AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSmoltz faces Tiger again — this time on ballfield
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Coming to you from old-school Chain of Lakes park, where I just watched big Tyler Flowers of Marietta put on another power display during batting practice.
Wait, THIS JUST IN: I’ve just been informed by our crackberry-wielding Braves PR man that Tiger Woods, yes, Tiger Woods, grabbed a bat and hit today during John Smoltz’s three-innings of simulated game conditions back at Disney. Yes, it would have been a good day to stay back at Dark Star.
(Now that I think about it, I’m wondering about the use of “simulated game conditions” in this case. I mean, Tiger Woods, simulated game?)
In a second missive from Dark Star to the PR man here, we’ve learned that Tiger went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and a bleeder up the middle that was generously ruled a hit, that in his fourth plate appearance when his pal Smoltz threw him a few batting-practice quality mid-70s fastballs. Before that, he threw his real stuff at the megastar golfer.
After striking out his first two times up, Tiger either drew a walk or struck out looking, depending who was telling the story (hey, these are very informal sessions that Smoltz is doing on the backfield, with a coach or someone else calling the balls and strikes).
Braves didn’t provide a pitching “line” on Smoltz’s session, but Chipper Jones had a double off him, Jeff Francoeur had a single, and Tim Hudson was bragging about getting a couple of hits. Don’t know if anyone else hit other than Chipper, Huddy, Francoeur and that golfer dude.
By the way, I’m told Tiger wore shorts with a Braves jersey tucked in, and a batting helmet, of course.
There was no line on Smoltz’s performance, but Chipper had a double and Huddy bragged that he had two hits
Roger McDowell stayed back there this morning to watch Smoltz, and I should be able to get a quote from the pitching coach after today’s game.
(Postscript: Just talked to Roger after today’s game — after the real game — and he said Smoltz did indeed walk Tiger. But he also said Tiger’s hit wasn’t a hit, that a second baseman would’ve snagged it).
If I can reach Smoltz, I’ll add a quote from him here or below. His voicemail says he doesn’t generally answer his phone or check messages between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. down here.)
Anyway, back to Flowers: Before we were so rudely interrupted (OK, not really rudely), I was telling you about the latest potental Braves slugger from the Atlanta ‘burbs. I talked to him this morning, going to do a story on him tomorrow for Friday’s paper.
Good kid, great personality. And he wants everyone to know he’s 6-4 and 250, not 220 as listed in the media guide (that was years ago he weighed that), and that he’s from Marietta, not Roswell.
There weren’t any long balls today that were comparable to the now-legendary wind-blown bomb he hit during BP at Port St. Lucie on Monday, the one that longtime observers estimated at 480-500 feet, longer than any they’d ever seen hit there.
But he did hit a couple onto a grass berm beyond left-center field here today, and more importantly, he did it with an easy, smooth swing that has quickly caught the attention of Bobby Cox and Terry Pendleton, among others.
Did I mention the 250-pound non-roster catcher/first baseman has been perhaps the biggest surprise in the first week of spring training? Well, he has. He’s 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs heading into today’s game against the Indians, and he’s in the lineup as the DH batting eighth.
Cox’s excitement about the kid came through in an unrestrained moment during a conversation in the dugout this morning. “His swing is so [freaking] good,” he said. “He’s got a great, nice swing. No moving parts, so simple.”
When I mentioned being a future first-base option, Cox said, “Yeah … I don’t know. Maybe I’m out of my mind. But I like what I see.”
Flowers is not going to make the team out of camp, barring some rash of injuries or other unforeseen circumstances. But Flowers is definitely planting the seeds in the minds of decision-makers, giving the Braves something to think about for the not-too-distant future.
I’m not saying they’re gonna pencil him in as the man to replace Mark Teixeira if Tex leaves as a free agent after the season. Just saying he’s giving the Braves reason to believe he could be ready to fill such a role sooner than later.
“We’re a long way from the barn … but he’s been a pleasant surprise of camp,” said GM Frank Wren, employing an expression from the cow-milking days growing up on a farm. “We knew he could hit, but he’s kind of maturing before our eyes.”
In other words, let’s not get carried away and pencil Flowers in as the heir apparent to Tex, or as a catcher that could make Brian McCann expendable someday. Let’s just enjoy watching the strappin’ young lad in his first big league camp, and see how he does this year at high-A Myrtle Beach, I’m assuming. Or maybe he’ll get some time at Double-A Mississippi.
Last season at low-A Rome, he hit .298 with 34 doubles, 12 homers and 70 RBIs in 106 games, playing mostly first base (69 games) and DH until late in the season, when he split time between first base and catching.
He caught and played first base the year before at rookie-ball Danville, but a knee injury prevented him from catching for much of the 2007 season. The knee’s fine now, and Flowers is said to be a good defensive catcher, according to Cox.
“The pitchers love throwing to him,” Cox said. “He’s a big target back there.”
He said Flowers was just “OK” at first base, but just needs more work there to improve his defense. Anyway, he’s one to keep an eye on, now and in the future. Maybe the near future.
Soriano update: Closer Rafael Soriano could pitch in a “couple” of days, Cox said, and GM Frank Wren said Soriano’s sore elbow is not a concern at this point.
Wren characterized it as the typical type of soreness that so many pitchers around baseball get early in camp, and said Soriano’s stomach problem (flu or whatever he had) magnified the situation because he’s not pitched in a game yet due to the two ailments.
Cox also said that Soriano’s elbow was sore from the beginning of camp. However, Cox, Wren watched Soriano throw very well in early sessions, so it wouldn’t appear that he came to camp with an injury.
Braves flew him to Atlanta for a physical before he signed his two-year, $9 million contract in January. They say they’re sure he wasn’t hurt before he got the contract.
In a week this could blow over — if Soriano starts throwing in games. If he’s sidelined by this elbow for for another week or more, yes, there will be undeniable concern.
But for now, Wren says there’s more than enough time for Soriano to get ready for the season.
“He’s throwing in a couple of days,” Cox said. “He’ll be fine.”
Is there any reason for concern? “I don’t think so,” he said.
But I have to add, Cox didn’t sound entirely convincing when he said that.
”JERSEY GIRL” by Tom Waits (covered by Bruce Springsteen)
Got no time for the corner boys,
down in the street makin’ all that noise,
don’t want no whores on Eighth Avenue,
cause tonight i’m gonna be with you.
‘cause tonight i’m gonna take that ride,
across the river to the Jersey side,
take my baby to the carnival,
and i’ll take you all on the rides.
Down the shore everything’s alright,
you’re with your baby on a Saturday night,
don’t you know that all my dreams come true,
when i’m walkin’ down the street with you,
sing sha la la la la la sha la la la.
You know she thrills me with all her charms,
when i’m wrapped up in my baby’s arms,
my little angel gives me everything,
I know someday that she’ll wear my ring.
So don’t bother me cause i got no time,
I’m on my way to see that girl of mine,
nothin’ else matters in this whole wide world,
when you’re in love with a Jersey girl,
sing sha la la la la la la.
and i call your name, i can’t sleep at night,
sha la la la la la la.
Services »
Comments
By TennesseePaul
March 5, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
DOB: Thanks for the new blog. All appreciated.
Yet another victory for the home team last night. The Dirtbags have moved up another notch to 9th in the country. The scouts are out in full force. Bryan Shaw is getting some serious attention here. Great closer. Amazing stuff. He could work on his control some. Danny Espinosa broke up the no-hitter in the 6th after two straight walks started the inning. Danny squared up for the bunt with runners on first and second. With the infield in he pulled back the bunt at the last minute and knocked the ball through the 5.5 hole to load ‘em up for the first hit of the game. Shane Peterson drew a bases loaded walk to tie the game at one. A pitching change resulted in another bases loaded walk, a fielders choice and a 2 out squeeze to put the Dirtbags up for good. The Dirtbag’s Tyler Topp pitched 5.1 innings of 3 hit, 1 run ball, with 5K’s and 0 BB for a no decision in his first start for Division 1 ball.
Lew: I think Thom York covered the proper troll retort best. It’s almost like he wrote the song while watching the Great Collapse…
Don’t get any big ideas
They’re not gonna happen
You paint yourself white
And fill up with noise
But there’ll be something missing
Now that you’ve found it, it’s gone
Now that you feel it, you don’t
You’ve gone off the rails
So don’t get any big ideas
They’re not gonna happen
You’ll go to hell for what your dirty mind is thinking
By hk
March 5, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
… pretty meaningless this early, but through yesterday, ‘MVP’ (Runs + HR’s + RBI’s) …
http://www.mindspring.com/~hk3/mvp08.htm
By BosnianBaller
March 5, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
the game is on direct tv channel 657
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Jurrjens has thrown 18 strikes in 25 pitches during two perfect innings so far, three pop-ups, two weak groundouts and a Delucci line-out to CF.
Flowers up now for Braves in top third, one out.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
TenPaul-I bow to his words of wisdom.
By KC
March 5, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
DOB: How is Jurrjens looking today? Also, when is Hampton’s next action?
By BossLady
March 5, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
WOW! These daily blogs makes me feel like I’m down there. Thanks
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Jurrjens looks terrific. He’s retired eight in a row to start game, including last two guys on strikeouts, Jason Michaels and some catcher named Yamid Haad.
Now top prospect Trevor Crowe (their Schafer) is up. He’s got full count on him … and a 6-3 groundout.
Three perfect innings.
By texmex
March 5, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
nice inning
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Anyone who doubts that Jurrjens will or should be in opening day rotations, you’d think differently if you saw today’s performance.
Pencil him in the opening day rotation, folks. I’d say there’s very little chance he’s not in it….
Couple compelling lefty matchups vs. Tigers next two days: Glavine vs. Dontrelle on Thursday at Lakeland, and Hampton vs. Kenny Rogers on Friday at Dark Star.
By TommyP
March 5, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Jurrjens is going to lock that 5 spot down and if Hampton isn’t ready, the 4 spot. Kid can pitch.
Interesting stat: Glavine threw the 2nd most balls last year of any major league pitcher. (I think Baltimore’s Cabrera was #1)
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Teixeira RBI single on a strange-hopping ball that got all kinds of top spin off the infield lip and shot through the right side.
1-0 Braves, and Javy up with runners on corners and one out.
By joe from central ca
March 5, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB How is our newly acquired CF looking so far this spring? Haven’t heard his name called much.
By Evan
March 5, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Jurrjens is looking better and better for that 5 spot in the rotation.
By M.C. Shan's Classic "The Bridge"
March 5, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Ladies and Gentleman We got MC McCann and Smoltzie Smoltz in the house tonight They just came from off the backfield and they wanna tell you a little story about the new kid where they’re from
The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge
You love to hear the story again and again of how they won back in 91 The division titles is right in your face Sit and listen for a while to the name of the new babyface
The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge
Hardball was set out in the dark They used to do it out in the park Every place they said his name it rang an alarm Otherwise known as Union Man Tom A brother whose known for his rap Javy Jack, Larry Wayne and least not last A cool brother Raffy who throws gas These brothers own the NL East block ’Cause they was down with a man called Bobby Cox They still jam in the place called The Ted They give you sweet dreams when you go to bed
Go to the Ted Get frisked Just in order to get in And if you wasn’t from A-Town Then you couldn’t fight and win But everytime we had a blog We couldn’t get no peace That’s why they’re no Mets blogs out there The Mets blogs, they had to cease ‘Cause they didn’t have a pup named
The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge
Mets fans, why don’t you wise up Show all the people in this place that you are bright Make this here one blog that you do not start no fight Cause that is one thing that we all must see done And if you start some sh!t you’re a$$ had better run Cause we root for
The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge
Dimples be the boy, he is great Mac and Smoltzie Smoltz own the plate They still rock it out in the Ted And the title of it was sucker Mets fans And then the Mets strolled along one day And then the Mets walked into a pitcher named JJJ First in line you know its me MC McCann ha ha in the place to be MC McCann he made them beg The Yoga Man that look like a keg The chubby catcher out to get loose Now he squats down and he got the juice The Ted is the place where stars are born And we are the only ones that can’t be worn out By any sucker Mets fan Keep your mouth shut ‘bout our man ’Cause he’s
The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge
Dead dreams, the Mets bought and sold You gotta try and earn your goal However you do it however you’re made Don’t ever listen to what Omar say Cause I will tell you the deal You gotta go by what your heart feel Cause if you don’t you’ll be misled By stupid little things he put inside your head Or someone else called a Phillie Their trying to live your destiny By the time you think about it the title is blown And then you gotta say god damn The Braves took it right to my dome Grab hold of your heavy chain Rich people always pullin always trying to restrain You heard just what I said They’re always pullin ya back when you wanna get ahead They pull you back cause they’re not gonna win it You’re talking about the Series Their talking about quit it Soon you’ll see that time just fly Cause you spent most of it out spendin’ high Thought about it much, much later Could’ve brought up a kid from the minors and been much greater But you chose to lead that fate Now you’re sucking on a bone while the Braves are chewing on a steak The whole purpose of the story I told Was mainly to inspire you to reach your goals Stop walking through life as if you are blind You should reach for your goal cause i’m reaching for mine ’Cause he’s
The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge The Bridge, The Bridge, Lilli, Lilli, L’il Bridge
Keep on rockin The Bridge Will keep rockin If the beat stop rockin The Bridge will keep rockin If the beat stop rockin The Bridge will keep-a rockin Till the beat stop rockin The Bridge will keep-a rockin Till the Bridge stop rockin The kids will keep-a rockin When the Bridge stop rockin The Bridge will keep-a rockin If the kids stop rockin The Bridge will keep-a rockin Till the beat stop rockin The Bridge will keep rockin
Ladies and Gentleman We got MC McCann and Smoltzie Smoltz in the house tonight
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
javy weak fly to left, not deep enough to tag from third.
Borchard up, runners on corners and two outs. POUNDS a LINE DRIVE to leff-center gap for a two-run double, 3-0 lead.
By JordanPTC
March 5, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Ha! Hate to jinx the team, but how fun would it be for the Braves’ pitchers to no-no the Indians in ST?!?!
By KC
March 5, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Braves Are Due for Some Luck:
Ya know, I was just thinking… the Braves are overdue for a run of good (or even fair) luck, aren’t they? Well… at least the pitching staff is.
In 2006, nearly everything that could go wrong the Atlanta’s pitching, DID go wrong.
Chris Reitsma, Jorge Sosa were terrible. Hudson had the worst season of his career. John Thompson and Horacio Ramirez spent most of the year on the DL. Baez was a nice pick-up, until the injury bug bit him as well. And none of the young arms began to pitch in until it was too late.
In 2007… Hampton’s comeback was derailed for another full season, and every option the Braves tried at the bottom of the rotation was a disaster. Chuck James, while he wasn’t giving the Braves innings, was pretty good until a shoulder problem rendered him useless for the last 2-plus months of the season. Oh… and then there’s Mike Gonzalez’s injury, and fizzling out of Bob Wickman.
