AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USChange is probably good for Langerhans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nostalgia aside, folks, the trade of Ryan Langerhans felt like relief to me. Gosh, with all due respect to such a nice guy, here is what my first reaction was to yesterday’s news: “ahhhhh” - like how it feels when you’ve just sat down in a hot tub.
It had gotten brutal to watch. It made you squirm in your seat or want to look away. And when you looked at Langerhans, walking by in the clubhouse, he would look away. Seemed he wanted to avoid your eyes. Painful.
Langerhans was hitting .068 (3-for-44). He had his first extra-base hit and first RBI yesterday. Together with three RBI from platoon-mate Matt Diaz, that gave the Braves the lowest RBI total among left fielders in baseball this year. Their .162 batting average was tied with the Washington Nationals for worst among left fielders in the majors.
My eyes nearly popped out of my head last Tuesday when Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez chose to walk him with first base open and two outs in the ninth inning. My eyes were still bugging when Pete Orr got to first, having driven in two runs.
Gosh, Langerhans is soft-spoken and a gentleman and not nearly as bad a player as this stretch made him look. That said, I have to think, as painful as it was to leave the team he came up with, a change has to be good for him too, just to break up what was going on.
For all intents and purposes, call-up Willie Harris would seem to be a temporary fix, someone to plug into a left field platoon with Diaz, until the Braves make a deal to bring in somebody proven.
But you also never know.
The Braves have caught lightning in a bottle before. Remember Chuck Thomas? Remember Nick Green? Come to think of it, from what I can tell, Harris has a little bit of Charles Thomas in him. (Thomas was known to be beyond media friendly, salt of the earth, regular dude.)
Harris approached me one day in spring training this year and said “Excuse me, but have we met yet? I’m Willie Harris.” He stuck out his hand. Thirteen years for me around baseball clubhouses, and that was a first.
Harris brings speed (7 steals in 17 games in Richmond), versatility (DOB writes he can play all three outfield positions, second and third) a little bit of experience (played parts of four seasons up with the Chicago White Sox and one with Baltimore), and a bat that might not have the greatest history (.238 career batting average in majors), but at least it’s got a shot at producing. He’s got a running start, having hit .362 in AAA Richmond.
The Braves always like a good glove, but left field is a place they need production, and it seems like they search out there almost every year. Check out the turnstile in the last 10 years.
Just opening day lineups alone, the Braves have played seven leftfielders in the last 10 years. (Ryan Klesko, Otis Nixon, Reggie Sanders, B.J. Surhoff, Chipper Jones, Brian Jordan and Langerhans.)
The most regular left field presence was Chipper Jones - out there from 2002, 2003 and part of 2004.
That list doesn’t include the other guys playing left field in 2004 like Eli Marrero and Dewayne Wise, who’s injury paved the way for Charles Thomas’ callup that June.
Many within the Braves organization didn’t even know who Thomas was. But he was the hot bat when they needed somebody new. He was leading the International League in hitting (.358) at the time. And he took off in Atlanta. He hit .372 in his first 28 games. He wound up hitting .288 for the Braves that season, a spark plug and fan favorite. For the season leading all National League rookies with a .378 on-base percentage.
He left in the trade that brought Tim Hudson from the Oakland Athletics.
My point is, there’s a precedent if Harris gets any big ideas.
And as a little aside, Harris is only the second player born in Cairo, Ga. to play in the major leagues. Need I say the other?
Should be an interesting day at the ballpark. We have Harris’ arrival. We have a chance to find out more about what is going on with Bob Wickman - candid as he was yesterday after another blown save when he said “I think there has to be something wrong that I can’t throw a strike.” We find out how Lance Cormier’s right triceps is doing and whether he’ll resume his injury rehab.
Oh and Hudson gets to return to the mound to try and forget that ninth inning meltdown in Florida that ruined his last start. Not to mention other things he’s trying to get off his mind like the recent deaths of his grandmother and former Auburn teammate Josh Hancock.
Stay tuned, good people.
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Comments
By Bubba
April 30, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
Lets hope Harris can be a help in left field. Good luck to Langy but it was time for him to move on.
By DAP
April 30, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
what a beautiful day today! i wish i could be down at turner field tonight but i wont make it. those of you who are going, cheer extra loud for me!
By Scrib
April 30, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
Question, hasn’t Pete Orr played LF in the past? Any chance he’s going to get some at bats out there?
By Haze Gray
April 30, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
I hate to see Ryan go. He was one of the few clean ones. I really don’t like the Yankees but I pull for them when they are playing a bunch of nasties. Wichman got a hex put on him by me and I may have to hex the whole team.
By Jason J.
April 30, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Like I’ve said before…..Bernie Williams is dying to p[lay this year. He would probably come relatively cheap and have a positive influence on and off the field (not to mention the stands). It’s at least worth looking into, I’m amazed it hasn’t come up more. Look at what Sosa’s doing in Texas now, Bernie could do the same for the Braves!
By JM
April 30, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
I’ll be pulling for Willie Harris, but a career .600 OPS in the major leagues doesn’t give me much hope. He seems like a hybrid of Orr and Woodward to me. Good speed, no pop, not much ability as a hitter to speak of. But he could catch lightning in a bottle for a few weeks, I suppose.
I just don’t like the Langerhans trade. Granted he wasn’t hitting, and probably never was going to be much of a weapon with the bat, but I just have a problem with giving up a guy with a .337 career OBP who brings Gold Glove defense to the table. Maybe if we needed offensive help (although I contend Langer is a more valuable offensive player than Harris) more than we needed defensive help I’d be fine with it, but we don’t. We were scoring more than enough runs as it was.
By Just Bob
April 30, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
No offense intended Carroll, but when you first started with the AJC you wrote like you had a stick up your a**. You’ve loosened up, girl! Kudos! You and DOB keep it actual.
By Bubba
April 30, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
I predict something very special for Hudson tonight. 15 ks or a complete game shutout, could be wrong but just a hunch.
By Glass Half Full
April 30, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Assuming that the Braves get a player instead of cash froms the A’s, has there been any indication from Braves people about who they would like to acquire from Oakland? If not specific players, what positions would they be interested in?
By GMM
April 30, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
Why not bring up one of the young kids like Blanco? It gives him an opportunity to play now plus he’s probably going to play CF next year when Andruw leaves.
By ATL Bravo
April 30, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
Matt Diaz is hitting .278 vs. Leftys and .235 vs. Rightys, so I’m thinkin’ Bobby is gona keep the platoon thing going with Harris and Diaz as it was with Langerhans and Harris. ATLbravo
By matt
April 30, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
Langerhans seemed like a good guy but I think a change was needed. Don’t know that I would’ve necessarily traded him v.s. sending him down and bringing somebody else up. The Braves have like 3 minor league OF batting over .330. Whatever though, it could be a good thing for everybody involved. Time will tell.
By Paul In Richmond
April 30, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Does the AWOL of Aybar mean that we are short a player on the bench? Or are we allowed to call up someone just in case?
When the game goes into extra innings I wonder if that empty spot isn’t hurting us.
By Glass Half Full
April 30, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
Langerhans is out of options; he’d have to clear waivers before he could be sent down.
By A.J.
April 30, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
If Willie Harris is another Charles Thomas then we’ll be pretty lucky.
One of my greatest baseball watching moments ever was sitting in the left field seats in 2004 for Game 5 of the NLDS. Yeah, we lost that game in a really really ugly fashion, but the part that I loved was watching Charles Thomas sprint out into left field in the top of the first.
That dude was so excited. It is just so much fun to watch a guy who gets it, who understands how special his opportunity is and who is just brimming with excitement.
That kid would sign autographs for every single person waiting by the Braves player parking lot every single day. Then he’d get into his Ford Taurus and drive home like any regular person.
I was sad when we traded him (like Langy), and I was even more sad to see him struggle in Oakland. As little as he’s shown since that trade, part of me hopes that he could still be that Player to Be Named in this deal and that somehow being back in Atlanta will let him replicate the success he had that season.
It is sad that they don’t always produce, but I am happy to give a chance to any Charles Thomas, Ryan Langerhans, Matt Diaz, Pete Orr or apparently Willie Harris to come out and have a career year, because when it happens to so good a kid as these guys it is just so much more exciting.
That’s also a reason why McCann and Francoeur are so lovable, the only difference between them and those other guys is the talent.
It has been great to watch them this year, they have really shown signs of being the guys who can carry this franchise.
By Bugger
April 30, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
Take the cash and put it in an investment account. Start taking up a collection at the ballpark and sock that away too. Save up for Andruw, he’s worth it.
By FanWithNoName
April 30, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Harris is actually the third player from Cairo to play in the majors. I’m sure you were thinking of Ernest Riles, Carroll, but don’t forget about Jackie. ;)
By flange1
April 30, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
Nice blog Carrol!
I think all of us Braves fans feel a certain amout of love for all of the babby Braves. At some point, others will leave, but is still hurts a bit to see them go. I agree that Langy needs a fresh start and I hope he enjoy his time with the A’s.
Let’s pound on the Phillies tonight!
By ugapip
April 30, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
Went to a ballgame one day and got to meet Ryan’s wife. She was helping with the player’s wives fundraiser that day. They will be missed but we do need more production from LF. I agree with using Pete Orr.
First though, let’s see what Matt Diaz can do on a regular basis.
By the way, I know you are wondering, she was hot!
By Fred Secunda
April 30, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
Hey Carroll, has anyone from AA been promoted to take Harris’ spot in AAA?
By jh
April 30, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
to “Paul in Richmond”….. That might be the dumbest post I’ve ever read
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 30, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
Speaking of Charles Thomas, he is in Oakland’s minor league system, and the Langerhans trade does called for a player to be named later to be sent to Atlanta… might the Braves try to reacquire him?
Doesn’t seem like that long since Langerhans started his major league career. If he really was out of options then the trade makes sense. If he wasn’t, it would have made more sense to send him down and get his swing right. But I’m assuming if they could have sent him down, they would have done it by now.
Also, Willie Harris is no kid, he’s been around for 6-7 years now.
By Jenny Craig
April 30, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
Why doesn’t someone state the obvious about Wickman? He’s way fat! I thought athletes getting paid millions of dollars to play little boy games are supposed to be in decent shape. This guys works maybe an inning and apparenlty spends the rest of the time in front of the dinner table.
By MizzouGuru
April 30, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
I think Bobby is keeping his options open as usual in terms of how he uses Harris. However, I think Diaz will get a chance to be the everyday LFer and Harris will be the late inning defensive replacement with some spot starts. There is no reason to think Diaz can’t hit. Harris, unlike Langerhans, is a career utility player and so the trade to Oakland is good for Langerhans and Harris, I’m sure, is just glad to be here. Also, by bringing up Harris, a utility player, they allow guys like Blanco to continue to play everday and develop down on the farm.
By 22oz
April 30, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
I wonder if Langerhans was yet another victim to fall because of platooning. Laroche once said that left handers kept him from opening up too much, I wonder if the imbalance has messed up Langy along the way. Ryan was at his best at the end of 2005 when he won the everyday job from Kelly (even though i do remember Bobby starting Brian Jordan in Game 1 of the division series, ugh). He was platooned again in 2006, and the slide began. Just speculating, but it would be quite a hoot if Langy took off in Oakland playing full time. Laroche took off when he got to play everyday, and Ryan always had good numbers against lefties. I’m an adamant opponent of platoons, and always will be.
By Paul In Richmond
April 30, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Sorry for my ignorance JH but it is a serious question.
When we need a right handed bat in the late innings are we short because our roster is missing a player? Or do the rules allow for us to bring up someone for the Aybar spot?
By Ohio Brave
April 30, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
Just thinking of who is available for LF if the current combo doesnt work, the cubs would probably take any trade and pay Jacque Jones salary for any takers and the CWS Brian Anderson is also likely available. Anderson has a ton of potential, but something is not going right in their clubhouse b/c he’s not getting any playing time. Maybe a change of scenery would do him good like it might for Langerhans.
By ugadawg
April 30, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
In my opinion, the platoon will do nothing good for anybody involved. It is one of the most outdated practices in baseball, yet one that Bobby continues to swear by. Time and again, players (like LaRoche & McCann) who were formerly platoon players, blossomed into good hitters when given the chance to hit everyday. You simply can’t develop a rhythm when hitting in spot duty every once in a while.
I think Langerhans, when given a fair shake, will excel. He’s got a glove only second to Andruw’s, and his hitting will come around. He had a great spring when playing more frequently, but simply couldn’t ever break away from the platoon. It took LaRoche nearly 3 full seasons to finally get his shot to do so.
By Steve McP
April 30, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Just regarding Cairo - Ernest Riles is actually willie Harris’s uncle
By MGL
April 30, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Paul in R - There has not been an open spot on the bench. Bench has been Wilson/Thorman, Diaz/Langerhans, Woodward, Orr, and Pena as BU catcher. That’s 25. Harris takes Langy’s spot.
By Glass Half Full
April 30, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
There are 25 players on the roster (12 pitchers and 13 fielders). Right-handed bench guys include Woodward, Wilson, Diaz, and the switch-hitting Pena.
By gajawjacker
April 30, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
Paul In Richmond - Our roster is right where is should be - 25 players or 25 and a half ( counting Wickman).
By doug
April 30, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
He is on the Disabled List Paul, he already has a replacement on the 25 man roster.
By Braves20
April 30, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Late with this update on our first base platoon after Thorman’s 4 for 4, the Wilson-Thorman tandem has soared to a combined .232 with a mere 26 punchouts in 95 at bats. Order the champagne!
By Jason J.
April 30, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Any feedback on my idea about Bernie Williams?
By Glass Half Full
April 30, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
Except for 2004, Harris hasn’t really been given an opportunity to hit at the big league level (kinda like Matt Diaz before last year). That year he played in 129 games, hitting .262 with an OBP in the .340s, and he stole 19 bases.
By 22oz
April 30, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
Amen ugadawg, amen.
By Jersey Gil
April 30, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
According to the Denver post today, Denver it putting Todd Helton in the trading block again…Denver are looking for pen help and a Center field…This a good scenario in June or july for the Braves if Andrew if not sign. “BIG TRADE… HELTON AND COOK TO THE BRAVES FOR ANDREW AND SALTY & MINOR LEAGUE PITCHER(this is IF Andrew agree) This Resolve the left field problem put in THOR in left and Helton in first AND OURS 4TH STARTER.BRING BLANCO UP. THE NEW BRAVES OWNERSHIP GIVE THE GREEN LIGHT TO JS TO EXPANDED THE PAYROLL
By josh
April 30, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Bernie Willaims is nothing like Sosa…because he never took steroids. Also, he doesnt play left, produces about the saem as Langerhans for more than twice the price, and he’s not going to leave New York.
By Eric
April 30, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
Just Bob,
Don’t know if anyone corrected you on this…but I’m pretty sure Carroll’s a guy. Unless, of course, he’s like that one LA Times writer…
I like bringing up Harris. He hit well in the Spring, and has started off hot, and is hungry to find a team. On top of that, he’s a former Kennesaw State Owl…so add another local product to the mix!
Plus, the guy has a disproportionately high amount of steals for someone with such a low career avg. Great pinch-running possibility, and lead off fill-in if we need it.
By sammy miller
April 30, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this
When I saw Sammy Miller playing left durring spring training I wondered why they didn’t keep this slick cat on the roster? He’s getting old but still believes he’s one of the kids of summer!
By josh
April 30, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
Bernie Williams is nothing like Sosa…he never took steroids. Plus, Bernie produces about as much as Langerhans offensively for more than twice the pay, he doesnt play left field, and he wont leave New York for us.
By josh
April 30, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
Bernie Williams is nothing like Sosa…he never took steroids. Plus, Bernie produces about as much as Langerhans offensively for more than twice the pay, he doesnt play left field, and he wont leave New York for us.
By mariner
April 30, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Jason J, I’m not saying yes or no to Bernie in a Braves uniform, but I think he has said he will only play again for the Yankees.
By Adam
April 30, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
Jason,
The Braves don’t need an aging veteran with very little left in the tank out in left field. There is probably a very good reason why Bernie is still sitting home. He is spent and most teams see that. He is poor defensively and has a very weak arm. I don’t see how he would be much help to the Braves.
By Swangirl
April 30, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Nobody’s ever been able to answer my question about Langerhans. Is he related to the German doctor for whom the Islets of Langerhans (in the pancreas) is named? Somebody’s gotta know.
By Voice of Reason
April 30, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Josh: Just what exactly are you trying to say?
By Coach
April 30, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
Carroll , that other ballplayer born in Cairo that you are referring to would be none other than the great Jackie Robinson. At any rate , Willie Harris brings a much needed but missing aspect to the picture , Speed. He gives the Braves the added ability to manufacture runs , of which the Braves offense has been missing.
By Fan 4 Life
April 30, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
What did Pete Orr do to be so neglected by Bobby? He’s the fastest man on the team. He can play left field. Why not give him a try at leading off too?
By michael
April 30, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
I hope that player to be name later is Thomas from the A’s oraganization. The Braves have given up a lot of talent. The gave up Wilson last year for an awol player and a pitcher who went to Baltimore.
Michael
By djscrib
April 30, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Seems to be that they really had no other options with Langer than to trade him and they were lucky to even do that. They couldn’t keep trotting him onto the field the way he was playing, and he wouldn’t clear waivers if they tried demoting him. So at least they got something this way.
I think they should get Salty ready to play first base, and then promote him and toss Thorman out in LF.
By badhatharry
April 30, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Actually there have been three major league players born Cairo, Georgia;
Willie Harris Ernest Riles Jackie Robinson
By Mike
April 30, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
Any reason Soriano did’t stay in the game with a 2 run lead in the ninth? He was over powering and I thought Wickman needed some rest?
By humbug
April 30, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
I feel that Langerhans had to go for his benefit. I feel that Davies and Redman have to go for the Braves benefit. I also feel that bringing up Harris is a good move.
Good luck Ryan. We’ll be cheering for you.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
Good post Carroll. I think most (as do I) feel for the guy. I was a staunch supporter of his last year, during hot stove, and quite frankly, up until about a week ago. Just seemed he never got near turning the corner or figuring out what ailed him these past weeks. I hope he tears the AL up, but not really looking for that to happen. Maybe wearing green and gold will change his luck.
GMM - don’t believe they would bring up Blanco at this point. He’s not going to play every day in the bigs (would platoon with Diaz, likely), and he needs more time playing every day to mature. Don’t get me wrong - he’s a great prospect, but at least Harris has ML experience.
By Steve
April 30, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
To answer a host of questions:
Who the Braves will acquire. They were probably given a list from Oakland on players to choose from. They don’t get to pick anyone they want. Given the Braves history, and complete glut of position players, they will probably go with a pitcher. Chances are it would have to be a second tier prospect, or he would have been named immediately.
To Paul in Richmond. Aybar’s 25-man roster spot has been filled since the beginning of the season. He was placed on the DL on March 30th and has been all year. He IS still taking up a 40-man roster spot, which is an extended roster of 15 extra player that are either on the DL or in the minors, that can be called up after the rosters are expanded in September. A player can be on the 40-man roster for three seasons during which he can be moved all around the organization, including the majors, but at he end of his third season he is considered ‘out of options. So, the Braves are not missing him at all since they filled his spot on the 25 man roster long ago.
As for Wickman’s weight … who cares?? He is a pitcher, and he has always been hefty. He was hefty last year when he dominated as a Brave and no one said a word. He has been hefty all this year, and with the exception of the past two outings in pitcher purgatory Colorado he has been lights out. Not to mention it was obvious he was having troubles with the mound, and no, not all parks are the same, despite major league specifications. Let it go, Wickman will be fine on this homestand and is still one of the best closers in baseball. his hefty look allowed the Braves to get him for next to nothing, so we should be thankful.
By Lew
April 30, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
CarrollRogers-Don’t let anyone give you grief for being stiff. You wrote in Macon and that’s paying your dues. Anyone who has spent any time (especially in Summer) in Macon has done hazardous duty, as far as I’m concerned. Iknow-I spent four years living there and graduating from Mercer. That’s the problems with our minor leaguers coming up-they didn’t develop character by playing in that hot city, breathing fumes from the pulp mills.
By silkyd
April 30, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
I believe there will be another Jones in the lineup before the season ends…as in Brandon Jones outfielder @ AA Mississippi. Hea has speed, power, and can cover some ground in the outfield.
By Lew
April 30, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
KC-It sure is wonderful seeing your apparent overjoyed reaction to Willie Harris, after all the crap you slung at Langerhans last week. Whoopie-The guy stole an average of 9 bases a year for a 6 year career, with an OBP of .306. For four of his six seasons, his OBP is under .300. The guy has a lifetime BA of .238 and your going orgasmic over dumping Langerhans. Dude, I don’t know what evil entity has possessed you in recent days, but believe me-this move is not an improvement over much of anything. I sure hope he pulls a Chuckie T, but I’m not going to hold my breath and turn purple.
By Mike
April 30, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
Braves LF is cursed… “The Curse of Ron Gant!”
By Stuart
April 30, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
It will never happen becasue of all the time spent in the offseason, but the easiest way to fix this whole LF mess is to move Kelly Johnson back to LF and bring up Prado to play second. KJ can still leadoff and Prado would hit in the eighth spot.
I love Wickman, but dude is up in age a bit and Gonzo has the stuff to dominate as a closer. Wickman/Soriano can pitch the 7th and 8th and Gonzo locks down the ninth. Wickman doesnt miss bats like the other two do and that leaves us very suseptable to games like we had this week. Plus if he pitches bad, the other two are there to bail him out.
Y’all, we should have had at least a 7-2 road trip. I was at the Monday game vs. the fish and we probably should have won that one too. A record of 8-1 was not out of the question on that road trip. After that it is frustrating to be looking up at the Mutts when I KNOW we should be 2-3 games ahead of them right now.
By Dick
April 30, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
Amen Hmbug; YOu can send Davis down to single A, then double A then triple A and it is not going to assist him. He isn’t major league material. I could not believe Cox waited until he walked the bases full Sunday. When one throws 7 straight balls, he doesn’t have it. Pull him.
