of winning the 2007 World Series.
Go Braves!!!
Let’s get this season started, I can’t wait stick it to those chumps up north!
By Lew
March 29, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
Krath-How you doin’ Dude? Still rockin? Got into some Asphalt Ballet and The Cult’s Electric today. Definitely beats some of the back and forth here, lately.
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
Oregon Braves: Agreed on Perry. And no, if you post at the end of the blog, some of us still read them. I like to go back and see what was happening just before the new blog hits.
On a couple of broadcasts on XM, I heard the guys talking about Paronto adding a pitch or two and becoming more of a strikeout man than in the past. Will he ever outlive the “groundball pitcher” handle?
By Brian
March 29, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
Hey Dave… seeing as how you are a baseball and a music fanatic, might I suggest you get rid of the CDs and get XM Radio? You can hear all the MLB games live and hear pretty much any music you want. That’s my plug for the day.
Anyway, I would really like to see Cormier in the rotation, Davies frightens me. I remember watching him major league debut against Boston on TV. I would classify it as more lucky than good. There has been a lot of talk about his potential, but I have never really seen it. But that’s just me as an outsider looking in.
Thanks for the updates!
By Chad
March 29, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
DOB
Great taste in traveling music! The only missing is a little Van Halen for the times when you are a little tired. You gotta have some “Runnin With The Devil” and “Ain’t Talkin Bout Love.” I am really excited about the season for the first time in a few years. But I hope that management doesn’t keep cutting the payroll after this year. We don’t have to spend like that Yanks but we need to keep our good players!
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
pancho and avery…..I love it!
By jd
March 29, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
van zandt and zevon on the last 2 days…DOB, you are in mid-season form…thanks for the blog-you’re the best
By Mike
March 29, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
Don’t know if anyone saw this earlier.
Francoeur is tops among Baseball Prospectus’ Breakout hitters!
You guys should take a look at some of the other players he beat out.
By Fred from CT
March 29, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
It makes more sense to start cormier if healthy and if he isn’t effective then call up davies.
By Lew
March 29, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
FLBraves Fan-Come on. As a Floridan (like I was for 16 years), how many times have you made the Disney pilgrimage? Once, like all other Floridians? The place is an overpriced tedious trek through Disney’s idea of making money. A perfect example of The American Dream-find a gimmick and exploit everyone and everything that comes in contact with it. Of course, children enjoy it. But then again, they don’t care how long you had to work to afford it. Why do you defend Disney? They probably are responsible for property tax increases everywhere in Florida. Definitely in Orlando.
By Chop Chop
March 29, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
Chad, “Panama” would be my choice for a drive to uplift the spirits. In order to get the full experience of that, DOB would need one of his Waits’ gals along for the ride, I presume.
By KC
March 29, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
DOB: What happened with Hudson in the 4th??
Sciambi’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with him. I just think there were better options… namely, any of the Braves existing announcers.
I realize Skip and Pete are getting old, so they may not have wanted to go in that direction, but Chip Caray would have been a better choice. At least that way you keep a little generational Braves tradition… plus, Chip is a very good commentator.
I’m glad they hired Joe Simpson. Good move there. But I’m still planning to turn down the tv and turn up the radio this season.
I’m just sad that I won’t get to hear the Skip Caray/Joe Simpson combination anymore. They were very, very good together. There was a chemistry there that you don’t often find, and they were damn fun to listen to. What a shame.
Again, Sciambi is fine… I just would have prefered one of the Carays.
By LeTwan Anthony
March 29, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
dougp, LeTwan will ask Mama to go right to work on some pies for the Braves. With the arrival of Wicky, Mama has been reluctant to send many pies to the team. But Mama makes the best pies in the world and Mama is gonna get busy for Opening Day.
LeTwan agrees with the bloggers that are bragging on DOB, and LeTwan points out that DOB not only kept the blog going in the winter months, DOB produced an award-winning blog during the off-season! DOB received a Best of Cox award just like the ones Cynthia Tucker and Mike Luckovich received and now Mama is going to bake DOB a pie. Mama looked at that picture of DOB and said something like, “rhubarb pie” but LeTwan thinks Mama was kidding.
Mama was talking baseball with LeTwan this morning and Mama thinks there will be one surprise to make the team - not sure who - Mama would not tell LeTwan.
LeTwan looks forward to blogging some more this year. Where is RobertJITB? Isn’t it time for a Chipper joke?
Last thing, bloggers may soon be able to buy pies from LeTwan and Mama’s new pie shop. This is the way that Famous Amos became Famous Amous - except Famous Amous did it with cookies.
By Oregon_Braves
March 29, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
Lew - Electric is good, but it ain’t no Sonic Temple.
By Arkansas Hillbilly
March 29, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
By journalist jimmy smith
March 29, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
that song about pancho and avery makes this journalist cry everytime
I think it’s due to the image of poor old Lefty “livin’ in cheap hotels,” portayed so sadly, yet impeccably, by the Hag, old and worn out, sitting on a bed in a small, run down hotel room.
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
DOB a new day and a new blog, wonder what kind of trouble I’m going to get into today.. * about AJ* do you think he would take anything less than 75-80% to stay here?? I sit about 3 rows away from the visitor’s on-deck circle at Turner and the looks and head shakes they give when AJ turns another hit into an out are priceless. That article the other day about Griffey being the greatest CF of his generation was off base as far as I’m concerned. Yeah I’m biased but AJ plays every game every year since he was born and their is no was Griffey ranks ahead of him except in HR’s and that will change soon.
OK OK LET’S HERE FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY
By krath
March 29, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
Hiya Lew, doing great here. Not rockin’ too much except between work and home, but I can still tap my foot sometimes. Could be a slow summer rockin’ wise. The only for sure plans I have this summer are to go home after work, fireup the grill, sip on a cold one, then settle in and watch the Bravos!
Hey… that sounds a lot like most of my summers!
I got into The Cult around ‘90 even though they had been around a few years. I suppose Sonic Temple caught my ear. Something about Ian Astbury’s voice I found intriguing. I think what I liked about his voice was that after the 80’s when all you heard were guys singing like they had no testicles here comes this “angst ridden, someone just shot me in the foot” voice that was powerful, yet bluesy….. in a British sort of way. lol
By Lew
March 29, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
Brian-I’ve got XM and think it’s great. However, if you have a huge CD collection, like David does (also myself and a number of others), you would realize that the collections are irreplaceable. I seriously think our collections are as large, if not larger than the individual stations on XM. I listen to the Boneyard to find a few things I don’t have, but I already own 95% of what they play. There’s just no substitute for the wall of music. I’m glad though, that XM is now carrying SEC football. I miss my Dawgs.
By Josh
March 29, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Please tell Andruw to remember that whole “free agent doesn’t mean anything” idea @ seasons end please. And I like Poncho and Lefty but I prefer the Willy Nelson/Merle Haggard version
By David O'Brien
March 29, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Soriano just gave up a two-run homer by Trot Nixon in the fifth, Indians up 5-0. First-pitch homer, first homer of the spring for Trot.
Dave Delucci followed with a double. Still just one out.
Stop the game and take it north, Braves.
Hudson went four innings, gave up three runs (all in the fourth) on four hits.
By David O'Brien
March 29, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
Oh, and Braves don’t have a hit after four innings
By David O'Brien
March 29, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
Oh my. Soriano just gave up a two-run homer by Casey Blake.
Four runs, two homers, two outs
By N8
March 29, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
I’m not gonna start my “doom and gloom”…..yet, because I realize it’s STILL spring training, and players are excited to go “north”.
But I’m not neccesarily excited about Hudson OR Soriano’s performance today.
So, DOB, puleeeez give me some BS story about Bobby telling these guys to “not let them see your good stuff, since we’ll be seeing them in the WS!”
LOL!
By MBATL
March 29, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
KC, I don’t know, but I would guess that Skip and Pete are getting expensive, too. That may have played a role in the decision.
I think it’s good to bring some new blood in every, oh, 20 years or so. And I’d take Helen Keller over Chip Carey… but that’s just me.
By Lew
March 29, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
UGA 6 is retiring after this season. Let’s hope Number 7 is a lucky number for us. I’m tired of losing to Gators.
By michael of b'ham
March 29, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
Sure am glad Hudson and Soriano are getting this out of their systems now.
By Coach
March 29, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Looks like Smoltz and Huddy are going to let Wickman off the hook for those big screen TV’s. To the Ted we go , bust out the giant can of Whup a.s.s and lets git’er done.
By dougp
March 29, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
Thanks, now it’s baseball season.
By krath
March 29, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
Wow….. Soriano has given up 4 including two HR’s and the inning isn’t over yet! Is there any correlation between SOME of the pitchers getting lit up the last couple of days and the fact that as camp winds down…. they are facing something that looks more like the oppositions opening day lineups?
So is the staff as good as advertised? Guess we’ll find out next week when the pretenders are back in the minors and the big boys are starting and playing the whole game.
By rammerjammer
March 29, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
This is a good game to get out of our system…everyone stinks!
By Greg in TN
March 29, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
Afternoon ladies and gents…
Thanks for keeping me sane in our winter of discontent, DOB. I believe the ship is righted and we are ready to pull the wraps off of the season on Monday at Citizens Bank Park.
To borrow a phrase from the esteemed JJS, chemistry is not to be trifled with. In any sport, a team that gets along with each other and looks out for each other will be more formidable than a team with no chemistry. Sure, talent has a major say in all of this, but I’ve seen a lot of talented teams come up way short at the end of 162 games because of a cancer or two in the clubhouse.
Wayne in UT Your post at 10:34 this morning in the last blog was outstanding. Thank you for hitting the bullseye on that post and capturing the sentiment of many of the denizens of the Braves/MIB community.
There looks to be a bit of a bump in the road to Philly today at the Dark Star. Hudson went 4 innings, surrendered 2 earned runs and 3 hits. Soriano has followed with 4 earned runs off of 2 homers in an inning of work. Fausto Carmona looks to be light’s out to this point for Cleveland.
By Lew
March 29, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
Oregon Braves-You won’t get an argument from me. I have Sonic Temple in the collection as well, but had listened to it recently. I like Electric, though. Real raw and powerful. I particularly like L’il Devil, Contrary Man and Outlaw. There isn’t much by the Cult I don’t like. Wish I had seen them in concert.
By dougp
March 29, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Lew, that’s good news about SEC. That was the only drawback I have with XM, I have it for the Braves games, but SEC football was on Sirius. Anyways, thanks for making my day I can now justify that $12.95 a month a little more, if SEC football is now included. Although, I have to admit to being an Auburn fan, anyways War Eagle and good luck to the Dawgs until they play Auburn next year. Maybe they can play Auburn twice next year once in the regular season and then get another taste in the Championship game.
By tmoney in ben hill
March 29, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
maybe its the same thing for pitchers….throw all fastballs or something….
By Wilkun
March 29, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
Yo DOB,
I know Bobby loves his “groundball guy,” but was wondering about Moylan’s chances of some PT this year. He’s been pretty solid all spring too, hasn’t he?
By lifelongbravesfan
March 29, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
are you guys gonna play nice today??
By KC
March 29, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
DOB: What seemed to be the problem in the 4th for Hudson as best as you could tell?
Was he experimenting, or just got out of whack??
By David O'Brien
March 29, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Had to go downstairs to talk to Hudson, so I missed the last out in the fifth, but apparently Soriano got it without giving up another homer. That’s good.
But seriously … hey, Zumaya gave up two homers in one inning two nights ago, right? I mean, I just don’t put too much stock in anything in spring, good or bad. Soriano’s been lights-out almost every time out. He’s ready.
By Lew
March 29, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
DougP-I don’t know why, but losing to Auburn (which we do half the time) doesn’t hurt as much as losing to the Gators. Still not fun, but not quite as bad. God I hate the Gators. I sure hope they don’t win the Final Four again. I don’t think I could take two BB championships and one in football in the course of a year. It just isn’t right and defies the laws of Nature. They’re insufferable enough as it is.
By Boo-who
March 29, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
DOB I always read the blog - first time writing in. I think the Braves look great this spring - I saw a post in the Vent by a Mets fan about how irrelevant spring training records are - funny since they have the worst record- probably a different story if they won all their games. I love your writing - my only beef is your disdain for all things Disney. My family goes down to spring training every year and we love it at WW of Sports (we do have a 4 year old who loves Mickey). It’s beautiful there - just think of it when you are covering the Braves in Philly when it is 50 degrees and rainy!
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
LEW Wow, your a Dawg fan, maybe we have common ground after all. I am a proud member of UGA class of 19never-never. It almost makes me want to reach out and “bond” with you. OK maybe not but FOR REAL your artwork is very good. You know I might be opinionated and stuff but good art is good art. How much for the Frenchy pic??
By David O'Brien
March 29, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
The Braves have been no-hit through six innings.
As I said in the lead, they were read to take this thing north. They waited a few hours too long.
By Bert
March 29, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
The problem I see with the roster is that better players are being left off. If Prado and or Escobar have more upside than Woodward and or Orr then the better player should make the roster. Cormier has certainly beaten out Davies but is Redman better than Davies. As far as the bullpen, the top end looks fantastic but the lower third is questionable. Will BC automatically place Hampton in the rotation at the expense of losing games or waring out the bullpen? Shouldn’t Hampton come out of the Pen until he builds up his arm strength much like Smoltz did? Are Yates and Paranto better than Boyer and Moylan or the others sent to Richmond ? There certainly appears to be a substantial amount of talent in AAA that is major league ready. Hopefully BC’s loayalty doesn’t cloud his judgment at the expense of wins. The 2007 Braves have the strength to win it all if the right pieces make up the roster.
By Thrillhouse44
March 29, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
I’m listening to the Dan Patrick show and Keith Olberman just picked the Braves over the Tigers in the World Series.
Go Braves!
By Thrillhouse44
March 29, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what’s up with KO today, but he also picked Francouer to win MVP and Smoltzie to take the Cy Young.
By FLBRAVESFAN
March 29, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
Lew - You forgot to blame the Disney organization for Iraq, world hunger and the re-emergence of polio in third world countries. You are entitled to your opinion, there just happen to be several million people who disagree with you including this Floridian (50 years)who has enjoyed the various aspects of the complex including the Braves well over 100 times. Don’t be so bitter over someone’s else’s success.
By Patrick
March 29, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
What did Hudson say DOB??
By Epinephrine
March 29, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
DOB-what did Hudson have to say?
At this point, do you think they even care?
By Renegator
March 29, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
DOB,
What is your blog schedule once the seasons starts? This is my first spring on the Braves/MIB blog and I have to assume you won’t be posting one everyday during the regular season.