Time for Hampton to have a victorious comeback… for Glavine to win 15 games… for one of our young arms to more than solidify the 5-slot… and most of all, HEALTH!
Yup, the Braves are due for some good luck. The baseball gods owe it to us.
By Jim
March 5, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Who else is pitching today?
By Overlord
March 5, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Moises Alou flew to NY to see the Doctor. He has discomfort on one of his groins……Another player went with him in the same plane with health problems, just couldnt hear who was it.
Whats new for the mets?
I think the mets having santana doesnt means they are nl east champions. But i can tell you, if they didnt get santana, with all their injuries and question marks…….it was an automatic 3rd place finish….. so he really means a lot.
Dodgers strike first, a double and an RBI single.
1-0 dodgers 2nd inning
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Flowers inning-ending pop up to 2B to end inning after Diaz infield hit (yes, Diaz infield hit).
By Overlord
March 5, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
KC Jair looks very very good. He jammed every hitter but one, a liner to kotsay. He pitched 3 innings of perfect baseball…… i think james wont catch up with him.
Bennett is up for those who were claiming for him.
By Josh H
March 5, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
DOB:
How many hitters from the Tigers “real” lineup did Jurrjens faace?
By TennesseePaul
March 5, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
After reading Chipper’s take on the trade, and Wren’s comments on preventing James from pitching, and watching JoJo prove last season he needs more time in the minors, it was pretty much a shoe-in Jurrjens was in the rotation. The question then fell to Hampton, who has proven to be healthy… so far.
Opening rotation (barring injury or an attack from Hugo Chavez)
Hudson
Smoltz
Glavine
Jurrjens
Hampton
Order will be different more than likely but I’d imagine that’s the crew… for a little while until the old timers start seeking days off.
By Seymour
March 5, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Didn’t Diaz get an important (more or less game-winning) infield hit sometime last season because of his hussle?
By TJ
March 5, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
Liliputian would be appropriate, but doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue…
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
Lew, Through their first three full seasons Wright has superior numbers than Chipper. HR’s 83/74 HITS 553/500 RBI’S 325/307 SB’S 71/42 SLG .533/.486 OBP .395/.372 AVG .314/.289 -Yes, Chipper was good but Mr Wright has been better.
By Overlord
March 5, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Kotsay is having a nice spring, good glove, good ABs so far. Everything looking very good for us with him.
DOB after seeing jair and Bennett, what do you think? Bennett was not near as sharp as jair.
As you said…. i think 5th is locked. James will go against bennett and jojo for the spot as long reliever i think….. what do you think about that?
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Just got back from talking to Jurrjens, in time to see Prado hit a double that bounced off RF’s glove way back in the corner at the warning track.
Jurrjens is a very bright kid. You folks are going to like him. Good attitude, upbeat, and listen to this quote about him trying to throw first-pitch strikes today and get guys to hit the ball:
“I was working just to get ahead of every hitter, trying to throw first-pitch strikes and pitch for contact.
“I’m trying to throw the least [number of] pitches I can now. Because even though it’s only three innings now, during the season it’s going to be more and I want to try to go deeper in games to help the bullpen.”
By Overlord
March 5, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
DOB is it true that Prado is taking more batting practice once games are over? Thats what guys from indians TV said. That he is taking extra BP after games.
By Overlord
March 5, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
DOB what about chipper? i read he is taking BP and fielding GB. how is he doing?
By chuckaluck
March 5, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
DOB — Thanks for new blog. I agree with BossLady, it is almost like being down there. Was Jurrjens performance today the best of the spring by a Braves’ starter?
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
joe from central ca.: Kotsay entered today 3-for-10 with a double, and most importantly for the Braves, no pain in his back. Hasn’t missed any workouts or even had to come in early for treatment…
Funny you asked, because he’s up right now. With a runner at second and two outs … swung and missed first pitch. Takes ball 1…. And ball 2… And ball 3.
It’s 3-1 count now. Swings and misses.
Full count: pop up to the seats behind 3B…. another pop up into seats down left-field line…. Then a hard opposite-field flyout to the LF warning track.
Inning over.
By chrisklob
March 5, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
For anyone interested, the game can be seen on channelsurfing.net. You might have to install a couple of plug-ins but it doesn’t take but a couple of minutes to do.
By flange1
March 5, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Thanks for all the hard work! I can’t wait for Opening Day!
I think JJJ is the real deal and will be either 4 or 5 in the rotation. Hope Hampton is healthy!
Question: It appears that the rotation is “set”, lets assume that is will be Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, JJJ, Hampton,
We have heard Chuck might not be ready for Opening Day. If not, he will probably start the year on the DL and go to Richmond to “get ready”.
So here is the question, Once Chuckie is ready, do you think they will leave him in Richmond to start or bring him up to Atlanta as a reliever?
Thanks!
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Josh H, only absentees from Cleveland lineup: Sizemore and V. Martinez.
They had Travis Haffner, Jhonny Peralta, Ryan Garko, David Delluci, Casey Blake and Jason Michaels in the lineup, along with the top prospect I mentioned, CF Trevor Crowe.
By FJR
March 5, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
just need 1-3 more teams to fill up the braves blog fantasy league. It’s hosted on ESPN (FREE). If you want in still, this might be the last shot. E-mail at fjrabon@gmail.com for an invitation.
By Braveheart
March 5, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Lew, Through their first three full seasons Wright has superior numbers than Chipper. HR’s 83/74 HITS 553/500 RBI’S 325/307 SB’S 71/42 SLG .533/.486 OBP .395/.372 AVG .314/.289 -Yes, Chipper was good but Mr Wright has been better.
Sniper69 We’ve seen David Wright type pretenders to Chipper’s throne before.
Hank Blalock, Scott Rolen, Eric Chavez were gods at the age of 24 as well.
All were pretenders to Chipper’s throne. All three fizzled out.
Chipper was a god before all three came on the scene and Chipper is still a god after all three fizzled out.
Tell David Wright to give Chipper a call when he is 36 years old like Chipper will be next month.
I have a funny feeling David Wright will fizzle out just like Howard Johnson and Edgardo Alfonzo did for the Mets.
David Wright will never be making that phone call to Chipper.
By ColoradoBravesFan
March 5, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Good news that Chipper’s hammy feels well enough to take left-handed cuts in simulated game against Smoltz.
Any idea if he took any swings right handed in BP today?
GO BRAVOS…
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Overlord, Chipper is scheduled to return to lineup Friday vs. Tigers at Lakeland….
Wow, I was just distracted by the, uh, scenery….
TennPaul, I agree with your rotation (2:05 post), and perhaps even with the order. I’d have Hampton fifth, make it easier to give him a start off now and then….
Ridgway pitching now, pitching well, just got three straight groundouts in a perfect fifth…
Bennett gave up a walk in one inning of work, not bad at all considering how much time he’s missed due to that nasty flu bug that kept him out more than a week.
By HuffBraves
March 5, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
THERE’s that power stroke. Egad. Way to go Tex!!
By ChiTownBravo
March 5, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
This team reminds me of many of those mid-90s Braves teams, only with a good bit more pop in the lineup. If those teams proved anything, it was that over the course of a season, teams with the deepest and most dependable rotations most often outlast the rest.
That’s been a key problem for the Braves the last couple of seasons with injuries and undependable #3, 4 and 5 starters. This team looks ready to withstand the rigors of a season with its depth in the starting rotation.
As they always say…pitching wins championships. Every year, it’s proven over and over again and this year will be no different.
Rotation depth should get the Braves into the playoffs this year. Having some solid fireballers in that rotation such as Jurrjens and Smoltz along with Hudson should hopefully help them accrue some much needed playoff wins once they get there.
Sit back and enjoy, folks. It should be a good year.
By matt_T
March 5, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Any chance of seeing pictures of Tiger in his Braves gear?
By Jim
March 5, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
I am surprised that Bennet only went 1 inning today. Someone said that he doesn’t need the work as much because he pitched in Winter Ball, but if he is to be a serious candidate for the 6th man or projected for his trade value, shouldn’t we have a larger sample of work to go on? I disagree with someone from a previous blog who said that the Braves have a good idea of what he can do. We only have a brief 2-week sample of what he can do from a time when he was in a good groove coming out of the AAA playoffs.
By Daybed Wagmoe
March 5, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
This Jurrjens fella looks pretty good.
DOB - do you know if Cox was referring to him when he said, “the Mets got one pitcher, but we got two”? In the article on atlantabraves.com, the writer makes it sound like he was referring to Glavine and Hampton, which doesn’t sound like it would make sense. Yeah, having Hampton come back is like getting another pitcher…
By Mike
March 5, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
SNIPER-69, you forgot one important stat: Rings Chipper: 1 Wright: 0
By Daybed Wagmoe
March 5, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Royce Ring in the 5th? The live boxscore says Ridgway…
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, I’m just reading you the numbers. I don’t know about the future of David Wright and neither do you. Not only are his numbers better, He’s also not the a*******hole I’ver heard chipper is. Even braves fans have to admit that David is a stand up guy who they’d love to have on their team. I would think even you can see that.
By ole timerbrave
March 5, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
DOB how far was the Tex homerun?
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Ridgway in fifth, Ring in now. Ring issued a two-out walk, now facing Delluci with a runner at first.
By Overlord
March 5, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Indians are still looking for their 1st hit in the 6th i think.
By Scuba-Steve
March 5, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul I loved that statement “Barring injury or an attack from Hugo Chavez”. That had me rolling, don’t really know why. Maybe just too easy to humor.
By Ben
March 5, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Love Jurrjen’s gameplan re: getting ahead of hitters and pitching for contact. Surprising coming from a young guy, but definitely a good thing. Sounds a lot like the Maddux approach.
By HuffBraves
March 5, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Ridgway 5th, Ring in 6th
By Tomahawkin' Again (Like it's 1995)
March 5, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Can we mention the no-no we’re pitching, even if it’s spring training? Dammit, I just typed “no-no”. By the way, DOB, how is the, uh, scenery you mentioned earlier? It’s getting closer to spring break time here in Fla and the scenery will only be getting better.
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Mike, you’re right but give him some time. He’s only 25.
By Lauren T.
March 5, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Was “the scenery” at 2:29pm named Jamie, DOB? ;)
By Scuba-Steve
March 5, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul I loved that statement “Barring injury or an attack from Hugo Chavez”. That had me rolling, don’t really know why. Maybe just too easy to humor.
By ole timerbrave
March 5, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
BTW i’m watching on MLB, I ready for the season to start. Still, don’t know who the backend of the bullpen might be. Can you give some of your opion on it?
By Daybed Wagmoe
March 5, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
The number one reason why this year’s team will post 90+ wins (as opposed to 2007’s 84) is the improvements to the rotation.
2007’s rotation: Smoltz Hudson James
4 and 5: Davies/Carlyle/Redman/Cormier/Reyes2008 rotation: Smoltz Hudson Glavine Hampton (or in 5 slot) Jurrjens/Reyes/James
We had 3 holes in the rotation that were insufficiently plugged during the year. We’ve filled those holes with the acquisitions of Glavine and Jurrjens and the return of Hampton, and now we’ve got a lot of backup if and when needed.
By TennesseePaul
March 5, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Well DOB, if that is then the case of the rotation, the Braves are set up for a much, much better home opener than last year when Mark “The Tee” Redman toed the slab.
My fingers type this without any help or backspacing … if healthy … the team should do quite well and the rotation will be a much improved cog.
Hell, the simple fact of knowing Mark Redman has no chance of being the home opener makes the start of the season wonderful.
By Chazbo
March 5, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Mr. O’Brien what is Buddy Carlyle looking like down there?
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Daybed, he was referring to Glavine and Hampton. Actually named them, but the guy didn’t use that part of the quote.
I’ll put that quote in my notebook for tomorrow’s paper, probably.
BY THE WAY, Braves have a combined no-hitter going. Five guys have allowed no hits through seven innings.
By TennesseePaul
March 5, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Braves have thrown 7 no-hit innings. Stinking Bennett and Ring blew the chance at a perfect game. Hang your heads in shame guys!
By Big Easy
March 5, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Thorman still has that huge swing…
Bottom 8, Indians still looking for their first hit…
~E~
By Overlord
March 5, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Runs scored in spring NL.
1st Diamondbacks————51
6th Braves———————39
last Mets———————-22
By Luther
March 5, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
TP-Mark “The Tee” Redman- very nice
By Stephen
March 5, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Cox’s excitement about the kid came through in an unrestrained moment during a conversation in the dugout this morning. “His swing is so [freaking] good,” he said. “He’s got a great, nice swing. No moving parts, so simple.”
Does that imply that Cox said Flowers’ “swing is so f_cking good”?
Stephen
By TennesseePaul
March 5, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Cuevas, J
21-28 3.94 ERA in 74 Games, 66 Starts 356.0 innings with 344 K’s, 169 BB’s and a 1.32 WHIP in 4 minor league seasons since being signed by the Braves in 2003. He pitched at Myrtle Beach last year.
By DAP
March 5, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
has mccann played at all this spring?
By Bawlmer Brave
March 5, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Hard for the Muts to score any runs when they keep running out the water boy, trainer, bat boys, and Sniper. Aren’t gonna score many runs that way.
By OrlandoFan
March 5, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Gee, doesn’t Mark Redman seem a long time ago?
By ncscoots
March 5, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Overlord, that’s just one more marker as to why ST stats are totally meaningless. If there’s one Vegas bet on baseball I’d make this year, it’s that the D-backs won’t lead the league in runs. HA!
By ssiscribe
March 5, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
No-no still a-go through eight.
—30—
By DAP
March 5, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
make that 8 no-hit innings.
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Still a no-hitter, but Colter Bean is pitching the ninth for the Braves. He’s not bueno (Bueno, by the way, pitched the seventh).
is that worthy of a rim shot?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 5, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Goose eggs through eight. Simply outstanding !
By MNC
March 5, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
DOB, who do you suppose would be first choice for closer if Soriano is hurt? Moylan?
Thanks for the game updates, wish I was there!
By Overlord
March 5, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Last in AVG. ————-mets
By ole timerbrave
March 5, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Flower’s has a great bat!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 5, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
Two walks through eight innings and 10Paul is complaining , JEEESSH !!!
By TennesseePaul
March 5, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Teixeira hit a long one off Kobayashi. Unfortunately for him he forgot that everyone works for Keyser Soze willingly or not, knowingly or not. Teixeira found a manila envelope in his locker after the game containing his complete record as well as the entire history of each family member and loved ones. He has now been drafted into a “job” down at the ports…
It’s unfortunate really. I had such high hopes for him this year.
By Overlord
March 5, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Braves were tied with the marlins before this game for first in ERA with 3.00. Of course we are all alone now.
By Scuba-Steve
March 5, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
How have our last two springs been? Seems like we are starting this one off strong and I want to see how we did the last two.
By Jim
March 5, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
I would expect the teams training in Arizona to score more runs than those training in Fla. The more impressive statistic so far is the number of runs allowed. (Especially if you discount DeSalvo, Bean, and the guy that pitched the 10th against the Mets.)
