Braves

By Wilson

June 11, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

go braves

By Wilson

June 11, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

go braves

By Wilson

June 11, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

go braves

By N8

June 11, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

DOB

Nice call on Harris.

I’m SO TIRED of everybody saying Harris “can’t continue” to hit because his track record says so, while saying Andruw will turn it around because his does as well.

Maybe I overreact, because I take things week to week, game to game, sometimes inning to inning. But this much is true. Harris is as HOT as any Braves hitter has ever been through their first 100 or so AB’s. Ride it out and play him until it stops.

Not playing him is about as insane as sitting LeBron in game 2 of the finals because he picked up 2 quick fouls in the 1st quarter. How many did he end up with?….3

Play the guy UNTIL HE FOULS OUT!! Why would they want to “save” LeBron, while assuming they could make a comeback, as opposed to letting him play all out for 3 quarters so the game stays close.

HORRIBLE coaching, IMO. Shame on Brown.

By 22oz

June 11, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

Back to back tough lefties later this week. Woof. At least they’re well known, its the no-names we have trouble against. Do they have good curve balls?

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the new blog DOB. This was the best way the Braves could wrap up a home stand. Lots of fire and grit. I’m excited to watch them romp through this road trip. Won’t be easy, but they have the tools to do it.

By N8

June 11, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Wilson

OK OK OK

:-)

By 8th Infielder

June 11, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

*Hudson and the Bravos had best on their game Thursday to face John Santana. *

Might wanna recheck that whole sentence, DOB. I love the work and all, but Johan Santana is the best in the business right now by far(even with the 6 losses already) and is well past the “what’s his name again?” stage of his career…even if his name is spanish for John.

By ryan

June 11, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

DOB- KU Grad here, love the blog. Keep up the good work. I really like Salty and would hate to see him go but if he were to go, who are some possible guy(s) that we could expect to get back? Pitchers presumably or no? rock chalk

By flange1

June 11, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the new blog DOB,

Agree on the great work of the bullpen. It is great to have Boyer back and Moylan has looked super as well. Another lefty would be great. I can find no word on JC Romero only that he has been designated for assignment by the Sox, so they are fielding offers I am sure. Hopefully the Braves can get in that mix.

You are also right that we are only 2 1/2 games back and all the crying and moaning aside are still in the thick of things.

I still think we need another starter, but agree with Lew that a Thoma Ohka or Tony Armas is NOT what we need right now.

The more I look, the less I see out there. I think we will have to hold steady until the all star break and then hope someone come available.

I have a sinking feeling that the Mets are going to grab Zambrano or D. Willis later this summer.

When should our roster move happen? Today or tomorow?

By Jersey Gil

June 11, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB…you just bring Bad memory..Jack morris..Kirby Putket grab that homerun over the fense…men why you do that?

cripy…

By CJ

June 11, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

DOB- Have you checked out the Eric Church cd yet? If not you gotta.

I agree on the Sopranos, I was completely disappointed.

By matt

June 11, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

First?

By matt

June 11, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

First?

By Ron

June 11, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

DOB, The Sopranos is awesome, but a movie of the Sopranos does not sound too good, it might ruin the show’s prestige!!!

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Is it just me - or is it SOOO much nicer around here without those Muts fans

Yet another reason to cheer for the Braves to win and the Mets to lose.

Yes. Willie Harris has been more than anyone could have imagined. I’m proud of that guy. Glad he’s on the team and working his butt off. When he comes to the plate, dread does not set in. I like it. Woodward on the other hand offers nothing. When he comes to the plate, you can pretty much assume the out. If there are runners on and 1 or more outs, you know it’s time to get up and get a fresh beer before the next half inning.

By ncscoots

June 11, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

At least Santana has been somewhat human this year, and is getting very little run support recently. Silva has been shaky the last couple, and I don’t know anything about the Slowey kid. So all is not doom at the Dome.

By Ron

June 11, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

Who else on here thought their Satelite, or Cable went out at the end? I did not know what was goin on, I was about to turn channels and see if the other channels were out!!! Lame ending, but at least none of the Sopranos died, that was cool!!!!!!!!

By Renegator

June 11, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

DOB:

What’s the story on Chipper? I saw what Carroll wrote yesterday - what are your thoughts? Will he play Tuesday? Friday? Not at all this week? What do you thin? Can I ask anymore questions in this post?

By Ron

June 11, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

ncscoots, UHHH Dude Santana is a Lefty, and I know you know what leftys do to us, and he will look like a 2 time CY Young winner again when he faces us!!!!

By TennBrent

June 11, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

DOB —

Thanks for the new blog on this off day. Did Chipper actually take some batting practice this morning before the team left for Minnesota? Any word on how it felt? Thanks for the awesome work.

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

Rilo Kiley’s new album is due out in August

Looking forward to this. It’s been too long.

By Lew

June 11, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

Nathan-Let’s not get into what we’re all TIRED of on the blog-believe me, you might not want to know. However-Willie Harris. I’ve come to the determination that KC has found an alternative life form and has swapped him out with the real Willie Harris. That’s the only thing I can think of that makes sense. The guy shouldn’t be capable of this kind of sustained production, based on his career numbers, but Lord knows he’s doing it. He definitely strapped on the leotard and as long as he does it in a Braves uni, I’ll cheer for him like he was Ted Williams reincarnated/reconstituted.

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

Renegator, I know what you do on Chipper. He’s not going to decide until he hits Tuesday at the Metrodome, I’m sure, which is why I thought it wouldn’t have been worth going all the way down to Turner Field today just to see if I can catch him after he hit there today, when he’s still going to test it again in Minnesota before deciding anything.

I’d guess by the end of the week, Thursday or Friday, he’ll be in the lineup. Just a guess, though.

Griffey Jr. could be in the lineup by the weekend….

(this is where I’d put my fade-to-black ending).

No, I haven’t heard anything on Griffey Jr, other than he wants to play for Bobby, always has. But is that enough to make it happen? I don’t know. Braves have other needs, including a starting pitcher, a stick off the bench and/or a 1B who could pick up some slack from Thorman, etc.

But if he were available, didn’t cost them any top prospects, and they can fit him in the budget, hey, sure couldn’t do anything but help them. Just don’t see how you’d divvy the playing time, and he’s been playing right field all year, after playing CF all career. You gonna move Francoeur? No, you’re not.

By ncscoots

June 11, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

Ron, uhhh, dude, I believe the Braves are .500 against lefties not named Perez and Hill. If I’m not mistaken, Braves haved faced those two guys six (!) times already, with 1 win to show for it. Have they faced any other lefties more than once (I confess I don’t know)?

In any event, the numbers against lefties are skewed just a leetle bit by the admitted dominance of those two guys.

I wanted to put in about a dozen exclamation marks to make my point, but I found you had already used them all up. :-)

By Steve McP

June 11, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

When will Woodward go? What vibe are you getting DOB?

A switch with Pena looks so obvious that we are all pretty much amazed it has not happened.

Are we still carrying an extra pitcher? If so what is the reasoning for that? Is it cover for Smoltz and Hudson?

How is Edgar’s hand today? If he has to miss a game or more then we need the extra position player.

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

As we’ve said, as Bobby has said repeatedly, they weren’t going to add the position player until the Minnesota series. I think it’ll be Pena. Don’t know what else to tell you. But I don’t see Woodward getting released. I could be wrong, but don’t see that happening.

How’s Edgar’s hand today? It was was off day. No workout. We don’t get updates on injuries on off days, when he won’t even be testing it until tomorrow.

By Jeff

June 11, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

DOB! After Willie Harris sprinted across the plate to put the Braves up last night, Cox pulled him to the side for something. Any idea what that was all about?

By Renegade

June 11, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Wille Harris is electrifying and should play everyday until he proves otherwise. He has speed to go with an excellent bat and good fielding skills. He is exactly what the Braves have not had since Deion. Speed never slumps.

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

TennPaul, also see great reviews for new Ryan Adams and White Stripes CDs in the new Paste mag I got in mail today

By Del

June 11, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Well folks, “D”ecision day is nearly here when Chipper comes off the DL. Will Bobby elect to keep Woodward and Orr and send the kid back to Richmond. I certainly hope not, but I wouldn’t put any money on it what with Bobby’s known loyalty to his veterans. I would like to see them keep the kid and bring back Prado—— letting Woodward and Orr go. This could be a season make or break decision.

By Renegator

June 11, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the update on Chipper DOB. Interesting bit of news on Griffey - I think he would make a great addition to this team (stand up guy) but you are right - there is no place to play him this year. Next year, that could be a different story.

By Fred from CT

June 11, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

ncscoots they faced matt chico from the nats twice also glavine and I beleive willis and hamels

By Thrillhouse44

June 11, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Glad you mentioned how well the bullpen has performed. I think that’s a fact that has been overlooked the past couple weeks.

On a personal, and totally unrelated note, I got engaged last night to The Girl. We ran to the top of a beautiful mountain, I told her she had to be mine forever, and then I got home in time to see Kelly Johnson’s bomb. What a night! I hope the momentum continues on the road trip…

By THE BEAR

June 11, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG

62 214 24 58 7 5 1 17 78 6 40 3 2 .296 .364 .271

Hindsight is always 20/20 but wouldn’t it be nice to have Tony Pena instead of Chris Woodward?

By knowitall

June 11, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

If they David Chase does do a Sopranos movie down the line, I hope it’s better than the Miami Vice movie.

By ncscoots

June 11, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

thanks, Fred…was almost certain they HAD to have faced a couple of guys more than once, just too lazy to look it up, LOL!

By Turnin2

June 11, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Imagine how I felt staying up to watch the HBOW Sopranos only to find I actually DID see the real end at 1:05… I think it allows us to have whatever ending we want. I, myself, did not want to see Tony whacked - I love the guy! Which is why I kept switching between HBO and BBT - just in case it happened I didn’t want to see it. I’m a sucker for a happy ending - so in my mind, they all lived — maybe not happily ever after, but lived…

btw - fading to black on the Jr. saga - can I please make up my own ending there too - he lives… in CINCY and never in our outfield. Don’t we have enough on the DL????????????

By David O'Brien

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

You all forget, I think, that Pete Orr has all his options remaining. Can be sent down this year, next year, the year after. He’s never been sent down since making the 40-man roster, so he’s never used an option.

By journalist jimmy smith

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

show business blog - to the blogger that asked jimmy smith to contact paris hilton - journalist heard from paris hilton earlier. lifting weights and fitting in well in prison. may become muslim, not sure. and dob is back from the speech. tell us about the speech, dob. was the wurlitzer mentioned? cheese? barbecue? music is a given. and now, the blogger is right … renteria is more important right now than chipper - but not all will agree. would escobar improve the defense at any position or just first, short, and third? also debatable. and remember when johnson and langerhans were about equal in the braves plans? kj actually got the start in lf but lost out to langerhans (who hit well for at time). now, kj is doing well at second and langerhans is hitting .152 in d.c. and platooning with nook logan. great baseball name, nook logan.

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

The Bear, you’re right. Hindsight is 20-20.

By Paladin

June 11, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

We have to come from behind twice to wins games that allow us to split a series with a team that is not very good and everyone gets excited. ?????

By Tad

June 11, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

With 6 straight interleague games against the AL on the road using a DH, why didn’t the Braves make a roster move for another bat before they got on the plane today? I suppose there is still time tonight or tomorrow morning to do so, but it NEEDS to be done ASAP.

They have only 12 hitters (10 if you don’t count Woodward and Orr), while they are carrying 13 pitchers.

I fully expect/ hope Woodward to be sent packing when Chipper gets back, but we need to drop Paronto/ Boyer/ Carlyle/ Moylan to Richmond and re-call Brayan Pena to be the backup catcher so Saltalamacchia can be the DH for these next 6 games.

By Lew

June 11, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

DOB-I listened to XM Home Plate this morning, I think with Holding Cushner (sp?). All they could talk about was how much Atlanta needed Griffey and how much he wanted to play there. They kept talking about how we needed another left hand bat. I just can’t see it. We don’t need another outfielder (at least not right now-maybe next year). We don’t need a LH bat, we need RH power, preferably a first baseman, on the bench. I cringe everytime Woodward bats. We don’t have the money to pay Griffey. We need the bench help and a LH reliever. We could use another starter. None of this says, in my estimation, “Let’s go out and get Griffey-we’ll strike while the iron is hot and give up half our minor league system for him.” Let’s not even get into his injury thing. Look at all the grief Chipper gets for freak injuries. What would the Atlanta reaction be when Griffey’s chronic leg afflictions start to rear their ugly head (I’m sure I mixed a metaphor, there, but you get the idea, I’m sure)?

By Bob, Journalist

June 11, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

And what wrong with leaving you wondering?

Berigan, I posted this at the end of the previous Blog and while it’s much ado that doesn’t warrant reposting, it was still in the queue and it does give David O’B another hit! If only I could give it to Andruw or Scott instead.

“I’m taking things easy today but just saw your earlier post while strolling through the park ….

As memory serves, what I said was triggered by what I thought were Coach’s rather humorous comments regarding my impression of his intelligence compared to that of our Mr. Cox.

I wasn’t meaning to suggest that Bobby’s decision was the one of choice or that I would have agreed with his reasoning had I known what that was … only that we are not in a good position to judge and that publicly so doing is fraught with peril.

Back in the old days when my posts reflected a slightly different perspective, I used to frequently belabor the point that the why is more important than the what … that folks almost always have their reasons for doing that which they do … and that it is incumbent on us to seek an understanding of their motivation.

I currently pretend to myself that I no longer to so do; belabor the point that is … lest I find myself too full of the milk of human kindness.

Most decisions involve many layers of the onion, including those surrounding the “Hudson” incident … but after much deliberation, I’ve narrowed it down to two … I personally think it most likely that Hudson’s actions on Saturday were either for the purpose of getting Lily thrown out of Sunday’s game so that we could get into Lou’s head, and his bullpen … or to serve notice to the Twins that we haven’t forgotten their showing up Lonnie in 1991.

I can’t decide which but I know that there are a few who would disagree with both and agree that it is best that folks reach their own conclusions … no need to identify the obvious exceptions, as that too might be taboo.

Another thing should be obvious regardless of the onion … hotdogs may be better at the Varsity than at the Ted but there are ways to fix them that will please most any palate.

Speaking of which, mine are about ready for tasting!”

The dogs didn’t taste too good so I’m now steaming some tamales …

By ernesto

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

Orr’s got options left, Orr’s gone. How could you even think of sending Willie down? But ideally, I think Orr should get a piggy back ride from Woodward out of town - they are two sides of the same worthless coin.

By NRBQ

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

The Closer returns tonight. Better than The Shield now, and right up there with Rescue Me.

By THE BEAR

June 11, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

I keep hearing complaints about Cox’s ‘loyalty’ to veterans and decided to check. I found that three players who are currently on the 25 man roster were here three years ago, Chipper, Andruw and Smoltz. If we expand to the 40 man roster only Hampton was here 3 years ago. Where is all that ‘loyalty’ everyone keeps talking about? Pete Orr played here in 2005 and 2006, not five years as some would have us believe.

By Lew

June 11, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

Paladin-Do you live in San Francisco? Can you be wired there? Does it really matter how you win a ball game as long as you DO win it? I think not. It’s like that little dribbler that goes 12 feet and turns into a single. They say it looks like a line drive in the box score the next day and it does. The same thing with the W’s and L’s-there’s no explanation category in the box scores-just W’s and L’s-that’s all that counts, though Shaun will likely disagree.

By Tad

June 11, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

DOB

I enjoyed reading your interview with Jarrod Saltalamacchia today. He seems to be a quality young man with his priorities in line. I really think that trading him would be a regrettable decision. He hits for power, he hits for average, he has a great arm, good plate discipline, & is willing to play any position to help the team.

I know it won’t happen this year, but I believe he is the full time first baseman of the future. He has to be in the lineup every day. Moving Dale Murphy to the outfield certainly worked out. Alternating McCann and Salty at 1B and C would be a cool experiment as well.

By Lew

June 11, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

Tad-We need Carlyle. Boyer has been lights out since coming up. Paronto pitched almost two scorless innings last night and Moylan is rapidly becoming our most reliable long reliever and will be particularly important in that role if Villarreal is drafted for spot starting. I fail to see how dumping any of them can possibly be beneficial to a team looking for all the pitching it can get ahold of.

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

DOB: Fresh Q&A with Salty though… How come you didn’t grill him hard, get him to speak the truth? Why didn’t you ask him the tough questions? Why are you such a yes-man? You should have ripped him a new one for those misplays at first, and those missed caught steals! =)

Seriously though, I did like it. It’s cool to read those things. You get to get an idea of the player and the clubhouse and all. I appreciated his acknowledgement of Francoeur and McCann as Vets. That’s solid.

Ryan Adams is good to hear. White Stripes…. I’ll hold off the excitement until I hear it. They don’t get along to well with my ear drums… the hardest button to button couldn’t be any harder to button than it was to listen to.

By Fred from CT

June 11, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Lew I agree 100% who cares how you win as long as you win that is all that matters.

By BamaBrave

June 11, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

I know you included Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in one of your recent “catch these bands” lists, DOB. I made the trek to Nashville last week to see them and it was perhaps a bigger tease than last night’s Sopranos finale. You can tell this is a very talented group, with the perfect rock attitude/snarl and increasingly rare musical depth…but the sound system stunk. Blown speaker on the right side. Not their fault, but it was a real bummer… Perhaps the system will be able to handle them in Atlanta.

Anyway, the roadtrip made it harder for me to concentrate on the Braves homestand woes, which is just as well. No June Swoon this year, boys!!! I can’t take it…

By rhythm token

June 11, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

DOB-

Speaking of lefty relievers… Anybody looking good in Triple-A? Startup is a lefty (and a bulldawg..and the only Triple A pitcher i can name)

Does anybody know how hes doing? i know you can check statistics but has anybody seen him pitch and can anybody tell me how hes handling the AAA hitters? Thanks

By Double Deuce

June 11, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

Most bullpens would be devastated by the loss of a Mike Gonzalez. In my early observations I felt it would be McBride and Paronto who would be keys to the ‘pen, but both have had their problems.Yates has stepped in very well as the 7th inning guy, Moylan has been super, and Boyer looks good too. Had not seen him pitch but he has a great arm with good stuff and a major league presence on the mound. Find one more lefty and we have enough quality arms to not only overcome the loss of Gonzo, but to be as good as we thought the ‘pen would be at the beginning pf the year, just with different roles. I’m still concerned about consistent hitting, but I don’t think we’ve hit our stride yet where we get consistent production throughout the lineup. If that happens we will be in this at the end. Mets are good, Phillies are better than their start, but my money says the Braves are right there at the end too. Should be just like most of us thought, tight race in one of the most evenly matched divisions in baseball. Tough twelve or thirteen games games coming up, 6or 7 wins would be a great scenario with the quality of teams coming up.

By Wayne in Utah

June 11, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

Only way Junior comes to Atlanta is as a salary dump, and with Cincy picking up a big part of it. Would NOT have to give up anything better than a mid level prospect or two. We really don’t need him, but a bat is a bat. Can he play first??

Also, no way does Woodward go for reasons I outlined in a late blog last night. Orr can’t play SS, first or the outfield. Woodward can play almost any position on the field, albeit badly at times. Truth be told, if he resorted to his 2005 level of performance, he would be a valued member of the bench.

Pena and Chipper activated and Orr sent down with Paronto.

We need someone like Conine (or even Adam Dunn) before Junior.

Look to see a reliever dealt for a right-handed bat for first and the outfield. Conine, Neikro, etc.

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

Lew: All solid points on Griffey. I like the guy. I wish he were chasing Aaron over Bonds. I wouldn’t be so anti if it were Jr. He just seems like a good guy. But there really isn’t all that big of a need for him. Our weak spots are spot he can’t really fill. And there is no sense is pawning the future for him. I supose though, it one sense it would work. If JS knows that he is not going to even try to keep AJ, then getting Jr would make a little more sense. We’d have a CF for next season. But even still I’d rather wait until the offseason and see how things work out with everything else before a trade like that happens… Now if the Twins want to give up Santana we might be on to something. =)

By Bob, Journalist

June 11, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Congratulations Thrillhouse44! Methinks it’s always good to get engaged to The Girl and not someone else … a fact, like the good work of the bullpen, that seemingly is often overlooked.

The importance of luck is also often overlooked … may yours be good!

By Tad

June 11, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Lew- I understand that these pitchers have been doing well lately and that’s great, but given the DH situation this week, I am concerned about too thin of an offense. In addtion, Renteria may be limited with his hand welt.

C: McCann, 1B: Thorman, 2B: Johnson, SS: Renteria, 3B: Escobar, LF: Harris, CF: Jones, RF: Francoeur, DH: Saltalamacchia.

Bench: Harris, Woodward, Orr. Backup C: NONE (Maybe Pete Orr could catch in an emergency).

We need Salty in the lineup as the DH. Who else can hit besides Willie Harris? Renteria is questionable and could have to sit out a few games and would be replaced by Orr/ Woodward, which means we would be really limited.

I just think we have one too many pitchers and one too few hitters for this road trip because of the DH and Renteria / Chipper’s injury situation. This is not to mention that Hudson and Smoltz have been ailing lately… It is too bad one of the pitchers doing well recently has to be the odd man out.

By GermanBravesFan

June 11, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

DOB: I agree with you 100%… It still is a 162-game season and the Braves are only 2 1/2 games behind the Mets. Considering the fact that there hasn’t been a number 4 or a number 5 starter that has been consistent all year, it’s an amazing fact! Also, we are, once again, reminded how important Chipper is to the line-up. Had he been in there the past four weeks, the Braves might as well be leading the division by 5 games!!! That’s a scary thought… and here is one more: had Chipper been in the line-up the past four weeks AND Andruw been hitting… wow!

However, it hasn’t been the case and we are only 2 1/2 games out of first. Not too bad, I would say. If the bullpen holds up and we can find someone to step in as the number-four starter, then we’ll be in real good shape. Any thoughts on the possible fourth starter? Seems like Kyle Davies doesn’t have it… I liked Buddy Carlyle last night. How is Trey Hodges doing? Would he be a candidate?

Now to the real important subject: after being totally disappointed at first, I think the ending to the “Sopranoes” was genius! It lets all of us come up with our own ending… Did Tony (and his family) get whacked in that diner? did he live and have to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life (much like he did while sitting in that diner)? will life just go on as it was?

Looks, though, like there might be a movie coming up… In the meantime, I can’t wait for “The Wire” to return!!! “Entourage” continues next week… Life is good!

By D-Cider

June 11, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

At first I was upset with the way the Sopranos ended, but the more I thought about it, I accepted the fact it was the way Chase wanted to end it. Our little visit into the lives of these characters are over, although there is always the chance a movie might come out of it down the road.

I’ve heard one tune off of the new Ryan Adams CD and look forward to hearing more.

I look forward to how the Braves season will end in October.

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

If Tonto is sent down, I won’t mind so much. He was in 2 innings last night. Two of the scariest innings in the game (how could they not be, he and Woodward were on the field at the same time). He had the bases loaded with no outs in his first full inning. I don’t trust this guy. He didn’t get his 6+ ERA from bloop hits and bad luck. He teetered on the edge of meltdown yesterday. He isn’t reliable. If a pitcher has to go, he wouldn’t be a bad one to send down.

By AZBravoFan

June 11, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

DOB, What’s your take on Tim Hudson? I know that last week or so you said not to worry, he still looked like an ace, this wasn’t going to be a repeat of last year. But I sure haven’t been able to share that optimism lately? Is he healthy? He’s not hiding another nagging injury is he? Is he going to go on the DL after losing 10 in a row and say “oh, my oblique has been nagging me again. I thought I could pitch through it…” After all these years, why is it so hard for him to replicate his arm slot and throw consistent strikes? It’s really frustrating for us. (as I’m sure it is for him too) I was happy to seen him plunk Soriano though.

By Paladin

June 11, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

No, Lew, I don’t live in San Francisco but from time to time I can be wired.

By teoa

June 11, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

WARNING: SOPRANOS SPOILER ALERT

DOB, good stuff as always on the Braves; couldn’t disagree more on The Sopranos.

After thinking about it for a day, I think they hit a HR with that ending. I think it would have been much less satisfying if they decided to spoon-feed the resolution that everyone expected. That series has made its name being an unpredictable blend of art and pure entertainment, and it stayed true to itself to the very end. In my opinion it would have seemed a bit hollow, lazy even, if they just caved to audience expectations and went out with the proverbial bang. As it is, I can’t wait to see the final episode again tonight. And I can’t imagine feeling that way if they simply gave the audience what it wanted.

Anyway, my interpretation on the ending was that life goes on for the Sopranos in its tenuous state…jail seemed likely for Tony and the tension of the final scene suggested that he would live with the crippling paranoia the rest of his life, even in the best of times — a return to stasis for his family (which AJ had to remind him of.) After reading a few blog entries today, I’m not so sure…

I didn’t see the credits, but apparently the shady guy in the diner was either Phil’s nephew or cousin. Also, there was a flashback to the first episode of the season when Tony was on the lake with Bobby. They were discussing death, and Bobby said that “When it happens, you don’t even hear it coming.” Since the whole last scene seemed to play from Tony’s POV, I’m starting to believe the sudden cut to black and silence was intended to be Tony’s death. And, apparently the guy (Phil’s nephew?) going to the bathroom was an homage to The Godfather, when Al Pacino returned from a diner bathroom with a gun. I’ve also read something about Tony seeing himself in the diner…that he was wearing different clothes in different shots, etc…which would open up a whole other range of possibilities.

Obviously the end was meant to be at least somewhat ambiguous. (I read that the flipside to the Journey single on the jukebox was “Any Way You Want It.”) Still, I think there were a lot more clues there than I caught on first watch. If in fact the credits say that was a relative of Phil in the diner, it would be hard to take it any other way than to think Tony was killed. I agree the cut to black is kind of an arty way to go out if that’s the case, but that’s okay with me…I’m not really into the whole “wrap it up with a bow” thing either. (In fact, the only note of this season that didn’t ring true for me was the sudden resolution to the ongoing Dr. Melfi subplot.) Anyway, I’m really looking forward to seeing it again tonight, which means it was an absolute success in my book. The best Sopranos episodes always worked as surface level entertainment, or on a deeper, more symbolic, metaphorical level, and I think the finale was about the best I could hope for in terms of maintaining that interesting duality. That said, I understand the balance tilted a bit too far towards the latter for most tastes, but it was that same spirit of risk-taking that made the series so good and so original for so long in my opinion.

By metsmanintheatl

June 11, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

Final standings: metros first, phils 5 back, fish 12 back and knaves 20 back…ladies and gentlemen your 2007 WORLD CHAMPIONS…NEW YORK METROPOLITANS!!!!!!!!!!

By Lew

June 11, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

TenPaul-If we had Griffey and he performed as in the past five or six years, we wouldn’t have him for a season. I really like the guy, too and wish it was him instead of Barry, but he’s not a lock for appreciable playing time. His injury issues are legion and myriad. He’s much less reliable than Chipper.

By TK

June 11, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

Saw the Reds play the other day. Shame JS did not sign Jeff Connie instead of Wilson. Connie seems like a Bobby Cox type player. Has anyone else heard about the Braves scouting Eric Bedard of the O’s???

By StingerSplash

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

DOB, My advice to you on the Sopranos finale is … Fugeddaboutit. (It was going to be “My advice to you, is to begin drinking heavily.” But why go all Blutarsky on everyone today?) Could the Braves put together an attractive enough package to the Rangers for Teixeira? He is a free agent in a walk year, so he would be a rental at best, and a costly one. It could take one or two major league arms and a top minor league pitching prospect, plus Thorman, to get it done. But once he comes off the DL, why not Cormier/Paronto/Thorman for Teixeira? You can plug practically any other Braves pitcher into those first two slots, save for Smoltz, Hudson, Soriano and Wickman, naturally, and possibly including Chuck James and Tyler Yates.

By Wayne in Utah

June 11, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Lew: Would you trade one of the back side relievers for a bat like Conine?? I too like our depth in the pen, and look at guys like Devine and Startup as possible call-ups by mid-summer. If they all stay healthy and a couple of our AAA guys do well, we are going to have about 4-5 too many if Sturtze comes back. (Villarreal, Wickman, Soriano, Yates, McBride, Boyer, Paronto, Moylan, Devine, Startup, Sturtze and Stockman) That’s potentially 12 guys for 7 positions. Count on 3-4 not being able to cut it, and that still leaves 8-9 to fill 7 spots. Would you call that a position of strength?

Guys I would move would be Oscar, Paronto, or Yates (reluctantly). I think we have some AA and AAA starters to take a couple of starts if needed, so Oscar would be expendable. I could see Lerew and Cormier getting another chance after they get their injuries/game straightened out.

Personally, I think our bats are hurting us as much if not more than our inconsistent 4 & 5 starters.

Andruw getting back to his norm would solve a lot of ills on this team. I think he hurts us more than Woodward and Thorman combined.

Enough rambling.

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Watched ESPN today at lunch over a beer and pizza. Outside the Lines was on. I think that was the show. They listed only the HR gloating Soriano did as the reason for Hudson’s throwing at him. But they spent the bulk of the show discussing Lilly’s ejection. They had every view point on the matter and really settled nothing. But it was fun to see so much time devoted to a Braves game. Pretty rare.

By Wayne in Utah

June 11, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

Would you give up Escobar and Harrison for Bedard?

By Lew

June 11, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

Tad-Dude, it’s simple. You send down Orr who has ALL his options left and bring back Brayan Pena, a switch hitter who catches and can play first. You lose Orr (no biggie, IMO) and you maintain your pitching. Salty DH’s or switches off with McCann who DH’s. Pena backs up Thorman and is the backup catcher. Problem solved-pitching not depleted.

By BRAVES BELIEVER

June 11, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

OUR CLUB IS BACK…watch out nl east…chipper rules!!!

By Bob, Journalist

June 11, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

We’ll take ‘em any way we can get ‘em … that’s for sure, … but let’s not fall into the trap of believing that winning is everything … methinks the boys did themselves proud over the last two games, regardless of the outcome.

By Wayne in Utah

June 11, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

Stinger Never say never, but I don’t see Texeira come over, as the summer rental thing is hard to swallow later. Would Tex take us to the WS, without Chuck James in the rotation? My guess is we would have to then trade Salty for a rental starter, which would be a monumental mistake for 2008. But again, never say never….

By Savannah Guy

June 11, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

The Sopranos: fuggitaboutit

If you don’t want to spoil the end of the Soprano’s finale, scroll through and don’t peek. If you could care less about an amateur movie review, ditto…scroll on baby. If you only want baseball talk…you know what to do…

The Sopranos ending was not really all that surprising, based on past inconsistent treatments and awkward timing of the series flow of seasons past. Last nights highly anticipated (and hyped) series finale could be best described as: if you thought you knew what would happen, then you were soundly duped. You were shown the door…thrown out into the street on your proverbial chin.