By MBATL
April 30, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
According to Ken Rosenthal today:
The Braves, even before trading Ryan Langerhans to the A’s on Sunday, weren’t ruling out the possibility that Class AA outfielder Brandon Jones could become their regular left fielder at some point this season.
Of course, “not ruling something out” is a lot different than saying it’s likely; but it could be that we’re biding time with Harris til midseason to give Brandon a shot.
By Train Wreck Bystander
April 30, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
Change is probably good for Langerhans, alright - because it couldn’t have gotten much worse.
Sometimes a change of scenery makes things click.
I see he is at the top of the Oakland depth chart. Maybe playing everyday will kickstart Langy.
By bruce
April 30, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
Carroll, Thanks for your perspective on Langy… my first reaction was surprise and then immediately sadness. I am a Langy fan and really hope this works out well for him. I have no attachment to Willie Harris or Craig Wilson who was supposed to be able to play some left field when he was acquired.
I am a Matt Diaz fan too and hope he can get hot enough to keep Willie on the bench. Maybe a different hitting coach will make a difference for Langy. Too bad he has to wait til tomorrow to get on the field for Oakland… I’ll still proudly wear my Braves T shirt with Langy on the back. I might be able to get to the relief reaction like you have now if Langy starts hitting for Oakland… but I was not ready to give up.
I wonder if the Braves were shopping Langy or if Oakland came calling and they decided to pull the trigger rather than wait to give him more time to turn things around. What is your take? Thanks, Bruce
By ernesto
April 30, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
Do the Langerhands go as part of the package?
By kbat
April 30, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
Whatever happened to Chuck Thomas?
By Lew
April 30, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
While we, of course, would never wish ill to a player, Braves’ fans should love this one-ElDuque has just been placed on the DL with bursitis in his shoulder. They have called up Chan Ho Park, who has an ERA of 7.29 in AAA. Are we all still convinced that the Mets rotation is not going to flame out? Chop Zone-let’s hear your take on this one. Park and Pelfrey. The Esteemed Journalist Jimmy Smith will tell you all about those “P” players.
By BamaBrave
April 30, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
What is it about Atlanta that turns killer closers into self-doubting pansies? I’ve NEVER seen a pitcher look into his own dugout and give the throat-slashing sign like Wickman did the other day. Even Reitsma never did that…when there were plenty of times he should have. I don’t know if Roger McDowell is to blame…or Cox…or the curse of Chief Nocahoma, but I’m ready for someone to step up, show some stones, and throw strikes.
By Chris
April 30, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
So what’s wrong with Wickman? He gets put on DL and no explanation yet? What gives?
By Art
April 30, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Who cares?
By ECU Grad
April 30, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
WICK TO THE DL!!!!
Hope this isn’t serious!!
By krath
April 30, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Change of scenary? Hmmmm Wouldn’t it be ironic if the player to be named was Charles Thomas? I suppose he’s still property of the A’s. He’s struggled since he went to Oakland and Langy has struggled with the Braves.
By ernesto
April 30, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
I think Big Wick taking himslf out of the game the other night was a sign of a good team mate. He knew he had nothing left and he wasn’t going to let the team down by stinking it up - I think that’s a stand up move.
By MBATL
April 30, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
Lew, and the Mets passed on calling up our old friend Jorge Sosa, who has been absolutely lights-out at AAA New Orleans (4-0, 1.13 era, 29 K’s, 4 BB in 32 innings).
By BamaBrave
April 30, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
Just saw that Wickman is now on the DL…that’s just effing great.
By ernesto
April 30, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
How badly must Oakland’s CF feel being replaced by a guy hitting .069. “Hey, I knew I wasn’t Willie Mays, but jeez….069!???”
By Ron Roberts
April 30, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
First off, DOB, I saw where you’d had an exchange w/a guy logged on as “Ron.” I hope you notice and differentiate between he and I; I always always sign on with first and last name, bud.
A few things I’m looking forward to seeing in this homestand…
Kelly Johnson and Scott Thorman’s continued success. Folks, the Langerhans trade was plausible, I think, because Scott Thorman’s hitting. Pure and simple. Thorman’s wielding a big stick, which frees up Craig Wilson to platoon strictly with Matt Diaz. Johnson, meanwhile, has turned some dazzling plays at 2B, and he, to me, has put himself among the top ten leadoff men in the game right now. Can you believe somebody’d be saying that about him here, after all our doubts in the offseason?
As DOB pointed out, will Tim Hudson be able to put that Florida debacle out of his mind, along with the loss of a close friend this week, and pitch the way he’s pitched thus far? He’s got the engraver double-checking how to spell his name correctly for the Cy Young award right now.
Quietly, (and I hate to jinx us by even mentioning it), Chipper Jones is having an awesome year, overall, and been injury-free thus far. Guess the drive-thru offseason diet helped. My only concern about his game, so far, is (and somebody look this up for me) it’s a perception of mine that he’s not been as clutch with RISP as I think I’m used to. He and Andruw have come up a lot in key situations and popped out, grounded into double plays or, yesterday, Chipper’s dreaded triple play.
Is it just me, or is anybody else waiting for Andruw Jones to break or severely sprain his ankle with one of those awkward-looking swings he keeps taking? Sheesh. Can’t wait for him to go on his annual tear.
The TBS boys pointed out how well Jeff Francoeur’s been hitting on the road; that’s the difference in his game this year, and why his stats look so damn good early on. Let’s see if his good work at the plate continues.
Both the Braves and Mets face tough opposition over the next few series. We have a Phillies’ team that’s regained their footing, followed by the Dodgers and Padres - the NL West’s two better teams - both with good pitching. The Mets, meanwhile, are at home to Florida before they hit the road to face Arizona and San Francisco. Don’t see much happening to the standings between the two, frankly, but the Braves have the advantage being at home.
That’s my blog-within-a-blog, folks.
By forcesaberz
April 30, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
Where was the anouncement that Wick was on the DL?
By Paul in Queens
April 30, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
Josh,
Please don’t compare Bernie to Langerhans (remember game three in 1996). Bernie would be a huge upgrade to the mess we have in left. Although he has not played in left, he played in right last year when the Yanks brought in Damon. And yes he wont come to Atlanta because the Yanks are going to bring him back (their bench is horrendous.
By Chop Chop
April 30, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
I knew Wick was hurt, dammit.
By Hal
April 30, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
The Cubs have a glut in there outfield making Cliff Floyd available as well as Jones .With the payroll restrictions though i think were about too see a continuing stream of Willie Harris’s
By Wayne in UT
April 30, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
Lew: Agreed on Harris. Hope he does well, not expecting much….
Stuart: Are you crazy? No way do you mess with success. Leave KJ at 2B and let him keep on clicking. Prado is a AAAA player at best. He has gone in the tank over the past week to 10 days in Richmond.
Dick: Glad to see you are evaluating talent for the Braves. Davies might not be clicking yet, but in two years, I predict he will be winning 15 per season.
As for LF, well, if nothing develops on the trade front in the next month, look for Brandon Jones to get a shot if he keeps it up until June.
If anyone gets moved to LF, it will be Scott Thorman, to make room for Jarrod S.
By MBATL
April 30, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
forcesaberz, it’s on the ajc site, here
By MBATL
April 30, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts, good post. No worries about jinxing Chipper; if he’s healthy, he’ll hit. I’m not a sabermatron, but I do think that for the most part, if a guy is a good hitter, his RISP numbers will even out. There’s nobody I’d rather have up with RISP than Chipper.
By Wayne in UT
April 30, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Lew: Did you see my idea/thought a couple of weeks back?? Don’t know if this has ever been tried before.
Some background. For a catcher to stay fresh, he needs about 1 day off every week to 10 days minimum. That would be 15 to 20 missed games per year, where the most you get is a pinch hit out of him.
IF (big IF), Salty becomes the kind of major league catcher and hitter that is being predicted, would it be a thought to use both McCann and Salty alternating between catcher and 1B? Use one at catcher for 3 games, then rotate the other guy in for 3 games. On the off games, then he plays 1B.
Some holes: You run the risk of having 2 players learn 2 positions. This would not be a platoon, but a position sharing situation. Whadddya think??
By tvsportscaster
April 30, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Ron your 5:08 post mentioned, Thorman playing every day at 1st and Wilson platooning with Diaz in left, only problem with that is that both Wilson and Diaz hit righthanded.
By BamaBrave
April 30, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
If Wickman’s hurt, that certainly would explain things…but why would it take 3 or 4 games to for this to come to light? I dunno…something’s fishy here. I think Wickman’s psyche and ego are bruised..not his elbow, shoulder, etc.
By Ron Roberts
April 30, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
Wayne, how many games has Saltalamacchia worked at 1B so far?
By MBATL
April 30, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
BamaBrave, I’ve been thinking the same thing… don’t know what it might be, but something does seem fishy about this thing with Wickman.
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 30, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
wick on the DL with more details to come…damn, that sucks. i’m sure cox will plug in soriano while wick’s out, which is gotta be the way to go with gonzalez coming back from his elbow. soriano has walks only 5 and struck out 11 in 12.1 IP. while his ERA is 4.38, batters are only hitting .159 against him. plus he throws th’ HEAT.
By Wayne in UT
April 30, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
Ron R: Saltalamacchia has worked no games at 1B in the Braves system, but he did work at both 3B and 1B in high school. My points are not for today, or even necessarily this season, although it could happen if he stays on fire in Mississippi.
If the dude stays hot into June, and we don’t have an answer for LF, and IF Thorman picks it up and stays at an acceptable level, then the Braves would have to at least entertain the idea of bringing him up to get into the lineup somehow, wouldn’t you think?
My idea on the C/1B sharing is really out there in left field (good baseball humor). Just something to get some discussion going on. I don’t think it will ever happen, but wonder why it couldn’t???
Your thoughts.
By Wayne in UT
April 30, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
Where exactly is this news on Wickman to the DL???
By BamaBrave
April 30, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Yeah…this might actually be a blessing in disguise. Soriano has the heat AND the attitude.
By TennesseePaul
April 30, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Chuck Thomas: Flamed out. The best thing he ever did was have a high OBP in his short stint with the Braves. That made him sparkle in Billy Beans eyes. We got Hudson for Thomas completing a perfect call up, one-hit-wonder season.
Ernesto: Do the Langerhands go as part of the package?
lol! Very funny! And a valid question.
Ron: Tulowitzki isn’t the only 5 tool player to come around. 5 toolers are rare, but we are looking at a very good class of young NL Short Stops (Longoria being the lone AL guy). Besides, Hanely Ramirez, Stephen Drew, and Evan Longoria could all turn out to be better. I’m bummed I forgot about Hanely in my post on the previous blog. It’s hard to see where you can go wrong with that 5 tool player. He was only slightly behind Reyes in all his numbers… as a rookie! Check it out:
Player AVG OBP SLG HR 2B 3B SB CS Reyes .300 .354 .487 19 30 17 64 17
Ramirez .292 .353 .480 17 46 11 51 15
KC: Furcal is good, but Jose Reyes is surpassing him, I think. Reyes is producing better than Furcal and he’s 5 years younger.
By Fred from CT
April 30, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
I would let gonzalez close while wick is out why mess with soriano in the role he is in and gonzalez has the experience to close.
By Wayne in UT
April 30, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
Saw the Wickman story on AJC….sorry.
By T.O
April 30, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
Hey Jersey girl. Are you the same Jersey girl that works at Oasis?
By Chris
April 30, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
TVsportcaster, what is your definition of “hit”?
By Wayne in UT
April 30, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
DOB or Carroll
Any updates on the progress of folks on farm like McBride, Boyer, Stockman, etc. Also, how about some of the youngsters like Devine and Startup?
Thanks in advance.
By F A Skippy
April 30, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
I’m a big BC guy,but somebody on the staff should have seen what was obvious to me and had Wickman checked out after he came close to passing out in Denver the other night.Let’s hope it’s nothing that threatens his long term health.
By methinks
April 30, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Eric, For the record, Carroll Rogers is a woman. She covered the Braves beat for two or so years several years ago.
By Chop Chop
April 30, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
Wickman’s hurt…or maybe they DL’d him to protect him from Bobby and let him get some rest. If Wick’s fatigued and can’t go on a regular basis, it’s better to have a fresher arm in the pen that Bobby would be able to use when he needs it, especially since it’s so early in the season.
By Fred from CT
April 30, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
hitting 8th and playing left field tonight willie harris.
By Coach
April 30, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Yea , Wayne. They are all pitching in Richmond and Mississippi(Devine is in AA) , how’s that for an update ? Dude , it’s the internet. Take some initiative and look the info up for yourself. Wickman’s trip to the DL is a speed bump , Gonzalez and Soriano will eat up the slack with no problem. El Duque ? Well , that is a big break for the Braves. The Met are going to miss him and his loss brings the Mets pitching down to earth.
By jch
April 30, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
Glad to see Langerhans go. Good glove but he’s never really shown much in the way of offense - at least after opening day.
Diaz is hitting .260 or so and you’ve got to think he’ll improve that number as the season goes on.
Now, any news when Davies flight to Richmond leaves - actually, make that a bus. If there was ever reason to send someone down he’s given it. Bring Lerew up and give him a chance. He’s got a 1.83 ERA in 4 starts (no decisions though) over about 20 innings. I know, short work to evaluate a starting pitcher but could he be any worse??? I doubt it and, if he does flop, at least he’ll have gotten some experience in the bigs.
Glad to see Wickman’s admitting something’s wrong and going on the DL - looks like Gonzo will get his chance. Personally I hope he does great, gotta love his intensity, and we’ll be able to deal Wickman for some offense when he and the rest of the pitching staff is a bit healthier.
Just a thought - do you think the fact there are 2 other guys just as capable as he chomping at the bit for a chance at the closer’s role had anything to do with Wickman trying to go when he was obviously not right???
J
By F A Skippy
April 30, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
methinks Are you sure Carroll’s still a woman ? You can’t tell what these sports writers might do.Just kidding DOB. Disclaimer this post is a joke and is not a comment about any west coast writer as I’m aware of.
By Lew
April 30, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah-I really don’t like the idea of swapping players from position to position. I would much rather leave McCann right where he is. I like Brayan Pena as a backup just fine. I would rather keep Salty as trade bait for better pitching options, either later in the season or in the offseason. Ron Roberts-What would the purpose of a Diaz/Wilson platoon be? They are both right handed hitters. As far as I’ve heard, Wilson’s arm is still too messed up for outfield throws.
By Ron Roberts
April 30, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
TVsportscaster… I’m not wild about any platoon at LF or 1B, frankly, and having Willie Harris here probably means less, not more playing time for Wilson or Diaz. Guess I should’ve mentioned that. Bummer about Wickman, but Soriano and Gonzo have proven to be just as effective so I think we can get by til Wicky works out his issues.
By Robert (Justice Is The Best)
April 30, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
While I firmly believed something had to be done about Langerhans, I do find it a bit odd that the Braves just basically gave him away. They must have some sort of plan in place to solve the LF situation or should I say a couple of plans. I do wonder if the Braves would possibly be willing to package Salty and Prado to the Tigers for Shelton and Nate Robertson. That trade would kill two birds with one stone for the Braves. Shelton could play 1B which would allow Thorman to move to LF. Just a thought.
By jch
April 30, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
I suggested this earlier but, assuming Gonzo and Soriano can handle the closing duties (shouldn’t be a stretch for either) and the rest of the bullpen gets healthy - how about trading Wickman for a decent left fielder? Maybe package had he and Pena (bring Salty up as back up) and get someone proven?
Just a thought,
J
By gotigers72
April 30, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
I think the move will be good for Langerhans. From what I’ve read, Oakland is hurting for outfielders and Langerhans will get to play immediately. Even though it looked like yesterday that he was coming out of it a little bit, he was definitely pressing. Now he changes teams and it’s like a new start, wipe the slate clean and start over. Maybe that will help him to where he won’t press.
I still don’t think he will ever hit over .250-.260, but he’s not an .068 hitter either. If he hits .250 or above, he will be a positive for Oakland because of his glove and the fact that he always hustles.
For jason J. - As somebody else has already said, but in case you missed it, Bernie Williams has supposedly said he won’t play anywhere but for the Yankees.
By Wayne in UT
April 30, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
Coach: OK. You are so smart. (by the way, I can and DO go on the internet to check the STATS on the minor league guys every couple of days.)
What I was asking about was any insider information on what the Braves are thinking concerning these players, or if they are getting over issues, etc. So, unless you have changed your name to Dave O’Brien or Carroll Rogers, I don’t think I asked for your smart a$$ response now, did I?
Thank you anyway, and have a nice day!
By flange1
April 30, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
Interesting news on Wickman, knew there was a problem!
RON ROBERTS, I agree with your mini blog post! Does it seem to you that Chippers fielding and throwing have actually improved? He always makes stupid errors, but he has looked amazing so far this year.
Lew, I agree with you, Wilson will not be a part of an outfield platoon, his arm will only let him play there ever so often. I think this might be Diaz’s chance to be a starter even if irt only a short while before JS brings in someone else.
Did anyone read Ken Rosenthal’s column about the Braves? He talked about Brandon Jones and possibly moving him up NOW instead of later. I think that would be great….
By flange1
April 30, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
PS, ESPN says Wickamn is on the 15 day DL with a BACK STRAIN!
Glad it is not an arm issue
By Gustopher
April 30, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
Another great post CR wonder who the PTBNL will be
By james
April 30, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
Lerew was once considered a top prospect
By MBATL
April 30, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
flange1, if we were gonna “move him up now” I guess we wouldn’t have called Harris up, right? Rosenthal just said that the Braves “wouldn’t rule it out.” Which is probably the equivalent of “no comment.”
tom, you shouldn’t be trolling for dates on a baseball blog.
By Chris
April 30, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
jch, they won’t bring Salty up as a backup. He’s too good to only play once a week. They need him taking his swings in the minors and getting as much experience calling games as possible.
Remember, McCann only got the call because Estrada was hurt. Hopefully, such a thing won’t happen again. That said, the Braves are in no rush to bring Salty up. He can go the full season in the minors and it’ll be all good.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 30, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this
By David O’Brien
April 30, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Well, I’m finally about to board this jet home. Just ate a pork burrito, which makes the four-day total two pork burritos, one plate of steak tacos, one bowl of pork chili _ all with very hot sauce and jalapenos.
oh, the humanity! imagine being on that airplane with dob!
By flange1
April 30, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
MBATL,
Yes I know what the article said. I think Harris is a guy that should have had Orr’s job to begin with. I think he is more valuable to the team than Orr. I think the Braves are still looking for an outfielder. Checking all the rumor sites, one suggested the Yankees were looking for extra outfielders and lots of teams had some to offer. One thought is the Rockies and Steve Finley…He is not playing much right now….
By Chris
April 30, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this
So flange1, how exactly did Harris have Orr’s job? Last time I checked, Orr was an IF and Harris is a CF. Not sure exactly how that works out for you…
By tom
April 30, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Is MBATL gay?
By MBATL
April 30, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
flange 1, (didn’t mean that reply to sound smart%ss, btw, but afraid it did…)
I really think the Braves will be okay with Harris/Diaz for the time being. I think we’d have been okay with Langerhans, for that matter, or with Diaz out there every day. This team is gonna score runs from the 1-6 spots (maybe even 1-7), and anything beyond that is gravy. If we can put the #8 hitter on a little more often, allow the pitcher to bunt him over, great. But it’s not that big a deal. We’ve got thumpers up and down the lineup and one weak spot is not gonna kill us, IMO.
I’d love to see B. Jones up here, when the brass think he’s ready.
By jch
April 30, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
chris True, and good points. But, they’ll have to face the issue of what to do with both of them at some point and they’ve already, and rightly so, made McCann a franchise player. Where’s Salty going to go when it is time? If you need him now, for either his performance or his trade value, you need to have him in Atlanta.
I do agree Salty playing once a week isn’t going to help much. But he’s sitting behind a potential perenial All-Star who’s 23!!!! I don’t see much chance for Salty catching in the bigs for the Braves as anything but back-up for some time to come. No matter how good he is.
Any chance he’d be interested in LF???
By Coach
April 30, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
Wayne , your welcome. Want some real insider info ? Well , here you go. It appears that the Braves might be grooming Macay McBride for the rotation. Stay tuned , I’ll know more by the end of the week.
By jch
April 30, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
Steve Finley??? He’s not playing much righ now for a couple of very good reasons. First, he’s 42!! Second, he’s hitting .156
By TennesseePaul
April 30, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this
So what is this?
Braves sign Redman to blow every 5th day.
Mets see our Redman and raise 1 Chan Ho Park
Mets put critical pitcher El Duque on the DL.
Braves see El Duque and raise them one Wickman.
It’s a battle, but do we have to make it so even all the time?
By tj
April 30, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this
Just announced on Sports South Brave’s pre-game: Wickman on DL with strained upper back. Apparently no arm problem.
By TennesseePaul
April 30, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this
Thor is now up to .292 with a 900 OPS. He is doing this off lefties and righties. So why is Wilson still showing up in the line up?
By Wayne in UT
April 30, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
Coach: And where are you getting this “insider” information, besides the fact that McBride has started the last two times he has pitched? Maybe he is being groomed as a starter, maybe they are just trying to get him in some extra work?
By Wayne in UT
April 30, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
tom: we are all gay! just a bunch of excited, happy, gay, Braves fans! I am even more gay when Huddy pitches a great game, and we win something like 7-1.
Don’t you just hate what homosexual people (and there’s nothing wrong with that, of course) and homophobic people have done to such a wonderful word………
Now being a gay person is a scary proposition for some. Maybe the Journalist could opine on this subject to clarify the blogosphere.
By Coach
April 30, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this
None of your damn business , Wayne. In the lyrics of Garth Brooks , I got friends in low places.
By Ron Roberts
April 30, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this
I was at the 2nd home game for the New Orleans Zephyrs and saw The Nashville Sounds beat the snot out of Chan Ho Park.
Bring him on!!!
By Chris
April 30, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this
Um, Nelson, was that English? Rather, was it supposed to be?
By tom
April 30, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
Sounds like Coach wants to get frisky.
Put me “in” coach. I’m ready to play today.
By Greg in TN
April 30, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
Evening folks…
Moments away from first pitch in Georgia.