On another note, I think that the Braves batting averages now (end of spring training) will be about what the hit in the regular season this year. Their averages seem to be about what they ended up at last year - except for maybe Chipper’s. I have serious concerns about Thorman and K. Johnson’s ability to hit…
I know, I know - everyone is going to tell me that you can’t take ST numbers at face value - but neither of them has hit worth a damn in previous regular season either…
By michael of b'ham
March 29, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
did they pack the bats already?
By Shaun
March 29, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
How’s this for bold?
Predictions:
AL East: Boston AL Central: Cleveland AL West: Oakland AL Wild Card: Minnesota
NL East: Philadelphia NL Central: St. Louis NL West: Los Angeles NL Wild Card: Atlanta
World Series: Oakland over Atlanta
By MBATL
March 29, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
Just looking at the numbers, not the game, but I’m glad to see Huddie strike out 4 in 4 innings, give up 6 ground-outs vs. 2 fly-outs. Just 3 hits, none for extra bases (one unearned run - an error by AJ; how often is that gonna happen?).
It’s hard to emphasize the postive without acknowledging the negative, but it sounds to me like Hudson’s got pretty good stuff, which is the main thing.
(I’ll have to think a little to explain Soriano’s day, but he’s been absolutely overpowering all spring, so … let’s just focus on that).
By Lew
March 29, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Well Thank You Caveman. That was quite a compliment. Anyone who is a Dawgs fan can’t be all bad. The Frenchy pic is part of my colection, but for a pencil portrait of that size (11x14), would probably run about $150. In oil it goes up to about $300. You should pay closer attention to the blog, Dude. I gave three pieces awy at the start of Spring Training (BBFan, I’ll mail it this week, for sure). SSI Scribe and Tennesse Paul won pictures of Andruw and Smoltz just by emailing me first when I offered. BB Fan came in a little later, but what the hell. I’m really not such a bad guy.
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
ABTG (Anybody but the Gators!)
By Renegator
March 29, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
Hey Lew
Go Gators!!!
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
ABTG (Anybody but the Gators!)
By David O'Brien
March 29, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
Michael, how’d you know I was going to use that as my lead?
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 29, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Un..be..liev..a..ble!!!…
By Braves20
March 29, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
DOB: Any chance at all, the Braves will dump Wilson? He is a strikeout machine. Averaged one for every three at-bats last year. Surely one of our right handed batters could learn first base. Bryan Pena is playing there as we speak.
By Renegator
March 29, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
Hey Lew
Go Gators!!!
By Glass Half Full
March 29, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
Predictions: NL East: Braves, Mets, Phillies, Marlins, & Nats. NL Central: Cubs, Cards, Brewers, Astros, Pirates, Reds NL West: Dodgers (Braves west), Giants, Padres, Diamondbacks, Rockies. Wild Card: Mets
Al East: Yanks, Sox, Toronto, Baltimore, Tampa Bay AL Central: Detroit, Twins, White Sox, Cleveland, Kansas City AL West: Angels, A’s, Rangers, Mariners.
Wild Card: Twins
NLCS: Braves and Mets ALCS: Tigers and Twins
World Series: Braves over Twins
By 22oz
March 29, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
Not only did Keith Olberman pick the Braves to win it all, he picked Smoltz for the Cy Young and Francoeur to win the MVP. And Dan Patrick and Peter Gammons had the Braves as the Wild Card, with the Mets on top.
By Adam
March 29, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
Lew,
Being the best is a hard job but somebody has to do it!!
By Renegator
March 29, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Hey Lew,
Go Gators!!!
Sorry if this shows up twice but my computer crapped out mid post.
By Lew
March 29, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
Rene-That’s OK. Wayne in UT posted twice also. His cancels out the Gators.
By Lee
March 29, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
Is it too late to trade for someone who can hit the freaking ball?
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
renegator Just as soon as my Dawgs actually beat you at something I will have a response to you post. Until then: G-E-O-R-G-I-A (home side of field) (pause) B-U-L-L-D-A-W-G-S (visitors side)
GOOOOOOO DAWGS SIC’EM WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF
By michael of b'ham
March 29, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
DOB, that was a gimmie. I’d expect higher standards from you. however, it is get-away-day. so what the heck. it’s only ST!
wait…woo-hoo!! a hit!!!
By ElbravoX
March 29, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
Are the Braves on TV Opening Day? How sad is this TV thing? Very, I say.
By Shaun
March 29, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
Not only did Keith Olberman pick the Braves to win it all, he picked Smoltz for the Cy Young and Francoeur to win the MVP. And Dan Patrick and Peter Gammons had the Braves as the Wild Card, with the Mets on top.
Where are all the fans that saying Olberman is a Braves apologist? See how ridiculous it sounds when a national media personality actually agrees with you?
(Sorry, don’t mean to make to much of this but I just think it’s ridiculous to scream bias when it’s quite obvious most people do it only when people disagree with their biases.)
By Lew
March 29, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
Now Now-We all know the only good Gator is in chili.
By Glass Half Full
March 29, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
I think McCann would win an MVP award before Francoeur would.
By Yars
March 29, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
DOB………Sciambi is good, but I was a little shocked when it was announced. Meaning, Bob Rathbun I think was a really good announcer. I enjoyed the Rathbun/Jeff Torborg team. I miss the days of Turner South when Chip & Joe were teamed up. They both knew the game was regional and they could be very funny and laid back for us old school Braves fans from down South, who got Chip’s humor.
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
Lew: It’s like I tell my mom, my straight republican vote always crosses off her democratic vote.
:-)
ABTG!!
Like in the NFL, my two favorite teams are the 49ers and whoever is playing the Cowboys.
By Shaun
March 29, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
Braves20,
Craig Wilson is also a .265 AVG/.354 OBP/.480 SLG career hitter who can play firstbase, corner outfield and be an emergency catcher.
By Yars
March 29, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
Regarding my last post, Chip = Skip.
By Phil in Alabam
March 29, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
DOB - As a big J.R. Cash fan, I like to see The Man on your list as always, but I have to say this time I’m most happy to see your “Birmingham Sound” inclusion. That is an excellent collection. (I think the last track is my favorite driving song on there actually.)
I actually got to hear Roscoe Robinson and Soul Jackson - two of the guys on that compilation - play shows in Chicago and here in B’ham. I write for a paper in town, so I did a big feature on those two guys and Hemphill’s studio, as well as the guy that put the album together - I’ll have to send you a copy if you’d like.
Well, as a longtime reader/infrequent poster, I’m glad to see order restored today on the site (if not on the field - yikes). But looking forward to gettin’ it started.
As for those final roster spots, I’d sure like to see Orr and Prado get the calls. It’s just too bad we picked up Woodward. Maybe a last-second trade will clear up space. As for the bullpen, I’ll take just about who’s last name is not Acosta. It’s a deep ‘pen finally.
See yall at the home opener. Six dollar seats are the best.
By geauxbraves2000
March 29, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
Is it just me, or if the kids (not Chipper, Andruw et al), if it weren’t for them the Braves would not be near the Spring Training wins that they have. I’ve not kept an eagle eye on all of the stats, but it seems the “regulars” aren’t doing anything offensively.
Geaux Braves!!
By Renegator
March 29, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
I think the Dogs would have a chance (in football - no one really cares about SEC basketball) if they got rid of Richt. He just can’t git-r-done. Until then “It’s great…to be… a Florida Gator!
By TennesseePaul
March 29, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
Payne: Again you never read the post all the way, or else your blinders are on to tight. Normalizing the numbers will smooth over the issues you seek to inject. So I’m not looking at the AVG the player puts up, I’m look at the frequency of change in equavilant samplings to determine a streaky vs consistant hitter. A consistant hitter’s frequency of change should stay within the first standard diviation of normalized data. The amplitude should not be too great. A streaky hitter will stray outside of the first diviation, creating a larger amplitude in his normalized data. AJ fits that discription. Pujols fits the consistancy discription.
By Art in Tenn
March 29, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
Lew-
How many guys in the past have been spring training dynamos? OK, Cormier has been great in spring training. He wasnt that great as a starter last year. If they do go with Cormier, obviously I will be rooting for him as hard as anyone else. I just have a bad feeling about Paronto…
By LadyBravesFan
March 29, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
Thanks DOB, I feel like I am at the game during your spring season reports.
By Braves20
March 29, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
Shaun the numbers guy - actually Wilson is .333 hitter - one strikeout per three at bats career. And please - the references to the positions he can play. He is a bigger defensive liability than Diaz. This ain’t roto ball that starts up Monday.
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this
I will say one thing , the women at both UGA and UF are smokin’ hot!!
It’s just a matter of class and brains and at UGA they go both, the only thing UF has got is silicone and tans………dangit UF wins there too!!
By Shaun
March 29, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
I understand. I’m just saying that only looking at a month’s worth of plate appearance may not be meaningful enough to determine much of a deviation.
What’s the time frame to determine streakiness? Why not look at every x number of plate appearances? Why not look at every week? Why not look at every three months?
Again, not trying to refute your argument. Just trying to bring up problematic things that make it hard to determine whether a hitter truly is streaky.
Like I said, I’m not totally convinced either way on the subject. Just looking at it on a game-by-game basis, I just don’t seem to notice any significant streak patterns.
By Fred from CT
March 29, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
art in tenn I agree with you about paronto I think he is gonna be a problem. I am hoping he doesn’t make the team. I could see bobby going to him too much. Hope I am wrong.
By Arkansas Hillbilly
March 29, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
DOB
I’ve envied you for 6 weeks: sitting in the Florida Sun, talkin’ baseball with America’s team, cigars, Isbell show, living the life. I would have loved to have been in your shoes then.
Now I have to say, I could think of a million people that I would rather be, in the next few hours, instead of you: Getting caught up in the migration of nothing but Gator fans headed north, to the same destination as you. Man I bet it sux to be you tonight. I sure hope your on a private jet or something =-))
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
Art in Tenn and Fred in CT: I think you guys might be worried too much about Paronto. I think he will be a 6th inning (once in a while 7th inning) guy some nights. He has looked real good this spring so far. (did he lose it today or something??)
Shaun & TennPaul: I have the answer. Ask me and I will tell you if the player is a streaky player. That will solve it all for you guys. ex. Yes, Kobe is streaky.
By Miss Manners
March 29, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
Is what we are seeing from caveman a true representation of the grammatical/writing skills of the UGA graudate?
Caveman, your about as sharp as their are with you’re grammar and punctuation. Remember, you read it hear.
By jake
March 29, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
Centro Matic, Son Volt, but no DBT?
By ncscoots
March 29, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
TPaul, ah yes, those pesky outliers, LOL! Course, many people say I’m more than one standard deviation off myself, so I can’t comment knowledgeably on the topic at hand :-)
By DAP
March 29, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
DOB, you didnt put metallica on your list of cds that got you through… wheres the love for keeping you awake driving at night?
thanx big time for the blog this offseason, its just what this hungry braves fan needed. im glad i found this blog!
just a few other tid-bits ive thought of while reading over the posts today…
i like sciambi, i think he is going to do a good job and yall are definetly correct about him being better than raburn or whatever the other guys name is. i also hate the espn announcers, because they do not know what they are talking about. and i cant believe there are people out there that do not like chip. he is an extremely talented broadcaster. i believe he is actually the BEST one out of ALL of the braves announcers. hes very good.
also, i think McCann and Frenchy are both destined for MVP awards. who do you guys think will get one first? I think Frenchy will.
thanks again for the blog, DOB.
By Thrillhouse44
March 29, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
Miss Manners, “before you cast stones…”
“Caveman, your about as sharp as their are with you’re grammar and punctuation. Remember, you read it hear.”
“their” should be “there”.
Is it 5:00 yet?
By orange & blue suede shoes
March 29, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
go gators, go!
even jimmy smith knows
go gators, go!
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
thank you miss manners, sorry to disappoint but technical writing English 201 was going to be my next semester at UGA. Unfortunately they found out that my student loan check was just something I printed off my computer with the Dean of Students checking account number on it. So I’ve had to live my whole life wondering where to put a semi-colon and where to put a comma. Also I’m not using spell check cuz it just doesn’t seem like these comments are important enough to cut & paste off my word program. But I do appreciate your input and will strive in the future to make you proud of me.
By Metropoitan Man
March 29, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Heres a great article from the NY Daily News about the NL East, its a good read. See ya later bloggers.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2007/03/28/2007-03-28nationalleagueeastpreview-1.html
By Thrillhouse44
March 29, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Not trying to be a jerk, Miss Manners, but it’s easy to misspell, mistype, and use incorrect grammar on a blog. This isn’t anything we’re turning in per se - it’s just for fun.
By MS
March 29, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
I like Boog so far, and think he and Joe mesh well and will do an excellent job.
However, I’m still going to miss the good ol’ days of Skip, Pete, EJ Sr., Don, (and later Joe and Chip). It’s not going to be the same without them, and screw Time Warner for giving up on them and our traditional TBS Braves coverage. At least I’ll catch most of them on the radio when driving around during a game.
I’m going down to the ticket office tomorrow to get a bunch of tickets for a big group we have going to the Saturday game vs. the Mets opening weekend. I’m pumped!
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
and miss manners: “Caveman, your about as sharp as -their -are with you’re grammar and punctuation. Remember, you read it hear.”
If you’re going to criticize spelling you can’t misspell while you do it.
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
actually Thrillhouse it should by “they are”, but I appreciate the backup.
GOOD LOOKIN’ OUT!!!
By Miss Manners
March 29, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
Caveman, you’re insensitive remarks toward the coeds prompted me to post. I will forgive your, though. They are many ways to tell a UGA graduate but one of the best is to read a little something their have written. Thrillhouse, darling, what year did your go to UGA? Well, if I can remember how, I must revert to my normal style of writing before I become accustomed to this. Too-da-loo.
By beachcomber
March 29, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
Is there any place in the world that provides more entertainment for less money than this blog? I am not a regular contributor cause I cannot match the repartee and statistical knowledge of so many but what a fun way to spend an afternoon at work! I’d only add that I would love to see one or two innings of spring training with Andruw at short! DOB and company keep up the good work!
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
dangit, I told ya’ll I was going to get in trouble today. I just didn’t think it was going to be by someone who signs off with Too-da-loo. Thrillhouse, you know the only way for a UGA student to handle this is to grab the Fake ID (they can be obtained from the an offensive lineman at a discount , safeties charge retail) and immediately proceed to dollar beer night at the local bar and get “tore-up-from-the-floor-up”!!
My favorite places have a picture of Stever Spurrier in the urinal as it helps you in aiming.