You were not going to be given the satisfaction of closure. That would be too “expected”. The BIG end…when viewers finally realized their TV hadn’t malfunctioned…wreaked of artistic malpractice. Very weak. A creative cop out. We were not even soothed with the great music during the closing credits, which had become a signature of the show.

Since the first season I was captivated with this unconventional, dysfunctional mob family. The acting was superb, the production value high and the script were always just right. Unfortunately, the director took an anti-climactic finish as his ultimate creative solution to end the show.

I’m not suggesting that cliff hanging is a bad way to end a movie or a series. Not suggesting that creative work ever deliver the expected. But in a series where a story line and characters develop over many years, it would be no less creative and much more satisfying to bring the drama to have a powerful, meaningful ending. There was no finality for Tony and family…and no sensible conclusion. That was annoying, but far worse than the technically awkward, chopped ending, was the creatively bizarre and cheap execution of the finish (no pun intended).

Maybe David Chase was having a bad month. Perhaps ulterior motives trumped creativity. Hmmm…next year you might look for, Soprano’s: “One Last game of Hide-The-Canole”, or “The Swann Song”. Who knows, maybe next season we’ll find out it was all a dream ala Dallas. It’s probably being drafted to sell to the HD networks or film producers as we speak. I guess that would be a logical ending after all…just not creative.

I’m just gonna fuggitaboutit. Who cares…we got baseball, where evey movie has an end…unless Bud Selig get’s control of it.

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

Lew: I don’t disagree. The only way it’d make any sense to me is if AJ were already gone. As it stands now, trading for him would do nothing to help this team where it needs helping. However, for Jr to agree to a trade to Atlanta, he’d have to drop the no trade clause (I’m pretty sure JS would require such a move. I think he did of Sheffield), at which point we could flip him for something else. He’d hate us after that though.

By Lew

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

Wayne-I wouldn’t mind having Conine, but if you can get Edgar for a AAA prospect and Wicky for a A catcher, I’m dubious about giving up a decent reliever for him. The guy is getting up there in age, is not overly expensive and I doubt they could expect to get much for him. Yes, we’re deep in the bullpen (if you factor in the minors), but we damn well may need them this year and certainly will next year-especially if Wicky retires. Conine, while a good player, is still just a bench player, not an everyday guy any more. I wouldn’t overspend on him. Stinger-Dude, were you aware that Texiera has been DL’ed?

By Daxxed

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

Yes 2 1/2 out who would have thought it. After analyzing what small ball would have done for the Braves in there lossess. I discovered that they could have only won 1 game for sure. Although AJ was and still is an inninig killer for swinging for the fence he still knows how to come through sometimes. And if JF would allow a pitcher to throw more than one pitch before he swings, maybe we can even things up with the Mets.

By Wayne in Utah

June 11, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

I think Conine could be had for any two of our minor league pitchers not named Harrison, Reyes, Hanson or Devine.

What say ye?

By Bob

June 11, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

Wayne in Utah,

I agree Andruw hurts us at the plate, but not to the degree Orr and Woodward do. But Andruw’s fielding has been tremendous again and I do not see anything in Orr or Woodward that make me feel the same.

BTW, where in Utah? My dad was from SLC and went to West H.S.

By Fred from CT

June 11, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

Wayne in Utah I would probably do that trade. young lefty. We would have to check the injury history on bedard.

By Lew

June 11, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

Wayne-I don’t know about moving Yates. I really like the kid and think he’s an integral part of the team. I like him enough that he’s on my fantasy team. I wouldn’t want to let Oscar go, because he’s so versatile. He can go short, long, or spot start-we might just need that. As far as Paronto-he was great last year and until he got hurt this season. He has had some rough patches since returning, but has looked better the past couple starts. Devine may be a good reliever, but has his time come? I don’t know. As far as Startup, hasn’t he spent considerable time on the DL the past couple of years? Do you really want ot bank on someone with so little track record at the ML level? NO. I think we could get Conine or someone similar for much less than a good pitcher. Haven’t we been told repeatedly that outfielders and first baseman are a dime a dozen? I’ll donate a buck-we can get a few dozen, can’t we? Still get change back too. Right?

By Wayne in Utah

June 11, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

10-Paul: If you get Junior, it wouldn’t be to flip him.

I know all about the 10-5 thing and Andruw’s posturing, but at what point do you either tell him it’s re-sign, sit or agree to a trade??? Maybe never. I know he has knocked in a few runs from the cleanup spot, but I suspect we could do as well with another decent bat, as sometimes there are just lots of runners to bring around when you hit 4th. AJ has 42 RBIs in a year when he has totally stunk it up. Another decent 275 hitter with a little pop could have done as well from cleanup.

What am I saying? He is not going anywhere, as much as I would love it!

By N8

June 11, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this

Lew

“Nathan-Let’s not get into what we’re all TIRED of on the blog-believe me, you might not want to know.”

Do you think I’m STUPID, Lew? You don’t think I’m fully aware that I might rub people the wrong way? I’ve been compared to Robert about 6 or 7 times in the last 48 hours. Yet I’ve not made reference to any farm animals, nor called Bobby and silly names.

Just questioned some of his decisions, while trying to refute fellow bloggers testimony that HE is the only reason we won 14 straight division titles.

Go ahead and let me have it, since you don’t think I can handle it.

THIS IS A BLOG. Where fans of the Atlanta Braves (and NY Mets), are free to roam whenever the so choose. Say whatever the want about whomever they want, just so long as certain boundries aren’t crossed. HAVE I CROSSED ANY OF THOSE BOUNDRIES?? I didn’t think so.

Some people love Bobby. Some people hate Bobby. Some people are indifferent. Some people think his (the Braves) success is due to Leo. After all Bobby and the Braves have NEVER made the playoffs in any full season without Leo, have they? Some people think Leo was overrated. Some people think that Smoltz is great for starting, then closing, now starting again. Some people think he’s selfish. Some people think that without 3 HOF pitchers Bobby NEVER wins anything. Some people think that Bobby could’ve turned ANY 3 pitchers into HOF pitchers. Some of us think it’s somewhere in the middle. Some people think Andruw is the greatest player this side of the Atlantic (not sure what that means). Some people think he’s an overpaid, selfish, no disciplined CF.

My point is, join the conversation if you must. If you’ve got something to say….SAY IT. It’s a blog. You’re entitled to your opinion as am I. Just don’t “pretend” like you’ve got something to say that might hurt my feelings. HOGWASH!

I’ve read MANY times that people have told Robert they continuously skip his posts because they’re tired of his banter. Feel free to do the same to mine. But even in the midst of our “heated” conversation last night, Greg O. was level headed and enjoyed the “back and forth” as HE SO STATED. So did Ron. Wayne on the other hand DID NOT. But he’s from Utah. Probably thinks that Jeff Hornacek wiping the side of his face before each free-throw was “cute”.

Have a nice evening. Because no matter how much you may tire of me, I’m not going anywhere.

In the words of Cliff Poncier of Citizen Dick: “all this negative energy — it only makes me stronger.”

By Wayne in Utah

June 11, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

Bob: Lived in Layton for the past 5 years.

By StingerSplash

June 11, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

Wayne,

My assertion was that CJ and Tyler may be on the off limits list. However, Davies/McBride et al. aren’t. Consider this lineup: Kelly Johnson Renteria Chipper Andruw Teixeira McCann Francoeur Diaz/Willie Harris

By JasonInMaine

June 11, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

N8,

I agree completely with your post.

Also, I don’t like what someone has to say and don’t feel like discussing it (which I am sure many, many people do to my posts), I don’t read and/or respond. No biggie. Keep the posts coming my man.

Regards,

Jason

By summerteeth

June 11, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

Soprano’s was spot on…great ending. The Soprano’s isn’t The Godfather where everyones gotta go, it is about the mafia in N. Jersey where in reality bosses and captains don’t get whacked at will. Great ending IMO.

By Wayne in Utah

June 11, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this

Bob Actually, I think AJ hurts us much more than Orr and Woodward combined, cause he is in there much more. Does that mean if Woodward or Orr were getting 4-5 AB’s per game, they might be worse? Who knows. The fact is that as our cleanup hitter, AJ has really put a major hurting on us this year. Yes, he saves runs. How many per game average? a half a run, a quarter of a run, a full run (I doubt this)? How many runs has he cost us with his poor hitting so far?

I am not saying “I am right and you guys are wrong!” I am just not sure he is worth the drain on our offense right now. I will defer to you folks though, as I am just a humble salesman who loves baseball.

Lew You are probably right. On a later post I mentioned getting Conine for prospects (Mid level at best).

I would move one of our bullpen arms though for a significant bat. Not sure who is going to be available though. Dunn would be an interesting addition. A guy like that could potentially put us over the hump.

I am on my way out. I’ll check out your responses later tonight…..

By DonCoburleone

June 11, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

“Would you give up Escobar and Harrison for Bedard?”

You’d have to be retarded not to… As a matter of fact, I’d give up Salty and Harrison for Bedard. But that would never happen, no way in he!! the O’s trade their most reliable pitcher each of the last 3 seasons to anyone… Another guy on that team is Daniel Cabrera. His WHIP is through the roof but his stuff is filthy; may just be one of those “needs a change of scenery” type guy…

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

Wayne writes: I know all about the 10-5 thing and Andruw’s posturing, but at what point do you either tell him it’s re-sign, sit or agree to a trade???

Uh, that would be a big NEVER. Wayne. Absolutely NEVER.

For one, the Braves haven’t even made him an offer. Two, he’s fully within his rights to tell them he has no interest in renegotiating until after the season (and he’s done the opposite, saying in spring that he wouldn’t set any deadline and would negotiate any time, unlike many players).

Three, he causes absolutely no problems for Bobby, for management, etc. He was upset when first dropped to sixth in the order, but he was back in there the next day, batting sixth, playing hurt, doing what he always does (well, except hitting; he wasn’t doing much of that).

This isn’t 1940. Teams don’t “tell” a player to sign, agree to be traded, or sit. That’s preposterous. Nevermind the union, MLB wouldn’t allow something like that, even if the Braves or another wanted to do it, which they certainly do not.

Wayne, for every one like you that might rather see Andruw signed, agree to be traded, there are many, many more who pay for tickets and expect to see him in the lineup, helping the team, makin catches like he made all weekend, etc. So just because you personally want him to cave to team needs or demands (of which they’ve made none), there are plenty of people who would raise holy hell if a team benched one of its star players simply because he wouldn’t re-sign or agree to be traded.

That’s one of the most ridiculous notions I’ve read here. Seriously. That’s absolutely ridiculous, unrealistic, unfair ideas I’ve seen here.

By hk

June 11, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

… here’s latest ‘MVP’ rating, ‘MVP’ equals projected year end Runs plus Homeruns plus RBI … Kelly still leads ..

Player - ‘MVP’

Johnson - 223

Renteria - 215

Andruw - 208

Frenchy - 203

Chipper - 182

Thorman - 159

McCann - 122

Diaz - 81

Harris - 76

… for details and curves:

http://www.mindspring.com/~hk3/newton.htm

By Lew

June 11, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this

Nathan-I think it’s perfectly fine that you state your opinion-whether or not I agree with said opinion. But is it necessary to take a topic, beat the living crap out of it, until it lies shapeless and hemorrhaging uncontrollably in the gutter? Fifty times in an hour and a half? Dude, when you’re finished with the proverbial dead horse, it’s no longer even fit for the dog food or glue factory. That’s the reason you’re compared to Robert. The fact you don’t use farm animal terms in your descriptions is basically a moot point. It’s one thing to want the subject of your rants (have you noticed how often THAT term comes up?) to wallow in their wretchedness, but do you have to insist on drowning them in it after you’ve torn them to bleeding, dripping shreds, barely resembling anything that once was human?

By Lew

June 11, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

Nathan-One more thing-It was you that mentioned how TIRED YOU were of people claiming Willie H might drop off in his production. YOUR terminology, not mine. Do you even read your own posts? Or dfo you just make sure your obscure comedy movie quotes are accurate-monkeys out of your a$$ and whatnot.

By N8

June 11, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this

Wayne, btw, NO HARM meant by the Jeff Hornacek comment. Just always thought it was a little silly, and well…..you’re from (in) Utah. Simple jab. Nothing more, nothing less.

Didn’t mean to sound rude. Or did I?

One could be excused for taking the following “jab”, last night, couldn’t they?

“N8: Glad you are going to bed now, cause I think as a baseball fan and a student of the game, YOU are the one that is fairly worthless.”

By Memphis

June 11, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this

Jeff- YOUR 4:50 POST about Willie Harris is interesting. I was wondering the same thing. I had it TIVO’d and went back and watched it several times and could not tell what was said. I don’t know if it was about playing 3rd in the 9th or about the stolen base (whether he missed a sign or not). Looked like a serious conversation. Terry Pendleton got Willie as soon as he came into the dugout. I would be interested to know what it was about.

I would agree with everyone about optioning Orr to Richmond and keeping Escobar when Chipper returns. Also, having Bryan Pena would allow for Salty to be used more as well as at 1st base.

Having said that, one of the pitchers has got to go. You might be able to live with 13 pitchers for a weekend or with the AL games coming up, but there is no way to have a full-season with 4 bench players and 8 relievers. It is just not possible over the long haul in the NL (too many double switches and Pinch hitting appearances for that not to bite you).

That means that 1 reliever will have to go. I would say that Boyer (only because he has options) is likely the odd man out if that decision is made on Tuesday. If it goes until next week then either Paronto or Boyer. Who do you propose? It will NOT be Wickman, Soriano, Yates, Moylan, or Villarreal. That leaves Boyer, Paranto and McBride (only lefty). It has got to be one of these 3.

By Jeff321

June 11, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

Meanwhile, Pete Orr STILL has only 9 hits! If Willie Harris was in the lineup everyday I predict the Braves would win a lot more. And I’m not taking anything away from Diaz either. But, it makes absolutely no sense to keep his hot bat and lightning speed on the bench. Well, unless you like losing. Plus I bet he would of caught that homer last night that Diaz missed. I initially liked Thorman a lot but now I see he’s not ready. Perhaps Diaz (opening left for Willie), Salty, or Harris can play first base.

By Lew

June 11, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

Wayne-giving up someone for Dunn and someone for Conine are creatures from different species.

By Efrim

June 11, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

I’d give up Francouer for Bedard in a heartbeat. Imagine the guy in the National League. But the Orioles would never trade the guy.

As I keep saying, as GREAT as Salty is going to be, he isn’t there yet. So no team is going to give up an Ace for the guy. And there is no way I would give up Salty for a guy like Blanton, Cook, or any other #3 starter.

We need to keep Salty and play him at first next year. No Andruw and Chipper is always hurt. We need his bat. THINK OF THE FUTURE.

Lineup for next year:

2B Johnson SS Renteria 3B Jones RF Francouer C McCann 1B Saltalamacchia CF Byrnes LF Diaz/Brandon Jones

Imagine Thorman instead of Salty, and imagine that lineup if Chipper were hurt. Which is like 42 games a year…..if not more. Wouldn’t be a very good lineup.

By bobbymahlon

June 11, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

To DOB : You say you do not see Woodward moving when Chipper comes back, why in the world would that be seeing Escobar is playing circles around him. They can play Yunel at second,short or third so why do we need a rally killer like Woodward. I also would much rather see him pinch hit instead of Woodward. I would also like to point out to the people that blamed Thorman for throwing late to first base that number one Carlyle was watching the play and never covered first and number two he had to wait for Kelly to get to firstbase before he could throw it. Outside of one game Scot has played great defense and remember despite his hitting problems he is still hitting 15 points higher than Laroache.

By CovNews

June 11, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Wouldn’t a trade for Griffey help solve both the firstbase and bench problem? Harris goes to the bench and Daiz could move into a platoon with Thorman at first. Hell it could even help with ptiching. After an adjustment period to left field, Griffey, Andruw and Frency will be great defensive outfield. That could really help a pitcher like Chuck James.

Other postive effects include: less pressure on Chipper to play everyday. less pressure on McCann as the only lefthanded power hitter. Makes it easier to trade Salty b/c the offense will be fine without his bat. Might make it easier to sign Andruw if he got to play next to his idol every day.

By Lew

June 11, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

Y’all-I still don’t think you get it. If Willie Harris, who has performed admirably, it is true, were to play every day, his BA would drop precipitously. The reason his average is so high is because he’s only batting against RHP. He would not do as well against LHP-which is why he’s platooned.

By A-ville Ranger

June 11, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

Fa’ged’a’bat’it This ain’t ova.The creator of the Sopranos was asked by hbo to do eight more episodes.He was quoted as saying that if viewers wanted more and he thought there was more to say,he might consider it.We’re f**’n be’n played hear !

By N8

June 11, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this

Wayne

“Bob Actually, I think AJ hurts us much more than Orr and Woodward combined, cause he is in there much more. Does that mean if Woodward or Orr were getting 4-5 AB’s per game, they might be worse? Who knows.”

Don’t look now, but you’re making the SAME EXACT argument I made about Thorman last night. Thorman getting 3-5 AB’s every game is much more harming than those guys failing in a pinch hit role. While our bench is weak (at best), outside of Harris. Fixing the bench won’t solve much, when 2 of your 8 regulars are hitting below .225.

I say fix the lineup, then by default the bench will be fixed. Thorman coming off the bench, would be better than a) him getting 4 AB’s a game, and b) Woodward or Orr coming off the bench.

Ooops. I’m sorry. Did I just compare one of your thought to the “worthless blogger currently known as N8?”

Lew As per your recent 6:33 post.

I hear you. Really I do. But YOU weren’t involved in the conversation (for lack of better terms) between Greg O., Ron, and Wayne. They were DIRECTLY posting to me. So I responded.

If I bother you so much. IGNORE ME. I prefer that you don’t, due to the fact that when you and I go “round and round” I rather enjoy it.

The fact that I don’t use farm animals is a “moot point”??

Even in the midst of my biggest rants about Bobby or anybody, I usually try and find something nice to say, as to not make it appear as though I depsise that individual. I’ve stated MANY times what I like about Bobby and JS. But apparently not as much as I’ve ragged on him. LOL!

You have to at least know that I’m a fan of the Braves and occasionally enjoy them. :-)

One could question what it is that Robert actually enjoys about this team. I (unlike Robert and my buddy Brad that very well could be Robert for all I know), am not counting the days until Bobby leaves. I don’t neccesarily think that we will be better off with him or without him. Just that a change might not be as bad as some of the homers believe.

Are the Dodgers a worse team because Tommy Lasorda isn’t managing anymore, or because they don’t have as much talent as they did when he was there? How about the Lakers. After all Phil Jackson is STILL the head coach right? It could NEVER be the combination of players and coaches that dictate success AND failure, could it?

1995 was NOT our best team. Just the right place (Cleveland) and right time. I don’t think it’s coincidence that the 1994 and 1995 seasons were “short” seasons and 1995 was the season in which Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz were all the most productive.

Think about it. For 14 years, most of our pitchers (and hitters) have had LESS offseason than any other team not named the Yankees. But the Yankees run didn’t begin until the mid-90’s, and even they have fizzled in recent Octobers. It all adds up eventually.

One could argue both sides. Were we the most “tired” group, or the most experienced? Is that good or bad.

I’ll just stick with “right place/right time” in 95. It was meant to be.

Anyhow. Time to go home. I’m sure this will continue into the late hours, as usual.

L8r

By Lew

June 11, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

Efrim-Trading Francoeur for anyone is sheer insanity. Nothing else.

By Memphis

June 11, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

HK,

Interesting ranking system, but any rating system that rates Thorman as MORE VALUABLE than McCann, Harris, and Diaz is not a credible system at all.

Thorman should win all awards for OVERSWINGING if that is factored in.

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this

Wayne: It was all hypothetical anyway but, why not flip Jr? We have no place for him. We have other needs. If a deal works out where you can flip Jr and get exactly what you need, you do it. Eh. None of this matters anyway. We aren’t going to trade for a player to squeeze into a crowded outfield. We have 4 guys out there now, 2 on pace for 30+ HR, 1 on pace for 100+ RBI’s, 3 of them hitting over .280 and 2 hitting over .300. Our offensive short comings are at 1B and the bench… i.e. Woodward and Orr (both of whom under perform for a bench player) Adding Jr makes little sense at all… unless he moves to 1B. HA! Or, perhaps he could be the utility infielder for the bench. lol.

As for your question on AJ, I’d say you don’t get to that point. AJ will either sign with the Braves or walk. He’s been with this team since he was a kid. You don’t give him an ultimatum now after all these years of service. He’s shown his loyalty to the team in the past. We can afford to wait until the off-season if that’s the way it has to be. If AJ walks, we get draft picks. We’ll have that money to spend, and we’ll have the parts necessary to trade if needed.
The only party in this deal that has made AJ walking seem a foregone conclusion is Scott Boras. AJ’s comments are either Boras feeder lines or words from his heart. I think he truly wants to stay here, but to do that though he’ll have to keep a short leash on Boras. If he lets Boras have all the control he’ll end up in Dallas losing year in and year out for the rest of his career. Then he’ll see if “fair value” is really worth it.
I think part of all this posturing is, he wants to be a more prominent figure. Chipper is the big man on the team. I think some of AJ’s desire is to be “the man.” He changed his glove endorsements this off-season because the new company said they would make him a big figure in the advertising. Boras probably sees this too and he knows how to feed that side of an ego.
Also, I think a lot of the posturing is setting the table for the talks. If he were to say, “I want to play the rest of my career in Atlanta so I’m firing Boras and doing the negotiations myself” he’d be assured of getting a terribly small deal. Saying the things he says and keeping Boras at the front of it all he can squeeze as much out of the Braves as possible. Then he can compare it to “the market”. I’m sure it won’t be an easy choice for him. I’ve never met him, but I’d imagine, after all these years, the Braves are like family to him. And his actual family is living in Atlanta. So I can’t imagine leaving being the easiest thing to do.

By A-ville Ranger

June 11, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

that f**n should read here not hear.

By DonCoburleone

June 11, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this

hk that is one way to look at the “MVP” of our team. It’s actually pretty close to what the “infamous” Bill James shows as our MVP according to his “Win Shares” stat. KJ was leading on Friday but Renteria passed him up this weekend (just barely)… Chipper was our “Win Shares MVP” just before he hurt himself. Now, not totally sure on this, but from what I’ve read Win Shares is basically a compilation of hitting, fielding, and baserunning stats that is supposed to show the number of additional wins a given player will give a team throughout the course of a 162 game season… Renteria is a +8 right now; KJ is a +7; and Chipper is a +5…

By Bill

June 11, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this

The Braves would be stupid to trade Esobar & Harrison for Bedard. I would trade Davies & McBride for Bedard.

By Tad

June 11, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this

Brayan Pena up, reliever down, either tonight or tomorrow morning. You can bet on it. Salty needs to DH.

See my 5:09 & 5:31 for supporting evidence.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 11, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this

baby seal was able to decipher the conversation. it went very much like this:

tp: “willie, c’mere. bobby wants to rub your head.”

wch: “what?”

tp: “i said, bobby wants to rub your head.”

bc: “c’mere, kid.”

wch: “i can’t believe this!”

By N8

June 11, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

Lew

“He would not do as well against LHP-which is why he’s platooned.”

He is hitting .273 in 11 AB’s (15 PA’s)against lefties this year, his OBP is .429 due to his 3 BB’s. So in 15 PA’s against LHP he’s been on base 6 times.

What’s Woodward done? He’s been on base 12 times in 52 PA’s for and OBP of .240. (batting average is .196) Oddly enough he is hitting .229 against righties.

So while you may be correct about Harris’ production falling off with an everyday job. It is obvious to me that even in a PH roll, I’d go with Harris over Woodward EVEN with a LHP on the mound.

I honestly think (if Diaz can play some first base), for the short term (based on current production and how much “in the zone” Diaz and Harris are.), our lineup would be more productive with Harris and Diaz both in the linuep everyday. Harris in LF, Diaz at 1B. After all, Diaz actually has hit better against RHP (.333 to .326), than he has against LHP. Then move Andruw lower in the order.

Bobby’s stubborness for putting Andruw back in the cleanup roll is borderline crazy.

People always make the arguement about “depleating” the bench. Who will bat as a PH late in the game if both Diaz and Harris are already in the lineup.

Well common sense tells you, that if you give your best (or currently most productive) hitters more AB’s in a game, the odds against NEEDING a big PH late in the game, should be diminished.

By BravesFanInRockies

June 11, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Great post as always. Thanks for sending some good vibes Mr. Harris’s way.

Maybe he’s a National League player (ducks to avoid brickbat from Shaun) — like Edgar. His game doesn’t play as well in the AL, where the emphasis is more on power and less on speed and moving runners along.

Or perhaps he’s just a smart player who adjusted his game to suit his talents.

Whatever. I don’t care. It’s so nice to see a player who can shake up a game in other ways than crushing the ball.

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

Another factor in this Boras/Andruw thing that I don’t recall anyone here mentioning:

Boras client A-Rod opting out of his huge contract and becoming a free agent.

If/when that happens, Boras will be quite busy with the A-Rod Sweepstakes and might not push as hard with Andruw as he might do otherwise. I’m not saying that the Braves won’t have to pony up the big bucks to keep Andruw, but I am saying that Boras would stand to cash in more with a new gigantic A-Rod deal than with whatever he works out for Andruw.

I’m just saying that there are some other variables in this.

By DonCoburleone

June 11, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

Speaking of hitting, check out this article I read at the Hardball Times - very cool stuff…

For all its study and practice, hitting is largely an inexact science. That can be shown no more clearly than in two cases during the 1941 season:

Ted Williams chose to bat in both games of a season-ending doubleheader for the Red Sox. By going 6-for-8 collectively in that day, he raised his batting average from .400 to .406. Had he not collected at least four hits that day, he would have finished under .400 for the season and his batting title would have been nothing more than a “what if?” moment for Williams, the Red Sox, and the American League.

Joe DiMaggio, on the other hand, was stymied by Cleveland 3B Ken Keltner who made two amazing plays on sharp grounders from DiMaggio. If even one of those gets through, DiMaggio’s record would conceivably stand at 73 games (after the end of the 56-game streak, DiMaggio went on to follow that up with another 16-game hitting streak). Incidentally, DiMaggio also holds the Pacific Coast League record for consecutive games with a hit, with 61.

DiMaggio’s final 1941 batting average was .357, almost 50 points lower than Williams. This shows that he was also slightly more prone to cold streaks than Williams, but the lack of any significant hitting streak from Williams shows that while Williams may have been consistent,his “streakiness” in comparison to DiMaggio was wholly unremarkable.

Essentially, it seems that the 56-game hitting streak is held in more reverence for one underlying reason - given the opportunity under equal conditions, Williams in 1941 could reproduce his .400+ batting average relatively consistently. DiMaggio, on the other hand, would be hard pressed to duplicate a 56-game hitting streak under equal conditions in 1941. The rarity of such a streak makes it seem that much more impressive.

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

Paronto/Thor/Cormier for Teixeira? Are you serious? Rangers would be pilloried if they made that trade.

By flange1

June 11, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Great Salty article! The kid really seems to get it.

I really love baseball and really enjoy the blog, but when you read the AJC story by Ted Clarke about the Kennesaw boy with cancer that went bear hunting with DAD and passed away on the trip home, it really helps to put some priotiies straight. A great story about a brave kid.

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

BobbyMahlon wrote: “To DOB : You say you do not see Woodward moving when Chipper comes back, why in the world would that be seeing Escobar is playing circles around him…”

Did you not see what I wrote about Orr: He’s out of options. He can be sent down without ramifications. He’s done about the same thing Woodward has at the plate, which is very little. They both can play 2B.

I didn’t suggest they’d keep Woodward over Escobar. Over Orr is what I’m talking about. One of them can be sent down without waivers, the other can’t. Woodward’s making $850,000, Orr $400,000 with a split contract that pays him about $300,000 prorated while in Triple-A (which is a much higher salary than others at Triple-A, but I think it was their way of being cool with a player they like, while still giving him a split contract instead of a straight major league deal).

By Sonny

June 11, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

As my boy said with The Sopranos series finale “blackout”…the audience got wacked!! That’s about I feel today.

By A-ville Ranger

June 11, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

Teixeira would be a luxury.This team is in survival mode,it needs pitching.

By brian

June 11, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

Any chance Griffey Jr may move to 1B like his father did some late in his career (or at least I think he did)? I doubt the Braves would give up too much for him (no Salty, Escobar, Jo-Jo, or Matt I assume, or brandon Jones for that matter) because of his contract, but if Griffey Jr would play 1B this year and then move to OF next year when we lose Andruw (maybe to RF with Frechy in CF?). This would give Salty time to develop and take over at 1B next year.

KJ edgar vs. Yunel Chipper Griffey Jr McCann Frenchy Salty Harris/Diaz

does not look too bad except I would be very afraid of the DL that year. Chipper and Jr both on the same team - scary when they are both in the lineup and just as scary watching them to see who ends up on the DL first

By THE BEAR

June 11, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this

Observations from afar.

Salty should never be traded. If anything he is at this point, a better catcher than is McCann. And he is hitting better. I am concerned about McCann behind the plate. I wonder if he could play first.

Harris has been absolutely outstanding and is capable of filling in almost anywhere. My nephew played against him for three years in South Georgia when they were in high school and is not surprised at his success.

Orr is never going to be a player (even from the bench).

Woodward’s career is finished and he should be moved.

Andruw is hurting the team in the batter’s box and should be moved out of 4th into 6th or 7th until he gets his stuff together and decides to cooperate with TJ. He is still the greatest with the glove in CF. He is not hitting well enough to bat 4th.

Francoeur occasionally shows flashes of last year but is improving and will continue. He is headed for stardom. He has that aura about him that spells success.

I worry about Hudson. Starters are a big ? for next year. Relievers for now and next year seems well set.

Do not give up value for Conine. He is over 40 and should have been signed during the winter for money only. Giving up a good prospect for him now would be foolish.

Three of the current roster, Chipper, Andruw and Smoltz were there three years ago. Give JS some credit for continually putting together good rosters and give Cox the credit he deserves for managing them. You don’t see “players only” meetings on a Cox team. Be thankful for what you have going for you. If JS and Cox were ten years younger they could go anywhere in this country as a team and would be welcomed —- well maybe with the exception of St. Louis.