Things are starting to make sense now particularly with Wickman having to go on the DL. All of that extra bullpen depth comes in handy now that burly Bob needs to go on the shelf.
A very poignant scene at the Ted tonight. Hudson has JH on his uniform to remember his former Auburn teammate and Cardinal reliever Josh Hitchcock. He’s also having to deal with the passing of his grandmother.
A win tonight and the team will have it’s best start since 2003. That’s one thing that is being overlooked due to the hand wringing about the affairs of the planet Braves in the last week.
As I type this, KJ draws a walk against Lieber.
By eric the elder
April 30, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
KJ on 1st, count 2-0 on Edgar. I really, really wanted BC to call for a hit and run. Maybe the triple play made him gun shy.
By DonCoburleone
April 30, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this
Man, I hate to brag but I am freakin’ good. Yesterday night I predicted Wickman would be on the DL within a couple days and Paronto would be back up in the bullpen… Now I just hope my other predictions come through and Villareal moves into the #4 spot in the rotation…
And poor Hudson having to pitch today with all that on his mind, must suck…
By chipdip
April 30, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this
life’s a b***
By Richard
April 30, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this
I’m going to miss Ryan and hustle.. He might not be hitting well but he hustles in the field makes good plays…I think we should of waited a little longer..What did we get for him?
By flange1
April 30, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
MBATL,
I knew what you were saying! I did not take it wrong. I agree that we can use the two Harris and Diaz and be OK. But also as you say, we are kind of loaded everywhere else and it would be nice to get some new blood on the team. I think Diaz is at best a pinch hiter extra outfielder and Harris is a super utility guy.
CHRIS,
Reread my post. If you don’t know, Harris plays all infield and outfield spots. My thoughs are that with Harris, WE DON”T NEED ORR. So we could bring in another hitter or outfielder and let Harris handle back up duties.
If you have followed this blog, out of spring training, I suggested keeping Harris for Orr’s spot. With Aybar not available dumping Orr and bringing in a hitter would be helpful!
By eric the elder
April 30, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this
Harris’ first try looked fine. It’s interesting to see his looking to Andruw for positioning on every batter.
By Tale of woe
April 30, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this
Just dreaming but does this allow the Braves to trade for Badelli?
By DonCoburleone
April 30, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
Lieber really looks good tonight (not as good as Hudson) but I think this game has classic pitcher’s duel written all over it. I hate to admit it, but right now the decision to move Myers to the bullpen has looked brilliant for the Phillies… They are now 9-5 in their last 14 games; if Ryan Howard ever figures it out these guys are going to be dangerous…
By Chris
April 30, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
Yeah, like I really either read or gave a damn about something you said in spring training. Wait, let me pull out my archives…
By AMG
April 30, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this
I asked this a few days ago and I don’t think is was answered. Please list the MLB teams who do NOT have question marks with the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation. If we are still talking about the same problems at the end of May … I will begin to get concerned. Just look at what the Mets put on the DL today.
By N8
April 30, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
Flange1
TOTALLY with you on the “we don’t need Orr with Harris in the mix” comment.
Not sure that Harris is the “answer” to our LF platoon situation. But from the way it seems, he’s a super-utility guy, capable of stealing a base if neccesary (late in a close game). Orr is fast, but not a base stealer.
But, having said that, you and I both know that Orr would have to lose an arm before he’d lose his spot on the 25 man roster. Even then, I can just hear Bobby:
“Dang, Orry was hitting 1-handed atom-balls. He’s hitting better with one arm, than Langy was with both”.
As I’m typing that, I darn near spat pop all over my monitor, by visualizing Orr doing the “Jim Abbot thing” with his glove, while trying to turn a double play. To which Bobby would say:
“Aw SHUCKS. Orry, just missed him on that turn at 2nd base. If he didn’t have to switch his glove to his foot before grabbing the ball and throwing to 1st, he woulda had em’!”.
Sorry. Couldn’t resist.
By Richard Cory
April 30, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this
Flange1 reports “Wickman on DL, with ‘back strain’.” I’m just releived it’s not a ‘problem with a stomach muscle’.
By Michael Procton
April 30, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
Damn, Chip…nice play
By flange1
April 30, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
N8, You are right! I guess we need some animal noises too!
By Lew
April 30, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
Chris-Whether or not you want to review archives is basically immaterial. The fact that Harris plays multiple infield and outfield positions is pretty well known fact. Stinky-You still looking for a date? Burn out your last computer in an attempt to find true love?
By Michael Procton
April 30, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
Yeah…Harris is a bum, ya’ll.
By N8
April 30, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this
hmmm. Willie Harris has 2 less hits than Langerhans did.
Not to beat a dead horse, but….
By Lew
April 30, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this
Nathan-You’ve beat that poor equine so much that it is no longer recognizable as a horse.
By N8
April 30, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
Lew
You think it got bad here? Just wait until Langerhans plays his first game for Oakland. I plan on going on some of their blogs and ripping him some more.
I’m just kidding of course. But I have to respond to your sarcasm, with some of my own.
PS: Not sure if your post was supposed to be funny, or meant to rip me. But I’m on record as saying it WAS funny.
By N8
April 30, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
Torn
Is your moniker referring to the hole in which you poop from?
By juan
April 30, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this
First off, it’s not about being a nice guy. In Langerhans case he was ice cold at the plate and an automatic out every time up. Who cares that he had bulked up this offseason. It sure wasn’t helping his hitting. As for Wickman, he needs to lose some weight. He looks like he is about to have a heart attack out there on the mound. Can I get some conditioning please. He looks like he eats at McDonald’s for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and after each game. The lighter you are the less stress on the body. I hope the Braves aren’t lapsing into last season where they couldn’t close out games.
By N8
April 30, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
“He looks like he eats at McDonald’s for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and after each game.”
Haven’t you been paying attention? People go to Taco Bell for the “fourth meal” of the day.
Try and keep up. :-)
By tom
April 30, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this
N8:
You are a man lover. It’s tom, not torn. I want you.
tom
By Chris
April 30, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
As long as first base is open, there is absolutely to reason to ever not intentionally walk Chipper to get to Andruw. Makes me sick to my damn stomach.
By N8
April 30, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
Well, TOM
Even you have to admit after typing both words in one sentence that they kinda look the same. LOL!
So sorry grasshopper.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
Right now - one out, bottom of 8th -(forall you naysayers and second guessers) - Huddy in or out for this inning?
By AMG
April 30, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
That’s our guy … good ol’ double play Andruw Jones.
By N8
April 30, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this
Anybody out there that thinks the “book” that Boras is more than likely putting together to hype up Andruw to the 20 million range, is slowly working it’s way down to a postcard that will read:
Andruw Jones…..Perenniel Gold Glove Winner:
For the small price of a cup of coffee, you can have this double play machine manning CF for you
By N8
April 30, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
Scalp ‘Em
I think I would’ve pinch hit for him, with the bases loaded in the 6th. But that’s just me.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
Let’s assume we are tied or up by one in the top of the ninth - who you gonna go with? Huddy? Beefy Bob? Soriano? Gonzo? let’s here it now, as opposed to later when its easy to second guess. I say stay with Huddy - he’s kicking arse tonight.
By ssiscribe
April 30, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
Denizens of the blogosphere, the Scribe lives.
Three special deals in three weeks, in addition to the usual deadlines, child-rearing duties, T-ball responsibilities, Sunday School instruction and, oh yeah, trying to keep up with this ballclub.
Just a few quick ones for now, as I settle in and watch the bottom of the seventh:
— First and foremost, our prayers to Josh Hancock’s family. Saw him in spring training last year when I was checking out the Cardinals. So so sad. Life is fragile, folks. Live your days to the fullest and love like there is no tomorrow, because tomorrow ain’t guaranteed.
— Ryan Langerhans. Great kid. Really, really nice guy. I hope we didn’t give up on him too early. Short-term, you can’t dispute the deal. Haven’t seen a guy struggle like that in a long time. Long-term, I think this guy is going to hit well enough to stick, and his glove (as we all know) is awesome. I hope we don’t regret this one. A change of scenary, as CR noted above, probably is best.
— Hey, that Kelly Johnson fella can play, can’t he? He’s working the count, which we knew he would. He’s hitting now. He’s playing a very good defensive second base.
— Watching Bob Wickman yesterday, he just didn’t look right. Glad he’s going to the DL now, instead of being stubborn and hurting the team and hurting himself further by trying to pitch hurt (hear me talkin’, Chris Reitsma?). Doesn’t seem to be very serious, though, and we get Paronto off the DL. At least one big pair of pants still in the pen.
— The back end of the rotation is the ONE area I worry about. For all the teeth-gnashing and hand-wringing about left field, second base, first base and the bullpen, it’s the lack of production out of the No. 4 and No. 5 spots that is the biggest problem of them all. Can’t expect Hudson (who’s been every bit the ace we’ve been waiting for since the aforementioned trade with Oakland), Smoltz and James to carry the load all season. Kyle Davies, this is your chance, bro. Keep the ball DOWN IN THE ZONE!
Hopefully, as things settle down, I can get on here more. Miss writing about and watching the ballclub. Going to the yard this weekend with the family. For now, though, it’s really busy. And Jimmy, still no word on me getting to fry that fish, but believe me, I’m praying I get the chance! We’ll see.
Jimmy, Grinch, Lew, DOB, et al, hope you are well. For now, the Scribe abides. Peace.
—30—
By MBATL
April 30, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
Scalp em… the blog is too slow to say what we should do next. I guess my general view is, don’t let Huddie pitch more than 9; if we get the lead, let him try to finish but pull him at the first baserunner. Again, though, hard to say without knowing the circumstances.
By N8
April 30, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this
Anybody else out there notice that McCann’s average has divebombed since being hit on the hand?
He’s down to .289, which by all means isn’t that bad, but he has gone 4 for 30 (.133) since that game on the 22nd of April.
By N8
April 30, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this
Scalp ‘Em Braves
“Let’s assume we are tied or up by one in the top of the ninth - who you gonna go with? Huddy? Beefy Bob? Soriano? Gonzo?”
Well since I’m assuming that by “Beefy Bob” you mean Wickman, I’ll remind you that they PUT HIM ON THE DL TODAY! So I’m gonna say no to him.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this
Moot point - they pinch hit for Huddy (right call, in my opinion), and I didn’t know until just now that Beefy Bob was on the DL with back problems. Perhaps he should lay off the Big Macs and beer for a while (well, at least the Big Macs - hard to keep a man away from his beer).
Gonzo looking good so far - what would you do for the next inning? Soriano? Obvious choice - Robert, what is your criticism of Cox so far?
By journalist jimmy smith
April 30, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this
scribe, journalist is happy and well and hopes scribe is, as well. frying fish can be most exciting - especially the big ones. this journalist hopes scribe lands this big fish and soon there will be a fish fry (anything to do with fishwrapper?). as hummon and lester would say, “them lyin’ atlanta newspapers” can’t get anything right - but we know that is not true with dob and carroll. and speaking of dob, hope the plane landed alright and dob is enjoying good digestive health. well, jimmy smith has a question … whither aybar? is there any news? and sad to hear the news about wicky. it is good though that it is not wicky’s arm that is ailing. and speaking of willie harris … already more productive than langy. and did you see chipper make that bare-handed play? good defense from the third sacker. can say third sacker, right? and gonzales is looking good tonight. can never have too many pitchers. never. and now, toes … not to be trifled with.
By MBATL
April 30, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
Scalp em, this question won’t be answered in time either, but the question I have is… Gonzo threw all of 11 (great) pitches in the 9th. If we go to the 10th, would it be so crazy to let him pitch another inning?
By ncscoots
April 30, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
jeez, KC, what happened to Willie in the ninth?!? LOL
Nathan, and your point? :-) I know McCann is barely human, but even Ted Williams had slumps. Heck, 30 AB is a week and a half. Think he might come out of it sometime? Ha!
By N8
April 30, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this
For the record, I’m not complaining about McCann’s average. Just pointing out that I think he is MORE HURT than leading on. Give the kid a FEW days off.
He/we don’t need that lingering all year.
Also. Very quietly, Mike Gonzalez has lowered his ERA to 1.74, with 7 K’s in 10 1/3 IP. Which is GREAT NEWS in light of the Wickman injury. We may very well be seeing GONZO TIME sooner than expected.
Apparently, after that very quick DOMINATING inning, the Mike Gonzalez that we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived for good. (sigh)
By forcesaberz
April 30, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this
KJ is such a stud … nuff said
By Glass Half Full
April 30, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
With a little help from Fox and ESPN maybe the baseball world will take notice of KJ and send that kid to the All-Star game…Wait a minute. Kelly doesn’t play for Boston or the Yanks and he’s not named Jose Reyes, Roger Clemens, or A-Rod. They’ll never mention him.
By N8
April 30, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
Scalp Em
Due to him looking pretty good recently, I would temporarily go with Gonzalez as the closer. Then based on how well he looks, possibly stick with him, when Wickman comes back until he is fully recovered.
Soriano would be a good option as well, but since Gonzalez was the regular closer (24 for 24) last year, he’s got to be THE MAN.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
MBATL - you are right about the slugness of the blog - thought that had been rectified, but guess not. Just wanted to give a chance to the “know it alls” to weigh in before something happened.
Comment on KJ - I heard somebody say last year after the Phils traded Abreu to the Yanks, one commentator was quoted “Abreu is an on base machine”. Ditto on KJ - nuff said.
Huddy should be 5-0 by now. Unfortunate outcome against the Fish. Tonight, we have had 4 runners in RISP in the last two innings (7th & 8th) and got nobody in. The guy is mashing so far. Huddy is the man this year.
By Glass Half Full
April 30, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this
Generally, the only people who say “African-American” are white. Nevertheless, Joe Morgan will be happy with the Harris call-up.
By N8
April 30, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this
scoots See my 9:22 post, which I obviously posted while you were posting your question.
As you can see, I meant nothing rude by it.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 30, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this
not fair! the phillies pitcher has 6 toes! of course, no one knows how many toes the braves third baseman may be working with.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 30, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this
6 toes in each shoe. 12 toes total.
andruw!
By N8
April 30, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this
Keep proving me wrong Andruw.
Well done.
By bravesfansince1966
April 30, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
hip hip hoooorah…ANDREW IS BACK!!! GO BRAVES>>> WE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Me
April 30, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
WHY DOES ANY TEAM PITCH ALFONSECA? HE IS AWFUL.
By ncscoots
April 30, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
ah, shoot, N8, I knew THAT! I’d even tend to agree that the hand might be bothering him a little, that puppy got spanked pretty good. I don’t think he needs more than a day off before an off day, though. Don’t the Braves have an off day coming up?
By MBATL
April 30, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
Scalp em, yeah, I understood the intent and agree with it… sooo much second-guessing.
AJ needed to make a statement - you don’t pitch around Chipper to get to me - and he did. He looks kinda bad at the plate, but the average keeps rising…
Great ballgame!
By Greg in TN
April 30, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
Wow…….
That will help make up for the indigestion from the last few dramatic ninth inning disappointments.
Nice way to get off the snide. Really happy to see Hudson pitch strong tonight even if he gets a no decision. Willie Harris came up and I think he did pretty well all things considered. Had a problem with a fly ball to end the sixth, but was able to recover and I saw Rowand have the same problem with Chipper’s homer in the bottom of that inning. Gonzalez pitched just fine in the ninth, so we’ll get to see plenty of him in the next two weeks along with Soriano.
I wouldn’t take the problems we had last week with the Marlins too hard, after all, they’re ahead of the mets by five in Flushing at the moment.
By Glass Half Full
April 30, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
Let’s all enjoy the Andruw farewell Tour
By beachcomber
April 30, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
Just when you’re hoping Andrew will make only one out……
By chipdip
April 30, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this
gonzo new closer….send wickman to the fat farm.
By F A Skippy
April 30, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this
Kelly Johnson three walks and a hit tonight. For my money I’d rather have a leadoff with a near 500 obp than one who hit 20 hr with 70 steals and a low obp.The guy is the key to this offense right now.
By Tomahawkin' Again
April 30, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this
16-9, back in 1st, ‘Dru hits a 3-run bomb to make Atlanta 4-0 against “The Team To Beat in the East”…a VERY GOOD APRIL INDEED. Go Braves!
By JJMB
April 30, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
DOB, is there a chance posts here could be limited to a certain amount of words? Last year was so much more pleasant.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
MBATL:
On Gonzo going more than one inning (damn, he looked awesome in the 9th), I have to admit, I don’t know enough to make that call. I’ll leave that to the experts on here to answer. They know it all, you know.
N8:
Well since I’m assuming that by “Beefy Bob” you mean Wickman
Who the hell else could I be talking about? Admit Bobby is a little beefy, but he don’t pitch. Is there another player on this team named Bob? Also, since I have a life outside of this blog, had not heard the commentary on the entire game (was watching from a distance), I had not heard about him going on the DL. Guess I didn’t get the email from the team advising of his going on the DL like you - I’m not important, and not “in the know” of every little tick of the team like you. In the words of the great comic, EXCUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSE ME! Geez, what a dork you are. If you are going to be smarmy, at least make it meaningful, funny or deadly.
By ncscoots
April 30, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
yeah, those three-run homers sure are boring.
How can a guy who looks so bad swinging raise his average 30 points while doing so? Andruw boggles.
Hudson is obviously just totally out of his skull. That’s as fine a month from a pitcher not named Santana since, well, I don’t know when, but I’ll wager it’s a while.
By N8
April 30, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
scoots
I’m open to the possiblity that it’s (like you said) just coincidentally a slump that began shortly after being hit on the hand.
Like I said before, not ripping the kid. Just concerned, since we are in a day and age, where players conceal more injuries, than they disclose (at least the severity of some injuries). I don’t really think McCann would do that, but who knows? The kid likes to play ball.
I’m not worried about his stats. I’m worried about him, and if that injury lingers, what a “not healthy” McCann would mean for us.
Just so long as somebody else gets hot when another cools down (say for instance Andruw stepping it up in the next 2-3 weeks), then we’ll be OK.
As long as KJ keeps getting on base, good things will happen.
By Efrim
April 30, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
Happy for Hudson. I know he didn’t get a win tonight, but he pitched great in the memory of Josh Hancock.
By john
April 30, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
Bernie Williams? Dream on. Not happening. The guy bleeds Yankee pin stripes. The Yankees are th eonly team he will play for. Besides his defense is worse than anything you have right now- and that is coming to you from a fan at Shea!
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 30, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
Gotta love Alfonsucka, huh?
I would like to take this time out also to apologize to Kelly Johnson. I’m sorry I ever doubted you as a leadoff hitter. 3 walks and a rally-starting single… that is excellent.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
MBATL:
Yeah - Dru came through tonight. Glad for it - won the game, we’re all happy, etc. I think back to DOB’s post during the game yesterday, though. He pointed out that Dru couldn’t stretch his hit into a double because after his swing he was down on one knee with that whacky swing he has now, and an it took him a couple of seconds to get up and start running. We all love Dru’s dingers - but he can’t hit one evey time, though it seems that is what he is intent on every time he comes to the plate. Instead of hearing TP’s whispers when he comes to the plate, he is listening to Bor-A$$ yelling in his ear about HR’s. Irrespective of what he does this year, he is gone. He don’t care about helping the team offensively (NO complaints about defense - he is kicking arse like he always does). But he apparently thinks he has to hit 40 HR’s this year to support a $20 mil/yr contract for the next 5 years. I wish he would get a more conventional swing and be patient at the plate, and be willing to go the other way every now and then. Saw a graphic during Saturday night’s game. Of his hits, all but one have gone to left field. That’s not good over the long haul.
By Greg in TN
April 30, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
In addition to having to put El Duque on the DL, the mets also has had to place Jose Valentin on the 15-day DL with a partial tear of the ACL ligament on his right knee and will likely be out two to four weeks.
We’re not the only ones battling through some injuries right now.
By N8
April 30, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Scalp Em
“Also, since I have a life outside of this blog, had not heard the commentary on the entire game (was watching from a distance), I had not heard about him going on the DL.”
I’m not sure how you navigat on your computer to the blog. But I have the Braves paged on the AJC “bookmarked”, then I scroll down to the blog and join in. I just assumed everybody else does the same thing, which I the assumed that it would be hard for anybody not named Ronnie Milsap, to miss the headline that said: WICKMAN PLACED ON DL”.
But I guess we all know what happens when you assume….
Anyhow, thanks for calling me a dork. I appreciate it. Next time, refer to me as the “dork who can actually read a BIG BOLD HEADLINE ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE. I guess I’d rather be a dork, than a bat.
I’ll leave you by quoting Lew:
“You really shouldn’t forget to take your medication.”
Goodnight Stevie. Or do you prefer Ray?
By KC
April 30, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
TennPaul: “KC: Furcal is good, but Jose Reyes is surpassing him, I think. Reyes is producing better than Furcal and he’s 5 years younger.”
I agree. I just said don’t forget about him, that’s all.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
N8:
Agree with your comment on the closer to come. Unfortunately, we are faced with having to choose the “closer of the future” a lot sooner than we would like. I like Gonzo - he was lights out tonight. Couldn’t disagree with Soriano in that spot either. We’ll have to wait and see whether Bobby setles on one, or whether he goes with who he thinks has the “hot hand” of the moment.
As for my “smarmy” comments earlier, don’t go postal. I’m just giggin’ ya man.
By KC
April 30, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
None of this “we’ll let the situation dictate it” crap… Mike Gonzalez should be the close while Wickman’s out!!! (and maybe even after Wickman returns)
By KC
April 30, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
ATTENTION PLEASE:
It’s been a couple weeks since I’ve said this, so I thought it was about time to remind everyone. In regard to Tim Hudson…
I TOLD YOU SO!!! I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!
By ernesto
April 30, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
Mets lose and after yet another Wright whiff - there was more than a few boos coming from the Queens fan club. The golden boy might get to see the darker side of the city if he keeps on the shnide.
Your first place Atlanta Braves…enjoy it, b/c who’s on teh mound tomorrow?
By KC
April 30, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
Scalp Em’: I don’t think much of anything has changed for the Braves pen. They were unable to use Mike Gonzalez for a while, and now they’re unable to use Wickman. They simply swapped one for the other.