By al-FAN-so Soriano
March 5, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
“Moises Alou flew to NY to see the Doctor. He has discomfort on one of his groins”
How many groins does he have?
By McFann
March 5, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
Well, Teixiera had a great day at the plate!
I like this JJJ. He better make the team over Ho-Ho Reyes.
By DAP
March 5, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
flowers was safe. his batting stance seemed very unique. kinda closed like escobar’s but not as dramatic as that. maybe like salty without the bat-waggle?
By Big Easy
March 5, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
blown call by the 1st base ump on that Tyler Flowers hit ball…Safe by a step….
Anderson at 3rd, 2 down in the top of the 9th…
~E~
By ncscoots
March 5, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
And just to head it off (since many bloggers only recently learned Jurrjens’ name is pronounced Jeye-eer), Cuevas’ name is not pronounced Jeye-eer-oh, LOL.
By The Murf
March 5, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Man DOB, that joke was pretty weak! Thanks for the updates
By TennesseePaul
March 5, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Coach: I demand perfection! Ha!
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Colter just walked the leadoff guy in the ninth. Josh Barfield up now
By OrlandoFan
March 5, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Yes, that was weak, DOB. You must have been addled by the scenery.
By Bravesfan79
March 5, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Why is Chipper returning to the lineup?? He shouldn’t do anything until the last week before the season starts. Nothing but batting practice for him if i was the coach.
YEA one of the ESPN guys just picked the Braves in the NL….while broiadcasting the Yankees/Twins game.
The only team that really scares me is Arizona. But in a 7 game series i think we can beat anyone with Smoltz healthy.
By Tomahawkin' Again (Like it's 1995)
March 5, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
I’m on the edge of my seat here at work…2 outs from a spring No-No.
By Big Easy
March 5, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
lead-off walk, strike-out swinging…let’s get the twin killing here and end this thing without a hit…
~E~
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Struck out Barfield. Jason Tyner up now.
walked him, too. uh, oh, Hafner up with runners at first and second and one out
By TennesseePaul
March 5, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Coulter Bean
29-18 3.05 ERA in 358 games, 11 starts and 519.2 innings with 643 K’s, 235 BB and a 1.23 WHIP over 8 seasons.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 5, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
2.23 , that is current Braves team ERA through eight games played. H-E-L-L-O to all you pundits and experts.
The Earth is round and the Braves have just a little bit of pitching.
By Big Easy
March 5, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
I am not becoming a fan of Mr. Bean…
~E~
By ssiscribe
March 5, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
One out away, a double off the wall ruins the no-hitter.
—30—
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Hafner flied out to deep L-C, runners on corners with two outs.
DANNY SANDOVAL SINGLE OFF RF WALL WITH TWO OUTS.
Wouldn’t you know, a non-roster infielder spoils the no-no and the shutout. With one out left.
By TennesseePaul
March 5, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Bean blew it! Curse that man.
By KC
March 5, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Bravesfan79: Which ESPN guy was it? Just curious.
By TexasBrave
March 5, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Well there goes the no hitter and the shut out, way to go Bean!
By KC
March 5, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
“walked him, too. uh, oh, Hafner up with runners at first and second and one out”
Hey, that puts the double play in order and gives a better chance of getting out of the inning without a hit. =)
By KC
March 5, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Aaaargh!!! I know it’s just the spring… but a no-hitter still would have been cool.
DOB: When is Hampton’s next action?
By Renegator
March 5, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
According to yahoo sports the no hitter is complete.
By McFann
March 5, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Darn, no no-no. But at least we got a win!
Ugh. I don’t like Arizona either. In the last two years, they’re 10-3 against the Braves!
By ncscoots
March 5, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
bloggers are starting to think, “…some Coulter Bean(s) and a nice Chianti.”
By chuckaluck
March 5, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Should you get excited about a spring training no-hitter?
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 5, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
Peterbilt Peterbilt
By Braveheart
March 5, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
I don’t know about the future of David Wright and neither do you. Not only are his numbers better, He’s also not the a*hole I’ver heard chipper is. Even braves fans have to admit that David is a stand up guy who they’d love to have on their team. I would think even you can see that.
Sniper What makes you think David Wright is a stand up guy but Chipper isn’t? Wright has not yet had to face anywhere near the pressure and adversity Chipper has faced during his career.
David Wright is only 24 years old and he still has not had to carry the burden that Chipper has had to carry for well over a decade now of being the best player on the best team year in and year out.
Wright has never had to be the face of a frustrating franchise that did not win everything they were supposed to win like Chipper has been.
Wright has not yet made mistakes in his personal life or in his comments to the media like Chipper has and had to deal with that fallout.
Wright has not yet made any missteps that we know of in his personal and family life that were never anyone’s business but became everyone’s business for who knows what freaking stupid reason like Chipper made and had to endure the endless taunts about it for almost a decade now.
Wright has not had to battle injuries or being moved to left field or being willing to accept hometown discounts and how that plays with your mind.
You might think Chipper is an a@@hole and maybe he really is but let’s give Wright another decade or so with dealing with the NYC media and see if he can persevere like Chipper has despite it all and remain one of the best hitters in the game despite all the garbage he has had to deal with during his career (some of which were unfortunately self-inflicted).
You can cite the Wonder Woman’s stats all you want but me and most Braves fans would not want David Wright because we have Chipper and Chipper is battle tested. Or, in the words of Hillary, Chipper has been vetted.
If David Wright is such a stand up guy, let’s see how much of a stand up guy he is 10 years from now and whether he would be willing to pop up on a Mets blog 10 years from now where people routinely call him every name in the book and see how stand up he is.
Everyone can be a stand up guy when you are the golden boy the media coddles and cuddles up to. Just ask Chipper. He was that golden boy from 1990 until 1999.
The real stand up guy is a man like Chipper who is still standing when it is all said and done, and everyone has said and done everything to him, and he has said and done everything to them.
Will David Wright still wanna be a Met when you all inevitably turn on him like you turn on all of your New York players eventually?
Last I checked, despite us all saying and doing every darn thing to Chipper, the man still says there is no other team he would rather play for.
Let’s see how it plays out. At 36 years old, David Wright won’t be a stand up guy because he will will no longer be standing just like the pretenders to the throne Blalock, Chavez, Rolen are no longer gonna be of Chipper’s caliber and make up at 36 years old.
By Pete H.
March 5, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Another good game. We’ve pretty much won every game with our real team out there. It’s the non-roster guys who have blown it. Bean has two lousy outings so far…he’s so far down on the depth chart that I don’t even count him. At one point, he was a top prospect, for the Yankees, I think, but it’s pretty obvious that poor control has kept him out of the bigs.
By DAP
March 5, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
chuckaluck Should you get excited about a spring training no-hitter?
yes.
always get excited about a no hitter at any level of baseball. its pretty cool.
By Paddy McGillicutty
March 5, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Awesome post at 3:43, ncscoots!
By Mike
March 5, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Post pics of the scenery DOB!
By chrisklob
March 5, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Well said Braveheart.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Overlord-What’s new, indeed. I called the shots on Moises all winter long, just to have the Trolls question my sanity. Big Bruise is in mid season (DL) form. They’re off to a great start.
By Patrick
March 5, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Darn it! I wanted that no-no!
By the way, DOB, give an overall assessment of how the pitchers were today. I know it was a 1-hitter, but how much do you think that matters in Bobby’s mind?
By RC
March 5, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
I once threw a no-hitter on MVP Baseball 2006 on the X-Box. I was pretty excited.
By chrisklob
March 5, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
This is from the Mets’ page on mlb.com:
The number of able bodies in the Mets’ projected starting lineup has been reduced to two. Left fielder Moises Alou, already considered an injury risk, has now become an injury reality, flying to New York on Wednesday for an examination of his strained right groin.
By chuckaluck
March 5, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
DAP: I guess you’re right. But I will save the real excitement for the 162 that count. Besides, it didn’t happen anyhow. At least you got to feel good about the pitching staff for a day — except maybe Beanball.
By MGL
March 5, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
RC, did the Mets contact you yet?
By ObiWanKobe
March 5, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
DOB we need cell phone pictures of the “scenery”
By Lew
March 5, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Looks like the Mets are going to find out just how good Reyes and Wright really are. They are the only projected starters left uninjured.
By RC
March 5, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
MGL,
I’ve not gotten the call yet, but I think they’ve been in contact with my agent. Once signed, I’m projected to be the #4 pitching prospect in their system.
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Patrick, Jurrjens was great, Ridgway was damn good, the others were good to middling. Bean had command issues. Ring was good except for the walk.
Cox raved about Jurrjens and about Ridgway’s nasty stuff.
By BosnianBaller
March 5, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
The braves pitching looked real good today.especially jurgens
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
I answered this earlier (maybe it was on last blog, but earlier today somewhere). Anyway, here goes again: Hampton starts Friday vs. Detroit’s Kenny Rogers at Dark Star, after Glavine faces Dontrelle on Thursday at Tigertown in Lakeland.
Couple solid all-lefty matchups.
Cox said Chipper should return to the lineup on Friday.
By TennesseePaul
March 5, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Braveheart: You left one thing out… no wait, there it is. That just about covers it.
By Jersey Gil
March 5, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Lew Remember what i said before about the Senior Mutts….now than they send all the minor league to the Twin, they will see who’s got the best Minor league system, special in April, they play six games with the Bravos and six with the Phillis. The Braves Bench look real good this year. Oh i forgot welcome back to the Northeast.
By Dingo
March 5, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
RC - you’re queer
By Incredulous
March 5, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Coulter Bean needs to be sent home right away for the rest of the spring. We don’t need another choker on the team, we’ve got plenty. They should have brought in Moylan (the real closer) to seal the deal.
By William
March 5, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
MartyWhat a class act. I told Jeff when he signed on Monday that I don’t know how he’s managed to stay so nice now that he’s become a star (and now that he’s clearly the heir apparent to the Dale Murphy/Chipper Jones fan-favorite throne), and I really meant it. It’s guys like Jeff Francoeur who make the game of baseball fun to watch and make it fun to follow a team. Go Braves!**
Marty……. Very well said and I couldn’t agree more. I was a HUGE Dale Murphy fan growing up as a teenager. I’ve waited for a guy to come along anywhere close to having the character that Murphy displayed and Francoeur is that guy. I have a 8yr old son who loves him and I couldn’t think of a better guy for him to have as hero.
By DonCoburleone
March 5, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
That is really good to hear about Jurrjens DOB… I’m really getting excited about that kid. Plus, its comforting to know we now have 2 legitimate pitching prospects who are major league ready…
One question regarding Chuck James DOB, what will the Braves do with him if he is healthy but loses out on a spot in the rotation? Can he be sent down? Maybe use him in the bullpen? I’d hate to think that we’d trade him, because it would most definately be for pennies on the dollar…
By jbutler
March 5, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
DOB Is your scenary much like the thong-clad hot dog vender in Ft. Lauderdale the police had to ask to put clothes on she was causing so many traffic accidents?? I love Florida.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 5, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Smoltz , Hudson , Glavine , Hampton and Jurrjens , that is what the rotation looks like so far.
Knock on wood.
By Epinephrine
March 5, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Just got to Lakeland after seeing the Bravos at Winter Haven.
Man, Jurrjens looked absolutely great. His stuff was all around the plate, and it was sharp. He had the Tribe flailing away without any success in all three innings. Very encouraging.
Schafer looked good out in center. Good arm, good range. The kid definitely has a swagger. Kotsay also played well-sharply hit balls all day.
DOB, any idea who is scheduled to work in relief tomorrow?
By richbrave
March 5, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
DAP:
Junhe 9th. Would you care to assist? Love to have you.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
JerseyGil-Dude, with all the injuried players the Baby Mets will be required to replace, they may no longer HAVE a minor league system.
By Buzzfan®
March 5, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
* PLEASE help me reach my goal of $6K by St BALDRICK’S (St Patty’s) DAY!!
*
Getting my Head BUZZED to Fight Children’s Cancers!!
* THANKS!! * (sorry for the hijack, DOB! ;-)
By richbrave
March 5, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
O’BRIAN:
Maybe I missed your response. Would Teixeira have any trade value before the deadline this year in case things aren’t going the Braves way?
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
richbrave, name’s spelled with an ‘e’ not an ‘a.’
i imagine if a contender badly wanted a big bat at the deadline, then he’d have value.
but unless the braves are completely out of the division and wild-card lead, it won’t even be considered.
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
DonC, yes Chuck can be sent down, or open on DL rehabbing at Richmond to build arm strength, since he’s probably only gonna have a couple of weeks to pitch in games.
Who even said he’s a candidate for the bullpen? I didn’t. Not saying he’s not, but no Braves official has indicated that he would be.
Braves have enough lefty relievers to choose from, led by Ohman (lock to make it), Ring (out of options) and even Ridgway, who looked very good today.
By tampadawg
March 5, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
this Edgar trade for Jurrjens is starting to feel like a steal for us….maybe one of the best trades we’ve had in awhile..
By Anders
March 5, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
DOB
Daybed, he was referring to Glavine and Hampton. Actually named them, but the guy didn’t use that part of the quote
You may want to mention to Cox that if he’s gonna include Hampton in the Braves part of the equation he should include Pedro in the Mets side. Let’s see - The Mets add Santana and Pedro(who actually pitched for a month last year and appears healthy) and the Braves add Glavine and Hampton (Who hasn’t pitched since God knows when). How do those two changes stack up now?
I think Bobby’s math might be off a bit. Just saying.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Anders-As injury prone as your pitching staff may be, y’all have bigger problems right now. Those Mets’ starters are dropping fast. Y’all might just be in some dire straights-at least to start the season-if not all the way through to October. Even your second string is having problems, it seems.
By RC
March 5, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Anders, You also might want to look at the math you just used for the Mets. Given that Glavine is no Santana, but you did lose him as well, and he would have been the #1 starter on your staff if not for the Santana trade. So the Mets math is Santana+Pedro-Glavine. Still 2 very good additions, but not quite as good as it looks otherwise.
By Capt. Caveman
March 5, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
DOB
What was the reaction at the stadium in the stands and the press box when the Indians got that hit to break up the NO-NO??
Just curious if seeing a no-hitter in spring is as special as seeing one in the regular season??
And how do you think it will be before Detroit trades us another pitcher if Jurrgens works out even half as well as Smoltz??
I hear they still shake their heads a little whenever they talk about how Smoltz got away.
By William F. Buckley, Jr.
March 5, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
How is it possible to believe in the Braves?
The imperishable answer is that I find it easier to believe in the Braves than to believe that Hamlet was deduced from the molecular structure of a mutton chop.