Go Bravos / Go BullDawgs / Go Budweiser
By dougp
March 29, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Being an SEC football fan (any team really) you have those teams you can tolerate and those you hate. The gators rank on the top of almost everyones hate list. I hate them worse than Alabama and LSU. Something about those Spurrier teams hanging 60 something points on Kentucky or Vandy and not even putting in the second of third strings just makes me ill. That and those fans of theirs take up all the wrong parking lots in Auburn. Love to tailgate with the Georgia fans. Good fans there in Athens and a good rivalry with Auburn. Its good to be the road team in that series.
By Carolina Lady
March 29, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
Thrillhouse, LOL!! Read that sentence again and see if there’s anything else that should be corrected! :-)) You think maybe the poster (and it was not me) made an error-filled post to make a point? :-))
By David O'Brien
March 29, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
Braves20, no chance at all they’ll dump Wilson. At. All.
Ladybravesfan, always good to hear from a lady braves fan. And thanks.
Damn, I forgot about the Gators who’ll be headed north. Glad I’m not flying. At least they’ll be no gators in my car, interrupting my music appreciation.
and I don’t know why i left metallica off. just forgot.
By Robert
March 29, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
For the idiots who have been writing about trading one of our bullpen guys since it is a strength: I was bored at work today and started thinking of the 1991-2004 run we had. Think about these stats…out of the 126 postseason games the Braves played in those 14 years, 50 of them either were 1-run games or went into extra innings. You know what their record was in those games? 22-28! That is why you don’t even think about trading Soriano, Gonzalez or anyone else in the bullpen. We blew 3-4 more World Championships because of our s@#$$y bullpen (Reardon, McMichael, Lightenberg, etc.) Braves all the way in ‘07!!
By Joshhh
March 29, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
Daveee! Thanks for great Spring Training updates! Can’t wait for the season to start!
GO BRAVES!
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Have to agree with you dougp. I play on a local baseball team here and we got 3-4 dawgs and 3-4 tigers and the rivalry’s good and so are the fans. There was that little water hose incident a while back but hell it was hot that day anyway.
miss manners you made two mistakes in that last blog, one was a repeat. If you haven’t learned anything about what happened between me and the blog yesterday is don’t throw stones.
Especially if you throw like a girl !!
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Can I get an AMEN for the Clemson Tigers tonight in the NIT?????? I know it’s not the NCAA, but what the heck, it is something.
and yes, in SC, we do pronounce the “p”, even though it is not written.
CLEMP-sun is the way we say it in Soccer Liner.
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
Irony is Steve Spurrier coming to one of your favorite state schools.
As JJS would say, oh the humanity…..
By Miss Manners
March 29, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
Dougp, that was a nice post. While I cannot speak to the reasons Florida fans park in the wrong lots, it is clear that the UGA fans cannot read the signs. As Vince Dooley would say, “They are reasons for everything.”
By Renegator
March 29, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
In reference to hating Florida - it’s easy to hate the guy who kicks your arse every year.
Go Gators!!!
By Summerteeth
March 29, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
Where I am in SC we pronounce Clemson this way…
Moo U or sometimes Redneck U
Pronunciation depends on where you are from in SC.
As for the Gamecocks, #1 in baseball, Spurrier building a dynasty, and basketball…well we won that NIT 2 years in a row, no need to show off and win it again.
By Lew
March 29, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
Art In Tenn- I hear you about Paronto, Dude, even if I don’t share your foreboding. However….If Paronto goes down for whatever reason, we still have Boyer and Moylan to take over if necessary. Cormier wasn’t lights out as a starter last year, but did get pretty decent by the end of the year. Couple that with Davies a$$ kicking and you have your answer. Davies at Richmond. Besides, in Cormier’s favor, the spring success had to do with an adjustment on the release point on his curve, which has made it much more effective. It was not called as a high strike last year and now it’s controlled much better. I think this gives some hope of his success continuing during the season. Keep in mind, Cormier’s hardly a grizzled veteran. He’s pretty young, too.
By lifelongbravesfan
March 29, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
See what happens when we all play nice together. Although we have not heard from the Southern JA. I wonder if we could get him and Caveman on a PPV. Maybe a Tables and Ladders match with Last Man Standing Rules and NO DQ. Winner is Undisputed Blog Jerk !!!
OK, I like wrestling. That just makes me southern.
By TennesseePaul
March 29, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
Payne: What’s the time frame to determine streakiness?
Simply put, you want it to be something that works within a single season time frame because this is the time at which you need to win. The single season is six months, so to find out if a player is streaky, you would have to pick your time frame to allow a streak to appear within a single season. If you pick a ten year time frame, all you get is a career average. The point of the execise it to find the wave function within the single season. Studying each player you will find out where they are and if they could be determined to be “streaky”. The sum of these wave functions would result in an over all team wave function. If the resulting function has a long wave length it is more consistant than one with a short wave length. You can see in the patterns of these waves instances of max production and lax production. Like last season, when all the players clicked, we scored 171 runs in a single month (over 7 runs a game). Prior to that, they all clicked in the low range and we scored practically nothing (3 runs a game). Balance this out by not packing to many extremes on the team and you get a consistant production of runs resulting in a steady climb up to a world series victory. You don’t necessarily have to have the largest out put, just the most consistant out put. The same would go for pitchers production and fielding production.
Also, this same theory is seen in oceanic wave collisions resulting in Super Waves or Rogue Waves.
But I think I’ve said enough on the matter.
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
Lew and Art in Tenn: Isn’t it great when we can be sitting here a few days before opening day, discussing which of the very capable guys we are going to have to send to Richmond.
Some other teams would be using Carlyle and/or Harrison just to fill out the staff, and would have Boyer, Devine and Startup in the pen, just to fill it in.
Good problems to have.
By lifelongbravesfan
March 29, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
summerteeth how about the Gymdawgs and the tennis team?? Macsot of the year?? C’mon now, you can teach a dog to catch frisbees, a gator to wrestle, and bird to land on your arm, but all your mascot does it wind up Original Recipe or Crispy !!
Renegator — uuhh nothin. Your still way up right now but I heard our debate kick your debate teams butt in the parking lot!! Right after they beat us in debating ……….. dangit !!
By Lew
March 29, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
Orange and Blue suede shoes? My God is Carl Perkins spinning in his grave? I , as a loyal Bulldog, can’t conceive of anything uglier than orange and blue anything. Must be why I don’t like the Mets, either.
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
Summerteeth: I am Clemson first, USC second, everybody else except Florida 3rd, and the Gators last. It kills me that one of my favorite schools hired the biggest whiner in College Football as the Coach. What a paradox.
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
get it !! lolol
By Braves20
March 29, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
DOB - Thanks for your reply reference Wilson. Hope I’m wrong but he seems like a Diaz who doesn’t make contact. Oh well - been wrong before!
By Lew
March 29, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Summerteeth-Spurrier will be hated by Dawgs no matter where he goes to coach. I even hated the Redskins when he was in DC and cheered for whoever played the Skins during his entire tenure there.
By TennesseePaul
March 29, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Wayne: You’re a Tiger? How’s that work with the Utah tag?
By Renegator
March 29, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
Hey, all I gotta say is - the SEC is the best conference around - hands down.
Anyway, back to baseball. DOB, what is your blog schedule like during the regular season? Surely you don’t continue to post everyday… I am fairly new to the blog.
Thanks and excellent work getting us all the hot stories throughout Spring Training. Alright, it’s 5:00 - I’m outta here.
Peace
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
I think maybe we have found another subject to use to get everybody at each others throats: college alma maters! We all love our schools. I think we have to all take the high road and admit that we are all passionate about our schools, just as most of us are about the Bravos, and MetMan and No Chop are about the Muts.
By beachcomber
March 29, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
To Wayne in UT - Amen brother. It is indeed great to be able to wring our hands over having to send someone like Boyer to Richmond. Suspect we’ll see him before the season’s too old.
By Miss Manners
March 29, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
“I ate 12 Krystals once.” These words, from a television commercial awhile back, pretty much sum up what we are discussing here today. Were these 12 Krystals eaten at one time? Were the 12 Krystals eaten at once? Were the 12 Krystals eaten one time never to be eaten again? Is this a reminiscence or is this a complaint? How much better the commercial might have been had the UGA graduate who wrote it structured the copy to read, “Once, I ate 12 Krystals!” Comedic copy writers from UGA will sometimes make mistakes hear and they’re.
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this
LEW still need a price on the Frenchy Pic. Smoltzie too
By Fred from CT
March 29, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
Wayne in utah You bring up a great point it is great to have so much pitching depth. The other thing is if everthing goes well and the trade deadline comes and the braves need a bat or a bench player they would have some good trade bait because everyone will be looking for a releiver come the trade deadline. I’m not saying trade one of the big three. But its good to be in this postion with so much pitching depth. Can’t wait for monday. Go Braves
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
Tenn Paul:
Born/raised in SC. Accepted at Clemson and USC out of high school, chose the Air Force instead. 15 years in California where I became a big Joe Montana and 49ers fan. Graduate degree in 1991 from Clemson business school. Next 15 years ALL over the states (TX, IL, SC, UT). Will probably stay in UT until I die, although I still love and miss the south. Saw the Braves in 1966 when they first hit town, and have been a fan since.
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
I wrote a Krystals commercial?? Where the heck is my CHECK??
By Spike
March 29, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
What’s all the talk about trading Paronto and Yates? All they’ve done is pitched their way into the best bullpen in the NL. With all the experience they got last year they deserve their shot this year, and from what I’ve seen from both they are ready, Paronto added a changeup and is striking out more hitters, and Yates only had two balls hit hard off him all spring and has a nasty splitter and slider to go with his 96 mph fastball. Let’s go into the season with our pen intact, and then if need be we can bring Boyer and Moylan up, but they will both benefit from pitching in Richmond. If Boyer can gain a little better command he’ll be awesome and Moylan just needs more innings. If you put Paronto or Yates out on waivers they’ll be claimed the same day.
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this
Something to think about. I used to get excited about ALL the prospects. Komminsk to Betemit. What I have learned is that about 1 out of 3 will stick, and 1 of those 3 will be a star. So, of Escobar/Lillibridge/Fontaine/Andrus, we might have a decent shortstop out of that lot. Then there is Pope/Campbell/Holt. Maybe one will stick. McCann and Salty, who knows, maybe we get lucky and get two to stick/star?
Pitching its Boyer/Devine/Stockman. Maybe one or two are serviceable? Harrison/Reyes/Lerew? Then a couple of years out: Evarts/Hanson/Feliz/Locke/Rasmus/Richmond/Jones/Stevens. Who knows, maybe 2 become decent???
We have to temper our excitement about or prospects, and temper our expectations for our guys on the cusp.
By Lew
March 29, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this
Caveman-Thought I had priced them earlier, but maybe you missed it. The ones you saw on my site are not for sale. They have all been signed by the players and I won’t sell autographs (not to mention it isn’t always easy to get them signed). However, I would charge $150 for an 11x14” pencil drawing like them, or $300 in oils. I do have one started on Frenchy that I didn’t have time to finish before Spring Training (didn’t get there, either), that I could finish and let you have for $100. Smoltz I would have to do another one. Could I interest you in a Chuck James?
By Rodger
March 29, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
lifelong, I love it: “How bout that extra crispy?” makes a great call!
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
Spike: Let’s not forget about Stockman either!! Kid was lights out at Richmond last year, and had two good outings before pulling up lame.
By Summerteeth
March 29, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
Wayne in UT
By biggest whiner I am assuming you meant Tommy Bowden? Dude emits tears on the sidelines. I guess it could have been a typo and you meant winner, which of course would make since because it is Spurrier.
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
actually, and I’m serious about this, if you could do a collage with smoltz,glavine,and madduz,as Braves in game action pitching poses and put in a shot of Cox in his classic dugout pose what would that run??
By Lew
March 29, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this
Rene-Got to agree with you there. The SEC loses more National Championships because we knock each other out. Best all around conference in the nation, for sure. Any given year could see a National Champ come from Georgia, Florida, Auburn, LSU, Arkansas, Tennessee or Alabama. Hell, the only ones you can’t count on are Kentucky and Vandy-and eveb they beat my Dawgs last year. Oh, The Humanity.
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
Summerteeth:
:-)
Guess we will have to agree to not like each others coaches, huh. I hated Spurrier in Florida, laughed when he failed in the pros, then cried when he came to Carolina. Some guys you just gotta love to hate.
BTW, I am not a big Bowden fan either, although my dislike for him runs shallower than that for Spurrier.
I was sure wishing Stevie Wonderman would have gone to Alabama. He is the price you pay for success. Who knows, after he has been there 8-10 years, maybe I will start to like him. Stranger things have happened.
By caveman22
March 29, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
Is Aybar going to become the next Bob Horner mystery wrist ailment??
Wonder what Cox really thinks about it??
By Wayne in UT
March 29, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this
Lew: You forgot South Carolina in your list of SEC schools. Up and coming, as much as it kills me to say it.
By Chop Chop
March 29, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
This being the Braves/Man In Black blog and all, I figure the denizens might appreciate a humorous little spoof of the Man In Black’s cover of “Hurt”…
(Props to Bill Simmons for posting the YouTube link on his ESPN.com blog)
Hurt, Kermie-style
(Note: If this ends up being a duplicate post, I blame Terence Moore, Jeff Schultz, Bobby Cox or Chipper’s toes.)
By Otis Smith
March 29, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
DOB- What do you think about Willie Harris? He seems to have had a good spring. Speedy guy, able to disrupt a pitcher, etc. What are his chances of making the club?
By Fred from CT
March 29, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this
otis smith DOB already said no chance I asked that one earlier Though I would love to see him on the team
By Lew
March 29, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this
Wayne-I didn’t forget. I refer you to my post on Spurrier.
By Miss Manners
March 29, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
Caveman, relying on spell-check is no good. You must learn to speall, as evidenced here:
Eye halve a spelling checker
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marks four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea
Eye strike a key and type a word
and weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh
As soon as a mistake is maid
It nose bee fore two long
and eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong
Eye halve run this poem threw it
I am shore your please two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My checker tolled me sew
Go Dawgs!
By The Grinch
March 29, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this
Chop-chop, that is a sacred song, but that spoof is so freakin’ hilarious I’ll forgive it. Gotta sit all the way through it. Hee-hee! Off to the gym.
By Earl
March 29, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
I did listen to Sciambi on ESPN the other day and thought he was all right, but it does seem odd listening to Pete and Skip on XM, you expect to hear some commentary and it never comes. I didn’t care for Rathbun, but I thought Torborg did a good job, he seemed to think a different way about the game. Why did they let Sutton go if they were able to get Sciambi?
I also have a real good feeling about the season, not only will we have the best bullpen in the league, I bet we’ll also have the best bullpen in AAA, with all the guys who couldn’t make the team.