By AMG

June 11, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

I find it funny when the Braves win two games in a row it’s: “We’re Back” and “What a great team”

Then when they loose two games in a row it is: “This team sucks” and “Make a trade NOW”

Baseball is a long season with many ups and downs (especialy with a young team). I may be the only one to think this, but we have the advantage of a level headed GM and Manager who do not panic. Those are good qualities to have over a 162 game season. Changes to the roster will come soon enough, but only if they make sense to the overall picture.

Orr seems like a good person to send down mainly becasue he is getting very little playing time now.

By Sonny

June 11, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

DOB…a couple of questions for ya:

1. Do you see us upgrading 1B before the end of the season?

2. Isn’t it time to play Harris full-time in LF? Bobby is obsessed with platoons, but I say play the best player all the time unless they give you reason not to.

3. Do you think Carlyle will stick considering he’s pitching better than Davies and Cormier?

By Caleb

June 11, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

DOB, check out this crazy story. You’d better be careful or you might get thrown out of the next Braves game, lol. The NCAA can be so ridiculous.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/more/06/11/blogger.ejected.ap/index.html

By CrimeDawg

June 11, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

Our best lineup?

Willie Harris Edgar Renteria Chipper Jones Brian McCann Jeff Francoeur Andruw Jones Kelly Johnson Jarrod Saltalamacchia

That lineup with a healthy Chipper would be devastating!! especially once McCann’s ankle returns to 100% he will rake guaranteed and Andruw will soon go on a terror (the guy will end up with 35 bombs bare minimum)…

Diaz could pinch hit pretty much nightly…

I’d put that lineup against any other in the NL (including healthy mets lineup) with confidence!

By Braves Fan 79

June 11, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

DOB: your kidding me…..sorry a$$ woodward is making 850K ?
man when u add up all the $ we spent on wilson, redmen, and woodward….that has to be the WORST offseason EVER for scherultz!! Why didnt we concentrate on maybe using all that $ to sign another good starter (coulda had Glavine at a discount price) or keep someone who we knew was a decent pitchitter…like Julio Franco or Ward? How come we trust carrer crap players like redmen and woodward over just having a unknown from the minors up? I mean at least with a person from the minors u dont know what your going to get…..but with redmen and woodward we knew what we were getting…..guarnteed CRAP!! I say bring chipper back even if hes hurt as long as he can pitchit in a crucial situation hes WAY more valuable than woodward or orr!!!

By N8

June 11, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this

Nice find on that article, Caleb. I hear the story on ESPNradio this morning, but forgot to look up the story.

What a crock! What’s next? Having the ushers at all of the games walking around, kicking out people on their cell phones talking to their buddies about the game?

Unreal.

Maybe ALL OF THE MEDIA should do a “blackout” of all NCAA games next year. These organizations (all sports), should just be happy that SOMEBODY is actually talking about their sport at all.

By Gil In Mechanicsville

June 11, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

After reading some of the trade suggestions by many of my fellow bloggers, I wish for you to stop and think about something.

What would you expect to pay more for, a Lexus or a Toyota? If you were trading in your Escort for a BMW would you not expect to pay a premium?

The same is true with players. There are some players who carry a high price tag. Don’t expect to grab one at bargin prices. In order to get quality you have to trade quality.

Ken Griffy Jr. would be a great player but unless the Braves got a really great deal I just can’t see the need.

There is a kid the Braves traded for, Koosman I think his name is, playing for Richmond right now who is tearing the cover off the ball. I wondered what Atlanta wanted with another left handed first baseman but the way things are going for Thorman, I would not be surprised at a switch. You heard it here first folks….

By Thrillhouse44

June 11, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Bob, Journalist!

By Whacked

June 11, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

Every week we watch the Sopranos to see who gets whacked. Well looks like this weeks turn was the audiance. We got whacked!!!

By woogidy

June 11, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB, What’s up with Tanyon Sturtze?

By Caleb

June 11, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

N8, you’d better be careful. The NCAA (i.e. GOD) will be on you faster than you can post another blog, and make you “just fade-to-black.” LOL. What can you expect? They’re greedy morons. I won’t even get into the stupidity that is non-playoff college football. I guess I shouldn’t call them greedy since a football playoff would make so much more freaking money than the current 4000 crappy bowls they have now. They REALLY ARE concerned with the athletes wellbeing and do not want to distracted them from their studies with another couple games. Oh wait………yeah right. lol

By Gil In Mechanicsville

June 11, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this

Sorry guys, the player’s name is Graham Koonce.

By Braveheart

June 11, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

Uh, oh, Wayne. DOB took it to you. Beaned you right in the noggin. Gotta love it when DOB goes headhunting.

A big ole congrats to my man Thrillhouse on the engagement.

I don’t understand why they would make a Sopranos movie other than pure greed. Wasn’t every episode a movie in of itself? And wasn’t the whole series basically a huge 80 hour movie? So, I don’t see how they are going to make it into a movie. That has disaster written all over it. Either it will have to be over the top and too much plot stuffed too cutely into a two hour window or it will just feel like you are watching just another episode. Or judging from last night, it will be a movie with no climax. If that is so, then what would be the point? But of course too many will call Chase a genius if there is no ending to the movie, as if it takes genius to waste ten seconds of air time with a black screen where the climax was supposed to be.

Next time I disappoint a woman when she is anticipating the climax, I will just say, come on, baby, a little understanding please, when David Chase did it, they called him an artistic genius. Isn’t it fun, baby, to be left wondering how great the climax would have been?

From now on, my extremely longwinded posts will stop all of a sudden for no apparent reason halfway through the 88th paragraph of my posts. Some will think I must have hit the post button too soon. Others will think I am an artistic genius because I did not finish my thoughts for who knows what reason. All will be relieved that I finally and mercifully stopped typing for once. The reality will be that I did not know how to end the 88th paragraph, so instead of thinking harder about something that took me 15 years to write, I got lazy and said, hey, what the hell, don’t even bother finishing the thought, who needs an ending?, the truly intelligent ones out there who appreciate my beautiful mind will call me a genius for being too lazy to finish what I started. That’s the lazy way out Chase took last night.

Rumor has it that Mark Richt started screaming at the television last night, Oh, come on Chase, FINISH THE DRILL! Maybe Richt will use it as a video example for his college kids on how not to finish a drill

Griffey for first. If everyone thinks Salty can easily transition over to first, what’s to stop one of the greatest fielding centerfielders of all time? Does Jayson Stark also think that Junior was overrated defensively?

By Drummerdad

June 11, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

Strikes me that this Braves team tends to play to the level of their competition. Maybe that’s how they lost 3 of 4 to the Nats whom they ought to be flogging every time they get together.

I still think that if Ryan Dempster had thrown that full count pitch right down the middle of the plate he would have had a good chance of getting out of the inning. Andruw was all over the place with his 2 earlier swings. But we’ll be thanking Mr. D. for that pitch in the dirt. For the Braves to go through that stretch and pick up a game on the Mets is bewildering.

As for the Gimmick Dome, (otherwise know as the Metrodome), it’s a weird place. Do they still have the “Baggies” outfield walls? Remember that Lonnie Smith was on 2nd and lost the ball against the roof. And the place is under pressure to hold that roof up. So when you’re a fan leaving the building you go through these turnstyles that literally BLOW YOU OUT OF THE BUILDING. My 2 worst memories of the ‘91 Series were Kent Hrbek pulling Ron Gant off 1st base and the fact that we had to face Jack Morris again in the ‘92 Series against Toronto.

By bruce

June 11, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

Dave, Really enjoyed the interview with Salty… did he seem nervous with all the focus on him for a full article rather than a quote or two after a game? Or was he as confident as he looks on the field? It would seem that he could be a bit nervous trying to be sure he doesn’t say anything “wrong” while still giving you good, truthful answers. Thanks, Bruce

By Braves Fan 79

June 11, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

Caleb: your right…college football is a JOKE….and 2 me not even a true sport. In what other sport does a team know they have NO chance at winning a championship before the season even starts. Every year theres realisticly only about 10 or 15 teams in the nation that have a chance to win it all. What a crock to know u can beat everyone on your schedule and still have NO chance at a title!

By Oil Soap

June 11, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

I personally really liked the Sopranos finale, especially the ending. I don’t think the point of the ending was to clue you into what happens next. I think the ending was supposed to leave you with a feeling of uncertainty, the same uncertainty that Tony was feeling in the scene. Even as he was having dinner with the family he loves he can’t fully enjoy himself because he is always looking over his shoulder for the hammer to fall.

But if you need more meaning to the Sopranos finale, check out this email I received today. Not sure how factual this is but…

OK, at first I was really angry. I mean really, really angry. Here is the

    thing. in the last scene we are seeing through Tony's eyes. Remember when 

    he was speaking with Bobby...basically saying that you don't see it 

    happening? So here is what I found out. The guy at the bar is in the 

    credits as Nikki Leotardo. The same actor played him in the first part of 

    season 6 during a brief sit down concerning the future of Vito. Apparently, 

    he is the nephew of Phil. Phil's brother Nikki Senior was killed in 1976 in 

    a car accident. Absolutely Genius! So the point would have been that life 

    continues and we may never know the end of the Sopranos. But if you pay 

    attention to the history, you will find that all the answers lie in the 

    characters in the restaurant. The trucker was the brother of the guy who 

    was robbed and killed by Christopher in Season 2. (the DVD players) The 

    trucker had to identify the body. The boy scouts were in the train store 

    and the black guys at the end were the ones who tried to kill Tony and only 

    clipped him in the ear (season 2 or 3). Absolutely incredible! There were 3 

    people in the restaurant who had reason to kill Tony and then it just ends. 

    Tony would like it to keep going but just as we have to say goodbye, so 

    does he. No more Tony and I guess we are supposed to be happy that Meadow 

    didn't get clipped as well (she would have been sitting between the shooter 

    and Tony). In retrospect. very well done

By Braveheart

June 11, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Holy crap. The NCAA is scary. What is the logic of that buffoonery? Kicking out a blogger? Damn! Who the hell cares enough about college baseball to even be a reporter for the game? They actually get someone and a paper and a reporter dedicated enough to it, and they toss him? Freaking bizarre! I could care less about college baseball because historically there has been no coverage and no compelling reporting to keep you interested. The sport desperately needs coverage and the NCAA wants to be a bunch of Nazis and boot a guy who is actually trying to promote their game in a manner that just might be more effective than any other method the NCAA has previously employed to promote college baseball. The NCAA might have their heads up their butts about alot of things but that has got to be one the most inane things I have ever read about the absurd nature of the NCAA. Hell, this story about the blogger getting tossed from the game is the first story I have read about college baseball this entire season and I love baseball and am a former college baseball player. Yeah, it really makes sense to toss a blogger.

By CrimeDawg

June 11, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

Sorry Oil Soap but that guy was NOT Nikki Leotardo…

By Johnny R

June 11, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

O’Brien, you want to live in SD? Dude, you’d never make there. They hate crackers in SD.

By chrisklob

June 11, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

Gil, Graham Koonce’s numbers from milb.com: .233 BA,.306 OBP, .532 SLG. He does have 8 HR in 94 AB but he also has 25 k’s over that time.

Coupled with the fact that he is 32 years old and he’s played in only 6 major league games over his 14 year career and I’d say that it’s a safe bet that he is not the “answer” to our problems.

By N8

June 11, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

Wayne

After reading Braveheart say the following:

“Uh, oh, Wayne. DOB took it to you. Beaned you right in the noggin. Gotta love it when DOB goes headhunting.”

I had to scroll back up the blog to see what the “fuss” was all about.

OUCH!

I may be “worthless” as a blogger, but at least I’ve never had DOB rip me a new one for saying something so silly.

Kind of ironic, dontcha’ think?

By jed

June 11, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

—move chipper to first base!

—thorman to the bench.

—go get a starting pitcher.

—problems solved.

—and for those of you who suggest benching willie harris, read closely—i’ll even print it in big letters for you: YOU ARE ALL IDIOTS.

  i saw cox talking to willie too in the 8th.  dont know what he told him but he shouldve been saying, "holy 72 virgins, willie!  thank you for saving our bacon again!  you can have my parking space until schuerholz gives you a raise!"

By chrisklob

June 11, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

Comrades, it seems that no one told has informed you that NCAA stands for “National COMMUNIST Athletic Association. Do not defy the NCAA or you may find yourself in gulag in Siberia.

By MEB

June 11, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Sorry guys but I love college football just the way it is. I know they don’t have a playoff but I’m afraid with too much tweaking some of the tradition and pageantry will be lost. Hey, I’m not against a plus one scenario, but I don’t even feel that is absolutely necessary.

Anywho… baseball is where its at and I feel like I’m missing a fix with no Braves game tonight. Are we sure there is no way to get Griffey in a Braves uniform this year?

GO BRAVES!!!

By CrimeDawg

June 11, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

It is clear as day Salty needs to become our permanent 1B with Pena called up for whenever McCann needs a break at catcher…

Koonce is an absolute non-factor for our big league club disregard him…

Willie Harris should be our everyday LF unless he shows he absolutely cannot hit lefties or just reverts back to AL form altogether!! (with Diaz pinch hitting practically every night in this scenario)…

Escobar should be dealt with someone else for a pitcher!!

It is clear as day the moves that must be made if we’re going to make the postseason…..

By fastasballs

June 11, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

Chipper doesn’t play first base unless Chipper wants to play first base. Last time I heard he said he would NOT move positions again. He may in the future if it would extend his career, but that’s a few years off I would think.

By Bill

June 11, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

Graham Koonce is not the answer at first base. He’s not a kid. He’s about thirty and a career minor leaguer. Thorman and if they give Salty a chance will cover 1B. They are afraid to use Salty with no experience. They need starting pitching. I’m afraid that Salty will be traded after this season.

By Bill

June 11, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

Graham Koonce is not the answer at first base. He’s not a kid. He’s about thirty and a career minor leaguer. Thorman and if they give Salty a chance will cover 1B. They are afraid to use Salty with no experience. They need starting pitching. I’m afraid that Salty will be traded after this season.

By Johnny R

June 11, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

You’d never make it in SD, O’Brien. They hate crackers in SD. Hate them.

By joebrave

June 11, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this

It is good to see A.J. getting back to some semblence of himself,I know I have been particularly hard on him,but that Catch last night,WOW…. However I still believe that some sort of pitching even,say a Josh Towers,or even Saunders from the Halos should be tried…. And Cormier still SUCKS,BIG TIME!!!!!

By chrisklob

June 11, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this

Meb wrote: “Are we sure there is no way to get Griffey in a Braves uniform this year?”

How do you expect him to fit into our current lineup? Frenchy isn’t going anywhere, neither is Andruw for a LOT of reasons (in spite of what a lot of folks here would like). We have a very successful left field platoon in Harris/Diaz. Are you suggesting that we let him be a lefty bat off the bench? For $12.5 million per year? The salary hit is a roadblock by itself. $12.5m this year and 08. Then in 09 the option is $16.5m with a $4m buyout.

All this talk about Junior. Yes, he’s been fantastic and is having a pretty decent year (even been mostly healthy) but he does NOT seem to be a good fit for our roster, at least this year.

By chrisklob

June 11, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

For those of us that read last night’s blog…. Erin Andrews did the Phillies/White Sox game tonight and boy she sure looks fine in green!

By jed

June 11, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Crimedawg—Harris/Diaz platoon produces big numbers in LF. Why mess with that? Only reason would be to move Diaz to 1b against LHP. I guess that would make sense, but only as a stopgap. That’s why I prefer Chipper or Salty at 1b. (Salty would have to get extensive on-the-job training in Richmond, yes. Chipper could step in immediately, despite what cox et al will invariably say about such a move.)

By Bob

June 11, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

Braves Fan 79,

college football is a JOKE….and 2 me not even a true sport. In what other sport does a team know they have NO chance at winning a championship before the season even starts.

Real good dude. Well lets see…how about the NFL and the Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions and a few others (like the Atlanta Falcons?). In the good old NBA, how about our loveable Atlanta Hawks for one. There are many others, probably even including the Cleveland Cavaliers. Then there is our beloved MLB. What chance do the K.C. Royals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto BlueJays and others have of winning a championship? There have been more different NCAA Football Champions over the last 15 years than there have been different World Series Winners.

By Johnny R

June 11, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

chriskolb, you must like women with large noses. You could land a 747 on her snoze. Gimmeabreak with the Erin Andrews horndog crap.

By Meanie

June 11, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

NEW SONG LYRICS, SURE HIT! YOU HEARD THEM HERE FIRST FOLKS, CONCEIVED AT 9:40 PM!!!

Don’tcha (N8’s theme song)

I know ya hate me, I know ya do But that’s because my posts are so smart you feel dumb as poo. Oh please accept it, You just ain’t that bright. Oh how knowing that I’m the king helps me sleep at night!

Don’tcha wish you bloggers were sharp like me? Don’tcha wish you took over blogs like me? Don’tcha baby? Don’tcha? Don’tcha wish you had my good comedy? Don’tcha think that I could be a God maybe? Don’tcha?

ALBUM DROPS NEXT MONTH FOLKS!

By David-ATL14

June 11, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

DOB, listening to you as I type, your interview with Shanks, Good stuff so far.

Pena played tonight for Richmond, I guess he could still be in Minneaoplis tommorrow.

Looks like he would have already headed out though.

I really hope Pena is recalled and the 13th pitcher is dropped in the morning and hopefully Chipper is ready to go by the weekend with either Orr heading back to Richmond or Woodward headed out.

Larry Bigbie was signed by the Bravos today and has been added to the Richmond roster.Could be a nice lefty bat for the bench in Sept.

By chrisklob

June 11, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

LOL Johnny R. To each his own!

By eric the elder

June 11, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

I’m seeing quite a bit of talk about “greed.” That’s a word I’ve stricken from my vocabulary because it has become useless - - a little like discussing weeds.

Greed is the engine that drives everything - - politics and government, sports, television, religion, commerce, you name it. If one wants the answer to any question about America, just follow the money trail.

By Caleb

June 11, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

So MLB and Fox have the Braves/Indians game time changed on Saturday so it can be aired nationally and now it’s not going to be on Fox. What gives? That sucks!

MEB, it’s your preference to like the crazy bowl setup for college football, but it’s ridiculous and insane. I agree there is alot of tradition that goes along with the bowls, but some of that tradition (like the top teams from specific conferences matched up in specific bowls) isn’t there anymore because of the BCS and a playoff system wouldn’t have any effect on any of the bowl games, except make them better. All the big bowls would still have marquee matchups, but even more people would attend and watch on tv because ALL the playoff bowls would actually mean something. And who really wants to watch 6-6 teams stink it up in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia bowl? THAT’S THE REAL FREAKING NAME! Or the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl? You’ve gotta be kidding me. It’s definitely not about money, all about tradition.

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

Man, those lyrics were weak like clock-radio speakers.

By WindnSea

June 11, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

They don’t call him “Wayne in Moronville” for nuttin.

By chrisklob

June 11, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Mets are up 2-0 on the Dodgers in the first. ESPN just flashed up an interesting stat: Mets are 10-15 against teams with winning records!

By Caleb

June 11, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Let’s go Dodgers.

By N8

June 11, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

Meanie

Nice job. But I’m afraid I’m gonna have to take away your blog credentials, since you didn’t get my permission to write a song about me.

It’s CLEARLY a 1st ammendment issue.

Stay tuned……

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

Bruce, Salty seemed just as confident answering questions as he seems on the field. And you know what I like? He looks you square in the eyes when you’re asking and when he’s answering. Not many young players do that. Even some older ones don’t….

Sonny, long as Carlyle keeps pitching well, I think he sticks around.

And there might be a reason Harris is hitting so well in this role. He’s tearing up right-handed pitching, so why mess with it? Diaz is doing fine in the other half of that platoon.

By Meanie

June 11, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Hey the Pussycat Dolls videos are some of my favorites with the sound turned off…

By fastasballs

June 11, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

The Indians have a big right-handed first baseman putting up big #’s at Buffalo, their AAA team. Ryan Mulhern .325 10 HR 39 RBI .380 OBP .581 Slg .961 OPS & only 4 errors. Hits .300 against lefties & .336 against righties, he’s been very consistent all year & good in the clutch.

He’s mid 25 or 26 & isn’t going to play in Cleveland anytime soon. They are in need of bullpen help & we have plenty of that to offer.

He’s a decent prospect from what I have read, can be had cheap most likely.

He plays with Marte, he’s got a lot better #’s than Marte as well.

Just an idea.

By Savannah Guy

June 11, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

Sopranos Revisited DOB: Very good Sopranos post. I agreed with every word. I wrote mine today at 5:51 before I saw yours…just grabbed a spot on the blog in between meetings today. After reading your comments just now, I appreciated (envied) the brevity. To write short and concisely takes real talent, which is why you are a journalist and I’m not. Good stuff. Well put. True.

teoa: Good Sopranos post…I don’t happen to see it the way you do, but you made an interesting case and creative justification for why the screen went black. Who knows…you could be right with your interpretation of the metaphorical ending. But the way it was done was…well, I’ve already posted on that.

*Minnehaha Falls, The Dome, The Guthrie * DOB, sorry you can’t stick around Minneapolis to catch the music. Great city. Scenery abounds…particularly the Minnehaha Falls where the mighty Mississippi begins. Braves Memories: If it weren’t for the Herbek/Gant injustice, the Puckett catch (and home run) and Lonnie getting deeked into stalling a run to third, we would have two rings. The Music: memories and music out the wazoo. A long time ago I saw, in the same week: The Dave Brubek Quartet (with son); Stanley Clark’s jazz spectacle at the Guthrie and Ramblin’ Jack Elliot (Zimmerman’s old buddy) at a little club on River Street. All different. All awesome.

Oh, and Baseball Play Willie Harris. It just may be his magical year. We need that. Frenchy has been taught well: look the person you are talking to in the eyes. He’s a good kid. He’ll go far.

By N8

June 11, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

“Mets are up 2-0 on the Dodgers in the first. ESPN just flashed up an interesting stat: Mets are 10-15 against teams with winning records!”

Which means that they are 26-10 against the losers that they should (and are) pounding on. For YEARS that’s what the Braves did. They “held their own” against the good teams. And thoroughly kicked a$$ and took names against the lesser teams.

MEB

Since you speak of “tradition” in College football, which is cool, as a traditionalist, are you against the 6 division and wildcard format of MLB? Or did you prefer the 4 divsion format. Or if you’re really old school, the NL winner and AL winner meeting in the WS?

I myself fon’t mind the Wild Card Format. Though I would make a couple of changes (or would’ve done it right the first time).

In the current 3 division leagues, I would make it tougher on the Wildcard teams. Similar to the NFL, I wouldn’t give them ANY home games on their way to the WS. Of course upon getting to the WS, (if they are so lucky), then I would give the Homefield advantage to the team with the better record. Yeah, I know. Hard to due with the unbalanced schedule. Bla, bla, bla. Better than using the damn All-Star game, isn’t it?

Option 2 (the better of the two, I believe), is go back to two divisions in each league. BALANCE the schedule among each league. Interleague can still happen, but those games would NOT COUNT when deciding Wild Card winners. The two wildcards would be determined by record vs. common opponants. If BOTH Wildcards happen to come from the same division, so be it.

At least you wouldn’t have some 83 win team eeking into the playoffs, using the excuse that “Who cares what our record was, we WON OUR DIVISION”.

Next, I would make ALL post-season series, a Best out of 7. It’s kind of silly to have teams play a 162 game grind to determine who gets to the dance, only to determine a winner after 2/3 of a song, isn’t it?

By A-ville Ranger

June 11, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

I made the mistake of reading Moore’s latest article.I’ll just point out that Tori Hunter’s reasoning that in ten years there’ll be no black American baseball players because Hispanics can be signed cheaper.If it’s true with black Americans it should be exactly the same for whites.Unless of course Mr Hunter and Mr Moore think there’s a conspiracy to pay the signing money to whites but not blacks.I think if Moore were really concerned with anything other than drawing attention to himself he’d work to get facilities in inter cities and promotE the sport in black communities.I think what he’s really interested in promoting is Terrence Moore.

By 96,sc

June 11, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

Allman Brothers with Drive by Truckers in Charlotte Aug 10th

By Lew

June 11, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

I was just watching the Mets/Dodgers game on MLB Extra Innings. They are doing the Mets’ feed tonight and the Mets’ announcers, Ron Darling in particular, are tearing the team a new anal orifice. Seems there was considerable cutting up, laughing and clowning going on in the clubhouse after that 15-7 demolishing and their 6th loss in 7 games. All of this was taking place while Glavine was being interviewed by the National TV Press, describing his worst career loss. Discord and trouble in Paradise? Interesting.

By chrisklob

June 11, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

N8, I don’t see either of your options to be viable from MLB’s standpoint. No owner would vote to put themselves into a playoff series where they couldn’t have any home games (although with the Braves this year it might be ideal). They won’t want to give up the chance for gate, parking, concession, etc. revenue.

With only two divisions in each league you lose some of the excitement of the race. Six races has proven to be much more interesting/exciting to watch these past few years than four, especially with 30 teams. So many more teams have a chance for the playoffs even into the last few games. This leads to larger tv audiences/gate draws, etc. (read money, money, money). And has already been blogged here just tonight, greed is what it’s all about.

BTW, I can’t say that I disagree with you, just don’t think it’s going to happen, at least in the format that you’ve suggested.

I’ve actually heard that baseball has considered expanding the number of playoff teams. God forbid MLB turn into NHL where EVERYBODY gets into the playoffs. An 83 win season shouldn’t get you a shot at the playoffs. I can only imagine playoff expansion would allow some sub .500 teams in the playoffs which would be a joke.

By GermanBravesFan

June 11, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

The more I think about it, the more I have to say that the “Sopranos” ending was absolutely amazing! Thinking about what I read on other sites/blogs, I am starting to believe that Tony died in that last scene. In one of the previous scenes, Tony thinks back about the day when he and Bobby had a conversation in a boat. Bobby said that when one dies/gets killed, one doesn’t feel/see it. Everything just goes black… and I think that’s what happened to Tony in the end. Well, just my opinion!

DOB: what is your take on fourth and fifth starters from here on out? I saw that you wrote that if Buddy Carlyle keeps pitching well, he’ll stay. What about Trey Hodges? I read that he has been pitching well in the minors. Any talk on him?

And to all the Andruw bashers: let me remind you that this is the guy who walked into JS’s office with his dad six years ago to negotiate his own contract DESPITE the fact that Scott Boras was his agent! I think that’s the utmost sign of loyalty and desire to stay with this organization. However, all we can hope at this point is that the new owners will increase payroll, so that we can keep Andruw beyond this season. I think loyalty should go both ways and should be rewarded (if financially possible!)!

Other than that, I think this team is still in good shape. We kept the Mets close DESPITE Chipper’s being on the DL AND Andruw not hitting the way he did last season. Once both of these pieces fall into place, we’ll be fine. I am not worried about the Mets since I don’t think their pitching isn’t that great.

Anyways, just my two cents…

By Lew

June 11, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

Damn-Clock radio speakers. That’s cold, David.

By N8

June 11, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

“I think what he’s really interested in promoting is Terrence Moore.”

Why should he be any different than Sharpton or Jessie Jackson?

DOB

Earlier, you mentioned being bummed out by having all night games, and not being able to check out the First Avenue. It’s a pretty cool club. Only been there once and I was pretty tanked, but it was pretty cool.

I had a gig in that “building” fall through in the summer of 94. There used to be 2 halves to it, if I remember correctly. There was First Avenue (bigger club area for national acts and the bigger local acts), and then there was another “area” of the building that was called the 7th Street Entrance, where the lesser known acts played. Essentially like any other club.

We never did play the gig. We had gone to Janesville Wisconson, and were supposed to hit it on the way back, but I think there ended up being a national act the night we were supposed to be there. Might’ve been Collective Soul (I don’t remember). But when a bigger band played First Avenue, the other half “shut down” to my knowledge.

If you’ve ever watched Purple Rain (come on admit it), there is a neat scene where Prince comes out of the First Avenue entrance and there is pretty much NOTHING across the street from the bar, as was the case in the early 80’s. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with downtown Minneapolis, but the Target Center is directly across the street “kitty-corner” from First Avenue. It has actually turned into a fairly nice area of the city. But back in the 80’s it was pretty much a wharehouse district that was “not so pretty”.

Back in the fall of 1990, I went with a buddy to the Target Center to see Rush & Eric Johsnon (good show), and across the street that same night Primus was playing. Talk about having two pretty good bass players with 100 yards of eachother.

So I take it you are not in MN, right now? Otherwise you could’ve gone tonight, huh? Oh well.

By chrisklob

June 11, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

GermanBravesfan: I’d love to see Andruw retire as a Brave but ONLY if they can resign him next year to a contract that won’t hamstring them in the future. I’d hate to see a repeat of the Rangers when they signed ARod and couldn’t afford the supporting cast necessary to put a winning team on the field. One man can be a difference-maker, but one man does not a team make!

By fastasballs

June 11, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this

Anyone watching the Muts/Dodgers game? It’s been a few years since I have heard Vin Scully call a game. He’s music to the ears of baseball fans regardless of team alligiance.

Right now as I’m typing this I am only listening to the game yet I have a crystal clear image of what’s going on. No other announcer comes close to his ability to allow a game to flow. He paints a picture for baseball fans like no other.

You don’t need the score, count, inning, & baserunners shown on the screen to know what’s happening, he lets you know constantly what’s going on without overdoing it.

Needless to say he doesn’t act like any of today’s “homer” announcers. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Brave’s announcers, although on occasion it is difficult to tell what team Chip is a homer for.

Saying Miller & Morgan are a joke compared to Scully would be an understatement.

By songwriter jimmy smith

June 11, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

As I walked out in the streets of Twin cities,

As I walked out in Twin Cities one day.

I spied a young cowboy thumbs wrapped in white linen,

All wrapped in white linen, as cold as the clay.

“I can see by your outfit that you are a journalist,”

These words he did say as I boldly walked by.

“Uh, Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story;

I am shot in the thumb and I know I must die.

It was once in the saddle I used to go huntin’

Once in the saddle I used to go gay

First to the ball park and then down to Hooter’s

But I’m shot in the thumb and I’m dying today.

“Get six jolly cowboys to carry my money;

Six Hooter’s girls to bring me some wings;

Get me some ketchup or mustard and honey,

Lather ‘em up, man I love wings.”

By N8

June 11, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

chrisklob

Oh, I hear you that MLB will never go for it.

I think one of the other things to do, to make the season (and previous off-season) more pure and meaninful, is to move the trading deadline UP to June 30th.

That would make what a team does all winter WAY MORE important than it is with the current deadline. Not to mention, would really make teams decide if they were a buyer or a seller sooner.

Again, that too, will never happen. But oh well.

I faced facts a long time ago that the powers that be, have determined the longtime fan insignificant as opposed to the casual fan that really could care less about the game.