With the dominance of Soriano (in close games), and the way Yates and Moylan have been throwing… no biggy.
The only bad thing is that it takes away our only good lefty from middle inning work. We need to see if McBride is ready, or make a deal for another lefty.
By Efrim
April 30, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Damn KC. If you remember any of our arguements this offseason, I said I would rather have Billy Wagner than Bob Wickman. Why??? Wagner doesn’t put people on base to start the inning. Yes he is shaky as well, but he doesn’t spot the other team runners and then have to get out of a mess. A lot of the hits of Wickman are not solidly hit. If he doesn’t put runners on, then those bloop singles don’t score.
By tom
April 30, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
N8 IS A MAN-LOVING BUTT PIRATE! GO BRAVES!
By Efrim
April 30, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this
You did call Hudson being this good. I’ll give you props for that. Good job.
By Efrim
April 30, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
You did call Hudson being this good. I’ll give you props for that. Good job.
By Efrim
April 30, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
You did call Hudson being this good. I’ll give you props for that. Good job.
By N8
April 30, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
I wasn’t going postal. Just giggin right back at you. I dish it out all day long, and have no problem taking it either.
Like I said, I just assumed that when you were “going to the blog” you couldn’t have missed it. I wasn’t on this website all day long, and when I got home to fire up the game on MLBradio, I went to fire up the blog, and there it was.
No harm. I’m just actually seeing how many times I can mention Ronnie Milsap on the blog. I’m at 3 and counting, by my unofficial record (is that smarmy enough for you?)
Also in another post you said:
“I wish he would get a more conventional swing and be patient at the plate, and be willing to go the other way every now and then. Saw a graphic during Saturday night’s game. Of his hits, all but one have gone to left field. That’s not good over the long haul.”
Not to be a smart a$$, (ok, just a little), you apparently haven’t paid much attention to his career, have you? :-)
If the guy hasn’t gone to a “more patient and conventional swing” yet, he isn’t going to. Add to that, his hit chart has been a littl lopsided, to say the least since 1996.
Not trying to be rude, just would hate for you to get your hopes up for something that will NEVER happen, if it hasn’t happened yet.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
N8:
Forget my conciliatory comment earlier. Don’t quote Lew’s comments to you, to me. I don’t take any medcation, because I don’t need any.
I’m no schizophrenic, I’m not duplicitous, and I am not obsessive compulsive (check my spelling there chief - you of the navigat genre’)
And regarding your reference to Ronnie Milsap:
Ronnie Milsap ranks as the pre-eminent country soul singer of his generation. He also represents much more than any two-word definition can convey: a humble, overtly friendly fellow with a talent as vast and multi-dimensional as the American South.
I am sure that is what you meant by your reference to Ronnie. If not, your reference to his blindness, without taking into account his immense talent beyond his blindness is, well, crass.
And, by the way, nowhere on the blog home page (maybe I don’t get your “upgraded” version is there any mention of BEEFY BOB going on the DL. The top story was Langerhans being traded. Sorry I’m not on top of things like you. But, I’ll take my life over yours anyday.
We can still talk, and I’m happy to do so. Just don’t give me smart arse comments to perfectly reasonable questions. It doesn’t suit you, because you would absolutely lose to me in a war of wits, or a cage match.
By Micah
April 30, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
i’m just excited to have the month of May appear tomorrow in the braves blog calendar. love the little things in life:)
go braves!
By KC
April 30, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
Efrim: Wickman doesn’t put runners on to start an inning either when he’s healthy. Up until his last few games when the back problem became an issue… the save conversion ratio between Wickman and Wagner since the beginning of 2005 was virtually indiscernible.
That said, if given a choice between the 2, I too would take Wagner. All else being equal, I’ll go with the guy that has the better stuff. But you can’t go wrong with either of those guys when healthy.
By N8
April 30, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
Tom, how’s the old saying go, “A rat smells it’s own hole”?
Did you know that that can apply to guys named Tom, as well? But if they’re not flexible enough to do so, any other boy will do for them.
Maybe you should give us some details, I’m sure your “tails” are amazthing!
By KC
April 30, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
Wow… horrible spelling on my part. Sorry. “Indiscernible” is what I meant to type. The spelling police are staking out my house as I write. =)
By Reconnoiter
April 30, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this
KC and N8 are what is known as “rump rangers.”
By KC
April 30, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
Thanks Efrim. Grinch made the mistake of wagering with me on Hudson over the winter. Now he’ll be buying my Buffalo burger and beverages at good ole’ Ted’s Montana Grill before the game on Wed.
Sorry Grinch, had to brag a little. =)
By KC
April 30, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Efrim: “You did call Hudson being this good. I’ll give you props for that. Good job.”
Actually dude, I didn’t call him being this good. I was confident that he’d be good, but even I was reluctant to predict a return to Cy Young form (which he definitely appears to have regained).
By gotigers72
April 30, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
All you bloggers that were blasting Andruw, how does that freakin’ crow taste?
By Efrim
April 30, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this
Nice.
By N8
April 30, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
Scalp Em
Ronnie Milsap’s talent or humbleness still doesn’t mask the true essense of my reference: HE CAN’T READ by just looking at an online headline. Similar to you. Not only can you NOT read the headline, you apparently CAN’T READ my post.
I never said ANYTHING about a “blog headline”
REALLY!!!! HOW DO YOU GET TO THE BLOG????
Try and keep up if you can. I’ll give you my “blog map” in great detail.
1) I turn my computer on
2) I click on the Internet Explorer icon (probably one of the few to still use IE)
3) I go to my “favorites” (where the AJC Braves Page is listed.
4) I CLICK ON IT
5) I scroll down to where it says: “beat blog”
6) I start wasting my time explaing stuff to people like you.
7) I have to REPEAT the stuff I’ve already explained to you, because you are apparently to arrogant too (or too MILSAP) to read.
SEE STEP 4 That is where (ON THE BRAVES MAIN PAGE OF THE AJC), that the headline about wickman was (STILL IS).
So maybe it’s YOU who has the inside info on how to get directly to the blog while bypassing the Braves Main page. If so……please….DO TELL.
As for the Milsap reference, one only needs to be a musician to appreciate the fact that he does what he does, while not being able to see. BUT if I would’ve mentioned the “reference” using somebody who was blind that you didn’t know who it was, you might not have “seen” the connection. In fact I’m surprised you saw anything at all.
As for the “medication” JOKE. Lighten up Francis.
I’m not on any medication either, yet I’ve NEVER freaked out on Lew for making the JOKE.
L8R
By Magic Number Man
April 30, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
THE MAGIC NUMBER IS 138!!!!!!
By N8
April 30, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
gotigers72
“All you bloggers that were blasting Andruw, how does that freakin’ crow taste?”
I’ll remind you that Mark Redman occasionally gets hitters out as well. That doesn’t make him great.
As Scalp Em said earlier, his approach has got to change. All he’s doing is swinging for the fenses, right now. Every now and then, he’s GONNA connect. Especially if it’s the “6 digit man” on the mound.
But for the record, I already posted my comment eating a little crow at 9:30.
By Efrim
April 30, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
Nice.
By Seamus
April 30, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
Wow! Manuel needs to be fired. Leiber pitches the first seven. Alfonsucka pitches the ninth inning. What inning does the best pitcher on his team pitch?…. the eighth inning. Make sense to anyone?!?!?!? He needs to be fired but I hope they don’t can him until the Phils are 15 or so games out at the All Star Break
By ernesto
April 30, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this
Andruw’s game tonight perfectly encapsulates him: I’ll miss those big dingers, I’ll miss the stellar D, I won’t miss the guy half-assedly making it down the first base line after hitting into a DP. I mean run, Druw, put some pressure on the guy to make a throw!!!!! And I won’t miss his stuborn approach to hitting - the man will not go the other way when the pitch him outside - arggggh, it’s like watching Frenchy chase those pitches way outside all last year, over and over again.
Of course though, all htat begin said, great HR!!!!!! Braves win!!!! Braves win!!!! Braves win!!!!!
By fred
April 30, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
I hate to say it but, as well as Kelly Johnson has done at second and all the time he has put in winning the position, maybe we should put him in left field and let Pete Orr, or Prado play second. Both of them hit over 300 in the spring.
By Braves fan 202
April 30, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
With andruw and langy gone, who will play center next year?
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
N8:
Thanks for the step by step instructions on how to access the blog. My path here is much shorter. But, I’m not going to bore you or anyone else by discussing it here.
Which brings me to a good “stepping off” point. You have good things to say on this blog - but, by the 18th paragraph (of 30, or so) of your post, I just give up, man. Make your point, and get out. Your proclivity to pontificate is perplexing, and your “chest puffing” posts here tonight, disparaging me, are pusillanimous. Go look that one up, pal-I know it off the top of my head, because I have faced down many of you ilk for a long, long time.
By ernesto
April 30, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this
Scalp ‘Em - Did you mean to say “elk” as in many of you Elk?
And you’re right, they’re a bunch of SOB’s…and those Masons, don’t get me started on them.
By TheSouthernJackAss
April 30, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this
There seems to be 4 or 5 “regulars” here on this blog everyday, almost continuously, who must be auditioning to become some kind of writer, or author, or journalist, or sports commentator, and who must believe that they have a captive, national audience here that reads their every word, and that hangs on their every thought…You must even think that the Braves’ brass make their decisions based on your great baseball knowledge, and business acumen…
Are you people seeking fame, or notoriety, or do you think that you appear overly intelligent, and informed, more so than those who don’t waste their time trying to impress others?…
It’s seems endless, same people, same tired, stale arguments, day in, day out, on and on…You’ve taken the fun out of this blog…If AJC doesn’t do something to limit the size of these mundane posts, and if AJC doesn’t insist that those who use this blog as their own private messenger service, email service, or substitute for a private room, then turn out the lights, cause this party’s over…You are ruining the blog!!…
Guess some of you have no life at all, so you try to portray yourself, on this blog, as something you could never achieve or be in real life…Never saw so many people trying to put meaning into meaninglessness!…I would rather read the damn white pages in a phone book rather than this blog as of late…and don’t bother responding with your A$sClown comments, I won’t be reading them anyhow!…
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this
Heard Dibs & Kennedy talking about Redman the other day. Dibs talked about how Jamie Moyer, whose “junk” is comparable to Redman’s, gets away with it. He says that Moyer has the same “arm slot”, action and holds his glove the same way with every pitch he throws. Redman, Dibs says, has different “arm slots”, and appears to telegraph his pitches by how he holds his glove when setting his fingers on the ball. Thus, Moyer throws a no hitter through 7 innings, without ever throwing a pitch above 85 MPH.
I have no idea what an “arm slot” is, but if Dibs says hitters recognize that, far be it from me to disagree with him. Anybody got a slot machine they can loan to Redman? He needs it.
N8 - truce man - we can go on all night with crap - I’ll let it go, and thanks for the recognition on Dru’s swing this year - it is awful.
By ernesto
April 30, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
And the A$$ clowns, with their bake sales and door to door A$$ clownery, can’t stand ‘em.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
SJA:
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU…. for giving me a fresh target tonight, and a worthy opponent. You have promised, I don’t know, like, 88 times, to never come back, yet you always reappear. Kind of like our former disgraced President saying “They won’t have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore”. Hell, he got kicked for the next 15 years. You must never, ever leave this blog, SJA. Who else would we have to kick around?
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this
Ernesto:
Nope - the word was “ilk”. But, I like your take on it - you wanna take off on a bunch of guys calling themselves horned animals who forage for survival, and take off at the first sign of a bear approaching, by all means, be my guest!
By ernesto
April 30, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
By the way, when writing a “this blog sucks becuase of the lenght of the posts” screed, try to keep it under 4 paragraphs, otherwise you start playing footsie with irony.
By Terry Forster
April 30, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
I was reading some of Jenny Craig’s comments way up the page and spilled some Chocolate Ice Cream on the page, so I didn’t get the whole idea….. But let me say this. Fat boys have always ruled on the Braves. Remember me? Hank was no lightweight. There’s a long line of Beer League heavyweight Tomahawk Toters. Jeff Burroughs, Hammerin’ Hank, Klesko, Wohlers, Lonnie Smith. Heck, even McCann and Andruw tote a few extra pounds around. Here’s the thing: There’s always some politically correct pundits in the crowd who agonize over the fact that fat men can play sports and get hot babes. While fat chicks, well, they just play sports and get other fat chicks. Heal quickly, Wickman. This Bud’s for you!
By ernesto
April 30, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
Scalp ‘em - yeah I knew that, it’s just hte blog seemed so grumpy for a night with a W, wanted to loosen it up some.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
April 30, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
SJA a/k/a Terry Forster - good one! Knew you would come to the defense of fat men!
By Mitchie-san
April 30, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this
~sigh~
By ernesto
April 30, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this
An appearance by the big tub of goo!!!! My man! Have a crueller on me! Good on ya!
By Sir Stealth
April 30, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
Great to see Andruw finally come through in the clutch tonight. It is almost unfathomable, with the way he has looked at the plate for most of the year, that he now has his On Base Percentage up over .400, which is better than Edgar Renteria.
By TheSouthernJackAss
April 30, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
I can almost see the little “regulars” scurrying around like mice, like roaches when the light comes on trying to figure out just how in the hell they can say something smartA$sed and insulting to TheJackAss in reply to his post…like a frenzied swarm of pecker gnats buzzin’ like an ol’ stoner’s head while taking a trip, but never leaving the farm…you imbeciles can’t come up with anything new or original, just like your damned posts, boring, stale, same ol’ same ol’…now back to reading my phone book…I’m all the way up to the R’s now…
Ernesto—don’t bite off more than you have the teeth to chew, pal…
By ernesto
April 30, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this
Scalp Em, SJA can’t be Terry Forster, Terry Forster like all fate men is jolly, didn’t you see him on Letterman?
By Wayne in UT
April 30, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this
Nice to see AJ picking it up. I still wish he would poke it to right once in a while. Also, I hope he gets some common sense and fires his agent, so he can negotiate in good faith.
3 years guaranteed at 15 mil per. Clauses that would cause years 4-5-6 to kick in if he keeps it up. Escalate the salary from 15 to 20 in years 4 thru 6, if his performance doesn’t wane.
By Mitchie-san
April 30, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this
What the hell has happened to this blog?
By Wayne in UT
April 30, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
Well said, Seamus, long, but well said.
By April
April 30, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
Hi Big Guy, where have you been? It’s good to let others know how you feel about long posts and it helps relieve some of your pent-up hostilities. Now, how do you feel about long-legged women? I know you’ve been back to my website a few times. What brings you back again and again? Ready to meet me and talk about our future? Think of me as a rose and you as a thorn and what a perfect flower we will make together. April will always be here for you.
By TheSouthernJackAss
April 30, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
Well “Mitchie”—the ol’ blog just got a much needed infusion of color—much like what the Braves achieved with their most recent trade with Oakland…
I bet Terence Moore will be having nocturnal emissions all damn nite long over that trade!…
By Terry Forster
April 30, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Ernesto. Glad you remember the Letterman appearance. I think we did fat men real proud on that one. Remember ol’ Dave was joking about which stadium had the best hot dogs? He thought I was just kidding. But I’d order a dozen dogs through the club house attendant. Me and old Rick Camp and Larry Bradford would eat hot dogs and drink beer for five innings, just hoping that we didn’t get a call before then. Ha! I’ll send you an autographed 11 X 14, Ernesto. You know the 8 x 10 just could never hold me! And no, I really old Terry and not this Souther Jack A* character. My writing style is much better and I have a greater sense of humor. Terry from Texas, out!
By N8
April 30, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this
SJA
First of F… Oh never mind, I don’t wanna get kicked off of here.
Second of all, you said:
“If AJC doesn’t do something to limit the size of these mundane posts, and if AJC doesn’t insist that those who use this blog as their own private messenger service, email service, or substitute for a private room, then turn out the lights, cause this party’s over…You are ruining the blog!!…”
Don’t you find it just a LITTLE ironic that you use a 4 paragraph, 257 word (yeah, I counted them) post to ask the AJC to “limit” the length of posts.
Hope I’m not the only one who saw the ridiculousness of that request. Almost as silly as a guy with a salt shaker in his hand ordering fries at McDonalds and requesting that they be “with no salt”.
Scalp Em
“N8 - truce man - we can go on all night with crap - I’ll let it go, and thanks for the recognition on Dru’s swing this year - it is awful.”
Nothing to “truce” about man. Just good giggin’ (to use your word), IMO.
As for Andruw’s swing? Well, our good friend Ronnie Milsap would even be able to notice that. :-)
By TheSouthernJackAss
April 30, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this
April—I doubt if my big ammo would fit into your small magazine…
By ernesto
April 30, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this
One last thing, Druw’s walk off was the #1 play of hte day on ESPN. Yankees must have been off.
By The Grinch
April 30, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
Evening, all! Glad to see we’re all having fun together and sharing our toys. Michie-san, what makes it any different than usual? Don’t be so uptight, my friend. Chug a few sapporo’s and it will all become clear. :-) KC, be glad you were right about Hudson; if he was pitching like last year we’d be in a mess all things considered.
By Ron
May 1, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this
Its somethin that basically only me, Lew, KC, and a few others had Huddy havin a great year, most everybody else thought he was done for. Although I was wrong about Hampton, and Davies is gosh aweful, but hey maybe I will be right about smoltz and James. Hell maybe 3 out of 5 aint too bad!!!
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 1, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this
N8—you stupid Summummabitch!…that’s my first post in 3 days, not my 103rd. like you…you little dork…
And that certainly reaffirms what I was talking about—YOU COUNTED THE DAMNED CHARACTERS IN MY POST!!!…PATHETIC!!!…
Another thing while I’ve got your attention, it wouldn’t make any difference how long posts are, or how many posts someone makes—AS LONG AS THEY’VE GOT SOMETHING WORTH POSTING…
So there boy—that’s one of the big differences between me and you—**I don’t give a tinker’s damn if I get banned from this A$sClown blog—I have a life!…
By Ron
May 1, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this
I like these Homeruns, but damn, can we score a damn run when a player is in scoring position with a basehit. Hell Burrells blunder in LF put Frenchy at 3rd, and the Damn Pitcher drove him in, the rest of the guys need to get it together, because we cant always rely on the Homer. Still dont know how we have this great record, and yet it could have been better, AMAZING!!!
By April
May 1, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this
Yes, I could tell how manly you are by all your tough-guy posts. Did your Momma teach you to talk like that? Well, now I am your Momma. TheSouthernJackassMomma. In fact, that may be my new handle. Now you can be a Momma’s Boy on the blog like you are at home. Are we ever going to make this romance work?
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 1, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this
Terry Forster—I do think I’ve seen your writing style somewhere before—I believe it was scratched on a stall in an outdoor public schitter at last year’s state fair…
Some real good schit it was…
By Mitchie-san
May 1, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this
Grinch- I guess you are right. I have been gone for a while. I come back and have to scroll through hate, religious beliefs, and ignorance. I have never understood arrogance from behind a computer screen.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 1, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this
April—you have a little bass to your tone too I see!…
By DAP
May 1, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
i dont want to be the debbie downer tonight, cause it was a great win at home against the “team to beat” phils. however, even after andruws heroics tonight, i am hating his swing right now.
the pitch he hit out was just a terrible pitch. the way he is swinging, his whole body is moving away from home plate. his average has been rising, but he needs to find a way to keep his body still in there, and he will dominate.
that sounds so stupid to say the night he hits a walk-off, but his swing is jacked up, guys. watch any great hitter, and one thing they all do is keep their bodies still when they swing.
oh yeah, and my last debbie downer moment: i enjoyed watching hudson pitch tonight. lets get ready for redman and his 10+ era tomorrow. we’ll have to score alot of runs on hamels, which will be easier said than done.
By Ron
May 1, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
Its comical how some of you were just bashin Andruw and basically said he was done, and now look at Andruw, he has a good trackrecord so he will produce and probably hit 43 homers, with 120rbi’s. He will get hot and carry us for a month with his hot hittin when we need it the most.
By The Grinch
May 1, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
Oh, my. There’s love in the air; I can smell it. Time for a Hallmark family channel episode…
By Lew
May 1, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this
Mitchie-You still swimming in the Pacific, Dude? Scalp Em’-Arm slot is the angle of a pitcher’s arm when he throws the ball. Variations of the arm slot can make the ball behave differently-make it rise or fall. Last year, Hudson’s arm slot was causing him to leave the ball up in the hitting zone. He changed over the winter and look at the results. He’s keeping it lower and getting ground balls.
By April, TheSouthernJackassMomma
May 1, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this
Do you really have a wife or were you saying that to throw me off track? If you have a wife I’ll bet she doesn’t know how often you come to my website to look at my photos. You must be very lonely there with the phone book and that jar of mayonnaise. Come out and play with Momma.
By Ron
May 1, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this
Mitchie-san, We’ve been talkin about each other for awhile now, you might have to get used to it, because it has been some hostility, if you think this is bad, scroll through some of DOB’s previous blogs, that will get you, hahaha!!!
By The Grinch
May 1, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
Mitchie, if it makes you feel any better most if that is coming from one person. Not that it should really matter; life can be amusing in all it’s many forms. We are all like snowflakes and all that %^$#. And yes, I’m high. :-)
Ron, I passed on Hudson in favor of Derrick Lowe and it’s killing my fantasy team. Good thing reality is more important…in this case anyway.
By CHEERS TO THE "REGULARS"
May 1, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
DOB is Sam Malone, Lew is fat ole drunken Norm, Robert is Frasier, Shaun is Lillith, N8 is Woody, KC is Cliff Claven, SJA is “Harry the Hat, Coach is, um, well Coach, Gil in Mechanicsville is Carla, Scalp ‘Em is Rebecca, the Carowhiner Lady is Diane, and the Grinch, well, he’ll always be the Grinch. He’s too original to fit into the definition of another character.
Anyone else have more fitting definitions for our beleaguered “regulars” on here? And, yes, SJA you are more of a regular than anyone. You’ve been coming to the bar longer than anyone else. I see the tear in your beer over that remark. Maybe DOB has served you enough tonight to get you sufficiently beergoggled to tear April up.