I can’t wait to prove the “experts” wrong. GO BRAVES
By Lew
March 29, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
Caveman-I’d do the triple portrait for $150. I usually combine two pictures, anyway-a portrait and an action pose. As far as Bobby Cox. I haven’t been able to draw him to my satisfaction, yet. He’s one of the harder faces to do. Maybe because I haven’t found the right reference picture. Other hard ones were Chipper (I don’t think he likes having his picture taken, and it shows) and Horacio. I tried to do his portrait about five times and never got it right. Francoeur is easy. Smoltz you have to get his intensity in and Maddux just needs his double chin done correctly. I’ve only done a small oil of Glavine, but he hasn’t changed expressions in 20 years.
By Earl
March 29, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
I know it’s a longshot, but any thought of having Doug Clark on the team instead of Pete Orr or in case there’s another injury? He’s hit well this spring, has hit well everywhere in the minors, runs good, hits lefthanded, and can play the outfield corners as well as second and third base.
By Earl
March 29, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this
Sorry about the Doug Clark post, for some reason I thought he could play the infield too. Still, I was just wondering.
By Robert (Justice Is The Best)
March 29, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
Okay, here are my predictions for the upcoming baseball season.
NL East: 1.Braves 2.Mets 3.Phillies 4.Marlins 5.Nats
NL Central: 1.Brewers 2.Cardinals 3.Cubs 4.Pirates 5.Astros 6.Reds
NL West: 1.Dodgers 2.Padres 3.Diamondbacks 4.Giants 5.Rockies
AL East: 1.Red Sox 2.Yankees 3.Devil Rays 4.Blue Jays 5.Orioles
AL Central: 1.Tigers 2.White Sox 3.Indians 4.Twins 5.Royals
AL West: 1.Angels 2.Athletics 3.Rangers 4.Mariners
NL Wildcard: Padres
AL Wildcard: Yankees
NLDS: Dodgers over Brewers; Braves over Padres
ALDS: Tigers over Yankees; Red Sox over Angels
NLCS: Braves over Dodgers
ALCS: Tigers over Red Sox
WS: Tigers over Braves
Okay, these are the picks I’m sticking to. Two weeks ago I would have picked the Phillies over the Braves and Mets but that bullpen looks like the Braves did last year. That isn’t good. Despite what Mets fans say their starting rotation is horrendous and one injury way from being God awful. The Brewers are this year’s Tigers. After this watching them this spring I believe this Braves team top to bottom are focused on getting back to the mountain top. Yes, they have a lot of “ifs” but they also have a lot of guys who want to prove themselves. And, they have a chip on their shoulder.
As powerful as that Yanks lineup is the pitching is not good. Even Roger Clemens can’t save them. Everyone concentrates on the starting rotation but what about the bullpen? It isn’t good. Yes, I know Rivera is there but what about the rest? The signs are there pointing toward a collapse. The Tigers are the most complete team in baseball. I’m not quite ready to jump on the Indians bandwagon just yet. The Angels are a year away from being true WS contenders but that divsion is so bad that they shouldn’t have too many problems. Even the A’s shouldn’t really give them any competition.
I know many are laughing at my pick of the Devil Rays finishing 3rd. That team is good and if they had any decent pitching, they could be contending for a playoff spot. Don’t be surprised if Baldelli and Gomes/Cantu are traded.
The Sammy Sosa comeback is for real. I think he will comeback player of the year.
Also, believe it or not I believe the Braves are the second best balanced team in baseball. I’m not saying they are the second best overall. But, when it comes to balance the Braves really don’t have any glaring weaknesses.
NL MVP: Andruw Jones
AL MVP: David Ortiz
NL Cy Young: Jake Peavy
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
NL Rookie of the Year: Josh Hamilton (I do believe he is elgible)
AL Rookie of the Yeahr: Delmon Young
By Braveheart
March 29, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this
Maddux just needs his double chin done correctly. I’ve only done a small oil of Glavine, but he hasn’t changed expressions in 20 years. Double freaking hilarious Lew
By David O'Brien
March 29, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this
There’s no cryin’ in baseball, and no spoofin’ The Man in Black.
By Chris
March 29, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this
One more reason why David Justice sucks. From Reuters:
“Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry says in a magazine interview that she was so depressed after her 1997 breakup with ex-husband and baseball star David Justice that she tried to take her own life.”
That miserable SOB. We all would’ve been deprived of the infamous “Swordfish” scene…
By Brad in KY
March 29, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
Concerning Streakiness
First, I’d like to see the defenders of streakiness attempt to define the term.
Second, in an attempt to flesh out the concept, I’d like to hear some answers to the following question:
If it is determined that a player is “streaky”, does that mean he is consistently “streaky”?
If so, does this show a problem with the use of this concept? I assume from the conversation to this point that “streaky” entails the denial of consistency. However, it seems that if a player is streaky, then he must be consistent in being streaky. Thus, the term seems useless.
I’m sure this will be ignored, but it’s worth a try.
By Dog the Bounty Hunter
March 29, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
Hey Lewie, If I sent you a picture of Bobby Cox with his finger stuck up his nose, how much would that be?
By Alan
March 29, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this
Great job again, DOB. Thanks. You certainly helped make the long offseason bearable - and it appears you’ve survived another spring training at Dark Star. I, too, am optimistic about this season, but let’s not get carried away here. The Phillies and the Mets have to be considered favorites, based on last year if nothing else. Yeah, the Braves definitely have improved their most glaring weakness (bullpen), but there still are question marks at first and second base, and the overall lack of team speed has to be a concern. It’s great to hear players like AJ say how much they like their chances - I do, too. I’ll be at work Opening Day, but I’ll be glued to my computer all afternoon. Go, Braves!
By OddJob
March 29, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this
I don’t think spring games matter record wise.Coming out of spring with the pitching staff looking ready for prime time and the sorting out and preping of young players however is important and it appears at this point we have good reason to be optimistic.
By Willy Wally
March 29, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
Oh Chris. Poor Halle Berry. You know what they say: no matter how fine the woman, someone, somewhere, is sick and tired of all her b.s. And you think Justice sucks because he made Halle Berry so depressed that she wanted to take her life? Think about that for a second. That is how great the man was. How good do you have it when Halle Berry ain’t good enough for you? How much are you the man when you can make Halle Berry suicidal over the very thought of losing you?
She ain’t all there emotionally anyway. Did you see her at the Oscars a few years ago when she won an award for no good reason at all for a particularly horrendous acting performance? The girl was crying like a maniac. That told me one of two things: (1) She is a horrendous actress as evidenced by her fake wacko drama queen tears. She doesn’t not even know how to pretend to have genuine tears; or (2) Those were real tears and she has alot of mental and emotional problems.
It’s kind of like Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah’s couch. Was he crazy? Or was he just demonstrating once again for us what a terrible actor he is? He was pretending to be wild and crazy but he is such a bad actor that he can not even pull that off without looking like a freaking weirdo.
Halle is fine as hell. There is no doubt about that. But she’s a terrible actress and an emotional basketcase who David Justice determined was not good enough for him.
Besides, you think she is depressed and suicidal? Have you read some of the posts on here? That Justice & Grissom trade in 1997 has made many a Brave fan just as suicidal as her divorce from Justice made her in 1997.
By Willy Wally
March 29, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this
Brad, I know what you mean about consistency and streakiness. Is that even a real word? But haven’t you watched enough of the marathon 162s over the course of your life to get really frustrated with what you perceive, even if only your perception, that certain players like Andruw run hot and cold and are streaky whereas it seems like Chipper is not as streaky and just plugs away game after game after game.
Maybe guys statistically don’t seem streaky over the course of months of half seasons or full seasons. But a think a month by month analysis is pretty fair considering that it comprises usually 27 games, 100 at bats, and 115 or so plate appearances.
Just look at the Braves Infamous June Swoon last year offensively. The whole lineup went through a horrendous bad streak. That is how the argument started I think anyway - a mention of the June Swoon of 2006 and how the Braves had a potent offense but their battleship was sunk because of their offensive June swoon.
What I would really like to see is some analysis of a comparison between high walk, high OBP, fairly low strikeout, fairly high contact guys like Chipper and freer swingin, lower OBP, lower walk, lower contact, higher strikeout guys like Druw & Frenchy. Is there a difference in how consistent or streaky these guys are? Common sense seems to dictate that a good eye, good contact, low strikeout guy is going to be less prone to streaks. But I could be wrong. My perceptions and common sense may not be aligned with statistical reality.
By Chris
March 29, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this
Dude, I just think Halle’s mad hot. And I can’t stand David Justice. Just trying to combine the 2 into a funny comment. My bad if I went awry somewhere.
By Willy Wally
March 29, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this
Chris, it actually was funny. I’m just a dead serious idiot. You’re right about Swordfish. That scene in Monter’s Ball was pretty darn nice as well. Love Justice but if that bastard deprived us of those scenes by being a cad, maybe I wouldn’t love him so much either.
By Lew
March 29, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this
Now I know why they call it Fantasy baseball. The luck of the draw. My pitching staff is Oswalt, Zito, Dontrelle, Mussina, Chuck James, Wicky Shields, Papelbon and Wainwright. Can you imagine actually putting that group together on a real team. Damn.
By Lew
March 29, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
Dog-I’d charge about the same as one of you with your head up….OOps, Sorry, we’re being kinder and gentler today. Nevermind. I wouldn’t do either one, actually. I don’t disrespect people like that.
By ssiscribe
March 29, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
Denizens of the blogosphere, let’s point it north on 75 and get ready to kick this thing off.
Today’s game was what it was, a getaway day butt kicking. But all in all, looking at the body of work the past four weeks, I’m very excited.
Lew, you should do portraits of your pitchers. Wainwright’s a great kid (he’s from the area where I used to work) and had one helluva spring for St. Lou, after some kind of postseson. Damn, indeed, you should fare quite well in the pitching department.
Grinch, Thrashers are about to kill me. Andy Sutton actually came to play tonight. Need to win this one and put a death grip on the division, bro.
DOB, awesome as always, dude. Thanks much for all your work, updates, responses, et al. Safe travels home to the A and a great weekend. And you couldn’t have picked a better song to leave Dark Star; been singing it ever since I logged on this afternoon.
All right, then. May check in later tonight. Otherwise, we’ll be wandering around Turner Field this time tomorrow night, as the season we’ve waited sooo long for draws ever closer.
The Scribe abides. Peace.
—30—
By Dog the Bounty Hunter
March 29, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
It’s not disrespect, Bobby appears quite comfortable with his 3/4 of his finger up his nose. Art is catching someone in their natural setting….so how much?
By MEB
March 29, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
Dang Lew… not a bad pitching staff. You got anybody that can hit? I’m pretty proud of my pitching staff: Smoltz, Zambrano, Glavine, K. Rogers, Chuck James, Wainwright, Soriano, M. Gonzalez. I wanted Wicky but I just missed him.
Now hockey… Thrashers are in another nail biter tied with Leafs 2-2 very late in the 3rd.
By Brad in KY
March 29, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
Willy Wally
Of course I’m aware that the Braves weren’t very good in June last year. But what has that got to do with June? It’s how you slice it that determines how you see it (at least that’s what I think).
Now, I don’t deny that the Braves weren’t very good offensively over the course of a few weeks in the middle of last season. As bad as they were during that period (however you slice it) we know from the season taken as a whole and from individual players’ past performances and performances over the course of the whole season that they were playing way worse than the mean during that period.
So, taking the season as a whole, I think that was an aberration. What was not an aberration was how bad the pitching was - during the “June swoon” and on the whole. So, I primarily blame the pitching for the failure that was last season.
Regarding “streaks,” perhaps we can chuck the word and go with consistency and inconsistency. A player is consistent who maintains a certain level of performance over time and a player is inconsistent who does not (what that is I don’t know). I think that might get us away from the baggage that “streak” brings to the table. Plus, I think that my previous post shows that it’s redundant at best, incoherent at worst.
Of course, I must confess that I prefer as much precision as possible with respect to the language I employ. It helps reduce miscommunication. It can be frustrating though. Consider the main story of yesterday’s blog that declared that Francoeur had halted his 1 for 16 slump with a grandslam. Halted? That, to me, sounds like a 2 for 17 skid. On the other hand, we could take his spring as a whole (still a small sample size)and judge it as moderately successful. [moderately successful because he refuses to take a walk - he’d be a devastating hitter if he could get his OBP in the .350 range]. But this is my personal demon to deal with, I suppose.
By Thrillhouse44
March 29, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this
CarolinaLady, I thought of that after I posted. I guess that’ll teach me to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong. Are a lot of you guys heading to the Ted to see the Braves take on the Sox? I’m up in VA, so I have to wait until Good Friday to catch the home opener. Safe travels home, DOB.
By ssiscribe
March 29, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
Thrashers win in OT on a Kozlov goal, 3-2 the final. Great way to close in on the division title; great way to go into a weekend of baseball at Turner Field.
Enjoy the evening. The Scribe abides.
—30—
By bigorangenation
March 29, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
DOB
Who is this Clark guy that has swung a hot stick all spring? Seems like every time i look this guy has 1 or 2 hits. thanks
By Robert
March 29, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
“50 of them either were 1-run games or went into extra innings. You know what their record was in those games? 22-28! That is why you don’t even think about trading Soriano, Gonzalez or anyone else in the bullpen. We blew 3-4 more World Championships because of our s@#$$y bullpen (Reardon, McMichael, Lightenberg, etc.)”
No
The Braves lost those games because Torre vs Cox, or Leyland vs Cox, or just about an ybody vs Cox, is worth a run a game in the opposition’s favor.
Until you realize this, you will forever be placing blame in the wrong places
Teams that lose lots of close games are poorly managed teams
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 29, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
Well now ain’t this a nauseating love fest and a half, makes me want to puke, everyone behaving like newlyweds on honeymoon night—looks like all the inmates got a double dose of their medication this evening…and it sure didn’t take long to declaw ol’ caveman either…freakin’ As$Monkey!…
Oh, by the way, lifelongbravesfan—how bout I slam a size 17EEE right into your ugly pie hole so damn hard that you will have to spread your a$zcheeks the next time you try to brush your damn teeth?—southern boy!…
By The Grinch
March 29, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
The Thrashers are going to make me start drinking…oh, yeah. :-) High five, Scribe. I just placed Derrick Turnbow on the waiver wire so I could pick up Soriano. My pitching staff is Schmidt, Arroyo, Lowe, and Maddux, with Rivera, Lidge, Zumaya, Dennys Reyes, Ducherer from Oakland and hopefully Soriano. Not bad. Huddy’s still available, but I don’t trust that he’d be an upgrade over anyone I’ve already got. My lineup is like the anti-Braves; 4 guys who had a combined 194 SB’s last year and Big Papi at 1st. Anyhoo, I’m sure you all care. Drummerdad, I got to see Mike Portnoy last night from a great seat in a small venue play on a little six-piece kit. He spent most of the time assin’ around and doing tricks. He only really cut loose on the last song and it was awesome.