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
It’s funny to read post after post about the demise of the Mets. It’s spring training. These games realy don’t mean sh—it. It’s mostly wishful thinking on the braves fans part. I’ve been a part of this blog the last few years and it’s been the same thing. Every mishap for the Mets has been viewed more tragic than it realy is. Last year I heard the same garbage about age, health, talent, ect, ect. Yes, the collaps in 2007 was painful, I won’t lie. But the Mets were in first place for most of last year dispite all the gloom and doom predictions on this blog. So this is nothing new. Lets not forget the braves finished 3rd behind that old and untalented team. New York will prevail. All I can say is WAIT AND SEE BRAVE FANS.
By Bobby's Cox
March 5, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
Why doesn’t Soriano just have an MRI and be done with it. It’s better to know now if somethings wrong than to let it linger. On top of that, it it seems like he’s try to take it slow but Bobby and Wren want to see him pitch in a few days.
If we get an MRI, and it’s bad news, we have more time to prepare and analyze who takes his spot.
By TennesseePaul
March 5, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
Ranked fifth in the StatFox Power Rankings
By ippississiM
March 5, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
The casualty list is mounting higher over at the Mets camp. Sportsline now has the total at 14 injured.
Jose Valentin, Damion Easley, Ben J. Johnson, Michel Abreu, Moises Alou, Marlon Anderson, Carlos Beltran, Luis Castillo, Ryan Church, Carlos Delgado, Ruben Gotay, Orlando Hernandez, Brian Schneider, Endy Chavez
Those listed on the mlb.com depth chart are bold.
This list has all the Mets ML-ready 1B, 2B, outfielders, and the starting catcher.
I don’t know whether to laugh, or to worry what it means that they’re winning anything at all with what they have left.
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Well after driving like a madman from Winter Haven to Universal Studios, I’m here ready to do a quickie live interview on ESPN News at 7:35 p.m. EST, for those of you who have it.
Bobby’s C, if Soriano’s soreness persists, I’m sure they will do an MRI. But they’ll first see how he does when he throws in a couple days.
They don’t need four weeks to decide who’s going to replace him if he’s out, which the Braves still seem fairly certain will not be the case. If he’s done, they’ll simply move Moylan or someone else into his spot, or they’ll have to make a deal to get a closer. But whether they find out today or next week isn’t going to make a difference.
Not a lot of teams offering closers in trade at this point, as you can imagine.
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
Caveman, it wasn’t even remotely similar to the atmosphere surrounding a no-hitter during the regular season. Night and day, the difference.
Especially when you’ve got SEVEN pitchers involved. Talked to Ridgway afterward, and he swore he wasn’t even aware it was a no-no going until someone told him in seventh or eighth inning.
I’ve covered four no-hitters, and I didn’t have even the slightest bit of anticipation today like I had watching the final innings of any of those games. Just not the same, doing it in exhibition games.
By Roman Gal
March 5, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Last year the Braves were 4-11 in interleague play while the Mets and Phillies were 8-7. If they can turn that around, that will help tremendously. Here is what their interleague schedule looks like:
Oakland-3 games
Angels-3 games
Texas-3 games
Seatle-3 games
Toronto-3 games
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
You may want to mention to Cox that if he’s gonna include Hampton in the Braves part of the equation he should include Pedro in the Mets side Anders
Yeah, I’ll make sure to mention that to Bobby (he says, rolling his eyes).
By james
March 5, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
DOB, ive heard rumors about the braves and the padres matt bush. Can you confirm any trade rumors?
By midtownBrave
March 5, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
Capt. Caveman That trade has to be the best one ever. Not only did we get a pitcher who might be almost a Smoltz in the future, we also got a good speedy OF in Gorkys. Renteria was expendable since Escobar gave no reason to believe he couldn’t handle the job (hitting or defense) and it also freed-up the money to sign Glavine. It might have been awesome if got Rick Porcello in place of JJ (but he’s not majors ready and we have good pitchers in the system. also the tigers probably would not have wanted to send another smoltz to atlanta).
By Daybed Wagmoe
March 5, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
TennPaul — the Braves are ranked 6th.
By CGB
March 5, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
DOB, nice job on ESPN…nice seeing the Braves getting some air time on ESPN for once. Thanks for your coverage…it’s exciting to hear how good alot of our guys are looking so far (crosses fingers & hopes for no injuries!)
By CGB
March 5, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
DOB, nice job on ESPN…nice seeing the Braves getting some air time on ESPN for once. Thanks for your coverage…it’s exciting to hear how good alot of our guys are looking so far (crosses fingers & hopes for no injuries!)
By Griffin in Miller County
March 5, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
Finally, a face to go with the name. DOB on ESPN News.
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
James, we addressed that rumor a couple of weeks ago. More was made of the Braves’ interest than there actually was.
They have some interest in him, but wouldn’t give up anything of value to get him. This would be a small trade or they’d wait to try and get him as a free agent, from what I’m told.
Either way, it’s such a small matter that it’s not worth spending much time addressing unless it were to happen. He had T.J. surgery and is out for all or most of the season anyway.
By Roman Gal
March 5, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
So what did DOB have to say?
By McFann
March 5, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
Roman Gal—
If the Braves cann turn around their inter-league play that would be a HUGE help!
By Feeanch
March 5, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB,
Great stuff as usual. You know if this sportswriting thing doesn’t work out, you should try your hand as a music critic. There’s no other writer out there that combines as much good hard core baseball stuff as you with obscure, off the beaten path music. You haven’t been to Bonnaroo have you? If not, you need to get up to Manchester, TN. Speaking of which, will you be back in town this Sunday to see Vampire Weekend? If so, I’ll buy you a beer at the Earl. Email me dude.
By chuckaluck
March 5, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
For those of us who don’t get espn news, would someone put DOB on youtube?
By McFann
March 5, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
Jimmy Rollins needs to shut up and play.
By DAP
March 5, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
richbrave Junhe 9th. Would you care to assist? Love to have you.
whats june 9th? your brain surgury? if so…im not qualified to help out, but will definetly be pulling for and praying for you. thanx for the invite.
By Kev
March 5, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
Yeah can someone put DOB on ESPNews thing on Youtube or detail what he said or something.
By Shamus Thacker
March 5, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
Jurrjens is gonna be fun to watch. I gotta feeling he’s spoken with Tommy about pitching more than once.
I read this blog at whatever time I get home. It’s like experiencing the game live, even at two in the mawnin. I appreciate what you do DOB, and I appreciate all you other goofballs and misfits and your misguided opinions.. lol
Don’t bogart that thang, my friend…
By Roman Gal
March 5, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
Lew, I don’t know if you know this but your friend must’ve raised his son a Yankees fan because that’s who he roots for.
By Kevin
March 5, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
Moises Alou is going to have hernia surgery. They are saying he will be out 4-6 weeks and miss all of April.
By Shamus Thacker
March 5, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
I’ll bet Smoltz will eventually add the knuckler to his repertoire.
Smolts on the mound at 60 wouldn’t surprise me.
As hard as he throws now, he’ll still be throwing harder than Niekro [in his prime] at 60. With training equipment and techniques nowadays, I sincerely wouldn’t be surprised in Smoltz’s particular case, IF he were to add the knuckleball. And who on earth is more competative than Smoltz?
By McFann
March 5, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Lets not forget the braves finished 3rd behind that old and untalented team.
How cann we forget when you mention it every five minutes? Someone is beginning to sound desperate, here—desperate for something that will overshadow the horridness of what the Mets did. Why else would you keep on talking about it? Dude, we know what the Braves did last year. We’re Braves fans! You could pull a date from last year (maybe even before that…but for me it’s ‘06-‘07) out of your hat, and we could tell you whether they won or lost—maybe even the score. We live for the Braves, dude! We know where they finished! (Haven’t done this in a while:) SHEEEESH!!
By Lew
March 5, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
RomanGal-That’s definitely something new. Growing up I know he and his brother went to numerous Braves games with their Dad. I stayed with them for two weeks during the Olympics and the Braves’ game was on every night. I might just have to have a serious talk with the boy one of these days-or his Dad. I do know they take baseball vacations, so maybe they went to see the Yankees and something broke in his mind.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Is there a body part that Alou has not injured and ended up on the DL for? Do we really want to know. At least he didn’t fall off of his treadmill this time.
By Teddy Jack Eddy
March 5, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Feeanch I came real close to buying property adjoining the Bonnaroo site in Manchester this time in 2005.If not for a drainage problem I might be typing from there now.
By Shamus Thacker
March 5, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
A catcher fielding Smoltz knucklers would need full-body-armor, and titanium nerves.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Snipper-Seriously Dude, all trash talk aside-Y’all have got be be a bit worried despite all your bravado. The Mets have taken quite a hit the last couple of weeks.
By Cox Fan
March 5, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Alright I just re-read the Soriano elbow story again and voted on whether or not the Braves should be concerned.
If we trust Smoltz (which I do) he has always said closing was more strenuous on his arm due to the fact that there was no consistency, no preparation you are in at any given time. I for one am very concerned. The Braves tried to build the ultimate closing trio with 3 closers in the Pen. Now our hopes lie with one that is recovering from surgery, another that is feeling some risidual pain from a past surgery and the other was released. I know we have other options but when is this role gonna be locked down? I am extremely excited to see Gonzalez come back, for some reason I believe he is our closer for a long time, even if others do not see it that way right now
What do you guys think? Does anyone really believe Soriano is going to be the closer by the end of the season with no stints on the DL? No way, really?
By ippississiM
March 5, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
ncscoots
“…some Coulter Bean(s) and a nice Chianti.”
That’s the first time since breaking my ribs 2 weeks ago that I haven’t been able to keep from laughing.
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
LEW-ser it’s March 5th. No, I’m not worried on this date.
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
According to NY reports Alou has a hernia….will be out 4-6 weeks. We’ll be fine. Chavev and Mets phenom will pick up the slack.
By ncgary
March 5, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Red Sox Scout Arrested for Lewd Behavior in Florida
By Roman Gal
March 5, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Lew, I might have to have a heart to heart (fist to face) with him.
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
I meant Chavez and Mets phenom Martinez…..Like I said, we’ll be fine.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Snipper-It may be March 5, but it looks like you lost Alou for all of April and in case you didn’t realize that counts. I suppose it would actually take common sense and intelligence for you to be worried. I don’t guess you’ll come by that anytime soon, though. Enjoy your blissful ignorance.
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
You see, Why do feel the need to get personal Lew….Realy? I suppose it would actually take common sense and intelligence for you to be worried. This is what others have pointed out to you. You didn’t need to get personal to make your point. You get carried away with your comments. I bought this info on Alou in good faith but you choose to be a constant a-s-s-hole because I guess it makes you feel better about yourself I guess.
By McFann
March 5, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Dang, ippississiM, hope recovery’s gone well for you. How long do ribs take to heal?
Oh well, I gotta go. 9:30’s basically my “dead line”.
Night all!!
By Thrillhouse44
March 5, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Alou’s down? In other breaking news, the sun set this evening. Another shocker: I’m about to enjoy a frothy adult liquid intoxicant.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
According to the Mets’ own press release on MLB.Com, Alou is out until at least May and is expected to miss 30 games. His absence is described as “eliminating balance in the middle of their lineup and undermining their run production.”
With the fact that your second baseman and your center fielder have had surgery on both knees (both players) and have yet to play, you wonder how ready they will be to start the season. Add to that DelGado’s hip impingement, which could be a lingering injury and you wonder what kind of start they will get off to.
Keep in mind Mets’ fans, that it was only by virtue of the Mets very fast start last season that they came in second. They had a sub .500 record from May 26 onward in 07.
Alou, generally your most productive hitter last year (when available and not injured-which wasn’t too often) will not even be ready until May (if then). What kind of start do you truly envision this year? You may not even make it until May 26 this year with a winning record.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
Who started with the Lewser crap, Moron. I’ll play your little game anyway you want you jacka$$.
By chrisklob
March 5, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
From ESPN.com
Updated: October 28, 2007, 5:30 PM ET
DENVER — Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star was elected president of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Sunday and David O’Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was elected vice president.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=3084282
Was anyone/everyone else aware of this? Congratulations DOB. Very impressive!
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
that statement was uncalled for. There are times Lew where it suites you to be a gentleman. It’s OK to show that side of you. I don’t think anyone will hold it against you.
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
162 games are a lot of games. This thing will go to the end of September. Alou was going to miss his share of games. What does it matter when it happens? It just means that of the 4-6 weeks he’ll be out 3 1/2 of them will be during spring training.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Snipper-I started this evening asking to put trash talk aside and asked a reasonable question, to which you responded with Lewser. Fine. Like I said, I’ll play the game any way you want to play it.
However, you can’t expect to call me names and expect nothing to come of it. If you want to be treated like a gentleman then you damn well better act like one yourself. You spent all day yesterday stelling me how unspecial I was. You aren’t any more special than me and you can’t have your own set of rules for how you do things and expect me or others to play by another set. That just isn’t the way it works.
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
C’mom Lew, Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Look back at your reference to me as “Snipper”. I can’t help you Lew, You’re blinded by something I can’t see. I’m not the the fu—kin russians or al-qaida…..Relax. You don’t have to be on the attack 24-7 dude.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
You know what? There are two things you can do to eliminate the whole problem short of leaving this blog. Never mention my name in a post again and just scroll past anything I have to say. I’ll do the same for you if that’s what you’d like. Otherwise, I’ll answer you in whatever tone you choose to take with me. No more and no less.
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
What-ever Lew, You’re in a consant state of war. I’m just a regular guy with two daughters(15 and 11) who happens to be a Mets fan. I go to work everyday just like most Americans but you choose to see me in a different light. I hope someday you realize this is just a blog where people come to root for their favorite teams. It’s not a recuiting station for terrorist. You’re too angry for me. It’s just a BLOG LEW…..C’Ya.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Dude-You know what? You’re right. It’s all my fault. I made the mistake of even acknowledging your existence. Believe me, it will never happen again. You shall eternally remain a non entity where I’m concerned-despite having been one all along. That make you happy? I sure hope so.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Whatever.
By Epinephrine
March 5, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
With all this bickering, the season cannot start fast enough.
With that being said, my optimism level is on a steady rise. And, if Hampton performs well again Friday, it will be high indeed. I love the spring.
By Lew
March 5, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
I’ve just got to make one more observation here. Considering the Blog Name of Sniper, the mention of terrorist training camps, F**kin Russians and Al Quaida, and constant states of war, just which one of us should we be concerned about?
By Lew
March 5, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine-You think the season starting will ratchet down the tone on the blog? Dude, It never has before.
By Reid in EAV
March 5, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Can we find out the IP of this “Sniper-69” and block him please? Lew (or perhaps I should say Lew may be ornery at times, but he’s ours. (Plus he paints good pictures.) Like “tie goes to the runner,” a p**-match-related banning goes to the interloper.
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Chrisklob. But really, you shouldn’t interrupt this important dialogue, which I’m sure has the rest of you out there on the edge of your seats, as it does me. What intrigue awaits around the next bend? What clever retort?…
By chrisklob
March 5, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
DOB, I missed several months over the winter. Was this honor talked about here? I don’t imagine that you would have brought it up but I’m just curious if someone else might have stumbled across that info like I did. That seems like a pretty big feather in your cap.