UtahWayne (good blogger) would be the guy still at Cheers for last call long after all the regulars had left with his late night posts.
Whatever you do, whenever Lew posts, everyone yell out NORM!
By KC
May 1, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
Grinch: Yeah… believe me, I know it. Hudson has saves our a$$. I felt all along that as Hudson goes this season, so go the Braves. If true, that’s certainly good news considering the way he’s pitching.
What did ya’ll think of Gonzo tonight? Looked pretty damn good to me. I think he should be the guy in Wickman’s absence, and possibly… even after Wickman returns.
The bullpen will be more than fine. Amazing to have the kind of depth to where… not only does an injury to Wick not devastate this pen, but I doubt it will even be felt all that much.
The offense is looking very good as well. I’m just waiting for good news… the news that something, ANYTHING, has been done to upgrade the back end of the rotation. Here’s hoping that something happens there soon!!!
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 1, 2007 12:24 AM | Link to this
Get lost Freak!—and I’ve never been to your damned website…dude…and don’t email me anymore begging for money for your transgender surgery!
By Mitchie-san
May 1, 2007 12:26 AM | Link to this
Hi Lew! I have been having the luxury of being in port for the past month. I took a little bit of leave, tried to take advantage of some time off. I have been playing alot of softball and just hanging out in Tokyo….
By Lew
May 1, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this
Talk about regulars-Has anyone noticed Stinky’s back? Talked Mommy into a new computer. He’s been playing Journalist Jimmy (as well as myriad others) all night.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 1, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
Well Lew—I guess that’s better than him getting it up, and having his balls ground!…
Well I’ve had enough for tonite…
By The Grinch
May 1, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
Nice try Wayne. Good post, but you tipped your hand. There’s a casting agent in your future but not a master of disguise…
KC, you know I’m about to say what I never, EVER thought I’d EVER hear myself say: Tanyon Sturtze may come of the DL and help our rotation. Y’all wondered like me why in the hell JS signed him when we had a “pitching surplus” during Spring? Now we know. The man’s a genius.
April, looks like you jigged the lure too hard.
By N8
May 1, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
SJA
*”N8—you stupid Summummabitch!…that’s my first post in 3 days, not my 103rd. like you…you little dork…”
Well, either you’ve counted my posts (making you a dork as well), or you’re an eggagerating, lying, a*******whole.
I’m gonna go with C) Both of the above.
For the record, it’s called a word, not a character (which you’ve got none of).
As for me posting stuff that’s “not worth posting”? DING DING DING DING!!!! Ladies and Gentleman, we have a winner! The Pot has successfully called the Kettle, Black……AGAIN!
“So there boy—that’s one of the big differences between me and you—I don’t give a tinker’s damn if I get banned from this A$sClown blog—I have a life!…”
Maybe that “life” should be running through a quick “cliff notes” version of 3rd grade English. The proper way of stating that comment should’ve been:
“…that’s one of the big differences between YOU AND I….”
But, to steal a line from Jeff Foxworthy, you were more than likely “missed your 5th grade graduation, because you had jury duty.”
Good Luck with your “life”. I’ve seen that Wal-Mart lets people like you roll in the carts from outside. Keep those fingers crossed.
By Lew
May 1, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this
Mitchie-I guess I’ll go listen to “Tokyo” by Dirty Looks or maybe Loudeness (Tokyo’s answer to Kiss) in your honor. I hear Tokyo’s a pretty rockin city. Be a good boy, now.
By April, TheSouthernJackassMomma
May 1, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this
If I have transgender surgery will we have matching scars? Don’t be so hard on your new Momma. Some people think you are a pretty clever blogger but I would never agree that SJA is “more of a regular than anyone.” It’s that biting wit and alluring charm that attracted me to you in the first place - that, and your impressive size. What attracts you to me? It’s those photos, isn’t it? Have you been on my site again tonight? Which picture do you like best? Hellmans or Kraft?
By Lew
May 1, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this
SJA-Point well taken. Hate those ground balls. Sleep tight.
By We Have Mets the Enemy
May 1, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this
From the previous blog, re: Sean’s position that certain players or pitchers don’t dominate certain teams:
Looking at the numbers deeper, it’s hard to see that (James Rodney) Richard was significantly better against the Dodgers than he was against a few other teams. Dodger Stadium and the Astrodome were both pitchers parks so he didn’t have to ever face the Dodgers in a tough park. Not saying he wasn’t impressive against them but we’d expect his ERA to be lower against them.
Sean, the parks the teams played in is irrelevant. The fences were the same distance from home plate for both teams, and the hevay night air at Chavez Ravine was the same for both the Dodgers and Astros. In other words, the Dodger pitchers enjoyed the same advantages Richard did.
And I don’t care if they’re playing in the Grand Canyon, J.R. Richard’s career 1.72 ERA against the Dodgers is dominant no matter how “deep” you look into the numbers.
Richard’s last loss to L.A. was a 1-0 decision on June 23, 1976. At that point he was 1-4 lifetime against the Dodgers (including 2-1 and 3-2 losses). His next start was Aug. 4, 1976 (a 1-0 victory), and from that day through his last start vs. L.A. on April 19, 1980, J.R. Richard started 16 more times against the Dodgers, posting 13 wins and no losses. Three of the wins were 1-0 games, two were 2-1, one was 2-0. He struck out 10 or more Dodgers in nine of those starts.
Richard’s career totals against the Dodgers are 14 wins, 4 losses and a 1.72 ERA. Against all other teams for his career, Richard was 93-67 with a 3.34 ERA, so his ERA against the Dodgers was exactly HALF his career ERA against the rest of the National League. He pitched 188 1/3 innings lifetime against the Dodgers, allowing only 108 hits and 36 earned runs. He walked 67 and struck out 200.
And to repeat, he was 13-0 against L.A. in his last 16 starts. The Dodgers of Davey Lopes, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Reggie Smith, Dusty Baker and Rick Monday. Against Dodgers pitchers the likes of Don Sutton, Tommy John, Burt Hooton and Jerry Reuss. A damn fine team, in other words, yet they were helpless to stop J.R. Richard and the far less imposing (until 1980, anyway) Houston Astros.
James Rodney Richard, Shaun, is the quintessential example of a certain player being able to dominate a certain team.
Let us hear you say you were wrong now.
By ernesto
May 1, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this
I wrote earlier about Wright already starting to hear some boo-birds up here in Gotham, good thing about the Braves’ fans - it takes a good long spell of suck-ery before anyone starts to boo. I think Langy had at least another few weeks.
For everyone thinking there’s some deal for an established LF, I’m not sure I agree. It seems like JS’s strategy with an $80 budget seems to be pay for proven guys where you HAVE to (his spending on teh bullpen is unprecedented) and let other spots be fielded from the best the org has to offer b/c of financial constraints (1B, 2B, LF).
And that’s not a slam on Thor or KJ, it just seems to be the current financial philosophy - so I don’t see htem opening up the purse for a Cliff Floyd, Jacques Jones or anyone else making above MLB minimum.
By Coach
May 1, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this
Stop the damn presses ! Francoeur is hitting .306 , Andruw hits a walk off bomb , the baseball Gods are smiling on us , at least for one day.
By We Have Mets the Enemy
May 1, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this
Here’s a link to a great Web page on J.R. Richard’s tragic career, with all the stats I used to kick Shaun’s a-s-s in my previous post:
www.astrosdaily.com/files/team/richard/richard.html
By Seamus the Leprachaun
May 1, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this
NORM!
By meansonny
May 1, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this
A couple quick comments to try and keep this blog about baseball.
I believe that the only reason Pete Orr is on the team is because of Aybar’s injury. He doesn’t have any options. And he wouldnlt have made the roster on his own merit this spring. This is in reference to posters who don’t know why he hasn’t gotten a shot in left.
And the Langerhans trade reminds me of Tony Perez Jr deal. A player good enough for a shot at MLB without any options. But not good enough for the roster spot. Schuerholtz again will get another Arm for the farm system. Langy was more ‘developed’ than Perez, so we got some cash too. Not a bad record for players out of options.
Can JS pull a hat trick and get something for Orr?
By N8
May 1, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this
One last note on Andruw’s swing before heading to bed.
The photo on the AJC’s main Braves page (can you find that Scalp Em?), about “says it all” about what he’s tryin’ to do at the plate.
Nice even, level, well balanced swing. YIKES.
By Mitchie-san
May 1, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this
I guess I did forget. Anyway. Heres my two cents: KJ is making everyone take notice. IMO the biggest surprise so far this year. Langy needed to go. I didnt even care we got nothing back for him. I wish him luck and hope he wont be the latest ex-Brave to become a star. I am glad Wickman pulled himself out of that game. He really could have done more damage to himself and to the Braves. Its time to get a taste of the future closer… Hudson is back being a stud. I sure am glad we didnt deal him. He is carrying the pitching staff. (with the help of Smoltz.) Why does left feild always have to stink? There has got to be someone, somewhere that we can get to fill in for the year. And I dont mean Harris! I am tired of LF being an experiment….
Ok I think i am done for now.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 1, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this
Cut your losses and run N8—the more you post, the more you reveal your true level of intellect…and you’re boring me…’again’…
…also I had it correct with the “me and you” thing there boy—there’s no way I’m putting you before me…
As far as my 3rd. grade education is concerned…I fart more intelligence than you’ll ever hope to have…wouldn’t trade mine for yours…now I’m finished wasting my time on you…
By Seamus the Leprachaun
May 1, 2007 1:05 AM | Link to this
The Angry Leprachaun sez Orr is terrible and no one will give a sack of potatoes for him. Englishman ain’t causing no Potato Famine these days, so a sack of potatoes ain’t worth very much. But who knows? When life gives Teflon John lemons, he makes lemonade. I ain’t much of a lemonade man myself. Like KC, I love me some Kool Aid. But when life gives Teflon John potatoes, he make potato chips, a mighty tasty treat. Whomever it be that said Orr should play in left, should join Right Said Fred in being too sexy for me blog. SJA, when will you let April finally kiss ye Blarney Stone? Seamus off to sleep now. Gonna be a helluva of a hangover in the morning. Hope the smell of the mess I made in the bathroom don’t wake me Irish eyes up. Ain’t gonna be fun cleaning that up in the morn. Good thing me took April home wit’ me. I’ll use her skank hair to clean it up.
By Wayne in UT
May 1, 2007 1:07 AM | Link to this
Mr. Grinch??? Did I miss something?
By The Grinch
May 1, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
Nice try Wayne. Good post, but you tipped your hand. There’s a casting agent in your future but not a master of disguise…
Did I get credit for someone else’s work tonight. I mentioned earlier that I was happy and gay, and then stated I hope AJ fires Bora$$. What else was I supposed to have done??
Should I resurrect my “Night Before Opening Day?”
By Wayne in UT
May 1, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this
How’s it hanging tonight Mr SJA?? These days it seems the idiocy is getting worser and worser (I do come from SC).
I have been out of touch for the past few weeks, but I don’t know if I missed much???
By The Grinch
May 1, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this
Mitchie, how can you wish him luck and hope he doesn’t become a star at the same time? I agree the coolest thing Bob has done yet was pull himself before causing further damage. ARE YOU LISTENING, REITSMA?
Ok, time to grab some shuteye. Y’all behave and play nice.
By ernesto
May 1, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this
Seamus- remember - it’s “whom” when you could substitute “him” or “her” and “who” when you would use “he” or “she”
As in “Hey Ernesto, WHO gives a sh*t?”
By The Grinch
May 1, 2007 1:17 AM | Link to this
My bad, Wayne; I thought the 12:21 was you. Huh. That’s like, the third time I’ve ever been wrong. Y’all just saw the Grinch equivilent of an unassisted triply play in rarity. That narrows it down to two other possibillities. Hmm. For another time. G’night.
By Wayne in UT
May 1, 2007 1:17 AM | Link to this
Mr. Grinch I only assume the blog names of Reggie Sanders, Brian Jordan, and “Chip and Smoltzie”, besides myself. I haven’t pulled the “guys” out of the locker since late in Spring training.
I have wondered once or twice how interesting it would be to create a totally new blog personality, and see if I could pull it off, say “Braves fan from Biloxi” or something like that. My problem would be that sometimes these late night entries are all I have, and that might be a dead giveaway.
Does sound fun though….
By Wayne in UT
May 1, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this
Seamus, not even a sack-o potatoes for Orr, huh?? I wish we would lose Woodward and Harris. Bring along Escobar and Blanco or BJones.
I bet the Stankees wish they had Sturtze now??
By Wayne in UT
May 1, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this
Here’s wishing I had created the “Cheers” piece. A bit of nostalgia for you late nighters….
‘Twas the night before Opening Day, and all through the south,
Not a Braves fan is blogging, not even the Coach.
The Met fans are nestled, all snug in their beds,
Not aware of the train wreck that is lurking ahead.
O’Brien is dreamin’, and MetroMan is scheming.
Hoping their team will be victorious tonight.
The Journalist has visions of toes in his head,
While KC and Lew are off to their beds.
Carolina Lady and Rosalynn add class to this site.
While PhillyGirl and the “Ghost” are accepted in spite.
Now the JackA$$ and The Grinchster are colorful it’s true,
But JoeBrave and some others, are in danger of the “dude”
There are so many others, it is hard not to include,
There is caveman and scribe, and oddjob too.
Sir Stealth he is, and meansonny he is not.
Scalp ‘em and Thrillhouse, and Arkansas Hillbilly are hot!
We have our two Roberts, with Justice the Best,
While the other our beloved Bobby, he must detest.
We can’t forget DonCo, Daybed, Kieran and Gil,
Or Ernesto and scoots; woogidy and rammerjammer too.
Shaun is crunching numbers, N8 will sound off,
Our pastor Matthew, is ready to preach.
Greg and Paul, from Tennessee will expound
And we wish from No Chop, not even a sound.
If I’ve forgotten anyone, forgiveness is due,
We old farts out in Utah, our memories are few.
Now it is getting late, even for our Mitchie-san,
So I need to exclaim, as I turn out the lights.
Chop Chop to the Mets, Frenchy tomahawk one tonight!!
By Seamus the Leprachaun
May 1, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this
Oh Grinch, Pimp, you know darn well who it is.
By DeWayne in Decatur
May 1, 2007 1:30 AM | Link to this
I think Bobby Cox and Bob Wickman might be brothers……
By Wayne in Utah
May 1, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this
Nite all….. Go Redman tomorrow. Prove us all wrong dude.
Maybe Thorman will get the start against the lefty???
By Seamus the Leprachaun
May 1, 2007 1:42 AM | Link to this
Thank you very much Ernesto. Tell Bert I said hello. Big Bird SJA as well. Ah, what the hell, give a big pound and a nod for me as well to Tickle Me Elmo KC, Cookie Monster Lew, Count von Count Shaun, Guy Smiley DOB, Grover Utah Wayne, Oscar the Grouch Robert, Telly Monster N8, Two Headed Monster Bob Journalist, Snuffleupagus April. This teaching English lesson by Ernesto has been brought to you by the Letter A, which starts the word ….. I forgot this is PBS. Seamus can’t go there.
By Coach
May 1, 2007 1:51 AM | Link to this
Wayne you are a poet ! Simply outstanding !
By Mitchie-san
May 1, 2007 2:12 AM | Link to this
That was great Wayne!
By Coach
May 1, 2007 2:57 AM | Link to this
It’s official , the first month is in the can. 16-9 and we could easily be 18-7. Inspite of the woeful efforts from the back of the rotation , the lack of offense from bench , the questions in LF and 1B , this team is winning. Mainly due to the long ball happy offense , the revamped bullpen and fantastic pitching of Hudson , Smoltz and steady contributions of Chuck James. We have a winner , folks. Whether they win the division or end up fighting for the wild card it will be a winning season of Braves baseball and 2006 was nothing more than a speed bump.
By Bill
May 1, 2007 6:18 AM | Link to this
Great game. AJ came through but he is just not a consistent hitter. He had a chance before to come through in the clutch. The Braves will be better next year without AJ. He is not worth 18-20mil for 7yrs. I hate to see him go but this is this season. Pitching,pitching is names of the game. Put all the resources there.
By Mitch
May 1, 2007 6:40 AM | Link to this
I agree with your post, DAP. I don’t want to seem like an ingrate and I know a win is a win is a win, but I almost wish Andruw would’ve hit a double in the alley instead. I know his teammates didn’t mind, but I hope that homer didn’t further plant in Andruw’s mind that corkscrewing himself into the ground on every swing is a good idea.
By bergian
May 1, 2007 7:11 AM | Link to this
I still see posts bashing Wickman, and now everyone is having fun with fat jokes. Cox overuses closers, plain and simple. Remember when Smoltz was the closer? Up on nights he didn’t get in? Then pitching 3, 4 nights in a row? Smoltz was smart, and went back to starting, cuz his elbow wouldn’t be bending in the Majors today if he stayed in the pen. Cox is a great manager, Torre is great manager. But, they really don’t know how to use a bullpen. Wickman on average does not pitch in 90 of his teams games…at least that is the way it has been for his whole career. Now, at the age of 38, Cox had him in more than half of the team’s games. Not smart. Wickman is like Doug Jones in Detroit, the kind of guy you want closing, with the guys throwing really hard in the 7th and 8th….but, not every day Bobby!
By don
May 1, 2007 7:28 AM | Link to this
Hopefully, Langerhans will thrive in Oakland and make this another of a growing list of blunders by the Braves.
By Seamus the Leprachaun
May 1, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this
BMAC needs to start hitting again.
By Earl
May 1, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
Can we put Hudson on the bereavement list and call up another pitcher for the bullpen for a couple of days? I think that we would be allowed to for his grandmother and all.
By We Have Mets the Enemy
May 1, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
Joe Torre used his bullpen pretty damn well in the ‘96 World Series. Remember John Wetteland? Three saves. Rivera and Grahame Lloyd tamed the Braves as well.
It’s real easy to spout off here and pretend you know what you’re talking about. I’d like to see how well a bullpen-by-blogger fares.
By Wayne in Utah
May 1, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Bill and Mitch Agreed. A well placed double does almost the same thing, and possibly helps teach. In addition, I would prefer to spend the cash on somebody like Zambrano instead of an overweight, inconsistent, gold glover star CF. I think for 5-8 mil we could get an OF to do the trick.
Also, if we are going to use Salty as a trade piece (later this year or in the off season), then we have two avenues to use for funding help for the team. Salty for a starting pitcher or outfielder and then use the savings from AJ for the other piece. I hear the FA market will be weak next year for starters, so maybe Salty for a starter.
I am hopeful Thorman gets the nod tonight over Wilson at first, but I am not going to hold my breath.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this
Cox is a great manager, Torre is great manager. But, they really don’t know how to use a bullpen.
bergian, you can’t be serious. What Cox (and Mazzone) did over their tenure with bullpens may be more impressive than what they did with the starters. They pieced together ‘pens with castoffs and no names and guys they got from independent leagues and more times than not put together pretty good bullpens.
All some folks seem to remember are a couple of homers given up in the post-season late in games but the Braves bullpens were pretty good, even in the post-season. If I’m not mistaken, the Braves’ bullpen ERA in the post-season was better than the starters’ ERA.
By Wayne in Utah
May 1, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
We Have Mets… You speak much wisdom for being so early in the morning. I think that what makes BC such a good manager, can sometimes also be to the detriment of the team. Not always, and not even most of the time, but sometimes, his belief and confidence in his players (Wicky lately) leads him to leave them out there a bit too long.
During some years of the 14 year run, I thought him going to the 3 man rotation in the playoffs was a mistake. Like you say though, it is easy from the confines of my keyboard to judge others.
BUT, considering how extremely smart and astute I am, I am sure as a blogger manager, I would do well!!!
:-)
By Seamus the Leprachaun
May 1, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
Instead of talking to your plants, if you yelled at them would they still grow? Only to become troubled and insecure?
By Seamus the Leprachaun
May 1, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
Why do people who know the least know it the loudest?
By Seamus the Leprachaun
May 1, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
Well, hello, Lillith.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
It’s real easy to spout off here and pretend you know what you’re talking about. I’d like to see how well a bullpen-by-blogger fares.
We Have Mets the Enemy, I think this is the most arrogant comment I’ve ever read here.
This is a blog. “Spouting off” is what people do. I actually agree with your point about the Yankees bullpen, but why do you have to basically tell people they don’t know what they’re talking about?
And some call me arrogant?!
By Seamus the Leprachaun
May 1, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this
Come on, let’s get real, whom amongst us is not pretty darn arrogant? You would not be posting on a blog if you did not have a lot of arrogance in ya. What a humble poster say on here and what would be the point of their postings?
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 1, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this
N8—The smartest thing that you could say today would be ‘nothing’!…
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 1, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
Coach You remind me of the golfer that laments over missing a couple of short putts that would have given him a sub 80s round and forgets about the two shanks he hit.
Baseball is what it is. I am hearten that the Marlins put one on the Mets last night.
What is really scary is what Washington is getting out of that dime store pitching staff of theirs. They are playing some close games.
I am not sure if I have the courage to watch tonight’s game with Redman pitching.
By meansonny
May 1, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
Seamus
Don’t presume that a blog is an outlet for arrogance. It’s another avenue of communication. This is a diverse bunch on this blog. And as the poems narrate, everyone adds another stroke of paint to how we vision this Braves franchise.
It’s like Napster for baseball knowledge. Give and take (thank you DOB)
Anyone logging in solely for an internet war of words on this blog isn’t arrogant. They’re just sad that they’ve probably p** off all their friends. And all they have left are strangers on the internet.
By MGL
May 1, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
KJ stats for the past two weeks. 13 games, 12 starts. .478 AVG, .607 OBP. Amazing!!!
By Seamus the Leprachaun
May 1, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
well said mean sonny and point taken. i will stop being a fool with my posts now. back to ye old merry blogging.
By MGL
May 1, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
1st Base stats past two weeks: Thor 10 games, 7 starts - .366 AVG, .406 OBP.
Wilson 9 games, 6 starts - .100 AVG, .222 OBP.
By Alex
May 1, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
The Braves gave up on Langy? Are you fraking kidding me! How much more of that crap that he apparently called hitting could you have taken from that guy and tolerated it?