By Robert
March 29, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
Laughing at Dog’s comments -
Cox in his natural setting. Tail danglling out of his uniform pants, long ears sticking up from the sides of his cap, one hoof up his nose, and Leo Mazzone standing behind him dangling a carrot on a stick in front of his face
By hk
March 29, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
… looking forward to watching the game at Turner field tomorrow night, for me that feels like the season opener … go Braves !!!
By ssiscribe
March 29, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
High five indeed, Grinch. The first two weeks of April are gonna rock: At least two games at Turner Field, and Game 2 of the first-round series at Philips Arena.
Damn, I love being back home. The beach was nice, but it’s great to be back, especially right now, with the ballclub getting ready to get it on just up the road and the Thrashers about to make their playoff debut.
And the beer always starts tastin’ better this time of year. Time for one more before bed; duty calls bright and early.
Chop chop and Go Thrashers!
—30—
By Rex Boaz
March 29, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
David: Us folks here in St. Louis will not be able to view MLB Extra Innings due to MLB’s contract with Direct TV. I will be depending on you and others for info on our Braves. I think the Braves are going to be great this year. I will listen on my computor. Go Braves.
By Gayle Abbott
March 29, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
It’s between the Phillies and the Mets. The real challenge for this team is to stay out of the cellar. Yes, the bullpen is much improved, but the key to a successful bullpen is to have a lead to hold. The achillies heel of this team had moved from the bullpen to the offense.
By Bob, journalist
March 29, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this
George, you’re little girl is a piece of work!
Funny stuff … If you’re going to criticize spelling you can’t misspell while you do it.
By joebrave
March 29, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
Well now I’ve been away awhile but I see Robert is still a retard. or is it just plain ol dumba$$!!! and S>J>A> what an ignorant sumbitch you are could it be that you and good ol Robert have a hot sordid lust for one another just what I want to read a couple of rainbow warriors oh the humanity!!!!!
By joebrave
March 29, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
14 Count em 14 titles in 15 years how can B.C. who by the way is a Hall Of Fame Manager and probably a baseball genious be as wretched as good ol reatard oops I mean Robert makes him out to be? how bout you go down to the dugout in the middle of the first inning and give Ol B.C. his walking papers in front of the team Tough guy…
By MEB
March 29, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
Robert… You must have a little problem with discipline. You mean successful organizations don’t have rules? Fortune 500 companies don’t have rules? The military doesn’t have rules?
The Braves overwhelmingly support and respect Bobby Cox and you find it odd that he has some rules. Its all good, just let the boys be boys, crank up their music as loud as they want, play grab azz in the locker room, late for meetings is OK, swing away on a bunt sign, running through a stop sign is just a sign of hustling. You know your shtick is getting real old.
By Robert
March 29, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this
Joebrave, if I singlehandedly lose two WS titles and about a half dozen other playoffs series, will you then consider me a genius?
By joebrave
March 29, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this
now I like the Bravos chances this year. the pen is there,the lineup only needs a small tweak, left field maybe still would love to see A.Rios there!maybe Davies and a prospect would do it then get another for Langy…. other than that we are in good hands with J.S. and B.C the worlds greatest manager!!!
By Brad in MT
March 29, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this
Opening Day cannot get here soon enough! Robert, you cannot possibly be this stupid can you?
By joebrave
March 29, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
Let me put it to you this way!!! The manager can only implement the plays and create opportunity for success it is up to the players to execute. so with that in mind,I guess B.C. disguised himself as Mark Wohlers who by the way was the best n.l. reliever in 96. so Bobby threw Leyritz that god awful slider instead of hard heat or did you even watch the game.
By Lew
March 29, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this
Scribe-I didn’t do too bad in the hitting department- McCann, Prince Fielder, Chipper and Cantu with an outfield of Andruw, Torii Hunter, Carl Crawford and Adam Dunn, Johnny Estrada and Juan Rivera of the Angels on the bench.
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 29, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
Robert—When arriving at the conclusion that Bobby Cox is a donkey—the coding of observations of organisms into a data matrix for the inference of phylogenetic hypotheses has suffered from a variety of problems that have precluded development of a uniform approach to the issue. Probably the most notable consequence is that the philosophical basis for coding has been prominently ignored in lieu of emphasis placed on specific coding strategies. From an epistemic standpoint, part of the problem lies with the distinction of characters and character states, which does not accurately convey perceptual beliefs or observation statements such as yours.
The ability to perceive objects(donkeys)is by the nature of the properties of those objects. One’s sense perceptions are of characters, not states; or more appropriately, one observes objects by way of the properties perceived of those objects. The proper distinction is therefore not one of character/state, but one of object/character, as communicated by subject-predicate relations.
So Robert, with observation statements referring to shared similarities among organisms distributed among two or more species(donkey/human), and phylogenetic hypotheses in the form of cladograms, yes cladograms, serving as at least tentative explanations for those effects, what dictates the coding of observations is not adherence to a particular coding strategy, but the need to accurately convey the casual questions that address those observations.
A phylogenetic data matrix is therefore not composed of columns as characters and cells as states. Rather, column headings indicate the observed subjects that instantiate various characters; columns represent specifiable casual questions based on observations, and cells present the subject-predicate relations of observation statements.
Anyhow, since data matrices must represent one’s casual questions, the inclusion of outgroup taxa is justified as components of those questions. With these criteria, the coding strategies summarized by Pleijel (1995) are critiqued. It is shown that advocacy of any one of those approaches is not possible, and that strategies that incorrectly apply the notion of absence are especially prone to misrepresent observations. I hope this will help to simplify, and aid in your understanding as to the processes by which you arrived at the conclusion that Bobby Cox is a donkey—Robert…
By journalist jimmy smith
March 29, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
oh, the humanity! all day on the taxes! maybe all night, too. and then tomorrow, jimmy smith must meet with jimmy smith’s acountant. why is taxation such a cruel and difficult matter?
baby seal was at the thrashers game tonight and reports a most exciting game. baby seal says the concessions are very good at philips arena.
now, ralph whaleshark has died a most controversial death. did the pvc pipe damage ralph’s stomach lining? was it the dreaded blue pipe that caused the problem?
jimmy smith had to go to the tag office yesterday and would like to thank tag office employee, miss leeches johnson - who reads this blog - for being helpful and courteous.
and now, dob and coltrane will soon be coming home to atlanta. awaiting dob will be a fine, canned ham from anne cox chambers. best of cox has its perks.
wurlitzer time.
By journalist jimmy smith
March 29, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
sja, that sounds almost exactly like what kirk fitzhugh said about the same thing. kirk is an old fraternity brother of this journalist.
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 29, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this
Which thing jimmy?…
By joebrave
March 29, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this
Gayle Abbott,to what team are you making reference? must be talking about the Mets b/c you sure aren’t talking about the Bravos.You must be Dayn Perry’s girlfriend,if so get the hell outta here and go to a Muts blog,you Idiots think there are only two teams in MLB.well I think Milwaukee is better than either N.Y. team this year and the Royals are not that far behind.
By joebrave
March 29, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this
S.J.A. touch a nerve did I, being a fairy crossdresser is your problem,and like I said,Go put your wife’s high heels back in the closet she will be home soon monkey boy!!!
By joebrave
March 29, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this
Robert may I challenge you to a quiz? tell me who is the greatest Braves lead off hitter of all time R.Furcal or R.Garr?
By Billy Bob
March 29, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this
I like beans.
By joebrave
March 29, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this
Answer Ralph Garr!!! without a doubt that dude could play the wheels off a porche,he doesn’t get much respect but I wold take him anyday over Furcal,Butler and so on and so on!!
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 29, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this
Actually joeblow—you’re rather insignificant, ineffective in more ways than one—kinda like a little Chihuahua nipping at my heels—run along now…
By joebrave
March 29, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this
The AJC asked for a poll on an all era Braves team. well here is mine lf. R.Garr.cf.A.Jones. rf.D.Murphy. yeah I know he played C.F but he deserves to be here. 3b.E.Matthews.ss.R.Furcal.2b M.Lemke1b F.McGriff.C.B.McCann.sp.G Maddux,P.Niekro.T.Glavine.L.Burdette. My stopper J Smoltz set up by M.Stanton,and M.Wohlers.Hey DOB hows that for an all era team? just my thoughts!!!
By joebrave
March 30, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
or maybe I put Aaron in RF and Murph in left. either way I got a killer club
By joebrave
March 30, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this
I wonder what happens in Shea when Glavine And El Dookie starts to show their age,and Delgado proves to be a clubhouse cancer again? remember Toronto when he refused to stand for the National Anthem,yet you Idiots in The Big Apple of all places make him a hero!! well if he is all that then Barry Bonds deserves to be in the hall of fame and that ain’t gonna happen!!!!
By joebrave
March 30, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
Very funny SJA not to worry ! I don’t think you’ve got colon cancer yet but if you keep going your gonna catch much worse.really my friend you need to lay off the trouser snakes a little and stop boozing yourself to death!!!
By joebrave
March 30, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this
Has anyone else here ever noticed how anal retentive SJA is? I mean he is always threatening someone’s derrier!!!
By joebrave
March 30, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this
any chance of another trade going down before opening day?
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this
lifelongbravesfan/joebrave—you’re boring, and I’m not your friend…
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this
joebrave is now blogging with joebrave…
By Bob, journalist
March 30, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this
Honorable Southern,
Could Jimmy have been suggesting that you might have plagiarized one of Kurt’s love letters to Nancy?
Aye no ewe wood knot sew dew … wood ewe?
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this
Bob,journalist—I’m not exactly sure about which statement reminded jimmy of his friend—but this kirk must have been a free thinker, whatever it was…just like TheJackAss…
By Bob, journalist
March 30, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this
What smells like … usually is … or so sweet Juliet was prone to say … who is this Joe Brave, anyway?
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this
joebrave is just another generic stinky blogger—and tell jimmy not to get his panties in a bunch—TheJackAss was just having a little fun with Robert, well, Fitzhugh and I were having a little fun with Robert…sent him to the showers anyhow…
By Wayne in UT
March 30, 2007 1:39 AM | Link to this
JJS: Taxes SUX, huh……
I owe, I owe, so off to work I go.
By Wayne in UT
March 30, 2007 1:44 AM | Link to this
DOB
Hope your travel home is/was uneventful. Thanks for all your work and interest on our behalf.
Think the Rays would take Diaz and Paronto for Carl Crawford? If not, maybe for Cindy Crawford? Or maybe Freddie Crawford (friend from High School)?
Wayne is having last minute trade fever. Where is John Schuerholz when I need him?
By Wayne in UT
March 30, 2007 1:47 AM | Link to this
SJA: so JoeBrave is blogging with himself? I used to do that after everybody else went to bed, playing the parts of Brian Jordan and Reggie Sanders. I thought I was the only TRULY demented person on this blog (of course, with the exception of the Stinkster).
By Reggie S & Brian J
March 30, 2007 1:49 AM | Link to this
That’s OK Utah dude. We appreciate the plugs.
Wayne, are you hearing voices again?? Is the dog talking to you? Go get a glass of milk and go to bed, don’t go out on the streets by yourself again…..
By Wayne in Utah
March 30, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this
Nite fellas. (brian and reggie too!)
By Bob, journalist
March 30, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this
Goodnight Gracie, SJA, All
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 2:00 AM | Link to this
Wayne—yes, joebrave rode into town on his glistening steed all primed to take on TheJackAss, but he didn’t even last one round—earlier today he was going by the name lifelongbravesfan when he made his initial attack…guess he didn’t think I would call him on it…
By the way, if I dare ask…how is the dog with the sweet tooth?…
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 2:03 AM | Link to this
What is this the Waltons??—Goodnight everybody…
By Wayne in Utah
March 30, 2007 2:13 AM | Link to this
SJA: In case you are still logged on, well Max the pug still lives to bark another day. After he ate the chocolate bar, I put his sorry kiester out back in the cold for about 3 hours, so if he tossed his cookies, then it’s somewhere in the melting snow, and not in my house.
I have always heard that chocolate is bad for dogs, but he is doing fine.
Didn’t realize anybody had picked up on that a couple of days ago….
Take care, as I am truly off to bed, now that I have paid all my bills.
Taxes SUX.
By snowball's chance
March 30, 2007 2:49 AM | Link to this
Fantasy Baseball. Who’d a thunk it. When I’m in the fantasy mode I’m thinkin Angelina Jolie or one of those models in the Victoria Secrets ads.
By George "Boston Brave". Spitz
March 30, 2007 3:21 AM | Link to this
I have a high regard for Bobby Cox and John Schuerholz, but I find it difficult to understand why there is any question over whether Pete Orr makes the team. In fact, I think he should’ve had at least an equal shot at the second base starting position. Last year after the All-Star game, Pete Orr batted 291. During the entire 2006 season Orr’s fielding average was 1000, not one error committed. Only Willie Harris, who I would also like to see make the team, is Orr’s equal in speed. Moreover, this Spring Orr has a batting average of 375 and an on-base percentage of 422. If the 1933 Boston Braves, the best Braves team between the wars, had Pete Orr at second base, they probably would’ve won the pennant. Pete Orr is a major leaguer in every respect.
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2007 6:14 AM | Link to this
Wayne, something in the stars aligned last night that set the dogs off kilter. I was over looking at a Harley last night that a friend of Chip Caray’s is selling here in Orlando, and Chip gets a call from his wife while we’re there: His dog had eaten some chocolate and was quite ill. Chip tore out of there to go check on him (they live in nearby Winter Park).
Anyway, the dog survived and was doing fine a while later.
OK, gotta finish packing and hit the road for 6-plus hour drive with all the damn Gator fans to Atlanta.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
March 30, 2007 6:21 AM | Link to this
Who knows George? TV distorts so many things. Nothing like actually seeing a player to get a better prespective. I don’t disagree with you because I think Pete has paid his dues but as I’ve said before. The Braves don’t consult me on their player moves.
By bluespotREDSEA
March 30, 2007 6:24 AM | Link to this
thanks for the spring comments
By Gil in Mechanicsville
March 30, 2007 6:31 AM | Link to this
Good luck on the drive back Dave, you are still a young guy so your back a legs can take the pounding of a Harley. Owned three before being forced to give up motorcycles.
By Richard Cory
March 30, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this
Hey caveman—I can tell you where to put your semi-colon’s.