It’s all about “marketing the game” so the average fan can enjoy the “experience”. You know the type. The guy that sits behind you and complains that the pitcher can’t throw a strike, when the previous 3 pitches were split-finger fastballs in the dirt that the pitcher threw, trying to get the batter to chase it. The same guy who yells out “Come on Chipper….hit a HR!”

There is absolutely NO REASON to have to “market” the game of baseball, if it’s played in it’s purest form. IE: No steroids, no body armor, bigger ballparks, not having 365 teams after multiple expansion, that has diluted the pitching talent, whatever the hell they did to the baseball, etc…..

But the Nike T-shirt I bought in the summer of 98 says it all:

“Chicks DIG the longball.”

Similar to the NFL fining ANYBODY for laying a finger on the QB, yet at the end of the season they release a “NFL’s hardest hits of (enter year)”, leading off the video with ALL of the hits they dished out fines for.

Hypocricy at it’s best.

To hell with marketing. Play the damn game. Put it on TV if you want to. If not, I’ll read about it in the paper, or on the internet. Just so long as DOB doesn’t have his “in-game” blog privlages taken away. :-)

By chrisklob

June 11, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

A-Ville Ranger: My son is 10 and just finished his 6th season of baseball. We live in Charleston, SC where there are plenty of black families. In all the years that he’s played, I can only count a handful of black kids that he’s played against and none that he’s ever played with. I’ve always wondered why that situation exists. He played football last fall for the first time and almost half the kids in the league were black so I know it’s not because black kids aren’t involved in athletics.

I don’t really care about race. I was raised to not see race. Black skin, or brown skin, white skin, yellow or whatever color skin were simple physical facts about people kind of like blond hair or brown eyes. You don’t judge people by the outside but by the “content of their character” to paraphrase MLK.

Here’s what gets me though: Can you imagine what talent MLB is losing to the other sports leagues? Could you imagine what MIchael Vick might be able to do as a lead-off hitter or center fielder? How about Donovan McNabb as a slugging first baseman? MLB needs to find a way to attract the young, black athlete to youth baseball. Eventually, it will make the product that they are selling better for everyone involved!

By N8

June 11, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

fastasballs

“It’s been a few years since I have heard Vin Scully call a game. He’s music to the ears of baseball fans regardless of team alligiance.”

Totally agree with you on Scully. Last year at the beginning of the year, when we had that horrible west coast trip, one of the games wasn’t on TBS, but MLB was doing their “2 week” sample of their broadcasts, I watched one of the games with Scully announcing.

It’s actually very weird (in a good way) to hear him call the game all by himself. Must be kind of lonely for him, but then again maybe not.

He’s a very fine announcer.

By fastasballs

June 11, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

3-3 Mutts/Dodgers

By Johnny R

June 11, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

fastballs graces the forum with his grasp of the obvious.

next he’ll tell us how it is better to eat something, rather than to get run over by a bus.

By A-ville Ranger

June 11, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

Oil Soap I’m interested to verify the characters in the resturant at the end of da Sopranos.If it checks out that they’re ghost of wackings past I’ll have to rethink my asumuption that the banality of the scene was symbolic.In the entire run of the show the family never ate at a greasey spoon fast food place like that.Everything was out of character in some way.Well I’ll have to view it again and try to recognize the faces of the diners.

By chrisklob

June 11, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

N8, I think I have to disagree with you when you say that there is no reason to market the game of baseball. Baseball used to be “America’s Sport”. Not any more. The NFL has been kicking the crap out of MLB for years now, the NBA is doing quite well and even NASCAR and college football are huge, multi-billion dollar industries. MLB has to promote itself to compete against those other sports. Fans only have so many dollars to spend on entertainment and “marketing” is how MLB as well as those other sports convinces fans to buy baseball in lieu of whatever else. Of course, this is EXACTLY the reason that they’ve determined the longtime fan insignificant as opposed to the casual fan that really could care less about the game.

It’s really unfortunate that so few people (relatively speaking, of course) really “know” baseball. It’s subtleties are make it so special and those are mostly lost on the casual fan. I believe that people that don’t like baseball don’t understand it. They don’t understand why a pitcher who’s only faced one batter gets pulled or why a pitcher would throw three splitters in the dirt in a row.

Yes, hypocrisy rules in MLB. Just look at the steroid mess that they are in. And I have a feeling it’s going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better for baseball.

By Kieran: Long Island Braves Fan

June 11, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

Can everyone please go a little easier on Chris Woodward?? The guy is certainly not the guy you want pinch hitting with the game on the line but he’s a good guy who embrasses a tough role and is halfway decent at it. He plays all the infield positions and LF and is popular among otehr players on the team (At least I know he was in New York). Let a guy be the 25th man on the roster without him being hassled about being released. Orr has got options, send him down. I listen to all the Met fans here complain about Julio Franco, who is their 25th guy. Just relax and let the guy have his job, he’s a veteran, respect him a bit, he’s earned the small role he has…

Definatly could use a first baseman though. I think Mr Thorman should be the 5th OF/backup firstman. Can’t have a First baseman as an 8th place hitter, there’s simply to many of them out there.

By DAD

June 11, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

Dave,

Face reality. The Mets are about to get healthy. Pedro should be back soon and all the other injured Mets players are about to return to the already powerful Mets lineup. When these injured players return, the Mets will take off and leave the Braves in their dust. Quit dreaming Braves fans. Your Braves don’t have a chance to unseat the Mets this year. I predict by the All star break the Mets will have a lead of 12 games over the Braves. The Braves weaknesses in starting pitching, at first base, and the inconsistency of Andruh Jones will cause them to begin sliding out of the NL East race. Wait and see. My predictions will soon come true.

By Bill

June 11, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this

Backslidin’ barrel ridin’ Rita Ballou Love it DOB, Great job.

By Double Deuce

June 12, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

I think the Griffey option is an interesting one if it is true. I can see it only if he’d be willing to work out at first base. He is one of the greatest baseball players of my time, a superb athlete at the end of a stellar career and is athletic enough that I think he could learn to play first. Its not as if Thorman is the most gifted first baseman defensively. First base would probably lengthen his career and just the thought of him in the lineup with the younger guys is staggering. If you didn’t have to give up too much to get him I think it would be a good move, but again only if he’s willing to play first and we don’t trade the future for him.

By chrisklob

June 12, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

Kieran, in a word, NO, we won’t go easier on Woodward. You said: The guy is certainly not the guy you want pinch hitting with the game on the line. That sentence, by itself, says it all. He may be a great guy but baseball is not a popularity contest. Aside from his miserable .210 BA he’s got 19 k’s in 81 AB’s against only 17 hits!

By fastasballs

June 12, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

It’s fastASballs johnny R, at least get that correct or your insult loses meaning although I have no idea what you are talking about nor care for that matter.

After reading your contributions to the blog such as San Diego doesn’t like crackers & you could land a 747 on Erin Andrew’s nose, I’ll concede my posts are not as original as yours, nor juvineil for that matter.

By N8

June 12, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

chrisklob

If baseball is hurting so bad, how come salaries are at an alltime high, and rising?

Yeah, it’d different than it used to be. This is a fast paced world. I have many friends who are “casual” baseball fans. You know what the biggest complaint by ALL of them is? The season is too long. “What the hell do they need to play 162 games for?”

So if MLB came up with a plan that would make it more “marketable”, and ath the same time that plan required the season to be slimmed down to about 100 games, would you back that up?

The “marketablility” of ALL sports is scoring, scoring and MORE scoring.

Casual NFL fans LOVE the Colts and my beloved Chiefs. Real NFL fans love the Bears.

Casual baseball fans fell in love with McGwire and Sosa. The real baseball fan was enamored with Kerry Wood.

Who’s more popular in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace or LeBron James? NOBODY cares about the blocked shot in the NBA, unless the guy blocking the shots is also a scorer, like Shaq.

The NHL is pondering eliminating (or changing) the offsides rule among others that would “up” scoring. WHY?

Don’t confuse “marketing” with good ideas. MOST ideas that are born from marketing gurus, are NOT about the good of the game, IMO.

Just last week, didn’t DOB say how refreshing it was to watch a game at Wrigley without all the fancy scoreboards, and loud music? Maybe it was Pete on the broadast. Whoever said it….AMEN.

I just took my 9 year old son to a Legion baseball game in our neigborhood yesterday. 15 & 16 yearolds in that league. No music. No big scoreboards. NO BULLSH!T. Just baseball. Young kids playing hard. Unfortunately the “ping” of the aluminum bat took some of the moment away, but it was VERY PURE.

On a side note, DOB, I don’t actually expect you to answer this. But is Terrance Moore as paranoid, closed minded and ignorant as his columns make him out to be? Sad. That’s all I can say about him.

By Drummerdad

June 12, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

DAD, Can you explain to us please why then the Mets record against the Braves this year is 3 wins and 6 losses? Inquiring minds want to know.

By N8

June 12, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

4-3 Dodgers over the Mets in the 6th, for anybody who’s interested.

By Ted

June 12, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

DOB-

I had been laying low since the ADHD fiasco, but after you laid into that person about benching Andruw, I thought it would be okay to come out of hiding (I still think my attempted point was missed, but I’ll drop it.)

When you consider that the rotation is unsettled; Chipper, McCann, Smoltz, Hudson and Wickman have been hurting; and Andruw has not caught fire; we should be thrilled that the Braves are still in the hunt. I’m convinced that when everyone is healthy, we will be right in the middle of it. If memory serves, the Braves teams of “the streak” all seemed to muddle along for a couple of months then get white hot and bury the rest of the division. I’m not saying the Mets/Phillies will roll over and play dead, but I’ll put my money on the Braves getting very hot here pretty quick.

Also, I’ve seen two Social D/Mike Ness lyrics on the blog in the last month or so. You might check out a Denver Band called “Reno Divorce” (I believe they first formed in Florida somewhere, but are in Colorado now). They sound like Social D, but a little more punk. It seems to me that you can download songs from their website (www.renodivorceonline.com) or their myspace page. Anyway, I would recommend them to anyone who is interested. I saw them open for the Pavers about 5 years ago when they weren’t even on the bill. They played a blistering set with borrowed equipment and closed with “Ace of Spades” like Lemmy was channeling through them. I’ve been sold ever since.

By N8

June 12, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this

DAD

You don’t happen to have two sons named Lyle and Erik, do you.

If not, that’s to bad……for the rest of us.

By Bob

June 12, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this

DAD,

You guys might need those bats since your pitching has started heading south fast dude. Glavine hasn’t won in a month, cannot beat the Braves and gave up 10 runs yesterday. El Duque is getting whupped up on right now at Chavez Ravine (5-3 Dodgers). Your bullpen is breaking down every game lately. Our bullpen has been much better and that might be the difference. I still think it is a race that will go down to the wire.

By chrisklob

June 12, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

N8, I didn’t mean to imply that baseball is hurting. Clearly, it’s very healthy. But if you look at many of the teams that have increased salaries in the past few years many of those teams have new TV contracts that help them pay for those salaries (Yanks, Mets). Those same teams are often subsidizing the budgets of other teams’ payrolls.

No, I would NOT support a 100 game season. Frankly I enjoy watching it too much. I’d like to see about 324 games a year. Or two seasons a year. Before you jump on me, I know that’s not feasible. Just me talking. I could watch that much baseball which is why I watch ESPN Classic in December when they play games from the past. But, that’s just me.

The “marketablility” of ALL sports is scoring, scoring and MORE scoring. Totally agree, that’s why everyone was so enamored with Sosa/McGwire in 98. Also part of the reason that Bonds gets so much attention. It’s also why soccer is relatively unpopular in the US even though it’s the most watched/supported sport globally . People here go to/watch games because they want to see scoring, which tends to be very exciting.

N8, I don’t disagree with anything in your last post. Baseball has lost its’ purity. The days of the slick-glove/no stick shortshop are over. I love the story about taking your son to a legion game. I’d be happy watching a pick-up game between whoever you work for and my company. People playing the game just for the joy of playing. It’s just that most other people wouldn’t find the joy in that.

By fastasballs

June 12, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this

DAD, If tonight’s game stays the same the Muts will be a whopping TWO games ahead of the Braves. Your boys were sucking wind when the could have been pulling away from the Braves. I forgot to give the Muts props for sucking worse than we were for the past week or so.

So the Muts are going to gain 10 games on the Braves in the 27 games they have left prior to the break? I have to hand it to you Mut fans, you are consistent, consistently dilusional.

By Bob

June 12, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this

Hey DAD,

If Beltran played in a bit in centerfield he could have just saved you a run. Oh yeah, he ain’t AJ is he? He has to play deep to make the catches Andruw makes back there. Met fans are constantly complaining in NY about how Beltran hurts them by playing too deep. Not a problem in Hotlanta Dad. Oh yeah, your superior team is about to lose its 8th in 9 games’

By MANUEL GONZALEZ

June 12, 2007 12:24 AM | Link to this

DOB, somebody asked earlier why don’t the braves pick JC Romero out of Boston. your opinion?

By chrisklob

June 12, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

Dave, I haven’t seen a post from you in a while so I don’t know if you’re still up. Not much has been said about Hudson the last few days. Is he going to be able to make his next start?

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

Dave May I defend myself after getting my “head” job, as some here would suggest.

It is no surprise to anyone who has read any of my posts for the past 6-7 months that I think that Andruw is a great CF, but certainly not worthy of the contract his agent was hoping he would get after this year.

I also have never been shy of saying that I think that due to his lack of personal responsibility in several matters (his conditioning and his willingness to listen to team management are two that come to mind), he was going to go downhill fast and sooner than some would think. I could be wrong, but this is what I believe.

It also bugs the heck out of me as a fan when he misses badly a curveball, and then does that silly smile of his. I know, this is not necessarily a true indication of what he is thinking, but it bugs me nonetheless.

Last point, if Andruw was performing at his normal levels (one good month, and one bad month), no doubt that he would have another 10-15 RBI’s, and we would probably have a handful more victories. His stubborness has cost us games.

Now, I am an old school guy who believes that if you are not performing, I have the right to sit your tail on the bench. I also am not privy to any inside information as to what is going on with Andruw’s contract, so much of my ascertions are from limited knowledge. (btw, I do NOT like Scott Boras, and that tends to skew my feelings towards players who would sign with him.) I also don’t know what conversations the Braves GM has had with AJ or his agent.

BUT, it seems to me that Andruw does not have the sort of respect for the Braves coaching staff that a player should have, as most of what is reported (some from you) is that he stubbornly does not listen to coaching. Does he think he is above that sort of thing, since he is a star and possible future HOF’er?

So, I know this has been windy, but I wanted to be certain that my point is made. Earlier this afternoon, we were all speculating about trades and call-ups and the sort. Many were still slamming Thorman and Woodward, to me more than was deserved. The more I thought about the Braves situation, the more I believed that AJ was more of a drain on our offense than the aforementioned players.

So, now my post, which I think was not totally taken in context. I paste it here for reference:

*I know all about the 10-5 thing and Andruw’s posturing, but at what point do you either tell him it’s re-sign, sit or agree to a trade??? Maybe never. I know he has knocked in a few runs from the cleanup spot, but I suspect we could do as well with another decent bat, as sometimes there are just lots of runners to bring around when you hit 4th. AJ has 42 RBIs in a year when he has totally stunk it up. Another decent 275 hitter with a little pop could have done as well from cleanup.

What am I saying? He is not going anywhere, as much as I would love it!*

So, I was posing a question for conversation. YES, if I were Braves management, I would have full knowledge of what has been done, like I state in my first post, maybe I would have done nothing! Or maybe I would sit his tail on the pine for a while until he got his swing fixed.

So, as much as I have enjoyed his fielding theatrics and mammoth HR’s in the past, I personally think he is on the back side of his career. I would like to keep him ideally, but with the monetary issues the team has, for anything over what he is making now would be highway robbery, in my opinion.

So, Dave, did I really deserve the “head-job” that I got earlier? Maybe. Was my post out of frustration with Andruw’s total collaspe on offense? Yep. Do I want him gone? Unless he signs for a reasonable contract, yes. I know I am in the minority on this point.

I guess we can agree to disagree, but I am not sure that posting a what if constitutes something that was called “absolutely ridiculous, unrealistic, unfair ideas I’ve seen here”

What I think was unfair was Andruw reluctance to listen to coaching for so long (I assume he has started to listen, but I am not sure about that either.)

So, what say ye, my friend?

By fastasballs

June 12, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this

DOB has been on fire in the recent weeks. Great blogs & insight, also he’s been reaming a new one for someone almost on a daily basis, well deserved I might add.

Maybe to promote DOB’s blog he should give out T-Shirts to the latest reaming recipient. It could say something like “I got Reamed by DOB while blogging on the AJC”

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this

N8 Hey, I do have thick skin. Enjoy. To be honest, I often times enjoy your posts, but last night, when I came in after the game was over, and you were so frickin negative during the whole game, well, it got to me. As you probably realize, I tend to be more positive than negative. The negativism gets to me sometimes.

A few nights ago, some blogger decided he would attack me personally, well what the heck. Like I said, I have thick skin. I made my long a$$ post to Dave above to try to show him that I am not a raving lunatic, but just posing a what if.

I am always thrilled to be able to give others something to attach and/or laugh about.

BTW, who is this person WindonSea?? At least when I slam my blog friends, I do so with my nornal screen name. I am not impressed with cowards who would post a slam to someone without identifying themselves.

My friend N8 here is always willing to sign his name to it, even if we don’t always agree.

Again, I am always happy to be able to bring some measure of happiness on the blog to my friends.

By N8

June 12, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this

Very nice post Wayne. Whether you wanna hear that from me or not, who knows? :-)

I couldn’t agree more with you. I’ve always said that a coach/GM should NOT compound overpaying a guy, by continuing to play him once he’s rendered himself useless.

Is Andruw “useless”? Of course not. He CAN, after all, still play CF. And a guy with 11 HR and 42 RBI will always have a spot waiting for him in the batting order. It just so happens, that when your average is .221 and your approach and (as you said) respect for the coaches stinks, that “spot” in the order should be the 7 or 8 hole. NOT cleanup.

Am I saying “sit” Andruw? Naw. Just get his butt back down in the order, where with his .221 average, it belongs.

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

N8 A couple of points: First, with Escobar doing well, that takes away third as a position Willie could possibly play to get some more AB’s. Second, while I think Thorman will eventually be a serviceable full-timer (maybe), I think he would benefit from a righty platoon partner. It’s ironic that a month ago, I was clamoring for him to play full time. I was wrong.

Problem with the first base situation is that I am not sure that BC thinks having Diaz there or putting Salty there would make things better. Salty’s situation might be changed when/if Pena gets brought up.

Last thought, I don’t think any of us on this blog that were disagreeing with you last night thinks that the past 15 years was ALL Bobby Cox. It was some great players, some excellent coaching, and a front office that invested $$ in scouting and development. Nobody in particular, but the “Braves” way of doing things. BC and JS and their extended staff are the catalyst of the Braves way.

The Yankees way for the past 15 years was to develop, buy, and buy some more. It worked pretty good for them. The Dodgers under Tommy Lasorda had a similar situation to the Braves. Bleeding Dodger blue and all.

Whaddya think?? We can either make up, or we can just keep pounding each other a bit, enjoying it either way???? We have won two in a row, so tonight, it’s all good!!!

By N8

June 12, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

fastasbals

“Maybe to promote DOB’s blog he should give out T-Shirts to the latest reaming recipient. It could say something like “I got Reamed by DOB while blogging on the AJC”

LOVE IT! What a great idea. LOL!

What say you DOB?? You have all of our email addresses. I’m always up for some free “swag”. Get on your bosses a*******es and get us some T-Shirts! After all, this is and “award winning” blog, isn’t it?

It’s time for the AJC to “recognize”.

Just kidding with the demand. But that WOULD be cool!

By Scalp 'Em Braves

June 12, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this

Been a while for me posting here. Keep the applause down, please, and hang on to those rotten vegatables until the end.

DOB- as always, appreciate your posts. The dearth of baseball news in my town is appalling - always know that I can come here and find out the latest “scoops”, insights and “takes that don’t suck” (Rome reference). This website has become my font of Braves knowledge.

Predictable “Nervous Nellies” coming to the forefront here. Time to panic, we’ve got to get this pitcher, this position player, gotta dump this player, this pitcher, we can package this prospect with someone else to get who we need.

You people forget how it was in the old days. THE BRAVES STUNK!!! We made trades to “get better”, only to get worse, and give away some of our better players and prospects (anyone want to revisit Brett Butler/Brook Jacoby for Len Barker??). We are only 2 1/2 games out of first, the Muts are losing right now (they won’t stay on that course - once everyone gets healthy, they will be a beast to deal with). But, what about us? We have a team who might be the youngest, overall (other than the Fish) in the league. Escobar (24), Francouer and Baby Huey (23), KJ (25), Salty (23, I guess), and Thorman (25). That is HALF of our starting lineup, currently, under the age of 26. So much promise, so much potential. Can’t you just let these kids play, and not demand that we get the player du jour on the trade block? We don’t need to trade our Smoltz for a Doyle Alexander. We can win this division with who we have (excepting below).

Can’t tell you how disappointed I was to see Woodward PH for Edgar last night with the bases loaded. Or see him hit in the bottom of the 7th (or 6th, not sure of the inning) with 2 men on, and pop out/ground out. I will admit our bench is weak. Oh, to have Darryl Ward (currently on the DL with the Cubs), or Julio on the bench. That is the one part of our team that is weak, and would like to see an upgrade - but, at what price? Thoughts, comments, bashing or raking over me over the coals?

By Bob

June 12, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this

Wayne,

I respect your opinion but I don’t feel the same about Andruw. Oh I sure get frustrated with his offensive performance but he is still so great on defense. And as bad as his numbers are this year, he is still pretty comparible to the NLs leading vote getter, Carlos Beltran. As of tonight, Beltran is hitting 283 to Andruws 221. Pretty ugly, but Andruw has 11 homeruns to 9 and 42 RBIs to 36. And this is despite Andruw really sucking pond water at the plate. And defensively Andruw runs circles around Beltran. Just tonight, by playing so deep, Betimet drove in another Dodger run. Met fans complain all the time that Beltran plays way too deep and he does not have anywhere near the natural instinct for the ball that Andruw has.

Andruw always has that smile…regardless of what happens. It can be annoying, but hell it is what he does and sure beats someone who always frowns.

People keep saying he is fat and out of shape. Hell, he is in better shape than he has been in several years. Fat guys do not track down fly balls like he does every single night. There was nothing fat or lethargic about that fabulous catch he made on Saturday night at the Ted.

The ridiculous remarks by Jason Stark about him being the most overated centerfielder of all time have been scorched over and over by folks from all over the country.

I couldn’t agree more that Andruw is aggravating and has let us down this year at the plate, but in no way does he deserve comparison to Orr and Woodward and Thorman.

Again, I know there are lots of opinions about AJ on this blog, and I respect them. I just hope he gets into a groove soon.

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this

Willy Wally

Like Chris Farley said in Tommy Boy, “Ouch, that’s gonna leave a mark!”

Tommy Boy is one of my favorite movies of all time. A must for sales training departments.

By N8

June 12, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this

Wayne

For the record, I posted my 12:45 BEFORE I read/saw your 12:41.

It’s all good, dude. Just letting off some steam last night, as I’m sure you were.

No harm, no foul.

On a side note:

WTF!? I threaten lawsuit and Meanie disappears. What’ up with that?

By fastasballs

June 12, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this

Wayne, I understand where you are coming from about Andruw, You can’t be a Braves fan without Andruw driving you nuts sometimes. I agree this year he seems really lost up there at times, more so than in the past.

One thing that has not dropped off is his defense. He’s the best in the game & has been for sometime now.

If the Braves had a 120 mil payroll nobody would be concerned or care if Andruw got his 18 mil a year or whatever the latest estimate is. He may very well have been signed by now if the money was there. I think everyone agrees if that is the price the money can be spent more wisely & for a lot of the reasons you stated.

Is his bad year because he is so stressed over the walk year or have we started to see his skills diminish? Murphy’s went in a hurry if you recall but at a later age, but Andruw has taken a beating over the years in CF.

I guess we will know for sure next year regardless where he plays. I just don’t think his mental make-up could take the criticism that the media will dish out in New York, Boston or LA. Atlanta is so relaxed compared to the rest & has 11 or 12 years of greatness from Andruw so he get’s a bit of a pass.

Anyway I enjoy your post’s, I’m a bit of a night owl so I’m on quite a bit when you are posting.

By N8

June 12, 2007 1:07 AM | Link to this

Wayne

“It’s ironic that a month ago, I was clamoring for him to play full time. I was wrong.”

Me too, me too. Of course, if Chipper were healthy that would change a LOT of how this lineup functions. But he’s not, so no need for Bobby to ruin Thorman’s confidence in what ability he DOES have.

Time for bed. Goodnight all. If it’s not clear enough already, we’re “good” Wayne.

Before I go for the night, is NOBODY gonna give me props for my Menendez Brothers reference at 12:18??

Come on people! That’s good stuff.

Good night fellow bloggers.

By fastasballs

June 12, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this

Muts Lose! Muts Lose! Muts Lose! Muts Lose!

2 back & closing

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this

Bob Gotta agree with a lot you state. What bugs me the most about AJ is that he has probably shortened his career by not keeping himself in better shape. If I had a contract to play ball, I would hope that the commitment to the team would be enough to make me want to be in the best shape I could be in.

AJ has put up some decent RBI numbers this year, but this is due more to the excellence of the Braves 1-3 hitters than anything AJ has done. Don’t you think???? Imagine what he could have done with a 270 average and a few more dingers!

N8 Yea, we are good….

I like the T-shirt idea! Although, an official program like that would bring the jerks out of the woodwork. I think it is bad enough that some of us regulars can screw up enough to get our budddy Dave excited, imagine what the loonies would do to him if they thought they could get a t-shirt out of it!!

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 1:19 AM | Link to this

Nate, I did pick up on the Menendez brothers post, but I was a bit preoccupied with my responses. Nice touch.

I told you guys earlier that I was going away for the afternoon/evening, and what happens, the sky falls in on me!!

:-)

By Lew

June 12, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this

Scalp Em’s right. Leave the kids alone and let them play some ball. The Mets just lost again and looked real bad doing it. Only down by two games with a 100 or so to go. The Mets are proving to be mortal. Just where is Chop Zone now to tell me how wrong I was about the Mets’ pitching? Seems to be somewhat scarce recently. That’s 7 out of 8 losses for the Mets. Just look how rested Chipper and Smoltz are going to be when they get back. Get us a right handed bat off the bench and we’re good to go.

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 1:21 AM | Link to this

I am watching ESPN, and they show clips from the 1991 WS, in prelude to the upcoming series. OUCH!

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this

fastasballs: ain’t it great when the Mets lose! Where are those Mets fans when we really need them???

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 1:32 AM | Link to this

Lew: My posts earlier about Dunn and Conine was just throwing it all against the wall. Mr Schuerholz has been know to surprise us in the past. So, I would not be surprise with a deal for either of those types (Dunn: big splash, Conine: a little help).

It doesn’t have to be those guys either, only that the Reds appear to be sellers soon.

I can’t wait to see what Davies does tomorrow night. I think/hope he really comes through.

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2007 1:44 AM | Link to this

Sh!t Wayne… That was one of the longest reasonings I’ve read yet.

weak like clock-radio speakers
That’s one to remember. Thanks DOB. I’m going to enjoy inserting that into conversations. It’ll be right there with my favorite Mark Twain quote:
Your ignorance is cramping my conversation.
That one always makes me laugh.

Mets Lost
This should keep the Mets posts off the blog for at least a day. Well, probably until the next inning they have a lead.

Just watch Eragon. I don’t really recommend this movie if you are sobber and looking for quality entertainment. In that frame of mind I’d recommend They Live. HA!

Tomorrow is the beginning of the biggest test the Braves have had this season. Hope they get off to a good start.

GO BRAVES

By Coach

June 12, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this

Chris Woodward is here for his glove not his bat and yes the Braves desperately need another big bat on the bench who can pinch hit effectively in situations like we saw Sunday night. Altogether now blog denizens , yell with me : JEEEEEEFFFFFFF FREAKING CONNNNNIIIIINNNNE ! Has anybody noticed the strange dissapearance of the Mets fanatics in the last few blogs ? How very strange but delicously laughable ! No roster moves today , hmmmmmmm. Yo Bobby , its six games in an American league park , the pitcher doesn’t hit , no need to pinch hit for the pitcher , no double switches and no need for 13 pitchers. Please , please , purty please don’t make me watch Matt Diaz(who can hit, but not the HR) DH. I would much rather see Salty DH and McCann catch. Anybody have a problem with my lineup: Johnson 2B , Renteria SS , Chipper 3B , Francoeur RF , McCann C , Andruw CF , Salty DH , Thorman 1B , Diaz LF. Just activate Chipper , call up Pena , Send Orr somewhere !! and drop a pitcher , preferably Chad Paronto and his 6.43 ERA. Otherwise , the whole blog is gonna have to listen to me scream at Bobby Cox for the next six games.

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 1:48 AM | Link to this

10-Paul: Sorry about that!

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 1:58 AM | Link to this

Coach: I like your lineup, with a couple of minor changes. If Chipper can’t go, then plug in Escobar and Renteria in the 2-3 spot. But, I would catch Salty and give McCann’s ankle a few more days rest. Let Salty catch 2-3 in a row.

I suspect that the Braves have Pena in the Twin Cities right now, or on the way tomorrow.

I like the Conine idea, and he can be had for a song. He would be the perfect compliment to Thorman at first, and a strong righthanded bat off the bench.

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2007 2:08 AM | Link to this

TennPaul, I can’t take credit for it (weak like clock-radio speakers). Stole it from a GZA/Genius lyric….

Scalp ‘em, good to have you back.

Guess I better pack and get to bed, since I’ve got an 8 a.m. flight. Yikes….

By DonCoburleone

June 12, 2007 2:09 AM | Link to this

Mets lose, fantastic… I can’t believe with after all thats gone on this season the Braves are only 2 games back… I still think two things need to happen for the Braves to win the Division this year: 1) Smoltz needs to come back HEALTHY and give us his 35 starts. 2)Chipper must play at least 85 out of the final 95 games…

By Coach

June 12, 2007 2:09 AM | Link to this

Right Wayne , Salty/McCann C/DH , it works to. Pete Orr , 46 at bats 2 RBI 2 BB 9 SO and an anemic .196 batting AVG. Talk about a waste of a roster spot.

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2007 2:17 AM | Link to this

Just saw the T-shirt idea. I like it. I’d probably use a different verb that reamed, however….

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2007 2:29 AM | Link to this

96,sc: Allman Brothers with Drive by Truckers in Charlotte Aug 10th.