Another “braves blunder”? OK, who have the Braves “given up on” that went on to have a great career, which made the team regret their decision?
I can think of one guy…Jermayne Dye and that’s it!!!
So I think JS and management know what they are doing by cutting their loses right now with Ryan. Mark my words, he will never be anything more than an utility outfielder who hits .220 with marginal power. I guess that’s a guy I’m willing to “let go” as a Braves fan.
Before you act like we’ve lost someone of value…think!
The future in LF for the Braves is Brandon Jones in AA right now.
By Matthew, Walter's Dad
May 1, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
Several things to discuss:
Wayne in Utah Your 1:27 a.m. was a classic! It should be posted at the top of every DOB/Carroll blog. I am honored that you included me!
Hudson Dang! He was lights out! 19 groundouts out of 24 possible, and continues his quality starts streak (7 in a row I believe). BTW, the suggestion that Huddy take a bereavement leave is a good one, but only if he needs it. Often the best thing for a person in mourning to do is to do what brings joy. In Huddy’s case, I would suspect that thing is baseball. As Willie Harris showed in Carroll’s fine piece, the excitement over the game itself is a powerful thing. I would say that putting him on the bereavement list only to get an extra reliever, without taking his feelings into consideration, would be wrong. Not to say that was the motivation, but I just thought it was worth qualifying the suggestion a little.
Wickman I hope he recovers soon. I have heard often of lower back strains, but this is the first time I have heard of a pitcher having an upper back strain. To look on the bright side, at least now Gonzo and Soriano have a two week audition in the closer’s role.
Langerhans Trade Does anyone know when the player to be named or cash considerations will be revealed from the Langerhans trade? We gave up a guy who is now the #1 center fielder in Oakland, at least on the depth chart. I hope we got something good in return.
My son has been under the weather for a couple of weeks, which is why I haven’t posted as much. Warning, don’t read what’s next if you’re eating His little belly has been upset, at its worst filling 5 and 6 diapers a day with poop that is the same color as the food he was consuming. He’s a little better now, but if you don’t mind, keep the little guy and my wife Jennifer in your prayers. For me, I am in week two of a sinus infection that has taken my voice. In a strange turn of events, I couldn’t speak very well at all on Saturday, struggled through preaching Sunday morning (though it went well) and led our church’s business meeting Sunday night with no trouble. Then I awoke yesterday and couldn’t speak at all until after noon. It’s better now, but I am still fighting it.
Ok, back to gradingin papers. Only 20 school days to go!
By Matthew, Walter's Dad
May 1, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
MGL:
I think that Thor should be given more ABs against lefties to see what he can do. Pick on weaker pitching if necessary, but get him in more often and use Wilson as the emergency catcher and pinch hitter. Here’s what I mean. Bobby is averse to using both of his catchers in a gae because he fears injury to the backup who comes in late. If B Pena is starting, use McCann as a pinch hitter late in the game. You still have Wilson, Diaz, and Orr who can catch in an emergency, and it gives us a better chance to get that late-inning run or two. Also, in defining Wilson’s role as a pinch hitter and emergency catcher, you get Thor more ABs. Start Wilson once every ten days or so at 1st to give Thor a rest, but give Thor the majority of the time there. The platoon will work a lot better if Wilson is not in it…
Just my two cents.
By Matthew, Walter's Dad
May 1, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
Alex:
No one is suggesting that Langerhans is the next Ichiro Suzuki. However, Oakland valued him enough to place him #1 on their depth chart at center. Hopefully, we got something of value in return for him.
.220 lifetime? If I were a betting man, I’d bet you a million dollars that his average will be higher than that in an American League lineup with American League pitching to feast on. But as I don’t gamble, I’ll shut up and say that I think he’ll be a serviceable hitter (.250 maybe with a little power) but an outstanding defender with Gold Glove potential. He may not have to hit in Oakland, since they have the designated hitter.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
May 1, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
Shaun:
You are correct about the bullpen Bobby & Mazzone cobbled together over the years. Wasn’t always the best, but in most cases, it was adequate. Until Smoltz moved to the pen, we never had a “lights out” closer. Jeff Reardon and Bruce Sutter were on their way to the pasture. Alejandro Pena was in the twilight of his career. Wohlers started using the backstop as his target. Forster ate his way off the mound. Rocker couldn’t keep his big mouth shut. Lightenberg took his mullet to free agency. Stanton wasn’t far enough along to keep the closer’s role and got pushed out by Greg McMichael>Looking back through the relief pitchers who have come and gone over the past 16 years, its a wonder we survived.
I like our bullpen now. No, I LOVE our bullpen, warts and all. This is the best one we have ever had, the recent failures notwithstanding.
By beachcomber
May 1, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
Gil - First where is Mechanicsville? I grew up near one but that was in Pa. And like you, I’m not sure I have the intestinal fortitude to watch another Redman start. But the good news is Hamel can be very good or very bad. I had the “privilege” of living in the same condo with him in Florida. He can be a nut job at times - let’s hope tonight is one of them.
By MGL
May 1, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
Walter, I agree with you.
By journalist jimmy smith
May 1, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
please say hello to walter from this journalist. a speedy recovery is wished for. now, baseball … bobby said on radio that he’s always wanted to see diaz as a full time player - then promptly inserted harris in the lineup. that tells this journalist that lew may have been right about diaz. think he wears stockings or something? anyway, harris looked okay last night and already is a better hitter than langy. and can someone please explain the gimpiness the radio guys described for chipper? is the toe(s) ailing? let’s hope not for larry is striking the ball well right now. this journalist is off to catch a fish for the fish fry. baby seal already has a cooler full but is not inclined to share. hope dob has returned to good digestive health and will not be grumpy when dob returns.
By Wayne in Utah
May 1, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
Walter’s Dad Will keep the family in my daily prayers. Keep us updated.
I expect a mid-level prospect for Langerhans, nothing more. I suspect in 3-4 years, he will be back home in Texas doing something else. I hope not, but that is my guess.
By Wayne in Utah
May 1, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
Let’s hope Thor/KJ and Diaz put a whipping on Hamel tonight, and Redman holds them to 3 runs in 6-7 innings.
Go Bravos.
By Lee
May 1, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
The only reason Langerhans is so high in Oakland’s Dept Chart is the outfield resembles a MASH unit at present time. The A’s new they could get Langy for a bargain whether it means cash or eventually a minor league player. For goodness sakes the man was hitting .069 not 269 or heck not even 169. He seemed like a good person; he deserves a fresh start.
By Wayne in Utah
May 1, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
Green pork chili in Denver is great!!!
By Jeremy
May 1, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
how about moving thorman to left and bringing up Salmattacia
By Matthew's My Name, Walter's My Son
May 1, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
I just wanted to clarify. My name is Matthew, and Walter is my son. I just inserted the “Walter’s Dad” to distinguish between myself and a couple of others Matthew’s, one from the SLC, who posts here occasionally, and a matt who posts here also. Nothing major, just wanted to clarify who I am.
“I eat, therefore I am.”
Cookie Monster, (or is it Decartes?
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 1, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
We’ll try this moniker, and see if it’s easier to read…
Lee, good point about the depth chart. I hadn’t researched it.
JJS and Wayne, thanks for the prayers. Our little 1B and cleanup hitter is getting his strength back slowly. In praying, please remember my wife as well. She is doing a great job taking care of him while I work (and blog, but we won’t go there…) but his illness is wearing on her.
Ok, I’m showing the Fat Albert movie to my students today, since my voice is shot, so I’ll check in this afternoon.
The preacher abides.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
Matthew, Walter’s Dad,
Langerhans will get a lot of time in CF for the A’s because of all their outfield injuries. Mark Kotsay is out 12-15 weeks after back surgery, otherwise he’d be ahead of Langerhans. Bobby Kielty is hurt. Nick Swisher isn’t 100 percent.
That said, I agree with most of what you say. I think Langerhans is actually much better than he has been so far this season. I look for him to rebound to around .260/.340/.400 while playing close to Gold Glove caliber defense.
By KC
May 1, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe the Phillies moved Brett Myers to the bullpen after only 3 starts. His first start was very good… though granted, the next 2 were awful. But 3 starts??? This guy was their opening day starter!
Over the last 2 seasons, Myers has posted an ERA of about 3.80 while giving up fewer hits than innings pitched and striking out nearly 400 batters. The recently signed him to a multi-year deal that will pay him about 25 million through 2009. That’s a pittance by today’s standards for a good starter… or even a mediocre one!! Hell, that’s about the same money Adam Eaton will earn per season over the next couple years.
I know that inter-divisional trading is rare, but we’ve done it before (Millwood to Phillies for Estrada). And I know this is going to sound crazy but…
Since Phili seems to think Brett Myers is more valuable as a setup man than he is as a top-of-rotation starter… maybe they’d be willing to swing a deal. Tyler Yates, Villarreal, and Escobar for Myers.
You usually don’t trade within your division, but I think both GM’s are more concerned with making their team better than they are with making another team better. It’s not like the old days before the Wild Card when you had to avoid trading with a division rival at all cost.
Hey… I know sounds crazy but top-of-the-rotation starters are extremely hard to come by, and we need one. They need bullpen help, and some young talent at 3B. It could work.
Go ahead. Blast me for even suggesting this. I know some of you will. =)
By KC
May 1, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
Oh God!!!! Redman vs. Hamels??!! Let me know when it’s over.
By KC
May 1, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
Here’s another crazy idea… when Wickman gets back and we know he’s healthy… whadya think about moving Soriano to the rotation?
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
KC,
The Phillies aren’t going to trade Brett Myers, especially within the division.
I’m not sure why they moved him to the bullpen but I’m pretty sure they aren’t stupid enough to trade him for two middle relievers and a very young prospect.
By 22oz
May 1, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah, i don’t think Thorman will whip up on Hamels, since he’ll be on the bench. I wouldn’t be shocked if Woodward is on second either. Such is life as a left handed hitter not named McCann.
By 22oz
May 1, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
you’re right KC, that is a crazy idea.
By Seamus the Leprachaun
May 1, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
I don’t think it is crazy to think that the Phillies might trade Myers even in their own division. Especially since they are crazy enough to put him into the pen (and not even in a ninth inning role as seen last night?!?!?!?). But the offer of those particular players was crazy. Yates? Villereal?
I would think for a Myers, you would have to start with Salty and might have to include a Harrison. I don’t know. Just speculating. If you want Myers though, Salty is going to have to go I would think. Do you really want to watch Utley, Howard, Rollins, and Salty killing us for the next five to seven years?
By ernesto
May 1, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Redman vs. Hamels tonight, what do you think the odds in Vegas are on that one?
They should make the Phillies use those little souvenier bats…maybe that would keep the score in single digits.
By Wayne in Utah
May 1, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Besides the fact that he could bring a major league caliber starting pitcher in return, we probably should trade Jarrod Saltalamacchia. If we don’t we are going to BUTCHER his name so badly, as we southerners do.
Don’t you feel cheap (guilt showing through) when you refer to him as Salty or misspell his name???
Where does Saltalamacchia come from anyway? And does someone have the correct pronunciation of the name?
By Drummerdad
May 1, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
Matthew, Walter’s Dad, Sounds like you got some certifiable, bonified trials going on there Bro. I will pray that your ilttle man gets squared away in short order and that the sinus evils will subside.
Sorry to hear about Wickman’s back. I thought that was the case. He looked like he was in pain Friday night. Range of motion gets all screwed up because you’re restricted. In Wicky’s case he needs a massage therapist who knows how to use a jackhammer. Hope he doesn’t need surgery.
JUST REMEMBER: If you see things you don’t like with this team this year, at least it’s not GroundhogDay!!! 2006.
By MBATL
May 1, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
KC, no way does Philly dump Myers for 2 mediocre relievers and a SS/2B prospect (see Rollins and Utley). They moved Myers to the ‘pen because (1) they’ve got 6 serviceable starters; (2) Lieber was clearly uncomfortable in the pen; and (3) their bullpen was wasting whatever good pitching efforts they were getting.
Garcia and Eaton are both probably gone after this year, so either Myers becomes a dominant closer and then they’re in the market for more starting pitching, or Myers moves back to the rotation.
Anyway, I was shocked too when they moved him - it seemed like Manuel was completely panicking, but apparently Myers is comfortable with it and the team has played a lot better since. Go figure…
And I suggested Soriano as an option in last blog, though it’s not an original idea. A lot of baseball folks think he’s more suited for starting. He was almost exclusively a starter in the minors.
By KC
May 1, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
Shaun: It could well be that they regard the Myers-to-the-bullpen thing as a very temporary situation. If that’s the case, then I’m sure you’re right… they won’t move him.
But if they see his move to the bullpen as a long-term thing… I think they would be open to it. But you’re probably right about what we (or any other suitors) would have to give up. The package I suggested probably wouldn’t do it. They would be looking for a closer in return.
I would say there is a significant chance that we could get him if we offered either Gonzo or Soriano. Not saying we should, but if the idea were raised by either side… it’s something both teams would have to give some consideration.
Again, as to the inter-divisional trading thing… yes, ideally you prefer to trade outside your division, and neither team really wants to make the other team better. But ultimately both GM’s are going to be most concerned with making their own team better. Things have changed since the advent of the Wild Card.
By Seamus the Leprechaun
May 1, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
Sad to hear about Buffalo Bob. With Wicky being on the DL, it means that the games just got one inning longer. I would say that the bullpen got a little skinner but I would be lying. They activated Paronto.
The Leprechaun imbibes.
By KC
May 1, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
YES, YES… You’re correct.
I’ve re-thought that, and you are all correct. The package I originally proposed would not fetch Brett Myers.
But again, I’ll bet if we offered Soriano or Gonzalez, they’d be all ears. Should we?
Maybe… but only if/when Wickman’s completely healthy. No matter what, we’d have a good, young, overpowering setup man this year/closer next year. Either Soriano or Gonzo can fit that bill for us. Do we need a 3rd dominant reliever this year as much as we need another top-of-rotation caliber starter? Probably not.
By BossLady
May 1, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
I’m gonna tell DOB that you guys were mean to each other while he was gone.
By KC
May 1, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
MBATL: The talk coming from that Braves organization is that they envision Escobar at SS or 3B, but not 2B. And that was before KJ started tearing it up at 2B. They view him as a left-side of the infield type of guy.
He’s a top-flight prospect who is largely considered pretty much major-league ready… so I do think he could be an attractive piece.
By Efrim
May 1, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
KC,
How about John Patterson? I know he is struggling, but he could be a solid addition to the team. The Nats also need more prospects. I wouldn’t offer Salty, but how about JO JO Reyes and Van Pope.
By Lee
May 1, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
With the way the Braves are handling the Phillies this year, I prefer no trade was made with them.
By KC
May 1, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Efrim: I don’t know man. He did have an excellent season 2 years ago. He was hurt most of last year, so you can’t go on that, and we’re only 1 month into this season…
I guess you’d have to lean on your scouting dept. there. If he’s still capable of being the pitching he was in 2005… then sure, go after him!
I’d sure like to see them get someone that’s worth while. I wonder if Colorado would be at all open to hearing an offer for Aaron Cook.
By Seamus the Leprechaun
May 1, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
Duque on the DL. Valentin on the DL. Wright has no power. Delgado ain’t hitting. The Mets are falling apart boys. A falling apart. We just need to wait them out. They will start to fade slowly at first but when that hostile NYC media and fan base starts jumping all over them, they will fall off very rapidly. Goodbye, Mets. You hung tight with us in April. The Magic Number is 138!
The Leprechaun imbibes.
By KC
May 1, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
There are 4 really good teams in the NL west this year. That’s great news for the Braves and Mets, because whichever one doesn’t win the division will probably win the Wild Card. Everyone thought the NL East would be the toughest division… and while I do still think it’s going to be tough, the West looks even tougher.
By ernesto
May 1, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
So what would be a successful homestand for us? If you told me right now we could go 7-3 I’d take it. 8-2 would be great. 6-4 good. 5-5 or worse, not so good.
What’s good? Just so at the end of the homestand we can look big picture.
By Bigboi
May 1, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
I hear Oakland isn’t going to let Langy hit, they are going to use the DH for his spot and let the pitcher hit. Great move.
By ernesto
May 1, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
Seamus, I only wish it was true, but Delgado’s going to start hitting, Reyes could be the MVP this year, Green is a Braves’ killer, Moises has plenty of pee-pee to keep those hands tough and the bullpen doesn’t look bad at all.
I think the Mets will be hanging around, but it sure would be sweet if they blew up.
There was a smattering of boos for Wright last night after he whiffed in the 8th.
By Wayne in Utah
May 1, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Maybe Langerhans should have pee’d on his hands???
By DAP
May 1, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
KC i think that is actually a good trade if they would do it. we shouldnt trade gonzalez or soriano, but they might take yates. yates is a quality set-up man, without a doubt.
i dont think it will happen, but good idea.
i really dont think a trade for a major league pitcher is gonna happen. we do need another pitcher, or for redman and davies to step it up, but to get one we would have to give up to much. the team is playing well, and it wouldnt be a good idea to ship anyone off. except for langerhans, of course.
i say, stay the course. our bullpen is great, our offense is clicking, and our rotation is decent. we should be fine.
By TennesseePaul
May 1, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
GO BRAVES!!
Last nights game was fantastic. Hudson was sharp, Chipper is on pace for 48 home runs. Andruw is heating up. And Kelly Johnson is the best leadoff hitter in the whole wide world. It’s a night and day difference from Giles last season. It’s just on large mug full of refreshing cold beer.
And after all of that fun and delight last night we are conceeding today’s game. Some one the other day posted in disdain about Langerhans… Why don’t they just call him out while he’s still in the dugout? That’s still cracking me up. It feels the same way to me when Redman sloths up to the mound to toss batting practice for the opponents.
There is an outside chance that Redman produces. But I have a feeling he’ll sit on the opposite batters box with his 60mph fastball. Then occassionally attempt to “come in” on the batter by planting one sqaure in the heart of the plate.
KC: I was speed reading the posts up there and caught a glimps of one of your posts… Something about I told you so? I didn’t slow down to read it all. Were you discussing Tommy John Surgery and how affective Mike Hampton has been this season after the complete 18 months of rehabilitation? =)
Yes, Hudson has been amazing. He keeps doing it every time out there. He has a legit chance to keep this up all season. It could be the best single season pitching performance from a Brave since Maddux went 19-2 with a 1.63 ERA.
This team is pretty good. We can complain about the tee ball pitchers in the 4 and 5 slots, but we are still hanging on. There is still a lot of season left though. Last season we started off slow, then had a great month of May (18-11 scoring 169 runs) only to follow it up with June (6-21 scoring 94 runs). With KJ at the top of the line up, I don’t see that drastic of a swing in run production. And with the trade of Langerhans we’ve just subtracted yet another strike out machine, so we should get a steady flow of offense. We just need our pitching to hold up. It’s all about the pitching.
By Seamus the Leprechaun
May 1, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
Darn, Ernesto. You’re putting a damper on my KC like dreams.
By DAP
May 1, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
moises alou is hurt to. he’s day to day, but his shoulder is acting up. its only a matter of time for him. the mates are gonna hang in there, but now is the perfect time to gain some ground on them. they are going on the road, playing tuff teams, and they are struggling or injured.
my favorite team is the braves and anyone who is playing the mets.
By ernesto
May 1, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
Ay, Seamus, sorry lad, now I feel like s**!
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
DAP and KC,
No way the Phillies trade Myers to the Braves unless maybe they get Andruw or Chipper or McCann or Smoltz or something crazy like that.
It would be like the Braves trading Tim Hudson or Kelly Johnson to the Mets—i.e., giving a division rival exactly what they need.
By Drummerdad
May 1, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah, I thought that practice was reserved for Latin American Conga players practicing Santeria.
By Efrim
May 1, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
I say we keep our middle relievers and trade some of our depth in the minors. We have a lot of quality LHP in the minors.
By Lee
May 1, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
I have heard a couple of announcers talking about Myers being a hard headed and hot tempered player also. This is the kind of player the Braves usually avoid.
It is interesting to read and comment about trades; however, as long as the Braves hold steady as they are I look for no trades in the future.
They have already disposed of the only dead weight on the team at present time.
I see no reason to sell the farm right now. Let us see how Davies and Redmon fare the next couple of outings.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Seamus the Leprechaun,
I wouldn’t count the Mets out just yet. Their run differential is the best in the NL even with their problems. I also wouldn’t count out the Phillies or Marlins. I’m just glad the Braves are in first and appear to be fairly well-balanced right now. The only real weakness appears to be the back-end of the rotation. Even with Wickman down, we have to feel confident that other guys in the bullpen will step up.
By BB FAN
May 1, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
I have noticed people are ragging on Andruw for not being patient. That is not true at all. The guy is on pace for 120 walks this year. His OBP is .403, a career high.
I will agree with the people that think he needs to cut down on his swing though. He has one of the most violent swings I’ve seen. He also needs to go to right field more. Who knows, maybe he’ll learn to. He has learned to be more patient over the last 2 years.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
Just so I can get into with you again, because that’s what we do, a lot of good teams have swings in run production. It was all about pitching last season too (and bad fortune).
Look at the 2005 Red Sox who scored 910 runs and won 95 games. Here’s their run scoring breakdown by month:
March/April - 130 in 23 games
May - 148 in 28 games
June - 156 in 26 games
July - 136 in 27 games
August - 190 in 27 games
September/October - 150 in 31 games
Some pretty big swings from month-to-month, there. But no one said an inconsistent offense was a problem.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
BB FAN,
I don’t know. Maybe if Andruw cuts down his swing he’s not as productive because he doesn’t hit the ball as hard. Andruw doesn’t need to change his approach.
By Efrim
May 1, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
Is there a shot in hell we win this game tonight…
Hamels vs. Redman
We will need to hit him hard.
By wilymo
May 1, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
For those of you wondering about the prospects of Soriano starting, I’ve followed him closely throughout his career and this is what I can tell you.