By Thrillhouse44
March 30, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
My dog, an 80 pound lab/dalmation mix, has eaten a batch of brownies (stupid ex-girlfiend), a package of cookies (stupid Thrillhouse), raw chicken on 2 occassions (I shouldn’t leave food on the counter), and rocks on occassion. When I called the vet, they just told me to make sure he wasn’t lethargic and to feed him boiled chicen and rice for his meals. Can you believe that? It’s like a reward for him! The only side effects he ever had was extreme hyperactivity after the brownies and cookies.
By The Grinch
March 30, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
Morning, all. Gil, I don’t think DOB’s a Harley man; he was just looking one over. He rides a Bonneville, if I’m not mistaken, and I doubt he’s going to load it down with all his clothes, computer equipment, homey knick-knacks and a sidecar for Coltrane. Methinks he’ll drive something larger back. Wayne, how’d you let a pug get a hold of a chocolate bar? Did you leave it on the floor? I think it speeds up their heart rate; especially small dogs. George Spitz, you certainly have an interesting take on things. I guess I can see where you’re coming from though, speaking of an era where the average player hit about 4 home runs.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
March 30, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
DOB:
Many thanks for the many posts during spring training. For the first time ever, I felt like I knew what was going on with the team (and other teams), as all we get over here are two inch game summaries. This has been great. I still want to know how I can convince the Birmingham News to carry your daily beat stories.
Lew- I’m with you about Disneyworld. I went there with my folks the first year it opened - I was 13, and thought it sucked. I went back with my kids 25 years later. I still thought it sucked. I ain’t ever going back again. I’ll take the grandkids to cool places, and make the parents suffer through that place.
I spent 8 hours in the car yesterday, listened to Home Plate on XM most of the time. Gotta tell you folks, Los Bravos aren’t gettin’ much love from the national radio people. Outside of Buck Martinez, most think it is a two horse race between the Phils & the Mutts. Can’t wait for them to be proven wrong, IF we stay healthy.
The White Sox played their AA affiliate over here last night. Needed an 8th inning home run to win over its minor league club. Looking forward to watching tonight.
I have only been able to watch 2 games on the tube this year. I’ll take Boog over “Biff Barf” Rathbun anyday. So far, so good - I am gonna miss Sutton, though. I know a lot on here didn’t care for him, but he’s a Pensacola boy, so he can’t be all bad. I liked him.
By joebrave
March 30, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
No STOOPID JOKE A* I’m not lifelong bravesfan,I’m not even playing your fruitless mundane games with you today.I would like to know if any one here has a subscription to a New York Newspaper?if so do a blog?so we can send caveman,metman and Shaun packing with their ignorant rantings packing.these guys!! Look Idiots I know that you think there are only two teams in the NL east and that the AL only has one team,but let me remind you that NEW JOKE and PHILTHIDELPHIA aren’t the only places baseball is played!you are hereby served notice all clubs better watch out for the Brewers,Braves,and Padres. now stick that up your yankee a*******e$!!!!!
By Shaun
March 30, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
O’Brien,
I heard an interview with Jon Sciambi on 680 yesterday and was very impressed. Seems like a very intelligent baseball guy. Have you had a chance to talk to him much? Thoughts?
By joebrave
March 30, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
and please NO Bobby Cox donkeyisms today I thnk he deserves a tremendous amount of respect.or would you guys rather have the likes of C.Tanner and B.wine.personally I take Cox any day of the week.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
March 30, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
On the plus side, when MLB blacks out the Braves broadcast between the Nationals and the Bravos as they have for the last couple of years ( I am in the Washington home market) At least I will hear a familiar voice in Don Sutton. Trust me when I tell you he is a big step up in what they have been offering in the past.
As for the Birmingham News, don’t feel badly. Richmond does not fare any better and they have the Braves AAA club. It’s a wanna be big city that cannot understand that the world has passed them by.
Only place I know that you can go from 17th century Jamestown, 18th century Willimsburg to 19th century Richmond with just a short drive up interstate 64….
By Shaun
March 30, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
I understand that teams aren’t going to have consistent run/run prevention outputs and that sometimes the outputs may be extremely dramatic.
But again, I guess my argument is there doesn’t appear to be anything in the makeup of a team or player that would make them streaky. I believe it’s just as likely that a hitter like Andruw Jones will be pretty consistent as it is that he’ll have dramatic ups and downs, based on my limited knowledge of the subject.
I believe that all players are relatively streaky. I just don’t believe that certain players are more prone than others to dramatic streaks.
I certainly not denying that dramatic ups and downs take place. I’m just denying that it’s a characteristic that is part of the makeup of individuals or teams. But I could be wrong. I’d have to do/see more research on the subject.
To get it back to what started this—I believe that Adam LaRoche is just as likely to remain relatively consistent with the Pirates in ‘07 as he is to have one very hot month and a few pretty good months.
By caveman22
March 30, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
sja declawed my a*. I was experimenting with civility and intelligent conversation. But fortunately I need neither to address your A*******munchin butt. So when you get through doing the cut&paste with the enclyclopedia britannica bring your sister-kissin, dog-kickin, internet porn watchin and circle jerkin by yourself loser with his head so far up his a* when you fart your ears pop sadsack tail over here and in the words of AL BUNDY : LETS ROCK !!
C’MON SJA@@MUNCH, GIMME SOMTHIN!!
By Shaun
March 30, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
joebrave,
Did you read my predictions yesterday? I picked an A’s-Braves World Series? Neither team comes from New York or Philadelphia.
You’re just one of those who like to complain when people’s well thought out opinions don’t jive with your biases. (Not that the Mets fans that come on this blog to only pump up the Mets have well thought out opinions.)
I understand free speech and all, but again, I’ll suggest you don’t fill your posts with profanity and all caps and six exclamation points if you want to look half-way sane or intelligent.
By Lew
March 30, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
ScalpEm-Disney could actually be pretty decent if it wasn’t for the greed factor. I’ve had a house on the other side of Orlando for the last eight years. Haven’t gone to the Magic Kingdom in that time. Went to Epcot once (It was one of those spousal duty things), To Disney MGM once (all right, I admit I’m a soap opera fan and I did some work for ABC) and Wide World of Sports numerous times (I am a Braves’ fan). The best of all is Downtown Disney. They have the House Of Blues and some decent concerts. If only they would ban smoking in there. Last time I went (Judas Priest), within ten minutes I thought I’d started smoking again. All in all, I’d keep HOB and Crackerjack Field (The stadium formerly known as). That’s all I’m interested in. Take your kids somewhere else. I’m tired of the traffic.
By Laurance Maney
March 30, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
Whatever but I still like Davies. At some point BC has to let the kid pitch through that bad inning and into the 6th or 7th. my God, don’t you guys remember Johnny Sain or even Shilling or even Millwood who were terrible for one inning in every game they won. As far as TVZ in Atlanta, back in the day (late 70s)when the Braves were beyond awful, the Majestic Diner was in full swing and Townes’ breath was in fact as “hard as kerosene” and their was this stunning Fort Worth strawberry blond Rose Lynn Scott brightening the skyline, Townes played Atlanta every once in a while even if it was at that terrible Mexican Resturant on Ponce de Leon. I was there, where were you guys?
By caveman22
March 30, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
OH NO HE DIDN’T !!!! I KNOW JOEBLOWSHIMSELF DIDN’T JUST CALL ME OUT.
Man, I’m working on my first cup of coffee and we ain’t got no creamer so I’m having to use the milk in the fridge that’s partially solid and that just ain’t gonna cut it. And your freakin’ candya$$ has decided to step into the XANDER ZONE?? You better go back to bloggin with yourself son, cuz they don’t called GA the dirty dirty b/c of the pollen. We’ll take your philadelphia cream cheese a$$ and treat it like a new fish in Reidsville, you little punka$$beeatch
By Lew
March 30, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
JoeBrave-I don’t always agree with Shaun-hardly ever, actually, but I never would have called him a Mets fan. He just hasn’t learned the time honored art of talking smack and not giving a Mets’ fan an even break. He may learn, though. We ARE trying to educate him. We’re hopeful.
By N8
March 30, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
This goes out to DOB, Lew, Shaun, Grinch, Coach, RJITB, Carolina Lady, Utah, and all the other regulars that I’m sure I’ll forget to name by name:
If I have EVER ranted with such venom that has been thrown around the last 2-3 days…. I SINCERELY APPOLOGIZE. I know, I’ve done my best to get under some people’s skin, all in good fun and in the MIDST of baseball arguements. But the last couple of days, a few posters (who I won’t name - since I don’t need to), have made me realize how much of an A$$ you can look like if you just don’t ease up on a subject. Hell, it’s apparent that sometimes you don’t even need a subject to rant about.
So as the old “friends don’t let friends drive drunk” saying goes. I hope that as blogging friends, you’ll all step in and let me know, if I’m making myself look as STUPID and IGNORANT as this select few of posters has done to themselves in recent days.
“Thanks for your support.” (as those two old Bartles and James dudes used to say. LOL!)
By caveman22
March 30, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
LEW I know what your saying about Cox, I saw a really good drawing of him by a guy in Dallas. I was done from his left profile and the guy said it took him 5 tries before he thought he had it. I asked him why and he said, and he wasn’t being rude, that Bobby has a weathered face but it’s not a tired look it’s more like a dad watching his kid playing ball and it’s happy, concerned, frustrated, and optimistic all at once. It’s very hard to get that to come through on the canvas. But man, when he finally got it — it was awesome. If you could reproduce something similar in that collage it would be worth the 150.
Now HOW ‘BOUT THEM DAWGS !!!!!
p.s. — RICHARD — I could tell you where to stick those 3 extra toes on you left foot. Sometime’s “this little piggy” gotta get whacked!!!
By ernesto
March 30, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
Learned something about Kirk Fitzhugh today, this blog never ceases to amaze. Thanks SJA, Google, and Jimmy.
By Lew
March 30, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
Now Boys-Calm down. We’re kinder and gentler, aren’t we? Save your anger for Mets and Gator fans.
By caveman22
March 30, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
Sorry LEW but I just found out that UGA’s retiring and I been hitting the Flinstone Chewables pretty hard. You ever see what taken too many BAM-BAM’S can do to you. I try to balance with 2 Wilma’s and a Betty but now I’m just PMS’n. Yeah Miss Manner’s that’s right—I’m PMS’n. So come on a hit with poorly typed complaint!!!
See what I mean, it just happens. I need help. WatchagotLoran??
By Wayne in Utah
March 30, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
N8: I think most of the regulars (and us semi-regulars) understand and can feel your pain. Sometimes I want to rip someone a new one, but when I sit back and think for a few minutes, if I do so, then they have me where they want me.
So forgive yourself if you think you have allowed them to get under your skin. I think we all understand.
Some bloggers didn’t get enough hugs when they were children (or maybe they are still children).
By Wayne in Utah
March 30, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
Grinch: Max got it off the coffee table. Wife left it there. It was one of those big chocolate bars too. He was definitely “sugared up” for a while.
If he had died, at least he would have died happy!
By Wayne in Utah
March 30, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
Caveman: Did you get some chocolate off the coffee table too???
By Renegator
March 30, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
Lew,
Are you hating on the Gators again? Are you going to be mad if they win tomorrow night or do you pull for the SEC to win - even if it’s FLA?
By stan
March 30, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
DOB… Yeah, I hear you with Van Morrison, but I’d have to go with Tupelo Honey over Astral Weeks. Just because of the wonderful Friday afternoons I spent listening to it at the old Henderson St. Bar in Chapel Hill, N.C. 20-25 years ago. I was also reminded about the long-time connection between baseball and popular music last night when I attended a wind symphony concert of John Phillip Sousa’s works, that included, “The National Game,” which was commissioned by Kenesaw Mountain Landis to be the official march of Major League Baseball, all the way back in 1922. I then checked, and was surprised that Ken Burns did not include it in his soundtrack to “Baseball” a few years back. Anyhow. Spring’s the best time of year. Thanks for making the game more personal, not just OBP, OPS, and whatever abbreviation people use to justify that a player can hit well. Play Ball!
By caveman22
March 30, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
wayne yeah it looked like chocolate but it wasn’t. Is there a mouth wash for that?? You know it’s one thing to talk S##T but quite another to eat S##T. How’s the Tabernacle Choir doing this year??
By Carolina Lady
March 30, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
Chocolate poisoning in dogs
Why is Chocolate Lethal? Chocolate contains theobromine. A naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean, theobromine increases urination and affects the central nervous system as well as heart muscle. While amounts vary by type of chocolate, it’s the theobromine that is poisonous to dogs.
Symptoms of Chocolate Dog Ingestion and Poisoning You can recognize that your dog has eaten a toxic dose of chocolate from the symptoms. Within the first few hours, the evidence includes vomiting, diarrhea or hyperactivity. As time passes and there’s increased absorption of the toxic substance, you’ll see an increase in the dog’s heart rate, which can cause arrhythmia, restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination or excessive panting.
This can lead to hyperthermia, muscle tremors, seizures, coma and even death.
How Much Chocolate Is Deadly? If a 50-pound dog eats a teaspoonful of milk chocolate, it’s not going to cause serious problems. However, if that same dog gorges himself on a two-layer chocolate cake, his stomach will feel more than upset and soon it’s likely he’ll be vomiting or experiencing diarrhea.
To answer the question “How much is too much” is not simple. The health and age of your dog must be considered. Obviously if your dog is aged and not in top shape, his reaction to a plate of chocolate is going to be different from a young healthy dog of the same weight.
Another fact that must be considered is this: Not all chocolate is the same. Some has a small amount of theobromine; another type has a large amount and still another contains an amount that is somewhere in between. The quantity has a relationship with the weight of your dog. Small dogs can be poisoned, it is easy to understand, from smaller amounts of theobromine than large dogs.
Same for cats.
By N8
March 30, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah
I’m not really mad about it. It’s semi-amusing.
As Coach can attest (hell, even Lew and I went round and round many times last year), I like to argue. But I have to try SO hard to not personally attack somebody. Everybody is entitled to their opinion. That’s what makes this blog so great. You can agree with a particular poster on one subject, but may find yourself in heated discussion about another.
I just love to read what other posters are thinking as things go down. I’m sure my sarcasm occasionally portrays me as being rude, or an angry human.
That’s not the case. But I learned many years ago, that if you can’t throw some humor around, you’re in for a long journey. How’s the old saying go? “Laughter is the best medicine”?
Well for me, nothing makes me laugh more, than some well placed sarcasm, so that’s what I do, and appreciate.
I guess that’s why I find, Robert so amusing. I appreciate his sarcasm, even though he’d probably argue that he’s being DEAD SERIOUS. While he tends to beat a dead horse…er…..I mean, donkey. I truely believe he continues to post his Bobby banter in the hopes of finding others that agree with him.