Can’t be. That’s too much. Too good. Overload of goodness. Heads might explode….

Savannah Guy, thanks for the kind words.

By Coach

June 12, 2007 2:30 AM | Link to this

At any rate , we have to win today and wednesday. Thursday and friday is Santana/Sabathia and everybody knows about the season long struggle the Braves offense has had when facing the southpaws. Left-handed starters 13-17 right-handed starters 22-12.

By DonCoburleone

June 12, 2007 2:30 AM | Link to this

BTW, I’ve watched quite a few Mets games this year and there is one thing I can say for certain: Their bullpen is not as good this year as it was last year. Heilman has been average, Schoenweis and Feliciano can’t get out righty’s, Mota is off the juice, and Wagner teeters on a meltdown almost every outing. If their offense struggles they are no better than the Braves(probably worse); and right now Beltran is struggling and he is to the Mets Offense what Chipper is to the Braves’ O’. Plus we’ve beat them 6 out of 9 already this year. We can take them! GO BRAVES!!!

By DonCoburleone

June 12, 2007 2:38 AM | Link to this

DOB, I’m guessing that Salty is going to start at catcher for the majority of this trip with McCann DH’ing against righty’s?

By DonCoburleone

June 12, 2007 2:45 AM | Link to this

Anybody ever drink “Flying Dog in Heat” Wheat Beer? Pretty good stuff… I love wheat beer; only problem is, which do you go with - a lemon slice or an orange slice?

By Bob, Journalist

June 12, 2007 2:50 AM | Link to this

DonCoburleone,

66 years is a long time and I think it’s good to put both Thumper’s and Mr. Coffee’s 1941 accomplishments into perspective … Ted’s is of note, primarily because it was the last time anyone doubled Mendoza … and because good hitters continue to have that as an objective, regardless of protestations, improbable though it might be.

My few 1941 memories don’t include baseball but they do include coffee as I recall waiting for Daddy to come home from work late each night, and bringing him his single cup … for which I always received a treat. I know it was in 1941 for we moved from those environs early in 1942 before my sister’s arrival on the scene.

Joltin’ Joe’s achievement is of a different nature … for each time one fails, the quest begins anew … and for most, if not all, players the focus is on getting a hit each time rather than at least once a game; certainly until a significant streak is in the making.

That said, it’s rather amazing, the number who had multiple streaks worthy of note.

Long hitting streaks are unexpected and exciting to witness … a lot of luck is involved and Joe’s may never be broken. He had an unfair advantage in 1941, having already been there and done that in 1933.

Our focus has seemingly changed with .230 now an objective for some of our players and we routinely take note of 5, 6, and 7 game hitting streaks.

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 2:50 AM | Link to this

DonC Let’s hope Salty and McCann are playing against ALL pitchers in these games. IF needed, this would be a great time for McCann to rest that ankle and get in some DH’ing.

If Chipper comes back, then it will be interesting as to what Bobby does with Escobar.

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 3:02 AM | Link to this

I think it is time for me to go…..

By Coach

June 12, 2007 3:09 AM | Link to this

Has anybody read Mark Bowmans latest brain fart at the Braves/MLB official home website ? He is lamely suggesting that Salty is trade bait right now. What an idiot ! McCann has a bad finger , he just reinjured the same ankle that put him on the DL last season and Bowman is thinking trade Salty. Go figure ! Chipper is on the DL and he has mentioned Escobar as trade bait to. Yo , Bowman , I wouldn’t let you manage a lemonade stand.

By Inchin Along

June 12, 2007 3:11 AM | Link to this

What we gone do with that new kid when Chipper Jones come back?

By Bob, Journalist

June 12, 2007 3:27 AM | Link to this

I somehow deleted the following short paragraph from my previous post … fighting eye and ear aches is a bummer …

While both accomplishments were applauded at the time and both have achieved baseball immortality … Joe’s was immediately recognized for what it was while Ted’s took more time … as it was expected to be soon duplicated; many thinking the one to do it would be the chipper Clipper … chipper as in cheerful, not Larry.

Cheers!

By Scott

June 12, 2007 5:06 AM | Link to this

Rescue Me is such a great show. I almost forgot it debuts this week. Big Love is pretty damn good too. I got into it through the On Demand channel and it’s impressed.

By Bob, Journalist

June 12, 2007 6:26 AM | Link to this

Coach, I’m up nursing an earache and as the dawn approaches it dawns on me that I sorta left a participle dangling when I responded to your comments regarding Bobby’s leaving Buddy in to start the seventh … while my comment might have seemed to otherwise indicate, my perception wasn’t as keen as yours as I didn’t really think that Buddy was shelled in the sixth … certainly not to the same extent as you.

However, the seventh was a different story!

By Coach

June 12, 2007 6:40 AM | Link to this

Bob , a little hot water as warm as you can stand it , soak a towel or cloth in it and soak your ear in it. That will bring some instant relief , some aspirin or motrin will bring some long term relief.

By Carroll

June 12, 2007 7:14 AM | Link to this

DOB: as far as having another lefty in the pen, where on earth is Rheal Cormier?! Didn’t we get him just for that very purpose? And when can we expect Tanyon Sturtze? He may even be an answer in the rotation if need be. Didn’t he start quite a bit for Torre?

By Bob, Journalist

June 12, 2007 7:22 AM | Link to this

Thanks Coach!

I’ll try both! You and I agree … my wife says we’re both crazy regarding the water …

By Lee

June 12, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this

DOB -
Not sure if the Cavs will be able to pull out one win or not against the Spurs. I wanted them to win 1 or 2 games just to make a series out of it. Spurs are just too much of a complete team for them. I for one think a little too much emphasis is put on past years stats also for players like Harris ………..who says Willie Harris cannot bat over 300 and steal around 20 bases for the Braves this season. Craig Wilson had a fair amount of success in past seasons with the Pirates and look at how that ended up for the Braves this year. The Braves have not had a legitimate base stealer since Furcal left and I did not put him in the class with Sanders and Nixon as far as base stealing speed goes.

Guess I am one of the few on this blog that has never watched one single episode of the Sopranos. At least no one can ruin it for me because I could care less about the show. Maybe catch reruns one day or then again maybe not.

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this

Personally, I’d like to see Harris play DH when Diaz is in the lineup. He’s hit lefties fairly well (3 for 11 or .273 in those limited appearances)and the less we dangle one of our prized top-two catchers out there for potential injury while the other is actually playing catcher, the better I’ll feel.

We’re going into interleague games on the road with a starting catcher who’s nursing a sore ankle; bringing Brayan Pena up gives us a third catcher, but God forbid, if Saltalamacchia’s th DH and rolls his ankle, hit by a pitch in his hand(s) or is involved in some sort of collision on the bases and is hurt, we’re back down to two catchers, the starter still with his sore ankle on the mend.

Matter of fact, I don’t mind seeing Diaz in the lineup against righties, either, if he DHs while Willie’s in left. Diaz is .340 against righties, .326 against lefties.

Either way, Id be a bit nervous about the potential of our backup catcher being hurt in any way with McCann still coming off his ankle injury. If Saltalamacchia gets the occasional start, that’d be one thing, but having McCann play while Saltalamacchia DHing, to me, is treading dangerously.

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

Carroll… Rheal Cormier retired a week or so ago, I believe.

I’d like to see Will Startup get the callup, myself, but then again I’m a Georgia Bulldog, and I’m not impartial in that thought process.

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this

Lee…I’m with you. Never seen Sopranos.. Also think that Harris could be an everyday LF and hit 300 w/20+ SB’s. Why not? He been pretty consistant so far.

By JasonInMaine

June 12, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

This is a quote from Chipper taken from Sportsline.com:

“Once I get to the point in BP where I feel like I can get it done come game time, let’s roll. Let’s strap it on.”

Was he talking about the leotard?

Regards,

Jason

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

Ron, while we could use both of the catchers bats in the lineup, i thin, too, that we need both of the LF’s bats equally as much. But, like you said…preserving those young catchers is extremely important.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

Ron Roberts,

You can’t worry too much about injuries. You have to use good players. As long as Pena’s up, I wouldn’t hesitate to put both McCann and Saltalamacchia in the lineup.

If it’s injuries your worried about, what’s the difference between Salty starting every few days and them being in the lineup together? Salty or McCann could just as easily get injured in separate games as they could being in the lineup together.

You can’t obsess over injury risks so much that you do not play the players that should be playing.

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this

Anyone read the Terrence Moore article about Torre Hunter?? I never knew he was such a Braves fan.

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

Just woke up and saw the GZA weak like clock radio speakers reference…. very cool….. DOB, you got me back into listening to the Wu the last few days. I have not really listened to them in a long while. At one time in my life, it was hard to believe that I could go more than a few hours without listening to them. But livin’, workin’, bloggin’, takes you away …..

Would you say that Edgar Renteria is “low-key like seashells”? Not quite sure I figured out that lyric. Edgar though did go into second the other night Tiger style.

The tag line for DOB and the blog should be changed to this RZA line from Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin’ Ta F’ Wit: I be tossin’, enforcin’, my style is awesome, I’m causin’ more Family Feud’s than Richard Dawson A little too much braggadocio for DOB’s style though.

By The Grinch

June 12, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

Bailey, TM isn’t a Braves fan; he’s a race-baiting moron who will use whatever topic he needs to to further his agenda. Read my post in reply to that article, it’s about 10-15 posts in.

Jimmy Smith, your 11:21 last night may be the best one yet.

Scalp ‘em, looks like I arrived late with my rotten tomatoes.

By MEB

June 12, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this

N8, Chris Klob Tradition is a wonderful thing in sports and yes there needs to be an effort made to keep our great sports… great! Just some ideas that I think are workable:

• The 162 game schedule needs to be completed by mid September. The addition of true doubleheaders (like the good ol’ days) needs to be part of every teams schedule to make this idea workable.

• Completing the season earlier will allow the first round of the Division Series to go back to seven games like it should.

• I don’t like the inter-league schedule but I understand its necessity and that it markets well. However, their needs to be some balance in the scheduling of opponents. Boston is our natural rival???

• The Wild-Card has made the regular season much more interesting but I don’t think the Wild-Card team should play with a penalty. Just return the first round to seven games.

• Return the All-Star Game voting to the players. I’ve voted 25 times for my all-stars… have you? How crazy is this!!!

• Get rid of this ridiculous idea of the winning league in the All Star Game being the host team for the World Series. Selig went kind of nuts with this stupid idea.

• New stadiums should have the ability to retract the roof like Miller Park in Milwaukee. Baseball indoors is just not right.

Some thoughts on college football later on.

GO BRAVES!!!

By Lee

June 12, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

McCann is starting to concern me a little about being injury prone at a young age. I know a catcher takes a beating most of the time behind the plate. It always seems to be a minor injury with McCann and not too major but it does affect his play and bat. I really would like the Braves to play Salty sparingly this season, forget about any notion of trading him and train him for whatever position they feel necessary for next year……..outfield, 1st base, whatever…… and still have him as a reserve catcher even if it means carrying someone like Pena full time also. Agree with everyone concerned about Salty and possible injury but then again I suppose every player risks that daily also. He is up here to play and I am sure he does not want to ride the bench very often.

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Sorry, Shaun, but until Brian McCann’s 100% again, I’m sweating catcher injuries. We need him at full strength, and having Saltalamacchia’s a nice insurance policy.

Besides, Diaz hits both sides quite well, and is a proven MLB commodity for us. He’s a lesser defensive player than Willie is in LF, so I’d go with Diaz DHing and Willie playing each day in LF while we’re in American League cities.

By Lee

June 12, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

MEB

You took the words right out of my mouth. I agree 100% with everything you said in that post and have often said the same thing.

By 22oz

June 12, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

To quote a certain mets fan from last week: “We moved up last night without even playing!”

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

MEB,

1. The Players’ union will never go for scheduled doubleheaders. Maybe starting the season earlier or the World Series later, but I doubt they would agree with doubleheaders.

2. I agree all rounds should be 7 games. The more games, the better. Obviously you don’t want to make series too long and boring but you want a good enough sample so that the best team is more likely to win.

3. I agree, interleague play complicates the scheduling. If teams are competing for the same playoff spot, they should play the same schedule.

4. I don’t know what I think about “penalizing” the Wild Card team. I mean some Wild Card teams are clearly the second-best team in the league. I understand giving teams some incentive to finish in first instead of second but often the Wild Card is a lot better than one of the division winners.

5. The fans have always voted for the All-Star starters, as far as I know. I don’t see anything wrong with that except as it relates to the next point…

6. I think having the All-Star game decide the World Series is an interesting idea but I don’t think it’s the most logical way to decide home field advantage.

Why not best record? Then, if they have the same record maybe the All-Star game can decide it. I know that may not be perfect because teams don’t usually have the same schedule strength but that seems like the most logical way to do things.

I don’t think the All-Star game deciding home-field advantage is as big an outrage as it may seem. It was kind of arbitrary before—alternating years.

1. I agree with you on outdoor vs. indoor baseball. Retractable roofs are the way to go in cities with bad or extremely hot weather.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Ron Roberts,

But what are the Braves supposed to do, not play Salty until McCann is 100 percent so that they make sure they have two healthy catchers?

How is keeping Salty from DHing (if Pena is up) helping the Braves insurance at catcher?

If he’s on the roster and playing every few days, he’s got a chance to get injured.

He’s got a chance to get injured whether he’s in the lineup with McCann or whether he’s playing every few days while McCann is resting.

That’s kind of like only using Smoltz or Hudson for two or three innings to protect them from injury. You have to use them to get something out of them.

By S.L.

June 12, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

In regards to Willie Harris He’s just pulling a Gary Matthews Jr. who did nothing here. As he grew older, he blossomed enough to be an All Star….so who knows what Willie will become as he ages.

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

Sadly, the new Minneapolis baseball stadium is being built with no roof at all.

Looking forward to seeing October/early November World Series baseball there, in the near future?

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

As far as World Series home-field advantage being decided by best record, I’ve heard the rationale that it’s too hard for the television networks; I guess getting their equipment to the right place. I’m not sure I quite understand this. Can someone explain?

I mean, isn’t it just as hard on the networks when they don’t know where the LCS or Division Series will be played?

By Scalp 'Em Braves

June 12, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Not putting Salty at DH because we need to “preserve our young catchers?” PUH-LEEZE!! What is he, a fig? A plum? Preserve him? Damn guys, he needs seasoning (i.e. MLB at bats). Payne is right about this one. The only sure way to avoid injury is to not play.

Grinch - hang on to them maters, man. Opportunities abound.

And the bleat goes on…..

By Coach

June 12, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this

Shaun is right , injury is a part of the risk of playing. Like it or not.

By Salty

June 12, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

From the ‘Ludicrous File’: Willie Harris’ range rating is higher than Diaz…to be expected. Unexpected…Diaz’ is higher than Andruw Jones! While I’m far from Mensa material (actually, I’m being humble!), someone please explain that logic! Hips don’t lie…neither do eyes!

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

MEB & Shaun…

The fans voting for the All-Star teams, in my opinion, is just plain stupid. 90% of the time it is a popularity contest. Ever wonder why Boston & New York (Yanks & Mets)get so many player voted in? Because that’s who everyone sees. That’s all the team websites do, also. Vote for your hometown All-Stars (even if they suck). It’s absurd that the best player at each position doesn’t always start. Last year, McCann SHOULD have been the NL’s starting catcher, but lost in the voting.

CASE & POINT…Andruw Jones is in the top 8 of voting. Even with his crap for Batting average and lack of production.

It’s ridiculous.

By Tad

June 12, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

John Schuerholz:

We do not need 13 pitchers and 12 hitters for 6 straight games in AL parks with the DH in play. Minnesota has 11 pitchers and 14 hitters as a comparison.

Why haven’t we sent Paronto (or another P) to Richmond (at least just for this week) and bring up Brayan Pena so Saltalamacchia can DH.

If we do not do this, we will probably be forced to see Pete Orr as the DH and I don’t like our chances with that at all. And what happens if someone has to come out of the game with injury? We may have to see Oscar Villareal or Peter Moylan pinch hit or play in the field.

Starters tonight: McCann, Thor, KJ, Edgar?, Yunel, Willie, AJ, Frenchy.

DH: Salty (really can’t without a backup C!)

Bench: Diaz (.329 BA), Woodward (.220 BA), Orr (.210 BA).

I am a little concerned with Edgar’s hand as well, which would further deplete our shorthanded offense.

Since Orr really doesn’t do much on this team and only has 9 ABs this month, can he serve as the backup catcher so Salty can DH and in case McCann needs to come out of the game?

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

Shaun… do ya like to argue w/people just to have something to do, or what?

It’s my opinion. That’s it. Would you like to argue with me that maybe it’s not my opinion, after all??? Sheesh.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

SL,

I think Willie is pulling a Charles Thomas or Dewayne Wise. I think this is as good as it’s going to get. But hopefully he can keep this up for a while.

By DC Braves Fan

June 12, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

The current Braves lineup (assuming everyone is healthy) might be good enough to make it to the playoffs. But seriously, does anyone think the Braves, as currently configured, is good enough to win a World Series title? - Isn’t that what the end goal should be? Does anyone think that the Mets are just going to stand pat? NO. Been reading a lot about “the Kid” recently, and the more I think about it, the more it seems plausible.

Ken Griffey Jr. has wanted to be a Brave for years and now is the time to get him. While we’re at it, let’s refute Griffey’s big contract figures right now. Griffey’s contract is not an albatross. Griffey’s contract, calls for him to make $12.5 million per season through 2008. However, $6.5 million of that $12.5 million dollars is deferred and for a player of Griffey’s caliber is certainly not extraordinary.

Of course, the next question is, which Griffey would the Braves be acquiring? Would it be the Griffey that averaged 43.8 home runs and 109.1 RBI’s in the 1990s? Or would it be the Griffey that has stayed hurt for most of his time in Cincinnati and averaged only 20.6 home runs and 58.4 RBI over the last five seasons?

So far this season, Griffey’s been somewhere in between. Griffey has hit .284 with 15 home runs and 36 RBI. His numbers are pretty solid across the board. He might not be the same player that averaged 52 home runs over the last four years of the 90’s, but he’s still a very good player and a threat when healthy.

Do the Braves need him? I don’t think there’s much question that if Griffey were placed in Atlanta’s current lineup, it would improve it tremendously. Just think of having a threesome of Chipper, Griffey, and Andruw in the middle of the lineup:

2B Johnson (L) SS Renteria (R) 3B Jones (S) OF Griffey (L) CF Jones (R) C McCann (L) OF Francoeur (R) 1B Thorman (L)/Salty (S)

WOW. Lefty-righty throughout the lineup. That’s balance. That would make any opposing pitcher worried. Harris, Woodward, Diaz, etc. would assume pinch hitting duties and occasional sub-ins for days off.

With the rumors out that the Reds would pay half of Griffey’s remaining salary to trade him, it begs to wonder how much that financial assistance might push Schuerholz into making a deal. He somehow got the Marlins and Rockies to pay a large part of Mike Hampton’s salary, and if he could get the Reds to pay half of Griffey’s salary, it may be his biggest coup yet.

Griffey has repeatedly been quoted as saying that he would do anything to play for Atlanta and BC. So would he help the Braves even more by restructuring his deal? Maybe.

I realize that Junior talks have been dismissed because it’s not on the first page of the Braves’ most pressing needs. However, if there is a chance to get him, passing on a transcendent player is a mistake. Chipper and AJ have both stated that they idolized him. He’s a pro, a veteran, and a good clubhouse guy; his presence on the younger guys could be like what Maddux brought to the Dodgers rotation last year after being traded…stability.

JS at least think about it!

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Scalp Em

I only agree with “preserving” Salty if we have no other back up catcher. IF Pena gets called up, I would be all for putting both of them in the game…maybe every game for that matter.

By Truth

June 12, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

S.L. In regards to Willie Harris He’s just pulling a Gary Matthews Jr. who did nothing here. As he grew older, he blossomed enough to be an All Star….so who knows what Willie will become as he ages.

I have to disagree with you here. Gary Matthews, Jr. used performance enhancing steroids to get where he is and Willie Harris did not. Willie Harris made it with hard work and determination.

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

And while I’m at it, yeah, injury is part of the game; so is putting your best lineup out there day-in, day-out, and also playing for the entire season.

Look around the bigs, kids; St. Louis comes to mind. They could use a good catcher with their guy on the DL. We’re in an enviable position of having an All-Star catcher and a promisng young prospect backing him up. If our starting guy tweaks his ankle again in these American league cities, do you propose we play Saltalamacchia at DH and Brayan Pena behind the dish? Heck no; that’s not our best lineup. I’d have Diaz/Harris at the DH and Saltalamacchia catching with Pena as our backup. But putting our top-two catching options in the lineup together, to me, is taking a risk at this juncture. If McCann were completely healthy, or hadn’t had any injury issues this season, I’d probably feel differently; but if you can put just as solid a lineup on the card and only use one of ‘em, saving the other for spot starts or backup in case your starting catcher re-tweaks his ankle, then I say ya do it.

That’s my opinion, Shaun.

By Bigboi

June 12, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

Hey bailey u just dispoved ur own point regarding the allstar voting. In case you didn’t know, andruw doesn’t play for Boston or either NY team.

By Lee

June 12, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

If it were up to the television networks for the World Series they would move either the Red Sox or Yankees one into the National League and have those 2 teams play one another each year for the World Series and forget everyone else. The team with the best record should have home field advantage for the World Series - no question about it. I know the all-star game is thrown into the mix for future HOFer’s but I have not watched an all-star game in years. It has turned into the Pro Bowl like football. Just boring and hard to even get into it any more. I do vote for Braves players.

By Larry Wayne Jones

June 12, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Uh, Jimmy Smith, I know you think you are my former father in law and all but it’s been about 10 frigging years already. Uh, let it go. She’s moved on. I’ve moved on. We’ve all moved on. Could you? I hope your heartbreak after all these years does not still hurt you as bad as it hurt my former wife and I who actually went through the heartbreak ourselves a frigging decade ago. Let it go, man. Let it go. You’re starting to scare me with you obsession with me and my body and my family, you lil’ single white female.

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

DC Braves Fan

I liked the post on Griffey. I agree with all of it. The only thing I would add, is that we would need to get him without giving up a chunk of minor leage talent. They need pitching. If we could offer a Thorman, Davies or Cormier, and Devine (a future closer for them) trade, and get him, then I’m for it. But that still leaves us with the fact that we NEED starters. We don’t need another outfielder. However, it does sound good doesn’t it…even for the next few years (after Andruw leaves).

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Bailey,

The fans have always voted for the starters.

But you’re right, sometimes fans vote for the player that isn’t the best at his position. Don’t think I or MEB said anything to the contrary.

If it’s an exhibition game, I don’t think it’s such a big deal. If the fans want to see the guy not having the best season, let them see that guy.

Even under the All-Star game’s current setup, I don’t think it’s as huge a deal as it seems. As I said, World Series home-field advantage was arbitrary before (alternating years).

Both ways—deciding home-field by All-Star winner and alternating years—are just as arbitrary and illogical to me. I guess at least the current setup makes the All-Star game something slightly more than an exhibition game. Although I doubt the players and managers see it as too much more than an exhibition game.

Ron Roberts,

I don’t like to argue with people. I love the game and discussions that relate to it. I’m just responding with my opinion.

My opinion is that you play the players that deserve to play and you don’t obsess over injuries. As long as the Braves have a catcher on the bench, I see nothing wrong with Salty and McCann in the lineup together.

I just don’t get the idea that playing Salty every few days as opposed to playing him at the same time as McCann is going to decrease his injury risks that much.

By Incognito

June 12, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Maybe we should hold out Frenchy and KJ this week, cause they might get injured if we don’t??

By Rondo

June 12, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Ron Roberts

Okay, with RH Diaz/ LH Harris as the DH, who is going to play left field? We are facing RH, RH, LH in Minneapolis, so I assume you are proposing Harris, Harris, Diaz as the DH.

Let me get this straight, you want to keep Saltalamacchia on the bench for these games? That is absolutely absurd. What is wrong with bringing Pena up as backup and putting both McCann and Salty in the lineup? I believe that lineup gives us the best chance to win.

By Incognito

June 12, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Bailey Who’s going to play first base if you trade the only one you have for Griffey? Also, do you think he is worth two potential major league pitchers too, at his age?

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

Bigboi…the point i’m making with mentioning Andruw is that it is a popularity contest. People see Andruw on Baseball Tonight or Sportscenter all the time, so they know who he is. They dont look at stats to see who is actually having the better year.

By eric the elder

June 12, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

BobJ, I hope you will get that ear looked at, my friend. Home remedies might relieve symptoms, but if there is an infection, some antibiotics might be indicated. Ears are not to be trifled with.

I wonder whether we are being a tad conservative regarding the Salty/McCann situation. Assuming Pena is there, I think we should put the best bats we have in the lineup.

If we take the position that A might get hurt and then we have to play B, but if B gets hurt, then we have to play C with no backup catcher, etc., seems like we are tying our hands. Those things COULD happen, but gosh, it seems odd to keep players out of the lineup for fear someone might get hurt. (Unless, of course, Redman is pitching.)

By Savannah Guy

June 12, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

On Sale Soon: DOB-T’s

DOB: Agreed with your 2:17 suggestion that the term “reamed” not be used to characterize your, ahem…mild corrections of fact or stern warnings. I suppose the writer that posted that meant to say, “Chewed My A*” (we can only hope).

In all fairness, you do justifiably bring out an assortment of whips, prods and weapons to keep the strays herded properly. Thing is, the projectile usually fits the wound nicely. Some of those bloggers that have their deserved scars received them for posting inappropriate language. Most crossed the lines of good taste or sound reasoning. A few talked politics before midnight. Some posted epic novels and so forth. These thumps, darts, arrows and axes are reserved for targeting bloggers that cross the line, some that get close to the line and the occasional innocent bystander that happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (collateral damage but no harm done).

DOB, I’ll add, you are a sports writer of the best sort, you are almost always a great blog-Shepard and you usually select the proper weapon for perpetrators of blog-crimes and misdemeanors. You also succeed in keeping the blog an interesting and relatively drone-free zone.

Since, as Shepard of this herd of cats, you necessarily mete out proper punishment for bad behavior and infractions of all sorts, I’ll suggest a “line” of T-shirts. Some will be earned with pride…most will be a funny reminder…a few will serve as entry to the DOB Hall Of Shame.

Side note: to improve the content of the blog, you might not only consider a promotional line of shirts, but a daily posting of “DOB’s best and worst” blog of the day. It could get interesting.

Proposed Slogans for the DOB-T’s: (with respective sub-lines below)

DOB CHEWED MY @SS. (but he loves the ones who blog)

I GOT PLUNKED BY DOB. (Ouch, I deserved that.)

IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT (Best stay out of DOB’s kitchen)

I GOT NAILED BECAUSE I FAILED (DOB called me on my BS)

I GOT THE ARROW BECAUSE I WAS NARROW. (But what’s wrong with all stats talk?)

DOB IS ALWAYS BRILLIANT. (I also suck-up to my boss)

I GOT THE SPEAR FOR BEING A MULE’S REAR. (Did I actually say that?)

I GOT SKEWED FOR BEING LEWD. (Sh*%# and then %#&@)

I CROSSED THE LINE BUT I’M JUST FINE. (What is that sticking in my side?)

I TALKED POLITICS AND GOT ADMONISHED. (And all I got was this lousy t-shirt that doesn’t rhyme)

I GOT FLOGGED FOR HOGGIN’ THE BLOG (But hey, puff…I lost track of time and space, man)

I GOT PRICKED BECAUSE I WAS ONE. (So what, I used animal references…you donk)

I’M AN IDIOT AND I DON’T CARE. (Go Mets. hahahahaha)

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

Bring up Pena and play Salty and McCann in this series. That way we can play poker with the Twins. You show us Mauer and we raise you our two Mauers.

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

Shaun…I agree that IF the All-Star game was strictly an exhibition game, fan voting would not be a big deal. It just upsets me when deserving players are left off the team, because some guy having a horrible year was voted in.

Hey…here’s an Idea…why dont they give the WS home field to the league that wins the HR Derby. That makes about as much since as letting the All-Star game decide it.

I do think you’re right in saying that the players don’t see it as anything other than an exhibition game, though. Especially if you play for a team that you know has no shot to make the playoffs.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

Ron Roberts,

I’m not trying to argue, just trying to understand your point.

My point is, Salty is going to play every now and then whether McCann is healthy or not, so either catcher has a chance to get injured.

If the best lineup is Salty and McCann in there together, I think that’s what you do (as long as you have a guy who can catch available on your bench).

I don’t think you use Pena behind the plate and Salty at DH if McCann gets hurt, but what does that have to do with whether or not you play McCann and Salty at the same time?

I just don’t understand the reasoning. If a)Salty and McCann are both on the roster, b)you have another backup catcher, and c)having Salty and McCann in there together gives you the best chance to win, then I think you play them at the same time.

I just don’t understand how keeping one of them on the bench on a given day makes much of a difference with concern to injuries. If both are seeing fairly significant playing time, both have a chance to get injured whether they are in the lineup at the same time or not. May as well play them at the same time, if it gives the team the best chance to win.

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Incognito…If JS and BC have ideas of moving Salty to 1B anyway, go ahead and do it if trading Thorman will help improve the team. Also, from what i have seen over the past couple of weeks and years, Cormier or Davies would be understandable to trade since we have more young guys on their way. Also, Devine is a stretch, i’ll give you that…since he has performed so well this year in AAA, and is worthy of a call up, now. But, again, if it improves the team, now, i say do it. You still have Soriano, who should be the closer for the next few years. Then, we’ll get Gonzo back, and still have the young guys like Boyer, McBride, Moylan, and Stockman (in AAA).

I agree it’s a stretch and more than likely will never happen, but it’s fun to think baout having a player like Griffey here.

By Salty

June 12, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Fear of injury: 1. Salty (1B) and McCann collide on a pop up…both hurt. 2. Salty’s in the dugout; nailed by a foul ball by McCann! Meanwhile, McCann rolls his ankle on the swing, down for the count.
3. Both walking down tobacco/spit/sunflower shell covered steps to the clubhouse; McCann slips, spraining his already hurt ankle; Salty and Chipper, both pull obliques* trying to brace McCann’s fall. 4. I don’t even want to consider the shower/post game spread injury possibilities!

Game on…just play!

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Rondo… Welcome to the blog. Never seen you before. Welcome to the blog. If you DH Harris, Diaz plays LF. If you DH Diaz, Harris plays. Diaz hits lefties and rights well, equally. If you DH Willie, you add speed to the lineup, and ya dont’ mind running him as opposed to Saltalamacchia, who you wouldn’t want risking an injury trying to snag a base.