By DCbrave
March 5, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
Truthfully, I’m so tired of the endless fightings between Lew and others, and I am surprised at how you guys can enjoy that. Even after Chrisklob reported (9:41) that DOB had been elected vice president of the Baseball Writers’ Association of American, no congrats from you guys and you just keep fighting. Simply disgusting! Shame on you guys!
DOB, congrats indeed and I did not know you are this famous in the baseball world. It is a great honor to be in your blog!
By Reid in EAV
March 5, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
Save us from ourselves, David! And thank you— it was starting to degenerate into a “normal” AJC blog, and if that were the case here, I certainly wouldn’t be a regular, or regular lurker most of the time, anyway. ;-)
Also — apparently I cannot type the “p-word” for “wee wee” here. Lesson learned!
And congrats! I have no idea exactly what that means (there is no similar organization for us music writers; we don’t socialize well) but it certainly sounds impressive. Should we call you “Mr. Vice President” now?
By Epinephrine
March 5, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
It may not slow down the bickering, but it certainly ought to help drown it out.
Then again, the season is replete with Robert’s diatribes against Bobby. Hard to say which is worse.
DOB, between this and putting up with Disney-a tip of the cap to you sir.
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
��some Coulter Bean(s) and a nice Chianti.� ncscoots
I second ippississiM’s motion: This was, indeed, a brilliant line.
Quite a day on the blog and on the field for the Braves. I knew it was going to be an interesting day when my Ipod shuffle spat out these tunes this morning as I showered and shaved (I write them down occasionally when they’re this rich):
Morphine’s “I’m Free,” Steve Earle’s “Here I Am,” Bow Wow Wow’s “(I’m a) TV Savage,” The Pixies’ “Monkey Gone to Heaven” (live version), and Leonard Cohen’s “Tower of Song.” Oh, that’s good stuff my friends. Really good stuff….
Bryan, you mentioned that new album by Greg Dulli’s side project The Gutter Twins. The other dude, whose name you didn’t mention, is Mark Lanegan, the great former lead singer of Screaming Trees. I listened on headphones at Barnes & Noble tonight, and it’s a great sounding album. Didn’t buy it because they wanted too much for it (I’ll get it later, and cheaper).
I did get the new one by Sons & Daughters, and it’s superb. If you heard their last couple of albums, they’re a Scottish rock band that put out a great album, the splendidly titled “Repulsion Box,” in 2006. This one’s even better, more straight-ahead, full-bore rock with psychedelic and fuzz-guitar tones. Definitely worth picking up.
By chrisklob
March 5, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
Reid, some or all of the members of the BBWAA is the organization that votes for the baseball HOF. I’m sure there are many other things that this organization is known for, but this one is pretty significant.
By Greg in TN
March 5, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Evening Planet Braves…
Not a bad job on the mound today by Jurrjens and company, eh?
Not much else to say that already hasn’t been said by this point by the good denizens of the Braves/MIB blog. I was one that looked at the Renteria deal with quite a bit of apprehension, however Jurrjens is the real deal folks. I listened to him speak in January and have read some quotes from the guy, and he’s got his head on straight, and definitely has a plan each time he steps on the mound. Add this voice to the chorus that is saying Jurrjens has just about wrapped up a slot in the rotation.
The spring Tyler Flowers is having is most certainly one of the big surprises to this point, his oh-fer today notwithstanding. Josh Anderson is probably the second pleasant surprise this far into the exhibition schedule.
Along with Jurrjen’s performance today, have to also be really impressed by the work done by Buddy Carlyle and Will Ohman. I’ll be really interested to see Hampton’s start on Friday versus the gambler at Dark Star.
Let me add my congrats to Chris’ for DOB getting the VP of the BWAA. Can’t believe it took us that long to find that out, but not surprised at all that the eagle eyed Klobber from the lowcountry found that out for the denizens.
By SNIPER-69
March 5, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
I’ll spare you all the drama and keep my post short and sweet form now on. here it goes….LETS GO METS (No matter who’s in the lineup)!!!
By JT
March 5, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
Congrats DOB!!!!,you do a very good job here, running the blog, in the AJC,etc… i have faith you will do just great over there too… Congratulations man.. :)
By ippississiM
March 5, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
Alou story
By BA
March 5, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Delgado, Alou, is anybody really suprised that these ancient mutts players are breaking down? This team is clearly in decline, and soon they’ll fire the manager and the GM (again) and continue their cycle of futility. Alou’s immune system is probably shot from all the years of urinating on himself. As far as the two losers on here having the blog equivalent of a b**ch slapping contest, you girls should go private and let the baseball men talk about baseball, ala Pinella…
By Reid in EAV
March 5, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Good stuff. If you like Lanegan in collaborative mode, you might want to go back and grab the duet project he did with Isobel Campbell (ex-Belle And Sebastian) last year, called “Ballad of the Broken Seas.”
Thanks Chrisklob for the info — knew that about the HOF, just wasn’t sure what the VP office/honor meant exactly… though I can infer that DOB is pretty highly thought-of by his peers. Not too shabby.
By N8
March 5, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Congrats DOB. That’s pretty cool.
DOB, earlier, you stated that compared to the other No-No’s you’ve covered, since it was an exhibition game, it didn’t have the same feel to it.
Couldn’t agree more (and I haven’t “covered” any of them, but I’ve watched 3 or 4 on TV (Randy Johnson’s perfecto, Kent Mercker’s against L.A., and the combined one the Braves had in the 90’s - I think there is a couple others, but I can’t remember - I suppose you could include Kerry Wood’s 20 K game - I was watching that live on WGN).
Anyhow, I’m not gonna lie, I was “rooting” to get that last out, just because it still would have been “neat”. But even had we gotten the combined no-hitter, I still think the BEST news of the day, was the 3 innings that Triple-J threw to start the game.
If he can be an improvement over what Chuck did last year, and Hampton stays healthy (even if it’s only long enough for Jo-Jo and Chuck to get up to speed), this rotation could be NASTY.
By default, Glavine could end up being the “5th” starter, in terms of effectiveness, even though that’s not the slot he’ll start the year in.
It’s kind of like when Jaret Wright was here in 2004. He won 15 games, and even though he was almost out of baseball the year before, he was essentially our “ace”, even with Ortiz, Hampton and Byrd in the rotation with him.
I really think that JJJ can “sneak up” on people this year. He might have some rough spots. But if he continues to do what it sounds like he’s been doing, he’s gonna be a BIG part of the team and it’s success.
By Roman Gal
March 5, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
Congrats DOB.
…I bet there would have been something interesting to talk about if someone had posted what DOB said on ESPN. Maybe that’s just wishful thinking…
By ippississiM
March 5, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
I’ve decided to put up some of my ramblings here to keep from being a blog-hog. Right now I’m working on my predictions for how the current injuries or injury history of various players in the NL East will affect their teams’ chances. First article in the series should be uplate tonight or early tomorrow.
By BA
March 5, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Vice president? Didn’t this guy use “true that” in an article yesterday? Is this Yo O brien raps?!
By Daybed Wagmoe
March 5, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
Apparently the Gutter Twins are touring and will play in Atlanta on March 21. Unfortunately for DOB, it looks like that’s the only stop close to FLA — DC the night before, New Orleans the night after.
By chrisklob
March 5, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
Roman Gal, I agree. I went to ESPN to see if I could find the video of DOB on ESPNews. I’d be happy if someone could clue the rest of us in.
By ippississiM
March 5, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Congratulations DOB, and here’s to the hardest-blogging beat writer in baseball!
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
OK, enough with all that. Thanks and all, and I do appreciate your kind words, but let’s move on to other topics.
The Mets’ (barely) walking wounded, for instance.
Saise your hand if you had Mo (Moises Alou) over Hampton in the first-to-get-injured pool…
By i cant take it anymore
March 5, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
DOB…congrats, man!! sniper, you said “I hope someday you realize this is just a blog where people come to root for their favorite teams”. you’re right! it’s the BRAVES BLOG, stupid. Take your junk to a mets blog. It might just make their blog better.
By ippississiM
March 5, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
McFann:
Thanks for the get-well. Last time I broke some ribs, it took about 6-8 weeks to do normal stuff pain-free, but I still feel it when the weather changes; these may take about 2-3 months, since they are lower down and the cartilage separated as well.
I pitch in the backyard as a kind of hobby, and I plan to start “rehabbing” in mid-April. Shouldn’t be too bad since I’m a junkerball lefty and the ribs are on the right side.
By David O'Brien
March 5, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
By the way, I bumped into one of our bloggers today while we were washing/drying hands in the men’s room (hey, it happens). He noticed my credential, introduced himself (his name is Randy, not sure what screen name he uses) and said he was going to the festival down in Fort Lauderdale this weekend with REM and Beasties, etc. Good guy.
Said he might have a couple of extra Radiohead tix (which I’ll gladly purchase from him; I didn’t realize they had gone on sale until they were already sold out)
By chrisklob
March 5, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
ippississim, too bad, I don’t think the Braves need a lefty this year. Keep working though, you never know who’s gonna get hurt. :-)
By i cant take it anymore
March 5, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
david, my hand is down on that question. I love mike, but i had him pegged to burst into flames during his first spring training start.
By uga-brave
March 5, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this
DOB,
good stuff as usual, congrats on the honor, you deserve it. just out of curiosity have you ever been confused with the other dave o’ brien on espn?
well it looks like jjj is making a good first impression, even if it is early.
kind of refreshing to hear a young pitcher that is not afraid to pitch to contact. i wonder if kyle davies ever heard of that approach.
speaking of ex-braves it appears that jason marquis is up to his old antics, he said he would rather be traded then pitch out of the cubs bullpen.
lets see he has pitched for cox, larussa, and pinella and p** all of them off. not exactly the three stooges when it comes to managerial ability.
really to early to make predictions, but the early returns look good. like i have said, lets just break camp healthy and let the chips fall where they may.
we already have the best manager over 162, so if we have all our weapons i like our chances.
By uga-brave
March 5, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this
miss,
the last time you broke your ribs?
what are you a ultimate fighter?
By fastasballs
March 5, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
I see another Mut is on the shelf, an important one at that. Granted it’s the first week of March, but you have to wonder what the opening day roster is going to look like. How many non roster invites are in camp for them anyway? Since their minors is all but gutted I don’t see where the depth is going to come from.
I hear Woodward is available, lol.
By uga-brave
March 5, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
dob,
kentucky in or out? 11-4 in the sec with a home game left against fla.
does not say much for the sec, considering they lost home games to gardner-webb, san diego, and were blown out on the road by houston.
By David O'Brien
March 6, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
uga-brave: good points about Jurrjens (not afraid of contact, like so many other young pitchers are) and Marquis (great arm, but head will always get in his way and prevent him from reaching full potential).
Yes on the other O’Brien. Imagine what it was like when he was a Marlins broadcaster and I was a Marlins beat writer, and we often stayed in the same hotels. Total chaos. I still occasionally get calls for him in hotels, when he’s there with ESPN.
It got so bad with Marlins that Dave (he goes by Dave, me by David, not that anyone notices) took to registering under an alias, Placido Domingo. Which worked out great for him, but only meant I got ALL the calls to the hotel that were for Dave/David O’Brien.
By Choppinmama
March 6, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
Carroll: That was a very nice article about Renteria, upbeat and informative. Sounds like there may be an Edgar Redux on down the line. It wouldn’t surprise me - if he can stay healthy, it pained Bobby to make the “business” deal that sent Edgar on his way to begin with.
DOB: Congrats on the VP job. How many super delegates did it take to get you elected? Hope these duties won’t take time away from your blogging duties, or cut into your music listening time! That VP pay can’t be that great. What are the BBWAA VP duties anyway? Do you get to guard the votes when they come in for the HOF candidates?
Seriously, congrats on a great honor.
OK - my car is loaded with every conceivable outfit for every conceivable weather forecast the next week down at Dark Star. I’m headed south in the a.m. for a very much anticipated visit. It’s exciting to know the first game I’ll see will have Hampton starting. Anyone else going to be at camp this next week?
By David O'Brien
March 6, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
can’t take it anymore: I wasn’t expecting Hampton to be engulfed in flames atop the mound, but I’ll admit the first two or three times I watched him take BP, I was watching every pitch waiting for him to reach for some body part, in pain.
By ippississiM
March 6, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this
uga-brave: Not an ultimate fighter, just a USMC veteran.
chrisklob: Yeah, I’m a little old to be considered a good signing, although I would come awfully cheap. I just do it for fun, anyway, although I have considered joining an adult amateur league in the area.I don’t think I’d like spending my weekends away from the family for no money though, so I think I’ll just keep pitching BP for my brother and nephews. My younger brother plays high-school ball, as do my two oldest nephews.
By David O'Brien
March 6, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this
I’d say UK’s in, with the way they’ve played the last few weeks and couple of big wins they’ve had.
By chrisklob
March 6, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
ippississiM, you ever her about Jim Morris?
By ColoradoBravesFan
March 6, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
David, not Placido Domingo…
Any info from the Smoltz simulated game besides a Tiger roller up the middle. Did Smoltz feel good? Any words from Rogder McDowell on how he looked against Hoss, and Francouer?
Just looking for a positive from his spring workouts.
GO BRAVOS…
By uga-brave
March 6, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
miss,
thanks for your service.
from one southpaw to another. hope you are in the backyard soon, being crafty. how come lefty’s are called crafty? you never hear that term applied to righthanders.
By uga-brave
March 6, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
klobber,
jim morris, quite a story and a pretty good baseball movie to boot.
By SandyB
March 6, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
Thanks to DOB and to all of you who post daily with game reports and information about the Braves and the upcoming season. I can often impress the husband and friends as I recount something I’ve read… Makes me look smart!!I know I SHOULD be grading papers, but reading the blog is so much more fun. I want to put ST on the calendar for next year….my husband and I went in the early 80s…I have pictures of Niekro, Gene Garber, Matt Sinatro, Dale Murphy; my daughter and I went the last year the Braves were at West Palm.
By chrisklob
March 6, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
uga, never saw the movie. But you’re right, it’s a great story.
By uga-brave
March 6, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
just saw the highlights of the braves game on espn, dont think tex got all of that one.
klobber do you ever get out to red’s ice house on shem creek.
pretty cool place to sit outside and have a couple of cold ones.
By chrisklob
March 6, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this
ississippim, I second uga’s comment. Thank you for serving this great country.
By uga-brave
March 6, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this
colorado fan,
mark bowman has a piece about smoltz’s outing on the the braves web site.
By uga-brave
March 6, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
chrisklob,
disney made a movie about him called “THE ROOKIE” starring dennis quaid.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 6, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this
Somebody pinch me. On second thought , don’t , I might wake up.
It’s only nine spring training games and doesn’t mean anything once the season start. But as of right now , the Braves look better than the Phillies and Mets.
The Braves are 6-2 , outscoring the opposition 51 to 22 while posting a team ERA of 2.98 with a rotation that at the moment , looks absolutely dominant.