Speaking of you, Coach. NOW what the hell are we going to argue about, if Cormier’s injury prevents him from contributing, all while Redman and Davies both stink up the joint? Not to mention if HoRam has another mediocre season (proving NEITHER of us right. LOL!
By NO CHOP ZONE
March 30, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
If the Mets make the playoffs it will be well deserved. They will face Every 2006 playoff team in 2007. Must have been a Braves fan who put that schedule together……..
By MBATL
March 30, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
caveman22, come on, man, it’s “LorenWhatchaGot”, not “WatchagotLoran”!
Shaun, I poked around a little on ‘streakiness.’ My conclusion is, it’s pretty hard to prove streakiness without a lot of work (and who knows, maybe it’s impossible).
However, it couldn’t be that hard for a stats guru (which I’m not) to formulate a “consistency factor” to measure how close to a player’s overall average he typically hits in a given time period (like months).
Basically, a measure of how far above or below a player’s overall average he hits in a typical month (or your could use obp, slg, ops). An “.89” factor might indicate a very consistent player, a “.52” an inconsistent one. (I’m not a statistician, so that’s a simplistic model, I’m sure)
There HAS to be a number - the question is, whether the variations are great enough to mean anything (I still think Furcal, for example, IS a streaky hitter, and I think his career numbers bear that out, but I haven’t looked at enough others to say for sure.)
Maybe it would be a meaningless number, but the sabre folks measure everything else, so why not this? Anyway, really not arguing any more - but do think it’s interesting.
By MBATL
March 30, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
NO CHOP ZONE, that’s a valid point. The Braves don’t exactly have it easy either, with 2 series with the BoSox and then the upper half of the AL Central - but point taken.
That whole interleague deal is just absurd. If they’re gonna do it, at least all teams in the division should play the same schedule. It’s just a sellout (like the Allstar Game/WS connnection and the DH). But you’re right, the Met’s have it tough in interleague this year.
By Miss Manners
March 30, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
I leave you with this thought borrowed from another: “Wad some power the gift to gie us To see ourselves as others see us.”
Did Miss Manners spell that right?
Miss Manners has left the building.
By N8
March 30, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
Lew
As for your question earlier in the week about the weather coming my way. It’s not blizzarding (is that a word?), but it got down to the upper 20’s last night and the skys opened up with some freezing rain ALL NIGHT. Nothing like watching the dog slide of the deck when letting her outside.
BTW: I must’ve missed it when you posted your website with your artwork. Would you mind posting a link again for me.
DOB
I’m planning a trip to Minneapolis to catch at least a couple of the Twins/Braves games in June. Aaaah. Aint nothing quite like watching baseball in the HHH Metrodome. I think I’d rather pour rubbing alcohol on a paper cut. But I can’t pass up going to the Twin Cities again (couldn’t make it last time interleague brought the Braves to Minneapolis).
By ernesto
March 30, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
No Chop - Every team in the East plays the same teams…so what are you whining about? And since the Braves didn’t make the playoffs last year and the Mets did, los Bravos actually play one more playoff team.
By Tommy A.
March 30, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
The original Pancho and Lefty was sung by Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. Wrote by them also. Every see the video.
By Lew
March 30, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
Nathan-Yes, we do go round and round-me and Shaun, too. But I can’t remember any of us wanting to kick each other’s behinds. Argument is fun, that’s all (of course Shan IS usually wrong). Rene-Yes, I even hated the Gators when Lindsay Scott ran for 90 something yards and helped us win a National Championship. Getting our behinds handed to us year in and year out doesn’t make me any more favorably disposed to them. But don’t worry, it’s nothing personal. I don’t like Clemson, either.
By Shaun
March 30, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
not just OBP, OPS, and whatever abbreviation people use to justify that a player can hit well.
No stats “justify” that a player can hit well (whatever that means). They are just measures of how well players do certain things.
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Well here I am—caveshit…
By Fred from CT
March 30, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
no chop zone sounds like a little complaining. It is a little to early to be starting with the excuses.
By Fed Up
March 30, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Carolina Lady:
Back in the ’70s, we used to train our dogs, all mixed terriers, using M&Ms as treats. We, of course, did not know that this could be harmful. But none of our dogs had any ill effects from a few M&Ms. I think this chocolate thing is way over blown. I’ve had friends panic because their dog licked a chocolate wrapper.
By ernesto
March 30, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Ooooh, Tommy A - better go study your Texas singer songwriters.
By NO CHOP ZONE
March 30, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
Ernesto…..b4 you post check the schedule. The Mets play every team that made the playoffs in the NL And AL (interleague play)…..ok papi
By journalist jimmy smith
March 30, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
quick! somebody check grinch for chocolate poisoning! grinch has all the symptoms :-)!!
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Some of you people are real works of art—it was very obvious that I used Fitzhugh’s work to poke fun at Robert and his donkey fetish—but I do wonder how many of you geniuses would have even known what Fitzhugh was referring to if I hadn’t used it in the context of Robert, Bobby Cox & a donkey?…
caveman—you are about the most next to nothing flash in the pan to ever hit this blog, the more you say, the more that fact stands out—I’ll still be here after you’re long gone and forgotten about—at least you have someone who is on the same intellectual level as you to blog with now…today he his using the name joebrave…
Funny thing is…you’re still insulting Lew and he doesn’t even realize it yet…
By ernesto
March 30, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
No Chop - My bad. I stand corrected. We do not play the same interleague schedule. The Mets play the Yanks, Twins, Tigers, and A’s. The Bravos play the Red Sox, Indians, Tigers, and Twins.
Hardly a big advantage either way - could argue either way for who is playing the tougher schedule.
By Lew
March 30, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
Nathan- lewhartman.com
By Shaun
March 30, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
MBATL,
I agree. Streakiness seems difficult to define and measure. Should a streak be defined like a hitting streak? Should it be defined in terms of plate appearances, games? Should we look at it on a PA-by-PA basis? A game-by-game basis? A series-by-series basis?
By caveman22
March 30, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
mbatlyou’re right, see what a Flintstones OD can do to you. Make you mess up the 30 yr old catch phrase.
sja Is this gonna be a “scripted” match. If it is I have to be able to Kick Out of your Finishing Move at least once before I do the JOB in the Main Event. Or we can do that whole band together and tag-team on people while at the same time making everyone wonder when we’re gonna “turn” on each other with a Chair Shot to back of the head. But I’m not Kissing Mr McMahon a$$ on live TV!!
by the way “cavesh#t” is a double negative. It’s also redundant.
By Lew
March 30, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
SJA-No, I just no longer care to play the game.
By journalist jimmy smith
March 30, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
why are there no chocolate dogs at easter? why only rabbits and ducks? and what of peeps? what is a peep? why would anyone eat a blue peep? and if a dog ate a peep would the dog die or would the dog pee(p)? these are questions for other bloggers to answer. and will carolina lady know why there are no chocolate dogs? and why do krispy kremes not come yet in animal shapes? and if krispy kreme seizes this idea will jimmy smith be paid royalties? and if wicky were to wrangle a poodle-shaped kripsy kreme covered in chocolate would this improve wicky’s demeanor? and what of the distasteful practice of removing a chaw and throwing it on ed mangum’s field? wouldn’t wicky just swallow the chocolate doughnut? the season begins soon. go braves!
By MGL
March 30, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
ernesto - The Braves have the tougher schedule, we also play that perfect Mets team 18 times.
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady—tsk..tsk..tsk…Don’t tell me you’re plagiarizing my old fraternity brother who writes articles for Dog Owner’s Digest…cause what you said sounds like what he said about the same thing…say it isn’t so…
By Carolina Lady
March 30, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
SJA, I thought the intent of your Fitzhugh post was hilarious. Excellent! :-)))
By journalist jimmy smith
March 30, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
sja, jimmy smith recognized kirk’s work immediately. it is okay to educate others with kirk’s work. kirk would like that. kirk might also appreciate attribution but sja took care of that, too. yes, sja, there are high-brows and low-brows on this blog - and if roachy ever visits there is a uni-brow. jimmy smith thinks this is our first cave dweller, though.
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Lew—I’m going to have to take your cue on this one and just ignored this ignorant bastard—he is hands down the dumbest thing that ever hit this blog…not worth the sweat off my bulls…Unbelievable!
By MBATL
March 30, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Shaun, I would guess that with these newfangled computers, streaks could be defined as most any time period one wanted to plug in.
For instance, a player might have a .89/30 consistency factor, meaning that, broken out over 30 game intervals, they hit within 89 pct of their overall average. Or a .67/20, etc. It would probably make sense to come up with a standard - right now, most stats are based on either career or year, and the latter is really just as arbitrary as “month” would be.
Anyway, I’ll let it go, and give you the last word, which I know you’ll eventually have anyway. I thought you LIKED statistical analyses, and I was suggesting that this might be an interesing one.
btw, I know it wasn’t directed to me, but your statement that: No stats “justify” that a player can hit well (whatever that means). They are just measures of how well players do certain things. is just plain argumentative.
Are you telling us that Chipper’s lifetime .304/.402/.542 don’t indicate that he can hit well? That there is no such thing as a statistical indication that a player is a good hitter?
By Lew
March 30, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Poor Little Chop Zone-Already lining up excuses for why the Mets will lose the division. The only differences in the schedules is that we play the Red Sox-you play the Yankees. We play Cleveland while you play the A’s. Those are the only differences. We play every other playoff team, just like you. I think it’s quite interesting that you bring this up. I guess it’s never too early to make excuses. Probably has something to do with that awful pitching. However, Grasshopper, that excuse won’t fly anymore than that ugly apple in the outfield. When the Mets lose the division, you’ll have to come up with a better reason than we play Cleveland for three games while you play the A’s. Whatever. Dude. That’s just lame.
By Shaun
March 30, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
ernesto an NO CHOP,
I know I’m going to get called a Philadelphian or a Phillies apologist but what does the Phillie interleague schedule look like? They could be the ones getting lucky in all this.
By Carolina Lady
March 30, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
jjs - Peter Rabbit = chocolate rabbits.
Chocolate ducks = limited marketing imagination. No chocolate dogs = aversion by civilized people to eating dogs. Krispy Kreme: no need to improve upon perfection. Wicky’s chaw: Ed has most likely laid down the law on chaws on the field! Known as the Chaw Law. Can’t even imagine the penalty! :-))
By Arkansas Hillbilly
March 30, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
Journalist Jimmy, I’ll predict Wicky will register 32 tossed chaws in 36 chaw-toss chances. Thoughts??
By Carolina Lady
March 30, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
SJA, no - just a simple Google search (dogs+chocolate) and copy and paste. For informative purposes only. :-))
By The Grinch
March 30, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
Scalp ‘em, I’m not surprised about your newspaper. Anything Auburn-related probably doesn’t understand the concept of something bigger than two inches. :-)
Laurence Maney, the Majestic is a cool place, and I agree at some point Bobby has to let Davies work out of that awful inning. I just believe that time is the 8th inning of a 26-0 game being played after we’ve locked the division up and our regulars are in the hot tub.
N8, have no fear; you’re all right for a…whatevercoloryouare-boy. Besides, you argue most of my points for me with coach when I just don’t feel like getting into it. And if rambling were a sin, there’d be a round dozen of us hanging alongside you.
Whoever asked about rooting for Florida: I love the SEC. It’s the only worthwhile conference in NCAA sports. HOWEVER, I wouldn’t root for Florida if I were Marcellus Wallace in the Pawn Shop basement during “Pulp Fiction” and my boody depended on it. No freaking way. Anyone with any sense already knows the SEC represents; they don’t need my help that bad. I hope they never win another game in any sport. And good as they are, the SEC would still be the best conference if they were somewhere else.
No Chop Zone, don’t tell me you’re already making excuses…
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady—Thank you very much, and I wasn’t admonishing you either, just making a point about how often everyone on this blog must “Google” at times—have a great day nice lady!…
By Carolina Lady
March 30, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
MBATL, I recently saw a guy standing at a corner having a heated debate with a stop sign. Coulda been Shaun. :-))
By caveman22
March 30, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
sja I am so dissapointed. But I guess it’s true — You pop a bully in the mouth and he ain’t so tough anymore. I was just joking around with you but you obviously take this waaaayyyyyyy too seriously. So if I talk nice and blog about the Bravos I’m an A*******Monkey, and if I rip off your head off and puke down your throat — I’m ignorant and not worth the trouble. You ain’t nothing but a cyberspace joke. I even poked fun at myself, gave you leg up and you wilted. Crybaby!!
LOLOLOL
Geeeeezzz
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
jimmy smith—Actually when I was taking advantage of Fitzhugh’s writings I really wasn’t taking time to notice who’s article it was—I was too busy laughing to myself about how Robert would take it…didn’t mean to offend Fitzhugh or you jimmy, believe it or not…
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
MBATL: The hard part about analysis of a streaky player is the need to have sequential data. There isn’t much of that available. For the best possible analysis, you’d have to have the results of each at bat in the order they were taken and all the peripheral factors you can have. I know of no source that has this statistical detail available to common users for the entire career of every player. However, you can break it down by month, since this break down is readily available. So I ran Furcal’s numbers and juxtaposed them with LaRoche, AJ, and Pujols. Furcal is very streaky; more so than any of those guys. AJ and LaRoche scored the same in streakiness. Pujols was as steady as a rock. I don’t know how else to put it. But every part of Pujols game is consistent. It’s amazing. He has to be a robot.
By The Grinch
March 30, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
Dang, Jimmy; I knew I shouldn’t have snorted that last Mr. Goodbar. Is there an antidote? Perhaps a glass of milk? As for “Peeps,” I believe they’re the preferred candy of hip-hop artists. They’re always giving shout-outs and much love to their “Peeps.” Should Snoop Dogg avoid Theobromine? Snoop! You must not have chocolate Peeps! They’ll give you diarrhea! You may only hang out with Whites, Asians, Jews, Mexicans, Samoans and Innuits. :-)
By The Stranger
March 30, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Tommy A.: “The original Pancho and Lefty was sung by Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. Wrote by them also.”
Wow.
That is not only false, it is borderline blasphemy. With all due respect for Merle & Wille, if you’ve never heard of a man named Townes, then you need to dig a little deeper, my friend.
By Shaun
March 30, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
btw, I know it wasn’t directed to me, but your statement that: No stats “justify” that a player can hit well (whatever that means). They are just measures of how well players do certain things. is just plain argumentative.
Are you telling us that Chipper’s lifetime .304/.402/.542 don’t indicate that he can hit well? That there is no such thing as a statistical indication that a player is a good hitter?