I’m proposing (my opinion, Shaun…) that you put veteran presence with proven results in the lineup and thus, preserving our battery mates. Brian McCann’s likely to play at least two of the Minnesota games, but he’s also nursing a bad ankle sprain.

I’d rather have Satlalamacchia riding the pine for pinch-hitting duties and backing up McCann or starting occasionally. That’s just me. I think calling that “absurd” is going a bit far, though.

But then, I know, y’all just want Saltalamacchia in the lineup at all costs, no matter what it takes, so saying anything contrary to that is “absurd” or ludicrous.

Incognito… since ya like being a smart @ss, let me reply to ya. I didn’t say “don’t play your best players for fear of ‘em getting hut.” My point is, it’s a long season and our starting catcher is recovering from a sprained ankle. Last I checked, ankles are kinda important to catchers crouching behind the dish. But, answer this…

Are the Braves better with:

1. McCann/Saltalamacchia

2. Saltalamacchia/Pena

3. McCann/Pena

I think the obvious answer is the first option.

And if KJ or Francoeur are hurt, with Chipper’s pending return, we have Yunel Escobar, (cringe here) Chris Woodward, (cringing again) Pete Orr as capable defensive backups for 2B and Willie Harris as a capable backup for Francoeur.

By Bob

June 12, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

The All Star game deciding the home field advantage for the World Series is the dumbest idea since the Flat Earth Theory!!!! I can envision a player chosen from one of the lesser teams winning the game with a late homerun. Two weeks later, at the trade deadline he is traded to a competitive team in the other league. That team goes to the World Series, but does not have the home field advantage because one of their own players won the All Star EXHIBITION game for the other league. Don’t laugh, it could easily happen.

What was wrong with alternating between the leagues? We alternate Super Bowl sites. The NHL and NBA take the team with the best record, but they almost all play each other at least 2 times (Stanley Cup was an anomaly this year). There is absolutely no logic as to why the AL has home field advantage this year because they won the all star game. Might as well take the league which has the best team in Spring Training. If you are going to do something like this, then why not give it to the league of the defending World Series Champion. I am not crazy about that either, but it sure makes a hell of a lot more sense than the current method.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

Bailey,

Yeah, fan voting is problematic. But, with all due respect, what makes you think player or manager or coach voting would be any better?

I mean Rafael Palmeiro won the 1B Gold Glove in 1999 when he played only 28 games at first, and Gold Glove is voted on by managers and coaches.

It is upsetting when deserving players aren’t All-Stars but there’s probably not a way to assure that everyone who deserves to go makes it all the time.

Not everyone can agree on what makes players great and what an All-Star is or either they are just too lazy to do the research or all of the above, so there is never going to be a perfect system.

The fans and managers probably get it right most of the time, but every year there are probably three or four players that are left out that shouldn’t be. It’s the nature of the beast.

By Savannah Guy

June 12, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

*With appreciation to Bill Murray * Seemed like Groundhog Day this morning. As I had my morning coffee today I read last nights posts. Some good stuff as always. Then…there, in the middle of the night were N8 and Wayne in Utah going at it. Man, you guys were on a roll. Back and forth like a ping-pong match. Round and round. Good points sprinkled throughout I must say. Anyhoo, while I was reading through and waking up from my slumber, it’s almost as though I could hear Sonny and Cher playing on my clock-radio alarm. It went something like this:

They say we’re young and we don’t know,

won’t find out until we grow.

Well I don’t know, why that’s true,

‘cause you got me and baby, I got you….babe.

I got you babe.

I got you babe.

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

Shaun… We’ll agree to disagree, then. Until McCann’s 100%, I’d prefer to not risk having Saltalamacchia available to take over as the f/t catcher if the ankle continues to nag him.

Willie Harris and Matt Diaz have performed just as well, offensively, and can both be just as viable a DH as Saltalamacchia, and given McCann’s recent ankle sprain, I think it’s the safer way to put together a lineup right now.

And I think that gives us just as much a chance to win; maybe even better, going into a series in that god-awful domed stadium. Diaz played in the AL for a few years and has experienced it, first-hand, as has Willie Harris.

So there; you don’t see my vantage point, and I don’t see yours. That should be the end of that.

By Bill

June 12, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

I can’t understand some peoples thinking that we don’t need another bat. If Griffey is available and comes cheap, they need to make the trade. Diaz & Harris are not everday players. They are excellent bench players. I don’t agree with platooning. Put one person there and go for it. We need starting pitching but so does every team.

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Brilliant, Salty. Thanks for truly adding to the discussion.

Truly. Doesn’t even deserve much of a reply, except that it’s unlikely Saltalamacchia would be playing 1B while McCann’s at C in Minnesota or Cleveland. So that knocks one of your wild scenarios out right away.

By DC Braves Fan

June 12, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

Bailey,

Not to mention Griffey’s swing….one of the prettiest/purest swings in all of baseball.

I must admit, after living in Seattle for a few years back, I took it for granted watching him in the lineup daily. Seeing him in Cincy the last few years has killed me.

Seeing that stroke at the Ted nightly, finishing out a career with the Braves, and possibly winning a WS title would be a fitting end to the future HOF. Like his father before him, who resurrected/ended his career on a high note with the Bravos.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Bob,

I would argue that the way that makes most sense is best record. Not saying it’s perfect but I think it makes the most sense. Just gives teams and players that much more incentive to play hard every single game.

If both teams have the same record, go with run differential or record against above .500 teams or post-season record or even All-Star game.

In my opinion, alternating years is just as arbitrary as having the All-Star game decide home-field advantage; they equally make no sense to me. I guess the advantage of alternating years is it gives repeat pennant winners a “fair” shake. The advantage of having the All-Star game decide is that it makes the All-Star game slightly more relevant.

Usually home-field advantage isn’t always a big deal, I agree, but why not reward the team with the best overall record in any way possible in the World Series?

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

Shaun…agreed. It’s still frustrating, though, isn’t it?? Be back in a few with examples…

By Incognito

June 12, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

Now boys, grandma says don’t go out and play hard, cause you might get hurt. Sometimes better to be a smart a$$ than a dumb a$$.

Dang Ron R, we will have Pena as a backup. In your scenario, we should send Salty down to Palm Beach until McCann completely heals, cause we don’t want to risk him getting hurt.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Ron Roberts,

The only way it matters is if one of them is catching and they get injured in the middle of the game. Then either Pena has to come in. That’s the worst-case scenerio if they are both in at the same time.

By Bigboi

June 12, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

Bailey, and why do they see Andruw repeatedly on Sports Center and Baseball tonight? Because he makes plays!!! So there u have it, there is a reason why he gets votes. They don’t put people on those shows for no reason.

By Kieran from Long Island

June 12, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

chrisklob- Woodward’s job ISN’T to be a ninth inning pinch hitting option. he’s a defensive utility man. Every team has gotta have that guy off the bench who can play anyposition, you can’t place a premium on his batting average.

Manuel Gonzalez-JC romero has gotta clear waivers, anyone below Red Sox record can claim him in order from worst to first I believe. I would imagien someone would get there before the Bravos, because lefty relievers are coveted by nearly everyone. i think he’d be a fantastic fit though.

Caroll-Tanyon Sturtze Spot started for the Yankees only on emergancys. In 3 seasons and 110 appearances he started only 12 games, and only 3 in the last 2 seasons. Part of teh reason he turned his career around is because he became a 1 inning reliever and minimaized his pitches. he was able to harness his stuff into one inning and turned his career around. He was failling misrebly as a starter and was give to the Yankees for nothign by teh dodgers.

By Bob

June 12, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Shaun,

I see your point, but I am rather hesitant to support best record. Suppose for a moment that the Mets were in the NL Central. With 19 games against each of the other 5 teams they could easily have the best record in either league, but not be the best team. Throw in an interleague schedule that is imbalanced to begin with (like the Fish playing Tampa Bay 6 times and the Braves playing the Red Sox 6 times) and you get a real skewed picture of best team vice best record.

Back in the 70s and 80s the players really cared about the All Star games. The NL was dominant and they wanted to put it to the junior circuit. The AL players hated that they always lost and when they finally won it was something to celebrate. Now, these guys go back and forth between the leagues so much that it does not mean nearly as much. The damn Home Run Derby creates more interest than the game itself.

Call me old school, but I believe if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. There were/are things in baseball that are broke, but the homefield advantage in world series was not one of them. Maybe someone should figure out how to get rid of the DH and add one player to the rosters to placate the union.

Anyway, fun issue to debate.

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Savannah Guy, liked your t shirt suggestions. Back up to your insightful and comedic standards after a lil’ hazing over the weekend from Cap’ O’Brien.

By Salty

June 12, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Ron Roberts If Pena’s up, Salty could PH for Thorman, and remain in the game. Also, he could start (agreed, very unlikely), and Diaz/Harris could DH. Still, the point was across the season.

That said, when Chipper’s back, how cool would it be to have two switch-hitters in the line-up; three with Willie in the line-up. That’s an opponent’s nightmare!

Lastly, it feels odd to talk about Salty…know what I mean? Rather like one N8’s bipolar moments! :-)

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

DC…You think he’d sell more ticket everynight, too? HINT, HINT, JS!!

By Lee

June 12, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

Got to admit I don’t care who starts, who plays where or who sits as long as we win these upcoming inter-league games. With a little consistency, I think we could ease back into 1st place by the all-star break, if the Mets continue their losing ways.

By Rondo

June 12, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

If McCann is C and Salty is DH, if McCann has to leave the game, just move Salty behind the plate. Or Pena. Easy as that.

Salty is too valuable to not start and get only 1 AB per game. He was 3 for 4 on Sunday with a 2B and important R scored.

When Salty has 1 AB per game (typically PH), he is 0 for 5. When he has 2+ ABs per game, he is locked in at 17 for 50 (.340 BA).

The kid is not a backup catcher. What a perfect opportunity to play him every game this week with the DH in place.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Bill,

The Braves are 5th in the NL at 4.64 runs/game.

Diaz is hitting .329 AVG/.347 OBP/.450 SLG.

Harris is hitting .398/.467/.527.

And I don’t think either player is making over $500,000. I’m certain neither player is making over $1 million.

Could be why people say the Braves don’t need Griffey.

By Kentavo

June 12, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

Okay Cox bashers, get ready, this is going to be a good week for dishing out some lumps. Can’t you just wait to see some inexplicable lineups,with Orr and Woodward DHing, and even Harris (when he should be in the field with Diaz DHing)? I can’t wait.

By Rondo

June 12, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

Salty

Last time I checked, Willie C. Harris is a left handed batter. He has a ridiculous .415 BA against RHP and a respectable .273 BA against LHP.

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

If McCann is C and Salty is DH, if McCann has to leave the game, just move Salty behind the plate.

you lose the DH and have to hit a pinch hitter or start needlessly burning pinch hitters if you do that, which ain’t too bright in a game against the AL. I could only imagine what certain somebodies on here would start saying about Cox’s managerial skills if he started doing that kind of thing.

By Salty

June 12, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Rondo I have a vivid imagination…and in it, he’s a switch hitter! So there! :-)

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Bob,

Yes, it is fun.

But I say the good ol’ days weren’t always good. Pete Rose seriously injured Ray Fosse, I guess because the All-Star game meant so much. I would rather see good players playing meaningful games down the stretch than see them get hurt in an exhibition.

Yes, I acknowledged best record isn’t perfect. But I would argue it’s the most logical. I would be in favor of a balanced schedule and no interleague to help make it more fair.

I good argument for best record is 1987. The Twins were one of the worst teams to ever reach the Series (85-77, 79-83 expected record based on runs scored/allowed), yet they won it partly because of home-field advantage.

Yes, sometimes the best team may have a worst record because of strength of schedule and sometimes relatively mediocre teams are going to win it anyway (‘06 Cards) but I think best record does a little something to decrease the chances of something like 1987 happening again.

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

I have a problem with the post season format. I don’t like the Wild Card and Division Series. What is the Division Series? It’s a meaningless five game set. Win it and you get no title or crown. It’d make a little more sense if there were 4 divisions in each league. Maybe 2 conferences per league with 2 divisions in each conference with the first round of play offs being the Conference Playoffs. At least then all the teams would be Division Winners as opposed to a second place team being tossed in the mix and the first round would determine something. But 4 divisions requires 2 more expansion teams and makes for 4 small divisions which is pretty lame.
I miss the old days with 2 divisions containing a ton of teams fighting it out all season long.

The All Star game deciding Home Field advantage is really lame. Best record makes more sense. I didn’t even mind alternating seasons. The All-Star “This time it counts” business is a bad move by Bud to cover up a bad move by Bud. Two wrongs don’t make it right Bud.

By eric the elder

June 12, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, agreed. I don’t know why this seems so complicated.

If McCann gets hurt, we replace him with Pena. If, by some weird coincidences, McCann AND Pena get hurt, then, yes, we have to use Salty and start playing some National League baseball for that one game- - a game that sounds like we would probably lose anyway.

By Rondo

June 12, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, thanks for the clarification. I didn’t realize that you can’t change your DH mid-game. Part of the reason it is a stupid thing to begin with.

My final point before lunch is that we need Pena this week and need Salty as the DH.

Any status on Chipper or Edgar? What a lift it would be to have Chipper back. Chipper at 3B, Salty at DH, Yunel to play SS if Edgar is out.

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

All-Star Ballot Update

1B - Avg HR RBI OBP SLG K

1. Pujols - .299 15 40 384 554 26

2. Fielder .298 23 51 382 651 52

3. Garciaparra.273 1 34 317 333 24

5. Delgado .228 10 38 298 414 53

2B

1. Utley .301 11 48 381 546 47

2. Kent .261 9 33 341 459 27

3. Biggio .219 4 18 266 368 49

4. Weeks .243 5 16 345 432 38

?? K.Johnson .286 8 35 389 489 46

?? O. Hudson .291 6 34 372 462 40

SS

1. Reyes .309 2 28 394 449 33

2. Hardy .282 16 47 328 520 43

3. Furcal .288 0 23

?? Renteria .325 9 33 386 517 40

?? H.Ramirez .320 8 18 389 496 45

3B

1.Wright .277 12 35 in 61 games

1. Cabrera .333 14 47 in 60 games

2. C.Jones .300 12 27 in 42 games

3. A. Ramirez.299 13 49 in 53 games

All three of these guys have out performed Wright, but since he’s in NY he’s in the lead.

OF K

*1. Belran .283 9 36 42

1. Griffey Jr.284 15 36 29

2. Soriano .311 10 22 50

*4. Bonds .277 13 20 26

5. A. Jones .221 11 42 62*

1. C. Lee .297 11 52 25

2. Holliday .352 10 46 44

Catcher is the only position that makes sense.

1. Martin

2. LoDuca

3. McCann

Some are correct, but most are popularity votes. Dodgers have someone in top 5 of every category except 3B and OF. Mets have someone in top 5 in every category!!

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

What is the deal with the Girl With The Endless Hiccups Being Found in the most popular stories section up above?

When exactly did she go missing?

They should have asked the blog denizens where she was. We always know where to find her, that is, when we don’t totally forget where she is like we did for 15 years from 1991 until 2005.

We would have told the authorities that she can usually be found in Flushing, Queens although she is presently in Los Angeles getting her butt whipped by the Dodgers.

I can somewhat understand the concern though. If I cared enough about her, maybe I would think she was missing too if she had lost 9 of her last 12 games.

“I think she just wants her freedom, and she has to realize there’s going to be boundaries at that age,” the girl’s mother Rachel Robidoux said. Yes, well said, Ms. Robidoux. Us Braves fans and Yankees fans have been preaching that to her for years. Nevertheless, they still want their freedom from the Braves and the Yankees and wanna be spoiled brats and don’t wanna respect the boundaries the Yankees and Braves have set up for them in their city and division. I tell ya, Ms. Robidoux, it is getting harder and harder these days to teach respect to spoiled brat teenagers and to the New York Girls With Endless Hiccups (is there a difference between the two?).

By DC Braves Fan

June 12, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

Cannot believe some would actually compare Diaz/Harris platoon to Griffey Jr.

They shouldn’t even be in the same conversation. A future HOF vs. one guy we sold to Japan (until the deal fell through) platooning with another guy who’s career best, until this year, was hitting .265

Don’t get me wrong, I like Harris and Diaz and think they belong on the active roster; that if we got Griffey, they make our team much deeper. Imagine Harris and Diaz pinch hitting or subbing, instead of Orr or Woodward. Plus, both are versatile and play multiple positions as well. But to think they are an upgrade over Griffey….is beyond me.

Plus, Griffey would bring in more $$ at the gate so it might enable the Braves to make a few more “gets.”

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

Again, worst-case scenario if both McCann and Salty are in the lineup and McCann gets hurt: Pena has to come in…and Pena’s no schmoe.

By Bob

June 12, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Shaun,

Good point on the 87 Twins. Minnesota won every home game that year and again in 91. I think the Homer Dome is probably the only field that is a significant advantage to the host team because it gets so loud in there and the difficulty in seeing fly balls.

Last year the mediocre team did not have the home field advantage against anyone but still won all of them. Still, I find nothing wrong with alternating leagues. It worked well for a hundred years and I just don’t see the sense in doing it the way it is now.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Rondo,

You can change your DH (for example Salty could pinch-hit for Diaz and become the DH). But if you move a player from the field to DH, the DH goes away. The pitcher must hit in the DH spot. Or if the DH goes to the field, the pitcher has to hit in the spot where that position hit.

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Rondo, I think you can change the DH in the middle of the game. I think someone can pinch hit or pinch run or whatever for the DH and you will not use lose the DH spot in the lineup. BUT you can not take the DH and put him at another position in the field without losing the DH and reverting (or progressing depending upon your own personal preference) yourself to NL style baseball with the pitcher hitting. I think that is the rule.

By ncscoots

June 12, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

just to recap…

(1) I’d rather be WuTang-ed than Whitesnaked.

(2) Something as weak as clock-radio speakers certainly is not as cool as the other side of the pillow (no association between DOB and Stuart Scott implied or intended).

(3) If Chipper is ready for leotard-strapping, can slab-toeing be far behind?

(4) JC Romero?!? PLEASE!

(5) Off days are good for the Braves, but tend to make the blog skittish, IMO. I feel a lot more “Yikes” moments when reading the off-day blogs. Not to mention an occasional “Holy Cornelia!”

(6) Nothing. I’m out of recap thoughts, but I wanted to use an even half-dozen parenthetical numbers. Jeepers.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

DC Braves Fan,

I don’t know of anyone who said Harris/Diaz are better than Griffey.

I argued (or implied) that the Braves probably get way more bang for the buck with Harris/Diaz (unless the Reds paid a huge percentage of Griffey’s salary).

Is it worth giving up talent and getting a player that makes a lot more money for a minimal upgrade when your offense is already 5th in the league in runs per game? Is it a significant enough upgrade to be worth what it would take to get him? Maybe not.

I’m all for getting Griffey, at the right cost. But the Braves have a decent chance to make the playoffs with or without him.

By CharlieB

June 12, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Wouldn’t it be cool if Renteria and Chipper can’t go tonight to see Mac catching, Salty on 1st, Johnson on 2nd,Escobar at short,Harris at 3rd(has played infield before), Diaz in left, AJ center, Frenchy in right. That would be in my opinion a sight to behold.

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

I’m here, and it’s hot. Not what you expect from Minnesota, though I guess they have summer, too. Anyway, 90 today. But so what, game’s indoors.

Tad, Bobby’s said all along he planned to bring up a position player today, move out a pitcher. And I’ve said all along I think it’ll be B. Pena, which would allow Braves to play Salty some at 1B or DH this week. Or catch him and DH McCann. Or DH Chipper, though I don’t see how that would make much sense, since it’s hitting that hurts his hands.

Anyway… I just checked and Braves don’t have the move yet, or wouldn’t give it to me yet.

I’m looking out my 28th-floor window direction at the Target Center (man, what a boring exterior on that monstrosity), and First Avenue nightclub across the street. Neighborhood sure changed since they filmed Purple Rain there, as a Minnesota resident pointed out higher up in the blog….

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

DC Braves Fan,

I also agree with you that Griffey is likely an upgrade (if we ignore contracts and salary and what the Braves may have to give up).

But another point: Griffey isn’t the player he used to be. Saying it’s outrageous to compare a “future HOFer” to Diaz/Harris isn’t quite fair.

Mike Piazza’s a future HOFer but I wouldn’t want him over a player like McCann or even a player like LoDuca at this point in his career.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Maybe you can shed some light as to the reasoning baseball doesn’t use best record to determine World Series home-field. I’ve heard it’s because of TV, but this makes no sense to me.

By gotigers72

June 12, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Only 2 games behind with Chipper coming back sometime this week. Things are looking up! If the starters can just get their sh*t together now, they could go on a nice little streak. This is just about the time they have done that in past years, although last year it was a losing streak.

DOB or anyone else that knows. Is Dicky Betts back with the Allman Brothers Band? I know he was booted out some years ago for substance abuse and other personal problems, but never heard if he came back or not. One of my favorite songs is “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”, live version. He wrote that one. I have been a big Allman Brothers fan since the 70s. Actually saw them before Duane and Berry died tragically. Hope Dicky got it together and is back playing now. I love that clear, melodic sound he makes with the guitar.

By robdawg06

June 12, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

If you think Escobar & Harris are better than Chipper & Renteria then you are crazy. Chipper is an annual switch-hitting .300 30 100 man and Renteria is a solid .315 15 75 with great defense man. Escobar looks good and is good but don’t choose him over Chipper just yet. Injuries happen to most all players. And when Chipper returns and wins 12 to 15 games out of 30 with his bat then you will know it.

By robdawg06

June 12, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Griffey has likely 5 good years left in him. I wouldn’t give up the future 10 years with players like Salty & Escobar for a player that will last 5 years. Plus you have the salary disparages with Griffey making multi-millions and Salty & Escobar making thousands. I realize Griffey plays OF and Salty C/1b & Escobar SS/3b but those are the 2 players the Reds would want for Griffey most likely. The Yankees have historically traded away their future prospects for 1 or 2 years rentals. But the difference with them is their budget is $200+ million a year and the Braves is $80 million per year. The Yankees (& the Mets) can reload in the offseason on free agent stars and the Braves can’t.

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

braveheart, I always check the most popular headlines while I’m waiting for the blog to reload. If genarlow had met up with a girl with this condition I think he might of learned to be more careful and saved a couple years of his life. Or maybe not.

By Lee

June 12, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

CharlieB

I am afraid it would be more like Orr at 3rd and Woodward at SS and that would be a sight to forget.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

Can anyone tell me why the Braves would want to sign Torii Hunter?

He’s probably going to want in the $12-15 million a year range at the very least. Plus he’s a career .271/.324/.468 hitter and he’ll be 32 next month.

By bruce

June 12, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

Dave, any chance in your thinking that the player to come up has not been announced because the player to go down is undecided until smoltz’s shoulder outlook gets as firm as it can be at the last minute? Thanks, Bruce

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

robdawg06,

I don’t even know if the Reds would even ask for Salty and Escobar for Griffey. I think they know they would get laughed at.

But I do think there is a slight possibility that Griffey comes to Atlanta, but only if he is adamant that that is what he wants. If that’s what he wants, I think the Reds respect him enough that they’ll do all they can to accommodate him; that is, they’d take less talent and pay some of his salary. But I think the odds of this happening are pretty slim.

I do agree that if he makes it clear he wants to go to a contender, the Yankees are the most likely candidate because they wouldn’t worry too much about the Reds taking on his salary.

By robdawg06

June 12, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

Its blasphemy to read any shots taken at Chipper Jones who is the Braves franschise player and along with Smoltz their unannointed team captains & leaders. How quickly you fans forget the MVP year and how Chipper dominated the Mets helping keep the division title streaks alive. Plus he accepted less money to stay a Brave when he signed his last contract. When I think of the Braves I think of Chipper,Smoltz,and Andruw. MCCann,Francoeur,Salty,C.James,and Escobar are part of the present & definitely the Braves future.

By Lee

June 12, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Shaun - I would take Hunter in the $12-15 million dollar yearly range over A.J. at the $20 million yearly range. That is only if that is a close est. to what each of them will be making next year. If the cost was the same amount I would take A.J. over Hunter.

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

Shaun,when considering any ridiculous rule, like home field for the world series, I take it for granted that Bud Selig had something to do with it. Baseball owners are making a ton of dough with bud light at the helm, so who cares about fairness or even common sense.

By Renegator

June 12, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

If they don’t call up another bat (Pena or whoever) - look for Orr and Woodward to see significant playing time in the next couple series.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Lee,

I don’t know if I would take either at those prices (unless I’m a team like the Yankees or Red Sox, then I would take the best player, AJ, regardless of salary).

Just curious about Hunter because Terrance Moore suggested Hunter would be a good fit in Atlanta. I just don’t see it unless he takes a pay cut, which isn’t going to happen.

By Lee

June 12, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Shaun -

I just read that TP column. Sounds just like Moore though. If the Braves can’t resign A.J. at somewhat of a discount I would probably pass on both of them also. People have mentioned Mike Cameron but I am not sold on him either. He would be cheaper than the other two of course.

By Incognito

June 12, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

Shaun-The Braves could take Gregor Blanco for about $400K or Willie Harris for $500K over both Andruw Jones and Torey Hunter. Also, if they did that maybe they could try to get another LF with the money saved?? If the team could save all that money next year, then maybe a deal for Ken Griffey Jr would make sense this year if Cincinnati would pay part of his salary. I think they would take two minor leaguers for him. Maybe a position player and a prospect starter? You are pretty smart, what would you give up to get Griffey, knowing you might really need him next year? If we had him for a few years, that would give our minor leaguers some more time to develop in the minor leagues.

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

snowball, maybe genarlow knows the exact cure for the condition.

By DonCoburleone

June 12, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Heres what I hope the lineups will look like against righty’s for the upcoming Minnesota and Cleveland Series’(assuming Chipper’s back): 1)KJ-2b 2)Renteria-SS 3)Chipper-3B 4)Andruw-CF 5)McCann-DH 6)Francoeur-RF 7)Salty-C 8)Thorman-1B 9)Harris-LF…

Hopefully the lineup against lefty’s: 1)KJ-2b 2)Renteria-SS 3)Chipper-DH 4)Andruw-CF 5)Francoeur-RF 6)Salty-1B 7)McCann-C; + 1 game with Pena starting at Catcher 8)Diaz-LF 9)Escobar-3B… What does everyone think??? Those would be the ideal lineups in my opinion.

By TJ

June 12, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Terrence Moore wants Torii Hunter in Atlanta if Andruw goes. Does he understand that Torii is putting up WAY better numbers than Andruw this year and if we can’t afford Andruw, we can’t afford Torii?

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

Payne: Part of the argument for Hunter is, he is solid defensively, a likable guy, hits for a fair average and would fill in if AJ left. The amount he commands will be higher than what he is worth though so I’m not sure he’d be in Atlanta any way. But, if one can assume he doesn’t command more than AJ makes now, he wouldn’t be a horrible idea. I like the young guys on the team, but if we go with another rookie next year we’re down to pretty much 2 5+ year veterans in the field (not counting pitcher and not trading Renteria). That’s not real promising in terms of success next season… the outfield could consist of 3 guys all playing less than 3 years in the majors. There should be some veteran presence out there. Francoeur and Diaz and the likes always credit AJ with positioning them in the correct place during the game.

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, good one. The world is very different than when I was a teen. I might have taken a while to decide…..I get some of that and it only costs me 10 years.Who am I kidding. What teenage boy thinks about what he is doing. I had already made my decision as an old alterboy.Eternal damnation or some of that. One guess on which side won.

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

DonCoburleone

Those sound good to me. I think trying Salty at first is ok, but not every game. Just a little test drive.

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

DonC: As long as Bobby doesn’t start Orr or Woodward, we are in good shape. Those two guys kill rallys instantly. If we DH for the pitcher and let Woodward hit, we’re in trouble.

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

TJ, you beat me to the punch: The central point of the debate, as it were, doesn’t make much sense in that Hunter is probably going to make very close to what Andruw makes. There are some who think he could _ COULD _ even make more, depending on how things pan out the rest of the season. I wouldn’t go that far, but I do think he’ll make within $2 mill or so per year of what Andruw gets.

In other words, if they can’t afford to keep Andruw, they’re not going to afford Hunter. They’d go far cheaper via either free agency, trade, or quite possibly someone within the organization. Say you put Brandon Jones in right and move Frenchy to center. Or if Blanco has a great season, and you’re getting power from other positions, maybe you look at him.

Way too early to know which way they’re leaning.

By the way, just got a call from someone who’ll have a LOT to say in this matter: Scott Boras.

Out of the blue, phone rings, and it’s him. I’ll fill you in later on what it was about.

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

Unless Hunter takes less than 50 cents on the dollar he is not coming here.

By Savannah Guy

June 12, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

By Braveheart: 11:20 – Thanks. Yep…I got my little wound a few days ago, but it didn’t hurt too much. The Band-aid came off yesterday…hardly a scratch. Thick skin I guess. Hey, I earned my t-shirt, eh? So…last I heard, Ms. April was shooting some flirty little bullets at ya, big guy. You are going to keep us posted on that, right?

By gotigers72: 12:36 “Is Dicky Betts back with the Allman Brothers Band? I know he was booted out some years ago for substance abuse and other personal problems, but never heard if he came back or not. One of my favorite songs is “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”, live version. He wrote that one…”

Getting kicked out of Allman Bros band in those days for substance abuse was akin to being booted from a restaurant for eating. But then, he did strap on a pretty big feedbag. I thought that Duane actually wrote “In memory of…”. Phil Walden’s wife (of Capricorn Records) told me years ago that Duane and crew were heavily “partying” (which they did frequently) in an old cemetery in Macon, (which they frequented), Duane passed out on a grave (again, frequently). When he awoke, horribly hung over the next morning, there above his head on a tombstone was: “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed”. The Allman Brothers died with Duane Allman and Barry Oakley. Greg did some good stuff, but it wasn’t the Brothers. Not sure about that ramblin’ man Dickey Betts. Hope he’s back and doing well.

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

TJ, you beat me to the punch: The central point of the debate, as it were, doesn’t make much sense in that Hunter is probably going to make very close to what Andruw makes. There are some who think he could _ COULD _ even make more, depending on how things pan out the rest of the season. I wouldn’t go that far, but I do think he’ll make within $2 mill or so per year of what Andruw gets.

In other words, if they can’t afford to keep Andruw, they’re not going to afford Hunter. They’d go far cheaper via either free agency, trade, or quite possibly someone within the organization. Say you put Brandon Jones in right and move Frenchy to center. Or if Blanco has a great season, and you’re getting power from other positions, maybe you look at him.