The Phillies are 4-4-1 , while being outscored themselves 41 to 49 and posting a team ERA of 5.44 , their pitching doesn’t look so hot and Lidge is already a question mark.
Those Mets are 5-3-1 , also being outscored 28 to 31 with a respectable ERA of 3.88 and the team is falling apart before our eyes.
Please don’t stir me from my slumber , this dream is awesome !
By chrisklob
March 6, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
Red’s crowd tends to be a little young for me. I prefer Vickery’s, on the other side of the creek. Amazing view of the city from there.
By chrisklob
March 6, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this
uga, I was aware that a movie had been made and that Quaid played the part of Morris. I read that Quaid really got into the roll, got himself into “baseball shape” and did a great job of portraying a mlb pitcher.
By David O'Brien
March 6, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
ColoradoBravesFan, Roger said Smoltz threw great, but that was about all I got out of him as he hurried towards his car to get out of there today soon as the game was over. He drove over instead of the team bus, because he stayed back in the morning to see Smoltz throw.
That’s literally all I got from him, a quote about facing Tiger, something about Smoltz looking greaet, same as last week, and Roger was on his way, with an armful of food to go from the clubhouse spread.
Smoltz didn’t return a message I left for him, so we’ll probably have to wait until we talk to him Friday. He won’t be on the trip Thursday to Lakeland, since he’s not pitching.
By chrisklob
March 6, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this
Coach, I think we have some pretty strong reasons to have high expectations for the team this year.
By ippississiM
March 6, 2008 1:35 AM | Link to this
I’ve never figured out why righties can’t be crafty either.
I appreciate the comparison with Jim Morris, but I don’t think my fastball will ever again crack 90 mph. I’m one of those guys who uses more different arm-slots than most guys use pitches; mostly sidearm, but I go 3/4, 1/4, overhand and even underhand at times for certain effects, or just to confuse the heck out of a batter. When I’m trying, my high-school level batters can’t hit above the Mendoza line off me, but I doubt I’d even get a chance at a tryout camp.
By ippississiM
March 6, 2008 1:41 AM | Link to this
Tell you what guys: If Smoltz gets to notch a World Series win this fall, I’ll go to a tryout camp. Not only that, but I’ll spend all summer getting in shape so I’ll have a snowball’s chance of getting a look.
By Randy S
March 6, 2008 1:44 AM | Link to this
Howdy DOB - It’s Randy from the bathroom (possible new screenname?).
Great lil game in Winter Haven today (unless you like the Indians or (the Indians) defense. CANNOT believe the no-no was blown with 26 outs. Jurrjens looked like a major leaguer today. I know pitchers are supposed to look better than hitters in ST but JJJ moved the ball around so well (up-down, in-out, speed-offspeed).
Flowers was bombing balls in BP (though the first few game ABs didn’t go so well). Nonetheless, even after trading Salty, the Braves seem to still have darn good catching depth.
Tex seems to be committed to keeping up his RBI per game pace even in the preseason.
DOB - I’ll let ya know about the Radiohead tix. Pretty sure I have an extra pair. And for the record, I recognized both you and Pete, and only you got a hello (please ignore the fact that I didn’t talk to Pete because I would have gushed).
Long post for me, but hey, you mention me, that’s what you get. I’ll let yall know how the music is in Big Cypress.
By Metropolitan Man
March 6, 2008 2:04 AM | Link to this
**It’s only nine spring training games and doesn’t mean anything once the season start. But as of right now , the Braves look better than the Phillies and Mets.
The Braves are 6-2 , outscoring the opposition 51 to 22 while posting a team ERA of 2.98 with a rotation that at the moment , looks absolutely dominant.
The Phillies are 4-4-1 , while being outscored themselves 41 to 49 and posting a team ERA of 5.44 , their pitching doesn’t look so hot and Lidge is already a question mark.
Those Mets are 5-3-1 , also being outscored 28 to 31 with a respectable ERA of 3.88 and the team is falling apart before our eyes.
It’s only nine spring training games and doesn’t mean anything once the season start. But as of right now , the Braves look better than the Phillies and Mets.**
What those numbers dont tell you is that you guys are winning with what, 2 pieces missing and are not running away with the grapefruit division and you are almost at full strength. The philthies are chugging along without a closer and a rag tag rotation. Now the METS. The youth movement is in effect. 5 wins in a row without Beltran, Alou, Delgado, Church, Sneider, or Castillo. The pitching will hold up so the young guys in the lineup who are winning these games will have to hold the fort until the big boys recover. The bullpen is so deep, we can shop players around for a guy who can play 1st/outfield to bolster the fielding depth, not pitching. I’ve seen the braves patch holes and keep winning during the times the METS and philthies were ran by idiots and couldnt catch the braves no matter who the braves lost to injury. Now you get so see how it feels to be on the other side of that. Sorry, still letting go of all that lack of METS success during your run. The young guys are playing there tails off and will continue to do so because hey, who wants to go back to the minors after a taste of the bigs. Willie’s job now gets a little easier on the personel front because at the start of the season it looks like Reyses and Wright will be mixing it up with the “Kids Delight”. 3 weeks away and the METS are fielding UN-Stars and this METS fan doesn’t have a panic bone in his body.
LETS GO METS!!!!
By Moby Grape
March 6, 2008 2:23 AM | Link to this
really? Ok, Prado played 61 games in the Dominican Summer League in ‘01, 59 games in the DSL in ‘02, 59 games in the Gulf Coast League in ‘03, and full-season leagues in ‘04, ‘05, ‘06 and ‘07.DOB
The DSL is not really considered pro ball as it is of way less quality that a rookie league. Baseball Cube and BaseballReference.com both list his professional career as starting in 03 with the rookie level club which gives him 5 years of experience at that level or above. DSL is about like playing here in the Cape Cod league or something like that. If they do in fact pay them then I guess you are correct on a technicality, but nobody who charts minor league stats counts it. And the gist of the post is STILL that Prado is a better hitter than that previous poster gave him credit for, not that he is a better prospect than Lillibridge. The line comparing him to Lillibridge in ‘07 was a tag end line showing that he did hit for a higher average, which corresponded to the vein in which the other guy posted because he said the pitcher had to be terrible cause Prado had two hits. which indicated to me that he didn’t think that Prado could hit for any kind of average. And David-14,if a couple mentions of Prado’s stats is ad nauseaum to you perhaps you need some maalox.But my posts have had nothing to do with anything that you replied about.
By ippississiM
March 6, 2008 2:57 AM | Link to this
I’m currently working on a lengthy analysis of the Phillies’ starting rotation. Does anyone have any insight on particular pitchers they have? The research is more than a little tedious since they are looking at some guys with little or nothing written about their pitching to give any insight. One guy listed on sportsline’s depth chart doesn’t even have any minor league stats available, and he was drafted in 2005!
By nOLIE
March 6, 2008 3:48 AM | Link to this
One guy listed on sportsline’s depth chart doesn’t even have any minor league stats available, and he was drafted in 2005!ippississiM
If the guy has had any major league experience then his page a Baseballreference.com will usually have his minor league stats available.If he has no major league experience then try TheBaseballCube.comHERE
By ippississiM
March 6, 2008 4:04 AM | Link to this
eventually found some minor-league info on him, buried in an article about another prospect, but most of what I’m looking for goes beyond just stats. I’m looking for things like injury history, scouting, or indicators of attitude and/or discipline.
By nOLIE
March 6, 2008 5:17 AM | Link to this
I’m looking for things like injury history, scouting, or indicators of attitude and/or discipline.ippississiM
then Google Google Google & good luck :-)
By ippississiM
March 6, 2008 5:27 AM | Link to this
nOlie
I just finished my rather time-consuming and lengthy report on Phillies pitching.
Kinda like having a contest for best stripper over age 40.
By Who Cares
March 6, 2008 6:25 AM | Link to this
Who gives a $hit about these rich guys playing golf etc… Worthless reporting to say the very least !
By ncscoots
March 6, 2008 6:29 AM | Link to this
DOB, congrats on the election, but that now causes great consternation among the faithful in one area…how shall we incorporate that (as we should, it being worthy of more than occasional reference) into the current monikers for the blogmeister? With the Notorious DOB, Crusading Everyman, and now, Veep, all being flung about, well, it all makes one pause. Notorious Everyman Veep? Unwieldy, but all-inclusive. Perhaps the shortened version will have to do: Hail, NEV. Or do we go with “DOB alias NEV”? Some guidance, please.
By nOLIE
March 6, 2008 6:33 AM | Link to this
There is also MILB.com Minor League Baseball which sometimes does have articles.
By David O'Brien
March 6, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this
Ncscoots, thanks again, but please, no more. I like the current monikors bestowed by the denizens, but would not like anything with that incorporated. It’s done. Move on. Good….
Who Cares: Frankly, I agree with you. After the first such story of any spring, I’m a bit uncomfortable writing any more stories about Braves playing golf. For exactly the reaction you gave (I always wonder how many out there feel that way, in other words).
Thanks for the input. I’ll definitely keep it in mind. As you can imagine, yesterday was rather extenuating circumstances, though, with Tiger showing up to hit against Smoltz. That was different. Gotta write about that.
By ippississiM
March 6, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
nOLIE: Thank you for the links. I used minorleaguebaseball.com, mlb.com, sportsline, espn, baseball-reference, wikipedia, and google to gather my data, then I sifted through what I found to come up with an overall impression of each Phillies starter candidate.
Here is the site with my report on the Phillies rotation, the Mets DL, and my impression of the 2008 Braves.
By chrisklob
March 6, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
ippisssissiM, very impressive. You might want to check out The Baseball Cube. As much as I like baseballreference.com, Baseball Cube seems to have more info on minor leaguers.
By Braveheart
March 6, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
If no one wrote golfing stories about Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz through the years, they would have been missing a huge part of the story with those three. The stories are always about alot more than just golf if you have any reading comprehension.
Pretty sad when ippississiM is healthier than the Mets. I think ippississiM is like our voodoo doll. We prick him and cause him to suffer all sorts of wicked injuries because this will cause the Mets to suffer his injuries. So, here’s to our secret weapon: the backwards spelled Mississippi man who is our voodoo doll.
I want Johan to tear a rotator cuff, so get ready for some wicked pain in your shoulder there ippississiM.
I though the Gutter Twins were Metroman and Sniper?
By Braveheart
March 6, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
I was wondering why Chipper doesn’t go hunting with Hoss down at the Double Dime.
When I heard DOB was now the Veep, it all made sense.
Chipper doesn’t want our Veep DOB to go all Dick Cheney scattershot on him.
So, thanks Veep.
Chipper has enough injuries to worry about without you putting his body in peril with your vice presidential scattershot.
We want a new Pennant flag to be waived this year. Not Maggie’s Drawers.
By Braveheart
March 6, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
I was wondering why DOB doesn’t go hunting with Hoss down at the Double Dime.
When I heard DOB was now the Veep, it all made sense.
Chipper doesn’t want our Veep DOB to go all Dick Cheney scattershot on him.
So, thanks Veep.
Chipper has enough injuries to worry about without you putting his body in peril with your vice presidential scattershot.
We want a new Pennant flag to be waived this year. Not Maggie’s Drawers.
By chuckaluck
March 6, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
DOB — keep reporting on the golf outings. There are a number of us who find what these guys do in their off time interesting. And I am not even a golfer. The golfing, and Bobby’s condoning of it during the season, shows another competitive side of these guys.
By David O'Brien
March 6, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
Fine posts, Braveheart. And with that, I’ll get ready to drive over to Lakeland (30-40 percent chance of t-storms after 3 p.m., so gonna have to alter plan of riding the bike over there, dammit).
I saw something on CNN about a plan to flood the Grand Canyon. Didn’t hear the reasoning, but I’m guessing it’s something David Wright has ordered?
By David O'Brien
March 6, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
Randy S, enjoy the show. Oh, and don’t change your screen name to Randy From the Bathroom. Sounds too congressional.
By ncscoots
March 6, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
Very well, Notorious One, monikers remain unamended, as desired.
Just as well, since Braveheart’s mention of Dick Cheney certainly took the pizazz out of calling you Veep, LOL.
Moving on…
By Anders
March 6, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
LEW
By now you must have heard Moises Alou is out 6 - 8 weeks with hernia surgery. I’ve got to man up and give you this one. While I certainly didn’t expect Alou to play more than 100 games give or take 10 (I know he hasn’t played that many in a number of years so save the stats fellas) I definetly wanted him to be in the lineup to start the season. While not crippling this definetly hurts the Mets. I’m not as concerned about the other injuries to the regulars yet (Delgado maybe a little until I see him play some). I start to judge my non pitchers around St. Patty’s day. By then you wany guys healthy and starting to play regularly. (This is why I’ve said nothing about Chipper as well unlike other Met bloggers on here). Right now I’m more interested in Pedro and Sanchez. If both those guys are healthy than the Mets can patch the fielders together and compete. We’ll see.
By Braveheart
March 6, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Interesting to hear about Jurrjens pitching to contact. Since the trade, I have been looking at his minor league stats, trying to figure out why he does not strike out more batters like most top pitching prospects do in the minors.
It reminds me of Mariano Rivera. When Mo first came up, he had a wicked rising fastball that he would go up the ladder with and strike batters out all the time. If you look at his 1996 stats, you see that he struck out alot of batters throwing almost nothing besides rising fastballs.
But then he developed the cutter and you almost never saw him pitch the rising fastball again. The cutter enabled him to be more efficient and pitch to contact and just dispose of hitters with wicked stuff on their hands that broke bat after bat and induced ground balls and weakly hit balls in the air.
So it is good that Trey J has learned how to get hitters out by letting them make contact. Being more efficient will let him pitch deeper into games and will save alot of wear and tear on his arm.
I think David Cone would have pitched a few years longer and been a Hall of Famer if he was not so strikeout happy when he was young. Alot of bullets were wasted by Cone when he was young. I think he even threw 165 pitches or so in a game back in the early 1990s. They say it took him almost a year or two to recover from that game.
From what I saw of Jair on Friday, I really liked it. Nasty stuff that he keeps down. I like the way the Braves have started accumulating pitchers that better suit the style of their pitching coach. It has taken a few years.
McDowell was a sinkerballer back in his day. Now the Braves have Hudson, Smoltz, Hampton, Jurrjens, Moylan, JoJo who all kind of make a living keeping the ball down.
I’m betting Glavine might even learn a few new tricks under McDowell. Glavine was a disciple of Leo but then when he went to the Mets he got smacked around. I think he picked up a few pointers working with Peterson and came back strong. Glavine seems to be like a sponge who picks up things here and there from whomever is teaching him.
I can’t believe I am liking the potential of McDowell for this team this year. I have not been that impressed thus far with his work outside of Moylan and Hudson. But maybe the team has to bring in the pitchers who suit the style and methods of the pitching coach. Not everyone had success with Leo. Only the Leo style pitchers did. Maybe the same is true of McDowell. It could be one reason, amongst others, that Flyball Chuck James does not fit into their plans.