MBATL,
That’s not what I’m saying; I’m saying the opposite. I’m saying Chipper’s .304/.402/.542 helps a great deal to measure how great Chipper has been.
I was just responding to whoever posted that OBP or OPS “justifies” that a player can hit well. It’s not justification, it’s indication and measurement. It almost sounded like that person was making the argument of anti-stat people—that people use stats to justify their opinions instead of using stats as what they are, measures of performance.
By MBATL
March 30, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
If one does not respect his opponent, there is no glory in defeating him.
(actually, I don’t know that Sun Tzu actually said this - I just made it up)
By Carolina Lady
March 30, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
SJA, Google is my best friend! :-)))
By Shaun
March 30, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
MBATL,
No need to get snippy. I was trying to agree with you when you said it’s hard to measure and define streakiness.
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
CL: LOL. I recently saw a guy standing at a corner having a heated debate with a stop sign. Coulda been Shaun.
I think I saw this guy. He was in it deep with a yeild sign… “what do you mean by yeild? Should I slow to 5 mph? Should we measure this as an overall percentage of velocity reduction? I just don’t know if I can agree with this. I googled yield and it came back with a lot evidence to suggest otherwise.”
By The Stranger
March 30, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
Caveman, you’ve had your 15 minutes here. Time’s up. Now get back down to the Dunder Mifflin warehouse and get some work done. Please. Your comedy act is obviously too sophisticated for this crowd. Honestly, it’s not you, it’s us.
By Rodger
March 30, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
CL, if civilzed people are averse to eating dogs, why are Chinese restaurants so popular?
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
What’s the matter caveshit—ol’ JackAss hit a nerve—guess that would be remarkable considering the fact that you’re brain dead…see I told you not to try playing cockball with TheJackAss…
What happened to all those intriquing ‘baseball’ questions that you had for DOB?…and the comedy, what about doin’ some of that comedy for the blog?…you better run along now and play with children of your own age and intellectual level…say the 3 to 5 year olds…because from now I will be ignoring you as if you’re infantile little rants…you’re not at the level to rate a reply from TheSouthernJackAss!
By Lew
March 30, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Has anyone started to feel the Mets’ pain? It now seems that the talks between the Cubs and Carlos Zambrano have heated up and a long term deal by Monday looks very much like it could happen. So much for Metro Dude’s “Wait til next year” strategy. Couple that with the fact that Santana, who they keep talking about as their free agent savior, is under contract through 08. Whatever will the Mets do? Oh well, it could really be worse. Colorado was unable to sign either Reitsma or Kolb in the offseason. That really says something.
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady—A redneck could give up going to Wal-Mart easier than a blogger could give up using Google…
By NO CHOP ZONE
March 30, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
We play the Yankees 6 times as opposed to 3 for the Braves. And I wasn’t making excuses just making a point before it gets forgotted during the season. Lock and load baby…..The Mets will be ready.
By Fred from CT
March 30, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
no chop zone we play the red sox six times and the sox are better then the yanks this year. Typical new yorker whining and making excuses.
By Willy Wally
March 30, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
Boo-Hoo! The Mets have to play a tough schedule. Oh, Boo-freaking-hoo! It sounds to me like you are already making excuses for what you now know to be the inevitable - Braves win another division.
By Willy Wally
March 30, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
FORGOTTED?!?!?!?
FORGOTTEDABOUTIT?!?!?!?!?!
By Rodger
March 30, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
Not wanting to start a war, but did y’all read Terence Moore’s piece yesterday? What a bunch of hogwash! By zero blacks on the Braves, does he mean that Pena, Aybar, Renteria, and AJ aren’t “black” enough? Give me a break.
By Shaun
March 30, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
Actually, baseballreference.com has game-by-game results. Not sure how far back it goes (probably can’t look up results from 1902). You can look at players’ results on a game-by-game basis. Of course you can’t look at it on a plate appearance-by-plate appearance basis (i.e., you can’t tell if a player got a two hits in a row or one hit in the first inning and one hit in the ninth).
This is how I concluded that there doesn’t appear to be streak patterns. I know it’s unscientific, but if you just scroll down the schedule at Adam LaRoche’s game-by-game results you won’t see any clear patterns of streakiness.
Seems like if LaRoche was an unusually streaky hitter, we would see several on-base or hitting streaks and several on-baseless or hitless streaks.
It just looks like maybe consecutive games with a hit followed by consecutive games without a hit. Or maybe a five game hitting streak followed by a two game hitless streak followed by a three game hitting streak.
Again, that’s very unscientific but maybe there’s something to it.
By Carolina Lady
March 30, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
OH! A new blog word: forgotted! :-))
SJA, I must be one of ‘em because I’m there regularly! (Best buy on 25-lb bags of sunflower seed you can find around here!) Actually, I’m much more than just a redneck: many shades of blue, some purple, little bit of yellow….. :-)))) But the swelling is mostly gone now so judicious use of makeup mostly conceals my misadventure!
Rodger, beats me! I don’t go to ‘em. :-)
Got chores and errands waiting. Y’all have a great afternoon! (Play nice!!)
By Willy Wally
March 30, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
Did Skip Caray really need to run back home for his dog because the darn dog overindulged on chocolate?
Does his dog run home every time Skip overindulges on alcohol & liquor?
If so, that dog must be a running fool.
I was also wondering what does a man with a Dog’s name name his dog?
By NO CHOP ZONE
March 30, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
The Braves play the Red Sox 6 times? That’s news to me. I agree the Sox will be better than the Yanks so I’ll give you that one. I expect to win every game. So if you think I was using the schedule as an exuse you’re mistaken……Lets Go Mets!!!
By Rodger
March 30, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
For the Mets sake, they better hope Hoss isn’t healthy-then they have to face him 18 times!
By Willy Wally
March 30, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
EXUSE?!?!?!?!
That’s a new word too. Did you forgotted the c somewhere in there?
By Chris
March 30, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
New blog up!!!
By MBATL
March 30, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
Shaun, no offense intended… God willing, we’ll live to beat another subject into the ground.
Aargh… I still think there’s an interesting statistical analysis to be discussed, but you disagree with EVERYTHING and it just makes me … so … damn … SNIPPY!
By Shaun
March 30, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Not wanting to start a war, but did y’all read Terence Moore’s piece yesterday? What a bunch of hogwash! By zero blacks on the Braves, does he mean that Pena, Aybar, Renteria, and AJ aren’t “black” enough? Give me a break.
Rodger,
Articles like that are very depressing to me. I’m not naive enough to think there is no such thing as skin-color discrimination (I don’t like the term racism because I believe race is a social construct) but come on, Terrence.
He says “And, please, no more silliness about how African-Americans are just not into the game anymore and preferring basketball and football.”
Well, what if it’s true? Is it silliness if it’s true that many people that identify themselves as African-American are not into baseball as much as other sports?
Articles like this that accuse the “establishment” of discrimination and presumes victim-hood are just depressing to me. If I were black, I would be upset that people like me see us in that fashion—that we can never rise up and make anything of ourselves.
By Lew
March 30, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
ChopZone-We don’t play the Yankees at all. We play the Red Sox 6 times. The Red Sox have a much better pitching staff than the Yankees. Dude, the schedule’s got nothing to do with the Mets losing the division this year. It IS just an excuse, because it will have no bearing whatsoever.
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
New Blog is up. Though not a DOB blog. But Carroll seems to be doing just fine.
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
I expect to win every game.
OK Pete Rose, calm down.
By auburn gal
March 30, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
DOB Thank you so much for keeping us fanatics in the loop. Love you. Love the Braves. CANNOT wait to play ball. I hate to ask you to repeat yourself but I just have to know why you hate Disney so. Thanks again for everything.
By lifelongbravesfan
March 30, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
Keep up the funny posts Caveman. The only thing Southern JA is upset about is that you just gave him and the rest of his crew a heavy dose of the crap he’s been given everybody else from day one. Anybody with a brain can see that mosts of your posts are just funny joking around. We all notice that when Wayne from UT gave you a little rub you when right along with it and kept poking fun at yourself.
I know JA is going to tell me to f’off or something because that’s all he can do to the truth. I hope caveman stays around, don’t let these self-important “regulars”, as N8 called them, run the show. There are lots of people like me who have been hitting this site the last few days just reading and laughing at all of the “drama”. And I know DOB isn’t upset about all the extra hits to his award winning blog. He didn’t win that because of 7 regulars and a chocoholate dog. JA you may be here long after caveman is gone but that’s just because even a caveman can evolve and go onto new things, but a Jackass is just always going to be a Jackass. And now the whole blog can see what your little group really is all about.
A bunch of 2 yr olds who don’t want to share their toys (blog)!!!!
Caveman - 1 Regulars - just a bunch of zeros.
Wow- those Bam-Bams really do pack a kick!!
By RED and BLACK
March 30, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Miss Manners is anything but.
By Renegator
March 30, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Rodger - good point on the Chinese restaurants although I prefer the Sweet & Sour Kitten.
By Lew
March 30, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
ChopZone-Every game? Dude you couldn’t even win the NLCS when you had the best team in the playoffs. I hope you’re an Aerosmith fan. Dream On.
By Rafael Santana
March 30, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Caveman = Joebrave = Lifelongbravesfan.
Trying to be funny and being funny are two different things Caveman. Everyone knows Caveman is trying to be funny. The problem is he is not. Even and eight year old would find his material corny.
By caveman22
March 30, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
thanks lifelong.
It’s so easy to see the truth even a caveman can see it..
Try mixing in a few Dino’s with the Bam-Bams too. you;ll see lot’s of COLORS !!!
By joebrave
March 30, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
Hey Rafael Santana boy don’t put me in th mix with no Philthidelphia retard sympathizer,and caveman can’t hold my jock.so before your lousy arse starts calling me out pick a fight with someone on your own two year old level beatch like ummm oh yes the Grand ol SJA.buncha dumba$$ sonsabitches
By JUST LISTENING
March 30, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
SJA-Ref your 11:23 post of 3/29-I was about to say the same thing.
By Chuck
March 30, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
What can you tell me about non-roster invitee Dave Clark? I read a note that he has a .424 batting average this spring. That would be a fun story to hear about. Maybe he could be called as a DH in the AL if a bunch of them got hurt or something. Chuck
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Look at these As$Clowns self-destructing—pitiful…Unbelievable!…
By Scalp 'Em Braves
March 30, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
OK - back from making a living.
Grinch: Birmingham ain’t an Auburn town - the Crimson Turds own it, and the newspaper. As for the two inch remark, figured someone’s mind would sink low enough to come up a pecker reference - should have known it would be you Grinch ;o). Of course, since Georgia fans think about little other than the next leg that will be humped, or the closest fire hydrant to bespoil, comes as no surprise.
DOB - every heard Emmy Lou’s version of Pancho and Lefty? It’s on the Luxury Liner album - she did a really nice job of it. Of course, she’s got the pipes to make any song sound good.
By caveman22
March 30, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
sja- ok donkeyboy. thanks for the sparring session. I got 10 bucks that says you’re as poor of a person psysically as you are mentally. stick around this blog forever if you want to. If this is what makes you a special person in life, well then I don’t want to take that away from you. but you really need to get over your obsession with the A*******es of things. Makes you look kind of gay dude.
By bfred
March 30, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this
I’m sure my employer would be thrilled to know that I spent the better part of the afternoon making my way through the string on this blog, but it’s been good fun for me. Only comments: people don’t mind eating Chinese because there are a billion of them and that amount of supply means cheap meat. The other is to keep any references to Terrence’s columns off of this blog. We’re here to talk baseball, so let’s keep it about permance - not race.
By the way, I moved from my glorious hometown of Atlanta to Houston 18 months ago and will continue my trend of making a fool of myself at every Braves visiting game so watch for me. Started with game 5 of the 2005 NLDS, which didn’t work out so well for me, but it was good practice.
By bfred
March 30, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah: big love for the Old 97s, and bless the SEC - Commodores in particular (Green TRAVELED!). By the way Florida never hangs 60 on the Dores, who cover against the Gators every year - with class.
By Steve-O
March 30, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this
My O My,
No Chop Zone is ALREADY making excuses!! HAAAA…….
Hey listen up Metropolitan Man, NO CHOP ZONE and other 7-train riders, ALL of us Braves fans would kindly appreciate it if you continue to show your Blue and Orange pride once they start gettin beaten up this year much like the previous 8 or 9 before last year. Don’t go hiding out and not showing up. Thats all we ask is that once ATL is on top, that you show up here and man up.
MONDAY CANT COME SOON ENOUGH!!!
By TheSouthernJackAss
March 30, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this
AJC can’t maintain their blogs, and caveshit22/lifelongbravesfan/joebrave/acoupleothernames can’t control his bowels…
By Tebow the Show
March 30, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
Give me an E
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me an M
Give me an A
Give me an N
Give me an I
Give man an A
Give me a C
Give me an S
By Robert
March 30, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this
“Let me put it to you this way!!! The manager can only implement the plays and create opportunity for success”
No. He can also, by virtue of the way he implements the plays and the players, create the opportunity for failure. At this, Cox excels.
“Robert may I challenge you to a quiz? tell me who is the greatest Braves lead off hitter of all time R.Furcal or R.Garr?”
Brett Butler
“I hope this will help to simplify, and aid in your understanding as to the processes by which you arrived at the conclusion that Bobby Cox is a donkey—Robert…”
Amusing try, but I can tell you how I arrived at my conclusions in a much simpler, clearer, and less verbose way
I watched Braves games, live and on tv, for many many years. And I watched some Blue Jays baseball back in the days when Cox was mismanaging them out of title opportunities back when most of y’all were in third grade for only the second or third time
By joebrave
March 30, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
Robert nice try! but your as assinine as SJA you two a*******clowns are made for each other by the way Dumbass Brett Butler never led off for the Braves he was only a spot starter before he got traded to Cleveland.what a joke!!!
By joebrave
March 30, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this
And Terrence Moore is still one stupid racially retarded sonsabitch!!!!!
By assinine
March 30, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this
joebrave, didn’t you used to be one of the 2 homo boys?
By joebrave
March 30, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
No assinine I don’t play with Rainbow warriors you little homos need to learn what a good woman is for and it ain’t your hand maid Idiot!!!! how bout next time you look in the mirror and check out the little fairy f* looking back at you beatch!!!!!
By Coach
March 31, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this
Actually , Butler became the Braves lead off hitter and center fielder midway through the 1982 season and did it full time(151 games) in 1983 before being traded in the Len Barker debalicle.
By Boomer
March 31, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
Man, whoever’s doing the Robert character now has the original flair of its creators, the Berry Boys. Methinks they have slipped back into their little deception. Haven’t heard from them in weeks.