Way too early to know which way they’re leaning.

By the way, just got a call from someone who’ll have a LOT to say in this matter: Scott Boras.

Out of the blue, phone rings, and it’s him. I’ll fill you in later on what it was about….

SCOOTS, that 12:13 post was hilarious.

By N8

June 12, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

Lee

Nice “call” on the Andruw/Hunter debate with your 1:08 post.

Living up north, I get to see a lot of Twins games on TV (WAY more than the Braves are TBS these days). In fact if the Braves game isn’t on TBS, I usually have the Twins game on the TV, and the Braves game on the radio while I’m blogging.

Anyhow. Tori Hunter is a damn fine CF. As good as Andruw? They’re a little different, IMO having seen quite a bit of each. Hunter goes “back” and “gap to gap” as well as Andruw does, but he doesn’t come “in” as often or as well as Andruw. Some of that might have to do with playing on the HORRIBLE surface of the Metrodome. A) That crap will rip your skin up diving on it. And B) If he comes in, dives AND MISSES, the ball isn’t gonna stop rolling until it hits the CF wall. Which btw, at 408 feet is the deepest CF wall in MLB, so it’s that much farther to throw a guy out attempting an inside the park HR.

Hunter is just as fearless when it comes to going into walls, in fact, I might say he is more fearless than AJ.

Hunter has more speed (and uses it on the basebaths), Andruw has more raw power. Both ARE NOT gonna hit for high average.

To me, it’s a wash. But if all things ($$$) are equal, I’d stick with Andruw, just because I like to see guys start and end their careers with one team, when possible. But then again, Hunter growing up a Braves fan, might be just what this team needs. Somebody with that “extra” incentive to impress family and friends (if the 10-15 million dollars isn’t enough).

I’m actually with the blogger, that last week mentioned Aaron Rowand. PERFECT fit for this team, and probably more in the budget than either Hunter or AJ.

Hey DOB is the club “Bun’s -N- Roses” still in downtown Minneapolis? It used to be somewhere inbetween Target Center and the HHH Dome. Many “fine” memories of that establishment. Well, at least one or two. LOL!

By StingerSplash

June 12, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

Bob Ryan in the Globe (an aside - Bill Simmons wishes he had half the talent Ryan has) has a good blog on the final Sopranos episode, from a Jersey guy’s POV, no less. And as the Twins get ready to host the Braves at the Metrodome, what would Bud Grant think of playing in that place? Hell, what would Lou Grant think of that place? (Methinks Murray Slaughter would love it).

By Bill

June 12, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

We don’t need that big mouth Tori Hunter. If they spend money, it should go for pitching.

By Synonymous

June 12, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

With Davies pitching tonight, looking at his numbers at the plate, what do you think the odds of Bobby using the DH for Thorman?

By Lee

June 12, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

DOB - Maybe Boras is calling because A.J. is ready to talk hometown discount.

N8 - I must have missed the previous post about Aaron Rowland. With the money issue he would be a much better fit with the Braves and Rowland is an underrated player to me.

By DonCoburleone

June 12, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

Forget Torii Hunter and Andruw Jones - I’d take Eric Byrnes over both of them right now…

By N8

June 12, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

DOB

I agree with you. For people to assume that Andruw is gonna get 18-20 million on the market and Hunter is gonna only command around 10-12, shows just how much of “homers” Braves fans can be sometimes. You know, the grass is NEVER greener on the other side, crowd?

Hunter will get close to what Andruw gets on the open market. Make no mistake. The group of teams that “miss out” on the Andruw sweepstakes will go hard after Hunter. I also don’t see Hunter going to a team for more money than Andruw, however I could see teams WANTING Hunter more than Andruw based on AJ’s HORRIBLE approach and discipline at the plate, meaning that Hunter might sign before Andruw does.

But in all fairness, even if Andruw is asking for say, 18 million and Hunter was asking for 14 million, my guess is that JS would feel “safer” dishing out the extra 4 million (if it were available to dish out), going with a player he knows EVERY BIT OF HISTORY about than, an “unkown” commodity to his Braves.

Just a guess.

My ultimate guess? Niether Andruw, Hunter OR Rowand will be manning CF in Atlanta next year. I’m with DOB, it’s gonna be Jones (Brandon that is), Blanco, or Francoeur. With, quite possibly the other two that aren’t in CF, manning RF and LF.

Wouldn’t shock me AT ALL if those 3 are our OF’s for next year. With Diaz “mixed in” as the 4th OF.

By Carolina Lady

June 12, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Completely off topic but amazing video!!

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Hunter is almost 32 and I think he played all that time on astroturf. That is a very old 32.

By David-ATL14

June 12, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

DOB is it possible that a minor move on the pitching staff could be afoot?

The way I see it Paronto is the obvious choice to go, but since he can’t be sent down without exposing him to waiver claims,could JS be trying to move him to another team for the infamous player to be named later or quite possibly another pitcher with more potential being shopped.

By DonCoburleone

June 12, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

I’m feeling good about these next 2 series’ for some reason… I really think if Chipper plays we could win both series’ and finish 4-2. GO BRAVES!!!

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

Boras called… was he complaining about all his bad press on the blog? Should I stop typing Borass?

OC Weekly did a very interesting article on the man in last months issue. It was very detailed for any that are interested.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul,

Yeah, I don’t think Hunter would be a bad option for maybe a year or two but I don’t think he’s worth it. In fact, I think in all likelihood AJ would provide more bang for the buck although both players will be very expensive.

I’m guessing the Braves go with a veteran they can get on the cheap like Mike Cameron and maybe have a rookie ready to replace him if he falters, ala Raul Mondesi.

I just don’t see where Hunter makes any more sense than AJ. In fact, he probably makes less sense.

Ignoring salary and contract, I’d much rather have AJ than Hunter over the next few seasons, in spite of what AJ has done this season.

By Richmond

June 12, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

For what it may be worth, Pena has been played at first and left fieldhere.

By Efrim

June 12, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

Lew

Just saw what you posted yesterday.

Trading Francouer for anyone is sheer insanity

Bro are you insane? So your telling me you wouldn’t deal Frenchy for Bedard? Or Frenchy for Peavy? Or Frenchy for Johan Santana???

Easy pal. We wouldn’t want to get an ace for a rightfielder whose OPS this season is under .800. Yea definetly wouldn’t want that.

By Brian

June 12, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

DOB - Can you tell me if we will see anything out of Tanyon Sturtze this year? Is he any different than Paronto, Villareal, or any of the other middle guys? Should we care?

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

Payne: Yes… all else even, AJ hands down over any of the other options. But to me, that’s just team loyalty. I’m biased that way. I’d keep him here until he retires if we can afford it.

By Salty

June 12, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

CL Wow!

By Braves20

June 12, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

My choice for CF is Chris Woodward. Just got back in town and viewed the Sunday night Cub’s game on tape. He can do it all - make outs with runners on base; boot routine grounders at third and that bunt play was classic! When Chipper returns, if the Braves keep Woodward and farm Escobar, there should be an investigation!

Seriously, I think DOB hit it on the head, our CF next year will most likely be a product of our farm system.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

snowball’s chance,

I think Hunter will age fairly well. He has decent speed and a good body type.

Problem is he was never a great hitter to begin with (around a .330 OBP and .470 SLG at best) so if he declines at all he becomes an average-to-below-average player.

I think he’s more of a Jacque Jones, Richard Hidalgo, Ellis Burks type. A very useful, solid player but is not an MVP candidate, and certainly not worth close to what Andruw will likely ask for.

By MGL

June 12, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

Dob’s last post reminded me of the first stripper I saw at a county fair. Just before she got to the interesting part, exited the stage. So what did Boras want???

By Adam

June 12, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

Don,

I would love to see Eric Byrnes in a Braves Uniform next year.

By Bob

June 12, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

Efrim,

Not sure I would be too keen on that either. Am very reluctant to give a “potential” every day star for a star pitcher who appears in every 5th game. It is tempting to look at Bedard, Peavy or Santana but I would be very cautious about that type of deal. The probability of losing Andruw only makes me less ready to take that leap.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

Efrim,

Yes, I probably would trade Francouer for Pujols or Peavy or Miguel Cabrera but it’s not going to happen so why discuss it?

But I do see your point. No player is above a trade, but some trades just aren’t going to happen.

I think what Lew meant was trading Francouer for any player that a team would be willing to give up is insanity.

By Lee

June 12, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

DonC I have a good feeling about winning a couple of series in a row also. Maybe the Braves ran into that yearly slump that hits every team and hopefully it is over. How many teams actually gain ground in the standings while they are in a slump. It is time to get jump-started and roll for a while.

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

TennPaul, feel free to continue with the pet name. He hasn’t noticed, or doesn’t care, and if he did, would we? I think not. Carry on, my friend….

N8, it’s still here….

Lee, not going to be a hometown discount, is the word I’m getting. Again and again….

By jed

June 12, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

speculation about next year’s outfield: i doubt braves are interested in griffey this year, but i wouldnt be surprised to see them trade for him in the off-season, as long as the reds would eat several millions off his salary. the guy’s too injury-prone to put in CF, but a corner spot would make sense. i really do not see the braves sinking 15 million/per into andruw longterm. these pricey longterm contracts just hamstring teams.

a call from boras? oh man, dave. how’s he trying to use you?

By jed

June 12, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

speculation about next year’s outfield: i doubt braves are interested in griffey this year, but i wouldnt be surprised to see them trade for him in the off-season, as long as the reds would eat several millions off his salary. the guy’s too injury-prone to put in CF, but a corner spot would make sense. i really do not see the braves sinking 15 million/per into andruw longterm. these pricey longterm contracts just hamstring teams.

a call from boras? oh man, dave. how’s he trying to use you?

By Jersey Gil

June 12, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

People…people…..Ours next center field is all ready here…his name Is “Jeff Francours”…..our next rifgt field is here also…”Scott Thorman” and ours firt base will be ‘Mark Texeira”

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul,

I hear ya about team loyalty. But I honestly do think Andruw may be the best position player on the market next season.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Any thoughts on why no WS home-field to the team with the better record?

By ncscoots

June 12, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

Wouldn’t shock me AT ALL if those 3 [Brandon Jones, Blanco, Francoeur] are our OF’s for next year. With Diaz “mixed in” as the 4th OF.

While I would be shocked beyond belief to see two rooks starting in the outfield next to a 3rd year guy. Especially when counting on someone in the outfield to come close to replacing Andruw’s offense. Braves will need a LF thumper from somewhere, regardless of the player manning CF; plus a 4th OF who can play LF and RF (at a minimum). I’m afraid that doesn’t bode well for Diaz.

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

Borass thinks he’s too good for me huh? Well he got another thang comin’! I’ll drive down to his office in 10 minutes and splian things to him. Tell him the way it is. He’s ignoring the wrong blogger! Maybe I’ll tag that A-Rod banner he has in his lobby. See how he likes them apples.

By Bailey

June 12, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Shaun…why not let the home field for the WS be decided by the first team to get into the Worls Series??

By jed

June 12, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

hey scoots—

nice post—i absolutely agree. doubtful JS would put 2 rookies out there. that’s why i was speculating that we might go after griffey in the off-season.

By MBATL

June 12, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

Never thought I’d type this, but if AJ walks, how ‘bout some consideration of Willie Harris in CF?

I don’t think he’ll hit .400 longterm, but I also am having trouble seeing him fall to his career averages. He’s probably good for a .350 - .360 OBP, good defense, and some speed at the top of the order. And, Blanco is pretty much the same player, so he’s a fallback in CF.

We don’t know what the future holds for Salty, but IF he spends the offseason learning 1B… that frees Thorman (who I think will be a good, if not great hitter, eventually), to play a Craig Wilson role, LF and 1B backup; and Brandon Jones hopefully starting in LF.

If B Jones isn’t ready, then maybe you’re in the market for a LF, not a CF, which is much easier to fill. Though of course there’s always Diaz (and maybe Thorman starting in LF, just depending on how he develops).

This frees up the dollars we’re discussing for AJ, or Hunter, to be spent on starting pitching.

You’re losing AJ’s slugging, but adding Salty’s full time. You keep Escobar as backup to SS/3B for one more year, until he (or one of the other prospects) replaces Edgar in ‘09.

A starting lineup of Harris (CF); KJ (2B); Edgar (SS); Chipper (3B); McCann (C); Francoeur (RF); Salty (1B); BJones/Thorman/Diaz (LF)…. play with the batting order as you want… doesn’t sound too bad to me.

Not saying this is “the answer”, but it’s an approach that provides lots of payroll flexibility - for pitching. (does nothing for us for this year, admittedly).

By Carolina Lady

June 12, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

Wasn’t that incredible video, Salty?? That was a complete impossibility yet it happened. Never even heard of such a thing happening before. ‘Wow’ is right!

By Lew

June 12, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

Hunter is making $12 mil to Anruw’s $13.5, while hitting .308 to Andruw’s .225. Hunter has 13 HR to Andruw’s 11 and has 49RBI to Andruw’s 43. Do you really think he will make appreciably less on the open market than Andruw, who is underperforming. Hunter’s stats are right where they usually are.

By TJ

June 12, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

This year, we need to make a move for a #3 pitcher and a first baseman.

Hopefully the pitcher will be sign-able for next year, but it doesn’t matter about the 1B because I expect Salty to be the everyday 1B and cornerstone for the future. The dude can hit with the best of them.

What about Dmitri Young at 1B from the Nats? With the Stan Kasten Braves connection, they would probably be willing to take a Braves farmhand for him. He is hitting like crazy!

In his last 10 games, he is 22 for 42 (.524 BA) with 6 multi-hit games. He hit .397 in May and is hitting .474 in June. Oh yes, his .342 BA this season is second in the NL.

Scott Thorman hit .200 in May and is hitting .211 in June. He has 9 multi-hit games this year in 57 games. Dmitri has 19 in the same span.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

MBATL,

I hope Willie Harris continues to play well but I doubt he’ll post a .350-.360 OBP through a full season and I don’t think he’s a CF.

If you are having trouble seeing him fall back to his career averages may I suggest you look at the aforementioned Charles Thomas.

By Lew

June 12, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

Efrim-First of all, those trades are not going to happen. Especially for pitching. Have you even listened to what’s been said here recently? Everyone wants and needs prime pitching and you named several of the best in the game. It is the most desired commodity in all of baseball. ALL OF BASEBALL. Do you understand that? EVERYONE NEEDS PITCHING!!!!I keep hearing that outfielders and first basemen are plentiful. Personally, I don’t quite believe this, but, nonetheless. Also Francouer is going to be an absolute necessity to this ballclub for years to come. He is proving to be a annual 100 RBI guy and has shown pretty radical improvement and the willingness to make adjustments at the plate to be even better. With the possibility (or probability if you will) of Andruw leaving, Chipper missing time and getting older, where the hell do you think our offense is going to come from? There’s no way that one starter, no matter how good, is going to give us 2-1 or 1-0 games every night. You have to have offense. I swear you don’t think things through to their logical conclusion. Who do you think is going to get the job done for us? Woodward, Orr and Thorman? As usual, your analysis leaves much to be desired. You see a big name and think that’s going to solve all of our problems. Thank God, JS has more of a clue than some here. We’ve had every player in the Braves system proposed for trades in the past week. Time for a major reality check.

By Coach

June 12, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

Just a thought , McCann C , Thorman 1B , Johnson 2B , Escobar SS , Salty 3B , B.Jones LF , Blanco CF and Francoeur in RF. The thing is , this lineup would be locked up and playing together until at least 2012. After next season (2008) Chipper , Renteria and Hampton could be gone and assuming they don’t sign another big free agent it would leave Hudson , McCann and probably Francoeur as the only big multimillion dollar contracts left on the payroll after the 2008 season. Then imagine the Braves having all that cash (bulk of the payroll) to spend on pitching(free agents) or just use it to invest in their own young pitchers and position players. The changing of the guard is coming whether we want it to or not !

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

Lew,

Andruw is considerably better overall. Yes, Andruw will probably not be able to get his numbers to his normal levels but it’s still 2-1/2 months worth of games, still not a huge amount. I’d still trust his superior overall career numbers, his slightly better defensive reputation and his age over what he’s done for 2-1/2 months this season. And I think teams will too and Andruw will get a bigger contract.

Actually Hunter is playing well over his head while Andruw is under-performing over the last 2-1/2 months. I tend to think both are having fluke seasons so far and over the next few seasons AJ will be better.

By N8

June 12, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

DOB

“N8, it’s still here…”

YES! Always loved that name. So “original”!

You should’ve been up there on Monday, during Sunday’s radio broadcast of the Twins game, they were talking about Kent Hrbek’s anual fishing tournament being held on Monday (yesterday).

I’ve always wondered, that if he’s not happy with the tournament results, if he would “pull” one of the other fisherman out of the boat.

Out of curiosity, if you happen to know, does Gant still complain about being pulled off the bag? I know a couple of years ago (maybe longer), they held an auction where they sold the actual base that was used at 1B in that game. To my knowledge, both Gant and Hrbek autographed it. Which is really cool, if you think about it long enough. Pretty priceless moment in time for any Twins or Braves fan.

Anyway, enjoy your 3 days in the worst sports stadium in pro-sports. Of course I haven’t seen the D-Rays stadium in person, but at least that’s in Florida. LOL!

I once saw a game at the Metrodome, with about 2500 people in the stands. Juan Gonzalez hit a line drive HR to LF, (where literally NOBODY was sitting), we were sitting about 10 rows up from the field looking down the the 1B to 2B line, which were of course the best walk up seats available. HOW SAD IS THAT. Anyhow, we could hear the ball hit the seats out in LF. That’s how few people were there. I believe that was in 1996.

Then again, even if the team was good, who the hell wants to go sit inside that dump on a Sunday afternoon in the middle of July. Apparently I did. LOL!

By beachcomber

June 12, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

MBATL - I like your ‘08 line-up as long as the money saved on AJ is invested in a solid #2 rotation guy. Let’s face it, Smoltz can’t have that many innings left in him. We need a solid, preferably lefthanded #2.

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

Scoots, one of the ajc.com folks saw the fastasballs idea about the t-shirts and they’re actually taking it to the marketing folks to see if they want to do it.

anyway, i saw your post and was thinking how “Holy Cornelia” would be cool on the back if they did such a thing. That and “Strap on the leotard and hit the keyboard, Hoss.”

By What a Game Sunday Night!

June 12, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

I was at the Chop House watching perhaps the BEST Braves game all year with the relatively small but enthusiastic crowd of 32,000 others. I find it SAD that educated sports fans would find it more entertaining to watch a ficticious family of thugs than to be out a the ball park on a beautiful evening with a national TV audience watching a great game. ou all claim to be sports fans but most of you DONT support your team! SAD!!!

By Lew

June 12, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

Efrim-One more thing. Bedard is making $3.4 million this year and is a free agent after next year, which means he’s 5th year arbitration eligible this offseason. I’m guessing he will make more than double that next year. Francoeur, on the other hand, is making $428,000 this year and may double that in arbitration-if he’s lucky. Do the economics, Dude.

By Fire T. Moore!

June 12, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

Hey D.O. - How about your opinion on your colleagues article today (T. Moore)? Will anyone stand up to this guy at the AJC?

By Lew

June 12, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Shaun-Even if Andruw does make more than Hunter as a free agent, he will still command and get more than Andruw is making now. He’s almost there, already. If we can’t afford Andruw, what makes you think we can afford Hunter. Maybe Mike Cameron if we’re real lucky. If not, say hello to Brandon Jones.

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Hunter is having the season AJ should be having… a fabulous walk year.

Boras called out of the blue… speculation anyone? I think it pertains to either AJ or Francoeur (I think Boras is Franoeur’s agent). Or maybe, if neither of those options, Boras is trying to get his own kickass blog up and running and he called DOB for pointers.

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

DOB, remember when you talk to Boras, do not reveal your bank account or credit card numbers or anything else about your finances. Don’t leave your wallet in your back pocket. That man has a way of taking money from people.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

Lew,

Hunter has never hit above .289 (2002), never had a OBP higher than .337 (2005) and never slugged over .524 (2002) in a full season. These are okay numbers but nothing special. Andruw’s career averages are about as good and he’s younger.

By TheCutMan

June 12, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

Why do guys like O’Brien and the Braves’ broadcasters continue to not get or tell the story of what’s happening? I contend the reason is they’re afraid of biting the hand that pets them. Check this story out, gleaned from the web as it relates to potential trade partners for Yunel Escobar:

By Will Schaffer | June 9th, 2007

E-mail | Print | Share

It has looked for a while like Yunel Escobar wouldn’t be part of the Braves future plans for a while now. The organization is incredibly high on 18-year old Elvis Andrus and picking up a possible stopgap in Brent Lillibridge this offseason to bridge the time between Edgar’s departure and Andrus’ arrival just made that all the more clear. If John Schuerholz was hoping to showcase Escobar in the time he has gotten due to Chipper’s DL trip, he has not been disappointed. The Cuban shortstop has done everything right with the bat, in the field, and showing a great demeanor. I am going to go out on a limb and say he’ll be trade bait closer to the deadline, but who is in need of a shortstop?

Baltimore Orioles: Rumor has it the O’s are trying to move Miguel Tejada and his contract and with no depth in the organization at short, they certainly could make a move for a young shortstop. They have the organizational pitching depth to move a starter but would Angelos allow it? A nice chip they could move would be Jeremy Guthrie, who looks like a fine mid-to-back of the rotation starter.

Chicago White Sox: Juan Uribe is a free agent at the end of the season, and with his offseason fiasco and lack of production at the plate, the White Sox won’t be bringing him back. The Sox are rumored to be contemplating a fire sale and with Mark Buerlhe becoming a free agent after the season, a package involving Yunel isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Toronto Blue Jays: This is a match made in heaven. The Jays are getting no production from Royce Clayton at short and are out of contention. AJ Burnett seems like the perfect fit to move and to carry Atlanta into the playoffs. A package of Yunel, who can make an immediate impact, and someone like Jo-Jo Reyes would make a lot of sense for both teams.

Chicago Cubs: The Cubs have an all glove, no bat player in Izturis at short right now but they had been rumored to be scouting the Braves since Spring Training. They have little depth at the position and Yunel would fit in well at the lineup. Is there a pitcher they’d give up? Sean Marshall maybe? Sell him while his value is as high as it will be?

Houston Astros: Maybe, just maybe Houston isn’t happy with the .231/.282/.317 line they have gotten thus far from Adam Everett. The Braves don’t have a ton to offer in terms of pitching, but they could possibly move a guy like Jason Jennings if they don’t feel they can contend at the deadline. Also, Brad Lidge rumors are still flying and after hearing that the Braves are looking for relief help with Gonzalez gone, you can’t help but putting two and two together.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Not only has Jack Wilson regressed offensively for the Pirates, but his glove, his only real saving grace, has also seemed to disappear. The Pirates are LOADED with pitching, but lack hitting. The Braves are LOADED with hitting but lack pitching. I see a common goal there. Zack Duke looks like he needs a change of scenery and is exactly what the Braves need; a young innings eater who is under team control for a while. Would they move him though?

By DonCoburleone

June 12, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

“Hunter’s stats are right where they usually are.”

Uh, you’re the man Lew, but you are dead wrong on this one… Hunter is currently on pace for career highs in homers, RBI’s, runs scored, average, and stolen bases! Shaun hit it right on the head, a fluke year indeed…

By Lee

June 12, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

Some of these trade proposals are downright frightening. It is hard to judge next years line-up when we are still questioning this years line-up. I will admit it is fun to speculate on this though. I suggested the other day maybe the Braves should hold off before trading anyone at present time. I still believe this and I think the Braves should only trade for a front line pitcher if the price is right and if they can eventually find one. Maybe a right handed pinch hitter with power should be obtained if possible. Once again maybe this starting rotation is not as bad as some of us think. Lets see where the Braves are at in the standings at the all-star break before panic sets in for trading for the sake of it. J.S. will more than likely wait also.

By ncscoots

June 12, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

OK, David, we’re squares on hilarity…I absolutely barked when I saw the t-shirt idea was going up the chain (fastasballs, that’s not a knock, BTW, just my normal hoot at marketing folks in general).

LOVE the idea of “Holy Cornelia” on the back, though. Guaranteed to be unique, and essential DOB at its heart. Gimme a gross to start :-)

By Mitchie-san

June 12, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Personally, i would love to see Rowand in a Braves Uniform. He solid and he plays hard.

By Efrim

June 12, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Lew

I interpreted the comment that you made about Francouer meaning that Francouer would net an ace. Obviously, I wouldn’t trade Francouer for a guy like Mark Buerhle. I thought you meant that Francouer was above trades because he is a home grown Brave. And to me that is garbage because ultimately if it makes your team better, you have to make the trade. So that is why I said that if the Orioles wanted Francoeur for Bedard, I would make the trade because Bedard is a star PITCHER. Not a position player who grows on trees as suppose to pitchers who don’t.

By Chop Chop

June 12, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

Hmm…

“Strap on the leotard, Hoss!”

That seems simple enough on the front.

“Join me at the Man In Black/Braves blog with DOB at the AJC.”

Put that on the back…

Put a little AJC.com logo on there or something. Donate 50% of the proceeds to a charity of DOB’s choosing. Sounds like a good idea.

By MBATL

June 12, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I don’t think Charles Thomas is an accurate comparison to Willie.

Before being brought up to ATL, Thomas had gone .358/.416/.535 for half a year (215 AB’s) at AAA; and the year before that, .324/.396/.449 in 176 AB’s at AA. He really didn’t hit above “expectations” with the Braves, that I can see.

The anomaly with him was how he fell off the table when he got to Oakland. They only gave him 46 AB’s - I don’t know if he got hurt or just didn’t peform - and then he’s never repeated his career numbers even at the minors. Quite the opposite of the “players always play to their historical norms” theory.

Anyway, I share your skepticism (though to a lesser degree) about Willie. Not enough of a sample size to presume he’s one of those rare players who blooms late for whatever reason. I do notice that the more he’s played, the better he’s played. And sometimes old dogs do learn new tricks… it’s the exception that proves the rule.

Anyway, another 95 games, or whatever we have left, should tell the tale.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

Lew,

You’re right. I never said the Braves would go after Hunter. Doesn’t make sense.

I said Cameron or some other cheap vet with Brandon Jones up if and when that player falters, ala Mondesi-Francouer.

Scroll back up and read my posts. I agree with you. I wasn’t saying the Braves would go after Hunter. Who would suggest that?…Terence Moore, of course.

By gotigers72

June 12, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

savannahguy - I’ll tell you the story I heard about “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”. I heard that Betts was in a cemetary for whatever reason, and saw a grave of a 12 year old girl named Elizabeth Reed, and wrote the song. I’m not 100% sure, but I think Betts wrote it, or either Betts and a combination of Gregg or Duane.

By Lew

June 12, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

Shaun-Hunter is making $12 million NOW. He’s not going to sign for less next season. $12 million is close enough to $13.5 that we Can’t afford it. You can quote stats all you want to, Dude, but that’s the reality of the situation. Hunter is out of our price range. Period. Do I need to remind you that when Andruw departs, that his salary is already gone? Smoltz makes more next year. McCann makes more. Soriano makes more. Francoeur makes more and then theres the $7 mil more that Hudson gets. We need not even discuss Hampton.The point is that where do you think the money is going to come from to pay out $12 mil or more? Stats don’t mean much in this case. Besides, If Andruw has so much more upside, why not resign him? I mean what’s a couple of mil, right?

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

a fluke year indeed…

No, no, no, my friend. Not a fluke year. A contract year.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

Lew,

One more thing…I actually think the team that signs Andruw will get more bang for the buck than the team that signs Hunter, even with Andruw’s high price tag. That’s not to say either player will be cheap but, as I said, if I were a team like the Yankees or Red Sox and needed a CF, I would sign Andruw over Hunter, even though Andruw may ask for a lot more.

By Lew

June 12, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

DonC-I’m not debating who is the better player. Where have you seen me say anything to that effect? My point is strictly financial and I’m not dead wrong as you suggest. Hunter is making (as I have mentioned) $12 mil THIS season. Do you think he is going to command less next year? It’s a matter of affordability-that’s all I’m saying. We can’t afford either one of them without an influx of cash.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

Lew,

Where did you get that I was saying the Braves would or should sign Hunter? Again, I’ve argued the opposite. Again, scroll up, buddy, and read my posts.

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

Lew,

Here you go:

By Shaun

June 12, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

Can anyone tell me why the Braves would want to sign Torii Hunter?

He’s probably going to want in the $12-15 million a year range at the very least. Plus he’s a career .271/.324/.468 hitter and he’ll be 32 next month.

By Carolina Lady

June 12, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

T-shirt:
AJC Braves Blogger on one side DOB Rules! on the other

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

There is no need to go after expensive free agents. Sheffield tells us that there are plenty of Afro-American players sitting at home while Latin players of any color are taking their jobs. There are probably scores of left-handed pitchers and power hitting first baseman just waiting for a call.

By The Grinch

June 12, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

DOB, you got some mad props from Chip Towers yesterday on Buck & Kincaide…actually, it was the blog that did so I suppose that applies to all of us. Here’s some ideas for the t-shirts:

“Dayn Perry is a Douchebag.”

“I’ll see your Crawford and Kasmir and raise you a Davies.”

“Carry off our Woodward, son (Kansas would be fine).”

“Chicken Little ain’t got nothin’ on us!”

“Our blog can kick your blog’s @$$.”

By Steve McP

June 12, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Efrim - if “outfielders grow on trees” why would anybody trade a star pitcher for such a player? However if the belief is that Frenchy will be one of the best outfielders in MLB for the coming years (maybe playing centre next year?) then that does increase his worth to the Braves as well as other teams. But I don’t see the Braves doing anything with him, he is one of the nucleus of a good young team of position players that could be the basis of the team for the next 10 years, I think that they should try to hold onto him, Escobar, McCann and Salty (if he can play 1st).

By Efrim

June 12, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

Steve McFool

I am not saying the Orioles would trade him. It was an example regarding an earlier post. From a Braves perspective. if we were approached by them for a Bedard for Francouer trade, we would have to do it. But of course they wouldn’t.

By Renegator

June 12, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

DOB:

Any word on Hoss? How is he feeling? Will he be playing tonight? Any word on the position player to be called up? Do you still think that will happen? Can I ask any more questions in this post?

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

Grinch, how about Where’s Stinky?