One concern I have however is that if they are gonna focus on keeping the ball down, it is imperative that the infield defense be very good. There are no worries at shortstop and first base in that regard. Chipper needs to play defense like he did last season. Once KJ gets over his mindblock from hell on the backhand up the middle he had late last season, the Braves will be in good shape with the defense suiting the pitching style of McDowell’s pitchers.
By Bawlmer Brave
March 6, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
I know we have the overbearing presence of some Muts fans here, but how about some talk about the Phils. I seriously think that’s gonna be our biggest competition this year. They ARE the reigning champs, and have a more potent offense than the Muts, are healthier (right now), and have the last two MVPs.
Another thing, we need to make sure we don’t overlook the bunch of games we play against the Marlins and Nats. THAT could be the difference maker this year. We have the make sure we dominate the season series against the teams we’re supposed to beat.
We also have a much easier Interleague schedule than last year. We had a very lopsided Interleague schedule last year compared to the rest of the NL East. As mentioned last night, Interleague is a place we could improve upon and make a diffence in the overall standings pretty easily this year.
Comments?
By j-schooldropout
March 6, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
It appears the Dodgers are learning what we already know about Andruw. He’s lazy and uncoachable with a hole the size of Santa Monica in his swing. See the link below. He reported to camp at 245 pounds. The Dodgers are shocked and Torre is exerting gentle pressure. So far batting .118. Man, what a mistake it would have been if we had offered him arbitration. I bet Kotsay has a better year.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-plaschke6mar06,1,1427208.column?ctrack=4&cset=true
By CC Rider
March 6, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
A funny story in the paper the other day! Jeff Foxworthy lives in the same subdivision as John Smoltz. He told a story about John’s being SO competitive. A few years ago they were playing golf at the Country Club of the South. Foxworthy hit a 230 drive off the tee and thought to himself that was pretty good for him. Smoltz blasted his drive 300+ down the middle of the fairway and as they walked to their balls Smoltz asked Foxworthy if he knew about the new mall that was going to be built near here. Foxworthy said ” No where is it going to be built?” Smoltz replied “Between your ball and mine”
By eware
March 6, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
DOB, that David Wright/Grand Canyon line had me laughing out loud - rarely happens on a blog. Nice touch.
By Rodney Derrick
March 6, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
Renteria for Jurggens and Hernandez may equal or surpass Alexander for Smoltz deal in history of Tigers and Braves history especially with Edgar eventually coming back in a Julio Franco type role
By 22oz
March 6, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
A late congrats for the BBWA VP position DOB, i just caught up on all the posts (well, it was easy to scroll by many)from yesterday. As for meeting Randy in the bathroom, i hope it wasn’t while you were using the urinals. Awkward!
By SNIPER-69
March 6, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Anders, Most Met fans recognize that Alou will only play about 100 games. I’m looking at the bright side. 3 1/2 of the 6-8 weeks will be pre-season time. I agree with you. The Mets have enough talent to get buy. They have a good rotation and the bullpen should be improved.
By Lew
March 6, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Anders-You’re right, it does not destroy the Mets’ chances, by any means, but Alou’s injury this early is certainly not a good sign-especially given your fast start last season was a saving grace of the 07 campaign.
The entire point I was trying to make last night was that I would be surprised if there was not some measure of concern going into the season, especially with what could end up being a nagging injury to DelGado. I would also be concerned with the fact that Beltran and Castillo were so slow getting started. What is Their prognosis?
If some feel me to have been overbearing the past couple days, then I apologize. I’ve never wanted anything but to be a good contributor to the blog and to make my presence here something that most Denizens thought was positive and enjoyed.
While I will always do battle with the more radical of the Mets’ element-NoBrainZone, Drooling Fool, etc., I am sincerely sorry if the regular denizens were disappointed in me and my responses. I’ve had to keep my ego at a pretty high level the past couple years just to get to this point and sometimes, I must admit, it do get a bit over the edge. It is as contrite as any will ever see The Artist, but I am sorry if any but the intended were offended (how poetic, right?). That will be all on that subject.
DOB-I offer my congratulations on your accomplishment as well. I also apologize if my responses to that other person distracted from the honor of the occasion. You should know me well enough by now to realize that was not my intention. Congrats, Dude, ya did well.
By Reid in EAV
March 6, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this
While we’re discussing the Phils, let’s not overlook the Nats either. Yes, I project them for a fourth place finish, but remember the second half they had last year — very strong. And they’ll be in a new ballpark, which is a massive improvement over creaky old RFK, and sometimes that can actually help a team.
CC Rider: LOL! Great story!
By SNIPER-69
March 6, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Lew, I’ll accept your apology…..I forgive you.
By i cant take it anymore
March 6, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
david, the mike in flames was a stretch, but Im with you on the “every pitch” worry. Im glad that doesnt seem to be an issue.
By Bawlmer Brave
March 6, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Reid,
Good point. That’s what I’m getting at though. While games against the Phils and Mets count double in the race (assuming they are the top three teams) we definitely can’t take the bottom of the division so lightly that we end up with a mediocre record against them in the 35-40 games that we’ll play against them. It’d be nice to pencil in about 25-30 wins there, but not if we overlook them and concentrate too heavily on the Phils and Mets. The season is 162 games, and they all count.
At least we only have 3 teams with a viable shot at the title, unlike the NL West which has four. They’re probably going to beat themselves up so much that the Wild Card has little chance of coming out of the West.
By Thrillhouse44
March 6, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Congrats, Notorious. Good, hard work reaps benefits. Glad it happened to a good dude. I’m also glad that your increased popularity hasn’t pulled you away from the blog any. I doubt we’ll be singing “Webcasts killed the blog star” anytime soon.
By David O'Brien
March 6, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Here at Tigertown now. Just talked to a Tigers writer who said, no surprise, Edgar’s been great in the clubhouse and very good on the field….
chuckaluck, i hear you. i’m not a golfer, either, but it is interesting seeing/hearing about that side of these guys, to a point. especially in the spring. just have to be careful not to overdo it, i think, in writing about it to the point that some fans feel like the whole country club/privelege vibe is being rubbed in their faces.
By McFann
March 6, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
ippississiM—
Thank you for your service to this great nation!!
SUPPORT THE TROOPS!!
God Bless America and Go Braves!!!
By Lew
March 6, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
That apology applied to all but one person. Figure who that may be.
By SNIPER-69
March 6, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
C’mon Lew, Lets kiss and make up.
By doug
March 6, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
This is part of Rob Neyer’s blog today.
STRIKE TWO — The Pennant Race: You still can’t see the future without a Ouija board — but you can read all about it over at one of my favorite Websites, coolstandings.com.
Once again this spring, the guys at coolstandings are playing out the entire 2008 schedule based on last year’s stats. And you might want to check this out before you head for Vegas, because, through games of June 4, all of this was going on:
• The Braves (47-14) had an 8½-game lead over the Mets (38-22) in the NL East, and an 18-game lead over the Phillies (29-32). Don’t tell Jimmy Rollins.
• The Diamondbacks (36-24) were 7 ½ up — and (shockingly) the only team with a winning record — in the NL West.
• The Cubs (42-18) were running away from the Brewers (35-25) in the NL Central.
• The bizarre AL West was led by (surprise) the Rangers (32-29), with the Angels (27-34) and Mariners (25-35) still trying to scale Mount .500.
• The Tigers (just 33-27), Indians (32-28) and White Sox (30-30) were duking it out in the closest race in baseball, with even the last-place Royals (27-33) just six out.
• The Red Sox (43-19) were well ahead of the Yankees (37-24), but the Yankees still held a four-game lead in the wild-card race over the Blue Jays (33-28), owners of the fourth-best record in the AL.
• In other news, the Braves — not the Red Sox, Tigers or Yankees — had scored the most runs in baseball (328). And the Cubs had allowed the fewest (just 178). Just as you all expected.
By the way, this crystal ball isn’t guaranteed or your wager money back. Last year’s projections had the Phillies finishing 30 games back of the Mets, the Indians coming in fourth in the AL Central (behind those 98-game-winning Twins) and the Rockies landing 22 games under .500 and 31 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. So how come we still love this stuff?
By Serge45
March 6, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
DOB- Headed down to Dark Star from Atlanta today with my father for his 50th (a couple months late). I see Hampton is pitching tomorrow, and Chipper should be back. Any news on who else will be involved over the weekend, or what’ll happen should it rain on Friday? Also, how early could/should we show up before a 1:00 game? Is there anything to see as early as 11 or 12?
By Serge45
March 6, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
DOB- Headed down to Dark Star from Atlanta today with my father for his 50th (a couple months late). I see Hampton is pitching tomorrow, and Chipper should be back. Any news on who else will be involved over the weekend, or what’ll happen should it rain on Friday? Also, how early could/should we show up before a 1:00 game? Is there anything to see as early as 11 or 12?
By MGL
March 6, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
What Metro Man did not point out in his early morning bragging about the Mets winning their last five games is that ALL of them were won in the last inning. Four of the five were by one run. Looks lucky to me.
By Nick
March 6, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Top story on braves.com today: Almost getting a no-hitter in our 7th spring training game.
Top story on mets.com today: Alou needs hernia surgery (which I’m sure, as a 40+ year old, will be a breeze to rehab) and will miss opening day.
Top story on phillies.com today: Kris Benson is scheduled to pitch a minor league game on Saturday.
By flange1
March 6, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Anders,
With all of the hurt Mets (I am asking here mostly about outfielders), do you think the Mets will have an interest in Sammy Sosa? There is history with OM….
I think Sosa might be a worthwhile investment for the Mets..
By Reid in EAV
March 6, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Thanks to whoever posted the LA Times piece on Andruw:
(In case you haven’t seen — http://tinyurl.com/239tft)
Dear Andruw, your and idiot. ;-) “Weight” had nothing to do with your issues last year. Instead, I think it was “wait.” As in, “…on pitches” along with don’t try to pull every freakin’ pitch you see.
But hey, someone else’s problem now! Good luck, Joe Torre! HA!
By Reid in EAV
March 6, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
Oh, and on that LA Times story, where it says “click to enlarge” next to the pic of Andruw?
I don’t think Dodger fans really want to do that. He’s big enough as it is…
By richbrave
March 6, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
LEW:
We all accept you as you are. No need to apologize. As an individual infected with a similar sensibility of life, I feel your pain. You have a gift my friend which is on display for all of us to appreciate and enjoy. For those too blind to see your gift, I would offer these lines which I wrote a few years ago upon turning 60.
THE SCRIPT (C)
Life writes a script, legible and clear. It’s etched on the face with each passing year. As the years roll on and a scroll unfolds all gaze at the face which is growing old. What do they see when they look at you? Are the lines there written a credible cue? If NOT dear friend you should pause and think. You may change that script ‘ere you reach the brink.
G.B.Lawrence - 2003
No revisions for you my friend. Keep up the good work.
By Pete H.
March 6, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Sniper is underestimating how long Alou will be out. The six to eight weeks is just to recover fully from the surgery; he’ll have to do Spring Training over, so it’s likely he’s out til mid-May or so. Then he’ll have the opportunity to get baseball-related injuries.
I actually feel bad for him. He’s a good guy and a good player, but he’s about as fragile as a pro athlete can get.
Man, do I wish I was in Fla. this week. I was planning to go, but money is tighter than I expected.
By McFann
March 6, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
OK, Sniper, that’s disturbing!!
By DAP
March 6, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
im sure alot of you have read this already, but i wanted to re-post what i thought was the most interesting part from the alou injury article:
they now have merely two able-bodied regulars for exhibition games — David Wright and Jose Reyes. Alou’s situation is by far the most serious, but five others are down, including catcher Brian Schneider (tight right hamstring), first baseman Carlos Delgado (right hip impingement) second baseman Luis Castillo (recovering from October surgery on both knees), center fielder Carlos Beltran (recovering from October surgery on both knees) and Church, who suffered a concussion in an exhibition game.
Four of the team’s primary backups — Easley, Chavez, Marlon Anderson and Ruben Gotay — are unavailable as well.
one thing i want to make clear when we talk about the mets’ injuries. this is not bad luck!!! this is bad management!!!! if i ran the mets, there is no way that alou, castillo and el duque would be on this team!!! its killing them!
i said this this winter, but ill say it a gain. the mets are in trouble, and to get out of it, they need a firesale-marlins style.
if i had been in chanrge of the mets this offseason, i wouldnt have signed alou or castillo again…i would have traded wagner, el duque, pedro, delgado, for young guys…maybe even minor leaguers. i would have kept milledge and estrada.
the mets could have spent 2008 training young guys to win, and then made a huge splash for the ‘09 season by signing a few big free agents, like sabathia, dunn, and maybe be right back on top.
By woogidy
March 6, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
DOB - Did anyone get a photo of Tiger in a Braves jersey? I would love one if so. I am a huge tiger fan, and an even bigger Braves fan. The Masters is my Superbowl.
By Thrillhouse44
March 6, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Nick, I think the Braves’ top story is the best, however not by much. Adding Anna Benson is always a good thing!
By SNIPER-69
March 6, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Pete H., it’s actualy 4-6 weeks. Any way you cut it he’ll only play about 100 games. McFann, just trying to cut the tension between Lew and myself. He’s probably a wonderful person.
By stephen jones
March 6, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
can someone print that LA article on druw? i dont need another f’n password to f’n remember. thanks.
By Reid in EAV
March 6, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
Sliiiightly altered Andruw Jones pic from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2n8uxo
By Reid in EAV
March 6, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
@stephen jones: here you go. Hope this is cool.
Bill Plaschke: It’s weight and see with Dodgers’ Jones The new center fielder is up to about 245 pounds, 10 more than he carried during his peak seasons. March 6 2008
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — It’s the oddest sight in camp. It’s the loudest whisper in camp.
People are staring, people are talking, everybody is wondering, there’s no way around it.
Literally, no way around it.
Andruw Jones looks heavy.
The newest Dodgers center fielder looks like the newest Dodgers wrestler.
He stalks up to home plate in his Dodgers whites and you’re like, this is him?
This is the sleek center fielder who has won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves?
This is the sturdy star who has never missed more than nine games in a season?
This is the Dodgers’ athletic new stud?
The Dodgers won’t say if they are worried, but they have to be worried.
Jones smiles and says he will be fine, but the numbers don’t lie.
At his peak, when he hit 40-plus home runs with 120-plus runs batted in, he weighed 235 pounds.
He is now about 10 pounds heavier.
At his peak, he was 28 years old.
He will spend most of this season at age 31.
“You gain weight when you get older, it happens to everyone, it’s just a fact,” Jones said.
That fact could be wearing on his spring batting average, which is .118 after seven games.
He has one single, one double, one RBI and a whole bunch of at-bats that looked like his three against the New York Mets on Tuesday.
In the first inning against Johan Santana, he struck out flailing.
In the third inning against Santana, he bounced weakly to shortstop.