He’s a converted outfielder that was indeed a starter throughout the minor leagues. He went through the Seattle system pretty quick posting era’s around 3 or under with good K rates at every level. In 2002 the M’s called him up as a 22 year old to be a fill-in starter. He made roughly 8-9 starts and put up decent but not great numbers. He actually pitched much better than what his final numbers from that year show due to a couple rough outings (that inflated his era) right before they put him on the DL because of shoulder stiffness in August. He came back in September to lead the AA affiliate to the Texas league championship striking out 14 in 7 ip in the finale. At that point, he was still in Seattle’s plans as a starter.
In 2003, he he was sent to AAA to begin the year and again put up great numbers. Unfortunately that was also the year that Seattle had all 5 guys start every game the entire year. They eventually brought him up for good in midseason as a reliever and he eventually solidified his role as the primary setup guy. Unfortunately, because of his success there, the team kind of pigeon-holed him as a reliever. They figured with his repertoire, being able to air it out for an inning at a time made him more valuable to them. After the season, he went to the Dominican to play winter ball and posted ridiculous numbers as a starter allowing only 1 er in 40 innings, tying Bartolo Colon’s era record. Unfortunately in the middle of 2004, the team found he had torn a ligament in his elbow and Tommy John Surgery was necessary. He obviously came back from it great in 2006 and that brings us to now.
Soriano has always had 2 things plague him in his quest to be a starter — injuries and the lack of a consistent third pitch. This past off-season prior to the trade to Atlanta, he stated his desire to again return to starting, but Seattle basically said, “Lets wait until you get through an entire year healthy.” Basically given that their starting pitching was a huge question mark, it was pretty obvious they viewed him as a reliever only.
The people for making Soriano a starter again cite basically the opposite — that one, starting every 5 days and getting the rest in between may be easier on his arm than throwing on such an inconsistent schedule as relieving dictates (which was the reason the doctors recommended Papelbon start) and two, his third pitch, while still needing work, has room for improvement but he just hasn’t had to use it or had time to refine it working out of the bullpen.
I think if given the chance, Soriano would make a good MOR starter and if he was able to find a consistent third pitch, then the sky’s the limit. Sorry for the long post.
By ernesto
May 1, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Shaun, that’s crazy. Andruw needs to stop trying to pull everything. They’re just pitching him away,and they’re going to keep on doing it until he starts going the other way. He’s a mistake thumper/easy out right now. Alfonseca hung one to him last night.
By Mike
May 1, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
Just to let you guys and gals know, Fox and ESPN do not vote in players to the All-Star game. The fans do. Vote now at MLB.com! I’ve almost voted my 25 times. KJ deserves it this year!
By Jersey GIL
May 1, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
hey Shaun i agree with you..Braves look good… and i more afraid of the Young Ball club like the Marlin(remenber they have the best Pitcher in the DL)they will be better later and they HITS. I said before the METS have a old Rotation and can get hurst and over used. We will fix the end of the rotation later in may when Cormier and TS (i can’T pronaunce his name ). Also we have some prospect in the minor(Lerew,Hernandez,etc)
By Wayne in Utah
May 1, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
Concerning Andruw and cutting back on his hellacious swing. Personally, when chasing the little white ball, I find that as I swing harder and harder as the round proceeds, my shots get less and less consistent. I am not sure if this equates in any way to baseball, but I do know that Francouer’s approach has not really affected his output for power, but it HAS definitely increased his ability to put it in play or lay off of it if it is not a strike, thus increasing his BA and OBP.
So, could Andruw do the same? I think so. Would it lower his HR output? Maybe. Would it possibly INCREASE his production (BA and RBI’s)? I would think so!
Now, what’s the phone number for his dad?????
By The School Marm
May 1, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this
Jersey GIL: It call speell chek. Yu tri it awright.
By TennesseePaul
May 1, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
I don’t think I’d trade JoJo. We’re thin enough on pitching and JoJo is supposed to be the future answer to that question. I’d like to see him develop more before we dump him for John Frikin Patterson. Patterson’s OK, but with the hype surrounding JoJo I’d rather hang on to him and see what happens. Besides, I think if a trade is going to be made, it will probably come from a middle infielder. We’re stock piling them for a reason. Every level of the system has some potentially good middle infielder.
And I’d imagine the Nats would want prospects closer to the pros than JoJo.
By Braves20
May 1, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
The Braves will not,I repeat will not be even thinking about Myers in any trade. This is one of those deal where you forget the numbers, which actually aren’t that great and look at the person - a terrible fit for the Braves.
By Wayne in Utah
May 1, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
Lerew is looking pretty good down in Richmond, huh! What’s the chance he has turned the corner???
Ever notice how it is predominantly righties in Richmond, and lefties in Mississippi on the starting staffs.
We have some real talent down on the farm. Usually, if you get one out of 4 or 5 to actually reach their potential, that is good. So, with that being assumed, we might get a pitcher every year or two that will really contribute to the rotation.
Can Escobar play LF???? DOB, whaddya think? Just wondering.
By MBATL
May 1, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
wilymo, great post. Thanks for the background on Soriano.
By ncscoots
May 1, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Folks, right now AJ couldn’t hit a ball to RF if his sex life depended on it. He’s bailin’ and flailin’, his body is always ahead of his hands, heck, his behind is in the on-deck circle at the point of contact. All this leaves him a happy zone of about three inches square on the inner half.
His strike zone recognition is still good (hence a good OBP), so you can’t just pitch him terrible away all the time with McCann and Frenchy hitting well behind him. Which means that sometime, eventually, a pitcher might just throw one in that oh-so-tiny happy zone. And boom. But all those middle-away strikes he’s getting that he should be driving to center and left-center are just harmless infield grounders. He just can’t get his body on ‘em with the swing he’s taking.
Even Tom Emanski would cringe at video of AJ’s current swing. No wonder TP is shaking his head in the dugout.
By beachcomber
May 1, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah - You are on to something. We need to find a spot for Escobar somewhere. With Chipper and Edgar set at his two best positions, we have to find a solution by 2008 that gets him 500 AB’s. And that solution is not to trade the best pure ballplayer in your system. So much of this is going to revolve around Andruw - the slim chance we keep him or how we replace him.
By Richard Cory
May 1, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah—Salty is of Italian heritage. It is pronounced as- Salt-uh-la-ma-chia.
By Mike
May 1, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
The curse of Ron Gant!
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
ernesto,
Andruw’s an easy out right now? As someone posted before Andruw Jones’s OBP is a career high .402 so far this season. That means he’s made an out in only about 60 percent of his plate appearances, also a career low so far. Only Chipper and Kelly Johnson have been tougher outs.
By KC
May 1, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
TennPaul: I’m glad you mentioned Mike Hampton, because something occurred to me the other day…
What I’ve been pointing out since the news of Hampton’s injury, was that 90% of those who have Tommy John surgery are back on the mound within 18 months. So I was not at all ashamed of going with those odds.
HOWEVER…
It recently occurred to me that Hampton’s injury was not related to the Tommy John surgery. This was something different injury to a tendon in the elbow… something no one could have seen coming.
I never said he was IronMan and could never be injured again. I just said that odds overwhelmingly suggested that no ill-effects from the Tommy John surgery would hold him back for any length of time. We’ll never know if I was right about that or not, because something different sidelined him this time.
So while I wouldn’t be ashamed of being wrong for having gone with 90% odds… it turns out I wasn’t wrong at all. =)
BTW: Speaking of Hampton… don’t write him off just yet. I know many of you are saying “he’ll never pitch again”… but I can’t see why that would be true. It would be more disconcerting if the injury were to the same ligament that was just replaced. Remember, Smoltz had 4 elbow surgeries and is still going strong at age 40… and he probably puts more torque on his arm that does a guy like Hampton.
I don’t think the Braves will go into the season in any way counting on Hampton as they did this year, but there’s no reason to write him off or think that he can’t come back and contribute next season.
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 1, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Hey Everybody:
Thanks for the prayers and good wishes. I have some more news to share. Please add my grandfather to your prayers. He found out today that there is a cancerous mass in one of his kidneys. If it is confined to one kidney, they remove it and he’s fine. If it’s spread, then we’re looking at a whole new situation. He is 67 years old, a lifelong farmer. Please pray.
I’ve already lost two grandparents to cancer in the last 11 years. The prospect of losing him is not something I even want to consider. But our faith remiains strong, and our hope in Christ is secure.
Thanks again. Will check in later.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
ncscoots,
Again, OBP isn’t just plate discipline, walks, etc. It’s getting on base and the flip side is avoiding outs.
Andruw Jones’s OBP is 3rd on the team, which also means he’s the 3rd-toughest out on the team.
Again, as I’ve said many times, OBP is what some people think batting average is, but isn’t. OBP is how many times a hitter truly succeeds. OBP is also out-avoiding percentage. It’s not looked at in this way which is why it is seen as some sort of fad statistic that only “statheads” pay attention to.
By ernesto
May 1, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
Shaun - see ncscoots post, to save blog room I won’t represent the same argument.
By BB FAN
May 1, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
You have got to be kidding! You believe that Jones swinging so violently that he falls to a knee and twists his ankle every time, is a good thing?
My friend, you do not know baseball as much as you think. DOn’t take it the wrong way, but you are just wrong like you are with the Guys owning certain teams thing. I know you have been wrong before but would never admit it.
Jones can still hit the ball with authority even if he tames his violent swing. He has enough natural power that he can easily hit HRs to right field. He would probably hit over .300, with a .450 OBP and at least 35 HRs (probably 45) with 150 RBIs. The guy would be awesome. And I would bet he gets many more big money offers too. He would likely get A-Rod offers…$25 + mill a year.
A blogger previously mentioned Francoeur, who is a great example. Francoeur is on pace for over 30 HRs and 160 RBIs. He is hitting .306 with a .367 OBP as well.
By TennesseePaul
May 1, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Payne: What the Sox went through last season pales in comparison. Braves offensive output dropped nearly 50% in 20 game spans. From 129 runs in 20 games to 66 in the next 20 games then back to 130 runs. Our Offense was wildly erratic. I checked, no leading team last season saw fluctuations of that nature in their run output.
Our pitching was horrid. Absolutely awful. Atrocious. Shameful. Inexcusable. Having said that, had the team offense been even remotely consistent throughout the season, our 6 and 21 June would have been closer to 13 and 14. That alone would have kept us in the wild card right up until the end. Hell, being that close, we may have even been able to muster up the self respect to push harder and take the wild card. We’ll never know though.
By Hunter
May 1, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, the Braves even acknowledge Anthony Lerew anymore? He threw a descent game in AAA the other day lowering his ERA below 2, but his BB/K ratio and WHIP numbers aren’t great for a power pitcher. For a guy who was a solid prospect two years ago, even pitching in the Futures game, he’s had a pretty good fall.
By ernesto
May 1, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
Jeez Shaun, Andruw himself could tell you he’s not happy with the way he’s hitting right now and you’d argue with him. Look up from the stat sheet some time and watch the game -
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
ernesto,
The problem with ncscoots’s argument is that it seems to presuppose Andruw is making a lot of outs. Again, the fact is he’s making outs at the third-lowest rate of any player on the team. He’s making outs less frequently than even Brian McCann. Tell me what’s wrong with that and then maybe I’ll agree that Andruw needs to change his approach.
By DAP
May 1, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
im pretty sure salty is cicilian…kinda like itallian+greek i guess. people from there often have the long complicated last names.
By Wayne in Utah
May 1, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Shaun: I don’t think anyone is disagreeing with you, but we are saying the Andruw could increase the OBP even more if he would change his approach somewhat. Right now, it’s HR, BB or nothing, for the most part. I would love to see him turn some of those weak grounders and popups into singles and doubles. The years of him getting triples are over. Did you see him rounding third last night and getting thrown out at the plate? He looked pretty lame.
By meansonny
May 1, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
KC, Good post about Hampton.
I agree that we will have another starter on the rotation to fill in the #3 spot besides Chuck James (or like the Redman addition to the tail end of the rotation when Hampton got injured again) come next season.
That being said, I’m hoping for a decent outing for Redman tonight (5+ innings for him is decent). He’s facing a tough offensive team that puts together a lot of baserunners and hits for average. But they’re not the sluggers that FLA or the NYM are (all 3 of his poor performances were against very STOUT offenses). So here’s to hoping.
Go Braves!
By KC
May 1, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
Shaun: I say again, you are correct that no team wants to make a division rival better… but their chief concern is to make their own team better.
Have you ever heard the joke about the 3 campers in the woods?
3 guys are camping when they glance up and see an angry bear. As 2 of the campers ponder how best to handle the situation… the 3rd guy stops and puts on his running shoes. One of the other campers says to him “Hey, what are you doing?? Don’t you know you can’t outrun that bear?” Tying his shoe, the third camper looks up and responds “I don’t have to outrun the bear… I just have to outrun one of you”.
The Phillies have 2 principal adversaries… the Braves and the Mets. There are 2 ways to get to the post-season (division pennant or Wild Card). The Phillies don’t necessarily have to outrun the both teams to make the playoffs.
If the Phillies have very little chance of catching either the Braves or Mets (who happen to be the Division and Wild Card leaders at the moment) as they are currently configured… it makes sense for them to do something to make their team better. Even if that means making one of their 2 rivals better in the process.
Let’s say hypothetically that these two teams talked about a Mike Gonzalez for Brett Myers swap. It could be argued that a light’s out closer (now and for the next couple years) could help the Phillies more than a 3rd or 4th starter could help the Braves.
So from the Phillies perspective, they would be improving their team every bit as much as (or more than) the Braves in any such deal. So it wouldn’t hurt the Phillies chances of catching the Braves, and it would help their chances of catching the Mets. From the Braves perspective, they would get the piece they need to get the edge over the Mets.
See my point? Anyway, I think Schuerholz proved that he’s more motivated to improve his team than he is concerned about helping another team when he traded Millwood to Phili a few years ago.
By Corey
May 1, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Kelly Johnson in LF and Pete Orr at 2B. Pete Orr would lead off and Kelly Johnson would bat second or 5th to give him more RBI chances.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
BB FAN,
Maybe Andruw could be a better hitter, that’s not what I’m arguing. I’m just saying he’s fine right now. Again, he’s succeeding in over 40 percent of his plate appearances; he’s getting on-base/not making an out in over 40 percent of his plate appearances. He’s getting on base/not making an out at the third-highest rate on the team! If that’s bad, what’s good?
ernesto,
Whether Andruw is happy with the way he’s hitting is irrelevant. Hopefully he does want to get even better. He’s still been one of the most productive hitters on the team. It’s starting to sound ridiculous, but can anyone tell me what’s bad about avoiding outs at the third-best rate on the team?
By BB FAN
May 1, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
I am not trying to rag on Jones or anything, but it’s obvious his swing is messed up right now.
But he does still have 5 HRs and 19 RBIs (On pace for 32 HRs and 123 RBIs) which is not bad at all. And like I said earlier, he is showing he’s much more selective this year than even last year. And he had improved on his pitch recognition greatly last year.
I just hope Andruw takes less money to stay with the Braves. I wouldn’t bet on it but it’s possible. Especially when Smoltz and Chipper took less to stay in Atlanta. Maybe the new owners will increase the payroll by $10 million. That would be nice too. But again, I would not bet on it.
By TennesseePaul
May 1, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
but I can’t see why [“he’ll never pitch again”] would be true
Here’s a reason… next year, Spring 2008, it will have been nearly 3 full years since he’s pitched in a Major League game. That length of time of inactivity is bound to cause more harm when he attempts to come back. On top of that, Hampton was already skiddish when throwing this spring; affraid something might go wrong. And it did. How’s his mind going to work him over next Spring? Not only did he jack up his throwing arm again, albeit in a different way, he also pulled his oblique. I’d give him an average to small chance of returning, and an even smaller chance of being productive upon his return.
But KC, there’s no wiggle room in there. You called Hudson. You missed on Hampton. The jury is still out on James. Though I think he’ll come around just fine. And I think the KJ naysayers have all appologized or retreated from the blog (or at least changed screen names). It looks like the Thor Detractors are starting to fade away. Redmans Boo club will always be strong. Everyone of us needs more than 1 good outing from this guy. We need a seasons worth of work. And even then we can all look back and say: Glad that worked out. We sure caught lightening in a bottle. Now let the Yankees sign him to a 4 year 50 million dollar deal.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
Corey,
Pete Orr and his career .302 OBP leading off would give Kelly Johnson more RBI chances? Don’t think so.
By DAP
May 1, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
wow, im stupid. ignore my last post completly, please.
By A.J.
May 1, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
I think it is about time for Kelly to start playing pretty much every day, lefties included.
Obviously when you want to give him a day off, I’d pick a day when a lefty is pitching, but this kid isn’t a give me a day off once a week kind of guy.
In the almost even number of ABs against lefties and righties (thanks to our weird luck) his OBP is almost even, his slugging % is a little better from the left and his average is much better from the left.
Why not start him every day while he’s young. It’s not like Woodward isn’t getting his chances.
I think it’s time to go ahead and start letting Kelly make his place with Francoeur and McCann as the future leaders. Shoot, reissue the Media Guide with all three on the front. It’s so exciting to have young guys.
I’ll tell you what, as long as the pitching comes along for these team, this Division will the the best in baseball for a long, long time.
The Braves with KJ, Francoeur and McCann. The Mets with Reyes and Wright. The Phils with Rollins, Utley, Hamels and Howard. The Marlins with Ramirez, Uggla, Cabrera and like five young starters.
Pretty scary division. I sure don’t see anyone winning 14 in a row right now. (Two in a row would be impressive). So much for the “inferior” National League.
Poor Nationals don’t have a chance for a decade.
By KC
May 1, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Corey: There’s no way you want to go from a .400-plus ob-base% to a .325-OBP at your leadoff spot.
KJ will have his RBI opportunities. Not as many as he would get further down in the lineup, but he’ll get them. And his power can be a good thing at the top of the order. It’s a nice spark to lead off a game with a homer.
Pete Orr will not hit for a good average, he won’t get on bases as we’d need him to, and he can’t atone for those other deficiencies by stealing bases… because despite his speed, he’s not very good at it.
Pete Orr is where he belongs… at the far end of the bench.
By flange1
May 1, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Corey,
Sorry dude! Orr is not a starter. In fact he is the 26th player on a 25 man roster. If it weren’t for Aybar being AWOL, Orr would have been traded or probably designated for assignment and released.
KJ is killing it in the leadoff position and is playing a darn good 2B. Let’s fing a LF and leave 2B alone!
By TennesseePaul
May 1, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
Corey: KJ reaches base 47% of the time he comes to the plate. Orr reaches base 30% of the time. That’s about a 20% loss in RBI chances for Renteria, Chipper, and Andruw. And even though Orr is fast, he isn’t a good base stealer. So you don’t even get that benefit from him… assuming he were ever on base to steal. Moving KJ is not a good idea.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
BB FAN,
If Andruw’s swing is “messed up” right now, I’d love to see it when it’s not messed up.
This is a microcosm of people’s view of AJ his whole career. He gets a bad rap for striking out to much or not going the other way or something or another. People don’t realize all the things he does well offensively. He avoids outs at a very respectable pace and he hit’s for a lot of power, especially for a Gold Glove CF. But people still critique him and say he’s not the player he should be, even though he’s extremely productive on offense and world class on defense. I guess AJ is just one of those players who will never do enough to please everyone.
By rammerjammer
May 1, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
Watching Andruw at bat is like watching a pig being made into a ham sandwich. It ain’t a pretty sight, but the final product is pretty good.
By ernesto
May 1, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
Shaun, I bet, in your personal life, you frequently hear the phrase “Sorry, Dude, I just can’t seem to stop choking you.”
Just a guess.
By Lee
May 1, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
Andruw’s approach is Andruw being Andruw - his numbers are similar at the end of each season 260 avg, 30 plus hrs, 100 plus rbi’s. He goes through this approach seemingly every year and then improves on it. Don’t give him too many ideas for self improvement because the chance of the Braves resigning him are not exceptionally high. My biggest off-season fear is the Mets or Phillies sign him.
Orr is lucky to be on the team at all. I don’t see where some of you think he is even close to a starter at any position.
By meansonny
May 1, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
Andruw Jones is hitting .400 for the past 10 games. He’s reached base 9 out of the past 10 games and has 11 RBI’s over that span (only 2 HR’s).
I think some posters are having a hangover from the first 2+ weeks of the season when he was slumping.
The weather is warming up and he will be fine. Nobody likes the amount of strikouts he or Francouer have. But that’s the style of hitter they are. At least Andruw is walking a lot at the plate (Andruw’s OBP is .030 higher than Frenchy).
Just a reality check for those who hate to see his swing.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
Corey,
Not to beat up on you, but think of all the games that would start off with the Braves already down an out. Outs are precious. You don’t want to give one away by putting a player like Orr in the leadoff spot.
And think of all the times this season so far the Braves have started a game with no outs and a runner on (Kelly Johnson). The Braves have scored 23 runs in the first inning, the most they’ve scored in any inning this season, thanks in large part to Johnson and his Bonds-esque OBP.
This is something TennPaul and I can agree on, Orr is basically the 25th man on the roster.
By Mike S
May 1, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
There is no way that JS is going to trade Gonzo or Soriano anytime this season. (unless they just stink it up something awful and were are out of the race.) And The Phillies are not going to trade the opening day starter/ future closer to The Braves (unless see above). Do you think The Braves will want to swallow that new deal that Myers just received? I still like the possibility of one of those top of the line starters from Oakland. Rich Harden would be a nice if he can ever get healthy.
By KC
May 1, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
TennPaul: I never said Hampton couldn’t get hurt again. I never would say that. I said it was highly likely (and it was) that Hampton would be back healthy this year, based on the facts surrounding other players who have returned in recent years. All the existing numbers and precedent heavily favored Hampton returning to this rotation this year. If that weren’t the case, JS wouldn’t have constructed the rotation around the belief that he would be in it.
However, I am well aware that sometimes, even the best of odds don’t pan out… as was the case with Hampton this year. I repeat, I never said the words “Hampton won’t or can’t get hurt”. I simply trumpeted the 90% success ratio for pitchers returning from Tommy John, and said based on that, that I believed he would contribute this year… particularly in the second half. But I never declared “Hampton WILL be healthy this year”. I just said it was very likely that would be… and again, it was likely.
For the record though, in all honesty, I didn’t predict a return to CY Young form from Hudson. I simply said he would be “good”, and much better than last year. So I can’t take credit for calling what he’s doing now. I’m not surprised, but I didn’t dare predict it.