By ssiscribe

June 12, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

With apologies to Major League Baseball:

Front side — The AJC Braves/Man In Black Blog with DOB

Back side — Where baseball (and music, and toes, and pie, and barbecue) is always on

And of course, you gotta have this at the end:

—30—

By ncscoots

June 12, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

OK, a quick guide to marketing t-shirts with actual messages thereon :-)

1. Message to be six words or fewer.
2. Message readable in a single glance; one sentence only.
3. Message on front is primary; message on back is secondary.
4. Message larger than logo by ratio of at least 6-to-1 (keep those marketing folks FOCUSED, David!)
5. Message must be at least entertaining enough to offset polyester content (100% cotton need not be funny as a necessity)
6. Messages must be designed by someone intimately familiar with the product. This means marketing people are allowed to pay for everything, but are strictly verboten in the creative process.

If we can follow these guidelines, I’m sure a blog t-shirt will be a rousing success, LOL! You bloggers start coming up with snappy stuff, worthy of of the normal witty banter of the Braves/MIB :-)

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

or No politics,

No religion,

Jus' Beisbol

By The Grinch

June 12, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

“Our Blogmaster has more ecclectic musical taste than your blogmaster.”

“Our backup blogmaster is cuter than your backup blogmaster.”

“Let’s talk pie.”

“Our Hartebeest is faster than your Hartebeest.”

By Bigboi

June 12, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

DOB what time is batting practice today? and when will Chipper announce if he’s ready? If he feels good tonight, what is the earliest you think he will be in there? We need hos back

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Best Blog in Baseball

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

Baseball’s Best Blog

DOB, that is true alliteration.

By ncscoots

June 12, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

Re Grinch’s tshirt suggestions:

“Dayn Perry is a Douchebag.” Sorry, not quite right for Braves/MIB. Totally deserving of its own, special, first-degree, unlimited edition tshirt, however.

“Our blog can kick your blog’s @$$.” MUCH more in tune. Though it fails the six-word rule, I think an exception might be made. Succinct and pithy.

By Efrim

June 12, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

ALL

So what can we expect from the Braves the next 12 games?

Record wise, I would sign for 6-6 right now. That would put us at 41-35 with 13 games against the Nats, Marlins, Dodgers, and Padres to go until the all star break.

Thoughts????

By The Grinch

June 12, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

Snowball, I was getting to that. Once we become really famous, where all of us are household names, then we could start having pictures with captions below, like for Stinky we could have a pictue of a Lynyrd Skynyrd alblum cover and “Ooooh, that smell!” under it. For Lew, we could have a screen shot of Charlton Heston as Michaelangelo grimacing while painting the Sistene Chapel, under which would be “I’m grumpy and you’re wrong.” For Shaun we could have that dude from the Denzel movie holding up two pistols with the line “Bill James ain’t got NOTHIN’ on me!” And so on.

By ssiscribe

June 12, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

No donkey jokes

No reams of stats

Just baseball (and pie and barbecue and toes and journalists and good, @$$-kickin music).

The Braves/MIB Blog, hosted by DOB, loved by millions, matched by none

—30—

By Greg O.

June 12, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

DOB,

I’m dying to know what Scott Boras was calling about earlier!!!

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

Okay now that the tag line is taken care of we need graphics. A silhouette of the man in black holding Buford Pusser’s bat.

By Renegator

June 12, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Braves/MIB Blog

Enjoyed by Braves fans and Mets Mosquitos everywhere

By The Grinch

June 12, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Sorry, scoots; I didn’t read your outlines first. I’ll work on it. Thunderstorm coming through; gotta shut ‘er down for a bit.

By eric the elder

June 12, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

TheCutMan:

Why do guys like O’Brien and the Braves’ broadcasters continue to not get or tell the story of what’s happening?

What story? The article is interesting, but it is only one of a 1000 such speculatiions and rumors. When DOB has an actual story, I’m confident he will give it to you and us.

By ElbravoX

June 12, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

TSHIRTS SHOULD SAY: X makks the spot, Blogging Braves!

By Oregon_Braves

June 12, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

Grinch, you bastard, you stole my line.

But, even so, Dayn Perry is indeed a douchebag.

(Doesn’t work without the italics.)

By bruce

June 12, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

AJC.COM/Braves
Best BLOG w/DOB

Back: Who Cares? Braves Fans.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 12, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

tee shirt: your a idiot (if you don’t blog with dob)

By Lew

June 12, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

Shaun-Do you realize that if I say that I misread what you had posted, that we will be in near total agreement today? I’m really afraid that if I admit I was wrong, then the world will stop turning on it’s axis and tidal waves and earthquakes will result. Do you want to be responsible for that? Do you?

By doug

June 12, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

I like, let’s talk pie.

By Lew

June 12, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

Grinch-I am NOT wrong.

By DonCoburleone

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

How about front of T-Shirt: “Trade Andruw! Cut Hudson! Keep Salty!”

Back of T-Shirt: “Andruw for MVP! Hudson’s back! Trade Salty!”

By Steve McP

June 12, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

Whats this about Pie? Is it another trade rumour with the Cubs?

By Lew

June 12, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

DOB-Y’all come up with what you want and I’ll do any artwork for it (providing any is needed).

By TennesseePaul

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

Lew: You’ve admitted you were wrong before. Payne on the other hand has never fessed up to his countless erant posts. Even when confronted with two of his posts completely contradicting eachother, he has still not admitted he was wrong.

“Let’s talk pie”. Shouldn’t something about toes be included in a slogan?
Perhaps we can have Wayne write it. But the shirts would have to be those ghetto/jumbo tees that are 20 times too large in order to fit it all on there.

By Steve McP

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

JJS - not being rude but “you’re an idiot” - that’s not a comment on you just on the wording on the T-shirt.

By Braveheart

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

1. Message to be six words or fewer. 2. Message readable in a single glance; one sentence only. 3. Message on front is primary; message on back is secondary. 4. Message larger than logo by ratio of at least 6-to-1 (keep those marketing folks FOCUSED, David!) 5. Message must be at least entertaining enough to offset polyester content (100% cotton need not be funny as a necessity) 6. Messages must be designed by someone intimately familiar with the product. This means marketing people are allowed to pay for everything, but are strictly verboten in the creative process.

Well, damn. I guess I don’t have a shot at writing the slogan. If I was asked to do it, you would need about two dozen t shirts with the shirts being completely filled with small print words all over it but I’ll give it a shot anyway.

On the front, a bold The Face Of A Closer on top with a three strip cartoon below. In the first strip, a dumb looking blogger with his keyboard smashed to shreds, DOB walking away from the guy, and DOB placing a baseball bat back in his guitar case Desperado style, saying over his shoulder, No, Orr 4 Baldelli Ain’t Gonna Happen.

On the second one: DOB tosses the guitar case away, is gripping the baseball bat again threateningly, as the dumb blogger asks What About Orr 4 Crawford then, DOB?

On the third one, DOB again walking away with just his guitar case now, the guy’s computer monitor smashed to pieces, muttering over his shoulder to the dumbfounded blogger “And Don’t Dare Mention Out Avoidance!” as the blogger looks down at his computer saying Holy Cornelia!

On the back will be a blown up 4th strip with DOB walking away from the stadium all by himself with his guitar case over one shoulder, his laptop case over the other, with an IPOD in his left hand, the baseball bat in his right hand, with headphones on his ears, saying to himself BBQ, music, movies, beautiful women, and Los Bravos is all I ask…..

Below, it will say Well, that’s not all he asks….. he kind of makes up the rest as he goes along….. Blog With DOB at the AJC.

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

Got called up to the Show….. Now, I blog with DOB.

Got sent down to the minors…. Now, I blog with Falcons trolls (er, fans).

OR

I like humans….. I blog with DOB.

I hate everyone and everything…… I blog on the rest of the AJC.

OR

No race, religion, or politics….. DOB blog.

Racists of all colors….. the rest of the AJC is for you.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 12, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

oh, the humanity! journalist has been called a name - “you lil’ single white female” - by another blogger on this blog. was a sissy who did this - hiding behind a bogus screen name.

first, jimmy smith is not lil’. second, jimmy smith is not a single, white female. however, if jimmy smith was a single white female… jimmy smith would be a knockout because good looks are hard to hide.

yes, jimmy smith is cursed with smith-family good looks and a manly manner. dinner jacket, pipe smoker, highly refined.

sounds like the wayward blogger calling this journalsit a lil’ single white female may have some underlying momma issues with which to deal. blogger is invited to post under blogger’s regular, more familiar, name for some banter with this journalist.

now, tee shirts. scoots is right. one line is best. six words or less. journalist is thinking, “golly, gee, jeepers, dob.”

or perhaps, something to do with cheese … hmmm …

By Incognito

June 12, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

Any word on roster moves today? Is Mr. O’Brien teasing us with this Scott Boras message?

By Lew

June 12, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

How about “When We Gonna Get Rocco?”

By Robert

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

Let’s hope the day off was time enough for some semblance of class to slip back into the Braves dugout

(not that I think the Cubs acted like stallworth citizens)

Renteria’s bush league move upon sliding into second was a disgrace to watch - on national tv no less

The only thing missing was Donk running over and starting to pull Piniella’s hair

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

THIS JUST IN: Today’s position-player move is … no move.

Chipper is going to be the move when he’s activated, which is probably going to be tomorrow or Thursday. He felt a lot better hitting off tee and soft-toss today (he got here early, about 1:30, and did that stuff).

He’s about to take live batting practice, soon as team meeting’s over. But he said he felt a lot better, so I think Bobby decided no reason to make another move if Chipper is coming off during this series.

Don’t know who the pitcher to be sent down will be.

Smoltz is going to throw a full bullpen session today, won’t know until after that if he’s going to be ready. Bobby said he felt much better; Smoltz sounded a little less than totally enthused, but maybe he was just tired or something. i don’t know. We’ll know more after he throws….

There are two lineups, one with Edgar and one without. They’ll decide after BP if he’s playing.

By bruce

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

Front:

 **Who Cares?

A. Braves Fans.**

Back:

 **AJC.COM/Braves

Baseball’s Best BLOG**

Snowballs Chance: I like your alliteration if it will fit, so credit to you for that.

ncscoots Can we break your rule number 3? The proposed intention is that the front is the attention-getter that makes person turn around to see the back and both the fron and back stand alone as good T-shirt if only one side is seen.

By geauxbraves2000

June 12, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

How about “Rocking with DOB on the AJC”

Geaux Braves!!

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

Lew, better yet, how about “What’s the deal with Tanyon Sturtze … and more on the Braves/MIB blog at AJC.com”

Or maybe not

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

There it is … oh, the horror. I must ignore. I must ignore. I must ignore.

I pledge to ignore it. I’d advise others to do same. But that’s up to you.

By Braveheart

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

CutMan, your 3:45 post was inane. That post you threw up there was not a “story” and it was not “news”. It was just one man’s speculation, really no different than all the speculation we all do on here. If you knew anything about the Braves, you would know that any speculation on trade partners or potential trades is just that… speculation. They rarely leak anything. There are about only 3 people usually included in the loop in trade talks: JS, Bobby, and MC Wren are the final frontiers when it comes to getting potential trade talk out of the Braves. Getting them to divulge anything on the record and even off the record is like getting J.D. Salinger to sit down for an interview. Ain’t gonna happen. So, whatever some dude says who ain’t even covering the team and not in the lockerroom everyday is just pure speculation that is no better than the uninformed speculation of any blogger on here.

By geauxbraves2000

June 12, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

Good news about Chipper, but does that mean no Salty and McCann in the same lineup in the AL games? That could be a powerhouse lineup w/CJ also in it.

Geaux Braves!!

By David O'Brien

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

Damn, you guys are scaring me with all the creative energy being spent on this thing that may or may not happen. Those are some very clever lines. Some of you are in the wrong business, should be doing PR or promotions or whatever.

I just scrolled up and was floored by the avalanche of wit.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 12, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

By Steve McP

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

JJS - not being rude but “you’re an idiot” - that’s not a comment on you just on the wording on the T-shirt.

jimmy smith would like to thank steve mcp for the correction.

journalist would also like to thank all who have included toes, pie, and beests in their tee shirt ideas.

modestly, journalist suggests, “oh, the humanity! i blog with dob!”

now, more tee shirt ideas …

D BLOG B

that one may end up garbled, but so does the blog at times …

By N8

June 12, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

DOB

What lovely news. (sarcasm)

EVEN WITH Chipper coming back, Pena should be brought up, and Woodward or Orr sent down (obviously Orr is the better choice due to “options” left).

Let me guess…..NIETHER of the two lineups have BOTH McCann and Salty in them together, do they?

Like I said. Lovely.

Buckle up guys. I feel another RANT night coming your way.

By ElbravoX

June 12, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

Thanks DOB.

By Chop Chop

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

“stallworth citizens”…

Googled that and found that one other blogger in Sacramento made that same error.

Robert, I have to give you credit. You made me laugh.

I’m a stalwart denizen of this blog who thinks the T-shirt should read “I’m A Stallworth Denizen!”

By snowball's chance

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

The back of a t shirt only matters if the “scenery” elsewhere on the bearer of said t shirt would have been missed otherwise.

By Caleb

June 12, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

DOB, have you seen the two possible lineups for tonight? Any idea who’s DHing?

By Chop Chop

June 12, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

Here’s another idea for the T-shirt, courtesy of Warren Zevon:

“Well, I’m up all night on the Man In Black Blog…I’ll sleep when I’m dead!”

By journalist jimmy smith

June 12, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

viginia madsen is a porker - blame the blog.

best of cox has nothing to do with boogers.

lew, can lew draw sore thumbs? journalist is coming up with an idea …

go on the d.l. - blog with dob (requires some thought to get this one)

and finally, carolina lady blogs here (jimmy smith’s favorite)

By David-ATL14

June 12, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

No mve, that’s f——-g great!

No Pena, no Salty at dh or 1b, just plenty more mediocrity at 1b and titanic struggles from Thorman.

Really look forward to seeing thor embarrass himself against Santana and Sabathia back to back.

Sheer stupidity.

By MS

June 12, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

DOB, why not have Thorman DH, with Salty at 1st to get them both in the lineup? That way Salty would still be the backup catcher and could move to C if McCann gets hurt at some point during the game (he wouldn’t be able to move to C from DH).

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

Or

Yo,Mets fan

are you talking to me?

ARE YOU TALKIN’ TO ME?

By Incognito

June 12, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

Why no B Pena? This is puzzling to this blogger…..

By Kentavo

June 12, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

Blog Fever, Catch It………

And spew venom about the manager being a donkey.

By fastasballs

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

N8 I feel a win coming on because you are already complaining. Keep it up! LOL

I was floored the T-Shirt idea is taking off. After reading what I thought the shirt should say I agree with DOB that a different verb is in order. A lot of strange ideas come from this blog during the night shift, lol.

By TennesseePaul

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

On the front: “Oh the humanity!”
“Man In Black/Braves Beat Blog”… Maybe we could shorten this to “MIB.BBB” On the back: “Toes are not to be triffled with”

we could franchise this with multiple slogans. Every year a new shirt with “[#] time Wurlitzer Winner”
Variations on the MIB.BBB lettering. Multiple color options. Tie-Die would be a great option.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 12, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this

graphics - how about some big yellow shoes? then again, a canned ham might make the purchase order slide through - canned hams being a favorite of anne cox chambers.

more slogans: anyone can blog here (except stinky)

“keep that %$#& window closed - I’m blogging here” - dob

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

I’ve noticed mucho* animosity towards ESPN on the blog but without them I had never heard the that Matt Diaz is a native son from Portland, Oregon. Long time fans might remember another favorite son and longtime Brave from Portland. Also Sweet Lou played for the triple A affiliate in the 60’s. He was just as crazy when he was a minor leaguer.

*notice clever use of Spanish. Jon what’shisname has nothin on me.

By DonCoburleone

June 12, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this

Oh great, so Pena isn’t being called up for these 2 series’. We all know what that means don’t we? Oh yeah, plenty of splitting time behind the plate for Salty and McCann while Diaz DH’s… I know it’s pretty difficult to say anything bad about Diaz at this point, but still, who would you rather have in the lineup him, Salty, or McCann?

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this

Since, so many bloggers are from everywhere across the United States and georgia and the South, how about a tribute to the Man in Black with altered lyrics to his I’ve Been Everywhere on the T-Shirt:

At the top would be the intro to the song: I was toting my pack along the long dusty Cornelia road, When along came a semi with a high canvas covered load, If your goin’ to Atlanta, Mack with me you can ride, And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside, He asked me if I’d seen a road with so much dust and sand, And I said, “Listen! I’ve traveled every road in this here land!”

I’m a blogger We’re from everywhere, man We’re from everywhere, man Crossed the deserts bare, man We’ve breathed the mountain air, man Of travel We’ve had our share, man We’re from everywhere

Then below would be two columns on the front of the shirt:

The first column would say

We’re from: Augusta, Lilburn, Savannah, Stone Mountain, Athens, Comer, Cornelia, Cumming, blah, blah, blah, name a bunch of georgia towns and citis

The second column would continue with the Georgia towns.

On the back, it would continue with the lyrics For Pete’s Sake, we’re from everywhere, man, we’re from everywhere, man, Crossed the deserts bare, man, we’ve breathed the mountain air, man, of travel we’ve had our share, man, we’ve been everywhere

Then it would continue again with two columns in the back, with the first column stating that we’re from North Carolina, Florida, Minnesota, Vermont, Utah, California, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Montana, Illinois, Arkansas, New York, Missouri and whereever else bloggers are known to be from on here.

Then the fourth column could continue with the known states to blog on here that did not fit in the third column but you would also continue with Vietnam, Germany, Iraq, England, Cambodia and whereever else great bloggers like the Georgetown Kid, Bravonam, the germanbravesfan and all those guys are known to be blogging from.

Somewhere on there in big bold letters, you make it clear to blog with DOB at the ajc.com

By Pete Orr

June 12, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

Hey! I’m starting! I will be the DH!!!!!! Protecting Andruw, batting 5th. Look for grounders to 2nd, and me busting my butt going down the line, just a step or two, too late. 4 times!

By Bob, Journalist

June 12, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

Can anyone tell me why the Braves would want to sign Torii Hunter?

Shaun, that’s a good question, but it wouldn’t fit on a tee-shirt!

By Kentavo

June 12, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

“Walk the Line…. with DOB/MIB.”

By Bob, Journalist

June 12, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

Sorry I missed the slogan competition but you’re not!

Baseball Bloggin’ with DOB … ain’t banana puddin’ … but it’s close!

By N8

June 12, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

fastasballs

My theory has been all shot to hell as of late. I’ve been complaining, just the same as I was earlier in the year, with MUCH worse results.

So I wouldn’t count your chickens just yet.

DOB

What was the phone call from Boras about? I scrolled back up the blog, did I miss it?

Or was his phone call just to inform you that the Braves were NOT making a roster move, because of Chipper? :-)

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this

Espn has rated the top 100 payers in MLB. The Brave have 7. Maybe Shaun can figure out the rating system.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playerrating

By Braves Fan 79

June 12, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

I say bring chipper back early….if anything else just for a right handed bat off the bench (since he can swing from that side ok). Chipper swinging the bat with one arm beats the crap out of seeing orr or woodward at bat! oyea…and CUT WOODWARD!!! SAP!!!

By bruce

June 12, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

Trying to fix format mess-up with apologies for repeat

Front:

Who Cares? A. Braves Fans.

Back:

AJC.COM/Braves Baseball’s Best BLOG

I may just make one.

By Bob, Journalist

June 12, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul, to be properly representative of the Blog, slogans would have to change daily rather than annually.

The AJC’ Braves’ Beat Blog … where baseball is spoken … occasionally.

By eric the elder

June 12, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

Maybe we should call him Willy No Pena.

Devastating news to this blogger. Sometimes I think BC really does read this blog and then does the opposite - - until about 6 weeks later.

By Kentavo

June 12, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

And tonight, starting at Designated Hitter for the Atlanta Braves…………………………………………………………………….. Chris Woodward.

By Chopin'

June 12, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

Edgar not in lineup tonight, hand still bothering him.

By Berigan

June 12, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this

You mean…I joked about being Pete Orr, and that I was starting…and Woodward REALLY is? Holy Toledo!!!! I mean, all I can say is…….

By Johnny R

June 12, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

O’BRIEN Hey numbnuts, put up a new blog! This one’s a painintheass to load.

By ncscoots

June 12, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

Bruce, of COURSE you may break guideline #3! That’s the whole point of the creative process, LOL!

The “T-Shirt Marketing Guidelines” were strictly tongue-in-cheek (though a couple really ARE direct quotes from some marketing folks I knew in a previous life), just to give me a chance to throw some zingers.

But, frankly, I’m in DOB’s camp on the stuff people have been putting forward: just…amazing. Too much goodness, heads due to explode. All harshes mellowed with a surfeit of witty banter and droll observation (God love that anonymous blogger, whoever he or she may be), but obviously tough decisions lie ahead, LOL. I’ll admit to thinking “oh, the humanity!” deserves a long look, but I don’t think the AJC can go wrong as long as they let the denzines do the heavy lifting.

Now, if we can just dispense with these interruptions from people who want to talk BASEball, fergoshsakes!

By The Truth Hurts

June 12, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this

Come hard with your leotard.

I wonder what the Vegas line will be on the number of strikeouts for Santana on Thursday?

I’m taking the over.

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

In tribute to Robert, all the way down in the middle of the bottom of the front of the shirt can we write in real small writing so that certain people won’t get offended because it will be hard to notice: DOB sez Robert is a ….. with an arrow pointing down.

The same thing with the back. all the way down in the middle of the bottom of the back of the shirt, can we put in real small writing: DOB sez Robert is an ….. with an arrow again pointing down.

Also, up in the chest area, we could two areas for each relevant area, saying Redman got these lit in 2007.

For the bigger ones of us, all XXXL tees will have an arrow at the belly saying I Didn’t Have This Before I Sat In The Braves Bullpen.

An arrow in another section can point down to the toes saying Toes are not to be trifled with.

Another arrow can point to the hands saying Chipper injury 2007.

Another arrow can point to the elbow in honor of Smoltz and say I lost this body part in 1999 but still pitching 8 years later.

Another arrow can point to the left arm and say What the Hell Happened? in tribute to Steve Avery.

One arrow can point to the head, and have Odalis Perez saying Bobby and Leo said mine was worth two cents.

Another arrow could point to the head and have Marquis say, Yeah, Odalis, Bobby and Leo said the same about me.

Another arrow can point to the right arm and have Braves fans saying as a group, We Used To Do A Mean Chop With That Arm.

Another arrow can point to the head, and have Otis Nixon say, Don’t look there, it ain’t pretty, my legs do my talking.

Alright, that would be one ugly t shirt, never mind.

By eric the elder

June 12, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

Edgar not in lineup tonight, hand still bothering him.

Which, I assume, means Woodward WILL be in the lineup and Salty will NOT.

By bruce

June 12, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

Front: Who Cares? A. Braves Fans.

Back:

AJC.COM/Braves Baseball’s Best BLOG

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this

If woodward is in the line up we can kiss this game goodbye. He’ll be up in every critical point in this game and just suck wind each time.
It should be noted: the other day with Renteria in the game, the Braves scored 2. Woodward comes in, we have a chance to put about 5 runs on the board, we score 0, Cubs take the lead. Woodward is taken out of the game, we score 3 and complete a come from behind victory win.
It can’t get any more obvious than that. Keep that no talent @ssclown out of the line up.

By Bob, Journalist

June 12, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this

*Johnny R, sadly, you miss the point … blogging in these environs is a privilege, not an entitlement … if you want to buy a t-shirt, try K-Mart.

By N8

June 12, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this

eric

“Devastating news to this blogger. Sometimes I think BC really does read this blog and then does the opposite - - until about 6 weeks later.”

Bobby Cox read? Puuuleeeeez. Just kidding.

I agree though. Frustrating is the only word that comes to mind.

Scratch that. How about: Stubborn, Insane, Clueless, Naive. Did I say stubborn yet?

I’ll stop before I get really insulting with my “words”.

Just frickin’ trade BOTH Salty and Escobar already!! As soon as Chipper comes back, Escobar’s gonna get as many AB’s as Salty is.

I’m sure if we offered both of them in a trade, we could probably sucker the Reds into giving us Eric Milton. He just went on the DL with season ending surgery, but MAN ALIVE, you pair him up with Mike Hampton coming back Next (add in Gonzalez), and we’ve got ourselves a “rebirth” of the Big 3.

Nice job JS. Better job Bobby.

As Adam Sandler would say……

WOOPITY DOO!

We might as well invite Redman back. Not like he was actually “hurting” our chances of winning.

By DonCoburleone

June 12, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this

Shutup, seriously it’s Woodward as our DH???

By Johnny R

June 12, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this

Bobjournalist, I wasn’t typing to you. Goddam, you are pretentious and boring.

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this

a blog t-shirt should be black, versus white….

has the starting lineup been announced yet?

any word on Aybar?

thx….

By parks

June 12, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this

Salty the DH per MLB.com right now. No Edgar

By eric the elder

June 12, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this

Might be wrong, but I’m guessing Woodward is at short. If he bats in the 3-hole, I’m going to bed early.

By MBATL

June 12, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this

Orr’s at 3B; Escobar at SS; Salty is DH’ing, with McCann catching. Not much better we could do with CJ and Edgar both hurting.

By DonCoburleone

June 12, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this

Tonights lineup:

1)KJ-2B 2)Harris-LF 3)McCann-C 4)Andruw-CF 5)Francoeur-CF 6)Salty-DH 7)Thorman-1B 8)Escobar-SS 9)Pete Orr-3B… Better than I thought it would be…

By TJ

June 12, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

Salty is DH, McCann is C, Orr is 3B, Escobar is SS. We have no backup catcher. I remember hearing that Pete Orr could catch, so I guess that’s the emergency option. I like the Salty DH move.

By MS

June 12, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

HERE’S THE LINEUP:

K. Johnson 2b W. Harris lf
B. McCann c
A. Jones cf J. Francoeur rf
J. Saltalamacchia dh
S. Thorman 1b Y. Escobar ss
P. Orr 3b

SWEET! Salty, McCann and Thor all in there.

By ncscoots

June 12, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

Have they put Davies on suicide watch yet?

Is it any wonder the kid thinks he has to throw perfect pitches every sling? Good grief.

By HP

June 12, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

**Tonight starting Lineup: For Atlanta Braves: Johnson 2B Harris LF McCann C Jones A CF Francoeur RF Saltalamacchia DH Thorman 1B Escobar SS Orr 3B

For Minnesota Twins: Castillo 2B Mauer C Cuddyer RF Morneau 1B Hunter CF Redmond DH Ford LF Punto 3B Bartlett SS**

By N8

June 12, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

On a side note, Fox MSN (Twins network), just concluded a 15 minute segment documenting the 91 WS, with interviews with Smoltz, Morris, Gladden, Tapani, Larken, etc…

Actually got chills up my spine seeing the highlights.

DAMN! What a series that was. NO LOSER that year.

One thing I never noticed, but Gene Larkin stated the quote in this interview: “I just didn’t wanna hit a ground ball, and he (Pena) through me a perfect fastball, high and outside, to drive in the air.”

When they showed the highlight, I have to agree. NOT a very good pitch by Alejandro, if he was looking to induce the groundball double for a double play.

That and just how AMAZING the catch was that Puckett made in game 6. Smoltz was quoted (and the footage looked recent), as saying considering the circumstances, it was the GREATEST catch he’s ever seen. It sure was.

By Wayne in Utah

June 12, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

Why no Pena??? Now we have Edgar, Woodward and Diaz on the bench tonight. Thin……

By woogidy

June 12, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this

“The backlog at the BeatBlog™ was caused by me while I was blogging with DOB” that’s my contribution on the back, www.ajc.com/braves

By eric the elder

June 12, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

Johnny R, I don’t know who you are, but you don’t have the creds to put up those kinds of posts either to DOB or to the Journalist.

Excuse me, I think I smell some dog poo on my shoes.

By DonCoburleone

June 12, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

DOB we gonna get a new blog? Pretty pleeeeeeaaaaase???

By Braveheart

June 12, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

Who wants to start taking bets on how long Davies lasts tonight?

Where should we lay the over/under line? 3 or 4 or 5 innings?

By eric the elder

June 12, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this

So if McCann gets hurt, we lose the DH, right?

By journalist jimmy smith

June 12, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

oh, the humanity! what a lineup! chipper wants to be back in time to play in front of chipper’s grandfather. hope the old fella isn’t walking to minnesota. oh, cleveland? don’t worry orr can handle third for awhile and soon will be hitting a cool .180.

now, tee shirts … blog for free - would cost $7 in a cup at the ted

By snowball's chance

June 12, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

eric the elder, That’s right. NL managers have been burnt before not being familiar with the DH rule.

By Logan23

June 12, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this

Can a catcher balk?

By N8

June 12, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

HOLY CRAP!! (spoken in my best Frank Barone voice)

Salty AND McCann in the lineup together at the same time? What if one of them gets hurt? Has Bobby lost his mind?

Just kidding. I STILL think even with Chipper’s possible return that Woodward or Orr should be sent down and Pena brought up. But for the time being, I’ll back off Bobby, since he actually put them both in the lineup.

I have to say, I’m not only shocked, I’m impressed.

Way to “gamble” Bobby.

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

NEW BLOG IS UP

By Bob, Journalist

June 12, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

Johnny R, I wasn’t suggest that you were … you won’t get any argument from me regarding pretentious and boring.

However pretentious that I may be, it would exceed even my level not be concerned with the perception of others and makes me ponder how you would yourself describe … and how you perceive the perception of others.

Puddin’, Pie, and P Players …

By MEB

June 12, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this

Front Got Blog?

Back Braves Baseball and the finer things in life. Join DOB and his friends for some lively discussion. Bring your best game and strap that leotard on good and tight. GO BRAVES!!!

ajc.com/Braves Baseball

By shelbrad

June 12, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

IS it me or was Escobar safe at first on that glove toss? Where were you Bobby, dont be scared to tie the record!!!

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this

Make all the dumb lame-@ss jokes ya want, incognito, N8, et al…

I stand by my thought process, and you stand by your tongue-in-cheek digs. Be proud, morons. Yeah, I called ya morons, Salty and Incognito. You earned the label. Wear it well.

You don’t counter with discussion; you counter with snickering and half-jokes. Geez, at least Shaun discusses and re-approahces with dialogue. How f-ing pathetic is it that somebody’d prefer banter with Shaun over a dipsh!t like you, Incognito? Nice.

Onto intelligent folks and baseball…

One more reason I’d have Saltalamacchia not playing or DHing in Minnesota or Cleveland is because the guy’s a switch-hitter, and thus more usable in pinch-hitting situations.

Too bad Kyle (which pitcher will I be tonight?) Davies blew this game for us before we even hadda chance to win it.

I’m a patient fan, but it’s almost time to throw in the towel on this guy getting it together. One-way to Richmond, please.