In the sixth inning against Scott Schoeneweis, he bounced out weakly again.
He hasn’t had any eventful occurrences in center field but, then again, he hasn’t played that many innings yet.
Jones, who has the Chinese characters for “Bull” tattooed on the back of his neck, repeats that he will be fine.
“I know how I have to feel, I know how strong my legs have to be, I’m working hard to get there,” he said.
The Dodgers have no choice but to trust him.
“Given he’s new here, given his track record, we have to give him the benefit of the doubt,” Manager Joe Torre said. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t have people paying attention to what he’s doing.”
Jones said his weight issues dated to last season, a disappointing free-agent audition during which he said he was too light.
“Preparing for that year, my wife and I had a weight-loss contest,” he said. “She won, I lost.”
Did he ever, dropping 15 pounds, reporting to his Atlanta Braves job at 220 pounds.
“I was too light,” he said. “I never felt right.”
Several times, he said he hit fly balls that fell just short of the fence, and he wondered.
“I thought it was my weight,” he said. “I thought I needed to get it back up.”
His 26 homers equaled the lowest of his 10-year full-time career. His 94 RBIs were his lowest total in three seasons. His on-base percentage dropped 51 points.
Folks thought he was either trying too hard to get a big contract or hide a big injury.
“It was none of those things,” Jones said. “I think my body was too light.”
This winter, he did not make the same mistake.
“I ate what I wanted, I did what I wanted, I tried to get back to normal,” Jones said.
Well, he did.
And then some.
“I wasn’t surprised when I saw my weight this spring,” he said. “I want to be heavier. I want my legs to be stronger.”
But now that he has realized that maybe he went a bit overboard, he’s running more, and working the weights harder.
“I’ll be fine,” he said. “I know I can still chase down fly balls. I know I can still swing a bat. I know what I have to do.”
The Dodgers will watch, and hope.
Even though they were able to sign him to only a two-year deal, they still will pay him $18 million a year, the highest annual value of a single contract in Dodgers history.
That’s a lot of money for a weight issue that could lead to injury and ineffectiveness.
“We know that in the past, he felt he was too light and it affected his performance,” Torre said. “We have to respect that.”
The Dodgers are counting on Jones to respect them.
Earlier this spring, Torre walked over to Jones while he was stretching. Torre asked him, in his most fatherly Torre voice, whether he could remember his weight during his peak seasons.
“I told him 235 pounds,” Jones said. “He didn’t say anything else.”
Torre didn’t need to say anything else.
Here’s hoping Jones heard every word.
Bill Plaschke can be reached at bill.plaschke@latimes.com. To read previous columns by Plaschke, go to latimes.com/plaschke.
By DCBrave
March 6, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Lew- I know my words last night were a bit too harsh, maybe not that fair to you. It was just that when those of us who are not here on the blog as much as you are wanted to come here to see some news about the Braves which they cannot get from anywhere else, they - or me- get frustrated when most they see are back and forth fightings among denizens, legal or not. But, hey, it was not your fault. If it were not those “illegal” Muts …. So, no need to apologize. I only wish the Muts could go to where they belong and get some loves there.
I sensed some unfairness the denizens displayed toward Andrew. Honestly, can you say from the bottom of your heard that he did not play his rear end (no matter how ample it was in his latter years as alluded to by DOB before) off when he was here for all those years and you did not appreciate that? We are good decent folks here, aren’t we?
By Murphy
March 6, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
DOB, I love the golf and other extracurricular stories on the players. It is my opinion that only really the overly sensitive are “offended” by those stories. I think we all realize that these guys live a very different lifestyle than the rest of us…
By stephen jones
March 6, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Reid Thanks.
Now matter how much druw weighs he will never hit a ball on the outside of the plate flailing like he does. i think thats why most of us are dissappointed because he is old enough to know better but chooses not to be.
By Bawlmer Brave
March 6, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
I very much appreciate all that Andruw did for us over the years. I also have to tip my hat to JS (and now FW) for know when to get rid of players at the right time, regardless of the sentimental value they are to the fan base.
As fans we’ve always loved the team, quickly accepting most of the replacements for our fan-faves that were shipped off for “business” reasons. JS always knew how when to sell high.
By Daybed Wagmoe
March 6, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Here is the link for this morning’s 960 The Ref interview with Bill Shanks, recorded in Athens, GA. It’s about a 16 minute interview. Many thanks to Radio Tech Bill for putting it up!
Bill Shanks Interview with 960 The Ref
By Lew
March 6, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
DCBrave and RichBrave-Thank You. Your words are greatly appreciated.
Actually I am a crotchety Old Ba$tard (never claimed otherwise)that is indeed wonderful, nonetheless. Oh!!! The Duality.
By Some Blogs Have Quizzes
March 6, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
In addition to their Hall of Fame credentials, what rare feat do the following five great hitters have in common?
Hank Aaron
Luis Aparicio
Wade Boggs
Willie Stargell
Honus Wagner
By stephen jones
March 6, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Lew:
Dont you mean, “Oh, the humanity.”?
By chuckaluck
March 6, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
Bawlmer Brave you are dead on. I was at a Braves game last August sitting in centerfield and I could not get over how big Andruw had gotten. He could still move, but it was obvious his weight was an issue. If he didn’t address that in the offseason, you have to wonder about his commitment. He was a great player and is a now a part of Braves’ lore, but I think he’s done.
By richbrave
March 6, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
LEW:
Good one!!!Made me laugh.
By Big Easy
March 6, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Love Andruw, but I agree with chuckaluck…From reading that article, his stubbornness appears in mid-season form, and his weight is an issue, whether he thinks so or not (I can’t really talk about weight, being a fat guy, myself, but still…they don’t pay me $18 million to play a game, either).
I think JS (and FW) made the right call on letting Andruw walk this year. He is not the same Andruw that we loved and adored for so long. I wish him well, but I think he is on the decline.
But I’d still take Andruw over Torii Hunter any day of the week.
~E~
By Reid in EAV
March 6, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Subject change, but why oh why does the AJC keep reporting that these day games are going to be on the radio? It’s only MLB.com until Saturday. And silly me, I keep seeing that and getting my hopes up. (I thought it would get fixed after we first pointed it out, but nope — day in, day out, erroneous information.)
At least on the sports desk, the writers are far outshining the editors — get it together, gang.
By Lew
March 6, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
I think what really hacked us off about Andruw was his insistence all last year that he was nothing but a pull hitter and that after the season ended, he would look at film to decide what the problem was. Considering that a. He has a batting cage in his home with video equipment and b. that every denizen here reealized it was a balance problem (that AJ acknowledged after the season), I believe we had every right to gripe about his refusal to deal with the situation then and there.
After all, exactly where does all that money for salaries really come from? Time Warner or Liberty Media? Not bloody likely, as I’ve heard an Aussie player once say. It comes from all of us who attend games, buy memorabilia, T shirts, $5 beers and Baseball Cable Packages. That gives us the right to gripe, in my opinion.
When you make $13+ million annually, I think you owe it to employers and fans to be in the best playing shape possible and to attempt the remedy of problems immediately and not in three or four months. Perhaps paying attention to your coaches might help, too. Not so sure our sure handed outfielder always did this.
By Lew
March 6, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Stephen-A variation, thereof. Merely a comment on the schizoid nature of the human psyche, that’s all.
By TennesseePaul
March 6, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Probably getting this in on a soon-to-be-replaced blog but… I just got to the part where DOB was elected Vice Pres of the BWAA. Congratulations David O’Brien. Is it easy traveling with all the Secret Service guys crawling around? Ever want to just push one over and yell at him… get all John Kerry on a ski slope?
By DCBrave
March 6, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Lew- there! That is the Lew I’d love to meet next time I come back to Atlanta no matter how crotchety you are!
BTW, is it time that DOB puts up his new blog? I guess it could be any moment.
By Chopdawg
March 6, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Serge, I was down there last weekend, and if you get to the ballpark early you can watch batting practice and infield practice. I’m not sure how early they open the gates to the ballpark, but I got there for one game at least an hour early & the gates were open then; I’d imagine they open the gates two hours early like they do at Turner Field.
By TennesseePaul
March 6, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Daybed Wagmoe: Just got to your post. Sorry for the delay. Yes, they are sixth in the order, tied for fifth place with the Tigers. Whatever it all means I don’t know. I recall the season being determined by the game results but it is nice to see some pre-season respect from something.
By chrisklob
March 6, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Big Easy, are you in the wine biz, by any strange chance?
By David O'Brien
March 6, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
DCbrave, just starting new blog. should be up in first inning. had to stay on field to see flowers hit, and he was in the very last group.
road games, schedule very different for BP and such. can’t get blog up at 11 like I can at home games.
By TennesseePaul
March 6, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
Flowers. This guy came out of thin air…. talk of Teixeira leaving, a quick scan of the prospect charts for the team or the league or the whole game found that the Braves had no prospects at that position. Now all of the sudden there is a guy getting some talk and he can really mash batting practice balls.
I do like that he is another Georgia native. That’s cool. I’ll cheer for him on that alone. I would have loved it if Davies had held it together and worked out to be as good as he was once thought to be. Having Atlanta/Georgia natives man most of the field would have been pretty fresh.
By DAP
March 6, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
Lew b. that every denizen here reealized it was a balance problem (that AJ acknowledged after the season),
except shaun. he argued with everyone for about 2/3 of the season that andruw was doing everything right. :-)
By DCbrave
March 6, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
DOB- Not a problem at all. We have been spoiled by you, you know.
By Renegator
March 6, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Geez DOB,
If you can’t get a blog up at 11:00 sharp why even bother?
Anyway, congrats on the VP job. How long will you be the VP and would you consider running for Prez?
By midtownBrave
March 6, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
Milledge, at age 22, hit .272/.341/.446 in limited playing time in the majors in 2007, which made the Mets’ decision to dump him on Washington for platoon outfielder Ryan Church and non-hitting catcher Brian Schneider all the more peculiar Keith Law, Scouts Inc. I was wondering the same.
By McFann
March 6, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
I think now we cann appreciate the “heaviness” of McCann after hearing about our former center fielder. Sheesh! What nerve! Most baseball players are careful about their weight in the off season. Apparently Jones doesn’t care. Good riddance!!
By Nick
March 6, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
midtownBrave, I think they got rid of Milledge because he was dragging down their average age.
By ColoradoBravesFan
March 6, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
WOW… DOB answers denizens questions near 1:00 AM, then back at the keyboard around 7:30 AM to bring us the latest Braves/music updates. Thanks for the Smoltz update…
GO BRAVES….
By Anders
March 6, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Flange 1
Saw your post on Sammy Sosa. Minaya does love that guy but I think he’s finished as an NL guy. Maybe a DH. Honestly I didn’t even see him play last year so I don’t know what he has left. It’s too early for Minaya to do much. You first have to wait to see what players get cut from other clubs etc. He’d be trading into a sellers market right now. He has to wait until some of these other Met injuries start to sort themselves out first. Leftfield may not be a priority if Delgado can’t go. I think he sits tight for a bit.
Although, what about Barry Bonds? Could you imagine that circus? Hello Nitro, meet glycerine.
By stephen jones
March 6, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Lew:
I figured as much. Can you offer some more info on Dark Star as far as getting there early for autos? I plan on being there sun-tues. Thanks
By Daybed Wagmoe
March 6, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Nick — I’m laughing out loud at your 12:54 post. Nice one!
By DCBrave
March 6, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
So maybe, just maybe, In Flowers, we have OUR Howard!? Nha, too early to say.
By chrisklob
March 6, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Nick and midtown Brave, they got rid of Milledge because he wasn’t Hispanic!
By ippississiM
March 6, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Braveheart: regarding your 8:00, I’m only healthier than maybe four of the Mets everyday players, although I’ll be pitching BP again before Alou starts taking it, I’ll bet.
By stephen jones
March 6, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Has BC been yellin from the dugout: “Flower Power!”?
By Big Easy
March 6, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
chrisklob, not in the wine business. In the Engineering business, as it were.
~E~
By Niels Boor
March 6, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
Lew, Lew, Lew, Lew, Lew—
(sadly shakes head)
On the one hand, you claim merely to be giving as good as you get.
Then on the other hand (and in practically the same breath), you say ‘don’t even speak to me or I’ll tear your effin head off’.
SNIPER-69 is right about one thing — it is the height of intentional disrespect to deliberately and repeatedly flick with a person’s name (“Snipper”, “NoBrainZone”, “Drooling Fool”, etc.).
You’re either becoming as big a boor as me, or you’re carelessly and heedlessly wandering down the same path as a couple of departed journalists. Easy with the self-medication, okay?
PS: Take a hike, Reid in EAV. Who are you to say who the interloper is?
By Lew
March 6, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Stephen-I usually head down there when the pichers and catchers report, because there is a more relaxed attitude and more direct contact with players than after games start. I would imagine that outside the players parking lot early in the morning or after games might be the best time, but someone else might have better info than I do.
By DCBrave
March 6, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Some play by play callings of the game from those who are listening would be appreciated before DOB has a chance to do so.
By chrisklob
March 6, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Big Easy, just curious. I have a friend that is a Braves fan, is also a big guy, and goes by Big Easy.
By David O'Brien
March 6, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
NEW BLOGGAGE IS UP
By stephen jones
March 6, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Lew:
Thanks. Hopefully I will have some luck.
By ippississiM
March 6, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
I’ve got a little time to kill and I thought I’d spend it on some more information-gathering and analysis. What would you guys rather see, some more player-by-player Mets injury analysis, Phillies pitching news, or maybe something else entirely? I’m considering doing research on the Mets players most likely to start the season on the DL, or possibly on which players’ injuries will still let them play, but will keep them from living up to earlier projections. If not, then I could do a pros-and-cons piece on the Braves bench candidates.
By DAP
March 6, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
new blog, fellas
By ippississiM
March 6, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Here’s what I’ve done so far.
What should I add next?
By Lew
March 6, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Niels Boor-It is one thing to make fun of a nickname which does not even identify an individual. However, I use my real name and fooling with it is somewhat more nasty to my way of thinking. You are, however, entitled to your opinion. I’ve said what I felt was appropriate. Accept it or not. That’s all anyone is getting. I’ve never claimed to be a perfect being and it is virtually impossible to satisfy everyone and their expectations of anyone. I will just go on being the imperfect me that I am. Again-accept it or not. Matters little to me either way.
By Reid in EAV
March 6, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
in·ter·lop·er NOUN: 1. One that interferes with the affairs of others, often for selfish reasons; a meddler. 2. One that intrudes in a place, situation, or activity.
i.e. Mets fans on a Braves blog.
Any other idiotic questions?
By ippississiM
March 6, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
NEW BLOG IS UP
By carl wolerski
March 9, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
I just can’t see blue-collared upbringing Smoltzie, Glavine and redneck Frenchie hangin’ with a 1/2 Asian-1/2 African American under normal circumstances. I can’t see them giving someone of that ethnic background the time of day. Of course, we are talking TIGER WOODS here.