By We Have Mets the Enemy
May 1, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
Berigan questions the managerial wisdom of a man with four World Series titles, Shaun, and you brand me arrogant for calling him on it.
This is a perfect illustration of how skewed your point of view consistently is, numbers man.
Could it be you’re still smarting over being taken to the woodshed over your ludicrous position on certain players dominating certain teams? Nah.
Personally, I’ll take Joe Torre’s baseball know-how over berigan’s — and certainly over yours, Shaun — any old day. You and he can just keep swinging from the hip, though, with your wild theories and specious postulations, and I’ll not question you again, because there’s certainly no point in it. You never concede an inch on any point of debate, no matter how silly your stand, so there’s certainly no reason at this late date to believe you’ll ever come around. Never try to teach a pig to sing, as the old saying goes.
By flange1
May 1, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
I have read your arguments and have agreed with you on some things and not on others, but you always give us your point and then explain it usually with facts to back you up. Wish more folks would do that!
But it surprises me with your take on the Andruw approach. I will agree with you that his out avoiding ability is great, but don’t you think that he could improve on that by AT A MINIMUM of being more selective at the plate, reducing his swing after he gets 2 strikes and SOMETIMES at least taking what the pitcher gives him?
Thoughts?
By meansonny
May 1, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
I posted this last night. But maybe Corey missed it.
If Willie Aybar was on the 25 man roster at the start of the season, Pete Orr would have been traded or waived.
It’s that simple. Some players are more suited for bench play (where their weaknesses are not exposed). I like Orr’s contributions to the Braves in the past (limited I might add). But he’s lucky to be wearing the uniform right now.
By Mike S
May 1, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Orr is a pinch runner that makes funny jokes in the clubhouse. Its amazing that we here that the first 3 in our lineup count for more than half of our runs yet we still want to change it. Think about that.
By Ron Roberts
May 1, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
Two things I wanna point out…
Did y’all realize the Braves were 2nd in the majors in runs scored? And that we trail only the -get this- Florida Marlins in that category? What’s scary is, they have all that young awesome pitching, and yet they lead the league in scoring! But hey, not bad for los Bravos, too, considering our slumping clean-up hitter and slow starts at 1B and LF.
Where the hell hsa DOB been the past day and a half? We’ve been without solid info a long time, by his standards.
Dave, ya spoil us, man!!
By Bobby's Cox
May 1, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
AHHHHHHH is right!
boy was i happy to see harris in left yesterday & hadn’t even heard of the trade yet, but assumed langs was history.
How much cash did they get for Langs? 50 cents, 1 dollar? It was genious by JS to even get a penny.
True Langs is one heck of a guy…but baseball is business and i’m sure Langs understands.
I’m glad to see Willie up here now…he sure can’t hit worse and won’t be an automatic out. And atleast he has a niche in swiping bags like no one else on this team.
The best news to come from the trade is that maybe cox & JS aren’t as patient as we think. You’re next redmond.
By Efrim
May 1, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
KC,
Thoughts on tonight’s epic matchup between Mark Redman and Cole “future Cy Young winner” Hamels?
By Eugene
May 1, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
This is what happens when an Owner is to cheap to go get the parts needed to compete. I said before Spring Camp broke we needed a Left Fielder and that we had none. Now we try another experiment while Bernie Williams is available. Maybe we can get by on a AA left Fiedler or a Single A one. They are cheap and really help them (SIGH)!!!!!!!!!!
By ncscoots
May 1, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
The problem with ncscoots’s argument is that it seems to presuppose Andruw is making a lot of outs
That’s actually a mischaracterization. There was nothing in that post about whether AJ could be a better hitter, avoid outs at a higher rate, or anything remotely similar. I was discussing his swing mechanics and the fact that it is physically impossible for him to go to RF (something many posters have wished he would do) with the approach he currently utilizes.
Wait, I guess I did mention that he could be driving pitches (some, certainly not all) to center and left-center that he currently is grounding out. But that might or might not be reflected in his OBP, just his BA. It would, however, make the same OBP more productive, as reflected in his OPS. You do believe in OPS as a relevant stat, yes?
By Coach
May 1, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
The starting rotation is the heart of a baseball team. If Soriano was still in Seattle and Horam had not been traded we would not be is this predicament with Mark Redman.
By We Have Mets the Enemy
May 1, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
Flange1,
Shaun hasn’t explained or backed up his position on J.R. Richard very well yet!
And like the wuss he is, he hasn’t come out and admitted he’s wrong, either.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
flange1,
Honestly, I don’t know what Andruw could do better. I guess you could say Andruw could change this or that and become a better hitter, but couldn’t you say that about any player?
The point is he’s already a All-Star and probable Hall-of-Fame type player.
A lot of people on here are criticizing one of the most productive players on the team.
It would be similar to criticizing Kelly Johnson or Chipper Jones or Brian McCann. I’m sure we could all be critics and point out things that all of those players could do different that would make them better hitters but they are already the most productive hitters on the team. Same with Andruw.
What bothers me and why I’m so adamant about this is because some people are acting as though Andruw hasn’t been one of the most productive players on the team.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
ncscoots,
Yes, I believe OPS is relevant but the O is a lot more important than the S (because it tells you how successful a player is per plate appearance; how many outs he is costing the team). Andruw’s SLG and OBP are both fine right now.
Andruw’s OBP and SLG are better than Brian McCann’s right now and I don’t see anyone critiquing McCann’s swing, nor should they be.
By KC
May 1, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
Efrim; “KC, Thoughts on tonight’s epic matchup between Mark Redman and Cole “future Cy Young winner” Hamels?”
LOL!!!!
All my thoughts on tonight’s matchup contains language I cannot share with you fine folks on this particular blog. =)
By gajawjacker
May 1, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
LF is the easiest position to play in baseball. How is it possible the Braves have not had a decent replacement since Ron Gant departed. The Braves have not had any good players in LF over the past years except has been washed-ups, never was, and temporary replacement outfielders. Chipper’s injuries occurred when he began playing in the seemingly impossible position for the Braves to fill also.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
We Have Mets the Enemy,
Love the name-calling.
Anyway, looking at it closely I really don’t see that J.R. Richard pitched significantly better against the Dodgers than he did against some other teams.
His ERA was lower but both Dodger Stadium and the Astrodome were pitchers parks. He struck out almost as many Braves in fewer innings. He walked Dodgers at a lower rate but doesn’t look like he walked the at a significantly lower rate than other teams. His homer rate doesn’t appear to be significantly different against the Dodgers versus other teams.
By KC
May 1, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
I say we try Soriano out in the rotation as soon as Wickman is healthy.
What do ya’ll think?
By meansonny
May 1, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
Coach
It is apples and oranges. But I’d like to point out that HoRam’s ERA last April was 15.00. He gave us 3 innings with 5 earned runs in his April start last season.
HoRam had 14 starts last season. In 2 of those starts, he didn’t record 9 outs. In 1 start, that’s all he recorded. And he had 2 more starts where he recorded under 12 outs.
5 out of 14 starts where he couldn’t get 1 out in the 15th inning.
I understand looking back with rose colored glasses. But you’re getting a little bit closer to senile on this HoRam thing. HoRam was virtually the same problem last year.
By Mike S
May 1, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
my 2:27 post here = hear
By TennesseePaul
May 1, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
And think of all the times this season so far the Braves have started a game with no outs and a runner on (Kelly Johnson)
Not only that, think about the few times the Braves have started out a game up 1-0 because KJ knocked the ball over the fence.
By meansonny
May 1, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
Shaun
SLG does tell a fan how successful a batter is in each at bat (not plate appearance). And it grades the success of the at bat much better than OPS does the success of a plate appearance.
I don’t see how your arguement that success per at bat varies substantially to success per plate appearance.
Regardless, anyone who is a fan of moving a runner over should be a fan of SLG. You don’t have to sacrifice an at bat to advance a runner when you have a hitter who successfully hits 2+ baggers.
By We Have Mets the Enemy
May 1, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
If that’s the best you’ve got, Shaun, then I’ve got another name for you.
The Dodgers (along with the Reds) were the cream of the National League in the years J.R. Richard pitched. In other words, they were much, much better than the Braves and Mets, teams you’ve used to bolster your case. Yet J.R. Richard was 13-0 against L.A. in his last 16 starts, a lineup that won a pair of National League pennants in that span. A team that had four players with 30 homers in 1977, back when having 30 homers meant something.
But your response is weak because you have no case and you know it. So I’ll accept your lame response as an admission that you’re wrong, and we’ll move on, Sonny Boy.
You’d have a lot more credibility on this blog, Shaun, if you’d just admit it when you’re called on something and proven wrong. But you refuse to think about anything beyond what sabergeeks like the Rev. Sun Yung James tell you to think. Too bad.
By Mike S
May 1, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
Coach: A Pitching staff is the heart of a baseball team, not just the starting rotation. Soriano is better for us than Ramirez was last year. We’re 1-3 when Redman pitches in April. May is a new month.
By Lee
May 1, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
I am a little concern to the extent of Wickman’s injury. Back problems are hard to overcome in a hurry and with Wickman’s weight (not trying to be funny here)- I don’t know if he will be a full strength for a while even when he comes back. I think we need to leave the bullpen the way it is and have Soriano and Gonzo out there for precautionary reasons. After all that is why we traded for them.
By meansonny
May 1, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Darn fingers.
5 out of 14 starts for HoRam where he couldn’t record a single out in the 5th inning (1 of those starts, he didn’t record an out in the 2nd inning). All of those games, he blew.
By Lew
May 1, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
KC-What do I think? I can’t use language like that on this blog. It’s time to quit switching player’s positions. If we need another starter, then we should go get one. We have trade bait and we have other starters, such as Villarreal that can be plugged in. Soriano is fine where he is as a setup guy. I repeat- We can’t keep switching player’s positions.
By jb
May 1, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Leave Johnson where he is in the line up and at 2b. An over .430 BBP and his pop are great at the top of the line up. I think Harris will be able to get on more for the Braves in the 8 spot than most people give him credit for. That gives are pitchers more opportunities to bunt him over a base and more RBI changes for Johnson with him getting on base. I feel Harris has shown the potential to get better offensively this year, where Langerhans did not.
By jb
May 1, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Thats an over .430 OBP
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
meansonny,
Both OBP and SLG are valuable and I would prefer to see both. But OBP tells you how many times a hitter avoids an out per plate appearance. There are ways to avoid outs that AVG and SLG don’t take into account—walks and HBP.
OBP is more important because of this. Can’t get on base without avoiding an out in most cases. Sure there are relatively rare cases like forcing an error or catcher dropping the ball on the third strike.
SLG is extremely important, too, but doesn’t tell you how often a hitter avoids an out which is more important.
Even if you prefer “smallball” to homers I don’t know how you could deny that the more baserunners (more times a team avoids outs), the more chances to score.
The teams that avoid outs the best (or get on base the most, to put it another way) have a distinct advantage in being the teams that score the most runs. Not only does common sense tell us this, but also history tells us this.
By flange1
May 1, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
I hear what you are saying, but I am not try to criticise anyone! What I am saying and what I think alot of people believe, is that YES, Andruw is a HOFer. an All Star and a gold glove fielder, but if he could at least try to listen to help, he could improve enough to be one of the top 5 players of all time.
When people say they are disappointed, it is not so much in what he has done, it is what they think he COULD have done if he were to listen a bit..
By Seamus the Leprechaun
May 1, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
NORM!
By Braves20
May 1, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
As to where we would be had we not made the trade with Seattle - just about where we were last year with a bullpen imploding every night. Soriano is the only one of the big three who has gone to the post every time Cox has called. With Wickman out and Gonzalez (nice job last night) nursing his arm a week or so ago, we’d be lost without the Seattle trade. HoRam will be a .500 career pitcher at best.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
We Have Mets the Enemy,
My point yesterday was that a player plays well against certain teams because his skills are more conducive to playing well against that team or he feels comfortable in their ballpark. And players don’t play well against certain teams because it is that team.
For example, if my memory serves me correctly Tom Glavine struggled against the Astros early in his career but pitched well against them later. His early struggles and later success had nothing to do with the uniform but the personnel.
By DAP
May 1, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
shaun, youre missing it. nobody is saying that anruw isnt producing, or that he wont be in the hall of fame one day. ANYBODY that looks at him swing right now would say he is doing alot of things wrong.
andruw busted out in 2005 with 51 homeruns after changing his stance. the reason it was sucessful for him to spread out is because it kept his body more still. he was just using his hands.
when you watch him now, he is falling away from the plate like crazy, lowering his back sholder, going down to one knee ect. he literally falls out of the batters box when he misses, because everything is moving.
everyone knows thats a bad thing.
i hope he makes adjustments and starts to stay in there more, because he will be a much better hitter. shaun, youre missing it on this one.
By Lee
May 1, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
Let me see if I have all of this right. Make Soriano a starter, put Chipper on 1st, call up Escobar and put him at 3rd, move Johnson to lf and play Orr at second. I have read enough today.
LEW you are absolutely right - you can’t switch positions. This team will look like Comedy Central.
By FLBRAVESFAN
May 1, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
Just curious - are all you guys either retired or self-employed? Glad you don’t work for me!
By Seamus the Leprechaun
May 1, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Pete Orr at second. KJ in left. KJ in the five hole. Orr in the leadoff. Good Lord! Shaun, you touched on this subject just briefly. As much as you drive us nuts at times, that was the perfect opportunity for you to go berserk. Please describe in detail the importance of a leadoff guy like KJ and the importance of KJ being a second baseman as opposed to a corner outfielder. This is the perfect opportunity for you to slay someone with your science.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
flange1,
What I would say is maybe if Andruw changed certain things, maybe he would be better or maybe he would be worse. Andruw Jones is who he is. His approach is part of him and his skill set. How do we know that if AJ tried to go the other way, he would strikeout less but hit weak grounders to second more often and hit less homers and doubles?
And how do we determine which players to criticize on the basis of them making tweaks in their swings. Does Chipper, even though he’s a HOFer, need to be criticized because of what he could do if he changed his approach? Bonds? Frank Thomas?
If a player is productive, he’s productive. If not, he’s not. In my opinion, that should be more of a criterion rather than comparing him to what we think he should be.
Andruw has never been an Aaron or Mays at the plate so why should we have those expectations of him? And why should we say he can be that by tweaking this or that. How can we possibly know?
By meansonny
May 1, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
Shaun
I know what you are saying in terms of a plate appearance and avoiding outs.
But the question is about causing outs. Not avoiding them.
The only time an out recorded in a plate appearance doesn’t count as an at bat is during a sacrafice bunt/fly.
That is the only flaw to the SLG’s avoiding an out arguement. Every other time a player records an out. It is recorded as an at bat. And it is calculated in the SLG.
So consequently, a walk, base on balls, or hit by pitch does not hurt a player’s slugging percentage. They in a round about way keep the slugging percentage higher by statistically not detrimenting the stat in terms of number of at bats (lower at bats means a higher SLG).
Sorry about the long post. I, like you, use both to assess players. But SLG does not penalize players for bases on balls etc.
By We Have Mets the Enemy
May 1, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Shaun, your point yesterday — the point that had even DOB frustrated with you — was that there’s no eveidence (your favorite word) that certain players have the number of certain teams. You may have tried to spin it differently since, but that was your original point. Anyone need only go back and look to confirm this.
You’re just stating the obvious when you backpedal now and say “a player plays well against certain teams because his skills are more conducive to playing well against that team.” Thanks for the news flash! Obviously Richard matched up well against the Dodgers, or he wouldn’t have dominated them. You’re only reinforcing the point you were trying to argue against earlier.
I used your precious evidence against you to show you are wrong. You’re not man enough to admit it, and try to spin the argument in another direction to cover your tracks.
Conclusion: Shaun is both stubborn and dishonest.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
DAP,
Why are Andruw’s numbers about the same as always if he is doing a lot of things wrong at the plate?
This is exactly why I’m so adamant about this. Andruw’s numbers are just as good or better than ever yet he’s “doing a lot of things wrong”? How do you explain that?
Anyone would can’t see that AJ is really no different than AJ of the past three years is “missing it.”
His AVG is .261, basically where it’s been the past three years.
His OBP is .402, better than it’s ever been!
His SLG is .534, better than his career average and about the same as last season.
If he’s doing a lot of things wrong, I hope he keeps it up.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
meansonny,
Yes, SLG does not penalize players for BB, etc. but why not look at how good a player is at avoiding outs and how many bases he accrues?
And you can easily see how many outs a player costs his team:
1 - OBP = out percentage
By BB FAN
May 1, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
I agree with you that Jones has had a great career. In fact, if he can avoid injury for a few more seasons, he’ll be a Hall Of Famer.
I wasn’t saying Jones has not been productive this year. In fact, I even said his numbers were pretty good. Especially his OBP. It’s over .400 this year. I think his career OBP is like .347 and his career high before this year was like .365. I was sticking up for him as people on this blog were saying he needs to be more patient.
However, anybody who knows anything about baseball can tell his swing is not right at this time. Even Jones has said he has been working on it because he loses his balance too often.
Anyway, trust me, I am a huge Jones fan. And I think he has had a great career so far. I even gave my son the name Andruw as his middle name.
The guy plays the game the way it should be played. He has fun on the field. And you can easily see it by the way he’s alway laughing. I have met the guy a few times and he’s very down to earth. Very fan friendly. He treats everybody with respect. He realizes that without the fans, he doesn’t have a job. That’s what I want my son to realize is a person needs to treat people with respect.
By MBATL
May 1, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Shaun, I think you’re mostly right on this issue, for what it’s worth.
The only thing I think your argument overlooks - and it does with several other issues too, like “clutch hitting” or the ability for a player to improve much beyond historical levels - is motivation, or focus.
Some players might have a mental makeup that allows them to concentrate better, or “try harder” in certain situations - whether that is against a particular team, or in certain situations. I’ve always thought the statistical view of the game was unable to account for that.
Doesn’t mean it’s all garbage, just that it can’t explain everthing. So it tends to call any exceptions “dumb luck”, which I think is a bit simplistic.
I don’t know enough about JR Richard or the old Astros-Dodgers rivalry to comment on whether “focus”, or just physical conditions and matchups, played a part in his success against them.
But, I think there’s something to be said for the possibility that Chipper Jones just bears down harder against the Mets than against some teams; or Francoeur concentrates more with RISP, and therefore is a clutch hitter.
Situations like that may be statistically unusual but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
By meansonny
May 1, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
Shawn
Ease of the stat (OBP) is a good point. Just trying to remind folks that slugging takes into account the outs a player costs a team as well (At bats with 0 bases).
I agree with you about Andruw. He’s hitting .400 in his last 10 games. He has struck out 2 times in the last 4 games (with 4 walks).
These are small sample sizes. But they conclude with what you’re saying. Andruw is streaky. But he’ll produce this season.
To wish to change the old dog is wishful thinking (the only thing he could do to make his swing uglier is to close his eyes). Hopefully his current streak will be prolongued.
By serbok
May 1, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
So now Bobby is gonna try and manage the closers role by “feel?” thats just great:o(
By KC
May 1, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
I should clarify… my thought of trying Soriano as a starter assumes that there aren’t any quality starters on the trade market. But I agree we should probably go ahead and audition a couple people here before we make a drastic move like that.
Let’s get a look at Villarreal and possibly even Harrison in the rotation, and hope that Cormier can get back soon. If none of those things work out, and there’s nothing available by trade… then look at something like that if need be.
By jb
May 1, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Soriano really needs a 3rd good pitch to be a starter. That 2nd or 3rd time through the line up can be a little tough once they have seen your stuff. Furthermore, when he comes in with large leads his control seems to suffer. The same could happen if he starts. The starters are not really much different from last year, except Hudson is back to form, and we blamed last year on the bullpen. Let’s not tinker with that problem after the off season of fixing it.
By DAP
May 1, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
shaun, if andruw keeps his swing exactly like it is now, he will have a huge flop year. it cant last, period. unless a pitcher makes a mistake and pitches the ball where andruw is swinging, he wont hit it.
andruw is awesome, and im a big fan, but this flaw will come back to bite hmi and the braves if he doesnt fix it.
By Wayne in Utah
May 1, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
Bloggers: (Shaun, you really don’t need to respond to this post, as I do think you have stated, and stated and stated and stated your position on this point over and over and over and over……get my drift.)
It really doesn’t matter what any of us think, Shaun has never and probably never will budge on his opinions, whether we agree or disagree. That can be a very positive attribute, and it can also be a detriment, to not be open to the fact that you might be wrong on ocassion.
So, while many of us believe that Andruw has been a very good player, and if he showed some willingness to listen/learn maybe he could become a great player, as Shaun says, he is what he is. A very good player and Gold Glover.
Personally, I think we should cut our losses with him after this contract is up. It is very noticeable that he has lost a step or two. Many players who do not keep themselves in decent playing shape tend to go downhill VERY quickly after a certain age, usually around 30-33. I was NOT impressed that he came to camp lighter on his walk year. He should have done that EVERY year he was being paid 13 million per. Let’s let him fleece some other team for 20 mil per year a few years from now, after he has become a 5 million per year player.
I still believe with all my heart, that if he were to take some instruction, he could pick up his average 25-40 points, his OBP would increase as would his RBI’s. His homeruns would probably not be affected much and he would most likely smooth out some of his inconsistencies and actually help the team out more.
Please don’t respond Shaun, as I really don’t want to contribute to the wear and tear on your keyboard. I know the answer anyway.
By Bethany
May 1, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this
All stats aside…I was and still am upset about Langerhans leaving. He was my favorite player and I am going to miss him. He was a nice guy that didn’t have a bad attitude like Chipper does. And Ryan was one of the few that would actually talk to the fans and sign autographs. I hope he goes to Oakland and plays good enough to make the Braves regret their decision.
By DAP
May 1, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this
hey shaun, pendlton was just on tv, saying the same thing about andruw that ive been saying. he said andruw was frustrated about continuing to hit ground balls, and terry told him it was because he wasnt staying on the baseball. thanx, TP.
By Hal
May 4, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
How about Kelly Johnson in left and Pete Orr at second?